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IRAQI NEWS, 19 APRIL 05
·         Two US army fuel trucks said attacked in western Iraq
·         Constitution conference calls for new leadership council
·         MPs urge "self-restraint", support for Iraqi forces
·         Kurdish delegations meet to discuss party merger
·         Kurdish Referendum Movement affirms independence goal
·         New international edition of Kurdish magazine published
IRAQI PRESS & BROADCAST MEDIA, 19 APRIL 05
·         IRAQI PRESS COMMENT (19 APRIL)
·         Programme summary of Iraq's Al-Sharqiyah TV news 19 April 05
·         Programme summary of Iraq's Al-Iraqiyah TV news 19 April 05
UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PRESS, 19 APRIL 2005
·         www.peyamner.com
·         Kurdistani Nwe, daily newspaper issued in Sulaymanya by PUK
·         Khabat daily issued in Erbil by the KDP

IRAQI NEWS, 19 April 05
Two US army fuel trucks said attacked in western Iraq
Two explosive charges went off on 18 April as a US military convoy was passing near the eastern entrance to the city of Hadithah in western Al-Anbar Governorate, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 19 April. Two US army fuel trucks were reported to have burst into flames as a result of the explosions. Eyewitnesses said that US forces arrested a number of wounded people after coming under attack by gunmen using RPGs and machine-guns following the blasts. (Al-Sharqiyah 19 Apr 05)
Constitution conference calls for new leadership council
A conference on drafting the new Iraqi constitution convened by Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi al-Mudarrisi called for the forming of a leaders' council to help govern Iraq, reported Iraqi newspaper Al-Zaman. According the report, the conference called for "forming a quintet sovereign council comprised of the Iraqi president and the National Assembly speaker, in addition to the grand religious authorities of both the Sunnis and Shi'is, and the grand leader of the Kurds. The council will provide stability and security, and will prevent the control of military forces of the power." (Al-Zaman 18 Apr 05)
MPs urge "self-restraint", support for Iraqi forces
The Iraqi National Assembly on 18 April urged the Iraqi people to observe self-restraint, and not to give a chance to those who seek to incite sectarian division, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. In a statement read by National Assembly Speaker Hajim al-Hasani, the parliament urged Iraqis to support the national security forces in carrying out their duties and called on all political forces, tribes and citizens to observe self-restraint and demonstrate a sense of national responsibility. The statement added that "terrorists" must be stopped from achieving their goals of inciting sectarian division and undermining national unity. (Al-Sharqiyah 18 Apr 05)
Kurdish delegations meet to discuss party merger
Delegations of the political bureaus of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), headed by Secretary Fadil Mirani and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), headed by Secretary-General Noshirwan Mustafa met in Al-Sulaymaniyah, Kurdish daily Khabat reported on 19 April. According to the report the two side discussed their joint plan for the merger of the two parties and the need for the Kurdistan region's administration law to be addressed by the Kurdistan parliament. At a news conference, Mirani and Mustafa explained that both issues would be addressed at the next session of the Kurdistan regional assembly on 24 April. (Khabat 19 Apr 05)
Kurdish Referendum Movement affirms independence goal
Under the slogan "Towards the activation of the role of referendum and incorporating the right to self-determination into the constitution" the Referendum Movement in southern Kurdistan held its second conference in the conference hall of the Chamber of Commerce in Sulaymaniyah on 8-9 April 2005, reported Kurdish newspaper Khabat on 18 April. The meeting was attended by the representatives of all the governorates in Kurdistan (Dohuk, Mosul, Arbil, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah and Khanaqin) as well as the representatives of the movement from outside these areas. The meeting made two main declarations in the its final statement: First, fixing a clause in the permanent constitution regarding the identification of the destiny of the people of Kurdistan by themselves and through a referendum; second, insisting that what it described as "the newly liberated regions" are a part of Kurdistan and that our homeland will be "paralysed" without those regions. The Referendum Movement said that it had collected 1,750,000 signatures of Kurds who demanded a referendum on Kurdish independence and that some 98 per cent of Kurds supported independence. (Khabat 18 Apr 05)
New international edition of Kurdish magazine published
In Arbil the first issue of the international edition of Hewler [Kurdish name for the city of Arbil] magazine was published, Kurdistan Democratic Party newspaper Al-Ta'akhi reported on 17 April. The new publication is a weekly general political magazine in English language, whose editor-in-chief is Jawad Qadir and will be supervised by Kurdo Baksi, Karwan Abdallah and Aso Karim. (Al-Ta'akhi 17 Apr 05)

IRAQI PRESS & BROADCAST MEDIA, 19 APRIL 05
IRAQI PRESS COMMENT (19 APRIL)
Al-Mada publishes an article entitled "No Sectarian Roots in the Iraqi Society," in which the writer criticizes the media and television channels for creating "scenarios" depicting a "sectarian war" in Iraq and denies these "allegations".
Al-Dustur publishes a column entitled "Iraq and the new era of political stability" by Hasan Hani Zada, in which he says that the election of Jalal Talabani as the first Kurdish president of Iraq is a sign of the elimination of eight decades of racism. With this event Iraq has entered a new stage that is based on efficiency and democracy, he adds.
Al-Dustur publishes a commentary by Mahdi Haydar saying Saddam and his followers had allowed the Salafi Wahabi movements to enter Iraq and to make an alliance with the dissolved Al-Ba'th Party. The writer says resistance to the "foreign forces" in Iraq is mainly from members of the Ba'th Party and former Iraqi officers and security personnel.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes an article electing President Talabani will achieve two goals - to ensure the unity of Iraq and to ensure the democratic process in the country. The writer urges the new elected transitional government to handle a number of imperative issues that are closely related to people's requirements including drafting a democratic and federal constitution, fighting terrorism, providing basic services, rapidly prosecuting former regime leaders, and preparing the appropriate atmosphere for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes an article by Rida al-Zahir discussing the importance of national reconciliation under the current circumstances in Iraq. The writer believes that the first step in the national reconciliation process should be that the various Iraqi political forces and segments agree on a definition and set a red line that must not be crossed under any circumstance, in order to ensure that the process will not be exploited by the criminals who are responsible for the misery of the Iraqi people.
Al-Ufuq publishes an article by Amir Hamzah urging the Iraqi political forces that boycotted the elections to review their stance and become involved in the political process because the only way to build Iraq is through the participation of all Iraqi segments in the process.
Al-Bayan publishes an by Dr Raja Bin-Salamah praising Al-Fayha satellite TV channel for its objectivity and strongly criticizing Al-Jazeera satellite TV channel for its partiality and support to terrorism in Iraq.
Al-Adalah publishes an article by Najm Adhuf commenting on the Al-Mada'in terrorist acts, and calling on the government to quickly combat those terrorists who have been killing only Iraqi people.
Al-Zaman carries an article by Layth al-Sunduq commenting on information about the great allocations of the new Iraqi Presidential Council, consisting of three persons for the 2005 state budget. The writer is accusing the Iraqi government of stealing the resources of the Iraqi people as the government of the former regime did.
Programme summary of Iraq's Al-Sharqiyah TV news 19 April 05
·         Reports coming from Iraqi city of Al-Mada'in reassert that there are no hostages or gunmen in the city. Report on various reactions to developments in Al-Mada'in ...
·         Iraqi Vice-President Ghazi al-Yawar meets today tribal leaders of city of Mosul in northern Iraq ...
·         Gunmen assassinate senior Iraqi army officer yesterday in his house in Baghdad ...
·         Iraqi police brigadier and his driver killed in an attack by gunmen in city of Al-Imarah in southern Iraq yesterday ...
·         Official of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan says Kurdish leaders have agreed on holding the first session of the Kurdish National Assembly next Sunday ...
·         Farid Ayyar, the official spokesman for the Iraqi Independent Electoral Commission announces his resignation today ...
·         The mayor of Baghdad, Ala al-Tamimi says the decision to fire him is not legitimate. Statements via telephone by the mayor of Baghdad ...
·         Booby-trapped vehicle led by suicide-bomber explodes this morning near a recruitment centre of the Iraqi army in northern Baghdad ...
·         The Iraqi National Assembly suspends its meeting today for one hour in protest of the bad treatment received by a member of parliament at the hands of US forces ...
·         Iraqi civil defence officials say fire fighters have nearly extinguished the fire that broke out yesterday in some shops in Baghdad ...
·         Iraqi university professor killed this morning in an attack by armed militants in Baghdad
·         Two bombs explode near a US military envoy in city of Al-Haditha in Governorate of Al-Anbar.
Programme summary of Iraq's Al-Iraqiyah TV news 19 April 05
·         Vice-President Ghazi al-Yawar discusses with Mosul clan chiefs city problems. Video report covers talks, Al-Yawar comments speaking about city problems, calls for national unity.
·         National Assembly resumes discussion of internal regulations. Video report highlights anger among assembly members over assault on member by multinational force, discussion. (1:55)
·         Report looks in detail at discussion, assault by multinational force, member in question saying American soldier has assaulted him, comments by other parliamentarians.
·         Iraqis optimistic over future of political process. Video report covers grievances over disruption of life during meetings of assembly. (1:56)
·         Suicide bombing kills members of National Guard in Baghdad; army officers killed in separate attack in Al-Imarra. Video report covers violence.
·         Basra police foil blast. Video report covers police operation. (2:15)
·         Police arrest terror suspects in Mosul. Video report
·         Key terror suspect captured in Tikrit. (0:32)
·         Recorded interview with writer Tarik al-Adli. He blames surge in terrorism on delayed forming of cabinet. (5:06)
·         New Pope selected by cardinals. Video report
·         King of Jordan renews support for Iraq. Video report covers his meeting with Iraqi journalists.
·         US court clears two businessmen from charges of corruption in oil-for-food programme. Video report (2:30)
·         New President of Republic of Northern Cyprus elected. Video report (2:28)
·         India and Pakistan say peace irreversible. Video report (1:06)
·         Australian premier defends decision to sign free trade deal with China. Video report
·         Students stage anti-president protest in Ecuador. Video report (2:00)
·         Business bulletin. Power station comes under attack. Traders from Shurja market destroyed by blaze want new market. New telephone service starts in Najaf.
UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PRESS, 19 APRIL 2005
www.peyamner.com <http://www.peyamner.com>      
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President Talabani's refusal to sign Saddam's death sentence will not save him from death. It will only delay the execution, said a member of Kurdistan Region Court of Appeal. Recalling that none should make any judgments on any defendant before the court makes its sentence; Judge Muhammad Omer Mawloud added that Article 406 of the Iraqi Criminal Code adopted in 1969 stipulates death sentence for anyone killing more than one person and Saddam has killed thousands. Mawloud further expected that Saddam's trial would take along time and the sentence would not come during Talabani's short-term presidency giving the pile of accusations the ousted dictator faces.

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KRG-Erbil Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani requested the Iraqi government to officially condemn the missing of the Feili [Shiite] Kurds and compensate them and their families for their losses. Barzani's request came in a message he sent to a festival held in Baghdad to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of the Feili plight, when the former regime abducted thousands of Feili Kurds missing since then while more were deported from the country and deprived from the properties and Iraqi nationality. Shafaq Cultrural Foundation organized the festival in cooperation with seven associations of the Feili Kurds. Many Iraqi officials and Iraqi [Arab] chieftains attended the event.
¾         Amidst US unhappiness, the Turkish President visited Syria and met with his counterpart basher al-Assad. Media sources advise that the possibility of Iraq disintegration and establishment of a Kurdish state in Southern [Iraqi] Kurdistan was the main point on their agenda.
¾         An ``informed'' source from Khanaqeen police announced that unidentified gunmen abducted 12 Kurdish labors Monday evening. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the ``source'' added that the labors were kidnapped when they were returning to hometown Khanaqeen from Sharaban, where they used to work for an MNFI compound. Another source from Duzkhurmatu police reported that another two Kurds on their private pick up vehicle traveling from the town to Baquba, the provincial capital of Dyala governorate, were abducted early this morning.

Kurdistani Nwe, daily newspaper issued in Sulaymanya by PUK
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President Jalal Talabani received the head of the Shiite Coalition List Abdulaziz Al-Hakeem, who ``reiterated commitment to provide all the support to make the president's endeavor successful.'' In related news, the president's media office refuted allegations that suggested he was asked by the Europeans to release the ousted Dictator Saddam Hussein and considered the report run by al-Mushahid magazine as ``groundless fabrication.''

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The KDP and PUK politburos met Monday in Dokan and agreed that Kurdistan Parliament would convene its first meeting on 24 April to mark the anniversary of Qaladzae bombardment [by the ousted Baathist regime in 1974]. The agenda will include electing a secretariat for the Parliament, adopting a ;aw for inventing the position of Kurdistan Region President, unifying the KRG Erbil and Sulaymanya administrations and discussing how to deal with Kirkuk issue in one voice. After the politburo meeting, the KDP's Fadhil Mirani said in a joint press conference with his PUK counterpart Nawshirwan Mustafa that the joint will of the two parties for unifying their administrations was stronger than the technical constraints hindering the process. Mustafa added that the two politburos recommended to Kirkuk's frontrunner Fraternity List to from a joint with participation of Turcomans, Arabs and the Christian [Chaldo-Assyrians].
¾         A strict security plan will be implemented in Kirkuk in cooperation with the MNFI and the new Iraqi army, a senior police commander in Kirkuk police said in an exclusive statement to the daily. Brigadier Sarhad Qadir further added that the plan would focus on the Arabized quarters of the city, where most of the terrorist operations have been originating.

Khabat daily issued in Erbil by the KDP
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The KDP leader Massoud Barzani received Monday the Dutch ambassador to Iraq, who praised Kurdistan stability. The latest developments regarding the trial of a Dutch citizen who sold chemical agents to Saddam was also discussed in the meeting.

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The Iraqi federal ministry of health sets a plan to provide 900 types of medicines.
¾         The Iraqi government forces controlled al-Madaen town without finding the hostages.
¾         Erbil will become eh center for air flights soon after the Iraqi government officially recognized the Hawler International Airport. Daily flights to each of Baghdad and Basrah will start soon.
¾         Mosul police chief announced the arrest of the infamous terrorist Khalid Zakiya, leader of an armed group responsible for many terrorist crimes in and around Mosul. 36 members of his group have been captured in past period.