- September 20, 2003
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September 20 ,2003 =*
Israeli-Palestinian conflict :Israel says that theUnited Nations resolution onYasser Arafat (passed 133-4 with 15 abstentions) "is meaningless. It is only a declaration and not legally binding." Yasser Arafat states it's of the "utmost importance" as a sign of international support for the Palestinians. Israel statesPalestinian s should focus their energy on fighting terrorism. Israel also insists that a new government being formed by incoming PalestinianPrime Minister Ahmed Qureia cut links to Arafat. Israel says Arafat is tainted byterrorism . Qureia's criticism ofUnited States policy is the strongest sign yet he does not plan to challenge Arafat. [http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2003-09-20-mideast-un-resolution_x.htm] [http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_383121,001300380000.htm] [http://www4.arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=32340&d=21&m=9&y=2003] [http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2003/09/21/2003068648]
* 'War on Terrorism ': 17 people are killed byUnited States airstrike s in southeastAfghanistan 'sZabul province (in particular the Shinkay district). Eightnomad women andchildren , twoTaliban fighters, several collaborating nomads, and a Taliban commander (Mohammad Gul Niazai ) are among the dead. [http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=3477793] [http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/breakingnews/view.asp?msgID=2870]
* Occupation of Iraq: Two American soldiers are killed and 13 wounded in a mortar attack in Abu Ghraib, and another soldier dies in a roadside attack in Ramadi, bringing the number of U.S. deaths since the war began to 304, of which 165 occurred after President Bush's "mission accomplished" statement of May 1. [http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/21/international/middleeast/21CND-IRAQ.html?ex=1064808000&en=a6d794bc32612759&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE] A member of the Governing Council, Dr.Aquila al-Hashimi , is shot in an assassination attempt (she dies five days later).United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly condemns the attack and warns that it only undermines the country's political progress. [http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=8308&Cr=Iraq&Cr1=]
* European Union enlargement:Latvia ns vote overwhelmingly in favor of the Baltic country joining theEuropean Union . [http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2003/09/21092003021526.asp]
* Canadian Liberal Leadership Race: Early numbers from delegate-selection elections within the Liberal Party confirm Paul Martin will win an automatic first-round victory at the forthcoming leadership convention. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Martin can now be expected to become Canada's 21st Prime Minister in February 2004. [http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/09/20/liberals030920]
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