World Leaders Page 2

World Leaders: How Attractive Are They
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Iraq Interim Prime Minister Dr. Iyad Allawi Born: 1945 Baghdad, Iraq Elected: 2004
Born to a prominent merchant family Was a member of the Ba'ath party early in life. Is a British citizen. Spent half his life in England to avoid Saddam. Attended medical school in Baghdad and Britain. Was attacked with an axe while in his bed one night. Thought to have been an assassination attempt ordered by Saddam. Worked with CIA and MI6 and was involved in a failed attempt to overthrow Saddam in 1996.
Czech Republic Prime Minister Stanislav Gross Born: Oct. 30, 1969 Prague, Czech Appointed: 2004
Studied electric traction Worked for the railway company Headed young social democrats Studied law in Prague Came to office when the Prime Minister resigned
Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Born: Feb. 27, 1948 Kfar Malal, Israel Elected: 2001
German-Polish father, Russian mother Law degree from Tel Aviv university Platoon commander in Israeli Defense Force. Promoted to intelligence officer. He married his late wife's younger sister, Lily Sharon, who died in 2000. His son by his first wife died in 1967. He has two sons by Lily. Became a war hero for his success on the Sinai front against Egypt.
Greece President Kostis Stephanopoulos Born: August 15, 1926 Patras, Greece Elected: 1995, 2000
Law degree from the University of Athens. Practiced law from 1954-1974 Has two sons and a daughter
Denmark Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen Born: Jan. 26, 1953 Elected: 2001
Authored many books Favors privatization and smaller government Wants to limit immigration into Demark
Argentina President Nestor Kirchner Born: Feb. 25, 1950 Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Argentina Elected: 2003
His father was of Swiss descent, and was a post office official. Mother's background is Croatian. Degree in Law His wife is a lawyer A center-left Peronist Governor of Santa Cruz for 12 years
Austria Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel Born: June 7, 1945 Rome, Italy Elected: 2000
Doctorate in Law from the University of Vienna. A conservative. Member of the Austrian People's Party. Married and has two children Enjoys mountaineering in the Alps Plays the piano and several other instruments
Portugal Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes Born: June 29, 1956 Lisbon, Portugal Elected: 2004
Law degree from the University of Lisbon Once called a mix between astrologist and sports commentator. Makes social gaffes, such as stating his favorite music was Chopin's violin concertos (which don't exist), sending a postcard to the deceased Brazilian author Machado de Assis, and believing he was being threatened because he had received a mailing for a book titled Cuidado com os rapazes ("Watch out for the boys").
Kenya President Mwai Kibaki Born: Nov. 15, 1931 Othaya, Kenya Elected: 2002
Belongs to the Kikuyu tribe (majority) Graduated top in his class in Uganda and received a scholarship to study in Britain. Degree in Public Finance from London School of Economics
Japan President Junichiro Koizumi Born: Jan. 8, 1942 Yokosuka, Japan Elected: 2001, 2003
Studied economics Married in 1978, divorced in 1982. Has three sons (two live with him, one with the mother--he has refused to see the third son) Outspoken. Popular. "Bad boy" image. Popularity is waning recently. Goal is to revitalize the economy, though he has not yet been successful Nickname: Lionheart
Mexico President Vicente (Fox) Quesada Born: July 2, 1942 Mexico City, Mexico Elected: 2000
Born to a wealthy Mexican-Spanish family. His mother is from Spain. Father is part Irish-American. Grew up on a farm. Did not graduate from university until he was a presidential candidate in 2000 Politically center-right. First time an opposition party had won since 1910 Governor of Guanajuato President of Mexican Coca-Cola subsidiary. Began as a truck driver and rose through the ranks. Believes in running Mexico like a business About 6 foot 5 inches. Called his opponent "shorty" His wife had presidential ambitions and was shown favoritism in government
Morocco Prince Rainier III (Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi) Born: May 31, 1923 Windsor, Ontario Assumed the Throne: 1949
Studied in England, Switzerland, and France Second Lieutenant (artillery) in the French army. Won the Croix de Guerre and Bronze Star. Awarded the rank of Chevalier. Married actress Grace Kelly (died 1982). They had two daughters and a son. Reportedly involved with his distant cousin, a Fiat heiress A football (soccer) fan. Responsible for changing the constitution to reduce the monarch's power.
Indonesia President (Elect) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Born: Elected: 2004

Romania Prime Minister Adrian Nastase Born: June 22, 1950 Bucharest, Romania Elected: 2000
Married with two children Studied Law, History, and Philosophy at the University of Bucharest Worked as a judge, professor, and head of various organizations dealing with law and international relations Has published over 150 pieces on international law Head of Social Democratic Party
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Born: Aug. 11, 1943 Delhi, India Appointed: 2001
Became de facto ruler after bloodless coup d'etat in 1999 during which he was Chief of Army Staff. Received various honors in the artillery regiment during the 1965 war against India Was a special service commando for 7 years Eventually became a General and Chief of Army Staff Wants friendly relations with the West. His brother lives in Chicago. His son went to MIT and lives in Boston. His daughter is an architect. Owns several dogs, although Muslims consider them dirty animals An eloquent orator Has survived 3 assassination attempts
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark Born: Feb. 26 1950 Hamilton, New Zealand Elected: 1999
Mother was a teacher, father a farmer Member of Labour Party Promoter of disarmament As health minister, reduced smoking in public places and cigarette advertising Married in 1981. Had lived with him for 5 years previously. No children. Background as a university lecturer in political science Agnostic
The Netherlands Queen Beatrix (Wilhelmina Armgard) Born: Jan. 31, 1938 Soestdijk palace, Netherlands Assumed the Throne: 1980
Lived in Ottawa during WWII Studied social sciences, history, and law at State University of Leiden Received a law degree in 1961 Interests include painting, ballet, sculpture, and music Married in 1966. He was a German prince with associations to the Hitler Youth; however he was much liked by the Dutch later. Three sons (first male heir-apparent in the House of Orange since 1890).
Netherlands Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende Born: May 7, 1956 Elected: 2002
Professor of Christian Social Thinking in Amsterdam Member of Christian Democratic Party Popular with children because he resembles Harry Potter While his residence was being renovated, rented a 9,000 euro/month apartment at the Hague (frowned upon by the public) Married. Has a daughter. Is currently in the hospital with a foot infection. Has undergone three surgeries. The foot may have to be amputated.
Vietnam Prime Minister Phan Van Khai Born: Dec. 25, 1933 Elected: 1997, 2002
Belgium King Albert II Born: June 6, 1934 Brussels, Belgium Assumed the Throne: 1993
Served in Belgian navy President of Belgian Red Cross Married a glamorous Italian princess. They have three children. Enjoys fast cars, boats, and motorcycles Has an illegitimate daughter (post-marriage) with an aristocrat/sculptor
Belgium Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt Born: April 11, 1953 Dendermonde, Belgium Elected: 1999, 2003
Studied law Became head of Flemish liberal party at age 29 Nickname "Baby Thatcher" for his economic views Started the VLD party. Became less radical
Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Born: April 5, 1947 Lodz, Poland Came to Power: 2001 Elected: 2004
Her father was President of the Philippines High school valedictorian Studied at Georgetown University Doctorate in Economics from University of the Phillipines Married in 1968. Three children Was a professor until invited by President Aquino to join the government Was Vice President when President Estrada was impeached in 2001.
Saudi Arabia King/Prime Minister Faud Born: 1923 Riyadh Assumed the Throne: 1982
His father founded the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and was the first monarch. He had 37 sons. Studied at the Religious Knowledge Institute in Mecca. Advocated industrial modernization Sought peace in the mideast. Declared jihad against Israel, then rescinded. Suffered a stroke in 1996. The crown prince Abdullah has been ruling in his stead.
Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Abdullah Born: 1924 Riyadh Came to Power: 1996
Ruling on behalf on half-brother Faud, who suffered a stroke in 1996 Became commander of National Guard in 1962 He has 4 wives, 7 sons, and 15 daughters Established two libraries Attempted Arab Peace Initiative, which was dropped after criticism in the Middle East
Ethiopia Prime Minister Meles Zenawi Born: May 8, 1955 Appointed: 1995
Helped win a guerrilla war in 1991 and became president until 1995.
Venezuela President Hugo Chavez Born: July 28, 1954 Elected: 1999, 2002
Paratrooper colonel Is separated from his second wife. Four children. Masters degrees in military science and engineering from Venezuelan Academy of Military Sciences Served two years in prison for a failed coup in 1992 Left-wing, populist Was overthrown briefly in 2002 by a media-supported coup d'etat Calls himself a "Robin Hood"
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