LITTLE ROCK — QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I intend to sign the law, as well
as a presidential
decree changing
the procedure of
helping orphaned
children, children left without parental care, and especially children who are in a disadvantageous situation due to their
health problems.”Russian President Vladimir Putin, on a bill banning the adoption of Russian children by U.S.
citizens Article, this page
France declines to help ex-colony
BANGUI, Central African Republic - The president of Central African Republic urgently called on France and other foreign powers Thursday to help his government fend off rebels who are quickly seizing territory and approaching this capital city.
The developments suggest Central African Republic could be on the brink of another violent change in government, something not new in the history of the resource-rich, yet deeply impoverished country. The current president, Francois Bozize, himself rose to power nearly a decade ago in the wake of a rebellion.
Speaking to crowds in Bangui, a city of some 600,000, Bozize pleaded with foreign powers to do what they could. He pointed in particular to France, Central African Republic’s former colonial ruler.
French President Francois Hollande said Thursday that France wants to protect its interests in Central African Republic and not Bozize’s government.
S. Sudan accuses
Sudan of attacks
NAIROBI, Kenya - South Sudan said Sudan has attacked inside its territory, killing at least five people.
Military spokesman Col.
Philip Aguer said Thursday that the attacks came on Christmas Day, killing three women and two children.
Aguer said Antonov warplanes bombed the village of Werguet, in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, while ground forces working with “militiamen” attacked nearby Kiir Adem. Aguer said the areas are part of South Sudan.
The areas are near the Kiir River, the southern boundary of a 14-mile strip of territory claimed by both countries. Sudan and South Sudan reached an oil and border security deal in August that called for the area to be demilitarized until its final status could be determined.
A Sudanese government spokesman couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
Bhutto’s son rips
trial’s slow pace
ISLAMABAD - The son of Pakistan’s former premier, Benazir Bhutto, formally launched his political career Thursday with severe criticism of the judiciary for the slow trial of suspects in his mother’s assassination.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 24, delivered an explosive speech in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, a town in the southern province of Sindh, as tens of thousands of people gathered there to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Bhutto’s death.
“I, son of B.B. [Benazir Bhutto], ask why the killers of my mother are not being punished,” the Oxford graduate said.
Then-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud was blamed for ordering the assassination, but he denied the accusations before his death in a U.S. drone strike in August 2009.
Front Section, Pages 5 on 12/28/2012