Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

 
  
IRAQI NEWS, 24 JAN 05
·         Iraqi PM Allawi rules out civil war after elections
·         Diyala official escapes assassination attempt
·         Allawi denies knowledge of gov funds used for election ads
·         Allawi pledges to cut unemployment by quarter million
·         Iraq's Diyala official escapes assassination bid
·         "Full recording" of news conference by Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi- Al-Sharqiyah TV
·         Iraq's Allawi pledges to cut unemployment
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES 24 JAN 05
·         Al-Bayan [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party]:
·         Al-Mada [Baghdad, daily, independent newspaper published by Al-Mada Media, Culture and Arts Corporation]:
·         Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned]:
·         Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]:
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA NEWS SUMMARIES, 24 JAN. 05
·         Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV news 24 Jan 05
UPDATES FROM THE IRAQI KURDISH PRESS, 24 JAN 05
·         Iraqi Kurdish PUK calls for effective participation in polls
·         KRG to Close Kurdistan Intl. Borders, Restrict Inter-City Movements Before, During Elections:
·         4-year Terms for Provincial Councils not 11 Months, Barham Salih Says:
·         Kirkuk Fraternity List Claims It Represents, Serves All Ethncitis:
·         IECI Canceles Position of Spokesperson:
·         Elections Requirements Arrived in Erbil, Sulaymanya:
·         Barzani Meets Separately with Turcomans, Christians and Ezidians:
·         Iraqi Turcomans in Turkey Not Keen to Register for Elections, Paper Says:
·         Kirkuki Kurds Aproach Registration Centers eagerly:

IRAQI NEWS, 24 Jan 05

Iraqi PM Allawi rules out civil war after elections

In an news conference on 24 January carried by Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV on 24 January, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi ruled out the possibility of a civil war in Iraq following the 30 January elections, describing it as "impossible". He stressed the need for optimism and highlighted the fact that Iraq had "the beginnings of an army" as well as an air force and navy". (Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 24 Jan 05)

Diyala official escapes assassination attempt
Diyala Deputy Governor Ghassan al-Khadran on 24 January escaped an assassination attempt, reported Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV. According to the report, an explosive charge targeted his motorcade in the Al-Aswad village in the Diyala governorate. The explosion wounded a number of the deputy governor's bodyguards. (Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 24 Jan 05)
Allawi denies knowledge of gov funds used for election ads

Prime Minister Iyad Allawi on Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV on 24 January denied any knowledge of alleged misuse of government funds for election propaganda. In response to a reporter's question alleging such actions in the Defence Ministry, Allawi said: "I have not received anything official from any side complaining that a government department is engaging in operations outside the norms and provisions of the electoral commission. (Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 24 Jan 05)

Allawi pledges to cut unemployment by quarter million
Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has pledged to reduce unemployment and to create more job opportunities if he stays in office after the 30 January elections, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. "I made a promise to secure more than 250,000 job opportunities by the end of this year. Based on this, I today announce my 10-point plan that deals with providing job opportunities, reducing unemployment, and strengthening the economy," the prime minister said. (Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 24 Jan 05)
Iraq's Diyala official escapes assassination bid

Diyala Deputy Governor Ghassan al-Khadran escaped this morning an assassination attempt by an explosive charge targeting his motorcade in the Al-Aswad village in the Diyala Governorate, northeast of Baghdad.

Al-Sharqiyah correspondent in Diyala said that the explosion of the explosive charge, which was planted on a road leading to Ba'qubah, the largest city in the Diyala Governorate, wounded a number of the deputy governor's bodyguards. It is worth mentioning that the Diyala Governorate witnessed several bombing and assassination operations that caused the death of a number of Diyala Governorate officials and members of political parties. (Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 24 Jan 05)

"Full recording" of news conference by Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi- Al-Sharqiyah TV

 [Reporter] Certain departments, including the Defence Ministry, which is an army, must keep out of politics and political opinions and inclinations. The army must confine itself to protecting the people's security and sovereignty. We have seen and heard also about the use of government resources for election propaganda. I personally saw in the Defence Ministry whole piles of propaganda material for the "Iraqiyun list" as well. What is your comment on that?

[Allawi] I really don't know anything about this issue. The ministries must avoid using government resources for election propaganda. This is impermissible. I have not been aware, actually, of the points you raised. I believe that the parties concerned can submit their complaint on any violation to the Higher Electoral Commission, because it is the legal side that can decide on the exploitation of such factors. It will then be our duty to execute and follow up on any recommendations by the Electoral Commission.
We heard about charges, mutual incriminations, and exploitation of influence, names, personalities, and posts. But, I, as prime minister, have not received anything official from any side complaining that a government department is engaging in operations outside the norms and provisions of the electoral commission. Thank you.

Iraq's Allawi pledges to cut unemployment

Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has pledged to reduce unemployment and to create more job opportunities if he stays in office after the 30 January elections.

At a news conference on 24 January broadcast by Iraq's Al-Sharqiyah TV, Allawi said: "Six days from now, Iraq will hold its first democratic elections, God willing. After 30 years of tyranny and enslavement, our long-awaited dream will finally come true."

"I understand that we need to create more job opportunities, and that the unemployment rate is still high. Therefore, I made a promise to secure more than 250,000 job opportunities by the end of this year. Based on this, I today announce my 10-point plan that deals with providing job opportunities, reducing unemployment, and strengthening the economy," the prime minister said.
After reading his 10-point plan, Allawi urged Iraqis to vote for his list.
Further as available.

IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES 24 JAN 05
Al-Bayan [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party]:
·        

Voter registration extended in 74 centres for Iraqi expats;

·        

opinion poll: 80 per cent of Iraqis plan to vote Association of Muslim Scholars,
·         Iraqi Islamic Party in Diyala to take part in elections
·         First man convicted of oil-for-food programme violations (News agencies quoted)
·         De-mining campaign launched in Basra
·         Filipino workers refuse to leave Iraq despite warnings (News agencies quoted)
·         Twenty-two million [US] dollars to dig Umm-Qasr canal
·         Environment Ministry facing challenges of fifty years of negligence
·         Defence Ministry strikes deal to purchase
·         20m dollars worth of arms from Poland
·         Forty-one million dollars allocated to school meals in Iraq
·         New South Korean grant to higher education in Iraq
·         Britain reinforces military presence in Basra
·         Iraq signs cooperation agreements with Italian oil companies.

Al-Mada [Baghdad, daily, independent newspaper published by Al-Mada Media, Culture and Arts Corporation]:

·        

Curfew to be imposed on certain areas during elections; holiday for three days announced; polling stations to remain secret until last minute

·        

Damage to water pipelines in Baghdad repaired (AFP quoted)
·         In US post-election plan: Former army members to be returned;
·         Iraqis to be pushed to the forefront
·         No electricity in Baghdad; Ministry gives no explanation
·         Eighteen killed, dozens wounded in hospital fire in Al-Nasiriyah
·         Director of Iraq Institute for Development and Democracy: Decision not to postpone elections taken in Washington;
·         US Administration considers delay a tactical victory for terrorism
·         Over 1,000 schools rehabilitated in Duhok
·         In Dhi-Qar: Seventy-five million dollars earmarked for water, sewerage, electricity projects

Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned]:
·        

Allawi: Elections will curb violence

·        

US generals: Iraqi forces could be trained to take charge of security in months
·         The Washington Post: Rumsfeld heads secret intelligence agency active in Iraq for two years
·         After defence minister's threat to arrest INC leader, Al-Chalabi responds to Al-Sha'lan: Defence minister knows nothing about law, cannot arrest anybody
·         Twelve thousand monitors for Iraq elections, including 128 international observers
·         Al-Zarqawi group claims responsibility for killing politburo chief of National Accord Movement; string
·         Al-Zarqawi declares war on Iraq poll, considers democracy infidelity
·         Beijing embassy receives eight Chinese hostages;
·         France mobilized to free kidnapped reporter

Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]:

·        

Association of Muslim Scholars denies taking part in Diyala polls;

·        

voting centre bombed in Al-Mahawil; Al-Zarqawi threatens voters
·         Unidentified men attack police station in Al-Ramadi (AFP quoted)
·         Multinational forces: 942 suspects arrested in Mosul; six captured for possessing explosives in Karbala
·         Five killed, wounded in bomb blast in Al-Kifl sub-district [south]
·         Health Ministry issues new death toll for Al-Taf [mosque] car bomb explosion
·         Turkman movement criticizes decision to extend voter registration in Kirkuk
·         Iraqi pilgrims return home
·         Environment minister lashes out at US forces for arresting her ministry's inspector-general
·         Health Ministry sets emergency plan for elections

IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA NEWS SUMMARIES, 24 JAN. 05

Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV news 24 Jan 05

·        

Iraqi president urges Iraqis to participate in 30 January elections. Report over video showing president meeting tribal chiefs in Tikrit, talking to a TV reporter

·        

Premier Allawi outlined this morning a 10-point programme to reduce unemployment, create jobs and strengthen the economy. [See Al-Sharqiyah 0916 gmt 24 Jan 05.] Report over video showing Allawi delivering a speech
·         Husayn al-Sadr, member of the Iraqi national council and candidate in the coming elections, interviewed in the studio on the programme of the prime minister's Iraqi List in 30 January elections.
·         Break: Video promoting Al-Sharqiyah
·         Al-Zarqawi's group claims responsibility for this morning's attack on the national concord movement in Baghdad. Report over video showing scene of attack
·         Chairman of the Muslims' Scholar Association, Harith al-Dhari, says in an interview with Egyptian Al-Ahram newspaper that he has received several assassination threats. Still of Al-Dhari
·         Council of Ministers issues instructions to tighten security measures to ensure safe elections and prevent armed operations.
·         Three US soldiers injured in attack near Samarra. US and Iraqi forces arrest 81 suspects near Kirkuk. Map of Iraq
·         Environment minister criticizes US forces' raid on the home of the ministry's inspector-general. Still of minister
·         Iraqi oil exports from northern Iraq expected to stop for next 10 days. Report over video showing oil installation
·         US ambassador to Iraq stresses that intensive security measures have been taken for 30 January elections. Al-Zarqawi's group reiterates threats to foil the elections. Still of ambassador
·         Deputy governor of Diyala escapes assassination attempt.
·         Iraq's permanent envoy at UN says Iraq will be a refuge for terrorists if timetable for US forces' withdrawal announced. Still of envoy
·         International news with reports over video from: Ukraine-president arrives in Moscow' and Asia-quake hits India, Indonesia.
·         Commercial advertisements on video
·         Economic news with video reports.

Updates from the Iraqi Kurdish Press, 24 Jan 05

Iraqi Kurdish PUK calls for effective participation in polls




KRG to Close Kurdistan Intl. Borders, Restrict Inter-City Movements Before, During Elections:
Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily: the Interior Ministry at KRG-Sulaymanya administration announced a number of measures to provide a secure envorionment for the elections including closure of all internatinal border points between Kurdistan Region and the neighbouring countries as of January 27^th. The KRG Ministry also urged all media practitioners willing to cover the elections in the Region to visit the Minstry and receive special badges on January 26^th and 27^th after submitting special forms available at the IECI Sulaymanya Office. The Ministry further clarified that an all vehicle movements inside and between Kurdistan Region the cities and towns would be banned on January 30^th except for those vehicles designated for medical, emergency and elections purposes. It also urged the IDPs from Kirkuk and other liberated areas to move back to their places of origin for voting before Januray 29^th when the Iraqi government's inter-city movement ban will be applied.
4-year Terms for Provincial Councils not 11 Months, Barham Salih Says:
Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily: The Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and PUK Politburo Member Barham Salih adressed senior party members in Sulaymanya saying that the governorate municipal council could be elected for a 4-year term not 11 months, although its validity durations is not regulated by any law. On calls by ``some Kurdistan nationalists'' for boycotting Iraqi elections and concentrating only on Kurdistan elections, Salih insisted that Kurdistan people's next battle would be a constutional one and Baghdad would be thr frontline, thefore all Kurds were invited to cast their votes for the Iraqi national assembly election and consider it a patriotic duty to guarantee the rights of Kurdistan people constitutionally.
Kirkuk Fraternity List Claims It Represents, Serves All Ethncitis:
Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily and Khabat KDP daily: All the 41 members of the Kirkuk Fraternity List noinated for Kirkuk governorate municipal council headed by Rizgar Ali held a meeting Sunday evening explaining their joint agenda for the public. The list inlcudes politicians, social and academic dignitaries from Kurdish, Chaldo-Assyrian and Turcoamn ethncities, as well as genuine Arabs. The moderators of the joint candidacy list explained their objective was to serve all the ethnicities living in the city without discrimination.
IECI Canceles Position of Spokesperson:

Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily: on the cancellation of the position of IECI Spokesperson position, IECI member safwat Resheed declared to the daily that the dispute between IECI Head Abdul-Hussein Al-Hindawi and `former' spokesperson Farid Ayyar was not personal. Rasheed further explained the time remaining before the elections was very short and extraordinary sensitive, thefore the IECI decided to suspend the [spokesperson] position until further notice and all the discions related to the elections would be announced by the IECI itself directly [not through a spokesperson].
Elections Requirements Arrived in Erbil, Sulaymanya:
 Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily: The Head of Erbil Office of the Independent Electoral Commision for Iraq (IECI) Kamal Ghambar announced that most of the requrements for the January 30 elections have arrived in Erbil and the rest was expected to arrive soon. His Sulaymanya counterpart confirmed that almost of the requirments were at his office's disposal at the time of reporting. He also asserted that the KRG administration provided all the possible suppoort for the IECI Office in the Region, including provision of transportation for voters in some [rural] areas.
Barzani Meets Separately with Turcomans, Christians and Ezidians:
 Khabat KDP daily: the KDP leader Massoud Barzani met Sunday with large numbes of Erbil Turcaomans and Ainkawa Christians separatetly. ``those who diffirenciate between Kurds and Turcomans are acting against my deeds,'' Barzani told the Turcomans. He also addressed the Christians saying: ``We [Chirstians and Muslims] are nice when together. We'll reconstruct Kurdistan together and defend your rights as peshmargas together.'' The same day Barzani received the Head and members of the excutive board of the Eizdian Lalish [Cultural] Center. The Ezidian dignitaries reaiterated they would vote for Kurdistan Alliance List vigorously to ensure that their Ezidian areas [in the eastern and western parts of Mosul governorate] would join Kurdistan Region, where all their rights are legally and practically recognized and respected. In all the meetings Barzani urged the participants to pariciapte actively in the elections.
Iraqi Turcomans in Turkey Not Keen to Register for Elections, Paper Says:
 www.peyamner.com Zaman Turkish nespaper reported that 30,000 Iraqis living in Turkey were elegible for voting in the Iraqi elections under the out-of-country program but only 2,144 persons approched the registration offices so far. The Iraqi Turcoamn Front (ITF) representative in Turkey attributed the weakness of enthusiasm for registration to insuffuciency in the number of registration offices in Turkey.
Kirkuki Kurds Aproach Registration Centers eagerly:
 www.peyamner.com After the recent positive developments that restrored the rights of Kirkuki IDPs to cast their votes in Kirkuk for the governorate municipal council elections, Kirkuki Kurds are vigorously heading to the 27 regesration centers opened in the city and wating in long ques patiently to register their names for participation in the january 30^th elections.