BBC 2008-04-11
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BBC News with Fiona McDonald
The High Court in London has ruled that Britain Serious Fraud Office acted illegally when it dropped an inquiry into alleged corruption involving a huge arms deal which in Britain and Saudi Arabia. The SFO had been looking into allegations that the British firm BAE Systems bribed Saudi officials to help win the deal. Angus Crawford reports.(www.hXen.com)
The AL-Yamamah arms deal was signed in 1985 and was worth more than 40 billion pounds over 2 decades. But there were allegations of bribery, something strongly denied by BAE Systems. In 2004, the Serious Fraud Office began a criminal investigation which it dropped 2 years later on the grounds of national security. But 2 campaign groups launched a judicial review against the director of the SFO. They claimed he had given in to threats to cut off cooperation on intelligence made by Saudi Arabia.
The US House of Representatives has put a hold on President Bush's plans for a free trade agreement with Colombia by deciding to postpone a vote on it indefinitely. Analysts say this could now kill off an initiative designed by the White House to reward a key South American ally. Jack Izzard reports from Washington.
President Bush says a free trade pact between the US and its South American ally Colombia would be good for business in both countries. But American Trade Union has warned it may lead to the exploitation of the Colombian workers. Congress is due to vote on the idea after President Bush submitted his plan on Tuesday. But the House of Representatives has now thrown a spanner in the works, changing its rules to delay the vote indefinitely. This means the agreement is unlikely to be approved or even discussed before the president steps down next January.
Police in Brazil have arrested the mayors of 16 Brazilian cities and a federal judge, accused of benefiting from a major corruption scheme. Police say that more than $100 million of public money was diverted in a complex plot to defraud Brazil's social security agency. More than 50 people were arrested following the 8-month operation. (www.hXen.com)
President Bush has said he accepted the recommendation of its military commander in Iraq to suspend withdrawals of American troops in mid-July and reassess the security situation. He said the tours of duty served by America troops would also be cut later this year. Addressing reporters in the White House, Mr. Bush said an increase in troops, known as "the surge", were succeeding.
"Fifteen months ago, Al-Qaeda had bases in Iraq that it was using to kill our troops and terrorize Iraqi people; today we have put Al-Qaeda on the defensive in Iraq. We are now working to deliver a crippling blow. Fifteen months ago, Americans were worried about the prospect of failure in Iraq. Today, thanks to the surge, we've renewed and revived the prospect of success."
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The main opposition in Zimbabwe, the Movement for Democratic Change says it won't take part in a second round presidential vote even if it is called by the election authorities. The MDC Secretary General Tendai Beti told the reporters that the party leader Morgan Tsvangirai was the outright winner of the election held 12 days ago although the results have not yet been published.
The chief negotiator of the Ugandan rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army, David Matsanga has resigned on the day its leader Joseph Kony failed to sign a peace agreement with Ugandan government. The signing of the deal to end more than 20 years of conflict was suspended after Mr. Kony said he wanted further clarification of some issues. The chairman of the Ugandan government team Ruhakana Rugunda said it was Mr. Kony's right to be clear about the terms of the agreement.
"We can’t help expecting that the peace process would advance, and that's why we're concerned the advancing. Kony is seeking the explanation due to the fact that he believes in the peace process and he wants to be fairly explained, the issues before he signs. So what is taking place is really in a normal process, giving further confidence in the peace process."
A 12th century key to Islam's holy shrine the Kaaba in Mecca has been sold in London for $18 million. The key is the only one in private hands rather than a museum. The price paid by an anonymous bidder is three times higher than the previous record for the sale of any Islamic artwork.
BBC News.
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