UNAMI: Iraqi Media Monitoring

From the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

Thursday, 24 June 2004

I. Political Developments and Comments:

Vice President: ``Iraq Needs UN To Help In Its Reconstruction; UN To Intervene''

(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 23 June 04) -Runs a report on a statement by Vice President Ibrahim al-Ja'fari, saying that the role of the United Nations in Iraq is to intervene in cases of emergency, such as the current circumstances. Al-Ja'fari adds that Iraq needs the UN to help in its reconstruction.

Allawi Denies Assigning US Advisers to Iraqi Ministries

(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 23 June 04) - Publishes a report on a statement by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi on the assignment of 150 US advisers in Iraqi ministries. Allawi denies assigning US advisers to Iraqi ministries, asserting that he has not been informed of this issue. Allawi adds, however, that the presence of foreign advisers would not affect Iraqi sovereignty. Allawi says he requested the United Nations to send multinational forces to Iraq to maintain security.

Ghazi Al-Yawir Maintains Current Ethnic Structure in Kirkuk

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 23 June 04) - Publishes a report citing Iraqi President Ghazi Ajil al-Yawir, during his visit with Ambassador Bremer to Kirkuk on Tuesday, 22 June, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the current ethnic structure in Kirkuk. Al-Yawir rejected the statement made by Hasib Ruje Bayyani, deputy of Kirkuk Governor, who demanded "to evict the strangers from the city" and said: "I do not allow you to speak such harsh words because these are Iraqis."

President Al-Yawir, ``The Democratic Experiment in Iraq for Iraqis Only''

(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz23 June 04) - Publishes a report on a statement by Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawir on forming new military divisions. Al-Yawir says that during the next few days, six divisions and 18 brigades will be formed to maintain security after the power transfer. Al-Yawir adds: "The democratic experiment in Iraq is for Iraqis only," asserting that the bad security situation poses a threat to all neighboring countries.

Al-Mutamar Says 1st July a Symbol Rather Than Independent Day for Iraq

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 23 June 04) - Publishes a report discussing the nature of the future Iraq-US relations. The report says that "the 1st July is a symbol rather than an independent day for Iraq" adding that the recent poll indicated that nine out of ten Iraqis do not trust the coalition forces led by the US. The report suggests that both parties need to review their relations which must be based on a partnership rather than being based on the idea that the US is the ruler of Iraq.

Al-Qassim Al-Mushtarak: ``Syria and Iran Financing Terrorism''

(Al-Qassim Al-Mushtarak, ``common denominator'' general political daily, issued twice a week, 23 June 04) - Publishes an article discussing the sources of terrorism in Iraq accusing Syria and Iran of financing terrorism in Iraq and urging the government to take 12 necessary actions to fight terrorism in Iraq including the closure of borders with Syria and Iran and imposing the martial law.

Ishraqat Al-Sadr: ``CIA Occupies Iraq since 1968''

(Ishraqat al-Sadr, Islamic & Political, Mouthpeace of Al-Sadar group, 23 June 04) - Carries an article saying that Iraq, in fact, was not occupied on 9 April, 2003, but in 1968 when the CIA supported Saddam to takeover Iraq. The article says that the US will do the same as it did with Saddam to those who feel proud for their cooperation with the CIA. The article concludes that as Saddam and his agents have gone, the others will follow.

Al-Mutamar Expresses Fear of Ethnic Clashes in Kirkuk

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 23 June 04) - Publishes a report citing Iraqi sources expressing their fear that the ethnic clashes, which broke between Arabs and Turkomans in a village to the west of Kirkuk on Monday, 21 June, will spread to other places in Kirkuk if no proper action is taken. Bascal Ishu Wardah, minister of Expatriated and Displaced Persons visited Kirkuk on Monday and affirmed that the problem of the displaced is "a general problem in the country and it does not concern Kirkuk alone."

Iraqis Prison Not Secure Enough to Detain Saddam Right Now

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 23 June 04) - Publishes a report citing Coalition Authority Spokesman Patrick carol telling Al-Mashriq that "The Iraqis do not have a secure prison to detain Saddam right now," adding that the coalition forces would be more than happy to hand Saddam and all of the former regime leaders over to the Iraqis.

Al-Adala Urges Sunni Religious Leaders to Hand the Killers of Six Shi'i Drivers in Fallujah

(Al-Adala, Baghdad, twice-weekly by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq SCIRI, 23 June 04) - Publishes an article urging the Sunni religious leaders to hand the killers of the six Iraqi Shi'i truck drivers in Al-Fallujah, last week, to the concerned authorities to prevent a sectarian sedition among the Iraqi people.

Sit-In Protest in Basra Calling for Dissolution of Advisory Council

(Al-Manarah, Basra, independent & political, by Sawt Al-Janub House for Press, 23 June 04) - Carries a report stating that a number of people have staged a sit-in protest in front of Basra Governorate administration building in the last two days demanding the dissolution of the Advisory Council in the governorate. The report says that a number of religious and political parties have called for the protest including Hezbollah, Al-Sadr Bureau and the Iraqi National Congress Party.

Interior Ministry Source: ``An Ex-Governing Council Militia Carries Out Assassinations''

(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 23 June 04) - Runs a report on a statement by a source in the Interior Ministry, saying that a militia represented in the ex-Governing Council was involved in the assassination of several Iraqi officials, professors, and Iraqi scientists. The source adds that these acts aim to create chaos to undermine the efforts of Allawi's government.

II. Humanitarian issues

Justice Ministry Says Declared Number Of Iraqi Female Less Than The Actual At US-Run Prisons

(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 23 June 04) - Carries a report citing an official source in the Justice Ministry as saying that the declared number of Iraqi female prisoners at the US-run prisons in Iraq is, in fact, fewer than the actual number. The source adds that many of them were raped in the prison by the US troops and committed suicide upon their release.

III. Security And Military Developments:

Unknown Organization Threatens To Kill Collaborators in Al-Amarah City

(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 23 June 04) - Publishes a report on an unknown organization that is threatening to kill collaborators in Al-Amarah city. The report says that an organization calling itself "The Killers of Traitors" has distributed a list of "collaborators'" names and addresses. The report adds that the organization is threatening to kill all Iraqis working with the Coalition forces.

IV. Economics and Public Services

Iraq Has Begins Pumping Oil

(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 23 June 04) - Publishes a report on a statement by an Oil Ministry source saying that Iraq has begun pumping 800,000 to 900,000 barrels per day after repairing one of the two oil pipelines that were attacked last week. The source adds that the technical staff of the southern oil company is working to fix the second pipeline.

V. Media

Al-Mashriq TV Begins Experimental Terrestrial Transmission

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 23 June 04) - Published an advertisement on the start of experimental transmission by Al-Mashriq Television. The advertisement says: "Al-Mashriq, the television of Iraq and Iraqis, has started experimental terrestrial transmission on UHF band, Channel 54." (Baghdad Al-Mashriq in Arabic gmt 19 Jun 2004)

Agriculture Ministry to Establish TV, Radio Stations Specialized in Agriculture

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 23 June 04) - Publishes a report citing Deputy Agriculture Minister Dr Hazim Abd-al-Aziz as saying that his ministry plans to establish a television and a radio stations specialized in agriculture.

VI. Iraqi Dailies in Brief:

(Al-Qassim Al-Mushtarak, ``common denominator'' general political daily, issued twice a week, 23 June 04):

Criticizes the Red Cross for calling on the US to release Saddam Hussein and to allow Saddam's daughter, Raghad, to run for the president of Iraq in the upcoming elections.

Official source in the Transport Ministry as saying that his ministry managed to return a presidential plane, the ousted president Saddam Hussein used to use, from a European country.
A woman from Al-Fallujah describes the terrorist activities in the city and accusing the Muslim Ulema Council of financing the terrorist attacks in Iraq.

(Ishraqat al-Sadr, Islamic & Political, Mouthpeace of Al-Sadar group, 23 June 04);

Carries an article criticizing Iraqi President Al-Yawir for calling on Al-Sadr to dissolve Al-Mahdi Army in order to be involved in the political process.

Carries a report on the guidance given by Muqtada al-Sadr to Al-Mahdi Army fighters, urging them to improve their relations with the other Iraqi sects and political forces and to obey the religious authorities' orders and instructions.
Carries an article criticizing the Iraqi Chief of Staffs General Amir al-Hashimi for only reintegrating the former Sunni commanders in the new Iraqi Army.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 23 June 04) - Publishes a report citing Prime Minister Allawi denying the news reports saying that 170 US advisers were appointed in the Iraqi ministries.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 23 June 04) - An official source in the Interior Ministry as saying that sever punishments will be imposed on persons carrying weapons without license.

Updates from Iraqi Kurdish Press
From UNAMI - Erbil
M. Barzani Received French Ambassador

(Khabat, Erbil 24 June 2004) - The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) received yesterday the French Ambassador to Baghdad and his delegation. The visit aimed at enhancing bilateral relations at both Iraq and Kurdistan levels. The ambassador expressed his happiness for Kurdistan Region 12-year-old development and promised his government's readiness to participate in Kurdistan and Iraq reconstruction.

French Ambassador Visit Parliament House Salahuddin University

(Kurdistani Nwe & Khabat, 24 June 2004) - The French Ambassador to Baghdad and his delegation paid a courtesy visit yesterday to the Kurdistan Parliament House, where they received a briefing by Kurdish MPs on the structure and establishment chronology of the Parliament and the political parties' representation percentage. The same delegation visited the presidency of Salahuddin University and expressed his government's willingness to participate in Kurdistan and Iraq reconstruction. The delegation also announced the allocation of 40 higher education seats in French universities for Kurdistan region scholars.

Talabani to Turkish PM: Arabization Real Danger in Kirkuk

(Kurdistani Nwe, Sulaymanya, 24 June 2004) - Continuing his Turkey visit, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (OUK) leader Jalal Talabani met with the Turkish PM Ardoghan yesterday. They reportedly had ``identical views'' on the discussed topics that included Iraq's future and federalism, as well as bilateral relations and the situation in Kirkuk. Talabani confirmed the Kurds did not pose any threat to Kirkuk. The real danger there was the continuation of the Arabization policy initiated by the former Iraqi governments, he added.

40,000 Kurdish IDPs Families from Kirkuk Plan Return, Kurds Criticize CPA

(Hawlati, Sulaymanya, 23 June 2004) - With the advance of the deadline for June 30power handover to the Iraqis, 40,000 Kurdish IDPs families plan to return to their places of origin in Kirkuk. In a protest memo addressed to the CPA civil administrator Paul Bremer and his Kirkuk representative, The Kurdish Group at Kirkuk Municipal Council complained the CPA has done nothing to facilitate the return of the displaced Kurds. The memo blamed the CPA for favoring and supporting the Turkmans and the settled Arabs who are against the return of Kurdish IDPs evicted by Saddam's ousted regime.

Arabs Continue Displacement of Kurds from Haweeja

(Kurdistani Nwe, Sulaymanya, 24 June 2004) - The remnants of Saddam's defunct Baath Party in Haweeja (South of Kirkuk) continue displacement of Kurds from the town. They have displaced another 10 Kurdish families this week while the local police and the Coalition refrained from taking any action to prevent the evictions. Anther 150 Kurdish families were forced to leave the town recently after receiving threats of house demolishing and death of family members.

Mosul Blast Kill 3 Kurds

(Khabat, Erbil 24 June 2004) - The explosion of a TNT package in Hamam Alee quarter of Mosul city killed 3 Ezidi Kurds from Nisri village and injured another one yesterday morning. In another Mosul location, the local police and the Coalition forces defused 2 vehicles laden with explosives after receiving information from citizens.

10 Female, 92 Male Cadets Graduate Police Academy

(Khabat, Erbil 24 June 2004) - Representatives of the KDP leader and the KRG Prime Minister, as well as the Interior Minister, Coalition commander in Northern Iraq General Hamm and the CPA chief in Kurdistan attended the graduation ceremony of the fifth session of the Police Academy in Erbil yesterday evening. The Academy dean acknowledged the support provided by both the KDP leader and the prime minister was crucial for the success of the academy.

*****
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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