News Digest August 22-28

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Attorney General Janet Reno linked arms with the Rev. Jesse Jackson; Coretta Scott King appeared with her four children; and tens of thousands took to the streets of Washington last Saturday in commemoration of Martin Luther King's historic march 30 years ago. Said n.a.a.c.p. executive director Ben Chavis: "The color of your skin still limits your chances in society. Dr. King's dream still remains unfulfilled."

WORLD

Aid Convoy Reaches Muslims

A U.N. convoy carrying 175 tons of food and medicine reached the besieged Muslim quarter of Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina after being held up by Croats. But for three days the trucks were prevented from leaving the town by frantic Muslims, who feared a Croat attack should the convoy depart. U.S. airdrops added to the relief effort for the city's 55,000 Muslims, cut off for two months by a Croat blockade.

Israel Mulls a Giveback

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres suggested that Israel and the Palestinians were near agreement on a plan for limited Palestinian autonomy in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank town of Jericho. The arrangement would include the withdrawal of Israeli troops from population centers in those two places. Peres says he is hoping for "a breakthrough" during the round of peace talks that begins this week.

Nicaraguan Hostages Freed

More than 70 hostages were released in Nicaragua after being held by two rival ; groups for nearly a week, ending a tragicomic crisis that raised fears of a new civil war. Shortly after former anticommunist contra guerrillas freed some 38 members of a peace commission, a group of former Sandinista soldiers let go 34 politicians they had seized, including the Vice President. Both sets of captors were virtually guaranteed immunity from prosecution as well as consideration of their demands for land, loans and other aid.

Nigerian Steps Aside

Nigeria's President and military commander General Ibrahim Babangida turned over power to a mostly civilian interim government, ending his eight-year rule. The new head of government is Ernest Shonekan, 57, a businessman and lawyer who chaired the transitional council created in January to return the country to democracy. Most members of the interim government have close ties to Babangida, and many believe he will continue to rule behind the scenes.

Japanese Mea Culpas

In his first major policy speech since his election Aug. 6, Japanese Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa promised a fundamental restructuring of the country's political system and pledged to reduce Japan's trade surplus. He also apologized for Japanese aggression during World War II.

Russian Mea Culpa

Russian President Boris Yeltsin, visiting Poland's Katyn Forest, paid tribute to the more than 4,000 Polish officers massacred there by Soviet secret police in 1940. Moscow owned up to the atrocity only in 1990.

Iraqi Envoys Seek Asylum

Two Iraqi ambassadors sought asylum in Britain, protesting what they called the "reign of terror and misery" of Saddam Hussein. Both Hamed Al-Jubouri, who retired two weeks ago as ambassador to Tunisia, and Hisham Al-Shawi, ambassador to Canada, also joined the Iraqi National Congress, an umbrella organization of anti-Saddam groups.

Billion-Dinar Bank Note