THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM

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  This week we present Between The Lines' summary
  of under-reported news stories and:

  Humanitarian Aid Group Critical of U.S. Military Food Drops
  During Bombing of Afghanistan
  Interview by Scott Harris.

  Even before the September 11th terror attacks against New York and Washington, D.C. Afghan refugees were fleeing the nation's cities as a result of drought conditions, ongoing warfare, and repression at the hands of the Taliban government. Now, with the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan entering its third week - tens of thousangs of refugees are headed toward border areas with Iran and Pakistan - where 4 million Afghans have already sought sanctuary.

  Exacerbating the crisis is the fear among many Afghan civilians after U.S. bombs and missles struck non-military targets - including an aid agency's food warehouse, a United Nation's compound, an old age home and residential areas. While the number of refugees has not yet risen to worst case scenario estimates, there is concern that with winter approaching - upwards of 7.5 million Afghans will be at risk without adequate food, shelter or medical care.

  Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Nicholas DeTorrente, executive director of Doctors Without Borders' U.S. office, who critically assesses the Afghan refugee crisis and the Bush administration's decision to air drop military food rations over Afghanistan.

  Contact Doctors Without Borders by calling (888) 392-0392 or visit their Web site at: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

  Despite Sept. 11 Terror Attack, Protest Against
  U.S. Army's School of the Americas Will Proceed November 16-18
  Interview by Melinda Tuhus.

  For ten years, Americans have gathered each November in ever-greater numbers outside the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia to call for the closing of the U.S. Army's School of the Americas located there. The school, dubbed by its opponents as the "School of Assassins," has provided training to thousands of military officers from all over Latin America, many of whom have returned home to terrorize their own citizens. In an effort to mute opposition, Congress recently changed the facility's name to the "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation."

  Following the September 11th terror attacks against New York and Washington, School of the America's Watch - the orginization working to close the training facility - debated whether or not to hold their annual November protest.

  Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with SOA Watch founder Father Roy Bourgeois about the group's decision to go forward with their November demonstration, given the changed climate after the September 11th terror attacks and the statis of Congressional legislation to close the school.

  Contact SOA Watch by calling (202) 234-3440 or visit their Web site at: http://www.soaw.org/

  Murder of Mexican Human Rights Attorney Raises
  Questions about President Vicente Fox's Commitment to Democratic Reform
  Interview by Denise Manzari.

  One of Mexico's leading human rights attorneys was murdered on Friday, October 19th. Thirty-seven year old Digna Ochoa was shot in the head and leg in her office in Mexico City. A note was left by Ochoa's body warning members of the Miguel Agustin Pro Juarez Human Rights Center that the same could happen to them.

  After receiving several threats and being held and interrogated by unknown assailants, Ochoa left Mexico for six months to work in the United States, returning just this past April. Digna Ochoa defended alleged guerillas jailed during the 1990's, Zapatista sympathisers and two indigenous environmentalists opposed to illegal logging who were jailed on what they say were trumped up drug and weapons charges.

  In a recent press release Mexican President Vicente Fox condemned the murder and promised a full investigation, saying the government After taking office in December lof last year, and ending 71 years of one-party rule, Vicente Fox promised the people of Mexico a new democracy and respect for himan rights, a commitment now questioned by human rights groups.

  For more information visit the Universal Press Syndicate web-site http://uexpress.com

  This week's summary of under-reported news
  Compiled by Bob Nixon

  • U.S. National Security Agency eavesdropping on Saudi Royal Family reveals a corrupt regime in turmoil with a history of large contributions to radical Islamic groups.(New Yorker, Oct. 22, 2001)
  • Nicaragua's Sandinista Party presidential candidate Daniel Ortega has traded in his leftist ideals for secret deals and political patronage. (Mother Jones, Sept./Oct., 2001)
  • Signs of global warming evident all over Alaska. (The Internationalist, July 2001)

  Credits:
  Senior news editor/writer: Bob Nixon
  Program narration: Arch Currie
  News narration: Zelphia Hunter
  Distribution: Anna Manzo, Harry Minot, Jeff Yates
  Web editor/producer: Anna Manzo
  Executive producer: Scott Harris

... MORE ...

Commentary on America's Crisis, from the Producer

"Respond to Terror With a Revolution of the Heart"

"Respond to Terror With a Revolution of the Heart," audio file in MP3.

Between The Lines' Special Reports on Fallout from Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks

Special Report, Week Ending Sept. 21, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Sept. 28, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Oct. 5, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Oct. 12, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Oct. 19, 2001

Ali Abunimah, vice president of Chicago's Arab American Action Network, interview in RealAudio, Sept. 12, 2001

In-Depth News Analysis

Third World Traveler, Foreign Policy section, collection of resources on www.thirdworldtraveler.com

"They can't see why they are hated: Americans cannot ignore what their government does abroad" by Seumas Milne, Guardian Unlimited, UK's Special Report on Terrorism in the U.S., Sept. 13, 2001

In-depth Reporting and Analysis of Sept. 11 Terror Attacks

AlerNet.org

The Nation magazine

Mediachannel.org

Economic Globalization Resources

ZNet's Global Economic Crisis resource site Excellent source for understanding global economics and trade issues and particularly in preparation for ongoing demonstrations about economic justice

"The Fight for Everything" A series of interviews with activists and leaders of grassroots, progressive groups analyzing the goals, strategy and tactics of the global social justice movement

Multi-Ethnic Public Issues Advocacy

Dr. Earl Ofari Hutchinson's Commentaries, The Hutchinson Report

Between The Lines' 10th Anniversary CD