Sunday, 23 May 2004
(Al-Nahdah, Baghdad, 20 May 04) - Publishes a report quoting a UN spokesman as saying that the Security Council will continue discussions regarding Iraq but no resolution will be issued until the return of UN envoy Brahimi to New York by the end of May.
(Al-Ittihad, Baghdad, 22 May 04) - On the eve of the two-day Arab summit in Tunis, the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) announced that its member Nasir al-Chadirchi would lead its delegation to the meeting. The IGC has released the names of members of the Iraqi delegation that will represent the country at the Arab summit to be held in Tunisia on 22nd and 23rd May. The Iraqi delegation will comprise: Leader of the Kurdish Islamic Union Salah-al-Din Muhammad, Baha-al-Din and member of the council Dr. Raja al-Khuza'i and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari. The council said that the delegation would also comprise political advisors at the Foreign Ministry.
(Elaph web site 21 May 04) - Coalition intelligence sources claim that Ahmad Al-Chalabi in his "feverish" attempts to widen his authority in Iraq, handed Iranians political and military secrets related to Washington's future plans on Iraq and details of US military capabilities there, Elaph web site reported on 21 May. The website said this was one of the reasons for the fall-out between the IGC member and Washington.
(Al-Mada, Baghdad, 22 May 04) - Publishes a commentary by Malallah Faraj saying that "I feel neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the present Arab summit, which will be no more than another number to be added to the series of summits held so far. As usual, it will be just another occasion for accord and discord, for agreeing on what to put on paper and disagreeing on what do on the ground. May God spare Arab leaders the evils of democracy and change!"
(Al-Mu'tamar, Baghdad, 22 May 04) - Carries a commentary by Dr. Khalid Yunus who says, ``America has lost its prestige in Iraq and in the world at large even as the Iraqis and the Arabs have lost their identity for refusing to reconcile themselves with their heritage in a way that would allow them to initiate any serious effort to reform themselves and set their own home in order.''
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, 22 May 04) - Publishes an editorial by Basim al-Shaykh says, ``What has recently come to pass between the Iraqi National Congress Party, on the one hand, and the occupying forces and the US administration, on the other, is a warning sign that ought to be heeded by all who maintain any sort of relationship with the US, be it normal or otherwise. They would do well never to count on such ties as long as interests keep changing, roles remain volatile and US strategy continues to be ambiguous.''
(Iran-based Voice of the Mujahidin, 22 May 04) - In a commentary, Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Iran-based Voice of the Mujahidin radio station said that the trial of US soldiers involved in abusing Iraqi prisoners was actually designed to be a cover-up. A US soldier involved in the abuse was sentenced to one year in prison, while some US soldiers accused of abusing prisoners refused to testify before a US military judge. Moreover, a US Senate commission praised US generals Abizaid, Sanchez and Miller as "heroes". What, the radio asked, is the point of these interrogations and trials? Will they put an end to "the suffering" of the Iraqi prisoners? The radio concluded by saying that the US "occupation" forces were trying to control the country and to force its people to accept a fait accompli.
(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, 20 May 04) -
(Al-Taakhi, Baghdad, 20 May 04) -
(Azzaman, Baghdad, 20 May 04) -
(Ansar al-Mahdi, 22 May)
In Brief:
(Ansar al-Mahdi, 22 May)
(Al-Nahdah, Baghdad, 21 May 04) - The political parties and movements in Basra have established a national council in the Governorate.
(Al-Adalah, Baghdad, 21 May 04) -. Director General of the Iraqi land transport public company Muhammad Sabir al-Musawi says that his company has secured protection to the trucks transporting goods between the Iraqi cities and the neighboring countries.
(Kurdistani Nwe, Sulaymaniyah 23 May) - The PUK leader and politburo members received in Dokan their KDP counterparts Friday before the start of a precise meeting to further strengthen bilateral relations, as well as exchanging views on the Iraqi status quoi, the potential power transfer and the position of the Kurds in the new Iraqi government. The two leaders convened a joint press conference after the meeting conclusion and confirmed having identical views on all the discussed topics. Answering a question on the increased targeting of Kurds in Kirkuk and Mosul, Talabani said the Kurdish response would be showing more patience and drawing the attention of the Coalition to take due action. On the Kurdish demand for either the post of prime minister of head of the state, the two leaders stressed that for the Kurdish leadership the most important issue was ensuring the recognition of national rights rather than any post.
(www.peyamner.com, 23 May) -Speaking on condition of anonymity, an informed source announced the Kurdish leadership has made its mind regarding its demand for either the position of head of state or the prime minister of the new Iraqi government. The source added the Kurds favor the latter position and the PUK leader Jalal Talabani is the Kurdish candidate for the post.
(Kurdistani Nwe, Sulaymaniyah 23 May) - In a joint statement issued Friday, the KDP and PUK politburos expressed concern over the Iraqi police and Coalition raid on the residence, office and HQ of Governing Council member Ahmed Chalabi. Expressing deep concern, the statement demand respecting the Iraqi patriots who spent long times serving the country and fighting dictatorship.
(Khabat, Erbil, 21 May) - a source from the KRG ministry of industry and energy announced the reconnection to power national grid would be completed in few days. National and foreign companies are about to finish works in Erbil-Dibis and Erbil-Qaraqush lines that would be operated experimentally. People's share of power supply could not be determine at this stage, but it will be like that in Mosul and Kirkuk at least, a technical source advised.
(Khabat, Erbil, 21 May) - The CPA-appointed Office for project Coordination (OPC) handed over to the KRG Ministry of Municipalities the responsibility to conclude the uncompleted projects that were approved under the SCR986 program and the allocated funds necessary for the projects completion. The OPC and the ministry concluded an agreement last Thursday to that effect.
Al-Chalabi raid reportedly second of its type in one month: Iraqi National Congress (INC) deputy leader Mudar Shawkat said the raid on INC leader Ahmad Al-Chalabi's office was not the first of its kind, Elaph web site reported on 21st. Shawkat told Elaf that US forces had carried out a similar raid during the last week of April 2004. On that occasion they searched the office of the INC leader, the INC Political Bureau offices next to the leader's headquarters, and the mobilisation office. "The US forces searched these sites, but did not find anything," the paper quoted Shawkat as saying. He said it was possible that the US forces might arrest Al-Chalabi "after fabricating some charges against him". Shawkat added that relations between Al-Chalabi and US Civil Administrator Paul Bremer were "bad", and that Bremer had recently been "trying to defame" Al-Chalabi.
(Al-Nahdah, Baghdad, 21 May 04) - World Bank director says hat the reconstruction operation in Iraq is gradually and seriously declining because of security reasons.
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, 21 May 04) - The US forces raided the headquarters of a Human Rights Organization in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate.
(Al-Mu'tamar, Baghdad, 21 May 04) - An official source in the Oil Ministry says that the ministry has received the first installment of 500m dollars from the Iraq Reconstruction Fund allocated for the oil sector to be used for the laying of an oil pipeline network throughout Iraq.
(Al-Mu'tamar, Baghdad, 21 May 04) - Publishes an article criticizing the newly formed Iraqi police and other security forces for their "failure" to prevent the terrorist attacks, the crimes, and the assassination of the political and social figures.
NB: This is not an official document. The information contained therein was compiled by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). If you have any questions/suggestions, please contact the UNAMI Information Office at (+ 962 550 -4629/4630/4631 or Cell. + 962 77619725. Taveau@un.org <mailto:Taveau@un.org>
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