The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Rome - The Vatican issued a stern message on nuclear weapons during the visit of a top Iranian official Thursday, with Pope John Paul urging Tehran to continue co-operating with UN inspectors and his foreign minister warning that the pursuit of such weapons only multiplies conflicts. The message was delivered to Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, who denied Tehran had any nuclear weapons ambitions and played down the discovery by UN inspectors of drawings of equipment that can be used to make weapons-grade uranium. Iran agreed last year to end nearly two decades of nuclear secrecy by opening its facilities to inspections by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency. Bangkok, Thailand - Thailand confirmed three new human bird flu cases Thursday as health officials warned it could take two years to conquer Asia's outbreak. The World Health Organization said the latest tests show no sign of a killer hybrid virus that could easily pass between people. Jerusalem - Israel decided Thursday not to attend world court hearings on the legality of its West Bank separation barrier, saying there is no point in sending a team because it does not recognize the judges' authority. The decision was made by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and five senior cabinet ministers, according to an announcement by Sharon's office.
