World briefs 1/23/05

Iran's hard-liners: Women can't run for president

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's hard-line leadership ruled out allowing women to run for president in June elections, denying reports in the state-run media Saturday that it had decided to allow female candidates for the first time. It was not clear whether the denial meant the hard-line Guardian Council was reversing itself or whether the earlier announcement was a mistake. Saeed Shariati, leader of the Islamic Iran Participation Front, the country's largest pro-reform movement, said Elham appeared to have been taking back his word "under political pressure" from conservative Shiite clerics with influence over the government.

Palestinian militant group is ready for cease-fire

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- A militant group linked to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' ruling Fatah faction announced Saturday it is ready to stop violence if Israel halts military operations, and Israeli officials indicated that they are considering the idea. The armed groups want Israel to stop arrest raids and targeted killings of wanted Palestinians in exchange for a truce. In the past, Israel refused to promise the militants amnesty. However, two advisers to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Saturday that a halt in Palestinian attacks could prompt the Israeli military to hold back. "If there will be quiet on the Palestinian side, then there will be quiet on our side, because all of our military operations are only meant to stop terrorism," said Zalman Shoval, a Sharon adviser.

Yushchenko sworn in as Ukraine's president today

KIEV, Ukraine -- Viktor Yushchenko, to be sworn in as president today, has pledged to steer Ukraine on a new course. But many in the eastern part of Ukraine fear a rise of nationalism under Yushchenko that could result in discrimination against them. On Saturday, Yushchenko participated in a traditional Ukrainian Cossack ceremony that could heighten those concerns. He was presented with a golden mace, a symbol of a Cossack leader's dignity. Many in Ukraine's large ethnic Russian population watched closely to see how prominently the overtly nationalistic symbol was used in today's inauguration.