Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DEFENCE/SECURITY

·         US troops push into Al-Fallujah -Al-Jazeera
·         US troops "isolate" Al-Fallujah - TV: Al-Diyar TV
·         US troops fail to hit foreign gunmen stationed in Al-Fallujah - Al-Sharqiya TV
·         US troops face "violent resistance" in western Al-Fallujah-Al-Diyar TV
·         Neighbouring town faces bombardment- Al-Diyar TV
·         Allawi tells troops to capture Al-Fallujah rebels dead or alive -Al- Iraqiyah
·         Al-Sadr's office urges Iraqis not to help US in Al-Fallujah assault- Iraq For All
·         Residents paying high price for militant presence in Al-Fallujah- Al-Sharqiyah
·         Three reported killed in Catholic church explosion- Al-Diyar TV
·         British soldier killed in roadside blast-Al-Sharqiyah

POLITICS, PRESONERS

·         ``Vice President's meeting with the Armitage and Barnes''- Al-Bayan
·         ``Declaration of emergency, reaction of social and political quarters''- Al-Zaman
·         Iraqi Islamic Party member says force not a solution- Dar al-Salam radio
·         Syria to resume full diplomatic ties with Iraq- Al-Sharqiyah
·         Labour Minister announces release of 600 women prisoners- Al-Diyar TV

ELECTIONS

·         Al-Sistani:'' I will be the first voter ``- Al-Dustur
·         ``23 electoral centres are in Kirkuk''- Al-Dustur
·         ``Iraqis can benefit from the US electoral forms''- Al-Mashriq
·         ``The UN stance regarding the Iraqi elections''- Al-Mashriq
·         ``Groups that oppose the holding of elections''- Al-Mashriq
·         ``Preparations for elections are progressing''- Al-Manar al-Yawm

IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA SUMMARIES, 08 NOV 04

·         Programme summary of Iraq's Al-Iraqiyah TV news 8 November 04:

IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES 9 NOV 04

·         Al-Adalah [Baghdad, general political daily newspaper published by the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq]
·         Al-Nahdhah [Baghdad, political daily newspaper]:

IRAQI PRESS QUOTES , 08-09 NOV 04

·         ``Barbarians and terrorists wreak havoc across Iraq''- Al-Nahdhah
·         ``It is too late for the state of emergency''- Al-Zaman
·         TV channels in operation funded by the ex-dictator's relatives- Al-Bayyinah
·         ``Political plurality in Iraq''- Al-Bayan

UPDATES FROM IRAQI KURDISH PRESS, 08 NOV 2004

·         Khabat daily, issued in Erbil by the KDP, 8 November 2004
·         Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK, 8 November 2004
·         Baath party loyalists and attacked Topzawa village south of Kirkuk
·         The PUK and KDP politburos met in Erbil Sunday to discuss Iraqi elections

DEFENCE/SECURITY

US troops push into Al-Fallujah -Al-Jazeera

(Al-Jazeera TV, 9 Nov 04): Shells and missiles pounded Al-Fallujah early on 9 November as hundreds of US marines pushed into the heart of the rebellious northwestern Jolan district of the Iraqi city without meeting much resistance, an AFP reporter embedded with the marines said. Several hundred marines advanced into district but had yet to cross a central road that cuts through Al-Fallujah from east-to-west, AFP added. (AFP news agency 0358 gmt 9 Nov 04)Iraqi forces move into Al-Fallujah railway station: Scores of Iraqi government forces moved into a railway station in Al-Fallujah that had just been captured by US marines after fierce overnight battles, Reuters reported on 9 November. It quoted a witness as saying that the Iraqi forces moved into the station as gun battles raged nearby.

US troops "isolate" Al-Fallujah - TV: Al-Diyar TV

(Al-Diyar TV, 8 Nov 04): Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported on 8 November that US forces had "isolated" the city of Al-Fallujah. The TV said the US Army had announced that its forces had taken control of some small parts of the city. The TV added that air bombardment was still continuing and that electricity and water supplies had been cut off for two days.

US troops fail to hit foreign gunmen stationed in Al-Fallujah - Al-Sharqiya TV

(Al-Sharqiya, 8 Nov 04): US marines advanced into the outskirts of Al-Fallujah on the evening of 8 November but failed to reach gunmen whose suspected positions were bombed from the air before the attack, Iraq's Al-Sharqiya TV reported. The TV said about 1,000 non-Iraqi fighters were stationed in the city.

US troops face "violent resistance" in western Al-Fallujah-Al-Diyar TV

(Al-Diyar TV, 8 Nov 04): Al-Diyar TV quotes sources as saying on 8 November that US military vehicles faced violent resistance as they advanced from the western axis of Al-Fallujah through the Al-Jisrayn (two bridges) area. US forces were also trying to advance from the north towards the Al-Julan district, the TV added.

Neighbouring town faces bombardment- Al-Diyar TV

(Al-Diyar TV, 8 Nov 04): The town of Al-Karmah, northeast of Al-Fallujah, came under violent bombardment on the evening of 8 November, Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported. The US artillery, tanks and gunships took part in the battle. Clashes also took place in the village of Abu-Awdah, west of Al-Karmah, near a cement factory, the TV said

Allawi tells troops to capture Al-Fallujah rebels dead or alive -Al- Iraqiyah

Al-Iraqiah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, {Quoted (AFP)}: reported that Allawi ordered troops to capture insurgents dead or alive. "Your job is to arrest the killers but if you kill them, then let it be," Allawi told Iraqi troops at a US base just outside the city. "You need to avenge the victims of the terrorists like the 37 children who were killed in Baghdad and the 49 of your colleagues who were slaughtered," he said. The news agency quoted one soldier as replying: "Yes, we will slaughter them like sheep."

Al-Sadr's office urges Iraqis not to help US in Al-Fallujah assault- Iraq For All

(Iraq for All News Network, 08 Nov 2004): Al-Sadr spokesman Shaykh Al-Darraji said Al-Sadr's office had requested the Iraqi National Guard and police not to help the US forces in their attack on Al-Fallujah, Iraq For All News Network reported on 8 November. He condemned the operation and urged the Iraqis to help the people of Al-Fallujah.

Residents paying high price for militant presence in Al-Fallujah- Al-Sharqiyah

(Al-Sharqiyah, 8 Nov 04): Al-Sharqiyah TV said on 8 November that militants in Al-Fallujah were bent on disrupting the elections in January. The TV said: "These fighters imposed a military and security situation on the city against the will of its inhabitants. This led to the military confrontation, for which the city residents pay the price without being guilty... These gunmen focus on preventing the elections from being held on schedule, late January."

Three reported killed in Catholic church explosion- Al-Diyar TV

Al-Diyar Satellite Channel, Baghdad, 08 Nov 04 :Three people were killed and more than 40 injured in an explosion outside a Roman Catholic church in Baghdad, Al-Diyar TV reported on 8 November. The explosion took place in the Dora neighbourhood in the south of the city. There was no service going on at the time and all the casualties are said to have been people from nearby houses.

In related news, AFP said two suspected car bombs exploded within minutes of each other outside two Christian churches in southern Baghdad on 8 November, causing an unknown number of victims. Ambulances rushed to the scene of the second blast outside Saint Matthew's church, a US spokesman said, but he was unable to give any details about the Iraqi casualties. No US personnel were hurt in the attacks, he told AFP.

British soldier killed in roadside blast-Al-Sharqiyah

Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, , 08 Nov 04:A British soldier was killed in a roadside bomb blast, TV reported on 8 November. Officials said the blast occurred when the soldier, a member of the Black Watch regiment, was on patrol inside an armoured vehicle north of the army's Camp Dogwood, south of Baghdad. Two other soldiers were wounded.

POLITICS, PRESONERS

 ``Vice President's meeting with the Armitage and Barnes''- Al-Bayan

Al-Bayan newspaper on 8 November reported on the meeting of Vice President Ibrahim al-Ja'fari with the US Undersecretaries of State Armitage and Barnes. The report said that they discussed security and stability in Iraq, the political developments in Iraq and the region, and the preparation for the upcoming elections. Al-Ja'fari urged the international community to fulfil its commitments for the reconstruction of Iraq and the bolstering of the political process in the country.

``Declaration of emergency, reaction of social and political quarters''- Al-Zaman

Al-Zaman on 8 November carried a report on the government's declaration of a state of emergency. The report noted the reaction of social and political quarters who consider brandishing the threat of national emergency a more effective measure than actually implementing it. Some legal bodies have expressed concern over "possible infringement of freedom of speech and the media," the report added.

Iraqi Islamic Party member says force not a solution- Dar al-Salam radio

(Dar al-Salam radio 8 Nov 04): Iyad al-Izzi, a member of the political bureau of the Iraqi Islamic Party, has said that the use of force in Al-Fallujah would not resolve the issue, Iraqi Islamic Party radio Dar al-Salam reported on 8 November. He said the solution lay in announcing a reasonable timetable for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and in the government dealing with people with transparency. He also said that the US forces had imposed unreasonable conditions on the residents of Al-Fallujah.

Syria to resume full diplomatic ties with Iraq- Al-Sharqiyah

Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, 8 Nov 04: Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has said that Syria has agreed to resume full diplomatic relations with Baghdad, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 8 November. Zebari said the Syrian government was responding positively to the Iraqi government's demands concerning joint security cooperation in controlling the borders and preventing infiltration.

Labour Minister announces release of 600 women prisoners- Al-Diyar TV

(Al-Diyar TV, 7 Nov 04): Labour and Social Affairs Minister Layla Abd-al-Latif Muhammad has announced the release of 500 women prisoners, including a number of minors, who had been arrested by coalition forces, Al-Diyar TV reported on 7 November. She said that her ministry would coordinate with the justice and human rights ministries to rehabilitate the released minors.

ELECTIONS

Al-Sistani:'' I will be the first voter ``- Al-Dustur

Al-Dustur newspaper on 8 November published a report citing Ayatollah Al-Sistani as saying that he will be the first voter in the upcoming elections. In a statement issued by his bureau in Al-Najaf, Al-Sistani described the upcoming elections as the first step for Iraq's stability. Ayatollah Kazim Al-Ha'iri said that the elections constitute a new birth for Iraq and are leading towards its stability and construction.

``23 electoral centres are in Kirkuk''- Al-Dustur

Al-Dustur newspaper on 8 November cited an official source at the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq in Kirkuk governorate saying that there are 23 electoral centres in the governorate. The source said that the expatriated people who returned to the governorate will participate in the upcoming elections.

``Iraqis can benefit from the US electoral forms''- Al-Mashriq

Al-Mashriq newspaper on 8 November cited a spokesman for the US Embassy in Baghdad informing the newspaper that the Iraqis can benefit from the US electoral forms in the upcoming elections. He added that he is confident that elections will be held on schedule, without exception, in all Iraqi cities.

``The UN stance regarding the Iraqi elections''- Al-Mashriq

Al-Mashriq newspaper on 8 November carrid a report by Usamah Mahdi in London discussing the UN stance regarding the Iraqi elections scheduled for early next year. The report said that the UN did not exclude the possibility of postponing the elections a matter that was strongly criticized by the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq.

``Groups that oppose the holding of elections''- Al-Mashriq

Al-Mashriq newspaper on 8 November discussed the justifications of the parties and groups that oppose the holding of elections in Iraq. The article classifies them into three groups - the terrorists, the former regime followers, and those who oppose the holding of elections for political and rational reasons.

``Preparations for elections are progressing''- Al-Manar al-Yawm

Al-Manar al-Yawm newspaper on 8 November published a report citing Farid Ayar, the spokesman for the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, informing the newspaper that the preparations for the upcoming elections in Baghdad and other governorates are progressing. Ayar said that his commission has issued eight rulings, which organize and specify the tasks and duties of the voters, candidates, and political entities, adding that all Iraqis have the right to participate in the upcoming elections, including those who are living in the cities witnessing turmoil or abroad.

IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA SUMMARIES, 08 Nov 04

Programme summary of Iraq's Al-Iraqiyah TV news 8 November 04:

·        

Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi visits Iraqi army camp near Al-Fallujah, meets troops commander, says National Safety Law to come into effect in restive areas, like Al-Fallujah, renews commitment to fighting terrorism...

·        

National Guard backed by multinational force takes control of main hospital in Al-Fallujah...
·         People fleeing Fallujah receive humanitarian help...
·         Car bomb leaves two Iraqis dead near Baghdad; rocket attack targeting church leaves several people dead in city...
·         Iraqis hail National Safety Law...
·         Iraqis in Basra call for speedy application of National Safety Law...
·         Multiethnic Kirkuk enjoys peace and stability - report...
·         Stability in Basra helps students have normal academic life...
·         Funds allocated for reconstruction of schools in Al-Qut

IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES 9 NOV 04

 
Al-Adalah [Baghdad, general political daily newspaper published by the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq]
·        

Allawi: We will cleanse all parts of Iraq of terrorism and terrorists

·        

Qassim Dawud lashes out at Annan's statements concerning developments in Iraq
·         PM imposes state of emergency on Al-Ramadi, Al-Fallujah, closes down Baghdad International Airport, seals border with Syria, Jordan
·         Exodus of 1,500 families from Al-Fallujah to Habbaniyah resort, desert areas Zibari: Syria to resume [diplomatic] ties with Iraq Hospital, two bridges taken over in Al-Fallujah, Al-Sha'lan visits Iraqi troops outside city
·         Al-Ja'fari: Government did all it could to avert military action Fire in Basra oil well put out (Agencies- Quoted).

Al-Nahdhah [Baghdad, political daily newspaper]:
·        

20,000 troops taking part in military operations; US, Iraqi forces control main hospital, two bridges in Al-Fallujah

·        

Allawi: The moment of truth has come [Military-age] males prevented from going in, out of Al-Fallujah
·         Compromise reached on wording final declaration of Sharm-al-Shaykh conference: Follow-up committee to be set up, all forms of terrorism to be condemned
·         US air raid near Samarra
·         Five political parties have their applications endorsed by High Commission on Elections
·         Anti-election cleric's bureau closed down in Karbala (AFP- Quoted) Car bomb detonated in Amiriyah.

IRAQI PRESS QUOTES , 9 NOV 04

``Barbarians and terrorists wreak havoc across Iraq''- Al-Nahdhah

Al-Nahdhah [From commentary by Abd al-Mun'im al-A'sam]: "In this second age of descent we are witnessing, those in charge of Arab culture are not ashamed to gloat openly about the plight of Iraqis. Not content with the role of passive onlookers as devilish hordes of hillbillies, barbarians and terrorists wreak havoc across Iraq, many of them will go out of their way to stoke violence further and come up with a bunch of lies to justify it. Such pathological conduct seems to be deep-rooted in that clannish spirit that runs through Arab history and is so characteristic of the Arab psyche- the spirit that justifies rubbing your hands with glee at the misfortune of someone you regard as a foe or someone you simply do not like."

``It is too late for the state of emergency''- Al-Zaman

Al-Zaman [From commentary by Fatih Abd al-Salam]: "It is too late for the state of emergency now declared in Iraq to have any significance at all. Had it been declared immediately after the fall of the demised regime, it would have been far more convincing to Iraqis as it would have helped to protect their society from degenerating into the present state of chaos and destruction. I wonder what good can come out of it now that disaster has befallen us While the government is in bad need of turning resentful Iraqi citizens into friends, it seems to be making new enemies among Iraqis, now that it has taken on electoral commitments that it can hardly live up to, neither during nor after the elections. To turn over another leaf in the book of destruction will not help much, for a building founded on sand is bound to collapse sooner of later."

TV channels in operation funded by the ex-dictator's relatives- Al-Bayyinah

Al-Bayyinah [From commentary by Abd al-Zahra al-Bayati]: "It is not at all unlikely that we will soon hear news of laws being passed to restrict the freedom of the press under the pretext of dubious funding. This will give rise to the problem of how to define these dubious financiers and how to identify them. It is no secret that there are satellite TV channels now in operation funded by the ex-dictator's daughter, Raghad, and one of his cousins and no one dares to accuse these of promoting violence and anarchy in Iraq in line with their outdated sectarian ideology and pathetic nostalgia for hateful dictatorship. Even Israeli-funded media outlets are virtually allowed to operate in Iraq. After all, is this not a democratic state where people are free to do business with whomever they choose? We will stop short of saying more in this vein lest we should be accused of being agents promoting a foreign agenda- a charge we have just barely managed to prove ourselves innocent of ."

``Political plurality in Iraq''- Al-Bayan

Al-Bayan newspaper on 8 November carried an article discussing political plurality in Iraq in the wake of the large number of political parties publicly working in Iraq. The article said that it is anticipated that some people would regard this as a negative sign in the society because they had been ruled by a tyrant regime for 35 years. It criticized those who are differentiating between Iraqi political parties and politicians, dividing them into two categories - those who have been living inside Iraq and those who were based abroad.

Updates from Iraqi Kurdish Press, 08 Nov 2004

Khabat daily, issued in Erbil by the KDP, 8 November 2004
·        

The KDP leader Massoud Barzani received leaders and representatives of a number of Iraqi [Arab] political parties and discussed with them the forthcoming elections and the political developments in the country.

·        

A police source from Dyala announced the murder of 3 top officials of Dyala Municipal Council in Latifiya south of Baghdad while they were traveling to Karbala to visit the Imam Ali shrine there.
·         The Iraqi federal government declared Sunday emergency laws throughout Iraq except Kurdistan Region.
·         The KDP politburo received a delegation of the Turcoman National Gathering
·         The KRG-Erbil electrified Jolamerg and Sharkan villages near Khalifan town (100 km North to Erbil) for the first time.
·         The KRG-Erbil is constructing a 21-km-long road between Qushtapa (15 km south to Erbil) and Qurshaghlu village benefiting 9 other villages. The project cost is about $1.5 million.

Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK, 8 November 2004
·        

The PUK leader Jalal Talabani hosted in his Qalachwalan HQ a meeting with a large audience of Turcoman women, clergymen, teachers and social dignitaries from Kirkuk and its neighborhood Sunday to explain to them his party's Kirkuk policy. Reiterating Kirkuk's past and present Kurdistani identity, Talabani recalled the friendly Kurdish-Turcoman relations throughout the history. He also underlined the necessity for normalization of the situations in Kirkuk through reversing the former regimes' Arabization policy, returning the Kurdish and Turcoman IDPs to Kirkuk and sending back the Arab settlers to their places in southern and central Iraq. The visitors appreciated Talabani's constant advocacy for the Turcoman rights and asked him to exert more efforts to settle the crisis in Bashir village, where the Arab settlers refused to hand over Turcoman confiscated properties and lands.

·        

The same day, Talabani met separately with party affiliates from Akre, as well as leaders and about 1,000 members of labor unions. Kurdistan status quo, Kirkuk issue and the elections were the main points in Talabani's briefings to the attendants.
·         The Iraqi federal government declared Sunday emergency laws throughout Iraq exempting Kurdistan Region.
·         KRG-Sulaymanya decided to construct 3 `exemplary towns' within Sulaymanya governorate to tackle settlement crisis.
·         In a visit to Kirkuk and after meeting with the Governor and members of the Municipal Council, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced that all the IDPS would have the right to cast their votes in the coming elections. The Council demanded postponing Kirkuk elections for governorate municipal council until after normalization of the situation according to article 58 of TAL. The Kurdish Group at the Council submitted a memo to the IEC commissioner complaining that the IEC commission in Kirkuk was formed against the will of the Council and Kirkuk people. In related news, 19 political parties in Kirkuk submitted a joint memo to the IEC commission demanding postponing Kirkuk governorate council elections, reviewing the structure of the Kirkuk IEC branch and accelerating Kirkuk normalization as stipulated in the TAL.

 Baath party loyalists and attacked Topzawa village south of Kirkuk

The defunct Baath party loyalists and chauvinist Arabs working for Ryaz district police attacked Topzawa village south of Kirkuk and arrested a number of the recently returning villagers. The detainees were released after the intervention of the PUK and other political parties. A top police commander in Kirkuk announced the formation of an investigation board and said the perpetrators would be punished

The PUK and KDP politburos met in Erbil Sunday to discuss Iraqi elections

, as well as unifying their candidacy lists, together with other political parties and groups representing religious and ethnic minorities in Kurdistan for the Iraqi National Assembly election, Khabat and Kurdistani Nwe dailies reported on their front-pages.

·         ***

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>