News stories by IPS Correspondents, page 62

NAPLES, Nov 22 (IPS) - A unified effort is needed to combat international drug trafficking and crime syndicates, said Chilean and Bolivian representatives at the United Nations' conference on organised crime on Tuesday.

SAN SALVADOR, Nov 22 (IPS) - El Salvador's security forces continue to commit human rights violations despite improvement seen since the end of the country's civil war, a United Nations (U.N.) document reported.

SANTIAGO, Nov 22 (IPS) - Latin American steel production is expected to recuperate record levels this year, according to an industry official at a conference begun Monday in Santiago.

GEORGETOWN, Nov 22 (IPS) - A group of officials from the two South American neighbours -- Brazil and Guyana -- are now meeting in the capital of this former British colony to discuss the markers identifying the border the two have shared for nearly six decades.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines, Nov 22 (IPS) - European colonisation disrupted the busy trade among the peoples of South-east Asia centuries ago, but now countries in the region are busy dusting the cobwebs off old economic ties.

ABU DHABI, Nov 22 (IPS) - AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON UPROOTED MUSLIM WOMEN HAS CALLED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORLD MUSLIM WOMEN COUNCIL AND UNDERLINED THE NEED FOR LAUNCHING COLLECTIVE ACTION TO STOP THE ABUSE OF REFUGEE WOMEN.

SAHARANPUR, Nov 22 (IPS) - TRADITIONAL WOOD CARVERS IN THIS SMALL TOWNSHIP OF UTTAR PRADESH STATE ARE FACING HARD TIMES DESPITE A BOOM IN THE DEMAND FOR GOODS PRODUCED BY THE WOOD CARVING INDUSTRY BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY.

ROME, Nov 22 (IPS) - Senior Algerian opposition forces Tuesday demanded that the outlawed Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), be readmitted to the democratic process in strife-torn Algeria.

WASHINGTON, Nov 22 (IPS) - U.S. President Bill Clinton is not in a strong position as the upcoming Summit of the Americas approaches, and analysts predict that few gains will come out of the presidential meeting.

MEXICO, Nov 22 (IPS) - Mexican Assistant Attorney General Mario Ruiz Massieu charged the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) with harbouring criminals and accomplices to the murder of his brother, PRI Secretary General Jose Francisco Ruiz Massieu.