• Tip-off on air strikes ‘came from UK’

Riot toll shoots up to 14 in Jakarta
JAKARTA, Nov 23 — The Indonesian police today found eight more bodies after weekend ethnic and religious clashes in Chinatown, according to eyewitnesses here.

Security threat to Lanka Parliament
COLOMBO, Nov 23 — In an unprecedented move, the Sri Lankan defence authorities today positioned anti-aircraft guns around the Parliament complex to ward off any rebel air attack coinciding with the LTTE’s “Heroes Week”.

North Korea develops ‘N-detonators’
SEOUL, Nov 23 — North Korea has conducted secret experiments near a suspect underground facility to develop detonators for atomic bombs, South Korean reports said today.

Anwar files were X-rated: witness
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 — A prosecution witness told the trial of Malaysia’s ousted premier Anwar Ibrahim today that computer files containing allegations of sexual misconduct against Anwar were x-rated.

‘Titanic’ star Kate Winslet weds
READING (England), Nov 23 — Kate Winslet, star of the Oscar-winning movie “Titanic”, was married yesterday to assistant film director Jim Threapleton in a quiet ceremony at her family’s local church.

Annan envoy in Baghdad to defuse
papers’ crisis

BAGHDAD, Nov 23 (AFP) — UN special envoy Prakash Shah returned to Baghdad today for talks as a new row heated up over Iraqi resistance to UN demands for key weapons documents.

Baghdad insisted yesterday it had already handed over all relevant documents and accused UN chief arms inspector Richard Butler of stirring a fake crisis to wreck a review of the eight-year-old UN sanctions.

However, Iraq’s UN Ambassador Nizar Hamdoon said later that Baghdad would give the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) Iraqi access to a key document only through Mr Shah.

As Mr Shah arrived here from Bahrain, he told reporters: “I expect to meet the high authorities at the political level... I will have a meeting organised with members of the leadership here.”

He said nothing about the document singled out by US President Bill Clinton earlier this month when he spelt out US demands after Baghdad pledged to resume full and unconditional cooperation with the UN weapons inspectors.

The document found in July during a spot inspection in a safe at Iraqi air force headquarters states that Iraq had used fewer than 50,000 units of during its war with Iran, half of what Iraq said it used.

Senior Iraqi officials told Mr Butler in August that the inspectors would never obtain the document, which Baghdad said related to national security.

Yesterday, Iraq said it had given UN monitors all available weapons papers.

The documents have emerged as a new flashpoint in the dispute between Iraq and the UN after Iraq seemed to have eased the dispute by allowing weapons inspectors to resume their work last week.

Foreign Minister Mohammed Saeed Al-Sahhaf said Iraq had given the inspectors of the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency “roughly” 2,188,020 million pages of documents since the weapons inspections began in 1991.

“We have handed over all, all available documents”, he said at a news conference. “Asking Iraq in this artificial way is a new tactic in order to put obstacles and create unwarranted problems”.

Asked whether he thought the new dispute over documents would lead to a US and British attack on Iraq, Mr Al-Sahhaf replied that no Security Council resolution said Iraq would be attacked if a certain document was not turned over.

“This is ridiculous”, he said. “Whatever party is threatening, that ... will bear the responsibility”.

LONDON: Britain today urged Iraqi exile opposition groups to bury their differences and give the world a picture of a new Iraq without President Saddam Hussein.

Mr Derek Fatchett, minister at the Foreign Office, made the call ahead of talks with 15 diverse groups of London-based Iraqi dissidents.

“What we are trying to do is to ensure there is a united political voice showing that there could be a different Iraq. A more open, more pluralistic, more democratic Iraq. I don’t think there is anyone around who would not see that as a positive step forward,” Mr Fatchett told BBC.

Tip-off on air strikes ‘came from UK’

NEW YORK, Nov 23 (PTI) — A tip-off about the imminent air strikes against Iraq that pushed President Saddam Hussein to capitulate on arms inspections came from Britain with US approval and not from France as has been alleged, “Newsweek” magazine said.

The magazine said Britain’s Ambassador to the USA, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, met privately with Iraqi Ambassador Nizar Hamdoon on November 12. “Giving away no military secrets,” Sir Jeremy described the dimensions of the attack planned against Iraq.

This time, the Americans “want blood” and the only way to avoid a devastating attack “is for Iraq to back down,” he was quoted to have told Mr Hamdoon.

Riot toll shoots up to 14 in Jakarta

JAKARTA, Nov 23 (ANI) — The Indonesian police today found eight more bodies after weekend ethnic and religious clashes in Chinatown, according to eyewitnesses here.

The death toll in Sunday’s violence rose to 14 and six of the bodies were burnt and found in the wreckage of a gambling den. At least 15 of the victims had been injured. Several buildings in the area had also been torched, the witnesses said.

Residents said gangs from Ambon have long had a grip over the area, imposing protection rackets on the vulnerable ethnic Chinese, who dominate the business circle there.

A radio bulletin said authorities have announced a holiday at several Christian and predominantly ethnic Chinese schools after their buildings were attacked by mobs.

In a joint statement, Opposition leader Megawati Sukarnoputri and Islamic leader Abdurrahman Said said the violence was not spontaneous. There were certain groups of people, who purposely led the mobs to destroy churches.

Meanwhile, Jakarta was tense and under heavy security today and scores of Christian schools were closed after rioting and attacks on Christians which left at least six persons dead.

Most downtown shops had their shutters pulled down, some with only a crack to allow customers in one at a time, and the troops deployed to keep order were keeping away from the main road, out of sight in alleys.

An employee of Bank Niaga, which has an office in the area, said troops were still guarding the Gajah Mada shopping complex next door. The centre escaped the riot unscathed but the shopping complex remained shuttered, as did the office tower above it.

Santa Ursula Catholic Girls’ School near the presidential palace and targeted by arsonists, was closed today with nuns there saying it would remain shut until next week.

Russia-China pact on border issue

MOSCOW, Nov 23 (PTI) — Russia and China today signed an agreement confirming most of their border demarcation as a fresh bout of pneumonia forced President Boris Yeltsin to host an informal Sino-Russian summit in a hospital here.

Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin met Mr Yeltsin at Central Clinical Hospital where the latter was admitted yesterday and during their first informal summit which lasted 40 minutes, truncated from an hour originally scheduled, signed the documents, including one outlining a plan for the development of bilateral relations in the next century.

"For the first time in the history of the two countries, the western and eastern stretches of the Russian-Chinese state border have been clearly demarcated on the terrain," Itar-Tass quoted the statement on the border issue released by the Presidential Press Service.

The two countries also agreed to hold further talks on the border issues yet to be settled over a few stretches in accordance with the signed agreements and international law.

Mr Yeltsin and Mr Jiang also decided to meet again in China next year, Interfax news agency said.

Meanwhile, doctors have ordered the 67-year old President to spend up to 10 days in the hospital, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Yakushkin said.

Military courts in Sindh by weekend

ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (ANI) — Sindh Governor Moinuddin Haider is likely to issue orders this week for the constitution of 10 summary military courts and five appellate military courts in Karachi to decide cases against terrorists.

Official sources in the federal government said each court would comprise a panel of three members from the military. After deciding a case, put before a military court, it would be dissolved and a new court would be created in hear the next case.

“For every case a fresh panel will be constituted”, the sources said. Each district of Karachi would have two summary courts and one appellate military court respectively, they added.

These courts are being created in consequence of an ordinance issued by the President allowing the government to invoke Article 245. These courts have to take a decision within three days after which the defendant can appeal to the appellate military court, which would give its final verdict. This verdict cannot be challenged in the high court or the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the Karachi police have said that they have finalised at least 70 cases of alleged hardened criminals, which will be referred to military courts for judgement.

According to police sources, each criminal is involved in various cases.

The sources said most cases being processed involved activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), who were among hundreds of others who had been arrested after the dismissal of the Sindh Government.

The cases to be referred to military courts also include that of two members of the provincial assemblies, Mr Shoaib Bukhari and Mr Wakil Jamali, and three others who were arrested by the police on Saturday morning at the MQM’s MPA hostel.

The Pakistan Supreme Court in the meantime began hearing a constitutional petition filed by the Arting Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Jalal Mehmoud Shah.

The petition was filed against the notification of the federal government suspending the power of the Speaker to convene a session of the assembly.

Security threat to Lanka Parliament

COLOMBO, Nov 23 (PTI) — In an unprecedented move, the Sri Lankan defence authorities today positioned anti-aircraft guns around the Parliament complex to ward off any rebel air attack coinciding with the LTTE’s “Heroes Week”.

Three anti-aircraft guns have been placed at different vantage positions in and around the Parliament building located on a small lake island, some 15 km from here, sources said.

The issue created a furore in the House with the Treasury benches shouting down irate Opposition members demanding more information on the security threat to Parliament.

Former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickramasinghe insisted that members had a right to know of any such threat perception, a demand rejected by the government.

The step comes close on the heels of a flurry of intelligence reports last week that spoke of the LTTE acquiring helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

Several naval vessels also reportedly spotted moving lights and sounds off the north-eastern Mullaithivu coast controlled by the LTTE.

Moderate Tamil political parties had also reported seeing LTTE cadre practising para-jumping in the rebel-held northern Vanni region.

Last week an army spokesman told newsmen that there was no conclusive information that the LTTE possessed air power but a general alert had been sounded.

Civilian air services to the northern Jaffna peninsula, too, remained suspended amidst fears that the LTTE would hijack one of them and use it to attack strategic targets in Colombo and other places.

Anti-aircraft guns have already been placed in a number of places in the city, including the highly protected residence of President Chandrika Kumaratunga in the heart of the city.

The defence authorities have stepped up security in and around Colombo as the LTTE observes its “Heroes Week”, which entered its third day today.

The rebels have in the previous years struck in a big way during the week which ends on November 26, the birthday of LTTE supremo Prabhakaran.

Meanwhile, 60 Sri Lankans, who were rescued from a sinking trawler during an abortive attempt to sail illegally to Australia, have told investigators that they each paid amounts ranging from Rs 7 lakh to 8 lakh (about Rs 5 lakh Indian rupees) to job agencies for the journey.

The group, which included a lone woman, was saved by the navy and brought to the Galle naval jetty on Saturday. A majority of them were Sinhalese, while the rest constituted Tamils and a Muslim.

The group had boarded a multi-day fishing trawler at Negombo and sailed for 18 days. The trawler had run into turbulent weather in deep sea and as dreams of reaching Australia withered, it was decided to return. On the way back, the water tank of the trawler broke and fell into the choppy sea, survivors told the police.

As the trawler with its illegal human cargo started sinking, the crew as a last resort, sent an SOS which was picked up by another trawler and conveyed to the authorities. A naval vessel was immediately despatched to rescue the sinking vessel and its passengers.

North Korea develops ‘N-detonators’

SEOUL, Nov 23 (AFP) — North Korea has conducted secret experiments near a suspect underground facility to develop detonators for atomic bombs, South Korean reports said today.

South Korean television stations showed an alleged US intelligence satellite picture reportedly leaked by South Korean sources as evidence of North Korea’s experiments.

US President Bill Clinton left South Korea today after a five-day visit to Asia dominated by fears about North Korean weapons proliferation.

Government officials said if the reports were confirmed, it would indicate the hardline North Korea had not abandoned its nuclear weapons development programme.

Yonhap news agency quoted an unnamed high-ranking official as saying the detonator development site was only 10 km southeast of an underground vault which US officials suspected was a nuclear site.

“This strengthens suspicions over the North’s nuclear facilities,” the official told Yonhap.

US surveillance has detected traces that North Korea conducted secret experiments on several occasions to develop detonators, a key device for atomic bombs, it said.

Anwar files were X-rated: witness

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (AFP) — A prosecution witness told the trial of Malaysia’s ousted premier Anwar Ibrahim today that computer files containing allegations of sexual misconduct against Anwar were x-rated.

The trial resumed after a weeklong recess coinciding with the holding of an Asia-Pacific leaders summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Security was tight with at least two truckloads of riot police stationed outside the court and paramilitary forces patrolling the area.

Zulkifli Mohamad, an officer with the Criminal Investigation Department of the Royal Malaysian Police, told the court that he went to the advertising agency office of Ummi Hafilda Ali three days before she was arrested last year.

“I did not take anything but Ummi handed me several documents along with a computer disk,” Zulkifli said. “The title of the two files on the disk are X-rated and XXX-rated.”

Zulkifli said one of the files was a letter to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from Ummi, sister of Anwar’s private secretary at the time. The other was a statement by Azizan Abu Bakar, who was Anwar’s driver.

“The two are key prosecution evidence in the trial which began on November 2”, the police said it got the couple to retract their statements on orders from Anwar but gave conflicting accounts as to whether they believed the charges.

Presiding Judge Augustine Paul postponed until December 4 hearing on whether one of Anwar’s lawyers, opposition lawmaker Karpal Singh, should appear as a prosecution witness.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry summoned US Ambassador John Malott to express displeasure over remarks made by US Vice-President Al Gore last week in support of the opposition reform movement, officials said.

“We reiterated Malaysia’s position that Gore’s speech was an incitement of lawlessness and not simply a call of democracy as claimed,” the Ministry’s Under Secretary for the Americas John Tenewi Nuek told the official Bernama news agency.

Malott told The Star newspaper that democracy was not just about holding elections but also about allowing dissent to be voiced freely.

“Stalin held elections. Even Hitler had elections. Democracy is a process of allowing all views to be heard, of allowing the competition of ideas,” he told the paper.

‘Titanic’ star Kate Winslet weds

READING (England), Nov 23 (AP) — Kate Winslet, star of the Oscar-winning movie “Titanic”, was married yesterday to assistant film director Jim Threapleton in a quiet ceremony at her family’s local church.

Nearly 150 guests, including actress Emma Thompson and actor Greg Wise, attended the afternoon wedding at All Saints’ Church in Reading, southern England.

After the half-hour service the 23-year-old actress, in a white Edwardian-style gown, posed briefly for photographs with her new husband, 25, who wore a suit with a dark frock coat.

“The whole thing was tremendously relaxed and happy. It was a big success story today”, said the Rev John Mortiboys, who conducted the service.

“They were trying to keep everything as secret as possible because you can imagine what it is like in the glare of publicity all the time”, he said.

Wrangle over dog
SYDNEY: Two blind women, one 50 years old and the other 81, in a legal wrangle over the custody of a guide dog are also vying for the affections of their sighted trainer, a golden Labrador, news reports on Sunday said. The battle for Jean has already turned nasty with Marlene Massingham, (50) being knocked to the pavement and her canine companion being “repossessed’’ by unknown assailants. Ms Massingham suspects the abductors were acting on behalf of 81-year-old Phyllis Gration, the owner of Lady Nell Seeing Eye Dog School, who as part of her campaign to get Jean back has brought a $ 22,000 breach of contract claim against her. Ms Gration is also the wife of Greg Cooper, Ms Massingham’s new 47-year-old live-in lover. — DPA

2 pilots killed
WASHINGTON: Two pilots were killed and a passenger seriously injured when their planes collided over a golf course and an apartment complex in Phoenix on Saturday. The authorities said the lone occupant of one of the single-engine, four-seat Cessna planes apparently died on impact. The pilot of the second plane, believed to be a student, was killed when his aircraft hit the ground on the golf course and flipped, fire officials said. A passenger in the second plane was flown to a local hospital where he was reported to be in serious condition. — ANI

Knifed to death
TEHRAN: Dariush Foruhar, an opposition figure and former Labour Minister, was stabbed to death along with his wife at their Tehran home, relatives said on Sunday. It was not clear who killed Foruhar and his wife or what their motive may have been, the official Islamic Republic News Agency said on Sunday. It said the police was investigating the deaths. Relatives and neighbours who gathered in front of Foruhar’s home in central Tehran said the two were killed on Saturday and their bodies discovered on Sunday. Foruhar was the leader of the People’s Party of Iran, a small opposition group that is tolerated by the government. — AP

King Kong poster
BOSTON: A promotional poster from the classic 1933 movie, “King Kong”, was sold at an auction on Sunday for $ 62,000, a new record for such a sale. The original poster, which depicts the massive, overgrown guerrilla holding actress Fay Wray in his paw, is one of the world’s rarest as only four are known to be in existence. Auctioneers had expected the poster to gather between $ 30,000 $ 50,000, but the successful bidder, a furniture businessman, needed to pay more to ensure he retained the rare poster. — DPA

Fined for sex calls
SYDNEY: A court in Australia has fined a man to pay more than $ 1,664 for making sex calls from his neighbour’s house. The man has been charged with two counts after he allegedly broke into the neighbour’s house to use the telephone for sex calls. According to a report, some of his sex calls lasted 50 minutes. The man was also ordered to do 240 hours of community service. — ANI