PROGRAM NOTES 08/15/08- This weeks show features stories from China Radio International, Radio Netherlands, Radio Havana Cuba, and the Voice of Russia.

From CHINA- China is quite proud of its opening ceremonies at the Olympics and received much international praise. China invested over 8 billion dollars into "Green" energy technology for the Olympics. Iran and the EU agreed to continue talks on Iran's nuclear program. The US has not yet removed N Korea from a terrorist list despite recent compliances. Evo Morales was victorious in a Bolivian referendum over the weekend.

From NETHERLANDS- Evo Morales won the vote in the referendum in Bolivia, but an analysis of the situation does not reveal a clear victory for his ideals. A press review on a coffeehouse that tried to find a way around the recent Dutch smoking ban. Royal Dutch Shell has been reprimanded for its attempt to "greenwash" its plans to extract oil from tar sands in Canada.

From CUBA- The Bush administration turned down a request from Israel for military assistance in an attack on Iran. Some background on the fighting that broke out last week between Georgia, South Ossetia, and Russia.

From RUSSIA- An analysis on how tensions between Georgia and Russia rapidly escalated into a war that has killed thousands of civilians. Former Russian President Gorbachev suggests creating a regional security system for the Caucasus, and criticized the US for encouraging Georgia's attack on South Ossetia. A commentary rebutting US criticism of Russia's military response to Georgia's attack on South Ossetia.

--"Politics hates a vacuum. If it isn't filled with hope, someone will fill it with fear. "
--Naomi Klein