22 January 2004 Thursday 29 Ziqa'ad 1424 Opposition calls for Koizumi's resignation: Iraq deployment TOKYO, Jan 21: Japan's opposition camp on Wednesday stepped up pressure on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi over the dispatch of troops to Iraq amid expectations that the formal order for a full deployment will come as early as Monday. ... Invasion's legality to be challenged: Lawyers to approach ICC on Iraq LONDON: A strong case arguing the illegality of the invasion of Iraq will be handed soon to the International Criminal Court at The Hague. ... Kuwait ready for talks on Iraq debt KUWAIT, Jan 21: Kuwait told Washington's debt envoy James Baker on Wednesday that it was willing to begin talks over reducing debts owed by Iraq, but that the issue would need parliament's approval. ... Rescinding of unified code may divide Iraqi society BAGHDAD: A proposal to rescind Iraq's unified personal status code in favour of Sharia law could divide an already war-torn society characterized by a diverse mix of ethnic, religious and tribal communities. ... Bush's claim of 'safer America' questioned DAVOS: Security analysts and a leading human rights campaigner called on Wednesday for a rethink of the "war on terror" and challenged President George Bush's assertion that it was making America safer. ... Poor intelligence blamed for US attacks in Afghanistan KABUL, Jan 21: A combination of poor intelligence and a tendency to "shoot first and ask questions later" are to blame for a string of fatal attacks by US troops on civilians in Afghanistan, according to analysts. ... Pope warns against 'peace by force' VATICAN CITY: Pope John Paul cautioned world leaders on Wednesday against obtaining peace through the use of military force, a day after the US president defended his decision to invade Iraq. ... Hundreds of Taliban likely to be released SHEBERGHAN, Jan 21: A judicial commission into the jailing of some 900 Taliban and al-Qaeda operatives held in an infamous northern prison for more than two years is expected to release its findings next week, an official said. ... ME ignored in 'State of the Union' address WASHINGTON, Jan 21: US President George Bush ignored the troubled Middle East peace process on his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday, making no mention of the roadmap for an Israeli-Palestinian settlement ... Democrats accuse Bush of making Americans unsafe NEW YORK, Jan 21: Demoractic candidates getting ready to oust President George Bush from the White House on Tuesday severely criticized his State of the Union address as being full of empty promises ... Bush plans to permit Internet surveillance NEW YORK: The Bush administration is pushing to ratify an international convention that civil libertarians say would pose serious threats to privacy rights at home and abroad. ... WSF tried to practise what it preached MUMBAI: With Microsoft off the computers and soft drinks off the menu, the anti-globalization movement's annual convention tried to practise what it preached: a world free from the influence of big corporations. ... Australian troops sold guns for drugs: weekly SYDNEY, Jan 21: Australian soldiers may have sold army-issue guns to biker gangs in exchange for illicit drugs, the country's premier current affairs magazine said on Wednesday. ... Kelly disputed '45 minutes' idea: BBC LONDON, Jan 21: British government weapons expert David Kelly said in a BBC interview nine months before he took his life that it would have taken "days or weeks" for Iraq to mobilize its chemical or biological weapons ... UK, France, Germany hold 'dinner talks' LONDON, Jan 21: Britain confirmed on Wednesday a three-way dinner between the British, French and German foreign ministers two days earlier, at which they discussed Iraq, Iran and other issues. ... Britain prepares to legislate curbs on fundamental rights LONDON: The Civil Contingencies Bill, published on January 7, is meant to serve as a legal veneer for the Labour government of Prime Minister Tony Blair to defend its own existence during an "emergency". ... N. Korea storing plutonium: US WASHINGTON, Jan 21: North Korea is accumulating plutonium that could be used to make a nuclear weapon from a reactor that has been restarted at its controversial Yongbyon research complex, a top US atomic expert said on Wednesday. ... WSF ends with huge rally MUMBAI, Jan 21: Drums rolled as thousands of people, from Tibetan monks in maroon robes to tribals with feathers in their hair, gathered for an anti-war march in Mumbai as a huge anti-globalization meeting wound down on Wednesday. ...

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