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> Tue., Feb. 22, 2005
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
Supreme Court Back in Session
Palestinian Prisoners Released
Massive Earthquake Strikes Iran
Kurdish Resistance in Iran
Korean-American Reaction To Nuclear Talks
World Health Organization's 3 by 5 AIDS Campaign
FSRN Headlines
Chalabi Out
The Bush administration’s former leading man in Iraq
is pulling out of the race for Prime Minister making way for
a candidate supported by the clergy-backed coalition. Dave
Enders reports from Baghdad.
Togo Plans Elections
The West African nation of Togo is still trying to find its
footing as the newly installed President keeps tight control
over the media while protests criticize what some are calling
a military coup d’état. Linley Smith has more.
Driver May Face Death Penalty Because of Race
Jury selection began today in the trial of the driver of a
tractor-trailer used during a smuggling attempt in which 19
immigrants died. From KPFT in Houston,Renee Feltz reports.
Ugandan Officials Try to Cope with Child Soldiers
Ugandan military officials are struggling to deal with the
child soldiers in their ranks as they also try to demobilize
the resistance army with estimated 12 to 20 thousand child
fighters and sex slaves. Joshua Kyalimpa reports from Uganda.
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SUPREME COURT BACK IN SESSION
The US Supreme Court opened a new session today without
Chief Justice Rehnquist, who is ailing from Thyroid cancer.
The Court decided it would hear the Bush Administration's
challenge to the state of Oregon's physician assisted suicide
law. The court also heard oral arguments in the case of the
government's practice of condemning private property to make
way for economic development. Ingrid Drake from the DC Radio
Co-op reports.
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PALESTINIAN PRISONERS RELEASED
Palestinians are celebrating the release of 500 prisoners
held by Israel.Another 400 are scheduled to be released soon,
part of a good-will gesture on the part of the Israeli government.
Yet, as Awad Duiabies reports, Israel is still holding 8,000
Palestinians in prison- some of whom are held on administrative
detention, meaning without charges for renewable, six-month
sentences.
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MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES IRAN
A massive earthquake has struck a remote mountain village
in southeast Iran, killing over 400 people and leaving hundreds
more injured. Severecold and rainy weather is hampering rescue
efforts for the 6.4 magnitude quake, with relief teams bringing
blankets and warm food to thousands of people who have been
left homeless as a result.
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KURDISH RESISTANCE IN IRAN
In other news, the Commander-in-Chief of the Israeli Air
Force told reporters yesterday his country must be prepared
to carry out an air strike on Iran in light of its alleged
nuclear activity. Inside Iran,heavy clashes erupted between
Kurds and security agents near the Iraqiborder, leaving dozens
injured and hundreds arrested. Battles broke out after State
Security Force agents dispersed demonstrations taking place
simultaneously in the towns of Sardasht, Saqqez, and Baneh
in protestagainst severe fuel shortages in the area. The demonstrations
quickly turned violent as protestors fought back and shouted
slogans againstIran's ruling clerics. The Kurdistan Democratic
Party of Iran, which coordinates such resistance, has based
itself in Iraq since the 1991 Gulf War. FSRN's Aaron Glantz
visted them in their mountain camp, and files this report.
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KOREAN-AMERICAN REACTION TO NUCLEAR TALKS
On day two of his 5-day tour of Europe, President Bush said
he stands by his decision to invade Iraq, but admitted he
understands why some Europeans disagreed. Wanting to put the
war behind him, Bush added that he is pleased that all 26
NATO member nations are contributing to training Iraqi security.
As police fired water cannons at some 1,000 anti- Bush demonstrators
outside EU headquarters, the President assured EU leaders
that the US has no plans to attack Iran over developing nuclear
technology. Meanwhile, North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Il announced
yesterday that his country would return to six party nuclear
talks if the United States showed credible sincerity and if
the conditions were right. Over the weekend a top Chinese
official held talks in North Korea after the country declared
two weeks ago that it possesses nuclear weapons and that it
would pull out of the six-way talks. And, as tensions continue
on the Korean peninsula, many Korean- Americans are also expressing
their concerns. Miae Kim reports.
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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION'S 3 BY 5 AIDS CAMPAIGN
Cameroon halted anti-AIDS pill testing this weekend after
activists criticized the trials for being unethical. The study,
funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, began in
September of last year and tested anti-retroviral pills and
placebos on 400 sex workers who were not infected with HIV,
and whom AIDS activists said had inadequate healthcare and
lacked safe sex counseling. The World Health Organization,
meanwhile, has released a report on its ambitious "3x5
Campaign", whose goal is to treat 3 million AIDS patients
in poor countries with anti-retroviral drugs by 2005. Although
there has been much improvement in the past year, the goal
is far from being met. Julia Steinberger reports from Geneva.
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