23 February 2005 Wednesday 13 Muharram 1426 Tehran denies Osama arrest TEHRAN, Feb 22: Iran has denied suggestions that it has arrested Osama bin Laden on the border with Pakistan. Some Iranian websites quoted American officials as saying Osama had been arrested two weeks ago by Iranian forces. ... Shia bloc names Jaafari for PM's post BAGHDAD, Feb 22: Iraqi Vice President Ibrahim Jaafari was anointed on Tuesday by the Shia coalition that swept to victory in the Jan 30 elections as its candidate for the country's premier ship. ... Iraq war was undertaken on false assumptions: expert JEDDAH, Feb 22: The war on Iraq "was undertaken on false assumptions, perhaps on false claims," said Zbigniew Brzezinski, a former US national security adviser. ... Iraq's road to reconstruction studded with potholes BAGHDAD, Feb 21: Last June, Walid al-Sadoon made the dangerous drive from Baghdad to a US military base near the Iraqi city of Ramadi to check out a potential building site. ... A strong UN vital to humanity: Annan NEW YORK, Feb 22: Reeling under the cloud of scandals from the Iraqi oil programme to sexual abuse by peacekeepers, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said the world body is "vital to humanity" and promised to reform and strengthen it. ... Bush voices concern over EU move : Lifting of China embargo BRUSSELS, Feb 22: President George Bush voiced "deep concern" on Tuesday about European plans to lift its 15-year arms embargo on China, as it emerged the EU is drafting a plan to try to allay Washington's fears. ... France seeks US incentives for Iran BRUSSELS, Feb 22: French President Jacques Chirac said on Tuesday he had urged US President George Bush to help European negotiations to curb Iran's nuclear programme by offering incentives on trade and aviation. ... Survivors of Iran quake dig through rubble DAHUYEH, Feb 22: Stumbling through rubble, their faces stained with tears, women who survived Tuesday's earthquake in Iran looked to the heavens in anguish as freezing rain lashed their flattened mountain village. ... 'French fries' back on menu BRUSSELS, Feb 22: President George Bush called the French leader by his first name Jacques, ate "French fries", and joked about inviting the Iraq invasion opponent to his Texas ranch, saying, "I'm looking for a good cowboy." ... Will Bush act as Bismarck? BRUSSELS: Like him or not, Doug Wead reflected to reporters at the weekend, George Bush was going to be "a huge historical figure". It was therefore legitimate, Wead thought, to release secret tapes ... China uneasy over new US-Japanese pact BEIJING: China is perplexed over an updated US-Japanese strategic agreement, saying its reference to Taiwan violates China's national sovereignty and its criticism of China's military buildup is "untenable." ... Putin accuses West of using 'democracy' to weaken Russia MOSCOW, Feb 22: Russia has chosen the path of democracy but democratic institutions must be adapted to suit Russia's specific needs and the West should not use criticism of this process as a means of trying to weaken the Russian state ... Russians complain against Putin MOSCOW: A group of leading academics has appealed to US President George W. Bush to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to change his "authoritarian course". ... Japan, Brazil oppose proposal: Nuclear moratorium VIENNA, Feb 22: A plan by the UN's atomic watchdog aimed partly at helping to persuade Iran to forsake its nuclear ambitions is opposed not only by Tehran but a group of countries including Japan and Brazil, diplomats said. ... Nothing but a lovers' quarrel NEW DELHI, Feb 22: The US State Department brought out its International Religious Freedom Report for 2004 on Sept 15. ... India stops military aid to Nepal KATHMANDU, Feb 22: India has halted military aid to Nepal after King Gyanendra seized power early this month, Indian officials said on Tuesday. ...

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