pennlive.com The Associated Press 2/15/03 7:32 PM

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Rattled by an outpouring of anti-war sentiment, the United States and Britain began reworking a draft resolution Saturday to authorize force against Saddam Hussein.

Diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the final product may be a softer text that does not explicitly call for war.

Before Friday's dramatic Security Council meeting, where weapons inspectors gave a relatively favorable accounting of Iraq's recent cooperation, U.S. and British diplomats said they had been preparing a toughly worded resolution that would give them U.N. backing for military action.

British diplomats had said then that any resolution would have to include an authorization of force. They described working versions of the draft as short, simply worded texts that found Iraq in "material breach" of its obligations and reiterated that Saddam now faces "serious consequences" as a result.

In diplomatic terms, coupling the consequences with material breach would be tantamount to an authorization.

Mass marches in London, Rome, Berlin and Damascus, clashes in Athens on day of global protest

LONDON (AP) -- Millions of protesters -- many of them marching in the capitals of America's traditional allies -- demonstrated Saturday against possible U.S. plans to attack Iraq.

In a global outpouring of anti-war sentiment, Rome claimed the biggest turnout -- 1 million according to police, while organizers claimed three times that figure.

In London, at least 750,000 people joined the city's biggest demonstration ever, police said. About 660,000 people protested in Madrid, Spain, police said, while organizers said three times that number gathered.

Berlin had up to half-a-million people on the streets, and Paris was estimated to have had about 100,000.

Peace activists hoped to draw 100,000 demonstrators in New York for a protest near the United Nations.

Emboldened Iraq stages huge marches, says it can fight for 10 years

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- An emboldened Iraq held huge demonstrations Saturday and boasted of having "men and supplies to fight for 10 years" as the United States and Britain sought to recover from a diplomatic setback to their hard-line stance against Saddam Hussein.

On a worldwide day of anti-war protests, tens of thousands of people marched in cities across Iraq, many brandishing assault rifles and waving giant pictures of Saddam.

On Saturday, a senior member of the ruling Baath Party presided over a central Baghdad demonstration and other party figures greeted demonstrators from a stage erected for the occasion.

Chief U.N. weapons inspectors indicated Friday that Saddam has shown increasing cooperation with their mission to make sure Iraq has eliminated its weapons of mass destruction. That assertion dashed U.S. and British hopes of galvanizing council support for a threat to disarm Iraq by force.

The inspectors continued their work Saturday, visiting a dozen sites across the country.

Authorities search for Americans allegedly abducted by Colombian rebels

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- Hundreds of Colombian soldiers and U.S.-donated Black Hawk helicopters scoured rebel territory Saturday for three Americans allegedly kidnapped by a rebel group after their plane crashed in the region while on a spy mission, the army said.

Rebels shot and killed a fourth American and a Colombian army sergeant who were also on the plane, the country's top military commander, Gen. Jorge Mora said.

The U.S. aircraft was on an intelligence mission when it went down Thursday in a drug-producing area crawling with fighters from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. The pilot of the single-engine Cessna reported engine trouble shortly before the crash.

Bolivia calls for human rights investigation of shooting deaths during protests

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) -- Bolivia called on international human rights groups Saturday to investigate the shooting deaths of 13 people in rioting that swept the capital last week.

Government officials said President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada would appeal to activists to probe the deaths of four soldiers and nine police officers killed during demonstrations in La Paz's central plaza Wednesday.

Rights groups in Bolivia blasted the government's heavy-handed response to the protests, criticizing the use of live ammunition and tanks to break up the demonstrations.

Witnesses and reporters said unidentified gunmen fired into the crowd from nearby rooftops.

Clashes between soldiers and striking police and protesters left 22 people dead and about 140 people injured. Protesters also torched 12 government buildings.

Four Israeli soldiers killed in bomb attack on tank

JERUSALEM (AP) -- A roadside bomb in the Gaza Strip turned a passing Israeli army tank into a fireball Saturday, wiping out its four-man crew in an attack claimed by the militant Palestinian Islamic group Hamas.

The blast from the 220 pound device detonated the U.S.-made Patton tank's fuel and ammunition, setting the vehicle ablaze, the military said.

In a statement faxed to news agencies Hamas said the bombing was revenge for the deaths of two of its activists who were killed in the same vicinity in a clash with Israeli troops earlier this week.

The attack, near the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia, occurred Saturday morning but the Israeli military censor delayed publication for nearly 10 hours until relatives were informed.

U.S. ally Bahrain arrests five men allegedly planning terror attacks

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) -- Bahraini authorities have broken up an alleged terrorist ring suspected of planning attacks in this Gulf kingdom, home of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, officials said Saturday.

Five Bahraini men aged 31-41 were arrested for plotting terrorist acts against the island's "national interests and endangering the lives of innocent people," the official Bahrain News Agency reported.

Police also seized weapons and ammunition that the detainees were planning to use "for carrying out acts of terrorism targeting the security of the country and the people," the agency reported.

Bahraini officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the arrests -- the first terror-related detentions inside this close U.S. ally since Sept. 11 -- occurred in the past two days.

It was not clear if the men were part of a larger terrorist network.

Belgium proposes steps to end bitter NATO deadlock over Turkey aid

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- Belgium offered a compromise Saturday to end a bitter dispute within the NATO alliance over providing military aid to Turkey in advance of a possible war against Iraq.

Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said Belgium, France and Germany would endorse a U.S. proposal for such help if NATO makes clear the aid is defensive in nature and must not be seen as making the alliance a participant in war preparations against Iraq.

NATO called an urgent session of the ambassadors of its 19 member states for Sunday to discuss the proposal.

Verhofstadt said his government has been consulting with France and Germany on language letting the three countries drop their vetoes against plans to deploy early-warning aircraft, missile defenses and anti-biochemical units to Turkey, the only NATO country bordering Iraq.

Oliver Stone films Castro documentary in Cuba

BERLIN (AP) -- Oliver Stone says Fidel Castro's charm did not cause him to lose his objectivity when filming a documentary of the 76-year-old Cuban president.

Nevertheless, the three-day encounter with the communist leader left a deep impression. "We should look to him as one of the Earth's wisest people, one of the people we should consult," Stone said at a press conference after "Comandante" was screened Friday at the Berlin Film Festival.

"The film is an attempt to portray the human figure," Stone said of the HBO documentary in which Castro talks about late fellow revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara and the assassination of President Kennedy, and offers a rare glimpse into his private life.

Stone, director of "Platoon" and "Nixon," said Castro's regime has achieved much, such as providing schooling and basic services lacking elsewhere in Latin America. He said he hoped the film helps lead the United States to drop its long-standing embargo against Cuba.

A dream final round: Tiger leading, playing with Mickelson

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The return of Tiger Woods is shaping up to be a real treat. Not only is he leading the Buick Invitational, he gets to spend the final round with Phil Mickelson trying to chase him down.

With a dazzling array of shots and a diet of crucial pars on the back nine, Woods ended an entertaining day by hitting into a corporate tent and still making birdie for a 4-under 68, giving him a one-stroke lead over Brad Faxon.

"I'm excited about even having a chance after taking off as much time as I did," said Woods, who was at 12-under 204.

In his first tournament since Dec. 12 surgery on his left knee, Woods didn't waste any time getting back into a familiar position. The next test is whether he can hold the lead, something he does better than anyone.

Woods is 26-2 on the PGA Tour when he has at least a share of the 54-hole lead, and the last one to beat him from behind was Mickelson, in the 2000 Tour Championship at East Lake.

www.news8austin.com 2/15/2003 7:10 PM By: News 8 Austin Staff

The 14 Austin-Bergstrom International Airport employees that were arrested last month pled guilty to falsifying information on their job applications.

The workers were part of the 28 ABIA employees charged in a federal crackdown to tighten airport security.

None of the workers are terrorism suspects, but officials say they posed a security risk because their badges gave them access to restricted areas.

Of the 28 charged, 18 were arrested and 10 remain at large.

Four cases are awaiting adjudication.

All were living in the United States illegally. Officials say the 14 who pled guilty will be deported.

www.ipsnews.net Haider Rizvi

NEW YORK, Feb 15 (IPS) - More than 500,000 people took to the streets here Saturday protesting U.S. plans to invade Iraq. ''No blood for oil. We want peace,'' roared protesters as they marched in scattered crowds of tens of thousands through streets heavily barricaded by police. ''No war against Iraq. Not in our name,'' they kept chanting as the crowds streamed to the assembly point outside the United Nations building. Old New Yorkers say they have never experienced such a massive rally, including during protests against the Vietnam War in the 1970s. ''This is amazing,'' said 60-year-old Jack Speyer, shivering with cold. ''Look at these men and women. It's unbelievable.'' The enormous crowd dwarfed the expectations of police and organisers, who had hoped for over 100,000 people. City officials refused to allow a march, but a federal court permitted organisers to hold a stationary rally. Organisers claimed the demonstration attracted close to one million people. Police used horses and thousands of barricades to separate demonstrators, many of whom brought young children, into small groups. Several protesters were arrested, but no details are available. ''Is this democracy? Stop it,'' an old woman shouted as a police contingent blocked the way and knocked down two demonstrators with their horses. Police on a high anti-terrorism alert also used hazardous materials decontamination equipment, bomb-sniffing dogs and air-sampling equipment able to detect chemical or biological weapons. Many protesters played drums, guitars and other musical instruments and danced along the streets. ''Make love, not war,'' read a placard. Hundreds of young people had painted peace signs on their faces. Three hundred buses and four special trains brought protesters from throughout the country to the nation's largest demonstration, the day after anti-war statements in the United Nations Security Council were applauded by the majority of Council members. While the United States is pushing for second Council resolution that would authorise military action against Iraq, it has only one staunch ally in the body - Britain. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan told Abu Dhabi television on Saturday that the search for evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq should continue. ”But if there is no co-operation then the council will see that the operation has become meaningless and that inspections could end.” ”The ball is again in the Iraqi leadership's court,” Annan said, reported Reuters. In Canada, protesters hit the streets amid warnings of frostbite and hypothermia, but rallied in larger numbers than for the Jan. 18 worldwide protests. In east-coast Halifax, more than 2,000 marched, some carrying a huge banner depicting Guernica, Pablo Picasso's famous painting of the bombing of that Spanish city during the Spanish Civil War, now a potent anti-war symbol. In Montreal, more than 100,000 people, bundled thickly against the biting cold, turned the march along a downtown street into a family affair, as many pushed red-cheeked children in strollers or perched them on their shoulders. Labour unions, women's groups and anti-capitalist organisations flew banners while others held handmade signs such as 'Drop Bush, Not Bombs' and 'Beating War Drums Drown Out the Voice of Reason'. Prime Minister Jean Chretien continued to receive rare praise for his Thursday speech in Chicago, where he told the Council on Foreign Relations that, ”Not everyone around the world is prepared to take the word of the United States on faith”. Attacking Iraq without U.N. backing would risk a ”clash of civilisations”, added Chretien. In New York, speaker after speaker deplored the administration of President George W. Bush for its disregard for the lives of innocent civilians in Iraq. ''This war is immoral,'' said South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu. ''Those who are going to get killed in Iraq are not collateral damage. They are human beings. They are our brothers and sisters.'' ''Let America listen to the rest of the world and the rest of the world is saying, 'Give the inspectors time',” the Noble Peace Prize laureate added. Many speakers condemned Washington's increasing assaults on constitutional rights. ''Bush has started an undeclared war on our civil liberties,'' said Donna Lieberman, a leader of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). ''Our right to dissent has been hijacked by this administration of liars and murderers,'' added Danny Glover, an African American and popular Hollywood actor. ''We stand here against re-colonisation.'' Student Sara Khan asked protesters to consider why no more money exists for U.S. public schools. ''We want to learn,'' she said. ''Spend money on schools, not on war.'' ''Yeah. Write it down,'' shouted Jessica, a first year college student from Texas. ''We are here to tell students all over the world that we are not silent.'' Tehmina Faryal, an Afghan woman, told the rally that war cannot bring democracy to Iraq, ''just as it didn't bring democracy to Afghanistan. They changed the regime, not the system.'' Organiser United for Peace and Justice, an umbrella group of dozens of anti-war groups, said similar protests took place in more than 100 cities and towns throughout the United States. (END/2003)

www.wtol.com

FINDALY -- The University of Findaly is getting a $1.5 million federal grant. The money will go to its Center for Terrorism Preparedness, which provides terrorism response training.

According to U.S. Rep. Michael Oxley, the grant money is included in the fiscal year 2003 budget bill passed by Congress last week. The only formality left is President Bush's signature on the bill.

The University of Findaly is one of the leading schools in the United States when it comes to training first responders. It began that teaching in 1986 with its environmental management program, focusing on handling biohazards. The Center for Terrorism Preparedness was established in 1999. It provides education, training and information services to the public health and medical community, city and county officials, and corporate safety and security personnel.

Last year it was designated as one of only 14 Centers for Public Health Preparedness for Bioterrorism and Emerging Health Threats by the Centers for Disease Control.

Posted 9:30 PM Saturday, February 15th vfiorello@wtol.com

www.thestar.com.my

NEW YORK: Millions of protesters marched in dozens of countries around the globe - many in capitals of America's allies - demonstrating against U.S. plans to attack Iraq.

In a global outpouring of anti-war sentiment Saturday, Rome claimed the biggest turnout - 1 million according to police, while organizers claimed three times that figure.

In London, at least 750,000 people demonstrated in what police called the city's largest demonstration ever. In Spain, several million people turned out at anti-war rallies in about 55 cities and towns across the country, with more than 500,000 each attending rallies in Madrid and Barcelona.

Spanish police gauged the Madrid turnout at 660,000. Organizers claimed nearly 2 million people gathered across the nation in one of the biggest demonstrations since the 1975 death of dictator Gen. Francisco Franco.

More than 70,000 people marched in Amsterdam in the largest Netherlands demonstration since anti-nuclear rallies of the 1980s.

Berlin had up to half-million people on the streets, and Paris was estimated to have had about 100,000.

North of the United Nations headquarters in New York, demonstrators packed the streets, filling police-barricaded protest zones for more than 20 blocks as civil rights leaders and celebrities energized the banner-waving crowd.

"Just because you have the biggest gun does not mean you must use it,'' Martin Luther King III, son of the slain civil rights leader, told demonstrators in New York as he stood before an enormous banner reading: "The World Says No To War.''

Police in Athens, Greece, fired tear gas in clashes with several hundred anarchists wearing hoods and crash helmets who smashed store windows and threw a gasoline bomb at a newspaper office.

Four youths were arrested in the Athens demonstrations, which included thousand of protesters unfurling a giant banner across the wall of the ancient Acropolis - "NATO, U.S. and EU equals War.''

London's marchers hoped - in the words of keynote speaker the Rev. Jesse Jackson - to "turn up the heat'' on Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has been Europe's biggest supporter of U.S. President George Bush's tough Iraq policy.

Rome's legions were showing their disagreement with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's support for Bush, while demonstrators in Paris and Berlin backed the skeptical stances of their governments.

Tommaso Palladini, 56, who traveled from Milan to Rome, said, "You don't fight terrorism with a preventive war. You fight terrorism by creating more justice in the world.''

Organizers of the New York rally, who had hoped for 100,000 people, estimated the crowd at anywhere from 375,000 to 500,000. NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said about 100,000 people were in the crowd, which stretched 20 blocks deep and spanned three avenues.

Fifty arrests were made and two protesters were hospitalized - one with an epileptic seizure and another who had diabetes, Kelly said. Eight officers also were injured, including a mounted police officer who was pulled off his horse and beaten, Kelly said.

Police estimated that 60,000 turned out in Oslo, Norway, 50,000 in bitter cold in Brussels, while about 35,000 gathered peacefully in frigid Stockholm.

About 80,000 marched in Dublin, Irish police said. Crowds were estimated at 70,000 in Amsterdam; 20,000 in Montreal; 40,000 in Bern, Switzerland; 30,000 in Glasgow, Scotland; 25,000 in Copenhagen; 15,000 in Vienna; 5,000 in Cape Town and 4,000 in Johannesburg in South Africa; 5,000 in Tokyo and 2,000 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Security in New York was extraordinarily tight, with the city on high alert for terrorist threats. All along the streets around the U.N. headquarters on Manhattan's East Side, authorities deployed a new security "package'' including sharpshooters and officers with radiation detectors, hazardous materials decontamination equipment, bomb-sniffing dogs and air-sampling equipment able to detect chemical or biological weapons.

Several leaders of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's government took part in the Berlin protest, which turned the tree-lined street between the Brandenburg Gate and the 19th-century Victory Column into a sea of banners, balloons emblazoned with "No war in Iraq'' and demonstrators swaying to live music from the stage.

"We hope that the United States will listen to Mexico, a country so close to its borders,'' said Guadalupe Harpo, a 25-year-old housewife who marched with thousands in Mexico City. "We don't want war. The world does not want war. We want the government in Washington to know that.''

Protests were held across the United States, from Maine to Hawaii, and from Texas to Minnesota.

At a statehouse rally in Boise, Idaho, Iraqi immigrant Azam Houle said she fled the "suffocating police state'' 27 years ago, but that invading her homeland was not the solution.

"We seem to think we can destroy a country and then build a democracy,'' she said. "Democracy at gunpoint isn't democracy.''

In Little Rock, Arkansas, Vietnam veteran Gary Gish of San Antonio yelled at about 500 anti-war demonstrators marching on President Clinton Avenue.

"Clinton and his administration let Iraq go for eight years,'' he said. "We should back our leaders.''

In Baghdad, tens of thousands of Iraqis, many carrying Kalashnikov assault rifles, demonstrated to support Saddam Hussein and denounce the United States. - AP