Clash of Wills in Cairo

As the big population conference opens, Muslims are boycotting, and the Vatican is blasting Al Gore

It was supposed to be a landmark meeting -- a harmonious gathering of nations to establish the principle that the key to curbing population growth lies in giving women more control over their own health and reproduction. Instead the International Conference on Population and Development, being held in Cairo this week, was in danger of falling apart before it even got started. An unusual convergence of interests between Roman Catholic and Muslim leaders put the organizers of the United Nations-sponsored conference on the defensive around the flash points of abortion and sex education for teens. At least two Prime Ministers from...

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