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> Fri., Feb. 14, 2003
FSRN
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Today's lead stories:
Blix: No Weapons of Mass Destruction
Iraqis React to Blix
Money for Nuclear Weapons
Congress Passes Appropriations Package
Arafat to Appoint PM
Felony Charges for Activists
Blix: No Weapons of Mass Destruction (4:54)
Chief Weapons Inspector Hans Blix spoke today before the
UN Security Council. His message was clear -- Iraq has no
weapons of mass destruction. Blix also directly questioned
some of the intelligence that Secretary of State Powell delivered
to the Security Council last week, citing the two satellite
images shown in Powell's presentation and saying they did
not prove that Iraq was clearing the site of forbidden munitions.
Deepa Fernandes reports.
[top]
Iraqis React to Blix (2:04)
The presentation by Hans Blix to the UN security council
this morning was closely watched by Iraqis. FSRN reporter
Jeremy Scahill was there and brings these initial reactions.
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Money for Nuclear Weapons (3:45)
While the White House uses weapons of mass destruction as
it pretext for war on Iraq, the administration’s proposed
2004 budget allots a large amount of money for nuclear weapons
activities. Critics say this is the most money proposed since
the height of the Cold War nuclear arms race. Joe Gardner
Wessely reports from New Mexico, where more of that money
will go than any other state.
[top]
Congress Passes Appropriations Package (2:56)
Congress finally passed an appropriations package for fiscal
year 2003, albeit some four months late. Critics say the nearly
$400 billion package could set a record for the amount of
"pork" it includes. The bill also includes a measure
which blurs the definition of "organic" in organic
food, and it opens up the Alaska national wildlife refuge
to preliminary oil drilling. One bright spot for Americans
concerned about their civil liberties is a last minute provision
that may put the brakes on the Pentagon's notorious"Total
Information Awareness" system. Josh Chaffin reports from
Washington.
[top]
Arafat to Appoint PM (3:26)
Israel recalled its ambassador from Belgium and threatened
political action over a court ruling that would permit war
crimes charges against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon after he
is out of office. Belgium made the ruling Wednesday under
a law that allows the country's courts to hear cases of war
crimes committed anywhere in the world. Meanwhile, Palestinian
leader Yasser Arafat has agreed to appoint a Prime Minister,
a key demand of the US, the EU and Israel before they will
work towards a political settlement of the Middle East conflict.
Irris Makler reports from Jerusalem.
[top]
Felony Charges for Activists (3:37)
With 10 million people worldwide expected to come out tomorrow
to protest the pending war on Iraq, protestors in NYC seem
undeterred by a judge's ruling denying a permit to march in
tomorrow's anti-war protest. This despite felony convictions
being the latest tactic the government is using to quell dissent.
Yesterday activist Sean McCoy was convicted of Felony Criminal
Endangerment, while five others await trial for stopping a
logging truck and hanging a banner from a bridge in Missoula,
Montana last year. The activists face a maximum ten years
in prison if convicted. The groups supporters say the unprecedented
state felony charges were meant to stifle dissent over logging
practices on large parts of the nearby forest hit hard by
wildfires in the year 2000. Leigh Robartes has more.
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