Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)






From the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

        
Tuesday, 05 Oct 2004


DEFENCE/SECURITY
·         Eight Iraqi customs staff killed while transporting antiquities- Al-Sharqiyah
HOSTAGES
·         ``Kidnapping Become 'Profitable Trade'''- Al-shira
·         Egyptian foreign minister says workers to remain in Iraq- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
POLITICS, ELECTION
·         New head said appointed to Saddam trial court- Voice of the Mujahidin
·         Iraq's Al-Sistani said cooperate with Al-Sadr on elections- Voice of the Mujahidin
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA SUMMARIES, 04 OCT. 04
·         Dar Al-Salam Radio, Iraqi Islamic Party-affiliated
·         Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic
·         Al-Iraqiah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic,
·         Al-Diyar Satellite Channel in Arabic, Baghdad
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 04 OCT. 04
·         Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]
·         Al-Adalah [Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)]
·         Al-Bayan [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party
·         Al-Dustur [Baghdad, daily independent newspaper in Arabic]
·         Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Congress] 4 Oct:
·         Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned]
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 04 OCT 04
·         "Holding elections on time ill be the last nail in the terrorism coffin''- Al-Adalah
·         ``What is the use of security system if it does not track down killers?''- Al-Bayyna
·         ``The Kurds have the right to dream of a homeland''- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
UPDATES FROM IRAQI KURDISH MEDIA , 04 OCT 04
·         Khabat daily, issued by the KDP in Erbil, 1-3 October 2004
·         Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK


DEFENCE/SECURITY

Eight Iraqi customs staff killed while transporting antiquities- Al-Sharqiyah
Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 4 Oct 04: : Police in central Iraq have found the bodies of eight men entrusted with transporting to Baghdad Iraqi antiquities which had been found in the possession of thieves in Dhi Qar Governorate in southern Iraq. Brigadier-General Qays al-Ma'muri, chief of Babil Police, said that the charred bodies of a customs officer and seven customs employees agents were found in the Al-Latifiyah area on the night of 3 October and were transported to the nearby Al-Iskandariyah General Hospital following armed clashes with unknown gangs

HOSTAGES
``
Kidnapping Become 'Profitable Trade'''- Al-shira
Al-Shira [Baghdad, twice-weekly independent newspaper in Arabic (published on Monday/Thursday)] 3 Oct 04 : The Iraqi newspaper Al-Shira has accused "Saddamists" and Sunni scholars of supporting kidnappers. It said kidnapping had become a "profitable trade" in Iraq and foreigners represented big money to the "kidnapping and crime gangs". It added: "Kidnapping operations have entered the political game from its widest doors. Religious, tribal and party institutions have plunged into the kidnapping operations and established wide network of relations with the terrorist groups and kidnapping and crime gangs.''
Egyptian foreign minister says workers to remain in Iraq- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
Al-Sharq al-Awsat,web site [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat] 3 Oct 04: Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu-al-Ghayt has said that despite the numerous kidnappings of Egyptian workers in Iraq, these workers are serving Iraqi interests and will continue to be present there. He denied that Egyptian citizens were being specifically targeted, and stated that Egypt would not accept a military role, which, he said could entail firing on Iraqi citizens. He was speaking in an interview given to London-based newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat.

POLITICS, ELECTION
New head said appointed to Saddam trial court- Voice of the Mujahidin
SCIRI's Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic, Iran, 4 Oct 04: Iraq's National Assembly has agreed to appoint Judge Ammar al-Bakri as head of the criminal court in charge of trying former Iraqi President Saddam Husayn and the figures of his regime, Iraqi Shi'i group's Iran-based radio station Voice of the Mujahidin reported on 4 Oct, quoting a Justice Ministry source. The radio also reported that special units have been formed with the task of protecting judges. Each judge will get two bodyguards. Mustafa Kamil al-Mudafa, head of the judicial council, was quoted as saying that between 10 and 15 judges have been killed recently.
Iraq's Al-Sistani said cooperate with Al-Sadr on elections- Voice of the Mujahidin
SCIRI's Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic, Iran, 4 Oct 04: An official close to the religious authority in Holy Al-Najaf has said that His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Al-Sayyid Ali al-Sistani is doing all he can to achieve cohesion among parties and currents planning to run in elections in order to give them more strength in the political arena. He added that his eminence was also meeting members of Martyr Al-Sadr Office in Holy Al-Najaf and was in continuous contact with Al-Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr to agree with him on who would represent the Al-Sadr current in the elections.The source maintained that Al-Sistani was discussing the elections with other religious authorities in Al-Najaf, particularly with Ayatollah Muhammad Ishaq al-Fayyad, in order to form a unified approach. The source also stressed that Al-Sistani asked Al-Sayyid Ahmad al-Safi, the authority's representative in Holy Karbala, to emphasize during Friday sermons the need to hold elections on time, provided all cities in the country take part in these elections.
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA SUMMARIES, 04 Oct. 04
Dar Al-Salam Radio, Iraqi Islamic Party-affiliated
·         Two explosions killed at least 10 people and wounded others in Baghdad today, and a car bomb kills five Iraqis in the city of Mosul
·         US military sources in Iraq say they carried out two air raids on the city of Al-Fallujah today, killing 11 Iraqis and wounding others. Negotiations, however, are under way to restore security in the city
·         Unidentified gunmen kill three Iraqi officials in three separate incidents
·         An alliance of 10 Iraqi armed groups threatens on the Internet to attack the Iraqi infrastructure, particularly oil installations, unless the "occupation" forces withdraw from some Iraqi cities
·         The Italian deputy prime minister says that Iraq will no longer need foreign forces after elections are held in January
·         An Iraqi court issues an arrest warrant against Mithal al-Alusi, senior member of the Iraqi National Congress, for visiting the "Zionist entity."
Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic
·         Two strong explosions rock Baghdad today, killing and wounding scores of people. More than 10 people were killed in explosion in the centre of Baghdad this morning
·         Video report: An explosion at the entrance of a recruitment centre in Baghdad kills 10 and wounds 76 others.
·         US aircraft raid Al-Fallujah overnight prior to the implementation of a truce agreement reached between a delegation from the city and the Iraqi Government and the US forces.
·         Italy calls for Muqtada Al-Sadr's participation in the upcoming international conference on Iraq. Statement by Italian foreign minister to Italian paper cited.
·         Mobile telecommunication services provided by the Iraquna Company break down at noon today.
·         Australian Prime Minister John Howard says that the Iraqi Government asked him not to withdraw the Australian forces stationed in Iraq
·         The Polish defence minister says that the Polish forces will be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of next year
·         A booby-trapped car explodes near an elementary school in Mosul, killing seven people, including two children
·         German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sticks to his decision to deliver armoured personnel carriers to Iraq despite criticism by the Green Party
·         A mortar attack in Ba'qubah kills a 13-year-old boy and wounds seven others.
·         The US forces in Ba'qubah open fire on two men trying to plant a roadside bomb; both men are being treated in the city's hospital.
·         The Iraqi Oil Ministry asks citizens to refer to municipal councils to register their monthly allowances of diesel fuel
·         A bomb misses a US military convoy near Al-Ramadi, killing two people and wounding six others
·         French Deputy Didier Julia says he is concerned about the fate of the two French journalists being held hostage in Iraq.
Al-Iraqiah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic,

·         King of Jordan Abdallah II Bin-Husayn calls for end to violence in Iraq at talks with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi
·         Car bomb blast in Baghdad leaves 12 Iraqis dead and over 70 injured. (Video report shows injured and dead, angry locals)
·         Blast in central Baghdad kills two and injures dozens
·         Two Indonesian hostages freed.
·         Studio interview with Fridon Qadir Faraj, head of the foreign affairs committee at the interim National Assembly. He speaks about the effect of deteriorating security situation on the elections and the international conference on Iraq to be held soon
·         Oil minister says Italian firms to contribute to developing Iraq oil industry. Video report highlights his meeting with Italian Baghdad envoy
·         Former Iraqi President Saddam Husayn was seeking to activate nuclear programme says US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.
·         Peace and solidarity conference calls for dialogue among Iraqis and end to violence... Ministry of the Interior official visits Basra, says city has security priority
·         Water purification station opened in Karbala. Video report highlights project, other infrastructure projects in the city

Al-Diyar Satellite Channel in Arabic, Baghdad
·         Security sources say that a huge explosion rocked an area close to the southern entrance of the so-called Green Zone
·         An explosion takes place in Al-Sa'dun Street in central Baghdad...
·         The US forces renewed bombardment of Al-Fallujah this morning. A medical source at Al-Fallujah Hospital and a US military statement on the bombardment are cited
·         Al-Diyar correspondent in Diyala says that Balad police chief was assassinated while on his way to work this morning
·         Iraqi Vice-President Ibrahim al-Ja'fari calls on Arab and Islamic countries to support the Iraqi people to restore security and calm to Iraq and hold democratic and honest elections with the participation of all Iraqis. He made these statements in a meeting with several clergymen in Qom in Iran
·         Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi meets Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri at Geneva airport. Statement issued by Al-Hariri's office is cited
·         Al-Diyar correspondent in Al-Sulaymaniyah interviews head of the Kurdistan region on elections, federalism, and other issues
·         A conference for national reconciliation was held in Diyala Governorate attended by representatives of Diyala, heads of political parties, and chieftains
·         Labour and social affairs minister starts a visit to Lebanon
·         Director-general of research and development department at Higher Education Ministry says a memorandum of understanding has been signed with a German company to supply medical and engineering laboratories for Iraqi universities
·         Kurdistan region is giving special interest to teach in Arabic at Al-Sulaymaniyah's schools. The education minister in the region is cited
·         Iraqi Justice Ministry reports forming committee to follow up on political prisoners' affairs
·         Baghdad Governorate signs contract with several Arab and international companies to repair sewerage, electricity, and water networks at a cost of 260m dollars
·         Iraqi Health Ministry continues its campaign to provide vaccination against polio
·         Announcer-read report: Iraqi Municipalities and Works Ministry allocates 7.5bn Iraqi dinars to prepare new designs for Iraqi cities.
               
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 04 Oct. 04
Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]

·         Samarra residents demand resignation of government ministers; bodies still under rubble;
·         US army admits 10 per cent of victims were civilians
·         Foreign Ministry: Kuwait keeps on ignoring Iraq demand for release of Iraqi detainees
·         Eight customs policemen killed in Al-Latifiyah
·         Unidentified men set fire to oil pipeline feeding Al-Durah refinery
·         Resentment at government decision to pay 1,000-dollar compensation to families of Al-Amil victims
·         Iraqi authorities deport Ukrainian infected with AIDS
·         Central Bank issues new 500-dinar note
·         Veterinary association reports cases of food poisoning with canned meat, bird flue.


Al-Adalah [Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)]

·         SCIRI leader meets deputy PM, several ministers
·         Iraq agrees to export oil to Jordan
·         Iran to take part in international conference on Iraq
·         (Vice-President Ibrahim) Al-Ja'fari presses for extending help to Iraqis
·         Allawi, (Rafiq) al-Hariri in brief meeting at Geneva airport
·         US army general calls for truce in Al-Sadr City
·         Interior minister in Samarra: City purged from bad elements, terrorists; 400m dollars allocated for Samarra reconstruction
·         Education Ministry signs memo of understanding with German company
·         Statistics on defused car bombs; special committee to follow up kidnapping file
·         Iraqi coastal defence force launched In Ninawa,
·         190bn dinars earmarked to implement water projects
·         Migration minister discusses situation of Iraqis in Sweden
·         Russian finance minister: Ready to write off 50 per cent if Iraq debts
·         Eighty-one artefacts stolen after killing eight policemen
·         Kuwait exports second-hand clothes contaminated with venereal diseases to Iraq
·         Oil Ministry issues table with family shares of kerosene based on ration cards
·         National Assembly describes QANA report as lies.

Al-Bayan [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party
·         Fighting in Samarra over; other cities on the watch Polish army announces capture of senior former army officer
·         Ibrahim al-Ja'fari congratulates Ayatollah Al-Sistani on Imam Mahdi's birth anniversary
·         Thirty sites identified to establish housing projects in governorates
·         Jordan to host meeting for modernizing Iraqi legal system
·         Damascus expresses readiness to participate in Iraq reconstruction
·         Al-Bakri named as chairman of Saddam tribunal
·         Rewarding pensions for civil servant killed in attacks
·         Finance minister: Final solution to dissolved ministries' problem imminent
·         Irrigation, drainage projects re-operated
·         Migration Ministry: Participation of Iraqis abroad in elections inevitable
·         Border security college opened
·         National Assembly Speaker denies statement on impossibility of holding elections.
Al-Dustur [Baghdad, daily independent newspaper in Arabic]
·         Forty million dollars to reconstruct Samarra, pay compensation to residents for damage
·         Iyad Allawi visits Jordan
·         President Al-Yawar warns of foreign parties' interference in Iraqi elections
·         US, Iraqi forces control Samarra; relief agencies concerned about situation.
·         Tehran warns Baghdad of any Israeli presence in Iraq
·         Weapons confiscated from Al-Sadr office in Al-Najaf
·         Two killed in fresh US bombing of Al-Fallujah
·         Italian deputy PM: We will stay in Iraq until elections
·         Bodies of two Westerners found south of Baghdad
·         Iran to take part in international conference on Iraq
·         National Assembly Speaker: Iraqi elections in January impossible
·         Rumsfeld expects violence in Iraq until elections
·         Iraqi group calls on Lebanon to withdraw nationals
·         Association of Muslim Scholars denounces military operation in Samarra
·         Iraqi Kurds demonstrate for self-rule, Kirkuk Public works minister denies reports on land distribution to non-Iraqis in Kirkuk
·         Iraqi criminal court to convict 50 insurgent suspects
·         Second round of polio campaign begins in Diyala
·         US Congress donates children hospital in Basra
·         Basra customs prevents entry of Kuwaiti goods
·         Japanese forces grant 49,000 dollars to Al-Muthanna health directorate.

Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Congress] 4 Oct:

·         US, Iraqi forces get tight grip on Samarra; battles ongoing
·         Interior Ministry source: 14 car bombs defused in September
·         Movable property, real estate of Saddam, his wife, daughters, former regime officials confiscated
·         National Guards, police station attacked in Al-Latifiyah
·         Former Iraqi officer: New forces are weak
·         Eighteen customs officers killed, 81 artefacts stolen in Al-Mahmudiyah
·         Iraqi woman at British Labour Party conference accused of being CIA agent
·         Iraqis abroad want to take part in elections
·         Early preparations for winter agriculture season in
·         Wasit Plan to make Iraqi dinar a convertible currency.

Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned]
·         Secret contacts to reach agreement to avoid incursion into Al-Fallujah
·         Samarra residents bury their dead;
·         Association of Muslim Scholars, relief agencies consider situation in city tragic
·         Washington rejects Paris demands for opposition participation in international conference on Iraq
·         Rumsfeld: No signs of possible civil war in Iraq
·         Commander of UK ground troops: Invading another country is totally unfair
·         Tehran warns Baghdad: Israeli presence in northern Iraq unacceptable
·         Iraqi legal council chief says new unit to protect judges formed In Al-Najaf, demolitions around Imam Ali shrine begin today
·         Seventeen states to take part in international conference on Iraq
·         Kurdish demonstration in Kirkuk demands deportation of Arabs from city.

IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 04 Oct 04

"Holding elections on time ill be the last nail in the terrorism coffin''- Al-Adalah

Al-Adalah [Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) [From commentary by Adnan Ibrahim Khalifah], 04 Oct 04:] "Holding elections on schedule will only be the last nail in the terrorism coffin Any reluctance to organize elections will only mean the evil will has prevailed over the good will, and the terrorist will have beaten the people's will. Iraqis will spare no effort to walk this path to the end, however dear the sacrifices will be, fully aware that elections are the final battle through which Iraqis can decide the victory of people's unity and the defeat of the will of anarchy advocated by our enemies, the enemies of free and democratic Iraq."


``
What is the use of security system if it does not track down killers?''- Al-Bayyna

Al-Bayyna is a weekly paper issued by the Hezbollah movement in Iraq [From editorial by Sattar Jabbar]04 Oct 04: "It is a farce to leave the killer footloose in Iraq violating man and property, while prisons are crammed with freedom fighters who only want a free, democratic Iraq. What is the use of the security system if it does not track down the killers and those wrecking havoc on earth? What is the use of National Guard forces if they do not remove the cancer coming from across the borders, tutored by agents of the 21st century Wahabists, who saw in Saddam's absence the end of their golden age. It is a real disaster if the government does not intervene and state the facts with transparency and accurately identify at whom the gun barrels are pointed and to whom the prisons are opened. Otherwise, the government will be in trouble and its course will derail from serving to fighting the defenceless people who have laid down their arms voluntarily and decided to build Iraq far from sectarian tensions."

``
The Kurds have the right to dream of a homeland''- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat][From commentary by Ahmad al-Rab'I 04 Oct 04:] "The Kurds have the right to dream of a homeland. However, it will be only nand miscalculation to speak of Kurdistan secession from the Iraqi state under the circumstances in which Iraq is living. Those who make such demands should well read the balance of regional powers, Iraq position at this stage and the Iranian-Turkish situation. They should better use their minds and realize that importance of knowing the difference between theory and practice, and between dream and reality. A stable, democratic Iraq is the best thing the Iraqi Kurds can get today."

UPDATES FROM IRAQI KURDISH MEDIA , 04 Oct 04

Khabat daily, issued by the KDP in Erbil, 1-3 October 2004
·         (editorial) The Kurdistan Parliament declaration of federalism on 2 October 1992 expresses Kurdish readiness to re-design the Iraqi identity as a state of two nations equal in rights and duties. All constitutions between 1925 and 1970 stipulated Kurdish-Arabic partnership in the country but they were never enacted. Kurdistan people commemorated the 12th anniversary of the federalism declaration with massive marches all over Kurdistan and Europe demanding a referendum. They want to be asked if they want to be independent or stay within Iraq. If the official line in Kurdistan demands federalism as expressed by the Parliament, the masses of people definitely want something else.
·         The KRG-Erbil Prime Minster Nechirvan Barzani received a delegation of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Party. The visiting delegation happily noted the development in Kurdistan.
·         The Turkish Peace Making Force (PMF) left Kurdistan and handed over the key of its HQ in Erbil to the Governor yesterday evening after ending its mandate. The commander of the leaving force thanked both KDP and PUK for their cooperation and facilitations. The KDP Politburo Executive, a PUK representative and other officials also attended the farewell ceremony.
·         The IDPs who have recently returned to the Kirkuk staged a peaceful demonstration in front of the Governor's office Sunday demanding implementation of Article 58 of the Iraqi Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), re-annexing Kirkuk Governorate to Kurdistan Region, stopping pressures on IDPs return and facilitating the process, provision of services to the returnees and compensating them for their losses.
·         The director of students' central admission announced that Kurdistan universities accepted 13,687 students for the current academic year, in addition to 3,500 students in the institutions.

Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK
·         The KRG-Sulaymanya Minster of Labor and Social Affairs divulges a 100-dollar monthly pension stipend for those aged civil servants who have been working more than 15 years and are not able to continue.
·         The PUK leader asks his party's media outlets to take special care of the demands of the Turcomans and Chaldo-Assyrians. He also said the new Iraq should be based on consensus. Kurdistan people staged peaceful marches in Sulaymanya, Kirkuk, Khanaqeen, Dahuk, Erbil and Europe countries demanding the conduction of referendum so that the people can decide their own fate. They raised slogans demanding inclusion of Kirkuk and Khanaqeen into Kurdistan Region boundaries saying that all the [national] rights would be hollow without those two cities.
·         312 Kurdish refugee families have returned from Iran between 19 May 2003 and 20 June 2004. Another 62 families returned with ICRC support after tat date. The families who have returned after 1 August will receive a plot of land and a $1,000 financial aid. The returnees who were government civil servants will resume their works and the students will go back to their schools and universities.
·         (commentary) Although the Governor of Dyala left Khanaqeen empty-handed, yet we have not won the Khanaqeen virtual war completely for three reasons. First; the Governor still looks to Khanaqeen as part of Dyala Governorate, not as part of Kurdistan. Secondly; despite stressing the Kurdishness of Khanaqeen and our success in repulsing the governor's efforts to re- settle the evicted Arab settlers in Khanaqeen and, we have not seen any official statement from the Iraqi government reflecting the will of the city's population and lastly; Khanaqeen is not only the center of a the city alone, but it also covers a broad area including the strategic towns of Jalawla and Saadiya where the Kurdish leadership has not been able to show their Khanaqeen nature. The Arabs who were settled in Jalawla and Saadiya some 40 years ago in the process of Kurdistan Arabization must also leave and we should have extended our Khanaqeen poly to those tow towns since long. The Governor of Dyala is doing his best to intensify Arabizing those locations through re-settling the evicted Arabs and dismissing the Kurdish civil servants.


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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 -4631/4703 or Cell. + 962 77 619 731 jarrar@un.org <mailto:jarrar@un.org> or alsokhni@un.org <mailto:alsokhni@un.org>