Follow the new Obama administration's First 100 Days in office. Join us online
for daily news, slideshows, blogs and more - and join the discussion! You can
also follow VOA on Twitter! As always, VOANews.com, with its community site
USAVotes2008.com, will continue to provide you with the latest coverage.
Obama Launches Media Blitz to Promote Stimulus Plan
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=220451C:2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8&;
President to spend Tuesday in series of interviews with major television
networks as Senate begins voting on amendments to package
President Barack Obama in the Oval Office, 02 Feb 2009U.S. President Barack
Obama is opening the doors of his office to the media, part of a push for a
huge plan to boost the failing economy.Mr. Obama is scheduled to spend Tuesday
in a series of interviews with the major U.S. television networks, just as the
U.S. Senate begins voting on amendments to the package.The price tag for the
Senate version of the plan is nearing $900 billion, and has been criticized by
members of the president's own party, and the Republican opposition.Democratic
lawmakers say they want the package to do more for struggling homeowners, while
Republicans argue more tax cuts are needed to encourage spending.Already,
Democrats have agreed to drop two controversial programs: $400 million to help
prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and $75 million for
anti-smoking campaigns.President Barack Obama urged lawmakers Monday to not let
"modest differences" delay passage of the measure. A version of the bill was
approved in the House of Representatives last week, without a single Republican
voting in favor of the measure.The U.S. economy - the world's biggest - is in a
recession. The country lost 2.6 million jobs last year and already has seen
tens of thousands more layoffs this year.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan Intensifies Search for Kidnapped UN Official
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=220451D:2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8&;
Pakistan officials say they do not have a clear idea who abducted American John
Solecki Monday in city of Quetta because of area's high number of criminal
gangs, Taliban insurgents and separatist rebels
Pakistani authorities say they are questioning about a dozen people in
connection with the kidnapping of a U.N. refugee agency official.A Pakistani
police official examines the spot and vehicle of where U.N. officials were
kidnapped in Quetta, Pakistan, 02 Feb 2009Pakistani officials say they do not
have a clear idea who abducted American John Solecki Monday in the city of
Quetta because of the area's high number of criminal gangs, Taliban insurgents
and separatist rebels.No group has claimed responsibility for the ambush.
Solecki's driver was killed in the attack.Authorities have increased security
along the Afghan border to prevent the kidnappers from taking the U.N. official
to Afghanistan.Hundreds of people have died in violence in southwestern
Pakistan since an insurgency erupted in late 2004. Rebels in the area demand
political autonomy and a greater share of profits from the region's natural
resources.In another development overnight, in the country's northwest,
Pakistani officials say suspected Islamist militants blew up a bridge serving
as a key supply route for NATO forces in Afghanistan.Officials say they have
stopped all traffic on the 30-meter iron bridge and are not sure when they will
be able to open the bridge for travel.Separately, Pakistan's military says its
troops have killed at least 35 insurgents in the northwestern Swat valley. In a
statement Tuesday, Pakistani officials say the army targeted militants in an
overnight operation in the Khawaza Khela part of the valley.Militants in Swat
are battling to impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law in the one-time
tourist haven. A Taliban leader has told families there that girls will be
killed if they attempt to go to classes when schools reopen next month.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
Afghan Intelligence Breaks Up Alleged Kabul Suicide Bomb Cell
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=220451E:2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8&;
Intelligence chief Saeed Ansari says men arrested during past month from
several different locations in Kabul
Afghan intelligence officials say they have arrested 17 men accused of
organizing a series of suicide bomb attacks in Kabul during the past two
years. The men are blamed for six suicide-bomb attacks that Afghan officials
say killed 20 civilians and wounded about 120 others.National Directorate of
Security (NDS) spokesman Saeed Ansari addresses a press conference in Kabul on
03 Feb. 2009Afghanistan's intelligence chief Saeed Ansari says the men were
arrested during the past month from several different locations in Kabul. He
says Afghan intelligence agents quickly reacted after last month's suicide
attack near the German Embassy, and they were able to arrest members of one of
the most dangerous terrorist networks in Kabul. Afghan officials have not
explained what evidence ties the men to the attacks or to the militant groups
that have allegedly been sponsoring them. Ansari said the men have links to
the Pakistani jihadi group Harakat al-Mujahideen as well as Sirajuddin Haqqani,
an Afghan militant commander wanted by the U.S. military.He says the suspects
confessed that they helped guide the explosions, they prepared the equipment
and the bombs. During a news conference in Kabul, Ansari showed a video of one
of the attackers identified as a Pakistani named Yassar.He says "We belong to
Haqqani's group and I am sorry that I have done this." He said clerics had
told him he must perform jihad or he would be treated as a non-believer when he
died. He asked for forgiveness. Afghan officials say the arrested men have
claimed that all the suicide bombers who carried out the attacks were Pakistani
nationals and were trained in Pakistan's Taliban-dominated tribal areas.
Ansari also suggested the attacks may have been supported by Pakistan's spy
agency. Pakistan has repeatedly denied that its military or spy agencies still
secretly support pro-Taliban militias, as they did in the past. But Afghan,
Indian and U.S. officials say there is evidence of spy agency links to attacks
in Kabul - in particular last July's bombing of the Indian Embassy.
------------------------------------------------------
Clinton Sets First High-Level Talks, Travel as Secretary of State
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=220451F:2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8&;
Hillary Clinton is scheduled to meet with her British and German counterparts,
travel to Japan, South Korea and China
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to meet with her British
and German counterparts on Tuesday in her first meetings with senior foreign
officials in her new post. Plans are also being made for her first overseas
trip as Secretary - to Japan, South Korea and China. Clinton's separate
meetings with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and German Foreign
Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday reflect an accelerating pace for
the secretary as she moves into her second full week on the job.Officials say
the talks with the two key U.S. allies are likely to be dominated by discussion
of the conflict in Afghanistan and how to deal with Iran's nuclear
program.Senior diplomats of the five permanent U.N. Security Council member
countries and Germany are to convene in Wiesbaden, Germany on Wednesday to
discuss strategy in the long-running talks aimed at persuading Tehran to end
its uranium-enrichment program, which is believed weapons-related.In a
departure from his predecessor, President Barack Obama has said his
administration intends to directly engage Tehran. No decisions on how that
approach might be made have been announced, although the State Department said
Monday that a U.S. women's badminton team is taking part in a tournament in
Iran this week, continuing a series of people-to-people contacts. From
left: Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Chelsey Clinton and Vice President Joe
Biden at the State Department in Washington, 02 Feb 2009Although she was sworn
into office privately just after her Senate confirmation January 21, Clinton
repeated her oath at a State Department event on Monday. The formal ceremony
was attended by Congressional leaders, four former Secretaries of State, and
her husband - former President Bill Clinton.Vice President Joe Biden, who
officiated at the event, said Clinton - a former Senator and Presidential
candidate - has given the U.S. diplomatic corps a long-overdue morale boost.
"That sense of enthusiasm as you walk in and through this building - it is
contagious," said Vice President Biden. "And that's a statement about your
ability to inspire, Madame Secretary, as well as to lead."For her part, Clinton
reiterated her commitment to the use of "smart power" - a blend of diplomacy,
developmental aid and military strength to advance U.S. interests. She said
that while current world problems are daunting, they are not insurmountable."We
have in the leadership of President Obama someone who wants us to reach out to
the world, to do so without illusions - understanding the difficulties we face
will not be wished away, but meeting them forthrightly and smartly, and that we
want to seize the opportunities that exist as well," said Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton.State Department officials say plans are being finalized for
Clinton's first overseas trip as Secretary of State - a visit to Japan, South
Korea and China and possibly other stops in the region - that could begin as
early as the end of next week.The trip would be aimed at reaffirming close ties
with key U.S. regional allies Japan and South Korea, and at dealing with
problems in the complex relationship with China. The issue of North Korea's
nuclear program is expected to be a key agenda item in all three stops.North
Korea suspended its nuclear activity and has partially disabled its atomic
reactor complex in Chinese-sponsored six-party negotiations with Pyongyang. But
the process has stalled over North Korea's refusal to accept a verification
plan for the declaration of its nuclear holdings it made last June.
------------------------------------------------------
UN Envoy to Discuss Iraq Elections
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2204520:2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8&;
Special representative to report on Iraq's provincial elections as some leaders
charge fraud
U.N. Envoy to Iraq Staffan de Mistura (file photo)The United Nations special
representative for Iraq will report Tuesday on provincial elections, as the
nation awaits results from Saturday's polling.Official results are not expected
at least for several days, but already some are charging fraud. Among them are
tribal leaders in Anbar province. The leaders, who turned against al-Qaida in
Iraq two years ago, are angry because they believe the election results were
manipulated to favor Sunni rivals from the Iraqi Islamic Party.Officials in
Anbar province ordered a vehicle ban overnight Monday. Iraqi media said
unofficial election results suggest that many Iraqis turned away from religious
parties they blame for fueling sectarian tensions. The reports said that
sentiment benefited allies of Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki,
who campaigned on a law-and-order platform rather than religious
themes.Elections were held in 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces. Iraq's Kurdistan is
one of the places delaying elections until various regional issues can be
worked out. Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani said Monday that an
agreement has been reached in principle to hold provincial elections on May
19.U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by telephone Monday with Mr. Maliki and
President Jalal Talabani. The White House said Mr. Obama offered the best
wishes of the American people as newly elected Iraqi leaders assume their
duties.The White House said Mr. Obama also discussed the planning process for
withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq and pledged to consult with the Iraqi
government as the plans move forward.
------------------------------------------------------
Iran Launches First Homemade Satellite
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2204521:2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8&;
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says satellite was put in orbit late Monday
Photo taken at undisclosed location in Iran shows Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, second right, looking at Iranian satellite launching vehicle (2008
File)Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is hailing the announced launch of
his nation's first domestically-built satellite as a gift to the people of
Iran.Mr. Ahmadinejad said Tuesday the satellite - named (Omid) Hope - was put
in orbit late Monday. Media outlets said it was carried into space by an
Iranian-made (Safir-2) Ambassador-2 rocket.The announcement comes as Iran marks
the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution.France's Foreign Ministry voiced
concern about the report. A spokesman said the technology used was similar to
that employed in ballistic missiles.Iran has long held the goal of developing a
space program, generating unease among world leaders already concerned about
Tehran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.The West fears technology used
to launch a space rocket could be diverted into development of long-range
ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Iran says the
satellite will be used for peaceful observation of the environment.France,
Germany, the United States, China, Russia and Britain have been trying to
persuade Iran to stop enriching uranium, which could be used to make nuclear
weapons.Western leaders have said Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon.
Iran says its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
------------------------------------------------------
Sri Lanka Tells Civilians to Evacuate to Safe Areas
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2204522:2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8&;
Aid agencies say civilians are coming under daily barrage of artillery firing,
shelling and bombing
In Sri Lanka, the government says it cannot ensure the safety of tens of
thousands of civilians living in areas where the army is fighting Tamil Tiger
rebels. The government is asking the civilians to evacuate to safe areas, but
it is not easy for those trapped in the war zone to leave.Sri Lankan army
soldier newly patrols newly recaptured Tamil rebel-held town of Mullaittivu, 27
Jan 2009 Amid growing calls from the international community and aid agencies
to protect civilians caught in the country's northern war zone, Sri Lanka's
Media Center for National Security says that it can only guarantee the safety
and security of those who enter a 35-square kilometer "safety zone" in the
northern Mullaitivu district.
Military offensive against rebels in final stageThe director general of the
media center, Lakshman Hulugalle says, as the military offensive against the
Tamil Tiger rebels enters the final stage, the government cannot ensure the
safety of civilians who continue to live in areas controlled by the rebels also
known as the LTTE. "When they are among the LTTE-ers [Tamil Tigers] and when
there is [an] operation going on, sometimes we cannot identify them,"
Hullugalle explained. "So what government has said is we can't give
assurance. If they come into the war-free zone, no-war zone, then we give them
an assurance, 100 percent, that we protect them."Hulugalle says about 5,000
people have come into the "safe zone" in recent weeks.But that is only a
fraction of the estimated quarter-of-a-million civilians who are trapped in a
300-square-kilometer pocket in the northeast to which the Tamil rebels have
been confined.
Civilians are under fireAid agencies say these civilians are coming under a
daily barrage of artillery firing, shelling and bombing. Even medical
facilities have been hit. The United Nations spokesman in Colombo, Gordon
Weiss, says recent fighting has exacted a huge toll on civilians, including
children. "What we know of civilians is that they are suffering pretty
heavy casualties," Weiss said. "Our own staff witnessed the death and wounding
of some dozens of people last weekend. They have seen a convoy come out with
200 critically wounded, including 50 critically wounded children, some as young
as just a few months old."Independent observers say it is not easy for the
civilians to flee the war zone. They say the rebels do not allow the civilians
to leave the area because they are a buffer between them and the army. They
say the ethnic Tamils are also reluctant to live in army camps.
Army captures rebel leader's bunkerThe Sri Lankan army said Tuesday it has
captured an elaborate underground bunker complex, believed to have been the
home of Tamil Tiger leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, as well as the rebels' last
jungle airstrip.The army says the two-storey bunker, hidden in a coconut grove,
had electricity generators and medical supplies and was Prabhakaran's main
hideout. The whereabouts of the rebel leader are not known and some people
believe he may already have fled the country. The Tamil rebels have been
fighting since 1983 for an independent Tamil homeland. The government says it
is on the verge of defeating the guerrillas.
------------------------------------------------------
Rocket Fire from Gaza Continues to Hit Israel
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2204523:2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8&;
Limited rocket and mortar fire has resumed from Gaza since a truce was reached
two weeks ago that ended Israel's three-week-long offensive in the Gaza Strip
An Israeli examines his car, damaged by a rocket fired by Palestinian militants
from the Gaza Strip, in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, 03 Feb
2009Israeli police say a rocket from Gaza has exploded in the southern Israeli
town of Ashkelon.Officials say no one was hurt in Tuesday's attack, and no one
has claimed responsibility for the incident. Limited
rocket and mortar fire has resumed from Gaza since a truce was reached
two weeks ago that ended Israel's three-week-long offensive in the Gaza
Strip.The latest attack came as a Hamas delegation discussed
terms for a long-term truce with Israel through Egyptian mediators.
Hamas has demanded that crossings to Gaza be open in exchange for a
durable cease-fire. Israel has limited aid and commercial traffic,
saying it fears materials could be used by militants. On
Monday, U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes called on all
sides to not interfere politically with the delivery of aid to the
people of Gaza.Holmes says he will work with Israel, the
Palestinian Authority and, in a reference to Hamas, "those in control
on the ground," to make sure aid gets through.Holmes says the U.N. will monitor
aid so that construction materials are not diverted for military use.Egypt
is installing surveillance cameras and motion sensors on its border
with Gaza as part of efforts to crack down on tunnels used by weapons
smugglers. In another development, Syria says it will consider
resuming indirect peace talks with Israel after Israeli parliamentary
elections next week. Syria broke off the Turkish-mediated talks during
Israel's offensive in Gaza. Syria and Israel remain at odds over the
Golan Heights, which Israel captured in the 1967 war.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
AU Peacekeepers Accused of Firing on Civilians in Somalia
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2204524:2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8&;
Local official says troops killed 39 civilians; spokesman for force denies
troops shot at civilians
Local officials in Somalia have accused African Union peacekeepers of firing on
civilians in the capital, Mogadishu, killing as many as 39 people after a
roadside explosion. A spokesman for the AU force has denied that the troops
shot at civilians.
Ugandan peacekeepers on patrol in Mogadishu (File)The deputy mayor of
Mogadishu, Abdifatah Shaweye, says Ugandan peacekeepers opened fire on public
buses, after a roadside bomb exploded near their convoy. He describes the event
as a massacre, saying AU troops killed 39 civilians.There have also been
reports that AU troops confiscated the video camera of a journalist who was
filming at the scene.A spokesman for the AU mission, Bahoku Barigye, confirms a
roadside bomb had exploded near an AU convoy. But, speaking to VOA from
Mogadishu, he criticized the deputy mayor's comments as irresponsible."I am
positively not at liberty to discuss some of the details we have about what
transpired," he said. "For someone to stand up and say that AMISOM has murdered
innocent civilians, it's unfortunate. I think the people of Somalia are not
stupid, I know they are intelligent enough to look at these bodies and tell
whether the death that was occasioned was from a roadside bomb or from
bullets."The nearly 3,000 Ugandan and Burundian AU peacekeepers have become an
increasing target of Islamist insurgents in Mogadishu, particularly since
Ethiopian troops withdrew from the country, last month. The AU has approved
another five-thousand troops, but Nigeria and other countries have yet to
follow through on their pledged contributions. Monday, United Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon raised the possibility of incorporating the AU
troops into a larger U.N. peacekeeping force. Ethiopian troops withdrew from
Somalia last month, after spending two years battling Islamist insurgents.
However, Ethiopia has retained large forces along the border. The Reuters news
agency has reported claims that Ethiopian troops have crossed back into
Somalia, in recent days, setting up a checkpoint near Baladwayne, which is
controlled by the radical Islamist Al-Shabaab militia. Ethiopia denies
this.Somalia's newly elected president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed arrives at
the UN compound in Addis Ababa for consultations, 01 Feb 2009 On Saturday,
moderate Islamist leader Sheikh Shaif Sheikh Ahmed was sworn in as Somalia's
new president. He was chosen by members of Somalia's parliament as part of an
U.N.-backed agreement with the country's transitional government. The choice
of Sheikh Sharif, who heads the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia, has
been greeted with a measure optimism. On Monday Ban Ki-Moon praised his
selection.But the Shabaab, which was formerly allied with Sheikh Sharif in the
Islamic Courts Union that briefly took control of Mogadishu in 2006, has vowed
to continue its insurgency. Somalia's Radio Garowe reports that a spokesman for
the group has accused Sheikh Sharif of siding with the United States over
Islam. The group has organized demonstrations against Sheikh Sharif in the
towns under its control, including Baidoa, site of Somalia's parliament.
Sheikh Sharif's selection has also been rejected by a hard-line faction of the
Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia, led by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys and
based in Asmara.
------------------------------------------------------
Advocates Press to Sustain Global Health Fund Commitments for Fighting AIDS,
TB, and Malaria
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2204525:2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8&;
Toned down 2009 World Economic Forum signals new challenges for poor countries
to obtain needed resources to fight disease
Amid the sober economic discussions at
the just-concluded World Economic Forum summit of business, economic, and
health leaders in Davos, Switzerland, a current $5-billion shortfall in
financing the worldwide campaign against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria poses a
daunting challenge to donors and to recipients in developing countries.
So far, the message that world business and health planners have drawn
from the conference is that despite the bleak outlook, the benefits of backing
the global fund far outweigh the economic consequences of not tackling these
debilitating afflictions. Joanne Carter
is executive director of the Results Education Fund, a Washington, DC-based
grass roots anti-poverty group. She says that the message she has
been hearing from sources at Davos is still supportive of meeting these
obligations.
"Not
only does it continue to be important to keep these commitments, but it
actually becomes more important in the face of what poor individuals are facing
and what national governments are facing in the face of these economic
crises. So it was definitely a somber
Davos, but there was a pretty clear message that came out of this, that we have
to maintain these health commitments and we have to maintain these commitments
on fighting poverty," she said.
The
$5-billion gap between money available to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis, and Malaria and commitments made to needy countries does not
represent a failure of donors to come up with needed funds. On the contrary,
Carter says, it points out
the success of the fund in making momentous progress in reversing the spread of
the diseases.
"The
Global Fund to Fight AIDS,TB, and Malaria, which is facing this $5-billion
financing gap for 2009 and 2010, is a product of the fund's success in many
ways because in fact, a number of years ago, the donors had said that if
countries could actually reach the level of demand, the Global Fund's own
board, which includes donor countries and developing countries, and in fact the
G-8 and Germany, all committed to actually providing the financing that was
needed if demand was there. And so what's
happened is we've seen a scale up of demand, but the Global Fund will need
about $8-billion. It only has about
$3-billion in the bank from donors.
That's where the gap is," she noted.
As
for the cost-effectiveness of pursuing the health crusade, compared to other
governmental, security, administrative, or antipoverty priorities, Carter says
the medical campaign has demonstrated remarkable gains everywhere it has
operated.
"I
think it could be argued that the Global Fund is the most innovative,
far-reaching, results-driven health financing mechanism that we've got,
providing two-thirds of the external financing for TB and malaria, a quarter
for AIDS. Not only does it continue to be really important to fund these health
programs in the context of this financial crisis. It actually becomes more
important because we
know that one of the biggest economic drags on poor people is health
problems. So if we don't actually have
these resources to supplement what countries are able to do, what you're going
to see is a kind of double or triple impact of this economic crisis on poor
people and on national economic productivity," she cautions.
While many customary business
attendees shied away either from appearing or from offering up daring,
enterprising new proposals at this year's toned-down Davos summit, Carter
contends that governments and international agencies are continuing to make a
difference by committing infusions of billions of dollars toward caring for
societies' priorities. She notes US
President Barack Obama's pledge to honor spending level goals of the Global
Fund, and says she is optimistic that governments will see fit to continue
financing badly needed health and anti-poverty programs.
.E2AfeedbackTitlebg {
background-color:##f5f5f5;
width:100%;
padding-left:8px;
padding-top:2px;
padding-bottom:2px;
border-bottom: 1px ##cccccc dotted;
border-top: 1px ##cccccc dotted;
}
.E2AfeedbackContent {
background-color:##ffffff;
width:100%;
margin:0;
padding:8px;
border-bottom: 1px ##cccccc dotted;
}
.E2AfeedbackTitlefg {
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: bold;
color: ##666666;
font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
text-align:left;
}
.E2AfeedbackBody {
font-size: 12px;
font-weight: normal;
font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
color: ##666666;
text-align:left;
}
Feedback
We'd like to hear what you have to say. Let us know
what you think of
this report and other news and features on our website.
Email your views
about what is happening in Africa to:
[email protected]. Please
include your name and phone number if you would like us
to include your
comments on our programs. Or, telephone us and leave a
message. In the US, call: (202) 205-9942.
After you hear the VOA greeting, press the number "30"
and leave your opinion. We
may use it on our daily broadcasts.
------------------------------------------------------
Buddy Holly Remembered 50 Years After His Death
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2204526:2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8&;
Legendary, trend-setting rock and roll musician died in small plane crash in
1959
On February 3, 1959, a small plane crashed in a corn field in Iowa, killing
three rock and roll stars - Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson,
known as "The Big Bopper".Statue of Buddy Holly in Lubbock, TexasThe 50th
anniversary of that tragic event is being observed by rock fans around the
world, but especially in Clear Lake, Iowa - the scene of their last
performance, where a large concert is planned, and in Buddy Holly's hometown of
Lubbock, Texas.Charles Hardin Holly, known to his family and friends as Buddy,
was only 22 years old when he died, but he had by that time created a
guitar-driven rock and roll style that would live on among rock bands around
the world.In only a few years, the Lubbock native created hit songs that are
still played today - classics like "That'll be the Day," inspired by a line
John Wayne spoke in the western movie "The Searchers".Holly rocked his fans
with songs like "Peggy Sue" and "Maybe Baby" and then soothed them with ballads
like "Everyday".The song marked the first use in pop music of a celesta - an
instrument mainly associated with classical music performances.
Fans say Holly's music still relevantHolly's style and musical experimentation
appealed to many up-and-coming musicians, especially in Britain, where he has
many fans even among people born long after his death.Phil and Caroline
JenkinsAmong the British visitors to Lubbock for the 50th anniversary of
Holly's death are Phil and Caroline Jenkins."The Beatles and the Rolling Stones
- they all credit Buddy as being a major influence," Jenkins said. "It seems
that you get more in England than you do here. He is bigger there than he is
here. You know, he is bigger there than he is here. Lots of people here we
talk to go, 'Who?' They don't know the name."Jessica Camacho helps run the
Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, which is holding panel discussions and special
events to commemorate Holly's death.Jessica CamachoCamacho is only 26 years
old, but she says she recognizes the importance of Holly - not only to her
hometown, but also to the world of music."I don't know how many younger people
realize what kind of influence Buddy Holly had even on the music that they hear
today that they love. I think his influence was far reaching," Camacho said.
Friend says Holly strove for recognitionThere are still many people living here
in Lubbock who knew Buddy Holly well. Among them is former musician and disc
jockey Jack Neal, who was Buddy Holly's first musical partner on a local radio
show. He sat in on jam sessions with Holly and a young rock singer from
Memphis, Tennessee named Elvis Presley, just months before Elvis went on to
become a legend himself.Jack Neal"I truly believe that if Buddy had still been
living, he would have been as big as Elvis, if not bigger, because of the two
different styles of people that they were," Neal said.Neal knew Buddy Holly as
a close friend as well as an artist, and he misses him still. He recalls one
of his last conversations with him, not long before he died."He was in town and
we were at one of the drive-ins and it was just before he left to go on that
last tour and he said he wanted people to know Buddy Holly," Neal recalled.
"He wanted them to know the name. He said the money was nice, but he wanted
people to know the name. And so that was his goal and that is exactly what he
did."The fatal plane crash in Iowa was commemorated in 1973 by
singer/songwriter Don McLean in his hit song, "American Pie," which spoke of
"the day the music died." But most Buddy Holly fans say his music never died
and that it lives on in the rock and roll he helped create.
------------------------------------------------------
If you have questions about this E-mail newsletter send an e-mail to:
[email protected]
Click here to unsubscribe from the VOA Daily World News Summary2:
http://enews.voanews.com/u?id=2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8
Forward this E-mail:
http://enews.voanews.com/bin/ftaf?id=2DA063D257D4393159A1CB10B0B1560EB3350E090FE6A6E8
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"News" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/newsfcv?hl=en
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
