Nation briefs 5/1

U.S. indicts Colombian rebel group, members

WASHINGTON -- A federal grand jury, striking a blow against a terrorist threat outside the Arab world, indicted a Colombian rebel group and six of its members Tuesday in connection with the murders of three Americans.

The indictment, returned by a grand jury in U.S. District Court in Washington, accused the FARC organization and the individuals of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, using a firearm during a crime of violence and aiding and abetting.

The charges stem from the 1999 slayings of three American citizens kidnapped while working with Indians in northeastern Colombia.

Washington broke off tentative peace contacts with FARC following the killings.

Atta didn't meet with Iraqi intelligence agent

WASHINGTON -- U.S. investigators no longer believe suicide hijacker Mohammed Atta met with an Iraqi intelligence agent in Europe last year, eliminating the only known link between Saddam Hussein's government and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

American and Czech officials had believed the meetings between Atta, the alleged ringleader of the 19 hijackers, and Ahmad Khalil Ibrahim Samir Al-Ani, an Iraqi diplomat widely believed to be an intelligence agent, took place in Prague in April 2001.

Some observers said the meetings suggested Iraq's complicity in the Sept. 11 attacks -- providing the United States with a reason to attack Saddam.

Powell: Anti-U.S. effort led to rejection of visa

WASHINGTON -- The State Department denied a U.S. visa to the head of Cuba's food import agency in March because he lobbied against American policy during his last visit, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday.

The visa denial drew criticism from Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who suggested the action eliminated an opportunity for farmers from his state and others to increase food exports.

Powell said Pedro Alvarez, who heads the Alimport agency, acted in violation of the terms of his U.S. visa when he spent part of his time during his last visit drumming up opposition to U.S. policies. In any case, Powell said, the presence of Alvarez is not necessary for food sales to Cuba to take place.

Saudis spend millions to boost image in U.S.

NEW YORK -- Saudi Arabia has spent millions on a television ad campaign aimed at bolstering its image with Americans, but some cable channels are declining to run the spots.

The ads began running last week, coinciding with the U.S. visit of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, who met with President Bush at his ranch in Texas. They feature images of U.S. leaders meeting with Saudi officials and quotes from Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell showing support for the country.

The ads depict Saudi Arabia as a close friend of the United States carry the tag lines "The People of Saudi Arabia: Allies Against Terrorism" and "The People of Saudi Arabia: Allies For Peace." The ad campaign is running in 20 major cities across the country.

No-call rules could hurt newspaper sales spiels

WASHINGTON -- National "do-not-call" rules being considered by regulators would devastate the newspaper industry because telemarketing generates 60 percent of new subscriber sales, an industry group says.

The proposed registry, which would allow people to opt out of telemarketing calls, isn't necessary to restrain the industry anyway, according to the Newspaper Association of America.

"As well-known corporate citizens of the local communities in which they publish, newspapers have a unique business and social responsibility that infuses all their activities, including telemarketing," NAA President and CEO John F. Sturm said in comments filed to the Federal Trade Commission.

The NAA, a nonprofit organization that represents more than 2,000 newspapers in the United States and Canada, told the FTC its members should be exempt from any such rule.

-- From wire reports