[alecqss]

Obama tells CBS' "Face the Nation" that he appreciates that the former CIA chiefs are wanting "to look after an institution that they helped to build."

Obama just wants to look after the country he is helping to destroy.

[greyfoxx39]

Substitute "America" for Zimbabwe

HARARE, ZIMBABWE Apr 06 2007

A reporter for a British-based Zimbabwean newspaper has appeared in court on charges of writing falsehoods and working without a licence, reports said on Friday.

Gift Phiri (30) had been assaulted in custody, his lawyer says.

He was arrested at his Harare home last weekend and appeared in court on Thursday facing two charges under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, said the state-controlled Herald newspaper.

-SNIP-

The past three weeks have seen a crackdown by the police and security agents on members of the main opposition as well as civic rights activists.

Meanwhile police say they were investigating the death of a retired technician for the state-run broadcaster ZBC.

Edward Chikomba is reported to have gone missing from his Harare home on March 29. He was found dead in Darwendale, outside Harare, two days later.

-SNIP-

In a separate development, the cash-strapped Zimbabwe government is releasing a whopping Z8,9-billion (R249-million, $35-million) to set up a new shortwave radio station it hopes will counter hostile international media, the Herald said.

Zimbabwean authorities tightly control the airwaves, and no independent radio or television stations have been allowed to operate. But several foreign radio stations are available on shortwave and private satellite, including the BBC and the Voice of America.

Jamming equipment has been used to block successfully the signal of the UK-based SW Radio Africa station, which is critical of the government. - Sapa-DPA

Source: Mail & Guardian Online
Web Address: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2007-04-06-zimbabwe-reporter-appears-in-court