Deutsche Welle English Service News 05.09.2003, 16:00 UTC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's highlight on DW-WORLD:
Conservatives Criticize Schröder’s Rejection of U.S. Proposal Conservatives in Germany have reacted critically to Gerhard Schröder and Jacques Chirac’s rejection of a U.S. resolution seeking international help in Iraq. But it seems more a question of style, not substance. To read this article on the DW-WORLD website, just click on the internet address below: http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1430_A_963588_1_A,00.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Russia criticises US draft resolution on Iraq Russia has become the latest Security Council member to criticise a US-draft resolution on Iraq. Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Uzbek capital, Tashkent on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said the draft needed major alterations. He also echoed the main criticism expressed by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac, saying the resolution failed to provide for the swift return of power to an Iraqi government. He did say, however, that Moscow welcomed the fact that Washington had now decided that the United Nations should be given a stronger role in Iraq. The US draft resolution would provide for the creation of an international force for Iraq, under US command. Level of British forces in Iraq may be increased Britain is considering increasing the number of British soldiers in Iraq. Prime Minister Tony Blair, at a Downing Street press conference on Thursday, said British force levels were under review but no decision had been taken. The latest debate comes as US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visits Iraq to review the security situation there. On Thursday, Rumsfeld said more troops, particularly international soldiers, were needed to help stabilise the country. Britain currently has 10,500 troops in Iraq and the US around 140,000. More bloodshed in the West Bank One Israeli soldier and a suspected Palestinian militant have been killed in fresh clashes in the West Bank. The latest bloodshed occurred when Israeli forces entered the town of Nablus in a routine sweep for militants. Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to quit his job if he is not given new powers regarding Palestinian security services. The Palestinian Legislative Council is to hold a closed-door session on Saturday with Abbas to address internal problems within the Palestinian Authority. Schroeder says Germany and Czech Republic should put differences aside German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is in Prague on a one-day diplomatic visit. There, Schroeder told reporters that an age old dispute with the Czech Republic, which is to join the European Union next May, should be laid to rest. Tensions have simmered for nearly 60 years since Prague's expulsion of millions of ethnic Germans after World War II. Meanwhile, Schroeder's talks with Czech leaders were expected to focus on the country's entry into the EU as well as a future EU constitution. The Czech Republic supports proposed changes to the draft constitution, giving smaller EU-member states more weight in the EU Commission. British Airways contemplates anti-missile technology Europe's biggest airline, British Airways, is said to be considering equipping its aircraft with anti-missile systems. A spokesman said the airline's management had been in talks with the manufacturers Boeing and Airbus about installing such technology. Currently only Israeli airliners are thought to carry anti-missile systems. Airline analysts say the high costs involved are likely to deter most commercial airlines. Meanwhile British Airways has said that it will resume flights to Saudi Arabia this weekend after reviewing the security situation there. Flights were suspended in August following threats of terrorist attacks. Britain lifts flight ban to Kenyan port city of Mombasa Britain has lifted its ban on flying to the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa. A British High Commission statement said that the three month ban had been suspended following recent assessments at Mombasa's International Airport, and that it was confident that security was now up to a satisfactory level. The decision was applauded by the Kenyan government and tourism officials. UK police seize 6 billion euros in bonds in drug swoop British police say they have seized almost 6 billion euros worth of suspected US bonds after smashing a major international drug-trafficking ring. If the bonds prove to be genuine the seizure would be the largest in criminal history. The National Crime Squad said that nine people have been arrested in and around London as part of a major concerted attack against drug smuggling. The nine have been charged with drug related offences. The police operation Hobart also resulted in the seizure of 55,000 ecstasy tablets. The ring allegedly moved drugs from Colombia to Europe via countries like Ecuador and Mexico. German prosecutors investigating Saddam over murder German prosecutors have begun a murder investigation in which Iraq's former leader, Saddam Hussein, is the defendant. The investigation into the death of a Kurdish woman was launched earlier this year by a prosecutor in Nuremberg. That's where the 39-year-old woman lived until her death last March. A post-mortem examination revealed that she may have died from the effects of mustard gas. Her husband has said that their village was targeted by the former Iraqi regime in a mustard attack in 1987. The federal prosecutor's office said it was taking over the investigation as a "matter of state security." President Rau will not run for re-election German President Johannes Rau has said that he will not run for re-election next year. In a statement to reporters, Rau cited personal reasons for the decision. He also pointed out that in January he would turn 73. Rau's term as head of state runs until May of next year. In Germany, the president's role is largely a ceremonial one. Schuettler eliminated from US Open In sports: The last German left in the US Open is on his way home this Thursday. Rainer Shuettler failed to reach the quarter finals after losing 6-1, 4-6,6-3, 6-4 to Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands on Wednesday. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information please turn to our internet website at http://dw-world.de/english Here you'll find out what's happening in Germany, Europe and the rest of the world. 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