OCR Text |
Show Thursday, September 23, 2004 DAILY HERALD AS r founcrthemselves at odds over who had custody over Taha and another female scientist involved in Saddam Hussein's weapons programs, with Iraqi national security adviser Qassim Daoud saying they were in the hands of Iraqi security forces and that "Iraqi judges decided to release them because they didn't have any evidence." But a U.S. Embassy spokesman disagreed, saying the pair "are in our legal and ., physical custody." Prime Minister Ayad AUawi told The Associated Press that his government has begun reviewing the status of its detainees, including the two female scientists. But he said the review process had nothing to do with the cur- rent hostage situation and had started weeks ago in Iraq. "We have not been negotiating and we will not negotiate with terrorists on the release of hostages," he said in a telephone interview from New York. "No release takes place unless I authorize it." Iraq Continued from A I three U.S. soldiers and wounding four others. Suicide attackers struck key diplomatic and commercial centers of the capital, and American tanks and troops searching for weapons stormed into the Sadr.City shim, a stronghold of Shiite militants, only to come under a barrage of mortar and automatic weapons fire. The violence across Baghdad left at least 17 Iraqis dead and 100 injured and underscored the in- - ' ability of U.S. and Iraqi forces to bring security to even the most vital areas of the capital The confusion over the fate of female detainees began when a Justice Ministry official announced that Rihab Rashid Taha, a scientist who became known as "Dr. Germ" for helping Iraq make weapons out of anthrax, would be freed in the coming days because she was no longer a threat to national security. The U.S. and Iraqi officials nounced that "Iraqi authorities have agreed with coalition forces to conditionally release Rihab Rashid Taha on bail." He added that "the decision . has nothing to do with the threat made by the kidnappers." But soon afterward, a US. Embassy spokesman ruled out any immediate release. The two female scientists from Saddam's regime "are in our legal and physical custody. Legal status of these two and many others is under constant review," the spokesman said. Representatives of the Iraqi government and U.S. coalition forces have identified a group e de-of about 14 tainees, including Taha, who " may be eligible for release he- cause they are no longer needed for questioning and do not pose a security threat, a multinational force official said on condition of anonymity. The Iraqi government has already assented to all the names on the list, the official said. The list has gone to coalition forces and the U.S. Embassy for final approval it'A ' t - - mtk mm-""T- COUN LANE Associated Press Stanley Bigley (Kenneth Bigley's brother), left, Craig (Kenneth's son) and Philip (Kenneth's brother) speak to the media in Liverpool, England, on Wednesday after a video was released on -- high-valu- a Islamic Web site of British hostage Kenneth Bigley making a direct plea to Prime Minister Tony Blair to save his life. The conflicting US. and Iraqi statements raised questions over who has authority in the country, even after the handover of sovereignty to Allawi's interim government in June. U.S. officials have been saying that they have been givpow- ing more decision-makin- g er to Iraqis, including over se- curity matters. The US. military says it has two Iraqi women in custody Taha and Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash, a biotech researcher known as "Mrs. Anthrax." Justice Ministry spokesman Ibrahim an- Noori Abdul-Rahim Tawhid and Jihad groiip announced Tuesday it killed Hensley, saying their demands had not been met. Hensley would have marked his 49th birthday Wednesday. On Monday, the group released a video showing the beheading of Armstrong, whose body was found in Baghdad the same day. The group warned in a Web statement that Bigley, 62, would be the next to die unless all Iraqi women are released from jail though it did not set a deadline as it has in past statements. In Wednesday's video, Bigley said Blair was the only man who could keep his kidnappers from killing him. "Mr. Blair, I am nothing to you. Here's just one person liv- ing in the United Kingdom, that's all, with a family like you, like your family, your children, your boys, your wife," the speaker said in the grainy . video. "Please, you can help. I know you can," he said, addressing the British prime minister. Cat ous watch lists," Doyle said. The Sept. 11 commission has recommended that the governContinued from Al Continued from Al ment take over from the airlines the job of administering extremist," said UVSC student potentially be related to terrorithe watch lists, and the TransSean Vreeland, who started sm," said Brian Doyle, a deportation Security Administrapartment spokesman. "Also, thepetitioa more recently, the intelligence tion is in the process of making He said he is confident that the changes. community has come into posby Friday they will have the A) OT The law under which Islam session of additional informaneeded signatures to send the s was prevented from entering tion that further heightens the issue to a vote. of the United States predates the concern over Mr. Islam." the student body would need to vote in favor to remove the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and gives Department officials refused U.S. officials wide latitude to student officers from office to discuss the allegations and uninvite Moore. against the singer. They did say keep out individuals who they Bassi said he encourages stubelieve are associated with terhe was not arrested or charged rorism. In addition to overt acts with any crime. Islam left dents to speak out and to get involved. He said he is glad the Wednesday evening on a flight . of violence or conspiracy, a forfrom Dulles International Airjssue has sparked so much eigner can be excluded for propublic debate on campus. But, viding any material support, inport, outside Washington, to he said, Moore will still be London's Heathrow Airport. cluding funds, to a terrorist orcoming to speak, as well as During a news conference ganization. Wednesday, Ibrahim Hooper of Hannity. Morejbroadly, authorities can "This is not something we the Council on American-Islami- c bar anyone who has used a "powill retract," Bassi said. sition of prominence" to "enRelations called Islam's de-In a dorse or espouse terrorist activtention "Kafka-esque.- " Those in favor of Moore statement, the organization deity, or to persuade others to speaking on campus say the isscribed Islam, 56, as "one of the support terrorist activity or a sue isn't about the amount the terrorist organization" in a way most widely known and recollege spent to bring him JOSHUA BROWNAssociated Press that "undermines United States here, but rather that many spected personalities in the Muslim world. He has a long UVSC students participate in.a rally in the cafeteria at noon on campus. Many of the students efforts to reduce or eliminate don't agree with what the filmmaker has to say. students spoke to the crowd. history of promoting peace and terrorist activities." began to chant "We want Moore," as Last year, an article in GQ reconciliation and condemning Moore supporters say that terrorism." those who claim he is a liar magazine linked Islam to donaThe singer's brother and tions that ended up in the hands and the school is planning to couldn't be hjppier with anyhave never read his books or speakers go for a of the son of Sheik Omar Abdul lot more, Bassi said. He said business manager, David Gorraise the rest through ticket ' one else coming to the area to seen his controversial docudon, who lives in Princeton, Rahman, a radical Islamic cleric mentaries, which include speak about politics so close to they tried to negotiate Moore's sales and who was convicted in a plot to "Farenheit 911" and the AcadN.J., told The Associated Press speaking price but that he Though UVSC paid more general election time. bomb New York City landthat Islam's "only work, his than other colleges for Moore, wouldn't go down. "He's a great representative emy Award-winne- r "Bowling is humanitarian marks in the for Columbine." the student leaders say they of the Republican view of the However, other colleges only mind-set- , will Likely make more than causes. He just wants to be an "It's good to have a different have booked him for less. In July 2000, Islam was deworld," Chaffetz said. side of the story, especially On Oct. 11, Moore will be Tickets for Hannity's speech ambassador for peace." ported from Israel hours after they spent through The government is trying to he arrived. An Israeli newspahere in conservative Utah," and donations. are available through the speaking at the University of said student Jeff Kirk, who determine why Islam was alArizona. The student body events center and on the Interper, Maariv, reported at the Hannity has said he will be lowed on the plane by United net at www.smithstix.com, as time that during a 1988 trip to with his wife, Kathy, held up paid him $27,500 to come. He coming for free, as long as the is scheduled to speak two days well as at Smith's grocery Airlines, whose employees were Israel, Islam had delivered tens college provides his airfare signs in favor of the filmmaker and other travel expenses. stores. Tickets are $5 and, for later at the University of Nevasupposed to compare the passen- of thousands of dollars to the during a heated debate in the The Jon Huntsman Jr. cammilitant Islamic group Hamas. student cafeteria area Wednescloser seats, $10. da Reno at the price of ger manifest to the watch list. Islam has said that he has $32,700. The students there day. "Currently, Homeland Securipaign is helping to sponsor Though many have said paid more than $6,000, a nonHannity's expenses. Campaign I Tammy McPherson can be ty is working with United to de- never knowingly supported the termine how he was allowed to activities of any terrorist orgaor reached at Moore's $40,000 speaking manager Jason Chaffetz said, profit group called the Democnization. He donated some of short of the president, they board, since he was on numer- price is a hefty amount, other tmcphersonheraldextra.com. racy for Nevada paid $10,000 the royalties from the sale of a boxed set of his albums to the Sept. 11 Fund, which aids families of victims of the terrorist hijackings. In Los Angeles, Edina Lekovic of the Muslim Public Affairs Council called "preposterous" allegations that Islam ! had contributed to Hamas and v.vw other terrorist organizations. She said the council had presented Islam with the council's 250-Threa- dVeratex "Deco" Lauren media award two years ago for .... .J. . 1 nM'iy 1 I his extensive philanthropic v I Solid Bedding Collection work. "We're horrified that someFor a limited time, save on For a limited time, save of this stature and promione on 100 cotton solid queen or king comforter sets, nence was treated so disrepsheet sets and accessories. sheets in twin, full, queen utably," she said. "It's bewildera cr n I or king sizes. In assorted nuw 11 nr ; ing." ney. tfen The singer, born in London 299.99. colors. Reg. $10-$4as Stephen Georgiou, took the 7.99-34.99, now stage name Cat Stevens during the 1960s. In the late 1970s he shocked his fans by converting to Islam and abandoning his popular music career, although he has released some songs in recent years. He was last in the United States two months ago, according to his Web site. A DVD of his 1976 Majikat concert tour is due for release in the United States on Friday. The Homeland Security Defound out that Islam partment Noble Noble was on his way to the United States after scrutinizing an Towel electronic manifest for United For a limited time, save Bedding Flight 919. The airline submitted on 100 cotton towel sets. the list following routine proceChoose from full, queen or dures for international flights.' Sets contain two bath ' By the time it was discovered king coverlets, bed skirts, hand two towels towels, he on was that the board, or plane duvet sets, pillow shams and two washcloths. In was over the Atlantic, bound decorative pillows. Reg. $20-$11white, natural, linen, sage, for Dulles International now 13.40-79.7US. officials said they decidbrick or amber. Reg. $30. Also save on full, queen or ed to divert the plane to Bangor I 1 1 I 1 Ti V J to keep it from entering the Ul J I d 1 king sheet sets, reg. $49-$6- Hannity . . Two-third- . anti-Moo- high-profi- re le fund-raiser- s. mid-1990- s. 344-255- 9 Sail (si 33 OFF I .py.u-.p'ty- 33 799 Twin Sheet M f V u, Sheets Count if, 19 99 OFF Excellence "Charleston" Collection Excellence Set S 9, 3. '"ill 9. now 31.945.99. ' Dillard's Wedding Registry at M Boston-Ne- L All ""l"" mttMioninyrf wr Main. Prow Town Cinlra, In MkCltyil Fashion PtaMM W wskxm your Nanfi Cratl C4 Thi An i tv. " ms 1,1 ctdlttstrml' iNisiinimcift items subject to prior sale. Sho9HondtfMu1MndSuni1MatslOatfllaedom. hPm h - whyhiregister anywhere else? We have over 300 stores in 29 states, coast to coast; personal service for you, your family and guests; a free wedding and home planner as your gift Plus, family and friends can purchase from your registry in store, online or by calling Selected styles. Selection varies by store. . . ..f" ")" : Dillard's Express Credit Account. SAVE 10'ob purchasss In other departmentt In 0w store. DiliM's w York-Washingt- corridor. The watch lists are assembled from information supplied by intelligence and law enforcement agencies throughout the government. The lists are coordinated by the Terrorist Screening Center, a joint operation of the FBI, the Departments of Homeland Security and State, and the intelligence community. Individuals can be "nominated" for the list by a particular agency, and the validity of the information is supposed to be assessed by analysts from other agencies. 5 |