UN Population Conference: Vatican set to hold back from accord on abortion

CAIRO - The Vatican is expected today to refuse to put its name to the entire agreement negotiated at the UN population conference, writes Nicholas Schoon. The Holy See last night kept its counsel, but many delegates who have spent more than a week in Egypt in intensive negotiations expect the Vatican to enter a written reserve explaining why it cannot agree to the entire text as the conference closes today. The Pope and the delegation he sent to Cairo believe the text could be seen as condoning abortion and encouraging sex outside marriage. The document recognises the rights of all couples to use contraceptives and receive advice on family planning.

AT LEAST 1 million Rwandans were victims of this year's genocide, the country's youth minister, Patrick Mazimhaka, told the conference. The previous estimate of 500,000 was out of date and too low, he said.