BUENOS AIRES, Argentina _ Gen. Augusto Pinochet, who ruled Chile as a despot for 17 years, has been arrested in London after Spain asked that he be extradited for the presumed murders of hundreds of Chilean and Spanish citizens , the British authorities announced Saturday. LONDON (AP) _ British police said Saturday they have arrested former Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet on allegations of murdering Spanish citizens during his years in power. LONDON (AP) _ British police said Saturday they have arrested former Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet on allegations of murdering Spanish citizens during his years in power. LONDON (AP) _ Eight years after his turbulent regime ended, former Chilean strongman Gen. Augusto Pinochet is being called to account by Spanish authorities for the deaths, detention and torture of political opponents. Responding to a Spanish extradition warrant , British police announced Saturday they have arrested Pinochet on allegations that he murdered an unidentified number of Spaniards in Chile between Sept. 11, 1973, the year he seized power, and Dec. 31, 1983. LONDON (AP) _ Eight years after his turbulent regime ended, former Chilean strongman Gen. Augusto Pinochet is being called to account by Spanish authorities for the deaths, detention and torture of political opponents. Responding to a Spanish extradition warrant, British police announced Saturday they have arrested Pinochet on allegations that he murdered an unidentified number of Spaniards in Chile between Sept. 11, 1973 , the year he seized power, and Dec. 31, 1983. LONDON (AP) _ Eight years after his turbulent regime ended, former Chilean strongman Gen. Augusto Pinochet is being called to account by Spanish authorities for the deaths, detention and torture of political opponents. A lawyer in Washington who represents victims of the Pinochet administration, Samuel Buffone, said, ``What is really innovative and important here is that a Spanish court is looking at international acts of terrorism, systemic human-rights abuses and genocide, and is asserting jurisdiction on that basis.'' The Spanish authorities contend that Pinochet may have committed crimes against Spanish citizens in Chile. A lawyer in Washington who represents victims of the Pinochet administration, Samuel Buffone, said, ``What is really innovative and important here is that a Spanish court is looking at international acts of terrorism, systemic human-rights abuses and genocide, and is asserting jurisdiction on that basis.'' The Spanish authorities contend that Pinochet may have committed crimes against Spanish citizens in Chile. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina _ Gen. Augusto Pinochet, who ruled Chile as a despot for 17 years, has been arrested in London after Spain asked that he be extradited for the presumed murders of hundreds of Chilean and Spanish citizens, the British authorities announced Saturday. The Chilean government immediately demanded his release, arguing that he has diplomatic immunity since he sits in the Chilean Senate. No reason for the dates was given. Chile said it would protest to British authorities, arguing that the 82-year-old senator-for-life has diplomatic immunity. LONDON (AP) _ Former Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet has been arrested by British police on a Spanish extradition warrant, despite protests from Chile that he is entitled to diplomatic immunity. Garzon and a Spanish colleague, Judge Manuel Garcia Castellon, are expected to travel to London to question him, possibly in the next few days. Chile has protested the arrest, insisting that, as a senator for life, Pinochet enjoyed diplomatic immunity under his diplomatic passport. But most political analysts say a large majority wants to put the era of radical politics and repression behind it, a trend equally apparent in neighboring Argentina and Brazil, which also went through periods of rule by military juntas. President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, in Portugal for a summit meeting of Iberian and Latin American leaders, charged that Britain was breaking international law, saying that Pinochet , now an unelected senator for life, carried a diplomatic passport giving him legal immunity. Pinochet left government in 1990, but remained as army chief until March when he became a senator-for-life. The Chilean government has protested Pinochet's arrest, insisting that as a senator he was traveling on a diplomatic passport and had immunity from arrest. But so far the British and Spanish authorities have shrugged off the protests, setting up what promises to be a legal struggle that could have wide implications for the prosecution of alleged human rights violators under international law. Pinochet, who is 82 and who stepped down as commander in chief of the Chilean military five months ago, was arrested by the British police on Friday night, little more than a week after he arrived in London for surgery on a herniated disc. The warrant charges that between Sept. 11 1973, the year he seized power, and Dec. 31, 1983, Pinochet murdered Spanish citizens in Chile, the spokeswoman said, speaking anonymously. The spokeswoman refused to confirm Pinochet's whereabouts, but Pinochet's press secretary in Santiago said he being held in the London clinic where he underwent surgery for a herniated disc on Oct. 9. Scotland Yard refused to confirm Pinochet's whereabouts, but his Santiago spokesman Fernando Martinez said he was in a London clinic when police came for him. A regular visitor to Britain, Pinochet underwent surgery Oct. 9 for a herniated disc , a spinal disorder which has given him pain and hampered his walking in recent months. Garzon and a Spanish colleague, Judge Manuel Garcia Castellon, are expected to travel to London to question him, possibly in the next few days. Chile has protested the arrest , insisting that, as a senator for life, Pinochet enjoyed diplomatic immunity under his diplomatic passport. The demonstrators jubilantly demanded Pinochet's extradition to Spain and held up photographs of some of the ``disappeared'' among the 3,000 people shot or abducted during his 17-year dictatorship, from 1973 to 1990. Pinochet's detention late Friday has left Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labor government seemingly embarrassed by the diplomatic implications of an arrest that has enraged the government of Chile _ which Britain regards as an ally _ and confronted European officials with uncomfortable implications for their handling of human rights violators from closer to home. Pinochet left government in 1990, but remained as army chief until March when he became a senator-for-life. The Chilean government has protested Pinochet's arrest , insisting that as a senator he was traveling on a diplomatic passport and had immunity from arrest. LONDON (AP) _ Former Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet has been arrested by British police on a Spanish extradition warrant , despite protests from Chile that he is entitled to diplomatic immunity. He said the case seemed to be ``unprecedented and unusual.'' Pinochet , 82, was placed under arrest in London Friday by British police acting on a warrant issued by a Spanish judge. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina _ Gen. Augusto Pinochet , who ruled Chile as a despot for 17 years , has been arrested in London after Spain asked that he be extradited for the presumed murders of hundreds of Chilean and Spanish citizens, the British authorities announced Saturday. WASHINGTON _ The arrest of Gen. Augusto Pinochet shows the growing significance of international human-rights law, suggesting that officials accused of atrocities have fewer places to hide these days, even if they are carrying diplomatic passports, legal scholars say. Pinochet , who ruled Chile as a military dictator from 1973 to 1990 , was granted amnesty in his homeland but was arrested on Friday in London at the request of Spanish authorities, who want him extradited to Spain. LONDON (AP) _ Eight years after his turbulent regime ended, former Chilean strongman Gen. Augusto Pinochet is being called to account by Spanish authorities for the deaths, detention and torture of political opponents. Responding to a Spanish extradition warrant, British police announced Saturday they have arrested Pinochet on allegations that he murdered an unidentified number of Spaniards in Chile between Sept. 11, 1973, the year he seized power , and Dec. 31, 1983. LONDON (AP) _ Former Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet has been arrested by British police on a Spanish extradition warrant, despite protests from Chile that he is entitled to diplomatic immunity. Two Spanish judges are seeking to question Pinochet about the slayings of an unspecified number of Spaniards in Chile between Sept. 11, 1973, the date he seized power , and Dec. 31, 1983. Pinochet, who is 82 and who stepped down as commander in chief of the Chilean military five months ago, was arrested by the British police on Friday night, little more than a week after he arrived in London for surgery on a herniated disc. The warrant said the general was wanted for questioning for ``crimes of genocide and terrorism that includes murder.' ' Pinochet was placed under arrest after a senior Spanish judge, Baltasar Garzon, sent a request to detain him in connection with possible extradition hearings. The warrant on which he was arrested alleges that Pinochet ``did murder Spanish citizens in Chile within the jurisdiction of the government of Spain,'' and was guilty of ``crimes of genocide and terrorism that includes murder.' ' Pinochet, who is 82 and who stepped down as commander in chief of the Chilean military five months ago, was arrested by the British police on Friday night, little more than a week after he arrived in London for surgery on a herniated disc. The warrant said the general was wanted for questioning for ``crimes of genocide and terrorism that includes murder.'' Pinochet was placed under arrest after a senior Spanish judge, Baltasar Garzon, sent a request to detain him in connection with possible extradition hearings. The warrant on which he was arrested alleges that Pinochet `` did murder Spanish citizens in Chile within the jurisdiction of the government of Spain,'' and was guilty of ``crimes of genocide and terrorism that includes murder.'' But Michael Howard, a former Tory Interior Minister who took no action during Pinochet's earlier visits, said the arrest reflected the behavior of ``a very arrogant government'' that may be ``displaying its utter contempt for our legal system and for the rule of law'' to appease a political constituency. Pinochet was placed under arrest after a senior Spanish judge , Baltasar Garzon, sent a request to detain him in connection with possible extradition hearings. He said the case seemed to be ``unprecedented and unusual.'' Pinochet, 82, was placed under arrest in London Friday by British police acting on a warrant issued by a Spanish judge. CAIRO _ The Taliban movement in Afghanistan might consider putting Osama bin Laden on trial for a 1996 bomb attack that killed 19 American airmen in Saudi Arabia, a leading Saudi-owned newspaper reported Wednesday. Bin Laden, the Saudi-born Islamic militant who lives in Afghanistan , has long been suspected of involvement in that and other attacks on Americans, including the Aug. 7 bombings of two U.S. Embassies in Africa. Government officials immediately announced that they were offering two rewards of $5 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of bin Laden and another man charged Wednesday, Muhammad Atef, who was described as bin Laden's chief military commander. Bin Laden is believed to be living in Afghanistan under the protection of the Taliban , the Islamic fundamentalist movement that rules that country. Government officials immediately announced that they were offering two rewards of $5 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of bin Laden and another man charged Wednesday, Muhammad Atef, who was described as bin Laden's chief military commander. Bin Laden is believed to be living in Afghanistan under the protection of the Taliban , the Islamic fundamentalist movement that rules that country. 1 enemy as a ``hero'' to Muslims worldwide. Bin Laden , believed to be in Afghanistan , and a top aide were indicted Wednesday by a U.S. District Court in the U.S. embassy bombings in Africa and are accused of conspiring to kill Americans outside the United States. The judge made his comments in the first hearing in the bombing case since last week's indictment by a federal grand jury of Osama bin Laden, who the authorities believe was the mastermind of the embassy attacks. Bin Laden remains at large and is believed to be living in Afghanistan under the protection of the Taliban , the Islamic fundamentalist movement that rules that country. NEW YORK _ Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said Wednesday that one of the men accused of conspiring to bomb the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August had met earlier with Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the attacks, and ``asked him for a mission.'' WASHINGTON _ Urged on by the Clinton administration, Saudi Arabia's top intelligence official met privately with the leader of the Taliban in late September to try to persuade Afghanistan to deport Osama bin Laden, the Saudi exile suspected of masterminding the August bombings of two American embassies in East Africa, according to U.S. and Arab officials. NEW YORK _ A federal district judge agreed Tuesday to review complaints by lawyers for three men arrested after the bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa that their jail conditions in Manhattan are unconstitutional and inhumane. CAIRO _ The Taliban movement in Afghanistan might consider putting Osama bin Laden on trial for a 1996 bomb attack that killed 19 American airmen in Saudi Arabia, a leading Saudi-owned newspaper reported Wednesday. Bin Laden , the Saudi-born Islamic militant who lives in Afghanistan, has long been suspected of involvement in that and other attacks on Americans, including the Aug. 7 bombings of two U.S. Embassies in Africa. The accused bomber told prosecutors that he had twice turned to a Texas acquaintance named Wadih el Hage to buy weapons for his Brooklyn associates. Last month, el Hage was arrested on charges of being part of the Osama bin Laden terror network that is suspected of the bombing of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania on Aug. 7. NEW YORK _ A federal grand jury in Manhattan returned a 238-count indictment Wednesday charging the Saudi exile Osama bin Laden with conspiring to bomb two U.S. embassies in Africa in August and with committing acts of terrorism against Americans abroad. DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania _ In a rare public statement about the August bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa, the FBI said Friday that two vehicles had been used in the attack on the embassy here. The FBI also indicated that it had learned the identities of new suspects in the blast here, and that they are at large. They were in a Suzuki Samurai, one of the two vehicles identified Friday , investigators said. They were in a Suzuki Samurai, one of the two vehicles identified Friday, investigators said. Two vehicles were also used in the bombing of the embassy in Nairobi , according to indictments that have been handed down. NEW YORK _ Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said Wednesday that one of the men accused of conspiring to bomb the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August had met earlier with Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the attacks, and ``asked him for a mission.'' The reported meeting between bin Laden and the accused man, Mohamed Rashed Daoud Al'Owhali, which had not previously been described, is the strongest allegation offered so far to link bin Laden to the attacks , in which more than 250 people died. However, they have set up a judicial inquiry to accept evidence of bin Laden's involvement in terrorist activity and have promised to prosecute him if the evidence warrants it. Washington blames bin Laden's group, al Qaeda, for the Aug. 7 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people, including 12 Americans , and injured an estimated 5,000 people. El Hage has been charged with conspiring to kill Americans abroad and has been described by the government as a former personal secretary to bin Laden. The two other defendants in court Tuesday _ Mohammed Saddiq Odeh and Mohamed Rashed Daoud al-'Owhali _ have each been charged with separate counts of murder in the deaths of more than 200 people in the embassy attacks in Kenya and Tanzania on August 7. Since then, the FBI and other law-enforcement and intelligence agencies say they are continuing to work with other nations to arrest as many of bin Laden's operatives as possible. Bin Laden already faces criminal charges in the United States under a sealed indictment handed up by a federal grand jury in New York. NEW YORK _ A federal grand jury in Manhattan returned a 238-count indictment Wednesday charging the Saudi exile Osama bin Laden with conspiring to bomb two U.S. embassies in Africa in August and with committing acts of terrorism against Americans abroad. ``Achieving the expulsion of bin Laden and bringing him to justice is something we are actively pursuing,'' said a State Department official. In their effort to persuade Afghanistan to deport bin Laden , State Department officials also have spoken to Taliban representatives themselves and have sought the intercession of Pakistan, the only other major ally of Afghanistan in the region. WASHINGTON _ Urged on by the Clinton administration, Saudi Arabia's top intelligence official met privately with the leader of the Taliban in late September to try to persuade Afghanistan to deport Osama bin Laden , the Saudi exile suspected of masterminding the August bombings of two American embassies in East Africa, according to U.S. and Arab officials. 1 enemy as a ``hero'' to Muslims worldwide. Bin Laden, believed to be in Afghanistan, and a top aide were indicted Wednesday by a U.S. District Court in the U.S. embassy bombings in Africa and are accused of conspiring to kill Americans outside the United States. ``I cannot give my client a dictionary,'' a third lawyer, Bruce McIntyre, who represents Wadih el Hage, told the judge. El Hage has been charged with conspiring to kill Americans abroad and has been described by the government as a former personal secretary to bin Laden. Bin Laden, the Saudi-born Islamic militant who lives in Afghanistan, has long been suspected of involvement in that and other attacks on Americans, including the Aug. 7 bombings of two U.S. Embassies in Africa. He has been indicted in the United States , charged with terrorist acts committed before the embassy bombings. Since then, the FBI and other law-enforcement and intelligence agencies say they are continuing to work with other nations to arrest as many of bin Laden's operatives as possible. Bin Laden already faces criminal charges in the United States under a sealed indictment handed up by a federal grand jury in New York. Harakat-ul-Ansar, a Pakistan-based organization labeled a terrorist group by the United States, said, however, that foreigners in Pakistan ``have nothing to fear from us.'' Harakat is considered a strong supporter of bin Laden, and several Harakat followers were killed in the U.S. missile attack on alleged bin Laden terror sites in Afghanistan. Washington blames bin Laden's group, al Qaeda, for the Aug. 7 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people, including 12 Americans, and injured an estimated 5,000 people. The United States retaliated Aug. 20, firing Tomahawk cruise missiles at suspected bin Laden training camps in eastern Afghanistan. JERUSALEM (AP) _ A car bomb exploded Friday in a Jerusalem market crowded with Israelis shopping for the Sabbath. JERUSALEM (AP) _ A car bomb blew up Friday in a Jerusalem market crowded with Israelis shopping for the Sabbath. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Suicide bombers targeted a crowded open-air market Friday , setting off blasts that killed the two assailants, injured 21 shoppers and passersby and prompted the Israeli Cabinet to put off action on the new peace accord. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Islamic militants are pulling out all the stops to keep the new U.S.-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace accord from becoming reality. In recent days , suicide bombers have attacked an Israeli school bus in the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem's outdoor market. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Islamic militants are pulling out all the stops to keep the new U.S.-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace accord from becoming reality. In recent days , suicide bombers have attacked an Israeli school bus in the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem's outdoor market. JERUSALEM (AP) _ The father of one of the Islamic militants who died in the suicide bombing of a crowded Jerusalem market said Saturday he was sad about his son's death but proud of what he had done. Friday's bombing at the open-air Mahane Yehuda market killed the two assailants, injured 21 Israelis and jeopardized the 2-week-old Israeli-Palestinian peace accord. Israel radio said two suitcases filled with explosives were found near the car, suggesting the blast went off prematurely and that the assailants had planned a more powerful explosion. Israel TV said the two dead were the assailants. JERUSALEM (AP) _ A car bomb blew up Friday in a Jerusalem market crowded with Israelis shopping for the Sabbath. The blast killed two assailants , wounded 21 Israelis and prompted Israel to suspend implementation of the peace accord with the Palestinians. Rescue workers covered the body with sodden pieces of cardboard box and plastic shopping bags. Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai said the two dead were the assailants. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Suicide bombers targeted a crowded open-air market Friday, setting off blasts that killed the two assailants , injured 21 shoppers and passersby and prompted the Israeli Cabinet to put off action on the new peace accord. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Suicide bombers targeted a crowded open-air market Friday, setting off blasts that killed the two assailants , injured 21 shoppers and passersby and prompted the Israeli Cabinet to put off action on the new peace accord. In response, Israel's Cabinet suspended implementation of the new peace accord with the Palestinians. The Islamic militant group Hamas, which has been trying to sabotage the peace accord, claimed responsibility for the 9:45 a.m. (0745 GMT) attack in the Mahane Yehuda market , police said. The blast killed two assailants, wounded 21 Israelis and prompted Israel to suspend implementation of the peace accord with the Palestinians. The Islamic militant group Hamas, which has been trying to sabotage the agreement, claimed responsibility for the 9:45 a.m. (0745 gmt) attack in the Mahane Yehuda market. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Suicide bombers targeted a crowded open-air market Friday, setting off blasts that killed the two assailants, injured 21 shoppers and passersby and prompted the Israeli Cabinet to put off action on the new peace accord. The radical Islamic group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack , the second suicide bombing since the signing of the land-for-security accord two weeks ago. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Suicide bombers targeted a crowded open-air market Friday, setting off blasts that killed the two assailants, injured 21 shoppers and passersby and prompted the Israeli Cabinet to put off action on the new peace accord. The radical Islamic group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack , the second suicide bombing since the signing of the land-for-security accord two weeks ago. In a rare direct statement to the Israeli people, Arafat appeared on Israeli TV and promised to ``exert 100 percent effort'' to catch and punish those who had planned the bombing. The radical group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack , but Palestinian security officials blamed members of the militant Islamic Jihad. JERUSALEM (AP) _ A car bomb exploded Friday in a Jerusalem market crowded with Israelis shopping for the Sabbath. The blast killed two, apparently the assailants, and wounded 21 Israelis. JERUSALEM (AP) _ A car bomb blew up Friday in a Jerusalem market crowded with Israelis shopping for the Sabbath. The blast killed two assailants, wounded 21 Israelis and prompted Israel to suspend implementation of the peace accord with the Palestinians. In Friday's market attack _ which was initially claimed by the largest militant group, Hamas, but later blamed on activists from the smaller Islamic Jihad group _ Israel radio quoted police as describing the explosives as an ``amateur bomb.'' It killed the two bombers and injured 21 Israelis. In Friday's market attack _ which was initially claimed by the largest militant group, Hamas, but later blamed on activists from the smaller Islamic Jihad group _ Israel radio quoted police as describing the explosives as an ``amateur bomb.'' It killed the two bombers and injured 21 Israelis. CAIRO, Egypt (AP) _ Egypt's president says there is ``virtually nobody'' who believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will implement the latest peace deal with Palestinians. In an interview published Saturday, President Hosni Mubarak said if Netanyahu wants to change that perception he must boldly face the setback to peace caused by Friday's car bombing in Jerusalem that killed the two bombers and injured 21. JERUSALEM _ A red Fiat belching smoke sent shoppers fleeing moments before it exploded outside a bustling marketplace on Friday morning, killing the two bombers , injuring 24 other people and disabling the U.S.-brokered peace effort. In Friday's market attack _ which was initially claimed by the largest militant group, Hamas, but later blamed on activists from the smaller Islamic Jihad group _ Israel radio quoted police as describing the explosives as an ``amateur bomb.'' It killed the two bombers and injured 21 Israelis. In Friday's market attack _ which was initially claimed by the largest militant group, Hamas, but later blamed on activists from the smaller Islamic Jihad group _ Israel radio quoted police as describing the explosives as an ``amateur bomb.'' It killed the two bombers and injured 21 Israelis. CAIRO, Egypt (AP) _ Egypt's president says there is ``virtually nobody'' who believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will implement the latest peace deal with Palestinians. In an interview published Saturday, President Hosni Mubarak said if Netanyahu wants to change that perception he must boldly face the setback to peace caused by Friday's car bombing in Jerusalem that killed the two bombers and injured 21. Reverberating through the heart of downtown, the blast Friday morning was the second since the Israelis and the Palestinians signed the new land-for-security agreement. The Israelis believe that Islamic Holy War, a militant fundamentalist organization, bears responsibility for the attack at the heavily guarded Mahane Yehuda market , where terrorists have staged several deadly bombings before. Last Thursday, an assailant tried to ram an explosives-rigged car into a bus carrying Jewish schoolchildren in the Gaza Strip. However, Palestinian security officials said that it was members of the militant Islamic Jihad group which carried out the attack. Last Thursday, an assailant tried to ram an explosives-rigged car into a bus carrying Jewish schoolchildren in the Gaza Strip. However, Palestinian security officials said that it was members of the militant Islamic Jihad group which carried out the attack. In a rare direct statement to the Israeli people, Arafat appeared on Israeli TV and promised to ``exert 100 percent effort'' to catch and punish those who had planned the bombing. The radical group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, but Palestinian security officials blamed members of the militant Islamic Jihad. In response, Israel's Cabinet suspended implementation of the new peace accord with the Palestinians. The Islamic militant group Hamas, which has been trying to sabotage the peace accord , claimed responsibility for the 9:45 a.m. (0745 GMT) attack in the Mahane Yehuda market, police said. The blast killed two assailants, wounded 21 Israelis and prompted Israel to suspend implementation of the peace accord with the Palestinians. The Islamic militant group Hamas, which has been trying to sabotage the agreement , claimed responsibility for the 9:45 a.m. (0745 gmt) attack in the Mahane Yehuda market. Gilon said the aim of the militants was to ``ruin the whole process. I'm just sorry our Cabinet made such a decision which is exactly the aim of Hamas _ to stop Wye. '' Friday's bombing marked the third time in less than three weeks that Hamas tried, but failed, to carry out an attack with large numbers of Israeli casualties, suggesting that a recent crackdown by Israel and the Palestinian Authority has had an effect. Palestinian officials condemned the attack, but accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of political blackmail for holding up the agreement that was to give the Palestinians another 13 percent of the West Bank. The Islamic militant group Hamas, which has been trying to sabotage the agreement, claimed responsibility for the 9:45 a.m. (0745 gmt) attack in the Mahane Yehuda market. Palestinian officials condemned the attack, but accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of political blackmail for holding up the agreement that was to give the Palestinians another 13 percent of the West Bank by the end of January. The Islamic militant group Hamas, which has been trying to sabotage the agreement, claimed responsibility for the 9:45 a.m. (0745 gmt) attack in the Mahane Yehuda market. Palestinian officials condemned the attack, but accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of political blackmail for holding up the agreement that was to give the Palestinians another 13 percent of the West Bank by the end of January. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Suicide bombers targeted a crowded open-air market Friday, setting off blasts that killed the two assailants, injured 21 shoppers and passersby and prompted the Israeli Cabinet to put off action on the new peace accord. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Suicide bombers targeted a crowded open-air market Friday, setting off blasts that killed the two assailants, injured 21 shoppers and passersby and prompted the Israeli Cabinet to put off action on the new peace accord. The president said the accord that he helped mediate last month was ``the best way to safety for the Israelis, the best way to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinians and, in the end, the only answer to Friday's act of criminal terror.'' Two suicide bombers died in the attack in Jerusalem , which appeared to be an effort to undermine the Wye agreement, named for the Maryland conference center where the settlement was reached last month. JERUSALEM (AP) _ The father of one of the Islamic militants who died in the suicide bombing of a crowded Jerusalem market said Saturday he was sad about his son's death but proud of what he had done. But besides this steady influx of meteors, there are also occasional showers and meteor storms associated with passing comets. The Leonid meteors begin as dust or small chunks that break loose from Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle whenever it approaches the Sun. Astrophysicists, atmospheric scientists and others have been readying their experiments for a year or more in preparation for Tuesday night's expected Leonid Meteor storm, so named because the meteors appear to be coming from the direction of the constellation Leo. The meteors are fragments, most of them microscopic in size, of Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Another good Leonid display might occur a year from now, astronomers have forecast. The Leonid meteors , most of them smaller than grains of sand, are fragments knocked loose from Comet 55P/Temple-Tuttle each time it makes a close approach to the Sun every 33 years. It occurs every November, usually with little fanfare. But every 33 years , the comet speeds through the inner solar system and sheds swarms of particles as it nears the sun. The possibility of major damage to any of the satellites is regarded by experts as small, but cannot be discounted. This storm of meteors , called Leonid meteors because they come from the direction of constellation Leo, will be the first to hit the Earth since 1966 when the world's space programs were in their infancy, and its effects on satellite systems are uncertain. The Earth is hurtling into the path of a comet called Temple-Tuttle. On Tuesday, the Earth will enter Temple-Tuttle's debris-strewn backwash and will then, according to many scientists, witness the most intense meteor shower in more than three decades. The much-anticipated storm of Leonid meteors swept over Earth on Tuesday , a bit ahead of schedule, leaving many sky watchers disappointed but others dazzled by fireballs as bright as the full moon. Chicken Little would love this one. The Earth is hurtling into the path of a comet called Temple-Tuttle. Chicken Little would love this one. The Earth is hurtling into the path of a comet called Temple-Tuttle. Chicken Little would love this one. The Earth is hurtling into the path of a comet called Temple-Tuttle. Chicken Little would love this one. The Earth is hurtling into the path of a comet called Temple-Tuttle. On Tuesday, the Earth will enter Temple-Tuttle's debris-strewn backwash and will then, according to many scientists, witness the most intense meteor shower in more than three decades. The scientists who track Temple-Tuttle do not even call it a shower, they call it a meteor storm. On Tuesday, the Earth will enter Temple-Tuttle's debris-strewn backwash and will then, according to many scientists, witness the most intense meteor shower in more than three decades. The scientists who track Temple-Tuttle do not even call it a shower, they call it a meteor storm. The meteor show forecast for Nov. 17 or 18 might be spectacular or it might be a dud. But whichever the case, every one of the 600-odd satellites orbiting the Earth _ spacecraft used for communications, military reconnaissance, peace-keeping missions, climate and weather monitoring, astronomy, navigation and science _ will be hit by ultra-high-speed meteor dust. But nowhere did the reported rate of meteor sightings greatly exceed 2,000 per hour _ barely one-tenth the rate at which meteors hit the atmosphere during the great 1966 Leonid storm. There were no immediate reports of damage to any of the roughly 600 satellites orbiting the Earth that are used for communications, military surveillance, climate and weather monitoring, astronomy and navigation. Reports from regions that were in nighttime darkness Tuesday during the peak of the meteor storm suggested wide variations in the storm's apparent intensity. But nowhere did the reported rate of meteor sightings greatly exceed 2,000 per hour _ barely one-tenth the rate at which meteors hit the atmosphere during the great 1966 Leonid storm. But every 33 years, the comet speeds through the inner solar system and sheds swarms of particles as it nears the sun. In 1966 , the Leonids display peaked at 150,000 meteors per hour. Unfortunately for residents of the United States, the Leonid storm on Nov. 17 is expected to begin at 2:43 p.m. Eastern standard time and is likely to last for only an hour or so. Periodically for at least the last 1,000 years, a spectacular rain of meteors spawned by a passing comet has lighted up the sky, inspiring fear, wonder and admiration. DOI INTHANON, Thailand (AP) _ Stargazers in Asia sought high ground and clear skies Tuesday to view the most spectacular celestial fireworks in 33 years, after enjoying a low-key preview Monday night. The Leonids meteor shower was expected to blaze forth in its entire glory over Asia and the Pacific after midnight and into early Wednesday, regaling millions with a heavenly display of falling stars too numerous to wish upon. Wiring in older planes has been under intense scrutiny by the agency since the explosion of TWA Flight 800, a 25-year-old Boeing 747, off Long Island on July 17, 1996. The crash , which killed 230 people , led to the discovery of wiring problems in various older planes. Exact entitlements have yet to be established. All 229 passengers and crew aboard Flight 111 from New York to Geneva were killed when the airliner plunged into the sea off Peggy's Cove. TORONTO (AP) _ Hundreds of thousands of pieces of Swissair Flight 111, representing 60 percent of the plane, have now been retrieved from the ocean floor, but an explanation for the Sept. 2 crash remains far off, investigators said Tuesday. Benoit Bouchard, chairman of Canada's Transportation Safety Board, predicted it would take longer than the normal 12 months to complete a final report on the crash off the Nova Scotia coast that killed all 229 people aboard the New York-to-Geneva flight. TORONTO (AP) _ Hundreds of thousands of pieces of Swissair Flight 111, representing 60 percent of the plane, have now been retrieved from the ocean floor, but an explanation for the Sept. 2 crash remains far off, investigators said Tuesday. Benoit Bouchard, chairman of Canada's Transportation Safety Board, predicted it would take longer than the normal 12 months to complete a final report on the crash off the Nova Scotia coast that killed all 229 people aboard the New York-to-Geneva flight. The investigators recently identified wiring from the entertainment system as being heat-damaged and coming from that area over the wall. The plane crashed on Sept. 2, on a flight from Kennedy International Airport in New York to Switzerland, killing all 229 people aboard. It described as ``pure speculation'' theories that a fire was caused by an electrical short that ignited insulation material. The MD-11 airliner flying from New York to Geneva crashed Sept. 2 off the coast of Canada, killing all 229 people aboard. The FAA issued the order as a final rule, but said it would accept public comment for 45 days. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the Swissair crash , which involved smoke in the cockpit and killed all 229 people aboard. It is a new way of grieving that has also been used by families of the victims of other crashes. ``This is a bit strange for me; I don't really know what to write or how to begin,'' said one posting, by a woman named Mette, who said her father died in the Sept. 3 crash that took 229 lives. Swissair is the only customer for the system, manufactured by Phoenix-based Interactive Flight Technologies Inc. The plane bound from New York to Geneva crashed Sept. 2 off the coast of Nova Scotia, killing all 229 people on board. Vic Gerden, the chief crash investigator, said the operation was a success, retrieving all three of the engines, parts of the fuselage and cockpit, as well as electronic circuit boards and bundles of wiring that will be examined for possible clues into the source of smoke that the pilots detected 16 minutes before the crash. Some debris from the cockpit area shows signs of extreme heat , but investigators have yet to establish any details about the cause or extent of a possible fire on board. Vic Gerden, the chief crash investigator, said the operation was a success, retrieving all three of the engines, parts of the fuselage and cockpit, as well as electronic circuit boards and bundles of wiring that will be examined for possible clues into the source of smoke that the pilots detected 16 minutes before the crash. Some debris from the cockpit area shows signs of extreme heat , but investigators have yet to establish any details about the cause or extent of a possible fire on board. WASHINGTON _ Investigators looking into the crash last month of Swissair Flight 111 off the coast of Nova Scotia have found ``heat damage'' in wires from the plane's in-flight entertainment system , prompting the airline to disconnect the system on all of its jumbo jets, Swissair officials said Thursday. ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) _ Swissair ``did everything correctly'' in installing a state-of-the-art entertainment system switched off last month in the wake of the crash of Flight 111, the airline's chief executive said in an interview published Sunday. Swissair acted voluntarily to disconnect the video-on-demand system, connected to a power supply routed through the cockpit, after Canadian investigators detected signs of heat damage on wiring and other debris from the ceiling around the cockpit of the MD-11. ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) _ Swissair ``did everything correctly'' in installing a state-of-the-art entertainment system switched off last month in the wake of the crash of Flight 111, the airline's chief executive said in an interview published Sunday. Swissair acted voluntarily to disconnect the video-on-demand system, connected to a power supply routed through the cockpit, after Canadian investigators detected signs of heat damage on wiring and other debris from the ceiling around the cockpit of the MD-11. All 229 passengers and crew aboard Flight 111 from New York to Geneva were killed when the airliner plunged into the sea off Peggy's Cove. The causes of the crash have not been determined. TORONTO (AP) _ Hundreds of thousands of pieces of Swissair Flight 111, representing 60 percent of the plane, have now been retrieved from the ocean floor, but an explanation for the Sept. 2 crash remains far off , investigators said Tuesday. The FAA issued the order as a final rule, but said it would accept public comment for 45 days. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the Swissair crash , which involved smoke in the cockpit and killed all 229 people aboard. The plane bound from New York to Geneva crashed Sept. 2 off the coast of Nova Scotia, killing all 229 people on board. The cause of the crash has yet to be determined. The plane bound from New York to Geneva crashed Sept. 2 off the coast of Nova Scotia, killing all 229 people on board. The cause of the crash has yet to be determined. ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) _ Swissair ``did everything correctly'' in installing a state-of-the-art entertainment system switched off last month in the wake of the crash of Flight 111, the airline's chief executive said in an interview published Sunday. Swissair acted voluntarily to disconnect the video-on-demand system, connected to a power supply routed through the cockpit, after Canadian investigators detected signs of heat damage on wiring and other debris from the ceiling around the cockpit of the MD-11. ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) _ Swissair ``did everything correctly'' in installing a state-of-the-art entertainment system switched off last month in the wake of the crash of Flight 111, the airline's chief executive said in an interview published Sunday. Swissair acted voluntarily to disconnect the video-on-demand system, connected to a power supply routed through the cockpit , after Canadian investigators detected signs of heat damage on wiring and other debris from the ceiling around the cockpit of the MD-11. ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) _ Swissair ``did everything correctly'' in installing a state-of-the-art entertainment system switched off last month in the wake of the crash of Flight 111, the airline's chief executive said in an interview published Sunday. Swissair acted voluntarily to disconnect the video-on-demand system, connected to a power supply routed through the cockpit, after Canadian investigators detected signs of heat damage on wiring and other debris from the ceiling around the cockpit of the MD-11. ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) _ Swissair ``did everything correctly'' in installing a state-of-the-art entertainment system switched off last month in the wake of the crash of Flight 111, the airline's chief executive said in an interview published Sunday. Swissair acted voluntarily to disconnect the video-on-demand system, connected to a power supply routed through the cockpit , after Canadian investigators detected signs of heat damage on wiring and other debris from the ceiling around the cockpit of the MD-11. The plane crashed on Sept. 2, on a flight from Kennedy International Airport in New York to Switzerland, killing all 229 people aboard. The pilots had reported smoke in the cockpit 16 minutes before the crash. WASHINGTON _ Investigators looking into the crash last month of Swissair Flight 111 off the coast of Nova Scotia have found ``heat damage'' in wires from the plane's in-flight entertainment system, prompting the airline to disconnect the system on all of its jumbo jets, Swissair officials said Thursday. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in a statement that there was not enough information to determine whether the heat damage was a possible source of the smoke that the pilots reported in the cockpit shortly before the crash , or whether it was ``merely the byproduct of other events.'' The MD-11 airliner flying from New York to Geneva crashed Sept. 2 off the coast of Canada, killing all 229 people aboard. The crew reported smoke in the cockpit 16 minutes before the crash. The FAA issued the order as a final rule, but said it would accept public comment for 45 days. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the Swissair crash , which involved smoke in the cockpit and killed all 229 people aboard. In response to a question, Ms. Garvey said it was not clear where ``older'' began. Asked about Swissair Flight 111, a 7-year-old MD-11 that crashed off Nova Scotia on Sept. 2 , she said she was not clear whether planes that age would be covered by the new program. It described as ``pure speculation'' theories that a fire was caused by an electrical short that ignited insulation material. The MD-11 airliner flying from New York to Geneva crashed Sept. 2 off the coast of Canada , killing all 229 people aboard. It described as ``pure speculation'' theories that a fire was caused by an electrical short that ignited insulation material. The MD-11 airliner flying from New York to Geneva crashed Sept. 2 off the coast of Canada, killing all 229 people aboard. Swissair is the only customer for the system, manufactured by Phoenix-based Interactive Flight Technologies Inc. The plane bound from New York to Geneva crashed Sept. 2 off the coast of Nova Scotia , killing all 229 people on board. One aviation safety official called it ``a circumstantial clue.'' The entertainment system installed by Swissair is apparently not used by any other airline , although the Federal Aviation Administration _ which approved the installation for Swissair _ said that if it found an airline using the same equipment, it would ask that the system be turned off. ``As far as we know now, we did everything correctly.'' Swissair is the only customer for the system , manufactured by Phoenix-based Interactive Flight Technologies Inc. ``As far as we know now, we did everything correctly.'' Swissair is the only customer for the system , manufactured by Phoenix-based Interactive Flight Technologies Inc. ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) _ Swissair ``did everything correctly'' in installing a state-of-the-art entertainment system switched off last month in the wake of the crash of Flight 111 , the airline's chief executive said in an interview published Sunday. ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) _ Swissair ``did everything correctly'' in installing a state-of-the-art entertainment system switched off last month in the wake of the crash of Flight 111 , the airline's chief executive said in an interview published Sunday. ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) _ Swissair ``did everything correctly'' in installing a state-of-the-art entertainment system switched off last month in the wake of the crash of Flight 111, the airline's chief executive said in an interview published Sunday. ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) _ Swissair ``did everything correctly'' in installing a state-of-the-art entertainment system switched off last month in the wake of the crash of Flight 111, the airline's chief executive said in an interview published Sunday. The entertainment system installed by Swissair is apparently not used by any other airline, although the Federal Aviation Administration _ which approved the installation for Swissair _ said that if it found an airline using the same equipment, it would ask that the system be turned off. The system is installed on the first-class and business-class seats of Swissair's 15 surviving MD-11s and its three 747s. The entertainment system installed by Swissair is apparently not used by any other airline, although the Federal Aviation Administration _ which approved the installation for Swissair _ said that if it found an airline using the same equipment, it would ask that the system be turned off. The system is installed on the first-class and business-class seats of Swissair's 15 surviving MD-11s and its three 747s. China only began developing taekwondo in 1995, a year after the last Asian Games, the newspaper said. China picked up one silver and one bronze medal at the 1997 world championships and won a gold, silver and five bronze medals at the Asian championships this year , the report said. After female swimmer Yuan Yuan was caught trying to smuggle 13 vials of human growth hormone through Sydney Airport, four of her teammates were nabbed with masking agents in their systems and thrown out of the games. Chinese women swimmers won 12 of the 16 golds at stake in the 1994 Rome world championships and all 15 of their races in the 1994 Asian Games. After female swimmer Yuan Yuan was caught trying to smuggle 13 vials of human growth hormone through Sydney Airport, four of her teammates were nabbed with masking agents in their systems and thrown out of the games. Chinese women swimmers won 12 of the 16 golds at stake in the 1994 Rome world championships and all 15 of their races in the 1994 Asian Games. BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ China's women divers expect to clinch Asian Games gold in the platform competition but could face stiff competition from Kazakstan in the springboard. BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ China's women divers expect to clinch Asian Games gold in the platform competition but could face stiff competition from Kazakstan in the springboard. BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ China's women divers expect to clinch Asian Games gold in the platform competition but could face stiff competition from Kazakstan in the springboard. BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ China's women divers expect to clinch Asian Games gold in the platform competition but could face stiff competition from Kazakstan in the springboard. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) _ Despite catastrophic hunger at home, North Korea plans to send 317 athletes and officials to next month's Asian Games in Thailand , South Korean officials said Thursday. Chang made the remarks in an interview published recently by the Chosun Shinbo, a newspaper run by pro-North Korean residents in Japan, said Seoul's Naewoe Press, which obtained the report. Chang said North Korea was sending a large delegation to Bangkok to prepare for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ China's swim team will hit the water at the Asian Games on Monday with a reminder of the darkest chapter in its story of drug shame. BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ China's swim team will hit the water at the Asian Games on Monday with a reminder of the darkest chapter in its story of drug shame. BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ Thailand expects 39 countries, regions or organizations to send teams to the Asian Games, but is still waiting for confirmation from Tajikistan, Mongolia and a Palestinian team, the games' organizers said Monday. Only Afghanistan is certain not to participate , said a press release from the organizing committee of the Dec. 6-20 games in Bangkok. ``At the same time, we are taking into consideration that some teams may not make it to the regional games.'' Last week , Afghanistan said it would not send a team to the games because it could not afford the expense. ``Irina is an excellent diver,'' said Li. ``If she gives her best in the competition, she has the chance to snatch the gold away from Chinese divers. '' ``Irina is an excellent diver,'' said Li. ``If she gives her best in the competition, she has the chance to snatch the gold away from Chinese divers. '' But the Indians have won an Asian Games gold medal only once, silver eight times and bronze once. The South Koreans , who have remained a force in field hockey since winning the gold in the 1986 Asian Games at home , are clearly the favorite. But the Indians have won an Asian Games gold medal only once, silver eight times and bronze once. The South Koreans, who have remained a force in field hockey since winning the gold in the 1986 Asian Games at home, are clearly the favorite. Earlier this year China announced, through FINA, that any of its athletes testing positive for steroids would be banned for life. Under those criteria , Xiong would never have had his second chance at an Asian Games. Earlier this year China announced, through FINA, that any of its athletes testing positive for steroids would be banned for life. Under those criteria , Xiong would never have had his second chance at an Asian Games. Chinese women swimmers won 12 of the 16 golds at stake in the 1994 Rome world championships and all 15 of their races in the 1994 Asian Games. The team won three gold medals at this year's world championships. Chinese women swimmers won 12 of the 16 golds at stake in the 1994 Rome world championships and all 15 of their races in the 1994 Asian Games. The team won three gold medals at this year's world championships. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil _ Brazilian voters appeared to re-elect President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in the first round of balloting Sunday , thus maintaining the leadership of a country struggling against economic crisis. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil _ Brazilian voters gave President Fernando Henrique Cardoso a comfortable lead in the first round of balloting Sunday , apparently maintaining the leadership of a country struggling against economic crisis. Brazil's largest stock exchange, Sao Paulo Bovespa, lost 4.5 percent while the smaller Rio de Janeiro stock exchange fell 3.4 percent. Although Cardoso seems to have clinched a first-round win , investors feared that he would put off any announcement of the harsh economic measures deemed necessary until the second round of voting for a number of governors, senators and federal deputies takes place on Oct. 25. Although Cardoso seems to have clinched a first-round win, investors feared that he would put off any announcement of the harsh economic measures deemed necessary until the second round of voting for a number of governors, senators and federal deputies takes place on Oct. 25. ``Cardoso has won in the first round , but the market is thinking that all the measures we are waiting for will only take place after the second round,'' said Fabio Lara, director at Schahin Cury brokerage in Sao Paulo. The New York Times said in editorial for Wednesday, Oct. 7: Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso has little time to savor his apparent first-round re-election victory Sunday. But Gregg Smith, chief investment strategist at Prudential Securities, said that financial markets were not expecting concrete reforms from Brazil in the next few weeks. ``The next thing everybody's going to be watching is whether there is an IMF and World Bank package to support Brazil and whether the Brazilians are starting to take actions to work on the budget deficit,'' he said. But Gregg Smith, chief investment strategist at Prudential Securities, said that financial markets were not expecting concrete reforms from Brazil in the next few weeks. ``The next thing everybody's going to be watching is whether there is an IMF and World Bank package to support Brazil and whether the Brazilians are starting to take actions to work on the budget deficit,'' he said. But Gregg Smith, chief investment strategist at Prudential Securities in New York, said the international financial markets were not necessarily expecting major changes from Brazil in the next few weeks. ``The next thing everybody's going to be watching is whether there is an IMF and World Bank package to support Brazil, and whether the Brazilians are starting to take actions to work on the budget deficit,'' he said. But Gregg Smith, chief investment strategist at Prudential Securities in New York, said the international financial markets were not necessarily expecting major changes from Brazil in the next few weeks. ``The next thing everybody's going to be watching is whether there is an IMF and World Bank package to support Brazil , and whether the Brazilians are starting to take actions to work on the budget deficit,'' he said. But when financial instability rocked Asia and then Russia last August, the same foreign investment that had swelled the country's foreign reserves left even faster than it came in. With a dlrs 41.5 International Monetary Fund -led bailout package , Brazil may have avoided becoming the latest domino to fall in the financial crisis afflicting Asia and Russia, but the outcome of all the fiscal belt-tightening needed to qualify for that aid will almost certainly spell recession in 1999. With $30 billion having drained from federal reserves since Russia's economic collapse in late August, and the Sao Paulo stock market down more than 40 percent this year, the Brazilian government has been somewhat paralyzed by the approach of elections. It has been negotiating a bailout with the International Monetary Fund , but has been unable to show progress on structural reforms that would cut government expenses over the long term. With $30 billion having drained from federal reserves since Russia's economic collapse in late August, and with the Sao Paulo stock market down more than 40 percent this year, the Brazilian government has been close to paralyzed by the approach of the election. It has been negotiating a bailout with the International Monetary Fund but has been unable to show progress on structural changes that would cut government expenses over the long term. Allies of the president did poorly in many of Brazil's most populous and politically influential states, weakening Cardoso's hand going into negotiations for reform. Though Brazil has not yet submitted a formal request, Brazilian officials have been in Washington negotiating some form of assistance from the International Monetary Fund that will likely total $30 billion or more. Allies of the president did poorly in many of Brazil's most populous and politically influential states, weakening Cardoso's hand going into negotiations for reform. Though Brazil has not yet submitted a formal request, Brazilian officials have been in Washington negotiating some form of assistance from the International Monetary Fund that will likely total $30 billion or more. The delay costs Brazil heavily; each day, the country loses hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign reserves, and the longer the country maintains interest rates over 40 percent, the deeper its recession and debt. With Brazil's solvency seen as crucial to maintaining economic stability of Latin America and protecting the United States from recession, the United States and the International Monetary Fund are preparing to chip in toward an aid package of at least $30 billion to shore up Brazil. The delay costs Brazil heavily; each day, the country loses hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign reserves, and the longer the country maintains interest rates over 40 percent, the deeper its recession and debt. With Brazil's solvency seen as crucial to maintaining economic stability of Latin America and protecting the United States from recession, the United States and the International Monetary Fund are preparing to chip in toward an aid package of at least $30 billion to shore up Brazil. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil _ Brazilian voters appeared to re-elect President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in the first round of balloting Sunday, thus maintaining the leadership of a country struggling against economic crisis. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil _ Brazilian voters gave President Fernando Henrique Cardoso a comfortable lead in the first round of balloting Sunday, apparently maintaining the leadership of a country struggling against economic crisis. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil _ Through the anxious weeks leading up to the national elections here on Sunday, as some $30 billion fled Brazil despite the doubling of domestic interest rates, international financial officials watched for the government to tackle cost-cutting reforms as soon as voting ended. The original spending cuts, announced two weeks ago, were part of an anxiously awaited program to raise government revenues next year by $23.5 billion, and represented Brazil's commitment to fiscal house cleaning and to shrinking its dangerously high budget deficit. The package was crucial for Brazil to qualify for a backup loan from the International Monetary Fund and other sources, including the U.S. government, and to counter a $30 billion hemorrhage from Brazil's foreign reserves , which have fallen to about $42 billion. With $30 billion having drained from federal reserves since Russia's economic collapse in late August, and the Sao Paulo stock market down more than 40 percent this year, the Brazilian government has been somewhat paralyzed by the approach of elections. It has been negotiating a bailout with the International Monetary Fund, but has been unable to show progress on structural reforms that would cut government expenses over the long term. With $30 billion having drained from federal reserves since Russia's economic collapse in late August, and with the Sao Paulo stock market down more than 40 percent this year, the Brazilian government has been close to paralyzed by the approach of the election. It has been negotiating a bailout with the International Monetary Fund but has been unable to show progress on structural changes that would cut government expenses over the long term. But political analysts said Congress would probably not convene to consider the painful economic measures before important gubernatorial runoffs on Oct. 25 because the legislators will be busy campaigning for their parties' gubernatorial candidates. With policy-makers at meetings of the Group of Seven industrial nations and the International Monetary Fund in Washington seeking permanent solutions to ward off the volatility that is threatening Brazil after devastating Asia and Russia, Cardoso is under considerable pressure to put Brazil's accounts in order. Exit polls indicated that he might win as much as 56 percent. Cabinet members gathering at the presidential palace in Brasilia Sunday night called the vote a mandate for the economic measures that the president is under national and international pressure to carry out. ``Governors have always exerted enormous influence on their states' congressional bloc,'' said Luciano Dias a Brasilia-based political consultant. ``And the outcome of the runoff elections will definitely determine just how easy, or difficult, it will be for Cardoso to persuade Congress to approve the austerity measures. '' Maluf is known as a big spender with presidential ambitions of his own. His victory could have complicated Cardoso's efforts to control state spending and win congressional approval for reforms. Now Congress must simplify taxes and improve income tax collection rates _ especially crucial because these taxes will come from the better-off in a country with one of the world's most unequal income distributions. Brazil must also control spending , especially on pensions for the bloated public sector. But many voters are indifferent, believing that hard times are ahead _ no matter what their choice at the polls. Caught up in the financial turmoil that began more than a year ago in Southeast Asia, Brazil believes it needs to slash government spending and raise taxes quickly to shore up its flagging economy and restore investor confidence. It also makes territorial claims against Turkey and accuses Turkey of unfairly diverting water from rivers that flow through both countries. For its part, Turkey is complaining ever more loudly about Syria's support for Kurdish insurgents in Turkey. ``Israel is not a part of this dispute and is not involved in it in any way,'' said Defense Ministry spokesman Avi Benayahu. Turkey has amassed troops on the border with Syria and warned of a military confrontation following allegations that Syria is supporting Turkish Kurdish rebels. Turkish Kurdish rebels fighting for autonomy in southeastern Turkey wage cross-border raids from camps in Iraq, Iran and Syria. The Ankara government accuses Syria of aiding the rebels , a charge Damascus denies. Mubarak met with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and was expected to renew his mediation bid on Monday by traveling to Ankara, the Turkish capital, for meetings with top officials there. Turkish officials have accused Syria of allowing the country to be used as a base for Kurdish rebels who have been fighting for self-rule in southeastern Turkey. Turkish Kurdish rebels fighting for autonomy in southeastern Turkey wage cross-border raids from camps in Iraq, Iran and Syria. The Ankara government accuses Syria of aiding the rebels , a charge Damascus denies. Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, who accompanied Mubarak to Saudi Arabia and Syria, said Mubarak had consulted by phone on Saturday with Assad and also conveyed a message to Turkish President Suleyman Demirel through Turkey's ambassador to Egypt, Yasser Yakis. Turkey long has accused Syria of sheltering Kurdish rebels , who have been fighting since 1984 for more autonomy for the Kurdish population in southeastern Turkey. Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, who accompanied Mubarak to Saudi Arabia and Syria, said Mubarak had consulted by phone on Saturday with Assad and also conveyed a message to Turkish President Suleyman Demirel through Turkey's ambassador to Egypt, Yasser Yakis. Turkey long has accused Syria of sheltering Kurdish rebels , who have been fighting since 1984 for more autonomy for the Kurdish population in southeastern Turkey. ISTANBUL , Turkey _ Tension between Turkey and Syria has risen to the point where the top Turkish military commander says the two hostile neighbors have reached ``a state of undeclared war.'' RIYADH , Saudi Arabia (AP) _ President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt will go to Syria and Turkey to help cool tensions between the two countries , which appear to be edging toward a military conflict, a top Egyptian official said Saturday. The Ankara government accuses Syria of aiding the rebels, a charge Damascus denies. In an effort to ease escalating tension between Syria and Turkey , Egypt said Saturday that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will travel to Damascus and Ankara for talks. CAIRO, Egypt _ In a sign of Arab concern over growing tensions between Turkey and Syria , Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak flew on short notice to Syria on Sunday in an effort to defuse what is being portrayed in the Middle East as an unsettling crisis. DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) _ Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak flew here on Sunday to try to defuse growing tension between Syria and Turkey. DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) _ Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak flew to Damascus on Sunday to try to defuse growing tension between Syria and Turkey. Turkey's incursion into northern Iraq on Friday followed two days of airstrikes against suspected rebel bases, the daily Hurriyet said. Turkish Kurdish rebels fighting for autonomy in southeastern Turkey wage cross-border raids from camps in Iraq, Iran and Syria. Mubarak met with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and was expected to renew his mediation bid on Monday by traveling to Ankara, the Turkish capital, for meetings with top officials there. Turkish officials have accused Syria of allowing the country to be used as a base for Kurdish rebels who have been fighting for self-rule in southeastern Turkey. Turkey's incursion into northern Iraq on Friday followed two days of airstrikes against suspected rebel bases, the daily Hurriyet said Saturday. Turkish Kurdish rebels fighting for autonomy in southeastern Turkey wage cross-border raids from camps in Iraq, Iran and Syria. Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, who accompanied Mubarak to Saudi Arabia and Syria, said Mubarak had consulted by phone on Saturday with Assad and also conveyed a message to Turkish President Suleyman Demirel through Turkey's ambassador to Egypt, Yasser Yakis. Turkey long has accused Syria of sheltering Kurdish rebels, who have been fighting since 1984 for more autonomy for the Kurdish population in southeastern Turkey. Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, who accompanied Mubarak to Saudi Arabia and Syria, said Mubarak had consulted by phone on Saturday with Assad and also conveyed a message to Turkish President Suleyman Demirel through Turkey's ambassador to Egypt, Yasser Yakis. Turkey long has accused Syria of sheltering Kurdish rebels, who have been fighting since 1984 for more autonomy for the Kurdish population in southeastern Turkey. ``We are trying to be patient,'' said the commander, Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, ``but that has a limit.'' Syria has reacted angrily to Turkey's blossoming friendship with Israel. Turkey has amassed troops on the border with Syria and warned of a military confrontation following allegations that Syria is supporting Turkish Kurdish rebels. Damascus in respoonse has accused Turkey and Israel of contriving against Syria through their increased military cooperation. Fueling tension between the two countries are Turkey and Israel's expanding military and diplomatic ties. Syria claims the ties are a threat to the Arab world, and on Saturday , Damascus again accused Turkey of plotting with Israel to undermine Syria. A government statement Saturday confirmed Syria's ``keenness for good, neighborly relations with Turkey'' as well as readiness to resolve disputes ``in diplomatic ways, in an atmosphere of trust.'' For its part, Syria has accused Turkey of forming military alliances with Israel that threaten Arab security and undermine Syria's bargaining position in peace talks with the Jewish state. A government statement Saturday confirmed Syria's ``keenness for good, neighborly relations with Turkey'' as well as readiness to resolve disputes ``in diplomatic ways, in an atmosphere of trust.'' For its part, Syria has accused Turkey of forming military alliances with Israel that threaten Arab security and undermine Syria's bargaining position in peace talks with the Jewish state. Last week the official Syrian newspaper Al Baath said Turkey's newly assertive position ``is a result of full coordination between Ankara and Tel Aviv in accordance with their alliance.'' Turkish military commanders are frustrated by their inability to crush Kurdish guerrillas, and have for years been sending units into northern Iraq to attack their bases. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ About 10,000 Turkish soldiers have crossed into northern Iraq to attack Kurdish rebels , and the government said it might send forces into Syria to eradicate guerrilla bases there, news reports said Saturday. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ The Turkish government , which sent about 10,000 soldiers into northern Iraq to attack Kurdish rebels , has said it might send forces into Syria to eradicate guerrilla bases there, according to news reports. Turkey long has accused Syria of sheltering Kurdish rebels, who have been fighting since 1984 for more autonomy for the Kurdish population in southeastern Turkey. Late last week , Turkey sent 10,000 troops into northern Iraq to hit bases that Turkish Kurds use for their uprising. The next day Turkish President Suleyman Demirel asserted that Syria ``openly pursues a policy of hostility against Turkey.'' Syria has denied supporting Kurdish rebels. Turkey has reportedly massed troops and armored vehicles along its border with Syria after stepping up its accusations in recent days that Syria is supporting Turkish Kurdish rebels. Syria denies sheltering the rebels and in a government statement Saturday confirmed ``its keenness for good neighborly relations with Turkey'' as well as its readiness to solve every issue through ``diplomatic ways, in an atmosphere of trust.'' Late last week, Turkey sent 10,000 troops into northern Iraq to hit bases that Turkish Kurds use for their uprising. Damascus denies sheltering Kurdish fighters. Late last week, Turkey sent 10,000 troops into northern Iraq to hit bases that Turkish Kurds use for their uprising. Damascus denies sheltering Kurdish fighters. The Ankara government accuses Syria of aiding the rebels, a charge Damascus denies. In an effort to ease escalating tension between Syria and Turkey, Egypt said Saturday that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will travel to Damascus and Ankara for talks. In Jerusalem, Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman Avi Benayahu on Saturday denied his country was involved ``in any way'' in the looming Turkey-Syria confrontation. In an effort to head off a military conflict, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak flew to Damascus on Sunday for talks with Syrian President Hafez Assad and was expected to visit Turkey on Monday. ``I am ready to exert every effort in this direction in Damascus and Ankara.'' Turkey's Foreign Ministry said Mubarak also was expected in Ankara, possibly on Monday. ``I am ready to exert every effort in this direction in Damascus and Ankara.'' Turkey's Foreign Ministry said Mubarak also was expected in Ankara , possibly on Monday. Mubarak ``will head within the next few hours to Syria and Turkey to hold discussions,'' Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said in Riyadh where Mubarak met with Saudi King Fahd earlier. Turkey has reportedly massed troops and armored vehicles along its border with Syria after stepping up its accusations in recent days that Syria is supporting Turkish Kurdish rebels. ``Israel is not a part of this dispute and is not involved in it in any way,'' said Defense Ministry spokesman Avi Benayahu. Turkey has amassed troops on the border with Syria and warned of a military confrontation following allegations that Syria is supporting Turkish Kurdish rebels. Mubarak was met at the airport by Syrian President Hafez Assad, and the two leaders drove straight to Assad's palace for talks. The talks come as Turkey has massed forces near the border with Syria after threatening to eradicate Kurdish rebel bases in the neighboring country. The exercise was expected to follow current NATO maneuvers, running in an area close to Syria through Oct. 21. In a show of force , Turkish jets buzzed along the Syrian border on Friday , daily Radikal reported Saturday. The talks come as Turkey has massed forces near the border with Syria after threatening to eradicate Kurdish rebel bases in the neighboring country. In a show of force on Friday , Turkish jets buzzed the Syrian frontier , a Turkish daily reported. The talks come as Turkey has massed forces near the border with Syria after threatening to eradicate Kurdish rebel bases in the neighboring country. In a show of force on Friday , Turkish jets buzzed the Syrian frontier , a Turkish daily reported. CAIRO, Egypt _ In a sign of Arab concern over growing tensions between Turkey and Syria, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak flew on short notice to Syria on Sunday in an effort to defuse what is being portrayed in the Middle East as an unsettling crisis. DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) _ Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak flew to Damascus on Sunday to try to defuse growing tension between Syria and Turkey. The East Timor Action Network plans to make the documents public on Friday. Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 , a year after the former Portuguese colony was abandoned by Lisbon. There were no arrests. The killings came after several months of relative calm in East Timor's long-running guerrilla war , which broke out in 1975 when Indonesian forces invaded the former Portuguese colony. Portuguese officials expressed concern about the reports, saying they could undermine confidence-building measures. Indonesia invaded the territory of 800,000 people in December 1975 , a few months after the departure of Portugal's colonial administration. ``We've reached a very important, and I might even say critical, moment in the talks,'' Marker told reporters after a dinner with President Jorge Sampaio. He said the U.N. plan includes ``a proposal for very wide-ranging autonomy for East Timor,'' a former Portuguese colony that Indonesia invaded in 1975 and later annexed. Azancot de Menezes, the exiled Lisbon representative of the Timor Socialist Party, said his group was ready to coordinate the attacks with pro-independence guerrillas based inside East Timor. Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 , after the departure of Portugal's colonial administration. The soldiers were abducted in an attack by 50 rebels in Manufahi, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Dili, the capital of East Timor. In recent days, four other soldiers have been killed in attacks linked to the independence struggle in East Timor, which was invaded by the Indonesian military in 1975. Habibie, has offered to grant autonomy to the half-island territory in return for international recognition of Indonesian sovereignty there. Indonesia annexed East Timor , a former Portuguese colony, after invading during a 1975 civil war that broke out when Portugal colonizers left. Carrascalao said the talks were to resume today. East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in 1975 and annexed the following year in a move never recognized by the United Nations. The Indonesian military has said there are 15,000 soldiers in East Timor, including 5,000 troops engaged in community work such as health care and engineering. Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1976 , a year after intervening in a civil war. Dozens of buses also brought people from outlying villagers into Dili for Thursday's planned ceremonies. Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1976 , a year after its troops intervened in a civil war that broke out during the last days of Portuguese rule. Habibie, has offered to grant autonomy to the half-island territory in return for international recognition of Indonesian sovereignty there. Indonesia annexed East Timor , a former Portuguese colony, after invading during a 1975 civil war that broke out when Portugal colonizers left. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) _ Indonesian legislators on Friday chided a Portuguese effort to extradite former President Suharto, describing the proposal as impossible and unreasonable. Portugal's attorney general's office is examining a request from lawmaker Nuno Correia da Silva that Suharto be extradited for alleged human rights abuses committed in East Timor _ a former Portuguese territory annexed by Indonesia in 1976. None of the leaked documents track how figures may have changed since then. Alatas, the foreign minister, is taking part in discussions with the Portuguese under U.N. auspices over the future of East Timor , which Lisbon and Jakarta agree should be given a large measure of autonomy. Citing witness reports, Suratman alleged they were killed by demonstrators who attended a rally organized by the Solidarity Council of Students and Youths, a group that wants a referendum on independence. Indonesia has ruled out the demand, offering instead a measure of autonomy in exchange for recognition of Indonesian sovereignty and the release of jailed East Timorese rebel leader Xanana Gusmao. Marker, who was appointed 20 months ago to mediate a settlement on East Timor, was on the second day of a three-day visit for talks with Portuguese officials and East Timorese exiles. After the May resignation of authoritarian President Suharto , Indonesia proposed granting some degree of autonomy to the territory of 800,000 people , but insisted on retaining control over its defense, economic and foreign policy. Another soldier who was with them was believed killed but his body had not been found, he said. Citing witness reports, Suratman alleged they were killed by demonstrators who attended a rally organized by the Solidarity Council of Students and Youths, a group that wants a referendum on independence. After the May resignation of authoritarian President Suharto, Indonesia proposed granting some degree of autonomy to the territory of 800,000 people, but insisted on retaining control over its defense, economic and foreign policy. Portugal and East Timorese pro-independence groups rejected that proposal and insisted a referendum be held inside the territory to decide its future. After the May resignation of authoritarian President Suharto, Indonesia proposed granting some degree of autonomy to the territory of 800,000 people, but insisted on retaining control over its defense, economic and foreign policy. Portugal and East Timorese pro-independence groups rejected that proposal and insisted a referendum be held inside the territory to decide its future. Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1976, a year after intervening in a civil war. The United Nations does not recognize Indonesian rule and is sponsoring peace talks between Indonesia and Portugal , the former colonial master. LISBON, Portugal (AP) _ A U.N. envoy said Wednesday he was making progress in his efforts to mediate a settlement between Portugal and Indonesia on the disputed territory of East Timor , news reports said. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) _ Indonesian legislators on Friday chided a Portuguese effort to extradite former President Suharto, describing the proposal as impossible and unreasonable. Portugal's attorney general's office is examining a request from lawmaker Nuno Correia da Silva that Suharto be extradited for alleged human rights abuses committed in East Timor _ a former Portuguese territory annexed by Indonesia in 1976. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) _ Indonesian legislators on Friday chided a Portuguese effort to extradite former President Suharto, describing the proposal as impossible and unreasonable. Portugal's attorney general's office is examining a request from lawmaker Nuno Correia da Silva that Suharto be extradited for alleged human rights abuses committed in East Timor _ a former Portuguese territory annexed by Indonesia in 1976. DILI, Indonesia (AP) _ Rebels in the disputed territory of East Timor were holding two soldiers captive Wednesday after releasing 11 others they abducted in a deadly raid. Three soldiers and one pro-independence activist were killed in the raid Monday on a military post , in which guerrillas stole seven guns, including some M-16 rifles. It said it had identified 14 of those killed and expressed grave fears for the safety of the detainees. ``The killings and arrests in the Alas subdistrict have followed the recent buildup of Indonesian troops in the area,'' the report said, adding that the alleged killings may have been in retaliation for an attack on the troops by rebels of the East Timorese Armed Resistance in which three Indonesian soldiers were killed and 13 captured. as a small group of police watched nearby. The peaceful protest in Kuala Lumpur was to commemorate the anniversary of a 1991 massacre of anti-Indonesian protesters. as a small group of police watched nearby. The peaceful protest in Kuala Lumpur was to commemorate the anniversary of a 1991 massacre of anti-Indonesian protesters. A government report put the death toll at 50. Human rights activists say about 200 people were killed. A government report put the death toll at 50. Human rights activists say about 200 people were killed. Indonesia invaded the territory of 800,000 people in December 1975, a few months after the departure of Portugal's colonial administration. It annexed the territory, 1,200 miles (1,900 kilometers) east of Jakarta , a month later. Indonesia annexed East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, after invading during a 1975 civil war that broke out when Portugal colonizers left. Indonesian troops have been accused of widespread abuses in East Timor, 1,200 miles (1,900 kilometers) east of Jakarta. Departing passengers had to make a night-long trek by bus from Gaza to El Arish, moving slowly through Palestinian, Israeli and Egyptian checkpoints to board flights that took far less time than the ground journey. Flying from Gaza for the first time on Saturday , passengers remarked on the simple convenience of going directly from home to their local airport, avoiding Israeli interrogations and security checks at border crossings and at Ben-Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel. RAFAH, Gaza Strip _ Cruising at 19,000 feet on Saturday in the cockpit of the first Palestinian Airlines flight to depart from Gaza's new international airport , Capt. Mohammad Abdel Salam from Bethlehem, the steward, greeted the passengers of Flight 152, inaugurating regular service from the Gaza airport, which was ceremonially opened last month. ``Welcome aboard the first flight from Yasser Arafat International Airport , bound for Amman,'' Abdel Salam said over the loudspeaker. Departing passengers had to make a night-long trek by bus from Gaza to El Arish, moving slowly through Palestinian, Israeli and Egyptian checkpoints to board flights that took far less time than the ground journey. Flying from Gaza for the first time on Saturday , passengers remarked on the simple convenience of going directly from home to their local airport, avoiding Israeli interrogations and security checks at border crossings and at Ben-Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel. RAFAH, Gaza Strip _ Cruising at 19,000 feet on Saturday in the cockpit of the first Palestinian Airlines flight to depart from Gaza's new international airport , Capt. Mohammad Abdel Salam from Bethlehem, the steward, greeted the passengers of Flight 152, inaugurating regular service from the Gaza airport, which was ceremonially opened last month. ``Welcome aboard the first flight from Yasser Arafat International Airport , bound for Amman,'' Abdel Salam said over the loudspeaker. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Israel has threatened to close down the Palestinian-run Gaza airport over a security violation, an Israeli official said Tuesday, a move that could further undermine the already fragile peace process. Palestinian airport workers refused to allow Israeli security officials to check the identity of passengers who arrived on an Egyptian plane Sunday afternoon, most of whom worked for the Palestinian Authority, according to Civilian Airport Authority Director Nir Yarkoni. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Israel has threatened to close down the Palestinian-run Gaza airport over a security violation, an Israeli official said Tuesday, a move that could further undermine the already fragile peace process. Palestinian airport workers refused to allow Israeli security officials to check the identity of passengers who arrived on an Egyptian plane Sunday afternoon, most of whom worked for the Palestinian Authority, according to Civilian Airport Authority Director Nir Yarkoni. Israel retains security control over flights arriving at Gaza International Airport, and Palestinian security officials consult with their Israeli counterparts. Earlier this week , Israel threatened to close down the Gaza airport when Palestinian airport workers refused to allow Israeli security officials to check the identity of passengers who arrived on an Egyptian plane, most of whom worked for the Palestinian Authority. Israel retains security control over flights arriving at Gaza International Airport, and Palestinian security officials consult with their Israeli counterparts. Earlier this week, Israel threatened to close down the Gaza airport when Palestinian airport workers refused to allow Israeli security officials to check the identity of passengers who arrived on an Egyptian plane, most of whom worked for the Palestinian Authority. DAHANIEH, Gaza Strip (AP) _ Taking a major step toward statehood, the Palestinians on Tuesday inaugurated Gaza International Airport , their first gateway to the world, with cheers, tears and an outpouring of patriotism. DAHANIEH, Gaza Strip (AP) _ Taking a major step toward statehood, the Palestinians on Tuesday inaugurated Gaza International Airport , their first gateway to the world, with cheers, tears and an outpouring of patriotism. RAFAH , Gaza _ Palestinians celebrated with euphoria the long-delayed opening of their international airport Tuesday as a parade of planes swooped down from cottony skies and glided to a literal red-carpet landing in the flatlands of Gaza. Zeidan was not immediately available for comment. Israel retains security control over flights arriving to Gaza International Airport. Zeidan was not immediately available for comment. Israel retains security control over flights arriving to Gaza International Airport. The airport's opening last month, stipulated by the accords brokered by U.S. President Bill Clinton at Wye River, Maryland in October, was hailed by Palestinians as a milestone toward independence and statehood. Israel retains security control over flights arriving at Gaza International Airport, and Palestinian security officials consult with their Israeli counterparts. Zeidan was not immediately available for comment. Israel retains security control over flights arriving to Gaza International Airport. Zeidan was not immediately available for comment. Israel retains security control over flights arriving to Gaza International Airport. The airport's opening last month, stipulated by the accords brokered by U.S. President Bill Clinton at Wye River, Maryland in October, was hailed by Palestinians as a milestone toward independence and statehood. Israel retains security control over flights arriving at Gaza International Airport , and Palestinian security officials consult with their Israeli counterparts. Since then, Israel has accused the Palestinians of failing to contain anti-Israel violence, and has frozen the accords. The Palestinians , in turn, accuse Israel of reneging on an agreement to release Palestinians jailed for anti-Israel activities. Since then, Israel has accused the Palestinians of failing to contain anti-Israel violence, and has frozen the accords. The Palestinians , in turn, accuse Israel of reneging on an agreement to release Palestinians jailed for anti-Israel activities. Since Wye, Israel has accused the Palestinians of failing to contain anti-Israel violence, and has frozen the accords. The Palestinians , in turn, accuse Israel of reneging on an agreement to release Palestinians jailed for anti-Israel activities. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Israel has threatened to close down the Palestinian-run Gaza airport over a security violation , an Israeli official said Tuesday, a move that could further undermine the already fragile peace process. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Israel has threatened to close down the Palestinian-run Gaza airport over a security violation , an Israeli official said Tuesday, a move that could further undermine the already fragile peace process. The plane left with the passenger aboard, but without his luggage. Israeli officials also delayed a plane making a stopover from Saudi Arabia to Cairo , it said. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Israeli security officials delayed two planes from taking off from the Palestinian airport on Wednesday , marking the latest tensions in a rare area of Israeli-Palestinian cooperation. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Israel has threatened to close down the Palestinian-run Gaza airport over a security violation, an Israeli official said Tuesday, a move that could further undermine the already fragile peace process. JERUSALEM (AP) _ Israel has threatened to close down the Palestinian-run Gaza airport over a security violation, an Israeli official said Tuesday, a move that could further undermine the already fragile peace process. AMMAN , Jordan (AP) _ The first Palestinian commercial flight landed at Amman's Marka Airport on Saturday, inaugurating an air route between Jordan and the autonomous Gaza Strip. AMMAN, Jordan (AP) _ The first Palestinian commercial flight landed at Amman's Marka Airport on Saturday , inaugurating an air route between Jordan and the autonomous Gaza Strip. The United States and Britain have accused Libyans Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah of blowing up a Pan Am jumbo jet over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, killing 270 people. Both men were indicted in 1991, and the United Nations imposed sanctions in 1992 to try to force Gadhafi to hand them over. The United States and Britain have accused Libyans Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah of blowing up a Pan Am jumbo jet over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, killing 270 people. Both men were indicted in 1991, and the United Nations imposed sanctions in 1992 to try to force Gadhafi to hand them over. The Libyan foreign ministry said it was astonished by the ``harmony'' between the British and U.S. statements which ``confirms Libya's warning that the British-American initiative is nothing more than a trick.'' Libya has been under U.N. sanctions since 1992 to force it to hand over the defendants. It was not clear if his plane flew directly from Libya in violation of a U.N. air embargo on the North African state. African countries voted in June to ignore the U.N. flight ban which was imposed in 1992 to try and force Libya to hand over for trial two suspects wanted in the 1988 bombing of an American airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland. It was not clear if his plane flew directly from Libya in violation of a U.N. air embargo on the North African state. African countries voted in June to ignore the U.N. flight ban that was imposed in 1992 to try and force Libya to hand over for trial two suspects wanted in the 1988 bombing of an American airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland. The dissidents said Gadhafi's long resistance to turning over the two suspects stemmed from fear that their testimony would directly implicate his government in the bombing. Libya has been under U.N. sanctions since 1992 to force it to hand over the two defendants in the Lockerbie case. Council members also agreed to consider additional sanctions if Libya didn't produce the suspects. The sanctions, which include an air embargo, were imposed to force Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to turn the men over. Council members also agreed to consider additional sanctions if Libya didn't produce the suspects. The sanctions, which include an air embargo, were imposed to force Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to turn the men over. Most visitors arrive by ferry from Malta or travel overland from Egypt or Tunisia; U.N. sanctions imposed in 1992 ban air travel to and from the country. Farrakhan repeatedly has urged an end to the sanctions, which were imposed to try to force Gadhafi to surrender two Libyans wanted in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am jetliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people. Most visitors arrive by ferry from Malta or travel overland from Egypt or Tunisia; U.N. sanctions imposed in 1992 ban air travel to and from the country. Farrakhan repeatedly has urged an end to the sanctions , which were imposed to try to force Gadhafi to surrender two Libyans wanted in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am jetliner over Lockerbie , Scotland, that killed 270 people. The Foreign Ministry said Libya ``does not accept the claim that it is procrastinating to gain time as the other sides claim,'' the official Libyan news agency said Wednesday in a report received in Cairo. Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Sate Madeline Albright and British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook accused Libya of delaying the case and warned it would face stiffer U.N. sanctions if it did not hand over for trial two Libyans wanted for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 , which killed 270 people in 1988. CAIRO, Egypt (AP) _ Libya has denied U.S._British allegations that it is delaying the hand-over of two men wanted for the blowing up of an American airliner over Lockerbie , Scotland. it declares. And yet behind this stubborn facade there are indications that the Libyan leader, Col. Moammar Gadhafi, might at last be close to accepting a compromise that could bring an end to his country's isolation, imposed for its failure to hand over two suspects wanted in the bombing of Pam Am flight 103 over the tiny Scottish village of Lockerbie in 1988, in which 270 were killed. It was not clear if his plane flew directly from Libya in violation of a U.N. air embargo on the North African state. African countries voted in June to ignore the U.N. flight ban which was imposed in 1992 to try and force Libya to hand over for trial two suspects wanted in the 1988 bombing of an American airliner over Lockerbie , Scotland. It was not clear if his plane flew directly from Libya in violation of a U.N. air embargo on the North African state. African countries voted in June to ignore the U.N. flight ban that was imposed in 1992 to try and force Libya to hand over for trial two suspects wanted in the 1988 bombing of an American airliner over Lockerbie , Scotland. An Egyptian source, who like the Libyans spoke on condition of anonymity, said he heard nothing about any such trials during meetings with leading officials on a just-ended trip to the Libyan capital Tripoli. The reported jailing of the three officials comes as Gadhafi is under pressure to accept a plan to turn over for trial two other Libyans wanted for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie , Scotland, that led to 270 deaths. UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Wednesday that he may travel to Libya next week in hopes of closing a deal to try two Libyan suspects in the Pan Am Lockerbie bombing. After that such acts will automatically come to an end,'' Gadhafi said. The United States and Britain have accused Libyans Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah of blowing up a Pan Am jumbo jet over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, killing 270 people. The Foreign Ministry said Libya ``does not accept the claim that it is procrastinating to gain time as the other sides claim,'' the official Libyan news agency said Wednesday in a report received in Cairo. Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Sate Madeline Albright and British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook accused Libya of delaying the case and warned it would face stiffer U.N. sanctions if it did not hand over for trial two Libyans wanted for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 , which killed 270 people in 1988. it declares. And yet behind this stubborn facade there are indications that the Libyan leader, Col. Moammar Gadhafi, might at last be close to accepting a compromise that could bring an end to his country's isolation, imposed for its failure to hand over two suspects wanted in the bombing of Pam Am flight 103 over the tiny Scottish village of Lockerbie in 1988 , in which 270 were killed. African countries voted in June to ignore the U.N. flight ban which was imposed in 1992 to try and force Libya to hand over for trial two suspects wanted in the 1988 bombing of an American airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland. The blast killed 270 people. African countries voted in June to ignore the U.N. flight ban that was imposed in 1992 to try and force Libya to hand over for trial two suspects wanted in the 1988 bombing of an American airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland. The blast killed 270 people. An Egyptian source, who like the Libyans spoke on condition of anonymity, said he heard nothing about any such trials during meetings with leading officials on a just-ended trip to the Libyan capital Tripoli. The reported jailing of the three officials comes as Gadhafi is under pressure to accept a plan to turn over for trial two other Libyans wanted for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie , Scotland, that led to 270 deaths. Most visitors arrive by ferry from Malta or travel overland from Egypt or Tunisia; U.N. sanctions imposed in 1992 ban air travel to and from the country. Farrakhan repeatedly has urged an end to the sanctions, which were imposed to try to force Gadhafi to surrender two Libyans wanted in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am jetliner over Lockerbie , Scotland, that killed 270 people. He argued that the two would not be guaranteed a fair trial in either Britain or the United States. But after nearly a decade of deadlock , the U.N. Security Council approved a U.S.-British plan in August for a trial of the two Libyans in the Netherlands overseen by Scottish judges following Scottish law. Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Sate Madeline Albright and British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook accused Libya of delaying the case and warned it would face stiffer U.N. sanctions if it did not hand over for trial two Libyans wanted for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270 people in 1988. In July , the U.N. Security Council backed a U.S._British plan for the two suspects to stand trial in the Netherlands. Two Libyans, Abdel Basset Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah, are accused of planting the suitcase bomb that ripped apart the New York-bound Pan Am jet on Dec. 21, 1988, killing 270 people in the air and on the ground at Lockerbie. For 10 years , the United States and Britain had demanded the two be tried in the United States or Britain, but agreed in August to a trial in the Netherlands in hopes of finally bringing the issue to a close. Annan is heading to North Africa beginning Thursday to resume a visit cut short to deal with the Iraq crisis. A Libyan legal team has been meeting regularly with Annan's legal counsel to discuss a U.S.-British proposal to try the suspects in the Netherlands , according to Scottish law and using Scottish judges. Annan is heading to North Africa beginning Thursday to resume a visit cut short to deal with the Iraq crisis. A Libyan legal team has been meeting regularly with Annan's legal counsel to discuss a U.S.-British proposal to try the suspects in the Netherlands , according to Scottish law and using Scottish judges. And yet behind this stubborn facade there are indications that the Libyan leader, Col. Moammar Gadhafi, might at last be close to accepting a compromise that could bring an end to his country's isolation, imposed for its failure to hand over two suspects wanted in the bombing of Pam Am flight 103 over the tiny Scottish village of Lockerbie in 1988, in which 270 were killed. Although he has sent mixed signals about it, Gadhafi may be carefully weighing a deal, proposed in August by the United States and Britain, that would require Libya to surrender the two suspects for a trial in the Netherlands. It was not clear if his plane flew directly from Libya in violation of a U.N. air embargo on the North African state. African countries voted in June to ignore the U.N. flight ban which was imposed in 1992 to try and force Libya to hand over for trial two suspects wanted in the 1988 bombing of an American airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland. It was not clear if his plane flew directly from Libya in violation of a U.N. air embargo on the North African state. African countries voted in June to ignore the U.N. flight ban that was imposed in 1992 to try and force Libya to hand over for trial two suspects wanted in the 1988 bombing of an American airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland. He argued that the two would not be guaranteed a fair trial in either Britain or the United States. But after nearly a decade of deadlock, the U.N. Security Council approved a U.S.-British plan in August for a trial of the two Libyans in the Netherlands overseen by Scottish judges following Scottish law. Al-Hayat's report said it had questioned Libyan Justice Minister Mohamed Belgasim al-Zuwiy about the purported trials, but he had replied only ``trials are going on all the time.'' Both the Guardian and Al-Hayat suggested that the jailing of the three was aimed at blocking their testimony at a trial of the two Libyan suspects which, under a plan approved by the U.N. Security Council, would be heard by Scottish judges in the Netherlands. Annan is heading to North Africa beginning Thursday to resume a visit cut short to deal with the Iraq crisis. A Libyan legal team has been meeting regularly with Annan's legal counsel to discuss a U.S.-British proposal to try the suspects in the Netherlands, according to Scottish law and using Scottish judges. Libya has accepted the idea in principle, but Gadhafi has demanded negotiations to ensure the safety of the suspects. He also wants the men , if convicted, to serve their sentences in Libya or the Netherlands. Libya has accepted the idea in principle, but Gadhafi has demanded negotiations to ensure the safety of the suspects. He also wants the men, if convicted , to serve their sentences in Libya or the Netherlands. Libya has agreed to the offer in principle, after many years of refusing to hand the suspects over for trial in Britain or the United States. But it is insisting on certain guarantees, including a promise that the suspects would serve their sentences in the Netherlands or Libya if convicted. There is ``a sense of optimism,'' he said. Libya had accepted the proposal in theory, but had objected to its call for the suspects to be jailed in a Scottish prison if found guilty. There is ``a sense of optimism,'' he said. Libya had accepted the proposal in theory, but objected to its call for the suspects to be jailed in a Scottish prison if found guilty. There is ``a sense of optimism,'' he said. Libya had accepted the proposal in theory, but had objected to its call for the suspects to be jailed in a Scottish prison if found guilty. There is ``a sense of optimism,'' he said. Libya had accepted the proposal in theory, but objected to its call for the suspects to be jailed in a Scottish prison if found guilty. The Libyan foreign ministry said it was astonished by the ``harmony'' between the British and U.S. statements which ``confirms Libya's warning that the British-American initiative is nothing more than a trick.'' Libya has been under U.N. sanctions since 1992 to force it to hand over the defendants. The dissidents said Gadhafi's long resistance to turning over the two suspects stemmed from fear that their testimony would directly implicate his government in the bombing. Libya has been under U.N. sanctions since 1992 to force it to hand over the two defendants in the Lockerbie case. ISTANBUL, Turkey _ A three-week-old crisis between Turkey and Syria appears to have been at least temporarily defused by the signing of an agreement in which Syria agreed to stop supporting Kurdish rebels , who are demanding a homeland in Turkey. ISTANBUL, Turkey _ A three-week-old crisis between Turkey and Syria appears to have been at least temporarily defused by the signing of an agreement in which Syria agreed to stop supporting Kurdish rebels, who are demanding a homeland in Turkey. Turkey had demanded that Syria cease all support for the guerrilla force known as the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK , which is fighting for a Kurdish homeland in southeastern Turkey. Russian officials, however, said they had no information on Ocalan entering Russia. Ocalan's PKK has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey since 1984 in a war that has claimed 37,000 lives. MOSCOW (AP) _ Russia's parliament on Wednesday asked President Boris Yeltsin to offer political asylum to Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is wanted in Turkey on charges of heading a terrorist organization. Turkey officially asked Russia last week to extradite Ocalan, who leads the banned Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK, which has been fighting for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey since 1984. MOSCOW (AP) _ Russia's parliament on Wednesday asked President Boris Yeltsin to offer political asylum to Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is wanted in Turkey on charges of heading a terrorist organization. Turkey officially asked Russia last week to extradite Ocalan, who leads the banned Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK, which has been fighting for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey since 1984. The open invitation to Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party, was issued Thursday. Turkey has in the past accused Greece of harboring and training Kurdish rebels who have been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's southeast since 1984. The walls in the room were adorned with portraits of Abdullah Ocalan, who leads the banned Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. The group has been fighting for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey since 1984. Necati Bilican, Turkey's police chief, said his country would do whatever necessary to extradite the rebel leader. Ocalan leads the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party , PKK, which has been fighting for autonomy in southeastern Turkey since 1984. Abdullah Ocalan was arrested after stepping off a plane from Moscow, where he had sought asylum after recently fleeing his hideout in Syria, Turkish and Italian officials said Friday. Ocalan leads the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party , PKK, which has been fighting for autonomy in southeastern Turkey since 1984. Ocalan is wanted under an international arrest warrant, according to Turkish authorities. He is on trial in Turkey in absentia on charges of leading a terrorist organization , threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. He is on trial in Turkey in absentia on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. Germany also issued an arrest warrant in January 1990 that accuses Ocalan of ordering the killing of PKK deserters and being the head of a terrorist organization. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. Germany also issued an arrest warrant in January 1990 that accuses Ocalan of ordering the killing of PKK deserters and being the head of a terrorist organization. ``Once identified, the Italian government had the obligation to go ahead with his arrest given the serious charges against him,'' said Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization , threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. Germany also issued an arrest warrant in January 1990 that accuses Ocalan of ordering the killing of PKK deserters and being the head of a terrorist organization. ``Once identified, the Italian government had the obligation to go ahead with his arrest given the serious charges against him,'' said Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization , threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. MOSCOW (AP) _ Russia's parliament on Wednesday asked President Boris Yeltsin to offer political asylum to Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is wanted in Turkey on charges of heading a terrorist organization. MOSCOW (AP) _ Russia's parliament on Wednesday asked President Boris Yeltsin to offer political asylum to Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is wanted in Turkey on charges of heading a terrorist organization. Nearly 37,000 people have died in the conflict. Turkey considers the group a terrorist organization. ROME (AP) _ Abdullah Ocalan , leader of Kurdish insurgents who has been sought for years by Turkey, has been detained in Rome after stepping off a plane from Moscow , Turkish and Italian officials said Friday. ROME (AP) _ The leader of a 14-year-old Kurdish insurgency, considered a terrorist by Turkey and its most-wanted criminal, has been arrested in Rome, setting up a major battle with Italy over his extradition. Abdullah Ocalan was arrested after stepping off a plane from Moscow , where he had sought asylum after recently fleeing his hideout in Syria, Turkish and Italian officials said Friday. ROME (AP) _ The leader of a 14-year-old Kurdish insurgency, considered a terrorist by Turkey and its most-wanted criminal, has been arrested in Rome, setting up a major battle with Italy over his extradition. Abdullah Ocalan was arrested after stepping off a plane from Moscow , where he had sought asylum after recently fleeing his hideout in Syria, Turkish and Italian officials said Friday. Turkey has in the past accused Greece of harboring and training Kurdish rebels who have been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's southeast since 1984. Close to 37,000 people have died in the conflict. Ocalan leads the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK, which has been fighting for autonomy in southeastern Turkey since 1984. Nearly 37,000 people have died in the conflict. Ocalan leads the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK, which has been fighting for autonomy in southeastern Turkey since 1984. Nearly 37,000 people have died in the conflict. Ocalan is wanted under an international arrest warrant, according to Turkish authorities. He is on trial in Turkey in absentia on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. ``Once identified, the Italian government had the obligation to go ahead with his arrest given the serious charges against him,'' said Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. ``Once identified, the Italian government had the obligation to go ahead with his arrest given the serious charges against him,'' said Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. Ocalan is wanted under an international arrest warrant, according to Turkish authorities. He is on trial in Turkey in absentia on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings , charges than can bring the death penalty. ``Once identified, the Italian government had the obligation to go ahead with his arrest given the serious charges against him,'' said Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings , charges than can bring the death penalty. ``Once identified, the Italian government had the obligation to go ahead with his arrest given the serious charges against him,'' said Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings , charges than can bring the death penalty. He is on trial in Turkey in absentia on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. Germany also issued an arrest warrant in January 1990 that accuses Ocalan of ordering the killing of PKK deserters and being the head of a terrorist organization. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. Germany also issued an arrest warrant in January 1990 that accuses Ocalan of ordering the killing of PKK deserters and being the head of a terrorist organization. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. Germany also issued an arrest warrant in January 1990 that accuses Ocalan of ordering the killing of PKK deserters and being the head of a terrorist organization. He is on trial in Turkey in absentia on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. Germany also issued an arrest warrant in January 1990 that accuses Ocalan of ordering the killing of PKK deserters and being the head of a terrorist organization. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. Germany also issued an arrest warrant in January 1990 that accuses Ocalan of ordering the killing of PKK deserters and being the head of a terrorist organization. Ocalan is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of leading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings, charges than can bring the death penalty. Germany also issued an arrest warrant in January 1990 that accuses Ocalan of ordering the killing of PKK deserters and being the head of a terrorist organization. Turkey and Greece are at odds over numerous issues, including the division of Cyprus and territorial disputes in the Aegean. Turkish officials claim that Ocalan is currently hiding in Russia. Ocalan has been labeled a terrorist by Turkey and the United States. Turkish leaders say Ocalan is currently hiding in Russia , but Russian officials have refused to confirm that he is in the country. Ankara claims Syria has long supported the rebels, offering them arms and refuge. According to Turkish officials, Ocalan had fled to Russia and sought political asylum from Moscow. But Gregg Smith, chief investment strategist at Prudential Securities, said that financial markets were not expecting concrete reforms from Brazil in the next few weeks. ``The next thing everybody's going to be watching is whether there is an IMF and World Bank package to support Brazil and whether the Brazilians are starting to take actions to work on the budget deficit,'' he said. But Gregg Smith, chief investment strategist at Prudential Securities, said that financial markets were not expecting concrete reforms from Brazil in the next few weeks. ``The next thing everybody's going to be watching is whether there is an IMF and World Bank package to support Brazil and whether the Brazilians are starting to take actions to work on the budget deficit,'' he said. But Gregg Smith, chief investment strategist at Prudential Securities in New York, said the international financial markets were not necessarily expecting major changes from Brazil in the next few weeks. ``The next thing everybody's going to be watching is whether there is an IMF and World Bank package to support Brazil, and whether the Brazilians are starting to take actions to work on the budget deficit,'' he said. But Gregg Smith, chief investment strategist at Prudential Securities in New York, said the international financial markets were not necessarily expecting major changes from Brazil in the next few weeks. ``The next thing everybody's going to be watching is whether there is an IMF and World Bank package to support Brazil , and whether the Brazilians are starting to take actions to work on the budget deficit,'' he said. With $30 billion having drained from federal reserves since Russia's economic collapse in late August, and the Sao Paulo stock market down more than 40 percent this year, the Brazilian government has been somewhat paralyzed by the approach of elections. It has been negotiating a bailout with the International Monetary Fund , but has been unable to show progress on structural reforms that would cut government expenses over the long term. With $30 billion having drained from federal reserves since Russia's economic collapse in late August, and with the Sao Paulo stock market down more than 40 percent this year, the Brazilian government has been close to paralyzed by the approach of the election. It has been negotiating a bailout with the International Monetary Fund but has been unable to show progress on structural changes that would cut government expenses over the long term. Allies of the president did poorly in many of Brazil's most populous and politically influential states, weakening Cardoso's hand going into negotiations for reform. Though Brazil has not yet submitted a formal request, Brazilian officials have been in Washington negotiating some form of assistance from the International Monetary Fund that will likely total $30 billion or more. President Clinton will take the unusual step of participating directly on Monday in a critical meeting of finance ministers and central bankers from 22 nations. And on Tuesday he will speak to the entire IMF , which represents 182 nations , in his second major speech on the world economy in three weeks. After hearing Rubin explain the suggestion that new IMF credit lines be established for countries threatened with investor flight, Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa told reporters: ``He asked me to support it, and I said I would.'' The Group of Seven meeting , at historic Blair House across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House was expected to be pivotal in trying to develop strategies to halt a 15-month economic crisis, as are sessions beginning Sunday of the 182-nation IMF and World Bank. After hearing Rubin explain the suggestion that new IMF credit lines be established for countries threatened with investor flight, Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa told reporters: ``He asked me to support it, and I said I would.'' The Group of Seven meeting, at historic Blair House across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House was expected to be pivotal in trying to develop strategies to halt a 15-month economic crisis, as are sessions beginning Sunday of the 182-nation IMF and World Bank. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil _ Brazilian voters appeared to re-elect President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in the first round of balloting Sunday, thus maintaining the leadership of a country struggling against economic crisis. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil _ Brazilian voters gave President Fernando Henrique Cardoso a comfortable lead in the first round of balloting Sunday, apparently maintaining the leadership of a country struggling against economic crisis. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil _ Brazilian voters appeared to re-elect President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in the first round of balloting Sunday , thus maintaining the leadership of a country struggling against economic crisis. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil _ Brazilian voters gave President Fernando Henrique Cardoso a comfortable lead in the first round of balloting Sunday , apparently maintaining the leadership of a country struggling against economic crisis. With $30 billion having drained from federal reserves since Russia's economic collapse in late August, and the Sao Paulo stock market down more than 40 percent this year, the Brazilian government has been somewhat paralyzed by the approach of elections. It has been negotiating a bailout with the International Monetary Fund, but has been unable to show progress on structural reforms that would cut government expenses over the long term. With $30 billion having drained from federal reserves since Russia's economic collapse in late August, and with the Sao Paulo stock market down more than 40 percent this year, the Brazilian government has been close to paralyzed by the approach of the election. It has been negotiating a bailout with the International Monetary Fund but has been unable to show progress on structural changes that would cut government expenses over the long term. But political analysts said Congress would probably not convene to consider the painful economic measures before important gubernatorial runoffs on Oct. 25 because the legislators will be busy campaigning for their parties' gubernatorial candidates. With policy-makers at meetings of the Group of Seven industrial nations and the International Monetary Fund in Washington seeking permanent solutions to ward off the volatility that is threatening Brazil after devastating Asia and Russia, Cardoso is under considerable pressure to put Brazil's accounts in order. Exit polls indicated that he might win as much as 56 percent. Cabinet members gathering at the presidential palace in Brasilia Sunday night called the vote a mandate for the economic measures that the president is under national and international pressure to carry out. Since the economic collapse of Russia in August, investors and economists have sharpened their focus on Brazil. While President Clinton lobbied Congress for $18 billion to restock the International Monetary Fund this week , with an eye toward assisting Brazil, the team that returned here from the IMF's annual meeting in Washington earlier this month scoured government accounts for politically feasible sources of savings and reform. Since the economic collapse of Russia in August, investors and economists have sharpened their focus on Brazil. While President Clinton lobbied Congress for $18 billion to restock the International Monetary Fund this week , with an eye toward assisting Brazil, the team that returned here from the IMF's annual meeting in Washington earlier this month scoured government accounts for politically feasible sources of savings and reform. But, political analysts said, Congress will probably not convene to consider painful economic reforms before important gubernatorial runoffs on Oct. 25. With policy-makers at the meetings of the Group of Seven top industrialized nations and the International Monetary Fund in Washington seeking permanent solutions to ward off the volatility that is threatening Brazil after devastating Asia and Russia , Cardoso is expected to start taking steps to put Brazil's accounts in order. But political analysts said Congress would probably not convene to consider the painful economic measures before important gubernatorial runoffs on Oct. 25 because the legislators will be busy campaigning for their parties' gubernatorial candidates. With policy-makers at meetings of the Group of Seven industrial nations and the International Monetary Fund in Washington seeking permanent solutions to ward off the volatility that is threatening Brazil after devastating Asia and Russia , Cardoso is under considerable pressure to put Brazil's accounts in order. ``We don't have to have a worldwide recession if those of us that enjoy growth will take the initiative and move now,'' he said at the White House. A dramatic initiative to stop the financial contagion may come within days as the IMF, the Treasury Department and Brazil's finance minister, Pedro Malan, put the final touches on a package of $30 billion or more to stabilize the Brazilian economy. Allies of the president did poorly in many of Brazil's most populous and politically influential states, weakening Cardoso's hand going into negotiations for reform. Though Brazil has not yet submitted a formal request, Brazilian officials have been in Washington negotiating some form of assistance from the International Monetary Fund that will likely total $30 billion or more. NEW YORK _ Anyone following the U.S. Senate race in New York this year could be forgiven for concluding that this is one of the epic ideological battles of the 1990s: the right-wing extremist, Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, versus the ultraliberal Brooklyn congressman, Charles Schumer. On one side is D'Amato, who, as Schumer said again Sunday, voted to cut Medicare, opposed abortion rights and battled environmentalists. NEW YORK _ Anyone following the U.S. Senate race in New York this year could be forgiven for concluding that this is one of the epic ideological battles of the 1990s: the right-wing extremist, Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, versus the ultraliberal Brooklyn congressman, Charles Schumer. On one side is D'Amato, who, as Schumer said again Sunday, voted to cut Medicare, opposed abortion rights and battled environmentalists. NEW YORK _ Anyone following the U.S. Senate race in New York this year could be forgiven for concluding that this is one of the epic ideological battles of the 1990s: the right-wing extremist, Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, versus the ultraliberal Brooklyn congressman, Charles Schumer. On one side is D'Amato, who, as Schumer said again Sunday, voted to cut Medicare, opposed abortion rights and battled environmentalists. NEW YORK _ Anyone following the U.S. Senate race in New York this year could be forgiven for concluding that this is one of the epic ideological battles of the 1990s: the right-wing extremist, Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, versus the ultraliberal Brooklyn congressman, Charles Schumer. On one side is D'Amato, who, as Schumer said again Sunday, voted to cut Medicare, opposed abortion rights and battled environmentalists. Fitzgerald, considered so conservative that most Republican leaders supported his moderate opponent in the bitterly contested primary, has wasted no opportunity to try to make Ms. Moseley-Braun's mistakes stick and to deflect her characterization of him as an extremist by painting her as an ineffectual liberal. ``Although her career has been somewhat obscured by numerous scandals and controversies , those who have noticed her voting record have noticed it is very extreme,'' Fitzgerald said in an interview. CHICAGO _ She says he is ``duplicitous,'' a ``wolf in sheep's clothing'' who has resorted to ``scuzzball'' campaign tactics in the past. He has described her as ``shrill,'' claims she ``has nothing positive to say about her own record'' and that her career has been ``obscured by numerous scandals and controversies. '' He has described her as ``shrill,'' claims she ``has nothing positive to say about her own record'' and that her career has been ``obscured by numerous scandals and controversies.'' The U.S. Senate race between the incumbent Democrat, Carol Moseley-Braun, and state Sen. Peter Fitzgerald , a conservative Republican, has become one of the most tensely watched campaigns in the country. He has described her as ``shrill,'' claims she ``has nothing positive to say about her own record'' and that her career has been ``obscured by numerous scandals and controversies.'' The U.S. Senate race between the incumbent Democrat, Carol Moseley-Braun, and state Sen. Peter Fitzgerald , a conservative Republican, has become one of the most tensely watched campaigns in the country. On one side is D'Amato, who, as Schumer said again Sunday, voted to cut Medicare, opposed abortion rights and battled environmentalists. On the other is Schumer, who, as D'Amato likes to say, voted against crime bills, opposed welfare restrictions and supported a series of tax increases. On one side is D'Amato, who, as Schumer said again Sunday, voted to cut Medicare, opposed abortion rights and battled environmentalists. On the other is Schumer, who, as D'Amato likes to say, voted against crime bills, opposed welfare restrictions and supported a series of tax increases. On one side is D'Amato, who, as Schumer said again Sunday, voted to cut Medicare, opposed abortion rights and battled environmentalists. On the other is Schumer, who, as D'Amato likes to say, voted against crime bills, opposed welfare restrictions and supported a series of tax increases. On one side is D'Amato, who, as Schumer said again Sunday, voted to cut Medicare, opposed abortion rights and battled environmentalists. On the other is Schumer, who, as D'Amato likes to say, voted against crime bills, opposed welfare restrictions and supported a series of tax increases. In that limited sense, the approval of a full-scale impeachment process was historic. But it was by no means decisive , no matter how much the legislators huffed and puffed. But only in that limited sense was the approval of a full-scale impeachment process historic. It was by no means decisive , no matter how much the legislators huffed and puffed. Their contest has become one of a handful of closely watched races that will determine whether the Republicans can win a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority that could shape the congressional landscape for years. As the House of Representatives prepares to debate whether to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Clinton's conduct in the Monica Lewinsky matter , much attention has focused on the plight of House Democrats in swing districts. Two months ago, she was on the verge of urging him to resign. But as the House prepares to vote on whether to open an impeachment inquiry into the president , Ms. On the other is Schumer, who, as D'Amato likes to say, voted against crime bills, opposed welfare restrictions and supported a series of tax increases. But the truth behind these ideological caricatures is considerably more complex, despite the best efforts of Schumer and D'Amato to confuse it. On the other is Schumer, who, as D'Amato likes to say, voted against crime bills, opposed welfare restrictions and supported a series of tax increases. But the truth behind these ideological caricatures is considerably more complex, despite the best efforts of Schumer and D'Amato to confuse it. But the truth behind these ideological caricatures is considerably more complex, despite the best efforts of Schumer and D'Amato to confuse it. These two candidates for Senate are, in fact, political hybrids, masters of the fluid school of politics and ideology that has emerged in U.S. elections in the 1990s , and very much in the tradition of such successful politicians as Bill Clinton, Rudolph Giuliani and George Pataki. But the truth behind these ideological caricatures is considerably more complex, despite the best efforts of Schumer and D'Amato to confuse it. These two candidates for Senate are, in fact, political hybrids, masters of the fluid school of politics and ideology that has emerged in U.S. elections in the 1990s , and very much in the tradition of such successful politicians as Bill Clinton, Rudolph Giuliani and George Pataki. Washington called on the government of the Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, to allow impartial forensic experts to visit the sites to determine what happened. The Milosevic government has denounced the war crimes tribunal and consistently denied access to forensic experts , asserting that there was no need for them because no war crimes had occurred. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) _ The president of the U.N. war crimes tribunal angrily branded Yugoslavia a ``rogue state'' Thursday after Belgrade refused to allow investigators to probe alleged atrocities in Kosovo. ``In the U.N. Security Council, there is unanimous consent of all its members that investigators ... have full authority to do their job in Kosovo,'' said David Scheffer, the State Department's war crimes envoy at a panel discussion held in Belgrade. President Slobodan Milosevic has defied international pressure to allow prosecutors from the Netherlands-based tribunal to enter Kosovo, where hundreds have died in fighting that erupted in Februrary between separatist ethnic Albanians and Yugoslav forces. They said an ensuing gunfight between police and the attackers lasted an hour. Three miners in the two cars were injured and taken to Pristina hospital , according to police. They said an ensuing gunfight between police and the attackers lasted an hour. Three miners in the two cars were injured and taken to Pristina hospital, according to police. They said an ensuing gunfight between police and the attackers lasted an hour. Three miners in the two cars were injured and taken to Pristina hospital, according to police. ``In the final analysis, it is clear to me that I have an obligation, now that the prosecutor has reported non-compliance, to bring this matter to the Security Council,'' Kirk McDonald said. She said Belgrade's defiance of the tribunal amounted to ``a challenge to the authority of the Security Council'' which has ordered a tribunal investigation of alleged atrocities in Kosovo and told Yugoslav authorities to cooperate. BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (AP) _ Yugoslavia must cooperate with a U.N. war crimes panel investigating allegations of atrocities in the rebellious Yugoslav province of Kosovo , a U.S. official said Saturday. UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ The General Assembly voted Friday to select three judges to fill a new trial chamber of the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal , whose caseload could grow with atrocities committed during the Kosovo conflict. UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ The General Assembly voted Friday to select three judges to fill a new trial chamber of the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal , whose caseload could grow with atrocities committed during the Kosovo conflict. GOLUBOVAC, Yugoslavia _ A 42-year-old man who says he is the lone survivor of a massacre in which 13 ethnic Albanians were summarily shot and killed in this village in Kosovo recalled Thursday how he was herded into a garden with other men and told to lie flat on the ground. GOLUBOVAC, Yugoslavia _ A 42-year-old man who says he is the lone survivor of a massacre in which 13 ethnic Albanians were summarily shot and killed in this village in Kosovo recalled Thursday how he was herded into a garden with other men and told to lie flat on the ground. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) _ The president of the U.N. war crimes tribunal angrily branded Yugoslavia a ``rogue state'' Thursday after Belgrade refused to allow investigators to probe alleged atrocities in Kosovo. Authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia confirmed they would not allow Louise Arbour, chief prosecutor of the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal, and a team of investigators to carry out investigations in the troubled region. Speaking at the round-table discussion organized by the Belgrade-based nongovernmental Humanitarian Law Center, Scheffer said there were reasons to believe that ``serious violations of international law'' were committed in Kosovo. Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Louise Arbour and a team of investigators planned a weeklong mission in Kosovo to begin last Wednesday but were refused visas. Goran Jelisic, 30, faces a maximum life prison term for the killings. Because he pleaded innocent to a genocide charge he will still face trial at the U.N. court. Goran Jelisic, 30, faces a maximum life prison term for the killings. Because he pleaded innocent to a genocide charge he will still face trial at the U.N. court. She vowed to continue investigating ``using all means available to us,'' but did not elaborate. Hundreds have been killed and hundreds of thousands made homeless in seven months of fighting between Serb forces and secessionist ethnic Albanian rebels in the southern Yugoslav province of Kosovo. Arbour and Scheffer have threatened Yugoslavia with U.N. sanctions if the authorities continue to defy demands for unlimited access. ``Since February this year, between 600 and 1,000 people died in Kosovo , many more were wounded,'' Scheffer said. The tribunal, set up by the United Nations in 1993 to prosecute crimes committed following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, has always maintained that it also has jurisdiction in the Kosovo conflict. Until recently, tribunal staff were allowed to carry out investigations in the region, examining reports of atrocities by both sides in the Kosovo conflict. Hundreds have been killed and hundreds of thousands made homeless in seven months of fighting between Serb forces and secessionist ethnic Albanian rebels in the southern Yugoslav province of Kosovo. U.N. investigators want to check reports of atrocities on both sides. Chief Prosecutor Louise Arbour said in The Hague that her court has been given U.N. authority to investigate war crimes in any part of Yugoslavia. She was responding to assertions by Yugoslav government officials that Kosovo is off limits to tribunal investigations. Chief Prosecutor Louise Arbour said in The Hague that her court has been given U.N. authority to investigate war crimes in any part of Yugoslavia. She was responding to assertions by Yugoslav government officials that Kosovo is off limits to tribunal investigations. Chechen government officials at the scene refused to comment. Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov said the bodies of four men had been recovered. GROZNY, Russia (AP) _ Chechen officials said the bodies of four kidnapped foreigners had been found Tuesday near a remote village. MOSCOW _ The severed heads of four kidnapping victims _ identified as three Britons and a New Zealander _ were found Tuesday on the side of a road in Chechnya , the breakaway region on Russia's southern border that emerged undefeated from a brutal war two years ago only to be engulfed by a wave of kidnappings and crime. GROZNY , Russia (AP) _ Chechen authorities found the remains of four kidnapped foreigners Tuesday near a remote village in the breakaway region in southern Russia. Chechen government officials at the scene refused to comment. Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov said the bodies of four men had been recovered , but gave no further details. GROZNY , Russia (AP) _ Chechen authorities found the remains of four kidnapped foreigners Tuesday near a remote village in the breakaway region in southern Russia. Chechen government officials at the scene refused to comment. Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov said the bodies of four men had been recovered , but gave no further details. GROZNY , Russia (AP) _ Chechen authorities found the decapitated heads of four kidnapped foreigners Tuesday near a remote village after a two-month search in the breakaway region in southern Russia. But Chechen government officials at the scene said four bodies had been found without giving further details. Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov said in Grozny that the bodies of four men had been recovered. But Chechen government officials at the scene said four bodies had been found without giving further details. Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov said in Grozny that the bodies of four men had been recovered. GROZNY, Russia (AP) _ Unknown gunmen abducted three Britons and a New Zealand citizen in Russia's breakaway Chechnya region after a shootout with their bodyguards, a regional official said Sunday. Police were searching regional hospitals for anyone coming in with gunshot wounds. The British Embassy in Moscow identified the four hostages as Britons Peter William Kennedy, Darren Eamonn Hickey, and Rudolf Franz-Joseph Petschi , and Stanley Frederick James Shaw of New Zealand. The company, Granger Telecom, said it knew Chechnya was probably the world's most dangerous place for kidnapping but thought its staff would be well-protected because they were working on a government contract to install a telecommunications system. Three of the kidnaped men, Britons Darren Hickey and Rudolph Petschi and New Zealander Stanley Shaw , worked for Granger. No ransom demands have been made for the hostages, said an embassy spokeswoman, speaking on the customary condition of anonymity. The hostages _ Britons Peter Kennedy, Darren Hickey, and Rudolf Petschi, and New Zealand's Stanley Shaw _ were kidnapped on Oct. 3. He said the bodies had not been found. One New Zealand and three British engineers were kidnapped. Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov said the bodies of four men had been recovered, but gave no further details. The hostages _ Britons Peter Kennedy, Darren Hickey, and Rudolf Petschi, and New Zealand's Stanley Shaw _ were kidnapped on Oct. 3. Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov said the bodies of four men had been recovered, but gave no further details. The hostages _ Britons Peter Kennedy, Darren Hickey, and Rudolf Petschi, and New Zealand's Stanley Shaw _ were kidnapped on Oct. 3. Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov said in Grozny that the bodies of four men had been recovered. The hostages _ Britons Peter Kennedy, Darren Hickey, and Rudolf Petschi, and New Zealand's Stanley Shaw _ were engineers. The men were seized early Saturday after a shoot-out with their bodyguards. There was no word on any ransom demand for the four men. MOSCOW (AP) _ The British Embassy in Moscow has received no direct information about three Britons and a New Zealander kidnapped in breakaway Chechnya nearly two weeks ago, an embassy official said Wednesday. No ransom demands have been made for the hostages , said an embassy spokeswoman, speaking on the customary condition of anonymity. Chechen authorities had been searching for the missing men for the past two months. British officials said they had not received any ransom demand for the missing men. Chechen authorities had been searching for the missing men for the past two months. British officials said they had not received any ransom demand for the missing men. Chechen authorities had been searching for the missing men for the past two months. British officials said they had not received any ransom demand for the missing men. But an Associated Press reporter saw four severed heads near the village of Assinovskaya, about 40 kms (25 miles) west of Grozny, the Chechen capital. The heads were identified as those of the four foreigners by Umar Makhauri, who had been a bodyguard assigned to the four when they were abducted Oct. 3 by unidentified gunmen in Grozny. There was no sign of any bodies. The heads were identified as those of the four foreigners by Umar Makhauri, who had been a bodyguard assigned to the four when they were abducted Oct. 3 by unidentified gunmen in Grozny. There was no sign of any bodies. The heads were identified as those of the four foreigners by Umar Makhauri, who had been a bodyguard assigned to the four when they were abducted Oct. 3 by unidentified gunmen in Grozny. He did not see any sign of the bodies. The heads were identified as those of the four abducted foreigners by Umar Makhauri, who had been a bodyguard assigned to the four when they were abducted Oct. 3 by unidentified gunmen in Grozny. They were working for Granger Telecom, a British telephone company, installing 300,000 telephone lines across Chechnya. Chechen authorities had been searching for the missing men for the past two months. They were working for Granger Telecom, a British telephone company, installing 300,000 telephone lines across Chechnya. Chechen authorities had been searching for the missing men for the past two months. They were working for Granger Telecom, a British telephone company, installing 300,000 telephone lines across Chechnya. Chechen authorities had been searching for the missing men for the past two months. They were working for Granger Telecom, a British telephone company, installing 300,000 telephone lines across Chechnya. Chechen authorities had been searching for the missing men for the past two months. The kidnapping came just two weeks after Chechen warlords released two British charity workers, ending the pair's 14 months of captivity in the turbulent republic in Russia's northern Caucasus region. Hundreds of Russian and foreign citizens have been abducted by gangs seeking ransom since the 1994-1996 independence war with Russia , and dozens remain held. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry in the southern Russian region of Dagestan offered Monday to help combat hostage-taking in neighboring Chechnya after the attack on Bargishev, ITAR-Tass said, citing the ministry's press center. Chechnya, where rebels fought a bloody independence war against Russia in 1994-96 , conducts its own affairs and has seen a sharp rise in violent crime and hostage-taking, usually by criminal gangs for ransom. British officials said they had not received any ransom demand for the missing men. Hostage-takings , usually for ransom, have become common in Chechnya since the end of the breakaway republic's two-year war for independence from Russia in 1996. MOSCOW _ The severed heads of four kidnapping victims _ identified as three Britons and a New Zealander _ were found Tuesday on the side of a road in Chechnya, the breakaway region on Russia's southern border that emerged undefeated from a brutal war two years ago only to be engulfed by a wave of kidnappings and crime. Until now, local kidnappers have usually kept their hostages alive in hopes of receiving ransom money, which has become a major source of income in an economy devastated by Russia's 21-month war against Chechen secessionists. Although the corpses have not yet been found, Chechen officials said Tuesday that they had been able to identify the victims as four employees of a British telecommunications company. An Associated Press reporter saw four severed heads near the village of Assinovskaya, about 40 kms (25 miles) west of Grozny, the Chechen capital. There was no sign of any bodies. An Associated Press reporter saw four severed heads near the village of Assinovskaya, about 40 kms (25 miles) west of Grozny, the Chechen capital. There was no sign of any bodies. Hostage-takings, usually for ransom, have become common in Chechnya since the end of its two-year war for independence from Russia in 1996. Since the beginning of 1998, 176 people have been kidnapped in the North Caucasus region of Russia, including dozens of foreigners, and 90 of them released , officials have said, according to the Interfax news agency. But victims are rarely killed. Since the beginning of 1998, 176 people have been kidnapped in the North Caucasus region of Russia, including dozens of foreigners, and 90 of them released , officials have said. The kidnapping came just two weeks after Chechen warlords released two British charity workers, ending the pair's 14 months of captivity in the turbulent republic in Russia's northern Caucasus region. Hundreds of Russian and foreign citizens have been abducted by gangs seeking ransom since the 1994-1996 independence war with Russia, and dozens remain held. Dagestan suffers from its own ethnic conflicts, and has also been hit by spillover violence and kidnappings by armed gangs in Chechnya. More than 100 people are still being held captive in Chechnya , including three Britons, a New Zealander and a Turk, according to Interfax. The ANC, which led the struggle against white rule and now is in power, previously has acknowledged it was told to expect implication in right violations. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will release its final report on 2 1-2 years of investigation on Thursday. de Klerk, in human rights abuses after he threatened a court challenge. De Klerk said he would sue to block the long-awaited final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission , which was due for release Thursday. PRETORIA, South Africa _ Following are excerpts from the final report issued by South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Thursday : PRIMARY FINDING On the basis of the evidence available to it, the primary finding of the Commission is that: The predominant portion of gross violations of human rights was committed by the former state through its security and law-enforcement agencies. The New York Times said in an editorial on Sunday, Nov. 1: The 3,500-page report of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission , released on Thursday , is the most comprehensive and unsparing examination of a nation's ugly past that any such commission has yet produced. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) _ A panel probing apartheid-era abuses has accused the African National Congress of human rights violations, including torture and bomb attacks , the state broadcaster said Monday. President Nelson Mandela's office received an advance copy on Monday ahead of the handover ceremony, when retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who chaired the comission, will present Mandela with the report. South African Broadcasting Corp. radio said it had been leaked a ``preliminary document '' which condemns the ANC as politically and morally responsible for gross human rights violations during and after the fall of apartheid. It has fulfilled its mandate of telling the fullest truth possible, which is one reason that every political party in South Africa has denounced it. Besides accusing the government of assassinations and bombings, the report criticizes the Inkatha Freedom Party for its massacres and collaboration with security forces, and blames the African National Congress for the murder of civilians and other crimes. As expected, the report called apartheid a ``crime against humanity.'' But it also blamed the ANC for gross human rights violations during its anti-apartheid struggle , saying the group tortured suspected spies and dissidents and killed innocent civilians with land mines and bombs. De Klerk's challenge was only part of the storm of criticism prompted by leaks about the report in the last few days. Within hours of the commission decision to withdraw its findings on de Klerk, it was facing the possibility of a new suit _ this time from the ruling African National Congress. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) _ President Nelson Mandela acknowledged Saturday the African National Congress violated human rights during apartheid , setting him at odds with his deputy president over a report that has divided much of South Africa. CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) _ A panel investigating apartheid-era atrocities said Wednesday it will not implicate the last apartheid president , F.W. CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) _ A panel investigating apartheid-era atrocities said Wednesday it will not implicate the last apartheid president , F.W. CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) _ A panel investigating apartheid-era atrocities said Wednesday it will not implicate the last apartheid president, F.W. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) _ President Nelson Mandela acknowledged Saturday the African National Congress violated human rights during apartheid, setting him at odds with his deputy president over a report that has divided much of South Africa. The disagreement stems from Thursday's release of the report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on horrors committed during apartheid. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa _ The deal that South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission offered was simple enough : Confess your crimes, apply for amnesty and you will go free. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa _ The deal that South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission offered was simple enough : Confess your crimes, apply for amnesty and you will go free. CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) _ Torturers and bombers who carried out atrocities defending or fighting apartheid need counseling to ensure they do not repeat their crimes , an expert for South Africa's reconciliation body said Thursday. CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) _ Torturers and bombers who carried out atrocities defending or fighting apartheid need counseling to ensure they do not repeat their crimes, an expert for South Africa's reconciliation body said Thursday. CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) _ A panel investigating apartheid-era atrocities said Wednesday it will not implicate the last apartheid president, F.W. de Klerk, in human rights abuses after he threatened a court challenge. de Klerk, in human rights abuses after he threatened a court challenge. De Klerk said he would sue to block the long-awaited final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission , which was due for release Thursday. The African National Congress, the liberation movement that helped defeat apartheid and now runs the country, on Tuesday angrily rejected a finding that it too was guilty of human rights violations in its armed struggle. The report will be a broad and detailed summary of South Africa's human rights history , from 1960 to 1994, when all-race elections ended white minority rule. The New York Times said in an editorial on Sunday, Nov. 1: The 3,500-page report of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, released on Thursday, is the most comprehensive and unsparing examination of a nation's ugly past that any such commission has yet produced. Drawing from the commission's own investigations and the testimony of hundreds of applicants for amnesty and 20,000 victims, the report is a detailed look at the crimes of the apartheid era , and blames successive white governments for the vast majority. De Klerk said he would sue to block the long-awaited final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was due for release Thursday. The man who helped negotiate the end of apartheid objected to a finding by the commission that he was ``an accessory after the fact '' to bombings in the 1980s of the headquarters of a church group and of a labor federation. de Klerk, in illegal acts. De Klerk, 62, who helped negotiate the end of South Africa's white supremacist government and shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with President Nelson Mandela for that work, had objected to a finding by the commission that he was ``an accessory after the fact'' in the bombings of the headquarters of a church group and of a labor federation in the 1980s. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies, which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. He died at 62 in 1960 while under house arrest following his conviction on charges of collaborating with the Nazis. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies, which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. He died at 62 in 1960 while under house arrest following his conviction on charges of collaborating with the Nazis. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies, which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. He died at 62 in 1960 while under house arrest following his conviction on charges of collaborating with the Nazis. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies, which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. He died at 62 in 1960 while under house arrest following his conviction on charges of collaborating with the Nazis. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies, which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. He died at 62 in 1960 while under house arrest following his conviction on charges of collaborating with the Nazis. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies, which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. He died at 62 in 1960 while under house arrest following his conviction on charges of collaborating with the Nazis. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies, which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. He died at 62 in 1960 while under house arrest following his conviction on charges of collaborating with the Nazis. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies, which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. He died at 62 in 1960 while under house arrest following his conviction on charges of collaborating with the Nazis. Stepinac was hailed as a hero by Catholics for his resistance to communism and refusal to separate the Croatian church from the Vatican. But his beatification , the last step before possible sainthood, is controversial because many Serbs and Jews accuse him of sympathizing with the Nazis. Stepinac was hailed as a hero by Catholics for his resistance to communism and refusal to separate the Croatian church from the Vatican. But his beatification , the last step before possible sainthood, is controversial because many Serbs and Jews accuse him of sympathizing with the Nazis. Stepinac was hailed as a hero by Catholics for his resistance to communism and refusal to separate the Croatian church from the Vatican. But his beatification , the last step before possible sainthood, is controversial because many Serbs and Jews accuse him of sympathizing with the Nazis. Stepinac was hailed as a hero by Catholics for his resistance to communism and refusal to separate the Croatian church from the Vatican. But his beatification , the last step before possible sainthood, is controversial because many Serbs and Jews accuse him of sympathizing with the Nazis. For most Croats, the highlight of the pope's three-day visit was Saturday's beatification of the controversial World War II cardinal, Alojzije Stepinac. Roman Catholics hail Stepinac as a martyr, but many Serbs and Jews accuse him of sympathizing with the Nazis. For most Croats, the highlight of the pope's three-day visit was Saturday's beatification of the controversial World War II cardinal, Alojzije Stepinac. Roman Catholics hail Stepinac as a martyr, but many Serbs and Jews accuse him of sympathizing with the Nazis. MARIJA BISTRICA, Croatia _ Hailing the World War II archbishop of Zagreb as a martyr to ``the atrocities of the communist system,'' Pope John Paul II beatified him on Saturday. MARIJA BISTRICA, Croatia (AP) _ Bestowing on him the ``radiant badge of martyrdom,'' Pope John Paul II on Saturday honored Croatia's World War II cardinal , a hero to Roman Catholics, but long a symbol of divisions in the Balkans. MARIJA BISTRICA, Croatia (AP) _ Bestowing on him the ``radiant badge of martyrdom,'' Pope John Paul II on Saturday honored Croatia's World War II cardinal , a hero to Roman Catholics, but long a symbol of divisions in the Balkans. MARIJA BISTRICA, Croatia _ Hailing the World War II archbishop of Zagreb as a martyr to ``the atrocities of the Communist system,'' Pope John Paul II beatified him Saturday. The pope said Stepinac ``having endured in his own body and his own spirit the atrocities of the communist system is now entrusted to the memory of his fellow countrymen with the radiant badge of martyrdom.'' Stepinac was hailed as a hero by Catholics for his resistance to communism and refusal to separate the Croatian church from the Vatican. The pope said Stepinac ``having endured in his own body and his own spirit the atrocities of the communist system is now entrusted to the memory of his fellow countrymen with the radiant badge of martyrdom.'' Stepinac was hailed as a hero by Catholics for his resistance to communism and refusal to separate the Croatian church from the Vatican. The pope said Stepinac ``having endured in his own body and his own spirit the atrocities of the communist system is now entrusted to the memory of his fellow countrymen with the radiant badge of martyrdom.'' Stepinac was hailed as a hero by Catholics for his resistance to communism and refusal to separate the Croatian church from the Vatican. The pope said Stepinac ``having endured in his own body and his own spirit the atrocities of the communist system is now entrusted to the memory of his fellow countrymen with the radiant badge of martyrdom.'' Stepinac was hailed as a hero by Catholics for his resistance to communism and refusal to separate the Croatian church from the Vatican. While serving as Zagreb's archbishop in 1941, Stepinac supported Croatia's German-backed fascist puppet government led by dictator Ante Pavelic. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies , which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. While serving as Zagreb's archbishop in 1941, Stepinac supported Croatia's German-backed puppet government led by dictator Ante Pavelic. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies , which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. While serving as Zagreb's archbishop in 1941, Stepinac supported Croatia's German-backed fascist puppet government led by dictator Ante Pavelic. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies , which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. While serving as Zagreb's archbishop in 1941, Stepinac supported Croatia's German-backed fascist puppet government led by dictator Ante Pavelic. By 1942, however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies , which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. Beatification is the final step before sainthood. But by paying such homage to Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, who was imprisoned by the Tito regime as a Nazi collaborator , the pope also stepped into one of the most divisive Serbo-Croatian disputes in all the embattled regions of the former Yugoslavia. Beatification is the final step before sainthood. But by paying such homage to Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, who was imprisoned by the Tito government as a Nazi collaborator , the pope also stepped into one of the most divisive Serbian-Croatian disputes in all of former Yugoslavia. For much of the visit, however, the pope's attention was focused on another, more remote conflict, namely the Catholic Church's struggle against Communism during the Cold War, which the Polish-born pope experienced first-hand. The pope arrived in Croatia, a country of 4 million that is more than 75 percent Catholic, on Friday to beatify one of Croatia's national heros, Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, who was persecuted by Tito after World War II and died under house arrest in 1960. More than 400,000 people stood solemnly under damp trees at the open-air site, as far as a kilometer (half-mile) from the altar. John Paul appealed to a country that has suffered from war and ethnic divisions ``to forgive and reconcile and to purify one's memory of hatred'' and ` `the desire for revenge.'' More than 400,000 people stood solemnly under damp trees at the open-air site, as far as a kilometer (half-mile) from the altar. John Paul appealed to a country that has suffered from war and ethnic divisions ``to forgive and reconcile and to purify one's memory of hatred'' and ``the desire for revenge.'' More than 400,000 people stood solemnly under damp trees at the open-air site, as far as a kilometer (half-mile) from the altar. John Paul appealed to a country that has suffered from war and ethnic divisions ``to forgive and reconcile and to purify one's memory of hatred'' and ` `the desire for revenge.'' While serving as Zagreb's archbishop in 1941, Stepinac supported Croatia's German-backed puppet government led by dictator Ante Pavelic. By 1942 , however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies , which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. While serving as Zagreb's archbishop in 1941, Stepinac supported Croatia's German-backed fascist puppet government led by dictator Ante Pavelic. By 1942 , however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies , which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. While serving as Zagreb's archbishop in 1941, Stepinac supported Croatia's German-backed fascist puppet government led by dictator Ante Pavelic. By 1942 , however, Stepinac denounced the regime's genocidal policies , which led to the extermination of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Gypsies and Croat opponents. In his pastoral visit to Croatia, the ailing 78-year-old pope, who has been in office 20 years this month, seems to be viewing history through a different prism than the peoples he says he wants to reconcile. It is perhaps not surprising that the Polish-born John Paul, who used his pulpit to help topple Soviet totalitarianism, would revere a church leader who was persecuted by the Communists and died under house arrest in 1960. In his pastoral visit to Croatia, the ailing 78-year-old pope, who has been in office 20 years this month, seems to be viewing history through a different prism than the peoples he says he wants to reconcile. It is perhaps not surprising that the Polish-born John Paul, who used his pulpit to help topple Soviet totalitarianism, would revere a church leader who was persecuted by the Communists and died under house arrest in 1960. For much of the visit, however, the pope's attention was focused on another, more remote conflict, namely the Catholic Church's struggle against Communism during the Cold War, which the Polish-born pope experienced first-hand. The pope arrived in Croatia, a country of 4 million that is more than 75 percent Catholic, on Friday to beatify one of Croatia's national heros, Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, who was persecuted by Tito after World War II and died under house arrest in 1960. MARIJA BISTRICA, Croatia (AP) _ Declaring him a martyr of the faith, Pope John Paul II on Saturday honored Croatia's World War II cardinal, a hero to Roman Catholics, but long a symbol of divisions in the Balkans. Half a million od people watched with delight and gratitude as John Paul beatified Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac , elevating him to the last step before possible sainthood, in Marija Bistrica, Croatia's leading Marian shrine to the Virgin Mary. MARIJA BISTRICA, Croatia (AP) _ Declaring him a martyr of the faith, Pope John Paul II on Saturday honored Croatia's World War II cardinal, a hero to Roman Catholics, but long a symbol of divisions in the Balkans. Half a million people watched with delight and gratitude as John Paul beatified Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac , elevating him to the last step before possible sainthood, in Marija Bistrica, Croatia's leading shrine to the Virgin Mary. ISTANBUL, Turkey _ The government of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, plagued since its inception 17 months ago by competing pressures from Islamic groups and the rigidly secular military, lost a vote of confidence in Parliament and fell Wednesday. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ Turkey's government collapsed Wednesday after losing a confidence vote in parliament over a corruption scandal that tainted the prime minister with allegations of mob ties. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ Turkey's president began trying to construct a new government Wednesday but the pieces do not neatly fit: pro-Islamic forces pressing for power and their military-backed, Western-style opponents struggling to unite. President Suleyman Demirel opened talks with party leaders just hours after the corruption-battered coalition of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz lost a confidence vote in parliament. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ The head of Turkey's pro-Islamic party said Thursday he would not insist on his rightful chance to lead Turkey's next government, heading off a confrontation with the military that would only deepen the nation's political crisis. Parliament toppled Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's 17-month-old government Wednesday in a no-confidence vote over a mafia scandal , setting off a furious round of deal-making among pro-secular parties to piece together a new governing coalition. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ The head of Turkey's pro-Islamic party said Thursday he would not insist on his rightful chance to lead Turkey's next government, heading off a confrontation with the military that would only deepen the nation's political crisis. Parliament toppled Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's 17-month-old government Wednesday in a no-confidence vote over a mafia scandal , setting off a furious round of deal-making among pro-secular parties to piece together a new governing coalition. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ The head of Turkey's pro-Islamic party said Thursday he would not insist on his rightful chance to lead Turkey's next government, heading off a confrontation with the military that would only deepen the nation's political crisis. Parliament toppled Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's 17-month-old government Wednesday in a no-confidence vote over a mafia scandal , setting off a furious round of deal-making among pro-secular parties to piece together a new governing coalition. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ Turkish President Suleyman Demirel planned to meet with Deputy Premier Bulent Ecevit on Wednesday, stoking speculation that he'd ask the center-left leader to form a new government. Ecevit is said to have the support of Turkey's all-powerful military and most analysts say he is the is the most viable replacement for Mesut Yilmaz, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote last week over a mafia scandal. Kutan said the next administration should be a caretaker government with the support of all parties, which would lead the country until the next national elections. Turkey's generals pressured the nation's first Islamic-led government out of office last year , after it came to power in a coalition with former Premier Tansu Ciller. Kutan said the next administration should be a caretaker government with the support of all parties, which would lead the country until the next national elections. Turkey's generals pressured the nation's first Islamic-led government out of office last year , after it came to power in a coalition with former Premier Tansu Ciller. Kutan said the next administration should be a caretaker government with the support of all parties, which would lead the country until the next national elections. Turkey's generals pressured the nation's first Islamic-led government out of office last year , after it came to power in a coalition with former Premier Tansu Ciller. Ecevit, leader of the Democratic Left Party, warned that the Islamists might return to power if secular parties don't cooperate. The military last year forced out the country's first Islamic-led government. Ecevit, leader of the Democratic Left Party, warned that the Islamists might return to power if secular parties don't cooperate. The military last year forced out the country's first Islamic-led government. ``Everyone should refrain from making comments that would drag the armed forces into politics.'' Kutan's Virtue Party is the successor of another Islamic party , Welfare, which was forced to step down from power by the military last year after it tried to increase the influence of Islam in society. But the largest party is Islamic Virtue, which is opposed by the military. Last year , the military ousted Turkey's first Islamic-led government. Analysts consider Mrs. Ciller's True Path capable of fitting into any pro-secular coalition in the political system, deeply divided by political rivalry. Turkish politics have been torn in the 1990s between the choice of an Islamic -led government or fragile, pro-secular coalitions. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ The head of Turkey's pro-Islamic party said Thursday he would not insist on his rightful chance to lead Turkey's next government, heading off a confrontation with the military that would only deepen the nation's political crisis. Parliament toppled Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's 17-month-old government Wednesday in a no-confidence vote over a mafia scandal, setting off a furious round of deal-making among pro-secular parties to piece together a new governing coalition. Analysts consider Mrs. Ciller's True Path capable of fitting into any pro-secular coalition in the political system, deeply divided by political rivalry. Turkish politics have been torn in the 1990s between the choice of an Islamic -led government or fragile, pro-secular coalitions. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ The head of Turkey's pro-Islamic party said Thursday he would not insist on his rightful chance to lead Turkey's next government, heading off a confrontation with the military that would only deepen the nation's political crisis. Parliament toppled Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's 17-month-old government Wednesday in a no-confidence vote over a mafia scandal, setting off a furious round of deal-making among pro-secular parties to piece together a new governing coalition. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ The head of Turkey's pro-Islamic party said Thursday he would not insist on his rightful chance to lead Turkey's next government, heading off a confrontation with the military that would only deepen the nation's political crisis. Parliament toppled Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's 17-month-old government Wednesday in a no-confidence vote over a mafia scandal, setting off a furious round of deal-making among pro-secular parties to piece together a new governing coalition. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ One of Turkey's leading politicians warned Sunday that a political vacuum could cripple the domestic battle to keep Islamists at bay and in the fight abroad for the extradition of a Kurdish rebel leader. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ One of Turkey's leading politicians warned Sunday that a political vacuum could cripple the domestic battle to keep Islamists at bay and in the fight abroad for the extradition of a Kurdish rebel leader. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ One of Turkey's leading politicians warned Sunday that a political vacuum could cripple the domestic battle to keep Islamists at bay and the fight abroad for the extradition of a Kurdish rebel leader. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ One of Turkey's leading politicians warned Sunday that a political vacuum could cripple the domestic battle to keep Islamists at bay and the fight abroad for the extradition of a Kurdish rebel leader. Negotiations with the International Monetary Fund on an economic package for 1999 were to have begun Friday in New York, but were canceled Wednesday. Gunes Taner, the Cabinet minister who was to have led Turkey's delegation, was implicated in the corruption scandal that brought down the government. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ Turkey's government collapsed Wednesday after losing a confidence vote in parliament over a corruption scandal that tainted the prime minister with allegations of mob ties. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ One of Turkey's leading politicians warned Sunday that a political vacuum could cripple the domestic battle to keep Islamists at bay and in the fight abroad for the extradition of a Kurdish rebel leader. In the midst of Turkey's uphill battle to get Italy to hand over a Kurdish rebel leader, the government collapsed Wednesday under the weight of corruption scandals. Welfare was banned earlier this year for anti-secular activities. A pro-secular alliance replaced Welfare, but it collapsed last week over corruption charges ,. By tradition, the job of establishing a new government should go to the Islamic Virtue Party since it is has the most seats in Parliament. Few believe the all-powerful, staunchly secular military would agree to that. By tradition, the job of establishing a new government should go to the Islamic Virtue Party since it has the most seats in Parliament. Few believe the all-powerful, staunchly secular military would agree to that. By tradition, the job of establishing a new government should go to the Islamic Virtue Party since it has the most seats in Parliament. Few believe the all-powerful, staunchly secular military would agree to that. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ Turkish President Suleyman Demirel planned to meet with Deputy Premier Bulent Ecevit on Wednesday, stoking speculation that he'd ask the center-left leader to form a new government. Ecevit is said to have the support of Turkey's all-powerful military and most analysts say he is the is the most viable replacement for Mesut Yilmaz, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote last week over a mafia scandal. The party denied the reports. No party has a majority in parliament. The party denied the reports. No party has a majority in parliament. In the midst of Turkey's uphill battle to get Italy to hand over a Kurdish rebel leader, the government collapsed Wednesday under the weight of corruption scandals. No party has a majority to govern alone in the deeply divided parliament. In the midst of Turkey's uphill battle to get Italy to hand over a Kurdish rebel leader, the government collapsed Wednesday under the weight of corruption scandals. No party has a majority to govern alone in the deeply divided parliament. ``The no-confidence vote has dragged Turkey into grave political chaos,'' Yilmaz declared. By tradition, the job of establishing a new government should go to the Islamic Virtue Party since it is has the most seats in Parliament. ``The no-confidence vote has dragged Turkey into grave political chaos,'' Yilmaz declared. By tradition, the job of establishing a new government should go to the Islamic Virtue Party since it has the most seats in Parliament. ``The no-confidence vote has dragged Turkey into grave political chaos,'' Yilmaz declared. By tradition, the job of establishing a new government should go to the Islamic Virtue Party since it has the most seats in Parliament. A pro-secular alliance replaced Welfare, but it collapsed last week over corruption charges,. Traditionally, the job of forming a new government should go to Kutan, as his party has the largest number of seats in Parliament. No party has a majority to govern alone in the deeply divided parliament. Acting Deputy Premier Bulent Ecevit on Sunday called on Turkey's two center-right parties, led by arch-rivals acting Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and former Premier Tansu Ciller, to join him in a governing coalition. No party has a majority to govern alone in the deeply divided parliament. Acting Deputy Premier Bulent Ecevit on Sunday called on Turkey's two center-right parties , led by arch-rivals acting Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and former Premier Tansu Ciller, to join him in a governing coalition. No party has a majority to govern alone in the deeply divided parliament. Acting Deputy Premier Bulent Ecevit on Sunday called on Turkey's two center-right parties, led by arch-rivals acting Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and former Premier Tansu Ciller, to join him in a governing coalition. No party has a majority to govern alone in the deeply divided parliament. Acting Deputy Premier Bulent Ecevit on Sunday called on Turkey's two center-right parties , led by arch-rivals acting Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and former Premier Tansu Ciller, to join him in a governing coalition. ANKARA , Turkey (AP) _ The head of Turkey's pro-Islamic party said Thursday he would not insist on his rightful chance to lead Turkey's next government , heading off a confrontation with the military that would only deepen the nation's political crisis. ANKARA , Turkey (AP) _ The head of Turkey's pro-Islamic party said Thursday he would not insist on his rightful chance to lead Turkey's next government , heading off a confrontation with the military that would only deepen the nation's political crisis. ANKARA , Turkey (AP) _ The head of Turkey's pro-Islamic party said Thursday he would not insist on his rightful chance to lead Turkey's next government , heading off a confrontation with the military that would only deepen the nation's political crisis. The early winter weather played a role in at least 24 deaths in Romania and Bulgaria over the past three days. In Poland, 32 people died, most of them homeless or others who passed out in the cold after drinking alcohol , police said. The weather played a role in at least 24 deaths in Romania and Bulgaria over the past three days. In Poland, 36 people died, most of them homeless or others who passed out in the cold after drinking alcohol , police said. Cold claims dozens of lives in Moscow each winter. The majority of victims are homeless people or alcoholics who pass out on the street. Cold claims dozens of lives in Moscow each winter. The majority of victims are homeless people or alcoholics who pass out on the street. A second man was found overnight in Elblag province in northern Poland, near Gdansk. Most victims have been the homeless or men who passed out from drinking. A second man was found overnight in Elblag province in northern Poland, near Gdansk. Most victims have been the homeless or men who passed out from drinking. A second man was found overnight in Elblag province in northern Poland, near Gdansk. Most victims have been the homeless or men who passed out from drinking. A second man was found overnight in Elblag province in northern Poland, near Gdansk. Most victims have been the homeless or men who passed out from drinking. WARSAW, Poland (AP) _ An Arctic cold wave that hit Poland a week ago has killed 32 people, police said Monday. The lowest temperature reported was minus 26 Celsius (minus 15 Fahrenheit) early Sunday in Ostroleka in northeast Poland. The cold wave hit on Nov. 16 , making it one of the coldest Novembers in Poland in recent years. The lowest temperature reported was minus 26 Celsius (minus 15 Fahrenheit) early Sunday in Ostroleka in northeast Poland. The cold wave hit on Nov. 16 , making it one of the coldest Novembers in Poland in recent years. Most victims have been the homeless or men who passed out from drinking. The cold front arrived on Nov. 16 with temperatures dipping as low as minus 26 Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit). Most victims have been the homeless or men who passed out from drinking. The cold front arrived on Nov. 16 with temperatures dipping as low as minus 26 Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit). Both drank alcohol before going to sleep, police said. Poland's extreme cold began Nov. 16 , with temperatures dropping to minus 26 Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit). WARSAW, Poland (AP) _ Two more victims of Poland's prolonged cold front were found Thursday, raising the death toll from more than two weeks of freezing temperatures to at least 74. Police said a 40-year-old man was found frozen to death in central Poland on Thursday morning. WARSAW, Poland (AP) _ Two more victims of Poland's prolonged cold front were found Thursday, raising the death toll from more than two weeks of freezing temperatures to at least 74. Police said a 40-year-old man was found frozen to death in central Poland on Thursday morning. WARSAW, Poland (AP) _ Two more victims of Poland's prolonged cold front were found Thursday, raising the death toll from more than two weeks of freezing temperatures to at least 74. Police said a 40-year-old man was found frozen to death in central Poland on Thursday morning. WARSAW , Poland (AP) _ The death toll from almost three weeks of sub-zero temperatures has reached 83 , after a homeless man froze to death in a Warsaw park. Many of the victims were homeless, and most had been drinking alcohol, which lowers the body temperature. On Friday , a man identified as Adam S. , 47, was found frozen to death in a Warsaw park. BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) _ An Arctic cold wave and accompanying blizzards have killed at least 62 people throughout Europe, police and media reported Monday. &UR; Eds: UPDATES with four more deaths in Poland &UR; AP Photo &UR; By ALISON MUTLER &QC; &UR; Associated Press Writer &QC; BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) _ An Arctic cold wave and accompanying blizzards have killed at least 65 people throughout Europe, police and media reported Monday. &UR; Eds: UPDATES with four more deaths in Poland &UR; AP Photo &UR; By ALISON MUTLER &QC; &UR; Associated Press Writer &QC; BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) _ An Arctic cold wave and accompanying blizzards have killed at least 65 people throughout Europe, police and media reported Monday. The weather played a role in at least 24 deaths in Romania and Bulgaria over the past three days. ``Methylated spirit warms you up really quickly, but you also cool down quickly.'' The frigid Arctic air that moved in last week has claimed more than 90 lives across Europe, including 30 in Romania and some in France, Bulgaria and Italy. WARSAW, Poland (AP) _ An Arctic cold wave that hit Poland a week ago has killed 32 people , police said Monday. The early winter weather played a role in at least 24 deaths in Romania and Bulgaria over the past three days. In Poland , 32 people died , most of them homeless or others who passed out in the cold after drinking alcohol, police said. In Poland, 36 people died, most of them homeless or others who passed out in the cold after drinking alcohol, police said. Earlier police said 32 people throughout Poland had died of cold exposure thus far , but by evening more deaths were reported. WARSAW , Poland (AP) _ Two more victims of Poland's prolonged cold front were found Thursday , raising the death toll from more than two weeks of freezing temperatures to at least 74. WARSAW , Poland (AP) _ Two more victims of Poland's prolonged cold front were found Thursday , raising the death toll from more than two weeks of freezing temperatures to at least 74. WARSAW, Poland (AP) _ The death toll from almost three weeks of sub-zero temperatures reached 85 on Saturday , after two men froze to death in their unheated homes in northeastern Poland. MOSCOW (AP) _ Unusually cold weather in Moscow killed at least 39 people in November , medical officials said on Monday. Poland's extreme cold began Nov. 16, with temperatures dropping to minus 26 Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit). Police say the number of cold-related deaths in recent weeks is 29 more than the number for all of last winter. WARSAW, Poland (AP) _ An Arctic cold wave that hit Poland a week ago has killed 32 people, police said Monday. Most of the victims were middle-aged men who had been drinking alcohol and passed out in the cold, according to Grazyna Puchalska of the national police headquarters. Police say the number of cold-related deaths in recent weeks is 29 more than the number for all of last winter. Many of the victims were homeless, and most had been drinking alcohol, which lowers the body temperature. Most of the victims were middle-aged men who had been drinking alcohol and passed out in the cold, according to Grazyna Puchalska of the national police headquarters. Other victims included homeless people , according to police. Police say the number of cold-related deaths in recent weeks is 29 more than the number for all of last winter. Many of the victims were homeless , and most had been drinking alcohol, which lowers the body temperature. Croatia reported its first cold-related death Wednesday, a woman who lived alone in an unheated house. Temperatures have dropped well below freezing, with minus 26 Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit) recorded in Poland on Sunday. Most victims have been the homeless or men who passed out from drinking. The cold front arrived on Nov. 16 with temperatures dipping as low as minus 26 Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit). MANILA, Philippines (AP) _ Typhoon Babs headed toward southern China Friday after battering the central and northern Philippines with heavy winds and rain that killed at least 82 people, flattened crops, and drove more than 100,000 people from their homes. Another 102 people were injured by flying debris in Sorsogon province, also part of the Bicol region, Arevalo said. More than 100,000 people in the area were forced to flee their homes , Red Cross officials said. SAN MIGUEL, Philippines (AP) _ Typhoon Babs raced toward southern China on Saturday, leaving behind a trail of destruction on the Philippines' main island where at least 129 people died and hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes. Thirty other people died in landslides in nearby Camarines Sur province and another 102 people were injured by flying debris in Sorsogon province, both located in the impoverished Bicol region along the Philippines' eastern coast. More than 320,000 people in the area were forced out of their homes , disaster relief officials said. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) _ Typhoon Babs brought torrential rains and landslides to Taiwan and lashed Hong Kong with strong winds Sunday after killing more than 150 people in the Philippines and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) _ Typhoon Babs brought torrential rains and landslides to Taiwan and lashed Hong Kong with strong winds Sunday after killing at least 156 people in the Philippines and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) _ Typhoon Babs weakened into a severe tropical storm Sunday night after it triggered massive flooding and landslides in Taiwan and slammed Hong Kong with strong winds. The storm earlier killed at least 156 people in the Philippines and left hundreds of thousands homeless. Estrada also ordered officials of the government-run national sweepstakes office to set up six special lotteries and donate the proceeds to victims of the four typhoons that have ravaged the country since September. The storms left at least 370 people dead, more than 200,000 others homeless and millions of dollars worth of crops and property destroyed. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) _ Typhoon Babs brought torrential rains and landslides to Taiwan and lashed Hong Kong with strong winds Sunday after killing more than 150 people in the Philippines and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) _ Typhoon Babs brought torrential rains and landslides to Taiwan and lashed Hong Kong with strong winds Sunday after killing at least 156 people in the Philippines and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. TAIPEI , Taiwan (AP) _ Typhoon Babs weakened into a severe tropical storm Sunday night after it triggered massive flooding and landslides in Taiwan and slammed Hong Kong with strong winds. SAN MIGUEL, Philippines (AP) _ Typhoon Babs raced toward southern China on Saturday, leaving behind a trail of destruction on the Philippines' main island where at least 129 people died and hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes. Philippines President Joseph Estrada declared Catanduanes and three other other provinces and a city in the worst hit area on the southern tip of Luzon under a state of calamity. Fishing boats sought shelter in the harbor. In the Philippines , President Joseph Estrada has declared four provinces and a city in the worst hit area on the southern tip of Luzon under a state of calamity. Hong Kong beaches were ordered closed because of rough seas, and fishing boats sought shelter in the harbor. In the Philippines , President Joseph Estrada has declared four provinces and a city in the worst hit area on the southern tip of Luzon under a state of calamity. Among the worst-hit areas was the impoverished Bicol region along the Philippines' eastern coast. At least 53 people were killed in landslides on Catanduanes island , where Babs first hit land Thursday, Office of Civil Defense director Renato Arevalo said. Moving at 11 kph (7 mph), it is expected to be 300 kilometers (187 miles) south-southeast of Hong Kong by Sunday afternoon. Of the 129 deaths reported so far in the Philippines, 67 were attributed to landslides on Catanduanes island where Babs first landed on Thursday, the Office of Civil Defense said. The Philippine government's Office of Civil Defense said the death toll from Babs rose to 156 Sunday. The fatalities included 71 people who died in landslides in hard-hit Catanduanes island and 41 people who drowned, were electrocuted or died in landslides in nearby Camarines Sur province. Tens of thousands of others were stranded as ports were shut and ships forbidden to sail. The fatalities included 18 drownings, three people hit by falling trees, two people electrocuted by power lines, two children killed by a landslide in central Iloilo province, and a fireman crushed to death after his van overturned on a slippery road, officials said. The Philippine government's Office of Civil Defense said the death toll from Babs has risen to 151. The fatalities included 71 people who died in landslides in hard-hit Catanduanes island and 41 people who drowned , were electrocuted or died in landslides in nearby Camarines Sur province. The Philippine government's Office of Civil Defense said the death toll from Babs rose to 156 Sunday. The fatalities included 71 people who died in landslides in hard-hit Catanduanes island and 41 people who drowned , were electrocuted or died in landslides in nearby Camarines Sur province. MANILA, Philippines (AP) _ Typhoon Babs headed toward southern China Friday after battering the central and northern Philippines with heavy winds and rain that killed at least 82 people, flattened crops , and drove more than 100,000 people from their homes. MANILA, Philippines (AP) _ Typhoon Babs headed toward southern China Friday after battering the central and northern Philippines with heavy winds and rain that killed at least 82 people, flattened crops, and drove more than 100,000 people from their homes. Of the 129 deaths reported so far in the Philippines, 67 were attributed to landslides on Catanduanes island where Babs first landed on Thursday, the Office of Civil Defense said. ``Catanduanes received the first punch and it was a hard hit,'' said Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, who is overseeing the relief and rescue work. SAN MIGUEL, Philippines (AP) _ From a distance, the smashed coconut and abaca trees scattered on the hills look like broken matchsticks _ a painful reminder of the destruction left by Typhoon Babs in Catanduanes. The island province was the first hit by the typhoon , which stalled directly above it for nearly 12 hours. Boceta said in a letter to the Department of Trade and Industry that the increase was spurred by retailers speculating on a ``perceived copra production shortfall due to the effects of El Nino and the two super typhoons.'' Coconut oil is the main ingredient in cooking oil manufactured in the Philippines. Boceta said in a letter to the Department of Trade and Industry that the increase was spurred by retailers speculating on a ``perceived copra production shortfall due to the effects of El Nino and the two super typhoons.'' Coconut oil is the main ingredient in cooking oil manufactured in the Philippines. The storm drenched the hillsides, turning them into a deadly mush that cascaded down on helpless residents seeking higher ground from the rising floodwaters. At least 69 people from the province died, most of them buried in landslides. Nine people were injured when their van was hit by rockslides in eastern Taitung, police said. Several domestic airports were closed, and landslides had halted traffic and trapped hundreds of people in mountains in central Taiwan , they said. Among the worst-hit areas was the impoverished Bicol region along the Philippines' eastern coast. At least 53 people were killed in landslides on Catanduanes island, where Babs first hit land Thursday , Office of Civil Defense director Renato Arevalo said. Moving at 11 kph (7 mph), it is expected to be 300 kilometers (187 miles) south-southeast of Hong Kong by Sunday afternoon. Of the 129 deaths reported so far in the Philippines, 67 were attributed to landslides on Catanduanes island where Babs first landed on Thursday , the Office of Civil Defense said. Dr. Barnett Slepian, an obstetrician with a practice in suburban Buffalo, N.Y., returned home from synagogue Friday night with his wife, Lynn, and greeted his four sons. Then he stepped into his kitchen, where a sniper's bullet crashed through a back window and struck him in the chest , police said. Dr. Barnett Slepian, an obstetrician with a practice in suburban Buffalo, N.Y., returned home from synagogue Friday night with his wife, Lynn, and greeted his four sons. Then he stepped into his kitchen, where a sniper's bullet crashed through a back window and struck him in the chest , police said. ``But he performed abortions because he believed it was a women's legal right to choose.'' Slepian , a 52-year-old gynecologist and obstetrician who lived in this suburb of Buffalo, was shot fatally in the back Friday night as he stood in the kitchen of his home chatting with his wife, Lynne, and his 15-year-old son, Andrew. ``We will be doing abortions,'' she said. The sniper attack that killed Slepian left many women here, most of them poor or working-class, expressing outrage that a bullet had deprived them at least temporarily of one of the few options they had to end an unwanted or unhealthy pregnancy. This decision is between a woman and her God.'' As the staff at the clinic scheduled appointments for the rest of the week _ one staff member said the clinic was fully booked for Thursday and Friday _ local and federal investigators reported little progress in their search for the sniper who shot Slepian , 52, through an undraped window as he stood in his kitchen in the nearby suburb of Amherst. BUFFALO, N.Y. _ With federal marshals posted outside and protesters waving pictures of aborted fetuses from the sidewalk, the clinic where Dr. Barnett A. Slepian performed abortions until he was slain on Friday night reopened here Tuesday and its director vowed to continue his work. Short -staffed even before Slepian was fatally shot by a sniper who hid in a wooded field behind his home, the clinic, Buffalo Women's Gynecological Services, scrambled to find doctors to cover his schedule. Amherst police said the timing of the shootings was not the only similarity. In each case, police said a gunman, using a high-powered rifle, fired through a window into the home of the doctors. Dr. Barnett Slepian, an obstetrician with a practice in suburban Buffalo, N.Y., returned home from synagogue Friday night with his wife, Lynn, and greeted his four sons. Then he stepped into his kitchen, where a sniper's bullet crashed through a back window and struck him in the chest, police said. In each case, police said a gunman, using a high-powered rifle, fired through a window into the home of the doctors. Last November, a doctor in Winnipeg, Manitoba, was shot in the shoulder by a bullet fired through a window. Amherst police said the timing of the shootings was not the only similarity. In each case, police said a gunman, using a high-powered rifle, fired through a window into the home of the doctors. Nov. 10, 1995, Ancaster, Ont. _ Dr. Hugh Short, 62, is at home watching television with his wife in a rear, second-floor den at about 9:30 p.m. when a bullet comes through a window , shattering his right elbow. ``It's beyond a tragedy _ it's really an act of terrorism and, in my mind, a cold-blooded assassination,'' Pataki said in Buffalo. Susan Ward, a spokeswoman for Buffalo GYN Women's Services, the private clinic where Slepian performed abortions , said the National Abortion Federation had faxed a warning to the clinic Friday morning reminding them about the four-year pattern of attacks. ``It's beyond a tragedy _ it's really an act of terrorism and, in my mind, a cold-blooded assassination,'' Pataki said in Buffalo. Susan Ward, a spokeswoman for Buffalo GYN Women's Services, the private clinic where Slepian performed abortions , said the National Abortion Federation had faxed a warning to the clinic Friday morning reminding them about the four-year pattern of attacks. AMHERST, N.Y. _ Some of those whom knew him said Dr. Barnett Slepian continued to perform abortions in the face of death threats because he had what one friend called ``a stubborn kind of courage.'' The killing of Dr. Barnett Slepian, a gynecologist in Buffalo who performed abortions , has become a factor in at least two campaigns in New York, say political consultants and some campaign advisers. Dr. Barnett Slepian , an obstetrician with a practice in suburban Buffalo, N.Y., returned home from synagogue Friday night with his wife, Lynn, and greeted his four sons. Dr. Barnett Slepian , an obstetrician with a practice in suburban Buffalo, N.Y., returned home from synagogue Friday night with his wife, Lynn, and greeted his four sons. Oct. 23, 1998, Amherst, N.Y. _ Dr. Barnett A. Slepian, 52, is shot and killed when a bullet crashes through a kitchen window at the back of his home, in a suburb of Buffalo, at about 10 p.m. He had just returned home from synagogue with his wife and greeted his four sons. AMHERST, N.Y. _ With no arrests reported in Friday night's slaying of Dr. Barnett Slepian, the three doctors who publicly acknowledge performing abortions in the Buffalo area remained in seclusion Sunday as residents of this quiet Buffalo suburb reeled from the news that a sniper could still be in their midst. Law enforcement officials from federal, state and local agencies who met with Canadian investigators here Sunday would not comment on their inquiry into the death of Slepian, the gynecologist and obstetrician who was killed by a sniper as he sat in his kitchen. NEW YORK _ In the second and final debate in the race for state attorney general, Eliot Spitzer, the Democratic challenger, accused Republican incumbent Dennis Vacco on Sunday of ignoring the threat posed by radical anti-abortion advocates, thereby helping to ease the way for this weekend's slaying of an obstetrician. The obstetrician , Dr. Barnett Slepian, was killed by a sniper on Friday night at his home in a Buffalo suburb. Police dogs track footprints in fresh snow behind his house to a park near the river nearby. Oct. 23 , 1998, Amherst, N.Y. _ Dr. Barnett A. Slepian , 52, is shot and killed when a bullet crashes through a kitchen window at the back of his home, in a suburb of Buffalo , at about 10 p.m. Then he stepped into his kitchen, where a sniper's bullet crashed through a back window and struck him in the chest, police said. He fell to the floor, calling for help , but he would die within two hours. Then he stepped into his kitchen, where a sniper's bullet crashed through a back window and struck him in the chest, police said. He fell to the floor, calling for help , but he would die within two hours. One shatters his thigh bone and severs his femoral artery. He nearly bleeds to death, but makes a tourniquet from his bathrobe belt and calls for help. Slepian had endured years of picketing and harassment, and earlier on Friday he had received a warning about possible attacks against abortion providers. Slepian , 51, is the third abortion doctor killed in the United States since 1993. Slepian had endured years of picketing and harassment, and earlier on Friday he had received a warning about possible attacks against abortion providers. Slepian , 51, is the third abortion doctor killed in the United States since 1993. In January, a week after the 25th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision, a clinic bombing in Birmingham, Ala., killed a security guard and severely wounded a nurse. Since 1993 , three doctors, including Slepian, three clinic employees and a clinic escort have been murdered. Slepian, 51, is the third abortion doctor killed in the United States since 1993. In the past four years , three Canadian doctors and a doctor in Rochester , N.Y., all of whom performed abortions, have been wounded by snipers. Five sniper attacks against abortion doctors in Canada and the United States have occurred in the last four years within a few weeks of Nov. 11 , or Veterans Day, a date observed as Remembrance Day in Canada, but which some anti-abortion activists are said to call ``Remember the Unborn Children Day.'' ``But he performed abortions because he believed it was a women's legal right to choose.'' Slepian, a 52-year-old gynecologist and obstetrician who lived in this suburb of Buffalo, was shot fatally in the back Friday night as he stood in the kitchen of his home chatting with his wife , Lynne, and his 15-year-old son, Andrew. And in the tight race for U.S. Senate, while the Democrat, Charles Schumer, another abortion-rights supporter, has not raised Slepian's death himself, his aides say it puts a new emphasis on the issue. Slepian was shot in the back on Friday night as he stood in his kitchen. He fell to the floor, calling for help, but he would die within two hours. Slepian was one of a handful of doctors who provide abortions in the Buffalo area, and law-enforcement officials said Saturday that his slaying was the most deadly example of what they described as an annual pattern of anti-abortion violence in Canada and western New York. He fell to the floor, calling for help, but he would die within two hours. Slepian was one of a handful of doctors who provide abortions in the Buffalo area, and law-enforcement officials said Saturday that his slaying was the most deadly example of what they described as an annual pattern of anti-abortion violence in Canada and western New York. Most of the victims died from smoke inhalation as they trampled each other in a panicked attempt to escape, but others were scorched by the heat. Firefighters and police said they still had not determined the fire's cause. Most of the victims died from smoke inhalation as they trampled each other in a panicked attempt to escape, but others were scorched by the heat. Firefighters and police said they still had not determined the fire's cause. The fast-spreading fire that broke out just a few minutes before midnight Thursday gutted the building and left rescuers facing a hideous scene that local rescue service leader Lennart Olin likened to a ``gas chamber.'' The cause of the fire had not been determined as of Friday evening. But the fire spread so fast that even an instant response would likely have been too slow. The cause of the fire had not been determined as of Friday evening. How could it happen; what caused the flames that raced through a hall packed far beyond capacity, blocking one of the exits and forcing panicked teen-agers to flee down the one remaining staircase and leap out of second-story windows? ''As long as the technicians haven't established the cause of the fire , we don't know if it's arson or not,'' Goteborg chief prosecutor Ulf Noren said Saturday evening. GOTEBORG , Sweden (AP) _ A fire turned a dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap , killing 60 people and injuring 162 others in Sweden's second-largest city. GOTEBORG , Sweden (AP) _ A fire turned a dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap , killing 60 people and injuring 162 others in Sweden's second-largest city. GOTEBORG , Sweden (AP) _ A fire turned a Swedish dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap , killing 60 people and injuring 155. GOTEBORG, Sweden (AP) _ After clinging to life for three days, two youths trapped in a dance-hall fire died early Monday , bringing the death toll in the inferno to 62. GOTEBORG, Sweden (AP) _ A fire turned a Swedish dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap, killing 60 people and injuring 155. GOTEBORG, Sweden (AP) _ Hundreds of teen-agers jammed into an upstairs hall planning to dance the night away, but by the time the sun rose Friday they were dead, clinging to life in hospitals or weeping in disbelief at a fire that killed 67 of them. Police said another 173 people were injured, 20 of them severely , in the explosive fire that engulfed the plain brick two-story building just before midnight Thursday and turned a boisterous disco dance into a screaming terror in a matter of moments. GOTEBORG, Sweden (AP) _ A panicky telephone call in poor Swedish was the first word that authorities got of a fire racing through a dance hall crowded with immigrant teen-agers, delaying fire squads' response to the blaze that killed 60 and injured 162 , officials said Saturday. ``There were two exits, but the one in the back was covered up. The only way out was a small door at the front, and there were 400 people. '' The cause of the fire had not been determined as of Friday evening. Although an estimated 400 people, most aged 13 to 18 , were at the dance on the upper floor , the facility had approval for a maximum capacity of 150, Hans Carlsson, the detective leading the disaster investigation. With another 17 people still in intensive care, the figure could still go higher in what is already Sweden's worst fire disaster of modern times. The dead, as young as 12 and none older than 20, were among an estimated 400 people who were at a disco dance in a rented second-floor hall when an explosive fire broke out shortly before midnight Thursday. As investigators worked to find the cause, examiners identified another 22 of the bodies, bringing the total to 40, and officials said 49 people were released from hospital. Of the 162 people who suffered non-fatal injuries in the Thursday night fire , 76 remain hospitalized. That is exactly what investigators have not been able to prove, and speculation that the fire was set ran high. The newspaper Expressen reported Sunday that police were told just hours after the devastating blaze that one of the 162 injured claimed to know who set the fire. That is exactly what investigators have not been able to prove, and speculation that the fire was set ran high. The newspaper Expressen reported Sunday that police were told just hours after the devastating blaze that one of the 162 injured claimed to know who set the fire. Police said most victims choked to death on smoke and poisonous gases; 59 bodies were found at the scene and one other died later. Of the injured , at least 57 were in intensive care, according to Sven Martinell, spokesman for the local medical authorities. Police said most victims choked to death on smoke and poisonous gases; 59 bodies were found at the scene and one other died later. Of the injured, at least 57 were in intensive care , according to Sven Martinell, spokesman for the local medical authorities. Police said most victims choked to death on smoke and poisonous gases; 59 bodies were found at the scene and one other died later. Of the injured, at least 57 were in intensive care , according to Sven Martinell, spokesman for the local medical authorities. The building did not have sprinklers and was not required to have them, officials said. The dance was attended mostly by immigrants or children of immigrants. Of the 162 people who suffered non-fatal injuries in the Thursday night fire, 76 remain hospitalized. Most of the victims were immigrants or of immigrant parentage , from countries including Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Ethiopia and current and former Yugoslavia. The emergency exit was blocked by flames, forcing the panicked dancers to try to flee down the one remaining stairway or leap out of second-story windows. Most of those at the dance were immigrants or children of immigrant parents. The fire was the deadliest this country has seen in decades, and it was all the more painful because it highlighted the profound divide between native Swedes and the rainbow of immigrants who have found refuge here over the decades. Almost all of the victims were teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17, who had packed into a Halloween hip-hop party at a hall owned by a Macedonian civic organization. GOTEBORG, Sweden (AP) _ Hundreds of teen-agers jammed into an upstairs hall planning to dance the night away, but by the time the sun rose Friday they were dead, clinging to life in hospitals or weeping in disbelief at a fire that killed 67 of them. GOTEBORG, Sweden (AP) _ Forensic experts examining heavily burned bodies were able Saturday to identify more of the 60 young people who died in a dance hall fire , but the catastrophe's most tormenting question was still unanswered. GOTEBORG, Sweden (AP) _ Officials offered no word Sunday on what might have caused the dance-hall fire that killed 60 young people, but reports of grim possibilities abounded in newspapers. GOTEBORG, Sweden (AP) _ A panicky telephone call in poor Swedish was the first word that authorities got of a fire racing through a dance hall crowded with immigrant teen-agers, delaying fire squads' response to the blaze that killed 60 and injured 162, officials said Saturday. Most of the victims were immigrants or of immigrant parentage, from countries including Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Ethiopia and current and former Yugoslavia. The first call alerting authorities to the fire was made in heavily accented Swedish and that, combined with noise and the caller's distress, delayed the fire squads' response by several minutes. However, Associated Press reporters found many polling stations empty and others with few voters. Friday's election is for the 86-seat Assembly of Experts , whose job is to oversee the work of the supreme leader , a post currently held by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's official media boasted about a huge turnout in elections Friday for the council that oversees the country's supreme leader. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Conservative Muslim clerics were leading in national elections for a key assembly that elects and oversees Iran's supreme leader , according to partial results Saturday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Conservative Muslim clerics were leading in national elections for a key assembly that elects and oversees Iran's supreme leader , according to partial results Saturday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader , official results showed Sunday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy -based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader , official results showed Sunday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader , official results showed Sunday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy -based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader , official results showed Sunday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader , official results showed Sunday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy -based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader , official results showed Sunday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader , official results showed Sunday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy -based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader , official results showed Sunday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iranians voted Friday to elect a key assembly expected to be dominated by hard-line clergymen who favor unhindered powers for Iran's supreme leader. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iranians voted Friday to elect a key assembly expected to be dominated by hard-line clergymen who favor unhindered powers for Iran's supreme leader. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Conservative Muslim clerics were leading in national elections for a key assembly that elects and oversees Iran's supreme leader, according to partial results Saturday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Conservative Muslim clerics were leading in national elections for a key assembly that elects and oversees Iran's supreme leader, according to partial results Saturday. TEHRAN , Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader, official results showed Sunday. TEHRAN , Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader, official results showed Sunday. TEHRAN , Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader, official results showed Sunday. TEHRAN , Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader, official results showed Sunday. Hard-liners won 11 of the 16 seats in Tehran and moderates only five. Among the hard-liners who won in the capital were Mohammad Yazdi, head of the powerful judiciary, and Ahmad Jannati, who leads the council that vetted the candidates. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators rallied in a Tehran park Sunday to protest the rejection of scores of candidates for the election of a powerful assembly. The Council of Guardians , which is dominated by political hard-liners, has rejected 214 candidates out of 400 who wanted to run in Friday's election to the 86-member Assembly of Experts. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators rallied in a Tehran park Sunday to protest the rejection of scores of candidates for the election of a powerful assembly. The Council of Guardians, which is dominated by political hard-liners , has rejected 214 candidates out of 400 who wanted to run in Friday's election to the 86-member Assembly of Experts. Among those urging people to vote was Grand Ayatollah Kazem Lankarani, who called it a ``divine duty'' and warned that ``the revolution's enemies are waiting to strike a strong blow at our regime.'' Despite the urging, the lackluster election campaign has failed to draw much excitement because of lack of competition: most of the 161 candidates _ all clergymen _ are hard-liners who were selected by a supervisory Council of Guardians controlled by conservatives. Candidate Majid Ansari, a moderate cleric, blamed the low turnout in Tehran on the lack of choice as most of the 167 candidates _ all clergymen _ were hard-liners. The candidates were selected by a Council of Guardians that is controlled by conservatives. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader, official results showed Sunday. The results came as no surprise since most moderates had been dropped from the ballot in advance of Friday's election by a council that reviews candidates's eligibility and is dominated by hard-liners. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader, official results showed Sunday. The results came as no surprise since most moderates had been dropped from the ballot in advance of Friday's election by a council that reviews candidates's eligibility and is dominated by hard-liners. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader, official results showed Sunday. The results were expected since most moderates had been dropped from the ballot in advance of Friday's election by a council that reviews candidates's eligibility and is dominated by hard-liners. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's conservatives won a decisive victory in elections for a clergy-based assembly that oversees the country's supreme leader, official results showed Sunday. The results were expected since most moderates had been dropped from the ballot in advance of Friday's election by a council that reviews candidates's eligibility and is dominated by hard-liners. In vetting 396 aspirants, the council eliminated most supporters of President Mohammad Khatami, a moderate clergyman with wide popular support. Khatami's followers want to make the supreme leader more accountable to the people while the hard-liners prefer a much more hands-off approach. In practice, the supreme leader has the final say in all matters _ and hard-line clergymen want to keep it that way. But moderate clerics led by President Mohammad Khatami are calling for a more accountable leader in a political tug-of-war that has gripped Iran since his election last year. The elections were marked by a low turnout, and many Iranians said they stayed away to protest the lack of choice: a conservative council that vetted a list of 396 prospective candidates had rejected all but about 30 moderate candidates. The moderates, led by popular President Mohammad Khatami , want to make the supreme leader more accountable to people by installing an assembly that is more balanced in its composition. The elections were marked by a low turnout, and many Iranians said they stayed away to protest the lack of choice: a conservative council that vetted a list of 396 prospective candidates had rejected all but about 30 moderate candidates. The moderates, led by popular President Mohammad Khatami , want to make the supreme leader more accountable to people by installing an assembly that is more balanced in its composition. Behind him was hard-liner Ali Meshkini, the current head of the Assembly of Experts, with 1,240,524 votes. Hard-liners won 11 of the 16 seats in Tehran and moderates only five. Behind him was hard-liner Ali Meshkini, the current head of the Assembly of Experts, with 1,240,524 votes. Hard-liners won 11 of the 16 seats in Tehran and moderates only five. Behind him was hard-liner Ali Meshkini, the current head of the Assembly of Experts, with 1,240,524 votes. Hard-liners won 11 of the 16 seats in Tehran and moderates only five. Behind him was hard-liner Ali Meshkini, the current head of the Assembly of Experts, with 1,240,524 votes. Hard-liners won 11 of the 16 seats in Tehran and moderates only five. Friday's voter turnout was in sharp contrast to last year's presidential elections, when some 30 million cast ballots, 20 million of whom voted for President Mohammad Khatami, who has presented the biggest challenge to the conservatives since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Some moderate leaders had said in advance they did not expect to win the balloting but still hoped to use the assembly to focus on the growing powers granted to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's top Shiite Muslim cleric. Sixteen seats went to candidates whose political affiliation was unclear _ but who probably lean toward the hard-line camp _ and three to declared independents, who are believed to be closer the moderates. The outcome is a blow to moderates who had hoped to use the Assembly of Experts to curb the absolute powers of the supreme leader and broaden social and political freedoms for the average Iranian. Sixteen seats went to candidates whose political affiliation was unclear _ but who probably lean toward the hard-line camp _ and three to declared independents, who are believed to be closer to the moderates. The outcome is a blow to moderates who had hoped to use the Assembly of Experts to curb the absolute powers of the supreme leader and broaden social and political freedoms for the average Iranian. ``I will vote for somebody who will have some kind of influence over the (supreme) leader.'' But Khatami's camp appeared to have lost this battle even before the polls: a conservative supervisory council that vetted a list of 396 prospective candidates approved 161 contestants, only about 30 of them moderates. Final results are not expected until Sunday. The elections were marked by a low turnout, and many Iranians said they stayed away to protest the lack of choice: a conservative council that vetted a list of 396 prospective candidates had rejected all but about 30 moderate candidates. Final results are not expected until Sunday. The elections were marked by a low turnout, and many Iranians said they stayed away to protest the lack of choice: a conservative council that vetted a list of 396 prospective candidates had rejected all but about 30 moderate candidates. Hoping to save the day, Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued his final appeal Wednesday. ``The people, by their huge turnout at the elections of the Assembly of Experts will inject a new life into the revolution ,'' he said. TEHRAN , Iran (AP) _ Iran's official media boasted about a huge turnout in elections Friday for the council that oversees the country's supreme leader. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Conservative Muslim clerics were leading in national elections for a key assembly that elects and oversees Iran's supreme leader, according to partial results Saturday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Conservative Muslim clerics were leading in national elections for a key assembly that elects and oversees Iran's supreme leader, according to partial results Saturday. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iranians voted Friday to elect a key assembly expected to be dominated by hard-line clergymen who favor unhindered powers for Iran's supreme leader. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Conservative Muslim clerics were leading in national elections for a key assembly that elects and oversees Iran's supreme leader, according to partial results Saturday. The trend offered no surprise since most of the 167 candidates in Friday' elections were hard-liners who want to maintain the authority of the supreme leader , the country's top Shiite cleric who has the final say in all matters. For 11 days last month , Hurricane Georges plowed across the Caribbean, killing at least 500 people and inflicting property damage estimated at more than $5 billion as it weaved through nearly a dozen countries before expiring as an early fall rainstorm over Georgia. For 11 days last month , Hurricane Georges plowed across the Caribbean, killing at least 500 people and inflicting property damage estimated at more than $5 billion as it weaved through nearly a dozen countries before expiring as an early fall rainstorm over Georgia. For 11 days last month , Hurricane Georges plowed across the Caribbean , killing at least 500 people and inflicting property damage estimated at more than $5 billion as it weaved through nearly a dozen countries before expiring as an early fall rainstorm over Georgia. And, just as in those other cities, Puerto Rico has lots of modest neighborhoods, away from the modern facades, with people who are just getting by. But Hurricane Georges , which hit the island last month and caused several billion dollars in damages, has brought out one big difference: while nearly every home in the 50 states is insured, insurance executives and government officials estimate that only 30 percent or 40 percent of those here are covered. The cost of getting the homeless into homes will be far greater than virtually anyone had imagined, probably well beyond dlrs 1 billion. And U.S. taxpayers are sure to foot most of the bill. The cost of getting the homeless into homes will be far greater than virtually anyone had imagined, probably well beyond dlrs 1 billion. And U.S. taxpayers are sure to foot most of the bill. Officials still don't know how many homeless there are _ or how to give them homes. Aside from killing three people on the island, Georges destroyed nearly 30,000 houses and damaged at least another 60,000 , the local Housing Department estimates. And, just as in those other cities, Puerto Rico has lots of modest neighborhoods, away from the modern facades, with people who are just getting by. But Hurricane Georges , which hit the island last month and caused several billion dollars in damages, has brought out one big difference : while nearly every home in the 50 states is insured, insurance executives and government officials estimate that only 30 percent or 40 percent of those here are covered. Georges was different. It swept past island after island in the northern Caribbean, causing billions of dollars in destruction and killing at least 400 people. The nationwide death toll of at least 150 people was released before the 17 new victims of the Sept. 23 floods were recovered. In all , Georges killed at least 430 people throughout the Caribbean. Officials still don't know how many homeless there are _ or how to give them homes. Aside from killing three people on the island, Georges destroyed nearly 30,000 houses and damaged at least another 60,000, the local Housing Department estimates. Forty years ago, Fonds Verrettes flourished at the foot of wooded mountains, but farm incomes fell and impoverished peasants cut down trees to make charcoal. With no forest cover to absorb Georges' torrential rains, storm runoff crashed through the town, destroying dozens of homes and buildings. ``Hurricane mash up my life,'' Verna McHenry said through tears while she picked through the soiled, sodden remains of her home on Antigua. In Puerto Rico , where three people were killed , the squatter community of Diamond Point kept its dazzling hilltop view of the sea but little else. Officials still don't know how many homeless there are _ or how to give them homes. Aside from killing three people on the island , Georges destroyed nearly 30,000 houses and damaged at least another 60,000, the local Housing Department estimates. MANAGUA, Nicaragua _ A natural disaster as terrible as Hurricane Mitch, which killed more than 10,000 people in Central America in the past two weeks and left nearly 1 million more homeless , teaches a lot about the way a society does or does not work. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) _ It plowed over and past 17 Caribbean islands , crashing into the lives of more than 30 million people. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) _ Haiti has only dlrs 23 million to rebuild roads, bridges and irrigation canals destroyed by Hurricane Georges , less than half of what is needed for just the hardest-hit areas, the government says. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) _ Haiti has only dlrs 23 million to rebuild roads, bridges and irrigation canals destroyed by Hurricane Georges, less than half of what is needed for just the hardest-hit areas, the government says. WASHINGTON _ With just five days until money for the new fiscal year runs out , President Clinton and Congressional Democrats on Monday escalated their criticism of Republican leaders for not moving faster on the 13 spending bills needed to keep the government running. The federal government is now running on borrowed time. The federal fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. The federal government is now running on borrowed time. The federal fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. WASHINGTON _ With three days until temporary financing of the government expires, Republican leaders met Wednesday night with White House officials in their first high-level attempt to resolve dozens of spending issues and avoid a government shutdown. WASHINGTON _ Budget negotiations faltered Friday, prompting Congress to delay until midnight Monday its deadline for passing a spending bill to keep the government open. Republican leaders vowed they would not let the government shut down. WASHINGTON _ Budget negotiations faltered Friday, prompting Congress to delay until midnight Monday its deadline for passing a spending bill to keep the government open. Republican leaders vowed they would not let the government shut down. If they do not meet that deadline, they could extend it, although they would probably do so for only a day or two at a time. If they neither met the deadline nor extended it, parts of the government would shut down. The federal fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. There would have been a massive shutdown of federal agencies on Oct. 1 , except that Congress voted for a ``continuing resolution'' that supplies emergency funding until Oct. 9. The federal fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. There would have been a massive shutdown of federal agencies on Oct. 1 , except that Congress voted for a ``continuing resolution'' that supplies emergency funding until Oct. 9. As of Oct. 2, only four of 13 appropriations bills had been passed. And at least three of the bills yet to be voted into law have been threatened with a presidential veto because of the anti-environmental riders attached to them. As of Oct. 2, only four of 13 appropriations bills had been passed. And at least three of the bills yet to be voted into law have been threatened with a presidential veto because of the anti-environmental riders attached to them. As of Oct. 2, only four of 13 appropriations bills had been passed. And at least three of the bills yet to be voted into law have been threatened with a presidential veto because of the anti-environmental riders attached to them. WASHINGTON _ With four days until temporary financing for the government runs out , House Republican leaders Tuesday demonstrated a new willingness to resolve several of the spending issues that had pointed toward a government shutdown. WASHINGTON _ With three days until temporary financing of the government expires , Republican leaders met Wednesday night with White House officials in their first high-level attempt to resolve dozens of spending issues and avoid a government shutdown. WASHINGTON _ Budget negotiations faltered Friday, prompting Congress to delay until midnight Monday its deadline for passing a spending bill to keep the government open. WASHINGTON _ Budget negotiations faltered Friday , prompting Congress to delay until midnight Monday its deadline for passing a spending bill to keep the government open. Congress is playing ``chicken'' with the president and the American public. The federal government is now running on borrowed time. Congress is playing ``chicken'' with the president and the American public. The federal government is now running on borrowed time. WASHINGTON _ With just five days until money for the new fiscal year runs out, President Clinton and Congressional Democrats on Monday escalated their criticism of Republican leaders for not moving faster on the 13 spending bills needed to keep the government running. So far, Congress has completed work on only four of those bills. But this Congress is playing special-interest politics with appropriations bills. As of Oct. 2 , only four of 13 appropriations bills had been passed. Republicans want to keep the spotlight on the impeachment investigation of President Clinton and are therefore eager to brush away any matters that might interfere. They indicated Tuesday that they intended to drop their hard-line positions on matters ranging from less money for the International Monetary Fund to a weakened Federal Election Commission to a denial of political amnesty for 40,000 Haitians. WASHINGTON _ With three days until temporary financing of the government expires, Republican leaders met Wednesday night with White House officials in their first high-level attempt to resolve dozens of spending issues and avoid a government shutdown. The unresolved issues include financing for the International Monetary Fund , how to conduct the 2000 census, and billions of dollars in extra spending for items that the administration deems emergencies, like the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, the year 2000 computer bug, and disaster relief for farmers. The federal fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. There would have been a massive shutdown of federal agencies on Oct. 1, except that Congress voted for a ``continuing resolution'' that supplies emergency funding until Oct. 9. The federal fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. There would have been a massive shutdown of federal agencies on Oct. 1, except that Congress voted for a ``continuing resolution'' that supplies emergency funding until Oct. 9. And the Palm Pilot offer would appear to indicate that Microsoft has not scaled back its ambitions in the face of the Justice Department's antitrust suit. The antitrust suit , initiated last October, originally focused on Microsoft's linking of its Internet Explorer World Wide Web browser with the industry-dominant Windows 95 operating system. And the government's broader case begins with that meeting. After Netscape spurned the offer, the government contends, Microsoft embarked on a strategy intended to thwart competition in the Internet software market by crushing Netscape, bundling its browser into its Windows operating system and making restrictive deals with personal-computer makers, online services and other companies. The first goal, the memo said, was to ``establish Microsoft ownership'' of the market for Web browsers that run on Windows computers. In his third day cross-examining James L. Barksdale, Netscape's president and chief executive, the Microsoft lawyer, John Warden, suggested that the market-division allegation stemmed from anger on the part of Netscape executives when they learned at that meeting that Microsoft intended to bundle its own browser with its Windows operating system. Such a collusion to divide markets would be a violation of federal antitrust law. When Netscape refused , the government further charges, Microsoft decided to bundle its own Web browser, Internet Explorer, with the Windows system to drive Netscape out of the browser business. SAN FRANCISCO _ In a recent move that indicated he has no intention of backing away from his company's aggressive business tactics, Microsoft Corp.'s chairman , Bill Gates, has proposed acquiring the software business behind 3Com Corp.'s popular Palm Pilot hand-held computer , according to people who have been briefed on the discussions. SAN FRANCISCO _ In a recent move that indicated he has no intention of backing away from his company's aggressive business tactics, Microsoft Corp.'s chairman , Bill Gates, has proposed acquiring the software business behind 3Com Corp.'s popular Palm Pilot hand-held computer , according to people who have been briefed on the discussions. The e-mail, written on Dec. 29, 1994, was introduced to suggest that it was Netscape, not Microsoft, that initiated some of the elements of what the government portrays as an illegal offer by Microsoft in June 1995 to divide with Netscape the market for software used to browse the Internet's World Wide Web. The e-mail message, written by James Clark , the chairman and cofounder of Netscape, was submitted in court Wednesday by Microsoft as part of its defense in the sweeping antitrust suit filed by the Justice Department and 20 states. WASHINGTON _ Attempting to refute a central allegation in the government's antitrust case, Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday produced a secret e-mail message from the chairman of Netscape Communications Corp. seeking Microsoft's cooperation, offering to stay out of its way and suggesting that Microsoft invest in Netscape. WASHINGTON _ The government's case against Microsoft is a narrative that revolves around Netscape Communications Corp. and the government's leading witness, James Barksdale, Netscape's 55-year-old president and chief executive. In his 127 pages of written testimony, released Monday afternoon, Barksdale supplied new details and a firsthand perspective of a disputed meeting between Microsoft and Netscape on June 21, 1995, at Netscape's offices in Mountain View, Calif. At the meeting, the government contends , Microsoft executives proposed that the two companies divvy up the emerging market for software used to browse the Internet's World Wide Web. The December 1994 e-mail is not related, the government contends, to the June 1995 meeting in which the Justice Department says that Microsoft made its illegal offer. According to the government , Microsoft offered to make an investment in Netscape and give Netscape's software developers crucial technical information about the Windows operating system if Netscape would agree not to make a browser for Windows 95 operating system, which Microsoft released two months later. ``In all my years in business, I have never heard nor experienced such an explicit proposal to divide markets.'' If the court accepts Barksdale's version of the meeting, it will represent a big victory for the Justice Department and the 20 states suing Microsoft. WASHINGTON _ A lawyer for Microsoft Corp. on Thursday portrayed the company's competitor in the Internet software business, Netscape Communications Corp., as a willing and eager participant in deal-making that culminated in a June 1995 meeting at which the government and Netscape now say that Microsoft illegally offered to divide the market. That meeting and the charge of an illegal offer to divide the market for Internet browsers, the software used to navigate the World Wide Web, are central elements of the antitrust suit by the Justice Department and 20 states being heard in United States district court here. WASHINGTON _ After months of noisy prelude, the antitrust trial against the Microsoft Corp. opened in federal court Monday morning with a pointed personal attack on Bill Gates, the company's chairman, who testified in a taped deposition that he knew little if anything about the key charges leveled against his company by the Justice Department and 20 states. ``My only knowledge is the Wall Street Journal article; it surprised me'' Gates said of reports of a meeting in which his company had offered its chief competitor in Internet software a chance to divide the market. If they did not agree, the government says, Microsoft threatened to destroy Netscape. Such a collusion to divide markets would be a violation of federal antitrust law. Gates told his questioner at another point in the deposition that he had not even read the government's antitrust suit. As to its central charge, illegal collusion to divide software markets , Gates said only: ``I think somebody said that was in there.'' WASHINGTON _ A lawyer for Microsoft Corp. on Thursday portrayed the company's competitor in the Internet software business, Netscape Communications Corp., as a willing and eager participant in deal-making that culminated in a June 1995 meeting at which the government and Netscape now say that Microsoft illegally offered to divide the market. That meeting and the charge of an illegal offer to divide the market for Internet browsers , the software used to navigate the World Wide Web, are central elements of the antitrust suit by the Justice Department and 20 states being heard in United States district court here. As the foundation on which federal antitrust law has been built, the act has been amended several times _ elevating the crime to a felony, increasing the fines and prison terms for individuals and setting fines for corporations convicted of violating it. In the case of Microsoft , the government has invoked the Sherman Act to file a civil suit that seeks to change the company's business practices, not a criminal suit that seeks financial penalties. As the foundation on which federal antitrust law has been built, the act has been amended several times _ elevating the crime to a felony, increasing the fines and prison terms for individuals and setting fines for corporations convicted of violating it. In the case of Microsoft, the government has invoked the Sherman Act to file a civil suit that seeks to change the company's business practices, not a criminal suit that seeks financial penalties. The offer, made in an August meeting with 3Com's chairman, Eric Benhamou, was not accepted by 3Com executives, those people say. But certainly, Gates is said to have dangled an alluring kingmaker's deal: If 3Com were willing to sell off its software business, a market favorite compared with Microsoft's Windows CE operating system , Gates would make the company's remaining Palm Computing hardware business, ``the Compaq Computer of the hand-held market.'' The offer, made in an August meeting with 3Com's chairman, Eric Benhamou, was not accepted by 3Com executives, those people say. But certainly, Gates is said to have dangled an alluring kingmaker's deal: If 3Com were willing to sell off its software business, a market favorite compared with Microsoft's Windows CE operating system , Gates would make the company's remaining Palm Computing hardware business, ``the Compaq Computer of the hand-held market.'' The offer, made in an August meeting with 3Com's chairman, Eric Benhamou, was not accepted by 3Com executives, those people say. But certainly, Gates is said to have dangled an alluring kingmaker's deal: If 3Com were willing to sell off its software business, a market favorite compared with Microsoft's Windows CE operating system, Gates would make the company's remaining Palm Computing hardware business , ``the Compaq Computer of the hand-held market.'' The offer, made in an August meeting with 3Com's chairman, Eric Benhamou, was not accepted by 3Com executives, those people say. But certainly, Gates is said to have dangled an alluring kingmaker's deal: If 3Com were willing to sell off its software business, a market favorite compared with Microsoft's Windows CE operating system, Gates would make the company's remaining Palm Computing hardware business , ``the Compaq Computer of the hand-held market.'' DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania _ In a rare public statement about the August bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa, the FBI said Friday that two vehicles had been used in the attack on the embassy here. The FBI also indicated that it had learned the identities of new suspects in the blast here, and that they are at large. They were in a Suzuki Samurai, one of the two vehicles identified Friday , investigators said. They were in a Suzuki Samurai, one of the two vehicles identified Friday, investigators said. Two vehicles were also used in the bombing of the embassy in Nairobi , according to indictments that have been handed down. He was transformed into a killer who could coolly execute a bombing that left 250 people dead. He is still at large after being indicted in the United States under an alias , Haroun Fazil, which he apparently used in Kenya. He was transformed into a killer who could coolly execute a bombing that left 250 people dead. He is still at large after being indicted in the United States under an alias , Haroun Fazil, which he apparently used in Kenya. Since then, the FBI and other law-enforcement and intelligence agencies say they are continuing to work with other nations to arrest as many of bin Laden's operatives as possible. Bin Laden already faces criminal charges in the United States under a sealed indictment handed up by a federal grand jury in New York. Additional payments will be made, if money becomes available, Njonjo said. A total of 248 people, including a dozen Americans , were killed in the Nairobi bombing on Aug. 7. The driver of the vehicle, who has not been identified, died in the attack, according to investigators. The simultaneous blast in Nairobi killed more than 250, including 12 Americans. The driver of the vehicle, who has not been identified, died in the attack, according to investigators. The simultaneous blast in Nairobi killed more than 250, including 12 Americans. WASHINGTON _ The United States has obtained new evidence to link the owner of a Sudanese factory destroyed in a U.S. cruise missile strike last month to a terrorist group backed by Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the bombings of two U.S. embassies in East Africa, according to U.S. intelligence officials. NEW YORK _ Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said Wednesday that one of the men accused of conspiring to bomb the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August had met earlier with Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the attacks , and ``asked him for a mission.'' MORONI, Comoros _ The man accused of directing the bomb attack on the American Embassy in Kenya came of age in this impoverished Indian Ocean archipelago, a land where gifted teen-agers leave home to enroll in the radical Islamic academies of Libya, Sudan and Pakistan. MORONI, Comoros _ The man accused of directing the bomb attack on the American Embassy in Kenya came of age in this impoverished Indian Ocean archipelago, a land where gifted teen-agers leave home to enroll in the radical Islamic academies of Libya, Sudan and Pakistan. NEW YORK _ Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said Wednesday that one of the men accused of conspiring to bomb the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August had met earlier with Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the attacks, and ``asked him for a mission.'' The accused bomber told prosecutors that he had twice turned to a Texas acquaintance named Wadih el Hage to buy weapons for his Brooklyn associates. Last month, el Hage was arrested on charges of being part of the Osama bin Laden terror network that is suspected of the bombing of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania on Aug. 7. ``Achieving the expulsion of bin Laden and bringing him to justice is something we are actively pursuing,'' said a State Department official. In their effort to persuade Afghanistan to deport bin Laden , State Department officials also have spoken to Taliban representatives themselves and have sought the intercession of Pakistan, the only other major ally of Afghanistan in the region. WASHINGTON _ Urged on by the Clinton administration, Saudi Arabia's top intelligence official met privately with the leader of the Taliban in late September to try to persuade Afghanistan to deport Osama bin Laden , the Saudi exile suspected of masterminding the August bombings of two American embassies in East Africa, according to U.S. and Arab officials. Sometime over the next few years, American authorities assert, he fell under the sway of terrorists waging what they call a holy war against the United States. He was transformed into a killer who could coolly execute a bombing that left 250 people dead. NEW YORK _ Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said Wednesday that one of the men accused of conspiring to bomb the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August had met earlier with Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the attacks, and ``asked him for a mission.'' The reported meeting between bin Laden and the accused man, Mohamed Rashed Daoud Al'Owhali, which had not previously been described, is the strongest allegation offered so far to link bin Laden to the attacks , in which more than 250 people died. A tightly wound, brilliant student of the Koran who was thrown out of religious school for caning a lazy pupil hard enough to draw blood, Abdallah Mohammed Fazul set out for Pakistan 11 years ago, at age 15, to continue his education. Sometime over the next few years, American authorities assert, he fell under the sway of terrorists waging what they call a holy war against the United States. A tightly wound, brilliant student of the Koran who was thrown out of religious school for caning a lazy pupil hard enough to draw blood, Abdallah Mohammed Fazul set out for Pakistan 11 years ago, at age 15, to continue his education. Sometime over the next few years, American authorities assert, he fell under the sway of terrorists waging what they call a holy war against the United States. Sometime over the next few years, American authorities assert, he fell under the sway of terrorists waging what they call a holy war against the United States. He was transformed into a killer who could coolly execute a bombing that left 250 people dead. Sometime over the next few years, American authorities assert, he fell under the sway of terrorists waging what they call a holy war against the United States. He was transformed into a killer who could coolly execute a bombing that left 250 people dead. PAL, Asia's oldest airline, has been unable to make payments on dlrs 2.1 billion in debt after being devastated by a pilots' strike and by Asia's currency crisis. PAL shut down its operations on Sept. 23 after the ground crew union turned down a management-proposed recovery plan that included a 10-year suspension of labor's collective bargaining agreement in exchange for 20 percent ownership of the airline. She declined to comment on Zamora's and Espiritu's statements and said Cathay Pacific's negotiations with PAL ``will still carry on.'' PAL closed for nearly two weeks on Sept. 23 after failing to persuade its largest union to accept a management-proposed recovery plan under which its collective bargaining agreement would be suspended for 10 years in exchange for a 20 percent share of the company's stock. Cathay shares were little changed in trading Wednesday's on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Estrada appeared unwilling to give up on PAL , which stopped flying in a labor dispute in September but soon got back into the air. Tan is a leading supporter of the new president of the Philippines, Joseph Estrada, not only contributing to his campaign but giving him the use of his planes. When a labor dispute prompted Tan to shut down the 57-year-old airline in September , provoking tears from nostalgic Filipinos, it was Estrada who brokered an agreement that got the planes flying again. PAL resumed domestic flights Oct. 7 and started restoring international flights last month after settling its labor problems. It has since accepted an investment offer from Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and the two airlines are drawing up a plan to rehabilitate the Philippine carrier. MANILA, Philippines (AP) _ Prospective investor Cathay Pacific Airways wants the number of employees at troubled Philippine Airlines to be slashed from more than 8,000 to 5,000 but PAL has not yet agreed, Finance Secretary Edgardo Espiritu said Monday. PAL officials have accepted an investment offer from the Hong Kong-based carrier and the two companies are drawing up a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate PAL. MANILA, Philippines (AP) _ Ailing Philippine Airlines and prospective investor Cathay Pacific Airways have clashed over the laying off of PAL workers, prompting PAL to revive talks with another foreign airline, an official said Tuesday. PAL earlier accepted a preliminary investment offer from Cathay Pacific, and the companies announced Nov. 10 that they would draw up a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate the Philippine flag carrier. PAL resumed domestic flights Oct. 7 and started restoring international flights last month after settling its labor problems. It has since accepted an investment offer from Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and the two airlines are drawing up a plan to rehabilitate the Philippine carrier. PAL resumed domestic flights Oct. 7 and started restoring international flights last month after settling its labor problems. It has since accepted an investment offer from Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and the two airlines are drawing up a plan to rehabilitate the Philippine carrier. MANILA, Philippines (AP) _ Prospective investor Cathay Pacific Airways wants the number of employees at troubled Philippine Airlines to be slashed from more than 8,000 to 5,000 but PAL has not yet agreed, Finance Secretary Edgardo Espiritu said Monday. PAL officials have accepted an investment offer from the Hong Kong-based carrier and the two companies are drawing up a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate PAL. MANILA, Philippines (AP) _ President Joseph Estrada said Saturday the financially troubled Philippine Airlines will resume its international flights on Sunday by flying him to Singapore where he will address the World Economic Forum. Debt-laden PAL reopened Wednesday with domestic flights after a 13-day shutdown caused by disagreements with its largest labor union over a management recovery plan. PAL shut down its operations on Sept. 23 after the ground crew union turned down a management-proposed recovery plan that included a 10-year suspension of labor's collective bargaining agreement in exchange for 20 percent ownership of the airline. Workers agreed to accept the plan nearly two weeks after the shutdown, and the airline resumed domestic flights Oct. 7 and international flights to the United States on Oct. 26. PAL laid off more than 3,000 employees at the height of its labor and financial troubles this year, the biggest single retrenchment in the Philippines. PAL resumed domestic flights Oct. 7 and started restoring international flights last month after settling its labor problems. ``As long as PAL continues and as long as it remains the flag carrier of the country, so be it,'' he said. PAL , Asia 's oldest airline, has been unable to make payments on dlrs 2.1 billion in debt after being devastated by a pilots' strike and by Asia's currency crisis. PAL is negotiating with Cathay Pacific, which could buy up to 40 percent of the airline under Philippine law. Cathay Pacific has said it wants management control of the Philippine flag carrier, which has been mired in debt and labor unrest. So I think I can talk it over with them.'' PAL says it is unable to make payments on its debts because of mounting losses worsened by labor problems and Asia's currency crisis. PAL officials say Singapore Airlines is also interested in a possible investment. PAL , which has been unable to make payments on dlrs 2.1 billion in debt, was devastated by a pilots' strike in June and by the region's currency crisis , which reduced passenger numbers and inflated costs. As part of the plan, the union agreed to allow an unspecified number of workers to be retrenched as long as the laid-off workers get separation benefits agreed by both sides. In June , PAL was embroiled in a crippling three-week pilots' strike that brought the company close to financial ruin. As part of the plan, the union agreed to allow an unspecified number of workers to be retrenched as long as the laid-off workers get separation benefits agreed by both sides. In June , PAL was embroiled in a crippling three-week pilots' strike that brought the company close to financial ruin. PAL, Asia's oldest airline, has been unable to make payments on dlrs 2.1 billion in debt after being devastated by a pilots' strike and by Asia's currency crisis. PAL shut down its operations on Sept. 23 after the ground crew union turned down a management-proposed recovery plan that included a 10-year suspension of labor's collective bargaining agreement in exchange for 20 percent ownership of the airline. She declined to comment on Zamora's and Espiritu's statements and said Cathay Pacific's negotiations with PAL ``will still carry on.'' PAL closed for nearly two weeks on Sept. 23 after failing to persuade its largest union to accept a management-proposed recovery plan under which its collective bargaining agreement would be suspended for 10 years in exchange for a 20 percent share of the company's stock. She declined to comment on Zamora's and Espiritu's statements and said Cathay Pacific's negotiations with PAL ``will still carry on.'' PAL closed for nearly two weeks on Sept. 23 after failing to persuade its largest union to accept a management-proposed recovery plan under which its collective bargaining agreement would be suspended for 10 years in exchange for a 20 percent share of the company's stock. PAL is negotiating with Cathay Pacific, which could buy up to 40 percent of the airline under Philippine law. Cathay Pacific has said it wants management control of the Philippine flag carrier , which has been mired in debt and labor unrest. MANILA, Philippines (AP) _ Ailing Philippine Airlines and prospective investor Cathay Pacific Airways have clashed over the laying off of PAL workers, prompting PAL to revive talks with another foreign airline , an official said Tuesday. MANILA, Philippines (AP) _ Ailing Philippine Airlines and prospective investor Cathay Pacific Airways have clashed over the laying off of PAL workers , prompting PAL to revive talks with another foreign airline, an official said Tuesday. MANILA, Philippines (AP) _ Philippine Airlines said Thursday it will attempt to rebuild alone after Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airlines pulled out of talks on acquiring a stake in the ailing Philippine flag carrier. Cathay Pacific announced Wednesday that it has withdrawn its bid to pour up to dlrs 100 million into PAL because of ``certain issues which could not be resolved.'' Philippine officials said Cathay Pacific and PAL disagreed over who would manage PAL and how many of the more than 8,000 employees would lose their jobs. Cathay Pacific announced Wednesday that it has withdrawn its bid to pour up to dlrs 100 million into PAL because of ``certain issues which could not be resolved.'' Philippine officials said Cathay Pacific and PAL disagreed over who would manage PAL and how many of the more than 8,000 employees would lose their jobs. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao refused to specify what laws were broken or how Xu Wenli and Qin Yongmin endangered the state. A third leading advocate of the China Democracy Party who has been in custody for a month, Wang Youcai, was accused of ``inciting the overthrow of the government ,'' the Hong Kong-based Information Center of Human Rights and Democratic Movement in China reported. BEIJING _ One leader of a suppressed new political party will be tried on Dec. 17 on a charge of colluding with foreign enemies of China ` `to incite the subversion of state power ,'' according to court documents given to his wife on Monday. Qin and Wang will be tried separately, in cities 500 kilometers (300 miles) apart and in proceedings attended only by family and a few observers selected by the courts. Qin, 44, and Wang , 31 , are accused of inciting the subversion of state power , apparently for helping to organize the China Democracy Party. The trials of Wang Youcai and Qin Youming opened on Thursday. They are accused of inciting subversion of the state , charges that carry a minimum prison sentence of five years on conviction, although neither trial has come to a verdict. BEIJING _ In response to criticism from home and abroad, Chinese officials broke their silence Wednesday to defend their arrest this week of a prominent dissident who was trying to form an opposition political party. BEIJING (AP) _ With attorneys locked up, harassed or plain scared, two prominent dissidents will defend themselves against charges of subversion Thursday in China's highest-profile dissident trials in two years. Qin Yongmin's and Wang Youcai's families were running out of options Wednesday to help the pair, leading organizers of a budding opposition political party. Officially, the speech was intended to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Communist Party meeting that marked the beginning of the reforms. But it also provided a vigorous, if indirect, defense of the government's recent decision to try three of the country's most prominent democracy activists on criminal charges for their efforts to organize an opposition political party. Releasing Liu Nianchun appeared to be an attempt by the government to blunt international criticism over Monday's upcoming trial of prominent dissident Xu Wenli. Xu is the third leading member of a would-be opposition political party put on trial for subversion in a three-week crackdown that has seen 30 dissidents arrested or interrogated. BEIJING _ In response to criticism from home and abroad, Chinese officials broke their silence Wednesday to defend their arrest this week of a prominent dissident who was trying to form an opposition political party. ``Xu Wenli is suspected of involvement in activities damaging to national security and has violated relevant criminal codes of the People's Republic of China,'' said a statement from the Foreign Ministry, which on Tuesday declined to comment on the arrest. BEIJING (AP) _ China's government said Thursday that two prominent dissidents arrested this week are suspected of endangering national security _ the clearest sign yet Chinese leaders plan to quash a would-be opposition party. The arrests of Xu and Qin at their homes Monday night and the accusations against them and Wang were the sharpest action Chinese leaders have taken since dissidents began pushing to set up and legally register the China Democracy Party in June. Xu and Qin were ``suspected of involvement in activities endangering state security' ' and their ``behavior breached relevant provisions of the criminal laws of the People's Republic of China,'' Zhu said at a twice-weekly briefing. Xu and Qin are influential figures in the dissident community, having started their campaign for change 20 years ago in the seminal Democracy Wall movement. Wang was a student leader in the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy demonstrations. Detailed charges have not been filed. Wang was a student leader in the pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in 1989. He, too, has no defense lawyer. Wang was a leader of student demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and served two years in prison after they were put down by military force. BEIJING _ In response to criticism from home and abroad, Chinese officials broke their silence Wednesday to defend their arrest this week of a prominent dissident who was trying to form an opposition political party. BEIJING (AP) _ China's central government ordered the arrest of a prominent democracy campaigner and may use his contacts with exiled Chinese dissidents to charge him with harming national security, a colleague said Wednesday. BEIJING (AP) _ With attorneys locked up, harassed or plain scared, two prominent dissidents will defend themselves against charges of subversion Thursday in China's highest-profile dissident trials in two years. But it also provided a vigorous, if indirect, defense of the government's recent decision to try three of the country's most prominent democracy activists on criminal charges for their efforts to organize an opposition political party. The trials of Wang Youcai and Qin Youming opened on Thursday. BEIJING _ One leader of a suppressed new political party will be tried on Dec. 17 on a charge of colluding with foreign enemies of China `` to incite the subversion of state power,'' according to court documents given to his wife on Monday. The younger Yao, who is also a prominent figure in the China Democracy Party, is scheduled for release in April. Last week the Chinese government arrested 10 members and sympathizers of the China Democracy Party, one of whom , Wang Youcai, is to go on trial Dec. 17. ``Xu Wenli is suspected of involvement in activities damaging to national security and has violated relevant criminal codes of the People's Republic of China,'' said a statement from the Foreign Ministry, which on Tuesday declined to comment on the arrest. The sudden arrest on Monday night of Xu, as well as several other activists involved with him in trying to form the China Democratic Party , set off strong protests from human rights groups, other Chinese dissidents and Washington. ``Xu Wenli is suspected of involvement in activities damaging to national security and has violated relevant criminal codes of the People's Republic of China,'' said a statement from the Foreign Ministry, which on Tuesday declined to comment on the arrest. The sudden arrest on Monday night of Xu, as well as several other activists involved with him in trying to form the China Democratic Party , set off strong protests from human rights groups, other Chinese dissidents and Washington. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao refused to specify what laws were broken or how Xu Wenli and Qin Yongmin endangered the state. A third leading advocate of the China Democracy Party who has been in custody for a month , Wang Youcai, was accused of ``inciting the overthrow of the government,'' the Hong Kong-based Information Center of Human Rights and Democratic Movement in China reported. And Friday the family of China's most senior dissident, Xu Wenli, another organizer of the opposition party, was told that he would stand trial on Monday, facing an even more serious charge of subverting state power, which could bring a sentence of life imprisonment. Xu has been detained since Nov. 30 , after the police raided his house and confiscated documents about the new opposition group, the China Democratic Party. They are accused of inciting subversion of the state, charges that carry a minimum prison sentence of five years on conviction, although neither trial has come to a verdict. And Friday the family of China's most senior dissident, Xu Wenli, another organizer of the opposition party, was told that he would stand trial on Monday, facing an even more serious charge of subverting state power, which could bring a sentence of life imprisonment. They are accused of inciting subversion of the state, charges that carry a minimum prison sentence of five years on conviction, although neither trial has come to a verdict. And Friday the family of China's most senior dissident, Xu Wenli , another organizer of the opposition party, was told that he would stand trial on Monday, facing an even more serious charge of subverting state power , which could bring a sentence of life imprisonment.