Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=8/7/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ/AL-JAZEERA (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-318100

BYLINE=CHALLISS McDONOUGH

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

HEADLINE: Iraq Government Closes Al-Jazeera TV Office

INTRO: The government in Iraq has kicked out the satellite television station al-Jazeera for one month. The prime minister accused the channel of inciting violence. VOA Correspondent Challiss McDonough has more from Baghdad.

TEXT: The shutdown of al-Jazeera's Baghdad office came after repeated criticism of the Arabic satellite channel by Iraqi and U.S. government officials.

Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi says an independent committee has been monitoring al-Jazeera for the last month, and recommended that the channel be kicked out for inciting violence. He was unmoved by reporters' questions about freedom of the press.

/// ALLAWI ACT ///

"I am not worried about whether al-Jazeera is going to like it or not, because I am answerable, accountable to my people here in Iraq, to prevent the bloodshed, which is happening, and continuously happening in Iraq, and affecting innocent people, civilians, bystanders, friends of Iraq, affecting everyone."

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Allawi declined to say whether any other stations are being monitored, but Iraqi officials have also recently criticized the Al-Arabiya channel.

A spokesman for al-Jazeera called the decision regrettable and unjustified, but said the station will continue covering Iraq as best it can. (SIGNED)

NEB/CEM/ALW/TW