A round-up of other world stories in brief...
Grybauskaite set for historic win
VILNIUS – EU budget commissioner Dalia Grybauskaite was close to scoring an outright victory in Lithuania’s presidential election yesterday, an exit poll and turnout figures showed.
If she wins, the 53-year-old former finance minister would become the first woman president in the Baltic state, at a time of deep economic recession and disenchantment with politicians.
Ms Grybauskaite ran as an independent, enhancing her popularity as a tough-talking leader in contrast with the main political parties, whose popularity has been hit by the economic downturn and earlier corruption allegations.
“Our local political establishment is so boring for people, and they want to see some new faces . . . In the difficult times I can give my experience, my knowledge to my country,” she told journalists after voting in the capital Vilnius. – (Reuters)
Suu Kyi on trial in Burma today
RANGOON – Burma’s pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is in good health and ready to defend herself against new charges that have sparked international outrage against the country’s military rulers, her lawyer said.
Activists planned protests at Burmese embassies around the world today, when the Nobel Peace laureate is in court accused of breaking the conditions of her house arrest set to expire on May 27th after six years of detention.
The American intruder who triggered the case against Suu Kyi and her two female companions by sneaking into her lakeside villa in Rangoon is also expected to stand trial on several charges.
Police readied barricades outside the country’s most notorious prison yesterday, where Burmese dissidents have called for “silent rallies” today to protest against the trial. – (Reuters)
Tsvangirai seeks help from AU
ZIMBABWE – Prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC party yesterday invited the African Union and another regional groups to help sort out problems in its unity government with President Robert Mugabe.
Long-time rivals Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formed a unity government in February after months of wrangling, but differences remain over issues such as the posts of central bank governor and attorney general.
Yesterday, the MDC’s national council agreed at a meeting that the AU and the Southern African Development Community – which brokered the Zimbabwe powersharing deal – should step in to break a deadlock. – (Reuters)
Iraqi minister denies corruption
BAGHDAD – Lawmakers grilled the Iraqi trade minister over allegations of corruption yesterday, ending two days of questioning that marked the first time a cabinet member had been summoned on charges of such official wrongdoing.
Trade minister Abdul Falah al-Sudany defended his ministry and his relatives, who were among nine officials recently charged with corruption related to Iraq’s massive food import programme, in a heated, lengthy session of parliament.
One of Mr Sudany’s brothers has been arrested, but most of the other officials charged in the matter have not been seen since they fled when Iraqi forces tried to serve warrants last month.
Mr Sudany himself has not been charged. – (Reuters)