Carbide pact blasted

NEW DELHI, India - The government said a $350 million out-of-court settlement between Union Carbide and private lawyers for victims of the Bhopal chemical plant disaster is too low and "totally unacceptable." Union Carbide "is taking every step to ensure that the case is settled for a very low amount," said a statement issued by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. "The government has not endorsed any settlement on the lines reported in the press."

No quick agreement seen

ANKARA, Turkey - The United States and Turkey said they would not reach a new agreement on U.S. bases during Secretary of State George Shultz's visit, but an American official said that was `no big deal" because the current one remains in force. Turkey wants the revised bases agreement to include more military aid and also seeks a greater share of the U.S. market for its textiles and manufactured clothing.

Aid package announced

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The government announced that the United States plans to give Pakistan a six-year, $4.02 billion aid package to help modernize the economy and armed forces. Opposition leaders bent on ousting President Mohammed Zia ul-Haq promptly denounced it as U.S. interference.

Mobs attack police

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Rioting mobs attacked police and blocked streets with burning tires following a peaceful demonstration by some 7,000 people demanding a civilian government and an end to the curfew. Riot police fired some shots, but there were no immediate reports of casualties. The violence broke out shortly after Lt. Gen. Henri Namphy, the head of the ruling military-civilian council, announced appointment of five new Cabinet ministers but no change in the council.

Iran starts new offensive

NICOSIA, Cyprus - Iranian forces punched into southern Iraq in a new offensive that annihilated an Iraqi infantry brigade and besieged another, Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency reported. There was no immediate comment on the Iranian claim from Iraq. In a dispatch monitored in Nicosia, IRNA said Iraqi brigade 704 was crushed on the Faw-Basra highway and the 28th brigade of Iraq's 8th Infantry Division was surrounded when it attempted to help.