World briefs 12/19/02

Prosecutors want stiff sentence for Plavsic

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Prosecutors recommended a sentence Wednesday of up to 25 years for a former Bosnian Serb president who pleaded guilty to war crimes, but the defense said such a long term would unfairly condemn her to die in prison.

Defense attorneys for 72-year-old Biljana Plavsic urged the U.N. war crimes tribunal to hand down a sentence of no longer than eight years, to consider Plavsic's remorse and to encourage other accused war criminals to surrender and acknowledge their guilt.

The court is expected to announce a sentence in January.

Plavsic is the first high-ranking Bosnian politician to plead guilty to war crimes.

Leaders open last-ditch Ivory Coast summit

DALOA, Ivory Coast -- Rebels in Ivory Coast attacked a government-held western town on Wednesday as West African leaders met in Senegal for what many called a last chance to try to end the war peacefully.

France also said it was sending more troops to this former French colony, increasing its deployment to about 2,500 by month's end. The soldiers, who are monitoring a cease-fire, also received a tougher mandate allowing them to shoot in certain situations.

An Ivory Coast military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said rebels attacked hill-ringed Man on Wednesday morning, but were pushed back.

Fighting persisted late Wednesday south of the city near the airport, the official said.

McCartney defends decision to switch credits

LONDON -- Paul McCartney defended his decision to reverse the order of the famous Lennon-McCartney songwriting credit and on Wednesday urged Yoko Ono not to overreact.

After 40 years of second billing to John Lennon, McCartney has turned the tables on his late Beatles collaborator in his new project.

"Back in the U.S. Live 2002," a two-CD live album, includes 19 classic Beatles songs billed as written by "Paul McCartney and John Lennon."

"I think it is fair and accurate for the songs that John declared were mine to carry my name first," said McCartney.

--From wire reports