World briefs 3/8/04

Iran wants U.N. to wrap up look into nuclear program

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran has taken steps toward reassuring the world its nuclear program is peaceful and wants the U.N. atomic watchdog agency to finish its review, Iran's top nuclear negotiator said Sunday. Hasan Rowhani made his comments a day before the International Atomic Energy Agency is scheduled to discuss Iran's nuclear program. Rowhani, who also chairs the Supreme National Security Council, did not say when the review should be closed and did not threaten to end Iran's cooperation with the IAEA. He reiterated past suggestions that Iran considers a resumption to its uranium enrichment program only a matter of time.

Pakistani leaders aware of nuclear black market

VIENNA, Austria -- U.N. investigators are increasingly certain Pakistan government leaders knew the country's top atomic scientist was supplying other nations with nuclear technology and designs, particularly North Korea, diplomats told The Associated Press. While rogue nations were the main customers of the nuclear black market, sales of enriched uranium and warhead drawings have fed international fears that terrorists also could have bought weapons technology or material, the diplomats said. The investigation has widened beyond Iran, Libya and North Korea -- the identified customers of the network headed by Abdul Qadeer Khan -- they said, speaking on condition of anonymity in a series of interviews.

Soprano dropped from opera because of size

LONDON -- The Royal Opera House in London canceled a performance by American star soprano Deborah Voigt because of her weight, a spokesman for the prestigious theater said Sunday. Voigt had been scheduled to play the lead in a summer production of Richard Strauss' "Ariadne on Naxos," but casting director Peter Katona decided that a slimmer singer would be better for the part, spokesman Christopher Millard told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. Katona had selected a black evening dress for the part and believed Voigt would not look right in it, Millard said. Voigt's weight remains a closely guarded secret, the newspaper said, but observers estimate it to be more than 200 pounds.

U.S. record in Afghanistan questioned by rights group

KABUL, Afghanistan -- U.S. operations in Afghanistan are marred by needless civilian casualties, lawless arrests and the alleged torture of prisoners, Human Rights Watch said in a report issued today. The U.S. military rejected the group's findings, saying it "confused the situation" in strife-torn Afghanistan for one where peacetime methods could be used. Still, the report raises uncomfortable questions for the United States as it embarks on new operations to crush elusive militants like al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. The 50-page report said the military used excessive force to capture suspects in residential areas.

American wounded during attack on Iraq Green Zone

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Insurgents fired at least seven rockets on the U.S. coalition headquarters in Baghdad Sunday night, hitting a hotel used by U.S. occupation officials and wounding one American, the military said. It was the biggest attack on the Green Zone in weeks. A series of explosions echoed across central Baghdad from the strike, sirens blared, and smoke and flames were briefly visible in the Green Zone, the heavily guarded area where the U.S.-led coalition is based. Five rockets hit the Al-Rasheed hotel, where some civilian contractors are living and a coalition dining hall is located. A U.S. civilian contractor was wounded, the military said. The attack came a day before the Iraq Governing Council was set to vote on the new Iraqi constitution.

-- From wire reports