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> Wed., Aug. 27, 2003
Pacifica's PeaceWatch
Today's Stories:
Military Families Speak Out Against US Policies in Iraq
Iraqis Tortured and Mistreated at American-run Detention Facilities
Treasury Department fines peace activist for her humanitarian
mission to Iraq
Veteran Brian Wilson on US Korea Relations
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Military Families Speak Out Against US Policies in
Iraq
George Bush spoke yesterday at the American Legion’s
85th annual convention in St. Louis, MO. Military Families
Speak Out co-founders Nancy Lessin and Charlie Richardson
have a son who has just returned from Iraq. Peacewatch spoke
with them today about their response to Bush’s speech
at the American Legion.
Tape: Nancy Lessin and Charlie Richardson, co-founders of
Military Families Speak Out a coalition opposed to the war
in Iraq. Their website is www.mfso.org or www.bringthemhomenow.org.
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Iraqis Tortured and Mistreated at American-run Detention
Facilities
Iraqis whose family members are being held at American-run
detention camps are facing daily worries and distress over
the stories they hear of what’s happening inside those
facilities. Thousands of Iraqi detainees and prisoners of
war are held captive in these prisons, where critics say human
rights violations occur on a daily basis. Ahmed Al-Rawi--
Peacewatch’s resident correspondent in Baghdad, Iraq—has
spent the past several weeks speaking to some of the detainees,
and he presents this extended report.
Tape: Pacifica reporter in Baghdad, Ahmed Al-Rawi
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Treasury Department fines peace activist for her
humanitarian mission to Iraq
62-year-old peace activist Faith Fippinger was one of the
two hundred or so volunteers from more than 25 countries who
chose to live in Baghdad during the recent US bombing. Calling
herself a “human shield,” she went with the mission
of protecting civilian sites from attack by US and British
forces. She lived amongst average Iraqi citizens, visited
hospitals and schools and did whatever little things she felt
she could do to assist the people during the war.
But when she returned to her home in Sarasota, Florida after
the war ended, a letter from the US Treasury Department awaited
her. Fippinger and fellow peace activist Ryan Clancy were
charged with “working with the Iraqi government,”
and were told they could face up to 12 years in prison and
a million dollar fine for their actions.
Peacewatch reached Fippinger earlier today, and we began
by asking what exactly it was she did as a human shield.
Tape: Faith Fippinger is a 62-year-old retired teacher and
peace activist who lives in Sarasota, Florida. Along with
fellow “human shield” Ryan Clancy, she recently
received a letter from the Treasury Department’s Office
of Foreign Assets Control, threatening her with up to 12 years
in prison and a million dollar fine. She wrote back that she
is unwilling to pay the fine, and is currently awaiting further
correspondence from the government.
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Veteran Brian Wilson on US Korea Relations
In a show of measured progress, the United States and North
Korea made their first direct contact in four months, today,
on the sidelines of a summit aimed at furthering Pyongyang’s
nuclear disarmament. Tensions have been rising since October,
when North Korean officials admitted to U.S. Assistant Secretary
of State James Kelly that they had, in fact, re-started their
nuclear program, after previous denials.
We end today’s show with Vietnam veteran and renowned
peace activist Brian Wilson, who spoke recently in Los Angeles
about the history of US intervention in Korea, and its implications
for today. He starts by recalling how his perceptions of the
situation were changed.
Tape: Vietnam veteran Brian Wilson speaking recently in
California. He was recorded by Dave Adelson and the LA Sound
Posse.
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For a copy of today's show, please contact Pacifica
Radio Archives at 800 735 0230.
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