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Show Wednesday,Mach15, 2006 DAILY HERALD Chinapromises more protections for farmers Tran says no compromise nee Pre out at Taiwan president i , Elaine Kurtenbach i ASSOCIATED PRE this year on rural schools, picareneado farmers, to help spread pros- as U.N. Security Council in the countryside. takes on nuclearissue to the 800 million of Fe13 bain pennle tring “Most ofall, they'd like to control the overall quality of growth, not to slow it down,” Premier Wen Jiabao prom- economist at Standard Char- rights of farmers, who helped tered Bank in Shanghai. bring China's ruling communists to power,as parliament endorseda five-year economic blueprint aimedatclosing the = wide andvolatile gap between rich and poor. MaoZedongcalledthem the “contradictions between the people” — the inevitable clashes ofinterests that China’sruling Communist Party must reconcile as it navigates through unprecedented economic reforms. Struggling to ensure the stunning growth that has made China the world’s fourth-big- GREG BAKER/Associated Press. Chinese Premier WenJiabao, right, and President Hu Jintao applaud during the closing ceremonyof the National People’s Conservatives complain China’s economic reforms havefailed to produce enough benefits for the majority of Chinese, while enrichinga tiny elite and fueling corruption — the inescapable challengeof Congress in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Tuesday. balancing interests harkening ___ ownlivelihoods,” Wen said ina nationally televisednews downto 7.5 percent a year through 2010, with 2006 back to Mao's writings on handling “Contradictions Among the People.” China’s leaders face increas- conferenceatthecloseof this growth at 8 percent — way ingly bloodyrural conflicts year's 10-day session of the National People’s Congress. below the 9.9 percent seen in 2005. The focus should be on “We needto deliver tangible gest economyis politically and environmentallysustainable, Beijing's leaders are emphasizing their commitment to the millions left behind by the eco- benefits to the farmers.” The 2,891-memberparliament, which routinely rubberstampspolicies already decided by the government, approved nomic boom. by a more than 97 percent It's a goal that has gained urgency amid mounting protests overseizures of farmland, pollution and otherconflicts. “We need to respect the right ofthe farmersto havetheir Ali AkbarDareini THE ASSOCIATEDPRESS said Stephen Green, senior ised Tuesdayto protect the margin Wen's report on plans for 2006 andthe five-year economic plan. It calls for reducing pollution and wasteof resources by bringing economic growth over pollution andseizures of land for construction of shop- environmental standards and ping malls andotherprojects. quality oflife, rather thannumerical targets, Wensaid. “The thing that pains me mostis that . . we haven't yet _beenabletofind better solutions for problems most of concernto the general public, such as the problem of medical services, education, housing and security,” Wensaid. The governmentplans bil_lions of dollars of new spend- The numberofcasesof public disorder rose 6.6 percentlast year to 87,000, according to governmentfigures. In the deadliest reported incident, at least three villagers in the southern province of Guangdong werekilled in December whenpolice opened fire on demonstratorsprotesting inadequate compensation from land seized for a powerplant. Iran's supreme leader issued a toughline on his country’s suspectnuclear program Tuesday, saying it is “irreversible” and any retreat wouldendangerthe Islamic republic'sindependence. The confrontational tone from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters,set Iran on collision a with the West as the five rmanent members of the U.N. Becurty Council debated how to deal with fears Tehran is seek- ing to develop atomic weapons. After meeting Tuesday at the United Nations, the Security Council powers remained divided over how strong a statement to makeonIran’s nuclear program.A British-French draft demands thatIran halt all uranium enrichment, which can be used to makenuclear arms, and calls for a report within weeks onIran's progress toward answering questions aboutits nuclear program. Russia and China, which have strong economicties with Tehran, say the draft does not leave enough roomfor diplomacy and focuses too much on possible action by the council, which could impose sanctions. The White Housésaid the calls by Moscow andBeijing for a negotiated endto thecrisis do not mean the end of U.S. hopes for a strong statement from the 15-nation council. “That's prematureto get into that kind of discussion,” White Housepress secretary Scott McClellan said.“The discussions are ongoing.” McClellan said Iran wants to divert attention from the real issue, but that “all nations understand the importance of preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon. ... This is about the regime's behavior.” At the United Nations, U.S. AmbassadorJohn Bolton said the Bush administration wants to move “as quickly as we can,” although he added thatit wants to maintain the unity ofthe five permanent council members that wield veto power. starts today shop special hours Sam-10pm 30% OFF 30% OFF ALLISON TAYLOR WOOD-BEADED SEPARATES Shrug & printed WOOD-DETAILED SEPARATES BY NOTATIONS ‘ SALE 24,99-34.99 / orig. $36-$50. skirt, orig. $72 ea. 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