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© St. Petersburg Times, published August 15, 2002
Venezuelan generals acquitted in coup; violence breaks out
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela's Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed all charges against four military officers accused of leading a coup against President Hugo Chavez. The ruling sparked clashes between troops and pro-government demonstrators that wounded at least three people.
National Guardsmen in armored personnel carriers launched tear gas canisters and fired shots into the air to disperse Chavez supporters who tried to storm the court after the ruling.
Violence eased but the situation remained tense. Protesters had fired shots toward troops and set fire to trash and tires.
"Respect the Supreme Court's decision. Respect the rules of democracy," Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel pleaded on television.
The protests came after the court dismissed rebellion charges against four top officers by an 11-8 vote, ruling that the attorney general had insufficient evidence.
Chavez had warned that his government would not tolerate a vote exonerating the officers. He later said he would respect the court's decision.
BOGOTA, Colombia -- Senior U.S. officials asked President Alvaro Uribe on Wednesday to shield U.S. military trainers in Colombia from prosecution by the International Criminal Court for any human rights abuses that may arise in connection with their work.
The request, made by Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman, is part of a global campaign by the United States to prevent U.S. nationals from being subjected to the international court. Arguing that future military aid hangs in the balance, U.S. diplomats have begun working here and with other allies to arrange such immunity agreements, which are allowed under the treaty setting up the court.
Under antiterrorism legislation signed by President Bush this month, U.S. military aid would be cut off to countries that have ratified the treaty, except those granted a waiver by the White House. The United States has made it clear that governments granting an immunity pledge to U.S. citizens will continue to receive aid.
Responding to the U.S. request, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said, "I support using safeguards in the (court) treaty to protect Americans against political prosecutions, but I am concerned with the message this sends to the Colombian government when we are urging them to do more to protect human rights."
WASHINGTON -- U.S. intelligence agencies detected signs that Iraq may be moving material or equipment out of a suspected biological weapons facility near Baghdad, the Associated Press said Wednesday.
Some intelligence analysts think the movements indicate an effort by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to disperse the items in anticipation of possible American military strikes, according to the news agency, which cited U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The officials said spy satellites spotted trucks at the Taji complex, which includes the suspected biological weapons facility as well as a missile production plant.
The purpose of the truck activity was not entirely clear, the officials said, but it appeared they were moving equipment or materials out of, rather than into, the facility, which is about 6 miles northwest of Baghdad. The officials cautioned that the intelligence is subject to different interpretations.