CAMPAIGN 2004

BUSH CAMPAIGN FILES SUIT AGAINST FEC

President Bush’s campaign asked a court yesterday to force the Federal Election Commission to act on its complaints against anti-Bush groups spending millions of dollars in the presidential race, arguing that the FEC is failing to do its job.

In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, the campaign argued that the FEC is taking too long to address what the campaign calls illegal spending of corporate, union, and big individual donations to influence the presidential race. Its lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction that would force the commission to act on its March complaint within 30 days. After that, the campaign could sue to block the groups’ activities through court action rather than relying on the FEC.

“To prevent these 527s from continuing to violate federal election laws, we have asked the federal court to step in and order the FEC to act,” said Tom Josefiak, general counsel for the Bush-Cheney campaign.

Outside groups trying to deny Bush a second term have spent more than $60 million on advertising, far outstripping organizations sympathetic to the president that have vowed a late campaign drive to match their rivals.

– Associated Press

MIDWEST

SUSPECTED IRAQI SPY ARRESTED IN ILLINOIS

CHICAGO – A suburban Chicago man was a “sleeper agent” of the former Iraqi Intelligence Service and lied about it on his application to become an American citizen, federal prosecutors alleged Monday. Sami Khoshaba Latchin, 57, of Des Plaines, was charged with making a false statement to immigration authorities. Mr. Latchin pleaded innocent Monday.

He was “an Iraqi intelligence spy sent to this country to be a sleeper agent,” with directions to “assimilate himself into our culture,” Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conway said during a brief court hearing. Mr. Latchin is not alleged to have compromised America’s national security, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said.

Through an interpreter, Mr. Latchin pleaded innocent before U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer, who ordered him held until a September 7 detention hearing. Mr. Latchin was born in Dohuk, Iraq, and has lived in the United States for about 11 years, according to federal officials.

– Associated Press

WEST

MARINE SAYS HE NEVER HIT IRAQI INMATE

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A Marine reservist at the center of an Iraqi prisoner-abuse case took the stand yesterday and denied landing a powerful karate-kick in the chest of a 52-year-old Iraqi who later died. Asked repeatedly at his court-martial whether he had hit, kicked, or kneed any prisoners last year at a Marine detention facility, Sergeant Gary Pittman had a consistent reply: “Negative, sir.”

Speaking calmly and wearing a uniform loaded with military ribbons, Sergeant Pittman described a prison camp run in a professional manner – not the “terrordome” jailhouse where prisoners were beaten without provocation, as other Marines have testified.

Sergeant Pittman recalled one occasion where he used force at the detention facility known as Camp Whitehorse, when one detainee grabbed the Marine’s knife. Sergeant Pittman struck the forearm of the detainee, who he said arrived at the camp covered in blood. “I never punched an EPW (enemy prisoner of war),” Sergeant Pittman said. “Even the ones that attacked me. I never punched them. I just used minimum force.” The 40-year-old federal prison guard is charged with assault and dereliction of duty in the first court-martial known to arise from the death of a prisoner in Iraq. If convicted, he could face up to two years in military prison. – Associated Press

HEALTH

NEWLY DISCOVERED VIRUS SUSPECTED IN TWO SIDS CASES

MILWAUKEE – A virus recently discovered in Japan is suspected in two “crib deaths” in Wisconsin, raising new questions about how many of these mysterious tragedies might be caused by germs. The cases mark the first time the virus has been identified in America. Whether it killed the babies is not clear, but both were sick before they died and had signs of disease in their lungs.

Sudden infant death syndrome – also called “crib death” for the devastating way it is usually discovered – is a catch-all term for unexplained deaths in children less than a year old. About 2,200 occur each year in America, mostly involving babies between 2 and 4 months old.

Brain or breathing abnormalities, genetic mutations and birth defects are possible causes. The risk rises if babies live with smokers, are put to sleep on their stomachs, or are bundled in too many covers. Infections also have long been implicated. However, many SIDS victims are not tested for viruses that may be the culprit.

The Wisconsin cases should prompt research into whether SIDS is often caused by the newly discovered type of virus, said Dr. Mark Pallansch, who identified it at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after a Milwaukee virologist detected it.

– Associated Press