Foreign Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

PERSIAN GULF
APATHY MARKS REGISTRATION FOR ELECTIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA
During 30 minutes at a Riyadh voter-registration center, only two people – an old man and a prince – walked in to sign up for the kingdom’s first nationwide elections. At another center, a mere eight people registered in 45 minutes.
Despite a campaign urging residents to register before Thursday’s deadline, Saudi men – women are barred from voting – have shown little enthusiasm for elections in a kingdom long regarded as autocratic, secretive, and resistant to reform. By Sunday, only about 100,000 of 600,000 eligible voters in the Riyadh area had registered since the centers opened November 23.The three-stage municipal council elections begin in the capital February 10. Saudis have not been swayed by pictures of senior princes and football stars signing up to vote. Nor have they been driven to emulate Iraqis and Palestinian Arabs who are due to cast ballots next month. The elections for half the 178 council members – the rest will be appointed by the government – are part of the kingdom’s measured response to calls for reforms long sought by liberals.
– Associated Press
ASSEMBLY CONDEMNS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN IRAN
The U.N. General Assembly yesterday approved an American-backed resolution criticizing Iran for human rights violations, citing new restrictions on freedom of expression and the persecution of political and religious dissenters. The measure, which is not legally binding but reflects global opinion, was approved 71-54 with 55 abstentions.
The world body said there is a “worsening situation” regarding freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of the press, “especially the increased persecution for the peaceful expression of political views, including arbitrary arrest and detention without charge or trial.” It cited “crackdowns by the judiciary and security forces against journalists, parliamentarians, students, clerics, and academics; the unjustified closure of newspapers and blocking of Internet sites.” It also criticized the disqualification of large numbers of candidates and harassment of opposition activists in the run-up to parliamentary elections in February.
– Associated Press
SOUTH AMERICA
COURT UPHOLDS INDICTMENT OF PINOCHET
SANTIAGO, Chile – An appeals court yesterday upheld the indictment and house arrest of former dictator General Augusto Pinochet on human rights charges during his 17-year military regime.
A panel of the Santiago Court of Appeals voted 3-0 to hold the indictment, said Judge Juan Escobar, a member of the panel. The decision came as Mr. Pinochet, 89, recovered at the Santiago Army Hospital from a stroke he suffered Saturday. “The appeal has been unanimously rejected,” Mr. Escobar said, prompting applause and cheers among relatives of victims of the Pinochet regime awaiting the decision at the court building. Mr. Pinochet’s defense lawyer immediately met to prepare an appeal before the Supreme Court. Mr. Pinochet was indicted a week ago by Judge Juan Guzman, who charged him with nine kidnappings and one homicide during his 1973-90 dictatorship.
– Associated Press
SOUTH ASIA
ALLEGED AIDE OF QAEDA OPERATIVE ARRESTED
LAHORE, Pakistan – Police arrested six suspected Islamic insurgents in the eastern city of Lahore yesterday, hoping they could provide clues about a Libyan Al Qaeda operative who is among the most-wanted men in Pakistan. The Libyan, Abu Faraj al-Libbi, is accused of masterminding two assassination attempts a year ago against President General Musharraf, who has been targeted by extremists for his support of the American led war on terrorism.
The six arrested men, all Pakistanis, include Malik Tehsin, 31, who is said to be a member of two outlawed Sunni Muslim insurgent groups and an aide of Mr. al-Libbi. Shafqaat Ahmed, a senior Lahore police superintendent, told a news conference that Mr. Tehsin met Mr. al-Libbi at a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan several years ago and later arranged logistics, transportation, and other facilities for the Libyan.
– Associated Press