With a general election only days away and the world continuing to spin, November 3rd in 2000 promised no end to headlines.
Starting with the Middle East: Israel will hold off on retaliation against the Palestinians for the deaths of three Israeli soldiers, the government announced early today, after Cabinet minister Shimon Peres met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, defusing an explosive situation at least temporarily. Israel radio reported that Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak would address their people by radio and announce an end to all violence. The soldiers were the first to die in combat since Oct. 1. Six Palestinians were also killed, as armed clashes intensified in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
From the Philippines: New resignations and defections by allies of President Joseph Estrada on Thursday upped the pressure on the president to step down over allegations he accepted millions of dollars from illegal gambling lords. Trade Secretary Manuel Roxas announced his resignation without specifying the reason, but urged that the political crisis triggered by the accusations “be resolved at the soonest time.” At the same time, two key congressmen left Estrada’s party. One of them was Rep. Neptali Gonzales II, deputy majority leader and acting head of the House Committee on Justice, which on Monday was to begin considering an impeachment complaint that accuses Estrada of corruption, bribery and constitutional violations. The complaint is widely expected to be rejected by the House, which is dominated by Estrada’s LAMP party.
And from the campaign trail: Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush was arrested for drunk driving and his driving license was suspended in 1976, he said yesterday, confirming news reports. The disclosure was made five days before the tightest election in decades, with polls showing Mr. Bush, 54, running neck and neck with Democratic rival Al Gore. Spokeswoman Karen Hughes said Mr. Bush, who was 30 at the time, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving while under the influence and paid a $150 fine. His license was suspended in Maine for “a period of time.” Ms. Hughes disclosed the Sept. 4, 1976, incident to reporters at the foot of the Texas Governor’s cam- paign plane as he prepared to fly to Milwaukee for a campaign rally. After arriving in Milwaukee, Mr. Bush called the incident “regrettable,” but asked reporters to question the timing of the disclosure. “Why five days before the election?” he said. “I’ve got my suspicions.” Fox News first reported the disclosure earlier in the evening. Kevin Kelly, news director of WPXT-TV, the Fox affiliate in Portland, Me., said that a reporter received a tip from someone while covering a court case in Cumberland County Superior Court.
And that’s just a sampling of what went on in the world, this November 3, 2000 as reported by The BBC World Service.
