Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Al-Manar al-Yawm newspaper publishes an editorial by Chief Editor Taha Arif saying that the newspaper will deal impartially regarding the political forces' political programmes for the upcoming elections.
Al-Manar al-Yawm newspaper publishes a commentary by Mahdi Abbas praising those parties and politicians who are running in the upcoming elections in order to serve the best interests of the Iraqi people rather than themselves; a minister, who is not stealing or using his post to benefit himself and his relatives; a Shi'i or Sunni religious cleric calling for unity; people who have not been involved in looting even though they may have had the opportunity to do so; workers in gas stations who are not involved in the fuel black market; and those who opposed the dissolving of the former Defence and Information Ministries.

Al-Manar al-Yawm newspaper publishes a report citing Huda Jasim, official in charge of Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper office in Baghdad, as saying that her newspaper decided to close its office in Baghdad in the wake of the threats it received for not publishing a news report on Al-Zarqawi's close aide Umar Hadid.



Al - Dustur, independent daily published by former journalist Basim al-Sheikh

Al-Dustur newspaper publishes an editorial praising Education Minister Sami al-Muzaffar for "his brave precedent in allowing 10,000 teachers and other employees, some of whom had quit and others who had been dismissed for political reasons, to return to their jobs."
Al-Dustur newspaper runs an article attacking those who call for a "national reconciliation." The writer says that reconciliation should not be made with the former regime "tools, who persecuted Iraqis for a long time." He adds that such people "owe the Iraqis sincere apologies and should be tried for their crimes."
Al-Dustur newspaper runs an article which says that the Iraqi Government must "stick to the elections schedule because it is the only way out of the current crisis."
Al-Dustur carries a report saying that a new Civil Gathering for Dhi Qar [Al-Nasiriayh] Women was recently formed in the Dhi Qar governorate. The report cites the Gathering's chairman explaining the group's goals.

Al-Sabah al-Jadid, Baghdad, Indipendent Newspaper.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid newspaper carries an editorial eulogizing the late Imam Muhammad Sadiq al-Sadr, and attacking Saddam's former regime for "the atrocious crime of murdering Al-Sadr."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid newspaper carries a report citing a source in the Third Border Guards Division as saying that the force detained 31 Afghan infiltrators in Qazaniyah, east of the Diyala governorate, on the Iranian border.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes a report from the Al-Diwaniyah governorate covering the press conference held by the Independent Electoral Commission office in the governorate. The conference included speeches by the office director and other participants explaining the electoral regulations and procedures.
Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]:
Al-Zaman runs a report on a demonstration calling for the return of Al-Fallujah refugees. The report says that tens of supporters of the Muslim Scholars Association demonstrated in Baghdad and called for the end of suffering of the refugees in Al-Fallujah. The report notes that the demonstration called for the end of military operations in Al-Fallujah. The report says that the demonstration criticized holding the elections under the "occupation."

Al-Zaman newspaper runs a report on a statement by Iraqi Chief of Staff Babakr Zebari noting that the Defence Ministry is ready to receive newly recruited soldiers. Zebari says that the United States has given Iraq four C-130 aircraft, which the ministry is training its staff to use. Zebari says that the Iraqi army needs armour and aircraft to transfer soldiers to the hot zones.
Al-Zaman newspaper runs a statement by eyewitnesses noting that unidentified gunmen assassinated two students in Mosul University. (Al-Zaman, 19 Dec 04)
Al-Zaman newspaper runs a report on a statement by a Basra police official noting that they have arrested two Yemeni nationals who were gathering military information in Basra Governorate.
Al-Zaman publishes a report on a statement by a source at the Bail local council noting that some political parties have started to pressure people in order to get votes. The source says that different political parties have met with tribal leaders and have promised to give positions to the men of these tribes if they vote for specific lists. The source adds that some individuals have started to distribute money and aid to students and hospital patients and are reminding them that the elections will be soon.
Al-Zaman runs an AFP report on a statement by Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq [SCIRI], after his meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, criticizing the defence minister for his severe statements against the Shi'i list. Al-Hakim says he refuses to argue with the defence minister and the people will choose during the upcoming elections.

Al-Da'wah [Baghdad, weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Central Bureau of the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party]


Al-Da'wah newspaper publishes a report on the statement issued by a number of religious authorities in Al-Najaf strongly criticizing Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan for his recent statement accusing the candidates of the Unified Iraqi Coalition List of being Iranian agents. The statement added that "a large number of Iraqis doubted Al-Sha'lan's credibility to continue performing his duty as defence minister in a ministry responsible for the protection of ballots and the safety of both candidates and voters, especially when he is so biased and clearly opposed to a particular electoral list and its candidates."
Al-Da'wah newspaper publishes a report on the government's security plan for the protection of the upcoming elections. The report cites a source close to Prime Minister Allawi's office as saying that the government rejected a proposal by a number of political parties to involve their militias in providing security for the polling centres. The report cites Baghdad Council's Chief Shaykh Muhammad Baqir al-Suhayl as saying that providing security is the task of the government and multinational forces, adding that no other party has the right to intervene.
Al-Da'wah newspaper publishes an editorial strongly criticizing Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan for his recent statement accusing the candidates of the Unified Iraqi Coalition List of being Iranian agents. The editorial says that such statements will not harm the leaders included in the list, because our people recognize their patriotism and sacrifice. The article urges the government to control the statements of its officials in order to maintain the Iraqi unity that we are all keen to preserve, away from the exchanged accusations and charges.
Al-Da'wah newspaper publishes an interview with the spokesman for the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq in the Karbala Governorate, who talks about the role of his commission in the upcoming elections, the extent of people's cooperation with the commission, the negative aspects that have appeared, polling centres in the governorate, and the importance of elections in restoring law and order in Iraq. (Al-Dawah, 19 Dec 04)
Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Congress]

Al-Mu'tamar newspaper publishes a report focusing on the reaction of Ayatollah al-Sistani to Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan's recent statement accusing the candidates of the Unified Iraqi Coalition List of being Iranian agents and on the government's security plan during the upcoming elections. The report cites Al-Sistani aide in Karbala Ahmad al-Safi, who described Al-Sha'lan as "a dwarf politician," adding that "two days ago, he announced that he would prevent a prominent scientist with a long and distinguished history [Dr Husayn al-Shahrastani] from becoming prime minister through elections." We say: "If you have such power, why you do you not use this power to control security," commented Al-Safi.
Al-Mu'tamar newspaper publishes a report citing Mosul Governor Durayd Muhammad Khashmulah as saying that 55 polling stations will be set up in his governorate. He added that the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq in the governorate received four electoral lists running for the governorate advisory council.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes an article by Dr Mu'ayad Abd-al-Sattar criticizing Iraq's neighbouring countries for helping the former regime and for their attempts to foil the upcoming elections in Iraq.