Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)





From the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

Monday, 05 July 2004


I.       Political developments and comments

a.       Reaction to Saddam trial:

Iraqi FM Welcomes Arrival of Lawyers to Defend Saddam

(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 04July 2004) - Runs a 200-word front-page report on a statement by Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari welcoming the arrival of Jordanian lawyers to defend Saddam. Zebari adds that receiving those lawyers is one of the new government's responsibilities. Zebari praises the initiative of the Jordanian king, who offered to facilitate movement across the Iraqi borders. The report also cites Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's praise of Jordanian efforts to help Iraqis.

Iraqi Daily Warns Lawers to Defend Saddam Against Coming to Iraq

(Al-Bayyna is a weekly paper issued by the Hezbollah movement in Iraq, 04July 2004) - Runs a 70-word front-page report warning the Jordanian lawyers against coming to Iraq to defend Saddam. The report criticizes the lawyers' statement that the Iraqi Government is not legal. The report adds: "If you want to defend Saddam, you will be most welcome because the orphans of the mass graves await and the hill will open on your dirty heads."


Al-Dawa Party to Present Evidence against Saddam

(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 04July 2004) - Publishes a 150-word front-page report on a statement by Dr Khudayir al-Khuza'i, official spokesman of the Islamic Da'wah Party, concerning Saddam's trial. Al-Khuza'i says that the party has formed a board of lawyers to present evidence on Saddam's crimes against the Al-Da'wah Party. Al-Khuza'i adds that Salim Chalabi, head of the court responsible for Saddam's trial informed the party that Saddam's crimes will be classified into 17 files. Al-Khuza'i wonders why the court has excluded Saddam's decision to execute all members of his party from the accusations' list.

Iraqi Hezbollah Calls For Trying Saddam According to Holy Quran

(Al-Bayyna is a weekly paper issued by the Hezbollah movement in Iraq, 04July 2004) - Publishes a 70-word front-page report on a message from Hasan al-Sari, general secretary of Hezbollah in Iraq, to the court that will try Saddam. Al-Sari calls on the court to try Saddam for killing thousands of Hezbollah "mujahidin." Al-Sari calls for trying Saddam according to the holy Koran.

Al-Bayyna: Kuwait Regime Should be Tried Along With Saddam

(Al-Bayyna is a weekly paper issued by the Hezbollah movement in Iraq, 04July 2004) - Runs a 70-word front-page report calling for putting the Kuwaiti regime on trial along with Saddam. The report says that Kuwait was behind the war between the two Muslim countries Iraq and Iran and if they forget, the Iraqis will never do so.

Two Iraqi Dailies Criticize Ignoring Iraqi Media, Granting CNN Right to Cover Saddam Trial

(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 04July 2004) - Publishes on its front page a 300-word editorial criticizing the official for granting CNN the right to cover Saddam's trial while ignoring the Iraqi media. The editorial asks whether this decision was due to the inefficiency of the Iraqi media or whether it is another sign that the US is still running Iraq. The editorial calls for reconsidering the issue and allowing the Iraqi media to cover this important event to explain the facts and truth to the Iraqi people.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 04July 2004) - Publishes on its front page a 200-word editorial criticizing the exclusion of the Iraqi media from attending Saddam's appearance before an Iraqi court. The editorial says that the trial concerns Iraqis more than any other party and asks why they are prevented from covering this event.


Al-Adala: Saddam Arrogance, Delusions Never Left Him

 (Al-Adala, Baghdad, twice-weekly by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 04July 2004) - Publishes on its front page a 600-word editorial commenting on Saddam's behaviour during the court session. It says that Saddam's arrogance and delusions never left him. The editorial says that Saddam knew that as long as the occupation forces, which regarded him as a prisoner of war, were present in Iraq; he would be safe from the punishment of the Iraqi people. Thus, the real goal of the so-called "resistance" was in fact to prolong rather than end the occupation.

Iraqi Daily Lists ``Saddam's Crimes Against Iraqis''
 (Al-Adala, Baghdad, twice-weekly by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 04July 2004) - Ppublishes on its front page a 100-word article by the newspaper's chief editor listing Saddam's crimes against the Iraqi people. He asks whether or not Saddam deserves a fair trial, of which he deprived his enemies during his rule. The article concludes that "he does not" deserve a fair trial, but there is no harm for free Iraqis to treat him fairly, unlike his own devilish dealings.


b.       Political developments

UK Embassy to be Opened This Week in Baghdad
(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 04July 2004) - Publishes on page 2 a 70-word report citing British official sources as saying that the British Embassy in Iraq will be opened this week.

Al-Manar Urges Government to Impose Security by Reinstating Death Penalty
(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 04July 2004) - Devotes all of page 4 to a report by Chief Editor Tahah Arif discussing the current political, economic, and social situation in Iraq. The report urges the Iraqi government to remove all concrete slabs from the streets, improve electricity supplies, impose security by reinstituting the death penalty against criminals, provide suitable houses for Iraqis, and protect the environment.

Al-Dustour: ``Jordan to file Charges Agains Ahmad Chalabi''
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 04July 2004) - Publishes on its front page a 250-word report citing official Jordanian sources as saying that their government has prepared a file on the crimes of Dr Ahmad Chalabi, leader of the Iraqi National Congress Party, in Jordan in order to demand that the US hand him over to be tried in Jordan.

Al-Bayyna Accuses CPA Stealing $20 Billion of Iraqi Oil Revenue
(Al-Bayyna is a weekly paper issued by the Hezbollah movement in Iraq, 04July 2004) - Publishes a 100-word front-page report stating that there were irregularities in Iraqi oil revenues under the former Coalition Provisional Authority Administrator Bremer. The report says that the "occupation" forces stole 20 billion dollars, noting that there are many scandals regarding the contracts awarded by the "occupation" to the Halliburton Company.


c.       Press comment

Iraqi Journalists discuss Media Situation In Iraq
(Al-Iraq al-Yawm, Baghdad, issued by "a group of Iraqi journalists", politically unaffiliated, 04July 2004) - Devotes all of page 8 to a report on the first conference on media and democracy organized by the Civil Platform Organization and attended by more than 170 journalists. The conference was held in Baghdad on 22-23 June, 2004 to discuss the situation of journalists and the media in Iraq. Isma'il Zayir, chief editor of Al-Sabah al-Jadid newspaper called for financing the Iraqi Media Network by Iraqi Government or any other organization to maintain its independence and transparency.

AL-Mutamar Criticize Government For Not Managing to Arrest Al-Zarqawi
(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 04July 2004) - Carries on page 6 a 1,000-word article by Mahdi Qasim criticizing the Iraqi government and security forces for not managing to arrest Al-Zarqawi who threatened to kill Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and attacked the interior minister's house, accusing them of only being able to make strong statements about ending terrorism in Iraq.



II.      Humanitarian and public services

(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 04July 2004) - Runs a 100-word front-page report citing sources close to the Iraqi cabinet as saying that the Iraqi cabinet intends to form a supreme committee to supervise the oil sector including SOMO (State Organization for Marketing Oil) Company. The source says the board will comprise several ministers and Prime Minister Allawi himself.

(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 04July 2004) - Runs a 200-word front-page unattributed article on the oil minister's decision to change the director general of the SOMO company. The article says that the minister needs to provide clarifications to the Iraqi people about this issue, because this company is a "gold mine" for those who want to make a quick fortune. The article wonders if this process is included in the anti-corruption campaign.

(Al-Iraq al-Yawm, Baghdad, issued by "a group of Iraqi journalists", politically unaffiliated, 04July 2004) - Publishes on its front page a 100-word report citing an official source at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs as saying that his ministry will give priority to providing new jobs for the staff of the dissolved Information Ministry.

 (Al-Adala, Baghdad, twice-weekly by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 04July 2004) - Publishes on page 2 a 70-word report citing a health source as saying that the number of hepatitis cases has increased recently in Iraq. The source added that 1,059 cases were recorded by the end of last month due to water pollution.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 04July 2004) - Publishes on page 2 a 100-word report citing a health official urging people to donate blood due to the severe shortage of blood supplies in the hospitals and the large number of patients requiring blood transfusions.

 
(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 04July 2004) - Runs a 300-word front-page report on a statement by Iraqi official sources regarding the ration card. The officials say that items on the ration cards cause great harm to Iraqis. The officials add that many items have a negative effect on people's health, such as cooking oil and ghee.

(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 04July 2004) - Runs an 80-word front-page report on a statement by Ahmad al-Juburi, head of the Iraqi Tourism Board, saying that tourism in Iraq will witness progress after finalizing the rehabilitation of tourist sites. The official calls for handing over the presidential palaces to be used as tourist sites for Iraqis.

(Al-Adala, Baghdad, twice-weekly by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 04July 2004) - Publishes on page 2 a 50-word report citing an official source as saying that 22 million dollars was allocated to renew the drinking water network in Al-Sadr City in Baghdad.


III.     Security and military developments

(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 04July 2004) - Publishes on its front page a 200-word report on the US forces statement yesterday, 3 July, that they had located and raided a workshop where a group of terrorists was preparing booby-trapped cars as well as an arms warehouse in the south of Baghdad. The statement said that 51 persons were arrested in the raid.


 (Al-Adala, Baghdad, twice-weekly by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 04July 2004) - Publishes on its front page a 100-word report citing General Muhammad Abdallah al-Shahwani, director of the Iraqi Intelligence Agency, as saying that his agency has and will contribute effectively to imposing security in Iraq. Al-Shahwani urged "a number of groups to show wisdom" and "to give themselves a chance to contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq."

(Al-Adala, Baghdad, twice-weekly by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 04July 2004) - Publishes on page 2 a 70-word report citing an official source in the Defence Ministry as saying that his ministry will reinstate a number of high-ranking officers from the dissolved Iraqi army to boost the capabilities of the new Iraqi Army. The source added that all former Iraqi army members of ranks lower than major can now enroll in the new Iraqi Army.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 04July 2004) - Publishes on its front page a 60-word report citing a security source as saying that six Iraqi National Guards were killed and four others were wounded in the south of Baghdad yesterday, 3 July. A health source in Al-Mahmudiyah, 30 km south of Baghdad, said their injuries were caused by a bomb explosion. The guards were responsible for guarding an oil pipeline in the region.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 04July 2004) - Publishes on page 4 a 1,200-word report discussing the role of Iraqi police in maintaining security in Iraq. The report cites a number of policemen explaining their positions and saying that the Iraqi police alone can impose law and order in the country. An official source in the Interior Ministry told the newspaper that Iraqi police played a major role in maintaining peace before and during the power handover to Iraqis last week.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 04July 2004) - Publishes on page 4 a 100-word report citing eyewitnesses as saying that a US patrol came under attack by unidentified gunmen near a presidential palace in Al-Rasafah district in Baghdad on Friday evening. The eyewitnesses added that following the explosion of two roadside bombs, a child was killed and 13 other civilians including women and children were wounded in clashes that took place between US forces and the attackers, who managed to escape.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 04July 2004) - Publishes on page 4 a 100-word report citing an eyewitness as saying that the US forces arrested a man who they suspected of being Abu Mu'sab al-Zarqawi, but who was later released, in Al-Amiriyah district in Baghdad yesterday, 3 July.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 04July 2004) - Carries on its front page a 200-word report citing eyewitnesses as saying that five Iraqis were killed when a US tank fired at them in Al-Khaldiyah District near Al-Fallujah on Saturday morning, 3 July.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 04July 2004) - Carries on its front page a 70-word report citing an official source as saying that gunmen attacked an oil pipeline in the south of Iraq despite the intensive security measures on Saturday, 3 July.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 04July 2004) - Carries on page 2 a 50-word report citing Al-Najaf Police Chief General Ghalib al-Jaza'iri as saying that his forces managed to arrest two persons driving a booby-trapped car in Al-Kufah. The report did not mention the date of the incident.

(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 04July 2004) - Publishes a 40-word front-page report on an attack targeting a pipeline in Al-Faw city. The report says that unknown gunmen attacked the pipeline despite the intensive security measures. The report adds that the attack led to a fire in the 42-inch diameter pipeline.

(Al-Bayyna is a weekly paper issued by the Hezbollah movement in Iraq, 04July 2004) - Runs a 90-word front-page report on a statement by Hamid al-Kafa'i, official of the Public Relations of the Iraqi cabinet, saying that Al-Zarqawi has been arrested and the Iraqi Government will issue a statement on this issue. Al-Kafa'i adds that the US General Mark Kimmitt, who denied the reports about the arrest of Al-Zarqawi, has nothing to do with this issue and speaks only in the name of the US forces. The report says that between Kimmitt and Al-Kafa'i, the Iraqis will find no one to tell them the truth.

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 04July 2004) - Publishes an 80-word front-page report stating that the Iraqi police have started to equip its members with new machine guns. The report says that this will allow the police to react quickly in the case of emergency.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 04July 2004) - Carries page 2 a 40-word report citing a police source in Baghdad as saying that Al-Ma'mun Police Station in Baghdad came under mortar attack on Friday, 2 July, causing no casualties.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 04July 2004) - Carries on page 2 a 120-word report stating that during the last two days, Baghdad witnessed a number of rocket attacks and roadside bomb explosions in various districts in the city.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 04July 2004) - Publishes on page 2 a 60-word report stating that the Iraqi police managed to arrest 40 Iranians in Karbala recently who had entered Iraq illegally.


(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz,) - Publishes a 100-word front-page report on a statement by Iraqi and British oil officials saying that a hole in a pipeline led to a decrease in oil exports from Basra. The officials add that the cause of this hole has not yet known.


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NB: This is not an official document. The information contained therein was compiled by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, Information Office . If you have any questions/suggestions, please contact us at (+ 962 550 -4629/4630/4631 or Cell. + 962 77619725. Taveau@un.org <mailto:Taveau@un.org>