World Scene

QATAR

NATO, Gulf Arabs to announce pact

DOHA — NATO would like to announce a cooperation pact with Persian Gulf Arab states at the Western military alliance’s next summit, a NATO official said yesterday.

“It will be a cooperation deal that should open up a new chapter in the relationship between NATO and the countries in the Gulf,” Gunther Altenburg, assistant secretary-general for political affairs, told a conference in Doha.

“The big question is whether we can design together, with the Gulf countries, a policy of partnership and cooperation on similar lines as notably with Russia. If there is a positive reaction, then we would like to unveil the plans at our next summit, in Istanbul in June,” he said.

WEST BANK

Arafat rejects Israel’s Gaza plan

RAMALLAH — Palestinian President Yasser Arafat yesterday rejected Israel’s plan to quit the Gaza Strip as a sham that would turn it into “a big prison.”

Palestinian leaders initially gave a cautious welcome to the possibility of Israeli soldiers and settlers leaving the coastal strip, despite suspicions that the Gaza withdrawal plan was an Israeli ruse to strengthen its hold on the West Bank.

But after studying the details of the initiative, including Israel’s intention to control Gaza’s borders, airspace and coastal waters, Mr. Arafat and the Palestinian leadership issued a statement criticizing the plan as unacceptable.

JORDAN

King postpones visit with Bush

AMMAN — In a surprise move, King Abdullah II postponed a White House meeting with President Bush this week, citing questions about U.S. commitment to the Middle East peace process.

The snub from one of Washington’s closest allies comes amid Arab anger at Mr. Bush for endorsing an Israeli proposal to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank but maintain Jewish settlements on other West Bank land that is claimed by the Palestinians.

BRITAIN

Police seize 10 on terrorism charges

MANCHESTER — Police arrested 10 persons on suspicion of terrorism in raids in this northern English city and other parts of the country yesterday, as authorities also searched a number of buildings and businesses.

Greater Manchester police said the suspects were take into custody “on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.”

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Whatton said the suspects were of North African and Iraqi Kurdish origin. Seven were arrested in Manchester and three elsewhere in central and northern England.