Clandestine Radio Watch 088 Extra
--------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 088 EXTRA xxxxxxxxxx--------------
CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH Afghanistan Special
November 20, 2001
Clandestine Radio Watch (CRW) is a biweekly summary which centrali-
zes the latest news and developments affecting the study of clan-
destine 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-
rest, input and queries. Contributions, input and support, logs, QSL
verification info, as well as background material can be sent to us.
CRW issues may also contain parts in Spanish, Italian, Dutch, German
or Portuguese.
CRW Team :
Editor-in-Chief :
Martin Schoech, Merseburg : schoech@clandestineradio.com
Correspondents :
Nick Grace C., Washington : grace@clandestineradio.com
Owen Williamson, Houston : williamson@clandestineradio.com
Robertas Petraitis, Klaipeda : tornado493@hotmail.com
Roberto Iglesias, Washington : roiglesias@aol.com
Takuya Hirayama, Tokyo : hirayama@clandestineradio.com
Next issue - CRW 089 : November 30, 2001
Old and new issues of CRW can be found at http://listen.to/crw
or at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crwatch/messages
CRW is the newsletter for ClandestineRadio.com, the largest web-
site on Clandestine Radio at http://www.ClandestineRadio.com
------------xxxxxxxxxx Breaking News xxxxxxxxxx----------------
AFGHANISTAN : Kabul Radio Back on the Air
AFGHANISTAN : The new name of Radio Afghanistan
...............................................................
Kabul Radio Back on the Air
13 November 2001
Reports from Kabul say that the former Voice of Shariat radio
station has resumed broacasting again under its old name of Radio
Afghanistan. It´s not clear what frequencies or power the station is
using, as the Voice of Shariat was reportedly destroyed by American
bombs. Female announcers and music have been heard on the station
for the first time in five years. Both were banned by the Taliban.
One female announcer, 40-year-old Jamila Mijahid, said it was like a
dream to be reading the news again.
(R.Netherlands Media Network via N.Grace-USA Nov 14, 2001 for CRW)
Music heard on Kabul radio after five years
The Times of India, November 14, 2001
(AFP) KABUL: Music was broadcast over Kabul radio for the first time
in five years on Tuesday after opposition forces captured the city
from the hardline Islamic Taliban regime, residents said.
They said the opposition's first broadcast since they marched into
the city around dawn on Tuesday began with a prayer from the Koran,
the Muslim holy book.
Before any official announcements were made, a song by popular
exiled Afghan singer Farhad Darya drifted out over the airwaves.
http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=367037242
(via N.Grace-USA Nov 13, 2001 for CRW)
The new name of Radio Afghanistan
At the frontpage ClandestineRadio.com you'll find the (now) famous
picture 'the new name of Radio Afghanistan' and an video file
showing the installation of that new name. [CRW Team]
------------xxxxxxxxxx Schedules xxxxxxxxxx--------------------
Schedules - AFGHANISTAN
------------xxxxxxxxxx Logs xxxxxxxxxx-------------------------
Logs - AFGHANISTAN
DIEGO GARCIA (British) [tentat?] 8700 Just a short one from TZA
on the 8700 bc: I can hear it quite loud and strong (O=4) here in
Dar es Salaam on my Sony ICF 77 with just a couple of meters indoor
antenna from local late afternoon (UT 1500) onwards. I can only
check earlier times over the weekend to come. This also would rather
point to Diego Garcia operations than some airborne tx over AFG,
also, Diego Garcia is much closer to here than AFG.
(G.Werdin-TNZ Nov 6, 2001 in BCDX 547)
8.700 usb 0132 GMT AA 333 8 Nov Mostly arabic music.
No ancr was heard. // 7.087
(S.MacKenzie-CA-USA Nov 8, 2001 in SWR-WW-ML)
- Was this really // // 7.087 on November 8 ??
- Sounds unreal to me since Kabul radio only reopend
- the day before yesterday, after the 'liberation' ? [MS, CRW]
- ?? This is the ONLY report we have had of 8700 being parallel to
- 7087, or that the ex-V. of Sharia`h frequency bombed off the air
- Oct 8 was on the air at all. Are you positive identical program-
- ming was on both or that 7087 was actually on the air, or are you
- speaking historically? And why would they be playing Arabic music?
- Note date, Nov 8, well before the liberation of Kabul. Now we may
- really look for reactivations, possibly on SW
- (G.Hauser-USA Nov 15, 2001 in DXLD 1-172)
8700 AFGHANISTAN (non), 0237 11/12 Information Radio in USB fair-
good w/talk & subcontinent music
(B.Portzer-USA Nov 12, 2001 in HCDX)
Commando Solo was missing off 8700 yesterday when I tried the chan-
nel - around 1530 I think. Maybe there are no Taleban left to bc to?
(N.R.Green-G Nov 13, 2001 in BCDX 547)
There have been questions whether Commando Solo still be on the air;
at least it has been somewhat irregular. Gen. Stufflebeem, in his
midday Pentagon briefing Nov 16, briefly mentioned that it made its
broadcasts that day; and Nov 17 at 1252 check, we were able to
detect some music on 8700-USB amid all the interference
(G.Hauser-OK-Nov 17, 2001 in DXLD 1-173)
Re: Commando Solo message mentioning halal: Halal, or variations on
that spelling, is the manner which meat is prepared according to
Islamic rule. Many meat markets in ethnic areas of Washington DC-
Northern Virginia include that phrase in their name
(T.K. Wood-VA-USA Nov 17, 2001 in DXLD 1-173)
------------xxxxxxxxxx QSL Verifications xxxxxxxxxx------------
Qsl's - AFGHANISTAN
8700 kHz USB
Da ich für KEINEN der bisher verfassten Empfangsberichte (ob per
email oder mit normaler Post verschickt) bisher eine QSL erhielt,
kann ich logischerweise nicht sagen, welcher Weg der Erfolg
versprechendste ist. Man kann davon ausgehen, dass das 193ste
bereits etliche Empfangsberichte erhalten hat und noch erhalten
wird und es einige Zeit dauern wird, bis eine Antwort eintrifft.
[M.Reiff-D Nov 9, 2001 in A-DX]
QSLs werden wohl noch dauern. Irgendwo im Web habe ich gelesen, daß
es die Politik der 193rd Special Operations Wings ist, Empfangsbe-
richte erst nach Abschluß der Operation zu beantworten.
(M.Elbe-D Nov 9, 2001 in A-DX)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Miscellaneous xxxxxxxxxx----------------
Misc - AFGHANISTAN
--- Re : 'Liberation' of Kabul
With the liberation of Kabul, can we expect the 7085v transmitter
back on the air? Depends on how thoroughly the facility was
destroyed in Oct 8 bombing. No doubt the ham community will pressure
the new regime not to resume in the 40m band. And will Commando Solo
soon become unnecessary?
(G.Hauser-USA Nov 13, 2001 in DXLD 1-170)
Wire service reports from Kabul say a radio station is back on air
in the Afghan capital, now under the control of the Northern
Alliance. Music has been broadcast on the station for the first time
in five year, with female announcers - a radical break from the
past. Under the Taliban, no music was played, and no women were
heard on air. The reports don't give any indication as to whether
the station is on MW, SW or FM
(M.Francis-AUS Nov 13, 2001 in DXLD 1-170)
Glenn, This article appears on "The Times of India" web site
http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=367037242 for 13
NOV 01, link off The Drudge Report page:
"KABUL: Music was broadcast over Kabul radio for the first time in
five years on Tuesday after opposition forces captured the city from
the hardline Islamic Taliban regime, residents said.
They said the opposition's first broadcast since they marched into
the city around dawn on Tuesday began with a prayer from the Koran,
the Muslim holy book.
Before any official announcements were made, a song by popular
exiled Afghan singer Farhad Darya drifted out over the airwaves."
What Kabul radio? WTFK?!!
(J.Cobb-GA-USA Nov 13, 2001 in DXLD 1-170)
--- Reason for 7085 kHz ?
I think there used to be a clandestine station (Radio Takhar) from
northern Afghanistan in the 40 metre ham band, so perhaps the Tali-
ban moved the Kabul shortwave outlet into this range primarily as
jammer and then just left it on 7085? The former, official frequency
was 7200, the channel which was once in use by the destroyed
Stubline transmitter in Serbia. Interesting coincidence, isn't it?
(K.Ludwig-D Nov 13, 2001 in DXLD 1-171)
--- Radio Free Afghanistan
Have you noted that the BBCM report about Radio Free Afghanistan
mentions a relocation of transmitters from the closed Playa de Pals
site to the IBB station in Kuwait, so far operational on mediumwave
(1548) only? I mean this inconspicuous sentence:
"The plan includes the relocation of three radio transmitters from
Spain to Kuwait, providing better reception in Afghanistan and the
Middle East, at a possible cost of 10m dollars."
(K.Ludwig-D Nov 5 (?), 2001 in DXLD 1-173)
--- Radio Netherlands Media Network : Afghan Media Dossier
Afghan Media Dossier
In an effort to make it easier to follow developments, we've sepa-
rated the media news related to the war in Afghanistan from the
regular media news. As more material builds up, we'll be turning
this into a thematic dossier similar to the one we ran during the
Kosovo crisis. In the meantime, the latest news and links to
articles published so far can be found at
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/afghanistan.html and there's a
button on the right hand side of the Media Network Home Page
(http://www.medianetwork.nl) which will also take you to it.
(A.Sennit-HOL Nov 17, 2001 media-network-ML)
--- PASSPORT TO WORLD BAND RADIO GETS IT WRONG AGAIN
In an attempt to update PWBR `2002`, which is already in print and
rapidly outdating, their website includes this item:
"Chinese Transmitters Shipped to Taliban. Two 50 kW Chinese-made
shortwave transmitters reportedly were en route to the Taliban in
Kabul when American air strikes commenced. The whereabouts of those
units, presumably intended for the Voice of Shari`ah, is unknown.
However, if they eventually surface in Afghanistan they would almost
certainly be bombed into solder blobs before they could come on the
air."
As usual, PWBR does not deign to attribute its sources, and for that
reason they are forbidden to use DXLD as a source --- but "reported-
ly" gives them permission to do so anyway, right? So how did they
get this wrong? It was reported here long ago that the two Chinese-
made SW transmitters were destined for the Northern Alliance`s Tak-
har Radio, NOT the Taliban in Kabul. Rather than hunting up that
reference, here`s another version just in:
(G.Hauser-USA in DXLD 1-169)
SW transmitters for the Northern Alliance: The NA is reported to be
awaiting the delivery of two new SW radio transmitters donated by
China, which will help the opposition movement relaunch its own
broadcasts --- these will probably be used for the planned Sado-e
Afghanistan / Voice of Afghanistan service
(Nov BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD 1-169)
--- Mashhad radio increases broadcasting
Mashhad radio increases broadcasting to 11 hours a day |
Text of report by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 16 November
Dear listeners, before we present you the afternoon programmes of
Dari [service of Mashhad] radio we inform you that God willing, as
of tomorrow, 26 Aqrab [corresponds to 17 November], from 1200 to
2300 hours Iranian time, which is equal to 1300 to 2400 hours
[0830-1930 gmt] Afghan time, the Dari [service of Mashhad] radio of
the Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, from the centre of
Khorasan, will be broadcast for 10 hours for you [as received,
should be 11 hours]. Of course, we draw your attention to its
broadcasting time, wavelength and frequencies: it will be presented
to you from 1200 to 1530 hours Iranian time, equal to 1300 to 1630
hours [Afghan time, 0830-1200 gmt] on 720 kHz mediumwave and on 25m
shortwave, which is equal to 11860 kHz. It will be presented to you
from 1530 to 1830 hours Iranian time, which is equal to 1630 to 1930
hours Afghan time on 720 kHz mediumwave and 75m short wave, which is
equal to 3945 kHz. Uzbek and Tajik programmes will be presented one
after another at their usual broadcast times, while the evening
broadcast of Dari radio will be presented from 2100 to 2300 hours
Iranian time, which is equal to 2200 to 2400 Afghan time [1730-1930
gmt] on 720 kHz mediumwave and 75m shortwave, which is equal to 3945
kHz. Morning programmes will be broadcast on their usual wavelength
and frequencies.
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Dari 0930
gmt 16 Nov 01 (via BBCM via DXLD 1-173)
--- Commando Solo continues
Commando Solo continues to play a critical role in the war in
Afghanistan.
Here are parts of an interesting article from today's NY Times:
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The United States stepped up its efforts to
persuade the Afghan people to turn over Osama bin Laden, as American
military aircraft began broadcasting a radio message into the
country announcing a 25 million cash reward for information leading
to his location or capture.
The radio broadcasts, which also identified other leaders of Mr. bin
Laden's Qaeda organization thought to be hiding in Afghanistan, are
the latest elements of a United States strategy to rely heavily on
anti-Taliban rebels and other Afghans to help reveal the whereabouts
of Mr. bin Laden, a Saudi exile.
The American radio messages about the reward, broadcast into
Afghanistan by an airborne special operations forces radio station
aboard an EC-130 aircraft code- named Commando Solo, began Sunday
night. They called on the people of Afghanistan to "drive out the
foreign terrorists" and promised cash rewards for information on the
location of Mr. bin Laden and eight other Al Qaeda leaders --
indicating that the United States has gathered more information on
the identities of Al Qaeda leaders still in Afghanistan than it has
previously disclosed.
In addition to Mr. bin Laden and his top lieutenants, Ayman
al-Zawahiri and Abu Zubaydah, the broadcast also identifies several
other men believed to be hiding in Afghanistan after playing major
roles in the bombing of two American Embassies in East Africa in
1998, the bombing of the destroyer Cole in Yemen in Oct. 2000, and
the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The group includes Abdu al- Nashri, suspected of helping plan the
Cole bombing; al-Gaith Abu Yousef, a Qaeda leader suspected of
playing a role in the Sept. 11 attacks; Fazul Abdullah Mohammed and
Saleh Abdullab, suspected of involvement in the embassy bombings;
and Saif al- Adel, a senior aide to Mr. bin Laden. The broadcast
also identifies Abu Hafs, an alias for Muhammad Atef. It appears
that the script was written before the reports of his death.
In addition to the radio broadcasts, the Pentagon has begun dropping
thousands of leaflets in Afghanistan calling for help from the
Afghans in hunting Mr. bin Laden. About 10,000 leaflets were dropped
tonight in the area of the northern city of Mazar-i- Sharif, and
more will be dropped in other regions in coming days, officials
said.
Mr. Rumsfeld said today that he hoped that the cash rewards will
persuade Afghans to "begin crawling through those tunnels and caves
looking for the bad folks."
(NY Times Nov 20 via H.Johnson-USA in CDX 374-4)
Announcement of a U.S. Reward
Following is a translated text of one of two reward announcements
that the American military began broadcasting to Afghanistan from
EC- 130 Commando Solo aircraft, as provided by the Department of
Defense:
Attention people of Afghanistan! Up to $25 million reward is being
offered for information leading to the location or capture of Osama
bin Laden or Aiman al-Zawahiri. These two terrorists of Al Qaeda are
responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent people around
the world.
The proud nation of Afghanistan gets closer to being free of the
tyranny of foreign terrorists every day. Help drive out the foreign
terrorists. Every day more foreign terrorists are defeated in
battle. Because some of these cowards and murderers have gone into
hiding, we ask for your help. The Coalition Authority and Afghan
forces fighting to free Afghanistan will continue to hunt down these
cowards. With your help we will bring the Al Qaeda terrorists to
justice for their crimes. A reward is also being offered for
documents and other information leading to the identification of
other Al Qaeda agents.
Keep listening to Information Radio for future updates. Information
Radio will announce locations where anyone can provide information
to the Coalition Authorities about the whereabouts of any of these
known terrorists that could lead to a reward. Keep listening to
information radio for future updates.
(NY Times Nov 20 via H.Johnson-USA in CDX 374-4)
--- BBCM about Afghanistan
Note: during our [DXLD] break, we skipped a number of daily BBCM
roundups; we expect to go back and pick up anything of significance
for subsequent DXLD issues. Note that the 1584 kHz station, formerly
BBCM`s only source for Taliban propaganda, is now under control of
Northern Alliance, and seems to have made the transition without
missing a beat
(G.Hauser-USA Nov 12, 2001 in DXLD 1-169)
Mazar-e Sharif radio reports city falls to Afghan Northern Alliance
At 0223 gmt on Saturday 10 November the radio station broadcasting
from the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif carried an announcement in
the Dari language saying that the city had been taken by the forces
of the Northern Alliance.
The station was monitored on 1584 kHz, the frequency formerly used
by the Afghan Taleban station, Radio Voice of Shari'ah from Balkh
Province.
"Dear pious and Muslim compatriots, peace be with you," the
announcement began.
"We congratulate you from the bottom of our heart on the victory of
the Islamic State of Afghanistan."
"Dear citizens and listeners, Mazar-e Sharif and its surrounding
areas have been completely cleared. The forces of the Islamic State
of Afghanistan are advancing," the radio said.
"We shall keep you informed by radio, God willing, about further
developments in Balkh Province."
The Northern Alliance said it was making advances in all the
country's northern provinces, Balkh radio reported from Mazar-e
Sharif at 0300 gmt on the 10th.
"The advance of the Islamic State of Afghanistan's forces in all
areas of the northern provinces is continuing," the radio said.
"Control of Balkh Province and the surrounding areas in the northern
provinces is now in the hands of the Islamic United Front for the
Salvation of Afghanistan and the Islamic State of Afghanistan's
forces," it added.
"We ask you, dear compatriots, to continue your daily work without
any hesitation to serve your citizens," the radio continued.
"Dear friends, dear listeners, we would like to congratulate the
whole pious Afghan nation once again from the bottom of our hearts
on this victory."
Later on the morning of 10 November, the station repeatedly
broadcast the original announcement about the fall of the city to
the Northern Alliance, interspersed with epic songs and music.
From time to time, the announcement was broadcast in Turkmen and
Uzbek (as well as Dari). The station also carried interviews and vox
pops, a triumphal statement in Uzbek and an interview with a
military commander about the latest Northern Alliance advances.
The reports carried by the radio station from Mazar-e Sharif on the
morning of 10 November also included an announcement that Samangan
Province and Pol-e Khomri, the capital of Baghlan Province, had
fallen to the Northern Alliance; an appeal to residents of Mazar-e
Sharif to continue with their normal life "and help the armed forces
of the Islamic State of Afghanistan"; an interview with Atta
Mohammed (in charge of military affairs in the Northern Zone) about
the advance; an announcement calling on people to stop fighting;
announcement of an amnesty for people who had previously backed the
Taleban; another call to citizens to refrain from fighting and
instead to help the government.
The radio station from Balkh Province ended its morning broadcast at
0735, saying it would sign on again at 1230 gmt.
Source: Afghan Balkh radio from Balkh Province, Mazar-e Sharif, in
Dari 10 Nov 01 (via BBCM via DXLD 1-169)
Afghanistan: Media round-up Sunday 11 November 2001
"Radio Balkh Province" heard on 11 November
On Sunday 11 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif - which has identified itself
as "Radio Balkh Province" - was monitored by the BBC from 0227-0430
gmt.
The station was again heard signing on as scheduled at 1230 gmt with
music followed by the sign-on: "Here is Balkh [Province] Radio,
Mazar-e Sharif city. Peace and blessings be upon you."
The station continued to broadcast on 1584 kHz, the frequency
formerly used by the Afghan Taleban station, Radio Voice of Shari'ah
from Balkh Province. The signal strength was stronger than observed
recently.
"Radio Balkh Province" morning broadcast
The "Radio Balkh Province" morning broadcast from 0227-0430 gmt
carried the following items:
- 0227 gmt Afghan folk music.
- 0230 gmt Preview.
- 0232 gmt Recitation from the Koran and interpretation.
- 0235 gmt Announcements:
- 0245 gmt Afghan modern and classical music, Indian music.
Reception was poor, but the words "They have achieved success
again", presumably referring to the Northern Alliance, were heard,
followed by more music, followed by the words: "The people who are
in charge of educational institutions have not been able to create
new ideas, because to create new ideas we need masterly brains."
- 0300 gmt Announcement: the Islamic State of Afghanistan has
announced a general amnesty. (Repeat)
- 0308 gmt Presenter's congratulations on victory, song.
- 0317 gmt Reports and interviews with two residents of Mazar-e
Sharif expressing satisfaction about the recent developments.
- 0330 gmt News in Pashto (Repeat of news bulletin broadcast at 1400
gmt on 10 Nov)
- Messages of congratulations have been received by Northern
Alliance President Rabbani, [Uzbek commander] Gen Abdorrashid Dostum
and others on the occasion of the victory in Balkh Province.
- Gen Dostum chaired a meeting of the high military council
yesterday.
- Gen Dostum received a number of former Taleban commanders who have
joined the United Front.
- The political and military head of the northern zone, Atta
Mohammad, received a number of commanders of units and elders from
various areas for a meeting today.
- Gen Dostum has issued a message to the people of Mazar-e Sharif
assuring them of their safety.
- Announcements: death announcements, announcement of amnesty.
- Song.
- 0345 gmt Interviews with a number of residents of Mazar-e Sharif-
people expressing their confidence and happiness over the latest
developments in the town.
- 0400 gmt News in Dari. (Repeat of news in Pashto)
- 0405 gmt Interview with Gen Dostum. (Repeat, 1400 gmt 10 Nov)
- 0414 gmt Continuation of news. (Repeat)
- 0419 gmt Song.
- 0424 gmt News in Turkmen:
- Messages of congratulations have been received from President
Rabbani, Gen Dostum and others on the occasion of the victory in
Balkh Province.
- Local people have been offering congratulations on the victory in
Mazar-e Sharif.
- 0430 gmt End.
Mazar-e Sharif TV to go on air "very soon" - United Front spokesman
Excerpt from report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA, 0924 gmt
11 November:
Islamabad, 11 November: Radio Mazar-e Sharif [Radio Balkh Province]
has started its broadcast again after 39 months when the city fell
to forces of the United Front on Saturday [10 November].
Talking to IRNA, National Islamic Movement for Afghanistan of
Abdorrashid Dostum's spokesman in Pakistan Sibghatullah Zaki [name
as received] said that the radio was broadcasting national and war
songs.
He said that very soon television telecasts will also be initiated
and radio will also broadcast other programmes as well.
It merits a mention here that after taking control of Mazar little
over three years back, Taleban had clamped complete ban on
television telecasts and the radio service was also limited to their
own Sada-e Shari'ah [(Radio) Voice of Shari'ah] programmes for the
use of entire Afghanistan.
After its restoration, Radio Mazar-e Sharif is the only radio
presently functioning following the US-led operation that had caused
closure of the rest of broadcasts...
Kabul unheard; PsyOps broadcasts continue
The Taleban radio station, Radio Voice of Shari'ah from Kabul, has
remained unheard by BBC Monitoring since Monday 8 October.
Meanwhile, US PsyOps broadcasts to Afghanistan continue. Information
Radio continues to be observed by BBC Monitoring broadcasting in
Pashto and Dari from 0030-0530 gmt and 1230-1730 gmt daily. It is
heard on 8700 kHz upper sideband mode and at times on the former
Kandahar mediumwave frequency of 864 kHz. A third announced channel
of 1107 kHz (former Kabul frequency) has not yet been observed by
BBC Monitoring. The 864, 980 and 1107 kHz channels are believed to
be broadcast from US PsyOps "Commando Solo" EC-130 aircraft.
US PsyOps broadcast announces liberation of Mazar-e Sharif
At 0230 gmt on 11 November, US PsyOps Information Radio announced
the liberation of Mazar-e Sharif in Dari, followed by a Pashto
translation.
"Greetings to the courageous people of Afghanistan. Be joyful and
celebrate. The city of Mazar-e Sharif has been liberated. The evil
rule of the Taleban over the people of this city has been brought to
an end...Now that the city has been liberated, Afghanistan has taken
a major stride toward toppling the Taleban dictatorship..."
Pro-Taleban groups in Pakistan reportedly set up radio stations near
Afghan border
The Kashmiri mojahedin group, Jaish-i-Mohammad (JiM, Mohammad's
Army) and the Pakistani militant group, Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-
Mohammadi (TNSM), have reportedly set up at least three FM radio
stations near the border with Afghanistan, to campaign for funds and
volunteers to fight alongside the Taleban.
Pakistani weekly newspaper The Friday Times reported in its 9-15
November edition that TNSM and JiM supporters have "set up small FM
stations - at least three of them" in Bajaur Agency in Pakistan's
North-West Frontier Province to "campaign for funds and also urge
the people to join the jihad".
The stations broadcast an address via telephone by Pakistani
conservative Islamic party Jamaat-i-Islami leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed
to a pro-Taleban rally in Bajaur on Sunday 4 November, the paper
said.
"He had been put under house arrest to deny him entry into Bajaur
for the rally which authorities expected to be troublesome. The ban
was deeply resented by the people in Bajaur who abused the
authorities for denying them the right to assemble and proceed for
jihad," the paper reported.
The Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Mohammadi outfit is based in the
tribal area of Markand, also located near the border with
Afghanistan. The group is also known as Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-
Muhammadi. The TNSM leader, Maulana Sufi Mohammad, "has been
shuttling between Asadabad, the capital of Afghanistan's Konar
Province and Bajaur to streamline the entry of thousands of his
activists bent upon joining the Taleban in the war against the
United States", the paper said.
The Taleban had initially declined the TNSM offer to send in
volunteers but on 1 November, 1,500 TNSM volunteers crossed over to
Afghanistan to join Taleban forces, the paper said.
The Friday Times said the situation in Pakistan's tribal areas
bordering Afghanistan was "increasingly becoming untenable".
"Officially, no Pakistani is allowed to cross the border. But
practically any attempt to stop armed activists from doing so would
only lead to a showdown," the paper added.
The mountainous area of Bajaur Agency is situated around 300 km
northwest of Islamabad, and about 145 km from Peshawar. Bajaur is
the second biggest agency in the tribal areas and has an estimated
population of 700,000.
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research, 11 Nov 01 (via DXLD 1-169)
Afghanistan: Media round-up Monday 12 November 2001
Radio Balkh heard on 12 November
On Monday 12 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif - now identifying itself as
Radio Balkh - was monitored by the BBC from 0227-0437 gmt.
The station continues to broadcast on 1584 kHz, the frequency
formerly used by the Afghan Taleban station, Radio Voice of Shari'ah
from Balkh Province. The signal strength was stronger than observed
recently.
The station was again heard signing on at 1233 gmt on 12 November,
starting with music.
Radio Balkh morning broadcast on 12 November
The 0227-0437 gmt broadcast on 12 November included the following
reports:
- Music.
- Recitation from the Holy Koran and interpretation.
- Religious song played with a musical instrument.
- Cleric underlines the characteristics of the Prophet Mohammad.
- News in Pashto, repeating bulletin broadcast at 1330 gmt on 11
November.
- Congratulatory messages have been received by Gen Abdorrashid
Dostum and other civilian and military officials, cultural, jihad
and social figures, teachers, students and agricultural workers on
the occasion on the victory in Mazar-e Sharif.
- The vice-president of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and
commander of the northern zone, Alhaj General Abdorrashid Dostum,
yesterday received a number of military commanders and elders.
- Gen Dostum visited Mazar-e Sharif's central mosque and held talks
with clerics there.
- With the approval of the high military council, (?Dr Mirwais) has
been appointed head of the Public Health Department of the northern
zone.
- Announcement by the northern high military council calling on all
civilian officials and military officers, engineers and doctors to
attend to their duties and also all those officials and military
personnel who had earlier left their duties for some reason to
return to their duties.
- Interview with a Taleban commander who has joined the Alliance
forces.
- News in Dari, repeating news in Pashto.
- Songs.
- News in Turkmen, repeating news in Pashto and Dari.
Radio Balkh evening broadcast on 11 November
The evening broadcast from 1230-1457 gmt on Sunday 11 November
included the following items:
- Recitation of Holy Koran and interpretation
- Songs and messages, greetings and congratulations of people from
urban and rural areas to the authorities for their brave patriotic
campaign
- Interview in Dari with commander Haji M. Mohaqeq, interior
minister, who said he thought the Taleban could not last more than a
week. Now our people are free from them, the people can live without
fear. A group of Taleban were putting up resistance in a girls'
school in Mazar yesterday and today they were defeated and finished
off. We want all Taleban, Arabs and Pakistanis to be arrested and
prosecuted by international law.
- Col-Gen Abadollah chaired a meeting aimed at improving security
measures at the headquarters of Hayraton town garrison today.
- Interview with local resident of Mazar-e Sharif who says he
personally witnessed Arab and Pakistani soldiers fighting against
the anti-Taleban alliance forces.
- Announcement by the northern high military council calling on all
civilian officials and military officers, engineers and doctors to
attend to their duties and urging all officials and military
personnel who had earlier left their duties for whatever reason to
return to their posts. (A later repeat of this announcement in
Turkmen added that all shopkeepers should open their shops and
traders should continue their activities.)
Kabul unheard; PsyOps broadcasts continue
The Taleban radio station, Radio Voice of Shari'ah from Kabul, has
remained unheard by BBC Monitoring since Monday 8 October.
Meanwhile, US PsyOps broadcasts to Afghanistan continue. Information
Radio continues to be observed by BBC Monitoring broadcasting in
Pashto and Dari from 0030-0530 gmt and 1230-1730 gmt daily. It is
heard on 8700 kHz upper sideband mode and at times on the former
Kandahar mediumwave frequency of 864 kHz. A third announced channel
of 1107 kHz (former Kabul frequency) has not yet been observed by
BBC Monitoring. The 864, 980 and 1107 kHz channels are believed to
be broadcast from US PsyOps "Commando Solo" EC-130 aircraft.
US PsyOps radio thanks Afghan people for listening to its broadcasts
At 0230 gmt on 11 November, the US PsyOps Information Radio aired a
message in Pashto thanking the Afghan people for listening to its
broadcasts.
"Noble people of Afghanistan. The coalition countries will continue
their assistance to the Afghan people in the coming winter. We will
continue to drop food to you by our aircraft. We know that this is a
difficult season of the year. We know that you are suffering. In
order to demonstrate our support for the struggle of the Afghan
people we will continue to provide the assistance that we began.
"The food parcels which are being air-dropped by the coalition
countries will continue to be halal [? sic -gh] and nutritious. The
food will help in difficult conditions. We would like to see you
healthy.
"The coalition countries express thanks for the Afghan people for
listening to this radio programme. Please remember to recommend to
others this radio programme which broadcast news on attacks and food
air drops and good pieces of music. We will air information and
music which you like via this radio."
Afghan music followed the message.
Source: US PsyOps Information Radio in Dari 0230 gmt 11 Nov 01
US PsyOps radio warns Afghan Taleban "you will be killed"
US PsyOps radio at 0245 gmt on 11 November broadcast an announcement
in Dari saying:
"Attention Taleban men. The air raids of the coalition countries are
successfully continuing. We have destroyed almost all your defence
power. The Taleban regime does not have the power to resist.
Therefore, our aircraft can fly and attack anywhere and everywhere
we want. We have full air supremacy now.
"The Taleban say that they have killed a large number of the
coalition countries' soldiers. If this claim is true, then where is
their evidence. Where are the bodies? They are mere lies. The aim of
which is to deceive you and other Muslims in order to take part in a
war which has been created by themselves, and does not belong to
you.
"The Taleban leaders know that they would not be able to win this
war. Therefore, they resort to spreading such lies - in the same way
as they force more young people to sacrifice their lives for the
sake of the Taleban.
"Our ground troops have launched an attack once and they will attack
again if we want them too. You and the Al-Qa'idah terrorists will
not have anywhere to hide.
"The people in the world saw that you wanted to hide in mosques,
schools and hospitals. It is clear to everyone that this in an act
perpetrated by faint-hearted and cowardly people and it will
endanger the life of the innocent Afghan people.
"The more we continue our more intense attacks, the weaker the
Taleban regime will become. The anti-Taleban forces are also
advancing in the battle fields. The Taleban men are scattered. This
is because they have to fight on several fronts at one time. They
lack sufficient resources to confront this major war. The Taleban
regime will fall and the only thing which is not known is the date
and time.
"You have two options: Support the Taleban and face defeat, or join
your Afghan brothers in their resistance against the Taleban. Some
of your leaders along with their soldiers have decided to abandon
the Taleban. If you are with the Taleban and fight, you will be
killed. You have to make a decision finally. Why don't you leave the
Taleban now?"
This was followed by Afghan music.
Source: US PsyOps Information Radio in Dari 0230 gmt 11 Nov 01
French, German journalists killed in Taleban ambush
A woman correspondent for Radio France Internationale was killed on
Sunday 11 November in northern Afghanistan, the radio reported.
It said Johanne Sutton, 34, was accompanying Northern Alliance
troops when they fell into a Taleban ambush.
RFI's editor in chief Gilles Schneider said the correspondent and
other journalists had hitched a lift on a Northern Alliance tank to
check reports of the capture of the town of Taloqan when the ambush
happened.
The French news agency AFP reported that two other journalists
accompanying opposition forces had been killed in the ambush by the
Taleban militia in northeastern Afghanistan. It named one of them as
French radio reporter Pierre Billaud, who worked for
Luxembourg-based RTL radio.
The other victim was a German photographer, Volker Handloik, whose
identity was confirmed by the magazine Stern on 12 November,
according to a report by German news agency ddp.
Bin-Ladin reportedly watches Western TV channels
Excerpt from interview with Hamid Mir, editor of the Pakistani daily
Ausaf, by correspondent Burcin Emir - place and date not given;
interview in English with superimposed Turkish translation;
broadcast by Turkish CNN Turk TV on 11 November
[Emir] How did you find Usamah Bin-Ladin? Was he tired, anxious or
concerned? Was he frightened? What is your impression?
[Mir] He was not frightened, anxious or tired. He looked very
confident. He looked very healthy. In fact, he looked healthier than
two years ago when I saw him last. He was constantly saying to me:
This place can be bombed and we can both die.
[Emir] Why was he saying that?
[Mir] He was trying to tell me that he was not afraid of dying. I
told him: If I die here, who will publish this interview with you?
Please do not repeat this again and again.
In short, he was very self-confident. He was not under stress. He
was very calm...
[Emir] Why were you chosen for the interview?
[Mir] Bin Ladin watched my interview with Larry King on CNN. I had
criticized Bin-Ladin during that interview. Bin-Ladin said that he
wanted to express his views on some of the issues I raised during
the Larry King interview. He said: If an American or Western
reporter criticizes me, I do not care. However, if somebody like you
criticizes me, it is very important for me to express my views.
In other words, it is thanks to Larry King that I could interview
Bin-Ladin.
[Emir] Does that mean that Bin-Ladin watches television all the
time? Does he have a satellite dish?
[Mir] I asked him the same question. He said that he does not watch
all the channels but that he has a monitoring unit that follows
Western channels as well as Turkish channels. He said that the
Turkish government is helping certain terrorist groups in
Afghanistan, and that these groups are committing crimes against the
Afghan people. He said that in addition to British and US television
channels, he watches Turkish television channels because Turkey is a
US ally and is sending troops to Afghanistan.
Source: CNN Turk TV, Istanbul, in Turkish 1600 gmt 11 Nov 01
Pakistani journalists express solidarity with Afghans
Journalists from Rawalpindi and Islamabad held a rally on Sunday 11
November "to condemn the US killing of innocent people in
Afghanistan and to express solidarity with Afghans," the Pakistani
newspaper The Nation reported on the 12th.
"The demonstrators were holding placards with slogans in support of
innocent Afghan people and condemning the killing of civilians in
Afghanistan by United States and its allies. Addressing the
demonstrators, Mohammad Nawaz Raza, Mushtaq Minhas and others
demanded of the government to help stop one-sided aerial attacks on
Afghanistan," the Nation said.
"They further said that people of Pakistan were with their Muslim
brethren of Afghanistan in this time of trial and stressed the need
for the peaceful settlement of the dispute. Later the demonstrators
dispersed peacefully," the Nation report concluded.
Source: The Nation web site, Islamabad, in English 12 Nov 01
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research 12 Nov 01 (via DXLD 1-169)
Afghanistan : Media round-up Tuesday 13 November 2001
KABUL
AFP reports music on Kabul radio station; unheard by BBC Monitoring
Kabul residents have reported hearing music on Kabul radio for the
first time in five years after Northern Alliance forces entered the
city, AFP news agency reported at 0858 gmt on 13 November.
The reported broadcast began around dawn (local time) on 13 November
BBC Monitoring has not observed the reported Kabul radio broadcasts
- the station may be broadcasting on an FM or MW frequency using low
power.
The Taleban-controlled Radio Voice of Shari'ah has been unheard by
BBC Monitoring since 8 October.
"Radio Afghanistan" back on the air - AFP
AFP reported from Kabul that "Radio Afghanistan" had resumed
broadcasting in the capital. "Shrieks of joy erupted when Radio
Afghanistan began broadcasting for the first time in five years,
offering verses from the Koran, music that had been banned under the
Taleban, and a woman newscaster," the agency said.
Before any official announcements were made, a song by popular
exiled Afghan singer Farhad Darya was heard, the agency reported.
"You can celebrate this great victory," female announcer Jamila
Mujahid said. "We have to thank God for giving us this opportunity
for Afghanistan to move toward unity."
"I don't believe this. I never thought that a time would come when I
would be reading the news again. As I read the news this morning it
was like a dream," Mujahid told AFP.
She said people need not fear unrest or disorder during the Alliance
takeover.
"Your sons will not allow any opportunists to exploit the situation
and rob or steal your property," the announcer said.
"Be confident and sure that we are in full control," she added.
Northern Alliance take over Bakhtar news agency in Kabul
Northern Alliance forces have taken control of the Kabul office of
Bakhtar Information Agency, formerly the official news agency of the
Taleban.
On 13 November, AFP news agency quoted Iranian TV as saying that the
Northern Alliance had taken control of the presidential palace and
other major public buildings in Kabul, including Bakhtar Information
Agency.
"All government-run buildings, the Bakhtar news agency, as well as
all diplomatic mission sites, are being controlled by the opposition
forces," the correspondent was quoted as saying.
BBC Kabul office hit; no fatalities
On 12 October, the BBC office in Kabul was hit by a bomb as Northern
Alliance forces attacked the capital. BBC correspondent William
Reeve was in the office when a bomb fell just outside the building,
smashing all the windows. He was not injured in the blast.
MAZAR-E SHARIF
Radio Balkh heard on 13 November
On Tuesday 13 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif - now identifying itself as
Radio Balkh - was monitored by the BBC from 0230-0409 gmt. The
broadcast normally ends at 0430 gmt, but reception was lost at 0409
gmt. The evening broadcast was observed as scheduled from 1230 -
1510 gmt.
The station continues to broadcast on 1584 kHz, the frequency
formerly used by the Afghan Taleban station, Radio Voice of Shari'ah
from Balkh Province. The signal strength was stronger than observed
recently.
Balkh radio morning broadcast
The Balkh radio broadcast in Pashto and Dari from 0230-0409 gmt on
13 November began with music and recitations of the Koran.
The broadcast included interviews with residents of Mazar-e Sharif
about the victory of the Northern Alliance in the northern zone.
The news in Pashto and Dari repeated an earlier bulletin broadcast
at 1330 gmt on 12 November. The news covered a meeting of the
Northern Alliance military council in the city, Gen Abdorrashid
Dostum meeting officials and the head of an unspecified foreign
organization and official appointments.
The broadcast included a message by a religious cleric who spoke
about the benefits of Islam and holy war and congratulated the
Northern Alliance President Rabbani on the victory of the Northern
Alliance forces in Mazar-e Sharif.
HERAT
Alliance take control of Herat radio; Dari service heard - Iran TV
Iranian TV has reported that Dari-language radio in the western city
of Herat has been heard since Northern Alliance forces entered the
city on 12 November.
The Iranian TV correspondent in Herat at 1030 gmt on 13 November
said "after six years of interruption, Herat's local radio resumed
its programmes in Persian [Dari] yesterday".
The correspondent may be referring to Radio Afghanistan, which was
changed to Radio Voice of Shari'ah after the Taleban came to power
in 1996. The Radio Voice of Shari'ah has a station in Herat, but its
broadcasts have not been observed by BBC Monitoring.
The Iranian TV correspondent in Herat said the radio kept asking
people to hand in their weapons to security centres and established
bases including one in a city mosque. "The radio, in its statements,
has called on the people to maintain calm and to resume their normal
professions," the correspondent said.
"At the moment the city is relatively calm. Many of the shops are
open and normal activities are continuing in Herat," the
correspondent added.
Source: Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1, Tehran, in
Persian 1030 gmt 13 Nov 01
US INFORMATION RADIO
US PsyOps broadcasts continue
US PsyOps broadcasts to Afghanistan continue. Information Radio
continues to be observed by BBC Monitoring broadcasting in Pashto
and Dari at 0030-0530 gmt and 1230-1730 gmt daily. It is heard on
8700 kHz upper sideband mode and at times on the former Kandahar
mediumwave frequency of 864 kHz. A third announced channel of 1107
kHz (former Kabul frequency) has not yet been observed by BBC
Monitoring. The 864, 980 and 1107 kHz channels are believed to be
broadcast from US PsyOps "Commando Solo" EC-130 aircraft.
AL-JAZEERA TV
Kabul office shelled; Kandahar correspondent said evacuated
Qatar's Al-Jazeera satellite TV channel at 0834 gmt on 13 November
reported that US planes had its office in Kabul overnight. The
station reported from Doha that contacts with Al-Jazeera
correspondent in Kabul Taysir Alluni had been cut. The station added
that they did not know the extent of material damage at the Kabul
office.
At 0535 gmt on 13 November, Yusuf al-Shuli, Al-Jazeera correspondent
in Kandahar confirmed that the Kabul office had been shelled.
Al-Shuli said "some shells fell on the Al-Jazeera bureau and the
houses of some Al-Jazeera staff members. Praise be to God, however,
we have been reassured that none of them was hurt".
The correspondent added that most journalists in Kabul were asked by
Northern Alliance forces to gather at the Inter-Continental Hotel
and not to leave.
The correspondent said the situation in Kandahar was calm, but
shooting could be heard from the northwest of the city.
AFP reported at 1230 gmt the Al-Jazeera's Kandahar correspondent
said he had given his last broadcast and was getting out, editorial
staff told the agency.
"Yusuf al-Shuli gave his last report from Kandahar in the middle of
the day," one editor told AFP. "He's packed his bags and gone."
Staff at Al-Jazeera told Reuters that the station had previously
asked Alluni to leave Kabul for safety reasons if Northern Alliance
forces entered the city, the agency said at 1536 gmt.
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research, 13 Nov 01 (via DXLD 1-170)
Afghanistan : Media round-up Wednesday 14 November 2001
KABUL
Radio Afghanistan
The French news agency AFP on Tuesday 13 November reported that the
most joyous sign of a more liberal Afghanistan was the music
broadcast over Radio Afghanistan for the first time in five years.
BBC Monitoring has yet not observed the reported Kabul radio
broadcasts - the station may be broadcasting on an FM or MW
frequency
using low power.
The former Taleban-controlled Radio Voice of Shari'ah has been
unheard by BBC Monitoring since 8 October.
MAZAR-E SHARIF
Balkh radio heard on 14 November
On Wednesday 14 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif - identifying itself as Balkh
radio - was monitored by the BBC from 0231-0430 gmt. The evening
broadcast began as scheduled at 1230 gmt. A female presenter opened
the broadcast, reading out a programme preview in Dari.
Balkh radio broadcasts on 1584 kHz.
14 November morning broadcast
The Balkh radio broadcast in Pashto and Dari from 0231-0430 gmt on
14 November began with music, Koranic recitation and interpretation
and songs. A 15-minute spot featured Mazar-e Sharif's residents
conveying their congratulatory messages to United Front (Northern
Alliance) officials. There were several reports on the activities of
Gen Abdorrashid Dostum, whom the radio described as "vice-president
of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and commander-in-chief of the
northern zone". Balkh radio also reported the appointment of a
number of officials, including a new head of the Afghan Red Crescent
for the northern zone and a new rector of Balkh University.
Balkh radio's broadcast from 1230-1508 gmt on 13 November included
the following:
- Music and preview.
- Recitation from the Holy Koran and interpretation.
- Congratulatory messages to Prof Burhanudin Rabbani, Gen
Abdorrashid Dostum and other officials.
- Reports on General Dostum's meetings and activities.
- Announcement by the security commission of Mazar-e Sharif ordering
all military units to vacate the city as soon as possible and to
redeploy to specified areas; no armed men are allowed to enter the
city.
- Various songs including "You broke my heart", "Come on, my dear,
come on", "It's good to hear from you", and "O my God".
- Interview with a car mechanic who was asked what stories he could
tell about the Taleban; he replied that every time, they had to
repair Taleban cars free of charge.
New heads appointed for TV, radio
On the recommendation of the High Military Council of the northern
zone, various appointments have been made in the department for
information and culture of Balkh Province, Balkh radio reported on
13 November. They included Abdorrab Jahed as head of Balkh radio and
television; Sayed Rahman Safi as general director of television
broadcasting; and Lotfollah Raoufi as general director of radio
broadcasting.
BADAKHSHAN - FAYZABAD TV
TV Badakhshan, the pro-United Front (Northern Alliance) TV station
from Fayzabad in northeastern Afghanistan, continues to be heard by
BBC Monitoring. At 1430 gmt on 13 November TV Badakhshan carried the
following report: "The city of Jalalabad, the centre of Nangarhar
Province, was freed from Taleban control and captured by the forces
of the Islamic State of Afghanistan at around 1100 hours [local
time] today as a result of operations by the forces of the Islamic
State of Afghanistan. The eastern and southern provinces of the
country continue to fall."
[TV Badakhshan is the only domestic TV station currently
broadcasting in Afghanistan. It broadcasts programmes in Dari and
Pashto. However, reception is weak and irregular. Recent station
behaviour reports noted that the station broadcasts for two hours a
day, from 1900 to 2100 local time and sometimes until 2300. It can
be seen within a 40- km radius of the town. A daily news bulletin
includes news from BBC World TV and Iranian TV.]
US INFORMATION RADIO
US PsyOps broadcasts continue
US PsyOps broadcasts to Afghanistan continue. Information Radio
continues to be observed by BBC Monitoring broadcasting in Pashto
and Dari from 0030-0530 gmt and 1230-1730 gmt daily. It is heard on
8700 kHz upper sideband mode and at times on the former Kandahar
mediumwave frequency of 864 kHz. A third announced channel of 1107
kHz (former Kabul frequency) has not yet been observed by BBC
Monitoring. The 864, 980 and 1107 kHz channels are believed to be
broadcast from US PsyOps "Commando Solo" EC-130 aircraft.
President Bush comments on airtime for Bin-Ladin, media freedom
Excerpt from press conference with President Bush and President
Vladimir Putin of Russia at the White House in Washington on 13
November; a full text of the event is available on the White House
web site, http://www.whitehouse.gov
.. [Q] A question to President Bush. His advisers expressed concern
over the situation with the freedom of speech in Russia. But after
11 September, it would seem to me that the situation is changing
somewhat in the United States, too. There are special rules for
covering - anti-terrorist operation, Bin-Ladin is denied any
opportunity to present his views in the media, quite appropriately,
in my view. And so on and so forth..
The authority of the special services have been extended, and there
have been rumours that some of your members of your administration
went to Hollywood explaining to them a few things. Where is the line
in the sand where - beyond which it is impossible to cross,
delineating a voluntary restraint on the part of the media and -
[President Bush] Yes. First of all, I have been trying to tame our
press corps ever since I got into politics, and I've failed
miserably. [Laughter] They get to express their opinions, sometimes
in the form of news - [laughter] - any way they want to.
I asked them the other day, would it be okay if I cut a 30-minute
tape, a piece of propaganda, no questions, just here - here it is,
here's 30 minutes of me talking; please run it, not only across your
airwaves but run it internationally, if you don't mind; I've got
something to say about the conflict and our fight against evil. They
said, no, they're not going to do that. If I'm going to get on the
news, they've got to ask me questions.
And so we extended the same courtesy to Usamah Bin-Ladin. He doesn't
get to just cut a 30-minute tape where he may be calling his
soldiers to action, where he is definitely condemning all Jews,
Christians, threatening individuals, to be able to put a 30-minute
propaganda tape on the free airwaves. And we made that suggestion;
we didn't dictate, we just suggested. And some of the news
organizations - or all the news organizations readily agreed that
was a responsible posture to take. And for that, I'm grateful.
But the press in America has never been stronger, and never been
freer, and never been more vibrant. Sometimes, to my chagrin, and a
lot of times to my delight. But whoever thinks that I have the
capability, or my government has the capability, of reining in this
press corps simply doesn't understand the American way.
[President Putin] I would also offer a couple of words. Today,
giving a rostrum to international terrorists would be equal to
giving an opportunity to - newspapers of the second world war times
to an opportunity to print Dr Goebbels' articles. This question
could be termed in the following way: What is the limit and what is
the measure of giving an opportunity to the terrorists and
destructive element to use media in pursuit of their anti-human,
inhuman, objectives? Let's look at it this way...
Source: US White House web site, Washington DC, in English 14 Nov 01
Radio Netherlands article surveys the media propaganda war.
The following feature entitled "Winning the Psycho War" appeared on
the Radio Netherlands "Media Network" web site on 13 November;
[see http://www.medianetwork.nl ]
Taleban reportedly threaten journalists at border refugee camp
Security was stepped up at the Pakistan-Afghan border crossing at
Chaman on Tuesday 13 November after Taleban soldiers with rocket
launchers and machine guns threatened journalists, the French news
agency AFP reported.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees spokesman Peter
Kessler said he saw three Taleban soldiers carrying rocket launchers
outside the Killi Faizo transit camp, on Pakistani territory. "They
were milling around, not looking friendly," he said.
Border security forces intervened and removed the journalists from
the area.
"An AFP reporter also saw three pickup trucks of Taleban soldiers
cruising on the Afghan side of the border, threatening to open fire
on cameramen and photographers who were filming refugees in the
Killi Faizo camp. One Taleban soldier, not armed but on Pakistan
land, was inciting the refugees to stone the journalists," the
report added.
AL-JAZEERA TV
Station's former Kabul reporter now south of capital
The former Kabul-based correspondent of the pan-Arab Al-Jazeera TV
has said there was "betrayal and surrender" among the Taleban ranks
and that Afghan anger was directed against the Arab and Pakistani
fighters.
Speaking from the city of Gardez, the capital of Paktia Province
[south of Kabul], Taysir Alluni said: "A collapse began under heavy
bombing and artillery shelling. Everything began to fall like
dominos. I cannot describe to you what happened among the ranks of
Taleban and others and among the people. I was flabbergasted,
Abd-al- Samad. Yes, there was a betrayal and surrender."
In a live telephone interview broadcast by Al-Jazeera TV on 14
November, Alluni said: "I was told that roadblocks were established
at the entrance to Kabul. A field commander stood there to stop the
vehicles. He would tell the passengers: We have no problem. You can
pass even if a brother from the Taleban movement is with you. But if
there are Arabs or Panjabis [Pakistanis] then you are in trouble."
Asked if the bombing of the Al-Jazeera office was a human error - as
a US official told Al-Jazeera - Alluni said: "I cannot say anything.
There were many errors in the US bombing. No pilots, whether
American or others, would willingly bomb a residential area or a
home for poor people to kill women and children. I suppose that
since the bomb did not hit the Al-Jazeera office directly - I know
nothing about the damage or casualties, I was told that it fell on a
nearby house and that Al-Jazeera windows were shattered - I suppose
it is an error. We are awaiting the results of the investigations
which the US defence secretary or his deputy promised."
Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 0741 gmt 14 Nov 01
[see also QATAR for more on Al-Jazeera`s changing bias]
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research 14 Nov 01 (via DXLD 1-172)
Afghanistan: Afghan media liberated as Taleban cities fall
The Northern Alliance's military victory across Afghanistan has
freed the media from the restrictive control of the Taleban.
Anti-Taleban troops swept into the key cities of northern Mazar-e
Sharif and western Herat, followed by the capital Kabul. Local radio
stations celebrated their arrival by playing music on the air for
the first time since 1996.
In Kabul, female radio presenters who had been banned from working
by the Taleban, returned to work at the former state broadcaster
Radio Afghanistan. Television broadcasting, prohibited in 1998, is
also making a comeback. Television sets, video recorders and
cassettes and satellite dishes are doing a brisk trade in Kabul as
Afghans tune into international stations.
Authorities in Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif have announced plans for a
television service. Once telecommunications links are fully
restored, the Internet - also prohibited by the Taleban- should
return to the country.
RADIO
Radio Afghanistan back on the air in Kabul
One of the signs of a more liberal Afghanistan was the music
broadcast over Radio Afghanistan for the first time in five years.
On 13 November, Radio Afghanistan was back on the air in Kabul after
the Taleban deserted the capital and Northern Alliance forces took
control of the station, AFP news agency reported.
BBC Monitoring has yet not observed the reported Kabul radio
broadcasts - the station may be broadcasting on an FM or MW
frequency using low power. The BBC's Pashto Service correspondent in
Kabul said the Alliance had brought a transmitter to the capital
from Charikar, Parwan Province.
Established in 1953, the state broadcaster Radio Afghanistan came
under Taleban control in 1996. It was renamed Radio Voice of
Shari'ah (Sada-e Shari'ah) and became the sole broadcaster operating
in Kabul and provincial centres. It was largely a platform for
official propaganda and religious sermons and claimed to be the only
broadcaster in the world where music of any kind was banned - only a
cappella singing was permitted.
When US-led air strikes began on 7 October 2001, the Taleban's
telecommunications facilities were targeted and broadcast facilities
near Kabul were said to have been destroyed.
Forty minutes before reception of the domestic and external services
was lost, the Kabul Radio Voice of Shari'ah broadcast in English on
8 October at 1530 gmt said Taleban commanders in Kabul Province
would "fight until their last drop of blood against the United
States and other invaders".
Radio Voice of Shari'ah in Kabul then resorted to broadcasting via a
low-power mobile transmitter.
A week later, Northern Alliance forces entered the capital on the
13th and for the first time in five years, residents heard music on
Kabul radio, which was identifying itself under its former title
"Radio Afghanistan". A song by popular exiled Afghan singer Farhad
Darya played before official announcements were made.
A woman presenter, Jamila Mujahid, came on the air, saying: "We have
to thank God for giving us this opportunity for Afghanistan to move
toward unity."
Three women presenters, including Jamila Mujahid, have returned to
work at Radio Afghanistan. "I don't believe this. I never thought
that a time would come when I would be reading the news again. As I
read the news this morning it was like a dream," Mujahid told AFP.
Radio Afghanistan's new director is Mohammad Alam Ezdediar (name as
received), the UK's Independent newspaper reported.
Final broadcast of Taleban radio in Balkh
On the evening of 9 November, Radio Voice of Shari'ah of Balkh
Province - the former Taleban-controlled provincial radio station
based in Mazar-e Sharif - signed on as scheduled at 1230 gmt for its
evening broadcast, but abruptly signed off at 1445 gmt (1915 local
time), 15 minutes earlier than normal.
The station said over the last two or three days opponents of the
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, along with the crusader alliance,
had taken the opportunity to claim to Western radios such as the
BBC, VOA and Iranian radio that they were on the verge of capturing
Mazar-e Sharif. Ustad Aqa, Gen Dostum and other defamed commanders
held a meeting to plan how to enter Mazar-e Sharif. These claims
broadcast on the radio were laughable, it said.
The station's final commentary said: "The US attacks on Afghanistan,
despite the killing of defenceless people, have not affected the
spirit of the Afghan people, and people are calmly continuing their
life in the big cities."
Following the news headlines, the presenter was suddenly interrupted
by another person, who said in Dari: "Here we end the evening
programme of Radio Voice of Shari'ah. We say goodbye to you till
0700 tomorrow morning [0230 gmt], when we will be at your service
again. We wish good night to you and may Almighty God bless you."
The following day, Northern Alliance forces swept into Mazar-e
Sharif and took control of the local Radio Voice of Shari'ah
station.
"Balkh Radio" in Mazar-e Sharif city falls to Northern Alliance
On 10 November, the new Northern Alliance-controlled "Balkh Radio"
began broadcasting at dawn (0223 gmt). It carried an announcement in
Dari saying that the city had been taken by the forces of the
Northern Alliance.
"Dear pious and Muslim compatriots, peace be with you," the
announcement began.
"We congratulate you from the bottom of our heart on the victory of
the Islamic State of Afghanistan."
The station appealed to residents of Mazar-e Sharif to continue with
their normal life "and help the armed forces of the Islamic State of
Afghanistan". It also announced an amnesty for people who had
previously backed the Taleban and urged citizens to refrain from
fighting and instead to help the government.
A female presenter has given announcements on Balkh Radio. The
station continues to broadcast on the former Radio Voice of Shari'ah
frequency of 1584 kHz mediumwave.
Alliance take Herat; new station heard
Iranian TV reported that Dari-language radio in the western city of
Herat was heard after Northern Alliance forces entered the city on
12 November.
The Iranian TV correspondent in Herat on 13 November said "after six
years of interruption, Herat's local radio resumed its programmes in
Persian [Dari] yesterday".
The Iranian TV correspondent in Herat said the radio kept asking
people to hand in their weapons to security centres and established
bases including one in a city mosque. "The radio, in its statements,
has called on the people to maintain calm and to resume their normal
professions," the correspondent said.
The station has identified itself as "Radio Herat".
Kandahar still under Taleban control
As of 15 November, the southern city of Kandahar, headquarters of
the Taleban and home to its leader Mola Mohammad Omar, had not
fallen to opposition forces. The Taleban-controlled Radio Voice of
Shari'ah in Kandahar broadcasts on 864 kHz mediumwave. US PsyOps
radio occasionally uses this frequency to broadcast to Kandahar.
TELEVISION
TV Badakhshan
TV Badakhshan broadcasts in Fayzabad, capital of northeastern
Badakhshan Province, which is under United Front (Northern Alliance)
control. It was set up in July 1985 and was reportedly broadcasting
on VHF channel 12.
The station broadcasts for two hours a day, from 1430 to 1630/1730
gmt [1900 to 2100/2200 local time] and sometimes until 2300. It can
be seen within a 40-km radius of the town.
A daily local news bulletin is broadcast in Dari at 1430 gmt for
around five minutes. The TV reportedly includes news from BBC World
TV and Iranian TV. The station also airs Indian films.
On 14 November, TV Badakhshan reported that the eastern city of
Jalalabad was freed from Taleban control and captured by the anti-
Taleban forces at around 1100 hours local time, on 13 November. The
eastern and southern provinces of the country were continuing to
fall, it said.
"TV Afghanistan" to return to Kabul
The UK's Independent newspaper on 15 November said TV Afghanistan,
which was defunct under the Taleban, was being re-established. The
new acting head of the station, Daud Naimi, told the paper that they
expected to start broadcasting soon even though the transmission
tower near the capital was destroyed by US bombs.
Mazar-e Sharif TV to go on air "very soon" - United Front spokesman
Anti-Taleban United Front commander Gen Abdorrashid Dostum's
spokesman in Pakistan told the Iranian news agency IRNA on 11
November that television broadcasts would begin "very soon" in
northern Balkh Province.
Balkh Radio reported on 13 November that a head of Balkh radio and
television, a general director of television broadcasting and a
general director of radio broadcasting had been appointed.
NEWS AGENCIES
Bakhtar Information Agency
On 13 November, Northern Alliance forces took control of the Kabul
office of Bakhtar Information Agency, formerly the official news
agency of the Taleban.
AFP news agency quoted Iranian TV as saying that the Northern
Alliance had taken control of the presidential palace and other
major public buildings in Kabul, including Bakhtar Information
Agency.
The agency's office in Mazar-e Sharif, Balkh Province, has operated
free from Taleban control after the Northern Alliance reclaimed the
city on 13 November.
FOREIGN MEDIA
US Information Radio
Since the start of the US military campaign, US psychological
operations or PsyOps radio has broadcast in Pashto and Dari from
0030-0530 gmt and 1230-1730 gmt daily.
Planes have dropped leaflets in Dari, Pashto and English over
Afghanistan giving the three frequencies for US PsyOps "Information
Radio". It is heard on 8700 kHz upper sideband mode and at times on
the former Kandahar mediumwave frequency of 864 kHz. A third
announced channel of 1107 kHz (former Kabul frequency) has not yet
been observed by BBC Monitoring. The 864, 980 and 1107 kHz channels
are believed to be broadcast from US PsyOps "Commando Solo" EC-130
aircraft.
The US PsyOps broadcasts are aimed at winning Afghan support for US
military action against Usamah Bin-Ladin and his Al-Qa'idah group.
On 11 November, US PsyOps radio aired a message thanking the Afghan
people for listening to its broadcasts.
"Noble people of Afghanistan. The coalition countries will continue
their assistance to the Afghan people in the coming winter. We will
continue to drop food to you by our aircraft. We know that this is a
difficult season of the year. We know that you are suffering. In
order to demonstrate our support for the struggle of the Afghan
people we will continue to provide the assistance that we began."
Another broadcast warned: "You have two options: Support the Taleban
and face defeat, or join your Afghan brothers in their resistance
against the Taleban. Some of your leaders along with their soldiers
have decided to abandon the Taleban. If you are with the Taleban and
fight, you will be killed. You have to make a decision finally. Why
don't you leave the Taleban now?"
Al-Jazeera TV
Al-Jazeera (The Peninsula), a popular Arabic satellite TV news
channel, was for some time, the only foreign broadcaster allowed to
operate in Taleban-controlled Kabul and Kandahar.
Usamah Bin-Ladin has in the past used Al-Jazeera as a platform to
communicate his views to the world, prompting the US government to
express concerns to the Qatari Emir over the channel's exclusive
access to Bin-Ladin and his Al-Qa'idah organization.
On 13 November, the station's headquarters in Doha, Qatar, reported
that US planes had attacked its office in Kabul overnight. The
following day, Kabul correspondent Taysir Alluni spoke live to Doha
from the city of Gardez, the capital of Paktia Province located
south of Kabul. Al-Jazeera TV said Alluni was assaulted after
leaving the capital but would not say who the attackers were.
On 12 October, the BBC office in Kabul was also hit by a bomb as
Northern Alliance forces attacked the capital. BBC correspondent
William Reeve was in the office when a bomb fell just outside the
building, smashing all the windows. He was not injured in the blast.
The Associated Press office in Kabul was also damaged.
The Kandahar correspondent reported on 13 November that most
journalists in Kabul were asked by Northern Alliance forces to
gather at the Inter-Continental Hotel and not to leave.
Later that day, Al-Jazeera's Kandahar correspondent left Kandahar
for Quetta in Pakistan.
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Tel: + 44 118 948 6261; e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research, 15 Nov 01 (via DXLD 1-172)
Afghanistan: Media round-up Thursday 15 November 2001
KABUL
Radio Afghanistan
BBC Monitoring has yet not observed the reported Kabul radio
broadcasts - the station may be broadcasting on an FM or MW
frequency using low power. The BBC Pashto correspondent in Kabul
reported that the Northern Alliance have moved a radio transmitter
from Charikar, in Parwan Province, to the capital.
The former Taleban-controlled Radio Voice of Shari'ah was last heard
by BBC Monitoring on its shortwave frequency of 7085 kHz, on 8
October.
MAZAR-E SHARIF
Balkh Radio heard on 15 November
On Thursday 15 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif - identifying itself as Balkh
Radio - was monitored by the BBC from 0231-0430 gmt. The evening
broadcast began as scheduled at 1230 gmt.
Balkh Radio broadcasts on 1584 kHz.
15 November morning broadcast
The Balkh Radio broadcast in Pashto and Dari from 0231-0430 gmt on
15
November began with music, recitation and interpretation of the
Koran and religious songs.
The radio said people had been sending messages to the president of
the Islamic State of Afghanistan, Borhanoddin Rabbani, to anti-
Taleban commander Gen Abdorrashid Dostum and other officials to
congratulate them on their victory over the Taleban and pledge
cooperation.
The radio carried several reports about the activities of Gen Dostum
including a report about the meeting he chaired of the High Military
Council of the northern zone, held in Mazar-e Sharif on 14 November,
which discussed security and other issues. A meeting of officials
and staff of the health department was held in Mazar-e Sharif today
to discuss current issues. Female and male students congratulated
President Rabbani on the Alliance's victory and thanked them for
providing the opportunity for women study and work. Songs, and also
women conveying their message of condolence on Ahmad Shah Masud's
death and congratulating on the Alliance's victory.
14 November broadcast
Balkh Radio's broadcast from 1230-1508 gmt on 14 November included
messages to the president of the Islamic State of Afghanistan,
Borhannodin Rabbani, and the commander-in-chief of the northern
zone, Gen Dostum, and other officials to congratulate them on their
victory over the Taleban and pledge cooperation. The radio announced
that a security body has been set up to ensure security and protect
people's lives and property. Listeners were also reminded that it is
prohibited to sell or buy the medicines and medical equipment marked
as belonging to the UN.
HERAT
Radio Herat
The BBC monitored a station identifying itself as Radio Herat
broadcasting in Dari from the western city of Herat at 0230 gmt on
14 November. Iranian TV reported on 13 November that a radio station
was on the air after anti-Taleban forces took control of the city:
"...After six years of interruption, Herat's local radio resumed its
programmes in Persian [Dari] yesterday."
Reception of the 14 November broadcast of Radio Herat ranged from
poor to inaudible. A male announcer began the broadcast: "Dear
listeners, peace be upon you. We are at your service from Radio
Herat."
Radio Herat included the following items in its 0230 gmt broadcast:
- Esteemed Alhaj Mohammad Esmail, the governor of Herat Province,
yesterday arrived in the city of Herat and was warmly welcomed by
tens of thousands of people. After his victorious arrival in the
ancient city of Herat he met a number of religious scholars, elders
and officials and stressed the need for the establishment of a
powerful and independent army in the country which would be capable
of safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country.
- Esteemed Alhaj Mohammad Esmail yesterday afternoon, after
performing afternoon prayers in the grand communal mosque of Herat
city, delivered a speech at a gathering of tens of thousands of our
compatriots. In his speech, he congratulated the people on the
conquest of Herat, the fall of Taleban and assured people of the
restoration of their legitimate rights.
US INFORMATION RADIO
US PsyOps broadcasts continue
US PsyOps Information Radio continues to be observed by BBC
Monitoring broadcasting in Pashto and Dari to Afghanistan from 0030-
0530 gmt and 1230-1730 gmt daily. It is heard on 8700 kHz upper
sideband mode and at times on the former Kandahar mediumwave
frequency of 864 kHz. A third announced channel of 1107 kHz (former
Kabul frequency) has not yet been observed by BBC Monitoring. The
864, 980 and 1107 kHz channels are believed to be broadcast from US
PsyOps "Commando Solo" EC-130 aircraft.
FOREIGN MEDIA
Al-Jazeera TV's former Kabul correspondent reportedly assaulted
Al-Jazeera TV at 0552 gmt on 15 November broadcast a live telephone
interview with its former Kabul correspondent Taysir Alluni from an
unspecified location in Afghanistan.
Alluni had left Kabul after the Taleban evacuated the capital on 12
November. Reuters news agency said Alluni had narrowly escaped a US
missile strike on his office in Kabul, only to be shot at and beaten
by angry anti-Taleban Afghans.
Alluni reappeared on Al-Jazeera TV two days later after leaving the
capital. Alluni said that minutes after he and his crew evacuated
the city on 12 November, Al-Jazeera's offices there were hit by a US
missile.
Alluni said: "My experience has been bitter... I can't speak about
it...we have seen things I never dreamt of seeing. What I saw is
indescribable. I confess I am psychologically shocked."
Later, fleeing to the eastern province of Paktia, they were
harassed, shot at and beaten up by anti-Taleban Afghans, Reuters
reported.
Alluni said the Taleban had abandoned Paktia, adding: "We had a big
problem that endangered our lives... There was a barrier manned by
irresponsible young people who opened fire on us, took our car,
stripped us of everything we had and searched our pockets."
"Then these men (rescuers) came and returned our car and all our
belongings and apologized for what we had gone through, in terms of
humiliation and beating," Alluni said. He did not say why he thought
his team had been attacked.
Al-Jazeera Washington correspondent arrested, later released
Al-Jazeera satellite television reported on 14 November that US
police had arrested Muhammad al-Alami, the Al-Jazeera correspondent
in Washington.
Al-Jazeera said Muhammad Al-Alami was arrested as he was on his way
to cover the Russian-American summit in Texas. Speaking from Waco
airport where he was detained, Al-Alami said he was told he was held
because the credit card he used was, as he put it, linked to
Afghanistan. Muhammad Al-Alami was later released.
Al-Jazeera TV's coverage of Afghan war loses pro-Taleban edge
With the advance of anti-Taleban forces and the departure of Al-
Jazeera's correspondents from Kabul and Kandahar, the Qatar-based TV
station's reporting from Afghanistan no longer predominantly
reflects the Taleban perspective. Al-Jazeera is now showing the
Afghan people's positive reaction to the Taleban retreat and is
using CNN coverage to compensate for the loss of its access.
Following reports on 13 November that US planes had attacked its
office in Kabul and contact had been lost with correspondent Taysir
Alluni, Al-Jazeera became reliant on feeds from CNN for live
coverage from Kabul, changing the coverage perspective.
During its 1230 gmt news bulletin on 13 November, for example, the
station interviewed CNN correspondent Matthew Chance via telephone
from Kabul. He reported that there was "anger" directed at the
Taleban among people on the street. On 14 November, Al-Jazeera
broadcast a live interview from Kabul with CNN correspondent
Christian Amanpour reporting that there is "no sense of anarchy" or
"chaos".
Al-Jazeera's video reporting on the situation in Kabul showed
popular rejoicing at the Taleban forces' departure.
The station has been repeatedly showing people celebrating in the
streets, men getting shaved and music being played, all activities
which were previously banned by the Taleban.
This more balanced approach was also apparent when Al-Jazeera's
Kandahar correspondent Yusuf al-Shuli began reporting from Quetta,
Pakistan, on 14 November.
Al-Shuli said that those Afghan refugees who opposed the Taleban
were happy that the "Taleban is about to be wiped out, as they put
it", and that they were making preparations to "return to what they
called liberated Afghanistan".
This different perspective on the part of Al-Jazeera was, however,
less apparent in Taysir Alluni's reporting from the capital of
Paktia Province, where he fled after the bombing of his Kabul
office.
While noting on 14 November the Afghan people's "anger against the
Arab fighters", he continued to report on civilian casualties from
US bombing.
Al-Jazeera compensated for its lack of first-hand reporting on 14
November by giving greater airtime to other sources, broadcasting 23
minutes of a press conference by the Northern Alliance foreign
minister, 20 minutes of the Bush-Putin press conference live from
the White House, and 16 minutes of US Defence Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld's press conference live from the Pentagon.
US says reported bombing of Kabul office under investigation
Pentagon spokesman Rear-Adm Craig R. Quigley, has told an Al-Jazeera
TV reporter that "human errors" were made during the US bombing
campaign in Afghanistan. Qatar-based Al-Jazeera reported on 13
November that its Kabul office was destroyed by US bombing. Quigley
said an investigation was under way into the reported bombing of Al-
Jazeera premises. Following is an excerpt of a press briefing given
by Quigley at the Foreign Press Centre, Washington DC, on 13
November:
[Nadia Rahman from Al-Jazeera TV] This morning, an Al-Jazeera office
was destroyed by a US missile in Kabul. This is according to a CNN
crew that went to the site to inspect the site afterwards, and they
reported back to the headquarters of the Al-Jazeera in Qatar. Also,
the BBC and APTN offices nearby were affected. What information do
you have about that, and how would you explain this incident?
[Quigley] I have seen the news reports that report, as you say, that
some sort of weapon went awry and destroyed those facilities. What
we have done since the earliest days of the military portion of the
campaign against terrorism is to try our very best every day, every
hour of every day, to only target military targets. But despite our
best efforts, some weapons have failed and some human errors have
been made, resulting in targets being struck that we did not intend
to strike.
We do not have people on the ground everywhere to give us reliable
real-time information as to the status of those. So what we do is we
go back and we review the strike planning. We review the reports
that we have from our aircrews, as well as from people on the
ground. We take a look at overhead imagery.
And we put all the parts of this puzzle together. And if it is shown
by our analysis that our weapons were at fault, we stand up and say
so. We're not to that point yet. But if that would be the case, that
is what you will hear from us...
[Rahman] Surely in whatever wars or whatever conflicts, there's
always a gathering of various news agencies, and that gathering is
quite clear and the military tends to know about the whereabouts of
these media organizations. You must have had information about where
Al-Jazeera, BBC, APTN [Associated Press Television News] and others
in the area are.
[Quigley] I don't know that we do. Typically when we have that
knowledge, it is always - you always have much better knowledge of
what is on the ground if you have troops on the ground and can see
it. Aerial photography and intelligence reporting and things of that
sort are all useful, but they're never a substitute for the clarity
that you get from seeing things with your own eyes with troops on
the
ground. And we don't have that, certainly not in all areas.
So we - as I said, what we have done is try very hard to find out
what did happen here. And if we misidentified a target, if a human
error was made, if a weapon malfunctioned in some way resulting in
our weapon being the cause of that destruction, we will say so and
we will try our very best to explain how that happened...
CPJ concerned over US missile "attack" on Al-Jazeera TV
New York, 13 November: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is
deeply concerned about the destruction of the Kabul offices of Al-
Jazeera, the Qatar-based, Arabic-language satellite television
station.
The building that housed the station was destroyed by a missile
fired by a US warplane early Tuesday [13 November] morning,
according to international news reports. No injuries have been
reported.
The target of the missile attack remains unclear. The Kabul
neighbourhood that houses the Al-Jazeera office was also home to
several Taleban officials and the Taleban Ministry for the
Suppression of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue.
A Pentagon spokesperson told CPJ that they were investigating
reports of the bombing.
"Al-Jazeera is a vital source of news and information about the
conflict in Afghanistan," said CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper.
"We are relieved that no lives were lost in the incident and we hope
that Al-Jazeera will resume its Afghanistan coverage without delay."
At 1:30 a.m. [2100 gmt] today Kabul time, a US warplane flew over
Kabul, and reporters heard two loud explosions, Agence France-Presse
[AFP] reported. A guard at the Al-Jazeera office told the Associated
Press [AP] that a missile landed on the office but did not explode.
The attacks came as Taleban soldiers retreated from Kabul while
Northern Alliance opposition forces took over control of the city.
CPJ is also investigating reports that offices of the BBC and The
Associated Press were damaged during recent bombings in Kabul.
Windows were shattered and equipment was destroyed at the BBC office
in Kabul during a bombing late yesterday afternoon Kabul time, but
nobody was injured, according to BBC sources in London...
Source: Committee to Protect Journalists press release, New York, in
English 13 Nov 01
IFJ expresses concern over media in firing line
Excerpt from press release in English from the International
Federation of Journalists on 14 November
The world's largest journalists' group, the International Federation
of Journalists [IFJ], today expressed concern over the bombing of
the independent Arab satellite television network Al-Jazeera shortly
before Northern Alliance forces entered Kabul today [13 November].
The offices, including much sophisticated broadcasting equipment,
were destroyed but apparently, no one was hurt. Managing Director
Muhammad Jasim al-Ali said its 10 staffers were believed to be safe
but their whereabouts were unknown. The missile also damaged the
offices of The Associated Press and the BBC in Kabul.
"This strike raises concerns over whether or not media are being
targeted," said Aidan White, general secretary of the IFJ, "Al-
Jazeera is a controversial broadcaster for many western observers,
but it has professional credibility and standing in the Arab world."
Two years ago, the IFJ criticized NATO for bombing Radio Television
Serbia in Belgrade during air strikes in the Kosovo conflict.
The Al-Jazeera managing director would not say if the station was
deliberately targeted "but they know where we are located, they know
what we have in our office and we did not get any warning", he told
news media.
The offices of Al-Jazeera are close to the Taleban Ministry for the
Suppression of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue. Taleban anti-
aircraft positions were located on a hill nearby and the
neighbourhood, Wazir Akbar Khan, was home to many Taleban officials
who have now fled the city.
The IFJ has called for an assurance from the United States and their
allies that media are not being targeted in the current conflict.
"It is not clear what happened here, but this is not a war against
journalism," said Aidan White, "all sides should make it clear that
media are protected under the Geneva Conventions and will not be
targeted." ...
For further information, contact the IFJ, International Press
Center, Residence Palace 155, Rue de la Loi - Bloc C, B-1040
Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +322 235 2200 or +322 235 22 01; Fax: +322
235 22 19; E-mail: safety@ifj.org ; Internet: http://www.ifj.org/
Source: International Federation of journalists press release,
Brussels, in English 14 Nov 01
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research, 15 Nov 01
Afghanistan: Media round-up Friday 16 November
KABUL
Radio Afghanistan
BBC Monitoring has yet not observed the reported Kabul radio
broadcasts - the station may be broadcasting on an FM or MW
frequency using low power. The BBC Pashto correspondent in Kabul
reported on 15 November that the Northern Alliance have moved a
radio transmitter from Charikar, in Parwan Province, to Kabul. Voice
of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, reported on 16 November
that Radio Kabul (Radio Afghanistan according to other reports) had
started broadcasting for three hours per day. However, a report on
BBC News 24 TV said Radio Afghanistan was broadcasting for seven
hours a day as before - three hours in the morning and four in the
evening.
BBC Monitoring is investigating reports that Radio Afghanistan is
broadcasting on or around 1548 kHz mediumwave.
According to a correspondent of Iran's Voice and Vision in
Afghanistan, "Radio Kabul" (presumably Radio Afghanistan) programmes
will be broadcast on 1530 kHz frequency mediumwave.
Iran's Voice and Vision reporter in Afghanistan added that Abdol
Aziz Mansur has been appointed minister of information and culture
and director of the Bakhtar news agency. Izatiyar (name phonetic)
has been appointed director of Kabul radio and television. They have
assumed their duties in Kabul.
The former Taleban-controlled Radio Voice of Shari'ah was last heard
by BBC Monitoring on its shortwave frequency of 7085 kHz, on 8
October.
Television to resume "soon"
The Egyptian news agency MENA on 16 November cited a report by
Qatar- based Al-Jazeera TV saying that Afghanistan TV "is expected
to start its transmission soon".
Source: MENA news agency, Cairo, in English 1258 gmt 16 Nov 01
Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, reported on 16
November that Kabul television would soon begin operations.
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Dari 0300
gmt 16 Nov 01
MAZAR-E SHARIF
Balkh Radio heard on 16 November
On Friday 16 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif - identifying itself as Balkh
Radio - was monitored by the BBC from 0430-0550 gmt. The evening
broadcast began as scheduled at 1235 gmt and signed off at 1510 gmt.
Balkh Radio broadcasts on 1584 kHz.
16 November morning broadcast
Balkh Radio's morning broadcast in Pashto and Dari was monitored by
the BBC from 0430-0550 gmt 16 November. The broadcast began with
recitation and interpretation of some verses from the Koran. The
0500 gmt news in Pashto was a repeat of the 1330 gmt Balkh Radio
news from the 15 November.
15 November broadcast
Balkh Radio's broadcast from 1230-1530 gmt on 15 November began with
music, recitation and interpretation of the Holy Koran, this was
followed by a cleric explaining the superiority and virtue of the
month of Ramadan. The 1330 gmt news in Pashto reported various
meetings held by Gen Abdorrashid Dostum, including those with a
number of people's representatives from various districts and
villages of the northern zone. The radio also reported that the head
of the department for foreign affairs had met the head of the
department for telecommunications on 15 November, to discuss issues
relevant to the start of communications with other provinces. Balkh
Radio also reported the arrival of the first shipment of UN
humanitarian aid.
HERAT
Radio Herat
The BBC monitored a station identifying itself as Radio Herat
broadcasting in Dari from the western city of Herat at 0230 gmt on
14 November.
US INFORMATION RADIO
US PsyOps broadcasts continue
US PsyOps Information Radio continues to be observed by BBC
Monitoring broadcasting in Pashto and Dari to Afghanistan from 0030-
0530 gmt and 1230-1730 gmt daily. It is heard on 8700 kHz upper
sideband mode and at times on the former Kandahar mediumwave
frequency of 864 kHz. A third announced channel of 1107 kHz (former
Kabul frequency) has not yet been observed by BBC Monitoring. The
864, 980 (reportedly a relay of Voice Of America) and 1107 kHz
channels are believed to be broadcast from US PsyOps "Commando Solo"
EC-130 aircraft.
FOREIGN MEDIA
HCJB World Radio starts broadcasts in Dari
The Ecuador-based Christian evangelical station, HCJB World Radio,
has announced the start of Dari-language broadcasts, the station
reported in a press release.
World Radio President David Johnson announced on 16 November that in
cooperation with the Christian station FEBA Radio, Dari programmes
have been broadcast from a transmitter site outside Afghanistan
since 28 October. They consist of four weekly 15-minute programmes
at 2015 local time (1545 gmt) every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and
Thursday.
Roger Stubbe of HCJB World Radio's International Radio Group in
Colorado Springs, Colorado, said: "We arranged to use the same
transmitting facilities that air programmes in Turkmen and Southern
Uzbek - also major languages spoken in Afghanistan. It seemed
logical to strengthen the radio ministry to this part of the world
by adding Dari. This is an official language of Afghanistan, so
nearly everyone in the country speaks it at least a little."
HJCB's existing broadcasts for Central Asia are broadcast via
transmitting facilities in the UK. The addition of the Dari
transmissions doubles the total number of hours that HCJB World
Radio broadcasts to Afghanistan.
HCJB World Radio has ministries in more than 100 countries and
broadcasts the gospel in more than 100 languages and dialects, the
press release said.
Source: HCJB World Radio press release, Colorado Springs, in English
16 Nov 01
Al-Jazeera TV shows destroyed Kabul office "targeted" by US
Al-Jazeera TV has shown a video clip from international news
agencies of the station's office in Kabul, which was reportedly
destroyed by US missiles on 13 November.
Al-Jazeera said the footage showed the "Al-Jazeera television office
in Kabul, which was targeted by US missiles and which was heavily
damaged by the US bombardment on positions, which - according to the
United States - belong to the Taleban movement".
Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 2120 gmt 14 Nov 01
Pakistan's media reassure population, advocate broad-based Afghan
government
Since the fall of Kabul, Pakistan's government-controlled media have
sought to reassure Pakistanis that despite the rapidly changing
situation in Afghanistan, developments are continuing to move in a
direction favourable to Pakistan. These media have also signalled
Islamabad's strong opposition to a Northern Alliance takeover of
Afghanistan. Pakistan's relatively free press has generally been
pessimistic about recent Afghan developments.
Pakistani TV and radio reporting on Afghanistan over the last few
days suggests that the Musharraf government is trying to reassure
Pakistanis that it is actively protecting Pakistan's interests and
that its policy on a future Afghan government is moving forward.
Government spokesmen stated on 15 November that developments in
Afghanistan "pose no threat" to Pakistan and that "nobody will be
allowed to enter" Pakistan without "valid travel documents" (Radio
Pakistan).
While reiterating Pakistan's calls for the establishment of a broad-
based transitional Afghan government, media are also stressing that
the UN is in fact moving rapidly on a "political blueprint" for just
such a government (Pakistan TV, 15 November).
Although the Foreign Office spokesman noted that there have been
"killings of innocent civilians" in Kabul, media have also reassured
Pakistanis that reprisals against ethnic Pashtuns in Afghanistan are
unlikely. On 15 November, spokesmen stated that "local commanders
and tribal elders" are moving to take charge in Pashtun-dominated
areas and there are "no worries about any large-scale ethnic
clashes"
(Radio Pakistan, 14, 15 November).
Selective TV and radio treatment of developments in Afghanistan also
stresses that Pakistan continues to oppose a wholesale takeover by
the Northern Alliance.
A Foreign Office spokesman stated on 14 November that the Alliance
"must not occupy Kabul," asserting that the city must be
demilitarized and a multinational force be sent there quickly to
remedy the "situation" (Radio Pakistan).
Pakistan TV has so far not reported Afghans celebrating the
Alliance's victories.
Comment in the relatively free Pakistani press has generally been
critical of the US, with the fundamentalist Urdu-language Ausaf
blasting Washington for not preventing the Northern Alliance from
entering Kabul and the respected Nawa-I-Waqt accusing the US of
working with India and Russia to lay "siege" to Pakistan (14
November).
Source: BBC Monitoring research 15 Nov 01
Chinese report says Al-Jazeera plans Jalalabad bureau
The Qatari-based Arab satellite TV news channel, Al-Jazeera, is
planning to establish a "reporter centre" in the eastern Afghan city
of Jalalabad, the Chinese Communist Party newspaper Renmin Ribao,
reported on 16 November. Al-Jazeera already has offices in both
Kabul and Kandahar.
Source: Renmin Ribao web site, Beijing in English 16 Nov 01
Bin-Ladin said to have fled to Pakistan - Iranian radio
"It has been reported in Pakistan that Usamah Bin-Ladin has fled to
the Manatiq-e Azad (free areas) of Pakistan via a road in the
country's Tribal Areas," Iranian radio broadcasting from Mashhad
reported on Friday 16 November.
"An informed source said in a telephone interview with the Pashto
service of the Islamic Republic of Iran's radio today, Friday:
Usamah Bin-Ladin has most likely abandoned Afghanistan for the
Manatiq-e Azad of Pakistan to save his life.
"The source added: The area where Bin-Ladin may have entered could
be Tirah [southwest of Peshawar, near the Pakistani-Afghan border]
or another free area not far from Tirah. The source considers the
reason for Usamah Bin-Ladin's entry to the areas is his great
influence in them. It added: A Taleban-style force has been set up
in the Tirah area over the past few years, and it has always created
many problems for the Pakistani government."
Russia TV spoke on 16 November of reports that Bin-Ladin bodyguards
have been seen near the northern Afghan city of Konduz.
"A few hours hours ago, reports emerged that terrorist no 1, Usamah
Bin-Ladin, may have landed in Konduz," the TV's correspondent
reported at 1100 gmt.
"Sources in the political leadership of the Northern Alliance report
that his bodyguards have been seen on the outskirts of the town. It
is in Konduz that the largest contingent of Taleban are concentrated
- 15,000-30,000 of them. And these are the most radically-minded
fighters. They include Chechens and Pakistanis."
Sources:
Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Dari 0930 gmt 16
Nov 01
Russia TV, Moscow, in Russian 1100 gmt 16 Nov 01
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research 16 Nov 01 (via DXLD 1-173)
Ed. Note: After 7-day-a-week operation since Sept. 11, BBC
Monitoring are apparently taking this Saturday Nov. 17 off, with no
new material issued. Our appreciation for a job well done!
(G.Hauser-USA in DXLD 1-173)
Afghanistan : Media round-up Sunday 18 November
KABUL
Radio Afghanistan
BBC Monitoring has yet not observed the reported Kabul radio
broadcasts - the station may be broadcasting on an FM or MW
frequency using low power. The BBC Pashto correspondent in Kabul
reported on 15 November that the Northern Alliance have moved a
radio transmitter from Charikar, in Parwan Province, to Kabul.
Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, reported on 16
November that Radio Kabul (Radio Afghanistan according to other
reports) had started broadcasting for three hours per day. However,
a report on BBC News 24 TV said Radio Afghanistan was broadcasting
for seven hours a day as before - three hours in the morning and
four in the evening. The director of Radio Afghanistan, in an
interview for India's Star News TV on 16 November, also said the
radio was transmitting for three hours in the morning and four hours
in the evening daily.
BBC Monitoring is investigating reports that Radio Afghanistan is
broadcasting on or around 1548 kHz mediumwave.
According to a correspondent of Iran's Voice and Vision in
Afghanistan, "Radio Kabul" (presumably Radio Afghanistan) programmes
will be broadcast on 1530 kHz frequency mediumwave.
Iran's Voice and Vision reporter in Afghanistan added that Abdol
Aziz Mansur has been appointed minister of information and culture
and director of the Bakhtar news agency. Izatiyar (name phonetic;
rendered elsewhere as Mohammad Alam Ezdediar) has been appointed
director of Kabul radio and television. They have assumed their
duties in Kabul.
The former Taleban-controlled Radio Voice of Shari'ah was last heard
by BBC Monitoring on its shortwave frequency of 7085 kHz, on 8
October.
Television resumes broadcasting
Kabul Television began work again on the evening of Saturday 17
November, Iranian radio reported from Kabul.
An Iranian correspondent in the city said that the television
station had begun operating with the assistance of engineers from
Iran's state broadcasting company, the Voice and Vision. The report
did not make clear whether the TV had begun broadcasting.
[On 18 November Reuters news agency said Kabul Television had come
back on the air that day with a three-hour programme introduced by a
16-year-old Afghan girl.
"Wearing a stylish brown and cream headscarf, Mariam Shakebar
welcomed back the capital's viewers and outlined the evening's
entertainment of a reading from the Koran followed by music,
cartoons, interviews and news in Dari and Pashto.
"Co-presenter Shamsuddin Hamid, in dark glasses and sporting a day-
old stubble, thanked all those who had worked to bring the station
back on air just six days after Taliban forces fled the capital and
the Northern Alliance took control."]
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, in Persian
2030 gmt 17 Nov 01
MAZAR-E SHARIF
Balkh Radio heard on 18 November
On Sunday 18 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif - identifying itself as Balkh
Radio - was monitored by the BBC from 0228 gmt. The evening
broadcasts began as scheduled at 1222 gmt, ending at 1506 gmt.
Balkh Radio broadcasts on 1584 kHz.
18 November morning broadcast
Balkh Radio's morning broadcast in Pashto and Dari was monitored by
the BBC from 0228-0430 gmt on 16 November. The broadcast featured
music, songs, recitation from the Koran and announcements. It also
included news bulletins in Dari and Turkmen, largely repeating the
news in Pashto from 1330 gmt on 17 November.
16-17 November broadcasts
Balkh Radio's evening broadcast on 16 November carried an
announcement by the radio and television department of Balkh
Province saying the department needed Pashto and Uzbek speakers.
The station added that during the month of Ramadan, there will be a
pause for 15 minutes after the call to prayers to break the Ramadan
fast every evening, and then broadcasting will continue until 1930
local time (1500 gmt).
The broadcast also included a talk by Abdurrauf Tawana, head of the
Department of Hajj and Endowment, explaining the excellence of the
holy month of Ramadan and quoting Koranic verses; an interview with
Shujaudin, deputy head of the Mazar-e Sharif general national
security department of the northern zone, who congratulated people
on the victory over the Taleban and said the security situation in
the town had improved for citizens; and interviews with guardians of
the shrine at Roza-e Mubarak, which had been closed by the Taleban.
Balkh radio on 17 November reported that the chairman of the
Department of Foreign Affairs of the northern zone (Sayed Nurollah)
had visited the Department of Information and Culture and the Radio
and Television Department of Balkh Province and "given assurances
that he would give all possible assistance in getting radio and
television back on the air".
The evening broadcast on 17 November included reports on the
activities of Ustad Ata Mohammad, who is in charge of the political
and military affairs of the northern zone; the "Sports world"
programme, in which the presenter introduced a feature on the
benefits of jogging; a report and interview with the deputy head of
the high council of Wahdat of Samangan, who described the crimes
committed by the Taleban in Dara-e Suf following the popular
uprising; and a talk by a doctor about children's diseases.
HERAT
Radio Herat
The BBC continues to monitor a station identifying itself as Radio
Herat broadcasting in Dari from the western city of Herat.
The Radio Herat news bulletin monitored at 0330 gmt on 18 November
included the following reports:
- Ismael Khan (commander of the forces who seized Herat from Taleban
control) gave an interview to a US newspaper and talked about the
importance of the rights of women, the opening of girls' schools and
future plans for reconstruction.
- A group of foreign journalists has arrived in Herat Province.
- World news media report on the resumption of the programmes of
Radio Afghanistan from Kabul. The resumption of Kabul radio
broadcasts is good news for its listeners. Internal sources have not
yet confirmed the report.
- Messages of congratulations to Ismael Khan on the capture of
Herat.
US INFORMATION RADIO
US PsyOps broadcasts continue
US PsyOps Information Radio continues to be observed by BBC
Monitoring broadcasting in Pashto and Dari to Afghanistan from 0030-
0530 gmt and 1230-1730 gmt daily. It is heard on 8700 kHz upper
sideband mode and at times on the former Kandahar mediumwave
frequency of 864 kHz. A third announced channel of 1107 kHz (former
Kabul frequency) has not yet been observed by BBC Monitoring. The
864, 980 (reportedly a relay of Voice Of America) and 1107 kHz
channels are believed to be broadcast from US PsyOps "Commando Solo"
EC-130 aircraft.
FOREIGN MEDIA
Al-Jazeera denies having turned down videotape from Al-Qa'idah group
The Qatar-based satellite news channel Al-Jazeera on 17 November
dismissed press reports that it had refused to broadcast the latest
prerecorded message from the Al-Qa'idah organization, associated
with Usamah Bin-Ladin, the French news agency AFP reported.
"We have never received any tape of this kind. If others arrange for
such a tape, as they claim, then they'll air it," said Muhammad
Jassim al-Ali, Al-Jazeera's director. "In all cases, we carry
ourselves no matter what the subject by a purely professional
criteria and have no other motives."
The Lebanese newspaper Al-Mustaqbal had reported on 16 November that
the Al-Qa'idah network, accused by Washington of having launched the
11 September terrorist attacks on the United States, had sent a
message to Al-Jazeera, which the station refused to broadcast. The
newspaper said Al-Qa'idah was looking for other Arab stations to
broadcast the tape.
Source: AFP news agency, Paris, in English 2016 gmt 17 Nov 01
Iranian reformist paper criticizes IRIB's ambiguous stance on US
Afghan bombing
Text of unattributed commentary entitled "The Islamic government!",
published by Iranian newspaper Norooz web site on 17 November
Since the day that the lucky star of the Taleban began to fall
quickly and within a short period of time, they lost all their
positions in the central and northern areas of Afghanistan, the news
policy of the Voice and Vision Organization [IRIB; state TV and
radio] began to undergo astounding changes, in such a way as though
the forces of the Northern Alliance had captured Kabul alongside
IRIB's correspondents in Afghanistan. Moreover, it must be
acknowledged that apart from IRIB's journalists, no other
international correspondent is labelling the present entity of the
Northern Alliance as a government, let alone give it the suffix of
"Islamic". Indeed, in reality, the Northern Alliance itself does not
have very strong claims to being an "Islamic government".
However, the important point is the type of perception that such a
policy naturally creates. Obviously, before the American military
attack, the Northern Alliance was relatively weak, and apart from a
handful of areas, did not really enjoy control over many areas of
Afghanistan. In addition, their recent successes are undoubtedly the
result of the Americans' relentless bombing, which incidentally had
been condemned unequivocally by the Voice and Vision, based on its
overall news management policy. The question, however, is how one go
ahead and condemn the means of achieving something but then welcome
ever so enthusiastically the end result, and even elevate the
victorious side to something which deserves the label of "Islamic".
Are those who are seemingly faithful to IRIB's general policy
and principles not asking themselves how it is possible to attach
the label of "Islamic" to a group has emerged triumphant as a result
of America's bombing? How does such an approach fit within the
overall policies that this organization is propounding on the
domestic arena?
There are also a number of other questions, which we cannot propound
at the moment. Perhaps some other time, God willing.
Source: Norooz web site, Tehran, in Persian 17 Nov 01
Japanese journalist released by Taleban arrives in Pakistan
Japanese journalist Daigen Yanagida arrived in Pakistan on Saturday
17 November following earlier reports of his release by the Taleban,
the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported.
Yanagida entered Pakistan via the border town of Towr Kham, the
agency added.
The journalist was quoted as saying that he had been escorted to
Towr Kham on Friday the 16th, but after failing to cross the border
then returned to Jalalabad, where he was given protection at the
residence of the former provincial governor of Nangahar.
Source: Kyodo News Service, Tokyo, in English 1250 gmt 17 Nov 01
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 18 Nov 01 (via DXLD
1-174)
Afghanistan : Media round-up Monday 19 November
KABUL
Radio Afghanistan
BBC Monitoring has yet not observed the reported Kabul radio
broadcasts. The station known as Radio Kabul or Radio Afghanistan is
broadcasting via a mobile transmitter.
Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, reported on 16
November that Radio Kabul (Radio Afghanistan according to other
reports) had started broadcasting for three hours per day. However,
a report on BBC News 24 TV said Radio Afghanistan was broadcasting
for seven hours a day as before --- three hours in the morning and
four in the evening. The director of Radio Afghanistan, in an
interview for India's Star News TV on 16 November, also said the
radio was transmitting for three hours in the morning and four hours
in the evening daily.
According to a correspondent of Iran's Voice and Vision in
Afghanistan, "Radio Kabul" (presumably Radio Afghanistan) programmes
will be broadcast on 1530 kHz frequency mediumwave.
The former Taleban-controlled Radio Voice of Shari'ah was last heard
by BBC Monitoring on its shortwave frequency of 7085 kHz, on 8
October.
Kabul TV on the air again
Kabul television began its first broadcast since 1996 at 1330 gmt
(1800 local time) on Sunday 18 November. The Taleban had previously
banned TV for five years.
Sixteen-year old Maryam Shakiba, a former children's TV presenter,
gave a live preview of upcoming programmes. The broadcast included
street interviews in liberated Kabul, in which people, including
several women, lashed out at the Taleban, AFP news agency reported.
Speaking just before transmission, Kabul TV's director, Humayon
Rawi, told reporters that he had a three-hour live broadcast
planned. "We have an interview, a round-table discussion, music and
news in Pashto and Dari."
Rawi said engineers had managed to repair damaged equipment in time
for the broadcast. "Everything was destroyed but our engineers
managed to fix it in four to five days. But we still have enormous
technical problems."
The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency on 18 November
said "Kabul Television" engineers were busy repairing cameras and
other technical equipment.
The station's transmitter has the potential to reach a 60-km (36-
mile) radius, but the current technical limitations have reduced the
range, at least for the moment. The staff, once 120 strong, now
number about 25, AFP said.
AFP said "Television of Afghanistan" will broadcast a variety of
programmes for about three hours a day, officials said, catering to
children and teenagers, and covering religious programmes and news.
Boom in satellite TV dishes in Kabul
Russian TV6 correspondent in Kabul, Dmitriy Soshin, reported on 18
November that satellite TV dishes were doing a brisk trade in the
capital.
"The city is experiencing a boom in TV satellite dishes. The dealers
on the central Pashtunistan Square [in the city centre] are not able
to order enough of them. They are making the dishes out of tinplate,
and together with the receiver, the complete set fetches Moscow
prices: 230 dollars or nearly 8m afghanis," the correspondent said.
The TV6 correspondent said a wide range of satellite TV channels
were available in Kabul, including BBC World.
"There's quite a good choice of channels. News programmes from Iran,
Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are particularly popular here.
You can also get Russian TV stations, though the signal is very
weak. Apart from the news, they like to watch Indian MTV and Turkish
music channels. And recently people have started watching Western
news with great interest. A lot of people in Kabul speak English,"
the correspondent said.
MAZAR-E SHARIF
Balkh Radio heard on 19 November
On Monday 19 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif --- identifying itself as
Balkh Radio --- was monitored by the BBC from 0310-0340 gmt. The
radio was not heard on its usual frequency of 1584 kHz at 0230 gmt
on 19 November. The station was finally picked up at 0310 gmt, but
at 0340 gmt reception deteriorated.
The evening broadcasts began on its usual frequency of 1584 kHz as
scheduled at 1217 gmt.
19 November morning broadcast
The 0310-0340 gmt broadcast on 19 November included the following
reports:
- Songs in Dari and Pashto; music
- A talk about the excellence and virtue of the month of Ramadan.
- The news in Pashto repeated an earlier news bulletin from 1330
gmt, 18 November. The bulletin reported:
- The vice-president of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and
commander-in-chief of the northern zone, Gen Abdorrashid Dostum,
visited Fariab Province and called on people to unite. He also
attended a meeting in the provincial capital, Maymana.
- Gen Dostum received UN officials in the Northern Zone Department
of Foreign Affairs.
- High-level appointments have been announced, with the approval of
the high military council of the Northern Zone, in Jowzjan and
Fariab provinces.
- The chairman of political and military affairs of Northern Zone,
Ata Mohammad, had a meeting with a CNN correspondent today and
answered his questions.
- Meetings and appointments of military officials.
18 November evening broadcast
The 1230-1506 gmt broadcast on 18 November included the following
reports:
Recitation of the holy Koran.
Announcements that private English courses for men and women
together will be organized.
Song in Dari: "I fled to Murghab by your hand. Your cloth is orange
and your face is orange too."
Poems read by both man and woman: "Come into the garden, see the
greenery"; "Light the lamp of wisdom in your house and spend your
time for the comfort of others".
Interviews with a woman doctor in charge of the Northern Zone
Maternity Hospital; and the head of the Health Department who says
he has contacted UN agencies for assistance.
The 1330 gmt news bulletin in Pashto included:
An announcement that the authorities in Mazar-e Sharif have
announced a curfew, starting from 18 November, to run from 2200
local time to 0430 in the morning;
Reports on the activities Gen Abdorrashid Dostum, including his
meeting with UN officials;
Reports on the activities of the chairman of political and military
affairs of the Northern Zone, Ata Mohammad, including his meeting
with a CNN correspondent;
Volunteers take part in exercise to clean up Mazar-e Sharif;
Flags and slogans erected during the Taleban period are to be
removed.
The news bulletins in Dari and Turkmen repeated the reports above.
HERAT
Radio Herat
The BBC continues to monitor a station identifying itself as Radio
Herat broadcasting in Dari from the western city of Herat.
On 19 November, according to AFP news agency, Herat radio reported
that Iran had re-opened its consulate in the city. "The consulate in
Herat has taken up its activities in Herat again," Mohammad
Alavizadeh, head of the consulate, told the radio.
Etefaq-e Islam newspaper
Etefaq-e Islam, a Dari-language newspaper, has continued publication
in Herat since the Northern Alliance took control of the city last
week. On 19 November, the newspaper reported that Esmail Khan had
been elected the Emir of southwestern Afghanistan.
US INFORMATION RADIO
US PsyOps broadcasts continue
US PsyOps Information Radio continues to be observed by BBC
Monitoring broadcasting in Pashto and Dari to Afghanistan from 0030-
0530 gmt and 1230-1730 gmt daily. It is heard on 8700 kHz upper
sideband mode and at times on the former Kandahar mediumwave
frequency of 864 kHz. A third announced channel of 1107 kHz (former
Kabul frequency) has not yet been observed by BBC Monitoring. The
864, 980 (reportedly a relay of Voice Of America) and 1107 kHz
channels are believed to be broadcast from US PsyOps "Commando Solo"
EC-130 aircraft.
FOREIGN MEDIA
Foreign journalists feared killed in attack east of Kabul
On 19 November, Spanish newspaper El Mundo said four Western
journalists and a translator had died in an attack on a convoy of
reporters on the road between Jalalabad and Kabul. The El Mundo
correspondent in Afghanistan, Julio Fuentes, was travelling in the
convoy.
El Mundo said they had not been able to contact Fuentes and feared
that he had been killed.
The journalists had been travelling for around two hours when the
group of attackers stopped the convoy. The attackers let the drivers
go, made the journalists get out of their vehicles and shot them, El
Mundo said.
According to eye witnesses, four people were killed, El Mundo
reported. Two British Reuters journalists, the Italian correspondent
of Corriere della Sera Maria Grazia Cutuli and a Spanish journalist,
as well as a translator who was driving the vehicle, El Mundo
reported.
Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper said it was unable to contact
its correspondent Maria Grazia Cutuli. "We don't know if she was in
the convoy. We have been unable to contact her on her satellite
phone. We are unable to confirm anything," the head of the
newspaper's foreign service told AFP news agency.
Italy's Foreign Ministry said it was using diplomatic channels in
Kabul and Islamabad in neighbouring Pakistan to try to obtain more
information.
The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) news agency quoted
"reliable sources" as saying that there were three British men,
including two Reuters news agency staff, among the killed
foreigners. AIP added that they were killed between Sarobi and
(?Sorkhakan).
Reuters news agency said it was "very anxious" about the whereabouts
of a missing cameraman and a photographer after the convoy was
attacked between Jalalabad and Kabul. "We're trying to track down
what happened to them. We're trying to contact them," a Reuters
spokesman told AFP, saying they had had no news so far. He could not
confirm if the two were actually in the convoy.
A bus driver and passengers headed for Kabul told AFP news agency
that they saw bodies of three foreigners and one Afghan on a road 90
km (55 miles) east of Kabul at Pouli-es-the-Kam (name as received).
One passenger told AFP news agency on 19 November that one of the
foreigners was a woman. "They were killed a short while ago and
apparently robbed because the zippered pockets of their clothes were
open and empty," the passenger said. The bodies were stretched out
along the road, according to the witnesses, who said that no one
else was present when they passed.
A group of French journalists working for Radio France
Internationale (RFI) was robbed Sunday 18 November while heading for
Kabul on the same road from Pakistan, AFP said.
Russian public broadcaster sets up bureau in Kabul
On 18 November, Russia TV said it had set up a mobile satellite TV
station in Kabul.
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research, 19 Nov 01 (via DXLD 1-175)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Sources xxxxxxxxxx----------------------
Thanks to the following contributors : Claudio Morales, Hansjoerg
Biener, Roland Hofwiler, 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
EDXP : Electronic DX Press-Australia
HCDX : Hard-Core-DX-mailing list-USA
OBS : Observer-Bulgaria
PDX : Play DX-Italy
QIP : QSL Information Pages-Germany
TDP : Transmitter Documentation Project
TFW : The Four Winds Online-Italy
BBCM items are Copyright BBCM 2001.
______________________________________________________