Last Updated: 31March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- IRAQ,Coalition soldiers and Iraqi civilians die in roadside attacks
Fresh roadside attacks in Iraq have claimed the lives of more civilians and soldiers. Five coalition soldiers were killed when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb near the town of Fallujah, west of Baghdad. In the same area, two vehicles were set on fire, killing several passengers. One of the bodies is said to have been dragged through the streets. Insurgents are said to be stepping up attacks with so-called
improvised explosive devices. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More money please: Afghanistan to donors
At a donor's conference in Berlin, Afghanistan's cash-strapped government is making a plea for 22 billion euros in aid over the next seven years. Organisers say the meeting, which is being attended by 60 countries, is likely to raise pledges of around 7 billion euros over a three-year period. Afghan President Hamid Karzai promised participants their efforts would be worth it, bringing his still fractious country closer to peace and democracy. German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder agreed, telling the conference: "We understand that every step forward towards freedom and security in Afghanistan is also a step forward for the international community." Afghanistan faces daunting problems, with a rampant drugs trade, which funds warlords beyond Kabul's control, and a stubborn Taliban insurgency persisting in the south and east. Also, in a blow to the country's fledgling democracy, the first post-Taliban nationwide elections have been postponed over security fears. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U-turn for the US President
Under intense pressure, President George Bush has backed down and agreed to let his national security advisor, Condoleeza Rice, give sworn public testimony before the September 11 commission. But he is determined her appearence will not open the floodgates to similar briefings: "The Commission and the leaders of the US congress have given written assurances that the appearence of the national security advisor will not be used as a precedent in the conduct of future enquiries," he said. Until now, officials had been talking about a possible compromise in which Rice would meet privately with the panel and her unsworn remarks would then be released. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have agreed to meet the full panel in private, abandoning their earlier insistence they would meet only with the chairman and vice chairman. The commission insisted on public testimony from Rice after former counter terrorism czar Richard Clarke's bombshell last week that the Bush White House ignored an urgent Al Qaeda threat before the attacks and focused on Iraq as the culprit afterwards. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middle East: Israeli settlers resist eviction from "illegal" outpost
Israeli soldiers have moved in to dismantle an outpost near the West Bank city of Hebron, despite determined resistance from settlers refusing to leave. The Hazon David installation is just one of a handful scheduled for removal ahead of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit to Washington in mid-April. He is seeking approval for a unilateral plan to withdraw from the Gaza strip, and some parts of the West Bank. The Supreme Court last week ruled against settlement groups who tried to overturn the government's initiative. Removing unauthorised outposts is one of Israel's commitments under a stalled US-backed peace plan. Yesterday Ariel Sharon agreed to put his proposal to a binding vote by his right-wing Likud party. A referendum of all 200,000 members will be held sometime after he returns from Washington. Defeat on the vote could be damaging for Sharon, who is already fighting to save his reputation. Israel's chief prosecutor is recommending the Prime Minister face indictment on bribery charges linked to a property deal involving his son. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middle East: Israeli Likud party backs Gaza withdrawl referendum
To a chorus of jeering and cheering, Israel's ruling Likud party has backed holding a referendum on a planned withdrawl from the Gaza Strip. The ballot of party members is expected to take place in May, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said he will honour its outcome. The cabinet is also due to vote on the initiative that envisages the uprooting of all Jewish settlements in Gaza and several in the West Bank. Many in Sharon's Likud party have opposed ceding any land Israel seized in the 1967 Middle East war, but opinion polls suggest many are increasingly willing to part with isolated and hard-to-defend Jewish settlements in the Gaza strip. .------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last Updated: 30 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chirac keeps PM after election drubbing
Big changes are planned in the corridors of power in France - but Jean-Pierre Raffarin remains Prime Minister. He offered his resignation to President Jacques Chirac after the country's ruling conservatives suffered a rout in regional elections this weekend. But the head of state has decided to keep him in his post. There had been feverish speculation about the embattled premier's future following Sunday's landslide victory for the left and its allies. It was seen as a protest vote against the government's controversial programme of social and economic reforms. Raffarin vowed to press on with the measures but acknowledged that policies had to be more efficient and fair. He will now be engaged in intense negotiations with the President on the composition of a new-look cabinet, which is set to be unveiled on Wednesday. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philippines says bomb plot foiled
The Philippines says its security forces have foiled what is described as a "Madrid-level" terror attack. Explosives and other material were seized amid claims a plot was underway to bomb trains and shopping centres in the capital, Manila. Four suspected members of the Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf have been arrested. The news was announced by President Gloria Arroyo, a firm backer of Washington's war on terror. "The most dangerous terrorist cell of the Abu Sayyaf has been dismantled. Four terrorists are in the custody of the government," she told a news conference. She said one of those detained had claimed responsibility for the sinking of a passenger ferry near Manila last month in which more than 100 people died. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cyprus talks re-start in Switzerland
After a gruelling night of talks aimed at ending thirty years of division on Cyprus, Greek and Turkish negotiators have re-convened in the Swiss alpine resort of Buergenstock. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan wants formal first views on his revised peace plan today and the talks to end by Wednesday. If there is no deal by then, both parts of the island will still vote on the proposal in referendums on April 20. If either side rejects it, only the Greek part will join the European Union on May 1. It is an optimistic timetable. The Greek and Turkish prime ministers' meeting yesterday quickly ran into trouble, with property and settlement rights as key sticking points. The Turkish Cypriot side has asked for clarification of the blueprint. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wave of violence blamed on Islamic militants
A series of bombs and attacks in Uzbekistan, which killed 19 people and injured 26 more, has been blamed on Islamic militants. Two female suicide bombers blew themselves up near a bazaar in the capital Tashkent yesterday, killing three policemen and a child. The country's foreign minister says the attacks were aimed at undermining the US-led coalition against terrorism. Uzbekistan has been a staunch ally of Washington. The violence began near the ancient Silk Road city of Bukhara when 10 people died in an explosion at an alleged bomb-making factory. Three policemen were also killed in a shoot-out in Tashkent on Sunday night. In a televised address to the nation, President Islam Karimov said whoever was responsible must have connections with a foreign organisation. Police said they had found radical Muslim literature at one of the crime scenes, but no-one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks. .------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last Updated: 29 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Election triumph for French left
France's opposition Socialists are celebrating a massive victory in regional elections. The left won 50 percent of the weekend vote compared to 37 percent for the centre-right. The result delivers a slap in the face to the country's ruling conservatives. "The response cannot be found in a government reshuffle, whatever its scope, but in a major change in the direction of the government," said Socialist leader Francois Hollande. The left swept 20 of the 22 regions in metropolitan France, with the right winning only in Alsace. Not surprisingly, the atmosphere was subdued at the headquarters of the ruling UMP party as conservative activists digested the defeat. It has raised doubts about whether the government will continue to implement its controversial economic reforms such as cost-cutting in the public health system. Although Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin has vowed that such reforms will go on, he conceded that policies must be more efficient and fair. Now all eyes are on President Jacques Chirac who must decide if a cabinet reshuffle is necessary in the light of the humiliation. He could replace his premier in a bid to please voters or government ministers may find themselves taking the full rap. .------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last Updated: 28 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middle East: indictment drawn up against Israel's Sharon
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is a step closer to facing corruption charges after the country's chief prosecutor drafted an indictment against him. It is the latest twist in a long-running scandal that could drive Sharon from office. Prosecutors claim Sharon's son Gilad accepted large sums of money in 1999 to help persuade his father to promote real estate deals set up by property developer David Appel. Appel is also alleged to have helped fund election campaigns for Sharon and deputy premier Ehud Olmert. State Attorney Edna Arbel is said to be days away from submitting a charge sheet to the attorney general. However, it could be months before a final decision on whether or not to try Sharon is taken. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IRAQ: Jackal lawyer to defend Saddam Hussein
He has already represented Carlos the Jackal and Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie. Now French lawyer Jacques Verges is adding Saddam Hussein to his list of clients. Verges has begun defending the former Iraqi leader by attacking his captors. "I am lodging a complaint at the International Criminal Court over breaches of the Geneva Convention. On the one hand, he [Saddam] is supposed to be a prisoner of war and on the other he is paraded like an animal at a fair," he said. Verges has also expressed fear that the US may try to kill Saddam to avoid a potentially embarrassing trial. "If there is a trial on weapons of mass destruction Saddam will have to say where he got them and he will have to say that the Americans and the British sold them to him," he explained. Verges is asking the Red Cross to oversee meetings between him and his newest and arguably most notorious client ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spanish investigators make new discovery at house near Madrid
Investigators looking into the Madrid train bombings have made another major breakthrough, according to Spanish media. Yesterday police were reported to have found a house south east of the Spanish capital where the backpack bombs used in the attack were made. Now they say they have found the fingerprints of two of the 20 people being held over the terrorist attacks, in the same property. One of them is Jamal Jougam, a Moroccan who has been linked to the suspected leader of Spain's al Qaeda cell. The other is Abderrahim Zbakh, a chemistry graduate. The house where the traces of explosives and detonators were found is on the outskirts of a town 40 kilometres from Alcala de Henares- the place from where the four trains set off on March 11, before the bombs went off killing 190 people and injuring nearly 2,000. Police say the explosive found at the house was Goma
2, the type found in a backpack that was placed in one of the trains
and failed to explode. |
Last Updated: 27 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Poland's Prime Minister agrees to quit
After months of pressure, Poland's Prime Minister has finally conceded defeat. Leszek Miller has announced he will resign on May 2, a day after Poland joins the European Union. This paves the way for a government reshuffle, and could diffuse the internal conflict within the ruling Democratic Left Alliance. The party's popularity has been falling in the polls, from 48 percent at elections in 2001, to just 10 percent. Miller's announcement came after a group of rebel MPs left his ruling alliance and formed a new party. They vowed not to support the government ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosy or prickly future for EU constitution?
The head of the Convention that drafted the constitution congratulated the Council of leaders on their resolve to seal the charter at their next summit, in June. Valery Giscard d'Estaing was a key figure behind the proposal of a double majority system, whereby, for a decision on EU policy to be adopted, 50% of the bloc's member states would need to approve, these representing 60% of the total population. Yet while everyone has now accepted this principle, the numbers are not yet fixed. Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson warned Spain and Poland's outspokenness may have concealed a host of other dissenters. "That (the problems) will be about the conflict which is always inside the European Union, between those who want more inter-governmental cooperation, and those who want, let's say, a federal structure... There you might have problems that still yet have not occurred, because they have been hidden behind the Spanish-Polish problem of the weighting of the votes," he said. The 25 have put themselves under pressure. A failure in June to agree on power-sharing, areas in which to retain national sovereignty and the size of the EU executive could have a more serious impact then than it did last December .------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 26 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Economic, constitutional, anti-terrorism resolve motivate EU leaders at summit
The European Union's member states appear to be drawing closer together.This summit's revival of constitutional talks has raised everyone's spirits. They have been moribund for three months. From May 1, the ten newcomers will be fully integrated into the EU decision-making process.The leaders have set a June 17 deadline to reach a deal on a new constitution. Voting system figures still have to be negotiated, but the political changes in Spain and new flexibility from Poland are proving encouraging. Economic progress is proving more elusive though. The European Parliament's President Pat Cox has warned Europe risks a credibility gap over its economic and social policy. The leaders vowed in 2000 to make Europe the most dynamic economy in the world by 2010. They have just appointed former Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok to review and make recommendations on efforts in this area. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Italy hit by national strike
Italian workers have taken to the streets this morning in a strike over pension reforms and the government's economic policies. Most sectors, except airlines whose staff plan to strike in early April, were expected to be hit by four-hour stoppages. "We want the government to change its economic policies" said one union leader taking part in a protest in Rome. "The country is not growing enough, we need development and higher employment, those are the two recipes to get out of difficulty." Prime Minister Silvio Belusconi's centre-right government has been locked in a struggle with unions for months over its pension plans and other reforms.The proposals were watered down after a strike in October but unions remained opposed to them. Workers are also unhappy that inflation has outpaced pay rises. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 25 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EU leaders to push for constitution breakthrough
European Union leaders are set to revive stalled talks on a European constitution. But there will be no negotiation on substance at the summit starting today in Brussels, partly because Spain is being represented by outgoing premier Jose Maria Aznar. The leaders of the 15 present EU states, and the 10 joining in May, may well have a feeling of deja vu. It was in the Belgian capital last December that a quarrel over voting rights scuppered progress towards a constitution. This time round they are determined to at least appear unified after the Madrid train bombings. Irish premier Bertie Ahern, speaking to Euronews in an exclusive interview, said a symbolic move was already planned: "We will take a declaration against terrorism....taking a constitutional article from the new constitution which we hope to agree, but enacting that now. (This) is a solidarity clause, that when any one country is affected that - on the method that is most appropriate to individual countries based on their constitutions or legal positions - that they will use that solidarity." Prospects for a constitution agreement have improved following the election victory of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, expected to take office as Spanish premier in April. Whereas Spain and Poland were seen as the flies in the ointment last December, Zapatero has told French President Jacques Chirac he wants to reposition Madrid at the heart of Europe, while Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller says a compromise is "not only necessary but possible." On Friday leaders will debate how to speed up reforms
aimed at making Europe's economy the most dynamic in the world. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clarke criticises Bush over 11 September 2001attacks Former US counterterrorism co-ordinator Richard Clarke has accused the Bush administration of failing to take the threat of terrorism seriously. He was giving evidence to a national commission set up to investigate the September 11th attacks in America. He began his testimony by telling the families of those killed that the government had failed them, as it was unable to prevent America's worst ever terrorist attack: "I welcome the hearings because it is finally a forum where I can apologize to loved ones of the victims of 9-11." He later said that President George Bush had greatly undermined the war on terrorism by invading Iraq. Clarke recently published a book in which he claims the White House sought to link Iraq to the 2001 attacks, instead of focussing on al-Qaeda, because of a long standing interest in getting rid of Saddam Hussein. As well as criticising the current president, he struck out at the FBI, the CIA and Congress. He also said while former President Bill Clinton's administration considered terrorism a top priority, the Bush administration thought it important, but not urgent. Clarke has been called a disgruntled employee, who is trying to damage Bush's war image in the run up to elections. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middle East: Hamas vows to target Ariel Sharon
In a football stadium in Gaza City, thousands of supporters of the militant Palestinian group Hamas have marked the end of three days of mourning for its founder, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. He was killed by the Israeli army on Monday. The new Hamas leader in Gaza, Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, was welcomed by a stream of gunmen. Hamas' Syria-based political leader Khaled Meshaal yesterday warned all Israelis that they would not be safe from attack until Israel abandoned occupied land. The group, which has carried out numerous suicide bombings in recent years, said it would try to kill Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, but backed off previous threats to target Americans. For its part Israel has decided to target the entire leadership of Hamas and other militant groups. At the United Nations, Algeria, representing Arab nations, yesterday introduced an amended Security Council resolution. The text condemns Monday's assassination and "all terrorist attacks against any civilians." A vote on the draft is scheduled for later today - the US says it will veto any measure that does not specifically condemn Hamas. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spain's royals lead mourning for bomb victims
A state memorial mass has been held in Madrid for the 190 victims killed in a series of bomb attacks in the city earlier this month. Political leaders and royalty from around the world gathered in the Almudena Cathedral along with some of the 1,900 people wounded. Outside, large crowds stood under grey skies to watch images of the memorial service on giant screens in public squares. The congregation stood in prayer and sang hymns to remember the dead as priests recited plaintive chants. Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, sent a message of support to families of the victims. "Great is the pain that has overwhelmed your lives and those of your families since that black day in which brutal terrorist violence, executed with unspeakable cruelty, cut down the lives of your most loved ones," the Archbishop said. The mass also included a prayer for "the violent and the terrorists", urging them to "return to peaceful co-existence and never again attack the lives of anyone". No-one was left untouched by the service. Royalty mixed with grieving relatives as Spain's Queen Sofia embraced row after row of weeping mourners. But there was also anger directed at Spain's former Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, whom one man accused of being responsible for the death of his son. The ceremony lasted more than two hours and Spain's Prince Felipe and his fiancée, Letizia Ortiz, continued to mingle with mourners after the king and queen had left. Ortiz cried as one woman handed her a photograph of a loved one. The couple will marry in the same cathedral next month, but the occasion is expected to be a subdued event. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suspect device found on French railway line
Police in France have found a suspect device with several detonators on a railway line. Officials say it is still unclear whether the package actually contained explosives, but it has now been made safe. The discovery was made about 20 kilometres from the city of Troyes in the Aube region, on the line between Paris and the Swiss city of Basel. A shadowy group known as AZF has been threatening bomb attacks in France, making contact with police via newspaper adverts. A device it apparently planted on a different railway line was found last month. However, police say this latest find does not seem to resemble the work of AZF.Regular searches are now carried out along the tracks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 24 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memorial for Spain attack victims
Spain today holds a state memorial service to honour the victims of the Madrid train bombings. Mourners will include British Prime Minister Tony Blair, French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and US Secretary of State Colin Powell. Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia will also be there, alongside Britain's Prince Charles. In separate meetings, Blair and Powell will later hold talks with Spain's incoming Premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, whose Socialists swept to power days after the attacks. Madrid's Almudena Cathedral will host what is set to be emotional ceremony. The death toll from the bombings has been officially lowered from 202 to 190, including one unborn baby. Police say confusion arose because 13 bags of human remains were brought in from the sites of the attacks and officials tallied these up as new victims when, in fact, they belonged to casualties already found. Investigators believe the March 11 attacks on four packed commuter trains were the first in Europe by al Qaeda or Muslim militants supporting it. Spain is holding 13 suspects in connection with the bombings, including 10 Moroccans. No formal charges have yet been brought. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bush administration defends record on terror
George W. Bush has hit back at his critics, rejecting claims that he ignored the risk posed by al-Qaeda before the September 11 attacks. The US president has made his leadership on terrorism and security the central platform of his campaign for re-election in November. He told journalists the terror threat was something he paid close attention to in the past, and now, liasing with his senior security advisers. "Nearly every morning that I come to work I talk to George Tenet, FBI Director Mueller and others about the threats to the United States," he said. He was speaking as a national commission probed the suicide strikes that killed some 3,000 people. Senior political figures, past and present, are giving evidence to the hearing - among them US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who spoke about al-Qaeda's elusive leader. "Even if Bin Laden had been captured or killed in the weeks before September 11, no-one I know believes that it would necessarily have prevented September 11," he said. "Killing Bin Laden would not have removed al-Qaeda's sanctuary in Afghanistan. Moreover, the sleeper cells that flew the aircraft into the World Trade towers and the Pentagon were already in the United States months before the attack." Claims that senior White House figures ignored the al-Qaeda threat before the attacks are made by former goverment security adviser Richard Clarke in a new book that could prove highly damaging to the president. There could be more criticism on the way with Clarke due to testify before the commission today. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 23 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bruxelles contro Microsoft: al via il duello
Una multa da gigante per Microsoft. Confermate le indiscrezioni. La Commissione europea ha condannato il gruppo a pagare 497 milioni di euro, per abuso di posizione dominante. E' la sanzione piú alta mai decisa da Bruxelles: sotto accusa la strategia commerciale di Microsoft che propone software direttamente integrati nel suo sistema operativo Windows. "Vogliamo solo assicurare che chiunque immetta sul mercato nuovi software abbia la possibilità di competere in modo leale - sottolinea il commissario alla concorrenza Mario Monti- I consumatori e i produttori di personal computer devono poter scegliere quale software multimediale istallare sui propri computer. Devono essere loro a scegliere, non Microsoft" Il colosso dell'informatica ha annunciato ricorso alla corte di giustizia europea. Sentiamo lo sfogo del responsabile legale di Microsoft in Europa, Oracio Gutierrez: "La decisione avrà un impatto negativo per i consumatori. La soluzione che propone la commissione europea obbligerà Microsoft a presentare una versione di Windows, da cui dovremmo rimuovere il nostro supporto multimediale" Il provvedimento della commissione è stato accolto con entusiasmo dai rivali di Bill Gates, delusi dopo il morbido accordo raggiunto con l'antritrust americano. Per Sun Microsystems che per prima si era rivolta a Bruxelles, questa condanna crea un precedente, e già si parla di nuove denuncie contro il sistema operativo Windows XP. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last Updated: 22 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palestinians die in Israeli Gaza raid
Israeli troops have killed at least five Palestinians. A gun fight broke out during a pre-dawn raid on Abassan Village, allegedly aimed at a suspected militant. A senior member of the Islamic guerrilla group Hamas and his wife were said to be among the dead, as well as innocent bystanders. At least 10 other Palestinians were injured. There are some reports that the local Hamas leader blew up when he was fired on. The Israeli army said he could have been carrying explosives although local hospital staff say he died from gunshot wounds. It came ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plans to seek support from his party's cabinet ministers to evacuate most of the 21 Jewish Settlements in the Gaza Strip. Pro-settler partners in his coalition have threatened to topple the government if he goes ahead with the plans. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 21 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- US protests on first anniversay of Iraq invasion
The first anniversary of the invasion of Iraq was marked with anti-war protests around the globe. There were demonstrations across the United States. New York drew the largest crowd, organisers estimated 100,000 people marched through the streets. Protesters throughout the country condemned US policy in Iraq, many saying they did not believe Iraqis are better off or the world a safer place because of the war. There were smaller crowds in Los Angeles. Two thousand five hundred people took part in the march down Hollywood Boulevard. There were tense scenes when the anti-war protesters were confronted by supporters of the invasion. They challenged each other with chants but there were no reports of violence. Security was tight in Chicago, the site of another mass protest. The march there was led by civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson. A common theme throughout all the protests was a call for US troops to be pulled out from Iraq. The president's hometown was no exception. Some 800 protesters gathered there to literally bring that message right to his doorstep. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MASS anti-war protests in Europe Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Europe. Spain saw some of the largest demonstrations. Organisers say 60,000 people protested in the capital, and 200,000 in Barcelona. Opposition to the war reached nearly 90 percent in Spain. The terrorist attacks on Madrid revived anger over the prime minister's staunch support for the conflict. They are widely believed to have contributed to the ejection of the pro-US government in last week's election. Big Ben became the focal point of protests in London. Two green peace activists scaled the landmark clock tower to unfurl a banner demanding the truth over the war in Iraq be told. Police estimate 25,000 people marched, organisers say the number was closer to 75,000. Black balloons were released in Trafalgar Square in memory of those killed in Iraq and in Madrid. The streets of Rome were jammed. Twelve special trains were laid on to bring protesters in to the Italian capital. Police say 250,000 people took part, but organisers say it was more like two million. They called on Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is a close ally of the US president, to withdraw Italian troops from Iraq. Paris saw smaller demonstrations, up to 10,000 people are estimated to have taken to the streets there. France was one of the key states to oppose the war in Iraq, and that may have dampened enthusiasm amongst protesters. And about 3,000 people snaked through the streets of Brussels. There were also demonstrations in Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland and Athens. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 20 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Worldwide anti-war protests on Iraq anniversary
Protests have been taking place around Europe and across the world marking the first anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. In the Spanish city of Seville demonstrators denounced the conflict, wholehearedly rejecting Washington's argument that the world is now a safer place. The events have a special emotional significance in the wake of horrific terror attacks in Madrid and the election in which the pro-US government was thrown out. Hundreds of black balloons were released above Trafalgar Square in London in memory of those killed in Iraq and the victims of the Madrid bombings. Tens of thousands joined the demonstration in the British capital. Prime Minister Tony Blair is still being dogged by questions over the legality of the conflict and banners branded him a liar and called for him to resign. Twelve special trains were laid on to bring protesters to Rome, where an estimated 20,000 people took part in a march. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi stood alongside Blair and US President George W. Bush in launching the invasion to topple Saddam despite widespread opposition from the Italian people. In Moscow, communist demonstrators carrying pictures of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara held a protest. They expressed anger at the war in Iraq and the conflict in Chechnya. One man said he wanted Russians to follow the Spaniards example and change the government for one which would pull troops out of the Caucasus. Germany was one of the key states to oppose the war in Iraq, and the level of protest in the capital Berlin reflected that. Just 500 protesters took part in the march in pouring rain. Last year 70,000 demonstrated against the US-led invasion. In Turkey there was a more animated gathering outside the US embassy in Ankara. At the time of the war the Turkish government struck a delicate diplomatic balance, backing the US but refusing to allow its land border with Iraq to be used for a full-scale invasion. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan flushes out rebel fighters
Pakistan has taken more than 100 suspected militants prisoner - the human prize in what is its biggest offensive since joining Washington's 'war on terror'. Those caputured include foreign fighters and the local tribesmen who have been sheltering them. But nowhere to be seen is the so called "high value target" the troops were said to be seeking - Osama bin Laden's second-in-command. For days, Pakistani forces have been fighting fierce battles against militants in the wild South Waziristan region. The strength of the resistance put up by rebels led to speculation that Ayman al-Zawahri, regarded as the brains behind al Qaeda, was hiding out in the desolate and lawless landscape of rocks and scrub. The Pakistani army now says it is unlikely that the Egyptian doctor is among those still surrounded. Intercepted rebel radio communications suggest the mystery militant leader was in fact an Uzbek or a Chechen. As the combat continues, so does the misery for those who live in the area. Some have joined the growing list of casualties while thousands of others have fled their homes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dutch Queen mother dies aged 94
The Netherlands is in mourning after the death of its Queen mother, Juliana, at the age of 94. She reigned over the country for more than three decades and helped it recover from World War Two. Known as the "bicycling monarch," Juliana shopped at her local supermarket and sent her children to state school. Her popularity prompted the Dutch labour party to drop its demand to turn the country into a republic. Juliana, who died of a lung infection, handed the throne to her daughter Beatrix in 1980, on her 71st birthday. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 19 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Denktash determined to snub Cyprus talks
Turkey, the Greek Cypriots and even his own son have tried to get the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to attend the UN-backed Cyprus peace talks next week. But the 80-year-old veteran has refused to budge, saying he is deeply unhappy about concessions required of him under the plan. And he told protesters angry about job cuts that under UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan even more of them would end up out of work. Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat will attend the talks in Switzerland but, in an exclusive interview, he told Euronews that they would be in a stronger position if Denktash was there too. He said: "Of course, out preference is participation because this is a shared responsibility. We have to share this responsibility together. From the beginning, Denktash has been in the process so he should not desert the process for the time being, for the coming phase of the negotiations. But, of course,the process will continue with or without him." Denktash has said if his people voted for a largely unchanged plan in a referendum he would resign. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Casablanca bombing suspect arrested in Belgium
Belgian police have detained a suspect wanted in connection with last year's suicide bombings in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. The Moroccan man was arrested along with at least five others in a series of morning raids at private homes in the capital Brussels as well as two other areas. Belgian authorities suspect the detainees trained in paramilitary camps in Afghanistan and had ties to the Moroccan Islamic Combattant Group. Known by its French acronym, GICM is listed by the United States as a "terrorist" group. Spanish investigators are looking into possible links
between last week's Madrid train attacks that killed 202 people and
the Casablanca bombings in May last year that killed 45 people, including
12 suicide bombers. The targets included a Spanish restaurant, the
Belgian consulate and a Jewish community centre. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 18 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balkan: Kosovo's fragile peace shattered by deadly ethnic unrest
Hopes of reconciling Kosovo's Serb and Albanian communities are in tatters after at least 18 people died in the province's most savage bout of ethnic violence in five years. Death and destruction engulfed most of Kosovo's Serb enclaves where the community has been living under international protection since NATO drove Belgrade's forces out in the 1999 war. That conflict ended a Serb crackdown on Kosovo's Albanians, but the hatred persists. In the divided town of Mitrovica, eight Albanians and two Serbs died. The violence was triggered by Tuesday's drowning of three boys. A survivor said they were forced into a river by Serbs exacting revenge for a shooting. Serbs have vented their outrage on the streets of Belgrade by setting a mosque on fire. One protestor said: "We are here because people are dying in Kosovo tonight." Belgrade has appealed for calm as images of burning medieval monasteries draw emotional reactions across Serbia. The government has offered troops to help UN forces stem the bloodletting. There has been no response from KFOR yet. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Al Qaida faction claims deadly IRAQ bombing
A car bomb explosion in the Iraqi capital Baghdad has killed at least 29 people and injured more than 40. Most of the victims were Iraqis. Five hundred kilos of explosives were used, leaving behind a three-metre deep crater. The blast was aimed at the Mount Lebanon Hotel where several foreigners were staying. Nearby houses were destroyed. It is not thought it was a suicide attack as no remains were found inside the burnt-out car. Rescue teams worked through the night to try to free people trapped under the rubble, some digging with their bare hands. Washington has blamed a Jordanian terrorist group allegedly linked to Al Qaeda, which it accuses of trying to spark a civil war in Iraq. The White House has said it will stay on in Iraq until the job is finished. The attack comes just three days before the first anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "America's lackeys" threatened with attacks
A group claiming to have links with al Qaeda has warned what it calls America's lackeys they could be the target of similar attacks to the Madrid bombings. Great Britain, Japan, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Pakistan are targetted in the communiqué, which was sent to London-based newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi. Even France, one of the staunch opposers of the war in Iraq, has been threatened with a letter from an obscure Islamic militant group. It says it will plunge France into terror and remorse if it doesn't withdraw its controversial ban on headscarves. French president Jacques Chirac has called on vigilance but says democracies will not be intimidated. Experts are currently working on the letter to find out whether it is genuine. Some believe the authors could be trying to take advantage of the current climate of terror. Interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy says the letter doesn't bear the usual hallmarks of Islamic extremists. Meanwhile, Portugal has announced border patrols abolished under the Schengen agreement will be reinstated ahead of this summer's euro 2004 football championships. Authorities have said the measure does not come in response to any direct threat against Portugal but is part of a wider security alert following the Madrid bombings. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 17 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Europe will protect its citizens'
A promise from French President Jacques Chirac, after regular informal talks with close partner Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. With investigators pursuing the perpetrators of last Thursday's bomb attacks in Madrid, France and Germany have, however, played down talk of creating a "European CIA". They said first there should be more cooperation between existing intelligence services. Chirac said France was no stranger to the pain caused by terrorism. It has experienced attacks in the past. He warned that all democracies were exposed to the dangers and stressed the need for vigilance. The events in Spain have jolted all the EU member states into fresh alertness. The fallout has also changed the landscape for European integration. Paris and Berlin are hopeful this will permit the adoption of a new constitution for the bloc by the end of this year. Schroeder said they were looking forward to getting along with the new Spanish government. Lengthy consultations with the election winner had given encouragement in two main areas: the European constitution and Iraq. Madrid's outgoing rulers have blocked reforms which would reduce Spain's voting power in European decision-making. EU ministers will debate counter-terrorism action at an emergency meeting on Friday, in advance of a European leaders summit ten days away. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spain hunts suspected bombers
Spanish police are hunting five Moroccans in connection with last week's train bombings in Madrid. They are also questioning the three Moroccans and two Indians arrested at the weekend. Meanwhile forensic experts have said they have not found any evidence of a suicide attack. The probe has homed in on Jamal Zougam, a young Moroccan who was arrested on Saturday night. He could be linked to some of the perpetrators of the Casablanca bombings last year and to Mullah Krekar, the founder of the extremist Ansar-al-Islam movement blamed for several lethal attacks in Iraq. One of his neighbours said revelations about Zougam had sent a chill down her spine. Others who knew him said he seemed like a regular guy who ran a mobile phone shop, dressed sharply and enjoyed telling jokes. The district where his shop was located has a history of racially-motivated brawls, and there are fears of a backlash against Muslims similar to that experienced in the United States after September 11. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After the shock annoucement of a new political direction in Madrid
Spain's allies are trying to get to grips with what it means on the ground and whether a compromise is possible. Plans by the new Prime Minister-elect to bring home his country's troops in Iraq has caused alarm. Poland, which works alongside Spain, has warned the incoming government in Madrid that it could be seen as a weakness after last week's train attacks. Washington said the Spanish were a critical part of the coalition, while Britain said it would hold talks to try to see if Spain's concerns can be addressed. "We work for the present," said this Spanish official in Iraq. "We don't like to think of the future and if we'll be here or not. It's the government's decision. We just want to think about the present and help people here." Spain currently has 1300 troops in the centre of the country, and is due to take over military command of the region from Poland on July 1. The Polish president Aleksander Kwasniewski said stability was needed. "The Spanish want to withdraw their soldiers from Iraq... well, so do we," he said. "But the stabilisation mission there can't be turned into one of destabilisation." Completely turning around the outgoing government's unflinching support of Washington, Spain's Prime Minister-elect accused the US President and British Prime Minister of organising what he calls a "disastrous war of lies". A US general in Iraq, Ricardo Sanchez, and a member of the administrative council in Baghdad, today attempted to play down the impact of a Spanish withdrawal. They said they would quickly adapt and make up for the shortfall in soldiers. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terrorist threat: major world cities step up security
Major cities across the world are on high alert amid fears of a new terrorist attack. Security has been stepped up on transport networks across Europe following last week's bombings in Madrid. The London Underground has launched a special campaign warning passengers to be more vigilant. In an unprecedented move, plainclothes anti-terrorist police officers have been deployed throughout the network. Britain was one of America's staunchest allies in its so-called "war on terror" and police say it is only a matter of time before al Qaeda launches an attack there. Initial tests carried out on four suspicious packages containing white powder which were sent to foreign embassies in London have suggested the contents were not dangerous. Even France and Germany who both opposed the war in Iraq are concerned. In the German capital Berlin, security has been tightened around the foreign embassies, although interior minister Otto Schily says it is illusory to think that all targets can be protected. He has called on all EU members to share information on convicted criminals' identification records. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 16 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- French terror alert raised
France has raised its terror alert to "code red" in light of last week's multiple attacks in Madrid. The second highest warning is being imposed on train stations throughout the country, and was raised in airports on Friday. Elsewhere it is "code orange", one level below. Commuters are being told to be vigilant even in this country which strongly opposed the war in Iraq. But it is not just Islamic militants authorities are concerned about. A group known as AZF has reared its ugly head once again. Last month, it threatened to target the state railway if the government failed to pay millions of euros in ransom money. It led to a search of the entire French network - 32,000 kilometres of tracks. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Georgian president says Adzharia standoff will be resolved peacefully
Residents of Georgia's Black Sea region of Adzharia fear the worst as the standoff continues between the local leadership and the central government. At the main crossing on Georgia's internal border with Adzharia, military patrols have been stepped up. In the regional capital Batumi, a curfew has been imposed, and Russian armoured personnel carriers have been seen on the streets. Tension has risen after Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili froze the regional government's bank accounts and has cut off its railway, main sea port and airspace. The sanctions were ordered after Adzharia, officially an autonomous republic, failed to meet a deadline to accept Tibilisi's authority. Adzharia has long been allied with Moscow. Now the mayor of the Russian capital, Yuri Luzhkov, has visited Batumi. He said "I deeply regret that this tension is being fanned up instead of starting talks and calmly saying that this is the point of reference, and what exists today cannot be changed by force." Mikhail Saakashvili has pledged to solve the crisis without bloodshed saying he has been in close contact with "friendly states," including Russia, the United States and Turkey. The confrontation started when Saakashvili, who won a landslide victory in January's presidential vote, was refused entry into Adzharia on Sunday. He said he was visiting to drum up support for the general election at the end of this month. Adzharia's leader Aslan Abashidze has been strongly critical of last year's "rose revolution" when Saakashvili led protests that forced out Georgia's former president Eduard Shevardnadze. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lethal blast devastates building in Russia
At least 21 people have died in a blast which destroyed a block of flats in northern Russia. Dozens of others are still unaccounted for. Criminal intent has not been ruled out. A gas leak is thought to be responsible for the explosion which struck at 3 o'clock in the morning local time, devastating the nine-storey building in Archangelsk, a thousand kilometres north of the capital Moscow. Police are looking for two homeless people who may have stolen equipment from the gas installation in the block of flats. The building belonged to Russia's interior ministry and housed police officers. That raised initial fears of a terrorist attack, but no evidence of explosives has been found. A team has been dispatched from Moscow to help with rescue efforts. Around 25 survivors have been taken to hospital. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cantat trial begins in Lithuania
The trial of a rock singer accused of murdering a prominent French actress has opened in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. France was gripped by the drama which unfolded last summer. Bertrand Cantat, the lead vocalist in the popular French rock band Noir Desir, struck his girlfriend, Marie Trintignant, during an argument in a Vilnius hotel room. She died later of a brain haemorrhage. Cantat denies he intended to kill her. Trintignant was in Lithuania filming "Colette",
directed by her mother Nadine. Marie Trintignant's father, Jean-Louis,
is also a famous actor in France. The prosecution wanted closed-door
hearings to protect details of the ill-fated couple's private life,
but the court overturned the request. Judges said a public trial would
help to rectify misperceptions in the media. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 15 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spain's Rajoy concedes defeat
Spain's ruling Popular Party has conceded defeat in the general election. Mariano Rajoy congratulated the Socialists, who, according to partial results, took a narrow win. Voters appeared to have punished the PP over its handling of the Madrid train blasts. The Socialists are likely to turn to smaller parties to form a coalition ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vladimir Putin won a landslide victory in Russia's presidential elections
The 51 year old former KGB spy will now go on to a second four year term. An exit poll showed Putin had easily beaten his five opponents and led the field by a massive 69 per cent of the vote. Putin has said he pursue economic reforms to improve the lives of millions of Russians living in poverty. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 14 March, 2004
Jeers and cheers as Spain's politicians cast their votes
A mixture of catcalls and cheers greeted Spain's departing prime minister Jose Maria Aznar as he cast his vote in today's general election. Three days after 200 people were killed and nearly 1,500 were injured in the Madrid train bombings, Spaniards have been going to the ballot box. Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attacks in a videotape - apparently carried out in revenge for Spain's support of the American-led war in Iraq. The ruling Popular Party's prime ministerial candidate, Mariano Rajoy - Aznar's hand-picked successor - cast his vote in Madrid earlier, to calls of 'murderer', 'liar' and 'get our troops out of Iraq'. For two days the government had said the armed Basque separatist group ETA was the prime suspect. That drew thousands of incredulous protesters to Popular Party offices across Spain. ETA denies any involvement, although it is by no means clear who is responsible. The Socialist candidate Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has also cast his vote. He opposed Aznar over the war but backed him in the fight against ETA. No one is sure what effect the bombings will have on today's election. Until a few days ago the Popular Party looked likely to win but in today's uncertain political climate anything seems possible. However one thing does look certain - voter turnout is expected to be exceptionally high, with experts saying 80 per cent of the 34 million eligible voters are likely to want to make sure their voices are heard. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anti-government protests in Spain
Thousands of anti-government protesters gathered outside the headquarters of Spain's ruling Popular Party - determined to express their anger ahead of today's election. "Before we vote, we want the truth," they cried, accusing the authorities of lying over the likely culprits behind Thursday's train explosions. They believe Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar's administration jumped to the conclusion that ETA was responsible for purely electoral reasons. His government has campaigned on its hardline stance against the armed Basque group and public revulsion at an ETA attack would, it is argued, translate into votes for the Popular Party at the ballot box. An al Qaeda strike on the other hand would likely have the opposite effect, with some perceiving it as the price for Aznar's domestically unpopular support of the US-led war in Iraq.The protests were repeated across the nation, in cities including Barcelona and Bilbao. Earlier, a Spanish radio station that is frequently critical of the right-of-centre government reported that intelligence services were "99 percent certain" that radical Muslims were behind the blasts - something the private SER station claimed the authorities had been aware of. This was denied by the Interior Minister. The demonstrations took place on a day that was supposed to be dedicated to "reflection" - with political activities banned due to the proximity of the election. This led to strong words from the two main parties battling it out at the polls. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Al Qaida behind Madrid bombings - tape claim
Found in a dustbin near a mosque on the outskirts of the Spanish capital - a videotape, purporting to come from al Qaeda, in which the Islamic militant group claims responsibility for Thursday's train bombings. A TV station had been told where the tape could be found. Spain's interior minister Angel Acebes announced the news overnight. On the tape a man said al Qaeda had carried out the attacks in retaliation for Spanish co-operation with the US and its allies. "This claim has been made by a man speaking in Arabic with a Moroccan accent," said Acebes. "The man claims to be the spokesman for the al Qaeda group in Europe - Abu Dujan al Afgani." Acebes said the name was not known to intelligence services and that investigators were examining the tape's authenticity. The tape warned that more blood would flow if Spain did not stop what it described as its injustices. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Security stepped up around Europe
The news that Al Qaida may have played a part in Madrid's train attacks has sent shivers down the spines of political leaders throughout the world. Spain is firmly pointing the finger of blame at ETA, but even so, security has been stepped up across major European cities. But reports that Osama bin Laden's network could have been involved came as no surprise to the leader of the radical Islamic group al-Muhajiroun. Omar Bakri Mohammed said: "I am surprised that the Spanish Government did not take notice that Islamists in the Muslim world and in Europe view the bombings as a response to Spain's involvement in Iraq." The controversial London based leader also implied Italy could be a future target. Silvio Berlusconi's government also backed the US led war which toppled Saddam Hussein. The idea that a September 11th style attack could strike Europe may have been considered a real possibility, but most normal people, could never imagine it happening to them. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apathy only danger for Putin in Russian poll
As Russia's leader Vladimir Putin casts his vote in today's presidential election, he knows the only real threat to another four-year term would be voter apathy. At least a 50 per cent turnout is needed for the election to be valid so voters have been lured to the ballot box with not only the chance to have their say but free haircuts and cinema tickets. Early indications look good for the president with turnout in the sparsely-populated east of the country hitting the 50 per cent hurdle. However he needs Russia's densely-peopled west to keep pace during the day. Opinion polls routinely show Putin with an approval rating of 70 per cent. But his main opponents have said campaigning has been marred by pro-Kremlin media bias. They have also accused him of failing to combat poverty and corruption. Some prominent liberals have called for a boycott of today's election and urged supporters to concentrate on the next presidential poll in 2008. Polling stations close at 8pm local time across Russia's 11 time zones, with unofficial results expected tomorrow. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 13 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Millions march against terrorism in Spain
An estimated eight million Spaniards have taken to the streets to condemn terrorism in the wake of the bomb attacks in Madrid. The biggest crowd was in the capital, where two million joined the march. The strength and depth of emotion was clear. Some demonstrators banged drums, shouting "cowards" or "killers", while others carried black crosses and candles. Spain's Prince Felipe, Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and leaders from across the political spectrum led the march through rain-soaked streets. The Irish, French and Italian prime ministers were also present, together with European Commission president Romano Prodi. The questions on everyone's lips were "who" and "why." Basque separatist group ETA says it was not responsible despite Spain's Interior Minister naming it as a prime suspect. Other evidence suggests Islamic radicals linked to al Qaeda may be to blame. Whoever the culprit, Spaniards are shocked and horrified
at the scale of what has happened. In the Basque city of Bilbao, radical nationalists joined with moderates to condemn the violence.This was the biggest ever demonstration of its kind after Spain's bloodiest-ever terrorist attack. It is a landmark in the country's history although it remains to be seen what political impact it will have on Sunday. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Madrid struggles with bombs aftermath
El Pozo station in the south of Madrid was the scene of the worst carnage in Thursday's bomb attacks after two devices went off on board a packed double decker commuter train. Locals have begun to light candles and lay flowers as they struggle to come to terms with what happened."I can't talk", said one woman. "The people who did that have to be arrested because they've destroyed lots of families". Some anxious relatives are still waiting for news of their loved ones. After trailing around the city's hospitals their last port of call is the crisis centre where bodies are being identified, often simply by a piece of jewellery or scrap of clothing. For some the trauma is too much to bear; these are scars that may never heal. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar says no line of investigation has been ruled out after yesterday's train attacks in Madrid. But he alluded to suggestions by the leader of ETA's political allies Batasuna that the group were not linked to the bombings. "I'd like to say the government gives no credibility to declarations by spokespeople for illegal organisations which speak for terrorists, who have claimed hundreds of victims. I do not give the benefit of doubt to those who maintain their criminal desire and those who are always prepared to carry it out at the expense of innocent people. " Aznar repeated that authorities thought it more likely the Basque separatists carried out the terrorist attacks, although he insisted he was not ignoring the possibility it was an Islamic extremist group. "Religious and ethnic fanaticism differ only in their justification. They have the same aims- murder, genocide and destruction." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Madrid bombings - was Al Qaida responsible?
The bombings are being called Europe's 11 September, so was the same group - al-Qaeda - behind them? That theory is boosted by the discovery of a white van near the town of Alcala de Henares. Three of the four bombed trains had come from there. Inside that stolen van police found seven detonators and a cassette tape of verses from the Koran. In addition a letter apparently from a group aligned to al-Qaeda was sent to an London based Arabic newspaper claiming responsibility. An American official said the group - the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades - had made numerous false claims in the past and it is not clear exactly what their link is to al-Qaeda. Terrorism expert Jean Chalvidant, who has studied the Basque terror group ETA, has his own opinion. He said: ""This is such a bloody and terrible attack .. it is not Eta's style at all ... it much more fits how Al-Qaeda operates. There is also a Spanish link to the September the 11th attacks in America. Mohamed Atta, who was the architect of the plane hijackings, passed through Spain, which was used as an operational base by al Qaeda. After September 11th Spanish police arrested and questioned 63 alleged members of Al Qaeda. They also found that the group's banker had moved funds through Spain. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Security increased in European capitals
Security has been stepped up in major European cities
in the wake of the Madridbombings. Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi backed the Bush administration
- spot checks and patrols have been ordered in his country. The Polish
government has introduced similar measures. In Greece, the new government is planning security measures ahead of the Olympic Games in Athens this summer. It says the arrangements that have already been made will be reinforced in light of what happened in Madrid. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Russian politicians end campaigning ahead of election
Campaigning ahead of Russia's presidential election on Sunday has ended. Knowing that only voter apathy can prevent him from winning a second term, Vladimir Putin told television viewers: "Participating in the elections is a unique right which allows you to influence the development of events in your own country." Some Muscovites are already convinced: "There are no options, it is only Putin, I think he is the only presidential candidate." A Putin victory is a formality unless turnout falls below 50 per cent, which would make the result invalid. Nationalist politician Sergei Glazyev is one of three opponents who have joined forces to accuse the Kremlin of plotting irregularities. Glazyev, initially seen as a Kremlin puppet, is tipped to come second. Communist Nikolai Kharitonov also signed the appeal warning of cheating and bias in the count and pressure on journalists and judges. The third candidate to voice such concerns is liberal Irina Khakamada. With major opposition figures staying out of the race, some say the lack of a real contest has bred voter cynicism. To make sure turnout clears the threshold, the central electoral commission has released an advert urging people to vote. President Putin has not bothered to campaign, but his every move has been covered by state television, generating protests from opponents, none of whom have more than five percent support. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 12 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spain silent in honour of terrorist attacks' victims
Much of Spain came to a standstill at midday on Friday. People across the country have taken part in a mass demonstration to show their outrage at yesterday's attacks in Madrid. People stood in silence in memory of the almost 200 people killed. At the same time, a false alarm led to the evacuation of Madrid's Atocha railway station, yesterday the scene of devastation. At 7 o'clock tonight, millions of people are expected to take part in another demonstration, including the prime ministers of several European countries. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UN council condemns ETA for Madrid attacks
The attacks have drawn unanimous condemnation from the United Nations. Just hours after the tragedy, all 15 members of the Security Council voted in favour of accepting the word of the Spanish government that ETA was to blame for the bombings. It is highly unusual for the council to mention a culprit at all, and especially so soon after an incident. Diplomats say Spanish foreign minister Ana Palacio lobbied hard for the terrorist group to be included in the resolution. Washington said it was satisfied with the explanations given by the Spanish government, which said the attacks did bear the hallmarks of an operation by ETA because of other threats in past weeks in the run-up to Spain's general election.
|
Last Updated: 10 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Railway terrorist bloodbath in Madrid
The worst terrorist attacks in the history of Spain
have left Madrid struggling to cope. Three days before national elections,
four near-simultaneous bombings on packed commuter trains have killed
more than 170 people and injured some 800. No one has claimed responsibility
for the morning rush-hour blasts but they bear the hallmarks of the
Basque militant group ETA, which is listed by the US and the EU as
a terrorist organisation. Batasuna, its political arm, "refused
to envisage" that ETA was behind the attacks, instead blaming
"Arab resistance." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Libya signs up to IAEA Additional Protocol
Libya has taken a big step towards rejoining the international community by signing the International Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol in Vienna. The protocol allows for snap inspections at any site of a country's civil or military nuclear programme. In December Libya announced it was abandoning all its weapons of mass destruction programmes, including its military nuclear research, and has just shipped all its remaining nuclear technology and material to the USA for destruction. The protocol was set up by the IAEA in 1997 when it became clear that the organisation's Non-Proliferation treaty needed toughening, to stop some members from cheating and exploiting loopholes to develop military nuclear applications. Around this time, Argentina, South Africa, and Brazil for example abandoned their nuclear ambitions. Others did not. Now Libya's Colonel Gadaffi hopes turning the page on his rule-breaking past will end crippling embargos against his country, and see the return of much-needed foreign investment. The renewal of diplomatic ties is proceeding apace, with last month's visit to Tripoli by European Commission head Romano Prodi, but for Iran, currently in the nuclear spotlight, the EU has got tough. It has joined the US in calling for more compliance with IAEA demands, a stance Iran calls "disappointing", and says the EU has buckled under American pressure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guantanamo five released by British police
The group of Britons released from Guantanamo Bay are finally in the clear. Four of the five men had been held in police custody since their return to London on Tuesday, but now they have been released without charge. The men had been held at the Guantanamo prison camp for more than two years, suspected of fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan or supporting the militant al Qaeda network. Families of the group showed their obvious delight when they heard that interrogation by London's anti-terrorism police had come to nothing. As well as the possibility of seeking compensation, the men are being approached by tabloid newspapers and publishers keen to buy their stories. Publicist Max Clifford, who is representing one of the five, said it was a great story for markets right around the world. He says as well as finding out what happened at Guantanamo, there was interest in the debate about whether the detentions were justified. Four other British suspects are still being held at the controversial camp, which has been criticised for its conditions and the lack of access to lawyers. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hubble provides image of earliest galaxies
Scientists on Tuesday unveiled a picture that offers the deepest portrait of the visible universe ever taken. The image was snapped by the Hubble Space Telescope between September 2003 and January 2004, over a total viewing time of 11 days. The "Hubble Ultra Deep Field" looks back to just 700 million years after the Big Bang, revealing galaxies that emerged from the end of the so-called "dark ages." They are shown to be more chaotic and to be less well-formed than our own Milky Way. The useful life of Hubble is drawing to a close. NASA
plans to put another space telescope into orbit in 2012, but astronomers
are concerned that funding for many projects will dry up in the intervening
years. .-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 10 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guantanamo Five home but not yet dry
There has been a dramatic return home for five Britons released by the US from Guantanamo Bay. They are back in the UK, but only one of them is in the clear. The other four are being interrogated by anti-terrorism police. If they are not charged they could be freed in days. Three of the men came from the town of Tipton, which has been dubbed "Tipton Taliban" by the media. The sister of another man, Jamal al-Harith from Manchester, spoke of her fears about his mental state after being held in the camp for two years. She said he was worried that suddenly being surrounded by his family would be too much for him to take in. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld defended the controversial Guantanamo facility which has been roundly criticised by human rights groups. He said the goal of the camp was to glean the maximum information possible on terrorist activities from the detainees. Four other Britons deemed "too dangerous" to be released by the US remain at Guantanamo. Downing Street has agreed that they can be tried at a US military court. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palestinian "hijacking mastermind" dies in US custody
A Palestinian who masterminded the hijacking of an Italian cruise ship in 1985 has died in US custody, apparently of natural causes. Abu Abbas had been held by the American military in Iraq since his arrest there in April last year. He was head of a group known as the Palestinian Liberation Front, which was based in Baghdad. Abbas masterminded the hijacking of the ship Archille Lauro. A wheel-chair bound American Jew was killed and thrown into the sea. Abbas, who was not on board the ship at the time of the attack, spent most of the past 17 years in Iraq, eluding US and Italian officials. He later went on to renounce violence and warrants for his arrest were dropped. Washington. However, decided it was still keen to prosecute Abbas after his arrest last year, and was in the process of working out numerous legal and diplomatic issues. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suicide bombers hit Turkish restaurant
Two people have died in a suicide attack in Turkey. Two bombers struck a crowded restaurant in a building in Istanbul used by freemasons. They opened fire with machine guns as around 40 people were eating. One of the attackers then blew himself up, killing a waiter. The other assailant was seriously injured and taken to hospital. Five other people were injured. It is not clear who the bombers were or why they targeted the lodge. Freemasonry has long claimed a following among Turkey's secular elite, especially in Istanbul. The attack has raised fears of a new wave of strikes after devastating attacks on Jewish and British targets in Istanbul last November claimed over 60 lives. Turkish prosecutors have charged 69 people in connection with the killings, which have been blamed on local Islamic militants with links to Al Qaeda. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Death sentence for Washington sniper
A man convicted of killing one of ten people in a spate of sniper attacks in the US two years ago has been sentenced to death by a judge in the state of Virginia. John Muhammad had been appealing against his conviction last November, claiming it was based on guess work and emotion. The judge set October 14th as the execution date for the Gulf War veteran. He was found guilty of the murder of a 53-year-old man who was shot at a filling station in Virginia. Muhammad's accomplice, Lee Malvo, who was 17 at the time of the killings, faces a hearing tomorrow in which a judge will decide whether to confirm his sentence of life in prison. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spanish elections: polls place conservatives in comfortable lead
Spain's ruling conservative Popular Party remains ahead of the opposition Socialists in opinion polls as Sunday's general election looms. But the gap is narrowing, and analysts predict the Popular Party could fail to retain an absolute majority in parliament. PP leader Mariano Rajoy, widely tipped as the next prime minister, told supporters: "I want the same economy, more jobs - two million new jobs in the next four years - better pensions, more opportunities for young people, more employment and more accessible housing." Recent polls show the Socialists could get between 138 and 144 seats in parliament which could force the conservatives into a coalition in order to form a government. Spain's third party, the Communists, are not expected to pick up more than five percent of the vote. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Kerry has moved closer to formally clinching the US Democrat presidential nomination. He had had easy victories in four southern states, including the crucial November battleground of Florida. Kerry addressed supporters in Chicago, Illinois, which holds a primary next week that could confirm his nomination. The Massachusetts senator has swept to easy wins in primaries in Florida, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. He has also challenged George W Bush to front up to a monthly debate between now and election day. The president has yet to respond to the challenge, which would involve debates on subjects including employment, health and foreign policy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VW slashes costs as profits fall
Europe's largest carmaker, Volkswagen, is cutting 5,000 jobs after profits fell dramatically last year and things are not getting any better as the manufacturer has had what it describes as a "lousy" first quarter of 2004. Confirmation of the company's cost cutting came from Chief Executive Bernd Pischetsrieder. He said: "As we announced a year ago our objective was to sell five million cars, which we've done. Volkswagen, which includes Skoda and Bentley, and Audi, which includes SEAT and Lamborghini, sold a total of 4.8 million cars last year, but sales revenue was slightly reduced and operating profit fell a massive 63%. One factor there was the strength of the euro which VW said reduced profit before tax by 1.6 billion euros. The new Golf, which was introduced in October, has not been the saviour that VW had hoped for. Sales in the first two months of this year fell by 6% compared with the same period last year. The company plans to save about 800 million euros by next year by cutting manufacturing and product costs. To save money Volkswagen will reduce its carmaking workforce by offering early retirement and only replacing 20% of those who leave the company. .-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 9 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VW slashes costs as profits fall
Europe's largest carmaker, Volkswagen, is cutting 5,000 jobs after profits fell dramatically last year and things are not getting any better as the manufacturer has had what it describes as a "lousy" first quarter of 2004. Confirmation of the company's cost cutting came from Chief Executive Bernd Pischetsrieder. He said: "As we announced a year ago our objective was to sell five million cars, which we've done. Volkswagen, which includes Skoda and Bentley, and Audi, which includes SEAT and Lamborghini, sold a total of 4.8 million cars last year, but sales revenue was slightly reduced and operating profit fell a massive 63%. One factor there was the strength of the euro which VW said reduced profit before tax by 1.6 billion euros. The new Golf, which was introduced in October, has not been the saviour that VW had hoped for. Sales in the first two months of this year fell by 6% compared with the same period last year. The company plans to save about 800 million euros by next year by cutting manufacturing and product costs. To save money Volkswagen will reduce its carmaking workforce by offering early retirement and only replacing 20% of those who leave the company. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iraq constitution: diplomatic "victory" for US
George W. Bush has claimed diplomatic victory following the signature of Iraq's interim constitution despite strong criticism from the country's top Shi'ite leader. The US president greeted the agreement, which comes eight months ahead of presidential elections in America, as a historic milestone. The transitional law paves the way for a handover of power to Iraqis on 30th June. It was finally signed yesterday in a ceremony which had been postponed several times. One of the sticking points was a clause, opposed by the Shi'ites, which would enable minority Kurds to veto a permanent constitution if it fails to enshrine their demands for autonomy. The Kurds, who are mainly located in three Iraqi provinces in the north, represent a fifth of Iraq's total population. For them, the agreement had to ensure they would not suffer because they are a minority. The constitution guarantees they keep the de facto autonomous status, which they have enjoyed for more than a decade. Iraq's leading Shi'ite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani refused to endorse the document saying it would make it more difficult to draw up a permanent constitution. The Kurdish community has been celebrating in the northern city of Kirkuk. But the joy was tainted by the violence which followed, during which three people were killed and 20 injured. .--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Updated: 8 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iraqis sign interim constitution
Iraq's interim constitution has been adopted at a signing ceremony in the capital Baghdad. The document is crucial to handing back power to Iraqis in June. Council members finally reached agreement after Shi'ite Muslim politicians withdrew their objections. The signing had been delayed twice - first after a series of bomb attacks on Shi'ite targets last week killed 181 people, then by last-minute objections on the part of the Shi'ites which forced a ceremony to be abandoned last Friday. The main point of contention was a clause in the constitution that would allow Iraqi Kurds to veto a permanent constitution if it does not respect their right to autonomy in the north. The Kurds, who have ruled three provinces in northern Iraq since 1991, had threatened not to sign if the clause was not included. The ceremony came amid more violence in the capital. A rocket hit a house in central Baghdad this morning. No one was hurt. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bloodshed in Haiti a week after Aristide's resignation
At least six people have been killed in the bloodiest day of clashes in Haiti since the departure of deposed president Jean Bertrand Aristide. Suspected Aristide supporters fired into a crowd celebrating his fall outside the National Palace in the capital Port-au-Prince. Among the victims was a renowned Spanish journalist who got caught in the crossfire. At least 20 people were injured. Witnesses said the gunfire came from the top of surrounding buildings. Many blame the so-called "Chimere", Aristide's lawless and ruthless supporters. It was the boldest attack by Aristide loyalists since the former president fled the impoverished nation a week ago. US soldiers who are part of a peacekeeping force in Haiti rushed to the scene. The shooting spree brought pleas from Aristide's political opponents calling for international troops to disarm the Chimeres. Rebel leader Guy Philippe had pledged his troops would hand in their weapons. But he has reacted to the violence by saying he might be forced to command his soldiers to take up arms once again. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Women's Day: human rights groups denounce inequalities
Equality between men and women at work is still far from reality according to human rights groups marking International Women's Day. In fact, social conditions for women have taken a step backwards in recent times says one former French prime minister. In Italy, which has one of the lowest birth-rates in Europe, president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi has called for urgent action to better integrate women into the working society: "A society that looks towards the future with confidence must support the role of women as citizens, as mothers, as workers who play an active role in politics and in public institutions. Motherhood and work must become more compatible," he said. Of the 40 percent of women who work in Italy, one in five has to give up her job after her first child due to poor childcare facilities. For those who keep their jobs, female professionals in France earn on average 25 percent less than their male colleagues in the same position. .-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 7 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greeks vote in crucial elections which could see change of power
Greece's 10 million voters have started casting their ballot in a parliamentary election seen as the most significant since the end of military rule three decades ago. On the left, foreign minister and leader of the ruling PASOK party George Papandreou is hoping to win the fourth consecutive election for the socialists since 1993. The opposition conservatives, led by Costas Karamanlis, are ahead in the polls: the latest surveys, carried out two weeks ago, predict an easy victory for the New Democracy party with a lead of up to five percent. But many analysts believe the gap has since narrowed and say the result could now depend on votes for the far-right and the far-left. While both parties have avoided turning the upcoming Olympic Games into a campaign issue, both have said the event will be a post-election priority. With just five months left until the Games start, less than half the venues, including the main Olympic stadium, have been completed. Other campaign pledges from both sides include curbing high prices following Greece's adoption of the euro, rising inflation and nearly 10 percent unemployment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Israel: Middle east: more bloodshed in overnight raidsù
At least 14 Palestinians were killed overnight in an Israeli army raid on two refugee camps in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian medics say at least half of the dead were civilians, including several children. At least 70 people were injured. Israeli forces backed by at least two Apache helicopter gunships moved slowly down alleys and side streets on the outskirts of the Bureij and Nusseirat camps. The troops, which say they came under intensive fire from anti-tank missiles and explosives, were looking for so-called "terror groups" held responsible for attacks against Jewish settlements. The raids came a day after an attack by Palestinian militant groups on Israeli soldiers at the main crossing point between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Fighting has intensified in the Gaza Strip in recent weeks as each side tries to make a planned Israeli withdrawal from the area look like a victory. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Austrians go to the polls today in two provincial votes which could have a crucial bearing on the country's future. Elections in Carinthia, the stronghold of far-right leader Joerg Haider, will determine whether he stays in power there in a move which would bolster hispopularity after a series of electoral defeats. A strong showing by Haider's troubled Freedom Party could herald his return to national politics. Haider, who stepped down as party leader four years ago, has remained in power behind the scenes despite a slump in his party's popularity. Though few expect a return to his heyday when he took the Freedom Party into the coalition government, he could hold on to his position as governor even if he comes second thanks to Austria's coalition system. In Salzburg, it is a close race between the long-ruling conservatives and the Social Democrats who have fared well in the polls. They predict conservative candidate Franz Schausberger, governor since 1996, could lose his job to the Social Democrats' Gabi Burgstaller. Polls close at 5 p.m. local time with results expected some two hours later. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Human tide calls for Venezualan preident to quit
They marched in their hundreds of thousands - a human tidal wave snaked its way through the streets of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas in a show of strength aimed at keeping up the pressure on a president. It was a peaceful march that followed a week of violent clashes in the country - though troops backed by armoured vehicles were never far away. The protestors are determined to pursue their fight for a referendum aimed at ousting President Hugo Chavez from power. They say they have gathered a petition large enough
to trigger a vote on the leftist leader's future. But the country's
electoral authorities have controversially contested hundreds of thousands
of signatures. Hugo Chavez himself has denounced the demonstrators
as terrorists - saying they are trying to overthrow him with the help
of the United States. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Women's rights march draws thousands in France
International Women's Day is not until Tuesday but thousands have already been marking the event with a march in the French capital, Paris. The parade was nothing if not a reflection of the current divergence of opinion over the role of women in France. The government's decision to reinforce an extensive ban on Muslim headscarves is highly controversial. A group of women - mainly but not all wearing headscarves - marched to demand the right to carry on doing so. However, among a crowd of some 10,000, the 'pro-scarf' group appeared to be in a minority. Banners waved by numerous other associations and movements supported the law. Passed on Thursday, it vetoes the wearing of any overtly religious symbols in schools. Those opposed to headscarves claim many women and young
girls are forced to wear them against their will and that they are
more a sign of male opression than religion. Among other groups marching,
several left and extreme left political parties, the greens and the
unemployed. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Success for Russian Arctic rescue mission
Russia can at last breathe a big sigh of relief. The country has pulled off a daring rescue operation - plucking 12 stranded scientists to safety from one of the most remote places on earth. The drama unfolded deep within the Arctic Circle where on Wednesday the group's windswept Severny Polyus-32 research station was all but crushed beneath a wall of ice. A nightmare followed with the scientists spending three nights huddled on a drifting ice floe in temperatures as low as minus 39 Celsius. But today, search teams were able to pinpoint them and airlift the researchers to safety. They were taken, along with their two dogs, to Norway's Spitzbergen islands. It was the first stage in the journey that will lead them back home to their families. Miraculously, all are unharmed. The scientists had been studying climate change among other things at a base seen as the symbol of Russia's return to polar exploration. They are reported to have salvaged most of the data they had collected. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mosque fire attacks spark fury in France
Feelings are running high in France after two arson
attacks targeting the Muslim community. A mosque and a prayer centre
in the southeast of the country, in and around the town of Annecy,
were set on fire. More than 200 demonstrators gathered to express
their outrage. Islamic headscarves from state schools, saying it was
the consequence of an anti-Muslim debate. The move bans what are deemed
"overtly religious symbols" including Jewish skullcaps and
large Christian crosses. It is aimed at safeguarding France's secular
tradition. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Four Italian helicopter pilots could face charges of mutiny after refusing to fly in Iraq. They defied orders after taking to the air on just one occasion. It comes amid claims that their choppers have inadequate defensive capabilities with media reports that the aircraft are not equipped with automatic anti-missile protection systems.Since last May, more than 10 US military helicopters have crashed or been brought down by guerrilla attacks in Iraq. Italy's defence minister Antonio Martino, however, defended his country's air safety standards and its record. "We have never lost a helicopter," he told
reporters. Italy has some 3,000 troops deployed in southern Iraq.
Last November, 19 Italians died in a suicide attack on a military
police barracks. .-------------------------------------------------------------------------- .------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 6 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stranded Arctic scientists found by Russian chopper
Russia's breathed a sigh of relief as a helicopter pinpointed 12 scientists on a featureless Arctic landscape three days after their camp was crushed by a freak movement of ice. A second larger chopper is on its way to pick them up. The rescue team raced against the clock to save the researchers, who had spent three nights huddled in a tent in temperatures below 30 degrees celsius. Rescuers left the bleak Norwegian island of Spitzbergen this morning and headed for the Severny Polyus 32 base some 700 kilometres to the north. The station was set up on permanently moving Arctic ice last April and drifted around the North Pole. It studied climate change and assessed mineral reserves.
Last Updated: 5 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Final farewell for Macedonia's leader
Macedonia has held a solemn state funeral for a president praised as a peacemaker. There were sombre scenes in Skopje as tens of thousands paid tribute to Boris Trajkovski, who was killed in a plane crash last week. Dignitaries from across the globe were among the mourners. Trajkovski died, alongside eight others, when his aircraft came down in Bosnia. It happened on the day Macedonia was due to submit its application to join the EU. And this was clearly in the mind of European Commission President Romano Prodi as he spoke out at the funeral service. "We must support Macedonia's bold reform programme to become a full member of the European Union," he said. "So we look forward to receiving your application to join the union and if that application were dedicated to anyone, it could be to Boris Trajkovski." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iraq interim constitution signing delayed
It was billed as an historic day for postwar Iraq, but it turned into an embarrassment. Officials waited for the Governing Council to sign an interim constitution but the chairs remained unoccupied and the pens untouched. It later emerged that the ceremony had snagged on last-minute objections from Shi'ite members of the body. It is not clear when the signing will now take place. The text is the fruit of prickly political wranglings in the council of 25 members, representing different religious and ethnic groups. Earlier, there had been smiles for a group photo but it is clear that the road to a viable power-sharing system will not be a smooth one. Shi'ites fear the constitutional blueprint might give minority Sunnis and Kurds too much influence. They also want more influence on the proposed presidential
council. The 47-year-old was seen as a key ally of the West in the Balkans. He leaves a wife and two children. He was credited with holding the fragile, ethnically-divided republic together in 2001, at a time when hardliners seemed bent on war. The cause of the crash that claimed his life is still under investigation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anger over Bush 9/11 election ads
"I would vote for Saddam Hussein before George Bush." That was the reaction of one disgusted relative of a 9/11 victim to the president's first re-election adverts. The TV ads use images of the devastated World Trade Center to portray him as the right leader in difficult times. Families accuse Bush of trading on tragedy for personal gain. It feels like the deaths of our loved ones are being used for political purposes," said Nikki Stern, who lost her husband in the attacks. Firefighters have also denounced the ads as "hypocrisy at its worst." The head of one group said: "Please remove these ads from the airwaves immediately. Apologize to the victims of 9/11 and never attempt to use these images for partisan purposes again." Others believe the campaign is perfectly acceptable. "There's nothing unfair about using those shots," said political consultant Hank Sheinkopf. "Frankly, that is the defining moment of our age. He was the President at the time. He has been the man who has led the war against terrorism. He has got to take the credit for it as a way of making sure the Democrats can't attack him on the economy." Some families say they are upset at Bush using September 11 while he refuses to testify publicly before the federal commission investigating the attacks. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Russian rescue mission for stranded Arctic scientists
It is a tense waiting game for 12 scientists stranded
on a remote Arctic research station as Russia launches a tricky air
rescue mission. The camp, known as Severny Polious 32, was crushed
by a freak movement of ice two days ago. The mission's deputy commander said the main task was to save lives and to salvage as much of the expensive equipment as possible. But the featureless Arctic landscape will not make locating the scientists an easy task. The accident has reduced their shelter to one tent, where they are huddled in temperatures of minus 35 degrees celsius. .-------------------------------------------------------------------------- .----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 4 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bomb threats spark French rail search
An army of railway workers in France is undertaking a painstaking search of 32,000 kilometres of rail tracks following a spate of bomb threats. A shadowy group calling itself AZF claims to have planted ten bombs around the network. It is reportedly demanding a four million euro ransom not to detonate the devices. One bomb has already been discovered on a line near a village close to the city of Limoges. Police were directed to it by the group. Detectives have been communicating with the extortionists in messages published in the small advertisements section of newspapers. Since last December the previously unknown group has also sent six threatening letters to President Jacques Chirac and the Interior Ministry. Nicolas Sarkozy, the Interior Minister, has appealed to the media not to report the threats. "I know the press has a job to do, but please leave the police and gendarmerie to work in peace," he said. The bomb threats have caused unease among commuters, but there is no evidence yet that people are avoiding taking trains. For now the group, which takes its name from a chemicals factory where an explosion killed 31 people three years ago, remains a troubling mystery. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First star prosecution witness in Dutroux trial
Belgium's Marc Dutroux child murder trial is entering its fourth day, with theprosecution due to put its first star witness on the stand. Dutroux yesterday admitted some charges of kidnapping and raping young girls,but he denied murder.Today, investigating judge Jean-Marc Connerotte will give evidence, the man who first arrested Dutroux. He was taken off the case when it was revealed he later had dinner with some of the victims' families. After first being arrested in 1996, Dutroux faces charges of raping and kidnapping half a dozen girls, and murdering four of them. He is attempting to put most of the blame on his co-accused - his ex-wife,Michel Nihoul, and two other men. In a case dubbed Belgium's trial of the century, Dutroux has alleged that he was pressured to kidnap girls for a much wider paedophile network that had police and political protection. That evidence has been dismissed by his co-defendents and the prosecution. International media have descended on the city of Arlon for the trial, in a case that caused public outrage after revelations of police and judicial bungling. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kerry vs Bush - there can be only one
Two months ago John Kerry was being written off by much of the US press as dead in the water. But those critics are now eating their words. Swelled by coast to coast victories in the caucauses and primaries, Kerry's confident of going all the way to the White House. John Edwards could be his running mate, which may help him win states in the south, but there are rumours the pair don't get on too well. The fight against terrorism and the war in Iraq are likely to dominate the campaign, but the economy, equality and civil rights will be big issues too. Although Kerry's behind Bush in some polls, his supporters believe it is the President who has plenty of ground to make up on his election promises four years ago. Henry Sheinkopf is a Democratic strategist. "The problem for the Bush administration is the loss of nearly 3 million jobs since George Bush's presidency. That's an astounding statistic, it's the first negative job growth problem in forty years. Bush has got to win those people back or he's going to have a problem getting re-elected. "To do battle against such claims, Bush has a war chest filled with more than a 100-million dollars. His fight to be re-elected begins in earnest on Thursday as he launches his first television adverts. The contest promises to be a hard-fought campaign compared to the democratic campaign which will be looked back on as sweetness and light. Now the gloves are off, things are likely to get very dirty before November 2. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Al-Qaeda group suspected in Iraq attacks
The first of many funerals have been taking place in Iraq after a series of bombings and mortar attacks that claimed the lives of at least 170 people. Many of the dead were Shi'ite Muslims who had been marking the festival of Ashura. The co-ordinated attacks in Baghdad and Kerbala are being seen as an attempt to inflame sectarian tensions. Mouwafak al-Rubaie from Iraq's Governing Council is blaming a Jordanian with alleged links to al-Qaeda. "These terrorists, al-Zarqawi and his gangs, have committed these crimes," he told reporters. "The Iraqi people will never rest until and unless they bring al-Zarqawi to prison." With security now stepped up in the wake of the carnage, Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric is blaming US forces for failing to offer adequate protection during an especially sensitive period. The bloodshed has had an impact on Iraq's march towards
sovereignty, with the Governing Council calling three days of mourning
and postponing the signing of an interim constitution. .---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- .--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 3 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Super Tuesday gives Democrat ticket to Kerry
There is no official confirmation yet but John Kerry is the man who will lead the Democrat's challenge to win back the White House in November's US presidential election. It comes after ten states voted in a showdown of primary or caucasus ballots known as Super Tuesday. His sweeping triumph prompted main rival John Edwards to pull out of the race. Ohio was one of the first states to go to Kerry. He also claimed early victories in his home state of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Rhode Island. Kerry won through in Georgia after it appeared to be going to Edwards. In a surprise result, former frontrunner Howard Dean won in his home state of Vermont despite no longer being in the presidential race. California and Minnesota were the last to declare for Kerry. A short time after the initial results came out, Edwards spoke to supporters in Georgia to thank them for their efforts. It is expected he will make a formal announcement of withdrawal soon. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kerry's Democrat credentials
When his hat was thrown into the ring many Democrats thought Massachusetts Senator John Kerry would be an early favourite to become their party's presidential candidate. His background as a decorated soldier in Vietnam gave him an undoubted edge on issues of a national security and was a guaranteed voter-winner. His links to the Democrat establishment were also considered a crucial advantage. Kerry could also point to his 18 years in Congress as evidence that he had the necessary political experience to mount a serious challenge for the White House. To the majority of voters in these elections that added up to one outcome. From the start of the campaign Kerry directly targetted President Bush, attacking him over Iraq and the economy. Bush phoned Kerry to congratulate him on his triumph, but from now until November, the gloves will be off. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric has said he holds US forces responsible for a series of devastating attacks which have killed more than 180 people. Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's representative said he blamed the US-led troops in Iraq for failing to secure the country's borders: "We hold the occupation forces responsible for what happened, be it in a direct way or in that they did not hand over security to the Iraqi forces." At least 180 people were killed in coordinated suicide attacks against Shi'ites in the capital Baghdad and nearby Kerbala yesterday. The bombings coincided with an annual Shi'ite ritual which had gathered tens of thousands of worshippers. It was the bloodiest day in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein last April. At least 110 people were killed in a series of explosions in the holy city of Kerbala. A separate spate of attacks in the capital Baghdad killed at least 70 people. Unsure who to blame, survivors hurled stones at US troops who arrived on the scene. Some Shi'ites have accused fundamentalist Sunnis of being behind the attacks. Shi'ite and Sunni leaders have called on Muslims to unite against those trying to divide them. Several members from Iraq's Governing Council have put the blame on Abu Musab Zarqawi, a Jordanian whom Washington suspects of working for al Qaeda inside Iraq. He is accused of trying to incite violence against Shi'ites in Iraq to inflame sectarian tension. The US has placed a 10 million dollar bounty on his head. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Referendum call fuels Venezuela clashes
Protests have continued for a fifth day running in Venezuela as opponents to president Hugo Chavez await an official decision on a referendum on his rule. Election officials have said Chavez' opponents have failed to collect enough signatures for a recall vote against the president. He added that nearly a million signatures would have to be reconfirmed. The opposition say they handed in well above the number of signatures required and accuse pro-Chavez officials of trying to block the referendum bid. At least five people have been killed and dozens injured in street violence in Venezuela in the past days as anti-Chavez demonstrators demand the vote go ahead. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NASA gets closer to life on Mars
Parts of Mars were "drenched with water" which means life could easily have existed there, according to scientists from US space agency NASA. The robot explorer Opportunity which landed near the planet's equator at the end of January has seen clear evidence that salt water once flowed or pooled on the Red Planet's surface. The discovery is a source of considerable excitement for scientists. Dr Steve Squyres of Cornell University said: "This is the kind of place that would have been suitable for life. Now, this doesn't mean life was there, we don't know that. But this was a habitable place on Mars at one time." More will be known when a mission can be sent to bring back rocks. It is also hoped Opportunity's twin rover Spirit, which is examining another area of Mars, will make some interesting discoveries. .---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- .---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 2 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scores killed in multiple explosions in Iraq
A series of deadly explosions in Iraq have killed and injured scores of people. There were at least five bomb blasts in the holy city of Karbala, and almost simultaneously there were four other explosions in Baghdad. The attacks came as hundreds of thousands of Shi'ites had gathered in the streets to mark a holy ceremony. Latest estimates say that at least 50 people died in Karbala and 75 in Baghdad, with hundreds of people injured. Those tolls are expected to rise significantly given the number of people who had been in the streets. More than two million Shi'ites from Iraq, Iran and further afield were estimated to have been in Kerbala for the Ashura ceremony. This kind of gathering had been banned under the regime of Saddam Hussein, and this year organisers encouraged all Shi'ites to take part. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shi'ite mosque bombed in Baghdad
One of the bomb blasts that struck the Iraqi capital and the city of Karbala today struck outside the country's holiest Shi'ite mosque. Four explosions went off at the Kadhimiya shrine in the north of the city. Officials at a nearby hospital said at least 75 bodies had been brought to the morgue. Scores more Shi'ites were wounded. It was one of the bloodiest days in Iraq since a U.S.-led coalition toppled President Saddam Hussein last year. The explosions threatened to inflame sectarian violence between the nearly 60 percent of Iraq's population who are Shi'ites and Sunni Muslims. The Sunnis dominated Iraq before the US-led coalition ousted Saddam. Emergency services struggled to get to the scene of the explosions because of the numbers who scattered in panic. It is not yet clear who was responsible for the attacks. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shi'ites also attacked in Pakistan
An attack on a Shi'ite ceremony in Pakistan is reported to have left five people dead and more than a dozen wounded. It is reported a procession of Shi'ite muslims was targeted in the southwestern city of Quetta. The strike appeared to coincide with the bomb blasts in the Iraqi capital Baghdad and the holy city of Karbala. Angry Shi'ites are said to have gone on the rampage and burnt shops after the attack. The mayor of the city has imposed a curfew. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charges heard in Belgium's Dutroux trial
The charges are due to be presented today in the trial of Belgium's most hated man, a former electrician accused of child kidnap, rape and murder. The world's media has descended on the town of Arlon to hear prosecutors tell the 12-strong jury how Marc Dutroux kept young girls locked up in makeshift cells in the basement of his home. He is accused of raping six girls and killing four of them. Dutroux's ex-wife and two other men are accused of complicity in the crimes. The 47-year-old is expected to argue that he was only a minor player in a wider network. That will only fuel conspiracy theories that Dutroux has been protected by a paedophile ring with links to those in power. Many Belgians have expressed outrage at the crimes and the blunders made in police and judicial investigations. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dutroux - Condemned by public opinion
Although he has not yet been found guilty, Marc Dutroux's name has become synonymous with absolute evil and not only in Belgium. Since his arrest he has been dubbed the "monster of Charleroi" or the "ogre who eats kids". When faced with the grizzly facts, he has been impassive and shown no remorse. He is not insane either according to psychiatrists who say he is intelligent, manipulative, violent and very dangerous. But police were already familiar with the father of five's profile. In 1989, he was jailed for raping several young girls. He allegedly resumed his heinous activities soon after his release just three years later. Aided by a number of accomplices, he searched for suitable young girls to abduct. Laetitia Delhez was one victim who escaped with her life. "Lelievre asked me what was happening on the square and I told him it was the 24-hour moped race. He made as if he didn't hear me and as I was about to repeat myself, Dutroux came up behind me. He grabbed me by the neck and pushed me into the van. He gave me some pills which I spat out, but he then gave me much more. After that I passed out", she said. Dutroux is said to have spent much time hanging out around swimming pools and ice skating rinks looking for girls who were at least sixteen years old. One of his cohorts, Michel Lelievre, is expected to testify that Dutroux was not really interested in the girls, but the money they could bring. He claims a teenager could be worth more than a quarter of a million euros. There was much speculation that he was part of a large paedophile ring. Soon after allegations emerged that Dutroux was being protected by high ranking figures. However, Dutroux has only recently claimed to be a pawn within the wider paedophile network, but he's unlikely to receive any leniency if found guilty. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fragile peace prevails as Haiti awaits peace troops
They might not have universal approval but rebels who ousted Haiti's president, Jean Bertrand Aristide were given a hero's welcome in some parts of the capital Port-au-Prince. For now at least, Aristide's flight to the Central African Republic appears to have brought an end to the blood-letting in the city. Rebel leader Guy Philippe has promised to restore peace in the capital. But security will be underpinned by a UN-backed international force comprising mainly US, French and Canadian troops. An advance group of marines has already taken control of the airport, paving the way for a larger deployment of some 5,000 foreign soldiers. Across the city, Aristide's former residence, which has been ransacked and looted, bears testament to the hatred felt towards him by his opponents. Whether his stay in Africa will be long-term remains to be seen. In a parting shot, he claimed to have been kidnapped and flown out of Haiti by US agents. The White House dismissed his statement saying he resigned willingly. .---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- .---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: 1 March, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notorious child murder trial starts in Belgium
A notorious child sex and murder case in Belgium has begun. In the city of Arlon, the trial has begun of Marc Dutroux and three others, including his former wife. The charges relate to the abduction, rape and murder of four young girls who had been kept in a makeshift dungeon. One of the big questions will focus on whether Dutroux was a lone killer or part of a wider paedophile ring. The families of some of the victims are in court, and two girls who were found alive are due to give evidence. A catalogue of claims about police and judiciary bungling prompted the country's biggest demonstration since World War II, and led to the fall of the government of Jean-Luc Dehaene in 1999. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Security high at Belgium's Dutroux trial
Belgian authorities are taking no chances with security at the child sex and murder trial of Marc Dutroux. Several hundred police have been stationed around the court, for a case which provoked widespread public anger. It is reported hotels in the area even refused to accommodate those working on the defence teams, for fear of being targeted in revenge attacks. Dutroux's lawyer, Ronny Boudwijn, said for his client it would be a relief to eventually find out what was going to happen. There is also enormous media interest. More than 200 news organisations from around the world have descended on the city for what local media have dubbed Belgium's 'trial of the century'. Allegations of a much wider paedophile ring have also increased the interest. Jan Fermon, the lawyer for one of the victims who survived, said there was enough evidence to show the four accused were the wrongdoers and acted together. "I don't think much about the other fantasy claims being made," he said. The trial, nearly eight years after Dutroux's arrest, is expected to last at least two months. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Haiti: Aristide steps down
Leaving his country to avoid bloodshed: Jean-Bertrand Aristide has stepped down as president of Haiti amid growing international pressure for him to do so. It was reported he was heading for Morocco after a stop-over in the neighbouring Dominican Republic, but Rabat has said it has no intention of granting him political asylum. Haitian Chief Justice Boniface Alexandre has been sworn in as interim president. The country had descended into chaos since the start of an armed uprising on 5th February. Anti-Aristide rebels now control the northern half of the country. They had vowed to launch an attack on the capital Port-au-Prince by Sunday. Aristide loyalists remain in control of Port-au-Prince where they have been wreaking havoc over the past days, looting and burning. More than a hundred people have died in Haiti since the start of the unrest. It is feared things could get much worse in the power vacuum left behind by Aristide's departure. The United Nations Security Council is due to start informal talks in the coming hours on sending a peace force to Haiti. Canada says Washington has announced it will send forces to Haiti today to deter rebels from grabbing power. The news of Aristide's resignation was greeted with joy on the streets of Cap Haitien, the northern city which has become the rebels' base. Crowds danced and sang to cries of: "Aristide has gone, Aristide is out." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Putin names Russia's man in Europe for PM job
The Russian President Vladimir Putin has named a surprise candidate to the post of Prime Minister. He has handed the job to Mikhail Fradkov, a survivor of the Soviet era who now works in Brussels: "It had to be a highly professional person, organised, with strong work experience in varied branches of state activity," the president explained. "I am very glad our opinions came together and we agreed on Mikhail Fradkhov, the Russian representative to the European Community." Fradkhov, 53, used to head Russia's feared tax police. He does not come from either of Putin's two main power bases, and little is known of his political or economic views. Analysts say Putin is giving voters a clearer picture of his team ahead of the presidential election, which he is widely expected to win on March 14. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Where now for SPD after election defeat?
There will be some soul searching ahead for German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. His SPD party has been humiliated in Hamburg's local elections, with voters who would traditionally support his centre-left political line turning to the rival conservative CDU in their droves. SPD candidate Thomas Mirow said: "It is regrettable for the SPD. But it is a stable result, which is a good thing for Hamburg. For me, it is the end of a long political career in the city." The CDU grabbed over 47 per cent of the vote to the SPD's 30 per cent. The ballot was seen as a litmus test for Schroeder's controversial Agenda 2010 reforms, which introduce cuts to unemployment benefits, increases in healthcare costs and more flexible labour rules. The result suggests voters are not impressed, instead turning to the CDU's Ole von Beust to run the northern port city. And there are more headaches to come for Schroeder, with further elections in June and unions threatening protests in the spring ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Italian politician causes outrage over Pope jibe
The firebrand leader of Italy's federalist Northern League Party has caused outrage after attacking Pope John Paul the second. Reforms Minister Umberto Bossi ridiculed the Pope who had improvised a message in Roman dialect to visiting priests. That sparked his latest barrage of criticism against the Roman Catholic Church, with Bossi saying "thieving cardinals should go back to being barefoot monks." Referring to the optional tax that workers can earmark to the Church, Bossi said: "People should stop giving their money to the church. It cannot continue existing with such riches." Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi tried to calm the situation - his deputy Gianfranco Finni has warned of the consequences of Bossi's continued outbursts. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rings fever takes out Oscar lineup
The Lord of the Rings has become the 'Lord of the Oscars'. The latest film in director Peter Jackson's trilogy has won all 11 categories in which it was nominated at the Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. As the bookies predicted, Sean Penn took away the Best Actor prize for the film Mystic River, beating other favourite Bill Murray, who had the leading role in the film Lost in Translation. Charlize Theron won the Best Actress award for the film Monster, with many intrigued by the makeover she went through for the role. The other big winner was Sofia Coppola: Best Original Screenplay for Lost in Translation. The clean sweep by Lord of the Rings was only the third film to do so in the 76-year history of the Academy Awards. .-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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