Maltese forum

Business and political leaders gathered yesterday in Malta for the beginning of the Crans-Montana Forum. The switch from the usual Swiss venue to a Mediterranean location reflects this year's subject: a 15-year European Union plan to create the world's largest free trade zone in the Euro-Mediterranean area, stretching from the Urals to the Sahara. Information is on the Web at http://www.

u-net.com/mcmforum/