Headlines for Friday, October 23, 2009

Iran asks for deadline extension in ratifying nuclear agreement
Russia, France and the United States have all agreed to a draft agreement with Iran, calling on the country to ship much of its uranium supply to Russia for processing.  The tentative agreement came Wednesday, and began to assuage international concerns over Iran’s alleged desire to construct a nuclear weapon.  Today, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that Iran has requested until the middle of next week to give its final decision.  The Agency did add that Iran had been considering the original proposal in a “favorable light.”  But Iranian State Television earlier reported the government does not want to ship its current nuclear stock abroad, instead it wants to purchase atomic material for medical purposes from international sources.

Students protest in Afghanistan over alleged US Quran burning
In Afghanistan, students in Khost and Kandahar provinces rallied against alleged desecration of the Quran by US forces in A central province a week ago.  From Kabul, FSRN’s Mujahid Jawad has more.

Residents of Maidan Wardak province say the American soldiers burnt a copy of the Holy Quran during search of a house in the regional capital.  Coalition forces in Afghanistan say the claim is unsubstantiated.

But in eastern Khost province, hundreds of students of the Sheikh Zayed University gathered burning portraits of President Barrack Obama and Pope Benedict while chanting “Death to America!”  The students called on the Islamic world to cut political, economic and trade ties with the United States.  In a joint declaration, they asked Islamic countries to adopt a strict policy against the US in response to such actions.  The declaration said the students would take up arms if the Afghan government failed to investigate the incident and take action against the responsible persons.

Separately, around 1,000 students AT the Kandahar University staged a peaceful protest.  Similar protest demonstrations have already been staged in Maidan Wardak and eastern Nangarhar provinces.   Mujahid Jawad, FSRN, Kabul.

ASEAN inaugurates Human Rights Commission
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations today held the inaugural meeting of its new Commission on Human Rights, or AICHR.  The organization today announced the creation of a Commission on the Rights of Women and Children.  But several human rights activists have already voiced concern over the new human rights body, saying it will have little power.  Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told the body this was just the beginning of the process.

“Of course we realize that there are concerns that the mandate and functions of AICHR do not go far enough.  But the fact of the matter is AICHR is not an end in itself, but an evolutionary process towards strengthening the human rights architecture within the region.”

But many human rights representatives were not allowed to meet with governmental leaders and those allowed into the meeting were not allowed to speak.  Several delegations walked out in protest.

DOJ hopes major bust will disrupt Mexican cartels
As Ciudad Juarez surpassed 2000 homicides this week, most related to the Mexican Drug Cartel violence, the US government announced a major string of cartel busts.  Over the past three days, the US Drug Enforcement Agency has arrested more than 300 suspected members of a Mexican drug cartel in a series of raids spanning 19 US states.  Shannon Young has more.

It was the largest law enforcement action ever against a Mexican drug trafficking organization within US territory.  Police targeted the La Familia cartel as part of a multi-agency investigation known as "Project Coronado." In its 44 months of operation, Project Coronado has resulted in nearly 1200 arrests and the seizures of more than 32 million dollars, 11 tons of drugs, and close to 390 weapons.  Authorities allege that La Familia uses proceeds from drug sales in the US to purchase firearms to smuggle into Mexico.

Although younger than the other established Mexican cartels, La Familia has grown rapidly in the past few years by cornering the methamphetamine market.  Stepped-up enforcement measures in Mexico have repeatedly shown that major arrests tend to lead to struggles over how to fill the power vacuum.  And in the multi-billion dollar drug market, there's no shortage of individuals willing to use violence to gain the upper-hand.  Shannon Young, FSRN.

Senate passes hate crimes legislation to protect gays & lesbians
The US Senate has passed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, essentially ending years of debate over extending hate crimes protections to gays and lesbians.  The legislation also extends protections to cover attacks based on gender identity and disability.  The House passed the bill earlier this month.  In both chambers, a majority of Republicans voted against the expanded hate crimes protections.  President Obama says he will sign the bill into law.