Clandestine Radio Watch 124
--------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 124 xxxxxxxxxx--------------
CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH
January 14, 2003
Clandestine Radio Watch (CRW) is a biweekly summary which centralizes the
latest news and developments affecting the study of clandestine radio in an
easy-to-read format. Editions are published on the CRW web site. Access to
CRW is free.
CRW is both not-for-profit and non-partisan. We welcome your interest,
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 :
Achraf Chaabane, Sfax : achraf@clandestineradio.com
Nick Grace C., Washington : grace@clandestineradio.com
Robertas Petraitis, Klaipeda : tornado493@hotmail.com
Takuya Hirayama, Tokyo : hirayama@clandestineradio.com
Next issue - CRW 125 : January 31, 2003
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
"Freedom of information is ... the touchstone of all the freedoms."
(UN Freedom of Information Conference, 1948)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Breaking News xxxxxxxxxx----------------
IRAN : Voice of Southern Azerbaijan to start broadcasting to Iran on
Jan 8
AFGHANISTAN : Resistance Voice of Afghanistan Begins Broadcasting
...............................................................
IRAN : Voice of Southern Azerbaijan to start broadcasting to Iran on Jan 8
Text of report by Azerbaijani news agency Turan
Baku, 6 January: Voice of Southern Azerbaijan [northern Iran] will start
broadcasting programmes to Iran on 8 January, the National Revival Movement
of Southern Azerbaijan has told Turan. The whereabouts of TV and radio
facilities is kept secret, the same source said.
It is planned that the radio will broadcast on 9570 MHz radio frequency at
2000 Tabriz time (2030 Baku time [1630 gmt]) on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
In February, the radio will start broadcasting every day. It will be aired
to Azerbaijan and Iran.
Source: Turan news agency, Baku, in Russian 1620 gmt 6 Jan 03 (via BBCM)
The press service of SANAM also says that the first independent radio of
Southern Azerbaijanis "Voice of South Azerbaijan Radio" will be broadcasted
in near future. The radio will broadcast programmes directed towards South
Azerbaijan, beginning the first week of January. The radio-programmes to be
broadcasted twice a week
(Baku Today via J.Dybka-USA NASWA Flashsheet Jan
5, 2003 via DXLD 3-003)
Voice of Southern Azerbaijan [northern Iran] was due to start broadcasting
programmes to Iran on 8 January.
(Radio Netherlands Media Network)
VOICE OF SOUTH AZERBAIJAN BEGINS BROADCASTS.
The Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement, which presumably is
linked to the irredentist National Liberation Movement of Southern
Azerbaijan, has announced that the Voice of South Azerbaijan will commence
radio broadcasts to Iran on 8 January, Turan news agency reported on 6
January, and Radio Netherlands' "Media Network" website on 31 December
quoted "Baku Today" newspaper as reporting. There will be two broadcasts a
week initially, at 9570 megahertz at 8 p.m. Tabriz time on Wednesdays and
Thursdays, and daily broadcasts will begin in February. A Voice of Southern
Azerbaijan was previously operated by the National and Independent Front of
Southern Azerbaijan and transmitted shortwave broadcasts from 1996 to 1998,
according to Radio Netherlands.
("RFE/RL Newsline" via RFE/RL Media Matters 3-1, Jan 8, 2003)
...............................................................
AFGHANISTAN : Resistance Voice of Afghanistan Begins Broadcasting
AFGHAN RADIO STATION CALLS FOR JIHAD
A report by the Pakistan-based News Network International (NNI) says that
"anti American elements" in the Pakita province of eastern Afghanistan have
set up a radio station and are calling for a Holy War (Jihad) against
America and the provisional government of Hamid Karzai. According to a
source who asked to remain anonymous, US-led allied troops have been trying
to locate the station and apprehend those responsible, but have failed so
far. The troops are said to have requested "sophisticated intelligence
equipment" to help find the station. One of its announcements says "Hamid
Karzai is just a puppet in the hands of Americans and the governance in
Afghanistan is non-Islamic. Therefore Jihad is the obligation of all
Muslims, especially those living in Afghanistan. Get up and organize
yourself in the name of Allah to protect your country from the hands of
non-Muslims."
(Radio Netherlands Media Network Jan 6, 2003 via DXLD 3-004)
ANTI-GOVERNMENT RADIO BROADCASTING IN SOUTH-EAST - CHINESE REPORT |
Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China
News Agency)
Kabul, 7 January: An anti-government radio has started its broadcasting in
east Afghanistan's Paktia province, about 100 km south-east of Kabul, the
state new agency BIA reported on Tuesday [7 January].
The radio, which named itself "Resistance Voice of Afghanistan", recently
broadcast an ultimatum to instigate local people to resist the central
government led by President Hamed Karzai. The location of the radio, which
broadcast with changing frequencies, was not clear, the BIA report said.
Afghan Information Minister Sayd Makhdum Rahin told Xinhua that such
anti-government broadcasting was from mobile radio transmitters on vehicles
among mountains, covering limited areas. He said the government was
concerned about anti-government broadcasting and would take measures
against such activities.
[Radio Netherlands "Media Network" web site on 6 January quoted a report by
the Pakistan-based News Network International (NNI), an independent news
agency, as saying that "anti-American elements" in Paktia province in
southeastern Afghanistan had set up a radio station and were calling for a
"holy war (jihad) against America and the provisional government of Hamed
Karzai".]
Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 1602 gmt 7 Jan 03 (via BBCM
via DXLD 3-004)
Resistance Voice of Afghanistan Begins Broadcasting
Jan 09, 2003, Source: NNI
An anti-government radio has started its broadcasting in east Afghanistan's
Paktia province, the state new agency BIA reported.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?L2EE52503
(J.Dybka-USA Jan 9, 2003 in CDX-ML)
Anti-Government Afghan Clandestine
http://www.austin360.com/aas/news/ap/ap_story.html/Intl/AP.V6465.AP-Afghan-
Rogue-Ra.html
Artie Bigley is going to town on finding stuff on the internet about
clandestines. This one from the AP wire refers to an anti-Afghan government
station. This one apparently is in sympathy with al-Qaida, who otherwise
has been pretty inactive on the radio. There is no mention of freqs, but
the article implies that it is not SWBC. I wonder if anybody has any
information on this particular station.
(G.Zeller-USA Jan 11, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
PIRATE AFGHAN RADIO BROADCASTS
From http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-2312605,00.html
Saturday January 11, 2003 8:40 AM
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A pirate radio station operating in eastern
Afghanistan is broadcasting appeals to overthrow the fragile central
government and attack U.S.-led coalition forces, area residents said
Saturday.
The broadcasts have been picked up sporadically by residents of Paktia
province around the area of Khost, said a local businessman reached by
satellite telephone.
The area is a hotbed of anti-government activity linked to remnants of the
extremist Taliban militia, who are being hunted by troops from the United
States and its allies.
The station's signal often fades in and out and can be received in
different places at different times, possibly indicating it is being
operated from a car or a van, said the businessman, who asked not to be
further identified. Such low-wattage stations require little equipment
beyond a transmitter and a power source.
It wasn't clear if the broadcasts were live or had been prerecorded.
Afghan state radio earlier reported that a station calling itself ``Voice
of Afghanistan's Resistance'' was broadcasting anti-government messages
irregularly in parts of Paktia, which lies about 90 miles southeast of
Kabul.
The broadcasts are an indication of continuing resistance to the efforts by
President Hamid Karzai's interim government to expand its influence beyond
Kabul. Much of Afghanistan remains in the hands of local warlords who
maintain private armies and offer mere lip service to Kabul's authority.
Accused of sheltering the al-Qaida terrorist organization blamed for the
Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the Taliban were driven from power in late 2001 by
U.S. bombing attacks and ground forces led by a coalition of Afghan
resistance groups based in the country's north.
U.S. and Afghan authorities have blamed Taliban remnants, al-Qaida
terrorists and supporters of former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar for
attempting to destabilize the government, including launching rocket
strikes on Kabul and U.S. installations in the country.
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003 (via M.Terry-G in
DXLD 3-007)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Schedules xxxxxxxxxx--------------------
Schedules - EASTERN EUROPE
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
0230-0330 6010 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Pashto
0330-0430 6010 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Dari
0630-0730 21690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Pashto
0730-0830 21690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Dari
0830-0930 21690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Pashto
0930-1030 21690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Dari
1230-1330 21690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Pashto
1330-1430 21690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Dari
1500-1600 6055 JUL 100 kW / 075 deg Daily to CeAs Kazakh
1600-1700 6180 JUL 100 kW / 070 deg Daily to CeAs Tatar
Bashkir
1600-1700 7105 JUL 100 kW / 070 deg Daily to CeAs Kazakh
1630-1730 12140 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Pashto
1730-1830 12140 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Dari
1800-1900 9785 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily to ME Arabic
2230-2330 12140 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Pashto
2330-0030 12140 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily to ME Dari
(Observer-233 Jan 10, 2003 via W.Büschel-D)
...............................................................
Schedules - ERITREA
Voice of Democratic Eritrea
1500-1600 5925 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat to Eu Tigrina
1700-1800 15670 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Mon,Thu to EaAf Tigrina
(Observer-233 Jan 10, 2003 via W.Büschel-D)
...............................................................
Schedules - ETHIOPIA
Rainbow Radio/Kestedamena Radio
0900-1000 6180 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat to Eu Amharic
1900-2000 11840 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Fri to EaAf Amharic
(Observer-233 Jan 10, 2003 via W.Büschel-D)
Radio Huriyo
1630-1700 15670 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Tue,Fri to EaAf Somali
(Observer-233 Jan 10, 2003 via W.Büschel-D)
Tigrean International Solidarity for Justice and Democracy
1600-1630 15275 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Wed,Sat to EaAf Tigrina
(Observer-233 Jan 10, 2003 via W.Büschel-D)
Voice of Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity
0700-0800 21550 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Sun to EaAf Amharic
1830-1930 11840 JUL 100 kW / 140 deg Wed to EaAf Amharic
(Observer-233 Jan 10, 2003 via W.Büschel-D)
Voice of Ethiopian Salvation
1600-1700 15670 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Thu,Sun to EaAf Amharic
(Observer-233 Jan 10, 2003 via W.Büschel-D)
Voice of Oromo Liberation (Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo)
1700-1730 15670 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Tue,Wed,Fri,Sun to EaAf Oromo
1730-1800 15670 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Tue,Wed,Fri,Sun to EaAf Amharic
(Observer-233 Jan 10, 2003 via W.Büschel-D)
...............................................................
Schedules - MYANMAR
Democratic Voice of Burma
2330-0030 9435 JUL 100 kW / 080 deg Daily to SoEaAs Burmese
(Observer-233 Jan 10, 2003 via W.Büschel-D)
...............................................................
Schedules - SAUDI ARABIA
Voice of Reform
Freq and time changes for VoReform in Arabic from Dec 23: 1830-2130 NF
9925* (not 9930) via KVI 200 kW / 120 deg, x1900-2100 on 7590 *totally
bloked by RVI in Dutch till 1857.
(Observer-BUL Jan 7, 2003 via BC-DX)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Logs xxxxxxxxxx-------------------------
Logs - AFGHANISTAN
Radio Afghanistan (Kabul)
18940 kHz, 1610 R. AFGHANISTAN - KVITSOEY MX TALK PASHTO 55544
(R.Scaglione-I Jan 01, 2003 in HCDX)
R. Afghanistan via Kvitsoy 18940, JAN 3 1545-1630* - as reported in in DXLD
(12/31) no program, just an Interval Signal endlessly repeated, and
suddenly off at 1630. (J.Renfrew-NY-USA Jan 3, 2003 in CDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - ASIA
Radio Free Asia
SAIPAN RADIO FREE ASIA 17.615 kHz, 0340 GMT CC 333 Jan 3rd YL interviewing
an OM.
(S.MacKenzie-CA-USA Jan 3, 2003 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Logs - CHINA
Star Star BC Stn
8300 New Star BC Stn *1400-1419*. Presumed with usual s/on and YL numbers
routine, all in CH. Hrd a couple of other times this week, no parallels
noted.
(J.Wilkins-USA Jan 01, 2003 in CDX-ML)
8300 New Star Radio the one here at 1414, woman reading numbers.
(H.Johnson-TX-USA Jan 4, 2002 in CDX-ML)
Voice of Tibet
11975 kHz, 1440 VOICE OF TIBET - TASHKENT MX TIPICA TIBETANO 44444
(R.Scaglione-I Jan 05, 2003 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Logs - CUBA
Radio Marti
21675 kHz, 1550 R. MARTI - DELANO TALK S 25422
(R.Scaglione-I Jan 01, 2003 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Log - EASTERN EUROPE
Radio Liberty
15460 kHz, 1620 R. LIBERTY - TANGERI TALK OM PHONE BIELORUSSO 55555
9565 kHz, 1610 R. LIBERTY - WOOFFERTON TALK OM TURKMENO 44444
(R.Scaglione-I Jan 05, 2003 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Logs - ERITREA
Voice of Peace and Democracy of Eritrea [non]
6350 *0356-0424+ 01/09. Looking through some DX notes( per Hans Johnson)
last night. led me to stop on this frequency. Heard a definite IS at s/on,
with Horn of Africa style music, followed by an announcer with (P) ID.
Broadcast consisted of continuous talk,short breaks with Horn of Africa
music. Tribal music and chorus at 0421, with alternating talks and music
until 0424. Signal slipped away into the already noisy conditions. Poor
under massive RTTY QRM. Only audible in USB. Checked VO Peace and Democracy
of Eritrea and VO Tigray Revolution IS's at intervalsignals.net, both sound
similar. Unfortunately, I have no recorder at this time to get an accurate
match. Any Ideas?
(S.R.Barbour Jr-NH-USA Jan 9, 2003 in HCDX)
Dear Scott, Regarding your UNID:Last November I heard and identified on
this frequency the clandestine Voice of Peace and Democracy of Eritrea from
sign on at 0312 till sign off 0350. The transmitter stayed on the air and
shortly before 0400 began the ordinary programmes of the Voice of the
Tigray Revolution with opening procedure as you describe. Both broadcasts
were heard in parallel with 5500. I am pretty sure this is what you heard.
(A.Petersen-DNK Jan 9, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
Yep, VoP/D for Eritrea is 0315-0345 every day cept UTC Sunday. Usually open
carrier till Tigray comes on, just before 0400 so you heard VO Tigray Rev.
5500 used to be the // but it is off as of late.
(H.Johnson-USA Jan 9, 2003 in CDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - ETHIOPIA
Voice of Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity
21550 V of Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity 0755, OM with talks in
Amharic and freqs and mention of Arabsat. Background Ethiopian music.
Abrupt sign off. (Not found on Jan 7 and 8)
(Z.Liangas-GRC Jan 5, 2003 in GRDXC-ML)
Voice of Oromo Liberation
15670 V. of Oromo Liberation *1700-1759* Jan 5.Opening anmts and talks in
Hoa Lang; exotic HoA vocals. Many references to "Oromo" in both talks and
music. Via Jülich.
(J.Wilkins-USA Jan 05, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - INDIA
Voice of Jammu Kashmir Freedom
5102 V.O.Jammu Kashmir Freedom Dec 28 1340-1351 34433 Kashmiri, Music and
talk. ID at 1345.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Dec 28, 2002 in JAP 245)
...............................................................
Logs - IRAN
Radio Barabari (?)
unID -7470 R. Barabari? 1704-1735* . A weak station here in unID lang.
Mostly, or all talks per spot checks. Went off about 1735* per checks. Poor
at tune-in; poorer by s/off. Supposedly in Farsi via Sitkunai. Tough at
this Lat/Long.
(J.Wilkins-CO-USA Jan 5, 2003 in CDX-ML)
Radio Farda
9435 kHz, 1400 R. FARDA - KAVALA ID FARSI 55544
13680 kHz, 1355 R. FARDA - KAVALA MX ID FARSI 45544
15410 kHz, 1400 R. FARDA - WOOFFERTON ID FARSI 55555
21475 kHz, 1355 R. FARDA - IRANA WILA MX S/OFF 34443
(R.Scaglione-I Jan 01, 2003 in HCDX)
11705 kHz, 3/1 1715 R. FARDA - LAMPERTHEIM MX ("HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE") ID
FARSI 55534
11845 kHz, 3/1 1715 R. FARDA - IRANA WILA MX ("HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE") ID
FARSI 45544
(R.Scaglione-I Jan 03, 2003 in HCDX)
21480 Farda 1002 ID with presume news then with mix of Persian and western
songs . Signal S5 inside room / fair ( no adaptor use) Also 17675 on 0743
/8.1 with news by OM then with songs. Tested other freqs for that time but
did not found any signal. ON 15295 only a bubble jammer has been fond at
low level
(Z.Liangas-GRC Jan 5, 2003 in GRDXC-ML)
9585 07/01 0207 R. Farda, via Briech, mx irani y pop americana, YL, 44444
(S.Cassio Martins-B Jan 7, 2003 in ConDig 193)
R. Farda 9785khz via Thailandia segnale forte in Toscana alle 20.30 utc
(R.Sadun-I via R.Scaglione-I Jan 8, 2003 in BCL-ML)
6045 USA R.Farda relay via Morocco 0758-0807 01/08 AR/EG. AR and EG pops w/
Salt and Pepa "Shoop". Several IDs and anmt ment. Washington w/ comments by
GW Bush re terrorists. Good.
(S.R.Barbour Jr-NH-USA Jan 8, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
R. Farda moved from 21475 to 21575 today or yesterday. No buzz heard on
1539 now, so it may be true that R. Farda is now from Dhabayya as listed,
though possibly with lower power than 500 kW. Two Iranian refugee families
are living across the backyard from my apartment, and one of these families
has a teenager who for some time played his music so that everybody in the
block could listen. The music he was playing was exactly the kind of mix
now offered by Radio Farda. (Personally I find this mix attractive and very
listenable, though not necessarily through the air across the backyard.)
(O.Alm-S Jan 8, 2002 in DXLD 3-005)
01/10/03, 1320 UTC 13.680 Radio Farda SINPO 44322. Heard with several ID's
by female giving website address as www.radiofarda.com . 1330: ID by woman,
then news headlines by male news reader with mention of Hans Blix and bite
of Hans in EE regarding North Korean nuclear problem. 1344: female ID with
satellites and web address as www.radiofarda.com . I listened until 1400 but
everytime they ID'd, they called it Radio Fardo, nor Radio Farda! What
gives here? They also dumped the XMTR at 1359 and were back about 10
seconds later.
(Michael N1XTV-USA Jan 10, 2003 in HCDX-ML)
What gives is that you are not familiar with Farsi pronunciation. In the
Farsi language, the final a is pronounced more like our letter o. And I
dare say they have regional accents too. Similarly, the Dutch pronounce
Amsterdam a lot different to the way American's say it :-)
(A.Sennitt-HOL Jan 11, 2003 in HCDX)
Ich habe mir gestern und heute mal die vielen auch hier empfangbaren
Frequenzen des neuen US-Propagandasenders Radio Farda (tw. ID als Radio
Fardo) mit arabischer und US-Popmusik in Richtung Iran vorgenommen.
Auffallend war für mich besonders, dass rund um die Uhr nur eine hier
aufnehmbare Frequenz einem starken Jamming unterliegt: nämlich 15.290 kHz
von Kavala in den frühen Morgenstunden (Sendezeit von 04.00-08.30 UTC).
Beobachtet habe ich das hier stetig stärker werdende Jamming ab ca. 07.00
Uhr UTC.
Weitere Frequenzen, die mit Jamming bedacht werden, fand ich bislang nicht.
Warum gerade diese QRG und Zeit? Gerade (seit 18.45 Uhr UTC) hörte ich
Radio Farda auf 11.845 kHz völlig "sauber", ebenfalls wird das ab 19.00 Uhr
UTC sendende TWR in arabisch wird nicht gestört.
Hat jemand eine Begründung oder weiteres Jamming beobachtet? Oder ist
jemand anderes auf 15.290 gemeint???
(U.Bräutigam-D Jan 11, 2003 in A-DX)
Keine Ahnung, warum nur der Jammer auf 15290 hier beobachtet wurde, andere
Frequenzen aber nicht gestört werden, ausser 13680 und 9435. Sender vom
Thomson-Thales und Telefunken ständen ja genügend zur Verfügung. Auch beide
Mittelwellenfrequenzen werden nicht mit Jamming belegt. Vielleicht hört das
Jammer-Personal selbst dieses Light-Popprogramm? Oder man wartet auf die
Nach-Bush-Dynastie Ära.
(W.Bueschel-D Jan 11, 2003 in A-DX)
15290 R. Farda via Kavalla 0705-0730. Fair strength but usually OK,
occasional periods of what sounded like data transmission interfering. Mix
of English & ME pops, IDs and occasional talk including soundclip from Tony
Blair.
Logged in Adelaide, Australia.
(R.Jary-AUS Jan 11, 2003 in CDX-ML)
Hi Richard, jammed on few channels, suffers by Iranian BUBBLE jamming, on
others NOT, also both MW are free of jamming. The Farda change from the
quiet 21475 to the noisy 21575 is official, both in the Farda and the IBB
websites. Jamming on 15290, 13680 and 9435. I've been noting jamming on
such as 13680 and 9435 of the Iranian bubble ype. Heard strong BUBBLE
jamming today at 0600-0800 on 15290, and after 0800 on 13680, well ahead of
FRD.
(W.Büschel-D Jan 11, 2003 in CDX-ML via DXLD 3-007)
Re : Radio Farda heard on 13.680 - Yes I also heard it. I [heard] it as
Radio Fardao with ao between a and o. Now [its} 1002 and only a jammer [is]
heard.
(Z.Liangas-GRC Jan 12, 2003 in HCDX)
Radio Payam-e Doost
7480 R.Payem-e Doost Dec 27 *1800-1810 35333 Farsi, 1800 s/on with opening
music. ID. Talk by woman.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Dec 27, 2002 in JAP 245)
Voice of Communist Party of Iran
3880 kHz, 30/11 1620 VOICE OF KOMMUNIST PARTY OF IRAN - MX FARSI // 4380
SUFF
(R.Pavanello via R.Scaglione-I Nov 30, 2002 in HCDX)
Radio Voice of Iran
11575 Voice of Iran via Russia *1630-1705 Jan.2 Sign-on with Orchestra
anthem, pause at 1631( then the signal changed level's as if a
antenna/direction change) Followed with up-beat Patriotic Song. Noted at
1633 with a station ID for 'Seda-ya Iran..sedya-ya Iran (repeated),
followed with schedule/frequencies given. This was followed with a long
commentary about the Koran, the teachings and messages set forth. Many
references to the Talaban and to al-Quaida. Note to 1700, pause, into
another ID and newscast followed. Signal was good at a fair level
(E.Kusalik-AB-CAN Jan 2, 2003 for CRW)
11575 kHz, 3/1 1700 R. SEDAYE IRAN - ISSOUDUN ID FARSI 55544
(R.Scaglione-I Jan 3, 2003 in HCDX)
Re : 11575 Russia [sic, rather via Issoudun-France, wb] GHI Voice of Iran,
scheduled 1630-1930 UT, in B-01 on 12025 kHz. Also a morning service at
0330-0430 on 17510 registered.
(W.Bueschel-D Jan 9, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
Voice of Mojahed
4650, Voice of Mojahed 1, Iraq, Dec 22, 0345-0500, Farsi political talks,
New frequency, jumping 4650/ 4660/ 4670 to avoid Iranian jammer – stronger
than // 5350v and 5650v 43443
(A.Petersen-DNK DX Window Dec 22, 2002 via DXLD 3-001)
Voice of Southern Azerbaijan
Was waiting for the début of V. of Southern Azerbaijan, Wed Jan 8 at 1630
on 9570: very poor signal here way down in the noise, but could detect a
male soloist at the start, which may or may not have been this. Occasional
brief peaks of M&W talking,
alternating with music as we stayed with it until 1600. PWBR `2003` claims
Qatar and Nigeria are already on 9570. Try again Thursday, as these are the
only two days of the week VOSA is supposed to be on. But how long is each
broadcast?
(G.Hauser-OK-USA Jan 8, 2003 in DXLD 3-005
No sign of it here, only Romania and Vo Iraqi People on 9570 kHz.
(M.Finland-FIN Jan 8, 2003 in CDX-ML)
Re : No sign of it here ...and in south Italy too...
(R.Scaglione-I Jan 8, 2003 in CDX-ML)
Not heard in Germany as well... I got the Arabic Clandestine co-ch with
Tirana in Deutsch/German.
(M.Fathi-D Jan 8, 2003 in CDX-ML)
Voice of Southern Azerbaijan: I tried 9570 at 1630 today, Wednesday. A
Qur`an station was there already from 1500, and then R Romania from 1600.
Nothing happened at 1630. The Qur`an station was slightly low, so there was
a low frequency het with RRI
(O.Alm-S Jan 8, 2003 WORLD OF RADIO 1164 via DXLD 3-005)
Re new clandestine V. of Southern Azerbaijan, 9570, Wed & Thu 1630-xxxx
which so far has failed to appear:
Israeli squabble with Iran? Former clandestine Southern Azerbaijan Radio,
heard in the Nineties did originate from Yavne transmitter site in Israel
(W.Bueschel-D in BC-DX Jan 10, 2002 via DXLD 3-006)
Ahá --- its no show could be explained by the unexpected storm damage to
Yavne antennas, also messing up Israel`s own transmissions
(G.Hauser-OK-USA Jan 10, 2003 in DXLD 3-006)
---
Unid
On 7490 a very strong Diesel engine type jammer from Iran was/is still in
progress against Persian Clandestine CHA, scheduled at 1730-1830 UT. Now at
1742 UT Jan 12, CHA Persian program is well in the clear, but the Iranian
jammer is now silent. 73
(W.Bueschel-D Jan 12, 2003 in DXLD 2-007)
Now, what`s CHA? (G.Hauser-USA Jan 12, 2003 in DXLD 3-007)
Checked 7490 today Monday Jan 13, 1700-1830. Is undoubtedly a Kvitsøy,
Norway site outlet in winter season B-02.
(W.Bueschel-D Jan 13, 2003 in DXLD 3-007)
...............................................................
Logs - IRAQ
Information Radio
Re: The station ID has been reported as `` Idha'at Radiyo al-Ma'ulumat``,
but that means ``Radio Radio Information`` in Arabic! The correct ID is
``Idha'at al-Ma'ulumat``! (Liangas & Zeidan, DSWCI DX Window via DXLD)
Strange but true, yet that is how the ID goes! - listen to the clip on the
Interval Signals Archive at
http://www.intervalsignals.net/countries/clandestine-active.htm
(D.Kernick-G Jan 2, 2003 in DXLD 3-002)
Information Radio, the ID by my Arabic speaking neighbour was, he
suggested, "base of Information", the interpretation is the station as the
base of information, so if want information/news you listen to Information
Radio
(J.Wright-AUS ARDXC Jan 2, 2003 via DXLD 3-002)
Voice of Iraqui People
3900.0, Voice of Iraqi People, Iraqi Kurdistan, Dec 22, *1725-1855*,
Opening tune, 1730 Fanfare and ID: "Huna sawt al-Shab al-Iraqi, idha'atu al
Hizb al-Shuju'i al- Iraqi", political talks and same ID 1839. There was no
programme in Kurdish ! 34333
(A.Petersen-DNK DX Window Dec 22 2002 in DXLD 3-001)
9563.05 V.O.Iraqi People Dec 29 1505-1536 34333-33333 Arabic, Koran and
talk and arabic music. //9570kHz.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Dec 29, 2002 in JAP 245)
9563.1 V.O.Iraqi People Jan 5 1615-1622 34333-33333 Arabic, Talk. ID at
1617 and 1621. 1622 c/off.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Jan 5, 2003 in JAP 246)
Voice of Islamic Revolution
9535, Voice of Islamic Revolution in Iraq, via VOIRI Iran, Dec 28,
0350-0412. Weak signal of male speaker in (assumed) Arabic, improving in
strength to fair level (C.Jones-AUS DX Window Jan 1, 2003 via DXLD 3-001)
...............................................................
Logs - ISRAEL
Voice of Palestine
6200 V.O.Palestine Dec 25 1930-1940 32332-33332 Arabic, 1930 ID. Music.
Talk by man.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Dec 25, 2002 in JAP 245)
Voice of Palestinian Revolution
VO Palestinian Revolution on 7250 (presumed) Man in Arabic with interview
with another man. 0354 UTC tune-in. On now. Very much QRM, maybe someone
with a better radio will have more luck.
(J.Dybka-USA Jan 12, 2003 in CDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - KAZAKHSTAN
Radio Dat
9925 kHz, 28/12 1645 R. DAT - TALK ID KAZAKO OTTIMO
(R.Pavanello via R.Scaglione-I Dec 28, 2002 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Logs - KOREA (NORTH)
Voice of the People
6600 V. of the People (p) 1345-1430 Jan 4 with assorted talks in KR by M&W,
KR vocal mx. Good signal; seemed // to 3912 but hard to tell with an S-8
noise level on 80 meters.
(J.Wilkins-USA Jan 04, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - KURDISTAN
RTV Mezopotamia
7560 RTV.Mezopotamia Dec 31 *1659-1725 35322 Kudish, 1659 with opening
music. Kurdish and English ID. Opening announce. Local music. ID at 1723.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Jan 7, 2003 in JAP 246)
Voice of Iraqui Kurdistan
4085 kHz, 26/12 1645 VOICE OF THE IRAQI KURDISTAN - TALK CURDO SUFF
(R.Pavanello via R.Scaglione-I Dec 26, 2002 in HCDX)
Voice of Mesopotamia
15675 V.O.Mesopotamia Dec 25 0854-0900 34333 Kurdish, Local music. ID at
0857 and 0858.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Dec 25, 2002 in JAP 245)
11530 Denge Mezopotamia 1306 YL in AR lang ID by OM transmitter cutting in
and out
(J.Dybka-USA Dec 26, 2003 in CDX-ML)
11530 V.O.Mesopotamia Dec 28 1326-1337 35333 Kurdish, Local music. ID at
1330 and 1336.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Dec 28, 2002 in JAP 245)
11530 Denge Mezopotamia 1450 Turkish like songs till 1500 . ID by man "
geli Mesopotamia' then with discussions. New tune-in on 1520 still with
discussions in
Kurdish Good signal 42433.
(Z.Liangas-GRC Jan 5, 2003 in GRDXC-ML)
11530 Denge Mezopotamia *1300-1311 01/10. YL w/ Intro mx and anmts. Om w/
nx; several ment's "America". ID at 1306 followed by (P) Kurdish mx. Good.
(S.R.Barbour Jr-NH-USA Jan 10, 2003 for CRW)
Voice of the People of Kurdistan
4400, Voice of the People of Kurdistan, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, Dec 22,
1412-1435, Kurdish news, ID: "Aira dangi Gelli Kurdistana", music, New
frequency ex 6995, 24333 heard // 4015 from its fade in at 1430 (24222)
(A.Petersen-DNK DX Window Dec 22, 2002 in DXLD 3-001)
4025.1 V.O.People of Kurdistan Dec 29 1605-1620 34333-34322 Kurdish, News.
ID at 1618. Kurdish music.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Dec 29, 2002 in JAP 245)
4400 kHz, 2010 VOICE OF THE PEOPLE OF KURDISTAN - SULAYMANIYAH TALK OM A
34232
(R.Scaglione-I Jan 02, 2003 in HCDX)
Re: Kurdistan on 4402? For a few weeks now, the Voice of the People of
Kurdistan in Al-Sulaymaniyah, NE Iraq has replaced 6995 with 4400v.
However, yesterday it had drifted to 4413.4, and right now, Jan 07 at 0330,
I hear it on 4415.2. It can always be heard // their other channel on 4025.
(A.Petersen-DNK Jan 7, 2003 in HCDX)
4026.2 V.O.People of Kurdistan Jan 7 1503-1515 33333 Kurdish, News. ID at
1512.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Jan 7, 2003 in JAP 246)
...............................................................
Logs - LEBANON
Voice of Freedom
11515 kHz, 20/12 1650 FREE PATRIOT MOUVEMENT LIBANESE - MX A BUONO
(R.Pavanello-I via R.Scaglione-I Dec 25, 2002 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Logs - MIDDLE EAST
Radio Sawa
11855 kHz, 22/12 1700 R. SAWA - TANGERI MX ROCK A OTTIMO
(R.Pavanello via R.Scaglione-I Dec 22, 2002 in HCDX)
6040 R.Sawa Jan 2 2022-2037 34433 Arabic, Arabic music. ID at 2024 and
2035. //6060 kHz (44444). 9650 kHz (44444). 11905 kHz (35322).
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Jan 2, 2003 in JAP 246)
...............................................................
Logs - MOLDOVA
Radio Pridnestrovye
5960 kHz, 25/12 1700 R. DNESTR - TIRASPOL NX E OTTIMO
(R.Pavanello via R.Scaglione-I Dec 25, 2002 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Logs - MYANMAR
Democratic Voice of Burma
9435 kHz, 5/1 0015 DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA - JULICH TALK OM BURMESE
44444
(R.Scaglione-I Jan 03, 2003 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Logs - SAUDIA ARABIA
Voice of Reform
7590, Voice of Reform, via Kvitsøy (?), Dec 21, *1859-2058*, Arabic
political talk continued (from 9930) by the same man. Saudi jammer was here
at least from 1857-2102*, 33443. It was silent on Dec 30.
(A.Petersen-DNK DX Window Dec 21, 2002 via DXLD 3-001)
9930 Voice of Reform, via Kvitsøy (?), Dec 21, *1830-1857, Arabic talks
mentioning Iran. Cf. 7590 ! QRM VOIRI 9935 in Arabic (QSA 4) 34333. Back
here same evening from 7590 at *2059-2127* with talks continued in Arabic
by the same man until cut off in mid sentence at transmitter sign off.
35333
(A.Petersen-DNK DX Window Dec 21, 2002 via DXLD 3-001)
9925, Voice of Reform, via Kvitsøy (?), Dec 30, 1940-2127*, Arabic talks.
Moved from 9930 maybe to avoid QRM from Iran, and the Saudi jammer followed
(of course). 23443 improving to 34443. Kvitsøy was not used at 2012 for the
scheduled broadcast of NRK ! But this transmitter returned on the air at
*2128 on 7490 with the NRK-programme // 9510 ! Both these frequencies
continued 2130 with the ordinary R Denmark broadcast
(A.Petersen-DNK DX Window Dec 30, 2002 via DXLD 3-001)
I also pick the Voice of Reform up on Hotbird Satellite 24 hours a day!
This opposition group has a room on http://www.paltalk.com and they get
listeners views via this room on PAL Talk. That is why the transmission
always is having some disconnecting !!! But listeners mainly giving out
their points of view against the Saudi Government.
(T.Zeidan-EGY DX Window Jan 1, 2003 via DXLD 3-001)
Radio Islah is on 9925, with the bubble jam still on. Sign on at 1830 till
2130 UT. They have a room on http://www.paltalk and that's how they get the
opinions of the
listeners, mainly Sa`udis living in KSA! About the transmitter QTH, I
reckon, not sure, it's coming from Bulgaria!! not confirmed.
(T.Zeidan-EGY Jan 3, 2002 at dxing.info via DXLD 3-002)
9925 Al-Islah 1954-2005 01/08 AR. Continuous tlks w/ 2 OM,tentative
ment."Al-Islah" during tlk. Breaks in audio.Fair
(S.R.Barbour Jr-NH-USA Jan 8, 2003 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - SUDAN
Voice of Sudan (?)
Tässä uusi UNID pähkäiltäväksi. Reilu tunti sitten uuvuttavan iltavuoron
jälkeen päivääni elävöitti UNID ARABI 10 000 kHz 1915 UTC. Sekä kieli että
mx oli arabimaailmasta ja kuuluvuus sanalla sanoen aika surkea.
Aikamerkkiasema ja kiinalainen (!) numerotäti 1930 UTC vaikeuttivat
kuuntelua.
(J.Huuskonen-FIN Jan 10, 2003 in DX-FIN)
Olisiko clandestine -asema 'Voice of Sudan' aktivoitunut? Lähetteli
takavuosina tässä. Tietoa asemasta täällä:
http://www.clandestineradio.com/archives/inactive/sudan.htm
(P.Lintujärvi-FIN Jan 11, 2003 in HCDX9
Yesterday evening 1915 UTC I heard an UNID ARABIC station on 10 000 kHz.
Pentti Lintujarvi suggested it could a re-activated clandestine The VOICE
OF SUDAN.
(J.Huuskonen-FIN Jan 11, 2003 in HCDX)
Could also be mixing product from Jordan, reported many times before here,
or similar cases such as India
(G.Hauser-USA Jan 12, 2002 in DXLD 3-007)
...............................................................
Logs - SYRIA
The Arabic Radio
7470 Arab R. Dec 26 *1600-1610 34333 Arabic, 1600 ID. Music. 1602 ID and
opening announce. Talk.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Dec 26, 2002 in JAP 245)
...............................................................
Logs - VIETNAM
Radio Free Vietnam
9930 Radio Free Vietnam 1238-1300* 01/10. Tlk b/w 3 OM in Vietnamese. Gong
at 1257,ballad. YL w/ anmts. Om w/ ID at s/off. Fair.
(S.R.Barbour Jr-NH-USA Jan 10, 2003 for CRW)
Voice of Khmer Krom
11560 Voice of Khmer Krom 1411 tentative with man in Asian lang, poor
(J.Dybka-USA Dec 26, 2003 in CDX-ML)
11560 V.O.Khmer Krom R. Jan 7 *1400-1407 22332 Cambodian, 1400 s/on with
opening music. ID and opening announce. music. ID. Talk.
(Ko.Hashimoto-JPN Jan 7, 2003 in JAP 246)
...............................................................
Logs - ZIMBABWE
Radio Voice of the People
7120, Radio Voice of the People, *0327-0355 Dec 30, open carrier until
musical opening at 0330 followed by a man with English ID and opening
announcements in English and a Vernacular language. African musical program
with brief announcements between selections followed. Poor to fair.
(R.D'Angelo-PA-USA Dec 30, 2002 in DXplorer-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx QSL Verifications xxxxxxxxxx------------
Qsl's - CHINA
World Falun Dafa Radio
9315, World Falun Dafa Radio, nice "Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forberance"
[sic] card, same as Ed Kusalik rcvd; spaces for full-data on back, not
filled in. But accompanying ltr from "Jennifer" said, "We listened to the
enclosed CD and verified it is our program." Also sent a brochure and
bookmarks. This for Dec 2000 rcpn; in one month for first CD follow-up to
this address; from P.O. Box 93436, City of Industry, CA 91715.
(J.Berg-MA-USA Jan 5, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Qsl's - IRAN
Radio Farda
Radio Farda sent me a electronic messagge with the next text by a reception
report sent to comment@radiofarda.com :
"Thank you for your email to Radio Farda. We are happy to have you as a
listener. We do not have QSL cards yet, so please accept this email as a
confirmation of your reception report below. Your friends at Radio Farda"
(A.Slaen-ARG Jan 7, 2003 in DXlandia-ML)
Radio Farda (via ?) 9785 n/d e-mail reply in 1 day for a report to
comments@radiofarda.com . Based on replies posted by other DXers, this looks
like a generic response.Asked about site, but no info at all.
(S.R.Barbour Jr-NH-USA Jan 12, 2003 for CRW)
...............................................................
Qsl's - LEBANON
Voice of Free Lebanon
11515 Voice of Free Lebanon. E-mail verification reply stating my report
correct and to check their web site ( www.tayyar.org ) for further
information about occupied Lebanon, in 17 days. Reply sent too and replied
from radio@tayyar.org .
(E.Kusalik-AB-CAN Jan 11, 2003 for CRW)
...............................................................
Qsl's - MADAGASCAR
Democratic Voice of Burma
17485 KHz. La Voz Democrática de Burma vía la Estación Retransmisora de
Radio Nederland en Madagascar. Tarjeta QSL folder (Verificador: Rahamefy
Eddy, Ingenieron del Depto. Técnico de la Estación Retransmisora). Confirmó
en 300 días.
(C.Morales-ARG Jan in ConDig 193)
...............................................................
Qsl's - NIGERIA
Voice of Biafra Int
RUSSIA (?) - 12125 kHz, Voice of BIAFRA INT, signed my ppc, card shows
'Biafra flag', v/s Ch. O. Sonden (?) also enclosed personal letter,
containt short political explanation and asked for more copies of my ppc
"We don't have money for QSL-cards and we like the one you made. Can you
please make more copies and send to us ?", in 465 days for a report with 1
USD to Voice Of Biafra International, 733 15th St NW, Suite 700, Washington
DC 20005, USA. Answer came from same address, without any follow-up (report
was about their 3rd broadcast, in Sep 2001. This seems to be the first
'hardcopy' qsl from the station itself. Earlier qsls were E-mail letters
from the station (for a short time after the station started) or were
issued by Ludo Maes of TDP (airtime broker).
(M.Schoech-D Jan 6, 2003 fior CRW)
12120 kHz, Voice of Biafra International, full data QSL ppc rcvd in 466
days from the following addr.: Radio Biafra International; 733 15th St NW
Suite 700; Washington DC 20005; USA. "First Day Transmission". In its
handwrite letter, Mr. C. Osondu talk me that "we are involved in a struggle
to librate our people from the criminal nigerian govt. We don't have money
to make QSL cards and we like the one you did. Can you make a few copies
and send to us at Voice of Biafra; 733 15th Street; Washington DC 20005.
Thanks. Ch.... Osondu".
(G.I.Barrera-ARG Jan 10, 2003 for CRW)
Voice of Biafra International via Samara, Russia. 12,125 partial-data card
received in 9 months. Card is the Kansas photo card I enclosed with my
report; they removed my message label and wrote a verie message on the
card. My report was sent to: 733 15th St. NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC
20005. Signature looks like Chima Osandu.
(W.Craighead-KS-USA Jan 12, 2003 for CRW)
...............................................................
Qsl's - SAUDI ARABIA
Voice of Reform
Saudi Clandestine Al-Islah 9925: n/d e-mail reply from Dr.Saad Al-Fagih at
saad@islah.org in 1 day for an e-mail report to info@islah.org . Asked if
this was the station heard on 9925, this is the reply: "thanks for the
report. yes but where were you? It is almsot impossible for the signal to
be picked up in the states." Barely a QSL but it's something. Not sure why
he asked "where were you?" My report mentioned my home-state and USA.
(S.R.Barbour Jr-NH-USA Jan 12, 2003 for CRW)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Miscellaneous xxxxxxxxxx----------------
Misc - AFGHANISTAN
RADIO STATION BEGINS BROADCAST IN AFGHAN CAPITAL
07 January 2003
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/29020/1/.html
A radio station has been set up in the Afghan capital of Kabul, where only
military radios and those used by foreign media once ruled. It has been
more than a year since the Taliban regime in Afghanistan was ousted.
In Kabul, the voice of Afghanistan's first free journalist was heard in a
programme called 'Good Morning Afghanistan'. In just a few months, the
radio station has become the most listened to, as more than 20 journalists
are involved in daily reporting.
The reporters from 'Good Morning Afghanistan' have seen it all.
Their first studio was built around a kitchen table, and the technical
material was installed in less than a week by experts who were funded as
part of a European Union programme. It is to underline the humanist aspect
that the European Union has created a free radio for the Afghan people.
But what were the women doing before September 11? At the time, hidden
under their burkas, they would never have imagined that one day, they would
be doing radio reports and speaking openly.
Sharifa Zormaty-Ward, Journalist of 'Good Morning Afghanistan', said:
"You've already forgotten the period of the Taliban. To be seen in a car
with foreigners and to be filmed by them, they would have killed us, and
they would have cut off your nose and ears." 'Good Morning Afghanistan' is
broadcast every morning, between 6 am 7 am.
On August 26, due to public demand, the director of the station came up
with a sister program 'Good Evening Afghanistan' from 6 pm to 7.30 pm.
Barry Salaam said: "It's a new radio station in Afghanistan. There is good
information and fresh news every day and evening. Good morning and good
evening." (via M.Terry-G Jan 7, 2002 in DXLD 3-004)
I`m not sure the preceding story is anything new; does it refer to the
service occasionally sent back on SW? The following about R. Azadi
apparently does not refer to the US` R. Free Afghanistan service of the
same name, nor to the defunct service to Iran of the same name...
(G.Hauser-USA, DXLD)
INDEPENDENT AFGHAN RADIO STATION TO EXTEND COVERAGE TO WHOLE COUNTRY
Hoover's, January 6, 2003
From http://www.afgha.com/?af=article&sid=28776
Radio Azadi [Liberty] has lately started its broadcasts on different
frequencies. It has won the favour of the audience in such a short time
with its interesting broadcasts. In an interview we asked Sidiqollah Sahel,
the editor of Radio Azadi, about the programmes of that radio and his
comments are as follows:
Radio Azadi is financed by ISAF [International Security Assistance Force].
It was inaugurated in a ceremony by Sayd Makhdum Rahin, information and
culture minister, and Akin Zorlu, the general commander of international
peacekeeper forces, on 4 August 2002. As we can see from its name, this
radio has once again liberated Afghans from restrictions. Its programmes,
which are produced according to people's wishes, are broadcast round the
clock.
With reference to the programmes of Radio Azadi, respected Sahel said: Our
programmes include news, reportages, commentaries, Greetings [a programme],
and different eastern and western music according to the taste of all
citizens. Programmes are prepared and produced with the coordination of
German and Afghan journalists. Elaborating the assistance of Germany in
setting up that radio, Mr Sahel said: As it is clear to everyone, our
friendly country Germany of has always wanted to assist Afghan people and
their relations with us go far back in history. They want to assist us in
social, economic, cultural and other aspects and their humanitarian
assistance has been visible in different spheres.
Esteemed Sidiqollah Sahel continued: The staff of Radio Azadi consist of
skilled and experienced journalists, presenters and authors, who have an
ambition to create entertaining, informational, scientific, economic, etc.,
programmes to meet the demands of the people. Radio Azadi is an independent
radio, free of any sort of political and governmental interference. All its
broadcasts, which are free of any personal influence, are realistic and its
reports reflect the reality of the shattered Afghan society. Regarding
their future plans about the enhancement of their countrywide programmes,
he said:
We are expecting to install some new antennas and a repeater station to
expand the broadcasts of Radio Azadi and they will cover the whole country.
Our broadcasts only cover Kabul city at the moment and our audience can
only receive our programmes in Kabul on frequencies of 88.5 MHz FM.
About their future plans for improving the quality of the programmes of
Radio Azadi, esteemed Sahel said: According to the observations and the
incoming cards and letters from our audiences we can say that the number of
our audience has multiplied. It reveals that our programmes are interesting
for our audience. We welcome the constructive suggestions, ideas, and
criticism, which will help enhance the programmes of Radio Azadi and we
will utilize them to improve our broadcasts. Source: Anis, Kabul, in Dari 4
Jan 03
(via M.Terry-G Jan 7, 2002 in DXLD 3-004)
...............................................................
Misc - CAMBODIA
Libya pulls out of the Central African Republic
by Tawanda Majoni
[Reference to a radio station called "Peace and Liberty" in paragraph 5!]
THE Libyan government has announced the pullout of its troops from the
Central African Republic (CAR) following a peace deal after more than a
year of civil strife in the tiny country.
The Libyan soldiers withdrew on December 28th 2002, together with Sudanese
and Djibouti forces, according to a news bulletin released this week by the
Libyan government. The withdrawal was in accordance with a resolution made
by the Community of Coast and Sahara States (Cen Ssad). Forces from CAR,
code-named SIMAC, are replacing the exiting troops.
"The Great Jamahiriya (the Libyan mass movement) has celebrated the return
of its forces from the Central African Republic after completing the
mission of peace, security and stability," read the news bulletin. Libya
hailed its military involvement in CAR as a "peaceful, humanistic mission
as well as a practical manifestation of the decrees, objectives, means and
principles of the African Union and Cen Ssad. The Libyan leader, Muammar
Gaddafi was instrumental in the transformation of the Organisation of
African Unity into the African Union, which was launched in August last
year in South Africa. The participation of Libya in CAR has been dogged by
controversy, with the country being accused of embarking on an imperialist
crusade meant to extend its influence in the sub-Sahara region. There were
outcries recently when Libyan troops were accused of bombing civilians in
CAR. However, the Libyan Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mahmoud Azzabi has
dismissed the bombing allegation as false. "It is not true that our
soldiers bombed civilians. Those are the words of detractors who do not
want to see us promoting peace in the whole of Africa," Azzabi told the
Sunday Mirror.
The news bulletin also dismisses the allegations of imperial ambitions by
Gaddafi and the Libyan government. "We would like to state once again that
this peaceful and kind process (of military involvement in DRC) is far from
any kind of external intervention. It is deliberately an internal African
process within the Cen-Ssad and the African Union." Gaddafi in May 2001
sent Libyan tanks, weaponry and soldiers to CAR to help President
Ange-Felix Patasse put down a rebellion by CAR mutineers. Libyan soldiers
fought side by side with loyalist troops to suppress the rebels led by
former President, Andre Kolingba, who in addition to storming the
presidential residence, seized control of the radio and television
stations.
The Libyans went on to set up a radio station called "Peace and Liberty" to
enable Patasse to address the nation. Libya's intervention was seen by
analysts as an ambitious plan to penetrate sub-Saharan Africa after falling
out of favour with the Arab League to the north.
Libya has also been involved militarily in several other countries. The
country has sent troops to Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast to
quell civil unrest following coup attempts. Azzabi said his country was the
first to get into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in an attempt to
avert the war that was to be dubbed "Africa's World War".
Azzabi hoped that the peace process in CAR would hold. He added that time
had come for Africa to shape its own destiny and that Africa had the
capacity to solve its own problems.
http://www.africaonline.co.zw/mirror/stage/archive/030104/national1746.html
(via A.Sennit-HOL Jan 4, 2003 for CRW)
...............................................................
Misc - CUBA
R. Martí survey news item from http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeign
Bureaus.asp?Page=%5CForeignBureaus%5Carchive%5C200301%5CFOR20030107a.html
DISSIDENTS SPLIT ON RADIO MARTI'S REFLECTION OF CUBAN LIFE
By Jim Burns, CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer, January 07, 2003
(CNSNews.com) - A survey of dissidents living in Cuba shows an overwhelming
majority like the news they hear on America's Radio Marti, but barely half
believe the broadcast service to the communist- controlled island
represents Cuban society.
The survey, conducted by a group called the Cuba Commission, involved
secret interviews with 343 Cubans, and some of the survey results were
withheld because the commission said survey participants feared retribution
by the government of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
Among the omitted results was the percentage of Cubans who actually listen
to Radio Martí, which is broadcast via short wave and medium wave radio.
Cuba Commission officials said in a statement Saturday that 93 percent of
those surveyed think Radio Marti's Cuba and foreign news is "credible" and
has the "right focus."
An unspecified number of respondents said Radio Marti's educational and
entertainment programming should be increased, and some participating in
the survey want the U.S. to take steps to overcome what they called "Cuban
government interference" of Radio Marti's broadcasts.
The dissidents were more closely split on the question of whether Radio
Marti represents Cuban society. Fifty-two percent said Radio Marti well
represented Cuban society while 40 percent said it did not completely
represent Cuban society. The remaining eight percent said it did not
represent Cuban society at all.
Some dissidents also suggested the installation of a transmitter at the
U.S. Navy base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, a question that U.S. Office of Cuba
Broadcasting Director Dr. Salvador Lew declined to answer.
"This is a technical matter," said Lew. "I just believe that we have to
look at several options. But the best person to answer that is probably the
resident of the White House."
The White House did not return phone calls Monday seeking further comment.
But when Lew was appointed by President Bush in July 2001 to head the Marti
broadcast operations, Bush made his position clear.
"My number one priority is to make sure that Radio and TV Marti are
broadcast clearly to Cuba," said Bush. "In order to do that, I have
instructed him [Lew] to use all available means to overcome the jamming of
Radio and TV Martí."
ADIOS, RADIO MARTI?
While Bush and a majority of Cubans in the survey want to see Radio Marti
continue broadcasting, there are some in Congress and in the Cuban-American
community who would like to see it cease broadcasting completely because of
financial considerations and the belief that Castro is jamming the
broadcasts and preventing them from reaching the Cuban people.
The Cuba Policy Foundation, a group that wants the economic embargo lifted
against Cuba, considers Radio Marti and its television counterpart, TV
Marti, failed programs.
"If the United States wants to flood Cuba with the flow of ideas and tools
for building democracy, rather than wasting tens of millions of taxpayer
dollars on a failed program, American tourists and investors should be
allowed into Cuba," said Sally Grooms Cowal, foundation president.
"The broadcasts are just another example of the pattern of failure in U.S.
policy toward Cuba," Cowal said.
Others would prefer to better spend the money currently used to pay for
broadcasts to Cuba, including Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz).
"We would like to see more independent news back on Radio Marti," said
Matthew Specht, a spokesman for Flake. "Since they moved it down to Miami,
it has become an anti-Castro station and Cuban people already know that and
they don't need to be told that Castro is a bad guy," he said.
The Cuba Working Group, a bipartisan coalition of congressional lawmakers
who want to ease U.S. trade and travel restrictions against Cuba, said both
Martis should be eliminated.
"The U.S. government has spent over $400 million in taxpayer money on radio
and television broadcasts directed at Cuban citizens. In principle, this is
a worthy effort, but in practice its record has been mixed," the group said
in a statement on its website.
"TV Marti operates when nobody watches because international broadcast
rules require that the U.S. not interfere with Cuban broadcast
transmissions," the group claimed. "Consequently, TV Marti reaches no
audience in Cuba and is utterly without purpose."
But some Cubans have found an important purpose in the broadcasts. Ernesto
Díaz Rodriguez, a Cuban exile writer who spent 23 years in Cuban prisons,
said he and many of his fellow inmates used to huddle in jail cells to hear
Radio Marti, which he called a voice of hope from the U.S.
Rodríguez believes the broadcasts should continue because of Castro's hold
on state-run Cuban media. "We have to remind those who have apparently
forgotten that the right to information also applies to the citizens of
this island nation that exists just 90 miles off the North American coast,"
Rodriguez said
(via A.Pennington-G BDXC-UK Jan 7, 2003 in DXLD)
...............................................................
Misc - ERITREA
NEW SWEDEN-BASED OPPOSITION RADIO UNHEARD ON 12 JANUARY |
Text of report by Monitoring research on 12 January
Please note that BBC Monitoring could not hear the Sweden-based new
Eritrean opposition radio, Radio of the Voice of the Eritrean People, on
Sunday, 12 January, on 15735 kHz.
Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 12 Jan 03 (via DXLD 3-007)
Voice of the Eritrean People not heard on air yet.
{see also similar schedule as Voice of Democratic Eritrea under T-systems
Juelich Germany, ed.]
Has anyone yet confirmed hearing the new Eritrean opposition stn, Voice of
the Eritrean People? You'll recall that it was due to have begun bcing, on
Sundays only, on 1 Dec. Reports on the putative schedule have been rather
confused, but it has been publicized as 1630-1700 on 15735 (to AF and the
ME) and 1700-1730 on 7530 (to EUR). I can hear nothing at the advertised
times. Frequency usage suggests a
European site. Any ideas?
(C.Greenway-G Jan 3, 2003 in BC-DX)
Merlin test series via Kvitsoe-Norway facility occured. Chris asked for
this sce recently, somewhere on 15735? kHz, but couldn't trace any monitor
log yet. But found test outlets on 9990 kHz frequency instead, seemingly
for VOE - Voice of the Eritrean People in Tigre language towards ERI/ETH,
to be 1630-1700 or 1700-1730 UT Suns only? On Sats there is another test
registered on 5925 (I guess to EUR audience in Tigre?), at about 1500-1600
UT.
Checked the test on 9990 kHz Jan 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; s-on 1658-1715 UT s-off.
1658 UT sign-on. But from the neighbour [9996] channel you will hear the
time signal pips, at the minute/hour. 1659 UT time pips. 1700 UT time pips.
UNDERNEATH, you can hear the Norwegian dom sce relay progr with female and
male announcer, and even a piece of speach (from UN?) in English.
\\ channels 7490[powerhouse], 13800, and 18950 at this time, all were
monitored here with fine level. No signal on 9980. Maybe 18950 kHz sce is
coming from Sveio site then?
1701:40 UT classic orchestra mx played over and over again til
1714 UT stop of mx, again some pieces of Norway progr underneath could be
traced again.
1715 UT tx s-off.
At 1720 [and 1727 the other day] UT I checked again the NOR/DEN channel
9980 towards EastRUS/Siberia, and the progr could be heard then, (til
1755)... so I guess 9990 was replaced by 9980 speedy after the test.
(W.Büschel-D Jan 5-9, 2003 in BCDX)
MNO Kvitsoe tests. I checked 9990 today Jan 9 at 1650-1820 and it was the
same pattern as yesterday, except that the MNO I/S (what I call Afghan mx)
began today sharp at 1700 and lasted till 1715*. The carrier signed off at
1716 and was back on 9980 at 1727 for the progrmes of NRK and RD.
I noted that it returned on 9980 at *1727 with relay of the last mins of
NRK, and then ready for the R Denmark bc at 1730-1755 (which R Denmark pays
for !!)
(A.Petersen-DEN Jan 8-9, 2003 in BCDX)
KVITSØY 9990 VOICE OF THE ERITREAN PEOPLE
9990 - came a little bit late; switched on the receiver at 1646 UT Sunday
Jan 12, and Tigre program was already in progress. As Chris Greenway said
in his e-mail of Jan 3rd:
Voice of the Eritrean People "at 1630-1700 on 15735 (to Af and the ME)" --
is really Suns at 1630-1700 UT via Kvitsøy, Norway, on different frequency
of 9990 kHz. Audio quality is different; the presenter in the studio
performed a fine audio signal. But in contrast there was a guest speaker,
fed in - I assume - via an Internet phone service or via .MP3 audio file of
very extreme exceeded audio on the
sound card. At 16.57:10 UT cut off midst in sentence, transmitter down.
Then I checked all Radio Norway domestic service frequencies. Only Sveiø
13800 and 18950 came in on the clear with very strong signal. But 9980 and
7490 missed at 1700 UT. (W.Bueschel-D Jan 12, 2003 in DXLD 3-007)
Glenn, Wolfgang, Thanks to Wolfgang - who tracked down the relevant Merlin
registration for a Norwegian transmitter - Voice of the Eritrean People has
been confirmed on 9990 kHz. Heard here (Nairobi) in progress at 1640 on
Sunday 12 January with music, a poem and an anti-Eritrean government
commentary in Tigrinya. Good signal. The transmitter was suddenly cut at
1657 before the commentary ended and so no closing announcement was heard.
(So no ID was heard - but this must be the station we have been looking
for.) Next Sunday I will try to catch the start of the broadcast at 1630.
One remaining mystery remains their broadcast to Europe, said to be 1700
Sundays on 7530
(C.Greenway-KEN Jan 13, 203 in DXLD 3-008)
Voice of the Eritrean People: No Merlin tests on 9990 kHz at 1657-1715 UT
observed today Jan 13. Instead Norkring had a Norwegian domestic service
transmission on all four frequencies at 1700-1727 UT on 7490, 9980, 13800,
and 18950. DEN? today Jan 13, at 1730-1757 on 9980, 13800, and 18950. 9980
was much stronger at 1700-1727, than at 1730-1757, towards E Russia (95 /
35 degrees). So seemingly southern direction antenna (110 / 165 degrees) in
use at 1700-1727.
(W.Bueschel-D Jan 13, 2003 in DXLD 3-007)
...............................................................
Misc - GERMANY [HISTORY]
GERMANY EAST. PROPAGANDA BROADCASTS TO US TROOPS
Glenn, A recent contributor wrote about hearing "Professor Lobo"
broadcasting to the American armed forces. I can confirm that these
broadcasts, on the air from around 1961-68, came from East Germany and were
broadcast under the title "O.P.S. Berlin" (a nice military title, don't you
think!). These transmissions went out nightly for half an hour from 2200 or
2300 UT on mediumwave and two or three shortwave frequencies. I think the
MW frequency was 1421 kHz, a frequency used
by Danmarks Radio until about 2210. Both signals were heard in southern
England at about equal strength until the Danish station closed down, after
which O.P.S. was well received.
The shortwave transmissions were on the 6 and 7 MHz band (nearly 40 years
after, I am a bit vague about the details). The opening announcement for
O.P.S was: "This is O.P.S Berlin, the programme that entertains and
informs. We broadcast nightly for Americans in West Germany and Europe."
The O.P.S. programme went out as the final
broadcast of the night on Radio Berlin International's European service.
RBI did not list it in their English schedule and O.P.S did not often
reveal that it was part of RBI, although it did mention that fact
occasionally.
I was first alerted to its existence when I saw it listed as a "clandestine
station" in the bulletin of the Danish Shortwave Clubs International,
although it was not a true clandestine in the sense of other stations
emanating from East Germany, such as Deutsche Freiheitssender, Deutsche
Soldatensender and Bizim Radio (beamed to Turkey). Actually, its style
reminded me of tapes I had heard of Nazi
wartime broadcasts to Allied troops, except that it was smoother and the
politics were very different.
Professor Lobo spoke with a deep African-American accent and came across as
the wise guy who knew the answer to every problem. Most of the records
played were by black artists, creating the impression that black servicemen
were the main target. There were sometimes very subtle suggestions, in
speech and music, that listeners might consider defecting to East Germany.
Between items there was relaxed banter
between Lobo and a female announcer. The news bulletins, which were
different to those of mainstream RBI, frequently juxtaposed items about
Vietnam and racial oppression in the US in order to establish a
psychological connection between the two problems.
The people behind this effort were well versed in propaganda techniques! I
think I heard some of the voices from O.P.S. a few years later on Radio
Habana Cuba.
O.P.S. was not heard (at least by me) after 1968, when its mediumwave
frequency was taken over, during the invasion of Czechoslovakia, by an East
German "black" clandestine station broadcasting in Czech ("Very bad Czech",
according to a comment I heard on Radio Free Prague).
Another interesting fact: O.P.S. used an address in Berlin W8, which
listeners probably thought was in West Berlin; in fact it was in the
eastern part of the city. Every weekend O.P.S broadcast a radio play
entitled "Conspiracy of Silence", designed to expose real or imaginary
Nazis holding high positions in West Germany. I remember that the closing
announcement for the feature said something like (referring to the alleged
Nazis) that "whether you wear the uniform of the armed forces or civilian
clothes, whether you are coloured or white, you should know that these
inhuman criminals are at liberty in the so-called Free World".
And a final note: Britain's leading expert on radio warfare, Sefton Delmer,
wrote about the station in his autobiography: "Nearer home the Soviet
Germans in East Berlin have been broadcasting a counterfeit of the US
forces' radio to the American troops involved in the dispute over
Ulbricht's Berlin wall....(they) can even chalk up one small success for
this operation. They forced the American troops to abandon
their amiable habit of wearing their names on their uniforms. For Communist
spies copied the names and the radio men then used them to embellish
stories in the broadcasts of their counterfeit radio just as we would have
used the names of German officers on Calais or Gustav Siegfried Eins during
the war.
They were less happy in their choice of a theme song for the station.
Whether they knew it or not, the tune the Soviet Germans and their American
Communist radio men were playing to introduce their broadcast was that of
'Don't fence me in...!", a somewhat double-edged jest for the defenders of
Ulbricht's wall." (Source: Black Boomerang, Secker and Warburg (London),
1962, pages 296-297).
(R.Tidy-G Jan 4, 2003 in DXLD 3-003)
GERMANY EAST. Re WWII propaganda stations:
1430 OPS - Out-Post-Station. OPS - Out-Post-Station was a special service
from RBI-GDR Radio towards US soldiers serving in West Berlin and Western
Europe. Started service on August 25, 1961 as "Berlin Island Station".
Renamed from August 26, 1961, on air till Januar 1972 as "Out Post
Station". RBI MW frequencies at this time span: 1133, 1430, or 1511 kHz.
But OPS used 1430 kHz from 1961, and some SW broadcasts also, like 6080
7185 7300 9730, not 6115; from 1968: 6080 6115 7185, and 9730. All at
2300-2330 UT.
Also a small FM transmitter was on air in East Berlin-GDR on UKW 98.6? MHz,
targeted towards the American Sector of (West) Berlin. In German "IHRF
Handbook 1965/1966" also a noon service at 1100 UT was mentioned on 1430
kHz.
"This is OPS Berlin, the program which entertains and informs. We broadcast
nightly to Americans in West Germany and Europe." And after a transmitter
switching procedure from 1430 to 1511 kHz of 15 minutes, a similar program
in French language registered:
MW 1511 kHz 198.5 mb 2345-0015 UT "Cette nuit à Berlin" SW 6080 6115 7300
9730
(W.Büschel-D Jan 5, 2003 in DXLD 3-003)
Hi Glenn, Just a small correction to the piece by Roger Tidy: to my
recollection the mediumwave frequency of O.P.S. Berlin (and of the Danish
transmitter) was 1430 kHz, not 1421 kHz. I believe this was the transmitter
at Burg that also broadcast the other clandestine operations Freiheitsender
904 (which despite its name was
actually on 908 kHz) and der Deutsche Soldatensender on 935 kHz. All of
these had the same pattern of several 30 minute transmissions a day.
(A.Sennitt-HOL Jan 7, 2003 in DXLD 3-004)
Hi Glenn, I heard and QSLed Out Post Station Berlin for reception on August
26, 1968 on 9730. A taped report resulted in a normal RBI QSL card and
accompanying letter from RBI noting their technicians were surprised the
service was audible in the United States. (I had hoped for a special
O.P.S.-Berlin QSL!). At some point, 9730 was dropped from service for
O.P.S.-Berlin.
(B.Matthews-OH-USA Jan 7, 2003 in DXLD 3-004)
Hi Glenn, a few further notes on the OPS programmes from RBI:
For my knowledge these broadcasts were listed in the FF dabei program
schedule magazine amongst the other RBI services, so they are hardly a
clandestine operation. The mediumwave transmitter was the same one at
Berlin that carried also other RBI services. The shortwave frequencies were
the usual ones for RBI European services, and perhaps it is also of
interest that 9730 originated from the Wiederau site near Leipzig then,
carrying not only RBI stuff but also Radio DDR 1 during daytime. Probably
of less interest for people abroad but something we were not able to find
out so far: The FM frequency used for OPS at Berlin. My suspect is the
former 95.05 outlet (better know for being the cradle of DT64), others
think 99.7 (then carrying Berliner Welle, a special program for West
Berlin, discontinued in the early seventies, too) is more likely.
Re. Deutscher Soldatensender 904: These programmes were indeed first
transmit on 904. If I remember correct they started on 904, then moved to
908, probably later back to 904 despite the resulting hets.
(K.Ludwig-D Jan 11, 2002 in DXLD 3-007)
...............................................................
Misc - IRAN
BROADCASTING BRITNEY SPEARS TO YOUNG IRANIANS MAY GET THEIR
EAR. BUT WILL IT CAPTURE THEIR MINDS?
BY DAN GILGOFF From usnews.com
Millions of Iranians flooded the streets to torch American flags and chant
"death to America" last winter after President Bush implicated their
country in his "axis of evil." So you might not expect those same folks to
welcome a new radio station that mixes contemporary Persian songs with
western pop from the likes of Britney Spears and Enrique Iglesias --- and
that's funded by Uncle Sam to boot.
You might be wrong. Since beaming its AM signal into Iran last month from
two nearby transmitters, Radio Farda (Farsi for Radio Tomorrow) has tallied
more than a thousand E-mails from its fans. "It has been really nice to
hear a radio which is nonstop music," writes a 19-year-old from Tehran.
"Our young Iranian generation is tired of these hellish politics [that
have] made a black Iran, full of sorrow."
Hellish politics were a mainstay of Radio Azadi (Radio Freedom), a U.S.
government-sponsored service launched in 1998 and replaced in December by
Radio Farda. While Azadi pumped five hours of original news, analysis, and
cultural programs into Iran each day, Farda offers a round-the-clock diet
of pop music sprinkled with hourly 12-minute newscasts and two half-hour
daily programs of news analysis. The broadcast hopes to attract 20 percent
of all Iranians-up from the roughly 2 percent who tuned in to Azadi --- by
targeting listeners under 30, fully 70 percent of the population. "We
wanted the largest possible audience," says Norman Pattiz of the
Broadcasting Board ofGovernors, the presidentially appointed panel that
supervises U.S. broadcast efforts abroad. "So we had to marry our mission
to the market."
The strategy has met with stunning success in the Middle East, where Voice
of America's talk-heavy Arabic service was replaced last March by a
musically inclined broadcast called Radio Sawa. The information-driven VOA
model didn't work there, says Pattiz: "If listeners don't like our
policies, you can't lead with them." Instead, Radio Sawa relies on weekly
audience research to hone a playlist of Arabic and western pop tunes. News
reports are kept short and punchy-and the result has been a shot in the arm
for listenership. In a recent survey from Jordan, 39 percent of young
people cited Sawa as their most trusted news station, about double the
number who picked state-run radio.
No escape. But because anti-Americanism runs so much lower among Iranians
than among Middle Eastern Arabs, Radio Farda has come under fire for
playing more music than necessary to retain Iranian audiences. Azar Nafisi,
an Iranian literary scholar and author of the forthcoming Reading Lolita in
Tehran, would prefer a combination of Farda's snappy pop-culture
sensibility and Azadi's hourlong public-affairs shows. "We don't want the
music to be just an escape for Iranians," she says. "We need to explain why
the act of choosing to listen to music is vital to the creation of a
democratic society."
But Farda steers clear of didacticism. It seeks to give the people what
they want and has canvassed Iranians outside their country to gauge their
tastes, a total departure from the Azadi model. "We aimed for Iranian
elites-professors, activists, even some reform-minded members of the clergy
and government," says Stephen Fairbanks, Radio Azadi's former director.
"These were people who were more effective in bringing about change in the
country." Farda management holds that the intelligentsia still listen to
its hourly news reports and to VOA's Farsi service. But a University of
Tehran political science professor who requested anonymity doubts that
elites listen to either. "Radio Farda is going to lose a very influential
audience" to international broadcasters like the BBC, the professor says.
"And youth are going to enjoy the music and ignore the news."
So far, Radio Sawa's surveys in Jordan suggest otherwise. And Farda news
director Ali Farhoodi cautions that bopping to western pop in Iran isn't as
mindless as it may seem, with the vice police enforcing bans on much
western music and restrictions on women singing in public. "Listening to
pop in Iran isn't like listening to American FM," he says. "It's a
political statement with a risk involved." Which makes Britney and Enrique
sound downright subversive
(via M.Terry-G Jan 12, 2003 in DXLD 3-007)
...............................................................
Misc - IRAQ
Information Radio
It isn't every day that you see clandestine radio news on Yahoo, other than
on DXplorer. This one is courtesy of Artie Bigley of Columbus, OH.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/030105/168/2z7qv.html
(G.Zeller-USA Jan 6, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
A look at Info Radio`s latest leaflet:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/030105/168/2z7qv.html
(via A.Bigley-USA in DXLD 3-004)
...............................................................
Misc - IVORY COAST
Situation in Ivory Coast is about to sink into anarchy. There are now four
rebel movements hostile to Laurent Gbagbo, the legitimate and controversial
president of Ivory Coast. The oldest movement is the MPCI (Patriotic
Movement of Ivory Coast) which would be supported furtively by Burkina
Faso. Another connected movement
seems to the MPCI, Popular Movement of the Ivory Coast of the Big - West
(MPIGO); refers to former general Robert Gueï murdered in Abidjan on
September 19. The MPIGO is anchored in the extreme the West of the country
and would recruit at Yacoubas, region known under the name of Nimba which
would be of the border zone with Liberia. Experts claim that this region is
Charles Taylor's "military reservoir" and that it would lend strong hand to
rebel movements. The MPIGO would be in fact
connected to the MPCI, quite as the third rebel, Movement for the Justice
and Peace (MJP). Another movement appeared, the national Armed forces of
Ivory Coast (Fanci). The MPCI would have a radio station called "the Voice
of the Mutineer" (la Voix du Mutin) and the MPIGO of another station called
"the Voice of the Big West (la Voix du Grand-Ouest)". It is credibly about
local or deprived stations FM taken by
the opponent
Names in French of four rebel movements
MPCI = Mouvement Patriotique de Côte-d'Ivoire
MPIGO = Mouvement Populaire Ivoirien du Grand-Ouest
MJP = Mouvement pour la Justice et la Paix
FANCI = Forces Armées Nationales de Côte d'Ivoire
French version
La situation en Côte d`Ivoire est sur le point de sombrer à l`anarchie. Il
existe maintenant quatre mouvements rebelles hostiles à Laurent Gbagbo le
président légitime et controversé de la Côte d`Ivoire. Le plus ancien
mouvement est le MPCI (Mouvement Patriotique de Côte d`Ivoire) qui serait
soutenu en sous main par le Burkina Faso. Un autre mouvement lié
semble-t-il au MPCI, le Mouvement ivoirien du
Grand-Ouest (MPIGO) se réclame de l`ancien général Robert Gueï assassiné à
Abidjan le 19 septembre. Le MPIGO est ancré dans l`extrême Ouest du pays et
recruterait chez les Yacoubas, région connue sous le nom de Nimba qui
serait frontalière avec le Libéria. Des experts prétendent que cette région
est le "réservoir militaire" de Charles Taylor et qu`il prêterait main
forte aux mouvements rebelles. Le MPIGO serait en fait lié au MPCI, tout
comme le troisième groupe rebelle, le Mouvement pour la Justice et la Paix
(MJP). Un autre mouvement est apparu, les Forces armées nationales de la
Côte d`Ivoire (Fanci). Le MPCI disposerait d`une station de radio appelée "
la Voix du Mutin " et le MPIGO d`une autre station appelée "la Voix du
Grand Ouest". Il s`agit vraisemblablement de stations locales privées FM
pris à
l`adversaire.
(via B.Chenal-F in DXLD 3-002)
...............................................................
Misc - KOREA (NORTH)
Let psywar liberate North Korea
Well, 2003 is 3 days old, and already there's talk of warfare - both
military and psychological. It's the latter that interests us at Media
Network, as broadcasting forms the major element of any such campaign. We
start the year on that theme, with a piece that's sure to set off a lively
debate.
Opinion: let psywar liberate North Korea
Nick Grace of Clandestine Radio Watch says Washington no longer has the
luxury of appeasing and containing North Korea. He argues that the US
should apply pressure through psychological warfare.
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/korea030103.html
We welcome reactions to this article at media@rnw.nl
(A.Sennit-HOL Jan 03, 2003 in Media Network-NL)
Foreign correspondent, now Ohio University professor, wants RFA Korean on
MW to North Korea Also helpful, he said, would be to begin broadcasting
"real, solid, impartial news" via Radio Free Asia into North Korea on the
AM band rather than shortwave, seeing as very few North Koreans own
shortwave radios. Though the
United States has said it hasn't been able to get permission from
neighboring countries for radio towers, Martin scoffed at this excuse. "If
you can arrange wars, surely you can arrange signal towers," he said.
http://www.athensnews.com/issue/article.php3?story_id=11121
(via K.A.Elliott-USa in DXLD 3-003)
Also says acting president Bush should withdraw NK from the Axis of Evil
club --- doing that set off Dear Leader`s fear he`s next for US military
action, and consequent escalation.
(G.Hauser-USA Jan 5, 2003 in DXLD 3-003)
SW Listening in North Korea
North Korean defectors explain how limited radio listening is in North
Korea and urge Bush administration to flood the country with free radios.
More :
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/09/international/asia/09KORE.html
(H.Johnson-USA Jan 9, 2003 in CDX-ML)
...............................................................
Misc - KURDISTAN
Voice of the Iranian Kurdistan
The Voice of the Iranian Kurdistan (radio of the Democratic Party of the
Iranian Kurdistan steered since 1993 by Mustafa Hedjri and in April, 1995
by Abdullah Hassanzadeh) is audible in the morning in France on 4195 kHz
from 0430 GMT. The Democratic Party of the Iranian Kurdistan had former two
leaders who were murdered by the authorities of Iran. On July 13, 1989 the
Dr A.R. . Ghassemlou in Vienna (Austria) and on September 17, 1992 in
Berlin, the Dr Sadegh Sharafkandi with three of his companions, Fattah
Abdoli (representing in Europe) and Homayoun Ardalan, representing in
Germany. The DPIK was founded on August 18, 1945. The DPIK possesses a
secret radio station since October 13, 1980 which diffuses since the
North of Iraq (in the region of the Kurdistan).
One German court accused publicly the highest dignitaries of the Iranian
regime for having sponsored the murder of Sadegh Sarafkhandi and three
other companions. The two responsible for the DPIK are buried in the
cemetery of the Father Lachaise in Paris. The Voice of the Iranian
Kurdistan (Persian = "Seda-ye Kordestan-e Iran" , Kurdish = "Ira Dangi
Kurdistani Irana" was agreed the first time in 1973-1975 and again in 1980.
After an absence of three months in 1995 due to rivalries between the
Democratic Party of the Iranian Kurdistan and the Patriotic Union of Jalal
Jalabani's Kurdistan the station is again of return since this date. In
August, 1995 the Voice of the Iranian Kurdistan announced to emit in the
bands of 75 and 41 metres (7300 and 4000 kHz). In past the station used a
big number of frequencies situated in beaches of 7050-7420, 4890-5080,
4630-4665, and 3870 and 3965 kHz. The Voice of the Iranian Kurdistan is
jammed regularly by Iranian authorities on all frequencies.
0330-0430 in Kurd on 4195 kHz
0430-0530 in Persian on 4195 kHz
1430-1600 in Kurd on 3975 kHz
1600-1630 in Persian on 3975 kHz
There is a broadcast in the afternoon which is not got here in France,
probably at 1430. The temporary seat of the DPKI is in Paris.
Contact : P.D.K.I, c/o A.F.K (French Association of the Kurdistan) PO Box
102, 75623 Paris, Cedex 13
Fax : 01 85 20 93 (for the foreigner to make the 33)
Web site : http://www.pdk-iran.org/ (in English, German and French)
Web site in French: http://www.geocities/pukfrance/pukfrance.html
(B.Chenal-F Jan 1, 2003 in DXLD 3-001)
...............................................................
Misc - MIDDLE EAST
Popmusik und Propaganda - Radio Sawa und Radio Farda umwerben junge Hörer
in Nahost
Von N. Janardhan
Dubai, 3. Januar (IPS) - Junge Leute werden in der Nahostregion neuerdings
rund um die Uhr mit Popmusik und politischer Propaganda aus dem Radio
umgarnt. Zwei neue, von den USA finanzierte Sender bemühen sich nach
Kräften, die sich in der Region ausbreitende anti- amerikanische Stimmung
abzubauen.
US-Beamte sprechen von der 'Verbreitung von Demokratie', wenn sie die
Aufgabe der sorgfältig auf junge Hörer abgestimmten Rundfunksendungen
beschreiben. "Sie richten sich gegen falsche Information und die
Verbreitung von Hass. Sie wollen zeigen, dass die USA nichts gegen Muslime
haben und werben um Unterstützung im Kampf gegen den Terrorismus", heißt
es. 60 Prozent der Bevölkerung in Nahost sind junge Leute.
Der musikalisch untermalte Propaganda-Feldzug, in den die US-Regierung
viele Millionen Dollar investiert, kommt aus den Studios von 'Radio Farda'
('Morgen'), das seit Dezember letzten Jahres auf Sendung ist und von 'Radio
Sawa' ('Gemeinsam'), das seine Sendungen bereits seit März 2002 ausstrahlt.
Während Radio Farda sich vor allem an junge iranische Hörer unter 30 Jahren
richtet, sind Jugendliche in Irak die besondere Zielgruppe von Radio Sawa.
Der schnulzige Mix aus arabischer, persischer und westlicher Popmusik, der
nahezu pausenlos aus den Lautsprechern quillt, wird lediglich durch kurze
Nachrichten in arabischer oder persischer Sprache unterbrochen.
Radio Sawa, das den bisherigen arabischen Dienst des US-Senders Voice of
America ersetzt, wurde mit einem Jahresbudget von 35 Millionen Dollar
ausgestattet. Radio Farda sendet an Stelle von Radio Azadi (Radio Liberty)
und arbeitet mit einem jährlichen Budget von acht Millionen Dollar.
Das Konzept der UKW- und Mittelwellensender entspricht dem, was Washington
mit Radio Free Europe und Radio José Marti seit Jahrzehnten in Kuba
versucht: Es soll für Demokratie werben.
So verspricht Radio Sawa den jungen Irakern eine bessere Zukunft für den
Fall, dass Präsident Saddam Hussein geht - ungeachtet des in den nächsten
Wochen zu erwartenden Angriffs auf Irak.
Im Äther müssen es die beiden US-Sender mit der überaus populäre Konkurrenz
des arabischen Dienstes der BBC und von Radio Monte Carlo aufnehmen.
Während diese mehr Nachrichten und wissensorientierte Programme
ausstrahlen, setzten Radio Sawa und Radio Farda auf Musik und Kulturelles.
Auf seiner Website (radiosawa.com) verspricht Radio Sawa, eine "genaue,
objektive und umfassende" Berichterstattung. Man wolle die Aufmerksamkeit
und den Respekt der Hörer gewinnen.
US-Präsident Bush wandte sich bei Sendebeginn von Radio Farda am 20.
Dezember persönlich an die potentiellen Hörer: "Das iranische Volk hat uns
wissen lassen, dass es mehr Radiosendungen braucht, da die wenigen, nicht
gewählten Personen, die die iranische Regierung kontrollieren, den Zugang
zu unzensierten Informationen stark einschränken.'
Viele Jahre lang habe Radio Liberty täglich nur ein paar Stunden gesendet.
"Jetzt wollen wir noch mehr Iraner erreichen und senden 24 Stunden lang
Nachrichten, Musik und Kulturelles", kündigte Bush an.
Darauf hin kritisierte Ahmed Saif, ein politische Kommentator der in den
Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten erscheinenden Publikation 'Al Bayan': "Bush
kann seine Behauptungen nicht belegen. Er gibt vor, für 'das iranische
Volk' zu sprechen und gehört damit ebenfalls zu den 'nicht gewählten
Wenigen'."
"Die US-Regierung ist bereit, viel Geld auszugeben, damit wir sie
kennenlernen. Wird sie wohl ebenso viel investieren, um uns kennen zu
lernen", fragte Saif in einem Interview. "Was wir wirklich brauchen sind
Informationen über die Vereinigten Staaten, über ihre Menschen und über
die Komplexität ihrer Kultur und ihrer Politik. Mit Musik lässt sich das
nicht erreichen."
Saif beschuldigte die neuen US-Sender, Washingtons Agenda fortzusetzen, die
sozialen Strukturen zu zerstören und unter dem Vorwand, die Demokratie zu
stärken, für Unruhe zu sorgen.
Doch unter den jungen Hörern der Region sind die Programme der neuen
US-Sender beliebt. Mindestens ein Drittel der Jugendlichen, so das Ergebnis
einer im September in der jordanischen Hauptstadt Amman durchgeführten
Umfrage, hört am liebsten Radio Sawa.
Besonders populär sind neben Musiksendungen Berichte über Filme, Computer
und Videospiele. Auch Diskussionen mit Hörerbeteiligung zu Themen wie
'Können Frauen gute Vorgesetzte sein?' oder 'Wer sagt uns, ob die Medien
die Wahrheit verbreiten?' werden gern gehört.
Der Journalist Ahmed Saif kann daran nichts Gutes finden: "Popmusik' und
seichte intereaktive Programm gefallen zwar den jungen Leuten, doch sie
verringern nicht die feindselige Stimmung, die die unpopuläre US-Politik
hier erzeugt."
Anas Al Nuami stimmt ihm zu. Der Student der Kommunikationstechnologie an
der Al Ghurair-Universität in Dubai meint: "Die Musik ist gut. Doch es ist
sehr schwer, es mit dem Nachrichtenprogramm des Fernsehens aufnehmen zu
wollen, das über das brutale Vorgehen der Israelis gegen Palästinenser
berichtet.
Und er fragt: "Wie sollen wir Demokratie akzeptieren, wenn zwei so genannte
Demokratien, nämlich Israel und die USA, die Menschenrechte so dreist
verletzen?"
(German newsagengy ADN Jan 3, 2003 via R.Hofwiler-D for CRW)
CAN POP MUSIC MAKE THE ARAB WORLD LOVE US?
By Lee Smith, SLATE, Posted Thursday, January 9, 2003, at 10:18 AM PT
Imagine it were possible to stem the rising tide of anti-Americanism in the
Arab world. (I like to think this is the kind of speculative, optimistic
sentence tossed around all the time at the State Department.) You would
want to target an audience of middle-class and working-class men between
the ages of 18 to 30 --- the demographic most likely to attack Americans
and American property. To that end,
the State Department recently announced that it is exporting an anthology
of American writers, in the hopes that this will persuade Arabs that the
American experience is more varied, and less evil, than the
state-controlled Arab media say it is.
Regardless of whether you buy into this kind of cultural marketing, it's
clear that the State Department chose the wrong medium. American book
publishers can tell you that American men between 18 and 30 don't read a
lot of books. The Arab street reads even fewer --- just one book, mostly:
the Qur`an. The United States should have followed the lead of Arab
governments, which know that music is the region's most powerful form of
expression. That's why they use it for propaganda --- and also why they ban
so much of it.
The classic example of this is Umm Kulthoum, the voice of Egypt, the diva
of the Arab world. In 1975, her funeral, legend has it, drew an even larger
crowd than Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser's in 1970. Nasser's rise
to power coincided with a golden age of Egyptian music, and in Umm Kulthoum
he found a willing participant in his campaign to promote the image of a
charismatic nation on the rise. She recorded several nationalistic songs,
like "Watani Habibi Watani el
Akbar" ("My Beloved Nation, the Greatest Nation") (scroll to the bottom of
the page, and listen to the second clip), which are still widely known in
Egypt --- as are a host of singer Abdel Halim Hafez's patriotic numbers,
like "Ya Gamal, Ya Habib El Malayeen" ("Gamal, Beloved of Millions") and
"Ehna El Shaaab" ("We Are the People").
Of course, few Arab leaders have enjoyed as loyal a supporting chorus as
Nasser did. Many have had to check the efforts of musicians not in sympathy
with their policies. Sayyid Darwish is more or less the founder of the
engaged, or oppositional --- the sense is like the French intellectuals'
sense of "engagé --- school of Arab music. His "Quom Ya Masry" ("O Egyptian
Arise") is one of the earliest examples of music used to wage cultural war
against an unpopular government; it served as one of the forces driving the
1919 revolution. The song was banned at the time, but today every Egyptian
knows it by heart. Marcel Khalife, a Lebanese musician, is the contemporary
leader of the engaged school. His albums are officially unavailable in
Egypt; many of his songs are powerful and subtle odes on the Palestinian
issue, which the government fears will further flame resentment against
Israel. Khalife's very beautiful "Ana Yussef Ya Abi" ("Oh Father, I Am
Joseph"), from a poem by the Palestinian writer Mahmoud Darwish, takes the
biblical --- and Quranic --- story of Joseph's treatment at the hands of
his brothers as a metaphor for Palestinian suffering.
Curiously, while the Egyptian censors banned Khalife's quiet songs of
protest, they more or less ignored Egyptian singer's Shaaban Abdel Rahim's
recent hit, "Bakrah Israel" ("I Hate Israel"). The censors probably aren't
making any genuine aesthetic discrimination here; they tend to distinguish
simply between what's merely embarrassing and what is truly threatening to
the Egyptian government. Hence Rahim's latest song, in praise of Osama Bin
Laden (with its catchy chorus, "Bin Bin Bin Bin Bin Bin Laden"), was
removed from the airwaves. After all, Bin Laden and other hard-core
Islamists haven't targeted only America but also Arab regimes that
cooperate with America. Evidently, the Mubarak regime acted so quickly and
forcefully that Rahim, a commercially and politically savvy buffoon, denies
that he ever made any song about Bin Laden. This has got to constitute one
of the more compelling chapters in the psycho-biography of the Arab street.
It's a testament to the power of a police state that the song now remains
only in the memory of the masses --- but the fact that it remains suggests
that the memory of the masses may be yet more powerful. This only makes the
goal of reaching the Arab world's frustrated unemployed (and underemployed)
young men all the more important.
Unfortunately, this is where the State Department miscalculated again. The
people most likely to read a book about America are the Arab world's
well-educated professional and intellectual elite, who ---unlike the
underclasses --- already have extensive experience of America and the rest
of the West. Not only are they the least likely to change their minds,
they're the ones, like members of the Arab
media, who have been most active in fanning the flames of anti-Americanism.
What the State Department ought to have done to reach those underemployed
young men, then, is call Miles Copeland, a music producer who specializes
in world music (like that of Cheb Mami, a French-Algerian singer, and the
Egyptian singer Hakim). Copeland became interested in Arab culture while he
and his brother Stewart, the former drummer for the Police, were growing up
in the Middle East, where their father worked for the CIA. Maybe Copeland
can start turning out Arab-American fusion hits for another federal agency,
the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees Voice of America and
its latest initiative, Radio Sawa, an Arabic-language news and
entertainment station with frequencies throughout the Middle East.
In any case, the State Department needs to recognize that Arab culture is
predominantly an aural one. This is largely due to the Qur`an itself, which
institutionalized the sovereignty of the spoken word. From the outset,
God's word to the Arabs came to its audience --- including the Prophet
Muhammad --- primarily as a heard text, not a written one. Arab Muslims
still mostly experience the Qur`an that way and listen to it all day long,
in taxis, coffee shops, stores. Qur`anic reciters are something like pop
stars. (One of the major figures from the heyday of the Egyptian school of
recitation, Sheikh Abdel Baset, can be heard here.) Long before the Qur`an,
classical poetry in Arabic issued from an oral tradition; it wasn't written
down until well after the text of the Qur`an was established. The Arabic
language itself, its rich vocabulary, argues for the overwhelming pleasure
of sound in a culture that was not very visually interesting. There are, I
believe, nine different words for "desert" in classical Arabic --- which
reminds you that 1,500 years ago most Arabs were looking at desert most of
the time. Even today, as one Egyptian pointed out to me, Arab cityscapes
are all of a piece. In Cairo, the
sands and sun have worn art-deco apartment buildings down to the same
dulled gold as the pyramids. So, she said, we stay at home and listen to
the music of singers like Umm Kulthoum, marveling at her perfect diction,
piecing out the phrasing, the repetitions, the variations. The battle for
the hearts and minds of the Arab world, then, should go through CD players,
cassette decks, and radios, not libraries.
Lee Smith, who lives in Brooklyn and Cairo, is writing a book on Arabic
culture.
Photograph of Shaaban Abdel Rahim by Marwan Naamani/AFP. [caption]
(Slate via B.Westenhaver-CAN in DXLD 3-006)
...............................................................
Misc - SOMALIA
GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE EQUIPMENT FOR RADIO MOGADISHU |
Text of report by Somali government radio on 6 January
The minister of state in the prime minister's office of the Transitional
Government of Somalia [TGS], Ahmad Dahir, today pledged to provide media
equipment to [state-owned] Radio Mogadishu and the Ministry of Information.
For more details, here is our reporter Abdinur Fodey:
[Reporter] The minister of state in the prime minister's office toured
Radio Mogadishu's facilities in the city, including studios and offices.
The minister listened to all the managers of all the sections he visited.
He also listened to a speech by the head of Radio Mogadishu, Hon Muhammad
Abdi Alin [phonetic].
The minister finally met all the staff in the meeting hall. He listened to
tales of the plight of the staff that were presented to him by the head of
Radio Mogadishu. Addressing the Radio Mogadishu staff, the minister praised
the role played by them in the media and the programmes the station has
aired over recently.
The minister promised to support Radio Mogadishu to received the latest
equipment that will improve its reception. The prime minister also said the
government is willing to support its national broadcasting station.
Source: Radio Mogadishu, Voice of the Republic
of Somalia, in Somali 1700 gmt 6 Jan 03 (via BBCM via DXLD 3-004)
MOGADISHU-BASED RADIO HORNAFRIK GOES OFF AIR AFTER GUNMEN STORM STATION |
Excerpt from report by Somali Radio HornAfrik on 11 January
Radio and TV HornAfrik was off air for about six and half hours last night.
It resumed broadcasting at about 1015 [1915 gmt]. Ilmi Usman Farah Bonderi
has details:
[Bonderi] TV and Radio HornAfrik went off air after gunmen stormed their
premises in Mogadishu yesterday afternoon. The gunmen forced radio and TV
transmissions to go off. The gunmen... did not cause any destruction to the
equipment nor harm any of the staff at HornAfrik other than forcibly
switching off the transmission. The militiamen later left the premises
peacefully. The TV and radio staff apologized to all listeners in Mogadishu
for the period they were off air. It is said the incident will not in any
way affect the programmes and schedules of the station.
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 11 Jan 03 (via BBCM
via DXLD 3-007)
...............................................................
Misc - SRI LANKA
LTTE radio may reach India
Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers will start their upgraded radio broadcast
services from January 16, reaching a wider area with more programmes, LTTE
sources said on Thursday.
The Voice of Tigers will expand its services using a newly opened broadcast
station in the island’s northern jungles. It was not immediately clear if
the new services will reach the nearby Tamil Nadu, having traditional ties
with Lankan Tamils
http://deccan.com/neighbours/#LTTE radio may reach India
From Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad. January 3, 2003.
(J.Jacob-IND via CDX-ML)
TAMIL REBELS TO EXTEND RADIO BROADCASTS |
Text of report by the TamilNet web site on 1 January
Voice of Tigers (VoT) announced in its daily nightly broadcast today that
it will increase its broadcast time and distance from 16 January marking
the 10th memorial anniversary of Colonel Kittu, said sources in Vanni.
Colonel Kittu was known for his relentless efforts to implement the vision
of leader Pirpaharan to expand the quality and reach of Tamil media
reflecting the struggle of Tamil people, VoT said. It is a fitting
testimony to Kittu's efforts to introduce a significant milestone on LTTE's
media operations to celebrate his memorial day, VoT added.
"It is disheartening to witness orchestrated opposition by the chauvinistic
elements in the south to the import of broadcast equipment by LTTE," said
S.P. Thamilchelvan to the VoT technicians in a ceremony held to open a new
VoT building in Vanni.
"We have been working on importing new broadcast equipment for VoT for the
past several years. Current peace climate has made this possible now.
"We regard the new equipment as very essential in this climate of peace. It
is our cardinal duty to inform Tamil people on all issues affecting the
current peace talks so that Tamil people can express their opinions on
matters affecting them.
"Recent efforts by the People Alliance (PA) and other extremists to draw
the Norwegian government into this matter, condemning the involvement of
the Norwegian government and creating a controversy over this can only be
viewed as an ill-conceived attempt to sabotage the peace process,"
Thamilchelvan added. VoT is broadcast on waveband FM 98 [MHz], sources
said.
Source: TamilNet web site in English 1 Jan 03 (via BBCM via DXLD 3-001)
VOICE OF TIGERS TO EXPAND NEXT WEEK
Voice of Tigers (VoT), the radio station of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE), has announced that in a news bulletin that its broadcasting
hours and coverage area will increase from 16 January. That date marks the
10th anniversary of the death of a senior LTTE commander, who was killed
when the Indian Navy surrounded the arms ship he was aboard. The expansion
follows the controversial decision by the Sri Lankan government to permit
the import of new equipment for VoT, and to issue it with a licence to
operate and maintain an FM transmitter in Kilinochchi. The Sinhala National
Front has filed a writ application in the Colombo Court of Appeal seeking
the nullification of the licence. The petition says the granting of the
licence is a clear violation of the normal and accepted procedure, and
therefore the Appeal Court should order its annulment.
Chief of the LTTE's political wing, S P Thamilselvan was quoted by VoT as
saying that the new transmission equipment was essential to inform the
Tamil people on all issues affecting the current peace talks. ''We regard
the recent efforts by the People's Alliance and others to draw the
Norwegian government into this matter, condemning the involvement of the
Norwegian government as an ill conceived attempt to sabotage the peace
process,'' he said
(Radio Netherlands Media Network Jan 2, 2003 via DXLD 3-001)
Radio issue : Norway's PM reassures SRILANKAN President
Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has assured President
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga that his country was "impartial" and
remained committed to peace in Sri Lanka. The Norwegian Premier was
responding to a letter sent to him last month by the President raising
questions about the legality of the supply of radio equipment by Norway to
the LTTE for a radio station. In his letter of response to the President
which was released to the media by the President's Office, the Norwegian
Premier said:
"With regard to the issue of a licence issued by Your Excellency's
Government to the LTTE peace Secretariat to operate a radio transmission
facility, and the role of the Norwegian Embassy in this matter, I am
pleased to refer to the statement issued by Your Excellency's Government on
26 December, 2002, in which Your Excellency's Government has clarified the
matter.
(SOURCE- SUNDAY OBSERVER via D.Prabakaran-CLN Jan 12, 2003 for CRW)
...............................................................
Misc - USA
Subject: using journalists to spin the news
STRETCHING THE TRUTH TO CONFUSE THE ENEMY - AND US,
By Pat M. Holt
January 02, 2003 edition of the Christian Science Monitor:
WASHINGTON - There is a debate going on in the upper ranks of the
government over how this country ought to present its image abroad. This
particular debate has gone back and forth ever since the days of the Voice
of America (VOA) in World War II. On the one hand is the school that says:
Present a full and fair picture, the blemishes along with the bright spots.
On the other hand is the school that argues: Don't say anything negative.
(snip)
The full and fair picture, which the VOA has followed most of the time, is
flexible enough for most days; but some days the White House - or Defense
or State - wants to make a point so badly that it is tempted to stretch the
truth or even (here comes the dangerous part) to make it up. This happened
in the cold war, and it could happen again in the war on terror if we are
not careful.
For example: During various periods, the CIA paid foreign journalists to
write editorials or to slant news stories for prominent foreign newspapers
or magazines. Among other matters, these articles promoted anticommunist
labor unions in France and the Christian democratic political parties in
Italy and Chile. This sometimes gave rise to what is called ``blowback`` -
a story inspired by the CIA in a foreign newspaper and then picked up by an
American news service as an example of foreign public opinion.
An even more egregious example of US government manipulation of opinion
arose in Libya. The Reagan administration identified Libyan agents as
having bombed a West Berlin nightclub in April 1986, killing two US
servicemen. Later that month, US Navy planes bombed Libya in retaliation.
In addition, President Reagan called for a disinformation campaign designed
to increase pressure on the Libyan Army, which in turn, it was hoped, would
be driven to overthrow Libyan dictator Gen. Muammar Qaddafi.
Somewhat later, the Reagan administration leaked to The Wall Street Journal
that the White House was completing plans for ``a new and larger bombing of
Libya.`` A story was published on Aug. 25, 1986. The White House called the
story authoritative, but as more questions were asked, it turned out to
have been made up. Worse, neither the president nor then-Secretary of State
George Shultz was at least remorseful. (snip) full story at:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0102/p09s02-coop.html
(via D.Jones, CAJ-list via Ricky Leong, DXLD 3-001)
...............................................................
Misc - VIETNAM
RICHARD LOWIS writes: "I found the item on WW2 propaganda stations very
interesting, it brought back the memory of a station I heard probably in
the 1960s very late one night. The station was broadcasting in (American)
English, and the guy at the end of the microphone was using the pseudonym
Professor LOBO.
The broadcast consisting of modern pop music and messages to soldiers I
believe this would be during the Vietnam war. The person reading the
messages was a very sexy sounding oriental speaking female, and such
messages as 'This is for Johnny from Utah, we are sorry Johnny but your
wife left you for a guy from the next street, she says she is sorry and
sends her regards." This programme went on for about 1 hour, playing what I
believe were phoney requests and reading false messages.
I remember requesting a QSL card for this broadcast, and think it was a
transmission from Radio Berlin International, I no longer have my 60s QSL
cards, but I am sure I received a confirmation. Does that information fit
in with anything anyone else heard around that time, and can anyone else
remember such broadcasts? "
//MIKE BARRACLOUGH replies "Was this on medium wave or shortwave Richard. I
remember hearing Radio Berlin International transmitters on medium wave
late evenings with a programme for American forces in Germany with an
American accented announcer playing jazz records, can anyone remember the
name of the station, it did not announce as Radio Berlin International
despite using the same transmitter. There were broadcasts to US forces in
Vietnam from Hanoi and some recordings of them can be found at
http://www.earthstation1.com/Hanoi_Hannah_Radio_Hanoi.html
Transcripts are:
"How are you GI Joe? It seems to me that most of you are poorly informed
about the going of the war to say nothing about a correct explanation of
your presence here. Nothing is more confused than to be ordered into a war
to die or be maimed for life without the faintest idea of whats going on.
Isn't it clear that the warmakers are gambling with your lives while
pocketing huge profits"
and
"You are new here and we don't expect you to believe us when we tell you
how bad it is. It is a flat scary jungle thick with scrub trees and tall
grass, hot and wet in intermittent rain and strong tropical dragonflies and
Vietcong sniper bullets. You are a long long way from Fort Riley now and
there is no jersey(?) coffee in town on Washington Street where you can sit
around on counters eating hamburgers and sipping coffee without having to
be afraid a bomb might go off like it did at that restaurant in Saigon a
few weeks back. You can get killed here, get out while you are still alive
and before it's too late."
(Jam World DX Club Contact via DXLD 3-001)
...............................................................
Misc - VENEZUELA
Radio Nacional de Venezuela en Onda Corta
Durante esta mañana desde las 1410 y continua en el aire la señal de Radio
Nacional de Venezuela a través de los 15.570 Khz con musica venezolana,
mensajes contra la "Descordinadora Antidemocratica" o "Coordinadora
terrorista", ademas con llamados a no sintonizar los medios de comunicacion
Facistas y terroristas. (un medio oficial no deberia llamar al libre flujo
de la informacion que garantiza la constitución ??); además de mensajes de
Fé y Alegria. Creo que debe ser a través de Cuba ya que mencionan la
proxima transmision del programa Alo Presidente No. 135. pero hasta el
momento no ha empezado. "..usted escucha el Circuito RNV por su variedad de
estilos, canal clasico 91.1 FM con lo mejor de la musica selecta, 1050 mas
que una señal con lo mas destacado de la musica folclorica venezolana;
antena internacional con informacion de lo mejor de nustro pais para el
resto del mundo
y RNV informativa definitivamente la radio de la informacion con 24 horas
de noticias y comentarios, Circuito RNV contenido para todos los gustos,
somos la radio de Venezuela..." Luego de escuchar esta emisora recuerda
más a emisiones propagandisticas clandestinas que a un medio oficial de
radiodifusion nacional.
(R.Rodriguez R-CLM Jan 12, 2003 in Lista ConDig-ML)
Esto es increible!, después de casí 3 años de indolencia por parte del
gobierno de Hugo Chávez hacia Radio Nacional donde el Canal Internacional
de RNV ha permanecido en silencio por la "falta de recursos, ya que muchos
saben de lo mudo que ha permanecido la frecuencia de los 9.540 KHz, ahora
resulta que de ser cierta esta noticia de Rafael Rodriguez, de la noche a
la mañana estan probando por los 15.570 kHz. Será acaso que es ¿una ayuda
"desinteresada y humanitaria" de Radio Habana Cuba, en pro de nuestra
"Revolución"? Que lindo son ellos! Gracias!
(J.García-VEN Jan 12, 2003 in Lista ConDig-ML)
Perdona mi tardanza en responderte. Yo tambien he tratado de sintonizar a
RNV por los 9540 de un tiempo para acá y no la he escuchado. Pero lo que si
creo recordar es que la frecuencia 15570 era usada por RNV hace varios
años. De todas maneras seguiremos averiguando a ver que aparece por ahí.
(J.Elías Díaz-VEN Jan 12, 2003 in Lista ConDig-ML)
Esta mañana (domingo 12) yo también sintonicé los 15570 kHz alrededor de
las 16 UTC (no recuerdo exactamente la hora), en paralelo por 15230 kHz,
ambas con muy buena señal, (Hugo Chávez nombrando, algunos deportistas
venezolanas destacados) La 15230 es típica Radio Habana, así que muy
probablemente se trate de Cuba en ambas frecuencias. Otros días he
sintonizado alguna de estas frecuencias, pero no tan tarde.
(H.Molina-SLV Jan 12, 2003 in Lista ConDig-ML)
--
Venezuelan (?) hotspot on 15570 kHz
Rafael Rodriguez, in Colombia, reports hearing a station on this frequency
since 1410 today Jan 12 way past 1700, where listeners are warned from
tuning in to "fascist and terrorist media". Other messages are against the
anti-governmental "Coordinadora democratica" which is called
"Descoordinadora antidemocratica" and "Coordinadora terrorista". Rafael
says that the tone of the this broadcasts surprises him. It is different
from what you would expect from an official or public broadcasting station
which is the case of Radio Nacional de Venezuela. It rather sounds like a
clandestine station, he says. Yet this is announced as a relay of 1050
(Circuito RNV) and FM 91.1. He thinks this may be a broadcast relayed by
Cuba.
(H.Klemetz-S Jan 12, 2002 in DXplorer-ML)
Yes, a stn in Spanish can be heard here mentioning Venezuela here at 1710.
Unfortunately, there are signals on both 15565 (sounds like BBC although
listed as s/o at 1700 by 2003 PWBR and 15575 (Mid-East type mx) at this
time plus someone on the frequency itself (Vatican?). The S-Meter is about
an S8 The stns on 15570 are about equal in strength most of the time with
each occasionally on top.
(J.Sgrulletta-NY-USA Jan 12, 2002 in DXplorer-ML)
There's something on 15570 right now, 1915 Jan 12, QRMed but strong, SP
talk about Venezuela.
(J.Berg-MA-USA Jan 12, 2002 in DXplorer-ML)
Same program [reg. Sgruletta's log -CRW] is running // 6140 at 1920Z with
phone-ins, good level, maybe an extended "Alo Presidente" edition, no IDs
noted thus far due to me mostly being away from the radio. 15570 was pretty
good here at 1730Z but by 1800 difficult to read, still down in the mud.
(D.E.Crawford-USA Jan 12, 2002 in DXplorer-ML)
They just ID'd as Radio Havana Cuba :(
(G.Maroti-NY-USA Jan 12, 2002 in DXplorer-ML)
Right, then IS 1925-1931, opening of more SP. ... Re-reading the Conexion
Digital item (in SP) I see that Rodriguez thought this might be via Cuba.
Special prgmng maybe?
(J.Berg-MA-USA Jan 12, 2002 in DXplorer-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Sources xxxxxxxxxx----------------------
Thanks to the following contributors : Andy Sennitt, D.Prabakaran, Edward
Kusalik, Gabriel Ivan Barrera, Roland Hofwiler, Wendel Craighead, Wolfgang
Bueschel
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
DXW : DX Window-Denmark
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
BBCM items are Copyright BBCM 2003.
______________________________________________________