Thursday, 26 August 2004
I- AL-NAJAF
Al-Sadr aides say bombing kills 16, wounds 120: Al-Jazeera TV on 25 August carried an "urgent" report screen caption saying: "Al-Sadr aides say 16 people were killed and 120 others injured in the US bombardment of Al-Najaf". (Al-Jazeera TV 2022 gmt 25 Aug 04)
US planes reported bombing Al-Najaf: Several news outlets on 25 August reported that US planes were bombing Al-Najaf. Al-Manar TV said the sound of several powerful explosions were heard in areas in Al-Najaf (Al-Manar TV 1925 gmt 25 Aug 04).
Al-Jazeera carried the following "urgent" reports as screen captions: "Al-Najaf is becoming the target of intensive bombardment following Al-Sistani's return to Iraq" and "Intensive bombardment of Al-Najaf and Al-Sadr aide says Al-Mahdi Army lost parts of the city" (Al-Jazeera TV 1616 gmt 25 Aug 04).
Al-Sistani aide outlines proposals to end Al-Najaf fighting: An aide to the Iraqi Shi'i leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on 25 August outlined Al-Sistani's planned proposals to end the fighting in Al-Najaf. Speaking in an interview on Al-Jazeera TV, Hamid Al-Khaffaf said they included clearing Al-Najaf and Al-Kufah of all arms and armed forces, including foreign troops, turning security over to the Iraqi Police, and the Iraqi government compensating those harmed in the latest clashes. He added that Al-Sistani would call on all parties to work towards holding a census and general elections. Al-Khaffaf said Al-Sistani also invited all Shi'is to join him on his planned march to Al-Najaf on 26 August. He stressed, however, that they should not leave for Al-Najaf today, that they should await his arrival at the city gates and not do anything before hearing his orders. He added that he hoped everyone would respond positively to what he called the "fatherly" initiative. (Al-Jazeera TV 2006 gmt 25 Aug 04)
Thousands of Iraqis expected to flock to Al-Najaf: Al-Arabiya TV on 25 August said hundreds of Iraqis had begun flocking to Al-Najaf in response to a call by Shi'i religious leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to march towards the city to save it. (Al-Arabiya TV 1500 gmt 25 Aug 04)
Government delegation arrives in Al-Najaf: Al-Arabiya TV reported on 25 August that an Iraqi government delegation comprising state ministers Qassim Dawud and Wa'il Abd-al-Latif had arrived in Al-Najaf to contact the Shi'i authorities there. The station said their visit coincided with the arrival of another delegation representing the Iraqi National Conference led by Husayn al-Sadr. (Al-Arabiya TV 1500 gmt 25 Aug 04)
Al-Sadr aide said "tricked" into arrest: The Denmark-based Iraq For All online news network (http://www.iraq4all.dk) on 25 August reported Husam-al-Din Sumaysim as saying that his brother, Ali Sumaysim, a senior aide to Muqtada al-Sadr, had been arrested after being "tricked" by the Al-Najaf governor, Adnan al-Zarfi. Husam-al-Din alleged that Al-Zarfi had called on Ali to attend negotiations with a team from Baghdad and "this trick allowed for his arrest to take place". He dismissed reports of artefacts and precious objects being found in Ali's possession, saying this was "an exposed and desperate attempt to tarnish my brother's reputation". He also alleged that US and Iraqi forces had stormed his family house in Al-Najaf three days ago and arrested his father, and told Ali to turn himself in, in return for his release. But he said Ali rejected the demand. ("Iraq For All" online news network 25 Aug 04)
Police detain journalists in Al-Najaf: Al-Arabiya on 25 August reported that Iraqi police had arrested five of their staff, including correspondent Diyar al-Umari. The station said it did not yet know the reason for their arrests. (Al-Arabiya TV 1808 gmt 25 Aug 04)
PUK paper denies report saying Al-Sadr in Sulaymaniyah: The Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) newspaper Al-Ittihad on 24 August carried a report quoting one of the party's leaders, Azad Jundiyani, denying a report by Elaph web site that Shi'i cleric Muqtada al-Sadr had fled to Sulaymaniyah. "These lies are provocative because they are not true," Jundiyani was quoted as saying. He added that he would not blame Al-Najaf's governor for the dissemination of the report "because we have not heard it from him directly, which is tantamount to denying the report that was attributed to him". (Al-Ittihad 24 Aug 04)
Iraq paper fears continued fighting, fuelled by external forces: Iraqi newspaper Al-Bayan published a report on 24 August voicing the fear that even if Shi'i cleric Muqtada al-Sadr surrendered, some of the groups loyal to him could split from his command and continue armed action in Al-Najaf. The article said there was also a threat of external forces "trying by all means to feed the fire of confrontation between the government and the Al-Sadr following... in order to realize their own vested interests". The article said an anarchic and unstable Iraq would make the country a "quagmire for US politics" and exclude Iraqi oil from the world market, "so they can gain from the hiking oil prices". It said it would also "destroy the democratic experiment in Iraq... so that its light will not spread to others". (Al-Bayan 24 Aug 04)
US planes reported bombing Al-Najaf: Several news outlets on 25 August reported that US planes were bombing Al-Najaf. Al-Manar TV said the sound of several powerful explosions were heard in areas in Al-Najaf (Al-Manar TV 1925 gmt 25 Aug 04).
Al-Jazeera carried the following "urgent" reports as screen captions: "Al-Najaf is becoming the target of intensive bombardment following Al-Sistani's return to Iraq" and "Intensive bombardment of Al-Najaf and Al-Sadr aide says Al-Mahdi Army lost parts of the city" (Al-Jazeera TV 1616 gmt 25 Aug 04).
Al-Sistani aide outlines proposals to end Al-Najaf fighting: An aide to the Iraqi Shi'i leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on 25 August outlined Al-Sistani's planned proposals to end the fighting in Al-Najaf. Speaking in an interview on Al-Jazeera TV, Hamid Al-Khaffaf said they included clearing Al-Najaf and Al-Kufah of all arms and armed forces, including foreign troops, turning security over to the Iraqi Police, and the Iraqi government compensating those harmed in the latest clashes. He added that Al-Sistani would call on all parties to work towards holding a census and general elections. Al-Khaffaf said Al-Sistani also invited all Shi'is to join him on his planned march to Al-Najaf on 26 August. He stressed, however, that they should not leave for Al-Najaf today, that they should await his arrival at the city gates and not do anything before hearing his orders. He added that he hoped everyone would respond positively to what he called the "fatherly" initiative. (Al-Jazeera TV 2006 gmt 25 Aug 04)
Thousands of Iraqis expected to flock to Al-Najaf: Al-Arabiya TV on 25 August said hundreds of Iraqis had begun flocking to Al-Najaf in response to a call by Shi'i religious leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to march towards the city to save it. (Al-Arabiya TV 1500 gmt 25 Aug 04)
Government delegation arrives in Al-Najaf: Al-Arabiya TV reported on 25 August that an Iraqi government delegation comprising state ministers Qassim Dawud and Wa'il Abd-al-Latif had arrived in Al-Najaf to contact the Shi'i authorities there. The station said their visit coincided with the arrival of another delegation representing the Iraqi National Conference led by Husayn al-Sadr. (Al-Arabiya TV 1500 gmt 25 Aug 04)
Al-Sadr aide said "tricked" into arrest: The Denmark-based Iraq For All online news network (http://www.iraq4all.dk) on 25 August reported Husam-al-Din Sumaysim as saying that his brother, Ali Sumaysim, a senior aide to Muqtada al-Sadr, had been arrested after being "tricked" by the Al-Najaf governor, Adnan al-Zarfi. Husam-al-Din alleged that Al-Zarfi had called on Ali to attend negotiations with a team from Baghdad and "this trick allowed for his arrest to take place". He dismissed reports of artefacts and precious objects being found in Ali's possession, saying this was "an exposed and desperate attempt to tarnish my brother's reputation". He also alleged that US and Iraqi forces had stormed his family house in Al-Najaf three days ago and arrested his father, and told Ali to turn himself in, in return for his release. But he said Ali rejected the demand. ("Iraq For All" online news network 25 Aug 04)
Police detain journalists in Al-Najaf: Al-Arabiya on 25 August reported that Iraqi police had arrested five of their staff, including correspondent Diyar al-Umari. The station said it did not yet know the reason for their arrests. (Al-Arabiya TV 1808 gmt 25 Aug 04)
PUK paper denies report saying Al-Sadr in Sulaymaniyah: The Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) newspaper Al-Ittihad on 24 August carried a report quoting one of the party's leaders, Azad Jundiyani, denying a report by Elaph web site that Shi'i cleric Muqtada al-Sadr had fled to Sulaymaniyah. "These lies are provocative because they are not true," Jundiyani was quoted as saying. He added that he would not blame Al-Najaf's governor for the dissemination of the report "because we have not heard it from him directly, which is tantamount to denying the report that was attributed to him". (Al-Ittihad 24 Aug 04)
Iraq paper fears continued fighting, fuelled by external forces: Iraqi newspaper Al-Bayan published a report on 24 August voicing the fear that even if Shi'i cleric Muqtada al-Sadr surrendered, some of the groups loyal to him could split from his command and continue armed action in Al-Najaf. The article said there was also a threat of external forces "trying by all means to feed the fire of confrontation between the government and the Al-Sadr following... in order to realize their own vested interests". The article said an anarchic and unstable Iraq would make the country a "quagmire for US politics" and exclude Iraqi oil from the world market, "so they can gain from the hiking oil prices". It said it would also "destroy the democratic experiment in Iraq... so that its light will not spread to others". (Al-Bayan 24 Aug 04)
II- DEFENCE AND SECURITY
At least one killed, five wounded as US fires on demonstrators in Al-Kufah: Al-Jazeera TV reported that two civilians were killed and five others wounded when US troops fired on a demonstration that kicked off from Al-Kufah towards al-Najaf on 25 August. The station said the demonstration had started in response to Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's call for Shi'is to march to Al-Najaf. (Al-Jazeera TV 1707 gmt 25 Aug 04)
More than 140 National Guards expelled in past weeks - report: The London-based newspaper Al-Hayat on 25 August published an article quoting the National Guard commander, Maj-Gen Mazhar al-Mawla, as saying that more than 140 National Guard members had been expelled over the past few weeks in a series of deterrent measures against members who violated human rights. The paper said the decision was taken after the guards received complaints about the "repressive" measures that some members employed towards citizens. Maj-Gen Al-Mawla said, however, that the defence ministry would reopen the Iraqi Military Academy on 1 October and had set special conditions for employment. The paper also quoted an Interior Ministry spokesman as saying that the Ministry "has started to purge operations of the police force following the discovery of corruption". The spokesman said he blamed the coalition forces for forming the police force without setting proper conditions for selecting suitable members. He said this had led to the infiltration of the police by many ex-convicts and criminals. The paper also said that some police and National Guard members had been accused of opposition to the government, disobedience and refusal to carry out orders to attack armed groups in a number of Iraqi cities, while others left their jobs in protest against the continuation of violence and military operations in the country. (Al-Hayat 25 Aug 04)
More than 140 National Guards expelled in past weeks - report: The London-based newspaper Al-Hayat on 25 August published an article quoting the National Guard commander, Maj-Gen Mazhar al-Mawla, as saying that more than 140 National Guard members had been expelled over the past few weeks in a series of deterrent measures against members who violated human rights. The paper said the decision was taken after the guards received complaints about the "repressive" measures that some members employed towards citizens. Maj-Gen Al-Mawla said, however, that the defence ministry would reopen the Iraqi Military Academy on 1 October and had set special conditions for employment. The paper also quoted an Interior Ministry spokesman as saying that the Ministry "has started to purge operations of the police force following the discovery of corruption". The spokesman said he blamed the coalition forces for forming the police force without setting proper conditions for selecting suitable members. He said this had led to the infiltration of the police by many ex-convicts and criminals. The paper also said that some police and National Guard members had been accused of opposition to the government, disobedience and refusal to carry out orders to attack armed groups in a number of Iraqi cities, while others left their jobs in protest against the continuation of violence and military operations in the country. (Al-Hayat 25 Aug 04)
III- HOSTAGES
Insurgents kidnap defence minister's son-in-law, relative: Al-Jazeera TV on 25 August reported that a group calling itself the Divine Wrath Brigades [Kata'ib al-Ghadab al-Ilahi] had said it had abducted Maj-Gen Salah Hasan Zaydan al-Lami, the director of military personnel at the Defence Ministry and son-in-law to Defence Minister Hazim Sha'lan as well as one of Al'Lami's relatives. Al-Jazeera said it had received a copy of a tape from the group, in which it demanded a halt to the military operations in Al-Najaf and the release of Shaykh Ali Sumaysim, who was arrested by the Iraqi police earlier the same day. (Al-Jazeera TV 1715 gmt 25 Aug 04)
IRNA says two of four detained reporters to be freed: Two of four IRNA news agency reporters arrested in Iraq are to be freed later on 25 August, IRNA reported, quoting a source close to Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. IRNA said the source added that the two reporters' releases were the result of "persistent efforts made by the Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution of Iraq [SCIRI] Seyyed Abd-al-Aziz Hakim". He said he did not know which two of the four were being released. (IRNA web site 1821 gmt 25 Aug 04)
IRNA says two of four detained reporters to be freed: Two of four IRNA news agency reporters arrested in Iraq are to be freed later on 25 August, IRNA reported, quoting a source close to Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. IRNA said the source added that the two reporters' releases were the result of "persistent efforts made by the Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution of Iraq [SCIRI] Seyyed Abd-al-Aziz Hakim". He said he did not know which two of the four were being released. (IRNA web site 1821 gmt 25 Aug 04)
IV- RECONSTRUCTION
Kurdistan government, Halliburton discuss natural gas project: KurdSat TV on 25 August reported that the Iraqi Kurdish administration had met a delegation from the American Haliburton company to discuss the implementation of a natural gas project. The station said the meeting discussed ways to generate electricity in the Kurdistan region. The acting head of the Kurdistan regional government, Umar Fattah, was cited as saying that conditions in Kurdistan were favourable for foreign investment and the implementation of projects in all fields, particularly electricity generation. (KurdSat TV 1600 gmt 25 Aug 04)
V- REGIONAL
Iran official calls for demonstrations in solidarity with Al-Najaf: Iranian Jomhuri-ye Eslami newspaper web site on 25 August reported the deputy director of the Islamic Publicity Organization, Hojjat ol-Eslam val-Moslemin Mohammad Hoseyn Musavipur, declaring 13th Rajab (30 August 2004) - the anniversary of the birthday of Imam Ali - a day of support for Al-Najaf. The paper quoted Musavipur calling on people to gether in mosques "to condemn America's crimes and the violation of the sanctity of the Holy city of Al-Najaf and the sacred shrine" and to take part in sit-in demonstrations for three days in the mosques. "As a Muslim and as a Shi'i, it is our duty to react against these acts of desecration," he said. (Jomhuri-ye Eslami web site 25 Aug 04)
Libya's Al-Qadhafi calls for end to Iraq occupation: Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi on 25 August stressed the need to restore the Iraqi people's freedom and to end what he called the occupation in Iraq, in a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Libyan TV reported. (Libyan TV 1930 gmt 25 Aug 04)
Jordan, Iraqi judicial officials discuss cooperation: Jordan's president of the Court of Cassation and Judicial Council judge, Mohammad Al Ragged, and state minister Justice Selah Al Basher met the president of the Iraqi Judicial Council, Medhat Al Mahmood, on 25 August to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation and judicial issues, Petra-JNA news agency reported. (Petra-JNA web site 25 Aug 04)
Libya's Al-Qadhafi calls for end to Iraq occupation: Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi on 25 August stressed the need to restore the Iraqi people's freedom and to end what he called the occupation in Iraq, in a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Libyan TV reported. (Libyan TV 1930 gmt 25 Aug 04)
Jordan, Iraqi judicial officials discuss cooperation: Jordan's president of the Court of Cassation and Judicial Council judge, Mohammad Al Ragged, and state minister Justice Selah Al Basher met the president of the Iraqi Judicial Council, Medhat Al Mahmood, on 25 August to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation and judicial issues, Petra-JNA news agency reported. (Petra-JNA web site 25 Aug 04)
VI- IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA
SCIRI's Voice of the Mujahidin 0530 gmt 25 Aug 04: US "occupation" forces continue their "aggression" against the Iraqi city of Al-Najaf ... Ali Sumaysim, spokesman for Muqtada al-Sadr, says Al-Mahdi Army is ready to hold negotiations based on the conditions set by the mediating delegation; defence minister threatens to destroy Al-Mahdi Army's fighters unless they surrender ... Al-Najaf governor declares that the Iraqi National Guard members are ready to eject fighters from Imam Ali's holy shrine ... Iraqi Vice President Al-Ja'fari, who is currently visiting Iran, stresses the need to promote relations with Iran ... The Italian Government refuses to withdraw its forces in Iraq despite threats from an armed group, which is holding an Italian journalist ... Former US Attorney General Clerk says he will join the defence team for "criminal" Saddam Husayn ... Clashes occurred in Baghdad today, killing or wounding a number of "innocent" citizens; a correspondent reports the situation ... An armed group in Iraq has announced it has freed a Lebanese hostage ... The Iraqi president receives the credentials of the new German ambassador to Iraq ... Figures and tribal chiefs in the Iraqi city of Samarra submit a list of measures to the Governor's office to achieve peace in the city ... The Washington Post publishes excerpts from a US Army report, which say that US soldiers at Abu Ghurayb prison used certain means to instil panic into the hearts of the prisoners ... Twelve citizens are killed in clashes between Al-Mahdi Army and the British forces in the city of Al-Amarah ... Reports on establishing an Internet network between Iraqis ministries, plans to resume oil exports and protect northern oil installations, future census in Iraq, and plans to resume air travels between Baghdad and Amman.
Dar al-Salam radio 1000 gmt 25 Aug 04: Iraqi "resistance" men attack a US patrol in the city of Al-Fallujah, killing one US soldier; a car bomb destroys a US military vehicle and injures a number of US soldiers in the city of Al-Amarah, and fierce clashes took place in Al-Najaf today and last night ... An aide to Muqtada al-Sadr has announced that Al-Sadr is ready to hold negotiations with the government based on the conditions set by the Iraqi National Conference ... After arriving in Al-Najaf, Ali al-Sistani warns US forces against intervening in the city of Al-Najaf ... A mortar shell landed in Baghdad last night, injuring a number of citizens and causing material damage ... The International Organization for the Defence of Human Rights calls for an independent investigation into abusing of Iraqi prisoners at Abu-Ghurayb prison ... The Swedish Foreign Ministry says its embassy in Kuwait has received threats of armed attacks.
Al-Diyar TV 1530 gmt 25 Aug 04: Announcer-read report: Shi'i Authority Ali al-Sistani arrives in the Iraqi territory, his aide says he will head for Al-Najaf to try to end the crisis; clashes renew in the city amid reports the US forces are getting closer to the area of Imam Ali Mausoleum ... Vice President Ibrahim Al-Ja'fari holds talks with Iranian officials on the situation in Al-Najaf ... Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari says Iraq will not participate in a meeting for neighbouring countries to discuss the situation in Al-Najaf ... Under the slogan "Faithful Youth for a New Iraq," the General Federation of Iraqi Youth opens the headquarters of its Executive Office in Baghdad ... A US committee report reveals violations in the Abu-Ghurayb case, blames some military commanders ... The Iraqi clothes manufacturing sector is facing a crisis because of the increase in imports of high-quality clothes ... Video report on the history of Al-Mutannabi Street in Baghdad ... Transactions in the Iraqi stock market.
Al-Iraqiyah TV 1600 gmt 25 Aug 04: Shi'i Marja Grand Ayotallah Ali Husayni al-Sistani arrives in Basra, to head for Najaf on Thursday 26 August ... Sporadic fighting in Najaf, government calls on Al-Mahdi Army to surrender ... Human Rights Watch criticises outcome of US Abu-Ghraib inquiry ... Italy says it will not pull its force out of Iraq following abduction of Italian journalist in Iraq ... National Guard foils attempt in Basra to smuggle diesel fuel ... Iraqi Communist Party holds conference on reactivating civil society ... Police deployed in Mosul to avert terror acts as number of visitors increases ... Report on marriage rites of Christian Saba'in minority.
Dar al-Salam radio 1000 gmt 25 Aug 04: Iraqi "resistance" men attack a US patrol in the city of Al-Fallujah, killing one US soldier; a car bomb destroys a US military vehicle and injures a number of US soldiers in the city of Al-Amarah, and fierce clashes took place in Al-Najaf today and last night ... An aide to Muqtada al-Sadr has announced that Al-Sadr is ready to hold negotiations with the government based on the conditions set by the Iraqi National Conference ... After arriving in Al-Najaf, Ali al-Sistani warns US forces against intervening in the city of Al-Najaf ... A mortar shell landed in Baghdad last night, injuring a number of citizens and causing material damage ... The International Organization for the Defence of Human Rights calls for an independent investigation into abusing of Iraqi prisoners at Abu-Ghurayb prison ... The Swedish Foreign Ministry says its embassy in Kuwait has received threats of armed attacks.
Al-Diyar TV 1530 gmt 25 Aug 04: Announcer-read report: Shi'i Authority Ali al-Sistani arrives in the Iraqi territory, his aide says he will head for Al-Najaf to try to end the crisis; clashes renew in the city amid reports the US forces are getting closer to the area of Imam Ali Mausoleum ... Vice President Ibrahim Al-Ja'fari holds talks with Iranian officials on the situation in Al-Najaf ... Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari says Iraq will not participate in a meeting for neighbouring countries to discuss the situation in Al-Najaf ... Under the slogan "Faithful Youth for a New Iraq," the General Federation of Iraqi Youth opens the headquarters of its Executive Office in Baghdad ... A US committee report reveals violations in the Abu-Ghurayb case, blames some military commanders ... The Iraqi clothes manufacturing sector is facing a crisis because of the increase in imports of high-quality clothes ... Video report on the history of Al-Mutannabi Street in Baghdad ... Transactions in the Iraqi stock market.
Al-Iraqiyah TV 1600 gmt 25 Aug 04: Shi'i Marja Grand Ayotallah Ali Husayni al-Sistani arrives in Basra, to head for Najaf on Thursday 26 August ... Sporadic fighting in Najaf, government calls on Al-Mahdi Army to surrender ... Human Rights Watch criticises outcome of US Abu-Ghraib inquiry ... Italy says it will not pull its force out of Iraq following abduction of Italian journalist in Iraq ... National Guard foils attempt in Basra to smuggle diesel fuel ... Iraqi Communist Party holds conference on reactivating civil society ... Police deployed in Mosul to avert terror acts as number of visitors increases ... Report on marriage rites of Christian Saba'in minority.
26 August 2004
Khabat daily newspaper, Erbil 25-26 August 2004
¾
The KDP leader Massoud Barzani received yesterday a Christian delegation headed by Deputy Patriarch of Mosul Chaldeans to discuss with Barzani on the affairs of Christians in Alqush, Akre, Zebar and areas. Barzani reiterated the Christians in Kurdistan were citizens and as thus, Kurdistan government bounds itself to service them and respect their particularities at the same time. The clergy praised the security and stability prevailing in Kurdistan Region and hoped other areas enjoy same stability. He also submitted a number of demands from Mosul Chaldeans and Barzani expressed his concern.
¾
Terrorists in Mosul killed and Talaafar 10 people in two days. Four of the victims were civilians working with Americans and another 4 were elements of the Iraqi new Army who died of mortar shells on their barracks in Talaafar. A ninth citizen was killed because his-her spouse worked for the Americans while a women was beheaded in the public in Zinjirly Market downtown Mosul because she was wearing ordinary European clothes. The two terrorists who beheaded her were captured at the scene by citizens.
¾ In an outstanding ceremony on the KDP 58th establishment anniversary, the director of Erbil reconstruction department distributed the keys of 136 flats to the honorable families of Kurdistan martyrs. The flats were constructed in Binaslawa (10 east of Erbil) at the directive of KDP leader Barzani. The flats are provided with water and power supply, as well as a sewage network and paved internal roads. The overall project cost is $1,125,000. The flats construction is part of Kurdistan government comprehensive plan. All families of martyrs will be settled in their own housing units within two years.
¾ In an outstanding ceremony on the KDP 58th establishment anniversary, the director of Erbil reconstruction department distributed the keys of 136 flats to the honorable families of Kurdistan martyrs. The flats were constructed in Binaslawa (10 east of Erbil) at the directive of KDP leader Barzani. The flats are provided with water and power supply, as well as a sewage network and paved internal roads. The overall project cost is $1,125,000. The flats construction is part of Kurdistan government comprehensive plan. All families of martyrs will be settled in their own housing units within two years.
Hawlati weekly newspaper, Sulaymanya 25 August 2004
¾
Five Kurdistani political parties demand the conduction of Kurdistan parliamentary election before that of Iraq to preserve Kurdistan particularity. As for Iraqi country-wide elections, the parties reiterate the necessity for all the Kurds, whether seculars, left-wingers or Islamists, to enter the elections in one common list and establish alliances with the parties that believe in federal democratic Iraq and the basis of equal citizenship.
¾
A Kurdish source advised that the Arabs at the newly elected National Assembly refuse the chairmanship of a Kurd as per a previous unannounced agreement between the Kurdish and Arab parties at the former Governing Council.
¾ The defunct Saddam Fedayeen elements continue harassing the Kurds in Haweeja and push them to leave the town located south of Kirkuk. A senior police officer confirmed a number of cases and said a number of Kurdish families and policemen received threatening letters to leave the town or face consequences.
¾ As the An Ansar-ul-Islam attacks in Dyala governorate escalate, their patrols approach the recently liberated Kurdish areas in the governorate. Villagers in Shekh Bawa near Jalawla saw a 7-elemnt patrol of the terrorist group last Friday. A KRG security source in Garmyan area confirmed the existence of the group in that area and said they were those Kalari elements who fled Hawraman area last year.
¾ The defunct Saddam Fedayeen elements continue harassing the Kurds in Haweeja and push them to leave the town located south of Kirkuk. A senior police officer confirmed a number of cases and said a number of Kurdish families and policemen received threatening letters to leave the town or face consequences.
¾ As the An Ansar-ul-Islam attacks in Dyala governorate escalate, their patrols approach the recently liberated Kurdish areas in the governorate. Villagers in Shekh Bawa near Jalawla saw a 7-elemnt patrol of the terrorist group last Friday. A KRG security source in Garmyan area confirmed the existence of the group in that area and said they were those Kalari elements who fled Hawraman area last year.
Kurdistani Nwe daily newspaper, Sulaymanya 25 August 2004
¾
An administrative officer of the Multi-National Forces (MNF) in Kirkuk announced that 21,252 Kurds, 304 Turcomans and 7 Arabs have returned to their places of origin while 25,962 settlers left the city. The NFO official's statement came in Monday's meeting of Kirkuk Municipal Council designated to the IDPs issue and violations to state properties and lands. The PUK representative reiterated the right of the Kurds to return to their places of origin and said their cases should not be intermixed with those of violators. He rebuffed allegations of Kurdish parties' support to the violators and challenged the alligators to submit proofs.
¾
In cooperation with the PUK local organization in Hay Al-Askar, the Doomiz police foiled a terrorist attempt and confiscated a vehicle that carried some RPGs, Kalashnikovs, pistols and Katusha rockets, as well as quantities of ammunitions. The terrorist managed to escape.
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