WEDNESDAY,SEPT.5,2001
WORLD NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN - 7A
Gaza history buried in chaos
The Associated Press
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A portrait of urban chaos awaits those prepared to tackle the 136 steps up the tall, slender tower of Al Omari mosque for a bird's eye view of the city's old district.
Below one of the Holy Land's earliest mosques lie shoddy buildings, dirt alleys and squalor. But wedged in between are some prized historic sites, including two stone structures widely thought to have served
as Napoleon Bonaparte's headquarters in 1799.
Historians say there are about 50 historical homes in Gaza that could be used as art galleries or museums if they were restored. Gaza's many historic sites and promising archaeological finds have in recent years given rise to dreams of a tourism industry that would create jobs and bring in much-needed money for its 1.1 million Palestinians.
But the latest Palestinian uprising, and the economic impact of frequent Israeli blockades have shelved such hopes. Archaeological teams from France, Britain and Sweden have stopped coming because of safety concerns. Work at many archaeological digs had to be abandoned because of their proximity to Gaza's Jewish settlement, scene of some of the worst clashes between Palestinians and Israelis.
"Tourism and antiquities were among the
priorities of the Palestinian Authority before the intafadeh, but restorations have nearly completely stopped." Tourism Minister Mitri Abu-Aiteh said.
One recent dig uncovered a large mosaic dating to Roman times near the town of Jebaliya north of Gaza City, but lack of money halted that work. Excavations were stopped at a Bronze Age site because it is too close to the Jewish settlement of Netzarim, a flash point of fighting.
Trial begins for missionaries
The Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan — The trial of eight foreign aid workers — including two Americans — accused of preaching Christianity in this deeply Muslim nation began yesterday in the austere office of the supreme court chief justice.
Verses from the Koran, a calendar depicting a U.S. missile attack on Afghanistan, two swords and a leather strap used for public floggings were the only adorn-
ments on the walls of the office of the Chief Justice Noor Mohammed Saqib. The tables were piled high with books on Islamic law.
The eight foreign employees of Shelter Now International, a German-based Christian group, have been accused by Afghanistan's Taliban militia leadership of trying to convert Muslims — a crime carrying the penalty of jail and expulsion for foreigners.
The workers were arrested
For the parents of the jailed Americans, Dayna Curry, 29, and Heather Mercer, 24, the wait has been fraught with uncertainty.
four weeks ago.
On Monday, John Mercer of Vienna, Va., celebrated his birthday quietly while waiting at the United Nations guest house for news about his daughter.
"The only present I want is to have my daughter home," he said.
Mideast peace efforts continue
The Associated Press
JERUSALEM — Mideast truce efforts accelerated yesterday despite a Palestinian suicide attack, and negotiators said they were preparing a detailed agenda for several rounds of high-level negotiations that could begin this week on the sidelines of an economic conference in Italy.
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana was in the region trying to help arrange cease-fire talks. He brought Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and two senior Palestinian officials together Monday night
— the first such contacts in weeks.
Israel. The bomb detonated by a suicide attacker outside a French school in Jerusalem on Tuesday was the sixth in the city in two days.
The preparations came during one of the most intense spates of Palestinian bombings in more than 11 months of fighting with
Jerusalem police announced the arrests of six militants who they said admitted to involvement in two recent bombings, which caused no injuries. Police said the group plotted 12 more bombings.
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