Black South Africans did not find it easy to get political asylum in Britain or visas to visit other countries.

ECONOMIST: Donald Woods

To learn about the food in other countries, visit FoodByCountry.com.

FORBES: Your Basic Guide To Business Travel Abroad

Attempts by the Pentagon over the past few years to persuade the chief of China's strategic nuclear forces to visit America have so far failed (although he has visited other countries).

ECONOMIST: China is piling up more weapons than it appears to need

Argentines hope it will be ended during the visit, giving way to the export licences that Britain uses for other countries.

ECONOMIST: Argentina and Britain

Although China is making it possible for Africans to visit, study and work in China, it is not asking, or requesting, other countries to emulate it or support its values.

BBC: Viewpoint: Africa must do more to profit from China

Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, in Jerusalem on an official visit, on Thursday said Italy had a "very solid position" shared by many other major countries, his spokesman said.

WSJ: India Court Orders Italian Envoy to Stay Put

"The visit is expected to last a few days, and after that, the vice president will travel to other countries that will be announced later, " the statement said.

CNN: Iraqi VP visits Qatar despite travel ban

But no less tough will be the other part of Mr. Powell's Arab diplomacy, with the three Arab countries he is to visit later in the month: Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.

CNN: Bush's goal: Balancing a host of opposing forces