World briefs 7/8/04

Israel snubs international envoys to Mideast

JERUSALEM -- Israel snubbed a delegation of Mideast mediators that had come to discuss its planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, officials said Wednesday, further undermining efforts to promote an internationally backed peace plan for the region. The representatives of the so-called Quartet -- comprising the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia -- are in the region to promote the Gaza withdrawal.

Kashmir separatist leader steps down to heal splits

SRINAGAR, India -- The chairman of the main separatist alliance in India-controlled Kashmir stepped down Wednesday in an attempt to forge unity among its bitterly divided factions. Abbas Ansari quit as head of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, which has split over holding talks with India over the Himalayan territory's status. Ansari, 68, was the first member of the Shia branch of Islam to head the alliance, which comprises nearly two dozen political and religious groups seeking Kashmir's independence, or its merger with Islamic Pakistan. Most Muslims in Kashmir are Sunnis.

Spain protests British nuclear submarine visit

MADRID, Spain -- A diplomatic confrontation brewed Wednesday between Spain and Britain after Madrid called in the British ambassador to express its "profound ill feeling" over the planned visit to Gibraltar of a nuclear-powered submarine. The HMS Tireless, which stirred protests when it visited the port four years ago, was to arrive on Friday. It was not clear how long it would stay or why it was visiting.

Eight suspected terrorists begin court appeal

LONDON -- Attorneys for eight suspected terrorists told a court Wednesday they fear the men may have been jailed on evidence obtained through the torture of suspects at U.S. detention camps. The attorneys made their arguments before the Court of Appeal in London in an attempt to free the men, who have been held in British prisons and a psychiatric hospital for up to 2 1/2 years without trial. At the start of a five-day hearing they sought permission from the court to present evidence of torture in U.S. camps.--From wire reports

Polish psychologist admits abusing children

WARSAW, Poland -- A prominent Polish child psychologist, widely known for his writings on child rearing, has confessed he sexually abused minors, prosecutors said Wednesday. Andrzej Samson, who built a reputation offering advice in books, newspapers and magazines, and has served as a court expert in pedophilia cases, was detained June 28 after police grew suspicious that he was linked to pornographic photographs discovered in a garbage dump near his Warsaw home.

Vatican in red for third year

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican reported a deficit for the third consecutive year Wednesday -- about $11.8 million -- but said it reduced the shortfall by nearly 30 percent from 2002 despite the costs for the Holy See's expanding diplomatic missions. At the same time, it reported an increase in contributions to the pope, known as Peter's Pence, which it said were used for various relief efforts around the world and for the Catholic Church in the Holy Land.

Mourning begins for late Austrian president

VIENNA, Austria -- Austria began four days of mourning on Wednesday for former President Thomas Klestil, who helped distance Austria from its Nazi past and strengthened the country's ties with emerging Eastern European democracies. Klestil, 71, died Tuesday of multiple organ failure, just two days before the end of his second six-year term.

Jordan dismisses terrorism financing allegations

AMMAN, Jordan -- Jordan's Central Bank governor dismissed allegations that a Jordanian bank laundered money bound for Palestinian terrorists, calling the charges an attempt to undermine the kingdom's banking system. Umayya Toukan said Wednesday he was concerned by an $875 million lawsuit filed against the Arab Bank by six families of U.S. citizens killed or hurt in terrorist attacks in Israel.

-- From wire reports