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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)





From the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

Wednesday, 23 June 2004


I.       Political Developments and Comments:


Al-Mutamar: ``UNSC Resolution 1546 Represents a Victory for the Iraqi People''

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 22 June 04) - Publishes an article discussing UNSC Resolution 1546 on Iraq. The article says that the draft was amended eight times before voting because of objections made by other UNSC members. The article concludes that the resolution represents a victory for the Iraqi people because it is aimed at the building of a democratic and federal state under international supervision.

``

Al-Manar Al-Yawm'': Security Deterioration, Unemployment, Lack of Control Difficult Problems

(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 22 June 04) - Publishes an article saying that some people think that all of Iraq's problems will be solved once power is transfered on 30 June. The article adds that unemployment, the deteriorating security situation and lack of government control are extremely difficult problems to solve in such a short time. However, the article says, restoring sovereignty is a step in the right direction towards resolving Iraq's problems, but criminals and terrorists may seize this opportunity to harm Iraqis even further.

Al-Furat Calls on Iraqis to Work for Country, Avoid Self-Serving Moves

(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 22 June, 04) - Publishes an editorial by Munadhil al-Tamimi on Iraqi patience in these difficult times. Al-Tamimi says that during the year of the "occupation", Iraqis saw no progress in their country. Al-Tamimi adds that the US administration has ignored the situation facing Iraqis and engaged in Iraq for its own benefit. Al-Tamimi says that the "occupation" is not the only party responsible for what is happening in Iraq - the Iraqis must do their part to bring about progress in their country. Al-Tamimi calls on all Iraqis to work for Iraq and to avoid self-serving moves, because this will lead to separation.

Al-Mada Calls on Iraqi People to Take Greater Role in Ensuring Security

(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 22 June, 04) - Runs a front-page editorial by Zuhair al-Jaza'iri on Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's campaign to ensure security. The new measures adopted by Allawi satisfy Iraqis who want a secure country. Allawi will face a new challenge where the US forces have failed. The new campaign needs the people's support because it is a national issue. Al-Jaza'iri calls on the people to take a much greater role in ensuring security.

Al-Mutamar: ``Differences between Government and Kurds Will Surface Soon''

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 22 June 04) - Publishes a report stating that the Kurds are refusing to cooperate with the Interior and Defence Ministries. The report predicts that differences between Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and his deputy Barham Salih will surface again soon.

Al-Bayan: ``Elections Cannot Be Held Because Of Current Security Situation''

(Al-Bayan, Baghdad, thrice weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, 22 June 04) - Publishes on its front page an editorial saying that, due to the current security situation, elections cannot be held. However, the expanded national conference, which will be held next month, should represent as many of the various components of Iraqi society as possible in order to strengthen the credibility of the political process and democratic change in Iraq.


II.      Humanitarian issues

Occupation Forces Refuses To Compensate Iraqis Incurred Damages in Terrorist Attacks

(Al-Bayan, Baghdad, thrice weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, 22 June 04) - Publishes a report stating that the occupation forces are refusing to compensate Iraqis who incurred damages in terrorist attacks in Iraq during the occupation of the country, thus violating the Geneva Convention.

III.     Security And Military Developments:

Interior Ministry Intensifies Police Patrols In Preparation For Power Handover

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 22 June 04) - The Interior Ministry has intensified its patrols and deployed a large number of policemen in the cities in preparation for the power handover on 30 June. The report quotes a source in the coalition forces, who requested anonymity, as saying that instead of imposing martial law, the interim government could impose a curfew to control and impose law and order in Iraq.

Recent Terrorist Attacks Designed to Kill Maximum Number of People

(Al-Bayan, Baghdad, thrice weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, 22 June 04) - Publishes an article analyzing the new trends of terrorism in Iraq. The article says that the recent terrorist attacks were designed to kill the maximum number of people possible and to create sectarian tension among Iraqis.

IV.      Iraqi Dailies in Brief:

(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 22 June 04) - The commander of coalition forces in Iraq says that Iraq will witness "unprecedented" progress in the near future thanks to its huge and diverse resources.


 (Al-Adala, Baghdad, twice-weekly by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 22 June, 04) - Official source in the coalition authority says that Saddam and 10 of the former regime's leaders will be handed over to the Iraqi government on 30 June.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 22 June 04) - Publishes a report quoting Coalition Forces spokesman Brig-Gen Kimmitt as saying that there is no plan to keep a permanent US force in Iraq.


(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 22 June 04) - Publishes a report saying that the Kurds are taking over huge areas of lands in the north of Iraq, thus forcing the Arabs living there to move to refugee camps.

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 22 June 04) - Runs a report on a statement by Mas'ud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, in response to remarks made by the Turkish prime minister. Barzani says that the Iraqi Kurds are not waiting for Turkey to give them their rights.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 22 June 04) - Publishes a report urging the Iraqi people to locate, pursue and kill the Arab terrorists who have infiltrated into Iraq.










Updates from Iraqi Kurdish Press
From UNAMI - Erbil

Iraqi President, Bremer Visit Kirkuk, Kurds Demand IDPs Return

(Kurdistani Nwe, Khabat 23 June 2004) - The Kirkuk Governor and his assistants received the Iraqi President Ghazi Al-Yawer and the CPA Civil Administrator Paul Bremer, who visited the city in response to a protest memo addressed to them by the Kurdish group at the Governorate's municipal council. The Memo demanded, inter alias, that the Kurdish districts should be represented in the municipal council like the Arab and Turkoman districts, the detached districts should be re-attached to the center like it was before the implementation of Saddam's ethnic cleansing policy. They Group also demanded the return of displaced Kurds to their places f origin in Kirkuk. In a meeting with a large audience of the city's department heads, the President said the return of Kurdish IDPs would take time and return of settled Arabs should be optional and the re-adjustment of Kirkuk boundaries would be left for a permanent government. Bremer announced, at the same meeting, the allocation of $500 million for 90 service projects in Kirkuk. He also said the Kirkukis would restore their confiscated rights.

Talabani Meet Turkish PM, Refute Israeli Training For Kurdistan Peshmarga

(Kurdistani Nwe, Khabat, 23 June 2004) - Continuing his visit to Turkey, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani met yesterday with the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and discussed with him bilateral relations. Earlier the day, Talabani had refuted the New Yorker's allegation of Israeli training of Kurdistan Peshmarga. The allegation is groundless, Talabani told reporters at the airport.


In brief:

-        Khabat, 23 June 2004: The KDP leader Massoud Barzani received in his Salahuddin HQ Bremer and discussed with him Iraqi and Kurdistan Status quoi.

-        Kurdistani Nwe, 23 June 2004: The PUK Politburo Executive received Bremer who visited Sulaymaniyah to discuss prevailing political developments.

*****
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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