--------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 217 xxxxxxxxxx-------------- CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH 217 Oct 31, 2006 CRW is the biweekly online magazine for ClandestineRadio.com (CRC), the Web's only portal on clandestine broadcasting and subversive media. CRW : http://www.schoechi.de/crw.html http://www.ClandestineRadio.com/crw/ CRC : http://www.ClandestineRadio.com GCW : http://www.globalcrisiswatch.com Martin Schoech, Editor in Chief, Eisenach, East Germany Nick Grace, CRW Washington & CRC, Washington, DC, USA Richard Lafayette, CRW Midwest, Stillwater, MN, USA ------------xxxxxxxxxx Breaking News xxxxxxxxxx---------------- SRI LANKA : SL Air Force bombs LTTE radio station ............................................................... SRI LANKA : SL Air Force bombs LTTE radio station PK Balachandran Colombo, October 17, 2006 The Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) on Tuesday destroyed the LTTE's radio station called Voice of Tigers (VOT), which broadcasts Tamil and Sinhala programmes daily, and carries Supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran's annual Hero's Day oration on November 27. After visiting the wreckage in Kokkavil, 15 km south of the LTTE headquarters at Kilinochchi, the Head of the Political Wing SP Tamilselvan said that it was an assault on the freedom of expression. "It is part of a planned agenda to suppress the freedom of expression prior to the talks scheduled in Geneva," the pro-LTTE Tamilnet website quoted Tamilselvan as saying. The aerial attack occurred at 9.30 am. Bombs and cannon fire hit the station and the 500 ft transmission tower 25 times. The radio station had lost SLRs 30 million (INR 15 million) worth of equipment as a result. The damaged equipment included two vehicles and power generator. Two staff members were injured. Tamilnet however said that the VOT did not stop its broadcasts! The Sri Lankan Military did not report the incident. All that the National Security Media Unit said was that the Air Force attacked two LTTE naval bases in Mullaitivu and a military camp in Mankulam with great accuracy. Will Prabhakaran broadcast his Hero's Day speech? The LTTE radio station might have been attacked to prevent Prabhakaran from making his Hero's Day speech where he takes stock of the political and military situation and outlines the LTTE's plans for the future. The VOT station had been licensed by the Sri Lankan government after the peace process was initiated in February 2002. This was done with the active involvement of the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Norwegian peace broker Erik Solheim, for whom this was a way of bringing the LTTE into the Sri Lankan legal system and mainstream. But the measure was attacked vehemently by the then Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the Sinhala and English media as appeasement of terrorists. http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1822878,0000.htm (Hindustan Times Oct 17, 2006 via A.Gupta-IND in GRDXC-ML) Air Force bombing of LTTE radio station leaves two injured; IFJ denounces attack 23 October 2006 SOURCE: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels **For further information on IFJ's condemnation of the 1999 NATO strike on Radio Television Serbia, see IFEX alerts of 23, 13 and 9 April 1999 and others** (IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ denounces bombing of Voice of Tigers in Sri Lanka The International Federation of Journalists has condemned the bombing of the official radio station of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Voice of Tigers (VOT), by the Sri Lankan Air Force in Killinochch, an LTTE-held town in Northern Sri Lanka on October 17. According to IFJ affiliate, the Free Media Movement (FMM), the attack destroyed the broadcasting towers of the VOT and injured two workers. "While the IFJ does not endorse or support the views of any particular media organisation, we maintain that all media should be treated as non-combatants and we strongly denounce the bombing of the VOT," IFJ President Christopher Warren said. The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) of the government reportedly said that although the VOT radio tower was not directly targeted, it could have been damaged during air attacks on other LTTE targets. "An attack on a media outlet, regardless of viewpoint, is an attack on freedom of speech and a serious violation of international law," Warren said. "The journalists at the VOT are unarmed citizens and thus should not be considered military targets under any circumstances," he said. "The IFJ reminds the Sri Lankan government of their absolute obligation under the Geneva Convention to respect the safety of journalists." The rights of journalists in conflict zones are defined in Article 79 of Protocol Additional to the Geneva Convention, which says that journalists must be treated as civilians and non-combatants. "This violent attempt to silence the media has endangered the lives of media workers and the IFJ sincerely hopes this does not set a terrible precedent for further targeted attacks on media outlets in Sri Lanka," the IFJ president said. "The bombing of a media outlet, irrespective of whether it is initiated by the government or the LTTE, will result in the further destruction of media freedom and freedom of expression in Sri Lanka," Warren said. The IFJ has consistently protested the targeting of media in times of conflict since the 1999 NATO strike on Radio Television Serbia in Belgrade, when 16 media staff were killed. The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries. (www.ifj.org Oct 23, 2006 via N.Gunawardene-? in Asiapacific-general-ML via G.Lessard-CAN in creativeradio-ML) Sri Lanka: Watchdog condemns bombing of LTTE radio station Text of press release by Colombo based organization The Free Media Movement on 25 October The Free Media Movement (FMM) decries the bombing of radio station Voice of Tigers (VOT), the official radio station of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Fighter jets belonging to Sri Lankan Air Force bombed the station in Killinochchi, an LTTE held town in Northern Sri Lanka on October 17 2006. The attack destroyed broadcasting towers of the station and injured two workers. The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) of the government said that though the VOT radio tower was not directly targeted, it could have been damaged during air attacks on other LTTE targets. It must be underscored that the FMM is extremely critical of LTTE's regressive media policy stifling democratic voices within the areas held by them. For instance, on several occasions, the FMM condemned attacks on the Thinamurusu newspaper, a weekly published by the paramilitary / political party Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) by suspected members of the LTTE. At the same time, the FMM believes that media owned by the LTTE and non-state actors have an inviolable right to exist and broadcast, provided they do not take part directly in the war activities and akin to Radio Mille Collines in Rwanda, do not engage in messages that exacerbate communal tensions and incite hatred. While the FMM opposes violence and terrorism to achieve political objectives it also recognizes that the role and the rights of rebel and non-state media institutions is a hotly contested issue in the press freedom discourse. While some believe that in conflict situations it is better to leave open the space for rebel media to promote their own messages, others feel that since such media often promotes violence, they should be forcefully shut down. Still others say that a process of engagement with a view to long term transformation of such media is essential - a process grounded in dialogue and engagement, not violence. In counterpoint, some say that such dialogue is ultimately pointless. The FMM believes that it is vital to recognize and strengthen this debate in Sri Lanka, so as to ensure a democratic dialogue in polity and society before action is taken to target and militarily shut down rebel media. The use of violence against media, we feel, irrespective of whether it is initiated by the State or the LTTE, may only result in tit-for-tat violence that spirals out of control and endangers media freedoms and human security for all journalists in Sri Lanka. Recognizing that the Sri Lankan State, defence forces, the LTTE and paramilitary groups all run their own media in print, electronic and in cyberspace, the FMM argues that a vibrant and democratic media landscape in Sri Lanka is founded upon a diversity of opinion. Promoting a culture of tolerance and diversity in the media and decrying all attempts made to stifle the media through the use of violence, the FMM sincerely hopes that the bombing of VOT will not become a precedent for increased attacks against media institutions and journalists in Sri Lanka. Source: The Free Media Movement website in English 25 Oct 06 (BBCM Oct 25, 2006) ------------xxxxxxxxxx Schedules xxxxxxxxxx-------------------- Schedules - DIVERSE TDP SW TRANSMITTER FREQUENCY SCHEDULE B06 (only clandestines / traget stations -CRW) PROGRAM TIME (UT) FREQUENCY AM/DRM DAYS LANGUAGE TARGET Moj Them Radio 0100-0130 15260 AM .t.t... Hmong As Denge Mezopotamya 0300-0500 7590 AM mtwtfss Kurdish ME Denge Mezopotamya 0500-1500 11530 AM mtwtfss Kurdish ME Denge Mezopotamya 1500-1700 7590 AM mtwtfss Kurdish ME Que Huong Radio 1200-1300 15680 AM mtwtfs. Viet As Tensae Ethiopia V. of Unity 1500-1600 11900 AM mtwtfss Amharic Af Radio Xoriyo Ogadenia 1600-1700 9450 AM .t..... Somali Af Voice of Eritrea 1600-1700 9485 AM ...t... Tigrigna Af Radio Voice of ENUPF 1600-1700 9450 AM ....f.. Amharic Af Dejen Radio 1600-1700 9450 AM .....s. Tigrigna Af Voice of Delina 1700-1730 7335 AM mtwtf.. Tigrigna Af Denge Rojhelat 1700-1900 7590 AM mtwtfss Farsi ME (via E.Zhou-CHN in DXLD-ML Oct 28, 2006 via DXLD 6-161) Re: Denge Rojhelat "Denge" indicates it's in Kurdish, not Farsi (G.Hauser-USA Oct 28, 2006 in DXLD 6-161) ............................................................... Schedules - CUBA Radio República Radio República B-06: [via GERMANY], 2300-0400 Mon-Fri (and into Tuesday-Saturday) on 7335. (J.White-WRMI-USA Oct 24, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Jeff, 7335! That's CHU timesignal frequency from Canada. PLEASE get it somewhere else! (G.Hauser-USA Oct 24, 2006 to Jeff White, via DXLD-ML) Radio República frequency selection via RMI via Germany: If there is some problem with 5970, and if we see that Ukraine is not on 5910 after B06 starts, 5910 could be a backup plan. Then maybe we could go back to 5910 for A07. Anyway, Republica has already recorded the new frequency announcements, so I hope there are no more changes necessary for a while! (J.White-WRMI-USA Oct 26, 2006 in DXLD 6-159) ............................................................... Schedules - EASTERN EUROPE RFE/RL RFE/RL in Avari/Chechen/Cherkassi to CeAs from Oct. 8 1500-1600 11810 LAM 100 kW 080 deg & 15565 MOR 250 kW 075 deg, new time 1700-1800 11705 MOR 250 kW 043 deg & 15255 MOR 250 kW 075 deg, cancelled (R BULGARIA DX MIX News 438 Oct 18, 2006 via W.Büschel-D for CRW) ............................................................... Schedules - ETHIOPIA Voice of Oromia Independence Voice of Oromia Independence, B-06: 1700-1730 Saturday on 9820 (J.White-FL-USA WRMI Oct 24, 2006 in DXLD 6-158) ............................................................... Schedules - MALDIVES Minivan Radio Minivan Radio B-06: 1600-1700 daily on 11800 (J.White-FL-USA WRMI Oct 24, 2006 in DXLD 6-158) ............................................................... Schedules - SOMALIA Radio Waaberi Radio Waaberi B-06: 1330-1400 Friday on 17550 (J.White-FL-USA WRMI Oct 24, 2006 in DXLD 6-158) ------------xxxxxxxxxx Logs xxxxxxxxxx------------------------- Logs - AFGHANISTAN Radio Free Afghanistan 12140 R.Free Afghanistan via Kuwait Oct 28 0252-0302 35433 Pushto, Talk, ID at 0255. (Ko.Hashimoto-J Oct 28, 2006 in JAP 445) 15615 R.Free Afghanistan via Kuwait Oct 28 0750-0803 45444 Dari, Afghanistan music and talk, ID at 0752. (Ko.Hashimoto-J Oct 28, 2006 in JAP 445) ............................................................... Logs - CHINA Sound of Hope Firedrake, 10450 against Sound of Hope, was fair at 1334 check Oct 23 (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 23, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Voice of Tibet 17560 Voice of Tibet, 11:55-11:58, escuchada el 21 de Octubre en tibetano a locutora con comentarios, sufre fuerte "Firedrake Jamming" de interferencia, SINPO 22342. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 21, 2006 in DXLD-ML) ............................................................... Logs - CUBA Radio Martí Radio Martí on new 9515, Oct 16 at 2203, news to me but not to the DentroCuban Jamming Command which was almost covering it up. // 13820 Delano but 9515 running about 3 words or one second behind 13820, not what you would expect for Greenville. Could it be some new unknown relay site? Need to see how it matches to other // 6030 and 11930 Greenville. 9515 is not shown on the non-updated R. Martí schedule grid at http://www.martinoticias.com/frequencies.htm but after cutbacks earlier this year, RM is now again on four SW frequencies at once instead of three. RM Greenville is scheduled on 9565 until 2200, and when I checked that at 2204, some leftover jamming was still running there against nothing. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 16, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Hi Glenn, no, not a new site. Delano has dropped off the satellite delivery and gone to T-1 Telco. The delay on 9515 is probably the difference between the satellite shot into Greenville and our direct feed from Washington. (J.Vodenik-USA IBB Delano Oct 16, 2006 in DXLD 6-154) 9565 Radio Martí, 21:52-22:00, escuchada el 20 de Octubre en español a locutora con invitada con comentarios sobre la transición en Cuba en el programa "Transición", sintonía, ID y cuña sobre los Derechos Humanos, SINPO 34433. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 20, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Oct 22 at 2148 found almost-open carrier on 9515 leading up to R. Martí opening at hourtop on its new frequency. Almost open, because I could already hear some weak RM modulation on 9515, // 9565 which was heavily jammed, but no jamming yet on 9515. At 2149 a tone test briefly overrode the weak audio on 9515. I am hearing those rapid clicks as previously reported on 6081 and elsewhere, in the vicinity of dentroCuban jamming against R. Martí, so I think they are spurs from the jamming. Oct 22 at 2151 on 9630 approx., hard to pinpoint with no carrier, which is 65 kHz above 9565; and also around 11981-11982 at 2204, which is 51-52 kHz above 11930. There was nothing in particular on 9630 or 11980 which would be a target of deliberate jamming. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 22, 2006 in DXLD-ML) 13820 Radio Martí, 14:45-14:55, escuchada el 22 de Octubre en español a locutor con invitado con comentarios sobre polémica ley en USA y la posible justificación de la tortura, SINPO 34343. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 22, 2006 in DXLD-ML) The rapid clicks which I have decided are spurious from jammers against R. Martí were heard on both 11980 and 11880 at 1416 Oct 23, a nicely matched pair originating at 11930. No victims on either frequency. Furthermore, the 11845 jammers were also putting out spurs 50 kHz above and below on 11795 and 11895, altho it was difficult to separate the ones around 11880 from 11895. At 1525 recheck, the clix were still audible on 11880 & 11980. The offset varies from time to time, up to 60 kHz or more. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 23, 2006 in DXLD-ML) The spurious clicks from DentroCuban Jamming command transmitters on 11930 were easily audible Oct 27 at 1521 on 11880, bothering nothing, but the one matching on the high side, 11980, was causing severe interference to someone in English sounding like Carl Watts, talking about Japan; yes, V. of Russia is scheduled there. But do the Cubans care about such collateral damage caused by their battle against freedom of expression? Ask Arnie. Of course not. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 27, 2006 in DXLD-ML) R. Martí is back on 5745 for B-06, just like it was in B-05, which was 11-14 via Greenville. But has the frequency grid at http://www.martinoticias.com/frequencies.htm been updated to show this? Of course not! 5745 noted at 1223 Oct 29 with preacher, as the US government (state) promotes a certain church (Catholic, no doubt). Lite jamming as the DentroCuban Jamming Command already caught up with it, // 5980; 6030 already off at this hour. At 1352 recheck, 5745 was still on, but much weaker. 15330 is another reactivated frequency for R. Martí, and the DCJC had not found it, or if they had, jamming inaudible against this monster signal, Oct 29 at 1409 with speech about re-dedication of TV Martí and all the wonderful things it will bring to the oppressed Cuban people. This was // 11930 with the usual jamming audible underneath. At 1423 the spurious jamming clix were audible on 12030, and at 1428 around 11880. 13820 had been the highest R. Martí frequency during the A-season; Oct 29 at 1428 there was only an open carrier, or two of them with SAH, and jamming, same after 1431. Schedule may have changed, or dropped in favor of 15330? (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 29, 2006 in DXLD-ML) At 2344 UT Oct 29, R. Martí had left reactivated 15330, but still heavy jamming upon it. 13820 was back on with RM at 2350 check, well over jamming. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 29, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Rapidly clicking spurs from jammers against Martí continue to be found some 50-65 kHz away. Oct 30 at 1550 there were some around 15381-15382, originating from 15330. None, however, found on the low side around 15280 to match as sometimes happens (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 30, 2006 in DXLD-ML) I still haven't figured out R. Martí's new frequency schedule, but some observations Oct 30: At 2152 heavy jamming against nothing on 15330, which must have closed earlier. I believe it runs from 14 to 20 now. Also lite clix around 15480, presumably spurious from there, altho in this case 150 kHz away. Canada blocked mirror 15180. At 2159 jamming on 9565, but no Martí or jamming on 9515 before or after 2200, which had been a new frequency I found a few days ago in A-06; that schedule, not including 9515, still appearing at http://www.martinoticias.com/frequencies.htm. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 30, 2006 in DXLD-ML) 5980 Radio Marti Delano in Sp by Antonio Morales at 0750 UT Oct 31, 44333. Also noted on 6030 and accomp jamming. (W.Büschel visiting Algarve cliff coast-Portugal Oct 31, 2006 in BCDX 780) Radio República 6135 Radio República, 22:30-22:35, escuchada el 20 de Octubre en español a locutor con invitado con comentarios políticos sobre la dictadura Castrista, SINPO 33443. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 20, 2006 in DXLD-ML) It seems we have managed to head off the DentroCuban Jamming Command and Radio República moving to CHU's 7335 at 23-04 UT weeknights as planned. T-systems thought they had to leave A-06 frequency 5910 because of Ukraine in B-06; however, RUI will not actually be on 5910 but 5820! RR could just stay on 5910 but may go to 5970 instead. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 26, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Checking R. República Oct 30: at 2214, 6135 via Rampisham was coming in well, and no sign of jamming, which is strange since this is the same frequency as in A-06; 2215 ID and went on to give their schedule on (WRMI) 9955, but not these relays. At 0030 the next frequency via UK was 7205, audible there somewhat atop jamming. Will they also still be on 7110 after 0200? Their website has not been updated, http://www.radiorepublica.org/ since it still shows the old A-06 frequency 7160 for the M-F 2300-0400 Tu-Sa broadcast via RMI via Germany, which is really on the new frequency we have been discussing, 5970, starting Oct 30. At 0030 heard RR ID clear of any jamming, but much stronger signal from RHC on 5965 was disturbing it. We can hope that in parts (most?) of Cuba, 5965 will be skipping over and not a problem. Jamming was still on ex-5910, against nothing, where RR might as well have stayed, as there was also nothing on 5905 or 5915. Once the jamming starts on 5970 it should be fun for the stations on 5965, 5975. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 30, 2006 in DXLD-ML) ............................................................... Logs - ETHIOPIA Tensae Ethiopia Voice of Unity 15660 Tensae Ethiopia (Voice of Liberty), transmission for Eritrea, 1605-1610, October 16, Vernacular, nxs or talk by female, 24332. (A.Slaen-ARG Oct 16, 2006 in DXLD-ML) ............................................................... Logs - IRAN Radio Farda 7580 Radio Fardá, 18:48-18:55, escuchada el 18 de Octubre en farsi con emisión de música pop local e internacional, cuñas de ID, "...Radio Fardá...", SINPO 45544. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 18, 2006 for CRW) 7580 Radio Fardá, 21:20-21:25, escuchada el 20 de Octubre en farsi con ID y emisión de música pop, SINPO 45544. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 20, 2006 in DXLD-ML) 9330 R Farda 2029 with pop songs ID at 2030 with news S5 34333 (29th). Also on 5850 on 30th on 1813 at S40 (Z.Liangas-GRC Oct 30, 2006 in CDX-ML) Radio Payam-e Doost 7480 Radio Payam-e Doost, 18:33-18:45, escuchada el 18 de Octubre en idioma farsi a locutor con comentarios, segmento de música melódica, especie de poema cantado, locutor con frecuencias y dirección de contacto, locutora con recitación de un poema y música clásica de fondo, sintonía., SINPO 45444. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 18, 2006 for CRW) Radio Zamaneh Heute um 1700 UTC-Zeit ist Radio Zamaneh aus Amsterdam mit einem Bombensignal auf 6245 KHz mit einem SINPO von 54444 zu hören. ID um 1700 UTC-Zeit. (D.Kraus-D Oct 16, 2006 in A-DX-ML) 6245 Radio Zamaneh, 17:25-17:35, escuchada el 18 de Octubre en idioma farsi a locutor y locutora con comentarios y música de fondo, SINPO 45444. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 18, 2006 for CRW) Saludos cordiales, cuando son las 20:30 se observa que no hay señal de radio Zamaneh en 6245, sin embargo a las 17:25 se captaba con muy buena señal. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 18, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Radio Zamaneh: Hrd them at 0228 on 7590with soft instrumental music, then ID by man and followed by woman talks. QRK 3, narrow selectivity position on rcvr. Thanks Glenn for the tip! (H.Nigro-URG Oct 19, 2006 in DXLD-ML) 1900 utc, 19/10/06, 6245 kHz, Radio Zamaneh, heard ID "Radio Zamaneh", then there were news and talk, good signal. (I.Lebedevsky-RUS Oct 20, 2006 in CDX-ML) 6245 Radio Zamaneh, via Armavir, Russia, 1935+, October 21, Farsi, very nice music, announcements by female, 24432. (A.Slaen-ARG Oct 21, 2006 in HCDX-ML) 6245 Radio Zamaneh via Armavir, 2041+, October 21, Farsi, talk by male, very mentions to ?Iran?, 25332. (A.Slaen-ARG Oct 21, 2006 in HCDX-ML) Radio Zalmaneh, 6245 via Samara on 10/23 at 2055 but very weak with music to 2101 when lost or off. Something here before 2100 on following days and finally on 10/28 strong enough to be sure with a definite end of music and shut off right at 2100. I've been checking this regularly, expecting success with shorter days. First log on this frequency in 50 years (R. Riobamba, Ecuador, in March of 1956!) (G.Dexter-WI-USA Oct 23, 2006 in DXplorer-ML) Saludos cordiales, ¿es probable que Radio Zamaneh haya cambiado de horario yá?, hoy a las 17:30 e chequeado la frecuencia de 6245 y estaba sin señal, en principio pensé que pudiera tratarse de la propagación, pero me pareció extraño, aquí en Valencia llega con mucha fuerza, sin embargo un chequeo a las 18:15 se aprecia que ya está emitiendo y llegando con buena señal. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 24, 2006 in DXLD-ML) 6245 R.Zamaneh Oct 25 *1700-1710 33443 Farsi, 1700 sign on with music, 1701 Opening announce, Music and talk. (Ko.Hashimoto-J Oct 25, 2006 in JAP 445) Radio Zamaneh (clandestine) 6245 in Farsi directed to Iran heard here at 2045. Transmission is scheduled from 1700-2100 (per EiBi) from Armavir, Russia, but continues on past 2100 today. Clear 'Radio Zamaneh' ID by a female anncr. at 2101. Transmission finally ended at 2107. (S.Lare-MI-USA Oct 27, 2006 in DXLD-ML) 6245, Radio Zamaneh (presumed), 2028-2100* Oct 28, program of non-stop music; some instrumental and some vocals. Last song faded down prior to carrier being cut. No announcements heard during this period. Fair. (R.D'Angelo-PA-USA Oct 28, 2006 in DXplorer-ML) 6245 Radio Zamaneh, 18:15-18:20, escuchada el 30 de Octubre en idioma farsi a locutor con comentarios, SINPO 33443. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 30, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Voice of the Communist Party of Iran 3880 Vo Commun. Party of Iran, Iraq (presumed location), 1745-1814, 21 Oct, Farsi, talks; 43432, jammed. (C.Goncalves-POR Oct 21, 2006 in BC-DX 779) 4375.3 Vo Commun. Party of Iran, Iraq (presu. loc.), 1747-1804, Farsi, talks; 32441, jammer slightly off fq but still disrupting reception. (C.Goncalves-POR Oct 2?, 2006 in BC-DX 779) ............................................................... Logs - ISRAEL Voice of Palestine - via Iran. "Voice of Palestine, the Voice of the Islamic Revolution in Palestine" in Arabic signing on at 0330 UTC on 9610 kHz. OM with ID and giving wrong freqs of 7250 and 9505 kHz. I tried to check both, but in vain started with the nx about the coming Friday - the last Friday in the holy month of Ramadan - to be AlQuds day. Al Quds in Arabic is Jerusalem in English/Hebrew. Interview with a member of the Muslim brotherhood from Egypt by phone. Followed by nx about the Israeli invasion of Jenin. Wonder why do they give wrong freq? (T.Zeidan-EGY Oct 16, 2006 in BC-DX 778) 7250 and 9505 kHz - Maybe announced winter freqs already ?? Summer A-06: 9610 0330-0430 38E,39W KAM 500 250 145 S-F IRN IRB 11875 0330-0430 38E,39W SIR 500 282 146 S-F IRN IRB Winter B-06: 7250 0330-0430 38E,39W KAM 500 250 145 S-F IRN IRB 9505 0330-0430 38E,39W SIR 500 282 146 S-F IRN IRB and reserve-tent.: 9845 0330-0430 38E,39W SIR 500 282 146 S-F-p IRN IRB (W.Büschel-D Oct 16, 2006 in BC-DX 778) ............................................................... Logs - KASHMIR Voice of Jammu Kashmir Freedom 5102 V.O.Jammu Kashmir Freedom Oct 22 *1300-1310 45443 Kashmiri, 1300 sign on with opening music, ID, Koran, Talk. (Ko.Hashimoto-J Oct 22, 2006 in JAP 445) ............................................................... Logs - KOREA (NORTH) Echo of Hope(p) 3985 Echo of Hope (p) 1137-1154 Oct 21. Techno-pop mx, YL ancr; then at 1145, into a talk by a male announcer. As usual, the jammer was much more effective on LSB than USB. No jamming at all detected on // 6348. Both freqs had good signals. (J.Wilkins-CO-USA Oct 21, 2006 in DXplorer-ML) Shiokaze / Sea Breeze 9485, Shiokaze (Sea Breeze) via TAIWAN, Oct 19 (Thurs.), 1314-1318, with news items in English about N. Korea. There was no English on Fri. (Oct 20) (R.Howard-CA-USA Oct 19-20, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Shiokaze, 9485 via Taiwan, has not been very audible lately, but Oct 26 at 1326 made out an ID in Japanese, so apparently the semihour was not in English this Thursday. Maybe Friday. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 26, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Shiokaze, 9485 via Taiwan, Friday Oct 27 at 1327 check was in Korean, not English; poor. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 27, 2006 in DXLD-ML) ............................................................... Logs - KURDISTAN Voice of Iranian Kurdistan 4870 VoIranian Kurdistan (tent), Al-Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, 1625-1632*, 21 Oct, Kurdish (tent), songs, annts; 32441, jammed. (C.Goncalves-POR Oct 21, 2006 in BC-DX 779) Voice of Mesopotamia 11530 Dengue Mesopotamia, 09:35-09:47, escuchada el 21 de Octubre en kurdo a locutor con comentarios y música de fondo, ID, segmento de música de violín y recitación de un poema, SINPO 35543. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 21, 2006 in DXLD-ML) 11530 V.of Mesopotamia Oct 21 1348-1402 35433 Kurdish, Talk and kurdish music, ID at 1400. (Ko.Hashimoto-J Oct 21, 2006 in JAP 445) 11530 V.of Mesopotamia Oct 23 0600-0633 35322 Kurdish, Kurdish music and talk, ID at 0629. (Ko.Hashimoto-J Oct 23, 2006 in JAP 445) V. of Mesopotamia, 11530 via Moldova, fair with Kurdish music, Oct 28 at 1506. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 28, 2006 in DXLD-ML) V. of Mesopotamia, 11530 via Moldova, underneath WYFR in Portuguese Oct 29 at 1343, but WYFR was about to close and off by 1345, clearing VOM. WYFR scheduled on 11530 now at 05-08 and 12-14, rounded off. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 29, 2006 in DXLD-ML) ............................................................... Logs - LAOS Hmong Lao Radio Hmong Lao Radio has shifted one UT hour later on WHRI 11785, Sunday Oct 29 at 1410 during the 1400 hour; 11785 had English preaching before 1400 and after 1500. Presumably the same on Saturdays. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 29, 2006 in DXLD-ML) ............................................................... Logs - LIBYA Sawt Alamel / Libya's Voice of Hope 16 Octubre: A las 12:00 Sawt Al-amal comienza su emisión por la frecuencia de 17620, se aprecia emisión de La Voz de África en 17660 y 17670. A las 13:00 Sawt Al-amal cambia a 17625 y a las 13:21 17635, sin noticias de las emisiones de La Voz de África en ésta segunda hora de emisión, tan sólo una emisión en 17660, hoy también se hace presente la extraña emisión musical a las 13:32, 13:41 y 13:44. Desconcertante. Sin rastyro de la emisora afro-pop a las 13:45. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 16, 2006 for CRW) 16 Octubre: Hoy comienza a emitir Sawt Al-amal a las 12:00 en 17620, se aprecia a La Voz de África en paralelo por 17660 y 17670, a las 13:00 Sawt Al-amal cambia a 17625 y a las 13:21 cambia a 17635. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 18, 2006 for CRW) 17 Octubre: Hoy no se escuchó a Sawt Al-amal en ninguna frecuencia, sin embargo se aprecia la presencia de La Voz de África emitiendo en paralelo por 17625, 17640 y 17670, desde las 12:08 hasta las 13:30, sin cambios. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 17, 2006 for CRW) 17685 Sawt Al-amal, 12:05-12:30, escuchada el 18 de Octubre en árabe con canto del Corán, sintonía, cuña de identificación, comentarios, SINPO 44343. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 18, 2006 for CRW) 17690 Sawt Al-amal, 13:00-13:30, escuchada el 18 de Octubre en árabe con sintonía, ID, canto del Corán, segmento musical, comentarios, SINPO 34232 (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 18, 2006 for CRW) 18 Octubre: En el día de hoy pocas novedades con respecto a Sawt Al-amal, a las 12:05 se la encuentra en 17685 y alas 13:00 cambia a 17690. Sin rastro de La Voz de África. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 18, 2006 for CRW) 19 Octubre: A las 12:05 se aprecia a Sawt Al-amal en 17690 con el canto del Corán, ID, sintonía y locutor con comentarios, se aprecia de fondo una débil señal tipo sierra, un chequeo por todas las frecuencias para verificar a La Voz de África con resultado negativo. A las 12:57 cambia a 17685, y un chequeo posterior a las 13:35 se la encuentra otra vez en 17690. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 18, 2006 for CRW) 20 Octubre: A las 12:01 Sawt Al-amal en 17685, La Voz de África en paralelo por 17660 y 17670, a las 12:47 se aprecia a Sawt Al-amal en 17675. A las 13:06 cambia a 17680. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 18, 2006 for CRW) 17665 Sowt Alamel Oct 23 1203-1213 25432 Arabic, Koran and talk, ID at 1203 and 1207. (Ko.Hashimoto-J Oct 23, 2006 in JAP 445) Oct 27 at 1340, 17660 with African music; 17665 with Arabic music, SAH, presumably against Sawt al-Amal. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 27, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Hilife music to jam (or distract) from Sawt al-Amal, Oct 29 at 1233 on 17660; still the same at 1417; nothing else against SAA noticeable; 17630 ANO had an even better signal. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 29, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Oct 30 at 1447, Afropop music coming in well on 17660, and again at 1512 check. I suppose it is still running until 1530, regardless of Sawt al-Amal's schedule ending at 1400. Similar signal to ANO Gabon on 17630. (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 30, 2006 in DXLD-ML) 31 Octubre: A las 11:55 se aprecia una emisión musical en 17660, estilo afro-pop, a las 12:00 inicia transmisión en 17625 Sawt Al-amal, a las 12:11 se aprecia en 17625 y 17660 una emisión de La Voz de África en inglés, ésta transmisión se prolongó hasta las 12:20, entonces cesa en 17660, se mantiene en 17625 intentando atorar a Sawt Al-amal. Por otra parte en 17630 se aprecia una emisión en alemán que no permite escuchar a África Nº 1. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 31, 2006 in DXLD-ML) ............................................................... Logs - MALDIVES Minivan Radio 11800 Minivan R. via DTK Oct 31 *1600-1606 25432-25332 Vernacular, 1600 sign on with R.Miami Int.'s ID, IS, ID, Talk. (Ko.Hashimoto-J Oct 31, 2006 in JAP 445) ............................................................... Logs - SOMALIA Radio Waaberi 17550, Radio Waaberi via Juelich, 1327-1400* Oct 27, open carrier noted until program instrumental musical opening at 1330. A man with ID and website address in Somali language. Program of long discussion by two men. Closed with another ID and website address before carrier cut. Poor to fair. (R.D'Angelo-PA-USA Oct 27, 2006 in DXplorer-ML) R. Waaberi, 17550 via Germany, with ID just before closing at 1357 Oct 27, in its weekly semihour on Fridays, suffering from WYFR adjacency on 17555. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 31, 2006 in DXLD-ML) R. Waaberi, 17550 via Germany, with ID just before closing at 1357 Oct 27, in its weekly semihour on Fridays, suffering from WYFR adjacency on 17555 (G.Hauser-OK-USA Oct 27, 2006 in DXLD-ML) ............................................................... Logs - WESTERN AFRICA West Africa Democracy Radio 17875 West Africa Democracy R. via woofferton Oct 20 0737-0800* 34433 English, Talk and music, ID at 0738 and 0747. (Ko.Hashimoto-J Oct 20, 2006 in JAP 445) 17875 West Africa Democracy R. via woofferton Oct 20 *0800-0810 35433 French, Talk, ID at 0800,etc. (Ko.Hashimoto-J Oct 20, 2006 in JAP 445) 17875 West Africa Democracy R. via woofferton Oct 27 0810-0838 45444 French, Talk, ID at 0813 and 0820. (Ko.Hashimoto-J Oct 27, 2006 in JAP 445) ............................................................... Logs - WESTERN SAHARA National Radio of the Arab-Saharan Democratic Republic 7425 R. N. Saharaui, 17:05-17:25, escuchada el 18 de Octubre en idioma árabe con canto del Corán, locutor con comentarios y segmento de música folklórica local, SINPO 44333. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 18, 2006 for CRW) 7425 R. N. Saharaui, 21:09-21:15, escuchada el 20 de Octubre en árabe con música folklórica local y locutor con comentarios y música de fondo, SINPO 34433. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 20, 2006 in DXLD-ML) 7425 R. N Saharaui, 23:00-23:17, escuchada el 20 de Octubre en español a locutor con ID, programación y segmento musical, SINPO 45544. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 20, 2006 in DXLD-ML) 7425 Radio Nacional Republic Arab Saharaui, 2059-2105, October 21, Spanish, very nice local music, announcement by female, news at 2102 UTC, 25332 Very clear reception.- At 2118 UTC I head the station with SINPO: 35443 with talks in arabic. (A.Slaen-ARG Oct 21, 2006 in HCDX-ML) Radio Nacional de la RASD, 7425 at 2201 in SS, but poor in noise and suffering from deep fades as well. (G.Dexter-WI-USA Oct 2?, 2006 in DXplorer-ML) 1550 & 7425 Polisario Front's stn, Tindouf, ALG, now 0700-0900 (Fri. till 1000), but same menu evenings, i.e. 1700-2400, with the last hour for Castilian prgr. 1550 remains the only alternative here after dark as we get into the skip area for 7425. (C.Goncalves-POR Oct 26, 2006 in BC-DX 779) 7425 R. N. Saharaui, 18:10-18:15, escuchada el 30 de Octubre en idioma árabe a locutora con comentarios y emisión de música árabe, SINPO 34433. (J.Miguel Romero-E Oct 30, 2006 in DXLD-ML) Estoy recibiendo desde las 2300 éste último día de Octubre, la Radio Nacional de la República Democrática Saharaui, o la Estación del Frente Polisario, según sea el gusto, con señal inusual, como nunca antes, acaso con transmisor más potente, en su servicio en español, empleando fondo musical de Kenny G para leer poemas sobre los sueños. La mayoría de su repertorio de canciones versa sobre temas socio-políticos. No creo que sean buenas condiciones desde Africa, porque ni rastro de Conakry 7125, aunque sí estoy notando pero muy débil a Burkina Faso 5030. (R.Saavedra-CTR Oct 31, 2006 in DXLD-ML) ------------xxxxxxxxxx QSL Verifications xxxxxxxxxx------------ Qsl's - ASIA The following is "hot" off the Radio Free Asia printing press: A. J. Janitschek, Director of Production support at Radio Free Asia ("RFA") informs us that the station will be offering its 12th QSL card commemorating its 10th anniversary since their first broadcast back in 1996. That first program was broadcast in Mandarin Chinese on September 29, 1996. The new QSL features their new corporate logo. The card is scheduled for distribution from September 1 to December 31, 2006. RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports because they help them evaluate the signal strength and quality of transmissions. Reception reports can be submitted at http://www.techweb.rfa.org (follow the QSL Reports link), or e-mailed to the station at qsl @ rfa.org, or by postal mail to Reception Reports, Radio Free Asia, 2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036. Don¹t forget to request a current program schedule and a station sticker when writing (NASWA Flashsheet Oct 29, 2006 via DXLD 6-163) ............................................................... Qsl's - CUBA R Oriente Libre & La Voz de la Coordinado de Ex-Politicos Cubanos USA: RADIO ORIENTE LIBRE and LA VOZ DE LA COORDINADORO DE EX-POLITICOS CUBANOS programs via WRMI 9955. Large full-data MSC Cruises ship swimming pool card from Jeff White at WRMI confirming both in 18 weeks. (W.Craighead-KS-USA Oct 23, 2006 in DXplorer-ML) ............................................................... Qsl's - EASTERN EUROPE Radio Free Europe RFE-RL Jaszbereny 9520 kHz, Cartolina QSL in 37 giorni. No RP. QTH: Vinohradska 1 - 110 00 Praga 1 (Rep. Ceca). (L.Botto Fiora-I Oct 31, 2006 in CoRad Newsletter-ML) ............................................................... Qsl's - GAMBIA Save the Gambia 9405 kHz Save the Gambia (via Germany)- Verificada por WRMI - Qsl-card 180 dias (H.Goyena-ARG Oct 23, 2006 in ConDig 390) ............................................................... Qsl's - IRAN Radio Zamaneh Today I got a very nice picture QSL card from the iranian exile Radio Zamaneh (6245 kHz), Amsterdam, The Netherlands for my eRR. Full detailed QSL without location of the transmitter. (T.M.Rösner-D Oct 26, 2006 in DXLD-ML) 6245, R. Zamaneh, a beautifully designed, full-data QSL-card rcvd for an e-mail rpt with RealAudio recording. Card depicts a book with stn logo on the right, lstnr's full-data details on the left, and a small "QSL-card depicting a microphone" clipped to the top of the left-hand page. I sent my rpt to both contact@radiozamaneh.com and to stn director Mehdi Jami at mehdi.jami@gmail.com; Jami replied with an e-mail of tnx, saying he would send a card. (He also translated my rpt into Farsi and posted it on their website at http://www.radiozamaneh.com/blog/2006/09/post_17.html ) Card was accompanied by a separate white card from Jami, "Dear radio-lover," thanking for the rpt. Rcvd in 6 wks from Holland, return addresses on envelope given as: Linnaeusstraat 35-F, 1093-EE Amsterdam, and Postbox 92027, 1090-AA Amsterdam. (J.Berg-MA-USA Oct 26, 2006 in DXplorer-ML) I received one of my most beautiful QSL cards ever during the week. It is from Radio Zamaneh and pictures a book (The Holy Quran?) with a complete QSL text to the left and a very nice logo of the station (I think!) to the right. Also a small paper from Mehdi Jami, RZ Director, thanking for the "excellent report". Addresses on the envelope: Linnaeusstraat 35-F, 1093 EE Amsterdam Postbox 92027, 1090 AA Amsterdam, The Netherlands The first address is a good remembrance of the Swedish "Linneaus Year", celebrated over all Sweden next year! (B.Fransson-S Oct 28, 2006 in HCDX-ML) Today I received after 46 days a nice Persian style QSL-card of clandestine Radio Zamaneh on 6245 kHz by ordinary mail from Linnaeusstraat 35-F, NL-1093 EE Amsterdam, the Netherlands, signed Mehdi Jami, RZ Director. I sent my reception report by e-mail to contact@RadioZamaneh.com The Russian transmitter was not mentioned on the QSL. (A.Petersen-DNK Oct 28, 2006 in DXplorer-ML) ............................................................... Qsl's - ZIMBABWE SW R Africa SW Africa (Zimbabwe's Independent Voice), 4880 kHz, from 1700-1800 UTC. E-qsl, they include a .pdf file for printer. V/s: Keith Farquharson, Technical Manager, keith@swradioafrica.com He said that they´ll send me a qsl card. SW Radio Africa Ltd : PO Box 243, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 4WA, United Kingdom. Tel 020 8387 1406 : Fax 020 8387 1416 : e-mail tech@swradioafrica.com WEB: http://www.swradioafrica.com (J.A.Arranz Sanz-E via D.Monferini-I Oct 16, 2006 in Corad-ML) SW Radio Africa, 15145, e-QSL letter (F/D + power: 100 kW), in 3½ hours after follow-up report for 2005 reception, "Transmitter location is restricted for security reasons". V/s: Keith Farquharson. Thanks to: Juan Antonio Arranz S., Spain, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD 6-159 (R.Howard-CA-USA Oct 27, 2006 in DXLD-ML) ------------xxxxxxxxxx Miscellaneous xxxxxxxxxx----------------- Misc - AZERBAIJAN Threat to retransmission of BBC, Voice of America and Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe Reporters Without Borders today called on the Azeri government not to implement a 13 October decision by the National Council for Television and Radio to stop local radio stations Antenn and ANS and the Azeri state radio from retransmitting BBC, Voice of America and Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe programmes from 1 January. The ban also affects Voice of America TV programmes. "This decision is targeted at international media whose independence the Azeri government seems to fear," the press freedom organisation said. "The National Council for Television and Radio is unfortunately under the control of the political authorities, who seem to want to limit the influence of western media, above all. The 13 October decision does not affect Russian stations (ORT and RTR) and Turkish ones (TRT and STV) that are less critical of the Azeri government." The Azeri authorities say the media affected by the order do not have the required broadcasting licence. But article 14 of the radio and TV law states that a licence is only required if a media broadcasts all its programmes, which is not the case with these radio and TV stations. Each is only retransmitted for 30 to 45 minutes a day. Firdevs Robinson, the editor of the BBC World Service’s Central Asia and Caucasus Service told Reporters Without Borders that the BBC had been broadcasting in Azerbaijan since the mid-1990s and had never needed its own licence. "We respect Azeri law and we will try to meet our legal obligations," she said. "We hope the implementation of this decision will not result in our programmes being interrupted. If it does, it could be seen as another example of harassment of independent media in Azerbaijan." Press freedom activists have also been harassed in recent weeks. Emin Husseynov, the head of the Institute for the Freedom and Safety of Reporters, who has been campaigning for imprisoned satirical journalist Sakit Zahidov, has been warned "not to be so active." http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19280 (RSF via A.Gupta-IND Oct 17, 2006 in CDX-ML) ............................................................... Misc - CUBA Radio Marti Airs First Time Civil Rights Broadcast http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_296193157.html Ileana Varela Reporting (CBS4) MIAMI An unprecedented broadcast was scheduled for Monday evening. A broadcast that brings together Afro-Cubans and Afro-American civil rights leaders together for the first time to discuss the plight of Afro-Cubans in Cuba. The broadcast will air on Radio Marti, the radio station used by the U.S. government to send messages to Cuba. The live video conference will be hosted by participants in South Florida and Havana discussing the uncertain future of Cuba and its people. CBS4's Ileana Varela spoke to Dr. James Meredith who is best known as the first African-American student at The University of Mississippi and is also taking part in the conference. "The Cuban blacks are probably as bad off as any blacks that there are in the whole world," said Meredith. "That's why I say that the improvement of the conditions for blacks in Cuba will result in the improvement for blacks in all of Latin America." Meredith, along with other African-American panelists, with talk via satellite with Afro-Cuban participants in Havana; an unprecedented event. Varela reported that many Cubans are of African decent and many have complained over a lack of support from the American blacks. Meredith blames this notion on a lack of communication between and among the various black communities. (CBS 4 via Z.Liangas-GRC Oct 24, 2006 for CRW) NUNCIA DIRECTOR DE OCB INICIO DE TRANSMISIONES DE TV MARTI A CUBA --- 24 de Octubre de 2006 COPIADO DE _Martí Noticias_ http://martinoticias.com/ocbstory.asp?MediaID=39383 Las transmisiones de Televisión Martí hacia Cuba se realizan a partir de este martes desde una moderna plataforma aérea. El director de la Oficina de Transmisiones a Cuba, doctor Pedro Roig, hizo el anuncio durante un acto realizado en Cayo Hueso, en el extremo sur de Estados Unidos. Al informar sobre el envío de la señal televisiva con equipos de alta calidad, Roig dijo que TV Martí transmitirá en vivo todos los juegos de la Serie Mundial de pelota, que los cubanos pueden disfrutar en sus hogares por el Canal 20. Añadió que esta histórica transmisión marca el inicio de la programación regular de Televisión Martí en vivo, seis días a la semana, en las horas de mayor audiencia. El doctor Roig precisó que las transmisiones serán de lunes a sábado, de 6:00 p.m. a 11:00 p.m., y que incluyen dos noticieros. De esta manera, TV Martí contribuye a la misión de romper el monopolio de la dictadura sobre la información que recibe el pueblo cubano, enfatizó el director de la Oficina de Transmisiones a Cuba. Palabras del doctor Pedro Roig director de la Oficina de Transmisiones a Cuba durante el anuncio de la nueva plataforma. (via O.de Céspedes-FL-USA Oct 24, 2006 in Condig-ML via DXLD 6-159) TV MARTI DESEA ROMPER BLOQUEO INFORMATIVO CON UN NUEVO AVION Máximo Tomás, Dept. de Investigaciones La Nueva Cuba, Octubre 26, 2006 http://www.lanuevacuba.com/nuevacuba/notic-06-10-2670.htm Con el propósito de transmitir información y programas en directo a Cuba, Televisión Martí dispone ahora de un nuevo avión del Gobierno de EEUU que pretende eludir las interferencias de La Habana. 'La transmisión desde este moderno avión es un esfuerzo para que TV Martí pueda romper el bloqueo informativo de la dictadura cubana', dijo el martes Pedro Roig, director de la Oficina de Transmisiones hacia Cuba (OCB). Se trata de un avión bimotor Gulfstream G-1, equipado con un equipo de alta tecnología, que puede 'recibir señales en vivo desde un satélite y transmitir' a los hogares de Cuba, dijo hoy a Efe Alberto Mascaró, jefe de personal de las estaciones. La gran ventaja de esta nueva aeronave respecto al avión militar C-130 que opera actualmente es que el primero 'transmite en vivo' y la 'señal va directamente a las casas, que no necesitan antena especial', declaró Mascaró. La aeronave volará dentro de territorio estadounidense y efectuará las transmisiones televisivas seis días a a semana en horario de tarde y noche, entre las 18.00 horas (2200 GMT) y las 23.00 horas (0300 GMT). [BTW, http://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst2006b.html indicates that unlike last winter, Cuba will be going off DST of UT- 4 Oct 29, the same night as in US & Canada, back to UT -5. Does not yet show a date for DST to resume in first half of 2007, but that date has not usually matched NAm, as I recall --- gh] El martes se produjo la primera prueba de emisión desde la nueva aeronave, con la transmisión de un 'noticiero y unas palabras del secretario de Comercio de EEUU, Carlos Gutiérrez,' detalló Mascaró, quien informó también de que se había transmitido 'un juego de la Serie Mundial de pelota (béisbol)'. El nuevo avión Gulfstream G-1, bautizado Aeromartí, transmitirá por el canal 20 la señal de TV Martí 'a la zona central y oeste (hasta Pinar del Río) de Cuba', pero no cubrirá el este de la isla. 'El pueblo cubano podrá ver la realidad gracias a esta ventana abierta al mundo libre', subrayó Mascaró. El coste operativo anual de la nueva aeronave ascenderá a cuatro millones de euros. El proyecto de Radio y TV Martí se creó mediante la Ley estadounidense de Transmisiones Radiales para Cuba de 1983, durante la presidencia de Ronald Reagan, y Radio Martí comenzó a transmitir en mayo de 1985 desde Washington. TV Martí empezó a principios de agosto las transmisiones televisivas diarias hacia Cuba desde un avión C-130, y, a manera de prueba, emitió un mensaje de la secretaria de Estado, Condoleezza Rice, al pueblo cubano para garantizarle que podía contar con el apoyo incondicional de Washington en su lucha por la democracia. Terra Actualidad - EFE (via O.de Céspedes-FL-USA Oct 26, 2006 in Condig-ML via DXLD 6-159) RADIO AND TV MARTÍ BEGIN AIRCRAFT BROADCASTS BY PABLO BACHELET Posted on Thu, Oct. 26, 2006 RADIO AND TV http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/15849856.htm WASHINGTON - Radio and TV Martí have officially launched their new aircraft-based broadcasts with a program sure to please their Cuban audiences -- baseball's World Series. The new G1 twin turboprop, based in Key West, is to be airborne between 6 and 11 every night except Sunday in an attempt to bypass Cuban government jamming of the stations' previously stationary broadcasting facilities. After several weeks of testing, the aircraft officially began beaming the regular Martí broadcasts Tuesday, starting with Game 3 of the World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers. Although Cubans could rarely view the previous land-based broadcasts because of the government jamming, anecdotal evidence suggests some have been receiving the airborne transmissions, especially outside the Havana area, said the stations' chief of staff and spokesman, Alberto Mascaro. ''We did have some reports in the last few weeks of reception,'' he said in a telephone interview during a trip to Washington. The Bush administration hopes the aircraft, which replaces broadcasting blimps once tethered in the Florida Keys but destroyed by hurricanes, will prove a more robust platform for defeating the Cuban jamming. Some Cuban-American activists have long lobbied for the shift to aircraft. But the aircraft is still restricted to flying within U.S. airspace to avoid violating international broadcasting regulations. Some Cuban-American lawmakers are pushing the administration to let the plane fly in international airspace, which would make it even harder on the Cuban jammers. The Cuban government has argued that all Radio and TV Martí broadcasts are illegal. Last week, Cuba's acting ambassador before the United Nations, Ileana Núñez, told the General Assembly that on Aug. 11, Cuba detected simultaneous broadcasts from two aircraft in the 213 MHz frequency that interfered with island stations. Mascaro said the new aircraft is broadcasting on TV's Channel 20 frequency and will not broadcast Radio Martí on the FM frequency. The plane is also capable of broadcasting live Martí signals (miami.com Oct 26, 2006 via kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD 6-159) RADIO AND TV MARTI --- SIGN OFF EXPENSIVE AND UNSEEN BROADCASTS By Vincent Parascandolo October 28, 2006 http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-18forum19oct28,0,1482375,print.story Of all the resources spent on U.S. policy toward Cuba, Radio and TV Martí are probably two of the most egregious examples of wasted taxpayer money -- nearly a half-billion dollars squandered on television and radio transmissions to the island and reaching virtually no audience. Up to and including fiscal year 2007, appropriations exceeded $465 million. And they continue to get sizeable and increasing appropriations every year. Since 1990, the budget for broadcasting to Cuba has risen 87 percent. According to Lawrence K. Grossman, a former president of NBC News and PBS, a study conducted for the Broadcasting Board of Governors in 2001 showed that out of the 1,000 Cubans asked if they had watched TV Martí in the past week, 997 said they had not. In 2005, the International Broadcasting Bureau commissioned a telephone survey in which a mere 13 of 1,589 Cuban respondents said they had watched TV Martí within the past year. Even if one accepts the questionable notion that TV Martí might serve a worthwhile cause, one cannot deny that the television station has virtually no viewership, because the Cuban government jams the transmissions. In October 2000, Sen. Max Baucus of Montana declared before the deliberative body, "For nine and a half million dollars in the coming fiscal year, $139 million over the last decade, another hundred million dollars over the next decade, we ask Cubans to get up in the middle of the night to watch snow on a blank screen. This makes no sense at all." TV Martí seems to be a matter of giving the BBG and its staff extra jobs and salaries, and pandering to voters in Miami, which helps win elections in Florida. TV and Radio Martí have no perceptible positive impact in achieving U.S. policy goals toward Cuba. Every time Congress reduces budgets for education, the environment and social welfare, while providing TV Martí with increasing annual appropriations, it abets a major misguided allocation of public resources. Since August 2001, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard has been regularly beaming radio and TV broadcasts into Cuba. More recently, in December 2005, Congress approved $10 million to purchase a new Commando Solo C-130, in addition to the $28 million to cover operating expenses for Radio and TV Martí. Is this not an unnecessary diversion of resources, given our major commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan? Are not the Air National Guards across the country already stretched thin from their commitment in the Middle East? Martí represents, the transmission remains most popular among the militant and vehement anti-Castro Cubans, who are also the group presidential hopefuls pander to to win the crucial Cuban vote. Ultimately, our National Security is being compromised through a serious misallocation and waste of resources to satisfy the demands of one interest group. The country deserves a serious re-examination of the merits of TV Martí. Unfortunately, there have been indications from the Bush administration that the use of expensive military aircraft for TV Martí transmission will not abate. In Roger F. Noriega's 2004 Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba report to the president, he laid out the government's long-term plan: "Over the long-term, the commission recommends making available funds to acquire and refit an aircraft for dedicated airborne radio and television transmissions into Cuba." TV Martí should at least be eliminated as a government expenditure. The Cuban exile community is known for its entrepreneurial accomplishments since the late 19th century, when they populated Tampa as tabaqueros. They also have a long record of successful fundraising; therefore, if the Cuban exile community wants to air TV Martí, let them pay for it. Radio Martí's shortwave radio beams do at least reach Cuba. And although the newscast is given little credence by the locals, according to surveys cited in the BBG annual report for 1999, 9 percent of adults (15 years and older) questioned in 1998 and 1999 reportedly listened to Radio Martí at least once a week. From these interviews, the surveys estimated that Radio Martí reached about three-quarters of a million Cubans across the island -- a market share that does not warrant the high cost to the American taxpayer. TV and Radio Marti represent an unseemly waste of national revenue and compromise our national security by diverting military and defense resources. The U.S. government ought to acknowledge that TV Martí enjoys no viewers, while its radio counterpart has a trifling listenership, not enough certainly to justify hundreds of millions of taxpayers' dollars. Vincent Parascandolo is a research assistant at the Center for International Policy in Washington, D.C. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel via M.Cooper-GA-USA Oct 28, 2006 in DXLD 6-164) USA: Commentator slams Radio and TV Marti as a waste of money Text of report in English by Radio Netherlands website on 29 October Vincent Parascandolo, a research assistant at the Center for International Policy in Washington, DC writes: "Of all the resources spent on US policy toward Cuba, Radio and TV Marti are probably two of the most egregious examples of wasted taxpayer money - nearly a half-billion dollars squandered on television and radio transmissions to the island and reaching virtually no audience." In a commentary published in the Fort Lauderdale newspaper Sun-Sentinel, Parascandolo says that "TV Marti seems to be a matter of giving the BBG [Broadcasting Board of Governors] and its staff extra jobs and salaries, and pandering to voters in Miami, which helps win elections in Florida." Source: Radio Netherlands website, Hilversum, in English 29 Oct 06 (BBCM Oct 29, 2006) ............................................................... Misc - IRAQ IRAQI MEDIA GUIDE - UPDATED OCTOBER 2006 Since the overthrow of Saddam Husayn in 2003, there has been a profound transformation in the Iraqi media scene. Instead of a few, tightly-controlled media outlets, Iraqis now have a choice of hundreds of printed publications and dozens of radio stations and television channels, broadcasting from both inside and outside the country. After the rapid expansion in the number of Iraqi media sources, the divisions and increasing polarization in the political arena are making themselves evident in the media as well. Media development and violence In 2006, the US-based media watchdog Freedom House rated the media in Iraq as "not free." The "ferocious and systematic attacks" on journalists and media outlets in Iraq undermine any attempts to establish democracy in the war-torn country and overcome decades of oppression and violence, the head of the United Nations organization entrusted with defending freedom of the press has warned. "The international community and the authorities in Iraq must take determined action to support the media," said UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura, according to the http://adnki.com website. Since March 2003, a lack of rules and protection, together with a wave of sectarian influence, are among the biggest problems facing the Iraqi news media, according to a report posted on the Washington-based International Journalists' Network (IJNet) website. The report highlights the conditions of Iraqi media professionals who face threats, physical danger and financial difficulties. It says print and broadcast media in Iraq are primarily controlled by sectarian, religious or political groups. Iraqi media organizations, either government-run or funded by religious or political groups, are frequent targets for militant groups, Reuters reported on 12 October. International media watchdogs, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), have estimated the number of journalists and media staff killed in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003 now exceeds 150, with some 51 journalists kidnapped. Reporting in January 2006 that Iraq was "a death trap for journalists", the IFJ has subsequently warned that targeted attacks on Iraqi media are increasing. The financial viability of media companies in Iraq, especially television channels, is also seriously affected by the security situation. The general director of Ashur TV, William Warda, told Middle East Broadcasters Journal that between 15 and 20 per cent of the channel's budget was spent on security-related issues such as guards and employee protection schemes. Just as many Western media organizations have reduced their presence in Iraq because of the continuing violence, a number of Iraqi satellite broadcasters have chosen to base themselves abroad, in Dubai, Beirut and Cairo. Broadcasters linked to other organizations Media observers have reported that Iraqi viewers are exposed to a daily dose of violence and often-negative impressions of the US role in Iraq through a wide range of programming. However, approaches vary widely in accordance with each Iraqi channel's political orientation and degree of independence, according to observers. Violence is most evident on the Iraqi channels independent of the Iraqi government - Al-Sharqiyah and the Sunni-orientated channels, Baghdad Satellite Channel and Al-Baghdadiyah. Lower levels of reporting on incidents of violence are on the pro-government channels Al-Iraqiyah and Al-Furat (Euphrates) - which work to maintain the appearance that the authorities are in control - and on the pan-Arab channels, where news from Iraq competes with world news. What is noticeable about Iraq is the number of broadcasters that are funded by, or at least associated with, religious and political organizations. These are less susceptible to standard market forces, and often broadcast terrestrially over a limited local region. In addition, journalists not only have to contend with the difficult conditions prevailing within Iraq, they also have to face the traditions of a journalistic culture in which the media have long seen their job as to promote the interests of their backers. A comparison of the two leading Kurdish channels illustrates this attitude. In Kurdistan, the Islamic Union of Kurdistan operates local channels in a number of cities. However, the leading stations in the region are operated by the two main, secular political parties. Kurdistan Satellite TV broadcasts in support of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Mas'ud Barzani. KurdSat TV supports the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan of Jalal Talabani, a long-time rival of Barzani and currently president of Iraq. Similar divergences can be detected in two of the main Iraqi Arabic-language TV channels, Al-Sharqiyah and Al-Iraqiyah. Al-Sharqiyah was set up by Sa'd al-Bazzaz, who held a number of top media posts under Saddam Husayn before leaving the country in 1992. Al-Sharqiyah is seen as reporting events from a Sunni perspective. Al-Iraqiyah was formerly known as the Iraqi Media Network. This was set up in 2003 by the Coalition Provisional Authority with the intention of providing a national broadcaster, but was viewed with distrust by many Iraqis because of its US connections. However, according to observers, since Al-Iraqiyah was handed over to the Iraqi government, it has become increasingly seen as presenting the view of the Shi'i-dominated government. One of the main Shi'i groups, the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, is linked with Al-Furat TV from Baghdad, Al-Nahrayn (Two Rivers) TV in Kut and Ghadir TV in Najaf. Al-Masar TV is affiliated with the Al-Da'wah Islamic Party, while at least two other stations, Al-Salam TV and Ahl al-Bayt TV, are associated with leading Shi'i clerics. Al-Furat frequently focuses on violence directed at the Shi'is, media observers report. Significance of the attack on new Al-Sha'biya TV On 12 October 2006, in what Reuters described as the biggest attack yet on media in Iraq, gunmen in Baghdad raided Al-Sha'biya TV, killing 11 staff members. AFP quoted an Iraqi government spokesman who described the raid as an act "which aimed to muzzle the [Iraqi] media". Yet, significantly, Al-Sha'biya TV had still to formally launch regular programming, and was broadcasting only music and advertising during a period of test transmissions. . Reuters reported that Al-Sha'biya is owned by the secular National Justice and Progress Party, which contested the last elections but failed to win any seats. Al-Sha'biya's executive manager, Hassan Kamil, stressed the station had no political agenda and that the staff had been a mix of Sunnis, Shi'is and Kurds. Despite this secular mix of staff, the Associated Press reported Al-Sha'biya had a reputation among Shi'is as a "Sunni channel" broadcasting patriotic songs calling for Iraqi unity - but also songs denouncing the US "occupation." According to Associated Press, that may have convinced Shi'i militias that Al-Sha'biya supported Sunni insurgents. Reporters Without Borders, quoting "local sources", said the attack could have been carried out by a Shi'i group as Al-Sha'biya TV was funded by Libyan capital. Iraqi government sensitive to criticism On 3 January 2006, the state-controlled public service TV channel Al-Iraqiyah aired a report which claimed that "some" satellite channels may influence people into "committing criminal and terror acts" through the transmission of "suggestive material". The channel condemned, without naming them, television channels whose programmes are "driving misled people into committing criminal and terror acts". The station called acts such as abduction, robbery and killing "against Islam", and blamed television channels - and in particular "world satellite channels" - that routinely reported and showed graphic images of such activities for influencing people into taking up crime as "a kind of hobby". RSF has reported that Iraqi authorities find it hard to tolerate critical comments made by pan-Arabic TV stations. The Baghdad bureau of Dubai-based Al-Arabiya was closed on the orders of the Iraqi government between 7 August and 12 October 2006 and the Baghdad bureau of Qatar-based Al-Jazeera has been closed since August 2005. Al-Sharqiyah Television on 16 October, quoting from a Reuters report, announced that "a statement issued by the Iraqi Council of Representatives on Monday, [16 October], called on the Iraqi prime minister to take action to close the Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah Television and Al-Zaman newspaper for their coverage of the parliament's session, which witnessed the passing of the Regions Law last week". The Reuters statement added that "in their coverage, the television channel and the newspaper claimed that the law will lead to the partitioning of Iraq and drowning it in a civil war...". On 14 June 2006, the Hewler Post newspaper in Arbil reported the closure of Harem TV by the regional government's ministry of culture. The station was closed because it "...has not been able to convey its message." TV audiences According to audience research sources, television is the most popular medium in Iraq, with ownership near-universal and an estimated 70 per cent of Iraqis having access to satellite TV. In 2005, US media market analysts InterMedia reported that ongoing hostilities had motivated Iraqis to seek accurate information about current affairs, resulting in higher television viewing rates and a big boost for satellite TV channels. According to InterMedia, the four most popular television stations in Iraq - Al-Sharqiyah, Al-Iraqiyah, Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera - are also the most important sources for news and information. In 2004, BBC audience research reported that Al-Iraqiyah was the most watched television station in Iraq, with a weekly reach of 84 per cent of adults. In contrast, InterMedia reported in 2005 that Al-Sharqiyah was the most-watched TV station. Among other leading TV stations, US government funded Al-Hurra (The Free One) with its dedicated stream of programmes for Iraq had a reach of 43 per cent and Iraqi stations Al-Furat and Al-Baghdadiyah had a reach of 22 per cent and 17 per cent respectively of sampled Iraqis, according to InterMedia. A US State Department-sponsored poll, published in 2006, examined Iraqis' preferences and audience trust in various TV media, based on religious and ethnic affiliation. Some of the key findings included: Shi'is tend to prefer local news from state-run Al-Iraqiyah; Sunnis tend to prefer local news from Al-Sharqiyah and are more likely to watch Al-Jazeera or Al-Arabiya. A majority of Shi'is prefer Al-Arabiya for its national and international news, followed by Al-Iraqiyah. Very few Shi'is use Al-Jazeera as their first choice for local, national or international news. Radio audiences Most international radio broadcasters have also seen an increase in their audiences, as they still dominate the radio market despite the proliferation of domestic stations, according to InterMedia. BBC audience research has reported that almost half of Iraqis said they never use the radio as a source for news and information. Among international radio broadcasters, US government-funded Radio Sawa was the most-listened to with a rating of 56 per cent of respondents, followed by BBC World Service and Radio Monte Carlo at 34 per cent each, according to InterMedia. InterMedia has reported audiences for domestic radio stations are low, as most stations are regionally-based or cater to specific political or religious groups. The leading domestic stations are: state-owned Republic of Iraq Radio (14 per cent reach); Radio Dijla (13 per cent) and Radio Nawa (10 per cent). Radio Basra (formerly Iraqi Media Network's Radio Nahrain, which broadcasts in Basra) is popular in the south of Iraq. PUK Radio is the official station of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party; it has a national reach of 9 per cent and a 42 per cent reach of ethnic Kurds. Recent developments In August 2006, the Washington Post reported the US military in Iraq had invited bids for a two-year public relations contract that called for monitoring the tone of Iraqi stories filed by US and Middle Eastern media. The multimillion dollar contract was awarded to US-based Lincoln Group and is to promote more positive coverage of news from Iraq and designed to help coalition forces understand "the communications environment". Al-Iraqiyah on 30 August 2006 broadcast a report about IMN inaugurating the Al-Jil (Generation) and Shahrazad radio stations. During the report, IMM director Habib al-Sadr said that IMN will establish six new studios, which will be prepared to host six new satellite channels. The Iraq Freedom Congress is planning to launch a Baghdad-based satellite TV channel, Al-Sanna (Light). Broadcasting for an hour a week in Arabic, programme content will feature secular values and issues such as democracy and human rights, according to the Iraq Freedom Congress. Cairo-based (and privately owned) Al-Rafidayn (Tigris and Euphrates) satellite channel launched on 10 April 2006. The station has a website at http://www.alrafiden.tv Umm al-Qura (The Centre of Villages - often used to refer to Mecca) was reported to have launched in Baghdad in March 2006. Broadcasting on 810 kHz, Umm Al-Qura is believed to be the official radio station of the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq. Dubai-based Al-Fayhaa television, ("The Vast", one of the Arabic names for Basra), whose target audience was primarily in the southern, largely Shi'i, areas of Iraq, carried the following "urgent news" as a screen caption at 1030 gmt on Monday 9 October 2006: "Dubai Media City notifies Al-Fayhaa channel to end transmission at 2400 tonight." On 15 May 2005, one of the station's announcers had said that it would be forced to close following the UAE government's decision not to renew its licence. Internet The internet scene is rapidly changing. Numerous privately-owned cybercafés have opened, mainly in Baghdad. Weekly internet use grew by 300 per cent between 2004-2005, most users logging on in internet cafes or the workplace, according to InterMedia. However, there were still only about 36,000 internet users as of January 2006, according to ITU figures cited on the website http://www.internetworldstats.com Leading Iraqi television stations Al-Iraqiyah, formerly known as Iraqi Media Network television launched on 13 May 2003. The station now broadcasts 24-hours a day. IMN TV was renamed Al-Iraqiyah TV in November 2003. The station is available on different channels in 26 major cities and towns across Iraq and via satellite. For channel details, see the IMN website at http://www.iraqimedianet.net Al-Sharqiyah, launched in March 2004 and is owned by Iraqi businessman Sa'd al-Bazzaz, who is also the publisher of the Arabic-language daily newspaper Al-Zaman. The channel began regular transmission on 4 May 2004. It describes itself as "the first private, national media project that does not represent any political, ethnic or sectarian group". Al-Sharqiyah is a channel with an Iraqi flavour. The channel's newscasts focus on developments in Iraq and the political, economic and social conditions there. Between newscasts, the channel carries talk shows and interviews, Iraqi music and drama programmes and cartoons for children. All drama series are Iraqi in terms of production, actors and dialect. The only non-Iraqi content is the cartoons. Al-Sharqiyah does not air religious programming and does not carry the calls for prayers or Friday sermons. The channel frequently broadcasts the slogan seen in its logo "Al-Sharqiyah - the truth television". Al-Sharqiyah broadcasts 24 hours a day via satellite and terrestrially. It has offices in Baghdad and Dubai Media City. The channel has a website at http://www.alsharqiyatv.com Al-Diyar TV, (The Homeland) began official transmissions on 20 June 2004. The station is run by Iraqi media figure Faysal al-Yasiri in cooperation with the pan-Arab satellite pay-TV service Arab Radio and Television Network, ART, which contributed to setting up and financing the new channel. ART is owned by the Saudi billionaire entrepreneur Salih Kamil. Under Saddam Husayn's regime, Faysal al-Yasiri served in various high-level media posts, including head of Iraqi Radio and Television. Afaq (Horizons) TV has been observed showing video footage in support of the Sunni Iraqi Islamic Party and the cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Babil TV (Babylon), has been observed carrying statements in support of the Sunni Iraqi Front for National Dialogue. Baghdad Satellite Channel, began transmission in August 2005 on the Nilesat and Eutelsat W6 satellites. Owned by the Al-Tawafuq Front grouping of political parties (the biggest Sunni political bloc), the station's ownership is reflected by its partisan programming, which opposes the US military presence in Iraq. Many of the station's programmes appear to be of an Islamic and political nature. The station's website at http://www.baghdad-tv.net is currently inactive. Al-Baghdadiyah is an Iraqi satellite channel broadcasting on the Nilesat, Hotbird and Badr 3 satellites. Based in Cairo, the station appears to be independent, having no obvious political leaning or affiliation. News is produced in Iraq, by Iraqis. Observers believe the station is backed by Iraqi Sunni businessmen, with some Egyptian investment. Programme content is neutral in tone, but the station does oppose the continuing presence of coalition forces in Iraq. The station's website is at: http://www.albaghdadia.com Ahl al-Bayt (The House of the Prophet Muhammad), a satellite channel aimed at Iraqi audiences, was noted testing on the Arabsat satellite at 26 degrees east since November 2005. On-screen captions indicate that the channel will be based in Karbala and air predominately Shi'i Islamic programming. Website is at: http://www.ahlulbayt.com Biladi TV (My Country) has been observed to carry programming in support of the United Iraqi Alliance. Al-Mirbad, a television channel based in Basra for the southern part of Iraq. Al-Mirbad radio and television launched in the south of Iraq in the summer of 2005 with the aid of a grant from the UK Department for International Development and technical, infrastructure and training from the BBC World Service Trust. All Al-Mirbad staff undertook an eight-week training course in Jordan with WST trainers, the Trust said. Al-Mirbad TV is available on terrestrial transmitters in Basra (Ch 59), Al Amara (Ch 42), Nasiriyah (Ch 46) and on satellite via Arabsat 2C, 11182 MHz vertical polarization, SR 2894, FEC 3/4 and 12518 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. Al-Anwar (The Lights), a Shi'i satellite channel, was observed on 15 September 2004 broadcasting test transmissions on the Nilesat 102 satellite at 7 degrees west. Al-Anwar was observed to carry the following two messages to describe itself: "Al-Anwar: A truth in the centre of the sky" and "Al-Anwar: Truth has only one colour." The channel has a website at http://www.alanwar.tv Al-Furat (The Euphrates), based in Baghdad, began test transmissions in June 2004. The channel transmits via satellite. In an on-screen message on 4 January 2005, Al-Furat described itself as "the voice of genuineness and moderation". Al-Furat was observed to express its total support for the election platform of the Unified Iraqi Coalition, which has the backing of Iraq's most senior Shi'i cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and whose electoral list comprises other key Shi'i figures such as Al-Sayyid Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim, Dr Ibrahim al-Ja'fari, Dr Ahmad Chalabi, Dr Ibrahim Bahr-al-Ulum, Dr Muwaffaq al-Rubay'i and others. The station has a website at www.alforattv.com featuring reception parameters, contact details and a live feed of the channel. InterMedia reports the station is owned by the Supreme Council for the Islamic revolution of Iraq (SCIRI). Al-Sumariyah (reference to Sumer, an ancient region of southern Mesopotamia in present-day southern Iraq) - This satellite TV channel began broadcasting from Beirut on 27 September 2004. The channel has stated that although it "operates under the licence of the Iraqi government", it would start its broadcasts from the Lebanese capital "for security reasons." Its shareholders are predominantly Iraqi. Al-Sumariya describes itself as "an independent satellite television which aims at showing the world the true face of Iraq, and not only images of violence." The station is owned by CET (Communication Entertainment and Television) SAL (Offshore), according to its website at: http://www.alsumaria.tv Nahrain TV is a Baghdad-based terrestrial TV channel which announced plans to launch in August 2004. Nahrain ("rivers"), was financed by an initial 25m-US dollar investment from Naguib Sawiris, chief executive of Orascom, an Egyptian telecommunications group. Orascom also owns Iraq's main wireless operator, Iraqna. It is operated by Video Cairo Sat, an Egyptian production company. Mohammed Gohar, the founder of Video Cairo Sat, told the International Herald Tribune in remarks published on 16 August 2004: "We have no agenda... We just want to inform and entertain and basically to help people to cope with their daily lives in what is a very shaky and chaotic situation." Nahrain's offices in Baghdad employ a staff of around 80, all of them Iraqi nationals. A poll published by the Egypt Times on 3 May 2005 claimed that Nahrain TV was the "most popular terrestrial channel" in Iraq. According to the International Herald Tribune, Nahrain's 10-hour daily programming schedule "includes ample doses of news and public affairs content... interspersed with musical variety shows, children's cartoons and recent Arabic sitcoms or dramas from Egypt or the Gulf". The station has a website at http://www.imnsr.com/ Arabic News Broadcast, a UK-based pan-Arab satellite TV channel. The channel is reported to have four regional bureaus in the Middle East and is believed to be uplinked from Beirut. ANB is a venture launched by a group of businessmen from different parts of the Arab world and has "the single goal of conquering the Iraqi market", according to the Transnational Broadcasting Studies (TBS) journal (spring-summer 2004). The general manager of ANB is Butrus al-Khuri, who states that ANB "is financed by a group of businessmen from Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine and Tunisia, and will depend exclusively on advertisements for revenue. It will not be based only in London, but will have centres in all of those countries. ANB's programming will be entirely in Arabic, except for one daily news bulletin in English, as well as a weekly talk show that will host an English native speaker." Al-Mashriq TV (The East), an independent television channel which started broadcasting in June 2004 on UHF channel 54 in Baghdad. Channel describes itself as "Al-Mashriq, the television of Iraq and Iraqis". Ashur TV (Assyrian), this terrestrial TV station transmits on UHF channel 45. It is run by the Assyrian Democratic Movement. The channel has been observed to carry a variety of programmes that include newscasts, science programmes, songs, drama series and other programmes. Ashur TV has a website at http://www.ashurtv.org Kurdsat television, broadcasts in Kurdish on UHF channel 30 and via the Hotbird satellite. It is run by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Al-Hurriyah (Freedom) television - broadcasts in Arabic on UHF channel 31. It is also run by the PUK. Kurdistan Television - received in Baghdad on UHF channel 33. It is run by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Karbala, is a local TV channel was launched on 16 April 2003, according to United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi TV on 6 May. Similar small-scale local channels are reported to be operating in Najaf and Kut, according to BBC News Online reporter Tarik Kafala, who visited the stations in June 2003. Ninawa TV was launched in mid-July 2003. The Baghdad newspaper Al-Ittihad reported on 14 July that an independent radio station called Ninawa Radio also operates. Mosul TV was the "first station" to resume transmission in Iraq after the overthrow of Saddam Husayn, Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya TV reported on 10 May 2003. Kirkuk TV channel started broadcasts on 23 April 2003 "under the supervision of the coalition forces", according to a report by the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) newspaper Brayati on 25 April. PUK TV in Kirkuk. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan launched a new TV channel in Kirkuk on 23 March 2004, the Baghdad newspaper Al-Mashriq reported. The report says that its broadcasts covers Kirkuk and surrounding areas. An official source at the station said that its goal was to enhance brotherly relations among ethnic groups in the city. He added that broadcasting will be in Arabic, Kurdish, Turkomen and Syriac to include all ethnic groups in Kirkuk. ATB TV in Kirkuk. Local TV channel ATB began test broadcasts in Kirkuk in June 2004, initially for eight hours a day. The channel is affiliated with the Kurdistan Communist Party. "ATB is the seventh television channel broadcasting to Kirkuk citizens, along with other channels affiliated with the main Kurdish, Islamic and Turkomen parties, in addition to Kirkuk Television, sponsored and supervised by the coalition forces. Moreover, Kirkuk has eight radio stations broadcasting programmes in local languages spoken by various ethnic groups in the governorate," the Baghdad newspaper Al-Ahali reported on 16 June 2004. Turkomaneli TV and radio was launched in Kirkuk in April 2003 and broadcasts on behalf of the Iraqi Turkoman Front. Turkomaneli Radio opened radio stations in Talla'far and Mosul on 6 and 8 May 2003 respectively, the Iraqi Turkoman Front newspaper Turkomaneli reported on 11 May. The channel is available on UHF channel 56 in Kirkuk, and on the Eurasiasat satellite at 42 degrees east. The channel operates a website at http://www.turkomenelitv.com Dijlah (Tigris) satellite channel, with headquarters in Mosul, launched at the start of August 2004. It broadcasts in Kurdish and Arabic. Zagros TV is a Kurdish language satellite channel, based in Arbil. Leading Iraqi radio stations Republic of Iraq Radio is the successor to Iraqi Media Network-Radio Baghdad, which was operated by the Coalition Provisional Authority. It is currently observed on air in Baghdad round the clock on 98.3 MHz FM, and for a shorter daily period (0500-1510 gmt) on 675 kHz mediumwave. It has also been observed in southern Iraq on 603 kHz. Republic of Iraq Radio started broadcasting via the 13 degrees east Hotbird satellite to Europe in April 2005, in parallel with transmissions on satellite. The station is also available with a live audio stream available from its website at: http://www.iraqimedianet.net Radio Dijla (Tigris Radio) is Iraq's first independent talk radio station and identifies itself as "Radio Dijla from Baghdad, the first independent Iraqi radio". Radio Dijla broadcasts on 105.2 MHz in the FM band in Baghdad, on a slightly variable schedule of 0800-0415 local time (0500-0115 gmt). The station is also available with a live audio stream available from its website at: http://www.radiodijla.com As far as can be ascertained, Radio Dijla is not available on satellite. The commercial station, which is the first independent talk radio station in Iraq, was founded by Dr Ahmad al-Rikabi, a former London bureau chief of US-funded Radio Free Iraq. After the Coalition war against Iraq in 2003, Rikabi helped to set up Coalition-run radio and TV stations in his role as head of the Iraqi Media Network. Radio Dijla carries a mix of programming including live phone-in programmes during which callers express their opinions on issue of concern to the Iraqi people and society; interviews; programmes on social issues; and Arab and Iraqi pop songs and entertainment programmes. During phone-in programmes, the announcers say: "Our opinion does not count, but what always counts is your opinion." According to a feature article in the London newspaper The Guardian on 10 June 2004, the station broadcasts in the local Iraqi dialect and not classical Arabic, and operates from "a modest family house somewhere in a western Baghdad suburb". The station claims to receive up to 18,000 calls a day, although it can only answer a fraction of that number. "It has become Baghdad's favourite," the Guardian reported, noting: "Radio Dijla has also become required listening for the country's new authorities." Voice of Iraq was launched in Baghdad in summer 2003, and is currently on the air at 0700-2100 local time (0400-1800 gmt). The station has a website entirely in Arabic at http://www.voiraq.com which states that the radio "covers an area with 12 million Iraqi inhabitants". The site adds, among other things: "The Voice of Iraq, which transmits from Baghdad on 1179 kHz, is the first independent radio in Iraq's history. It started transmitting on 15 July 2003 after a month of testing. The founders of the radio wanted the station to be a distinguished media organ in terms of both accuracy and objectivity, broadcasting all news reports and analysing developments in a serious, impartial, professional and unbiased manner. "The Voice of Iraq presents a wide variety of intellectual talks, field investigations, panel discussions and many programmes on various subjects. "The radio is eager to safeguard unity and amity among the Iraqi people following decades of attempts to foment sectarianism and practise murder and oppression against the majority of the Iraqi people and the rest of Iraq's citizens. "The editorial policy of the Voice of Iraq takes great care of the Iraqi people's national unity, encouraging close relations among the various ethnic groups - Arabs, Kurds and Turkomans - who must have equal rights without any form of prejudice. "The Voice of Iraq is also eager to strengthen relations with neighbouring states and peoples and promote them in a way that would eradicate the harm that the defunct regime's aggression against these states had caused." Al-Mustaqbal (The Future) Radio. This station is operated by the Iraqi National Accord movement (INA) and transmits from Baghdad on FM 95.5 MHz. The station no longer broadcasts on 1305 kHz. The radio describes itself as "the voice of the Iraqi National Accord." The INA movement has a website in English and Arabic at www.wifaq.com. Al-Salam TV and Radio from Baghdad. The following report headlined "This is Al-Salam television and radio from Al-Kazimiyah city" was published by the Iraqi National Accord newspaper Baghdad on 14 February 2004: "After the fall of the former regime and the end of the phase of propaganda media and obscuring the voice of others, Al-Salam Television and Radio station was established in Al-Kazimiyah City, in Baghdad, to broadcast programmes that call for love and harmony among the people of Iraq. "This station also provides people with useful media and reflects the wishes of the people from all ethnic, religious and sectarian affiliation within the framework of democracy and freedom of expression, which they were deprived of under the former regime, without favouritism or taking the side of any sect or religion, and without circulating this or that ideology. "The television station has started its daily test transmission on Channel 5 from 1600 until 2000. "This station has an elite range of well-known media figures, including announcer Amal al-Mudarris, director Ali al-Ansari, writer Sabah Ruhaymah, and announcer Samirah Jiyad." Al-Salam (Peace) Radio is on the air daily at 1000-2000 local time (0700-1700 gmt) 1030 or 1035 kHz mediumwave. It is not known if this station has any connection with a similarly named music station on 106.0 MHz FM, Al-Salam Radio FM. Dar al-Salam Radio (Haven of Peace) broadcasts from Baghdad and identifies itself as the radio of the Iraqi Islamic Party. The station was first monitored on 24 March 2004. Initial broadcasts focused on the activities of Iraqi Islamic Party leader Mushin Abd al-Hamid and Islamic issues. In its initial broadcasts, Dar al-Salam Radio highlighted the importance of Islam in Iraqi society. The station also aired religious songs. BBC Monitoring observed a station identifying in Arabic as Dar al-Salam Radio on 91.0 MHz in the FM band at 1400 gmt on 18 September 2004. Programming on this new frequency was in parallel with the mediumwave service on 1152 kHz, first observed in March 2004. "Telephone FM" is a new radio programme produced in the German capital Berlin by young Iraqis and targeting a youth audience inside Iraq. Since 10 July the 90-minute "Telephone FM" programmes has been five afternoons a week by the Baghdad-based private station Hot FM, which is on 104.1 MHz. As well as reports and interviews conducted by telephone for the most part and then compiled in Berlin, Telephone FM will air a mix of Arabic and mainstream Western music. The project is sponsored by the German Foreign Ministry, which has provided 102,000 dollars in aid. Al-Nas Radio (People's Radio) broadcasts nationally on 594 kHz from Baghdad, planning to open an FM outlet in June 2005. Rebroadcast's German external radio Deutsche Welle for four hours per day. Ashur Radio was first observed on FM in Baghdad by BBC Monitoring on 24 July 2004. Programmes in Arabic and Assyrian are broadcast at 0910-2000 local time (0610-1700 gmt) on 99.4 MHz FM in Baghdad. Ashur was one of the ancient capitals of the Assyrian Empire, situated on the River Tigris in northern Iraq. A clandestine radio station of this name broadcast on 9155 kHz shortwave prior to the 2003 Iraq war. Bilad Radio operates on 999 kHz mediumwave in Baghdad. Programming consists entirely of Koranic recitations and the call to prayer. The station is on the air daily at 0800-1600 hours local time (0500-1300 gmt). Radio Friendship, Voice of Iraqi Women (Radio al-Mahabbah, Sawt al-Mar'ah al-Iraqiyah), a Baghdad-based station aimed at a female audience, first noted by BBC Monitoring on 10 June 2005 on 96.0 MHz. Radio Nawa, launched in January 2005, broadcasts from Sulaymaniyah in both Arabic and Kurdish with a news and current affairs format. British Forces Broadcasting Service BFBS radio and TV stations are available as follows (all frequencies are in MHz): BFBS Radio 1 Umm Qasr 106.5 Shaybah 106.5 Basra 106.5 Al-Amarah 106.5 Baghdad 106.9 BFBS Radio 2 Umm Qasr 102.1 Shaybah 102.1 Al-Amarah 87.5 Basra 102.1 BFBS Gurkha Radio Basra 104.0 BFBS TV is available only via DTH satellite and closed cable systems. US American Forces Radio AFN-Iraq has been observed on 107.7 MHz in Baghdad with local programming, identifying on air as "Freedom Radio" and "Freedom Radio 107.7." AFN Radio on 92.3 MHz in Baghdad carries a separate non-local programme stream. AFN Radio is available on the FM band as follows (all frequencies are in MHz): Baghdad 92.3 (Voice Channel) & 107.7 (AFN-Iraq/Freedom Radio) Balad 107.3 Kirkuk 100.1 & 107.3 Mosul 105.1 Quyarrah/Q-West base 93.3 Sinjar 107.9 Tallil 100.1 (Voice Channel) & 107.3 (Bright AC) Tikrit 93.3 AFN-Iraq has a website at http://www.afniraq.army.mil The following are stations in operation before April 2003 that continue to be heard inside Iraq: Voice of the People of Kurdistan, operated by the PUK, currently broadcasts on 1206 kHz mediumwave and 4025 kHz shortwave, and also on 97.5 MHz in Baghdad. Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan, operated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), currently broadcasts on shortwave 6340 kHz and FM 91.4 MHz (Salah al-Din), 91.5 MHz (Arbil) and 93.3 MHz (Dohuk). This station also noted on 13 February 2005 broadcasting via the Hotbird 6 satellite at 13 degrees east. Radio Azadi, Voice of the Communist Party of Iraqi Kurdistan Voice of the Iraqi People, Voice of the Iraqi Communist Party - The station broadcasts from northern Iraq, possibly using Kurdish facilities. Radio from Iran in Persian and Arabic, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Egypt and Israel is also heard at times. Iranian broadcast media accessible in Iraq The following Arabic-language broadcasts from Iran may be available in Iraq. Television: Al-Alam (The World) is IRIB's 24-hour Arabic TV news channel, targetting a pan-Arab audience. It began broadcasting in February 2003, shortly before the start of the Iraq war. Its style of presentation is similar to that of the major pan-Arab satellite news channels such as Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya. It has bureaus in Baghdad and Beirut. Its news bulletins give extensive coverage to the Middle East, particularly Iraq and the Palestinian territories. In addition to satellite, it is broadcast from a terrestrial transmitter in Iran, making it easily accessible in large areas of southern and eastern Iraq and the only international channel available without a satellite dish. However, this fact is less significant than it was. An Intermedia survey in mid-2004 found that 78 per cent of Iraqi viewers had access to satellite dishes. Al-Alam's total audience reach was put at 15 per cent compared with over 60 per cent for the most popular channels, Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera. It only rated single figures for reliability and importance as a source of information. Al-Kawthar/Sahar TV - Sahar TV began as an international television service broadcasting news and general progamming on two channels in several languages with the aim of "delivering the message of the Iranian revolution to the outside world". In February 2006, Sahar 1 changed its name to Al-Kawthar (Fount of abundance, and the name of a Koranic sura). The revamped channel now broadcasts 16 hours a day in Arabic with the aim of promoting Shi'i Islam. Although the programming is mostly religious, the channel has four 20-minute news bulletins and some political discussions and phone-ins. It is transmitted on Hot Bird 3 (Europe) and Nilesat 102 (Middle East). Radio: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Arabic Service broadcasts 24 hours a day. It can be heard on mediumwave and on FM in some parts of eastern and southern Iraq. Leading international media Major international radio and television stations, such as pan-Arab satellite television stations, the BBC Arabic and World Service radio, the Paris-based Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East, US Radio Sawa and US-sponsored Radio Free Iraq are available in Iraq. BBC World Service is now 24 hours a day on FM in Baghdad and Basra. The FM frequencies for Arabic programming are 89.0 MHz in Baghdad and 90.0 MHz in Basra. BBC World Service in English can be heard on FM in Baghdad on 97.9 MHz, and in Basra on 88.0 MHz. Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East is on FM on 88.0 MHz in Baghdad for 24 hours a day. Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East can also be heard in Basra on 88.8 MHz and in Mosul on 88.0 MHz. Programming is mostly in Arabic, however with 30-minute news bulletins in French from Radio France International three times a day. Radio France Internationale started a relay of its French-language programme on 93.5 MHz in Baghdad on 16 February. Radio Sawa is on FM in Baghdad (100.4 MHz), Arbil (100.5 MHz), Mosul (106.6 MHz), Sulaymaniyah (88.0 MHz) and Basra (107.0), as well as on 1548 kHz MW from Kuwait. Panorama FM replaced MBC FM on 88.6 MHz in the latter half of 2004, both brands being owned by the Dubai-based Middle East Broadcasting Corporation. 98.8 FM is owned by the Channel 4 Radio Network, which is also based in the United Arab Emirates. Al-Hurra TV Since 14 February 2004 satellite viewers in Iraq and the rest of the Arab world have been able to watch a new US government-funded Arabic-language satellite TV channel, Al-Hurra (meaning "the free"). The station broadcasts free-to-air via the direct-to-home Arabsat and Nilesat satellites. It is also distributed via other satellites. In April 2004 a second channel, Al-Hurra Iraq, was added specifically for Iraqi audiences. It is available by satellite and terrestrially in Baghdad and Basra. Syrian Arab Republic Radio is the Syrian state-owned radio. The Main Programme broadcasts on shortwave on 12085 and 13610 kHz. It has also been heard in Iraq on the MW frequencies of 819, 828 and 918 kHz. Radio Kuwait is the state-owned Kuwaiti radio. It can be received in Iraq on the MW frequency of 540 kHz 24 hours. Leading print media The following is a list of the main newspapers published in Iraq. Although more than 250 newspapers and magazines appeared in Iraq since the fall of the former regime in April 2003, reportedly only about 100 are still publishing, many of them on an irregular basis. Two local dailies dominate the Iraqi newspaper market: Al-Sabah and Al-Zaman, InterMedia reports. The London-based Institute for War and Peace Reporting website reported on 18 August 2006 that selling - or reading - the wrong newspaper in the wrong neighbourhood could prove deadly. In a Sunni-populated area of Baghdad, threats by armed militants resulted in vendors ceasing to sell titles that dealt with Shi'is and Shi'i issues, including SCIRI's Al-Adalah; the Dawah party's Al-Bayan and the Sadrists' Ishraqat. Al-Adalah - daily published by the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq Al-Ahali - independent weekly; website - http://www.ahali-iraq.com Al-Basa'ir - weekly published by the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq; website - http://www.basaernews.com Al-Bayan - published by the Islamic Da'wah Party, chaired by prime minister Ibrahim al-Jafari; website http://www.idp-baghdad.org/bayan/ Al-Bayyinah - weekly published by the Hezbollah movement in Iraq Al-Da'wah - daily published by the Islamic Da'wah Party Al-Dustur - Independent daily published by former journalist Basim al-Shaykh Al-Furat - political daily; website - http://www.alfourat.com Al-Iraq al-Yawm - weekly newspaper published by Isra Shakir Ishraqat Al-Sadr - Islamic weekly associated with Muqtada al-Sadr Al-Ittihad - daily published by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Al-Ittijah al-Akhar - weekly of the United Nation Party, led by Mish'an al-Juburi; website - http://www.alitijahalakhar.com/ Al-Mada - independent daily published by Al-Mada Institution for Media, Culture and Arts; website - http://www.almadapaper.com Al-Manar al-Yawm - independent daily Al-Manarah - independent political daily published by Sawt al-Janub press, print and publishing institution in Basra; website - http://www.almannarah.com Al-Mashriq - daily published by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments Al-Mu'tamar - daily published by the Iraqi National Congress Al-Sa'ah - biweekly of the Unified National Movement, led by prominent Sunni cleric Prof Ahmad al-Kubaysi Al-Sabah - daily published by the Iraqi Media Network; website - http://www.alsabaah.com/ Al-Sabah al-Jadid - independent political daily; website - http://newsabah.com/ Al-Shira - independent daily Tariq al-Sha'b - political and cultural weekly of the Iraqi Communist Party; website - http://www.tareekalshaab.com Al-Taakhi - daily published by the Kurdistan Democratic Party Al-Ufuq - political daily published by Al-Ufuq Cultural Foundation; website - http://www.alufuqnews.com/ Al-Zaman - Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily; website - http://www.azzaman.com Al-Zawra - weekly published by the Iraqi Journalists Association Ansar al-Mahdi - Islamic political weekly affiliated with Shi'i cleric Muqtada al-Sadr Baghdad - daily published by the Iraqi National Accord Bahra - general political weekly of the Assyrian Democratic Movement; website - http://www.zowaa.org/BahraADM.htm Dar al-Salam - weekly of the Iraqi Islamic Party; website - http://www.dar-ussalam.net/ Sawt al-Ahali - political daily (published weekly for the time being) of the National Democratic Party Appendix One: Radio in Baghdad BBC Monitoring can confirm the reception in Baghdad of the following broadcasters as of March 2006: FM stations in Baghdad (all frequencies in MHz) 88.0 MHz Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East, in Arabic and French http://www.rmc-mo.com 88.0 MHz BFBS, Basra, in English. http://www.ssvc.com 88.6 MHz Panorama FM http://www.panorama.fm 88.8 MHz Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East, in Arabic & French, Basra. http://www.rmc-mo.com 89.0 MHz BBC World Service, in Arabic http://www.bbcarabic.com 89.5 MHz Turkoman FM, in Turkoman and Arabic. 0510-2200 http://www.kerkuk.net 89.9 MHz Radio Nawa. 0000-2400 http://www.nawartv.com 90.0 MHz BBC World Service, in Arabic, Basra http://www.bbcarabic.com 90.3 MHz Radio Al-Nur (inactive) 90.4 MHz Today Radio (ex-90.5 MHz) 91.0 MHz Dar al-Salam Radio. 0400-1700. (parallel with 756, 1116 kHz) http://www.darusalam.org 91.5 MHz Radio Rashid. 0300-2300 92.5 MHz Holy Koran Radio (IMN) 93.0 MHz IRIB Radio Javan network, in Persian 93.5 MHz Radio France Internationale, in French http://www.rfi.fr 94.8 MHz Radio Diyala (IMN). 0300-2000 95.5 MHz Radio Al-Mustaqbal. 0400-1600. (parallel with 1305 kHz) 96.0 MHz Radio Al-Mahaba, Voice of Iraqi Women 96.6 MHz Radio Anass (parallel with 594 kHz) (ex-96.3 MHz) http://www.radioannas.com 96.7 MHz IRIB Arabic Service 96.9 MHz BBC World Service, in English (ex-97.9 MHz) http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice 97.3 MHz Voice of the University. (ex-97.0 MHz) 97.9 MHz Freedom Radio. 0400-1500 (ex-97.5 MHz) Voice of the People of Kurdistan, in Arabic/Kurd/Turkoman. 1500-2100. (ex-97.5 MHz) 98.1 MHz IRIB Radio Payam network, in Persian 98.3 MHz Republic of Iraq Radio (IMN). 0000-2400 http://www.iraqimedianet.net 98.8 MHz Ur FM. 0000-2400. Owned by Channel 4 Radio Network, UAE. http://www.ur.fm 99.4 MHz Ashur Radio, in Arabic & Assyrian. 0510-1600 99.8 MHz Sumer FM. 0000-2400 http://www.sumerfm.com 100.4 MHz Radio Sawa. http://www.radiosawa.com 101.0 MHz Al-Ahd [Oath] Radio 101.5 MHz Congress Radio, Voice of the Iraqi National Congress 101.6 MHz IRIB Radio Javan network, in Persian 102.0 MHz Shafaq [Twilight] Radio, in Arabic & Kurdish 102.4 MHz Radio Free Iraq (RFE/RL)/VOA in English & Kurdish http://www.iraqhurr.org 104.1 MHz AFN Voice Channel, in English. (ex-92.3 MHz) http://myafn.dodmedia.osd.mil 105.2 MHz Radio Dijla. 0400-0015. http://www.radiodijla.com 106.0 MHz Peace 106 FM. 0000-2400 http://www.peace106fm.com 106.9 MHz BFBS Radio 1, in English http://www.ssvc.com 107.7 MHz AFN-Iraq ["Freedom Radio"], in English. http://www.afniraq.army.mil AM stations (all frequencies in kHz) 531 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 540 kHz Radio Kuwait Main Programme 549 kHz BSKSA General Programme 558 kHz IRIB Radio Farhang network, in Persian 567 kHz GTRK Volgograd, in Russian 576 kHz IRIB Arabic Service 585 kHz BSKSA General Programme 594 kHz Radio Anass. 0300-1400S (parallel with 96.6 MHz) http://www.radioannas.com 594 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 603 kHz Republic of Iraq Radio, southern Iraq. http://www.imnsr.com 612 kHz IRIB Arabic Service 621 kHz Voice of the Arabs, Egypt 630 kHz Radio Kuwait Koran Programme 639 kHz IRIB World Service, in Kurdish 648 kHz BSKSA General Programme 666 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 675 kHz Republic of Iraq Radio (parallel with 98.3 MHz). 0400-1410 (inactive since June 2006) 684 kHz BSKSA General Programme [2210] 702 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 711 kHz IRIB Ahwaz regional, in Arabic and Persian 720 kHz Voice of the Mojahidin 729 kHz Emirates Radio, Abu Dhabi, UAE 747 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 756 kHz Dar al-Salam Radio. 0400-2000. (1116 kHz, //91.0 MHz). Not audible in Baghdad. http://www.darusalam.org 765 kHz BSKSA Koran Programme 774 kHz IRIB Arak regional, in Persian 783 kHz BSKSA 2nd Programme 792 kHz VOA Rhodes, Greece, various languages [1845] 792 kHz IRIB Zanjan regional, in Persian 810 kHz Radio Umm al-Qura. 0300-1800S 819 kHz Syrian Arab Republic Radio Main Programme 828 kHz Syrian Arab Republic Radio Main Programme 837 kHz IRIB Isfahan regional, in Persian 846 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 855 kHz BSKSA Koran Programme 864 kHz IRIB Kermanshah regional, in Persian 864 kHz Trans World Radio, in various languages, via Armenia 864 kHz RFE/RL in Turkmen, via Armenia 873 kHz BSKSA Koran Programme 882 kHz BSKSA Koran Programme 882 kHz IRIB Mahabad regional, in Persian 900 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network in Persian 909 kHz Radio Basra (IMN). (formerly Radio Nahrain). http://www.imnsr.com 918 kHz Syrian Arab Republic Radio Main Programme 936 kHz BSKSA Koran Programme 954 kHz Radio Qatar 963 kHz Radio Kuwait Multilingual Programme 972 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 981 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 990 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 990 kHz Radio Sawa, Cyprus 999 kHz Bilad Radio 1008 kHz IRIB Semnan regional, in Persian 1017 kHz TRT-1, in Turkish, Turkey [2150] 1044 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian [2145] 1053 kHz Al-Salam Radio. 0600-1600. 1053 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 1062 kHz TRT-4 Diyarbakir, Turkey, in Turkish [1850] 1071 kHz Radio Babil (IMN), Hilla 1080 kHz IRIB Arabic Service [2215] 1089 kHz BSKSA 2nd Programme 1089 kHz GTRK Kuban, Krasnodar, in Russian 1107 kHz Voice of the Arabs, Egypt 1116 kHz Dar al-Salam Radio. 0300-1900S. (parallel with 756 kHz, 91.0 MHz) http://www.darusalam.org 1134 kHz Radio Kuwait Main Programme 1143 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 1152 kHz IRIB Radio Farhang network, in Persian 1161 kHz IRIB Arabic Service 1170 kHz Radio Sawa, via UAE http://www.radiosawa.com 1179 kHz Voice of Iraq. http://www.voiraq.com 1188 kHz Radio Payam network, in Persian 1197 kHz IRIB Moghan regional, in Persian 1206 kHz Voice of the People of Kurdistan, in Arabic, Kurdish and Turkoman 1215 kHz BSKSA General Programme [2130] 1224 kHz IRIB Arabic Service 1233 kHz Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East, Cyprus, in Arabic & French* 1242 kHz Radio Sultanate of Oman 1251 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 1260 kHz Radio Sawa, Rhodes, Greece 1269 kHz Radio Kuwait Classical Arabic Music Service 1278 kHz IRIB Kermanshah regional, in Persian 1287 kHz IDF Radio, Israel, in Hebrew 1295 kHz Voice of Azerbaijan in various languages - including Radio Liberty relay 1305 kHz Radio Al-Mustaqbal (parallel with 95.5 MHz) 1305 kHz IRIB Bushehr regional in Persian 1314 kHz BBC World Service in Persian, via Abu Dhabi 1323 kHz BBC World Service, Cyprus, in English 1332 kHz IRIB Tehran regional, in Persian 1341 kHz Radio Kuwait 2nd Programme 1350 kHz Transworld Radio, via Armenia, multilingual 1350 kHz Radio Russia, via Armenia, in Russian 1350 kHz Deutsche Welle, via Armenia, in Arabic [2100-2130] 1359 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 1368 kHz IDF Radio, Israel, in Hebrew 1377 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 1395 kHz Voice of Armenia, in Armenian 1404 kHz IDF Radio, Israel, in Hebrew [2130] 1422 kHz BSKSA Radio Riyadh, in English and French 1430 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 1440 kHz BSKSA General Programme 1449 kHz IRIB World Service, in Russian 1458 kHz Radio Tirana, Albania, in Albanian 1467 kHz BSKSA General Programme 1476 kHz Emirates Radio, Dubai, UAE 1485 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network in Persian 1494 kHz Radio Jordan General Programme (1700-0130) 1494 kHz ERA Rhodes regional, Greece, in Greek 1503 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 1512 kHz BSKSA Koran Programme 1521 kHz BSKSA General Programme 1521 kHz IRIB Radio Farhang network, in Persian 1530 kHz IRIB Radio Iran network, in Persian 1548 kHz Radio Sawa, via Kuwait 1575 kHz Radio Farda, in Persian, via UAE 1593 kHz Radio Free Iraq, in Arabic/VOA in English, Kurdish, Persian. Via Kuwait Appendix two: Basra broadcast media The following television and radio stations are believed to broadcast from Basra, as of August 2006. Television Al-Fayhaa - UAE-based service for southern Iraq. Broadcasts terrestrially on UHF Ch22 in Basra, and on the following satellites: Hotbird 2 at 13 degrees East, frequency 11747 MHz, horizontal polarization, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. Nilesat 102 at 7 degrees West, frequency 12226 MHz, horizontal polarization, SR27500, FEC 3/4. Website: http://www.alfayhaatv.net Al-Iraqiya - National network operated by public broadcaster Iraqi Media Network (IMN), not known to carry any regional programming. Broadcasts terrestrially on UHF Ch44 in Basra. Website: http://www.iraqimedianet.net Al-Mirbad - Independent broadcaster launched in August 2005. Broadcasts terrestrially on UHF Ch59 in Basra, Ch42 in Amara, Ch46 in Nasiriyah, and on the following satellites: Eurobird 2 at 25.8 degrees East, frequency 12518 MHz, vertical polarization, SR27500, FEC 3/4 Arabsat 2B at 30.5 degrees East, frequency 12505 MHz, horizontal polarization, SR2892, FEC 3/4. Website: http://www.almirbad.com (under construction). Al-Nakhil - Operated by the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), broadcasting terrestrially on UHF Ch26 in Basra. Website (SCIRI): http://www.sciri.org Voice of the South - Independent broadcaster operated by the Voice of the South Press, Printing and Publishing Corporation. Broadcasts terrestrially on UHF Ch33 in Basra. Website (associated Al-Manarah newspaper): http://www.almannarah.com Radio Al-Mirbad Radio - Independent broadcaster launched in June 2005. Broadcasts terrestrially on 93.3 MHz FM in Basra, 89.3 MHz in Amara, and on 101.4 MHz in Nasiriyah. Also on the Arabsat 2B satellite at 30.5 degrees East, frequency 12505 MHz, horizontal polarization, SR2892, FEC 3/4. Website: http://www.almirbad.com (under construction - live audio stream promised "soon"). Al-Nakhil Radio - Operated by the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, broadcasting terrestrially on 92.8 MHz FM in Basra. Website (SCIRI): http://www.sciri.org Radio Basra - Formerly British Army-run Radio Nahrain, now operated by public broadcaster IMN. Carries local programming and relays of IMN's national network, Republic of Iraq Radio. Broadcasts terrestrially on 96.0 MHz FM and 909 kHz mediumwave in Basra. Website (IMN Southern Region): http://www.imnsr.com Radio Shanasheel - Independent broadcaster airing political, cultural and religious programmes. On the air 19 hours a day on 1395 kHz mediumwave. Radio Shatt al-Arab - Has links with German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Frequency not known. Voice of the South - Independent broadcaster operated by the Voice of the South Press, Printing and Publishing Corporation. Broadcasts terrestrially on 91.6 MHz FM and 1044 kHz mediumwave in Basra. Website (associated Al-Manarah newspaper): http://www.almannarah.com Basra also hosts FM relays of the following foreign broadcasters: BBC, BFBS, Radio Free Iraq, Voice of America, Radio Sawa, Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East. Appendix three: TV stations in Iraq (Sound frequencies in MHz) [gh corrected some channel numbers] E5 175.25/180.75 MHz Al-Salam E6 182.25/187.75 MHz Al-Nahrain, Wasit-al-Kut E7 189.25/194.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah Television (IMN) 189.25/194.75 MHz Al-Ghadeer TV, Najaf E9 203.25/208.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah (IMN) E22 479.25/484.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah Television (IMN) E25 503.25/508.75 MHz Al-Ghadeer TV, Najaf E26 511.25/516.75 MHz Iraq Online TV 511.25/516.75 MHz Al-Nakhil, Basra E30 543.25/548.75 MHz Kurdsat, Sulaymaniyah E31 551.25/556.75 MHz Al-Hurriyah E33 567.75/572.75 MHz Kurdistan TV (KTVS) 567.25/572.75 MHz Voice of the South, Basra E36 591.25/596.75 MHz Al-Rashid E37 599.25/604.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah (IMN) E41 631.25/636.75 MHz Nahrain TV E42 639.25/654.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah, Mosul E44 655.25/660.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah, Basra E45 663.25/668.75 MHz Ashur TV E46 671.25/676.75 MHz Al-Hikmah E48 687.25/692.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah E51 711.25/716.75 MHz Al-Rafidayn E54 735.25/740.75 MHz Al-Mashriq (test transmission) E56 751.25/756.75 MHz Al-Diyar TV E61 791.25/796.75 MHz Al-Wataniyah E68 847.25/852.75 MHz Ahl al-Bayt, Karbala Source: BBC Monitoring research 27 Oct 06 (via DXLD 6-161) ............................................................... Misc - KOREA (NORTH) North Korea: Pyongyang threatens independent radio stations Text of press release by Paris-based organization Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) on 17 October Reporters Without Borders today condemned threats by North Korea's officials against the independent radio stations based in South Korea or the United States that broadcast programmes for the North Korean population. "It is unacceptable that a regime that allows no free expression should adopt a threatening tone with media that are trying to open a breach in the wall of censorship," the press freedom organization said. "We offer our full support for the independent radio stations broadcasting to North Korea and we call on the international community, especially the European Union and the United Nations, to support these courageous journalists and activists." On 12 October, a presenter on the North Korean TV station JoongAng Bang Song condemned the activities of South Korea-based radio FreeNK, which broadcasts on the Internet and short wave. Run by North Korean refugees, it broadcasts an hour of programmes critical of Kim Jong-il's regime every day. The North Korean TV station said FreeNK's activities constituted a South Korean violation of a declaration signed between the two Koreas on 15 June 2000 that was supposed to put an end to propaganda broadcasts on both sides of the border. At the same time, North Korea's official news agency, KCNA, whose website is hosted on a server in Japan, published comments by an unnamed spokesperson for the National Reconciliation Council criticizing three independent radio stations staffed by North Koreans, especially those supported by US organizations. The official condemned the "clumsy farce" by the US authorities and called on the South Korean government to put a stop to such radio broadcasting from its territory. Based in South Korea or the United States, radio stations such as FreeNK, Radio Free Chosun and Open Radio for North Korea try to inform their fellow countrymen despite airwave jamming and the limited level of Internet development in North Korea. In a report entitled "Journalism in the service of a totalitarian dictatorship," Reporters Without Borders has described the lengths to which the North Korean political police go to ensure that radio sets (which are pre-tuned to government stations and sealed before being sold) have not been tampered with. Nonetheless, the growing number of sets getting in from China allow some North Koreans to listen to South Korea-based stations or Radio Free Asia. Source: Reporters Sans Frontieres press release, Paris, in English 17 Oct 06 (BBCM Oct 17, 2006) ............................................................... Misc - SOMALIA Somalia: Closed Mogadishu radio said to have broadcast anti-Islamist programmes Excerpt from report by Somali independent Shabeelle Media Network website on 16 October The Union of Islamic Courts, centred in the capital Mogadishu, has seized a local FM radio stationed in north Mogadishu. The local FM, dubbed East African Radio, had belonged to former anti-terror coalition member Bashir Rage and had been known to broadcast anti-Islamist programmes. Mohammed Mohamood Moalim, one of the East African Radio administrators, has told Shabelle that Islamic Courts information secretary Abdirahman Ali Mudey, accompanied by the courts forces, raided the FM station. "Abdirahamn Mudey has ordered us to shut down the radio and then ordered his forces to confiscate all the transmission equipment," confirmed the radio administrator. Moalim also said that the order to shut down the radio was issued by the Islamic Courts executive council leader Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed. The Islamists have not been available for comment on the issue. After seizing power, Somalia's powerful Islamists had shut down Radio Jawhar in central Somalia for broadcasting love songs and music but the station was allowed to reopen after the Radio Jawhar owners agreed to obey Islamic Courts rules not to air any kind of music and songs. [passage omitted] Source: Shabeelle Media Network website, Mogadishu, in Somali 16 Oct 06 (BBCM Oct 16, 2006) Islamic radicals close down radio station Somalia's Islamic radicals closed down a second radio station today, just days after introducing strict new laws for the media in the war ravaged country. Militia raided East Africa Radio in the capital, Mogadishu, saying the station belonging to Bashir Rageh, who was part of a secular alliance of US-backed warlords who were ousted from the capital in June by Islamic fighters after days of bloody fighting. "The station was closed because it is the property of Bashir Rageh who was a member of the evil alliance," said Abdirahim Ali Mudey, a spokesman for the Islamic group. The Islamic group plans to allow the radio station back on air once "we make a change of administration," he said. On Wednesday the group, which now controls much of southern Somalia, imposed new rules on journalists which effectively gag them, said Paris-based press watchdog, Reporters Without Borders. Journalists face arrest if they breach the rules, which include not releasing information that could create tension between the Islamic group and Somalia's 8 million people. "I and my staff were very stunned by how the militia can just switch off the station," said Mohamed Mohamud Mo'alin, the radio's director. "They did not give us any reason why." Islamic militants temporarily shut down a radio station on September 10 for airing "music and love songs." Earlier this month the Islamists closed HornAfrik Radio station sub-branch in Kismayo, accusing it of incitement against the Islamic authority. Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, when warlords overthrew dictator Mohammed Siad Barre and then turned on one another, throwing the country into anarchy. The US has accused Somalia's Islamic group of sheltering suspects in the 1998 al Qaida bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Bin Laden has said Somalia is a battleground in his war on the West. (? via Z.Liangas-GRC Oct 18, 2006 for CRW) Somalia: Watchdog condemns latest press freedom violation Text of International Federation of Journalists press release on 18 October The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the latest attacks on media in Somalia, which included the closure of a radio station, the burning of newspapers and barring journalists from entering Somaliland. On Sunday 15 October, the Islamic Courts Council (ICC) shut down the radio station East Africa Radio in Mogadishu. According to the head of the ICC information office, Sheik Abdirahim Ali Mudey, the station was closed because of "misinformation and faults." He added that the ICC will appoint a new administration and workers for the radio station. The East Africa Radio was owned by businessman Bashir Rage Shirar, allegedly a member of the warlords defeated by the ICC in June. Shirar has been in exile since then. "We condemn the closure of East Africa Radio," said Gabriel Baglo Director of the IFJ Africa Office. "We urge the Islamic Courts Council to reopen the radio and let the original employees work safely and freely." On Saturday [14 October], 18 journalists from south-central Somalia and Puntland were detained for three hours at Egal Airport in Hargeisa, Somaliland, by immigration officers. The Somaliland authorities said they were not informed of the arrival of the journalists. The journalists were invited to a media workshop organized by UNICEF and WHO. The journalists were later allowed to enter Hargeisa, thanks to the intervention of the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA). The day before, an angry mob in the town of Buro in Somaliland burned more than a thousand copies of Haatuf newspaper for being critical of the ICC. The newspaper also received many phone calls from people threatening to burn down the newspaper's offices in Hargeisa. "We denounce the burning of Haatuf newspapers as a deliberate destruction of the newspaper's property and the refutation of open criticism" said Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). Tensions have been mounting in recent weeks in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland (northwest Somalia) as Islamist Courts have threatened to attack it. "We protest against the threats on Haatuf and the burning of the copies of the newspaper," the IFJ's Baglo said. "We call on the authorities of Somaliland to take strong measures to ensure this kind of press freedom violation does not happen again and to make sure that journalists can travel freely for their work." Source: International Federation of Journalists press release, Brussels, in English 18 Oct 06 (BBCM Oct 18, 2006) Somalia: Government militias arrest three journalists Excerpt from report by Somali independent Shabeelle Media Network website on 24 October Militias of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia [TFG] today arrested in Baydhabo [seat of the TFG] some journalists working with Mogadishu-based media organizations, and one journalist working with a radio station in Baydhabo. The journalists were performing their duties when arrested. The journalists went to Buur Hakaba [recently taken over by Islamic courts] and government militias arrested them on their way back to Baydhabo. The arrested reporters are Muhammad Adawe, who reports from Baydhabo for Shabeelle Media Network, Mukhtar Muhammed Atosh, who works for HornAfrik and Farah Muhammad Abukar, who works for Warsan radio in Bay Region [southcentral Somalia]. The main reason for the arrest of the reporters is not yet known. [Passage omitted] Source: Shabeelle Media Network website, Mogadishu, in Somali 24 Oct 06 (BBCM Oct 24, 2006) ............................................................... Misc - USA Pentagon media unit to push US message "around the world" Text of report in English by Qatari Aljazeera.net website on 31 October, subheadings as published: The US Defence Department is setting up a special unit aimed at influencing 24-hour news outlets and websites around the world to counter what it considers derogatory publicity, according to a memo. The Pentagon plans to focus more of its resources on so-called new media, such as the internet and web logs, or blogs under the scheme. It would also include new workers to book civilian and military guests on television and radio shows. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, Dorrance Smith, assistant secretary of defence for public affairs, said news teams of people will "develop messages" for the 24-hour news cycle and "correct the record". The Pentagon plan has been under development for months and comes as US voters prepare to vote next week with the war in Iraq as a major issue to decide whether the Republicans continue their control of Congress. Programme cost Eric Ruff, the Pentagon press secretary, did not provide the number of people to be hired or the programme's cost. He denied that the effort was set up to respond to the eroding public support for the war or that it was aimed at helping George Bush's Republican party members in next week's mid-term elections. He also said he would not call it an "information operations" programme, which is generally regarded as referring to a propaganda-type campaign. New construction began last Friday [27 October] in the E-Ring, the Pentagon's outermost corridor, to accommodate new staff for the unit. The Pentagon memo describes an operation modelled after a political campaign, such as that made famous by Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential race, that use "rapid response" action to answer opponents' assertions quickly. Another branch would co-ordinate "surrogates", usually high-level politicians or key interest groups who speak or travel on behalf of a candidate or an issue in US political campaigns. Rumsfeld's complaint Rumsfeld has complained repeatedly that the press focuses too much on bad news coming out of Iraq. During a trip to Nevada this year he said he was deeply troubled by the success of "terrorist groups" in "manipulating the media" to influence Westerners. "That's the thing that keeps me up at night," he said during a question-and-answer session at a naval base. Bush says America's enemies are monitoring US public opinion Ruff said Monday the reorganization, spearheaded by Smith, will help the department "set the record straight". Ruff said the effort grew out of Rumsfeld's criticism of the department's communications capabilities, which the secretary compared unfavourably to how quickly and effectively terrorists can get their message out. President Bush has also said recently that "terrorists" were trying to influence public opinion in the US, and called their efforts the "war of ideas". Public opinion Dick Cheney, the US vice president and one of the main architects of the war in Iraq, said Iraqi anti-US fighters had increased their attacks and were checking the internet to monitor American public opinion. "It's my belief that they're very sensitive of the fact that we've got an election scheduled and they can get on the websites like anybody else," Cheney told Fox News on Monday. US forces suffered one of the highest death tolls in October - more than 100 troops killed - since the war began in 2003. Amid bitter debate over the war in Iraq, US polls suggest that, in the 7 November elections, the Republicans could lose their majority in the 435-seat House of Representatives where all seats are being elected, and perhaps the Senate also, where 33 of the 100 senators will be elected. Source: Aljazeera.net website, Doha, in English 0000 gmt 31 Oct 06 (BBCM Oct 31, 2006) ------------xxxxxxxxxx Sources xxxxxxxxxx---------------------- Contributors: Anker Petersen, Gaku Iwata, José Miguel Romero, Wolfgang Büschel, Zacharias Liangas In order to unsubscribe please login to www.clandestineradio.com or to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crwatch/ and change your user settings.