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Robert Fisk on the Beirut Bombing, U.S.-Syrian Relations
and the Iraqi Elections
McLibel: British Activists Sued for Distributing McDonald's
Flyers Win Court Case
McDonald's To Pay $8.5 Million For Misleading Public About
Use of Trans Fat
Robert Fisk on the Beirut Bombing, U.S.-Syrian Relations
and the Iraqi Elections
Longtime foreign correspondent Robert Fisk joins us from
his home in Beirut. He is the author of "Pity the Nation:
The Abduction of Lebanon." He arrived at the scene of
the assassination of former Prime Minister on Monday just
moments after the explosion and describes what happened.
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was buried today
amid chaotic scenes at a mosque in Beirut. He was killed along
with 14 others in a massive bomb blast on Monday. Over 150,000
mourners marched in a funeral procession to the Muhammed Amin
mosque in one of Lebanon's biggest and most diverse gatherings
for decades.
Reuters reports the funeral turned into an outpouring of
public wrath against Syria, which is blamed by opposition
leaders for the killing. Some 15,000 Syrian troops are stationed
in Lebanon.
Hariri's family turned down government offers of a state
funeral. They made clear government officials such as Syrian-backed
President Emile Lahoud, along with his prime minister and
interior miniter, were not welcome to attend the funeral.
Hariri resigned as prime minister last October after falling
out with Syria over its role in extending the presidential
term of Lahoud.
Meanwhile, the US has recalled its ambassador to Syria to
protest the bombing. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told
reporters she was not blaming the attack on Syria but said
its presence in Lebanon was destabilizing. She said the US
was discussing a response to the bombing with the UN, and
considering further diplomatic sanctions against Syria over
a range of US complaints.
Meanwhile, French President Jacques Chirac will travel to
Beirut Wednesday to attend the funeral. Several other foreign
dignitaries are also expected, including US Assistant Secretary
of State William Burns, Arab League General Secretary Amr
Moussa and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
Yesterday, we spoke with journalist Robert Fisk in Lebanon.
Fisk is the Chief Middle East correspondent for the London
Independent and has lived in Beirut for many years. He is
the author of "Pity the Nation: The Abduction of Lebanon."
He arrived at the scene just moments after the explosion Monday
and described what happened.
McLibel: British Activists Sued for Distributing
McDonald's Flyers Win Court Case
Two activists sued by McDonalds in Britain won their case
against the British government, in a case that could change
UK libel law forever. The European Court of Human Rights said
the UK legal system breached the right to a fair trial and
freedom of expression. Activists David Morris and Helen Steel
were sued by McDonalds in 1990 for handing out leaflets called
"What"s Wrong with McDonald's", accusing the
company of paying low wages, cruelty to animals used in its
products and dozens of other malpractices. [includes rush
transcript - partial]
McDonald's won and was awarded £40,000 in libel damages.
But the so-called "McLibel Two" refused to pay at
the end of a trial. Yesterday, they won their claim that the
libel trial was unfair - in the longest civil or criminal
action in English legal history. David Morris spoke outside
a McDonalds in Britain moments after the ruling
- David Morris and Helen Steel, speaking on Feb. 15
They now join us on the phone from Britain.
- David Morris, plaintiff in McLibel case.
- Helen Steel, plaintiff in McLibel case.
McDonald's To Pay $8.5 Million For Misleading Public
About Use of Trans Fat
McDonalds has settled a lawsuit over its use of trans fats,
a dangerously unhealthy oil. The hamburger chain must pay
$8.5 million for advertising claims that it cut trans fat
from its French fries. The company announced the switch to
healthier oil in September 2002, but five months later said
there was a delay. [includes rush transcript]
The suit was filed by the consumer advocacy group bantransfat.com.
It accused McDonald's of failing to inform customers that
the heart-clogging oil was still being used. Of the 8.5-million
dollar payment, $7 million goes to the American Heart Association
to educate the public about trans fat in foods. As part of
the settlement, McDonald's is also required to spend $1.5-million
publicizing that it didn't follow through on its 2002 pledge.
We are joined on the line by Kathy Fettke, the Plaintiff
in $8 million settlement with Mcdonalds as well as Stephen
Joseph. He is the founder and President of BanTransFats.com
and the attorney for Plaintiff BanTransFats.com in its representative
action against McDonald's for injunctive relief. He is also
the attorney for Plaintiff Katherine Fettke in the separate
class action against McDonald's for damages.
- Stephen Joseph, founder and President of BanTransFats.com
and the attorney for Plaintiff BanTransFats.com
in its representative action against McDonald's for injunctive
relief. He is also the attorney for plaintiff Katherine
Fettke in the separate class action against McDonald's for
damages.
- Kathy Fettke, plaintiff in $8 million settlement with
Mcdonalds
For a copy of today’s program, call 1 (800) 881 2359.
Our website is www.democracynow.org.
Our email address is mail@democracynow.org.
Democracy Now! is produced by Mike Burke, Sharif Abdel Kouddous,
Ana Nogueira, Elizabeth Press, Jeremy Scahill and Parvez Sharma.
Mike Di Filippo is our engineer.
Thanks also to Uri Galed, Angela Alston, Orlando Richards,
Simba Russeau, Johnny Sender, Rich Kim, Joe Murgio, John Randolph,
Chris Zucker, Karen Ranucci, Denis Moynihan, Eric Rweyemamu,
Jenny Filipazzo and Isis Phillips.
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