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> Thur., Apr. 17, 2003
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
Iraq Round Up
Jordan Economy – Blueprint for Iraq?
French Maneuvering for Piece of Pie
Racist News Reporting
Racist Attacks at Yale
Iraq Round Up (3:10)
Leaders of the European Union have issued a statement calling
for a "central role" for the U N in rebuilding Iraq
and demanding that American troops quickly restore security.
The US has not been willing to allow UN weapons inspectors
back into Iraq. The US says some Iraqi cities are returning
to normal, despite complaints from Iraqi citizens about a
lack of water and sewer service. President Bush is urging
the United Nations to lift sanctions that stifled Iraq's economy
for nearly 13 years. Josh Chaffin has more.
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Jordan Economy – Blueprint for Iraq?
(4:02)
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is reporting that dozens of civilians
have been killed in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk since
April 10, and looting and forced expulsions were continuing.
HRW said U.S. and UK forces have failed to bring law and order
to Kirkuk and they have failed to ensure the security of civilians,
therefore contravening the Geneva Convention provisions specifying
the obligations of an occupying power. Meanwhile, the role
of the UN in the reconstruction of Iraq was discussed today
in a meeting between Secretary General of the UN Kofi Annan
and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, during the EU meeting
in Athens. While Annan is reported to have emphasized the
importance of the UN in the process, Blair agreed that they
must cooperate. However, the Bush Administration is moving
right along, installing Americans in key positions. The neighboring
economy the Bush Administration likes the most is Jordan,
and as Aaron Glantz reports from Amman, it could provide a
template for a future Iraqi economy designed by the American
Army.
[top]
French Maneuvering for Piece of Pie (3:47)
The Washington Post is reporting that while the so-called
doves in the Bush Administration are trying to rebuild relations
with France, Bush Administration officials still hold "special
enmity" for French President Jacques Chirac. The hawks,
the paper reports, are out for revenge. This as President
Chirac called President Bush on Tuesday to try to put an end
on the crisis that has caused a rift between the two countries.
France, who was leading the anti-war camp is changing its
attitude now that the war is over and defines its new position
as "pragmatic" still calling for a strong UN role
in the rebuilding of Iraq. A point both administration still
disagree on. The US administration seems to be looking for
a way to sanction France for it’s anti-war attitude.
Raphael Krafft reports form Cairo.
[top]
Racist News Reporting (4:11)
A recent comment by a Christian Broadcasting Network reporter
comparing Iraqi soldiers to "the Injuns of the Old West"
has angered Native Americans across the country. Free Speech
Radio journalist Jim Kent reports.
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Racist Attacks at Yale (3:42)
Yale University is one of many college campuses to be rocked
by racist and intimidating reactions to anti-war activity
in recent weeks. The Ivy League school promotes an image of
high-minded debate and genteel discussion to reach enlightened
conclusions and a recent campus poll showed that slightly
more than half the students are opposed to the war in Iraq.
Yet as Melinda Tuhus reports from New Haven, Connecticut,
a rash of incidents of harassment and intimidation have been
occurring against minority students, and a growing coalition
of anti-war students and students of color are coming together
to demand change.
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