State & Nation briefs

Representative clashes with World Bank concerning Iraq

WASHINGTON, D.C. - With its ample resources and a professional staff numbering 10,000 people, the World Bank seems like an ideal instrument for getting Iraq back on its feet.

Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., certainly agrees with that view but says bank support for Iraq is trifling: $3.6 million in delivered postwar assistance, according to his figures.

World Bank, State Department and independent experts disagree with much of Kirk's thesis. But they can't ignore him because he is a member of the House committee responsible for appropriating foreign aid, including U.S. support for World Bank operations.

Of the 184 countries that run the bank, the United States is by far the most influential. The bank's mission is to fight poverty. It is providing $20.1 billion for 245 projects in poor countries worldwide this year.

Former county GOP head arrested, accused of threats

MONROE - A former head of the Union County Republican Party was arrested Tuesday and accused of threatening to harm Gov. Mike Easley.

Prosecutors say John Barker, 60, of Monroe threatened to harm Easley, a Democrat, after a run-in with a state agency.

"It's just a total misunderstanding," Barker said Tuesday. "The whole reaction is so out of proportion to what happened."

The retired metal manufacturing teacher said the incident occurred as he battled with the state about his state employee health insurance policy. He recalled saying to a phone attendant during one conversation: "What do I have to do to get your attention? Shoot the governor?"

He said he thought nothing more of the conversation until Tuesday, when a Monroe police officer approached him with a warrant for his arrest.

Barker is charged with communicating a threat to an executive officer, a felony that usually brings probation or community service. He was released from the Union County jail on $10,000 bond.

Vatican condemns Iraq war in address to United Nations

UNITED NATIONS - The Vatican, in its first speech ever to the U.N. General Assembly, called Wednesday for a total ban on human cloning and criticized the war in Iraq and unilateral responses to terrorism.

Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, secretary of the Holy See's relations with states, referred to Pope John Paul II's fervent opposition to the Iraq war.

"Everyone can see that (military action) did not lead to a safer world, either inside or outside Iraq," he said as the assembly's two-week annual ministerial session neared an end.

He stressed, however, that it is imperative to support Iraq's new government in bringing normality and democracy to the country.

Regarding terrorism worldwide, the archbishop said nations must work together to tackle the growing scourge.

The fight against terrorism requires long-term action against terrorism's underlying causes, Lajolo said, adding that the Roman Catholic Church aids in that work by promoting mutual understanding among religions.

The Vatican has had an observer mission at the United Nations since 1964.