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             :R a d i o A c t i o n   A l e r t:
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      Radio Panamericana closed by Uruguayan authorities

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY: On Friday, August 26, 1994, Radio
Panamericana CX 44 was closed by presidential order following its
coverage of a police breakup of a peaceful demonstration by
several thousand people in the evening of Wednesday August 24.
The police action resulted in at least three deaths and a large
number of wounded. The demonstration had been called to protest
the extradition to Spain of three Basque prisoners.

In the morning of August 26 Radio Panamericana, as well as
another station that reported on the repression, Radio Centanario
CX 36, were ordered to suspend their broadcasts for 48 hours.
Both stations allegedly violated a decree that remains from the
time of the military dictatorship in 1978.

Later the same day, Uruguayan president, Lacalle Herrera, ordered
the permanent closure of Radio Panamericana. The presidential
decree claims that the purchase of the station by its current
owners was never officially sanctioned and is therefore invalid.
However, the fact that this purchase took place six years ago and
is only now being questioned indicates that the official
justification is merely a pretext for silencing a critical voice
in a time of political repression.

Legal advice given to Radio Panamericana indicates that both the
temporary and the permanent closure are unconstitutional.
AMARC's Solidarity Network is requesting that faxes and letters
protesting the closure of Radio Panamericana be sent to Uruguay's
president. In your message you may mention the following:

*     that you know about the sudden cancellation of Radio
      Panamericana's license

*     that Radio Panamericana has been broadcasting for more than
      6 years without interference and the sudden closure of the
      station at a time of political crisis is unjustified

*     that freedom of expression is fundamental to the survival of
      democracy

*     that Radio Panamericana should be allowed back on air
      immediately
Please send your fax to:

     Senor Presidente de la Republica
     Lacalle Herrera
     Montevideo, Uruguay
     Fax: + 598-2-80 93 97

You may also send a copy to Radio Panamericana

     Fax: + 598-2-49 99 57


Please send copies of your faxes and letters to AMARC's
Solidarity Network at the address below.


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The Solidarity Action Network is an initiative of AMARC, the
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters. Action Alerts
are distributed in English, French, Spanish & German. For more
information about AMARC or the Action Network, contact us at:

  3575 St-Laurent, # 704 - Montreal, Quebec - H2X 2T7  Canada
     Fax: +(1-514) 849-7129 - Tel: +(1-514) 982-0351
                    Email: amarc@web.apc.org
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