Khmer Rouge minister seeks release

PHNOM PENH -The former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary, 82, appeared before Cambodia’s UN assisted genocide tribunal yesterday to press for his release from pretrial detention.

Iran minister says Israel can’t attack * TEHRAN – Iran’s foreign minister said on Friday he did not believe Israel was in a position to attack the Islamic Republic over its nuclear programme. “They know full well what the consequences of such an act would be,” Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki told reporters.South Korean police raid civic groups * SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean police yesterday raided the offices of civic groups that have led weeks of protests against a government plan to resume US beef imports.Egypt reopens border with Gaza * CAIRO – Palestinian diplomat Nabil Amr says Egypt will open the Rafah border crossing for two days to allow hundreds of people stranded on both sides to cross as a humanitarian gesture.Dalai Lama reps head to China for talks * BEIJING – Representatives of the Dalai Lama headed to Beijing yesterday ahead of formal talks with Chinese officials, the Tibetan government-in-exile said.Sri Lanka Tiger rebels on brink of defeat * COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s army commander said yesterday that Tamil Tiger rebels were being defeated and were losing their capacity to fight.Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka said the military had killed over 9 000 Tamil Tiger rebels over the past two years and had gained much territory.Japan to send military officials to Sudan * TOKYO – Japan will send military officials to UN peacekeeping operations in Sudan, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said yesterday, signalling a push to bolster Tokyo’s diplomatic and security role in resource-rich Africa.”They know full well what the consequences of such an act would be,” Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki told reporters.South Korean police raid civic groups * SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean police yesterday raided the offices of civic groups that have led weeks of protests against a government plan to resume US beef imports. Egypt reopens border with Gaza * CAIRO – Palestinian diplomat Nabil Amr says Egypt will open the Rafah border crossing for two days to allow hundreds of people stranded on both sides to cross as a humanitarian gesture.Dalai Lama reps head to China for talks * BEIJING – Representatives of the Dalai Lama headed to Beijing yesterday ahead of formal talks with Chinese officials, the Tibetan government-in-exile said.Sri Lanka Tiger rebels on brink of defeat * COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s army commander said yesterday that Tamil Tiger rebels were being defeated and were losing their capacity to fight.Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka said the military had killed over 9 000 Tamil Tiger rebels over the past two years and had gained much territory.Japan to send military officials to Sudan * TOKYO – Japan will send military officials to UN peacekeeping operations in Sudan, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said yesterday, signalling a push to bolster Tokyo’s diplomatic and security role in resource-rich Africa.