24 June 2004 Thursday 05 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425 Nato ready to deploy troops outside Kabul KABUL, June 23: Nato-led peacekeeping troops are poised to expand into northern Afghanistan within days following repeated calls from the government, the United Nations and aid agencies as resistance to occupation mounts, an official said on Wednesday. ... Militants threaten to kill Iraqi PM BAGHDAD, June 23: Militants vowed on Wednesday to assassinate Iraq's interim prime minister, hours after saying they had beheaded a South Korean hostage in the violent run-up to a US handover to Iraqi rule. ... Saddam tells family he's in good spirits WASHINGTON, June 23: Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein told his family that his morale was high, in a letter to one of his daughters reported by US media on Wednesday. ... Bush under pressure to try Saddam as soon as possible PHILADELPHIA, June 23: President George Bush is under pressure from Republican allies to have Saddam Hussein put on trial swiftly, a move they hope might boost support for the Iraq invasion before the November US presidential election. ... Iraq's struggle for sovereignty OXFORD: The United States and Britain claim to be handing sovereignty to Iraq next week. In fact, the occupying power cannot legally transfer sovereignty on June 30 for one simple reason: it does not possess it. ... Arafat asked to carry out reform: Egypt's condition for security help RAMALLAH, June 23: Egypt gave Yasser Arafat two months to make good on promises of reform if Cairo is to help Palestinians keep order in Gaza after an Israeli pullout, officials said on Wednesday. ... Opposition forces US to drop move: Immunity for soldiers UNITED NATIONS, June 23: The United States abandoned its effort on Wednesday to seek a UN exemption for US soldiers from prosecution overseas and withdrew a Security Council resolution because it lacked support. ... US offers to take N. Korea off list BEIJING, June 23: The United States tabled a new proposal on the opening day of six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear drive Wednesday, which could include taking Pyongyang of its list of terrorist states. ... Egypt's Gaza security offer fraught with risks CAIRO: Egypt's offer to help Palestinians cope with any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza threatens to drag it into the crossfire of a conflict with no easy exit. ... US says it needs strong ties with India NEW DELHI, June 23: The United States was quoted on Wednesday as saying that its key interests propelled the quest for strong ties with India ... Attack in Ingushetia: toll rises to 92 MOSCOW, June 23: The death toll from a major assault by guerillas in southern Russia's Ingushetia region has risen to 92, the regional government said on Wednesday. ... Aga Khan for rich-poor cooperation TORONTO, June 23: "True regime change occurs when liberty is guaranteed by a people free to create or support institutions of their own choosing. ... Arms sales killing development goals: report BRUSSELS: Arms-exporting governments are undermining the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by diverting vital resources from crucial areas such as health and education, warns a new report. ... Investors wary of Asia's new leaders SINGAPORE: Can India's new government boost welfare spending without losing control of its budget deficit? Can Taiwan soothe ties with China? Can the Philippines widen its tax base and end Muslim and communist insurgencies? ...

© The DAWN Group of Newspapers, 2004