Wednsday, 22 Sep 2004
DEFENCE, SECURITY
Al-Ittihad, Baghdad, is published daily by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, 21 Sep 04: Iraqi Human Rights Minister Bakhtiyar Amin has said that only two women were being held for political and security reasons in Abu-Ghurayb and Basra's Bukar prison, the newspaper Al-Ittihad, which is affiliated to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), reported on 21 September. The minister named the prisoners as Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash and Ruhab Taha, adding that they were accused of helping the government of Saddam Husayn to develop chemical weapons. He said that, in total, 5,100 prisoners were being held for political and security offences in the two jails.
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned, 21 Sep 04: Iraqi Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan said on 20 September that there had been no pardon for Muqtada al-Sadr or his supporters in the wake of the Al-Najaf siege, adding that the Shi'i cleric was still wanted by the authorities. In remarks to London-based newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Al-Sha'lan said Al-Sadr would also be prosecuted for the alleged shooting of 150 people by a shari'ah court set up by Al-Sadr supporters in the basement of Al-Najaf's Imam Ali shrine during the siege. The minister also betrayed frustration with chief Shi'i cleric Ali al-Sistani's intervention to end the Al-Najaf crisis, saying it had "frozen" the hunt for Al-Sadr.
Al-Diyar Satellite Channel In Arabic, Baghdad, 21 Sep 04: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Dr Barham Salih said during a session of the interim National Assembly on 20 September that the Ministry of Interior is preparing to deploy 45,000 policemen in Baghdad in the near future, Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported on 21 September. He added that the ministry will also extend logistic support, including modern equipment and weapons, to facilitate the work of the police and intelligence.
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned, 21 Sep 04: Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has said that some of the clerics belonging to "the so-called resistance" have started to calm down and are blending in with the Iraqi establishment, Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported on 21 September. In an interview with the newspaper, Allawi said: "I personally met many elements of the sectors that belong to the so-called resistance. The brothers I met have started to blend in with the Iraqi establishments and to calm down." Allawi said this was particularly true of the areas like Samarra and this is also happening in Al-Fallujah now. He said that "they were continuing meetings" with the groups. "The results of these meetings help unite the Iraqi bond," he added.
Jama'at al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad web site in Arabic, 21 Sep 04: The Jama'at al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad group posted an urgent message statement on 21 September announcing the beheading of the second US hostage and threatening to kill the British hostage if the United Kingdom does not respond to the group's demands. The statement said: "The British hostage will meet the same fate if the British government does not do what it must to release him. The blood of the Muslims is not water and the honour of the Muslim women will not be wasted. Bush, may you die of fury and Blair may you cry tears of blood."
Jihadist web site 21 Sep 04: The Jama'at al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad group posted a message on the Internet on 21 September denying reports that it had purchased the two Italian women hostages. "We would like to assure all that this news report is a lie. We would also like to ask the brothers and sisters to slow down [be prudent] when disseminating such information," the message said.
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned, 21 Sep 04: Iraqi Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said that Iraqi elections would be held on time in January next year, London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported on 21 September. Allawi reaffirmed his commitment to security as the first priority for Iraq at the moment.
Al-Bayan [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party] 20 sep 04: In an editorial entitled "The important date" the Islamic Al-Da'wah party in Iraq strongly backed the national elections due to take place in January 2005, Iraqi newspaper Al-Bayan reported on 20 September. The statement criticized "certain internal parties and radical groups" who wanted to obstruct the elections.
Al-Diyar Satellite Channel In Arabic, Baghdad, 21 Sep 04: The Iraqi Ministry of Oil has announced changes in oil pricing to counter the phenomenon of oil smuggling and illegal transfer of oil derivatives to neighbouring countries, Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported on 21 September. A ministry official told the TV that oil smuggling was on the increase because of the relatively low prices compared to neighbouring countries. In addition to amending prices, the government intends to tightening security measures along Iraqi borders to counter oil smuggling, he said.
Al-Bayan [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party] [From commentary by Muhammad al-Asadi]: "The hard time which Iraq is now going through is a very high price we are being forced to pay for the freedom and the plurality we have always yearned for. The only hope for Iraqis to be saved from the terrible state of pessimism gripping their very souls in the shadow of the chaotic insecurity sweeping the country is for a feasibly convincing general elections to be held on schedule."
``
Al-Nahdah [Baghdad, daily political newspaper,by Adnan al-Pachachi [From commentary by Abd al-Mun'im al-A'sam]: "Though a new tradition in Iraqi political practice, the formation of a pressure group by a number of democratic Iraqi intellectuals based in Britain and other European countries seems to be quite justified as a practical initiative towards advocating democratic elections as an option and promoting the idea of electoral candidacy based on a single ticket as opposed to multi-ticket competition What is new in this call for Iraqi democrats to stand united, a call endorsed by 118 prominent Iraqi politicians and intellectuals, is that it addresses people's minds very clearly, directly and exclusively. If it is heard and understood, then good and fine; if not, then we must either kiss the mind goodbye or mourn the death of democracy."
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned] [From commentary by Ghassan al-Imam]: "In the absence of viable institutions, Iraq is dominated today by the runaway power of the street, where politically unqualified forces and individuals, with dubious domestic and foreign connections, hold sway The solution is simply to allow political forces to emerge that are capable of rationalizing the irrational political instincts now at work. Given a modicum of wisdom, regional Arab political forces can help this happen by urging Iraqi political and religious forces to be more logical, rational and realistic instead of persisting in this emotional, provocative and nonsensical rhetoric with which they fill the airwaves from our satellite TV stations, as if determined to fight the Americans to the last Iraqi."
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The PUK leader Jalal Talabani returned home after a visit to Italy where he and the Iraqi Communist Party leader met with EU Commissioner, Italian Parliament Speaker and leaders of a number of political parties. Talabani and the Communist leader reiterated to the Italian officials that most areas of Iraq were secure yet international forces were required to stay in Iraq until the conduction of elections and permanently stabilizing the country.
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Iraqi Humani Rightis Minister Names Two Women Detainees- Al-Ittihad
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Hunt Still On For Al-Sadr - Al-Sharq al-Awsat
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45,000 policemen to be deployed in Baghdad - Al-Diyar TV
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Allawi Says Resistance Beginning to "Blend in"- Al-Sharq Al-Awsat
HOSTAGES
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British Hostage To Be Executed If Demands Not Met - Jama'at al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad
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Zarqawi Group Denies Buying Italian Female Hostages- Jihadist web site
POLITICS, ELECTIONS
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Allawi Reaffirms Commitment to Elections, Security- Al-Sharq Al-Awsat
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Vice-President, Top Shi'i Cleric Discuss Elections- Al-Diyar TV
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Iraqi Islamic Party Backs Elections- Al-Bayan
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Oil Ministry Official Unveils Plan to Counter Oil Smuggling- Al-Diyar TV
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Thousands of Iranian Visitors Denied Entry into Holy Areas- Al-Diyar TV
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA SUMMARIES, 21 SEP 04
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Dar Al-Salam Radio, Iraqi Islamic Party-affiliated
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Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic
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Al-Diyar Satellite Channel in Arabic, Baghdad
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Al-Iraqiah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic,
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SCIRI's Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic, Iran,
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES 21 SEP 04
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Al-Zaman, Daily, Independent, Baghdad Edition Of London-Based Al-Zaman
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Al-Bayan, Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES 21 SEP 04
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A High Price We Are Being Forced To Pay For Freedom- Al-Bayan
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``If Election Message Not Heard, Understood; Then We Must Mourn The Death Of Democracy."- Al-Nahdah
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Absence of Viable Institutions in Iraq -Al-Sharq Al-Awsat
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Annan's Remarks, Came Too Late, But Still Had Great Impact. Al-Mashriq
UPDATES FROM IRAQI KURDISH MEDIA , 21 SEP 2004:
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Khabat daily, issued by the KDP in Erbil,
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Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued by the PUK in sulaymanya, 20 Sep 04
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Jamawar weekly, private newspaper issued in Erbil by a group of independent journalists, 20 Sep 04
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A car bomb went off in Baghdad killing two Iraqis, wounding scores of others, and causing severe damage to nearby buildings
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US forces, backed by Iraqi national guardsmen, have launched an arrest campaign against the residents of the Hayfa Street area in Baghdad and committed other violations
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US helicopters bombed targets near the Al-Sadr City on 20th, and the US forces announce that one US soldier is killed near the city of Mosul; A Turkish driver is also killed in the area and two Iraqis are killed in a US air raid on the city of Al-Fallujah
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A delegation from the Iraqi Islamic Party visits the Tall Afar District to acquaint itself with the losses caused by the US offensive against the city of Tall Afar
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A US official confirms the execution of an American hostage in Iraq
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Al-Sadr office in the Iraqi city of Al-Najaf says that the US "occupation" forces arrested two aides to Muqtada al-Sadr
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An armed group in Iraq frees 18 Iraqi national guardsmen
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Iraqi police found the body of a Turkish truck driver in northern Iraq; A Turkish firm says it will cease all activities in Iraq to save the lives of ten of its abducted drivers .
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On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly's annual meeting, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi meets with the Pakistani president and reviews with him the situation in Iraq and the possible deployment of Pakistani forces
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In a news conference, secretary general of the Iraqi Defence Ministry announces conditions for re-hiring former members of the Iraqi Army, and disbanding militias and merging them in the armed forces
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US forces storm Muqtada Al-Sadr's office in Al-Najaf and arrest two of his assistants
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The Iraqi Interior Ministry begins the rehabilitation of the Police Academy in preparation for the July 2005 academic year
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Iraqi police says that an explosion under a car killed a man and wounded his wife and another two persons in Ba'qubah
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The Iraqi Higher Education Ministry is considering conditions for admittance to higher education institutions and colleges in Iraq
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Report on the deteriorating condition of cooperative markets in Iraq due to the government's lack of support although a large number of limited-income Iraqis depend on such markets to obtain their needs at cheaper prices .
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Lebanese officials say that the redeployment of Syrian forces in Lebanon begins by withdrawal from the outskirts of Beirut to be followed by withdrawals from other areas
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KurdSat TV news 1400 gmt 21 Sep 04: French President Jacques Chirac calls for release of two French journalists held hostage in Iraq
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One Iraqi civilian killed and six injured in explosion in Ba'qubah ... Kirkuk Council convenes; terrorism condemned
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Prime Minister Allawi meets with British counterpart Tony Blair two days ago. The two discuss the latest developments in Iraq, reconstruction efforts, elections, and bilateral relations
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Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih stresses need to enhance cooperation between the government and the National Assembly to counter terror and bombings. He says 45,000 trained policemen will be deployed in Baghdad.
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US sources say a headless body was found. The body is believed to belong to Eugene Armstrong who was kidnapped along with two others
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Dr Salamah al-Khafaji, member of the interim National Assembly, says in an interview with Al-Diyar TV that Mithal al-Alusi is not a member of the assembly; She criticizes his visit to Israel
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Prime minister of New Zealand announces that 61 army engineers, currently deployed in Basra will return home by end of September
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An explosive charge explodes in Ba'qubah near a police patrol. The blast missed the patrol and hit a civilian car, killing the driver and wounding six others
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Iraqi Oil Ministry official unveils a plan to counter oil smuggling via tankers to neighbouring countries
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Higher Education Ministry says deputy prime minister agreed to grant the families of assassinated professors same privileges given to internal security members killed while on duty
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Compensation Committee in Al-Najaf begins dispensing compensations to people who incurred losses as a result of recent acts of violence. Report by correspondent
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An official source at the Baghdad Municipality says that Baghdad mayor left for Spain to participate in a UN-HABITAT sponsored international conference in Madrid
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ORASCOM begins implementing a contract for rehabilitating the Baghdad Central Station at a total cost of 6m dollars
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President of Al-Mustansiriyah University says an agreement has been signed with the Jordanian universities to train Iraqis on electronic education
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Iraqi economic journalists organize a specialized symposium on monetary policy in Iraq
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Iraqi border forces ban thousands of Iranian visitors from entering Iraq via Zurbatya-Mahran border post
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The education minister dismisses rumours on alleged plan to postpone scholastic year. He says that the scholastic year will start on 2 October as set earlier
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Report on the status of Al-Kufah University following the recent acts of violence in Al-Najaf
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Report on a ceremony held at the Iraqi Journalists Union during which ownership documents of land lots were given to members of the union
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Interim national conference discusses security
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Live interview with member of national conference, Abbas al-Bayati.Report looks into whether limited election can be held if security situation remains as it is
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Car bomb detonated in Baghdad
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Baghdad US embassy condemns killing of American hostage
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French President Jacques Chirac calls from New York for release of two French journalists held in Iraq
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National Guard in Karbala hold gang involved in car theft and arms smuggling
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Multinational force makes compensation payments for Iraqis affected by Al-Najaf fighting
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Decree on home ownership in Baghdad received with mixed reaction
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Peace and solidarity council holds arts event
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Water project opened in Karbala. Video report
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Department of Shi'i waqf marks completion of extension at Khazimiyah holy site
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Minister of Finance says debt write off talks to start soon
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Oil exports resumed at northern pipeline
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Armed group in Iraq frees 18 Iraqi national guardsmen, and a Turkish company says 10 of its employees have been taken hostage in Iraq
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US helicopter bombed targets near Al-Sadr City last night
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World Muslim League accuses "Zionist" and Christian organizations of infiltrating into Iraq to weaken Islam there
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NATO envoys fail to agree to establish a military training academy in Iraq
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Opinion poll shows that 54 per cent of Danish people support withdrawal of their forces in Iraq if upcoming elections in Iraq do not succeed
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John Kerry attacks President Bush's policy on Iraq as "a serious deviation from the anti-terror war"
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Opinion poll shows that the majority of Britons want Tony Blair to set a date for the withdrawal of the British forces in Iraq
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A judge at the Iraqi Criminal Court says the Iraqi interior minister and the director of the intelligence service have been summoned in connection with the arrest and release of a number of Iraqi Hezbollah cadres.
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Two leading figures of Association of Muslim Scholars assassinated in Al-Bayya' Baghdad district, Sadr City
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President returns home after successful working tour Al-Yawar: Germany has not gone back on promise to cancel Iraqi debts
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Six killed when Baghdad quarter shelled by unidentified assailants
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Roadside bomb detonated in Haifa Street, police patrol attacked by gunmen in Jadiriyyah
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Police sources: no Iraqi women detained by British forces
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Ex-Hillah police chief killed, Badr organization leader assassinated in Karbala'
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Cabinet grants martyr status to university teaching staff victimized in assassination spree
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Ten killed, wounded in two-phase air raid on Al-Fallujah.
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Arial reconnaissance squadron No. 70 inaugurated at Basrah Airport
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Committee set up to monitor arrests, house incursions
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Mubarak urges that Iraqi government be enabled to hold elections
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Jordanian hostage freed by National Guard
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Baghdad mayor in Spain, attending international conference on Baghdad reconstruction
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Multinational forces official admits Iraqi police still short of ammunition
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Oil exports from southern Iraq reach 2m barrels/day
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Iraqi railways attacked 253 times over the past year.
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Erbil and Dahuk governorates sent humanitarian aid to Talaafar, Mosul Governor asserted. In a telephone interview,
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The Commander of the Iraqi Army 3rd Brigade refuted the allegations that said his troops participated in the eviction of Turcomans from Talaafar. Most elements of the 3rd brigade are Kurds. The Commander described the allegations as groundless and politically motivated. Our troops are training away from that area [Talaafar] and we do not differentiate between Kurds, Turcomans and Arabs, the Commander asserted.
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Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari criticized Philippines saying its submission to the will of the kidnapers and withdrawing its troops from Iraq encouraged them to continue abductions. Zebari rejected negotiations with abductors saying it would create a dangerous precedence.
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A police patrol in Riyaz district southwest Kirkuk raid on a dormitory and arrested two Arabs and released a Kirkuki Kurdish citizen they had abducted 4 days ago. The arrestees admitted they were members of a 6-man cell of Arab settlers engaged in abduction of citizens.
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Peshmarag Transormation Office (PTO) opened a 6-month literacy session for 256 peshmargas at the Sulaymanya base of ING and 2 other centers. The graduates will be awarded 6th grade degree upon completion of this session and a successive one.
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The Health Minster and his aides inaugurated 3 health centers constructed and funded by the KRG in Bitwen area northwest Sulaymanya.
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The Acting PM of KRG-Sulaymanya met with the chief of Higher Illiteracy Eradication Council, who advised that after surveying the entire Kurdistan Region, the council set up a strategic plan and opened 1,146 literacy centers to cover 271,441 illiterate citizens over 4 years. 25% of the above number underwent literacy classes and can read and write now while another 25% are in the process, the Council chief stated.
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The police in Riyaz sub-district southwest Kirkuk released the Kurdish citizen who was abducted in Kirkuk 4 days ago and arrested his two Arab abductors.
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An `informed ex-military barracks but the Iraqi interim government does not care to allocate a penny to improve their miserable living conditions.
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The Iraqi Interior Minster announced during a meeting with Kirkuk Municipal Council Thursday that PM Allawi had decided to re-appointment the dismissed senior officers of the defunct Iraqi army, security and intelligence services.
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