World briefs 11/11/06

Tamil politician killed in Sri Lankan capital

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- A prominent Tamil legislator was assassinated in the Sri Lankan capital Friday, while the navy said it killed six rebels in an attack on Tamil Tiger boats. Nadaraja Raviraj, a member of the Tamil National Alliance, was leaving his house in Colombo when he was approached and shot at close range, said K. Sivajilingam, a fellow member of Parliament. Raviraj's bodyguard was also killed. President Mahinda Rajapakse called the killing a "cowardly and heinous act" by "those opposed to dissent and political pluralism in a democratic society."

Negotiator: Iran going ahead with nuke program

MOSCOW -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator insisted Friday that Tehran would push ahead with its controversial nuclear program, and suggested it could break off ties with the U.N. nuclear watchdog if the world inflicts punishments proposed by European nations. In a familiar mix of threats and offers, Ali Larijani said Iran wanted negotiations to ease the standoff over fears it is seeking atomic weapons, but would not abandon what he insisted was a peaceful nuclear energy program.

Mass grave found in northeastern Bosnia

SNAGOVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina -- Blindfolds, wires and wallets -- all found in a new mass grave. Forensic experts said Friday that they found the grave in northeastern Bosnia. It is believed to contain the remains of more than 100 victims of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre where Serb forces buried some of the almost 8,000 victims. "So far we have exhumed 19 whole bodies and four incomplete bodies," said Alma Dzaferovic, district attorney in charge of genocide crimes.

-- From wire reports