Clandestine Radio Watch 091
--------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 091 xxxxxxxxxx--------------
CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH
December 20, 2001
Clandestine Radio Watch (CRW) is a biweekly summary which centrali-
zes the latest news and developments affecting the study of clan-
destine radio in an easy-to-read format. Editions are published on
the CRW web site. Access to CRW is free.
CRW is both not-for-profit and non-partisan. We welcome your inte-
rest, input and queries. Contributions, input and support, logs, QSL
verification info, as well as background material can be sent to us.
CRW issues may also contain parts in Spanish, Italian, Dutch, German
or Portuguese.
CRW Team :
Editor-in-Chief :
Martin Schoech, Merseburg : schoech@clandestineradio.com
Correspondents :
Nick Grace C., Washington : grace@clandestineradio.com
Owen Williamson, Houston : williamson@clandestineradio.com
Robertas Petraitis, Klaipeda : tornado493@hotmail.com
Roberto Iglesias, Washington : roiglesias@aol.com
Takuya Hirayama, Tokyo : hirayama@clandestineradio.com
Next issue - CRW 092 : December 31, 2001
Old and new issues of CRW can be found at http://listen.to/crw
or at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crwatch/messages
CRW is the newsletter for ClandestineRadio.com, the largest web-
site on Clandestine Radio at http://www.ClandestineRadio.com
------------xxxxxxxxxx Breaking News xxxxxxxxxx----------------
AFGHANISTAN : see 'CRW 091 Special Afganistan'
...............................................................
------------xxxxxxxxxx Schedules xxxxxxxxxx--------------------
Schedules - AFGHANISTAN
see 'CRW 091 Special Afganistan'
...............................................................
Schedules - ETHIOPIA
Sagalee Oromiyaa
Sagalee Oromiyaa is a new station not related to SBO. It is a
different organization. SBO has it's headquarters in Germany,
Sagalee Oromiyaa is based in the USA. 12120 Mon and Thu from
1730-1800.
(L.Maes-BEL Dec 12, 2001 in CDX 377)
...............................................................
Schedules - IRAN
Radio Barabari
R Barabari in Persian ceased bcs via Maiac-Grigoriopol eff Dec 10:
1700-1730 Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun on 7480.2. [??? via ISRAEL ???]
(OBS-BUL Dec 17, 2001 via BC-DX 553)
Voice of Iran
Voice of Iran in Persian via Maiac-Grigoriopol eff Dec 10:
1630-1730 (x1630-1830) daily on 15690 (55555) over Iranian jammer.
(OBS-BUL Dec 17, 2001 via BC-DX 553)
...............................................................
Schedules - MIDDLE EAST
Denge Mezopotamya
As of this Saturday, December 15, 2001, Denge Mezopotamya (The Voice
of Mezopotamya) expands it's schedule from 6 to 12 hours per day.
The planned schedule is from 05.00 to 17.00 UTC on 11.530 kHz. We
are curious to know if reception in the target area (Kurdistan and
surrounding areas) will be good during the whole time period.
We are trying to accomplish this using different transmitter sites
and different power levels depending on the time of day. Staying on
the same frequency was the most important requirement from Denge
Mezopotamya.
(L.Maes-TDP-BEL Dec 12, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Logs xxxxxxxxxx-------------------------
Logs - AFGHANISTAN
see 'CRW 091 Special Afganistan'
...............................................................
Logs - ANGOLA
Radio Ecclesia
11795 0550 25/11 R. Ecclesia via Juelich. ID en PP. charla por OM.
Transmision en portugues. Muchas identificaciones. Buena recepcion.
(G.Rondina-I en "Radiomania" #87 via ConDig 136)
13810 Radio Ecclesia 1854 Local music followed by multiple IDs from
1857 on, off at 1900, very good signal
(M.Wolfson-OH-USA Dec 2, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - CHINA
Falun Dafa Radio
15440 Da Guang Ming Dean Tai (ex Falun Dafa Radio). 2203-2207.
December 08. Instrumental music. Short commentary read by man in
chinese. 24432
(A.Slaen-ARG Dec 8, 2001 for CRW)
New Star B/Cing Stn (?)
13750, presumed New Star B/Cing Stn, woman reading numbers to 1110
Dec 8, then some talk by woman, CH orch. mx 1112. Prgm stopped at
1120, tho I think it was their carrier that remained. Not very
strong, but better than 8300, also hrd at 1115 with numbers, not
//13750. First time heard. Tnx John Wilkins log (RDXP WE Nov 16).
(J.Berg-PPDX/ME-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Voice of Tibet
15670 kHz, LV del Tibet, (via Kazajstan) *1212-1225+, 13 Diciembre
2001, px en tibetano, en // 15655 kHz. A a/t 1215 mejor seNal en
15670, pero luego comienza una interferencia deliberada muy fuerte,
la que no ocurre en 15655 kHz. SINPO: 44444. Px con entrevistas.
(G.I.Barrera-ARG Dec 13, 2001 in ConDig 137)
...............................................................
Logs - CUBA
Radio Marti
6030 06/11 23:57. Radio Marti, Greenville, OM+YL, SS, "noticiero de
las seis de la tarde" 25333
(L.C.Silva-POR Nov 6, 2001 in ConDig 136)
...............................................................
Logs - ERITREA
Millenium Voice
21550 Voice of the Horn (tentative).1338-1350. December 08. Verna-
cular language. Strange chorus and songs. A female present the
songs. After, short commentary read by same female. 15541
(A.Slaen-ARG Dec 8, 2001 for CRW)
21550, R. Horn, ID as "Izaatu Saut al Karq, This is Millenium
Voice." 1335 tune-in Dec 8 with Koranic chanting in progress, 1340
ID, seeming nx by lady. Very strong, some QRM from apparent
Voz Cristiana-Chile co-channel. Mostly nx, often had dual AR/EG
IDs, many ments. of Sudan. Off abruptly 1429 after AR/EG ID.
(J.Berg-PPDX/ME-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
UNID 6965 kHz There were few reports. I'm in great doubt yet about
real station name. Too many 'watani' mentions in ID, second word
always mis- sing... "izaatu saut .... watani" heard many times
with small variations. "Sudan" was mentioned mostly in news,comments
etc. All items in Arabic. It's seemingly the same BCer heard both in
the morning & evening (04+, 15+)
(V.G.Titarev-UKR Dec 11, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
The Millenium Voice, 1330-1430 UTC, f=21.550 kHz, SIO 444, taegl.
(S.Hilbig-D Dec 15, 2001 in A-DX)
21550 Millennium Voice heard Dec 16 *1330-1430* in Sudanese Arabic
with a total of nine ID’s in Arabic and English: "Idha'at Sout al
Qarn, This is Millennium Voice", so this is obviously their correct
name – not Voice of Horn, or Voice of Eritrea, or Malayan Voice!
Political talks, Eritrean folkmusic, talk about "Amerikiyah" and
"Somaliyah" SINPO 45444. This ID has been confirmed by Egyptian
DX-er Tarek Zeidan.
(A.Petersen-DNK Dec 18, 2001 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - ETHIOPIA
WWCR`s new Amharic program
Remembered to check for WWCR`s new Amharic program, which is suppo-
sed to be religious, not political, Sun Dec 16 at 1730 on 15685 –
but instead some preacher in English did not conclude until 1736,
then dead air for two minutes, 1738 began some music heavy on per-
cussion, and talk in presumed Amharic. I was not taping and could
not make out an ID. Into lecture (sermon?) with lots of background
noise; recorded on amateur equipment? Despite having started late,
apparently chopped off early at 1746 to play another show, Staff of
Life, in English
(G.Hauser-OK-USA Dec 16, 2001 in DXLD 1-198
The program is simply a Christian based broadcast, in Amharic. The
speaker is Alemayehu Mammo
(A.Lock, WWCR-USA Dec 16, 2001 in DXLD 1-198)
...............................................................
Logs - GEORGIA
9489.76, R. Abkhazia, R. Rossii or other prgm? Hrd 0252 Dec 8 with
solemn mx, good signal, a little unstable. Talk by man for 30 secs.
at 0256 but badly modulated, then back to happier mx ("The Last
Dance"); 0300 pips, old Soviet NA, into RS talk by man. Couldn't
get ID due to heavy intermittent splash from Sweden-9495. A few
chimes at 0309, more talk, 0310 electronic sound effects, then
couple ments. of R. Rossii.
(J.Berg-PPDX/ME-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Radio Abkhazia relay Radio Rossii
9489.77 Radio Abkhazia relay Radio Rossii here at 0220 with "Radio
Rossii" ID in Russian, and Russian/SW Russian music. Good signal
only on LSB to avoid 9495 Radio Sweden QRM on 12/8
(D.Henderson-Me DXPedition-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - IRAN
Radio Payame-E Doost
7480.00 Radio Payee-E Doost, *1800 with fanfare, ID by Yl in
Persian/Farsi(?), then mx, talks with improving signal on 12/8
(D.Henderson-Me DXPedition-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Sadaa e Mujahedeen e Iran
The Clandestine Station identifying itself as "Sadaa e Mujahedeen e
Iran" has been noted on a 5760 kHz parallel to 6820 kHz during mor-
ning (local-Punjab time). On 11-12-2001 the station was heard 01.26
UTC with stn ID by OM followed by Religious program in Farsi (Per-
sian).
(H.S.Brar-IND Dec 11, 2001 for CRW)
Voice of Mojahed
7072 V.O.Mojahed Dec 6 1315-1404 34433 Farsi, Talk and Arabic music.
ID at 1347 and 1351 and 1400. ID as 'Seda-ye Mojahed'.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Dec 6, 2001 in JAP 190)
8530v V.O.Mojahed Dec 7 1433-1458 34433 Farsi, Talk. //5660v. 8830v.
9330v. 10250vkHz.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Dec 7, 2001 in JAP 190)
7072.84 V of Mojahed, here during Maine Dxpedition on 12/7 at 1853
with man in Kurdish, mentioning "Iran". Very readable signal
(D.Henderson-Me DXPedition-USA Dec 7, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Voice of Al-Aqsa Intifadah from Tehran
"Voice of Al-Aqsa Intifadah from Tehran" (Arabic: "Sawt Intifadat
al-Aqsa min Tehran") 15545 *0800-0900* ??
"Clandestine from Iran, the voice of al aqsa intifada I picked them
up *8.00 UTC the prog. Is mainly about the current situation in Pa-
lestine and it had some phone calls and interviews with members of
HAMAS and Jihad the freq. is 15545 the sign off back to the arabic
section of VOIRI 9.00 UTC"
New time ? Repeat broadcast ? 15545 0230-1630 38,39,47N,48N MAS=
Mashad 500 kW 270 degr ARABIC IRN IRB IRB
Regular VoIRIB Tehran schedule shows 1900-1927 segment:
B-01 season
7105 1900-1930 38E,39W KAM 100 265 281001 310302 EBRI IRN IRB
7175 1900-1930 38E,39W KAM 100 265 281001 310302 EBRI IRN IRB
(T.Zeidan-EGY Dec 8, 2001 via W.Büschel-D in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - IRAQ
Voice of Iraqi People
9563.0, Tentative "Voice of Iraqi People" 2300 13 Dec, Arab - Chorus
music; male & female announcers. Very poor, splatter. SIO 211
(W.Flynn-OR-USA in DXLD 1-196)
...............................................................
Logs - ISRAEL
Voice of Palestine
6200.00 V of Palestine via Iran, here at 1915 with music in Arabic,
announcements by man in Arabic. Improving signal 12/7
(D.Henderson-Me DXPedition-USA Dec 7, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
6200.00 Voice of Palestine from Iran, at 1942 with AA talk on
Filistinia, Amerika, Arabiya. Very nice modulation, very readable
signal on 10/8 [12/8 ?- QIP].
(D.Henderson-Me DXPedition-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Voice of Palestine, Voice of Palestinian Islamic Revolution noted in
B-01 season 1930-2030 on 1080 kHz via IRIB, Iran //6200, 13750,
other freq.. Heard ID in Arabic: "Sawt al-filistin, sawt al-thawrah
al-islamiyah al-filistiniyah".
(R.Petraitis-LTU -Dec 12, 2001 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - KURDISTAN
Saut al Shaabieya e Kurdistan
The Clandestine Station identifying itself as "Saut al Shaabieya e
Kurdistan" has been noted on a 4060 kHz parallel to 6995 kHz during
night (local). On 10-12-2001 the station was heard 18.02 UTC with
stn ID by OM followed by News in Arabic.
(H.S.Brar-IND Dec 10, 2001 for CRW)
Voice if the People of Kurdistan
6995 V.O.People of Kurdistan Dec 8 1547-1557 35333 Kurdish, Talk and
Kurdish music. ID at 1549 and 1555.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Dec 8, 2001 in JAP 190)
6995.00 Voice of People of Kurdistan under heavy UTE with Krudish
music at 0305 on 12/8
(D.Henderson-Me DXPedition-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - MIDDLE EAST
Denge Mezopotamya
15230 V.O.Mesopotamia Dec 6 0704-0715 34322 Kurdish, Opening music
and ID. Talk.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Dec 7, 2001 in JAP 190)
11530.00 V of Mezopotamia *1459, s/on and ID many times in Kurdish,
nice Kurdish music, drama, with man mention of mezopotamia and
Kurdistan. Fair on 12/8.
(D.Henderson-Me DXPedition-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
11530 Denge Mesopotamya 1652 Woman in Kurdish joined by man at 1654;
at least a dozen IDs given. At 1656, march/anthem by band and chorus
till 1659*. Fair/good level.
(B.Hill-USA Dec 15, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
On Sunday I heard Voice of Mesopotamia at new time of 0700-1100 on
the same frequency of 11530. Is this extra transmission? I'm just
tuned in to 11530 and found the station. Unfortunately I am to leave
computer just before 11 UT so can't check sign off. Yesterday I
didn't check 1500 transmission
(V.Kovalenko-RUS Dec 17, 2001 in DXLD 1-199)
...............................................................
Logs - MYANMAR
Democratic Voice of Burma
I found DVB already operating on 17805 - 1454-1530 from Deutsche
Telekom Juelich - and 5905 [latter is best freq here in Germany, ed.
BCDX] - via Almaty-KAZ (x5945) at 1455.
17805 was about S7 and clear until Romania came on freq at 1500 in
French. 5905 was 9+20+dB and on top of St.P. / Kaliningrad-Russia.
I could not hear any signal on 15405 but splash from UAE 15400 was
bad. DVB is still using 17805 at 1430 - I heard it today, but at
very weak strength as compared to \\ 5905. Something Persian or Dari
on 15405 at 1430.
(N.R.Green-G Dec 16, 2001 in BC-DX 553)
Heard DVB the other day before, and noted 5905 Almaty-KAZ at
1455-1530 one third second behind Juelich 17805, so - the MCB
Russian satellite circuit path needs a fraction of a second time
delay, I guess.
(W.Büschel-D Dec 15, 2001 in BC-DX 553)
...............................................................
Logs - SRI LANKA
IBC Tamil
Yesterday I heard tamil clandestine radio international broadcasting
corporation -tamil strong signal 4444 rating contains srilankan news
at 0000 utc to 0100 utc at 7460 kHz note english news at 0053 utc
(D.Prabakaran-IND Dec 17, 2001 or CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - SUDAN
Voice of Freedom and Renewal (?)
6965, presumed Voice of Freedom and Renewal, 0355 Dec 8, strong with
good audio, wild vocal mx, 0400 BBC-like chimes, one gong, some mi-
litary sounding mx, seeming ID by man, electronic sound effects,
talks, pop instr. mx. Very upbeat prgmng. Another ID 0405, much
talk, some mx almost hi-life sounding. All AR, and still going at
0500.
(J.Berg-PPDX/ME-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
6965.00 Voice of Freedom and Renewal for Sudan at 0355 with
local mx and vocal, chimes at 0400, then fanfare mx, into male ancr
into local mx, ID at 0402 by man, then into music at 0403, US mx
heard, Good signal on 12/8.
(D.Henderson-Me DXPedition-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
Radio Voice of Hope
15320, R. Voice of Hope, spectacular signal, fully readable, at 0430
Dec 8 with EG s/on anmt, then lang. segment, 0438 EG prgm on student
life; rock mx break at 0447. //12060 only slightly less robust
because of background ute QRM. Would never suspect this was coming
from Madagascar.
(J.Berg-PPDX/ME-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - VIETNAM
Voice of Khmer Krom
13690.00 V of Khmere Kron, *1359 s/on IS, ID in Khmere, into
talk/news, Khmere music, with good level on 12/8.
(D.Henderson-Me DXPedition-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - WESTERN SAHARA
Radio Nacional de la RASD
7460, R. Nacional de la RASD, via Tinouf, 2110 08 Dec; vocal w/
accompaniment by local instru- ments; signal rising to S7 by 2225;
side splatter from overmodulated stations nearby.
(J.Strawman-IA-USA Dec 8, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx QSL Verifications xxxxxxxxxx------------
Qsl's - AFGHANISTAN
see 'CRW 091 Special Afganistan'
...............................................................
Qsl's - BELORUSSIA
Radio Racyja
R. Racyja / 6035 kHz, 46 Tage, undetailed qsl-card, Sticker,
Taschenkalender
(K.-P.Hilger-D Dec 1, 2001 in ADDX Radio-Kurier 23/01)
Today I received a QSL + stickers from Radio Racyja. The report was
sent in augustus 2001 for a transmission on 1080 kHz MW. Adress on
the QSL : Radio Racyja, PO Box 144, 220102 Minsk, Republic Belarus.
(M.van Arnhem-HOL Dec 11, 2001 in HCDX)
Radio Racyja (Minsk) : Soeben eingetroffen ist eine detailierte
QSL-Karte nebst zwei Aufklebern der o. gen. Station. Empfangsbericht
wurde am 16. 9. 2001 per Mail gesendet an: rac@user.unibel.by .
(J.Thiel-D Dec 13, 2001 in A-DX)
...............................................................
Qsl's - CHINA
Falun Dafa Radio
Falun Dafa R. / 9310 kHz, 63 Tage, undetailed qsl-letter
(K.-P.Hilger-D Dec 1, 2001 in ADDX Radio-Kurier 23/01)
...............................................................
Qsl's - ETHIOPIA
Radio Rainbow
11840, Radio Rainbow verified in 30 days with a short date-only
letter from v/s T. Assefa.
(R.D'Angelo-PA-USA Dec 16, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Qsl's - SRI LANKA
IBC Tamil
21590, Tamil Broadcasting Corp.via TDK, full data pers.letter, TDK
schedule, photo of the transmitter site in 3 weeks, verie signer:
Walter Brodsky (TDK).
(V.Korinek-AFS Dec 18, 2001 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Qsl's - VIETNAM
15235 Radio Free Vietnam, P.O. Box 29245, Nueva Orleans, LA 70189,
Estados Unidos. Tarjeta QSL preparada con datos completos. Demoró
unos 60 dias. V/S: Vuong Ky-Son
(A.Slaen-ARG Dec 17, 2001 in ConDig 137)
...............................................................
Qsl's - Gallery
The CRW Clandestine Radio QSL gallery received 15 new CR qsl
pictures from 2001 from Björn Fransson from Sweden. See them at
http://www.clandestineradio.com/martin/bild-cla.html
------------xxxxxxxxxx Miscellaneous xxxxxxxxxx----------------
Misc - AFGHANISTAN
see 'CRW 091 Special Afganistan'
...............................................................
Misc - ARMENIA
RFE/RL "denationalizing" Armenia - paper
The Armenian newspaper Azg, which reflects the views of the Liberal
Democratic Party, says that Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty are
corrupting the country's youth and denationalizing it. The paper
said that these media were trying to impose alien moral values and
erode the foundations of the state, using Cold War methods which
contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union. The following is
the text of Ruben Badalyan report by Armenian newspaper Azg on 7
December entitled "What is the aim of RFE/RL broadcasts to
Armenia?":
Everyone is familiar with the role RFE/RL [Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty] played in the collapse of the former USSR during the Cold
War and the years that followed. Unrestrained, vigorous anti-Soviet
propaganda, unprecedented psychological pressure on the peoples of
the USSR, severe onslaughts of false information aimed at the very
foundations of the Soviet state. RFE/RL acted like this during the
Soviet period. Forbidden fruit is sweet. Many of us were either
openly or secretly trying to tune our radio sets to RFE/RL, Voice of
America or other stations' destructive programmes, which sounded
like a sweet melody at the time.
All dictatorial regimes collapse sooner or later, no matter what
names they carry. The Soviets also collapsed. Many began breathing
more easily, even the dissidents became absorbed in their own
matters. But RFE/RL could not calm down. What does it want now?
Armenia has been independent for ten years already with its great
and small mistakes, successes and failures. Do we need RFE/RL to
preach to us, tease us and make fun of us?
What is it saying? It speaks about the streets of Yerevan, about the
problems of farmers, complaints by Armenian students that they have
nothing to do in their leisure time. But let us not be naive, RFE/RL
Armenian Service would not get a cent for propagating such
trivialities. So it seems that there are benefits to be derived,
equal to RFE/RL staff salaries, which range from 300 to 500 dollars
per month.
The Cold War is commonly believed to have started after the famous
speech by Winston Churchill in Fulton [Missouri, USA] on 5 March
1946, but it appears that we are wrong here. The Cold War began
earlier, in 1945, with a speech by Allen Dallas [presumably John
Foster Dulles] in the US Congress, which was reprinted by Dardz
magazine in 2000. So, what does the future head of the CIS say in
reference to the methods to be used for the destruction of the USSR?
[no, it was Allen Dulles, not John Foster, who became head of the
CIA for many years, not the CIS!!! -gh]
"By spreading chaos we shall replace their real values with false
ones and make them believe in them. We shall gradually oust the
social core from their literature and art. We shall help and raise
those who start planting the seeds of sex, violence, sadism,
treachery, in short, we shall support every form of worship of the
immoral. We shall promote government officials' corruption, while
honesty will be ridiculed. Only a few will guess what is really
going on, and we shall put them in a helpless situation, we shall
turn them into clowns, we shall find ways to slander them."
Yes, these are part of the state's political principles, as
instructed to organizations dealing with information wars, including
RFE/RL. One might object that these principles were used against the
former USSR. Make no mistake, the basic principles of powerful
states never change. Look at what Armenian TV channels are showing
today, movies full of sex, violence, sex maniacs and other loathsome
matters. One of the components of RFE/RL's strategy is implication.
"Are you going to leave or stay in Armenia after graduating?" it
asks future graduates. The implication is "you do not have a future
in this country". They say that if you want to make a nation
collapse, make it hate itself. RFE/RL works according to this
principle.
"We, Armenians, are a nation of people who are not able to
understand one another." Sometimes RFE/RL speaks openly, making fun
of us in the most impudent way. Reporting on CIS military exercises
in Russia's Astrakhan with the participation of Armenian troops, it
says: "Armenians are shooting, shooting and US fighters falling down
one after another." RFE/RL finds that the USA is Armenia's rival.
This is pure provocation. We wonder if the presenter got a slap in
the face from Prague. Or perhaps he was encouraged.
The Karabakh conflict.
Until 1998 RFE/RL believed that it [Karabakh] should remain part of
Azerbaijan. Now it has adopted a wait-and-see attitude. Do not think
that RFE/RL is engaged in constant destabilization. No. It would
unmask itself immediately. It is doing this work "imperceptibly, but
actively", through minor programmes.
If we are not mistaken, RFE/RL Armenian Service managed to add
another thirty minutes to its airtime last spring. In this
particular case, one should not search for special reasons. The
relevant US bodies have estimated that the Voice of America assumes,
at times, a neutral, and even friendly stance towards Armenia, which
is not advantageous. This is why they took off 50 per cent of its
airtime and gave it to RFE/RL to create a youth (i.e. destructive)
programme under the alien name of Max Liberty.
Having targeted the weak points of a human being under the difficult
conditions the country is facing, the RFE/RL management has realized
that under conditions when society is regressing in terms of moral
values, it is much easier to disorientate naive youths, to divert
them from national values.
This promises no good for us, it is implanting an alien ideology and
destabilizing the country. Every day, signing off the programme, a
presenter with acting pretensions says: "I exist and it is up to me
to decide who I am." Listening carefully, one could feel that the
sentence is not constructed correctly and in accordance with
Armenian grammar. This is obviously the translation of a phrase used
in the US radio stations' vocabulary of psychological pressure. "I
exist" sounds like a robot's or US homeless person's babble.
RFE/RL bends the ears of Armenian youths: "Say: I exist." The
implication is: "Look, US teens with rucksacks on their backs are
wandering across America, moving from one town to another, spending
the night where it catches them and having fun with whoever they
come across. They themselves decide what and who they are."
Quite recently the Max Liberty programme snatched another 30 minutes
from the Sunday broadcast. Just imagine how important disorientation
of the Armenian youth and students is. The goal? To denationalize
them. Max Liberty does this with maximum effort, gasping for breath.
It has to win over the confidence of the youth. Thus: "There are no
closed or forbidden topics for us, if you know more than we do, call
us," - this sounds like a motto.
This is how young men are recruited for secret services. Another
masterpiece of Max Liberty: "Virginity, what is that? I do not
accept it," says Anoush Dashtents deprecatingly. Did you hear that?
She does not accept virginity. One feels embarrassed, but we have to
listen. This presenter does not know that only animals do not have
virginity, which was given to humans by God for the sake of the
family's sacredness and purity.
Let RFE/RL and its Max Liberty seek out other countries for the
imposition of these animal customs with their movies about bisexuals
and porn stars. Jehovah's Witnesses and similar sects are
destabilizing, or to be more correct, denationalizing Armenia, and
the same is done by the RFE/RL, but with political motives.
Does the US Congress know what kind of activity the station is
involved in to expand it broadcasts in Armenia? What is it being
financed for?
"By spreading chaos we shall replace their values with false ones
and make them believe them." This is the key to understanding the
RFE/RL position.
Source: Azg, Yerevan, in Armenian 7 Dec 01 (via BBCM via DXLD)
...............................................................
Misc - AZERBAIJAN
AZERBAIJANI, CENTRAL ASIAN BROADCASTS EXPANDED. On 3 December, Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty announced that it has expanded its
broadcasts in the Azerbaijani, Farsi, and Turkmen languages. "As
part of RFE/RL's contribution to the war on terrorism, today we have
increased by two hours broadcasting in Turkmen, added one and a half
hours to our Azerbaijani-language broadcasts and an additional hour
to our Farsi broadcasts," said Thomas A. Dine, RFE/RL president.
Over the next two months, RFE/RL will phase in over 20 hours per day
of expanded broadcasts in the Azerbaijani, Farsi, Kazakh, Kyrgyz,
Tajik, Turkmen, and Uzbek languages and expand Arabic broadcasts by
Radio Free Iraq.
(RFE/RL Press Release, Dec 3, 2001 via H.Biener-D for CRW)
...............................................................
Misc - CZECH REPUBLIC
PRESIDENT: 'CANNOT CONFIRM' PLANNED IRAQI RFE/RL ATTACK.
In an interview with CNN on 2 December, Czech President Vaclav Havel
said suspected terrorist Muhammad Atta, who died in the attacks
against the United States on 11 September, visited the Czech Repu-
blic on two occasions -- once in 2000 and once this year -- but that
he cannot confirm that Atta was planning a terrorist attack against
the RFE/RL headquarters in Prague because there are no recordings of
his conversations with the Iraqi diplomat who was later expelled
from the Czech Republic.
("RFE/RL Newsline," Dec, 3, 2001 via H.Biener-D for CRW)
...............................................................
Misc - ISRAEL
CBC TV News reports Israeli attacks on Palestinian territory have
destroyed the "transmitter" of the Voice of Palestine.
The accompanying footage showed a tower collapsing. I think this is
the link for a web-streamed version:
http://www.cbc.ca/clips/ram-lo/macdonald_mideast011213.ram
(R.Leong-QE-CAN Dec 13, 2001 in DXLD 1-196)
It is. Only the first few seconds of the 3-minute report concerns
destruxion of a radio tower, not the self-supporting, but a much
thinner one next to it can be seen falling
(G.Hauser-USA Dec 13, 2001 in DXLD 1-196)
Palestinian Broadcasting Headquarters Destroyed --- 13 December
2001
Israeli troops have destroyed the broadcast centre and main
transmitting mast of the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC)
in Ramallah. Following heavy overnight bombing of the radio and TV
studios, bulldozers were brought in on Thursday to raze what
remained of the building to the ground. The main 225 metre high
broadcasting antenna was blown up. An Israeli army spokesman said
the station and other Palestinian media had been inciting violence
against Israel, a claim rejected by Palestinian officials.
Transmissions on mediumwave 675kHz have been silenced, and the PBC
is now producing and transmitting programmes using the facilities of
independent stations on the West Bank. These stations broadcast on
FM. Besim Abu Samay, Director of Voice of Palestine radio, said the
Israeli operation was an attempt to strangle free speech, and
programmes were "going ahead as usual." An official statement from
PBC said that "the radio will continue to broadcast information,
despite the latest attack, because it has a "professional duty to
carry the truth and reveal the daily Israeli violations".
(Radio Netherlands Media Network via DXLD 1-196)
West Bank and Gaza/Israel: Israeli forces destroy VOP station | Text
of report by Palestinian FM station Amwaj, which is relaying Voice
of Palestine (VOP) programmes due to the damage caused to VOP's main
studio by Israeli forces; dated 13 December
Within the framework of the escalating war against our people and
their National Authority and following the barbaric bombardment of
various positions in Ramallah, Al-Birah, Gaza, and Nablus, the
Israeli occupation forces occupied the radio station of the Voice of
Palestine last night.
Eyewitnesses said the occupation forces destroyed the station.
Bulldozers are currently destroying the technical installations,
residential buildings, and warehouses belonging to the station. The
bulldozers are also uprooting trees and levelling land in the
largest organized sabotage operation against the Voice of Palestine
transmission station.
Source: Voice of Palestine, Ramallah, in Arabic 0800 gmt 13 Dec 01
(via BBCM via DXLD 1-196)
West Bank and Gaza/Israel: Army spokesman explains strikes on VOP
Israeli Defence Force Spokesman Brig-Gen Ron Kitri has stressed that
the army is taking control of Palestinian National Authority areas
"out of sincere concern for the welfare and well-being of the
Palestinian population which, because of the PNA, has been suffering
for so many months. Regarding the reason for hitting the Palestinian
radio station, Brig-Gen Kitri said it was to improve Israeli
"control of the territories to enable a more effective way of
dealing with the terror". The following is the text of a telephone
interview with Brig-Gen Kitri, by Ayre Golan, broadcast live by
Israel radio on 13 December; subheadings inserted editorially:
[Golan] Could you tell us what is the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]
doing at this time in the PNA [Palestinian National Authority]
areas, both in Judaea and Samaria [West Bank] and in the Gaza Strip?
[Kitri] At this time our troops are tightening their control in the
places we took over during the night, places we deem fit to control
as a result of yesterday's attack. We are talking about five
villages in the vicinity of Imanu'el which have been placed under
curfew, as a direct consequence of the footprints left behind by the
terrorists who operated yesterday. Regrettably, the IDF's hot
pursuit didn't succeed. We dealt with and destroyed two roadblocks
on the outskirts of Ramallah, to its west and south of the city.
[Golan] Was Arafat's office in Ramallah also bombed?
[Kitri] Not that I know about it.
[Golan] Not that you know about it could mean yes, but you don't
want to admit it.
[Kitri] No, no, no. If I knew about it, I would tell you. No, we
have no interest in dealing directly with his office. We have taken
control of three commanding sites around the city of Ramallah, which
we regard as a problematic centre, both to the south, west and
northwest of the city. We will do the same in other places, such as
vital lateral roads in the Gaza Strip.
Hitting Palestinian radio station
[Golan] We hear now from our political correspondent Yoni
Ben-Menahem that the Voice of Palestine has stopped broadcasting. Is
this the job of our forces?
[Kitri] Unless we are talking about a labour strike, then probably
yes.
[Golan] We never heard of labour strikes in the PNA. Hence, one of
the targets was the PNA media.
[Kitri] Yes, this could be one of the consequences.
[Golan] What is the purpose?
[Kitri] The purpose is to deal with the PNA, which has been defined
irrelevant, in the way it deserves. The real purpose, however, is
not to deal with this or other symbols but to improve our control of
the territories to enable a more effective way of dealing with the
terror. Our interest is to thwart terrorism, prevent its launching,
and strike at potential perpetrators, not after but before they set
out on their missions.
PNA non-existent
[Golan] Sir, would it be right to say that we are actually acting
now as if there were no PNA?
[Kitri] To a certain extent yes. However, we will not conduct
steamrollering operations or carpet bombings, as the Americans did
at some points in Afghanistan, but pinpoint attacks in an attempt to
reach the true planners of terror and out of sincere concern for the
welfare and well-being of the Palestinian population which, because
of the PNA, has been suffering for so many months. Of course, there
is a contradiction between our actions and providing better and more
reasonable conditions to the population, and we will have to deal
with that too.
[Golan] You are saying that we are now dealing with the Palestinian
population as if the PNA didn't exist.
[Kitri] To a certain extent, that's right.
[Golan] Could the practical consequence of the IDF operation be the
neutralization of Yasir Arafat?
[Kitri] I don't want to comment on the man.
[Golan] The man is the chairman of the PNA, which you say we are
ignoring in our actions.
[Kitri] Despite his commitments and promises over many months, we
didn't see him or his leadership delivering the goods and dealing
with the terror. Yesterday's attack in Imanu'el and others are only
an example. We are forced to do the job ourselves.
[Golan] What is the meaning of the order issued to the IDF by the
security cabinet last night to deploy rapidly to operate in the
vicinity of the cities in Judaea, Samaria and Gaza in order to
conduct arrests and confiscate weapons?
Foiling terrorist activities
[Kitri] I would surmise that that's exactly what the order means. In
other words, we will have to plan how to deal with the terrorist
nests wherever they are. By the nature of things these are not
located in Giv'atayim or in Bene Beraq but in Palestinian cities and
big villages, and we will have to deal with them there. I would say
that taking over the Palestinian cities is not the thing we want to
do most. On the other hand, we will have to find the method to deal
with these places and with the people who perpetrate the terror in a
more effective way than in the past.
[Golan] Will it be right to say that this time that the IDF is
working on the assumption that the PNA actually doesn't exist? You
used the words take over. Does that mean that the IDF will stay in
those places where there are Palestinian terrorist nests?
[Kitri] I propose to wait and see. In my opinion, the word stay is
irrelevant here. We want to foil terror. If we have to go in and out
we will do that, and if we have to remain there then we will.
[Golan] And what if we have to go in and stay?
[Kitri] Then, of course, needs will prevail. The judgment and
considerations at every point in time will decide.
[Golan] One more question: You mentioned that last night's hot
pursuit after the perpetrators near Imanu'el didn't succeed. On the
other hand, there have been complaints reported earlier in our
programme that our forces arrived a bit late to the scene of the
attack. What do you say to these complaints?
[Kitri] First of all, our haste to complain and assign blame is
shocking at times. I suppose that the military will conduct
debriefings today and look into the matter. If malfunctions occurred
they will try to rectify them, and if there weren't they will try to
strengthen the weak points. One must bear in mind that we are
talking about securing thousands of kilometres of highways and side
roads. This is a complicated matter, like looking for a needle in a
haystack at times. I heard a reporter say earlier that the
terrorists arrived on the scene without difficulty. How does he know
that? Perhaps they had a hard time? I think the troops should be
given full credit that they are making every possible effort to
thwart such attacks. Unfortunately, at times this doesn't work.
[Golan] Another question: Why doesn't the IDF strike at Hamas
[Islamic Resistance Movement] and Islamic Jihad targets? We see that
the IDF concentrates on all sorts of organizations of the PNA's
police, preventive security and Force 17.
[Kitri] I propose that we look at each one of them separately. By
the nature of things, Hamas and Islamic Jihad are more
compartmentalized and less visible than groups which have been
defined as terrorist organizations such as Force 17 and Fatah
Tanzim. They are clandestine and secret organizations, and we will
have to get to them and deal with them.
[Golan] Brig-Gen Ron Kitri, thank you very much.
Source: Voice of Israel, Jerusalem, in Hebrew 0530 gmt 13 Dec 01
(via BBCM via DXLD 1-196)
West Bank and Gaza/Israel: Israeli forces destroy VOP, could blow up
transmitters | Text of report by Palestinian FM station Amwaj, which
is relaying Voice of Palestine (VOP) programmes since VOP's main
studio was reportedly hit during Israeli military action in Ramallah
on 13 December, on 13 December
Israeli occupation forces have turned the premises of our radio
broadcasting station into ruins. It is feared that they will destroy
the radio's transmitters.
For more information on the occupation forces act of destroying the
radio transmission station, we have with us [on the telephone]
correspondent Rashid Hilal. Rashid, good afternoon.
[Hilal] Good afternoon Muhammad.
[Announcer] How are things at the transmission station after this
barbaric Israeli attack?
[Hilal] The Israeli occupation bulldozers continue to demolish the
main premises of the Palestinian Radio and Television Corporation in
al-Irsal street. They have completely destroyed the entire building
with all the equipment in it, which is worth more than 3m dollars.
Occupation forces and bulldozers have also demolished some smaller
buildings that are part of the station. At the moment, occupation
bulldozers are stationed on the location.
The occupation forces have also laid out wires along the way to the
transmitters. We are not sure if these wires are intended to blow up
and destroy the station's transmitters, but eye witnesses said that
these wires are intended for this purpose.
It is worth mentioning here that after the Israeli occupation left
and the Palestinian National Authority took over Ramallah and
Al-Birah on 24 December on 1995, the radio station was returned to
Palestinian national sovereignty and, from that point onward, the
radio and television corporation was being run by Palestinian
engineers. Voice of Palestine Radio broadcasts on 675 kHz,
corresponding to 440 meters. It is also worth noting that the
engineering staff of the station has just completed a project to
develop the station and supply it with field equipment.
[Brief cut in reception] Right now the occupation forces are firing
at a group of Palestinian citizens who gathered close to the
station. Indeed, it is feared the occupation forces may tempt to do
something really crazy and stupid to these Palestinians who are
watching with their own eyes the Israeli barbaric and criminal acts
against the Palestinian radio station.
It is an ugly and barbaric sight. Right now, the occupation forces
are wreaking more destruction and uprooting trees in the vacinity of
the radio station. This is what things looks like so far.
[Announcer] Thank you Rashid Hilal from Ramallah and Al-Birah.
Source: Voice of Palestine, Ramallah, in Arabic 1000 gmt 13 Dec 01
(via BBCM via DXLD 1-196)
West Bank and Gaza/Israel: Army destroys Ramallah radio, TV station
| Text of report by Israel radio on 13 December
The IDF [Israel Defence Forces] has destroyed the Palestinian radio
and television station in Ramallah, including the broadcasting
antenna. Bulldozers razed the station building and afterward bomb
disposal experts placed explosives at the bottom of the antenna and
blew it up. Nevertheless, our correspondent Dani Zaqen reports that
Voice of Palestine has been broadcasting intermittently from mobile
transmitters in various places in the West Bank. IDF soldiers have
also taken over neighbourhoods to the south of Ramallah which are
under Israeli security control, our correspondent Karmela Menashe
reports.
The IDF has taken over a high-rise building near the settlement of
Netzarim from which Palestinians fired mortar shells. Earlier, it
was reported that IDF troops had blockaded the Tall al-Sultan
neighbourhood on the outskirts of Rafah from which mortars were
fired at the settlements of Morag and Atzmona.
["It has just been reported that the PNA's [Palestinian National
Authority] television station is broadcasting from some other
installation after its Ramallah station was bombed," the announcer
added towards the end of the newscast.]
Source: Voice of Israel, Jerusalem, in Hebrew 1100 gmt 13 Dec 01
(via BBCM via DXLD 1-196)
West Bank and Gaza/Israel: Palestinian Radio, TV condemns targeting
of VOP | Text of statement by the Palestinian Radio and Television
Corporation broadcast on 13 December by the Palestinian FM station
Amwaj, which is relaying Voice of Palestine (VOP) programmes since
VOP's main studio was reportedly hit during Israeli military action
in Ramallah
As part of the hostile war Israel is launching against our
Palestinian people and their National Authority - the Authority's
legitimate agencies and establishments - Israel completely destroyed
Voice of Palestine radio transmission station at dawn on Thursday 13
December 2001. This is an aggression confirming that Israel has put
the last nail in the coffin of what it alleges to be the freedom of
opinion, expression, and democracy. It also proves that it has made
a final decision to put an end to the peace process and to any peace
effort.
While coming under this serious attack, the Palestinian Radio and
Television Corporation stresses to the world public that Israel's
accusations and claims that the radio station is airing incitement
are baseless. Its claims expose its premeditated hostile intentions
against the freedom of opinion and expression, and against human
rights. They also reveal the Israeli government's insistence on
continuing its attacks on our people and their humanitarian and
civil establishments. They seek to blow up all agreements in order
to achieve the perfect crime silently and without any prosecution
witnesses.
The Israeli repressive trend of muzzling mouths and choking voices
is one that has been proved to be deeply rooted in the Israeli
policy. It seeks to publicize one speech, which is that of Israeli
violence, killing, and aggression, which manifests itself daily
through bombardment, destruction, and killing of innocent people. It
has recently reached its peak when F-16 warplanes were used to bomb
civilian targets in areas inhabited by civilians, killing tens of
innocent people, including children.
This policy was previously practiced when Israel destroyed the
installations and equipment of the radio transmitters and the
television and satellite television headquarters on 12 October 2000,
leading to an interruption in transmission and obstruction of their
media mission. That was a precedent unparalleled in the civilized
world.
As a national institution concerned with preserving the ethics of
the profession and the integrity of the press and media, the
Palestinian Radio and Television Corporation and stresses that it
will continue its professional and national role in exposing the
Israeli aggressive actions, thus proceeding from its media duty and
role in reporting events and exposing the daily Israeli practices
and violations to the public opinion in Palestine.
[Signed] The Palestinian Radio and Television Corporation, December
2001 Source: Voice of Palestine, Ramallah, in Arabic 1015 gmt 13
Dec 01 (via BBCM via DXLD 1-196)
Israel expands attacks on Palestinian Authority
Armored bulldozers destroy radio and television facilities
Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, Friday, December 14, 2001
©2001 San Francisco Chronicle [excerpts concerning broadcasting]
Ramallah, West Bank -- Israeli forces bore down on Yasser Arafat and
his Palestinian Authority yesterday, moving armor to within easy
shooting range of his headquarters as warplanes pounded this and
other Palestinian cities late into the night.
Armored Israeli bulldozers demolished Palestinian television and
radio transmission facilities in a bid to silence the Voice of
Palestine. Troops occupied neighborhoods across the West Bank,
searched Palestinian homes and sliced the Gaza Strip into three
pieces. Israeli soldiers also seized the home and family of a
leading Palestinian militia commander and Arafat lieutenant here in
Ramallah.
Here in Ramallah, the business and government center for the
Palestinian West Bank, Israeli tanks entered the city from three
directions, taking up position on a muddy field about 300 feet from
Arafat's compound, where he has been holed up for days. Arafat was
effectively trapped, working the telephone in a bid to build support
among foreign leaders. The guns on the turrets of two tanks were
trained on the compound.
A short distance away, tanks, armored personnel carriers and
bulldozers methodically demolished the studios of the Palestinian
Broadcasting Authority. Two three-story yellow stucco towers
collapsed in a mound of rubble. Soldiers then lay dynamite charges
at the base of a 300-foot transmitting tower, which dominated the
Ramallah skyline. Two huge blasts, and the tower fell, as if in slow
motion, to the ground.
The actions knocked the Voice of Palestine off the air. Local FM
stations picked up the signal and rebroadcast it, but at a greatly
reduced range. Both the studios and the tower were built in the
1930s.
Israel has frequently accused Palestinian broadcasters of inflaming
their public. But yesterday's demolition also targeted symbols of
Arafat's power and seemed aimed at further diminishing his image and
his authority in the eyes of his public.
The soldiers worked unencumbered by the fact they were standing in
the middle of Palestinian-controlled territory. A small group of
youths gathered to watch, along with a couple of politicians and
quite a few journalists. At one point, the soldiers fired three or
four smoke grenades at those interviewing the chairman of the
Palestinian Broadcasting Corp. One soldier fired a smoke grenade
directly into the back of a photographer.
"It's a game of cat and mouse," said Radwan Abu Ayash, the
broadcasting official. "We have to play Mighty Mouse."
(San Francisco Chronicle Page A - 1 via M.Cooper-CAN in DXLD
1-197)
BBC about attacl on Radio Palestine's transmitter
By BBC News Online's Tarik Kafala,
Saturday, 15 December, 2001, 20:24 GMT
On Thursday night, Radio Palestine's transmitter station in Ramallah
was hit by Israeli jets. The building and the transmitter mast
turned to rubble.
The reason given by the Israelis for hitting the station was that it
broadcast incitements to violence.
Possibly the only Palestinian pleased by the Israeli action is Aref
Hijjawi, a lecturer in media studies at Birzeit University in the
West Bank.
He lives across the road from the former transmitter station. The
microwaves generated by the mast used to block out the BBC World
Service completely and were a health concern for him and his family.
Now the signal from London is loud and clear.
This said, Mr Hijjawi believes that the Israeli strikes against
Radio Palestine were pointless, and the reason given for the attacks
disingenuous.
"I wish Radio Palestine a new healthier transmitter very soon. The
reason it was attacked is that it is a symbol of government, and the
Israelis want to destroy these symbols.
"I don't believe that they wanted to end the Palestinian propaganda.
The Israelis have their own, much more sophisticated, propaganda,"
Mr Hijjawi said.
The transmitter station and mast that were brought down were
originally installed in 1937 by the British Mandate authorities that
governed Palestine until 1948.
They were used by the Jordanians when they ruled the West Bank
between 1948 and 1967, and reconditioned for use in the mid-1990s by
the Palestinian Authority.
As it was, on the night the station was attacked, Palestine Radio
broadcasts were not interrupted.
The station simply took over the FM wavelength occupied by a
successful commercial station in Ramallah, Ajyal Radio.
Ajyal station manager Walid Nassar says that plans are under way to
buy a replacement transmitter for Radio Palestine.
According to Mr Nassar, the most likely sellers of the right kind of
equipment are Israeli.
First inquiries suggest that several private Israeli radio stations
may have just the thing - second-hand radio transmitters that were
once used by the Israeli military in southern Lebanon
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1713000/17
13183.stm (with pictures) (via M.Terry-BDXC-G via DXLD 1-198)
[Re the news above] Has been report on all German TV channels topic
news and few repeats at night too.
A lot of money taken from the taxpayers in the European Community
has been blown up by the Israeli Forces under Sharon, as the
Palestine broadcasting house was also destroyed.
Our local SWR Stuttgart Germany radio and tv station - as represent
of the German Public Radio Organization ARD - had a long established
partnership, staff training and aid providing program to the Voice
of Palestine in past decades.
No conception, only right wing violence on both sides ..
(W.Büschel-D Dec 17, 2001 in BCDX 553)
...............................................................
Misc - KURDISTAN
Iraq: Kurdish Islamic radio station in Arbil closed | Text of report
by independent Iraqi Kurdish newspaper Hawlati on 10 December
Recently, the competent authorities of the [Kurdistan Democratic
Party, KDP-led] regional government have closed down the Arbil radio
station of the Islamic Group in Iraqi Kurdistan. The closing down of
the radio was the result of not having an official permission, which
the Islamic Group has not been granted.
Source: Hawlati, Al-Sulaymaniyah, in Sorani Kurdish 10 Dec 01 (via
BBCM via DXLD 1-196)
[Re : article above ] Hi Glenn, Checking Clandestine Radio Intel
http://www.clandestineradio.com/intel/kurdistan.htm I suspect the
station in question is Voice of Islam, Voice of the Islamic Movement
in Iraqi Kurdistan, which indeed was on shortwave. This seems to be
the closest fit to the description in the report.
(A.Sennitt-HOL Dec 15, 15 in DXLD 1-197)
...............................................................
Misc - MOLDOVA
NEW BROADCAST LICENSE PROCEDURE SLAMMED.
In a 15 November letter to President Vladimir Voronin, the Moldovan
Media Association was critical of parliament for passing a new law
on broadcast licenses which introduced two types of licenses, par-
tially in response to the new Audio-Visual Coordinating Council's
complaint about "chaos" and "piracy." Under the new law, Moldovan
broadcasters retransmitting programs of foreign radio and TV sta-
tions are required to purchase a "retransmission license," while
foreign broadcasters must obtain an "access license." The letter
says that the new licenses will worsen Moldova's relations with
neighboring countries, particularly Russia, which, the letter
claims, is the country's "strategic partner." Previously, broad-
casters were required to have a "transmission license." Many sta-
tions used this license to rebroadcast foreign, mainly Russian,
programs. The letter noted that officials will now be able to exer-
cise direct control over the country's news market. The Moldovan
Media Association represents 26 media outlets, most of which pub-
lish and broadcast in Russian.
("Moldova Media News," Nov 26, 2001 via H.Biener-D for CRW)
...............................................................
Misc - NIGERIA
VOA Hausa Service accused of pro-Muslim, anti-Christian bias
A Nigerian newspaper, Daily Trust, has reported on allegations that
the Hausa Muslim staff of the Voice of America (VOA) have been
spreading pro-Muslim, anti-Christian and anti-American propaganda
through its broadcasts.
The Daily Trust on 10 December quoted an American newspaper, The
Weekly Standard, as saying that the allegations prompted VOA to
appoint Mr Sunday Dare, a Nigerian Christian, to head the Hausa
Service.
The Weekly Standard report, dated 12 November, quoted VOA Director
Robert Reilly as saying "we are aware of the problems (allegations
of bias)" and are "paying very special attention" to the Hausa
service.
The Weekly Standard said Reilly had expressed concern over the VOA
Hausa Service interview with Sheikh Dahiru Mohammed Bauchi on 15
October, in which the Islamic scholar accused American forces of
killing innocent Muslims in Afghanistan.
The Weekly Standard quoted Reilly as describing the broadcast as
"totally unacceptable". It added: "All broadcasts from the Hausa
section are now being reviewed by both Dare and the regional
director, Mr Reilly."
The Weekly Standard had earlier reviewed what it said were the
criticisms against the Hausa service's pro-Muslim anti-Christian
programming and hiring policies.
It said: "Nigerian Christians complain that the VOA perpetuates a
subtle pro-Muslim bias, as when it exaggerates the size of the
Muslim population in places such as Jos and interviews a dispropor-
tionate percentage of Muslims in "man-on-the-street segments."
Source: BBC Monitoring research, 10 Dec 01 (via DXLD 1-195)
...............................................................
Misc - ROMANIA
RFE/RL PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR, VETERAN JOURNALISTS DECORATED.
President Ion Iliescu on 30 November decorated with different orders
RFE/RL President Thomas Dine, Director of Broadcasting Jeff Trimble,
and five veteran journalists of the Romanian Service, RFE/RL's Bu-
charest bureau reported. The ceremony commemorated 50 years of RFE/
RL broadcasts. Iliescu said the honors represent "a sincere, though
perhaps belated" acknowledgment of the fact that "Romania's history
in the years of the totalitarian regime cannot be written without
emphasizing the role played by the station on our lives under the
conditions then prevailing." He said RFE/RL had been Romania's
"window to the normal world outside," and a source of "adequate and
pluralist information." In his speech, the president mentioned the
still-unclarified circumstances surrounding the deaths of three
directors of the Romanian Service (Noel Bernard, Mihai Cizmarescu,
and Vlad Georgescu), physical attacks on other journalists working
for RFE/RL, and the 21 February 1981 terrorist attack on RFE/RL when
it was headquartered in Munich. Iliescu said the authorities are
fully collaborating with "competent international forums" to fully
explain the circumstances of those incidents.
("RFE/RL Newsline," Dec 3, 2001 via H.Biener-D for CRW)
...............................................................
Misc - SOMALIA
BBC expands Somali broadcasts |
Excerpt from press release by BBC World Service on 13 December
London, 13 December: The BBC World Service is increasing its Somali
language programming from Monday, 17 December. There will be two
additional news programmes at 1100 and 1600 GMT which will be
broadcast on FM in key cities and towns in the Horn of Africa -
Djibouti, Mogadishu, Hargeysa and three towns in Puntland.
"This is a tense time in the Horn of Africa", said Mark Byford,
Director of the BBC World Service. "Somalis there and in the
diaspora rely on the BBC to keep them informed about events in the
world and their region. We want to give them the opportunity to keep
up with the news throughout the day".
The new programmes will increase the BBC's weekly output in Somali
from just over nine to just over 12 hours.
It is not possible to do audience research in most of the Horn of
Africa because of political instability. However anecdotal evidence
suggests that the audience is extremely high with life in entire
villages and towns coming to a halt when the BBC Somali Service in
on air. A survey of Somalis living in Kenya found that two out of
three listen to the BBC weekly. On the Internet, BBC Somali audio is
one of the most accessed of all World Service sites.
The BBC has already increased its output in Pashto, Persian [Farsi],
Urdu and Arabic in response to the events of 11 September.
The BBC Somali Service currently broadcasts from 1415-1500 GMT and
1800-1830 GMT seven days a week with an extra 15 minutes at 1400 GMT
on the Somali weekend. The programmes are broadcast on shortwave, on
the BBC's own FM relays in Djibouti and Hargeysa and on
rebroadcasting partners in Mogadishu (Horn Afrik) and Bossaso,
Qardho and Garowe in Puntland (Somali Broadcasting Corporation).
The new programmes will be broadcast from 1100-1110 and 1600-1615
GMT seven days a week... Source: BBC World Service press release,
London, in English 13 Dec 01 (via BBCM via DXLD 1-197)
Somalia: Somaliland Radio Hargeysa Internet service continues |
Text of report by Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 15 December
A statement issued by the Ministry of Information today disclosed
that the Radio Hargeysa Internet service would continue proving its
services. The Internet was meant to provide a service to the Somali-
land community in the diaspora. In the recent past, the Jamhuuriya
newspaper has highlighted allegations by the former manager of the
Radio Hargeysa Internet that the radio has stopped its Internet
service. The former manager was dismissed from his job for pursuing
a policy that was against the government's policy. The ministry,
therefore, would like to assure citizens that the national interest
will not be affected because of one person. The radio therefore
would like to assure its esteemed audience, both within and abroad,
that Radio Hargeysa will continue providing the normal free Internet
service.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 15 Dec 01 (via BBCM via
DXLD 1-198)
...............................................................
Misc - SRI LANKA
IBC Tamil via web radio
The uk based tamil clandestine radio station "international broad-
casting corporation-tamil" has launched 24 hours internet web radio
in tamil recently.
The www address is www.ibctamil.com
This organisation already provides 24 hours tamil programmes via
astra -1b {ADR} TO Europe and two hours tamil programmes via
shortwave to south asia.
(D.Prabakaran-IND Dec 14, 2001 in DX-India-ML)
...............................................................
Misc - USA
VOA chief restricts airing of interviews
By James Warren, Chicago Tribune staff reporter
Published December 14, 2001
The Voice of America on Thursday mandated that the federally backed
broadcasting group not air interviews "with any official from
nations that sponsor terrorism," a move that prompted claims of
censorship from employees.
In a memo to department heads, VOA chief Bob Reilly indicated that
radio and television operations must heed "both the letter and the
spirit" of a provision tucked away in a pending congressional bill
covering the agency's 2002 appropriation.
That provision, apparently not previously known to many VOA staff
members, states the expectation of Congress that the agency "will
not air interviews with any official from nations that sponsor
terrorism or any representative or member of terrorist
organizations, or otherwise afford such individuals opportunities to
air inaccurate, propagandistic, or inflammatory messages."
Initial response Thursday was negative and led to a lengthy meeting
between Reilly and about 70 VOA staffers. Many workers saw the
directive as an undue response to a disputed, exclusive VOA
interview with the Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar.
The September interview, which was part of a larger report that
quoted President Bush and others, initially was put on hold because
of criticism from top officials in the State Department. The
department directly oversaw the VOA until a 1998 restructuring that
left the agency under the guidance of a board of governors that
includes the secretary of state or his designee.
The initial decision infuriated many journalists and others at the
agency, whose charter calls for the presentation of news in an
"accurate, objective and comprehensive" way, though VOA also
broadcasts clearly defined U.S. government positions on issues.
The report was broadcast later.
At the meeting with staffers, Reilly sought to calm concerns,
according to several in attendance. According to one top staffer who
took notes, Reilly maintained that there is "a clear distinction
between giving someone a platform to disseminate their views" and
news. "We do the news," he said.
A VOA spokesman could not be reached, but several who attended the
session said confusion remained.
In recent weeks, the VOA has broadcast interviews with members of
the Taliban and officials of Sudan, Syria and the Palestinian
Authority, all of whom seemingly could be defined as officials from
"states that sponsor terrorism" under the new mandate.
http://chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0112140080dec14.story
?coll=chi%2Dnews%2Dhed
(Chicago Tribune via J.Moats, M.Cooper Dec 14, 2001 in DXLD 1-197)
Colleagues, There's been a lot of buzz about a director's memo this
morning on the subject of interviewing terrorists. Questions about
this were raised at the town hall meeting in the Washington
headquarters this afternoon. Considering all that was said, there is
only one conclusion we can reach: We continue doing our jobs the way
we have in recent months. We talk to whomever we have to get the
news and produce the kind of comprehensive, objective and balanced
reports we've been producing all along in this crisis. We do not
engage in self-censorship. We've been doing some truly admirable
work here and we should not ease up one bit in covering the issues
we need to cover and in talking to the people we need to present
those issues to our audience. In short, we keep up the good work.
Andre [de Nesnera] and Jack
(Jack Payton, VOA Assignments chief, Dec 13, 2001 in a memo to VOA
workers, via DXLD 1-197)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Sources xxxxxxxxxx----------------------
Thanks to the following contributors : Anker Petersen, Arnaldo L.
Slaen, Hansjoerg Biener, Harjot Singh Brar
Source Abbreviations:
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
JAP : Japan Premium-Japan
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.
______________________________________________________