■ China
Hawkish general to resign
The deputy chief of general staff of China's People's Liberation Army, who once warned China could use nuclear weapons in a conflict over Taiwan, will step down this month, Hong Kong's Beijing-owned Wen Wei Po said yesterday. The newspaper said it was part of a military reshuffle but did not say who would replace General Xiong Guangkai (熊光楷), 66, who has held the post since January 1996 and is past the compulsory retirement age of 65. US newspapers said Xiong warned Chas Freeman, a former US assistant secretary of defense, in 1995 that China could use nuclear weapons in a conflict over Taiwan and that Americans care more about Los Angeles than Taipei.
■ Malaysia
Purse snatcher jailed
A habitual purse snatcher who used the money he stole to buy a house and luxury cars has been sentenced to three years in prison for money laundering, an official and news reports said yesterday. Abdul Khalid Hamid, who embarked on scores of petty robberies between 2000 and last year, pleaded guilty in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Monday to using illegal proceeds totaling 83,216 ringgit (US$21,899) to pay for property, the national news agency Bernama reported. Judge Rosenani Abdul Rahman ordered him to serve the sentence after he completes a nine-year prison term he received in a separate court in January for the thefts, a court official said on condition of anonymity according to protocol. Abdul, who snatched handbags from women while riding a motorcycle, used his earnings to make down-payments for a two-story home and four luxury vehicles, including two Mercedes-Benz cars.
■ Indonesia
Pilot sentenced for poisoning
An off-duty pilot was sentenced yesterday to 14 years in jail for the poisoning death of Indonesia's top human rights activist, but critics said that the masterminds remained free. The court said Pollycarpus Priyanto poisoned Munir Thalib on a Garuda airlines flight last year because he wanted to silence one of the government and military's most vocal critics. But judges did not say whether he was acting on higher orders, sparking criticism from Thalib's supporters who have long claimed that Priyanto was a scapegoat. "The accused has been found guilty of premeditated murder," said Judge Cicit Sutiarso. Priyanto stood up and screamed: "I didn't do it. I reject the verdict!"
■ Japan
Okinawa governor warns US
The governor of Okinawa, host to the bulk of US forces in Japan, warned yesterday that ignoring local anger over plans to relocate a Marine base on the southern Japanese island could hurt the US-Japan alliance. Washington and Tokyo agreed in October to relocate the Futenma Marine Corps air base on Okinawa, clearing the way for a deal to reorganize the nearly 50,000 US troops in Japan. The military base realignment is part of a global US effort to transform its military into a more flexible force. Residents of Okinawa and other communities, however, are resisting the plan out of concern about crime, noise and environmental damage associated with the bases.
■ Thailand
Myanmar snubs former PM
Military-ruled Myanmar has denied entry to a former Thai prime minister, prompting Bangkok to summon Myanmar's ambassador to clarify the move, the government said yesterday. "I don't know why they rejected the entry, but I hope this is just a misunderstanding," Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said after Chuan Leekpai was turned back on his private trip. Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said Bangkok summoned Ye Win, Myanmar's ambassador to the country, early yesterday, and voiced disappointment over his explanation.
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