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
Monday, June 13, 2005
HEADLINES, Click to follow link
US gunfire kills three Iraqis in Al-Ramadi
Iraq announces arrest of group said linked to Al-Zarqawi
Head of Sunni political conference in Iraq proposes veto option for constitution
Iraqi spokesman says Sunnis "weakest" side in constitution negotiations
Iraqi health minister on a drive to combat corruption
US air strikes kill 40 gunmen in western Iraq - TV
Iraqi forces arrest scores of suspects in raids across Iraq
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES, 12 June 05
Al-Ta'akhi [daily newspaper (by A-Ta'akhi Publishing and Printing House)]
Al-Bayyinah [political weekly, by the Hezbollah Movement in Iraq]:
Al-Furat [Baghdad, independent political daily newspaper]:
Al-Dustur [Baghdad, independent daily newspaper]:
Al-Mu'tamar [comprehensive daily, by the Iraqi National Congress]:
Al-Zaman [Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]:
IRAQI PRESS QOUTES & EDITORIALS, 12 June 05
“Is Iraq a part and parcel of the Arab nation?” -Al-Ta'akhi
“Sense of national unity “-Al-Furat
“Honourable Sunni Association”-Al-Bayyinah
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA, 12 June 05
Programme summary of Al-Sharqiyah TV news 12 June 05
Programme summary of Al-Iraqiyah TV news 12 June 05
KURDS & Kurdish News, 12 June 05
Kurdish leader Barzani elected president of Iraqi Kurdistan
Paper criticizes Shi'i leader for provocative statements about Kirkuk
Iraqi Shi'i leader regrets "misinterpretation" of statements by Kurds
Kurdistan Satellite TV news Headlines, 12 Jun 05
KurdSat TV news Headlines, 12 Jun 05
IRAQI NEWS, 12 June 05
US gunfire kills three Iraqis in Al-Ramadi
"Informed sources" said that three civilians were killed by the gunfire of US forces in the city of Al-Ramadi on 12 June afternoon (local time), Iraq's Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. The officer in charge of Al-Wafa sub-district, west of the city, said that the incident took place when gunmen attacked a US patrol in the city, the channel added. "The indiscriminate and unguided reaction of the US forces led to the death of the three civilians, whose bodies were taken to Al-Ramadi Hospital , he added." (Al-Sharqiyah TV, Baghdad , in Arabic 12 Jun 05)
Iraq announces arrest of group said linked to Al-Zarqawi
A "source" at the Iraqi Interior Ministry said that more than 100 people were arrested on 12 June within the course of Operation Lightning, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported, and the detainees were part of the group which calls itself "The Path to God" (Arabic: al-tariq ila allah) and that they are "assistants" of Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, the Al-Qa'idah leader in Iraq. The Iraqi Interior Ministry had earlier announced that since 11 June night, 216 suspects had been arrested, raising the number of people detained since the start of the operation to more than 1200, the channel said. (Al-Sharqiyah TV, Baghdad , in Arabic 12 Jun 05)
Head of Sunni political conference in Iraq proposes veto option for constitution
Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported that, at a conference in Ba'qubah, in Diyala governate, to discuss the drafting of Iraq 's constitution, "a paper that may influence the Sunni Arabs' participation" was proposed. The paper, is said, "pertains to the call of Salih al-Mutlaq, elected president of this conference, to unify three adjacent provinces in order to have the veto right, as granted by the State Administration Law. The veto will be used against the draft constitution, hoped to be put to referendum on 15 August, should there be any objections to any of its articles." Al-Mutlaq was quoted as saying that "three provinces will vote [against] the constitution if it does not guarantee Iraq 's unity". (Al-Sharqiyah TV, Baghdad , in Arabic 12 Jun 05)
Iraqi spokesman says Sunnis "weakest" side in constitution negotiations
Iraqi government spokesman Layth Kubbah told a news conference on 12 June that the Kurds were the "strongest and most experienced negotiators" in talks over the drafting of the new constitution, while the Sunnis were the "weakest", Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. During the news conference, Kubbah reportedly cited an "expert" in Iraqi political affairs as saying that "the Kurdish parties are the strongest among the political forces which negotiate over the constitution due to their rich and vast experience in political work and negotiations, and their competent staff who knows the art of negotiation". Kubbah noted that "the weakest negotiating side seems to be the Sunni parties, circles and movements, because this is their first experience in negotiation," adding that a compromise was needed. Kubbah said that due to Sunnis' lack of negotiating experience, they either boycotted or rejected initiatives, rendering them the "weakest link in the constitutional process". (Al-Sharqiyah TV, Baghdad , in Arabic 12 Jun 05)
Iraqi health minister on a drive to combat corruption
Iraqi Health Minister Dr Abd-al-Muttalib Ali Muhammad Salih said that changes in the structure of the ministry were part of combating administrative corruption and "the work load", the Iraqi National Congress (INC) weekly newspaper Al-Mu'tamar reported. The minister added that his ministry is seeking to "make most hospitals include all medical specializations, to develop the functioning of the ministry's staff, to avoid administrative routine, distributing authorities, to give director generals specific authorities, and to make director generals avoid taking decisions in a way that loads work and loads the minister with administrative and routine work". (Al-Mu'tamar, Baghdad , in Arabic 8 Jun 05)
US air strikes kill 40 gunmen in western Iraq - TV
The US Army has launched seven air strikes on hideouts of gunmen in the area of Al-Karabilah in the district of Al-Qa'im, Al-Anbar governorate, killing around 40 gunmen, Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 12 June citing a US Army source as saying. The source said no casualties had been reported among US soldiers or Iraqi civilians. However, a doctor at Al-Qa'im Hospital said three wounded had been taken to hospital, including a child who died in the morning as a result of his wounds, the television added. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad , in Arabic 12 Jun 05)
Iraqi forces arrest scores of suspects in raids across Iraq
Iraq and US forces have jointly raided a house in Kirkuk and discovered a workshop for manufacturing bombs, rockets and explosive charges, Iraq's Sharqiyah TV reported on 12 June, adding that machine-guns, parts of grenades and RPG's had been seized in the raid. More raids were conducted by the Iraqi forces in the area of Al-Mada'in, southern Baghdad , the report said, quoting the Iraqi Interior Ministry. Eleven suspects were arrested. Citing a US Army source, the TV added that the US forces had conducted a raid-and-search campaign in the area of Al-Huwayjah on the Baghdad-Kirkuk road, arresting seven, and uncovering seven weapons caches. The television also said that US forces arrested eight firefighters at their workplace in Al-Ramadi the previous day. A Civil Defence officer said that US soldiers raided Al-Qadisiyah Firefighting Squad in the Al-Ta'mim neighbourhood in the city. However, the TV did not give any reason for the raid or arrests. (Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad , in Arabic 12 Jun 05)
IRAQI PRESS HEADLINES , 12 June 05
Al-Ta'akhi [daily newspaper (by A-Ta'akhi Publishing and Printing House)]
- President Barzani sworn in as Kurdistan region president today (Voices of Iraq quoted)
- President Barzani receives Iraqi Minister of Planning (Bayan Jabr) Sulagh denies having sacked 2500 Kurdish policemen (PNA quoted)
- Foreign states affected by former regime's wars demand 69bn in war reparations (Voices of Iraq)
- Slovak embassy in Baghdad attacked (Reuters quoted)
- Iraqi-Iranian cooperation in oil refining (Voices of Iraq quoted)
- US forces keeping up heat on terrorists Syria , Iraq call on Turkey to reactivate tripartite committee on water apportioning issue (KUNA quoted)
- Refinery workers call off strike in response to appeal by Oil Workers' Union .
Al-Bayyinah [political weekly, by the Hezbollah Movement in Iraq ]:
- Al-Ja'fari: I will not set foot in Damascus except on condition that Iraqi blood is respected
- Bayan Jabr lives up to his pledge, rids Iraq of terror hotbeds soon
- Sunnis to make up one of the pillars of the Interior Ministry General Hikmat Sulayman Musa subpoenaed by New Baghdad magistrate
- What US troops found in Muhsin Abd al-Hamid's home
- Al-Qadhafi's son to sponsor conference of Saddamites, excommunication-prone extremists.
Al-Furat [ Baghdad , independent political daily newspaper]:
- Ibrahimi, Khalilzad soon in Baghdad to continue dialogue with guerrillas
- Interior Minister: Operation Lightning netting 1,318 detainees, including nine Arab nationals
- 180,000 divorce cases in Iraq every year
- Iraqi court sentencing Iraqi to 15-year prison term for killing US soldier
- Kuwait occupying oil wells in northern Rumaylah oil field
- Scores of Iraqis martyred in terrorist operations Haifa Street reopened to traffic
- Eighty-one suspects caught in possession of fifty tons of explosives 2,330
- Iraqi expatriates return from Lebanon .
Al-Dustur [ Baghdad , independent daily newspaper]:
- Edicts urging youth to join holy war in Iraq declared fallacious by Shaykh Al-Alami
- Terrorist blows himself up at Wolf Brigade headquarters
- Hammudi says Sabaean representative added to constitutional panel
- Operation Lightning to be repeated, large-scale military campaigns to be launched nationwide, says Wolf Brigade commander
- Transport Ministry strikes deal with Airbus, Boeing to buy modern airlines
- British consul visits Nasiriyah to discuss public services
- British troops raid special force tasked with protecting oil facilities in Maysan.
Al-Mu'tamar [comprehensive daily, by the Iraqi National Congress]:
- Wolf Brigade commander: We have weeded out more than 90 per cent of the terrorists in the areas south of Baghdad
- EU to open office in Baghdad , extend aid to build new government institutions
- Ten passengers killed, three wounded (as minibus ambushed) in Latifiyah
- (Militant) groups selling Saudis to mercenaries in Iraq
- Eighteen arms dealers captured Terrorist infiltrators seized in Amarah
- Iraqi university students take exams, challenging power supply crisis, terror ordeal.
Al-Zaman [ Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily newspaper]:
- Ibrahimi en rout to Baghdad to oversee implementation of US deal with resistance under UN auspices,
- Ba'th party preparing for conference to disavow past era
- Al-Hakim calls upon Iran to write off Iraq 's debts
- Fifteen tons of explosives confiscated in Nasiriyah
- Saqlawiyah under ground, aerial US military siege Twenty suspects detained in Baghdad, three dead bodies found not far away from Al-Dawrah,
- 28 Wolf Brigade commandos fall dead, wounded in suicide bombing
- (Syrian Premier) Al-Itri discusses water, electricity with two Iraqi ministers (Reuters quoted)
- Al-Mutlag says certain National Assembly quarters reject reconciliation in order to monopolize power
- National Dialogue Council voicing reservations on having militias integrated into security system, dubs government programme theoretical
- Armed operations in Iraq condemned by Arab Information Ministers Armed attack launched against police academy in Mosul .
IRAQI PRESS QOUTES & EDITORIALS, 12 June 05
“Is Iraq a part and parcel of the Arab nation?” -Al-Ta'akhi
Al-Ta'akhi -[From editorial]: "The final statement issued at the conclusion of the Sunni conference in Baghdad last Wednesday [8 June] states the Sunnis' intention to reject the projected permanent constitution unless it concedes that Iraq is part and parcel of the Arab nation. It is our conviction that those who insist on such a condition either fail to realize how the future Iraq ought to be shaped up or fail to acknowledge the hard facts of life in present-day Iraq ... If Iraqi Arabs can be categorized as part of the Arab nation, Iraqi Kurds, being non-Arab by definition, obviously cannot It ought to be clear to everyone that setting such unrealistic conditions is nothing but a banal attempt to parody Saddam's obsolete regime, which is gone never to return."
“Sense of national unity “-Al-Furat
Al-Furat [From editorial]: "Every word ostensibly uttered to uphold virtue but insidiously intended to promote vice ought to be met with utter rejection, especially when it comes out of those who, seeing that they have very little left to lose, have found their last resort in harping on ethnic and sectarian discord in a desperate bid to undercut our solid sense of national unity."
“Honourable Sunni Association”-Al-Bayyinah
Al-Bayyinah [From editorial]: "Imagine a Sunni Scholars' Association claiming for itself the right to represent free Iraqis in the honourable Sunni street secretly engaging in negotiations with the Israelis while publicly alleging resistance to the occupier! Has there ever been a more brazen deed for Iraqis to see a more stomach-churning sectarian stink for them to smell?"
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA, 12 June 05
Programme summary of Al-Sharqiyah TV news 12 June 05
- Kurdistan parliament approves the appointment of Mas'ud al-Barzani as president of the Kurdistan province for the coming four years; video shows footage from the session
- US army says it conducted seven air raids on positions of armed groups in Al-Anbar province, no injuries among US soldiers
- Iraqi police conduct raids around town of Al-Mada'in, operations are part of Operation Lightning; video shows captured weapons
- US forces conduct raids north of Baghdad , seize weapons and ammunition
- US and Iraqi forces storm house in northern Iraq and discover a weapons making facility
- Iraqi national assembly discusses several domestic issues, such as polluted imported flour; video from session
- Iraqi civilians killed after US forces fire on residential building in town of Hadithah , operation comes one day after five marines were killed in blast near town
- France announces the release of the French citizen abducted in Iraq after five months in captivity
- US forces arrest five fire-fighters in Al-Ramadi, no comment from US forces about the incident
- Iraqi driver and his companion killed in blast north of Baghdad , blast targeted convoy carrying supplies to US forces
- Iraqi tribal leaders gather in conference in Ba'qubah to discuss the constitution writing process and ways to increase participation by Sunnis in that process; video shows footage from the conference
- Iraqi government spokesman says the political process needs the participation and cooperation of all Iraqis; video shows spokesman talking to reporters
- Government spokesman says that the issue of detainees is being studied by the government, 259 have been released, committee is looking into the files of all those in custody; video shows spokesman talking to reporters
- Iraqi police find 20 decomposed bodies southeast of Baghdad, their identities unknown ... Court central sentences five Iraqis to jail terms ranging from three years to life in prison for possessing illegal weapons, such as machine guns and anti-tank weapons, another Iraqi sentenced to 18 months in prisoner for possessing various weapons and ammunition in his home
- Official says sandstorm has forced the closure of Baghdad airport since Saturday, 11 June
- Explosions in Iranian town of Ahwaz kill five, Iranian official says there has been no claim of responsibility so far
- High turnout in the third-phase of the Lebanese elections; video shows footage from polling stations
Programme summary of Al-Iraqiyah TV news 12 June 05
- Cabinet spokesman Layth Kubbah says political process recovering; government committed to getting everyone into process but no place for terror groups. Video report covers his comments, Minister of Higher Education comments on conference to attract Iraqis living abroad
- Transitional National Assembly discusses committees work. Video report... Kurdistan parliament elects Mas'ud Barzani president of province
- Government hails release of French hostage. Video report
- Interior Minister Bayan Baqir Sulagh praises Iraqis for helping security forces. Video report covers his meeting with tribal dignitaries from Al-Fallujah
- Fifteen terror suspects held in Baghdad . Video report covers violence
- Terror suspects arrested in Ziqar; explosives found in village. Video report covers arrest of 12 terror suspects
- Key terror suspect surrenders in Mosul
- Pre-recorded interview with Abd-al-Karim al-Anzi, Minister of State for National Security Affairs. He says terrorist attacks declining in Baghdad following launch of security operation
- MP Jawad al-Maliki says religious authority has role to play in new era. Video report covers his talks with Shi'i cleric Shaykh Al-Yaqubi, his comments
- Al-Ummah Party and the New Iraq Movement announce they are merging into new political group. Video report covers announcement, comments of member saying new liberal movement to be formed
- Students finish exams after year of hardships. Video report covers students grievances: power cuts, security situation
KURDS & Kurdish News, 12 June 05
Kurdish leader Barzani elected president of Iraqi Kurdistan
Iraqi Kurdistan National Assembly unanimously elected Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Mas'ud Barzani as president of the Iraqi Kurdistan region on 12 June, KurdSat TV reported. The deputy Speaker, Kamal Kirkuki, told the assembly session that due to poor security in Baghdad the swearing-in ceremony had been postponed until 14 June. (KurdSat TV, Al-Sulaymaniyah, in Sorani Kurdish 12 Jun 05)
Paper criticizes Shi'i leader for provocative statements about Kirkuk
Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) newspaper Al-Ta'akhi on 9 June reported that Ammar al-Hakim had told the French News Agency: "We do not accept the annexation of Kirkuk to this or that governorate because Kirkuk is a miniature Iraq and it belongs to all Iraqis ... We also reject any forcible deportation of any Iraqis from an Iraqi city because every Iraqi has the right to live in any city of his choice." The paper also quotes him as saying that with regard to the federalism of Kurdistan region "the discussions are going on with regard to administrative federalism. As to ethnic federalism, it is a preliminary to division and we do not support it." The paper criticizes Al-Hakim for these statements, stating that " Kirkuk is an Iraqi Kurdistani city and when the conditions are normalized in it, there will be a referendum and all the concerned sides will be committed to the result of the referendum." It went on to say that "nobody has the right to talk about the question of Kirkuk except after the ratification of Article 58 of the State Administration Law and the normalization of the conditions in the city and bringing it back to how it used to be prior to 1968." It adds: "These statements reveal ill will and a desire to put impediments to the implementation of this article, which guarantees a solution to the Kirkuk problem, ensures the return of the internally displaced people from the city to their own abodes, the solution of the issue of the Arabs settlers who had been brought by the previous regime from the sundry Iraqi cities, and also ensures the removal of the effects of the ethnic-cleansing policy that had been adopted by the deposed regime, in addition to returning the administrative districts and subdistricts that had been administratively annexed to other governorates." (Al-Ta'akhi, Baghdad in Arabic 9 Jun 05)
Iraqi Shi'i leader regrets "misinterpretation" of statements by Kurds
President Jalal Talabani received on 11 June prominent figure in the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq Ammar al-Hakim at his private office in Baghdad , Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) newspaper Al-Ittihad reported on 12 June. Ammar al-Hakim expressed deep regret for the misinterpretation of his recent statements, which he said he did not mean, and which created a feeling of dismay among the Kurdish public. He said the Shi'is gave the Kurds a special status, pointing out the historical ties between the Kurds and the Shi'is. Later, the president said the Kurds also gave the Al-Hakim family a special status, particularly since the Great Ayatollah Sayyid Muhsin al-Hakim was the first to issue a fatwa proscribing the killing of Kurds. Talabani mentioned the importance of the relations and the force of the Kurdish-Shi'i coalition and the need to strengthen the ties between the two sides. Later on, his excellency spoke about the Kirkuk issue and considered it a sensitive matter that needed to be resolved in accordance with Article 58 of the interim State Administration Law. He added that the constitution and the National Assembly would determine the type of federalism Iraq would have. His pledged to revive the funding project to reconstruct the holy cities of Al-Najaf and Karbala . (Al-Ittihad, Baghdad , in Arabic 12 Jun 05)
Kurdistan Satellite TV news Headlines, 12 Jun 05
Kurdistan National Assembly elects Mas'ud Barzani as president of Iraqi Kurdistan region. Report over video showing the assembly during the voting ... Iraqi Planning Minister Barham Salih briefs KDP leader Mas'ud Barzani about his recent visit to US and talks with officials there - no details. Report over video showing the meeting in progress ... Mas'ud Barzani meets party officials in Arbil, calls on party members to serve and strengthen ties with the public. Report over video showing the meeting in progress ... Barham Salih separately meets head of the KDP-led Kurdistan regional government Nechirvan Barzani, Kurdistan parliament officials; recent developments discussed. Report over video showing the meetings in progress ... Kurdish people give positive reaction to elections of Barzani as president. Report over video showing interviewees speaking to the camera ... Barham Salih visits Kirkuk Council, says Iraqi government is committed to reconstruction of Kirkuk . Report over video showing Salih addressing a news conference ... US military spokesman in Iraq says 20 were killed during air raid on insurgents strongholds ... Iraqi government advisor Muwaffaq al-Rubay'i stresses the need for participation of Sunnis in the drafting of the constitution. Report over video showing Al-Rubay'i speaking to the camera ...
KurdSat TV news Headlines, 12 Jun 05
Iraqi Kurdistan parliament elects Mas'ud Barzani as president of the Kurdistan region. Report over video showing the assembly during the voting ... People in Sulaymaniyah celebrate Barzani's election as president. Report over video showing street celebrations ... Prominent Shi'i official Ammar al-Hakim expressed regret for misinterpretation of his recent statements in a meeting with Iraqi president. Report over video showing the meeting in progress ... Iraqi Planning Minister Barham Salih visits Kirkuk , says government committed to agreements regarding reconstruction of the city. Report over video showing Salih addressing a news conference ... Patriotic Union of Kurdistan opens new centre in Koysinjaq. Report over video showing the opening ceremony ... Iraqi Minister of Water Resources visits Syria , meets prime minister to discuss mutual cooperation; Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted. No video ... A conference on children media held in Sulaymaniyah. Report over video showing interview with organizers
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NB: This is not an official document. The information contained therein was compiled by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq , Information Office. If you have any questions/suggestions, please contact us at (+ 962 550 -4631/4632 or Cell. + 962 77 619 731 jarrar@un.org or alsokhni@un.org
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