Nation briefs 6/20/04

Slain hostage's hometown begins mourning

EAGLESWOOD TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- For days, childhood friends and residents had prayed for the safe return of Paul Johnson Jr. A day after learning of his beheading by militants in Saudi Arabia, residents responded with grief and fond memories of him. Johnson's family remained in seclusion. Relatives who had gathered since he was taken hostage a week earlier issued a statement Friday that was delivered by an FBI agent. In it, they asked for privacy and commended authorities in their failed attempts to save Johnson.

American companies not fleeing Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON -- If the recent past is any guide, the beheading of American Paul M. Johnson Jr. is unlikely to trigger a mass exodus from Saudi Arabia. Most Americans in the kingdom have not heeded repeated State Department warnings that they get out, security consultants and analysts said. Secretary of State Colin Powell said he does not want American workers to flee Saudi Arabia because that would reward the people whose violence in recent weeks has killed Johnson, two other Americans and more than two dozen other foreigners.

Sources: Enron's Lay likely to be indicted within weeks

HOUSTON -- Kenneth Lay, Enron Corp.'s founder and former chairman, could be indicted on charges stemming from its 2001 collapse by the end of June, sources close to the case told The Associated Press on Saturday. Barring any delays, federal prosecutors aim to ask the grand jury for an indictment before the Fourth of July, the sources said. The Houston Chronicle first reported the possible indictment in Saturday's editions, citing unidentified lawyers close to the case. The sources said any indictment would include conspiracy charges for allegedly participating in hiding Enron's true financial condition before the energy trader collapsed into bankruptcy.

Newspaper: Hundreds of priests shuffled worldwide despite abuse allegations

DALLAS -- An international movement of Roman Catholic priests out of countries where they have been accused of abusing children has continued even after the abuse scandal that swept the U.S. church in 2002, The Dallas Morning News found in a yearlong investigation. Hundreds of priests accused of abuse have been moved from country to country, allowing them to start new lives and continue working in church ministries, the newspaper reported. The priests lead parishes, teach and continue to work in settings that bring them into contact with children, despite church claims to the contrary, the newspaper said. Vatican officials declined to comment Friday after an overview of the investigation was featured on National Public Radio.

-- From wire reports