This past Wednesday, plaintiffs in the 4 lawsuits against the Pacifica National Board announced a negotiated settlement. Under its terms, this new Interim Board will switch from having a 10-5 majority of usurpers over dissidents, to a tentative 9-6 majority in favor of the dissidents.

However, any board action that does not receive a 2/3rds vote, or the vote of at least one usurper, would be referred to a California judge, who could either approve it or send it back to this Interim Board. This interim board structure will exist for the next 15 months, during which time all 5 stations would hold elections for local advisory boards, and the network's by-laws would be rewritten. Under this initial agreement, there is no requirement that fired producers be brought back, although the interim board will set up a committee to address issues at WBAI. This Interim Board may have its first meeting via conference call sometime next week.

There is a range of opinion and a serious debate about whether these events truly represent a settlement which could return democratic accountability to the network.

The full text of the agreement can be read at www.savepacifica.net

As a reminder, the CF of WBAI has repeatedly voted to continue the Pacifica funding boycott until a series of key conditions are met, including the lifting of the gag rule, and the return of the banned and the fired to WBAI's airwaves.

In light of the settlement and the fast-changing Pacifica situation, there will be an emergency meeting of the CF of WBAI this Monday, December 17th, at 7 p.m., both to inform everyone fully and to debate and pass resolutions concerning our demands and strategies for the immediate period -- including issues for urgent action by the Interim Pacifica National Board. That's this Monday, 12/17 at 7 p.m. Location details will be announced shortly - please call the Concerned Friends of WBAI hotline in coming days for further information (800 825 0055).

National Program Director Utrice Leid also resigned this week, after having orchestrated WBAI's "Christmas Coup," and after presiding over a vicious purging at the station resulting in the banning and firing of 25 producers.