ISRAEL
Ex-spymaster: No attack on Iran through ’12
JERUSALEM — Israel’s recently retired spymaster said the country’s military does not plan to attack Iran within the next two years, and the Israeli government should accept a Saudi proposal for Mideast peace.
At a panel discussion Wednesday at Tel Aviv University, former Mossad chief Meir Dagan restated his opposition to a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying it would engulf the region in war without destroying Tehran’s nuclear program.
“It is important to consider all options and not to run straight for the war option,” the Yediot Ahronot newspaper quoted Mr. Dagan as saying. “At the moment, no decision has been made to attack Iran, and I am not familiar with any decision to attack in 2011 or 2012.”
Israel, like the West, thinks Iran’s nuclear program is meant to develop bombs - a claim Tehran denies.
While Israel says sanctions are the preferred option, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated in the U.S. last week his opinion that the threat of a military strike is the only way to pressure Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions. Mr. Netanyahu stopped short of saying Israel should carry out a strike.
NETHERLANDS
Lawyer: Document proves Mladic has cancer
THE HAGUE — Ratko Mladic’s attorney said Thursday that he has a document proving the war-crimes suspect has been battling cancer and that he was treated at a Serbian hospital in 2009, but a Serbian prosecutor called it a hoax.
Milos Saljic told the Associated Press that Mr. Mladic has been battling lymph node cancer and that he underwent surgery and chemotherapy for it in 2009.
The lawyer showed the AP what he called a photocopy of a doctors diagnosis saying that Mr. Mladic was in a Serbian hospital between April 20 and July 18, 2009.
Serbia handed over the wartime Bosnian Serb army commander to the U.N. war-crimes tribunal in The Hague on Tuesday after he had spent 16 years on the run.
KENYA
U.S. adds politician, businessman to drug list
NAIROBI — The United States has added two Kenyans, including a parliamentarian, to a list of reputed global drug kingpins who now face U.S. sanctions, a move that spotlights the East African nation’s involvement in the international drug trade.
The two Kenyans were among seven people that the U.S. added to the list of overseas narcotics kingpins this week. Under the 1999 Drug Kingpin Act, identified drug traffickers and their related businesses are denied access to the U.S. financial system and transactions with U.S. companies and individuals.
The Kenyans include parliamentarian Harun Mwau, who is among Kenya’s richest citizens. The other person named, Naima Mohamed Nyakiniywa, is said to be involved in business.
IVORY COAST
President’s forces face accusations of killing rivals
ABIDJAN — Human Rights Watch on Thursday accused forces loyal to Ivory Coast’s new president of killing supporters of the country’s former strongman.
The group said in a report that forces loyal to President Alassane Ouattara carried out revenge attacks on supporters of Laurent Gbagbo, concentrated in a pro-Gbagbo neighborhood in Abidjan.
The report says at least 149 Gbagbo supporters were arbitrarily arrested, tortured and executed.
Mr. Ouattara has said everyone responsible for human rights abuses will be brought to justice, even those on his side.
ARGENTINA
Senate approves law to fight money laundering
BUENOS AIRES — Argentina on Wednesday enacted a law criminalizing money laundering.
The South American country’s Senate nearly unanimously passed the bill into law Wednesday evening.
The bill was promoted by President Cristina Fernandez, who is trying to show the international community that Argentina is serious about cracking down on financial crimes.
From wire dispatches and staff reports
Please read our comment policy before commenting.