September 20, 2003 (Saturday)
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Israel says that the United Nations resolution on Yasser Arafat (passed 133–4 with 15 abstentions) "is meaningless. It is only a declaration and not legally binding." Yasser Arafat states it is of the "utmost importance" as a sign of international support for the Palestinians. Israel states Palestinians should focus their energy on fighting terrorism. Israel also insists that a new government being formed by incoming Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia cut links to Arafat. Israel says Arafat is tainted by terrorism. Qureia's criticism of United States policy is the strongest sign yet he does not plan to challenge Arafat.[1][2][3][4]
- 'War on Terrorism': Seventeen people are killed by United States airstrikes in southeast Afghanistan's Zabul province (in particular the Shinkay district). Eight nomad women and children, two Taliban fighters, several collaborating nomads, and a Taliban commander (Mohammad Gul Niazai) are among the dead.[5][6]
- Occupation of Iraq: Two American soldiers are killed and 13 wounded in a mortar attack in Abu Ghraib, and another soldier dies in a roadside attack in Ramadi, bringing the number of U.S. deaths since the war began to 304, of which 165 occurred after President Bush's "mission accomplished" statement of May 1.[7] A member of the Governing Council, Dr. Aquila al-Hashimi, is shot in an assassination attempt (she dies five days later). United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly condemns the attack and warns that it only undermines the country's political progress.[8]
- European Union enlargement: Latvians vote overwhelmingly in favor of the Baltic country joining the European Union.[9]
- Canadian Liberal Leadership Race: Early numbers from delegate-selection elections within the Liberal Party confirm Paul Martin will win an automatic first-round victory at the forthcoming leadership convention. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Martin can now be expected to become Canada's 21st Prime Minister in February 2004.[10]
- ^ "USATODAY.com - Israel rejects U.N. resolution on Arafat". Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-10-16. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2004-05-16. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Israel scoffs at UN resolution `slap'". Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ "Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News - Reuters.com". Archived from the original on 27 April 2005. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ "Arab Times -Leading English Daily in Kuwait". Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ Berenson, Alex (2003-09-21). "3 G.I.'s Killed West of Baghdad - Top Iraqi in Critical Condition". Iraq: NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
- ^ "United Nations News Centre". UN News Service Section. 20 September 2003. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ "Features - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 13 January 2004. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2005-04-08. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)