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> Tue., Mar. 29, 2005
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
The Supreme Court & MP3s
Kofi Annan Cleared from Oil for Food Scandal
Iraqi Assembly Delayed
Update on the Indonesia Earthquake
Indians Living with HIV/AIDS
Fair Elections in Mexico?
Dangerous Bio-lab Planned for Black Neighborhood
FSRN Headlines
Bank Launders Money for Pinochet Pays Fine
The bank that helped the former Chilean dictator launder money
will pay one of the largest fines in U.S. history. Kelly Gidddens
reports from D.C.
Canadian Seal Hunt Begins
Canada’s annual seal hunt begins today, and animal-rights
activists in 30 countries are protesting at Canadian embassies,
in a campaign launched by the Humane Society of the United
States. Kristen Schwartz has more from CKLN in Toronto.
Lebanese President to Resign
The Lebanese political landscape is about to become less stable
as the President resigns again. Mohammed Shublaq reports from
Beruit.
FL Reporter Works for State Agencies
A veteran Florida reporter is acknowledging that he has earned
hundreds of thousands of dollars on the side from the government
agencies he covered for the news. Mitch Perry has the story
from WMNF in Tampa.
Demonstrations in Nepal
Daily demonstrations in Nepal show no sign of abating. Over
1-thousand leaders and activists have been arrested since
February 1st when the King of the Hindu kingdom clamped down
on virtually all freedoms. Radio stations have been stopped
from broadcasting any news or current events. Television stations
have been barred from broadcasting any criticism of the government.
Newspaper and print journalists are being intimidated, assaulted
and arrested. The South Asian Free Media Association demanded
the immediate release of all journalists from detention and
the restoration of freedom of the press. An 11 day general
strike is being planned for April 2nd and political parties
have announced rallies and protests to coincide with the 15th
anniversary of the mass action that forceabley seized power
from the current king’s father. Michael Van De Veer
provided that report from Kathmandu.
[top]
The Supreme Court & MP3s (4:04)
The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments today of a case
that could have a major impact on the legality of sharing
computer files. The case has the entertainment giant MGM accusing
Grokster, an online file sharing company, of being liable
for when its users share copyrighted materials such as music
and movie files. Selina Musuta of the DC radio coop was at
the hearing and she brings us this report.
[top]
Kofi Annan Cleared from Oil for Food Scandal
(1:06)
Today United Nation Secretary General Kofi Annan was cleared
from involvement in the awarding of a 10 million dollar a
year contract under the Iraqi Oil for Food Program to a company
that his on, Kojo Annan, worked for. Still the independent
inquiry, lead by former US Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker,
criticized Annan for not properly investigating potential
conflicts on interests. Annan addressed reporters after the
release of the report. (AUDIO) The report did say that an
assistant to Annan’s Chief of Staff, who retired in
December, shredded documents that related to the Oil for Food
Inquiry. The report also said that Annan’s son deliberately
deceived him about the matter. Annan said he would not step
down as Secretary General though some US Republican lawmakers
have called on him to do so.
[top]
Iraqi Assembly Delayed (4:00)
Pressure is building on the newly elected Iraqi Assembly
for not yet having chose a Speaker to the body. Without a
speaker, the Iraqi Assembly cannot move forward with its task
of drawing up a new constitution. The two major parties in
the Assembly, the Shiite’s United Iraqi Alliance and
the Kurdish Coalition, indicated the desire to select an Iraqi
Sunni to become Speaker in an effort of inclusion which they
hope would calm the Sunni lead resistance. But with other
political ambitions, the two leading candidates, the current
interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and interim President Gazi
al-Yawar, withdrew their candidacies saying they want to remain
with the opposition party, thus leaving the Assembly scrambling
to find another candidate. Reporters were kicked out of today’s
session. The Assembly will meet again on Sunday. Speaking
from the Rose Garden at the White House, President Bush was
optimistic that the Assembly would move forward. (AUDIO) Now
joining us by telephone from Baghdad is Khaled Jarrar who
writes an online blog about the US presence in Iraq. Khaled
Jarrar thanks for joining us. President Bush was optimistic
about the Iraqi Assembly, now two months after the elections
how do you feel about it.
[top]
Update on the Indonesia Earthquake (1:24)
So far there have been over 330 confirmed deaths in Indonesia
after yesterday’s 8.5 earthquake. Officials still say
the death toll could reach over a thousand. The quake was
also felt in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. The damaged
to electrical and telephone lines and airports are making
evacuations difficult in the hardest hit area of Sumatra.
Still, hundreds of emergency aid teams from Indonesia and
abroad have arrived at the island. From Jakarta, Indonesia,
Meggy Margiyono has more.
[top]
Indians Living with HIV/AIDS (3:41)
In February, India began its first AIDS vaccine trials on
humans to prevent the spread of the disease. Though the event
is being marked as historic in a country with a high HIV rate,
some activists feel there is little being done for people
currently carrying the virus. FSRN correspondent, Binu Alex
reports from Mumbai.
[top]
Fair Elections in Mexico? (2:29)
A vote scheduled for this week in Mexico's Congress may
determine the fate of the country's next presidential election.
The candidate favored to win the presidency in 2006 may be
prevented from campaigning. In Oaxaca, Mexico. Shannon Young
has the story.
[top]
Dangerous Bio-lab Planned for Black Neighborhood
(3:48)
Boston University is planning to build a level 4 bio-lab
in the Roxbury neighborhood of the city. According to the
National Institute of Health, Bio-safety Level 4 is required
for work with dangerous and exotic agents that pose high individual
risks of infections and life-threatening disease. Critics
have cried foul, claiming it is environmental racism to locate
the facility in a predominantly neighborhood. They also cite
the Universities poor safety record and its ability to handle
deadly organisms like Anthrax and Ebola. Some allegations
go even further, saying that the proposed lab will also conduct
bio-weapons research. Though such plans are unconfirmed, much
of the funding for the project comes from the Pentagon. Chuck
Rosina has more.
[top]
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