Diplomats From Around Globe In Spokane For Discussions

Diplomats from five continents will meet Thursday in Spokane to discuss trends in international business and politics.

Bob Scott, director of international affairs for Spokane, said the meeting likely will be the largest gathering of consular-level diplomatic officials in the city since Expo ‘74. The event is titled “Global Business Directions - 1995 and Beyond.”

Among those expected are consuls or consul generals from Germany, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Indonesia, Japan, Argentina and Mexico.

France, Korea and the League of Arab States also will be represented.

Washington Secretary of State Ralph Munro will open the meeting at 8 a.m., followed by panels reviewing European and African/Middle Eastern affairs.

Panels examining Asia and Latin American matters will convene in the afternoon.

William Glassford, Seafirst Bank vice president for international banking, will speak at noon.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Crescent Court Ballroom. The cost, which includes lunch and materials, is $55, $25 for students.

A free, public reception sponsored by the United Nations Association will be held at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Davenport Hotel.

For information, call the Spokane International Development Department at 625-6190 or Whitworth College at 466-3742.

In other events this week:

Today

Idaho Public Utilities Commission holds a Coeur d’Alene public hearing at 7 p.m. at the Idaho Transportation Department, 600 W. Prairie. The purpose of the hearing is to collect opinions on the proposed merger of Washington Water Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Power Co. A technical hearing will be held at 9 a.m. at the same location. Call 208-334-0338.

Tuesday

Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission visits Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, on the list for possible closure. The commission holds hearings later in the week to discuss proposed closure of military installations in Texas and Oklahoma.

Wednesday

United Airlines inaugurates Boeing 777 with flight from London to Washington, D.C. United also starting service with 777s on flights within United States.

Federal Reserve Board reports on April consumer credit.

Friday

Andy Billig, general manager of the Spokane Indians Baseball Club, speaks to the Good Morning Spokane Area meeting at 7:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn West. Call 624-1393.

Washington Department of Agriculture begins public hearings at 1 p.m. in Olympia on updating standards for organic food processing and handling. Call Miles McEvoy at 360-902-1924.

U.S. Department of Labor reports producer prices for May.

Saturday

Spring-powered tools marketed by Noxon Inc. of Spokane will be featured in “The Quest for America’s Best - QVC’s 50 in 50 Tour.” The three-hour telecast starts at 6 p.m.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphics: Total Employment

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: On the shelf Business Week, June 5: Fifty-seven percent of executives suveyed in a Business Week/ Harris poll said they would willing give up their tax incentives in order to balance the federal budget. Almost as many, 56 percent, said they would be willing to do without federal spending programs that benefited them. Be careful Occupations with the most injuries causing the most Washington workers to miss at least one day on the job, based on 1993 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey: Truck driver: 3,940 Non-construction laborer: 3,799 Nursing aides and orderlies: 2,351 Janitors and cleaners: 1,637 Construction laborers: 1,469 Carpenters: 1,460 Farm workers: 1,373 Cooks: 1,214