MIDDLE EAST

ABBAS ORDERS TERRORISTS TO END UPRISING

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Palestinian Arab leader Mahmoud Abbas said yesterday he expects terrorists to declare a halt to their 4-year-old uprising against Israel next week and accept a formal role in Palestinian Arab decision-making.

Egypt, which has been mediating talks for several years between the Palestinian Authority and terrorist groups, has invited Mr. Abbas and 13 terrorist groups to Cairo on March 15. Negotiations have focused on a cease-fire declaration halting the uprising against Israel and spelling out a formal role in Palestinian Arab affairs for Hamas and other terrorist groups. The parties are also expected to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip following Israel’s planned withdrawal this summer.

“I expect this meeting in Cairo will conclude all the efforts that have been made by the Egyptian brothers,” Mr. Abbas told reporters in Gaza City, adding that he will personally participate in the gathering.

– Associated Press

WESTERN EUROPE

SPANISH MUSLIMS ISSUE FATWA AGAINST OSAMA BIN LADEN

Muslim clerics in Spain issued what they called the world’s first fatwa, or Islamic edict, against Osama bin Laden yesterday, the first anniversary of the Madrid train bombings, calling him an apostate and urging others of their faith to denounce the Qaeda leader. The ruling was issued by the Islamic Commission of Spain, the main body representing the country’s 1 million-member Muslim community. The commission represents 200 or so mostly Sunni mosques, or about 70% of all mosques in Spain.

The March 11, 2004, train bombings killed 191 people and were claimed in videotapes by terrorists who said they had acted on Al Qaeda’s behalf in revenge for Spain’s troop deployment in Iraq. The commission’s secretary-general, Mansur Escudero, said the group had consulted with Muslim leaders in other countries, such as Morocco – home to most of the jailed suspects in the bombings – Algeria, and Libya, and had their support.

– Associated Press

EASTERN EUROPE

BASAYEV TO CHECHENS: RECOGNIZE RADICAL FUNDAMENTALIST AS LEADER

Rebel warlord Shamil Basayev called on Chechens to recognize a field commander and fundamentalist Islamic judge as their new leader following the killing by Russia of Aslan Maskhadov, according to a message posted yesterday on a rebel Web site. Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev is relatively unknown outside rebel circles, leading to speculation that his ascension would leave Mr. Basayev – whose radicalism has sometimes put him at odds even with his own insurgents – effectively in charge of the Chechen rebellion.

Either way, the appointment would mark a pronounced shift, since Mr. Sadulayev is considered to be a fundamentalist, while Maskhadov was considered a relative secularist more inclined to compromise with the Russians in order to end the prolonged conflict. There was some mystery surrounding Mr. Sadulayev, with claims – denied by rebel figures – describing him as a Saudi national.

– Associated Press

EAST ASIA

HONG KONG’S LEADER RESIGNS, DENIES CHINA PUSHED HIM OUT

Hong Kong’s leader said he tendered his resignation yesterday because of failing health and repeatedly denied speculation China pushed him out in a bid to tighten its grip on the former British colony and halt a movement toward greater democracy. After ignoring 10 days of rumors that he was quitting, Tung Chee-hwa called a news conference and announced he wanted to step down with two years left in his term. He said his health problems began late last year. “If I continue as chief executive, I won’t be able to handle it,” he said. Mr. Tung said he tendered his resignation with China’s leadership an hour before his announcement and that he hoped China would accept it “as soon as possible.” Beijing did not immediately comment. He denied wide speculation that China pushed him out.

– Associated Press