In Brief

* IRAN SANCTIONS – Iran’s economy minister said the international community was “unlikely” to impose economic sanctions on Tehran over its controversial nuclear programme.

* MASSACRE DENIAL – A day of bloodshed in Baghdad raised new fears of sectarian violence in Iraq as a Saddam Hussein co-defendant denied responsibility for a massacre before the Iraqi High Tribunal. * ROGUE TROOPS TO FACE MUSIC – Rogue soldiers face tough action by the Philippine government to discourage coup plots after moves to rehabilitate “habitual delinquents” failed, Defence Secretary Avelino Cruz said.* THAI GOVT WARNING – Thailand could declare a state of emergency if violence breaks out at a protest seeking to oust Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a senior security official warned.”If they destroy state property or burn government buildings, we will announce a state of emergency, beginning by imposing a curfew,” the senior official at the National Intelligence Agency told reporters.”If the situation grows too severe for government officials to control it, the authorities will be authorised to arrest protest leaders,” he said on condition of anonymity.* JOBS PROGRAMME – An embattled French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin promised to implement a hotly-contested youth jobs programme, as more student protests were planned for the week ahead and some commentators warned that his political future could even be at stake.* COLOMBIA VOTE – Colombian President Alvaro Uribe secured a majority in the country’s Congress and immediately used his renewed political strength to urge leftist guerrillas to revive the stalled peace process.* SALVADOR VICTORY – Former leftist guerrillas claimed victory in El Salvador’s legislative and local elections after an exit poll and early returns showed them slightly ahead of ruling conservatives in congressional races.- Nampa-AFP-Reuters* ROGUE TROOPS TO FACE MUSIC – Rogue soldiers face tough action by the Philippine government to discourage coup plots after moves to rehabilitate “habitual delinquents” failed, Defence Secretary Avelino Cruz said.* THAI GOVT WARNING – Thailand could declare a state of emergency if violence breaks out at a protest seeking to oust Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a senior security official warned.”If they destroy state property or burn government buildings, we will announce a state of emergency, beginning by imposing a curfew,” the senior official at the National Intelligence Agency told reporters.”If the situation grows too severe for government officials to control it, the authorities will be authorised to arrest protest leaders,” he said on condition of anonymity.* JOBS PROGRAMME – An embattled French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin promised to implement a hotly-contested youth jobs programme, as more student protests were planned for the week ahead and some commentators warned that his political future could even be at stake.* COLOMBIA VOTE – Colombian President Alvaro Uribe secured a majority in the country’s Congress and immediately used his renewed political strength to urge leftist guerrillas to revive the stalled peace process.* SALVADOR VICTORY – Former leftist guerrillas claimed victory in El Salvador’s legislative and local elections after an exit poll and early returns showed them slightly ahead of ruling conservatives in congressional races.- Nampa-AFP-Reuters