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> Tues. Mar. 11, 2003
Pacifica's Peace Watch
Today's Stories:
Al Qaeda leaders arrested in Pakistan
U-N non-aligned nations meeting
International Criminal Court
British MP Peter Kilfoyle Critical of Blair’s Support
of War
Life for Iraqis Preparing for War Continues as Normal
US Prepares to Use Toxic Gas In War on Iraq
Former President of Pacific Stock Exchange Opposes War in
Iraq -Warren Langley
Families United For Peace March in Houston, TX
Granny D and Alice Walker Address DC International Women's
Day Rally
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Pakistan is seeking to convince the world that the arrest
of two Al Qaeda leaders this month was not staged. A grainy
video purporting to show the authenticity of the arrest has
done little to deflect accusations that Pakistan may have
staged the raid so it can abstain in a U.N. vote on an attack
against Iraq.
But few of the journalists were convinced the video -- which
did not show Mohammed's face nor any sign of a struggle --
was genuine. Many said it looked like a crude reconstruction.
Today a former ISI chief said he believed Mohammed was actually
arrested some time ago in a different city. Lieutenant-General
Hamid Gul told Reuters, "They are trying to cover up,
I believe he was arrested before, probably in Karachi."
Gul said news of the arrest appeared to have been leaked at
a critical time, just as Pakistan was facing huge U.S. pressure
to support a U.N. Security Council vote authorizing war on
Iraq.
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Story: U-N non-aligned nations meeting
The Non-Aligned Nations are meeting at UN today. In a session
before the UN Security Council Iraq refuted allegations in
the US press regarding weapons of mass destruction. Mohammad
Al Douri, U-N Ambassador from Iraq painstakingly referred
to chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix's report point by point
to answer assertions about the drone aircraft and other matters.
Tape: Mohammad Al Douri, Iraq’s Ambassador to the
UN
Kuwait Ambassador to the UN Mohammed Abulhasan in a meeting
of the non-aligned nations placed the onus on Iraq for moving
the peace forward. Abulhasan asserted that Iraq had failed
to comply with UN resolutions calling for its immediate disarmament
and full cooperation with weapons inspectors.
Tape: Mohammed Abulhasan, Kuwait Ambassador to the UN
Dumisani Kumallo, South Africa’s Ambassador to the
UN today stated that millions are against the war on Iraq;
that any war in the region would have negative consequences
not only for the Middle East but also for Africa.
Tape: Dumisani Kumallo South African Ambassador to the UN
[top]
Story: International Criminal Court
The first permanent international court for crimes against
humanity will begin its work in Hague today. But in a reflection
of the Bush administration's opposition to the court, no U.S.
official is scheduled to be present when the judges take their
oaths in a 13th Century hall.
Despite U.S. opposition, court officials put the best face
on matters yesterday in talking about plans for the gala inauguration,
which will be attended by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands,
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and scores of
visiting dignitaries, including two members of the Allied
prosecution team at the Nuremberg trials. .
Tape: Robert Knight, of Pacifica station WBAI in New York,
has filed this report
[top]
Story: British MP Peter Kilfoyle Critical of Blair’s
Support of War
One of Bush’s strongest allies, British Prime Minister
Tony Blair is coming under heavy attack in the British Parliament
for his support of the war. British Parliament member Peter
Kilfoyle is a former defense minister for Tony Blair, but
he does not support his position on Iraq. During an interview
earlier today with Peacewatch we talked of Blair’s need
for passage of a second UN resolution and asked if anything
less would amount to political suicide for Tony Blair.
Tape: British Parliament member Peter Kilfoyle and a former
defense minister for Tony Blair
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Story: Life for Iraqis Preparing for War Continues
as Normal
As the US military prepares to launch attacks against Iraq,
ordinary Iraqis who've survived 12 years of economic sanctions
and bombing seem remarkably calm. KPFK's M.T. Karthick recently
spoke with Pacifica correspondent Jerry Quickly who is currently
on special assignment in Baghdad covering the War in Iraq.
Jerry Quickly spoke about his recent arrival in Baghdad and
how Iraqis are living their daily lives under the cusp of
war.
Tape: Pacifica correspondent Jerry Quickly reports from
Baghdad
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Story: US Prepares to Use Toxic Gas In War on Iraq
As the U.S. prepares for a war in Iraq, it's adding more
weapons to its arsenal. The US Marine Corps confirmed that
so called "knock out gasses" such as tear gas and
pepper spray have been shipped to the Gulf to be used as riot
control agents in a possible ground led attack.
Tape: Pacifica Radio Station WBAI, NY commentators Ralph
Schoenman and Mya Shone
[top]
Story: Former President of Pacific Stock Exchange
Opposes War in Iraq -Warren Langley
A former U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel, who served in the military
for 15-years is now fighting against a war with Iraq. Warren
Langley is also former president of the Pacific Stock Exchange
and helped actor Tom Hanks to raise money for the hit movie
“Return With Honor” that came out last week. Langley’s
opposition to the war in Iraq could prove to be costly.
Tape: U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel Warren Langley retired
[top]
Story: Families United For Peace March in Houston,
TX
In Houston, Texas, children and their families gathered
under sunny skies this past weekend to stand up for Peace
and Justice with Families United Against War. Over a dozen
groups sponsored the event including the Mama’s Brigade,
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom,
and Mothers for Global Peace. The march for peace was dedicated
to the children of Iraq, who comprise almost half of their
country’s population. From sister station KPFT; in collaboration
with the Houston Independent Media Center, we bring you some
of the voices from families supporting peace:
[top]
Story: Granny D and Alice Walker Address DC International
Women's Day Rally
Millions of women around the world and in some 50 cities
across the country marked International Women's Day on Saturday
with protests and vigils in opposition to the US's plans to
attack Iraq. Here in the nation's capitol, tens of thousands
marched to the White House and attended a rally organized
by the women's group Code Pink. Among the speakers were California
Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, author Barbara Ehrenreich and
Granny D, the 92 year-old grandmother who walked 3 thousand
miles across the country to call for campaign finance reform...
Tape: Doris Haddock, also known as "Granny D,"
addressing the crowd at Saturday's International Women's Day
rally in Washington, DC
Pulitzer Prize winning author Alice Walker recited some
of her recent poetry, inspired by the impending war with Iraq...
Tape: Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple.
Credits
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