April 10, 1989 – CBS World News Roundup – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
April 10, 1989 – A day full of protests – one loud but peaceful – one peaceful but deadly.
In the Soviet republic of Georgia, a peaceful protest and general strike for autonomy turned deadly, as troops clashed with protestors, leaving some 18 dead and scores injured. On this morning, Soviet troops and tanks were patrolling the streets of Tblisi, the Georgian capital, while a general strike was still going on. Violence erupted when special Riot troops, flown in from Central Russia, waded into a crowd. Authorities blamed extremists for inciting the crowd with anti-Soviet speeches. The retain order, the government imposed a curfew and have banned meetings. But the protestors called for a meeting in the center of the city this day, and tensions continued to mount.
Meanwhile, in Poland; police broke up a news conference by the leader of an illegal political party discuss upcoming Parliamentary elections slated for June.
Back home: The Bush Administration was planning on lifting trade sanctions against Poland since their official recognition of the Solidarity labor movement. Observers claimed it was a way of helping the Polish people as well as rewarding the government for their stand on Solidarity by giving the economy a boost.
The 3,000 square mile Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska was beginning to break up into tar balls before sinking. The slick was still some 60 miles off the coast of Kodiak island, site of the state’s richest fishing port, and forecasts of gale-force winds were threatening to move the oil slick closer.
And on Capitol Hill, abortion rights activists were continuing their protests today. The previous day, organizers estimated some 1/2 million marched in defense of Abortion rights, which were coming under review at the Supreme Court by way of a Missouri case which could potentially overturn Roe v. Wade.
And that’s a small slice of what went on, this April 10, 1989 as reported by The CBS World News Roundup.
