Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

 
  
IRAQI NEWS, 1 FEB 05
·         Five Iraqis killed in two bomb explosions in Samarra - TV
·         Iraqi government would tighten its grip on security
·         Electoral commission on election procedure, security forces
·         Iraqi defence minister downplays differences with vice-president
·         Shi'i leader Al-Hakim says party list won "overwhelming victory"
·         Al-Yawar said that the elections had been a success
·         Expatriates minister alleges poll violations in Ninawa
·         Five killed in Samarra bomb blasts
·         Three killed, four wounded in US raids near Al-Hillah
·         Human rights minister Amin demands inquiry into camp deaths
·         Iraq defence minister praises army over polling day security
·         UK commander says Iraqi forces "capable"
IRAQI MEDIA PROGRAMME SUMMARIES, 1 FEB 05
·         IRAQI PRESS: No Iraqi press for fifth day, 1 Feb 05
·         Baghdad Al-Diyar TV Arabic News Summary 1 Feb 05
·         Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV News Summary 1 Feb 05
IRAQI KURDISH NEWS, 1 FEB 05
·         Two killed in Arbil blast
·         Barzani reaffirms commitment to Iraq unity
·         Majority said voted for Kurdish sovereignty in election day survey
·         KurdSat TV news 1 Feb 05
·         Updates from the Iraqi Kurdish Press, 1 Feb 2005

IRAQI NEWS, 1 Feb 05
Five Iraqis killed in two bomb explosions in Samarra - TV

 Five people were killed and six others wounded when two bombs exploded in Samarra, north of Iraq [as heard, Samarra is northwest of Baghdad]. A police source in the city said that four Iraqis were killed and six others wounded when a bomb exploded along the main road. The source added that another bomb planted along a road in Al-Jubayriyah, in the centre of the city, exploded, killing one person and wounding two others. (Al-SharqiyahTV, Baghdad, in Arabic 1 Feb 05)
 

Iraqi government would tighten its grip on security

Iraqi Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan on 1 February said the Iraqi government would tighten its grip on security in other ways as the curfew is lifted and borders reopen. Speaking at a news conference in Baghdad broadcast live by Al-Sharqiyah TV, Al-Sha'lan said: "The curfew will be lifted soon, God willing. However, the security measures will continue." Security measures might "even escalate", he said and urged the US troops to stay on in Iraq. "The withdrawal of the US troops now would be gravely dangerous. The US troops cannot depart Iraq now. The US troops will leave Iraq when there is stable security, a strong army, and police capable of defending citizens." He admitted that problems with border controls persist, adding that traffic across borders did not stop even on the day of the elections. (Al-SharqiyahTV, Baghdad, in Arabic 1 Feb 05)

Electoral commission on election procedure, security forces

Iraqi Electoral Commission President Abd-al-Husayn al-Hindawi on 1 February said that the outcome of the vote counting for each polling station would be announced and then sent to the commission's headquarters in Baghdad. In a news conference carried on Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV, he noted that the results being announced every day did not represent the final outcome, which would be approved by the Board of Commissioners before being announced. Al-Hindawi praised the performance of the Iraqi security forces in maintaining security during the election process and transporting ballot boxes. He said the performance of these forces was "extraordinary and heroic." (Al-Sharqiyah 01 Feb 05)

Iraqi defence minister downplays differences with vice-president

Iraqi Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan on 1 February played down his quarrel with Vice-President Ibrahim al-Ja'fari, saying he had managed to prove his point regarding Syria to the leader of the Shi'i Da'wah party. "There was no wrangle between me and my brother, the dear friend, Ibrahim al-Ja'fari," Al-Sha'lan said, adding that "when I explained facts to him, backed by logic and pieces of evidence, tangible evidence, he was fully convinced that I was right." (Al-Sharqiyah TV 1 Feb 05)

Shi'i leader Al-Hakim says party list won "overwhelming victory"

Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), has said that the United Iraqi Alliance achieved a big victory in the Iraqi elections. "Preliminary information available to us shows that the United Iraqi Alliance achieved an overwhelming victory; an overwhelming victory and success. The majority of the Iraqi people who took part voted for the United Alliance," he said in remarks broadcast on (Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV. 1 Feb 05)

Al-Yawar said that the elections had been a success

In a part of his news conference broadcast on Al-Sharqiyah TV, Al-Yawar said that the main thing was that the elections had been a success. He said the knew that that there had been a problem on the late arrival of ballots in Ninawa Governorate. "We did tell them that if you expected 100,000 voters, send one million ballots and return the rest once you have made sure of the number of voters. We also told them not to send ballots in batches, as happened, because the daylight is short. It ends at 1700 in this season," he said. "I know that there was disgruntlement among the people in Rabi'ah, Sinjar, Al-Ba'aj, Al-Hamdaniyah, Ba'shiqah, and other areas. They wanted to vote but that they were not given the chance." (Al-SharqiyahTV , Baghdad, in Arabic 1 Feb 05)

Expatriates minister alleges poll violations in Ninawa

Iraqi Minister of Expatriates and Immigration Pascal Wardah said on 1st that although the elections could be described as excellent and as a victory for the Iraqi people, some "very serious, negative violations" had taken place, particularly in the Ninawa area. "As a minister and a leader in the Assyrian Democratic Movement, which is concerned over this issue more than others, I have been contacted by the movement for the third day running. The Hamdaniyah District, Darkula, Ba'shiqah, and other villages and cities in Ninawa, east of Mosul, inhabited by more than 150,000 people, are considered the safest area in Iraq. Nevertheless, it was marginalized intentionally or unintentionally," she told Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV. "The Chaldeans, Assyrians, Yazidis and Al-Shabak, who number at least 150,000 people, were deprived of their right because there were no ballot boxes. When some boxes arrived in the Bartila area, there were no cadres or paper," she added. "In Hamdaniyah, people staged demonstrations on the evening of 30 January to protest the failure to provide ballot boxes and attempts to deny them their right. Demonstrators urged the commission to consider the situation. Louis Murqus, member of the Hamdaniyah municipal council, was arrested, beaten, and his teeth were broken. He was held until late at night, although I was in constant touch with them, and he is still in hospital half dead." (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 1 Feb 05)

Five killed in Samarra bomb blasts

Five people were killed and eight others were wounded when two bombs exploded in Samarra, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. A police source in the city said one bomb exploded along the main road and the second along a road in Al-Jubayriyah, in the centre of the city. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 1 Feb 05)

Three killed, four wounded in US raids near Al-Hillah

US forces and Iraqi National Guards stormed areas in the north of Al-Hillah, south of Baghdad, on 1st. Medical sources reported that three Iraqis were killed and four others wounded. An Iraqi Army source added that US forces also raided areas south of Al-Mahawil, east of Al-Musayyib, "in the largest campaign aimed at ending operations by armed men who began to redeploy in area in the past two days". (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 1 Feb 05)

Human rights minister Amin demands inquiry into camp deaths

Iraqi Human Rights Minister Bakhtiyar Amin has demanded that US guards be put on trial if they are proven to have resorted to excessive force in curbing riots which broke out in Camp Bucca, in which four Iraqi prisoners were shot dead by US soldiers. Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported that Amin said that he believed two US soldiers opened fire on the rioters. The ministry has sent a delegation to the camp in southern Iraq to investigate the matter. Riots broke out in Camp Bucca on 31st January. The US Army said that US soldiers killed four men during the riots in which hundreds of prisoners participated, adding that six people were injured, five by shots fired by the guards, and that three of the wounded were transferred to a military hospital, where they are in stable condition. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 1 Feb 05)

Iraq defence minister praises army over polling day security

Iraqi Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan on 1 February praised the armed forces for a job well done on the day of the elections. Speaking at a news conference in Baghdad broadcast live by Al-Sharqiyah TV, Al-Sha'lan thanked the armed forces, saying they did their best to protect "our people during the elections" and "fulfilled their duty with all sincerity and loyalty and recorded the most splendid day in Iraq's history in terms of security and stability". (Al-Sharqiyah 1 Feb 05)

UK commander says Iraqi forces "capable"

Brig Paul Gibson, the commander of the British forces in Basra, stated that there were no plans to increase the number of British troops in Iraq, London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported on 1 February. Gibson reiterated that his forces "will remain here as long as the Iraqi people need them." Saying that the security on 30 January "proved without any shadow of doubt the good capability of the army and police", he added that the UK forces in Basra did not approach the polling stations themselves. (Al-Sharq al-Awsat 1 Feb 05)

IRAQI MEDIA PROGRAMME SUMMARIES, 1 Feb 05
IRAQI PRESS: No Iraqi press for fifth day, 1 Feb 05
Newspapers in Iraq did not publish on 1 February due to security considerations in the aftermath of the elections and the inability of journalists to travel freely. (BBC 1 Feb 05) According to a previous report by Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV, this has been the case since 28 January.(Al-Sharqiyah )
Baghdad Al-Diyar TV Arabic News Summary 1 Feb 05
·         Iraqi vice president says Iraq will not ask the multinational forces to leave the country before security is maintained in Iraq ...
·         Allawi calls on Iraqis to renounced their differences and stick to national unity ...
·         Iraqi election commission says the first stage of ballot counting at local centres has been completed ...
·         Association of Muslim Scholars says it rejects the legitimacy of the election because it was conducted under the occupation ...
·         Video interview with Al-Sistani's representative in Karbala on the election and the post-election stage ...
·         UN official involved in the Iraqi election says the turnout was higher than expected ...
·         US ambassador in Baghdad praises the Iraqi people for their participation in the election despite the risks ...
·         Video report asks voters in Al-Musayyab district their feelings as they cast their votes on the election day ...
·         Iraqi killed in clashes in Jurf al-Sakhar ...
·         Report on world reactions to the Iraqi elections ...
·         Turkoman Air television building in Kirkuk comes under attack by armed men last night
·         US Army says four prisoners were killed in riots in a military prison in southern Iraq ...
·         Commander of the British forces in Basra says there are no plans to increase the number of British forces in Iraq.
Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV News Summary 1 Feb 05
·         Iraqi president says there is need for national dialogue among all Iraqis following elections; praises efforts by prime minister, other officials to engage on constructive national dialogue ...
·         Iraqi president says duty of next phase to bring about security; development, rebuilding of Iraq ...
·         Tunisia's foreign minister welcomes success of Iraqi elections; says elections positive step towards return to peace, security in country ...
·         US forces kill four detainees in southern Iraq prison following brawl ...
·         Two Iraqis killed in road side bomb attack in Arbil ...
·         Iraqi elections officials continue counting of votes throughout Iraqi governorates; results expected next week ...
·         Pentagon intends to increase merits for soldiers' families, those killed in wars ...
·         Iraqi oil minister says development of country's oil sector to depend on cohesion of forthcoming government ...
·         Number of bridges, roads continue to be closed despite end of elections ...
·         US Wall Street Journal says US army commander in Iraq faces budget deficit of 4b dollars ...
·         Australian Defence Ministry says Australian soldier among those killed in British plane crash in Iraq ...
·         Australian premier pledges to keep country's troops in Iraq despite success of elections ...
·         UN food body, FAO, earmarks sum of 41m dollars to cover costs of school meals maternity, childhood programmes in coordination with Iraq's Education, Health Ministries ...
·         Celebrated Iraqi musician dies in Baghdad.


Iraqi Kurdish News, 1 Feb 05

Two killed in Arbil blast
Two members of the Interior Ministry security forces were killed and another wounded when a mortar shell exploded in Azadi district in Arbil, reported Iraqi Kurdistan Satellite TV on 1 February. The security men were attempting to defuse the bomb - a mortar shell filled with TNT - when it exploded. The deaths come on the anniversary of a bombing in Arbil the previous year, which claimed the lives of at least 56 people in the offices of two leading political parties. (Kurdistan Satellite TV 0800 gmt 1 Feb 05)
Barzani reaffirms commitment to Iraq unity

Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Mas'ud Barzani said on 1st that the "first and foremost" result of the elections was that freedom and democracy had triumphed over terrorism and the enemies of democracy. In a message addressed to the Iraqi and Kurdistani people, Barzani thanks the US, the UK and the multinational forces for making the elections possible. He also reaffirmed commitment to Iraqi unity. "After decades of brutality and oppression, this is the first time for the Iraqi people to go to the ballot box freely. However much terrorist and enemies of democracy tried to threaten citizens and destroy the elections, the will of freedom and democracy triumphed and the front of terror and enemies of freedom failed thanks to God and the awareness of the majority of the people," he said. "We are committed to accord and cooperation with all the Kurdistani groups to achieve our aims at the level of Iraq the firm-establishment of federalism in the permanent constitution, to resolve the problem of Kirkuk and other Kurdistani areas, for appropriate Kurdish influence in the Baghdad federal government, for getting Kurdistan's fair share in the Iraqi budget and resources, and for consolidating cooperation and fraternity with all the Iraqi people - Kurds, Arabs, Turkomans, Assyrians, Chaldeans and other people." Barzani regretted that "tens of thousands of Christian, Ezidi and other electors" had been prevented from participating in the elections because ballot boxes had not been delivered. "It seems that this was done deliberately," he said. (Kurdistan Satellite TV, Salah-al-Din, in Sorani Kurdish 1 Feb 05)

Majority said voted for Kurdish sovereignty in election day survey
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan newspaper Kurdistani Nuwe reported on 1 February that the initial results of the unofficial poll on Kurdish independence indicated that most of the Kurds voted for independence. The final result, said a source from the Referendum Movement Higher Committee, would be made public in the near future. The survey consisted of only two questions : "Do you want an independent Kurdistan?" or "Do you want Kurdistan to stay as part of Iraq?" (Kurdistan Nuwe 1 Feb 05)
KurdSat TV news 1 Feb 05
·         The first anniversary of the suicide bombing at the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, PUK, and Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP, headquarters in Arbil marked today ...
·         Two killed in Arbil blast. Report over still picture of reporter ...
·         The anniversary of the death of a prominent PUK member marked today. Report over video showing a group of students laying a wreath ...
·         British government representative and election observer in Basra Ann Clwyd praises the process
·         Four militants killed in clashes with Iraqi National Guard and multinational forces.

Updates from the Iraqi Kurdish Press, 1 Feb 2005

Khabat and Kurdistani Nwe dailies ran front-page editorials commemorating the first anniversary of the simultaneous suicide explosions that hit both KDP and PUK HQs in Erbil on first day of Eid Al-Fitr last year on February 1^st. More than 100 persons, including senior KRG officials, as well as KDP and PUK leadership members were killed during the explosions. On page 3, Khabat ran a full-page reportage disclosing the names of the perpetrators and others who facilitated their missions, as well as their links with both Alqaeda and Ansar-ul-Islam terrorist groups. Some of the perpetrators are now in the custody of Erbil Security Department and were shown on TV days ago.

KDP Wins 21 Seats in Erbil, PUK 17 and Yakgirtu 3: Halbizhardin Special Annext to Hawlati weekly According to source close to the KDP and PUK in Erbil, preliminary resulted indicate that the KDP gained 48% of the votes for the 41-seat Governorate Municipal Council. The PUK gained 42% and the remaining 10% was scattered amongst and other political parties and the Kurdistan Islamic Union (Yakgirtu).
65% of Kirkukis Voted for Fraternity List: Halbizhardin Special Annext to Hawlati weekly Although official figures have not been released yet, it looks like about 65% of the voters in Kirkuk governorate, excluding Haweeja, have favored the Kurdish-sponsored candidacy list named Fraternity. Turcomans not affiliated to the Iraqi Turcoman Front, as well as Chaldo-Assyrians and genuine Arabs ran under the Fraternity List. About 436,000 voters were registered in the governorate.
120,000 Kurds in Mosul Deprived from Voting: Halbizhardin Special Annext to Hawlati weekly Mosul Kurds feared that terror might prevent them from participation in the elections but it turned out that the IECI played this role, PUK leadership member Saadi Pira complained last night. The IECI headed by Khalid Gizar deprived people from Hamdaniya (population 230,000 persons; baashiqa 150,000; Shekhan 50,000; and Tallafar 60,000) from voting for the second successive day because it failed to secure enough for the elections, the PUK official said explaining that 120,000 Kurdish eligible voters were denied their rights.
425,000 Kirkukis Voted, Fraternity List on Top: Khabat KDP daily ''Trusted'' sources reported that 425,168 persons, voted in Kirkuk for Iraqi National Assembly and Kirkuk provincial elections and most of the voters were Kurds. The source further reported that the joint Fraternity List endorsed by Kurds, Turcomans, Chaldo-Assyrians and genuine Arabs, is close to winning the vast majority of the seats in the new municipal council of the city although about 10,000 Kurds were deprived from voting. In the Arab-majority Haweeja district south of Kirkuk, the poll duration was extended an additional 6 hours until 11:00 p.m. in violation to the regulations set by the Independent Electoral Commission for Iraq (IECI), the same source said.
Mosul Elections; Kurds on Top Followed By President's List: www.peyamner.com An informed source advised that preliminary figures showed a Kurdish triumph in Mosul provincial elections. Downtown Mosul, the Kurdish joint list is on top followed by President Al-Yawer's Iraqioon List while in the adjacent districts and towns; the Kurdish list again is on top followed by the Shiite List, although many [Kurdish-majority] Sinjar, Shekhan, Alqush, Hamdaniya and Bartilla towns were deprived from voting. In Baghdad areas populated by Kurds, the Kurdish joint list also came second after the Shiite List as many Sunni Arabs from Jubour and Dilem tribes voted in favor of the Kurds.
Kurdih in Shekhan Demand Joining Kurdistan Region, IECI Allows them too Vote: www.peyamner.com The citizens in Shekhan town east of Mosul staged a peaceful demonstrations demanding the IECI to allow them participate in the elections that were held throughout Iraq on January 30^th. The people put down the Iraqi flag from the government departments and raised the Kurdistan region Flag in place. The IECI submitted to people's pressures and agreed to send ballots to certain districts downtown Mosul, as well as Sinjar, Shekhan, Alqush, Hamdaniya and Bartilla towns who could not participate in the polls but people cmplainthat the number of voting cards sent to those places were far less than the number of people deprived from voting.
KDP Wins in Erbil and Dahuk Governorates, PUK in Sulaymanya: www.peyamner.com An official results show that the KDP gained about 60% of the votes for Erbil Municipal Council followed by 37% for the PUK while in Dahuk the KDP gained 79.23%, followed by 9% for the PUK and 8.97 for Kurdistan Islamic Union (Yakgirtu).
Kurdish-Sponsored Fraternity List on Top in Kirkuk: www.peyamner.com The Kurdish-sponsored Fraternity candidacy list for Kirkuk's provincial elections has gained almost 80% of the 50% votes counted as of yesterday.
Kurds Voted for Independence, ITF Complains: www.peyamner.com The Iraqi Turcoman front (ITF) in Kirkuk complained that the Kurds in Kirkuk vote for independence in the elections that were held Sunday. The Governor of Kirkuk, the Police Chief and the Iraqi National Guard (ING) commander, all of whom Kurds, erected tents by the elections centers for a referendum calling for separation from Iraq and establishing independent Kurdistan, the ITF complained in a statement.
Explosion Kills 2 Security Members While Defusing Bombs: www.peyamner.com An explosion hit Erbil city this morning at 8:30 and killed tow security members. The bombed exploded and killed the two security elements who were defusing experts and were just about to start their job when the timed explosive package blew up and injured another two colleagues of them. The explosion site is close to the residence of Adnan Mufti, the PUK politburo member who survived last year's suicide attacks that simultaneously destroyed the HQs of both KDP and PUK exactly one year ago.
IECI to Disclose Preliminary Results Wednesday, Official: Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily IECI member Safwat Rasheed told the paper that the IECI was in the process of counting the votes and computerizing them. He further said that the IECI might release preliminary results officially by Wednesday afternoon.
Poll Turnout 73% in Sulaymanya, 88% in Dahuk: Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily Since the close of voting, the IECI did not give any official statement, therefore all the reported figures are unofficial. Preliminary results indicate that the PUK list for Sulaymanya municipal council has gained about 67% followed by the KDP 12%, Yakgirtu 10 and 4% for the Islamic Group (whose leader is in the US custody since June 2003). About 73% of the registered voters in Sulaymanya and 885 in Dahuk participated in the polls.
Kurds Win 25% of Iraqi National Assembly Seats, Talabani Says: Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily the PUK leader Jalal Talabani told Al-Arabiya satellite TV that the Iraqi elections turned to an unmatched jubilation and the Kurds will get at least 25% of the seats at the Iraqi national assembly.
Talabani Best for Iraq presidency, TDN: Kurdistani Nwe PUK daily The Turksih Daily News (TDN) reported that Iraq might have a Kurdish president for the first time in its history. In a report in English language, the daily wrote that Talabani was the most qualified person to preside over Iraq at this critical stage of the country's history. The paper further noted that the Kurds entered the Iraqi elections as united block and thus they were expected to harvest good results reflecting their actual percentage to Iraq's populations, as well as their political influence and might.
Kurds Flock to the Polling Stations in the Hope of Strengthening their Political Muscle: www.kurdmedia.com <http://www.kurdmedia.com> By IWPR reporters in Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyah: Voter turnout was high in northern Iraq, as large numbers of Kurdish voters cast ballots hoping to win greater autonomy for their region. There were some reports of violence in the ethnically-divided city of Kirkuk. One person was reportedly killed when a mortar shell fell on the sports stadium, where displaced Kurds were voting. There also were small skirmishes between Iraqi National Guards and insurgents in Hawija, southwest of the city. No casualties were reported. Election officials reported that voting in many Kirkuk polling stations was over by midday, although the polling sites stayed open until 5 pm, in accordance with election law. Many Kurds view oil-rich Kirkuk as a future capital and economic heart of an independent Kurdish state. Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, tens of thousands have returned to try to reclaim their homes and register to vote in the city, which lies just outside the Kurdish autonomous region. The Independent Electoral Commission announced earlier this month that displaced Kurds would be granted the right to vote in Kirkuk's election, causing leading Arab parties to boycott the poll. Abdulrahman al-Munshid al-Ubaidi, an Arab leader in Kirkuk, urged Arabs to vote for the Turkoman Front days before the elections. ``We and the Turkoman Front are people of the same house (ilk) and we won't allow the Kurds to be victorious in their attempt to annex Kirkuk to the Kurdistan region,'' he said. Polling violations were reported in some of the city's districts. Arif Qurbani, a Kurdish reporter, said that members of the Turkoman Front were seen telling voters in one district to avoid marking their fingers with indelible ink so they could vote a second time for the Turkoman list. In other districts, people held celebrations to mark the historic vote. Voters in the mainly Kurdish al-Iskan neighbourhood danced in the streets and slaughtered sheep as offerings. Farther north in the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah, poll workers said the elections went smoothly. They said the only problems involved illiterate voters coming to the polling stations without a literate helper, which is permitted by law. Officials in charge of the polling stations stepped in to help. "There have not been any problems hampering the process, but we cannot monitor the official in charge of polling station when he votes for illiterate people,'' said Hushiyar Najeeb, a poll monitor with the Kurdistan Communist Party. The only other problems involved mistakes in voter registration. The Independent Electoral Commission determined that those voters could amend their entries and still vote. "Fortunately there are few problems like these," said electoral commission worker Daroon Rahim. Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Secretary-General Jalal Talabani was one of the first people to vote in Sulaimaniyah, where citizens began lining up before polling stations opened. The Kurdish turnout across the region reflected the community's hope that the ballot would win them greater autonomy. Women in bright Kurdish costumes waited outside voting centres in Sulaimaniyah with children or elderly parents in tow. People exited polling stations proudly showing fingers stained by the purple ink used to ensure people could not vote twice. "I wish my baby could be born today so that it would be proud of itself," said pregnant woman Dashney Bakir.