Twisters wreak havoc in mid-south
OKLAHOMA CITY (USA), May 5 — Tornadoes roared across the southern plains of the USA for a second straight day, killing a Texas woman before rolling into Arkansas and knocking out power to thousands of people.

UK to curb extremists in poll fray
LONDON, May 5 — Britain moved to block racist and other extremist groups from being elected to a new London Assembly, just days after the Capital was hit by three nail bomb attacks aimed at ethnic and gay communities.

Willey testifies against Clinton
ALEXANDRIA (Virginia), May 5 — Former White House volunteer Kathleen Willey has testified that President Bill Clinton was “very forceful” in an unwanted sexual advance near the Oval Office in 1993.

Reagan’s grandson jailed for theft
WASHINGTON, May 5 — Former US President Ronald Reagan’s 20-year-old grandson, Cameron Reagan, has been sentenced to serve six months jail for stealing from cars after being thrown out of his home by his parents.

3 Yemenis get death sentence
NICOSIA, May 5 — Three persons were sentenced to death today in Yemen for abducting 16 Western tourists and killing four of them in December.

Awami League wins bypoll

Lankan drive to enlist Tamils

USA may resume arms sales to
India, Pak

WASHINGTON, May 5 (PTI) — The USA is planning to do away with the Pressler Amendment that bars arms supplies to Islamabad and is contemplating the resumption of limited arms sales to both India and Pakistan depending upon their progress on American non-proliferation goals, defence news reported.

A Bill authorising the Clinton administration to sell to both nations “dual-use technologies that do not contribute directly or indirectly to missile development, or to a nuclear, chemical or biological weapons programme” had already been introduced in the Congress, the weekly said.

Under the Bill, introduced by Senator Sam Brownback recently, the administration would also be allowed to sell to both nations safety-related equipment “that would not significantly improve their combat capabilities.” Such sales to both were suspended after their nuclear tests last year.

The Bill, which would help the Clinton administration in lifting some more of the post-test sanctions, effectively kills the controversial Pressler Amendment vehemently opposed by Pakistan and US defence officials.

The legislation was part of a phased move by the USA to gradually remove all restrictions on military-to-military contacts and sales of dual use technology as the two South Asian nations moved towards fulfilling US non-proliferation goals, it said.

“We hope to be able to move as soon as possible to restore and strengthen military-to-military relationships. US military leaders could begin to implement the first phase of the military re-engagement plan as either country moves forward with nonproliferation steps,” US Assistant Secretary of State Karl Inderfurth was quoted as saying.

“Forward movement will beget forward movement. No country needs to wait for the other to act,” he said. In a clear hint to Pakistan that it should move on the CTBT regardless of India’s progress on the treaty.

Analyst Stephen Cohen at the Brookings Institute, a think-tank, said the Bill would benefit Pakistan more as it would be able to stick to its September deadline on signing the CTBT whereas the political stalemate in India would push the issue to the backstage.

Besides, the Bill would also allow Pakistan to purchase conventional weapons and spare parts for items purchased prior to the 1990 imposition of the Pressler Amendment as well as military items “as a substitute, where that item is no longer being manufactured and readily available.”

The weekly said, US Marine Corps General Anthony Zinni, had briefed Pakistani Army Chief General Pervez Musharaf on conditions for resuming military ties during his April 21 visit to Islamabad. Indian military and political leaders were informed similarly through the US Embassy in New Delhi.

The phased plan called for reciprocal visits, military exercises, officer education, troop training and strategic planning activities on condition that India and Pakistan begin adhering to the non-proliferation steps outlines by the White House about a year ago after their tests.

These include signing the CTBT, a ban on producing fissile material, formulation and implementation of clear export controls, and exercise of “strategic restraint,” meaning no more testing of ballistic missiles and “other provocative acts.”

2 die as US Apache copter crashes
First casualties in Kosovo war

Tirana (Albania) May 5 (AP, AFP, Reuters) — A US Apache helicopter crashed while on a training mission northeast of the airport here early today, killing two crew members, the US European Command said. The deaths were the first NATO casualties in the six-week allied air campaign against Yugoslavia.

The ah-64 helicopter went down at 1:30 a.m. local time 75 km northeast of the Tirana-Rinas airport, the command said in a statement issued in Stuttgart, Germany.

The US Army has confirmed two crew members of a US Army ah-64 Apache were killed, the statement said.

A spokesman at the NATO office in Brussels said the crash site was within Albania’s borders, near Macedonia and Yugoslavia.

The aircraft was conducting a training mission in support of Operation Allied Force, the command said.

The European Command said the two pilots were assigned to Task Force Hawk in Albania.

Brussels: NATO denied on Wednesday a report by Tanjug news agency that one of its aircraft had been shot down over southwestern Serbia.

“No NATO aircraft has been shot down,” spokeswoman Monique Tuffeli said in Brussels.

Tanjug reported earlier that anti-aircraft fire downed the plane near Bajina Basta, 150 km southwest of Belgrade, around 5 a.m. IST as it entered Yugoslavia from Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Serbian television showed what was said to be the remains of a US a-10 ground attack aircraft shot down over Kosovo.

RTS television gave no date for the crash of the plane but the screen showed May 2, 1999.

LONDON: Serbian troops were reported by Albanian television to have tortured and killed 180 civilians in the Dremica area of Kosovo.

“Serb troops forced 150 civilians from the villages of Vergoc, Qirez, Shtukiz, and Gllanacele (Albanian spelling) to march towards mass graves and then shot them,’’ the television station, monitored by the BBC, said on Wednesday.

It said another group of 30 Kosovo Albanians were forced to undress and were “subjected to unprecedented violence and brutality’’ before being killed near the village of Shayarina.

Washington: US President Bill Clinton plans to order the release of two Serb PoWs held by NATO, the NBC television network reported citing US officials.

The move, NBC said, would follow Belgrade’s release on Sunday of three US soldiers captured by the Yugoslav Army.

A spokeswoman for the US national security agency said only that “the matter is under consideration but no decision has been made yet.”

Arafat: Jerusalem being made Jewish

GAZA, May 5 (Reuters) — President Yasser Arafat, addressing Palestinians on the day a peace deadline with Israel expired, accused the Israeli Government of keeping the Middle East mired in tension.

“This day, instead of being a source of comfort for all countries to close this site of tension in the Middle East... has become a source of worry about the dangers surrounding the peace process,” Mr Arafat said on Palestinian television and radio late yesterday.

He lashed out at the “policies of the current Israeli Government which aim to destroy the credibility of the peace process by moving away from implementing its obligations through settlement-building and expansion and “Judaising” Jerusalem”.

Earlier, Israel’s Right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed victory for thwarting Mr Arafat’s long-standing pledge to declare statehood on May 4, the date set by the Oslo Interim Accords for forging a final agreement.

In his speech, Mr Arafat assured Palestinians that they were on track for statehood despite a decision by the PLO last week to delay a declaration of independence.

Twisters wreak havoc in mid-south

OKLAHOMA CITY (USA), May 5 (AP) — Tornadoes roared across the southern plains of the USA for a second straight day, killing a Texas woman before rolling into Arkansas and knocking out power to thousands of people.

In their wake, cold rain fell in Dklahoma as stunned residents picked through the wreckage of their homes, searching for mementoes and precious scraps of lives ripped apart. Tornadoes and devastating winds have killed at least 44 people in the southern plains since Monday. Hundreds more were injured as entire communities were reduced to rubble.

Rescuers looked for more victims yesterday in the Oklahoma City area, bringing in bulldozers to clear away debris.

“They may be someone, somewhere, still out there, under the clutter”, said John Vears, one of the hundreds of volunteer emergency workers in midwest City, just outside Oklahoma City.

In Monday’s outbreak, 76 twisters swept through five states. One Tornado — at least a half-mile 1800 metres wide — struck parts of Oklahoma City with winds topping 260 mph, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. The Tornado was classified an F5, the most powerful.

UK to curb extremists in poll fray

LONDON, May 5 (Reuters) — Britain moved to block racist and other extremist groups from being elected to a new London Assembly, just days after the Capital was hit by three nail bomb attacks aimed at ethnic and gay communities.

The House of Commons, the Lower House of Parliament, yesterday approved without a vote a government amendment to draft legislation setting up the Assembly to require any party to secure at least 5 per cent of the vote to win a seat in the 25-member body.

The threshold is sure make it tougher for marginal racist groups such as the British National Party (BNP) to win a voice in the Assembly, which will provide a balance to the Capital’s first elected Mayor. Both will be elected in May 2000.

We are determined to take effective action against racist groups which seek to poison relations between London’s diverse communities said minister for London Nick Raynsford.

The government will therefore, impose an election threshold which will require list candidates to get at least five per cent of the pan-London vote to be elected.

Labour MP Ken Livingstone, a potential mayoral candidate, told parliament the key issue was banning fascist groups from using elections as a platform for their views rather than setting a vote threshold to restrict their power bane.

In the event of a 50 per cent voter turnout, a candidate would need to receive at least 125,000 votes to win a seat.

Willey testifies against Clinton

ALEXANDRIA (Virginia), May 5 (AP) — Former White House volunteer Kathleen Willey has testified that President Bill Clinton was “very forceful” in an unwanted sexual advance near the Oval Office in 1993.

“His hands were all over me,” Ms Willey said yesterday, testifying for the prosecution in the trial of her former friend, Julie Hiatt Steele.

Ms Steele is charged with obstruction of justice and giving false statements to FBI agents and two grand juries in Kenneth Starr’s investigation of the President. Her trial revives lingering questions about the president, Ms Willey, and the independent counsel’s investigation.

Recounting her version of the incident , Ms Willey, in a soft but unwavering voice, said she told the President she desperately needed a paid job at the White House because of her family’s financial difficulties.

Mr Clinton then took her to a galley near the Oval Office, backed her against a wall and “tried to kiss me. He was very forceful. His hands were all over me.”

Mr Clinton has denied Ms Willey’s allegation under oath.

Earlier yesterday, prosecutors questioned one of Mr Clinton’s lawyers about whether he tried to force Ms Steele to sign an affidavit for the Paula Jones lawsuit.

Mr Ettinger said he sought an affidavit from Ms Steele but never pressured her to sign it.

Bidding on for millennium’s first sunrise

WELLINGTON, May 5 (AFP) — A farmer who owns the hills where the rays of the new millennium’s first sunrise will fall has said the government is trying to squeeze him for an exclusive television deal.

But Ken Launze, who owns Hapeka Hill on lonely Pitt Island, east of here, yesterday said despite public perceptions no deals had been made with anybody yet.

“Time’s getting short. But we’re not letting it go for peanuts,” he said. “And if anyone wants exclusive rights, they will have to pay accordingly.”

London’s Royal Geographical Society has decreed that 2000’s first rays will hit the island, part of the Chatham Islands, 800 km east of here. Just 55 persons, several thousand sheep and tens of thousands of seals live on Pitt Island.

Launze said two weeks ago the government offered US $ 83,300 for the right to broadcast from the site.

“They wanted complete rights to the jetty, our airstrip, our roads, and everything,” he said.

Reagan’s grandson jailed for theft

WASHINGTON, May 5 (ANI) — Former US President Ronald Reagan’s 20-year-old grandson, Cameron Reagan, has been sentenced to serve six months jail for stealing from cars after being thrown out of his home by his parents.

Cameron, the son of the former President’s eldest son, Michael, said he had stolen cars to get “money for food” while living on the streets of a north Los Angeles suburb in November last year.

His lawyer, Don Wager, told the court that Reagan was suffering from depression and attention-deficit disorder and had become estranged from his parents because he could not hold on to a job.

Cameron told the court in a letter that in the weeks before his arrest he and a friend and co-defendant often slept on the roof of a building wrapped in an old rug “cuddled together like puppies”.

He was also given three years’ probation. Asked if he agreed to the terms of the sentences, he replied, “Do I have a choice?” Four other counts against Reagan were dismissed by the judge.

3 Yemenis get death sentence

NICOSIA, May 5 (ANI) — Three persons were sentenced to death today in Yemen for abducting 16 Western tourists and killing four of them in December.

While the fourth person was sentenced to 20 years in jail and the fifth acquitted, nine others were tried in absentia.

The accused were arrested after a gunbattle with Yemeni troops.

Three kidnappers were killed along with the three Britons and an Australian in the gunbattle on December 29.

Awami League wins bypoll

DHAKA, May 5 (PTI) — The ruling Awami League has won a crucial parliamentary byelection in western Bangladesh which was boycotted by all opposition parties, Election Commission officials said here today.

Mr Abdul Mannan, a veteran ruling party leader and close aide of slain former President Mujibur Rahman, defeated his nearest rival Mohammed Hisabuddin, a rebel party candidate, by 9,932 votes in the frontier district of Meherpur, they said.

Lankan drive to enlist Tamils

COLOMBO, May 5 (UNI) — In a move that could alter the nature of ethnic conflict, the Sri Lankan Army has launched a drive in the Jaffna peninsula to enlist Tamil youths as soldiers.

Most Tamil parties slammed the move and called it a silly joke. They alleged some ulterior motive in the whole exercise.

Anti-narcotics drive
MANILA: The Philippines and the USA have decided to strengthen their cooperation in curbing illegal drug trade by expanding their anti-narcotics campaign here, a top official has said. “The President and US Ambassador agreed that USA and Philippines’ anti-drug authorities ought to explore innovative ways to curtail the drug trade”, Presidential spokesman Fernando “Jerry” Barican said on Tuesday. — PNA

Sex lines calls
RIYADH (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Arabia has barred calls to telephone sex lines, a move praised by a leading newspaper. The telecommunications ministry said on Monday that it had blocked access to more than 50 foreign sex lines over the past six months following numerous complaints from parents. “If there’s no control in the home, then the telecommunications, ministry must take control”, Al-Eqtissadiah said in an editorial on Tuesday. — AP

Violence against eves
HARARE: More than 5,000 women are brutalised in Africa every day, according to a leading African human rights activist. The activist, Mary Okumu of the Nairobi-based Africa El Taller, a non-governmental organisation, says women in Africa continue to suffer intensified violence and brutalisation when they dare show, anger or resistance to abuses. Research shows that more than 32,000 rapes and physical assaults on women occur annually in South Africa. — IPS

Satellite failure
CAPE CANAVERAL: The Air Force has formally declared mission failure for an $ 800-million satellite that was launched into an orbit thousands of miles too low last week. The announcement on Tuesday was needed before the Air Force could appoint a board to investigate the accident, spokesman Aaron Renenger said. It was the third failed mission in eight and a half months involving the Air Force’s Titan IV Rocket Programme. — AP

Loses bet and uniform
GENDA: It may have been meant as a joke but the crew took it seriously when the stewardess bet the plane could never arrive 20 minutes early. So when the British Airways plane touched down here just before 1 p.m. instead of 1.20 p.m. as scheduled, the stewardess had no choice but to keep her end of the wager, remove her uniform and bravely “walk the plank”, the newspaper La Republica reported on Tuesday.— DPA