News Currents
LATIN AMERICAForeign ministers of the Organization of American States held an emergency meeting yesterday, attended by deposed Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, to consider sanctions and trade embargoes against the military junta that seized power in Haiti this week. While capitals around the world condemned the coup and cut off aid, Brig. Gen. Raoul Cedras, head of the three-man junta that led it, appeared to be consolidating power. Cedras told French radio that Roger Lafontant, reputed leader of the feared Tonton Macoutes militia squads, was killed in prison by a soldier during the coup. Meanwhile, many Haitian activists have already gone underground, and a few, including Antoine Izmery, a wealthy businessman who helped finance Aristide's campaign, were arrested. One report said that widespread killings had begun.
MIDDLE EAST Israel has suspended further Arab prisoner releases until it receives more information on missing Israelis and their militia allies, according to an Israeli-backed militia chief. These releases are key to ending the Middle East hostage crisis.... The first direct flight for Jewish immigrants from the Soviet Union arrived in Israel yesterday, carrying just eight passengers. Until now, Jews leaving the Soviet Union have had to stop first at transit stations in Eastern Europe.... Iraq said yesterday a UN ba llistic-missile inspection team had arrived in Baghdad to resume work on inspecting missile sites.
UNITED STATES Senate leaders agreed to vote on Judge Clarence Thomas's nomination to the Supreme Court on Oct. 8, one day after the court begins its fall session. Retiring Justice Thurgood Marshall announced Tuesday that he wants to retire immediately.... Robert Gates, President Bush's nominee to head the Central Intelligence Agency, slanted intelligence reports in the 1980s to exaggerate the Soviet threat, with some of the tainted reports being sent directly to the Oval Office, former CIA analysts charged in Senate c onfirmation hearings.... An exhibit of 80 watercolors by the "royal amateur," Prince Charles of Britain, makes its world debut at the small Norton Gallery and School of Art in West Palm Beach, Fla., next month. The prince began painting landscapes as he traveled the globe about three years ago.
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Vietnam said Tuesday it sought cooperation with all nations, regardless of their economic systems. In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Tran Quang Co said the "phasing-out of the bipolar world" means all countries must diversify their political and economic relations.... The Soviet Navy's Far East base at Vladivostok is a graveyard for dozens of rusting warships, according to Toru Kizu, a Japanese naval expert who visited the facility.
