World briefs 10/19/04

Iran to suspend some nuclear activities

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran said Monday it is prepared to temporarily suspend some nuclear activities but would not surrender its right to enrich uranium. The remarks by the country's top nuclear negotiator, Hasan Rowhani, came just as Britain, France and Germany were expected to offer Iran a package of economic incentives in hopes of persuading Tehran to abandon uranium enrichment, a process that can be used to produce fuel for nuclear weapons and reactors.

Anglican commission upbraids U.S. church

LONDON -- An Anglican church commission on Monday urged the U.S. Episcopal Church not to elect any more gay bishops and called on conservative African bishops to stop meddling in the affairs of other dioceses. The commission, created last year after the consecration of V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire, called for apologies from both sides, and for reconciliation among the world's Anglican churches. The report also urged the Canadian and American churches to refrain from blessing same-sex unions.

Saudi Arabia using oil revenue more cautiously

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- During the oil boom of the 1970s, Persian Gulf countries spent lavishly to transform their desert backwaters into shimmering modern cities, living high with the help of a huge foreign work force filling jobs citizens suddenly could afford to avoid. Today, oil prices are at 20-year highs, but the world's largest oil producer, Saudi Arabia, is using part of the extra billions pouring in to make the kingdom run without all the imported help. The government wants to put Saudis to work to ease the unemployment and the boredom that some people say leads youths into Islamic extremism.

-- From wire reports

Sharon allies, foes argue over national referendum

JERUSALEM -- Supporters and opponents of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon argued heatedly Monday over the need for a national referendum on the government's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. Sharon is resisting a referendum although he would almost certainly win it. Sharon was for decades the patron of settlements in Gaza and the West Bank. But he changed his policy last December and declared Israel must evacuate all 21 Gaza settlements because the Jews living there had no future among 1.3 million Palestinians.