PERSIAN GULF

U.N. NUCLEAR CHIEF: IRAN ISSUE ‘REACHING A CRITICAL PHASE’

VIENNA, Austria – Iran threatened to retaliate yesterday in the face of almost certain referral to the U.N. Security Council for its nuclear activities, and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said the dispute was “reaching a critical phase.” Ahead of a decision by the IAEA’s 35-nation board, American and European delegates turned to behind-the-scenes diplomacy to build the broadest possible support for reporting Iran to the council over concerns it is seeking nuclear weapons.

– Associated Press

SADDAM TRIAL MOVES AHEAD

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Two prosecution witnesses testified before an empty defendants’ box yesterday as Saddam Hussein boycotted his own trial, choosing to watch the proceedings by video linkup. The chief judge – who has appeared determined to push ahead whether Saddam and seven co-defendants attend or not – ordered the case halted until February 13, apparently to give time to resolve a standoff that could damage the trial’s credibility.

– Associated Press

BAGHDAD BOMBINGS KILL 11 IRAQIS; FIVE U.S. COMBAT DEATHS REPORTED

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Two bombings 20 minutes apart killed at least 11 Iraqis yesterday, and the American military announced five more American battle deaths. An American rocket attack on the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City killed a woman and enraged Shiites across Iraq.

Near Sadr City, a shepherd made a grisly discovery: 16 blindfolded and bound men who had been shot repeatedly and buried in an open area. The men, all wearing civilian clothes but with no identity documents, were the latest victims in a string of presumed sectarian attacks. The bloodshed, coupled with attacks on an oil processing plant in the northern city of Kirkuk, underscored the difficulties faced in curbing Iraq’s raging violence.

– Associated Press

MIDDLE EAST

PROTESTS OVER PROPHET CARTOONS ESCALATE

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Outrage over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad escalated in the Arab and Islamic world yesterday, with Palestinian Arab gunmen briefly kidnapping a German citizen and protesters in Pakistan chanting “death to France” and “death to Denmark.” Palestinian Arab terrorists surrounded E.U. headquarters in Gaza, and gunmen burst into several hotels and apartments in the West Bank in search of foreigners to take hostage.

– Associated Press

EAST ASIA

U.S. AND SOUTH KOREA AGREE TO LAUNCH FREE TRADE TALKS

South Korean cars, cell phones, and other consumer goods should drop in price if America and its Asian partner complete the biggest free trade deal since America tore down barriers with Mexico and Canada. The start of talks to link America with its seventh-largest trading partner were announced yesterday in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. The negotiations, which can begin after a 90-day consultation period with Congress, are expected to take at least a year, and it’s an open question whether they will succeed.

– Associated Press

SOUTH AMERICA

CHAVEZ: VENEZUELA WILL EXPEL U.S. NAVY OFFICER ACCUSED OF SPYING

CARACAS, Venezuela – President Chavez said yesterday that Venezuela is expelling Navy Commander John Correa for allegedly passing secret information from the Venezuelan military to the Pentagon and warned he will throw out all American military attaches if further espionage occurs. He also accused Commander Correa of encouraging Venezuelan officers to consider overthrowing his government.

– Associated Press