Home > Programs
> Democracy
Now! > Thu., Aug 24, 2006
Democracy Now!
ATTN: ALL STATIONS
From: Democracy Now!
Re: Rundown 8-24-06
PRSS Channel: A67.7
Lebanon Urges U.S. to Pressure Israel to End Blockade
UNICEF: Israel Badly Damaged Lebanon’s Water System
UK Report: Iran Is Chief Beneficiary of War on Terror
Congressional Report: U.S. Faces Gaps In Its Intel on Iran
Kidnapped Journalists in Gaza Plea For Release
Report: Israel Buys Two Nuclear Submarines
Bush Plans PR Blitz to Mark Katrina Anniversary
Bush Administration Sues State of Maine Over NSA Inquiry
20% of Female Cadets At Citadel Report Sexual Assault
EU Blocks Import of U.S. Rice Over GM Fears
Univ. of Miami Janitors Sign New Contract Following Labor
Battle
NYC Officials Knew Air Quality Area Was Not Safe Post 9/11
U.S. Judge Postpones Trial of Activists Accused of Ecosabotage
Lebanon Urges U.S. to Pressure Israel to End Blockade
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora is urging the United
States to pressure Israel into ending the air and sea blockade
of Lebanon. Although a ceasefire went into effect 10 days
ago, Israel still maintains control of Lebanon’s ports
and air space. This comes as the international community is
scrambling to put together a peacekeeping force to deploy
to Southern Lebanon in order to preserve the ceasefire.
* Alan Pellegrini, commander of the United Nations Interim
Force in Lebanon commander: "I repeat it is very tense,
very fragile and very, very tight because any provocation
or misunderstanding could escalate very, very rapidly."
Syria Rejects UN Troops on Border
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has rejected an Israeli demand
for the deployment of international troops on the Lebanese-Syrian
border.
Three Lebanese Soldiers Killed By Unexploded Israeli
Shells
Three Lebanese soldiers were killed on Wednesday while clearing
unexploded Israeli shells in southern Lebanon. They are the
first Lebanese troops to die since the army moved into the
region last week. An Israeli soldier also died on Wednesday
from an unexploded munition.
UNICEF: Israel Badly Damaged Lebanon’s Water
System
UNICEF is warning that Lebanon’s water infrastructure
has been largely destroyed makign a major obstacle for people
to return home. Water and sanitation systems were badly damaged
in Israeli air strikes across southern Lebanon. A water and
sanitation specialist from UNICEF said "I have never
seen destruction like this. Wherever we go, we ask people
what they need most and the answer is always the same: water."
UK Report: Iran Is Chief Beneficiary of War on Terror
A leading British think tank has concluded that Iran has been
the chief beneficiary of the war on terror in the Middle East
and that Iran now wields more influence in Iraq than the United
States. The report from Chatham House said Iran had gained
from the defeat of two of its most immediate regional rivals,
Saddam Hussein in Iraq and the Taliban in Afghanistan. The
war in Lebanon has also strengthened Iran's regional influence.
The report comes as tensions are increasing between Iran and
the United States. On Tuesday Iran said it was willing to
engage in serious talks with Western nations over its nuclear
program but it rejected a UN security council ultimatum to
give up uranium enrichment. The Bush administration criticized
Tehran’s response.
* White House Deputy Press Secretary Dana Perino: "...
We acknowledge that Iran considers its response as a serious
offer and we will review it. The response, however, falls
short of the conditions set by the Security Council which
require the full and verifiable suspension of all enrichment-related
and reprocessing activities. We are closely consulting with
the other members of the Security Council on the next steps."
Congressional Report: U.S. Faces Gaps In Its Intel
on Iran
A new Congressional report warns that the United States is
facing “significant gaps” in its intelligence
on Iran. The report states “There is a great deal about
Iran that we do not know.” It goes on to say there are
major gaps in the government’s knowledge of Iranian
nuclear, biological, and chemical programs.
U.S. General: Clear Evidence of Iran Funding in Iraq
In Iraq, a senior U.S. general said there is clear evidence
that Iran is funding, training and arming Shiite militants.
Brig. Gen. Michael Barbero accused Iran of promoting the destablization
of Iraq.
Kristol: We Could Soon Face Military Confrontation
With Iran
Here in this country, a growing number of hawkish Repblicans
are advocating a U.S. attack on Iran. Weekly Standard editor
William Kristol recently said on Fox News “We could
be in a military confrontation with Iran much sooner than
people expect.”
Iraq’s Interior Ministry Escapes Bomb Blast
In other news from the Middle East, Iraq's interior minister
narrowly escaped a roadside bomb blast in Baghdad. Jawad al-Bolani
was traveling in a convoy of about 10 vehicles when the bomb
exploded. The blast killed two bystanders, including a 12-year-old
girl.
Kidnapped Journalists in Gaza Plea For Release in
New Videotape
A videotape has been released of the two Fox News journalists
who were kidnapped nine days ago in Gaza. Reporter Steve Centanni
and cameraman Olaf Wiig appear together sitting on the floor.
* Steve Centanni: "We were taken captive in Gaza and
held prisoner here. We are in fairly good condition, in fairly
good health. Clean water, food every day, access to the bathroom,
shower, clean clothes and our captors are treating us well.”
Kidnapped Cameraman Olaf Wiig, who is from New Zealand, also
spoke on the videotape.
* Olaf Wiig: "I know my family will already be doing
this but I would ask if you can apply any political pressure
that would be most appreciated by Steve and myself. To my
family I love you and please do not worry. I will do all the
worrying for us and hope to see you soon.
A previously unknown group named Holy Jihad Brigades has
taken responsibility for the kidnapping. They demanded that
all Muslims in U.S. jails be released within 72 hours. All
of the main political factions in Gaza have condemned the
kidnapping.
* Palestinian Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh: "The two
journalists must be freed and we demand those who kidnapped
them to free them because this contradicts with the upbringing
of our people.”
Earlier today, Olaf Wiig’s wife Anita McNaught pleaded
for their release.
* Anita McNaught: Olaf and Steve have always worked for
the interests of the Palestinian people. They came here to
support you by telling your story. I do not question that
you who are holding them, have suffered greatly as everyone
in the Palestinian territories is suffering. But these two
men are not responsible for the injustices that you speak
of and they should not be punished for them.”
Report: Israel Buys Two Nuclear Submarines
In news from Israel, The Jerusalem Post is reporting that
Israel has agreed to buy two submarines capable of carrying
nuclear weapons. Israel signed a contract with a German company
in July.
Bush Plans Public Relations Blitz to Mark Katrina
Anniversary
The Los Angeles Times reports the White House has begun a
public relations blitz to mark the first anniversary of Hurricane
Katrina. The Bush administration is attempting to convince
the American public that it is fulfilling its promises to
rebuild the Gulf Coast. On Wednesday, the president met with
a Katrina survivor on the South Lawn of the White House. The
man, Rocky Vaccarella, lost his home a year ago. On Wednesday
he heaped praise on the president and said he wished Bush
could have a third term in office. It turns out that Vaccarella
once ran for public office as a Republican. Meanwhile Democrats
on Capitol Hill have released a new report titled "Broken
Promises: The Republican Response to Katrina.” The report
argues that every aspect of recovery — including housing,
business loans, healthcare, education and preparedness —
suffers from a “failed Republican response marked by
unfulfilled promises, cronyism, waste, fraud, and abuse."
Bush Administration Sues State of Maine Over NSA
Inquiry
The Bush administration has sued the state of Maine in an
attempt to block an inquiry into Verizon’s role in the
government’s domestic surveillance program. Maine’s
Public Utilities Commission has requested that Verizon confirm
whether it has participated in the National Security Agency’s
spy program.
Survey: 20 Percent of Female Cadets At Citadel Report
Sexual Assault
A new survey has found that 20 percent of female cadets at
the Citadel have been sexual assaulted at the military school
in South Carolina. Most of the reported incidents occurred
in the barracks or elsewhere on campus, and most often the
perpetrator was another cadet. Some of the female cadets reported
being subjected to more than one sexual assault. Sixty-eight
percent of the women also reported one or more incidents of
sexual harassment at the school.
EU Blocks Import of U.S. Rice Over GM Fears
The European Union has moved to block the import of long grain
rice from the United States. This comes after the biotech
company Bayer CropScience revealed that unauthorized genetically
modified rice had accidentally entered commercial rice supplies
inside the United States. European Commission spokesperson
Phillip Tod: "The emergency measures adopted by the Commission
today mean that, with immediate effect, only consignments
of U.S. long grain rice that have been tested by an accredited
laboratory using, a validated detection method, and accompanied
by a certificate assuring the absence of LL 601 will be able
to enter the EU." The European Union says the new regulations
will last six months. Japan has also suspended the import
of all long grain rice from the United States. Meanwhile a
Germany company plans to begin testing genetically modified
potatoes in Britain. It will mark the first time in more than
three years that any genetically modified food has been grown
in Britain.
1,200 Rally in Australia to Support Release of Gitmo
Detainee
In Australia, more than 1,200 people held a candlelight vigil
on Tuesday calling for the United States to release David
Hicks from Guantanamo. Hicks is an Australian citizen who
was captured in Afghanistan over four years ago. Hicks’
attorney says his health is deteriorating because he has been
held in solitary confinement for the past five months.
Univ. of Miami Janitors Sign New Contract Following
Labor Battle
In labor news, janitors at the University of Miami have approved
their first union contract following a long fight to win the
right to unionize. Under the deal, workers will receive up
to a 40 percent pay increase and healthcare coverage. The
contract covers 400 janitors, housekeepers and landscapers.
Earlier this year the workers staged a nine-week strike that
gained national attention in part because the school’s
president was Donna Shalala, President Clinton's Secretary
for Health and Human Services.
NYC Officials Knew Air Quality Area Was Not Safe
Post 9/11
Here in New York, the Daily News has revealed that less than
a month after 9/11, a top city Health Department official
blasted an order from City Hall to reopen several blocks near
Ground Zero. In an internal memo, the official warned in October
2001 that air quality for asbestos at those locations was
not yet suitable for re-occupancy.
FDA Expected to Approve Plan B Emergency Contraception
The Washington Post is reporting that the Food and Drug Administration
is expected to approve making the emergency contraceptive
Plan B available without a prescription to women 18 and older.
The decision could come as early as today.
Biologists Develop New Stem Cell Research Method
In other medical news, biologists have announced that they
have developed a method of gathering stem cells without killing
an embryo. It is unclear whether the development will end
the controversy over stem cell research. One scientist said,
"There is no rational reason left to oppose this research.”
U.S. Judge Postpones Trial of Activists Accused of
Eco-sabotage
A U.S. judge in Oregon has postponed the trial of four environmentalists
facing life sentences for committing arson and sabotage. The
trial was scheduled to begin in October but has been delayed,
possibly until March. Defense lawyers said they needed more
time to analyze tens of thousands of pages of evidence. The
activists, Daniel McGowan, Jonathan Paul, Nathan Block and
Joyanna Zacher, have been accused of being involved in a series
of arsons done in the name of the Earth Liberation Front.
The arsons resulted in widespread property damage but no one
was injured in any of the fires. The government’s case
rests largely on testimony from six other co-defendants. The
National Lawyers Guild has accused the government of intimidating
the co-defendants into become cooperating witnesses by charging
them with offenses that carry life sentences. This is attorney
Lauren Regan, the founder and executive director of the Civil
Liberties Defense Center in Oregon.
* Lauren Regan: Well, in these cases the people are alleged
to have committed property damage -- not murder, arson. You
know, if you want to call it that, call it arson, the burning
of property. And as you can see, approximately five years
is the average sentence. Well, these people are looking at
life plus at the maximum -- life plus 1,115 years in prison
for alleged crimes of arson.
Church Cancels Speech by Sister Helen Prejean Over
Criticism of Bush
In Minnesota, the Catholic Church of Duluth has uninvited
the well-known nun, Helen Prejean, from speaking at an upcoming
fundraising dinner. Sister Prejean is the author of the book
Dead Man Walking. The church said it canceled her speech after
her name appeared in ad in the New York Times calling for
the removal of President Bush from office.
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.
|
Listen
to the show
Help
whole
show
