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> Mon., June. 30, 2003
Pacifica's PeaceWatch
Today's Stories:
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
An Analysis of Conditions in Iraq
‘This American Life’
Human Rights Watch Opposes the Use of Military Commissions
Georgetown University Law Professor David Cole On The State
of Civil Liberties In the US
Political Cartoonist: Eric Blumrich
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Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
Two American troops were wounded and an Iraqi civilian was
killed in an attack on a U.S. military convoy early Sunday
on a road leading to Baghdad International Airport, the military
said, the latest in a string of attacks that brings the toll
of American dead since the war began over 200.
Acknowledging post-war troubles, L. Paul Bremer, the civilian
administrator of Iraq, said Sunday that U.S. forces must capture
or kill deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein so he can no
longer be a rallying point for anti-coalition fighters in
the country.
Speaking today at a Pentagon press briefing, Secretary of
Defense Donald Rumsfeld responded to reporters’ questions
about whether the occupation of Iraq is becoming a lot bloodier
than had been expected.
Tape: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld responding to
reporters’ questions
[top]
An Analysis of Conditions in Iraq
For reaction to Rumsfeld’s assessment - - - we go now
to Scott Peterson, a correspondent for the Christian Science
Monitor in Baghdad… where temperatures soared to 120
degrees Fahrenheit today with sporadic electricity. We asked
Peterson if he agrees that conditions in Iraq do not amount
to guerrilla warfare or quagmire.
Tape: Scott Peterson, reports for the Christian Science Monitor
assigned to Baghdad.
[top]
‘This American Life’
It's been almost two months since the Americans took control
of Iraq. While most Iraqis say they are glad that Saddam Hussein
was removed from power, they're increasingly impatient with
the slow pace of post-war reconstruction. Phones lines are
still down in most of the country, electricity is intermittent
and it's still dangerous to roam the streets of Baghdad after
dark.
Iraqis are also frustrated that the new, interim American
authority has not seemed quite as democratic and forthcoming
as they thought it would be. Public radio reporter Adam Davidson
says there's an information gap between Iraqis and Americans
that exists everywhere in Iraqi society today.
Tape: Adam Davidson produced that report for the radio program
"This American Life," which is produced by Chicago
Public Radio and distributed by Public Radio International.
[top]
Human Rights Watch Opposes the Use of Military Commissions
The Bush administration is preparing to hold military tribunals
at Guantanamo Bay for non-US citizens accused of alleged terrorist
acts. Procedures are already underway for an execution chamber
in the corner of Cuba controlled by the United States.
Human Rights Watch in a press release on Friday recommended
that military commissions should not be used to try terrorist
suspects unless the rules are significantly changed. PeaceWatch
spoke with the US Policy Director of Human Rights Watch, Wendy
Patten about what rules specifically need to be changed.
Tape: Wendy Patten, US Policy Director of Human Rights Watch.
[top]
Georgetown University Law Professor David Cole On
The State of Civil Liberties In the US
The basic rights of individuals labeled as ‘enemy aliens’
have come under assault under provisions in the U.S. Patriot
Act and Homeland Security measures. Georgetown University
Law Professor David Cole, delivering a speech recently at
the University of Mass’ Boston College … describes
how the laws take on a sort of mission creep into the rights
of U.S. Citizens.
[top]
Political Cartoonist: Eric Blumrich
Imagine Internet animated mini movies or slide shows depicting
pictures of American war atrocities on the people of Iraq,
using idealistic quotes from American military and civilian
leaders. Political cartoonist Eric Blumrich has created a
series of shorts that explore conditions in Iraq in the aftermath
of the US’ campaign of Shock and Awe.
In the next segment Stephen Donavan; of Pacifica station
KPFA in Berkeley interviews Blumrich.
Tape: Eric Blumrich is a 32 year old web graphics designer
and animator, and the creator of EricBlumrich.com
aka Buzzflash.com,
a primary source of news information for many, interviewed
by Stephen Donavan, an apprentice at KPFA, Pacifica's station
in Berkeley California. Thanks to Ryme Katkhouda,
Peacewatch's producer at WPFW for help on this segment.
Credits
[top]
For a copy of today's show, please contact Pacifica
Radio Archives at 800 735 0230.
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