UNAMI: Iraqi Media Monitoring

From the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

Tuesday, 20 July 2004

Headlines

(Al-Iraqiya TV, Baghdad, in Arabic, 19 Jul 04)

1. Iraq Prime Minister Iyad Allawi meets King Abdallah II of Jordan in Amman. Video report covers Allawi Arab tour and Amman visit.

2. Iraq foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari, announces diplomatic appointments. Video report highlights announcement at press conference, ties with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to be restored.

3. Studio interview with Iraqi analyst, Abd-al-Rahim al-Rahimi. He says Iraq government sends signals that diplomatic ties to be restored with the rest of the world despite internal situation.

4. Iraq and US discuss security and relations with neighbouring countries in talks between Deputy Prime Minister for National Security Affairs Barham Salih and US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Armitage. Video report covers talks.

6. Death toll of bombing targeting Baghdad police station rises to 10. Video report covers bombing, casualties.

7. Iraq defence ministry official killed by gunmen in Baghdad, member of Turkmen front killed in Mosul. Video report covers wave of violence in Mosul.

8. Commander of Philippines force in Iraq returns to Manila following decision to pull out force. Video report covers arrival, hostage crisis, US response.

9. Editor of Al-Hawzah says same editorial line to be followed. Video report covers lifting of ban on newspaper, causes of ban, reactions.

10. Baghdad water department announces project to end water shortage. Video report covers Iraqis protesting against water shortage and power cuts, man complaining of water shortage and sewage problem, new project.

11. Finance ministry announces pension hikes.

12. Iraq culture ministry marks anniversary of late writer Abd al-Fattah Ibrahim. Video report

13. Japanese force in Iraq launches project to rebuild schools in province of Muthana. Video report covers rebuilding campaign.

14. Iraq non-governmental groups gather to choose their representatives in National Conference. Video report covers political rally.

15. Palestinian President Yasir Arafat reinstates his former security chief following violent protests in Gaza. Video report covers crisis in Gaza, reforms, Gaza riots.

16. Beirut bomb kills Lebanese Hezbollah senior member. Video report covers car bomb, Hezbollah accusing Israel of killing.

17- Business bulletin. Southern Iraq oil exports resume. Oil pipeline in Kirkuk set ablaze. Egyptian firm operating Iraq mobile network announces increase in customers. Iraq foreign exchange market. Norwegian and German firms in joint venture for Libya oil explorations. International market reports.

US official in Iraq lukewarm on local amnesty plans - Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel

(Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 18 Jul 04) US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has been lukewarm on the amnesty planned by the Iraqi government for those held in local prisons. At a news conference held in Iraq jointly with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Armitage said: "This is an Iraqi decision and will be made by Iraqis. However, in general we hold the view in the United States that people with blood on their hands, who killed Iraqis or Americans, probably are not good candidates for an amnesty."
Speaking after Armitage, the Iraqi foreign minister was quick to deny differences with US on the issue, saying: "This is indeed an Iraqi decision. The amnesty law, in fact, has exempted those who are involved in killing Iraqis and coalition at the same time, and those who have committed serious crimes or serious violations. So in that, really there hasn't been any differences of opinion between the Iraqi government and the US Embassy here at all."

.

Updates from Iraqi Kurdish Press
From UNAMI - Erbil
Kirkuk Arabization Dates Back To 1963, Barzani Says
(Khabat, Erbil 19 July 2004) - The KDP leader Massoud Barzani met yesterday with his party's Kirkuk branch senior cadres in his Salahuddin HQ north of Erbil for discussion on organizational issues and the status quoi in Kirkuk. Barzani said the Kirkukees, amongst them KDP cadres, were entrusted with the heavy duty of the infamous Arabization policy that dated back to 1963. The fall of the Saddam regime last year revived the hopes of the displaced Kirkukees to return home and restore their properties. With the return of any displaced Kirkukee family to his place of origin a terror hideout is destroyed and Arabization will be revered one more step, Barzani said. On the importance o Kirkuk for the Kurds, the KDP leader asserted the city was always a controversial issue between the Kurdish leadership and successive Iraqi governments. That is because our enemies always tried to change the reality of Kirkuk [through Arabization]. It is impossible for us to accept the de facto Arabization, Barzani said, adding that he approved the co-existence of Arabs, Kurds, Turkmans and Chaldo-Assyrians, but Kirkuk's Kurdistaniness is nonnegotiable. It is the heart of Kurdistan.
39 Kurdish Refugee Families Return Home Without IRC Support
(Khabat, Erbil 19 July 2004) - The KDP appointed higher committee for refugees reception warmly received 39 Kurdish families comprising 149 persons, who returned home to Kurdistan Region after living many years in Iran. The refugees return home on their own although IRC, an international NGO affiliated to UNHCR had promised them support. The NGO has suspended its operations after supporting the first batch of 14 returnee families, an ``informed'' source told the paper.
Food Rationing May Continue 10 Years, Iraqi Minister
(Khabat, Erbil 19 July 2004) - The Iraqi trade minister stated to Al-Sabah newspaper that the distribution of food to Iraqi citizens through the rationing system may continue another 10 years, particularly for the low income families. The minister further said his ministry was exerting all efforts to improve the quality of the items in the food basket, as wells a tightening border control to prevent the entry of expired food commodities.
Mosul Council Launch Probe Into Governor Assassination
(Khabat, Erbil 19 July 2004) - The municipal council of Mosul Governorate has established a legal board for investigation with the suspects arrested in relation to the assassination of the Governor last week. The council also started deliberations on the election of a new Governor to the replace the slain official who managed to build best relations with Mosul citizens during his 100 days in office.

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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 -4629/4631 or Cell. + 962 77619731 jarrar@un.org <mailto:jarrar@un.org>

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