Tusedday, 15 June 2004
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Political Developments and Comments
President Al-Yawar Speaks Aout Importance of Handing over Presidential Palace
1
Iraqi President Promises Iraqis Abroad Participation in Elections
2
Al-Jaridah Calls for Dployment of Arab, Muslim Forces in Iraq under UN Flag
2
Azzaman: UN Resolution is a Step Forward
2
Ayatollah Al-Sistani to Clarify Stands with Kurdistan
2
Al-Dustur: ``Sorry, Mr. President''
2
Ansar al-Mahdi: "Martyrdom is the Scale of Truth"
3
Iraqi PM Allawi Vows to Fight Terrorism ``With Iron Fist''
3
Al-Mutamar: ``Government Step Forward Towards Free Democratic Federal Iraq''
3
Fatwa Council Calls On Arab League for a Larger, More Active Role In Iraq
3
Mas'ud Barzani Emphasizes Importance of State Administration Law
4
Al-Sadr Wants To Participate In the Election
4
Iraqi Prisoners either Released or Transferred To Iraqi Prisons before 30 June
4
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Security And Military Developments
US Forces Raid Azzaman Editor's House
4
Deterioration in Security Situation in Iraq's Cities
4
Al-Nahdhah: ``Killing of Lebanese, Iraqis Companions `Barbaric' Way''
5
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Economic and Public Services
Planning Minister: ``Too Early To Implement Privatization Policy in Industry''
5
Former Oil Minister Denies Allegations about Financial Violations in His Ministry
5
US, Japanese Companies to Build Residential Compounds
5
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Health and Human Rights Issues
Health Ministry: France Refuses to Receive Team on Follow up of AIDS-Infected Blood
5
I.
Political Developments and Comments:
President Al-Yawar Speaks About Importance of Handing over Presidential Palace
(London-based Azzaman is issued daily by Saad al-Bazaz14 June 04) -
Publishes a report on the statement issued by the Iraqi President Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar's office saying that he discussed with the US President Bush the issue of the Republic Presidential Palace and the importance of handing it over to the Iraqis because it is a symbol for their sovereignty.
Iraqi President Promises Iraqis Abroad Participation in Elections
(Al-Manar, Baghdad, Comprehensive & political, 14 June 04) -
Publishes on its front page a report citing Iraqi president Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar, in a meeting held in the Iraqi embassy in Washington with a number of Iraqis, as saying that the Iraqis living abroad will have the right to participate in the upcoming elections in the country.
Al-Jaridah Calls for Dployment of Arab, Muslim Forces in Iraq under UN Flag
(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 14 June 04) -
Publishes an article calling for the deployment of Arab and Muslim forces under the UN flag in Iraq. The article says that the multi-national forces should be stationed at the Iraqi borders not in the cities and main task should be to protect the Iraqi borders until the Iraqi Army becomes strong and capable of performing its duties of defending the nation.
Azzaman: UN Resolution is a Step Forward
(London-based Azzaman is issued daily by Saad al-Bazaz 14 June 04) -
Publishes a report citing a number of scholars commenting on and describing the recent UNSC Resolution 1546 on Iraq as a "step forward." The report cites Hatim Mukhlis, Secretary General of the Iraqi National Movement, saying that the recent UNSC Resolution 1546 on Iraq "opens a new shining page in Iraq's political, economic and social future."
Ayatollah Al-Sistani to Clarify Stands with Kurdistan
(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 14 June 04) - Publishes on its front page a report citing two official Kurds as saying that Ayatollah Al-Sistani intends to send one of his aides to Kurdistan to clarify the background of his rejection to include the State Administration Law in the recent UNSC resolution in Iraq. The report cites a source at coalition forces saying: "It seems that Muqtada Al-Sadr has ordered his supporters to stop their attacks against the security and foreign forces." The source added: "he has changed his stances a lot in the past but we are encouraged by his recent statements and hope that he continues such logical path."
Al-Dustur: ``Sorry, Mr. President''
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 13 June 04) -
An editorial entitled "Sorry, Mr. President", criticized the new Iraqi president for promising the Kurds that he would do his best to secure a federal state "in appreciation for their national role that directly contributed to the occupation of Iraq, which brought even more calamities to Iraqis." The paper said Al-Yawar should not have made any promise on behalf of the Iraqis people because he was not elected by them. The State Administration Law does not give him that power. The paper said that the people do not want Iraq to be divided and are fed up with people speaking on their behalf. If the president wished to repay the Kurds for their support for his candidacy, he should not do it at the nation's expense. "We would like to remind him that the Iraqis have not yet had their say regarding this sensitive and dangerous issue..."
Ansar al-Mahdi: "Martyrdom is the Scale of Truth"
(Ansar al-Mahdi, Islamic & Political weekly, issued by Ansar Foundation, 11 June 04) -
An editorial entitled "Martyrdom is the Scale of Truth", praised the followers of al-Sadr and criticized the pro-US "hypocrites". "The faithful lived this period on the basis that it was a special heavenly grace for them and the Iraqi people, while the hypocrite saw it as heavenly anger that fell on their heads. The faithful called it jihad while the hypocrite called it turbulence and sedition." The paper said that the people helping the US forces on raids of Iraqi homes, "the hunting dogs of the Americans", were Ba'thists or Iranian agents. "These hypocrites have lost their freedom and fallen in the swamp of treason, thereby exposing their dirty souls. It is proof that they deserve heavenly anger and shutting the door of repentance in their dirty faces and failure in the test."
Iraqi PM Allawi Vows to Fight Terrorism ``With Iron Fist''
(Al-Manar, Baghdad, Comprehensive & political, 14 June 04) -
Publishes a report citing Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi vowing to fight terrorism in Iraq "with an Iron hand." In a visit to Al-Munthiriyah border point, 230 km east of Baghdad, Allawi says, ``Neighboring countries should stand by Iraq and help to provide security and stability not only for Iraq but for the entire region.'' The Minister adds that plans to maintain security after the power handover on 30 June have already been prepared and they will be declared in the next few days. Allawi says that apart from those who committed war crimes against the Iraqi people, all other officers and elements of the former Iraqi Army will be reintegrated to the new army.
Al-Mutamar: ``Government Step Forward Towards Free Democratic Federal Iraq''
(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 13 June 04) -
Carries an article saying: "Despite the fact that the Iraqi Interim Government will not have full authority, it is a step forward towards a free, democratic and federal Iraq" and it is "legitimate 100 times more than any other Arab government."
Fatwa Council Calls On Arab League for a Larger, More Active Role in Iraq
(Al-Manar, Baghdad, Comprehensive & political, 14 June 04) -
Publishes on its front page a report citing Shaykh Jamal Abd-al-Karim Al-Dabban, head of the Fatwa Council in Iraq, calling for a larger and more active role for the Arab League in the political process in Iraq. During his meeting in Cairo with the Arab League Secretary-General Amr Musa, Al-Dabban emphasized the important role that the Arab League should play in "the restoration of Iraq's sovereignty, stability and independence."
Mas'ud Barzani Emphasizes Importance of State Administration Law
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 14 June 04) -
Publishes a report on the statement issued by the Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP, led by Mas'ud Barzani, emphasizing the importance of implementing and developing the State Administration Law and the necessity to establish a confederation.
Al-Sadr Wants To Participate In the Election
(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 14 June 04) -
Publishes on its front page a 70-word AFP report citing Al-Sadr aide Qays al-Khaza'li as saying that Al-Sadr and his followers intend to form a political party and to participate in the upcoming election. Asked whether they will participate in the elections while the occupation forces still in Iraq or not, Al-Khaza'li said: ``We will participate even if the elections are conducted under the occupation and in the presence of the coalition forces provided that they are honest and sincere.''
Iraqi Prisoners either Released or Transferred To Iraqi Prisons before 30 June
(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 14 June 04) -
Publishes on its front page a report citing a coalition forces spokesman as saying that there are approximately 6,400 Iraqi prisoners in the US-run prisons in Iraq adding that 1,400 of them will be either released or transferred to Iraqi prisons before 30 June. The report says that the coalition forces run three prisons in Iraq in Abu-Ghurayb, Baghdad International Airport, and in Umm Qasr. The report cites a source at US forces saying that the prison in the airport will be closed after the power handover.
II.
Security And Military Developments:
US Forces Raid Azzaman Editor's House
(London-based Azzaman is issued daily by Saad al-Bazaz, 14 June 04) -
Publishes on its front page a report stating that US forces raided the house of an editor of Azzaman newspaper, two days ago, 12 June.
Deterioration in Security Situation in Iraq's Cities
(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 14 June 04) -
Publishes on its front page a report discussing the latest security developments in Baghdad, Ba'qubah, Kirkuk and other Iraqi cites. The report cites a worker in the Green Zone as saying that three rockets hit the zone. In a separate incident, 12 Iraqis including four policemen were killed and 13 others were wounded in a booby-trapped car attack on a police patrol in Al-Rustamiyah district in the south of Baghdad. A police chief escaped an assassination attempt when unidentified gunmen fired on his car near Ba'qubah, according to a police source in the city. An Iraqi citizen was killed and seven policemen were wounded in clashes in Kirkuk between unidentified gunmen and Iraqi police.
Al-Nahdhah: ``Killing of Lebanese, Iraqis Companions `Barbaric' Way''
(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 14 June 04) -
Publishes an article criticizing the killing of the Lebanese hostage and his two Iraqi companions in such a "barbaric" way. The article says that the terrorists who committed this crime tried to link such an "inhuman" act with Al-Fallujah city.
III.
Economic and Public Services:
Planning Minister: ``Too Early To Implement Privatization Policy in Industry''
(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 14 June 04) -
Planning Minister Mahdi al-Hafiz says that it is too early to implement the privatization policy in the realm of industry, in Iraq, because of its possible negative impact on the economy at this stage.
Former Oil Minister Denies Allegations about Financial Violations in His Ministry
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 14 June 04) -
Publishes a report citing former Iraqi Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Ulum as saying that he rejected a number of offers for loans to his ministry in 2003 in order to ovoid burdening Iraq with further debts. Bahr Al-Ulum challenged those who had spread allegations about financial violations at his ministry to support their allegations with evidence.
US, Japanese Companies to Build Residential Compounds
(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 14 June 04) -
An official source in the Housing and Construction Ministry says that his ministry signed contracts with US and Japanese companies to build residential compounds in Baghdad, Mosul, Karbala and Al-Najaf.
IV.
Health and Human Rights Issues:
Health Ministry: France Refuses to Receive a Team to follow up the AIDS-Infected Blood
(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 14 June 04) -
A Health Ministry source says that his ministry has formed a legal team to follow the AIDS-infected blood supplied by a French company to Iraq. The source adds that the French government refused, for the third time, to allow the team to go to France.
V.
Iraqi Dailies in Brief:
(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 13June 04) -
Carries an article praising former IGC member Dr Ahmad al-Chalabi for his long and fruitful struggle to liberate Iraq and criticizing those trying to harm him in Jordan and in Iraq.
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 14 June 04) - Coalition Forces Spokesman General Kimmitt says that the Governorates that witness terrorist attacks against the "occupation" and police forces will be deprived of reconstruction allocations.
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 14 June 04) - Publishes an editorial criticizing those who blame the newspaper for criticizing the acts of Iraqi officials and saying that since its first issue, the newspaper has maintained its loyalty to Iraq and to the Iraqi people and never gave in to financial and political pressure.
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 14 June 04) - Publishes a report citing a police source as saying that the US forces carried out an intensive search operation for the former vice President Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri in Mosul, yesterday 13 June.
(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 14 June 04) - Transport Minister Lua'y Hatam Al-Iris says that his ministry plans to buy 10 planes from Airbus for the Iraqi Airways.
(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 14 June 04) - The Health Ministry has decided not to allow foreign companies to establish private hospitals in Iraq in order for the Iraqi private hospitals not to raise their charges.
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 14 June 04) - Well-informed sources says that Iraqi judges have already started interrogating the former regime leaders in order to submit them for trial before the Iraqi special criminal court that was formed for this purpose.
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 14 June 04) -
Publishes a report on the security situation in Kirkuk citing a policeman as saying that Arabs, Kurds and Turkomans will live in peace if the political parties leave them alone.
Updates from Iraqi Kurdish Press
From UNAMI - Erbil
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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>
