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Row over radio

DUBAI — The Voice of Love and Peace (VOLP) Radio in Palestine claimed yesterday in a statement issued to the Press that Radio Sawa, an American radio station, has “illegally taken over” the frequency (94.2 FM) VOLP has been assigned to since 1996.

The statement, also posted on VOLP's web site www.volpfm.com, claimed that “the Palestinian Ministry of Information closed the Voice for Love and Peace Radio Station and granted a broadcasting licence to Radio Sawa to broadcast on the frequency 94.2 FM... ”.

Mutaz Bseiso, founder and General Manager of VOLP, said that as a result of the destruction caused by the 2002 Israeli invasion of Ramallah and in order to maintain and save the frequency from illegal pirate stations, VOLP agreed to sign a contract with Radio Sawa and provide a re-broadcast service for a limited time contract, until VOLP regained its financial ability to go back on the air.

VOLP expressed surprise that Radio Sawa started broadcasting from its new radio station in Ramallah on the same frequency, after the expiration of the contract between the two stations, on August 15, 2005. The statement claimed that the Palestinian Ministry of Information, “to cover up for its actions, went to court to stop VOLP from continuing with its own broadcasts using the frequency”.

Responding to the complaint, VOLP was, according to the statement, successful in obtaining an injunction against the decision to stop its broadcasts, but despite the order of the Ramallah Magistrate Court, Radio Sawa continues to use to the said frequency.

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