Cover story: Were the attacks in New York and Washington the greatest act of terror in history - or an almighty plot by the secret services? Conspiracy theorists are achieving best-sellers with their supposed proofs, and no less than one-fifth of all Germans believe in their half-truths.
"Death in a Parcel"
Cover story (box): Forgers and braggarts are using the Internet to disseminate legends and lies. No other medium is so suitable for selling falsehoods as the truth. Nowhere else can cranks and pranksters achieve a greater effect with less effort.
An Opening for Imbecility
Cover story (box): How conspiracy theorists are re-interpreting great events in world history.
Job Machine
The car industry: In the battle against the competition German car groups are relying on the supposedly stagnant operational base that is Germany. While numerous industrialists complain, Daimler, Porsche and VW are investing billions here, building new plants and creating jobs. A strategy with a future?
"A Tough Piece of Work"
SPIEGEL in-depth interview with DaimlerChrysler boss Jürgen Schrempp, 58, about the advantages of Germany as a base for operations, the problems with rationalizing his US subsidiary Chrysler and the criticism about the size of his salary.
"Our decision shows that Germany with its flexibility and creativity can even today be competitive as a base for operations... On remuneration, 80 percent of this depends on performance, or precisely what everybody is always demanding. Yet I should emphasize one point: Salaries are laid down by the Supervisory Board and not the Executive Board."
TUI threatened by Tchibo/Hertz takeover
For years a criminal charge has been outstanding in Germany against Saddam Hussein on account of the poisoned gas attack against the Kurds in Halabjah in 1988. The Federal public prosecutor's office is only now commencing its investigations.
"An Utter Catastrophe"
SPIEGEL in-depth interview with HRH Prince Ali Ibn al-Hussein, 48, on the merits and mistakes of US occupation policy.
"We naturally thank them for the fact that they have freed us from the dictatorship... The conduct of the occupying power is an utter catastrophe... They should take it to heart that we are a free country and a founder member of the United Nations."
"The other September 11th"
Chile: Chilean society is approaching the 30th anniversary of the army coup primarily with the aim of closing the Pinochet chapter at long last. Yet its victims are frequently being marginalized. How does one celebrate a fissure that still runs through society today? How does one approach an anniversary that has assigned roles in all people's life stories: perpetrators and victims and fellow-travellers, victors and losers? A wound is opening up again that Chile's imposed "democracy on prescription" would so happily have seen healed. Now every political camp is planning for itself and against the others, with mega events in stadiums and colloquia at universities.
"Every Day is a Story"
SPIEGEL in-depth interview with Christa Wolf about everyday life in the GDR, her career as a writer, the story behind the gestation of her monumental book "One Day in the Year" and her new sense of relaxation in old age.
"I'd Love to be a Rogue"
SPIEGEL in-depth interview with US actor Harrison Ford, 61, about his career from joiner to action hero, the continuation of the "Indiana Jones" series and his new criminal comedy "Hollywood Cops".
"I did not receive a date for an audition for Han Solo in 'Star Wars' simply because I was the director's joiner... To be precise, I did not have to audition either. I was asked whether I would help at the casting. They requested me to read a part with the other actors, who had applied for the part - without mentioning that I could be a possibility for it... 'Hollywood Cops' pokes fun at life. The film shows all the conceivable difficulties that one could get into in life... I would not make any film that wanted to show that American culture is superior to that of the rest of the world. On the contrary, a film like 'Mosquito Coast', in which I played an American explorer in the primeval forest, shows just exactly how dangerous it is if somebody attempts to civilize another culture -even with the best intentions. I set the project ('Indiana Jones' - Ed.) in motion and now I am just waiting. When the script is ready, I shall read it. Only to find, maybe, that it is not yet ready..."
"Human Implements"
SPIEGEL in-depth interview with Gerhard Berger, shortly retiring as BMW's motor sports director, about the thrilling finale to the Formula One season, Michael Schumacher's weak phase, the dispute about tires and whether they conform to the regulations, and the changed pattern of requirements of the drivers.
"If all remain in contention to the end, then even the weakest of three could become world champion... Even if that is right, Michael Schumacher will once again be mobilizing all his reserves. With his sixth world championship title he would be overhauling Juan Manuel Fangio, that's motivation enough... The requirements of drivers have become smaller. Previously the cars had no servo-assisted steering, a manual gear shift instead of an automatic gearbox and no electronic driving aids such as traction controls... The strain has shifted. The pilots are today tools of the car industry, human implements... We know though that the tires are of different construction. The carcass of a Bridgestone is harder than the Michelin's. As a result the Michelin tires absorb track unevennesses better than the Bridgestone."
"The East: Mockery and Pride"
Media: In a wave of new shows and books the Germans are together marvelling at a country that for some was the homeland and for others "the Zone". A stroll through the highways and byways of "Nostalgia for the East".
Hoping for Hannibal
Glaciers: Dead mountaineers, Neanderthal daggers - thawing glaciers in the Alps are releasing some bizarre finds from the past. The rapid pace of global warming is boosting a new kind of historical research.
PC Games
Technology: The advertising industry has discovered a new medium: Computer games are seen as an ideal advertising backdrop for branded products - unless, that is, they irritate the players.
"Leonardo with the Spiked Helmet"
Art: Wilhelmshaven Art Gallery is offering the public a curious discovery: Drawings and paintings by Wilhelm II, the last German emperor, are going on show there. For years the bulk of his work had lain in Doorn House, the ruler's seat in exile in the Netherlands following his abdication. Wilhelm II had also taken along his old folder of sketches there. Even in his days as a prince, he would have been happy to organize an exhibition of his works, but the project caused a family rumpus. In reaching a verdict on the ex-emperor's efforts as an artist, one particular attitude will help, namely forbearance.
© DER SPIEGEL 37/2003
All Rights Reserved
Reproduction only allowed with the permission of SPIEGELnet GmbH
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