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High hopes were attached to CD‐ROM technology at its inception in bridging the gap between ‘information rich’ and ‘information poor’ countries. However, this is technology is entering the libraries of developing countries at a much slower pace than expected. This paper explores the use of CD‐ROM in academic libraries of three South Asian countries, namely Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A questionnaire was used for data collection and 39 academic libraries participated in the study. It was found that only one‐half of the libraries were using CD‐ROM technology and 65% of these were facing financial difficulties in sustaining it. TWO‐thirds of the libraries have only up to two CD‐ROM workstations and, on average, libraries have just over four CD‐ROM titles. Most of the library staff was self trained and only libraries were undertaking promotional and user education activities. This paper suggests that donor agencies and leading publishers should pool their resources to develop full‐text CD‐ROM products to help sustain the flow of digital information to these countries.

Deals with the subject of US companies which relocate offshore to take advantage of the tax differentials between countries following globalisation. Focuses on Stanley Works, an established Connecticut manufacturer which in February 2002 announced that it would relocate its legal domicile to Bermuda in order to increase cash flow and decrease tax payments. Describes the strong negative reactions in the USA to this intended reincorporation abroad ‐ from unions, shareholders, the press, the US Treasury, politicians and commentators. Relates this storm of protest to the atmosphere in the US after the financial scandals and terrorist attacks of the early 21st century; although other companies had reincorporated outside the USA before Stanley Works, which eventually withdrew its reincorporation plan, none has since.

Stresses that the criminal economy is much more cash‐intensive than the legitimate economy, and explains why. Indicates the scope of the problem for crime control: that carrying illegal proceeds as cash across national border remains an important method of money laundering. Outlines the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 concerning powers to allow searches for cash, and the standard of proof required. Discusses the different types of evidence allowed: avoidance of the usual banking channels, previous convictions and acquittals, lack of business records, lack of an audit trail, credibility, presence of items indicating crime, criminal associates, lying and inconsistent statements, contamination of the cash by drugs, suspicious denomination of banknotes, attempts at concealment, travel destinations and arrangements, financial background, failure to cooperate, and confidential informants. Goes on to cash seizures under terrorist legislation, possible challenges to seizures as contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights, the choice between civil and criminal forfeiture, and how the investigation proceeds.

Begins with the response of the Bush administration to the terrorist attacks of September 11, including the establishment of the Foreign Terrorist Asset Tracking Centre and the passing of the PATRIOT Act, and moves on to the reaction of the global community: condemnation by the United Nations, response by the Financial Action Task Force, support from the International Monetary Fund, extension of the role of the Wolfsberg Groups of financial institutions, and responses from countries around the world. Gives a diagram illustrating anti‐money laundering initiatives since September 11. Concludes that the ferocity and size of the terrorist attacks has overcome any reluctance by governments to commit to legislation against money laundering.

Refers to the conclusion by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and State Department that low‐tax jurisdictions do not attract a disproportionate share of dirty money; the Financial Action Task Force agrees, even though it is part of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), notorious for its anti‐tax haven initiative. Points out that in fact so‐called tax havens are not money laundering centres, and that most money in tax havens is institutional investment; all rating systems of money laundering find that non‐tax havens outnumber tax havens. Argues that high‐tax nations’ laws against money laundering are not very successful, as the US Treasury estimates that 99.9% of the criminal money in the USA is laundered successfully; the laws tend to focus on process rather than results. Makes suggestions for improving international cooperation against money laundering.

Describes how the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has blacklisted countries which it believes provide laws and practices conducive to money laundering; this blacklisting queries the legitimacy of the country or jurisdiction and its right to conduct financial business in the global environment. Shows how countries react to this challenge and regain legitimacy, and lists the countries concerned according to how quickly they were removed from the blacklist. Concludes that the countries which responded quickest to blacklisting were the wealthiest ones with large service and financial sectors; they were already more likely to be in an anti‐money laundering organisation and to be less corrupt than others in the blacklisted sector.

Describes transnational terrorist groups in the Asia‐Pacific region. Outlines the general problems facing cooperation within the East Asia and Oceania region because of its huge size and diversity, and explores regional cooperation in dealing with these criminal and terrorist networks; the Australian government has taken a leading role in combating both, although it has incurred distrust because of its close alliance with the USA. Contends that in fact there has been real progress in regional cooperation, especially if it is considered that awareness of the concept of transnational crime and terrorism was alien to the region until the mid‐1990s; and further, the notion of intervening to assist a disrupted state would not have been countenanced a decade ago. Outlines two specific initiatives involving regional intervention in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

Describes the greatly extended UK legislation to prevent money laundering, which is defined as the process by which the proceeds of crime and the true ownership of those proceeds are changed so that the proceeds appear to come from a legitimate source; the three stages of the money laundering process are placement, layering, and integration. Details the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002, including substantive money laundering offences pursuant to POCA and to the Terrorism Act 2000, “failing to report” offences, and “tipping off” offences. Outlines the Money Laundering Regulations (MLR) 2003, which place additional anti‐money laundering administrative requirements on organizations undertaking specified regulated activities. Discusses how POCA and the MLR affect disclosure and legal privilege, and the practical effects of POCA and MLR on professionals such as finance organizations, estate agents, casinos and barristers.

Discusses Taiwan’s achievements in combating money laundering. Outlines the criminal justice system and the 1996 Money Laundering Control Act (MLCA(, which covers the seizure and forfeiture of criminal proceeds and established a framework for Taiwan’s international cooperation in this area. Describes the work of the Ministry of Justice in drafting policy and overseeing investigations and prosecutions. Moves on to the 2002 Anti‐Terrorism Act and its punishments for terrorist activity, followed by the Anti‐Terrorism Action Group and the provisions of the MLCA for international cooperation.

Outlines the extent and nature of white‐collar crime in Germany, and examines the attitudes towards sanctions against this type of offence in the work of the special tribunals in Germany and other countries. Describes how specialisation works on both prosecution and judicial levels, including the position of the court, its substantive jurisdiction, the composition of the court, special training for judges, court caseloads, sentencing practice, guilty pleas and the practice of deals. Includes shorter descriptions of the systems in other European countries: France, Austria, Italy and Spain.