DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-046, March 20, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. 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Thanks, Glenn FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1174: Thu 2130 on WWCR 15825, Sat 0700 on 5070 Fri 1300 on WJIE 7490 Sat 0130, 0730, Sun 0030, 0630 on RFPI 7445 Sat 0900 rest of world, Sun 0530 Europe, 1500 N. America on WRN WRN ONDEMAND from Fri: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1174.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1174.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1174h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1174h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1174.html ====================================================================== NOTE: This issue exclusively covers news related to the war on Iraq. As prepared in haste, some of the material may be duplicative, especially from BBC Monitoring. Closing at 1913 UT March 20. ====================================================================== ** AFGHANISTAN. Afghan Reporter Detained, Beaten KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan journalist for a U.S. government-funded radio station was detained and beaten Wednesday by security forces in the western city of Herat, a U.N. spokesman said. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/5431331.htm (Posted on Wed, Mar. 19, 2003 via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** ALGERIA [and non]. NORTH AFRICA: RADIO STATION BEHAVIOUR North African radio stations monitored at BBC Monitoring between 2300 gmt 19 March and 0630 gmt 20 March, including those from Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Libya, have been observed to report in a factual manner on the recent developments of the Iraqi file, including the aerial attack on Baghdad after the expiry of US president's deadline. However, about 0250 gmt, Algerian radio held a telephone contact with Iraqi political analyst Dr Nazim Zafir in Baghdad on the recent development. This was followed by a second contact with Algerian French radio 3 reporter in Kuwait on the situation there. Algerian radio included in its 0600 gmt bulletin clips from Iraqi leader's recent address to the Iraqis and telephone contacts with reporters and political analysts. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. FEAR OF TERRORISM BEHIND IRAQI DIPLOMATS EXPULSION - CZECH OFFICIAL | Excerpt from report in English by Czech news agency CTK Prague, 20 March: Fears of possible terrorist actions organized by Iraqi intelligence agents are likely among the reasons why Iraqi diplomats have been expelled from some countries, including the Czech Republic, the Czech intelligence service UZSI [Office for Foreign Contacts and Information] director, Frantisek Bublan, indicated today. In an interview on BBC radio, Bublan said Iraqi intelligence agents were trying to gain information, as is usual elsewhere in the world. "However, it was typical of the Iraqi agents that they mostly fulfilled offensive tasks," Bublan said. He said he was not alluding directly to the diplomats expelled from the Czech Republic, but those in other countries as well. "There were fears that they could organize terrorist actions and similar things, as they used to in the past. Of course, I don't want to speak about it now, whether it would happen or not," Bublan said. He said expulsion was a political move as well. The Czech Foreign Ministry on Wednesday [19 March] expelled four employees of the Iraqi Embassy who had been labelled personae non gratae. They should leave the Czech Republic by Friday. "We took into consideration, among other things, information from our intelligence services," Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda said... Asked to what extent Iraqi intelligence services were interested in the Radio Free Europe (RFE) seat in downtown Prague, Bublan said it was a symbolical building. If someone succeeded in attacking it, it would be an attack against the USA above all, he said. The US-run RFE launched broadcasts to Iraq several months ago, drawing strongly protests from Baghdad. Bublan said the Iraqis have only very limited opportunity to catch RFE in Iraq. "(Listening to it) carries capital punishment," he said, referring to Saddam Husayn's regime. Source: CTK news agency, Prague, in English 1150 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) R. Free Iraq schedule is below ** INTERNATIONAL. REUTERS STARTS WAR NEWS WEBCAST NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Reuters launched an Internet service Wednesday to offer unnarrated war-related video footage and live news conferences, government briefings and other events. The service is free but is expected to become a paid offering in the future, the company said. The new offering http://reuters.feedroom.com/frameset.jsp?st=1048098950373&rdm=530161 "captures the scale of Reuters editorial operation and unrivaled expertise of our reporting team in and around Iraq," said Rich Sabreen, an executive vice president at Reuters (RTRSY). He said the news service has 150 journalists in the Middle East covering the Iraq story. Reuters does not plan to make the channel a fulltime venture after an Iraq conflict's end. The "raw video" service is expected to be made available "from time to time in conjunction with specific activities and world events," the company said (FORWARDED BY: David Akin, March 19, CAJ-List via Ricky Leong, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. MEDIA PREPARES FOR INTERNET WAR ONLINE From CBS.MarketWatch.com, online at: http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7BF07665FB%2D5F59%2D455A%2D875F%2DE1CE2F5BE77F%7D&siteid=mktw (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. LONG REACH OF SHORTWAVE --- FROM SOLDIERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO BBC BROADCASTS, RADIOS OPEN A WORLD OF INFORMATION March 20, 2003 By Frank Herron Staff writer http://www.syracuse.com/living/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-1/1048153131149690.xml (via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, TN, March 20 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. CONFRONTING IRAQ: SPECIAL ONLINE COVERAGE --- NPR, BBC COVERAGE, MUCH MORE AVAILABLE ONLINE Here are several excellent options for you to keep in touch with what's going on: NPR News Special Online Coverage: Confronting Iraq http://lv0.net/URL.asp?3_uzitg6695-420659 From Reuters, Public Radio stations, National Newspapers: Confronting Iraq http://lv0.net/URL.asp?4_uzitg6695-420659 BBC News Online Coverage: Conflict with Iraq http://lv0.net/URL.asp?5_uzitg6695-420659 (Vermont Public Radio newsletter via John Figliozzi, DXLD) A good website to watch is http://monitor.airsecurity.com It was very good on Sept 11 as well as other security related times (Andrew Mueller, WUN via Sheldon Harvey, DXLD) Mainly a timeline constantly updated (gh, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. ANALYSIS: US PSY-OPS IN IRAQ - LEAFLETS AND VOICES FROM THE SKY | Text of editorial analysis by Peter Feuilherade of BBC Monitoring Media Services on 20 March At 0533 gmt on the morning of Thursday 20 March, three hours after the start of the initial bombardment on targets in Baghdad, Iraqi TV broadcast an address by President Saddam Husayn, speaking from an unspecified location. Dressed in military uniform, Saddam told his soldiers to wield the sword and to be brave. The president said this was a holy war, a jihad, for all Muslims as well as for Iraq. He ended by saying: "Long live Iraq, long live Palestine, long live the Arab people." A BBC correspondent said the televised address was clearly an effort to show he was still alive. "Saddam Husayn is known to have several body doubles, but correspondents familiar with the Iraqi leader say they believe it to be him," the BBC noted. A BBC correspondent in Baghdad reported that at about the same time as the strikes began, "the US military appeared to take over a frequency of Iraqi radio, with an Arabic-speaking presenter announcing: 'This is the day we have been waiting for.'" Iraqi Satellite Channel targeted - information minister At a news conference in Baghdad on 20 March, relayed at 1046 gmt by Al-Jazeera Satellite TV, Iraqi Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al- Sahhaf discussed the allied attacks against Iraq. He said: "Geoff Hoon said today that the US forces participated in the first attack against Iraq. He is an ass. The British forces hit vacant buildings belonging to Iraqi Television in Al-Ramadi, Al-Anbar Governorate. From here I send to him a cable. I express scorn for this despicable man." Al- Sahhaf added: "They hit radio and television buildings in Al-Anbar Governorate. They hit customs buildings in Al-Rutbah. They hit civilian areas in Baghdad suburbs - Al-Darwah and east of Al-Dawrah." Al-Sahhaf described the US and British rulers as "mercenaries and war criminals". He continued: "They fear the transmission of the Iraqi Satellite Channel. They used their technology from areas that we have not yet accurately specified. They are from somewhere west of Iraq. They disrupted transmission but we will overcome their despicable action. They showed other images that affected the channel. We are trying to counter their mean use of technology. I will give you further information as I receive it. Please publish, transmit and tell the world what you see in accordance with your convictions. "I tell you frankly and tell the world: The scoundrels of the US administration, the despicable idiots and the scoundrels of the British government are trying by all means to prevent the facts from reaching the world." Coalition steps up psy-ops war On 19 March the coalition's psychological operations campaign against Iraq was stepped up with a record drop of almost two million leaflets over 29 military and civilian sites in southeastern Iraq, the US military announced. The leaflets called on the Iraqi military to refrain from using weapons of mass destruction or setting fire to oil fields. They included specific instructions to Iraqi forces, including telling them to leave their tanks with their turrets reversed and to abandon vehicles in the open while returning to barracks. The leaflets also issued warnings such as: "Attacking coalition aircraft invites your destruction," and "Do not risk your life and the lives of your comrades. Leave now and go home. Watch your children learn, grow and prosper." Other leaflets stressed that coalition forces did not wish to harm innocent Iraqis. They also informed Iraqis of the frequencies on which they could listen to Information Radio broadcasts transmitted from US Commando Solo aircraft flying over Iraq, containing pro-US messages prepared by army psy-ops units. Intelligence analysts have predicted that the launch of a full-scale military assault could be accompanied by the jamming of Iraqi broadcasts and the addition of TV broadcasts to the radio broadcasts beamed from the Commando Solo planes. World's broadcasters react Radio France Internationale (RFI) and Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East have replaced normal programming with a rolling news service. Radio Monte Carlo's Arabic service estimates its audience at 15 million. Radio Netherlands has added extra shortwave frequencies in Dutch, and the transmission time of BVN-TV via the Hotbird 3 satellite, which covers a large part of the Middle East, has been increased to 24 hours a day with immediate effect. On 19 March the Voice of Israel announced that all its radio networks were moving over to an emergency broadcast schedule and would begin broadcasting around the clock with immediate effect. The Voice of Russia is expanding broadcasts in Arabic from three to four hours a day, Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reported on 20 March. The UK government is to broadcast a "message of reassurance" to the people of Iraq via four Arabic-language radio Stations, the London- based newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported on 18 March. The message "will attempt to reassure the Iraqi people that the war is not intended to harm their interests and basic rights or to seize the wealth of their country". Al-Sharq al-Awsat said it had learnt that the message will be broadcast in Arabic on the US-run stations Radio Sawa and Radio Free Iraq, Radio Monte Carlo and the BBC Arabic service. Iran, for its part, announced the setting up of a news centre in Ahvaz, the capital of Khuzestan province near the Iraqi border. Source: BBC Monitoring research 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) ** IRAN. IRANIAN MEDIA BEHAVIOUR DURING COMMENCEMENT OF ATTACK ON IRAQ As the war on Iraq began, Iranian radio and TV broadcasts continued their normal programmes. The 0230 gmt bulletin, which is a rather short bulletin, merely reported that the ultimatum issued by US President George W. Bush had expired, but that "there had been no signs of an American attack". The first network of Iranian TV was broadcasting a programme about the spring, as well as Iranian music. The second channel of Iranian TV, was showing a wildlife programme. The Iranian radio, was also playing Iranian music. As BBC News 24 was breaking the news of the commencement of the attack, none of the Iranian media organizations, including the news agency, IRNA, had broadcast or issued reports on the attack yet. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) IRANIAN MEDIA BEHAVIOUR 0330 GMT 20 MARCH Iranian media reported the commencement of hostilities on their bulletins at 0330 gmt. The Iranian radio reported on US President George W. Bush's address to the nation. At 0310 gmt, Iranian news agency, IRNA, reported that White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer had given a news conference. IRNA had reported 0305 that George W. Bush had signed instructions calling for the commencement of war with Iraq. At 0329 gmt, IRNA reported that President Bush had given a news conference, announcing the commencement of war. What was significant about the behaviour of the Iranian media was the Iranian radio's report, on its 0330 gmt bulletin, on a statement issued by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps on 19 March. The Iranian Students' News Agency, ISNA, had already reported on the statement on 19 March. According to the statement as read out on the radio: "Despite all the international opposition, America's unbridled militarism is posing a serious threat to the defenceless Muslim people of Iraq." According to the radio report: "The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has issued a warning saying that the oppressed people of Iraq were being used as a shield in the American invasion. It stressed: The fate of those who commit aggression will be nothing but defeat." The Iranian media have not carried any commentaries on the commencement of the war yet. Moreover, after the bulletins, both the radio and TV continued with their programmes about the Iranian new year, which begins on 21 March. Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, in Persian 0330 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) IRANIAN MEDIA BEHAVIOUR AT 0430 GMT The Iranian radio and TV continued to report on the commencement of the attack on Iraq on their 0430 gmt bulletins. Both the radio and TV reported on Iranian foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi's condemnation of the attack. Iranian radio repeated its report on the statement issued by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps on 19 March calling on the Iranian people to remain vigilant and to beware of the consequences of the war. The statement warned that "those who commit aggression" would be defeated. The radio also reported on George W. Bush's warning to Saddam Husayn against the use of weapons of mass destruction. According to another report, Saddam Husayn would address the Iraqi nation shortly. Quoting Fox News, it also reported that Iraqi artillery had started firing near the Kuwaiti border. The radio also quoted Iraqi state radio as describing the US attack as "foolish". The first network of Iranian television, IRTV1, continued to run captions across the screen to provide updates of the operations. For example 0514 gmt, a caption on the Iranian TV screen read "British officials have said that they had not received any instructions for launching a ground attack." Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. PROGRAMME SUMMARY OF VOICE OF THE LIBERATION OF IRAQ NEWS 1830 GMT 18 MARCH 03 [Voice of the Liberation of Iraq [Arabic: Sawt Tahrir al-Iraq]: This station's programming consists of appeals and warnings to the Iraqi military to abandon the regime of Saddam Husayn and to join the coalition forces in rebuilding a democratic Iraq. The station was first monitored in March 2003. ] 1. Announcement on frequencies and broadcast times: mediumwave 1206 kHz and shortwave 4025 kHz; two sessions, one in the morning and the other in the evening, which will begin from 0930 Baghdad time. 2. Appeal to the people of Iraq quoting Colin Powell's statements and accusing Saddam Husayn of using national resources to strengthen his regime and develop his nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The appeal goes on to say that the new administration will use oil resources to restore security and rebuild the country in the interest of the Iraqi people. 3. Commentary entitled "Decisive hours": The Iraqi people have been waiting for these hours for over three decades, the commentary says. The Iraqis are looking forward to the downfall of the dictatorial regime, it added before reminding the French that in World War II their country was liberated from Nazism and fascism thanks to international efforts. It added that respect for human rights automatically meant a change in Iraq in the hope that such a change will take place with the least difficulties. 4. Iraqi song 5. Appeal to Iraqi officers reminding them that they still have a future in the post-Saddam Iraq and urging them not to end their career with their hands stained with the blood of Iraqi people. 6. News on Iraqi affairs: US military official says Iraqi regime has supplied some Republican Guards with chemical weapons - CNN quoted; Turkish prime minister says cooperation with US administration is continuing and denies US pressure; Washington Post reports that US government has contacted some Republican Guards urging them to surrender of refrain from taking part in the war; Finland expels three Iraqi diplomats accused of "activities incompatible with their diplomatic status"; Iraqi regime said to be planning to use missiles; Danish police still looking for missing former Iraqi chief of staff; senior security sources have denied reports that Kuwaiti Interior Ministry had ordered civilian and military personnel at Al-Abdali border crossing to leave in anticipation of a possible Iraqi attack. 7. Appeal urging Iraqis, in event of air raids, not to use their cars and to stay indoors and calling on members of the armed forces, the security services and all those who were provided with weapons by the "dictatorial regime" not to carry weapons, go out in the street or drive their private cars when the military strike begins to save themselves. 8. Appeal urging Iraqis not open fire for any reason because the coalition forces will regard the sources of fire as enemy targets. Iraqis, whether armed or not, are also urged not to approach advancing coalition forces. 9. Music. 10. Report entitled "Security measures in Lebanon; coordination between Syria and Iran and two planes, one French and the other Russian to fly Saddam out of the country". 11. Appeal: Reminding Iraqis how Saddam Husayn tried to silence all political opposition with every means after seizing power and becoming president. Saddam Husayn, the appeal says, is a direct threat to world peace as he continues to develop nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and he also used weapons of mass destruction against the Iraqi people and will not hesitate to repeat his despicable act in the future. 12. Music 13. News in brief from inside Iraq: curfew imposed on some Iraqi towns, such as Al-Diwaniyah and Karbala, and introduction of emergency measures; more people are migrating from towns to rural areas and more army desertions reported; Iraqis use mud and nylon [as heard] on windows in anticipation of chemical weapons being used. 14. Music. 15. Appeal stressing need to treat prisoners of war with compassion. 16. Roundup of world media reports on the military build-up and the imminence of war and related developments. 17. Report on dropping standards of living for the Iraqi people while Saddam uses the people's wealth to build palaces and buy luxury cars. Source: Voice of the Liberation of Iraq, in Arabic 1830 gmt 18 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. PROGRAMME SUMMARY RADIO TIKRIT 1900-2100 GMT 19 MARCH 03 1. Announcement: Huna radio Tikrit: This is Radio Tikrit. Huna Radio Tikrit for the whole of Iraq and all the Iraqis, Radio Tikrit. 2. Reading from the Holy Koran. 3. Religious lecture: On the social dimension of worship in Islam as highlighted in the Koran. 4. Song 5. News bulletin: a. Military vehicles reportedly moving towards Iraqi border as Bush's ultimatum is about to expire. b. Bahraini king offers asylum to Saddam. c. Mubarak said Iraq had 12 years to gain neighbours' trust. d. Turkish government to ask parliament to allow use of Turkish airspace by USA. e. Coalition planes drop about 2m leaflets in Iraq. 6. Song 7. Political analysis: On Saddam's desperate attempt to use his institutions and organizations to reassert his legitimacy as he ordered the parliament to convene to renew its allegiance to him. This parliament, it said, has no legitimacy and is not representative of the people's will and any decision it takes is worthless because this parliament was not elected freely by the people. 8. Song and music 9. Open programme: Urging Iraqi troops and security services not to back Saddam's regime and make their position clear. Some of Saddam's portraits and statues in Baghdad have been damaged and several youths have been arrested and taken to an unknown destination, according to some reports. Criticizing Iraqi information minister for boasting that the US troops will die on Iraqi soil, saying such attitudes are fruitless. Also urging Iraqi soldiers not to follow orders in order to save their lives and spare their people further suffering. Calling on soldiers and officers in the south to abandon their posts as the offensive is imminent. Holding Saddam Husayn responsible for the suffering endured by the Iraqi people since his defeat in 1991 and saying there is nothing left for him but to surrender as it is too late for him. Repeat of appeal to troops in the south to desert. Urging the residents of Basra and Al-Zubayr to assist and give shelter to the soldiers and officers who defect. 10. News bulletin [repeat of item 5] 11. Song on Baghdad by famous Lebanese singer Fayruz 12. Political analysis [repeat of item 7] 13. Song 14. Repeat of the appeal to the troops in the south to abandon their posts in the face of an imminent offensive. 15. More music 16. Repeat of appeal to the residents of Basra and Al-Zubayr to assist Iraqi troops who choose to defect by giving them shelter and helping them to return to their families. 17. More music 18. Item saying that Saddam and his government are intent on causing more suffering to the people of Iraq as their policies have resulted in this imminent war and as they refuse to repent now that it is too late for them. 19. More music 20. Item on the "criminals who are responsible for Iraq's destruction": profile of Saddam Husayn's younger son Qusay, who was recently appointed commander of Baghdad, and whose ambition is to become Iraq's leader. The man is renowned for his ruthlessness. 21. More music. 22. Latest news: Pentagon has announced that 17 Iraqi soldiers have surrendered on Kuwaiti border and military vehicles were reportedly seen moving towards the Iraqi border. 23. More music. 24. News bulletin [repeat item 5] Source: Radio Tikrit in Arabic 1900 gmt 19 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ [and non]. --------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 128 EXTRA D xxxxxxxxxx-------------- CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH Iraq Special March 20, 2003 Iraq: Iraqi State Radio Replaced with U.S. Psyop Broadcast By Nick Grace, CRW Washington with wire and BBCM reports [Mar 20] With the words "The facilities of the Iraqi regime have started to be hit... This is the day we have been waiting for... The attack on Iraq has begun," the United States jammed and then obliterated Baghdad Radio with its own psychological war programming, Reuters reports, in a remarkable move to control the airwaves over Iraq. The sudden announcement occurred at approximately 0230 GMT. Contrary to early reports that Iraqi state radio was seized by U.S. troops, its signal appears to have been drowned out from broadcasts over the airborne Commando Solo EC-130E psyop fleet. Its signal, according to multiple wire reports, disappeared from the airwaves after the surgical airstrikes. Iraqi television, meanwhile, remains on the air. Radio Baghdad, Al-Shabab, and Sawt al-Jamahiriyah, Iranian radio reports, are responding to the psywar assault by shifting transmissions to new frequencies. Sawt al-Jamahiriyah, which is run by Uday Hussein, broadcast martial music and, according to Reuters, announced "This is our day. Let us start the fight. We will be victorious. We will all die as faithful martyrs... Our brother martyrs will die defending our great Iraq. Today is our day. Rise up our brothers for the jihad. Hit the enemies and prove that we are sons of freedom and honor... Rise up like lions. Saddam is our beloved leader and God is our great Allah. Rise up, rise up and attack the foreigners. Victory with God's help is near...defeat the infidel enemy." Information Radio, which is the only known program broadcast from Commando Solo, broadcast a mix of psyop messages and Arab music as anti-aircraft fire lit up the skies over Baghdad. Clandestine Radio Watch monitored the radio station on 9715.1 kHz between 0250 and 0345 GMT when its signal faded out. A station identification was heard at 0337 GMT over traditional flutes. During President Bush's address to the American public at 0315 GMT Information Radio broadcast an announcement about al-Qaeda and the regime of Saddam Hussein. A more complete analysis of the announcements will be forthcoming. Audio of the monitored broadcast is available on ClandestineRadio.com. Information Radio broadcasts 24 hours per day on 9715 kHz and between 1500 and 2000 GMT on 756, 693 kHz, 100.4 MHz. Its broadcasts, according to wire reports, are already responsible for Iraqi troop defections on the Iraq-Kuwait border. In addition to Information Radio the United States broadcasts four covert radio stations, smothering Saddam Hussein's regime within a wall of psywar messages. Voice of Iraqi Liberation *0630-0830* *1830-2030* 1206, 4025 kHz Twin Rivers Radio 1600-1900 UTC on 1566 kHz Radio Tikrit 1900-2100 on 1584 kHz al-Mustaqbal 2100-2400 on 1575.3 kHz Developing... (CRW March 20 via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. I read with great interest about U.S. Marine amphibious assault ships broadcasting messages to Iraq [AFP via DXLD] as well as an item a few days ago that had 9715 kHz via multiple platforms [various sources quoting a DXer who didn't give the primary source, if any.] Multiple platforms means different transmitters and/or the vehicle(s) on which those transmitters are located. Could it be that 9715 kHz could be coming from a ship at times? Figuring out deployments is tricky at this time, but I wonder if this is a Tarawa- class ship. If so, the below links will tell you everything you want to know about these ships. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lha-1.htm http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/dept-lha-3.htm#COMM (Hans Johnson, March 20, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) IRANIAN RADIO REPORT SAYS US TAKEN CONTROL OF MAIN IRAQI RADIO FREQUENCY | Text of report by Iranian radio on 20 March With the beginning of the air attack on Baghdad, the American army has taken control of the main frequency of the Iraqi state radio. According to Reuters, the normal programmes of Iraqi radio were suddenly interrupted and an announcer, who was speaking Arabic, said: The attack on Iraq has begun. Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, in Persian 0330 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) WTFK?????!!!!! IRANIAN RADIO REPORTS ON IRAQ'S CHANGE OF RADIO FREQUENCIES | Text of report by Iranian radio on 20 March Iraq is repeatedly changing the frequencies of its radio stations in response to America's psychological and propaganda warfare. In the first hours of the military attack on Iraq, America started broadcasting programmes on Radio Baghdad frequencies. Al-Shabab, Baghdad and Sawt al-Jamahir[-iyah] radios are changing their frequencies and broadcasting their programmes on new frequencies. Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, in Persian 0430 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) USA REPORTEDLY TRIES TO DISRUPT IRAQI RADIO SERVICES - IRANIAN REPORT | Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA Ilam, 20 March: Iraq is repeatedly shifting frequencies of its radios to repel the US psychological war and publicity. The US is reportedly relaying noises to Iraqi radio services since early in the morning after beginning of war in a bid to disrupt their activities. Radios Shabab [Youth], Baghdad and Sawt al-Jamahir[iyah] have changed their frequency conditions, broadcasting programmes from new frequencies. Already, sources close to Iraqi dissidents said the Iraqi Information Ministry has set up several fixed and mobile radio and TV stations for the purpose. Iraq on Thursday [20 March] officially announced start of war by the US. Iraqi radio Shabab announced immediately after the start of US attack, "War started and the doomed day has come." Iraqi President Saddam Husayn's son, Uday, in a message broadcast on radio, asked Iraqi people and paramilitary troops, under his command, to bravely resist against the US attacks and ward off its aggressions. Uday called Iraq as the most sacred land worldwide and said one should not allow "illegitimate descendants" to step on to the land. Uday also called on his militia personnel to fight Americans with all their might. Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 0526 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ. The shortwave transmitter on 11787 has been on most of the day, though apart from early this morning there has been hardly any perceptible modulation. We did get a recording at 0550 UTC while they were attempting to broadcast Saddam's speech. I also heard an interesting milcom on 11175 at 1332 UTC today. Both recordings and other observations are in our Iraq media dossier at http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/iraq030319.html Your own observations are welcome to media@rnw.nl, especially if you discover any readable signals from Baghdad (Andy Sennitt, Radio Netherlands, March 20, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** IRAQ. MEDIA BEHAVIOUR NOTE OVERNIGHT 19-20 MAR 03 Iraqi electronic media monitored by BBC Monitoring from 2100 gmt on 19 March to 0340 gmt on 20 March carried reports on support for the Iraqi President Saddam Husayn and urged citizens to defend Iraq. The monitored media included Republic of Iraq Television network in Arabic, Iraqi Satellite Channel Television in Arabic, Republic of Iraq Radio Network in Arabic and the Iraqi News Agency on the internet in Arabic. They were observed to carry regularly scheduled programming. As of 0340 gmt, monitored Iraqi media had not been observed to report on the beginning of a US attack on Iraq. Republic of Iraq Television Network in Arabic at 2225 gmt on 19 March carried the Persian programme until 2330 gmt, when it signed off. The TV in Arabic is expected to sign on at 0700 gmt. At 2142 gmt on 19 March, Baghdad Iraqi Satellite Channel Television carried the following announcer-read statement: "The sons of our patient people, who are united behind their symbol leader Saddam Husayn, derive their combat capabilities and morale from their faith in God and principles and the lessons of jihad of Arabs and Muslims in the early days of Islam. They also derive their legendary steadfastness from their right to defend their homeland and sovereignty. They have the right to fight and confront the aggressors who cross the seas and oceans to wage aggression against them. The proud soldiers of Iraq will fight every unjust and sinful aggressor with the force of right. Victory will be on their side. God will grant victory to the mujahidin. Little [US President George W.] Bush will go to hell and face ignominy and curses forever." The statement was repeated at 0111 gmt. This was followed by an eight-minute report on a pro-Saddam demonstration in Babil Governorate. The video showed large numbers of Iraqis carrying Iraqi flags, pictures of Saddam and banners, and chanting pro-Saddam and pro-Iraq slogans. At 2217 gmt, the satellite channel carried interviews with Iraqi citizens who expressed support for Saddam and rejected US threats. This was followed by reports on pro-Saddam demonstrations in Iraqi cities. At 2235 gmt, the satellite channel interviewed a number of Iraqi men and women who voiced support for Saddam and criticized US plans to attack Iraq. The satellite channel carried patriotic Iraqi songs in between programmes. At 2252 gmt, the satellite channel carried a recording of Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shar'a's address at the Security Council on 19 March. At 2305 gmt, the satellite channel carried a programme interviewing "Arab martyrdom-seekers" who express their readiness to defend Iraq in the event of war. The report included interviews with Arab "volunteers" and contained footage of military training. At 2340 gmt, the satellite channel repeated a political commentary by Diya Hasan entitled "The Idiot." Republic of Iraq radio carried its newscast at 0000 gmt. Verses from the Koran were recited at 0006 gmt and the national anthem was played at 0012 gmt, after which the radio signed off. The radio signed on at 0300 gmt with the Iraqi national anthem and recitation of Koranic verses. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) IRAQI MEDIA SILENT ON ATTACKS OVER BAGHDAD As of 0320 gmt on 20 March, Iraqi sources monitored by BBC Monitoring had not been observed to report on explosions or air raid warnings in Baghdad. Republic of Iraq Radio, Baghdad, in Arabic, the official radio station of the Iraqi government, signed on at 0300 gmt, as scheduled, with the Iraqi national anthem and a recitation of Koranic verses. Iraqi Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic continued to carry normal programming. At 0316 gmt it was carrying a repeat of a programme interviewing Iraqi citizens who expressed support for the Iraqi president. Republic of Iraq Television, Baghdad, in Arabic had not signed on yet. It was due to sign on at 0700 gmt. The Iraqi news agency had not yet updated in the morning of 20 March. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) IRAQ RADIO SAYS IRAQ TV TO START BROADCASTING SPECIAL PROGRAMMES Republic of Iraq Radio, Baghdad, in Arabic, the official radio station of the Iraqi government, at 0449 gmt on 20 March announced that "Iraq's Television will begin transmission after a short while to broadcast special programming". Republic of Iraq Television, Baghdad, in Arabic, the official television station of the Iraqi government, at 0445 gmt showed an announcer sitting and moving his hands and head. The station then showed a page of the Koran with no audio heard. At 0455 gmt, the Iraqi national anthem was played with Saddam's picture and the Iraqi flag seen in the background. The announcer was again shown sitting, with no audio heard. At 0457 gmt, the station began to carry recitations from the Koran with a picture of the Koran shown on the screen. Source: Republic of Iraq TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 0449 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) IRAQI MEDIA BEHAVIOUR NOTE: 0329-0524 GMT 20 MAR Iraqi media monitored by BBC Monitoring at 0329 gmt on 20 March began to carry statements reacting to the US cruise missile attack on Baghdad. Iraqi Satellite Channel Television, Baghdad, in Arabic at 0329 gmt carried the following announcer-read statement: "In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate. Little Bush will be mistaken if he thinks that he can encroach upon Iraqi sovereignty and that sending his troops to Iraq will be like a picnic. A holocaust of death awaits them. The soldiers of right, the soldiers of leader Saddam Husayn - who are protected by God and the love of their people - will confront the aggression and the tyranny of Bush and his clique. Let them try their bad luck and they will receive their punishment. Iraq will remain impregnable to the invaders. The willpower of Iraq's people and leader will remain the strongest, God willing. Defeat and disgrace to the allies of the devil, who harbour grudges against the country of civilizations, the people of glory, and mujahid leader Saddam Husayn. The Iraqis will always achieve victory over their enemies. Victory is granted by Almighty God." The announcement was followed by patriotic songs. At 0345 gmt, Republic of Iraq Radio, Baghdad, in Arabic carried a three-minute statement saying that "the evil ones, the enemies of God, the homeland, and humanity, have committed the stupidity of aggression against our homeland and people". At 0406 gmt, the station carried the following statement: "By God, the mercenary invaders will not cross. They will only reap failure. Great Iraq is the cemetery of covetous invaders. Its land has been and will continue to be pure. Victory is only granted by Almighty God. Glory to those who defend their land and honour and the honour of their great homeland. Long live Iraq. Long live leader Saddam Husayn. Death to the lowly cowards." At 0412 GMT the radio carried another statement. It said: "This is great Iraq. These are Iraq's valiant men. Iraq will continue to be protected by the chests of its courageous sons. It will remain proud and its banner will continue to flutter high. O bastards, this is Iraq. It belongs to Prophet Muhammad and is the source of glorious civilization." Baghdad radio did not carry its scheduled 0400 gmt newscast. At 0455 gmt, Republic of Iraq Television, Baghdad, in Arabic signed on with the national anthem and recitation of Koranic verses. At 0459 gmt, Iraqi radio and the satellite TV channel carried an announcement that Iraqi President Saddam Husayn would give a speech "after a short while". Iraqi Satellite Television, Baghdad, in Arabic was unheard from 0518 gmt until 0524 on 20 March. After a number of interruptions, Republic of Iraq Radio, Baghdad, in Arabic, the official radio station of the Iraqi government, was unheard from 0520 gmt until 0524 gmt. Both are now heard with fair reception. Republic of Iraq Television, Baghdad, in Arabic, the official television station of the Iraqi government, continued to be heard with poor reception. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) IRAQ: MEDIA BEHAVIOUR NOTE 0515-0715 GMT 20 MAR 03 Iraqi media monitored by BBC Monitoring between 0515 and 0715 gmt on 20 March carried Saddam's address to the nation: Republic of Iraq Television in Arabic - official television station of the Iraqi government - at 0533 gmt, in a link-up with Iraqi Satellite Channel Television in Arabic, began to carry Saddam Husayn's address to the nation. Reception was lost two minutes after Saddam began to speak, but came back again two minutes later. Saddam speech ended at 0544 gmt. Following Saddam's speech, the station carried quotes from the speech, such as: "Strike at the US interests wherever they may be"; "Our Arab masses should rise up to defend their existence"; "Our people will fight accursed America on land, in the air and at sea." All these, and other quotes from Saddam's speech are interspersed with patriotic Iraqi songs praising Iraq and Saddam. Republic of Iraq radio main service in Arabic - official radio station of the Iraqi government was observed to behave as follows: 0533 gmt: Saddam begins speech. 0535-0538 gmt: Break in reception 0544 gmt: Radio heard carrying patriotic songs. 0554-0631 gmt: Break in reception 0631 gmt: Radio was heard carrying commentary praising Saddam's speech; poet reciting poetry in praise of Saddam; patriotic songs. 0643-0700 gmt: Break in reception Iraqi Satellite Channel Television in Arabic - government-owned television station is observed to behave as follows: At 0510 gmt, Iraq Satellite Channel announces that President Saddam Husayn will soon deliver an "important historical speech on this day of great jihad and faith". From 0510 to 0516 gmt Iraq Satellite Channel carries songs and recorded excerpts of demonstrations in Iraq voicing loyalty to and support for President Saddam Husayn. At 0517 gmt, the television carries a repeat of the announcement on Saddam's speech. At 0520 gmt, Iraq Satellite Channel is not heard for 6 minutes. At 0528 gmt, the television carries a repeat of the announcement on Saddam's speech. At 0531 gmt, Iraqi Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf appears and says that President Saddam Husayn will address the Arab nation and the free nations of the world. At 0533 gmt, President Saddam Husayn begins his speech. At 0534 gmt, Iraq Satellite Channel is not heard. At 0543 gmt, Iraq Satellite is heard again. At 0550 gmt, Iraq Satellite Channel carries a repeat of Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf's announcement on Saddam's speech. At 0553 gmt, the Satellite Channel carries a repeat of Saddam's speech, but again is unheard at 0554 gmt. At 0623 gmt, Iraq Satellite Channel is heard again carrying a programme during which tribal chieftains express support for Saddam Husayn and willingness to fight and sacrifice their lives in defence of Iraq. A number of shaykhs appear speaking about the importance of jihad and expressing loyalty to President Saddam. At 0638 gmt, Iraq Satellite Channel carries a phone-in programme in which the moderator asks viewers to call in using the number 0096414253135. At 0644 gmt, Iraq Satellite Channel is unheard but appears again at 0706 gmt. Iraqi News Agency in Arabic - official news agency of the Iraqi government; URL: http://www.uruklink.net/iraqnews/ - opened normally but has still not started positing items. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) IRAQ: MEDIA BEHAVIOUR NOTE 0715-0915 GMT 20 MAR 03 Republic of Iraq TV Republic of Iraq Television at 0715 gmt carried a poem praising Iraq and Saddam Husayn, after which it continued to carry quotes from Saddam's speech earlier that morning, such as "Iraq will be a graveyard for the invaders and criminals", "Strike at the US interests wherever they may be", "O masses of our Arab nation, it is time to move in defence of your freedom, homeland and rights." These quotes, and others, were interspersed with patriotic songs. 0845 gmt: the television relayed Al-Jazeera's report on Iraqi Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf's statements to reporters, and another report on the Chinese foreign minister urging the United States to stop military action against Iraq. The same reports were repeated at 0851 gmt. 0857 gmt: the station carries a report on Al-Jazeera's interview with a military analyst on President Bush's remarks in his speech to the effect that the war would be long and difficult, although US officials said in the past that it would be short and quick. At 0930 and 0940 gmt, the television carried similar Al-Jazeera interviews with military and political analysts speaking on the US war against Iraq. Iraq Satellite Channel At 0713 gmt, an announcer on the Iraq Satellite Channel said that Iraqis would fight the enemies and added that "Bush will go to hell" and remain forever in disgrace and shame. 0714 gmt: the channel carried live or recorded demonstrations from Babil during which citizens carried Saddam's photos, voiced loyalty to him and pledged to fight in defence of Iraq. 0720 gmt: the channel continued to carry patriotic songs and live or recorded demonstrations from Diyala Governorate voicing loyalty and support. Between 0734 and 0820 gmt, the satellite service switched between vertical colour bars and transmitting patriotic songs. At 0820 gmt the channel carried songs and footage of demonstrations voicing support for Saddam Husayn. 0825 gmt: short commentaries interspersed with patriotic songs. These commentaries attacked President Bush and said that the US administration has perpetrated a "new despicable crime" against Iraq and its great people. 0832 gmt: A short announcer-read commentary said that the Iraqis have learnt a lot from experience and that this will be the last battle in which the invaders try to defy Iraq. 0834 gmt: Patriotic songs that call on God to protect Iraq and say that Iraq has never remained silent in the face of invaders. 0838 gmt: Demonstrations voicing willingness to defend Iraq and support for Saddam Husayn. Between 0842 and 0851 gmt, the channel carried a news conference by Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf and Culture Minister Hamid Yusuf Hammadi in which they answered reporters' question on the US attack on Iraq. 0852 gmt: Patriotic songs. 0857 gmt: Interviews with a number of Iraqi citizens, who addressed their words to President Bush and stressed that his aggression would not go unpunished. They stressed that they were with President Saddam Husayn. 0900 gmt: News summary reporting Saddam's speech and the news conference by Information Minister Al-Sahhaf and Culture Minister Hammadi. 0903 gmt: Newscast interrupted, TV shows vertical colour bars. Republic of Iraq Radio Main Service 0701 gmt: Patriotic songs; poet praising Saddam Husayn; Hasan Muhammad Abdallah, secretary-general of Al-Rasafah Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'th Party, pledges allegiance to President Saddam and declares jihad against infidel US and UK troops; and a repeat of Saddam's speech. 0735-0818 gmt: Patriotic songs, two breaks in reception of five and 12 minutes. 0818 gmt: Poetry praising Saddam; patriotic songs; slogans, such as "Iraq will be a graveyard for the enemy," "Iraqis will confront the evil threatening the Arab nation," "O men of our mujahid leader Saddam Husayn, make those that dare attack our country taste the bitterness of defeat and disgrace," "Iraq is the symbol of all pride," religious programme Internet The web site http://www.uruklink.net/iraqnews which carries the Iraqi News Agency (INA) as well as Iraqi daily and weekly press sites, became inaccessible at around 0910 gmt. Before it became inaccessible, it posted the following headlines from Al-Iraq, a pro-government newspaper focusing on Kurdish affairs: Tariq Aziz ridicules US rumours on his defection; UN falls under US blackmail; information minister warns US officers and soldiers against invading Iraq; international demonstrations protesting US threats of aggression against Iraq. Source: BBC Monitoring research 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) IRAQ: MEDIA BEHAVIOUR NOTE 0915-1115 GMT 20 MAR Republic of Iraq Television The official domestic television station of the Iraqi Government, Republic of Iraq Television, has broadcast poems and songs praising Iraq and Saddam Husayn. At 1100 gmt, the television carried a colloquial Iraqi poem critical of war on Iraq. Iraqi Satellite Channel Iraqi Satellite Channel TV has been subject to interruptions and vertical colour bars throughout 20 March for periods lasting up to 55 minutes. It reappeared at 1004 gmt with music followed by a newscast at 1006 gmt. The news cited Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al- Sahhaf's statements to reporters. The television also reported the Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri as saying that the US Administration has "abjectly failed to forge ahead with its colonialist plan of aggression at the Security Council." At 1008 gmt, Iraqi Satellite Channel programming ceased and was replaced by colour bars. The TV sound and associated radio signals could no longer be heard. At 1102 gmt, Iraqi Satellite Channel recommenced programming with more patriotic songs expressing loyalty to and support for President Saddam Husayn and praising the history and steadfastness of the Iraqi people. The channel cut again to colour bars at 1320 gmt. Republic of Iraq Radio Main Service The official radio station of the Iraqi Government, received via satellite was observed to behave as follows: 0910-1004 gmt: Break in reception. 1004 gmt: Radio is heard carrying poetry praising Iraq and Saddam and criticizing Bush; and a patriotic song. 1008-1102 gmt: Break in reception. 1102 gmt: Radio is back on the air with fair reception, carrying patriotic songs; and a poem praising Saddam and pledging to defend Iraq. Source: BBC Monitoring research 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) IRAQ: MEDIA BEHAVIOUR 1100 GMT THURS 20 MAR 03 Since the start of military action in Iraq at approximately 0245 gmt on 20 March, Iraqi electronic media has continued to operate, although there is evidence of disruption to services and operational changes being made in response to the situation. Iraqi Satellite Channel TV The external TV service via satellite continued without disruption until 0517 gmt. The picture was interrupted but reappeared at 0525 gmt relaying the domestic TV channel Republic of Iraq Television, which was broadcasting an address by Saddam Husayn to the Iraqi people. Between 0530 and 0700 gmt, the satellite service switched between vertical colour bars, domestic channel and satellite channel output. The channel was transmitting colour bars as of 1045 gmt but music videos praising Saddam Husayn were in progress at 1105 gmt. Republic of Iraq Television The domestic TV channel opened early at 0455 gmt at approximately the same time as an announcement on Iraqi radio said that the TV was about to commence. Normally the channel would not sign on until 0700 gmt. At 0533 gmt a speech by Saddam Husayn was carried by Iraq Satellite Channel and domestic radio and TV. The domestic TV station continued to operate normally as of 1030 gmt. Republic of Iraq Main Radio Service The domestic radio service continues to be observed via mediumwave and satellite. At 0320 gmt it identified itself as Republic of Iraq Radio from Baghdad and broadcast an appeal to the Iraqi people, condemning US action. The radio has suffered a number of interruptions and did not broadcast the regularly scheduled 0400 gmt news bulletin. However, at about the same time as air strikes began, a BBC correspondent and Iranian radio reported that the US military had apparently taken over a main frequency of Iraqi radio with the announcement "This is the day we have been waiting for", although Iranian radio sourced a similar announcement "War started and the doomed day has come" to Iraqi Al-Shabab (Voice of Youth) radio. Specially-fitted US military aircraft are able to broadcast on all TV and radio broadcast bands and are known to be operating in the region. Iranian radio said that the interruption took place on the frequencies of Al-Shabab, Baghdad radio and Sawt al-Jamahiriyah [Republic of Iraq Radio] and that Iraqi radio was changing frequencies in response. Iranian radio added that the Iraqi Information Ministry has set up several fixed and mobile TV and radio stations. Iraqi News Agency The web site of the Iraqi News Agency appears to be available but has not been updated on 20 March as of 1100 gmt. The last item was 2135 gmt on 19 March in Arabic. No English has been observed since 1210 gmt on 17 March. Source: BBC Monitoring research 1130 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) IRAQ: MEDIA BEHAVIOUR NOTE 1115-1315 GMT 20 MAR Republic of Iraq TV The official domestic television station of the Iraqi government continued to carry patriotic songs in praise of Iraq and Saddam Husayn. 1130 gmt: Poem in praise of Iraq and Saddam. 1140 gmt: Report on the news conference held today by Iraqi Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf. 1201-1210 gmt: The channel carries an Al-Jazeera TV interview with Mustafa Bakri, editor-in-chief of the Egyptian newspaper Al-Usbu, in which he criticizes the US "aggression" against Iraq. 1210-1225 gmt: Statement by an unidentified shaykh urging Iraqis to defend their homeland and calling on all Arabs and Muslims to come to the rescue of their brothers in Iraq and to defend their holy places. The shaykh says: "They have mobilized their forces here because they covet our homeland and its resources. God will grant us victory. God will grant victory to the believers. God is with us because we are fighting with God's power, and they are fighting with the power of the devil." 1229 gmt: The channel carries an Abu Dhabi TV report on demonstrations in the United States in protest against war on Iraq. 1242 gmt: The channel shows a copy of the Holy Koran the announcer says was damaged by the "fire of the US-Zionist rancour". The TV also shows clips of demolished houses. 1248 gmt: Call for noon prayers. 1303 gmt: News summary: a) World media highlight President Saddam Husayn's speech. b) Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf holds news conference on war against Iraq. c) Uday Saddam Husayn says Iraqis were waiting for this war to defend their homeland. d) Report on international reactions to anti-Iraq war. Iraqi Satellite Channel 1126 gmt: Programme entitled "The Army of Arabism," reporting on the training of "volunteer Arab martyrdom-seekers" in Iraq. An unidentified Egyptian says he came to Iraq several times to receive training. He says he left his sons and daughters in Egypt and came to Iraq seeking martyrdom. Another unidentified Egyptian speaker begins by citing Koranic verses on jihad and says that Islam calls for fighting the Jews and the enemies of Islam. Another unidentified speaker from Algiers says he came to Iraq to receive training to fight in support of Iraq. Another Syrian speaker says "we will be unfolded swords in the hands of President Saddam Husayn to defend Iraq and the Islamic nation". 1133 gmt: Newscast reporting Saddam's speech, Arab and international media reactions to Saddam's speech, information minister's news conference and world demonstrations protesting the US aggression on Iraq. The channel repeats Saddam's speech. 1141 gmt: The channel is interrupted. 1240 gmt: The channel carries interviews with citizens asking them "Why Do You Love Saddam Husayn?" Answers include: He is a true Arab leader; he is the liberator of Palestine; he is a true man who serves the Iraqi people and provides them with their daily needs; he is Iraq; he is our father; and because he said no to the United States. 1248 gmt: Call for noon prayers. 1256 gmt: More interviews with citizens. Others say they love Saddam Husayn because he was the first Arab leader to strike Israel and because he and the Iraqis have one destiny. 1303 gmt: Patriotic songs. Republic of Iraq Radio Main Service 1102 gmt: Poetry praising the steadfastness and history of Iraq followed by an announcer calling on the Arab nation to strike at US interests wherever they maybe. Announcer says the invaders will only reap defeat and death. 1132 gmt: Scheduled 1130 gmt newscast. The following are the headlines: a) President Saddam Husayn delivers a speech in the wake of the US attack on Iraq. Saddam says the Iraqis will definitely defeat the US- UK forces. b) Information minister says US-UK aggression on Iraq will be faced with a unified Iraqi front that will result in the triumph of the will of the good. d) Uday Saddam Husayn, supervisor of the Saddam Fida'iyun [militia], says this is the day the Iraqis have been waiting for to defend Iraq and its leader with their lives. 1141-1242: Break in reception 1242 gmt: Patriotic songs; call for noon prayers; and poetry praising Saddam and Iraq. Internet The web site http://www.uruklink.net/iraqnews which carries the Iraqi News Agency (INA) as well as Iraqi daily and weekly press sites, was back up at 1320 gmt carrying two 20 March-datelined items: the first was Saddam's speech and the second was Uday's remarks. Source: BBC Monitoring research 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) IRAQ: MEDIA BEHAVIOUR ROUND-UP 1700 GMT THURS 20 MAR 03 [recap portions deleted; keeping info after 1315 --- gh] Iraqi electronic media has continued to operate since the start of military action in Iraq on 20 March. However, there have been lengthy disruptions observed to the Iraqi Satellite Channel TV service and Iraqi satellite relays of domestic Iraqi radio. Other services have been interrupted or made operational changes. Following are BBC Monitoring's observations on the Iraqi electronic media from 0245 gmt to 1700 gmt on 20 March 2003: Iraqi Satellite Channel The TV programming stopped abruptly at 1320 gmt during a recorded speech by Saddam Husayn. It was replaced by colour bars. The TV did not resume programming until 1540 gmt when the 13 degree east Hotbird and one of the Arabsat rebroadcasts of Iraqi satellite TV both returned in parallel. The channel repeated patriotic songs shown earlier in the day and a news broadcast was noted in progress at 1610 gmt and the channel was still in programming at 1655 gmt. The interruption to the programming of Iraqi Satellite Channel, in the form of vertical colour bars, could be being generated anywhere between Iraqi TV studios and the first main uplink to the Arabsat satellite. All other relays of the Iraqi Satellite Channel on all satellites depend on the initial feed to Arabsat. Iraqi Satellite Channel targeted - information minister At a news conference in Baghdad on 20 March, relayed at 1046 gmt by Al-Jazeera Satellite TV, Iraqi Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al- Sahhaf discussed the allied attacks against Iraq. He said: "Geoff Hoon said today that the US forces participated in the first attack against Iraq. He is an ass. The British forces hit vacant buildings belonging to Iraqi Television in Al-Ramadi, Al-Anbar Governorate. From here I send to him a cable. I express scorn for this despicable man." Al- Sahhaf added: "They hit radio and television buildings in Al-Anbar Governorate. They hit customs buildings in Al-Rutbah. They hit civilian areas in Baghdad suburbs - Al-Darwah and east of Al-Dawrah." Al-Sahhaf described the US and British rulers as "mercenaries and war criminals". He continued: "They fear the transmission of the Iraqi Satellite Channel. They used their technology from areas that we have not yet accurately specified. They are from somewhere west of Iraq. They disrupted transmission but we will overcome their despicable action. They showed other images that affected the channel. We are trying to counter their mean use of technology. I will give you further information as I receive it. Please publish, transmit and tell the world what you see in accordance with your convictions. "I tell you frankly and tell the world: The scoundrels of the US administration, the despicable idiots and the scoundrels of the British government are trying by all means to prevent the facts from reaching the world." Republic of Iraq Television 1400 gmt: News summary highlighting Saddam Husayn's speech, Iraqi information minister's news conference and world official and popular opposition to the war on Iraq. 1420 gmt: Al-Jazeera report citing its correspondent in France on the French reaction to the start of war on Iraq. 1428 gmt: Al-Jazeera report on demonstrations in Cairo against war. 1455 gmt: Poems praising Iraq and Saddam. 1500 gmt: A rebroadcast of Saddam Husayn's speech from early Thursday morning. Republic of Iraq Main Radio Service 1330 gmt: Patriotic songs and poetry in praise of Iraq and Saddam Husayn. An announcer then calls upon Arab people to rise up to the challenge and defend the history and dignity of all Arabs. He says that Iraq's battle is the battle of all honourable Arabs. 1400 gmt: A report on Iraqi President Saddam Husayn's earlier speech of 20 March was carried as the lead item in the news summary. The news also included a report on world denunciation of the US strike against Iraq, citing Russian and Iranian officials. The news summary was followed by patriotic songs and an appeal by the announcer for the Iraqi people to remain steadfast and "crush the enemies". 1422 gmt: A religious sermon on the significance and value of jihad in Islam. The speaker cites Koranic verses on the importance of jihad when a Muslim country "comes under aggression". The sermon was followed by a Koranic recitation. 1503 gmt: A newscast carried the following reports: a rebroadcast of Saddam Husayn speech from this morning, Uday Saddam Husayn appeals to Saddam's fedayeen to defend Iraq and sacrifice for the sake of their leader, a report on world reactions to the "US aggression" and a report on demonstrations in protest against the US war and in support of Iraq. Relays of Republic of Iraq Main Radio Service are not being heard on satellite via Hotbird and Arabsat. Internet The web site of the Iraqi News Agency appeared to be available but had not been updated on 20 March as of 1100 gmt. The last item was 2135 gmt on 19 March in Arabic. No English had been observed since 1210 gmt on 17 March. At 1320 gmt the news agency web site was back up carrying two 20 March-datelined items: the first was Saddam's speech and the second was Uday's remarks. At 1530 gmt there were two more blocks of items in Arabic. Broadcast media targeted to Iraq Source: BBC Monitoring research 1700 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) PULL JOURNALISTS OUT OF IRAQ, RUSSIA TELLS MEDIA | Text of report by Russian news agency Interfax Moscow, 20 March: In a statement distributed on Thursday [20 March], official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Aleksandr Yakovenko has called on Russian media leaders "urgently to recall their correspondents from Iraq on the grounds of safety". "According to our information, at the present moment there are 26 Russian journalists in Iraq. Their personal safety is under serious threat with the beginning of combat operations," Yakovenko said. He emphasized that "the Russian Foreign Ministry is deeply concerned by the continuing presence of Russian journalists in Iraq despite recommendations by the Ministry and our embassy in Baghdad that they leave the country." "The Ministry and our embassy in Baghdad have undertaken urgent measures to provide for the safety of journalists: at their own request, a group of journalists were provided shelter within the embassy building on the night of 19-20 March. But with the current situation the issue of the withdrawal of Russian journalists from Iraq is more urgent than ever," the statement reads. [In a separate report at 1345 ITAR-TASS news agency said that a camera crew from the Russia TV channel had moved to the Russian embassy but were not planning to leave Iraq.] Source: Interfax news agency, Moscow, in Russian 1415 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. MILITARY'S 'WEAPON OF MASS PERSUASION' Broadcasts and leaflets instruct Iraqi soldiers how to surrender and include soothing messages of America's good intentions. By Tracy Wilkinson, Times Staff Writer March 19, 2003 http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/battle/la-war-sway20mar20.story (via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, TN, March 20 via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. US STEPS UP PROPAGANDA ONSLAUGHT AGAINST IRAQ WITH SPECIAL RADIO BROADCASTS, LEAFLETS By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press Writer http://www.helenair.com/articles/2003/03/19/iraq/leaflets.txt (via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, TN, March 20 via DXLD) ** IRAQ. US APPEARS TO HAVE TAKEN OVER IRAQI STATE RADIO "The U.S. military appeared to take over the main frequency of Iraqi state radio, saying Saddam's administration was under attack. "This is the day we have been waiting for," it said. " *** Another Baghdad radio station run by Saddam's elder son Uday played a military song and called on local people to resist: "This is our day. Let us start the fight. We will be victorious. We will all die as faithful martyrs." *** Electricity was still working in the city centre but state radio ceased broadcasting after the blasts. Minutes later, a new announcer broke in on state radio's frequency, apparently from the U.S. military, speaking in Arabic. *** "The facilities of the Iraqi regime have started to be hit," the new announcer said. Uday's radio station in Baghdad said: "Our brother martyrs will die defending our great Iraq. Today is our day. Rise up our brothers for the jihad. Hit the enemies and prove that we are sons of freedom and honour. "Rise up like lions. Saddam is our beloved leader and God is our great Allah. Rise up, rise up and attack the foreigners. Victory with God's help is near...defeat the infidel enemy." relevant excerpts from Toronto Star article at http://makeashorterlink.com/?R5C5135E3 (via Fred Waterer, Ont., UT March 20 0417, DXLD) ** IRAQ. CBS PULLS OUT OF IRAQ, CNN TRANSMITS IN SECRET By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - CBS pulled its news team out of Iraq early Wednesday for safety reasons, leaving CNN as the only American television network with its own team in Baghdad. CNN's team has moved out of Iraq's Ministry of Information building and began transmitting on Wednesday from a secret location in Baghdad, network spokeswoman Megan Mahoney told Reuters. "We've left the Ministry of Information. We left due to safety concerns," she said. Two of CNN's four-person team, correspondent Nic Robertson and producer Ingrid Formanek, were in Baghdad for CNN at the beginning of the 1991 Gulf War, she added. Another news veteran of the 1991 conflict, former CNN correspondent Peter Arnett, is reporting from Baghdad for NBC and its sister cable network MSNBC while on assignment there for the MSNBC series "National Geographic Explorer." Arnett has been in the Iraqi capital for about a month with a documentary crew, National Geographic spokeswoman Ellen Stanley said. Likewise, ABC has a freelance correspondent, Richard Engel, who is reporting from Baghdad via video phone. STEADY STREAM OF DEPARTING JOURNALISTS ABC and NBC's own teams left Baghdad on Monday, joining a steady stream of journalists departing the country along with diplomats, foreign aid workers and U.N. weapons inspectors. Fox News' correspondent was kicked out of Baghdad by Saddam Hussein's government in February, after the United States expelled an Iraqi journalist assigned to the United Nations. In his televised address Monday night, Bush urged all remaining journalists and other foreign nationals to leave Iraq "immediately" for their own safety. CBS correspondent Lara Logan and her team left the Iraqi capital on Wednesday and drove into Jordan. "They're waiting at the Jordan-Iraq border until they can go back in," said CBS spokeswoman Sandy Genelius. "It got to the point where it's increasingly dangerous and the risks began to outweigh the benefits in the terms of what they were going to get out of Baghdad, their ability to get a story out." She said Logan and her crew would wait at the border, rather than continuing on to Jordan's capital, Amman, so they can get back into Baghdad quickly as soon as it's safe to return. 03/19/03 15:51 ET (AOL Canada News via Fred Waterer, DXLD) ** IRAQ. CBS NEWS RADIO REPORTER CHARLES D'AGATA: GOODBYE BAGHDAD (CBS) 3/18 On The Scene (CBS) CBS News Radio Reporter Charles D'Agata was stationed in Baghdad for the past six months and filed this "On The Scene" report for CBSNews.com as he left Iraq. The most worrying aspect of covering news in Iraq is the fundamental and absolute reliance on the Iraqi government. And when the government of a losing side knows where you are and what you're doing and what you're saying, you have totally surrendered all control. In the six months that I have lived in and worked in Iraq, I've never witnessed the tightening of government control as I have in the past week. It is no secret that journalists are assigned government-appointed officials. They call them "guides," we call them "minders." But calling them "minders" in news reports is deeply frowned upon. Anywhere you want to go, even public places like markets and teahouses, must be done in the company of these minders. Under a brutal totalitarian regime like Iraq, nobody would dare talk ill of Saddam Hussein with a minder in earshot. To do so is not only illegal, it's foolhardy and reckless. So getting a "feel" for what Iraqis truly think is impossible. You get whispers, here and there, at times when you are alone with Iraqis: elevators, taxis. Censorship is one thing; what's happened this week is far more foreboding. The Ministry of Information (nicknamed the "Ministry of Fear" by journalists) called us all together and "suggested" that, in the event of an attack, we continue to operate out of the Ministry of Information offices, where all the foreign press is held. In recent days the seven-story building - in which many Iraqi government offices are based - has become a fortress. Sandbagged bunkers surround the building, dozens of troops patrol the perimeter, and they put armed guards outside the entrance of the office to check our government-issued ID cards. Suggesting that we continue to broadcast from there shows that the Iraqi leadership is simply deluded that the office will be unharmed (one official said "the bombs will only hit the roof. It will not be dangerous"), or, more worrying, they think that America will not bomb the building knowing that there are western journalists inside. They also wanted to know if we planned to go anywhere else, as in moving hotels or finding another place from which to operate, as if journalists would be able to go anywhere without the government knowing about it. The concierge at any hotel would contact the government immediately if a bunch of journalists were to check in. They told us that the al Rasheed - the hotel where the majority of journalists stay - had a large underground bunker, and that it would be safe to stay there. It will not be safe to stay there, if only for the fact that it will be a "lock-in" by the Iraqis as soon as the bombing begins. Journalists, of course, have made contingency plans; safe-houses within and outside of Baghdad. Exit routes, escape plans. And, obviously, for any of these to be truly safe, journalists need to get there without the knowledge of the Iraqi government. And once you do that, once you take that leap, once you depart from the very people on whose support you rely on entirely, you venture into very dangerous waters. Getting out of Iraq is fraught at the best of times. Now it is almost impossible. Driving out of Baghdad, ironically, afforded one of the best views of the place that Baghdad has become. Journalists are kept well away from any military buildup. This time I had no minder with me. About 10 miles from downtown --- in a massive city of 2,000 square miles --- you see the last line of defense; roadblocks, troops, anti- aircraft artillery. But it is at the second place, maybe 20 miles outside of central Baghdad --- the fabled "ring around Baghdad" that you become aware of the "hornet's nest" that surrounds the city. Field artillery as far as the eye can see. Anti-aircraft, surface to air missiles. Tank battalions dotted in a straight line. Foxholes and bunkers teeming with Iraqi troops. I saw a trench, stretching for miles, deep and wide --- whether it was filled with oil to be ignited, which U.S. intelligence suggests --- I could not see. I have made the trip from Iraq to Jordan several times. This time was the toughest by a long way. Interrogation, exhaustive searches of my truck and myself. Four hours stuck at the border. Never hostility, though. As one official remarked, "I'm sorry. I'm just following my orders." The mood on the streets of Baghdad when I left? Up until this week, Iraqi citizens would tell you that they're expecting an attack similar to ones they witnessed during the Gulf War and the air attacks of 1993 and 1998. Now, somehow, in a place where the government strictly controls all newspapers, TV and radio, they're starting to understand this time may be different. "Getting rid" of Saddam Hussein is such a no-go area that I was severely scolded this week when I suggested to a man I was interviewing that America may seek to capture or kill the Iraqi president. Still, they are going to lay low, protect themselves as best they can. They've got plenty of food and water to last for weeks, perhaps months. Anybody with money left long ago. But few have money. They place a lot of trust in religion. They're fatalistic, and many feel they have no choice anyway. "Insh'Allah," with recurring frequency. Whatever is God's will. Quietly, most, if not all, Iraqis would like to get rid of Saddam Hussein. But they all fear and object to American rule, however brief, and a great many fear the chaos that may follow Saddam's collapse. The Iraqis, I sensed, will see a fine line between liberation and occupation. I told one man that some believe that U.S. troops will be met with "flowers and music." "You will see," he deadpanned. By Charles D'Agata © MMIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. (via Tom Roche, DXLD) U.S. MAY USE 'E-BOMB' DURING IRAQ WAR By MATT CRENSON U.S. forces may use a new ``e-bomb'' during the expected invasion of Iraq as part of a 21st century blitzkrieg designed to render Saddam Hussein's forces blind, deaf, dumb and incapable of retaliation. The highly classified bomb creates a brief pulse of microwaves powerful enough to fry computers, blind radar, silence radios, trigger crippling power outages and disable the electronic ignitions in vehicles and aircraft. ``They would be useful against any adversary that is dependent on electronic systems,'' said Loren Thompson, a defense analyst at the Lexington Institute, a think-tank based in Arlington, Va. In modern warfare, electronics undergird virtually every weapon more sophisticated than a rifle or hand grenade. For that reason, Air Force scientists have worked for decades on a practical way of producing powerful but brief pulses of microwaves that can incapacitate electronic equipment without damaging buildings or harming people. Officially, the Pentagon does not acknowledge the weapon's existence. Asked about it at a March 5 Pentagon news conference, Gen. Tommy Franks said: ``I can't talk to you about that because I don't know anything about it.'' However, military analysts say a number of unclassified documents suggest such a device is ready for the battlefield. ``There's been a lot of discussion behind closed doors in the Pentagon and in the trade press that these things are now being tested,'' Thompson said. According to a 2000 report by Air Force Col. Elaine M. Walling, scientists at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico have created microwave sources that generate up to 10 times the amount of energy that Hoover Dam produces in a day. Such powerful pulses can incapacitate electronic equipment without damaging buildings or harming people, making them an attractive weapon whenever civilian casualties are a concern. In laboratory tests, microwave pulses can melt silicon chips, pushing their circuits far beyond their capacity to conduct electricity. But on the battlefield, even the most impressive e-bomb's effects rapidly diminish with distance. Although e-bombs' capabilities are classified, military analysts believe their range is a few hundred yards at most. That relatively short range decreases the odds that hospitals, orphanages and other civilian infrastructure will be affected, unless they are directly adjacent to or networked with military targets. ``I think it is almost always more humane to use this compared to a conventional weapon,'' Thompson said. The bombs' effects are also hard to predict, analysts say. The surge of electricity produced by a microwave pulse could go directly to the nearest bank of military supercomputers, or it could just as easily be shunted harmlessly into the ground. ``The effects are hard to focus. The moment the energy is absorbed into wiring or other electrically conductive material you don't know where it's going to go,'' Thompson said. Those uncertainties and others may prevent e-bombs from playing a major role in the anticipated U.S. offensive against Iraq, said Lt. Col. Piers Wood, a military analyst at the defense policy think-tank globalsecurity.org. ``There will be a few commanders who will see these and get to try them out,'' Wood said. ``We're not talking about arsenals of these things.'' Defense experts are particularly eager to see if e-bombs can reach into deep underground bunkers that could otherwise be neutralized only by tactical nuclear weapons. By shutting off the electricity, a microwave weapon could render a bunker uninhabitable by disabling lighting, security systems, ventilation and computers. Eventually, Wood said, other nations may acquire high power microwave weapons; American forces, which depend so heavily on technology, would be particularly vulnerable to them. He predicted that soon all military electronics will have to be protected from high power microwaves by metal casings, with sophisticated circuit breakers connected to any incoming wires. 03/19/03 16:50 EST (AOL Canada news via Fred Waterer, DXLD) ** IRAQ. IRAQI TV "RESUMES TRANSMISSION" AFTER US "JAMMING" - AL- JAZEERA "Iraqi Television resumes transmission after it was suspended due to US jamming," reported a screen caption on Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 20 March. [BBC Monitoring observed Baghdad satellite television to switch between vertical colour bar, domestic and satellite channel output between 0530 gmt and 0700 gmt on 20 March. The channel was transmitting colour bars as of 1045 gmt but music videos praising Saddam Husayn were in progress at 1105 gmt.] Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 1115 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. Schedule for Radio Free Iraq, daily in Arabic: 5965 0200 0400 7105 0200 0400 7175 0200 0400 1314 0300 0400 7115 0400 0600 9695 0400 0600 11970 0400 0700 5985 0500 0600 15255 0600 0700 17740 0600 0700 1314 1400 1600 6130 1400 1700 9685 1400 1700 11835 1400 1900 11965 1400 1700 9845 1700 1800 11725 1700 1900 9785 1800 1900 9645 2100 2300 11965 2100 2200 6015 2100 2300 A full list of English Broadcasts from the Middle East is available Free at http://www.shortwave.org.uk (Graham Powell, Editor of the Online DX Logbook, March 19, DXLD) UNKNOWN 7175, 0200-, Radio Free Iraq, Mar 20. On at exactly 0200 with presumed NA of Iraq and sign-on announcement by woman. Fair to good reception with some adjacent splatter from Voice of Russia on 7180. No parallels noted. Rechecked at 0419. Good to very good reception now on 9695, parallel to 7115 with slightly weaker signal. I suspect Morocco or Greece VOA transmitter location. Many mentions of Washington (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. KI - English Radio The Kol Israel English radio news update website, mentions that, for now, the English radio broadcasts will broadcast at normal times. http://bet.iba.org.il/betlanguage23.htm On the same webpage, there are other articles regarding how to obtain non-Hebrew Civil Defense information (booklets/websites) and how tourists and foreign workers can obtain gas masks. They also posted the breakdown of 10 areas, for use in emergency notifications. The areas in this graphic are marked by Hebrew letters. I was unable to find an English map... http://www.iba.org.il/reshutHashidur/images/tzfira.gif ---- For now: seal room, maintain routine, listen to news Closure on territories continues Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says there is only a one percent chance that Israel will be attacked by Iraq. Sharon was speaking at a cabinet meeting that discssed Israel's readiness for an American military strike on Iraq, and possible revenge attacks by Saddam Hussein against Israel. It was decided to maintain the regular routine of life in Israel, especially in the school system. It was also decided to continue the closure on the territories until Sunday. The police are being put on their highest level of alert, and have boosted forces along the seam line and in all towns and cities. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz will decide Wednesday whether to declare a special security alert in the Home Front. In the meantime, the public has been instructed to seal rooms in their homes. The Home Front emphasizes that people should keep the door to their sealed room open in order to allow for ventilation. It has also been decided that if and when a war is declared in Iraq, people should carry around gas masks with them. The Home Front Command says the public should not open protective kits without receiving specific instructions to do so. It notes the informational programming regarding preparation of shelters and sealed rooms is being broadcasted periodically on Channel 33. Otherwise, the public should listen to the radio. For now, Israel Radio's English News are continuing to broadcast as normal on Reshet Aleph, and listeners will be informed on the air of any changes (via Doni Rosenzweig, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. KI - English / Emergency bulletins Here is an update regarding listening to English emergency bulletins domestically in Israel. This is not talking about regularly scheduled broadcasts. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/A/JPArticle/ PrinterFull&cid=1048050187244 ISRAEL RADIO TO BROADCAST EMERGENCY BULLETINS IN ENGLISH, RUSSIAN AND AMHARIC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Greer Fay Cashman Mar. 19, 2003 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Broadcasting Authority director-general Yosef Barel has decided to facilitate English language emergency bulletins on the Voice of Music, Reshet Gimmel and Reka, the immigrants' station. According to IBA spokesman Oren Helman, Barel gave instructions for emergency-related Reka bulletins to be broadcast simultaneously on Reshet Gimmel because Reka's transmitters are not sufficiently powerful to enable transmission to be picked up all over the country. Barel said it is essential that emergency broadcasts in English, Russian and Amhari be easily accessible. The foreign language broadcasts will be relayed in tandem with Hebrew broadcasts from the Army Spokesman's Office and the Home front Command, warning listeners of emergency situations and advising them of the all clear. In addition, Reshet Aleph will operate as a silent wave, broadcasting only in case of emergency. Thus anyone who remains permanently tuned to Reshet Aleph will be alerted as soon as sound is emitted from the radio (via Doni Rosenzweig, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Dear Colleagues. The IBA had changed its schedule because of the war in the area. The changes are valid from today the 20th of March until the next message. Sorry for the inconvenience if caused. [i.e move one morning English news broadcast one hour later on same facilities, inconveniencing North Americans...] DELETE:: 6280 0500 0530 27-28,6-10 330 250 ENG+FREN. 9435 0500 0530 27-28,6-10 315 250 ENG+FREN. 17600 0500 0515 10-12 55 294 250 ENG+FREN. ADD: 6280 0600 0630 27-28,6-10 330 250 ENG+FREN. 9435 0600 0630 27-28,6-10 315 250 ENG+FREN. 17600 0600 0615 6-10 55 294 250 ENG+FREN. משה אורן -חטיבת הנדסה ותכנון בזק (Moshe Oren BEZEQ Engineering & planning Division Radio & TV broadcasting section, March 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL: VOI RADIO STATIONS MOVE TO ROUND-THE-CLOCK EMERGENCY SCHEDULE | Text of report by Israel radio on 19 March The IDF spokesman announces that immediately after the news, Network A [576 kHz, 98.4 MHz] will begin operating a silent wavelength. Network A will suspend its regular programming and only relay broadcasts from the Home Front Command in an emergency. All the Voice of Israel [VOI] radio networks are moving over to an emergency broadcast schedule and starting from now will begin broadcasting around the clock. Network B [95.5 MHz] is maintaining uninterrupted broadcasts. Network C will stop broadcasting music and its transmitters will supply backup for the Reqa Network's broadcasts in Russian, Amharit and other languages. The Voice of Music will broadcast emergency broadcasts in English. [State-funded but independent Israel Television Channel 1 in Hebrew maintained continuous reporting on the Iraqi issue and on Israel's preparations against any possible missile attack since 1730 gmt on 19 March.] Source: Voice of Israel, Jerusalem, in Hebrew 2000 gmt 19 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) QUIET RADIO STATION FREQUENCIES Following are the frequencies for the quiet radio stations that will be activated during a war with Iraq. The stations remain quiet and only begin to broadcast in the event of an incoming missile attack or other emergency. Jerusalem region & Eilat – AM 1458 Jerusalem & Center – FM 98.4 Haifa – FM 97.2 North & Galilee – FM 102.8 Safed – FM 100.7 (from http://www.arutzsheva.org/news.php3?id=40753 via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. TV, RADIO STATIONS ALTER REGULAR BROADCASTS TO FOLLOW IRAQ CRISIS On the afternoon of 20 March, state-funded but independent Voice of Israel Network B continued its uninterrrupted coverage of the Iraqi crisis and related developments in Israel, along with its regularly scheduled newscasts and half-hourly newsflashes. While adhering slightly more closely to its normal schedule, Tel Aviv- based IDF Radio is also devoting a lot of coverage to the Iraqi issue, and also carrying hourly newscasts and half-hourly newsflashes. State-funded but independent Israel Television Channel 1 has cancelled its regular broadcasts to carry regular news updates on the Iraqi crisis and programmes on topical issues. Commercial, independent Channel 2 Television is making efforts to maintain its regular programming, while carrying hourly newscasts with updates on the Iraqi crisis and related developments in Israel. Source: BBC Monitoring research 20 Mar 03 (via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. This via their website- MARCH 20,2003 NATION ON ALERT... All citizens and visitors must carry gas masks. They should remain in the box unless there are orders to wear them. Hotel guests can obtain masks from the reception desk. CHANGES TO ALL RADIO SERVICES English news may now be heard locally at 8:00 AM; 1:15 PM; 7:30 PM; 12:00 AM on the channels of the REQA and RESHET GIMEL radio stations. [subtract 2 hours for UT, i.e. 0600, 1115, 1730, 2200 --- gh] REQA: On 954 AM (in Central and Southern areas), 1575 AM (in the North), 101.2 FM in Tel Aviv, 93.7 FM in Haifa, 107.3 FM in Beer Sheva, 94.4 FM in Galillee GIMEL: On 531 AM, 97.8 FM in Tel Aviv, 97.8 FM in Jerusalem, 106.9 FM in Beer Sheva, 100.5 FM in Eilat. RESHET ALEF WILL BE SILENT EXCEPT WHEN THERE IS NOTICE OF A PUBLIC EMERGENCY (Reshet Alef is on 576 AM and 1458 AM in Jerusalem, 100.7 FM in Tel Aviv and Beer Sheva, 98.4 FM in Jerusalem, 97.2 FM in Haifa, 102.8 and 100.7 in the North) Reshet Dalet continues as usual in Arabic, and REQA operates a schedule in Russian, Amharic, English, French plus news summaries in some other languages. All other stations are relaying Reshet Bet in Hebrew which is running a continuous news service Listed shortwave schedule at http://www.israelradio.org/sw.htm (via Hans Johnson, March 20, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** KUWAIT. 15110, Radio Kuwait, 1524 March 20 broadcasting air raid type klaxon siren (Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, TN, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** KUWAIT. IRAN SAYS KUWAITI RADIO STOPS BROADCASTING PERSIAN PROGRAMMES WITHOUT NOTICE | Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA Tehran, 20 March: The Kuwaiti radio stopped broadcasting Persian language programmes on Thursday [20 March] without advanced notice. No further information has been given to this effect. Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 1235 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. Glenn, The item you just published [3-045] is already out of date! We have already introduced the additional frequencies. The current version reads: Due to the Iraq crisis, Radio Netherlands has added the following frequencies in Dutch via Flevo as of today: 0330-0425 UTC 7310 kHz beamed towards Turkey and Israel, also audible in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran and Iraq. 1330-1425 UTC 21735 kHz beamed towards Afghanistan and Pakistan. The transmission time of BVN-TV via the Hotbird 3 satellite, which covers a large part of the Middle East, has been increased to 24 hours a day with immediate effect. These are not new broadcasts, merely additional frequencies added to our existing broadcasts so that Dutch expats in the region can follow events and receive any government advice etc. 73, (Andy Sennitt, 1834 UT March 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. RUSSIAN NEWS AGENCY ITAR-TASS OPENS NEW INTERNET SITE ON WAR IN IRAQ | Text of report in English by Russian news agency ITAR- TASS Moscow, 20 March: The Russian news agency ITAR-TASS has opened a new Russian-language web site entitled "War in Iraq" that is on open access. The site features online all reports, graphics and photographic material regarding the military conflict in Iraq. All reports from TASS's special correspondents in the conflict zone and from those on board the American aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt are available online. The site contains news on developments, commentary and ample analytical and reference material. Information from Russia, as well as from the more than 70 countries where ITAR-TASS correspondents work, is updated round-the-clock. The web address is: http://iraq.itar-tass.ru Source: ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in English 1234 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. RUSSIA INCREASES RADIO BROADCASTS TO IRAQ | Text of report in English by Russian news agency ITAR-TASS Moscow, 20 March: The Voice of Russia radio station, the only Russian broadcaster for Iraq, expanded its programmes for the region on Thursday [20 March] with special releases of information about latest developments there. The station will give priority to inviting ambassadors of Arab countries to speak on the air. The broadcasting time in the Arabic language increased from three to four hours as tensions around Iraq heightened. Special news and analytical bulletins are practically the only source of information telling the population of that country about the official Russian position on the Iraqi problem. The broadcasting time increased thanks to new transmitters which provide for broadcasting for the region in Arabic, English and Russian. In addition, information and analytical programme in Arabic are available daily on the Voices of Russia web site. Source: ITAR- TASS news agency, Moscow, in English 1128 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) Pulling out reporters story is above under IRAQ ** TURKEY. TURKISH MEDIA BEHAVIOUR AT 0645 GMT 20 MAR 03 Turkish electronic media monitored by BBC Monitoring were observed at 0645 gmt on 20 March to behave as follows: Istanbul CNN TURK Television in Turkish, a commercial television that is independent in content and affiliated with CNN International; Istanbul NTV in Turkish, a commercial news channel that is independent in content; and Ankara TRT 2 Television in Turkish, a state-funded news channel; were all operating in an open-studio format, updating the US military operation in Iraq with live reports from correspondents in Baghdad, Washington, and elsewhere, and commentary by experts and senior journalists. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U K/IRAQ. BBC WORLD PROVIDES CONTINUOUS COVERAGE OF IRAQ CRISIS | Text of press release by BBC Worldwide on 20 March BBC World, the BBC's 24-hour international news and information television channel, has provided continuous coverage of unfolding events in Iraq since the crisis first broke this morning. The channel has abandoned its regular programming schedule and is providing extensive rolling news coverage of the situation in Iraq for its audiences around the globe. Terrestrial broadcasters from around the world are simultaneously broadcasting BBC World's breaking news as it happens - extending the channel's reach even further. A potential of 68m free-to-air terrestrial households now have access to the channel's additional continuous news output, on top of the channel's ordinary distribution of 254m households globally. BBC World is being co-presented live from around the world by: Nik Gowing in Doha, Qatar Lyse Doucet in Amman, Jordan Jon Sopel in Kuwait Annita McVeigh and Mishal Husain in Washington The BBC World team in London BBC World's round the clock coverage includes live reports from the channel's network of BBC News correspondents, studio interviews with key international commentators and politicians as well as special in- depth documentary programmes detailing the history and context of the conflict. In addition, drawing on its unrivalled news strength, BBC News has put extra teams of reporters and crews in more than 30 key locations. Among those deployed with the British and US military and at key sites in the region are: John Simpson in Northern Iraq Rageh Omaar and Paul Wood (Baghdad) Caroline Wyatt and Hilary Andersson (with the British military in Kuwait) Gavin Hewitt (with the US military in Kuwait) Nicholas Witchell and Paul Adams (Qatar) BBC personnel are also based in Iran, Egypt, Syria, Bahrain and Turkey, with a journalistic presence on carriers such as Ark Royal. Overall the BBC is mounting one of the most ambitious broadcasting operations in its history to cover the crisis in Iraq, providing viewers with a truly global perspective of the crisis as it unfolds. The BBC News deployment to the region is in excess of 200 staff, including producers and camera people. All staff have attended a week- long hostile environment course and correspondents are carrying personal body armour and CBR (chemical, biological and radiation) suits in their kit bags. BBC World is making use of the full range of modern broadcasting technology from mobile satellite dishes to videophones to digital transmission systems. BBC News has seven satellite dishes in the region, including Baghdad, and teams will also be using portable systems including "store and forward" (shot on a DV Cam, saved on disc, edited on a laptop, compressed and re-sent back to the newscentre.) For further information contact: Sarah Lindsay, Head of Public Relations, BBC World Tel: + 44 208 433 1078 E-mail: sarah.lindsay@bbc.co.uk Source: BBC Worldwide press release, London, in English 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** UZBEKISTAN. UZBEK MEDIA SAID TOLD TO COVER IRAQ EVENTS FROM US POINT OF VIEW - web site The Uzbek media has been instructed not to carry reports criticizing the US policy on Iraq, the Uzbek web site Uzland reported on 20 March, citing Deutsche Welle. "[Uzbek President] Islam Karimov's announcement of his support for the US stance on Iraq has affected the coverage of world political events in the Uzbek media. Any negative information in regard to US policy is being removed from news bulletins," the web side said. "A source wishing to remain anonymous said that Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Sodiq Safoyev recently held a meeting at the ministry with the editors-in-chief of leading media agencies and, in diplomatic form, requested them not to cover the US-Iraq conflict from a pro- Russian point of view, but to cover the events exclusively from the US angle," the web site said. Source: Uzland.uz web site, Tashkent, in Russian 0000 gmt 20 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ###