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-News for Wed. 01 May to Fri. 03 May 2002 The following news clips are from the BBC and included for your convenience. For more detail contact the BBC website. On the BBC web site you will find country profiles, historic information, as well as supporting articles and related news events. Note: This web page may be updated late at times and may be blank on the above date(s). May 01, 02, & 03 Allies 'hit Afghan militants'
Troops
have been ferried by helicopter to the fighting There
are unconfirmed reports that hundreds of coalition soldiers have launched a
large operation in eastern Afghanistan.
They are said to be targeting Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters in the mountains in Paktia province.
The area is controlled by the Zadran tribe of senior Taleban military commander Jalaluddin Haqqani. The raid follows the killing of four al-Qaeda fighters in the Khost region, next to Paktia, early on Tuesday. The latest clashes come amid fears that al-Qaeda may try to use the improving weather in Afghanistan to launch a spring offensive. Power struggles The location of the fighting has added weight to reports that many Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters have moved to areas near the Pakistani border.
The latest clashes happened in the same region where the last major battles against the Taleban and al-Qaeda were fought in March during Operation Anaconda. There are now thousands of American, British and other coalition troops in Afghanistan. The Paktia province is also riven by power struggles between Afghanistan's warlords Thirty people died last weekend when 500 rockets were fired into the provincial capital of Gardez. Bush meets China's Hu
Mr Hu
was greeted by rival protests in Washington China's
Hu Jintao, expected to become the country's next leader, has met US President
George W Bush in Washington for talks covering China's human rights and the
US-led war against terrorism.
Mr Hu emerged from the White House smiling, saying he had had a good meeting with Mr Bush.
What US officials had described as a "get to know you" session lasted 10 minutes more than originally envisaged. No details have been given of the talks, which were expected to focus on such areas of disagreement as religious freedoms in China and Taiwan, which the US sees as a key ally and China views as a renegade province. Earlier, Mr Hu had lunch with Vice President Dick Cheney and talks which also included China's economic development, and Chinese missile technology exports, Mr Cheney's spokeswoman Jennifer Millerwise said. Taiwan Mr Hu raised the issue of Taiwan during talks with US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Tuesday. He is expected to return to the subject during a speech to business leaders on Wednesday night. A Chinese state-controlled newspaper published a fierce attack on Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian on Wednesday, accusing him of being a "warrior" for Taiwan's independence and of strengthening the island's military.
China was also incensed when Mr Bush agreed a large arms sale to Taiwan. Mr Bush and Mr Hu met briefly in Beijing in February, but Wednesday's talks were their first formal encounter. Shadow play US officials were hoping the meeting would shed light on the shadowy Mr Hu's thinking. They are also anxious he gains a better understanding of America, especially since he has sometimes made hardline comments about China's US relationship. Mr Hu also met Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon, a symbolic gesture of openness since Chinese officials are rarely invited to the building. Mr Rumsfeld is seen as a key backer of President Bush's Taiwan policy. The US has been a persistent critic of China's treatment of religious believers and pro-democracy movements. On Tuesday, a US-resident Chinese dissident was reported to have been arrested in China. Yang Jianli, who the authorities allege had entered China on a false passport to investigate labour unrest, was detained in the southern city of Kunming. Mr Hu has been greeted small crowds of protesters and well-wishers during his trip. Protesters have been critical of China's actions in Tibet, and its ban on the Falun Gong spiritual movement. Mr Hu is expected to take over from Jiang Zemin as head of China's Communist party later this year, before assuming the state presidency in 2003. Any substantial announcements about US-China relations are likely to be delayed until later this year, when Mr Jiang is also due to visit the US. Diocese hands abuse cases to
police
Cardinal Bernard Law has faced repeated calls to
resign
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn has signed an agreement with law enforcement officials to hand over all allegations of the sexual abuse of children - without itself screening them first. The agreement is thought to be the first of its kind to be made since the scandal over abuse in the church erupted in January in Boston.
The agreement between the church and the district attorney in Brooklyn is being seen as a major step - making the civil authorities responsible for investigating allegations of abuse - rather than the church. It essentially removes the opportunity for church officials to cover up any accusations. Many campaigners would like to see similar agreements signed countrywide, as part of a thorough reform process. Allegations list The agreement marks the second reversal of policy in the past month by the Brooklyn Diocese - as the Bishop, Thomas Daily, had refused to co-operate with law enforcement officials at all. But he has changed his mind - and given prosecutors a list of allegations against priests in the diocese. The move comes as a parish in Boston says it will not be taking part in two major church fundraising campaigns there. The campaigns are both projects of the Archbishop Cardinal Bernard Law - who has been called on several times to resign for his role in repeatedly covering up the sexual abuse scandal. Observers say this could be the beginning of a grassroots rebellion against him. France rallies against Le Pen
About
250,000 marched against Le Pen in Paris alone More
than a million people have taken part in May Day demonstrations against
far-right presidential candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Thousands of riot police were deployed to keep the rival groups apart. The anti-Le Pen demonstrators taking part in the Paris marches included groups carrying Communist red flags, anti-globalisation campaigners and trade unionists.
The national turnout made Wednesday by far the biggest protest against Le Pen since he edged Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin out of the contest in the first round on 21 April. May Day is traditionally celebrated by both left and right in France - albeit for different reasons. For the left, the day is about celebrating long-standing workers' rights. In the far-right's own mythology, 1 May is about celebrating Joan of Arc, the virgin peasant soldier who in the 15th Century helped throw the English invaders out of France.
Many Le Pen supporters waved French flags and shouted "Le Pen for president!" as they filed past a statue of Joan of Arc before listening to the National Front leader give his first public speech since his electoral breakthrough. Mr Le Pen, 73, laid a wreath at the statue and then marched to the Place de l'Opera to address the crowd.
"He stinks of corruption. He is dripping with money." Opinion polls have forecast that Mr Chirac will win a second term by a landslide on Sunday, backed by a coalition of mainstream political parties, pressure groups and community organisations. Police in other European capitals were also on high alert for May Day protests:
Other Australian cities have also seen May Day rallies, with protests against the government's policies towards asylum seekers, in support of Palestinian land claims and more generalised anti-globalisation demonstrations. In the Philippines, thousands of supporters of Joseph Estrada, the imprisoned ex-president, marched on the presidential palace in the capital, Manila. And in the Indian city of Calcutta, hundreds of prostitutes held a rally to campaign for the legalisation of the sex industry. Gaddafi 'set to pay' for
Lockerbie
The
victims are remembered in Lockerbie The
leader of Libya is said to be ready to offer "substantial" compensation to the
families of those who died in the Lockerbie bombing.
A report in Time magazine, published on Tuesday, says Colonel Gaddafi could be willing to pay as much as $3.5bn (£2.4bn). He has always denied involvement in the attack, but is thought to be keen to strike a deal which would end the UN sanctions on his country.
Libyan agent Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi was found guilty of the bombing and in March he failed to have his murder conviction overturned. Negotiations A letter obtained by the magazine to the victims' relatives from a lawyer negotiating with Libyan officials in Paris suggests Col Gaddafi plans to make the deal. Britain and the US have been involved in talks with Libyan officials since the Lockerbie trial ended last year, to agree a compensation deal for the victims' relatives. The Libyan leader has already agreed to respect the decision of the Scottish Court in the Netherlands.
But observers believe that in return for compensation he will expect a resumption of the oil trade currently banned by US sanctions, a demand which would be opposed in Washington after a recent CIA report claimed Libya was actively seeking weapons of mass destruction. Jim Swire, whose daughter was killed in the bombing, expressed scepticism about the compensation reports. He said: "What we are seeing here is essentially a political situation where if Colonel Gaddafi is making these sorts of statements clearly he is seeking to get out from under the cloud of Lockerbie by meeting the requirements imposed on his country by the United Nations. 'Perspective' needed "We had no part in chasing the UN to call for compensation and we have had no part in these political discussions. "Therefore the important thing is to keep this new political development in perspective. Our campaign has always been for truth about what happened and justice for our families." Al Megrahi was found guilty in January 2001 following a trial under Scottish law in the Netherlands and is now serving his sentence at Glasgow's Barlinnie Prison. The Libyan's appeal against his conviction was quashed by judges at Camp Zeist on 14 March and he was then transferred to Glasgow's Barlinnie Prison. Germany to lead Horn force
German
military deployments are sensitive at home The
United States will shortly hand over to Germany the command of the naval
anti-terror operation in the Horn of Africa.
The German Defence Ministry said Fleet Admiral Gottfried Hoch would assume the command "as soon as possible" from the United States and hold it until 30 October at the latest. Twelve warships from Germany and other European nations are carrying out the surveillance mission. Germany has also deployed long-range reconnaissance aircraft to Kenya to back up the naval operation. Djibouti base About 1,200 German navy personnel based in Djibouti, a former French colony, are patrolling the Red Sea, the Somali coast and the Gulf of Aden.
It is Germany's biggest naval deployment since World War II. The defence ministry said the mission - called Task Force 150 - would rely mainly on frigates. Five German torpedo boats and 300 soldiers are due to head back from the Horn to a base in Rostock, northern Germany, at the end of this month. German warships began patrolling the shipping lanes off the Horn in early February. The United States fears that war-ravaged Somalia, lacking any central authority, could prove an ideal haven for al-Qaeda. Israelis leave Arafat's Ramallah
HQ
The
Israeli pull-out began late on Wednesday Israeli
forces have pulled back from the ravaged compound of Palestinian leader Yasser
Arafat in Ramallah following a deal transferring six Palestinians to
international custody.
The withdrawal should mean the end of Mr Arafat's confinement in Ramallah where tanks besieged his headquarters for more than a month.
Heavy exchanges of gunfire and explosions were heard, and sources inside the Church compound said a number of fires were burning. In another development, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has confirmed his intention to disband the planned fact-finding mission into what happened at the Jenin refugee camp during the Israeli offensive. This follows days of wrangling and delays to the mission after Israel raising a series of objections to its mandate. The Palestinians allege that a massacre took place at the camp during the week-long assault there - something Israel denies. 'Emotions high' Israel had refused to withdraw its tanks from the Ramallah compound, where they had been for more than a month, as long as he sheltered the six. The deadlock over the prisoners, who are wanted by Israel, was broken at the weekend after a proposal to put the men in US and British custody.
According to witnesses, emotions were high as the prisoners, mostly in handcuffs, left the compound after handshakes and awkward embraces from those left behind, the French news agency AFP said. The convoy was escorted by Israeli police force cars on the brief journey to the West Bank town of Jericho where the men will be held in jail under US and UK supervision. Four of the six were convicted by a makeshift Palestinian court of the killing of Israeli cabinet minister Rehavam Zeevi last October. The other two are Ahmed Saadat - leader of the militant group that carried out the assassination - and Fuad Shobaki, who Israel claims was behind a foiled arms shipment in January.
Hundreds of Jericho residents are reported to have turned out to greet the men and cheer them when they arrived. The hand-over of the men should mean Mr Arafat will be allowed to move freely in the Palestinian territories after being confined by Israeli forces to Ramallah for five months. Bethlehem fighting The BBC's Clare Marshall in Bethlehem said the heaviest exchange of fire was taking place since the incursion and siege began a month ago. Heavy machine gun rounds, tank shells and rifle shots could be heard, with the Palestinians inside the church returning fire.
Several days of peace negotiations have failed to end the stand-off, although nearly 30 people have emerged and surrendered from the Church compound this week More than 200 people have been trapped for four weeks, including about 30 armed Palestinians wanted by Israel. Jenin mission The Secretary-General told the Security Council on Wednesday he planned to disband a UN mission that had been due to go to the Jenin refugee camp. In a letter to the 15-member body, Kofi Annan said he intended to disband it on Thursday. The letter was delivered as the Council began to discuss the issue.
Uncertainty had surrounded the mission after Mr Annan indicated a day earlier that he was "minded to disband the team" after continued opposition from the Israeli Government. With US backing, the Council had appointed former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari to lead the mission after Palestinians said civilians had been massacred in the camp during Israel's military operation to root out militants. Musharraf wins huge backing
Electoral lists were abolished for the poll
General
Pervez Musharraf has won an overwhelming victory in the referendum to extend
his mandate as president of Pakistan for a further five
years.
According to the figures, turnout was higher than originally predicted - over 56%. But the country's only independent human rights organisation says the poll has been marred by gross irregularities.
Ahead of the announcement, Pakistan's information minister, Nisar Memon, said the vote was "a massive victory for the people of Pakistan. "They were not affected by the negative propaganda of the opposition... The opposition has been summarily rejected, and now they should accept the verdict of the people," he said. 'Election abuses' Chief Election Commissioner Irshad Hassan Khan said General Musharraf had won 42.8 million "yes" votes, against 883,676 "no" votes, with 282,935 spoiled papers. "We are satisfied the referendum was conducted impartially and peacefully," Mr Khan said. But the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (PRCP) has issued a damning statement on the conduct of the referendum.
"The manner in which the people were hustled into voting and the flagrant abuse of election procedures degraded the very concept of democratic choice," his statement said.
Mr Khattak said observers who were supposed to be neutral had been seen "stamping ballots themselves". "Voluntary turnout was very low," he said, with public sector workers being obliged to vote. Many journalists have reported similar irregularities. But the government insists the poll has been clean. At Pakistan's last general election in 1997, official turnout was estimated to be 37% - a figure which opposition groups said was inflated. Voters could cast their ballot anywhere provided they could show an identity card, driving licence or official letter, and electoral lists were abolished. President 'indispensable' General Musharraf seized power in a coup in 1999. He has called parliamentary elections for October as part of his roadmap for the restoration of democracy. Under the constitution, the president should be chosen by the members of the national and provincial assemblies and the senate.
However, the supreme court rejected an opposition attempt to halt the referendum, upholding General Musharraf's argument that the constitution also justifies referendums on matters of national importance. He has argued that it is vital for him to stay in power in order to fulfil his vision of turning Pakistan into a modern, democratic, Islamic state. The military, a key component of Pakistan politics, has been fully supportive of the holding of the referendum. OAU on Madagascar peace
mission
Ravalomanana supporters cheer their leader
A
delegation from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) is due in Madagascar on
Wednesday, in an effort to defuse the violent power struggle on the
island.
The OAU team is expected to hold talks with incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka and his rival, Marc Ravalomanana.
The island has been split between supporters of the two men ever since Mr Ravalomanana declared himself president after elections in December. Mr Ratsiraka said before the recount that he would not accept the result, as he felt the judges carrying it out were biased. Partition threat The governors of four of the six provinces - who support Mr Ratsiraka - have announced plans to secede from the capital and form an independent confederation. Fears of fresh violence rose on Tuesday, after another key bridge was blown up and a northern province declared independence.
On Tuesday unidentified saboteurs blew up the Andrainomaitso bridge, destroying a vital road link between the island state's capital Antananarivo - controlled by Mr Ravalomanana - and the south-eastern coast. Supporters of Mr Ratsiraka had already destroyed four bridges on supply routes into the capital since Mr Ravalomanana declared himself president in February. They have also mounted roadblocks in an attempt to starve the capital of vital goods. Economic meltdown The OAU team will start its mission in the port-city of Tamatave, Mr Ratsiraka's stronghold. "The only way to avoid violence and partition in a country which has done very well economically is to hold a referendum," said OAU Secretary General Amara Essy.
On Monday, the High Constitutional Court ruled that he had won the election against veteran leader Didier Ratsiraka, following a recount of the ballots. The votes were re-examined as part of a deal to resolve the crisis. According to the court, Mr Ravalomanana received 51.46% of the vote and Mr Ratsiraka 35.9%. The announcement of Mr Ravalomanana's election was greeted by huge celebrations on the streets of Antananarivo, where he has his power-base. US Muslim charity head
arrested
Arnaout (left) will appear at a hearing next week
The
head of a Muslim charity in the United States has been charged with perjury
after he denied his organisation supported groups engaged in
terrorism.
The FBI filed an affidavit with the complaint, saying that Enaam M Arnaout, the executive director of the Benevolence International Foundation, had close connections with Osama Bin Laden "and many of his key associates dating back more than a decade."
US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said: "The complaint alleges Benevolence International Foundation was supporting violence secretly." Federal agents raided the charity, based in the Palos Hills suburb of Chicago, on 14 December. Its assets were frozen following the 11 September attacks, but the organisation sued the federal government, saying it had nothing to do with terrorism. "I am confident that Mr Arnaout is not engaged in terrorist activities, nor has he supported such activities knowingly or directly," his lawyer Stephen Levy told the Associated Press when he was charged. He said his client would be "more than helpful" if granted immunity from prosecution. Accusations According to the FBI affidavit, the organisation was established by Adil Abdul Galil Betargy, a wealthy Saudi sheikh who is an associate of Bin Laden, according to documents seized in Bosnia. It also alleges that the foundation sponsored Mamdouh Salim, an associate of Bin Laden, for a trip to Bosnia. Mr Salim once attempted to get nuclear and chemical weapons for al-Qaeda, according to the affidavit. The US Government says its informants have told it that Mr Arnaout also handled money for Bin Laden. Mr Arnaout is also said to have allowed one of Bin Laden's wives stay at his apartment in Pakistan, which the government says proves that Bin Laden trusted him. Benevolence International describes itself in its brochures as a humanitarian organisation dedicated to helping victims of wars and natural disasters in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Tax documents suggest it received $3.3m in contributions for the year ending April 2000. It is one of two Islamic Chicago-based charities whose assets were frozen. The chairman of the other charity, Global Relief Foundation, was detained for alleged immigration violations. US to resume North Korea
talks
Progress was made after a South Korean envoy met Kim
Jong-il The
White House has indicated that it will accept North Korea's offer to renew
security talks for the first time in 18 months.
"We anticipate these talks will begin," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, adding that details would be worked out in the coming days.
North Korea's latest offer was made through its mission to the United Nations and proposed that the talks be held in Pyongyang. The diplomatic progress follows a visit by a South Korean presidential envoy earlier this month during which Pyongyang signalled its willingness to resume talks. Interests on both sides The US is likely to send senior State Department official Jack Pritchard, the BBC's Jon Leyne reports from Washington. After Mr Bush showed little initial enthusiasm for continuing the security talks begun under the Clinton administration, North Korea refused to resume them when invited to do so last June.
Washington wants to stop North Korea being able to produce weapons of mass destruction and also to reduce the huge army facing its ally, South Korea. In return, the North Koreans will be looking to extract as much aid as they can to keep alive their deeply troubled economy. On Monday, Reuters news agency reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had invited former US President Bill Clinton to play a mediating role. But North Korea denied on Wednesday that it had made the invitation. "Reuters of Britain reported that the DPRK has invited former US President Clinton to Pyongyang. In this regard, we make it clear that no such invitation has been made," said a statement issued by the state-run Korea Central News Agency. Fraud claims in Mali poll
The
results had been expected on Tuesday Opposition candidates in Mali's elections are alleging fraud and
vote-rigging, with results still awaited from about 30% of electoral
districts.
Provisional results released late on Wednesday showed former military strong man, General Amadou Toumani Toure in the lead with 28%, closely followed by the Soumaila Cisse from the ruling Adema party.
As no candidate is likely to receive the 50% needed for outright victory, a second round will probably be held on 12 May between the two men with the most votes. Unless Mr Keita does extremely well in the areas where results are still to be released - largely in the capital, Bamako - it appears that this will be between Mr Toure and Mr Cisse. Sweating Mr Cisse's campaign manager is the wife of the interior minister. Mr Keita's RPM party and five others allege that results are being manipulated before being released by the interior ministry. The RPM is threatening to take the results to court but has asked their activists to remain calm.
The head of the Central Counting Commission, Oumar Traore, had sweat pouring down his face as he read out the latest figures, our correspondent says. Current President Alpha Oumar Konare is not standing as he has served the constitutional limit of two terms. Technological problem Mali is often referred to by westerners as a model democracy in Africa, since multi-party elections were introduced by Mr Toure in 1992. However, our correspondent says many Malians are concerned about rising poverty and what they see as the spread of corruption.
They were initially expected on Tuesday but were delayed after a computer technician had a car accident. Election officials said he was the only person with the password to access the election centre's computers - forcing the vote count to be suspended. But our correspondent says that many people suspect officials used the accident as an excuse to suspend counting. Madagascar province secedes
Bridges leading to the capital have been
destroyed A
province that supports outgoing president Didier Ratsiraka will officially
declare independence on Thursday.
Tamatave is one of four provinces opposed to Marc Ravalomanana, who has been declared the winner of December's election following a recount.
Mr Ratsiraka does not accept the result of the recount, saying the judges who endorsed them were biased against him. Since January, Madagascar has been split down the middle, with two governments, two capitals and a divided army. Unwritten agreement The BBC's Alistair Leithead in Tamatave says the aim of Thursday's declaration of independence in Tamatave - where Mr Ratsiraka is based - is to encircle the official capital, Antananarivo, and isolate it from the country's ports.
He said an unwritten agreement had been made, that Mr Ravalomanana "should not win the recount", and that there should be a run-off - or referendum - between the two contenders. The dispute between the two men centres on whether Mr Ravalomanana won December's election outright. Mr Ratsiraka says the opposition candidate and mayor of Antananarivo did not get an absolute majority, and there should be a second round of balloting - as official results released in January suggested. But Mr Ravalomanana has always contested this, and declared himself president in February.
Our correspondent says that what is interesting in Mr Ratsiraka's reaction is the reference to an unwritten agreement, that there would be no first-round winner, and that the country would go directly to a government of reconciliation, and then a referendum to choose between the two men. The presidential statement also said the High Constitutional Court that validated the recount did not have the necessary quorum to make such crucial decisions, and questioned its very appointment. President Ratsiraka is awaiting the discussions with the OAU delegation before addressing the nation directly. Rising violence The organisation's secretary-general, Amara Essy, has said the "only way to avoid violence and partition in a country which has done very well economically is to hold a referendum" to decide the presidency.
Supporters of Mr Ratsiraka have already destroyed five bridges on supply routes into Antananarivo. They have also mounted roadblocks in an attempt to starve the capital of vital goods. The governors of four of the six provinces - who support Mr Ratsiraka - have announced plans to secede from the capital and form an independent confederation. Aung San Suu Kyi 'optimistic'
Aung
San Suu Kyi wants to be released unconditionally Burma's
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be free in the next few days, says a
senior leader of her National League for Democracy.
NLD Vice-President Tin Oo told the BBC that final arrangements were being made for her release from 20 months under house arrest.
The international community has been urging the generals to free the opposition leader unconditionally. Tin Oo said there was concern not to repeat what happened in 1995, when Aung San Suu Kyi was released after six years of house arrest but was forbidden to leave Rangoon. "She will be released very soon, we are still optimistic," he told reporters on Thursday. "I met her yesterday. She asked me to pass the message to the media and explained that developments will be seen within days." Road repairs Aung San Suu Kyi was put under house arrest in September 2000 after she defied the travel ban by trying to visit the city of Mandalay.
On Wednesday, the pro-democracy leader met one of the country's top generals, military intelligence chief Lieutenant Khin Nyunt. The BBC's Larry Jagan says it is the latest signal that the two sides are close to an agreement. But he says if the generals are still unable to agree to unconditionally release the opposition leader then there is little prospect of substantial political reform any time in the near future. There has been a flurry of activity at the Nobel laureate's lakeside home in recent days, and after years of neglect the road outside has been repaired. But opposition sources on Wednesday said the military government was still attaching conditions - and unless it made significant concessions, Aung San Suu Kyi would not accept the government's offer. 'Something big' There have been strong hints by Mr Razali, who last week visited Rangoon for talks with both sides, that the Nobel Peace Prize winner could be released shortly. "Be patient. I think something big will happen," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD won 1990 elections by a landslide but the military refused to hand over power. Burma has faced international isolation and economic sanctions over the issue and over its human rights record. Europe, the United States and Japan have all warned that unless there is significant progress soon, they will be forced to consider isolating the country further and even introducing trade sanctions. China's Hu warns US over
Taiwan
The US
is keen to learn more about Mr Hu Differences over Taiwan could severely damage relations with the
United States, Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao has warned.
He had earlier met with President George Bush for talks covering China's human rights and the US-led war against terrorism. China views Taiwan as a renegade province and is angry over US arms sales to Taiwan. Analysts say Mr Hu - widely expected to be China's next president - adopted a firm but non-inflammatory tone on his speech on Wednesday night. Warning "If any trouble occurs on the Taiwan question, it would be difficult for China-US relations to move forward and retrogression may even occur," Mr Hu warned in his address in a hotel dining room in Washington.
He said selling sophisticated arms to Taiwan or "upgrading relations" with Taipei was "inconsistent" with US commitments to China under the US' "one-China policy", which disallows any links with Taiwan. China has been rattled by President Bush's Taiwan policy. Previous administrations have been ambiguous about US support for Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack, but President Bush vowed last year to do "whatever it took" to defend the island. China was also incensed when Mr Bush agreed a large arms sale to Taiwan last year. But despite the thorny issue of Taiwan, Mr Hu was upbeat over his 30-minute talk with President Bush - their first substantive meeting. 'Candid talks' He told his audience that the talks were "candid and constructive", and said he was left with a strong feeling that despite different histories and differences on some issues, China and the US "are eager to see the relationship grow".
During his visit Mr Hu has also held talks with Vice-President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and congressional leaders. Mr Hu is widely expected to become China's Communist party leader in the autumn, and then take over the presidency when President Jiang Zemin retires next year. Defiant Arafat emerges from
siege
'We
will die for you,' children tell Arafat Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has left his Ramallah compound in
triumph after the Israeli army ended a prolonged siege of his
headquarters.
Large crowds of well wishers greeted Mr Arafat as, smiling broadly, he toured the West Bank city in a limousine.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is refusing to guarantee that Mr Arafat will be allowed to return to the Palestinian territories if he travels abroad. And a leader of the militant Hamas movement has told the BBC that it will resume attacks on Israelis soon. The Israeli army has meanwhile been continuing operations in the West Bank, arresting more than 100 Palestinians in raids on a refugee camp and in the town of Tulkarm. Relishing freedom Mr Arafat's first stop after leaving his compound was the local hospital where he said prayers at the graves of a number of people who died during Israeli incursions.
The BBC's Peter Biles in Ramallah says Mr Arafat is clearly relishing his first day of freedom after the lifting of the blockade. He has been penned in since December. Israel intensified its operations against him on 29 March when troops took over most of his headquarters compound. After touring Ramallah, the Palestinian leader returned to his headquarters. Rubble Israeli forces completed their withdrawal under cover of darkness, leaving much of the compound in ruins. Dozens of cars lay crushed and mangled among the enormous piles of rubble which had been used as barricades by the Israelis. Shortly afterwards, a trembling and furious Mr Arafat denounced Israeli soldiers as "terrorists, Nazis and racists".
More than 200 people have been trapped inside the church - which Christians say marks the birthplace of Jesus - for four weeks. They include about 30 armed Palestinians wanted by Israel. On Thursday, a Palestinian was killed and two others wounded in an exchange of fire with Israeli soldiers. Ariel Sharon has warned that, if Mr Arafat leaves the West Bank, he may never be allowed back. "We are reserving the right to keep him out," the Israeli prime minister said. "We're not going to give any guarantees, because usually in the past when he left, it was always a sign for a wave of terror," Mr Sharon told American television. A leader of the Hamas movement, Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi , told the BBC it would take action against Israel "in the coming few weeks or days." "The resistance is still strong," he said. International custody Israel had refused to withdraw its tanks from the Ramallah compound, where they had been for more than a month, as long as Mr Arafat continued to shelter the six prisoners wanted by Israel.
According to witnesses, emotions were high as the prisoners - the majority in handcuffs - left the compound on their way to a Jericho jail. Four of the six were convicted by a makeshift Palestinian court of the killing of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi last October. The other two are Ahmed Saadat - leader of the militant group that carried out the assassination - and Fuad Shobaki, who Israel claims was behind a foiled arms shipment in January. E Timor leader visits
Indonesia
The
invitation is a tricky one for Megawati East
Timor's President-elect Xanana Gusmao has met Indonesian President Megawati
Sukarnoputri in Jakarta to personally invite her to his country's independence
celebrations later this month.
The former guerrilla leader went to Megawati's residence straight from the airport after arriving on a United Nations flight.
Our correspondent in Jakarta says it looks like Megawati will visit East Timor despite the opposition of members of the Indonesian parliament. For Megawati, 20 May, independence day, marks a highly controversial issue. The loss of East Timor following the referendum in 1999 was a body blow to the Indonesian nation, which has always been a fragile grouping of disparate islands. For the army, it was also a humiliating defeat. The anger felt by the military was vented in the wave of violence which followed the referendum, in which the former province was systematically destroyed. Surprise announcement The national parliament has already officially told President Megawati she should not attend East Timor's independence celebrations. "The invitation has been well received and Madame the president will decide later," Mr Gusmao said on Thursday when asked whether he had obtained a reply from the president.
The announcement came as something of a surprise, given her cautious approach to politics, and her determination to maintain stability. Our correspondent, Richard Galpin, says it seems the government recognises the need for good relations with East Timor, and it is not just about improving Indonesia's image within the international community. There are also practical reasons, he says. East Timor occupies only half the island of Timor, the rest remains part of Indonesia. Trade and communication across the border will be vital for the people living on both sides. And thousands of East Timorese refugees are still living in Indonesia. The government in Jakarta is keen for them to return, if only because of the financial burden they create for the local authorities.
Last rallies in French election
race
More
than a million protested against Le Pen French
President Jacques Chirac and his rival, the far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen,
are to hold their final election campaign rallies on
Thursday.
The National Front leader, who espouses anti-immigrant policies, shocked Europe by winning nearly 17% of the vote in the first round and now faces Mr Chirac in Sunday's run-off.
In Paris alone, some 250,000 people protested against the National Front leader, overshadowing a march by 20,000 of his supporters. Mr Le Pen's Marseille rally is set to begin at 2000 (1800 GMT) - soon after Mr Chirac addresses his supporters at Villepinte, just north of Paris. Experts say Mr Le Pen enters the final days of the campaign as the underdog, with opinion polls suggesting that he will suffer a heavy defeat. Clear lead for Chirac Large swathes of France's fractured left are expected to support Mr Chirac in Sunday's ballot, regarding him as the lesser of two evils. Alain Juppe, a former prime minister and a close aide to Mr Chirac, on Thursday urged voters to go to the polls, warning that "the battle will not end on 5 May".
The national turnout made Wednesday by far the biggest protest against Mr Le Pen since he edged Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin out of the contest in the first round on 21 April. May Day is traditionally celebrated by both left and right in France - albeit for different reasons. For the left, the day is about celebrating long-standing workers' rights. Joan of Arc In the far-right's own mythology, 1 May is about celebrating Joan of Arc, the virgin peasant soldier who in the 15th Century helped throw the English invaders out of France. Mr Le Pen, 73, laid a wreath at the statue to her and then marched to the Place de l'Opera to address the crowd. Mr Le Pen brushed off Wednesday's demonstrations against him, saying "I've never accepted the law of the street, but rather the law of the ballot boxes". He said that, if Mr Chirac were to win on Sunday, he would still lead the National Front in legislative elections set for 9 and 16 June. Lindbergh's historic flight
recreated
Charles Lindbergh stunned the world with his solo
flight The
grandson of the pioneering pilot, Charles Lindbergh, has landed in Paris after
recreating his grandfather's famous first solo flight across the
Atlantic.
Erik Lindbergh's 17-hour flight from New York state took half the time of his grandfather's expedition, 75 years ago. + He arrived at Le Bourget airport outside Paris at 1130 local time (0930GMT) on Thursday.
"It was an amazing time, 1927, and I really wanted to celebrate the anniversary of my grandfather's flight," said Erik, after arriving in Paris. Charles Lindbergh ushered in the age of aviation in the original Spirit of St Louis, which cost less than $10,000 to build. The younger Lindbergh's plane, called the New Spirit of St Louis, cost much more than that - nearly $300,000 - but it flies twice as fast, cruising at about 300km/h (180mph). "I've dreamed for years of retracing my roots and flying across the Atlantic," he said in a statement read out by one of the flight's sponsors before he set off. "My journey is more of a celebration than a recreation of my grandfather's achievement." Funds for charity Charles Lindbergh would have just celebrated his 100th birthday if he were still alive today, and it was partly to commemorate this that his grandson followed in his footsteps. But the younger Lindbergh also wants to raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis, which 15 years ago seemed to have dashed any hopes he had of flying. Pioneering drug therapy helped him to overcome the disease and become a professional pilot. Erik Lindbergh had already re-created the first two legs of his grandfather's journey: from San Diego to St Louis, and St Louis to Farmingdale, New York. San Diego is where the original Spirit of St Louis was built.
 Algeria hit by two massacres
 Armed
extremists have killed 31 people in two separate massacres in the Tiaret region
of western Algeria, officials said on Thursday.
Twenty people were killed and five wounded in an attack at Ksar Chellala - the worst single attack in Algeria this year. Another 11 people were killed in Sidi Khaled, on the outskirts of the town of Tiaret itself, which is 340 kilometres (210 miles) west of Algiers. Most of the victims of the overnight attacks are thought to be civilians, but officials gave no further details. Increase in violence There has been an upsurge in violence in the Tiaret region in recent weeks, in the run-up to legislative elections on 30 May.
The hardline Armed Islamic Group (GIA) - one of two main rebel groups fighting the secular government - is known to operate in the area. The GIA has stepped up its attacks since appointing Rachid Abou Tourab as its new leader in March after his predecessor Antar Zouabri was killed by security forces. Mr Tourab said in a statement shortly after his appointment that he would pursue the movement's radical policies until Algeria was an Islamic state. Since the beginning of the year more than 450 people, including about 150 Islamic fundamentalists, have been killed in Algeria's brutal civil war. May elections Despite the increasing violence - and a threatened boycott in the unstable Berber-speaking region of Kabylia - the country's military-backed authorities are determined to press ahead with the elections as scheduled.
Nor is the election likely to have an impact on regional security. All serious opposition has been marginalised, and critics of the regime say Algeria is in a state of political paralysis. Prison fire The latest attacks come just a day after 14 prisoners were killed and 11 injured in a fire that spread through a high security jail in the country's capital Algiers. The blaze in the Serkadji prison appeared to have been started by prisoners who set fire to their mattresses after seeing a 19-year-old inmate try to commit suicide. Most of the detainees at the prison are Islamists sentenced to death or serving life sentences after being found guilty of terrorist activities. They include army officer Lembarek Boumaarafi, sentenced to death for the assassination of President Mohammed Boudiaf in 1992. It is not yet known whether Boumaraafi was among the casualties. UN abandons Jenin probe
Houses
were reduced to rubble in the army offensive UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan has confirmed that he intends to disband the
planned fact-finding mission into what happened at the Jenin refugee camp
during the recent Israeli offensive.
The move follows days of wrangling and delays to the mission after Israel raised a series of objections to its mandate.
The Palestinians allege that a massacre took place at the camp during the week-long assault there - something Israel denies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
