Monday, 18 Oct 2004
DEFENCE/SECURITY
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Al-Zarqawi's Group Pledge Allegiance To Bin-Ladin-``The Full Statement''
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Al-Zarqawi's group announces death of Abu-Hafs Al-Libi
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Mortar attack reported on Baghdad hotel hosting foreigners- Al-Sharqiyah
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Gunmen kill Iraqi contractor working for US forces- Al-Sharqiyah
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Documents reported threatening lorry drivers, non-Iraqi companies- Al-Diyar TV
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US, Iraqi forces raid Islamic office, college- Al-Sharqiyah
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Iraqi Sunni endowments department condemns church bombings- Dar al-Salam radio
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Shi'i scholars denounce attacks on Baghdad churches- Voice of the Mujahidin
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Iraqi forces seize arms, explosives in northern Baghdad- Al-Sharqiyah
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Local government building blown up- Al-Sharqiyah
ELECTIONS,RECONSTRUCTION
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First Iraqi naval, coastal defense unit inaugurated at Umm Qasr- Al-Diyar TV
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Iraqis occupied with current security challenges not with the elections issue- Al-Mashriq
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Health Minister: 140,000 Iraqi People Suffer From Cancer- Al-Manarah
POLITICS
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Conference of Iraqi clerics to be held over Ramadan- Al-Adalah
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Friday sermon criticizes Muslim states for "silence"- Dar al-Salam radio
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 17 OCT. 04
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Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]
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Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, independent daily newspaper
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Baghdad [Baghdad, political daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Accord Movement]
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA SUMMARIES, 17 OCT. 04
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SCIRI's Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic,Iran,
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Al-Iraqiah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic,
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES AND COMMENTS, 17 OCT 04
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A democratic advocate of dictatorship- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
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Bloody approach will not stop violence- Al-Zaman
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Iraqis has always to choose either two extremes- Baghdad
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What we fear is the imported culture of violence- Al-Bayyna
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Saddam lawyer claims meeting Bin-Ladin in Baghdad- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
KURDS NEWS /UPDATES FROM IRAQI KURDISH PRESS
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Kurdish paper denounces "campaign" against it
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Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK, 15-17 October 2004
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Kurdistan Satellite TV, affiliated to the KDP, 16 October2004
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Khabat daily, issued in Erbil by the KDP, 15-17 October 2004
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Hawal weekly, issued in Kirkuk by Hawal Press Foundation, 16 October 2004
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Media half-monthly, issued in Erbil by Kurdistan National Democratic Union, 16 October 2004
DEFENCE/SECURITY
Al-Zarqawi's Group Pledge Allegiance To Bin-Ladin-``The Full Statement''
Jihadist web site: On 17 October, a jihadist web site carried a statement from Jama'at al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad in which the group pledged allegiance to Usamah Bin-Ladin. Translation of the statement follows:
Abu Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi pledges allegiance to the Shaykh of mujahidin Usamah Bin-Ladin, infuriating the enemies of God and filling the hearts of Muslims with joy. Praise be to God, who united the ranks of mujahidin and divided the ranks of infidels. Praise be to God who said: "And hold fast, all together, by the Rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves" [Koranic verse]. Prayers and peace be upon the one who united the hearts of the believers to form a strong alliance against the enemies of the religion, strong against unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other, his family, and companions who held high the sword of righteousness and beheaded the symbols of falsehood. Talks, during which views were exchanged, between Shaykh Abu Mus'ab, may God protect him, and the brothers from Al-Qa'idah have been going on for eight months. For some uncontrollable reason, these talks were interrupted and then were resumed, by God's grace. Our respected brothers in "Al-Qa'idah" understood the strategy of "Jama'at al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad" in the land of the two rivers and the Caliphates and their hearts opened to their approach. At the beginning of the month of Ramadan, the month of gifts and victories, and at a time when Muslims badly needed someone to unite their ranks so that they would become a stake in the eyes of the enemies of religion, we have some good tidings for our honourable nation, the best of people that evolved for mankind. These tidings will rejoice the believers, kill the infidels with rage and terrorize the enemies of Muslims. We deliver to the nation the news that both Jama'at al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad's Amir and soldiers have pledged allegiance to the Shaykh of mujahidin "Usamah Bin-Ladin" and that they will follow his orders in jihad for the sake of God so there will be no more tumult or oppression, and justice and faith in God will prevail. We heard the words of the Prophet and we believed and trusted him "The world will not see the end until it belongs to the despicable" and we have seen the comedy of our current heads of governments. We are waiting for His other promise of what will become of these rulers: "It will be Prophethood as long as God wills and then he will lift it if he chooses, it will then be the Caliphate following the path of the Prophet for as long God wills then he will lift it; it will be compulsory rule for as long as God wills then he will lift it, then it will be the Caliphate in the path of the Prophet and then he stopped talking." Hopefully we will be the ones to accomplish this task. By God and God willing Shaykh al-mujahidin, if you cross the seas we will cross them with you, if you order we will obey and if you ban we will stop. You are the best to lead the soldiers of Islam against the infidels and the apostates. Let the youth of this nation join us under the banner of Shaykh al-mujahidin to raise high the word "There is no God but God" the way our heroic grandfathers did and to cleanse the land of Islam from infidels and apostates. Let Islam prevail in every home.
[Signed] Jama'at al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad led by Amir Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, on Sunday 3 Ramadan 1425 corresponding to 17 October 2004.
Al-Zarqawi's group announces death of Abu-Hafs Al-Libi
Jihadist web site: On 17 October, "Aba-Hafs," a first time contributor to the Al-Izah forum at www.alezah.com, posted a short statement by Al-Zarqawi's Jama'at al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad announcing the death of the head of the legal committee Abu-Hafs al-Libi. Translation of the statement follows: An Important Announcement from Jama'at al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad - Martyrdom of the Head of the Legal Committee: In the name of God, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful: "Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord" [Koranic verse]. Among the epics being written daily by our martyrs in proud Al-Fallujah and few weeks after the martyrdom of his eminence Shaykh Abu-Anas al-Shami, the mujahid leader "Abu-Hafs al-Libi" fell martyr in the battlefield while fighting against the US forces and their traitor agents. We promise the US and Iraqi forces that we will wage against them attacks that no preparation will prevent. "And (the unbelievers) plotted and planned, and Allah too planned, and the best of planners is Allah [Koranic verse]. Note: Shaykh Abu-Hafs al-Libi was not killed in US shelling but he insisted that he be killed in the battlefield besides the noble heroes of Al-Fallujah. The Media Section; Jama'at al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad; Sunday October 2004 [sic] Corresponding to 3 Ramadan 1425 Hijri.
Mortar attack reported on Baghdad hotel hosting foreigners- Al-Sharqiyah
Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 17 Oct 04: Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported that two mortar shells were fired at a hotel often used by journalists and foreigners in Baghdad on 17 October. There were no reports of casualties. A mortar shell fell on a street near Al-Hamra Hotel, which is used by Westerners. Two minutes later, another mortar shell fell in a nearby area. Some residents of the hotel confirmed the occurrence of the attack, adding that the attacks did not cause any severe damage.
Gunmen kill Iraqi contractor working for US forces- Al-Sharqiyah
Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 17 Oct 04: Gunmen have assassinated an Iraqi contractor working for the US forces in the US military base in Balad north of Baghdad. Lieutenant-Colonel Mahmud Tayih, director of Al-Khalis Police Department, said that the unidentified gunmen stopped the contractor while on his way to his house in the Al-Amal neighbourhood in the Al-Khalis city, killing him by a barrage of bullets and seriously wounding his son who was accompanying him in his car. He added that the contractor was killed after he was previously warned against working for the US forces.
Documents reported threatening lorry drivers, non-Iraqi companies- Al-Diyar TV
Al-Diyar Satellite Channel In Arabic, Baghdad, 17 Oct 04: A security source at the Oil Ministry has stated that documents have been found which include threats against the oil sector in Iraq. The source said that the documents included plans to target tank trucks that bring oil by-products from outside Iraq, steal their contents and kill the drivers. The documents also include warnings to non-Iraqi companies that they should not cooperate with Iraq otherwise they will be exposed to acts of violence.
US, Iraqi forces raid Islamic office, college- Al-Sharqiyah
Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 17 Oct 04:: Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 17 October that US forces and Iraqi National Guard forces have raided the offices of the Islamic Party, the Holy Koran Association and the Koranic Sciences Department in the Al-Imam al-A'zam College in Samarra, north of Baghdad. Al-Sharqiyah correspondent cited students in the Al-Imam al-A'zam College as saying that the forces carried out their raid after receiving information about the hanging of banners calling for jihad. He added that the US forces did not arrest any person during their raid, but only seized CD's containing Koranic verses.
Iraqi Sunni endowments department condemns church bombings- Dar al-Salam radio
Dar Al-Salam Radio, Iraqi Islamic Party-affiliated, 17 Oct 04: Iraqi Islamic Party radio Dar al-Salam on 17 October carried a statement issued by the Sunni Waqf Department in Iraq condemning the 16 October Baghdad church bombings. "The Sunni Waqf Department condemns the attacks on the places of worship of our country's citizens, Christians, our partners in citizenship. For our part, we condemn this act of aggression and reiterate our country's territorial integrity," said the statement. It urged "all parties to demonstrate wisdom and level-headedness" adding that "the shedding of blood will not bring benefit to any party." It went on to say: "We pray to Almighty God to spare the country and the people calamities, and to bring us all security and stability." It was signed by Dr Adnan Muhammad al-Salman, director of the Sunni Waqf Department .
Shi'i scholars denounce attacks on Baghdad churches- Voice of the Mujahidin
SCIRI's Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic,Iran, 17 Oct 04 : Iraqi Shi'i group's Iran-based radio station Voice of the Mujahidin on 17 October reported that the Shi'i seminary in the city of Al-Najaf has denounced the previous day's attacks against Baghdad churches and warned against inciting trouble and spreading discord among the people of this country. A statement signed by a number of ulema in the seminary said that the seminary denounces actions that have been committed by certain extremist gangs that are coming from outside the country with their ideas of sabotage and of targeting churches in Baghdad in an attempt to undermine the unity of Iraq and the Iraqis, foment troubles and spread discord among the people, and present a tarnished image of Islam and Muslims all over the world.
Iraqi forces seize arms, explosives in northern Baghdad- Al-Sharqiyah
Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 17 Oct 04: Iraqi National Guard forces have seized 10 tonnes of highly-explosive TNT material in caches used by gunmen in the Al-Tarmiyah area in northern Baghdad, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 17 October. Mudhir Abbud al-Mawlah, commander of the Iraqi National Guard, reportedly said that his forces carried out a large-scale raid campaign in the area the previous day, during which a number of gunmen were arrested and 350 rockets and many light weapons were seized. He added that the operation, which was based on accurate intelligence information, was carried out without any help from the multinational forces and said there were no injuries during the operation.
Local government building blown up- Al-Sharqiyah
Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 17 Oct 04: Captain Muhammad Al-Dulaymi from the Al-Anbar Governorate Police Department said on 17 October that unidentified gunmen had blown up the office of the Al-Rutbah district officer near the borders with Jordan, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. The captain added that there were no casualties.
ELECTIONS,RECONSTRUCTION
First Iraqi naval, coastal defense unit inaugurated at Umm Qasr- Al-Diyar TV
Al-Diyar Satellite Channel In Arabic, Baghdad, 17 Oct 04: Iraqi Al-Diyar TV on 17 October reported that the first Iraqi naval and coastal defence force has been inaugurated at the Umm Qasr naval base. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the representative of the defence minister and the coastal defence commander. The new force is composed of 15 speedboats, which were recently built in Italy. The brigadier general, commander of the naval and coastal defence forces, said that this force is the nucleus of a naval command which will begin its work in cooperation with the multinational forces to protect the oil facilities in the oil export terminal and the Umm Qasr port.
Iraqis occupied with current security challenges not with the elections issue- Al-Mashriq
Al-Mashriq [Baghdad Al-Mashriq in Arabic, independent daily, 17 Oct 04] publishes on page 2 a 300-word report by Ala Hasan saying that most Iraqis are occupied with the current security challenges rather than with the elections issue, despite the recent call of Ayatollah Al-Sistani on the importance of registering their names on the electorate lists. The report cites National Assembly member Abd-al-Karim Mahmadawi as informing the Kuwaiti Al-Watan newspapers that "the political forces and interim government are waiting the US elections' results to declare their programs and launch media campaigns."
Health Minister: 140,000 Iraqi People Suffer From Cancer- Al-Manarah
Al-Manarah publishes a front-page report on a statement by the health minister noting that 140,000 Iraqi people suffer from cancer. The statement adds that this number registered an increase of 7,500 new cases. The statement relates this increase to the three wars, where many illegal weapons were used.
POLITICS
Conference of Iraqi clerics to be held over Ramadan- Al-Adalah
Al-Adalah [Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)] 16 Oct 04 : A conference of Iraqi religious scholars is to be held over the first 10 days of Ramadan in Baghdad, Iraqi Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq newspaper Al-Adalah reported on 16 October. The report said top Shi'i clerics Grand Ayatollah Al-Sayyid Ali al-Sistani and Ayatollah Al-Sayyid Muhammad Sa'id al-Hakim gave their blessings to the conference. Al-Sistani, addressing a delegation of the preparatory committee of the conference, called for peaceful coexistence between all faiths, religions, sects and ethnic groups in Iraq. He rejected the 'brain drain' of doctors and other educated Iraqis leaving the country for higher pay abroad and called on all Iraqis to participate in the forthcoming elections. (Al-Adalah, Baghdad, in Arabic)
Friday sermon criticizes Muslim states for "silence"- Dar al-Salam radio
Dar Al-Salam Radio, Iraqi Islamic Party-affiliated, 17 Oct 04: Dar-al-Salam radio, the voice of the Iraqi Islamic Party, broadcast at 0912 gmt a live sermon from Umm-al-Qura mosque in Baghdad in which an unidentified imam delivered hailed the month of Ramadan and urged piety and charity in the holy month. He alluded to the "US Crusade" against Iraq, saying: "War in the past two weeks has been more severe than at any time before. It was as if there was a single operation room for Palestine and Iraq." The imam said that prayers at the grand mosque in Samarra had been suspended for four days, even though "prayer calls have not stopped int his mosque since it was built 800 years ago". He also mentioned campaigns in Al-Fallujah and Al-Ramadi. "What is most painful and regretful," the imam said, "is this world silence. If the conscience of the world is dead, why do you, Muslim rulers, remain silent?" He said that had Muslims, who make up one third of the world population, boycotted only soft drinks and cosmetics, it would have had an effect. He also criticized some members of the Iraqi National Guard and police for joining in US "provocative behaviour" of attacking mosques.
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 17 Oct. 04
Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]
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US Helicopter shot down.
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Al-Zarqawi admits Al-Qa'idah membership for first time.
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One of Al-Zarqawi's aids has been killed.
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London: Our forces will not head for Baghdad, Al-Fallujah
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Mass held at five bombed churches in Baghdad
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British ambassador in Baghdad: I ask for Iraqis' help to find Bigley's body
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Israel, six Arab countries take part in NATO meeting in Nouakchott.
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Two hundred suspected terrorists were killed in Algeria after they surrender to authorities
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Kuwait bans donations during Ramadan
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Italian defence minister: We will withdraw from Iraq next year
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US sources: Uncovering of torture in Abu-Ghurayb stopped Guantanamo violations.
Al-Nahdhah, Baghdad, independent daily newspaper
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Five Baghdad churches targeted by saboteurs
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Al-Pachachi calls for halt to violence during holy month British Defence Ministry denies moving troops to Baghdad
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[Turkish] Milliyet newspaper: Saddam had 500m US dollars deposited in Turkish state bank
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Two hundred and sixty Iraqi detainees to be released today France to attend international conference on Iraq without preconditions
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Three infiltrators arrested by border police (Reuters quoted) Ishaqi village mosque preacher apprehended
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Al-Fallujah delegation willing to resume negotiations on certain conditions
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US diplomats demand tighter security in Green Zone
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Kurdish government official liquidated in Kirkuk
Baghdad [Baghdad, political daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Accord Movement]
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Terrorist bomb attack on five Baghdad churches, no casualties reported
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Iranians, Syrians captured in 'Operation
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Council denounces targeting churches
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Foreign Ministry: Statements made by Syrian information minister encourage terrorists to go ahead with their crimes
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Revealed: Terrorist scheme to hamstring Oil Ministry operations
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National Guardsmen discover 10 tonnes of heavy arms, explosives in Tarmiyyah
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Intelligence chief accuses Iran of espionage, recruiting Iraqi organization to carry out assassination campaign in Iraq
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA SUMMARIES, 17 Oct. 04
SCIRI's Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic,Iran,
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The seminary in the Iraqi city of al-Najaf denounces yesterday's "aggression" against Baghdad's churches.
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A US military spokesman says that two US helicopters crashed near Baghdad yesterday, killing two US soldiers and wounding two others
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The negotiating delegation of the Iraqi city of Al-Fallujah has announced its readiness to resume talks with the interim government under "specified conditions," and delegation member Abd-al-Hamid Jaddu called for halting US air raids on the city
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The Guardian newspaper says that there is strong evidence that the morale of the US "occupation" troops in Iraq "is collapsing"
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The Iraqi Foreign Ministry implicitly denies the defence minister's accusations that some Libyan circles support groups carrying out acts of violence in Iraq
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An opinion poll in Iraq shows that 80 per cent of the Iraqis support holding the elections in January. A radio correspondent reports
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The US diplomats' union has called for tightening the security measures in Baghdad's Green Zone.
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The British Ministry of Defence says no decision has been made on the proposed movement of some British forces in the Iraqi city of Basra to Baghdad
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About 20 countries will take part in the upcoming Sharm al-Shaykh conference on Iraq
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The handover of weapons in Al-Sadr City is still continuing. Correspondent reports
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Egypt has decided to upgrade its diplomatic representation in Iraq
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Thousands of British activists opposing globalization, war and racism are expected to demonstrate in London today
Al-Iraqiah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic,
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Iraq Prime Minister Iyad Allawi calls on all armed groups to surrender weapons. Video report covers his visit to Al-Sadr City, comments, meeting with representatives of clans...
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Interim government extends deadline for surrendering of weapons in Al-Sadr City; arms inspection to start on 18 October. Video report covers positive public reaction
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Door still open to resolve Fallujah stand-off peacefully. Video report cover bombing of "terrorist" positions in Fallujah.
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Five killed in car bomb blast in Mosul. Video report highlights blast
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Funerals of nine policemen killed in attack in Al-Latifiyah. Video report covers attack in Al-Sadr City
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Three Britons injured in attack in Basra. Contractor working for British force injured. Video report covers violence in Basra.
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Calm returns to Heet following clashes. Video report covers deployment of police in town, life back to normal
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More Abu-Ghraib detainees released. Video report
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Democratic changes in Iraq focus of emerging local press. Video report covers flourishing press, locals praising it
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Report on increasing number of beggars in Basra
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Members of public call for rebuilding of footpaths in Basra. Video report.
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Docking facilities revamped in Basra province. Video report
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Forum on Iraq theatre sponsored by Ministry of Culture. Video report
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES AND COMMENTS, 17 Oct 04
A democratic advocate of dictatorship- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat][From commentary by Khalid al-Qishtayni]: "I am a democratic advocate of dictatorship. This is not the paradox it sounds to be. It is because I would hate to see democracy fail in Iraq after an unripe trial, as it certainly would under the current conditions, that I am opting against it The country is not ripe for democracy yet, and if democracy fails in Iraq, it will have no prospect in other countries in the region. We have a really thorny problem here. The usual thing to expect in a chaotic situation like the one we are seeing in Iraq is for a military strong man to seize power by force of arms and impose his military rule. But the Americans have precluded this solution by disbanding the Iraqi army, leaving the government too weak to face the various armed factions now at work."
Bloody approach will not stop violence- Al-Zaman
Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]: [From commentary by Fatih Abd-al-Salam,]: "The US and the Iraqi government seem to have calculated that two months of bloody cleansing of certain Iraqi cities will suffice to ensure that the coming elections will be reasonably free and safe. Such a bloody approach can never stop the ever-growing wave of violence that has started to acquire sinister social dimensions in addition to its inherent political hazards, so much so that it has begun to threaten the social fabric of the country itself."
Iraqis has always to choose either two extremes- Baghdad
Baghdad [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Accord Movement] [From commentary by Jamal al-Kharsan]: "It is no exaggeration to claim that the Iraqi individual, by some inexplicable irony of fate, has always found himself at the tip of a sharp angle, at the very hub where antithetical trends clash, each striving to annul the other. The average Iraqi has always had to choose either of two extremes. He has hardly had an opportunity to choose something in-between."
What we fear is the imported culture of violence- Al-Bayyna
Al-Bayyna is a weekly paper issued by the Hezbollah movement in Iraq [From commentary by Sattar Jabbar]: "We fear not the civil war so fervently propagated by some, for we are well insulated against that for obvious reasons. What we fear more than anything is the imported culture of violence brought to us from abroad. This is the culture responsible for dividing many a people, igniting many a war and undoing many a state. This is the culture that legitimizes killing people for no other reason than that they belong to another sect or a different faction. What the Wahabbis and Qadhafis did to bring about and maintain the Lebanese civil war is a case in point."
Saddam lawyer claims meeting Bin-Ladin in Baghdad- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat]: Italian Lawyer Giovanni Di Stefano, reportedly a member of the defence team for deposed Iraqi President Saddam Husayn, said in an interview with London-based newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat,on 15 Oct 04, that he met the leader of Al-Qa'idah, Usamah Bin-Ladin, in Baghdad in 1998. Di Stefano said to the paper that the meeting, which was brief and unexpected, took place in the Al-Rashid Hotel in Baghdad. He mentioned the presence in the hotel of Richard Butler, then head of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) performing arms inspections in Iraq after the Gulf War, who he said "passed by during the meeting". Asked about his meeting with Bin-Ladin, Di Stefano said: "It was an impromptu meeting. My reference to him proves, if such proof is needed, that I am not biased in favour of my client, since such a meeting shows a possible link between Saddam and Bin Ladin." Although he went on to deny there was such a link.
Di Stefano also said that he had refused to meet Saddam since the 2003 war on Iraq, although he had had the opportunity of doing so. According to him, meeting Saddam before his official indictment "would be a waste of time". He also added that he was not aware of any mistake made by Saddam. "He should not be in detention," the lawyer said. Di Stefano also reportedly said that he had enough evidence to prove that Saddam did not use any chemical weapon against Iraqi Kurds.
KURDS NEWS /UPDATES FROM IRAQI KURDISH PRESS
Kurdish paper denounces "campaign" against it
Regay Kurdistan, Arbil, in Sorani Kurdish 17 Oct 04: Communist Party of Iraqi Kurdistan newspaper Regay Kurdistan published on 17 October a statement by the weekly newspaper Deedi Nuwe regarding the arrest of its editor in chief. The statement called for the freedom of the press, and urged intellectuals and "freedom lovers" to take a stand against the "Islamic Union media" which it said had launched an defamation and libel campaign against the weekly. The statement said the insults from "several Islamic clerics" which had been broadcast by this media had "legitimized murdering us".
Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK, 15-17 October 2004
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During his reception in Sulaymanya to the Italian Ambassador to Baghdad, the PUK Leader Jalal Talabani thanked Italy for active participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the current reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
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The border and costumes police in Dyala raided two Arab villages near the border last week upon intelligence information and captured 135 Afghani and Pakistanis in addition to confiscating large amounts of ammunitions. In nearby Mandali town the police arrested another 19 Afghanis.
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220 Turcoman IDPs families, who have recently returned to their places in Kirkuk, received tents and plots or residential land in an elegant ceremony held Saturday.
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In Solution to the fuel crisis in Sulaymanya and Kurdistan Region, an administrative official in Sulaymanya referred to the possibility of importing refined fuel from Iran through the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. He said the crisis in is resulted from insecurity and terrorist threats to transporters and transport lines.
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The KRG-Sulaymanya Ministry of Finance and Economy signed an agreement with the Iraqi Trade Ministry Saturday for provision of construction material to Kurdistan to be distributed in nominal prices to those who build houses.
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Iraqi PM Allawi refuses negotiating with Falluja terrorists.
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Terrorists in Baghdad attacked 5 churches Saturday morning. No casualties reported.
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4 gunmen assassinated the Administrator of Kirkuk Education department Saturday morning. The slain official was of Kurdish ethnicity and affiliated to a Turcoman political party.
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Kirkuk Governor and Sulaymanya Mayor met in Washington with US President Bush's Assistant for Local Governance and Municipal Affairs. The Kurdish delegation thanked the US government and renewed its Alliance to build democracy in Iraq as it did in ousting the former regime.
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Two Kurdistan Region doctors arrived in Austria for participation in a 3-month medical training course. More Kurdish doctors are expected to visit Austria soon for the same purpose.
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Kirkuk Deputy Governor inaugurated a renovated bank and visited the Northern Oil Company in connection to the widespread fuel crisis. He blamed the Iraqi Oil Ministry for its reluctance and warned his office would intervene if the Ministry failed to settle the problem soon.
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The KRG-Sulaymanya Acting PM inaugurated [private] Goizha Commercial Bank in Sulaymanya Saturday.
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The KRG-Sulaymanya Ministry of Human Rights, Anfal and IDPs affairs distributed relief items to returnees to 15 villages in Makhmour area (60 km south of Erbil).
Kurdistan Satellite TV, affiliated to the KDP, 16 October2004
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The KDP leader Massoud Barzani met in Damascus with the Assistant Secretary-General of the ruling party. The discussions focused on Iraqi-Syrian relations and the elections due in January 2005. Barzani roistered on the transparency and inclusiveness of the elections.
Khabat daily, issued in Erbil by the KDP, 15-17 October 2004
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7 university professors, 3 of them Kurds, declared their resignations upon receiving threats from terrorists.
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Eth Shiites in southern Iraq gave the Baghdad government a 3-month notice to met their demands for the set up a federal entity in the south otherwise the local politicians, academics and tribal chiefs will take over the southern cities and announced their federal government.
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Latest polls show Bush is ahead of Senator Kerry.
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Second Ramandan day in Mosul kill 5 civilians in a car blast.
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The US Embassy in Baghdad has allocated funds for the imminent opening of a Kurdish-American cultural center in Kirkuk.
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Unknown gunmen assassinated the administrator of Kirkuk Education Department Saturday. Also in Kirkuk, a headless corpse was found but could not be identified.
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The Director of Oil and Minerals in Erbil says the fuel crisis is temporary.
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Politburos of the KDP and Kurdistan Islamic Union (Yakgirtu) met to enhance bilateral relations.
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Kurdistan Parliament concluded its 2-day conference on the former regime's crime and genocide in Kurdistan.
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5 Kurdish political parties in Mosul issue a joint communiqué vowing to defend the Kurds in the city and demanding police reform, as well as proportionate appointment of Kurds in government departments.
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Following a meeting in Erbil with the KRG-Erbil Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy, the Iraqi Trade Ministry decided to distribute construction material to Kurdistan Region citizens who have licenses for house construction.
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273 politicians from 22 countries, as well as 3 UN officials, including Benon Sevan, were involved in the SCR986 program corruptions.
Hawal weekly, issued in Kirkuk by Hawal Press Foundation, 16 October 2004
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Speaking on condition of anonymity, a PUK source announced that 14 leadership committee members and 8 politburo members have addressed a memo to their party's leader Talabani requesting a broad meeting to review the party policies in preparation for Kurdistan and Iraqi elections.
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The Iraqi Intelligence Service Chief accused Iran of interfering in Iraqi domestic affairs through its local agents. He aid he would soon announce the proofs, including documents and video tape.
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The commander of the multi-national forces (MNF) in Kirkuk announced last week that a 3-day conference will be held in Tikrit next week to discuss the IDPs issue. He added that all Iraqi ethnicities and senior Iraqi and international officials will be represented at the meeting.
Media half-monthly, issued in Erbil by Kurdistan National Democratic Union, 16 October 2004
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The KDP leader Massoud Barzani reiterated in Ankara his party's readiness to fight over Kurdistani identity of Kirkuk and a PUK official in Baghdad announced that his party had the same policy regarding Kirkuk.
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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>
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