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> Mon., Nov. 13, 2006
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
Bush Meets with Iraq Study Group
Democrats Debate Iraq
Independent Film-maker on the Iraq War
Bush Meets Israeli Leader
Protests Continue in Oaxaca
Tensions High Amid Voting in Congo
Australia-Indonesia Sign Trade Treaty
FSRN Headlines
GROUNDBREAKING FOR MLK MEMORIAL
Political figures, celebrities, and social leaders met on
the national mall in Washington DC today to break ground for
the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The building is near
the site where Dr. King delivered his famous "I have
a dream" speech in 1963. Former President Bill Clinton
authorized the construction of the memorial more than 10 years
ago. Project organizers say they have raised 65 million dollars
of the estimated 100 million needed for the monument's construction
and maintenance. The memorial is expected to open sometime
after the spring of 2008.
CRISIS IN LEBANESE GOVERNMENT
Lebanon is facing a new round of political turmoil after a
6th member of its 24-member cabinet quit the government today.
Jackson Allers has more:
Environment Minister Yacoub Sarraf's resignation on Monday
followed Saturday's resignation of 5 cabinet members of the
Shi'a Muslim opposition - represented by Hizbullah and its
ally, the Amal party. Sarraf, a Christian loyal to the Syrian-backed
President, Emile Lahoud, joined Hizbullah's demands for better
representation in government for its allies -- particularly
the country's most powerful Christian opposition leader Michel
Aoun. The current government headed by Prime Minister Fouad
Siniora and dominated by the anti-Syrian forces that came
to power after the 2005 assassination of the former Lebanese
Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, accuse Hizbullah and its allies
of trying to protect senior Syrian security officials, widely
blamed for Hariri's death. Analysts are predicting street
clashes over this current crisis, as a weakened Lebanese government
continues to wrestle over the statutes of a United Nations
Security Council Resolution meant to establish an international
tribunal to try those responsible for Hariri's death. Meanwhile,
Hizbullah has vowed to exercise all democratic means at its
disposal if the current leadership fails to give in to the
opposition demands for greater inclusion in the government.
This is Jackson Allers reporting for Free Speech Radio News.
NEW PRIME MINISTER FOR PALESTINIAN UNITY GOVERNMENT
In the aftermath of a United States veto of a UN Security
Council resolution to condemn an Israeli attack in Beit Hanon,
the Arab League countries have decided to end the economic
embargo against the Palestinian government. FSRN's Rami Almeghari
has more.
Arab Foreign Ministers decided Sunday to break the 8-month
long internationally-imposed economic embargo against the
Hamas-led government. Hamas refuses to renounce violence,
recognize Israel or adhere to signed peace agreements. In
a related news, Palestinian Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Alzahar
of the ruling Hamas party accepted Sunday the Arab peace proposal
of 2002, based on peace for land formula. The White House
responded positively to Alzahar's remarks, calling them "
some activity on the Hamas side". In Gaza, both Hamas
and Fatah have agreed on a national unity government with
a new Prime Minister, likely Mohammad Shobair, a Palestinian
academic from Gaza, in the hope that this would lead to the
end of international aid cuts. The European Union Commissioner
General for Foreign Relations, Ferrero-Waldner, emphasized
the need that any new Palestinian government should meet the
international community's demands including recognition of
Israel, renouncing violence and resuming peace talks. From
IMEMC.org, I am Rami Almeghari, reporting from Gaza.
CALLS FOR PEACE IN SRI LANKA
In Sri Lanka thousands of anti war activists marched through
the streets of the capital Colombo today to protest the increased
violence in the country. Ponniah Manikavasagam reports from
Sri Lanka.
White flags flew from atop buildings in Colombo as thousands
of demonstrators called for an end to the renewed violence
in the country. The National Anti War Front a coalition of
130 civil bodies and political parties, had organized the
protest following, the assassination of Nadarajah Raviraj
a Tamil lawmaker on Friday. Tamil National Alliance a minority
party blamed the government for the killing but the administration
denied involvement. According to defense officials more than
3200 people including combatants, have been killed in clashes
between the government and the Tamil Tiger rebels this year.
But human rights organizations and others put the civilian
figure at more than 3000. Many fear the heavy violence raging
throughout the country is driving the island nation back to
a full-scale war. But the government and the rebels insist
that the Norwegian brokered 2002 truce is in place. For Free
Speech Radio News, I am Ponniah Manikavasagam from Vavuniya,
Sri Lanka.
INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM IN SOUTH OSSETIA
An overwhelming 99% voted for independence from Georgia in
a referendum held yesterday in the Caucasian break-away region
of South Ossetia. In the same vote, the de-facto South Ossetian
president won a second term in office. Deborah Wild has the
story.
55,000 registered voters were asked whether South Ossetia
should maintain its status as independent state and as such
seek international recognition. It was the republic's second
plebiscite since it broke with Georgia in the beginning of
the 1990s. In both cases the answer was overwhelmingly in
the affirmative. The United States, the European Union and
NATO have condemned the elections as a step towards further
escalation. The Kremlin, however, said, that the results of
the referendum should be taken into consideration. Neither
the elections nor the referendum have been recognized by the
international community. For Free Speech Radio News, I am
Deborah Wild in Tbilisi, Georgia.
[top]
Bush Meets with Iraq Study Group (1:00)
President George W. Bush met today with leaders of the Iraq
Study Group. The Committee is chaired by James Baker, a Republican
whose served as Secretary of State when Bush's father was
President, and former Democratic Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana.
President Bush spoke to reporters after his meeting with the
Iraq Study Group.
[top]
Democrats Debate Iraq (2:00)
On the Sunday chat shows, top Democratic Senators said they're
going to push George Bush to begin re-deploying troops from
Iraq by the middle of next year. But the same lawmakers say
they would not be willing to end funding the war so to force
a withdrawal. But, as Mitch Jeserich reports, there is a small
group of Democrats who are willing to do so.
[top]
Independent Film-maker on the Iraq War (2:45)
James Longley is an independent film-maker who lived in
Iraq through the first two years of the occupation. His film,
"Iraq in Fragments" won best director and best cinematography
at Sundance. He's not optimistic that a change of power in
Congress will mean much for the people of Iraq.
[top]
Bush Meets Israeli Leader (3:40)
President Bush met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
today for the first time since Israel's invasion of Lebanon.
The meeting came just two days after the U.S. vetoed a United
Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israel's military
actions in Gaza including an attack that killed 19 civilians.
Nan McCurdy has more from Washington.
[top]
Protests Continue in Oaxaca (3:22)
Tensions remain high in Mexico's Southern State of Oaxaca,
where federal police have been brought in to quell months
of protests against the governor. Over the weekend, the Popular
Assembly of the People of Oaxaca -- which represents teachers,
trade unionists, and others opposed to Governor Ulises Ruiz
-- wrapped up a 3 day planning meeting to decide the future
of their struggle. The social movement in Oaxaca continues
to receive visits from solidarity caravans from other parts
of the country. Vladimir Flores Reports from Oaxaca City.
[top]
Tensions High Amid Voting in Congo (2:30)
Tensions are high in the Congolese capital Kinshasa as results
show incumbent president Joseph Kabila headed to victory in
Presidential elections. Results posted today on the website
of the Congo independent electoral commission show Kabila
leading with 60% against Jean Pierre Bemba after 90% of the
count.. Joshua Kyalimpa reports from neighboring Uganda.
[top]
Australia-Indonesia Sign Trade Treaty (4:00)
Today Australia and Indonesia signed an historic security
treaty, which will see increased co-operation on anti-terrorism
measures, border security and intelligence sharing, as well
as guarantee Australian support for the development of nuclear
energy in Indonesia. Of major concern is a clause that requires
both countries to recognize each others territorial integrity.
Supporters of the West Papuan independence movement are very
concerned that in signing this clause Australia effectively
denies the rights of many within the province who want independence
or at least autonomy from the central government in Jakarta.
Erica Vowles reports from Sydney.
[top]
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