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IRAQI NEWS, 3 APRIL 05
·         Time for peace in Iraq, new speaker tells MPs
·         Some 50 infiltrators arrested in Al-Samawah
·         Basra clan protest against British troops' incident
·         Jordan to compensate Al-Hillah victims - paper
·         Al-Chalabi warns against "secessionist demands"
·         Al-Iraqiyah TV broadcasts more confessions
·         Border guard recruits in south complete training
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES - 3 APRIL 05
·         Al-Bayyinah [Baghdad, general cultural]
·         Baghdad [Baghdad, political daily newspaper]
·         Al-Dustur [Baghdad, independent daily]
IRAQI PRESS COMMENTS AND QUOTES -3 APRIL 05
·         ``Do we have to declare our independence in ten Iraq's provinces?''- Al-Bayyinah
·         ``Jordan; Iraq's breathing lung for years''- Baghdad
·         ``Sunnis and new government posts''- Al-Dustur
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA, 3 APRIL 2005
·         Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah 3 Apr 05
·         Al-Sharqiyah TV news 3 Apr 05
UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PRESS, 3 APRIL 2005
·         www.peyamner.com
·         Khabat daily issued in Erbil by the KDP
·         The Hewler Globe, weekly magazine issued in English in Erbil
·         Kurdistani Nwe daily issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK
·         Aso weekly newspaper issued in Sulaymanya
·         Hawal, weekly newspaper issued in Sulaymanya

IRAQI NEWS, 3 April 05
Time for peace in Iraq, new speaker tells MPs
The newly-elected speaker of the Iraqi parliament, Hachim al-Hasani, said in his inaugural address on 3 April that it was time for peace in Iraq. In a speech broadcast on Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV, he said to the assembly: "It is time for this patient people to win their natural right to a decent life, map out the future of their coming generations, and be a pillar of good and become part of the edifice of mankind. The time has come for this people to regain their dignity that God has granted them." Al-Hasani - a Sunni Muslim - told his fellow MPs that they would have to work hard to retain the people's confidence. He said that the Iraqi people had elected their MPs "in a most remarkable election epic, in which they defied the forces of darkness and terrorism to declare to the whole world that this people is alive." (Al-Sharqiyah 03 Apr 05)


Some 50 infiltrators arrested in Al-Samawah
Major General Husayn Uwayz al-Ghazali, commander of the Border Guard forces in Al-Najaf City, said 50 people who infiltrated into Iraq from Saudi territory have been arrested, the Al-Najaf News Network web site reported on 3 April. Al-Ghazali said the infiltrators were currently being held in Al-Samawah, where they were detained. (Al-Najaf News Network www 3 Apr 05)
Basra clan protest against British troops' incident
Members of the Bani Tamim clan have protested against an incident in which British forces stormed the house Shaykh Al-Tamimi, the chief of the clan in Iraq, Al-Iraqiyah TV reported on 3 April. The British forced apologised to the Shaykh's brother who is a member of the National Assembly, but he refused to accept the apology until the British troops agreed to a number of conditions set by the clan, the TV said. (Al-Iraqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 03 April 05)
Jordan to compensate Al-Hillah victims - paper
Unspecified "political sources" say Jordan's King Abdallah has authorized the Jordanian charge d'affaires in Baghdad to pay financial compensation to the families of those killed in the Al-Hillah bombing on 28 February, the Baghdad paper Al-Bayyinah reported on 2 April. According to media reports, a Jordanian national was responsible for the attack which left 135 people dead and dozens more wounded, the paper recalled. It said compensation would be 50,000 dollars for the family of each person killed, and 25,000 dollars for each person wounded. (Al-Bayyinah, Baghdad, in Arabic 2 Apr 05)
Al-Chalabi warns against "secessionist demands"
Iraqi National Congress leader Ahmad al-Chalabi told the Iraqi Al-Bayyinah newspaper in an interview published on 2 April that the feeling among the Iraqi public was that the National Assembly members should work to stop the bloodshed and address the problems of the nation. "But what has happened is that personal differences and narrow interests have eclipsed the people's interests and aspirations," he said. Al-Chalabi urged the National Assembly "to hold its sessions in public so that millions of our people can hear them, take action against those hampering the political process, and expose those parties trying to undermine the people's interests and aspirations." The people were disenchanted with "the separatists and those who are setting impossible conditions," Al-Chalabi continued, "we are not against legitimate demands seeking to promote the interests of our brothers in the homeland and in religion, demands aimed at promoting the unity of the people and the homeland. But we reject some parties fishing in muddy waters to peddle their impossible or secessionist demands. We will never allow anybody to sell out Iraq and its people's right to make their own decisions." (Al-Bayyinah, Baghdad, in Arabic 2 Apr 05)
Al-Chalabi slams Iraq neighbours for "exporting death to Iraq"
Since the fall of Saddam Husayn's regime, neighbouring Arab countries have "shown their teeth and begun exporting death, killing, and destruction to the Iraqi people," said Iraqi National Congress leader Ahmad al-Chalabi in an interview with Shi'i newspaper Al-Bayyinah. In remarks published on 2 April, Al-Chalabi said that these regimes were trying to avoid change in their countries because "they know that they will collapse if democracy in Iraq succeeds and stability prevails." (Al-Bayyinah 02 Apr 05)

Al-Iraqiyah TV broadcasts more confessions
Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah TV continues to air confessions by terror suspects who give accounts of their attacks on members of the security forces and National Guard. In the latest series of confessions aired on 3 April, one suspect was strongly censured by the host after he described how members of his group blew up National Guard patrol cars. They blew up a police patrol in another attack then went to have supper in a restaurant, according to the suspect. He said they also shot dead an Egyptian they described as "a collaborator". Another suspect admitted to taking part in several attacks on US troops, saying he regretted his actions. The TV then showed a hooded Iraqi woman with a man sitting behind her. She said the man threatened to kidnap and rape her, but she led him to believe she would go out with him the next day. After he released her, she reported him and his gang to the police. A policeman who did not appear on camera described how the man and members of his gang were captured. (Al-Iraqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 3 April 05)
Border guard recruits in south complete training
The Border Guard command in southern Iraq has completed the training of an 11th batch of recruits, Al-Iraqiyah TV reported on 3 April. An official told the TV the new recruits would help tighten control of the border at border checkpoints, on patrol and in customs procedures, supported by the army and local police. (Al-Iraqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 3 Apr 05)
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES - 3 April 05

Al-Bayyinah [Baghdad, general cultural]
Al-Bayyinah [Baghdad, general cultural political weekly newspaper published by the Hezbollah Movement in Iraq]:

Sectarian tight-rope walkers behind Al-Yawar's withdrawal from political process Al-Shahwani delivers intelligence files on Shi'i figureheads to King of Jordan One billion dollars in emergency US grant to Iraq Under pressure from outraged street, Kurds abandon claim to oil portfolio The Sadr persuasion: Let government be formed by Alliance, or else Eleven Arab states to announce establishment of official ties with Israel soon Yielding to Iraqi street pressure, Jordanian government agrees to pay reparations to Al-Hillah massacre victims Row in Arab Summit corridors, Al-Qadhafi upset, Bashar [al-Asad] resentful at [Abdelaziz] Bouteflika's demand that Arabs leave Iraq alone Government official spokesman turns arms dealer.

Baghdad [Baghdad, political daily newspaper]

Baghdad [Baghdad, political daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Accord Movement]:

Decisive National Assembly session Washington calls for quick cabinet line-up, announces detention of Al-Zarqawi aide (Agencies- Quoted) Radioactive contaminated tanks, vehicles found Policemen killed, wounded as car bomb detonates in Ba'qubah (Reuters- Quoted) Terrorist attack targets police in Khan Bani Sa'd Defence Ministry: Drop in terror acts toll in March (AFP- Quoted) Association of Muslim Scholars denies having issued ruling legitimizing recruitment in army, police (INA- Quoted) Japan supplies Samawah with nine 360 MW power generators British Embassy apologizes to Iraqi MP (KUNA- Quoted).

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

Talabani joining deliberations to resolve National Assembly problems (INA- Quoted) Al-Juburi's statements met with anger, Al-Yawar asserting Sunni decision to withhold support for his nomination Ma'sum: Thousands of Arabs in Kirkuk to be relocated according to Shi'i-Kurdish agreement (Agencies- Quoted) Mariam al-Rayyis: Major progress made in tripartite talks involving winning lists Syrian Intelligence behind attempt at Mithal al-Alusi's life, murder of his two sons and assassination of medical college dean (Agencies- Quoted).


IRAQI PRESS COMMENTS and QUOTES -3 April 05

 ``Do we have to declare our independence in ten Iraq's provinces?''- Al-Bayyinah

Al-Bayyinah [From editorial in general cultural political weekly newspaper published by the Hezbollah Movement in Iraq]:

"Here is what we have to say to those who wish to undermine the elections and play with our people's nerves: Unless you stop your gimmicks, we will have no other choice but to declare our independence in ten of Iraq's provinces which are best qualified to coalesce into an integral state with enough natural resources to restore to us some of the health and energy we have been robbed of as a result of your persistent injustices, which, meted out to us by our own kin, have proved particularly harsh."

``Jordan; Iraq's breathing lung for years''- Baghdad
Baghdad [From editorial]:

"This strange insistence on linking to the Jordanian government certain terror groups, themselves tracked down by that government is ... dubious. It is even more dubious to doggedly step up the escalation with brotherly Jordan as if to push matters to the point of no return, with the intention to sever all relations with this country, which has proved to be Iraq's breathing lung for years, to say nothing of its key role in hosting the Iraqi opposition and helping to topple the demised regime."

``Sunnis and new government posts''- Al-Dustur
Al-Dustur [From editorial by Bassim al-Shaikh]:

"While one party, out of sheer patriotism, has been seeking to restore some balance to the lopsided political situation arising from insufficient Sunni voter turnout, which has resulted in unrealistically weak Sunni representation in the National Assembly, others seem to have been looking at new government posts, the National Assembly Speaker's included, as propitious means of asserting historical rights or realizing personal ambitions, at a time much too hazardous for any such posts to be so considered."




IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA, 3 April 2005

Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah 3 Apr 05
·         Transitional National Assembly elects Speaker, deputies. Video report covers election during today meeting, comments by speaker and deputies, assembly members ...
·         Main coalitions agree on Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani as president; decision to be announced this week. Video report covers comments by National Security Adviser Muwaffaq al-Rubay'i speaking about consensus on national unity government, comments by Vice-President Ibrahim al-Ja'fari pledging to serve people ...
·         Iraqis optimistic after assembly meeting. Video report covers comments reflecting public demands ...
·         National Guard and police tighten security during assembly meeting. Video report highlights tight security ...
·         Five terror suspects killed in offensive by security force in Samarra. Eight others arrested ...
·         Iraqis respond favourably to call by Shi'i marja Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to help police ...
·         Border guard volunteers complete training session. Border guard commander in south announces plan to tighten patrol on border to prevent illegal entry from neighbouring countries. Video report covers graduation ceremony ...
·         British troops apologize for storming by mistake home of clan chief Shaykh Muzahim al-Tamimi in Basra. British give guarantees to bear responsibility for incident. Video report covers protest staged by clan of Tamim against incident, member of clan saying apology was rejected, clan sets conditions accepted by British troops, British Consul visiting Al-Tamimi home ...
·         Basra province councillors to visit UK and Denmark for talks over reconstruction. Video report highlights goals of visit, comments by governor ...
·         Iraqi Catholic priests mourn death of Pope

Al-Sharqiyah TV news 3 Apr 05
·         Iraqi National Assembly decides to form three committees following election of Sunni Hachim al-Hasani as Speaker ...
·         Mortar bomb hits street near Green Zone in Baghdad early this afternoon, causing no casualties ...
·         Pope's body laid out in Vatican for people to pay last respects ...
·         Iraqi Chaldean Christians in Northern Iraq hold mass for Pope ...
·         US forces admit forty four soldiers injured in attack on Abu-Ghurayb prison ...
·         Six Iraqi civilians injured in Iraqi police gunfire at minibus in Baghdad ... Gunmen clash with US forces in Al-Ramadi ...
·         Samarra residents condemn attack on ancient mosque ...
·         Iraqi council of ministers announce creation of Iraqi Supreme Court based in Baghdad ...
·         US soldier killed by explosion in Hadithah during operations in Al-Anbar ...
·         Body of Kurdish high-ranking army officer found in Mosul ...
·         US investigation says killing of Bulgarian soldier by Americans was due to mix up between both forces.

Updates from the Kurdish Press, 3 April 2005

All the papers, including Khabat and Kurdistani New dailies, covered the death of Pop John Paul II on their front-pages.

www.peyamner.com <http://www.peyamner.com>      

The Iraqi Parliement convened today and elected Sunni Arab politician as Speaker and both KDP politburo member Arrif Taifour and Shiite Arab Nuclear scientist Hussein Shahristani as two deputies. The parliament will convene again on Wednesday to elected Talabani as President with two vise-presidents.

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The fist meeting of Erbil governorate's Municipal council failed to name a governor and distribute the key posts.
After a month of continued strike, Sulaymanya University students staged a demonstrations in front of the Council of Ministers in Sulaymanya demanding the shut down of Ayinda Private University..
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Khabat daily issued in Erbil by the KDP

The KDP leader Massoud Barzani and politburo executive Fadhil Mirani separately received a delegation of Kurdish notables from Turkey. The discussions focused on the status quo in Iraq and Kurdistan.

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The condolence ceremonies for the death of Barzan tribe chieftain Sheikh Muhammaed Khalid Barzani concluded on Saturday and KDP leader Massoud addressed an open acknowledgement letter to all those who participated in the ceremonies.
¾         In an interview with Al-Hayat London-based daily, the Iraqi Ambassador to the United Nations Samir Al-Sumaedayee said the Kurds have all the right to determine their future by themselves.
¾         The Iraqi federal government appointed Faeq Sheikh Ali as its ambassador to Kuwait after 15 years of disruption of diplomatic ties between the two countries following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
¾         Sunni Arab politician Adnan Pachachi decides to run for Iraqi vise-presidency.
¾         Syria decides to release all the Kurdish prisoners of opinion and restore Syrian citizenship certificates.
¾         The deformed corpses of 4 citizens were found in Mosul. Only one of the victims was identified as a 35-year-old Kurd from Qasrok town. In related news, the Iraqi federal government announced that information forwarded by citizens helped capture two leaders of the terrorist groups in the city; one of them is a Pakistani and the other Afghani.

The Hewler Globe, weekly magazine issued in English in Erbil

No Deal Yet Over Kurd-Shiite Alliance. Talks between the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) and the Kurdish leadership came to what appears to be a deadlock Sunday as the Kurds turned down the Shiite proposal for giving them a number of leading government positions except for the central cabinet post of the oil department. ``Kurdish negotiators requested the oil minister be appointed by them and we think the oil ministry is important and it should be part of the United Iraqi Alliance coalition, UIA member Saad Jawad told AFP.

Efforts To Form Iraqi Government Collapses. Iraq's attempt to fill the first posts in a national-unity government erupted in shouting and factional strife Tuesday, as what politicians described as last-minute power plays overran the Shiite and Kurdish-led effort to form a coalition with Sunnis.

Kurdistani Nwe daily issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK

The PUK leader Jalal Talabani and a number of politburo members visited in Baghdad the leader of the Supreme Council of Islamic revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Abdul-Aziz Al-Hakim. Both sides reiterated the need to speed up the formation ofteh Iraqi government.

KRG-Sulaymanya PM Omer Fattah received a delegation of [Sulaymanya-based] Kurdistan Teachers Union and expressed his support to the Union. The Union delegation visited the PM to demand allocation of plots of residential land for teachers in the towns and restoration of teaching allowance system, as well as raising the minimum level of salaries.
The Iraqi Planning Ministry hinders the construction of 6,000 housing units in Kurdistan. The Spanish Foreign Minstry's International Aid Agency have expressed its readiness, since months, to construct 6,000 housing units in Kurdistan as part of its $40 million donation for Iraq but the Planning Ministry has not OK'ed the project, a step necessary for the realse of the fund by the Spanish agency. Explaining that all the donor countries present their aid to Iraq through the planning Ministry, the KRG-Sulaymanya Minster of Relations and Cooperation Abdulrazaq Mirza said that Baghdad-based Planning Ministry did not deal officially with KRG. Mirza further complained that the Planning Ministry submitted a list of 700 projects worth $4 billion to the donor countries last year but none of the projects was for Kurdistan Region.

Aso weekly newspaper issued in Sulaymanya

The Americans left the Kirkuk issue unsettled on purpose, said Hameed Majeed Musa, leader of the Iraqi Communist Party and chairperson of the special commission that the Iraqi government established to resolve Kirkuk issue.

Hawal, weekly newspaper issued in Sulaymanya

The dissolve of Kurdistan Socialist Democratic Party (KSDP, led by Iraqi parliament member Muhammed Haji Mahmoud) continues. More senior members, including a leadership member and another comrade in charge of the party's Europe branch, have submitted their resignations over the last week.

PUK politburo member and Iraqi Deputy PM Barham Salih interferes in the affairs of Kurdistan Region through his support for the Sulaymanya University students who demanded the shut down of Ayinda Private University. Political analysts fear that Salih's interference may encourage future Iraqi governments to interfere in the Region's affairs.