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From the pages of Gulf News dated March 15 - 21, 1980

From the pages of Gulf News dated March 15 - 21, 1980

  • Compiled by Abdul Rahim Abdul Kareem, Head of Archives
  • Published: 23:54 March 20, 2008
  • Gulf News

March 15

US boxing team among 87 killed in Polish crash
A Polish airliner crashed while approaching Warsaw airport killing all 87 people aboard including an entire US boxing team. Fourteen boxers and six accompanying staff-doctors, coaches and referees-were aboard the LOT airline flight on their way to a three-day match with Poland's national team. The Polish news agency PAP said the boxers and their companions all died.

New unit gives Ajman 3,000 kw more power
Ajman Crown Prince Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi inaugurated a new power unit at the Masfout Power station in Ajman. After cutting the ribbon and pressing the button, which started the new unit, Shaikh Humaid visited different sections of the unit and was briefed on its operations.

March 16

Former congressman and Kennedy aide shot dead
Allard K Lowenstein, a former congressman and leader of the "dump Johnson" movement who served as a key adviser to Senator Edward M Kennedy, died on Friday after he was shot four times, authorities said.

March 17

UAE launches green revolution
UAE marked national Tree-Planting Day. In Dubai, the tree planting drive got off to a flying start with the UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, planting a palm tree on the Al Garhoud Road to give his official blessing to the campaign.

March 18

Escape drama in Bogota
The Uruguayan ambassador to Colombia tied blankets together to escape from the second floor of the Dominican Republic embassy where left-wing guerrillas were holding him and about 30 other people hostage. Fernando Gomez was slightly injured when he let go of the blankets and fell to the ground outside the embassy occupied by members of the M-19 urban guerrilla group since February 27.

March 19

Assad: PLO can fight from Syria
Syria has given Palestinian commandos the green light to launch military operations inside Israel through the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. An official, who refused to be identified, said Syrian President Hafez Assad has told commando leaders that the Golan Heights, which separate Syria and Israel, "have always been and will remain open to the Palestinians to launch commando operations against Israel."

March 20

US claims hostages were tortured in Tehran
An interrogator pointed a pistol at an American woman hostage, told her one chamber was loaded and then fired the gun repeatedly, the United States charged before the International Court of Justice. US State Department legal advisor said the American hostages were often threatened at gunpoint, tied to upright chairs for up to 16 hours, made to sleep on bare concrete floors and kept blindfolded as punishment in the first weeks of the crisis, now in its 137th day.

March 21

Baghdad defends nuclear deals
The Iraqi Government defended its nuclear co-operation agreements with France and Italy and said Washington's concern was nothing but a reflection of America's animosity to the Arabs. "The American campaign against the technological co-operation between Iraq and France and Italy in the field of nuclear energy proves once again America's animosity to Iraq and the Arab nation and its continuous adherence to the old imperialist policy," an Iraqi Government spokesman said.

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