Sunday, 27 June 2004
I.
Political Developments and Comments:
Allawi Says, ``Martial Law Still Under Study''
(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 26 June 04) -
Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi affirms that his government has taken the necessary measures to minimize terrorist attacks. He says in a press conference, "I would like to tell all Iraqis that there is no reason to be afraid." Asked about declaring martial law, Allawi says that "it is still under study" and his government will take a decision in this regard soon.
Allawi: ``No Foreign Military Bases In Iraq; Withdrawal of Multinational Forces Will Create Disaster''
(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 26 June 04) -
Carries an interview with Prime Minister Allawi, saying that Iraq will not establish any foreign military bases in Iraq for any country. Allawi adds that the withdrawal of the multinational forces will create a disaster in Iraq. Allawi says that Iraq will take over the oil revenues, security, army, and foreign policy.
Al-Mashriq Compares 30 June, 1920 with 30 June, 2004: ``Now All Fire Bullets at Iraqis''
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 26 June 04) -
Publishes on its front page an editorial comparing 30 June, 1920 with 30 June, 2004 saying that the British commander general in 1920 said: "We came as liberators and not as conquerors," and Ambassador Bremer said: "I came to build and leave." The editorial adds that despite the many similarities between the two, in 1920 there were two trenches, one for the Iraqi people and the other for the occupation. Now there are many trenches, which all fire their bullets at the Iraqis.
Al-Mada: Iraqi Police Becomes the Target of Al-Zarqawi
(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 26 June 04) -
Publishes a front-page editorial by Zuhayr al-Jaza'iri on the bloody attacks that targeted the Iraqi police. Al-Jaza'iri says that the Iraqi police became the target of Al-Zarqawi, who used all his killing tools to attack this new organ. Al-Jaza'iri adds that these attacks took place as Iraqis began to feel comfortable with the Iraqi police performance. Al-Jaza'iri says that these attacks are a message to the Iraqis who are being ignored by the US forces, which are focusing on their own security. Al-Jaza'iri adds that neighboring countries support terrorism inside Iraq and some satellite channels even regard these attacks as a sort of "resistance!"
Al-Shira: "Bush, Al-Zarqawi, and Sovereignty"
(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 26 June 04) -
From editorial by Chief Editor Sattar Ghanim: ``Anyone who says that the Americans came to liberate Iraq and Al-Zarqawi came to Iraq for "jihad," will be a liar. If we compare the number of Iraqis killed by the occupation and those killed by the resistance, we will find that the resistance killed more… those who fake resistance must leave this country, because it is for the Iraqis and there is no longer a place for criminals.''
Al-Mahdi Army Ready to Participate In Protecting Public Establishments
(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 26 June 04) -
Publishes a report on the statement issued by the Central Committee of Al-Mahdi Army, which was announced via loud speakers in the Al-Sadr City in Baghdad on Thursday, ordering the fighters of Al-Mahdi Army to stop all armed operations in Al-Sadr City due to the "exceptional circumstances that our people are passing through." The statement said: "Al-Mahdi Army is ready to effectively participate alongside the police force in protecting public establishments such as hospitals, electricity generating plants, water treatment plants, public service stations and oil refineries." The statement added that this decision is "a good gesture from the Al-Sadr trend to contribute to the restoration of order and to make Iraqis' lives easier."
Al-Mashriq: ``Major Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrants Against 3 Religious Leaders in Fallujah''
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 26 June 04) -
Publishes on its front page a report citing well-informed sources in the Major Criminal Court as saying that the court issued arrest warrants against three religious leaders in Al-Fallujah, charging them with incitement to kill six truck drivers in the city few weeks ago. Ra'id al-Kazimi, Al-Sadr aide and Friday prayer Imam in Al-Kazimiyah holy city, condemned the crime in 25 June Friday prayers, and demanded that the criminals who committed the crime be punished. Al-Kazimi said: "Everyone knows who are behind these criminal acts, which aim at destroying the unity of Muslims." The report cites the father of one of the victims as saying that the Muslim Ulema Council offered 100 million Iraqi dinars as blood money for each victim, but the families of the victims and their tribe rejected the offer.
Coalition Authority Source - To Postpone Elections If Security Situation does not Improve
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 26 June 04) -
An official source in the Coalition authority says that if the security situation does not improve, it will be better to postpone the elections scheduled for the beginning of next year.
Al-Sistani Condemns Killings, Assassinations Targeting Iraqis; Peshmerga Forces Part of Iraqi Army
(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 26 June 04) -
Publishes a report on a statement by Al-Sistani, condemning the killings and assassinations targeting Iraqis. The statement says that these attacks aim to empty Iraq of its skilled figures. On the other hand, a Kurdish officer says that the peshmerga forces are now part of the Iraqi army. The officer adds that a brigade of the peshmerga forces is now in a camp in Baghdad.
II.
Humanitarian issues
Health Ministry Faces Medicines Leak Problem from Its Stores to Black Markets
(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 26 June 04) -
Publishes a report on the sale of medicines leaked from Health Ministry stores and hospitals to be sold on the black market. The report cites an official source in the Health Ministry as saying that her ministry in cooperation with the Interior Ministry has set a plan "to end this unhealthy phenomenon caused by the security deterioration."
III.
Security And Military Developments:
Iraq Witnessed a Black Thursday on 24 June
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 26 June 04) -
Iraq witnessed a black Thursday on 24 June because more than 150 Iraqis were killed and 320 others were injured in the clashes and terrorist attacks that took place in different parts of Iraq. Al-Zarqawi's group "Al-Tawhid wa Al-Jihad" declared its responsibility for the attacks on the police and US forces in Ba'qubah, Al-Ramadi, Mosul and other places in Iraq. An Iraqi National Guard officer as saying that a man wearing police uniform approached a check point south west of Baghdad and exploded a bag he was carrying, killing four Iraqi security elements and wounding three others.
Iraqi Political Analyst Holds Allawi Responsible for Recent Escalation
(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 26 June 04) -
Publishes on its front page a report discussing the police situation in Iraq. The report cites a number of policemen explaining their positions. One police officer said that "many people mistakenly think of policemen as agents for the occupation forces." Another policeman accused "the occupation forces" of announcing that the Iraqi police are responsible for "arresting Iraqi resistance fighters," thus, policemen became targets for the attackers. Iraqi political analyst Dr Lika Maki holds Prime Minister Allawi responsible for the recent escalation in the attacks on police force, after his statement announcing the possible declaration of martial law in Iraq.
IV.
Economics and Public Services
Reconstruction Minister: ``Iraqi market opened to all Arab investors''
(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 26 June 04) -
Carries a report on a statement by the Minister for Reconstruction saying that he will participate in the Arab Businessmen's conference scheduled to take place in Lebanon this month. The minister adds that the Iraqi market is open to all Arab investors.
Oil Exploration in Iraq Faces Difficulties Due to Planted Mines in Oil Areas
(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 26 June 04) -
Official from Oil Ministry says that oil exploration in Iraq faces many difficulties due to the mines that Saddam planted in the oil areas. The official adds that the areas near the Iranian borders and in Basra are very dangerous due to the presence of the land mines.
V.
Media
BBC Plans to Establish New Channel in Arabic to Limit Influence Of Al-Jazeera
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 26 June 04) -
Carries a report on BBC plans to establish a new television channel broadcasting news 24 hours a day in Arabic to limit the influence of Al-Jazeera.
Al-Hurrah Plans to Launch New Channel Calls Al-Hurrah Iraq
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 26 June 04) -
Carries a report stating that the US-run Al-Hurrah plans to launch a new channel called Al-Hurrah Iraq, focusing on Iraqi issues and run by an Iraqi staff.
VI.
Iraqi Dailies in Brief:
(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 26 June 04) -
Publishes on a report saying that the Iraqi Government has decided to declare 30 June as a national holiday on the occasion of the power transfer to Iraqis.
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 26 June 04) - A Lebanese Shi'i religious leader a in 25 June prayer sermon in Beirut, said that Iraq has become an open field for the Israeli Mosad.
(Al-Bayan, Baghdad, thrice weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, 26 June 04) - The Electricity Minister says that there will be more attacks against electricity institutions. The terrorists will increase their attacks during the next few weeks to prove their continued existence.
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 26 June 04) - A US forces source says that members of Baghdad Council will be supplied with guns to protect themselves.
(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 26 June 04) - Al-Nasiriyah police arrested four foreigners traveling in a white Land Cruiser vehicle. The foreigners aroused suspicion because of their poor Arabic.
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 26 June 04) - Eyewitnesses say that unidentified gunmen broke into a house in Al-Durah district in Baghdad, looking for a ``female'' translator working with the US forces. The gunmen killed the woman's father, because she was not at home at the time.
(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 26 June 04) - Iraqi artists are preparing to hold a national exhibition as a memorial for the Abu-Ghurayb prisoner abuse and mistreatment by US forces in a number of Iraqi cities.
Updates from Iraqi Kurdish Press
From UNAMI - Erbil
Erbil Blast Kill Civilian, Injure 18, Terrorist Network Arrested
(Khabat, Erbil 27 June 2004) - The remote-controlled explosion of a car in front of a school in Erbil killed a civilian and injured another 18 yesterday morning. The KRG Minister of Culture, who was heading to his office near the site, sustained slight injuries in the same incident. Few hours later the same day the Interior Minister announced the recent arrest of a terrorist network of 14 extremists. In a press conference held in Erbil, the Minister asserted the terrorist would succeed to curb the Kurdish people's determination towards safe life and reconstruction.
KRG PM Invites World Companies To Investment In Kurdistan
(Khabat, Erbil 24 June 2004) - The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani invited representatives of the world companies participating in a London economic conference for investment in Kurdistan. Speaking at the conference that was named `Kurdistan is Iraq's Gate,' Barzani told the companies Kurdistan was safe and stable and they could do business there as a prelude to extend work later to the rest of Iraq. The way to reconstruct Iraq passes through Kurdistan, Barzani confirmed. The KRG Minister of Housing and Public Works also attended the conference and presented a detailed study on the economic status and the needs in Kurdistan. Barzani is visiting the UK upon official invitation from the British Industry and Commerce Minister, was also spoke at the conference acknowledging Kurdistan stability and suitability for international investment.
14 Kurdish Refugee Families Return Home From Iran
(Khabat, Erbil 24 June 2004) - For the first time after Operation Iraq Freedom, a convoy of 14 Kurdish families comprising 80 persons returned home from Iran after living many years in exile. They were officially received by the [KDP] Higher Reception Committee in coordination with the UNHCR-affiliated IRC organization. The returned families were among thousands of others who took refuge in Iran due to the repressive rule of Saddam regime over decades. Two more convoys are expected to arrive home each week from now on.
Kurdish Doctor To Open Specialized Cancer Hospital
(Khabat, Erbil 24 June 2004) - A Kurdish doctor is in the process of establishing a center specialized in blood disorders and cancer [hemophilia] in Erbil. Dr. Anwer Shekha is a cancer specialist who left Europe returning home for good to serve his people. The Salahuddin University President received him yesterday and assured him of his universities support to make a success of the first-time center mostly needed here.
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