Wednesday, 17 Nov 2004
DEFENCE/SECURITY
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US forces and National Guards had spread their control over Al-A'zamiyah.- Al-Sharqiyah TV
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US, Iraqi forces start offensive in Mosul- Al-Sharqiyah TV
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Clashes, car bombs in Al-Ramadi - Al-Sharqiyah TV
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Islamic Party condemns raid on official's house- Dar al-Salam radio
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Al-Sistani urges peaceful solution, end to bloodshed- Al-Diyar TV
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Iraq to build 24 police stations along Iranian border- Al-Sharqiyah TV
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Clerics call for humanitarian aid for Al-Fallujah- Dar al-Salam radio
RECONSTRUCTION
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TV Show Tells Iraqis How to Reconstruct Houses- Al-Sharqiyah TV
ELECTIONS
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Al-Sadr group to suspend support for elections- Al-Diyar TV
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Iraqi Shi'i leader condemns insurgents for trying to block elections - SCIRI
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Iraqi deputy PM says January elections "challenge"- Al-Sharqiyah TV
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Commission says 54 parties applied to take part in elections- Al-Diyar TV
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Muqtada al-Sadr demands impartial observers for elections- Ishraqat al-Sadr
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Shi'i leader calls for reconciliation before elections- Al-Diyar TV
IRAQI BROADCAST MEDIA SUMMARIES, 17 NOV 04
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Programme summary of Iraq's Al-Iraqiyah TV news 17 Nov 04
IRAQI PRESS QUOTES , 17 NOV 04
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TERRORIST IDEAS ….OUTSIDE CITY OF FALLUJA - Al-Sabah
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Fighting cost Najaf $1 billion, official says- Azzaman
KURDISH WRITTEN MEDIA -RECONSTRUCTION 1 -15 NOV 04
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Khabat daily, KDP Mouthpiece, Erbil
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Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued by the PUK in Sulaymanya
US forces and National Guards had spread their control over Al-A'zamiyah.- Al-Sharqiyah TV
Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV, 16 Nov 04 reported that US forces and National Guards had spread their control over Al-A'zamiyah. Mechanized and foot-patrols were reported to have been deployed in the streets where barriers and checkpoints were set up, while fighting planes and helicopters were flying over the area. Earlier the same day, insurgents attacked Al-A'zamiyah police station and a presidential palace used by the US forces and the National Guards as headquarters. At around 0930 local time (0630 gmt), around 10 rockets and mortar shells reportedly fell at the two locations; casualties and losses among the sides, however, are not known. An eyewitness was reported as saying that said that a US plane bombarded a building in the eastern side of Al-A'zamiyah. The bombardment was followed by rocket fired by insurgents at several US forces' positions in Al-A'zamiyah and the surrounding area.
US, Iraqi forces start offensive in Mosul- Al-Sharqiyah TV
Al-Sharqiyah 16 Nov 04: US and Iraqi forces started an offensive on 16 November against gunmen in Mosul, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported. Angela Bowman, spokeswoman for the US forces in northern Iraq, reportedly said that the attacks started at the western bank of the city, AFP news agency reported US and Iraqi forces were backed by aircraft and that the principal aim of the mission was to secure police stations and restore. About 1,200 US troops reportedly moved in to Mosul: "Two battalions are sweeping from the west side to the east," a military source was quoted as saying. "We are going through each police station in the city and making sure they are secure for the Iraqi police," said military spokeswoman Captain Angela Bowman.
Clashes, car bombs in Al-Ramadi - Al-Sharqiyah TV
Al-Sharqiyah TV, 16 Nov 04: US forces clashed with gunmen in the eastern part of Al-Ramadi, Qatari Al-Jazeera TV reported on 16 November. According to the report, US forces blocked the eastern and western entrances to the city. Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV later reported that two car bombs exploded in different locations in Al-Ramadi. Eyewitnesses reportedly said that the first car exploded at a checkpoint at the highway in Abu-Diab area, wounding a number of soldiers. The other set ablaze a Hummer in Al-Dhubbat neighbourhood of the city. Neither the eyewitnesses nor the US sources gave any details on the casualties resulting from the explosions.
Islamic Party condemns raid on official's house- Dar al-Salam radio
Dar al-Salam radio, Baghdad, in Arabic, 16 Nov 04: The Iraqi Islamic Party issued a statement condemning Tuesday's [16 November] early-morning raid at the house of Nasir Ayif al-Ani, member of the Political Bureau at the Iraqi Islamic Party and deputy speaker of the Iraqi National Assembly, who was arrested, the Party's Dar al-Salam radio reported. In the 0400 hours (0100 gmt) raid, the "tyrannical and aggressive US unit tore down the front door and fired at one of the guards, wounding him in his abdomen," the statement said. "They herded all the occupants into one room and searched the house, scattering and overturning the furniture in a barbaric manner. They claimed to be acting on a tip-off that Nasir al-Ani was making explosive charges in his house." When told that Ani was deputy speaker of the National Assembly and had political immunity, the US troops "responded in an arrogant and mocking way". The Party called on the Iraqi government and Prime Minister "to intervene immediately" for the release of al-Ani.
Al-Sistani urges peaceful solution, end to bloodshed- Al-Diyar TV
Al-Diyar TV 15 Nov 04: The representative of senior Iraqi Shi'i cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said in Karbala on 12 November that the bloody incidents taking place in some areas demanded a peaceful solution, which is the same position the religious authority adopted on Al-Najaf crisis, Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported on 13 November. Addressing thousands of worshippers in a sermon delivered at Friday prayers at Imam Husayn Shrine, Ahmad al-Safi al-Najafi said: "Some people ask about the religious authority's position on the bloody incidents in some Iraqi areas. The authority has made it clear that its position is the same position that it adopted during the incidents of Al-Najaf; namely, finding a peaceful solution on the basis of the sovereignty of law, and maintaining order. This should be done by keeping foreign forces out of the cities and removing unlicensed weapons from these cities, a reference to the foreign fighters." Al-Najafi emphasized that the authority rejects any harm to civilians and it does not discriminate between one area and another because it has the same position on Al-Najaf, Mosul, Baghdad and Al-Ramadi. He concluded by saying the solution is to be found not through statements, but through practical initiatives that ease crises. He underlined the importance of unifying the national position in face of the occupation regardless of the sectarian differences.
Iraq to build 24 police stations along Iranian border- Al-Sharqiyah TV
Al-Sharqiyah TV 16 Nov 04: The Iraqi Border Forces' command centre has announced that it will implement a plan with the aim of building 24 police stations along the 130-km border strip between Iraq and Iran, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 14 November. An "official source at the command centre" said that there was a plan to restore the Border Guard Directorate in Diyala (regional) governorate, eastern Iraq, and to provide the workers at the directorate with modern communication devices. The source, it said, explained that the Iraqi Border Forces in Diyala, Wasit and Maysan had arrested 180 foreign infiltrators, who crossed the Iraqi-Iranian borders illegally and who had weapons and banned materials in their possession over the past two weeks.
Clerics call for humanitarian aid for Al-Fallujah- Dar al-Salam radio
Dar al-Salam radio, 15 Nov 04: The Sunni Association of Muslim Scholars (AMS) in Iraq has called on all charity and humanitarian organizations in and outside Iraq to intervene in helping the "catastrophe-stricken" city of Al-Fallujah, which has been under a "barrage of bombs and rockets from the ground, air and all directions", Iraqi Islamic Party radio Dar al-Salam reported on 14 November. "All entrances to Al-Fallujah city have been closed and even drinking water has been prevented from reaching it, although thousands of families are besieged inside their houses, into which only bullets enter. There are many wounded people who have died because there is nobody to treat them or extend a helping hand to them. This is a cry for help addressed to the people with living conscience and the advocates of human rights, hoping that they would respond to this call as soon as possible to pressure the occupation forces into allowing the medical and aid teams to enter the city to evacuate the wounded."
Al-Sharqiyah TV, , 17 November 2004 - Labor And Materials, broadcast on Iraqi satellite channel Al-Sharqiya, does not merely redecorate a room, but reconstructs entire properties destroyed in the ongoing conflict in the country. The program makers select families whose homes have been made uninhabitable either during the war or since, and reconstruct it to the extent of supplying new furniture - and even shiny new kitchen gadgets - for free. ``We knew it would be virtually impossible to get the house back to how it used to be,'' participant Raham Majad, whose house was destroyed in August, told BBC World Service's Outlook program. ``A week after the explosion, Sharqiya channel came to our house, along with many other television channels, to see how much damage had been done and how many people had been killed. ``Three days later, Sharqiya came again, to tell us they'd rebuild our house - and pay for it too.'' Thousands have applied for the program, but they have to go through a rigorous process.
Al-Diyar TV, Baghdad, in Arabic, 16 Nov 04: Hashim al-Musawi, an aide to Muqtada al-Sadr, says the Al-Sadr group will suspend its support for and participation in the coming elections in protest against the incursion into Al-Fallujah, Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported on 16 November. In front of hundreds of worshippers outside Al-Kufah Mosque, who the Iraqi Police had prevented from entering, he said the US forces had violated all human values and ideals under the Geneva Convention, and appealed to the international community and Arab League to intervene.
Iraqi Shi'i leader condemns insurgents for trying to block elections - SCIRI
Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq website 16 Nov 04: Chairman of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim said on 14 November that the goal of insurgents in Iraq was to block Iraq from attaining independence, the SCIRI website said. Al-Hakim said that the Iraqi people "have to stand firm in the face of the terrorists and to exert every effort to hold the elections in order to accomplish the political process." Regarding the proposal of a unified list for the elections, Al-Hakim said that the unified list had not yet been approved and that discussions on this issue were still under way. The idea type of administration for Iraq, Al-Hakim added, was an administrative federation: "We do not want any party to dominate the other parties, and it is the Iraqis, who are going to choose the appropriate regime and ruler. This is what we want."
Iraqi deputy PM says January elections "challenge"- Al-Sharqiyah TV
Al-Sharqiyah TV 15 Nov 04: Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih has said that organizing elections in Iraq early next year will be a challenge, Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV reported on 15 November. In statements made in London, he stressed the need to evaluate the situation with the United Nations and the Independent Electoral Commission with the approaching date of elections.
Commission says 54 parties applied to take part in elections- Al-Diyar TV
Al-Diyar TV, 15 Nov 04: Iraq's Independent Higher Commission for Elections announced on 13 November that 54 Iraqi parties had applied to participate in elections scheduled for January, Iraqi Al-Diyar TV reported. The station said that, so far, 24 parties' applications had been approved.
Muqtada al-Sadr demands impartial observers for elections- Ishraqat al-Sadr
Baghdad Ishraqat al-Sadr 15 Nov 04: The Al-Sadr Office has issued a statement saying that the elections should be overseen either by an impartial Iraqi committee monitoring the elections or by neutral international organizations unattached to the occupation, Baghdad's Ishraqat al-Sadr reported on 10 November. The statement claimed that the polls would be rigged, distorted and partial to a particular group if supervised by coalition forces. "The occupiers intend to allow special individuals, who are in favour of the continuation of the occupation in Iraq, to these posts," it said.
Shi'i leader calls for reconciliation before elections- Al-Diyar TV
Al-Diyar TV, 15 Nov 04: Shi'i religious leader Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi al-Mudarrisi has called for an all-out Iraqi national reconciliation before January's elections, Al-Diyar TV reported on 13 November. The station said Al-Mudarrisi emphasized that security could not be achieved through guns.
Programme summary of Iraq's Al-Iraqiyah TV news 17 Nov 04
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Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib says police stations in Mosul under control of Iraq forces, terrorists arrested in Al-Latifiyah ...
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National Guard launches offensive against terrorists in Mosul. Video report shows helicopters, covers killing of Turk, funeral of civilians killed by terrorists in Al-Durrah in Baghdad, British troops arrest terror suspects ...
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Multinational force and National Guard pursuing remaining terrorists in Al-Fallujah, clashes continue in some areas, humanitarian aid allowed into city. Video report covers fighting, weapons seized and bodies found, arrests ...
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Iraqi medical team visits Al-Fallujah hospital, says no shortage of water and humanitarian aid in city ...
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Police and National Guard tighten security in Basra. Video report highlights patriotism of members of security forces ...
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Iraqis celebrate Id despite security situation - video report ... Families in Basra celebrate Id in safety of their own localities - video report ...
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American-funded children's hospital under construction in Basra - video report ...
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Business news: Iraq oil exports via northern pipelines down, Australian firm to develop oil fields in northern Iraq
TERRORIST IDEAS ….OUTSIDE CITY OF FALLUJA - Al-Sabah
Al-Sabah, Baghdad, by the Iraqi Media Network, By Flayeeh Wadi Majthab,17 Nov 04: Terrorists try to create and fabricate several side battles to confuse the main battle in Falluja or to turn the attention from it, or at least to show power which in its role will bring back calculations of the two sides. This could be observed in Baqoba, Mosul and Baghdad whereas several views of armed operations, explosions and trapped-cars took place. The tension of this situation is increasing as long as Iraqi forces realizing advancement in Falluja's battle. One can note that the master mined responsible for running terrorist forces in Iraq are the same which make this battle not restricting in Falluja only but extends in more than one Iraqi city.Kut Police has announced that several policemen had arrested around 48 terrorists who infiltrated from Falluja to spark side wars in Wassait, in a time that several attempts were escalated to cut the way connected Baghdad with Hafria while several accidents are remarkably increasing in Mahmouda, Latifiya and districts belong to Diyala, a matter that necessitates us to realize the insurgents capability on maneuver, their capabilities in quick movement and changing and transferring the chaos from unrest districts to quiet ones.The problem is not in viewing this scene but to see it around Baghdad setting; to observer it in districts have certain effect on the country. Terrorists want to connect terrorism adjective to the capital and makes it continuous and that what the terrorists try to show it to give an idea confirming their ability to reach state's center.
Fighting cost Najaf $1 billion, official says- Azzaman
Azzaman, By Saad Abdulbaher, 15 Nov 04: The holy city of Najaf lost $1 billion in fighting between US troops and militiamen of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr nearly three months ago, head of the city's municipal council said.``The recent armed clashes in Najaf have cost my municipality one billion dollars,'' declared Naaman Abbas.Abbas's comments come as fierce fighting rages between US troops and insurgents in Falluja, home to more than 350,000 people.The fighting in Najaf continued for several weeks and resulted in almost total destruction of the city's already shaky infrastructure.Falluja clashes are reported to be much heavier than those of Najaf, with the US employing bombers, helicopter gun ships and heavy artillery in densely populated areas.
Reports from inside the city say power lines have collapsed, school buildings are destroyed, hospitals knocked out and water pipes smashed.Falluja streets are strewn with rubble and a BBC reporter inside the city says bloated bodies litter some streets.Abbas said the interim government has earmarked $100 million for the reconstruction of Najaf.He said his municipality needs ``much more'' than what has already been allocated.Several projects are being implemented in Najaf, he said.He said allocations for a new network of pure water pipes were made in addition to the construction of a highway.The government had promised to compensate Najaf inhabitants who were affected by the fighting.Abbas said no payoffs were made and the authorities were still trying to assess the massive damage the city suffered in fighting.US troops, Abbas said, were also involved in reconstructing the city and repairing the damage.The troops have spent $300,000 on supplying the city's various administrative bodies with computers.
They have also given brand new cars to the police force, renovated a main hall at the University of Kufa, repaired several schools and supplied farmers with water pumps.
Khabat daily, KDP Mouthpiece, Erbil
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Erbil Governor, the KRG-Erbil Minister of Industry and Electricity and his Deputy inspected the ongoing construction of a modern slaughter house in Erbil. The KRG provided the project cost that exceeds $6 million.
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Kurdistan Reconstruction Organization (KRO, local NGO) completed the reconstruction of 20 houses for widow-headed families in Guiza Bare Garae in Amedi area east to Dahuk. The Spain-based Kawa organization and the Basque Government provide the funds.
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In Qushtapa area south to Erbil, the KRG-Erbil provides the funds for the construction of 800 self-built houses 38 villages for the recently retuned IDPs. The beneficiaries receive construction material and $250 for labor cost, as well as some heads of cattle and poultry as incentive for village rehabilitations. The first stage of the project that includes the construction of 400 houses in 26 villages is almost finishing. The second stage has just started for the construction of another 400 houses in 12 villages.
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The electrification of Kani Rash village in Alana valley (near Khalifan town, 110 km north to Erbil) by KRG-Erbil is almost finished. The project includes extension of internal power distribution network and a 100-KVA generator.
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The Education Ministry is funding the ongoing constructing 2 12-class schools downtown Erbil with $635,000, in addition to another two 12-class schools in Soran area (120 km north to Erbil) with $365,000 and two 6-class schools in Shaqlawa area (70 km north to Erbil) with about $306,000. In Mamkhalan and Sewka villages (33 km north to Erbil), the ministry i9naugurated two intermediate schools.
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In cooperation with the KRG-Erbil, UNOPS is constructing 125 houses in Aradin village and another 150 in Spindar village in Barwari Zheri area (150 km North east Dahuk), UNOPS advisor Laksi Pasratvo announced.
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Local officials in KAndinawa district (south Erbil) inaugurated the Chil Haweza Village water project. The KRG-Erbil drilled a well and the Peace Winds Japan NGO constructed a water storage tanker and extended distribution network.
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The KRG-Erbil is constructing a 21-km-long road between Qushtapa (15 km south to Erbil) and Qurshaghlu village benefiting 9 other villages. The project cost is about $1.5 million.
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The South Korean civil-military units in Kurdistan organized a workshop in Erbil to train local trainers on PC and vehicle maintenance, as well as veterinary, bakery and other crafts.
Kurdistani Nwe daily, issued by the PUK in Sulaymanya
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The KRG-Sulaymanya is constructing a 2-story building for the public library in Sharazoor district (1111 km southeast to Sulaymanya) with $816,000.
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The KRG-Sulaymanya Minister of Labor and Social Affairs signed a contract with the representative of the Iranian Commerce Center for the construction of an exemplary kindergarten in Bakhtyari quarter downtown Sulaymanya. The project cost is about $250 and the completion deadline is mid-February 2005.
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In Koya district (75 km east to Erbil), the KRG-Sulaymanya is implementing a number of sports projects worth more than $500,000. The projects include construction of pools and stadiums downtown Koya and in Harmota village.
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In cooperation with Khanaqeen Education department, Mercy Cour, an international NGO provided 100 PC sets with 10 internet access lines to the 10 secondary schools that won a contest for cleanliness and seedling planting.
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ACDI, an American NGO is constructing a building for a woman cultural center in Penjween with $50,880.
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