Army Kills 5 Palestinians in Renewed Aggression on Occupied Territory
Palestine Chronicle, April 29, 2003
"Israeli tanks surrounded Salah’s home in the village of al-Khader before shelling and completely destroying it, killing both of them .." -- RAMALLAH - Five Palestinians were killed in the past twenty-four hours, including a 17-year-old boy who was shot dead by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) tank fire in the northern West Bank and a passerby who was killed in an Israeli air strike on a car on the Gaza Strip, which rendered an activist dead.

Gaza air strike 'kills militant'
BBC, April 29, 2003  
At least seven other people were reported wounded in the strike. -- At least one Palestinian militant has been killed in an attack by Israeli helicopter gunships in southern Gaza, Palestinian security officials said. Missiles were fired at a car near the town of Khan Younis, they said.

Numbers Marked in Ink on Palestinians' Hands 
CommonDreams, April 29, 2003 
NABLUS, West Bank - Israeli soldiers have written numbers in ink on the hands of hundreds of Palestinians waiting at a crowded West Bank military checkpoint, several of the people marked said Monday. The army confirmed the incident but said it was done by a lone soldier who acted on his own and would face a disciplinary hearing.

Blast Rocks Seafront Walkway in Tel Aviv
Wichita Eagle, April 29, 2003
TEL AVIV, Israel -A huge explosion rocked a popular seaside promenade in Tel Aviv early Wednesday, in what police said was a terror attack. The walkway runs along the Tel Aviv beach from the southern edge of the city leading north several miles - a major draw for Israelis and tourists.

Israeli envoy urges regime change in Syria and Iran
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
Ambassador to US calls for sanctions and diplomatic isolation -- Israel's ambassador to the US called for "regime change" in Iran and Syria yesterday as players in the Middle East staked out their positions before a crucial Palestinian vote that is expected to trigger publication of the American-backed "road map" to peace.

Assad Talks Bid Seen By Israel As ‘Trick’: Report
Islam Online, April 29, 2003
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, April 29 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Reacting to Syrian President’s offer for talks, Israeli officials said the “talks offer was a trick aimed at deflecting U.S. pressure on Damascus, following accustaions after Iraq invasion by Washington.

Powell Mideast Trip Redirected, Palestinians Vote On Cabinet
Palestine Chronicle, April 29, 2003
WASHINGTON - U.S. officials said U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will likely skip Israel and the Palestinian territories on a Middle East trip he plans to take this week as the region awaits the long-delayed release of the so-called "roadmap" for peace, as Palestinian legislators are due to meet Tuesday, April 29, for a crucial vote aiming to clear the way for the publication of the long-awaited peace plan.

Mahmoud Abbas says his government will collect “illegal arms”
Palestinian Information Center, April 29, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday his government would seek to collect what he called “illegal firearms,” in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, an obvious allusion to Israeli demands for disarming resistance groups.

DFLP demands PLC not to allow appointment of corrupt ministers
Palestinian Information Center, April 29, 2003
Gaza - The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine has asked the Palestinian legislative council members not to approve the appointment of corrupt elements as members in the Palestinian Authority’s new government.

Weapons Needed To Defend Our Land: Hamas
Islam Online, April 29, 2003
GAZA CITY, April 29 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - As Palestinian prime minister-designate Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) vowed Tuesday, April 29, before the parliament to crack down on the arms and activities of resistance movements and incitement to violence, the Islamic resistance movement (Hamas) and the Islamic Jihad flatly rejected to hand over their weapons, pledging the resistance will go non-stop.

Dean of Students at BGU denies status of Christian Students
Come and See, April 28, 2003
Dean of Students at Ben Gurion University of the Negev refuses to meet students from the Fellowship of Christian Students in Israel who were asking to obtain a room at Campus for Bible Study and fellowship. He said that giving them a room will cause great problems for the university if anyone should become a Christian because of them.

Jews acquire ten more apartments in East Jerusalem
Haaretz, April 29, 2003
The Homat Shalem organization, which operates on behalf of Jewish families living in the Shimon Hatzadik (Sheikh Jarrah) section of East Jerusalem, has acquired the deeds and keys for another 10 apartments in two buildings in the neighborhood.

ISM: I'll Shoot You In The Head
International Solidarity Movement, April 29, 2003
On this morning of April 28, 2003,  we learned the details of how a French civilian was 'detained' by a soldier yesterday in Asira Valley, just outside of Nablus. His detention consisted of being handcuffed, blindfolded, having a gun placed right by his head, being put in a Jeep, driven to a nearby settlement, being interrogated and released without arrest or charge.

Israeli occupation troops rounds up 30 villagers for possible recruitment as informers
Palestinian Information Center, April 29, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - The Israeli occupation army has rounded up as many as 31 young men from the village of Khursa, 15 kilometers south West of Hebron, Sunday night, ostensibly for recruitment as Shin Beth informers.

Sharp drop reported in Islamic terror funding
Haaretz, April 29, 2003
There has been a drastic drop over the past few months in the amount of financial aid channeled from Islamic charitable organizations abroad to Islamic terror groups in the territories.

As Israel Remembers Holocaust, Army Resorts to Nazi Practice against Palestinians
Palestine Chronicle, April 29, 2003
"Occupation soldiers have written numbers in ink on the hands of hundreds of Palestinians waiting at a crowded West Bank military roadblock, the AP reported on Monday .." -- OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - As Israel marked its national day of remembrance Tuesday for the Holocaust, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have resorted again to a Nazi practice to humiliate and tighten their grip on the Palestinian people in the occupied territory.

IOF Kill 5 Palestinians in Renewed Aggression on Occupied Territory 
Palestine Media Center, April 29, 2003
April 29, 2003 - Five Palestinians were killed in the past twenty-four hours, including a 17-year-old boy who was shot dead by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) tank fire in the northern West Bank and a passerby who was killed in an Israeli air strike on a car on the Gaza Strip, which rendered an activist dead.

IOF Kills Four Palestinians and Injures Others in Palestinian Territories
International Press Center, April 29, 2003
Palestine, April 29, 2003, IPC+ WAFA--- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) killed four Palestinian civilians and injured several others early Tuesday in separate incidents in the cities of Gaza Strip and West Bank, IPC correspondent said.

Breaking News: IOF Imposes Curfew on Al Khadr
International Press Center, April 29, 2003
20:15 Israeli occupying forces (IOF) imposed curfew on the entire town of Al Khadr, Bethlehem District, and conducted a house-to-house search campaign.

Israeli army assassinates two Palestinian resistance fighters
Palestinian Information Center, April 29, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - The Israeli occupation army on Tuesday murdered two Palestinian resistance fighters in two separate attacks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel continues state terrorism: 2 Palestinians killed in an extra-judicial assassination in Khan Yunis
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, April 29, 2003
PCHR strongly condemns the extra-judicial assassination committed by Israeli occupying forces on Tuesday, 29 April 2003. The attack occurred in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis and left two Palestinians dead, including one Palestinian activist allegedly wanted by Israeli authorities.

Fire exchange and explosions in Ein al-Helweh
Arabic News, April 29, 2003
Sources at the Ein al-Helweh camp said that a security guard was wounded yesterday when an unidentified gunman opened fire at the offices of al-Saeqa Palestinian organization in the camp which is situated in south Lebanon.

Israeli warplanes continue violations of the Lebanese airspace
Arabic News, April 29, 2003
The Israeli warplanes yesterday renewed its violations of the Lebanese airspace and sovereignty and were intercepted by the Lebanese national forces anti warplanes means.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad reject disarmament
Palestinian Information Center, April 29, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - Hamas and the Islamic Jihad organizations have rejected a call by the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas for disarming resistance groups in fulfillment of Israeli and American demands to that effect.

Four Golan Druze accused of plotting to kidnap IDF soldier  
Haaretz, April 29, 2003
A charge of plotting to kidnap an Israel Defense Forces soldier was filed yesterday morning against four Druze residents of the Golan Heights village of Bukata. The men are also accused of planning to transfer the soldier to Hezbollah in Syria to serve as a bargaining chip for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

IDF shuts down 2nd outpost in 24 hours  
Haaretz, April 29, 2003
The Israel Defense Forces last night dismantled an illegal outpost near the settlement of Pnei Hever, east of Hebron, where two Israeli guards were accidentally killed while on duty there more than a month ago.

Shin Bet and police raid five separate Palestinian terror cells
Haaretz, April 29, 2003
Members of five Palestinian terror cells involved in the murder of nine Israelis have been arrested by the Shin Bet security service and the police, according to a report released for publication yesterday.

U.S. Hails New Palestinian Leadership
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration on Tuesday welcomed the approval of a new Palestinian leadership, saying it would spur a burst of U.S. peacemaking efforts in the Middle East.

New Palestinian PM pledges end to 'chaos'
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
Palestinian prime minister-designate Mahmoud Abbas today pledged to end "armed chaos" as he urged MPs to approve his cabinet and open the way to a lasting peace.

Palestinian council confirms Abu Mazen and his cabinet
Haaretz, April 29, 2003
The Palestinian Legislative Council confirmed Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) as Prime Minister and approved his cabinet Tuesday evening. Applause swept the special Palestinian legislative session in the West Bank city of Ramallah as deputies voted 51-18 with three abstentions to endorse Abu Mazen's cabinet list.

Palestinian PM Mahmoud Abbas Speech Before Palestinian Legislative Council (English Excerpts)
PLO Negotiations Affairs Department, April 29, 2003
Speech excerpts

Excerpts of Palestinian PM's maiden speech
BBC, April 29, 2003   
The new Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas, has called on Israel to dismantle Jewish settlements and to implement the US-led "roadmap" to peace. In his first policy speech since being chosen for the post, Mr Abbas said that the government would disarm militias, crack down on corruption and enforce the rule of law. The following are excerpts from the speech..

Abu Mazen: “The Road Map Must be Implemented, Not Negotiated"
International Press Center, April 29, 2003
RAMALLAH, Palestine, April 29, 2003, IPC + Agencies-- Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) told Palestinian legislators on Tuesday “we will not negotiate the road map. The road map must be implemented, not negotiated." He also demanded an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital and without any Jewish settlements.

Assad ready to talk with Israel, congressman tells Sharon
Haaretz, April 29, 2003 
U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos passed a message from Syrian President Bashar Assad to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, saying that Assad is interested in diplomatic contacts between the two countries to resolve their differences. Lantos handed over the message in a private session with Sharon.

President Arafat Insists He Is Here to Stay
Palestine Media Center, April 29, 2003
April 29, 2003 - As Israel and its staunch supporter, the US, were making several attempts to sideline President Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader insisted on Monday he is the “elected President” and will not be kept out of the decision-making arena and said that the Israeli premier Ariel Sharon was not ready to make concessions for peace.

Jenin's Jihad chief captured by cops
Haaretz, April 29, 2003
Undercover Border Policemen captured the head of Islamic Jihad in Jenin, Abu Ali Qeisi, and arrested three other suspects yesterday. An armed Palestinian was killed during an exchange of gunfire during Qeisi's arrest.

Occupation Chronicle Events in Palestine April 29, 2003
Palestine Media Center, April 29, 2003
Two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis. IOF also assassinated two Palestinians near Bethlehem and a 17-year-old boy in Jenin, in the West Bank. Israeli Settlers Attack Civilians in Hebron.

Powell seen delaying his visit till mid-May
Haaretz, April 29, 2003
Government sources in Jerusalem and Washington yesterday said they expect U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to conduct two swings through the Middle East next month, the first to shore up support for U.S. peacemaking efforts between Israel and the Palestinians in Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and then a second trip to meet with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister-designate Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen).

Settlers council proposes plan for `Jewish, Arab cantons'
Haaretz, April 29, 2003
Most members of the Yesha Council of Jewish Settlements of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza District appear to be ready to back the idea of "Israeli cantons" and "Palestinian cantons" as an alternative to the "road map" for peace and the idea of a Palestinian state. This is the first time that the council has drawn up a formal diplomatic plan of its own.

PA Awkaf "prosecutes" preachers
Palestinian Information Center, April 29, 2003
Nablus - The Palestinian Authority’s Awkaf offices in the West Bank cities have asked Imams (preachers) and worshippers to lower the tune of their fiery speeches against the USA and Zionist occupation.

Zionists transfer millions of dollars abroad
Palestinian Information Center, April 29, 2003
Tel Aviv - Zionist nationals were depositing millions of dollars in foreign banks after losing confidence in their national economy that seriously deteriorated due to persistence of the Aqsa intifada for more than 30 months.

Russia seeks Mideast `roadmap' after Palestinian Cabinet confirmed
Jordan Times, April 29, 2003   
AMMAN (AFP) —Russia's Middle East envoy Andrei Vdovine on Monday said an international “roadmap” for peace in the Middle East must be published immediately after the Palestinian parliament endorses the new Cabinet on Tuesday.

Story behind Chron scribe's suspension
San Francisco Examiner, April 10, 2003
Top editors at The San Francisco Chronicle had been looking for a chance to discipline recently suspended columnist Henry Norr for nearly a year for his views on the Israel-Palestine conflict, Chronicle sources say.

Other Middle East News

US troops kill 13 Iraqis marking Saddam's birthday
Middle East Online, April 29, 2003
Witnesses said six of the dead were children -- FALLUJAH, Iraq - Thirteen Iraqis were killed and 45 wounded when US troops opened fire on demonstrators brandishing photographs of Saddam Hussein on the ousted strongman's 66th birthday Monday evening, witnesses said Tuesday.

U.S. Troops Fire on Iraqi Protesters
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
FALLUJAH, Iraq (AP) - U.S. soldiers opened fire on Iraqis at a nighttime demonstration after people shot at them with automatic rifles, soldiers said Tuesday. The director of the local hospital said 13 Iraqis were killed and 75 wounded.

U.S. Troops Fire on Iraqi Protesters, Leaving 15 Dead
New York Times, April 29, 2003
FALLUJAH, Iraq, April 29 — United States soldiers opened fire on Iraqis at an antiwar demonstration here, and according to local hospital officials killed 15 people and wounded about 75. An American officer said today that the troops opened fire after being "intentionally" shot at by some of the protesters, a claim disputed by residents.

U.S. Deploys More Troops To Baghdad, Raids Arms Market
Islam Online, April 29, 2003
BAGHDAD, April 29 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The U.S. administration running post-war Iraq said Tuesday, April 29, it was beefing up military patrols in Baghdad to increase security in the chaotic Iraqi capital.

Iraqis Furious Over U.S. Cluster Bombs, Killing, Maiming
Islam Online, April 29, 2003
NAJAF, Iraq, April 29 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Three weeks after Saddam Hussein's fall, unexploded cluster bombs still litter the Iraqi city of Najaf and residents are furious at the United States for failing to take them away.

Iraq's cancer children overlooked in war
BBC, April 29, 2003  
With Iraq's hospitals in disarray, the long-term sick are being passed over in a frantic effort to treat emergency cases. For the thousands of young leukaemia victims, the outlook is bleaker than ever. There are countless children ahead of Munther in the queue for medical help in Iraq.

Fury at agriculture post for US businessman
The Guardian, April 28, 2003
Oxfam last night launched a scathing attack on the man the US has put in charge of agricultural reconstruction in Iraq. Dan Amstutz is a former senior executive of Cargill, the biggest grain exporter in the world, and served in the Reagan administration as a trade negotiator in the Uruguay round of world trade talks.

Iraqis besiege Garner and aides by demonstrations, doubts
Arabic News, April 29, 2003
The USA has accelerated steps towards forming an interim administration that is expected to stem from "a national congress" decided to be held after 4 weeks, at a time it still faces rejection of cooperation from main Iraqi factions and strong opposition by thousands of citizens who demonstrate on daily basis in protest of the American occupation of their country.

US anger at war crimes threat
BBC, April 29, 2003  
The Bush administration has reacted angrily to suggestions that General Tommy Franks, the commander of the US-led war in Iraq, might be charged with war crimes. A Belgian lawyer says he is preparing a case that could see General Franks charged under a law which allows the prosecution of non-Belgian citizens for war crimes.

US Troops to Leave
Arab News, April 29, 2003
PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, 30 April 2003 — The United States has decided to withdraw its forces from the Kingdom, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters here yesterday at a joint press conference with Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation.

US pulls out of Saudi Arabia
BBC, April 29, 2003 
The US was not allowed to carry out air strikes from Saudi Arabia -- The United States has said that virtually all its troops, except some training personnel, are to be pulled out of Saudi Arabia. The decision was confirmed by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld during a joint news conference with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Sultan.

Iraq faces water pollution threat
BBC, April 29, 2003 
"When the supplies of chlorine run out in some areas as early as this week, drawing water from a tap will be like taking it from a swamp." -- Unicef Executive Director Carol Bellamy -- The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has made an urgent appeal for hundreds of tonnes of chlorine gas to treat Iraq's drinking water. The organisation says that, without treatment, millions of Iraqis could face epidemics of water-borne disease.

Iraqi looting 'a loss to mankind'
BBC, April 29, 2003  
The looting of Baghdad's international museum was not just a loss to the Iraqi people but to the whole of mankind - according to its director of research, Donny George. The looting was the crime of the century, Dr George told representatives from some of the world's leading museums at a meeting in London.

Payback time for states that left US in lurch
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
In the aftermath of the Iraq war, the Bush administration has begun diplomatic reprisals against states that refused to support military action. So far the payback campaign is symbolic, but observers worry the tone could worsen in the looming UN debate over the shape of post-war Iraq, and could trigger a trade war.

Interview Fallout: Inquiry to Focus on Marine
CommonDreams/Las Vegas Review-Journal, April 26, 2003 
Las Vegan described how he hunted down, shot Iraqis after attack on unit -- Military officials said Friday they will launch an inquiry into whether war crimes were committed by a Las Vegas Marine who described hunting down and killing Iraqi soldiers.

Will the Oil of Iraq Belong to the Iraqi People?
CommonDreams/Institute for Public Accuracy, April 28, 2003    
WASHINGTON - April 28 - On Friday (April 25) the Wall Street Journal reported on U.S. government plans to restructure Iraq's oil industry. These plans, which would replace the oil ministry with a U.S. corporate model, are expected to be announced this week. [Includes links to further reading on the subject.]

U.S. forces sign truce with a terrorist group
International Herald Tribune/New York Times, April 29, 2003
WASHINGTON U.S. forces in Iraq have signed a cease-fire agreement with an Iranian opposition group that the United States has designated a terrorist organization, and expect it to surrender with most of its arms soon, according to American military officials.

Major U.S. Army Unit Set to Leave Iraq
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
NAJAF, Iraq (AP) - ``We brought everyone home alive.'' For Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack, that was the best of a string of accomplishments as his troops in the 82nd Airborne Division prepared to leave Iraq.

Curators examine damage to Iraqi antiquities
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
Today a summit of curators and archaeologists at the British Museum will be briefed on the damage and looting of antiquities in Iraq and pledge international help with restoration work.

Syria, Turkey call for representative Iraqi gov
Middle East Online, April 29, 2003
Syria and Turkey are calling for the rapid formation of a broad-based Iraqi government representing the entire population, the foreign ministers of the two nations said after a meeting here on Tuesday.

Blair warns Tehran over Iraq and Mideast plan
Salaam, April 28, 2003
Tony Blair on Monday added his voice to US pressure on Iran's hardline clerics not to undermine the process of building a new government in Iraq or the "road map" to peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Blair Fails To Sway Putin Over Iraq Sanctions
Islam Online, April 29, 2003
NOVO-OGAREVO, Russia, April 29 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair failed Tuesday, April 29, in a bid to persuade President Vladimir Putin to back lifting UN sanctions on Iraq, in his first meeting with the Russian leader since the end of the war against Baghdad.

Putin Cautions on Lifting Iraq Sanctions
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
MOSCOW (AP) - President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that sanctions against Iraq should not be lifted until the threat of weapons of mass destruction is clearly eliminated.

Ex-Governor of Basra Province in Custody
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The former governor of Iraq's southern Basra province, a member of Saddam Hussein's clan and one of the Iraqis on the U.S.-led coalition's most-wanted list, surrendered and is in custody, the exile Iraqi National Congress said Tuesday.

Surrender of Iraq's Rashid Raises Hopes
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
He was one-half of Iraq's weapons couple, ``the Missile Man'' married to ``Dr. Germ,'' a former general who human rights groups alleged helped gas Kurds. On Tuesday, Amer Mohammed Rashid was in custody. He surrendered to coalition forces a day earlier, the 14th of the top 55 most-wanted to be captured and No. 47 on the list.

Delegates agree new talks on government
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
Around 300 Iraqis accepted an American invitation to start the process of forming an interim government yesterday, surrounded by the tightest security since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Government disorientation
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
Widespread Middle Eastern repression of homosexuals stems from outdated ideas about the role of the state -- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is probably the most important document ever issued by the United Nations. It spells out in clear and uncompromising language "the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family".

Three Jordanian Islamists sentenced to death
Middle East Online, April 29, 2003
AMMAN - Three Jordanian Islamists were sentenced to death by the state security court Tuesday for plotting the assassination of a senior security official in the capital in February 2002, court officials said.

India sees its terror concerns as lost in war on terror
Christian Science Monitor, April 29, 2003
New Delhi wants more US pressure on Pakistan to curb militants in Kashmir. -- NEW DELHI – When hostilities nearly erupted between nuclear neighbors India and Pakistan last June, American diplomats defused the confrontation by extracting a promise from Pakistan to clamp down on terrorism in Kashmir. But India says that promise has gone unfulfilled.

Bishop calls for dialogue with Islam
Salaam, April 28, 2003
The West has a fast-closing window of opportunity to build relations with the Islamic world, according to a visiting specialist in Christian-Muslim relations. The Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir-Ali, believes the key is not rebuilding Iraq, which will take considerable time, but how the West relates to Iran.

Libya agrees Lockerbie compensation
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
Libya will pay $10m (£6.3m) to each of the 270 victims of the 1988 Lockerbie airliner bombing after accepting civil responsibility for the blast, the country's foreign minister, Abdel Rahman Shalgham, said today.

Jordan to host WEF extraordinary meeting
Jordan Times, April 29, 2003       
AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah will host an extraordinary meeting of the World Economic Forum in Jordan on June 21-23, the Davos-based organisation and the Royal Court said on Monday.

Qataris vote on first written constitution
Middle East Online, April 29, 2003
Qataris voted Tuesday in a referendum on the gas-rich monarchy's first written constitution, which would usher in a Gulf-style democracy without political parties under the rule of the emir and his family.

Blair warns France of cold war with US
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
Tony Blair yesterday warned France and other critics of the US-led war in Iraq that any attempt to create "rival centres of power" to compete with the United States would restore the disastrous divisions of the cold war era.

EU military summit angers Britain
The Guardian, April 29, 2003
Four EU states that opposed the Iraq war today agreed to create a joint military HQ for operations where Nato is not involved - a move that could widen the gulf between "old" and "new" Europe. The leaders of Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg also said in a joint statement that they would develop a European rapid reaction force, which would be open to other EU countries to join.

A Flashback to the 60's for an Antiwar Protester
New York Times, April 29, 2003
COLUMBIA, S.C., April 23 — There he was at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport with his antiwar sign. There were the thousands of Republicans gathering to welcome a president. There were the police officers arresting him for trespassing...But last month, the local United States attorney, J. Strom Thurmond Jr., brought federal charges against Mr. Bursey under a seldom-used statute that allows the Secret Service to restrict access to areas the president is visiting. He faces six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Advisor resigns while US reacts to limit damage
Al-Jazeera, April 27, 2003 
Under mounting pressure after the looting of Baghdad’s main museum, Washington announced it sent FBI agents to Iraq to help recover the priceless artifacts. But the chairman and two members of President George W. Bush’s cultural advisory committee have stepped down in protest over what they say is the United States failure to stop the looting of the museum.

Fahd Orders Release of 5,000 Prisoners
Arab News, April 30, 2003
RIYADH, 30 April 2003 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd has ordered the release of 5,000 Saudi and expatriate prisoners jailed for minor offenses, the director of jails said in remarks published by Okaz newspaper yesterday.

Team of Lawyers to Defend Saudi Inmates in Guantanamo
Arab News, April 29, 2003
Nasir Al-Haqabani, Arab News Staff  RIYADH, 29 April 2003 — A number of Saudi experts in international law have formed a team to defend the case of some 127 Saudi prisoners held by the United States in Guantanamo.

Rumsfeld heralds 'first strike' era
BBC, April 28, 2003
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said that his country has entered a new era in which it must pre-emptively seek out and prevent attacks by terrorists and terrorist states. He told coalition troops at US Central Command in the Gulf state of Qatar that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq showed that America had made a good start.

Ad asks Bush to repent of foreign, domestic policies
Come and See, April 28, 2003
A one-page advertisement in The Christian Century magazine, signed by more than 100 United Methodists, has called on U.S. President George Bush to "repent" of certain domestic and foreign policies, including the use of violence in dealing with Iraq.

Report Says NYC Cops Abused Protesters 
CommonDreams/Newsday, April 29, 2003 
Police officers used excessive force - striking demonstrators with charging horses and using pepper spray to disperse crowds - against anti-war protesters at a Feb. 15 rally in Manhattan, a report by the New York Civil Liberties Union charged yesterday.

Iraq war may have raised terrorist risks
Philadephia Inquirer, April 29, 2003
LONDON - The war on Iraq may have increased the short-term risk of terrorist attacks on British and American targets, the British government said Tuesday. But in the long term the overthrow of Saddam Hussein will make the world a safer place, the Foreign Office said.