Pakistan

Militant suspects release soldiers

Militant suspects and their tribal supporters near the border of Afghanistan turned over 11 captive Pakistani soldiers to authorities Sunday, ending a stalemate that had become a growing political liability for President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

The soldiers had been taken captive during the army’s sweep through the mountainous tribal border area with Afghanistan in search of al-Qaida terrorists.

The soldiers were released to representatives of a tribal council that had been negotiating with the militants, said retired Brigadier Mahmood Shah, government spokesman for the tribal areas in South Waziristan.

Although the return of the prisoners effectively ends one phase of the military operation, the controversy surrounding the offensive continues.

Musharraf’s critics see the U.S.-led war on terrorism as an anti-Muslim war and Musharraf’s cooperation in it as a cave-in to U.S. pressure.

Brazil

Two killed in storms; homes destroyed

A large storm that was rare for its intensity killed at least two people and destroyed hundreds of homes along the southern coast of Brazil, officials said Sunday.

American officials said winds exceeded 75 mph, making the storm the first hurricane on record in the South Atlantic. But Brazilian meteorologists said winds were between 50 and 56 mph, meaning it would only be a tropical storm.

Eleven fishermen were missing off the coast of Santa Catarina state after two boats sank nine miles offshore in high waves during early morning hours, navy commander Paolo Baltore said.

As many as 40,000 homes could be damaged in Santa Catarina state, they said.

Paris

Saddam’s attorney criticizes Bush claims

A French lawyer who said he was representing Saddam Hussein said Sunday he didn’t think there would be a trial for a long time and criticized President Bush for pronouncing the former dictator guilty of atrocities.

Jacques Verges said he believed the United States violated the Geneva Conventions on several counts in its detention of Saddam, and he said the world must wait for a trial to determine what Saddam did wrong.

“We know that Mr. Bush has said he’s guilty,” Verges told Associated Press Television News. “But what does that mean? Mr. Bush is not a judge. We cannot accept him as a judge. He is an enemy of Saddam Hussein.”

Verges, known for taking on clients including terrorists and a Nazi leader, said he didn’t think Saddam’s trial would happen “before a long time.”

By the most conservative estimates, Saddam’s regime killed 300,000 people.