Clandestine Radio Watch 089 Extra
--------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 089 EXTRA xxxxxxxxxx--------------
CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH Afghanistan Special
November 30, 2001
Clandestine Radio Watch (CRW) is a biweekly summary which centrali-
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------------xxxxxxxxxx Breaking News xxxxxxxxxx----------------
AFG : R Voice of Afganistan : see CRW 088 Extra B and logs/misc
AFG : Transmitter location for Radio Voice of Afghanistan
AFG : Extensive transcriptions for Radio Voice of Afghanistan
AFG : Text of Information Radio : US$25m Reward Announcement
...............................................................
AFG : Transmitter location for Radio Voice of Afghanistan
9950 SAM 200 130 1330-1430 Radio Saday-e Afghanistan [Radio Voice of
Afghanistan]
The transmitting site of this broadcast is Samara in Russia with
200 kW of power according to the infor given by ITU frequency list.
(T.Hirayama-JPN Nov 28, 2001 for CRW)
The location 'Samara' has been confirmed in a BBC Radio 5 interview
by the station founder Said Jalal Karim. See article "Radio Voice of
Afghanistan founder talks to BBC Radio" in the misc'-section.
(M.Schöch-CRW Nov 29, 2001)
9950 Voice of Afghanistan I rang them this morning. I was able to
speak with someone who identified himself as a broadcast consultant,
but didn't wish to be identfied by name:
9950 is coming from a CIS transmitter.
The website and email addresses are not up yet, but it is to be
www.afghanbroadcasting.net
Their postal address is: Afghan Broadcasting Company, 21 Wor-
ship Street, London, UK EC2 A2DW They don't have QSL's yet, but
will make one and issue it for reception reports.
They plan to expand as follows: 2 hours a day starting January
1st with an idea of signing on at 1230 instead of 1330. 3 hours a
day in February and 4 hours at a yet undetermined date. They plan to
air this all on 9950 kHz as long as the frequency holds up. The
consultant said that 9950 is providing good reception into Afgha-
nistan right now.
(via H.Johnson-USA Nov 28, 2001 in CDX 374-4)
...............................................................
AFG : Extensive transcriptions for Radio Voice of Afghanistan
Here is the result of my monitoring on 9950 kHz - Radio Voice of
Afghanistan - on yesterday and today.
I monitored Radio Voice of Afghanistan on 21 Nov. The transmission
started at 1330 UTC on 9950 kHz as previously reported. The station
announcements say that this is the TEST transmission.
Test transmission in Pashto from 1330 UTC to 1345, then Dari
followed until 1400. Again the same programme in Pashto until 1415
followed by Dari until the end of transmission at 1430.
And here is a summary of its test transmission in Dari (Radyo-i
Seda-i Afghanistan).
The transmission starts with the famous song "Da Zamung Zebah
Watan". It seems that this song is so popular among the people of
Afghanistan. In the opening announcement, the announcer said that
this is the test transmission. And they are to transmit daily
broadcast in Dari and Pashto on 31mb, 9950 kHz from 6 pm Kabul Time.
Dari transmission will be on air from 6.30 Kabul time for 30
minutes. But didn't mention when they will start regular
transmissions.
Then recitation of the Qur'an followed. Then, the announcer said
that the purpose of Radio Voice of Afghanistan is to restore culture
in Afghanistan after radio and television as well as newspapers
were damaged during the past years. And radio is aiming at bringing
war to the end, promoting mutual understandings among people. He
further said that the station is to broadcast local and interna-
tional news to spread them into Afghanistan. He also said that
Afghanistan is now at very sensitive period that's why the station
is starting broadcasts.
He invited listeners' letters and comments, and asked to send them
to the mail address and fax and telephone numbers to be announced
later in the regular transmissions. Then, an Afghan song followed.
After that, he again invited the listeners to write to them. But
didn't mention its address nor telephone/fax numbers.
Closing with a march-like song. Closing announcement with trans-
mission schedule, same as above. And also asking letters without
mentioning address and fax/tel numbers. Closing song up again...
The station didn't mention about its background clearly. So, we
need to wait until the station starts regular transmissions. It is
quite interesting to follow this station any way.
Once again, the station IDs are:
Da Afghanistan Ghag Radyo (Pashto)
Radyo-i Seda-i Afghanistan (Dari)
The Voice of Afghanistan has started regular transmission today-
November 22.
I was also monitoring the station from 1320 until 1431 on 9950 kHz.
The style of the transmission is quite similar to the test
transmissions.
However, they didn't mention that this is the test transmission
"nasharat-i imtihani". Also for the first time, the station
broadcast the news. In today's news "Akhbar muhimm-e Afghanistan"
(Important News of Afghanistan) , they put three items: The latest
development in Kunduz where Taliban forces accepted to surrender as
well as the current situation in Qandahar. Northern Alliance
officials met Iran's foreign minister. Pakistan ordered Taliban
embassy in Islamabad to close.
Also at the beginning of the transmission, the announcer said "Today
is Thursday,. ... 8 Ramadan 1422 Hijri, 22 November 2001 AD...".
Until yesterday, there was no mentioning of date as - it seems - the
programmes were pre-recorded.
The programme was 15 minutes duration each (Pashto-Dari-
Pashto-Dari). Also the same announcement as yesterday on the purpose
of this radio broadcast was heard. As for the mail address and
telephone/fax numbers, they didn't announce them yet though they are
asking listeners to write to them.
Also I observed test modulation tone (1 kHz) about 5 minutes before
the transmission started. It was the type of former USSR trans-
mitters' - 1 kHz tones with some five seconds and are repeated for
several times. So I think any of CIS countries is transmitting the
station.
(T.Hirayama-JPN Nov 22, 2001 for CRW)
Well I have just noticed that for me this is the 3rd clandestine
radio station broadcast test transmissions prior to regular broad-
casts. And previous two stations were: Seday-e Iran (early 1980's),
and Voice of Free Iraq (1991). Both stations broadcast test trans-
missions for more than a week. And, both were closely related to
CIA ! Then, what about Radio Voice of Afghanistan?
(T.Hirayama-JPN Nov 23, 2001 for CRW)
I have just finished monitoring V.O.Afghanistan transmission from
1330 UTC on 9950 kHz. In today's transmission:
Programme started as usual with the theme song.
And the station announcement said that the programme is produced by
"Afghan Broadcasting Establishment" (Mu'assasa-i Nasharat-i Afghan :
in Dari). However, I don't know what organization is this.
The Qur'an recitation followed. Today, whole "Surat (chapter)
al-'Alaq" was read. This chapter says: Proclaim! in the name of thy
Lord and cherisher Who created. Created man out of a mere clot of
congealed blood. Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful. He Who
taught the use of the pen. Taught man that which he knew not. Day
but man doth transgress all bounds. In that he looketh upon himself
as self-sufficient. Verily to thy Lord is the return of all. Seest
thou one who forbids.. A votary when he turns to pray? Seest thou
if he is on the road of Guidance? Or enjoins Righteousness? Seest
thou if he denies truth and turns a way? Knoweth he not that God
doth see? Let him beware! If he desist not we will drag him by the
forelock... A lying sinful forelock! Then let him call for help to
his council of comrades. We will call on the angels of punishment to
deal with him! Day heed him not: But bow down in adoration and bring
thyself the closer to God!
Then, the news on the latest developments in and around Afghanistan.
However, in today's news, I noticed one point which may be a key to
guess the station's background. The news announcer said "Former
Afghanistan President Rabbani " that means the station's stance is
NOT pro Northern Alliance which regards Rabbani as the current
President of the nation.
After the news, a short comments on the current situation of
Afghanistan. Then in Pashto service, closed with Ustad Awal Mir's
song "Lovely Beautiful Homeland". Dari service played another song.
The announcements of both Pashto and Dari services said that this is
the TEST transmission. They mentioned the word "TEST TRANSMISSION"
again. More precisely, "Preparative Service" (Khidmat-i Tahdhiri) in
Pashto, and "Test Broadcast" (Nasharat-i Imtihani) in Dari. Both
service said that the transmission is on air from 6 pm Afghanistan
time on 9950 kHz...
Well [..], I also have a feeling that the station is backed by CIA
after listening to today's news. May be pro-Zahir Shah faction is
also something to do with this station? Actually the US and other
nations do not recognize Burhanuddine Rabbani as the official
President of Afghanistan until UN-led plan for the new government
has been accepted by all parties.
(T.Hirayama-JPN Nov 24, 2001 for CRW)
Reception log of Radio Voice of Afghanistan, November 27, 2001.
Dari transmission started with ordinal opening announcement and
music. The announcement also said "Radio Voice of Afghanistan is
presented by Afghan Radio Company".
Also in the opening announcement, the announcer said that this
station has been established in the framework of Afghan Broadcasting
Company which is afiiliated to Charity Foundation of Seyed Jalal
Afghan.
They also announced that this is the TEST TRANSMISSION.
With the announcement "You are listening to the test transmission of
Radio Voice of Afghanistan".
Recitation of the Qur'an followed.
Then, a statememt by Sayed Jalal Afghan, the founder of Radio Voice
of Afghanistan. Sayed Jalal Afghan is said to be an independent
entrepreneur. In the statement, he said (the following is the
summary of his speach) :
"Dear brothers and sisters. Assalam alaykum wa rahmatu llah. Our
dear Afghanistan is having a difficult experience. Afghanistan's
enemies are trying to separate Afghans. Dear Afghanistan! Remind
the words of freedom. But inside the country we couldn't unite each
others. Our enemies could use our differences like language to
separate us. But the good points which make us unite is that we are
all Muslims, we have the same culture and history. Islam is the
religion of equality and brotherhood. Even so many years of war in
this country couldn't take the religion from us. In this critical
situation, we Afghans should avoid revenge and fight against each
others. In the past years, I have always tried to make peace and
brotherhood among the Afghans. During holy month of Ramadan, we
should become friendly and familiar with each others. I believe
that Afghanistan needs someone to remove the differences, bring the
similarity on the surface become we have a lot of things in common.
Thus I decided to have my own share in this process by making this
radio station. I would like to unite people of Afghanistan. There
are Pashtons, Hazaras, Uzbeki and a lot more people living in
Afghanistan. They must unite. Women should have their own rights.
I would like to bring the voices of people of Afghanistan to Afghan
people. I would like to pay my dues in the process of establishing
peace and friendship among Afghans. May Allah bless you all."
After this statement, news bulletin followed. There was no weather
information.
Transmission ended amid the news bulletin.
(T.Hirayama-JPN Nov 27, 2001 for CRW)
In today's transmission, a man who introduced himself to be a
founder of the station made speech before the news. However, the
reception condition was poor.
(T.Hirayama-JPN Nov 28, 2001 for CRW)
Reception log of Radio Voice of Afghanistan, November 29, 2001.
The transmission started at 1330 UTC on 9950 kHz with ordinal
opening music and announcement. But in today's transmission, the
word "TEST TRANSMISSION" is no longer be heard. Until yesterday,
November 28, the station had been announcing that this is "test
transmission".
Also in today's opening announcement, they officially announced for
the first time that "The programme is broadcast from LONDON".
Recitation of the Qur'an followed. Then, news bulletin including
reports from Bonn and Peshawar.
(T.Hirayama-JPN Nov 29, 2001 for CRW)
This loggings are the result of my own monitoring. Please use it if
you can. I am so far satisfied with the results of my monitoring
because I now realized that my translation (ability of Dari
language) has been improved ! Now I am trying not to forget Arabic!
The R.Netherlands' HP on this radio station says, that the station
started regular broadcast on 27 November. However, according to my
monitoring, the station had been announcing the words "Test
Transmission" until 28 November.
As I wrote in my report, it was in today's transmission (Nov. 29)
that they officially said for the first time that they are broad-
casting from London, and didn't mention "Test Transmission" for the
first time since I started monitoring this station. However, they
didn't give mailing address nor telephone/fax numbers in the
broadcast.
(T.Hirayama-JPN Nov 29, 2001 for CRW)
...............................................................
AFG : Text of Information Radio : US$25m Reward Announcement
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.
(via N.Grace-USA Nov 21, 2001 for CRW)
U.S. Broadcasts bin Laden Reward Offer
By Charles Aldinger, November 20, 2001
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military is broadcasting radio mes-
sages into Afghanistan (news - web sites) on rewards of up to $25
million for information leading to the location or capture of Osama
bin Laden (news - web sites) and other al Qaeda guerrilla leaders,
the Pentagon (news - web sites) said on Tuesday.
An airborne radio station aboard an EC-130 U.S. Special Operations
aircraft started broadcasting the messages on Sunday night as U.S.
warplanes began a seventh week of bombing Afghanistan, Pentagon
spokesman Bryan Whitman told Reuters.
Whitman said the messages broadcast by the "Commando Solo'' aircraft
named Saudi-born fugitive bin Laden, accused by Washington of
masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks on America, and eight other
senior leaders of his network.
The U.S. Congress has offered $25 million for the reward program but
the State Department has not yet raised the upper limit for any one
reward from $5 million. Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web
sites) said on Tuesday that he would authorize the new upper limit.
"The legal paperwork is being accomplished but that (up to $25
million) will be our position,'' he said.
The radio messages, part of an information drive including air-
dropped leaflets announced by the Pentagon, call on Afghans to help
"drive out the foreign terrorists'' and promise cash for information
on the location of bin Laden and his lieutenants.
"We are broadcasting messages about rewards leading to the capture
of al Qaeda terrorists,'' Whitman told Reuters. "Rewards are also
being offered for documents or information leading to the
identification of other al Qaeda agents.''
SEEKING 'COWARDS AND MURDERERS'
"Because some of these cowards and murders have gone into hiding, we
ask for your help,'' the broadcast messages say. ''With your help we
will bring the al Qaeda terrorists to justice for their crimes.''
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters on Monday that
leaflets advertising the $25 million reward were also ''dropping
like rain'' from U.S. military aircraft and had prompted Afghans to
join in the search for bin Laden.
"There is no question there are people out looking,'' he said.
"We have large rewards out, and our hope is that the dual incentives
of helping to free that country from a very repressive regime ...
coupled with substantial monetary rewards will incentive a large
number of people to begin crawling through those tunnels and caves
looking for the bad folks,'' the secretary added.
Defense officials said al Qaeda leaders named in the broadcasts are
believed to have played major roles in the bombings of two U.S.
embassies in East Africa in 1998, the bombing of the destroyer USS
Cole (news - web sites) in Yemen in 2000 and the Sept. 11 attacks on
the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
(via N.Grace-USA Noc 21, 2001 for CRW)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Schedules xxxxxxxxxx--------------------
Schedules - AFGHANISTAN
Radio Saday-e Afghanistan
9950 SAM 200 130 1330-1430 Radio Saday-e Afghanistan [Radio Voice of
Afghanistan]
The transmitting site of this broadcast is Samara in Russia with 200
kW of power according to the information given by ITU frequency
list.
(T.Hirayama-JPN Nov 28, 2001 for CRW)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Logs xxxxxxxxxx-------------------------
Logs - AFGHANISTAN
8700 kHz USB - Information Radio
8700U: On Oct 23 at *1231, a switching error occurred and VOA EG nx
was b/c, //6160.
(Clemente, Green, Petersen, Schulze & Werdin, DX-Window via
J.Berg-USA Nov 25, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
On Sat Nov 17 I was able to faintly hear Commando Solo on 8700 USB
between 0330 and 0400 with QRM from utility users
(A.Childs-G Nov 17, 2001 in DXLD 1-183)
"Information Radio" presumed, 8700 at 0102 on 11/21. Could barely
make out a man talking and not much above "imagination level." Very
heavy QRM.
(G.Dexter-WI-USA Nov 21, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Yesterday I monitored 8700 USB Nad had a few observations to make.
The Signals came in here to South India. 545 (SIO). Interfernce from
data transmission tones. The music transmited frequently were
traditional Afghani ( Pushto or Dari) national or local songs not
Indian film Music. The drum beats of the music symbolized the
traditional music of the Central Asian Region. Could understand what
the announced said in between intervals but Taliban.. Osama bin
laden etc were used often. Looking at the Signal strengths here I
dont think they are from the VOA transmitters from the Sri Lanka or
from the base at Diego Garcia, to me it might be from Oman
(Massirah Island) or from Eastern Europe. Any clues???
(R.Nambiar-IND Nov 26, 2001 for CRW)
9950 kHz - Radio Voice of Afghanistan
I just tuned into a station on 9949.88. Had Koran @1615. Not sure
who this might be
(S.Lare-MI-USA Nov 20, 2001 in DXLD 1-177)
Very poor here at this hour, fading up a bit at 1656; but this was
Egypt, familiar R. Cairo theme at 1700
(G.Hauser-OK-USA WOR 1106 via DXLD 1-177)
After about 45 minutes of listening I've tentatively ID'd the sta-
tion running slightly below 9950 (9949.93 or so) as Radio Cairo.
This at 1615+ with news at 1700. There is also another station di-
rectly on 9950 that seemed to come on around 1630 and much weaker
than Radio Cairo. Not sure who this might be, though sounded like
middle eastern or indian music being played. I'll listen again
tomorrow
(S.Lare-MI-USA Nov 20, 2001 in DXLD 1-177)
This may or may not be relevant to the previous reports, but as soon
as I received Glenn's message just after 1530 UT I tuned into 9950
and heard a colossal signal with Pashto in progress. This turned out
to be Radio Cairo (not scheduled on this frequency, listed on 17710
in DXLD 1169) and the programme switched to Albanian, which *is*
scheduled, at 1600 UT. Lots of Qur'an, but this is Ramadan. I wonder
if the mystery transmission is a new, special, or rescheduled pro-
gramme from Cairo. Exact frequency was 9949.9 kHz, and there seemed
to be another Cairo transmission underneath with domestic programme
in Arabic (or maybe audio breakthrough - it was difficult to tell).
Further monitoring needed
(A.Sennitt-RN-HOL Nov 20, 2001 in DXLD 1-177)
Well, as already pointed out, HFCC has Cairo on 9950 at 325 degrees
toward us at 1600-1800, so nothing new there, but the Afghanistan
station may well use 9950 also at other times, e.g., local morning.
I can't believe it's R. Cairo, from the frequent mentions of Afgha-
nistan in the IDs; tho the transmitter site could possibly be there.
Such good reception here, however, at 1330-1430, indicates a site
much further east. Several recording clips are in WOR 1106 already
(G.Hauser-OK-USA WOR 1106 Nov 20, 2001 via DXLD 1-177)
Radio Free Afghanistan is still in the funding stages -- $15 million
as I hear. Our schedulers have proposed hours of operation I believe
but no idea of when it'll come on their. They're also dealing with a
boatload of additional VOA and RFE/RL programming for the 'war
against terrorism.' Where it's going to fit in our network I have no
idea! (B.Whitacre-IBBM-USA Nov 20, 2001 in DXLD 1-177)
Hi Glenn, Very unlikely that the station you heard is Radio Free
Afghanistan, as it has not yet been approved by the Senate. See
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:HR02998:@@@X
(K.A.Elliott-DC-USA Nov 20, 2001 in DXLD 1-177)
I checked up the station reported on 9950 at 1330-1430 by Murrieta
G. [..] of Mexico and here are my observations of today, 21 Nov 2001
: The program started at 1330 UTC after open carrier and test tone.
The program sounded like of Afghanistan languages and new programs
(segments) were heard at 1330, 1400 & 1415(and may be at 1345 also,
I did not check it).Till 1415 id was "Afghanistan.......Radio" but
from 1415 its id was something like "Radio Sadayeh Afghanistan".
Each segment had music, ids, Koran resitation,Music,talk etc. The
station signed off at 1430 and was quite strong here at Hyderabad,
India.
(J.Jacob-IND Nov 21, 2001 for CRW)
We were listening again to 9950 at *1330-1430* Nov 21. Similar but
different program to previous day's, with frequent pauses for brief
Qur'an recitations, but did not hear the ''Watanah'' poem this time.
Held up well until the last few minutes. Now we have several more
reports on the same broadcast
(G.Hauser-OK-USA Nov 21, 2001 in DXLD 1-178)
I've just been monitoring the station on 9950 that Glenn wrote about
between c1325 and c1431. The opening procedure was exactly as
described by Glenn.
Unfortunately, I was interrupted by a phone call as the station came
on (didn't have my tape recorder switched on!), and am not totally
clear about the ID at 1330. However, the transmission was split into
four quarter hour programmes, each with its own ID. I did catch the
ID at 1345 as "Radio Seday-e Afghanistan". Exactly the same ID was
heard again -- and what sounded the same programme -- which featured
the same martial music -- at 1415. At 1400, the ID was "Da
Afghanistan Rag (phonetic) Radio".
All four transmissions featured Koran, probably news --- I heard
Taleban mentioned, and Azardi. However, these words were NOT used in
the IDs heard, and were thought to be within the news. I also heard
mention (between 1400 and 1415) of "Da Palestin 'Rag' Radio", so
it's assumed a general type of announcement/ID. Some nice music
featured throughout.
My initial feeling is that two languages were used - Pashtu / Dari -
and repeated. However, this is a first logging, and further
listening is required.
As to transmitter location --- I doubt if in Afghanistan as the
signal was strongly received and of clean quality --- and 9 MHz
would surely be too high for internal reception. There's a nearby D.
Welle transmission in German on 9940 which was similar in strength,
but not in audio quality (wooly) -- I guess a Russian site. VOA
UDORN 9510 300 degrees in Urdu was not as strong as 9950 (Tibetan
from UDORN on 7290 311 degrees was stronger and of similar
characteristics). I couldn't find an IRA [Iranawila, Sri Lanka, IBB,
he presumably means, rather than IRAN –gh] outlet on 7 or 9 MHz to
compare. V of Russia in Dari/Pashto same time was very poor on 9900
(Samara?) and not much better up on 15 MHz. The audio on 9950 sounds
different to that used by Iran and the Alma Ata & Dushanbe relays of
RFA and their services eastwards are not received at this strength
either. If Kavalla, their aerial is producing good back lobes --- I
think that site could use a higher frequency too.
(N.R.Green-G Nov 21, 2001 in DXLD 1-178)
Afghan Radio 9950: Very strong tonight, SINPO 45555. Good clear
audio too. Mostly man talking in one of the local langs (and perhaps
reading a poem at 13:40?) with quite bit of music, both Chant style
[Qur'an –gh] and more uptempo with instruments and singing -- defi-
nitely NOT the kind of programming the Taliban would approve of!
There were many mentions of Afghan.
ID sounded like "Afghan Sogoi Radio?" One uptempo was repeated often
(nat anthem?). Seemed to give sked (heard word kiloherz) at 1400,
then off at 1430 with that tune again. [..]
I saw a press conference by a spokesman for Taliban on CNN tonight.
He referred to the Taliban part of Afghanistan as "Islamic Emirate
of Afghanistan" [yes, that was the 'official' title -CRW]
(J.Cullen-ARDXC-AUS Nov 21, 2001 via DXLD 1-178)
I listened to the beginning of their Nov 17 60-minute audio file,
and the ID and programming were not the same as I have heard on
9950. After brief opening, went into long monolog by a male speaker
(G.Hauser-USA Nov 21, 2001 in DXLD 1-178)
Radio Afghanistan/V. of Afghanistan, 9950 from 1359 tune with man
talk, partial ID caught at 1400 and info more talks with occasional
brief music and many mentions of Tailban. Dropping slowly from
around 1415. Open carrier for a few seconds at 1430 (much weaker by
then) and off.
(G.Dexter-WI-USA Nov 21 (?), 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Re: New V Afghanistan on 9950 : "Booming" signal here in Germany,
9+20dB on the vertical as a matter of fact they currently have two
half hour programs, one starting at s/on 1330 UT, the other running
from 1400 to c/d 1430 UT, both programs are identical.
The s/on procedure reminds me of former Radio Vatan (via Egypt)
(H.Kuhl-D Nov 21, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
9950 V Afghanistan 1415-1430 M in subcont lang mention of "Saday-eh
Afghanistan at 1415" followed by Koran at 1418. Into subcont mx at
1420. M at 1423 then back into more subcont-sounding music. M at
1428 (13:30) with possible id then short music and into dead air
with transmitter off at 14:30:20. Excellent signal levels (S6-S7)
on the WJ8712P/8711A on the N-S EWE(a weak signal antenna having
good S-N ration) here in Oregon. Commando Solo heard on 8700USB at
the same time period but definitely not the same programming. This
frequency was reported by Adolfo Murrieta González in DXLD1-176. I
heard the NPR story two days ago, but I have heard nothing on the
former V Shariya frequency of 7089v.
(D.Nelson-OR-USA Nov 21, 2001 in HCDX)
Just uploaded to the Interval Signals Archive, a clip of the new
clandestine Radio Voice of Afghanistan - www.intervalsignals.net
(D.Kernick-G Nov 21, 2001 in HCDX)
There's a Radio Voice of Afghanistan at
http://www.rvoa.org/index.html apparently US based. Home Page
mentions KEST 1450 AM, wherever that is. Maybe these people have
hired some time on shortwave?
(A.Sennitt-HOL Nov 21, 2001 in ODXA-ML)
= Hat jemand aus der Runde zufällig dieseSendung aufnehmen können
= bzw. weiss jemand, ob diese Sendung tatsächlich aus Kabul kommt?
Sehr unwahrscheinlich, die Signalstärke lässt auf einen 250 oder 500
kW Sender schließen. Den installiert man nicht derart kurzfristig.
In der Stationsansage ist von Sharia auch nichts zu hören gewesen
Man sendet übrigens zwei Halbstundenprogramme.
(H.Kuhl-D Nov 22, 2001 in A-DX)
Es ist gerade in diesem Moment [09:05 EST] recht gut hörbar. (Heißt
hier, wäre es ohne den örtlichen Störnebel, aber bei dem Wetter gehe
ich nicht mit dem Radio raus.) Um 1310 war der Träger schon an, von
1324 bis 1327 gab es die weithin bekannten 800 Hz-Töne (um 1329 dann
auch den schon beschriebenen 1 kHz-Ton, der wohl direkt aus dem
Studio kommt). Das riecht streng nach GUS-Sender, wobei die 800
Hz-Töne andeuten könnten, daß die Zuspielung über den großen
Schaltraum in Moskau läuft.
(K.Ludwig-D Nov 22, 2001 in A-DX)
Das glaube ich nicht. Heute könnte ich diese Sendung mit S8 bis
S9+10 höre. Mann war auf Sendung zwischen 1330 und 1430 UTC, aber
bevor 1330 war schon ab 1305 ein carrier wahrnehmbar. Später kam
dann ein unterbrochenes Testpfeifen wie wir dann von der ex-UdSSR
Sender kennen.
(G.Schotmans-BEL Nov 22, 2001 in A-DX)
I listened - uninterrupted - throughout transmission today Nov.22.
Carrier appeared c1320 then "Russian type" on/off tones for about
five mins. A single tone preceded sudden s-on of station. The signal
was again very good - peaking 10dB over 9 - and audio quality very
crisp and clear. Music bridge tune preceded ID at s-on as "Da
Afghanistan Rag Radio". Language is Pushto. Announcements then
extract from the Qu'ran, which appears to be pre-recorded, and the
station presenter sang a few words at conclusion. A western type pop
tune extract then sched given mentioning frequency. ID then news,
which featured an item about Jack Straw (British Foreign Secretary)
visiting Teheran. Music and song 1337-1341 then more talk followed
by a recitation accompanied by a string instrument. Another annc
then music bridge tune followed by ID "Radio Seday-e Afghanistan".
This now in Dari. Anncs followed by extract from Qu'ran, concluded
by presenter singing. Extract from western pop tune, ID, news - incl
item about Jack Straw. 1353 music and song (sounded a satirical one
to me). Talk at 1358 followed by ID and sched, brief snatch of march
tune, then same music bridge and back into Pushto and repeat of
1330 transmission. At 1415 same music bridge then repeat of 1345
Dari transmission - including the brief snatch of martial music at
the end. Off slightly after 1430. It's interesting to note that it
is heard well in NoAM and Mexico - and that it has nothing to do
with the IBB.
(N.Green-G Nov 22, 2001 in CDX 374)
Today I tried 9950 from 1355 to 1420 and heard the new station with
a good to very good and stable signal. Before 1400 and after 1415
the programme was in Dari (Persian) as Radio Sada-ye Afghanestan and
in between in Pushtu as Afghanestan Khalq Radio.
(O.Alm-S Nov 22, 2001 in CDX 374)
Radio 'Voice of Afghanistan' / Radio Seday-e Afghanistan: Heard this
new station on 9950 on 22/11 from tune in around 1320 when tx came
on, tone sequence from 1325, into s/on 1330 in Pashto/Dari with ID
by man, then recitals from Qur'an, news, music. Very clear stand-out
ID at 1345 as "Radio seday-e Afghanistan", and heard variants of
this at other times. Programming is modernist, with music interlu-
des, short commentary/news segments. To my ears it sounds similar to
an RFE/RL type format, but from a CIS transmitter. Certainly sounds
much more inviting than the 'Information Radio' psyops station on
8700, which was heard very weakly at 1355 this day. Check out Glenn
Hauser's DX Listening Digest for extensive and informative reporting
on this station
(M.Francis-ARDXC-AUS Nov 22, 2001 in DXLD 1-179)
[..]. Am hearing that 9950 "Afghanistan" station strongly here. ID
at 14 UT, something like Afghanistan Rak (Rag?) Radio. Nov. 22, as
recorded here, downtown Copenhagen. Re 9950: Around 1040 UT Nov. 22
I heard a number station in an unknown language, and with a modula-
tion which sounded strange.
(E.Køie-DNK Nov 22, 2001 in DXLD 1-179)
The weather is really dirty here today, preventing an outdoor
listening session. I did not bother to listen to the 9950 broadcast
with the loud buzz from local sources here within the house, but I
can offer these interesting findings (clock not properly set, so
times +/- 1 minute): Carrier already on at 1310. Interrupted 800 Hz
tones between 1324 and 1327, then the already mentioned continuous
1000 Hz tone from 1329, straight into program audio at 1330.
Conclusions: This procedure points to a CIS transmitter, namely the
typical 800 Hz tones, probably but not necessarily also indicating
that the feed is routed via the main control facility at Moscow.
(K.Ludwig-D Nov 22, 2001 in DXLD 1-178)
Afghaanse zender op 9950: Net voor het inpakken voor het DXA-DX-
weekend te Kasterlee hoorde ik het nieuwe Afghaanse station waarover
in de laatste DXLD te lezen was. Signaal was zeer sterk S8 tot
S9+10. Op de zender liep tussen 1330 en 1430 UTC een programma in
Afghaanse talen, maar voor 1330 was reeds vanaf 1305 een carrier
waar te nemen die af en toe terug uitgeschakeld werd. Later hoorde
ik de geregeld onderbroken testtonen gekend van de zenders uit de
ex-Soviet Unie. Men identificeerde zich als "Afghanistan .... Radio"
en vanaf 1415 veranderde de ID in "Radio Sedayeh Afghanistan".
(G.Schotmans-BEL Nov 22, 2001 in BDXC via DXLD 1-179)
Interesting: I noted already at 1310 a carrier but a quite weak one,
after 1320 the signal was stronger, at least the LCD bar suggested
this. I think this continuous 1 kHz tone originates from the studio,
for whatever purpose
(K.Ludwig-D Nov 23, 2001 in DXLD 1-180)
Afghanistan 9950 kHz. - This station has been on the air for at
least 10 days I would say. However, until I saw the report 2 days
ago I didn't pay attention to it because I have been busy with the
new season monitoring and DXing had taken a back seat again. Another
reason was that it was very strong, so the idea that it could be a
cland didn't cross my mind. However, today checking it from 1320
confirms my belief and as I mentioned to MEast Cladestine authority
Yuki Sakagami this can not be from inside Afghanistan. The tell tele
CIS transmitter tone before s.on with modulation, confirms that
hunch. The same was heard when Radio Afghanistan started coming on
he higher bands from Russian relays during the days of the Soviet
backed Najibulla regime. Strong to excellent signals 1330-1430 on
9950. This appears to be a service by an Afghan group abroad, buying
airtime on either Dshanbe or Tashkent. The programmes appear to be
Satellite fed.
(G.V.A.Goonetilleke-CLN Nov 22, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
9950 Radio Saday-e Afghanistan - Radio Voice of Afghanistan, heard
at 1330-1430 UT today Nov 22nd. Supposedly two segments in Dari and
Pashto? Each segment had mx, IDs, Quran recitation, AFG music. The
stn signed off at 1430 and was quite strong here at
Stuttgart-Germany.
Just heard the new stn on 9950: signal strength was tremendous, like
the nearby Europeans Hoerby-Sweden 9430 & 9865, Flevo-Netherlands
9895, Finland 9600, Italy Rome 9585, and Iran in Chinese 9810 too.
Signal was fluttery though, and could also originate from Samara,
Armavir-Krasnodar, or Grigoriopol-Moldova sites. Never from
Afghanistan or Egypt soil itself. R.Seday-e-Iran/R.Voice of Iran
starts also xx.30 UTC ....
But all other stations from other parts of Russia, Gavar-Armenia and
Dushanbe-Tadjikistan were much weaker, when I compared the signal
strength. Carrier was on at 13.28 UT, when I switched on, and a 800?
Hertz test tone started at 13.29:37 UT.
Program like a rather Muslim country or Muslim organization, with
Quran prayer and recititions, and mentioned many times of Mr.
Mubarak Pres. of Egypt in the news, on Taliban etc. At 1429 UT
mentioned address, phone, fax terms, but not really address' ones,
BBCM comments this: "We will very soon give you our addresses, our
telephone and fax numbers."
Progr ends at 14.30:07, and tx switched off at 14.30:24 UT. The freq
was measured on even 9950.00 kHz.
(W.Büschel-D Nov 22, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Concerning 9950 kHz, not heard its signal in Buenos Aires. And,
about the probably location of this station, here only I reproduce
some information received from the Capt Charles acting Commanding
Officer "We Rule the Night" from the airborne ranger Brigade in
Beaumont, California, operating the Army Radio Station adn3u, who
said me on Wed Nov 21:
"has been up 3 days so far, Starts 1330 untell 1430 gmt on 9.950
mhz" & "The QTH of the station is Kabul, The transmit times are as
listed, Jon (The Colonel) is presently in the area of Konduz". On
Thu 22 said: "So good coverage so far, Hope you and the other
listeners appreciate the Colonels effort". And finally, today the
Capt Charles inform me: " I see that the station the Colonel helped
put on the air is being heard farther possibly than anticipated,
Dodgeing R Cairo in operating hours, This should be about day 6
sence it went on the air, QSL's? Dont know yet, I don't think phone
service and an ISP have been set up yet, And postal service is non
existant at this stage, I would guess that an entry way may be set
up thru Pakistan or another country first. Heard here this morning
+10 & 5's, yesterday 9 & 4's He is now at Konduz. 73's Capt Charles,
Acting CO "We Rule the Night", operating the Colonel Jon Standing-
bear; Army Radio Station adn3u; P.O.Box 44, Beaumont,CA 92223-0044".
Finally, about my concrete question if the station is in Kabul or
not, here is the answer from Nov 22, at 1128 PST: "Really, as far as
I know, I understand some of the programming might be produced else-
where, As the studios there were in poor shape, And thay had very
little in the way of up to date music etc, As the Taliban permitted
only the Koran broadcast over the radio, and naturaly their own
propaganda. And TV not at all, Understand thats up now too, Coverage
about 30km around the station, But more than thay'v had in several
years, And about 3 MW stations are also up, and heard outside of
Afganistan, Next? I can only guess! 73's Capt Charles Acting CO "We
Rule the Night".
May be confusion or not, but is the information received from a
military source from USA that here I transcribe.
(G.I.Barrera-ARG Nov 22, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
H.Johnson-FL-USA Nov 23, 2001 in BC-DX : this item [forwarded by
GIB, above -CRW] is completely false.
R Sedaye Afganistan - Heard on 9950 at 1421 22.11 with afgan folk
song. At 1425 man giving reference to Arjuma Radio Television and
next to 'Afganistan Mahasiswi ( sanskrit : students) 'Na... Kadahar'
Prior to program close IDed in as 'Radio Sedaye Afganistan' and
closed with an anthem. Anthem has been heard for very short time
(about 2 secs) then audio was off. dead carier for less than 1
minute then signal off Signal 44444 with level of S9+20 dB on my
ICOM R75
(Z.Liangas-GRC Nov 22, 2001 in HCDX)
9550 [9950 - CRW] R.Sedaye Afganistan Nov 21 1320- in Pashut,
Urdu(?). 34433 Tone signal from 1320-1327, then suddenly heard music
and man ann,at 1330. 1331-1333 Koran, heard talk by man and two
traditional musics with man vocal. Heard the word 'Pakistan'
'Afganistan' 'America' 'Tali'ban' in his talks. At 1345, change the
using lang, and IDed as 'Radio Sedaye Afganistan'. I think that they
BCing 15 minutes seg- ment programs in two lang,. The signal is very
very clear and strong here. Sign off at 1430. TNX to Jon above!
(G.Iwata-JPN Nov 22, 2001 in JAP 187)
9950 R.V.O.Afganistan Nov 22 *1330-1430* 44433-35433 Pushto and
Dari?, 1330 s/on with Music. ID. Koran. Talk and Local music.
1330-1345 and 1400-1415 Pushto. 1345-1400 and 1415-1430 Dari?.
Thanks for tip from Rurai via Yokohama DX.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Nov 22, 2001 in JAP 188)
Radio Voice of Afghanistan - 9950 (maybe 9949.5). 2001-11-23. 1532
UT (8:02 pm in Kabul), carrier on, weak s2 or so. 1533 1 kHz tone,
builds in strength to s7 or so in a few minutes. 1538 programming
starts, talking, music by 1545. Signal strength decent for time of
day (didn't check the LUF), but high atmospheric background noise
levels and terribly low audio on the microphone made it difficult to
understand. Played around with a sound editing program to see if
anything could be extracted, nothing significant although mike audio
suggested echoing. (Is multipath possible at this hour?) Alerted
through IRC #swl, also heard in Virginia by Dan Ferguson, and in The
Netherlands by Mark Veldhuis (who reported good signals). Haven't
read all the sources received, but so far seems like a new, additio-
nal, transmission time. Not heard on a recheck around 1645 (after
running some errands). NRD-525, various wires (high signal angle
reception best).
(T.Sundstrom-NJ-USA Nov 23, 2001 in DXLD 1-180)
Tom, in DXLD 1-177 Andy Sennitt already reported the 1530 signal as
R. Cairo in Pashto (and apparently the one off-frequency), 1600 into
Albanian (listen for the familiar R. Cairo news theme). 73,
(G.Hauser-USA to T.Sundstrom-USA Nov 23, 2001 in DXLD 1-180)
9950, R. Voice of Afghanistan, 1327 23 Nov, Test tones until ID and
announcements @ 1330:01. Holy Quran at 1332. Many mentions of
Afghanistan; Audio out @ 1430:02; transmitter off @ 1430:25. Solid
10/S9 signal.
(J.Strawman-IA-USA Nov 23, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Aghanistan:Col Jon Standingbear : The Colonel wanted me to slip this
thru, Sucessfuly got 9.950 up and running, Now trying to sort out
Konduz, End Capt Charles, Acting CO. Colonel Jon Standingbear, Army
Radio Station adn3u P.O.Box 44,Beaumont,Calif, 92223-0044
(H.S.Brar-IND in Nov 23, 2001 in GRDXC-ML)
Radio Voice of Afghanistan (p) - Unconfirmed site, 9950, Presumed
Radio Voice of Afghanistan, Heard from tunein at 1335 with Fair
signal into Northeast Ohio but fading quickly now at 1410utc. Heard
music 1352-1356, short music at 1359 followed by a couple possible
IDs and male announcers, music at 1401 with announcer returning at
1403.
(L.Silvi-USA Nov 23, 2001 in HCDX)
Propagationwise strong and clear audio on Wed, Thur, Sat, but weak
signal and muffeled audio on Fri. On sat 24th, R VoAFG came on air
late at 1349 UT, and had few breaks til 1352 UT, when transmission
had been stabiliziced.
(W.Büschel-D Nov 24, 2001 in BC-DX 549)
If site is Moldova, as speculated, why would reception into NAm be
so good? If an antenna is aimed directly at Kabul from there, the
back-beam would be on Port-of-Spain, and then crossing SAm into
Perú, not NAm. Moldova would be well-placed for its target, however,
only some 2250 miles away, sort of like Sackville-to-Oklahoma.
We monitored the R. V. of Afghanistan broadcast again on Nov 24;
9950 from 1330. This time most of the opening news was about Kunduz,
not surprisingly. [...]
(G.Hauser-OK-USA Nov 24, 2001 in DXLD 1-180)
UnID: India or Egypt? Earlier on 2001-11-23 I reported a signal on
9950 as being RVoA. Apparently not the case, as suggested by Wolf-
gang Büschel and Glenn Hauser. HFCC shows India in use 1500-0130,
Egypt 16-18. Whatever was heard definitely not on the frequency
prior to 1532 UT, definitely no AIR IS heard. If it was Egypt, Cairo
was on early than scheduled. I was listening on the frequency from
before 1500. Details of 2001-11-23 log again: 1532 UTC, carrier on,
weak s2 or so, but quite noticeable. 1533 1 kHz tone, builds in
strength to s7 or so in a few minutes. 1538 programming starts,
talking, music by 1545. Very low studio mike audio levels compared
to music, tone
(T.Sundstrom-NJ-USA Nov 24 (?), 2001 in DXLD 1-181)
Back at 1330, when RVOA is definitely on 9950, not a trace Nov 24,
nor at 1338 recheck in a WESAT break. I attributed this to a propa-
gation disturbance, since a quick scan of 31m found virtually no
audible/usable signals above the RA transequatorial blaster on 9580,
Martí 9565. (Except Tashkent in English on 9715 was weak but clear.)
However, at 1358 rerecheck, 9950 was on with a strong but flutterier
than usual signal, so maybe they were actually quite late coming on
this date
(G.Hauser-OK-USA Nov 24, 2001 in DXLD 1-181)
Meanwhile, this Saturday Radio Voice of Afghanistan leaves the music
to transmit news. Maybe, they were talking about 2000 talibans'
surrender.
(A.Murrieta-MEX Nov 24, 2001 in DXLD 1-181)
Radio Sada e Afghanistan (Voice of Afghanistan) is booming in here
in Punjab on 9950 kHz. Monitored today (24-11-2001) from 14.15 to
14.30 UTC with prog in Farsi ..News with ref to Chechnya,Pakistani &
Al Qaida, Wth & Commentary by OM. Station s/off at 14.30. Any ideas
about Txrs? Could be in Iran or Central Asia?
(H.S.Brar-IND in Nov 24, 2001 in GRDXC-ML)
Regarding the 9950 observations around 1545: This was certainly
Radio Kairo. I tuned in at 1615 and found their scheduled broadcast
(should be Albanian) in progress, strong carrier but very low modu-
lation, especially worse on speech. Such poor audio level adjust-
ments are typical for Radio Kairo, so it was certainly Kairo on
early that Tom heard
(K.Ludwig-D Nov 25, 2001 in DXLD 1-182)
Radio Voice of Afghanistan was noted with fair-to-poor signals on
11/25, heard on 9950 at 1332 with Koran readings. My guess is that
the signal is coming from a site in Central Asia, maybe in the CIS
(J.Hanlon-USA Nov 25, 2001 in DXLD 1-182)
Still hearing 8700 at nights from around 1330 ... propagation ...
faint from 1230 UT
(J.Wright-USA Nov 25, 2001 in DXLD 1-182)
9950, Voice of Afghanistan, *1320-1404 fade out Nov 25, open carrier
followed by test tones at 1326 for two minutes. Sudden program
opening with instrumental music and mentions of Afghanistan, news
and more music. Apparent language change (Pashtu to Dari) at 1345
as beginning to fade. Fair to good signal with slight fading at
tune in.
(R.D'Angelo-PA-USA Nov 25, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
9950 kHz, Radio Afghanistan, hrd today Nov 25, for the first time
from s/on 1330-1350+. SINPO: 25332, with very weak signal. Programme
in vernacular (Dari or Pasho), with ID's at 1330, 1334, 1345,
comments w/mentions to taleban, Afghanistan, etc., and a little of
afghan music at 1341.
Explanatory: Concerning to my previous info sent to the List, sorry,
but was the info delivered to me from the airborne ranger Brigade in
Beaumont, CA, operating the Army R Stn adn3u, who mention me just
so. I only pass the info.
(G.I.Barrera-ARG Nov 25, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
9950, R. Voice of Afghanistan, CIS-type on-off tones began 1323 Nov
22, ended 1327, silent until solid tone at 1329:30, ID by man at
1330 with reverb and brief instr. mx in background, Koranic singing,
talk and a bit of martial mx from 1333, seemed like nx, several
different voices. C.Asian male vocalizing at 1337, talk and occasio-
nal mx from 1340. So-so at start, weakening over time, and far gone
as neared 1400. Would seem a CIS xmtr. Also hrd Nov 25 with prgmng
from 1330. Carrier was already on at 1315, better than at 1330; wish
they would start 15 mins. earlier, hi. I checked out a couple of
outfits that turned up in a Google search. R. Voice of Afghanistan
via KEST (CA) on 1450 http://www.rvoa.org/ and R. Afghanistan
http://24.101.228.204/afghanradio/afgradionet.htm say it is not
them. No reply from Voice of Afghanistan
http://www.voiceofafghanistan.com/
(J.Berg-MA-USA Nov 25, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Afghanistan : 9950 1430 [time not UTC? see comment below] 25/11 Voce
dell'Afghanistan Start Bc, Ids, news, music, talks about the radio.
Strong signal over S 9 with little fading. I used 6,2 kHz filter
(G.Bernardini-I Nov 25, 2001 in HCDX)
[Re log above -CRW] Please check your times. I still hear it at
1330-1430 UT. Are there additional times, or is this in CET? A
Brazilian in New York [log below - CRW] also reported it at "1130",
but may have been speaking in Brasilia time...
(G.Hauser-USA Nov 25, 2001 in HCDX)
Ouvida hoje, 25 de Novembro de 2001: 9950 kHz - Radio Voice of
Afghanistan, local do transmissor UNID. Inicio às 11:25 com apitos e
às 11:30 [time not UTC? see comment above] OM em pashto, ID, breve
canto religioso, musica e muitas menções do Taleban (atenção, essa
é uma emissora Anti Taleban).SINPO 35444
(M.Toniolo-USA Nov 25, 2001 in Radioescutas-ML)
Pessoal..aí vai a notícia novamente. Desculpe-me mas indiquei os
horários de forma incorreta [log above -CRW]. O correto é 13:30 UTC
início das transmissões. Graças ao Glenn Hauser que leu e me avisou
do erro. Obrigado Glenn.
(M.Toniolo-USA Nov 25, 2001 in Radioescutas-ML)
Escuchada hoy dia 26 de Noviembre la emisora oficial de Afganistan
tras varios años de silencio.RADIO AFGANISTAN comienza su emision a
las 13:30 UTC,yo la capte nada mas empezar la emision en el dia de
hoy y he finalizado yo de escucharla a las 13:55 UTC,esta emisora
transmite por la frecuencia de los 9950 kHz.En mi QTH a orillas del
Mediterraneo la escuche con un SIMPO DE 22232.Al comenzar la emision
se identifican varias veces,despues de la identificacion habla un
OM,tras finalizar el comentario del OM se comienza a rezar el Coran.
Los idiomas son lenguas vernaculares probablemente Pasto o Dari.Si
se tiene posibilidar de filtrar en USB con un filtro de 2.7 kHz la
escucha es mucho mejor ya que desaparece el Jaming
(J.H.Madrid-E Nov 26, 2001 in Lista ConDig-ML)
Como informamos ya en muchas emisiones de DX LISTENING DIGEST, *NO*
es la emisora oficial de Afganistan, sino desde algun grupo exilado
exterior. Acaba de iniciar anuncios "desde Londres"....
(G.Hauser-USA Nov 26, 2001 in Lista ConDig-ML)
9950; Nov. 26, 2001; Afghanistan Radio/Radio Sadaye Afghanistan; Vn;
1329 long tune; 1330 Arabic music and male anns: "Deh Afghanistan
Radio" (with echo); Islamic greeting; 1332 male song (Qur'an
chant?); 1334 maybe the news because of ment. Konduz, Kandahar,
Masar-I- Scharif; 1335 Mohamad Daud ment.; 1339 another reporter
with report from Kabul; 1345 "Dah Afghanistan Haq Radio"; 1346
intermezzo and male anns.: "Radio Sadaye Afghanistan". SINPO 45544,
(K.Elsebusch-D Nov 26, 2001 in HCDX)
9950.00 1330-1430 Radio VOICE OF AFGHANISTAN RUSSIA 1234567 Pashto /
Dari zuhören in sehr guter Qualität. Frage: Wer ist der Urheber
dieser Sendung, die IBB?
(J.Balzer-D Nov 27, 2001 in A-DX)
Good reception here in Bulgaria for R. Voice of Afghanistan in
Pashto & Dari: 1330-1430 on NF 9950.0 (55444) on Nov. 23-25
(OBS-BUL Nov 27, 2001 via DXLD 1-184)
Dear Glenn, Just a short memo to let you know I heard the new sta-
tion Radio "Voice of Afghanistan" Heard on 9950 at 1320 UT, Tuning
tones heard at this times then just before 1330 station ID announ-
cements, greetings by male announcer, in Pashtu language. Then 1332
Qur`an verses were spoken till 1334. 1334 News bulletin, mentions of
Afghanistan, heard till 1339 UT. Will tune in today for a longer
period. SIO 444
(C.Constantinides-CYP Nov 27, 2001 in DXLD 1-184)
I keep seeing reports in various places that the 9950 station is
*in* Afghanistan or the *official* successor to V. of Shariah! These
people must not have read or thoroughly absorbed the extensive
English-language info we have published about it here in the past
week since its inception. As the latest from BBCM [..] should
finally make clear, this is NOT the case
(G.Hauser-USA Nov 27, 2001 in DXLD 1-184)
Concerning to my message sent on Nov 22 to the List, here a message
concerning to mentioned item. :
Date sent: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 00:55:04 -0800 (PST)
From: jon standingbear
Subject: Fraud
Good Morning,
I understand we have all been hit by fraud originating from the
station at Beaumont, The person responsable was aprehended on the
5th of November, I was placed in locals and situations I had never
been in, As you know if you'v been on my list for any time at all,
You'r lucky to get I'm going message, and I'm back when it's over,So
in the intrum my personal files have been interfered with,To Gabriel
Ivan my deepest apologys, The information requested of you was from
my private files, and not by me, The information if you want to
remain private is in a saved file and can be eliminated, My apologys
to Anselmo as well. Ken, the only message you recieved that was true
was what were the troops listening to that day and being
rebroadcast, So my apologys to you and Adrian. Harjot, The only
messages that were to be forwarded to you in India were to deal with
ongoing news related to what was going on here, I hope you recieved
them, we have found no notice of reciept, so you'll have to tell me,
But that looks how entry into my private files was made. What go's
now is I will have a bit of time debriefing, A chance to clean up
and look less like a Pashtun goat herder, Let some of the bumps and
owies get treated, And give thanks I did't end up with my toes tied
togeather. I should be back mid or end of next week, Then can go
thru the files to see what all has been corrupted, and who else I'm
going to send apologys to, Truth is, I only got the chance to send
one message, and had to get permission to do that, and that went to
Nancy and Diana, Don't know if it made it thru as I see no listing
of reciept. Take care all, 73's will be with you later. "We Rule the
Night" Col Jon Standingbear Army Radio Station adn3u P.O.Box
44,Beaumont,Calif. 92223-0044
(via G.I.Barrera-ARG Nov 28, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx QSL Verifications xxxxxxxxxx------------
Qsl's - AFGHANISTAN
------------xxxxxxxxxx Miscellaneous xxxxxxxxxx----------------
Misc - AFGHANISTAN
--- Radio Seday-e Afghanistan
Hi Glenn! My name is Adolfo Murrieta González and I'm writing to you
from Guanajuato, Mexico. I have listened to Radio Netherland since
1988, so I know you from several years ago.
Since Saturday 17th. I have listened to "Radio Sharia Afganistan"
from 1330 to 1430 UT at 9950 kHz with a SINPO code of 4-4-3-4-4
using a directional antenna. I don't understand the language, but I
think is a Pashto Broadcasting transmitting from Kabul, Afghanistan.
Glenn, I want that you confirm me this DX. And do you know where
could I send out my reception report to? Because I would like to get
this QSL-card. Well, That's all for now, Thank you and 73!
(A.Murrieta G.-MEX Nov 19, 2001 in DXLD 1-176)
Tnx for a VERY interesting report. No such station is listed or has
been reported elsewhere as far as I know. I'll see what I can hear
tomorrow. It seems doubtful, however, that a 'Sharia' station could
be broadcasting from Afghanistan now, especially Kabul, since the
Taleban are in retreat and had their facilities bombed more than a
month ago.
Can you supply any further details on what you heard, or possibly a
recorded clip of the ID? The Kabul station, no longer Taleban
controlled, is reported to be planning a return to shortwave. If
this is it, the frequency was not previously used. 73,
(G.Hauser to A.Murrieta via DXLD 1-176)
FWIW, this is the only 9950 entry in HFCC B-01:
9950 1600 1800 28 ABS 250 325 1234567 281001 310302 D EGY ERU
PWBR "2002" has EGYPT and INDIA on 9950 at other times
So we were monitoring 9950 starting at 1326 UT November 20. Open
carrier was already on. Rolled a tape for the entire hour. Times
approximate: 1329:30 brief tone test. 1330 Opening mentioning
Afghanistan frequently, Qur'an; 1334 ID as "Sauti Afghanistan ---".
There were frequent musical interludes or backgrounds. 1339 an
apparent poem declaimed with great drama, "Watanah Drawn Watanah",
something about the Fatherland; 1341 ID as "Afghanistan --- Radio".
1345 may have switched languages, ID as "Radio Seday-e Afghanistan",
which would be Dari, surely meaning RADIO VOICE OF AFGHANISTAN,
giving frequencies in kHz (Unfortunately I haven't yet learnt to
count in Dari); 1355 switched to Pashtu, I think; 1359 "Radio
Seday-e Afghanistan" ID again with frequencies, and mentioned
address, telephone, fax numbers. I could not recognize anything in
the address. 1400 sharp, apparently another language switch, ID as
"De Afghanistan -- Radio". 1408, the "Watanah Drawn Watanah" poem
again. 1412 announcement mentioning "Radio -- Afghanistan". 1415 ID
again like at 1400; 1424 the "Watanah" poem yet again. 1427 closing
announcement with kHz; 1429 to brief open carrier and off.
Reception was very good, even on the breakfast table DX-390 and
nothing but its whip. There was minor QRM from WRMI-9955, which
increased slightly toward the end as VOA was fading down a bit.
Modulation, precision and production were of high standard, as was
the signal strength, and I very seriously doubt this could have been
transmitted directly from Afghanistan. More likely, *to*
Afghanistan.
As far as I know, there have been no previous reports of this in the
DX or mainstream press, nor by BBC Monitoring, though there were
certainly plans for the Northern Alliance to start up such a sta-
tion, originally from areas it controlled north of Kabul. My guess
is that this is transmitted from IBB or CIS facilities, but studios
where?
There were also plans for a US-sponsored Radio *Free* Afghanistan,
presumably from RFE/RL HQ in Prague. Possibly this is it, as RFE/RL
were reported to be ready to start at a moment's notice. However,
the word "Azad" was never heard in the IDs. Since Afghanistan is
increasingly "free" of the Taleban, perhaps that word has been
considered unnecessary.
Nor did I ever hear the word "Sharia" during the broadcast, unlike
what Adolfo reported, so we may safely assume this station has
nothing to do with Taleban --- besides, music was prominently
included. Those who understand Pashtu and Dari could no doubt garner
more details from the announcements. We await reports from all other
monitors! (G.Hauser-USA Nov 20, 2001 in DXLD 1-176)
The [..] item from Adrian Peterson [RADIO AFGHANISTAN RETURNS TO THE
SHORTWAVE SCENE], may or may not relate to the above! R. Afghanistan
in Kabul was already reported back on the air on MW, with plans for
SW. The 7 pm local time does not match, as that would be 1430 UT:
(G.Hauser-USA Nov 20, 2001 in DXLD 1-176)
--- BBCM about Radio Seday-e Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Radio Voice of Afghanistan heard on shortwave |
Radio Voice of Afghanistan picture bulletin 21 November
The following is a picture bulletin for the "Radio Voice of
Afghanistan" broadcast in Pashto and Dari, monitored by the BBC from
1330-1430 gmt on Wednesday 21 November:
- 1330 gmt - Programme in Pashto began with station identification
of "Da Afghanistan Ghaq Radio" [Radio Voice of Afghanistan] and an
announcement saying "Da Afghan nasharati moasesai warandi kawi"
[Presented by Afghan broadcasting agency]. Music was played between
each announcement.
The announcer read out the following in Pashto: "In the name of God,
the Merciful, the Compassionate. We are pleased that it is the time
of our programme again, and we are at your service presenting test
programmes of Radio Voice of Afghanistan. Radio Voice of Afghanistan
has begun its test programmes on the 31-metre shortwave band,
corresponding to 9950 kHz. It will begin its main programme very
soon with a speech by the founder of the Radio Voice of Afghanistan
and Afghan intellectual, Sayd Jalal Afghan. We begin today's
programme with the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Koran".
- Koranic recitation.
- Report in Pashto saying that Afghanistan has suffered as a result
of war in the last 20 years. It added: "There are no mass media in
the country such as radio, television, newspapers, magazines and
other publications which would be accessible to all compatriots. It
was because of this need that Radio Voice of Afghanistan was set up
and began its test programmes. It will broadcast the latest inter-
national news and news about Afghanistan, as well as cultural,
scientific and religious programmes. Radio Voice of Afghanistan will
have an hour-long programme every day starting at six [p.m. - 1330
gmt] in Pashto and Dari on the 31-metre shortwave band,
corresponding to 9950 kHz."
- Patriotic song.
- Announcement in Pashto: "Dear compatriots. As you know, Radio
Voice of Afghanistan began its test broadcasts in the last few
days." The announcement repeats the broadcast time.
- Poem in praise of the homeland.
- Report in Pashto: "Dear listeners. The common home of Afghans,
dear Afghanistan, has suffered as a result of war for the last two
decades and almost everything in this country has been destroyed.
The international community has started to pay attention to our
country. News about the reconstruction of Afghanistan has been
broadcast via radios everywhere. These efforts by the international
community are worthy of respect. The participation of Afghans
themselves in this regard is very significant. This is because it is
an obligation of each Afghan to take part in the reconstruction of
his or her country. They should take advantage of the facilities
which will be provided by the international community. The
international community is waiting to see Afghans embrace each other
once again and forget past animosity. This is because we have a
saying that "blood cannot be washed out with blood". It is our duty
to demonstrate to the international community that we can take a
more active part in the reconstruction of our country. We will be
able to make our country stand alongside the developed countries in
the world."
- Closing announcement.
- 1345 gmt - Programme in Dari began with station identification of
"Radio Saday-e Afghanistan" [Radio Voice of Afghanistan] and an
announcement: "Moasesai nasharati Afghan taqtim mi konad" [Presented
by Afghan broadcasting agency]. Music played before and after each
announcement. This was followed by the announcement: "Dear liste-
ners, you are hearing our test broadcast. We will broadcast every
day at 6.30 [pm] Kabul time [1400 gmt] on the 31-metre band
shortwave, corresponding to 9950 kHz. We begin today's programme
with the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Koran".
- Koranic recitation.
- Report in Dari: "War is a destructive phenomenon. The continuation
of over two decades of war in our dear country, Afghanistan, has
inflicted heavy blows on all aspects of our lives, including radio,
television and newspapers, which have suffered as a result of this.
This issue initiated the idea of setting up Radio Voice of Afgha-
nistan. The radio is founded with the financial assistance of Sayd
Jalal Afghan. It will try to play a positive role in the process
of ending war and creating understanding and national unity among
Afghans. We will soon begin our main programmes."
The report adds that each Afghan should help in the process of en-
ding war, adding: "Radio Voice of Afghanistan will make every effort
to play a role in the process of ensuring peace and creating a cli-
mate filled with affection and trust among all nationals of a united
Afghanistan". It repeats the frequencies, and then says: " We will
very soon give you our addresses, our telephone and fax numbers."
- Song.
- Announcement on schedules.
- Patriotic song.
- Announcement saying: "Our first main programme to be broadcast
soon. This is to test the airwaves."
1400 gmt - Repeat of Pashto programme.
1415 gmt: Repeat of Dari programme.
[Note: On 21 November BBC Monitoring heard the radio station
identifying itself as Radio Voice of Afghanistan on 9950 kHz
shortwave from sign-on at 1330 gmt to sign-off at 1430 gmt.
The transmitter characteristics, aerial usage and strength of the
broadcast suggest this might be relayed from a transmitter site in
the Former Soviet Union.]
Source: Radio Voice of Afghanistan in Pashto/Dari 1330 gmt 21 Nov 01
(via DXLD 1-178)
So there we have it, an authoritative summary of the content with
correct IDs. But the studio origination is still not at all clear.
They do not claim to be in Kabul, and this may well represent one of
many exile factions from somewhere abroad. However, the ''Afghan
broadcasting agency'' makes it sound official. The forthcoming fax
and phone numbers should give us some bigger clues. And we need to
know more about its backer, Sayd Jalal Afghan
(G.Hauser-USA Nov 21, 2001 in DXLD 1-178)
Radio Voice of Afghanistan "broadcasting from London"
On Sunday 25 November, a radio station identifying as "Radio Voice
of Afghanistan" was heard broadcasting again in Pashto and Dari from
1330-1430 gmt on 9950 kHz shortwave. The station announced that it
was broadcasting from London.
Programme in Pashto
At 1330 gmt, Radio Voice of Afghanistan began with a programme in
Pashto and announced that it was broadcasting from London: "Test
programmes of Radio Voice of Afghanistan [Pashto: "Da Afghanistan
Ghaq Radio"] will be heard on the 31-metre shortwave band, corres-
ponding to 9950 kHz, and will be broadcast every day from London at
1800 Kabul time [1330 gmt] in Pashto and Dari."
An announcer then said: "Dear listeners, you are listening to our
test programmes of Radio Voice of Afghanistan from London."
A news bulletin, recitations of the Koran and songs followed.
The news bulletin reported on the surrender of the Taleban to United
Front commander Gen Abdorrashid Dostum's forces in the northern city
of Konduz. The report said Taleban soldiers would be allowed to
return home after handing over their weapons. It added: "The Afghan
Taleban brought with them 8 tanks, 5 air defence guns, 7 rocket
launchers and 40 vehicles and surrendered..."
The bulletin said a Pakistani leader had ordered officials to disarm
Afghans in refugees camps.
The bulletin also reported the arrival of Northern Alliance
representative Yunes Qanuni, and Mostafa Zaher, grandson of the
former Afghan King Zaher Shah, in Bonn for talks on the future
government of Afghanistan. The talks are scheduled to begin on 27
November. It said some Taleban officials were willing to attend the
talks. "Speaking in a news conference in Kabul, Mola Mohammad
Khakhsar, who was [Taleban] deputy interior minister, said he was
prepared to participate in the conference. He said that he would
like to attend the conference as an Afghan," the report said.
After the news, the radio aired a commentary on UN efforts to bring
peace to Afghanistan. It said Afghans had pinned their hopes on the
Bonn conference, which may open the way for the establishment of a
broad-based government in Afghanistan.
Programme in Dari
At 1345 gmt, the station began broadcasting its programme in Dari.
An announcer said: "We are at your service, presenting test pro-
grammes of Radio Voice of Afghanistan [Dari: Radio Sada-e Afgha-
nistan]. My colleague will present the latest international and
Afghan news."
The announcement in Dari did not mention that the radio was
broadcasting from London.
Recitation of Koranic verse, and news on Afghanistan and sports
followed. The news bulletin included a shorter version of the
earlier Pashto report on the Taleban surrender in Konduz, quoting
Reuters news agency. It did not mention the weapons surrendered by
the Taleban.
The bulletin repeated the Pashto reports on Pakistani officials
being ordered to disarm Afghans in refugees camps and on the Bonn
talks.
The Dari programme then broadcast an interview with an Afghan ex-
pert, Dr Abdorrahman Olfat, about the Bonn conference. Olfat said
representatives to the conference should be the true representatives
of the nation. However, this was not possible at present, he said.
Replying to a question about four groups with different views atten-
ding the conference, Olfat said: "This is the problem. The problem
is that His Excellency the King has been isolated at least in the
last 30 years. I do not want to talk about the way he has been con-
ducting discussions and making contacts with Afghans recently." On
the United Front, Olfat said: "...I should say that their arrival in
Kabul is parallel with the foreign forces in Afghanistan. This by
itself reduces the importance of the group and the honesty of the
group." He suggested that politically independent Afghans should be
allowed to take part in the conference.
The announcer then introduced a sports news programme: "We are happy
to present to you our first sports news programme. With the help of
God Almighty we will do our best to bring to you the latest
international reports and developments."
Repeats of the programmes in Pashto and Dari followed until sign off
at 1430 gmt.
Source: BBC Monitoring research, 26 Nov 01 (via DXLD 1-183)
"Broadcasting from London" obviously refers to claimed studio lo-
cation and still tells us nothing about transmitter site. However,
it raises the possibility that World Radio Network and\or Merlin be
involved in the distribution, as they are in a number of other clan-
destine operations
(G.Hauser-USA Nov 26, 2001 in DXLD 1-183)
One can't help thinking that the BBC WS itself has been drafted in
to get something up and running, without the potential diplomatic
embarrassment of admitting that it is behind it? Anyone else got any
thoughts. Certainly, I can't imagine many broadcasters being able to
get a newsy, professional service up and running so quickly although
I suppose Afghan TV managed it fairly well last week. It is interes-
ting to note that it did not come on air yesterday until after the
fall of the final Taliban outpost
(M.Savage-BDXC-G Nov 26, 2001 via DXLD 1-183)
UK/Afghanistan: New Afghan radio station uplinks from London |
Text of press release in English from London-based Radio Voice of
Afghanistan on 27 November
The newly established Voice of Afghanistan begins its regular daily
broadcasting schedule from London on Tuesday 27 November. The new
radio station is the voice of moderate Afghan political opinion and
broadcasts news, comment, interviews and music in both the Pashto
and Farsi [Persian/Dari] languages.
The London-based team of Afghan journalists are producing one hour a
day of output to start the service and this will build quickly to
four hours a day over the next few months. The radio station has
been transmitting test broadcasts for the past week consisting of
news bulletins, music and announcements.
The Voice of Afghanistan of a project conceived and created by Said
Jalal Karim, a 32 year old successful businessman born in Afgha-
nistan and now based in Sa'udi Arabia. He has established a chari-
table foundation which runs schools and orphanages in both Saudi
Arabia and Afghanistan. His aim is to provide a positive, all-inclu-
sive, platform for news and comment of Afghanistan thereby contribu-
ting to the re-building of the nation and its rehabilitation inter-
nationally. The Said Jalal Foundation funds the operation of the new
radio station through a non-profit making organization, the Afghan
Broadcasting Company.
Via a powerful shortwave transmitter, the Voice of Afghanistan
reaches its Afghan listeners on 9950 kHz each evening between 6 pm
and 7 pm local [Afghan] time [1230-1330 gmt] [sic, misconverted; as
we should all know, it is at 1330-1430 UT -gh]. The signal is one of
the most powerful on shortwave and is easily received in the
mountainous terrain of Afghanistan. The radio station has been
conducting test transmissions over the last week and has received
many reports from listeners in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Speaking of the inauguration of the Voice of Afghanistan, the foun-
der, Said Jalal Karim, said "A radio station seeking consensus and
unity in the process of rebuilding Afghanistan is badly needed and
the Voice of Afghanistan will fit that role. The radio station will
be the voice of the people - all of the people. The Said Jalal Foun-
dation is very proud to be supporting this important radio station".
For more information call [+44] 020 7382 9610
Source: Radio Voice of Afghanistan press release, London, in English
27 Nov 01 (via BBCM via DXLD 1-184)
Since you got a press release, surely there is more contact info
than a phone number. E-mail? Website? Postal? And how come the
founder's third name above is "Karim" while below it is "Afghan"?
(G.Hauser-USA Nov 27, 2001 in DXLD 1-184)
--- Radio Voice of Afghanistan founder talks to BBC radio
BBC Radio 5 Live in English 0319 gmt 27 Nov 01
[Presenter] A new radio station, the [Radio] Voice of Afghanistan,
begins transmission today. It is based in London and output will be
beamed on shortwave to Afghanistan. All of the station's staff are
Afghans and the project has been organized by Said Jalal Karim, who
was born in Afghanistan but now lives in Saudi Arabia. He told me
why he decided to set the radio station up.
[Said Jalal Karim] Well, actually I have been involved in the peace
process in Afghanistan for the past couple of years, and I have not
seen that the people of Afghanistan - the people who are not famous,
the people who do not have access to the international press - have
anything to say inside Afghanistan. So I wanted to give them the
platform to say what they wanted to say.
[Presenter] Is there anything for them at the moment, radiowise?
[Said Jalal Karim] No there is not actually, no.
[Presenter] Absolutely nothing. So this will be the first one.
[Said Jalal Karim, interrupting] [words indistinct] there is others,
but the BBC does not give enough times to the locals and they just
try to take news and to make interviews with important people.
That's what I would like to give, I would like to give all Afghans,
all platforms the right access, so that they can give their views
and share the future peacemaking in Afghanistan.
[Presenter] How can you do that from London?
[Said Jalal Karim] Well, you have a free press here. That's the best
thing about it. If you are in any other place, you could be
censored, you could be stopped, you could (?and I don't want that to
happen to this).
[Presenter] Now forgive my complete ignorance about radio, having
worked on it. Do you transmit from Europe or do you transmit within
Afghanistan?
[Said Jalal Karim] No, our transmission is actually faces to
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, those areas.
[Presenter] And where do you transmit from?
[Said Jalal Karim] Well actually, currently I think it's from
Samara.
[Presenter] And is it going to be completely factual or will you be
carrying opinions for one side or the other as Afghanistan rebuilds?
[Said Jalal Karim] What do you mean by that - from one side to the
other side?
[Presenter] Do you support one particular part of the factions that
are trying?
[Said Jalal Karim, interrupting] No, no, not at all, no, no. We're
going to be very factual, we're going to allow the people to express
what they have from all different factions.
[Presenter] Because it is a very, very difficult thing to do isn't
it, given the number of factions that there are at the moment?
[Said Jalal Karim] Yeah, I know that, but we are going to be trying
to be as much as professionally possible to do that.
[Presenter] So you say that you'll be putting the voices of the
people of Afghanistan on. What sort of things will people be able
to hear?
[Said Jalal Karim] We're doing a little bit of, first of all, the
programme starts with the Koran, and then we have a small portion of
news, then some interviews, some music and some other cultural
programmes.
[Presenter] And this will all be fairly new to people who perhaps
have only been able to get their news during the Taleban regime?
[Said Jalal Karim] Yes. Actually the nice thing about the programme
is that it's a mixture of Islamic culture and what the people of
Afghanistan would like to hear both about Afghanistan's culture
itself, poetry and other issues that concern women. We have women
broadcasters also [word indistinct].
[Presenter] Was this your idea or were you approached?
[Said Jalal Karim] No, no, I had this idea for quite a long time.
[Presenter] And have you got much feedback from Afghanistan yet?
[Said Jalal Karim] Yes, we have received some feedback from Kabul
because we have been doing test broadcasting in the past week. And
the feedback is very good, the voice is very clear and the people
are quite comfortable with what has been broadcast until now.
[Presenter] Now, I understand that you have a sort of history of
philanthropy. You've invested in orphanages and schools in the past.
Are you going to put yourself on the radio?
[Said Jalal Karim] What do you mean - I put myself on the radio?
[Presenter] Well, will you be broadcasting?
[Said Jalal Karim] Myself?
[Presenter] Yes.
[Said Jalal Karim] No. I have a speech only. One speech that I'm
going to be giving through the radio and that's it.
[Presenter] What are you going to say?
[Said Jalal Karim] It's time for peace, prosperity and unity. That's
(?about) all I have to say.
[Presenter] And the rest of it will come from people in London?
[Said Jalal Karim] You mean from the staff?
[Presenter] Yes.
[Said Jalal Karim] Oh yes. I have very good staff. We've got about
seven or eight people working. All Afghans, professionals. And I'm
quite happy with their produce until now and I'll be supervising
them and helping them as much as possibly I can.
[Presenter] You're starting at one hour a day. Are you hoping to be
able to do longer?
[Said Jalal Karim] Yes, we are planning a maximum of probably three
hours.
[Presenter] And you won't be rivalling the BBC?
[Said Jalal Karim] Well, actually no. See the BBC is more
concentrating on news and we're not trying to concentrate on the
news because if we do that, we will not be able to beat BBC's
capabilities. So we will be concentrating on other parts that the
BBC is not concentrating on. And we are an Afghan radio for Afghans.
BBC is a United Kingdom broadcasting company.
[Presenter] That's Said Jalal Karim, who will be setting up a Radio
[Voice of] Afghanistan that starts today.
(R.Hofwiler-POL Nov 29, 2001 for CRW)
--- APTN about Radio Voice of Afghanistan
DATELINE: London - Nov 27, 2001 SHOTLIST:
1. Male announcer waits to read news
2. Engineer pushes up fader
3. Engineer signals announcer to begin
4. Announcer at microphone
5. Sign saying 'Voice of Afghanistan'
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Said Jalal Karim, Owner, Voice of Afghanist.
"The main purpose of this project is because a lot of people aren't
having their voices heard. We want to provide a platform for all
Afghans - Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hezaras, everybody - so they
can give their opinion regarding the rebuilding of Afghanistan."
7. News team in editorial meeting
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Said Jalal Karim, Owner, Voice of Afghanist.
"I have given clear directives to all the staff that we will only
give the views of the Afghan people. The station itself, or its
owner, will not inflict its own opinion on the radio."
9. Tilt from paper up to female announcer's face
10. Technical equipment on engineer's desk
11. Female announcer reads news
12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Said Jalal Karim, Owner, Voice of Afghanistan
"The reason that I built this station is to let the Afghan voice
be heard - political, economic or cultural - to reach other
Afghan brothers whether they are inside Afghanistan or outside."
13. Karim meets with newsroom staff
STORYLINE: A new radio station called the Voice of Afghanistan was
launched Tuesday - but it is based in London rather than Kabul. It
is the creation of Said Jalal Karim, a millionaire who was born in
Afghanistan but who is now based in Saudi Arabia. The station will
provide news and analysis - initially for one hour a day - on short
wave, in the Pashtu and Farsi languages. All the staff are Afghans
living in London. Karim says the content will reflect all shades of
mainstream political opinion.
(via D.R.Alpert-USA Nov 27, 2001 in DXLD 1-184)
--- RNMN about about Radio Voice of Afghanistan
The arrival of Radio Voice of Afghanistan
The big story of the week is the start of a new shortwave radio
station broadcasting to Afghanistan. The arrival of Radio Voice of
Afghanistan seemed to surprise just about everyone except those
behind it, who have chosen not to reveal their identity yet. It was
Glenn Hauser's DX Listening Digest that broke the news to the
shortwave community, and a Mexican listener to Radio Netherlands
Spanish service, Adolfo Murrieta González, must claim credit for the
first logging on 17 November.
Our partners at Clandestine Radio Watch were soon on the case, and
Takuya Hirayama of the CRW Japan Bureau, who understands Pashto and
Dari, has written a summary of the broadcast on 22 November. I
monitored the 23 November broadcast, and we've published a 10 minute
audio sample.
Read more in our Afghanistan media dossier at
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/afghanistan.html . If you want to
listen immediately to the audio sample, click on this link:
http://www.omroep.nl/cgi-bin/streams?/rnw/medianetwork/rvoa011123.rm
(A.Sennit-RN-HOL Nov 24, 2001 in MediaNetwork-ML)
I called the station this afternoon on the number given in their
press release. The Voice of Afghanistan says it broadcasts via ‘a
powerful shortwave transmitter', but the man behind the station,
Said Jalal Karim, would only tell me that the transmitter is located
"in Europe", and did not wish to be more specific. The studios are
located at 21 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2DW. The station can be
contacted by phone at +44 207 382 9610 or by E-mail at
afbc9950@hotmail.com
The phone number and address turn out to be a company called
Coppernob Business Services ( http://www.coppernob.net/ ), an Internet
service company which also runs various Web radio stations. However,
when I called they answered as "Voice of Afghanistan", which kinda
surprised me.
More at http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/afghanistan.html
(A.Sennit-HOL Nov 28, 2001 in HCDX)
I was pleased to get the chance to speak to Said Jalal Karim [..]:
The new radio station Voice of Afghanistan began regular broadcasts
on Tuesday 27 November. Transmissions are currently on the air daily
at 1330-1430 UTC on shortwave 9950kHz. In a press release, the
station describes itself as 'the voice of moderate Afghan political
opinion'. Broadcasts include news, comment, interviews and music in
Pashto and Farsi. A team of Afghan journalists based in London are
producing one hour a day of output to start the service, and this
will build quickly to four hours a day over the next few months. The
project was conceived and created by Said Jalal Karim, a 32 year old
successful businessman born in Afghanistan and now based in Saudi
Arabia. He has established a charitable foundation which runs
schools and orphanages in both Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. His aim
is to provide a positive, all-inclusive, platform for news, views
and comment on Afghanistan thereby contributing to the rebuilding of
the nation and its rehabilitation internationally. The Said Jalal
Foundation funds the operation of the new radio station through a
non-profit making organisation, the Afghan Broadcasting Company. The
Voice of Afghanistan says it broadcasts via 'a powerful shortwave
transmitter', but speaking by telephone to Media Network, Said Jalal
Karim would only say that the transmitter is located "in Europe",
and did not wish to be more specific. The studios are located at 21
Worship Street, London, EC2A 2DW. The station can be contacted by
phone at +44 20 7 382 9610 or by E-mail at afbc9950@hotmail.com
© Radio Netherlands Media Network.
(A.Sennit-HOL Nov 28, 2001 for CRW)
--- Radio Nangarhar is on the air
The Music Makers Return and, Hesitantly, a City Sings Again
By: Tim Weiner
JALALABAD, Afghanistan, 11/20/2001 (The New York Times ) ::
Radio Nangarhar is on the air, 1,000 watts of poetry beaming out
over Afghanistan.
Until Sunday this was Radio Shariat, the voice of the Taliban all
Koran, all the time. Now Sher Shah Humdard is at the microphone
reciting a new work by a blind Kabul poet, Al Hajj Barakatullah
Salim.
The lyrics lose a little in translation, but it is a love poem, full
of loneliness and longing, something like a Hank Williams song. A
harsh God is not in sight.
"For 23 years, it's been blood and guns and death, what other
theme?" said Mr. Humdard. "But now we are broadcasting this poetry
of love to the people. Today we talk about the beautiful lips, the
beautiful hair, the beautiful cheeks of our beloved. And that is the
change."
Practitioners of the art of living, singers, musicians, poets are
slowly coming out from hiding here in Jalalabad, the capital of
Nangarhar, in eastern Afghanistan, now that a new provincial
government, established on Sunday, has taken over from the Taliban.
Many are extremely cautious about believing that the change is real.
They are waiting for an official pronouncement that it is safe to
sing.
Buryali Wali was Jalalabad's favorite singer of ghazal, traditional
Afghan love tunes, which he describes as "songs of happiness and
silence." He returned Sunday night after six years' exile in
Pakistan.
"I heard the news that there was peace in Jalalabad and I wanted to
see what Afghanistan looks like without fear on its face," he said
today.
"I was in Pakistan when I heard the news that the Taliban had taken
over back then, and everybody told me that it was too dangerous to
go back," he said. "They told me: 'They know your face. They know
your music. Don't go.'
"But on Sunday, I put my clothes in a bag and I came. I have no
words for my feelings when I crossed the border. My country was once
like a paradise, and I want to replant it. I want to return to that
paradise."
"But right now there's no music on the radio," he said. "I don't
really know what the new policy is. If I get government permission,
I will perform. I have been talking to people, and they are fed up
with guns and missiles. They want to hear voices singing."
Lal Agha also returned this morning after a long wait for an end to
the Taliban, to unlock his hole-in- the-wall shop in the center of
the city, where he sells cheap radios and tapes.
For years, he sold only Taliban cassettes, religious recitations.
Now he is waiting for a shipment of music tapes. So are 30 young
customers crammed into his store.
"We are searching for any kind of music," said Ajmal, 16. "It's been
six years since I heard music. There are no words to explain the
happiness I think I will feel when I hear it."
Lal Agha feels sure he can sell as many tapes as he can stock. "I'm
waiting for permission to see if it is allowed," he said. "They are
crazy for music, these youngsters."
At Radio Nangarhar, Mr. Humdard, who lists his profession as poet
and occasionally breaks into spontaneous verse in midconversation,
reflected on his seven-year career in broadcasting.
Today, he said, was the first day he felt the possibility of being
free.
"We didn't have the opportunity to speak from our heart to the
people," he said. "There were restrictions. There was censorship.
And I fear that maybe we are still not free.
"We have never had freedom of speech. Saying the wrong thing can get
you killed. And maybe this radio station is hopeless. Our voice only
reaches 45 kilometers from here.
"But if I had a huge loudspeaker, and a microphone that could reach
around the world, I would send this message: Help us. Help us. We
are a very needy people."
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/20/international/asia/20RADI.html
(via N.Grace-USA Nov 20, 2001 for CRW)
--- Music in Jalalabad awaits official OK, hits shaky note
Music in Jalalabad awaits official OK, hits shaky note
November 26, 2001 Washington Times
JALALABAD, Afghanistan Mohammed Zubir Khasar celebrated what he
called "freedom day" when the Taliban left town by playing music for
the first time in five years on Jalalabad's only radio station.
That happened not quite two weeks ago, Nov. 14, when the Taliban
pulled out and local tribal warlords formed a new government for
Jalalabad and the surrounding province.
Today, Mr. Khasar waits for the new leadership, under Gov. Abdul
Qadeer, to give its approval to play music during the daily 7 a.m.
to
9 a.m. broadcast, the only time the little station with its limited
funding is able to turn on its tiny transmitter.
"Music is part of our culture. Afghan music, that is, not Western
music," said Mr. Khasar, a former comedian who had been the lone
announcer on Radio Jalalabad since shortly before the Taliban came
to power in 1996.
Today, he has reason to be hopeful. The new government has
already moved to lift a number of onerous Taliban restrictions, such
as one banning girls from going to school.
Likewise, homemade kites can be seen flying above mud-walled
villages, breaking yet another taboo that was a product of the
Taliban's fanatical interpretation of Islam.
But music is another issue. "I'm concerned now because a small group
of military commanders in the new government opposes music," Mr.
Khasar said.
"I'm still waiting for their decision. If they don't mind, I'm ready
to start playing."
The official weight of a seemingly simple decision to allow music
illustrates that the new government shares many of the strict Muslim
beliefs of the Taliban.
That means that any loosening of restrictions is likely to come
in measured degrees instead of a wholesale abandonment of Taliban
restrictions.
Locals say women will probably not be forced to wear the face-
covering burka. But head scarfs will, in all likelihood, be
required,
and most women will go on living their lives without speaking to men
other than their fathers, brothers and husbands.
Afghanistan's tradition of music comes mainly from its Persian-
speaking people in the east and the north, not the ethnic Pashtun
areas that dominate the south.
Even in Pakistan's Pashtun areas along its border with Afghanistan,
one rarely hears music in public except for an occasional lone
musician playing soothing tunes on a mandolinlike instrument in
an upscale restaurant.
Among public officials, one senses ambivalence toward the question
of whether boys and girls should be singing inside classrooms.
Abdul Ghani Hidayat, the new education secretary for Nangarhar
province, said music will be introduced in boys schools and newly
opened girls schools by way of the Afghan national anthem, which
will be played every morning.
As far as singing in the classroom, he said, "We have never had that
sort of tradition in the classroom. It's not part of our culture."
One of the world's most famous converts to Islam, pop singer Cat
Stevens, stopped singing for more than 20 years, believing that
music was un-Islamic.
Only recently did he sing again for a charity event for the victims
of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
"Before the Taliban came, there were no restrictions on music, so
I don't expect any now," said Mr. Khasar, 34, whose broad smile
often emerges from behind his thick black beard, softening the lines
of worry around his eyes.
"Young Afghans men, women, boys and girls they all want to hear
music. It's the older people who are divided," he said.
"Under the Taliban, they had so many rules. You couldn't do this.
You couldn't do that. You couldn't play music. There was a joke that
you couldn't even laugh. The only thing you could do was go to
sleep."
Much of his two-hour show is devoted to reciting verses from Islam's
holy book, the Koran, interspersed with news reports.
Now, Mr. Khasar finds himself dusting off a library of reel-to-reel
music tapes that have been locked away for the past five years,
hoping for the chance to play the tapes once again.
"I love music," he said. "This is the fruit of the inspiration of
the Afghan people."
(via M.Cooper-CAN Nov 26, 2001 in DXLD 1-183)
--- Audio of Balkh Radio
Afghanistan - Balkh Radio
New on the Interval Signals Archive is a recent recording of Balkh
Radio from Mazar-e-Sharif, the former Voice of Sharia of Balkh
Province. The three-minute clip has a shortened version of the
signature tune used at sign-on, an ID and programme preview by a
female presenter, then an Afghan song. This can be found on the
Interval Signals Archive at http://www.intervalsignals.net
A search facility has also recently been added to the website.
(D.Kernick-G Nov 20, 2001 in HCDX)
--- RADIO AFGHANISTAN RETURNS TO THE SHORTWAVE SCENE
This evening, NPR gave a report from Kabul in Afghanistan regarding
the re-activation of the radio station, indicating that the station
has returned to the SW scene. The NPR reporter was in Kabul, in the
studios of Radio Afghanistan. He stated that the station and its
facilities were previously operated by the Taliban as "Radio
Shariah" and the station name has been changed (reverted) to Radio
Afghanistan. There are now two women announcers on the air reading
the news, one in Dari and one in Pashto, I would imagine. They are
now broadcasting music, children's programs as well as sports
information. The station is operating at less than half capacity,
probably program-wise as well as power output. The man who is now
the manager of Radio Afghanistan was last week managing the small
Northern Alliance station in the Panjir Valley. He has retained the
previous Taliban staff, mainly due to the unavailability of
experienced staff.
It was also stated that SW is the best way to give coverage to all
of Afghanistan thus indicating that the station is again on the air
SW. The station is on the air daily beginning at 7:00 pm (local
time). The NPR reporter also played a cut from one of the announcers
reading the news as well as some traditional Afghan music now on the
air from this station. During the time I lived in Pakistan, I
visited Kabul in Afghanistan more times than I can count, and on
many occasions I also visited the studios and transmitter facilities
of Radio Afghanistan.
Although the reporter did not specifically state where the studios
are located where he was making his report, it is clear to me from
the context of his information that he was in the building on the
road to the airport that has been the studio facility of Radio
Afghanistan for the past nearly 30 years.
(A.M.Peterson-IN-USA Nov 19, 2001 in DXLD 1-176)
Here's the link to the 5-minute NPR All Things Considered report,
which includes an opening ID as "Radio Afghanistan, Kabul", but we
never heard Kabul mentioned in the ID on 9950:
http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/atc/20011119.atc.02.ram
(G.Hauser-USA Nov 20, 2001 in DXLD 1-176)
--- LA TELEVISION VOLVIO A EMITIR EN AFGANISTAN
El Mercurio, Santiago de Chile, Lunes 19 de Noviembre de 2001
El pasado 18 de noviembre, a las 18:00 horas, se reanudaron las
transmisiones del canal de Kabul. Tras cinco años de silencio, la
television de Kabul reanudo ayer sus transmisiones. La emision, que
comenzo a las 18:00 hora local, fue sencilla pero simbolica y
coherente: se inicio con una lectura del Coran, a la que siguio la
difusion de un comunicado en el que el canal agradecio a las nuevas
autoridades la decision de retomar las emisiones.
"Tenemos previstos una serie de programas para esta tarde: una
entrevista, una mesa redonda, musica, noticias en lengua pashtun y
dari", explico el director de Television de Kabul, Humayon Rawi.
En pantalla, la programacion fue presentada por Mariam Shakebar, una
joven de 16 años, que uso para la ocasion un discreto velo de color
oscuro en vez de la burka, obligada por el regimen taliban del mula
Mohammed Omar.
Problemas tecnicos La sede del canal habia permanecido casi desierta
desde el 26 de septiembre de 1996, cuando los taliban cortaron las
transmisiones. Su renacimiento comenzo a gestarse el martes 13,
cuando decenas de tecnicos inundaron el lugar para comenzar a
reparar los desperfectos.
La tarea no fue facil. "Teniamos un monton de problemas tecnicos",
dijo el experto Mir Mohammed. "Parte de nuestro equipo tiene 30
años", agrego. La parabolica de la red fue destruida durante unos
bombardeos a comienzos de los años 90 y en este momento el canal
solo cuenta con un transmisor de 10 Watt. Las carencias limitan, de
momento, las emisiones a tres horas diarias y solo para Kabul.
Ayer, Lida Azimi, la presentadora del noticiero, se mostraba ansiosa
por retomar su profesion: "Estoy tan feliz", señalo la periodista
con un pañuelo blanco en la cabeza y anteojos. "La vida me sonrie de
nuevo. Permaneci encerrada en mi casa todo el tiempo que los
taliban estuvieron en Afganistan. Nunca trabaje en estos cinco
años", añadio. En efecto, la llegada del regimen taliban significo
el fin del cine y la television para los habitantes de Afganistan, y
un cruel enclaustramiento para las mujeres. Las reglas taliban eran
claras: los humanos no pueden ser retratados en fotogra-fias,
filmaciones o peliculas.
Durante el gobierno del mula Omar solo fue permitida la existencia
de la Radio Voz de Sharia, dedicada exclusivamente a emitir
diariamente y sin variantes oraciones islamicas.
Las alternativas provenian de radios internacionales, que emiten
señales en los diversos idiomas locales: La voz de America, la BBC y
La voz de Alemania. Sin embargo, unos pocos ciudadanos se arries-
garon y se las ingeniaron para mantener aparatos de TV en los
armarios de sus casas siguiendo, de tanto en tanto, programas a
traves de una señal satelital.
(via H.Lopez-CHL Nov 19, 2001 in ConDig 134)
--- RNMN about AFG
Voices That Matter
The emergence of this new station higlights a growing risk that the
diverse broadcasts being aimed at the Afghans, some not on the air
yet, will actually confuse the situation instead of bringing
stability to the country. In a special commentary, I explain why I
am coming to the conclusion.
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/afghanistan011123.html
Television Returns to Kabul
Just days after the liberation of Kabul from the Taliban, television
has returned for the first time in over 5 years. More details in our
Afghanistan dossier at
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/afghanistan.html Radio Netherlands
journalist Hans-Jaap Melissen is currently in Kabul. You may have
heard his reports on Newsline this week. He has visited the TV
station, and has a digital camera with him, but he's unable to
E-mail the images from Kabul. We're hoping to publish a photo
gallery of Hans-Jaap's visit when he returns to Hilversum, probably
next week.
(A.Sennit-RN-HOL Nov 24, 2001 in MediaNetwork-ML)
--- BBCM about Afghanistan
Afghanistan : Media round-up Tuesday 20 November 2001
KABUL
Radio Afghanistan
BBC Monitoring has not yet observed the reported Kabul radio broad-
casts. The station known as Radio Kabul or Radio Afghanistan is
broadcasting via a mobile transmitter.
The director of the Kabul-based radio, in an interview for India's
Star News TV on 16 November, said the station was transmitting for
three hours in the morning and four hours in the evening daily.
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, seeks foreign aid
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.
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. Broadcasting through a 10-Watt
transmitter, Kabul TV will be seen at first only for three hours a
day in central Kabul.
Kabul TV director Humayon Rawi told Reuters news agency: "We want to
expand our broadcasts, put out all kinds of programmes for the whole
of the day. We're asking for help from foreigners so we can be a
proper TV station."
The staff, once 120 strong, now number about 25, the French news
agency AFP said.
Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 19 November in Kabul interviewed
Afghan news reader Shimudin Shamsul Din, who said: "Everybody wanted
the TV to resume its transmission, especially the women. We are
three days late, but now we are happy to resume transmission."
Al-Jazeera reporter Khalid al-Mahmud, reporting from the Kabul TV
station, said: "The Afghan TV programming was not free of religious
programmes, news and songs on its first day. Work went smoothly
without much hardship. Work to breathe new life into the station has
begun since the allied forces entered the capital. Had it not been
for the technical problems that faced the technical workers, the
transmission signals would have been received earlier by the local
citizens.
"However, the TV alone did not satisfy the Afghans' eagerness for
entertainment, which they missed during the past years. The rhythm
of life in Kabul today seems different from the past when the
Taleban imposed shackles and restrictions on citizens in this
regard. The most salient thing on the Afghani scene is the return of
theatres. What the Taleban prohibited during its rule was allowed by
the local citizens after its demise. Afghan audiences are eager to
watch the films they receive from neighbouring countries. It is
unlikely that the bad condition of theatres will discourage crowds
from flocking to the theatre."
MAZAR-E SHARIF
Balkh Radio
On Tuesday 20 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif --- identifying itself as
Balkh Radio --- was observed signing on at 0230 gmt on its usual
frequency of 1584 kHz. However, reception deteriorated before the
scheduled end of the morning transmission at 0430 gmt.
Balkh Radio was heard later on 20 November, beginning its evening
broadcasts at 1202 gmt. The broadcast opened with Koranic
recitations; it stopped broadcasting temporarily at 1230 to allow
people to break the Ramadan fast.
19 November evening broadcast
The 1230-1500 gmt broadcast on Balkh Radio on 19 November included
the following reports:
- Gen Dostum, the commander in chief of the northern zone, chaired a
meeting of the High Military Council of the northern zone today. He
also met elders and people's representatives from Sar-e Pole and
Samangan Provinces.
- The Wadat-e Islam-i leader for the northern zone, Mohammad
Mohaqqeq, met a number of elders and intellectuals from districts of
Mazar-e Sharif.
- The head of the department of political and military affairs of
the northern zone told his department officials to set up religious
departments at military units and commissions for religious
propaganda.
- A delegation from US and other foreign aid organizations visited a
hospital in Mazar-e Sharif.
- The head of the department of education and training of Balkh
Province chaired a meeting of schoolmasters today.
- The commander of the town of Hayraton reopened a girls' school.
- Council of elders of Balkh Province to resume work and meet on 21
November.
- A game of buzkashi (a form of polo with a dead calf or goat) will
be held to mark the latest victories of the United Islamic Front For
the Salvation of Afghanistan on Friday 23 November.
- Interview with former Afghan president Rabbani about a future
government in Afghanistan.
HERAT
Radio Herat
The BBC continues to monitor a station identifying itself as Radio
Herat broadcasting in Dari from the western city of Herat.
Herat television
A TV station in Herat calling itself "Television of Herat City" is
on the air, broadcasting in Dari from 1600 local time (1130 gmt) for
two and a half hours a day.
US INFORMATION RADIO
US PsyOps broadcasts continue
US PsyOps Information Radio continues to be observed by BBC Moni-
toring 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.
US PsyOps radio offers 25m-dollar bounty for Bin-Ladin
The US PsyOps Information Radio continues its broadcasts for
Afghanistan twice a day. The programme includes Afghan music and
anti-Taleban and anti-Al-Qa'idah announcements and commentaries in
Pashto and Dari. The following announcement in Dari was monitored on
19 November:
For the attention of the brave people of Afghanistan: Some 25m
dollars will be given as a reward to anyone who can provide us with
reliable information about the whereabouts or [leading to] the
arrest of Usamah Bin-Ladin or Ayman al-Zawahiri. The two terrorists
are responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent people
around the world.
The liberation of the proud people of Afghanistan from the oppres-
sion of the foreign terrorists is becoming closer each day. We need
your help in order to expel foreign terrorists. The terrorists are
being defeated on the war front every day. We need your assistance
and cooperation because a number of cowards and murderers have
hidden themselves. The coalition forces or partnership countries and
the Afghan forces, who are fighting for the liberation of
Afghanistan, will continue to do their utmost in order to arrest
those terrorists.
We will be able to bring to justice, with your help, the terrorists
of the Al-Qa'idah gang for the crimes that they have committed.
Rewards will also be given for providing information or documents
leading to the identification of other members of Al-Qa'idah. Please
listen to Information Radio in order to obtain fresh information.
This radio will announce in future how information about the
whereabouts or [leading to] the arrest of those cowardly terrorists
can be passed on to the relevant authorities of the coalition
countries so that the deserving person can receive his cash reward
for the arrest of those people. Please listen to Information Radio
for further information.
[Reuters news agency cited The New York Times as saying that the
broadcasts offering the 25m-dollar reward for Bin-Ladin began on the
night of Sunday 18 November, six weeks after the US started bombing
Afghanistan. The broadcasts also identify several other Al-Qa'idah
leaders believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, and the scripts
indicate that the US has gathered more information on the identities
of Al-Qa'idah leaders than it had previously disclosed, the New York
Times said.
In addition to the radio broadcasts, the Pentagon has begun dropping
thousands of leaflets in Afghanistan calling on Afghans to help in
the hunt for Bin-Ladin. About 10,000 leaflets were dropped on the
night of Monday 19 November in the area of the northern city of
Mazar-i-Sharif, according to the New York Times report. The news-
paper quoted officials as saying that more leaflets would be dropped
in other regions of Afghanistan in coming days.]
Source: US PsyOps Information Radio in Dari 0230 gmt 19 Nov 01
FOREIGN MEDIA
French media watchdog's "shock" over killing of four journalists
Text of press release by Paris-based organization Reporters Sans
Frontières (RSF) on 19 November
Reporters Sans Frontières has expressed its dismay and shock follo-
wing the murder of four journalists in the province of Kabul. Accor-
ding to the latest information collected by RSF, the reported vic-
tims are Maria Grazia Cutuli, the Italian daily Corriere della
Serra's special envoy, Julio Fuentes, a reporter from the Spanish
daily El Mundo, Harry Burton, an Australian cameraman from the
Reuters news agency, and Azizullah Haidari, an Afghan-born
photographer from the Reuters agency.
Following the deaths of Johanne Sutton of RFI, Pierre Billaud of RTL
and Volker Handloik of Stern, this new tragedy reminds us that the
press is paying a heavy price in order to inform the public of the
situation in Afghanistan. We recommend that journalists ask moja-
hedin commanders or the local authorities for armed escorts when
they leave cities under the control of anti-Taleban forces. Contac-
ted by RSF, the new authorities in Jalalabad expressed regret that
the journalists had left in a convoy for Kabul without any security.
The press convoy, which included eight vehicles, left Jalalabad
(province of Nangarhar) on the morning of 19 November 2001. Most
reporters had arrived there the previous evening from the Pakistani
border under the protection of Commander Zaman's mojahedin fighters.
Two hours into the convoy's journey, near Pouli-es-the-Kam (90 km
east of Kabul), six unidentified persons armed with Kalashnikovs
reportedly blocked the convoy. They reportedly allowed the Afghan
chauffeurs to leave the convoy and asked the Westerners to follow
them. A few metres further, the attackers reportedly opened fire on
the journalists. One of them was reportedly shot in the face. The
six other vehicles made a U-turn and headed back to Jalalabad to
report the incident.
Commander Zaman confirmed with RSF that a group of at least 50
mojahedin had gone to the location of the crime to try and recover
the bodies and establish the circumstances of the killings. He noted
that the zone was located in the province of Kabul, which is an area
under the Northern Alliance forces' authority. Another group of
soldiers reportedly left from Kabul to investigate the incident.
According to several sources questioned by RSF, the Sarowbi region,
which has numerous narrow canyons, is known as an area where many
bandits are active.
The evening before the deadly attack, three Radio France
Internationale journalists, including Jean Piel, the radio network's
New Delhi correspondent, were attacked and robbed along the same
road by a group of young bandits armed with Kalashnikovs.
That same day, a group of Filipino journalists were robbed on the
road to Kabul. Isolated groups of Taleban fighters may also be
present in the region.
Over 770 journalists have been killed over the past 15 years,
including 24 since 1 January 2001.
For further information, contact Vincent Brossel at RSF, 5, rue
Geoffroy Marie, Paris 75009, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 84, fax:
+33 1 45 23 11 51, e-mail: asie@rsf.fr , Internet: http://www.rsf.fr
Source: Reporters Sans Frontieres press release, Paris, in English
19 Nov 01
Italian reporter's murder might relate to scoop on Afghan sarin gas
stock | Excerpt from report by Italian newspaper La Repubblica web
site on 19 November
"It is hard to tell whether there's a link between the ambush and
the article," said Ferruccio de Bortoli, the editor of [daily]
Corriere della Sera, who did not want to commit himself to whether
the murder of Maria Grazia Cutuli is an act of vengeance against the
scoop published today by the Milan daily, simultaneously with the
publication of a similar article in [Spanish daily] El Mundo, the
paper Julio Fuentes worked for. Fuentes was among the reporters
killed in today's ambush in Afghanistan.
Maria Grazia Cutuli and her Spanish colleague together had scooped
the news. "A stock of sarin gas at Bin-Ladin's base" is the headline
of the article carrying the Sicilian journalist's by-line. "The
report is definitely what we call a scoop," said de Bortoli, "but no
scoop is worth a life"...
Source: La Repubblica web site, Rome, in Italian 1720 gmt 19 Nov 01
Taleban to allow reporters into border town on 20 November - Al-
Jazeera
The Taleban have said they will allow a group of foreign journalists
to visit the small Afghan town of Spin Boldak on the Pakistani
border on Tuesday 20 November, Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite TV
reported on the 19th.
According to the TV, the Taleban said they want to show the
journalists their "tight control of the areas in southern
Afghanistan".
Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 2105 gmt 19 Nov 01
Pakistan prevents journalists from crossing Afghan border
Text of press release by Paris-based organization Reporters Sans
Frontières (RSF) on 19 November
In a letter to the Pakistani minister of the interior, Lt-Gen
Moinuddin Haider, RSF asked that he grant Pakistani and foreign
journalists "transit permits" as soon as possible, to enable them to
cross the Afghan border.
"The Pakistani authorities have asked journalists to obtain visas
before entering Afghanistan, but there is no diplomatic represen-
tation of the United Front or of the Mojahedin commanders who
control Jalalabad. This situation is ridiculous. The reporters would
have to go to New Delhi or Paris, where there are embassies of the
Rabbani government, to obtain a visa," said RSF Secretary-General
Robert Menard.
RSF asked the federal minister to intercede with North-West Frontier
Province (NWFP) authorities, especially the Home and Tribal Affairs
Department, in order to allow media representatives to cross the
border as of 17 November 2001. "For two months now, hundreds of
reporters have been covering the war in Afghanistan from Peshawar.
Banning them from going to Jalalabad is in breach of the Pakistani
government's commitments to allow open coverage of the conflict,"
said Menard.
According to information obtained by RSF, on 16 November, NWFP
authorities prevented a convoy of Pakistani and international
reporters from leaving Peshawar for the Afghan border (Torkham). The
day before, more than 100 reporters crossed the border with a convoy
of thousands of armed men, organised by Commander Zaman. The
security forces did not prohibit the journalists from entering
Afghanistan, but the authorities announced later that reporters who
try to return to Pakistan will be subject to an inspection.
According to several sources, the NWFP's Interior and Tribal Affairs
Department in Peshawar is responsible for the refusal to allow media
representatives to have access to the border. Even reporters from
BBC radio and CNN television, who were issued "transit permits" by
the federal authorities in Islamabad, were barred from crossing the
border.
For further information, contact Vincent Brossel at RSF, 5, rue
Geoffroy Marie, Paris 75009, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 84, fax:
+33 1 45 23 11 51, e-mail: asie@rsf.fr , Internet: http://www.rsf.fr
Source: Reporters Sans Frontieres press release, Paris, in English
19 Nov 01
Kashmiris "abandon" Pakistan TV for BBC, CNN coverage of Afghanistan
Excerpt from report by Indian news agency PTI
Leh, 20 November: People in Jammu and Kashmir have abandoned
Pakistan Television and are tuning to multinational networks to
follow events in Afghanistan, particularly the dramatic collapse of
the hardline Taleban regime.
"Past few weeks have seen a flood of requests from civilians, mostly
Kashmiris with business interest here for hook-up to BBC and CNN
channels from over all over Kargil and here," Ghaffar, a leading
cable operator, told PTI.
"I get 15 to 20 calls daily not only from Kashmiri settlers but
people from Kargil and Buddhists here," he said adding people get
impatient if connections are not instant.
Earlier, it was Pakistan TV that people were watching, but for past
few weeks there has been a dramatic change with people wanting and
closely following the collapse of Taleban and rout of its Pakistani
fraternal terrorist organizations like Harkat-ul-Mujahideen
[Harakat-ul-Mojahedin] and Jaish-i-Muhammad [Muhammad's Army] in
Afghanistan, Ghaffar said.
As the "Operation Enduring Freedom" unfolded, people were watching
PTV, which carried a lot of Al-Jazeera [Qatari satellite TV channel]
footage, but with reports of 35 hardline Pakistani Harkat terrorists
killed on 5 November in a house in Afghan capital Kabul in US B-52
bombers precision raids, the clamour for foreign channels started.
Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, the reincarnation of Harkat-ul-Ansar [Harakat-
ul-Ansar], which was put by US State Department on a terrorist watch
list suspecting its hand in the gruesome killing of five abducted
foreign tourists in Kashmir in 1995, as well as Jaish are active in
Jammu and Kashmir in a big way.
Jaish is the organization formed by Maulana Azhar, who was freed by
New Delhi in exchange for release of hostages on the hijacked Indian
Airlines plane to Kandahar in December 1999.
According to top army officials here, foreign mercenaries outnumber
local militants in Jammu and Kashmir, with their numbers in the
state put around 5,000. Of these Jaish and Harkat strength is
reported to be half.
Salim Geelani, another Kashmiri resident, who returned from his home
in the valley just two days back said: "It is with same intense
interest that people in the valley are watching the collapse of
Taleban in Afghanistan. "There is a similar beeline for foreign
channels in Srinagar too." ...
Cable operators here said television fever was not confined to
public alone with dramatic increase in foreign channel surfing
reported from large number of troops deployed along the Line of
Control as well as Sino-Indian border.
"There has been a ten-fold increase in demand for cable hook-up from
army formations in Leh and Kargil itself, Ghaffar said adding front-
line formations had their own satellite dish antenna to tune into
international channels...
Source: PTI news agency, New Delhi, in English 0654 gmt 20 Nov 01
Ukrainian journalist detained, asked to leave Kabul
A correspondent for Ukraine's Inter TV was arrested together with
two Pakistani colleagues while filming a closed meeting in Bagram
between the US military and the Northern Alliance to discuss the use
of Bagram airport by US planes. The correspondent, Andriy Tsapli-
yenko, and his crew were detained and taken to a police station
because they had no accreditation. Although Tsapliyenko was soon
released, his colleagues stayed in custody because they were Pakis-
tani citizens of Afghan descent. "They were verbally accused of
spying for the Taleban," he told Inter TV.
Tsapliyenko has been asked to leave Kabul, but he has vowed to stay
on until his colleagues are also set free.
Source: Inter TV, Kiev, in Russian 1800 gmt 19 Nov 01
South African groups adopt plan of action to counter media "bias" on
Afghanistan | Text of report by South African Muslim community Radio
786 on 16 November
More than 20 organizations adopted a South African programme of
action against the United States-led war in Afghanistan and for
global peace and justice.
Meeting in Johannesburg yesterday, the organizations also condemned
what they describe as the one-sided and sensationalist nature of
media coverage by the South African media of the 11 September
attacks and the US-led war in Afghanistan.
They compared it to the lack of coverage and criticism of Israeli
terrorism in Palestine.
Source: Radio 786, Cape Town, in English 0600 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 20 Nov 01 (via DXLD 1-177)
Afghanistan: Media round-up Wednesday 21 November 2001
[with duplications about the Radio Voice of Afghanistan
omitted by G.Hauser/DXLD]
SHORTWAVE
Resumption of shortwave broadcasts
A radio station called "Radio Voice of Afghanistan" has been repor-
ted by shortwave listeners in Mexico and the US. The frequency is
9950 kHz, time of broadcast 1330-1430 gmt, in languages thought to
be Pashto/Dari....
KABUL
Radio Afghanistan
BBC Monitoring has not yet observed the reported Kabul radio
broadcasts. The station known as Radio Kabul or Radio Afghanistan is
broadcasting via a mobile transmitter.
The director of the Kabul-based radio, in an interview for India's
Star News TV on 16 November, said the station was transmitting for
three hours in the morning and four hours in the evening daily.
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
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.
The station's transmitter can potentially cover a 60-km (36-mile)
radius, but technical limitations have reduced the range, at least
for the moment. Broadcasting through a 10-Watt transmitter, Kabul TV
will be seen at first only for three hours a day in central Kabul.
"Liberation" of Afghan television victory over terrorism, extremism
- London's Al-Hayat
Text of report by London-based newspaper Al-Hayat on 20 November
Can you imagine a world without television?
The Taleban did achieve this terrible fantasy. It deprived the
Afghan people of the most important media organ of this age; put an
end to watching scenes of people's daily lives; caused events,
information, and scientific and medical developments to disappear;
slammed the door on pictures, views, and other opinions; drowned the
Afghans in an isolation as dark as the darkest night; usurped the
right to knowledge; practised and advocated ignorance; banned
television; and smashed the television screens.
The day before yesterday Afghan television came back to life and
presenters resumed their work after a five-year break imposed by the
Taleban. The people took the television sets out of their hiding
places, dusted them off and relayed the news. The people - both
those who believed and those who did not - asked whether television
did indeed come back to life, and then breathed a sigh of relief.
How awful the Taleban are, and what a heartless movement this is - a
movement which was more ignorant than the most ignorant, which took
us back centuries, and which came on the pretext of putting an end
to the war, spreading security and the true faith, and uniting the
country. And all of a sudden they began alienating people from
religion; distorted the image of Islam; put an end to the freedom of
dialogue and to listening to the news; practised repression; blocked
out the light; allied itself with injustice, darkness, and misery;
fought civilization and modernity; caused awareness to disappear;
put a ban on information, imagination, creativity and expectations;
humiliated women; violated human rights; and turned the Afghan
people's lives into hell.
The war on ignorance and backwardness is undoubtedly worthier than
the war on terrorism. The news that Afghan television has resumed
its broadcasts and has been released from the jail of "the students
of ignorance and backwardness" is as important as the news of their
expulsion from Kabul, and one of the major achievements of this war.
Unfortunately however, this achievement has not been given the
prominence it deserves despite the fact that it is a victory over
terrorism, extremism and excess, and an indication of the scale of
the injustice that the Taleban committed against the Afghan people
and against freedom.
Source: Al-Hayat, London, in Arabic 20 Nov 01
MAZAR-E SHARIF
Balkh Radio
On Wednesday 21 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif --- identifying itself as
Balkh Radio --- was observed broadcasting as scheduled from 0230 to
0430 gmt on its usual frequency of 1584 kHz.
Balkh Radio was heard later on 21 November, beginning its evening
broadcasts earlier than scheduled at 1145 gmt; the broadcasts
usually begin at 1230 gmt. The radio was carrying a religious talk
on Ramadan.
21 November morning broadcast
The 0230-0430 gmt morning broadcast of Balkh Radio in Dari and
Pashto began with recitation and interpretation of the Koran,
poetry, commentary on Ramadan and songs.
The news in Pashto repeated an earlier bulletin from 1330 gmt on 20
November. The news bulletin included the following items:
Gen Dostum's activities: Gen Abdorrashid Dostum met the heads of
military councils in Samangan and Fariab provinces and other
military commanders on 20 November. Gen Dostum later met officials
and commanders from Sar-e Pol Province.
Energy shortage: Gas pipelines in some areas of Mazar-e Sharif have
been turned off for the lack of gas.
Media: The setting up of Balkh Television station started yesterday
and has been speedily continuing.
The news in Dari and Turkmen repeated the Pashto news bulletin.
Balkh TV airs one-hour test programme
Text of report by Afghan Balkh radio on 20 November
In line with the cultural policies of the Islamic State of Afgha-
nistan, work to repair the transmitter of Balkh Television began
today by the technical employees and talented engineers of Balkh
Radio and Television. They are working hard to complete the task as
soon as possible.
The programmes of Balkh Television were interrupted during the era
of the Taleban rule, and most of its technical equipment and archive
material were sent to the capital [Kabul]. However, the television
transmitter is being repaired using limited resources which have
been salvaged by sympathetic technical and professional employees.
According to a technician, Balkh Television today successfully aired
one hour of test programmes. It is hoped that full coverage of Balkh
Television will start soon with the attention of the officials of
cultural departments and efforts of the employees of broadcast and
technical departments. In this way, the television will be able to
provide good and worthy services to the citizens of Mazar-e Sharif
and Balkh Province.
Source: Balkh Radio, Mazar-e Sharif, in Dari 1330 gmt 20 Nov 01
HERAT
Radio Herat
The BBC continues to monitor a station identifying itself as Radio
Herat broadcasting in Dari from the western city of Herat.
Herat television
A TV station in Herat calling itself "Herat City Television" is on
the air, broadcasting in Dari from 1600 local time (1130 gmt) for
two and a half hours a day.
Herat officials to give priority to improving quality of media
Text of editorial headlined "The roots of hope are rising from the
field of freedom" published by Afghan newspaper Etefaq-e Islam on 19
November
The present pleasant and free atmosphere in ancient Herat Province
has appeared as a result of the blessings of Almighty God and the
unprecedented courage of our brave youths and Mojahedin under the
leadership of the beloved emir of the southwest zone. The appearance
of this atmosphere has shone the glitter of hope and tears of
happiness in the eyes of our righteous loving people after years of
deprivation.
The recapture of Herat Province from the hands of the Taleban to the
Mojahedin, which has been a complex and difficult process, as a who-
le is the bearer of two fundamental messages. The first is that it
is impossible a nation could be captive to one's imagination and
superstitions with the strikes of lashes, rejection and insults. And
the second is that the regained blessing of freedom and victory
should be deeply respected and all possibilities and talents should
be utilised towards protecting and safeguarding it.
The conquering of Herat Province in itself is not everything. This
freedom and victory are the starting point of a fresh historical
chapter and a suitable opportunity towards the convening and
organization of a wide political mechanism in an attempt to reach an
overall and national understanding within the framework of a broad-
based government in the country.
There is no doubt that the role of Herat Province in the future
political and economic structure of Afghanistan is indisputable.
Because this blessed land with its gigantic material and moral
resources, in addition to its special strategic location, enjoys a
very important history, culture and civilisation in the region. This
particularity adds to the attractiveness and importance of this
cradle of ulema [religious scholars] and saints.
Presently it is evident from the face of the city that a completely
closed society has been newly reopened and this critical phase,
which is accompanied by an existing anxious atmosphere, will soon
come to an end --- Almighty God willing. A new fundamental phase of
reconstruction, the restoration of rights, prestige and the lawful
individual and social freedom and civil rights of the people will
begin. This phase will include the reopening of schools for boys and
girls, the recruitment and employment of women in offices and
administration and the restoration of all human rights. The
enforcement of the amnesty decree of the Islamic State of Afgha-
nistan, the immediate reinstatement and enrichment of radio and
television programmes and press will be implemented. Priority will
be given to the principle of enhancing the quality of broadcasts,
publications, music and the enhancement of the spirit and soundness
of ideological thinking and physical health of the youths through
the creation of healthy sports and recreation circles.
All national and moral honours and values will be protected.
National cohesion and solidarity will be consolidated and
guaranteed. An atmosphere of understanding, confidence and trust
between all fraternal tribes and nationalities of the country will
be created. The formation, development and survival of a government
acceptable to all will lead to upholding and guaranteeing the
abovementioned aims.
In addition, a spirit of feeling responsible towards carrying out
social work and duties will be created. Duties and responsibilities
will be allocated to those capable of accomplishing them. This task
will be done through the channels of law and legality, which it is
hoped will be realised as a result of the formation of the Council
of the Constitution and the convocation of a Loya Jerga [grand
assembly].
Source: Etefaq-e Islam, Herat, in Dari 19 Nov 01
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' bodies taken from Afghanistan to Pakistan |
Text of report by Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency on
21 November:
Peshawar, 21 November: The bodies of the four journalists who were
killed on the road between [the Afghan capital] Kabul and [the
eastern Afghan city of] Jalalabad have been transferred to Pakistan
by the ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross].
The bodies were brought to Pakistan from Afghanistan's Nangarhar
[Province] via Torkham [on the border between Afghanistan and
Pakistan] some time ago.
Three foreigners and an Afghan photographer [Azizullah Haidari]
working for Reuters were killed by unknown persons on 19 November in
Tangi Abrishum, 50-55 km from Jalalabad [the capital of Nangarhar
Province], on the main road between Jalalabad and Kabul.
[The foreign journalists killed on 19 November were Maria Grazia
Cutuli, correspondent for Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera;
Harry Burton, cameraman for Reuters news agency; and Julio Fuentes,
correspondent for Spanish newspaper El Mundo.]
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research 21 Nov 01 (via DXLD)
Afghanistan - Media round-up Thursday 22 November
Radio Voice of Afghanistan
A radio station identifying itself in Pashto as "Da Afghanistan Ghaq
Radio" (Radio Voice of Afghanistan) was first observed by BBC Moni-
toring on 21 November. The station announced that it is currently
broadcasting test programmes for one hour a day, from 1330-1430 gmt
on 9950 kHz and that the programmes were presented by the "Afghan
broadcasting agency". The broadcast was heard again on 22 November.
In Glenn Hauser's DX Listening Digest e-mail newsletter on 20
November, Hauser commented: "Modulation, precision and production
were of high standard, as was the signal strength... My guess is
that this is transmitted from IBB [International Broadcasting Bureau
- US] or CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States] facilities...
However, the word Azad [freedom] was never heard in the IDs. Since
Afghanistan is increasingly free of the Taleban, perhaps that word
has been considered unnecessary."
Radio Voice of Afghanistan picture bulletin 22 November
The following is a picture bulletin for the "Radio Voice of
Afghanistan" broadcast in Pashto and Dari from 1330-1430 gmt on
Thursday 22 November:
- 1330 gmt - Programme in Pashto
The broadcast began with a recitation of a few verses from holy
Koran followed by news in Pashto, which included the following
items.
Report saying the Taleban agreed to surrender the besiege city of
Konduz, quoting Reuters. Text of report: "We have received reports
from Konduz City that after a few days of negations with the United
Front, the Taleban have agreed to surrender the city unconditional-
ly.
Reuters news agency quoting Mola Fazl says that in addition to the
Taleban, other foreign forces are under his command in Konduz City
and will stop fighting as his request. Reuters adds that some 10,000
Taleban forces, including Bin-Ladin, Pakistani, Arab, Chechens
forces are under siege in Konduz and in its surrounding areas by the
United Front forces. They are subjected to air raids by interna-
tional coalition forces."
British Foreign Secretary arrived in Tehran today. Jack Straw will
discuss Afghan issues with Iranian and Alliance foreign ministers.
The report says: "It has been said that the talks would include the
formation of an interim government in Afghanistan, the existence of
British troops in Afghanistan and ways of providing humanitarian
assistance to Afghans. At a news conference Dr Abdollah Abdollah
said: If Britain wants to send more troops to Afghanistan, it should
first secure the agreement of the United Front."
Report on fighting continues in Maydanshar between Northern Alliance
and the Taleban.
American aircraft today bombed Kandahar and Paktia and its
surroundings, quoting Afghan Islamic press.
Song.
Repeat of an article in Pashto from 21 November, on the suffering of
Afghans as a result of war, this was followed by a poem and closing
announcement.
- 1345 gmt - Programme in Dari
Introduction and station identification, followed by a recitation of
holy Koran.
Summary of news and followed by news in full in Dari.
Northern Alliance forces have been advancing towards Konduz. Text of
the report: "The forces of the United Northern Alliance are advan-
cing towards Konduz city, in north of Afghanistan. This is at a time
that Mola Fazl, the leader of the Taleban forces in Konduz Province
has declared the unconditional surrender of his forces to the United
Front. Mola Fazl met last night Gen Dostum and other local leaders
of the Northern Alliance and assured that all Taleban forces
including the foreign nationals would obey his order. According to a
report by Reuters, around 10,000 Taleban men, including Arabs and
Pakistanis and members of Al-Qa'idah had been under siege in Konduz
City by the United Front forces."
-Sporadic fighting is continuing around Kandahar.
-Heavy bombings continued in Kandahar.
-Fighting continues in Maydanshahr.
-British Foreign Secretary arrived in Tehran.
-Pakistan has closed Taleban embassy in Islamabad.
-Pakistan has arrested a pro-Taleban local leader.
-Song.
Repeat of an article from 21 November, in Dari, on the destruction
caused by war in Afghanistan and the reason behind setting up of the
radio.
-Closing announcements.
1400 gmt - Repeat of Pashto programme.
1415 gmt: Repeat of Dari programme.
BBC Monitoring's Afghan monitor observed a difference between the
news reports in Dari and Pashto. For example; in a report on the
military situation in Konduz, the Pashto version does not say that
"the forces of the United Northern Alliance are advancing towards
Konduz city, in north of Afghanistan." However, the news in Dari
starts with that sentence. It is unusual for one source to broadcast
different versions of the news within the same transmission.
Traditionally, Afghan radio stations have repeated news in Pashto
and in Dari word for word.
Source: Radio Voice of Afghanistan in Pashto/Dari 1330 gmt 22 Nov 01
KABUL
Radio Afghanistan
BBC Monitoring has not yet observed the reported radio broadcasts
from Kabul. The station known as Radio Kabul or Radio Afghanistan is
broadcasting via a mobile transmitter. The director of the Kabul-
based radio, in an interview for India's Star News TV on 16
November, said the station was transmitting for three hours in the
morning and four hours in the evening daily.
Kabul TV on the air
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.
The station has a 10-Watt transmitter, which is very low power in
terms of TV broadcasting, so range would be limited, probably to
central Kabul. The station is on the air three hours a day.
MAZAR-E SHARIF
Balkh Radio
On Thursday 22 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif - identifying itself as Balkh
Radio - was observed broadcasting as scheduled from 0230 to 0430 gmt
on its usual frequency of 1584 kHz.
Balkh Radio was heard later on 22 November, beginning its evening
broadcasts earlier than scheduled at 1140 gmt; the broadcasts
usually begin at 1230 gmt. The radio was airing a song in Urdu. No
announcement of broadcast time changes has been observed by BBC
Monitoring.
22 November morning broadcast
The 0230-0430 gmt morning broadcast of Balkh Radio in Dari and
Pashto began with recitation and interpretation of the Koran,
poetry, commentary on Ramadan and songs. The news in Pashto repeated
an earlier bulletin from 1330 gmt on 21 November. The news bulletin
included the following items:
Gen Dostum's activities: Gen Abdorrashid Dostum met a number of
northern officials and commanders, he also met an official from the
Supreme Council to discuss the situation.
University reopened: Balkh University reopened on 21 November.
Aims of the Islamic government: The commander of the 70th division
met villagers and explained the aims of the Islamic government.
The news in Dari and Turkmen repeated the Pashto news bulletin.
Balkh TV
Work began to repair the transmitter of Balkh Television on 21
November and, according to a technician, the station successfully
aired a one hour test programme later the same day.
Source: Balkh Radio, Mazar-e Sharif, in Dari 1330 gmt 20 Nov 01
HERAT
Radio Herat
The BBC continues to monitor a station identifying itself as Radio
Herat broadcasting in Dari from the western city of Herat.
Herat television
A TV station in Herat calling itself "Herat City Television" is on
the air, broadcasting in Dari from 1600 local time (1130 gmt) for
two and a half hours a day.
JALALABAD
Radio Nangarhar
The New York Times reported on 19 November that Radio Nangarhar was
on the air, using a 1,000 kW [sic] transmitter. The paper reported
that until Sunday 18 November the station was called Radio Shari'ah,
the voice of the Taleban. BBC Monitoring has been unable to trace
any transmission from Nangarhar.
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 TV not expecting more messages from Bin-Ladin [see QATAR]
Three more foreign journalists killed - Iran radio |
Text of report by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 22 November
Another three foreign journalists have been killed by unidentified
people in Afghanistan.
A correspondent of [Iran's] Voice and Vision in Kabul reports that
the three journalists, whose nationalities have not yet been
identified, were killed on the way to Kabul on Wednesday afternoon
[21 November]. The report said that some officials from the Islamic
State of Afghanistan have confirmed that the incident had occurred.
This comes at a time when four correspondents from Australian,
British, Italian and Spanish news agencies were killed on the way
from Jalalabad to Kabul on Monday [19 November].
The head of Kabul's security committee, Yunus Qanuni, said in an
interview with an external correspondent that the journalists killed
on the way from Jalalabad to Kabul had been without coordination or
visas. This comes at a time when last week another three foreign
journalists - two French and one German - died south of Konduz in
northern Afghanistan. Thus, 10 journalists have been killed so far
owing to the existing insecurity since the beginning of the new
phase of hostilities in Afghanistan.
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Dari 0300
gmt 22 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 22 Nov 2001 (via DXLD 1-179)
Afghanistan - Media round-up Friday 23 November
Radio Voice of Afghanistan
A radio station identifying itself in Pashto as "Da Afghanistan Ghaq
Radio" (Pashto for "Radio Voice of Afghanistan") was first observed
by BBC Monitoring on 21 November. The station announced that it is
currently broadcasting test programmes for one hour a day, from
1330-1430 gmt on 9950 kHz and that the programmes were presented by
the "Afghan broadcasting agency". The broadcast was heard again on
23 November.
Programme in Pashto
The broadcast began with the usual opening announcements, programme
preview and a recitation from the Koran. This was followed by news
in Pashto which included these items:
A report on situation around Konduz, quoting Reuters news agency, on
thousands of trapped Taleban fighters, and quoting United Front
official Yunos Qanuni regarding Taleban fighters being given chance
to surrender.
Whereabouts of Taleban leader Mola Mohammed Omar (not known) based
on foreign reports. Taleban spokesman claims Omar is in a safe
place. The Taleban, however, have denied these reports.
Foreign news agency reports on foreign fighters in Konduz - Chinese
(presumably Uighurs), Pakistan, Arabs and Chechen.
United Front diplomat in London Wali Masud says former Afghan
President Borhanoddin Rabbani could be part of a broad-based
government.
UN special envoy Francesc Vendrell optimistic about Bonn talks
between various Afghan factions which are to start next Monday.
Commentary in Pashto urging Afghans to be united, finishing with a
song in Pashto and the sign-off.
Programme in Dari
Usual introduction including, programme preview and a recitation
from the Koran. The news in Dari repeated the Pashto bulletin, but
added the following items:
- ICRC is worried about Northern Alliance's treatment of prisoners.
- It will not be easy for former Afghan President Borhanoddin
Rabbani to reclaim his presidential post. Wali Masud says Rabbani
will only be part of a transitional body.
- Short commentary in Dari on the reconstruction of Afghanistan
KABUL, JALALABAD, HERAT
Kabul radio/TV not observed by BBC Monitoring
BBC Monitoring has not yet observed the reported radio and TV
broadcasts in Kabul.
The station known as Radio Kabul or Radio Afghanistan is
broadcasting
via a mobile transmitter. The director of the Kabul-based radio, in
an interview for India's Star News TV on 16 November, said the
station was transmitting for three hours in the morning and four
hours in the evening daily.
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. The station has a 10-Watt transmitter,
which is very low power in terms of TV broadcasting, so range would
be limited, probably to central Kabul. The station is on the air
three hours a day.
Radio Herat and "Herat City Television" are broadcasting in the
western city of Herat. "Radio Nangarhar" is reportedly broadcasting
in eastern Jalalabad, capital of Nangarhar Province.
MAZAR-E SHARIF
Balkh Radio
On Friday 23 November, the radio station broadcasting from the
northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif - identifying itself as Balkh
Radio - was not observed broadcasting as scheduled from 0230-0430
gmt on its usual frequency of 1584 kHz.
Balkh Radio began its evening broadcasts at 1142 gmt; the broadcasts
usually begin at 1230 gmt. The radio signed off at 1457 gmt. No
announcement of broadcast time changes has been observed by BBC
Monitoring.
Uzbekistan offers assistance to Balkh TV/Radio
An Uzbek TV and radio delegation offered assistance to staff at
Balkh Radio and TV in the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif, Balkh
Province, on 22 November.
Bakhtar Information Agency said the head of Balkh Province's TV and
radio, Ustad Abdorrab Jahed, received an Uzbek TV and radio tech-
nical delegation in his office in Mazar-e Sharif.
The general director for technical affairs, Alhaj Abdol Jalil
Osmani; the director for TV broadcasting and director for adminis-
trative affairs, Mohammad Gol Khan; and other officials discussed
the need for technical equipment and spare parts and future coope-
ration. The Uzbek delegation said they would provide urgently needed
assistance to Balkh TV/Radio as soon as possible.
US INFORMATION RADIO
US PsyOps broadcasts continue
US PsyOps Information Radio continues to be observed by BBC Monito-
ring 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 (repor-
tedly a relay of Voice of America) and 1107 kHz channels are belie-
ved to be broadcast from US PsyOps "Commando Solo" EC-130 aircraft.
FOREIGN MEDIA
US plans new broadcasting service aimed at Muslim world
The US is reviewing plans for new government-sponsored international
broadcasting services aimed at the Muslim world, which will include
a 24-hour, 7-day a week, Arabic-language satellite TV channel.
The initiative, which will be overseen by the Broadcasting Board of
Governors (BBG), which runs Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/
Radio Liberty, will broadcast to the Middle East and throughout the
Muslim world. The radio, TV and internet service will disseminate
news and information in 26 languages, reach 40 countries, and speci-
fically target nearly 500 million Muslims between the ages of 15-30,
the US-based Salon web site (salon.com) reported on 17 November.
The UK's Guardian newspaper on 23 November said Senator Joe Biden,
the Democrat chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is
the driving force behind the "Initiative 911" scheme to set up a
satellite TV channel aimed specifically at younger Muslims who are
seen as "anti-American".
Voice of America (VOA) has already increased its services to the
Middle East and South Asia, including Afghanistan. The US House of
Representatives have also approved setting up a "Radio Free
Afghanistan".
Taleban order journalists to leave Afghanistan
Al-Jazeera TV reported 23 November that their former Kandahar
correspondent who moved to the Afghan border town of Spin Boldak,
Yusuf al-Shuli, had been ordered to leave by the Taleban. He and
around 50 other foreign correspondents were given only two hours to
leave the town and travel to Pakistan via the Chaman border
crossing.
Al-Jazeera TV's former Kabul reporter interviewed
Al-Jazeera TV's former Kabul correspondent Taysir Alluni has said he
met Usamah Bin-Ladin in the southern Taleban stronghold of Kandahar
prior to 11 September.
In a live interview at the station's studio in Qatar on 22 November,
Alluni said he had met Bin-Ladin in Kandahar prior to 11 September,
but the meeting was not recorded. He said Bin Ladin had promised to
give an interview on his personal life.
Answering a question on how he reached Bin-Ladin, Alluni said: "In
fact he reached us, we did not reach him." He explained that a taped
statement by Bin-Ladin's was delivered to Al-Jazeera's office in
Kabul on the first day of the US-led air attacks on 7 October.
Alluni said he hoped to return to Kabul adding that many Al-Jazeera
reporters were waiting for a permit to return to the capital. Alluni
evacuated Kabul shortly before Northern Alliance forces entered the
capital on 13 November.
On his relationship with the Taleban, Alluni said: "We had good
relations with some persons," adding that "some officials were not
satisfied with our work". He said that "harassment was practised
against me by some people who did not know Al-Jazeera had an office
and that the office was licensed by the Foreign Ministry".
Asked if he met the Taleban leader Mola Mohammed Omar, Alluni said
he had met him once, adding that "he has a strong personality" and
"says short sentences only".
Alluni said he was detained many times and even beaten by the
Taleban for taking photographs - a practice which was forbidden.
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research, 23 Nov 01 (via DXLD 1-180)
Afghanistan - Media round-up Monday 26 November
- Radio Voice of Afghanistan "broadcasting from London"
- Balkh Radio on the air
- Kabul TV/radio broadcasts not yet observed by BBC
- US PsyOps broadcasts continue
- Afghans ignored Taleban's TV ban - US paper
Radio Voice of Afghanistan "broadcasting from London"
On 25 and 26 November, a radio station identifying as "Radio Voice
of Afghanistan" was again heard broadcasting test programmes in
Pashto and Dari from 1330-1430 gmt on 9950 kHz shortwave.
On 25 and 26 November, Radio Voice of Afghanistan announced that it
was broadcasting from London: "Test programmes of Radio Voice of
Afghanistan [Pashto: "Da Afghanistan Ghaq Radio"] will be heard on
the 31-metre shortwave band, corresponding to 9950 kHz, and will be
broadcast every day from London at 1800 Kabul time [1330 gmt] in
Pashto and Dari."
An announcer then said: "Dear listeners, you are listening to our
test programmes of Radio Voice of Afghanistan from London."
On both days, the station's Dari-language programme did not mention
that the radio was broadcasting from London. An announcer said: "We
are at your service, presenting test programmes of Radio Voice of
Afghanistan [Dari: Radio Sada-e Afghanistan]." .
Recitation of Koranic verse, and news on Afghanistan and sports
followed the announcements in Dari and Pashto.
On 26 November, the station announced in both languages that normal
programming would resume soon. "Radio Voice of Afghanistan has been
established by Sayd Jalal Afghan's charity organization. It hopes to
start its normal programmes very soon."
The announcement said tomorrow's broadcast would include a speech by
founder Sayd Jalal Afghan. "He will talk about this radio and about
the developments in the country."
The station then carried a programme in Dari on surveillance
equipment being used to track down Usamah Bin-Ladin in Afghanistan.
The radio said heat and movement sensors were being deployed.
"In order to find Usamah Bin-Ladin, sensitive equipment has been
placed in Afghanistan's mountains and valleys. It is the most
advanced type of equipment... Because this equipment is only used by
special forces, information will remain secret. The equipment can be
buried in the ground or air dropped. Another use of this equipment
is its psychological impact. Even if the enemy finds some of the
equipment, they will not know how many of them are around and to
what extent their activities have been revealed," the radio said.
Balkh Radio
Balkh Radio, which is based in the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif,
Balkh Province, was observed broadcasting as scheduled from
0230-0430 gmt (0700-0900 local time) and from 1142-1510 gmt. All
broadcasts are on the usual frequency of 1584 kHz.
Kabul TV/radio broadcasts not yet observed by BBC
BBC has not yet observed radio and TV broadcasts in the capital
Kabul. Kabul radio is broadcasting daily for three hours in the
morning and four hours in the evening via a mobile transmitter.
Kabul TV is broadcasting via a 10-Watt transmitter, which is very
low power in terms of TV broadcasting, so range would be limited,
probably to central Kabul. The station is on the air three hours a
day.
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.
TV viewing continued during Taleban years - US paper
A feature article by Michael Hedges in the Philadelphia Daily News
on 23 November 2001 said that many people in Kabul continued to
watch television in secret during the Taleban era, despite the ban
on TV viewing that the movement issued in 1996.... [article already
linked in previous DXLD]
Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring
Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk
Source: BBC Monitoring research, 26 Nov 01 (via DXLD)
Afghanistan - Media round-up Tuesday 27 November 2001
- Radio Voice of Afghanistan founder outlines aims
- Balkh radio head tells reporters of broadcasting plans
- Turkish Radio/TV ready to help Afghan broadcasters
- Jalalabad radio news "censored", awaiting official OK for music
- Media watchdog condemns killing of Swedish cameraman
Radio Voice of Afghanistan founder outlines aims
The radio station identifying as "Radio Voice of Afghanistan" was
monitored in Pashto and Dari on 9950 kHz shortwave from 1330-1430
gmt on 27 November.
After an introduction and station identification - later repeated as
"You are listening to the test programmes of Radio Voice of
Afghanistan. This radio has been set up within the framework of the
Afghan broadcast agency, affiliated to Sayd Jalal Afghan's charity
centre" - and the recitation of verses from the Holy Koran, there
followed an announcer-read speech in Pashto by the founder of Radio
Voice of Afghanistan, Sayd Jalal Afghan.
At 1349 gmt the announcer said: "Please pay attention to a speech by
esteemed Sayd Jalal Afghan, the founder and broadcaster [nasher] of
Radio Voice of Afghanistan".
[Male voice - in Dari; the speech began with prayers in Arabic]
"Dear sisters and brothers. May God's peace and blessing be upon
you. Our dear Afghanistan is going through a difficult experience.
The enemies of Afghanistan want once again to create discord among
Afghans and do not want them to learn from their past experience."
He went on to talk about the struggle of the Afghan people in the
past and civil war in the country.
He said: "During the years of jihad we acted honourably. We did not
allow our country to become a centre for terrorism or terrorists
against innocent people. Afghanistan has never assisted enemies of
other countries.
"Therefore, all Afghans and all Muslims in the world should condemn
the 11 September incident as well as the savage acts which resulted
in the tragedy. Also, the innocent people of Afghanistan should not
be those punished for that crime. American air raids can be descri-
bed as responding to an evil with another evil. They should be
stopped as soon as possible. The necessary measures should be adop-
ted in order to ensure people's safely in the face of any military
actions. We should never allow our dear Afghanistan to become a
centre for terror and intimidation in the world. Islam is a religion
of love and a religion of friendship and fraternity. We should be
good examples of good Muslims for the Western world."
He went on to talk about the need for unity among all Afghan tribes
and said that "the colour of the blood of a Dari-speaker is no more
red or white than the blood of a Pashto-speaker. We should extend
the hands of friendship and fraternity." He said that Afghanistan
should be rebuilt for the sake of all Afghans.
He added: "Realizing those facts, I have always tried to play a role
in the process of creating understanding among Afghans and estabi-
shing peace and tranquillity in Afghanistan. My efforts in the past
to secure a cease-fire and exchange POWs have to some extent yielded
results. I believe that Afghans need bridges more than anything else
to remove the distances between them and allow them to hear each
other's demands and views. Naturally we share many needs and pains,
which have linked us.
"It was based on this belief and by relying on the help of God
Almighty that I have decided to set up a free network and broadcast
radio programmes in order to be at the service of my religion, my
homeland and my people. I would like to convey the voice of Afghans
to Afghans. I would like to pay my dues in the process of establi-
shing peace and fraternity among my compatriots. Success comes
from God Almighty."
Source: Radio Voice of Afghanistan in Pashto and Dari 1330-1430 gmt
27 Nov 01
MAZAR-E SHARIF
Balkh Radio
Balkh Radio, which is based in the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif,
Balkh Province, was observed broadcasting as scheduled from
0230-0430 gmt (0700-0900 local time) and from 1130-1500 gmt. All
broadcasts are on the usual frequency of 1584 kHz.
Balkh radio head tells reporters of broadcasting plans
Text of report by Afghan Balkh radio on 26 November
The head of Balkh Radio and Television, esteemed Abdorrab Jahed,
received a Spanish reporter, Mr (?Raphael), and a Swedish reporter,
Mr (?Hanf), today.
Bakhtar Information Agency reported: The meeting was attended by the
general director of radio broadcasting, esteemed Lotfollah Raoufi;
the general director of television broadcasting, Sayed Rahman Safi;
the technical general director, esteemed (?Alhaj Abdol Jalil Usma-
ni), and the administrative general director, esteemed (?Mohammad
Gulkhan).
The head of Balkh Radio and Television, esteemed Abdorrab Jahed,
briefed the reporters on the quality of broadcasting and on various
informative, educational and entertainment programmes and the future
working plans of Radio Balkh.
He also gave some information about the recent changes made to
programmes following the latest developments.
The Spanish and Swedish reporters then asked their questions about
the effectiveness of radio and television and their coverage areas,
technical facilities and the cooperation of the Islamic State and
United Front's officials in these spheres.
They also asked about women's cooperation in educational and family
programmes. The esteemed head of Balkh Radio answered all their
questions.
Source: Balkh radio, Mazar-e Sharif, in Dari 1330 gmt 26 Nov 01
KABUL
Kabul TV/radio broadcasts not yet observed by BBC
BBC has not yet observed radio and TV broadcasts in the capital
Kabul. Kabul radio is broadcasting daily for three hours in the
morning and four hours in the evening via a mobile transmitter.
Kabul TV is broadcasting via a 10-Watt transmitter, which is very
low power in terms of TV broadcasting, so range would be limited,
probably to central Kabul. The station is on the air three hours a
day.
Turkish Radio/TV ready to help Afghan broadcasters
The Ankara-based Turkish Daily News on 27 November reported TRT
(Turkish Radio and Television) General Director Yucel Yener as
saying his organization was ready to help Afghanistan Radio and
Television.
Afghanistan Radio and Television General Director Muhammed Alem
Izzetyar told Anatolia news agency that his staff faced "big
technical problems" and was looking forward to support from TRT,
which had helped them before.
"Izzetyar stated that they have started broadcasting after six years
and three months and their staff has increased from 2,300 to 8,000
people," the Daily News reported.
The paper quoted Izzetyar as saying: "In this respect we need the
help of TRT very much. We especially need its technical support.
Before the Taleban, we were broadcasting by translating news
received from TRT into our language and this was very good. That's
why we wish to see TRT alongside us again and we request their
help."
Source: Turkish Daily News, Ankara, in English 27 Nov 01
US PsyOps broadcasts continue
US PsyOps Information Radio continues to be observed by BBC Monito-
ring 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 fre-
quency 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.
Media watchdog condemns killing of Swedish cameraman | Text of
International Federation of Journalists press release on 27 November
The International Federation of Journalists today warned that
journalists face a new and sinister threat to their lives after
cameraman Olaf Stromberg of Sweden's TV4 was shot dead by armed
robbers who broke into a house where Swedish journalists were
staying in the northern Afghan city of Taloqan.
"Journalists are now the targets of armed gangsters who are ruth-
lessly exploiting the chaos that has descended over much of Afgha-
nistan," said Aidan White, General Secretary of the IFJ. He said
journalists, many of them in possession of satellite telephones and
expensive equipment, needed reliable security conditions and protec-
tion to work. "This may be almost impossible to guarantee given the
fast-moving conditions of the conflict," said White, "but the first
priority after this tragedy must be to work from safe areas."
The IFJ, which has sent a message of condolence to Swedish collea-
gues and the family of Olaf Stromberg, said journalists were shocked
by the scale of deaths among journalists reporting the war in Afgha-
nistan - eight confirmed and three reported killings in the last two
weeks. The IFJ says that it is investigating a total of 96 killings
of journalists and media staff this year.
According to reports from Taloqan, three gunmen with rifles and
knives broke into the house where Stromberg, three other Swedish
journalists and an Afghan translator were staying and demanded
money. After the shooting they escaped with a satellite telephone
and several thousand dollars.
Taloqan has been the base for scores of foreign journalists covering
the siege of Kunduz. The city fell to the northern alliance on
Sunday [25 November] after a two-week siege. Most media now plan to
evacuate Taloqan for neighbouring Tajikistan. "In the circumstances,
media have little choice," said Aidan White.
Four journalists, two from the Reuters news agency, one from the
Italian daily Corriere della Sera and one from the Spanish newspaper
El Mundo - were ambushed and killed last week on the road between
the eastern city of Jalalabad and the capital, Kabul. Earlier this
month, two French radio journalists, from Radio France Internatio-
nale and RTL, and a writer for the German magazine Stern died in a
roadside skirmish near the front lines in northern Afghanistan. Iran
Radio has reported a further three journalists killed.
For further information: + 0032 2 235 22 00 The IFJ represents more
than 500,000 journalists in 100 countries.
[Russian news agency Ekho Moskvy on 27 November quoted Per Enerud,
Swedish television's Moscow bureau chief, as saying in a live
interview for Ekho Moskvy radio: "I think that Swedish TV will
continue to cover events in Afghanistan after the death of its
cameraman, if not in Taloqan, then at least in Kabul."
Enerud described the death of 42-year-old cameraman Ulf Stromberg as
"a tragic robbery".]
Source: International Federation of journalists press release,
Brussels, in English 27 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 27 Nov 01 (via DXLD 1-184)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Sources xxxxxxxxxx----------------------
Thanks to the following contributors : Andy Sennit, Dmitri Mezin,
Jose Jacob, Rajesh Nambiar, Roland Hofwiler
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.
______________________________________________________