Wednsday, 29 Sep 2004
POLITICS , ELECTIONS
Al-Zawra [ Baghdad ,weekly newspaper, issued by the Iraqi Journalists Union ,CI: Shihab Al_Tamimi] 26 Sep 04 : Vice-President Dr Ibrahim al-Ja'fari said at a meeting with Iraqi Shi'i authorities that the government is seeking to exclude Shi'is and remove their influence from the political process, Iraqi newspaper Al-Zawra reported. Sourcing the remarks to the Shi'i Karbala News Network website, the report adds that Al-Jaf'ari said the government is working to grant the Kurds broader political power. The Shi'i religious authorities asked Al-Ja'fari not to take positions that contribute to marginalizing the Shi'i majority.
Al-Adalah [Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)] Abde-Aziz al-Hakim, the leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), met Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on 23 September, Iraqi Al-Adalah radio reported. Regarding the elections, Al-Hakim said: "Iraq is a single electorate unit and there is no partition for the elections in Iraq". Al-Sistani also supported the holding of elections, Al-Hakim said.
SCIRI's Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic,Iran, 27 Sep 04: The radio station of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) said on 27 September that the process leading to elections in January is still not clear. In his political commentary, Adil Abd-al-Aziz said that "statements and utterances, especially by US officials, are contradictory. These statements have cast doubt on these elections and created a great concern among the people over the political process in Iraq... US officials, and even some of Iraqi interim government officials, prefer to hold partial, incomplete, and unfair elections... the Americans are trying to lead the process in a direction that serves their interests."
Iraq For All , Internet News Network 28 Sep 2004: The Independent High Commission for Elections in Iraq has denied an Iraqi newspaper report from 23 September saying that under the election campaigns law, financial sums will be granted to candidates in the elections. Dr Farid Ayyar, official spokesman for the commission, said that the report was unfounded and does not reflect reality. No election campaigns law had been discussed and there is no agreement on giving money to candidates, he added
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat,] : A delegation from the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) told London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat that he had received "encouraging promises" that action would be taken to liberate UK hostage Kenneth Bigley. The delegation said Bigley is likely still alive and added that he is expecting Iraqi figures to establish channels of communications with his captors, the Al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad group. The MCB delegation called on the UK Government not to despair and to continue the pressures to try to liberate its citizen. The MCB delegation left Iraq on 27 September.
Al-Diyar Satellite Channel In Arabic, Baghdad, 28 Sep 04: Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawar stressed the need to reconstruct the southern areas of Iraq and to establish an agency that would be in charge of reconstruction in the south, Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported on 28 September. Speaking during a meeting with a delegation representing the union of tribes in the southern area, Al-Yawar said that this step was very necessary and should be implemented because the southern governorates had been exposed to great destruction.
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, London] [From commentary by Samir Attallah]: "What makes Congress give three standing ovations to a man who has only just taken office? In the past, it was what a speaker had achieved, not what he said in his address, that congressmen used to applaud. Making promises is easy, but tackling national salvation after a war is a daunting challenge. Iraq is exhausted and threatened. With his [plump face and] glasses down at the tip of his nose, Allawi might look very much like another Winston Churchill. But, the course he has ahead of him is very long, hard and terrifying."
Al-Nahdah [Baghdad, daily political newspaper,by Adnan al-Pachachi ] [From commentary by Abd al-Mun'im al-A'sam]: "The Iraqi writer, Abd al-Khaliq Ghaytan, a friend of mine, citing online a friend of his who worked for an Arab satellite TV channel in Baghdad a year ago, said the director of the channel's Baghdad bureau would stand amid his host of reporters, informants and paid- eyewitnesses whenever there was news of another blast or massacre, deliriously shouting at the top of his voice: 'Come on, lads! Let's stoke it up!'. This is just one example our friend gives of the violence-instigating spirit being promoted by the knights of the new Arab media under the guise of commitment to professionalism, freedom of expression and the right of unfettered access to information."
Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Congress] [From commentary by Khalid Ayid al-Janfawi]: "The Iraqi Prime Minister Ayyad Allawi has announced that he has received an oral message from Saddam the tyrant, begging for mercy and betraying unmistakable depression and psychological collapse. Such silly supplications and pathetic tricks by a cowardly tyrant are not worth listening to. He must be brought to justice, even if all that was left of him is his stinking corpse."
Al-Adalah [Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)] [From commentary by Abd al-Karim al-Musawi]: "Only by holding elections will the present torrent of charges and counter-charges be brought to an end and the doomsayers' predictions proven wrong. Those who would have us believe this violence can go on for years to come are using the media to wage a psychological war against our people, with the aim of sowing dissent, undermining public morale and selling us the idea that any political project to be accomplished through elections is a far-fetched dream under present security conditions."
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KRG-Erbil PM Nechirvan Barzani, Erbil Governor and other KDP senior officials received Monday the South Korean chief of staff at Erbil international airport amid military march and Kurdish national anthem. In a subsequent meeting, The PM asserted that Kurdistan people needed support and cooperation from its friends to create a civil society and democracy in Kurdistan. The Korean commander thanked Kurdistan people and government and said his troops would participate in the reconstruction efforts. ·
Later the same day, Barzani inaugurated Hawler Palace tourist hotel. The UK ambassador to Iraq, as well as KDP and PUK politburo members also attended the opening ceremony. The KRG allocated the $5.5 project cost.
Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK, 27 Sep 04
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The Falluja crisis solution requires consensus and a multi-aspect plan and the local people need to have a plan of their own to kick out the terrorists from the city, the PUK leader Jalal Talabani said during his Sunday reception to a religious and social delegation of Falluja that visited Sulaymanya to ask Talabani for playing an active role in settling the crisis in Falluja. The delegation also visited Halabja town where they inspected the various sections of the Halabja commemoration monument and saw a documentary film on Saddam's chemical bombardment of the city in 1988. ·
PUK politburo member and representative in Erbil Adnan Mufti re-opened Erbil channel of the PUK TV after an 8-year interruption.
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Al-Ja'fari says government trying to sideline Shi'is - Al-Zawra
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Islamic council leader meets Al-Sistani, backs elections- Al-Adalah
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Iraqi Shi'i radio criticizes US statements, intentions on elections- Voice of the Mujahidin
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Iraqi Electoral commission denies money to be granted to candidates- Iraq For All
HOSTAGES
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Muslim official on efforts to release UK hostage Bigley- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
RECONSTRUCTION
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``No more troops, reconstruction top priority''Al-Yawar- Al-Diyar TV
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA SUMMARIES, 28 SEP 04
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Al-Iraqiah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic,
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Al-Diyar Satellite Channel In Arabic, Baghdad
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Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 28 SEP 04
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Al-Mada [Baghdad, political daily newspaper published by Al-Mada Corporation for Media, Culture and Art]
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Baghdad [Baghdad, political daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Accord Movement]
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Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Congress]
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 28 SEP 04
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What makes Congress give three standing ovations to Allawi who has only just taken office? - Al-Sharq al-Awsat
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Violence-instigating spirit of the new Arab media in Baghdad- Al-Nahdah
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Saddam must be brought to justice, his begging for mercy not worth listening to- Al-Mu'tamar
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Holding Election is Not a Far-Fetched Dream- Al-Adalah
UPDATES FROM IRAQI KURDISH MEDIA ,28 SEP 2004:
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Khabat daily, issued by the KDP in Erbil, 28 Sep 04
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Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK, 27 Sep 04
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Jamawar private political weekly, issued in Erbil by a group of independent journalists, 27 Sep 04
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Cabinet endorses proposals for establishing constitutional court.
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Cabinet decrees start of wintertime.
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Clashes break out between multinational force and armed men; scores injured and killed in Al-Anbar. Video report covers violence across Iraq.
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Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirms release of two Italian women held in Iraq.
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Egyptian hostage freed by Iraq abductors. Video report covers release of Egyptian and two Iraqis.
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Members of Bahra Muslim sect visit Iraq holy sites.
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Polish force to pull out of Al-Najaf and Karbala during Shi'i pilgrimage. Video report
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Danish foreign minister backs international conference on Iraq, says Denmark to attend; Arab League chief pledges support for conference.
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Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to sponsor conference on childhood.
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Recorded interview with minister of labour and social affairs, Dr. Laila Abd-al-Latif. She talks about issues to be discussed by conference and jobs created by ministry.
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Kharkh launches plan to collect electricity bills. Video report
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Engineering department at Basra University announces future plan. Video report
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Palestinian killed by Israeli army in Jenin; army imposes curfew on city and arrests Palestinians. Video report covers Palestinian premier condemning kidnapping of CNN translator in Gaza, killing.
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Lebanese arrested in Lebanon on suspicion of belonging to Al-Qa'idah dies. Video report
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Sudan foreign minister proposes self-rule for Darfur. Video report highlights his comments.
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US President George Bush pours scorn on his Democratic presidential rival, John Kerry. Video report
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US to oppose any move escalating crisis between China and Taiwan - American official. Video report
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Afghan fighters continue to hand over arms. Video report
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Hurricane moves away from Florida. Video report
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North Korea accuses US of increasing war risks in region. Video report
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US coast guard seize cocaine. Video report
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Business bulletin. Oil prices up in international markets. Minister of Planning criticises reconstruction projects for falling short of target levels. IMF expected to give loans to Iraq. G7 finance ministers meeting to discuss Iraq debts. Report on problem of unlicensed drugs in circulation in Iraq. OPEC output increases this month. Saudi mobile phone network to be boosted.
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Wedding parties held in Iraq on Mondays and Thursdays. Video report
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Iraqi President Shaykh Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar stresses the need to reconstruct the southern areas in Iraq.
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Several explosions are heard in Haifa Street in Baghdad today. US helicopters bombard several positions in the city. Strong explosions take place in Al-Sadr City in eastern Baghdad. Other developments reported.
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Major Sabri Sallar, commander of the National Guard forces in the Diyala Governorate, says that the National Guard squads and the Iraqi police intensified efforts to locate a booby-trapped car that entered Ba'qubah.
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A source at the Egyptian presidency says that an international conference on the elections in Iraq will be held in Cairo mid-October.
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The Forum for Democracy holds its constituent conference in Baghdad.
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A UK military source says two UK soldiers were killed in an attack on a patrol in Basra.
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In statements to BBC TV, British Premier Tony Blair says that the US-UK coalition forces made a mistake in Iraq by disbanding the Iraqi Army
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The Iraqi Tribal Alliance says it seeks to settle the crisis in Al-Sadr City and pay bail to release Iraqi prisoners.
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The Kurdistan government transfers a group from the Peshmerga forces to the forest protection police force.
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The Iraqi Technological University receives 8,000 books as a gift from the University of Oklahoma.
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Baghdad Mayor Dr Ala al-Tamimi calls on the executive bodies in Baghdad to follow standard procedures when reporting on persons involved in law violations.
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A number of Iraqi individuals and firms start manufacturing caravan homes to help Iraqi citizens overcome housing crisis.
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Water Resources Minister Dr Abd-al-Latif Jamal says that his ministry seeks to make Iraq an international tourist site.
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Dr Tamim al-Nu'aymi from Al-Fallujah Hospital says that the overnight bombardment of Al-Fallujah resulted in the death of a child and a man and wounded eight others.
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Oil prices stabilized above 50 dollars per barrel today amid increased concerns about a shortage in oil supplies from Nigeria and other major oil producers before winter. (
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The US aircraft renewed shelling of quarters in Al-Sadr City last night. The shelling, which "the US forces claim is in retaliation for attacks by gunmen in the city", resulted in killing one citizen and wounding a number of other citizens, in addition to destroying houses and shops. Military vehicles spread out on the streets of the city, which has been witnessing sporadic clashes between gunmen and the US forces.
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The Interior Ministry forms an intelligence committee to track down the kidnappers and to follow up on the file of the hostages in Iraq.
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The Iraqi cabinet adopts a number of recommendations and proposals to establish a federal state constitutional tribunal.
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One Iraqi citizen was wounded when an explosive charge went off this morning in Al-Karradah area in central Baghdad.
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Finance Ministry gives directives to government banks and insurance companies to offer loans to citizens to encourage them to get married.
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Two UK soldiers were killed today when their convoy was targeted by gunfire in an ambush set in Basra city, south of Iraq.
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The US military authorities decide to refer US soldier Lindy England, who is accused of maltreating Iraqi prisoners in Abu-Ghurayb prison, to a court martial.
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The constituent conference for the local governments convenes in Baghdad with the participation of representatives of municipal councils from all over the Iraqi governorates.
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Abizaid: Iraqi forces will boast 25,000 [troops] come election day
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UN Electoral Adviser: Formation of provincial electoral councils already under way, voter lists are being prepared
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Members of the National Assembly demand that Prime Minister Iyad Allawi apologize publicly for shaking hands with Israeli minister
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Another top Al-Zarqawi aide reported killed
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Conferences planned in Jordan, Egypt to tackle pending Iraqi issues
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Iraq to participate in OAPEC [the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries] meetings
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Ministry of Water Resources, Police Academy shelled.
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In its eleventh session, National Assembly discusses security issues, including bombing of several Iraqi areas
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Blair admits disbanding Iraqi army was a mistake
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Jordanian king: The only thing we must do is strengthen Prime Minister Allawi's present government
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Urgent public opinion poll conducted by Baghdad newspaper shows Iraqis welcoming call by Armitage to Gulf states to forgive Iraqi debts
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Ten killed, twenty-six injured as terrorists attack fuel tanker convoy
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US official says Al-Zarqawi group weakened
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With toll exceeding 100 killed, kidnapped, Iraqi medics demand government protection
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Al-Sadr City comes under US shelling
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Allawi receives guarantees of support by Kerry
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Captors of Egyptian hostages demand US $ 35,000 ransom for each of their captives
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The KDP celebrates the 43rd anniversary of its Kurdistan Voice Radio establishment.
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Terrorist insurgents on Baghdad-Samarra road abducted and killed a Kurdish youth from Zakho city. The terrorists decapitated another three Kurdish students were also killed in Balad town near Baghdad last week.
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Construction of two primary schools in Harir town.
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Erbil Social Welfare department registers names of disabled children for enrolment in schools.
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Terrorist insurgents killed two Syrian drivers on Mosul-Rabeea highway Monday and local citizens looted the cargo. A citizen was also killed during disputes over the looted items.
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In meeting with Erbil Governor, the commander of a South Korean military engineering unit promised to consider implementation of a number of sewerage networks in the city.
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Dahuk education department appointed 173 Kurdish teachers and opened 27 Kurdish schools in Zumar Arabized town (northeast Mosul). Another 16 Kurdish schools were opened in the town last year.
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Kurdish-Turcoman Friendship Society provided financial aide to 10 low-income families from Bashir Turcoman Villages that was devastated like the Kurdish villages by the former regime.
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Arab settlers and former Baathists plan to convene a broad meeting in Tikrit Tuesday to defend Arabization [of Kurdistan], an `official' source announced on condition of anonymity. The source added that Arab settlers and chauvinist Baathists from Tikrit, Kirkuk, Mosul and Dyala governorates will participate to set plans for prolongation of Arabization and the stay of Arab settlers in Kirkuk, Mosul and Dyala governorates. Tikrit hosted a secret preparatory meeting weeks ago.
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The security chief of the US forces in Mosul appreciated the PUK role in preserving stability in the city during a joint meeting at the PUK office in Mosul Sunday.
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