Colin Edwards Collection
The Freedom
Archives is
honored to contain hundreds of programs on many topics produced by
Colin
Edwards. Colin Edwards (1924–1994) was an outstanding internationalist
journalist and writer who created a huge body of work. Colin came from
Wales
and was a fervent Welsh nationalist. Following service in WW II, he became a combat correspondent in Malaya, then in
Burma, Indochina
and Korea. Later, as an independent journalist with Canadian Broadcasting, the BBC and Pacifica Radio among others. He
did important on-the-scene interviews and documentaries on
anti-imperialist national
liberation struggles in the Middle East, especially Palestine, on Asia,
particularly Vietnam, and on many other struggles, including the civil
rights, Black
Power, and student antiwar movements in the US. Edwards also worked
closely with Moshe Menuhin—a prominent Jewish anti-Zionist (and the
father of
world-famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin).
The interviews with Moshe Menuhin are in the Archives collection, as is
all of the audio work of Colin Edwards, with the exception of
interviews and
writings on Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, which reside in the National
Library of
Wales. The collection was
entrusted to the Freedom Archives by Mary Edwards, his widow, who lives
in
Oakland.
Documents
4 Documents Found
News Reports from June 9 or 10th 1967
The reel begins in the Middle East with reports about the Israeli strike against the USS Liberty focusing on the attack, US casualties, the Israeli and US position on the attack. Reports from the Six Days War continue including Egypt’s military losses, Jordan’s casualties, and reports that Israel used napalm on field hospitals in Jordan. Reports from the city of Bethlehem which has been captured by the Israeli army. Reports shift to the United States where Texas Rangers violently suppress a UFW strike in Texas. Reports move back to the Middle East where Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser resigns but retains his position amongst popular support. Report on prostitution in San Francisco and other local stories. Brief report from Vietnam, more from the Middle Easts.
News Reports (Urban Rebellions and The 1967 Middle East Crisis)
The first two news reports on this reel discuss urban rebellions in Black communities in Tampa, Florida (1/4 million dollars in damage) and Cincinnati, Ohio. The reports then move to the Middle East Crisis, news from Algeria, Cairo and Jerusalem including information on Arab military losses and casualties. It is reported that the UN is unable to accurately monitor the conflict because of Israeli restrictions. Reports from the armistice line in Syria, UN moves for an emergency session, Nasser resigns and then returns to presidency, site of the Wailing Wall recaptured by Israel. More news reports from Israel, interview with General Rabin, commentary on the “misery of Egypt.” Reel and represented news reports are pro-Israel.
News Reports (Racial Warfare in US and the 1967 Middle East Crisis)
Reports on racial warfare in the Southern United States specifically Negroes fighting the police in Tampa and Stokely Carmichael being arrested by police in Prattsville, Alabama. From Virginia, a recent court case declares the prohibition of mixed racial marriages unconstitutional. The following topics from the Middle East Crisis are covered: Israel says it will keep some of the land its captured; Anglo-American oil interests in Cairo nationalized; Israel will negotiate with Arabs but will not give back land; captured Arab military equipment; Israeli pilots; Arab League conference; analysis of Nasser; will USSR still support the Arab world. The final segment on the reel is the USSR calling for a full scale General Assembly meeting at the UN to discuss the crisis.
UN Security Council Debate on the Restoration of Communication with UN Observers- June 9, 1967
The primary topic of debate is the need for the UN to reestablish communication with its observers on the ground. USSR and other “third-world” countries claim Israel is impeding the restoration of contact with the observers. At the end of the session the Syrian delegates reports that he has just been in contact with Syrian generals and that Israel has not halted its aggression. Following the adjournment of the council, there are reports on the events of the council. The tape also features the voice of Gamal Abdel Nasser who is offering his resignation to the Egyptian radio.
4 Documents Found
