OIC warns Israeli policies would cause more instability

By: Rafiullah

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has expressed solidarity with the Palestinians and warned that the continuation of the current policies by Israel would fan the flames of conflict and would result in more bloodshed and instability in the region.

A communiqué, issued Wednesday from the OIC secretariat on 33rd anniversary of the burning of the Al-Aqsa mosque by the Zionist occupiers, reviewed the history of the crimes committed by the Israelis against defenseless Palestinians.

“Israel has been ignoring the rules and norms observed by the international community and has been arresting, jailing or exiling large numbers of Palestinians,” the statement said.

The OIC called on Israel to lift siege on the Palestinians, and to observe the internationally accepted laws and regulations besides recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent Palestinian state with the Holy Qods as its capital.

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Arms inspectors’ return to Iraq could reduce war chances

By: Nabil Raza

LONDON: British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Iraqi President Saddam Hussein could reduce the chances of an attack by allowing the return of UN arms inspectors to his country.

Military action against Iraq remained an option because of the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, Straw said in an interview with BBC radio, adding: “If there is another way of dealing with that threat, then plainly the case for military action recedes.”

The secretary said the Iraqi leader represented a security threat from both his capabilities and his record.

“The best way of trying to isolate and reduce that threat is through the introduction of weapons inspectors,” he said.

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Pak throws out Held Kashmir patrolling proposal

By: Irfan Malik

KATHMANDU, Nepal: Reviving its proposal for foreign monitors on the border, Pakistan on Thursday threw out an Indian proposal for joint patrolling of their frontier in disputed Kashmir.

Talking to journalists on the sidelines of a two-day South Asian conference, SAARC, foreign minister Inamul Haq said: “No country should be allowed to be accuser and the judge.”

“If India claims infiltration is going on there must be some kind of international mechanism to monitor what's going on,” the minister said.

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Abu Sayyaf beheads 2 of 6 hostages in Philippines

By: Special Reporter

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines: Abu Sayyaf Group, said to have links with al-Qaida, beheaded overnight two of the six Filipino Christians abducted on a southern Philippine island, the military confirmed Thursday.

The severed heads of the slain hostages were found in different locations on Jolo Island.

According to Philippine authorities Abu Sayyaf kidnapped at gunpoint eight people on Tuesday on Jolo Island in southern Philippines, but later freed two of their captives.

The victims, all Philippine citizens, were said to be door-to-door cosmetics salespeople working for the American Company, Avon.

Washington condemned the kidnapping. US embassy spokesman Karen Kelley said: “We strongly condemn the latest terrorist attacks by the Abu Sayyaf Group who are the perpetrators of this crime. Terrorism is never justified and all the hostages should be released immediately, safely, and unconditionally.”

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UN ready to assist Afghan mass grave probe

By: Rafiullah

KABUL, Afghanistan: The UN said on Thursday it would be ready to help any investigation into an alleged mass grave in Afghanistan which is said to contain the hundreds of Taliban prisoners’ corpses.

The United Nations had not yet been asked for assistance by the Afghan government or the newly-formed Afghan Human Rights Commission, spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva told newsmen.

Silva said: “We have not been formally approached by them on this. But if there is a formal request by all means we would be prepared to help and support ourselves, and others.”

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