Monday, 28 and Tuesday, 29 June 2004
I. Political Developments and Comments on Sovereignty Handover:
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
I. Political Developments and Comments on Sovereignty Handover:
(Al-Sharqiyah Television, Baghdad, in Arabic, 28 June 04) - Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has been handed over the authority from former US Civil Administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer at the Convention Centre in the Green Zone. Handing a letter to Iraqi officials, Bremer said the transfer of authority has been officially decided. I leave Iraq confident of its future and the government's ability to face the challenges of the future. In a speech at the power transfer ceremony, Iraqi President Ghazi Al-Yawar said that today, the official transfer of authority to an interim Iraqi government, was a happy and historical day desired by all Iraqis. Al-Sharqiyah has learnt that Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi will hold a news conference later in which he will announce his government's policy and several decisions on the security situation in Iraq. The Coalition Authority was to hand over authority to the interim Iraqi government on Wednesday [30 June], the day after tomorrow. However, a Coalition Authority source said the official date for returning sovereignty to Iraqis was pushed forward two days due to circumstances, described by an Iraqi government spokesman, as related to security. After the conclusion of the official ceremony for the handover of power to the interim Iraqi government, Allawi said his government was determined to hold elections on 2 January next year, and that it adhered to this. Last week Allawi was reported as saying that the disturbance of security in Iraq may lead to the postponement of elections until February or March.
(Al-Bayan, Baghdad, thrice weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, 29 June 04) - From editorial: ``Even with the handover having taking place two days ahead of schedule, 30 June remains a historic day for Iraqis, particularly so as it provides a strong motive for all Iraqis, the rulers and the ruled alike, to create a new Iraq that refuses to allow its policies to be guided, its riches to be plundered and its soil to used by others as a battle ground for settling accounts with rivals. It is the ambition of every honest Iraqi to see independence, freedom, equity and justice prevalent, to enjoy the merits of peace, security and stability in this long-suffering country, whose vast human and natural potential we aspire to mobilize in a gigantic venture to build a model country no lesser in stature than Japan, which, emerging from World War II utterly devastated, has managed to develop into a global giant."
(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 29 June 04) - An Editorial.Suddenly and after a series of misleading information to the people (of Iraq), a symbolic transfer of sovereignty from the US Governor to the Transitional Iraqi Government took place yesterday morning…Iraqis should unequivocally recognize that this day is as important to the Iraqis as it is to the US administration which is preparing for elections. While restoring full sovereignty is a complicated process and entails a lot of sacrifices and requires patience and taking into consideration the regional as well as international circumstances, hopes should not be pinned on this day as being the magic solution for all Iraqi pains. Challenges are great and action is needed to correct the mistakes made by the Governing Council and its remnants who are still attempting to control the political arena though the national conference to be held next month. Everybody should have the courage to admit that members of the Council are equally responsible for all the catastrophes that happened in the previous months. Some of them promoted sectarian division of the Iraqis and sought their own interests reaping commissions through some of their ministers. They even used their militias in assassinations and looting public wealth. So, they do not deserve to control the hoped political reform process.
Another editorial says Bremer's departure is not regretted by Iraqis that Iraqis will angrily remember two names Saddam Hussein and Paul Bremer. Mr. Bremer should have taken with him all of his advisers who conspired with him to commit many crimes (against Iraqis)
Another editorial says Bremer's departure is not regretted by Iraqis that Iraqis will angrily remember two names Saddam Hussein and Paul Bremer. Mr. Bremer should have taken with him all of his advisers who conspired with him to commit many crimes (against Iraqis)
(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 29 June 2004) - From editorial by Zuhayr al-Jaza'ri: "We should put ourselves to the test by choosing to be for the government and against it at the same time. The fledgling government deserves our support so that it can feel more confident in trying to prove itself by promoting security, democracy and construction. Moreover, its performance needs to be carefully monitored by the public for any sign of laxity in carrying out its duties or failing to deliver on its promises."
(Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London-based, Baghdad edition independent daily, Saudi-owned, 29 June 2004) - [From commentary by Abd-al-Rahman al-Rashid]: "It is worth noting that, [in his speech on the occasion of sovereignty handover], Allawi shook his stick more conspicuously than dangled his carrot, especially as he threatened to resort to martial law and gave signs of getting tough with neighboring countries. In a word, this is what Iraqi independence is all about. The prime minister wants everyone to understand that Iraq is not a cake left unattended for the ants and rats of the region to gnaw at with impunity, and that, in seeking to protect his own country, he can be as ruthless as any other Arab ruler in crushing those standing in his way."
(Baghdad, Baghdad, by the Iraqi National Accord Movement, 29 June 2004) - [From commentary by Dawud al-Basri: "How much more time will have to elapse before the Arab mind sheds off the fetters of fatal emotionalism that have earned us nothing but heavy and permanent defeat? The crux of the matter is that no one is willing to take responsibility and everyone is running away from the truth, for truth has become the primary victim of Arab media, where things are run so horribly that the truth is routinely upended so that the defendant and the prosecutor often swap roles. I take it that the only way out of this sorry state is for free thinkers to tighten the noose around the necks of advocates of fascist nationalism and neo-fundamentalism so that their offensive voices can be heard no more."
(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 27 June 04) - Publishes a report on a quoting Prime Minister Allawi saying that he has informed the US Department of Defence of forming new divisions of the Iraqi army by reintegrating elements from the former Iraqi army within the next few months.
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 27 June 04) - Publishes a report citing Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's remarks at a news conference at the Al-Rashidiyah power plant, 20 km north of Baghdad, in which he voiced appreciation for Muqtada al-Sadr's decision to stop the Al-Mahdi Army's armed operations and for his offer to contribute to maintaining security in Iraq. Allawi said that the Al-Rashidiyah power plant which produces 422 mega watts is a gift from the American people to the Iraqi people.
(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 27 June 04) - Publishes a report a report giving the results of an Iraqi poll assessing the new government. The poll says that 68 per cent support the new government while 28 per cent were in favour of the former IGC. The poll indicates that 73 per cent support Allawi and 84 per cent support President Al-Yawir, adding that 70 per cent of the Iraqis trust the new army and 82 per cent support the police. The poll covers five governorates: Baghdad, Basra, Mosul Al-Hillah, and Ba'qubah.
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 27 June 04) - Publishes an editorial stating that the interim government has no authority to impose martial law according to the State Administration Law. The editorial says that the new government should not start the political and democratic process in Iraq by violating people's rights.
(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 27 June 04) - Runs an editorial by Ghayth Abd-al-Ghani commenting on the power transfer characterizing it as an important event in the Iraqis' life that ends a year and half of "occupation." The editorial says that the Iraqis hope this government is a patriotic one that will focus on serving the Iraqis and away from individual issues and sectarianism.
(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 27 June 04) - Publishes an article by Musa al-Tamimi saying that new businesses are being introduced into Iraq, such as beheadings, booby-trapped cars, kidnappings, and the burning of bodies. The article asks: "How can we trust the statements made by these criminals, who say their goal is to liberate Iraq, while they posses such barbaric instincts.
(Al-Adala, Baghdad, twice-weekly by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 27 June 04) - Publishes an article criticizing the barbaric criminal acts committed by Al-Zarqawi in Iraq against foreign hostages. It says that pictures of the bloody slaughtering of people ``turn Arabs and Muslims into butchers before world public opinion, while in fact they are victims.''
(Tariq al-Sha'b, Baghdad, political and cultural weekly, by the Iraqi Communist Party, 27 June 04) - Publishes on its front page an editorial saying that the deteriorating security situation in Iraq aims at stopping the political process and the reconstruction of the country. This requires radical solutions involving all political forces to set up new mechanisms for improving the security situation after the power handover on 30 June. The editorial says that the terrorists and their financial sources must be identified and eliminated, urging people to contribute to the security of their country.
II.
Humanitarian issues:
(Tariq al-Sha'b, Baghdad, political and cultural weekly, by the Iraqi Communist Party, 27 June 04) - Publishes a report on the statement issued by the Women Conference held recently and attended by more than 350 women representing different political forces in Iraq. The statement focused on the role of women in the political and democratic process in Iraq. It called for a larger percentage of women in high-ranking positions, ending the occupation, more effective women's involvement and participation in the political process and the elections.
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 27 June 04) - Publishes a report citing an official source in the Baghdad Municipality as saying that four of its staff died while repairing sewage manholes. The source said the victims were suffocated by the poisonous gases due to old cleaning methods and lack of equipment and machinery.
(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 27 June 04) -Carries a report on a statement by the Oil Minister, saying that the Iraqi government will be responsible for managing the oil sector. The Minister adds that the oil demand in Iraq increased after the regime's downfall because of the high number of cars number that entered to Iraq recently.
(Al-Adala, Baghdad, twice-weekly by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 27 June 04) - Publishes a report citing Central Bank Governor Sinan al-Shabibi as saying that the policy of his bank is not to give loans to the government and not to print more money to cover the deficit in the budget.
III.
Security And Military Developments: 
