Sunday, 15 August 2004
I- DEFENCE/SECURITYAl-Najaf
"Thousands" form human shields in Al-Najaf: Al-Arabiya TV reported that "thousands" of Shi'i Iraqis on 14 August gathered near Al-Najaf's Al-Sahn al-Haydari al-Sharif - the sanctuary enclosing the Imam Ali mausoleum- to express solidarity with Shi'i cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. They formed human shields around the Al-Shan al-Haydari al-Sharif, where Muqtada al-Sadr is residing, to prevent the US military columns from advancing into the area, the TV said. "It is worth mentioning that those Shi'i groups arrived in Al-Najaf they were unaware of the failure of the negotiations and the collapse of the truce between Al-Sadr and the Iraqi government," Al-Arabiya added. (Al-Arabiya TV 1606 gmt 14 Aug 04)Al-Sadr aide says US told govt to stop Al-Najaf negotiations: Al-Sadr aide Abd al-Hadi Al-Darraji said on 14 August that the rejection of Al-Sadr's proposals by government mediators had come as a surprise, Al-Arabiya reported. He accused the United States of having influenced the outcome of the Al-Najaf negotiations and claimed the US administration had asked the interim Iraqi government to stop the negotiations "because they wanted to finish with Muqtada al-Sadr".
"The Iraqi government does not have the power to make decisions because decision-making is in the hands of the United States," Al-Darraji said. (Al-Arabiya TV 1805 gmt 14 Aug 04)
Al-Sadr says no contact with resistance outside Al-Najaf: Muqtada al-Sadr told Al-Jazeera TV on 14 August that there were no contacts between his fighters in Al-Najaf and the resistance in other cities. He said: "There is no need for contacts. How did the Iraqi people assemble on the same day in Al-Najaf and break the siege on Al-Najaf? No one asked them to do that. Out of their own free will and based on their faith, courage, principles, power, and hatred of the occupier, they came to Al-Najaf." (Al-Jazeera TV 1612 gmt 14 Aug 04)
Iraqi official says Al-Sadr's conditions "not impossible": Former Iraqi Housing minister Bayan Jabr said on 14 August that the conditions for a truce set down by Muqtada al-Sadr were not impossible to achieve, Egyptian radio reported. In an interview with the radio, he said: "There are no impossible conditions set by Mr Muqtada al-Sadr." He added that all the points tabled for negotiation would lead to the realization of security and stability in Al-Najaf. (Arab Republic of Egypt Radio, 0413 gmt 14 Aug 04)
Iraqi interior minister says govt "prepared for the worst": Iraqi Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib has said that his government is "prepared for the worst of possibilities" and suggested that there was a "plot" to "wipe this country off the map", Baghdad's Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 14 August. In an interview with the TV, Al-Naqib said: "What is happening in Al-Najaf and other parts of Iraq is part of this plot. It is more than disruption of the reconstruction process. The plan is to wipe this country from the map. The proof is what took place before, what is taking place these days and will take place in the coming days. We see proof of our sound analysis of the present situation every day".
He added: "We have more than one plan to deal with security and we are prepared for the worst of possibilities. God willing, this country will stabilize within a short period and its people would enjoy security and stability. This is our aim". (Al-Sharqiyah 1145 gmt 14 Aug 04)
Elsewhere
TV reports blast in oil pipeline south of Baghdad: Al-Jazeera TV said on 14 August that it had learned from sources that a blast occurred in a pipeline carrying oil from southern Iraq to Al-Dawrah Refinery in Baghdad. The sources added that the blast took place in the Al-Haswah area, south of Baghdad. A spokesman for the Iraqi South Oil Company said that the main oil pipeline in that area has been closed since the eruption of the Al-Najaf crisis for security reasons, the TV noted. (Al-Jazeera TV 2017 gmt 14 Aug 04)
POLITICS
Vice-president upbeat on national conference: Iraqi Vice-President Rozh Nuri Shawes said he is certain that the Iraqi National Conference will be successful "and will add to the strong foundation of the new Iraq", Baghdad's Al-Diyar TV reported on 14 August. He said there had been regular meetings with the UN envoy to discuss various issues including the National Conference." Shawes also denounced militia activity in the country saying there was no room for multiple authorities in Iraq. He added that "the door is however open for participation in the political process." (Al-Diyar TV, 1130 gmt 14 Aug 04)Baghdad curfew for national conference announced: Iraqi Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib announced on 14 August that an eight-hour curfew will be imposed on central Baghdad during the Iraqi National Conference on 15 August.
Al-Naqib said: "There will be a curfew in Shaykh Marouf and Karkh side" from 8:00 am (0400 gmt) to 4:00 pm (1200 gmt) ... for the sake of those who are participating in the conference." Some 1300 delegates are expected to attend the conference. The area affected by the order includes the neighbourhood around Haifa Street, where heavy machine-gun fire erupted on 14th and US-backed Iraqi police engaged in a furious standoff with insurgents two days earlier. (AFP news agency 1651 gmt 14 Aug 04)
Al-Sadr says political life not possible under occupation: Radical Shi'i cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said in an interview broadcast by Al-Jazeera TV on 14 August that it was impossible for freedom and democracy to prevail in the country while US forces continued to besiege Al- Najaf. He said: "As long as the occupation continues, there will be no political life. No freedom or democracy can be attained under the occupation. Let the occupation authorities leave the country."(Al-Jazeera TV 1337 gmt 14 Aug 04)
Al-Sadr says current leaders worse than Saddam: Muqtada al-Sadr has likened his conflict with the interim Iraqi government and the coalition forces with his experience under Saddam Husayn, saying it was getting worse than it was under Saddam, Al-Jazeera TV reported on 14 August.
"Now, we are undergoing this same experience and even more. They surpassed Saddam, may God's curse and torture befall him, in everything. They are doing what he did and even more," Al-Sadr told the TV. (Al-Jazeera TV 1612 gmt 14 Aug 04))
Al-Sadr praises Sunni "brothers" in Al-Fallujah: Muqtada al-Sadr has described residents of the Sunni-dominated city of Al-Fallujah as "best brothers" saying they "have not failed to carry out their duty", Al-Jazeera reported on 14 August.
"They were the best brothers. The Shi'is and Sunnis are always brothers in good and bad times. They have not failed to carry out their duty. I thank them and I am willing to help them and cooperate with them, be it on the military level, the ideological level, the religious level, or any other level. God willing, we will always do our duty. The minute America lifts its evils, the first governorate I will visit will be Al-Fallujah." (Al-Jazeera TV 1612 gmt 14 Aug 04)
VP Al-Jafari said rejected Al-Sadr plans to nominate him head of state: Muqtada al-Sadr said on 14 August that he had hoped to nominate Vice-President Ibrahim al-Jafari as head of state in free elections but Al-Jafari turned him down. In an interview with Al-Jazeera TV, Al-Sadr said: "I had a plan if the elections were held without the existence of the occupier, I would asked brother Ibrahim al-Ja'fari to quit the government to be my candidate for the government, whether it is the post of prime minister or anything else. But he refused. Perhaps he did not want to show his refusal. God knows. But the honest Iraqis are large in number. We have more than one person. If there is a candidate who wants the interest of Iraq, I will give him my vote and the vote of my followers, so to speak. (Al-Jazeera TV 1612 gmt 14 Aug 04)
Minister denies reports of split by southern governors from capital: Iraqi Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib denied reports that some governors in the south have separated the southern region from the capital, Al-Sharqiyah reported on 14 August. "This is not correct at all," he said. He added: "In fact, most of the governors, if not all of them, have maintained courageous stands. I commend the stand taken by Al-Kut governor who, with the police commander, proved their courage and patriotism. I also commend the stands taken by the Dhi Qar and Al-Diwaniyah governors."
Al-Naqib also commented on the resignation of previous ministers holding his portfolio, saying they did so because they were concerned for the security of their families, He also said police reforms had revealed bad decisions made by officials and suggested that it may have led to resignations. (Al-Sharqiyah, 1145 gmt 14 Aug 04)
Allawi says predecessors in CPA blundered more than Saddam: Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said on 13 August that the dissolved Provisional Coalition Authority [CPA] led by Ambassador Paul Bremer had left "more negative aspects" than the Saddam regime and his government, Baghdad's Al-Diyar TV reported on 14th. He noted that the current government was working on remedying the mistakes committed by the CPA. He was speaking during a meeting of ministers held to prepare the ministerial communique which will serve as a political document at the Iraqi National Conference. Allawi reiterated his rejection armed militia in Iraq and added that the government welcomed those who respected its decisions and followed political processes instead of taking military action. (Al-Diyar TV 1530 gmt 14 Aug 04)
REGIONAL
UAE military chief holds talks with Iraqi counterpart: The chief of staff of the United Arab Emirates' armed forces on 14 August held talks in Abu Dhabi with his visiting Iraqi counterpart, AFP reported citing the official WAM news agency. The agency said the talks between UAE's Shaykh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan and Iraq's acting chief of staff, Naser Arkan al-Abadi, covered "latest developments in Iraqi scene and efforts to restore security and stability" there. (AFP news agency 1759 gmt 14 Aug 04)Saudi student killed in clashes in Baghdad: Saudi newspaper Al-Watan on 14 August carried a report on the death in Iraq of a 24-year old Saudi national. The paper said the family received a phone call from Iraq telling them that their son whose initials are A. M. Q, aged 24, was killed in clashes with US forces in Baghdad last week. The paper said the family refused to receive condolences on the death of their son, nonetheless sympathisers sent their messages through the mosque. The young man is said to have been in his final year at university. (Al-Watan 14 Aug 04)
IRAQI MEDIA
Al-Diyar TV news 1530 gmt 14 Aug 04: Muwaffaq al-Rubay'i, national security adviser, announces during a news conference that the talks he held with the representatives of Muqtada al-Sadr failed; Al-Sadr holds the Iraqi government responsible for the failure of the negotiations ... Prime Minister Iyad Allawi reiterates rejection of armed militia in Iraq; says the government is working on addressing the blunders of the former Coalition Provisional Authority ... Fu'ad Ma'sum, chairman of the higher committee in charge of preparing for the Iraqi National Conference, says the National Conference will be held on time, 15 August, in Baghdad ... Vice President Rozh Nuri Shawes holds a news conference in Baghdad on the security situation, talks with Muqtada al-Sadr, and the convocation of the National Conference ... UN Security Council extends UN mission in Iraq for one year ... Iraqi oil official says southern oil pipeline was closed following intelligence information that terrorists might bomb the pipeline ... A number of Iraqi prisoners in Abu-Ghurayb were released ... The US Army officially presses charges against another US female recruit for abusing Iraqi prisoners ... The Suq al-Shuyukh police arrest a gang for committing several crimes including abductions and robberies ... The Kirkuk police discovers underground weapons caches ... Higher Education Ministry announces that only 600 students will be enrolled in the Engineering Faculty of Baghdad University this yearAl-Iraqiyah TV news 1600 gmt 14 Aug 04: Iraqi National Security Advisor Muwaffaq al-Rubay'i announces collapse of peace talks in Al-Najaf ... Al-Mahdi Army militia shoot at police stations in Al-Najaf ... Life returns to normal in Al-Sadr City following truce between Al-Mahdi Army and multinational forces .... US army says at least 50 militia killed in fighting in Samarra ... Head of national conference committee, Fu'ad Ma'sum, says number of participants in conference increased Vice-President Rozh Shawes optimistic about national conference to meet on Sunday 15 August ... Shi'i cleric Ali al-Sistani has undergone heart surgery in London ... Iraq defence ministry receives 56 armoured vehicles ... More prisoners released from Abu-Ghurayb prison ... UN special envoy to hold talks with Iraq president and prime minister ... Computer and sports institute for women opens in Biqar province ... Reconstruction work at Khur al-Zubayr harbour in Basra ... Southern Iraqi oil pipeline closed following terror threat
