Clandestine Radio Watch 070
--------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 070 xxxxxxxxxx--------------
CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH
May 31, 2001
Clandestine Radio Watch (CRW) is a biweekly summary which centralizes
the latest news and developments affecting the study of clandestine
radio in an easy-to-read format. Editions are published on the CRW
web site. Access to CRW is free.
CRW is both not-for-profit and non-partisan. We welcome your inte-
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CRW Team
Editor-in-Chief : Martin Schoech : schoech@clandestineradio.com
Correspondents:
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Washington Bureau : Nick Grace C. : grace@clandestineradio.com
Next issue - CRW 071 : June 14, 2001
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------------xxxxxxxxxx Breaking News xxxxxxxxxx----------------
CAMBODIA : New station : Voice of Khmer bari Radio (see 'Schedules')
ETHIOPIA : New station : Netsanet Radio (see 'Schedules')
KURDISTAN : New Station : Radio Must (see 'Schedules')
KURDISTAN : New Station : Voice of Mesopotamia (see 'Schedules')
...............................................................
------------xxxxxxxxxx Schedules xxxxxxxxxx--------------------
Schedules - AFGHANISTAN
Voice of Sharia
Re : Voice of Sharia in CRW 069
Transmitter in Kabul, Afghanistan on 1107 kHz has 1000 kW !
Our tx data about Afganistan are printed in italic which means that's
only tentative. New WRTH gives 100 kW marked with (?) sign.
(K.Gusev-RUS May 16, 2001 for CRW)
Kabul radio changes morning broadcast time |
Excerpt from report by Afghan Taleban radio on 17 May
An announcement by the Radio Voice of Shari'ah: In an attempt to give
enough useful information to the esteemed listeners of the Radio
Voice of Shari'ah in the morning, our morning programmes will from
Saturday [19 May] start at 0500 [local time, 0030 gmt]...
Source: Radio Voice of Shariah, Kabul, in Pashto 1500 gmt 17 May 01
(via BBCM via DXLD 1-072)
...............................................................
Schedules - ANGOLA
Radio Ecclésia
Isn't anybody paying attention? DX publication after DX publication
has picked up the BBC Monitoring sked of R. Ecclésia which says the
extended broadcast to 2130 on 13810 is on Sundays, while it has
already been confirmed here as on Saturdays.
(G.Hauser-USA May 21, 2001 in DXLD 1-074)
...............................................................
Schedules - CAMBODIA
Voice of Khmer Krom Radio
There is a test transmission of Voice of Khmer Krom Radio on Friday
25 May 2001 from 14.00 to 15.00 UTC on 15.725 kHz. There is a link to
the web site of the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation at
http://www.shortwave.be/cla.html. Official broadcasts will start on 1
Jun 2001 and broadcasts will be on Fridays only.
(L.Maes-TDP-BEL May 25, 2001 for CRW)
...............................................................
Schedules - ETHIOPIA
Netsanet Radio
There is a test transmission of a new station towards Ethiopia today
from 17.00 to 18.00 UTC on 12.110 kHz
(L.Maes-BEL May 21, 2001 in CDX 347-1)
Sorry, just got this. Not sure if just happened or is about to.
Time to check with the javaradio. Bulgaria?
(H.Johnson-USA May 21, 2001 in CDX 347-1)
Netsanet Radio seems to be the name of this one. Per Ludo, their
website is at www.netsanet.com The next test will be on Wednesday
from 1700-1800.
(H.Johnson-USA May 22, 2001 in CDX 347-2)
12110 1706-1759* Could not catch the station name but the test txion
of this well heard here on clear channel, strong signal with only
occasional slight fading, excellent technical quality. Mixture of
talk by man and Horn of Africa style mx.
(M.Barraclough-G May 23, 2001 in BCDX 577)
URL www.netsanet.com is that of Netsanet Le-Ethiopia, whose exotic
address is P.O. Box 5398, Takoma Park, MD 20913, USA.
(J.Berg-USA May 27, 2001 in NU 1632)
Netsanet Radio in Amharic noted May 23 and 25 via RUS tx (NOT Sofia
BUL): 1700-1800 12110 (55544).
(OBS-BUL May 29, 2001 in BCDX 577)
...............................................................
Schedules - IRAN
Radio Barabari
0000-2359 Daily PERSIAN Global Net: http://www.barabari.org/ -
archive audio
1700-1730 Irregular PERSIAN ME 7.480-v
(BBCM May 16, 2001 condensed for DXLD 1-071)
Radio International
Freq change of R. International in Persian via Grigoriopol` 500
kW/115 deg: 1630-1715 NF 11625 (54554) plus bubble jammer, ex 11635
(OBS-BUL May 29, 2001 via DXLD 1-079)
...............................................................
Schedules - KURDISTAN
Radio Must
New station Radio Must in Kurdish noted:
1400-1600 17490 (45444) ---- May 24 ONLY
1400-1600 15770 (45544) ---- from May 25
(OBS-BUL May 29, 2001 in BCDX 577)
Voice of Mesopotamia
De Voice of Mezopotamya begint vanaf maandag 28 mei 2001 met
dagelijkse uitzendingen op korte golf in het Koerdisch. Het
zendschema is als volgt:
08.00-10.00 UTC : 15.230 kHz
14.00-16.00 UTC : 15.770 kHz
(L.Maes-TDP-BEL May 27, 2001 in DXA-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Logs xxxxxxxxxx-------------------------
Logs - AFGHANISTAN
Voice of Sharia
7088.2v, tent. Voice of Shariah, arnd 0100 May 15, weakish signal in
what sounded a bit like Farsi, probably Pashto. No sort of s/on, it
just arrived on fqy as I listened. Initially a man with a steady
paced monologue, couldn't make out any key words at that time, but he
got a little more animated as time went on, and it seemed to have a
lot of ments. of Iraq, Iran/Teheran and numerous ref. to Filistina or
similar. By 0124 it had drifted to 7087.4, and by 0142, when it
faded into the murk, it had reached 7086.6. Only light QRM and
slight QSB throughout, but the signal never got above SINPO 23322.
On 7089.1, noted again on May 20 at the earlier time of 0040, similar
content, still quite audible when fqy had drifted to 7088.2 at 0106.
SINPO 23232 at best, with not much ham QRM, but still unable to hear
any key phrase. There is one aspect of the Shariah saga which
puzzles me, and that is the inference that it is the Kabul signal
which is deemed to drift between 7070 and 7090. I find this odd, if
there is also a regional Shariah stn which used to operate at low
power from Takhar Province on 7070v as a completely independent and
intermittent outlet. The Kabul outlet remains on nominal 7085 as far
as I understand it.
(R.Merrall-G, DX-Window May 27, 2001 via NU 1631)
...............................................................
Logs - ANGOLA
Radio Ecclesia
13810 R.Ecclesia via DTK May 14 *1800-1810 35333 Portuguese, ID at
1800 and 1801. Talk. Thanks for Kenji Hashimoto.
(K.Hashimoto in JAP via Iwata-JPN in CDX 347)
Radio Ecclesia. Two frequencies are being heard here in Portuguese
at good level. 15545kHz at 0500 daily and 13810 at 1800. The latter
is Sundays only.
(I.Cattermole-NZL May 16, 2001 in CDX 347)
15545, R. Ecclesia (via Juelich), *0500-0555 May 20, opened with
multiple PT IDs and fqy anmts by a man which went on until a woman
began a religious talk at 0505, acappella singing at 0515 followed by
more talking, choral vocal with organ mx at 0535 followed by a man
with more religious talk in PT. Multiple IDs at 0551 until SRI IS at
0555. Fair-good rcpn.
(R.D'Angelo-USA May 20, 2001 in NU 1631)
13810 R Ecclesia 1818 talks in PP abt unity and phone in report 1818
with discussion on unityy an d some dialoigues . 1819 with ID
Emmisora catolica de Anglola , a name of speaker Zach Mungu , then
informa comerical, on ingleza and on Pope (Papas) Signal S9+10
Same time RN Angola on 4950 (1809) with sports program
(Z.Liangas-GRC May 26, 2001 in HCDX)
I heard Radio Ecclesia on 13810 kHz in Portuguese with (SINPO) 44333
from 1800 utc via DTAG Juelich, Germany. Telephone-Reports and
Comments are Programdetails.
(F.Lang-D May 27, 2001 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Logs - CAMBODIA
Voice of Khmer Krom Radio
Voice of Khmer Krom Radio, was to test at 1400-1500 on Fri, May 25.
Testtoene bis 1401 UTC, dann kurze Musikeinleitung, Ansage wechsel-
weise von maennlicher / weiblicher Stimme. Max. S=2 bei freier
Frequenz. Zur Zeit (1407 UTC)ist nur noch der Traeger wahrzunehmen.
Offenbar gibt's auch Senderschwierigkeiten oder Probleme mit der
Zuspielung, denn ab 1411 UTC kommen die Testtoene wieder in
Abwechslung mit fragmentartigen Programmuebernahmen. Juelich scheidet
sicher als Senderstandort aus, ich tippe eher auf Dushanbe oder
Almaty.
(U.Volk-D May 25, 2001 in A-DX)
Only Brother Stair hrd.
(D.Ferguson-VA-USA, SWBC May 27, 2001 via NU 1631)
Checking 1430 15725 or anywhere near that area -- no joy. Impossible
for me to miss it if they are on. Maybe still not ready to start up.
Is it from DTK? No way my Log Periodic and R71 can miss it from Sri
Lanka!!!
(V.Goonetilleke-CLN, SWBC May 26, 2001 via DXLD 1-078)
...............................................................
Logs - CHINA
New Star BC Station
11430, New Star Stn in // to 8300 & 13750 kHz, 1109+ May 26,
chinese numbers. SIO: 454. Also 13750 *1200+ s/on w/chinese mx &
ID at 1201, SIO: 454.
(G.I.Barrera-ARG May 26, 2001 for CRW)
13750 Radio New Star, 1114 - 1119*, May 29, Chinese, reading numbers
by female announcer, ID as New Star, SIO 252,
(N.Eramo-ARG May 29, 2001 for CRW)
Unid
On 25 May at 2230 I noted Falun Dafa R with good signal strength on
12075. There was lots of jamming, but the strong WFDA signal left the
jamming behind. There were also two spurious signals on 12015 and
12135 with highly unstabile freqy. These two were also jammed!
The spurious signals indicate that this may be a FSU site, like
Orzu-TJK or Almaty-KAZ. I was not able to locate any parallel
frequency in the 16 to 31 m bands.
It looks like Falun Dafa is back and on a new freqy - freqs if we
count the spurs. Maybe it will be better audible from a location
closer to the target. The Chinese jammers were evidently aware it was
to start - was it annd on the Internet.
Last evening [May 27] I had an opportunity to listen to 12075 again
when it opened at 2200.
As far as I could hear the ID was NOT Falun Dafa, although everything
else sounds similar to the old WFDR, so this may be one of the other
clandestines broadcasting to China. (No TDP promo.)
Before 2200 there were CIS/Moscow pips from 2150. When I first heard
the stn a few days ago the signal was very strong and easily overran
the jamming. This time the signal was rather weak and quite fluttery
and nothing was audible through the jamming. This behaviour indicates
a site like Petropavlovsk, but there is also some chance that it is a
nearby site, within the greyzone (skip zone) distance.
Although there was one or two strong jammers, including a jammer on a
spurious signal on 12140, the jamming was much less intense than what
we saw when WFDA was active from Bulgaria, and this also indicates
that the station is not WFDA.
(O.Alm-S May 25-27, 2001 in BCDX 522)
I also took a listen to 12075 last night (May 28th) around 2205 when
the stn was already on. The signal here was good, peaking to 9+ on my
S meter. Jamming was very strong and severe, but what I could hear of
the audio, it appeared of good quality. I tried 12140 too and on
there I heard what seemed just a carrier at strong level - no jamming
or voice.
With this level of jamming, hearing any ID seems impractical - for
me, anyway! I found it difficult to get even the gist of what the
broadcast was all about.
(N.R.Green-G, May 29, 2001 in BCDX 522)
...............................................................
Logs - ETHIOPIA
Netsanet Radio
12110 1706-1759* May 23, could not catch the station name but the
test transmission of this well heard here on clear channel, strong
signal with only occasional slight fading, excellent technical
quality. Mixture of talk by man and Horn of Africa style music.
(M.Barraclough-G May 23, 2001 in DXLD 1-076)
Bulgaria ? May 23 1700 - 1728 UT 12110 kHz AM. Reportedly this is
"Netsanet Radio" beamed to Ethiopia. Opens with I.S. on flute &
anncm. by lady. Much chorus music alternating with talk by man. Has
QRM from ute on high side & 'hammered" at times by data bursts. Too
weak to ID language but overall an African flavor. Fading under ute
by end time. SINPO 23332
(B.Flynn-OR-USA May 23, 2001 in DXLD 1-076)
Netsanet Radio in Amharic noted on May 23 and 25 via RUS tx (NOT
Sofia BUL): 1700-1800 on 12110 (55544).
(OBS-BUL May 29, 2001 via DXLD 1-079)
Rainbow Radio
15670 Radio Rainbow heard 1620 with folk song followed by a female
announcer and 2 male voices in an interview, ID and IS at 1700*,
co-ch China CNR8 and in a back ground of weak bubble jammer,
SINPO 33333
(M.Fathi-D May 18, 2001 in CDX 348)
...............................................................
Logs - IRAN
Radio Barabari
7480 R.Barabari May 15 1658-1730* 25332-25322 Farsi, ISÅH and ID.
Talk. ID at 1722 and 1724.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN May 15, 2001 in JAP 160)
7480 R.Barabari May 18 *1700-1710 25332 Farsi, Opening Music and ID
at 1700. Talk.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN May 18, 2001 in JAP 161)
7480 Barabari , 1704 prg in Farsi , talks on Barzani France ,
Hezbollah@1718 etc . gave web adress as www.barabari.net Signal is
S9 w/o QRM Carrier at 1753
(Z.Liangas-GRC May 26, 2001 in HCDX)
On 7480 kHz at 17:00utc i heard the Clandestine-Station Radio
Barabari with O=3. ID, Internetadress, mx, News. Interference from
CW. (F.Lang-D May 28, 2001 in HCDX)
7480 17:00 CLA R. Barabari,A, ID, nx, Berichte 32332, via MDW
Richtung Iran, I=2 durch statische Störungen/Rdf.-Stationen -
(F.Lang-D May 29, 2001 in HCDX)
Radio Payem-e Doos
7480 R.Payem-e Doost May 17 *1759-1830* 45444-44333 Farsi,
Opening Music and ID at 1800. Talk. ID at 1827.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN May 17, 2001 in JAP 161)
7480 18:00 CLA R. Bayem-E Doost (Bahai),Vn, Wort, mx 43333
sendet aus MDA Richtung Iran (Merlin-Relais) - s/off 1830utc -
(F.Lang-D May 28, 2001 in A-DX)
Voice of Iran
15690 KRSI V of Iran 1710 continuous phone ins 1730 off S9+10
(Z.Liangas-GRC May 26, 2001 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Logs - IRAQ
Radio Forward
9960 Radio Forward heard singing on in Arabic at *1459 with female
voice giving ID and reading the schedule of transmission , active in
Arabic till 1535 and followed by Kurdish program till 1600*, SINPO
34232
(M.Fathi-D May 18, 2001 in CDX 348)
Voice of Iraqi People
5900 V of Iraqi People 1805 is QRMed by carrier at S9+40! Tyhis time
seems inaudible even at SSB aat after 1807 //3905 Carrier out at new
tune in on 1820 . Signal of VoIP was S9
(Z.Liangas-GRC May 26, 2001 in HCDX)
UNID
5900, a station in Arabic with ID "Huna ... Iraqi, ... dimukratiya
...", 16 May, 1800-1830 and later, SINPO 32322. Weak signal,
interfered by Radio Rossii and Radio Ukraine Int. from nearby 5905
kHz. Clandestine Radio Watch states that it is the Voice of Iraqi
People, with parallel frequency 3905 kHz. I didn't check the latter,
though.
(D.Mezin-RUS May 19, 2001 in Signal 14)
...............................................................
Logs - KOREA (NORTH)
Vo National Salvation
4557, Vo National Salvation, 1034-1037 May 26, korean pgm but with
a strong bubble jamming, SIO: 222.
(G.I.Barrera-ARG May 26, 2001 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - KURDISTAN
Voice of Mesopotamia
15770, Voice of Mesopotamia (Kurdish, "Denge Mesopotamia"), from
tune-in at 1542 May 21 to 1600*; Kurdish mx, anmt that they are on at
[0800-1000 and 1400-1600 UTC]. "We have not been silenced . . . Our
language has remained the same . . . Let this be your own voice,"
etc. Appeared to be a test, and not hrd since.
(BBC Monitoring via DXLD May 27, 12001 in NU 1632)
Momentan gut zu empfangen: VO Mesopotamia ab 1400 UTC auf f = 15.770
kHz. SIO = 444. Ansage erfolgte um 1402 UTC
(S.Hilbig-D May 28, 2001 in A-DX)
I took a listen to The VoMesopotamia this afternoon on 15770 at 1400.
There were tones audible at 1355 then silence from c1358 until music
and speech from 1400. It's another Ludo Maes operation so maybe BUL?
Signal here only fair with slop from stronger ISR 15760. I did'nt
hear the progr end, but after 1600 there was another lang on the
freqy - mention of Azardi etc.. Signal strength was about the same as
at 1400. I have'nt found this one in my files yet - it does'nt appear
in the latest DTK sched.
15690 had an Iranian transmission from 1530 - strong at 9+10dB - and
with a bubble jammer in the background. While 15680 was severely
jammed (RFA I guess). All this was leaving poor old WWCR 15685 more
or less overwhelmed!
(N.R.Green-G, May 28, 2001 in BCDX 577)
Vo the People of Kurdistan
6995, Vo the People of Kurdistan, 2105-2120 May 25, talks about
Hussein & Kurdistan, kurdish music, pgm in Arabic, SIO 333.
(G.I.Barrera-ARG May 25, 2001 for CRW)
6995 kHz 20:45 UTC IRQ Vo People of Kurdistan, A, Wort, ann
32232
(F.Lang-D May 27, 2001 in A-DX)
Unid (Mesopotamia, Must ?)
15770, 28th May 1520- 1600*. Good at first with man talking in
Kurdish, or similar, with several mentions of Kurdistan with solemn
music in the background, went into local songs 1535 and announcement
prior to sign off. Could not get station name at sign off, mainly due
to increasing interference from a warbling jammer, slightly lower in
frequency, and accompanying noise. May well be Voice of Mesopotamia
reported here with a test transmission 21st May by BBCM
(M.Barraclough-G May 29, 2001 in DXLD 1-079)
...............................................................
Logs - SOMALIA
Voice of the People of the Somali Republic,
6750, tent. Voice of the People of the Somali Republic, Mogadishu,
1845-1903* May 13, a bit noisy and "watery" HoA mx signal, but quite
readable. At 1848 a man in a noticeably HoA-type dialect gave a
number of anmts, many ments. of Mohammed Aydid, until 1858, then Holy
Quran recetal until 1901, abrupt vernac. chant for a few secs., then
a brief blast of a brass band to 1903*. SINPO 35233.
(R.Merrall-G May 13, 2001 via DX-Window in NU 1631)
Same signal audible on 6750U at 1815 May 15 playing typical mx and
songs from HoA area with anmts by a man in vernac., a quick spoken
language. Signal fairly good at SINPO 2+5+333. Usable in AM, but
did not seem to have a LSB component.
(N.Green-G May 15, 2001 via DX-Window in NU 1631)
6750 R Mogadishu (t) 1714 talks in lang song 'zaime' ( hilife) ,
external recordngs at 1735 , songs , then quran . carrier + USB
(Z.Liangas-GRC May 26, 2001 in HCDX)
6750-usb, Voice of the People; Radio Mogadishu. Saturday 1805 Came
through pretty well although the audio was a bit muffled. Difficult
to get solid px details down, not being a linguist, but at least one
language I do know is music, so I was able to transcribe the
distinctive theme tune that was used repeatedly. Hope this counts as
proof of reception!
(T.Read-G, BDXC-UK May 29, 2001 via DXLD 1-079)
...............................................................
Logs - SRI LANKA
IBC Tamil
21590, IBC Tamil (via Madagascar), 1237-1241 May 26, pgm in Tamil,
at 1240 hrd "Happy Birthday" music. SIO: 353.
(G.I.Barrera-ARG May 26, 2001 for CRW)
21590 IBC Tamil Radio, 1227 - 1257, May 26, Tamil, man announcer,
greetings ID also in english, SIO 343 (Eramo, Argentina)
(N.Eramo-ARG May 26, 2001 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - USA
United Patriot Radio
6900 UNITED PATRIOT RADIO: 2208-2301+, Radio Free America px; Tom
Valentine w/cmtry on about everything & calls. Grundig Yachtboy 400
ad. Genesis/WWFV ID @2300 then right into Power Hour w/o UPR ID.
SIO=3+53/storm QRN
(H.Frodge-USA May 15, 2001 in CDX 347)
6900.0-6900.3/U, 0018-0025+, Power Hour px; var. freq. SIO= 354
(H.Frodge-USA May 17, 2001 in CDX 347)
3260/U, 0110-0120+, Intel Report px. SIO=2+53+ (Frodge, May 17)
(H.Frodge-USA May 17, 2001 in CDX 347)
United Patriot Radio: 6900/U, 1738-1948*, 21-May; Busted? 1739
relayed Genesis px cut abruptly & ancr sed "At this time UPR leaves
the air, it's a said day in America". Took phone call off-air but
hrd; "I'm outta here...who called?" 1741 "Stand by folks" then DA* to
1744; sed would explain later. Back to Genesis px. 1800 & 1900, WWFV
ID only. 1826 UPR ancr sed they've had a heads-up that the Federal
authorities were about to make a visit; he was putting station on
automatic & they probably would not be on tonight. Relayed px //
12172 WWFV throughout; Genesis till 1900 then National Intell Report.
1948 abrupt sig loss! Intell Report still going on 12172 WWFV.
SIO=353+. Still silent at 2003
(H.Frodge-USA May 21, 2001 in DXLD 1-074)
{* dead air, I assume. The WWFV ID evidently is put on the Genesis
Network feed since its primary outlet is WWFV, so you might indeed
hear WWFV ID actually on UPR!
(G.Hauser-USA May 21, 2001 in DXLD 1-074)
Inaudible here around 1912 when Harold says it was still on, but at
2250 recheck audible with normal programming, so not busted yet. 2259
Steve Anderson made some remark I could not catch, 2300 Genesis
Network continued with Power Hour. See what he says during Militia
Hour at 0200
(G.Hauser-USA May 21, 2001 in DXLD 1-074)
They came back up suddenly @2115; sed they had a circuit breaker open
but that they "remained vigilant". –
(H.Frodge-USA May 21, 2001 in DXLD 1-074)
UPR still going at 1306 check May 22 on 6900-USB with ads for MP3
Jukebox, University of Phoenix, 1308 The Power Hour. Hmm, maybe Steve
is operating the thing on a commercial income basis, not just to make
a fool of himself and risk fines and jail
(G.Hauser-USA May 23, 2001 in DXLD 1-075)
UPR has been on extended schedule overnights
on 3.260 USB past 0800Z since Tuesday when Steve Anderson got wind
that the Feds were going to make a move on the station. I enjoy your
DXLD for many years now. Thanks, Have a great weekend!
(Rafman-USA May 24, 2001 in DXLD 1-076)
Subject: 3.260 link and ham freq use
From: "loosie goosie" sosdiffday@aol.com
Date: 5/24/01 11:04 AM Central Daylight Time
Forum: rec.radio.shortwave
3.260 UPR seems to be using http://www.pbn.4mg.com as a
pseudo-webpage for info dissemination. You can even get the stations
address and telephone number at this URL. Finally check 3.860 LSB ham
radio (+/- 5kHz) at 8:00 PM on Mon, Tue and Thur nights eastern (usa)
time for the Eastern Regional Patriots Net. Steve has been heard to
check in in the past, along with several other un-ID stations with
"reports".
It just keeps gettin stranger and stranger. I think Art Bell should
set up an interview with Col Steve. This would surely be interesting
and amusing
(via J.Norfolk May 24, 2001 in DXLD 1-076)
Subject: 3.260 UPR Freq/Power update
From: "Golden Delicious" ryoupu8@yahoo.com
Date: 5/26/01 12:19 PM Central Daylight Time
Forum: rec.radio.shortwave
Was monitoring Col. Steve on 3.260 United Patriot Radio last evening.
For those who don't know, United Patriot Radio is a self-declared
"free" radio station operating from Eastern Kentucky on the shortwave
frequency of 6.900 MHz (day) and 3.260 (night). Programming is
"Patriot / Freeman / Sovereign Citizen" oriented. This station is
also the new de-facto broadcast outlet for the Militia Movement in
the United States. Some say it's a Clandestine. Other say it's a
Pirate. Whatever the flavor, the station is certainly the most
curious transmitter on the dial since the days when the
legendary Wolfman Jack was broadcasting into the USA from Mexico or
the late Rev. Carl McIntire took his ship "Radio Liberty" off of the
New Jersey coastal limits to broadcast, sans licence, in the 1960's.
Col. Steve said two pending changes with the station are in the
works. The first being operations on the freq of 3.260 USB will be
terminated sometime around the 1st weekend in June. Reason is the
onset of Summer thunderstorm season and the resultant high level of
atmospheric (storm) QRN, all operations will soon be on 6.900 USB
only. Second, Steve reported that his "3 Kilowatt Rock Crusher"
amplifier should be up and running shortly, thus the new transmitter
power of 3000 Watts on 6.900 USB will allow for greater coverage of
UPR. Some of the station's "staff" apparently made the trip to the
2001 Dayton Hamvention, and managed to obtain the balance of
components necessary to complete the proposed 3.0 KW power amplifier.
Hope that UPR has a small air conditioner and duct-work in place to
cool that thing!
Finally, information on 6.900 UPR radio now appears to be being
hosted on the PBN web page which is at http://www.pbn.4mg.com There
is also an extensive write up on the station in the new issue of
Monitoring Times
(via J.Norfolk May 27, 2001 in DXLD 1-078)
...............................................................
Logs - WESTERN SAHARA
RASD
7471.21 RASD 2140 YL with talks in AR Signal S9+20 carrier
drifting upwards
(Z.Liangas-GRC May 26, 2001 in HCDX)
------------xxxxxxxxxx QSL Verifications xxxxxxxxxx------------
Qsl's - KURDISTAN
Voice of People of Kurdistan
Voice of People of Kurdistan 6995kHz, QSL letter (ppc) (v/s:??
Berwari) in 14 days. According to the QSL, QTH is P.U.K., c/o Awadani
e. V., NehringstraBe 12, 14059 Berlin, Germany.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN May 22, 2001 for CRW)
Remark about the address : The German letter that (for non Germans)
looks like a 'B' in the street-name 'NehringstraBe' is in fact a
double 'ss' in German. So it should be 'Nehringstrasse'. [CRW]
The QSL can be seen at the CRW Clandestine Radio QSL gallery at
http://www.swl.net/swl-de/bild-cla.html
...............................................................
Qsl's - SRI LANKA
Tamil-Oli Radio
21590 USB + Preamp. Tamil-Oli Radio located in La Courneuve, France
broadcasting from Julich heard 30 March 2001 at 1243-1308.
SINPO=25311. Letter confirmation received from Deutsche Telekom
signed by Walter Brodowsky + photo of Julich transmitters received in
47 days in response to my mail DX Report + IRC + photo of our house.
(G.Glotzbach-NM-USA May 25, 2001 in CDX 348)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Miscellaneous xxxxxxxxxx----------------
MISC AZERBAIJAN
Karabakh radio station wants to "build bridge" to Azerbaijan |
Text of report by Armenian news agency Snark
Stepanakert [Xankandi], 26 May: To build a bridge between the peoples
of Nagornyy Karabakh and Azerbaijan, to establish trust between them,
to assist in finding a just political, historical and legal solution
to the Karabakh problem - these are the goals of the private radio
station Voice of Justice [Russian: Golos Spravedlivosti] which
broadcasts from the Karabakh capital in the Azerbaijani language.
This is what Mikael Adzhyan, director of the radio station, has told
a Snark correspondent.
The radio station has been operating in Stepanakert since 1997. A
total of 350 programmes prepared on the basis of local information of
different content have been on the air over this period. According to
Adzhyan, at first Azerbaijani listeners did not trust the radio
station - it seemed to them that it had been set up to conduct anti-
Azerbaijani propaganda. The management of the Voice of Justice has
more than once turned to its colleagues from Azerbaijan with a
proposal to cooperate, but to no avail.
Speaking about the understanding of the Karabakh government for the
activities of the radio station and stressing that there was no
censorship or control by the state, despite the continuing martial
law in the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic, Adzhyan at the same time did
not deny that information reported by the radio station might become
distorted outside the republic and even used to harm the cause.
The radio station employs mainly Armenians - refugees from
Azerbaijan. There is also an Azerbaijani among the employees. The
radio station Voice of Justice receives reactions to its programmes
from many countries of Europe, Asia and America.
[Voice of Justice broadcasts two half-hour programmes twice a week on
9677 kHz shortwave and 101 MHz FM]
Source: Snark news agency, Yerevan, in Russian 1215 gmt 26 May 01
(via BBCM May 29, 2001 in DXLD 1-079)
...............................................................
Misc - COLOMBIA
Broadcaster found dead in Santander |
Text of report by Colombian newspaper El Tiempo web site on 19 May
Journalist Edgar Tabera Gaona, 38 years old, was killed yesterday at
a ranch outside Guepsa Municipality in Santander Department,
apparently by members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC).
Tabera, who worked for a radio station in that area, is the fourth
journalist killed this year in Colombia.
"The investigations that we have carried out and the testimonies of
the people in the area allow us to state with certainty that the
murder was carried out by the FARC," a police officer said in
Bucaramanga, the capital of Santander. The journalist died of a
pistol shot to the head, he specified.
Colombia is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the
world for journalists, according to organizations such as the Inter-
American Press Association and Reporters Without Borders.
Last year, eight journalists were killed in Colombia and 10 were
kidnapped, while another dozen fled the country after becoming the
target of death threats.
Since 1980, more than 100 Colombian journalists have died in attacks
attributed to drug traffickers, paramilitaries, or guerrillas.
In the beginning of May, during the celebration of World Press
Freedom Day, FARC leader Manuel Marulanda and paramilitary leader
Carlos Castaño were classified as "enemies of the press" by
international journalist defence groups.
Source: El Tiempo web site, Bogotá, in Spanish 19 May 01
(via BBCM in DXLD 1-074)
...............................................................
Misc - CUBA - HISTORY
SWAN ISLAND. [..] In 1961 I was a student living in New Orleans.
I picked up Radio Americas, during that time, on MW using a Halli-
crafters SX-28A receiver and sent a reception report to their on
the air address. A few weeks later I received a QSL letter written on
"Gibraltar Steamship Corporation" letterhead. The letterhead
indicated a New York City Address.
(D.Penney-USA in DXLD 1-072)
...............................................................
Misc - EASTERN EUROPE
New Hoover Exhibit Features `Voices' of Radio Free Europe
and Radio Liberty (at Stanford)
http://news.excite.com/news/bw/010517/ca-hoover-institution
(via Artie Bigley May 18, 2001 in DXLD 1-072)
...............................................................
Misc - GEORGIA
Radio hara
"It's nice to know that you are interested in our radio founded on
April 1999. In the information on your website [QIP -CRW] the contact
address of our institute is mentioned to be unknown. Our address is:
Rustaveli Ave. 52, II floor, apt. 211-212, Tbilisi, Georgia. Author
of the program is Mr.Zourab Shengelia
Radio "Hara" is broadcasted more then two years four times a week.
Duration of each program is 40-45 minutes. To specify areas of
hearence and quality of signal received from the beginning was
broadcasred only Abkhazian music. From April, 1999 several regular
rubrics are broadcasted: "world today", "criminal chronicle", "news",
"cultural chronicle", "sport chronicle", " literary page", "gossip
from Hollywood", "horoscope", "modern music", etc. Radio "Hara" deals
with nearly all the problems but consciously avoids only the theme of
Georgian-Abkhazian conflict.
In case of interest, please do not hesitate to contact us.
With respect Nino Berdznishvili, Manager of the program"
The station name is "Hara". "Hara" is an Abkhazian form of "We".
(N.Berdznishvili-R Hara May 22 & 23, 2001 for CRW)
...............................................................
Misc - IRAN
Radio Barabari
Radio Barbari [sic] (English: Radio Equality) commenced test
transmissions on 4 May 2001. The web site states the aims of Radio
Barbari [sic] as "a platform for breaking the walls of censorship and
oppression, to reflect the struggle of the workers and all the
wage-earners, to voice the concerns of unemployed, deprived, women,
foreign residents, young people, intellectuals and religious and
ethnic minorities and all those Iranians who fight for freedom and
equality".
E-mail: info@barabari.org Web Site: http://www.barabari.org/
0000-2359 Daily PERSIAN Global Net: http://www.barabari.org/ -
archive audio
1700-1730 Irregular PERSIAN ME 7.480-v
(BBCM May 16, 2001 condensed for DXLD 1-071)
BTW, the stress is on the final I as heard via VOA CW last week (gh)
...............................................................
Misc - KURDISTAN
Kurdish radio station Voice of Mesopotamia heard on SW
A radio station identifying itself as Voice of Mesopotamia (Kurdish:
Denge Mesopotamia) was observed by BBC Monitoring on 21 May from tune
in at 1542 until sign-off at 1600 gmt on 15770 kHz. The broadcast
consisted of Kurdish music and the following announcement repeated
several times in Kurmanji, Sorani and Zazayee Kurdish and in Turkish:
"Dear listeners, you can listen to our radio twice a day. You will
hear our voice, the Voice of Mesopotamia, at 1100-1300 in the morning
and at 1700-1900 in the evening, Amad [Diyabakir] time [0800-1000 and
1400-1600 gmt]. "Despite all the injustices and oppression, we have
not been silenced. Our language has remained the same and songs were
composed in this language and on this land and the story of this
people was written in it. Let this be your own voice. Look out for
us; we are awaiting your requests with great anticipation." The
broadcast, which appeared to be a test transmission, has not
subsequently been observed.
Source: BBC Monitoring research 21-25 May 01 (via DXLD 1-077)
Smacks of DTK site. Diya[r]bakir is in what is currently referred to
as TURKEY; used to have a USAF base, AFRTS
(G.Hauser-USA may 25, 2001 in DXLD 1-077)
...............................................................
Misc - MALI
PUBLIC BROADCASTING CHIEF JAILED ON CRIMINAL DEFAMATION CHARGES
New York, May 22, 2001 --- The head of Mali's public broadcasting
service is serving 30 days in jail on a criminal defamation charge
brought by the local union of judges.
On May 16, 2001, a court in Segou, some 80 miles north of the
capital, Bamako, convicted Sidiki Konaté, head of the Office of Radio
and Television in Mali (ORTM), of criminal defamation.
The Autonomous Union of the Magistracy filed charges against both
ORTM and the mayor of Bamako, Ibrahima N'Diaye, after a March 26
television feature in which the mayor accused Malian magistrates of
being corrupt and inefficient.
Sidiki, who appeared in court in his capacity as head of ORTM, was
also sentenced to pay a fine of US$1,350. The mayor received a 30-day
jail sentence and a US$4,000 fine.
Malian press and human rights organizations have condemned the court
decision.
"CPJ believes that no journalist should ever be jailed for doing his
or her job," said CPJ executive director Ann Cooper. "Sidiki Konaté
should be released, and the unjust law under which he was jailed
should be repealed forthwith."
CPJ is deeply concerned about the continued deterioration of press
conditions in Mali, a country where journalists have in the past been
relatively free from state harassment.
On August 30, 2000, for example, Chahana Takiou of the private
biweekly newspaper L'Indépendent was assaulted by Mamadou Gassama
Diaby, a member of Parliament from the ruling Democratic Alliance of
Mali (ADEMA). Diaby punched and kicked Takiou several times before
seizing him by the neck and attempting to throttle him inside the
National Assembly building in Bamako.
Fortunately, several people present at the scene, including other
parliamentary delegates, intervened and rescued the journalist, who
had almost lost consciousness. According to CPJ sources, the assault
may have resulted from an article on corruption within ADEMA that
Takiou had published in his paper weeks earlier.
Titled "Scandal at the National Assembly," Takiou's article also
complained of a sharp increase in cases of threats against
journalists by Malian politicians.
For more information about press conditions in Mali, visit
www.cpj.org. CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit
organization that works to safeguard press freedom around the world.
Committee to Protect Journalists, 330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY
10001 USA Phone: (212) 465-1004 Fax: (212) 465-9568 E-Mail:
media@cpj.org Web: www.cpj.org
(Y.Sorokobi-CPJ-USA May 23, 2001 for CRW)
...............................................................
Misc - RUSSIA
Re : Radio Liberty North Caucasus services
The Kremlin aid Sergey Yastrzhembski has bluntly dismissed a report
in THE SUNDAY TIMES that the Russian government will shut the Moscow
office of RADIO LIBERTY as soon as that American-funded radio station
delivers on its plans to start broadcasting in Chechen. The official
said Russia has no gags in store for media outlets
(Voice of Russia News Bulletin, May 14, 2001 via S.Sosedkin-USA in
DXLD 1-069)
Russia: Kremlin denies wanting to close Radio Liberty Moscow bureau |
Text of report in English by Russian news agency ITAR-TASS
Moscow, 14 May: Presidential aide Sergey Yastrzhembskiy dismissed a
report by a British newspaper claiming Russian authorities would
close the Moscow bureau of US Congress-funded Radio Liberty if it
launched a Chechen-language service. "The report by The Sunday Times
is a canard. Neither the Kremlin nor the government hatched or hatch
any repressive plans towards Radio Liberty," Yastrzhembskiy told TASS
today. He said the key demand on any radio station or other mass
media organisation was their abiding by Russian laws. "Probably the
radio station itself and US Congress circles that are behind its
operations would be glad if Moscow used restrictive measures,"
Yastrzhembskiy said, noting that a "scandal of this sort could have
played into the hands of those circles". Plans of certain congressmen
and senators to issue additional funding for Radio Liberty to start
broadcasts in three North Caucasus ethnic languages, Chechen among
them, "naturally cause serious concern in Russia", he said. "One can
say with confidence that the implementation of these plans would
cause serious harm to Russian-American relations, something which
Moscow is not interested in," Yastrzhembskiy said.
Source: ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in English 0950 gmt 14 May 01
(via BBCM via DXLD1-069)
Russia/USA: Concern expressed over Radio Liberty Chechen broadcasts |
Excerpt from report by Russian NTV on 13 May
[Presenter Kirill Pozdnyakov] It seems a new scandal has broken out
around Radio Liberty. It can lead to a cooling of the Russian-
American relations, experts say. Today it became known that Radio
Liberty's plans to start broadcasting in the Chechen language to
Chechnya annoy the Kremlin greatly.
The Sunday Times reports that a high-ranking official has threatened
with an appropriate response - a closure of the Radio Liberty Moscow
bureau. Representatives of the Russian official authorities have so
far abstained from far-reaching forecasts. However, they do not
conceal the fact that they do not like the idea. Anton Grishin
reports.
[Correspondent] Russian authorities do not like freedom. Today The
Sunday Times reported it as news. The British weekly writes that
[Russian President] Vladimir Putin and [media minister] Mikhail Lesin
may close down the Radio Liberty Moscow bureau if the radio starts
speaking in Chechen.
Russian presidential envoy Sergey Yastrzhembskiy is not dramatizing
the situation.
[Yastrzhembskiy over the telephone, video shows correspondent near a
telephone] The Sunday Times report does not correspond to reality in
the slightest. One can say it is a canard. Neither the Kremlin nor
the government have had any repressive plans about the Radio Liberty
Moscow bureau. I do not rule out the possibility that some people
working at the radio station or conservative circles in the US
Congress who are behind the station may be interested in such a
development of events...
[Yastrzhembskiy] The plans [to start broadcasting in Chechen], given
Radio Liberty's prejudiced position on the Chechen issue are
undoubtedly causing concern in Russia...
[Correspondent] It is not difficult to guess how the media ministry
and Lesin personally will react to the plan. [Federal Security
Service spokesman] Aleksandr Zdanovich has already made his reaction
known.
[Zdanovich in uniform, filmed with a tank in the background,
supposedly in Chechnya] Russia has already organized broadcasting in
the Chechen language. We inform the Chechen population [changes tack]
But if the ideas of terrorism are disseminated and broadcast, the
ideas voiced by [Chechen warlord] Shamil Basayev, [Arab warlord
fighting on the Chechen side] Khattab and some others, we shall view
this as a violation of their licence. I believe that appropriate
structures will consider the situation and relevant measures will be
taken...
Source: NTV, Moscow, in Russian 1500 gmt 13 May 01
(via BBCM via DXLD 1-069)
Russia/USA: No decision on Radio Liberty North Caucasus services |
Text of report in English by Russian news agency Interfax
Moscow, 14 May: Radio Liberty has not yet decided when it will begin
broadcasting in a number of North Caucasian languages, such as
Chechen, Avaric, and Cherkes, Director of the Russian service of
Radio Liberty Mario Corti has said. "I know that the US Congress has
decided that the broadcasting in these languages in the North
Caucasus be begun, but no particular steps in this direction have
been made yet," Corti said in an interview with Interfax on Monday,
adding that funds for this project have not yet been allocated
either. Corti emphasized that, after Radio Liberty decided to
broadcast in Chechen, it "did not receive any messages" from the
Russian authorities suggesting that the Russian leadership
disapproves of this decision and is reportedly prepared to even ban
the broadcasting.
Source: Interfax news agency, Moscow, in English 0850 gmt 14 May 01
(via BBCM via DXLD 1-069)
Russia/USA: Radio Liberty Moscow bureau chief confirms sacking |
Text of report in English by Russian news agency Interfax
Moscow, 11 May: Savik Shuster has confirmed a report that he has been
fired from his position as Radio Liberty's Moscow bureau chief.
"Around 1600 hours [Moscow time] today, I received a letter about my
dismissal," Shuster told Interfax. He said "disobedience to orders
and a conflict of interest" was the declared reason for his
dismissal. Shuster said he had ignored a 2 May order to stop running
a programme on Russia's NTV television. "I considered this order
politicized and ideologized and could not obey it as a journalist,"
Shuster said, adding that he had been running the "Third Time"
programme for several years, and that he had not received "even any
oral critical remarks" about it from Radio Liberty. NTV issued a
statement in which it expressed indignation at the dismissal.
Source: Interfax news agency, Moscow, in English 1520 gmt 11 May 01
(via BBCM via DXLD 1-069)
Russia/USA: North Caucasus broadcasts said "great mistake" |
Text of report in English by Russian news agency Interfax
Moscow, 14 May: A former director of Radio Liberty's Moscow bureau
said on Monday that a decision by the radio station to broadcast in
three North Caucasus languages - Chechen, Avar and Circassian - was
"a great mistake."
This was "a great mistake committed in Washington," Savik Shuster
told Moscow's Ekho Moskvy radio. "I am categorically against this."
Shuster said this would have been acceptable in peacetime, for
example, after Aslan Maskhadov was elected Chechen president and
Chechnya signed a peace treaty with former Russian President Boris
Yeltsin.
"Today, in a conflict situation, this is a pure provocation," he
said.
He said he did not think, however, that any Chechen militants would
be allowed to speak on Radio Liberty programmes for the North
Caucasus.
Shuster also said that for journalists, the situation in Chechnya was
primarily a freedom of speech issue.
They "cannot cover events taking place there; they are not allowed to
go there." In general, "there are, and there have always existed,
problems with freedom of speech" in Russia, he said.
Source: Interfax news agency, Moscow, in English 1808 gmt 14 May 01
(via BBCM via DXLD 1-070)
Shuster Slams Radio Liberty's Chechen Service Plans
Former director of the Moscow bureau of Radio Liberty Savik Shuster
who was dismissed last week considers Washington's decision to begin
Radio Liberty broadcasts in the Chechen language a big mistake, the
NTV.ru web site quotes him as saying. Shuster says that "In the
current conflict situation, it is a pure provocation." The opening of
the Chechen service is scheduled for August. The Russian authorities
have already warned the radio station that if they go ahead they will
take tough measures vis-à-vis the Moscow bureau and that they do not
intend to tolerate interference in Russia's internal affairs by the
radio station which is directly financed by the US Congress. Many
critics say the CIA is behind the the radio station's decision.
//RIA Novosti 05.15.01 (via S.Sosedkin-USA in DXLD 1-070)
Shuster Says Gusinsky Contributed to His Sacking
Former chief of the Radio Liberty`s Moscow bureau Savik Shuster says
that the fugitive media tycoon Vladimir Gusinsky could have
contributed to his sacking. "It could have been his revenge, or his
people’s, or of those who are making his PR in the United States.
This is my feeling, but I have no proof," Shuster said in his
interview with the Moscow News daily, published on Tuesday. Shuster
said that Gusinsky was "very unsatisfied", when Shuster appeared on
the NTV channel. Shuster said that he supposed that "some pressure
was applied after that on the Washington level, including the
Congress level."
//Interfax 05.15.01 (via S.Sosedkin-USA in DXLD 1-070)
Firing Hurts Liberty's Credibility -- Editorial
Monday, May. 14, 2001. Page 10
Last week, U.S.-funded Radio Liberty fired its Moscow bureau chief,
Savik Shuster, apparently for refusing to stop appearing on an NTV
soccer chat show in the wake of the station's takeover by Gazprom.
Although Radio Liberty has refused to comment, Shuster read from his
dismissal letter, which stated that the NTV job "constitutes a
violation of RFE/RL professional code, the ethical foundation of our
work, as well as the company's conflict of interest policy." The
letter also argued that Shuster's appearances were "harmful to the
public trust upon which RFE/RL credibility and effectiveness are
based."
If Shuster's NTV appearances were the real reason for firing him,
then it is Radio Liberty's management that is harming the station's
credibility. After all, Shuster has been doing the show since 1998
and in all those years Radio Liberty never invoked its "conflict
of interest policy." Doing so now strongly implies Radio Liberty's
endorsement of NTV's former owner Vladimir Gusinsky and casts serious
doubts over the station's objectivity.
Like Radio Liberty's recent decision to begin Chechen-language
broadcasts (a decision that Shuster strenuously —- and, we feel,
correctly -— opposed), this firing plays perfectly into the hands of
those who claim that Radio Liberty is hostile to the Russian
government and even a U.S. government propaganda tool.
Shuster's dismissal over this issue is extremely ironic. On the
morning of Gazprom's April 14 takeover of NTV's studio, Shuster was
one of the first on the scene -— not as an NTV supporter, but as a
journalist covering a crucial story. Television cameras captured him
asking an NTV editor whether the channel's news program would cover
the takeover, to which the editor -— no doubt revealing more than she
intended about who was calling the shots -— replied, "I don't know."
That the new NTV management still wants Shuster to appear speaks
encouragingly of its integrity and stands in stark contrast to Radio
Liberty's ill-considered action.
For nearly 20 years, Shuster has been acclaimed as a thoroughly
professional and ethical journalist. His principled stand in this
case reinforces this impression.
If the soccer show is the real reason for dismissing Shuster and if
Radio Liberty is serious about its "professional code" and the
"ethical foundation" of its work, it will reverse this unjust
decision and apologize to Shuster for its poor judgment. If
management is just using the show as an excuse to get rid of Shuster,
then it ought to rethink just who is harming the station's
credibility and undermining its public trust.
Moscow Times 05.14.01
http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2001/05/14/005.html
(via S.Sosedkin-USA in DXLD 1-071)
Shuster Says Lobbyists in Washington Ousted Him
By Jon Boyle, Reuters
Radio Liberty's Moscow bureau chief said lobbyists in Washington
engineered his sacking from the U.S.-funded radio station because he
refused to boycott NTV television after a controversial takeover last
month.
Savik Shuster said Friday he had been sacked for resuming appearances
on NTV's soccer chat show "The Third Half" after state-dominated
natural gas monopoly Gazprom took over the station last month. He has
appeared on the show since 1998.
"I'm so shocked, I can't even describe my shock. I'm bewildered, I
never expected anything like that," Shuster said in a telephone
interview. "I think this is close to censorship."
He said he had been officially informed of his sacking by the
station's director of broadcasting Jeff Trimble.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty declined to comment on Shuster's
dismissal. Shuster's firing could embarrass U.S. officials who have
described the NTV saga as a test case for Russian press freedom. (See
editorial, page 10.)
NTV's founder Vladimir Gusinsky said Gazprom staged the takeover on
the orders of the Kremlin to muzzle a vocal critic. Gazprom and the
Kremlin say the takeover was a purely commercial dispute.
Scores of dissident journalists quit the channel in protest and moved
to a second-tier channel owned by Boris Berezovsky, another media
magnate who has fallen out with President Vladimir Putin.
"I refused to obey not clear and direct orders, but what I would say
were political and ideological orders," Shuster said. "The reprimand
in which I was ordered to stop doing the football show on NTV was
absolutely, absolutely ideological and political. And for me that is
not acceptable."
Shuster has a long record of independent journalism, dating from the
1980s when he was blacklisted for reporting from the mujahedin side
during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
He was also prominent in fighting the 1999 arrest of Radio Liberty's
Andrei Babitsky, whose reports from Grozny saw the radio station come
under fierce attack.
Shuster, reading from his dismissal notice, said Radio Liberty had
told him his conduct "constitutes a violation of RFE/RL professional
code, the ethical foundation of our work, as well as the company's
conflict of interest policy."
The station said his involvement with the Gazprom-led NTV, under the
current circumstances, was "harmful to the public trust upon which
RFE/RL credibility and effectiveness are based," he said, quoting
from the letter.
But Shuster said boycotting the station would have meant picking
sides in the dispute.
"The refusal to continue the program on NTV would have implicitly
meant my support of Berezovsky and Gusinsky, which I think would have
been wrong and damaging, for me personally and for the reputation of
the radio," he said.
The journalist blamed his sacking on an intense campaign in the
United States. "I think it's a political decision as a result of
intense lobbying in Washington. Who lobbied and whose interests were
being lobbied, that I don't know, but can only guess. "I suspect
those people who want to convince the entire world that freedom of
speech belongs to one or another oligarch."
Shuster, 48, said he would continue to appear on NTV but had no idea
where his future lies. Moscow Times 05.14.01
http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2001/05/14/013.html
(via S.Sosedkin-USA in DXLD 1-071)
Shuster on proposed broadcasts in Chechen
From Shuster's interview to Echo of Moscow Radio on May 14, 2001.
(Translation is mine. Some sentences and connections aren't very
clear or logical because that's how it is in the Russian original.)
BUNTMAN: [A question from] Alik, city of Achinks: "The Russian
authorities threatened you because the Chechen fighters can broadcast
via your radio [station] the messages to their compatriots in their
language. Only think about it, it's laughable. Where's the freedom
of speech here?" What do you think about it, about this situation?
About what Mark Franketti wrote and what Yastrzhembsky refuted today?
What's your opinion about that today, although you don't work at R.
Liberty anymore?
SHUSTER. The fact that I don't work at R. Liberty anymore gives me a
little more liberty to speak out. I'm categorically opposed to a
decision to start broadcasting in Chechen, Avar and Cherkess
languages. I can somewhat understand it concerning Avar and Cherkess.
[But even they], why were Avar and Cherkess chosen? There are other,
not less important or less respected languages in the [Russian
autonomous North Caucasus] republics. But regarding the Chechen
Service I actually believe that it's a very wrong direction. [R.
Liberty] could have started Chechen Service when Dudaev just came to
power in order to limit a growing zeal for independence there, to
explain [to Chechens] that they shouldn't take up arms. [One] must
understand that a history of a people depends a lot on the
politicians in a sense that the politicians can lead their people
into an armed dead end. [R. Liberty] could have started broadcasting
in Chechen after Aslan Maskhadov came to power and a peace pact with
Russia was signed by Boris Yeltsin. At that point the issue at stake
was re-building of culture, of a republic.
If [R.Liberty] is to start Chechen broadcasting, it should be during
a peaceful moment. Because R. Liberty already has a history of North
Caucasus Service. Now, in this conflict situation to start
broadcasting in Chechen language - from my point of view, that would
be a pure provocation. I don't agree with that. I spoke about that
before in my interview with Moscow Times. That was forbidden for me
to do before, in other words not allowed. And I, as an employee of
the station, couldn't express this point of view. I think it's a
wrong premise. I believe that if this Service ever starts working, no
one will be communicating with anyone there, no [Chechen] fighters
will be allowed [to broadcast] there. But the very fact that the
American tax payers will suddenly become the sponsors of a Chechen
broadcasting at this very moment - without any preparation, without
any desire to explain to people that, say, Chechen culture needs
support because there were many years of war. And their language is
dying, their culture is dying... There has been no such preparation
whatsoever. It's like a thunder in a clear sky. Suddenly a news came:
you'll have a Chechen Service here. It appears to me that it's a big
mistake made in Washington [D.C.].
The full Russian text of the interview can be found at:
http://www.echo.msk.ru/interview/interview/4538.html
(S.Sosedkin-USA May 16, 2001 in DXLD 1-071)
Russia: Chechen rebels launch new radio station |
Text of report by Nokhchi Information Centre web site on 26 May
24 May: Radio Kavkaz has started broadcasting on shortwave in
Chechnya on 7350 [kHz]. The radio programmes are informative and
analytical and are directed at a broad audience interested in
unbiased and topical information which counterbalances the Kremlin's
propaganda. The programmes are currently broadcast from 1700 to 2200
Moscow time [1300 to 1800 gmt] in Russian, but are expected to expand
broadcasting time and the circle of listeners by broadcasting in
other Caucasus languages. Source: Nokhchi Information Centre web
site, Tbilisi, in Russian 0715 gmt 26 May 01
(via BBCM May 29, 2001 in DXLD 1-079)
...............................................................
Misc - USA
Steve H. Anderson of KSMR is being investigated by FBI
By Frank E. Lockwood, [Lexington] HERALD-LEADER WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON -- The Kentucky-based host of a controversial shortwave
radio program on militia issues is being investigated by the Federal
Communications Commission for broadcasting without a license.
But the broadcaster of The Militia Hour, Steve H. Anderson of Pulaski
County, says he won't shut down even if the government tells him to.
"It's up. It's been up. It's going to stay up," Anderson said
recently.
He declined to answer further questions, explaining, "I don't need
the press."
Anderson launched Kentucky State Militia Radio about two months ago,
but changed the name to United Patriot Radio after he clashed with
the militia's leaders. The one-hour daily broadcasts, over a
transmitter near Somerset, can be heard by anyone with a shortwave
radio from Corbin to Costa Rica. [WTFK?? we know them, but not your
readers –gh]
More than 500 illegal pirate or clandestine radio stations have been
targeted by the FCC since 1997, federal officials say. Many of the
targets keep a low profile and are hard to track.
Not Anderson.
He broadcasts his home address on the radio and openly defies the
FCC, warning the government to leave him alone, according to Mark
Pitcavage of the Anti-Defamation League, a national organization that
tracks militia groups.
In February, Anderson responded to an FCC letter warning him to
follow agency guidelines with a letter of his own. It said the
agency's authority is "null and void" and that he is "not subject
to any regulation by this fictitious entity."
On a radio talk show monitored by the Anti-Defamation League,
Anderson told his fellow militiamen, "If the FCC leaves us alone, we
will leave them alone. If they don't, God help them."
The FCC, which is responsible for assigning spots on the radio dial,
requires anyone broadcasting to obtain a license and follow FCC
policies governing what can be said. An FCC official confirmed that
the agency is aware of Anderson's broadcasts, but wouldn't comment on
the investigation.
A snippet of Anderson's program can be heard via the Internet. On it,
Anderson plays a song called You Can Take My Gun From My Cold Dead
Hands and thanks "sovereign citizens" for tuning in to "freedom's
voice on the air your First Amendment station protected by the Second
Amendment."
During his broadcasts, Anderson provides militia-related news. He
also blasts religious minorities and denounces gun control and the
government, according to the ADL.
The rhetoric worries Pitcavage, the ADL's national director for
fact-finding. "He's an extremist," says Pitcavage. "He's daring
people to come and shut him down."
The maximum penalty for illegal broadcasts is an $11,000 fine. But
repeat offenders face fines of up to $100,000 and a one-year prison
sentence.
The radio program isn't Anderson's only political activity. He is
listed as a communications officer for the pro-militia United America
Party a political group based in Zebulon, N.C., that vows to "lead
America out of the jaws of tyranny."
Until recently, Anderson was a major in the Kentucky State Militia
and the group's top communications officer.
But the group dismissed Anderson last month after on-air comments
that were insensitive to religious and ethnic minorities, said
militia commander Charlie Puckett. "You cannot tolerate a tunnel-
vision person in a movement like this," Puckett said.
Anderson on The Militia Hour has identified himself as a follower of
the Christian Identity movement, which holds that Jews are the
offspring of the devil, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
On March 12, Anderson said those who worship "idols and gods" other
than Jesus should leave the United States.
U.S.-based anti-government shortwave radio stations are increasingly
common; in the past 10 years, the amount of what critics call "hate
radio" programming has climbed from five hours per week to 175 hours
per week, said James Latham, head researcher for Radio For Peace
International.
Critics say such programming is beamed out of this country in English
and in German nearly non-stop on shortwave radio.
"It's like a curtain of hate they're putting up around the United
States," Latham said.
(http://www.kentuckyconnect.com/heraldleader/news/052001/statedocs/
20militia.htm via M.Terry-BDXC-G, May 20, 2001 in DXLD 1-073)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Sources xxxxxxxxxx----------------------
Thanks to the following contributors : Gabriel Ivan Barrera,
Kenji Hashimoto, Konstantin Gusev, Ludo Maes, Nicolas Eramo,
Wolfgang Bueschel, Yves Sorokobi
Source Abbreviations:
ACH : Anti-Castro Historiography-USA
A-DX : A-DX-mailing list-Austria
BBCM : BBC Monitoring-UK
BCDX : Broadcast DX-Germany
CDX : Cumbre DX-USA
ConDig : Conexion Digital-Argentina
CRW : Clandestine Radio Watch-Germany
DXLD : DX Listening Digest-USA
DXtra : DXtract GADM-Italy
EDXP : Electronic DX Press-Australia
HCDX : Hard-Core-DX-mailing list-USA
NU : Numero Uno-USA
OBS : Observer-Bulgaria
PDX : Play DX-Italy
QIP : QSL Information Pages-Germany
Signal : Signal-Russia
TFW : The Four Winds Online-Italy
BBCM items are Copyright BBCM 2001.
______________________________________________________