World briefs 07/14/03

U.S. forces launch raid against Iraqi insurgents

BALAD, Iraq -- Facing an increasingly organized and violent resistance, the U.S. Army stepped up pressure on pro-Saddam Hussein holdouts Sunday with a fourth large offensive in central Iraq.

At least four suspected loyalists were killed and big weapons caches were captured in the operation, called Ivy Serpent, which aims to blunt potential anti-American attacks ahead of now-banned holidays of Saddam's Baath Party.

Meanwhile, the military announced that one soldier was killed and two others injured early Sunday when a tractor trailer crashed accidentally into their vehicle, parked at a checkpoint outside a base in Diwaniyah, 100 miles south of Baghdad. The names of the soldiers were withheld pending family notification.

Also Sunday, Iraqi police and coalition forces exchanged fire at a military checkpoint in the Iraqi capital, witnesses said. They said a police vehicle drove up to a coalition checkpoint and started shooting, and U.S. soldiers returned fire. It was not clear if there were casualties, and the U.S. military had no immediate comment.

U.S. forces also detained nine "high-value targets" in raids near Mosul, in northern Iraq, none of them on the list of 55 most-wanted Iraqis from Saddam's old regime.

Thousands in Hong Kong rally to demand democracy

HONG KONG -- Thousands of people in Hong Kong turned out Sunday for a pro-democracy rally full of fresh criticism of the territory's political leader, who was forced to back down recently over a planned anti-subversion law.

"If there is democracy, the government will have to follow the will of the people," said K. Yam, a 68-year-old retired civil servant.

The demonstrators booed when the organizers played footage of Hong Kong chief executive Tung Chee-hwa promising that the territory's freedoms were not threatened by the anti-subversion bill that has thrown his government into a crisis.

Tung was forced last week to delay the bill as support dried up following a July 1 protest by 500,000 people. Critics say the bill could undermine civil liberties left in place after Britain handed Hong Kong back to China six years ago.

Nine Russian soldiers killed in southern Chechnya

VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia -- Rebels ambushed a Russian military vehicle in southern Chechnya and staged hit-and-run attacks against federal positions, killing 16 soldiers and wounding 13 in heavy fighting over the past 24 hours, a Chechen administration official said Sunday.

A sapper unit traveling in a heavy Kamaz truck was blasted by a remote-controlled land mine in the Shatoi region of southern Chechnya on Saturday evening, said the official in the Kremlin-backed administration, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Rebel ambushers then launched grenades and fired automatic weapons at the truck, the official said. Nine soldiers died in the attack, the official said.

Kuwaiti ruler appoints new prime minister

KUWAIT CITY -- Kuwait's emir appointed his brother as prime minister Sunday, removing the premiership from the crown prince and boosting hopes for reform in this close U.S. ally and fledgling democracy.

The appointment of Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah was announced on state-owned Kuwait Television. The emir, Sheik Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah, also ordered the new prime minister to form a Cabinet to replace the one that resigned after July 5 parliamentary elections.

Sheik Sabah, 74, was foreign minister and deputy prime minister but has been running Kuwait since the crown prince -- who is the emir's cousin -- fell ill.

The prince, Sheik Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah, developed colon problems in 1997. He has spent long periods in England and the United States for treatment, leaving many of his leadership duties to Sheik Saad.

-- From wire reports