Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

 
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IRAQI NEWS, 23 APRIL 05
·         Four wounded in northeast Baghdad blast
·         Two said killed, four wounded in two blasts in Ba'qubah
·         Several wounded in mortar attacks in western Iraq
·         Two Iraqi soldiers said killed in attack south of Baghdad
·         Al-Zarqawi group claims Baghdad Airport road attack
·         US forces raid tribal leader's house in Al-Ramadi after attack
·         New radio station goes on air in Baghdad
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES (23 APRIL)
·         Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]:
·         Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, comprehensive independent daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Congress]:
·         Al-Bayan [Baghdad, general political daily published by the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party]:
·         Al-Zaman [Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]:
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES (23 APRIL)
·         ``The 'Alliance' is holding full sway over Iraq and its people."- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
·         ``A stable relations with Turkey''- Al-Mu'tamar
·         ``Al-Mada'in is attributable to the ongoing governmental vacuum''- Al-Zaman
·         From Iraqi press editorials & commentaries (23 April)
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA, 23 APRIL 05
·         Al-Sharqiyah TV news 1600 gmt 23 Apr 05
·         Al-Iraqiyah TV news 1600 gmt 23 Apr 05

IRAQI NEWS, 23 April 05
Four wounded in northeast Baghdad blast
Four people were wounded in a blast on a road in northeastern Baghdad on 23 April, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. The four were part of a team from the Electricity Ministry who were heading to the Al-Musayyib area to fix a power network damaged by sabotage operations the previous day, the TV said. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 23 Apr 05)

Two said killed, four wounded in two blasts in Ba'qubah
Iraqi police said that two people, including a child, were killed and four others were wounded in two blasts in Ba'qubah, the biggest city in Diyala Governorate, northeast of Baghdad, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 23 April. Police in Ba'qubah said that a 10-year-old child was killed in a blast in front of the house of Nawfal Abd-al-Husayn, head of the Diyala Governorate Council, who was assassinated along with his brother by unidentified gunmen at the end of January. The police added that the second explosion went off 100 meters away, killing Mustafah Abd-al-Jalil, a professor at Ba'qubah University, and wounding four civilians. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 23 Apr 05)
Several wounded in mortar attacks in western Iraq
Several people were wounded when mortars landed in residential areas of Al-Fallujah and Al-Sufiyah in Al-Anbar Governorate in western Iraq, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 23 April. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 23 Apr 05)
Two Iraqi soldiers said killed in attack south of Baghdad
Two Iraqi soldiers were killed and three others were wounded when an explosive charge went off under their patrol in Al-Yusufiyah, about 40km to the south of Baghdad, on 23 April, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. An Iraqi police source was quoted as saying that the explosive charge also damaged a civilian car at the scene of the explosion. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 23 Apr 05)
Al-Zarqawi group claims Baghdad Airport road attack
Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi's Al-Qa'idah of Jihad Organization in the Land of Two Rivers [Tanzim Qa'idat al-Jihad Fi Bilad al-Rafidayn] on 23 April claimed responsibility for a suicide attack carried out earlier in the day against a US military convoy on the Baghdad Airport road. In a statement posted on the Islamic Renewal Organization forum at www.22lajnah22.co.uk, the group said that it has carried out a "martyrdom operation... against the Americans on the Airport Road a short while ago".
"Today, Saturday, 13 Rabi al-Awwal 1426 Hegira, corresponding to 23 April 2005, a lion of the Martyrdom Brigades went at top speed and carried out a heroic attack on a column of Jews and Christians on the Airport Road. He said God is Great, blew himself up, and sold himself to its Creator," the statement read. (Islamic Renewal Organization forum at www.22lajnah22.co.uk)
US forces raid tribal leader's house in Al-Ramadi after attack
US forces raided the house of a tribal leader in a northern suburb of the western Iraqi city of Al-Ramadi after an earlier attack on a US military vehicle in the city, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. The attack left a US Hummer vehicle in flames, but there were no reports of any casualties among the US forces, the TV said. The tribal leader whose house was raided was named as Shyakh Kamal Hammad Rufayyi, a chieftain of the Al-Dulaym tribe in the Al-Budhiyab area in the north of the city. Twelve US armoured vehicles, backed by two gunships, raided his house "on the pretext that he provides support for gunmen, damaging the furniture", the TV said. The troops did not find Rufayyi himself, it added. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 23 Apr 05)
New radio station goes on air in Baghdad
A new radio station identifying itself as Radio Al-Nur has been observed to be broadcasting on 90.3 MHz FM in Baghdad since 20 April. The station's format is mostly music interspersed with frequent announcements in Arabic, including one giving their e-mail address as alnoor903fm@yahoo.com. It is not known if the station is linked to either of the two newspapers of the same name published in Baghdad, one of which supports Grand Ayatollah Sistani and says that the Shi'i religious authorities are the legitimate representatives of the Iraqi people.

IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES (23 APRIL)
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]:
·         Challenging anyone to find a single dollar deposited abroad in the former president's name, (Taha Yasin) Ramadan tells his lawyer he rejected US offer of presidency post in return for testifying against Saddam
·         After meeting with Sunni parties, Talabani voices frustration at delay in announcement of new cabinet (AFP- Quoted)
·         Association of Muslim Scholars accuses parties within government of assassinating one of its members (AFP- Quoted)
·         Police find bodies of 19 national guards near Bayji, as suicide attack on Baghdad Shi'i mosque leaves 35 dead, wounded (Agencies- Quoted)
·         Two Romanian journalists threatened with death by kidnappers unless Bucharest withdraws troops within four days (Agencies- Quoted)
Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, comprehensive independent daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Congress]:
·         Talabani mediating between Allawi, Al-Ja'fari to dissipate power transfer fears, accusations and counter-accusations over delay in cabinet formation (Agencies- Quoted)
·         Al-Ja'fari seeking to incorporate partisan militia elements into interior, defence staff (Al-Hayat- Quoted)
·         Reports of bodies salvaged from the river Tigris not authenticated by Pentagon
·         Four terror suspects convicted, including Saudi, Iranian
·         Al-Sistani calls for having his posters removed from government offices
·         We seek to consolidate relations with Turkey, amnesty to exclude those who have had their hands stained with Iraqi blood, says Talabani
·         Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works admits to serious potable water shortage
Al-Bayan [Baghdad, general political daily published by the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party]:
·         Mr PM, Dr Al-Ja'fari receives in audience VP, Shaykh Ghazi al-Yawar, UN envoy, Ashraf Qadhi
·         Washington not convinced Annan thoroughly absolved of guilt in oil-for-food scandal (Agencies- Quoted)
·         Environmental pollution in Iraq attributed to neglect, terrorism (Agencies- Quoted)
·         Saudi, Jordanian cooperation on border control lauded by US official (Agencies- Quoted)
·         Estonian parliament vote to extend tenure of duty for troops serving in Iraq (Agencies- Quoted)
·         Kuwait to fund building 120 housing units for families victimized (by violence) in Al-Najaf (Agencies- Quoted)
Al-Zaman [Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]:
·         UN urging haste, Talabani feeling frustrated, 'Iraqiyah' (List) taking the plunge, new disputes hamper cabinet line-up (AFP- Quoted)
·         Badush prison chief gunned down by armed elements
·         Oil Ministry retracting statement over export resumption as gunmen assail oil pipeline feeding Bayji power plant
·         Bush welcoming congressional endorsement of emergency budget to fund Iraq operations
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES (23 APRIL)
 ``The 'Alliance' is holding full sway over Iraq and its people."- Al-Sharq al-Awsat
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [From commentary by Adnan Husayn]:
"Since the elections, the 'Alliance' has generally treated others with arrogance and some of its leaders, to say nothing of its cadres, have not been able to restrain their despotic tendencies, behaving as if winning the last elections has given them the right to succeed Saddam in holding full sway over Iraq and its people."
``A stable relations with Turkey''- Al-Mu'tamar
Al-Mu'tamar [From commentary by Jamal al-Kharsan]:
"How can you expect to maintain stable relations with Turkey, or even expect that country to watch with folded arms, while you continue to host the Kurdistan Workers Party, which is known to be a major threat to Turkish national security? How can you be so naas to assume that you can still maintain stable ties with Iran when you are providing sanctuary for 5,000 armed members of an organization like Mujahidin-e- Khalq, officially characterized as terrorist by the United States itself?"
``Al-Mada'in is attributable to the ongoing governmental vacuum''- Al-Zaman
Al-Zaman [From commentary by Fatih Abd al-Salam]:
"What has happened in Al-Mada'in is attributable to the ongoing governmental vacuum. What we are now witnessing is a surreal scene where everyone is rushing to make their own statements, some adding fuel to the fire, others taking advantage of the heat to bake their own bread, and still others watching passively from their side-benches. All this, while the country is burning- or is it not burnt yet?"
From Iraqi press editorials & commentaries (23 April)
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 6 a 1,400-word article by Shakir al-Nabulsi discussing the impact of the so-called "the American Phobia" in the Arab world on the reform process in the region. The writer explains that Arabs fear and suspect every move, including the US wheat donations to Arab countries.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 6 a 700-word article by Adnan Abu-Zayd saying that since the 11 September attacks in the US, terrorism has widely spread to other countries. The writer says that the US Administration succeeded in changing the political and diplomatic course of the war against terrorism and imposing political and democratic reforms in the Middle East. The writer warns that in light of this equation, Iraq may turn by time to an experimental field for reproducing "terrorists and for experimenting anti-terrorism cures."
Al-Furat publishes on page 5 a 1,300-word article by Hasan Hani Zada discussing political stability in Iraq in the wake of electing a Kurdish leader as the president of Iraq. The writer believes that electing President Talabani and Prime Minister-designate Ibrahim al-Ja'fari will ensure the unity of Iraq and enhance its democratic process. The writer praises the progress that has been achieved in the political process of the country.
Al-Furat publishes on page 5 a 1,400-word article by Aziz al-Hajj discussing the developments and progress in the political process in Iraq. The writer criticizes Al-Sadr trend and other forces calling for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq under the pretext that they aim at seizing power in the country.
Al-Adalah carries on page 6 a 1,200-word article by Hamid al-Hamdani discussing the "success" of the Iraqi political leaders in "establishing democracy" by nominating a Kurdish figure president of Iraq. The writer also comments on the "tasks" that the new Iraqi Government must perform.
Al-Adalah runs on page 6 a 400-word article by Dr Ali Khulayf commenting on the "terrorist crimes" against the Shiites in Al-Mada'in, calling on the Iraqi political parties to "form a strong and loyal security staff to foil the infiltration of terrorists, Saddam followers, and corrupt security members."
Al-Adalah publishes on page 6 an 800-word article by Mariwan al-Naqshabandi discussing the democratic process in Iraq and the drafting of the Iraqi constitution. The author says that the constitution should guarantee the rights of all Iraqi ethnic, religious, and political groups by establishing federalism.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid runs on page 1 a 300-word editorial by Isma'il Zayir commenting on the Iraqi Journalists Union recent conference in which the Union members elected a new "leadership." Zayir says that Union has started a "new period of serious work to serve Iraq by presenting true and honest information to the world."
Al-Bayan publishes on page 3 a 600-word article by Zaynab al-Khafaji discussing the impact of the political changes in Iraq on the countries of the region. The author says that the "democratic transition" in Iraq requires a "political and economic interaction" with the countries of the region to be "successful and workable."
Al-Bayan carries on page 3 a 400-word article by Salim Rasul criticizing the Iraqi Government, especially the Interior and Defence ministries, for "failing" to provide security to the people in Al-Mada'in and the "triangle of death." The writer says that the Iraqi security forces are "weak and not well equipped," and calls on the National Assembly members to interrogate the Iraqi officials for their "negligence and carelessness regarding the killing of innocent Iraqis."
Al-Zaman publishes on page 3 a 400-word article by Hamzah Mustafa criticizing the Iraqi Government on the issue Fattah al-Shaykh's alleged mistreatment by US forces for not doing anything but seeking US forces to apologize for the incident.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 15 a 1,000-word article by Hasan Hanafi, an Egyptian writer, in which he says that peoples in the world have begun looking for democracy and freedom by staging demonstrations calling for reforms.
Al-Dustur publishes on the front page a 600-word editorial by Chief Editor Basim Al-Shaykh in which he praises the "achievements" of the Iraqi information delegation that participated in the Iraqi-Jordanian Information Gathering in Amman.
Al-Dustur publishes on page 7 a 400-word article by Durayd Fa'iz entitled "Iraq and The European constitution" in which the writer compares the current "significant stage" in Europe's history with the conflicts between the Iraqi political parties on the formation of the new government. The writer urges Iraqi officials to learn from the European experience when they draft the new constitution.
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA, 23 APRIL 05
Al-Sharqiyah TV news 1600 gmt 23 Apr 05

·         Iraqi prime minister-designate Ibrahim al-Ja'fari has received names of ministerial candidates from various political parties; spokesman for Iraqi List says Al-Ja'fari has not received names from the list, thus it will not participate in expected line-up; initial government line-up may be announced today or tomorrow in scheduled National Assembly meeting...
·         Secretary-General of the Iraqi national movement Hatim Jasim Mukhlis raises doubts over feasibility of forming government...
·         Various areas in Iraq witness more military operations against US, Iraqi military columns; three US soldiers, seven Iraqi civilians wounded in car bomb western Baghdad; eight Iraqis killed, 20 others wounded in bomb explosion targeting military column in Abu-Ghurayb today; car bomb goes off near mosque in Basra this morning, seven civilians wounded, nearby house damaged; two Iraqi army elements killed in hand-made bomb explosion south of Baghdad...
·         Iraqi Electricity Ministry's technical teams' efforts under way to repair al-Musayyab and Bayji power network, expected to be restored in two days...
·         Baghdad municipality calls on US troops not to allow military vehicles to destroy pavements, green areas. No reply received from US troops...
·         Bomb explosion destroys military vehicle north of Al-Ramadi. Map of Iraq...
·         Iraqi Planning Ministry organizes seminar to discuss new Iraqi constitution...
·         Iraqi army says today two soldiers killed, four wounded in mortar attack on joint US-Iraqi headquarters in Al-Dhulu'iyah airport...
·         Iraqi police elements take over control of all checkpoints at entrances to Samarra from US troops...
·         Romanian government contacts kidnappers of three Romanian journalists in Iraq...
·         US investigators criticize British defence firm for employing unqualified staff...
Al-Iraqiyah TV news 1600 gmt 23 Apr 05
·         Vice-President Adil Abd-al-Mahdi meets US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington...
·         Vice-President Ghazi Al-Yawar discusses government formation with politicians...
·         Walid al-Hili, member of Islamic Al-Da'wah Party, says talks on forming government still going on...
·         Iyad Allawi calls on all political groupings to take part in cabinet talks; Humam Hamudi, member of National Assembly, speaks about reason for further delay in forming government...
·         Five injured in attack in Baghdad... Nine soldiers killed in car bomb in Baghdad; two killed in Ba'qubah...
·         Funerals held in Al-Najaf for people killed in Baghdad suicide bombing...
·         New security plan announced by Basra governor...
·         Iraqi air force marks 74th anniversary...
·         Italian force in Ziqar hands over to new unit...
·         Iraq media representatives visit Jordan, meet king...
·         Religious ceremony held on anniversary of Prophet Muhammad...
·         Women call for more active role in politics...