NewsMarch 13, 2005
World briefs 3/13/05
Egyptian opposition leader released on bail; Women's rights meeting ends with U.S. still at odds; Sinn Fein leader Adams heads for United States; Britain's controversial anti-terrorism law passes
Egyptian opposition leader released on bail
CAIRO, Egypt -- An Egyptian opposition leader who announced his presidential bid while in jail was released to a hero's welcome Saturday, weeks after Washington raised concerns about his imprisonment, which called into question Egypt's pledges of democratic reform. Ayman Nour, frail and still wearing his prison jumpsuit, stepped out of Cairo's police headquarters and flashed a V-for-victory sign to a waiting crowd of a few thousand supporters. As the crowd cheered, Nour repeated last week's jailhouse announcement that he would run for president this year against 24-year incumbent Hosni Mubarak.
Women's rights meeting ends with U.S. still at odds
UNITED NATIONS -- A two-week meeting to fight for women's equality ended as it began, with the United States at odds with much of the rest of the world on issues of reproductive health and abortion. The gathering was meant to reaffirm the platform for action adopted at the 1995 U.N. women's conference in Beijing to achieve equality for women. But it was instead dominated by American efforts to make clear the Beijing platform did not create any new human rights, including a global right to abortion. Some women's advocacy groups praised the outcome of the conference and the delegates' "united stance" against the efforts the Bush administration, which they said were "intended to play to domestic political audiences."
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Sinn Fein leader Adams heads for United States
BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- Sinn Fein party leader Gerry Adams went to the United States on Saturday in search of foreign support, but back home in Northern Ireland a controversy over the IRA's killing of a Catholic man refused to go away. Sinn Fein admitted a party election candidate was present in the bar where Irish Republican Army members attacked Robert McCartney. Adams said Saturday night he was embarrassed and disappointed by the apparent involvement of Sinn Fein and noted it has suspended seven party members.
Britain's controversial anti-terrorism law passes
LONDON -- Britain's governing Labour Party claimed victory Saturday for pushing through its contentious anti-terrorism law after an acrimonious two-day debate in Parliament. The opposition said it had forced the government to make key changes to the legislation. Prime Minister Tony Blair won the support of Parliament for the Prevention of Terrorism Bill on Friday after one of the longest and most bitter standoffs in recent Parliamentary history. The law allows terrorist suspects to be put under house arrest or curfew or electronically tagged without charge or trial.
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