PERSIAN GULF

TERRORISTS, SECURITY FORCES CLASH AT MECCA CHECKPOINT

Islamic terrorists clashed with Saudi security forces in Islam’s holiest city of Mecca and nearby Jiddah, killing two terrorists and two policemen yesterday as the kingdom held a final round of municipal elections.

The bloodshed was the latest in Saudi Arabia’s two-year crackdown on Al Qaeda-linked terrorists opposed to the ruling family, a campaign that authorities have said they were winning with the killings of several high-level suspects over the past month. The fighting in Mecca started when four terrorists in a car – a driver and three others disguised in women’s all-covering robes – tried to cross a checkpoint into the city several hours after polls closed, said Brigadier General Mansour al-Turki, an Interior Ministry spokesman.

When stopped, the terrorists tried to flee. Police captured the driver but the three others fled, General al-Turki told the state-run TV station Al-Ekhbariya.

Several security officials in Mecca said the three took shelter in nearby houses. After several hours of fighting, two of the militants were killed and the third wounded and captured, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

– Associated Press

EASTERN EUROPE

RICE TELLS BELARUS THAT END IS NEAR FOR AUTHORITARIAN RULE

Secretary of State Rice told Belarusian dissidents yesterday she thinks an end to authoritarian rule in their country is within reach. She drew a rebuke from Russia’s foreign minister for earlier comments about Belarus.

After meeting with the seven dissidents, Ms. Rice said next year’s presidential election in Belarus offers “an excellent opportunity” to focus on the need for credible elections in the country, a pro-Russian former Soviet republic led since 1994 by President Lukashenko.

On Wednesday, Ms. Rice had said it was “time for a change” in Belarus – a comment that prompted a reply yesterday from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Apparently interpreting her comment as a call for outside intervention, Mr. Lavrov said Russia “would not advocate what some people call regime change anywhere. You cannot impose democracy from the outside.”

Ms. Rice came here from Russia to attend informal meetings of NATO foreign ministers. Mr. Lavrov turned up for discussions of his country’s links with NATO.

– Associated Press

SOUTH AMERICA

BRAZIL’S ASYLUM FOR GUTIERREZ ANGERS ECUADORIANS

Brazil’s decision to grant asylum to Ecuador’s deposed President Gutierrez provoked outrage yesterday among many Ecuadoreans who demanded that the politician remain and account for alleged abuses of power.

Mr. Gutierrez, who was fired by Congress on Wednesday after a week of street protests calling for his removal, was waiting at the Brazilian Embassy residency for a flight to Brazil, said the Brazilian ambassador, Sergio Florencio Sobrinho.

After a meeting between government officials last night, the ambassador said Ecuador was not ready to grant permission for Mr. Gutierrez to leave the country.

– Associated Press

EAST ASIA

JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER TO APOLOGIZE FOR WWII INVASIONS

TOKYO – Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan will publicly apologize today for Japan’s invasion and colonization of other countries during World War II, Japanese media reported. The address will come at a time when ties between Tokyo and Beijing have sharply deteriorated amid complaints that Japan has failed to atone for its militarist past. Mr. Koizumi will express “deep regret” and offer a “heartfelt apology” in a speech to be delivered today at an Asia-Africa conference in Jakarta, Kyodo News Agency reported. Asahi newspaper also reported the apology on its Web site.

The prime minister will also say Japan will stick to a “peaceful path” and increase its overseas development aid to Asian and African nations, Kyodo said, based on an advance copy of the speech.

– Associated Press

SOUTHEAST ASIA

SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT FOR VIETNAM DIE IN BUS CRASH

Twenty-nine former Vietnamese soldiers, who fought against the Americans and French, and a driver and tour guide were killed in a bus crash yesterday while en route to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, police said.

The bus had rounded a curve on the old Ho Chi Minh trail – which has been converted into a highway – about 7:30 a.m., and plummeted about 70 yards down a mountain in Kon Tum province, about 90 miles south of Danang, said A Tri, a district police chief. Only two of the 33 people aboard survived, he said.

– Associated Press