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Sunday, April 03, 2005

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IRAQI NEWS, 2 April 05

Seven killed, 26 arrested in Al-Musayyab, Al-Iskandariyah

Brothers working for US forces killed in Balad Ruz

Seven arrested for police kidnappings

US vehicle destroyed in explosion near Abu Ghurayb

AMS denies issuing fatwa to join army, police

Tikrit demonstrators back Al-Juburi's nomination for Speaker

Iraqi makes poetic appeal for government assistance

IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES - 2 April 05

Al-Dustur [Baghdad, independent general political daily newspaper]

Al-Mada [Baghdad, political daily newspaper published by Al-Mada Corporation]

Al-Zaman [Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]

IRAQI PRESS COMMENTS and QUOTES -2 April 05

‘No More Delay in Nominating the National Assembly”- Al-Dustur

“Sabotage has reached Minaret of Samarra!”- Al-Mada

“Reins are beginning to slip out of grip”- Al-Zaman

IRAQI MEDIA PROGRAMME SUMMARIES, 2 April 05

Al-Rashid radio broadcasts from Baghdad

BBC to advertise Arabic service in Iraq

Al-Sharqiyah TV news 2 Apr 05

Al-Iraqiyah TV news 2 April 05

IRAQI NEWS, 2 April 05

Seven killed, 26 arrested in Al-Musayyab, Al-Iskandariyah

US and Iraqi forces killed seven gunmen on 2 April and arrested 26 others, following search operations conducted in Al-Musayyab and in Al-Iskandariyah, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. Large quantities of weapons and ammunition were found. The media spokesman at Al-Hillah Police Department said the raids were carried out at dawn in six neighbourhoods in Al-Musayyab and Al-Iskandariyah cities by a joint US-Iraqi force raided six neighbourhoods at dawn. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad , in Arabic 2 Apr 05)

Brothers working for US forces killed in Balad Ruz

Two brothers, thought to be employed by US forces, were killed in Balad Ruz by gunmen, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 2 April. The Balad Ruz police department said that unidentified gunmen, shot the two brothers from a car in the centre of Balad Ruz. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad , in Arabic 2 Apr 05)

Seven arrested for police kidnappings

Police in Karbala governorate on 2 April arrested seven Iraqis who were planning to kidnap police personnel in the governorate, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. One of those kidnapped was a woman, the TV said. The spokesman for the Karbala police department Rahman Mashawi said the detainees were planning to kidnap police officers in the Furayha area. He added that the detainees had admitted to having kidnapped 30 people, mostly policemen, in Basra and Dhi Qar governorates. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad , in Arabic 2 Apr 05)

US vehicle destroyed in explosion near Abu Ghurayb

A US vehicle caught fire when an explosive charge was detonated on the main road west of Baghdad , Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 2 April. Police said the explosive, which was planted on a road near Abu Ghurayb Prison in Baghdad , went off overnight as a US convoy was passing by. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad , in Arabic 2 Apr 05)

AMS denies issuing fatwa to join army, police

The Association of Muslim Scholars (AMS) has denied issuing any fatwa allowing Iraqis to join the Army and Police, Denmark-based Iraq for All News Network web site reported on 2 April. In a statement, the AMS said that the Umm al-Qura Mosque, which announced the fatwa, is not an official source for expressing its positions. The AMS stressed that official declarations are expressed only by its secretary general, official spokesman, and media office. ( Iraq for All News Network, Sonderborg, in Arabic 2 Apr 05)

Tikrit demonstrators back Al-Juburi's nomination for Speaker

Demonstrators in Tikrit city have called on the National Assembly to accept Mish'an al-Juburi as the Sunni nominee for the position of Speaker, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 2 April. The TV said thousands took part in the demonstration. They included political and religious forces, in addition to tribal chiefs in Salah al-Din and other governorates. The demonstrators were reacting to the UIA's objection to Al-Juburi's nomination by the National Dialogue Council - which represents Sunnis in Iraq . (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad , in Arabic 2 Apr 05)

Iraqi makes poetic appeal for government assistance

An unidentified Iraqi citizen made an appeal for government assistance in the form of a poem, during a programme broadcast on Iraqi TV channel Al-Sharqiyah on 2 April. The programme, called "The life of a town - unvarnished", featured ordinary Iraqis voicing their concerns on issues such as health care and the local infrastructure. A translation of the poem follows:

Our new leader, listen, leader,

you have to walk through all these graves

you will see that the people of Iraq have suffered a lot

Shortage of electricity and scarcity of water

these people have stayed like this for two lifetimes

Our new leader put out my fire

and provide us with hope

and solve the sewage problem

If you a Shi'i, we will put you on our head

and if you are a Sunni you will live within the souls

not just fabricated and just going up and down

our new leader listen O leader

(Al-Sharqiyah TV, 2 Apr 05)

IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES - 2 April 05

Al-Dustur [ Baghdad , independent general political daily newspaper]

Al-Ja'fari sets tomorrow as deadline for nominating National Assembly speaker and his two deputies [INA quoted] Alliance voices reservations on Al-Juburi's nomination, threatens to resort to parliamentary mechanisms [to block it] Mish'an [al-Juburi]: My nomination unanimously backed by Sunnis, Ba'thists, resistance Al-Alusi demands Mish'an be interrogated over cooperation with Ba'th Ali al-Adib: Kurdish demands violate general norms, political process being obstructed intentionally Baghdad police chief: Iraqi judiciary ought to make voice of justice heard Thirty-six terrorists, including Palestinians, Egyptians, captured on Al-Kut highway [INA quoted] University professor assassinated, scores of terrorists detained in Mosul, Balad-Ruz police chief gunned down [INA quoted]

Al-Mada [ Baghdad , political daily newspaper published by Al-Mada Corporation]

Al-Najaf back in crisis, city contingency regiment attacking police command Al-Sistani calls on Iraqis to cooperate with law-enforcement agencies [AFP quoted] Ancient historic Samarra minaret has top tier blown off by terrorists [AFP quoted] Sixty-four clerics, preachers issue edict urging Iraqis to enlist in army, police ranks [agencies quoted] Minister of Trade urges entry of Iraq-bound foodstuff convoys be facilitated British express view on National Assembly delays while Americans remain aloof [agencies quoted]

Al-Zaman [ Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]

Decisive morrow: Either accord terminating quota-distribution impasse or deeper marginalization-prone unilateralism Allawi bloc rejects lackey role, demands key portfolios as precondition [to participation in government] Defence Ministry signing memorandum of friendship, cooperation with Ukraine Alliance denies reservations on Al-Juburi's nomination for National Assembly speaker's post Al-Pachachi offers no comment on vice-presidential nomination Settlement draws near for potential coalition government Assyrians celebrate new year Iraqi street dismayed at delayed cabinet line-up

IRAQI PRESS COMMENTS and QUOTES -2 April 05

‘No More Delay in Nominating the National Assembly”- Al-Dustur

Al-Dustur [from editorial by Bassim al-Shaykh]

"The reason there has been such needless delay in nominating the National Assembly speaker, and, consequently, the Presidency Council triumvirate, lies in the basically erroneous approach to the issue adopted by the winning electoral slates. By disregarding the dictates of democracy and indulging in back-room bargaining for shares in the political cake, the election winners have brought about great confusion and have only succeeded in pushing the whole political process to the verge of total collapse."

“Sabotage has reached Minaret of Samarra !”- Al-Mada

Al-Mada [from editorial]

"Today, the hand of sabotage has reached the historical Minaret of Samarra, having sapped the city itself of all signs of life. Everything Iraqi is doomed to death. This is the sole promise terrorists have for Iraqis, and it is indeed the sole aim of all those grudge-bearing foreign- paid mercenaries now on the rampage in Iraq ."

“Reins are beginning to slip out of grip”- Al-Zaman

Al-Zaman [from commentary by Fatih Abd al-Salam]

"Motivated by deep grudges, old and new, and energized by supportive shots from foreign intelligence agencies whose identities have become all too clear, a handful of Iraqi politicians have launched a highly choreographed vilification campaign against certain rival dignitaries, groups, parties and political trends, now that they have been pushed to play their cards openly in the face of the present impasse resulting from the difficulties of forming a new cabinet, and now that they have come to realize that the reins are beginning to slip out of their grip."

IRAQI MEDIA PROGRAMME SUMMARIES, 2 April 05

Al-Rashid radio broadcasts from Baghdad

Al-Rashid radio, a new Iraqi radio station, was observed on 1 April to transmit from Baghdad on FM 91.5 MHz. The radio is run by Al-Janabi Group, an Iraqi company that was established in 1952 and operates in the fields of shipping, agriculture, trade, real estate, information technology, banking, radio communications, and others. According to its English web site at Al-Janabi Group has offices in Baghdad and Dubai . Between 1200 and 1800 gmt on 1 April, Al-Rashid radio was observed to carry Arabic, Western, and Turkish songs throughout. At 1600 gmt, however, it carried a detailed newscast covering domestic, regional, and international news.

BBC to advertise Arabic service in Iraq

The BBC has launched a major TV advertising and billboard campaign in Iraq, promoting the availability of the BBC Arabic service programming on seven FM frequencies across the country. Filmed in Iraq , a 30-second TV ad with the strapline "Your world, your news - on BBC Arabic" will appear on Iraq 's first independent satellite channel, Al-Sharqiya TV. The ad promotes the BBC Arabic availability on FM relays in Iraq , including 96.0 FM in Mosul and Arbil, 89.0 FM in Al Kut, 89.0 FM in Al Amara, 89.0 FM in Baghdad , 100.0 FM in Al Nasiriya, 90.0 FM in Basra and 92.9 FM in Kirkuk . The billboard campaign starts on 12 April and will last for 12 months. (BBC press release, London , in English 1 Apr 04)

Al-Sharqiyah TV news 2 Apr 05

• Supporters of Mish'an al-Juburi demonstrate calling for his nomination for speaker of the Iraqi National Assembly ...
• United Iraqi Alliance spokesman announces nomination of Al-Hasani for speaker of Iraqi National Assembly ...
• Adnan Pachachi announces his nomination for the Republic's vice-presidency ... Five Iraqi police officers and a civilian killed in car bomb explosion north east of Baghdad ...
• Explosion west of Baghdad causes damage to US army vehicle ...
• Police in Karbala arrest seven Iraqis including a woman accused of planing to kidnap Iraqi police officers ...
• Iraqi and US forces killed seven Iraqis, arrested 26 in operations in areas south of Baghdad ...
• US marine killed in Al-Ramadi in gun attack by insurgents ...
• Gunmen kill two brothers in Diyala Province town for working with US forces ... Sabean council demand role in writing the new Iraqi constitution ...
• Iraqi and US forces storm targets in the industrial area near Al-Ramadi

Al-Iraqiyah TV news 2 April 05

• Interim Cabinet condemns attack on Islamic monument; Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih pledges continued fight on terrorism ...
• Member of National Assembly Ali al-Dabagh calls for speedy formation of cabinet ... Leader of Iraqi Independent Democrats Grouping Adnan al-Pachachi announces his candidacy for post of Vice-President ...
• Report covers public calling on politicians to serve people interests rather than ethnic interests ...
• Car bomb kills seven in Baghdad ...
• Police arrest people attempting to illegally enter Iraq from Saudi Arabia ...
• Basra police draw tight security plan to protect worshippers returning home from Karbala festival ...
• Basra security force storm hideout ...
• Mandaean community seeks participation in writing of constitution ...
• Literary festival held in Basra ...
• Day of orphan celebrated in Baghdad

• ***

NB: This is not an official document. The information contained therein was compiled by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq , Information Office. If you have any questions/suggestions, please contact us at (+ 962 550 -4631/4632 or Cell. + 962 77 619 731 jarrar@un.org or alsokhni@un.org