Wednesday, 16 June 2004
Al-Sa'ah : ``Interim Government was Rashly Formed to Snatch Approval of Permanent stay of Multinational Forces''
(Al-Sa'ah, Baghdad, political biweekly, the Unified National Movement led by Sunni cleric Ahmad al-Kubaysi, 16 June 04) -
From editorial: ``The preamble of the latest UN resolution on Iraq includes the request made in the letter dated 5 June, 2004 addressed to the president of the Security Council by the prime minister of the Iraqi interim government, the full text of which was annexed to the resolution, asking for a multinational force to stay in Iraq. Now it has become quite clear that the reason behind the rush to create the interim government was to stealthily snatch approval of a permanent stay from a transient authority.''
Baghdad: ``Culture of Violence and Unilateralism Should be Uprooted''
(Baghdad, Baghdad, by the Iraqi National Accord Movement, 16 June 04) -
From commentary by Salim Rasul: ``As long as arms remain abundantly on offer in the open market, and as long as weapons can be found in every Iraqi household, the security problem is really daunting, especially with the sort of value system fostered by the ousted regime. Unless the culture of violence and unilateralism is uprooted and replaced with a new culture of civilized dialogue and multilateralism, it will be very difficult to do away with this phenomenon. This can best be done by adopting the same sort of practical approach the former regime used to adopt in terms of comprehensively applied and diligently pursued measures based on a well-thought-out strategy. Only thus, it seems to me, can the anarchy of the gun-culture be addressed effectively."
Al-Shira: Refraining from Using Force except as a Last Resort
(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 16 June 04) -
From commentary by Dr. Faysal Majhul: ``The weak, disputing an issue, usually has a verbal go at it initially, keeping his hands clasped behind his back. Once he has sized up his rival and become more confident of his own strength, he will not hesitate to give his hands full rein. Wars are rarely won with words alone, without a sword to back them up. This is why everyone had better keep a sword, just in case. The wisest, however, are the ones who refrain from using theirs, except as a last resort."
Asharq Al-Awsat Kurds Should not Seek separate Deals with Sectarian Forces
(Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London-based, Baghdad edition independent daily, Saudi-owned, 16 June 04) -
From commentary by Adnan Husayn: "The Kurdish leaders, especially those holding sway over the two main parties, ought to have recognized now more than at any time before that the problem they are faced with is one of national Iraqi proportions. They should realize that this is basically a political problem that cannot be resolved by attempting to secure Kurdish rights through having positions of power distributed on a sectarian basis, nor by seeking to conclude separate deals with sectarian forces, nor, for that matter, by throwing their lot with a foreign power."
Iraqi Dailies in Brief:
(Al-Sa'ah, Baghdad, political biweekly, the Unified National Movement led by Sunni cleric Ahmad al-Kubaysi, 16 June 04):
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Kharazi declares Iran member of nuclear club
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Allawi asserts coalition will hand Saddam over in two weeks
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Al-Yawar says agreement has been reached to hand over presidential palace to Iraqis
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Bremer obstructs investigations involving 270 ex-regime officials Ministry of Trade mulls curtailing rations
(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 16 June 04):
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Tightening control over Al-Fallujah,
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Wahabis execute five Shi'i youths, their bodies mutilated
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Basra negotiating with coalition to have its international airport reopened
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Iraq demands security barrier be erected along its border with Kuwait
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Kuwaiti security admits to Kuwaiti ownership of car used in major central Baghdad bombing
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Pentagon refuses to turn Saddam over to any Iraqi authority plans to banish him to Philippine island
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President Al-Yawar concedes vetting of Al-Fallujah policemen was flawed expresses relief at approaching sovereignty and end of Bremer's tenure
(Al-Manar, Baghdad, Comprehensive & political, 16 June 04):
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Israel teaches US the art of busting Iraqi cities Programme for reintegrating former military into civil society announced by prime minister
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Bomb blasts on highway to Baghdad International Airport
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Clashes break out in Al-Ramadi
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Haliburton invoices criticized by Pentagon auditors
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Iraqi police being trained by the FBI
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Al-Sadr's aide arrested
Updates from Iraqi Kurdish Press
From UNAMI - Erbil
16 June 04
Kurdish Refugee Returning To Resume Officially Soon
(Khabat, Erbil 16 June 2004) - The return of thousands of Kurdish refugees from Iran is due to resume officially by the end of this month with support from IRS, an organization affiliated to UNHCR. The decision was taken during a recent meeting between IRS and the local Higher Committee for Returnees. Since the beginning of the year, 177 families comprising 574 persons have returned from Iran to Iraqi Kurdistan by themselves without receiving any support from any organization.
US CentCom Commander Visits Barzani, Acknowledges Peshmarga Role
(Khabat, Erbil 16 June 2004) - Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani received yesterday the Commander of the US CentCom John Abizaid and his military companions. Abizaid highly valued the Kurdistan 12-year-old democratic self-governance experiment and said it could serve as a model for the whole Iraq. He also assured his host that the Coalition would continue supporting the Kurdistan people and their legitimate aspirations for a federal democratic state.
Talabani Receives US CentCom Commander, Demands Kirkukis' Return
(Kurdistani Nwe, Sulaymaniyah 16 June 2004) -Receiving the commander of the US CentCom John Abizaid and his military companions in Sulaymaniyah yesterday, the Kurdistan Patriotic Union (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani demanded a multi-aspect plan to normalize the situation in Kirkuk through returning the forcibly displaced Kurds to their places of origin in Kirkuk and sending back the settled Arabs to their places in southern and central Iraq. Abizaid highlighted the role of Kurdistan peshmargas in liberating Iraq and said the re-establishment of the Iraqi army requires coordination with them (peshmargas). He also asserted the Kurdish-US friendship was advancing.
PUK Vows Revenge As 5 Kurds Killed In Samara, Bodies Burnt,
(Kurdistani Nwe, Sulaymaniyah 16 June 2004) - A large audience of Kirkuki citizens buried yesterday the bodies of 5 Kurdish youths who killed in Samara two weeks ago. The slain Kurds were returning from Baghdad after registering themselves as soldiers in the new Iraqi army. After being killed, their bodies were dragged in Samarra streets and then burnt. The PUK office in Kirkuk issued a statement condemning the brutal murder and vowing revenge for the slain Kurds.
101 Kirkuki Female, Male Cadets Graduate Police Academy
(Khabat, Erbil 16 June 2004) - Erbil city witnessed yesterday evening the graduation ceremony of 101 female and male cadets from Erbil police academy. Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) minister of Interior and the Kirkuk Governor also attended the ceremony. The graduates, all from Kirkuk, will serve as police officers in Kirkuk.
5 Water Projects in Kirkuk Suburbs
(Khabat, Erbil 16 June 2004) - A CPA source in Kirkuk announced the allocation of $ 170,000 for the implementation of 5 water projects in 5 Kurdish suburbs of the city. Local contractors will start the implementation soon.
KRG to Build 12-class School In Basirma
(Kurdistani Nwe, Sulaymaniyah 16 June 2004) - The department of reconstruction in Erbil will construct a 12-class school, including labs and accessories buildings, in Basirma collective town about 90 km North of Erbil city. The project will cost about $ 352,000. The fund provider is not identified.
ID 94 Billion For Kandinawa Reconstruction, Water For 40 Villages
(Khabat, Erbil 16 June 2004) - The Mayor of Kandinawa sub-district informed that Ronahi local NGO has will start provision of potable water via tankers to 40 villages in Kandinawa area effective next July in cooperation with US-based Counterpart NGO. The Mayor further announced that a sum of IUD 94 billion has been allocated for the reconstruction of the area. The proposed projects include construction of schools, health centers, water facilirties, electricity plants and 2,000 housing units, as well as internal and access roads.
Soran Social Welfare Dept. Support 700 Handicaps
(Khabat, Erbil 16 June 2004) - The Social Welfare Department in Soran gas distributed relief items to 700 disabled persons in the district. About 2,442 persons have been registered in the district as disabled persons. Most of them are victims of the area's intermittent mine accidents.
15 June 04
Barzani to Al-Arabia: Kirkuk is Kurdistan
(www.peyamner.com <http://www.peyamner.com> 15 June 2004) - in a televised interview with Al-Arabia satellite TV, Kurdistan Democratic Part (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani aid the Kurds welcomed the latest Security Council resolution 1546 after receiving assurances from the US president and UK PM, as well as the Iraqi president and PM that Iraq will continue to be a federal democratic state and the interim constitution will be respected and applied. On Kirkuk, Barzani asserted it was pat of Kurdistan territory and the reversion of the former regimes' Arabization was the key to solve all the problems. The resolution did not mention it because it is a domestic issue pertaining to the Iraqis only, they added.
Salih May Assume Baghdad Post After Visiting Barzani
(Aso, Sulaymaniyah 14 June 2004) Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minster Barham Salih will visit the KDP leader Massoud Barzani in Erbil before leaving to Baghdad to further discuss with the Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi the details of the entitlements of the post of Deputy PM for Security Affairs, for which Salih is a candidate. Allawi has sent a letter of assurance to Salih and exchanged telephone communications with the PUK leader on the issue. The Salih had left Baghdad earlier protesting the ambiguity of his entitlements saying the Kurds would not accept protocol positions without due entitlements anymore.
Talabani To Sulaymaniyah Municipality: Listen to People's Complaints
(Kurdistani Nwe, Sulaymaniyah 15 June 2004) - The Kurdistan Patriotic Union (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani met yesterday the chairman and members of the Sulaymaniyah city municipal council and urged them to regularly inspect their projects, mix with people and consider their opinions and complaints. The Council members briefed the leader on their projects and advised they had worth $36 million ongoing projects in various parts of the city.
Wanted Former Governor of Sulaymaniyah Apprehended
(Aso, Sulaymaniyah 14 June 2004) - The security forces in Erbil arrested the ``infamous'' former Governor of Sulaymaniyah Sheikh Jaafer Barzinji few days ago. Barzinji was the Baath-appointed governor of the cit in the 1980s. Families of a number of citizens and Anfal victims have filed cases against him in a Sulaymaniyah court that issued an arrest warrant against him.
KRG Increases Real Estate Bank Capital Again
(Kurdistani Nwe, Sulaymaniyah 15 June 2004) - The Sulaymaniyah administration of the KRG added another ID 15 billions to the capital of the real Estate Bank. This is the third increase in the capital since the bank was re-established last August to help reduce the settlement crisis by lending money at very low profit rates to citizens. The bank lends ID 11.250 billion to people who construct houses inside Sulaymaniyah city and ID 7.5 billion to those build houses in the neighboring districts
Kirkuk Police Foil Terrorist Attempt, Officer Injured
(Khabat, Erbil 15 June 2004) - The Qorya Police Department in Kirkuk foiled a terrorist attempt when they defused a small rocket launcher laid by the US Civil-Military Operations Center (CMOC) building Sunday night. A police officer was shot by former regime elements (FRE) and sustained serious injuries in Gharnata Quarter of the city the same night.
Water Resources Ministry To Revive Khassa River In Kirkuk
(Kurdistani Nwe, Sulaymaniyah 15 June 2004) - In a visit to Kirkuk Governorate, the Iraqi Minister of Water Resources announced his ministry is planning to implement a project to revive the Khassa River that passes through the city, in addition to the implementation of other agricultural projects around the city.
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