EVENTS
BOSNIAN RESIDENTS FLEE HOMES Thousands of civilians are fleeing their homes in central Bosnia, on the run from battles between Croat forces and Bosnian troops, United Nations officials said Sept. 7. Up to 10,000 Muslim refugees crowded Jablanica, while up to 2,800 Croats fled to Livno. Word of the exodus came a day after UN officials reported claims of torture made by Muslim detainees freed from two Bosnian Croat detention camps. Meanwhile, aid convoys were again prevented from reaching Jablanica. And Bosnia's president, Alija Izetbegovic, prepared to address the UN Security Council Sept. 7 to discuss peace efforts. Nigerian fuel flows
Fuel began flowing again Sept. 7 as most Nigerian oil workers returned to work after a 10-day strike, which failed to pressure the interim government of Ernest Shonekan to resign. Mr. Shonekan was appointed by Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who resigned as leader Aug. 26. Mr. Babangida had refused to install the apparent winner of a presidential election, Moshood K. O. Abiola. Oil workers were among 41 unions that went on strike Aug. 28. Most other unions returned to work Sept. 3. The oil workers said they were halting their strike at least temporarily to give the government time to respond to demands. Britain nods to Libya
Britain has eased its stance toward Libya to bring two Libyans accused of the 1988 Lockerbie plane bombing to trial in Scotland, the Scotsman newspaper reported Sept. 7. It quoted Ibrahim Legwell, senior Libyan lawyer for the men, as saying the British government had moved toward accepting Libya's position on compensation. Mr. Legwell said the accused were ready to stand trial in a neutral country. A trial in Scotland or the United States was possible, but he did not think they could get a fair trial in Scotland at present. Pope visits Lithuania
Pope John Paul II expressed hope Sept. 7 that Europeans will overcome the hate that has left their continent in the grip of ethnic violence and civil war. The pope spoke at Lithuania's Hill of Crosses to about 40,000 people. In the 50 years of Soviet rule in Lithuania, Communist authorities removed thousands of crosses from the site, harassed those who erected new ones, and tried to flood the site with sewage. Trial of Soviet coup-plotters
The trial of 12 former Soviet officials accused of trying to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev opened Sept. 7 with motions from both sides. The defense sought a postponement because one of the accused plotters is ill. The prosecution asked for a new, three-judge panel. The court ruled that the man would be tried separately. A ruling was expected later on the panel request. Nicaraguan denounces foes
Nicaraguan President Violeta Chamorro has denounced conservative foes who are blocking a dialogue she sought to end tensions that threaten more violence. Duilio Baltonado, head of the United National Opposition, said the group would boycott talks until Mrs. Chamorro ousts congressmen who supported UNO but are now allied with the leftist Sandinistas. Panama acquittal protested
Panamanian protesters looted shops and set up barricades after a jury acquitted a general and six soldiers in the 1985 killing of Hugo Spadafora, an opponent of former dictator Gen. Manuel Noriega. At least 12 people were hurt, some seriously, and hundreds were overcome by tear gas fired by police in David, 215 miles from Panama City. Police arrested 22. Mr. Noriega is also charged with murder in Dr. Spadafora's death. The verdict for Noriega, who was tried in absentia, and two other defendants is to be issued Sept. 30. Canada election called
On Sept. 8, Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell will call the federal election for Oct. 25, the Canadian Press quoted unnamed sources as saying Sept. 7. The election campaign will be fought over unemployment and how to reduce public spending and a bulging fiscal deficit, without cutting Canada's costly medical and social services. Opinion polls show that Canadians welcome the change to a woman leader, and Ms. Campbell is more popular than her main rival, Liberal Jean Chretien.
