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What is the U.S. Military Doing in Paraguay?

The U.S. military is conducting secretive operations in Paraguay and reportedly building a new base there. Human rights groups and military analysts in the region believe trouble is brewing.However, the U.S. embassy in Paraguay denies the base exists and describes the military activity as routine. According to an article in the Bolivian newspaper, El Deber, a U.S. base is being developed in Mariscal Estigarribia, Paraguay, 200 kilometers from the border with Bolivia. The base will permit the landing of large aircraft and is capable of housing up to 16,000 troops. A contingent of 500 U.S. troops arrived in Paraguay on July 1st with planes, weapons, equipment and ammunition. (1)

With Bolivia's recent uprisings, their enormous gas reserves, and a presidential election on the way, this questionable activity could pave the way for a U.S. intervention.Rumors of Al Qaeda training grounds near Paraguay may also work to the Bush administration's advantage as it makes a case for military operations in the region.

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Global Notebook 7-6-05

GLOBAL

Asian leaders organize for “great game”

ALMATY, Kazakhstan – The leaders of Russia, China and four Central Asian states held a two-day anti-terrorism summit in Kazakhstan last week, amidst criticism of growing U.S. influence in the region.  The meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) brought together Russia and China, which jointly issued a "21st century world order" communiqué opposing any one state’s "domination of international affairs," and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. India, Pakistan, Iran and Mongolia had observer status. read more

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A Letter from TF’s Publisher and Editor

Hello -- again. Toward Freedom is back! Not with our magazine, but with a new and expanded Website that will continue the incisive international reporting that TF began 53 years ago. After several months of in depth discussion, the TF board of directors has begun to develop some new approaches, including a decision to strengthen our link to writers, readers, and activists who are working to create a just society.

As a first step, we have engaged journalist Ben Dangl, who has traveled extensively and written about progressive movements in Latin America. He has already revamped our Website and now becomes its editor. Please check it out at www.TowardFreedom.com and send in your stories and ideas. In the months ahead, we think you will find articles that surprise and intrigue you - continuing our tradition of bringing voices unheard into the mainstream. Other new initiatives will be announced in the future. 

Looking forward to networking with you in cyberspace,

Robin Lloyd

TF Board co-chair

A note from the new editor:

The launch of our new website takes place at a time of extreme global crisis.The War in Iraq; the creation of a possible free trade block in South America; the centralization of corporate media in the US - the list could go on and on. Yet flashes of hope have sprung up in the midst of these challenges. Labor unions are organizing in Iraq; Bolivians rejected a plan to exploit the country's gas reserves and alternative media in the US is on the rise. Toward Freedom is a part of this progressive movement and we hope you'll join us as we work for a better world. 

Starting with our July 4th inaugural issue, www.TowardFreedom.com will be publishing articles on a weekly basis on topics ranging from human rights and the environment to youth issues and activism.Our new multimedia site also includes an online bookstore, a blog, radio/audio streaming, a RSS feed, a searchable database and newly organized archives. Video streaming will soon be up and running as well.

I am excited about editing TF's new website and look forward to being a part of this community of readers, writers and activists. We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions as we move ahead. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to write for Toward Freedom, please email me: [email protected]

To sign up for our weekly email newsletter, go here

Thanks for reading and stay tuned,

Ben Dangl

TF Editor

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Between The Lines Archives

For archives of all BTL shows, go here

 

=&0=&=&1=&=&2=&  Audio Interviews… . . Scott Harris spoke with Rahul Mahajan, author of the book, "Full Spectrum Dominance: U.S. Power in Iraq and Beyond;" Melinda Tuhus spoke with Beth Parker, the San Francisco attorney who won the case on behalf of Planned Parenthood; Scott Harris spoke with Robert Jensen who takes a critical look at how the U.S. media has portrayed Ronald Reagan and explains why he feels it is important for Americans to have an objective understanding of both the accomplishments and failures of his administration.

March 19th, 2004  Audio Interviews… . . 
Scott Harris spoke with Ira Kurzban who has represented the government of Haiti and President Aristide; Melinda Tuhus spoke with Kara Speltz, who talks about what she observed while in Iraq and the stories her team heard in the embattled Sunni Triangle from family members whose men were taken prisoner by U.S. soldiers; Scott Harris spoke with Andrew Rice, a member of the steering committee of the group September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.
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