Sinn Fein leader vows no coercion
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams told supporters Saturday that his Irish Republican Army-linked party will not force Northern Ireland’s Protestants into a united Ireland, but it was demanding that they share power within the British territory.
Adams, delivering his traditional address on the central Dublin spot where rebels launched a failed Easter 1916 rebellion against British rule, said Sinn Fein members would attend the May 15 revival of Northern Ireland’s legislature, which last met 3 1/2 years ago.
The legislature wields the critical power to elect, or block, the formation of a joint Roman Catholic-Protestant administration. Such power-sharing was a central goal of the U.S.-brokered Good Friday pact of 1998, but fell apart in 2002 over an IRA spying scandal.
Protestants say they will not cooperate with Sinn Fein, the major Catholic-backed party in Northern Ireland, until the IRA – which last year formally ended its violent campaign and disarmed – also disbands.
Katmandu, Nepal
Police block rally, beat journalists
Baton-wielding police beat protesting Nepali journalists Saturday as thousands of people marched peacefully in the capital to demand the restoration of democracy.
Shops and businesses shut across much of the country as the opposition pressed a general strike. Tensions had eased in the previous two days due to the Nepali New Year’s holiday.
Thousands of people marched for miles Saturday afternoon along the ring road encircling Katmandu, shouting “Down with the monarchy! Salute the republic!”
“Life will be brought to a standstill,” said Subash Nemwang of the Communist Party of Nepal, one of the seven opposition parties organizing the strike and protests, which entered their 10th day Saturday.
About 200 journalists tried to march through Katmandu Saturday morning to demand more press freedom and the release of dozens of reporters detained since King Gyanendra seized absolute power 14 months ago.
Police blocked the rally and charged with batons, injuring seven people and detaining at least a dozen, organizers said.
Beijing
Import tariffs on Taiwan goods cut
China announced tariff cuts on imports of fruit and fish from Taiwan, offering the self-ruled island new trade concessions Saturday in an effort to boost sentiment for uniting with the communist mainland.
The announcement came during a visit to Beijing by Taiwan’s former opposition leader, who is calling for increased trade ties between the island and the mainland.
Beijing is trying to isolate Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian by forging ties with his political opposition and offering trade concessions to appeal to Taiwan’s farmers.