World Health Organization Pressures Mexico on Abortion

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Nov. 12—A World Health Organization representative urged Latin American countries to seriously consider proposals legalizing abortion, Associated Press reported.

Axel Mundigo, who said some 4 million abortions are performed each year in Latin America, said that because abortion is largely banned there, 90% are performed in secret by unlicensed doctors, resulting in 6,000 deaths. The wire service did not say where Mundigo derived his figures.

Mundigo addressed more than 250 health officials from 20 Latin American countries meeting in Mexico. Sponsored by Mexico's National Institute of Health, the conference was intended to help Latin American governments establish “a free exchange of ideas” about the possible legalization of abortion.

Hundreds of protesters affiliated with Mexico's ruling National Action Party demonstrated outside the three-day forum. Said Angeles Amaro, president of the Love Life Network, “These leaders have arrived as messengers of death under the pretense of public health.”

Iranian Leader Condemns Attacks on America

THE WASHINGTON TIMES, Nov. 10—Iranian president Mohammed Khatami called the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington a “most brutal and appalling crime” against American civilians, the Washington daily reported.

Speaking at the United Nations in New York, Khatami called the attacks “inhumane and anti-Islamic” actions that were perpetrated by “a cult of fanatics who had self-mutilated their ears and tongues and could only communicate with perceived opponents through carnage and devastation.”

But Khatami also cautioned against revenge, which, coupled with a “misplaced sense of might,” he said “could lead to failure to hear the calls of people of good will or the cries of children, women and the elderly in Afghanistan.” Iran is on the U.S. State Department's list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

Bangladeshi Hindus Complain of Islamist Backlash

CYBERCAST NEWS SERVICE, Nov. 12—Hindus in Bangladesh have claimed that they are victims of a Muslim backlash resulting from the U.S.-led war against terrorism, the Internet news site reported.

Attacks against the minority group in Muslim Bangladesh have increased, according to a Hindu movement affiliated with India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. R.S. Vaidya, a senior official of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh organization, said Muslim fundamentalists, unhappy that their government is supporting the anti-terrorism drive, have increased harassment of Hindus in Bangladesh, prompting thousands of refugees to flee to the Indian state of West Bengal.

Hindus are widely seen as sympathetic toward neighboring India, which is regarded as a U.S. ally and hostile to Islam.

Trimble Decries Torment of Catholic Students

BELFAST NEWS LETTER, Nov. 13—David Trimble, the Protestant First Minister of Northern Ireland, said he was appalled at the intimidation being inflicted on children on their way to a Catholic school, the Belfast daily reported.

Trimble called the taunting of children passing through a Loyalist enclave in north Belfast “hate crimes.”

Students at Holy Cross girls primary school were guarded by 400 riot police as they walked to classes Nov. 12. It was the largest security operation since Sept. 5, when a bomb was thrown by a Protestant and exploded outside the school.