Stories from 2002-12-11

"From Goshen, Ind., grannies collecting relief kits to a 'die-in' on an Ivy League campus, Americans took to the streets Tuesday in mostly small, low-key events to protest a possible war on Iraq. More than 100 people were arrested." [more]

"Even as the report was adopted, one leading lawmaker on the panel publicly dissented. Senator Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, the ranking Senate Republican on the joint panel, said today that he would issue a minority report, which he indicated would be more critical of FBI and CIA officials. Mr. Shelby complained in a television interview today, 'Some people on the committee don't want to assign the blame or accountability.' " [more]

"Anti-war demonstrators rallied across the United States Tuesday, with protests against a possible attack on Iraq ranging from a letter from Hollywood celebrities to a pot-banging march to the White House and coordinated demonstrations that led to scores of arrests." [more]

"Among the chief recommendations were strengthening domestic intelligence, including an examination of whether this should continue to be the responsibility of the FBI or whether a new agency is needed. The recommendations referred to the 'FBI's history of repeated shortcomings within its current responsibility for domestic intelligence.' " [more]

"Bob Taylor, an economist for the World Bank, skipped lunch to join the march to the White House. He took his family to the Washington march in October carrying a sign that read, 'Average American Family Against War With Iraq.' On his way to work, Mr. Taylor said he saw a leaflet for today's rally and decided to squeeze it into his day." [more]

"Dramatic confrontations in Iran between hard-liners and reformers, suggesting that the Islamic Republic may be tottering, recall the lesson history taught Mikhail Gorbachev: A political system rooted in lies and repression cannot long survive the telling of truth that comes with free speech." [more]

" 'We became aware of the departure of the ship from North Korea that was carrying what we believe to be weapons of concern,' Fleischer said. 'This was a non-flagged vessel, which gave us further concern. And the vessel was destined for Yemen.' " [more]

"The Pentagon is preparing to use anti-personnel land mines in a war with Iraq, despite U.S. policy that calls for the military to stop using the mines everywhere in the world except Korea by 2003." [more]

"The Bush administration published a new strategy today on combatting weapons of mass destruction that included a statement, clearly directed at potential opponents like Iraq. Washington is prepared to 'respond with all our options' if such weapons are used against American troops or allies." [more]

"George Bush will only have succeeded in postponing the hard choice between peace and war that only presidents can make. Having begun the year in the embrace of the administration hawks, setting in motion preparations aimed at taking Baghdad within 12 months, he was convinced by the secretary of state, Colin Powell, to give diplomacy and inspections a final chance. The informed speculation in Washington is that Bush is genuinely undecided over what to do, in the face of forceful arguments on either side." [more]