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> Mon., Apr. 4, 2005
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
Major Attacks Against Abu Graihb Prison
HIV-Positive Guatemalans Oppose CAFTA-DR
Nicaraguans Question U.S. "Terrorist" Labeling
Solidarity Group Call for an End to the UN Occupation of Haiti
Local Activists Support Library Funding
The State of Free Speech in Chile
FSRN Headlines
Suspect Killed in Police Custody
San Francisco police killed a 26-year-old suspect in their
custody while he was restrained in what is known as a “body
wrap.” Lisa Wu reports from KPFA in Berkeley.
Bombs in Thailand
A series of four bombs exploded in Thailand over the past
two days. From Bangkok Doualy Xaykaothao (dwa-hlee sigh-cow-tao)
reports.
Oil Prices
Oil prices hit new records on trading floors around the world
today leading to more and greater corporate profits at huge
costs to most everyone else. Darby Hickey reports from D.C.
Ivory Coast Peace Talks
Ivory Coast officials in South Africa are moving ahead with
peace talks despite pending deadlines on UN security forces.
Na’eem Jeenah has more from Johannesburg.
Paying Respects to the Pope
Tens of thousands of the Catholic Church’s faithful
walked before the body of the pope today at St. Peter’s
Basilica. Tens of thousands more are expected to make the
pilgrimage this week to see the dead Pope John Paul II. Vatican
officials say the doors of the building will be kept open
continuously except for a few hours during the evening for
cleaning. World leaders are preparing to head to Vatican City
on Friday for the funeral. Analysts are expecting the city
of Rome to come to a standstill on the day of the funeral.
[top]
Major Attacks Against Abu Graihb Prison
(3:44)
At least three people were wounded today when a suicide
car bomber attacked the Abu Graihb prison, just west of Baghdad.
This follows a massive attack outside the prison on Saturday
night. The strike, which included gunfire and rocket propelled
grenades, left about a dozen detainees and 44 US soldiers
wounded. Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi has claimed responsibility for
that attack through an internet statement. Meanwhile, Hajim
al-Hassani, has gained the post of Speaker for Iraq's Parliament.
Al-Hassani won the seat- reserved for a Sunni Arab- by gaining
215 out of the 241 deputy votes cast. To talk with us about
the latest in Iraq, we're joined by Imad Khadduri, former
Iraqi nuclear scientist.
[top]
HIV-Positive Guatemalans Oppose CAFTA-DR
(3:50)
The governments of Guatemala, El Salvador, and the Dominican
Republic are the three countries that have ratified the Central
American Free Trade Agreement so far. The accord will be introduced
to the Nicaraguan Congress this week- while Costa Rica and
the Dominican Republic have yet to debate the pact. The US
Congress will begin hearings on the accord this week, as opponents
in Guatemala continue to stage protests. Peasant organizations
and trade unions worried about the effects of competition
with US companies are not the only ones taking to the streets-
HIV positive Guatemalans are also staunchly opposed to the
accord. Catherine Elton has more from Guatemala City.
[top]
Nicaraguans Question U.S. "Terrorist" Labeling
(3:46)
Many Nicaraguans are angry that the U.S. State Department
has qualified Dora Maria Tellez, often considered one of Nicaragua's
greatest heroines, a terrorist. Tellez was denied entry into
the US to teach at Harvard University because of her involvement
in the Sandinista overthrow of the Anastasio Somoza dictatorship
in the late 1970s. Many in Nicaragua are also appalled that
President Bush has assigned John Negroponte as the first Director
of National Intelligence. Negroponte played an important role
in the illegal Contra war against the Sandinistas. Nan McCurdy
has more from Managua, Nicaragua.
[top]
Solidarity Group Call for an End to the UN Occupation
of Haiti (3:10)
An international mission of social movements from Latin
America is in Haiti this week, investigating the actions of
UN forces in the country and its effects in everyday Haitian
people. The 7,400-member Brazilian-led U.N. force has vowed
to confront armed groups after being criticized for lack of
action more than a year after an uprising ousted Aristide.
Officials fear escalating violence could undermine public
trust in general elections in October and November. Natalia
Viana has the story.
[top]
Local Activists Support Library Funding
(2:58)
According to the American Library Association, projected
library funding cuts have topped $111 million in the last
18 months. Meanwhile, Congress continues to approve billions
of dollars for military spending, most recently 82 billion
dollars in emergency funding for the war in Iraq. This weekend,
organizers in the town of Salinas, California - birthplace
of writer John Steinbeck, demonstrated to change this trend
in their own city. FSRN Correspondent Sarah Olson has more.
[top]
The State of Free Speech in Chile (3:59)
Since its return to democracy in March of 1990, Chile has
made major strides towards recuperating its democratic traditions.
Today the country feels more and more like a normal democratic
nation where the rule of law is fully respected along with
the rights of its citizens. But, as the authoritarian past
fades away, some of its undemocratic enclaves remain. Jorge
Garretón explains from Santiago.
[top]
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