UNAMI: Iraqi Media Monitoring

From the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

Thursday, 17 June 2004

-        Political Developments and Comments
Addaawa: ``US Will Reward Brahimi for His Role in Afghanistan and Iraq''   2
President Al-Yawir: ``Republican Palace Will Not Be Turned Into US Embassy''       2
President Al-Yawir: ``Iraq Needs Non-Neighbouring Multinational Forces''   2
Al-Sa'ah: ``UN Resolution Changes Name Coalition Forces to Multinational Forces'' 2
Al-Mada: ``Iraqis to Take the Initiative to Embrace the Rule of Law''      3
Al-Bayyna to Talabani: ``Separation Does Nobody Any Good''         3
Al-Mutamar: ``America Won't be Driven Out Of Iraq by Force''      3
Azzaman: ``Suffering Is Caused By Legitimate Acts of Resistance?''         3
CPA: "Full Power Given to Iraqi Government since Its Formation''         3
Al-Mashriq: ``Who Turned Our History To A Scrap?''         4
ICRC Spokeswoman Criticized for Calls of the Release of Saddam Hussein   4
Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih Resume His Duties in Baghdad 4
SCIRI Commits to Maintain Peace and Security in the Holy Cities 4
Al-Mutamar Urges Interior Minister to Disclose Names of Iraqi Parties Involved In Assassinations''        4

-        Security And Military Developments
Al-Musayab Power Plant Attacked By Unidentified Gunmen   5
Iraqi Tribesmen Denounce Al-Mujahidin Group Murder of Iraqi Truck Drivers In Al-Fallujah        5
Kidnapping Phenomenon of Wealthy People Children, University Professors Increases        5
Assyrian Women, Children Killed for being Accused Of Cooperating With Occupation        5

-        Economic and Public Services
Al-Qassim Al-Mushtarak Calls on Oil Ministry Not to Raise Prices         5
Oil Minister to Build Huge Gas Pipeline Linking South, Middle and North         6
World Bank Allocates $39.5 Billion for the Reconstruction        6

-        Health and Human Rights Issues
Saddam Hussein's Trial Not before Six Months     6

-        Updates from Iraqi Kurdish Press
Erbil PM Demands Restoration Of Kurdistan's Oil-For-Food Unspent Share   7
KDP Leader Optimistic For Kurdistan ``Bright'' Future      8
Mosul Blast Kill Two Civilians, 2 Mines Defused 8
Relief Items for 200 Kirkuki IDPs Families, More Waiting         8
Women Awareness Campaigns Continue       8
KRG Support Boost Investment in Kurdistan        8

I.       Political Developments and Comments:

Addaawa: ``US Will Reward Brahimi for His Role in Afghanistan and Iraq''

(Addaawa, Baghdad, by the Islamic Dawa Party, 16 June 04) - Publishes an article focusing on the role of the UN envoy Brahimi in implementing US policy in the region. The article says that the US will reward Brahimi for his role in Afghanistan and Iraq by appointing him as the next UN secretary general.

President Al-Yawir: ``Republican Palace Will Not Be Turned Into US Embassy''

(Al-Manar, Baghdad, Comprehensive & political, 16 June 04) - Iraqi President Ghazi Ajil Al-Yawir, in a press conference, affirmed that the Presidential Republican Palace will not be turned into the US Embassy in Iraq. Al-Yawir excluded the possibility of imposing martial law after the power handover on 30 June but it will be discussed if the circumstances dictate it in future.

President Al-Yawir: ``Iraq Needs Non-Neighbouring Multinational Forces''

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 16 June 04) - Carries on its front page a report citing Iraqi President Ghazi Ajil Al-Yawir, in a press conference held in Baghdad, 15 June, as saying: "We need multinational forces from the Arab and foreign countries but not from the neighboring countries to contribute to maintaining security." Al-Yawir emphasized that these forces must respect the human rights.

Al-Sa'ah: ``UN Resolution Changes Name Coalition Forces to Multinational Forces''

(Al-Sa'ah, Baghdad, political biweekly, the Unified National Movement led by Sunni cleric Ahmad al-Kubaysi, 16 June 04) - Publishes a report on the statement issued by the Iraqi Constituent National Conference describing the recent UNSC resolution on Iraq as ``vague to the extent that raises doubts and suspicions.'' The statement says that the resolution does not include a clear timetable for the withdrawal of the occupation or coalition forces whose name was only changed to multinational forces.

Al-Mada: ``Iraqis to Take the Initiative to Embrace the Rule of Law''

(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 16 June 04) - From commentary by Qassim Jum'ah: The first priority for Iraqi intellectuals should be to promote belief in the principles of civil society and respect for the rule of law. Let's take the initiative to embrace the rule of law as the basis of our relations with others as well as our self-esteem.

Al-Bayyna to Talabani: ``Separation does Nobody Any Good''

(Al-Bayyna is a weekly paper issued by the Hezbollah movement in Iraq, 16 June 04) - From editorial: Dear brother, (Jalal) Talabani ... The international game is much bigger than Iraq and vaster than the region. So, please stop trying to commit suicide through this noisy separatist media campaign that does nobody any good at this stage because, frankly speaking, no one would want to see Iraq divided and mortgaged to the will of foreign powers. I wish you and your colleagues would have second thoughts about your present position and come down to the streets as the same freedom-fighters you have always known to be throughout Iraqi history.

Al-Mutamar: ``America Won't Be Driven Out Of Iraq by Force''

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 16 June 04) - From commentary by Hazim Saghiyah: It is surely an illusion to assume that America can be driven out of Iraq by force, for, even as it is thinking of downgrading its forces in Berlin, it may be planning to move more of its warplanes and warships to our region. In any case, it will certainly not pack up and run away in the face of futile terrorist strikes that promise nothing for Iraq but disintegration and civil war.

Azzaman: ``Suffering Is Caused By Legitimate Acts of Resistance?''

(London-based Azzaman is issued daily by Saad al-Bazaz 16 June 04) - From commentary by Salim Sarhan: What if, in trying to avenge the killing of one of my brothers, I ended up getting the rest of them killed? Would I be justified in sending them all to the other world? How much suffering has been caused by the legitimate acts of resistance? Yes, this has been the gruesome outcome of the ferocity and savagery with which occupation forces usually respond. The sad fact is that the attacks launched by the resistance have, directly or indirectly, resulted in an ever greater death toll among innocent civilians, augmenting the suffering of ordinary Iraqis, especially children.

CPA: Full Power Given to Iraqi Government since Its Formation

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 16 June 04) - Publishes a report citing an official spokesman for the Coalition Authority informing Al-Mashriq that the Coalition Authority has given full power to the Iraqi government since its formation and it is the real ruler of Iraq now.

Al-Mashriq: ``Who Turned Our History To A Scrap?''

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 16 June 04) - Publishes on its front page an editorial asking "who turned our history to a scrap." The article says that reports point out that Iraqi tanks are sold as scrap in the neighboring countries for $30 per ton. The editorial adds that the Iraqi Army history is full of heroic stances and should not be humiliated in such a disgraceful way.

ICRC Spokeswoman Criticized for Calls of the Release of Saddam Hussein

(Al-Qassim Al-Mushtarak, ``common denominator'' general political daily, issued twice a week, 16 June 04) - Publishes an article criticizing the spokeswoman for the International Red Cross Committee ICRC for calling for the release of Saddam Hussein. The article says that sovereignty means to posses the right to try war criminals according to the Iraqi law and without any intervention.

Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih Resume His Duties in Baghdad

(Al-Ahali, independent weekly, 16 June 04) - Publishes a report citing a source in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, PUK, as saying that the deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih has returned to Baghdad to resume his duties after receiving assurance from Prime Minister Allawi that he will have "real authorities."

SCIRI Commits to Maintain Peace and Security in the Holy Cities

(Addaawa, Baghdad, by the Islamic Dawa Party, 16 June 04) - Publishes on its front page a report stating that the Supreme Council for the Islamic revolution in Iraq, SCIRI, affirmed its commitment to maintain peace and security in the holy cities. SCIRI issued a statement emphasizing the importance of conducting the Friday prayer sermon in the Imam Ali holy shrine.

Al-MutamarUrges Interior Minister to Disclose Names of Iraqi Parties Involved In Assassinations''

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 16 June 04) - Publishes on its front an ``exclusive" report on the reactions to the statements made by the Iraqi Interior Minister Falah Al-Naqib, a few days ago, on the security situation in Iraq and holding certain Iraqi political forces, excluded from the interim government, responsible for the assassination of a number of officials and political leaders in Iraq. The report urges Al-Naqib to disclose the names of these Iraqi parties and the evidence that he based his accusation on.

II. Security And Military Developments:

Al-Musayab Power Plant Attacked By Unidentified Gunmen

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 16 June 04) - Official source as said that unidentified gunmen carried out an attack by mortars on Al-Musayab Power Plant damaging many of its parts. The source added that while maintenance workers began to repair the damage a booby-trapped car was blown in the plant's main gate killing a worker and wounding many others, adding that coalition forces and the Iraqi police succeeded to dismantle another booby-trapped car left near the plant.

Iraqi Tribesmen Denounce Al-Mujahidin Group Murder of Iraqi Truck Drivers In Al-Fallujah

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 16 June 04) - A number of tribesmen from the south of Iraq staged a demonstration in Baghdad denouncing the murder of six Iraqi truck drivers in Al-Fallujah. A statement distributed by the demonstrators accuses ``a group calling itself Al-Mujahidin in cooperation with the police force in the city'' of arresting them and two well-known clergymen, Abdallah al-Janabi and Zafir al-Dulaymi, of ordering their executions.

Kidnapping Phenomenon of Wealthy People Children, University Professors Increases

(Al-Ahali, independent weekly, 16 June 04) - The kidnapping phenomenon has increased dramatically in Baghdad in the last two months. The children of wealthy people, university professors, and doctors are the main targets for the kidnappers who have raised the amount of the ransoms they demanded. Some kidnapping operations are politically motivated as they target leaders of the Iraqi society. The article says that a large number of merchants, doctors and others moved their families to Kurdistan region or abroad.

Assyrian Women, Children Killed for Being Accused Of Cooperating With Occupation

(Al-Ahali, independent weekly, 16 June 04) - The Assyrian Democratic Movement issued a statement saying that seven members of its community were killed in two accidents by veiled unidentified gunmen in Baghdad, in June. The statement says that women and children were among the victims who were accused of cooperating with the occupation forces.

III. Economic and Public Services:

Al-Qassim Al-Mushtarak Calls on Oil Ministry Not to Raise Prices

(Al-Qassim Al-Mushtarak, ``common denominator'' general political daily, issued twice a week, 16 June 04) - Publishes an editorial warning the Iraqi Government and oil Minister not to raise the fuel prices because of the already deteriorating living standards in Iraq. The article urges the government to study all the consequences before taking such sensitive decisions that have a direct impact on people's living.

Oil Minister to Build Huge Gas Pipeline Linking South, Middle and North

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 16 June 04) - Publishes a report citing Oil Minister Thamir al-Ghadban as saying that his ministry plans to build a huge gas pipeline linking the south, middle and north of Iraq in order to feed the electricity power plants all over the country. Al-Ghadban added that the cost of this giant project, which will be executed by his ministry, is approximately $ 250 million.

World Bank Allocates $39.5 Billion for the Reconstruction

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 16 June 04) - Publishes a report citing an official source in the World Bank as saying that his organization allocated $39.5 billion for the reconstruction of Iraq.

IV. Health and Human Rights Issues:

Saddam Hussein's Trial Not before Six Months

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 16 June 04) - Publishes a report citing Iraqi official sources as saying that Saddam Hussein's trial will not start before six months but his incrimination will be declared soon. The sources added that the trial of the other former regime leaders will start after the power handover on 30 June.

V. Iraqi Dailies in Brief:

(Al-Manar, Baghdad, Comprehensive & political, 16 June 04) - Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, ``Vowing to incorporate former military men in the civil life in order to serve their country.''

(Al-Manar, Baghdad, Comprehensive & political, 16 June 04) - Publishes on its front report saying that Saddam and his aides may not be handed over to the Iraqi interim government but transferred to an Island in the Philippine under the US control.

(Al-Ahali, independent weekly, 16 June 04) - Publishes an editorial saying that the Iraqi people alone are capable of leading their country and ensuring its security.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 16 June 04) - The Interior Ministry fired Basra Police Chief General Muhammad Kazim Al-Ali. The policemen in Basra staged a demonstration protesting the decision and vowing not to follow the orders of the new chief.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 16 June 04) - Official source in the Oil Ministry in Basra as says that exports of the Iraqi oil from the southern gate has completely stopped due to an act of sabotage that targeted the oil pipelines in the area on Tuesday, 15 June.

(Al-Manar, Baghdad, Comprehensive & political, 16 June 04) - Publishes a report citing sources at Al-Sadr Bureau as saying that the US forces have arrested Ahmad Rida al-Husayni, Al-Sadr's aide and member of Karbala Council in Karbala.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 16 June 04) - Iraqi Chief of Staffs General Amir al-Hashimi says that the Iraqi armed forces will soon receive a number of planes and helicopters.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 16 June 04) - Iraqi Minister of Expatriates and Displaced Persons Bascal Ishu Wardah says that her ministry will open offices at Iraqi embassies abroad to provide help to the Iraqis living out of the country.

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 16 June 04) - Iraqi Health Minister Ala al-Din Abd-al-Sahib Alwan says that the health situation 20 years ago was much better than it is now in Iraq.

Updates from Iraqi Kurdish Press
From UNAMI - Erbil

Erbil PM Demands Restoration Of Kurdistan's Oil-For-Food Unspent Share

(Khabat, Erbil 17 June 2004) - The Prime Minister of Erbil administration of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Nechirvan Barzani insisted respecting the legitimate right of Kurdistan people to restore the unspent funds allocated for Kurdistan Region under the UN terminated Oil-for-Food program (OFFP). The demand came during Barzani's reception to CPA designated official for OFFP, the director of CPA-established Office for Project Coordination (OPC) that is entrusted with the completion of OFFP proposed projects. The PM also asserted Kurdistan people were also eligible to have their share from the national budget regardless of the OFFP remaining funds that would be spent on projects that were planned for under that program.

KDP Leader Optimistic For Kurdistan ``Bright'' Future

(Khabat, Erbil 17 June 2004) - Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani described the recently adopted security council resolution 1546 as positive for including reiterating that Iraqi was a federal democratic state and its permanent constitution should be agreed upon by all Iraqi components. Speaking for a senior delegation of KDP-affiliated Union of Kurdistan Democratic Youths (UKDY), the party leader said he did not have the least worry of Kurdistan's bright future. The delegation briefed the host on the latest UKDY conference that streamlined new organizational measures to match the current political developments.

Mosul Blast Kill Two Civilians, 2 Mines Defused

(Khabat, Erbil 17 June 2004) - Quantities of TNT explosives blew up at the Fourth Bridge of Mosul city and killed two civilians eysterday. The police defused another 2 mines an a place close to the explosion site.

Relief Items for 200 Kirkuki IDPs Families, More Waiting

(Khabat, Erbil 17 June 2004) - The Erbil-based IDPs Office distributed domestic relief items to 200 Kirkuki IDPs who have returned to their places of origin recently. The Office announced it would distribute the relief items to another 55 families today. 385 IDPs families have received relief items and more are awaiting support.

Women Awareness Campaigns Continue
(Khabat, Erbil 17 June 2004) - Field teams of the Erbil Social Welfare Department continue their awareness campaigns for women in poor suburbs of Erbil and neighboring districts. The curriculum includes lectures on children and women rights, as well as social communications. The participants receive household items as incentives.
KRG Support Boost Investment in Kurdistan

(Khabat, Erbil 17 June 2004) - A senior official at the Ministry of Industry in Erbil announced that the ministry has licensed 22 new projects in Erbil and Dahuk governorates during April and May 2004 with a total capital of about ID 2 billion. The private sector projects, ranging from construction material to furniture and food industry, will employ 377 engineers and skilled workers.

*****
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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