Home > Programs
> FSRN
> Wed., June. 22, 2005
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
Thanks to FSRN.org
for making the daily programs available to Pacifica.org
Today's lead stories:
Zapatistas on Red Alert
Environmental Issues Highlighted on Capitol Hill
Republican Senator to Submit Bill to Create Detention Commission
for Guantanamo
Report on Prisoners in Iraq
Immigrant Detention Laws to be eased in Australia
FSRN Headlines
An international conference on Iraq at the European Union's
headquarters in Brussels has given its support to the current
government, after calling for tighter borders to stop foreign
fighters going in and for understanding on the country's debt.
Tony Cross reports from Brussels
One day after the tense summit between Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the
cease fire stands on shaky ground. Manar Jabreen reports for
the Palestinian territory.
Fighting has broken out between rebels and government troops
in North Eastern Sudan. Both sides say there have been heavy
casualties. The violence could set back peace talks between
opposition parties and the government. Sam Olukoya reports
from Lagos.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has produced three dozen
video and audio news releases that resemble news reports that
promote the Dominican Republic - Central American Free Trade
Agreeement, or D-R-CAFTA. Radio and television stations have
been given the reports to air during their newscast.
The city of Madison, Wisconsin has come out against the Central
American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA. The city council
approved the resolution thirteen to three on Tuesday night.
Madison Alder Austin King says this is a preemption issue.
AUDIO CUT…Madison has now joined the National League
of Cities, the National Conference of State Legislatures,
and the National Association of Towns and Townships in opposing
CAFTA.
[top]
Zapatistas on Red Alert (4:25)
There's a lot of speculation surrounding the recent evacuation
of all Zapatista communities in Chiapas, Mexico. 2 days ago,
Subcommandante Marcos issued a communiqué, STATING
that all caracoles, Good Government Juntas and autonomous
authorities had abandoned their homes and community spaces,
and would act in a clandestine manner, for an indefinite period
of time, as part of a general Red Alert. All records, paperwork,
and archives have been removed from the caracoles, and some
have had chains and locks placed on the front doors. Joining
us to talk about the situation in Chiapas is independent journalist
Mariana Mora.
[top]
Environmental Issues Highlighted on Capitol Hill
(4:03)
As the Senate debates an energy bill this week, environmental
issues have been highlighted. An amendment to cap carbon emissions
to the 2000 level by 2010 was debated in terms of abating
the effects of global warming. Jenny Johnson has more. After
airtime, by a 38 to 60 vote, the Senate rejected the McCain/Lieberman
amendment to the Energy Bill that would have required a reduction
in green house gasses.
[top]
Republican Senator to Submit Bill to Create Detention
Commission for Guantanamo (4:15)
The Republican Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee tells
Free Speech Radio News that he plans to submit a bill to create
a detention commission at Guantanamo Bay so that detainees
can get a review of their detention. Republican Senator Arlen
Spector says Congress has the Constitutional right to create
due process procedures for detainees who have been designated
enemy combatants by the Bush administration. The legislation,
which has yet to be introduced, could put Congress on a collision
course with the White House, as the administration has aggressively
guarded its authority over all procedures pertaining to detainees.
Mitch Jeserich has more from Capitol Hill.
[top]
Report on Prisoners in Iraq (4:20)
Thousands of prisoners are being held without charges in
Iraqi prisons, and the number of people detained and disappeared
continues to rise daily. Christian Peacemaker Teams is one
of the few groups to gain access to testimonies of Iraqi detainees.
They published a report last year, which included testimonies
and recommendations to the Coalition Provisional Authority.
But they have not been allowed to enter the prisons or speak
to any Iraqi prisoners detained in these prisons for over
a year. They say that there is no central database for obtaining
information, and between 70-90% of those currently detained
in Iraqi prisons are known to be innocent. FSRN's Eliana Kaya
has the story.
[top]
Immigrant Detention Laws to be eased in Australia
(3:33)
Just days after announcing that Australia would scale back
its policy of mandatory detention of all undocumented refugees,
the legislation which would enact the changes passed the lower
house of the Australian parliament. While refugee groups have
cautiously welcomed the reforms, critics maintain that more
needs to be done before Australia can shake off its poor human
rights image in relation to refugees. Erica Vowles reports
from Sydney.
[top]
|
Listen
to the show 
Help
stream
download
