Peru's president pulls off another coup

Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori basks in the limelight of another successful military operation against leftist guerrillas

In this story: Tensions remain taut in East Timor China warns Taiwan over change in policy Mideast peace process back on track Canada again ranks as the best place to live Armenian collector shows toys are not just for kids Romanians toot their horns in Washington, Swiss blow theirs in the Alps RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Scott Herron
CNN World Report

Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori has struck another blow against leftist rebels, and in typical fashion he has also given his political career another boost just when it needed one.

Peruvian army commandos on July 14 captured the last national leader of Peru's violent Shining Path guerrilla movement. Some 2,000 troops were involved in the operation, capturing Oscar Ramirez Durand in a rugged mountain and jungle area about 200 kilometers east of Lima.

Ramirez Durand, also known as Feliciano, was hungry and limping from an old wound, but otherwise in good shape. Fujimori personally helped supervise the last hours of the operation.

Peru's Global Network provided coverage for CNN World Report, and according to reporter Josefina Townsend, "Some analysts consider that Feliciano's capture will improve Fujimori's chances for re-election for a third term."

Fujimori is often criticized, both at home and abroad, for his authoritarian style, and the deep recession and widespread unemployment that grip his nation.

But he has a knack for the dramatic and often makes himself the star of the show just when it appears Peruvians are most ready to bring the curtain down on him.

Fujimori won the presidency in 1990 with an unexpected victory over famed novelist Mario Vargas Llosa. He gained further acclaim in 1992 with the capture of Shining Path founder and ideological guru Abimael Guzman. And he seemed to pull off the impossible in 1997 with the daring rescue of 72 hostages held by leftist guerrillas at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima.

Voters in East Timor are on edge awaiting upcoming elections in which they'll decide whether to remain part of Indonesia or stake out a claim for independence.

Violence has surged in the territory since Indonesia announced in January a willingness to put independence to a vote. Indonesia has ruled East Timor -- critics say ruthlessly -- since invading the territory in 1976, a year after Portugal relinquished colonial control. The United Nations has never recognized the Indonesian annexation.

The CNN World Report contributor in Indonesia, RCTI, examined the threat of violence, and the vote's chances for success.

"The road to self-determination in East Timor is far from smooth as violence is still a problem that could derail the ballot in this troubled area," reporter Desi Anwar told viewers. "Security issues arising from clashes between the pro-integration and the pro-independence groups have already contributed to the postponing of the vote from the 8th of August to the last week of the month."

Prince Albert of Monaco gets royal treatment during a goodwill trip to China

China is not willing to even discuss the possibility of independence for Taiwan.

Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui raised hackles in Beijing earlier this month when he said that China and Taiwan should recognize one another as separate states, moving beyond the widely accepted "One China" policy of two governments within one country.

China Central Television covered the story for CNN World Report.

The argument may seem to some like much to do over diplomatic semantics, but China is adamant that Taiwan is part of greater China, and eventually will rejoin the mainland, just as Hong Kong did two years ago, and Macao will later this year.

Reporter Han Bin told viewers: "Chinese officials indicate that they will wait for Taiwan's next move before deciding on any response. They have repeated their pledge to strongly respond to any formal declaration of independence and have not ruled out the use of force."

That diplomatic flap aside, China has a history of non- interference in other countries' business, and of opposing major power muscle flexing. It also increasingly is seeking trade ties with countries across a wide political spectrum.

A report by Belgium's Way Press International made that clear with its coverage of a visit to China by Prince Albert, heir to the throne in the tiny Mediterranean principality of Monaco.

The Prince met with top Chinese political and business figures in Beijing and Shanghai and paid a brief visit to an archaeological site in Shaanxi province.

Israel's new prime minister, Ehud Barak, has visited both the United States and Jordan as part of his promise to make peace in the Middle East.

Jordanian Television covered the Jordanian half of the story for CNN World Report, focusing on the willingness of both Barak and Jordan's King Abdullah to find workable solutions to problems between their two countries, and between Israel and its other Arab neighbors.

Reporter Suzanne Afanah's story pointed out Jordan's key roll in the peace process, notably in resolving differences between Israel and Syria, and Israel and the Palestinians.

Central Beirut is getting back to normal following Israeli airstrikes that caused heavy damage to Lebanon's infrastructure

Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon, and its war with Hezbollah guerrillas along the Lebanese-Israeli border, is intricately tied to the Mideast peace process, and one of the most difficult problems to resolve. Lebanon is literally caught in the middle, and paid dearly for an artillery exchange between the two sides in late June.

Besides the loss of several lives, the country's infrastructure was heavily damaged by Israeli bombs. Future TV of Lebanon provided coverage of cleanup efforts in the capital, Beirut.

"The Lebanese Army and engineers worked around the clock," reporter Mohalhel Fakih told viewers. "In less than three days they constructed temporary bridges to connect the different parts of southern Lebanon to Beirut...

"Israel has systematically targeted Lebanon's infrastructure since the civil war ended in 1990. The country has since been under a major reconstruction effort. Economic experts estimated the cost of the raids at around $100 million."

Despite the Israeli attacks, Fakih reported that tourists are still visiting Lebanon, and that a record number -- 600,000 -- are expected this summer.

Whether it's a favorite tourist destination or not, Canada certainly seems a great place to live. For the sixth year in a row, the United Nations' human development index ranks Canada as the best place to live in the world, ranking first out of 174 countries. The index is based on several criteria, including quality of health care, education and life expectancy.

CNN World Report covered the story with help from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

After fleeing Kosovo, violinist Zacheeria Rajepi is playing a new tune in Canada

The CBC told viewers in another report how members of an ethnic Albanian refugee family consider their new life in Nova Scotia as a dream come true, even though they're essentially starting from scratch.

Zacheeria Rajepi was an accomplished artist and violinist in Kosovo, with what reporter Laurie Graham said was a beautiful home, lots of friends and family. He now plays a hand-me-down violin in a house with barely any furniture.

"What I did in Kosovo, I will never achieve that in Canada," he said. "That's all in the past." But he isn't complaining, glad to have a job fiddling Celtic music in a play.

Said Graham: "Zacheeria is starting over. Learning a foreign culture, a foreign language and now a foreign music. But the music from his homeland is never far from his mind."

Alp horn players gather for a summer festival in the Swiss alps

Romanian TV provided coverage of a folk life festival in Washington DC, naturally focusing on Romanian art and culture.

"Prize pottery and carpets were handmade on the spot by the Romanian craftsmen representing skills that cross the centuries," reporter Nicolae Melinescu told viewers.

At least 50 major music festivals take place every year in Switzerland, including the Alp Horn Festival.

The alp horn is an instrument like no other, and Swiss TV-SRI allowed viewers to sit in on a mountaintop serenade.

Internews in Armenia told viewers a story that was more down to earth. It focused on an adult composer and performer who spends much of his time collecting children's toys.

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Internews reporter Dianna Markosyan shows off the toys
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