International Events in February 1999
Feb. 2
The former White House intern, Ms. Monica Lewinsky gives her version of her relationship with the U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton at a closed door deposition in the Senate impeachment trial of the President. She springs no surprises.
Mr. Chee Soon Juan, secretary-general of the Singapore Democratic Party, a fringe opposition outfit, opts for a prison term of one week, instead of a fine, on being found guilty of committing the offence of delivering a speech without obtaining a permit.
Feb. 3
The Russian President, Mr. Boris Yeltsin, sacks half of his staff.
The deposition of witnesses in the Senate impeachment trial of the U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton, ends.
Feb. 4
Yemen officially stops issuing entry visas to British citizens fearing the entry of terrorists.
Feb. 6
Crown Prince Abdullah is made regent of Jordan after the Cabinet declares (on doctor's advice) that King Hussein, who is on his death bed, will be unable to rule.
Feb. 7
King Hussein of Jordan passes away. He is succeeded to the throne by his son, Crown Prince Abdullah.
Feb. 8
The Singapore politician, Mr. Chee Soon Juan, leaves prison after a seven-day sentence for speaking publicly without a police permit.
Feb. 10
The East Timorese leader, Mr. Xanana Gusmao is shifted from a high-security prison to a specially designated centre for a virtual house arrest in Jakarta.
Feb. 11
The Syrian President, Mr. HafeJan. Assad is elected to an unprecedented fifth seven-year term.
China stations up to 200 ballistic missiles next to Taiwan.
Feb. 12
In a historic vote, the U.S. Senate rejects both the Articles of Impeachment turned in by the House of Representatives against the President, Mr. Bill Clinton, thus fully acquitting him in the process.
Feb. 16
Mr. Abdullah Ocalan, fugitive leader of the Kurdish Workers' Party in Turkey is arrested in an undercover operation.
Feb. 17
Mr. David Trumble, Northern Ireland's first Minister, wins vote on devolution of powers in March.
Feb. 18
Kurds across Europe protest against the arrest of Mr. Ocalan.
Feb. 19
Turkish troops hunt down Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq while police round up hundreds of activists in Turkey following violent protests over the capture of Mr. Ocalan.
Feb. 22
North Korea says it will release the world's longest serving prisoner of conscience, Mr. Woo Yong Gak.
Feb. 23
The imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader, Mr. Abdullah Ocalan is charged with treason.
Feb. 24
Ethnic Albanians and Serbs fail to reach agreement on a proposed settlement that the U.S. and its European allies sought to impose after 17 days of intense negotiations at Rambouillet in France.
A white supermacist is found guilty of mudering James Byrd, a black, in one of America's most gruesome race crimes.
Feb. 25
Hip-hop star Lauryn Hill bags five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist.
Feb. 28
U.S. air force F-15 fighters attack Iraqi military installations with bombs and missiles after planes patrolling the northern no-fly zone come under fire.