From the International Desk
Published 5/20/2003 9:10 AM
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Saudi official: al-Qaida still plotting

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 20 (UPI) -- At least three al-Qaida cells are operating in Saudi Arabia and are plotting new attacks either in the kingdom or in North America, Saudi Ambassador Prince Bandar bin Sultan says. The New York Times quotes the ambassador as saying intelligence reports indicate about the same high level of chatter that preceded last week's triple bombings in Riyadh. U.S. officials are reviewing the information to determine if the terror threat warning level needs to be raised.

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Baath Party members facing retribution

BAGHDAD, May 20 (UPI) -- Angry Iraqis, who in recent days have been reclaiming the bodies of loved ones buried in mass graves, reportedly are tracking down members of the ruling Baath Party and killing them. The Washington Post reports the assassinations are the result of fears the United States would not impose adequate punishment on mid-level government functionaries aligned with the party that tormented the populace for three decades. Many of the killings -- which could run into the hundreds -- have taken place in Saddam City, a slum on the eastern edge of Baghdad largely populated by Shiite Muslims.

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U.S. introduces U.N. draft Iraq measure

UNITED NATIONS, May 20 (UPI) -- U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte Monday introduced a new draft U.N. Security Council Iraq resolution that gives the world organization greater responsibility, more clearly defines its role and lifts sanctions but does not address the question of weapons-of-mass-destruction inspections. Negroponte, who told reporters the latest version was in a ready-for-vote form, expected voting to take place no earlier than Wednesday. Washington's envoy said he had asked council members to "seek instructions to be ready to vote by that time.

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Koreas squaring off on nuclear issue

SEOUL, South Korea, May 20 (UPI) -- North Korea warned Tuesday South Korea would suffer an "unspeakable disaster" if it supports Washington's hard-line stance over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. The warning was issued in response to South Korea's demand the North end the nuclear crisis as a condition for the delivery of food aid from the South. The exchanges of tough messages came on the first day of governmental talks to discuss how to reactivate inter-Korean reconciliation projects stalled in the wake of 8-month-old standoff over the North's nuclear program.

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More charges in the Texas trailer deaths

HOUSTON, May 20 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors Monday announced three more arrests and new charges in the deaths of 19 illegal immigrants inside a stifling, unvented truck trailer last week near Victoria in South Texas. A woman who accompanied the truck driver with more than 70 immigrants packed in the sealed trailer was arrested in Cleveland, Ohio, and four more people have been charged in a related case at McAllen in South Texas, according to U.S. Attorney Michael Shelby. Nineteen people died after being sealed in the unvented trailer for a four-hour drive from Harlingen near the border to Victoria.

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Swarming ants kill Arizona child

PHOENIX, May 20 (UPI) -- A 3-month-old Phoenix girl was killed Monday after being covered by ants that swarmed into the home of a baby sitter. The Arizona Republic said the child was found in serious respiratory distress about a half-hour after being placed in a crib for a nap.

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Nikkei recovers to close up; Asia mixed

SINGAPORE, May 20 (UPI) -- Asian stock markets closed mixed Tuesday following sharp falls on Wall Street overnight. In Tokyo, shares recovered from losses in afternoon trading after Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa said the government may consider extra spending. The Nikkei 225 Average closed up 0.25 percent at 8,059.48, although selling on banking stocks continued in the wake of Resona Holdings' bailout this weekend. A weakening of the yen benefited exporters such as automaker Honda, which was up 2 percent.

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Argentina beats Sweden at World team tennis

DUSSELDORF, Germany, May 20 (UPI) -- David Nalbandian and Gaston Gaudio got Argentina's defense of its ATP World Team Championship off to a winning start Monday. Argentina, on a high after placing four players in the semifinals at last week's Hamburg Masters, clinched a victory over Sweden with a pair of singles wins at this final tuneup for next week's French Open. In Blue Group round-robin action, Nalbandian dispatched Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman, 6-2, 6-2. The match was transferred after three games from the Rochusclub to a backup clay court laid over the ice at the Brehmstrasse Ice Stadium due to rain.