The gold-based Bretton Woods monetary system provided the currency stability necessary for the resumption of international trade.

FORBES: Japan and Europe Are Killing Themselves

Europe and Japan have called for the resumption of world trade talks by the end of this year.

BBC: EU, Japan call for new trade round

Blair has maintained his government had separate sources for the alleged resumption of uranium trade between Iraq and Niger and that it did not rely on the documents the IAEA said were forgeries.

CNN: Blair: WMD reports 'accurate'

Commissioner Pawel Samecki told MEPs that he was concerned about commercial ivory trade and wouldn't sign up to any agreement that would allow its resumption.

BBC: Endangered species debate

The dramatic turnaround in trade balances, combined with loans from the International Monetary Fund and a cautious resumption of private capital inflows, has allowed some governments to start rebuilding foreign reserves.

ECONOMIST: Better news in East Asia | The