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> Wed., July 27, 2005
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
Democrats Demand John Roberts Documents
Pending Re-Opening of Al-Sadr's Office in Basra
Tourism Creeps Back to Disputed Kashmir Region
ASARCO Seeks Renewal of Air Quality Renewal Permit
Small Town Takes Back its Waterworks in California
Tennessee Poultry Workers Seek to Unionize
FSRN Headlines
Al-Qaida said they killed the two-kindapped Algerian envoys
to Iraq. On a website, Al-Qaida said they are punishing the
Algeria for cooperating with the United States. Iraq will
not be safe for God's enemies. Haven't we warned you against
allying yourselves with America," the web site read.
The Agerian government confirmed the deaths of their diplomats,
Ali Belaroussi and Azzedine Belkadi.
A case regarded as a cornerstone for the prosecution of ex-officials
linked to crimes during Mexico's "Dirty War" has
hit a dead end. Shannon Young explains why from Mexico City.
The Italian parliament is finalizing anti-terrorism laws,
which expand surveillance and police powers. In a separate
bill, the government approved giving the Italian armed forces
police powers to stop, search and investigate citizens. Manuela
Aldabe reports.
Argentina’s private companies are pushing the government
to increase the rates of public utilities. The price of water
for Argentine consumers is likely to go up. Marie Trigona
reports from Buenos Aires.
Another element was added to the debate on the expansion
of the Security Council at the United Nations, a large number
of nations submitted a resolution in opposition to the expansion
to permanent seats. Haider Rizvi reports from the UN.
[top]
Democrats Demand John Roberts Documents
(4:11)
Newly released documents indicate that Supreme Court nominee
John Roberts was an influential member of the Reagan administration
in arguing that the Supreme Court should be stripped of its
jurisdiction over cases involving abortion, busing and school
prayer. Some key Senate Democrats are calling for more documents
to be released including Robert's tax returns, but the White
House says no. Mitch Jeserich has more from Capitol Hill.
[top]
Pending Re-Opening of Al-Sadr's Office in Basra
(2:31)
Iraqi's Prime Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari has called for
the withdrawal of coalition troops, saying he believes a pullout
could happen by next spring, and added that Iraqis feel a
great desire to see the exit of coalition troops. The statement,
which echoed those of General George Casey, the top US commander
in Iraq, were made during a joint press conference with US
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in Baghdad. Rumsfeld, meanwhile,
urged Iraqis to move forward with their new constitution.
While members of the constitution council in Baghdad wrangle
over how strong a role Islam will play in the country's new
charter, for many in Basra, the rise of Islamic militias is
an everyday a reality. David Enders reports on the pending
reopening of cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr's office there, which
has been closed since members of his organization attacked
co-ed picnickers at Basra University four months ago.
[top]
Tourism Creeps Back to Disputed Kashmir Region
(2:32)
Continued Violence Effects Kashmir's Once Thriving Tourist
Industry Protests continue for the fourth day in Indian administered
Kashmir today as a general strike took place against the killing
of three teenagers by the Indian army this weekend. The Indian
army regretted the shooting incident, and said soldiers had
mistaken the teenagers for militants, because they had violated
a night-time curfew in a village where they had gone to attend
a marriage. Local leaders have condemned shootings, and threaten
to pull out of peace talks if human rights violations continue.
Kashmir's tourist industry has been struggling to survive
since the conflict between the Indian and Pakistan-administered
region began in the nineties. Kashmir has been a favorite
tourist destination in the past, but violence during the last
decade has scared away a lot would-be travelers. However,
as Shahnawaz Khan reports, tourism in Kashmir seems to be
picking up again.
[top]
ASARCO Seeks Renewal of Air Quality Renewal Permit
(4:06)
The battle over renewing the American Smelting and Refinery
Company, or ASARCO's 1992 Air Quality Permit at its El Paso,
Texas copper smelting plant is slowly moving forward. Lawyers
for the company and the opposition will now file legal briefs
on the permit following weeks of testimony in an administrative
court hearing. ASARCO says it is confident the 1992 Air Quality
standards are sufficient for permit renewal, but critics say
more studies need to be conducted before a conclusion is made.
FSRN's Leslie Clark reports.
[top]
Small Town Takes Back its Waterworks in California
(3:33)
So far, about 5% of the global water supply is controlled
by private companies, while multinationals continue to buy
up water rights worldwide. The precious resource's privatization
raises fears, and in some places like Bolivia, water wars
have caused deadly conflict. A three year struggle over control
of the Felton, California waterworks, entered a new phase
last night with passage of Measure W, an $11 million bond
to buy-back the local system. Vinny Lombardo reports.
[top]
Tennessee Poultry Workers Seek to Unionize
(2:24)
750 poultry workers at two Koch Foods Plants in Morristown,
Tennessee have filed a petition for a union election. The
mostly Latino workers have been organizing for over a month,
despite intimidation and racism within the community. Over
200 workers and community members recently stood in solidarity
in support of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.
Kimberly Miller has more from Morristown, Tennessee.
[top]
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