10 April 2004 Saturday 19 Safar 1425 White House agrees to release Al Qaeda memo CRAWFORD, April 9: Under pressure from the 9/11 commission, the White House on Friday worked to declassify an intelligence memo that was used to inform President George Bush on Aug 6, 2001, that Osama bin Laden wanted to launch attacks inside the United States. ... Japan PM rejects calls to withdraw Iraq troops TOKYO, April 9: The families of three Japanese hostages in Iraq voiced anger and despair on Friday as the government refused to pull its troops from the country as the deadline for their threatened execution drew nearer. ... Violence threatens to unravel UN plans for Iraq UNITED NATIONS: Growing military attacks on foreign civilians and the violent uprising against the US military occupation are threatening to unravel a UN plan for nation-wide elections in Iraq ... Now it is US that needs rescuing LONDON: Since the end of the second world war, a cycle of military victory and defeat has been evident in American politics. It has taken the country from the apex of its military strength in 1945 to near disaster and then qualified victory in Korea ... Why is Britain clinging to its arsenal LONDON: The other day anti-nuclear campaigners begin their traditional Easter march from Trafalgar Square to the quaintly named Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston, Berkshire. ... Islam growing fast in Rwanda: paper NEW YORK, April 9: Islam is becoming the fastest growing religion in Rwanda where some 800,000 people were killed in a genocide ten years ago. "Roman Catholicism has been the dominant faith in Rwanda for more than a century. ... US troops eating snakes in Indian jungles VAIRENGTE, April 9: US troops are being fed venomous vipers, dogs and monkeys as part of military exercises to sharpen skills in jungle combat in India's insurgency-torn northeastern state of Mizoram. ... Pakistani actor to work in Indian film MUMBAI, April 9: In the first major attempt at a cross-border film since the peace process between Pakistan and India began, a Pakistani superstar has been cast in a Bollywood potboiler, the film's director said on Friday. ... Chandrika seeks support of all parties COLOMBO, April 9: President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge, in her first address to the nation on Tuesday after her party's victory in the April 2 polls ... Asian states to sign agreement on highway BANGKOK, April 9: A decades-old dream of building Asia's first trans-national highway will move a step closer this month as 24 of 32 countries committed to it will sign an agreement for a road from Japan to western Russia ... Finns tap Arctic water for Arab exports HELSINKI: The land of a thousand lakes wants to sell you some of its water. With a seemingly endless supply of the cleanest ground water in the world, Finland's capital Helsinki has set up a company that bottles and sells what Finns get through the kitchen tap. ... Bouteflika re-elected ALGIERS, April 9: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has won re-election in a landslide, according to official results released on Friday, becoming the first Algerian leader to return to power in a democratic vote in 42 years. ...

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