Worldview, public radio international news from Chicago: No, to More Permanent US Bases in Iraq and ex-leaders face extradition -- Noriega, Fujmori

Periodically, I check the archive of the Chicago Public Radio program, Worldview, devoted to international news. Usually, the program involves interviews with scholar, activists, writers who answer questions and discuss issues with the host Jerome McGann. http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Program_WV.aspx?episode=12407

A program dated August 1, 2007 offers three interviews. First, there is an interview with Barbara Lee, the only member of congress to not vote in favor of granting President Bush carte blanche to conduct war, granting him power of war. Listening to her, I thought, why this reminds me of the situation in Russia: virtually no elected politician there dares to speak out against the war in terror, which is more a scorched earth terror campaign in the Caucaus region against Chechens. Here too, in United States, few prominent politicians make a point of daring to dissent from policy and legislation in fear of being regarded as unpatriotic. However, in United States, there is clearly more opposition and criticism of America imposing its will abroad than in Russia, but this point of view lacks political representation to express its views.

The red X's on the map below indicate military bases that US troops have established in Iraq. Congresswoman Boxer introduced a resolution to ban the permanent establishment of these bases in Iraq. The resolution passed!

Next there is an informative and entertaining interview of a journalist and writer, R.M. Koster, who wrote a book about Manuel Noriega, and comments on his characters, past, involvement with US, and impending release in September from a Florida prison after a 17-year long stay there. Allegedly, for good behavior, Noriega, now 72, is being released early from his 30 year sentence; here, "good" means he didn't bite the hand that fed him, US intelligence. He is facing possible extradition to either Panama or France to face more charges.

Finally, the program ends with an interview with the director Ellen Perry, who made a documentary film about Fujimori, the former president of Peru, who squashed Shining Path extremists in Peru in the 1990s, yet abused his powers in censoring the press and ordering the police and military to cut too many corners, as well as heads, as the cartoon shows, in pursuit of national security. He was forced to flee the country as a result and has found refuge in Japan. Fujimori has been running for political office in Japan, and is also under threat of extradition from Chile to Peru. Hard to believe Fujimori is still so active, and not allowing exile to slow him down.