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IRAQI NEWS, 27 FEB 05
·         Two children, woman killed by missile in Iraq's Al-Fallujah
·         Iraq's Al-Sha'lan hits out at Syria, Iran; says "close" to Al-Zarqawi arrest
·         Five bodies found by Iraqi police in Al-Musayyab
·         Saddam's arrested half-brother accused of masterminding terror attacks
·         Blast kills five, wounds three in Iraq's Mosul
·         Five wounded in car blast southeast of Baghdad
·         Iraqi vice-president says Kurds demanding "one of two presidential posts"
·         Blast kills five, wounds three in Iraq's Mosul
·         Two Iranian officers killed in clash with Iraqi soldiers near border
·         IRAQI PRESS QUOTES & COMMENTS, 27 Feb 05
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 28 FEB 05
·         London-based Al-Zaman headlines 28 Feb 05
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA PROG. SUMMARIES, 27 FEB 05
·         Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV news 27 Feb 05
·         Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Iraqiyah TV news 27 Feb 05
·         Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Diyar TV 27 Feb 05
UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PRESS, 27 FEB 05
·         Khabat daily issued in Erbil by the KDP
·         Kurdistani Nwe daily issued in Sulaymanya by PUK
·         Hawal, political weekly issued in Kirkuk

IRAQI NEWS, 27 Feb 05
Two children, woman killed by missile in Iraq's Al-Fallujah

Two children and a woman were killed and seven others were wounded in a missile attack on the city of Al-Fallujah, west of Baghdad. Eyewitnesses told Reuters the bombing targeted the Al-Julan and Nazzal neighbourhoods, in eastern and western Al-Fallujah, last night, resulting in the death of the two children and the woman and the wounding of others and destroying three houses and several cars. An eyewitness said he saw the remains of the victims scattering as a result of the strong explosion.
[Unidentified Iraqi] What is in this house? Is there anything in this house? Are there weapons in this house? Two children and a woman were killed in this house. One has to fear God. We could see [the remains of] the children scattered. The houses around were destroyed. See this car? My house was burnt down. How can two children and a woman be hit by two missiles?! God does not accept this. [Video of wounded children, damaged houses, cars] Source: Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 27 Feb 05

Iraq's Al-Sha'lan hits out at Syria, Iran; says "close" to Al-Zarqawi arrest


Iraqi Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan has reiterated the accusation that Syria and Iran are involved in planning the security problems from which his country is suffering. In statements published today, Al-Sha'lan said: Everything I talked about regarding the Syrian and Iranian security breaches in Iraq has been substantiated through the confessions of the terrorists we have arrested.
Al-Sha'lan agreed with State Minister Qasim Dawud's statements yesterday, saying: We are so close to arresting the wanted Jordanian Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi.
The minister ruled out the imminent formation of a new Iraqi government, thus opening the door to all possibilities, such as keeping Iyad Allawi in post or giving the post to Al-Ja'fari. He said that it is likely that the contacts regarding the formation of the next government will result in a consensus among the political parties and forces. He stressed that the confusion or disparity of positions would lead to a very dangerous situation. He noted that the formation of 10 military divisions to protect Iraq from what he described as foreign assault has been completed. He said that some of the other [military] formations are in need of reinforcements to build their structures. Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 27 Feb 05

Five bodies found by Iraqi police in Al-Musayyab


Iraqi Police have found southwest of Baghdad the bodies of five people who were shot to death. Captain Muthanna Khalid said that the bodies, which were blindfolded with their hands tied up, were found in the city of Al-Musayyab last night. The bodies did not carry any documents to clarify their identities or affiliation.
Yesterday morning, Al-Musayyab had witnessed two explosions, one of which took place at a check point wounding a number of policemen.
Source: Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 1200 gmt 27 Feb 05

Saddam's arrested half-brother accused of masterminding terror attacks


The Iraqi interim government has announced today that Iraqi security services have arrested Sab'awi Ibrahim al-Hasan, Iraqi former president's half brother.
In a press release, Tha'ir al-Naqib, spokesman of the Iraqi prime minister, said that Sab'awi was arrested due to the Iraqi government's determination to track down and capture all the criminals, who committed massacres and whose hands are stained with the blood of the Iraqi people, to bring them to justice to face their fair punishment.
Al-Naqib added that Sab'awi al-Hasan had effectively contributed to masterminding, supervising, and carrying out many terrorist operations in Iraq. He did not, however, give any details on how or where Sab'awi was captured.
Sab'awi, who is number 36 on the 55-person wanted list, occupied the posts of head of intelligence and adviser of the former president. Only ten persons on this list are still at large.
Source: Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 27 Feb 05

Blast kills five, wounds three in Iraq's Mosul


Five persons were killed and three others were wounded when an explosive charge went off at a public building in southern Mosul, north of Baghdad.
Major Abd-al-Rahman Ali said that the explosion, which took place at the municipality of Hammam al-Alil sub district, killed a solider, an employee, and three civilians, while seriously wounding three other soldiers.
Source: Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 27 Feb 05

Five wounded in car blast southeast of Baghdad


Five persons were wounded when a booby-trapped car exploded in the city of Al-Musayyab, southwest of Baghdad, today.
Police Officer Haydar al-Mas'udi said that the car was parked near a parking lot for intercity transportation cars. He added that two policemen were among the wounded.
Source: Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 27 Feb 05


Blast rips through oil pipeline north of Baghdad
An explosion ripped through an oil pipeline that runs north of Baghdad, causing it to burst into flames, which had not subsided, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 26th February. A North Oil Company official reportedly said that the previous night an explosion had ripped through a pipeline used for transporting crude oil from the Dibs oil fields to the city of Kirkuk. Another source, "which chose to remain anonymous", reportedly said: "Information available to us indicates that the fire was a result of sabotage." (Al-Sharqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 1200 gmt 26 Feb 05)
Iraqi vice-president says Kurds demanding "one of two presidential posts"

Iraqi Vice-President Rozh Nuri Shawes has said that Kurds are insisting on one of the two presidential posts in Iraq, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 27 February. Shawes, who heads the parliament of Kurdistan, told reporters in Arbil that a Kurdish delegation was holding discussions with other political parties in Baghdad to reach a formula for the formation of the new cabinet, stressing that the Kurds wanted two important portfolios in the next cabinet. He reiterated the demand for federalism, addressing the Kirkuk issue and viewing the peshmerga as part of the Iraqi army rather than a militia. He said: We are not for setting a timetable for the withdrawal of the multinational forces from Iraq. He went on to add: We asked UN envoy Ashraf Qazi to help us reach a conciliatory solution among all the Iraqi parties. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 1500 gmt 27 Feb 05)

Blast kills five, wounds three in Iraq's Mosul
Five people were killed and three others were wounded when an explosive charge went off at a public building in southern Mosul, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 27 February. Major Abd-al-Rahman Ali said that the explosion, which took place at the municipality of Hammam al-Alil sub district, killed a solider, an employee and three civilians, while seriously wounding three other soldiers. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 1300 gmt 27 Feb 05)
Two Iranian officers killed in clash with Iraqi soldiers near border
Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported on 27 February that two Iranian officers were killed and three others wounded in clashes between Iraqi and Iranian soldiers in Shatt al-Arab near the Iraqi-Iranian border. (Al-Diyar TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 1230 gmt 27 Feb 05)
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES & COMMENTS, 27 Feb 05
Al-Bayyinah editorial: Any careful observer of the political scene now unfolding in Iraq cannot fail to notice a number of facts that have already emerged, in addition to powerful trends that are struggling to surface, as the essential elements of a new political reality. Foremost among these is that the amazing will power evinced by ordinary Iraqis looking forward to a bright future has dwarfed all the forces of evil and darkness desperately trying to turn back the clock in the hope of sustaining futile illusions and resuscitating dreams that are long-dead.
Al-Zaman (Commentary by Adil Taqi al- Baldawi): If the new government is to make any real headway, its first order of business must be to do away with the privileges lavishly vested in its high-ranking officials. Only thus can senior officials be freed from the need to flatter those above them in the executive hierarchy for fear of losing their lucrative jobs; only thus can they feel free to deal more honestly and aggressively with problems of mismanagement and corruption.
Al-Manarah (Commentary by Ahmad Thamir Jihad): The responsibilities assigned to the Iraqi media are by no means less hefty than those assigned to other government institutions. The acute security crisis and the appalling administrative corruption that has gone out of all proportion, particularly in provincial government offices, will not go away without being seriously combated at all levels, from strict laws passed by the legislature to sober monitoring by a media machine always ready to expose any transgression on the rights or disregard for the interests of the general public.

Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 9 a 1,200-word article by Rida al-Zahir distinguishing between a national accord and reconciliation. The article says that the reconciliation between democratic parties and terrorists is impossible; however national accord among the political forces that believe in democracy to build the country is necessary at this stage. The article adds that the main problem with our society is absence of the culture of democracy as a result of the long domination of the culture of tyranny. The article urges the new government and the transitional National Assembly to implicate all Iraqi political forces and factions in the drafting of the permanent constitution. The writer also calls for trying the former regime leaders rapidly.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 6 a 1,000-word article by Khalid Zaki urging the next government to investigate the "acts of corruption and embezzlement" allegedly committed by Prime Minister Allawi's ministers. The article accuses the ministers of oil, interior, agriculture, and transport, in addition to senior officials, of embezzling Iraq's wealth. The writer demands, among other things, investigating the money transferred by former Interior Minister Badran and the Defence Ministry to Lebanon and Jordan; and the smuggling of 55 trucks carrying ration card food items by President Al-Yawir's cousin into Syria.

Al-Bayan carries on page 3 a 700-word article by Hadi Farid al-Tikriti, discussing the difficult burden that the upcoming government must deal with. The writer says that this government should be purely Iraqi in making its decisions, free itself from narrow sectarian affiliations, and give priority to security
Al-Bayan publishes on page 3 a 600-word article by Salim Rasul, criticizing the Iraqi political entities for failing to form the government as quickly as the people expected. The author says that the Iraqi people are in "bad need" of services and power, not for "useless long negotiations."
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 28 Feb 05
London-based Al-Zaman headlines 28 Feb 05
·         Al-Sab'awi captured in a security cooperation deal with Damascus ...
·         Cairo discusses with Damascus linkage between Resolution 1559 and Al-Ta'if agreement ...
·         Project on Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon main point of proceedings of Algiers [Arab] summit ...
·         Al-Barzani and Abd-al-Hamid discuss developments on forming Iraqi government ...
·         Three US soldiers killed in Babil and Baghdad and 14 Iraqis killed in Mosul and Al-Masib ...
·         Al-Jaza'iri, Abd-al-Razzaq and Al-Kufi in conflict on Al-Najaf security post ...
·         Al-Hariri before his assassination tells an Irish newspaper: Al-Asad told me he was the only one who appoints president of Lebanon ...
·         Al-Azhar and Mufti reject appointing non-Egyptian rabbi to manage Jewish endowments in Egypt ...
·         [Muslim] Brotherhoods deputy leader: We support amendment of constitution in return for lifting ban on movement ...
·         Egyptian opposition agrees on its candidate to challenge Mubarak.



IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA PROG. SUMMARIES, 27 Feb 05
Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV news 27 Feb 05
 
·         Interim Iraqi government announced today the arrest of Saddam Husayn's half brother. Still of Sab'abwi
·         President Yawar stresses in interview with Al-Sharqiyah TV importance of participation of all Iraqi groups in the political life of the country. Recording of interview to be broadcast later today. Still of Yawar
·         Two children, woman killed, several injured in missile attack in Al-Fallujah. Report over video showing scene of attack
·         Iraqi Kurdish vice-president says Kurds insist on occupying one of the two top positions in the coming government . Still of official
·         Iraqi defence minister charges against Syria, Iran of being behind security violations in Iraq. Still of minister
·         Minister Al-Shar'a reiterates Syria's commitment to Iraq's territorial integrity.
·         Eight people killed, three seriously injured in today's explosion south of Mosul. Map of Iraq
·         Five people injured in booby-trapped car explosion in Al-Mussayib, southwest of Baghdad.
·         Premier Allawi meets US Congress delegation from the Republican Party. Report over video showing meeting
·         Iraqi teachers call for reforms to the education sector. Report over video
·         US soldier killed yesterday in Babil, south of Baghdad.
·         Syria reiterates commitment to implementing the Ta'if agreement over Lebanon. Report over video
·         Iran tells European interlocutors it will not cease uranium enrichment programme, reaches agreement with Russia on nuclear cooperation. Report over video
·         Israel threatens to attack Syrian targets after accusing it of being behind the Tel Aviv explosion. Report over video
·         UN Kofi Annan sends letter to Tunisian president on need to re-activate Arab peace initiative. Still of Annan

Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Iraqiyah TV news 27 Feb 05
·         Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi meets US congressmen. Video report covers meeting. Vice-President Ibrahim al-Ja'fari receives congressmen. Video report covers Al-Ja'fari comments, he says consultations with other parties underway to form coalition, talks to be held with Syria over terrorism. (2:07)
·         Shi'i leader Grand Ayatollah Ali-al-Sistani stresses national unity. Video report covers meeting in Al-Najaf between Al-Sistani and members of United Iraqi Alliance, comments by Ahmad al-Chalabi, leader of Iraqi National Congress Party saying intensive efforts under way to form coalition, Al-Sistani quoted as saying priority is national unity, calls for protection of rights of Sunnis. (2:05)
·         Saddam half brother captured. Video report (1:53)
·         Studio interview with Haydar al-Muwsawi, member of Iraqi National Congress Party. He says Al-Chalabi withdrew his candidacy for post of premier to avoid breaking ranks of United Iraqi Alliance. (4:25)
·         Eight Iraqis killed, two hurt in Mosul blast; US soldier killed in Babel; two Iraqis soldiers hurt in Ba'qubah. (0:49)
·         Police backed by multinational force launch security operation in Basra residential area. Video report looks at operation aiming at seizing weapons, arresting wanted terrorists. (1:47)
·         Shatt al-Arab police arrest car thieves. Video report shows them, police officer explaining operation to arrest them. (1:37)
·         Report on army training in Wasit. (2:00)
·         Chaldean priest condemns terror acts. Video report highlights his comments. (0:52)
·         Interior Ministry calls on Arabs and foreigners living in Iraq to ensure they have right documents. (0:38)
·         Minister of Culture says restoration work to be done in Babel
·         Law school students at Baghdad university elect union representatives. Video report (0:51)
·         Newly-appointed teachers complain about unpaid salaries. Video report (2:27)
·         Minister of Culture says restoration work to be done in Babel. Video report (2:20)
·         Computer training for Iraqis returning from exile. Video report (2:17)
·         US contacts Palestinian leaders over Tel Aviv bombing. Video report (1:44)
·         Sudan and African Union agree on Darfur protocol. Video report (0:42)
·         Russia and Iran sign nuclear fuel deal. Video report (0:27)
·         Pope Paul John II makes surprise appearance at hospital window. Video report (1:59)
·         Business bulletin. New railways links reopened. Iraq new two-day weekend greeted with mixed reactions. Qatar, Bahrain discuss bridge linking both countries. (7:08)
·         Danish royal couple in Australia for yacht contest. Video report
Programme summary of Iraqi Al-Diyar TV 27 Feb 05
·         Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim says he will strongly oppose any country trying to interfere in Iraq's domestic affairs. He denies that his group, the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, is connected with Iran ...
·         Consultations continue for the formation of a new government. Jawad al-Maliki says a meeting will be held with Kurdish leaders. He denies Shi'i-Kurdish alliance to control parliament. He says the Shi'i coalition wants all forces to join the political process. A National Accord Movement official says popular support for Allawi remaining in his post is increasing. A US embassy official says no successor to Negroponte has yet been named ...
·         The chief of staff of the Iraqi army visits the Kurdish Peshmerga Ministry and the Military College in Al-Sulaymaniyah ...
·         In Friday sermon, Al-Sistani's representative in Karbala calls on the neighbouring countries to explain their position towards the infiltration of armed men through their territories. He also discusses administrative corruption ...
·         Five Iraqis were killed and four others wounded in two separate attacks. Al-Zarqawi group claims killing three American soldiers ...
·         Iraqi and multinational forces raid areas and arrest 35 suspects ...
·         The British army chief apologizes to all Iraqis after three British soldiers were found guilty of abusing Iraqi prisoners. The British defence secretary says he was deeply troubled after seeing the abuse photographs ...
·         American troops pursued armed men along the Euphrates valley west of Baghdad yesterday. American tanks demolish weapons cache in Hadithah. American officer says 150 suspected armed men have been arrested. Minister of State Dawud says the noose is tightening around Al-Zarqawi ...
·         Two Iranian officers were killed in a clash with Iraqi soldiers in Shatt al-Arab. Iran announces the arrest of a number of Al-Qa'idah members in Kerman province ...
·         The New York Times says CIA officers are increasingly worried about the possibility of calling them to account over their arrest and interrogation of terror suspects ...
·         Video report on the problem of power cuts in parts of Baghdad for long hours ... Germany expresses readiness to increase contribution to Iraq reconstruction effort after security has been maintained ...
·         The foundation stones of five health centres in Kirkuk have been laid ...
·         Video report on the increasing number of schoolchildren failing to attend lessons ...
·         Video report on an educational workshop in Babil ...


UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PRESS, 27 FEB 05
Khabat daily issued in Erbil by the KDP
·         The KDP leader Massoud Barzani received on Saturday leader of Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP) and discussed with him the need to the continue implementing the consensus building policy for the new Iraq. Both sides appreciated the outcomes of the Iraqi elections as a popular repulse of terrorism and exchanged views on the new leadership's tasks in the post-election Iraq. The same day, Barzani received the Governor of Salahuddin. Their discussions focused on the election results, as well as the political ands security situation in the governorate.
·         Nechirvan Barzani mends fences with Turkey. In an interview with the New Anatolian newspaper, the KRG-Erbil PM said there were mis-understandings between the Kurds and Turkey and he was ready to take all paths to settle them but the Turkish media was playing an unhelpful role. Barzani further said the Kurds demands for Kirkuk were simple and clear; ``Return of Turcoman and Kurdish IDPs, restoration of Kirkuk's pre-Saddam administrative boundaries.''
·         60 Iranian commercial companies opened a joint show in Dahuk city for their products.
·         The Iraqi ministries of health and water resources implement a range of service projects in Kirkuk.
·         The security forces in Mosul launched a series of raid on various locations arresting 75-armed terrorists and confiscated a number of weapons cashes.
Kurdistani Nwe daily issued in Sulaymanya by PUK
·         The PUK leader Jalal Talabani received the new Director-General of KRG-Sulaymanya Security Department Saturday evening and vowed to support him.
·         An IIP delegation is due to arrive Sulaymanya Sunday and meet with Talabani. A source from Talabani's Secretariat added that Talabani is also to meet with the KDP's Massoud Barzani soon. These meetings are coinciding with extensive deliberations in Baghdad between the Kurdish leadership's operation cell comprising Deputy PM Barham Salih, Vice-President Rozh Shawais, Parliament Speaker Fuad Maasoum and FM Hoshyar Zebari on one side and the Iraqi political parties on the other side.
·         A delegation from the US embassy in Baghdad headed by the Political officer visited Kirkuk and held a series of meetings with all ethnicities in the governorate. The focus of all the meetings was on the elections and provision of service projects, as well as the implementation of TAL Article 58. A source close to the meetings told the daily that the chauvinist Arabs demanded the stay of Arab settlers but the US diplomat reiterated that the said article would be implemented and the extra-ordinary situation would be ended.
·         The Fraternity List of Kirkuk that won the majority of seats in Kirkuk elections formed a committee to discuss future steps with other winning lists.
·         Commenting on the rumors that advised the disband of the Iraqi Turcoman Front (ITF), Riyadh Sari Kahya, leader of Turcoman Eli Party and a leading ITF executive confirmed there was an idea to dissolve the Front and transform it to a political party, but it was not a split or break away. Kahya further elaborated saying the ITF would convene its 4th conference in April and discuss the matter. On the views of political parties enrolled in the ITF to Kirkuk issue after the elections, Kahya said they wanted to start a new chapter on basis of serious dialogue wit Kurdish leadership.
·         Commenting on earlier reports ran by Hawlati and Hawal weeklies on nomination of PUK politburo executive chief Kosrat Rassoul as his deputy for Kurdistan Region, a PUK politburo source described the reports as baseless adding that the issue was not discussed between KDP and PUK. The two papers had reported the PUK nominated Rassoul as KRG Vice-President presidency Massoud Barzani, nominee for presidency was dissatisfied.
Hawal, political weekly issued in Kirkuk        
·         Reports leaked from the PUK politburo meetings advise that the party has decided to move to Baghdad with a proper weight suiting the current task awaiting Talabani, the Kurds' nominee for Iraqi presidency. A PUK politburo source reiterated that the Kurds demand to take the ministries of Finance, Oil, Defense and Foreign Affairs, in addition of presidency and deputy PM. The source further explained that the motive behind politburo move to Baghdad was to support Talabani's presidency rather than taking ministry portfolios.
·         A source close to the KDP disclosed that Massoud Barzani will not accept PUK politburo executive chief Kosrat Rassoul as his deputy for Kurdistan Region presidency. The paper recalls the Rassoul's popularity as the election results showed the PUK gained more votes than the KDP in Erbil city.