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Security Talks Focus on Terror World defence chiefs have gathered in Munich. The informal meeting provides an annual snapshot of global military thinking. This year, the attacks of Sept 11 are casting a shadow on the strategic brainstorming event. To read this article on the DW-WORLD website, just click on the internet address below: http://dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1430_A_433656_1_A,00.html ----------------------------------------------------------- Deutsche Welle English Service News 2nd February, 2002, 18:00 UTC 330 Arrests at Munich Security Conference 400 military officials and political leaders from 43 nations are attending this weekend's conference in the southern German city of Munich, to discuss defence policy and the threat of international terrorism. 330 anti-globalisation protestors were arrested, after Riot police derspersed two seperate gatherings in Munich, where demonstrations were banned during the conference. At least two people were injured in confrontations. Bavarian premier and the German conservatives' candidate for chancellor Edmund Stoiber said Europe must increase its military spending. Its technical capabilities lagged markedly behind those of the USA, he said. Sharon Begins Talks, US Defence Official Accuses Palestinians US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told defence policy makers in Munich that the key to solving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians was ending terrorism in the region. Wolfowitz's comments, in which he accused the Palestinian leadership of being implicated in terrorism, came as news emerged that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had begun his first top-level meetings with Palestinian leaders since taking office. The talks, which Sharon's office has not confirmed, reportedly involved Palestinian parliamentary speaker Ahmed Korei, Arafat's unofficial deputy, Mahmoud Abbas, and an adviser, Mohammed Rashid. Israeli helicopters attacked Palestinian naval police headquarters in Gaza before daybreak, after an Israeli soldier was wounded near Erez. Karzai Returns to Troubled Afghanistan Interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai returned to Kabul, after appealing to international economic leaders meeting in New York for more security support. At home, Karzai faces the task of stabilising a factious and war-torn country. Defeated Afghan forces loyal to the Governor designated by the provisional administration in Kabul are preparing to launch counter-attacks on the eastern provincial capital of Gardez. Tribal fighters seized the town in a two-day battle earlier this week that left at least 50 people dead and 20 wounded. Afghan tribal leaders said more than 40 people had been killed in clashes in the north. Officials in Kabul said Karzai would also turn his attention to the western city of Herat, a further potential flashpoint. German Ships Begin Patrols off Africa Meanwhile, five German naval ships have been deployed to patrol the Gulf of Aden for three weeks as part of a 16-nation mission to intercept suspected terrorists and smuggled weapons off the Horn of Africa. The three frigates plus two supply ships, with 850 crew members, were sent from Germany four weeks ago. A German government spokesman said the Bundeswehr was also seeking to establish a naval base in the Africa, possibly the Kenyan port city of Mombassa, from which aircraft could also patrol Indian Ocean sea routes. The US believes that terrorist organisation al Qaeda has bases in Somalia, Kenya's neighbour. Social Justice also Vital - Schroeder Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has told the World Economic Forum in New York that the U.S.-led anti-terrorism campaign must be underpinned by social justice in tackling poverty and fair trade. As part of what he called an "Agenda for Global Security and Cooperation, Schroeder proposed trade free of national egoism and based on ecological criteria. Bodies such as the U.N., the IMF and World Bank should be strengthened, he said. At a parallel World Social Forum conference at Porto Elegre in Brazil, participants have demanded fundamental changes to the world's trade and finance system. Duhalde Warns of Cash "Anarchy" President Eduardo Duhalde has warned that Argentina's struggling financial system could collapse fully if bank customers withdraw cash in unlimited amounts as suggested by the country's Supreme Court. It ruled on Friday that the 950 euro per month maximum imposed since December was unconstitutional because it denied citizens access to private property. Argentine authorities have responded to the ruling by ordering commercial banks and money exchange bureaus to stay shut next Monday and Tuesday. The ruling also prompted Duhalde to postpone an economic rescue plan - amid more street protests. The peso has devalued by half since Duhalde lift its dollar peg last month. --------------------------------------------------------------- For more information please turn to our internet website at http://dw-world.de/english Here you'll find out what's happening in Germany, Europe and the rest of the world. News and background reports from the fields of current affairs, culture, business and science. And of course the DW website also has information about DW-RADIO and DW-TV programmes: topics, broadcast times and frequencies. You can even listen to all programmes as audio-on-demand. Serbian News Network - SNN [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.antic.org/
