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> Thur., June. 26, 2003
Pacifica's PeaceWatch
Today's Stories:
Former Iraqi Nuclear Scientists Imad
Khadduri Analyzes the Gas Centrifuge Recently Found
Criticism of Reconstruction Plans for Iraq
Weapons of Mass Destruction By Rep. Dennis Kucinich
The Christmas Coup Comedy Players
British Prime Minister Tony Blair responds to critics in the
House of Commons
Robert Knight: British Soldiers Killed in Iraq
Life In Gaza/Prospects for Peace
FBI Visit Oakland School
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Former Iraqi Nuclear Scientists Imad Khadduri Analyzes
the Gas Centrifuge Recently Found
Iraqi scientist Mahdi Obeidi has handed over to the CIA
what's been characterized as critical parts of a key piece
of Iraqi nuclear technology: parts needed to develop a bomb
program. CNN is reporting that Obeidi hid these parts-- along
with detailed plans-- under a rose bush in his garden a dozen
years ago under orders from Saddam Hussein's son, Qusay Hussein,
and then son-in-law, Hussein Kamel. Peacewatch spoke earlier
today with former Iraqi Nuclear Scientist Imad Khadduri, who
worked with the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission from 1968 until
1998. We asked how significant this news was and what kind
of access Mahdi Obeidi had to the inner circles of Iraq's
weapons program.
Tape: Imad Khadduri worked with the Iraqi Atomic Energy
Commission from 1968 until 1998. He left Iraq with his family
in late 1998, and now lives outside of Toronto.
[top]
Criticism of Reconstruction Plans for Iraq
A top US official has criticized the US' reconstructions
efforts in Iraq, asserting that too few resources have been
allocated for the job at hand, that’s according to the
Washington Post.
At the World Economic Forum last weekend, Paul Bremer, the
US appointed administrator in Iraq, announced plans to create
free trade zones in Iraq and to privatize utilities and public
services. In his speech Bremer said: “Without the discipline
of the market, state-owned enterprises not only failed to
create value, they destroyed it. Markets allocate resources
much more efficiently than politicians.”
Pete Moore, Assistant Professor of Political Science, at
the University of Miami, specializing in Middle Eastern politics
wrote a paper critiquing the policy of developing free trade
without political reform entitled Conflict, Commerce and Cooperation:
How the US' Effort to "counter terrorism with trade"
in the Middle East threatens to backfire.
He spoke with Peacewatch about what he termed the shortsighted
agenda to rebuild stability in Iraq.
Tape: Pete Moore, Assistant Professor of Political Science,
at the University of Miami, specializing in Middle Eastern
[top]
Weapons of Mass Destruction By Rep. Dennis Kucinich
During the Take Back America Conference where over 2000
progressive activists and leaders gathered for an inspiring
event that energized participants, Congressman Dennis Kucinich
redefined the phrase “Weapons of Mass Destruction”.
In his presidential candidacy speech he challenged the Bush
administration’s fraudulent foreign policy by threatening
to expose the lies behind the reasons for going to war in
Iraq.
[top]
The Christmas Coup Comedy Players
The words ‘True Blue take on new meaning in this political
satire by The Christmas Coup Comedy Players of Pacifica stations
KPFT of Houston and WBAI of New York.
Tape: The Christmas Coup Comedy Players of Pacifica stations
KPFT of Houston and WBAI of New York.
[top]
British Prime Minister Tony Blair responds to critics
in the House of Commons
With pressure mounting on both sides of the Atlantic for
full public disclosure of US and UK intelligence leading up
to the war in Iraq, British Prime Minister Tony Blair fielded
questions from the House of Commons yesterday in London. Earlier
this week, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw admitted to
the Commons that the February weapons dossier that Colin Powell
quoted at the UN "should never have been published.”
The so-called "dodgy dossier," lifted from a doctoral
student’s dissertation from 12 years ago, was the centerpiece
of the shaky evidence that now threatens to bring down Tony
Blair's entire cabinet.
Speaking before Parliament, Blair described the scale of
the occupation and admitted that while the security and stability
of Iraq is slowly improving, it still has a long way to go…
Tape: British Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking yesterday
before the House of Commons in London.
[top]
Robert Knight: British Soldiers Killed in Iraq
Three American soldiers were killed and eight were injured
today in a series of attacks south of Baghdad. Meanwhile investigations
continued into deaths of 6 British troops killed on Monday,
the largest since the occupation began. Peacewatch correspondent
Robert Knight has more.
Tape:
[top]
Life In Gaza/Prospects for Peace
A formal cease-fire announcement is expected before the
arrival of a senior U.S. envoy this weekend, Palestinian officials
aid today, after securing a commitment from Islamic militants
to halt attacks on Israelis for three months.
Despite the emerging deal, violence continued. Israeli troops
intercepted four Palestinians carrying two backpacks stuffed
with explosives, killing two in a clash and capturing two.
Earlier, a Palestinian teenager shot and killed an Israeli
phone technician near the West Bank before being seriously
wounded by a security guard. A militia linked to Arafat's
Fatah movement claimed responsibility.
Yesterday an Israeli helicopter fired on the car of a Hamas
activist killing two people in the car behind him according
to CNN news and wounding 17 others.
A truce might help end the violence, a necessary prelude
to the U.S.-backed "road map" plan aimed at establishing
a Palestinian state by 2005. The plan requires the Palestinians
to break up the armed groups, but Palestinian Prime Minister
Mahmoud Abbas has ruled out using force for fear of civil
war.
Mitch Potter is a reporter for the Toronto Star in Gaza
City…he spoke with Peace Watch yesterday, about his
interview the night before with a senior Hamas deputy who
said, " Let us dispose with the rhetoric and be realistic.
Israel will never be defeated. Our goal must be for the creation
of a Palestinian state alongside Israel."
In our conversation today with Potter he discusses what
could be required of the Bush administration to advance the
prospects of peace between Palestine and Israel.
Tape: Mitch Potter of the Toronto Star in Gaza City who
has been monitoring the ongoing efforts for peace in the Middle
East.
[top]
FBI Visit Oakland School
Two students from Oakland High School in California were
questioned by the Secret Service on April 23rd, after making
disparaging statements about President Bush. The students
were questioned without the presence of an attorney, and the
school did not notify their parents for over two weeks. The
students, both of South East Asian Dissent, claim that the
Secret Service threatened them and their families with deportation.
Their crime? The students were alleged to have said, "Bush
is whack.” Peacewatch reporter Sarah Olson has more.
Tape:
Credits
[top]
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