June 17, 2002
Bush to CIA: Oust Hussein (3:42)
The Washington Post reported yesterday that earlier this year, President Bush signed an intelligence order directing the CIA to conduct covert operations to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The covert program included authorization to use lethal force to capture the Iraqi president. Free Speech Radio News correspondent, Jeremy Scahill, has been reporting from Iraq over the past month.
Activist Fined for Bringing Medicine to Iraq (3:25)
As the Bush Administration moves in on Iraq, the first American ever fined for violating the US sanctions regime against Iraq says he won’t pay. The ten thousand dollar fine is due today, but Bert Sacks of Seattle, Washington says the government is unjustly targeting him for taking medicines to Iraq. Instead of paying the fine, Sacks says he’ll raise money to pay for more medicines. Joshua Chaffin reports from Washington.
Refusenik Challenges Israeli Army (4:40)
As Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat condemned Israel’s construction of a security fence along its West Bank border as an “act of racism,” resistance within Israel is also building. An Israeli reservist, currently in a military prison for 35 days for refusing to serve in the Occupied Territories is petitioning the Israeli Supreme Court for a Court Martial. If the Israeli High Court of Justice grants Lt. David Zonshein’s request for a court martial, he risks facing up to three years in prison. According to Zonshein’s attorneys, Zonshein is pursuing a trial to force the Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF, to publicly deal with the issues driving more than 500 reservists who insist their own actions in combat units are oppressing Palestinians, not defending the sovereignty of Israel. To date, the Israeli army has avoided public debate of refuseniks by simply disciplining the reservists in question with a transfer or incarceration. Kata Mester reports from the Israeli High Court of Justice in Jerusalem.
Loya Jirga Still Deadlocked (2:30)
Frustration mounted at Afghanistan’s Loya Jirga today as the historic meeting approached its scheduled close with no sign of an agreement on how to form a legislature for the country. Newly elected Afghan leader Hamid Karzai addressed the grand council in an effort to break the logjam. Free Speech Radio News correspondent Fariba Nawa files this report from the Loya Jirga.
Illegal Detention in Seattle (5:37)
As we continue looking at expanding FBI powers, today we go to Seattle where a Syrian family is battling their INS detention, which violates the UN Convention Against Torture. Martha Baskin has the story.
