Around The World

Guatemala breaks deadlock; Mayans are ensured of rights

MEXICO CITY - The Guatemalan government broke a five-month deadlock in peace talks with leftist rebels yesterday by agreeing to defend the rights of the Central American nation's Maya Indian majority.

The accord raises new hopes for peace in Guatemala, where 150,000 people - most of them Mayan civilians - were killed or "disappeared" in 34 years of civil war.

The agreement leaves five major points to be negotiated in a final peace accord, which both sides hope to reach by August. That would give the rebels time to participate in November national elections.

Other items that remain on the agenda include land reform and reduction of the Guatemalan army.

The Guatemalan government promised to promote constitutional reforms to recognize the Maya, Xinca and Garifuna Indians and to adopt legal reforms to end discrimination and sexual harassment, respect the use of traditional dress and languages, and promote bilingual education.

The accord failed to meet indigenous demands for ancestral territory and local political autonomy, and measures to combat poverty suffered by members of Guatemala's 21 ethnic Mayan groups.

U.S. evangelists, police clash at faith-healing rally in India

NEW DELHI - Nine American evangelists will be tried for illegal assembly and other violations after police clashed with thousands of participants at a faith-healing rally sponsored by a Texas missionary group.

The nine and an evangelist from Singapore were arrested after the rally Wednesday in Badapada, a village in the eastern state of Orissa, turned violent.

The rally was organized by a Houston-based Christian mission, the Gospel to the Unreached Millions. The mission said the village mayor had given permission for a meeting of 2,000 people. When 30,000 people showed, police sent 20,000 away.

The remaining 10,000 began to press against police lines "when miracle healing began occurring," and police responded by firing into the crowd, said a statement yesterday from the missionary group. The local Samaj newspaper reported that more than 100 Indians, including seven police officers, were injured.

Two of the Americans, the Rev. John Parks and Jeff Berkhouse, were members of the Abundant Life Assembly church based in The Woodlands, Texas.

Also arrested were Mike Walsh, pastor of Christ the King Church in Conroe, Texas, and his associate pastor, Larry Riechart, the mission statement said.

The other imprisoned evangelists were identified as James Hall of Atlanta, Doug Dawson and Mark Magnusson of Colorado, David Freck of Minnesota, Dr. Finley of Kentucky and Raymond Yap.

10 sentenced in deadly fall of fast-built stadium stands

BASTIA, Corsica - Ten people were convicted yesterday in the 1992 collapse of stadium stands that killed 17 and injured more than 1,900.

The 10 received sentences of up to two years and fines of $6,000. Survivors and relatives of victims burned tires outside the courthouse to protest penalties they thought were too light.

The hastily built bleachers, added to accommodate 3,500 extra fans at Furiani stadium, collapsed May 5, 1992, moments before the kickoff of a French Cup semifinal game.

Jean-Marie Boimond, who oversaw the construction, was sentenced to two years in prison. Bernard Rossi, who was in charge of security, received an 18-month sentence. Both were convicted of manslaughter.

American Express will take charge of Gold Card dress

SYDNEY, Australia - Now that it's become the fabric of Academy Award fashion, American Express has decided to buy the little gold dress that can charge a crowd.

Oscar winner Lizzy Gardiner's creation, made from 254 American Express Gold Cards, captured the spotlight at Monday night's awards ceremony, where she and Tim Chappel were honored for designing similar costumes for "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert."

When Gardiner took the stage, host David Letterman remarked, "I'm tellin' ya, American Express can't buy publicity like that."

Yesterday, American Express said it was going to buy the dress.

"It is a work of art and American Express feels it should be preserved," spokeswoman Di Collins said, declining to disclose the price.