World briefs

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 5, 2001

Top Sudan officers killed in plane crash

KHARTOUM, Sudan -- In a blow to Sudan's powerful military at a critical point in the civil war, the country's deputy defense minister and 13 other high-ranking officers were killed Wednesday as their plane crashed on takeoff in the war-torn south.

The Russian-made Antonov plane broke in two after it skidded off the runway in bad weather, said Lt. Gen. Mohammed Bashir Osman, a military spokesman.

Sixteen people aboard survived, Osman said, adding that the crash was not near the war zone.

The conflict between Sudan's Islamic government in the north and rebels fighting for increased autonomy in the south has killed nearly 2-million people.

Turner to buy part of Russian TV network

MOSCOW -- Journalists aiming to keep Russia's only independent nationwide television network out of government hands cheered U.S. media mogul Ted Turner's announcement Wednesday that he would buy into debt-laden NTV.

But Turner's statement was no guarantee the battle between NTV and state-run gas giant Gazprom for control of the station was nearing an end.

NTV sees the takeover as a crude bid by the Kremlin to bring to heel the network known for often critical reporting.

Turner said he had agreed in principle to purchase about 30 percent of NTV from founder Vladimir Gusinsky. Journalists said they were pinning hopes on Turner to help the company out of its staggering debt and allow them to keep their editorial policy intact.

Clinton arrives to raucous welcome in India

ANJAR, India -- Police with bamboo canes beat back exuberant crowds after they broke through barricades Wednesday to greet former President Clinton on a humanitarian visit to India.

"We have a plan to see if money can be given to people to rebuild their lives," Clinton said."

His seven-day visit to Gujarat, Bombay, New Delhi, Jaipur and Calcutta is sponsored by the American India Foundation, which aims to raise $20-million to rebuild 40 villages devastated by a Jan. 26 earthquake, which killed an estimated 30,000 people and made 1-million homeless.

Elsewhere . . .

ESTRADA CHARGED: Former Philippines President Joseph Estrada faced possible arrest Wednesday after he was indicted on charges of taking $82-million in kickbacks and payoffs.

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