Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

 
  
IRAQI NEWS, 2 FEB 05
·         UN envoy holds talks with Iraqi Sunni leader on political participation
·         Iraq oil pipeline west of Samarra sabotaged
·         Police rescue abducted brother of Ninawa police chief - TV
·         Five arrested in Mosul for attacks
·         Poll boycotters want to help draft constitution
·         Al-Najaf governor reportedly organizes protests against SCIRI
·         Two Iraqi policemen killed in Mosul
·         Brother of Ninawa police head kidnapped
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 5 FEBRUARY 05
·         Al-Zaman [Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]:
·         Al-Nahdah [Baghdad, political daily newspaper]:
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 5 FEBRUARY 05
·         ``Let's purge government departments of corrupt practices inherited from the past''- Al-Dustur
·         ``No One could: Lebanize, Somalize or Balkanize this country''-Baghdad
·         ``Elections have pushed the political process towards final phase ``-Al-Nahdah
·         ``Iraqi Kurds: Iraqi citizens living on Iraqi soil, Are they? ``-Al-Sharq al-Awsat
IRAQI MEDIA PROGRAMME SUMMARIES, 5 FEB 05
·         Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV news 5 Feb 05
·         Programme summary of Al-Iraqiyah TV news 5 Feb 05

IRAQI NEWS, 2 Feb 05

UN envoy holds talks with Iraqi Sunni leader on political participation

UN secretary-general's special representative Ashraf Qazi held talks in Baghdad today with the secretary-general of the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq.
The association spokesman, Umar Rajab, said that Ashraf Qazi had asked the association to participate in the political process and in writing up the constitution.
He pointed out that the association had demands that would be discussed with the sides which boycotted the Iraqi elections last Sunday [30 January] and we would announce a common position.
He pointed out that the demands were connected with reaching a consensus with all the political trends on a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq.
These talks came days after Prime Minister Dr Iyad Allawi had addressed an invitation for the start of a national dialogue to include all the political trends and activists in Iraq.
[Qazi - recording, in English followed by Arabic translation] I had a very good meeting with Shaykh Harith al-Dari of hay'at ulema al-muslimin [in Arabic, Eng: Association of Muslim Scholars]. I have also met leaders of other [political] parties and groups in Iraq to discuss the situation after the elections, which will give the Iraqis an opportunity to move ahead towards the transitional period, stipulated in Security Council Resolution 1546.
[Unidentified reporter, in Arabic] What do you think of the elections which had taken place?
[Qazi] It is the Iraqi people, themselves, who should give the judgment on these elections.
[Second unidentified reporter, in Arabic] What have you reached during this visit?

[Qazi] The meeting was very good.
(Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 5 Feb 05)

Iraq oil pipeline west of Samarra sabotaged

An oil pipeline connecting the refineries of Bayji and Al-Dawrah was sabotaged nine kilometres west of Samarra. This is the second attack in the same area in three days.
An official at the Bayji Refinery confirmed the sabotage attack, noting that the pipeline is one of eight others linking the two refineries. He added that repairing it will take one week. Another pipeline in the same area caught fire after it came under sabotage attack at dawn on Wednesday.

[Video shows flames, black smoke rising from hit pipeline] (Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Channel, Baghdad, in Arabic, 5 Feb 05)
 

Police rescue abducted brother of Ninawa police chief - TV

Police on 5 February rescued the Ninawa police chief's brother, who was kidnapped by gunmen in Al-Shirqat area on 4th, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. The TV added that Iraqi security forces besieged and combed Zubayrah village, south of Mosul, in search of the people suspected of carrying out abductions and murder. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 5 Feb 05)

Five arrested in Mosul for attacks
The Iraqi Interior Ministry said on 5 February that it arrested five people whom it said have confessed to killing and carrying out armed attacks against police stations and headquarters of political parties in Mosul, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. The ministry released a video tape showing the five people with arms, ammunition, and explosives that were used to carry out these attacks. The group also confessed to killing Iraqi policemen, National Guard members, and members of parties. The first arrested man said: "I am defendant Muhammad Hikmat Yunus Salih from Al-Shahwan area in Mosul Governorate. We carried out the operations that took place during the Id. We attacked US columns and kidnapped citizens. We kidnapped this Christian [points to a man appearing in a picture sitting on a chair with his hands tied]. We slit his throat. I am this one [appearing in the picture].
Another arrested man identified himself as Diya-al-Din Mus'ad Qasim, He said: "I worked as a guard at an amusement park. I carried out several terrorist operations. I was forced to do them by Akram Rudayni, who is in charge of security and who was first lieutenant in the Fedayeen during Saddam's regime. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 5 Feb 05)
Poll boycotters want to help draft constitution
Thirteen political entities have agreed to participate in the writing of the constitution after efforts made by Adnan Pachachi, leader of the Independent Democrats Rally, Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported on 5 February. Representatives of the 13 forces agreed in principle to contribute to the drafting of the permanent constitution in accordance with the proper formulas. They also agreed to continue work to develop and organize a constructive national dialogue among all the political forces and parties that participated in the meeting that was sponsored by the Independent Democrats Rally. The groups included: the Iraqi Islamic Party, the Nationalist Arab Trend, the Arab Socialist Movement, the National Democratic Party, the Arab Nationalist Democrats Movement, the University Teachers League, the Imam Jawad al-Khalisi Office, the Democratic Centrist Part, the Iraqi Intellectual Officers Movement, the Unionist Democrats Movement, the Iraqi Salvation Party, and the National Front for Iraqi Tribes. (Al-Diyar TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 5 Feb 05)
Al-Najaf governor reportedly organizes protests against SCIRI
A group of women staged a demonstration in Al-Najaf against the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq [SCIRI], Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported on 5 February. The TV said the women demanded a rerun of the election in the city. The TV added that according to "reliable sources" the demonstrations were organised by Al-Najaf Governor Adnan al-Zarfi who is said to have promised to give cement to the participating women. The sources claimed Al-Zarfi is "working hard against SCIRI" now that he became sure he will not be the next governor of the city. The participants in the demonstration raised banners saying: "Yes, yes to Al-Zarfi". Also there were signals that Al-Zarfi allowed Al-Sadr Current to hold Friday prayers in Al-Kufah to spite SCIRI, the TV added. (Al-Diyar TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 5 Feb 05)
Two Iraqi policemen killed in Mosul
Two Iraqi policemen were killed when gunmen launched an attack on a police station in the northern city of Mosul on 4 February, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported the following day. Eyewitnesses told the TV the attacker managed to escape after carrying out the attack in the city's Shuqaq al-Khadra district. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 5 Feb 05)
Brother of Ninawa police head kidnapped

Gunmen have kidnapped brother of the police head of Ninawa governorate, Maj-Gen Ahmad Muhammad Khalaf al-Juburi, Al-Sharqiyah TV's correspondent reported on 5 February. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping yet. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 5 Feb 05)

IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 5 FEBRUARY 05
Al-Zaman [Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]:

·         Legality of certain electoral lists still being questioned, Yazidi movements warn against new dictatorship
·         Final election results expected to be announced Sunday or Monday Three lists gleaning 74 per cent of Iraqi expatriates abroad
·         Italian journalist kidnapped in Baghdad
·         Special mass dedicated to Pope held in Baghdad (AFP quoted)
·         Iraq balks at buying German armoured vehicles (AFP quoted)
·         National Guardsmen give chase to suspects in Haifa Street, arrest four
·         Barzani warns against Turkish military intervention in Kirkuk (AFP quoted)
·         SCIRI official assassinated, 12 killed in fuel tanker blaze
·         Arrest in Diyalah of assassination network backed by neighbouring state
·         Communist Party says coordination, cooperation best way to accomplish tasks at present stage Iraqi Central Bank: Elections have had positive effect on Iraqi dinar exchange rates

Al-Nahdah [Baghdad, political daily newspaper]:

·         Serious dialogue underway to convene national accord conference, set framework for joint action in next stage (Agencies-quoted)
·         Two US soldiers killed in Mosul, Babil (agencies quoted)
·         Al- Naqib: Zarqawi narrowly escaped capture (CNN quoted)
·         Three French gunmen detained in Iraq (AFP quoted)
·         Germany participating in building Iraqi institutions (Reuters quoted)
·         Jordan providing facilities for Iraqi businessmen


IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 5 FEBRUARY 05

``Let's purge government departments of corrupt practices inherited from the past''- Al-Dustur


Al-Dustur [From editorial by Basim al-Shaykh]5 Feb 05: "One of the primary tasks the upcoming government will have to tackle is to purge government departments and security offices of the lingering corrupt practices inherited from the past. It is paramount that these institutions should be reshaped according to new criteria embracing objectivity, integrity and the advancement of public interest, regardless of how strongly some might still cling to the bad old ways, unable to grasp the full dimensions of the upheaval Iraq has undergone, which allows no room for regression to a corrupt past".

``No One could: Lebanize, Somalize or Balkanize this country''-Baghdad

Baghdad [From commentary by Ayman al-Sumayri]5 Feb 05: "The Saddamites, Bin-Ladinites and their tyranny-promoting host, who were banking on turning Iraq into a nightmarish swamp, have lost their bet to Lebanize, Somalize or Balkanize this country. By going to the polls in such great numbers as to emulate those seen only in the most confirmed democracies in the world, the people of Iraq have indeed cast the evil anti-democracy mob into the dumping ground of history, bidding the whole host of them a final good-bye and good riddance".

``Elections have pushed the political process towards final phase ``-Al-Nahdah

Al-Nahdah [From commentary by Mahdi al-Hafiz]5 Feb 05: "The main achievement of the elections is that they have pushed the political process ahead towards its final and most crucial phase, namely that of laying a solid and permanent groundwork for establishing normalcy in the land in terms of instituting good governance, devising the proper mechanisms to make it functional and doing away with the consequences of foreign occupation so as to create a suitable atmosphere whereby it would be possible to embark on genuine political strategies to safeguard Iraq's national interests and move on towards rebuilding the country along the paths of comprehensive development".

``Iraqi Kurds: Iraqi citizens living on Iraqi soil, Are they? ``-Al-Sharq al-Awsat

Al-Sharq al-Awsat [From commentary by Adnan Husayn]: 5 Feb 05 "If you really want Iraqi Kurds to retain their status as Iraqi citizens living on Iraqi soil, then you should at least accept the idea of having a Kurd for president or prime minister. Only thus can you demonstrate your true willingness to let a Turkuman, an Assyrian, a Chaldean, a Jew, a Sabbaean or a Yazidi take the Iraqi presidency in the future, [so long as he is fit for the job]".

IRAQI MEDIA PROGRAMME SUMMARIES, 5 Feb 05
Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV news 5 Feb 05
·         UN envoy asks Association of Muslim Scholars to take part in political process, drawing up constitution of Iraq ...
·         Two children killed in mine explosion in Samarra ...
·         Four Iraqi soldiers killed in booby-trapped motorbike in Basra ...
·         Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research sets on 7 February as official date for start of study at universities, higher institutions ...
·         Two US soldiers killed, five wounded in blast targeting their patrol near Bayji north of Baghdad ...
·         Bush continues contacts with several world leaders to discuss future of Iraq ...
·         US, Iraqi forces continue collecting arms in Al-Fallujah ...
·         Explosive charge blast targets US patrol in Al-Ramadi, destroys personnel carriers; during attack US forces kill two civilians, wounds two in random shooting ...
·         US to withdraw 15,000 troops from Iraq ...
·         Two Iraqi policemen killed in attack on police station by gunmen in Mosul; Ninawa police chief's brother kidnapped by gunmen; desertion because of violence big challenge for Iraqi forces, says senior US military official ...
·         Kofi Annan reiterates his determination to take measures after committee investigating oil-for-food "scandal" releases its report ...
·         US Department of State says initial report on oil-for-food "scandal" includes serious accusations against some UN officials ...
·         Assyrian democratic movement calls on Iraqi electoral commission to "do justice" to citizens in some Mosul areas who could not participate in elections ...
·         Iraqi interior ministry says in a video tape it has arrested five Iraqis said "admitted" carrying out "murders and armed attacks" in Mosul ...
·         US soldier charged with Iraqi prisoners "abuse" jailed for six months ...
·         French foreign minister says has not lost hope to find kidnapped French journalist
·         Report on Kurdish local textile exhibition in Arbil
Programme summary of Al-Iraqiyah TV news 5 Feb 05
·         Independent Electoral Commission says vote count result announced not final; outcome in some provinces not representative of final result ...
·         International Organization for Migration completes vote count ...
·         Iraqis hope polls will be start of freedom ...
·         Report on role of Iraqi press in informing public about polls; Report highlights sharp rise in numbers of newspapers after collapse of regime, press informative role
·         Iraqis in Basra believe election was fair ...
·         US soldier, four members of National Guard killed in separate attacks in Basra ...
·         Iraqi and multinational forces seize more weapons in Al-Fallujah, find arms cache
·         Special force arrests nine from Khalid Ibn-Zakiyah terror group in Mosul ...
·         Live interview from Al-Nasiriyah with general Ali Ati, head of National Guard in the city. He speaks about cooperation between security force and public ...
·         UN Iraq ambassador says UN credibility on the line following result of oil-for-food programme inquiry ...
·         Iraq association for revival of Al-Ahwar hands out help to local population ...
·         Report on state firm in Ziqar supplying people with building material ...
·         International conference on terror opens in Riyadh ...
·         Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas discusses with Fatah leadership Sharm al-Shaykh summit ...
·         Iraq currency market report