Whether he does so depends on the fascinating skein of relationships at the top of US policy making. The key participants Powell, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Condoleezza Rice, the National Security Adviser are Bush family loyalists, servants of the father and now the son.The struggle among them, as we have seen, has so far been inconclusive. The moderate Powell is outnumbered, but on the other hand he is virtually unsackable; not so much because he alone of the Bush team is trusted by America's allies, but because of what he represents to a President who, let us not forget, lost the popular vote. Powell is Bush's great bridge to minorities, and to the independent centre vital in every US election.He could also be the man who at last reverses the long decline of the State Department. His appointment sparked genuine enthusiasm in the demoralised ranks of America's diplomats an enthusiasm only increased by his promise before the Senate to fight for more money, more staff and more clout. The world had grown more complex, but "we have cut our people, underfunded our facilities and neglected our infrastructure."Battle, in short, has been joined, and the outcome of what might seem an arcane inter-agency tussle across the Atlantic will affect us all.
The alliance between Congress and the Pentagon has been a law of Washington life. But if anyone can weaken it, it is Powell, with his military background, his political savvy, and his awareness of the other world beyond the shining seas. If he succeeds, the State Department might hang on to more of its best people, diplomacy will assume greater weight in US policy making, and the sole superpower might at last give a decent hearing to the poor countries of this planet, in Africa and elsewhere.This, of course, is complicated and idealistic stuff a long way from that stunning moment only six years ago, when it seemed a black man might occupy the Oval Office We know now it will not be Colin Powell. But if he can bring off this second feat, his place in history will be no less secure..
Born: Colin Luther Powell on 5 April 1937, in Harlem Born: Colin Luther Powell on 5 April 1937, in HarlemFamily: Only son of Luther Theophilus and Maud Ariel Powell, Jamaican immigrants who arrived in the US in the mid-1920s In 1962, he married Alma Vivian Johnson. They have three children: Linda, Annemarie and MichaelEducation: Morris High School, New York; City College of New YorkCareer: Commission as 2nd Lieutenant, 1958 Service in Vietnam, South Korea. White House Fellow 1972, Commander of 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division 1976 Senior Military Assistant to Secretary of Defense 1983-86 President Reagan's National Security Adviser, 1987-88 Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff 1989-93. Secretary of State 2001-Decorations: Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the Purple HeartHe says: "Don't get me wrong I'm still a general If you perform well, you'll be fine. But if you don't, you'll be doing push-ups." (Town hall meeting with his new "troops" at the State Department, Jan 2001)They say: "I hope that SOB gets elected President He's the only one who could bring this country together. Hell, even the rednecks would vote for him." (George Hammell, retired sergeant, 1995). An April shower of the oldest meteors known to astronomers will be visible over Britain this weekend.
The "Lyrids" meteors were first described in 687BC by Chinese astronomers as "stars that fell like rain" An April shower of the oldest meteors known to astronomers will be visible over Britain this weekend. The "Lyrids" meteors were first described in 687BC by Chinese astronomers as "stars that fell like rain". But this weekend's display will not compare with the spectacle 2,700 years ago at its peak tomorrow morning a maximum of 10 meteors an hour can be expected.However, an almost new moon will mean that away from the urban glare the meteors should be easy to see against the night sky. In Britain, the most active time will be at 5am, just before sunrise.The Lyrids also have a habit of producing unexpected outbursts, when as many as 100 meteors per hour can be seen. The Lyrid "radiant", the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to radiate, is south-west of the brilliant blue star Vega, in the constellation of Hercules.
Close to the radiant, the meteor streaks will appear short and will travel slowly. Those seen further out from the radiant will seem longer and faster.The Lyrids is produced by debris from the comet Thatcher, which was last seen in 1861 and will not be making another visit to the Earth's section of the Solar System for about another 300 years. Major Lyrid outbursts have been recorded in 1803, 1922, and 1982. Many minor outbursts have also happened throughout the years.Robin Scagell, vice- president of the Society for Popular Astronomy, said: "If the sky is dark you might expect to see about 10 meteors an hour, but it will be nothing like the showers of Perseids in August or the Leonids in November.".