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IRAQI NEWS, 15 MARCH 05
·         Civilian killed, two US soldiers wounded in car bomb
·         Two Iraqi soldiers killed north of Baghdad
·         Iraqi army colonel reported assassinated in Baghdad
·         Bomb causes fires in Kirkuk-Bayji crude oil pipeline
·         Shi'i-Kurd talks said deadlocked over interior minister post
·         Consumer Association calls for day of mobile phone silence
·         New childrens hospital opens in Baghdad
IRAQI MEDIA PROGRAMME SUMMARIES, 15 MARCH 2005
·         Al-Iraqiyah TV news
·         Al-Sharqiyah TV news
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 15 MARCH 2005
·         Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, comprehensive independent daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Congress]:
·         Al-Zaman [Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]:
IRAQI PRESS COMMENTS & QUOTES 15 MARCH 2005
·         "We want a government to serve, not to exploit us."- Al-Zaman
·         ``Regional Arab states official stand on terrorism''- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
·         ``Iraq reconstruction and imported labour''- Al-Mada
·         ``Allawi government; to build with one hand while fighting with the other''- Al-Dustur
UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PRESS, 15 MARCH þ2005
·         Kurdistani Nwe daily issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK
·         www.peyamner.com

IRAQI NEWS, 15 March 05
Civilian killed, two US soldiers wounded in car bomb
A car bomb exploded near a US convoy west of Baghdad on 15 March, killing one Iraqi civilian and wounding four others, reported Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV. Eyewitnesses and Iraqi police sources reported that two US soldiers had been wounded in the explosion and immediately evacuated in a medical helicopter seen near the scene of the attack. The police explained that the bomb was in a vehicle parked near a gas station and exploded as a US convoy passed by. One pedestrian was killed and four others were reported to have been wounded in the attack. (Al-Sharqiyah 15 Mar 05)
Two Iraqi soldiers killed north of Baghdad
Two Iraqi soldiers were killed when a bomb exploded north of Baghdad on 15 March, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 15 March. Officer Husayn Abbas, from the Iraqi Army 203rd Battalion, said two Iraqi soldiers had been killed while trying to dismantle a locally-made bomb. He explained that the soldiers discovered the bomb on the main road near Al-Dujayl area, north of Baghdad. (Al-Sharqiyah 15 Mar 05)
Iraqi army colonel reported assassinated in Baghdad
Armed men on 15 March assassinated an Iraqi colonel near his house in Al-Jihad district, in western Baghdad, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. Eyewitnesses quoted by the channel said that armed men in a car intercepted Col Ahmad Atiyah's car and opened fire on him, killing him immediately. The Iraqi police and army patrols rushed to the scene of the attack and closed off a number of roads in search of the perpetrators, who fled from the scene. (Al-Sharqiyah 15 Mar 05)
Bomb causes fires in Kirkuk-Bayji crude oil pipeline
Fires broke out today after a bomb exploded in a pipeline transporting oil from the Kirkuk fields to the refinery in Bayji, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 15 March. An Iraqi source quoted by the channel said that unidentified men placed a bomb under the crude oil pipeline. He added that huge amounts of oil had leaked into the Tigris which runs near the pipeline river and resulted in the fires, which are still continuing. (Al-Sharqiyah 15 Mar 05)
Shi'i-Kurd talks said deadlocked over interior minister post
The United Iraqi Alliance list and the Kurdish list disagree on the nomination of a figure for the interior minister post, reported Iraqi National Congress (INC) newspaper Al-Mu'tamar on 14 March. The report gave no further details on the nature of the two groups' disagreement. (Mu'tamar 14 Mar 05)
Consumer Association calls for day of mobile phone silence
The National Association for Consumer Protection in Iraq has called for 15 March to be a day of popular boycott of mobile telephones, Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) newspaper Al-Ittihad reported. The day of mobile telephone silence is timed to coincide with international consumer day, as designated by the UN. (Al-Ittihad 15 Mar 05)
New childrens hospital opens in Baghdad
The Iraqi Red Crescent Society has opened a modern paediatric surgical hospital in Baghdad after the refurbishment of a medical building at the cost of 500,000 dollars, reported Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan newspaper, Al-Ittihad. A source at the society said that the hospital had 20 beds, three operating theatres, a laboratory, pharmacy and various administrative and service facilities. (Al-Ittihad 15 Mar 05)

IRAQI MEDIA PROGRAMME SUMMARIES, 15 March 2005
Al-Iraqiyah TV news

·         Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi meets representatives of Al-Sadr political stream.
·         Vice-President Rozh Nuri Shawes says meeting of National Assembly merely ceremonial. Video report covers his comments saying it is ceremonial meeting, members to be sworn in.
·         Shawes says no difference between United Iraqi Alliance and Kurdish List over solution to Kirkuk problem. (1:57)
·         Jawad al-Malak, deputy speaker of interim National of Assembly says assembly to name speaker. Video report covers his comments. (0:35)
·         Legal experts believe writing of constitution main task of assembly. Video report highlights comments by Iraqis, experts over main tasks of parliament. (2:17)
·         Iraqis hope meeting of National Assembly to usher in security and peace. Video report from Baghdad covers comments, Iraqis hoping assembly will deal with unemployment, services, security. (2:00)
·         Iraqis hope assembly will succeed in writing constitution. Video report from Basra covers comments, Iraqis hope assembly can solve urgent problems, such as security, unemployment. (under 2 minutes)
·         Recorded interview with Rida Jawad Taki, member of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq. He speaks about talks on forming Iraqi government, saying Kurdish parties want to solve issue of Kirkuk before meeting of National Assembly. He says talks taking place in positive climate, Kurds' demands are legitimate but compromises could be reached. (5:45)
·         Allawi expresses anger at celebration held by Jordanian family of Al-Hilla suicide bomber. Video report covers anti-Jordan protests, shows scene of Al-Hilla attack, Interim Cabinet statement denouncing Jordanian family act, Iraq Islamic Al-Da'wah Party calling on Jordan to punish family, Jordanian premier denounces terror acts in Iraq. (2:29)
·         Report on protest in Najaf against terror acts in Al-Hilla and Mosul. Report highlights condemnation by Iraqis. (1:09)
·         Bombing hurts four near mosque in Bab-al-Mu'azim. Video report
·         Multinational force soldier killed in Al-Anbar.
·         Iraqi army kills terror suspects in Mosul; two others killed in the city, weapons, swords seized. (1:16)
·         Detainees released in Mosul; three terror suspects arrested in Al-Hawija.
·         Ramsi Hashim, mastermind of Najaf attack, arrested. (1:12)
·         Conference held in Baghdad on women empowerment. Video report highlights problems of women in rural areas. (2:12)
·         Basra governor sworn in during first sitting of province council. Video report covers council meeting, governor pledging to improve services, serve people. (1:15)
·         Governor of Maisan elected by province council. Video report covers election, man saying it is happiest day in history of province, governor comments. (2:02)
·         16. 2729 Ministry of Health upgrades general hospital in Al-Rammadi. Video report covers upgrading of Al-Anbar main hospital in Al-Rammadi, new equipment, power generator upgraded, emergency theatre expanded, patient praising care he has received at hospital. (0:44)
·         Lebanese stage protest outside US embassy in support of Syria. Video report (0:21)
·         19. 3048 Lebanese Prime Minister designate Umar Karami begins consultations over forming national unity cabinet.
·         Philippines Minister of Interior says 16 inmates killed in detention centre riot. Video report (0:35)
·         Japanese diplomat statement over island sparks South Korean protest. Video report (1:8)
·         Business bulletin. Iraq share market report. University of Baghdad holds conference on consumer rights, food safety. Great Iraq port project raises hopes for job creation and expanding capacity of port. Lebanese financial market stable despite Syrian withdrawal.

Al-Sharqiyah TV news
·         Iraqi leader of Democratic Party of Kurdistan says Peshmerga forces cannot be disbanded but can be their duties can be altered; he rejects delay of settlement of Kirkuk City ...
·         Four injured in booby-trapped car explosion near Baghdad mosque ... Civilian killed, four injured in booby-trapped explosion near US troops convoy west of Baghdad ...
·         Gunmen kill Turkish truck driver near Bayji City, north of Baghdad ...
·         Kirkuk-Bayji oil pipeline set to fire following explosion of device ...
·         Ukraine withdraws 140 soldiers as measure to reduce number of country's troops in Iraq
·         Iraqi religious body condemns storming of house of secretary-general of Association of Muslims Scholars by US troops ...
·         Report over video showing traffic jams in most of Baghdad streets caused by closure of number of bridges, streets ahead of parliament's meeting tomorrow ...
·         US Marine killed in Al-Anbar Governorate yesterday. ...
·         Two Iraqi soldiers killed in while trying to defuse home-made explosive device north of Baghdad ...
·         Gunmen kill Iraqi army colonel west of Baghdad. ...
·         Al-Najaf police commander says killer of Shi'i cleric Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim in August 2003 arrested ...
·         US troops besiege, impose curfew on Hit City in Al-Anbar Governorate ...
·         Tens of policemen demonstrate in Al-Anbar demanding payment of their salaries.


IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 15 March 2005
Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, comprehensive independent daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Congress]:
·         Talabani in Baghdad to resume negotiations on cabinet formation; signing of agreement with Alliance delayed by dispute over Kirkuk, Peshmerga
·         Najaf City Council demands Al-Sistani be granted Iraqi citizenship
·         SCIRI candidate to get Interior Ministry portfolio
·         Judicial committee to scrutinize status of foreign workers, new contracts to be put on hold
·         Iraqi cities witness rallies calling for severing relations with Amman
·         Jordanian king provoking Iraqis further, his government lashing out at Al-Sistani, Iraqi political parties (Agencies quoted).

Al-Zaman [Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]:
·         Effort to reach understanding obstructed by Alliance reneging on written pledges
·         Consultations precede convening of Arab Sunnis conference
·         Al-Yawar tells Al-Zaman of big package deal to assign presidential, ministerial seats
·         Ten-day cease-fire in Diyalah, involving suspension of raids, house searches
·         Al-Duri narrowly escapes capture by Interior Ministry forces in Al-Shurah
·         Car bomb detonates in Al-Rashid, killing civilians
·         Three dead bodies found in Mahmudiyah (Reuters quoted)
·         Additional military reinforcements dispatched to Mosul, 118 detainees released.

IRAQI PRESS COMMENTS & QUOTES 15 March 2005

"We want a government to serve, not to exploit us."- Al-Zaman

Al-Zaman [From commentary by Sa'ad Abbas]: "I would like those who now have their eyes on government seats or civil service posts to take note of these simple but eloquent words uttered yesterday by one of the millions of ordinary Iraqis whose interests have been overlooked for decades: "The former regime had let the people down, so it was let down by the people." To which he added, "Any government that fails to serve us will be brought down, this time through elections." These significant words are strongly reminiscent of one of the most prominent slogans launched in the run-up to the last elections: "We want a government to serve us, not a government to exploit us."

``Regional Arab states official stand on terrorism''- Al-Sharq al-Awsat

Al-Sharq al-Awsat [From commentary by Mishari al-Thydi]: "It is really stunning that, though far less populous than other Arab states in the region, like Syria, Egypt or Saudi Arabia, and though it takes an official stand that is a world apart from either the nationalist revolutionary policies of Syria or the Islamist fundamentalism of Iran, for example, Jordan should stand out as the main supplier of countless leading terrorists among those operating in Iraq, from the top man, Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, to the demised edict-issuing cleric, Abu-Anas al-Shami."

``Iraq reconstruction and imported labour''- Al-Mada

Al-Mada [From editorial]: "If the government is serious in its claim that foreign construction firms are loath to launch their Iraq reconstruction projects owing to the current lack of security as a result of rampant criminality and terrorism, it can at least alleviate the damaging effects of ordinary crimes. All it needs to achieve this is a little seriousness and honesty in addressing such issues as the need for regulations to restrict imported labour, with a view to expelling illegal immigrants; supporting and activating development-oriented banks to encourage investment in agriculture, industry, construction and tourism; and honing a formula for compensating those social groups most victimized by the policies of the former regime."

``Allawi government; to build with one hand while fighting with the other''- Al-Dustur

Al-Dustur [From editorial by Basim al-Shaykh]: "The Allawi government, which came to inherit the unenviable legacy of a collapsed state with an extremely dilapidated infrastructure, has managed to build with one hand while fighting with the other. Not only this, but it has managed to carry out its daunting tasks undeniably well, especially if we concede that it has had to face up to the additional task of having to right the wrongs done by the newly emerging politicians who, through incessant feuding and persistent competition for influence, have made matters far worse, leaving the Iraqi citizenry completely exposed before the marching armies of darkness on the one hand, and the challenge of survival on precarious livelihoods, on the other."



UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PRESS, 15 March þ2005

Khabat and Kurdistani Nwe dailies, as well as other newspapers provided blanket coverage to the 14^th anniversary of the March 1991 Uprising and the 17^th anniversary of Halabja gassing. Additionally, the 102^nd birthday of the KDP founder late Mustafa Barzani continues to receive broad coverage in Khabat.

Kurdistani Nwe daily issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK
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The Kurdish and Shiite lists resume their negotiations in Baghdad today. The Kurds demand settlements for Kirkuk, Peshmarga and fair distribution of Iraq's natural resources between the central government and the Regions.

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The Kirkuk Normalization High Commission is a governmental one directly linked to the Prime Minister and its decisions are mandatory, said Commissioner Hameed Majeed Musa. He further said that the Commission would normalize the situation in Kirkuk in four stages; return of displaced IDPs and compensate them for their lost/confiscated properties as well as send back Arab settlers to their places or origin [in central and southern Iraq], restore the original administrative boundaries of the governorate, conduct a census and then a referendum [to determine whether the people want to join Kurdistan Region or not].
¾         The Kurds must insist on federalism and restoring Kirkuk, the famous Turkish sociologist Ismael Beshikchi said in an interview with the Sulaymanya-based Kurdistan Strategic Studies Center. Beshikchi criticized those who expressed anger over return of displaced Kurdish to Kirkuk but did not protest settlement of Arabs there. The displacement and missing of Kurds started in the 1970s and was accelerate in the following decade, Beshikchi explained adding that the settlement of Arabs in Kirkuk to change the demographic balance against the Kurds.

www.peyamner.com <http://www.peyamner.com>
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Another mass grave containing about 20 corpses was found near a gas station west of Kirkuk Tuesday morning. A police source announced they were awaiting a representative of the Iraqi Human Rights Ministry to start unearthing the mass grave. Eyewitnesses say that most of the victims were believed to be the Kurds shot by the former regime in the aftermath of the year 1991 Uprising.

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The students at Medicine and Pharmacology colleges of Salahuddin University prolonged their strike and dentistry and Nursing colleges are expected to join the strike in support to their colleagues in Sulaymanya University who have been on strike since 20 days protesting against the opening of a private university named Ayinda [Future]. An activist student told the website that all colleges at Salahuddin University were expected to participate in a proposed demonstration in front Kurdistan Parliament house Saturday.
¾         The KRG-Sulaymanya Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research issued a clarification on the university students' weeks-long strike. The five-point clarification issued today stipulates preventing professors from any of Sulaymanya administration universities and institutes from teaching at Ayinda private university, in addition to annuling the admission of 30 students to Medicine, Pharmacology and Dentistry colleges at Ayinda university because their total grades were below the expected level for such colleges. The ministry's statement also said that investigations would continue to annul other illegal procedures at the private university but did not mention anything about closing it, as the students on strike have been demanding.
¾         The South Korean foreign Minister refuted an allegation by an Arabic website that claimed the Korean troops in Erbil were attacked. The Minister described the allegations as baseless saying that it was not the first time for www.islammemo.com <http://www.islammemo.com> to publish this kind of false stories on the Koreans.

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The burning of a car belonging to 4 Arabs downtown Erbil this afternoon frightened the whole city that received the news as the explosion of a car planted with TNT explosives. The 4 Arabs, two of them from Tikrit and the other two from Basra were in town to purchase herbal medicines prescribed by someone named Mulla Ali from Kalak town (30 km NW Erbil) for one of their relatives when their car went on fire. The fire fighting squads arrived immediately and controlled the fire soon.