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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)





From the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

Thursday, 20 June 2004


I.       Political Developments and Comments:

Al-Yawir: Iraq Takes Over Sovereignty Soon… Security, Economy at the Top

(Al-Bayan, Baghdad, thrice weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, 17 June 04) -In a report cites Iraqi President Ajil al-Yawir as saying that the process to choose the police in Al-Fallujah was incorrect. Al-Yawir adds that Iraq will take over sovereignty soon and security and the economy will be at the top of the next government's priorities. On the other hand, the report quotes Iraqi Vice President Ibrahim al-Ja'fari saying that the bad security situation will have negative effects on Iraq's future and will extend the "occupation's" presence in Iraq. Al-Ja'fari says that the foreign forces will leave when security improves.

Higher Commissioners Committee for Election Heads to Mexico for Training

(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 17 June 04) - Members of the Higher Commissioners Committee for Election in Iraq left for Mexico to attend a three-week training course. The Committee members met with Ambassador Bremer and Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi before their departure.


Arab Socialist Movement Refuses Participation in Expanded National Conference

(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 17 June 04) - Publishes on its front page a report citing Abd-al-Ilah al-Nasrawi, secretary general of the Arab Socialist Movement in a press statement, refusing the participation in the expanded national conference to be held next month to elect the national council. Al-Nasrawi said that the formation of the interim national council will not resolve the current problems for the following reasons: the expanded national conference should have been held prior to the appointment of the interim government, the conference should have elected the cabinet while its designated role is now only as an advisory body to the government, the council does not possess any real authority or power, and the legislative power was given to the government instead of the council.

Baghdad Local Council Calls For Adopting Martial Law

(Al-Bayan, Baghdad, thrice weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, 17 June 04) - Publishes a report saying that the head of Baghdad local council is calling for the adoption of martial law. He says this is necessary to ensure security in Iraq. The official adds that this law will allow the security forces to react without prior notice to face any criminal or terrorist acts.

Al-Pachachi Prepares Political Programme for the Upcoming Elections

 (Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 17 June 04) - Publishes on its front page an "exclusive" report citing Adnan al-Pachachi, leader of the Iraqi Independent Democrats Grouping in Abu Dhabi, as saying that his organization is preparing a comprehensive political programme for the upcoming elections.

Government Will Take over All of the Iraqi Detainees Day before Power Transfer

 (London-based Azzaman is issued daily by Saad al-Bazaz, 17 June 04) - Carries a report on a statement by Iraqi Government Official Spokesman George Sadah, saying that the Iraqi Government will take over all of the Iraqi detainees, including the former Iraqi President Saddam, a day before the power transfer. Sadah adds: "I am sure that we will assume responsibility for Saddam before this date."

II.      Security And Military Developments:

Iraqi Politicians and Technocrat Facing Danger

(Al-Manar, Baghdad, Comprehensive & political, 17 June 04) - Publishes a report saying that the new Iraqi politicians and technocrat leaders are facing danger every day because they have become the targets of armed groups. The article says that those, who were living abroad and came recently to Iraq, have body guards but those who have been living inside Iraq depend on their reputation for protection, thus, they have become easy targets for terrorist attacks.

Iraqi Police Dealt Aggressively With Doctors in Al-Hillah Hospital

(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 17 June 04) - Publishes a report saying that doctors in Al-Hillah Hospital staged a strike protesting the misconduct of the Iraqi police who dealt aggressively with a number of doctors in the hospital. The report adds that the chief of Babil Appeal Court Judge Sami al-Ma'muri escaped an assassination attempt while on his way to Al-Hillah two days ago.

III.     Health and Human Rights Issues:

Health Ministry, WHO Study Education Project of Danger of Drug Addiction

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 17 June 04) - Publishes a report citing an official health source as saying that the Health Ministry and the World Health Organization are studying a project aimed at educating the youths about the danger of drug addiction.

Environment Ministry Starts Campaign to Stop Industries Violations

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 17 June 04) - Publishes a report citing an official source in the Environment Ministry as saying that his ministry has started an intensive and massive campaign to identify and stop the violations that industries and the service sector commit against environment in Iraq.

IV.      Iraqi Dailies in Brief:

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 17 June 04) - A US forces commander as saying that his forces will withdraw from the Green Zone within a short time if the Iraqi interim government asks for it.

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 17 June 04) - Publishes a report stating that Al-Sadr made a statement asking his armed followers who came from other cities to Al-Najaf and Al-Kufah holy cities to defend him and to return to their home cities to carry out their duties.

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 17 June 04) - Publishes an article denouncing the "dreadful crime" of slaughtering six Iraqi truck drivers near Al-Fallujah few days ago. The article urges the security officials to follow and punish the criminals who committed this crime.

(Al-Manar, Baghdad, Comprehensive & political, 17 June 04) - While a massive attention is focused on foreign hostages in Iraq, the kidnapping of Iraqis is ignored and neglected by the media and officials, leaving the Iraqi people terrified by the kidnapping gangs.

(Al-Adala, Baghdad, twice-weekly by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI,) 17 June 04) - The police in Basra Governorate arrested a 7-member gang supplied with a bomb to carry out a terrorist attack. The recovered car was registered to a Kuwaiti car company.



Updates from Iraqi Kurdish Press
From UNAMI - Erbil
M. Barzani: Kurdish Independent State Not Natural Right, Dream

(Khabat, Erbil 20 June 2004) - In an interview with Al-Jazeera Satellite TV, the KDP leader Massoud Barzani said Iraq would seize to be united and stable if the federalism and democracy were abandoned. He further said the Kurds would not recognize any obligations towards an Iraq that is not federal or democratic. On Arabization in Kirkuk and other areas, Barzani said it was essential to repeal the infamous policy, exactly as we agreed upon.

Anti-Arabization Organization Call for Civic Protest Against Kirkuk CPA

(Khabat, Erbil 20 June 2004) - The Higher Commission For Elimination of Kurdistan Arabization issued a statement calling political parties, vocational unions, students and massive organizations, as well as people of Kirkuk to a civic protest against the CPA in Kirkuk. The statement complained that contrary to the aspirations of the Kurdish people for ending Arabization and the return of displaced Kurds to their places of origin in Kirkuk, the CPA in Kirkuk is engaged in supporting the Arabs hat Saddam settled in the city in line with his Arabization policy. The CPA is acting contrary to the Iraqi interim constitution, the statement confirmed.

Assassins Of Ghazi Talabani Arrested

(www.peyamner.com <http://www.peyamner.com> 20 June 2004) - Kirkuk police arrested and handed over to the CF two members of the terrorist band responsible for the last week's assassination of Ghazi Talabani, who was in charge of Kirkuk oil wells security department. A police source confirmed the arrest and added that the car that was used in the assassination. The city's police commander refused to reveal the names of the suspects, but he confirmed they were Arabs and had identity cards that proved their membership in the defunct Special Security apparatus of Saddam's regime.

Kurdistan, North Governorates Conference in Kirkuk Suggest Decentralization

(Khabat, Erbil 20 June 2004) - In the presence of CPA senior officials, the governors of Kurdistan governorates of Erbil, Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah, as well as Kirkuk, Mosul, Dayla and Tikrit held their conference in Kirkuk. Coordination in the security field, return of IDPs and inter-governorate trade, as well as administrative relations with the Baghdad federal departments were the main issues discussed at the conference. On security, the conference decided to set up a joint operation cell. It also recommended facilitating for traders to boost trade amongst the governorates. The conference forwarded its recommendations on the IDPs issue to the Baghdad federal council of ministers. It also suggested that the federal government should consider decentralism and delegate more authorities to the governorates.


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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>



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