Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)




From the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

        
Thursday, 07 Oct 2004


DEFENCE/SECURITY
·         Anti-US groups give US until 9 October to withdraw from Iraqi cities - Al-Zaman
·         Agreement to end military operations in Al-Fallujah reported- Al-Sharqiyah TV
·         Iraq TV says oil pipeline fire extinguished in Baghdad- Al-Sharqiyah TV
POLITICS, ELECTIONS
·         Shi'i paper suggests Al-Sadr's political plans "serious"- Al-Adalah
·         Al-Sistani said contacting Al-Sadr, other Shi'i authorities to coordinate elections- Al-Mu'tamar
·         Iraqi parties said forming alliance ahead of January elections- Al-Zaman
·         Al-Chalabi said forming opposition bloc in interim parliament- Al-Furat
·         Iraqi foreign minister comments on Cairo conference, elections, UN role- Al-Shira
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA SUMMARIES, 06 OCT. 04
·         Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic
·         SCIRI's Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic,Iran,
·         Dar Al-Salam Radio, Iraqi Islamic Party-affiliated
·         Al-Diyar Satellite Channel in Arabic, Baghdad
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 06 OCT. 04
·         Al-Adalah [Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)]
·         Baghdad [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Accord Movement]
·         Ishraqat al-Sadr [Baghdad, weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Sadrist Movement]
·         Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Congress]
·         Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 06 OCT 04
·         We should treat the disease in its early stages- Baghdad
·         Sadrist movement seeks to take part in elections- Ishraqat Al-Sadr
·         Kidnapping of innocent in Iraq become a flourishing industry- Al-Mutamar
·         No alternative to full democracy- Al-Adalah
UPDATES FROM IRAQI KURDISH MEDIA , 06 OCT 04
·         Five killed, bodies mutilated in Mosul- Hawlati
·         Khabat daily, issued by the KDP in Erbil, 5 October 2004
·         Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK, 4 October 2004
·         Bassara weekly, issued in Kirkuk by a Shafaq Press and Cultural Foundation, 5 October 2004


DEFENCE/SECURITY

Anti-US groups give US until 9 October to withdraw from Iraqi cities - Al-Zaman
Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]:5 Oct o4: An alliance of 12 groups opposing the presence of the US-led forces in Iraq has warned the Iraqi interim government that it will target Iraq's infrastructure if US forces continue "their aggression" on Iraqi cities, Baghdad-based Al-Zaman said on 5 October. In a statement sent to an Islamic website on 2 October, the alliance - the Unified Command of the Mujahidin - said its members would target oil pipelines and railways across Iraq, particularly those close to the borders with Jordan, Turkey and Syria. The statement gave US forces until 9 October to respond to the alliance's demands that US forces withdraw from Iraqi cities, particularly Samarra and Al-Fallujah. It added that the interim Iraqi government would be held responsible for the consequences if the Americans did not respond.
 
Agreement to end military operations in Al-Fallujah reported- Al-Sharqiyah TV
Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 6 Oct 04: Iraqi President Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar has met a delegation of prominent religious figures and tribal leaders from Al-Fallujah, west of Baghdad, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. According to the Al-Sharqiyah correspondent, an agreement to end military operations in Al-Fallujah was reached with the guarantee and backing of the Iraqi president. The details of the agreement will be announced following approval by the Prime Ministry, the report added.

Iraq TV says oil pipeline fire extinguished in Baghdad- Al-Sharqiyah TV
Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 6 Oct 04: Fire-fighters and experts have taken control of the fire which broke out on 5 October at the oil pipeline feeding the Al-Dawrah refinery in Baghdad from Khanaqin oil fields, northeast of Baghdad, the Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. Maj Ali Mahmud, commander of the National Guards in Balad Ruz, said that clouds of black smoke covered the skies of Balad Ruz and Al-Muqdadiyah as a result of the fire, which was extinguished an hour later but which had been caused by a bomb planted by unidentified men. This is the fourth such incident in the past few weeks.


POLITICS, ELECTIONS
Shi'i paper suggests Al-Sadr's political plans "serious"- Al-Adalah
Al-Adalah [Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)] 6 Oct 04 : The Iraqi Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq newspaper Al-Adalah said on 6 October that radical Shi'i cleric Muqtada al-Sadr had begun to lay the groundwork for entering the nascent democratic process in Iraq. It said he had informed Iraqi leaders that he intended to dissolve his militia and perhaps nominate candidates for the elections. Al-Sadr's aides were quoted as saying that their leader's political plans had been approved by Grand Ayatollah Al-Sayyid Ali al-Sistani. According to the paper, over the past few weeks Al-Sadr's senior aide Ali al-Sumaysim met a number of senior political leaders, including members of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Kurdish and Christian leaders, and other Shi'i leaders. Sumaysim said that Al-Sadr had two main conditions: that the UN assist in the election process and that US and British military forces refrain from interfering in the elections.

Al-Sistani said contacting Al-Sadr, other Shi'i authorities to coordinate elections- Al-Mu'tamar
Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Congress] 6 Oct 04: The Iraqi National Congress newspaper Al-Mu'tamar said on 6 October that Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani was holding extensive meetings with political parties and forces "with the objective of presenting joint views" on the January 2005 elections. A source said that Al-Sistani was doing his utmost to find agreement between the parties that intended to run in the elections and was also meeting members of Al-Sadr's Bureau in Al-Najaf. "In addition, he is in constant contact with Muqtada al-Sadr to reach agreement with him on who should represent the Al-Sadr current in the elections," the paper added.

Iraqi parties said forming alliance ahead of January elections- Al-Zaman
Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]:5 Oct o4: Iraqi independent newspaper Al-Zaman quoted "well-informed Iraqi sources" on 5 October as saying that the leaders of several parties that were represented on the interim Iraqi Governing Council were puttin the final touches to an agreement to form a political alliance ahead of elections to a national assembly early next year. The paper named the parties as: The Iraqi Islamic al-Da'wah Party, led by the current Vice President Ibrahim al-Ja'fari; the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq under Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim; the Iraqi Communist Party with Hamid Majid Musa as secretary; the Kurdistan Democratic Party under Mas'ud Barzani; the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan under Jalal Talabani; the Iraqi National Congress under Ahmad al-Chalabi; the Iraqi National Accord under Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi; and the Iraqi Islamic Party. The paper quoted the sources as saying negotiations were also being held with other figures not on the list of the dissolved Governing Council.
Al-Chalabi said forming opposition bloc in interim parliament- Al-Furat
Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 6 Oct 04: Iraqi National Congress leader Ahmad al-Chalabi is conducting negotiations with politicians in the Iraqi National Assembly to form a bloc to oppose government policies, the Iraqi newspaper Al-Furat reported on 6 October, citing sources within the assembly.

Iraqi foreign minister comments on Cairo conference, elections, UN role- Al-Shira
Al-Shira [Baghdad, twice-weekly independent newspaper in Arabic (published on Monday/Thursday)] 5 Oct 04: Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has said that the Cairo conference on Iraq is to be attended by governments, not particular Iraqi groups. Speaking in an interview with the Iraqi newspaper Al-Shira, he said that the purpose of the conference was to support the Iraqi government's efforts to secure political stability, and should not include the so-called Iraqi resistance. "What is this resistance? Is it the terrorists who are cutting off heads or kidnapping innocent people working in Iraq? There are no groups representing this resistance with a political programme ready to participate in the political process." The conference is also not, he said, for representatives of political organizations or ethnic and sectarian groups. Zebari also spoke of the need for the UN "to play a more effective and active role in matters related to its presence and to the organization and preparations made for the elections."




IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA SUMMARIES, 06 Oct. 04
Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic

·         President Al-Yawir meets religious figures and tribal leaders in Al-Fallujah, reaches agreement to end military operations
·         Bodies of three Iraqis pulled from rubble in Al-Fallujah
·         US Army announces attacks on house in Al-Fallujah
·         Ten killed in suicide operation near National Guard centre in Al-Anbar governorate .. White House rejects statements by Rumsfeld that is no clear evidence linking Saddam to Al-Qa'idah
·         Straw stresses importance of holding elections in Iraq next year
·         Abd-al-Hadi al-Darraji, aide to Muqtada al-Sadr, denies reaching agreement to end fighting in Al-Sadr city
·         Military operations in Samarra prevent citizens burying 80 Iraqis killed in US raids
·         Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will disburse family care salaries next week
·         Philippines Government looking into pulling out diplomatic mission from Baghdad
·         Union of Iraqi journalists holds symposium for Iraqi journalists inside and outside Iraq

SCIRI's Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic,Iran,

·         Thousands of US troops begin large-scale military operation against "resistance" men in southern Baghdad
·         Informed sources say US "occupation" forces bomb eastern and northern parts of Al-Fallujah, destroying number of houses
·         At news conference in Baghdad, Iraq's Allawi stresses need to eliminate "terrorists" throughout Iraq, urging "resistance" men in Al-Fallujah and Al-Ramadi to stop fighting
·         Iraq file overwhelmed televised debate between US Vice President Cheney and Kerry's running mate John Edwards
·         Iraqi Human Rights Ministry official says ministry planning to get 200 Iraqi prisoners released.
·         Opinion polls show that world public opinion views US as "arrogant, selfish, and aggressive"
·         Italian defense minister says withdrawal of foreign forces in Iraq will encourage democracy
·         Australian foreign minister rejects timetable for withdrawal of Australian forces in Iraq
·         Kuwaiti information minister says Iraq become arena for settling scores, urging UN to play key role in Iraqi elections
·         Committee report on Iraq's weapons to be issued today will indicate failure to find answers to "allegations" about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction
·         US vetoes Arab draft resolution urging "Zionist entity" to stop "crimes" in Gaza Strip
·         "Zionist occupation" forces blasted house in southern Gaza Strip this morning
·         Spanish foreign minister urges "Zionist entity" to stop military campaign in Gaza Strip
·         Syria announces final position on UN chief's report on UN Security Resolution No. 1559, stressing that absence of just peace reason behind situation in region
·         Western source in Riyadh says Britain's Jack Straw due to visit Saudi Arabia today for talks on Middle East situation
·         Omani Royal Court says Iranian president will visit Oman
·         Egyptian opposition parties threaten not to take part in upcoming legislative elections
·         Moroccan official says war may break out between Algeria and Morocco over Western Sahara
·         Sudan and Eritrea exchange accusations on Eritrean president's statements in Kuwait

Dar Al-Salam Radio, Iraqi Islamic Party-affiliated
·         Media sources say car bomb kills 10 Iraqi citizens and wounds 25 others in eastern part of Al-Anbar Governorate
·         US warplanes bombed eastern and northern parts of Al-Fallujah last night; car bomb injures number of US soldiers in Al-Yusufiyah area last night
·         Iraqi Islamic Party denounces detention of two members of Association of Muslims Scholars in Iraq
·         Allawi meets Britain's Jack Straw, who arrived in Iraq yesterday
·         Poland says will set date for withdrawal of forces from Iraq
·         Eyewitnesses say explosive charge blasted oil pipeline in city of Abu Ghurayb yesterday
·         US vetoes draft resolution urging end to "Zionist" operations in Gaza Strip.
·         "Zionist" rocket attack on Gaza Strip kills four Palestinian "resistance" men
·         British prime minister arrives in Khartoum for talks on Darfur crisis
·         Saudi Awqaf Ministry decides to dissolve Al-Haramayn Charity Institution
·         Afghan president addressed gathering outside Kabul four days before elections

Al-Diyar Satellite Channel in Arabic, Baghdad

·         At least 10 killed and around 25 others wounded when booby-trapped car targeted police recruitment centre in town of Anah;
·         US forces conduct series of attacks on positions in Al-Fallujah, Al-Sadr City and southern Baghdad
·         US aircraft bombard house in centre of Al-Fallujah; clashes take place in Al-Ramadi between gunmen and multinational forces
·         Al-Diyar TV correspondent in Basra quotes Iraqi police sources as saying bomb exploded at bridge in Basra today, killing civilian and wounding four policemen
·         Iraqi President Shaykh Ghazi al-Yawar says negotiations under way with residents of Al-Fallujah to settle situation in city peacefully.
·         Prime Minister Iyad Allawi meets British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw who arrived in Baghdad yesterday on surprise visit;
·         Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih and Straw hold news conference in Baghdad
·         Muhsin Abd-al-Hamid, member of interim Iraqi National Assembly, says that elections should be held as scheduled in January 2005
·         New batch of 74 Iraqi prisoners will be released from Abu Ghurayb prison in Baghdad and Buka prison in Basra tomorrow
·         Ministry of Education decides to allow various ethnic groups in Iraq to open new schools
·         Video report on places where unemployed Iraqis gather awaiting opportunities for work... First national conference for Iraqi women scheduled to be held on 10 October
·         Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs adopts new draft labour law.
·         Al-Najaf Deputy Governor Ali al-Shaybani says 120 women seek to join Iraqi police force... Video report on centres providing Internet services in Iraq
·         Children's Theatre Committee in Babil Governorate will carry out weekly activities for children
·         Ninawa's Authors and Writers Federation resumes cultural activities

IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 06 Oct. 04
Al-Adalah [Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)]
·         Allawi addressing National Assembly: Committed to holding elections on schedule
·         Defence minister: Iraqi forces arrest 42 foreign armed men in Samarra
·         Series of explosions target government buildings in Baghdad
·         Straw arrives in Kurdistan to meet political leaders
·         Syria denies responsibility for suspended transport of Turkish goods to Iraq
·         (Saddam's daughter) Raghad names Salah al-Mukhtar as her political advisor
·         Al-Qadhafi's son mediates for release of UK hostage
·         After months of silence, Bremer says US government did not have enough plans to achieve security in Iraq
·         Tehran: No direct discussions between Iran, USA at international conference on Iraq
·         High percentage of Iraqis more likely to take part in elections
·         Volvo consortium wins contract to provide Iraq with construction supplies
·         Broad condemnation of cowardly attack on SCIRI office in Al-Sadr City
·         Jordan rules out Iraqi oil exports to at preferential prices
·         Minister of state for civil society: Two thousand bogus women's organizations take aid offered by donor countries Saudi fund to support Iraq.
Baghdad [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Accord Movement]
·         At special National Assembly session, Allawi pledges to hold elections on time
·         Defence minister: 40 foreign terrorists captured
·         Emergency medical, food aid to Samarra
·         Basra local council denies rumours on establishing southern region
·         Permanent unforgeable passports to be issued
·         Armed attack on US military convoy in Abu-Alwan area (Al-Fallujah)
·         Sixteen billion dollars allocated for marshland restoration
·         National Accord Movement distributes clothes, bags, stationery to school students, orphanages
·         National tribe gathering holds its second conference
·         Modern equipment to Iraqi border patrols
·         Jordanian king meets Iraqi prime minister, holds talks with Blair in London; King Abdallah: Jordan committed to achieving security, stability in Iraq

Ishraqat al-Sadr [Baghdad, weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Sadrist Movement]
·         Who wants to cancel Friday prayer, (governor) Al-Zurfi or Al-Sistani?
·         We want the release of detainees From where does Muqtada al-Sadr derive his power?
·         Who will stop Al-Latifiyah terrorism?
·         Ishraqat al-Sadr exclusively publishes names and rings of terrorist groups
·         Together in support of religious authorities' participation in elections Al-Sadr followers in Al-Zubaydiyah (Al-Kut) stage uprising
·         US occupation of Iraq came to secure Israel
·         Who is responsible for election and how it will be held?
·         Conspiracy against Shi'a in Bahrain.
Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Congress]
·         Baghdad Mayor: Our reconstruction plan needs 3bn dollar annually
·         Study to build dams on Al-Udaym upper streams
·         World Bank offers 170bn dinars for Municipality Ministry
·         Italy with Al-Sadr participation in international conference
·         Mosul doctors on three-day strike in solidarity with slain colleague
·         Intensive efforts to provide water for arable lands
·         Number of Britons supporting presence of UK troops in Iraq increases.
Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]
·         Five beheaded bodies in Mosul, Kirkuk; Mortar bombs fired at different positions in Baghdad; nine killed in three car bomb blasts
·         Unidentified men assassinate five Palestinians in Baghdad; armed attack on Al-Mansur filling station
·         Red Crescent: Security situation prevents burial of victims in Samarra
·         Pope meets two released Italians released in Iraq
·         Muslim Scholars Association doubts election schedule
·         Seventy-eight Iraqi orphans humiliated in Turkey; scandal whose heroes are Iraqi embassy in Ankara,
·         Turkish society Committee of Muslim scholars to sight new Ramadan moon Mortar bombs, triggers defused in Al-Kut.

IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 06 Oct 04

We should treat the disease in its early stages- Baghdad
Baghdad [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Accord Movement]: [From commentary by Salah al-Husayni]: "We, as a people, as a nation and as a civilization, should attend to our own illnesses and the scars on our over-exhausted body. We should treat the disease in its early stages We should discover those young fools and teach them that the people's decision is made only by the people, all the people, not by an elite selected in holes or behind piles of TNT. We should make them understand that the right to life is the root of all rights, bestowed by Allah on all his creatures, with their different colours, religions and ethnicities, and that no one is entitled to redistribute this right on the basis of absurd, hateful, discriminatory criteria Finally, we should not forget that if the sedition of masked jihad spilled over, its sparks would hurt not only those wearing masks."

Sadrist movement seeks to take part in elections- Ishraqat Al-Sadr
Ishraqat al-Sadr [Baghdad, weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Sadrist Movement]: [From commentary] "We are all invited to back the efforts of the supreme religious authority, which was the first to call for holding elections in Iraq, to give legitimacy and legality to the elected members of the interim parliament for the sake of Iraq stability and security The Sadrist movement seeks to take part in elections and is prepared to present its electoral card which demands withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. It rejects partial elections and will only participate in general elections supervised by international organizations to ensure free and fair results We need Iraqi leaders from inside Iraq who know better than those who came on board US occupation tanks."

Kidnapping of innocent in Iraq become a flourishing industry- Al-Mutamar
Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Congress]: [From opinion by Ahmad al-Rab'i] "The kidnapping of innocent people in Iraq has become a flourishing industry. All that is needed are masked gunmen, a video camera and a tribal shaykh, even if fake, to play the role of mediator We believe the only way to deal with this phenomenon is to reject any negotiation with the kidnappers. Some may say this will endanger innocent lives. However, the other side of the equation says paying ransom through negotiation will only create new victims and encourage those criminals to abduct more innocent people."
No alternative to full democracy- Al-Adalah
Al-Adalah [Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)] A commentary by Ahmad Muhammad Abdallah on 02 Oct 04) `` incomplete and restricted elections cannot be relied upon to result in comprehensive and full solutions. They will not incorporate all forces and parties without exception, and therefore, the people will not be able to express their choice regarding who represents them fully and completely. Elections, it says, are everyone's right. Limiting the voting process to parties, organizations and specific forces among the people detracts from this right and obstructs the democratic process. It also violates what all political forces have confirmed regarding pluralism and public freedoms, including freedom of opinion, expression, voting, and nomination, etc. Al-Sayyid al-Sistani has expressed his fear that the whole process will be restricted to specific parties, while excluding others. "That would constitute a shorthand democratic practice and an obstruction of the vitality of democracy to represent entire sectors of the population who are hoping to establish a pluralistic democratic political system that provides options to all groups and sectors of the people," the commentary says.


UPDATES FROM IRAQI KURDISH MEDIA , 06 Oct 04
Five killed, bodies mutilated in Mosul- Hawlati
Hawlati, Al-Sulaymaniyah, 6 Oct 04: The independent Iraqi Kurdish newspaper Hawlati reported on 6 October that five people had been beheaded by armed men in a house in a Kurdish district of Mosul. It said the incident took place in Al-Jaza'ir District. A man who was injured in the attack said the armed men spoke in Sorani Kurdish.


Khabat daily, issued by the KDP in Erbil, 5 October 2004
·         The KRG-Erbil PM Nechirvan Barzani received yesterday afternoon the UK Foreign Minister Jack Straw, who expressed happiness for Kurdistan accomplishments throughout the past 13 years. What you the Kurds have achieved marks the future of Iraq, Straw said in a press conference. Barzani told news reporters he discussed wit the UK minister and his accompanying senior delegates the Kurdish-UK bilateral relations, as well as the latest Iraqi the forthcoming and elections and the latest developments, particularly in Kirkuk. Barzani refuted news reports that said Straw's visit aimed at convincing the Kurds to participate in the Iraqi elections and abandon Kirkuk. Kirkuk is and will remain part of Kurdistan… This is non-negotiable, Barzani asserted adding that the Britons also believed that the situation in Kirkuk must be normalized.
·         Kurdistan Parliament commemorates the federalism declaration anniversary and ratifies the second amendment to the law of Kurdistan Journalists' Union.
·         A senior KDP delegation headed by Sidad Barzani met with social dignitaries from Kandinawa area south of Erbil and scores of party affiliates. He saluted the positive role of the locals in the Kurdish revolutions and their tolerance and persistence in opposing the former regime's Arabization policy in the area. Our current objective is to preserve Kurdistan people's rights and reconstruct the recently liberated areas of Kurdistan, Sidad Barzani told his audience.
·         The Mosul branch of the Iraqi Peace and Solidarity Council held its foundation conference yesterday under auspices of local judges and the Kurdish list of candidates won 14 out of 21 seats of the executive board that will be headed by a Kurdish woman.
·         The Kurdish Education Section in Kirkuk Education Department announced the opening of another 64 Kurdish schools throughout Kirkuk governorate for the returning IDPs. 24 schools were opened last year and the success was 100% despite all the constraints, the same source added.
·         Without the knowledge of Kirkuk Municipal Council (KMC), the Iraqi Education Ministry appointed another Iraqi Turcoman Front (ITF) member as the new director of the education department in the city in replacement of the slain director Ibrahim Ismael who was assassinated last month. The new director could not assume his post because the city's administration and most members of different KMC groups reject his appointment.
Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK, 4 October 2004
·         The KRG-Sulaymanya Minister of Relations and Cooperation received Monday a UN delegation headed by Colonel Somion Dignis. The visit aimed at following up Kurdistan security situation and the handover of UN assets to the KRG upon the completion of the UN agencies mandates. The visiting delegation expressed happiness for the protection of the assets mentioning WFP assets as an example. Underlining the security prevailing in Kurdistan, the Minister said the KRG exerted all possible efforts for the protection of the assets. He demanded the UN to help restoration of Kurdistan share of the [UN] assets that are now in Baghdad, Amman and Larnaca through proper mechanisms.
·         The imminent international conference on Iraq will focus on gathering regional and international support for the Iraqi political process that started with sovereignty transfer and of the Iraqi Transitional National Assembly (TNA), Faraydoon Abdulqadir, chairman of the TNA Foreign Relations Committee told Al-Arabia satellite TV.
·         In its weekly meeting Monday, Kirkuk Municipal Council condemned the interference by Salahaddin Governorate Municipal Council in Kirkuk's internal affairs. Some members of the Arab and Turcoman groups tried to justify the Salahaddin conference saying it was a normal tribal meeting but the members of the Kurdish group strongly refuted the claim and stressed on Kirkuk's Kurdistani identity recalling various historic evidences.
·         In a meeting with the KRG-Sulaymanya Human Rights Minister few days ago, an IRC delegation announced it will open three centers in Erbil, Sulaymanya and Dahuk for the provision of legal aid to the IDPs in a bid to promote human rights, requested the organization to help returning Kurdish refugees and integrating them into the society after years living in exile. The Minster criticized UNHCR `reluctance in serving the IDPs' despite the prevailing security in [Sulaymanya] region. He also requested UNHCR to build hard shelters for returning refugees like it did in and around Erbil. The IRC coordinator said his organization had such a joint plan with UNHCR.

Bassara weekly, issued in Kirkuk by a Shafaq Press and Cultural Foundation, 5 October 2004
·         In a joint press conference in Erbil, the UK Foreign Mister and KRG-Erbil PM Nechirvan Barzani said they had discussed issues pertaining to Iraq stability and forthcoming elections that should be inclusive and held on time. Before arriving in Erbil, the UK minister has visited Kirkuk and Sulaymanya where he met with the PUK leader Jalal Talabani. Political observers believe that Straw's visit to Kurdistan aims at convincing the Kurds to participate in the Iraqi elections because Kurdish abstain from those elections will be a hard blow to the political future of Iraq, the UK and US.
·         12,000 Kurdish Peshmargas affiliated to the KDP and PUK will be deployed in Kirkuk and Mosul to preserve stability in the two cities in cooperation wit the Multi-National Forces (MNF), informed sources announced to Bassara.
·         The Governor of Kirkuk left to the US Monday upon official invitation for talks over Kirkuk problems and the needs of the city.
·         The Iraqi Education Ministry appointed an ITF member as the new director of the Education Department in Kirkuk without the consent of the city's municipal council. The former director who was assassinated last month was also an ITF member.
·         The Iraqi Education Ministry and Kirkuk Education Department hinder the appointment of more than 3,000 Kirkuki Kurdish teachers who teach in the city schools and are paid by either Erbil or Sulaymanya administrations. The Kurdish teachers vow to continue teaching in Kirkuk even if they have to work as volunteers.
·         The ITF is engaged in secret efforts gathering former Iraqi intelligence officers and sending them to Turkey where the Turkish intelligence service trains them on targeting the Kurds in Kirkuk security destabilization.
·         An MNF patrol arrested the Mayor of Riyaz District (south of Kirkuk) Saturday for his connections to the terrorists and supporting them.

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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>