VOA News: Middle East: Syrian Children Find Shelter in Turkey Camp

VOA News: Middle East Middle East Voice of America

Syrian Children Find Shelter in Turkey Camp Mar 20th 2012, 20:40 Syrians of all ages are trying to flee their country to escape the violence there. <!--AV--> Reyhanli Refugee Camp in Turkey, just across the Syrian border, is home to more than 3,000 refugees, many of them children. The Turkish government provides the basics - even a school, a playground and some modest toys. At first glance, the kids are playful, giving the V sign for victory every chance they get.  But inside the small tents these children now call home, the reality of their lives is harder to hide. Mustafa Harmoush, 14, came to Turkey with his family eight months ago. HARMOUSH: "We came by car, and were picked up by three Turkish soldiers and brought to the camp." REPORTER: "What do you do here?" HARMOUSH: "Nothing." Mustafa is the nephew of one the first defectors from Bashar al-Assad's army who was kidnapped and brought back to Syria and forced to confess on national television. His older cousin was killed and found tied to a tree. Mustafa's eyes quickly filled with tears when I asked him about Syria. "They arrested my uncles and killed my uncles," Mustafa said. Sara, 13, recently arrived here from Homs, the focus of an intense military crackdown. She says shelling destroyed her home. "There was blood all over the place," Sara recalled.  "The government was killing people because they thought they were armed.  But they were not armed. They were peaceful civilians." Sara says she quit school and leave Homs because the situation for the children, especially the young girls, was extremely dangerous. "When the revolution started, the regime started abducting students, especially girls. It was too dangerous to go to school. It was like walking on fire," Sara added. In a letter addressed to her president, Sara writes: "Bashar leave us alone. We are not animals. You make me want to die from grief." The United Nations says over 400 children have been killed and hundreds injured since the violence began last year. But there is no way to measure the extent of the psychological damage. The scars of the brutality they've witnessed is painfully evident, not just in their faces, but in their drawings, their playing, and in even in their dreams. Radwan Hamoudeh, 12, from Idlib insisted he be interviewed. REPORTER: "What do you want to be when you grow up? HAMOUDEH: "I want to be a soldier to protect Syria.  Because people are being killed in Syria, and no one is saying anything. These are people. They are human." Radwan says he's very proud of his father and his uncle who are both members of the Free Syria Army. HAMOUDEH: "We'd like to be freed from Bashar and this violence in Syria" REPORTER: "Do you want to go back to Syria?" HAMOUDEH: "Of course I want to go back." Despite the tragedy of their past and the hardship of their present, these children here still hold on to hope for their future, hope that they will one day return to a Syria free of violence. Media files: Syria_Refugee_Children_Web_4x309Tease.jpg Syria_Refugee_Children_Web_4x3-fixed-x264-Platform_YTHQFull__685562.mp4 (video/mp4)

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VOA News: Americas: 7.4 Earthquake Hits Near Acapulco, Mexico

VOA News: Americas Americas Voice of America

7.4 Earthquake Hits Near Acapulco, Mexico Mar 20th 2012, 20:29 A strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake has hit near Acapulco on Mexico's Pacific coast, but President Felipe Calderon says there are no reports of major damage. A strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake has hit near Acapulco on Mexico's Pacific coast, but President Felipe Calderon says there are no reports of major damage.   The U.S. Geological Survey says the epicenter of Tuesday's quake was in Guerrero state in southwestern Mexico.   The earthquake caused buildings to sway in Mexico City and sent frightened residents into the streets of the capital.  But Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said no serious damage was visible during a helicopter survey. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says the inland earthquake would not generate a destructive widespread tsunami, but that local tsunami effects are possible. In Washington, the White House said U.S. President Barack Obama's 13-year-old daughter, Malia, was safe after the earthquake hit.  She is vacationing in southwestern Mexico with friends. The U.S. Geological Survey earlier estimated the quake's magnitude at 7.6 before downgrading it to 7.4. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. Media files: Reuters_Mexico_quake_20mar12_480.jpg (image/jpeg, 0 MB) Reuters_Mexico_quake_20mar12_230.jpg

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VOA News: USA: Tibetans Demand UN Action on Human Rights

VOA News: USA USA Voice of America

Tibetans Demand UN Action on Human Rights Mar 20th 2012, 21:13 Three Tibetan independence activists are nearly one month into a hunger strike outside of the United Nations in New York. They promise to continue their water-only fast until a fact-finding mission is sent to their homeland to assess the human rights situation there.  On Monday night, New York police and medics forcibly transported the oldest striker, Dorjee Gyalpo, to a local hospital out of concern for his deteriorating condition.  He remains in hospital but has refused food and is only accepting intravenous fluids. Hunger striker Dorjee Gyalpo says he is prepared to lay down his life to get international intervention for his homeland, where more than 20 people have set themselves on fire in the past year to demand independence from China and the return of Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Recently, two busloads of supporters from Dorjee's Tibetan-American community in Minnesota came to show their solidarity with him and the other two hunger strikers. In addition to a U.N. fact-finding mission, the activists also want the release of political prisoners, foreign media access to Tibet, the end to China's policy of so-called patriotic re-education, and pressure on Beijing to lift what they say is undeclared martial law. "Those five appeals are reasonable. They are not something impossible for the U.N. to take a look at. So my father and two hunger strikers they are waiting for the U.N.  - not just their word, they are waiting for an action. It's been 53 years," said Deden Gongmae, Dorjee's daughter from San Francisco. U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky says that a senior human rights official met recently with the protesters and the number two diplomat at China's U.N. Mission. "He said he would convey the group's concerns to the relevant Special Rapporteur and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, in line with established procedure in handling human rights matters," Nesirky said.   The spokesman added that the secretary-general supports the right of all people to peaceful protest, but he is very concerned about the health of the hunger strikers. Tsewang Rigzin is president of the Tibetan Youth Congress. He said the group is grateful for the U.N. official's visit, but the indefinite hunger strike would continue. "Because in Tibet, unlike here, in Tibet, people do not have basic fundamental rights, they do not have the right to protest, they do not have the right to assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, what have you. So because of that, people are setting themselves on fire to make their case, to voice their opposition to the Chinese government," Rigzin said. Earlier this month, the Chinese-appointed governor of Tibet, Padma Choling, criticized the self-immolations. "This is against humankind consciousness and moral principles, so I think that the self-immolations, their supporters, and the people that commit those acts should be punished severely by the law," Padma said. Dorjee Gyalpo is physically weak, but his resolve is not. "China wants to wipe out the whole Tibetan nation and the Tibetan people. But they will never succeed. It is like a tree. China has been cutting branches, but they can never destroy the roots, so the Tibetan people will never give up," said Dorjee Gyalpo. Media files: UN_TIBETANS_HUNGER_sq.jpg UN_TIBETANS_HUNGER__355722.mp4 (video/mp4)

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VOA News: Economy: Cold War Era Legislation Could Hinder US-Russia Trade

VOA News: Economy Economy Voice of America

Cold War Era Legislation Could Hinder US-Russia Trade Mar 20th 2012, 19:33 A relic of the Cold War era between the United States and Soviet Union could soon be an obstacle to improving trade between the U.S. and Russia, experts say. Jackson-Vanik amendment The relic in question is known as "the Jackson-Vanik amendment," which Congress passed as a modification to the 1974 Trade Act that regulated commerce between the United States and nations that were then controlled by communist governments. Under Jackson-Vanik, Washington could not establish normal trade relations with another country unless that country granted its citizens full and unrestricted rights to emigrate. At the time, the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies severely restricted emigration. "Congress initially passed the law in response to the Soviet Union's emigration restrictions, particularly with respect to its Jewish citizens," Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said during a recent hearing. "Jackson-Vanik served its purpose. It helped millions of Jews emigrate freely." "But it is now a relic of the past," Baucus said. "Every president, regardless of political party, has waived Jackson-Vanik's requirements for Russia for the past 20 years." Economic impact The Obama administration agrees, saying U.S. businesses will suffer unless Congress repeals Jackson-Vanik. Repeal would open the way for U.S. companies to continue doing normal business on a permanent basis with Russia, which is expected to become a full member of the Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO) this year. The WTO, which oversees the rules of international trade, approved Russia's membership application last December and trade experts expect Moscow to ratify the agreement by July. <!--IMAGE-RIGHT-->As a full WTO member, Moscow must agree to a series of trade rules, including a ceiling on tariff levels imposed on imported goods and the protection of intellectual property. In addition, Russia will have to amend its economic and trade laws to make them conform to international standards. Most trade experts agree that Jackson-Vanik should be repealed as soon as possible. "First, it applies to a country that no longer exists - the Soviet Union," Anders Aslund, a Russia expert with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told VOA. "Secondly, the problem in question is emigration and that has not been a problem for many years." Business Thirdly, adds Aslund, if the Jackson-Vanik amendment is not repealed, tariffs on Russian goods to the United States could increase to 50 percent, severely curtailing, if not ending, all Russian exports to the United States. U.S. exports to Russia would also be greatly affected, he said. U.S. business leaders are closely watching the issue. They say their business in Russia will suffer unless Moscow is granted "permanent normal trade relations," or PNTR, with the United States. This trade status can be granted only after Jackson-Vanik is revoked. "Russia has committed upon accession (to WTO) to significantly reduce its tariffs on imported agricultural equipment, from 15 percent to five percent," Sam Allen, chairman of Deere and Company, told a recent congressional hearing. "However, it is likely that Russia would not extend the lower tariff rates to the U.S.-made products until it is granted PNTR." Caution suggested But while American businesses are calling for the swift repeal of the amendment, others are urging caution. One of those is Sen. Jon Kyl, who recently addressed his colleagues on the matter. "While emigration may no longer be the issue, Russia's blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law is every bit as relevant today as it was decades ago," Kyl said. "Human rights cannot be divorced from the discussion of our economic relationship with Russia, particularly since some of the most egregious cases of abuse involve citizens exercising their economic and commercial rights." Kyl also says Russia is moving away from international norms and values. "In recent months, Moscow has not only blocked United Nations Security Council action on Syria, but has continued to sell arms to Assad's regime, which is responsible for the slaughter of innocent citizens," the Arizona Republican said. "This is not a government that can be trusted to uphold its international commitments or give a fair shake to American businesses." Kyl concluded that there was no need to consider repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment anytime soon, adding that a thorough examination of U.S.-Russia relations was needed first. Media files: reuters_obama_murray_Baucus_eng_300_21nov12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0 MB) US-Russia-Trade-Deficit.png

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VOA News: Europe: Cold War Era Legislation Could Hinder US-Russia Trade

VOA News: Europe Europe Voice of America

Cold War Era Legislation Could Hinder US-Russia Trade Mar 20th 2012, 19:33 A relic of the Cold War era between the United States and Soviet Union could soon be an obstacle to improving trade between the U.S. and Russia, experts say. Jackson-Vanik amendment The relic in question is known as "the Jackson-Vanik amendment," which Congress passed as a modification to the 1974 Trade Act that regulated commerce between the United States and nations that were then controlled by communist governments. Under Jackson-Vanik, Washington could not establish normal trade relations with another country unless that country granted its citizens full and unrestricted rights to emigrate. At the time, the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies severely restricted emigration. "Congress initially passed the law in response to the Soviet Union's emigration restrictions, particularly with respect to its Jewish citizens," Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said during a recent hearing. "Jackson-Vanik served its purpose. It helped millions of Jews emigrate freely." "But it is now a relic of the past," Baucus said. "Every president, regardless of political party, has waived Jackson-Vanik's requirements for Russia for the past 20 years." Economic impact The Obama administration agrees, saying U.S. businesses will suffer unless Congress repeals Jackson-Vanik. Repeal would open the way for U.S. companies to continue doing normal business on a permanent basis with Russia, which is expected to become a full member of the Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO) this year. The WTO, which oversees the rules of international trade, approved Russia's membership application last December and trade experts expect Moscow to ratify the agreement by July. <!--IMAGE-RIGHT-->As a full WTO member, Moscow must agree to a series of trade rules, including a ceiling on tariff levels imposed on imported goods and the protection of intellectual property. In addition, Russia will have to amend its economic and trade laws to make them conform to international standards. Most trade experts agree that Jackson-Vanik should be repealed as soon as possible. "First, it applies to a country that no longer exists - the Soviet Union," Anders Aslund, a Russia expert with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told VOA. "Secondly, the problem in question is emigration and that has not been a problem for many years." Business Thirdly, adds Aslund, if the Jackson-Vanik amendment is not repealed, tariffs on Russian goods to the United States could increase to 50 percent, severely curtailing, if not ending, all Russian exports to the United States. U.S. exports to Russia would also be greatly affected, he said. U.S. business leaders are closely watching the issue. They say their business in Russia will suffer unless Moscow is granted "permanent normal trade relations," or PNTR, with the United States. This trade status can be granted only after Jackson-Vanik is revoked. "Russia has committed upon accession (to WTO) to significantly reduce its tariffs on imported agricultural equipment, from 15 percent to five percent," Sam Allen, chairman of Deere and Company, told a recent congressional hearing. "However, it is likely that Russia would not extend the lower tariff rates to the U.S.-made products until it is granted PNTR." Caution suggested But while American businesses are calling for the swift repeal of the amendment, others are urging caution. One of those is Sen. Jon Kyl, who recently addressed his colleagues on the matter. "While emigration may no longer be the issue, Russia's blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law is every bit as relevant today as it was decades ago," Kyl said. "Human rights cannot be divorced from the discussion of our economic relationship with Russia, particularly since some of the most egregious cases of abuse involve citizens exercising their economic and commercial rights." Kyl also says Russia is moving away from international norms and values. "In recent months, Moscow has not only blocked United Nations Security Council action on Syria, but has continued to sell arms to Assad's regime, which is responsible for the slaughter of innocent citizens," the Arizona Republican said. "This is not a government that can be trusted to uphold its international commitments or give a fair shake to American businesses." Kyl concluded that there was no need to consider repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment anytime soon, adding that a thorough examination of U.S.-Russia relations was needed first. Media files: reuters_obama_murray_Baucus_eng_300_21nov12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0 MB) US-Russia-Trade-Deficit.png

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VOA News: Middle East: Arab League Summit Provides Test for Beleaguered Baghdad

VOA News: Middle East Middle East Voice of America

Arab League Summit Provides Test for Beleaguered Baghdad Mar 20th 2012, 19:22 Wracked by militant attacks, political divisions, sectarian tensions, and economic troubles, Iraq is expected to host Arab leaders next week in a summit it hopes will be a positive play on the diplomatic stage. Those efforts were complicated on Tuesday when at least 12 near-simultaneous explosions struck across Iraq, killing and wounding dozens. The bombings came despite a massive security push ahead of the Arab League summit set for March 29 in Baghdad. The Iraqi government says it is determined to show it can keep the nation secure after U.S. troops left in December. Islamic insurgents from the group Ansar al-Islam have warned they intend to disrupt the meetings and show the country is not safe from violence. The summit is the first of the 22-member Arab League since the winds of Arab Spring revolutions unfolded last year. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to attend. Tens of thousands of security forces will be deployed. Baghdad hotels are being refurbished and streets spruced up. Save for arriving delegations, the Baghdad airport will be closed to traffic. After nearly a decade of war and billions of dollars in foreign aid, Iraq is struggling in its bid for nationhood. But if the meeting of Arab leaders takes place, analysts say Baghdad could take a big step forward.    "It is an important milestone for Iraqis in their return to normalcy," said Daniel Serwer, a scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington. Iraq has not hosted Arab leaders since May 1990, shortly before former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait and caused upset in the Arab world that led to the Gulf War. Baghdad was to hold the Arab League conference last year. But it was postponed due to security concerns and political and social upheaval in the Mideast. Concerns Persist As demonstrated by Tuesday's carnage, those concerns - and others - persist. "There are huge political problems inside Iraq," Hani Ashour, an adviser to the Iraqiyya political bloc, told The National, a newspaper in Abu Dhabi. "The various political groups here can't agree on much, which makes it difficult to host such a meeting. On top of that there is a storm of political problems in the Arab world." Iraq has invited 21 leaders to attend the summit. Some key former Arab League participants no longer have their place. Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, who spearheaded the Arab League cause for 30 years, is jailed after having resigned last year in a popular uprising. Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is in exile after 23 years in power. In Yemen, the decades-long rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh ended with vice-president Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi taking over in February. And in Libya, strongman Moammar Gadhafi met his death in civil war.      While those nations and Iraq forge new paths, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have experienced protests that are leading to modest reforms. Syria on the Agenda Syria, meanwhile, is torn by a popular uprising and is expected to dominate the Arab League talks. The Arab League suspended Syria's membership in November after President Bashar al-Assad failed to fulfill a pledge to bring an end to his government's violent crackdown on dissent. The League has failed in efforts to broker an end to the year-long violence in Syria that has left more than 8,000 people dead. Iraq has been one of the least vocal of League members about its neighbor Syria. "These are problematic subjects for Iraq," analyst Serwer said.  Iraq has been "less than completely committed to taking down Bashar al-Assad." And Iraq too is struggling to find its diplomatic tone on another neighbor, Iran, which in a dispute with the West over its controversial nuclear program. Iraq historically has had a "highly problematic relationship" with Iran, Serwer said. Relations between the two countries have improved since the end of the Iran-Iraq war in 1988. However, tensions remain concerning the status of ethnic minority Kurds, who have regional autonomy in Iraq. Kurdish militants seeking increased political and civil rights in Iran and Turkey have waged deadly attacks. Better Ties to Kuwait In the lead-up to the summit, Iraq paved the way for smoother relations with a southern neighbor, Kuwait. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited Kuwait earlier this month in a bid to boost ties that have remained strained since Iraq's 1990 invasion. During talks, Iraq and Kuwait agreed on a $500 million deal that settles a decades-old legal dispute involving Iraq's state-owned airline. The dispute stemmed from Kuwait's accusations that Saddam Hussein stole 10 airplanes and millions of dollars in equipment from Kuwait during the invasion. Kuwait's emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, is expected at the Baghdad summit. The summit too will mark a religious milestone.  Iraq is now Shi'ite-led.  With the exception of Maliki, leaders attending the summit are Sunni Muslims. Iraq has long struggled under the sectarian divide.  Khattar Abou Diab, who teaches political science at the University of Paris, says Tuesday's bombing attacks are probably a barometer of a growing divide between Iraq's Sunni and Shi'ite factions. Abou Diab says the attacks also might have been timed to discredit the government before next week's Arab League summit in Baghdad. On Monday, hundreds of thousands of followers of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr took to the streets in Basra, not only to mark the anniversary of the 2003 U.S. intervention, but also as a show of power ahead of the summit. Sadr, a member of Maliki's ruling coalition, vows to ban protests during the summit as a show of "hospitality." Media files: RTR2ZM3G-resizedpx1024q80dpi96shp20.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) AP_IRAQ_BLASTS_300.jpg

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VOA News: USA: Cold War Era Legislation Could Hinder US-Russia Trade

VOA News: USA USA Voice of America

Cold War Era Legislation Could Hinder US-Russia Trade Mar 20th 2012, 19:33 A relic of the Cold War era between the United States and Soviet Union could soon be an obstacle to improving trade between the U.S. and Russia, experts say. Jackson-Vanik amendment The relic in question is known as "the Jackson-Vanik amendment," which Congress passed as a modification to the 1974 Trade Act that regulated commerce between the United States and nations that were then controlled by communist governments. Under Jackson-Vanik, Washington could not establish normal trade relations with another country unless that country granted its citizens full and unrestricted rights to emigrate. At the time, the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies severely restricted emigration. "Congress initially passed the law in response to the Soviet Union's emigration restrictions, particularly with respect to its Jewish citizens," Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said during a recent hearing. "Jackson-Vanik served its purpose. It helped millions of Jews emigrate freely." "But it is now a relic of the past," Baucus said. "Every president, regardless of political party, has waived Jackson-Vanik's requirements for Russia for the past 20 years." Economic impact The Obama administration agrees, saying U.S. businesses will suffer unless Congress repeals Jackson-Vanik. Repeal would open the way for U.S. companies to continue doing normal business on a permanent basis with Russia, which is expected to become a full member of the Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO) this year. The WTO, which oversees the rules of international trade, approved Russia's membership application last December and trade experts expect Moscow to ratify the agreement by July. <!--IMAGE-RIGHT-->As a full WTO member, Moscow must agree to a series of trade rules, including a ceiling on tariff levels imposed on imported goods and the protection of intellectual property. In addition, Russia will have to amend its economic and trade laws to make them conform to international standards. Most trade experts agree that Jackson-Vanik should be repealed as soon as possible. "First, it applies to a country that no longer exists - the Soviet Union," Anders Aslund, a Russia expert with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told VOA. "Secondly, the problem in question is emigration and that has not been a problem for many years." Business Thirdly, adds Aslund, if the Jackson-Vanik amendment is not repealed, tariffs on Russian goods to the United States could increase to 50 percent, severely curtailing, if not ending, all Russian exports to the United States. U.S. exports to Russia would also be greatly affected, he said. U.S. business leaders are closely watching the issue. They say their business in Russia will suffer unless Moscow is granted "permanent normal trade relations," or PNTR, with the United States. This trade status can be granted only after Jackson-Vanik is revoked. "Russia has committed upon accession (to WTO) to significantly reduce its tariffs on imported agricultural equipment, from 15 percent to five percent," Sam Allen, chairman of Deere and Company, told a recent congressional hearing. "However, it is likely that Russia would not extend the lower tariff rates to the U.S.-made products until it is granted PNTR." Caution suggested But while American businesses are calling for the swift repeal of the amendment, others are urging caution. One of those is Sen. Jon Kyl, who recently addressed his colleagues on the matter. "While emigration may no longer be the issue, Russia's blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law is every bit as relevant today as it was decades ago," Kyl said. "Human rights cannot be divorced from the discussion of our economic relationship with Russia, particularly since some of the most egregious cases of abuse involve citizens exercising their economic and commercial rights." Kyl also says Russia is moving away from international norms and values. "In recent months, Moscow has not only blocked United Nations Security Council action on Syria, but has continued to sell arms to Assad's regime, which is responsible for the slaughter of innocent citizens," the Arizona Republican said. "This is not a government that can be trusted to uphold its international commitments or give a fair shake to American businesses." Kyl concluded that there was no need to consider repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment anytime soon, adding that a thorough examination of U.S.-Russia relations was needed first. Media files: reuters_obama_murray_Baucus_eng_300_21nov12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0 MB) US-Russia-Trade-Deficit.png

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VOA News: USA: Clinton Celebrates Pioneer Aviatrix Amelia Earhart

VOA News: USA USA Voice of America

Clinton Celebrates Pioneer Aviatrix Amelia Earhart Mar 20th 2012, 20:20 U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has celebrated the life and legacy of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, highlighting new efforts to solve the decades-old mystery of what happened to the famed American pilot. Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan were last heard from over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 while trying to circumnavigate the globe.  They left the Territory of New Guinea, now Papua New Guinea, for Howland Island in the South Pacific, but never arrived.  Historians have theorized they may have crashed into the ocean or landed on a reef and survived there for a while. A new analysis of a photograph taken months after the disappearance shows what some think could be part of the plane, prompting a new search effort by a private group, The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery.  The search will take place off the Kiribati islands. At a State Department event celebrating Earhart and U.S.-Pacific ties, Clinton recalled how she was interested in the stories of all kinds of women when she was a young girl, and dreamed of becoming the first female astronaut.   She said her hopes were dashed after NASA, which has had many women travel into space since the 1980s, told her it would not have any female astronauts.  Clinton said she knew there were women who would live up to their God-given potential and lead the way for others if given the chance. "And in part," Clinton said, "that was because there was this woman Amelia Earhart, who, when it was really hard, decided she was going to break all kinds of limits - social limits, gravity limits, distance limits.  NASA may have said I couldn't go into space, but nobody was there to tell Amelia Earhart she couldn't do what she chose to do.  Now it has been 75 years since she set out in that twin-engine Lockheed Electra to be the first pilot - man or woman - to fly around the world along the longest equatorial route.  Her legacy resonates today for anyone, girls and boys, who dreams of the stars." Clinton described Earhart as an "unlikely heroine" for a nation still in the grips of the Great Depression, but that she "embodied the spirit of an America coming of age and increasingly confident, ready to lead in a quite uncertain and dangerous world." "She gave people hope and she inspired them to dream bigger and bolder," Clinton said.  "When she took off on that historic journey, she carried the aspirations of our entire country with her." The secretary of state also welcomed Tessie Lambourne, the foreign secretary of Kiribati, to the event in Washington. Media files: amelia_earhart_480x300_AP.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) AP-earhart.jpg

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VOA News: Europe: HRW Calls on Russia to Stop Interfering in Peaceful Protests

VOA News: Europe Europe Voice of America

HRW Calls on Russia to Stop Interfering in Peaceful Protests Mar 20th 2012, 19:12 An international human rights group has called on Russian authorities to protect the right to peaceful assembly, criticizing Moscow for detaining peaceful protesters and not holding accountable those responsible for any violations.   U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said Tuesday more than 130 protesters were detained Saturday and Sunday at three separate demonstrations in the capital, Moscow. The rights group says the gatherings were all peaceful, adding that the activists "did nothing to provoke police or necessitate police interference." The report says some of those arrested were released within hours, pending hearings, while others were given sentences of up to 10 days in prison. HRW's Acting Deputy Director for Europe and Central Asia, Jane Buchanan, said the Russian government needs to guarantee the right to free assembly to all of its citizens and allow the full expression of that, placing limits only in instances where there is a public threat. Human Rights Watch reiterates that according to the European Court of Human Rights, unauthorized peaceful protests do not justify restricting the right to freedom of assembly. A spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in Washington was not available for comment. In recent months, thousands of people have taken part in both authorized and unauthorized demonstrations across Russia to protest a range of issues, including parliamentary and presidential elections, corruption and the detention of political prisoners. Vladimir Putin, who has been prime minister since relinquishing the presidency in 2008, won the country's March 4 presidential election by a landslide. He will be sworn in for a third term as president on May 7. The opposition disputes Putin's victory, calling it a stolen election.   World leaders acknowledged Putin's victory with reservations. International observers say the election was clearly skewed in Putin's favor. Media files: reuters_moscow_protest_police_480_17march2012.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) reuters_moscow_protest_police_230_17march2012.jpg

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VOA News: Africa: Opposition Malawi Lawmaker Arrested for Torching Police Station

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

Opposition Malawi Lawmaker Arrested for Torching Police Station Mar 20th 2012, 18:30 <!--IMAGE-LEFT-->An opposition party in Malawi says lawmaker Atupele Muluzi, the son of former president Bakili Muluzi, has been arrested in connection with the torching of a police station. United Democratic Party (UDF) officials say Muluzi, who has been described as an aspiring 2014 presidential candidate, was detained at a police roadblock as he traveled from the administrative capital Lilongwe to the commercial capital Blantyre, and was taken away for questioning. National police spokesperson David Chingwalu had earlier said he was not aware of Muluzi's arrest.   But UDF secretary general Kennedy Makwangwala told VOA he confirmed the arrest. "I have just got a phone call that Atupele Muluzi has been detained at Bunda turn-off road block by police," said Makwangwala. "I don't know why they have detained him, maybe it's because of this issue we are talking about, that they have warrants of arrest for some members of the party. I can't say what are going to do on radio or newspaper.  We will only do what we want to do." Muluzi's supporters had burned down a Lilongwe police station and destroyed cars parked near the station after they clashed with police at an anti-government rally on Sunday.   International donors have cut aid to Malawi, citing concerns President Bingu wa Mutharika has become autocratic. At least 19 people were killed by police during anti-government demonstrations and looting in Malawi last year. Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters. Media files: Malawi Curious Map.jpg

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VOA News: USA: Romney Looks to Widen Lead with Illinois Primary Win

VOA News: USA USA Voice of America

Romney Looks to Widen Lead with Illinois Primary Win Mar 20th 2012, 18:24 Republicans in U.S. President Barack Obama's home state of Illinois are heading to the polls Tuesday to select the Republican candidate they want to see take on the Democratic president in November. Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is looking to widen his lead over top rival Rick Santorum in Tuesday's primary. Opinion polls released a day ahead of the vote showed Romney as many as 15 points ahead of Santorum. Fifty-four delegates are at stake in the state, and a win would give Romney major momentum. The former Massachusetts governor has already won more than 500 delegates, while Santorum is in the 200s. The other two Republican candidates, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul, are far behind. Both Romney and Santorum campaigned in Illinois on Monday. Romney met with voters at a diner in the capital, Springfield, before heading to Chicago to deliver an economic address.  He pledged to control government spending. "I want to restore the principles that made America the greatest nation on Earth - and one of them is you don't spend more than you take in," Romney said. Santorum has said that if he wins Tuesday's primary, he will secure the Republican presidential nomination.  The former U.S. senator urged supporters to get others to vote for him. "This could be an amazing time in American history, and right here in Illinois you can usher that in," Santorum said. "You can surprise the pundits, amaze them with conservatives." On Sunday, Romney won Puerto Rico's 20 delegates, moving him closer to the 1,144 needed to win the Republican nomination.   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. Media files: Republicans-Romney Santorum Combo2.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) RTR2ZMDL_230_Reuters_IllinoisVote_20MAR12.jpg

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VOA News: Arts and Entertainment: Pop Tunes Get Jazz Makeover on Pizzarelli's 'Double Exposure'

VOA News: Arts and Entertainment Arts and Entertainment Voice of America

Pop Tunes Get Jazz Makeover on Pizzarelli's 'Double Exposure' Mar 20th 2012, 17:42 Singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli is known for turning classic pop tunes into cool, jazzy melodies.  Pizzarelli expands his musical horizons even further on his latest album, Double Exposure. It's not every day you hear the Allman Brothers classic "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed" performed by a jazz musician.  But, then Pizzarelli isn't your average jazz musician.   <!--IMAGE-RIGHT--> His subtle change in arrangement on Seals and Crofts' "Diamond Girl," from a '70's soft rock hit to a 1950's jazz piece is reminiscent of Miles Davis' "So What." Pizzarelli's influences extend far and wide.  Clearly, Davis was one of his heroes growing up, but so was everyone from Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra to Antonio Carlos Jobim, Duke Ellington and The Beatles. His rendition of "I Feel Fine" marks a return to The Beatles songbook.  In 1998, Pizzarelli released a tribute album to the "Fab Four," titled John Pizzarelli Meets The Beatles. Double Exposure also features remakes of Joni Mitchell's "Free Man In Paris," Tom Waits' "Drunk On The Moon" and Leiber and Stoller's "Ruby Baby," as well as songs by Neil Young, Billy Joel and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan. Pizzarelli admits that his music is basically pop and jazz rolled into one, thus the title Double Exposure.  On making the album, he says, "It was a matter of finding the jazz to go inside the pop song, and doing it in a way that would be entertaining and engaging."  Media files: John Pizzarelli press photo 480.jpg (image/jpeg, 0 MB) John Pizzarelli Double Exposure 230.jpg Levine_SteveTyrell_8Mar12_edited.mp3 (audio/mpeg)

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VOA News: Economy: Greece's Financial Plight Eases Slightly

VOA News: Economy Economy Voice of America

Greece's Financial Plight Eases Slightly Mar 20th 2012, 16:42 Greece's financial plight is easing a bit, with the government receiving the first segment of its new bailout and at the same time attracting investors for a bond offering. Greek officials said Tuesday the Athens government has received $10 billion from its European neighbors and the International Monetary Fund. The payment kept Greece from defaulting, with most of the money going to repay bonds held by the central banks in the 17-nation euro currency bloc. Meanwhile, Greece sold its first bonds since reaching an agreement for its new $171 billion bailout, the country's second in two years, and elimination of $141 billion in debt the country owed its private creditors. The country raised $1.7 billion on the three-month loans and will pay less in interest than it did on similar bonds before securing the debt relief. In Washington, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told a congressional committee that Europe has "made very significant progress" in resolving the continent's two-year governmental debt crisis that centered on Greece's massive financial problems. But Geithner warned that the eurozone is only in the initial stages of carrying out new tighter controls on spending and that "economic growth is likely to be weak for some time." Europe is predicting its economy will shrink slightly this year. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. Media files: Reut_GreeceBank_10mar12-resizedpx480q100dpi96shp8.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.2 MB) Reut_GreeceBank_10mar12-300.jpg

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VOA News: Europe: Greece's Financial Plight Eases Slightly

VOA News: Europe Europe Voice of America

Greece's Financial Plight Eases Slightly Mar 20th 2012, 16:42 Greece's financial plight is easing a bit, with the government receiving the first segment of its new bailout and at the same time attracting investors for a bond offering. Greek officials said Tuesday the Athens government has received $10 billion from its European neighbors and the International Monetary Fund. The payment kept Greece from defaulting, with most of the money going to repay bonds held by the central banks in the 17-nation euro currency bloc. Meanwhile, Greece sold its first bonds since reaching an agreement for its new $171 billion bailout, the country's second in two years, and elimination of $141 billion in debt the country owed its private creditors. The country raised $1.7 billion on the three-month loans and will pay less in interest than it did on similar bonds before securing the debt relief. In Washington, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told a congressional committee that Europe has "made very significant progress" in resolving the continent's two-year governmental debt crisis that centered on Greece's massive financial problems. But Geithner warned that the eurozone is only in the initial stages of carrying out new tighter controls on spending and that "economic growth is likely to be weak for some time." Europe is predicting its economy will shrink slightly this year. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. Media files: Reut_GreeceBank_10mar12-resizedpx480q100dpi96shp8.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.2 MB) Reut_GreeceBank_10mar12-300.jpg

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