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> Tues., Apr. 15, 2003
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
Rebuilding Iraq – US Style
From the Ground in Baghdad
Tax Day
Janitor’s Strike
Attack on Zapatista Land
Refugee Crisis in Senegal
Rebuilding Iraq – US Style (3:06)
The Pentagon says the major military operations are winding
down in Iraq, and their attention now turns to rebuilding
the country. The United Nations hasn't been invited to the
party, and some Iraqis are protesting the unilateral process
of choosing leaders for their embattled nation. While the
Bush Administration suggests Syria could be the next target,
Josh Chaffin reports.
[top]
From the Ground in Baghdad
Baghdad's National Library burned yesterday, destroying
centuries-old manuscripts. The National Museum has been looted
of artifacts from the ancient Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian
civilizations. The deputy director-general of the UN cultural
body UNESCO calls the losses "a catastrophe for the cultural
heritage of Iraq”. FSRN correspondent in Baghdad, Urban
Hamid has been speaking with Iraqis who have been coming to
the Hotel Palestine to try and get messages out to the world.
[top]
Tax Day (3:39)
President Bush today demanded at least $550 billion in tax
cuts over 10 years, a retreat from his original proposal of
more than $700 billion that reflected congressional reluctance
to run up bigger deficits in wartime. This as today, the deadline
for Americans to submit their income taxes, will be used by
anti-war groups as an opportunity to raise awareness about
war tax resistance. Groups such as the Iraq Peace Team, Iraq
Pledge of Resistance, and the War Resisters League, claim
US military aggression could be stopped if thousands of Americans
who oppose the war in Iraq, engage in some form of tax resistance.
Ingrid Drake reports from DC.
[top]
Janitor’s Strike (3:13)
In more than twenty cities across the United States, janitors
are seeking justice on the job as contracts covering more
than a hundred thousand custodians expire this year. Janitors
with the Service Employees International Union typically earn
much more than their non-union counterparts, but the union
is struggling to win employer-paid health insurance for its
mostly uninsured members. And as John Hamilton reports from
Washington, D.C., the union is also working to organize new
members as it fights for a better contract.
[top]
Attack on Zapatista Land (3:37)
Late Friday, news reached the southern Mexican highlands
town San Cristóbol de las Casas that Zapatista support
base communities situated in the depths of the Montes Azules
Ecological Reserve of the Lacandon Jungle were being threatened
with forced displacement. Tim Russo brings us this report
from Chiapas, Mexico.
[top]
Refugee Crisis in Senegal (3:32)
In the last few days the UN High Commission for Refugees
has stated that with the world’s attention focused on
Iraq the refugee crisis in Africa is worsening. Early this
month, the Senegalese president launched an official call
asking refugees from Casamance to come back home and participate
in the development of the region. Four days later in a short
visit in Paris he received the UNESCO Gold Medal for efforts
devoted to solving conflicts and developing democracy in Africa.
But as the West lauds President Wade, civilian populations
in Senegal have harshly criticized him for not doing much
to end poverty and the conditions that keep refuges from returning
home. From Senegal, Ndiaga Seck reports.
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