Tuesday, September 23, 2008

• United Nations General Assembly Begins
• Cuban Representatives Attend UN General Assembly
• Fed Chair, Treasury Secretary Push for Record Bail-Out
• Afghanistan Violence Increases, Threatens Security
• Proposed Dam May Alter Patagonia's Ecosystem

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United Nations General Assembly Begins

In New York today, more than 120 world leaders converged for the
opening of the United Nations General Assembly. UN Secretary General
Ban Ki-Moon was the first of many to address the growing financial
crisis.  US President Bush said the country was taking decisive action
to address the financial meltdown, and tried to assure world leaders
the crisis would be diffused. But that was later in his speech. He used
much of his 22 minutes to push for multilateral cooperation on his
Administration's so-called War on Terror.  This was Bush's last speech
at the UN, and he encouraged UN members to enforce sanctions on Iran
and North Korea, while also attacking Iran and Syria as state sponsors
of terrorism.  Also speaking today, was Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,
President of Liberia, noting that in spite of the country's progress
towards economic stability, they still have a long way to go towards
eradicating poverty.

Cuban Representatives Attend UN General Assembly

Every year, the UN General Assembly brings world leaders to New York City – leaders who might not normally be invited to visit the United States. This year, one such delegation is from Cuba.  The most powerful Cuban leaders to visit the U.S. in several years, the delegation includes the Vice President, Foreign Minister and members of the Communist Party's Secretariate. Vice President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura addressed several issues in New York Monday night, such as the 50-year old trade embargo, international solidarity, and the case of five Cuban nationals imprisoned on charges of espionage. FSRN's Ari Paul was there.

Fed Chair, Treasury Secretary Push for Record Bail-Out

The architects of the proposed 700 billion dollar financial
intervention appeared before Congress.  Lawmakers expressed skepticism
of the need for rapid response massive intervention.  Administration
officials said the risk is necessary.  FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell
reports.

Afghanistan Violence Increases, Threatens Security

Ground reports from Afghanistan may challenge the argument of Republican presidential candidate John McCain that Iraq is the center of the war on terror. In the last three months, American and allied combat casualties in Afghanistan surpassed that of Iraq for the same period. And now, Defense Secretary Gates is saying that more combat troops should be deployed to the area, but not until next spring.  A resurgent Taliban is at large and the security situation is worsening day by day. International security forces enjoy little local support and struggle to survive as pockets of Afghanistan are increasingly becoming hostile. FSRN's Asma Nemati reports from Kabul…

Proposed Dam May Alter Patagonia's Ecosystem

Chile's part of Patagonia is one of the last areas on the planet virtually untouched by human encroachment. Its also home to the world's last fresh water reservoir. But a proposed mega-hydro-electric dam project may change its landscape and environment forever.  A plan to build five dams on the Pascua and Baker Rivers has created controversy and strong opposition from local residents and environmentalists, large and small businesses, and the local Catholic Church. FSRN`s Jorge Garreton has more from Santiago.