From the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)
This document is provided as a service by UNAMI. The material is drawn from non-UN sources and does not reflect the opinions of the United Nations, nor can the UN vouch for its accuracy
Sunday, May 22, 2005
HEADLINES, Click to follow link
Six soldiers killed in attack on convoy north of Baghdad
Eight killed in Baghdad, elsewhere
Iranian demand for war reparations "shocks" government - TV
Minister says 250 gunmen arrested, 200 killed in May
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 21 May 05
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper, Saudi-owned]:
Al-Dustur [Baghdad, independent daily newspaper]:
Al-Sabah al-Jadid [Baghdad, independent political daily newspaper]:
Baghdad [Baghdad, political daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Accord Movement]:
Al-Mu'tamar [Baghdad, comprehensive daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Congress]:
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [From commentary by Adnan Hussain]:
Al-Sabah al-Jadid [From editorial]:
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA HEADLINES, 21 May 05
UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PERSS, 19 May 2005
Xebat, daily newspaper issued in Erbil by the KDP
Kurdistani Nwe, daily newspaper issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK
Peyamner – Kurdistan News Agency
IRAQI NEWS, 21 May 05
Six soldiers killed in attack on convoy north of Baghdad
An attack on an Iraqi military convoy in Bayj, Salah-al-Din Governorate, north of Baghdad , has led to the death of six soldiers and the wounding of six others. Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV quoted eyewitnesses as saying gunmen attacked a military convoy which was en route to Mosul in the centre of the city, destroying two vehicles. The army fired mortars at the attack site, killing one Iraqi and wounding five others. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad , in Arabic 21 May 05)
Eight killed in Baghdad , elsewhere
Iraqi military sources said that soldiers shot dead two Iraqis who tried to bypass a checkpoint set up between Al-Latifiyah and Al-Mahmudiyah in southern Baghdad , Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 21st. The sources said that troops killed a civilian who was driving his car at a high speed towards an Education Department, thinking he had explosives in the car. In Al-Mahmudiyah, medical sources said troops had found three people shot dead in an agricultural area east of Al-Latifiyah two days ago. In Samarra , police found the body of a man shot dead in the Al-Sina'i neighbourhood in the south of the city. Balad police found the body of a truck driver shot dead in the area of Al-Niba'i in the south of the city. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad , in Arabic 21 May 05)
Iranian demand for war reparations "shocks" government - TV
Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV said on 21 May that an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement the previous day that Tehran would continue to pursue the issue of reparations for the 1980-1988 Iraq-Iran war had come as a "big shock" to the Iraqi government. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said the reparations issue would remain on the Iranian government agenda. The TV said the timing of the statement had caused the Iraqi government "great embarrassment" because it came a day after Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi concluded a visit to Iraq that Baghdad had hoped would "contribute to closing" the "war file". "Asefi pretended to have forgotten the huge human and material losses Iraq sustained and the big losses the huge sum of money Iran is asking for would cause to the Iraqi economy," the TV commented. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad , in Arabic 21 May 05)
Car bomb defused in north
Police in Khanaqin, northern Iraq , defused a car bomb found near a hospital and arrested a terrorist suspect near the scene. Police in Jalawlah arrested six suspects wearing local police uniform. (Al-Ta'akhi, Baghdad in Arabic 21 May 05)
Minister says 250 gunmen arrested, 200 killed in May
Interior Minister Bayan Jabr told a news conference on 21st that since the beginning of May, 250 gunmen had been arrested and 200 others had been killed in confrontations across the country, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. Jabr said he was "willing to deal with the devil in order to defeat terrorism in his country". He said his ministry had devised a new plan to deal with the security deterioration two days ago. He added that the security situation deteriorated since 15 March due to laxity of the government, a security vacuum, and an absence of clear decision-making. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad , in Arabic 21 May 05)
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 21 May 05
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [ Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper, Saudi-owned]:
- Washington resolved to play bigger role in running Iraq ,
- US officials say Rice said to have urged Barzani to settle differences with Talabani, move toward wider participation in government
- Al-Zarqawi injured, almost captured, in Al-Qa'im operation, says security source (Agencies quoted)
- Reviewing security, economic files in Ankara , Al-Ja'fari announces intention to hold meeting in Syria soon, with security as focal point (Agencies quoted)
- Two Iraqi soldiers killed, three wounded in car bomb blast, four US servicemen killed in disparate incidents as clashes with gunmen flare in Baghdad (Agencies quoted)
- US facing another furor in Iraq following publication of photos of Saddam in prison cell (Agencies quoted)
- In response to call by Sunni religious authorities, Baghdad mosques to close for three days (Agencies quoted)
Al-Dustur [ Baghdad , independent daily newspaper]:
- Cabinet endorses reactivation of capital punishment (Agencies quoted)
- Desecration of Holy Koran repudiated by Muqtada al-Sadr followers
- Assassination of key witness on Saddam's mass graves
- Al-Sistani urges Iran to do its utmost to control border
- Turkey to triple power exports to Iraq
- Al-Sistani aide assassination denounced by Muslim Scholars' Association
- Al-Qa'idah denies having held meeting in Syria (Agencies quoted)
- Arms cache uncovered in Al-Nasiriyah
- Oil refinery to be installed in Al-Najaf
- Saddam lawyer's home-raid allegation denied by US forces
Al-Sabah al-Jadid [ Baghdad , independent political daily newspaper]:
- Talabani in Kurdistan in bid to resolve regional presidency dispute, Barzani stressing importance of unifying the two administrations (Agencies quoted)
- Al-Hakim calls for solidarity, as deteriorating security discussed by Supreme Islamic Committee
- Tehran deeming war reparations issue as still unsettled (AFP quoted)
- Call for Islamic counter-terrorism conference to be convened in Arbil (Voices of Iraq quoted)
Baghdad [ Baghdad , political daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Accord Movement]:
- Growing differences between two ruling blocs over composition, expansion of constitution-writing committee Urging government to rein in sectarian violence,
- Rice says Iran supportive of terrorism, not quite uninvolved in current developments (Agencies quoted)
- Armed clashes erupt in Al-Nasiriyah as more US violations revealed (Agencies quoted)
- 'The Sun publishes photos of Saddam in underwear (Reuters quoted)
- Basra University students demand end to intrusion by gunmen
- Chaldean Patriarch says missionary activities in Iraq objectionable Mujahideen-e-Khaq accused of torture practices
Al-Mu'tamar [ Baghdad , comprehensive daily newspaper published by the Iraqi National Congress]:
- Al-Hakim calls for bringing Iraqi street under control, blocking deviation towards terrorist scheme
- 'Islamic Party', 'Muslim Scholars' back up call by 'Sunni Endowment', warn Al-Ja'fari government
- Gunmen force Basra Agricultural College dean to resign at gunpoint
- Syria denies backing Al-Zarqawi, invites Talabani, Al-Ja'fari for a visit (Al-Hayat)
- Patriarch of Chalean Church does not want constitution based on Shari'ah as sole legislation source
- Saddam defence team threatens to sue British 'The Sun' tabloid (Reuters quoted)
Al-Adalah [ Baghdad , general political daily newspaper published by the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq ]:
- Sayyid Al-Hakim calls upon Iraqis to stand united as Al-Ja'fari re-affirms pushing ahead with political process with full resolve to vanquish terrorism (AFP quoted)
- Al-Hasani: Talks continued to ensure everyone involved in constitutional process (AFP quoted)
- In interview with Al-Adalah, Kharrazi: What we have in view is a democratic Iraq that is inclusive in many respects Commission on Integrity decrees all ministerial directives issued as of 15 February 05, nil and viod (Agencies quoted)
- Zoellick prompts Iraqi government to stand up to plan designed to foil democratic Iraq (SAWA quoted)
- Opening economic forum, Jordanian king says winds of positive change blowing across region (AFP quote)
- Iraqi Oil Ministry to participate in Iraqi Oil Conference 2005 in Britain Georgia to dispatch 300 troops to take over protection of military posts in Diyalah (Agencies quoted)
- Iraqi ambassador in Beijing stresses pursuit of better relations with China , expresses optimism for further development of and greater openness in Sino-Iraqi ties
IRAQI PRESS QOUTES, 21 May 05
Al-Sharq al-Awsat [From commentary by Adnan Hussain]:
"What is urgently needed is an Iraqi national convention excluding none but those directly involved in criminal and terrorist acts, for the situation has become far too grave for the United Iraqi Alliance and the Kurdish Coalition to face up to on their own."
Al-Dustur [From editorial]:
"We may be in favour of people expressing dissent through peaceful means, but we are as much opposed to having places of worship closed as a pressure tactic manipulated for political gain as we are to having them unjustifiably raided and their custodians willfully detained, whether by regular security forces or irregular militias."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid [From editorial]:
"Much of the ominous combination of divisiveness, suspicion and vengefulness now poisoning the political atmosphere can be traced down to the insidious practices of residual Saddam loyalists who have found their way back into the new government system and are utilizing their official posts in a choreographed effort to promote the terrorists' agenda."
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA HEADLINES, 21 May 05
Al-Sharqiyah TV 21 May 2005
- Iraqi prime minister links foreign forces' withdrawal from Iraq to development of national forces' ability to confront violence
- Iran demands reparations for Iraq 's war on Iran a day after its foreign minister's visit to Iraq
- US army in Iraq says missile attack on Abu-Ghurayb prison leaves several prisoners injured
- US forces in Iraq deny knowledge of the identity of the person who took Saddam Husayn's pictures in prison
- Iraqi foreign minister stresses importance of representing all Iraqi communities in the committee charged with drawing up the constitution
- Two explosions heard this morning in US military camps in Sadd Hadithah, west of Iraq
- Attack on Iraqi military convoy near Bayji, north of Baghdad , leaves six soldiers dead, six injured
- Iraqi planning minister says after holding talks with US Secretary of State Rice that Saddam Husayn will be tried in a few months time
- Thirty Iraqi army officers to attend training in Germany
- Closure of Sunni mosques enters second day
- Muqtada al-Sadr announces mediation efforts between Sunni scholars association and Badr organization
- Ahl al-Sunnah group in Iraq stresses importance of national unity in conference
- Islamic Al-Da'wah movement holds ceremony to mark the assassination of Izz al-Din Salim a year ago
- Iraqi forces killed today three Iraqis in Al-Latifiyah and Al-Dur. Several bodies found in various places of Iraq
- US forces raided today the house of Sunni scholar Shaykh Layth Abd-al-Qahhar Abdallah in Hit, four of his brothers and six relatives arrested.
Al-Iraqiyah TV 21 May
- Prime Minister al-Ja'fari concludes Turkey visit, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announces bilateral deals
- Iraqis hopeful in cabinet bid to improve ties with neighbouring countries
- Head of Sunni waqf Adnan al-Dulaymi appeals to Iraqis to unite
- At least 15 terror suspects held in Baghdad ; weapons, leaflets found; 12 terror suspects arrested in Mosul
- Clerics, politicians condemn attempts to sow seeds of sectarian division
- Recorded interview with Shaykh Jalal al-Sin al-Saghir, member of National Assembly and the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq . He warns against attempt to divide Iraqis, says no differences between SCIRI and the Association of Muslim Scholars
- Minister of Planning Barham Salih says from Washington trial of ex President Saddam Husayn may begin in next few months
- Iraqis say Saddam photos natural end for tyrant
- Minister of the Interior Bayan Baqir Solagh announces anti-terror plan, arrests of terror suspects
- Rice accuses Syria of sponsoring terrorism. Video report covers Al-Ja'fari comments on Damascus support for terrorists
- Business bulletin. Projects to increase power supplies in Najaf implemented--official
- Governor of Basra discusses rebuilding projects with visiting Iranian businessmen
UPDATES FROM THE KURDISH PERSS, 19 May 2005
Xebat, daily newspaper issued in Erbil by the KDP
- The leaders of the KDP and Kurdistan Islamic Union (Yakgirtu) met in Barzani’s HQ on Wednesday and reiterated the need for unifying the two KRG administrations and writing a constitution in addition to discussions on bilateral relations between the two parties, the expected first meeting of Kurdistan parliament and the Kurdistan Region presidency code.
- Iraqi PM Ibrahim Jaafari announced through Al-Iraqiya TV station that the permanent constitution being written would be based on the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL).
- KRG-Erbil PM Nechirvan Barzani received the new commander of the South Korean troops stationed in Erbil . Acknowledging the activities of the troops and the services they provided to Erbil people, the PM reiterated his government’s commitment to continue supporting the Koreans to help succeed their mandate.
- Erbil Governor Nawzad Hadi announced in press conference on Wednesday the launch of implementation of a package of service projects inside and outside Erbil City . The package contains 120 projects worth ID 60 billion.
- The explosive defusing team of experts at Dahuk Security Department safely exploded a 20-kilogram package of TNT explosives that was set up on Danielle Mitterrand Street in the city by terrorists.
Kurdistani Nwe, daily newspaper issued in Sulaymanya by the PUK
- Iraqi President and Leader of the PUK Jalal Talabani arrived home in Kurdistan last night. One of Talabani’s tasks during his stay in Kurdistan will be settling the Kurdistan Region presidency crisis, over which the KDP and PUK politburos reached a deadlock, a PUK informative source said. For this purpose, the two politburos will meet in the presence of their leaders, the source added.
- After extensive Efforts by the KRG-Sulaymanya ministry of agriculture and irrigation, 527 farmers from 114 villages received compensation from the Swiss company that manufactured a herbicide that the farmers used in their chickpea farms in year 2000. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) procured Logran [TM] herbicide under the SCR986 program. Farmers from Erbil , Dahuk and Kirkuk governorates also damaged from the usage of the herbicide and the manufacturing company was notified of the damage at the time.
- Iraqi Defense Minister says that mosques harboring terrorists will be dealt with as military targets.
- The guards at a PUK HQ in Mosul foiled a terrorist suicide attack and killed the terrorist who was driving a truck loaded carrying a huge rocket weighing 2.5 tons. MNFI bomb experts arrived at the site later and defused the rocket.
- Kirkuk Business center (KBC) convened a conference on Kirkuk reconstruction in the city on Wednesday. The Governor, US Consulate Coordinator and other senior officials, as well as businesspersons from Erbil , Sulaymanya and Kirkuk also attended the conference. Recalling the $100 million package that the Iraqi Ex-deputy PM Barham Salih had allocated for the reconstruction of the city, the participants complained that $25 million from that the original amount was received and put in projects that are in the tendering phase but the Iraqi government blocked the delivery of the remaining sum. The ex-chairman of the governorate municipal council Tahseen Muhammad Ali criticized the reconstruction projecting methods in the past and called for more transparency.
Peyamner – Kurdistan News Agency
- The police in Erbil arrested a journalist working for Hawlati private weekly upon a court warrant that allows the police to jail him until trial day on 2 June. The police filed a case against the journalist because he had reported weeks ago that the police in Erbil captured a band that made porno films. The police say that the report was “far from truth.”
- An army of 30,000 Kurdish Peshmargas and Shiite militiamen will be deployed around Baghdad to circle the capital and restrict the areas of terrorist activities, a source from the Shiite Alliance said. The source further said that the plan was proposed by President Talabani.
- A source from the Iraqi parliament disclosed that the judge in charge of the anti-corruption portfolio has issued arrest warrants against 7 ex-misters of Allawi’s cabinet on corruption grounds. The source further said that the ex-ministers in charge of Electricity, Labor and Social Affairs, Interior, Reconstruction, Health, Transportation and Environment portfolios would be punished if proven guilty of the charges.
***
NB: This is not an official document. The information contained therein was compiled by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq , Information Office.
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