WESTERN EUROPE

10 FACE DEPORTATION AFTER RAIDS ON ISLAMIST EXTREMISTS

The man described as Osama bin Laden’s ambassador in Europe faces deportation from Britain to a Jordanian jail after the detention yesterday of 10 Islamist extremists and “preachers of hate.”

Abu Qatada and nine other foreign nationals were held in raids led by immigration officials and backed by police. Several of those detained as “threats to national security” were subject to the government’s home-based “control order” regime, including Mr. Qatada, a Jordanian cleric, who has been convicted of terrorism offenses in his absence in his home country.

He was described by a judge as being “at the center in the U.K. of terrorist activities associated with Al Qaeda” during his period as one of the so-called Belmarsh detainees, before the law lords declared the system of jail detention without trial for foreign terrorist suspects unlawful. The abandoned Belmarsh system had been created because there was “no realistic possibility,” under human rights laws, of deporting suspects to nations that might use the death penalty or torture, and insufficient evidence to try them for terrorism targeted against Britain.

But Jordan has now pledged not to execute or torture those returned from Britain, and the government is close to signing similar agreements with up to nine other countries.

The Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, said: “The circumstances of our national security have changed. It is vital that we act against those who threaten it.”

Mr. Qatada, described by a Spanish judge as “bin Laden’s right-hand man in Europe,” arrived in Britain nearly 12 years ago on a forged passport to claim asylum.

The detentions in Britain came as the chief constable of West Yorkshire, Colin Cramphorn, told the Spectator that Muslim extremists had set up training camps in national parks.

– The Daily Telegraph

MIDDLE EAST

SHIITE LAWMAKER CALLS FOR A FEDERATED IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A leading Shiite lawmaker called yesterday for a Shiite federal region, alarming Sunni Arabs who fear they will lose out on oil revenues and complicating efforts to meet a deadline for drafting a constitution within four days.

During a speech to cheering crowds in Najaf, Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim endorsed calls for a federated Iraq, saying federalism was needed “to keep a political balance in the country” after decades of dictatorship under Saddam Hussein. “The constitution must allow the formation of regional governments along with the united central government based on the principles of equality and justice,” Mr. al-Hakim said.

The move could pave the way for a Shiite south and a Kurdish north. The Kurds have demanded federalism to maintain control over three northern provinces and also want authority over Kirkuk, from which thousands of Kurds were expelled by Saddam. Most of Iraq’s vast oil wealth is concentrated in the Kirkuk area of the north or in the Basra area of the south. Sunnis fear they could lose out on Iraq’s oil riches under a loosely federated system.

Mr. al-Hakim’s maneuvering could also complicate American efforts to produce a constitution that will win the backing of Sunni Arabs in the October 15 referendum and draw them away from the insurgency. The comments from al-Hakim, leader of the country’s biggest Shiite party, drew a sharp response from Sunni Arab politicians.

In an Internet statement yesterday, Al Qaeda in Iraq threatened anyone involved in drafting the “illegal constitution” and vowed to attack voting centers during the October referendum.

The American military announced yesterday that another American Marine was killed in a roadside bombing the night before in the western city of Ramadi.

– Associated Press

EAST ASIA

SOUTH KOREAN SAYS NORTH HAS RIGHT TO ‘PEACEFUL’ NUCLEAR PROGRAM

SEOUL, South Korea – A senior South Korean official said yesterday that North Korea has the right to a peaceful nuclear program, a view conflicting with Washington in its disagreement with the hard-line Pyongyang regime that has snagged disarmament talks.

“Our position is that North Korea has a general right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, for agricultural, medical, and power-generating purposes,” South Korea’s unification minister, Chung Dong-young, said in an interview yesterday with the online news service Media Daum. “Building a light-water nuclear reactor is a general right of North Korea,” Mr. Chung said. “In this, our position differs from that of Washington.”

There was no immediate reaction from the Bush administration. But on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill reiterated American opposition to allowing North Korea to retain a nuclear capability for civilian use. The chief American envoy at six-nation talks aimed at persuading the North to renounce its nuclear weapons program, Mr. Hill, said previously that negotiations stalled Sunday over Pyongyang’s demand for a light-water reactor, which Washington has ruled out.

– Associated Press

SOUTHEAST ASIA

PHILIPPINE INTELLIGENCE INDICATES AMERICAN TERROR TARGETS

MANILA, Philippines – Islamic terrorists linked to Al Qaeda have plotted attacks on American and British consulates, hotels, a mall, and other targets across the country, according to a confidential Philippines government report reviewed yesterday by the Associated Press.

The report, which was prepared in March, contains sketchy details of bombing, kidnapping, and assassination plots that Philippine intelligence agencies say are linked to the Abu Sayyaf extremist group and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Some of the attacks were intended to be staged by Filipino militants trained by Al Qaeda’s regional ally, Jemmah Islamiyah, the report said.

Abu Sayyaf members have been battling government troops in the southern Philippines, and the group has been blamed for bombings and other terror attacks in recent years, including two explosions in the southern port of Zamboanga that wounded 26 people late Wednesday. Two other southern cities mentioned as targets in the report, Cotabato and Koronadal, were hit by bombings that wounded four people July 30. Abu Sayyaf also was blamed for those blasts.

President Arroyo’s national security adviser, Norberto Gonzales, said terror plots may have been delayed or thwarted by American-backed military offensives that have kept Abu Sayyaf guerrillas on the run, tighter immigration watches, and the strengthening of security at potential targets.

– Associated Press

CENTRAL ASIA

AMERICAN AIRSTRIKES KILLED CIVILIANS, VILLAGERS SAY

QALAT, Afghanistan – Afghan villagers said yesterday that American warplanes had bombed houses, killing several civilians and wounding others, including an infant. American forces suffered their sixth fatality in a week amid rising violence.

Zabul’s governor, Ali Khail, said American-led coalition forces made “a mistake” during operations against militants in the southern province and that civilians had died. He gave no details. The American military denied civilians were at the scene of the fighting in Day Chopan district Monday, and the district’s police chief said Taliban insurgents had been hiding in the area. American officials said earlier that 18 suspected Taliban guerrillas and one American service member had been killed in the clash.

Another American service member died yesterday when militants ambushed a group of American military engineers near a road construction project in Paktika province. Another service member was wounded.

– Associated Press

NORTH AFRICA

SUDAN SWEARS IN NEW VICE PRESIDENT

KHARTOUM, Sudan – A former southern rebel commander was sworn in to replace his late ally as first vice president yesterday and promised to pursue peace for all of Sudan, including bloodied Darfur and the restive east.

Salva Kiir Mayardit linked hands with other leaders in a show of unity, and then a singer proclaimed “I am African, I am Sudanese,” while spectators danced forward, shaking walking sticks and embracing each other in celebration. President al-Bashir danced a bit and shook hands with well-wishers.

But the day was generally somber, far more muted than the festive July 9 ceremony at the same spot when Mr. Kiir’s late predecessor, John Garang de Mabior, became first vice president amid strong hopes that Sudan was on the road toward peace. Sudan was briefly thrown into turmoil when Garang died in a helicopter crash July 30, three weeks after taking office as first vice president. His death raised fears the peace deal could unravel and bring more fighting in the south, where 2 million people died during the war.

But Mr. Kiir, Garang’s longtime deputy in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, stepped in to take his place and vowed to keep the peace, protect Sudan’s unity, and help heal divisions in other parts of the multiethnic nation.

– Associated Press