Five
Teens Injured in Tulkarim, a Child Dies of Wounds in Jenin
International Press Center, May 28, 2003
TULKARIM, Palestine, May 28, 2003, (IPC+ WAFA)-- Five Palestinian teens were wounded,
early Wednesday by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) that incurred into the city
and opened fire at a crowd of Palestinian civilians, including children.
Qassam
rocket launched at Sderot; PA policeman shot dead
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
A Qassam rocked was launched at the southern town of Sderot Wednesday afternoon,
and landed on a private residence. No injuries were reported. Earlier in the day,
Palestinians reported that an Israeli special forces unit killed a Palestinian
police officer from the Force 17 residential protection unit Wednesday afternoon
in Beitunia near the West Bank city of Ramallah.
IOF
Kill 3 Children, Wounds 4 Others in Two Days
Palestine Media Center, May 28, 2003
IOF Raid Palestinian Towns, Shell Khan Younis - May 28, 2003 - A 13-year-old
Palestinian boy died of wounds he sustained earlier in the northern West Bank
town of Jenin, raising the number of Palestinian children killed in the past 36
hours to three.
Haaretz
Interview with Abu Mazen: 'U.S. told us to ignore Israeli map reservations'
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
The offices of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah are nothing
like the fortified barracks across town in the Muqata of Chairman Yasser Arafat.
There are no armed soldiers in the corridors, no visitors crowded into the waiting
room hoping for a chance to whisper a secret into the chairman's ear or win an
invitation to dinner.
Palestinians
to Ask Israel for Statehood
New York Times, May 28, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas will ask Israeli counterpart
Ariel Sharon at their upcoming meeting for an explicit declaration accepting the
Palestinians' right to statehood, Palestinian officials said Wednesday.
Israelis
set terms for peace plan
The Guardian, May 28, 2003
Israel has laid down a demand for a "complete cessation of terror" before it begins
implementing the US-led "road map" to a peace settlement. Palestinian negotiators
say any such requirement would hold the process hostage to anyone with a bomb
or gun.
PM:
Settlements will not be discussed as part of road map
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
There is an understanding with the heads of the American administration that the
subject of the settlements and outposts will not be discussed in the framework
of the road map, but rather separately between Jerusalem and Washington, Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon said yesterday.
Amnesty
criticizes 'human rights crisis' in territories
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
The Amnesty International annual report into global human rights abuses in 2002
released Wednesday includes an extensive criticism of the "Human rights crisis
in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories." According to the report,
people are killed and wounded in the territories day after day, their homes are
destroyed and their movement is extremely restricted.
International
Rights Groups Decry Increased Harassment of Monitors
Amnesty International, May 27, 2003
Amnesty International, Euro-Mediterranean Network for Human Rights (EMNHR), Human
Rights Watch (HRW), International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), International Federation
for Human Rights (FIDH), World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) (Copenhagen,
Geneva, London / New York / Paris 27 May 2003) Amnesty International, the Euro-Mediterranean
Network for Human Rights (EMNHR), Human Rights Watch (HRW), the International
Commission of Jurists (ICJ), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
and the World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) are deeply concerned about the
increase of Israeli restrictions against human rights and humanitarian workers.
Occupation
forces kidnap 9 Palestinians
Palestinian Information Center, May 28, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - Occupation forces continue to escalate their arrests of thousands
of Palestinian civilians during this uprising. In the past two days more than
20 Palestinians from different parts of the west bank have been arrested.
Prisoners
Club: Detainees Strike at Israeli Torture Measures
International Press Center, May 28, 2003
RAMALLAH, Palestine, May 28, 2003, IPC-- Loay Akka, Attorney of Palestinian Prisoners
Club (PPC), in his recent regular visits to a number of Palestinian detainees
in the Israeli detention camp of Asqalan, disclosed that since five days prisoners
have been going through a hunger strike in protest of their detention conditions.
Tel
Aviv court criticizes Shin Bet for inducing confession
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
The Tel Aviv District Court acquitted on Wednesday an Israeli-Arab man accused
of collaborating with the Hamas, and criticized the Shin Bet for pressuring him
to confess. Asi Muhsein, 27, from Bara village in the Sharon region, was charged
with planning terror attacks in Israel in coordination with Hamas activists from
the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and with collecting intelligence for them.
Swiss
protest to Israel army
BBC, May 27, 2003
Switzerland has formally protested to Israel about an incident in the Gaza Strip
on Monday in which Israeli soldiers reportedly fired at the car of a Swiss diplomat.
A spokeswoman at the Swiss foreign ministry in Bern said a letter of protest had
been sent to the Israeli government calling for a thorough investigation and stressing
the absolute obligation for diplomatic convoys to be respected.
Sheikh
Yasin: Hamas would accept cease-fire if Zionists stopped killing Palestinian civilians
Palestinian Information Center, May 28, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - Hamas founder and spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yasin said
Wednesday his resistance groups would agree to a cease-fire with the Zionist regime
if the latter stopped its killings of Palestinian civilians.
“Yediot
Ahronot”: Israel construction firms to compete in Iraqi tenders
Globes, May 28, 2003
Pentagon sources recommended that Israeli companies create joint ventures with
Jordanian and Palestinian companies. -- The “Yediot Ahronot” Hebrew
daily reports that Israeli construction companies will soon be able to participate
in US tenders for postwar Iraqi reconstruction.
IOF
Assassinates One Palestinian in Ramallah
International Press Center, May 28, 2003
Ramallah, Palestine, May 28, 2003, (IPC+WAFA)-- Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)
assassinated Wednesday one Palestinian civilian in the West Bank city of Ramallah,
Palestine News Agency (WAFA) said.
Palestinian
resistance attack Zionist base
Palestinian Information Center, May 28, 2003
Gaza - Occupation forces continue to escalate the killings and home demolition
in Gaza territory on the hour. Occupation forces bulldoze large area of farmland
in the Qaizan Al-Najjar village near Khan Yunis., demolish 2 Palestinian homes
in Rafah and Palestinian resistance open fire on Zionist bases in Gaza.
Occupation
forces besiege 3 Activists
Palestinian Information Center, May 28, 2003
Ramallah - occupation forces in the city of Ramallah encircled the house where
three wanted Fateh activists were staying, the siege started at 7am early this
morning and continued until the this article was published.
IOF
Kill Palestinian Boy Near Ramallah
Palestine Media Center, May 28, 2003
Diplomatic Convoy Attacked Near Beit Hanoun -- May 27, 2003 - Israeli Occupation
Forces (IOF) killed a Palestinian child in Karawat Bani Zeid village, near Ramallah
city and another man in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical and security
sources said.
Occupation
Chronicle Events in Palestine May 28, 2003
Palestine Media Center, May 28, 2003
A 13-year-old Palestinian child died of wounds he sustained earlier by Israeli
Occupation Forces (IOF) in the northern West Bank town of Jenin. IOF also wounded
three Palestinian children in Beit Fourik, east of Nablus city. Meanwhile, Israeli
armed settlers attacked a Palestinian boy in the southern West Bank town of Hebron.
IOF Shell Khan Younis, Wound 5 Palestinians. Boy Critically Injured in Tulkarem.
IOF Raid West Bank Towns, Impose Curfews.
Hear
Palestine, May 28, 2003
Hear Palestine
NEWS: Ramallah: Assassination in Um al-Sharayit; Building Besieged in Betounya
/ Hebron: Policeman Rescuing Children Dies of Injuries / Tulkarem: Child Critically
Wounded in Israeli Fire / Nablus: 2 Homes Demolished in Tel and Beit Forik Villages
/ Israeli Army Invades Qalqilya City / Bethlehem: Curfew Impose on Al-Khader Town
/ Rafah: Vast Areas of Land Bulldozed / Gaza City: Bulldozing Activities on Land
North of City / Khan Younis: Ongoing Bulldozing Activities Southeast of City
FEATURES: Israeli Fire Targets Lives of Children / Gaza: Israeli Bulldozers Assassinate
His Remaining Dreams
Leadership
Gears Up to Announce Road Map Commitments
International Press Center, May 28, 2003
RAMALLAH, Palestine, May 28, 2003, IPC-- Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
Executive Committee chaired by President Yasser Arafat convened a meeting yesterday
in Ramallah. The communiqué followed the meeting stressed that the Israeli collective
punishment policy goes together with the unleashing Israeli settlement policy
and the build-up of the segregation wall including “Berlin Wall” around
Jerusalem and desecration of the holy sites, is a war crime that requires all
international efforts to bring an end to it.
US
Mulled Series of Sanctions Against Israel
Middle East Newsline, May 28, 2003
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The Bush administration has prepared a list of sanctions
against Israel should it refuse to comply with a plan for a Palestinian state
by the end of the year. U.S. government and congressional sources said the list
was prepared by the State Department and relayed to the National Security Council
in April amid the administration's effort to press Israel to agree to the so-called
roadmap.
White
House: Bush to meet Sharon, Abu Mazen on June 4
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
U.S. President George W. Bush will meet Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian
Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) in the Jordanian port-city of Aqaba on
June 4th, according to an official White House statement issued Wednesday.
Abbas
'to test' Israel peace pledge
BBC, May 28, 2003
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, more commonly known as Abu Mazen, has
said that he is ready to test Israel's commitment to the US-backed roadmap peace
plan for the Middle East. In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Haaretz,
Mr Abbas said he would believe Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's intentions
"only when he implements the roadmap".
Israelis
digest Sharon turnaround
BBC, May 27, 2003
For years, Ariel Sharon was adamant that there should be no Palestinian state
in the West Bank and Gaza. But late in 2001, as prime minister, he quietly announced
that he could see some sort of Palestinian state in the future.
Palestinians,
Israel Deny New Rift as Talks Are Delayed
Arab News, May 28, 2003
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, 28 May 2003 — The Palestinian and Israeli prime ministers
delayed yesterday a meeting on the US-backed road map to peace, but dismissed
any talk of a new rift before a summit with US President George W. Bush.
Bush
Plans Mideast Peace Summit Next Week
The Guardian, May 28, 2003
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush plans to engage in a three-way summit in Jordan
next week with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister
Mahmoud Abbas, the White House announced Wednesday.
Annan
welcomes Israeli acceptance of Middle East peace plan
United Nations News, May 27, 2003
27 May – Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the decision taken
by the Israeli Government to accept the Road Map, and underscored the commitment
of the United Nations, along with the other Quartet partners - the European Union,
Russian Federation and United States - to helping both sides achieve the plan's
vision of two states within three years.
Shin
Bet assesses chances of threat from extreme right
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
The Shin Bet security services in the next few days will reevaluate the threat
of an attack on Israeli politicians by right-wing extremists. This follows the
cabinet's approval on Sunday of the U.S.-backed road map for an Israeli-Palestinian
settlement. The Shin Bet is mainly trying to decide whether to increase protection
for some of the cabinet ministers who supported the decision.
Syria
tones down anti-Israel rhetoric following Iraq war
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
Syria has recently moderated its anti-Israel rhetoric, apparently in response
to the new regional realities after the American conquest of Iraq. Since the start
of the intifada in September 2000, Syrian President Bashar Assad has repeatedly
questioned Israel's right to exist and supported suicide bombings against Israel.
On Monday, however, Foreign Minister Farouk Shara said that Syria was interested
in resuming diplomatic negotiations with Israel.
PA
says Arafat did not prevent meeting
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
Palestinian political figures yesterday responded with surprise and derision to
Israeli media reports that PA Chairman Yasser Arafat had prevented Palestinian
Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) from meeting with his Israeli counterpart,
Ariel Sharon.
Dispute
over Sharon-Abbas meeting may indicate internal struggle
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
A dispute over the timing of a meeting between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and
Palestinian PrimeMinister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) indicates a power conflict
within the Palestinian leadership, a member of the PLO executive said this week.
Road
map decision halted big IDF raid
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
Israel postponed a major military operation in the territories last week, apparently
in response to efforts to restart the diplomatic process. Defense sources told
Haaretz the planned operation was an unusually large-scale one aimed at substantially
changing the balance of power between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the
terrorist organizations.
PM
would deny citizenship to children with Palestinian parent
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
The prime minister and defense heads have requested an amendment to the Citizenship
Law to prevent automatic Israeli citizenship for a child with a Palestinian parent.
The move follows the discovery that the suicide bomber who blew himself up at
the Mazza restaurant in Haifa was the son of a Jewish mother and a Palestinian
father. The bomber had automatically received Israeli citizenship and this aided
him in moving freely and carrying out his attack.
Premiers
to meet tomorrow afternoon
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
Prime Ministers Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas are scheduled to meet tomorrow
afternoon to prepare groundwork for an expected meeting next week with U.S. President
George Bush in Aqaba, Jordan.
Israel
to boycott Belgian court case
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
Israel yesterday told the Belgian court hearing a war crimes suit against Defense
Ministry director general Amos Yaron that it will boycott all future proceedings.
Muslim
envoys boycott arms talks chaired by Israel
Jordan Times, May 28, 2003
GENEVA (R) — Senior diplomats from Arab and Muslim states stayed away from
a major international disarmament forum on Tuesday to protest against Israel taking
up its presidency, diplomats said. The boycott, ostensibly called to denounce
Israel's failure to sign up to global arms control pacts, signalled anger at the
Jewish state's crackdown in the Palestinian territories despite moves towards
Middle East peace, they added.
Haredim
in U.S. to fight austerity plan
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
NEW YORK - A coalition of ultra-Orthodox movements is considering founding a "Jewish
emergency fund" to raise money for yeshivas and Torah institutions in Israel.
Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) activists in New York yesterday said the emergency fund
was necessary to counteract the effects of the Israeli government's economic plan,
which includes the cancelation of special budgets for yeshivas and allocations
for large families.
Opposition
threatens filibuster on budget bill; Likud seeks deal
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
Likud MKs, opposition leaders and treasury officials are trying to negotiate a
deal in which the government would cancel or reduce its planned NIS 70 a month
health tax for housewives, in exchange for the opposition canceling its planned
filibuster of the vote on the government's economic program. The treasury has
not agreed to the deal, but negotiations are continuing.
Israel
votes on budget plan
BBC, May 28, 2003
Israel's parliament has started voting on a controversial economic package aimed
at reducing the country's vast budget deficit. But the ballot is likely to last
for hours as the parliament, or Knesset, works its way through the thousands of
proposed amendments to the bill.
Knesset
begins vote on economic plan after compromise
Haaretz, May 28, 2003
The full Knesset plenum began voting on the economic austerity plan Wednesday
afternoon after the Knesset House Committee decided that Speaker Reuven Rivlin
will decide which amendments are substantive enought to warrant a vote by roll
call and which receive electronic votes.
"Washington
Post" selects Olive Software for electronic edition
Globes, May 28, 2003
Olive Software's principal shareholder is Elbit Medical Imaging. -- "The Washington
Post" has selected ActivePaper Daily by Olive Software to distribute an electronic
edition. The Washington Post Electronic Edition is an exact replica of the newspaper
that can be read online through any browser.
Recession
continues amid signs of recovery
Globes, May 28, 2003
Retail sales fell by an annualized 3% in February-March 2003. -- The recession
is continuing. Industrial output is stagnant and private consumption is falling,
but some economic indicators for March-April 2003, published by the Central Bureau
of Statistics today, are showing signs of recovery.
Amnesty
International Report 2003
Amnesty Intenational, May 28, 2003
Human rights activists continue to face new challenges. The war on Iraq has dominated
the international agenda, diverting attention from other vital human rights issues.
"Forgotten" conflicts have taken a heavy toll on human rights and human lives
– in Côte d'Ivoire, Colombia, Burundi, Chechnya and Nepal. "Iraq and Israel
and the Occupied Territories are in the news – Ituri in the Democratic Republic
of Congo is not, despite the imminent threat of genocide, said Irene Khan, Amnesty
International's Secretary General. "Drawing attention to 'hidden' crises, protecting
the rights of the 'forgotten victims' is the biggest challenge we face today."
Other Middle East News
Pentagon
was warned over policing Iraq
The Guardian, May 28, 2003
In the months before the Iraq war the Pentagon ignored repeated warnings that
it would need a substantial military police force ready to deploy after the invasion
to provide law and order in the postwar chaos, US government advisers and analysts
said yesterday.
Nuclear
team to assess scale of looting
The Guardian, May 28, 2003
UN weapons inspectors are to be allowed back into Iraq to try to establish how
much radioactive material was looted when nuclear facilities were ransacked in
the final days of Saddam Hussein's regime while US troops stood aside.
War
on terror has trampled on human rights, says Amnesty
The Guardian, May 28, 2003
The "war on terror" has left people around the world feeling more scared than
at any time since the cold war ended, Amnesty International claimed today. The
organisation's annual report also said that the fight against terrorism was being
used by countries including the US and Britain as an excuse to trample on human
rights.
Body
counts
The Guardian, May 28, 2003
The western media focused on the number of civilians killed in Iraq, but the country's
ill-prepared armed forces suffered far greater losses -- All over Baghdad on walls
of mosques or outside private homes, pieces of black cloth inscribed with yellow
lettering bear witness to the thousands of Iraqis killed in the American-led war.
Only if they were officers do these notices make clear whether the victims were
soldiers or civilians.
New
start for Iraq's schools
BBC, May 28, 2003
Schools in Baghdad face the same problems affecting everyone in Iraq's capital:
frequent power cuts, limited clean water supplies, and concerns about security.
Unicef recently delivered what it calls "classroom in a box" kits to some schools
in the Saddam City suburb.
Suicide
Attacker a Heroine to Frustrated Iraqis
Washington Post, May 28, 2003
In City That War Barely Touched, Residents Revere Woman Who Threw Grenade at U.S.
Troops -- Eman Mutlag Salih died in a hail of bullets after throwing a grenade
at U.S. soldiers in Baquba, Iraq. It made her a role model in the city's hostile
mosques, and a worry for troops trying to tame a still mostly defiant area.
Iraqi
religious group turns to TV and radio
Salaam UK, May 28, 2003
A powerful Shi'a political group in Iraq plans shortly to begin its own radio
and television broadcasts from Baghdad, a key step towards promoting its influence
in the country. Hassan Grebawy, head of the Centre for Public Islam, said he had
received both oral and written permission from US forces to start the broadcasts,
which will be financed by the Hawza, a loose grouping of Shi'a religious schools
in the southern city of Najaf.
Blair
set for historic Iraq visit
BBC, May 28, 2003
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is to make an historic visit to Iraq to thank UK
troops for their role in the war which toppled Saddam Hussein. He will be the
first leader of the coalition forces to visit Iraq since the end of the war in
the country last month.
Arabic
press warns of Iraq unrest
BBC, May 28, 2003
Newspapers in the Arab world turn their attention to Iraq and warn of a possible
violent backlash against what they see as the US occupation. There are forecasts
of an upsurge in revenge attacks unless coalition officials improve the daily
lives of the Iraqi people.
Fatal
US strike on journalist hotel in Baghdad `avoidable' — CPJ
Jordan Times, May 28, 2003
NEW YORK (AFP) — The US shelling of a hotel in Baghdad that killed two journalists
during the Iraq war was “avoidable,” the Committee to Protect Journalists
(CPJ) said Tuesday, calling for an official public inquiry. In a special report
based on interviews with a dozen reporters who were at the scene, the CPJ urged
the Pentagon to conduct a “thorough and public investigation” into
the April 8 incident.
For
Iraq's children, a new war has begun
San Francisco Chronicle, May 18, 2003
Baghdad -- In his air-conditioned German-made car, Brigadier Hesham Al Rawi sits
outside the all-girls high school where his 16-year-old daughter, Ragat, is a
student. He is trying to make sure she is safe, but he cannot be here every day.
Al Rawi has another daughter in college, three school-age sons and a teacher wife
-- and all of them, he believes, need his protection.
Iraqi
oil chief rules out OPEC withdrawal
Middle East Online, May 28, 2003
BAGHDAD - Iraq's acting oil ministry chief ruled out Wednesday Baghdad's withdrawal
from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). "We currently have
no reason to think of withdrawing from the organisation," Thamir Ghadhban said,
quoted by Iraqi newspaper Al-Saa. Washington's chief executive officer of Iraq's
oil advisory board, Philip Carroll, told the Washington Post on May 17 Iraq may
be best served by ignoring OPEC quotas and producing as much oil as it can.
Rumsfeld:
Iraq May Have Destroyed Weapons
The Guardian, May 28, 2003
NEW YORK (AP) - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said that Iraq's weapons of
mass destruction may have been destroyed prior to the war. While he asserted Tuesday
that ``we don't know what happened,'' Rumsfeld said, ``It is also possible that
they (Saddam Hussein's government) decided that they would destroy them prior
to a conflict.''
Weapons
Hunters Move Away From Outdated Leads in Iraq
Arab News, May 28, 2003
RUTBAH, Iraq, 28 May 2003 — Frustrated weapons hunters are turning away
from outdated US intelligence leads, which have failed to turn up any evidence
of chemical, biological or nuclear arms in Iraq after 10 weeks. Teams are now
moving toward their own intelligence gathering, based on interviews with Iraqi
scientists, factory workers and even neighbors who lived near shadowy operations
once run by Saddam Hussein.
U.S.
Still Critical of Iran Despite Al Qaeda Arrests
New York Times, May 28, 2003
WASHINGTON, May 27 — The Bush administration said today that it had received
word that Iran had recently arrested some Al Qaeda members operating in its territory,
but that the actions had failed to ease American concerns about Iranian support
for terrorist activities.
Iran
Could Be Next Transatlantic Policy Clash
New York Times, May 28, 2003
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - If you liked the Iraq crisis, you'll love the coming transatlantic
clash over Iran. European Union officials say they are bracing for the next tug-of-war
in strained ties with Washington over whether to isolate or engage with the Islamic
republic.
U.S.
and Russia Press Iran on Al Qaeda, Weapons
Washington Post, May 28, 2003
Concerns Mount Over Nuclear Facilities, Influence in Iraq; Some at Pentagon Urging
Intervention -- The Bush administration kept up pressure against Iran yesterday,
saying that the Islamic republic's claims of cracking down on al Qaeda within
its borders were inadequate and expressing continued concern about Iran's pursuit
of nuclear weapons.
Russia
presses Iran over nuclear fuel
Salaam UK, May 27, 2003
Russia has responded to US pressure by telling Iran it will not supply nuclear
fuel for the reactor it is constructing unless the Islamic republic agrees to
intrusive inspections of all its nuclear facilities, say US and European officials.
Iran
blasts US criticism
BBC, May 28, 2003
Khatami said Iraq should choose its own leaders -- Iran's top leaders have forcefully
rejected US allegations that Tehran is harbouring terrorists, interfering in Iraq
and seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
denounced the United States in a speech to Iran's parliament on Tuesday.
Analysis:
US talks tough to Iran
BBC, May 28, 2003
The US Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, has again warned Iran not to interfere
in Iraq. His remarks come against a background of continuing tough rhetoric from
Washington directed at Tehran. There is little doubt that Washington is keeping
up the rhetorical pressure on Tehran, but it is far from clear whether it amounts
to anything more than that at this stage.
Khamenei
vows no compromise with US
Middle East Online, May 28, 2003
Iran's supreme leader vowed Wednesday there would be no compromise with the United
States, accusing Washington of seeking to strip the Islamic republic of its values
through a concerted campaign of intimidation.
Saudis
Arrest at Least 8 Men Believed Tied to Bombings
New York Times, May 28, 2003
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 28 — A series of police raids around the holy
city of Medina have led to the capture of up to eight suspected militants wanted
in the bombing attacks against residential compounds in the Saudi capital, including
the possible mastermind and perhaps two of the clerics who backed the attacks
with religious sanction.
Saudi
officials arrest five terror suspects
The Guardian, May 28, 2003
Officials in Saudi Arabia have arrested five men suspected of involvement in the
apparently coordinated suicide attacks on residential compounds in the Saudi capital,
Riyadh.
Report:
Mastermind of Riyadh bombings arrested at Internet cafe
Al-Bawaba, May 28, 2003
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef announced on Wednesday the arrests of a number
of suspects believed to have had a role in the Riyadh bombings. Earlier, Al Watan
newspaper reported that in a well-planned operation, Saudi security forces Tuesday
detained at least three suspected al Qaeda members linked to the suicide bombing
attacks in Riyadh earlier this month.
Three
Saudis Killed in Medina
Middle East Online, May 28, 2003
Saudi Islamist opposition says two fugitive Saudi clerics killed in raid on villa
in Medina where they were hiding. -- DUBAI - Two Saudi clerics at large in the
kingdom have been killed in a raid by Saudi special forces on a villa in the western
city of Medina, a Saudi Islamist opposition group said Wednesday.
Religious
backlash leads to sacking of Saudi editor
Salaam UK, May 28, 2003
The editor of a liberal Saudi newspaper was removed from his post yesterday amid
a strong backlash from the religious establishment against a publication that
has dared to criticise Saudi Arabia's puritanical Wahabi Islam as contributing
to extremism.
Riyadh
sacks 200 Muslim preachers
Middle East Online, May 28, 2003
The paper quoted head of the ministry programme Sheikh Salman al-Amri as saying
the actions were not linked to the recent suicide bombings in Riyadh or the result
of external pressure. -- RIYADH - Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, has fired
44 "incompetent" Friday preachers, 160 imams (prayer leaders) and 149 muezzin
(prayer callers) in the past six months, a newspaper reported Wednesday.
Amnesty
International Report 2003
Amnesty Intenational, May 28, 2003
Human rights activists continue to face new challenges. The war on Iraq has dominated
the international agenda, diverting attention from other vital human rights issues.
"Forgotten" conflicts have taken a heavy toll on human rights and human lives
– in Côte d'Ivoire, Colombia, Burundi, Chechnya and Nepal. "Iraq and Israel
and the Occupied Territories are in the news – Ituri in the Democratic Republic
of Congo is not, despite the imminent threat of genocide, said Irene Khan, Amnesty
International's Secretary General. "Drawing attention to 'hidden' crises, protecting
the rights of the 'forgotten victims' is the biggest challenge we face today."
German
Court Rejects Turkey’s Request To Extradite Islamic Leader
Islam Online, May 28, 2003
BONN, May 28 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – A German court turned
down on Tuesday, May 27, a request by German and Turkish governments to extradite
a Turkish Islamic leader, accused of planning the overthrow of Turkey’s
secular regime and explosion of the mausoleum of its founder Mostafa Kamal Ataturk.
Soldier
Guilty for Refusing Anthrax Shot
The Guardian, May 28, 2003
FORT DRUM, N.Y. (AP) - A military panel on Wednesday found an Army reservist guilty
of disobeying an order for refusing to take the anthrax vaccine. The panel of
eight officers took only 40 minutes before returning a guilty verdict against
Pvt. Kamila Iwanowska.
