Headlines for Monday, February 22, 2010

Poland reveals role in rendition in 2003
Prosecutors in Poland have launched an investigation into the nation’s role in US secret renditions in 2003.  Poland’s Air Navigation Services Agency turned over flight logs to two human rights organizations showing that planes secretly transporting suspects landed at an airport just north of Warsaw. Polish authorities had long denied any involvement in a CIA program to move suspects to clandestine sites where they could be harshly questioned.  The documents, released under a Freedom of Information Act request, reportedly reveal landing requests for "private noncommercial" flights using false names of the flight captains. Former CIA operatives have claimed that 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed was interrogated at a black site prison near the Polish airport – the CIA has not confirmed those allegations.

Dozens more civilians killed in Afghanistan
A NATO air strike in central Afghanistan killed dozens more civilians – Asma Nemati has more from Kabul.

At least 27 Afghan civilians died when NATOo forces attacked a convoy in the province of Uruzgan. US General Stanley McChrystal said today they suspected the target was an insurgent convoy, but later found numerous civilians, including women and children, among the dead. In the third coalition strike this month targeting noncombatants, Afghan president Hamid Karzai condemned the air strike, calling it “unjustifiable” and “a major obstacle” in fighting an effective war. The casualties come amidst a backdrop of an increasingly unpopular war. On Saturday the Dutch government collapsed after failing to come to a decision on keeping their troops in Afghanistan. First of the European countries to pullout, 2,000 Dutch soldiers are scheduled to leave in August from the same region where today’s attack happened.   European polls indicate a major decline in support for the Afghan war, with many Europeans opting for withdrawal from Afghanistan. For FSRN, this is Asma Nemati from Kabul.

Senior Turkish military members rounded up in alleged coup
Police in Turkey arrested dozens of senior military officials today, accusing them of plotting a coup. The more than 40 commanders reportedly planned to blow up mosques and then respond to the crisis by establishing military control of the Islamic-based government. President Erdogan said that the arrests were ordered by prosecutors and declined to comment.

EU condemns passport forgeries in Dubia assassination of senior Hamas member
The EU has issued a statement condemning the use of forged European passports by assassins of a senior Hamas official in Dubai. From London, Naomi Fowler reports.

A condemnation - but with no direct reference to Israel whose secret service is widely suspected of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh’s murder. The Israeli foreign Minister has said there’s no proof to substantiate the allegations. The fake passports used by the assassins include eight British, five Irish, one French and one German. Dubai's police chief now says three of the killers may even have used diplomatic passports to enter the country.

The British foreign Minister has called on Israel to act in a ‘transparent and clear’ manner. However, EU officials are talking down the chances of shedding any light on the role – if any – Israel played in the murder.  Naomi Fowler, FSRN, London.

Travel industry workers strike around Europe
The German labor union representing 4,000 Lufthansa Airlines pilots agreed to suspend a four-day walk out today, delaying the action until early March. Pilots for the major European carrier grounded hundreds of flights and stranded thousands of passengers today. In France, air traffic controllers announced they will begin four days on the picket line tomorrow – which is likely to wreak havoc on flights in and out of Paris’ two airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly. And British Airways cabin crew members voted widely in support of a walk out today over working conditions. No date for the strike was announced.

Coup leaders to retain military control of Niger until elections
Military leaders who came to power through a coup last week in Niger are under international pressure to return the country to constitutional order. Sam Olukoya reports from Lagos.

Military leaders in Niger met with foreign envoys from the United Nations, African Union and the Economic Community of West African States today and pledged to organize elections as soon as possible. They did not, however, provide a time frame.  President Tandja remains on house arrest -- all but three government ministers detained in the coup have been released. The African Union has suspended Niger from participating in all its activities until the return to democratic rule. Many countries including the United States have called for fair elections to be held promptly.  The military in Africa has a long history of staging coups. Past experience, however, shows that once they take over government, they are generally reluctant to relinquish power. Sam Olukoya, FSRN, Legos.

Haitians camping at Prime Minister’s office say police trying to force them out
According to the Associated Press, survivors of the devastating earthquake in Haiti who have been camping outside the Prime Minister’s office say that for the past ten days police have blocked deliveries of food and water. About 2,500 people are living in makeshift tents in the camp – residents say that police are trying to force them out. They claim that police have secured the gates with padlocks, and neither garbage nor human waste is being removed. Haitian officials have not commented on the accusations.

NAACP names new Chair – 44-year old Roslyn Brock
In a changing of the generational Guard – the NAACP named 44- year-old Roslyn Brock as Chair of the Board of Directors over the weekend. Brock joins 37-year-old Benjamin Jealous in leading the centenarian civil rights group.