Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

 
  
IRAQI NEWS, 25 JAN 05
·         Ten Iraqis said killed in separate incidents
·         Al-Iraqiyah TV's "Special meeting with Iraqi Vice-President "
·         Clashes between Iraqi police, gunmen in Baghdad
·         US forces raid Al-Anbar governor's house
·         Polling station blown up; Iraqi soldier abducted in Al-Huwayjah
·         Iraqi politicians reject Al-Zarqawi boycott call
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES 25 JAN 05
·         Al-Nahdah [Baghdad, daily political newspaper,by Adnan al-Pachachi,
·         Al-Mada [Baghdad, daily, independent newspaper published by Al-Mada Media, Culture and Arts Corporation]
·         Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 25 JAN 04
·         ``Shi'i slate and theocratic rule in Iraq''- Al-Sharq al Awsat
·         ``Hazim al-Sha'lan, Ahmad al-Chalabi counter-accusations!!''- Al-Dustur
·         ``Terror- elections:a normal Iraqi left stunned at what he sees''- Al-Zaman
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA NEWS SUMMARIES, 25 JAN. 05
·         Programme summary of Al-Iraqiyah TV news 25 Jan 05
·         Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV news 25 Jan 05
·         Programme summary of Iraq's Al-Diyar TV news 25 Jan 05
UPDATES FROM THE IRAQI KURDISH PRESS, 25 JAN 05
·         Relegion, Homeland Inseperable, Barzani Says:
·         Mosul Kurds Keen for Election, Governor says:
·         DPM Salih Devulges Official Recognition of Koya University:
·         Erbil To Rize, Match Sulaymanya Prosperty, Talabani Told Candidates:
·         Kirkuk Sunni Muslim Clergy, Chrstian Bishop Urge for Elections As Arabic Front List Withdraws:
·         Snow May Affect Elections, DPM Salih Warns Kurdistan Administrations:
·         Political Parties',Independent Candidates Violate Elections Regulations, Kurdish Elections Institute Warn:
·         Kirkuk Walls Covered with Leaflets:
·         Harsh Weather Prevent Nigroponte, Allawi Visit to Kurdistan:

IRAQI NEWS, 25 Jan 05

Ten Iraqis said killed in separate incidents

Six Iraqis, including three policemen, were killed and 10 others were wounded on 25 January in separate incidents which took place to the southeast of Baghdad, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. An official at the Al-Kindi Hospital emergency department said that three policemen, a civilian and two gunmen were killed and 10 people were wounded, including seven policemen, a woman and two civilians. Meanwhile, two employees working at the Trade Ministry were shot dead by unidentified persons in Baghdad, according to a statement issued by the Interior Ministry. A translator working with the US forces was also shot dead in Baghdad, while a civilian was shot dead by US soldiers when he attempted to drive his car past their patrol. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 25 Jan 05)

 Al-Iraqiyah TV's "Special meeting with Iraqi Vice-President "

Iraqi TV station Al-Iraqiyah TV began its "Special meeting" programme. The guest on the programme was Iraqi Vice-President Ibrahim al-Ja'fari from the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party. Al-Ja'fari said that he believed that the "proportion of Iraqis participating in the elections would make the elections legal and correct".
He denied that the United Iraqi Alliance, of which the Al-Da'wah Party is a member, had "borrowed" its positions from any foreign state, but added that Iraq wanted good relations with its neighbours.
He said that the position of the United Iraqi Alliance was in line with the position of Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, but added that Al-Sistani's fatwa on Iraqis' obligation to vote didn't "reflect" a preference for this list. He stressed that while there were differences between the different electoral lists, there also were lesser differences within these lists. Al-Ja'fari said that there were a "great number of crises" in Iraq and that much needed to be done to improve the security situation, prevent sabotage and redevelop Iraq's infrastructure.
Al-Ja'fari pointed out that the improvement of the security situation after the elections depended on developing Iraq's infrastructure and services. He was asked about why there wasn't a greater proportion of registration by voters outside Iraq and answered that many of these Iraqis lived in remote areas making voting difficult and many countries holding elections only had election centres in a limited number of centres.

He said that "sadly" the role of the Arab League towards the Iraq had been "late from the beginning" and it should have played a more positive role in supporting the Iraqi people. (Al-Iraqiah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic,25 Jan 05)

Clashes between Iraqi police, gunmen in Baghdad

Iraqi police engaged in clashes on 25 January with gunmen in the northeastern areas of Baghdad, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported the same day. US helicopters were seen hovering over the area of Baghdad al-Jadidah, where US tanks and armoured vehicles advanced. Eyewitnesses said police cars transferred a number of their wounded or killed members to Al-Kindi Hospital in the area of Al-Nahdah, in the centre of Baghdad. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 25 Jan 05)

US forces raid Al-Anbar governor's house

US forces raided the house of Al-Anbar Governor Fassal Rikan al-Qu'ud on 25 January, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported the same day. An Al-Sharqiyah correspondent in Al-Ramadi said that a US force raided the governor's house in a pre-dawn operation and fired stun grenades in the house before searching it. He added that the US soldiers caused panic to the family of the governor who was present when the soldiers broke doors and windows. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 25 Jan 05)

Polling station blown up; Iraqi soldier abducted in Al-Huwayjah

Unidentified people blew up a building prepared for use as a polling station in the town of Al-Huwayjah, north of Baghdad, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 25 January. The explosion at Al-Kazimiyah School did not result in casualties. It is the fifth targeting of polling stations in Al-Huwayjah. Meanwhile, a military source announced the kidnapping of the soldier Nasir Sa'dun in the Al-Abbasiyah sub-district in Al-Huwayjah, the TV said. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 25 Jan 05)

Iraqi politicians reject Al-Zarqawi boycott call

Al-Sharqiyah TV carried on 25 January a report on Iraqi politicians' reactions to Al-Zarqawi's call to boycott the Iraqi elections. "Mish'an al-Juburi, head of the Iraqi Reconciliation and Liberation Bloc, emphasized that the true harmony between the people of Iraq is sufficient to frustrate all calls aimed at dividing and breaking down the society," the TV said. In a five-minute recorded interview, Al-Juburi says: "We are partners in a country, and have decided to rule with democracy and ballot boxes, and to overcome the past and that unjust phase. We will participate in the elections and work for the rule of law that guarantees the rights of all the sons of Iraq. We will extend our hand to all those who want to take part in the political process." Al-Juburi adds: "We and the Shiites are the sons of one country. The siege and the war have included us all. The missiles of the enemy have not distinguished between Sunnis and Shiites, and the bombings of Al-Zarqawi have not distinguished between Sunnis and Shiites." (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 25 Jan 05)

IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES 25 JAN 05

Al-Nahdah [Baghdad, daily political newspaper,by Adnan al-Pachachi,

·        

Dr Mahdi al-Hafiz says holding national accord conference necessary, regardless of election outcome Iraqi,

·        

US forces detain 18 gunmen in Kirkuk Two killed, 10 wounded in car bomb attack near National Accord headquarters (AFP-Quoted)
·         Head of Muslim Scholars' Association receives death threats (Reuters- Quoted)
·         Five-day emergency plan to be implemented in Al-Najaf (AFP- Quoted)
·         Deadline extended for endorsement of independent and political-party nominees to function as electoral observers.

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

·        

A number of Al-Zarqawi's most dangerous lieutenants apprehended, including Abu-Umar al-Kurdi, the man responsible for 75 per cent of car bombings

·        

With toll of civilians killed in the crossfire reaching 67, five polling centres blasted, wide-scale clashes break out,
·         154 detained in Mosul
·         Investigation launched into transfer of 300m dollars in cash from Iraq to Lebanon.

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

·        

Polling stations blown up in Tikrit, Baghdad as 7,471 candidates run for National Assembly seats

·        

Negroponte sees wide participation in voting likely
·         Members of Muslim Scholars' Association,
·         Islamic Party running on Diyala electoral slates
·         Gunmen blast police station in Al-Dur
·         Diyala local council member's home raided, two of his bodyguards detained.

IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 25 JAN 04

``Shi'i slate and theocratic rule in Iraq''- Al-Sharq al Awsat

Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned [From commentary by Ghassan al-Imam]: "The key figures on the main Shi'i slate have vowed not to seek Iranian support nor to aim at setting up an Iranian-style theocracy in Iraq. In practice, however, it was the Iranian-born Shi'i cleric, Ali al-Sistani, who was instrumental in forming their Iranian-backed and Iranian-funded slate, which includes not only clerics openly demanding theocratic rule, but politicians whose integrity and connections are very much in question. Not only this, but instead of displaying the names and photos of its candidates along with its programme, posters promoting the slate are invariably overshadowed by a big photograph of al-Sistani himself."

``Hazim al-Sha'lan, Ahmad al-Chalabi counter-accusations!!''- Al-Dustur

Al-Dustur [Baghdad, daily independent newspaper in Arabic] [From editorial by Basim al-Shaykh]: "We do hope that the recent mud slinging between Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan and head of the Iraqi National Congress Ahmad al-Chalabi, against a backdrop of accusations and counter-accusations, will prove to be no more than a storm in a teacup. We hope that they both have enough patience, tolerance and wisdom to transcend personal differences and be up to the role they are expected to play as agents of unity, not stirrers of difference."

``Terror- elections:a normal Iraqi left stunned at what he sees''- Al-Zaman

[From commentary by Fatih Abd al-Salam]: "Between those who cite the recent spike in terror operations as an excuse for rushing headlong into the approaching elections and those who see elections as a means of deciding the whole crisis once and for all, the Iraqi layman is left stunned at what he sees, unable to tell left from right. There are also those who believe that hurrying the elections would give the party that has amassed its followers considerable leverage over its counterpart, which sees political progress in Iraq as more of a step-by-step process. Ultimately, it seems that all have their own hopes and misgivings, not only about elections, but about some other things as well."

IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA NEWS SUMMARIES, 25 JAN. 05

Programme summary of Al-Iraqiyah TV news 25 Jan 05
·        

Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi announces plan for hand-over of security to Iraqi force after polls. Video report covers government allocations made for polls in provinces, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih stressing fairness of polls, Allawi announcing plan for security hand-over

·        

Interim Government announces capture of close aide to Abu-Musa'b al-Zarqawi, Abu-Umar al-Kurdi. Video report covers operation to capture Al-Kurdi, background of terror acts allegedly plotted by him, government statement saying he admitted to committing terrorist acts.(
·         Live interview with Allawi. He confirms plan of hand-over of security after polls, which is part of efforts to build Iraqi army and security force. He says polls would contribute to more stability and security and enable the government to go ahead with efforts to build army and police. Key terror suspects were captured in operation launched two weeks ago and an announcement will be made about capture of other major terror suspects, Allawi says. Neighbouring countries have started to cooperate with Iraq in the area of security but they should do more, he says. The name of an Iraqi who was sent to UK by the former regime to assassinate Iraqi exiles will be soon disclosed; the man has been recently handed over to Iraq by neighbouring country, Allawi says.
·         Muthana police arrest foreign terror suspects. Video report
·         Over 64 per cent of Iraqis believe polls must be held on time; polls to contribute to solving many problems - Iraqi study. Video report highlights outcome of study, comments by Iraqi saying polls to help end occupation, majority saying they will vote despite security risks, man saying all Iraqis should vote.
·         Iraqis in Basra committed to voting in spite of security risks. Video report highlights comments by people, man saying he does not care about terrorism and will vote.
·         Independent Electoral Commission in Basra expects high turnout. Video report covers polls preparations in Basra
·         Iraqis in Basra have high hopes for better economic and social conditions after polls. Video report covers comments by Iraqis, woman saying she wants better housing, man hoping for better quality of life.
·         Iraqi Turkoman Front says it will take part in polls. Video report covers presser held by group to discuss decision to participate in polls. Report covers statement by party member saying Turkomen to vote, he speaks about party problem in Kikuk: illegal Kurdish voters brought into the city by Kurdish parties to change population composition, he hopes problem will be dealt with.
·         Minister of Planning Mahdi al-Hafiz says elected national assembly should involve everyone in drafting constitution. Video report
·         Iraq embassy in Cairo to open door for Iraqi voters two days before polls. Video report
·         Afghan president urges Iraqis to follow example of Afghans by voting despite terror threats. Video report
·         Judge assassinated in Baghdad by gunmen seeking to obstruct polls; five soldiers from multinational force killed, two hurt in road accident north of Baghdad; US soldier killed in Baghdad blast.
·         Minister of Human Rights Bakhtiyar Amin says his ministry oversees work of security agencies, reports it to ministries. Video report covers his statement saying ministry reports human rights abuses to various ministries.
·         Population returning home to Fallujah receives food aid. Video report covers efforts by Iraqi and multinational forces to hunt down Al-Zarqawi thought to have returned to Fallujah, population receiving food supplies, highlights destroyed infrastructure.
·         Lawyer of Saddam Husayn says he has received death threats. Video report
·         Illegal buildings removed in Gaza--part of law enforcement drive by Palestinian Authority. Video report
·         Eight killed, four missing when boat capsizes in Thailand. Video report
·         Relief work continues at Tsunami-devastated areas in Indonesia. Video report
·         Ukraine president holds talks in Moscow. Video report
·         Business bulletin. Survey shows growth of purchasing power of Iraqi families. Washington seeks to increase defence allocations. Syria and Russia sign financial protocol. International market report.

Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV news 25 Jan 05
·        

Allawi renews call for Iraqis to participate in elections. Video of Allawi speaking.

·        

Live interview with Iyad Allawi (Allawi's voice inaudible).
·         Armed clashes break out in Samarra between US forces and insurgents injuring civilians.
·         Iraqi police clash this morning with insurgents northeast of Baghdad.
·         Election's commission spokesman says final election results will not be known until ten days after the end of the ballot. Still of spokesman.
·         Election's commission headquarters in Samarra attacked by mortar bombs causing structural damage.
·         Iraqi politicians announce they refuse to accept any orders from outsiders, in response to Al-Zarqawi call for boycott of elections. Video of politician speaking.
·         Iraqi police say mortar bomb hit bridge in Kirkuk, no known casualties; election centre attacked in Al-Hawijah, south of Kirkuk.
·         Iraqi police sources announce judge assassinated in ambush in Baghdad. Video of attack aftermath
·         Al-Asad announces concern over developments in situation in Iraq. Video of Al-Asad in Moscow.
·         Media offices in Baghdad receive copies of video of a man claiming to be an American hostage kidnapped by insurgents. Video of hostage.
·         Scientists and experts at meeting in China to discuss early warning system for tsunami type disasters. Video of meeting.
·        

Programme summary of Iraq's Al-Diyar TV news 25 Jan 05
·        

Video report: Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi pledges to keep the doors open for the Sunni parties that are boycotting the election to participate in the political process...

·        

Announcer-read report: A source with the Adnan Pachachi-led Independent Democrats Rally says the party intends to send a delegation to Al-Najaf to discuss the postponement of the election with Shi'i leader Ali al-Sistani...
·         Announcer-read report: A senior American official and an Iraqi judge say the Iraqi security forces committed human rights violations...
·         Video report: Correspondent in Al-Musayyab district asks a number of citizens their views on the election, public services, and security...
·         Announcer-read report: Al-Najaf police take strict security measures to protect the polls. No one from outside the city will be allowed to stay in it during the vote...
·         Announcer-read report: US soldiers find weapons in raids on houses in southern Baghdad. Five suspects have been arrested...
·         American general says the US Army plans to keep at least 120,000 soldiers in Iraq over the next two years to train the Iraqi forces and fight the insurgents...
·         The US Army says five US soldiers were killed in a road accident north of Baghdad... Video report: A bomb exploded Sunday in Babil while a police patrol was passing by. Two policemen were killed. Iraqi Police and multinational forces detonate a booby-trapped bus on Al-Iskandariyah-Baghdad road...
·         Video interviews with Babil governor, Babil police chief, a number of media figures, and representatives of civil society organizations on preparations for the polls in Babil Governorate...
·         Announcer-read report: Police sources say armed men assassinated an Iraqi judge east of Baghdad today...
·         Video report: The Electricity Ministry says its engineers are continuing their efforts to repair the damage caused by a sabotage act that cut electricity links between northern and southern Iraq. It says power will return to normal hopefully before the election...
·         Video report on a traffic campaign against vehicles with additional fuel tanks...
·         Announcer-read report: The health minister opens an art exhibition...
·         The UN General Secretariat prevents workers in the oil-for-food programme from giving any testimony to a US Congress committee investigating corruption cases in the programme...
·         Bush's administration intends to ask for an additional 80bn dollars to finance military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq this year...
·         The Brazilian government urges release of a kidnapped Brazilian national in Iraq...
·         The British foreign secretary says President Bush is committed to diplomacy with regard to Iran...
·         Video report: The availability of imported foodstuffs on the Iraqi markets has negatively affected national production.

Updates from the Iraqi Kurdish Press, 25 Jan 05

Relegion, Homeland Inseperable, Barzani Says:
Khabat KDP daily: During his Monday reception to a number of Muslim clergymen from Erbil, the KDP leader Massoud Barzani said that relegion and homeland were inseperable therefore voting was a relegious and patriotic duty. The same day, Barzani received the head and number of senior exuctives from the [KDP-affilaited] Kurdistan Women Union (Afratan). He underlined the important role of Kurdish women throughout all Kurdish revolutions and they are expected to play the same active role in the elections. He also renewed his commitment to fighting for Kirkuk recalling that his late father and KDP founder sacrified him self and the Aylul [September 1961-March 1975] reveolution for Kirkuk.
Mosul Kurds Keen for Election, Governor says:
Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily: The Governor of Mosul told the paper that governorate population reached about 2.8 million persons and 1.25 million of them were entitled to cast votes. He recalled that the zest for registration for the elections was about %5 incide the city and may rise to %15 of the security situation improves. However, the Governor recalled that in the districts and towns of Kurdish majority within the administrative boundaries of Mosul governorate, people's enthusiasm for registration and participation in the elections reaches to %90 of the elegible people.
DPM Salih Devulges Official Recognition of Koya University:
Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily: The Iraqi Deputy PM vistited Koya university Monday and met with scotres of professors and students. He devulged that the Iraqi government has decided to officially recognize [credibility] of Koya University.
Erbil To Rize, Match Sulaymanya Prosperty, Talabani Told Candidates:
 Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily: the PUK leader Jalal Talabani met Monday with all the 41 members of the PUK candidacy list for Erbil governorate provincial elections. He said that Erbil people deserve al lthe best but they have not been served properly if compared to Sulaymanya despite availablity of funds [to KRG-Erbil under KDP-led administration]. He urged the candidates to do their best for serving the people and make sure the city will rise to match Sulaymanya in terms of development, services and reconstruction. In related news nad as part of the election propaganda, PUK Politburo Executive Kosrat Rassoul Ali met with a large number of Marzani tribe. He urged all people from Erbil city and its adjacent areas to renew their ``usual'' loyalty for the PUK.
Kirkuk Sunni Muslim Clergy, Chrstian Bishop Urge for Elections As Arabic Front List Withdraws:
 Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily: Arab cheftain Wasfi Al-Assi who heads the Arabic Gathering in Kirkuk announced in a press conference Minday that his group decided to withdraw its Arabic Front List that was numbered 174 in the competetions for both Iraqi national assembly and Kirkuk provincial elections. Al-Assi attributed the withdrawal to lack of security in the city and reluctancy of the Independent Electoral Commission in Iraq (IECI) in responding to the group's complaints and demands. In related news, the Kirkuk Clergymen Association that reprsents the Sunni Arabs asserted its decision to participate in Kirkuk elections. Also, the Arcbishop of Kirkuk churhes urged all kirkuki Christians for active participation in the elections.
Snow May Affect Elections, DPM Salih Warns Kurdistan Administrations:
Aso private newspaper: After the heavy snow fall in most mountanous areas of Kurdistan, the Iraqi Deputy PM Barham salih warned the two Administrations of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to take all necessary precaustions for clearing internal and external roads from snow and facilitating the movement of voters from the rural areas to the voting centers. ``Our The people is demanded to turn Kurdistan's snowy winter into a spring of democracy,'' Salih said recalling the hard times when Kurdistan peshmargas were fighting the former regimes despite the harsh weather in Kurdistan mountains.
Political Parties',Independent Candidates Violate Elections Regulations, Kurdish Elections Institute Warn:
 Aso private newspaper: in a public seminar held in Sulaymanya last Wednesday, the head of the Kurdish Institute for Elections (KIE) announced that that the poitical parties and independent candidates runing for the country-wide elections were vioalting the regulations set by the IECI. KIE Chief Amina Mahmoud publicized violation date on Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymanya, and Kirkuk, where her NGO operates, explaining that %52 of the violatoins occurred in the city centers, while the smaller towns and sub-districts equally shared the remaing %48 of the violations. On type of the viol;ations, she said that %96 of them included usage of government departments and %4 the mosques for electoral propagation purposes.
Kirkuk Walls Covered with Leaflets:
 Aso private newspaper: As the elections come closer in Kirkuk, the political parties and entities are engaged seriously in posting and distributuing leaflets propagating for themselves and explaining their elections agendas. The local police and the multi-national forces (MNFI) also distribute and post leaflets of their own. They promise the people to ensure their safety before, during and after th eelections process.
Harsh Weather Prevent Nigroponte, Allawi Visit to Kurdistan:
 www.peyamner.com the US Ambassador to Baghdad John Nigroponte and Iraqi PM Ayad Allawi were due to visit Salahuddin town north of Erbil Monday for a meeting with the KDP leaderhsip but the visit was canceled at the lat minutes due to the heavey snow fall. Local and international reporters were informed of the visit. Allwai had even reached half-way to Kirkuk before being told that the weather was not suitable for the rest of the trip.