October 29, 2001
HEADLINES 4:16
ANTHRAX AND THE RIGHT WING 5:19
Mystery continues to surround the source of the anthrax attacks on America. Certain elements of the racist right in the United States have had an intense interest in biological weapons over the years. From Spokane, Washington Leigh Robartes takes a look at those connections and the impact of the World Trade Center attacks on the far right.
SEND IN THE GROUND TROOPS? 3:02
The Pentagon says US bombs are targeting a complex system of caves in the North, believed to be used as hide outs for Osama bin Laden. 13 civilians were killed Sunday by US missiles. This as Senator John McCain and others including opposition rebels in Afghanistan pressure the Bush Administration to send in the ground troops. FSRN Pakistan Correspondent Fariba Nawa spoke to Verna Avery Brown.
THE LAST VILLIAN ON TRIAL 3:10
As US war-planes reign bombs down on Afghanistan, the enemy in America’s last war stands trial at the Hague. Today former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic,refused to plead guilty or not guilty to charges against him. And in an interesting development, the independent lawyers appointed by the Court to present Milosevic’s case, have challenged the judges to validate the Tribunal’s jurisdiction. Geraldine Coughlan reports from The Hague.
WITHER THE INTIFADA? 3:37
Palestinians handed out sweets in the rubble-strewn streets of Bethlehem as Israeli tanks rumbled out of the self-rule Palestinian town, marking the beginning of the end of a 10-day invasion that left swathes of the town gutted and some 20 people dead. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, under rising pressure from the United States to end the bloody stand-off, ordered his heavy armor and troops out despite the killings of five Israelis in two attacks in the north of Israel. An Israeli military meeting was scheduled for today to discuss the practicalities of Israel withdrawing from five other towns it stampeded into in revenge for the assassination by Palestinian hardliners of Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi on October 17. Free Speech Radio News Correspondent Rafael Krafft is in Ramallah. He spoke with Toufik Haddad, editor of the Israeli Palestinian publication Between the Lines, about the future of the year old intifada which has left over a thousand dead.
PEACE AND SHOOTINGS IN INDIA 4:20
The situation remains tense in the Western Indian state of Maharashtra where violence broke out Friday after police prevented a group of Muslims from distributing leaflets urging people to boycott U-S made goods. Twelve people have died so far in police firing. The army has sealed off the town and the curfew has been extended until tomorrow in Male-Gow. Over 137 people have been arrested. Adjoining areas are also reported tense amid fears the rejoin is headed for Hindu/Muslim violence after 8 years of calm. Hindus have alleged their shops and houses have been attacked and set on fire. Sahmat, one of India’s leading cultural activist groups, organized a sit in in the Indian capital this past weekend to protest against the US led war against Afghanistan. The cultural sit-in brought together scores of people, young and old, intellectuals, poets and artists – to add their voices to the peace movement that is gaining momentum in the country. Sputnik Kilambi reports from Delhi.
