World briefs 11/4/03

Afghanistan unveils draft constitution

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghanistan unveiled a post-Taliban draft constitution Monday, a historic milestone on what has been a bloody, bumpy and often tragic path to recovery after decades of war.

The draft starts by declaring that "Afghanistan is an Islamic Republic," then later creates the posts of president and vice president, as well as envisioning two houses of congress.

The president would be a strong executive who will serve a five-year term and act as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He also would have the power to appoint judges, military officers, police and national security officials. There is a two-term limit.

Indonesian tourist resort flooding kills at least 71

MEDAN, Indonesia -- Flash floods swept through a popular tourist resort on Indonesia's Sumatra island, killing 71 people, five of them foreigners, and leaving more than 100 missing, officials said Monday.

The floods, which were triggered by days of heavy rain, took place late Sunday in Bohorok, close to the provincial capital of Medan in north Sumatra province.

A river that winds down from nearby mountains overflowed its banks and washed away dozens of makeshift guesthouses that host tourists who come to the area to see its famous orangutan reserve. Officials said logging in the area had encouraged erosion, worsening the landslide.

U.N. chief calls for world check on usable uranium

UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. nuclear chief called Monday for the United Nations to consider putting all production of weapons-usable uranium and plutonium around the world under international control to limit "the increasing threat" posed by countries and terrorists.

Mohamed ElBaradei cited the "serious and immediate challenge" posed by North Korea's withdrawal from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the urgent need to determine the full extent of Iran's nuclear program, lingering questions about Iraq's nuclear efforts, and illegal trafficking in radioactive material.

Saudi police kill militants, foil Mecca terror attack

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Police killed two suspected al-Qaida militants during a shootout at their fortified hide-out in the holy city of Mecca on Monday and seized a large cache of weapons, a Saudi Interior Ministry official said.

The official said the weapons found and the method the militants used in the confrontation indicate they are sympathizers of Osama bin Laden's terrorist network.

"They have the same ideology as that of the other groups that have been arrested, the same booby-trapped brains," the official said on condition of anonymity.

-- From wire reports