Sunday, 29 August 2004
The following is a selection of headlines and quotes taken from the Iraqi press published on Saturday, August 28, 2004:
(Al-Bayan, Baghdad, thrice weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, 28 Aug 04) -
II- QUOTES
(Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London-based, Baghdad edition independent daily, Saudi-owned, 28 Aug 04) - From commentary by Abd al-Rahman al-Rashid]: "After its cautiously won military victory in Al-Najaf, the Iraqi government will be facing an even more difficult situation. Its military confrontation with an outlawed group challenging its authority with the force of arms will turn into a political one, with the same adversary touting legitimate slogans this time to challenge the government's authority, its political and administrative performance and its ability to deliver on its promises. Although al-Sadr has failed militarily, and has been forced to pay dearly for his failure, he still has before him a vast open arena for political confrontation where he is apt to find on his side a huge army, far bigger than the Al-Mahdi Army, made up of embittered downtrodden youngsters who can't be persuaded to wait another decade for long-overdue reforms to be introduced or job opportunities to be created to put an end to their long-endured destitution."
Al-Yawm al-Akhar is an independent, comprehensive weekly, whose chief editor is Faris Katib, 28 Aug 04) -[From commentary by Muhammad al-Baydhani]: "It is worth noting that once the Al-Najaf crisis had broken out, there was a surprising fall in the number of car-bombings, kidnappings and assassinations throughout Iraq, and that such terrorist operations were resumed as soon as there was a sign that a solution to the crisis was imminent. This can only be construed as a message sent by the hidden players operating behind the scenes to the effect that it is they who hold the key to security in Iraq and that they have enough clout to make or mar peace in the land. All clues indicate that these players are none but Iranian, Syrian and Saudi intelligence operatives bent on undermining US efforts to dominate Iraq and fully determined to preempt US schemes against their own countries. So, the ferocious battle between America and its non-Iraqi foes continues to rage on Iraqi soil, at the expense of the Iraqi citizen, who, caught in the crossfire, is often the only casualty of this relentless covert struggle, thanks to which he has to forget about security, reconstruction and decent public services."
(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 28 Aug 04) -[From commentary by Basim Jawad Yahya al-Hashimi]: "The legal and financial irregularities linked to the oil-for-food programme, Saddam's oil give-aways and various other cases now kept on hold are no less important, when it comes to Iraqi national interests, than bringing Saddam to justice before a war crime tribunal. The competent Iraqi authorities are duty bound to shake the dust off these files as soon as possible because any attempt at considering them closed would be an insult to Iraqi public feelings, as nothing less than the bare truth will satisfy the people of Iraq, who need to see the intricacies of this thorny maze fully disentangled so that they can distinguish friend from foe."
III- DEFENCE & SECURITY
(Al-Basa'ir, Affiliation unknown yet )on 26 August publishes on its front page a 400-word report by the front page editor on the latest developments in Iraq, saying that the Al-Najaf crisis has been dominating the Iraqi scene for the fourth consecutive week, and citing Al-Sadr aide Abd-al-Hadi al-Darraji accusing the US forces of using "prohibited gases" against Al-Mahdi Army fighters, "a charge that the US forces denied as usual." On the other hand, attacks on oil pipelines and wells have become a usual and frequent event throughout the country "to stop the looting of the country's wealth," the report adds.
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 28 Aug 04) -
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Al-Mashriq publishes on its front page a 1,200-word news agency report on the latest development in Al-Najaf, citing the newspaper's reporter as saying that although the situation is calm in the city, a number of US tanks advanced to positions 30-40 meters away from the Al-Sahn al-Haydari al-Sharif. Al-Sadr aide Ahman al-shaybani said that Al-Mahdi army fighters will hide their weapons and will not hand them over to the Iraqi police or army. Minister of State Qasim Dawud, who accompanied ayatollah Al-Sistani on his way back to Al-Najaf, said that Al-Sistani has authorized SCIRI's official in charge Sadr al-Din al-Qubanji to hold Friday prayer sermons in Imam Ali holy shrine as soon as it is prepared.
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Al-Mashriq publishes on its front page a 120-word news agency report on a police source in Al-Najaf as saying that his forces have located 25 corpses in the basement of Muqtada al-Sadr's court in the city. The source added that some of the victims were executed, others tortured and burned.
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Al-Mashriq publishes on its front page a 250-word editorial praising Ayatollah Al-Sistani's initiative to end the bloodshed in Al-Najaf and other Iraqi cities, urging people to support their country rather than parties, militias, and the "occupation."
(Al-Bayan, Baghdad, thrice weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, 28 Aug 04) -
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publishes on its front page a 120-word report on the statement issued by the Al-Da'wah Party on 27 August urging the conflicting parties in Al-Najaf to immediately end the bloodshed and arming presence, calling for the withdrawal of foreign forces from the holy city, and supporting Ayatollah Al-Sistani's effort to bring an end to the crisis in order to boost stability and security in the country. ·
Al-Bayan publishes on its front page a 200-word editorial praising the end of fighting in Al-Najaf and other Iraqi cities and the religious authority Ayatollah Al-Sistani for his logical course away from political, religious, and sectarian extremism. The editorial urges both the Iraqi Government and Al-Sadr to prove their credibility and sincerity in responding to the peace calls made by millions of Iraqis and the religious authority.
(Tariq al-Sha'b, Baghdad, political and cultural weekly, by the Iraqi Communist Party, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on its front page a 100-word report by the political editor praising Ayatollah Al-Sistani's initiative to end Al-Najaf crisis and urging all concerned parties to adhere to peace.
Al-Shira Baghdad, independent political daily newspaper, 28 Aug 04) -
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publishes on page 4 a 2,500-word interview with Ayatollah Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah discussing the latest developments in the Al-Najaf crisis and criticizing Iraqi Government policy with regard to the crisis. ·
Al-Shira publishes on page 4 a 1,700-word report citing the reactions of a number of Iraqi scholars and university professors to Prime Minister Allawi's government policy towards the Al-Najaf crisis. A lawyer said that Allawi's statements urging Al-Sadr to abandon arms and become involved in the political process contradicts his ministers' statements describing the Al-Mahdi Army as a terrorist organization that should be eliminated. A university professor said that the only solution for the crisis is to actively involve the Al-Sadr trend in the political process.
(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 28 Aug 04) - publishes a 300-word front-page report detailing the recent developments in Al-Najaf Governorate. The report says that Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani had taken over the keys of the Al-Sahn al-Haydari al-Sharif while the Al-Mahdi army emptied the holy shrine of weapons. The report adds that a committee made up of representatives of Al-Sistani and Al-Sadr listed the property of the Al-Sahn al-Haydari al-Sharif, which represents an important article in the deal to end the crisis. The report says that after finalizing the listing process, Al-Sistani agrees to take over the keys. The report says that Al-Mahdi army members transferred their weapons to special hideouts
(Al-Furat, comprehensive & political daily, by Al-Furat Establishment for Press,28 Aug 04) -
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publishes a 200-word front-page report on a statement by Muqtada al-Sadr addressed to his followers, calling on them to abandon their weapons and join the followers of Al-Sistani who entered the Al-Sahn al-Haydari al-Sharif. The report says that loud speakers announced this statement in Al-Najaf Governorate. On the other hand, the report says that dozens of people were injured when the Iraqi National Guard opened fire against a demonstration of Al-Sadr followers. The report says that the national guard opened fire on the demonstration, which was attacking Prime Minister Allawi and the government.
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Al-Furat publishes a 100-word front-page report on a statement by Al-Sadr Spokesman Ahmad al-Shaybani saying that Al-Mahdi Army members will hide their weapons and will not hand them over to the police. The report says that the police set up three locations to take over the weapons, but no one came.
(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 27 Aug 2004)- publishes on its front page a 300-word report saying that an Iraqi police unit backed by an "occupation" forces unit raided the INC Headquarters in Baghdad on Friday morning, 27 August.
Al-Shira Baghdad, independent political daily newspaper, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on its front page a 300-word report citing Dr Mahmud Ali al-Jaf, head of the Preparatory Committee for the Iraqi Doctors Association, affirming earlier reports that more than 1,000 highly qualified doctors have been subjected to liquidation, extortion, or death threats. However, an official source at the Health Ministry expects that the number is much higher, because many similar incidents have not been reported to police. Al-Jaf added that a joint committee comprised of representatives of his association, the Interior Ministry, and Health Ministry has been formed to confront this dangerous phenomenon.
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on its front page a 100-word report citing an Iraqi police source in Al-Hillah Governorate as saying that unidentified gunmen yesterday morning, 27 August, killed Khalil Kukas, SCIRI and Al-Hillah city council member. In a separate incident, an official at Baghdad University and his son were killed on their way to Al-Hillah Governorate yesterday, adds the source.
(Tariq al-Sha'b, Baghdad, political and cultural weekly, by the Iraqi Communist Party,28 Aug 04) - publishes a 90-word front-page report stating that the Ulema and the tribal leaders in Samarrah city submitted a proposal to the local council there to start new measures to ensure security. The report says that one of the proposal's articles is cooperation with the Iraqi police to prevent any aggressive acts and to stop the suspects behind these acts.
(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on page 2 a 150-word article urging the education minister to prevent the misconduct of security people at his ministry.
IV- POLITICAL
(Al-Basa'ir, Affiliation unknown yet, 28 Aug 04) - on 26 August publishes on its front page a 100-word Jordanian Al-Sabil report citing defectors from the Iraqi National Congress Party, led by Dr Ahmad al-Chalabi, accusing him of planning and supervising the attack against the Jordanian embassy in Baghdad.
Al-Shira Baghdad, independent political daily newspaper, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on its front page a 70-word report citing Basra Deputy Governor Abd-al-Hafiz al-Ani as saying that the Basra Council has elected Hasan al-Rashid as Basra's new governor.
(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 28 Aug 04) -
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Publishes a 400-word front-page report on a statement by sources close to the cabinet saying that the government is planning to announce a new project to restructure government institutions that will include the dismissed Ba'thists. The report adds that the government is also planning to return the Ba'thists to their positions as a step to cancel the de-Ba'thification committee head by Ahmad al-Chalabi leader of the Iraqi National Congress. The report says that the government wants to start a new page in its relations with all Iraqis in the new Iraq.
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Al-Zaman publishes a 100-word front-page report on a statement by heads of the Iraqi Christians sect calls for stopping the blood shed in Iraq. The statement thanks all the Iraqis who shared the pain with their Christians brothers after the targeting of churches. The statement calls for accelerating Iraq's reconstruction.
(Al-Dyar Satellite Channel in Arabic, Baghdad, in Arabic, 28 Aug 04) -
VI- RECONSTRUCTION
(Tariq al-Sha'b, Baghdad, political and cultural weekly, by the Iraqi Communist Party, 28 Aug 04) - Oil revenues exceed 9bn dollars since start of war: Oil Minister Thamir al-Ghadban has said that Iraq's oil export revenues have exceeded nine billion dollars since the beginning of this year,The Iraqi newspaper reported on 28 August.
(Al-mu'tamaron, Newspaper , Affiliation unknown yet, 28 Aug 04) -Iraq seeks share of Tigris: Iraqi newspaper Al-Mu'tamaron 28 August quoted Salar Bakr Sami, director general of planning and development at the Water Resources Ministry, as saying that Iraq seeks to ensure its historic rights and shares in the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers' waters, adding that there is no agreement between Iraq, Syria, and Turkey organizing the distribution of water resources yet.
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Italy to help Iraq government get wired: An Italian delegation will arrive in Iraq next month to start work on establishing a local Internet network linking the Iraqi ministries in order to facilitate their performance, Iraqi newspaper Al-Bayan quoted the Iraqi Communication Ministry on 28 August.
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Trade minister pledges to boost housing construction: Iraqi Trade Minister Muhammad Mustafa al-Juburi told Al-Bayan newspaper on 28 August that his ministry had resumed selling construction materials to people with licenses to build their houses, affirming that his ministry plans to boost the performance of this sector to help in the reconstruction of the country.
Al-Shira Baghdad, independent political daily newspaper, 28 Aug 04) - Iraqi newspaper Al-Shira on 28 August quoted Construction and Housing Minister Umar Faruq al-Damaluji calling on foreign and Arab companies, which have previously signed contracts with his ministry to construct housing complexes in Iraq, to fulfil their obligations and start work on their contracted projects.
(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 28 Aug 04) - 14,000 Kurdish families return to Kirkuk: Iraqi newspaper Al-Mada on 28 August quotes a statement by the Kirkuk Deputy Governor saying that 14,000 Kurdish families had return to Kirkuk Governorate. The Deputy Governor adds that these families were deported by the former regime, which also confiscated all their properties as a part of the Arabization policy in Kirkuk Governorate.
(Al-Bayan, Baghdad, thrice weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, 28 Aug 04) - Baghdad to expand water treatment plants: Iraqi newspaper Al-Bayan on 28 August quoted a source at Baghdad Municipality as saying that his office has set plans to solve drinking water shortages in Baghdad by expanding a number of existing water treatment plants, replacing the old network, and constructing new plants. The source added that his office demanded that the Planning Ministry increase the budget allocated to secure the financing for the plan. The paper quotes a source at the Public Works and Municipalities Ministry as saying that his ministry has allocated 800 billion Iraqi dinars, or approximately 550m dollars, for sewage treatment projects throughout Iraq in the year 2005.
Al-Shira Baghdad, independent political daily newspaper, 28 Aug 04) - Minister mulls introduction of ration cards: Iraqi newspaper Al-Shira on 28 August quoted Trade Minister Muhammad Mustafa al-Juburi expressing his fear that his ministry may fail to carry out its obligation to provide the items for the ration cards if the deteriorating security situation continues. Al-Juburi called on the Interior Ministry, public organizations, and the people to secure the safety of the trucks transporting food supplies that have been stuck at Basra's ports.
VII- IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA
(Al-Dyar Satellite Channel In Arabic, Baghdad, in Arabic, 28 Aug 04) - Al-Diyar TV news summary 1530 gmt 28 Aug 04: Video report: Al-Najaf city witnessed calm yesterday after the withdrawal of the warring sides. Al-Sistani meets religious authorities today (video shows scenes from Al-Najaf) ... Announcer-read report: A delegation from the Shi'i Waqf Office arrives in Al-Najaf to receive the keys of Imam Ali's shrine ... Announcer-read report: A high-level delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, will visit Tehran today. The delegation will discuss Prime Minister Allawi's visit to Iran and security issues ... Announcer-read report: Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih says the cabinet has approved a plan to resolve housing problem in various parts of Iraq ... Announcer-read report: The UN secretary-general welcomes Al-Sistani's efforts to end the crisis in Al-Najaf ... Video report: Iraqi state minister announces the formation of committee for reconstruction of Al-Najaf ... Announcer-read report: IRNA says the director of its office in Baghdad was released yesterday ... Announcer-read report: The Italian foreign minister says his country is ready to withdraw its troops from Iraq if the Iraqi government asks for that ... Announcer-read report: The Malaysian prime minister says the meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference on Iraq and Palestine will be held on sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York ... Video report: Although Iraqi officials have made many promises to provide electricity to citizens, nothing has changed in this regard. Report discusses recent contracts to provide electricity and view citizens' complaints (video shows citizens speaking to correspondent) ... Announcer-read report: Our correspondent in Basra says fire engines managed to put out fire raging in oil pipelines in Al-Rumaylah ... Announcer-read report: The Education Ministry postpones examinations for all stages ... Video report on central markets in Iraq. (video shows markets and citizens speaking to correspondent) ... Announcer-read report: Al-Diyar has learned that Ninawa hospitals suffer from acute shortage in anaesthetics used in minor and major surgical operations ... Video report on traditional industries in Al-Najaf.
VIII- IRAQI PRESS COMMENT 26 - 28 AUG 04
(Al-Basa'ir . Affiliation unknown yet, 28 Aug 04) - on 26 August publishes on page 5 a 1,400-word article by Ahmad Udah Sa'id discussing the security issue and the call for the deployment of further multinational forces in Iraq. The article says that security in Iraq will not be restored unless the occupiers leave the country.
(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 28 Aug 04) -
I- HEADLINES
Al-Shira Baghdad, independent political daily newspaper, 28 Aug 04) - Government: We will bring peace to all the provinces Peace victorious in battle of wills, supreme religious leader steers Holy Al-Najaf back to safety US troops clash with gunmen in Haifa Street Oil exports through Turkey halted, eight oil pipelines sabotaged in the south Kidnapping of medics becoming more rampant, those kidnapped asserting kidnappers are not Iraqis Power grid linkage to Iran to be completed this week Shi'i Religious Endowments Board seeking to regain oversight of Haydari Shrine Minister of trade expresses misgivings about not being able to secure set food rations over the coming months, accusing grinders, retailers of exchanging high-quality wheat provisions for lower-quality ones Construction minister reiterates call to foreign firms to honour their Iraq commitments
(Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London-based, Baghdad edition independent daily, Saudi-owned, 28 Aug 04) - 'Al-Mahdi Army' pulls out of Imam Ali Shrine, police in control of Al-Najaf Victims of Sadr's religious courts tortured, executed and buried in the same place Abu-Ghurayb abuse trials may be held in Baghdad Top cleric affiliate says Al-Sistani turned down message from Blair Police sets Al-Sadr aide free in exchange for release of defence minister relative [held by Al-Sadr followers] US forces track down organized crime gangs in Baghdad
(Al-Basa'ir) on 26 August publishes on its front page a 150-word editorial saying that what is happening in Al-Najaf confirms the "occupation" forces' determination to escalate and militarily settle the crisis in the holy city. The "occupation" forces, whose very justification for their presence in Iraq has ended, have repeated the same mistake that they made upon invading Iraq - listening to the advice of those who have already misled and involved them - and thus a new stage has begun in Iraq, "a stage of conflict between increasing or rejecting the occupation," to which the Al-Najaf crisis added another dimension that will include the larger masses throughout the country, the editorial concludes.
(Al-Basa'ir)on 26 August publishes on its front page a 120-word report stating that the "occupation" forces on Monday, 23 August, raided a number of mosques in Al-Ramadi Governorate, including Saladdin, Haj Dahar, Al-Haq, and Malik Bin Anas Mosques. The report adds that a number of the Association of Muslim Scholars' members in Al-Ramadi have been arrested in the wake of the campaign against the association in a number of cities in Iraq.
(Al-Basa'ir )on 26 August publishes on page 5 a 2,400-word report by Imad al-Qaysi criticizing the formation of the Iraqi Civil Defence Corp, ICDC, because the new recruits have to sign an understanding that they will obey the US forces and are subject to US laws.
(Al-Mutamar, Baghdad, weekly by the Iraqi National Congress, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on its front page a 400-word news agency report on the peaceful settlement of the Al-Najaf crisis, saying that thousands of people on Friday, 27 August, staged peaceful marches headed to the Al-Sahn al-Haydari al-Sharif, Imam Ali's holy shrine in Al-Najaf, enclosing Imam Ali's mausoleum, in response to Ayatollah Al-Sistani's call to stop the confrontation between Al-Sadr followers and the Iraqi security and multinational forces and to protect the holy shrines in the holy city. The report cites an aide for Al-Sistani as saying that a meeting between Ayatollah Al-Sistani and Al-Sadr was held on Thursday, during which Al-Sadr agreed on Al-Sistani's peace initiative to end the bloodshed in Al-Najaf and other Iraqi cities.
(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 28 Aug 04) - devotes all of page 2 to reports on Ayatollah Al-Sistani's initiative to end the bloodshed in Al-Najaf and other Iraqi cities and the reactions of a number of officials and world leaders to the cease-fire agreement concluded with Al-Sadr yesterday, 27 August.
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on its front page a 120-word editorial praising Ayatollah Al-Sistani's initiative that ended the bloodshed in Al-Najaf. The editorial says that ambiguity is still characterizing the situation, wondering whether the Al-Mahdi Army fighters dropping their weapons and leaving the Al-Sahn al-Haydari al-Sharif will include the other cities that witnessed disturbances or not. The article urges all concerned parties to reach a final and solid agreement that ensure the future security throughout the country.
(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 28 Aug 04) - runs a 600-word front-page report on Al-Sistani's initiative to end the fighting in Al-Najaf Governorate. The report says that after approving Al-Sistani's initiative, the Al-Sahn al-Haydari al-Sharif was emptied of all weapons. The report adds that the people are still afraid regarding the second point of the agreement, which concerns disarming the Al-Sadr militia, due to rumours about the militia members' refusal to hand over their weapons. The report observes that some of the Al-Sadr followers, who really did hand over their weapons and changed their uniform, are like any other civilians in the holy city.
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Al-Furat publishes a 300-word front-page report on a statement by Dr Sallamah al-Khafaji, member of the ex-Iraqi Governing Council, saying that all the Islamic movements in Iraq tried to mediate to solve the crisis in Al-Najaf Governorate but there was no response from the government. Al-Khafaji adds that the National Conference delegation that went to Al-Najaf was carrying a message from the government, not conditions. Al-Khafaji says: "The bad health of Al-Sistani prevented him of intervening to solve the crisis, but he [Al-Sistani] sent a message to the Iraqi government warning them against any military intervention in Al-Najaf because he will make severe decisions if the government does so."
(Al-Manar Al-Yawm, Baghdad, independent daily, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on its front page a 180-word report citing Mujahidin-e-Khalq Organization denying Al-Jazeera channel's recent report stating that the US forces, in cooperation with the organization, attacked the Al-Sahn al-Haydari al-Sharif and accusing the Iranian regime of circulating such allegations in order to cover up its terrorist acts in Iraq.
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on page 2 a 50-word report citing a source close to Justice Minister Malik Duhan al-Hasan denying earlier news reports suggesting that Al-Hasan escaped an assassination attempt recently.
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on its front page a 120-word news agency report on the report published by an Iranian newspaper on Thursday, 26 August, stating that approximately 250 Iranians have volunteered to carry out suicide attacks against the US in Iraq.
(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 28 Aug 04) - runs a 300-word front-page report on a statement by sources in the Iraqi government saying that the government will send a delegation to Iran to discuss Iranian violations in Iraq. The sources added that the delegation will take with it a lot of documents that prove the Iranian involvement in Iraqi security issues. The sources say that the delegation will discuss the Iranian intervention in Iraq under many guises, such as using companies as cover for the Iranian activities in Iraq.
(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 28 Aug 04) - publishes a 150-word front-page report on finding bodies in the legal court of Muqtada al-Sadr. The report says that the Iraqi police have found 25 bodies in the legal court of Muqtada al-Sadr. The report adds that the Iraqi police pulled out these bodies and says that some bodies were tortured and burned before death.
(Al-Dustur, Baghdad, by Movement for the Hashimite Constitutional Royal Union, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on page 2 a 100-word report citing Prime Minister Allawi during his meeting with Judge Radi al-Radi, chairman of the National Integrity Committee in Iraq, urging all ministries and other state offices to fully cooperate with the committee in order to eliminate corruption.
(Al-Mashriq, Baghdad, by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments, 28 Aug 04) - publishes on its front page a 100-word news agency report citing official sources in Ankara as saying that Prime Minister Allawi's visit to Turkey, scheduled for early next month, has been postponed due to the latest developments in Iraq.
(Tariq al-Sha'b, Baghdad, political and cultural weekly, by the Iraqi Communist Party,28 Aug 04) - publishes on its front page a 400-word report citing Planning Minister Mahdi al-Hafiz as saying in the conference organized by the National Centre for Administrative Planning and Development that Iraq is suffering waste of its resources and wealth due to widespread embezzlement and corruption in state institutions that was inherited from the former regime. Other speakers at the conference emphasized the importance of setting practical plans to fight corruption.
(Al-Mada, Baghdad, a daily issued by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts, 28 Aug 04) - Increasing oil production requires 15bn dollars: Iraqi newspaper Al-Mada on 28 August quoted the oil minister as saying that increasing Iraqi oil production requires 15bn dollars. The Minister adds that the Ministry is studying some proposals on investment in the oil sector. The minister adds that the Iraqi oil reserve is 300 billion barrels.
(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 28 Aug 04) - Oil flow to Cihan port in Turkey stopped due to tanker overflow: Iraqi newspaper Al-Zaman on 28 august quoted a statement from the Oil Ministry saying that the oil flow to Cihan port in Turkey stopped because all of the oil tankers are filled. The report adds that these tankers contain 6.6 million barrels.
(Al-Basa'ir, Newspaper, Affiliation unknown yet, 28 Aug 04) -"Occupation forces" to export sand to Israel: Iraqi newspaper Al-Basa'ir on 26 August quoted eyewitnesses as saying that the "occupation" forces have collected large quantities of sand at Al-Bakr Military Base to be exported to Israel.
(Al-Bayan, Baghdad, thrice weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, 28 Aug 04) -
(Al-Iraqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 28 Aug 04) - TV news summary 1600 gmt 28 Aug 04: Iraq Prime Minister Iyad Allawi hails efforts by Shi'i marja Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to end Najaf crisis. Video report of Allawi interview with Al-Iraqiyah ... Four Shi'i marja agree peace solutions in dealing with American occupation as quiet returns to Najaf. Video report covers comments by Shi'i marja, life in Najaf, humanitarian efforts ... Ministry of expatriates and Immigration sends food supplies to Najaf. Video report highlights humanitarian efforts in Najaf ... Studio interview with politician, Sami al-Asqari. He says Najaf has been neglected under former regime and latest fighting has left city in shamble ... Multinational force deploys patrols in Al-Sadr City of Baghdad following fighting. Video report covers patrol coming under mortar attack, fighting ... Two killed and six injured in mortar attack in Baghdad. Video report covers attack ... Five killed and 32 injured in American raid on Fallujah. Video report covers raid on Fallujah home, American military saying troops came under attack ... Iraqi academic killed in Mosul after she received death threats. Video report covers killing, highlights background of academic ... Policemen killed in Ba'quba ... Minister of Planning announces plan to link ministry to universities ... Report on business of repairing guns and changing fire-arms into guns ... Non-governmental groups discuss new ministry in charge of civil society ... Business bulletin. Oil exports level from south Iraq kept low. Baghdad trade fair to be held next month. Weekly market report.
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