A roundup of today's other world news in brief
Chávez objects as Colombia, US to sign drugs pact
WASHINGTON – Colombia is to sign a controversial security pact with the US to enhance its war on “narco-terrorism”, Colombia’s defence minister Gabriel Silva said yesterday.
Mr Silva, who was in Washington for talks with US defence secretary Robert Gates, said the accord would likely be signed on Friday.
The agreement, which gives US troops access to seven bases to boost Colombia’s anti- drug and counter-insurgency operations, has been criticised by neighbouring leaders, especially leftist Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, for allowing an American military presence in the region.
However, Mr Silva said the accord was a continuation of current policy and Colombia had gone to great lengths to explain that to apprehensive neighbours.
“It is another step in a co-operation effort that has lasted for more than 50 years,” he said. – (Reuters)
Bosnian Serb war criminal released
STOCKHOLM – The sole Bosnian Serb political leader to plead guilty to war crimes in the 1992-95 conflict has been released from a Swedish prison after serving six years in jail for crimes against humanity.
Biljana Plavsic, a former president of the Serbian half of Bosnia and a close colleague of Radovan Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb leader whose trial has just got under way at the war crimes tribunal in The Hague, flew from Sweden to Belgrade yesterday.
Wearing a fur coat and blowing kisses to the crowds gathered to greet her, Ms Plavsic arrived in the Serbian capital yesterday, accompanied by the Bosnian Serb prime minister, Milorad Dodik. She was later driven to her flat in the city.
“I’m happy to be here . . . but, after nine years in prison, I don’t know what will happen,” she said. Ms Plavsic, an extreme Serbian nationalist who was notoriously photographed embracing the late warlord Arkan alongside dead Bosnian Muslims, received an 11-year sentence in 2003. – (Reuters)
Court fines bishop on Holocaust claim
BERLIN – A German court has fined traditionalist bishop Richard Williamson €12,000 for incitement because he publicly denied the Holocaust, a court spokesman said yesterday.
The Bavarian court had on Monday approved a request from state prosecutors in Regensburg for the fine but British-born Dr Williamson has two weeks to contest the ruling.
“If he decides not to accept it, there will be a hearing,” said the court spokesman, adding there was as yet no indication of Dr Williamson’s intentions.
Denying the Holocaust is classified as a hate crime in Germany.
The court decision coincided with the start of talks between Vatican officials and leaders of an ultra-traditionalist Catholic splinter group, the Society of St Pius X (SSPX) of which Dr Williamson is a member. – (Reuters)
Six arrested over celebrity burglaries
LOS ANGELES – Police have arrested six people, mostly teenagers, on suspicion of breaking into the homes of Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, Lindsay Lohan and other Hollywood figures to satisfy a celebrity obsession and steal from them, authorities said yesterday.
“They were rabid consumers of everything celebrity,” Los Angeles police officer Brett Goodkin said.
He added that the suspects were motivated by “profit and celebrity worship”.
Nicholas Prugo (18) was charged last week with burglary at the homes of actor Lindsay Lohan and reality star Audrina Patridge of MTV show The Hills.
Police investigating the break-ins later arrested five others on suspicion of burglary.
Mr Prugo is accused of stealing more than $170,000 (€115,000) in jewellery and clothes. – (Reuters)