In a long-elusive compromise , opposition leader Prince Norodom Ranariddh will become president of the National Assembly resulting from disputed elections in July, even though Hun Sen's party holds a majority of 64 seats in the 122-member chamber. After a three-month impasse, they agreed last week to a coalition deal that will make Hun Sen sole prime minister and Ranariddh president of the National Assembly. Last week , Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party and Ranariddh's FUNCINPEC party agreed to form a coalition that would leave Hun Sen as sole prime minister and make the prince president of the National Assembly. The agreement will make Hun Sen prime minister and Ranariddh president of the National Assembly. The deal, which will make Hun Sen prime minister and Ranariddh president of the National Assembly , ended more than three months of political deadlock that followed a July election narrowly won by Hun Sen. Key to the agreement was the formation of a Senate as the upper house of Parliament, to be led by CPP President Chea Sim, the outgoing head of the National Assembly. Opposition leaders Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Sam Rainsy , citing Hun Sen's threats to arrest opposition figures after two alleged attempts on his life, said they could not negotiate freely in Cambodia and called for talks at Sihanouk's residence in Beijing. Opposition leaders Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Sam Rainsy , citing Hun Sen's threats to arrest opposition figures after two alleged attempts on his life, said they could not negotiate freely in Cambodia and called for talks at Sihanouk's residence in Beijing. Negotiations to form the next government have become deadlocked, and opposition party leaders Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Sam Rainsy are out of the country following threats of arrest from strongman Hun Sen. Hun Sen complained Monday that the opposition was trying to make its members' return an international issue. Fearing for their safety, Sam Rainsy and his then-ally Prince Norodom Ranariddh led an exodus of opposition lawmakers out of Cambodia after parliament was ceremonially opened in late September. Hun Sen's ruling party narrowly won a majority in elections in July , but the opposition _ claiming widespread intimidation and fraud _ has denied Hun Sen the two-thirds vote in parliament required to approve the next government. Ranariddh and his core supporters did not return to Cambodia until a few months before an election in July this year that the ruling party narrowly won. Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party narrowly won the polls , but a strong second-place finish by Ranariddh's FUNCINPEC gave the royalist party leverage in post-election negotiations. The alleged assassination attempt came during massive street demonstrations organized by the opposition after Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party narrowly won the election. King Norodom Sihanouk has declined requests to chair a summit of Cambodia's top political leaders, saying the meeting would not bring any progress in deadlocked negotiations to form a government. A series of negotiations to forge a new government have failed. A series of negotiations to forge a new government have failed. The assurances were aimed especially at Sam Rainsy, leader of a vocally anti-Hun Sen opposition party, who was forced to take refuge in the U.N. offices in September to avoid arrest after Hun Sen accused him of being behind a plot against his life. Sam Rainsy , a staunch critic of Hun Sen, was forced to take refuge in a U.N. office in September to avoid arrest after Hun Sen accused him of being behind a plot against his life. Sam Rainsy , a staunch critic of Hun Sen, was forced to take refuge in a U.N. office in September to avoid arrest after Hun Sen accused him of being behind a plot against his life. Their arguments turned bloody last year when Hun Sen ousted Ranariddh in a coup. The men served as co-prime ministers until Hun Sen overthrew Ranariddh in a coup last year. The men served as co-prime ministers until Hun Sen overthrew Ranariddh in a coup last year. Hun Sen's ruling party narrowly won a majority in elections in July, but the opposition _ claiming widespread intimidation and fraud _ has denied Hun Sen the two-thirds vote in parliament required to approve the next government. Ranariddh and his opposition ally , Sam Rainsy, refused to accept the election results, alleging widespread intimidation and fraud by the CPP. The opposition , alleging widespread fraud and intimidation , refused to accept the results of the polls. They have demanded a thorough investigation into their election complaints as a precondition for their cooperation in getting the national assembly moving and a new government formed. Opposition parties led by Ranariddh and former finance minister Sam Ram Rainsy have refused to enter into a coalition with Hun Sen until their allegations of election fraud have been thoroughly investigated. Opposition parties led by Ranariddh and former finance minister Sam Ram Rainsy have refused to enter into a coalition with Hun Sen until their allegations of election fraud have been thoroughly investigated. Cambodia's bickering political parties broke a three-month deadlock Friday and agreed to a coalition government leaving strongman Hun Sen as sole prime minister , King Norodom Sihanouk announced. King Norodom Sihanouk on Tuesday praised agreements by Cambodia's top two political parties _ previously bitter rivals _ to form a coalition government led by strongman Hun Sen. Cambodian leader Hun Sen on Friday rejected opposition parties' demands for talks outside the country , accusing them of trying to ``internationalize'' the political crisis. Cambodian leader Hun Sen on Friday rejected opposition parties' demands for talks outside the country, accusing them of trying to ``internationalize'' the political crisis. ``The hurricane has destroyed almost everything ,'' said Mike Brown, a resident of Guanaja Island which was within miles (kms) of the eye of the hurricane. ``The hurricane has destroyed almost everything ,'' said Mike Brown, a resident of Guanaja Island, 20 miles (32 kilometers) off the coast. BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The European Union on Tuesday approved 6.4 million European currency units (dlrs 7.7 million) in aid for thousands of victims of the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in Central America. At least 231 people have been confirmed dead in Honduras from former-hurricane Mitch, bringing the storm's death toll in the region to 357, the National Emergency Commission said Saturday. In Honduras , at least 231 deaths have been blamed on Mitch , the National Emergency Commission said Saturday. Honduras braced for potential catastrophe Tuesday as Hurricane Mitch roared through the northwest Caribbean , churning up high waves and intense rain that sent coastal residents scurrying for safer ground. Hurricane Mitch cut through the Honduran coast like a ripsaw Thursday , its devastating winds whirling for a third day through resort islands and mainland communities. El Salvador _ where 140 people died in flash floods _ declared a state of emergency Saturday, as did Guatemala, where 21 people died when floods swept away their homes. EU spokesman Pietro Petrucci said the funds will be used to provide basic care such as medicine, food, water sanitation and blankets to thousands of people whose homes were destroyed by torrential rains and mudslides. That meant the Honduran coast had been under hurricane conditions for more than a day. That meant the Honduran coast had been under hurricane conditions for more than a day. Nine other deaths had been reported elsewhere in the region by early Thursday _ more than a day after Mitch drifted to just off the coast and seemed to park there. Mitch , which sat off the Honduran coast for several days last week , destroyed scores of Central American communities before moving northwest. U.S. President Bill Clinton requested a ``global relief effort'' to help Central America and boosted U.S. emergency aid to dlrs 70 million. U.S. President Bill Clinton requested a ``global relief effort '' to help Central America and boosted U.S. emergency aid to dlrs 70 million. In Washington on Thursday, President Bill Clinton ordered dlrs 30 million in Defense Department equipment and services and dlrs 36 million in food, fuel and other aid be sent to Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. Clinton is dispatching a delegation next week led by Tipper Gore, wife of Vice President Al Gore, to deliver some of the supplies destined for Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. Honduran officials said more than 200 towns and villages had been isolated by the storm, left without power, telephones or clean drinking water. Honduran officials said more than 200 towns and villages had been isolated by the storm , left without power, telephones or clean drinking water. Aid workers struggled Friday to reach survivors of Hurricane Mitch , who are in danger of dying from starvation and disease in the wake of the storm that officials estimate killed more than 10,000 people. The detention and the possible extradition of Pinochet to Spain to stand trial for genocide, terrorism and torture during his 17-year dictatorship was warmly welcomed by human rights activists worldwide. Pinochet was arrested in London on Oct. 16 at the instigation of Spanish magistrate Baltasar Garzon who is seeking to extradite the former dictator on charges of genocide, terrorism and torture. Pinochet was detained by British police in London on Oct. 16 by request of a Spanish magistrate as a first step toward his extradition to stand trial for genocide and terrorism. Europe's top official said Friday that he hoped former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet would be extradited to Spain to be tried for crimes committed during his 17-year rule. He was arrested Oct. 16 at the instigation of a Spanish magistrate seeking to extradite him on charges of genocide, terrorism and torture. He was detained on a warrant from a Spanish magistrate seeking to extradite him on charges of genocide, terrorism and torture during his 1973-90 rule. Pinochet, 82, was placed under arrest in London Friday by British police acting on a warrant issued by a Spanish judge. British police arrested Pinochet in his bed Friday at a private London hospital in response to a request from Spain , which wants to question Pinochet about allegations of murder during the decade after he seized power in 1973. The 82-year-old Pinochet was arrested Friday at a Spanish magistrate's request. He was arrested Oct. 16 at the instigation of a Spanish magistrate seeking to extradite him on charges of genocide, terrorism and torture. He was detained on a warrant from a Spanish magistrate seeking to extradite him on charges of genocide, terrorism and torture during his 1973-90 rule. Pinochet , 82, was placed under arrest in London Friday by British police acting on a warrant issued by a Spanish judge. Margaret Thatcher entertained former Children dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet at her home two weeks before he was arrested in his bed in a London hospital , the ex-prime minister's office said Tuesday, amid growing diplomatic and domestic controversy over the move. Pinochet was detained by British police in London on Oct. 16 by request of a Spanish magistrate as a first step toward his extradition to stand trial for genocide and terrorism. Pinochet is under arrest in a London hospital where he'd gone for back surgery. The wife of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet appealed for his release, saying he is too sick to be extradited to Spain to face charges of genocide. The wife of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet appealed for his release , saying he is too sick to be extradited to Spain to face charges of genocide. Pinochet, who has vowed to fight attempts to extradite him to Spain on allegations of murder, genocide and torture, had drinks with Lady Thatcher and her husband, Denis, in their home in London's elite Belgravia district four days before he was hospitalized for back surgery performed Oct. 9. Pinochet is under arrest in a London hospital where he'd gone for back surgery. The magistrate broadened his charges Monday to include killings of Chileans as well as Spaniards, and genocide _ for which there is no diplomatic immunity. Pinochet, who has vowed to fight attempts to extradite him to Spain on allegations of murder, genocide and torture , had drinks with Lady Thatcher and her husband, Denis, in their home in London's elite Belgravia district four days before he was hospitalized for back surgery performed Oct. 9. Pinochet was detained in the London clinic while recovering from back surgery. ''This is very painful for our family,'' a tearful Lucia Pinochet told reporters late Friday outside the private London Clinic, where her husband is under arrest as he recuperates from back surgery. The prosecutor said he was asking the Swiss federal government to seek Pinochet's extradition from Britain to face trial in Geneva. On Monday , Switzerland also requested Pinochet's arrest and extradition on charges of murder, kidnapping and torture. 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 it sparked protests from the Chilean government , and fears it could damage economic relations. Chile argues that Pinochet must be released because as a senator he enjoys diplomatic immunity _ and because he is in poor health. The Chilean government has urged Britain to release Pinochet on humanitarian grounds, and argued that as a senator, he is entitled to diplomatic immunity. 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. Albania says it has uncovered a terrorist network operated by Osama Bin Laden, the Islamic fundamentalist accused of masterminding the August embassy bombings in Africa, and that it's members have infiltrated other parts of Europe, The Sunday Times reported. Albania says it has uncovered a terrorist network operated by Osama Bin Laden, the Islamic fundamentalist accused of masterminding the August embassy bombings in Africa, and that it's members have infiltrated other parts of Europe, The Sunday Times reported. He has been linked to the Aug. 7 bombing of two U.S. embassies in East Africa. Police seized copies of the newspaper for reproducing a foreign newspaper interview of Afghanistan-based Saudi billionaire Osama Bin Laden, who has been accused by the United States of masterminding bombing attacks on the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August. The man accused of orchestrating the U.S. embassy bombings in Tanzania and Kenya was declared a free man Friday in Afghanistan , where he has lived for years with the permission of the hard-line Islamic Taliban militia. Bin Laden is believed to be living in Afghanistan. Bin Laden is believed to be living in Afghanistan. Bin Laden , a Saudi exile, is thought to be living in Afghanistan. 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. Albania says it has uncovered a terrorist network operated by Osama Bin Laden , the Islamic fundamentalist accused of masterminding the August embassy bombings in Africa, and that it's members have infiltrated other parts of Europe, The Sunday Times reported. Saudi exile Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of a conspiracy to attack U.S. targets around the world , and Muhammad Atef, the alleged military commander of bin Laden's terrorist organization, Al-Qaeda, were charged in a separate 238-page indictment with murder and conspiracy in the bombings. He was worried, he wrote in an angry dispatch, about the security of the ``East Africa network'' of bin Laden, the Saudi exile accused of masterminding a worldwide terrorist conspiracy against Americans. The blast at the embassy building in downtown Nairobi killed 213 people, 12 of them Americans, and injured 5,400. The blast at the embassy building in downtown Nairobi killed 213 people, 12 of them Americans , and injured 5,400. In the 90 percent of Afghanistan ruled by the Taliban a harsh brand of Islamic justice has been imposed, including the death penalty. The Taliban , who control about 90 percent of Afghanistan , on Friday closed their three-week inquiry into allegations that Osama bin Laden is waging a war of terror against the United States. A criminal complaint unsealed Sept. 25 in U.S. District Court in New York charges him with murder conspiracy and use of weapons of mass destruction. Administration officials have denied since August that the raid was intended to kill bin Laden, a Saudi exile who has been charged by federal prosecutors with leading a global war against U.S. interests. The Taliban's chief justice accused the United States on Wednesday of looking for an `` excuse'' to launch another missile attack on his war-shattered homeland. 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. Not only are both sides still awaiting the outcome of an arbitration decision that is due before Oct. 18 - the Fordham Law School dean John Feerick will rule whether or not more than 200 players with $800 million in guaranteed contracts should be paid during the lockout _ but the owners and players also are making time to win public opinion before they test their fans' loyalties by canceling games. More than 220 National Basketball Association players with guaranteed contracts will find out Monday whether they are to be paid during the management lockout, a long-awaited arbitrator's decision that may affect leverage in the league's dispute with the players and have major ramifications on American sports-labor law. In a critical ruling for the North American National Basketball Association and the players' union , arbitrator John Feerick decides Monday whether more than 200 players with guaranteed contracts should be paid during the lockout. In a critical ruling for the North American National Basketball Association and the players' union, arbitrator John Feerick decides Monday whether more than 200 players with guaranteed contracts should be paid during the lockout. In a critical ruling for the North American National Basketball Association and the players' union , arbitrator John Feerick decides Monday whether more than 200 players with guaranteed contracts should be paid during the lockout. In a critical ruling for the North American National Basketball Association and the players' union, arbitrator John Feerick decides Monday whether more than 200 players with guaranteed contracts should be paid during the lockout. Despite modest encouragement over a new proposal delivered by the players to the owners, the National Basketball Association Tuesday canceled the first two weeks of the regular season, the first time in the league's 51-year history that it will lose games to a labor dispute. After 35,001 games without a blemish, the NBA now joins the National Hockey League, the National Football League and Major League Baseball in having lost games to a labor dispute. After 35,001 games without a blemish, the NBA now joins the National Hockey League, the National Football League and Major League Baseball in having lost games to a labor dispute. Despite modest encouragement over a new proposal delivered by the players to the owners, the National Basketball Association Tuesday canceled the first two weeks of the regular season , the first time in the league's 51-year history that it will lose games to a labor dispute. The National Basketball Association, embroiled in a labor dispute with its players, Tuesday canceled the first two weeks of the 1998-99 season. The NBA has already canceled the first two weeks of the regular season because of the labor dispute. In a decision that will almost certainly lead to the first work stoppage in National Basketball Association history, the league Monday announced the cancellation of all 114 preseason games. The league canceled the entire 114-game preseason on Monday. The NBA's deputy commissioner , Russ Granik, announced the cancellation after nearly three and a half hours of meetings concluded at a Manhattan hotel. The NBA's deputy commissioner , Russ Granik, announced the cancellation after nearly three and a half hours of meetings concluded at a Manhattan hotel. If the players win , the owners will be liable for about dlrs 800 million in guaranteed salaries, although they have vowed to appeal if they lose. If the players win , the owners will be liable for about dlrs 800 million in guaranteed salaries, although they have vowed to appeal if they lose. If the players win, the owners will be liable for about dlrs 800 million in guaranteed salaries , although they have vowed to appeal if they lose. If the players win, the owners will be liable for about dlrs 800 million in guaranteed salaries , although they have vowed to appeal if they lose. The decision to cancel 99 games between Nov. 3 and Nov. 16 came after the players association proposed the implementation of a tax system instead of a hard salary cap, a proposal the owners said they would respond to by Friday. The decision to cancel 99 games between Nov. 3 and Nov. 16 came after the players association proposed the implementation of a tax system instead of a hard salary cap, a proposal the owners said they would respond to by Friday. The decision to cancel 99 games between Nov. 3 and Nov. 16 came after the players association proposed the implementation of a tax system instead of a hard salary cap , a proposal the owners said they would respond to by Friday. The decision to cancel 99 games between Nov. 3 and Nov. 16 came after the players association proposed the implementation of a tax system instead of a hard salary cap , a proposal the owners said they would respond to by Friday. The league already has sued the players over Feerick's jurisdiction. The league already has sued the players over Feerick's jurisdiction. Congolese rebels have taken their two-month campaign to oust President Laurent Kabila to the Internet. Congolese rebels have taken their two-month campaign to oust President Laurent Kabila to the Internet. Congolese rebels have taken their two-month campaign to oust President Laurent Kabila to the Internet. Congolese rebels have taken their two-month campaign to oust President Laurent Kabila to the Internet. The bloody bandages of injured rebels trucked back to this rear base Wednesday offered evidence that the three-day battle for the strategic air base at Kindu was not going well for those fighting to oust Congolese President Laurent Kabila. The rebels see Kindu as a major prize in their two-month revolt against President Laurent Kabila , whom they accuse of mismanagement, corruption and warmongering among Congo's 400 tribes. So far, Kabila has refused to negotiate with the rebels, accusing them of being the puppets of neighboring Rwanda and Uganda. So far, Kabila has refused to negotiate with the rebels, accusing them of being the puppets of neighboring Rwanda and Uganda. But the president has so far refused, accusing the rebels of being puppets of Rwanda and Uganda , which Kabila has accused of orchestrating the rebellion. But the president has so far refused, accusing the rebels of being puppets of Rwanda and Uganda , which Kabila has accused of orchestrating the rebellion. Kabila accuses Rwanda and Uganda _ former allies who installed him in power in May 1997 after an eight-month rebellion _ of sponsoring the new fighting. Kabila accuses Rwanda and Uganda _ former allies who installed him in power in May 1997 after an eight-month rebellion _ of sponsoring the rebels. The rebels are a coalition of ethnic Tutsis, disenchanted members of Kabila's army and political opponents who accuse Kabila of power-grabbing, mismanagement, corruption and sowing dissent among Congo's 400 tribes. The rebels are a coalition of ethnic Tutsis, disenchanted members of Kabila's army and political opponents who accuse Kabila of power-grabbing, mismanagement, corruption and sowing dissent among Congo's 400 tribes. The rebels _ ethnic Tutsis , disenchanted members of President Laurent Kabila's army and opposition politicians _ took up arms Aug. 2 accusing Kabila of mismanagement, corruption and creating division among Congo's 400 tribes. The rebels accuse Kabila of betraying the eight-month rebellion that brought him to power in May 1997 through mismanagement and creating divisions among Congo's 400 tribes. The rebels see Kindu as a major prize in their two-month revolt against President Laurent Kabila , whom they accuse of mismanagement, corruption and warmongering among Congo's 400 tribes. Rebels in eastern Congo on Saturday said they shot down a passenger jet ferrying 40 government soldiers into a strategic airport facing a rebel assault. Rebels in eastern Congo on Saturday said they shot down a passenger jet ferrying 40 government soldiers into a strategic airport facing a rebel assault. Rebels in eastern Congo on Saturday said they shot down a passenger jet ferrying 40 government soldiers into a strategic airport facing a rebel assault. On Saturday, the rebels said they shot down a Congolese Boeing 727 which was attempting to land at Kindu air base with 40 troops and ammunition. The rebels are a coalition of ethnic Tutsis, disenchanted members of Kabila's army and political opponents who accuse Kabila of power-grabbing, mismanagement, corruption and sowing dissent among Congo's 400 tribes. The rebels are a coalition of ethnic Tutsis, disenchanted members of Kabila's army and political opponents who accuse Kabila of power-grabbing, mismanagement, corruption and sowing dissent among Congo's 400 tribes. On Aug. 2 , Tutsis, political opponents, and disenchanted members of President Laurent Kabila's army took up arms , accusing Kabila of corruption, nepotism and fostering tribal strife. On Aug. 2, Tutsis, political opponents, and disenchanted members of President Laurent Kabila's army took up arms, accusing Kabila of corruption, nepotism and fostering tribal strife. Rebel military sources said the fighting continued inside Kindu where the rebels were apparently meeting stiff resistance. Advance units had crossed the Lualaba River from the north and were meeting stiff resistance in the town , he said. The rebels _ a coalition of ethnic Tutsis, disenchanted soldiers in Kabila's army and opposition politicians _ faced stiff resistance. After an initial lightning advance in the far west of Africa's third-largest nation , the rebels were stopped at the outskirts of the capital , Kinshasa, by troops from Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia, who are backing Kabila. After an initial lightning advance in the far west of Africa's third-largest nation , the rebels were stopped at the outskirts of the capital , Kinshasa, by troops from Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia, who are backing Kabila. The rebels targeted Kindu since late August, when they were forced to retreat their march from extreme western Congo to the outskirts of Kinshasa after Angola and Zimbabwe sent troops to bail out Kabila. Rebels attacked a village in western Uganda and killed six civilians before soldiers drove them off, a military spokesman said Thursday. The rebels targeted Kindu since late August , when they were forced to retreat their march from extreme western Congo to the outskirts of Kinshasa after Angola and Zimbabwe sent troops to bail out Kabila. After a day of fighting , Congolese rebels said Sunday they had entered Kindu, the strategic town and airbase in eastern Congo used by the government to halt their advances. A day after shooting down a jetliner carrying 40 people , rebels clashed with government troops near a strategic airstrip in eastern Congo on Sunday. Fighting in Kindu , 32 kilometers (20 miles) northeast of the Elila River bridge, died down after the rebels fired a barrage of artillery into the government-held quarters and the air base, four kilometers (two miles) away. Fighting for the town of Kindu in this vast West African nation subsided after rebels launched an artillery barrage into government-held buildings and the airfield, two miles (three kilometers) away. Asia-Pacific leaders are scheduled to meet next month in Malaysia for an annual economics meeting. Clinton is scheduled to go to Malaysia for the meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Clinton is scheduled to go to Malaysia for the meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. The delegation will travel to Kuala Lumpur for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum Nov. 14-18. But he was suddenly fired by Mahathir on Sept. 2 after the two differed on economic policy. The party leaders, who have been conducting a national campaign to explain to Malaysians why the popular Anwar was fired Sept. 2 , will also confer on what to do now that the High Court judge has banned all comments on Anwar's guilt or innocence. Anwar was fired as deputy premier in September and later arrested, appearing in court with a black eye, bruises and a neck brace. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad fired Anwar in September , saying he was morally unfit to lead, then had him expelled from Malaysia's ruling party. Wearing a neck brace Monday after a court-ordered hospital checkup, Anwar was ordered to stand trial Nov. 2 on four charges of abusing his powers to interfere with a police investigation. The leaders of Malaysia's ruling party met Tuesday to discuss a replacement for ousted deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim , who faces trial next month in a case that will test the country's legal system. The prime minister used riot police to thwart the protests, and jailed Anwar , charging him with corruption and sex crimes, and scheduling his trial for Nov. 2. The former deputy prime minister and finance minister of Malaysia was arrested Sept. 20 on corruption and illegal sex charges, then brought to court with a black eye and bruises. He has also said Anwar should be held in house arrest during his upcoming trial on corruption and sexual misconduct charges. He has also said Anwar should be held in house arrest during his upcoming trial on corruption and sexual misconduct charges. Last week , Philippine President Joseph Estrada said he was considering not going to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum because of Anwar Ibrahim's arrest. Estrada has expressed support for Anwar, whom he considers a personal friend, and indicated he may not attend a summit of Asia Pacific Rim nations in Malaysia next month. APEC groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States. APEC groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States. Critics said it was predictable that capital controls would be a short-term tonic to Malaysia's economy. Now, though, Mahathir's allies are marshaling new economic data that they say indicate that capital controls are breathing new life into the country's moribund economy. Russia, Vietnam and Peru will join in November. Russia, Vietnam and Peru will also join APEC this year. The summit is to take place on Nov. 17-18. The summit is to take place on Nov. 17-18. Anwar is a charismatic politician who was once picked to be the successor to Malaysia's long-serving Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Anwar is a charismatic politician who was once picked to be the successor to Malaysia's long-serving Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. A car rigged with explosives blew up Friday morning in Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market packed with Israelis shopping for the Jewish Sabbath, killing two people and wounding 21. Two people were killed and at least 21 injured when an explosives-rigged car blew up Friday at Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market, only meters (yards) from the site of a suicide bombing 16 months ago. Two people were killed and 21 others were wounded in the attack for which the Islamic militant group Hamas claimed responsibility. Palestinian political leaders said Israel should not use Friday's suicide bombing, which killed the two assailants and wounded 21 Israelis , as an excuse to stop the peace process. Palestinian political leaders said Israel should not use Friday's suicide bombing, which killed the two assailants and wounded 21 Israelis , as an excuse to stop the peace process. Their car-bomb blew apart two hours later in a Jerusalem market, killing both men and wounding 24 people. Most recently, Israel 's Cabinet put off a vote to ratify the accord after a suicide bombing Friday in Jerusalem that killed the two assailants and injured 21 Israelis. Israel's Cabinet announced within hours of a market bombing Friday that it will put off a vote indefinitely on whether to ratify the Wye River accord until Palestinians crack down further on terrorism. Israel's Cabinet decided Friday to suspend indefinitely its ratification of the land-for-security agreement with the Palestinians. Israel's Cabinet decided Friday to suspend indefinitely its ratification of the land-for-security agreement with the Palestinians. The Israeli Cabinet suspended a meeting to ratify the agreement after the bombing , demanding that the Palestinians conduct an ``all-out war on terror.'' Netanyahu's Cabinet delayed action on the new peace accord following Friday's suicide bombing at a Jerusalem market, and his remarks about building on Har Homa may be seen as a provocation by the Palestinians at a politically sensitive moment. Most recently , Israel's Cabinet put off a vote to ratify the accord after a suicide bombing Friday in Jerusalem that killed the two assailants and injured 21 Israelis. The Islamic militant group Hamas, which has tried to stop the peace agreement, claimed responsibility , police said. The militant Palestinian movement Islamic Holy War said Saturday that it carried out the suicide bombing in a Jerusalem market on Friday , which prompted arrests by the Palestinian Authority overnight. The radical group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility Saturday for the suicide bombing of a crowded Jerusalem market and promised more attacks to try to block the new peace accord. The radical group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility Saturday for the market bombing and vowed more attacks to try to block the new peace accord. The radical group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility Saturday for the market bombing and vowed more attacks to try to block the new peace accord. The radical group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility. Palestinian security sources and the families of the dead bombers had already identified them as Islamic Jihad activists. Palestinian security sources and the families of the dead bombers had already identified them as Islamic Jihad activists. Palestinian security sources and the families of the dead bombers had already identified them as Islamic Jihad activists. Palestinian security sources and the families of the dead bombers had already identified them as Islamic Jihad activists. Palestinian security sources and the families of the dead bombers had already identified them as Islamic Jihad activists. Palestinian security sources and the families of the dead bombers had already identified them as Islamic Jihad activists. Palestinian political leaders said Israel should not use Friday's suicide bombing , which killed the two assailants and wounded 21 Israelis, as an excuse to stop the peace process. Netanyahu's Cabinet delayed action on the new peace accord following Friday's suicide bombing at a Jerusalem market , and his remarks about building on Har Homa may be seen as a provocation by the Palestinians at a politically sensitive moment. Palestinian political leaders said Israel should not use Friday's suicide bombing , which killed the two assailants and wounded 21 Israelis, as an excuse to stop the peace process. Netanyahu's Cabinet delayed action on the latest Israeli-Palestinian accord following Friday's suicide bombing at a Jerusalem market , and his remarks about building on Har Homa may be seen as a provocation by the Palestinians at a politically sensitive moment. Most recently, Israel's Cabinet put off a vote to ratify the accord after a suicide bombing Friday in Jerusalem that killed the two assailants and injured 21 Israelis. The radical group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility Saturday for the suicide bombing of a crowded Jerusalem market and promised more attacks to try to block the new peace accord. The radical group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility Saturday for the market bombing and vowed more attacks to try to block the new peace accord. The radical group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility Saturday for the market bombing and vowed more attacks to try to block the new peace accord. A defiant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel would continue to build Jewish neighborhoods throughout Jerusalem, including at a controversial site in the traditionally Arab sector of the city. A defiant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel would continue to build Jewish neighborhoods throughout Jerusalem, including at a controversial site in the traditionally Arab sector of the city. A defiant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel would continue to build Jewish neighborhoods throughout Jerusalem, including at a controversial site in the traditionally Arab sector of the city. The Islamic militant group Hamas, which has tried to stop the peace agreement , claimed responsibility, police said. Palestinian political leaders said Israel should not use Friday's suicide bombing, which killed the two assailants and wounded 21 Israelis, as an excuse to stop the peace process. Palestinian political leaders said Israel should not use Friday's suicide bombing, which killed the two assailants and wounded 21 Israelis, as an excuse to stop the peace process. The two bombers who carried out Friday's attack , which led the Israeli Cabinet to suspend deliberations on the land-for-security accord signed with the Palestinians last month, were identified as members of Islamic Holy War from West Bank villages under Israeli security control. The Palestinians , however, said the two bombers had come from Israeli-controlled areas and that Israel thus bore at least part of the security responsibility for the attack. The Palestinians, however, have also accused Israel of failing to take at least partial security responsibility for the attack , because both attackers came from Israeli-controlled areas , and had recently served time in Israeli jails. The decision came less than three hours after a car rigged with explosives blew up in an outdoor market in downtown Jersualem. Their car-bomb blew apart two hours later in a Jerusalem market , killing both men and wounding 24 people. Anwar mounted a nationwide campaign against the prime minister before being detained as a national security risk and charged with illegal homosexual acts and corruption in connection with those allegations. Anwar mounted a nationwide campaign against the prime minister before being detained as a national security risk and charged with illegal homosexual acts and corruption in connection with those allegations. Last month, Mahathir dismissed and arrested his deputy and heir apparent, Anwar Ibrahim , 51, accusing him of corruption and illegal sex acts. Anwar has been accused of engaging in homosexual acts illegal under Malaysia law , but the charges are generally seen as a pretext for his political persecution. Anwar since has been charged with corruption and illegal homosexual acts , and is to go on trial Nov. 2. In recent appearances in court , where he is facing charges of corruption and illegal homosexual acts , he was seen with a black eye and a neck brace. Mahathir and Anwar had differed over economic policy and Anwar says Mahathir feared him as an alternative leader. But he was suddenly fired by Mahathir on Sept. 2 after the two differed on economic policy. The two had differed over economic policy and Anwar has said Mahathir feared he was a threat to his 17-year rule. Anwar was fired by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Sept. 2 after the two differed on economic policy. Anwar was fired by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Sept. 2 after the two differed on economic policy. Mahathir fired Anwar on Sept. 2 from his posts as deputy prime minister and finance minister, saying he was morally unfit for office. On Sept. 2 , he fired the last one, Anwar Ibrahim, calling him morally unfit for office. On Sept. 2 , Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad fired Anwar, calling him morally unfit for office. But he fired his protege from his posts as deputy prime minister and finance minister on grounds he was morally unfit to lead. But the prime minister said the deputy was fired because he was morally unfit. People are peering at the pictures, downloading copies from the Internet, discussing whether Mahathir, who also oversees the police as home affairs minister, knew what was happening to the man he had once groomed as his successor. Anwar is a charismatic politician who was once picked to be the successor to Malaysia's long-serving Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Anwar is a charismatic politician who was once picked to be the successor to Malaysia's long-serving Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Anwar is a charismatic politician who was once picked to be the successor to Malaysia's long-serving Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Mahathir , who had heart bypass surgery in 1989, had groomed Anwar, 51 , as his successor. Singh spoke to reporters after attending court proceedings Monday where Anwar's trial was fixed for Nov. 2 on corruption charges. Wearing a neck brace Monday after a court-ordered hospital checkup, Anwar was ordered to stand trial Nov. 2 on four charges of abusing his powers to interfere with a police investigation. The leaders of Malaysia's ruling party met Tuesday to discuss a replacement for ousted deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim , who faces trial next month in a case that will test the country's legal system. Anwar since has been charged with corruption and illegal homosexual acts, and is to go on trial Nov. 2. Mahathir fired Anwar on Sept. 2 from his posts as deputy prime minister and finance minister , saying he was morally unfit for office. On Sept. 2 , Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad fired Anwar , calling him morally unfit for office. The party leaders, who have been conducting a national campaign to explain to Malaysians why the popular Anwar was fired Sept. 2 , will also confer on what to do now that the High Court judge has banned all comments on Anwar's guilt or innocence. Anwar was sacked on Sept. 2 from his posts as deputy prime minister and finance minister , after he had differed with Mahathir on policy for escaping economic recession. BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The European Union on Friday expressed its ``deep concern'' over reports of physical abuse of Malaysia's former deputy-prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, who was arrested last month. They're so skewed,'' said Michael Chan, a lawyer who upgraded his computer with a high-speed modem the day after Anwar was arrested on Sept. 20. Anwar , 51, was arrested Sept. 20 under the Internal Security Act , which allows indefinite detention without trial, after two weeks of rallies around Malaysia at which he called for government reform and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's resignation. The former deputy-premier , who was also finance minister, pleaded innocent this week to charges of sodomy and corruption. He has pleaded innocent to all charges , including another corruption count and five charges of sodomy. He has pleaded innocent to all the charges , which he says were trumped up by his political enemies. After first suggesting that the former deputy prime minister had beaten himself on the face, neck and arms during 10 days in police custody , Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad called for an investigation of the wounds Anwar displayed in court Tuesday and Wednesday. Faced with mounting public criticism, Mahathir called Thursday for a probe by the attorney general of the alleged mistreatment of Anwar. He then began speaking out against Mahathir and was arrested Sept. 20. He then began speaking out against Mahathir and was arrested Sept. 20. Under NATO threat to end his punishing offensive against ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo , President Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia has ordered most units of his army back to their barracks and may well avoid an attack by the alliance, military observers and diplomats say. Before boarding a plane for Belgrade, however, Holbrooke said conditions in the southern Serbian province had not improved since the alliance started two weeks ago to finalize plans for air raids to force Milosevic to halt his offensive against Kosovo Albanian separatists. With NATO attacks said to be only days away, top U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke delivered an 11th-hour warning Monday to Yugoslavia's president to halt his crackdown on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo or face airstrikes. Before boarding a plane for the Yugoslav capital, Belgrade, however, Holbrooke said conditions in the southern Serbian province had not improved since the alliance started two weeks ago to finalize plans for air raids to force Milosevic to halt his offensive against Kosovo Albanian separatists. With NATO attacks said to be only days away, top U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke delivered a last-minute warning Monday to Yugoslavia's president to halt his crackdown on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo or face airstrikes. The United States and Russia are ratcheting up the pressure on President Slobodan Milosevic, warning that NATO airstrikes are inevitable unless he takes decisive action soon to end the humanitarian crisis in the southern Serbian province. The United States and Russia are ratcheting up the pressure on President Slobodan Milosevic, warning that NATO airstrikes are inevitable unless he takes decisive action soon to end the humanitarian crisis in the southern Serbian province. The United States and Russia are ratcheting up the pressure on President Slobodan Milosevic, warning that NATO airstrikes are inevitable unless he takes decisive action soon to end the humanitarian crisis in the southern Serbian province. The United States and Russia are ratcheting up the pressure on President Slobodan Milosevic, warning that NATO airstrikes are inevitable unless he takes decisive action soon to end the humanitarian crisis in the southern Serbian province. NATO's decision may depend on a report U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is scheduled to present Monday to the Security Council on whether Yugoslavia is meeting U.N. demands. With the threat of NATO attack mounting, Yugoslavia 's prime minister warned Monday the nation faces the ``immiment danger of war'' and claimed the government was taking steps to comply with international demands for peace in Kosovo. With the threat of NATO attack mounting, Yugoslavia 's prime minister warned Monday the nation faces the ``imminent danger of war'' and claimed the government is taking steps to comply with international demands for peace in Kosovo. Speaking after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Javier Solana and Supreme Allied Commander Europe Wesley K. Clark, Holbrooke said ``while the level of fighting (in Kosovo) may have abated temporarily, the capacity for its resumption is there. '' ``While the level of fighting (in Kosovo) may have abated temporarily, the capacity for its resumption is there ,'' Holbrooke said after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Javier Solana and Supreme Allied Commander Europe Wesley K. Clark. ``While the level of fighting may have abated temporarily, the capacity for its resumption is there ,'' Holbrooke said after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Javier Solana and Supreme Allied Commander Europe Wesley K. Clark. U.S. officials said they expected Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. envoy who dealt with Milosevic in negotiating an end to the war in Bosnia , to meet with him on Monday to discuss a political plan for Kosovo. Holbrooke negotiated the peace deal with Milosevic and other Balkan leaders that ended the 3 and one-half year Bosnian war in 1995. Holbrooke negotiated the peace deal with Milosevic and other Balkan leaders that ended the 3 1/2 year Bosnian war in 1995. BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) _ U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke said Monday the military situation in Kosovo was as bad now as two weeks ago. But U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke said the situation in the southern Serbian province was as bad now as two weeks ago. By putting the army back in its barracks, sending some police units out of Kosovo and ordering an end to burning and looting of villages, Milosevic may well avoid a NATO attack, diplomats here and in Washington said. Under NATO threat to end his punishing offensive against ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo, President Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia has ordered most units of his army back to their barracks and may well avoid an attack by the alliance, military observers and diplomats say. Holbrooke said he will explain the ``extreme gravity of the situation'' when he meets Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic later Monday. Holbrooke is en route to Belgrade for a meeting with Milosevic. A Western diplomat said up to 120 Yugoslav army armored vehicles, including tanks , have been pulled out. A Western diplomat said up to 120 Yugoslav army armored vehicles, including tanks , have been pulled out. Holbrooke said he would tell Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic of ``the extreme gravity of the situation. '' Holbrooke said he would tell Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic of `` the extreme gravity of the situation.'' Three years of floods and drought that started in 1995 devastated North Korea's collective farming and planned economy, already teetering from the loss of its Soviet bloc trading partners. Three years of floods and drought that started in 1995 devastated North Korea's collective farming and planned economy, already teetering from the loss of its Soviet bloc trading partners. Three years of floods and drought that started in 1995 devastated North Korea's collective farming and planned economy, forcing the country to rely on outside aid to feed its 23 million people. Three years of floods and drought that started in 1995 devastated North Korea's collective farming and planned economy, forcing the country to rely on outside aid to feed its 23 million people. Three years of floods and drought that started in 1995 devastated North Korea's collective farming and planned economy, forcing the country to rely on outside aid to feed its 23 million people. She and other Red Cross officials saw further ravages of North Korea's slow-motion famine: electricity supplied to only half the capital, Pyongyang, at a time; the elderly looking swollen, a sign of long-term hunger; a generation of children stunted , with 10-year-olds looking like 6-year-olds and 5-year-olds like 2-year-olds. Years of food shortages have stunted the growth of millions of North Korean children , with two-thirds of children under age seven suffering malnourishment, U.N. experts said Wednesday. They found that 62 percent of children under 7 had stunted growth, a symptom of long-term malnutrition. They found that 62 percent of children under 7 had stunted growth , a symptom of long-term malnutrition. North Korea is entering its fourth winter of chronic food shortages with its people malnourished and at risk of dying from normally curable illnesses, senior Red Cross officials said Tuesday. North Korea is entering its fourth winter of chronic food shortages , having harvested only 3 million tons of grain this year, about two-thirds of the minimum needed by its 23 million people. Famine-threatened North Korea's harvest will be no better this year than last and could be worse , a senior U.N. aid official said Saturday. ``It may be worse than last year. '' North Korea does not release mortality figures or health statistics, but Hall said that the United Nations had gathered and would soon release data indicating that 30 percent of North Korean children under age 2 are acutely malnourished and that 67 percent of all children are physically stunted. The most alarming findings were for toddlers aged one to two, 30 percent of whom were acutely malnourished. North Korea needs a minimum 4.5 million to 5 million tons of grain to feed its 23 million people , but managed last year to harvest just 2.8 million tons, Namanga Ngongi, deputy head of the World Food Program said. North Korea needs a minimum 4.5 million to 5 million tons of grain to feed its 23 million people, but managed last year to harvest just 2.8 million tons, Namanga Ngongi, deputy head of the World Food Program said. Though North Korea is suffering from a simple lack of food, a faltering economy in Cambodia combined with weak health care and education is causing similar levels of malnutrition in children , said Ken Davies, the WFP's country director. They have discovered that, despite a huge international food aid program over the past three years, severe malnutrition is widespread among toddlers at crucial stages of brain development, suggesting that this generation's physical and mental abilities will not develop normally and that the losses can never be recovered. Everywhere, from bakeries to government ministries, people were being served noodles and cakes made from soybeans mixed with acorns, grass and herbs, Red Cross president Astrid Heiberg said. The Bangkok games are expected to attract more than 10,000 athletes from 43 nations. The Bangkok games are expected to attract more than 10,000 athletes from 43 nations. Horses belonging to Iran's equestrian team will not be allowed to compete in next month's Asian Games because they failed to meet the requirements of the games' veterinary commission, the Thai organizers announced Thursday. Saudi Arabia is considering sending a small team to the Bangkok Asian Games from which it pulled out unexpectedly this week, a Saudi official said Saturday. A snooker game between longtime Asian rivals India and Pakistan led to a flareup of tempers Sunday, showing a depth of differences that shocked Thai organizers and spectators at the Asian Games. Thailand showed its nearly complete facilities for the Asian Games to a tough jury Thursday _ the heads of the organizing committees from the 43 nations competing in the December event. Thai police have detained more than 300 beggars, most from neighboring countries, in a campaign to make Bangkok's streets safer for spectators and athletes arriving for the upcoming Asian Games , a senior police officer said Friday. A snooker game between longtime Asian rivals India and Pakistan led to a flareup of tempers Sunday, showing a depth of differences that shocked Thai organizers and spectators at the Asian Games. Organizers of December's Asian Games have dismissed press reports that a sports complex would not be completed on time , saying preparations are well in hand, a local newspaper said Friday. Horses belonging to Iran's equestrian team will not be allowed to compete in next month's Asian Games because they failed to meet the requirements of the games' veterinary commission, the Thai organizers announced Thursday. Saudi Arabia's abrupt withdrawal from the Asian Games left organizers scrambling Thursday to change schedules and Thai diplomats mulling a decade of relations strained by jewel theft and the murder of diplomats. 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. 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. 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. Qin's family was told that he was charged with ``plotting to subvert the government ,'' a crime that for serious offenses commands sentences of three years to life. Qin was arrested for plotting to overthrow the government , a crime that could land him in jail for life. Qin, 44, and Wang , 31 , are accused of inciting the subversion of state power , apparently for helping to organize the China Democracy Party. 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. Wang , who spent two years in prison after the 1989 student demonstrations in Tiananmen Square, was accused of organizing a political party that sought to overturn Communist Party rule and of colluding with foreign enemies of the state. The dissident , Yao Zhenxian, who was released in April from a Chinese labor camp, is a leader of the China Democracy Party , which was formed in June during President Clinton's visit to China. The younger Yao , who is also a prominent figure in the China Democracy Party , is scheduled for release in April. ``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. U.S. officials received confirmation Wednesday that Xu is being detained on suspicion of ``having conducted activities damaging to China's national security ,'' Rubin said. ``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. 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. Wang , 32, has been imprisoned in his home city, Hangzhou in eastern China, for a month, but was not formally arrested until Nov. 30. Qin Yongmin was arrested on Nov. 30 , only hours after his mother died of a stroke. Xu and another influential dissident , Qin Yongmin, were arrested Monday night in police raids in two cities that delivered the sternest blow so far to a five-month campaign to establish the China Democracy Party and challenge the ruling Communist Party's monopoly on power. On that day two prominent dissidents , both promoters of the new party , were detained. 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. To prevent displays of solidarity outside Wang's trial, police have detained at least ten dissidents in the eastern city of Hangzhou , a Hong Kong-based rights group reported. China signed the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights with great fanfare in October, and Xu's arrest is seen by human rights groups as a test of the nation's commitment to its tenets. China in October signed a key U.N. treaty on civil and political rights that guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of association. The Democratic surge marked the first time since 1934 that the president's party had gained seats in a midterm election, and it whittled the Republican House majority down to a mere six votes. The Republicans' new 223-211 majority (assuming a Democrat leading in Oregon holds on to win), with one independent, amounted to the smallest congressional majority since the Republican-controlled Congress of 1953 , the last time Republicans controlled the House until they captured it again in 1994. The Democratic surge marked the first time since 1934 that the president's party had gained seats in a midterm election, and it whittled the Republican House majority down to a mere six votes. The Republicans' new 223-211 majority (assuming a Democrat leading in Oregon holds on to win), with one independent, amounted to the smallest congressional majority since the Republican-controlled Congress of 1953 , the last time Republicans controlled the House until they captured it again in 1994. The Democratic surge marked the first time since 1934 that the president's party had gained seats in a midterm election, and it whittled the Republican House majority down to a mere six votes. The Republicans' new 223-211 majority (assuming a Democrat leading in Oregon holds on to win), with one independent, amounted to the smallest congressional majority since the Republican-controlled Congress of 1953 , the last time Republicans controlled the House until they captured it again in 1994. At the same time, a small band of Republicans vowed on Thursday that they would not vote to re-elect Gingrich under any circumstances, a move that, because of the Republicans ' shrunken House majority , could tie the party in knots for months because it could throw the speakership to a Democrat. At the same time, a small band of Republicans vowed on Thursday that they would not vote to re-elect Gingrich under any circumstances, a move that, because of the Republicans ' shrunken House majority , could tie the party in knots for months. The returns _ an even break in the Senate and a Democratic gain of five in the House of Representatives _ also made the impeachment of President Clinton less likely. The soul-searching and recriminations _ and a possibility of congressional leadership challenges _ came as election results showed that Republicans had been unable to increase their 55-45 hold over the Senate and that Democrats had picked up five seats in the House. The soul-searching and recriminations _ and a possibility of congressional leadership challenges _ came as election results showed that Republicans had been unable to increase their 55-45 hold over the Senate and that Democrats had picked up five seats in the House. The soul-searching and recriminations _ and a possibility of congressional leadership challenges _ came as election results showed that Republicans had been unable to increase their 55-45 hold over the Senate and that Democrats had picked up five seats in the House. Fury at the speaker has boiled over since Tuesday's elections, when Republicans suffered a net loss of five seats in the House. Fury at the speaker has boiled over since Tuesday's elections, when Republicans suffered a net loss of five seats in the House. With attention now shifting to the House Judiciary Committee and its impeachment inquiry, Rep. Henry Hyde told fellow Republicans on the panel in a conference call Wednesday that the only witness Republicans were likely to call would be the independent counsel , Kenneth Starr. With attention now shifting to the House Judiciary Committee and its impeachment inquiry, Rep. Henry Hyde told fellow Republicans on the panel in a conference call Wednesday that the only witness Republicans were likely to call would be the independent counsel, Kenneth Starr. With attention now shifting to the House Judiciary Committee and its impeachment inquiry, Rep. Henry Hyde told fellow Republicans on the panel in a conference call Wednesday that the only witness Republicans were likely to call would be the independent counsel , Kenneth Starr. With attention now shifting to the House Judiciary Committee and its impeachment inquiry, Rep. Henry Hyde told fellow Republicans on the panel in a conference call Wednesday that the only witness Republicans were likely to call would be the independent counsel, Kenneth Starr. Stunned by the Democratic resurgence in the mid-term elections , congressional Republicans tore into each other Wednesday over who was to blame for their failure to make the traditional opposition party gains in an off-year election. Stunned by the Democratic resurgence in the mid-term elections , congressional Republicans tore into each other Wednesday over who was to blame for their failure to make the traditional opposition party gains in an off-year election. Stunned by the Democratic resurgence in the mid-term elections , congressional Republicans tore into each other Wednesday over who was to blame for their failure to make the traditional opposition party gains in an off-year election. The Democratic surge marked the first time since 1934 that the president's party had gained seats in a midterm election, and it whittled the Republican House majority down to a mere six votes. The Democratic surge marked the first time since 1934 that the president's party had gained seats in a midterm election, and it whittled the Republican House majority down to a mere six votes. The Democratic surge marked the first time since 1934 that the president's party had gained seats in a midterm election, and it whittled the Republican House majority down to a mere six votes. The Democratic surge marked the first time since 1934 that the president's party had gained seats in a midterm election , and it whittled the Republican House majority down to a mere six votes. The Democratic surge marked the first time since 1934 that the president's party had gained seats in a midterm election , and it whittled the Republican House majority down to a mere six votes. The Democratic surge marked the first time since 1934 that the president's party had gained seats in a midterm election , and it whittled the Republican House majority down to a mere six votes. The Democratic victories were even more remarkable in a political year marked by the months-long scandal over President Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. The Democratic victories were even more remarkable in a political year marked by the months-long scandal over President Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. The Democratic victories were even more remarkable in a political year marked by the months-long scandal over President Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. The Republicans' new 223-211 majority (assuming a Democrat leading in Oregon holds on to win), with one independent, amounted to the smallest congressional majority since the Republican-controlled Congress of 1953, the last time Republicans controlled the House until they captured it again in 1994. The Republicans' new 223-211 majority (assuming a Democrat leading in Oregon holds on to win), with one independent, amounted to the smallest congressional majority since the Republican-controlled Congress of 1953, the last time Republicans controlled the House until they captured it again in 1994. The Republicans' new 223-211 majority (assuming a Democrat leading in Oregon holds on to win), with one independent, amounted to the smallest congressional majority since the Republican-controlled Congress of 1953, the last time Republicans controlled the House until they captured it again in 1994. Members and aides said Wednesday that a fury at the speaker had bubbled up overnight and that some members were trying to organize a slate of candidates to replace Gingrich and his leadership team when House Republicans convene on Nov. 18 to select their leaders for next year. House Republicans are to meet Nov. 18 to vote by secret ballot for their leaders. House Republicans are to meet Nov. 18 to vote by secret ballot for their leaders. Hyde, the chairman, told lawmakers he hoped to have the committee vote on possible articles of impeachment by Thanksgiving, an act that would take the issue out of his hands and put it into Gingrich's. Hyde, the chairman, told lawmakers he hoped to have the committee vote on possible articles of impeachment by Thanksgiving, an act that would take the issue out of his hands and put it into Gingrich's. Hyde, the chairman, told lawmakers he hoped to have the committee vote on possible articles of impeachment by Thanksgiving, an act that would take the issue out of his hands and put it into Gingrich's. America Online is on the verge of agreeing to purchase Netscape Communications Corp. , the Internet pioneer at the center of the government's antitrust suit against Microsoft Corp., executives involved in the talks said Sunday. America Online is on the verge of agreeing to purchase Netscape Communications Corp. , the Internet pioneer at the center of the government's antitrust suit against Microsoft Corp., executives involved in the talks said Sunday. With its proposed purchase of Netscape Communications Corp. , AOL, the nation's largest dial-up online service with more than 14 million subscribers, hopes to take a significant step toward that ambitious goal. If the $4 billion deal is completed _ the companies had not reached a final agreement as of Monday night _ AOL would acquire a leading Internet brand and enlarge its wired audience by absorbing the millions who regularly visit Netscape's popular NetCenter site on the World Wide Web. The New York Times said in an editorial for Wednesday, Nov. 25: America Online 's effort to acquire Netscape and set up a partnership with Sun Microsystems is a reminder of how rapidly the corporate landscape can change in fast-moving technical fields. Nearly lost in the complexity of America Online 's deal to buy Netscape Communication Corp. is America Online's announcement that it will enter an entirely new market: working behind the computer screen to help companies open and operate online stores. Nearly lost in the complexity of America Online 's deal to buy Netscape Communication Corp. is America Online's announcement that it will enter an entirely new market: working behind the computer screen to help companies open and operate online stores. The purchase , an exchange of AOL shares for Netscape stock, is valued at roughly $4 billion. If the $4 billion deal is completed _ the companies had not reached a final agreement as of Monday night _ AOL would acquire a leading Internet brand and enlarge its wired audience by absorbing the millions who regularly visit Netscape's popular NetCenter site on the World Wide Web. And word that America Online may acquire Netscape Communications for $4 billion in stock powered Internet and other technology stocks to even loftier valuations. Envisioning a thoroughly networked world in which the World Wide Web is a limitless marketplace of information, entertainment, products and services, America Online Inc. Tuesday laid out the details of its agreement to buy the Netscape Communications Corporation for $4.2 billion. It would strengthen two of Microsoft's leading rivals, AOL and Sun Microsystems. It would strengthen two of Microsoft 's leading rivals, AOL and Sun Microsystems. It would strengthen two of Microsoft's leading rivals, AOL and Sun Microsystems. It would strengthen two of Microsoft 's leading rivals, AOL and Sun Microsystems. Microsoft Corp. argued in federal court Monday that the proposed acquisition of Netscape Communications Corp. by America Online seriously undermined the government's antitrust suit against the software giant. Michael Lacovara, a Microsoft lawyer who was questioning a government witness, economist Frederick Warren-Boulton, suggested to him during the trial Monday that the proposed acquisition undermined Warren-Boulton's argument , that Microsoft seems headed toward obtaining a monopoly in Internet browser software to match the one it apparently holds in operating systems. Microsoft Corp. argued in federal court Monday that the proposed acquisition of Netscape Communications Corp. by America Online seriously undermined the government's antitrust suit against the software giant. The outcome of the Microsoft antitrust case may be a long way off , but one thing is already clear: This is the first major e-mail trial. The impact of the deal, if any , on the government's antitrust suit against Microsoft is uncertain. The proposed deal is a complex, three-way transaction involving AOL, Netscape and Sun Microsystems Inc. AOL, the leading on-line service with more than 14 million subscribers , would acquire Netscape's popular site on the World Wide Web and its software business. The proposed deal is a complex, three-way transaction involving AOL, Netscape and Sun Microsystems Inc. AOL, the leading on-line service with more than 14 million subscribers , would acquire Netscape's popular site on the World Wide Web and its software business. Nearly lost in the complexity of America Online's deal to buy Netscape Communication Corp. is America Online's announcement that it will enter an entirely new market : working behind the computer screen to help companies open and operate online stores. Nearly lost in the complexity of America Online's deal to buy Netscape Communication Corp. is America Online's announcement that it will enter an entirely new market : working behind the computer screen to help companies open and operate online stores. ``We see a major business in offering them an end-to-end solution. '' ``We see a major business in offering them an end-to-end solution. '' In its antitrust suit against Microsoft , the federal government charges that the company has illegally bundled its own browser with its Windows operating system to smother Netscape's chances of marketing its browser. In its antitrust suit against Microsoft, the federal government charges that the company has illegally bundled its own browser with its Windows operating system to smother Netscape's chances of marketing its browser. At the same time, however, it would subsume Netscape, an Internet software maker once regarded as the most serious challenger to Microsoft's dominance of the personal computer software market. At the same time, however, it would end the independent existence of Netscape, an Internet software maker once regarded as the most serious challenger to Microsoft's dominance of the personal computer software market. The remarks came after media reports of a government economic plan in the works that would prohibit Russians from buying U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies , and institute other strict economic controls, rolling back seven years of reforms. President Boris Yeltsin would respond strongly to any effort to prohibit Russians from buying foreign currencies , believing the move would be like bringing another Iron Curtain down on the country, his spokesman said Friday. Responding to media reports of a government economic plan that would prohibit Russians from buying U.S. dollars and other foreign currency , Primakov said the reports ``absolutely do not correspond to reality,'' ITAR-Tass quoted him as saying. Russia's new prime minister picked an unusual way to reassure the nation Thursday. Russia's new prime minister picked an unusual way to reassure the nation Thursday. After two weeks of deliberations he announced that he still had no plan to rescue the country from its economic crisis. After two weeks of deliberations he announced that he still had no plan to rescue the country from its economic crisis. Ukraine has suffered economic problems since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and it has been especially hard hit by the financial crisis in neighboring Russia , its main trading partner. The Russian crisis has hurt bilateral trade, caused the Ukrainian currency to fall and led to a withdrawal of investors from Ukraine. Government officials say that Ukrainians have recently withdrawn at least 10 percent of the 3 billion hryvna (dlrs 882 million) they deposited in banks. Although the decree provided for compensation of deposits amounting only to 500 hryvna (dlrs 147 at the current exchange rate), its authors said it would cover more than 90 percent of Ukrainians who keep their money in banks. Some traders were disappointed that the cut was not deeper amid fears a go-slow approach would not do enough to counter the economic crises that have swept through Asia and Russia and are threatening Latin America. The managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Michel Camdessus, on Thursday said the Fed made the right decision in cutting rates and that global powers now must push for stronger growth to offset steep recessions in Asia and Russia. The United States is disappointed by the economic confusion within the new Russian government of Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov , said Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Friday, and she warned Russia about the dangers of an anti-Western policy. Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov said Saturday that the economic crisis would not bring an end to the government's program of privatizing state property. President Boris Yeltsin would respond strongly to any effort to prohibit Russians from buying foreign currencies, believing the move would be like bringing another Iron Curtain down on the country, his spokesman said Friday. ``I want to repeat once more _ there is no program,'' Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov said. Turkey has sent 10,000 troops to its southeastern border with Syria amid growing tensions between the two neighbors , newspapers reported Thursday. The talks in Damascus came as Turkey has massed forces near the border with Syria after threatening to eradicate Kurdish rebel bases in the neighboring country. The talks in Damascus came as Turkey has massed forces near the border with Syria after threatening to eradicate Kurdish rebel bases in the neighboring country. The talks in Damascus came as Turkey has massed forces near the border with Syria after threatening to eradicate Kurdish rebel bases in the neighboring country. Some 10,000 Turkish troops were deployed this week on the Turkish-Syrian border , news reports said. Ankara has sent troops to its border with Syria , prompting fears of an attack. Ankara has sent troops to its border with Syria , prompting fears of an attack. Ankara has sent troops to its border with Syria , prompting fears of an attack. Turkish troops have reportedly massed on the frontier with Syria , while Ankara has indicated its readiness for cross-border raids to eradicate what it claims are guerrilla bases harboring Kurdish rebels. Ankara has sent troops to its border with Syria , prompting fears of an attack. Lebanon on Monday denied it is harboring Kurdish rebels and blamed Israel for the rising tension between Syria and Turkey. Lebanon on Monday denied it is harboring Kurdish rebels and blamed Israel for the rising tension between Syria and Turkey. The Lebanese press also accused Israel of inflaming the tensions. Lebanon on Monday denied it is harboring Kurdish rebels and blamed Israel for the rising tension between Syria and Turkey. Lebanon on Monday denied it is harboring Kurdish rebels and blamed Israel for the rising tension between Syria and Turkey. Lebanon on Monday denied it is harboring Kurdish rebels and blamed Israel for the rising tension between Syria and Turkey. Lebanon on Monday denied it is harboring Kurdish rebels and blamed Israel for the rising tension between Syria and Turkey. Turkey accuses Syria of harboring Turkish Kurdish rebels fighting for autonomy in Turkey's southeast; it says rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan lives in Damascus. 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. 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. Turkey long has accused Syria of providing refuge to Kurdish rebels , who have been fighting since 1984 for more autonomy for the Kurdish population in southeastern Turkey. Egypt already has launched a mediation effort to try to prevent a military confrontation over Turkish allegations that Syria is harboring Turkish Kurdish rebels. Turkey long has accused Syria of providing refuge to Kurdish rebels , who have been fighting since 1984 for more autonomy for the Kurdish population in southeastern Turkey. Egypt already has launched a mediation effort to try to prevent a military confrontation over Turkey's allegations that Syria is harboring Turkish Kurdish rebels. Damascus denies that it is supporting the rebels , who wage cross-border raids from camps in Iraq, Iran and Syria. Syria denies the allegation. Syria denies the allegation. Syria denied the allegation. Syria has denied the charge. Syria denied the allegation. Turkey accuses Syria of harboring Turkish Kurdish rebels fighting for autonomy in Turkey's southeast ; it says rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan lives in Damascus. 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. 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. The war in Turkey's southeast waged by rebels seeking autonomy for the country's large Kurdish minority, has killed some 37,000 people since 1984. Turkey long has accused Syria of providing refuge to Kurdish rebels, who have been fighting since 1984 for more autonomy for the Kurdish population in southeastern Turkey. Turkey long has accused Syria of providing refuge to Kurdish rebels, who have been fighting since 1984 for more autonomy for the Kurdish population in southeastern Turkey. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met here Sunday with Syrian President Hafez Assad to try to defuse growing tension between Syria and Turkey. Tensions between Turkey and Syria , Iran's closest Arab ally, have escalated in recent days. Tensions between Turkey and Syria , Iran's closest Arab ally, have escalated in recent days. Greece on Monday warned that mounting tension between Turkey and Syria could lead to ``tragic results'' if not dealt with in its early stages. Greece on Monday warned that mounting tension between Turkey and Syria could lead to ``tragic results '' if not dealt with in its early stages. In a show of force on Friday , Turkish jets buzzed the Syrian frontier , a Turkish daily reported. There have been unconfirmed reports of Turkish jets violating Syria airspace near the border. There have been unconfirmed reports of Turkish jets violating Syria airspace near the border. There have been unconfirmed reports of Turkish jets violating Syria airspace near the border. There have been unconfirmed reports of Turkish jets violating Syria airspace near the border. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held talks Sunday with Syrian President Hafez Assad in Damascus and was expected to visit Turkey later this week. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held talks Sunday with Syrian President Hafez Assad in Damascus and was expected to visit Turkey later this week. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held talks Sunday with Syrian President Hafez Assad in Damascus and was expected to visit Turkey later this week. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held talks Sunday with Syrian President Hafez Assad in Damascus and was expected to visit Turkey later this week. Turkish President Suleyman Demirel warned Damascus on Sunday that Turkey would not allow its neighbor to continue sheltering Kurdish rebels. Turkish President Suleyman Demirel warned Damascus on Sunday that Turkey would not allow its neighbor to continue sheltering Kurdish rebels. Turkish President Suleyman Demirel warned Damascus on Sunday that Turkey would not let its neighbor continue sheltering Kurdish rebels. Prime Minister Rafik Hariri said his country backs Syria in the dispute, which was triggered Sunday when Turkish President Suleyman Demirel warned Damascus that his country would not allow its neighbor to continue sheltering Kurdish rebels. Ankara has sent troops to its border with Syria, prompting fears of an attack. Ankara has sent troops to its border with Syria, prompting fears of an attack. Ankara has sent troops to its border with Syria, prompting fears of an attack. Ankara has sent troops to its border with Syria, prompting fears of an attack. Two yacht crew members are dead, three yachts remain missing and rescue resources were stretched to the limit Monday as huge seas and gale-force winds continued to batter the Sydney-to-Hobart race fleet. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has alerted all shipping in Bass Strait as high winds and huge seas smash into the remnants of the 115-boat fleet. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has alerted all shipping in Bass Strait as high winds and huge seas smash into the remnants of the 115-boat fleet. Two yacht crew members are dead, three yachts remain missing and rescue resources were stretched to the limit Monday as huge seas and gale-force winds continued to batter the Sydney-to-Hobart race fleet. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has alerted all shipping in Bass Strait as high winds and huge seas smash into the remnants of the 115-boat fleet. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has alerted all shipping in Bass Strait as high winds and huge seas smash into the remnants of the 115-boat fleet. Gale-force winds and high seas battered yachts in the Sydney-to-Hobart race Monday , killing at least two crew members and leaving two yachts missing. Gale-force winds and high seas battered yachts in Australia's Sydney-to-Hobart race Monday , killing at least two crew members and leaving three yachts missing. Gale-force winds and high seas battered yachts in Australia's Sydney-to-Hobart race Monday , killing at least two crew members and leaving three yachts missing. Two sailors died and 15 others were missing after gale-force winds and high seas battered yachts in the Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race Monday. Two sailors died after gale-force winds and high seas battered the entrants. Two sailors died after gale-force winds and high seas battered the entrants. Two yacht crew members are dead , three yachts remain missing and rescue resources were stretched to the limit Monday as huge seas and gale-force winds continued to batter the Sydney-to-Hobart race fleet. Two crew found dead on the stricken 40-foot vessel Business Post Naiad were left behind while seven colleagues were winched aboard the helicopter and flown to Merimbula Hospital, he said. Two yacht crew members are dead , three yachts remain missing and rescue resources were stretched to the limit Monday as huge seas and gale-force winds continued to batter the Sydney-to-Hobart race fleet. Two crew found dead on the stricken 40-foot vessel Business Post Naiad were left behind while seven colleagues were winched aboard the helicopter and flown to Merimbula Hospital, he said. The two dead were found on the 40-foot (12-meter) vessel Business Post Naiad, about 60 miles (100 kilometers ) off the New South Wales town of Merimbula, according to the Australian Search and Rescue Coordination Center in Canberra. The two dead were found on the 40-foot (12-meter) vessel Business Post Naiad, about 60 miles (100 kilometers ) off the New South Wales town of Merimbula, according to the Australian Search and Rescue Coordination Center in Canberra. Two sailors died and 15 others were missing after gale-force winds and high seas battered yachts in the Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race Monday. The two dead were found on the 40-foot vessel Business Post Naiad, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) off the New South Wales state town of Merimbula. The two dead , both Australians, were found on the 40-foot vessel Business Post Naiad, about 100 kilometers (60 miles ) off the New South Wales state town of Merimbula. Three yachts remain missing and there was no sign of a sailor swept off the Sword of Orion when the boat rolled in wild seas on Sunday night. Three yachts remain missing and there was no sign of a sailor swept off the Sword of Orion when the boat rolled in wild seas on Sunday night. The spokesman said no word had been received on the fate of the Winston Churchill or the sailor swept from the deck of Sword of Orion on Sunday night. There was no sign of a sailor swept off the Sword of Orion when the 30-foot (9-meter) boat rolled in wild seas Sunday night near Gabo Island, about 280 miles (450 kilometers) east of Melbourne. AusSAR said no word had been received on the fate of the Winston Churchill or the sailor swept from the deck of Sword of Orion on Sunday night. British sailor Glyn Charles was swept off the Sword of Orion on Sunday night when the boat rolled in wild seas. The yacht , which has a crew of 11 , was halfway across Bass Strait heading towards Hobart, capital of the island state of Tasmania and the finish line in the annual race. The yacht , which has a crew of 11 , was halfway across Bass Strait when it overturned. The yacht , which has a crew of 11 , was halfway across Bass Strait when it overturned. The yacht , which has a crew of 11 , was halfway across Bass Strait when it overturned. The yacht , which has a crew of 11 , was halfway across Bass Strait when it overturned. The yacht , which has a crew of 11 , was halfway across Bass Strait when it overturned. A police helicopter rescued a yachtsman swept overboard when the Victorian yacht Kingurra was rolled over in huge seas 19 nautical miles south of Gabo Island. A helicopter rescue team flew to a spot about 50 nautical miles off the far south New South Wales town of Merimbula early Monday morning. A police helicopter rescued a yachtsman swept overboard when the Victorian yacht Kingurra was rolled over in huge seas 19 nautical miles south of Gabo Island. A police helicopter rescued a yachtsman swept overboard when the Victorian yacht Kingurra was rolled over in huge seas 19 nautical miles south of Gabo Island. A police helicopter rescued a yachtsman swept overboard when Kingurra rolled over 35 kilometers (22 miles) south of Gabo Island. Neither organization was able to say how the sailors died or give details on the injuries suffered by surviving crewmen. Neither organization was able to say how the sailors died or give details on the injuries suffered by surviving crewmen. The center was unable to identify the sailors, say how they died or give details on the injuries sustained by surviving crewmen. The center was unable to identify the sailors, say how they died or give details on the injuries sustained by surviving crewmen. The center was unable to identify the sailors, say how they died or give details on the injuries sustained by surviving crewmen. Two yacht crew members are dead, three yachts remain missing and rescue resources were stretched to the limit Monday as huge seas and gale-force winds continued to batter the Sydney-to-Hobart race fleet. Three yachts remain missing and there was no sign of a sailor swept off the Sword of Orion when the boat rolled in wild seas on Sunday night. Two yacht crew members are dead, three yachts remain missing and rescue resources were stretched to the limit Monday as huge seas and gale-force winds continued to batter the Sydney-to-Hobart race fleet. Three yachts remain missing and there was no sign of a sailor swept off the Sword of Orion when the boat rolled in wild seas on Sunday night. The missing boats are veteran cutter Winston Churchill , which sailed in the inaugural 1945 race, B-52 and Solo Globe Challenger. The missing boats are veteran cutter Winston Churchill , which sailed in the inaugural 1945 race, B-52 and Solo Globe Challenger. The missing boats are veteran cutter Winston Churchill , which sailed in the inaugural 1945 race; B-52; and Solo Globe Challenger. The missing boats are veteran cutter Winston Churchill , which sailed in the inaugural 1945 race and Solo Globe Challenger. The missing boats are veteran cutter Winston Churchill , which sailed in the inaugural 1945 race, B-52 and Solo Globe Challenger. The missing boats are veteran cutter Winston Churchill , which sailed in the inaugural 1945 race, B-52 and Solo Globe Challenger. The missing boats are veteran cutter Winston Churchill , which sailed in the inaugural 1945 race ; B-52; and Solo Globe Challenger. The missing boats are veteran cutter Winston Churchill , which sailed in the inaugural 1945 race and Solo Globe Challenger. The yacht , which has a crew of 11, was halfway across Bass Strait when it overturned. The yacht , which has a crew of 11, was halfway across Bass Strait when it overturned. The yacht , which has a crew of 11, was halfway across Bass Strait when it overturned. The yacht , which has a crew of 11, was halfway across Bass Strait when it overturned. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. It looked to be a perfect and, hopefully, long-lasting fit. It looked to be a perfect and, hopefully, long-lasting fit. It looked to be a perfect and, hopefully, long-lasting fit. It looked to be a perfect and, hopefully, long-lasting fit. It looked to be a perfect and, hopefully, long-lasting fit. It looked to be a perfect and, hopefully, long-lasting fit. This was the first time such a ``blind'' docking had ever been attempted. This was the first time such a ``blind'' docking had ever been attempted. This was the first time such a ``blind'' docking had ever been attempted. This was the first time such a ``blind'' docking had ever been attempted. This was the first time such a ``blind'' docking had ever been attempted. This was the first time such a ``blind'' docking had ever been attempted. Following a series of intricate maneuvers and the skillful use of the space shuttle Endeavour's robot arm , astronauts on Sunday joined the first two of many segments that will form the international space station. Endeavour's astronauts connected the first two building blocks of the international space station on Sunday , creating a seven-story tower in the shuttle cargo bay. Endeavour's astronauts connected the first two building blocks of the international space station on Sunday , creating a seven-story tower in the shuttle cargo bay. Endeavour's astronauts connected the first two building blocks of the international space station on Sunday , creating a seven-story tower in the shuttle cargo bay. Endeavour's astronauts connected the first two building blocks of the international space station on Sunday , creating a seven-story tower in the shuttle cargo bay. On their 12-day flight, Endeavour's astronauts are to locate a Russian part already in orbit, grasp it with the shuttle's robot arm and attach the new U.S. module. The 240-mile- high construction job began two hours earlier with Nancy Currie's capture of Zarya (Russian for Sunrise) using the shuttle robot arm. The 240-mile- high construction job began two hours earlier with Nancy Currie's capture of Zarya (Russian for Sunrise) using the shuttle robot arm. The 240-mile- high construction job began two hours earlier with Nancy Currie's capture of Zarya (Russian for Sunrise) using the shuttle robot arm. The 240-mile- high construction job began two hours earlier with Nancy Currie's capture of Zarya (Russian for Sunrise) using the shuttle robot arm. The two station pieces, together measuring about 77 feet from end to end and having a combined mass of 70,000 pounds , are the first of 100 major components to be united in space over the next five years to form an orbiting outpost that would weigh almost a million pounds and span an area the size of two football fields. The two station pieces are so big _ 77 feet from the tip of one to the tip of the other with a combined mass of 70,000 pounds _ that Currie and her crewmates had to rely on a computerized vision system and camera views, rather than direct line of sight. The two station pieces are so big _ 77 feet from the tip of one to the tip of the other with a combined mass of 70,000 pounds _ that Currie and her crewmates had to rely on a computerized vision system and camera views, rather than direct line of sight. The two station pieces are so big _ 77 feet from the tip of one to the tip of the other with a combined mass of 70,000 pounds _ that Currie and her crewmates had to rely on a computerized vision system and camera views, rather than direct line of sight. The two station pieces are so big _ 77 feet from the tip of one to the tip of the other with a combined mass of 70,000 pounds _ that Currie and her crewmates had to rely on a computerized vision system and camera views, rather than direct line of sight. ``We have capture of Zarya ,'' commander Robert Cabana announced the two pieces came together. ``We have capture of Zarya ,'' commander Robert Cabana announced the moment the two pieces came together. ``We have capture of Zarya ,'' commander Robert Cabana announced the moment the two pieces came together. ``We have capture of Zarya ,'' commander Robert Cabana announced the moment the two pieces came together. Then came the hard part: stacking the two giant cylinders in the cargo bay. Then came the hard part: stacking the two giant cylinders in the cargo bay. Then came the hard part: stacking the two giant cylinders in the cargo bay. Then came the hard part: stacking the two giant cylinders in the cargo bay. Once she was sure she had it, Cabana fired Endeavour's thrusters, and the brief burst raised the shuttle and thereby Unity enough for the docking mechanisms on the two station components to snap together. Once she was sure she had it, Cabana fired Endeavour's thrusters, and the brief burst raised the shuttle and thereby Unity enough for the docking mechanisms on the two station components to snap together. Once she was sure she had it, Cabana fired Endeavour's thrusters, and the brief burst raised the shuttle and thereby Unity enough for the docking mechanisms on the two station components to snap together. Once she was sure she had it, Cabana fired Endeavour's thrusters, and the brief burst raised the shuttle and thereby Unity enough for the docking mechanisms on the two station components to snap together. Endeavour's astronauts connected the first two building blocks of the international space station on Sunday, creating a seven-story tower in the shuttle cargo bay. Endeavour's astronauts connected the first two building blocks of the international space station on Sunday, creating a seven-story tower in the shuttle cargo bay. Endeavour's astronauts connected the first two building blocks of the international space station on Sunday, creating a seven-story tower in the shuttle cargo bay. In his most candid remarks yet on the economy, European Central Bank President Wim Duisenberg said Friday that growth appears to be slowing in the 11 countries adopting the EU common currency _ or euro _ on Jan. 1. Ten of the 11 countries adopting the euro dropped their interest rate to 3 percent. The 11 countries launching the common currency are Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. The 11 countries launching the common currency are Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. The annual inflation rate in the 11 nations that adopt the euro as their shared currency on Jan. 1 fell to 0.9 percent in November, the European Union's statistics agency reported Wednesday. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Ireland and Luxembourg are set to adopt the euro as a common currency at midnight on New Year's Eve. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Ireland and Luxembourg are set to adopt the euro as a common currency at midnight on New Year's Eve. In a surprise move , nations adopting the new European currency , the euro, dropped key interest rates Thursday , effectively setting the rate that will be adopted throughout the euro zone on Jan. 1. Making their first collective decision about monetary policy, the 11 European nations launching a common currency on Jan. 1 cut interest rates Thursday in a surprise move that won market confidence. Ten of the 11 countries joining European economic union dropped their key interest rate to 3 percent , with Portugal making the most significant plunge, from 3.75 percent. Initially , the currency will group 11 European nations in a euro zone, leaving Britain, Denmark, Sweden and Greece on the outside. The year 1999 is the official start-up date of the euro, the common European currency that will unite 11 countries monetarily. Europe's dream of monetary union becomes reality Thursday when 11 nations irrevocably lock their currencies together to form the euro and create an economic giant whose boundaries stretch from beyond the Arctic Circle to the shores of the Mediterranean. The bank, which will set monetary policy for the currency bloc , has been under pressure from politicians to keep interest rates low to help boost growth and create jobs. The head of the European Central Bank that will set monetary policy for the euro nations , Wim Duisenberg, again on Thursday suggested governments should reform rigid labor markets to create jobs, and not pressure him to cut rates. Duisenberg was named this spring as head of the new European Central Bank, which will govern the policies of the euro , the new single currency which goes into effect Jan. 1. The bank, which will set monetary policy for the currency bloc, has been under pressure from politicians to keep interest rates low to help boost growth and create jobs. Setting a common interest rates had been a particularly contentious issue as center-left governments in Germany and France pressed for lower rates to help boost growth and cut unemployment , a stubborn 10.9 percent in the euro zone. However, interest rate levels had become a contentious political issue with center-left governments in Germany and France pushing for rate cuts to help spur growth and combat unemployment , stuck at 10.9 percent in the nations adopting the euro. European Central Bank chief , Wim Duisenberg, gave no hint of the rate cuts during a speech in Brussels earlier Thursday, instead suggesting that governments should reform rigid labor markets to create jobs. European Central Bank chief, Wim Duisenberg, gave no hint of the rate cuts during a speech in Brussels earlier Thursday, instead suggesting that governments should reform rigid labor markets to create jobs. The head of the European Central Bank that will set monetary policy for the euro nations, Wim Duisenberg , again on Thursday suggested governments should reform rigid labor markets to create jobs , and not pressure him to cut rates. Struggling to avoid being sidelined in the Continent-wide equities market promised by Europe's soon-to-be-introduced single currency, French authorities said Thursday that the Paris stock exchange would join an alliance between London and Frankfurt that is seen as the precursor of a pan-European market. Stock market officials in Milan, Madrid, Amsterdam and Brussels have indicated they would be interested in joining the London-Frankfurt alliance , which will initially create a single point of liquidity for trading in British and German blue-chip issues. Italy dropped to 3.5 percent from 4 percent. The exception was Italy , which cut from 4 to 3.5 percent. Initially, the currency will group 11 European nations in a euro zone, leaving Britain, Denmark, Sweden and Greece on the outside. Denmark is one of four EU countries staying out of the monetary union for the time being. The annual inflation rate in the 11 nations that adopt the euro as their shared currency on Jan. 1 fell to 0.9 percent in November , the European Union's statistics agency reported Wednesday. Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and annexed it the following year. After Portugal abandoned its former colony in East Timor in 1975 , Indonesia invaded it and annexed it the following year. After Portugal abandoned its former colony in East Timor in 1975 , Indonesia invaded it and annexed it the following year. After Portugal abandoned its former colony in East Timor in 1975 , Indonesia invaded it and annexed it the following year. After Portugal abandoned its former colony in East Timor in 1975 , Indonesia invaded it and annexed it the following year. Indonesia invaded East Timor in Dec. 1975 , following Portugal 's colonial rule, and annexed it a month later. Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 as Portugal prepared to grant independence, and annexed it the following year. Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 as Portugal prepared to grant independence , and annexed it the following year. Turmoil has plagued East Timor ever since Indonesian troops invaded in 1975 , unleashing a separatist rebel war and the resentment of a population pummeled by human rights abuses. Representatives of exiled East Timorese pro-independence groups said Friday that Indonesian troops attacked unarmed civilians in a village in the disputed Southeast Asian territory, killing one East Timorese and wounding 22 others. Representatives of exiled East Timorese pro-independence groups said Friday that Indonesian troops attacked unarmed civilians in a village in the disputed Southeast Asian territory, killing one East Timorese and wounding 22 others. The statement, released in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon , also said that 22 people were injured and 26 were missing. Representatives of exiled East Timorese pro-independence groups said Friday that Indonesian troops attacked unarmed civilians in a village in the disputed Southeast Asian territory, killing one East Timorese and wounding 22 others. McLeod said 40,000 East Timorese were killed by Japanese soldiers for protecting Australian commandos during World War II. McLeod said 40,000 East Timorese were killed by Japanese soldiers for protecting Australian commandos during World War II. McLeod said 40,000 East Timorese were killed by Japanese soldiers for protecting Australian commandos during World War II. McLeod said 40,000 East Timorese were killed by Japanese soldiers for protecting Australian commandos during World War II. Representatives of exiled East Timorese pro-independence groups said Friday that Indonesian troops attacked unarmed civilians in a village in the disputed Southeast Asian territory , killing one East Timorese and wounding 22 others. Representatives of exiled East Timorese pro-independence groups said Friday that Indonesian troops attacked unarmed civilians in a village in the disputed Southeast Asian territory , killing one East Timorese and wounding 22 others. Representatives of exiled East Timorese pro-independence groups said Friday that Indonesian troops attacked unarmed civilians in a village in the disputed Southeast Asian territory , killing one East Timorese and wounding 22 others. Indonesia on Tuesday denied claims that its troops massacred more than 40 East Timorese recently , and criticized Portugal for suspending U.N.-sponsored talks over the future of the troubled territory. Portugal suspended the talks with Indonesia in New York last week following reports of a massacre of dozens of East Timorese rebels in a series of clashes with Indonesian troops. Portugal suspended the talks with Indonesia in New York last week following reports of a massacre of dozens of East Timorese rebels in a series of clashes with Indonesian troops. The attack took place Tuesday near Cailaco in East Timor , a former Portuguese colony, according to a statement issued by the pro-independence Christian Democratic Union of East Timor. The attack took place Tuesday near Cailaco in East Timor , a former Portuguese colony, according to a statement issued by the pro-independence Christian Democratic Union of East Timor. The attack took place Tuesday near Cailaco in East Timor , a former Portuguese colony, according to a statement issued by the pro-independence Christian Democratic Union of East Timor. Protesters on Sunday urged Australian military leaders to identify Indonesian army officers trained here to allow closer monitoring of human rights abuses in East Timor. Protesters on Sunday urged Australian military leaders to identify Indonesian army officers trained here to allow closer monitoring of human rights abuses in East Timor. West Timor shares the same island as troubled East Timor, a former Portuguese territory dominated by Roman Catholicism and invaded by Indonesia in 1975. In a decision welcomed as a landmark by Portugal, European Union leaders Saturday backed calls for a referendum to decide the fate of East Timor, the former Portuguese colony occupied by Indonesia since 1975. The Australian military holds joint training exercises with Indonesian troops, including the elite commando units accused ot atrocities in East Timor. The Australian military holds joint training exercises with Indonesian troops, including the elite commando units accused ot atrocities in East Timor. The Australian military holds joint training exercises with Indonesian troops, including the elite commando units accused ot atrocities in East Timor. The Australian military holds joint training exercises with Indonesian troops, including the elite commando units accused ot atrocities in East Timor. Jose Saramago , a 75-year-old Portuguese writer who took up literature relatively late in life and whose richly imaginative novels soon won him a following of loyal readers across Europe and vocal admirers in the United States, was awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Literature Thursday by the Swedish Academy in Stockholm. Portuguese novelist Jose Saramago, whose capricious vision includes a section of Europe breaking off and floating out to sea, on Thursday was named the winner of the 1998 Nobel Literature Prize. Jose Saramago became the first writer in Portuguese to win the Nobel Prize for Literature on Thursday. Jose Saramago became the first writer in Portuguese to win the Nobel Prize for Literature on Thursday. A tall, balding man whose large, tinted glasses often give him a mien of severity, Saramago is the first Portuguese-language writer _ and one of the first card-carrying Communists _ to become a Nobel Literature laureate. Saramago (pronounced sah-rah-MAH-go) is the fourth consecutive European to win the prestigious prize, and the first laureate to write in Portuguese. ``I'm not the only one who deserved it'', said the first Portuguese-language author to obtain the prestigious award. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter , who seems a perennial Nobel Peace Prize also-ran, could have won the coveted honor in 1978 had it not been for strict deadline rules for nominations. Carter has repeatedly been nominated for the Nobel prize for his consistent and wide-ranging peace efforts. They were given the prize for their discoveries concerning nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system, according to the citiation from the Karolinska lnstitute. Three American researchers on Monday won the Nobel Medicine Prize for discovering how nitric oxide acts as a signal molecule in the cardiovascular system , a breakthrough with applications ranging from hardening of the arteries to impotence. This year 's winner _ or, possibly, winners _ will be announced Thursday , the Academy disclosed Tuesday. A new chapter in the mystery will be written Thursday, when the Swedish Academy announces this year's winner of the world's most prestigious prize for writers. The citation said ``it was a senation that the simple, common air pollutant (nitric oxide), which is formed when nitrogen burns ... could exert important functions in the organism. '' Nitric oxide, a chemical relative of the anesthetic gas nitrous oxide, is better known as a common air pollutant formed when nitrogen burns, such as in automobile exhaust fumes. ``Nothing in my life would have led one to think I'd win the Nobel Prize'', said Saramago. ``At that moment I was over the moon and returning to the book fair the only thing I was worried about was that the whole thing was an error,'' said Saramago. Among other well-known names to receive the prize is David Baltimore, although he shared the prize in 1975, long before becoming one of the world's most visible AIDS researchers. Winners generally aren't known outside the medical community, although the list of laureates contains a few familiar names including Ivan Pavlov, tuberculosis pioneer Robert Koch, and DNA researchers Francis Crick and James Watson. Jose Saramago, a 75-year-old Portuguese writer who took up literature relatively late in life and whose richly imaginative novels soon won him a following of loyal readers across Europe and vocal admirers in the United States, was awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Literature Thursday by the Swedish Academy in Stockholm. That prize was shared by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin for signing the Camp David peace accords. Ariel Sharon's appointment as the Israeli foreign minister serves as ``the bullet of mercy'' for the Middle East peace process , an official Syrian newspaper said Saturday. ``Sharon's appointment as foreign minister is a bullet of mercy to the (peace) process , which has stopped on all tracks,'' said Tishrin, which often speaks for the Syrian government. Ariel Sharon's appointment as the Israeli foreign minister serves as ``the bullet of mercy'' for the Middle East peace process , an official Syrian newspaper said Saturday. ``Sharon's appointment as foreign minister is a bullet of mercy to the (peace) process , which has stopped on all tracks,'' said Tishrin, which often speaks for the Syrian government. Ariel Sharon's appointment as the Israeli foreign minister serves as ``the bullet of mercy'' for the Middle East peace process , an official Syrian newspaper said Saturday. The appointment ``is a bullet of mercy to the (peace) process , which has stopped on all tracks,'' said Tishrin newspaper, which often speaks for the Syrian government. Ariel Sharon's appointment as the Israeli foreign minister serves as ``the bullet of mercy'' for the Middle East peace process , an official Syrian newspaper said Saturday. ``Sharon's appointment as foreign minister is a bullet of mercy to the (peace) process , which has stopped on all tracks,'' said Tishrin, which often speaks for the Syrian government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Ariel Sharon, a hawkish former defense minister, to be Israeli foreign minister on Friday in an effort to placate the far right as he moves closer to turning over more West Bank land to the Palestinians. Brief biography of Ariel Sharon , named Israel's foreign minister : ___ 1928: Born in Kfar Mallal in British-ruled Palestine. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Sharon foreign minister on Friday , effectively putting the hard-liner in charge of negotiating Israel's final borders with the Palestinians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Sharon foreign minister on Friday , effectively putting the hard-liner in charge of negotiating Israel's final borders with the Palestinians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Sharon foreign minister on Friday , effectively putting the hard-liner in charge of negotiating Israel's final borders with the Palestinians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Sharon foreign minister on Friday , effectively putting the hard-liner in charge of negotiating Israel's final borders with the Palestinians. 1982-83 : Invades Lebanon in June 1982 to drive out PLO guerrillas, but is held indirectly responsible for Lebanese Christian militiamen's September 1982 massacre of hundreds of Palestinian civilians in the Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps south of Beirut. An Israeli tribunal looking into the invasion found him indirectly responsible for the massacre of hundreds of Palestinian refugees by Christian Lebanese militiamen at two Beirut camps. An Israeli tribunal looking into the invasion found him indirectly responsible for the massacre of hundreds of Palestinian refugees by Christian Lebanese militiamen at two Beirut camps. An Israeli tribunal looking into the invasion found him indirectly responsible for the massacre of hundreds of Palestinian refugees by pro-Israeli Christian Lebanese militiamen at two Beirut camps. An Israeli tribunal looking into the invasion found him indirectly responsible for the massacre of hundreds of Palestinian refugees by Christian Lebanese militiamen at two Beirut camps. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Sharon foreign minister on Friday, effectively putting the hard-liner in charge of negotiating Israel's final borders with the Palestinians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Sharon foreign minister on Friday, effectively putting the hard-liner in charge of negotiating Israel's final borders with the Palestinians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Sharon foreign minister on Friday, effectively putting the hard-liner in charge of negotiating Israel's final borders with the Palestinians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Sharon foreign minister on Friday, effectively putting the hard-liner in charge of negotiating Israel's final borders with the Palestinians. Many Arabs know Sharon for his role in Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Many Arabs know Sharon for his role in Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Many Arabs know Sharon for his role in Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Many Arabs know Sharon for his role in Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. ``Sharon's appointment as foreign minister is a bullet of mercy to the (peace) process, which has stopped on all tracks ,'' said Tishrin, which often speaks for the Syrian government. ``Sharon's appointment as foreign minister is a bullet of mercy to the (peace) process, which has stopped on all tracks ,'' said Tishrin, which often speaks for the Syrian government. The appointment ``is a bullet of mercy to the (peace) process, which has stopped on all tracks ,'' said Tishrin newspaper, which often speaks for the Syrian government. ``Sharon's appointment as foreign minister is a bullet of mercy to the (peace) process, which has stopped on all tracks ,'' said Tishrin, which often speaks for the Syrian government. Syria and the previous Israeli government had reached an informal agreement on a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights , which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. Syria and the previous Israeli government had reached an informal agreement on a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights , which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. Syria and the previous Israeli government had reached an informal agreement on a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights , which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. Syria and the previous Israeli government had reached an informal agreement on a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights , which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. Syria and the previous Israeli government had reached an informal agreement on a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights , which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. Syria and the previous Israeli government had reached an informal agreement on a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights , which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. Syria and the previous Israeli government had reached an informal agreement on a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights , which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. Syria and the previous Israeli government had reached an informal agreement on a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights , which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. Netanyahu has sent ``a clear message to all those who are deluding themselves _ and betting on Israel (to) change its anti-peace stand _ to give up their illusions,'' the paper said. Netanyahu has sent ``a clear message to all those who are deluding themselves _ and betting on Israel (to) change its anti-peace stand _ to give up their illusions,'' the paper said. Netanyahu has sent ``a clear message to all those who are deluding themselves _ and betting on Israel (to) change its anti-peace stand _ to give up their illusions,'' the paper said. Netanyahu has sent ``a clear message to all those who are deluding themselves _ and betting on Israel (to) change its anti-peace stand _ to give up their illusions,'' the paper said. An Israeli tribunal looking into the invasion found him indirectly responsible for the massacre of hundreds of Palestinian refugees by Christian Lebanese militiamen at two Beirut camps. An Israeli tribunal looking into the invasion found him indirectly responsible for the massacre of hundreds of Palestinian refugees by pro-Israeli Christian Lebanese militiamen at two Beirut camps. An Israeli tribunal looking into the invasion found him indirectly responsible for the massacre of hundreds of Palestinian refugees by Christian Lebanese militiamen at two Beirut camps. A top IOC official on Saturday made explosive allegations of widespread Olympic corruption , saying agents demand up to dlrs 1 million to deliver votes in the selection of host cities. A top IOC official on Saturday made explosive allegations of widespread Olympic corruption , saying agents demand up to dlrs 1 million to deliver votes in the selection of host cities. Swiss IOC executive board member Marc Hodler said Sunday he might be thrown out of the International Olympic Committee for making allegations of corruption within the Olympic movement. Swiss IOC executive board member Marc Hodler said Sunday he might be thrown out of the International Olympic Committee for making allegations of corruption within the Olympic movement. The senior Olympic official who leveled stunning allegations of corruption within the IOC said Sunday he had been ``muzzled'' by president Juan Antonio Samaranch and might be throw out of the organization. This is the first time the IOC has ever investigated possible bribery by bidding cities, despite previous rumors and allegations of corruption in other Olympic votes. This is the first time the IOC has ever investigated possible bribery by bidding cities , despite previous rumors and allegations of corruption in other Olympic votes. This is the first time the IOC has ever investigated possible bribery by bidding cities , despite previous rumors and allegations of corruption in other Olympic votes. Moving quickly to tackle an escalating corruption scandal, IOC leaders questioned Salt Lake City officials Friday in the first ever investigation into alleged vote-buying by an Olympic city. The International Olympic Committee has ordered a top-level investigation into the payment of nearly dlrs 400,000 in scholarships to relatives of IOC members by the Salt Lake group which won the bid for the 2002 Winter Games. The controversy centers on the payment of nearly dlrs 400,000 in scholarships to relatives of IOC members by the Salt Lake bid committee which won the right to stage the 2002 games. Hodler's allegations, made to a group of reporters, came as the IOC continued investigations into alleged financial misconduct by the Salt Lake City group which won the bid for the 2002 games. The issue of vote-buying came to the fore in Lausanne because of the recent disclosure of scholarship payments made to six relatives of IOC members by Salt Lake City officials during their successful bid to play host to the 2002 Winter Games. Saying ``if we have to clean, we will clean,'' Juan Antonio Samaranch responded on Sunday to allegations of corruption in the Olympic bidding process by declaring that IOC members who were found to have accepted bribes from candidate cities could be expelled. Saying ``if we have to clean, we will clean,'' Juan Antonio Samaranch responded on Sunday to allegations of corruption in the Olympic bidding process by declaring that IOC members who were found to have accepted bribes from candidate cities could be expelled. LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) _ IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch on Sunday promised to expel any members if they are found guilty of accepting bribes. Marc Hodler , a senior member of the International Olympic Committee executive board, alleged malpractices in the voting for the 1996 Atlanta Games, 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2002 Salt Lake Games. Marc Hodler , a senior member of the International Olympic Committee executive board, alleged malpractices in the bid campaigns for the games of 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002. His comments came as the leader of the Salt Lake organizing committee apologized Sunday for the alleged rules violations during the city's successful bid for the 2002 Winter Games. Hodler said a group of four agents, including one IOC member , have been involved in promising votes for payment. Hodler said he believed four agents _ including one IOC member _ had been involved in vote-buying over the past 10 years. Hodler said he believed four agents _ including one IOC member _ had been involved in vote-buying over the past 10 years. IOC executive board member Marc Hodler said the scholarship fund _ described as ``humanitarian aid'' by Salt Lake officials _ amounted to a ``bribe.'' Senior IOC executive board member Marc Hodler said the scholarship fund _ described as ``humanitarian aid'' by Salt Lake officials _ amounted to a bribe to sway votes in the 1995 election. Hodler has described as a ``bribe'' the dlrs 500,000 scholarship fund set up by Salt Lake which benefited the relatives of six IOC members. IOC executive board member Marc Hodler said the scholarship fund _ described as ``humanitarian aid'' by Salt Lake officials _ amounted to a `` bribe.'' Senior IOC executive board member Marc Hodler said the scholarship fund _ described as ``humanitarian aid'' by Salt Lake officials _ amounted to a bribe to sway votes in the 1995 election. Hodler has described as a ``bribe'' the dlrs 500,000 scholarship fund set up by Salt Lake which benefited the relatives of six IOC members. The mayor of the Japanese city of Nagano , site of the 1998 Winter Olympics, denied allegations that city officials bribed members of the International Olympic Committee to win the right to host the games. The mayor of the Japanese city of Nagano, site of the 1998 Winter Olympics, denied allegations that city officials bribed members of the International Olympic Committee to win the right to host the games. Hodler , who made the allegations Saturday, said he has since been ``muzzled'' by IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch. The senior Olympic official who leveled stunning allegations of corruption within the IOC said Sunday he had been ``muzzled'' by president Juan Antonio Samaranch and might be throw out of the organization. However, Israel continues to control the airspace and has the authority to shut down the airfield at any time. However, Israel continues to control the airspace and has the authority to shut down the airfield at any time. Israel retains security control over flights arriving to Gaza International Airport. Israel retains security control over flights arriving to Gaza International Airport. Israel retains security control over flights arriving at Gaza International Airport, and Palestinian security officials consult with their Israeli counterparts. Israeli security officials delayed two planes from taking off from the Palestinian airport on Wednesday , the latest tensions in a rare area of Israeli-Palestinian cooperation. A plane bound for Amman, Jordan was delayed for two hours over an Israeli demand that Palestinian officials inspect the luggage of a Palestinian passenger, Israel radio reported. Israeli officials also delayed a plane making a stopover from Saudi Arabia to Cairo , it said. 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. Egypt's Middle East News Agency said the first plane to land would be carrying Egypt's health minister and several doctors bearing medical supplies as gifts. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat planned to be on hand Tuesday morning when a plane from Cairo carrying Egyptian officials becomes the first arrival. An Egypt Air plane was the first to land on the desert tarmac in the southern Gaza Strip at 8:30 a.m. (0630 gmt). An Egypt Air plane was the first to land on the desert tarmac in the southern Gaza Strip at 8:30 a.m. (0630 gmt). 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. 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. 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. 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 to Gaza International Airport. Israel retains security control over flights arriving to Gaza International Airport. Israel retains security control over flights arriving at Gaza International Airport , and Palestinian security officials consult with their Israeli counterparts. Egypt's Middle East News Agency said the first plane to land would be carrying Egypt's health minister and several doctors bearing medical supplies as gifts. Egypt's Middle East News Agency said the first plane to land would be carrying Egypt's health minister and several doctors bearing medical supplies as gifts. Egypt's Middle East News Agency said the first plane to land would be carrying Egypt's health minister and several doctors bearing medical supplies as gifts. 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. 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. 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. Since then , Israel has accused the Palestinians of failing to contain anti-Israel violence, and has frozen the accords. Since then , Israel has accused the Palestinians of failing to contain anti-Israel violence, and has frozen the accords. 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. The Palestinians , in turn, accuse Israel of reneging on an agreement to release Palestinians jailed for anti-Israel activities. The Palestinians , in turn, accuse Israel of reneging on an agreement to release Palestinians jailed for anti-Israel activities. The Palestinians, in turn, accuse Israel of reneging on an agreement to release Palestinians jailed for anti-Israel activities. The Palestinians, in turn, accuse Israel of reneging on an agreement to release Palestinians jailed for anti-Israel activities. The Palestinians, in turn, accuse Israel of reneging on an agreement to release Palestinians jailed for anti-Israel activities. The move was aimed at forcing Gadhafi to surrender two Libyans wanted in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am passenger plane over Lockerbie , Scotland, that killed 270 people. 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 U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions in 1992, including a flight ban, to try to force Libya to hand over two suspects in the bombing that killed 270 people. Annan's comments came Saturday after he and Gadhafi failed to agree on handing over Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah, who are suspected in the 1988 bombing that killed 270 people. Annan's comments came Saturday after he and Gadhafi failed to agree on handing over Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah, who are suspected in the 1988 bombing that killed 270 people. Al Thani handed Gadhafi a letter that reaffirmed Qatar's support for Libya ``in its just position toward the so-called Lockerbie case,'' the television said, referring to Libya's objections to the U.N. sanctions imposed in 1992 to press it to hand over two Libyans wanted for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am airliner over the Scottish town of Lockerbie that left 270 people dead. Annan's comments came Saturday after he and Gadhafi failed to agree on handing over Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah, who are suspected in the 1988 bombing that killed 270 people. Annan's comments came Saturday after he and Gadhafi failed to agree on handing over Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah, who are suspected in the 1988 bombing that killed 270 people. Libya's justice minister on Wednesday said the two suspects in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am jetliner should not become victims of Western politics when they go on trial. Libya's justice minister on Wednesday said the two suspects in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am jetliner should not become victims of Western politics when they go on trial. He was addressing the General People's Congress, or Parliament, which opened a debate that will decide the fate of the two men who are wanted in connection with the Dec. 21, 1988 bombing. The move was aimed at forcing Gadhafi to surrender two Libyans wanted in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am passenger plane over Lockerbie , Scotland, that killed 270 people. The move was aimed at forcing Gadhafi to surrender two Libyans wanted in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am passenger plane over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people. 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 U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions in 1992, including a flight ban, to try to force Libya to hand over two suspects in the bombing that killed 270 people. Al Thani handed Gadhafi a letter that reaffirmed Qatar's support for Libya ``in its just position toward the so-called Lockerbie case,'' the television said, referring to Libya's objections to the U.N. sanctions imposed in 1992 to press it to hand over two Libyans wanted for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am airliner over the Scottish town of Lockerbie that left 270 people dead. A Western diplomat, speaking in Algiers on condition of anonymity, said Annan would travel to Libya on Saturday to meet with authorities there on the 1988 Pan Am bombing that has led to U.N. sanctions against Libya. TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) _ U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan left for Libya Saturday to hold talks aimed at putting two suspects on trial for the 1988 Pan Am bombing over Lockerbie. TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) _ U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan left for Libya Saturday to hold talks aimed at putting two suspects on trial for the 1988 Pan Am bombing over Lockerbie. TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) _ U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Libya Saturday for talks aimed at bringing to trial two Libyan suspects in the 1988 Pan Am bombing over Lockerbie , Scotland. After meeting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in a desert tent , U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he thinks an arrangement for bringing two suspects to trial in the bombing of a Pan Am airliner could be secured in the ``not too distant future.'' After meeting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in a desert tent , U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he thinks an arrangement for bringing two suspects to trial in the bombing of a Pan Am airliner could be secured in the ``not too distant future.'' Annan's meeting with Gadhafi took place after Libya's official news agency, JANA, initially reported that Annan might not be able to meet with the Libyan leader because Gadhafi was ``in the desert. '' On Saturday , U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan met with Gadhafi to iron out the details. 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. 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. The 60-year-old Annan is trying to get Libya to go along with a U.S.-British plan to try the two suspects before a panel of Scottish judges in the Netherlands for the 1988 bombing over Lockerbie , Scotland. The 60-year-old Annan is trying to get Libya to go along with a U.S.-British plan to try the two suspects before a panel of Scottish judges in the Netherlands for the Dec. 21, 1988 , bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland. They are accused by the United States and Britain of blowing up a Pan Am airliner over the Scottish village of Lockerbie on Dec. 21, 1988. They are accused by the United States and Britain of blowing up a Pan Am airliner over the Scottish village of Lockerbie on Dec. 21 , 1988. A total of 270 people on board and on ground were killed when the jetliner blew up over the Scottish town of Lockerbie. A total of 270 people on board and on ground were killed when the jetliner blew up over the Scottish town of Lockerbie. Since 1992 , Libya has struggled with U.N. Security Council sanctions that ban direct flights to and from the country. The U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions in 1992 , including a flight ban, to try to force Libya to hand over two suspects in the bombing that killed 270 people. Libya has been under U.N. sanctions since 1992 for its refusal to hand over the two alleged intelligence agents, Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah. After meeting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in a desert tent, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he thinks an arrangement for bringing two suspects to trial in the bombing of a Pan Am airliner could be secured in the `` not too distant future.'' After meeting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in a desert tent, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he thinks an arrangement for bringing two suspects to trial in the bombing of a Pan Am airliner could be secured in the `` not too distant future.'' Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi began a surprise visit to neighboring Tunisia on Monday, his first known trip since injuring his hip in July. Gadhafi underwent surgery last July after injuring his hip , reportedly while exercising. Turkey has asked for his extradition and Ocalan has asked for political asylum. Turkey stepped up the pressure on Italy for the extradition of captured Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, warning Sunday that granting him asylum would amount to ``opening doors to terrorism.'' Turkey stepped up pressure on Italy for the extradition of captured Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, saying Sunday that granting him asylum would amount to ``opening doors to terrorism.'' Turkey wants Italy to extradite the rebel , Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is seeking Kurdish autonomy in southeastern Turkey. Turkey has asked for Ocalan's extradition. Kurds arrived from Germany and France to show solidarity with the rebel leader and a Kurdish group stopped at Rome's airport launched a hunger strike. Elsewhere in Europe, dozens of Kurds protested in Bucharest until chased away by police; 1,000 Kurds rallied in Bonn, some waving pictures of the Kurd leader; and 100 Kurds in Vienna set up tents outside Parliament and declared a hunger strike. About 1,500 Kurds who spent the night outside a military hospital where Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan is believed held continued their hunger strike Monday to protest his detention. Some 41 Kurds declared a hunger strike Monday to protest Ocalan's detention. Some 41 Kurds declared a hunger strike Monday to protest Ocalan's detention. Turkey considers Ocalan a terrorist and its most-wanted criminal. Turkey considers Ocalan a terrorist and its most -wanted criminal. To Turkey, Ocalan is the nation's most-wanted criminal. Turkey's Anatolia news agency said Oz was determined not to free his hostage until Italy agreed to Turkey's demand to send back Ocalan who is Turkey's most wanted man. Ocalan was arrested at the Rome airport on Thursday as soon as he stepped off a plane from Moscow , where he had sought asylum after recently fleeing his hideout in Syria. He had been seeking political asylum in Russia after fleeing his hideout in Syria. He had been seeking political asylum in Russia after fleeing his hideout in Syria. Within hours of the PKK leader's arrest, Turkey requested his extradition to face a number of terrorism-related charges, which could carry the death penalty. Within hours of the PKK leader's arrest, Turkey requested his extradition to face a number of terrorism -related charges, which could carry the death penalty. Ocalan is being tried in absentia there on charges that could bring the death penalty. Greek media and officials leveled strong opposition Sunday to the possible extradition of Abdullah Ocalan, the arrested Kurdish guerrilla leader , to Greece's traditional rival Turkey. Facing his first real foreign policy test, Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema must decide what to do with a prominent Kurdish rebel leader who was arrested at the Rome airport on Thursday. A Kurdish rebel group fighting for autonomy in Turkey's southeast faces an uncertain future following the detention in Rome of its founder and leader. He leads the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party , PKK, which has been fighting for Kurdish autonomy in southeastern Turkey since 1984. Thousands of Kurds living in Romania closed down restaurants, shops and companies to protest the arrest of leader Abdullah Ocalan by Italian authorities , a newspaper reported Tuesday. The detention in Italy of Kurdish rebel leader Ocalan prompted widespread protests by Kurds throughout Europe. Ocalan , whose Kurdistan Workers Party has waged a 14-year war with Turkey for autonomy in southeastern Turkey, is in prison custody in Rome where his arrest was announced Friday. Ocalan is currently being held in Rome. Kurds in Italy, Germany, Austria and Romania launched protests and hunger strikes in fervent shows of solidarity with the rebel leader. Earlier Monday, while members of D'Alema's government met with Turkish officials who were in Rome for a European ministerial meeting, thousands of Kurds flooded into Rome to hold a demonstration and hunger strike in support of Ocalan. Exxon Corp. and Mobil Corp. have held discussions about combining their business operations , a person involved in the talks said Wednesday. Exxon Corp. and Mobil Corp. have held discussions about combining their business operations , a person involved in the talks said Wednesday. News that Exxon and Mobil , two giants in the energy patch, were in merger talks last week is the biggest sign yet that corporate marriages are back in vogue. Exxon and Mobil confirmed Friday that they were discussing ways to combine. Exxon and Mobil confirmed Friday that they were discussing ways to combine. Exxon and Mobil , the nation's two largest oil companies, confirmed Friday that they were discussing a possible merger , and antitrust lawyers, industry analysts and government officials predicted that any deal would require the sale of important large pieces of such a new corporate behemoth. Oil stocks led the way as investors soaked up the news of continuing talks between Exxon and Mobil on a merger that would create the world's largest oil company. The boards of Exxon Corp. and Mobil Corp. are expected to meet Tuesday to consider a possible merger agreement that would form the world's largest oil company , a source close to the negotiations said Friday. Which is why Mobil and Exxon are considering combining into the world's largest oil company. Which is why Mobil and Exxon are considering combining into the world's largest oil company. Tom Burnett, director of Merger Insight, an institutional investment advisory firm in New York, says more deals are a certainty in energy, which is suffering from low crude-oil prices. Still , Big Oil and small oil are getting squeezed by low petroleum prices and the high capital costs of exploration. Oil companies of all stripes are getting squeezed by low petroleum prices and the high capital costs of exploration. Exxon was then known as Standard Oil of New Jersey , and Mobil consisted of two companies: Standard Oil of New York and Vacuum Oil. Exxon was then known as Standard Oil of New Jersey , and Mobil consisted of two companies: Standard Oil of New York and Vacuum Oil. Exxon was then known as Standard Oil of New Jersey , and Mobil consisted of two companies: Standard Oil of New York and Vacuum Oil. This summer, British Petroleum announced a $48.2 billion agreement to buy Amoco Corp., creating the world's third-largest oil company and prompting analysts to predict even more widespread consolidation. This summer , British Petroleum announced an agreement to buy Amoco Corp. for $48.2 million, creating the world's third-largest oil company and prompting analysts to predict even more widespread consolidation. This summer, British Petroleum announced an agreement to buy Amoco Corp. for $48.2 million, creating the world's third-largest oil company and prompting analysts to predict even more widespread consolidation. The boards of Exxon Corp. and Mobil Corp. are expected to meet Tuesday to consider a possible merger agreement that would form the world's largest oil company, a source close to the negotiations said Friday. Although the companies only confirmed that they were discussing the possibility of a merger, a person close to the discussions said the boards of both Exxon and Mobil were expected to meet Tuesday to consider an agreement. Still, it boggles the mind to accept the notion that hardship is driving profitable Big Oil to either merge, as British Petroleum and Amoco have already agreed to do, or at least to consider the prospect, as Exxon and Mobil are doing. Still, it boggles the mind to accept the notion that hardship is driving profitable Big Oil to either merge, as British Petroleum and Amoco have already agreed to do, or at least to consider the prospect, as Exxon and Mobil are doing. If the companies were to merge, it would create the largest U.S. company in terms of revenue. If the companies were to merge, it would create the largest U.S. company in terms of revenue. If the companies were to merge , it would create the largest U.S. company in terms of revenue. If the companies were to merge , it would create the largest U.S. company in terms of revenue. As oil prices have plummeted to levels last seen in the mid-1980s, oil companies have been under pressure to cut costs. Oil companies like Exxon Corp. and Mobil Corp. have an additional pressure , one unthinkable less than two decades ago. House Speaker-elect Robert L. Livingston presented a fresh note of shock to the impeachment debate against President Clinton on Thursday night as the Republican leader was forced to admit to his Republican colleagues that he had carried on adulterous affairs in his past. House Speaker-elect Robert L. Livingston presented a fresh note of shock to the impeachment debate against President Clinton on Thursday night as the Republican leader was forced to admit to his Republican colleagues that he had carried on adulterous affairs in his past. Rep. Bob Livingston , who confessed to his colleagues Thursday night that he had had adulterous affairs , stunned the House chamber Saturday morning by saying in the impeachment debate on President Clinton that he would not serve as speaker and would quit Congress in six months. Rep. Bob Livingston, who confessed to his colleagues Thursday night that he had had adulterous affairs, stunned the House chamber Saturday morning by saying in the impeachment debate on President Clinton that he would not serve as speaker and would quit Congress in six months. The wholly unanticipated announcement Saturday morning by Rep. Robert Livingston, R-La., that he would not serve as speaker and would resign from Congress, following his equally unanticipated disclosure on Thursday night of several extramarital affairs, only deepened the capital's profound sense of insecurity. All the networks and cable channels carried the moment that unexpectedly set the tone, as Livingston, a Louisiana Republican, announced during the debate that he would not become House speaker. But Democrats said they were aghast, and many _ including Clinton _ called on Livingston to reconsider his decision. White House press secretary Joe Lockhart said Clinton was ``disappointed'' at the news of Livingston's plans and wished that he would reconsider. By calling on Livingston to reconsider , the president argued more broadly against resignation under fire. He spent some time Friday morning sprawled in a chair in the back of the House chamber, listening to the debate over whether to impeach Clinton for lying about his own sexual indiscretions. Bob Livingston, the incoming speaker of the House, took no public role Friday as the debate unfolded on whether to impeach President Clinton. Rep. Bob Livingston , who confessed to his colleagues Thursday night that he had had adulterous affairs, stunned the House chamber Saturday morning by saying in the impeachment debate on President Clinton that he would not serve as speaker and would quit Congress in six months. Rep. Robert Livingston , nominated for speaker last month by his party, startled the House when he announced he would not run for speaker and would resign from the House after 21 years of service. Rejecting a last-minute Democratic attempt to soften its action to censure, the House of Representatives moved to impeach President William Jefferson Clinton for perjury on Saturday and to call on the Senate to try him , convict him and remove him from office. Rejecting a last-minute Democratic attempt to soften its action to censure, the House of Representatives moved to impeach President William Jefferson Clinton for perjury on Saturday and to call on the Senate to try him, convict him and remove him from office. The disclosure of the speaker-elect's marital infidelities, disclosed in ``Rollcall,'' a Capitol Hill newspaper, sent a new jolt of uncertainty among lawmakers as they prepared for the momentous debate over the president's admitted misbehavior in office and whether he should be impeached and tried by the Senate. Livingston stood in the well of the House he has served for two decades and called on Clinton to resign his office rather than force a trial in the Senate , drawing boos from his colleagues and cat-calls that he should quit instead. Livingston stood in the well of the House he has served for two decades and called on Clinton to resign his office rather than force a trial in the Senate , drawing boos from his colleagues and cat-calls that he should quit instead. ``We are all pawns on the chessboard,'' Livingston said , before asking the president to resign and then resigning himself. Rejecting a last-minute Democratic attempt to soften its action to censure, the House of Representatives moved to impeach President William Jefferson Clinton for perjury on Saturday and to call on the Senate to try him, convict him and remove him from office. Rejecting a last-minute Democratic attempt to soften its action to censure, the House of Representatives moved to impeach President William Jefferson Clinton for perjury on Saturday and to call on the Senate to try him, convict him and remove him from office. Endeavour and its astronauts closed in Sunday to capture the first piece of the international space station, the Russian-made Zarya control module that had to be connected to the Unity chamber aboard the shuttle. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. It was the first time that the Russian-built Zarya control module and the made-in-America Unity chamber had ever touched. Their other job, time permitting, was trickier: trying to open a stuck antenna on Zarya, the Russian -built control module. A Russian Proton booster rocket carried the first part of the international space station into orbit Friday , heralding the start of a new era in international space colonization. A Russian Proton booster rocket carried the first part of the international space station into orbit Friday, heralding the start of a new era in international space colonization. The 12.4-meter (41.2-feet) Zarya, or Sunrise, was launched by a three-stage Proton booster rocket. The module, called Zarya from the Russian term meaning sunrise or dawn, took a flawless ride into space atop a three-stage Russian Proton booster rocket that lifted off at 1:40 a.m. Eastern time from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. A Russian Proton booster rocket carried the module into its initial orbit 200 kilometers (125 miles) above the Earth and the unit was operating as planned, officials said. The space shuttle Endeavour is to take off on Dec. 3 to rendezvous with Zarya and attach the two units. The space shuttle Endeavour is to take off on Dec. 3 to rendezvous with Zarya and attach the two units. Russia's Zarya, or Sunrise, module is to fly alone for two weeks before a rendezvous with the American space shuttle Endeavour , which is to be launched Dec. 3 carrying the Unity connecting module. It will fly alone for two weeks before a rendezvous with the American space shuttle Endeavour , which is to be launched Dec. 3 carrying the Unity connecting module. The United States and 15 other nations plan to begin building the new station in orbit next week when the Russians launch a module that will supply power and propulsion during the early stages of the five-year construction period. Zarya is designed to serve as a space tugboat in the early stages of the project, providing propulsion, power and communications. Zarya is designed to serve as a space tugboat in the early stages of the project, providing propulsion, power and communications. The shuttle's 50-foot robot arm had never before been assigned to handle an object as massive as the 44,000-pound Zarya, a power and propulsion module that was launched from Kazakhstan on Nov. 20. Endeavour and its astronauts closed in Sunday to capture the first piece of the international space station , the Russian-made Zarya control module that had to be connected to the Unity chamber aboard the shuttle. Endeavour's astronauts connected the first two building blocks of the international space station on Sunday , creating a seven-story tower in the shuttle cargo bay. Endeavour's astronauts connected the first two building blocks of the international space station on Sunday , creating a seven-story tower in the shuttle cargo bay. Solar power panels on the module were successfully deployed shortly after it reached its first orbit and all systems were working normally, officials said. The first piece of the international space station was orbiting Earth Friday, sprouting antennae and unfolding solar power panels as it awaited other segments, which will eventually grow into the largest orbital laboratory in history. The first part of the international space station was smoothly orbiting Earth on Friday after a faultless launch that marked the start of a new age in space exploration and colonization. The station will weigh 500 tons (more than a million pounds) and is expected to cost at least dlrs 40 billion , with the United States planning to pay dlrs 21 billion. The launching was witnessed by the heads of the space agencies of the 16 nations that are sponsoring the station, which will cost at least $40 billion to build over the next five years. The launching was witnessed by the heads of the space agencies of the 16 nations that are sponsoring the station, which will cost at least $40 billion to build over the next five years. Zarya is to fly alone for two weeks before a rendezvous with the American space shuttle Endeavor, which is to be launched Dec. 3 carrying the Unity connecting module. Russia's Zarya, or Sunrise, module is to fly alone for two weeks before a rendezvous with the American space shuttle Endeavour, which is to be launched Dec. 3 carrying the Unity connecting module. It will fly alone for two weeks before a rendezvous with the American space shuttle Endeavour, which is to be launched Dec. 3 carrying the Unity connecting module. The station , involving 16 nations with the United States and Russia playing the biggest roles, will consist of more than 100 elements that will take 45 assembly flights to complete. The heads of the space agencies of 16 nations participating in the project watched the lift-off from a distance of about 5 kilometers (3 miles). Once completed, the 16-nation space station will have a mass of 1 million pounds, be longer than a football field , and house up to seven astronauts and cosmonauts. Russian space experts were making final preparations Thursday at the Baikonur rocket base to launch the first component of a multibillion dollar international space station after a year of delay. The launch of the Russian cargo module, which had been delayed for more than a year , ushers in a new era of cooperation among former space-race rivals. Brazil , the continent's largest economy and a potential bulwark against creeping recession, is waiting for news of a dlrs 30 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund. The reforms would help Brazil qualify for an International Monetary Fund rescue package estimated at dlrs 30 billion. Brazil and the International Monetary Fund moved closer Tuesday to agreement on an expected dlrs 30 billion rescue package for the world's ninth-largest economy. The plan is part of a deal with the International Monetary Fund for a rescue package estimated at dlrs 30 billion. The plan is part of a deal with the International Monetary Fund for a rescue package estimated at dlrs 30 billion. To halt Brazil's slide toward recession, Cardoso is preparing austerity measures including spending cuts, tax hikes and lower interest rates. The measures, aimed at curbing the country's ballooning budget deficit _ equal to about 7 percent of gross domestic product _ are expected to include spending cuts and, possibly, more taxes. Cardoso is preparing an emergency program of budget cuts to restore investor confidence and prevent a devaluation of the country's currency. But as Cardoso readies a package of spending cuts and tax increases , he clearly wants to show Brazilians that economy starts at home. Cardoso wants to impose tough measures that would slash government spending and impose new taxes to try to halt the slide in Brazil's economy and restore investor confidence. The money would strengthen and, hopefully, restore investor confidence in the world's ninth-largest economy, now at the center of the financial crisis buffeting developing nations for more than a year. The money would strengthen and, hopefully, restore investor confidence in the world's ninth-largest economy, now at the center of the financial crisis buffeting developing nations for more than a year. The money would strengthen and, hopefully, restore investor confidence in the world's ninth-largest economy, now at the center of the financial crisis buffeting developing nations for more than a year. The money would strengthen and, hopefully, restore investor confidence in the world's ninth-largest economy, now at the center of the financial crisis buffeting developing nations for more than a year. Brazil is Latin America's biggest economy and the eighth-largest in the world, and its economic collapse could take the rest of the continent with it. Finance officials in Washington and around the world fear that a collapse of Brazil, because of its size and links to other economies, would worsen financial instability throughout the hemisphere. Finance officials in Washington and around the world fear that a collapse of Brazil , because of its size and links to other economies , would worsen financial instability throughout the hemisphere. With 160 million people, Brazil represents the world's ninth-largest economy and is the financial engine of Latin America. The money would strengthen and, hopefully, restore investor confidence in the world's ninth-largest economy , now at the center of the financial crisis buffeting developing nations for more than a year. The money would strengthen and, hopefully, restore investor confidence in the world's ninth-largest economy , now at the center of the financial crisis buffeting developing nations for more than a year. Curi predicted even harsher times for Brazil with the belt-tightening austerity package newly re -elected President Fernando Henrique Cardoso is expected to announce Tuesday. Curi predicted even harsher times for Brazil with the belt -tightening austerity package newly re-elected President Fernando Henrique Cardoso is expected to announce Tuesday. Curi predicted even harsher times for Brazil with the belt-tightening austerity package newly re -elected President Fernando Henrique Cardoso is expected to announce Tuesday. The reforms would help Brazil qualify for an International Monetary Fund rescue package estimated at dlrs 30 billion. The plan is part of a deal with the International Monetary Fund for a rescue package estimated at dlrs 30 billion. The plan is part of a deal with the International Monetary Fund for a rescue package estimated at dlrs 30 billion. There's no such thing as a free lunch any longer in Brazil, President Fernando Henrique Cardoso is telling government workers. There's no such thing as a free lunch any longer in Brazil, President Fernando Henrique Cardoso is telling government workers. The United States is preparing to commit U.S. taxpayer funds as part of a lending program of at least $30 billion to try to insulate Brazil, and with it the rest of Latin America, from the worst effects of the financial turmoil circling the globe, according to U.S. and foreign officials assembling the program. The United States is preparing to commit U.S. taxpayer funds as part of a lending program of at least $30 billion to try to insulate Brazil , and with it the rest of Latin America, from the worst effects of the financial turmoil circling the globe, according to U.S. and foreign officials assembling the program. Cardoso , under pressure to repair an economy battered by the world financial turmoil , is expected to unveil the full scope of his deficit-cutting plan next week. President Fernando Henrique Cardoso 's efforts to repair the largest economy in Latin America may depend on the outcome of this weekend's gubernatorial elections. North Korea has agreed to receive a U.S. delegation next month to discuss American concerns about the construction of a vast underground complex that is widely feared to house a nuclear weapons program , the State Department said on Wednesday. North Korea has demanded that the United States pay hundreds of millions of dollars for the right to inspect a huge underground center that U.S. intelligence analysts fear houses a nuclear-weapons program , Clinton administration officials said Wednesday. The Clinton administration is urgently seeking to inspect a vast construction site in North Korea that it believes may be the beginnings of a nuclear weapons plant. The United States and North Korea are set to resume talks Friday about inspections of an underground North Korean site suspected of being used to produce nuclear weapons. The United States and North Korea are set to resume talks Friday about inspections of an underground North Korean site suspected of being used to produce nuclear weapons. The United States and North Korea are set to resume talks Friday about inspections of an underground North Korean site suspected of being used to produce nuclear weapons. Clinton acknowledged that U.S. intelligence officials are not yet certain that the underground construction project in North Korea is nuclear related. Clinton acknowledged that U.S. intelligence officials are not yet certain that the underground construction project in North Korea is nuclear related. Clinton acknowledged that U.S. intelligence officials are not yet certain that the suspicious underground construction project in North Korea is nuclear related. Clinton acknowledged that U.S. intelligence officials are not yet certain that the suspicious underground construction project in North Korea is nuclear related. Clinton acknowledged that U.S. intelligence officials are not yet certain that the suspicious underground construction project in North Korea is nuclear related. North Korea has denied it. Although they have not explained exactly why the government is building the complex, North Korean officials have denied that it would be used to develop nuclear weapons. The North Koreans have denied that the complex, which is being built on a mountainside about 25 miles northeast of Yongbyon, the former North Korean nuclear research center, is intended to be used for a nuclear weapons program. The North Koreans have denied that the complex is intended to help build nuclear weapons. American intelligence agencies fear that building the complex could be an effort to break out of a four-year-old pact in which North Korea pledged to give up its nuclear-weapons program in exchange for billions of dollars in aid from the United States, South Korea and Japan. In meetings this week in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, U.S. officials were rebuffed in their request to see the suspicious site, which American intelligence officials fear could be a secret effort to revive the North's nuclear weapons program. In meetings this week in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, U.S. officials were rebuffed in their request to see the suspicious site , which American intelligence officials fear could be a secret effort to revive the North's nuclear weapons program. But he said the North risks closing the door on cooperation if it refuses a U.S. inspection of the site. But he said the North risks closing the door on cooperation if it refuses a U.S. inspection of the site. But he said the North risks closing the door on cooperation if it refuses a U.S. inspection of the site. A South Korean lawmaker said Friday communist North Korea could be producing plutonium and could have more secret underground nuclear facilities than already feared. A South Korean lawmaker said Friday communist North Korea could be producing plutonium and could have more secret underground nuclear facilities than already feared. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) _ U.S. President Bill Clinton won South Korea's support Saturday for confronting North Korea over a suspected nuclear site , and he warned the North's communist leaders not to squander a chance to achieve lasting peace on the peninsula. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) _ U.S. President Bill Clinton won South Korea's support Saturday for confronting North Korea over a suspected nuclear site , and he warned the North's communist leaders not to squander an historic chance to make a lasting peace on the peninsula. North Korea has demanded that the United States pay hundreds of millions of dollars for the right to inspect a huge underground center that U.S. intelligence analysts fear houses a nuclear-weapons program, Clinton administration officials said Wednesday. But they have demanded that the United States pay $300 million to inspect it, a request rejected this week by a U.S. delegation to Pyongyang , the North Korean capital. President Kim Dae-jung , appearing with Clinton at a news conference, pledged to ``spare no effort in supporting the U.S. endeavor'' to resolve the nuclear question. President Kim Dae-jung , appearing with Clinton at a news conference, pledged that his government would ``spare no effort in supporting the U.S. endeavor'' to resolve the nuclear question. He called for full access for U.S. inspectors at a North Korean underground facility and said the North must not develop missiles. He called for full access for U.S. inspectors at a North Korean underground facility and said the North must constrain its development and exports of missiles. An endorsement by the group , which is held in high regard by many gay and lesbian voters, could prove important in swinging voters to D'Amato in a tight race. An endorsement by the group , which is held in high regard by many gay and lesbian voters, could prove important in swinging voters to D'Amato in a tight race. An endorsement by the group , which is held in high regard by many gay and lesbian voters, could prove important in swinging voters to D'Amato in a tight race. An endorsement by the group , which is held in high regard by many gay and lesbian voters, could prove important in swinging voters to D'Amato in a tight race. If the group endorses D'Amato , said officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the endorsement would be based on three major factors: The group tends to favor incumbents, has been searching for allies among the Senate Republican majority and considers D'Amato's recent record on gay issues to be quite strong. He was referring to the Senate majority leader , who has called homosexuality a sin and likened it to kleptomania. He was referring to the Senate majority leader, who has called homosexuality a sin and likened it to kleptomania. He was referring to the Senate majority leader , who has called homosexuality a sin and likened it to kleptomania. He was referring to the Senate majority leader, who has called homosexuality a sin and likened it to kleptomania. Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, the New York Republican who is running for re-election , went to Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal the other morning to accept an award from mass-transit advocates. But privately, organization officials and gay activists from both parties who have been monitoring the debate say the group is most likely to endorse D'Amato, a Republican seeking his fourth term. But privately, organization officials and gay activists from both parties who have been monitoring the debate say the group is most likely to endorse D'Amato, a Republican seeking his fourth term. White House officials and gay Democrats , concerned that the nation's largest gay and lesbian political organization is about to endorse Sen. Alfonse D'Amato for re-election, are intensely lobbying the group to try to shift its support to the Democratic challenger , Rep. Charles Schumer. Largely because of the group's strong Democratic ties, gay Democrats, New York liberals and White House officials are infuriated that it is even considering endorsing D'Amato , who also runs on the Right to Life and Conservative Party lines and often receives high ratings from the Christian Coalition, which typically opposes legislation on civil rights for gay people. White House officials and gay Democrats , concerned that the nation's largest gay and lesbian political organization is about to endorse Sen. Alfonse D'Amato for re-election, are intensely lobbying the group to try to shift its support to the Democratic challenger , Rep. Charles Schumer. They said they would probably make an endorsement by Friday. They said they would probably make an endorsement by Friday. They said they would probably make an endorsement by Friday. This year, Voinovich, a Republican who is barred from seeking a third term , is running again, this time for the Senate seat held by John Glenn, a Democrat who is retiring. This year, Voinovich, a Republican who is barred from seeking a third term , is running again, this time for the Senate seat held by John Glenn, a Democrat who is retiring. This year, Voinovich, a Republican who is barred from seeking a third term, is running again, this time for the Senate seat held by John Glenn, a Democrat who is retiring. This year, Voinovich, a Republican who is barred from seeking a third term, is running again, this time for the Senate seat held by John Glenn, a Democrat who is retiring. That has not prevented Voinovich's Democratic opponent, Mary Boyle , from undertaking a vigorous campaign. Like many candidates this year, Ms. Boyle , 55, is campaigning hard on the issue of education, seeking to portray Voinovich, 61, as a lackluster steward who allowed the state's schools to decline. If the group endorses D'Amato, said officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the endorsement would be based on three major factors: The group tends to favor incumbents , has been searching for allies among the Senate Republican majority and considers D'Amato's recent record on gay issues to be quite strong. If the group endorses D'Amato, said officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the endorsement would be based on three major factors: The group tends to favor incumbents , has been searching for allies among the Senate Republican majority and considers D'Amato's recent record on gay issues to be quite strong. If the group endorses D'Amato, said officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the endorsement would be based on three major factors: The group tends to favor incumbents, has been searching for allies among the Senate Republican majority and considers D'Amato's recent record on gay issues to be quite strong. If the group endorses D'Amato, said officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the endorsement would be based on three major factors: The group tends to favor incumbents, has been searching for allies among the Senate Republican majority and considers D'Amato's recent record on gay issues to be quite strong. The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal Monday acquitted a Muslim military commander of war crimes against Bosnian Serb prisoners in 1992 , but convicted three underlings in the first U.N. case dealing with anti-Serb atrocities. The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal cleared Zejnil Delalic , a Muslim, of responsibility for war crimes committed against Serb captives at a Bosnian government-run prison camp under his command. The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal Monday acquitted a Muslim commander of war crimes against Bosnian Serb prisoners in 1992 , but convicted three underlings in the first U.N. case dealing with anti-Serb atrocities. The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal cleared Zejnil Delalic , a Muslim, of responsibility for war crimes committed against Serb captives at a Bosnian government-run prison camp under his command. The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal cleared Cmndr. The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal cleared Zejnil Delalic, a Muslim, of responsibility for war crimes committed against Serb captives at a Bosnian government-run prison camp under his command. The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal cleared Zejnil Delalic, a Muslim, of responsibility for war crimes committed against Serb captives at a Bosnian government-run prison camp under his command. Zejnil Delalic, of the Bosnian Muslim Army, of responsibility for war crimes committed at a government-run prison camp under his overall command. Delalic, a Muslim, was cleared of charges of war crimes committed in 1992 against Serb prisoners in the Muslim-led Bosnian Army prison camp Celebici near his hometown of Konjic. The U.N. court convicted camp commander Zdravko Mucic, a Croat, of 11 war crimes and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions because he oversaw guards who murdered nine Serbs and tortured six. The U.N. court convicted camp commander Zdravko Mucic, a Croat, of 11 war crimes and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions because he oversaw guards who murdered nine Serbs and tortured six. Inmates at the Celebici prison camp were beaten to death by guards wielding baseball bats, wooden planks and rifle butts, according to testimony. The tribunal convicted camp warden Zdravko Mucic, a Croat, of 11 war crimes and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions because he oversaw guards who murdered nine Serbs and tortured six. The U.N. court convicted camp commander Zdravko Mucic , a Croat, of 11 war crimes and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions because he oversaw guards who murdered nine Serbs and tortured six. The U.N. court convicted camp commander Zdravko Mucic , a Croat, of 11 war crimes and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions because he oversaw guards who murdered nine Serbs and tortured six. The tribunal convicted camp warden Zdravko Mucic , a Croat, of 11 war crimes and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions because he oversaw guards who murdered nine Serbs and tortured six. He was sentenced to 20 years. The tribunal, set up by the Security Council in 1993, has convicted only one other person following a trial _ Bosnian Serb Dusan Tadic, who was sentenced in May 1997 to 20 years for killing and torturing Muslims in 1992. He was sentenced to 20 years. The 49-page indictment detailing atrocities at Celebici asserts that at least 14 prisoners were killed in 1992. The 49-page indictment detailing atrocities at Celebici asserts that at least 14 prisoners were killed in 1992. The 49-page indictment detailing atrocities at Celebici asserts that at least 14 prisoners were killed in 1992. The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal Monday acquitted a Muslim military commander of war crimes against Bosnian Serb prisoners in 1992, but convicted three underlings in the first U.N. case dealing with anti-Serb atrocities. The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal Monday acquitted a Muslim commander of war crimes against Bosnian Serb prisoners in 1992, but convicted three underlings in the first U.N. case dealing with anti-Serb atrocities. American and allied forces in Bosnia on Wednesday arrested a Bosnian Serb general who was charged with genocide by the international war crimes tribunal in a recent secret indictment. American and allied forces in Bosnia on Wednesday arrested a Bosnian Serb general who was charged with genocide by the international war crimes tribunal in a recent secret indictment. ``To victims in Brcko, the face of genocide was the face of Goran Jelisic ,'' he said. To his Muslim targets, Bosnian Serb Goran Jelisic was ``the face of genocide '' who once bragged that ``he had to kill 20 or 30 Muslims before his morning coffee.'' Opening a genocide trial Monday at the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal , U.N. prosecutor Terree Bowers said the 30-year-old mechanic used the nickname Adolf ``with a perverse pride in the genocidal symbolism it represented.'' By trying him for genocide , prosecutors will be able to call evidence about the background of Jelisic's murders, including the involvement of more senior Serbs. President Clinton will travel to Gaza next month to address Palestinian leaders , the White House said Friday. On Monday , Clinton and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are to address members of the Palestine National Council and delegates from other groups , at the Shawa Cultural Center in Gaza City. Clinton is to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Monday in the Gaza Strip. Clinton is to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Monday in the Gaza Strip. Less than a week before U.S. President Bill Clinton is to arrive for a visit meant to bolster a new Israeli-Palestinian peace accord, the two sides exchanged angry accusations Sunday over Jewish settlements and street clashes. The violence raised concern that U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit to the region , which is to start late Saturday, is fomenting more unrest rather than calming the already tense situation. The violence raised concern that U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit to the region , which is to start late Saturday, is fomenting more unrest rather than calming the already tense situation. The Palestinians have insisted that they have already revoked clauses in the 1964 charter that called for Israel's destruction. At the gathering, the PNC and other Palestinians in attendance are to reaffirm the nullification of clauses in their national charter that call for Israel's destruction. Under the Wye agreement, the PNC is to reaffirm during this session an Arafat letter to Clinton which declares clauses of the PLO founding charter calling for Israel's destruction revoked. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accused Yasser Arafat of ``making a farce'' of the Wye River accords and said he would not agree to further troop withdrawals until a halt to anti-Israel violence. ``The Palestinians are making a farce out of the Wye River accord. He is to speak at what the Palestinians are describing as a historic meeting to formally revoke anti-Israel clauses in the 1964 Palestinian charter. Keeping a promise to Israel and the United States, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Thursday convened senior officials and legislators to revoke clauses of the PLO founding charter calling for Israel's destruction. Clinton's visit to Israel and the Palestinian lands , which is to begin Saturday, is meant to provide impetus to the U.S.-brokered peace accords and encourage both sides to stick to a timetable for compliance. Less than a week before U.S. President Bill Clinton is to arrive for a visit meant to bolster a new Israeli-Palestinian peace accord , the two sides exchanged angry accusations Sunday over Jewish settlements and street clashes. He added that he would not go ahead with a West Bank troop pullback , as promised under the Wye River peace agreement , unless Arafat met a list of demands. Netanyahu on Wednesday briefed his Cabinet on Clinton's three-day visit and affirmed what he told the president a day earlier _ that he would not withdraw troops in the West Bank on Friday , as stipulated by the Wye River peace accord. According to a schedule released Friday by the White House, Clinton will visit Gaza, the West Bank and Israel during a four-day trip that will begin on Dec. 12. According to a schedule released Friday by the White House, Clinton will visit Gaza, the West Bank and Israel during a four-day trip that will begin on Dec. 12. Netanyahu said last week he was freezing the pullback over what he claimed were systematic Palestinian violations of the peace accord. Again , the Israeli leader accused the Palestinians of ignoring commitments in peace accords. ``We will be very disappointed if that is the case. ``As long as that is the case , they will not change their behavior.'' By only one vote, the center-left prime minister of Italy , Romano Prodi, lost a confidence vote in Parliament Friday and was toppled from power. By only one vote, the center-left prime minister of Italy , Romano Prodi, lost a confidence vote in Parliament Friday and was toppled from power. By one vote , Premier Romano Prodi's center-left coalition lost a confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies Friday , and he went to the presidential palace to resign. By one vote , Premier Romano Prodi's center-left coalition lost a confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies Friday , and he went to the presidential palace to resign. By one vote, a defector from its own ranks, Premier Romano Prodi's center-left coalition , Italy's second-longest serving government since World War II, lost a confidence vote Friday in the Chamber of Deputies. Despite help from a breakaway faction of the Communists, who on Sunday formed a new party, Prodi lost Friday's vote of confidence by a single vote. The latest threat to the government of Prime Minister Romano Prodi came after delegates to a two-day conference of the Communist Refounding Party voted to reject the government's proposed 1999 budget , imperiling the future of the center-left coalition. A leader of Italy's hard-line Marxist faction, known as the Communist Refounding Party, resigned Monday in protest over his party 's decision to reject the government's 1999 budget and imperil Prodi's slender majority in Parliament. Prodi's far-left ally, the Communist Refoundation Party, provoked the crisis by withdrawing its support over the weekend and saying it would not vote for his deficit-cutting 1999 budget , which is key to Italy's participation in the European common currency. The Communist Refoundation Party provoked the crisis by withdrawing its support over the weekend and saying it would not vote for his deficit-cutting 1999 budget. Prodi's far-left ally , Communist Refoundation, provoked the crisis when it withdrew support for the government over the 1999 deficit-cutting budget , which it said did not do enough to stimulate job creation. President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro must now decide whether to call early elections or to ask Prodi or someone else to try to forge a new majority. President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro must now decide whether to call early elections or to ask Prodi or someone else to try to forge a new majority. Prodi immediately offered his resignation to President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, who asked him to stay on as caretaker premier while the head of state decides whether to call early elections or ask someone else to be premier. Following the talks , which are expected to last several days, President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro could ask Prodi to try again with a new majority. Premier Romano Prodi said Monday he would appeal directly to Parliament to save Italy's second-longest government since World War II, threatened with collapse by the defection of its Communist ally. Premier Romano Prodi said Monday he would appeal directly to Parliament to save Italy's second-longest government since World War II , threatened with collapse by the defection of its Communist ally. By one vote, a defector from its own ranks, Premier Romano Prodi's center-left coalition, Italy's second-longest serving government since World War II , lost a confidence vote Friday in the Chamber of Deputies. Though obliged to tender his resignation, Prodi will remain in charge as a caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed. Prodi immediately offered his resignation to President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro , who asked him to stay on as caretaker premier while the head of state decides whether to call early elections or ask someone else to be premier. Scalfaro has named Prodi as caretaker premier for the interim. A leader of Italy's hard-line Marxist faction , known as the Communist Refounding Party, resigned Monday in protest over his party's decision to reject the government's 1999 budget and imperil Prodi's slender majority in Parliament. Armando Cossutta , leader of the moderate wing, resigned as party president Monday. Armando Cossutta , leader of the moderate wing, resigned as party president Monday , saying the party's hardline stance was ``wrong and dangerous.'' Premier Romano Prodi said Monday he would appeal directly to Parliament to save Italy's second-longest government since World War II, threatened with collapse by the defection of its Communist ally. Prodi's center-left government , Italy's second-longest since World War II , was threatened with collapse by the defection of its Communist ally. By one vote, Premier Romano Prodi's center-left coalition lost a confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies Friday, and he went to the presidential palace to resign. By one vote, Premier Romano Prodi's center-left coalition lost a confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies Friday, and he went to the presidential palace to resign. If the crisis comes to a confidence vote and Prodi loses, he would offer his resignation. Prodi immediately offered his resignation to President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro , who asked him to stay on as caretaker premier while the head of state decides whether to call early elections or ask someone else to be premier. The party forced him to offer his resignation last year over proposed budget cuts , but then backpeddled after the party's rank and file protested. Though obliged to tender his resignation , Prodi will remain in charge as a caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed. Chechen authorities found the decapitated heads of four kidnapped foreigners Tuesday along a highway near a remote village after a two-month search in the breakaway region in southern Russia. 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. Chechen police were searching Wednesday for the bodies of four kidnapped foreigners who were beheaded during a botched attempt to free them. Chechen police were searching Wednesday for the bodies of four kidnapped foreigners who were beheaded during a botched attempt to free them. Chechen police were searching Wednesday for the bodies of four kidnapped foreigners who were beheaded during a botched attempt to free them. Chechen police were searching Wednesday for the bodies of four kidnapped foreigners who were beheaded during a botched attempt to free them. One of four foreigners beheaded by kidnappers in Chechnya claimed in a videotape shown today that he and his fellow hostages were British spies. His release came four days after the severed heads of four foreign hostages were found in Chechnya when a government rescue attempt apparently went wrong. His release came four days after the severed heads of four foreign hostages were found in Chechnya when a government rescue attempt apparently went wrong. 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 had been abducted by unidentified gunmen Oct. 3 in Grozny. They had been abducted by unidentified gunmen Oct. 3 in Grozny. They were reportedly setting up a mobile phone network in Chechnya when they were abducted by unidentified gunmen Oct. 3 in Grozny. They were reportedly setting up a mobile phone network in Chechnya when they were abducted by unidentified gunmen Oct. 3 in Grozny. The victims _ Peter Kennedy, Darren Hickey and Rudolf Petschi of Britain and Stanley Shaw of New Zealand _ were abducted Oct. 3 by unidentified gunmen in Grozny. They had been abducted by unidentified gunmen Oct. 3 in Grozny. They had been abducted by unidentified gunmen Oct. 3 in Grozny. Chechen authorities found the decapitated heads of four kidnapped foreigners Tuesday along a highway near a remote village after a two-month search in the breakaway region in southern Russia. Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov said in Grozny that the bodies of four men had been recovered. The severed heads of the hostages _ three Britons and a New Zealander _ were found Tuesday. The severed heads of the four men were found lined up along a highway Tuesday outside Chechnya's capital Grozny , and hundreds of Chechen law enforcement officers were searching for the bodies Wednesday. The severed heads of the four men were found lined up along a highway Tuesday outside Chechnya's capital Grozny , and hundreds of Chechen law enforcement officers were searching for the bodies Wednesday. The severed heads of the four hostages were found lined up Tuesday along a highway outside Chechnya's capital , Grozny. Their heads were found Tuesday on a highway about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Grozny. Chechen police were searching Wednesday for the bodies of four kidnapped foreigners who were beheaded during a botched attempt to free them. The severed heads of the four men were found lined up along a highway Tuesday outside Chechnya's capital Grozny, and hundreds of Chechen law enforcement officers were searching for the bodies Wednesday. Chechen police were searching Wednesday for the bodies of four kidnapped foreigners who were beheaded during a botched attempt to free them. The severed heads of the four men were found lined up along a highway Tuesday outside Chechnya's capital Grozny, and hundreds of Chechen law enforcement officers were searching for the bodies Wednesday. Chechen security forces are still searching for the men's bodies. Vincent Cochetel , 37, who headed the regional office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in North Ossetia, was seized by three masked gunmen in the region's capital of Vladikavkaz on Jan. 29. Vincent Cochetel , 37, who headed the regional office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in North Ossetia, was seized by three masked gunmen in the region's capital of Vladikavkaz on Jan. 29. Vincent Cochetel , 37, who headed the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in the North Ossetia region, was seized by three masked gunmen in the regional capital Vladikavkaz on Jan. 29. Vincent Cochetel , 37, who headed the regional office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in North Ossetia , was seized by three masked gunmen in the region's capital of Vladikavkaz on Jan. 29. Vincent Cochetel , 37, who headed the regional office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in North Ossetia , was seized by three masked gunmen in the region's capital of Vladikavkaz on Jan. 29. Vincent Cochetel , 37, who headed the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in the North Ossetia region , was seized by three masked gunmen in the regional capital Vladikavkaz on Jan. 29. Tagirov was investigating the deaths of four foreigners whose severed heads were found Tuesday lined up by a roadside in the breakaway Russian republic. Tagirov was investigating the deaths Britons Peter Kennedy, Darren Hickey, and Rudolf Petschi, and Stanley Shaw of New Zealand. Tagirov was investigating the deaths Britons Peter Kennedy, Darren Hickey, and Rudolf Petschi, and Stanley Shaw of New Zealand. Meanwhile, a Russian soldier taken hostage during the war was released after a year of efforts to free him , ITAR-Tass said Friday. A Russian soldier taken hostage during the war was released Friday after a year of efforts to free him , the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. A Russian soldier taken hostage during the war was released Friday after a year of efforts to free him , the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. Chechen police were searching Wednesday for the bodies of four kidnapped foreigners who were beheaded during a botched attempt to free them. Chechen police were searching Wednesday for the bodies of four kidnapped foreigners who were beheaded during a botched attempt to free them. A French United Nations official kidnapped in southern Russia more than 10 months ago has been freed and was flown to Moscow Saturday, news reports reported. A French United Nations official kidnapped in southern Russia more than 10 months ago has been freed and was flown to Moscow Saturday, news reports reported. She had said she would run again in 2000. She had said she would run again in 2000. She had said she would run again in 2000. She had said she would run again in 2000. She had said she would run again in 2000. She had said she would run again in 2000. She had said she would run again in 2000. She had said she would run again in 2000. A leader of the liberal Russia's Democratic Choice party, she was planning to run for president in 2000. She had said she would run again in 2000. She had said she would run again in 2000. A liberal lawmaker who planned to run for president in Russia's next elections was killed Friday in St. Petersburg , a news report said. A liberal lawmaker who planned to run for president in Russia's next elections was killed Friday in St. Petersburg , a news report said. A liberal lawmaker who planned to run for president in Russia's next elections was shot to death Friday in St. Petersburg , police said. A liberal lawmaker who planned to run for president in Russia's next elections was shot to death Friday in St. Petersburg , police said. Galina Starovoitova was one, and her murder in St. Petersburg on Friday was a terrible loss for Russia. Galina Starovoitova , 52, a leader of the liberal Russia's Democratic Choice party, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on the stairs of her apartment building in St. Petersburg on Friday night. Starovoitova tried to run for president in the 1996 elections but her registration was turned down for technical reasons. Starovoitova, 52, tried to run for president in the 1996 elections but her registration was turned down for technical reasons. Starovoitova, 52, tried to run for president in the 1996 elections but her registration was turned down for technical reasons. Starovoitova, 52, tried to run for president in the 1996 elections but her registration was turned down for technical reasons. Starovoitova, of the reformist party Democratic Russia, tried to run for president in 1996 but her registration was turned down for technical reasons. Starovoitova tried to run for president in the 1996 elections but her registration was turned down for technical reasons. Starovoitova , 52, tried to run for president in the 1996 elections but her registration was turned down for technical reasons. Starovoitova , 52, tried to run for president in the 1996 elections but her registration was turned down for technical reasons. Starovoitova , 52, tried to run for president in the 1996 elections but her registration was turned down for technical reasons. Starovoitova, of the reformist party Democratic Russia , tried to run for president in 1996 but her registration was turned down for technical reasons. Galina Starovoitova , a member of the lower house of Russia's parliament from the reformist party Democratic Russia, was attacked in an apartment building along with her aide , the Interfax news agency reported. Galina Starovoitova , a member of the lower house of Russia's parliament from the reformist party Democratic Russia, was attacked in an apartment building along with her aide , Ruslan Linkov, the Interfax news agency reported. Galina Starovoitova , a member of the lower house of Russia's parliament from the reformist party Democratic Russia , was attacked the entry way of an apartment building , police said. Galina Starovoitova , a member of the lower house of Russia's parliament from the reformist party Democratic Russia , was attacked the entry way of an apartment building , police said. A finance official was attacked earlier this week, a top banker was killed last week, and an aide to Russia's parliament speaker was shot in the head last month. A finance official was attacked earlier this week, a top banker was killed last week, and an aide to Russia's parliament speaker was shot in the head last month. A finance official was attacked earlier this week, a top banker was killed last week, and an aide to Russia's parliament speaker was shot in the head last month. Starovoitova , shot three times in the head , collapsed and died instantly, authorities said. Born in the Ural Mountains city of Chelyabinsk, Starovoitova was trained as a psychologist and later received a doctorate in history. Born in the Ural Mountains city of Chelyabinsk, Starovoitova was trained as a psychologist and later received a doctorate in history. Born in the Ural Mountains city of Chelyabinsk, Starovoitova was trained as a psychologist and later received a doctorate in history. She was divorced and had one son, according to Who's Who in Russia. She was divorced and had one son, according to Who's Who in Russia. She was divorced and had one son, according to Who's Who in Russia. A badly wounded aide to a murdered lawmaker regained consciousness Monday and was talking to police , who later arrested several suspects in raids around the city, officials said. A badly wounded aide to a murdered lawmaker regained consciousness Monday and was talking to police, who later arrested several suspects in raids around the city, officials said. Linkov was seriously injured , it said. Linkov was critically wounded in the head during the attack and later rushed to a hospital where he underwent surgery during the weekend. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will release its final report on 2 1-2 years of investigation on Thursday. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. The report was expected to place overwhelming blame for the era's abuses on white governments and their brutal security services. There has been no doubt that the report's overwhelming blame would be laid on white governments and their security forces during the years under scrutiny, 1960-1994. 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. A panel investigating apartheid-era atrocities said Wednesday it will not implicate the last apartheid president , F.W. A panel investigating apartheid-era atrocities said Wednesday it will not implicate the last apartheid president , F.W. Key figures implicated in human rights abuses by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission already are under investigation , the official, Jan d'Oliveira, told reporters. The remarks by d'Oliveira, who recently was appointed a deputy national director of prosecutions, were the clearest signal yet that criminal cases would be brought against figures accused by the commission of gross human rights violations. 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 , 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. 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. It was excised because de Klerk is suing the commission. 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, 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. The commission also said the PAC was guilty of the deaths of civilians in its strategy in 1993 to drive white farmers off their land so it could be reclaimed by blacks. 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. Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu , the truth panel's chairman, said the commission needed time to prepare to fight the legal challenge , and would ``excise'' de Klerk's name from the report to avoid delaying its release. The chairman of the 17-member panel, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, said that although he took such action with ``great reluctance,'' the commission needed time to prepare to fight the legal challenge. But when he stopped, he found the burned, battered and nearly lifeless body of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay college student who had been tied to the fence 18 hours earlier. But when he stopped, he found the burned, battered and nearly lifeless body of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay college student who had been tied to the fence 18 hours earlier. He never regained consciousness after being discovered on the evening of Oct. 7, 18 hours after he was lashed to the fence. Matthew Wayne Shepard , the gay student who was beaten in the dead of night, tied to a fence and left to die alone, was mourned at his funeral Friday by 1,000 people, including many who had never met him. Matthew Wayne Shepard , the gay student who was beaten in the dead of night, tied to a fence and left to die alone, was mourned at his funeral Friday by 1,000 people, including many who had never met him. Matthew Wayne Shepard , the gay student who was beaten in the dead of night, tied to a fence and left to die alone, was mourned at his funeral Friday by 1,000 people, including many who had never met him. We live in a state where a young man was brutally beaten because he is gay. '' Matthew Wayne Shepard, the gay student who was beaten in the dead of night , tied to a fence and left to die alone, was mourned at his funeral Friday by 1,000 people, including many who had never met him. Matthew Wayne Shepard, the gay student who was beaten in the dead of night , tied to a fence and left to die alone, was mourned at his funeral Friday by 1,000 people, including many who had never met him. Matthew Wayne Shepard, the gay student who was beaten in the dead of night , tied to a fence and left to die alone, was mourned at his funeral Friday by 1,000 people, including many who had never met him. Matthew Wayne Shepard , the gay student who was beaten in the dead of night, tied to a fence and left to die alone, was mourned at his funeral Friday by 1,000 people , including many who had never met him. Matthew Wayne Shepard , the gay student who was beaten in the dead of night, tied to a fence and left to die alone, was mourned at his funeral Friday by 1,000 people , including many who had never met him. Matthew Wayne Shepard , the gay student who was beaten in the dead of night, tied to a fence and left to die alone, was mourned at his funeral Friday by 1,000 people , including many who had never met him. ``Now, he is in a coma ,'' continued Boulden, who visited his friend at a hospital in Fort Collins, Colo., on Thursday. On Friday , the 22-year-old University of Wyoming student was in a coma in critical condition. ``Now, he is in a coma ,'' continued Boulden, who visited his friend at a hospital in Fort Collins, Colo., on Thursday. ``Judging from the world's response,'' she said, ``Matt will have made a difference in the lives of thousands. '' ``Judging from the world's response,'' she said, ``Matt will have made a difference in the lives of thousands. '' ``Judging from the world's response,'' she said, ``Matt will have made a difference in the lives of thousands. '' Laramie police say the primary motive was robbery, although court papers filed Friday indicate Shepard's homosexuality may also have been a factor. Laramie police say the primary motive was robbery, although court papers filed Friday indicate Shepard's homosexuality may also have been a factor. But investigators also said Shepard's sexuality may have been a factor. Matthew Shepard, the gay college student who was kidnapped and severely beaten, died here Monday, five days after he was found unconscious on a Wyoming ranch where he had been left tied to a fence for 18 hours in near-freezing temperatures. Matthew Shepard, the gay college student who was kidnapped and severely beaten, died here Monday, five days after he was found unconscious on a Wyoming ranch where he had been left tied to a fence for 18 hours in near-freezing temperatures. Matthew Shepard , the gay college student who was kidnapped and severely beaten , died here Monday, five days after he was found unconscious on a Wyoming ranch where he had been left tied to a fence for 18 hours in near-freezing temperatures. Matthew Shepard , the gay college student who was kidnapped and severely beaten , died here Monday, five days after he was found unconscious on a Wyoming ranch where he had been left tied to a fence for 18 hours in near-freezing temperatures. Matthew Shepard, the gay college student who was kidnapped and severely beaten, died here Monday, five days after he was found unconscious on a Wyoming ranch where he had been left tied to a fence for 18 hours in near-freezing temperatures. Matthew Shepard, the gay college student who was kidnapped and severely beaten, died here Monday, five days after he was found unconscious on a Wyoming ranch where he had been left tied to a fence for 18 hours in near-freezing temperatures. The men were charged with attempted murder and are expected to face first-degree murder charges that could bring the death penalty. The men were charged with attempted murder and are expected to face first-degree murder charges that could bring the death penalty. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz on Wednesday faced intense pressure to step down after allegations that he interfered in a privatization contract and helped a businessman linked to a mobster secure loans. Opposition parties lodged no-confidence motions Wednesday against Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz after allegations he interfered in the privatization of a bank and helped a businessman linked to a mobster. The opposition accuses Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz of having ties to organized crime and tampering with the privatization of a state bank. The opposition accuses Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz of having ties to organized crime and tampering with the privatization of a state bank. The opposition accuses Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz of having ties to organized crime and tampering with the privatization of a state bank. The opposition accuses Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz of having ties to organized crime and tampering with the privatization of a state bank. Yilmaz led the last government, which collapsed in November amid allegations he had ties to organized crime and interfered with the sale of a state bank. A week after the Turkish government fell in a corruption scandal, President Suleyman Demirel on Wednesday asked a veteran left-wing politician known for his personal honesty, Bulent Ecevit, to form a new government. Bulent Ecevit, who was asked to form a new government Wednesday , is a former prime minister best remembered for ordering an invasion of Cyprus in 1974 that made him an overnight hero at home. Ecevit, who was asked to form a new government Wednesday , desperately needs the support of the 99 deputies of ex-premier Tansu Ciller's center-right party. Ecevit refused even to consult with the leader of the Virtue Party during his efforts to form a government. Not even his alliance with Yilmaz who was ousted for alleged ties to the mob and rigging the privatization of a bank , tarnished his image. During his tenure as deputy prime minister in a 17-month government that was toppled last week over a corruption scandal , he gave his backing to the liberal policies of the center-right-led coalition. Yilmaz led the last government, which collapsed in November amid allegations he had ties to organized crime and interfered with the sale of a state bank. Turkey has been trying to form a new government since a coalition government led by Yilmaz collapsed last month over allegations that he rigged the sale of a bank. Ecevit, a veteran leftist, already has the support of another center-right party led by Mesut Yilmaz , whose government collapsed last week under the weight of a mafia scandal. But Mrs. Ciller said Wednesday she would not join forces with Yilmaz , whose government collapsed Nov. 25 over a mafia scandal. Yilmaz led the last government , which collapsed in November amid allegations he had ties to organized crime and interfered with the sale of a state bank. Virtue is the largest party in Parliament, but the all-powerful military is fiercely opposed to an Islamic-led government. Turkey's staunchly secular military opposes the return of an Islamic-led government. Turkey's strongly secular military is opposed to any deal that would bring Virtue to power. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz on Wednesday faced intense pressure to step down after allegations that he interfered in a privatization contract and helped a businessman linked to a mobster secure loans. The leader of the Republicans , Deniz Baykal, urged Yilmaz to resign. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz on Wednesday faced intense pressure to step down after allegations that he interfered in a privatization contract and helped a businessman linked to a mobster secure loans. Opposition parties lodged no-confidence motions Wednesday against Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz after allegations he interfered in the privatization of a bank and helped a businessman linked to a mobster. Premier-designate Bulent Ecevit said Thursday he would persist in the difficult task of convincing a key party leader to join forces in a secular coalition. Premier-designate Bulent Ecevit said Thursday he would persist in the difficult task of convincing a key party leader to join forces in a secular coalition. Bulent Ecevit , who was asked to form a new government Wednesday, is a former prime minister best remembered for ordering an invasion of Cyprus in 1974 that made him an overnight hero at home. Bulent Ecevit, who was asked to form a new government Wednesday, is a former prime minister best remembered for ordering an invasion of Cyprus in 1974 that made him an overnight hero at home. Turkey's secular parties are under pressure to join forces to keep the Islamic Virtue Party out of power. Turkey's latest premier-designate got the backing of two key secular parties Monday in his efforts to form a broad-based, coalition government, on condition that his government stick to Turkey's secular principles. James Kopp, the man the FBI is seeking as a material witness in the sniper slaying of Dr. Barnett Slepian , is known to abortion rights leaders as an aggressive anti-abortion protester, and law enforcement officials say he has been arrested several times in demonstrations at abortion clinics. Federal authorities investigating the murder of a Buffalo-area obstetrician who performed abortions have identified a Vermont man as a material witness to the sniper attack last month and issued a warrant for his arrest Wednesday to bring him in for questioning. Now, Kopp is being sought by federal and local law enforcement authorities for questioning as a material witness in the murder of an obstetrician who performed abortions in the Buffalo region. In Canada, he is suspected of administrative violations of immigration law; in the United States, he is wanted as a material witness in the Slepian case. The newspaper, the Hamilton (Ontario) Spectator, has received five similar packages in the last year, some containing veiled threats and several delivered by a man who employees said resembled James Charles Kopp, who is wanted for questioning as a witness about the Oct. 23 slaying of Dr. Barnett Slepian. There is immediate fear, because an anti-abortion gunman is believed to be at large. There is immediate fear, because an anti-abortion gunman is believed to be at large. She was on the sidewalk outside Buffalo GYN Womenservices the morning of Oct. 23, about 12 hours before Barnett Slepian, the clinic doctor, was fatally shot in his home. She was on the sidewalk outside Buffalo GYN Womenservices the morning of Oct. 23, about 12 hours before Barnett Slepian, the clinic doctor, was fatally shot in his home. Federal law enforcement officials say he is not currently a suspect in the Slepian shooting , and there was no indication Wednesday that he had been arrested for any violent acts. Kopp is not a suspect in the shootings. Now, Kopp is being sought by federal and local law enforcement authorities for questioning as a material witness in the murder of an obstetrician who performed abortions in the Buffalo region. In fact, the announcement that law enforcement officials are looking for him has been made as Attorney General Janet Reno has prepared to revive an interagency task force to look once again for possible conspiracies behind anti-abortion crimes. Federal law enforcement officials and the authorities say Kopp is not now a suspect in the sniper attack on Oct. 23 that killed Dr. Barnett A. Slepian near Buffalo. U.S. and Canadian investigators now believe those attacks were linked to two shootings of abortion-providing doctors in upstate New York, including the Oct. 23 slaying of Dr. Barnett Slepian at his home near Buffalo. To his tormentors, he was simply an abortion doctor. In interviews with friends and family members, he emerges as more than a one-dimensional abstract _ a conservative who advocated old-fashioned values like self-reliance, a shy man who had rare flashes of anger, a doctor who performed abortions but had no more patience for women who had multiple abortions than for women who had multiple children they did not want or could not support. On the eve of a holiday that has been linked to antiabortion violence , the authorities on Tuesday were investigating whether a picture of an aborted fetus sent to a Canadian newspaper was connected to last month's fatal shooting of a Buffalo, N.Y. doctor who provided abortions or four similar attacks in western New York and Canada since 1994. James Kopp , the man the FBI is seeking as a material witness in the sniper slaying of Dr. Barnett Slepian, is known to abortion rights leaders as an aggressive anti-abortion protester , and law enforcement officials say he has been arrested several times in demonstrations at abortion clinics. In July 1988, when Randall Terry drove through the night from his home in Binghamton, N.Y. , to Atlanta to start the series of anti-abortion protests that would finally put his new hard-line group, Operation Rescue, onto America's front pages, James Charles Kopp was in the van riding alongside him, according to former leaders of Operation Rescue who spoke on the condition of anonymity. A fire turned a Swedish dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap , killing at least 60 people and injuring about 180. A fire turned a dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap , killing at least 60 people and injuring about 180 in Sweden's second-largest city. A fire turned a Swedish dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap , killing at least 60 people and injuring about 180. A fire turned a dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap , killing 65 people and injuring 157 others in Sweden's second-largest city. 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. 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. A fire turned a Swedish dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap , killing 60 people and injuring 155. 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. 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. A fire turned a Swedish dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap, killing at least 60 people and injuring about 180. A fire turned a dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap, killing at least 60 people and injuring about 180 in Sweden's second-largest city. A fire turned a Swedish dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap, killing at least 60 people and injuring about 180. 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. 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. A fire turned a Swedish dance hall jammed with teen-age Halloween revelers into a deathtrap, killing 60 people and injuring 155. 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. 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. About 300 or 400 people were inside , police said. Although an estimated 400 people, most aged 13 to 18 , were at the dance on the building's second floor , the facility had approval for a maximum capacity of 150, said Hans Carlsson, the detective leading the disaster investigation. About 300 or 400 people were inside , police said. 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. Although an estimated 400 people, most aged 13 to 18 , were at the dance on the building's second floor , the facility had approval for a maximum capacity of 150, said Hans Carlsson, the detective leading the disaster investigation. Although an estimated 400 people, most aged 13 to 18 , were at the dance on the building's second floor , the facility had approval for a maximum capacity of 150, said Carlsson. 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. 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. The fast-spreading fire completely gutted the building and left rescuers facing a hideous scene that local rescue service leader Lennart Olin likened to a ``gas chamber.'' The fast-spreading fire completely gutted the two-story building and left rescuers facing a hideous scene that local rescue service leader Lennart Olin likened to a ``gas chamber.'' The fast-spreading fire completely gutted the two-story building and left rescuers facing a hideous scene that local rescue service leader Lennart Olin likened to a ``gas chamber.'' 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 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 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 fire was the deadliest in modern Swedish history since 1978 , when 20 people died in the town of Boraas. The fire , at the facilities of the Macedonian Association local immigrant group, was the deadliest in modern Swedish history. The fire , at the facilities of the Macedonian Association local immigrant group, was the deadliest in modern Swedish history since 1978 , when 20 people died in the town of Boraas. The fire , at the facilities of the Macedonian Association local immigrant group, was the deadliest in modern Swedish history. The fire , at the facilities of the Macedonian Association local immigrant group, was the deadliest in modern Swedish history. The fire , at the facilities of the Macedonian Association local immigrant group, was the deadliest in modern Swedish history. At a news conference Friday morning, police said most victims choked to death on smoke and poisonous gases ; 59 bodies were found at the scene and the 60th victim died at a hospital, officials said. On Friday, police said most victims choked to death on smoke and poisonous gases ; 59 bodies were found at the scene, and the 60th victim died at a hospital, officials said. Police said most victims choked to death on smoke and poisonous gases ; 59 bodies were found at the scene and six others died later. Police said most victims choked to death on smoke and poisonous gases ; 59 bodies were found at the scene and one other died later. Police said most victims choked to death on smoke and poisonous gases ; 59 bodies were found at the scene and one other died later. The dance apparently was attended mostly by immigrants or children of immigrant. The dance apparently was attended mostly by immigrants or children of immigrants. The dance was attended mostly by immigrants or children of immigrants. The dance was attended mostly by immigrants or children of immigrants. Most of the victims were immigrants or of immigrant parentage , from countries including Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Ethiopia and current and former Yugoslavia. Of the injured, 57 were in intensive care , said Sven Martinell, spokesman for the local medical authorities. Of the injured , at least 57 were in intensive care, according to Sven Martinell, spokesman for the local medical authorities. Of the injured, at least 57 were in intensive care , according to Sven Martinell, spokesman for the local medical authorities. Of the injured , at least 57 were in intensive care, according to Sven Martinell, spokesman for the local medical authorities. Of the injured, at least 57 were in intensive care , according to Sven Martinell, spokesman for the local medical authorities. The cause of the fire had not been determined as of Friday evening. The cause of the fire had not been determined as of Friday evening. The cause of the fire had not been determined as of Friday evening. ''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. Although an estimated 400 people, most aged 13 to 18, were at the dance on the building's second floor, the facility had approval for a maximum capacity of 150 , said Hans Carlsson, the detective leading the disaster investigation. Although an estimated 400 people, most aged 13 to 18, were at the dance on the building's second floor, the facility had approval for a maximum capacity of 150 , said Hans Carlsson, the detective leading the disaster investigation. Although an estimated 400 people, most aged 13 to 18, were at the dance on the building's second floor, the facility had approval for a maximum capacity of 150 , said Carlsson. 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. When the Yankees defeated the Indians, 9-5 , in Game 6 on Tuesday night to advance to their second World Series in three years , Knoblauch was easily the most relieved player on the field. YANKEES Pitching The starting pitching enabled the Yankees to advance past Cleveland in the American League Championship Series. The last time they were seen on the field at Yankee Stadium, they were inadvertently influencing the outcome of the game that sent the Cleveland Indians home and the Yankees to the World Series. YANKEES Pitching The starting pitching enabled the Yankees to advance past Cleveland in the American League Championship Series. YANKEES Pitching The starting pitching enabled the Yankees to advance past Cleveland in the American League Championship Series. Beyond seizing the advantage in the series, the Yankees were able to neutralize the Padres' ace, Kevin Brown, driving him from the mound in the seventh. Beyond seizing the advantage in the series, the Yankees were able to neutralize the Padres' ace, Kevin Brown , driving him from the mound in the seventh. Since cancerous cells were found in one of the 36 lymph nodes removed from his abdomen during the operation, Strawberry said doctors told him he will need six months of chemotherapy treatment once he returns to California. Since cancerous cells were found in one of the 36 lymph nodes removed from his abdomen during the operation, Strawberry said doctors told him he will need six months of chemotherapy treatment once he returns to California. David Wells is 7-1 in his career in the postseason and he should have an additional edge against a Padres' lineup that is generally less effective against left-handed pitching. The Yankees trailed San Diego , 5-2, in the seventh inning, but Knoblauch hit a three-run home run to tie the score, and five batters later, Martinez smashed a grand slam. Orlando Hernandez has four terrific pitches, pitched seven shutout innings in the pivotal Game 4 of the ALCS and earned the start in Game 2 of this series. That makes it the perfect venue for part of a championship series that will determine whether the 1998 Yankees are one of the greatest teams of the modern era, or just a talented squad that owned the regular season but folded in the World Series. The Yankees trailed San Diego, 5-2, in the seventh inning, but Knoblauch hit a three-run home run to tie the score , and five batters later, Martinez smashed a grand slam. Joe Brinkman won't be here either, even though the agreement does allow for an umpire to work both a division series and the World Series. Struggling to meet their fourth deadline over the federal budget, congressional Republicans and White House officials wrestled Tuesday with their differences over education , staging events to demonstrate support for what has become the most public and politically high-stakes element of the budget battle. Struggling to meet their fourth deadline over the federal budget, congressional Republicans and White House officials wrestled Tuesday with their differences over education , the most politically high-stakes element of the budget battle. Struggling to meet their fourth deadline over the federal budget, congressional Republicans and White House officials wrestled Tuesday with their differences over education , the most politically high-stakes element of the budget battle. Struggling to meet their fourth deadline over the federal budget , congressional Republicans and White House officials wrestled Tuesday with their differences over education, staging events to demonstrate support for what has become the most public and politically high-stakes element of the budget battle. Struggling to meet their fourth deadline over the federal budget , congressional Republicans and White House officials wrestled Tuesday with their differences over education, the most politically high-stakes element of the budget battle. Struggling to meet their fourth deadline over the federal budget , congressional Republicans and White House officials wrestled Tuesday with their differences over education, the most politically high-stakes element of the budget battle. On education, the issue that President Clinton has propelled to the forefront of the talks and on which Republicans do not want to appear recalcitrant, both sides have agreed to spend more than $1 billion but disagree over how to spend it. On education, the issue that President Clinton has propelled to the forefront and on which Republicans do not want to appear recalcitrant, both sides have agreed to spend more than $1 billion but not on how to spend it. On education, the issue that President Clinton has propelled to the forefront and on which Republicans do not want to appear recalcitrant, both sides have agreed to spend more than $1 billion but not on how to spend it. The president insists that the money be spent to hire 100,000 teachers across the country so that the average class can be reduced to 18 students. The president insists that the money be spent to hire 100,000 teachers across the country so that the average class can be reduced to 18 students. The president insists that the money be spent to hire 100,000 teachers across the country so that the average class can be reduced to 18 students. They missed having spending bills in place for the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year, providing temporary financing for the federal government through Oct. 9 , then Oct. 12, then Wednesday. Congress gave itself until midnight Tuesday to vote on the final bill, agreeing with President Clinton to a fifth extension of temporary financing to keep the government open. Congress gave itself until midnight Tuesday to vote on the final bill, agreeing with President Clinton to a fifth extension of temporary financing to keep the government open. As they worked through several issues, Republican leaders appeared to be calculating the differences in their own party that might sour a final deal when it arrives on the House floor _ more of a concern than on the Senate floor because the Senate has fewer differences among its Republicans and with the White House. As they worked through several issues, Republican leaders appeared to be calculating the differences in their own party that might sour a final deal when it arrives on the House floor _ more of a concern than the Senate floor because the Senate has fewer differences among its Republicans and with the White House. As they worked through several issues, Republican leaders appeared to be calculating the differences in their own party that might sour a final deal when it arrives on the House floor _ more of a concern than the Senate floor because the Senate has fewer differences among its Republicans and with the White House. Some conservatives sounded notes of discord Friday over the federal spending agreement, but they also said they would probably vote for the $500 billion package because it boosted defense spending and provided aid to farmers. Some conservatives sounded notes of discord Friday over the federal spending agreement, but they also said they would probably vote for the $500 billion package because it boosted defense spending and provided aid to farmers. The deal that President Clinton and Republican leaders hailed Thursday was a broad outline of areas of agreement on the final portion of the $1.7 trillion budget, not a written document. The deal that President Clinton and Republican leaders hailed Thursday was a broad outline of areas of agreement on the final portion of the $1.7 trillion budget, not a written document. On education, the issue that President Clinton has propelled to the forefront and on which Republicans do not want to appear recalcitrant , both sides have agreed to spend more than $1 billion but not on how to spend it. On education, the issue that President Clinton has propelled to the forefront and on which Republicans do not want to appear recalcitrant , both sides have agreed to spend more than $1 billion but not on how to spend it. For example, still unresolved is a dispute over whether airlines can create a ``peanut-free'' zone to protect passengers who are allergic to peanuts. For example, still unresolved is a dispute over whether airlines can create a ``peanut-free'' zone to protect passengers who are allergic to peanuts. Doctors ordered Russian President Boris Yeltsin to cut short his Central Asian trip because of a respiratory infection and he agreed to return home Monday, a day earlier than planned, officials said. Russian President Boris Yeltsin cut short a trip to Central Asia on Monday due to a respiratory infection that revived questions about his overall health and ability to lead Russia through a sustained economic crisis. President Boris Yeltsin stayed home Tuesday, nursing a respiratory infection that forced him to cut short a foreign trip and revived concerns about his ability to govern. Doctors insisted Monday that Yeltsin fly home from Central Asia a day ahead of schedule because he was suffering from an upper respiratory infection and had a mild fever of 37.4 Celsius (99.3 F). Yeltsin , 67, has a respiratory infection that forced him to cut short his first foreign visit in months on Monday. A respiratory infection forced him to cut short a trip to Central Asia earlier this week. A respiratory infection forced him to cut short a trip to Central Asia earlier this week. A respiratory infection forced him to cut short a trip to Central Asia earlier this week. A respiratory infection forced him to cut short a trip to Central Asia earlier this week. Russian President Boris Yeltsin , who is still recuperating from his latest illness, has canceled a trip to an Asian summit next month , his office said Friday. The president has been suffering from bronchitis and a cold this week , which forced him to cut short a visit to Central Asia on Monday. Yeltsin's premature return to Moscow also prompted doubts about his capacity to respond decisively in the Kosovo crisis, in which Russia has been leading a campaign to forestall airstrikes. Russian President Boris Yeltsin cut short a trip to Central Asia on Monday due to a respiratory infection that revived questions about his overall health and ability to lead Russia through a sustained economic crisis. Yeltsin, 67, has a history of health problems, including quintuple heart bypass surgery two years ago, so whenever he gets sick there is a flurry of speculation about his ability to function. Whenever Yeltsin falls ill, speculation arises about his ability to govern. Each new ailment rekindles speculation about his fitness to govern. The president insists he has no major health problems and will serve out the remaining two years of his term. The president insists he has no major health problems and will serve out the remaining two years of his term. Yeltsin insists he has no major illness and plans to serve out the remaining two years of his term. The president and his doctors say Yeltsin has no serious health problems and will serve out the final two years of his term. The president and his doctors say Yeltsin has no serious health problems and will serve out the final two years of his term. Russia's Constitutional Court opened hearings Thursday on whether Boris Yeltsin can seek a third term. Russia's Constitutional Court opened hearings Thursday on whether Boris Yeltsin can seek a third term. Russia's Constitutional Court opened hearings Thursday on whether Boris Yeltsin can seek a third term. Russia's Constitutional Court opened hearings Thursday on whether Boris Yeltsin can seek a third term. It has lost some of its urgency, as Yeltsin has grown physically and politically weaker and has said he will not run again. Yeltsin has flatly said he will not seek another term , and the opposition has concentrated its efforts on demanding an early resignation, riding a wave of popular discontent over the economic crisis. It has lost some of its urgency, as Yeltsin has grown physically and politically weaker and has said he will not run again. Yeltsin has flatly said he will not seek another term , and the opposition has concentrated its efforts on demanding an early resignation, riding a wave of popular discontent over the economic crisis. President Boris Yeltsin's doctors have pronounced his health ``more or less normal ,'' his wife Naina said in an interview published Wednesday. Yakushkin said Yeltsin's personal doctor, Sergei Mironov, confirmed that the president was suffering from a respiratory infection known as tracheal bronchitis and that ``his condition is stable. '' However, Yeltsin's condition was stable , Yakushkin said. Yeltsin was suffering from tracheobronchitis, had a fever of 37.4 Celsius (99.3 Fahrenheit) and was being treated with antibiotics , the president's doctors told the Interfax news agency. They said Yeltsin was being treated with antibiotics and there were no plans to hospitalize him. They said Yeltsin was being treated with antibiotics and there were no plans to hospitalize him. Yeltsin was suffering from tracheobronchitis, had a fever of 37.4 Celsius (99.3 Fahrenheit) and was being treated with antibiotics, the president's doctors told the Interfax news agency. Yeltsin's aides said the president was taking antibiotics to ward off a bout of bronchitis and a mild fever of 37.4 Celsius (99.3 Fahrenheit). Doctors insisted Monday that Yeltsin fly home from Central Asia a day ahead of schedule because he was suffering from an upper respiratory infection and had a mild fever of 37.4 Celsius (99.3 F). The president insists he has no major health problems and will serve out the remaining two years of his term. Yeltsin insists he has no major illness and plans to serve out the remaining two years of his term. The president and his doctors say Yeltsin has no serious health problems and will serve out the final two years of his term. Later Monday , Yeltsin is to go to Kazakstan , where he and Kazak President Nursultan Nazarbayev are expected to sign agreements on economic, science and technical cooperation and on combating drug trafficking. Doctors ordered Russian President Boris Yeltsin to cut short his Central Asian trip because of a respiratory infection and he agreed to return home Monday , a day earlier than planned, officials said. Some of the cases recounted here figure prominently in the suit brought by the Justice Department and 20 states , scheduled to go to trial this month, charging that Microsoft at times went too far _ and violated antitrust laws. But judging from an advance copy of the manuscript, the Justice Department and 20 states that are suing the software giant will find support for their arguments in the book as well. The 12-person witness list for the Justice Department and 20 states suing Microsoft reflects the new evidence added to the case since May. In an antitrust suit brought by the department and 20 states , the man whose company commands a 97 percent share of the market for personal computer operating systems is being depicted as a Nixonian schemer who will go to almost any length to crush his competition. The case of United States vs. Microsoft Corp. , the government's most aggressive move against a monopolist in almost 25 years, is playing out against a century of antitrust laws so broadly worded and court rulings so ambiguous that both sides are citing the same rulings to support their opposing arguments. The case of United States vs. Microsoft Corp. , the government's most aggressive move against a monopolist in almost 25 years, is playing out against a century of antitrust laws so broadly worded and court rulings so ambiguous that both sides are citing the same rulings to support their opposing arguments. The case of United States vs. Microsoft Corp., the government's most aggressive move against a monopolist in almost 25 years, is playing out against a century of antitrust laws so broadly worded and court rulings so ambiguous that both sides are citing the same rulings to support their opposing arguments. The case of United States vs. Microsoft Corp., the government's most aggressive move against a monopolist in almost 25 years, is playing out against a century of antitrust laws so broadly worded and court rulings so ambiguous that both sides are citing the same rulings to support their opposing arguments. Whatever the outcome of the trial, scheduled to begin Monday in U.S. District Court in Washington, an almost certain appeal will leave to the Supreme Court the task of bringing legal order to 100 years of clashing antitrust doctrines. Whatever the outcome of the trial, scheduled to begin Monday in U.S. District Court in Washington, an almost certain appeal will leave to the Supreme Court the task of bringing legal order to 100 years of clashing antitrust doctrines. The case focuses on Microsoft's Windows , the operating system that controls about 90 percent of all personal computers sold today. The case focuses on Microsoft's Windows , the operating system that controls about 90 percent of all personal computers sold today. 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. 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 government says its objective is to curb illegal monopolistic business practices that threaten to render large parts of the economy vulnerable to the vicissitudes of a single company. The government says its objective is to curb illegal monopolistic business practices that threaten to render large parts of the economy vulnerable to the vicissitudes of a single company. Microsoft asserts that the case is intended to give the government control over which features can be added to Windows. Microsoft asserts that the case is intended to give the government control over which features can be added to Windows. The contracts prohibit manufacturers from substituting Netscape Communications Corp.'s Navigator browser for Microsoft's Internet Explorer. The contracts prohibit manufacturers from substituting Netscape Communications Corp.'s Navigator browser for Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Following is the text of the first two sections of the Sherman Act , as passed by Congress in 1890. Bin Laden is believed to be living in Afghanistan under the protection of the Taliban , the Islamic fundamentalist movement that rules that country. Bin Laden is believed to be living in Afghanistan under the protection of the Taliban , the Islamic fundamentalist movement that rules that country. 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. 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. Bin Laden is believed to be living in Afghanistan. Bin Laden is believed to be living in Afghanistan. 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. 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. Saudi exile Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of a conspiracy to attack U.S. targets around the world , and Muhammad Atef, the alleged military commander of bin Laden's terrorist organization, Al-Qaeda, were charged in a separate 238-page indictment with murder and conspiracy in the bombings. A nearly simultaneous attack in neighboring Kenya killed 213 people, including 12 Americans , at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. 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 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. Police and soldiers on Friday blocked off the street in front of a house where members of a terrorist gang are believed to have assembled the bomb that blew up the U.S. Embassy, killing 11 people. In an nearly simultaneous bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam in neighboring Tanzania , 11 people were killed and 85 were injured, none of them Americans. And that excuse is Osama bin Laden , the man Washington calls Enemy No. ``America is looking for an excuse to fire more rockets on our dear Afghanistan and that excuse is bin Laden ,'' Saqib said. At least 26 people were killed , but damage to the area was not considered extensive. On Aug. 20 the United States retaliated by firing Tomahawk missiles at suspected terrorist camps in eastern Afghanistan, killing 26 people. All three men have pleaded not guilty. All three have pleaded innocent. 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. Federal prison officials have cut off virtually all communications for two men being held in Manhattan in the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The man accused of orchestrating the U.S. embassy bombings in Tanzania and Kenya was declared a free man Friday in Afghanistan , where he has lived for years with the permission of the hard-line Islamic Taliban militia. He is also credited with stabilizing the currency and restoring confidence in the postwar economy. He is also credited with stabilizing the currency and restoring confidence in the postwar economy. A billionaire businessman who made his fortune in Saudi Arabia, Hariri is credited with restoring economic confidence and stabilizing the national currency. A billionaire businessman who made his fortune in Saudi Arabia, Hariri is credited with restoring economic confidence and stabilizing the national currency. Hariri is credited with restoring economic confidence and stabilizing the national currency. Hariri is credited with restoring economic confidence and stabilizing the national currency. Hariri is credited with restoring economic confidence and stabilizing the national currency. Hariri is credited with restoring economic confidence and stabilizing the national currency. The decree was to be issued after the president polled members of the 128-seat Parliament on their choice for prime minister. The decree was to be issued after the president polled members of the 128-seat Parliament on their choice for prime minister. The Hariri camp argues that the president can poll Parliament members on their choice for prime minister but cannot accept a mandate to name a person of his choice. Lahoud had been expected to issue a presidential decree last week asking Hariri to form the next government after the president polled members of the 128-seat Parliament on their choice for prime minister. The offer came after the 128 legislators polled by the president gave Hariri a majority but fell short of the near unanimous backing he had received in his previous three mandates since 1992. The offer came after the 128 legislators polled by the president gave Hariri a majority but fell short of the near unanimous backing he had received in his previous three mandates since 1992. Hariri , Lebanon's top businessman, has almost single-handedly created a multibillion dollar program to rebuild a country destroyed by the civil war. Hariri, Lebanon's top businessman, has almost single-handedly created a multibillion dollar program to rebuild a country destroyed by the civil war. Hariri, Lebanon's top businessman, has almost single-handedly created a multibillion dollar program to rebuild a country destroyed by the civil war. Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the business tycoon who launched Lebanon's multibillion dollar reconstruction from the devastation of civil war , said Monday he was bowing out as premier following a dispute with the new president. Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the business tycoon who launched Lebanon's multibillion dollar reconstruction from the devastation of civil war , said Monday he was bowing out as premier following a dispute with the new president. The new president must be sworn in on Nov. 24 , the day Hrawi leaves office at the end of his six-year term. The new president must be sworn in on Nov. 24 , the day Hrawi leaves office after a six-year term. The new president will be sworn in Nov. 24 , the day Hrawi leaves office. Lahoud is to be sworn for a six-year term on Nov. 24 , the day President Elias Hrawi leaves office. Lahoud is to be sworn in for a six-year term on Nov. 24 , the day President Elias Hrawi leaves office. The commander of Lebanon's army will become the country's next president after winning the crucial backing of Syria , the powerbroker in Lebanon. A Cabinet minister and a close Syria ally on Wednesday criticized the Syrian-backed choice of the army commander as president , and said he will boycott a vote to elect the military man for the executive post. Parliament on Thursday formally elected Gen. Emile Lahoud, the popular army commander who has the backing of powerful neighbor Syria , as Lebanon's next president. Parliament on Thursday formally elected Gen. Emile Lahoud, the popular army commander who has the backing of powerful neighbor Syria , as Lebanon's next president. The British-trained general made his name rebuilding the army after it disintegrated in the civil war. The British-trained general made his name rebuilding the army after it disintegrated in the civil war. The general enjoys widespread popular backing after succeeding in rebuilding an army fractured by civil war. The general enjoys widespread popular backing after succeeding in rebuilding an army fractured by civil war. The 128-member legislature is expected to meet Thursday to elect Lahoud after outgoing President Elias Hrawi signs the constitutional amendment. Parliament on Thursday formally elected Gen. Emile Lahoud , the popular army commander who has the backing of powerful neighbor Syria, as Lebanon's next president. Parliament on Thursday formally elected Gen. Emile Lahoud , the popular army commander who has the backing of powerful neighbor Syria, as Lebanon's next president. Hariri is still the front-runner to form the next government but Saturday's Daily Star newspaper quoted sources as saying that Hariri was ``outraged'' that only 62 of the 128 members in Parliament declared their support for him during a meeting with Lahoud Friday. Although Hariri's move could be a bargaining tactic, since he remains the front-runner for the premiership , the apparent tension between the two powerful men could affect Lebanon's economic stability as it recovers from the 1975-90 civil war. Although Hariri's move could be a bargaining tactic, since he remains the front-runner for the premiership , the apparent tension between the two powerful men could affect Lebanon's economic stability as it recovers from the 1975-90 civil war. He demanded that Lahoud admit that he acted unconstitutionally by allowing 31 Parliament deputies to authorize him to name a prime minister instead of naming one themselves. He demanded that Lahoud admit that he acted unconstitutionally by allowing 31 Parliament deputies to authorize him to name a prime minister instead of naming one themselves. He demanded that Lahoud admit that he acted unconstitutionally by allowing 31 Parliament deputies to authorize him to name a prime minister instead of naming one themselves. Asked if there was a risk of renewed conflict in Lebanon over the alleged tampering with the constitution , Hariri said: ``If the president continues with this, I don't know what will happen.'' Asked if there was a risk of renewed conflict in Lebanon over the alleged tampering with the constitution, Hariri said: ``If the president continues with this, I don't know what will happen.'' Asked if there was a risk of renewed conflict in Lebanon over the alleged tampering with the constitution , Hariri said: ``If the president continues with this, I don't know what will happen.'' His colleague in the China Democracy Party , Wang Youcai, was sentenced to 11 years , in a verdict announced by a court in Hangzhou four days after his trial. Also sentenced Monday , to 11 years in prison , was Wang Youcai, 32, founder of the China Democracy Party, which has now been suppressed. Chinese courts sentenced dissidents Xu Wenli and Wang Youcai to 13 and 11 years for trying to organize an opposition political party. Chinese courts sentenced dissidents Xu Wenli and Wang Youcai to 13 and 11 years for trying to organize an opposition political party. The dissidents _ Xu Wenli, who was sentenced Monday to 13 years in prison, Wang Youcai , who received an 11-year sentence , and Qin Yongming, who was reported to have received 12 years were charged with subversion. The 13-year prison term given Xu Wenli after a 3 1/2-hour trial in Beijing was the longest for a Chinese dissident in three years. The 13-year prison term given Xu Wenli after a 3 1/2-hour trial in Beijing was the longest for a Chinese dissident in three years. After a trial that lasted just three and a half hours, Xu Wenli _ at 55 the dean of the dissident movement, and a man who has already spent 12 years in prison for advocating democracy _ was sentenced to 13 years for ``subversion of state power. '' He has told police interrogators he expects to be jailed, likely for a few years less than the 13 given China Democracy Party leader Xu Wenli on Monday. Chinese courts sentenced dissidents Xu Wenli and Wang Youcai to 13 and 11 years for trying to organize an opposition political party. Chinese courts sentenced dissidents Xu Wenli and Wang Youcai to 13 and 11 years for trying to organize an opposition political party. Jiang's harsh tone punctuated the summary trials and convictions for subversion this week of three political critics who tried to form an opposition party. For organizing the party and thereby challenging the ruling Communist Party, Xu , 55, is accused of subverting state power , a crime punishable by 10 years to life in prison. Xu remained defiant during his tightly controlled trial on subversion charges. Wang was tried on subversion charges on Thursday in a brief court session , with no defense lawyer, in the eastern city of Hangzhou. Liu was imprisoned three times in the past 17 years. Six months after President Clinton traveled to Beijing and challenged China's leaders to move rapidly toward political reform, the administration's policy of engaging Beijing was called into question Monday when Chinese courts sentenced three of the nation's most prominent dissidents to long jail sentences. German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, who drew China's anger recently by meeting with exiled dissident Wei Jingsheng, said China's sentencing of two dissidents Monday was unacceptable and flouted an international treaty the country recently signed. German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, who drew China's anger recently by meeting with exiled dissident Wei Jingsheng, said China's sentencing of two dissidents Monday was unacceptable and flouted an international treaty the country recently signed. After a trial that lasted just three and a half hours, Xu Wenli _ at 55 the dean of the dissident movement, and a man who has already spent 12 years in prison for advocating democracy _ was sentenced to 13 years for ``subversion of state power.'' After a trial that lasted just three and a half hours, Xu Wenli _ at 55 the dean of the dissident movement, and a man who has already spent 12 years in prison for advocating democracy _ was sentenced to 13 years for ``subversion of state power.'' ``The accused simply tried through peaceful means to exercise their right to free speech and assembly , which are guaranteed by China's constitution,'' and by the United Nations' International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which China recently signed, Fischer said in a statement. ``The accused simply tried through peaceful means to exercise their right to free speech and assembly , which are guaranteed by China's constitution,'' and by the United Nations' International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which China recently signed, Fischer said in a statement. ``The accused simply tried through peaceful means to exercise their right to free speech and assembly , which are guaranteed by China's constitution ,'' and by the United Nations' International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which China recently signed, Fischer said in a statement. ``The accused simply tried through peaceful means to exercise their right to free speech and assembly , which are guaranteed by China's constitution ,'' and by the United Nations' International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which China recently signed, Fischer said in a statement. ``The accused simply tried through peaceful means to exercise their right to free speech and assembly, which are guaranteed by China's constitution,'' and by the United Nations' International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which China recently signed, Fischer said in a statement. ``The accused simply tried through peaceful means to exercise their right to free speech and assembly, which are guaranteed by China's constitution,'' and by the United Nations' International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which China recently signed, Fischer said in a statement.