BBC news 2007-05-31 加文本

BBC 2007-05-31


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BBC World News with Ian Perdon.

The United Nations security Council has voted to establish a special tribunal to try suspects in the assassination two years ago of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The killing caused massive anti-Syrian demonstrations across Lebanon and forced the withdrawal of Syrian troops from the country after 29 years. A UN investigation into the killing implicated Syria in the attack although Syria strongly denies any involvement. Kim Katas reports from Beirut on the reaction there to the UN vote.

Saad Hariri, the son of the assassinated politician said this was a victory for all of Lebanon and a turning point for the country. Speaking live on television, he said that the time for justice had come. He said the tribunal was not meant for revenge and he called for unity in Lebanon. His words were echoed by the Prime Minister Fouad Siniora who also gave a live televised address before going to pray at the grave of Rafik Hariri in downtown Beirut. There were celebratory fireworks in parts of the capital, although there is hope this will put an end to a long history of unpunished political assassinations, there is also fear there will be more violence.

The Constitutional court in Thailand has ordered the party of the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to be disbanded. The court had ruled that the Thai Rak Thai party was guilty of breaking electoral law during elections last year. The court also banned Mr.Thaksin who is currently out of the country and more than 100 other party members from politics for 5 years.

President Bush has asked the United States congress to set aside 30 billion dollars over the next 5 years for the global fight against AIDS. He said the sum would double the current US commitment and provide treatment for 2.5 million people. President Bush explained how the money would be spent.
"America will work with governments, the private sector and faith in community based organizations around the world to meet measurable goals. Support treatment for nearly 2.5 million people, to prevent more than 12 million new infections and support care for 12 million people including more than 5 million orphans and vulnerable children."

The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for greater international support for the African Union Peacekeeping force. Speaking in Sierra Leone on Wednesday during his tour of Africa, Mr.Blair also said that Britain will donate 10 million dollars to kick start a fund for an AU rapid reaction force.

The opposition in Venezuela has called for a referendum over the decision by the Venezuelan government not to renew the license of a private television channel RCTV. The defeated presidential candidate Manuel Rosales said a referendum was necessary as President Hugo Chavez was trying to appropriate all the country's media and to force people into silence.

World News from the BBC.

The trial has begun in the United states of a former member of the white-supremacist Ku-Klux-Klan organization charged in connection with the murder of two young black civil rights activists in the southern state of Mississippi more than 40 years ago. the defendant, a former policeman James Ford Seale was first arrested in 1964, but he was later released over lack of evidence. The case was reopened after a campaign by the brother of one of the victims Thomas Mall. He told the BBC how he felt to see Mr.Seale in court.
"It means a lot to me, it was the first day that I had the opportunity to stand that close to Seale,approximately 50 feet, and see him walk into court, it was the joyful time for me after 43 years and 20 days."

The American say 7 NATO troops were killed when their helicopter came down in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan apparently because of enemy fire. The victims included 5 crew members and 2 military passengers. The BBC's Kabul correspondent Alex Litha reports.
The twin-rotored Chinook transporter came down in the Kajacki area of Helmand province where British forces are based. Although NATO would not confirm which country the aircraft belong to or give the nationality of the dead, it's believed five Americans were killed and the passengers were of different nationality. The Taliban immediately claimed responsibility for shooting down the helicopter, and an ISL spokesman said there were enemy fighters in the area and the rescue mission had to call in air strikes against nearby Taliban positions in order to get to the crash scene.

The Bolivian President Evo Morales has joined in a street football game in the high altitude city of La Paz, his aim was to demonstrate that the city and other cities which lie above the International Football Federation's new altitude limit are suitable sporting venues.

BBC World News.