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THE CHRONICLE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006
Rival admits leaking recording
Militants try to blow up embassy by
Sam Ghattas
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Syrian guards DAMASCUS, Syria foiled an attempt by suspected al Qaedalinked militants to blow up the U.S. Embassy Tuesday, exchanging fire outside the compound’s walls with gunmen who shouted “God is great” and tried to storm in with automatic weapons and hand grenades. The brazen, midmoming assault in a heavily guarded neighborhood of the capital could highlight the Syrian regime’s weakening grip on militants, w ho haye battled Syrian security forces repeatedly in recent years. The attack, which left at least 10 civilians and a Chinese diplomat wounded,
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came amid high tension between Washington and Damascus. The rapid response by Syrian guards won rare praise from the United States, which accuses President Bashar Assad’s government of supporting terrorism in its backing of Hezbollah guerrillas and Palestinian militants. “I do think that the Syrians reacted to this attack in away that helped to secure our people, and we very much appreciate that,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said. No Americans were hurt, and the embassy was not damaged. White House spokesperson Tony Snow also thanked Syrian officials and called for
Damascus to “become an ally and make the choice of fighting against terrorists.” But Syria responded with a sharp criticism of the United States, blaming its policies in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territoriesfor increasing Islamic militancy. “It is regrettable that.U.S. policies in the Middle East have fueled extremism, terrorism and anti-U.S. sentiment,” the Syrian Embassy in Washington said in a statement. “The U.S. should... start looking at the root causes of terrorism and broker a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.” It curdy said that Syria “performed its duties” under the Geneva Conventions to protect the embassy.
NASA begins work on space station by
Rasha Madkour
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON Two spacewalking astronauts Tuesday began installing the first big addition to the international space station in more than 3.5 years, and NASA pronounced the outing a success, even though a small bolt floated off and got lost. “I felt today like this is what NASA is supposed to do,” said lead space station Flight Director John McCullough. “This is what we're here to do.” Wearing bulky suits and gloves, the two Atlantis astronauts ventured outside to begin attaching a new 17.5-ton box-like
delivered earlier this week. The job involved— connecting 17 wires or tubes and tightening or loosening 167 bolts. Astronaut Joe Tanner was working with a 1.5-inch bolt with an attached spring when the washer holding it in fell off. The bolt and spring floated over the head of astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and truss section that the space shutde
skittered across the truss. While the washer went out into space harmlessly, Tanner worried the bolt and spring could get into the wiring and tubing of the truss and cause problems. “I just hope that bolt is on its way to
Mother Earth right now and not on its way to a crucial joint,” Tanner said, Even though NASA did not have any video showing the bolt missing the mechanism, officials said they are certain that the bolt flew offinto space harmlessly, “It’s pretty trivial,” McCullough said. “It didn’t go inside.” Space debris can be dangerous if it punctures space station walls or spacesuits and can jam crucial mechanisms. However, spacewalkers have a long history of losing things in space. In July, Discovery spacewalkers lost a 14-inch spatula that floated away.
The of Gov. Arnold campaign Schwarzenegger's Democratic rival acknowledged Tuesday that he leaked a recording of a private meeting in which the governor described a Hispanic legislator as having a "very hot" personality.
Hurd appointed as new HP chair Hewlett-Packard Chair Patricia Dunn admitted Tuesday that she authorized an investigation that relied on "inappropriate
techniques" to uncover who was leaking boardroom secrets to the media. GEO Mark Hurd will take over.
Officials inspect Smith's death Police investigating the death of Anna Nicole Smith's 20-year-old son said Tuesday that they had no evidence that he that suffered a heart attack or that drugs were involved. Official said medical personnel applied CPR and other measures to save him.
Politicians debate war policy A presidential speech sparked debate over war policy Tuesday. A GOP leader said Democrats seemed "more interested in protecting the terrorists"than fellow Americans.The Democrats contended the president used commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks to bolster support for the Iraq war. News briefs compiled from wire reports "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." —• Will Rogers