Hun Sen named PM, Ranariddh Speaker
PHNOM PENH, Nov 26 — Cambodia’s ailing king Norodom Sihanouk today formally appointed Hun Sen as the country’s new Prime Minister, paving the way for the formation of his coalition government.

2 Israeli soldiers die in blast
MARJAYOUN (Lebanon), Nov 26 — Hezbollah guerrillas detonated a roadside bomb next to an Israeli patrol near the border in southern Lebanon overnight, killing two soldiers, officials said today.

Panel working on impeachment charges
NEW YORK, Nov 26 — Senior staff members of the House of Representatives judiciary committee chairman Henry Hyde are drawing up articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton on three counts, The New York Times reported today.

Miss Israel is Miss World
MAHE (Seychelles) Nov 26 — Miss Israel Linor Abargil (19) won the Miss World contest here today, edging out Miss France and Miss Malaysia.

Jiang visit ends sans communiqué
No Tokyo apology for war crimes

TOKYO, Nov 26 (PTI) — Chinese and Japanese hopes of a better relations took a nosedive today when President Jiang Zemin and Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi failed to issue the much-awaited joint declaration on bilateral ties following Tokyo’s refusal to tender an unqualified and written apology for its wartime brutalities against the Chinese.

Official sources said the signing of the joint communiqué, scheduled for today, foundered over the Chinese demand that Japan tender a written apology for its actions.

Sources close to the Chinese side said Beijing wanted a similar communiqué that Japan signed with South Korea in which Tokyo apologised for its brutal colonial rule.

Japanese spokesman maintained that Tokyo had earlier apologised for its brutalities both at imperial and Prime Ministerial level and would not include the same in the joint statement.

“Prime Minister Obuchi had expressed heartfelt apologies when Chinese President arrived in Tokyo,” the spokesman said.

The Japanese officials were prepared to release an unsigned joint declaration.

Despite such a “roadblock” in Sino-Japan ties, the two sides agreed on total abolition of nuclear weapons and carrying of reforms in the United Nations besides signing two agreements on technological collaboration.

The first indication that the summit had run into rough weather when the authorities revealed that a joint declaration would not be signed but would be issued only.

Japan until yesterday maintained that a compromise formula was reached under which Obuchi would verbally apologise to Jiang Zemin but the communiqué would mention only his “remorse”, but later developments, after Jiang’s arrival, were contrary to the Japanese officials’ claim of a compromise.

Japanese officials have been focusing on a future Japan-China partnership in Asia without harping on the inglorious past relationship between the two countries.

The Tokyo Shimbun said the cancellation of the signing was the result of the two countries’ differences over the form of Japan’s apology for its wartime aggression in China.

Jiji Press said Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and his Chinese counterpart Tang Jiaxuan would sign only an action programme on bilateral cooperation at the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Beijing played-down Tokyo’s denial of a “written apology” by Tokyo and the Chinese official spokesman in Beijing said “a lot of documents we issue are not signed.”

Chinese hopes were also dashed as Beijing wanted to ensure three “nos” — no Taiwan independence, no two Chinas and no Taiwan joining international organisations as a sovereign state.

Instead, China could only manage one “no” — a restatement of Japan’s promise not to support independence for the island.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman in Beijing severely criticised Japan’s reluctance to accept atrocities committed by Japanese troops in Asia during the World War and demanded “atonement for its past actions”.

Lambasting attempts by a “handful” of people in Japan to “whitewash” Japan’s history of oppression, the spokesman Tang Guoqiang, said: “China will firmly oppose the denial of history by Japan.”

“These moves have hurt the feelings of the people in Asia, including China. We believe this kind of trend cannot but draw the attention of the people of Asia, who believe on this issue, Japan should adopt a correct attitude,” he said.

Pinochet vows to fight extradition

LONDON, Nov 26 (Reuters) — A defiant Augusto Pinochet vowed to fight on against extradition after Britain’s highest court ruled that the former Chilean dictator was not immune from prosecution on charges of murder, torture and genocide.

“He will keep fighting for what he thinks is right”, said Chilean Parliamentarian Hernan Larrain who consoled Pinochet on his 83rd birthday after the narrow 3-2 decision by law Lords.

“He was composed, ready to go on. He said it is not easy to beat him”, Larrain told Reuters after yesterday’s ruling that provoked fury among Pinochet’s supporters and jubilation among human rights activists.

Pinochet — under police guard at a north London hospital where he has been recovering from back surgery — is clearly determined to fight attempts to extradite him to Spain from Britain.

Chile’s President Eduardo Frei has also vowed to contest the ruling and stressed that Pinochet, a life Senator at home, had enjoyed diplomatic immunity. He will send his Foreign Minister to London.

ANI adds: The law Lords' judgement, however, is not the final verdict in the case. Next week, Home Secretary Jack Straw will give his decision as to whether extradition proceedings against Pinochet can go ahead. He is being pressed from several quarters, not least the Chilean Government, to allow the senator to go home. And even if the proceedings are allowed, Pinochet’s lawyers are certain to oppose them, and, if necessary, take the case through successive courts, even to the House of Lords.

The Home Secretary has said that "compassionate circumstances" are a factor he will bear in mind when making his decision, and this is seen by some as giving the government a way out of a diplomatic dilemma of serious proportions.

Opposition leader William Hague said it was damaging Britain’s relations with Chile and damaging the domestic situation there. "We should have sufficient respect now for the people of Chile to say enough is enough, we’re letting him go back to his own country", he declared.

Although the Home Secretary has said that his decision would not be a political one, he is faced with several political considerations.

There is the question of relations with Chile — a friendly country which, under Pinochet, supported Britain over the Falklands war with Argentina. There is the matter of relations with at least three European Union partners, Spain, France and Switzerland, who want Pinochet to face charges. In wider terms, there is the Labour Government’s role in promoting a more robust system of international justice, and its lead in the pursuit of Saddam Hussain for war crimes.

SANTIAGO (AFP): Chile will not recall its Ambassador to Britain and has ordered its Ambassador to Spain to resume his post in Madrid, Foreign Minister Josf Miguel Insulza said here.

Mr Insulza told a Press conference that he would not bring up the subject of severing relations with either country on his trip to Britain and Spain.

The Chilean police detained dozens of demonstrators here when demonstrations in favour of and opposed to former dictator Augusto Pinochet turned violent.

The police used water cannons and tear gas to dispel Pinochet supporters who threw stones and eggs at the British and Spanish Embassies while nearly 30 anti-Pinochet demonstrators were picked up in the Plaza Italia in the city-centre, the authorities said on Wednesday.

Turkish PM loses vote, resigns

ANKARA, Nov 26 (AFP) — Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has submitted his resignation to President Suleyman Demirel after his government was toppled in a no-confidence vote in Parliament.

The three-party minority coalition of Yilmaz was defeated in a vote of confidence yesterday when the Republican People’s Party (CHP), a former ally, voted with the Opposition after reports that Yilmaz had turned a blind eye to mafia involvement in the privatisation of a state bank.

Demirel had already announced his intention of finding a new government within three or four days and was due to begin talks with party leaders yesterday.

Everyone can rest assured that Turkey will not be left without a government,” the President said hours before the vote in Parliament.

A spokesman for the presidency said Demirel would receive the leader of the Virtue Party (FP), Recai Kutan, late yesterday.

Tradition demands that the first attempt to form a new government goes to the leader of the largest group in Parliament, which is currently the Virtue Party.

But the Virtue Party — successor to Necmettin Erbakan’s banned Welfare Party — is thought to be unacceptable to the strictly pro-secularist military leadership, which may prompt Demirel to break with tradition and give Kutan a miss.

The second-large party is then outgoing Prime Minister’s Motherland Party (ANAP).

Pak army objects to parts of ordinance

ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (UNI) — The army is reported to have raised objections to certain parts of the Ordinance issued six days ago to set up military courts in Sindh with a mandate to give verdicts within three days.

The army feels it cannot give verdicts within such a short time and that is said to be the reason why no military courts have been established in the province so far. The Ordinance may be amended to give more time to military courts to decide cases.

Sindh, where an elected government was dismissed and Governor’s rule imposed on October 30 last was handed over to the army on the 20th of this month. An Ordinance issued on that day said military courts would decide the cases of criminals and civilian courts allowed to entertain petitions against their verdicts.

Mercy-killer charged with murder

PONTIAC Michigan, Nov 26 (AFP) — A Michigan prosecutor has charged Euthanasia guru Jack Kevorkian with first-degree premeditated murder over his videotaped mercy-killing of terminally ill patient.

Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca told a press conference yesterday that Kevorkian was also being charged with criminal assistance to a suicide and delivery of a controlled substance in connection with the mercy-killing of Thomas Youk by lethal injection.

The 52-year-old suburban Detroit man, who was afflicted with Lou Gehrig’s disease, died on September 17 after giving his consent.

Part of the videotape was aired on national television on Sunday by the CBS network along with an interview in which Kevorkian said his action was meant as a direct challenge to authorities to charge him or leave alone to end the long stalemate over his assisted suicide crusade.

CBS, whose decision to air the tape sparked outrage around the country, turned over the videotape to Michigan prosecutors after being issued a subpoena.

Gorcyca said that after reviewing the tape in its entirety and examining police reports and a report on Youk’s autopsy, he had decided to issue the three-count felony indictment.

“The decision to level the charges was made only after careful deliberation of the fact and based upon the current status of the law,” he stressed.

Hun Sen named PM, Ranariddh Speaker

PHNOM PENH, Nov 26 (AFP) — Cambodia’s ailing king Norodom Sihanouk today formally appointed Hun Sen as the country’s new Prime Minister, paving the way for the fomation of his coalition government.

The formality came a day after the convening of Parliament and the voting in of rival prince Norodom Ranariddh as National Assembly Chairman.

The king, in Beijing for medical treatment, announced Hun Sen’s appointment in an open letter issued from his office here. He also called on Hun Sen to form a cabinet, which is expected to be announced and formally voted next Monday.

2 Israeli soldiers die in blast

MARJAYOUN (Lebanon), Nov 26 (AP) — Hezbollah guerrillas detonated a roadside bomb next to an Israeli patrol near the border in southern Lebanon overnight, killing two soldiers, officials said today.

The bomb was apparently set off by remote control as the patrol passed between the villages of Houla and Markaba in the Israeli-occupied zone of southern Lebanon.

Two Israelis, an officer and a soldier, were killed in the bombing at 2105 hrs GMT last night, the officials said.

Panel working on impeachment charges

NEW YORK, Nov 26 (Reuters) — Senior staff members of the House of Representatives judiciary committee chairman Henry Hyde are drawing up articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton on three counts, The New York Times reported today.

Quoting a senior republican official of the committee, the paper said that drafting was in its "very early stages" and would have to be approved by the committee’s 21 Republican members.

The official said the articles under discussion would allege perjury, obstruction of justice and on the basis of the President’s repeated assertion of legal privileges, abuse of power.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the articles were being drafted using the report of independent counsellor Kenneth Starr, which focused on Mr Clinton’s affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, on the Watergate articles of impeachment that led to former President Richard Nixon’s resignation from office, and on impeachment cases against three Federal judges.

Miss Israel is Miss World

MAHE (Seychelles) Nov 26 (AFP) — Miss Israel Linor Abargil (19) won the Miss World contest here today, edging out Miss France and Miss Malaysia.

Miss Israel is a model who wants a career in media communications and she dances jazz, classical, modern and ballet.

Miss France Veronique Caloc (23) of Martinique came in second and third was Miss Malaysia, Pick Lim Lina Teoh (23).

Viagra-linked deaths
PARIS: Three men who had been prescribed Viagra have died in France since the anti-impotence drug was introduced in the country six weeks ago, a spokeswoman for the drug’s manufacturer Pfizer said. She said there was no proven link between the deaths and the drug. “In that sense Viagra must not cause any concern,” she told France-Info Radio. She said one of the patients died of a heart attack more than two weeks after taking the drug. — Reuters

Infants for sale
HANOI: Infertile couples wishing to have babies can buy them from pregnant women at an underground market in Ho Chi Minh city, a newspaper has reported. The price ranges from 3 million to 15 million dong ($ 215 to $ 1,070) depending on the infant’s sex and whether it has an official birth certificate. The paper said four to seven pregnant women often were at the market in a park in front of the city’s main market, Ben Thanh, willing to sell their babies when they are born. It quoted the women as saying they already had sold babies more than once. — AP

Russian satellites
MOSCOW: More than eight out of 10 Russian military and civilian satellites now in orbit are too old, according to the Director of the Russian space agency, Yurt Koptev. Quoted by Itar-Tass news agency, Koptev said 82 per cent of Russian satellites had exceeded their normal useful life. “Our group of satellites is the fourth biggest in the world by its number, but Russia spends only 2 per cent of its funds on maintaining its 127 orbiting devices,” Koptev said on Wednesday. — AFP

Mongolian Govt
ULAN BATOR: The highest court in Mongolia has ruled that the country’s government is unconstitutional, deepening the crisis in an already fragile democracy, sources said on Thursday. The nine-member constitutional court ruled that members of the country’s parliament, The Great Hural, may not serve as cabinet ministers, citing a constitutional clause that prohibits MPs from simultaneously holding other posts. Mongolia’s pro-democracy coalition government was voted out of office in July. — AFP