UNAMI: Iraqi Media Monitoring

From the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

Sunday, 06 June 2004

I. Political Developments & Comments on the New Developments in Iraq:

UN Envoy Announces Conference to Choose Parliament

(London-based Asharq al-Awsat, independent paper, Baghdad print, 2 June 04) - Special UN envoy to Iraq Lakhdar al-Ibrahimi said a vast national conference will be held next month to choose the parliament that will supervise the acts of the transitional government formed on Tuesday. Ibrahimi described top US Administrator L. Paul Bremer III as "Dictator of Iraq". The UN envoy hopes the new government will succeed in achieving Iraqi national unity, adding that it is the government which decides whether US forces will stay or go. He admits that the government will not meet the approval of all of the Iraqis, but says it does represent the majority.

Al-Adala: Wording of New Resolution to Block Any Possible Misinterpretation of Letter

(Al-Adala, Baghdad, by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 6 June 04) - From editorial: "The increasingly heated debate now under way on a new Security Council resolution on Iraq has shown how important it is that the questions of restoring full sovereignty to Iraq and ending the occupation of its territory should be unambiguously spelled out in ... [the] wording of the resolution, to block any possible misinterpretation of its letter. Furthermore, the resolution should clearly acknowledge the indisputable right of the Iraqi government to terminate the presence of multinational troops on Iraqi soil. Since these troops will be originally brought in to help maintain security in Iraq, their role should be confined to securing Iraq's borders and should never be allowed to interfere in internal security nor should they be free to operate without prior permission from the sovereign government of Iraq".

Al-Ittihad: Clash Emerges Between Most Senior Shi'i Sources on New Government

(Al-Ittihad, Baghdad, by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, 5 June 04) - A clear clash has emerged between the stances of the two most senior Shi'i sources of emulation in the world regarding the new Iraqi transitional government, which has been accused by the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i, of working under US orders. Meanwhile, the Iraqi Shi'i supreme source of emulation, [Grand] Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani believes that the government is "a step toward the right path, if it achieves its tasks", although it had been formed "without electoral legitimacy and without representing all the [political] currents". In a ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of the death of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Khamene'i said that treachery takes place "when the clergy withdraw from politics". In contrast, Al-Sistani, who has urged the clergy not to enter the government, believes that the government faces four tasks: Security, the provision of essential services for all, involvement in the [draft] resolution on Iraq debated by the UN Security Council, and organizing free and honest elections. It is to be noted that Al-Sistani has written parts of the statement in his handwriting, as a symbolic gesture of his positive attitude towards the government.

Al-Bayyna: ``Shi'i Community Pull the Rug From Under the Feet of the Occupiers''

(Al-Bayyna, by Hezbollah movement in Iraq, 6 June o4) - From editorial: "The Shi'i community, incarnating the most mature form of Iraqi nationalism, is fully aware of the formula the occupying forces have for Iraq. It also knows all too well the extent of Arab influence on US decision-making, at least at the present stage. On the basis of these facts, we believe that the majority of Iraqis, in general, and the Shi'i community, in particular, have brilliantly succeeded in pulling the rug from under the feet of the occupiers and those ill-intentioned forces lurking in the dark. They have succeeded in snatching hard-won sovereignty for Iraq, at least at this critical juncture."

Al-Nahdhah: ``Al-Pachachi gives great lesson national interest''

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad,Independent Democrats Movement, 6 June 04) - From editorial: "Al-Pachachi has given us a great lesson by preferring national interest to public office. The innate, though, visible, natural spontaneity of a real gentleman shown by this great citizen, credited with a long history of Iraqi nationalism, has given him such high moral stature that he cannot accept any petty attempt at tarnishing his impeccable public image by anyone. It is a lesson that adds an ethical dimension to political practice, given by a rare statesman whose integrity and experience we have much to learn from, and whose vitality and potential we will further discover through his electoral blueprint for a unified, democratic Iraq - an Iraq we would all be proud to live in".

Baghdad: Promising Signs the New Iraqi President and Cabinet Up To the Job

(Baghdad, Baghdad, by the Iraqi National Accord, 5 June 04) - From commentary by Ma'ad al-Shammari: "There are promising signs that the new Iraqi president and the new Iraqi cabinet will be up to the job. Most Iraqis are generally optimistic about this government and about the new president they have agreed on and the days ahead are more likely than not to have many a nice surprise for Iraqis. Let's hope that all will be well at long last for our people, who have suffered too long and with incredible patience."

Opinion: The President Was Chosen By An Election Not By A Tank

(Al-Adala, Baghdad, by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 3 June 04) - It is a really unique and distinguished step that took place in the last few days as the president, the prime minister and the cabinet were chosen in a democratic way. It happened on the ground and not in dreams. We have started to follow the international example in choosing the president by means of an election and not by means of a tank. The president along with the cabinet feel they are strong because they came to power through the will of others. As a result, they should work to express the people's ambitions, and they should work to meet the people's expectations. Their responsibility is huge in the difficult and dangerous situation of building a democratic Iraq composed of freedom, peace and stability. What happened is the first step of getting rid of the inferiority complex of keeping hold of power forever.

Al-Bayan: The New Caretaker Government A Mixture of Caution and Optimism

(Al-Bayan, by the Islamic Dawa Party, chaired by Ibrahim al-Jafari, 5 June 04) - From editorial: ``The advent of the new caretaker government has been met by the general public neither with wide-scale jubilation and declaration of full support, nor with outright opposition and immediate rejection, but rather with a measured amount of hope and anticipation, a mixture of caution and optimism- an attitude whereby full public backing is made conditional on what the new government will actually deliver to the people.''

Al-Shira: ``We Are Not Better Off Than Before `Saddam Was Ousted'''

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 5 June 04) - From commentary by Abd al-Amir Hawan: "I do not think we are better off than we were before `Saddam was ousted'. Since then, events have taken a course diametrically opposed to people's aspirations in terms of security, prosperity and intellectual and political freedom. The general situation witnessed in the streets has taken a tragic turn, getting worse by the day and threatening to plunge the country into utter mayhem, leaving little hope for better days to come."

Azzaman: `` Government Deserves To Be Given a Chance to Prove Its Efficiency''

(Azzaman, Baghdad, an independent, political, 5-6 June 04) - From editorial: ``Given that the new Iraqi government is no extension of the disbanded interim `Governing Council', it deserves to be given a chance to prove its efficiency. It should have the support it needs from all active political forces, especially independent nationalists, who should see the precious opportunity that has opened up before Iraq today as an ample chance to rise again and set up the model political system the wounded, down-trodden people of Iraq are worthy of.''

Shi'i Radio Says Iraqis Will Ignore New Government

(Voice of the Mujahidin, SCIRI's Iran-based Voice of the Mujahidin radio, 5 Jun 04) - The caretaker Iraqi government had many duties to perform, in particular its duty to prepare for the forthcoming elections, although the Iraqis had not taken part in choosing the members of the government. The radio said that Iraqis were expected to ignore the government because it had not come about as a result of elections. The aftermath of "the occupation" would need a strong, elected government, providing the best means to achieve democracy. The Iraqi people, the radio said, want the new government to prepare for the general elections.

Tribes Rally behind New President

(Iraq Press, Independent press agency of political, economic, cultural and social affairs, Mosul, 3 June 2004) - The selection of Ghazi Yawer as the interim president of Iraq has given a boost to the role Iraqi tribes may play in the future of the country. Yawer is one of the main elders of Shammar tribe, which wields tremendous authority in areas west of Mosul and the desert bordering Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Shammar is a powerful tribe in Iraq and its make-up shows how the diverse sects of the Iraqi society are united through tribal and marriage links. It is estimated that the tribe, one of the largest in Iraq, includes at least three million members. While Yawer is a moderate Muslim Sunni who leads a large branch of the tribe in areas close to the town of Mosul, about half Shammar are Muslim Shiites who live in southern Iraq. All members of the tribe, both Shiites and Sunnis, received news of Yawer's assuming Iraqi presidency with glee. Celebrations - folk dancing and firing in the air - continued for at least three days in Mosul and several areas of Tikrit, hometown of the ousted dictator Saddam Hussein. Shiite Shammar also celebrated the selection of Yawer and exchanged congratulations with their Sunni relatives.

II. Security And Military Developments

Peace Returns to Najaf

(Al-Sabah al-Jadeed, Baghdad, independent daily by Sma'ael Zaier, 04 June 02) - Normal life has returned to Najaf. Stores have re-opened and movements on the streets are increasingly evident as the truce continues and military operations between the US forces and Muqtada followers have stopped - despite occasional clashes here and there. Ahmed Chalabi, representing the Shia, met with officials from Muqtada's office - Kais al-Kazali and Ahmed al-Shibani - to negotiate the best way of achieving the truce and the mechanism of further negotiations between the two clashing sides. Youths of Najaf have started joining the security office to help keep peace in the city.

Al-Sadr Gunmen Begin Lay Down Weapons

(Elaph Internet website, independent, general, Paris, in Arabic, 4 Jun 04) - An Iraqi source has reported that the gunmen of Muqtada al-Sadr's Al-Mahdi's Army began today to put down their weapons and to clear the streets of Al-Najaf of all armed presence. This occurred after long talks between leading members of the Shiite House and Al-Sadr. The talks produced an agreement at dawn today to withdraw Al-Madhi's Army gunmen from the city. Al-Sadr also agreed to dissolve his shari'ah court and release the detainees that he was holding. Meanwhile it has been learned that the higher committee of the Iraqi National Congress will consist of 65 members. A source of the Shiite House told Ilaf in a telephone conversation from Baghdad that leading Iraqi National Congress members including its leader Ahmad Chalabi and member of the dissolved Iraqi Governing Council Abd-al-Karim Al-Mahmadawi have been present in Al-Najaf for the past few days to help end the fighting that had been going on for two months between Al-Sadr's followers and the US forces.

Four Killed, 20 Wounded In Twin Blasts

(Al-Sabah, Baghddad, by the Iraqi Media Network on behalf of the Coalition Provisional Authority, 3 June 04) - At least four people were killed and more than 20 wounded when twin bombings took place in one of Baghdad's most crowded streets, Omar Bin Abdul Azeez in the Adhamiya area. Eyewitnesses said the time difference between the two bombings was a matter of minutes, and that the second blast was stronger than the first. Casualties could be higher since Noman hospital sources did not announce the actual number.

III. Health And Human Rights

UN: Prisoner Treatment a 'Stain' On Country's Freedom

(Azzaman, Baghdad, an independent, political, 5-6 June 04) - The treatment of Iraqi prisoners held by US-led coalition forces was "a stain upon the effort to bring freedom to Iraq", a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Bertrand Ramcharan, said. Calition forces in Iraq and the Iraqi interim government must take steps to strengthen protection of human rights in the country. The report recommended immediate appointment of an international ombudsman or commissioner overseeing human rights in Iraq and regular inspections of all detention centers.

IV. Economic And Public Services:

New Plans for English Language Teaching

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, by the Iraqi National Congress, by Ahmed al-Chalabi, 02 June 04) - The Ministry of Education (ME) has decided to develop the English language curriculum in different levels of schools to follow procedures in other countries. A ME source said curriculum changes should depend on regulations and the basis on which English language teaching should start. The source said the ME has decided to re-open the Institute of Development of English Teaching and to supply it with all essential requirements.

Iraq Must Seek the Return of Its Educated Exiles

(Al-Ittihad, Baghdad, by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, 31 May 04) - Iraq is full of holders of advanced degrees in different specialties, who were oppressed and replaced by the yes-men of the former regime who got their degrees as gifts from the deposed president regardless of the scientific procedures followed by international universities in awarding higher degrees. Then the elite cadres were deposed under Saddam because they did not comply with his doctrines. Some were imprisoned and others left Iraq. But after the fall of the regime, none of them has returned to Iraq despite the fact they are badly needed here. The incoming government should seriously study the reasons behind that because the educated are counted as the capital of the new Iraq, and their absence abroad will mean a huge national loss. The Ministry of Higher Education must take quick action to get those people back home and make use of them at a time when they are being given many bonuses by other states to keep them at their universities.

Iraqi Dailies in Brief:

(Azzaman, Baghdad, an independent, political, 5-6 June 04):

- Security Council divided over setting date for foreign troops to pull out from Iraq

-        Four US soldiers killed in attack near Al Sadr City.
-        New government inaugurates reign of transparency, with lawyers lashing out at corruption crimes Fighting erupts between coalition forces.
-        Al-Sadr militia in Al-Amarah Laying out his cabinet's agenda in his first public address.

(Al-Adala, Baghdad, by Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 6 June 04):

- Prime minister thankful to Al-Sistani, other sources of emulation for their efforts in promoting Iraqi interests

-        National assembly to be installed next month.
-        New government not empowered to take fateful decisions.
-        British official says power handover will include delivering Saddam Blast rocks.

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Adnan al-Pachachi, head of Independent Democrats Movement, 6 June 04):

- In a statement by Al-Pachachi: "Iraq will forever be my homeland and the arena for my political activity.

-        Arab troika on Iraq to hold first meeting today.
-        US soldier, three security contractors killed in Baghdad.
-        Political parties, civil society organizations denounce threats to faculty members at Dhi Qar University.
-        Zebari dissatisfied with delay in Saddam trial.
-        Moscow expresses relief, Bush confident there will be international resolution on Iraq soon.

*****
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>

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