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News :: Media |
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Radio For Peace International Evicted!!! |
Current rating: 0 |
by Radio Paz, Costa Rica via ML
Email: info (nospam) rfpi.org (unverified!)
Phone: 011-506-249-1821 |
24 Jul 2003
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We are asking for all of the support we can get. Please spread the word, give media attention, or send a letter to Kofi Annan... |
For More Information contact:
RFPI at email: info (at) rfpi.org
James Latham, CEO, RFPI: 011 (506) 249-1821
Naomi Fowler, Program Director, RFPI: 011 (506) 249-1821
Emily Morales, Operations, RFPI: 011 (506) 249-1821
US Contact:
Jean Parker, Board of Directors: (303) 355-9935
On Monday, July 21, 2003 a University for Peace representative delivered an eviction notice to Radio For Peace International (RFPI) which has been operating since 1987 by mutual agreement on the University campus in El Rodeo, Costa Rica. The Radio station's access gate was locked with chains and patrolled by armed guards employed by the University for Peace. In addition, the radio station was advised to vacate its facilities in two weeks.
Radio For Peace employees made a plea to the armed guards to allow them to leave the locked premises on Monday night, although some have not left the premises since the eviction notice.
According to Latham, the unexplained, and legally questionable decision to evict RFPI endangers the livelihood of the station's employees, but also threatens to silence the voice of peace on international airwaves. "This is more than an eviction, this is about the right to free speech," says James Latham, Chief Executive Officer of Radio for Peace International. "What is most shocking and sad is that this action comes from an international peace organization."
University for Peace cofounder, former Costa Rican President Rodrigo Carazo Odio, invited RFPI in 1985 to build and manage its own office and studios on the university's Costa Rica campus, consequently RFPI constructed studios and transmitters, and has been broadcasting messages of peace and social justice as well as daily United Nations programming. RFPI is the only listener supported shortwave radio station.
Latham says that Monday's eviction notice represents poor judgment on behalf of the new administration at the University for Peace, a United Nations mandated university established in 1980. "RFPI has always shown goodwill toward the University for Peace and has worked in harmoniously with the pervious four administrations. Our shared goals to work toward ending war is what brought our two organizations together, and in the world today there is still much work to be done. Instead of focusing on how to eliminate a fellow peace organization, we need to channel our energy toward eliminating war, poverty and hunger."
To prevent the silencing of this important voice, we the committee for the defense of Radio For Peace Internaional encourages you to write Kofi Annan in support of the radio station at: annan (at) un.org
Press events and solidarity actions are currently being planned and notifications will be sent out shortly. |
See also:
http://www.rfpi.org
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