ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, February 13, 1997            TAG: 9702130052
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL   PAGE: A-6  EDITION: METRO 

IN THE WORLD

New bounty on Rushdie $2.5 million

LONDON - The bounty for killing Salman Rushdie reportedly rose to $2.5 million, and supporters of the British writer said Wednesday that European politicians were losing their resolve to end his eight-year ordeal.

An Iranian newspaper reported Wednesday that a private Iranian foundation had raised the price on Rushdie's head to $2.5 million, up from $2 million. Iranian radio later said it may have been a temporary offer, now expired.

European Union countries have been talking to Iran about Rushdie since December 1992, and Rushdie's supporters say that's almost long enough.

- Associated Press

Briefly ...

* Aslan Maskhadov was installed Wednesday as Chechnya's president and vowed to protect ``the constitution, the laws and freedom'' of the breakaway republic.

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