News Briefs
April 22, 1996
Web posted at: 2:30 p.m. EDT (1830 GMT)Arafat urges Council to change PLO charter
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (CNN) -- President Yasser Arafat convened the Palestine National Council on Monday, urging it to amend the 1964 PLO charter which calls for the destruction of Israel.
But he admitted that Israeli bombing of Hezbollah forces in Lebanon and Israel's closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip may make altering the charter of the Palestine Liberation Organization more difficult.
Despite these obstacles, Arafat was confident the change would be approved. If it isn't, Israel has said it will discontinue peace talks.
Former South Korean president maintains innocence
SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- Former South Korean President Chun Doo Hwan testified Monday that he "knew nothing" about an alleged scheme to seize power in South Korea in 1980.
In terse answers to prosecution grilling, Chun denied any intention to stage a coup and reiterated his innocence of all charges. He also said he imposed martial law as a response to North Korean threats, and not to consolidate power.
In his fifth court appearance, Chun repeated that a controversial slush fund was sanctioned by Korean political tradition.
Chun, his successor, Roh Tae Woo, and nine other former military leaders, face charges over a 1979 military coup and a brutal army crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in the southwest city of Kwangju the following May.
Chun and Roh are charged with mutiny and sedition stemming from the uprising that thrust the two ex-generals to power.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Achille Lauro hijacker apologizes
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (CNN) -- Abu Abbas, leader of the Palestinian guerrillas who hijacked the cruise ship Achille Lauro in 1985, says he's sorry for the hijacking and the killing of disabled American passenger Leon Klinghoffer.
Klinghoffer, of New York, was shot in his wheelchair and thrown overboard by Abbas' men.
"We are sorry," said Abbas, who arrived in the Gaza Strip late Sunday after years in exile. Abbas says the hijacking was a mistake and admits that he and the guerrillas were on their way to Israel to wage terrorist attacks.
But Abbas said Monday it is time to pursue peace with Israel. He and several other guerrilla leaders have returned from exile to participate in a session of the Palestine National Council, the Palestinians' parliament-in-exile.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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