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IRAQI NEWS, 18 APRIL 05
·         Three killed, six arrested in clashes on Syrian border
·         US troops reportedly besiege Al-Rutbah after car blast
·         Al-Najaf infighting leads to three police deaths
·         Al-Zarqawi's group threatens intense attacks on British forces
·         Police director reportedly assassinated
·         Sunni cleric reports arrests, persecution of imams
·         Politicians blame Iran for Iraq violence
·         Baghdad governor takes part in TV phone-in
·         Government urged to act on "destructive" Pan-Arab TVs
·         "No resistance" as control restored in Al-Mada'in
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 18 APRIL 2005
·         London-based Al-Zaman headlines 19 Apr 05:
·         Al-Adalah, Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Newspaper, 18 April:
·         Baghdad, the Iraqi National Accord Movement newspaper, 18 April:
·         Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition] 18 April
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 18 APRIL 2005
·         ``Government should deal carefully with Al-Mada'in problem'' - Al-Bayan
·         ``Controlling media incitements; a key measure in Al-Mada'in problem''- Al-Mada
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA, 18 APRIL 05
·         Al-Sharqiyah TV news 18 April 05
·         Al-Iraqiyah TV news 18 April 05
UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PRESS, 18 APRIL 2005
·         www.peyamner.com
·         Komal weekly issued by Kurdistan Islamic Group - Iraq
·         Jamawar private weekly issued in Erbil

IRAQI NEWS, 18 April 05
Three killed, six arrested in clashes on Syrian border
Three civilians were killed on 18 April in clashes between gunmen and US forces in Al-Qa'im city, near the borders with Syria, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. Mahmud Shakir of Al-Qa'im Police said heavy weapons were used in the clashes in which five houses were destroyed and six people were also arrested on suspicion of involvement in attacks. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 18 Apr 05)
US troops reportedly besiege Al-Rutbah after car blast
US forces besieging the city of Al-Rutbah, near borders with Jordan, were attacked with mortar shells on 18 April, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. The TV cited arrivals from the area as saying that Al-Rutbah was besieged after a car-bomb exploded while a US convoy was travelling on the highway linking the capital with the city. Witnesses said that the US troops also cut off the water and electricity supply and prevented people from leaving the city. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 18 Apr 05)
Al-Najaf infighting leads to three police deaths
Three policemen were killed and five others were wounded in a clash between traffic policemen and their colleagues in Al-Najaf, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 18 April. An official source at Al-Najaf governorate council said that the clash erupted following a ministerial decision to appoint two regular police and traffic police directors. The decision was rejected by the council. The source said that after the clash, the Council decided to pass the matter to the governorate's administration which is expected to select two new directors for approval by the council. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 18 Apr 05)
Al-Zarqawi's group threatens intense attacks on British forces
Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi's Al-Qa'idah of Jihad Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers [Tanzim Qa'idat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn] has threatened "intensified attacks" against British forces in the south of Iraq. In a statement posted on the Islamic Renewal Organization forum on the internet on 18 April, the group called on "collaborators with British forces to repent in order to avoid punishment". The statement said: "The Higher Command of the Al-Qa'idah of Jihad Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers decided to direct heavy military attacks against the British forces in southern Iraq, turning both north and south of Iraq into hell and a graveyard for every Crusader who considers attacking the lands of the Islamic nation ... We are awaiting the repentance of the agents and the spies who are collaborating with the British forces before our elements begin to carry out their intense attacks against the British forces."(Islamic Renewal Organization forum website, on 18 April)
Police director reportedly assassinated
Al-Sharqiyah TV reported that the director of Al-Najaf Traffic Police Colonel Karim Jabr Nasir was assassinated as he stood was in front of his office in the centre of Al-Najaf on 18 April. Nasir assumed his post as director of traffic police in the city last week, the TV added. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 18 Apr 05)
Sunni cleric reports arrests, persecution of imams
Sunni cleric Ahmad Abd-al-Ghafur al-Samarra'i said on 18 April that 48 mosque imams and preachers have been assassinated in Iraq and more than 100 others have been arrested on the basis of false information, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. Al-Sammarra'i, who is the director general of the Islamic and Charity Societies department the Sunni Awqaf Office, said: "Many of the imams and preachers of mosques in Iraq were dismissed during the era of the former regime. When they faced the occupation with words, ... these words were considered bombs. The preachers were punished for their words and expressions. A large number of imams and preachers have been arrested. Thus, we demanded their release." Al-Samarra'i added that Shaykh Diya-al-Din al-Jiwari, a senior and influential scholar and member of the Scholars Council has also been arrested by security forces. "He was one of the scholars who signed on the fatwa," he said (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 18 Apr 05)
Politicians blame Iran for Iraq violence
Representatives of 11 Iraqi social and political groups have accused the Iranian government of interfering in Iraq's internal affairs, Iraqi newspaper Al-Furat reported on 18 April. At a conference held in Baghdad on 17th, the groups also accused Iran of being responsible for the violence Iraq. In his statement, Nur al-Din al-Musawi, secretary general of the Iraqi National Front, said: "Extremism and dictatorship in Iran are an obstacle to the implementation of democracy and stability in Iraq." (Al-Furat, Baghdad and Paris, in Arabic 18 Apr 05)
Baghdad governor takes part in TV phone-in
Al-Iraqiyah TV's Al-Minbar al-Iraqi (The Iraqi Podium) hosted Baghdad Governor Husayn al-Tahan on 17 April who answered viewers' questions on security and other issues. Al-Tahan criticized the outgoing cabinet for not doing enough to maintain security despite the large size of the security forces. He said there was not a single police station in the area between Baghdad and Diyala, adding that Al-Mada'in did not have a police station. He promised to address this shortcoming. In response to a viewer's call urging "a large-scale campaign of de-Ba'thification on all levels", Al-Tahan said the government's "mishandling" of the security situation had led to a surge in "terrorism". He said he had a concrete plan to deal with it. He maintained that "purging" corrupt managers was a first step towards putting an end to rampant corruption. Another viewer wondered why the National Guard, rather than the police, were mainly in charge of security. Al-Tahan said the National Guard were stronger than the police; hence their responsibility for security. Setting up more police stations in the Baghdad area was in the pipeline, he said. (Al-Iraqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 17 Apr 05)
Government urged to act on "destructive" Pan-Arab TVs
Al-Furat newspaper reported on 18 April that many Iraqis have expressed their anger at what they describe as the destructive role Arab satellite channels are playing in Iraq. The Iraqis interviewed by Al-Furat said the government needs to "shoulder its responsibilities and stop this organized interference, whose objective is to enflame the seeds of sectarian sedition under the umbrella of the occupation". They said the occupation forces and the Arab satellite channels together are responsible for current security developments. (Al-Furat, Baghdad and Paris, in Arabic 18 Apr 05)
"No resistance" as control restored in Al-Mada'in
Amid ongoing confusion about events in Al-Mada'in south of Baghdad, where Shi'is were reported to have been taken hostage by Sunni militants, Iraqi troops backed by US forces entered the town early on 18 April, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. The report said that the forces which entered the town at dawn had not found any hostages, while a military spokesman said that the army, National Guard and police forces were in control of the city centre. The same spokesman described the situation in Al-Mada'in as calm, saying the forces did not face any resistance while entering the city and that there was no armed resistance to their presence there. US Lt-Col Michael Johnson was quoted as saying that the military security forces which entered the city had found no trace of any hostages or fighters and that the Iraqi forces were combing an empty area where residents, afraid of confrontations, had stayed at home. He added that these units would mop up the area in order to impose security on both sides of the Tigris River, which passes through the area, said the report. (Al-Sharqiyah 18 Apr 05)

IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 18 APRIL 2005
London-based Al-Zaman headlines 19 Apr 05:
·         Army controls Al-Mada'in without fighting and there is no trace for hostages ...
·         Talabani tells Al-Zaman: The Americans rented the presidential palace for two years ...
·         Responding to a call by Al-Hasani, demonstrators demand withdrawal of US troops from towns ...
·         Sa'd al-Bazzaz proposes mechanisms to develop information between Iraq and Jordan ...
·         Abdallah II: Willing to cooperate in pursuit of terrorists ...
·         Pro-government and opposition in Lebanon agree on a technocratic government ...
·         Syrian arrested in Bucharest for his link with abduction of journalists in Baghdad.
Al-Adalah, Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Newspaper, 18 April:
·         Hostage crisis dominates National Assembly session (AFP quoted)
·         United Iraqi Alliance warns against threat to national unity Iraqi security forces raid Al-Mada'in, free hostages (AFP quoted)
·         Security official: US, Iraqi forces ready to storm Talla'far (KUNA quoted)
·         Four terrorists killed, 11 arrested in storming campaign in Al-Hillah Terrorists blow up holy shrine in Ba'qubah; Demonstrators denounce hostage taking in Al-Mada'in Ibrahim al-Ja'fari receives delegation of Christian clerics President meets prominent politicians, religious figures (news agencies quoted)
·         [Hoshyar] Zebari: Neighbouring states do not make enough efforts to prevent terrorist infiltrators (AFP quoted)
·         Ten prisoners recaptured after jailbreak (Reuters quoted)
·         Iraqi army kills leading member of Ansar al-Sunnah, his aide (KUNA quoted) Human Rights Ministry calls for establishing aid fund for former regime victims (news agencies quoted)
·         Oil minister: To increase production, new plans set to protect oil pipelines
·         Turkoman movement denounces terrorist detention of men, women, children in Al-Mada'in
·         Bank robbers caught in Babil after stealing 7m dollars from bank in Baghdad
·         Iraqi capitals abroad invited to return for investment to develop Iraqi economy (news agencies quoted)
·         UAE to host conference to boost trade cooperation with Iraq (news agencies quoted)
·         Iraq to negotiate cuts in private sector debts to Japanese companies (news agencies quoted)
·         Baghdad Chamber of Commerce: interested in Russian firms' contribution to reconstruction (news agencies quoted)
·         Victims of military operations in Al-Sadr City to receive compensations
·         Istanbul meeting of Iraq neighbouring countries delayed until next week (AFP quoted).
Baghdad, the Iraqi National Accord Movement newspaper, 18 April:
·         Allawi claims Iraqi bloc's electoral rights Situation in Al-Mada'in overshadows
·         National Assembly meetings; Five regiments cordon off terrorists in Al-Mada'in Police colonel martyred in Mosul; 19 bodies discovered in Al-Aziziyah (news agencies quoted)
·         Escaped prisoners from US Camp Bucca held (AFP quoted)
·         Europe to hold international conference on Iraq in June (AFP quoted)
·         New intelligence officer assassinated in Baghdad
·         Unidentified men assassinate Abu-Ghurayb municipal council chairman ..
·         Explosive device detonated in Canal Quarter [Baghdad].

Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition] 18 April
·         Iraqi, US forces raid Al-Mada'in to rescue hostages; National Assembly sets up committee to follow up government measures
·         Izzat al-Duri's nephew, police officer collaborating with terrorists under arrest Largest escape from US jail in Iraq aborted (Reuters quoted)
·         Four police officers, local council member murdered; Civilians killed, wounded in separate attacks
·         Iraqi security forces apprehend dozens of gunmen including most wanted terrorists Migration minister: Women marginalized in parliament
·         Three US soldiers killed west of Baghdad (AFP quoted)
·         [Planning Minister Mahdi] al-Hafid: Inflation rate in Iraq drops by six per cent in March.

IRAQI PRESS QUOTES, 18 APRIL 2005

``Government should deal carefully with Al-Mada'in problem'' - Al-Bayan
Al-Bayan: [Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party] 18 April: [From editorial]
"We call on the government to deal swiftly, seriously and carefully with this problem [of Al-Mada'in hostage taking] to restore security and stability to this area after breaking up these Wahabi groups and remove their danger However, the security approach, when adopted, should spare civilians and hostages any harm. In all cases, a solution to the problem should not turn into a devastating military operation, which is totally unacceptable. The criteria here should be the safety of people, the protection of their property and the preservation of their city, with all efforts focused on ridding the area of terrorists and killers."
``Controlling media incitements; a key measure in Al-Mada'in problem''- Al-Mada
Al-Mada: [Baghdad, daily, independent newspaper published by Al-Mada Media, Culture and Arts Corporation] 18 April: [From editorial]
"Whether these events have actually happened in Al-Mada'in or not, containing them and controlling the media incitements represent one of key measures to prevent a slide into a sectarian strife intended to destroy unity and social existence and hamper the march towards the state of democracy and freedoms A powerful, clear voice is required from clerics to uncover this agenda and expose its advocates. Denunciation will not be enough. A serious action is needed to identify and isolate those igniting the fires of strife, and to unite society against them, whatever their affiliations, motives and intentions More important is the need to empower the security forces, encourage their patriotism and activate society's cooperation with them, since security is the aim of all those who are fed up with killings, beheadings, threats, and fires."

IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA, 18 APRIL 05

Al-Sharqiyah TV news 18 April 05
·         National Assembly calls for self restraint from the Iraqi people over the crisis in the town of Mada'in; footage from assembly session ...
·         Investigations in Mada'in reveal that there were no hostages in the town, operations in the town continue, local leader says that crisis in the town was tribal not sectarian ...
·         Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani calls on the government to end the crisis in Mada'in; other reactions to the Mada'in situation ...
·         President Jalal Talabani says he still wants to grant amnesty to those who carried arms ...
·         Talabani says he will not sign an order to execute former president Saddam Husayn ...
·         Religious leader says that over 43 imams and preachers have been assassinated ...
·         Ministry of Finance says that current pay is not a permanent salary, ministry working on securing pensions for retirees ...
·         Fire in oil pipeline carrying oil from Kirkuk ...
·         Police officer killed in southern Iraq; footage from attack site ...
·         US soldier killed south of Baghdad ... US base near Jordanian border comes under attack, no report on casualties yet ...
·         Three Iraqis killed in clashes between US forces and armed group near the Syrian border
·         Iraqi airlines to begin flights between Baghdad and Iran to transport religious pilgrims to sites in Iraq ...
·         Hundreds of Iraqis demonstrate north of Baghdad, call for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraqi cities, other developments around Iraq
Al-Iraqiyah TV news 18 April 05
·         Iraqi security force moves into Al-Mada'in, controls town; no fighting occurs; people co-operate with force; ten terror suspects captured. Video report covers raid, shows city, police commander saying situation under control, people welcoming force, commander saying Arab satellite channels exaggerating ...
·         Iraqis from Al-Mada'in village protest against terrorists ...
·         National Assembly concludes sitting, committee set up to resolve Al-Mada'in crisis ...
·         Iraqis condemn terror acts ...
·         Iraqis in Basra hope new government to improve security and economic condition ...
·         Studio interview with Sami al-Askari, member of the National Assembly. He speaks about the inefficiency of the security force in fighting terrorism ...
·         Experts discuss environment problems in Baghdad ...
·         Forum discusses ethnic group rights to participation in writing of constitution ...
·         Five terror suspects arrested in Baghdad, weapons seized in Mosul; key terrorist surrenders; American soldier killed south of Baghdad. Blast in Basra kills two and hurt ...
·         Iraqi army conducts military manoeuvre in Basra with help of multinational force

UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PRESS, 18 APRIL 2005
www.peyamner.com <http://www.peyamner.com>      
·         AP newswire reported that the Iraqi Human Rights Minister Bakhtyar Ameen has sent a message to the Kuwaiti government officials informing them of the discovery of the corpses of 41 Kuwaiti prisoners whom Saddam killed and buried in mass graves. The newswire also quoted Ameen as announcing the discovery of another mass grave near Amara city in southern Iraq that contains 2,000 corpses believed to belong to the Barzanis [missing since 1983].
·         The Arab settlers in Kirkuk continue building militias and have set up seven battalions so far to halt the Kurdish supremacy in the city, al-Jazeera Saudi paper reported. The paper added that the Iraqi Defense Minister has assured the [Arab] tribes in Haweeja that Kirkuk was an Arab city and would be released from the Kurds soon. In this context, unnamed sources closed to Muqtada al-Sadr's group revealed that al-Sadr's envoy Ali Smesim, who visited Sulaymanya last month, had delivered a letter to Talabani warning him not to expel Arab settlers from Kirkuk. The sources further said the group would organize a one-million-person march against integrating Kirkuk into Kurdistan Region.
Komal weekly issued by Kurdistan Islamic Group - Iraq
·         The Syrian Kurds demand independence, says Juad al-Mulla in an exclusive interview with the weekly. Speaking via telephone from the UK, where he lives and heads the Western [Syran] Kurdistan Government in exile, al-Mulla added that the Kurds constituted 25% of the population in Syria and the Baathist regime there started Arabizing the Kurdish territories even before Saddam did.
Jamawar private weekly issued in Erbil
·         The KDP and PUK politburos are expected to meet today (Monday) in Dokan to set up proper mechanism and timing for unifying the KRG administration in Erbil and Sulaymanya. The two sides will also discuss the latest political developments in Kurdistan and Iraq.