Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

 
  
IRAQI NEWS, 21-22 JAN 05
·         Iraqi premier announces formation of navy, marine regiment
·         Iraqi TV gives roundup of attacks, casualties on 22 Jan 05
·         Independent Electoral Commission officials trade accusations
·         Allawi meets Basra "notables", urges them to resist foreign interference
·         Iraqi president, premier said at loggerheads over Mosul operation
·         Over ten killed in Al-Yusufiyah wedding blast - witnesses
·         Vice-president rules out civil war
·         Libyan mujahidin arrive in Al-Fallujah - Jihadist web site
·         Death toll of Baghdad mosque blast rises to 15
·         Sunni AMS members register for Diyala local elections
·         Over 5,000 new communicable disease cases said recorded
·         Al-Sharqiyah TV reports on "plight" of Al-Fallujah refugees in Baghdad
IRAQI PRESS ON ELECTIONS, 19-20 JAN 2005
·         Iraqi people are divided into two major groups on elections- Al-Basa'ir
·         The upcoming elections : "a poisonous honey"-Al-Basa'ir
·         ``Al-Arabiya TV " A US-controlled" channel'' - Al-Basa'ir
·         US scenarios for the future of Iraq- Al-Basa'ir
IRAQI MEDIA PROGRAMME SUMMARIES, 22 JAN. 05
·         Programme summary of Al-Iraqiyah TV news 22 Jan 05
·         Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV news 22 Jan 05

IRAQI NEWS, 21-22 Jan 05

Iraqi premier announces formation of navy, marine regiment
 
During a visit to the Iraqi Military School in Umm Qasr, Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi announced the formation of the Iraqi Marine Regiment and the commencement of the formation of a new Iraqi navy that "will be entrusted with the mission of protecting Iraq's borders and oil installations", Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. Allawi said: "We want our Iraq to be free of foreign influence and terrorism. Protecting our borders and providing the necessary means to do so is the cornerstone in a strong and peaceful Iraq that respects its neighbours and builds its relations with them on the basis of non-interference in internal affairs. I would like to express my thanks to and appreciation for the brave men of the Iraqi navy and the Marine Regiment." (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 22 Jan 05)

Iraqi TV gives roundup of attacks, casualties on 22 Jan 05
Nine Iraqi soldiers were injured when a suicide bomber detonated a booby-trapped car north of Al-Hillah, in central Iraq, on 22 January, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. A medical source said that two soldiers sustained serious injuries. The explosion took place in "an area that is not too far from the Polish military base on the outskirts of the town". In Samarra, an Iraqi soldier was killed, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. A police source said that the soldier was killed in an ambush set for an Iraqi army patrol in Al-Thartharah. A lorry driver in a Turkish convoy was also killed in attacks launched by unidentified gunmen near Al-Sharqat, north of Baghdad. In Al-Dujayl, 40 km north of Baghdad, two Iraqi civilians were killed and three others injured in the explosion of a locally-made bomb under an Iraqi army convoy. (Al-Sharqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 22 Jan 05)
Independent Electoral Commission officials trade accusations

The former official spokesman for the Independent Electoral Commission, Farid Ayar - who was suspended by the board of the commission on 20 January - on 22 January accused other commission officials of rigging election lists submitted to the commission, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. Ayar accused the commission head, Abd-al-Husayn al-Hindawi, and other commission members of giving priority to certain lists after the deadline for submitting lists and said they had omitted names from some lists and added names to other lists. Ayar also denied that Al-Hindawi was the head of the commission, saying he had only chaired of one of the commission's sessions. Al-Shaqiyah cited Al-Hindawi saying other members of the commission, including Ayar, had elected him their head, and adding that the commission's council had unanimously decided to cancel drop Ayar as the commission spokesman because he allegedly leaked reports about the commission. He also accused Ayar of disclosing what he described as security issues. (Al-Sharqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 22 Jan 05)

Allawi meets Basra "notables", urges them to resist foreign interference
Prime Minister Iyad Allawi met a number of tribal leaders and dignitaries in Basra on 22 January, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. He said: "I wish them [tribal leaders and intellectuals in Basra] success [in the elections] and call on them to participate in the election process to choose whomever they deem qualified to lead the country and enhance unity and fraternity among all Iraqis. I also call on them to stand firm against any foreign interference, wherever it is and from which direction it comes." (Al-Sharqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 22 Jan 05)

Iraqi president, premier said at loggerheads over Mosul operation
Iraqi and multinational forces are preparing to carry out a large-scale operation against insurgents in Mosul amid serious differences over the issue between senior political figures in the interim government, Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported on 21 January. The TV quoted sources as saying there were "serious differences" between President Ghazi al-Yawar and Prime Minister Iyad Allawi over the plan to storm Mosul. It said Al-Yawar "rejects the idea of exposing Mosul to a massacre like the one that took place in Al-Fallujah. Allawi, however, supports the plan in order to deal a comprehensive blow to the rebel strongholds in Mosul and its districts." Al-Yawar has complained that Allawi has been reaching agreements with multinational forces on security issues behind his back, according to the TV. (Al-Diyar TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 21 Jan 05)
Over ten killed in Al-Yusufiyah wedding blast - witnesses
A car bomb has exploded in the town of Al-Yusufiyah, 25 km south of Baghdad, killing "more than l0" people who were attending a wedding, Al-Sharqiyah TV quoted survivors as saying. A number of the dead and wounded were taken to a hospital in Baghdad. Police sources said that the target of attack was not clear. (Al-Sharqiyah 21 Jan 05)
Vice-president rules out civil war
Vice-President Ibrahim al-Ja'fari has dismissed speculation that civil war is likely to break out in the country, Al-Diyar TV reported on 21 January. He said that the eruption of a sectarian conflict is unlikely because most Iraqis want to avoid "this horrible possibility which would dismember the country". (Al-Diyar TV 21 Jan 05)
Libyan mujahidin arrive in Al-Fallujah - Jihadist web site
A "group of brothers" from Libya had safely joined the mujahidin in Al-Fallujah, a message posted on 19 January on a Jihadist website announced. The message praised these men, who had "answered the call of jihad" to join the mujahidin there, adding: "It is not the Saudis alone who are on the battlefields." (Jihadist web site 21 Jan 05)
Death toll of Baghdad mosque blast rises to 15
The number of casualties of a suicide attack on a mosque in western Baghdad has risen to 15, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 21 January quoting hospital sources. Dr Naji Chechan, the morgue director of Al-Yarmuk hospital said there were two women and two children among the dead and added that 55 were injured in the incident. He said he expected the death toll to rise due to the serious condition of the wounded. (Al-Sharqiyah 21 Jan 05)
Sunni AMS members register for Diyala local elections
Diyala governorate sources have said that members of the Association of Muslim Scholars (AMS) and the Iraqi Constituent Conference (ICC) have registered for the local council elections in the Diyala governorate, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 21 January. The two groups have refused to participate in the general elections and have called for their postponement, the TV noted. (Al-Sharqiyah 21 Jan 05)
Over 5,000 new communicable disease cases said recorded
An official source at the Health Ministry revealed that 5,006 new communicable disease cases were recorded in Baghdad and other governorates in December, Iraqi newspaper Al-Mashriq reported on 17 January. The source informed the newspaper that the main causes for these diseases was the consumption of contaminated drinking water and spoiled foods, which were responsible for more than 1,860 typhoid cases, 432 cases of brucellosis, 64 cases of toxoplasmosis, and 62 cases of bacillus's dysentery. The source explained that the largest number of cases was recorded in Baghdad, especially in Al-Rasafah district. (Al-Mashriq, 21 Jan 05)
Al-Sharqiyah TV reports on "plight" of Al-Fallujah refugees in Baghdad

Al-Sharqiyah Television in Arabic at 1205 gmt on 21 January 2005 carried the first episode of "Fresh Air", a phone-in programme presented by anchorwoman Shayma Sa'id. 21 January's episode discussed the "plight of the Al-Fallujah refugees in Baghdad". Anchorwoman Sa'id began by noting that Al-Sharqiyah Television tried to send a truck loaded with aid materials to the Al-Fallujah refugees in a camp near Baghdad University; the television team were told that they would not be allowed to tour the camp or deliver aid materials to the refugees unless they provide "objective and honest" coverage of the situation in the camp, she said. She said that the team pledged to "report everything about the refugees' plight without omissions". She added that she was later told by Abu-Ahamd, "who is in charge of the camp", that the Al-Sharqiyah TV team would be allowed to distribute aid materials to the refugees if the report that will be filmed in the camp depicts "the real situation" and conveys the demands of the refugees without deletions. The programme continued with interviews of people connected with the refugee camps and discussion. (Al-Sharqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 21 Jan 05)


IRAQI PRESS ON ELECTIONS, 19-20 JAN 2005

Iraqi people are divided into two major groups on elections- Al-Basa'ir

Al-Basa'ir on 19 January publishes on page 2 a 300-word editorial saying that the Iraqi people are divided into two major groups as far as the elections are concerned. A group, which includes the majority of Shi'is, Kurds and a small number of Sunnis, believes that they lead to stability and restoration of sovereignty. A second group, made in majority of Sunnis, a large number of Shi'is and Kurds, rejects the elections for "insufficient legal and technical preparations, lack of security, the occupation forces' total domination of security, and most important of all, they aim at legitimizing the occupation of Iraq."

The upcoming elections : "a poisonous honey"-Al-Basa'ir

Al-Basa'ir on 19 January publishes on page 4 a 1,000-word article by Abd-al-Karim Latif al-Dulaymi, an Iraqi writer, describing the upcoming elections as "a poisonous honey" given by the US to Iraq in order to legitimatize the occupation of the country. The article strongly criticizes those who are running after the elections and taking advantage of the current circumstances in order to achieve some personal gains.

``Al-Arabiya TV " A US-controlled" channel'' - Al-Basa'ir

Al-Basa'ir on 19 January publishes on the back page a 500-word article by Wisam al-Kubaysi criticizing Al-Arabiya satellite channel "because it is a US-controlled" channel. The article criticizes also Intifad Qanbar, spokesman for Dr Ahmad al-Chalabi, leader of the Iraqi National Congress, who tried, in an interview with Al-Fayha television channel, to picture Al-Chalabi as being anti-US Administration.

US scenarios for the future of Iraq- Al-Basa'ir

Al-Basa'ir on 19 January publishes on page 4 a 1,000-word article by Dr Sa'd al-Hadithi discussing the US scenarios for the future of Iraq. The article says that the US plans to establish a pro-American democratic rule based on the US model of democracy to replace the direct occupation of Iraq. The other scenario is to divide Iraq into a number of rival ethnic and sectarian blocs that would seek to achieve territorial gains from each others, thus seeking the support of the US all the time.


IRAQI MEDIA PROGRAMME SUMMARIES, 22 JAN. 05

Programme summary of Al-Iraqiyah TV news 22 Jan 05

·         Minister of Interior Falah al-Naqib announces closure of Baghdad airport on 29 and 30 January. Video report covers announcement of security measures to be taken during polls, his comments saying curfew to be imposed, pictures of terror suspects captured released.
·         Interim government statement says special team repairing sabotaged water pipes in Baghdad. Video report
·         Minister of Agriculture Sawsan al-Sharifi says repair of water pipes difficult. Video report covers her comments saying government working hard to solve problem, prime minister working day and night to solve it.
·         Association of Muslim Scholars and Centre for Iraqi Islamic Party in Diyala have called on Iraqis to vote in polls - Interim government. (40 sec)
·         Egypt closes illegal polling station set up by Iraqis living in Cairo. About 6,000 Iraqis live in the country. (30 sec)
·         Candidates from Iraqi List hold presser to express views on various issues. Video report covers their statement, their call for moral standards in polls and election race, stress importance of collective efforts to avert return of dictatorship. (1 min 30 sec)
·         Iraqis living in Syria launch election campaign to inform voters about election candidates slates. Video report highlights Iraqis praising Syria for helping them reach all Iraqis living in the country and facilitating setting up of polling stations. (1 min 38 sec)
·         Iraqis living in Syria start voting registration, express willingness to vote despite all circumstances. Video report highlights comments by Iraqi saying election is great event, Iraqi woman saying she is registered for voting, shows Iraqis in registration centres, Iraqi speaking about elderly women coming to register for vote. (2 min 52 sec)
·         Iraqis look forward to election as turning point in country history; folk poets hold poll festival. Video report highlights poetry festival in Basra, poets reciting their poems. (2 min 43 sec)
·         Interview with Mazin Makyah from Islamic Al-Da'wah Party-Iraq Organization. He comments on call by Muslim Ulema Association for all Iraqis to participate in vote saying it reflects the historic responsibility of Muslim clerics in shaping future of the country.
·         Abducted Chinese released. Video report (22 sec)
·         Ambulance car bomb kills 12, hurts 25 at wedding party in Al-Yusifiyah. Video report covers blast, another blast in Baghdad. (1 min 39 sec)
·         Basra celebrates Id al-Adha. Video report shows people at theme park, children playing.
·         1New army recruits graduate during Babel ceremony. Video report shows ceremony, comments by recruit. (1 min 53 sec)
·         Islamic Jihad denies report on agreement with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on cease-fire with Israel. Video report (1 min 42 sec)
·         Heavy rainfall in Mecca as hajj continues; imam of Haram mosque condemns terror acts. Video report (35 sec)
·         Rebel inmates take over prison in Brazil. Video report (30 sec)
·         Italy foreign minister on visit to tsunami devastated areas in Asia. Video report (30 sec)
·         Thailand unveils early warning system of earthquake. Video report
·         Indonesian volunteers turn out to tsunami devastated areas to help with relief work. Video report
·         Solar light disrupts satellites. Video report
·         Business Bulletin: Report on efforts to overcome water shortage in Baghdad. Report on growing demand on power generators in Iraq. International market report (8 min 38 sec)


Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV news 22 Jan 05

·         Iraqi authorities decide to extend hours of night curfew all over Iraq on election night; Baghdad airport to be closed 29-30 January; further undisclosed measures to be taken. Report over video shows interior minister speaking.
·         Interior minister says people accused of carrying out car bomb attacks have been arrested.
·         UN official says security issue major concern during Iraqi elections.
·         Farid Ayyar, spokesman of Iraqi election commission accuses other commission members of violating election law. Video shows still of Ayyar.
·         US forces blow up several government buildings in Samarra under "pretext" of security reasons.
·         Video broadcast by Reuters shows release of eight Chinese captives in Iraq. Video shows content of tape.
·         Group called Ansar al-Sunnah Army claims killing of 15 National Guardsmen.
·         Twelve people killed, 23 wounded in car blast at wedding party in Al-Yusifiyah south of Baghdad. Video report shows scene of blast, wounded people.
·         US Administration reviews list of allies supporting Iraq war.
·         Icelandic political organization apologizes on behalf of people of Iceland to Iraqi people for support of war in Iraq by some members of Icelandic government.
·         US Administration to discuss Ukraine's intention to withdraw its troops from Iraq with new Ukrainian government. Video shows still of Colin Powell.
·         US pilot killed, another injured in helicopter crash northwest of Kuwait city.
·         International news from Thailand-UN.