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Rumours of ten million dollar demand as sniper targets on children
A chilling warning and cryptic messages, factors combining to create an atmosphere of distress and fear across the U.S. capital as the Washington sniper's killing spree goes on. After publicising a threat by the attacker to target children Police Chief Charles Moose gave a mysterious response to another letter they had received. "In the past several days you have attempted to communicate with us. We have researched the option you stated and found that it is not possible electronically to comply in the manner you requested. However we remain open and ready to talk to you about the options you have discussed." The police have declined to explain their apparent ongoing dialogue, which is being conducted through the media. The Washington Post, quoting sources, has claimed the sniper has demanded that authorities deposit ten million dollars in a bank account within two days or face more shootings. The attacks have claimed at least nine lives. Now the threat against children has forced the closure of many schools in the Washington area. Others remain open amid tight security. "I like the fact that there are adults standing at doors letting everybody in. The schools are locked down, but I feel safe with the children there." "It doesn't seem like the person is going to come in a school. It seems whoever is doing it is trying to do it outside the schools where people can't see him." It is expected a bus driver shot dead yesterday will soon be confirmed as a tenth fatal victim. Ten deaths that have turned Washington into a community under siege. Putting pressure on Balkan authorities.
UN War Crimes Prosecutor Carla del Ponte is travelling from Belgrade to Zagrebin an effort to have suspects handed over. Among them former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic who's accused of genocide. "The arrest of Genera Mladic depends only on the political will of the Yugoslav army and the supreme chief of the army, President Kostunica. If Kostunica would order the chief of staff arrest Mladic today, it would be done." Also on del Ponte's wanted list is the retired Croatian army chief of staff Janko Bobetko but again she is meeting resistance. Prime Minister Ivica Racan is slow to hand over the General, considered by many in the country as a war hero. No disarmament but Koreas agree to more talks on nuclear weapons
After five days of talks South Korea has failed to secure a guarantee that North Korea will abandon its nuclear arms programme. But the two sides, which met in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, have agreed to seek a peaceful resolution to their differences over the issue. After being confronted with evidence by the U.S. North Korea admitted it had been processing weapons-grade uranium in breach of international agreements. The South went into the talks looking for a specific statement of intent from their neighbours to abandon the programme. Its delegates said even getting their neighbours to discuss the matter represented progress. North Korea has indicated it could accommodate southern concerns if the U.S. drops its hostile stance and agrees to new negotiations with the communist state. Washington's response could become clear at summit of Asian and Pacific leaders at the weekend. Phillipines parade 5 alleged muslim mili
Caught in the act - that's how Philippines President Gloria Arroyo presented five alleged members of a Muslim militant group which has been blamed for a spate of recent bombings. She appeared in front of them in a live television broadcast aimed at highlighting the government's crackdown on the rebels. She said the men had been arrested as they prepared to mount another bomb attack. The police said the swoop had substantially disrupted the militants' campaign of violence. The men are accused of belonging to Abu Sayaff, a Muslim extremist organisation said to have carried out three bombings in the southern Philippines. The attacks killed eleven people including two U.S. soldiers. America has a special force in the country assisting the Philippines in its counter offensive against the rebels. Abu Sayaff is believed to have links to Al Qaeda
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