Cuba shoots down two U.S. aircraft
Two civil aircraft bearing United States registry were shot down on Sat., Feb. 24, by the Cuban air force, resulting in the deaths of four persons. The planes, belonging to the Miami-based Cuban exile group "Brothers to the Rescue" were unarmed twin-engine aircraft. While Cuban authorities maintain that the planes were within the 12-mile limit of Cuban airspace, U.S. investigators believe the planes were still over international waters at the time of the attack. The action was condemned by President Clinton, LAW '73, and the U.N. Security Council issued a statement condemning Cuba. Clinton also urged Congress to pass a bill calling for even tighter economic sanctions against Cuba as a punitive measure. English-Irish peace talks to resume in June
British Prime Minister John Major and Irish leader John Burton announced on Wed., Feb. 28, that peace talks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will begin again on June 10. The announcement came as a surprise in light of the breaking of the IRA ceasefire on Feb. 9 and several IRA terrorists bombings since then. Both Major and Burton insisted that Sinn Fein, the political arm of the IRA, could not join the talks until the ceasefire was renewed. Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams gave a "cautious welcome" to the announcement. Princess Di and Prince Charles announce divorce
Princess Diana agreed on Wed., Feb. 28, to request a divorce from her husband Charles, Prince of Wales, and heir to the British throne. The announcement comes several months after Queen Elizabeth II recommended a divorce for the couple, whose turbulent marriage fell apart amidst accusations of extramarital affairs on both parts. While no financial arrangements have been made, a spokeswoman for Princess Diana said that she will retain her title and will continue to live in Keningston Palace, in central London. U.S. Navy jet crashes in the Pacific
The U.S. Navy faced continuing troubles with its aircraft-carrier-based fighter planes, as an EA-6B "Prowler" crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the San Diego coast on Sat., Feb. 24, killing one crew member, injuring two, and leaving one missing.
This crash follows a recent rash of F-14 "Tomcat" crashes that prompted the Navy to suspend all F-14 operations for three days earlier last week. All Pacific Fleet aircraft were ordered to undergo a 48-hour safety standdown to evaluate safety operations.
-Compiled by Mike Burstein from The New York Times
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