Destruction Is Lots Easier than Construction
EXTREMISTS SUSPECTED IN BURNING OF RADIO STATION
LOGAR PROVINCE , Afghanistan The Radio Istiqlal station in the Baraki Barak District here was burned down Aug. 11 after a night letter was distributed around town earlier in the week condemning music and decadent western-type behavior.
No one was seriously injured in the fire, although the station manager had burns on his hands and fee. All the studio equipment was ruined.
I tried to save equipment inside, but the fire was very strong and I was not able to save anything except for the generator which was located at the kitchen, said Lal Mohamad, station manager. I realized that my coat was burning and I stopped trying to put the fire out when I realized that my feet and hands were also burned.
Radio Istiqlal was established with its first broadcast in April 2004. This radio station was popular with the community and broadcast 10 hours of news and entertainment per day.
Radio Istiqlal broadcasted a variety of issues concerning the development of Afghanistan and the local community. Issues covered weekly included poverty, illiteracy, security, corruption, local governance, parliament and the opium trade.
There are days when I've wanted to burn down the local NPR station ... | Despite such a despicable act against free speech and information, the Afghan people will not be dissuaded from moving forward, said Col. Thomas Collins, Coalition spokesman. The extremists who perpetrated this crime are criminals who are against any form of individual expression, including simply listening to music or hearing local news.
Sounds like a reasonable place to deploy some US money.
Posted by: Glenmore 2006-08-14 |