News stories by IPS Correspondents, page 76

Amman, Nov 13 (IPS) - There is absolutely no doubt that the Arab Regional Preparatory Meeting, designed to smooth the ground for next year's United Nations Fourth International Women's Conference in Beijing, is the most important conference on the advancement of women staged here in the Middle East.

LONDON, Nov 13 (IPS) - The Tunisian government has announced its intention to extend womens' rights and their participation in the nation's decision-making process, it was announced here at a conference being held by Tunisian women's organisations.

SAN SALVADOR, Nov 13 (IPS) - Officials of the Roman Catholic Church joined intellectuals in San Salvador this week in paying tribute to Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia, who died last month, best known for his portrayal of assassinated Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero.

AMMAN, Nov 13 (IPS) - The role of women in assisting Palestine to achieve independence from Israel and to enable the fledging state to function at all was stressed forcibly at an Arab Women's non- governmental organisation (NGO) forum here in Amman.

NAIROBI, Nov 13 (IPS) - TWENTY PEOPLE WERE INJURED WHEN POLICE BROKE UP A DEMONSTRATION BY SUPPORTERS OF THE OUTLAWED ISLAMIC PARTY OF KENYA (IPK) IN THE KENYAN PORT OF MOMBASA, ABOUT 500 KM SOUTH-EAST OF HERE.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (IPS) - STILL SMARTING FROM THE HUMILIATING DEFEAT OF ITS RESOLUTION ON KASHMIR AT THE U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IN GENEVA LAST YEAR, PAKISTAN IS GEARING UP TO TABLE A NEW RESOLUTION ON THE DISPUTED TERRITORY AT THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK THIS WEEK.

LAHORE, Nov 13 (IPS) - PARAMILITARY TROOPS THIS WEEK OBTAINED THE UPPER HAND AGAINST MILITANT ISLAMICS AFTER TWO DAYS OF PITCHED BATTLES IN THE NORTHERN PAKISTAN MOUNTAIN DISTRICT OF SWAT, BUT POLITICAL OBSERVERS SAY THE REGION WILL CONTINUE TO SIMMER.

CAIRO, Nov 13 (IPS) - Jordan is likely to crack down on Islamic opponents after they voted against making peace with Israel, analysts in Amman said here this week.

HEBRON, West Bank, Nov 13 (IPS) - The ancient burial place of the patriarch Abraham, holy to both Muslims and Jews, and the site where a Jewish settler massacred 29 Palestinians last February, reopened this week amid heavy security after an eight-month closure.

NEW DELHI, Nov 12 (IPS) - WHILE SEARCHING A HOUSE FOR MILITANTS IN THE INSURGENCY-HIT NORTHERN INDIAN VALLEY OF KASHMIR RECENTLY, SECURITY PERSONNEL STUMBLED ON A CATCH OF ANOTHER KIND.