Clandestine Radio Watch 089
--------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 089 xxxxxxxxxx--------------
CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH
November 30, 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 090 : December 10, 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 : see 'CRW 089 Special Afganistan'
ERITREA : New : Voice of the Horn - see logs and misc
------------xxxxxxxxxx Schedules xxxxxxxxxx--------------------
Schedules - AFGHANISTAN
see 'CRW 089 Special Afganistan'
...............................................................
Schedules - div.
div.
Foreign relays on SW through facilities in the CIS [only CLA]
kHz Loc kW Azi UTC (B01: October 28-, 2001)
Afghanistan
9950 SAM 200 130 1330-1430 Radio Saday-e Afghanistan [Radio Voice of AFG]
China
15680 DB 100 117 1215-1259 Voice of Tibet, Tibetan and
Chinese//15595 15670
15670 DB 100 115 1215-1259 Voice of Tibet,//15680 15595
15595 AA 100 132 1215-1259 Voice of Tibet, Tibetan and
Chinese//15680 15670
Ethiopia
12110 SAM 250 190 1700-1800(Su.W.) Netsanet Radio Amharic
12110 SAM 250 190 1700-1800(Sa.) Dejen Radio Tigrai
Iran
7480 MDA 500 115 1800-1830 Radio Barabari Persian
7520 MDA 500 116 1730-1815 R. International,Persian/R.Anternational
5830 MDA 1730-1800 Radio Iran Tomorrow
11545/11535 MDA 500 116 1630-1830 Radio Sedaye Iran, Persian-MP
Kurdistan
15770 KAM 1400-1600 Dengi Mesopotamia Kurdish
15230 KAM 0700-1100 Dengi Mesopotamia Kurdish
Myanmar
5905 AA 200 132 1430-1530 Democratic Voice of Burma
Nigeria
12125 RUS 1900-2000 Sa.only Voice of Biafra International
Sri Lanka
7460 NVS 100 178 0000-0100 IBC Tamil (Tamil Net)
Vietnam
15690 AA 1400-1500(F.) Voice of Khmer Krom, Cambodian
11850 TAC 200 131 1400-1430(M-F) Radio Free Vietnam
(T.Hirayama-JPN Nov 28, 2001 for CRW)
...............................................................
Schedules - SRI LANKA
tamil broadcasting corporation- london
time 1230 to1330 utc
freguency 21590 kHz
sinpo 4444
international broadcasting corporation-tamil
time 0000 to 0100 utc
frequency 7460 kHz
time 1500 to 1530 utc
frequency 17485 kHz
voice of tigers -- tamileelam
time 0100 to 0230 utc
frequency 7460 kHz
(D.Prabakaran-IND Nov 22, 2001 for CRW)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Logs xxxxxxxxxx-------------------------
Logs - AFGHANISTAN
see 'CRW 089 Special Afganistan'
...............................................................
Logs - ANGOLA
Radio Ecclesia
13810 Radio Ecclesia via DTK. 1835+. 17 de Noviembre. Transmision
dirigida a Angola. Larga entrevista.24432
(A.Slaen-ARG Nov 17, 2001 in ConDig 134)
...............................................................
Logs - CHINA
Falun Dafa Radio
I listened to Falun Dafa when they signed on this evening. 9945 had
a brief carrier test at appr. 2050 and was back at 2057, programme
start at 2059.30. The signal was enormous, S9+30 to 40 and left the
jammers far behind. This is either someone in the east with much
backlobe in my direction or someone in the west at close distance
(polar cap propagation). Sunday evening the signal was nowhere near
Monday's excellent strength. 5925 switches on the carrier at various
times from 2042 to 2048 and has no tones or anything. The programme
start was at 2100.30, giving a difference of one full minute between
the channels, so the programme seems to be prerecorded. The signal
strength on 5925 is only fair and the jamming usually makes a mess
of the frequency.
(O.Alm-S Nov 21, 2001 in CDX 374)
New Star Broadcasting Station
New Star Broadcasting Station, 13750 weak with woman and CC numbers
at 1342 tune on 11/23. Off suddenly at 1344; then the carrier came
back on and went off a couple more times.
(G.Dexter-WI-USA Nov 23, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Voice of Tibet
It seems I'm listening to this on 7385 at 1510 in Tibetan in //
5240. A very good signal and lively presentation too. I can't hear
4905 very well, but 4920 seems to be Chinese. There is something
else on 6200 --- IRIB?
(N.R.Green-G Nov 22, 2001 in DXLD 1-179)
...............................................................
Logs - ERITREA
Voice of the Horn
Does anybody know which Arab-speaking station broadcasts on 21550
kHz at 1400-1430*? In Arabic, it called itself "Idhaatu Sawt-ul
Qard", and immediately gave an English ID which sounded like "This
is Malayan Voice" or so. Heard it yesterday, 21 November.
(D.Mezin-RUS Nov 21, 2001 in HCDX via DXLD 1-181)
Glenn, 23rd November 2001, 21550 kHz, 1336 UT, Unidentified Station
with several IDs of: Malayan Voice and also giving the address of
voiceoferitrea@americaonline.com Here are the full details of the
transmission on 23/11/2001:
1336 Sign on with Music and No ID. (Recording on 21 MHz.com Webs.)
1338 Qur'an Style Chanting
1400 IDs in Arabic and English: "This is Malayan Voice".
(Repeated twice) (Recording on 21 MHz.com Website)
1400 More Qur'an Style Chanting
1417 IDs in Arabic and English: "This is Malayan Voice".
(Repeated twice)
1417 Oriental Style Music
1427 Single ID in Arabic then in English "This is Malayan Voice".
(Recording on 21 MHz.com Website)
1428 Email address of voiceoferitrea@americaonline.com
1428 Music, and Sign off at 1430 UT (Recording on 21 MHz.com Webs.)
(G.Powell-G Nov 24, 2001 in DXLD 1-181)
I suspect it's another clandestine via DTK Germany; no chance of
hearing it here with Chile blasting in. Doubt the word is really
'Malayan' and if so no connexion with Alta Indonesia
(G.hauser-USA Nov 24, 2001 in DXLD 1-181)
?? Africa Beacon program ?? HFCC table shows Woofferton-UK 21550
1330-1530 46SE,47N,48NW WOF 250 140 daily G MNO MER; To zones 46 W.
Africa, 47 Central Africa, 48 E. Africa
(W.Büschel-BC-DX-D Nov 23, 2001 via DXLD 1-181)
I have uploaded some more audio files of this to the site
[ http://www.21mhz.com site]. Whereas the broadcasts on the 22nd &
23rd were mainly music & occasional IDs, yesterday`s (24th)
broadcast at 1330-1430 UT & today`s (25th) at 1332-1430 UT both
contained long speeches by a YL in Arabic. Also whereas previously
there was an OM giving the email address, today it was given by the
YL in a section of Arabic talk (This is one of the new recordings)
(G.Powell-G Nov 25, 2001 in DXLD 1-182)
Re 21550: After 1330 I could not detect any hint of a carrier on
21550, at least within the local noise, but if there was indeed a
signal then it was insufficient to get audio outdoors, too. Regar-
ding the transmitter site: Wolfgang already pointed out the Wooffer-
ton registration, so I would guess that they broadcast via a hired
transmitter in the United Kingdom although Jülich also has a trans-
mission into the same target area on 21550 (Sundays only 0700-
0759, who?).
(K.Ludwig-D Nov 26, 2001 in DXLD 1-183)
Re DXLD 1-183 report on 21550 missing, site, etc. - Glenn, This
transmission which I heard on 23/11, 24/11 & 25/11 was missing on
the date in the report above, and also did not appear again today
(27th). As Hans Johnson has stated, the sign on pattern could help
ascertain the location of the transmitter. Here are the details of
the signing ons during the recent days.
23/11
1328 UTC 1 kHz Tone
1330 -1336 UTC Open Carrier
1336 Audio Sign-on with music
24/11
1328-1330 UTC 1 kHz Tone
1330 Audio On with ID
25/11
1332 Transmission Straight on with music. No previous Tone or
Open Carrier
26/11 & 27/11 No Sign of Transmission at any point.
(G.Powell-GNov 27, 2001 in DXLD 1-184)
Voice of Freedom
6965 - Voice of Freedom on again this day, Tuesday night Wed utc at
0310 and checked 6985 and nothing there. Interesting.
(R.Montgomery-USA Nov 20, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Hi Bob, Is this the same station heard around 1515 - 1545 UTC on
6965 kHz ??
(D.Martin-AUS Nov 20, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Re : 6965 At 1500, that area of the band at my location in SE PA,
USA is basically a buzz. This is a pretty weak station I am hearing
which manages to make it just above the noise floor at 0300
(R.Montgomery-USA Nov 21, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - INDIA
Voice of Jammu and Kashmir Freedom
5101.05 V.O.Jammu Kashmir Freedom Nov.24 1350 in XX and English.
44433 Man talks and choras musics was heard. At 1400, IDed by man
then news in English. Strong and clear.
(G.Iwata-JPN Nov 24, 2001 in JAP 188)
...............................................................
Logs - IRAN
Radio Payem-e Doost
7480 R.Payem-e Doost Nov 20 *1800-1810 33433 Farsi, 1800 s/on with
Opening music and ID. Talk by woman.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Nov 20, 2001 in JAP 187)
7480 R.Payem-e Doost Nov 23 *1800-1805 34333 Farsi, 1800 s/on with
Opening music. ID. Talk.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Nov 21, 2001 in JAP 188)
Voice of Mojahed
8570v V.O.Mojahed Nov 14 1545-1555 33333 Farsi,Talk. //8830v.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Nov 20, 2001 in JAP 187)
Heard today (24-11-2001) Clandestine :V.O.Mojahedin e Khalq e Iran
on 13430 kHz in Farsi lang with OM giving out Stn address & several
phone Nos at 16.26 UTC,Nx in Farsi at 16.31(SINPO=43443) In fact
this station was observed shuttling between 13430,13440,13470 & even
13420, perhaps to avoid bubble jamming, from 16.30~17.00 UTC.
(H.S.Brar-IND Nov 24, 2001 for CRW)
Voice of the Communist Party of Iran
4365v V.O.the Communist [Party] of Iran Nov 21 1703-1800* 34333
Farsi, Talk by man and Music. ID at 1709 and 1758. Music. //
4365.10-4365.83-4365.64
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Nov 21, 2001 in JAP 188)
...............................................................
Logs - IRAQ
Radio Free Iraq
R. Free Iraq (via Kavala) 0329-0345. Koran recitation by man in
Arabic. Talk between two men. Difficult reception due to cochannel
interference (SINPO 23322). Parallels noted on 7110 (SINPO 22322)
and 5965 (SINPO 22322).
(J.Evans-TN-USA Nov 17, 2001 in CDX 374)
...............................................................
Logs - ISRAEL
Iran: "Voice of Al-Aqsa Intifadah from Tehran" heard on SW
A previously unheard Arabic-language radio station identifying it-
self as "Voice of Al-Aqsa Intifadah from Tehran" (Arabic: "Sawt
Intifadat al-Aqsa min Tehran") was observed by BBC Monitoring on 22
November. (Al-Aqsa is the name of a mosque in Jerusalem and is the
third holiest place of pilgrimage in the Islamic world after Mecca
and Medina.)
The broadcast was heard on 7105 and 7175 kHz shortwave from tune-in
at 1909 gmt until it went off the air at 1928 gmt. The following
programming was heard:
- Song on Islamic resistance
- Revolutionary propaganda: unidentified speaker says "They will
have to kill us all, destroy all our homes, and annihilate us all...
to kill our resistance."
- Speaker introduces the programme as "Voice of Al-Aqsa Intifadah
from Tehran"
- "Stars in the sky of glory": Second episode about martyr Abdallah
al-Ifranji
The broadcast was not in parallel with Voice of the Islamic Republic
of Iran's external service in Arabic which was observed at the same
time on 6200, 7115 and 9860 kHz.
At 1930 gmt Iranian radio's Arabic service carried its regular
broadcast aimed at Palestinian listeners called "Voice of Palestine,
Voice of the Palestinian Islamic Revolution". This broadcast, which
has been heard regularly since the mid 1980s, was observed on 22
November at 1930-2030 gmt on 6065, 6200, 7115, 9860 kHz shortwave.
Source: BBCM in English 22 Nov 01 (via BBCM via DXLD 1-180)
Voice of Al-Aqsa Intifadah from Tehran - that's n o t a something
new service, EXCEPT the program title has been changed ??? Has been
noted in previous A-01 season from March 25th as EBRI service of
Voice of IRIB Tehran, and also appeared on their various websites.
Glenn, in your recent comment - some four weeks ago -, you said that
- assumed - the VoIRIB has difficulties to recruit Hebrew speaking
people in Iran to do the Hebrew announcer job.
And the station used ENGLISH language announcers instead, on that 30
minutes service. So, the program may changed to another Palestine
program in Arabic language ????
A-01 season
7175 1900-1930 38,39 KAM 100 265 1234567 250301 281001 EBRI IRN
IRB
9745 1900-1930 38,39 KAM 100 265 1234567 250301 281001 EBRI IRN
IRB
9830 0430-0500 38E,39 KAM 100 258 1234567 250301 281001 EBRI*No.Br
IRN IRB
11985 0430-0500 38E,39 KAM 100 258 1234567 250301 281001 EBRI*No.Br
IRN IRB
B-01 season
7105 1900-1930 38E,39W KAM 100 265 1234567 281001 310302 EBRI IRN
IRB 7175
1900-1930 38E,39W KAM 100 265 1234567 281001 310302 EBRI IRN IRB
7235
2030-2100 27,28 SIR 500 310 1234567 281001 310302 EBRI IRN IRB
9505
2030-2100 29 SIR 500 340 1234567 281001 310302 EBRI IRN IRB
(W.Büschel-D Nov 24, 2001 for CRW)
Voice of Al-Aqsa Intifadah is a new Arabic service on shortwave from
VIRI Tehran, aimed at Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. An
audio clip of this can be heard on the Israel page of the Interval
Signals Archive at http://www.intervalsignals.net
(D.Kernick-G Nov 24, 2001 in HCDX)
The new "Voice of Al-Aqsa Intifadah from Tehran" was heard here in
Denmark Nov 24 & 25 at 1902-1928* on 7175 with SINPO 44444 covering
RAI Radio Due, Caltanisetta on same channel (QSA 3). 7105 was heard
in parallel for a few minutes with 35434, but was mostly off the
air.
(A.Petersen-DNK Nov 25, 2001 for CRW)
7175, presumed Voice of Al-Aqsa Intifadah, new VOIRI AR svc aimed at
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, 1915 Nov 24, mix of talk
by M&W with stringed background mx, male vocal 1920, talk again
1924, abrupt 1928* after brief piano interlude; never did hear an
ID. Fairly good signal, and building, with intermittent ARO QRM.
Nothing on //7105.
(J.Berg-MA-USA Nov 24, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Voice of Palestine
6200 V.O.Palestine Nov 16 2017-2027 34333 Arabic, Talk and Music. ID
at 2026.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Nov 14, 2001 in JAP 187)
...............................................................
Logs - KURDISTAN
Voice of Kudilara
4600 V.O.Kudilara Nov 14 *1625-1702 24232-24332 Farsi and Unknown,
1625 s/on with Music. 1629 announce by woman. ID at 1630. Talk and
Music. //6815 kHz (23342).
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Nov 14, 2001 in JAP 187)
4600 V.O.Kudilara Nov 21 *1625-1640 34322 Farsi , 1625 s/on with
Music. 1630 announce by man. Talk. //6815kHz(34332-33332).
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Nov 21, 2001 in JAP 188)
Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan
V. of Iraqi Kurdistan, 7090, Nov 17 0308-0325+, tune-in to Kor'an;
weak, presumed
(B.Alexander-PA-USA Nov 17, 2001 in DXLD 1-177)
Voice of the people of Kurdistan
6995 V.O.People of Kurdistan Nov 21 1557-1614 35332 Kurdish,
Kurdish music. ID at 1600 and 1607. Talk. //4060.2kHz (34433).
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Nov 21, 2001 in JAP 188)
...............................................................
Logs - MIDDLE EAST
Dengi Mezopotamia Radio
Dengi Mezopatamia 11530 : Dengi Mezopotamia Radio heard here on
27-11-2001 around 16.53 UTC on 11530 kHz with repeated mention of
"Dengi Mezopotamia" + Freq Sked by YL in Kurdish lang ?. SINPO=45444
S/off 17.00 UTC preceded by a sort of National Anthem
(H.S.Brar-IND Nov 27, 2001 in GRDXC-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - RUSSIA
R Chechnya Svobodnaya
171 kHz 0935 24/11 RUS R Chechnya Svobodnaya, Tbilisskaya - Non-stop
Rus pop mx, ID at 1000 Russian 34344
(G.Schotmans-BEL Nov 24, 2001 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Logs - SUDAN
Voice of Freedom and Renewal
6965 Voice of Freedom 1550-1620* Here in afternoon period as well as
morning noted in Cumbre 373, mostly music with man in Arabic, brief
announcement and music at off.
(M.Barraclough-G Nov 22, 2001 in CDX 374)
6965, presumed Voice of Freedom and Renewal: Seeveral times lately
I have hrd this one that Bob Montgomery has been rptng. Hrd arnd
0325 with very exotic sounding prgmng. Not very strong, 10 kw
advertised for this one [see RDXP WE Nov 11] sounds about right.
Have not traced exact s/on time but I think it is after 0300.
(J.Berg-MA-USA Nov 25 (?), 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - WESTERN SAHARA
Radio Nacional de la RASD
Radio Nacional de la RASD, 7460 from 2155 on 11/20 with vocal music,
ID in AA at 2201 and into AA talks with two men alternating and
brief music bits. Stringed instrument at 2236 introducing more
talks. Nice to have WWCR gone from here. A few days earlier noted
running past listed 2300 closing. Any QSLs from this one?
(G.Dexter-WI-USA Nov 20, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - ZIMBABWE
From last CRW : Voice of the People. 7120.0, Voice of the People
(via Madagascar), 1705-1715 Nov 4, talks in Shona and local pop mx
with an excellent signal. Not 7125 or 7215 as reported elsewhere
(V. Korinek-ARS [sic --- has he moved from South Africa to Sa'udi
Arabia? Down with these wacky French country abbreviations! --gh]
Nov 4, 2001 in DX-Window via DXplorer-ML via CRW via DXLD)
Of course he is still in AFS. Thank you, Glenn. Sorry, Vashek.
M.Schöch-CRW
------------xxxxxxxxxx QSL Verifications xxxxxxxxxx------------
Qsl's - AFGHANISTAN
see 'CRW 089 Special Afganistan'
...............................................................
Qsl's - CHINA
Falun Dafa Radio
Falun Dafa Radio 9325kHz, Station Original QSL card in 112 days for
my reception on December 13, 2000. Report was sent to Fang Guang
Ming Int., P.O.Box 117, Buford, GA 30518, USA.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN Nov 26, 2001 for CRW)
A copy of this QSL can be seen in the CRW Clandestine Radio
Gallery via http://www.clandestineradio.com/martin/bild-cla.html
...............................................................
Qsl's - ETHIOPIA
Voice of Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity
Voice of Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity 21550kHz, Full data
prepared QSL letter in 217 days. Report was sent to Finote
Democracy, P.O.Box 88675, LA, CA 90009, USA.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN Nov 26, 2001 for CRW)
A copy of this QSL can be seen in the CRW Clandestine Radio
Gallery via http://www.clandestineradio.com/martin/bild-cla.html
------------xxxxxxxxxx Miscellaneous xxxxxxxxxx----------------
Misc - AFGHANISTAN
see 'CRW 089 Special Afganistan'
...............................................................
Misc - ERITREA
Voice of the Horn
21550 "Malayan Voice" Trying to follow up on Graham Powell's great
report of this unid, I realized that I was going to have a heck of a
time hearing this in Florida at 1330 with co-channel Christian Voice
on the frequency.
So I went to Graham's excellent www.21mhz.com site and with some
help from Graham I was able to listen to his files there. The
English ID wasn't a help at first, but the Arabic one was. The
station ID is Voice of the Horn [Sowt al-Qarn]. The English ID to me
sounds like "This is Malahi Voice." I suspect that "Malahi" or
"Malayan" or whatever it is might be the Tigrina word for "horn."
I found a website with information on the station in Arabic and
English:
www.voice-of-eritrea.com/Newsletter/voe_newsletter12112001.htm
The schedule in Arabic says that they are a new operation using
21550 daily from 1520 to 1720 GMT [sic, actually noted 1330-1430
UTC.] They are referred to on this page as Radio Horn [Itha'
al-Qarn]. It looks like they came on in early November as a story
from November 5th makes has no mention of the station while the
above story from the 12th does.
Voice of Eritrea is a weekly newsletter that is connected to the
station. That's where the voiceoferitrea@aol.com address comes in.
In Graham's last cut, the announcer says in Arabic, our newspaper at
voiceoferitrea@americaonline.com [One can also find it as on the
linked paged in the next paragraph.]
Articles from Voice of Eritrea are listed at:
http://www.biddho.de/portal/categories.php?op=newindex&catid=6
There sure seem to be a lot of interviews with Eritrean government
officials done by this newspaper. This is hardly the mark of a
station run by an opposition group as most clandestines are. The
Voice of Eritrea's tone is anti-Ethiopian government and seemingly
anti-Eritrean government opposition groups, going as far as
referring to some of them as "discredited outfits."
Perhaps this is a station run by the Eritrean government or pro-Eri-
trean government elements using the VoE newsletter as a cover. Time
will tell.
As far as to where this is coming from, I would say Germany or CIS.
DTK really seems to be airing a lot of the stuff going to the Horn
of Africa these days and 21550 kHz is used by an anti-Ethiopian
government program broadcast by DTK. We'll be able to narrow it down
quite a bit once someone hears them prior to sign on.
(H.Johnson-USA Nov 25, 2001 in CDX 374-1)
21550 Sowt Al-Qarn A source close to this station who wishes to
remain unidentified has shared some additional information:
The English ID is Millienium Voice.
Although the source admitted not understanding Arabic, he thought
that the programs were largely religious in nature, starting with 10
minutes of Koran followed by a news roundup. A program on African
issues is suppose to follow that. The source added that they have
done at least one interview with an Eritrean government official.
Programs are produced and then played out later that same day.
The source did not know where they are transmitted from.
(H.Johnson-USA Nov 27, 2001 in CDX 374-3)
...............................................................
Misc - GEORGIA
Satrap and Media Baron Dreams of Global Glory
By Chloe Arnold, Moscow Times, Tuesday, November 20, 2001
BATUMI, Georgia -- President Aslan Abashidze of the autonomous
republic of Adzharia (capital Batumi, population considerably less
than the London Borough of Hammersmith) has a vision. By the end of
the year he wants everyone from Belfast to Bokhara and from
Stavanger to the Sudan to have heard of his minuscule kingdom.
To this end, he has bought himself a satellite television station
and, if you've tuned in correctly, you can pick up Adzharia TV
anywhere in Europe or Central Asia. You can even receive it in parts
of Africa, its deputy director told me proudly.
But this isn't all. News from Adzharia wouldn't be much use to the
people of Edinburgh or Naples or Schwarzwald if it only came in
Georgian. So the ingenious Abashidze hit on a plan. He'd broadcast
the news of Adzharia, where donkeys outnumber buses four to one, in
five languages -- English, French, German, Italian and Georgian.
Flicking through the job section of a British newspaper earlier this
year, I came across an advertisement for a broadcast journalist in
Batumi. Scores of highly experienced hopefuls were interviewed in a
plush office in London's Chelsea Harbor. They clearly thought the
job was a fast track route to becoming the next prime-time anchorman
on CNN. Footage of the candidates reading the news was sent straight
to Abashidze, who eventually chose a good-looking young man with a
plummy English accent.
The people of Adzharia speak highly of their president. Nellie
Paronyan, who runs the guest house I stayed in, says he is warm and
generous.
"He likes everything to be in order," she tells me. "And he's very
kind to children."
But I get the impression he is feared as much as he is worshiped in
his tiny corner of Georgia. There is talk that he is planning to run
in the next presidential election in Georgia. For all his
international acclaim, the Georgian president, Eduard Shevardnadze,
is rapidly losing support at home and it's thought to be only a
matter of time before new elections are called.
Abashidze would have no trouble running an election campaign. With
Adzharia TV broadcasting across half the globe, he's Georgia's
answer to Rupert Murdoch. It's his policies the country needs to be
more wary of. The Adzharian leader holds no truck with Western
organizations like NATO, and he scoffs at privativation.
Meanwhile, I'm not sure how the plummy Englishman is getting on at
Adzharia TV. He doesn't speak any Russian or Georgian, I was told,
and he wasn't there when I visited -- he'd gone home for a break.
Perhaps Adzharia TV wasn't all he'd hoped for.
Chloe Arnold is a freelance journalist based in Baku, Azerbaijan
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2001/11/20/008.html
(via F.Waterer-CAN Nov 20, 2001 in DXLD 1-177)
...............................................................
Misc - QATAR.
Al-Jazeera TV director discusses network's plans, rejects claims of
bias
Muhammad Jasim al-Ali, director-general of Qatar-based Al-Jazeera
satellite TV, was interviewed by Jordanian newspaper Al-Arab al-Yawm
ahead of the Taleban's withdrawal from the Afghan capital Kabul on
12 November. Al-Ali said Al-Jazeera's next goal would be the intro-
duction of an English-language service. On the question of US the
government's concern over TV networks rebroadcasting Usamah Bin-
Laden statements provided by Al-Jazeera, Al-Ali believed no direct
pressure had been applied by the US. Al-Ali rejected media claims
that Al-Jazeera was the mouthpiece of Bin-Ladin's Al-Qa'idah
network, stressing that the station had reported the Afghan war in
an unbiased manner. Following is text of the interview published on
19 November; date and location of the interview not specified.
Subheadings inserted editorially:
Role of the Arab media
[Samir Abu-Hilalah] In your view, what is the role that the Arab
media are required to play at this crucial stage in the nation's
history?
[Al-Ali] Actually the Arab media in general, whether now or at
anytime, should mainly satisfy the Arab audience by conveying the
facts and not politicizing issues in favour of this or that regime.
The media should respect the intelligence of Arab viewers and
listeners who are clever and can distinguish the facts. Also, they
now have access to world and other Arab news sources, thanks to the
revolution in information technology.
English-language service envisaged
[Abu-Hilalah] Al-Jazeera television managed to put the Arab media on
the world map in a short time. Do you contemplate setting up an
English-language channel to reach more viewers worldwide?
[Al-Ali] In the past, specifically last year, Al-Jazeera began to
receive many proposals and ideas from the television's friends and
audiences, suggesting that at least one news bulletin be broadcast
in English or subtitles be provided for other programmes and
bulletins. The board of directors is currently studying these
proposals.
The station's primary objective is to reach Arab viewers in or
outside the Arab world. We achieved this goal to a reasonable extent
and are pursuing this line. However, we envisaged that our next goal
should be the introduction of an English service.
If we do, we must ensure that we provide a service with standards as
good as those of the best international English-speaking networks.
Given the current achievement in the Arabic service, we will not
compromise the reputation of Al-Jazeera channel by introducing a
modest service.
Al-Jazeera denies US pressure
[Abu-Hilalah] The US administration's current attack on the Al-
Jazeera channel clearly reveals the defeat which this channel
inflicted on the Western media plans. How much pressure is
Washington exerting on you?
[Al-Ali] Undoubtedly some US officials made statements showing that
they were annoyed by Al-Jazeera's reports on Taleban and the
statements of Al-Qa'idah and Usamah Bin-Ladin, which the channel
aired.
As far as we are concerned, we look at these reports and statements
from a professional perspective, allowing opinions and counter
opinions to be expressed. Nevertheless, the statements made by these
officials do not amount to direct pressure. Besides, Western
networks do not broadcast the Taleban and Al-Qa'idah organization
statements. They cite Al-Jazeera's reports.
"Harassment" of correspondents acknowledged
[Abu-Hilalah] Do you regard the harassment of your correspondents in
Geneva and Paris and the barring of your correspondent from going to
China as part of this pressure?
[Al-Ali] It is true that none of the Al-Jazeera correspondents in
numerous countries worldwide were harassed before the 11 September
events. However, some incidents of harassment occurred in the wake
of these events. For example, the Al-Jazeera correspondent in
Brussels, Ahmad Kamil, was banned from entering Geneva.
Also, our correspondent in Moscow Akram Khuzam was not allowed to go
to northern Afghanistan or China to cover political and economic
developments there. With regard to the Arab countries, our
correspondents in most of these countries are treated well.
Our only problem is that we do not have correspondents in some Arab
countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain and Tunisia becau-
se the authorities in these countries have not given us licences to
operate there. Still, we do not claim that this is part of the
pressure on us because every country has its own media policy.
Claims of bias "do not deserve comment"
[Abu-Hilalah] While the US administration accuses the Al-Jazeera
channel of being the trumpet of Bin-Ladin, as they put it, it has
been reported that Al-Jazeera still refuses to broadcast tapes sent
by Bin-Ladin and by the Al-Qa'idah organization's spokesman. How
accurate are these reports?
[Al-Ali] The Al-Jazeera channel is not a trumpet of anyone. We have
not heard such a remark before. This issue does not deserve comment.
As for the refusal to air tapes sent by a certain party, we are a
news channel that deals with news reports in a professional and
credible way.
We do not refrain from airing any material that is fit for
broadcasting. However, we sometimes receive a lot of material from
Western, Asian and other sources. We ignore them if we deem them
unfit, or air them after omitting the unfit parts.
[Abu-Hilalah] The Western campaign against Al-Jazeera escalated
after the channel showed pictures of Afghan civilians who came under
the US bombardment and reported that the Americans used internatio-
nally banned weapons. Will this campaign prompt you to stop doing
the professional work with which you were characterized or will you
press ahead?
[Al-Ali] Several media asked us this question before. We answered
them by saying that it would be dishonest media practice not to show
genuine pictures taken at the actual site of events. Why should
cameramen be banned from travelling to destroyed military sites to
show their pictures on the screen? As far as we are concerned, we
show the material we receive.
Another point we mentioned in our response was that US television
networks used to show the pictures of ugly atrocities, which the
Serbs committed against the Bosnian people during the Balkans war,
in order to incite world public opinion against the Serbs before
carrying out military strikes against them. In other words, their
media were used for political purposes. So how come no one objected
to them?
US not blocking Al-Jazeera broadcasts
[Abu-Hilalah] It is obvious that major Western media lost their Arab
and Muslim audiences and even Arab and Muslim viewers in the West,
namely in the United States. Do those who pick up Al-Jazeera
transmission in the United States experience any inconveniences? Are
there attempts to block Al-Jazeera's transmission, beamed at these
audiences, following the 11 September events and the start of the
war on Afghanistan?
[Al-Ali] To our knowledge, the audiences of Al-Jazeera face no
inconveniences. Rather, the number of Al-Jazeera viewers has risen a
great deal. Al-Jazeera's transmission now covers all parts of the
world, including America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Far East and
Australia.
Onus on Arab media to follow channel's lead
[Abu-Hilalah] It is the first time that the Arab media, represented
by Al-Jazeera, convey true events as they happen, to the entire
world. In the past, it was the Western media that monopolized the
reporting of such events. Do you think that this transition will
support our nation's causes?
[Al-Ali] Surely the Arab media can support the Arab nation's just
causes by honest reporting of events in the Arab world. Al-Jazeera
made the first step in this direction, as a network conveying the
sentiment of ordinary Arabs in a professional and credible way and
conducting discussions and free dialogue without barring anyone from
expressing their views with freedom and democracy. So the onus is
now on the other audio, print and visual media to pursue the same
line in order to achieve the desired objectives.
Viewers' feedback encouraged
[Abu-Hilalah] One of the means to gauge popularity is the letters
received from the viewers. Do you receive letters from Arabs and
Muslims residing in the West telling you that they watch your
broadcasts and requesting specific programmes or news reports?
[Al-Ali] Surely the channel receives a large number of letters from
its dear viewers, containing various ideas, proposals and requests,
some of which we implement. With regard to the feedback from our
viewers, we rely on specialized international firms and take
viewership into consideration when we plan our programme cycles and
news bulletin times.
Interviews with Israelis defended
[Abu-Hilalah] After a noticeable break, why did Al-Jazeera resume
interviews with the Israelis even though it knows that such
interviews provoke the Arabs who reject them part and parcel?
[Al-Ali] Conducting interviews with all parties to any conflict is a
practice in line with Al-Jazeera's policy of airing opinions and
counter opinions. Besides, Al-Jazeera did not stop conducting such
interviews as you mentioned.
We do this not to provoke people, but because professionalism and
credibility require us to convey to the Arab audience, the other
side's views and not only the official views that are carried by
other Arab media, which do not convey the whole truth.
Source: Al-Arab al-Yawm, Amman, in Arabic 19 Nov 01 p 4 (via BBCM
via DXLD 1-177)
...............................................................
Misc - SOMALIA
New independent shortwave radio station in Boorama
An independent shortwave radio station and a TV station were for the
first time opened in Boorama, Awdal Region [Somaliland]. The
stations officially started their broadcasts this week. The radio,
which went on air on Friday night, 16 November, can be heard on
shortwave one, 5.5 MHz. The radio broadcasts for 10 hours. The new
radio station was initiated by some Boorama technicians. The head of
the new Boorama radio station, Mr Deq Mahmud Du'ale, who spoke to
Jamhuuriya said the station is equipped with electronic equipment
and unlike other radio stations doesn't need a transmitter or
antennas. It's also a light mobile radio and doesn't require mains
power...
(BBCM Nov 22, 2001 via M.Terry-BDXC-G via DXLD 1-179)
[Doesn't need a transmitter or antennas ?????? Maybe that's why this
item did not appear directly from BBC Monitoring ...? -G.Hauser-USA]
Internet link with rest of the world cut off |
Excerpt from report by Somali Banaadir radio on 22 November
Somalia's Internet link with the rest of the world was cut off for
the first time yesterday following reports linking some Internet
service providers to Al-Barakat company, which owns shares in some
of them. Many Somali people have expressed anxiety at the develop-
ment since the Internet was an important medium of communication,
linking Somalia to the rest of the world. Reports say this develop-
ment is yet another problem for Somalis living abroad...
Source: Radio Banaadir, Mogadishu, in Somali 1700 gmt 22 Nov 01 (via
BBCM via DXLD 1-180)
...............................................................
Misc - SRI LANKA
Speech of LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabakaran
LTTE LEADER Velupillai Prabakaran delivared his speech through their
clandestine' voice of tigers radio', on the occassion of ' heroic
day ' celebrations on 27-11-2001,1212 utc. several tamil radio and
tv stations like ibc-tamil, trt-paris, tbc-londan,tamil televisin
network,geethavani radio-canada,deepam satellite tv,inda tamil
radio-australia,ctbc-canada, itbc-canada etc are relayed his
speech live around world. but voice of tigers usual frequency 7460
kHz are not active during this time
(D.Prabakaran-IND Nov 27, 2001 in DX-India-ML)
...............................................................
Misc - USA
Mailing list of American Forces Vietnam Network [AFVN]
Some clandestine and also authorized military broadcasters who are
U.S. veterans of the Vietnam War congregate on a regular basis
around the internet page http://www.geocities.com/afvn They also
maintain regular contact with each other through a yahoo groups
email list -- which is open to the public :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFVN/
The Vietnam organization was called American Forces Vietnam Network
[AFVN] and was featured in a popular movie called "Good Morning
Vietnam" starring Robin Williams. Members of the list are broad-
casters, engineers, and a wide variety of others in support roles.
The list is open to the public. Archived AFVN radio and television
broadcasts can be listened to or watched using the Real Player from
their archive page at http://www.geocities.com/afvn/multimedia.html
(Bob Morecook-USA Nov 26, 2001 for CRW)
Re : history of the U.S. Navy Project Jenny (1)
As noted in CR Watch issue 88 Project Jenny [Vietnam War] produced
the U.S. Navy's Blue Eagle airplanes -- which in turned beamed radio
and television news and entertainment to the troops on the ground.
In a companion side program, they also beamed psyops radio to North
Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops. A short video featuring the Blue
Eagles planes can be seen at
http://www.geocities.com/afvn/robbins.html
At a companion site viewers can also listen to authentic Vietnam War
radio and television broadcasts, news, sports, and music, just as
they were heard by American troops in the field. These are at
http://www.geocities.com/afvn/multimedia.html
(B.Morecook-USA Nov 23, 2001 for CRW)
Re : history of the U.S. Navy Project Jenny (2)
Martin, In a recent "History" article posted on CRW, a partial
history of the U.S. Navy Project Jenny was provided. I just wanted
to provide some minor additions and corrections to the article if
the info should ever be needed again. By the way, I am one of the
Project Jenny broadcast engineers who designed, fabricated and
operated the Blue Eagles in Vietnam from 1965 to 1969.
The aircraft that were utilized for the first airborne broadcast
tests during 1962 were C-118 aircraft home based out of NAS Patuxent
River MD. The equipment was not permanently installed, but
rather strapped aboard the aircraft with cargo straps in a temporary
installation. The nose numbers of these C-118 aircraft were 611 and
429. In 1965 we removed this equipment and reinstalled it on the
Blue Eagle aircraft when Project Jenny was started.
The incident in which you reported the mysterious Voice of the
Blue Eagle test broadcasts was in fact, 1965 not 1964. I was one of
the individuals flying the test broadcasts out of Andrews AFB while
being involved in the construction of the two television broadcast
aircraft. The test flights in 1965 were broadcast from Blue Eagle I
(BUNO 131627) an NC-121J Super Constellation aircraft.. Project
Jenny originally had one aircraft that was equipped as a radio
broadcast aircraft (FM, AM and SW), this was Blue Eagle I and two
aircraft (also super connies) Blue Eagle II and III which were
equipped with essentially the same equipment as Blue Eagle I plus
two TV transmitters (and associated peripheral equipment). These
aircraft were completed in 1965 and deployed to Vietnam in Jan of
66. The missions for the Blue Eagles in Vietnam were to fly TV
broadcast missions for AFVN (the American Forces Vietnam Network)
and THVN (the South Vietnamese government TV station) from Tan Son
Nhut AB Saigon, and to broadcast PSYOPS radio broadcasts for SOG
(see the book SOG- The Secret Wars of Americas Commandos in Vietnam
- By John Plaster) flying out of DaNang AB RVN. In late 1966 a 4th
TV broadcast aircraft was completed and added to the inventory. The
Blue Eagles were also utilized to broadcast VOA/USIA broadcasts in
1968 when the VOA station at Hue was overrun and knocked off the air
during Tet 68. The last broadcasts by the Blue Eagles in Vietnam
was in 1970, at which time the aircraft were retired from active
service due to excessive age of the aircraft, and frequent hits by
enemy ground fire.
At the end of the Vietnam War, the airborne broadcast mission
was taken over by the U.S. Air Force flying broadcast equipped
EC-121 (super connie) aircraft. This project was known as Coronet
Solo. This capability continued until the late 70's when the
Commando Solo EC-130 aircraft were fabricated and turned over to the
193 SOW of the PA ANG in 78 or 79.
We have some of the photos of the Project Jenny Blue Eagles
posted on our AFVN web site, along with a short video of the
aircraft that I found on a Discovery Channel "Wings" program. The
URL for the web site is in my sitnature block below. I also have
reems of articles taken from various publications during the middle
to late 60's on Project Jenny.
Steve Robbins, RMC(AC), USNR, Ret.
Project Jenny / VXN-8 Det WESTPAC
Airborne Radio/TV Broadcast via NC121J aircraft
Blue Eagle III (131641) / Saigon 66 / AFVN-THVN TV
Blue Eagle I (131627) / DaNang 67-69 / PSYOPS Radio
http://www.geocities.com/afvn/robbins.html
(S.Robbins-USA Nov 23, 2001 for CRW)
Propaganda War [2001]
Maybe all these activities are sponsored by the US secret sces, like
they did sponsoring Bin Laden in the 80ies and 90ies, the anti-VTN
see under Germany, VoTIB, Mesopotamia, SDN/ERI/ETH fractions, Rep of
Iraq R/Voice of Iraqi People from Jeddah-ARS to IRQ, R Barabari via
[Mossad?] Jerusalem (!7480.16), also many anti-IRN Persian
activities via Grigoriopol-MDA a.s.o., a.s.o.
Similar progrs on 17520, 11630, and 7520 has been heard of opposite-
Persian progrs from Moldova towards Iran - like R Voice of Iran -,
mostly sponsored progrs of US California local MW stns, also
bcasting in Persian there in the US.
(W.Büschel-D Nov 26, 2001 in BC-DX 549)
...............................................................
Misc - WESTERN SAHARA
National R of the Saharan Democratic Rep.
This clandestine stn is run by Polisario _ Frente Popular para la
Liberacion de Saguia el-Hamra y de Rio de Oro. Western Sahara was
occupied by Morocco 26 years ago which then was the Sp colony of Rio
del Oro. Supported by Algeria and Mauritania the native nomads, how-
ever offered resistance to the Moroccans in what later became the
Polisario Liberation Front. A UN controlled cease fire was estab-
lished in 1991, but Morocco still claims that the vast desert and
coastal area is Moroccan territory which could be offered local
self-govt. During the past month the young King Mohammed VI of Mo-
rocco has emphasized this by visiting _ on horseback _ most of the
cities in Western Sahara.
(A.Petersen-DNK Nov 21, 2001 in DXW)
...............................................................
Misc - ZIMBABWE
New security bill may restrict independent press, state paper
reports
New York, November 28, 2001-
In a November 21 article, the state-owned Herald newspaper reported
that the Zimbabwean government had drafted a Public Order and
Security Bill intended to replace the harsh Law and Order
Maintenance Act of 1960.
The bill is expected to reach Parliament by the end of the year.
Ostensibly meant to cover acts of terrorism, treason, banditry,
sabotage, insurgency, and subversion, the new legislation imposes a
fine of up to Z$100,000 (US$1,876), five years imprisonment, or both
for making statements deemed "prejudicial to the state."
Those convicted of making statements likely to create "hostility
toward the president" face a fine of up to Z$20,000 (US$375) or
imprisonment not exceeding one year, according to the Herald
article.
Despite repeated requests, the government has not made the draft
bill available to the public.
"The public and the press, which will be directly affected by this
legislation, should be invited to comment on the bill before it is
debated in Parliament," said CPJ executive director Ann Cooper. "We
object to the secretive and arbitrary manner in which the Zimbabwean
government is handling legislation that, according to press reports,
poses a grave threat to Zimbabwean journalists."
The new bill seems designed to stifle press criticism of the Mugabe
regime in advance of next year's elections. The government's
increasing hostility toward the media was most recently illustrated
when officials accused six journalists based in Zimbabwe of
participating in "terrorist" activities.
On November 23, the Herald quoted an unnamed official as saying, "It
is now an open secret that these reporters are not only distorting
the facts but are assisting terrorists who stand accused in our
courts of law of abduction, torture and murder by covering up and
misrepresenting the brutal deeds of the terrorists."
Four of the accused journalists are foreign correspondents: Jan
Raath of the London Times, Peta Thornycroft of The Daily Telegraph,
Andrew Meldrum of The Guardian, and Angus Shaw of The Associated
Press.
The government also named two local journalists: Basildon Peta,
special projects editor of Zimbabwe's Financial Gazette and
correspondent for the Independent of London and The Star of
Johannesburg, and Dumisani Muleya, reporter for the Zimbabwe
Independent and correspondent for South Africa's Business Day.
Meanwhile, the AP quoted State Department spokesman Richard Boucher
as saying that Zimbabwean authorities had recently denied visa
requests from correspondents of The New York Times and The
Washington Post.
For more information about press conditions in Zimbabwe, visit
www.cpj.org . CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit
organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.
(Y.Sorokobi-USA Nov 28, 2001 for CRW)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Sources xxxxxxxxxx----------------------
Thanks to the following contributors : Anker Petersen, Bob Morecook,
D.Prabakaran, Harjot Singh Brar, Julio Carreras, Kenji Hashimoto,
Steve Robbins, 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.
______________________________________________________