THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM

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

Afghan Civilian Deaths, Injuries Resulting from U.S. Bombing
Could Undermine America's War Against Terrorism
Interview by Scott Harris.

Since the U.S. bombing campaign began against Afghanistan's Taliban government on October 7th, reports of a growing number of civilian deaths and injuries resulting from America's bombs, cluster bombs and missles have madenews across the world. But because many U.S. media outlets have decided not to focus attention on this issue, people in a number of Middle Eastern and Western European nations know more about the consequences of our military action than most Americans.

According to independent observers, U.S. air strikes have destroyed numerous non-military targets - including a United Nation's compound, a Hotel, Mosques, schools and dozens of homes and shops. Inexplicably U.S. bombs hit food warhouses operated by the Red Cross, not once but twice in 10 days. The Pentagon also destroyed the home of Taliban leader Muhammad Omar, killing his elderly stepfather and 10 year old son.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Geov Parrish, a columnist with WorkingforChange.com, who examines the growing civilian death toll in Afghanistan and the effect it may have on international support for the U.S. war against terrorism.

Geov Parrish' articles can be read in The Seattle Weekly, In These Times Magazine, and on the Web at: http://www.workingforchange.com/

Anthrax Danger Multiplied by Systematic
Underfunding of U.S. Public Health Care
Interview by Scott Harris.

Every day more cases of Anthrax are discovered among government, media and postal workers. While the numbers of people effected thus far are still relatively small, the nation's first encounter with biological warfare has called into question the adequacy of the public health system to deal effectively with this crisis and more serious future threats.

Over the last two decades, successive administrations - both Republican and Democrat - have systematically defunded the nation's public health infrastructure. Private, for-profit healthcare institutions with bottom line philosophies have replaced public hospitals and clinics open to all. The potential danger of fast spreading epidemics and biological or chemical terrorist attacks has been increased with many hospitals and local health departments both underfunded and understaffed.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Bruce Shapiro, contributing editor with the Nation Magazine and national correspondent for Salon.com, who discusses the anthrax attack and the ability of the U.S. public healthcare system to confront this threat and protect the public from more, possibly deadly, biological assaults in the future.

You can read Shapiro's articale titled: "Anthranx Anxiety" on the Nation Magazine's web site at: http://www.thenation.com/

U.S. Middle East Policy Angers
Much of Islamic World, Breeding Sympathy for Terrorism
Interview by Denise Manzari.

In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon on September 11th, the question "Why do they hate us so much?" was asked by shocked American citizens. That question was repeatedly answered by the Bush administration and a mojority of the corporate media - by stating that what was under attack was what we stand for: America's freedom and democracy. But while the United States wages its war on terrorism, the media has reluctantly begun to explore that question.

Most Americans have forgotten that the CIA covertly aided Islamic fundamentalist groups, or Mujahedeen, putting together an army to drive Soviets out of Afghanistan. Among Washington's allies in that battle was Osama bin Laden.

William Blum left the State Department in 1967 because of his opposition to the U.S. war in Vietnam. He's the author of "Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower" and spoke with Between The Lines' Denise Manzari about the history of U.S. Middle East policy in light of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

For more information visit the Common Courage Press web-site http://www.commoncouragepress.com or contact William Blum by e-mail at bblum6@aol.com

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

• Just a few years ago, the repressive Taliban regime was the darling of western oil companies eager to build a $2 billion natural gas pipeline through central Asia. ( MotherJones.com, "pipe dreams," October 12, 2001.)
• The African nation of Lesotho is prosecuting major European and Canadian construction contractors for offering large bribes to development officials. (World Press Review, "Taking Multinationals to Task", October 2001)
• Montana's Rocky Mountain Font under attack by energy corporations eager to exploit the area's natural gas reserves. (Forest Magazine, "Rocky Mountain Font in Peril," Sept/Oct 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