Today's Story Line

The anti-Milosevic protest rallies continue to grow. The goal: Push Yugoslavia's president to step down peacefully. But there are concerns that Serbs may turn on Serbs.

Today was supposed to mark the start of peace talks to end Colombia's four-decade old jungle insurgency. But they've been delayed. Government and rebel negotiators can't agree yet on the terms of international policing over a huge slice of guerrilla-controlled land.

Is it a golf course or a survival course? That's what participants at the British Open have been asking themselves.

- David Clark Scott, World editor

REPORTERS ON THE JOB

*NAME DROPPING HELPS: Monitor's Howard LaFranchi went to the office of Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces in the jungle town of San Vicente de Cagun to request an interview with a commanding officer. After the usual formalities, Howard was asked who from the FARC organization had recommended him for the interview. Thinking fast, "I said I had been told to come by Comandante Mono Jojoy, the FARC's second in command." The rebel soldier's eyes widened in astonishment. Then, with a chuckle, Howard explained that he'd read in a Colombian news magazine that Mono Jojoy (real name: Jorge Briceo) had invited the world community to come to FARC territory to hear about the guerrilla organization. Howard got the interview with FARC Commander Raul Reyes.

PRESS CLIPPING

*BA POLITICAL PRISONER SPEAKS: Former Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet says that he did not order the torture of opponents but "didn't have time" to control what others in his regime were doing. "As general of the republic I never accepted torture. I am not just talking about my presidency. Well before, in fact. I never accepted torture," Gen. Pinochet said in a rare interview with the Sunday Telegraph, a British newspaper. "I take political responsibility, not judicial. Otherwise we would all be guilty. Mr. Clinton would be guilty [of acts] in Kosovo."

Pinochet said at the time of his arrest he had diplomatic immunity. "The only political prisoner in England [today] is me."

Pinochet is due to appear in a British court on Sept. 27 for an extradition hearing. Spain is seeking his extradition on charges related to human rights abuses.

(c) Copyright 1999. The Christian Science Publishing Society