Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 05 July 04) - Runs a report citing the head of the Iraqi Lawyers Association, Kamal Hamdun, discussing the "mistakes" committed during the address of the list of charges against Saddam. Hamdun reminds that the Iraqi law requires three judges to address the accusations, not one as it was the case with Saddam's arraignment. Hamdun says that Arab lawyers can defend Iraqis once they receive permission from the Iraqi Lawyers Association.

 Salim Al-Chalabi: ``Iraqi Law Doesn't Allow Non-Iraqi Lawyers to Defend Iraqis''
(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report reproduced from news agencies stating that Salim al-Chalabi, the head of the court trying Saddam, called the head of Saddam's defence team facilitate the mission of his court. The head of the defence team says that Al-Chalabi informed him that the Iraqi law does not allow foreign lawyers to defend Iraqis.

(Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, by Independent Democrats Movement, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing Georges Sadah, Prime Minister Allawi's spokesman, as saying that the government will issue general amnesty for those who are involved in acts of violence in Iraq. Sadah adds that the government knows that many Iraqi were misguided and got involved in violence because of their daily life needs.

(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 05 July 04) - Carries on its front page a report citing Al-Sadr aide Shaykh Qays al-Khafaji, in last Friday prayer sermon held on 2 July in Al-Sadr City in Baghdad, describing Saddam's trial as a trick aimed at distracting the Iraqis' attention. Al-Khafaji demanded that the US be tried as an accomplice in Saddam's crimes.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing a source close to the Iraqi Special Criminal Court responsible for Saddam's trial as saying that three former leaders: former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, commander of the Republican Guard Kamal Mustafa, and former Defence Minister Sultan Hashim expressed their readiness to testify against Saddam.


(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing the General Council of the Filian [Shi'i] Kurds protesting that Saddam's charges announced by the Special Criminal Court did not include the disappearance and expatriation of thousands of Filian Kurds to Iran in the eighties.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report on the reactions of Halabjah citizens to the trial of Saddam and his aides. The report cites a man whose entire family was killed and whose lungs were destroyed by Saddam's chemical gases, 16 years ago, as saying: "Those who are defending or trying Saddam do not know him well." He added that Saddam killed 5,000 people in Halabjah without trial while people now are talking about a fair trial for Saddam.

(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report on reactions to Saddam's trial. The report says that most people see that Saddam's trial should be public in order for the Iraqis and the world to know the truth about the three decades of Iraq's history and Saddam's role in what happened during this period.

b.       Political developments

(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 05 July 04) - Runs a report on a statement by Fu'ad Ma'sum, head of the election Supreme Preparatory Committee revealing ongoing talks with several political and religious figures, who continue to be reluctant about joining the Committee, to convince them to join it. Ma'sum hinted to postponing the elections if the security situation does not improve.

(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report under the headline: "Allawi embarrasses the occupation by the Arabic forces issue," saying that Allawi's call to the Arab countries to send forces to Iraqi provoked the "occupation" and some political parties. The report adds that Arab forces in Iraq will be much moor accepted by the Iraqis than other foreign forces.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing Iraqi sources as saying that a law that allows the government to declare emergency status, imposes curfew, and seeks the help of the multinational forces in Iraq will be issued today, 5 July. The sources added that the "National Safety Law" will be declared at a news conference by Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, Interior Minister Falah Hasan al-Naqib, Justice Minister Malik Duhan al-Hasan and other officials. The report cites Prime Minister Allawi affirming that he received assurances that Al-Mahdi Army led by Muqtada al-Sadr will be dissolved and that Al-Sadr seeks to be part of the political process in Iraq.

(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 05 July 04) - Publishes an editorial saying that after the downfall of the former regime, Iraqis were looking forward to a new era characterized by justice and equality but the situation on the ground is regretfully something else. The new regime enhanced the former regime's previous policies of "manipulating power and authority and distribution of spoils" disregarding qualifications and efficiency in the appointment of high ranking officials in the new government.


(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 05 July 04) - Publishes an "exclusive" report saying that Ambassador Bremer surprised Iraqis when he appeared on television just two days prior to his departure speaking and reciting a poem in Arabic.

(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing an official source in the Baghdad Municipality as saying that the three-month city cleaning campaign begun recently in Baghdad does not include the removal of the concrete slabs and other barriers in Baghdad's streets. The source added that their removal depends on the security situation in the country.

(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 05 July 04) - Publishes on its front page a report stating that the Iraqi prisoners in Um-Qassr prison staged a hunger strike beginning yesterday, 4 July, protesting their harsh prison conditions. The prisoners issued a statement urging the Iraqi government and the Red Cross to intervene.

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 05 July 04) - Publishes on its front page a report on a statement issued by 54 Iraqi tribes warning the terrorists and those helping them in Al-Fallujah and Al-Ramadi to leave these cities. The statement was in response to the killing of six Shi'i drivers in Al-Fallujah by "the so-called mujahidin."

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 05 July 04) - Publishes an "exclusive" interview with the Iraqi President Ghazi Ajil al-Yawir discussing his views on the political process and future of Iraq.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 05 July 04) - Publishes on its front page a report on the statement issued by the Iraqi National Unity Grouping condemning the attack on its headquarter in Al-Ramadi two days ago, 3 July. The statement holds "extremist terrorist gangs" that are using religion as a cover responsible for the attack, which caused the killing of four people.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report a statement by Al-Sadr in which he threatened to resume fighting the US forces "until full sovereignty is achieved and fair elections are held." Al-Sadr described the Iraqi government as an "illegitimate" government.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing an Iraqi official source as saying that Jordanians do not need visas to enter the country.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing eyewitnesses as saying that a US soldier fell from a US helicopter near the Foreign Ministry building yesterday, 4 July.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 05 July 04) - Publishes an editorial saying that while a high-ranking Kurdish leader denied the presence of Israelis in Kurdistan, Israeli officials confirmed their presence the next day.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing an Iraqi official source as saying that the Iraqi government will today announce a partial amnesty for elements of the Iraqi resistance.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report an editorial praising the Iraqi police for their excellent performance these days to ensure law and order in the country. The editorial says that Iraqis are looking forward to a state governed only by laws that guarantee all their rights.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report on a statement issued by the Muslim Ulema Council denouncing the US forces for flying over mosques during Friday prayer sermons, which caused the collapse of a mosque dome in Baghdad on 29 June.

c.       Press comments

(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 05 July 04) - Publishes an editorial by Chief Editor Shakir al-Juburi on the "suffering of the Iraqi people." Al-Juburi says that the deteriorating security situation is leading to the emigration of several Iraqi scientists, concluding that the next academic year will witness a shortage in the number of Iraqi university cadres. Al-Juburi urges Prime Minister Allawi to pay further attention to this issue because it is related to the progress of Iraqis.

(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press, 05 July 04) - Publishes an article by Ahmad Aziz Rajab under the headline: "After the Kuwaitis, Israelis Investigate Iraqi Detainees," claiming that Israeli investigators infiltrated into Iraq and carried out a role in investigating Iraqi detainees, according to a general in charge of Abu-Ghurayb Prison.

(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 05 July 04) - Publishes an article by the National Opposition Assembly discussing the role of the religious political parties in the new Iraq as well as the status of women in society. The article says that religious movements, parties, and authority leaders' main task now is to spread moderate Islamic teachings away from extremism and sectarianism.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 05 July 04) - Publishes an article by Palestinian writer Dr Ahmad Abu-Matr discussing Saddam's crimes against the Palestinians.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 05 July 04) - Publishes an article by Mahdi Qasim saying that Saddam still has wide popularity among many Arabs but his trial will not only reveal his crimes and misconduct, but also the mentality of Arabs as well.

(Al-Jaridah, Baghdad, General, Political daily, 05 July 04) - Publishes an article by Iraqi writer Ahmad al-Ani discussing the Iraqi people's suffering and problems and proposing the reactivation of the Iraqi economy to employ increasing numbers of unemployed people and to restore the social and national values that were distorted under the former regime.

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 05 July 04) - Publishes an article by Adil al-Samawi attacking "the mercenary lawyers" defending Saddam despite their awareness of his crimes. The article says that they are supported by the Jordanian government, whose policy towards Iraq has always been "to give with one hand and kill with the other."

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 05 July 04) - Publishes an article criticizing a number of Arab writers such as Abd al-Bari Atwan and Mustafa Bakri for their support and barking over Saddam.

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 05 July 04) - Publishes an article saying that although the entire world witnessed Saddam's crimes and know for sure that he is guilty, some Arabic satellite channels and lawyers still insist that he is innocent.

II.      Humanitarian issues and public services

(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 05 July 04) - Publishes on its front page a report citing official sources as saying that a hole in an oil pipeline in the south caused oil exports from the southern terminal to drop from 48,000 to 40,000 bpd.

(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing industry minister, in a meeting with his ministry staff, confirming his intention to eliminate corruption in his ministry and saying that although privatization has proved successful all over the world, it is a political decision and takes time.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report stating that the Baghdad Company for soft drinks which produces Pepsi Cola in Iraq received a 5m dollars financial assistance from Pepsi Cola Mother Company based in New York qualifying the Iraqi company's full control over Pepsi cola market in Iraq.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report stating that the Finance Ministry has started to list state-owned buildings and property which have been illegally occupied by people, political parties and others, to be designated for public services in accordance with the law. An official source in the Finance Ministry said that the cabinet is studying a proposal to allow political and social organizations and parties to use some of these buildings.

(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report on the statement issued by employees of the dissolved Information Ministry appreciating the efforts of Iraqi President Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar, and Prime Minister Allawi to solve their problem. The statement says that they had received last year's salaries but not this year's, and proposing the re-formation their ministry under a new name or to re-employ them in other ministries.

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 05 July 04) - Publishes on its front page a 140-word report stating that the Industrial Bank has adopted a new policy to encourage the industrial development projects in Iraq by giving loans of up to 80 per cent of the project's cost and reducing the interest rate to 9 per cent instead of the 18 per cent that banks used to charge for loans.

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing an official source in Basra as saying that $50 million was allocated to rehabilitate industries in the Basra Governorate.

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report stating that the Central Bank of Iraq has licensed six international banks to operate in Iraq.

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report that "the occupation authority" has allocated 1.9bn dollars to provide drinking water to people in southern Iraq.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing Electricity Minister Ayham al-Samarra'i at a news conference as saying that his ministry will amend the current 4-hour cut-off every six hours programme to only one hour cut-off every six hours in the next two weeks. Al-Samarra'i added that power supply will be increased from 5,500 to 7,000 megawatts.

III.     Security and military developments

(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 05 July 04) - Publishes on its front page a report citing well-informed Interior Ministry sources as saying that Iraqi police are supplied with modern equipment and vehicles to boost its performance in maintaining order and law in the country.

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing a police source in Basra as saying that Iraqi police managed to arrest two dangerous criminal gangs in Basra thought to be responsible for a number of theft and kidnapping crimes in the city.

(Al-Shira, independent, political and general weekly, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing a police source as saying that the Iraqi police managed to arrest a gang who kidnapped a boy in Al-Mahmudiyah district, 20 south of Baghdad, and freed the hostage one day after he was kidnapping.

(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 05 July 04) - Publishes an article calling on the Interior Minister to open the streets in front of police stations, which are blocked by concrete slabs and other barriers, especially on the highways. The article says that the 100-km journey from Baghdad to Al-Hillah now takes 5 hours.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing eyewitnesses as saying that a booby-trapped car exploded at a gas station in Balad District, 85 km north of Baghdad yesterday, 4 July. The report adds that Iraqi police managed to arrest three persons trying to explode another booby-trapped car near a police checkpoint in Saladdin yesterday. In a separate incident, Iraqi police managed to dismantle a booby-trapped car near a mosque in Al-Amiriyah in Baghdad two days ago.

(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 05 July 04) - Publishes a report citing an official source as saying that a preliminary survey indicated the presence of approximately 24 million mines and more than a million tons of explosive materials in Iraq.

(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 05 July 04) - Carries a report citing an official source as saying that Iraqi police managed to defuse an explosive charge planted beneath the rail line in al-Dawudi district in Baghdad.