Issue: 553 www.varsity.cam.ac.uk 01 February 2002 THE CAMBRIDGE STUDENT NEWSPAPER 20p where sold FASHION FILM SPORT Varsity talks to A look at the life A round-up of photographer and works of collegiate Rugby: Mario Testino Wes Anderson results and tables PAGE 12 PAGE 23 PAGE 30 There is no understated minimalism here; it’s high-octane, high-gloss fashion and passion all the way and it’s quite brilliant – Page 12 HOMERTON ON TRIAL Rob Sharp Katy Long Roving reporter Katy Long infiltrates Homerton Bar Franc Meechan, the Homerton Bar sonal mobile phone. This was confis- Magistrates commented that it was Manager, was acquitted yesterday cated, and she then appealed to “hard to believe that the Prosecution’s of assaulting a student at the Meechan to intervene on her behalf. evidence refers to the same incident as Homerton May Ball last June. A confrontation between Akhtar that of the Defence”, arguing that the en- However, concerns have been and Meechan followed, in which tire case had “cost the taxpayer a lot of raised about the way in which the Meechan admitted becoming angry, money” and could have been avoided prosecution of the case was con- telling Akhtar: “I’m going to knock your by mediation. ducted. fucking block off.” It was then alleged However, Akhtar and Wright have Corpus Christi Meechan stood accused of assault- that a second confrontation had oc- raised questions about the handling of ing Colette Wright, a Homerton student curred, in which Ms Wright had been the case by the prosecution service. and May Ball Committee member, dur- grabbed and flung to the floor by No objective evidence of the assault Playroom reopens ing an incident also involving CUSU Meechan. Defence witnesses claimed occurring was admitted by the prose- President Pav Akhtar, who was last that Wright had not been present cution. This was in spite of the existence year’s May Ball President. throughout the incident. During the tri- of photographs of bruising to Ms with Latin! – Theatre The use of mobile phones by bar al the defence counsel also cited a num- Wright’s body taken two days after the staff during the Ball had been restricted ber of minor criminal convictions that event. These photos had been handed due to fears over gatecrashers. On the Akhtar had picked up during his teens, to the police. In a statement from Page 26 night of the Ball, at about 3am, Akhtar in an attempt to undermine his evidence. Cambridgeshire County Police last saw a female staff member using a per- In acquitting Meechan, the …continued on Page 4 The region’s best guide to what’s on – see next Thursday’s Cambridge Evening News 02 NEWS 01 February 2002 A www.varsity.cam.ac.uk Inside this issue… pg 8 Analysis HOLOCAUST Anarchy in the UK Crisis in Kashmir? David Benson Molly Birch Last Sunday marked National Monday saw the launch of a Holocaust Memorial Day. This was Cambridge student Anti- only the second ever Holocaust Capitalist Action Society. The Rowan Huppert Memorial Day, but it now looks set launch took place at King’s, and to become a permanent fixture in was attended by around 15 stu- the British calendar. dents. The concept behind Holocaust The society was founded by two pg 9 Perspective Memorial Day is as you would expect: King’s first years, Matthew Why is Holocaust to ensure the crimes against humanity MacDonald and Dan Meyer. Memorial Day important? committed during the Holocaust are MacDonald achieved notoriety as never forgotten, and never repeated. the Eton boy turned anti-capitalist pg 10 Editorial The day aims to provide a national mark who attacked a McDonalds restau- Homerton; admissions; of respect for Holocaust victims, and ex- Mrs Saltz talks at Queens’ rant with a chair in the 2000 May media plain what relevance the Holocaust has Day riots. MacDonald told Varsity Starbucks under threat to each new generation. It also seeks at the hands of the Nazis. She was just that the group is planning to meet to improve awareness of recent atroci- 12 when the war started, and was the once a week for “educative purpos- plans to open 40 outlets simultane- Inside Living… ties that raise similar issues to the only member of her immediate family es”, to discuss political ideas. They ously in Venice this summer. Holocaust. who survived. When asked if her story will also have “tactical” meetings, Anti-Capitalist Action (ACA) also Events took place all over the coun- became easier the more she told it, she presumably to plan how best to de- wants to set up a Social Centre as its pg 12 Fashion try last Sunday, not least here in replied, “No. It gets harder every time”. stroy global capitalism. HQ. They plan to obviate the prob- Clemmie Burton-Hill Cambridge. Mrs. Saltz, a Holocaust sur- The fact that the Cambridge events Meyer and MacDonald have run lems of funding this centre by ex- meets Mario Testino vivor, gave a moving account of her ex- were primarily organised by CUSU, a mailing list since the beginning of ploiting the squatting laws. As long perience of the Holocaust in the and only supported by Jsoc, emphasis- the academic year, used to circulate as ACA can find an empty building, Fitzpatrick Hall at Queens’. The talk was es the message that Holocaust Memorial news from worldwide anti-capitalist and guarantee that15–20 people will organised by CUSU, and supported by Day is equally important for non-Jews organisations to interested students. be present in it at any one time, they Jsoc. Pav Akthar, who chaired the talk, and Jews alike. John Lenson, the Although no definite plans have assert that they will have a legal right told Varsity, “It’s crucial that we under- President of Jsoc, told Varsity, ‘National been made for action in Cambridge, to be there. stand the Holocaust in order to under- Holocaust Day is of extreme significance members are looking to Anti- The primary aim of the group is, stand why we need to oppose racism, for the whole country. It is the respon- Starbucks Week for their first major in MacDonald’s words, “to increase anti-semitism, bigotry and prejudice, in sibility of every individual to ensure that publicity campaign. Proposed action the level of direct action against cap- whatever form it manifests itself.” tragedies like the Holocaust do not hap- includes encouraging a student boy- italism in Cambridge, and to edu- pg 14 Travel Mrs. Saltz displayed immense sto- pen again in the future, and to strive to cott of Starbucks, and offering free cate ourselves specifically about From Russia with love icism and resolve by recounting every build a more tolerant society.’ fair-trade coffee outside. To justify those corporations we take action detail of the persecution she suffered Turn to Perspective – Page 9 this action, they cited Starbucks’ against.” pg 19 Interview The Editor meets John Hurt Making the Grade Speakers’ Corner Inside Arts… Luke Layfield noying. If I’d have known earlier, I This week Labour take on the Conservatives could have gone off round the world.” pg 22 Film Examination boards were the fo- “I can’t see how the boards could Gosford Park – Altman’s cus of further criticism this week as have got it so wrong. In English, I picked Labour To r y latest offering reviewed it transpired that marking errors up 24 extra points in the re-mark. I won- Anne Campbell, Oliver Letwin, had cost a comprehensive school der whether enough training is given to MP for Cambridge Shadow Home Sec pg 24 Music pupil his place at Cambridge for people marking papers.” Local bands for local this year. Linda Baynham, Sixth-form Co- Should we keep section 28? No. Should we keep section 28? Yes. people Joe Swarbrick, who attended Peers ordinator at Peers told Varsity: “I won- Should there be fiscal incentives for Should there be fiscal incentives School, Oxford, received a condition- der how many out there who haven’t couples to stay married? No. for couples to stay married? Yes. pg 26 Theatre al AAB offer to read English at got parental and school support to push Should Steven Byers resign? No. Should Steven Byers resign? Yes. Latin! and The White Devil Pembroke. He learnt in August that his for a re-mark would have suffered even Is it fair that Jo Moore still has her Is it fair that Jo Moore still has her reviewed results gave him only three Bs for more”. job? Yes. job? No. English, History and French. OCR maintained that no request was Is access an issue that the Is access an issue that the Peers School appealed against Mr received until 7th September, and that University or the state should University or the state should ad- Swarbrick’s English and History grades. the paper was remarked within seven address? Both. dress? The University. However, the AQA and OCR exami- days. Peers school, however, informed Is it legitimate for America to now Is it legitimate for America to now nations boards failed to reach a verdict Varsity that although this is true, it was attack any of the following coun- attack any of the following coun- in time for the start of this academic not until the 21st that the grade change tries: Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan? tries: Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, year, forcing Mr Swarbrick into an was officially confirmed. A spokesman No, not at the moment. Sudan? It depends. unplanned gap year. commented: “We are desperately sor- Can state schools ever be as good as Can state schools ever be as good The Admissions Tutor at Pembroke, ry for the lad, but these things happen.” private schools? Yes.