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The Washington Times

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

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Question of the Day

Do you think Afghanistan will be ready in a year to handle its own security?

JAMAICA

Leader rejects election results

KINGSTON — Jamaica’s first female prime minister refused to accept a razor-thin defeat that apparently ended her party’s nearly 20 years in power, but the head of an international observer team said yesterday that the vote was “free, fair and credible.”

The opposition Jamaica Labor Party won 31 of the 60 seats in the House of Representatives Monday, just enough to oust Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and her People’s National Party.

Mrs. Simpson Miller said several races were so close that they could switch in a recount and complained of irregularities.

IRAN

Inspectors dispute nuclear claims

VIENNA, Austria — There is no evidence to support the Iranian president’s announcement that Iran has 3,000 centrifuges running, which would allow it to produce significant amounts of nuclear fuel, diplomats familiar with U.N. inspections said.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defiantly proclaimed the achievement on Sunday after Western powers cast doubt on an Iranian atomic transparency plan and warned of stiffer sanctions against Tehran over its refusal to stop enriching uranium.

Nuclear specialists say 3,000 centrifuges running smoothly in unison at supersonic speed for long periods could refine enough uranium for an atomic bomb in about a year.

BELGIUM

Scientologists face fraud charge

BRUSSELS — A Belgian prosecutor yesterday recommended that the U.S.-based Church of Scientology stand trial for fraud and extortion, after a 10-year investigation concluded that the group should be labeled a criminal organization.

Scientology said it would fight the criminal charges recommended by investigating prosecutor Jean-Claude Van Espen, who said that up to 12 people, not identified, should face charges.

Scientology has been active in Belgium for nearly three decades. In 2003, it opened an international office near the headquarters of the European Union to lobby for its right to be recognized as an official religious group, a status it does not hold in Belgium.

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