AFP_ENG_20061224.0073

LAGOS, Dec 24 , 2006, 2006

unconstitutional

Nigerian vice president Atiku Abubakar's new party, the Action Congress (AC), Sunday slammed President Olusegun Obasanjo's declaration that his former deputy's office was now vacant as "unconstititional".

Obasanjo on Saturday declared vacant the office of his embattled deputy after he defected to the rival opposition AC party ahead of the April 2007 elections.

Presidential spokesman Uba Sani told reporters in Abuja Saturday that the decision had been taken in response to Abubakar's defection early last week.

The vice president was expelled from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday after he defected to the AC and was chosen as its presidential candidate for the 2007 elections.

In its reaction on Sunday, the AC described as "unconstitutional, null and void" the declaration that Abubakar's seat had become vacant because he dumped the ruling party.

"Just when we thought this lawless party and its visionless leaders have reached rock bottom in their acts of brigandage, they over-reached themselves by perpetrating the mother of all illegalities," it said in a statement.

Saturday, Abubakar said that he would challenge "this illegality in a competent court of law and I have also begun wide consultation with stakeholders in the nation to halt this sad and regrettable slide to tyranny and lawlessness".

However, the PDP had earlier cited constitutional rules stating that the vice-president must belong to the same party as the president.

The PDP had already suspended Abubakar last September after he was indicted on corruption charges by the country's anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Major local newspapers on Sunday, reported on their front pages, Abubakar's sacking and the alleged invasion of his home by security agents who carted away his official cars.

The Sunday Punch newspaper also reported that Abubakar, currently on a two-week vacation in the United States, might be arrested on his return to face corruption charges.

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begun

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indicted

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invasion

carted

reported

arrested

return

face


AFP_ENG_19970418.0252

HONG KONG, April 18 , 1997 (AFP)

I made contributions to British Tories, says Tung

Hong Kong's future leader Tung Chee-hwa, who hopes to ban political donations from abroad, admitted Friday he had made "modest" contributions in the past to Britain's ruling Conservative Party.

Tung's comments came amid a growing row with the democratic lobby over his plans to tighten human rights law, including banning donations from foreign individuals and political organisations.

He has argued that such a move would prevent outside influence on local politicians.

"As a person I have in the past made modest donations to the Conservative Party, that's well known to everyone," Tung told reporters Friday.

"As a result of that I am particularly sensitive that this should not happen in Hong Kong."

Tung's comments were rounded on by local legislators.

"It looks like a question of 'do as I say, not as I do," said independent legislator Emily Lau.

"Everyone understands that this is a sensitive matter. I think the overriding concern is that we should not make drastic changes... there is no public outcry for such drastic changes."

"He does it and now he wants to ban people from doing it".

"What a laugh," said fellow legislator Christine Loh on hearing the news.

"Why did he give it? In order to influence the British Government?"

At the time of his donations Tung held a British National Overseas passport, which he has since rescinded.

His proposed law changes do not cover political donations from Hong Kong residents to parties overseas.

Tung was granted a Chinese passport by Beijing in January, shortly after he was confirmed as Chief Executive-designate. He will take over as Hong Kong's leader from Governor Chris Patten, a former Conservative MP, on July 1 when China assumes sovereignty of Hong Kong from Britain.

hopes

ban

admitted

made

contributions

ruling

came

tighten

banning

argued

move

prevent

told

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said

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said

hearing

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held

rescinded

changes

cover

granted

confirmed

take

assumes


XIN_ENG_20051126.0166

LONDON, Nov. 26 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Arsenal beat Blackburn 3-0

Thierry Henry became the first Gunner to net 100 goals at Highbury when he led Arsenal to a 3-0 win over Blackburn on Saturday.

Arsenal raced to a 1-0 ahead with Cesc Fabregas' shot but Rovers reacted strongly with Craig Bellamy a constant threat.

Henry made it 2-0 just before half-time as Arsenal looked comfortably on top.

Bellamy and David Thompson went close with headers as Rovers refused to give up, before Robin van Persie's stunning late effort wrapped up the points.

Arsenal led after four minutes when Fabregas was left unmarked to curl a low shot into the bottom corner from outside the box.

But any thoughts that this would herald a stroll for Arsenal proved unfounded as Rovers responded positively.

The combination of Shefki Kuqi's physical presence and Morten Gamst Pedersen's deft footwork kept Sol Campbell and Pascal Cygan on their toes.

Rovers' best early chance came when Lucas Neill's long ball bisected Campbell and Kolo Toure, but Bellamy had to stretch just that bit too far and his lob was off target.

In the dying moments of the half Henry created another piece of history, clocking up his Highbury century when he stroked home Pires' through-ball.

Shortly after the restart Kuqi and Steven Reid both went close for Rovers, and Bellamy's header inches wide gave Arsenal another scare.

But just when the home side were starting to worry, substitute Van Persie cut in from the right and produced a sweet shot into the far top corner to settle matters.

became

led

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raced

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reacted

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looked

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refused

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led

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shot

herald

stroll

proved

responded

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bisected

stretch

lob

created

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stroked

restart

went

gave

starting

worry

substitute

cut

produced

shot

settle


AFP_ENG_19970417.0042

MANILA, April 17 , 1997 (AFP)

ADB forecasts moderate recovery for battered Asian electronics exports

Global demand for high-technology electronics products should make a moderate recovery in 1997 but the boom years of the early 1990s are unlikely to return, the Philippines-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Thursday.

The ADB's annual Asian Development Outlook report said the upturn would be good news for Asia, whose export success in the sector helped establish "from virtually nothing" the world's newest economic miracles.

"In the short term, Asia's electronics producers will face a demand upturn following inventory adjustment," it said.

"However, growth is likely to be moderate in the absence of new watershed innovations of the magnitude of the compact-disc player or the PC."

This means the industry "is unlikely to return to its pre-1996 boom years, but with continuing growth in the global economy, demand and supply should come into line with each other and the basis for profitable business should be restored."

"New products like digital video discs may spark a renewed boom and the range of uses of electronic components is continually widening, which will make the industry less dependent on the PC," the report said.

The bank said the slump in world electronics trade last year, particularly the sharp decline in semiconductor prices, took their heaviest toll in Asia.

The "biggest losers" were South Korea, Malaysia, where a third of the world's microprocessor production is tested and packaged, Singapore, which makes 40 percent of the world's disk drives, and Taiwan, which makes eight out of 10 circuit boards and half of all keyboards.

The fall was caused by the interplay of a maturing PC market, a shift toward fewer end-product producers and the fast expansion of production capacity, it said.

The second factor means "many input producers now compete to supply standardized products, rendering the market for inputs subject to instability similar to that of primary commodity markets," it added.

The ADB said the growth of the Internet and the resulting demand for faster processors and network access "will support continuing PC sales, even if there is a decline in new customers."

However, it said Intel Corp.'s launch this year of its MMX chip "may mean the market will be left with large quantities of discounted-price Pentium machines."

make

recovery

return

said

said

upturn

helped

establish

face

said

moderate

return

growth

come

restored

spark

boom

widening

make

said

said

decline

took

tested

packaged

makes

drives

caused

interplay

expansion

said

factor

compete

supply

rendering

added

said

growth

support

sales

decline

said

mean

left


AFP_ENG_19970414.0051

SINGAPORE, April 14 , 1997 (AFP)

Top Singapore insurer sets up asset management arm

Singapore's top insurer Great Eastern Life Assurance (GE Life) has set up an asset management arm to handle two billion Singapore dollars (1.4 billion US) in funds, the Straits Times reported Monday.

GE Life chief executive Tan Beng Lee told the newspaper that the new firm, Straits Lion Asset Management, will initially handle GE Life's own funds but would expand its activities later after establishing a track record.

"Subsequently, we would consider the management of third-party funds," Tan said.

The new company is to be 90-percent owned by GE Life and the rest by Straits Trading Co., a sister company under the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. group. Both are listed on the mainboard of the Stock Exchange of Singapore.

The move is part of GE Life's efforts to find better returns from its growing assets amid pressure on the Singapore insurance industry from declining investment income and low interest rates, the newspaper said.

GE Life's funds are currently being managed in-house.

"Straits Lion will provide a more active and focused platform in managing our funds," Tan was quoted as saying.

GE Life, with about 500,000 policyholders in a nation of three million, had an asset base of 9.5 billion dollars in 1996, up from only four billion dollars in 1992.

The report said that under insurance laws, life insurers can invest no more than 35 percent of their assets in equities, 20 percent in property, 20 percent in foreign funds, and the rest in cash and near cash.

set

handle

reported

told

handle

expand

establishing

consider

said

owned

move

efforts

find

said

managed

provide

managing

quoted

saying

had

said

invest


XIN_ENG_20051101.0326

BEIJING, Nov. 2 , 2005 (Xinhua)

CPPCC vice-chairman meets Austrian defence minister

Wang Zhongyu, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met here Wednesday with Austrian Defence Minister Gunther Platter.

Platter and his party arrived in Beijing Monday for an official visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan.

met

arrived

visit


CNN_20130322_1243

March 22, 2013

Google Keep is a note-taking app with great potential

Before the arrival of Keep, which Google launched this week, there was no default note-taking app for Android. It was a glaring hole, considering that Apple's iPhone has built-in Notes and Reminders apps that can be powered by Siri.

Instead of settling for a bare bones app to fill the void, the search giant took things one step further. Keep isn't simply just a place to bank whatever random half-thoughts come to mind: Users can construct to-do lists, stash photos, and color code your notes -- all in one well-designed and easy-to-use interface.

The second you log anything into your phone, it is also accessible from a PC Web browser via Google Drive. Alternatively, you can save things while working on your computer, and it will instantly appear on your phone, ready for use while on the go.

The design may not be as progressive as the to-do app Clear, but Keep makes up for that in its simplicity and efficiency.

Everything in Keep is presented like a Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) Windows Phone-esque stream of tiles. Swiping left or right will archive those notes you no longer need (but don't want to erase entirely). At the top of the app is a text entry field that serves as your main point of entry for all new notes. And when viewing any specific note, tapping any part of that note (title, body, etc.) will allow you to edit it. The entire experience is frictionless.

That said, it's not going to conquer the world quite yet. Organization options are limited -- color coding is your only choice, and you can't re-order your notes. Sharing with others is mostly limited to email and Google+, and the desktop features are pretty bare bones.

But that's more a function of it being new, rather than poorly thought out. Like most things Google, expect the company to flesh out Keep over time and really turn it into our personal internet junk drawer.

It's easy to foresee the day the when users will be able to send anything from their Web browser or Maps directly to Keep. The prospect of Keep incorporating features of services such as Pinterest or Pocket, or even making it easy to catalog streaming media, could turn it into something big. That should scare Evernote.

Keep is not the reinvention of the wheel in any aspect -- there are a plethora of third-party apps already available for Android. But it is a well-exectuted refinement.

In filling a minor, but important gap in its mobile ecosystem, Google gives the competition one less claim of superiority over Android.

arrival

launched

has

powered

settling

fill

took

conquer

expect

flesh

turn

foresee

send

incorporating

turn

scare

reinvention

available

filling

gives


AFP_ENG_19970425.0129

COTABATO, Philippines, April 25 , 1997 (AFP)

Philippine government, Moslem rebel truce talks stall

Ceasefire talks between Moslem guerrillas and the Philippine government have stalled here with both sides agreeing to meet again next month, officials said Friday.

The two-day talks which ended Thursday are aimed at forging a truce with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country's last remaining major Moslem guerrilla group, to allow negotiations on a political settlement to the civil war to begin.

The two sides scrapped a scheduled news conference Friday after failing to agree on the wording of a joint communique, but agreed to meet again at a Roman Catholic university here on May 13-14 to try to break the impasse.

The MILF, founded in 1978 and which commands around 10,000 guerrillas, wants a ceasefire agreement in place throughout the country's south, known as the Mindanao region, with its forces being allowed to maintain their current positions.

Before any Mindanao-wide truce, the government first wants to put to paper a three-month-old informal truce around the guerrilla stronghold of Buldon, where 4,000 Army units and an equal number of MILF guerrillas are locked in a standoff that has claimed around 60 lives this year.

"We failed to reach further understanding on the positioning of troops in Buldon but we will discuss it further," the chief ceasefire negotiator for the government, Major General Joselin Nazareno, told AFP.

The two sides discussed a "repositioning of forces" in Buldon, "and it was there unfortunately, (that) we failed to reach any agreement."

The rebel panel's legal counsel, Lanang Ali, confirmed the impasse, saying: "We could not agree on the specific (disposition) of our forces in Buldon. We wanted one thing, the (government panel) wanted another thing. Even on compromise, we failed to agree."

As negotiators prepared for this week's talks, an Army spokesman said an MILF unit ambushed a military-escorted crew of a road construction project near the town of Aliosan on Monday, killing one soldier and wounding another.

The attack forced around 2,000 villagers to flee, Captain Noel Detoyato told AFP.

The military deployed a Marine battalion and a "Rapid Deployment Force" of the Army in the area on Wednesday, he added.

The MILF is a splinter of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which last year signed a peace treaty with the government to end a 24-year guerrilla campaign aimed at setting up a separate Moslem state in the country's south.

The MILF, which had refused to join the negotiations, was left out in the political settlement, which installed MNLF chief Nur Misuari as the chief overseer of development funds which the government pledged to pour into Mindanao.

President Fidel Ramos' government believes a peace settlement with the MILF would solve rampant crime in Mindanao, perpetrated by rogue guerrilla units who kidnap local businessmen for ransom, and improve the region's attraction as an investment site.

talks

stalled

agreeing

meet

said

talks

ended

aimed

forging

allow

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war

begin

scrapped

conference

failing

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agreed

meet

try

break

founded

commands

wants

agreement

allowed

maintain

wants

put

locked

standoff

claimed

failed

reach

discuss

told

discussed

repositioning

failed

reach

confirmed

saying

agree

wanted

wanted

failed

agree

prepared

talks

said

ambushed

killing

wounding

attack

forced

flee

told

deployed

added

signed

end

aimed

setting

refused

join

negotiations

left

installed

pledged

pour

believes

solve

perpetrated

kidnap

improve


XIN_ENG_20061118.0033

LUSAKA, Nov. 18 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Zambian oil refinery plant resumes production after maintenance

Zambia's sole oil refinery plant has resumed its full production after a one-month shutdown for annual routine maintenance, Saturday Post reported.

The local newspaper quoted sources of Indeni refinery plant as saying, "the plant resumed full production this week. Of course this was after the crude oil we were waiting for from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was fully stocked."

Among the products it has begun supplying at the market are diesel, jet fuel, heavy fuel oil, petrol, liquefied petroleum gas and bitumen, said the report.

Last month's shutdown, which was postponed twice, has been without incident. Indeni Managing Director Luis Urbano said the country did not experience any disruption in fuel supplies.

The country experienced a crippling fuel shortage last year when the Zambian-French joint venture in Ndola, capital of Copperbelt province, was shut down for maintenance.

resumed

production

shutdown

maintenance

reported

quoted

saying

resumed

waiting

stocked

begun

supplying

said

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postponed

incident

said

experience

disruption

experienced

venture

shut


XIN_ENG_20061111.0187

ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 11 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Aid agency airlifts supplies to Ethiopian flood victims

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) said here Saturday it airlifted essential supplies to flood-affected communities in Gode Zone of Somali State in response to the recent deadly flash flood in southeastern Ethiopia.

According to a news release from IRC Ethiopia, 18 tons of cooking pots and plates, soap, and blankets were transported to Gode, some 650 km southeast of the capital Addis Ababa, via U.S. military air carrier early on Saturday.

The items will be distributed by the United Nations and other national and international NGOs working on the ground. IRC hopes to send an additional airlift of supplies in the following days.

"Gode Zone is completely cut off by road to the outside world because of the flooding," said IRC Country Director David Murphy.

"We hear reports that there are trucks loaded with emergency relief stranded in the surrounding areas but unable to get through. We're just lucky that we can airlift our emergency relief via the U.S. military."

Sixty-seven people have died and up to 217,000 people have been affected after the Wabe Shebelle river burst its banks after five days of heavy rain. It is not known how many people have been displaced by the latest flash flooding, which occurred ten days ago. It's feared the situation will be further exacerbated with continuing heavy rains.

"This region has already been hit hard. In mid-August, flooding in the same area killed four people and displaced approximately 56, 000," said Murphy. "IRC will do everything it can to support this community."

IRC's emergency intervention is supported by the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.

The IRC serves refugees and communities victimized by oppression and violent conflict worldwide through the provision of emergency relief, post-conflict development, resettlement assistance and advocacy.

said

airlifted

According

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distributed

working

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said

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airlift

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known

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occurred

feared

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said

do

support

intervention

supported

serves

victimized

conflict

development


AFP_ENG_20061222.0139

WELLINGTON, Dec 22 , 2006, 2006

Rain ends Sri Lanka charge in Twenty20

The opening Twenty20 cricket international between New Zealand and Sri Lanka came to an early end here Friday with play abandoned because of rain as the tourists mounted a fiery run charge.

Under the Duckworth-Lewis system, Sri Lanka won by 18 runs after New Zealand made 162 for eight and Sri Lanka were 62 for one after 5.5 overs when the heavy rain forced players from the field.

After a rollicking start by Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum produced 80 runs in seven overs, New Zealand's batting faltered and they added just 82 runs in the remaining 13 overs.

Man-of-the-match Sanath Jayasuriya led Sri Lanka's reply with a near-solo masterpiece, hitting a rapid 51 in 23 balls, including 10 fours and one six, to score all but 11 of Sri Lanka's 62 runs.

New Zealand's opening onslaught came to an end when Farveez Maharoof bowled Fleming for 38 with a slower ball.

Spin twins Muttiah Muralitharan and Jayasuriya applied the pressure and the run rate slowed to a crawl.

Muralitharan was hit for two sixes in his first three balls before McCullum mistimed a slog and was caught by Upul Tharanga at deep midwicket for 39.

James Franklin, sent in as a pinch hitter, was trapped leg before wicket by Jayasuriya for 18, and Ross Taylor went lbw to Muralitharan for 21.

James Marshall lasted four balls and made one run before before being caught by a leaping Chamara Silva at midwicket for Jayasuriya's second wicket.

New Zealand turned to the veteran Nathan Astle to arrest the middle order collapse but he was bowled by Jayasuriya for 19.

With New Zealand finding runs hard to come by and wickets falling regularly, Silva was called on to bowl and he removed debutant wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan for five.

Shane Bond was back in the pavilion soon after, bowled by Chaminda Vaas without scoring.

Jayasuriya finished with figures of four for 21 from four overs, while Muralitharan took two for 27.

The only wicket to fall in Sri Lanka's run chase was that of Tharanga, who was caught by Fleming off the bowling of Bond for six.

The second and final Twenty20 match is at Auckland on December 26 and the first of the five one-day internationals is at Napier on December 28.

came

abandoned

mounted

won

made

forced

start

produced

batting

faltered

added

led

hitting

came

bowled

applied

slowed

crawl

hit

mistimed

caught

sent

trapped

went

lasted

made

caught

turned

arrest

bowled

come

falling

called

removed

bowled

scoring

finished

took

fall

caught


AFP_ENG_20061219.0256

BISHKEK, Dec 19 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - ADDS details, quotes, background ///

Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister Felix Kulov and the entire government of the Central Asian republic tendered their resignation Tuesday in line with a new constitution that requires formation of a fresh cabinet.

"Today, I tendered my resignation to the president," Kulov said in a national radio interview. "In that way we want to set the conditions for the full-blooded work of the new constitution."

The constitution was signed November 9, significantly reducing the powers of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Under the new basic law, parliament, not the president will appoint the next premier and government.

Kyrgyzstan, an impoverished but strategically located republic that hosts both Russian and US air bases, has been struggling to stabilise since longtime president Askar Akayev was overthrown in a street revolt in March 2005.

The country has been plagued by political unrest, contract killings and organised crime.

In November, opposition demonstrators spent a week camped out in the main square of Bishkek demanding constitutional reform.

After an outbreak of violence, Bakiyev finally gave in, signing the new constitution in what he said was "one more step towards democracy."

The new constitution limits the president's powers to dissolve parliament and also gives the legislature the right to appoint the government.

Kulov has been prime minister since the revolution, but his reappointment is not guaranteed in the deeply divided parliament.

In May 2006, Kulov's government tendered its resignation, but this was not accepted by Bakiyev.

tendered

tendered

resignation

said

interview

want

set

work

signed

reducing

appoint

hosts

struggling

stabilise

overthrown

plagued

killings

spent

camped

demanding

outbreak

gave

signing

said

limits

dissolve

gives

appoint

revolution

guaranteed

tendered

accepted


WSJ891101-0032
 = 891101
 891101-0032.
 International Brief -- Coates Brothers PLC:
@  Orkem Bids $7.43 a Share
@  For Stake It Doesn't Own
 11/01/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 F.ORK EUROP U.CTB
 TENDER OFFERS, MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS (TNM)
CHEMICALS, PLASTICS (CHM)

   Orkem S.A., a French state-controlled chemical manufacturer, is making a friendly bid of 470 pence ($7.43) a share for the 59.2% of U.K. specialty chemical group Coates Brothers PLC which it does n't already own, the two sides said.

   The offer, which values the whole of Coates at #301 million, has already been accepted by Coates executives and other shareholders owning 12.4% of the company.
The acceptances give Orkem a controlling 53.2% stake in the company.

   Orkem and Coates said last Wednesday that the two were considering a merger, through Orkem's British subsidiary, Orkem Coatings U.K. Ltd.

   Orkem, France's third-largest chemical group, said it would fund the acquisition through internal resources.
The takeover would be followed by a restructuring of Orkem's U.K. unit, including the addition of related Orkem businesses and possibly further acquisitions.
Orkem said it eventually would seek to make a public share offering in its U.K. business.

making

bid

own

said

offer

accepted

acceptances

give

stake

said

considering

merger

said

fund

acquisition

takeover

restructuring

addition

acquisitions

said

seek

make

offering


WSJ891102-0034
 = 891102
 891102-0034.
 Business Brief -- Tony Lama Co.:
@  Equus Investment II Seeks
@  To Change Offer for Firm
 11/02/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 TLAM
 TENDER OFFERS, MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS (TNM)

   Tony Lama Co. said that Equus Investment II Limited Partnership  has proposed changing the offer for the company to $13.65 in cash and stock from an all-cash transaction.

   Under terms of the new proposal, Equus, managed by Equus Capital Corp., Houston, would pay $12 cash and one new preferred share with a liquidation preference of $1.65 a share for each of Tony Lama's 2.1 million shares outstanding.
Previously, it offered $13.65 a share in cash, or $29 million.

   The El Paso, Texas, maker of Western boots and leather accessories said the preferred stock would accrue dividends at a 12% rate, but would n't  be paid for the first two years.
The stock would  be redeemed in five years, subject to terms of the surviving company's debt.

   Neither Equus nor Tony Lama gave a reason for the changed offer and Tony Lama could n't  be reached for comment.
However, Tony Lama said it would  promptly submit the offer to a special committee of the company's board.

said

proposed

changing

offer

transaction

proposal

pay

offered

said

accrue

paid

redeemed

gave

changed

offer

comment

said

submit

offer


PRI19980205.2000.1998
 NEWS STORY

 Thousands of people in Germany have been demonstrating
today against the high level of unemployment in the country.
 Latest figures show a sharp rise, with nearly five million
 Germans out of work.
 Caroline Wyatt reports.

 Chanting Helmut Kohl must go the unemployed took to the
 streets of the German capital, Berlin, mirroring protests
 around the country.
 Joblessness is now at its highest level in Germany since the
 second world war.
 With the general election due this September, record figures
 could n't have come at a worst time for Chancellor Kohl.
 His promise to half unemployment by the year two thousand has now been abandoned.
 And the German electorate appears increasingly eager to dispense with the services of Europe's longest serving leader.
 Caroline Wyatt, BBC news, Bonn.

demonstrating

level

rise

Chanting

go

took

mirroring

protests

at

war

election

come

promise

half

abandoned

eager

dispense


WSJ891102-0167
 = 891102
 891102-0167.
 Duty-Free Status Cleared
@  For Certain Watch Imports
 11/02/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 MONETARY NEWS, FOREIGN EXCHANGE, TRADE (MON)
 EXECUTIVE (EXE)
 WASHINGTON

   The White House said President Bush  has approved duty-free treatment for imports of certain types of watches that are n't produced in "significant quantities" in the U.S., the Virgin Islands and other U.S. possessions.

   The action came in response to a petition filed by Timex Inc. for changes in the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences for imports from developing nations.
Previously , watch imports  were denied such duty-free treatment.

   Timex  had requested duty-free treatment for many types of watches, covered by 58 different U.S. tariff classifications.
The White House said Mr. Bush decided  to grant duty-free status for 18 categories, but turned down such treatment for other types of watches "because of the potential for material injury  to watch producers located in the U.S. and the Virgin Islands."

   Timex is a major U.S. producer and seller of watches, including low-priced battery-operated watches assembled in the Philippines and other developing nations covered by the U.S. tariff preferences.

   U.S. trade officials said the Philippines and Thailand would be the main beneficiaries of the president's action.

   Imports of the types of watches that now will be eligible for duty-free treatment totaled about $37.3 million in 1988, a relatively small share of the $1.5 billion in U.S. watch imports that year, according to an aide to U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills.

said

approved

treatment

produced

action

came

filed

denied

treatment

requested

said

decided

grant

turned

treatment

producer

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said

beneficiaries

action

eligible

totaled

according


XIN_ENG_20061130.0372

BUDAPEST, Nov. 30 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Hungary opens new crossing stations for pedestrians

Tourists arriving on foot, by bicycle or on horseback will be offered five new places to cross the border between Hungary and Austria, the spokesman of the border control authority told MTI on Thursday.

The new crossing points at Pornoapati, Ronk, Szentgotthard, Agfalva and Harka, opening on Friday, will be open during the day, said Ivan Kovacs.

He added that another crossing point is scheduled to open at Fertorakos next year, and negotiations with Austria are currently underway on a further 10 tourist crossing stations.

arriving

offered

cross

told

opening

open

said

added

scheduled

open

negotiations


AFP_ENG_19970429.0522

WASHINGTON, April 29 , 1997 (AFP)

Peterson sworn in as ambassador to Vietnam

Former congressman Douglas "Pete" Peterson, who spent six and half years in a Vietnamese prison camp, was sworn in Tuesday as Washington's first ambassador to Hanoi.

Peterson took the oath of office at a State Department ceremony attended by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, a US official said.

He is scheduled to arrive in Hanoi on May 9.

Peterson's confirmation "sends a very strong message that it is important to put the war behind us and get on with a friendly relationship," State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said.

Burns said the new ambassador will "try to heal the wounds" of the Vietnam War that ended in communist victory in 1975. The conflict claimed the lives of about three million Vietnamese and nearly 60,000 Americans.

But the State Department also put Hanoi on notice that Peterson will press Washington's view that human rights should be upheld by the Vietnamese government.

"We encourage US investment in Vietnam but it is still a communist country and we are disturbed by human rights problems there," Burns said.

"We intend to make it (human rights) part of the relationship," he added.

The US Senate approved Peterson's appointment on April 10 after a lengthy delay due to lingering Republican opposition to Washington's restored ties with former enemy Vietnam.

Republican lawmakers also questioned the constitutionality of the appointment as Peterson served in Congress when the decision to open an embassy in Hanoi was made, thus raising conflict of interest issues.

Even after those issues were resolved, Republican Senator Bob Smith, a staunch opponent of President Bill Clinton's 1995 decision to normalize relations with Vietnam, again sought to delay his despatch to Hanoi.

"We are delighted that he is sworn in after such a long wait," Burns commented. "He is a terrific choice," he added, stressing his experience as a prisoner of war.

Peterson was the 66th American taken prisoner during the bitter conflict.

spent

sworn

took

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attended

said

scheduled

arrive

sends

put

war

get

said

said

try

heal

ended

victory

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claimed

put

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upheld

encourage

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said

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appointment

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restored

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decision

open

made

raising

resolved

decision

normalize

sought

delay

delighted

sworn

commented

added

stressing

was

conflict


AFP_ENG_20061201.0313

BEIRUT, Dec 1 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - ADDS scene details ///

Beirut was on high alert Friday as hundreds of thousands of opposition demonstrators, led by the pro-Syrian militant group Hezbollah, staged a massive show of force aimed at pressing the Western-backed government to resign.

Lebanese troops and armored vehicles were heavily deployed in the capital as hordes of protesters packed streets and surrounded the offices of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.

Siniora, who heads a government backed by an anti-Syrian parliament majority elected in 2005, a day earlier vowed not to cave in to pressure from the opposition, which is made up of various factions including Shiites and Christians.

In a capital which has been the scene of previous protests involving hundreds of thousands of pro- and anti-Syrian demonstrators, organizers called for "all Lebanese" to take part in the protest, to be followed by an open open-ended sit-in.

"Out, out Siniora!" protesters shouted as the streets filled with people waving Lebanese flags and chanting patriotic slogans.

"We have had enough ordeals and tears," they chanted. "Siniora, out! We want a free government. We want a government that will feed our hunger."

Army troops and dozens of armored vehicles were heavily deployed around government offices in central Beirut and barbed wire reaching nearly two meters (seven feet) high encircled the premises.

Earlier in the day, Druze chief and prominent anti-Syrian MP Walid Jumblatt denounced the impending protest and called for his supporters to stay calm.

"This is an attempted coup but we will remain strong," he told reporters.

Organizers pledged that the event would be peaceful and Hezbollah deployed thousands of its own "discipline men", who maintained tight crowd control and took up positions between army forces and protesters.

The Lebanese military has instructions to maintain order and not take sides in the protest.

"An attempt at a coup d'etat begins today" said the pro-government daily Al-Mustaqbal.

The pro-Syrian Ad-Diyar proclaimed: "The moment of truth is upon us".

The planned demonstration is the latest by the opposition to push for a national unity government.

As well as the Shiite Hezbollah, the opposition includes the Shiite Amal party of parliament speaker Nabih Berri, the Christian faction of former prime minister Michel Aoun and supporters of the Syrian-backed president.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, whose political stock rose sharply after the resistance put up by his movement's fighters to Israel's devastating July-August offensive, has called for a massive turnout.

"We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement, to take part in a peaceful and civilized demonstration on Friday to rid us of an incapable government that has failed in its mission," he said in a television broadcast greeted with shots in the air in parts of the capital.

Siniora also went on television to vow late on Thursday that his cabinet would not be cowed. It would fight the return of any foreign tutelage on the country, he said, in an apparent reference to Syria's decades-long military domination which ended in April 2005.

"The government of the independence... will continue to defend freedom and the democratic regime which are being targeted," he said.

"We will not allow any coup against our democratic regime," he added.

Tents, food, medical supplies and electrical generators were be distributed for the sit-in as many were expected to dig in for a long haul.

"We cannot reveal details of what is going to happen next," said one Hezbollah organizer, declining to be named.

"All we can say is that there will be speeches. There will be a permanent sit-in afterward. Some people will start putting up tents on the two main squares."

Jumblatt said: "We will stay home, we will hang the Lebanese flags ... and when they will decide to return to dialogue, we will welcome that," Jumblatt said.

Last year, a massive show of street power after the February assassination of five-time premier and Damascus critic Rafiq Hariri led to Syria withdrawing its troops from Lebanon.

Lebanon's feuding pro- and anti-Syrian factions have reached a dangerous deadlock that threatens to paralyze all state institutions. Tensions escalated after the street assassination last month of anti-Syrian industry minister Pierre Gemayel.

The key pro-Syrian officials in Lebanon's power-sharing regime -- the president and the parliament speaker -- do not recognize the rump anti-Damascus cabinet left after the pullout of six pro-Syrian ministers.

President Lahoud told London's Daily Telegraph in Friday's edition that the government is "no longer legal" because it does not adequately represent the country's religious make-up and said he was confident of a peaceful march.

"The resistance (Hezbollah) is not going to shoot Lebanese people, and there will not be a civil war," Lahoud said.

led

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pressing

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backed

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made

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said

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shoot

said


XIN_ENG_20051111.0065

BEIJING, Nov. 11 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Shanghai stock index closed up -- Nov. 11

The Composite Stock Index on the Shanghai Stock Exchange closed at 1,089.42 points on Friday, up 1.12 points from the previous close.

A Share Index: 1,145.05 points, up 1.13 points;

B Share Index: 60.86 points, up 0.30 points;

Total Turnover: 8,182,930,000 yuan.

closed


AFP_ENG_19970408.0178

TEHRAN, April 8 , 1997 (AFP)

Mad cow wreaks havoc in Tehran neighboorhood

A cow being slaughtered in front of a butcher shop in Tehran broke free and went on a rampage, damaging shops and injuring several people, before being shot dead by police, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

The butcher had only made a small cut in the throat of the enormous cow, which was lying on the ground with its four legs tied up, before it managed to free itself, the daily Iran said

The hysterical animal first attacked the butcher and then several shops and passers-by in the poor southern district of Yaftabad, the paper added.

Panic-stricken residents sought help from the police, who after obtaining permission from a judge, shot the cow dead in a fruit and vegetable store.

Several people suffered injuries and shops were damaged, the paper said.

Although livestock are increasingly butchered in slaughterhouses in big cities, some people still prefer to do it themselves.

slaughtered

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shot

reported

made

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tied

managed

free

said

attacked

added

sought

obtaining

shot

suffered

damaged

said

butchered

prefer

do


XIN_ENG_20061124.0042

BEIJING, Nov. 24 , 2006 (Xinhua)

cooperation

A three-day symposium on Respecting and Promoting Human Rights and Constructing a Harmonious World ended on Friday with a wide-ranging consensus for more cooperation to develop human rights.

More than 70 delegates from 19 countries submitted papers and delivered speeches covering almost every aspect of human rights, including basic concepts, national practices, individual freedoms, rights of different social groups, political rights and rights relevant to daily life.

"The symposium set an example for exchanges and dialogue as delegates from different countries and cultures shared views with mutual respect," said Jin Jian, vice-director of the China Society for Human Rights Studies.

Jin said delegates to the Beijing event clarified standpoints of their respective countries. They all expressed the wish to safeguard and promote human rights by all countries and peoples.

Delegates from China proposed the principle that the universal character of human rights must be implemented proceeding from the specific conditions of each country. The right to subsistence and development was the human right of paramount importance. All countries should promote dialogue and oppose antagonism.

All delegates believed all people were entitled to human rights, irrespective of race, gender, religious belief and language. The elimination of poverty, and economic and social development were of special importance to the development of human rights.

Jin said some countries promoted rights through their constitutions, some protected rights with the help of non-governmental organizations, and some promoted political democracy through eliminating illiteracy.

Delegates hoped the United Nations Commission of Human Rights played a positive role in promoting international cooperation.

Jin said the concept of a harmonious world was worthy of the joint efforts of all humanity. Insufficient respect and guarantees for human rights led to wars, increasing poverty, the widening of south-north disparities, terrorism, environmental degradation and other problems.

Dong Yunhu, vice-director and general-secretary of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, said controversies were left unresolved after the meeting, and exchanges of different views would continue.

"We all hoped that nations could strengthen international cooperation on both governmental and non-governmental levels," he said.

Constructing

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said

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cooperation

said


AFP_ENG_19970418.0499

WASHINGTON, April 18 , 1997 (AFP)

Lee wins assurance of Clinton support in Hong Kong handover by Gretchen Cook

President Bill Clinton Friday assured Hong Kong's Democratic party leader Martin Lee that the United States will defend democratic freedoms in the territory once China takes it over.

The president told Lee during their meeting that "there would be consequences if there are democratic erosions" after the July 1 transition of the British colony to China rule, White House spokesman Michael McCurry said.

Lee, Hong Kong's chief China critic, said Clinton gave him a warm reception despite a White House decision to downgrade the meeting to a "drop-by."

"I have no doubt at all after this meeting ... that the US government will defend Hong Kong's freedoms," Lee said following his 25-minute talks with Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.

He said Clinton supported his view that the 1984 Joint Declaration between Britain and China was an "international agreement," a stand likely to irk China which insists it is a domestic matter that US leaders should stay out of.

McCurry said Clinton also shared Lee's concerns about the replacement of Hong Kong's elected legislature with a China-appointed body, calling it "contrary to the commitments" of the agreement on the transition.

Lee said he asked Clinton to extend a White House invitation to Hong Kong's future leader, Tung Chee-hwa, which McCurry said was under consideration.

Tung on Wednesday cancelled a US visit reportedly to avoid embarrassment should he be denied a White House meeting.

Friday's talks were specially choreographed to minimize tensions with China, with an official meeting between Gore and Lee which Clinton dropped in on while it was "in progress."

Tung had warned Lee Friday to be careful during his own trip to Washington, saying "please bear in mind that whatever he says it will be carefully read and interpreted. The worst thing is, at this juncture, to give people in the United States a wrong impression."

Lee said he also urged Clinton to extend China's Most Favored Nation trade status again this year, saying that revoking the benefits would hurt Hong Kong the more than Beijing.

Though the US administration has been issuing daily warnings about preserving democracy in Hong Kong, it has not threatened any concrete measures should China go ahead with plans to crack down on freedoms of expression and assembly.

McCurry acknowledged the US threats were mostly lip service but defended the method.

"A large measure of it is just jawboning but that's important to the Chinese leadership," he said.

He pointed to this week's mammoth effort by Beijing to block a UN resolution on condemning China's human rights record, saying: "They clearly are sensitive to those in the international community who raised concerns."

As part of the US vigilance over the handover, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will attend the ceremony in Hong Kong, where there are 40,000 American citizens and some 13 billion dollars in investments.

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ceremony


AFP_ENG_19970402.0427

TIRANA, April 2 , 1997 (AFP)

Albania, Italy agree on need for speedy deployment of force

Albania and Italy agreed Wednesday on the need for the speedy deployment of an Italian-led force here, patching up their differences over a boat disaster in which dozens of Albanian refugees drowned.

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi flew into southern Albania for talks with his Albanian counterpart Bashkim Fino.

Fino said Albania wanted the proposed 5,000-strong Italian-led international force to be sent immediately.

"Albania is ready (for the force), the other countries are ready, we must not waste any more time. Each day lost damages Albania," he told reporters, after the meeting.

Franz Vranitzky, the former Austrian chancellor heading the OSCE mission to Albania, told journalists that "the United Nations have given us three months," adding that the soldiers should be on the ground "in the space of 10 or 14 days."

The force's mission, approved by the UN Security Council March 28, involves securing roads, junctions, warehouses and aid depots, as well as in distributing the aid.

Albania's deputy defence minister, Alfred Moisiu, told AFP Tirana itself would set up a volunteer force of 3,000 "well armed" and "well paid" soldiers to support the international force.

Prodi said he had asked Fino to confirm that "the Albanian government still wanted the international operation to start as soon as possible. The prime minister assured me that that was what the government wanted," he said.

After their meeting, Fino went on to Athens for talks with Greek and other European officials.

The meeting seemed to clear the air clouded by the disaster Friday in which more than 80 Albanian refugees were believed killed in the sinking of an Albanian boat which collided with an Italian navy vessel.

Albanian anger at the drownings had raised doubts about whether Italian troops will be sent to southern Albania and military sources in Rome said Tuesday they believed Italian troops would not go to the south of the country.

That seemed less certain however Wednesday as pressure mounted to get the mission on the ground quickly.

"It has to be done quickly," said Vranitzky, head of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe humanitarian mission to Albania, after talks in Rome with Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini.

Vranitzky also told journalists "we have a chance to avoid" the errors committed in the former Yugoslavia, where there was an initial lack of international coordination.

"Albania has need of aid, of restoring public order, of economic reconstruction and in restoring confidence in its political system," Vranitzky said.

Dini said the force's deployment, which "not yet been decided, will be decided in common."

The comments came before a meeting in Rome of the countries which will supply the force's troops, whose mission is to protect humanitarian aid channels in the chaos-worn country.

In Brussels, EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Emma Bonino added to the calls with a warning that food supplies in Albania had reached alarming levels.

"There is no famine yet but we are concerned that stocks have been reduced below safety levels," she told the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee.

Bonino said EU food and medical aid could be sent to Albania quickly using logistical structures established in the former Yugoslavia. "But only if we can solve the protection problem."

The proposed international force's role would be strictly confined to protecting the humanitarian convoys, Bonino noted. "There is no mandate for disarming rebels or anything else of that nature," she said.

Italy is expected to provide some 2,000 soldiers; France said Tuesday it was sending 1,000; Greece has promised up to 700 troops; Turkey, 500; Romania, 400. Hungary ruled out sending troops while Spain and Portugal are still considering their contribution.

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contribution


XIN_ENG_20051119.0088

LUSAKA, Nov. 19 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Zambian gov't projects 2006 budget

The Zambian government has proposed 10,133 billion kwacha (about 2.5 billion US dollars) for the 2006 national budget, Saturday's The Post reported.

The newspaper cited the green paper on the 2006-2008 Medium Term Expenditure Framework as saying that total revenue and grants next year are projected to be 9,084 billion kwacha (or 2.3 billion dollars).

"Thus from the projected total revenues and the proposed expenditures for the period 2006-2008, the overall financing requirement is estimated to stand at 1,049 billion kwacha (about 262 million dollars) in 2006 or 2.9 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)," said Secretary to Treasury Situmbeko Musokotwane.

The 2006 budget represents an increase of 776 billion kwacha ( about 194 million dollars) from the 2005 budget which stood at 9, 357 billion kwacha (2.3 billion dollars).

Musokotwane projected that between 2006 and 2008 the government anticipated external financing for capital projects to reduce steadily.

"Approximately an average of 68.6 percent of the capital expenditures will be financed from external resources compared to the 85 percent in 2005-2007 period," Musokotwane stated.

"In 2006, the government proposes to spend 42 percent of the projected total expenditure on general public services," he said.

General public services include functions such as administration and operation of or support to the executive and legislative arms of government, administration of financial and fiscal affairs and services.

He further said the government has projected to spend 7.8 percent of the total expenditures in 2006 on defense.

Health is anticipated to take up 7.6 percent of the total expenditure in 2006 while education will consume 15.1 percent, according to Musokotwane.

Also in the 2006-2008 Expenditure Framework, the Zambian government further proposed a budget of 10,459 billion kwacha (2.6 billion dollars) for the year 2007 and 11,153 billion kwacha (2.8 billion dollars) for 2008.

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take

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according

proposed


XIN_ENG_20061103.0230

BEIJING, Nov. 3 , 2006 (Xinhua)

41 African leaders arrive for Beijing Summit

With the touchdown of the airplane taken by Zimbabwean President Robert Gabriel Mugabe at Beijing airport on Friday evening, 47 delegations of the 48 African countries, including 41 heads of state or government, have arrived for a landmark China-Africa summit due to open Saturday.

Also arriving on Friday were leaders from 16 African nations. Representatives from international organizations, including the African Union and the United Nations, have also arrived.

The last delegation headed by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki is expected to arrive early Saturday morning.

The two-day Beijing Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the grandest diplomatic event since 1950s, will highlight " friendship, peace, cooperation, and development".

touchdown

taken

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open

arriving

arrived

headed

expected

arrive

event

highlight

development


XIN_ENG_20051128.0170

MANILA, Nov. 28 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Philippines enjoys early lead in 23rd SEA Games (updated)

The host Philippines enjoyed early lead in the medal standings with 12 golds, eight silvers and 12 bronzes for a total of 32 medals as the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) went into its second day.

Mercedita Manipol gave the Philippine team its first gold medal of Monday, also the sixth gold since the start of the games, when she outlasted her rivals in the 10,000 meters athletics event. She finished in 35 minutes and 38 seconds, followed by her rivals from Myanmar and Vietnam. Thailand won the men's 10,000 meters event.

Local wushu bet Pedro Quina took another gold for the Philippine team by winning the Nanquan category in Wushu-Taolu event. He also beat rivals from Malaysia and Indonesia to get the coveted gold medal in the sword-wielding event.

Quina's victory came after Filipino karateka Gretchen Malalad defeated her Malaysian opponent to win a gold medal at the individual 60 kg women's kumite event.

The Philippines on Monday defeated defending champion Thailand in the snooker team event. They upped the country's gold medal tally to nine.

Vietnam's players got a sweeping victories at the track and field venue in the afternoon. Vu Thi Hung walked away with the gold medal in the women's 100 meter dash by clocking 11.61 seconds. They also won the gold and the silver in the men's high jump.

Bonban Pamang from Thailand won the gold in women's javelin throw by setting a new SEA Games record at 55.6 meters. Singapore secured the bronze medal for the event.

Suryo Agung Wibowo of Indonesia claimed the title in the men's 100 meter dash with a winning clocking of 10.57s.

Malaysia secured the victory in the men's 110 meters hurdles at a time of 14.08s.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo surprisingly arrived at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where the track-and-field competitions were held at about 5:00 p.m local time. Accompanied by mayor of Manila, she watched the final of the men's 3,000 meters steeplechase. She was photographed together with the Philippine medal winners.

According to the website of the 23rd SEA Games as of 5:00 p.m., Vietnam surpassed Malaysia with 10 golds, five silvers and 10 bronzes for a total of 25 medals. Malaysia is third in the medal tally.

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get

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secured

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arrived

held

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watched

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photographed

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surpassed

tally


PRI19980115.2000.0186
 NEWS STORY

 Former savings and loan chief, Charles Keating,  is facing more legal
 troubles in California.
 A federal appeals court  has reinstated his state convictions
 for securities fraud.
 NPR's Elaine Corey has more from San Francisco.

 In nineteen ninety-one Charles Keating  was convicted in state court of
 helping  to defraud thousands of investors who bought high risk
 junk bonds sold by Keating's employees at Lincoln savings and
 loan.
 The bonds became worthless when the bankrupt thrift  was seized
 by government regulators.
 Keating's convictions  were thrown out in nineteen ninety-six on a
 technicality.
 And on that basis Keating  was released from prison before he
 was eligible for parole.
 Now the ninth US circuit court of appeals  has ruled that
 the original appeal  was flawed since it brought up issues that
 had not  been raised before.
 That means the convictions stand, a ruling likely  to send
 Keating's lawyers back to state court where they must  start over with a new appeal.
 Elaine Corey, NPR news, San Francisco.

facing

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reinstated

convictions

fraud

has

convicted

helping

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bought

sold

became

bankrupt

seized

convictions

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released

eligible

parole

ruled

appeal

flawed

brought

issues

raised

means

convictions

stand

ruling

send

start

appeal


AP900815-0044
AP-NR-08-15-90 1337EDT
u i PM-GulfRdp 8thLd-Writethru   08-15 1334
PM-Gulf Rdp, 8th Ld-Writethru,a0605,1368
Saddam Seeks End To War With Iran; Bush To Urge Jordan To Close
Port
Eds: SUBS 28th graf pvs, Crown Prince... to CORRECT spelling of
Hassan; pick up 29th graf pvs, `A CBS...'
LaserPhotos WX6,7,XSAV1,NY5,10,TOK1,XAAFB1,AMM1, LaserColor XAAFB1
By CHRISTOPHER BURNS
Associated Press Writer

   Iraq's Saddam Hussein, facing U.S. and Arab troops at the Saudi
border, today sought peace on another front by promising to
withdraw from Iranian territory and release soldiers captured
during the Iran-Iraq war.
   Also today, King Hussein of Jordan arrived in Washington seeking
to mediate the Persian Gulf crisis. President Bush on Tuesday said
the United States may extend its naval quarantine to Jordan's Red
Sea port of Aqaba to shut off Iraq's last unhindered trade route.
   In another mediation effort, the Soviet Union said today it had
sent an envoy to the Middle East on a series of stops to include
Baghdad. Soviet officials also said Soviet women, children and
invalids would be allowed to leave Iraq.
   President Bush today denounced Saddam's ``ruinous policies of
war,'' and said the United States is ``striking a blow for the
principle that might does not make right.''
   In a speech delivered at the Pentagon, Bush seemed to suggest
that American forces could be in the gulf region for some time.
``No one should doubt our staying power or determination,'' he said.
   The U.S. military buildup in Saudi Arabia continued at fever
pace, with Syrian troops now part of a multinational force camped
out in the desert to guard the Saudi kingdom from any new thrust by
Iraq.
   In a letter to President Hashemi Rafsanjani of Iran, read by a
broadcaster over Baghdad radio, Saddam said he will begin
withdrawing troops from Iranian territory on Friday and release
Iranian prisoners of war.
   Iran said an Iraqi diplomatic delegation was en route to Tehran
to deliver Saddam's message, which it said it would review ``with
optimism.''
   Saddam appeared to accept a border demarcation treaty he had
rejected in peace talks following the August 1988 cease-fire of the
eight-year war with Iran.
   The move seemed aimed at heading off more trouble with Iran,
which had condemned Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on Aug. 2 but also
criticized the multinational force dispatched to Saudi Arabia.
   Saddam said he sought to ``turn the gulf into a lake of peace
free of foreign fleets and forces that harbor ill intentions
against us.''
   In other developments:
   _The Pentagon said that Defense Secretary Dick Cheney is
considering urging Bush to order a national callup of armed forces
reserves for active duty because of the drain on units sending
soldiers abroad. Bush can call up to 200,000 reservists for up to
180 days without seeking congressional approval.
   _Soviet Foreign Ministry spokesman Yuri Gremitskikh said special
ambassador Mikhail Sytenko left Tuesday for consultations with the
governments of Syria, Jordan, Egypt and other Arab countries.
Sytenko, a former deputy secretary-general of the United Nations,
is also expected to visit Baghdad, Gremitskikh said at a regular
news briefing today.
   _The outlook darkened for about 3,000 Americans caught in Iraq
and Kuwait when Saddam sent his forces into the small, oil-rich
sultanate.
   The Iraqi ambassador to Greece said in Athens the Americans and
other stranded foreigners could leave ``as soon as the threats from
the United States and its allies are eliminated.'' ABC quoted an
Iraqi Foreign Ministry official in Baghdad as saying Americans in
Iraq are ``restrictees'' who will stay there until the crisis ends.
   _The Soviet Foreign Ministry said Soviet women, children and
invalids would be permitted to leave Iraq. Spokesman Yuri
Gremitskikh said the first group of 230 evacuees was assembling in
Baghdad today, but evacuation plans were hampered by desert heat
and lack of transportation.
   Nearly 9,000 Soviets were among the hundreds of thousands of
foreigners trapped in Iraq and Kuwait. Iraq has agreed to allow all
880 Soviets in Kuwait to leave, but only by a 1,200-mile road route
through Iraq and to the Iraq-Jordan border.
   _The British Foreign Office said today conditions in Kuwait
appear to be deteriorating. There have been reports of wholesale
looting but food and gasoline were still available, said a
spokesman, who by custom was not identified. Banks remained closed.
   _The Iraqi ambassador to Venezuela said on Tuesday that Iraq
would retaliate against Venezuela and other OPEC oil cartel members
if they boost oil production to fill the gap created by blocked
supplies from Iraq and Kuwait. With Kuwait now ``annexed,'' Iraq
has control of 20 percent of the world's oil reserves. A steep rise
in world oil prices followed the Kuwait invasion.
   The U.N. Security Council on Aug. 6 ordered a global embargo on
trade with Iraq as punishment for seizing Kuwait. Bush then sent
U.S. troops and planes to Saudi Arabia, saying Iraqi troops massed
nearby in Kuwait threatened Saudi Arabia and its vast oil reserves.
   Twelve Arab League nations voted for an Arab force to protect
Saudi Arabia, with the vanguard of Syria's contingent arriving
Tuesday, according to diplomatic sources in Riyadh, the Saudi
capital.
   Egyptian and Moroccan troops are already there.
   The predominantly Moslem nation of Bangladesh said today its
troops would join multinational forces in Saudi Arabia. The size of
the contingent was not disclosed.
   Turkey and Saudi Arabia in effect shut down Iraq's major oil
outlets through those countries, but according to Jordanian
officials, a smaller line into Jordan remained operating.
   Truckloads of goods rolled into Iraq from Jordan on Tuesday and
Iraqi-bound cargo was unloaded from ships at the Red Sea port
ofAqaba despite the U.N.-ordered sanctions.
   King Hussein was reportedly carrying a message to Bush from
Iraq's Saddam, with whom the king met Monday. The monarch will meet
Bush on Thursday in Kennebunkport, Maine.
   Crown Prince Hassan, King Hussein's brother and political
adviser, was asked today about the message the king was said to be
carrying. In an interview from Jordan on ABC, he declined to
discuss details, but said: ``I don't think that his majesty would
be traveling at this crucial moment if the Iraqi leadership did not
have a rational approach to the future.''
   A CBS News report citing unidentified Jordanian sources said
that Saddam's message called for an international conference to be
convened to discuss an Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait. In exchange,
the buildup of U.S. forces in the region would halt. Bush, however,
says he sees no short-term hope for a diplomatic solution to the
gulf crisis _ at least until economic sanctions force Saddam to
withdraw his army.
   Bush held out the prospect of more aid to Jordan if it
cooperates with the trade embargo.
   On Tuesday, the United States and Soviet Union conferred in
Washington on putting an anti-Iraq naval blockade under a United
Nations umbrella.
   The United States has provided most of the naval vessels so far
to block Iraqi trade, with Britain, West Germany and Australia
among the other nations lending support at sea.
   The embargo is meant to cripple Iraq by cutting off its exports
of oil and imports of food and military supplies. Iraq imports
about three-quarters of its foodstuffs.
   U.S. allies and other U.N. members have objected that the
Security Council embargo resolution did not specifically authorize
such a naval operation.
   Bush told a news conference on Tuesday that the naval barricade
now in force might be extended to Jordan's Aqaba ``if it is a hole
through which commerce flows'' in and out of Iraq.
   In Saudi Arabia, today is the eighth day of ``Desert Shield,''
the operation designed to confront an estimated 200,000 Iraqi
soldiers now in Kuwait. Iraq boasts an army of 1 million members.
At least 50,000 U.S. troops are expected to be committed to Desert
Shield within weeks, including Marines, Army air assault forces,
paratroopers and infantry.
   Iraq said it invaded Kuwait because of disputes over oil and
money. It accused Kuwait of deliberately slashing Iraqi oil
revenues by overproducing oil and driving down prices, among other
charges.
   Iraq has 17 million residents, and Kuwait about 1.9 million.

facing

sought

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said

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seemed

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doubt

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route

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following

cease-fire

war

seemed

aimed

heading

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condemned

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criticized

dispatched

said

sought

turn

peace

free

harbor

said

considering

urging

order

callup

duty

drain

sending

call

seeking

approval

said

left

consultations

expected

visit

said

briefing

darkened

caught

sent

said

stranded

leave

threats

eliminated

quoted

saying

stay

crisis

ends

said

permitted

leave

said

assembling

evacuation

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hampered

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agreed

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leave

said

appear

deteriorating

reports

available

said

identified

remained

closed

said

retaliate

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fill

created

blocked

annexed

control

rise

invasion

ordered

embargo

punishment

seizing

sent

saying

massed

threatened

voted

protect

arriving

according

there

said

join

disclosed

shut

according

remained

operating

rolled

unloaded

sanctions

carrying

met

meet

asked

said

carrying

interview

declined

discuss

said

think

traveling

report

citing

said

called

conference

convened

discuss

withdrawal

exchange

buildup

halt

says

sees

solution

crisis

force

withdraw

held

aid

cooperates

embargo

conferred

putting

blockade

provided

lending

embargo

meant

cripple

cutting

imports

objected

resolution

authorize

operation

told

barricade

extended

flows

operation

designed

confront

in

boasts

expected

committed

Desert
Shield

said

invaded

disputes

accused

slashing

overproducing

driving

has


XIN_ENG_20051111.0195

GUANGZHOU, South China, Nov. 11 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Super Dan out of men's singles at China Open badminton

Current world No. 1 Lin Dan of China was ousted from the men's singles competition at the China Open badminton here on Friday.

Lin Dan lost to his teammate Chen Hong, another china top player, in straight sets 15-5, 15-8.

Both of them were not amazed to see the result, "Today Lin Dan is out of order," Chen said, "That's why I won the game."

"We know each other very much, and his style is not secret to me, which is another reason I beat him,"Chen said.

Although losing the match surprised the spectators, Lin seemed still relaxed after the match.

"Actually winning or losing is not very important for me, now I focus on adapting to new 21-point rule settled by International Badminton which will change the traditional 15-point set."

Chen Hong next will clash with sixth-seeded Peter Gade of Denmark in the semifinals, and China's 19-year-old young player Chen Jin will face his teammate, third-seeded Bao Chunlai.

ousted

lost

amazed

see

said

won

know

beat

said

losing

surprised

seemed

relaxed

winning

losing

focus

adapting

settled

change

clash

face

third-seeded


AFP_ENG_20061214.0660

NEW YORK, Dec 14 , 2006, 2006

Wall Street notches fresh highs as economic concerns ease

Wall Street's main indexes leapt to fresh highs Thursday as investors appeared encouraged by the latest economic news and shook off a jump in oil prices.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average notched a new all-time record closing high with a gain of 96.46 points (0.78 percent) to 12,413.96 at the closing bell.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite meanwhile climbed 21.44 points (0.88 percent) to 2,453.85, its highest level since February 2001. The Standard and Poor's 500 advanced 11.95 points (0.85 percent) to a preliminary close of 1,425.16, a new six-year high for the broad-market index.

In economic news, the US Labor Department reported weekly jobless claims fell 20,000 to 304,000 in the past week, the latest in a string of stronger-than-expected data.

While this highlighted concerns about a tight labor market and inflation, it also suggested economic growth is not faltering.

"The two straight weeks of nice declines reinforces the belief that companies are holding on to employees in anticipation of an economic rebound, despite recent numbers showing a slowdown in activity," said John Wilson, equity strategist at Morgan Keegan.

leapt

appeared

encouraged

shook

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notched

closing

gain

climbed

advanced

close

reported

fell

highlighted

suggested

faltering

reinforces

showing

slowdown

said


XIN_ENG_20061106.0202

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Wildfire in southern California burns 300 acres of brush

A wind-fueled wildfire burned 300 acres of brush in southern California Monday, threatening homes and choking the sky with gray clouds of smoke, officials said.

Firefighters rushed to Fontana in San Bernadino Country, some 80 km east of Los Angeles, after the fire began about 7:35 a.m near Ineterstate 15, the main road from southern California to Las Vegas.

About 150 firefighters were at the scene, where a golf course and a development of houses were nearby.

The fire began in vegetation but spread south to a walled commercial lot used for the assembly and storage of wooden pallets, according to a Los Angeles Times website report.

Exploding propane tanks in the pallet yard sent debris across the street, but no damage to the homes was reported, said Fontana Mayor Mark Nuaimi.

The blaze came as southern California authorities issued a red flag warning indicating a high risk of wildfires because of strong winds, high heat and low humidity. The warning was due to expire at 6 p.m.

Four firefighters were killed last month in a rampant wind- driven wildfire, which was apparently caused by an arson and burned some 40,000 acres of rugged terrain and destroyed 34 houses in the nearby Riverside County.

Another firefighter died last week, failing to survive the burns over 90 percent of his body when the flames swept over the National Forest Service fire crew in the Riverside fire.

burned

threatening

choking

said

rushed

fire

began

development

began

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used

according

sent

damage

reported

said

came

issued

warning

indicating

warning

expire

killed

caused

arson

burned

destroyed

died

failing

survive

swept


AFP_ENG_20051216.0176

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 , 2005

by Stephanie Griffith

The US Congress ends the year divided as never before, over issues ranging from the Iraq war, to immigration reform and a series of ethics scandals.

Many political observers now say relations between ruling Republicans and rival Democrats on Capitol Hill are the worst they have ever seen. They predict the wrangling will not improve as the United States heads toward mid-term elections in November.

"People naturally disagree about who is responsible for the partisan tone and tactics in Washington DC these days, but most agree on this -- its worse, its more intense, and its nastier," said Nancy Roman, vice president at the New York based Council on Foreign Relations.

Much of the bickering is over Iraq, which has caused sparring between the two political parties and among factions within them.

The Republicans dominate the Senate and House of Representatives.

It has been weakened by a number of scandals, particularly involving House leader Tom DeLay. But the rift in the party became evident when the Senate last month voted 79-19 in favor of a resolution calling on President George W. Bush's administration to show clearer signs of progress in Iraq.

Republicans were also divided over support for an anti-torture proposal that Republican maverick Senator John McCain has forced the White House to accept.

The Democrats have also struggled to find a common voice on Iraq, torn between the public disenchantment with the US military campaign and the need to offer a viable alternative to the administration's "stay the course" approach -- particularly after Democratic Representative John Murtha last month called for an immediate troop pullout.

On most other issues, however, the political battles in Congress have been drawn along traditional lines -- with Republicans and Democrat squaring off against each other.

Senator Lindsey Graham told US television this week that Iraq more than any other issue has given parties on both sides ammunition to attack each other.

"There is no political consensus in this country. Democrats or Republicans are struggling. We've lost our national unity when it comes to Iraq," he said.

"I wish we would quit running ads against each other and try to find consensus."

In a letter to fellow lawmakers this month, leading Republican, Senator Richard Lugar, lamented the negative tone and called for greater comity.

"The quality of congressional debate has an impact on events in Iraq and our prospects for success," wrote Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"We should continually strive to elevate our debate by studying thoughtful sources of information and embracing civility in our discourse," he said.

The Council on Foreign Relations concluded in a study that the Congress wars were even weakening the United States on the world stage.

"People in both parties are complaining that they do not know what the other side thinks on critical foreign policy issues. They say there is generally less engagement and ideas are not being sharpened through debate -- the tough questions are not being probed," the report concluded.

"The job is to diminish and destroy any chance at political success before the guts of the policy are even contemplated," the document continued.

"Over time, the political game has overtaken the deliberative-policy process, which results in a dumbing-down of policy."

Still, some in Congress said the complaints are overblown.

"The people in this country think that everything that is done in this Congress is always so partisan -- Republicans and Democrats never get along, we never talk to each another, we never agree on anything," Republican Chuck Grassley said on the Senate floor Tuesday.

"As a practical matter, nothing gets done in the United States Senate that isn't somewhat bipartisan," Grassley said.

ends

divided

ranging

war

say

ruling

seen

predict

improve

elections

disagree

agree

said

bickering

caused

sparring

dominate

weakened

involving

became

voted

calling

show

divided

proposal

forced

accept

struggled

find

torn

offer

stay

approach

called

pullout

drawn

squaring

told

given

attack

struggling

lost

comes

said

wish

quit

running

try

find

lamented

called

impact

wrote

strive

elevate

studying

said

concluded

weakening

complaining

know

thinks

say

sharpened

debate

probed

concluded

diminish

destroy

contemplated

continued

overtaken

results

said

think

get

talk

agree

said

said


XIN_ENG_20061116.0415

BEIJING, Nov. 17 , 2006 (Xinhua)

China's public servants branded rude slobs by Communist chief

Rude, bad-tempered slobs: that was the verdict of a Chinese Communist Party chief when he posted a critique of government officials on the Internet.

The posting by Zhang Xinshi, CPC secretary of Suqian city, or senior governor, was intended to upbraid junior officials who dealt with the public -- but it quickly attracted massive public support and sparked a nationwide debate over the behaviour of government officials.

Posted on the government website, "Detailed Problems with the Deportment of Suqianers" criticized unreservedly the demeanor of the citizens, with special contempt for the bad example set by many public servants set in the city.

"Some cadres totally disregard etiquette on public occasions. Some often talk unbearably loud as if there were no one else present or answer their phones in an abnormally high pitch for fear that others would not know he is talking on the phone," Zhang wrote.

He even detailed the stink caused by official who failed to flush the toilet after use.

The essay struck a raw nerve with the public, who seemed to awaken from apathy.

Nearly 1,000 comments were posted within one day of the essay's release, mostly hailing Zhang's self-examination while bitterly attacking the rudeness of his subordinates.

A netizen named "Lan Keer" wrote: "Officials are representing the image of a place. If they are bad-mannered, how can the government ask the public to maintain a courteous environment in the city?

"It really is a progress for the leader to realize the problem and his attention to detail shows a sense of responsibility."

"Miss Right" wrote: "I am touched by what the official did because he is a man speaking out from a real sense of justice. Many officials scorn such trifles, but they don't know these trifles are actually what we people care about most."

The medium of Zhang's critique also received praise.

"He chose a proper channel to make the denouncement. If he had said this at a conference or via governmental publications, nobody would have responded," said "Seagull", adding the posting showcased the real function of a government website.

It was more than a medium for releasing documents and investment information. A government website should be a communication platform between officials and the public, he said.

However, a "coalition" of Internet users branded the critique "self-advertising".

"Without the posting who would know about the CPC leader in Suqian? The guy finally managed to bring himself nationwide fame and who knows whether he will get a promotion because of it?" one asked.

Professor Yu Xianyang, with the People's University, said Zhang had vividly reflected public perceptions of government officials, regardless of his real intentions.

Many public servants in Suqian were sloppily dressed, spat and dropped litter and made a racket in public places. "Perhaps he has no choice but to do this," Yu said.

Codes of conduct, which should be taught in primary school, had become something that officials failed to abide by. Zhang said it shamed thousands of the bad-mannered government staffs.

The majority of Chinese public servants were well-educated and had to undergo rigorous tests to acquire a post in the government, but their spirit and enthusiasm were ground down by routine drudgery, Yu said.

Some even lost their sense of the most basic courtesy.

All levels of government had made economic construction their main priority, but bad manners could eclipse economic growth in the minds of the public, said Yu.

China has about five million public servants, 90 percent of them a grassroots level.

In Suqian, Zhang's posting resulted in a series of measures to enforce courtesy in public servants -- just as it is enforced in China's primary schools.

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upbraid

dealt

attracted

sparked

debate

criticized

set

set

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answer

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talking

wrote

detailed

caused

failed

flush

struck

seemed

awaken

posted

hailing

self-examination

attacking

wrote

representing

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maintain

realize

shows

wrote

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speaking

scorn

know

care

received

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denouncement

said

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responded

said

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asked

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made

construction

eclipse

growth

said

has

posting

enforce

enforced


AFP_ENG_20051203.0420

BAMAKO, Dec 4 , 2005

= (PICTURES) =

Africa's woes from wars to fairer trade, illegal immigration to a brain drain, come under the spotlight at a second and final day of a summit of African and French leaders here on Sunday.

French President Jacques Chirac and, for the first time at an Africa-France Summit, representatives of all 53 African states, including more than 20 heads of state, have gathered in the Malian capital, Bamako.

With crunch global trade talks looming in Hong Kong, the need to ensure a better deal for poor African nations in world trade was one of the themes to focus leaders' minds here on the opening day.

"African farmers must receive a fair reward for their work. We cannot accept a situation in which hasty and generalised liberalisation of agricultural trade ruins the efforts of the least developed nations," Chirac said.

Ministers of the 148 World Trade Organisation members head to Hong Kong from December 13 to take stock of the 'Doha Development' round of negotiations, launched in the Qatari capital in 2001.

The talks have largely stalled over the degree to which rich countries offer financial support to their agriculture sectors.

Mali President Amadou Toumani Toure said cotton was "symbolic of inequitable trade". "Are we going to continue in Africa sowing cotton to harvest deficits, while others, more affluent, sow the same cotton to harvest subsidies?" Toure said.

West African governments want the WTO meeting to fix a date to eliminate all cotton subsidies, which they say price their top export earner out of world markets.

The crisis in France's former colony of Ivory Coast, divided since fighting broke out in 2002 pitting President Laurent Gbagbo against rebels who control the north, is another source of concern.

Chirac said, during talks with the leaders of South Africa and Niger here, that France, which has 4,000 troops deployed in Ivory Coast, wanted a new prime minister appointed in Ivory Coast soon, a French delegation source said.

Ivorian political and rebel parties have been unable to agree on who should head an interim government.

Summiteers have also addressed how to tackle immigration and the alleviation of poverty to keep Africans, tempted to seek better living conditions elsewhere, at home.

"Together, we must encourage co-development and enable Africans to enjoy decent conditions for living and working in their own countries," Chirac, 73, said.

The Bamako summit is the first time he has travelled outside of Europe since his week-long hospitalisation in September for a vision problem that doctors said was caused by a minor vascular "incident".

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said

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said

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working

said

travelled

hospitalisation

said

caused


AFP_ENG_20051215.0058

MANILA, Dec 15 , 2005

ATTENTION - ADDS presidential reactions ///

Philippine police detained Thursday a former defence secretary who had declared himself president and urged the armed forces to withdraw their support for President Gloria Arroyo.

Retired general Fortunato Abat, 80, was bundled into an unmarked police van and taken in for questioning with two other members of his self-proclaimed cabinet to face possible charges of inciting sedition, the authorities said.

There was no indication that either the military or the public were taking Abat's call to overthrow Arroyo very seriously, although rumours of a coup plot have been rife for weeks in Manila.

"There can only be one president," said police spokesman Leopoldo Bataoil.

Though the government had considered Abat more of a nuisance than a security threat, Arroyo's chief aide, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told reporters: "We have to do something because we cannot let the people feel there is a violation of law and nothing is being done."

Abat had urged the military and the public to support calls for the ouster of Arroyo, who survived an impeachment vote in the legislature in September over allegations she cheated to win the May 2004 presidential election.

Abat failed to rally popular support and the military said they stayed loyal to Arroyo, who survived a military uprising in 2003.

Abat's son, a middle-level officer in the Philippine Army, was relieved of his post as deputy commander of a brigade deployed north of Manila, the military said Thursday.

Colonel Victor Abat was accused by superiors of sending mobile telephone text messages that supposedly urged other military officers to join acts of "destabilization" that the military would not specify.

"I have deemed it proper to relieve him because he had been spreading text messages enjoining officers and men of the army to join the destabilization move," said army chief Lieutenant General Hermogenes Esperon.

Rumours have swirled in recent days that a new coup plot was being hatched against Arroyo whose approval rating has plunged to record lows due to a six-month campaign from the opposition to oust her.

These rumours have grown after a Marine officer, Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, facing charges for a foiled mutiny against Arroyo in 2003, escaped Wednesday shortly after a court hearing.

Arroyo spokesman Ignacio Bunye charged that his escape was "well-planned and well-coordinated."

"We believe that he is now being coddled by some shadowy groups and personalities for their self-serving destabilization activities," Bunye said.

He did not identify the groups although in the past the government has said members of the opposition had been involved in efforts to destabilize Arroyo.

Meanwhile, Ermita said Arroyo met with senior military commanders late Wednesday on her return from an East Asian summit in Malaysia.

"We cannot be too complacent about reports that we have received and (discussed) actions that have to be done," he added.

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said

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said

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destabilize

said

met

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received

actions

added


AFP_ENG_20061220.0508

WASHINGTON, Dec 20 , 2006, 2006

URGENT  US wants vote on Iran sanctions resolution Thursday

The United States is pushing for a UN Security Council vote imposing sanctions on Iran on Thursday despite remaining differences over details of the measure, the State Department said Wednesday.

pushing

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AFP_ENG_20061217.0286

BAGHDAD, Dec 17 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - UPDATES throughout ///

The latest in a series of mass kidnappings spread terror in Baghdad on Sunday as peace talks between Iraq's bitterly divided factions produced a limited agenda for constitutional reform.

The violence in the war-torn capital also provided a grim backdrop to an unannounced visit by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who flew in to offer support to his beleaguered Iraqi counterpart Nuri al-Maliki.

At least 25 aid workers were hauled off at gunpoint from a Baghdad office of the Iraqi Red Crescent aid agency by a gang of 50 gunmen sporting police uniforms -- the second such mass abduction in Baghdad in three days.

The hostage-takers, jumping out of around 10 pick-up trucks, raided the Red Crescent building in the Karrada district in broad daylight, snatching at least two dozen men but leaving women behind, witnesses and officials said.

Nada Doumani, a spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), part of the same movement as the Red Crescent, said 25 aid workers and an unknown number of visitors were taken.

"We condemn such an attack against civilians and humanitarian workers. It is a breach of international humanitarian law. The building was clearly marked with the Red Crescent symbol," she said.

Meanwhile, a short distance away another gang -- again in the uniforms of the Shiite-dominated security forces -- shot dead one Sunni local councillor and kidnapped three more from their car, a security official said.

The latest abductions came three days after gunmen wearing military uniforms snatched dozens of businessmen from a commercial street in Baghdad, before releasing around 29 of their captives, all Shiites.

Less than a kilometre from the site of the kidnapping, protected behind the high walls of the fortified Green Zone, Blair stood shoulder to shoulder with Maliki and gave strong backing to his efforts to reunite the country.

He told the Iraqi leader that Britain will "stand four square behind you and the Iraqi people in ensuring that your democracy is not destroyed by terrorism, by sectarianism, by those who wish to live in hatred rather than peace".

British public support for the war has slipped amid mounting sectarian violence and military casualties, but Blair angrily dismissed the idea that the 2003 US and British invasion of Iraq had triggered the chaos.

Instead, he blamed "the same forces worldwide that are trying to prevent moderation, prevent modernisation, and prevent people expressing their will for democracy, through violence".

Blair flew from Baghdad to the southern port city of Basra where Britain has more than 7,000 soldiers fighting militias and training Iraqi forces. He met soldiers before flying on to the next leg in a Middle East tour.

The visit, planned in secret to protect him from attack, came as the Iraqi government held fresh peace talks to fend off civil war.

The national reconciliation conference began Saturday and marked the first attempt by the coalition government to draw former members of ousted leader Saddam Hussein's armed forces and Baath party into the political process.

But only a small number of representatives from movements outside the political process turned up, and the proposals which working groups suggested will have to be ratified by the cabinet or parliament.

"The only important practical measure recommended by the conference is paying sizeable pensions to former soldiers," Naseer al-Ani told AFP.

"Other than that, participants reiterated slogans about national unity and expressed good intentions for reforms that will have to be approved (by government and parliament)," said Ani.

The four committees that compiled the string of recommendations, after two days of talks that Maliki hoped would isolate insurgents, will now work on implementing their suggestions with government and parliament.

One recommendation would see Iraq reinstate compulsory military service, another suggests independent deputy ministers to be appointed alongside political appointees, and a third wants the Iraqi constitution reviewed.

On Saturday, Maliki called on Saddam-era army officers to join his armed forces to fight the insurgency and urged parliament to review a law banning former Baathists from administrative posts.

Iraq is in the grip of a dirty war between rival Sunni and Shiite factions battling for turf and political power in the chaos that has descended on the country as the government and US military battle Sunni insurgents.

Besides the kidnappings, Iraq endured a fresh round of shootings on Sunday that left three security officials dead and at least 21 bodies dumped in Baghdad, Baquba and the northern oil capital of Kirkuk, officials said.

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