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IRAQI NEWS, 11 APRIL 05
·         Security issues noted in Samarra
·         US forces raid house in southern Baghdad
·         Gunmen kidnap engineer employed by US forces
·         Three bodies found near Al-Dujayl
·         Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline reportedly needs two weeks for repairs
·         Al-Iraqiyah TV broadcasts more "confessions"
·         Al-Sharqiyah TV relays assembly proceedings
·         Assembly session continues
·         Al-Yawar meets Sunni group leader
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES 11 APRIL
·         Al-Adalah
·         Al-Dustur
·         Al-Jaridah
·         Al-Mada
·         Al-Mu'tamar
·         Al-Sharq al-Awsat
·         Al-Zaman
IRAQI PRESS COMMENTS &EDITORIALS, 11 APRIL 05
·         ``Opposition group; a healthy sign in Iraq's modern history''- Al-Adalah
·         ``Saddam Husayn's worst nightmares''- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA, 11 APRIL 05
·         Al-Sharqiyah TV news 11 April 05
·         Al-Iraqiyah TV news 11 April 05
UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PRESS, 10-11 APRIL 2005
·         Talabani stresses respect for Al-Sadr, clarifies CNN interview
·         www.peyamner.com
·         Aso, private weekly newspaper issued in Sulaymanya by Xandan Publishing House
·         Kurdistani Nwe, daily newspaper issued in Sulaymanya by PUK
·         Khabat daily issued in Erbil by the KDP
·         www.kurdistannet.org

IRAQI NEWS, 11 April 05
Security issues noted in Samarra
A decision has been taken in Samarra, north of Baghdad, to stop raids on people's houses except with the approval of the city's tribal chiefs, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 11 April. It noted that Maj-Gen Muntazir Jasim al-Samarra'i, the new commander of the Interior Ministry's commando force in the city, had released 48 detainees for lack of evidence, and another 21 would be released later. According to the TV, Maj Gen Al-Samarra'i had arrested some Iraqi police investigators in Samarra and ordered them to be replaced by new investigators after it was established that they lacked integrity. (Al-Sharqiyah TV 11 Apr 05)
US forces raid house in southern Baghdad
US forces arrested five members of one family in a raid launched in the Abu Dushayr district of southern Baghdad on Monday (11 April), Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. One of the raided houses was damaged and an adjacent shop destroyed. An unidentified Iraqi man said four Hummers and an armoured vehicle were used in the raid in which four youths and their father were detained. An unidentified Iraqi woman told the TV: "They came upon us, blindfolded and handcuffed us, and took us outside. They took our things and our money... They even took my children's school books." (Al-Sharqiyah TV 11 Apr 05)
Gunmen kidnap engineer employed by US forces
Gunmen have kidnapped Nashtuman Azad Ali, an engineer who works for the US army. They stormed his house in Balad before dawn, according to his family. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 11 Apr 05)
Three bodies found near Al-Dujayl
The bodies of three Iraqis were found near Al-Dujayl north of Baghdad on 11 April, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported, quoting security sources. The victims had not yet been identified. (Al-Sharqiyah TV 11 April 05)
Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline reportedly needs two weeks for repairs
Oil officials have said that the technical teams striving to repair the pipeline used for exporting oil from Iraq to Turkey will need at least another two weeks, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 11 April, citing Reuters news agency. Iraq is exporting only small quantities of oil via the pipeline due to sabotage operations and the decay of the infrastructure. The pipeline ends in the Turkish port of Ceyhan. Iraq depends on the export of 1.4m bpd from the southern oil fields. It is also seeking to obtain foreign assistance to develop the two export ports in the south, the TV noted. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 11 Apr 05)
Al-Iraqiyah TV broadcasts more "confessions"
In the 10 April edition of Al-Iraqiyah TV's weekly programme showing the "confessions" of insurgents, young Iraqi suspects were questioned by an interrogator who strongly criticized them for killing fellow Muslims.
One suspect, belonging to the Ansar al-Sunnah group, advised other Iraqis against joining terrorist groups and killing innocent people.
Another suspect from the same group recalled how he killed several people and received 10,000 Iraqi dinars for every operation. The host censured him for killing innocent people for a few thousand dinars.
A young man said he did not belong to any terror group but he and his friends had been involved in car thefts and burglaries. He recalled how they broke into a doctor's house and stole money.
Another suspect spoke about the killing of a member of the Iraqi National Guard, saying it was the only operation he had been involved in. The host criticized him for killing a Muslim.
One man admitted to having carried out a bombing. He said he did not inform on members of his group because he had received death threats.
A photograph of a clan chief was shown. A suspect said a Syrian had commissioned the killing of the chief. He recalled how he and his colleagues tortured a kidnapped man, then strangled him. The Syrian had ordered them to deliberately leave marks of torture on the man's body, he said. Another man, allegedly "collaborating" with the Americans, was also killed, the suspect said.
Other suspects revealed more details of the killing of the clan chief. (Al-Iraqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 10 Apr 05)
Al-Sharqiyah TV relays assembly proceedings
Baghdad Al-Sharqiyah TV was observed to on 3, 6, 7, 10, and 11 April 2005 to carry live the proceedings of the Iraqi National Assembly. On 3 April, Al-Sharqiyah carried the Iraqi National Assembly's session to elect the assembly's speaker and two deputies. On 6 April, Al-Sharqiyah carried the fourth Iraqi National Assembly session which focused on electing the new Iraqi Presidency Council members. On 7 April, Al-Sharqiyah carried the inauguration of President Jalal Talabani and Vice Presidents Adil Abd-al-Mahdi and Ghazi al-Yawir. On 10 and 11 April, Al-Sharqiyah carried the proceedings of the Iraqi National Assembly's 6th and 7th sessions. The speaker and his two deputies were seen chairing the meeting, while members of the National Assembly were seen making statements, and raising various issues and problems of day-to-day life.
Assembly session continues
The Iraqi National Assembly continued its deliberations on Monday (11 April) with a number of deputies raising questions in respect of people killed after the former regime, the circumstances of the Al-Hillah bombing in February, the rights of victims' families, administrative violations in some official and security departments, and dangers facing residents of Baghdad's Al-Thawrah district due to the dangerous contamination level of drinking water, Baghdad Al-Sharqiyah TV reported briefly. (Al-Sharqiyah TV, 11 Apr 05)
Al-Yawar meets Sunni group leader
Vice-President Shaykh Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar met Harith al-Dari, Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars [AMS], at the Umm al-Qura Mosque in Baghdad on 10 April to discuss current political developments in Iraq, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. After the meeting, the two briefed reporters on their talks.
[Al-Yawar] In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. We are now in the middle of a very delicate and critical political process. We in Iraq seek the supremacy of the law. We want all sectors of the Iraqi people to enjoy equal rights and duties. No mistake should be corrected by making another mistake. We want the Iraqis to return as loving brothers sharing the same citizenship rights. Most of them share the same religion while maintaining the rights of our brothers who embrace other religions. Regarding the transfer of power in Iraq, there is still the issue of forming a government. We were actually forced to keep the foreign forces in the country in view of the fact that we did not have sufficient Iraqi security forces. We hope that the Iraqis will join hands and work together so that we can set a timetable for the withdrawal or decrease in the number of foreign forces.
[Unidentified correspondent] Mr Vice-President, were you planning to make certain decisions when you were president but pressure on you prevented you from doing so?
[Al-Yawar] First of all, the decisions of the previous presidency council were made collectively, as is the case now. There are no individual decisions. Now there is also the National Assembly. We wanted the political process and the establishment of the Iraqi army and security forces expedited, but not in a haphazard manner as happened in the past. We can make our own decisions by ourselves. This is what we wanted to do. Also we wanted no military solution to the situation in any Iraqi city. Regrettably, that happened and there were mistakes. We thought there would be mistakes. Now all feel there were mistakes.
[Correspondent] Shaykh Ghazi, what did you discuss at this meeting?
[Al-Yawar] First of all, we came to see our brothers. These men are known for their integrity, efficiency and sound views. They are our men of religion and we highly respect them. This is what our noble religion taught us to do. We are also enlightened by their views. As for us, we inform them of what takes place on the political scene. The AMS is a greatly influential association with social and political weight. It sponsors the political process although it does not engage in politics. It has a large popular base and must be in the picture of what takes place. This visit is part of our contacts with the social religious parties and prominent figures in the country.
[Correspondent] What are the results of the visit?
[Al-Yawar] The results are those of love for one another. We are in agreement on loving the country and all people of Iraq. We agree that the Iraqi people must be the masters of their own destiny.
[Correspondent] Is this the first visit after your assumption of the post?
[Al-Yawar] Regrettably yes. I am really to blame for this. I have not visited any parties before perhaps because you in the media might think that anyone who visits another must have a personal interest in doing so. Therefore, we did not want to pay the visit when there were personal interests. Now there are no such interests but only love. We also seek their views and get enlightened by them. They have an opinion and the opinion of the AMS must be taken into consideration.
[Correspondent] Do you mind being called former president of Iraq?
[Al-Yawar] Not at all, on the contrary. I am an Iraqi citizen. I am a shaykh regardless of whether or not I stay in a certain post. You cannot take this title away from me. God has granted it to me. Let them take the president's post and I do not care. Thank you.
[Reporter] Shaykh Harith al-Dari stressed that the AMS was ready to extend advice and guidance on the progress of the political process out of its national feelings. He reiterated that the AMS would not participate in the Iraqi government, but said: "We will support the political process if it is sound and free from foreign hegemony."
[Al-Dari] In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. First of all and on behalf of my brothers, the members of the AMS, I would like to thank brother Shaykh Ghazi al-Yawar for his visit to the AMS. Shaykh Ghazi briefed us on the most important developments on the Iraqi political scene. We told him in the same way as we told every Iraqi brother who visited us that we are always ready to extend advice and guidance and to frankly say all that we feel, proceeding from our religious and national duty. We reminded him of something important we had earlier mentioned to the Iraqi figures and delegations which visited us. We said efforts must primarily focus on expediting the departure of the occupation forces from this country because security and stability cannot prevail in the country unless the Iraqis begin to run their own affairs by themselves in complete freedom.
[Correspondent] Will you participate in the new government?
[Al-Dari] No, we will not participate in the government now or in the future because we are a religious and political association. We do not want to participate for reasons the AMS has always made public. One of the important principles of the AMS is that we will not participate in any political process. We, however, will support a sound political process if it is conducted in complete freedom and independence, away from the hegemony of the foreigner and his decision.
[Correspondent] Does this mean that you have a certain attitude towards the current political process?
[Al-Dari] We do not have an attitude towards it. Actually, we announced this after the election results were announced. We then congratulated those who participated in the elections. We now tell those who won in the elections that this is your responsibility at this stage. Prove that you are up to your responsibility at this stage by meeting all demands made by your electorate. Top among these demands is freedom of the country. This is followed by the need to establish security and stability and then end the Iraqi people's two-year suffering. If they succeed in doing this, we will thank them. This will then be recorded for them. If they do not succeed, this will be recorded against them and they will be responsible for it. This, however, does not mean that we are pleased with their behaviour from beginning to end. But they can change this opinion or attitude towards them by their deeds and loyalty to their country and people. (Al-Sharqiyah TV, 10 Apr 05)


IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES 11 APRIL
Al-Adalah
Al-Adalah [Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)]:
·         National Assembly session discusses various issues; tight security measures spark heated parliament debate ...
·         Talks continue on speeding up government formation ...
·         Allawi's government submits resignation, presidential council asks it to act as caretaker until new government formed, says KUNA ...
·         Japan welcomes new Iraqi leadership, says KUNA ...
·         Zebari: Iraq has not forgotten what Kuwait did for its liberation, says AFP ...
·         Iraqi police arrest six in Kirkuk, Mosul, including Arabs, says KUNA ...
·         [Saddam's nephew] Ibrahim Sab'awi captured, says AFP ...
·         Interior, defence ministries continue raids on gunmen, terrorist hideouts ...
·         Some 7m dinars to be paid in compensation to science and technology staff injured in demonstrations ...
·         Iraqi Airways to run flights to Turkey, Egypt, UAE, say agency reports ...
·         Italian company to rehabilitate two units at Bayji power station ... WTO asks Iraq to provide foreign trade policy document, say news agencies ...
Al-Dustur
Al-Dustur [Baghdad, daily independent newspaper in Arabic]:
·         In the absence of major players, National Assembly holds session, postpones voting on statute ... Talabani: amnesty for Saddam up to presidential council, say news agencies ...
·         Mubarak congratulates Talabani on election ...
·         Members of Iraqi List deny splits ...
·         Zebari says delays in forming government caused by need to select well-qualified people
·         Group claims responsibility for diplomat's abduction , news agencies say .
·         Over 17,000 detainees in US, Iraqi jails, say news agencies ...
·         Three arrested in Kirkuk including Syrian, Sudanese ...
·         Two terrorist groups captured in Al-Hillah, Al-Najaf, say news agencies ...
·         US offers 88m-dollar grant to Labour Ministry ...
·         Migration minister: All deported people to receive compensation within two years ...
·         Growth rate in Iraq reaches 17 per cent this year

Al-Jaridah
Al-Jaridah [Baghdad, daily independent newspaper in Arabic (provisionally published Monday/Wednesday/Thursday)]:
·         Mass demonstrations in Baghdad demand foreign troop withdrawal, trial of former regime members
·         National Assembly continues session
·         Pakistani diplomat missing amid mounting violence in Baghdad, says Reuters ...
·         Human Rights Ministry demands compensations for former regime victims ...
·         Drinking water crisis in Al-Muthanna province ...
·         Baghdad chamber of agriculture established ...
Al-Mada

Al-Mada [Baghdad, daily, independent newspaper published by Al-Mada Media, Culture and Arts Corporation]:
·         Allawi submits government's resignation, presidential council accepts it, praises former government's efforts ...
·         Iraqi List sources deny Allawi's involvement in deal to spirit Saddam out of Iraq ...
·         Agreement reported between United Iraqi Alliance, Kurdistan list on ministers' portfolios, say news agencies ...
·         Police free eight hostages in Salman Pak, arrest terrorists ...
·         Two national guards killed in Kirkuk, 15 terrorists captured ...
·         Al-Zarqawi group claims kidnapping and killing of Al-Najaf police chief, AFP reports ...
·         Three gunmen caught one hour after assassinating Babil council member ...
·         Zebari: Concessions should be made to form national salvation government, Reuters quoted ...
·         Karbala local council dismisses municipality director over corruption charges ...
·         Jordanian PM to visit Iraq in late April ...
·         Arbil hosts first national conference on mother, child health ...
·         Environmental surveys in Baghdad, governorates, show cases of radiation exposure, unknown fever in marshlands ...
·         Some 500m dollars made available to implement reconstruction projects in Samarra ...
·         Measure to cancel municipal councils in Baghdad; Diyala local council discusses raid on Al-Faruq mosque ...

Al-Mu'tamar
Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Iraqi National Congress]:
·         Allawi's government to continue as caretaker, Al-Ja'fari stresses need for quota system in government formation ...
·         INC refutes Elaph website "lies" about [Ahmad] al-Chalabi ...
·         Talabani objects to possible death sentence for Saddam ...
·         Assembly speaker calls for easing security measures ...
·         Qassim Wawud: Negotiations under way to form national unity government, says KUNA
·         US State Department reviews Iraq reconstruction programme
·         Municipality Ministry carries out service projects in Abu Ghurayb
·         Reconstruction Ministry forms committee to rebuild Al-Anbar City ...
·         Al-Faw grand port designs completed ...
·         Diyala Bridge water plant rehabilitated ...
·         Planning Ministry approves 121 projects worth 1.8b dinars ...
Al-Sharq al-Awsat
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned]:
·         Allawi's bloc agrees to take part in government ...
·         Presidential council assumes tasks by accepting Allawi's government resignation, Talabani expresses determination to form collective leadership of democratic, federal, pluralist rule ...
·         Zebari: Efforts continue to involve Allawi's list in transitional government ...
·         Baghdad announces capture of wanted Saddam's nephew ...
·         Police officer called Saddam inflames National Assembly discussion ...
·         Iraqi police round up two kidnap gangs, free eight hostages ...
·         National guards arrest Iraqi journalist in Ba'qubah, says Reuters ...
·         Iraq, FAO to implement six ambitious projects to reduce unemployment, upgrade service sector ...
·         Experts calls on new Iraqi government to review status of petrochemical industry ...
Al-Zaman
Al-Zaman [daily, independent, Baghdad edition of London-based Al-Zaman]:
·         Some 17,000 detained in Iraq, two thirds of them in US jails ...
·         Lawyers' league: prisoners tortured to extract confession, poisoning in Al-Diwaniyah jail, AFP reports ...
·         Allawi to take part in Al-Ja'fari's government, Reuters reports ...
·         Al-Ja'fari welcomes Iraqi List participation in new government; Foreign Ministry settled for Kurds; Interior Ministry for United Iraqi Alliance ...
·         Kurdish parliament to discuss unified government next week ...
·         Armed group takes Pakistani diplomat hostage in Baghdad ...
·         Interior Ministry: Al-Najaf deputy police chief disappears in mysterious circumstances ... Unidentified men attack hospital in Mosul ...
·         Five killed, wounded in two roadside bomb explosions in Ba'qubah ...
·         Railway line to link Al-Yusufiyah with Abu Ghurayb ...
·         Human rights, justice coordinator considers mechanism to release prisoners on bail ...

IRAQI PRESS COMMENTS &EDITORIALS, 11 APRIL 05
``Opposition group; a healthy sign in Iraq's modern history''- Al-Adalah
Al-Adalah[Baghdad, twice-weekly newspaper in Arabic published by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) - from commentary by Ali Khlif]:
"The decision not to take part in the new government does not imply a negative position that could obstruct the political process so long as it holds people's higher interests above all considerations. If a team joins the opposition in parliament, it will be a healthy sign in Iraq's modern history, especially if it is based on true, honest opposition aimed at building a new Iraq through rectifying the actions and mistakes of the incoming government's actions and finding the appropriate solutions to any wrong practices or incorrect course taken by the government ... However, if the opposition is intended to put a spoke in the wheel of the political process, it will be rejected by the Iraqi people who have the final say in evaluating the work of the new government they chose and for which they made sacrifices ..."
``Saddam Husayn's worst nightmares''- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi-owned - from commentary by Jabir Habib Jabir]:
"In his worst nightmares, former president Saddam Husayn never imagined that the man he excluded from an amnesty he offered to all Kurds would become his successor, or that the leader of Al-Da'wah Party, whose members faced execution under a law he issued, would be the prime minister of Iraq ... That is democracy in the new Iraq as seen by dreamers, pragmatists and those who believe in it ... But it is the false, glittering, misleading paradigm which the US wants to market to the region, in the view of its implacable opponents "


IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA, 11 April 05

Al-Sharqiyah TV news 11 April 05
·         Iraqi assembly holds session about its internal regulations, other domestic issues
·         US forces arrest five members from a single family in raids south of Baghdad
·         Mortar attack on US base in western Iraq, US and Iraqi forces clash with armed group in Al-Qaim
·         unknown armed men assassinate local official in the Ninawa district of northern Iraq, US soldier dies from non-combat wounds inflicted on 6th
·         Pakistan says that the abductors of diplomat demand ransom for his release
·         Armed group attack convoy and kill Turkish driver north of Baghdad ... Raids on homes in Salah al-Din province to not occur without approval of tribal heads
·         Iraqi defence minister says it arrested last week one of the abductors of the two French journalists already released
·         Iraqi oil officials, working to mend pipelines to Turkey will last another two weeks
·         Colombian artist to tour the world with paintings showcasing the abuses against Iraqi detainees by US forces, tour to begin in Italy
Al-Iraqiyah TV news 11 April 05
·         National Assembly meets; members say cabinet posts to be distributed according to polls result and all parties should be represented
·         Report on cabinet focus of assembly discussion highlights demands of Iraqi List for taking part in cabinet; Turkoman representative saying minority should be represented in cabinet
·         Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi resigns; presidency thanks him; presidency says Iraqi List should be in cabinet, looks at interim government achievements
·         Constitutional Monarchy leader, Sharif Ali Bin-al-Husayn expresses support for Prime Minister designate Ibrahim al-Ja'fari ... New police recruits complete training in Mosul
·         Two car bomb blasts near border with Syria; Mosul city councillor killed by terror suspects; Turkish driver killed
·         Forum in Baghdad on Iraq emerging free press
·         Play commemorates Ayatollah Muhammad Baqr al-Sadr
·         Report on launch of housing fund
·         Silo workers in Umm-Qasr call for salary hikes
·         Report on project to revive Iraq historic areas.
Updates from the Kurdish Press, 10-11 April 2005

Talabani stresses respect for Al-Sadr, clarifies CNN interview
President Jalal Talabani has issued a clarification on an alleged mistake he made during an interview with the American TV channel CNN, in which he reportedly branded Al-Sadr supporters as criminals, Kurdistan satellite TV reported on 11 April. In a statement clarifying his position, Talabani said he holds "the immortal Al-Sadr martyrs in great respect". Talabani said he had understood the question put by CNN interviewer to be about the Ansar al-Sunnah militant group, and not about the supporters of Al-Sadr. His response was therefore an assessment on Ansar al-Sunnah and not of the supporters of Sayyid Al-Sadr, the statement from his office said. Talabani holds "the immortal Al-Sadr martyrs in great respect," the statement added. It said that Talabani "also has special respect for Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr and his current, in spite of some differences when arguing over some Iraqi and Kurdistani issues". (KurdSat TV, Al-Sulaymaniyah, in Sorani Kurdish 11 Apr 05)

www.peyamner.com <http://www.peyamner.com>      
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Kurdish veteran politician and member of the dissolved Governing Council Mahmoud Osman said Massoud Barzani's presidency over Kurdistan Region was a historic requirement for the Kurds. Osman further said that Barzani has expressed his approval to accept the position.

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Ayad Allawi's List agreed to participate in the formation of the new Iraqi government
¾         Despite the threats of `Kurdistan Teachers' Union- KTU,' more than 5,000 teachers staged a peaceful procession towards the Ministry of Education in Sulaymanya Sunday morning. The teachers, mostly from villages and towns around Sulaymanya, gathered to protest the KRG negligence regarding salary increase, provision of travel and administrative allowances and other related professional matters. In an effort to deter the demonstrators, the pro-government KTU Head gave a statement through the PUK TV in Sulaymanya the night before the procession describing the demonstrators `insane, anarchist and unfair'' and warning the teachers not to join. Upon reaching the Council of Ministers building, the officials did not come out to receive the demonstrators, so they formed a delegation that visited Prime Minister Omer Fattah, who reportedly promised to ``fulfill their demands.'' A member of the delegation said that Fattah promised that the teachers would benefit from professional and travel allowances effective 5 April retroactively. He further said that the PM decided to establish a committee for the review and fulfillment of the demands adding that two representatives of the demonstrators will be members of that committee. The demonstrators dispersed at noontime back to their classrooms vowing to resume demonstrations if the government did not materialize its promises.
¾         The elected Kurdistan Parliament is expected to convene its first meeting within 7 to 10 days, said Adnan Mufti, PUK politburo member and nominee for the position of Parliament speaker. Mufti further said that the KDP and PUK politburos would meet in few days and set a timetable for the parliament meeting, in addition to finalizing the formation of the united cabinet of Kurdistan Regional Government. He further said that the united cabinet would be based in Erbil and chaired by KDP politburo member Nechirvan Barzani.

Aso, private weekly newspaper issued in Sulaymanya by Xandan Publishing House
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The President of Federal Iraq Jalal Talabani expressed willingness to visit Kirkuk. In a special interview with Aso weekly, the President vowed his government would implement Article 58 of the interim constitution known as Transitional Administrative Law (TAL).

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The Iraqi Human Rights Minister Bakhtyar Amin told the press on Wednesday that the deposed dictator Saddam and 11 of his top aides have seen a video tape of the ceremonies held in Baghdad for the election of Iraq's new Presidency. A trusted source told the weekly that upon seeing Talabani's swearing in, Saddam scratched his head, became grumpy and mumbled in anger that he would not recognize the new government.

Kurdistani Nwe, daily newspaper issued in Sulaymanya by PUK
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Continuation of the KDP-PUK fraternity and concord guarantee consecrating our rights in the permanent constitution and restoring Kirkuk's Kurdistani identity and characteristics, the PUK politburo executive chief Kosrat Rassoul said in Friday's massive celebrations that was held in Pirdae (Altun Kopri) town between Erbil and Kirkuk to mark Talabani's presidency. Coming back from Baghdad, Rassoul relayed to the people Talabani's greetings to the people and said the support of the KDP leadership and Massoud Barzani was crucial. "Talabani was not a candidate of the PUK only, but rather of the whole Kurdistan people and their political parties, including the KDP."

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More than 200 Kurdish women, as well as visitors from other countries of the world and many politicians attended the opening ceremonies for the conference of Kurdish women in Sweden.
¾         Kurdistan Referendum Movement (KRM) convened its second conference in Sulaymanya on 8 and 9 April. The conference participants reviewed the KRM activities since the first conference, including collection of about 2 million signatures and forwarding them to the United Nations, as well as conducting an unofficial referendum simultaneously with the January elections. On the second day of the conference, the participants exchanged views on a number of points and studied a draft agenda for the next stage. KRM Higher Committee member Halkawt Abdulla said that the Movement would address a memo to the Iraqi National Assembly to ensure that the permanent constitution will include a provision allowing the Kurds to determine their future through a referendum.
¾         The 2-day conference of Kurdish Women in Sweden started on 9 April in the presence of 200 Kurdish and foreign women and representatives of many Kurdistani political parties and movements. A woman who survived the notorious Operation Anfal that Saddam carried out in year 1988 inaugurated the conference that focuses on Kurdish women and civil society. After congratulating Talabani's presidency, support telegrams by representatives of Sulaymanya and Erbil KRG administrations were read out.
¾         More than 150 women from all over Iraq, including he Iraqi Minster for Women Affairs Narmeen Osman, participated in the Women Leadership conference in Jordan. Many lectures were presented by notable professors, including one by the President of the American University in Kuwait.

Khabat daily issued in Erbil by the KDP
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The Dahuk Branch of Kurdistan Socialist Democratic Party (KSDP led by Muhammed Haji Mahmoud) joined the KDP.

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KDP politburo executive chief Fahil Mirani received the Kurdish famous politician Mahmoud Osman and discussed with him the latest political developments in Iraq and the participation of Kurdistan political parties in the formation of the new Iraqi government.
¾         Mosul city witnessed 7 explosion Sunday and the victims death toll reached 14 persons.

www.kurdistannet.org <http://www.kurdistannet.org>
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It is unfortunate that the representatives of the Kurdistani political parties in Sweden do not rise to the level of their responsibilities towards Kurdistan. In addition to their representatives, the KDP and PUK have offices for their satellite TV stations. Hundreds of journalists from Sweden and all over the world attended the trial of the two Kurds that were charged with involvement in the February 2004 massacre in Erbil, during which 100 Kurds and cadres of the 2 parties were killed. The bereaved Kurds were the only people not represented there.

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Will the Kurds and Arabs be able to live together in peace in a federal Iraq to be established? In an open online poll, 70% of eth participants said NO. Only 30% of the 1,225 participants answered positively.