Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

 
  
IRAQI NEWS, 30 JAN 05
·         Iyad Allawi pleased with security measures
·         Allawi spokesman says security plan succeeded
·         Deputy PM Salih sees polls heralding "new Iraq"
·         Iraqi polling stations close; initial results expected "within 24 hours" - TV
·         Shi'i leader Al-Hakim says proud to vote
·         Shi'i spokesman warns against fraud
·         Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib blames media for scare stories
·         Al-Sistani aide hails "happy day"
·         Finance minister Abd-al-Mahdi criticizes media
·         United Iraqi Coalition, three other lists take lead - poll
·         Pachachi wants boycotters to help write constitution
·         Planning minister Al-Hafiz backs national reconciliation conference
·         Defence Minister hopes Sunnis will get ministerial posts
·         Minister says emergency measures to continue after polls
·         Al-Zarqawi's group claims attacks on other polling stations
·         Al-Dawud area attack reportedly carried out by Sudanese
·         Three killed in Tikrit explosion
MEDIA INTERVIEWS ON ELECTIONS, 30 JAN 05
·         Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV Interviews on Elections, 30 Jan 2005
·         IECI spokesman says initial turnout data "an estimate"
·         IECI spokesman explains vote count
·         Iraqi election officials express satisfaction on "historic day"
·         Iraqi defence minister says he hopes Sunnis will be given ministerial posts
IRAQI KURDISH NEWS, 30 JAN 05
·         Iraqi Kurdish leader Barzani votes in the elections
·         Kurdish TV says Turkomans tried to created problems in Kirkuk

IRAQI NEWS, 30 Jan 05
Iyad Allawi pleased with security measures

Iraqi Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi affirmed that the security plan drawn up to secure the elections should still be regarded as a success even though some polling centres were attacked. In an interview on Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya TV on 30 January, he described the voting day as the start of a new phase for Iraq and Iraqis. "I personally salute the policemen and army personnel, particularly the brothers affiliated with the 8th Armoured Police Brigade, who were deployed throughout Baghdad yesterday," said Allawi. (Al-Arabiya TV)Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV on 30 January showed live footage of Allawi entering a polling station in Baghdad minutes after it opened, showing his passport to an employee at the centre, filling in a voting form, and placing the form in a ballot box. (Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 30 Jan 05)

Allawi spokesman says security plan succeeded

Tha'ir al-Naqib, a spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, told Al-Iraqiyah TV that 30 January was "a great day that all Iraqis must be proud of. However, it is not a great day for Saddam Husayn. Two years ago, Iraqis were forced to choose Saddam. Now they have total freedom in the elections. Today is the true birth date of democracy in this country." Al-Naqib said the attacks that took place on 30th were limited and the Iraqi Police, National Guard, and the multinational forces were able to capture all those who them out "We were expecting operations to take place. Thank God, they are under control and the security plan is a success." (Al-Iraqiah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 30 Jan 05)

Deputy PM Salih sees polls heralding "new Iraq"

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih on 30 January cast his ballot in the country's national election at a polling station in Baghdad. He expressed the hope that the vote would lead to a "new Iraq" and forecast that voters would defy the insurgents to produce a turnout higher than in many Western countries. "I cannot express my feelings today," he said, adding: "This is the first time that I have voted in general elections. As a citizen, I feel that I am joining other citizens in deciding the fate of this country. God willing, a new Iraq will be born today, where suffering and tragedies end and where we proceed towards a bright and peaceful tomorrow." On the subject of voter turnout, Salih said: "If developed democracies are anything to go by, I predict and dare to predict that turnout in the Iraqi elections will be better than the US presidential elections and British elections and many other elections in Western Europe." (Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 30 Jan 05)

Iraqi polling stations close; initial results expected "within 24 hours" - TV

Polling stations in Iraq have just closed, announcing the end of the first democratic experience in the country for decades. More than 14m voters cast their ballots to choose new members of the Iraq National Assembly, which will be responsible for drafting a new constitution for the country and preparing for presidential elections at the end of this year. Al-Sharqiyah correspondents have reported that the employees of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq [IECI] have started to count ballots in the various polling stations. It is hoped that vote counting will end tonight and initial results of elections in governorates will be announced within 24 hours. However, the final results will not be announced for one week. [(Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 30 Jan 05)

Shi'i leader Al-Hakim says proud to vote
Al-Sharqiyah television on 30 January carried live from an unidentified polling centre in Baghdad comments by Abd-al Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). After casting his vote, Al-Hakim said that he was proud to have taken part in the elections and that attacks by militants earlier that day would not stop the Iraqis from voting. He refrained from announcing whom he had voted for, saying that it was not a secret, but that "We should abide by the laws." Asked about the participation of the Sunni Iraqis, Al-Hakim said he hoped for their wide participation in the elections. Regarding voting by women in the elections, Al-Hakim said that he was proud of their participation. (Al-Sharqiyah TV 30 Jan 05)
Asked about his chances, al-Hakim told Al-Sharqiyah TV that what is important for him is that "today is a great day of victory for all Iraqis," adding that "for the first time in their lives, Iraqis can be their own masters and they can freely cast their votes to elect the suitable persons." He said he was maintaining direct and constant contact with all regions of Iraq, stressing that the turnout was good. Asked again about his winning chances, he declined to answer, fearing that "this may be regarded as campaigning, since we are trying to adhere to enforced laws in this regard," noting that he will "respect, accept, and take pride in the results, regardless of what they may be, as long as they are fair, and no forgery takes place." He urges Iraqis to "play their natural role of supervising the ballot boxes to make sure that no forgery takes place." (Al-Sharqiyah TV 30 Jan 05)
Shi'i spokesman warns against fraud
Ammar al-Hakim, secretary-general of Shahid al-Mihrab Establishment for Promoting Islam, told Al-Furat TV that Grand Ayatollah Al-Sayyid Muhammad Sa'id al-Hakim cast his vote at 0525 gmt on 30th along with other prominent figures in Al-Najaf. He warned that the Iraqi people, who have "so far exercised self-restraint" despite the assassination of leading figures, would not tolerate any fraud in the polls (Al-FuratTV 30 Jan 05).
Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib blames media for scare stories
Interior Minister Falah Al-Naqib said on 30th the media had "scared the people more than helping and reassuring through portraying the true picture in Iraq." Al-Naqib said the Interior Ministry and its police and Special Forces had arrested many criminals "who were terrorizing and killing our sons" during the period before the elections. He expresses optimism and reassures the Iraqi people that they have "eliminated over 60 to 70 per cent of terrorist acts in Iraq." (Al-Iraqiyah TV 30 Jan 05)
Al-Sistani aide hails "happy day"
Al-Sistani representative Shaykh Abd-al-Hadi al-Karbala'i was shown on Al-Iraqiyah TV making a statement from his wheelchair. Al-Karbala'i said: "This is a happy and historic day for the Iraqi people, to be able after long decades of living under dictatorship, terrorism, prisons, and mass graves to express their will freely and choose those who represent their political, economic, and social will." Al-Karbala'i adds that he came to cast his vote despite his poor health to fulfil his "religious and national obligations." (Al-Iraqiyah TV 30 Jan 05)
Finance minister Abd-al-Mahdi criticizes media
Finance Minister Adil Abd-al-Mahdi told Al-Furat TV that the election marked an "historic day". He said he had to come to the studio on foot in view of the restrictions imposed on the movement of vehicles. He criticized the way the media is reflecting the security situation in Iraq today and the "exaggeration" and accuses Arab media of "scaring" people out of voting. He urges the public to head to the polling stations to "decide the fate of the government" and take responsibility for the future of Iraq. (Al-Furat TV 30 Jan 05)
United Iraqi Coalition, three other lists take lead - poll

Al-Sharqiyah TV said on 30 January that an exit poll conducted by the TV via the Internet shows that four lists are in the lead. The four leading lists, according to polled Iraqis, are the United Iraqi Alliance (dominated by Shi'is); the Iraqi List (headed by interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi); the People's Union List (that contains the Iraqi Communist Party) and the Kurdish coalition. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 30 Jan 05)

Pachachi wants boycotters to help write constitution

Adnan al-Pachachi, head of the Independent Democrats Grouping, said on Al-Arabiya TV on 30th that "progress is promising thus far because it has exceeded our expectations in terms of participation and voting. This is in addition to the security situation which was not as bad as we anticipated. Over all, I am optimistic." Asked why had called for postponing the elections, Al-Pachachi said: "We called for the postponement of the elections to ensure a larger participation in the election because we were concerned that large segments in Iraq would not engage in the election process." "I suggested that the political forces and parties, which did not take part in the elections, be called on to participate effectively, along with the National Assembly members, in writing the constitution." (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 30 Jan 05)

Planning minister Al-Hafiz backs national reconciliation conference

Planning Minister Mahdi al-Hafiz told Al-Iraqiyah TV that although a 72 per cent turnout was expected, it appeared that the participation level would only reach 50 per cent. Asked about his view on Iraq's future, Al-Hafiz says this was a good beginning, but that they "must take into consideration the rest of the parties who boycotted [the elections] for one reason or another," giving them the opportunity "to express their views and have a role in forming policies and determining general matters". Al-Hafiz adds: "This matter requires holding a conference for national reconciliation that brings together all categories that reject terrorism and violence, and commit to building a democratic experience, restoring national sovereignty, and removing the foreign forces." Al-Hafiz says that although he feels optimistic, he is "aggrieved because he did not want the elections to take place with this atmosphere of tension and anxiety." (Al-Iraqiyah 30 Jan 05)

Defence Minister hopes Sunnis will get ministerial posts

Defence Minister Hazim Sha'lan said on 30 January that he hopes Sunnis will be given ministerial posts in the Iraqi cabinet after the elections for the National Assembly, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. Speaking in an interview with the TV, Sha'lan said he had "proposed to those in charge of Iraqi affairs that our Sunni brothers have a large participation in the make-up of the new cabinet". Asked if this meant allocating ministerial portfolios to them, Sha'lan replied: "Yes, from outside the parliament so that they will participate in writing the constitution and adopting the decisions the government or they deem fit." Sha'lan also said that the "terrorist operations" that had taken place on the morning of election day were "minor and hardly worth mentioning". (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 30 Jan 05)

Minister says emergency measures to continue after polls

Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan said on 30 January that the emergency measures in place will continue after the elections, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. He also explained that vote counting would take "seven or 10 days". (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 30 Jan 05)

Al-Zarqawi's group claims attacks on other polling stations

A statement by Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi's group claimed responsibility for attacks on several polling stations on 30 January. The message, posted on the Jihadist Usamah's Memo forum on the internet, promised to release some of the names of the "martyrs" soon. (Usamah's Memo forum www.almjlah.net 30 January 05)

Al-Dawud area attack reportedly carried out by Sudanese

Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan told Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV on 30 January that an attack earlier in the day in the Al-Dawudi area was carried out by a Sudanese clad in traffic police attire. "He tried to infiltrate citizens' ranks, but the Iraqi National Guard, police and army personnel prevented him from doing so. Therefore, he blew himself up and one of our policemen was killed," the minister said. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 30 Jan 05)

Three killed in Tikrit explosion

Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan said 30 January that three people were killed in a mortar explosion in the Balad district in Tikrit, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. He said another mortar shell exploded in Mosul. In an interview with Al-Sharqiyah, the minister said: "These are simple incidents compared with the large propaganda that there would be large sabotage acts in the whole country. We were aware of the size of this capability and we told the citizens not to take seriously what the enemies say. These are only attempts to stir up confusion and terrorize the citizens." (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 30 Jan 05)

Media Interviews On Elections, 30 Jan 05

Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV Interviews on Elections, 30 Jan 2005
Al-Sharqiyah carries live an interview with IECI spokesman Farid Ayar on the confusion over voter turnout percentages, whether the beginning of ballot counting at some polling centres will negatively affect the final results of the elections, the date for announcing the final results, and other related issues.
Ayar says that the final results will be announced after receiving the results of the out-of-country voting, which are expected to be received in the next four days. He says that the initial results will be announced daily at news conferences to be held by the IECI, adding that the final results will hopefully be announced as soon as possible. The interview ends at 1847 gmt.
Al-Sharqiyah interviews Shaykh Muhsin al-Jarbah, a candidate within the Iraqi list, on the election process. Al-Jarbah says that the election process was successful, expressing hope that the results of the elections will bring joy and prosperity to the Iraqi people. He says that the voter turnout was good, adding that these elections are the first step on the path towards real democracy for the Iraqi people, who suffered from dictatorship for five decades.
Al-Sharqiyah carries an interview with Iraqi Transport Minister Lu'ay Hatim al-Ars on the elections. He expresses his joy for the success of the voting process, adding that these elections mark the beginning of democracy in Iraq.
At 2003 gmt, Al-Sharqiyah carries an interview with Ayman al-Safadi, spokesman for the UN mission in Iraq, on the UN role in facilitating the holding of elections.
Al-Sharqiyah carries another interview with Athil al-Najafi, a candidate of the Independent Iraqi Bloc, on the voting process and other election-related issues.
Al-Sharqiyah interviews Sayyar al-Jamil, an Iraqi historian and thinker, on the elections. Commenting on today's elections, he says that it is a very important day in the history of Iraq in particular and the region in general. The interview ends at 2053 gmt.
IECI spokesman says initial turnout data "an estimate"
Farid Ayar, official spokesman of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI), told Al-Sharqiyah TV in an interview on 30th that the figure of 72 percent turnout announced on Sunday afternoon was "an estimate, and it depended on the flow of people in front of polling centres, and not on official statistics produced by counting the ballots".
Ayar said the figure also came from contacts with the presiding officers at polling centres. "The person who announced these figures did not say that they were final figures. So far, we have no results for the elections. The counting is taking place right now," he said.
Ayar denied there was any delay in counting the votes. "There is no delay. The official and final results will be announced after receiving the results of the out-of-country voting, which will continue for four days according to the International Organization for Migration [IOM]. Afterward, these results will be collected together with local results here and will be announced to the public in an official ceremony. We want to finish this issue as soon as possible... we will finish the job and announce results most probably in less than 10 days, or even in seven or six days. We will finish our work and announce results in an honest and transparent manner," he said.
"The initial results will be announced as soon as the IECI receives them," Ayar added. "They will be announced day by day during preplanned news conferences. If any results become available to us by tomorrow, we will definitely announce them. After ballot counting, every polling centre will announce its results. Afterward, these results will be sent to the main centre."
The TV said it received many results from Kirkuk, Huwayjah, Mosul and Basra governorates "but we do not want to announce them so as not to cause chaos or discrepancy in figures. We will wait for the IECI's results." (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 30 Jan 05)
IECI spokesman explains vote count

Independent Electoral Commission (IECI) spokesman Farid Ayar told Al-Iraqiyah TV about the counting of votes, Ayar said: "The counting of ballots will take place at the polling stations. Each station will begin counting votes today after 2000 [1700 gmt]. After the counting is complete, three copies of the minutes will be made. The results of the station will be announced, after which the results are sent to the IECI so that they are all added up, and the preliminary results are announced gradually." (Al-Iraqiyah TV 30 Jan 05)
Ayar told Al-Sharqiyah TV separately that the opening of the polling stations were "an historic moment". "This event will certainly affect the future of Iraq and its democratic march. We hope that everybody will take part in the election process today, for this process is in the interest of all Iraqis without exception and to build a democratic, free, and prosperous country," he said. Ayar said a polling centre employee had told him he would not allow him to vote because Ayar did not have his identity card. Ayar says he had to return to where he left his ID and brought it with him so that he could be allowed to vote. Ayar cites this as "evidence of commitment to the laws and regulations issued by the IECI." (Al-Sharqiyah TV 30 Jan 05)
Ayar said earlier that the security situation was "very good" and that there had been a high turnout. Speaking in a news conference broadcast on Al-Iraqiyah television, Ayar said: "The security situation is very good and the polling centres are open, there is intensive turnout by the citizens and nothing is disturbing the elections process. There are 1,487 polling centres and things are proceeding smoothly. The citizens are casting their votes in complete calm." Ayar added that what he called "minor security problems" in some polling centres would not affect the progress of the elections process as a whole. Ayar confirmed that despite an attack outside a polling centre in Al-Zahra in Baghdad - which killed several civilians - the polling centre there was still open (Al-Iraqiyah 30 Jan 05)

Iraqi election officials express satisfaction on "historic day"
Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV has carried live from Baghdad a news conference, in progress, by officials of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI).
IECI Spokesman Farid Ayyar apologizes for a delay and says: "You know that this has been a very long historic day and a day with many surprises." He says that the Iraqi people for the first time in 50 years experienced real democracy through the elections. He praises the hard work of the IECI and its employees.
Following Ayyar's comments, Adil al-Lami, chairman of the IECI's electoral, says: "At 1700 today, all polling centres in Iraq were closed." He adds: "I think that all polling centres have started counting ballots in the polling centres themselves and in the presence of local observers, representatives of political entities and international observers in some polling centres."
Al-Lami speaks about "some regrettable incidents" that took place during the voting process. He mentions a number of mortar attacks and suicide bombings that targeted voting centres and speaks about casualties. He says that "eight terrorists" were arrested while trying to attack a polling centre at a school. He adds: "Ballot counting will begin tonight. It has already begun in some centres and will continue until tomorrow morning."
Ayyar then takes the floor and says that political groups were asked to stop their electoral campaigns and propaganda 48 hours before the election day. He adds: "Any political group can now say whatever it wants."
Continuing, Ayyar says that women's participation in Al-Diwaniyah amounted to 45 per cent of those who participated in the elections. He mentions other percentages from other areas in Iraq. He says in Al-Najaf, women's participation amounted to 45-55 per cent. He says: "There was a big turnout in Dhi-Qar, Basra and Al-Muthanna," adding that the percentage in Kurdistan was "very good".
Ayyar concludes his remarks and says: "The wheel of consolidating democracy in Iraq has started to turn."
Al-Lami then speaks about "the disputations and objections" of observers and representatives of political factions and says: "As of tomorrow, these should be handed to the polling centres themselves."
Ayyar and Al-Lami then took questions from domestic and foreign reporters.
Al-Lami responds to a question on voter turnout. He says that the numbers and percentages he mentioned were received from polling centres.
Ayyar says: "We will be able to give you real percentages based on the voter lists prepared by the IECI and the Electoral Management."
Al-Lami speaks about voter turnout and says: "The number of voters in Ninawa and Al-Anbar governorates was good and we are proud of it."
Al-Lami then says that the IECI received reactions from many circles thanking it for the success of the elections.
Asked how he feels at the end of the elections, Ayyar says: "We have achieved an important thing and made a historic day for Iraq." He adds: "It was a difficult process, but thank God, we finished it. Thanks are due to everybody and not to us only."
Asked when the results will be announced and whether the "regrettable incidents" which were mentioned, affected voting, Al-Lami says: "Ballot counting began in polling centres, as we have just said." He then gives details of the ballot counting process. He says whatever results are reached will be announced on a daily basis.
Ayyar plays down the effect of attacks against polling centres and says that these attacks "did not obstruct the elections or hinder their progress." He says: "They addressed to us a message of killing and we addressed to them the message of elections, freedom and democracy."

Asked whether there will be another news conferences today, Al-Lami says: "We may hold another news conference if there is need for it or if we receive additional new or significant information." (Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 30 Jan 05)

Iraqi defence minister says he hopes Sunnis will be given ministerial posts

Iraqi defence minister says he hopes Sunnis will be given ministerial postsIraqi Defence Minister Hazim Sha'lan has said that he hopes Sunnis will be given ministerial posts in the Iraqi cabinet after the elections for the National Assembly. Speaking in a TV interview on election day, Sha'lan said that he had "proposed to those in charge of Iraqi affairs that our Sunni brothers have a large participation in the make-up of the new cabinet". Asked if this meant allocating ministerial portfolios to them, Sha'lan replied: "Yes, from outside the parliament so that they will participate in writing the constitution and adopting the decisions the government or they deem fit." Sha'lan also said that the "terrorist operations" that had taken place on the morning of election day were "minor and hardly worth mentioning". [(Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 30 Jan 05)

Iraqi Kurdish News, 30 Jan 05
Iraqi Kurdish leader Barzani votes in the elections
Kurdistan Satellite TV of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP, at 0918 gmt carried live coverage of KDP leader Mas'ud Barzani, head of the KDP-led Iraqi Kurdistan regional government, Nechirvan Barzani, and other senior officials casting their votes in the Iraqi and Kurdistani parliamentary and Kurdistani governorates council elections. (Kurdistan Satellite TV 30 Jan 05)
Kurdish TV says Turkomans tried to created problems in Kirkuk

Kurdistan satellite TV reported on 30 January that voting in Kirkuk had been peaceful, save for a few problems created by the Iraqi Turkoman Front. The TV's correspondent said: "The situation in Kirkuk is very peaceful, although the biased, or supporters of the Turkoman Front, are trying to create problems and instability at polling stations, just as they have been trying to create problems and disturbances in the city." He added: "At some polling stations, such as the one near Tis'in Districts, southern Kirkuk, Hay Wasit, the Baghdad, known as Tariq Baghdad, they made a fuss, in an effort to create problems alleging that there are irregularities as regards their list". (Kurdistan Satellite TV, Salah-al-Din, in Sorani Kurdish 30 Jan 05)