Clandestine Radio Watch 134
--------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 134 xxxxxxxxxx--------------
CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH
May 22, 2003
Clandestine Radio Watch (CRW) is a biweekly summary which centralizes
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Editor-in-Chief :
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Achraf Chaabane, Sfax : achraf@clandestineradio.com
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------------xxxxxxxxxx Breaking News xxxxxxxxxx----------------
CUBA : Commando Solo transmitting to Cuba (see 'misc')
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------------xxxxxxxxxx Schedules xxxxxxxxxx--------------------
Schedules - AFGHANISTAN
Radio Free Afghanistan
Recent changes as reflected in the IBB online schedule: A 24h relay
of IBB's Radio Free Afghanistan started on 30 April in Kabul on 1296
kHz (ND).
(B.Trutenau-LTU May 8, 2003 in MW-DX-ML via DXLD 3-081)
...............................................................
Schedules - EASTERN EUROPE
UPDATED A-03 SCHEDULE FOR RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY:
ALBANIAN 1900-1930 792 7165 11910 15140
ARABIC# 0100-0300 9730 9865 12030
0300-0400 1314 9730 9865 11910
0400-0600 9730 9865 11930
1400-1500 1314 9825 13755 15170 15495 17740
1500-1600 1314 9825 11805 15170 15495 17740
1600-1700 9825 11805 15170 15495 17740
1700-1800 9865 11805 17690
1800-1900 9740 11805 17690
2000-2200 9615 11885
ARMENIAN 0200-0300 7275 9595
1400-1500 11680
1600-1700 9505 11895
AVARI 0415-0430 9850 11780 15355
1715-1730 9805 11925 17630
AZERI 0300-0400 9680
0900-1000 15510 17665 21520
1300-1400 15145 15255 17710
1500-1600 15385
1800-1900 11865
BELORUSSIAN 0300-0500 612 1188 6170 7295 9635
1300-1430 612
1500-1700 612 1188 9565 11725 15215
1700-1900 612 7190 11730 15480
1900-2100 612 1188 7115 9750 11865
CHECHEN 0430-0445 9850 11780 15355
1730-1745 9805 11925 17630
CHERKASSI 0445-0500 9850 11780 15355
1745-1800 9805 11925 17630
DARI* 0330-0430 801 1269 12140 15730 17670
0730-0830 1269 13710 15690 19010
0930-1030 1269 15690 17685 19010
1330-1430 801 1269 15690 17685 19010
1730-1830 801 1269 9845 12140 15690
2330-0030 801 972 1269 5945 7430 9785
GEORGIAN 0400-0500 9595
1500-1600 17725
1900-2000 11690
KAZAKH 0100-0300 7230 9680 15455
1100-1200 11870 15195 17670
1300-1400 12140 13795 17670
1400-1500 4995 15355 15455
2300-2400 7250 9615 9865
KYRGHYZ 0000-0200 6170 7295 9715
1200-1230 11930 15120 17615
1300-1330 11930 15205 17865
1400-1500 5860 11845 15530
1500-1600 5860 11960 15530
PASHTO* 0230-0330 801 1269 12140 15730 17670
0630-0730 1269 13710 15690 19010
0830-0930 1269 15690 17685 19010
1230-1330 801 1269 15690 17685 19010
1630-1730 801 1269 9845 12140 15690
2230-2330 801 1269 5945 7430 9785
PERSIAN@ 0030-0200 1170 1539 1593 9615 9795 9805
0200-0400 1170 1539 1593 9775 9795 9805
0400-0600 1170 1539 1593 9510 9795 15185
15290
0600-0800 1170 1539 1593 9510 15290 17835
0800-0830 1170 1539 1593 9510 13680 15290
17835 21530
0830-1400 1170 1539 1593 13680 21530
1400-1600 1170 1539 1593 9435 13680 17750
1600-1700 1170 1539 1593 9435 13680 17670
1700-1900 1170 1539 1593 11705 11845
1900-2000 1170 1539 1593 5860 6140 11670
11985
2000-2100 1170 1539 1593 5860 9960 11960
11985
2100-2130 1170 1539 1593 9960 11960 11985
2130-0030 1170 1539 1593
ROMANIAN 0300-0330 7210 9595 Monday to Friday
1500-1530 9505 11995
1600-1630 9870 11865
1630-1700 9870 11865 Monday to Friday
1800-1900 7115 12045 Monday to Friday
RUSSIAN 0000-0100 6095 5985 7120 7170 7220 9520
0200-0300 6000 6105 7155 7220 7255 9520
0300-0400 6000 6105 7155 7220 9520 11725
0400-0500 5995 7220 9520 9760 11710 11725
0500-0600 7220 9520 9705 9760 11885 17730
0600-0700 9520 9705 11815 15130 17730 17810
0700-0800 9520 9705 11815 11860 15130 17730
17810
0800-1000 11860 15280 17730 17810
1000-1100 11860 11875 15130 15145 17730 17810
17890
1100-1200 13745 15130 15145 15205 17730 17890
1200-1300 13745 15130 15205 15215 17730 17890
1400-1500 9595 11725 11885 11895 15205 15215
1500-1600 9520 9725 11895 13755 15355
1600-1700 7220 9520 9725 11885 13755
1900-2000 6105 7220 9520 9530 9615 11885
2000-2100 5955 6105 7220 7260 9520 9530
9825
2100-2200 6105 7155 7220 7245 7260 9520
9715
2200-2300 5985 6095 7220 7245 9520 9615
2300-2400 5985 6095 7120 7170 7220 9520
RUSSIAN CE.AS 0400-0415 9850 11780 15355
1700-1715 9805 11925 17630
SERBOCROATIAN 0230-0330 1197
0730-0800 9555 11970 15260
1300-1330 9555 11795 17605
1600-1700 1197 6040 7115 11925
1730-1800 1188 9625 13635 15245
1800-1900 1188 9625 15160 15245
2000-2100 5970 7165 7245
2130-2200 1188
2200-2400 1188 1197 6130 9635 11730
TAJIK 0100-0200 4760 9760 11660
0200-0400 9760 11660 15520
1400-1500 15145 15370 17670
1500-1630 9790 15145 15370
1630-1700 4760 9790 15145 15370
TATAR-BASHKIR 0300-0400 9815 11820
0500-0600 11990 15245
1500-1600 11990 15245
1900-2000 9650 11925
TURKMEN 0200-0300 864 7295 9555 15295
0300-0400 7185 9555 15295
1400-1500 13815 15345 17825
1500-1530 13815 15160 17825
1530-1600 864 13815 15160 17825
1600-1800 13815 15160 17885
UKRAINIAN 0300-0400 6065 7115 9710 Monday to Friday
0500-0600 7115 7165 11815 Monday to Friday
1700-1800 9855 11895 15115
1800-1900 7165 11715 11875
1900-2000 3995 11875 15115 Sunday to Friday
UZBEK 0100-0200 864
0200-0400 9785 12015 21770
0400-0600 12015 17630 21770
1300-1400 1143
1600-1700 9595 11980 15335
1700-1800 9595 11815 11980
# Radio Free Iraq * Radio Free Afghanistan @ Radio Farda
(Observer-BUL May 20, 2003 via DXLD 3-087)
...............................................................
Schedules - ETHIOPIA
Voice of Ethiopian Medhin
Voice of Ethiopian Medhin: 1800-1900 7520; 1830-1930 12120 Amharic
(both only on Sunday)
(S.Domen-BEL May 8, 2003 in DXLD 3-079)
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Schedules - IRAN
Radio Barabari
Sitkunai SW: the relays of Radio Barabari & Avaye Ashena have been
cancelled.
(B.Trutenau-LTU May 20, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
Radio Farda
Recent changes as reflected in the IBB online schedule: Since 7 May,
IBB's Radio Farda is being transmitted from the Al Dhabbaya site 24h
on the additional frequency 1170 (ND) //1539 kHz (D 10 degrees).
(B.Trutenau-LTU May 8, 2003 in MW-DX-ML via DXLD 3-081)
...............................................................
Schedules - KURDISTAN
Voice of Mezopotamiya
Voice of Mezopotamiya in Kurdish
0400-0800 15675 KVI 250 kW / 110 deg Daily (not 11530)
(Observer-BUL May 14, 2003 via DXLD 3-083)
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Schedules - SRI LANKA
IBC Tamil
IBC-TAMIL AO3 SCHDULE
Tamil programmes for south and southeast asia
Time in UTC Frequency
0000-- 0100 11570 kHz
1230-- 1330 17495 kHz
(D.Prabakaran-IND May 11, 2003 in CDX-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Logs xxxxxxxxxx-------------------------
Logs - ANGOLA
Radio Ecclesia
7205 kHz Radio Ecclesia via Meyelton. May 16 at 1900(S/on)-1921.
SINPO 34433. Started with piano music and ID in Portuguese. Male talk
followed.
(I.Nagatani-J May 16, 2003 in JAP 256)
...............................................................
Logs - CHINA
Voice of Tibet
15660 kHz, 1215 2/5 KAZ (c) V.Of Tibet/Almaty, Interview //21560+CNR
musicjammer Ti 43333
(S.Domen-BEL May 2, 2003 in DXA-ML)
17540 kHz, 1430 3/5 UZB (c) V.Of Tibet/Tashkent, ID, songs, + CNR
musicjammer!! Ti 42432
(S.Domen-BEL May 3, 2003 in DXA-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - CUBA
Radio Marti
Radio Martí observed at 0750z on 6050 kHz with good signals, free of
the jamming affecting parallels of 6030 and 5980 kHz.
(P.Ormandy-NZL May 21, 2003 in DXplorer)
Not for long, I wager. Still no 6050 listed in today`s May 21 IBB
online schedule! In HFCC, I see the hole when HCJB is not scheduled
on 6050 is 0500-1030. Symptom of beefing up RM as has been called
for?
(G.Hauser-USA May 21, 2003 in DXLD 3-087)
I am noting Radio Martí on new 6050 in the period 0600-1000, and also
on new 6040 in period 0900-1000. The usual 9755 (Delano) in period
0600-0800 has disappeared, so I believe that either 6040 or 6050 is
from that site. IBB's Freq Schedule Report of May 21 does not show
these new operations as yet! So, Dan Ferguson, what's the full
schedule? !
(B.Padula-AUS EDXP May 21, 2003 via DXLD 3-087)
Radio Martí, after debuting on 6050kHz yesterday, is now on 6040 kHz,
having left a jammer behind from when heard earlier at 0645z. 6030 &
5980 remain unchanged.
(P.Ormandy-NZL May 22, 2003 in HCDX)
And I believe I heard Radio Martí last night on 9.295 mhz at
0125-0145 UTC 22 May under heavy jamming. I did not have this
frequency previously in my records. I kept comparing the man speaking
on 9.295 to the man speaking on 6.030 and they seemed to be the same.
(W.Leman-USA May 22, 2003 in HCDX)
...............................................................
Logs - ERITREA
Voice of Eritrean People
9990 V.O.Eritrean People Mar 4 *1730-1740 35332 Tigrigna, 1730 s/on
with opening music. ID. Opening announce. Talk and Eritrean pops.
(K.Hashimoto-J in JAP 263)
Voice of Peace and Democracy of Eritrea
6350, Voice of Peace and Democracy of Eritrea, carrier already on
when this one started up at 0314 May 6, brief IS, then quick IDs by
man and woman as mx contd., "Democrat--" hrd. Prgm was basically talk
by a man with interludes of HoA singing. Much ute QRM, helped
somewhat by using USB, and much QRN as well. Prgm ended at 0350 after
brief closing anmt, then silent, with carrier remaining, until 0354
when Voice of the Tigray Revolution, Ethiopia, started up with their
IS, obviously the same xmtr. Tuning signals are similar, but you can
hear the difference if you compare them with the recordings on Dave
Kernick's website http://www.intervalsignals.net/ Any known QSL route
for VPDE other than possibly via VTR?
(J.Berg-MA-USA May 6, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - ETHIOPIA
Dejen Radio
12120 Dejen R. May 10 1705-1715 35433 Tigrigna, Local music and talk.
ID at 1713.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN May 10, 2003 in JAP 264)
Voice of Ethiopia
7520 V.O.Ethiopia May 11 *1959-2010 35333 English, s/on with IS and
ID. Opening announce. Ethiopian pos and news.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN May 11, 2003 in JAP 264)
...............................................................
Logs - INDIA
Voice of Jammu & Kashmir Freedom
Voice of Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Movement: 5100 (Pakistan - ?). Sent
1 IRC. In 97 days got a pack of 6 "SOS from Indian occupied Kashmir"
magazines, 2 grand leaflets, Kashmire viewcards and letter from Islam
ud Din But, where he/she appreciates listening interest and quotes
broadcasting schedules in Kashmiri and English. Address: Islam ud Din
But, V.O. Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Movement, P.O. Box 102,
Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, via Pakistan.
(S.Rakhmatullayev-UZB May 18, 2003 in Signal 098b)
...............................................................
Logs - IRAN
Radio Payem-e Doost
7480 R.Payem-e Doost May 12 *1800-1810 35433 Farsi, 1800 s/on with
opening music. ID. Talk.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN May 12, 2003 in JAP 264)
Radio Yaran
7525 R.Yaran May 9 1855-1905 23332 Farsi, Talk by man. ID at 1900.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN May 09, 2003 in JAP 264)
Voice of Southern Azerbaijan
Voice of Southern Azerbaijan still active, noted May 8th 1543 tune in
on 9375, talk with many mentions of Azerbaijan, local music, more
talk and abrupt off mid sentence 1557. Fair strength on clear
channel.
(M.Barraclough-G May 8, 2003 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - KOREA (SOUTH)
Voice of National Salvation
Voice of National Salvation : At 4450 kHz with quite noisy audio at
13:05 talking YL & OM then two songs by man at 13:20 then cont.talk
again, songs again at 13:32 . // 4120 & 4557 not heard.
(L.Kwet Hian-INS May 13, 2003 in CDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - KURDISTAN
RTV Mesopotamia
7560 RTV.Mesopotamia May 13 *1700-1710 45433 Kurdish, 1700 s/on with
opening music and ID. Music.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN May 13, 2003 in JAP 264)
Voice of Mesopotamia
11530 kHz. Dengi (V. of) Mesopotamia. 1420-1450+ UTC. Mid. E. mx.,
male anncr., heard "Dengi Mesopotamia" in pres. Kurdish @ BoH. Fair
signal, deteriorating, but clear copy (no WEWN or WFYR present; first
time I have heard this trans. after numerous attempts). Assume trans.
QTH is Samara or Moldova. April 27.
(J.S.Heller-TX-USA Apr 27, 2003 in CDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - LEBANON
Voice of Freedom / Voice of Free Lebanon
Frequency change for Voice of Liberty in Arabic via SAM 250 kW / 224
degrees : 1600-1700 NF 11645 (55555), ex 11520
(Observer-BUL May 7 via WOR 1181 in DXLD 3-079)
Noticed some frequencychanges on TDP's website. Sawt Lubnan
Al-Houriya 1600-1700 11645 Arabic
(S.Domen-BEL May 8, 2003 in DXLD 3-079)
...............................................................
Logs - MIDDLE EAST
Radio Sawa
11745 Radio Sawa. Emisiones para Iraq en árabe, con música pop
norteamericana y árabe. Excelente señal! SINPO:55555. SINPO: 55555.
01/05/2003.
(J.G.Rangel-VEN May 1, 2003 in ConDig 210)
7205 kHz, [SÃO TOME], Radio Sawa, 2350-0015 May 6, lively Arabic
vocals, nice "Radio Sawa" ID at top of the hour followed by English
lyric vocals. Good signal Thanks to Dan Ferguson for confirmation of
the transmitter site.
(R.D'Angelo-PA-USA May 6, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
13870 kHz, 1535 7/5 CLN Radio Sawa/Iranawila, Popmx, ID, ex-13690 A
45444
(S.Domen-BEL May 7, 2003 in DXA-ML)
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Logs - SAUDI ARABIA
Voice of Reform
15705 kHz, 1800 7/5 NOR (c) V.Of Reform/Kvitsoy, 'Al Islah',
phone-in, jammed A 43443
(S.Domen-BEL May 7, 2003 in DXA-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - SUDAN
Radio Voice of Hope
12060, Madagascar, Radio Voice of Hope. 05/10/2003, 0441-0456). This
was my first logging of this station. The program consisted of an OM
announcer interviewing people concerning activities in Sudan with
musical interludes of Afro pop mx in between segments. There were
several mentions of the "fall of Sudan." The ancr spoke EG until
0450, when he and the interviewees switched to vernacular language.
Several ID's as "Radio The Voice of Hope," and mentions of Sudan,
Uganda, and Nairobi. Strong signal with little QRN, but hampered by
static and fading. Overall range poor to good
(Wood-TN-USA NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD 3-083)
Voice of New Sudan
6985 V.O.New Sudan May 10 1607-1705 34333 Arabic, Talk and african
pops and local music. ID at 1610 and 1613 and 1623.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN May 10, 2003 in JAP 264)
6985 V.O.New Sudan May 13 1620-1632 35322 Arabic, Talk and local
music. ID at 1627.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN May 13, 2003 in JAP 264)
...............................................................
Logs - SYRIA
The Arabic Radio
12120 Arab R. May 9 1519-1530* 35333 Arabic, Talk. ID at 1528. 1530
s/off.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN May 09, 2003 in JAP 264)
...............................................................
Logs - VIETNAM
Chan Troi Moi
15775 Chan Troi Moi May 11 *1330-1340 35433 Vietnamese, 1330 s/on
with opening music. ID. Song. ID. Talk.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN May 11, 2003 in JAP 264)
Voice of Khmer Krom Radio
15660 V.O.Khamer Krom R. May 13 *1400-1410 35433 Cambodian, 1400 s/on
with opening music. ID and opening announce. Song and ID. Talk.
(K.Hashimoto-JPN May 13, 2003 in JAP 264)
...............................................................
Logs - ZIMBABWE
SW Radio Africa
On 16 May at 1820 tune in, on 4880 there was an interesting station.
Lots of static, first heard only some English words and thought it
was AIR Lucknow with prolonged program. But later on the signal
improved and there was an interview in English (by phone I guess).
Lots of talk about Zimbabwe. In that interview they mentioned "PO Box
CY789 Harare" and telephone numbers 776992 and 776942. Well, at least
that's the way I heard them:). Unfortunately I had to leave my radio
for a while, and when rechecking at 1858, the station was gone.
Wonder if ZBC is on this fq now or someone else - who?
(J.Savolainen-FIN May 16, 2003 in CDX-ML)
This is the address of "Grosvenor Trade International (Pvt) Ltd", a
trade company that exports Flour and Polywoven bags. Probably it was
an interview to Mr. Ngwena and you were listening to AIR.
(R.Scaglione-I May 16, 2003 in CDX-ML)
Umm, yes I did check that PO Box at Google, too. Hard to believe that
AIR Lucknow would continue after their usual sign-off time with this
kind of program. All the other AIR outlets in the 60/90 mb were off
(except 4860 Delhi). We'll see the coming days what's on this
frequency.
(J.Savolainen-FIN May 16, 2003 in CDX-ML)
This seems to be SW Radio Africa. The program fits with their website
info. The postal address and telephone numbers I heard are for
"Habitat for Humanity" organization, also mentioned at their website.
And - there is a mention about testing on new frequency 4880. See
http://www.swradioafrica.com/
(J.Savolainen-FIN May 16, 2003 in CDX-ML)
Out of schedule? from their website: Tests on new frequency 4880 kHz
Broadcast times will be Saturday and Sunday
06.00 - 06.25
07.05 - 07.25
08.00 - 08.55 (Zimbabwe Time)
(R.Scaglione-I May 16, 2003 in CDX-ML)
Yes, maybe the Friday program was just additional test. I hear them
on 4880 again today, 17 May at 1715 in parallel with 6145. They
switched off 4880 at about 1725 and returned around 1755, while 6145
was continuous. So maybe those times mentioned at the website should
be local pm. Transmitter site still unknown.
(J.Savolainen-FIN May 17, 2003 in CDX-ML)
You are right, now at 1815 audible // 6145.
(M.Ritola-FIN May 17, 2003 in CDX-ML)
Yes, also heard in Australia 17/5, to sign-off 1900 with ID, after
program "Letter from Zimbabwe". 4880 was used many years ago by the
SABC, for their internal service in Afrikaans, so maybe a South
African-based transmitter?
(C.Seager-AUS May 17, 2003 in HCDX-ML)
SW Radio Africa : Website also says: "Listeners in Zimbabwe will be
able to receive our signal on 4880 kHz as well as on the usual 6145
kHz. We need to know whether the new test signal is an improvement
and would urge listeners to contact us with views." Maybe this means
they are also //4880 at times when regular 6145 is in use
(1600-1900), which would explain the 1820 rpt on a day other than May
17-18? ILG says xmtr is Meyerton.
(J.Berg-USA May 17, 2003 in DXplorer-ML)
= so maybe a South African-based transmitter?
Technically, that's plausible. Politically, no way! Mugabe himself
was in South Africa yesterday at the funeral of Walter Sisulu. I know
DXing is not supposed to be political, but an awareness of the
political background should help DXers to discount some
possibilities, or point to others.
= Later:
Re my earlier comment re 4880: Seems you were right and I was wrong.
My apologies. It still seems bizarre to me that a clandestine
broadcasting to Zimbabwe is using South African facilities, but since
the deal is with Merlin and not with the station itself I guess there
are no South African laws being broken.
(A.Sennitt-HOL May 18, 203 in HCDX-ML)
SW Radio Africa 4880 kHz : They updated their web: More tests on new
SW Radio Africa frequency : 4880 kHz Further broadcast times will be
Wednesday and Thursday 07.05pm - 07.25pm (Zimbabwe Time). Listeners
in Zimbabwe will be able to received our signal on 4880 kHz as well
as on the usual 6145 kHz. We need to know whether the new test signal
is an improvement and would urge listeners to contact us with views.
023 275 030 : 00 44 20 8387 1441 : views@swradioafrica.com
(R.Scaglione-I May 20, 2003 in HCDX-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx QSL Verifications xxxxxxxxxx------------
Qsl's - MIDDLE EAST
Radio Sawa
11855 Radio Sawa. Confirmation e-mail reply with 48 hours of sending
a follow-up e-mail for rpt back in Dec.02.Apolpogized for the delay
and for not having any QSL Cards printed yet. Total of five
months.e-mail address: Comments@radiosawa.com
(E.Kusalik-AB-CAN May 15, 2003 for CRW)
...............................................................
Qsl's - NIGERIA
Voice of Biafra Int
12125 Voice of Biafra After seeing Jerry Berg's reply and wanting a
reply direct (which I have one via TDF/Ludo Maes)sent a follow-up to
biafrafoundation@yahoo.com . Received back a full data e-mail
verification, within eight hours of sending. V/s, Chima Osondu says
they are on 7830 now.
(E.Kusalik-AB-CAN May 15, 2003 for CRW)
On Monday I sent a reception report for a second time to Voice of
Biafra International,as I heard that other people have been getting
replies from them,first report sent 20/09/2001 Never got any reply,so
they accepted this old report and I got an electronic email qsl card.
(P.Bailey-AUS May 22, 2003 for CRW)
...............................................................
Qsl's - ZIMBABWE
SW Radio Africa
Just received by snail-mail a QSL from SW Radio Africa for my e-mail
report of their test on 4880 kHz. Full-data, except (of course)
transmitter site. Power is given as 100kW but..."Transmitter location
is restricted for security reasons". Signed by Technical Manager,
name illegible. Contact info: SW Radio Africa Ltd, PO Box 243,
Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 4WA, UK. E: tech@swradioafrica.com ,
http://www.swradioafrica.com . Well, the transmitter site is most
probably Meyerton.
(J.Savolainen-FIN May 22, 2003 in CDX-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Miscellaneous xxxxxxxxxx----------------
Misc - AFGHANISTAN - HISTORY
Details of Clandestine CIA Radio Broadcasts to Soviet Troops in
Afghanistan During 1984/5
Crile, George. Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the
Largest Covert Operation in History. New York: Atlantic Monthly
Press, 2003. Pages 278-9.
The man tapped to run psychological warfare was Paul Broadbent, a
second-generation American who had grown up in a Russian neighborhood
of Cleveland. "He was the 'hearts and minds' expert," (CIA Case
Officer and head of the Afghanistan operation) Gust Avrakotos says,
"the kind of guy who pulls the wings off of flies, dangerous if you
don't channel him properly. I told him, 'The first time I see you
treating any of my people mean, I'll fire you. Take it out on the
Russian cocksuckers.' Paul knew the Russian mind. He kept trying to
get me to give him twenty portable radio stations that he could
program with demoralizing psychological broadcasts. He finally got
two portable man packs to beam stuff into the Russian troops. The
problem is that none of the mujahideen wanted to do it. They didn't
think it was manly. Who would want to carry a radio transmitter when
you can fire a missile?"
Art Alper, the grandfatherly demolitions expert, was one of the
team's more idea-filled members. Along with developing demolition
kits, special fuses,
and new techniques to smuggle weapons and ordnance into enemy
territory, he helped develop portable amplifiers and devices to
spread Broadbent's psychological war. The inspiration for this effort
came from North Korean radio broadcasts to U.S. troops: "Hey G.I.,
we're fucking your sister." The CIA's idea was to place powerful
amplifiers on hills across from Soviet garrisons. When the mujahideen
turned them on, a Russian voice would boom out: "While your wives and
mothers and sisters are sleeping with political commissars and you
are dying on the battlefield, we mujahideen laugh at you" or "We
Dushman (the Russian name for the mujahideen), we herders of goats
and sheep, challenge you women to come up to this hill and fight."
"I thought the portable broadcasts were ridiculous, but it hit my
funny bone," says Avrakotos. "And it did promote fear. If you get
some fucking Dushman without shoes challenging you to fight and you
go up there and get bushwhacked or sniped, you realize this guy is
clever. You start fearing him."
Alper's amplifiers would broadcast at irregular intervals, even after
the mujahideen had left their positions. When the Soviets discovered
that the equipment was on automatic pilot, it spooked them further;
the mujahideen were a more sophisticated foe than they had previously
thought.
Some of the other psychological-war efforts weren't quite as
successful. The sinister messages that Broadbent had dreamed up for
leaflets rarely made their way to the Red Army troops. Each pamphlet
had a different pitch. One said, "If your commanding officer is a
real Communist who want you to fight many battles, frag (kill) him.
Otherwise, eventually we're going to get you." But the mujahideen,
who didn't understand the concept of propaganda, tended not to be
very helpful. Avrakotos says they found it far too tempting to treat
Broadbent's leaflets as if they were exotic CIA-issued toilet paper.
(via N.Grace May 12, 2003 for CRW)
...............................................................
Misc - CUBA
TV MARTI'S CHIEF EYES BETTER SIGNAL
http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y03/may03/05e3.htm
BY RUI FERREIRA. El Nuevo Herald
Pedro Roig, new head of Radio and TV Martí, has two precise goals:
finding a way to make sure that Cubans on the island can watch the
U.S. government's TV Martí service and gauging who listens to Radio
Marti and what they want to hear. "We want the Cuban people to have
the chance of having this formidable window that the government of
the United States offers them to get accurate, credible and very
objective information, and at the same time promote democracy, which
is a mission of ours," Roig said in an interview last week in
Miami-Dade County.
A veteran collaborator at Radio Martí, where for years he hosted an
interview and cultural affairs program, Roig said his priority is to
make TV Martí easy to watch in Cuba. Cuban jamming makes the signal
virtually impossible to pick up. "This is something that is in its
early stages," he said. "After all, I've only been here 11 days, but
[TV Martí] has something that is worth watching." Running a finger
over a chart of the Florida Straits, Roig seems to find a possible
clue to how to boost the TV Martí signal on the island. "Here it is,"
he said. "Look, Sand Key, south of Key West." It's a spot where the
United States has jurisdiction.
The idea is to have an aircraft flying within U.S. airspace, but
closer to the Cuban coast than the existing balloon used by the U.S.
government to beam the signal from Cudjoe Key, north of Key West. "I
don't know if this will work, but I believe it's worth trying," Roig
said. "Cubans must have access to images from the world." Roig also
wants to make Radio Martí more responsive to audience demands
(via D.Crawford-USA in DXLD 3-078)
Hey, I`ve got an idea! Since this is an extraordinary situation,
illegal international telecasting subject to jamming, why not just go
whole hog and broadcast TV Martí to Cuba from a satellite? Enough
with puny balloons or aircraft, already. Not on satellite
frequencies, but on regular VHF channels accessible to any Cuban TV
set! Maximum possible power should be used, of course, and highly
directional spot beams to avoid interfering with US and other
countries` terrestrial TV. Broadcasting on all 12 VHF channels would
slightly disrupt Cuban domestic TV, but doesn`t it deserve to be?
With such saturation, it would be impossible for Fidel to effectively
jam Martí for a change. This`ll make him wish he`d gone with the
Russian TV system when he had a chance
(G.Hauser-OK-USA in DXLD 3-078)
U.S. ACTION AFTER CUBA CRACKDOWN DEBATED -- FLORIDA REACTION A
CONCERN FOR '04
BY TIM JOHNSON Posted on Mon, May. 05, 2003
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration has compiled several options --
ranging from mild action to confrontation -- in reaction to Cuba's
recent offensive to smash the pro-democracy forces on the island…
[article touches briefly on broadcasting:]
Some observers say they expect the White House to announce action to
overcome jamming of U.S.- operated Radio and TV Martí, issue a
resounding call for regime change of Cuba's "cynical tyrant" and
impose a lengthy review for any application for trade and travel to
the island. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/5787046.htm
(via J.Dybka-USA for DXLD 3-079)
LIEBERMAN'S RADIO MESSAGE RESONATES WITH CUBANS
BY TERE FIGUERAS
Presidential hopeful Joseph Lieberman sent a message of encouragement
to Cubans across the Florida Straits on Thursday -- and appealed to
the Bush administration not to back away from its pledge to promote
democracy on the island -- during a campaign stop at Radio and TV
Marti on Tuesday. . .
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/5819528.htm
(Miami Herald May 9, 2003 via M.Cooper-CAN in DXLD 3-082)
TV IS WEAPON OF CHOICE IN US SIEGE OF CUBA
By Richard Lapper and Henry Hamman, Financial Times
Published: May 15 2003 19:30 | Last Updated: May 15 2003 19:30
Forty-two years ago, José Basulto took up arms to join the
unsuccessful Bay of Pigs invasion to topple Cuba's communist
government. Today he argues that broomsticks, coat hanger wire and
kitchen plungers serve better than bullets.
Household materials like these would allow Cubans to receive
television from the US. Like a growing number of Cuban-Americans, Mr
Basulto, a Cuban-American activist, wants the Bush administration to
launch a media blitz into Cuba. . .
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/Full
Story&c=StoryFT&cid=1051390065884
[doesn`t really go into planned May 20 ATV transmission]
(via J.Dybka-TN-USA in DXLD 3-084)
Exiles look to TV for some remote control over Cuba
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/Full
Story&c=StoryFT&cid=1051390077498
(Financial Times via A.Sennit-HOL May 16, 2003 for CRW)
TV Marti tests broadcasts to Cuba on DirecTV-Latin America
Text of report by Mexican news agency Notimex
Miami, 21 May (Notimex): A TV Marti spokesman confirmed on 21 May
that for the very first time the United States broadcast a
clandestine television signal to Cuba by way of the commercial
network DirecTV-Latin America.
A spokeswoman for the Miami-based station told Notimex that the
signal was broadcast on 20 May for four hours, coinciding with the
101st anniversary of Cuba's independence.
"Of course" we broadcast to Cuba by way of DirecTV-Latin America,
said the spokeswoman for TV Marti, the station that broadcasts US
programmes to the island, and whose signal is considered by the Cuban
Government as a violation of the country's sovereignty.
DirecTV-Latin America, which is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida,
confirmed the broadcast but said that it was only "testing" the TV
Marti signal.
"We were able to support the request on this occasion because we
temporarily had the satellite capability to do so," said the
television company in a communique in which it denied that future
broadcast are being discussed.
The spokeswoman also explained that "the station knows nothing about
any DirecTV equipment in Cuba. Neither DirecTV-Latin America nor
DirectTV in the United States have business dealings with Cuba."
Under the US trade embargo against Cuba, US firms cannot do business
on the island.
Estimates indicate that in Havana there are approximately 20,000
satellite antennae or dishes, which illegally receive signals from
DirecTV and Dishnet, the leading satellite television networks in the
United States
Three Havana residents told El Nuevo Herald newspaper that certain
individuals "who have satellite dishes" saw the TV Marti signal by
way of DirecTV-Latin America.
The special broadcast, which was also carried by channels 13 and 18
on the island, is part of TV Marti's effort to increase the power of
its signal, one year after President George W. Bush promised that
Radio and TV Marti would have stronger signals to Cuba.
Otto Reich, the White House's special envoy for hemispheric affairs,
told the newspaper that "we are currently in an initial testing phase
that will be followed by further tests."
Radio Marti was created in 1985, and TV Marti in 1998, both for the
purpose of broadcasting to the island US programmes that differ from
the views of the Cuban Government, which has angered the regime.
Both stations began in Washington, but for the past several years
have broadcast from Miami, a city that is considered the bastion of
Cuban exiles in the United States.
Source: Notimex news agency, Mexico City, in Spanish 1745 gmt 21 May
03
(BBCM May 21, 2003)
U.S. Propaganda Angers Cuba
By Anthony Boadle, Reuters
May 22, 2003
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=1913770
HAVANA (Reuters) - The Bush administration has stepped up anti-Castro
propaganda with radio and TV broadcasts beamed to Cuba from an
aircraft.
The island's Communist government on Wednesday condemned the campaign
as a "vulgar provocation."
The United States broadcast on three new radio frequencies -- two
shortwave and one medium wave -- and one VHF TV channel to Cuba for
four hours on Tuesday by using a C-130 aircraft for the first time, a
U.S. official said.
"Is this another blatant and vulgar provocation against Cuba?" the
ruling Communist Party daily Granma said in a front-page editorial.
Havana also accused Washington of allowing a Miami exile group beam
television signals from a small plane flown 12 miles (20 km) offshore
in violation of international broadcasting rules.
The broadcasts were part of a stepped-up campaign by the Bush
administration to bombard Cuba with information and support
dissidents seeking democratic reforms under President Fidel Castro's
one-party state.
Broadcasts by Radio Marti, named after Cuba's independence hero,
began in 1983 during the Reagan administration and are listened to in
parts of the island. TV Marti, also funded by U.S. taxpayers and
begun in 1990, was successfully jammed by Cuba.
On Tuesday night, Radio and TV Marti broadcast President George W.
Bush's message to Cubans on the anniversary of Cuba's 1902 birth as
an independent nation. Bush denounced Castro and said he hoped his
44-year rule would soon end.
Washington also initiated on Tuesday a three-day test by beaming TV
Marti via the DirecTV digital satellite service. U.S. officials say
there are between 10,000 and 15,000 DirecTV satellite dishes in Cuba,
which are difficult to jam.
"We're going to use every means we can to improve the delivery of
both radio and TV into Cuba," said Joe O'Connell, spokesman for the
Broadcast Board of Governors, which oversees all civilian broadcasts
of the U.S. government, including Voice of America and Radio and TV
Marti.
O'Connell said Havana managed to jam the medium wave radio station
and part of the video broadcast over the VHF channel, but not the
accompanying audio.
Some Cuban exiles in Miami believe that a media blitz will do more to
bring about political change in Cuba than the economic sanctions
Washington imposed after Castro's 1959 revolution.
Jose Basulto, who heads exile group Brothers to the Rescue, said the
group flew a small plane in the Florida Straits on Tuesday to try to
make a television transmission to Cuba. But for technical reasons,
the transmission did not work, he said.
(Swissinfo.org May 22, 2003 via U.Fleming-USA for CRW)
"Cuba"
[This article appeared on the BDXC-UK E-mail list. Note the reference
to Commando Solo on SW to Cuba. J.Berg-USA]
Posted on Wed, May 21, 2003
BY RAFAEL LORENTE AND VANESSA BAUZA
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
WASHINGTON - (KRT) - While President Bush did not announce any new
initiatives aimed at toppling Fidel Castro on Cuban Independence Day
Tuesday, the United States did quietly begin using a military
aircraft and a satellite in an effort to get Radio and TV Marti past
Cuban government jamming and into the living rooms of ordinary people
on the island.
Cuban-American activists have long argued the United States needs to
beef up its transmission of the Marti stations, U.S. government-run
operations that are supposed to offer an alternative to the Cuban
government programming.
But legal questions and disagreements within the administration had
prevented action until recently.
"When it got to the president of the United States, it was no sweat,"
said a senior administration official, who called Tuesday's flight
just the first test.
Tuesday's extra frequencies were beamed for several hours starting
around 6 p.m. from a satellite and an Air Force EC-130E, also known
as Commander Solo, flying in American airspace. Officials in
Washington said the effort will continue in order to fulfill a
promise made last year by Bush to get the signals past Cuban jamming.
Cuba reacted with a front-page editorial in Wednesday's Communist
Party daily Granma. Dripping with sarcasm, the article thanked Bush
for his "sweet and moving" May 20th message in which he expressed
hope that the Cuban people would "soon enjoy the same freedoms and
rights as we do." The statement said a known "Miami terrorist" had
transmitted Radio Marti signals in "shameful violation of
international norms." The statement was apparently referring to Jose
Basulto of Brothers to the Rescue, who did indeed fly a mission
Tuesday morning to test a signal. His flight was not coordinated with
the government's beaming, Basulto said.
Cuba's statement also acknowledged TV Marti signals were transmitted
for two hours Tuesday night.
"In reality, these transmissions did not constitute a technical
success to be proud of," the statement read. "Very few heard their
noises."
The Air Force plane that flew Tuesday beamed two short-wave signals
of Radio Marti and a VHF TV Marti signal. The satellite beamed a
signal that could be viewed by an unknown number of Cubans on the
island who have legal or illegal DirectTV satellite dishes.
Elsa Morejon, wife of Oscar Elias Biscet, a medical doctor and
pro-democracy activist sentenced recently to 25 years in prison, said
she was able to hear the special TV Marti broadcast Tuesday night,
though the pictures were blocked by gray stripes.
She said Radio and TV Marti programs offer a different perspective of
the news in a society where the government controls what's in the
media.
"People can't go to the Internet, they can't travel, they don't know
what's going on in the rest of the world," Morejon said.
But Morejon gave the Marti stations' programming mixed reviews,
saying its credibility suffers from false reports generated by Marti
collaborators on the island.
Basulto remained skeptical about the government's commitment to
transmitting to Cuba, saying he would not be satisfied until the
United States is doing it regularly.
"We're not asking for one transmission," he said. "We're asking for
365 transmissions a year."
(South Florida Sun-Sentinel correspondent Madeline Baro contributed
to this report.)
(South Florida Sun-Sentinel May 22, 2003 via J.Berg-USA in
DXplorer-ML)
Commando Solo transmitting to Cuba
A small article in the Tampa Tribune's 22 May edition, bylined Rafael
Lorente and Vanessa Bauza of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, states
that on or near the Cuban Independence Day (apparently 20 May), the
U.S. gov't began using a satellite and an Air Force EC-130E, flying
in U.S. airspace, to get Marti programming past the jammers and "into
living rooms of ordinary people" on the island.
The "extra frequencies" were beamed for several hours beginning at 6
p.m. in a first test that was quietly begun, once policy matters in
the U.S. administration were settled and the test authorized by Bush,
fulfilling a promise he made last year.
The article, having no technical details, did not explain the role of
the satellite (unless it was to get programming to the aircraft).
Whether this is any relation to the recent 6050 and 6040 Marti
activity reported here in hcdx is unknown. Possibly the satellite is
sending TV.
(R.Foxworth-FL-USA May 22, 2003 in HCDX)
Plane beams broadcasts to Cuba
BY TIM JOHNSON
[Gentleman, The following Miami Herald article discusses the use of
the C-130. -A.Mastrapa III-USA]
Posted on Thu, May. 22, 2003
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/5916045.htm
WASHINGTON - On orders from the White House, the Pentagon deployed a
special airplane this week to beam the signals of Radio and TV Marti
to Cuba, using a technology that one administration official said
"breached the wall" of Cuban jamming efforts.
"The political green light is on" to make the controversial
U.S.-operated stations more effective at reaching Cubans, said the
senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
An Air Force EC-130 plane conducted the transmissions between 6:30
p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday, several officials said. It operated within
U.S. airspace, not passing into Cuban territory.
Cuba acknowledged that the United States had altered its normal
transmissions of the two stations, but said they were ineffective and
hinted that the Castro government might retaliate.
"Those transmissions did not constitute a technical success to be
proud of. Very few [Cubans] heard the noise," an editorial in the
Communist Party newspaper Granma said.
"The government of the United States should not forget that Cuban
radio might be heard on standard frequency in many American states,"
the editorial added.
The statement appeared to suggest that Cuba might consider boosting
the power of its own radio stations, a move that could disrupt the
broadcasts of commercial radio stations in South Florida.
Radio and TV Marti have been controversial endeavors, popular with
many Cuban Americans who want Cubans on the island to receive
alternative sources of information. But the two stations have been
plagued by morale problems. They get little congressional oversight
and are generally seen as ineffective in penetrating the jamming by
the Castro regime.
Radio Marti began broadcasting in 1985 on medium wave and short wave.
In the past several years, criticism has soared that its programming
had become stale -- sometimes lacking in elemental news judgment. In
May 2002, Radio Marti delayed a broadcast of a historic speech in
Havana by former President Jimmy Carter calling for political change.
On April 1, the White House replaced Radio Marti's chief, Salvador
Lew, with another executive, Pedro Roig.
Among recent changes to brighten the station's programming are
broadcasts of Major League baseball games.
A White House statement said the Tuesday night broadcasts ``used a
transmission platform that we believe is not susceptible to Cuban
jamming. We are currently evaluating the results of that
transmission."
The administration did not say how often it would use the EC-130
plane to beam the radio and TV signals.
"We may not want to do it every day," the official said. "We realize
this puts some binds on the audience." But he said the administration
will allot the money necessary to make the signals more effective on
a constant basis.
Both Radio and TV Marti have transmitted from the Florida Keys. The
TV Marti signal is sent from a balloon tethered 10,000 feet above
Cudjoe Key at a low angle toward Cuba that is easily blocked.
The EC-130 aircraft used in the test Tuesday is the same type of
aircraft that beamed signals to Iraqis during the war, a Pentagon
official said.
(Miami Herald may 22, 2003 via A.Mastrapa III-USA for CRW)
...............................................................
Misc - IRAN
Spot-check of Iranian opposition Vision of Freedom TV programmes 5
May 03
The following is based on spot-checks of the news programmes of
Mojahedin-e
Khalq TV (Sima-ye Azadi - "Vision of Freedom"), monitored by BBC
Monitoring's Persian Team:
The station announces 24-hour "round the clock" broadcasting. The
hourly
news bulletin lasts for about 30 minutes. The news programmes are
interspersed with filler programmes including a biography of
Mojahedin-e
Khalq "martyrs", foreign news analyses, music, songs, quotes from
reports of
foreign agency interviews with world leaders and unspecified video
footage
on the achievements of the Mojahedin-e Khalq warriors in their
endeavour to
topple the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The news programmes, broadcast repeatedly at 30 minutes past the hour
gmt,
are divided into Iranian and world news. Reports on the Iranian news
are
mainly about activities of the Mojahedin-e Khalq and comments by
officials
of the Islamic Republic of Iran concerning those activities. The
following
news summary at 1030 gmt is an example:
A. News Headlines.
B. Iranian News:
1. 1034 Quoting a Reuter report on operations of the Mojahedin-e
Khalq
combatants along Iran-Iraq border. Announcer-read report over video
of women
in full Islamic attire riding tanks and operating artillery.
2. 1040 Statement by the Union of Kordestan Revolutionaries,
demanding
measures to prevent infiltration of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps
into
Iraq to attack Mojahedin-e Khalq.
3. 1044 Islamic Regime's Interior Minister Abdolvahed Musavi-Lari
warned
that regime's involvement in the Iraqi crisis will be detrimental. He
expressed concern for US agreement with the Mojahedin-e Khalq.
4. 1046 Head of Iranian History's Research Centre, Abbas Salimi-Namin
told
IRNA that by giving concession to the West and USA Islamic Regime
shall not
win concessions against Mojahedin-e Khalq, because America is
determined to
use them against Iran.
C. World News:
1. 1047 US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, in an exclusive
interview with
NBC, commented on the future stability for Iraq. Announcer-read
report over
foreign video footage.
2. 1048 US Under Secretary of State William Burns arrived in the
Middle East
to pursue Road Map Plan. Announcer-read report over foreign video
footage.
3. 1049 India and Pakistan try to improve ties. Announcer-read report
over
foreign video footage.
4. 1050 Storms damaged homes and killed 17 people in Missouri State.
Announcer-read report over foreign video footage.
5. 1051 Earthquake rocked northwestern region of China.
E. More home news:
1. 1052 Regime's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hamid Reza Asefi,
deplored
America's policies in Iraq and what it described as cooperation with
Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization.
Source: BBC Monitoring research 5 May 03 (BBCM May 5, 2003)
IRAN "BANS THOUSANDS OF WEB SITES" INCLUDING VOA, RADIO FARDA
Reports from Iran say the Iranian authorities have banned thousands
of Web sites with political or pornographic content, including those
of US radio stations that broadcast in Farsi such as the Voice of
America and Radio Farda. The reformist newspaper Yass-e No quoted
Post and Telecommunications Minister Ahmad Motamedi as saying that
one hundred illegal websites which "insult the beliefs of different
religions" are blocked. Other sources, including Iran's student news
agency ISNA, put the number of banned sites as high as 15,000
(Radio Netherlands Media Network May 12, 2003 via DXLD 3-082)
Radio Nejat - analysis
Radio Nejat (Salvation) was first observed by BBC Monitoring on 2
April 2003. Broadcasting in Persian, the station addresses Iranians
living abroad. While the station mirrors some of the programme
content of the Iranian government IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran
Broadcasting) radio stations, there are subtle differences within the
content of Radio Nejat programming.
Radio Nejat identifies in Persian as: Radio Nejat, seda-ye hamdeli va
peyvand ba kasani keh mehr-e vatan ra dar del darand; Radio Nejat,
the voice of sympathy and relation with those who have the love of
homeland in their heart.
Programme content
Radio Nejat does not refer to IRIB radio or television during it's
broadcasts. However, there are indications which may attribute the
broadcast to IRIB.
Radio Nejat programming has included an eulogy that marked the
anniversary of the death of the 11th Shi'i Imam. The eulogy included
a sad song, poetry and expression of condolence for the Imam's death.
This is typical programming for IRIB radio, as it is unlikely that
the remnants of the Mojahedin Khalq Organisation or any non-Iranian
broadcaster would dedicate broadcast time to a cause only Iranian
Shi'i clerics care for.
The inclusion of actuality of Iran's Information Minister calling on
the Mojahedin to return to Iran is something a non-Iranian
broadcaster is unlikely to make.
Radio Nejat includes many of the jingles, and the style of
presentation that is regularly broadcast on IRIB radio's Payam and
Javan.
Differences to IRIB programming
However, the station has been observed to distance itself from IRIB
radio in the following significant ways: the Mojahedin Khalq
Organisation are not referred to as "Monafeqin" (hypocrites), and the
United States and the American administration are referred to as
Washington. Iran is referred to as "Iran" rather than "The Islamic
Republic of Iran".
Transmission parameters
Radio Nejat broadcasts twice daily at: 0230-0430 and 1230-1430, on
675 kHz. After 1430 the frequency of 675 kHz has been observed by BBC
Monitoring to be occupied by the SCIRI-sponsored clandestine radio
station Voice of Rebellious Iraq.
Source: BBC Monitoring research 20 May 03 (BBCM May 20, 2003)
Iran Democracy Act
Text of the Iran Democracy Act, which appropriates US$50 million to
establish an organization called Iran Democracy Foundation that will
provide grants to private pro-democratic Iranian-American radio
programs and other pro-democratic activities.
S. 1082 :To provide support for democracy in Iran .
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 19, 2003
Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. COLEMAN, Mr. SANTORUM,
and Mr. CAMPBELL) introduced the following bill; which was read twice
and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To provide support for democracy in Iran .
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. IRAN DEMOCRACY ACT .
This Act may be cited as the `Iran Democracy Act' .
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) There is currently not a democratic government in Iran . Instead,
Iran is an ideological dictatorship presided over by an unelected
Supreme Leader with limitless veto power, an unelected Expediency
Council, and Council of Guardians capable of eviscerating any
reforms, and a President elected only after the Council disqualified
234 other candidates for being too liberal, reformist, or secular.
(2) The April 2003 report of the Department of State states that Iran
remained the most active state sponsor of terrorism in 2002.
(3) That report also states that Iran continues to provide funding,
safehaven, training, and weapons to known terrorist groups, notably
Hizballah, HAMAS, the Palestine Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front
for the Liberation of Palestine.
(4) Human rights have failed to improve in Iran under the
pseudo-reformers. Torture, executions after unfair trials, and
censorship of all media remain rampant throughout the country.
Stoning and beheading are used as methods of punishment.
SEC. 3. POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States to--
(1) support transparent, full democracy in Iran ;
(2) support an internationally-monitored referendum in Iran by which
the Iranian people can peacefully change the system of government in
Iran ;
(3) support the aspirations of the Iranian people to live in freedom;
and
(4) help the Iranian people achieve a free press and build an open,
democratic, and free society.
SEC. 4. RADIO FARDA REFORM.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Broadcasting Board of Governors shall--
(1) require the head of Radio Farda to develop programming for Radio
Farda, after consulting with--
(A) Iranian-Americans and other Iranian exiles who--
(i) support a referendum described in section 3(2); and
(ii) oppose the current Government of Iran ; and
(B) the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) at the Department
of State and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at
the Department of State; and
(2) ensure that a significant percentage of the programming on Radio
Farda is devoted to discussing democratic change in Iran including an
internationally-monitored democratic referendum in Iran as described
in section 3(2).
(b) TRANSLATIONS OF WRITTEN AND VIDEO MATERIALS FOR THE IRANIAN
PEOPLE-
(1) REQUIREMENT- The MEPI and ECA shall provide grants to appropriate
entities to create and maintain websites, translate and distribute
books, videos, documents, and other materials on democracy, rule of
law free market economics, and related topics.
(2) CONSULTATION- The MEPI and ECA shall consult with nongovernmental
entities and with Iranian-American opposition groups that support the
holding of an internationally-monitored referendum in Iran as
described in section 3(2) to select materials to be translated into
Persian.
(c) IRAN DEMOCRACY SUPPORT INITIATIVE-
(1) AUTHORITY- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the MEPI
and ECA are authorized to award grants to an eligible entity for the
purpose of funding programs and activities to promote a democratic
referendum in Iran .
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY- The following persons are eligible for grants
under paragraph (1):
(A) A person who provides radio or television broadcasting into Iran
that includes programming intended to promote an
internationally-monitored democratic referendum in Iran .
(B) A person who is working to promote the holding of an
internationally-monitored referendum in Iran , as described in
section 3(2).
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, not less than 10 percent of the funds appropriated
to the International Broadcasting Operations account for fiscal year
2004 shall be made available to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(May 21, 2003 via N.Grace-USA)
...............................................................
Misc - ISRAEL
AL-QUDS RADIO FROM SYRIA CONTINUES ANTI-ISRAEL, ANTI-PNA PROGRAMMES
Al-Quds Palestinian Arab Radio, a Palestinian radio station opposed
to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and to peace with Israel,
has been observed to be still on the air, continuing its anti-Israel
and anti-PNA programmes.
The station, which is run by Ahmad Jibril's Damascus-based Popular
Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, PFLP-GC, is
believed to be operating from southern Syria.
Its news bulletins continue to highlight the Palestinian intifadah,
clashes between Palestinian fighters and Israeli troops, and
announcements and statements issued by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. It
has continued to broadcast Palestinian and Arab patriotic songs, and
to criticize pro-peace Palestinian individuals.
A commentary at 1000 gmt on 5 May severely criticized Palestinian
figures who the station said were members of a Palestinian-Israeli
movement called the "Popular Peace Initiative," with special emphasis
on two members of the movement: Dr Sari Nusaybah, a prominent
Palestinian figure and former adviser to Arafat, and Ami Ayalon,
former head of the Israeli General Security Services.
It called on other anti-Israeli Palestinian organizations to
"confront" this movement and abort its plan of "liquidating" the
Palestinian cause and conceding the "right of the Palestinian
refugees to return to their homeland".
The radio was monitored on 5 May on 702 kHz from 0500 to 1400 gmt. At
1400 gmt, the radio signed off with the announcement that its
transmissions would cease on 702 kHz and continue on 105.4 and 96.7
MHz FM. However, the FM channels were not monitorable.
Al-Quds radio began broadcasting on 1 January 1988. In the late 1980s
and early 1990s it carried programming in Hebrew, French and English
as well as Arabic. Prior to April 1996, it also transmitted on
shortwave.
In an announcement on 30 August 2001, the radio said that it was
closing down two of its major transmitters for financial reasons. It
said that "the reasons for stopping the two primary mediumwave
frequencies, 702 and 630 kHz, are all financial". The statement had
intended to dispel rumours that the Syrian government was exerting
pressure on the PFLP-GC to close down the station or reduce its
output. However, the station returned to its former pattern and
output, using 702 kHz, in September 2002.
(Reuters news agency on 7 May reported a Palestinian source as saying
that "militant Palestinian factions are halting the activities of
their offices in Syria... following US pressure on Syria to rein them
in". "Palestinian factions have begun taking steps to freeze their
activities on the Syrian stage...to strip from the American
administration the pretexts on which it bases its political pressure
on Syria," Reuters cited the source as saying.)
Source: BBC Monitoring research 6-7 May 03 (via DXLD 3-080)
...............................................................
Misc - KOREA (NORTH)
UPI's Capital Comment for May 13, 2003
From the Washington Politics & Policy Desk Published 5/13/2003 2:22
PM
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030513-113817-6558r
WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- Capital Comment -- Daily news notes,
political rumors and important events that shape politics and public
policy in Washington and the world from United Press International.
Broadcast news...
The House International Relations Committee has approved a proposal
authored by California Republican Rep. Ed Royce to increase U.S.
broadcasts into North Korea. Royce's amendment expresses the sense of
Congress that Radio Free Asia's broadcasts to the Communist
stronghold should be increased to 24 hours each day "This amendment
developed as a result of our recent visit to RFA studios in Seoul.
Those broadcasts are having a positive impact, countering the North
Korean government's stream of lies and propaganda," Royce, chairman
of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Interparliamentary Exchange since 1999,
said.
Radio Free Asia is a surrogate news service, created to overcome the
North Korean government suppression of free speech and its use of
indigenous media as a propaganda tool. Royce's amendment also
addresses the crucial problem of inserting radios into North Korea,
requesting a report detailing U.S. government efforts to maximize the
ability of North Koreans access to foreign broadcasts like RFA.
"We are reaching a critical period on the Korean peninsula. In order
to ensure his survival, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il keeps a tight
reign on information and people -- systemically abuses their human
rights," Royce said. "But, things are starting to change because RFA
is playing a vital role in countering his lies." Royce represents a
sizable portion of the Southern California Korean-American community
and is a longtime advocate of increasing U.S. international
broadcasting efforts
(via J.Dybka-USA in DXLD 3-086)
...............................................................
Misc - KURDISTAN
KURDISH MUSIC ON NEWLY ESTABLISHED US RADIO
08/05/2003 KurdishMedia.com - By Bryar Mariwani
http://www.kurdmedia.com/news.asp?id=3851
London (KurdishMedia.com) 08 May 2003: Radio Sawa, the service of
U.S. International Broadcasting, operated and funded by the
Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an agency of the U.S.
Government, has started broadcasting Kurdish music.
Radio Sawa, the service of U.S. International Broadcasting, operated
and funded by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an agency of
the U.S. Government, has started broadcasting Kurdish music.
The Radio broadcasts Arabic and Kurdish music around the clock with
news bulletins every half an hour. The aim of the broadcasts is
stated to be serving the "long-range interests of the United States
by communicating directly in Arabic with the peoples of the Middle
East by radio."
Kurdish songs can be requested by emailing Radio Sawa on:
comments@radiosawa.com Frequencies of the Radio can be found on its
website: http://www.radiosawa.com
(via J.Dybka-USA in DXLD 3-079)
...............................................................
Misc - SAUDI ARABIA
EDITORIAL ANALYSIS: SAUDI COMMENTATORS CALL FOR GREATER MEDIA
OPENNESS |
Text of editorial analysis by Peter Feuilherade of BBC Monitoring
Media Services on 8 May 2003 [extract by CRW]
Opposition TV station testing, London-based paper says
A Saudi opposition TV station set up by the head of a Saudi Islamic
opposition group in the UK has begun test broadcasts, the
London-based paper Al-Quds al-Arabi reported on 3 May.
The paper said that Dr Sa'd al-Faqih, head of the Saudi Islamic
opposition organization Al-Islah (Movement for Islamic Reform in
Arabia), had begun "test transmissions of an opposition television
station, which will be headquartered in London. The station will
broadcast to the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf, as well as most Arab
countries. Al-Faqih had succeeded in setting up a radio station six
months ago. The radio station is still broadcasting programmes, also
from London."
The Saudi opposition's Voice of Reform (Sawt al-Islah), the radio of
the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA), was launched in
December 2002 and broadcasts on both shortwave and satellite. The
Movement is an anti-Saudi organization based in London.
The Movement's web sites are located at http://www.miraserve.com and
http://www.islah.org Both have Arabic and English versions.
Source: BBC Monitoring research 8 May 03 (via DXLD 3-080)
Saudi opposition group's Al-Islah satellite TV channel on the air
Al-Islah, a satellite TV channel operated by the London-based
Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA), has begun satellite
broadcasts. The channel was observed on 15 May by BBC Monitoring.
The broadcasts can be viewed on the Hot Bird 3 satellite, frequency
12.149 GHz, vertical polarization.
The TV channel provides the following contact information:
Web site: www.alislah.info
E-mail: TV@islah.org
Telephone: (44) 208 4520303
Fax: (44) 208 4520808
A caption on the satellite TV channel states: "Soon on this
frequency, the channel which you have been waiting for for a long
time. The Al-Islah [Reform] satellite channel. The only channel on
which you can express yourself from where you are in the land of the
Two Holy Mosques, without fear or worry."
A spokesman for Al-Islah told the BBC on 15 May that programming
would consist of two to three hours' live broadcasting of talk shows
with contributors from around the world, repeated during a 24-hour
cycle, as well as news displayed on the screen in text format.
Editorial control over the channel rested outside the UK, and it
expected to be fully operational within a week, the spokesman added.
The French news agency AFP on 14 May quoted MIRA head Sa'd al-Faqih
as saying: "The television has started round-the-clock broadcasts...
Broadcasting will also start soon on two other satellites."
In December 2002 the MIRA launched a 24-hour radio station, the Voice
of Reform (Sawt al-Islah), from an unnamed European country to target
audiences in Saudi Arabia. The radio's programming includes news,
cultural broadcasts and live phone-ins with Faqih and other
activists.
Source: BBC Monitoring research 15 May 03 (BBCM May 15, 2003)
Saudi dissidents launch satellite TV channel
http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/reuters05-15-052436.asp?reg=MIDEAST
(MS-NBC May 15, 2003 via J.Dybka-USA for CRW)
...............................................................
Misc - SOUTH AFRICA - HISTORY
A gift of Sisulu [More on Radio Freedom ...]
http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=225&fArticleId=146812
May 16, 2003
By Alf Kumalo
Reminiscing about Walter Sisulu brings a kaleidoscope of memories of
the struggle.
Firstly, I remember a voice that delivered a message to the apartheid
regime that was chilling in its intent, deliberation and dignity. The
ANC had set up Radio Freedom, broadcasting from Lusaka with
clandestine transmitters in Johannesburg and Rustenburg. Sisulu's
voice was heard over the airwaves of the illegal transmission, which
broadcast sporadically. He delivered a powerful message from their
hiding place at Lilliesleaf Farm in Rivonia.
The oracle bothered friend and foe. We thought the political message
would lead to their arrest. But it did not and the messages increased
in number and intensity. Apartheid was at its harshest then, with the
banning of the ANC and PAC, but also after the brutal killing of 69
people in Sharpeville in 1960.
Next, I remember the scene at the Pretoria Supreme Court where
Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and other ANC leaders were facing treason
charges in 1962. Using a self-time exposure, I managed to photograph
a picture in court that would have represented the most poignant
image of that proceeding. But by taking a picture inside a courtroom
I would put the paper I was freelancing for in trouble. It is one of
my deepest regrets that I cannot find that image - and it has never
been printed.
Another abiding memory is of Sisulu's release from prison in 1989. At
a welcoming ceremony at the church next to his house in Orlando West,
he was singing the national anthem with such vigour that he pumped
his fist in the air with great emotion. Remember: Sisulu had not sung
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika with an audience for 26 years. It was a great
moment.
Back in the '60s, I remember coming across Sisulu's son, Max, in
Francistown, Botswana, in a building known as the White House. Among
the many refugees in exile with him was Hage Geingob, who was to
become Namibia's prime minister after freedom in 1990.
We were in Francistown chasing down a story about Arthur Goldreich
and Harold Wolpe, who had been arrested with Sisulu and others at
Lilliesleaf Farm, but who escaped from Marshall Square in
Johannesburg, disguised as monks. These two guys were kept in prison
in Francistown for their own safety after a bomb attack on an
aircraft they were due to travel in. I informed the family back in
Soweto that I had met their son and that he was safe. They were
greatly relieved.
These are just some of the memories he gave me; after a while,
memories are all you have.
Hamba kahle Tata Sisulu.
(The Star May 16, 2003 via A.Sennit-HOL for CRW)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Feedback xxxxxxxxxx----------------------
Re : 4 questions about CRW
Thank you very much to all readers that answered my 4 questions about
CRW. Several good comments have been received how to go on with CRW.
Some of the results surprised me .. some suggestions are practicable,
others are not .. anyway, I'll will write an anlysis later since
until today only one third of all readers answered my questions. I'm
asking all remaining readers a third time to answer my questions.
(M.Schöch-D May 22, 2003 for CRW)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Sources xxxxxxxxxx----------------------
Thanks to the following contributors : Andy Sennit, Armando Mastrapa
III, Mike Barraclough, Paul Bailey, Ulis Fleming
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
QIP : QSL Information Pages-Germany
RMO : Radio Marti Observer-USA
TDP : Transmitter Documentation Project
BBCM items are Copyright BBCM 2003.
______________________________________________________