Home > Programs
> FSRN
> Fri., Oct. 1, 2004
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
Thanks to FSRN.org
for making the daily programs available to Pacifica.org
Today's lead stories:
Iraq Update
Presidential Debate in FL: Voices from Inside and Out
Latin Issues Missing At Debate
G7 Meets in DC
Repression of Indigenous Resistance in Oaxaca
FSRN Headlines
First Uncensored Gitmo Prisoner Letter
Today, the first uncensored letter has been released from
a British man being held by the U.S. military on Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba. From London Naomi Fowler has more.
Niger Delta Group Seeks Independence
Military leaders in the Niger Delta are re-engaging in talks
with the Nigerian government for greater independence. The
group known as the Niger Delta Volunteer Force threatened
to attack foreign oil workers in the Niger Delta if by today
the Nigerian government does not grant autonomy to the people
of the area. This threat was partially responsible for the
rise in oil prices to about fifty dollars per barrel on the
international market. Western oil companies operating in the
Niger Delta exploit more than two-million barrels of crude
oil daily. Even though leaders of the rebel group have been
holding peace talks with Nigeria’s president Olusegun
Obasanjo in the last two days there is still uncertainly over
whether an agreement can be reached. In the last weeks, the
group and the Nigerian Army have been fighting in the creeks
of the Niger Delta. For Free Speech Radio News, this is Sam
Olukoya in Port Harcourt.
US State Dept Numbers Wrong on Iraq Jobs
The State Department has rescinded initial figures on the
number of Iraqis employed under U.S. aid programs. Ed Stephen
reports from D.C.
House Republican Leader Violated Ethics
The Republican leader in the House received a public reprimand
by the Ethics Committee after a 6-month investigation. From
KPFT in Houston, Renee Feltz reports.
Russia Moves Forward on Kyoto Protocols
The Russian cabinet has passed the Kyoto Protocols and the
proposal now moves to the Parliament. The international treaty,
that the U.S. has refused to sign, seeks to reduce global
green house gas emissions. Political analysts interpret the
move by the Russian government as an attempt to curry favor
with the European Union for membership. Other experts who
study the environment say Russia could also reap up to 10-billion-dollars
from the Kyoto Protocol's trading schemes in carbon emissions.
Under trading schemes, countries that produce less than the
predetermined emissions levels may sell their allowance to
countries that are over their limit. Alexei Kokorin, head
of the Russian climate change program of the World Wildlife
Fund, also described the ratification as a political move.
He added, “It is a different matter that it is very
good for the environment.”
[top]
Iraq Update (4:33)
The US military, and Iraqi troops supported and trained
by the US, attacked the Iraqi city of Samarra, about 95 kilometers
north of Baghdad. The Pentagon reports that over 120 people
were killed, at least 20 of them civilians with another 35
injured civilians. Iraq's unelected government claims that
it has taken control over most of Samarra. It appears attacks
are the beginning of a larger offensive by the US military
to take control of insurgency strongholds in Iraq before the
scheduled January elections. Mitch Jeserich has more from
Washington D.C.
[top]
Presidential Debate in FL: Voices from Inside and
Out (3:16)
Last night the first debate for the presidential campaign
of 2004 took place at the University of Miami in Coral Gables.
With third party candidates excluded from the prime time televised
event, President Bush and Senator Kerry spoke about national
security and foreign policy. Iraq dominated the 90 minute
debate which was moderated by PBS' Jim Leherer. Outside the
university many gathered to protest, capping off a week of
dissent in Miami that included a hip-hop event called Slam
Bush. From Florida, FSRN hosts Nell Abram and Deepa Fernandes
bring us this sound portrait from inside and outside last
night's debate.
[top]
Latin Issues Missing At Debate (3:45)
This week, The Census Bureau announced that Florida now
has the second highest Hispanic population of any state, behind
only New York. Last night's Presidential debate was held in
Miami-Dade county, which now has the highest Latino population
percentage wise in the entire United States. But in an hour
and a half discussion on foreign policy, no Latin American
country was mentioned even once; and particularly disappointing
to many Floridians was the lack of discussion on Cuba. From
WMNF radio in Tampa, Andrew Stelzer files this report.
[top]
G7 Meets in DC (3:54)
Starting today, the group of seven major industrial countries
also known as the G7, meet in Washington, DC followed by the
International Monetary Fund and World Bank's annual meeting.
Debt, the overvaluation of the U.S. dollar, and development
will be a few of the issues discussed. Critics of the World
Bank and IMF wonder if this weekend will be an opportunity
for those organizations to shift their policies. WPFW's Selina
Musuta reports.
[top]
Repression of Indigenous Resistance in Oaxaca
(4:45)
On Sunday, hundreds of municipalities in two southern Mexican
states will hold party system elections. This week, leading
up to the elections in Oaxaca and Chiapas, four people associated
with political parties have been killed. Although Mexican
law recognizes the traditional indigenous method of community
assemblies as a means by which to elect authorities, power
struggles between the party system and the traditional elections
have become a common and oftentimes violent occurrence. Vladimir
Flores reports.
[top]
|
Listen
to the show 
Help
stream
download
