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	• NEWS >> ATW May 19, 2005 Yearly Script Program Index -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPEN/WELCOME Hi and welcome to Assignment: The World for the week of May 19th, 2005. I’m Elissa Orlando. In our top story this week…America’s Secretary of State pleads for patience in Iraq. 1—IRAQ/RICE VISIT Condoleezza Rice made a surprise, heavily guarded trip to Iraq Sunday. Speaking to US embassy staff and troops, she said Iraq’s new government needs time to overcome decades of oppressive leaders and policies. Rice said the US and its war in Iraq will eventually lead the way toward liberty in the Middle East. This was Secretary Rice’s first trip to Iraq. Her schedule there also included meetings with top government officials and US military commanders. Her visit came in the midst of increasing violence in Iraq. In the two weeks since that country’s first democratically elected government was announced, more than 450 people have been killed. Investigators have made separate, equally gruesome discoveries of dozens of bodies in several cities. On Monday, a mortar attack on an Iraqi National Guard base killed five soldiers and injured 10 others. An Iraqi army brigadier general survived an attempt on his life early that same day when gunmen in four cars attacked his convoy. Many other top Iraqi officials have also been targets for attack. 5-16 Midst (n) the middle position or part; center ATW Fact Cities in what is now Uzbekistan were once key stops on the so-called Silk Road between China and the Roman Empire. Roughly the size of California, its deserts and mountains are home to nearly 27 million people.. INTRO REST OF THE NEWS In the rest of the news this week… --Poverty or religion: what sparked trouble in Uzbekistan… --a British politician denies shady deals with Iraq… --and an American news story sparks violence in the Middle East. #2—NEWSWEEK RETRACTS Protests in Afghanistan and Pakistan continue over claims that US interrogators desecrated the Quran. Those claims began in the May 9th issue of Newsweek magazine. A story there reported that military interrogators had placed copies of Islam’s holy book in washrooms and had flushed one down a toilet in an effort to get inmates to talk. Newsweek has since apologized for what it calls errors in the original story but Islamic leaders are skeptical. They claim the Bush administration put pressure on Newsweek to make a retraction and insist that any military personnel who desecrated the Quran must be handed over for punishment. At least 15 people have died and scores more have been injured in clashes between security forces and protestors in Afghanistan. Officials at the Pentagon blame Newsweek for the confrontations and have accused the magazine of irresponsible reporting. Skeptical (adj) doubting, questioning #3—UZBEK VIOLENCE Economic conditions are reportedly behind the growing confrontation between soldiers and civilians in Uzbekistan. Hundreds are dead and several thousand people have been wounded in clashes that began late last week. Uzbek President Islam Karimov blames the violence on religious extremists . He has also denied reports that his troops opened fire on demonstrators in the eastern Uzbek town of Andijan, killing as many as 500. The head of a human rights advocacy group has, in turn, denied that the demonstrators have anything to do with an Islamic uprising. He says it is political demonstration to protest that country’s dire economic conditions. If reports of the number of people killed are true, it would be the worst government inspired violence since the massacre in China’s Tiananmen Square in 1989. While Uzbekistan is frequently denounced by human rights groups for torture and repression of its opposition, it is also home to a strategic US air base. Extremist (n) person who advocates or resorts to extreme measures, especially in politics #4— —UN-OIL FOR FOOD “I have never bought or sold a drop of oil from Iraq.” So says maverick British politician George Galloway, denying charges that he profited from shady deals with former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Galloway flew to Washington early this week to appear before a Senate sub committee. It is investigating claims that Saddam’s government was able to sell oil in exchange for illegal revenues and favors. There are also charges that U-N officials, activists and some journalists used the U-N oil for food program to make huge, illegal profits. Former French Interior Minister Charles Pasqua has also denied any wrongdoing. The oil for food program was to have resulted in humanitarian aid getting to Iraqi citizens who were affected by U-N sanctions imposed after the first Gulf War in 1991. Illegal (adj) prohibited by law or official rules POP QUIZ #1 In our story about Iraq, which top US official made her first official trip there? Was it 1. Condoleezza Rice 2. Hilary Clinton 3. Nancy Pelosi And the answer is number 1. The U-S Secretary of State made a surprise visit to Iraq over the weekend. OLD CLUE #1—CANNES It's time now for the answers to our Clues in the News. Our first clue was the location of Cannes, France. That’s where the 59th annual international film festival continues through May 22nd. Cannes is one of the oldest and most important film festivals. Winning its top prize, the Palm D’Or, lends publicity and prestige to a movie. Though many famous directors from Fosse to Fellini have come away with that award, Cannes jury is also known for making controversial choices. Among those: last year’s top prize went to Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9-11. Cannes is also noteworthy as an expensive magnet for the rich and famous. OLD CLUE #2—BASE CLOSINGS Fill in the blanks on our second clue and you got Base closings. 33 major bases are among the 180 military installations targeted to be shut down by the US Defense Department. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says his overall plan will save the country almost 49-billion dollars over the next 20 years and make the military better suited to fight the war on terror. Congress hasn’t authorized a new round of base closings in 10 years. Residents in cities near the bases targeted to be shut down are vowing to fight Rumsfeld’s plan. OLD CLUE #3—CENTRAL AMERICAN PRESIDENTS And finally, unscramble our third clue and you got Central American Presidents. 6 presidents from the Dominican Republic and Central America made an unprecedented trip to Washington last week to push for passage of CAFTA or the Central American Free Trade Agreement. President Bush supports the proposed agreement, calling it a plus for every nation involved. However, CAFTA faces strong opposition before it comes to a vote for approval in Congress. While the President says it will create jobs in Central America and open up new markets for American goods, opponents say it will do little to correct abuses of workers and damage to the environment. They also claim that free trade pacts are the wrong idea in a time of soaring trade deficits. THIS WEEK IN WORLD HISTORY This week in world history… May 19th, 1780, darkness fell at midday over a region stretching from New Jersey to Maine. It was not caused by an eclipse nor by volcanic ash. While still unexplained, some experts think it may have been caused by massive forest fires burning west of New England. ATW FEATURE FEATURE At the Rochester Institute of Technology, a group of students have been working on something unique. Now, they’re off to a national competition. Let’s see what they’ve been up to. (Wyatt) At an auto mechanical shop, students are hard at work on a big project. Fernando Fiore is a member of the college SAE Formula Racing team. (Fernand) FORMULA describes basically the type of car that we are building. FORMULA racing is basically a open wheel race car that is purposefully built for competition. FORMULA cars have been around since the automobile basically. (Wyatt) Every year, these students get together to raise money and begin plans for the construction of a race car for which to enter into their national competition. (Fernando) Our unveiling date is May sixth. So we have less than three weeks until our unveiling date where this car you see right here is going to be a running, finished vehicle. (Wyatt) That was a month ago, now completed; the car is on its way to the finish line. It looks like loads of fun but its also a great deal of work. (Fernando) Definitely, we always incorporate, all of the things that we learn in our classes on the team. You know, in the beginning, it's a lot of work. It's a lot of time that you have to take away from other things like you said but, in the end, the fun is ten times better than any recreational activity we get. I don't know a lot of twenty-one years olds that can jump into a racecar and drive around a racecar and build one from scratch. I mean a lot of adults really think that’s an amazing experience so i think to do it when you're twenty-one years old is pretty impressive. (Wyatt) And not too long ago these young men at Rochester Institute of Technology were just like you. (Fernando) I grew up working with my father a lot. He owned a repair shop. And I always wanted fix the mistakes, fix all those problems my dad complained about And I always thought that I was going to be the guy to fix all the mistakes. (Wyatt) And you can be an artist, scientist or engineer just as they are studying to be, you could even get started today. (Fernando) I would read lots of books, I would read books about racing, books about engines, and everything you're just interested in read and find out more. Because, the quicker you get start on that, the better engineer you'll be. And, if you're interested in it just go for it there's nothing stopping you. (Wyatt) For Assignment: The World, I’m Wyatt Doremus. ISN’T IT COOL BEIJING TO PARIS A convoy of vintage cars set off from Beijing, China on a 10,000 mile drive to Paris, recreating a journey that first took place in 1907. Four of the five cars are vintage models and almost 100 years old. Drivers from Australia, New Zealand and Holland donned period costumes, complete with helmets and goggles. Their aim is to arrive in Paris on the 13th of July…Bastille Day. MAILBAG We received nearly four hundred responses to our issue question, “Should the United States rely more on nuclear power?” The majority of you, forty nine percent say yes, we should rely more on nuclear power. Thirty three percent say no, we should not. Eighteen percent are undecided. Many of you feel that producing nuclear power has too many negative side effects and that there are better alternatives. Jessica E. of Mukwonago, Wisconsin writes, “Nuclear waste can be deadly if not disposed of properly. Solar and wind power can be used forever and they are much cleaner.” Ellie A. of Rochester, New York adds, “Nuclear power is dangerous and produces harmful waste. We should increase our use of clean energy source like solar power, wind energy, wave energy and geothermal power.” Ben J. of Luxemborg, Wisconsin says simply, “It is a threat to our health. It takes thousands of years to decontaminate.” And, Tess H. of Manchester, Vermont thinks there are better areas for the U.S. to concentrate their efforts. Tess writes, “The U.S. should be thinking about a conservation plan that makes people use less energy.” The majority of you, however, think nuclear power is a cleaner, safer source of energy and that the U.S. should concentrate their efforts toward developing it. Roger S. of Ticonderoga, New York writes, “We should use more nuclear power because we wouldn’t pollute the earth as much as we do now.” Jo Jo H. of Mt. Sydney, Virginia adds, “Nuclear is a cleaner source of energy than using coal to power electric plants.” Thomas R. of Liverpool, New York agrees and adds, “People already use it in France and Japan and they are doing fine.” Jordan B. of Mequon, Wisconsin thinks there have been significant advances in the production of nuclear power. Jordan writes, “Nuclear power has become safer and more reliable than in the past. Nuclear power is better for the environment.” Finally, Austin S. of Fairfax, Virginia writes, “I think the United States SHOULD rely more on nuclear power plants. They are a cheaper and cleaner way to produce power.” We looked forward each week to receiving your responses to our issue questions of the year. If you would like to receive an Assignment: The World Press card, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. You may write to us here at Assignment: The World, Post Office Box three-zero-zero-twenty-one, Rochester, New York… one-4-6-zero-3… or you may contact us at the A-T-W website at http://atwonline.org./ We also read e-mail at atw@wxxi.org. POP QUIZ #2 In our story about the plan to close some US military bases, what did Defense officials say will be the savings? Is it 1. $39 billion 2. $49 billion 3. $59 billion And the correct answer is number two. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says his plan will save nearly 50 billion dollars over 20 years. NEW CLUES And now it’s time for our last clues in the news, clues to stories we think you’ll want to look for over the summer… Lebanon, newly freed from Syrian soldiers and intelligence officials, will try to form a new parliament. That is supposed to take place by the end of this month. France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Poland are among the countries scheduled to vote on the European Union constitution over the summer. Iraq will continue to look for ways to lessen attacks by insurgents and make the power and representation of its government stronger. Iraq’s neighbor, Iran, elects a president in June. That leader will have to cope with increasing pressures to scale back on its fledgling nuclear program. Nuclear issues will also continue to be the focus in North Korea. That country has refused to resume talks with five other nations including Japan and the U-S since announcing it had nuclear weapons. Leaders of the 8 leading economic powers or G-8 will gather in Scotland from what promises to be a controversial meeting from July 6th through the 8th. Look for more bad weather over the summer. National weather forecasters say this year may be just like last year in terms of hurricanes. Four severe hurricanes slammed one after another into Florida in 2004. Forecasters are predicting as many as 9 hurricanes this year, 5 of them severe. And throughout July, you can follow Lance Armstrong’s attempt to extend his record breaking string of victories in the Tour de France to 7. GOOD-BYE And that’s it for this season. From all of us here at Assignment: The World, I’m Elissa Orlando. We’ll see you in September. © 2005 WXXI-TV/ Assignment: The World. All Rights Reserved.