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Three Poles, 42 Iraqis killed in Al-Ramadi, Al-Hillah, Mosul, Samarra, Al-Samawah. Talla'far siege continues. Baghdad wakes up to battle with heavy weapons in Hayfa Street
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Facts shock Al-Najaf after fighting ended: Mass graves of women, children. Bodies bear marks of torture
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Washington spends 150m dollars on Arab reformist parties. Head of partnership initiative office: We seek people who could counter terrorist ideas
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William Burns: We agreed with Damascus to convene meeting of experts to stop infiltration into Iraq
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Three Saudi troops executed in Ar'ar for drug smuggling
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Tehran refuses any commitment to stop uranium enrichment. Sources: as listed
Al-Adalah , Baghdad, twice-weekly , Arabic, by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)
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Muslims in Iraq observe Imam Musa al-Kadim's death anniversary
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Prime minister to address UN General Assembly
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Allawi calls for establishing state-run oil company to be privatized partially with shares sold to Iraqis
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Iraq to take part in OPEC meeting
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Italian newspaper holds USA responsible for hampering release of French hostages
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Turkey advises its nationals not to travel to Iraq
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Deputy PM receives US officials
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Car bomb explosions in Baghdad, Mosul, Basra
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Iraqi police caught between kidnapping, booby traps
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Environment Ministry conducts radioactivity survey in Al-Samawah
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Salvadorian troops move from Al-Najaf to Al-Hillah
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US soldier confesses to Iraqi prisoner torture
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In opinion poll, 92 per cent of Iraqis focus on security, 51 per cent believe things are moving in the right direction
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Omani-Iraqi companies forum to be held on 27 September.
Baghdad [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Accord Movement]
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On Imam Musa al-Kadim's martyrdom, millions visit holy shrine amid tight security measures
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Car bomb blast near Baghdad church; no casualties reported
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Tax directorate chief: Imposing tax on civil servant salaries not new
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Allawi to deliver speech before UN General Assembly
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Health Ministry begins inspection campaigns
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Planning Ministry: 150,000 teaching staff members to help with next population census
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Jail sentence for US soldiers admitting Iraqi prisoner abuses
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Three Lebanese killed, fourth wounded in kidnapping attempt in Baghdad; assailants were 10 in police uniform
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Ground offensive on Tell Afar may be imminent
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Relief workers concerned over security in Iraq
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UNIFEM begins work in Iraq
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Macedonia believes three nationals are kidnapped in Iraq
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International inspectors worried about loss, destruction of equipment in Iraq
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Former detainees at Al-Sadr's court in Al-Najaf speak of horror stories in cells
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One billion dollars spent for Iraq reconstruction
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International contributions to develop Iraq health services
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Members of Al-Mahdi Army released
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Wasit health department receives medical aid from multinational forces.
Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Congress]
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With full freedom, Iraqis observed martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kadim
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SCIRI leader criticizes excessive force in Tell Afar
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Three Lebanese killed in Baghdad Iraq haven, launch pad to terrorists
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US army: Siege imposed on Tell Afar to liberate it from terrorism
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Six explosions rock Green Zone
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Former US official urges Bush administration to de-classify Iraq war documents
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Electricity Ministry discusses winter preparations
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Education minister: Education situation in Al-Najaf to be addressed immediately
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Talks with neighbouring countries to import electricity
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Germany ready for major Iraqi debt relief.
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned]
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Car bomb explodes near US, UK consulates in Basra;
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National Guard colonel assassinated; family of another kidnapped in Ba'qubah
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Police apprehend Egyptian terrorists in Ba'qubah
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Iraqi government, marines command disband Al-Fallujah brigade
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Rome offers release of Iraqi prisoners in return for information on fate of two Italian hostages;
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Paris circles speak of mediation crisis with French journalist captors
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First 1,000-strong batch of US anti-terror expert unit arrives in Iraq
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Allawi: Terrorism wreaks havoc in different parts of the world
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Beirut discloses: Killers of Lebanese nationals in Baghdad tried to kidnap them wearing police uniform
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UK ground forces commander begins Iraq visit today;
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UK diplomat: Iraqi premier is doing good job, but he is unelected and not a saviour
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US forces move to offensive to regain control of insurgent strongholds in Iraq.
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 12 sep 04
If Debt Is Not Solved, Iraq Will Have No Future- AZZAMAN
(London-based Azzaman, Political and independent daily, issued by Saad al-Bazaz, 11 Sep 04 , Edetorial By Adil Abdel-Mahdi )
- The issue of debt is the most dangerous impediment on the path of the country's development. So long as this questions remains no plan will ever succeed in lifting the state.The country's resources which today largely depend on oil will be depleted for decades to come if the issue of debt remains unsolved.Grants and aid will remain a drop in the ocean when compared with debt liabilities. And despite their importance, they will fall short of what is needed to solve the current predicament.Reconstruction is associated with regional and international environments in which national economies prosper.If debt remains it will be almost impossible to achieve reconstruction without which any plans to improve living standards and provide public amenities such as health and education will be merely dreams.It will also be impossible to tackle other urgent issues such unemployment, social security and putting the country's young population to work.True, Iraq is a rich country with great potential. But years of wars and sabotage have destroyed the country and wasted its potential.It is important to bear in mind that the removal of UN trade sanctions does not mean debt and reparations have been cancelled. On the contrary, abolishing the sanctions has opened the door wide for creditors to demand payment. Had it not been for a UN Security Council resolution which provides for the protection of deposits in the Iraqi Development Fund until 2007, the creditors would have snatched away the country's revenues.There is no escaping from debt paying. Iraq relies on international markets to sell its oil which is the country's almost sole source of revenue.One might say why Iraqi people should be held accountable for the follies of Saddam Hussein. There is logic and justification here.But those holding this view do not tell us who we are going to sell our oil and deal positively with the outside world. Since the country is rich in oil, the world says, therefore it has to pay its debt.Despite the existing turmoil, today's world still preserves a somewhat organized economic and financial system.Therefore, the ministry of finance and its head have been exerting great efforts and spending ample time to solve the debt issue.In collaboration with the government's economic committee, we have drawn up a strategy on what to do on all levels so that these efforts will be rewarded.I won't be revealing a secret to say that, in coordination with the Central Bank and other ministries, we have prepared the studies that will help us achieve our aim.We have ongoing meetings with world institutions, especially the International Monetary Fund and the Paris Club. We have already received a lot of support from several countries, particularly the United States and many Arab, European and Islamic states. We expect the first results of our efforts to emerge before the end of this year.
``
Iraqi Fears About UK Schemes On Southern Iraq Are Valid'' Al-Manarah,12 Sep
Al-Manarah [Basra, daily independent newspaper in Arabic published by the Voice of the South Press, Printing and Publishing Corporation] From editorial by Khlaf al-Munshidi, 12 Sep 04:- "The fear in the Iraqi south is from a reckless British political behaviour still vivid in the minds of all people. Their actions so far have proved they have plans for the south and Basra in particular, whose real ends are yet unknown. The British policy in the south has made us believe that the Britons eventually want to divide Iraq, or that they are not concerned if such disaster ever happens because in the end it will serve their future interests. The people of southern Iraq wish to see our national army quickly formed, or most members of the disbanded Iraqi army recalled to make up a force for preserving security in southern Iraq to get rid of the UK military presence with its political implications that serve nobody's interests."
Bowing to Terrorists' Demand Will Only Encourage Them To Go Far In Their Crimes- Al-Mu'tamar
Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Congress] 12 Sep: [From article by Hamid al-Hamdani] "Bowing to terrorists' demand will only encourage those killers to go far in their crimes. Paying them ransom will be in effect a back-up operation. France's rulers are mistaken if they believe that this means can spare them the terrorist crimes and then fend off dangers from their country. France will not be safe from the terrorist acts, nor will any other country. All states are targeted with no exception. The right position France and other world states should take is to stand firmly united on a large international front to combat world terrorism.
"Iraqis Are Part Of the World, Waged Its War On Terror, They Become First Victim''. Al-Zaman
" Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman] 12 Sep:
[From commentary by Majid Ahmad al-Samarra'i]
"Iraqis consider themselves part of the world that has waged its war on terror, especially after they have become its first victim. The battle is still raging on their land. To whoever sent his viruses to our land and pushed his barbaric elements into our houses, schools and universities, to all local, regional and international parties with conscience unmoved by the plight of Iraqis, and to all those who opened this arena for the terror battle, we say: Drop this arena from your calculations. Go to other places of dispute if necessary. Local politicians, stop using Iraqis' blood as a means of temporary gain and let them live in peace and security to continue their normal life journey. Let 11 September be an international day to fight terrorism, but not on the land of Iraq."
UPDATES FROM IRAQI KURDISH PRESS , 12 SEP 04
Khabat Daily, KDP Mouthpiece, Erbil 10-12 September 2004
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Pushed by the Iraqi Turcoman Front (ITF), Turkey requested the US Army yesterday to suspend its raid onto Talaa'far and the US Army rejected the request. The Iraqis were surprised with the Turkish request because throughout 14 months of recurrent US raids on terrorists strongholds in the cities of Najaf, Kut, Baghdad, Basra, Baquba, Falluja and other places using various heavy weapons, Turkey did not express any concern. People say Turkey does not care for the bloodshed in Iraq and it has its own interests in Iraq. The ITF appealed to Turkish intervention claiming there was no terrorists in Talaa'far and the town was targeted because of its Turcoman majority.
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Scores of people staged unplanned demonstrations in Kirkuk Saturday 9/11 commemorating the 43rd anniversary of launching the Aylul [September] Revolution for the Kurdish rights. The jubilant demonstrators chanted slogans hailing the KDP and raised photos of its leader Massoud Barzani, who rejected, days ago, any compromise over the Kurdistani identity of Kirkuk even if it required resuming fighting and recalling that the party founder Mustafa Barzani sacrificed the Aylul revolution for the sake of Kirkuk.
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A number of US military commanders and the Mayor of Smelan town north of Soran inaugurated a primary school that the US Army 133rd Battalion constructed in Brayati village in 3 months. Lots of cloths and gifts were distributed to children in the same ceremony. The same battalion constructed a bridge linking two quarters in Soran. High-ranking KDP officials and US military commanders attended yesterday's inauguration ceremony.
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South Korean international Aide Agency (KOICA) will support the KRG Ministry of Industry and Energy. The offer came during a meeting in Erbil between the Minister and KOICA's Erbil director.
Kurdistani Nwe, PUK mouthpiece, Sulaymanya 9-10 September 2004
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The KDP and PUK politburos met in Salahuddin to discuss promoting bilateral cooperation and coordination, as well as Iraq and Kurdistan status quo and the issues of Kirkuk, Khanaqeen, Sinjar and other Arabized areas of Kurdistan. The two parties hailed the Kirkuk Governorate Municipal Council's (KGMC's) endeavors for the return of IDPs. The meeting participants supported Khanaqeen people's stand against the Governor of Dyala who wants to revive the Arabization policy and consequently disturb the area's stability. The two politburos considered the persistent violence and terrorism targeting the Kurds in Mosul a stab at Kurdish-Arabic fraternity in the governorate. They urged Mosul Kurds to collaborate with other ethnicities and religions to foil this conspiracy. On the right of the Kurds from Kurdish areas outside current Kurdistan Region boundaries to participate in the Kurdistan National Assembly elections, the two parties decided to discuss the matter with the relevant parties in the federal Government [in Baghdad] to preserve their rights.
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In Ranya district north west Sulaymanya, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) spending $3,365,000 on a umber of projects, including ongoing construction of a 65-room administrative compound for the service departments, a 2-story building for the court house and 7 residential units for the civil servants, 6 residential apartments for distribution over 72 families upon completion and two road construction projects, in addition to financing 350 self-build housing units.
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Pirmam Demining Organization, local NGO, cleared 4 plots of land from mines and UXOs (total area 186,046 M2) in Qarahanjeer area east of Kirkuk and handed them over to their owners. MAG international NGO also cleared two plots of land in the same region (total area 67,131 M2).
On Khanaqeen Meeting:
From Kurdistani Nwe daily, PUK Mouthpiece
Talabani's representative to a meeting with Dyala Governor:
No Arab Settler Allowed to Come Back, The Remaining Ones Must Leave Also
Wednesday afternoon 8 September the Governor of Dyala Abdullah Al-Jubouri and a delegation compromising Dyala police chief, mayors of Saa'diya and Jalawla districts, representatives of the multi-national forces (MNF) in Dyala and Khanaqeen, representatives of the Arabs who were settled in Khanaqeen and Jalawla visited Khanaqeen for a meeting with Comrade Mala Bakhtyar, the PUK leader Jalal Talabani's representative and Muhsin Ali, the PUK chief of the PUK office in Khanaqeen, as well as Khanaqeen's Mayor, representatives of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Garmyan Branch, Kurdistan Social Democratic Party (KSDP) and members of Khanaqeen Municipal Council.
Governor Abdullah Al-Jubouri, who has been in a futile effort to bring back the 54,000 Arab settlers kicked out of Khanaqeen since he assumed his post, started the meeting by putting forward three requests: First, bring back the 54,000 Arab settlers who have been kicked out of Khanaqeen and its neighbourhood since the regime fall in 10 April 2003; Second, Withdrawing the [KRG] security apparatus from Khanaqeen, Jalawla and Saa'diya and Mandali cities and; Third, withdrawing the judges whom the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) appointed in those cities. The governor insisted on fulfilling all his three demands.
Comrade Talabani's representative strongly opposed the Governor's unjust demands and said: "The Baa'th regime implemented a Baa'thist chauvinist policy in Khanaqeen and the cities around it for 35 years. The regime has settled more than 54,000 Arab settlers, according to the Governor's confession, in the city since 1970. We the Kurds have been evicted from these cities since 35 years. Our house have been looted and orchards confiscated and given to Arabs for more than 35 years. We've been fighting since 35 years to end this suppression. We've paid a river-full of our blood to eliminate Arabization and now HIS EXCELLANCY the Governor comes and requests us to bring back the Arab settlers whom Saddam's regime settled on the land and houses of our people. This is something that the PUK will never accept. It is impossible to allow even one Arab settler to come back to Khanaqeen. This is a national and historical responsibility and we'll never agree on the Governor's requests by any means. Furthermore, Article 58 of the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) does not entitle you to bring back Arab settles onto Kurdish land and houses. The Article holds you responsible to bring back the displaced Kurds to their places of origin. This is the PUK's, Talabani's and the KRG's view"
After that the KDP representative expressed his agreement to the PUK stand in a short statement saying: "As long as there is one Kurd remaining in this city, we will not allow the return of Arab settlers. We will not allow anyone to impose the Baa'th black days on us again." Then the PUK Khanaqeen Office chief Mr. Ali exposed the chauvinist policies through showing some documents from the Baa'th era and compared them to the Dyala Governor's current stand. Mr. Ali bewared the attendants of the reality of the Baa'th party doctrine for the eradication of Kurds. The KSDP representative also expressed the same strong position.
Dr. Jinan, who represents the Turcomans at Khanaqeen Municipal council, said; "The politicians all made their statements. Apart from that, I thought his Excellency the Governor had come to stay with us for two-three days and get acquaintance with our problems from close but I found out that Dr. Abdullah Al-Jubouri considered himself representing the Arabs only and he came to forcefully impose on us the Arab settlers once again. We Khanaqeen people, Kurds, Turcomans and genuine Arabs, will not allow the return of even one of the Arab settlers, who were until recently Saddam's tools. The Kurds from Kurdistan Region came and brought reconstruction and salaries for the civil servants. They warmly embraced us. I don't know, Your Excellency Mr. Governor, what have you done for us throughout more than a year?"
The insistence of the PUK, other Kurdistan political parties and Khanaqeen people obliged the Governor to change his tone. In a begging tone, he requested to settle those [54,000] Arabs within Saa'diya district boundaries. Comrade Talabani's representative denied the request saying no Arab settler will be allowed to settle north of Hamreen Mountain. The Governor then suggested to allow some of the Arab [settlers] you satisfied with to dwell in the villages. Comrade Bakhtyar rejected the Governor's last request also and threatened to withdraw from the meting if he insisted on discussing the Arab settlers' issue.
Seeing this strong stand from Talabani's representative, the Governor asked to stop debating on this issue and shifting to the other two points on the agenda.
The second discussion point was withdrawal of the [KRG] security forces from the area. Comrade Bakhtyar said: ``These forces were brought upon your request to protect and preserve the security of the cities. You now that Khanaqeen and the towns around it are the most secure places in Dyala governorate. Furthermore, Kurdistan interior ministry and the multi-National Forces (MNF) are engaged in talks over this issue.''
After that Dyala police chief admitted that the security department cooperated with them very much and there was no problems between them. This was in contradiction to the claims of the Governor, who was saying the [KRG] security department was creating problems in eth cities.
On the third issue, Comrade Bakhtyar said: ``The judiciary apparatus is an independent one. Neither the Governor, nor me, nor anyone else have to say anything about it. The Iraqi Justice Ministry is in charge of this apparatus.''
Thus, the Governor's chauvinist endeavours annulled and he returned empty-handed.
As the meeting was ending, the MNF commander expressed his happiness for the democratic resolution of the matters and said: ``We have not come to interfere in the issues. We just came to help you resolve them.'' The MNF Commander's statement further discouraged the Governor because he was counting on their support very much. After the meeting, the MNF Commander told Talabani's representative: ``You deserved your message clearly.''
After the meeting conclusion, a press conference was held and the
Central Media Bureau on the Khanaqeen Meeting:
No Retreat on Confronting Arabization and Eliminating All Its Consequences
On yesterday's meeting between the Governor of Dyala and the directors of governmental departments in Khanaqeen, Jalawla and Saa'diya and Mandali towns, during which representatives of all Kurdistani political parties and Comrade Mala Bakhtyar as Talabani's representative also attended, the PUK Central Media Bureau (CMB) Chief Comrade Azad Jindyani stated to the media: We are all aware of eth outcomes of the Khanaqeen meeting and how the Kurds univocally stand against the policy that the Dyala Governor is slyly implementing to bring back Arabization.
Comrade Jindyani stated to the PUK media outlets that prior to his visit to Italy via Turkey, Comrade Talabani had chaired at his Qalachwalan HQ a politburo meeting during which the attendants debated on the [Arabization] threat and reached a conclusion tat the policy that the Governor wants to silently implement targets not only Khanaqeen, but also other Arabized areas of Kurdistan and the purpose was hindering the current Iraqi Government's duties of implementing Article 58 of the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) and making Arabization persistent state and implement it in other forms in Kurdistan once again.
He also stated that the Politburo strongly rejected this policy and that Comrade Talabani and the politburo members tasked Comrade Bakhtyar to attend the meeting with the Governor and convey the views of all social, cultural and political forces of Kurdistan to Dyala Governor and through him to all those who retreat from implementing Article 58 of the TAL and sneakily leave the Arabization intact or bring it back, and also to relay a message that our Kurdish people will not compromise on the Arabization issue.
Comrade Jindyani added: The news of the meeting [outcome] was quite pleasant. It is a new stage of field and direct confrontation with the threats of Arabization and its return. He also explained that if the issues of Arabization confrontation were dealt with through newspapers and magazines articles and raising slogans until yesterday, our people has started, since yesterday, the new stage of direct confrontation wit the efforts that are being exerted to bring back Arabization. He also said: ``We the PUK declare that Comrade Bakhtyar attended the meeting as Comrade Talabani's representative to inform the Dyala Governor, and through him all those who think like him, of the Kurdish people's straight and explicit view. This is real path of struggle not only for Khanaqeen, but also for the issues of Kirkuk, Sinjar and all other Kurdistan areas that were Arabized in the past.
Comrade CMB Director pointed out that the PUK was fully committed to implement Article 58 of the TAL and the party was for a complete implementation of it. He also said the Khanaqeen meeting clearly indicated that many threats would surface in the area in case of not implementing Article 58 and that the Kurds would have their explicit say on such a threat without bearing responsibility for any consequences resulting form not implementing the Article or against its future outcomes.
Answering a question on the impacts of the return of settler families to Khanaqeen, Comrade Azad Jindyani said: Of course it is not only changing the de facto situation, but everything will change. The issue is the return of a policy that is against the will of Kurdistan people. Arabization was an attempt to milt Kurdish ethnicity. He also said that the return of even one settler family to these areas means the return of the Arabization policy and its characteristics. Our people and Comrade Talabani will not accept such a policy neither in Khanaqeen, nor in Kirkuk nor in any another places. He also confirmed that there would be no retreat from confronting the Arabization policy and complete elimination of all its consequences.
***
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 -4631/4703 or Cell. + 962 77 619 731 jarrar@un.org <mailto:jarrar@un.org> or alsokhni@un.org <mailto:alsokhni@un.org>
