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Oct. 7, 2004
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TENS OF SERVICE PROJECTS ACCOMPLISHED
Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 7, P.1
Within the Iraqi Municipal and Labour Ministry's 2004 investment plan, the ministry has finished 53 new sanitation projects in a number of Iraqi provinces, sources at the ministry said.According to the sources, the projects accomplished are in Kerbala, Anbar, Meisan, Basra, Baghdad, Diyala, Saladdin, Ta'meem, Wasit, Babil, Qadissiya, Najaf and Thi Qar.The sources said that the projects included establishing new sanitation networks, buildings for the sanitation departments in the said provinces, as well as new purification centers and rehabilitating old lines and networks.The sources said that accomplishing the said projects aim at increasing the services level at the said provinces because such projects are related to the citizens' daily life.

IDB GIVES IRAQ $1/2M LOAN
Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 7, P.1
The Islamic Development Bank has given Iraq a $1/2m to help in the reconstruction process. The bank has also decided to reduce Iraqi debts by extending time of debt dues given to Saddam previous regime.According to head of the Bank, the loan is allocated to developing the infrastructure and social programs like building schools and roads as well as projects that help Iraq people, adding that the bank did not put conditions for the loan accept using it in live projects that serve Iraqi people.

THE GOVERNMENT DETERMINES TO HOLD ELECTIONS AS SCHEDULED: ALLAWI
Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 7, P.1
Prime Minister Dr. Ayad Allawi has hailed the progress achieved by the Elections Board and said that the government is determined to hold the elections as scheduled.Allawi said "We asked the United Nations Secretary General for more support in fields of protection and experts as well as the elections process. Allawi thanked the Elections Board and the UN experts, pointing out that the elections will be held as schedule and "I'm happy for the progress scored by the independent board and we will try to make the situation stable and secure during the elections.

AL-YAWER MEETS FALLUJA HEADS OF TRIBES
Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct.7, page 2
The Iraqi president, Shiek Ghazi Al-Yawer met on Wednesday the heads of tribes in Falluja for the third time during this week to reach a peaceful resolution. During the meeting the president assured his adherence to find a peaceful solution to halt bloodshed in Falluja, Samara and Sadr City. He ordered that food and medical equipment to be sent to Falluja. He also received a delegation of the Teachers Association who discussed their demands and the president ordered that $100,000 to be given to them to support this Association for its great role in the educating the society. On the other hand, Sheik Al-Yawer received a delegation from Baghdad Council where the delegation explained the aims of establishing this council and the handicaps that face it in terms of its place, the budget, providing work opportunities for the unemployed, reconstruction, basic services and other things that followed disbanding the army. The president assured his full support to the Baghdad council.

REHABILITATING BIF
Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 7, P.3
Rehabilitating Baghdad International Fair needs ID 3bll, sources told As-Sabah daily.According to the sources, the Fairs Department has managed to get ID 1bll to start rehabilitation works while Ministry of Trade has asked Ministry of Finance for more ID 2bll for the same process.The sources added that the fair needs to be repartitioned geographically and distribute and rehabilitate pavilions to receive and hold big international fairs in the future.

DIPLOMATIC & SECURITY PROCEDURESTO HOLD ELECTIONS AS SCHEDULED
Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 7, P.3
Member of the National Council Abdul Haleem Al-Ruhaimi has said that security and political procedures to hold elections as secluded are on, stressing that the government is holding intensive negotiations with heads of tribes in Sadr city to settle dispute and conflict which will help regain security and stability to the city.Al-Ruhaimi said that similar negotiations are being held in Falluja city on eliminating all aspects of violence and help in arresting terrorists coming from outside the country.

74 Detainees to Be Released Today
Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct.7, page 2
An informed source assured that the US forces will release 74 Iraqi detainees who were detained at Abu Ghraib and Poka Prisons of detainees will be released within the coming few days celebrating the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. Also, Seik Hesham Al-Duleimi, the chief of Iraqis Chieftains assured releasing 1000 Iraqi detainees within the ministry of Human rights efforts to release the detainees. The sources assured that the priority will be for the old people.

MINISTRY OF LABOR PROVIDES WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR MILITIAMEN
Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct.7, page 2
Ministry of Labor is coordinating with the state ministries to find work opportunities for the military militiamen. Dr. Riyadh Hassan, the director of Training and Employment Department at the Ministry said in a press meeting that they received a declaration from the cabinet to find job opportunities for the armed militiamen on one condition which is to give up their arms. He added that this procedure aims to encourage those people to leave violence and live decently for they are part of the Iraqi society and they have families they need to support.

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Tuesday-October 12, 2004

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ALLAWI VISITS SAMARAA

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 12, Page 1
Dr. Iyad Allawi the Iraqi Premier has visited Samaraa . Notably, Allawi is heading a governmental delegation including Falah al- Naqeeb the minister of interior , Omar al- Dahlousi the minister of reconstruction , Qassim Dawood the state minister for the national security .During the visit, Allawi met Hamad Hmoud al- Shaqti the governor of Saladdin .The security situations and the infrastructure's reconstruction in Samaraa were discussed.Allawi confirmed that the reconstruction projects will be discussed by the concerned ministries in coordination with Samaraa engineers, adding that the reconstruction and the sovereignty of law will be the first priorities, stressing that the armament phenomena will be vanished after the deployment of the Iraqi police and the National Guard.Allawi listened to the ideas and proposals submitted by the personalities and chieftains regarding the situations in the city.He decided to compensate the harmed who inflicted damages owing to the military operations.



SHIITE POLITICAL COUNCIL URGES FOR UNIFYING ELECTIONS LIST

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 12, Page 1
The Shiite political council has called on unifying the list of the Shiite candidates are to take part in the coming elections to secure winning a representation coping with this segment of the Iraqi society.During the 1st conference that held under the title " No For Terrorism, No for Ethnic Disputes, Yes For Integrated Federal Iraq " Mr. Ahmed Hussein al- Barak the member of the Shiite political council and the national assembly said that the council's role is concentrated on the possibility of submitting a unified list for the Shiite candidates and unifying the chieftains columns through the symposiums that will host the students, youth and Iraqi educators.On his part, Dr. Ahmed al- Chalabi the member of the Shiite political council affirmed the importance of activating the role of Iraqi government in eliminating terrorism.



ALLOUSI DENIES RUMOR ON ALLAWI VISIT TO ISRAEL

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 12, Page 1
Mr. Mithaal al- Alousi the member of the national conference party and the director of the de-baathification board expressed his deep regret over the rumors circulated by some media sources on Allawi's visit to the Zionist entity.He added that such rumors pose a perilous defamation against the Iraqi government.As regards the judicial memorandum raised against him, he accused several sides and the neighboring countries which coordinate with the international maneuver to affect on the Iraqi situation and consequently harming Iraqis.In the meantime, Al- Aloussi along with his colleagues are preparing for a constituent conference for a political trend urging to make a strategic coalition with the USA.



$ 535 MILLIONS TO COVER COSTS OF RECONSTRUCTION & RESTORATION OF SERVICES IN AL-SADR CITY

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 12, Page 1
Thousands pieces of light and heavy weapons were handed over to the recipient centers amid positive feeling to eliminate oppression in the city that witnessed an disarming agreement between Al- Mahdi army and the government. Notably , Mr. Hussein al-Sadr the member of the national assembly described the agreement as a positive step of understanding to overcome the armed phenomena , expressing optimism that this agreement will be good start for ending oppression all over Iraq.Mr. Qassim Dawood the state minister of the national security affairs announced about $ 535 allocated for the reconstruction drive and the restoration of the services in the city of Al- Sadr.



BASRA POLICE CONFISCATES EXPIRED FOOD

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 12, Page 1
Basra intelligence check points has confiscated food stuffs at the storehouses in Hamdan industrial district in Basra after reports on the existence of spoiled and expired food stuffs .Notably, these stuffs were imported from US, Jordan and Syria by Iraqi tradesmen.The expired foodstuffs were to be sold during the fasting month of Ramadan.Meanwhile, Col. Jassim Qassim the director of intelligence department said that the intelligence men found depots and missiles in Qurna District were in the grip of gangsters who were fled, promising to arrest them and chasing the outlaws in the city.



BOMBS, VICTIMS IN SEVERAL IRAQI DISTRICTS

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 12, P3
A bomb was burst out during passing one of US patrol in Hay al-Yarmouk, Mousl on Oct 11, many citizens have been harmed. A US source didn't reveal the volume of losses took place in its forces, or the reasons behind such bomb. Several eye-witnesses clarified to the newspaper reporter that a trapped car was passed near the patrol, the explosion led to the burning of four wheels.A statement issued by US military confirmed that two US soldiers were killed; five were injured after the falling of several missiles south Baghdad a matter that raised the causalities numbers among US soldiers to 1067 since the beginning of the US-led war on March 2003. On the same level, As-Sabah reporter in al-Anbar said that a US base in Haditha Dam has been subjected to heavy weapons attack led to direct causalities; several helicopters were seen transformed injured to the US hospital in Baghdad district.Another trapped car was burst out on Oct 10 at Khalidia city while a US military convoy passed but no losses have been mentioned.Meanwhile, two Iraqi individuals were killed, another was wounded during clashes with US forces at the entrance of al-Ramadi city, US forces were closed the roads looking for unlicensed weapons and wanted persons.Notably, As-Asbah reporter said that an explosive charge had been burst out on October 11 in front of Abu Idreass, the car of Colonel Majeed al-Hani, the Director of Bohzer Station was targeted, and two of his bodyguards were wounded. Then another assassination attempt launched by unknown insurgents against one of Baqooba al-Jadida officers was doomed to failure.



AL-YAWER , ALLAWI HOLD HIGH-LEVEL SECURITY MEETING

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 12, P3
Shiekh Ajeel al-Yawer the President of Iraqi Republic has held a meeting in his bureau. His two vice-presidents, Dr. Ibrahim al-Jaffari and Dr. Rose Shaous; Dr. Ayad Allawi, the Prime Minister and Qassam Dawood the State Minister attended the meeting.During the meeting, the security issue in Iraq and the steps followed to control the tensioned cities in away to ensure lessening the losses both in lives and possessions were discussed.On the other side, the Presidency office recommended the Cabinet to study manner of renovating south reconstruction establishment through preparing an independent budget project.



FORCE TO PROTECT THI QAR ANTIQUITIES

Nassiriya, As-Sabah, Oct 12, P2
A force has been created by Thi Qar province to protect the city antiquities. The force which connected with Province Antiquities Department includes 300 persons are to assume the responsibility of protecting the important archeological sites allover the province districts.The work of this force will be in coordination with the administrative units in districts and suburban.

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Wednesday-October 13, 2004

"$ 1,800,000,000 –US CONGRESS DONATION FOR IRAQI MILITARY"

Diwaniya, As-Sabah , Oct 13, Page 1
Dr. Iyad Allawi the Iraqi Premier unveiled that the US congress has allocated about $1,800,000,000 as a donation from the US Congress to promote the Iraqi military.During his visit to the National Guard brigade in Diwaniya and his meetings with a group of the province's chieftains and personalities, Dr. Allawi tackled the financial allocations in the Iraqi budget to support the Iraqi calibers coping with the instructions of justice and democracy.Addressing the audience, Allawi confirmed the importance of the integration in facing up to the acts of terrorism and the challenges.Major General Othman Ali Farhood the commander of the National Guard delivered a speech in which he confirmed that these elite of the graduates will contribute in maintaining security and the system in Iraq..



SPECIAL FORCE TO CONTROL WATERS & PORTS

Baghdad , As-Sabah , Oct 13, Page 1
The borders and customs command has announced new procedures in controlling the regional waters and prevent smuggling in Shaat al- Arab.
Major General Adnan Abdul Hussein the general supervisor of the borders and customs guards said that Special Forces backed by the commands were formed for this purpose.During his visit to sites of protecting the oil pipelines and borders points in Basra , the Major General said that controlling the regional waters is necessary for restricting the activities of smugglers who innovate modern methods for their operations.He said that the special force has been created for protecting the oil pipelines in cooperation with the oil ministry was capable to impose the needed control.Notably, the smugglers committed 75 violations in smuggling the oil products led to the aggravation of fuel shortage but thanks to the new control procedures the way was blocked in front of the gangsters.



SALARIES OF EX-MILITARY TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 13, Page 1
The Rafideen and Rasheed banks in Baghdad and other provinces undertook paying the new salaries of the ex-military including the Baath party members and the staff of the general military intelligence and special security department and the National Guard.



$ 55 MILLIONS FOR REHABILITATION OF RAILWAYS

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 13, Page 1
The ministry of transport has allocated $ 55 millions for rehabilitating the railway stations. The technical cadres undertook rehabilitating the railway's main stations in Mosul, Baghdad and Basra.Eng. Safa' the supervisor on the rehabilitation said that the work will start in 28 other stations out of 138 small stations distributed all over Iraq, referring to the efforts exerted by the ministry to promote the railway in field of safety and trains modernization.



BMW CARS POSSESSORS HAVE TO VISIT TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 13, P3
Baghdad Traffic Directorate has issued a statement, in which it called possessors of BMW black, dark gray and brown to visit its departments in order to provide BMW owners with applicants that affirmed their visit.The statement excludes the governmental cars of the same model, promising to punish law violators. The statement specified Oct (16-21) as a period visit for BMW cars' owners that not carried No. plate , Oct (23 -23)as a period for cars which carried temporary No. plates and Oct 30-Nov 4 as a period for cars which carry permanent No. plates.Notably, police and traffic stations have seized recently some BMW cars after an Iraqi police patrol has subjected for an armed attack by black, dark blue or dark gray BMW. The attack caused the death of two Iraqi policemen.



$14 BILLIONS-COSTS OF FOUR NEW PROJECTS IN MOUSL

Mosul, As-Sabah, Oct 13, P3
The Engineering and technical cadres in Mosul Municipality Directorate are performing several service projects allover the city. The project's total cost is $14 billions. An official source at the directorate indicated that the accomplished projects includes the rehabilitation of Sinhareeb Bridge, setting several traffic signs in some important cross-roads, referring that the directorate is planning to re-draw the main streets.Concerning the beauty of the city, the municipality cadres have planted the public gardens, parks in addition to set up new park at al-Mohandeseen Quarter, developing children stadium at the eastern Nineveh district and another one in Wadi Akkab district.The source indicated that several daily efforts are exerted to develop the roadsides and roads isles further for patching the roads, such efforts are considered as part of the routine works of the municipality.

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Thursday-October 14, 2004

ALLAWI ATTENDS SESSIONS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 14, Page 1
Dr. Iyad Allawi the Iraqi premier said "about $ 800,000 has been spent round the 24 hours". That sum is represented the compensations for the handing over of the weapons in the city of Al- Sadr upon the agreement realized between Al-Sadr loyalists and the Iraqi government.Attending the sessions of the national assembly, Allawi indicated that handing over weapons has increased as large numbers of population expressed preparedness to do that, affirming that several procedures and important achievements will be realized to stabilize all Iraqi cities.Commenting on the questions put forth by several of the assembly's members, Allawi said that several meetings have got underway between the clerics and Falluja chieftains to press on the fighters to hand over their weapons.Allawi confirmed that the Iraqi government might resort to use military force in case not handing over Al- Zarqawi to the Iraqi government.Allawi has expected the escalation of the terrorist acts and explosions owing to the escalation of pressure on the terrorists and tightening them.Allawi denied what is circulated about the so-called Mosul collapse , affirming the reality that Mosul is suffering the existence of the terrorists and fanatic groups who are aiming to undermine Iraq's unity .Affirming Iraq's integration despite all the adversaries attempts to undermine Iraqi people will.



POPULATION LOANING FUND ESTABLISHED

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 14, Page 1
Sheikh Ghazi al- Yawer the Iraqi President chaired a meeting with his deputies Dr. Ibrahim al- Ja'fari and Dr. Rose Nouri Shaweis .During the meeting , the presidency office has issued a decision pertains to establish the population loaning fund at capital worth of 300 billions Iraqi dinar .At a press statement, the presidency office said that the meeting was devoted on discussing the security situation in Iraq further for preparing for the elections scheduled in January 2005.The statement added that it was agreed on issuing host of executive orders as far as amendment of the journalists pension law No. 18 for 1973 the reconnection of the customs general board with the ministry of finance , alienation of the real estates belonged to the dissolved ministry of youth to the ministry of sports and youth are concerned .The orders included also the agreement on rehiring 33 judges and compensating the victims of the terrorism and removing distinction among populations regards ownership of the lands.



COUNTDOWN FOR KICKING OUT FOREIGN FIGHTERS STARTED IN FALLUJA

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 14, Page 1
The population of Falluja is observing the settlement efforts to end the foreign presence in the city amid reports on the deterioration of the relations between the locals and foreign fighters.Meanwhile, the local sources said that the disputes have been escalated between the locals and the foreign fighters, led to the killing of more than five of those fighters.News reported that these clashes came upon bitter criticism addressed by local commands to the foreign Muslims, unveiled special scorn for Al- Zarqawi and his group because of the murder of hundreds of innocent civilians as some local insurgents described Al- Zarqawi as a mentally- confused .



INSURANCE DOCUMENTS FOR ACCIDENTS OF KILLINGS, BOMBINGS RELEASED

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 14, P3
The Iraqi Insurance State Company, one of the Finance Ministry's departments has released insurance documents in the accidents of killing and explosions.Director-General of company Bassem Mehdi Salih said that the aim behind such procedure is to provide balanced protection against the accidents that several Iraqi citizens subjected to because of the terrorist acts.He added that the document has been expanded to include the personal accidents (both individual and collective) and the accidents resulted from bombings because of the modern weapons, trapped cars, deliberated killing, assaults and terrorist actions.The Director-General indicated that the issuance of such documents could be done separately for persons or collectively for public, mix and private sectors' departments, companies and factories.He concluded that the company's initiative runs in the course of the escalation of accidents and bombings to alleviate citizens' sufferings regardless the insurance company's loss or profit.



SECURITY STABILITY CONFIRMS GOVERNMENT'S PROCEDURES SUCCESS

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 14, P3
A top senior official at the Ministry of Interior has attributed the success of the military operations implemented by National Guard Forces and Iraqi police in cooperation with US forces in Youssifia, Latifiya , Jeraff al-Sakhar regions and Samara to the negotiations held between government and chieftains and personalities in Fulluja and the success of other negotiations in Al- Sadr city represented in handing over weapons to the government as well as the security stability the Iraqi capital Baghdad is witnessing now. He mentioned that the maintenance of the security situation in Baghdad and all Iraqi provinces has required an active contribution of the citizens and large efforts by police departments and National Guard forces.He confirmed that the accurate intelligence submitted by Intelligence Agency at the Interior Ministry has had an active role in arresting terrorists and rupturing them.He referred that the Interior Ministry and police checkpoints have arrested a number of dangerous kidnapping and smuggling gangsters few weeks ago.



TRADE MINISTRY CONCENTRATES CONTROL ON MILLS

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 14, P3
The control committees at the Ministry of Trade and the affiliated companies have paid 541 visits to selected mills in Baghdad and its outskirts during one month, through which 15 violations had been registered. These violations were referred to the concerned departments to adopt the legal concerned procedures.An official source at the commercial control department said that coordination has got underway with the provinces' counterpart committees to pay several visits to mills, take samples from the mills and concentrate the control on provinces' mills to improve the quality of flour supplied for citizens within the items of the food ration card.

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Saturday-October 16, 2004

AL- SISTANI CALLS IRAQIS FOR PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE

Najaf, As-Sabah, Oct 16, Page 1

The grand religious authority Ali-al- Sistani said that Iraqis all were prisoners of the ex-regime. During a meeting with the preparatory committee for the conference of the elite and the Iraqi scientists, Al- sistani confirmed the importance of the peaceful coexistence between all sects and religions in Iraq, saying that Iraqis as women and men should be distinguished by high moral standards. He clarified that each population has an identity and the population which has no identity is not a nation, adding that our identity lies in respecting Islam and Arabic language as they represent the bases of our existence. He expressed his absolute rejection over the departure of the scientists and diploma bearers for the sake of the income.

POLL: MORE THAN 80% OF IRAQIS SUPPORT ELECTIONS

Baghdad , As-Sabah, Oct 16, Page 1

The general poll has unveiled that around 80,5 % of the Iraqis are supporting the elections in coming January. The poll made by Al- Sabah poll center indicated that 15,5 % are opposing the elections in the specific time . About 4 % of the participants have no opinion in this subject. Notably, about 850 citizens of different nationalities ,cultural and scientific centers are representing Baghdad's grand constituency. The poll witnessed expanded participation of the Iraqi women that represent 40 % out of the participants' number. The poll form has included two questions the 1st represent the position of the participants of the poll concerns the elections. The 2nd question is dealt with the postponement of the elections as three options were put . The options include six months postponement of elections. The 2nd option is calling for a year or more postponement for the elections whereas the 3rd option left without opinion. The poll clarified that 3% of the participants deem postponing elections for six months as 8,5 % deem postponing for a year or more than .

HEALTH MINISTRY CONFISCATES EXPIRED FOOD

Baghdad , As-Sabah, Oct 16, Page 1

The health control department at the ministry of health has confiscated large quantities of the exported products and food stuffs that contain boar's oil and skin . Meanwhile, the department warned against some expired food stuffs. Dr. Immadulddin al- Naqash the director of the heath control department said that the control campaigns that implemented by the committees of health ministry on the shops in Baghdad were able to confiscate expired exported foodstuffs and commodities. Al- Naqash indicated that the department's staff exerted utmost efforts to unveil the violators of the plants owners who are importing food stuffs despite their knowledge of the end of the expiry date because their main goal is the profit.

RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS MAKE AVAILABLE 85000 WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Baghdad , As-Sabah, Oct 16, Page 1

More than 800 reconstruction projects in Iraq will make available 85000 work opportunities. In a press conference held at the convention center, an official source of the projects and contracts office belonged to the reconstruction program said that it is hopeful the number of projects will be increased to 1000 ones by the end of this year. The source indicated that the terrorist acts and the security instability affect negatively on the progress of these projects, affirming that the work has got underway to increase the Iraqi participation whether the companies or the individuals. The source indicated that the current situation forced the officials to increase the budget allocated for the security sector to 50%. On the other hand, the source indicated that the electricity sector has the priority in the reconstruction projects. Notably the work has got underway in 214 electricity rehabilitation projects all over Iraq. It is expected these projects will make available 15000work opportunities. The source is further indicated to several health, waters, sewerage, oil and education projects including 12 health centers, 19 hospitals, 11 water and sewerage projects, 187 schools in southern Iraq in addition to the projects of communications and transport.

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Sunday-October 17, 2004

ALLAWI: IRAQI GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO UPROOT TERRORISM

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 17, Page 1
Dr. Iyad Allawi said that the Iraqi government is determined to uproot terrorism allover Iraq before the elections, adding that the intelligence information reported the agreement between the terrorist's organizations and Al- Zarqawi and Al- Qaida to establish new organization with the aim to destabilize Iraq.In a meeting with a number of journalists, Allawi spoke on the situations in Falluja , saying that the government did not capture the representative of Falluja population as it is renewing the demand of handing over the terrorists and permitting the national guard to enter the city and impose security similar to what was happened in Al- Sadr city .



83 BILLIONS IRAQI DINARS FOR PURCHASING MEDICINE, MEDICAL APPLIANCES

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 17, Page 1
The Iraqi health ministry has signed 51 new contracts with several world countries worth of 83 billions dinars for importing medicine and medical appliances Dr. Taha al- Wassiti the director general of the state company for marketing medicine said that the aim of the ministry lies in securing medicine and medical appliances for the population particularly the chronic diseases.He clarified that among the contracts were seven private pharmaceutical firms namely Al- Shaheed , Al- Furaat , Al- Nahreen , Al- Sharq al- Awsaat and others .He added that the ministry is going on contracting with pharmaceutical firms belonged to the ministry of industry and minerals namely Samaraa, Nineveh and the Arab company for antibiotics.Al- Wassiti stressed the ministry's keenness on contracting with the foreign companies characterized with high standards and good quality, saying that the ministry during the ex-regime was contracted with pharmaceutical firms regardless the fame of these companies or the political objectives.Notably, the ministry has signed contracts for importing medicines particularly the chronic diseases.



IRAQI OIL EXPORTS EXCEEDS 2 MILLIONS AND HALF BPD

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 17, Page 1
The Iraqi oil exported via the southern and northern ports amounted 2,550, 000 barrels per day. The production energy is amounted 2800000 barrels.An official source at the oil ministry said that the oil products are stable now and the ministry has sought to realize three millions barrels by the end this year.On the other hand, a security source at the ministry of oil announced about documents of threats addressed to the oil sector in Iraq, clarifying that among these documents are attempts to target tankers of the oil products from outside Iraq besides threatening foreign companies to stop dealing with Iraq contrary to that the personnel will subject to kidnapping, adding that these threats target the Iraqi crude oil pipelines.



IRAQI DELEGATION TO VISIT SAUDI ARABIA

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 17, Page 1
The Shiite endowment in coordination with the Sunni counterpart and the Kurdish sides has formed a joint delegation to be headed for Saudi Arabia and negotiate about the Hajj ritual next week.Dr. Salah Abdul Razzaq the director of the relations and Islamic media at the Shiite endowment said that the delegation is consisted of five members headed by Hussein al- Shaami the director of the Shiite endowment.He added that the delegation is to hold talks with the Saudi concerned side regards the number of Iraqi pilgrims allowed to perform Hajj and the preparations of their accommodation. Meanwhile, the Shiite endowment has denounced targeting the churches, describing such acts as a perilous threat that reflects the ugliness of the terrorists.



Trade Ministry cancels contract with US Company

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 17, P3
The Ministry of Trade has canceled a contract scheduled to be signed with US Karcle Company to purchase large quantities of wheat.An official source at the ministry said that the disagreement on prices of each ton as well as the non-identification of the wheat with world standard qualifications was the reason behind such cancellation.He indicated that the ministry had canceled several contracts already signed with many companies since these companies had never committed to the agreed specifications, remembering that Trade Minister dealt with the subject during the latest conference, indicating that the contracts signed with a number of companies to export cheese and another materials within the items of the food-ration card had also been canceled recently.Notably, Iraq was signed several contracts with different world companies to import foods within a plan to improve items of the ration card in addition to enlarge the ministry's stockpile since there is no intention to cancel the ration card for the next three years a matter that necessitates finding continuous stockpile .



Bulgaria to supply Diyala police with weapons

Diyala, As-Sabah, Oct 17, P3
It is hopeful that Diyala police command will be supplied with large quantities of developed light weapons from Bulgaria in addition to 200 modern cars. During a meeting with members of Diyala's Governing Council, Dr. Abdullah Hassan Rasheed al-Jubouri clarified that huge efforts are exerted to solve problem of the salaries of all military in the province during this month.Al-Jubouri addressed a warning notice to the parties urging them to evacuate the governmental buildings in a very short period.On the other hand, Diyala Governor instructed Diyala Municipality Department to accomplish al-Sadiya road to avert acts of plundering several drivers have been subjected for.
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Monday-October 18, 2004

IRAQI GOVERNMENT LAUDS HANDING OVER OF WEAPONS IN AL- SADR CITY

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 18, Page 1
The check point of collecting weapons in the city of A-Sadr was subjected to missile attacks.In a press statement issued by the state ministry of national security affairs, the ministry announced that the government will start comprehensive inspection campaign for the houses of Al- Sadr city population starting from Monday.A press statement indicated that the city of Al- Sadr is living security stability and natural life specially after handing over the weapons by large numbers of population.The statement is further clarified that the success in implementing this program in the city of Al- Sadr will lead to be applied in other parts of Iraq to evacuate Iraqi cities from the explosives and mines and encourage the groups and individuals to join political process and participate seriously in the scheduled elections.



AMID US SILENCE, 3RD TERRORIST TAKES HOSTAGES IN GREEN ZONE

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 18, Page 1
A security source reported that the infiltration inside the green zone was ended late Saturday. The 3rd element of the terrorist network was killed by the US hunter inside a building at which large number of persons was detained.The source said in anonymity that the terrorist network was able to enter directly the green zone within a US convoy that entered Iraq from the neighboring countries, adding that "Excluding the US convoys that enter Iraq from the inspection procedures helped three terrorists to infiltrate into the green zone and implement bombing of the Chinese restaurant". The source affirmed that the 2nd terrorist was implemented a suicide bombing in a site near Ibn Sinna hospital, while the 3rd terrorist infiltrated in the 3rd floor of a building in the green zone as he took hostages unlimited number of persons, clarifying that the US forces were evacuated the neighbor sites of the hostages place and imposed a tight security cordon on the site for more than ten hours.The source said that the terrorists are Jordanians in mid twentieth.



PRACTICAL PROCEDURES TO END ASSASSINATIONS OF PROFESSORS & SCIENTISTS

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 18, Page 1
Dr. Moussa Jawad al- Moussawi the president of Baghdad University said that practical procedures have taken in coordination with the interior ministry to protect the university professors from acts of liquidation and assassination.At a press conference organized by mass communication college on the occasion of the start of the new academic year, Al- Moussawi said that deliberations have got underway between the university and the ministry of interior departments with the aim to protect the university Profs after the assassination of around 37.On the admission plan of this year, the president said that the accepted numbers are not coping with the volume of the available potentialities at the colleges and institutes of the university in field of the halls, faculty members and other technical requirements related to the educational process, saying that for the 1st time in Iraq it was committed to the numbers submitted by the university which is around 8,000 male and female students.



SUNNI ENDOWMENT SLAMS AGGRESSION ON CHURCHES

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 18, P2
The Sunni Endowment has vehemently condemned the offensives targeted the churches in Iraq on Oct 16.Dr. Adnan ad-Duleimi the Chairman of the Sunni Endowment condemned this aggression, calling for the unity of Iraq, considering such aggression as a serious precedent because the insurgents aim to destabilize the country, urging all Iraqis to be distinguished by wisdom and patience to realize security and stability.



TRAINING COURSES FOR 65 IRAQI DIPLOMATS ENDED

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 18, P2
Around 65 personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have ended recently a course on the diplomatic affairs. The course was organized by the Foreign Service Institute affiliated to the ministry. The course was attended by Foreign Minister Hoshiar Zabari.The participants received different lectures delivered by several specialist professors at the ministry and Iraqi universities. The lectures concentrated on foreign policy, international and diplomatic ties, international economy and law, protocol and international organizations in addition to several courses in English Lang. and computer.The course was contributed in promoting participants' potentialities to meet the needs of diplomatic work in light of Iraq's new openness policy towards the world through using internet and e-mail.



RED CRESCENT SOCIETY PREPARES EID PRESENTS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 18, P2
The Red Crescent Society is shouldering now the responsibility of distributing presents on occasion of the Fasting Eid for the needy and poor families over the last days of Ramadan.Ahmed Nassar the Director of Catastrophes Department said that this project had been agreed on during a meeting gathered the society chairman with the chief of the International Union of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Mr. Nassar clarified that the priority will be given for the families which have no breadwinner or families which their salaries reach to less than $50 or families which have a handicapped child, families which have more than four children, families which have children under-5 years or families which live in an irregular and rented house.
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Tuesday-October 19, 2004

The Editorial

By Mohammed Abdul Jabbar
The year 2006 in modern Iraq will be a decisive. In that year and specifically in the beginning, Iraq is to assume its permanent constitutional and political life for the 1st time since 50 years.In accordance with a declared timetable for the political process, the national assembly will be elected in coming January i.e in 2005.This assembly is to assume two main tasks:
The 1st and important one represents in putting the draft of the permanent constitution. The 2nd represents in electing new interim government that assumes authority round the year 2005. The feature of the new government will be (transitional) to be distinguished from the current government or the (Interim Government) after putting the draft of the permanent constitution; it will be the subject of general discussion and then the referendum. If the majority votes will be in favor of the constitution and not objected by the majority of the voters in three provinces, the constitution will be valid and we will enjoy permanent constitution since 50 years. That constitution will draw the feature of the political life in Iraq, in accordance with, the parliamentary and presidential elections will be made. Since now on , we could not specify the formula of these elections because such matter is up to what is to be put by our representatives i.e the constitutional formulas necessary to regulate the political life. All what we have to do is waiting the outcomes of the elected national assembly. The most important matter in the permanent and stable constitutional and parliamentary life _ If God Willing –will not exceed a year and several months which is a decisive and documented stage in Iraq's history as being the most perilous stage Iraq has passed through in this interim period ( Around 15 months) . All the Iraqi people's activities and achievements will have the grand role in specifying the outcomes of the stage. It is not a secret; the race is fervent now between those of real interests in realizing the outcomes and those intent burning the orchards with their fruits still on them.The race has a price that all should pay .The Prize of the race deserve it . Either a homeland enjoys democracy and stability or derelict land divided by terrorists and chaos.







NEW TRADE COMPLEXES TO BE ACHIEVED IN BAGHDAD

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 19, Page 1
The designs department at Baghdad municipality has achieved nine trade complexes of folkloric feature.An official source at the municipality said that these designs include the geographical site of each municipality department for the sake of establishing model commercial site including all services that facilitate the trade. The building is consisted of several floors, adding that the complex will be a model developed market as a core for the commercial site in those sites.He indicated that the prepared designs are the achievements of the Iraqi mind in depicting the folkloric privacy of the city of Baghdad.



AL- SISTANI RECEIVES KUWAITI DELEGATION

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 19, Page 1
Najaf, As-Sabah , Oct 19, Page 1
The Kuwaiti delegation that represent the Kuwaiti relief society has arrived in Najaf . The delegation is headed by Al-Moumen . It is hopeful the delegation tackles the reconstruction process in the city and its support in this concern. Meanwhile, the delegation met the grand religious authority Ayatollah Ali- al- Sistani.During the meeting, both sides tackled the reconstruction campaign. Al- Sistani expressed his keenness to accelerate the reconstruction process stipulated in the articles of the initiative which set the pillars of the peace in the city after the bloody clashes between Al- Mahdi army and the multi national forces on one side and the governmental forces on the other.





AL- SAQLAWIYA BRIDGE ACHIEVED

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 19, Page 1
The engineering and technical cadres at the state board of roads and bridges that belonged to the ministry of housing and reconstruction has achieved Al- Saqlawiya bridge in Anbar at a cost worth of 3,942,000 Iraqi dinars .Eng. Bahzad Ramadan the acting director general of the board said that the work included breaking and removing the damaged blocks and treating the pillars by adding steel bars and iron sheets to substitute the missing pillars in addition to treating the cracks in the bridge's surface.He clarified that the achievement of the bridge will help the traffic movement flexibility in the sites linked by that bridge.





UNIVERSITY OF BAGHDAD DECIDES TO ACCEPT EVENING STUDENTS

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 19, P 1
Baghdad University decided recently to accept the evening students during this study season (2004-2005).Dr Hatim Al-Rubeii’, scientific assistant of the President of the university, said that this decision came after the agreement of the administrative board of the university to open an evening study in several colleges.He indicated that these colleges are: College of Political Science, College of Science- for females, College of Administration and Economy, College of Media and College of Education- Ibn Al-Haitham.He further confirmed that all necessary requirements have been made available such as teaching staff, halls of study, scientific labs and libraries.





187.000 PERSONS EMPLOYED

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 19, P 1
The number of unemployed workers who have been given work chances recently has got to 187000 up to the last week in both general and private sectors and in all provinces of Iraq.This came by announce of Dr Riyadh Hassan Mohammed, acting director of Professional Employment and Training Center of the Ministry of Work and Social Affairs.He pointed out that the number of untrained workers is 187, while the trained workers are 639. The Ministry started entering some of the unemployed persons in training courses including courses in English and Arabic languages teaching and computer training in addition to other necessary specializations that the local market needs in order to be rehabilitated.Moreover, the ministry seeks to open more than 20 centers for employment and 15 centers for training in all Iraqi provinces in cooperation with a number of ministries and formal departments besides private companies and factories.



MINISTRY OF TRADE RECEIVE LARGE AMOUNTS OF LENTIL

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 19, P 1
Ministry of Trade is expected to receive a great amount of lentil in order to be distributed to the people in Ramadan.A source in the ministry said it will receive the amounts of lentil from Arial Company which it concluded a contract with in the last several days.From his side, Mr Mohammed Al-Juburi, Minister of trade, said that the delay occurred in distributing lentil by the ration cards to people in the beginning of Ramadan was due to its scarcity in the trade stores.He further said that besides the lentil the ministry will distribute tomato pastes after concluding contracts with other international companies.



NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DISCUSSES FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PAPER

Head of Intelligence asked to apologize to the assembly
Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 19, P 1
In its latest session and in the presence of 55 members, Iraqi Interim National Assembly has recently discussed the working paper of the Committee of Family and Community which the assembly started in the sessions of the last week.In the session many members condemned the indications of head of Intelligence and asked him to apologize to all members of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution due to the detentions and aggressive acts that these members are exposed to by the Intelligence system.On the other hand Mish’an Al-Juburi insisted on his stance to interrogate Mr. Falah Al-Naqueeb, Minister of Interior Affairs by the assembly adding that he added further questions to the list of interrogations which submitted by Al-Naqueeb.He also called the Financial Supervision Department to uncover Iraqi money embezzlement occurred during the period of the American Civil Governor Paul Bremer.Mr. Mohsin Abdul- Hamid has repeated his claim to dismiss the American forces to camps away from the cities.



ALLAWI IN FRONT OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: IRAQ WILL DEFEAT TERRORISM

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 19, P 1
Iraqi Prime Minister, Dr Iyad Allawi, has confirmed in his speech before the members of the National Assembly, in which he reviewed the challenges facing the country, which Iraq has lost $ 7 billion owing to the terrorist attacks launched on oil institutions. He also announced the creation of People Housing box and that Iraq will triumph over terrorism.Mr Allawi said that these criminal terrorist acts aimed to hurt the government and the people as well. They aim to undermine the progress in all fields of knowledge. He also said that these terrorists foreigners not Iraqis and that Iraqi police and Army increases in power and members. The government has extended the period to deliver weapons from Al-Sadr City and after that it will search every house there for hided weapons.As to the presidential elections, Mr Allawi confirmed that they will be held at the fixed time. He also said that the government will announce general amnesty next week.



NEW AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS TO BE COMMITTED IN MEISAN

Emara, Oct19, P 3
Agriculture department in Meisan Province has accomplished the winter planting preparations and all requirements to have make the plan successful, head of the department Engineer Abdul Kareem Qasim said.Qasim said that more than 618 thousand Ackers were allocated to plant grains while every farmer would receive about 5 tons of grains to be planted in addition to 7000 tons of chemical fertilizer to be distributed among the farmers.He said that Oil Production Department at the province would provide the water pumps with required gasoline and all the needed fuel.On the other hand, Mr Qasim said that many procedures were committed to clean farms and forests of date palms as many rivers were cleaned so as to rehabilitate them at the time about 1100 new date palm seedlings were planted.



SIX SEWAGE PROJECTS IN QADISSIYA PROVINCE

Diwaniya, Oct 19, P5
Ministry of Municipalities said it had made six projects of sewerage systems in Qadissiya Province within the Ministry's plan in 2004. "a new building for the department was erected in the province in addition to rehabilitating many sewerage stations", Engineer Muhammed Jabir told As-Sabah reporter.However the city needs more projects to improve its sewage condition because of the lakes of surrounding it due to farms of rice covered with water and lack of sewage nets.



STABILITY HELPS GOING TO ELECTIONS IN TIME, SAYS BABIL COUNCIL

Hilla,Oct 19, P5
Preparations for elections in Babil Province are on while people give so much importance to, head municipal council Neima Kheigani told As-Sabah.He said that the government offices were providing facilities to pass the political process.He also asserted the Grand Ayetollah Systani directions concerning participation in the election and means of passing them were fully committed.Stressing the significance of elections to portrait the political image, Kheigani said that security situation is getting better growing positively in a way that helps stability and going to elections on the scheduled time.
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Wednesday-Oct. 19, 2004

The Editorial

By Mohammed Abdul Jabbar
Transactions
The newspapers receives different information by different means on " suspicious" transactions have been signed by this ministry or that with the foreign companies to import machines , equipments, machineries and different materials Iraq is in need for in its extraordinary current circumstances . Mostly, these deals reach to millions of dollars.. In accordance with the alleged "information" . Also in accordance with this information, I smell the "financial and administrative corruption" to cause to have a cold as a result of these deals.I don't know the extent of accuracy and truth of these " Information" Is it really "Information" or mere "Rumors" or " Slander" or may be " Conspiracy" some people like to instigate against who is attributed to the concerned transaction.Mostly, I avert the circulation of these" information" for fear being false and malicious on one hand and difficulty of verification and checking on the other. Yet , there are two hidden questions : How if these information was right ? In case it is right, then not publishing Is it considered as concealment on financial behaviors not accepted by faithfulness for Iraq or for the employment? In case it is right , not publishing it Is it meant that As-Sabah gives up its basic duty as being part of the fourth authority in observing the governmental performance and unveiling its short-comings and slips , with the aim to shed light on them then finding a solution?
Of these information reports that a ministry of important services contracted to purchase old- fashioned and used apparatuses back to 1972 abroad and previously excluded from service there to be as a scarp in their countries owing to the expiration and non –qualification. However, the said ministry has purchased these apparatuses at a cost of $ 150 millions. And if this information is right, it indicates that the ministry neglected means of searching for qualified equipment and it has wasted Iraq's fund in non-fit position.In fact, we could not be absolutely certain of something particularly some personnel fear to unveil and prefer silence for what they considered as inevitable discharge or prison if they disclosed hidden matters.But the matter ought not to be left as it is, or might be it was the duty of the impartiality commission and the general inspector to verify the accuracy and credibility of these cases.

AL- SISTANI SUPPORTS NO CERTAIN LIST

Najaf , As-Sabah , Oct 20, Page 1
Replying to what was being dispatched by the media about the support of Ayatollah Ali- al- Sistani for a certain list of the coming elections of the national assembly; Al- Sistani office in Najaf denied these news and considered them as groundless. The reply was addressed to what is quoted by the Agence France Presse on Hamid al- Khafaf the representative of Al- Sistani as saying that the religious authority will support the list of the independent candidates or it urged for preparing such a list.Close source to Al- Sistani affirmed that the religious authority will keep on neutrality in these elections further and not participating directly in the political competitions under any circumstances.





BILLION & 400 MILLIONS IRAQI DINAR FOR PAVING AND COVERING ROADS

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 20, Page 1
The ministry of labor and municipalities has allocated about one billion and 400 millions Iraqi dinars for paving and covering more than 779,000 kilometers of the roads in Baghdad and other cities within the projects of the investment plan in the current year.Eng. Rakaan Ahmed al- Alaa'f the director of the general municipalities said that the cadres of the directorate in Baghdad and other provinces have accomplished works of pavement for 22007km and 757855 km in addition to molding side blocks of the roads in different cities , clarifying that the municipality adopted a unified system to number the streets , the houses , the districts and crossroads in the cities all over Iraq.





85 BILLIONS DINAR FOR REHABILITATING AND RECONSTRUCTING HOSPITALS

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 20, Page 1
It has been announced at the ministry of health about 85 billions Iraqi dinars allocated for reconstructing and furnishing the hospitals in Baghdad and other cities.An official spokesman said that the ministry allocated 67 billions Iraqi dinars out of the international donation obtained by the ministry from the Japanese government. These funds are used in the reconstruction and furnishing of a number of hospitals in the south and the middle of Iraq in addition to a number of other projects.Meanwhile, the ministry of planning in coordination with the ministry of health has allocated 18 billions Iraqi dinars for reconstructing and furnishing the complex of the city of medicine in Baghdad.





ACTS OF SABOTAGE TARGETS NORTHERN OIL PIPELINE

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 20, Page 1
An explosion occurred in the pumping station of the Iraqi –Turkish oil pipeline yesterday morning led to a blaze outbreak.An official source at the ministry said that this station receives oil from Kirkuk oil fields via Baiji refinery, affirming that the civil defense teams attempt to put out the fire resulted from act of sabotage." This act didn't affect the Iraqi oil exports at Ceyhan Turkish port as these exports reach 300,000-450,000 barrels per day " .The source said , adding about 1,8 millions barrels are exported from the southern ports.





INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FOR KIDNAPPING GIRLS ARRESTED IN BAGHDAD

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 20, Page 1
A source at the interior intelligence agency unveiled the arrest of a network is professional in kidnapping and selling the girls into international networks for prostitution purpose. "Upon intelligence reports on the existence of a house in Jihad district managed by a lady for selling the kidnapped girls from Baghdad and other cities to be sold later on to the international foreign parties, we launched crack down on the said house". The source said, referring that some suspects were arrested and two girls were freed.





TALBAN GHOSTS IN MOSUL HINDER STUDENTS FROM STUDYING

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 20, Page 1
The security situation has aggravated in Nineveh after the emergence of gangsters and gunmen pretend to be fanatic groups as if they are ghosts of Talban movement.Younadim Kenn the member of the national assembly said that these groups are outlaws hostile to transformation , democracy and the new political experiment in addition to Saddam loyalists who are bent on imposing their authority and hegemony on some sites and districts all over the city of Mosul specifically in the university .He added that the university is now threatened after seizing the buses of the university by the said groups under different pretext to intimidate the students and ban their determination to continue study.





TERRORISM, UNSTABLE SECURITY SITUATION BEHIND UNEMPLOYMENT IN IRAQ

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 20, Page 1
The official statistics made by the ministry of labor and social affairs indicate that the unemployment in Iraq increased to 50% which is considered as a low average than the real one . Notably , unemployment is considered as the 2nd priority after the security dossier faced by the government .Abdul Kareem al- Bdri the expert at the ministry said that the unemployment has emerged since late 1980s, but nowadays is expanded. The average of unemployment rose quickly from 5% in 1987 into 17% in 1997 and reached 28% from the total number of the economically prospered population in 2003. He indicated that the unemployment in Iraq is characterized with un extraordinary feature resulted from destruction, sabotage, wars, economic sanctions and the fundamental changes.



PARTIES OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CALL FOR DIALOGUE

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 20, Page 1
The representative parties at the national assembly has issued honor convention calling for a comprehensive agreement between the Iraqi political forces and Islamic, national and democratic trends to discuss the necessary steps for unifying positions for the sake of maintaining Iraq's security by relying on peaceful dialogue and discard violence to solve problems and disputes between the national forces further for respecting others opinions .



FORMER IRAQI ARMY WEAPONS STORAGES FOUND

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 20, P3
A military spokesman announced on Oct 19 that a mortar attack had been launched by unknown insurgents on a military camp affiliated for multi-nationalities force in Baghdad. One US contractor had been killed, another seven persons injured.In its statement, the Iraqi Defense confirmed that it found Iraqi weapons storage in the northern of Iraq; this storage includes large quantities of the former Iraqi Army ammunition.The statement confirmed that the National Guard Forces in cooperation with multi-nationalities forces have been implemented several inspection campaigns in numerous sites in the northern of Iraq. These forces have found 12 storages; each one of them separates from another with a distance of one kilometer. The forces also found a missile bomber, 20 mortars, different sizes ob bullets. The statement clarified that the investigation campaign have arrested five suspects due to their involvement in protection these camps.Several eye-witnesses said that National Guard Forces and US Forces have implemented joint operation in al-Dhoalia' district in the northern of Baghdad to look for suspects and wanted persons committed performing several terrorist and bombing operations.Witnesses also said that these forces had siege the southern region, whereas several fierce operations led to the death of 10 persons, two were injured with different injuries.



ID FOUR BILLIONS TO CLEAN KERBALA

Kerbala, As-Sabah, Oct 20, P3
As-Sabah has learned that more than ID4 billions have been allocated for a campaign titled "For Cleanest and Most Beautiful Iraq", which has been started several days ago.Despite the huge sum, but several officials in the province have been complained from negligence, heaps of garbage which covered wide areas of the residential districts especially ready-made buildings, factories and societies in addition to the districts belong to the city center.As-Sabah learned that 700687000 have been allocated to the whole province, i.e. districts and sub-districts a matter that instigate several question marks by citizens who through the daily expressed their resentment from the work of municipalities allover province, referring that province municipality council has never take an action, despite that several opportunities have been found for many unemployed to improve their standard of living.



HEALTH MINISTRY: SOME MINERAL WATER FACTORIES COMMITTED TO HEALTH CONDITIONS

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 20, P3
In a new report, the Ministry of Health has indicated the high quality of mineral water produced in some local plants. Dr. Hashim Sadiq al-Mousomi the Director of Health Control Directorate pointed out that ministry labs' tests prove that some pulled samples have a high-quality, including material produced by Safa and Furat plants. He clarified that one of the ministry duties is to praise the factories which maintain the high-quality products; at the same time the ministry should expose the plants which are not committed with health conditions.





38 HEALTH PROJECTS, 30,000 TELEPHONE LINES SET UP IN DOHOK

Dohok, As-Sabah, Oct 20, P3
Dohok Health Department has announced that the engineering and executive cadres in the province are performing some projects approved by Kordastan Region, more than ID17 billions have been spent on these projects.An official source at the department stated that these projects are restricted on the province center, Ukary, Sheikhan, Zakhow and Smeal districts as well as complexes belong to the province.Around 38 projects will be implemented to include different specializations connected with offering health services for citizens such as refurbishing projects, building new sections for hospitals and big pharmaceutical warehouse, renovating Zakho Hospital, refurbishing Handicapped Children Rehabilitation Center, repairing and expanding Ukary Hospital, constructing several health centers including Feushkhobor Health Center and Lash Temple Health Center and setting up physicians house.On the other hand and according to an agreement signed between the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Kordastan Region and the mentioned company, Chinese Daliya Sat Company will distribute 30,000 mobile lines (wireless) in Dohok over the near future,



NEW ELECTRICAL UNITS TO SUPPLY POWER

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 20, P3
The Engineering and technician cadres at the Ministry of Electricity have accomplished the maintenance and rehabilitation for power producing units in addition the ending from entering new generating units to supply the electricity power with further quantities.An official source at the ministry said that the ministry's cadres continued their works within a drawn plan to realize stable electricity current, citing that technician sides are capable also from operating the third unite in al-Quds electricity station with capacity of 100 MW, this unit is one of the new generating unites which accomplished after April 9, 2003 and it is now in primary operation phase.



NEW PASSAGE – 'ARAR BORDER INACTIVE

Kerbala, As-Sabah, Oct 20, P3
Dr. Aziz Jaber Abdullah, the Director of Health Control, affiliated to Kerbala Health Department, informed as-Sabah that al- Jadada 'Arar district border health station, 300 km south-west Kerbala is completely unqualified to receive comers and persons departing from Saudi Arabia Kingdom and vice-versa.He said that the current building is not suitable and not qualify for performing any activities, despite its great importance, considering it the safe gate for Iraq as it contributed in preventing transforming diseases especially AIDS.Abdullah pointed out that what happened in this region is the monitoring of borders, referring that there are no persons, nor trade-exchange operations have been seen, except the tank cars coming from Saudi Arabia which transformed fuel to Iraq.
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Please Scroll down to see the latest news

Oct. 21, 2004

LISTS

By: Mohammed Abdul Jabbar
Election campaign has yet to begin in Iraq. The concerned sides might be late in some way because the day of election is approaching. However, these sides may be justified because the legislative and political image is still unclear to many people.But talks have emerged since a long time ago. The subject of these talks is: alliances and electoral lists. The political sides seek to coin alliances between each other that enable them to go into the electoral war with a list or joint lists. The Iraqi voter will not vote for person, but for lists. Each list should include not less than 12 nominees.This means that the voter will vote totally not individually. This bears negative and positive points.Some talk about one joint list including all or most of the parties and officials. Among the privileges of this idea is that it unites all the political powers and achieve a kind of national unity. However it will not establish a democratic position that imposes multiplicity and free competition and the actual choices before the voters.These are some other people who want to enter the electoral war with other lists. The various lists are healthy phenomenon if the variety is reasonable and actual. This means that these lists should really represent various social classes and should serve the national interests of these classes.The various lists offer a better democratic climate and train the voters to adopt suitable decisions of choices.









2 KILOS OF WHITE FLOUR PER PERSON

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 21, P. 1
Iraq’s Ministry of Trade has recently decided to add 2 kilos of white flour for each person in the items of the ration basket since the 1st of November of this year.Mr. Yousif Hattab, director general of the General Company for seeds Production, said that the company has offered 100.000 tons of white flour to be distributed between is agents in Baghdad. He said that the aim of this act is to help the Iraqi family that are used to making cookies in Ramadhan and Eid.



EGYPT HOLDS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IRAQ NEXT MONTH

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 21, P. 1
Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hoshiar Zebarri, has recently announced that the regional and international conference which will be held in Sharm A-Shiekh in Egypt in the end of next month, will be official and for governments only. This means that no Iraqi organizations will take part in it.In a press conference, Zebarri said that these sides can participate in the political process opened before them adding that they should try to know if they are popular through the polls instead of killing and kidnapping acts. In Cairo, the spokesman of Egyptian Presidency, Majid Abdul Fattah, said to the journalists after a meeting between President of Egypt Husni Mubarak and Assistant of the American State Secretary William Beanz, that the conference will be held in Sharm Al-Shiekh next month.



A GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF EDUCATION IN SADR CITY

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 21, P. 1
Ministry of Education has decided to establish a general directorate of Education in Sadr City in Baghdad, according to Dr Sami Al-Muzaffar, Minister of Education.He indicated that this decision is adopted to meet the need for educational establishments in this city because it is so large area and because of its exceptional condition.He also said that the ministry is thinking of expanding in opening a number of other general directorates to absorb the new steps that it makes to improve the educational work.



DR QASIM DAWOOD CONDEMNS KIDNAP OF MARGARET HASSAN

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 21, P. 1
Dr Qasim Dawood, Minister of State for National Security Affairs, has condemned the kidnapping of Margaret Hassan by unknown gangs that practice the profession of kidnapping and killing those working in the humanitarian fields and came to help Iraqis.



AZZAURA PARK OPENS IN EID

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 21, P. 1
The Nursery and Parks Department, of the Municipality of Baghdad, has started works of improving and habilitation of Azzaura Park in Baghdad in order to reopen it during Eid after Ramadhan.Engineer Bushra Khalil, director of the department, said the department offered 20.000 cuttings to be implanted as a first stage. The second stage includes maintenance of restaurants, the theatre and the zoo that has been greatly developed by a humanitarian organization. It will also include making available all kinds of animals like tigers and horses in addition to providing them with all medical requirements.



HEALTH MINISTRY HOLDS MEETING

Baghdad, AS-Sabah, Oct 21, P.2
Ministry of Health is due to hold a meeting later today. The meeting includes representatives for the Iraqi-Turkish joint committee. Representatives from seven Iraqi ministries are to attend the meeting.Dr Sa'ad Al-Amili from the Ministry of Health told the daily that the meeting will tackle issues related to the ties between the two countries and joint cooperation between the two countries' health ministries as well as means of enhancing relations.He pointed out that the ministry is seeking for importing medicines from Turkish companies and plants.



IRAQI STUDENTS OFF TO UKRAINE

Baghdad, AS-Sabah, Oct 21, P.2
The third batch of Iraqi students has left Baghdad for Ukraine, sources at the Ministry of Education said.In a statement to the daily, Minister of Education Dr. Sami al-Mudhafar said that the delegation includes 40 distinguished students, adding that this activity comes within the framework of joint cooperation between the two countries and in implementation of the agreement signed earlier by Iraq and Ukraine.The Minister pointed out that the visit is a good opportunity for Iraqi students to get acquainted with the latest educational development in Ukraine.Earlier, Ukraine received two batches that included 80 male and female Iraqi students.



Baghdad Council: donating countries responsible for delaying projects implementation

Baghdad, AS-Sabah, Oct 21, P.2
Deputy Chairman of the Baghdad Council Karim Al-Jaf has held donating countries responsibility for delaying projects accomplishment and the instability of the security situation.In a statement to the daily, Al-Jaf said that most of the service projects in Baghdad need a lot of money that the donating countries promised to donate to Iraq, but, the minister said, the said countries failed to meet their promises.Al-Jaf said that work in the said projects came to a standstill because of the lack of financing and the security situation, pointing out to the serious cooperation between the Baghdad Council and the municipality in fields of services rendered to citizens.



Government keen to improve living level: Minister

Baghdad, AS-Sabah, Oct 21, P.3
Minister of Provinces Affairs Wail Abdul Latif has said that Iraqi worker is an important part of the society who had a great role in putting Iraqi policy in the previous century.During a meeting with Head and members of the Iraqi Trade Union, Abdul Latif said that we can not skip the role of the Iraqi worker because he had a great contribution to leading national movements in the country.Abdul Latif expressed rejection for the previous regime's decision to regard workers as personnel, pointing that the worker will have a great role in building the new Iraq especially that the country, in the current situation, needs efforts of the worker more than the personnel, adding that the Iraqi government is serious about improving the living situation of the worker as he suffered a lot during the previous regime's era.



INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES READY TO REHABILITATE OIL SECTOR

Baghdad, AS-Sabah, Oct 21, P.3
A number of international companies have expressed readiness to rehabilitate oil sector in Iraq, sources at the Oil Ministry said.The sources said that among these companies are Chell and BB as well as a number of international companies, adding that the said companies have held a number of training courses for Iraqi technical, engineering and oil cadre. The sources said that these companies hope to win contracts for rehabilitating the oil sector and participate in the new projects put within the ministry's upcoming plans.The sources went on to say that a number of companies have been already selected, adding that the ministry will discuss with these companies the possibility of participating in the implementation of oil projects.
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Saturday-Oct. 23, 2004

Please continue to scroll down to the latest news


The Editorial

By: Mohammed Abdul Jabbar
Alarm
"The international transparency organization", which is an organization interested in unveiling the political, financial and administrative corruption in the world, sounded alarm announcing regrettably that Iraq is most corrupted country in the world.The organization which seeks to curb the corruption in the world announced that Iraq is occupying the 129th rank of the most corrupted countries. Of course, there are other states better than Iraq. Among Arab states are Amman, Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Tunisia, Kuwait, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco. We are not surprised by the alarm i.e "the bomb" since Iraqis are quite aware of the volume of the corruption in Iraq prevailed all along the years of the ex-regime which looted the country and oppressed the people.We didn't expect that the corruption ended as soon as the regime collapsed. The matter might took a long time in order the society be able of rehabilitating the personnel and political leaders further for strengthening the new officials against the political, administrative and financial corruption.The all are realizing that corruption is no less dangerous than terrorism. We are in the course of two strategic battles: the first is the battle against corruption. The 2nd is the battle against terrorism. Preferring one on each other is useless. Iraq's political, social and economic future is depending on our success in both battles.The report of the transparency organization says that Iraq's future depends on transparency in the oil sector, the urgent need for financing reconstruction after the war shed light on the importance of the transparency stressed conditions in the contracts concerned with the materials and services.The report warns as saying "without adoption of anti-corruption procedures, the reconstruction drive will be doomed to failure because of the conversion of the resources into the fraudulent group.This alarm is not stemming from prediction but from familiarity getting benefit of the similar experiments. In these experiments the funds allocated for reconstruction were concealed and absent from the accounts of the fraud officials; took the form of illusive transactions or even real transactions in exaggerated figures that led to fail reconstruction process in these countries.And that is the most to be afraid of in Iraq. The oil funds and other resources as well as the funds of the donors are all subject to leak and waste along with Iraq's future and its reconstruction process.This alarm and warning is not too early or too late also. Yet it is possible to do the utmost to rescue Iraq's future from the hurt of terrorists and frauds.





JUSTICE MINISTER: CREATING SERVICE COUNCIL TO SECURE JUST EMPLOYMENT

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 23, Page 1
Dr. Malik Dohan al- Hassan the minister of justice said that creating a service council for appointing personnel as undersecretaries and down is necessary to solve the main problem caused by the practical disputes among the competitors .The minister told As-Sabah that he ended the administrative appointments.The minister stressed the importance of establishing this council in independent staff run by appointed persons. Whoever is not allowed to affect on them. The appointment will be after exam by specialists in the universities.



RECONSTRUCTION CAMPAIGN IN AL- SADR CITY STARTED

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 23, Page 1
The Baghdad municipality started its campaign for reconstructing the city of Al- Sadr by the end next week. The campaign includes reconstructing water and sewerage projects, pavement works, health and education at costs worth of 225 billions dinars.The director general of the projects department at the municipality Eng. Hameed Khleef said that three departments assigned to carry out the first stage of these projects that include preparing road sides, streets, road isles and setting up potable water systems and new sewerage nets in the city.



DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS POSITIONS TOWARDS ELECTIONS

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 23, Page 1
The representative of Ayatollah Ali al- Sistani in Kerbala stressed the importance of intensive participation in the Iraqi elections as rejection of participation is "Tyranny against homeland" . " Taking part in the elections is a legal duty and the deniers go to hell".Mr. Ahmed al- Safi the Imam of Al- Hussein shrine in Kerbala said that "we should bear responsibility in the participation in the elections.On the other hand, Falluja chieftains put five conditions rejected by the Iraqi government. These conditions urge for security and law prevailing and prevention of blood.



12500 POLITICALLY DISCHARGED REHIRED

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 23, Page 1
The ministry of industry has agreed on rehiring 12500 politically discharged into its firms and departments.A source at the ministry said that the rehired will be distributed over 63 companies. The administrative committee specifies their positions in accordance with the valid conditions and bases.The source indicated that the ministry of finance has adopted procedures to put allocations as salaries for the rehired .



1500 BILLIONS IRAQI DINARS FOR HEALTH PROJECTS

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 23, Page 1
Within its plan for the coming four years, the ministry of health allocated trillion and a half to establish hospitals and health projects all over Iraq.Eng. Iman Naji al-Dabagh the director of engineering services and projects at the ministry indicated to 162 billions dinars to establish health projects.



DISTRIBUTING CHARITY FUND ON MOSQUES

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 23, Page 1
The charity fund has distributed on the poor, needy families, orphans, and widows. Dr. Adnan al- Duleimi the chief Sunni endowments said that four mosques have selected in both Karkh and Rasafa districts for distributing the charity funds.



IRAQ, ITALY DISCUSS MARSHES SITUATION AND DAMS CONSTRUCTION

Baghdad, As-Sabah , Oct 23, Page 1
Dr. Abul Lateef Jamal Rasheed the minister of water resources said that 2005 will concentrate basically on the implementation of the promotion projects such as the strategic dams particularly Bakhma dam at a cost worth of billion and a half.As regards building dams, the minister said that a delegation representing the ministry of water resources is to meet in Rome tomorrow a number of Italian officials to tackle possibility of Italian government support for the construction projects of the giant dams and take advantage of Italian experts and technical qualifications in this field.In a press statement, the minister said that Iraqi delegation is to take part in donors workshop regards revival of the marshes and the permanent management for the Iraqi natural resources scheduled in Venice from 24-25 October along with grand international participation i.e US , Italy, UN organizations , Japan , Canada , Britain , world bank, and UN environmental program and other countries interested in the marshes.



OIL PRODUCTION INCREASES TO 3 MILLION BPD

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 23, P3
The production of oil is reaching daily to 2, 8 while the exportation energy reaches to 2, 1 million barrels per day.During a press conference held on Oct 21, the Engineer Thamer Abbass al-Ghadban the Minister of Oil said that the current production quantities is considered well in the light of the available potentialities, praising the role of technicians and engineering cadres which exerted high efforts to realize productive and exportation energies.He indicated that the volume of the oil produced in the northern region is around 800,000 bpd most this volume is using to feed the Iraqi refineries, pointing out that exporting oil to Turkish Ceyhan Port is depended on safety and preparedness of the oil pipes since they subjected to sabotage acts in addition to what has been done by some weak-willed persons when they drill pipes to smuggle crude oil, clarifying that Iraq's losses due to sabotage acts reach to $7 billions.He clarified that despite such miserable conditions but technicians and engineering cadres are capable to reconstruct most oil installations subjected for destruction, indicating that there are many new projects under implementation. The budget decided by the Iraqi government to the ministry and sums reach Iraq from the donor states are contributed in implementing these projects.Al-Ghadban pointed out that the Iraqi government has approved big budget for 2005 to develop oil sector, confirming that 2005 will witness beginning for investment upgrading in oil sector, particularly the ministry had put a plan to develop the productive and exportation sector through halting decreasing in productive power, implementing several projects in northern and southern Iraq to reach the productive power to 3 million bpd or more than that due to the available sums and security in addition to implement several projects to increase the productive power of liquid and dry gas which feeds the electricity stations, digging and reforming wells in southern and northern Iraq. The ministry will extend further pipes, expand and build new tanks, clarifying that these projects will contribute in operating large number of Iraqi workforce in addition to give opportunity for private sector to invest.He clarified that Oil Products Marketing Company is selling Iraqi oil for world companies possessed refineries according to documented contracts and due to the world price. The Iraqi oil is sold for world markets including south and east Asia, Europe and the two Americas, pointing out that Iraqi oil refineries in the current period are providing 10-14 liter of benzene while the daily product of benzene is exceeding 20 million liters as well as the other oil products like liquid gas, petroleum and gas oil a matter that necessitates the ministry to sign contracts with neighboring countries to provide these products especially that Iraq needs daily to 20 million liters of gas, 5,000 ton of the liquid gas, 8 millions liters of petroleum, referring that the cost of these products are reaching to 2,4 monthly a matter that overburdens the budget of the Iraqi government.



ZABARI: PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY TO OPEN IRAQI EMBASSIES IN SAUDI ARABIA, KUWAIT

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 23, P3
The Foreign Minister Hoashair Zabari announced that several technical groups will visit Kuwait and Saudi Arabia Kingdom soon.He said that this visit came to disclose possessions and buildings of the two Iraqi embassies in these two states to organize and coordinate work to reopen these embassies in the near future.Zabairi pointed out that most Arab countries have agreed to appoint new Iraqi ambassadors in the Iraqi embassies, indicating that this matter is coinciding recently with the decision adopted by the Arab League Council conference held in Cairo in which conferees called all Arab countries to naturalize and rebuild complete diplomatic ties including countries which previously cut its ties with Iraq because of Iraq's invasion to Kuwait.Zabairi clarified that the diplomatic missions working abroad have been supported recently with 148 personnel, the ministry has sent more than 400 personnel in training courses outside Iraq as well as Foreign Service Institute affiliated to the Foreign Ministry has organized several courses to rehabilitate diplomatic cadres of the ministry.



1ST CONFERENCE FOR ELITE, SCIENTIFIC CALIBERS

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 23, P3
The 1st conference for Iraqi elite and scientific calibers has decided to form voluntary consultancy committees elected among its members a committee to coordinate with the related sides such as governmental firms, political forces and bureaus of higher religious authorities.These committees are shouldered the responsibility of submitting studies, political, legal, economic, social and scientific consultations. The permanent committee for coordination and follow up will address these studies and consultations to the concerned sides in the government and society, in addition to elect administrative councils for these committees and put interior order to draw committees' activities.The conference organized by the Higher Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq started its proceedings by delivering a speech of Abdul Aziz al-Hakeem , the Chairman of the council. Dr. Hamam Homadi the member of Central Consultation Committee and member of the interim national council delivered the speech on behalf of al-Hakeem.The speech tackled the political side in the transitory period passed through as well as reviewing features of the former regime which concentrated on dictatorship, national and sectarian distinction which its roots put by the British occupation.Homadi confirmed that Iraq is yearning to the establishments rule, referring that each Iraqi has a role in the political process, therefore Iraqis resort to elections supported by religious authority, because it represents the legal side and seeking to kick out the occupier from Iraq land.
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I have to say that I really enjoy ducking in here to read of the progress. I don't have time to check all the military and Iraqi blogs that I used to, and your summaries are food for the soul.

It's NOT all for nothing - what our men and women are accomplishing over there is miraculous!

Thank you for these updates - they remind me to be thankful.
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Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
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Sunday-Oct. 24, 2004
Please scroll down to see the latest news.

SOCIAL SECURITY

By: Mohammed Abdul Jabbar
Majid Abid Gharib Al-Musawi, a name of an Iraqi citizen, I cannot suppose that he is well-known except by his relatives and friend. He is a simple man, one of millions of good people in this good country.
Poor… as millions of Iraqi people.
Handicapped… as hundreds of thousands of them.
Sick… as many others.
He is a victim of the ex-regime…as most of the Iraqis. He needs medical treatment which needs money and may need a travel; abroad. All these things are difficult to achieve.What is important is that this man is among the millions who form the electoral body in Iraq and will head for the polls in a day before the end of coming January.This elector says that he sold his ration share in order to pay for the taxi driver who drove him to one of the Al-Sabah offices which are commonly visited by people to put forward their problems.Who could that citizen pay for the taxi driver just to go to the polls and take part in the elections?
Once I said that democracy is knowledge, but today I say it is bread, medicine, school and work opportunity that ensures a financial source to the citizen.The political and electoral process is not only built by political ware and democratic culture, even though these are necessary elements of it. However, it is built by social security that ensures to the people their basic needs which he cannot practice his national duties without them.Social security is the responsibility of the government and the community in general.





SHEIKH AL-YA’QUBI: THE DUTY OF PARTICIPATION IN THE ELECTIONS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE DUTY OF PRAYING AND FASTING

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 24, P.1
Sheikh Mohammed Al-Ya’qubi, said that every Iraqi adult should participate in the elections. He explained that this procedure is as important as the praying and fasting and even more important than them because these duties are individual that link a person with his creator, but the election duty is common related to the fate of a nation.In a legal opinion, the shiekh said every Iraqi who is born in or before 31 of December, 1986 should sign his name in the electors’ lists. And every person should advice all around him of the necessity of electoral participation.



WORLD CONFERENCE TO STUDY MARSHES DEVELOPMENT IN IRAQ

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 24, P.1
Iraq is taking part in a world conference about revival and development of Iraqi marshes and the perseverance of natural sources and the environment. Engineer Nesreen Perwari, Minister of Municipalities and General Labor, is head of the Iraqi delegation while the members of the delegation include Minister of Environment and Minister of Water Resources.The two-day conference is held in Venes in Italy on 24-25 of this month. Mrs. Perwari said that attending the conference are representatives of Italian, Japanese, Canadian, American government, in addition o the International Bank and the Environmental Program of the United Nations and a great number of those interested in marshes revival.



AL-HAFIZ: DONORS ADMIT THEIR SLOW COMMITMENTS WITH IRAQ

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 24, P.1
Dr Medhdi Al-Hafiz, Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation, said donors that participated in Tokyo meeting have admitted the achievements of the meeting, concerning financial obligations for Iraq, were slow and weak He added during the conference, which was held by Minister of Planning that Tokyo conference achieved positive results focusing on discussing means of activating the former financial obligations. He also said that some of the participating countries announced that they will take part again in the coming period such as the European Union that promised to donor $ 230 millions for the coming year. Iran has asserted its decision to join the donors committee and pay $ 10 millions in addition to Kuwait which allocated a million dollar for the reconstruction of the infrastructure and construction of Najaf City.



AMERICAN AMBASSADOR: KIRKUK IS NOT KURDISH

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 24, P.1
American ambassador in Ankara said that Kirkuk City is not Kurdish and that there are Kurdish procedures to change the demographic shape of the city by inhabiting Kurdish families in it. He added that these attempts are failure adding that even the interim government considers Kirkuk has a special condition and that the future of the city is well-known. “Kirkuk is an Iraqi city and not Kurdish. All Iraqis, with various nationalities and religions can live in it without any discrimination.”



WATER RESOURCES RETURNS THE SECLUDED AND INCREASES TRAINERS ABROAD

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 24, P.2
Ministry of Water Resources has met with 1186 politically dismissed persons that will soon return to their previous jobs.On the other hand, the ministry seeks to expand its base of training its administrative, technical and engineering staffs through investing all available chances by donors and the permanent countries in developing their relations with Iraq. This step is new because Iraq has not witnessed openness like what happens now. The delegations were limited to a small group in the previous regime.



SOUTHERN PROVINCES RECORD HIGHEST LEVEL OF POLLUTION IN DRINKIN WATER

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 24, P.2
Water Branch in the department of Technical Affairs of the Ministry of Environment has recently made a special report that deals with the quality of drinking water in Iraq. The reports have been sent to the ides concerned: Environmental Advisory Council, World Health Organization, Ministry of Municipality and Labors and Baghdad Municipality.A responsible source in the Ministry of Environment said that the report bears the percentage documents of failure and the areas of failure and the reasons behind. This gives a clear picture about the reality of quality of drinking water in Iraq especially in the south areas of it.



NATIONAL GUARDS ADOPT NEW PROCEDURES TO IMPOSE LAW IN IRAQ

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 24, P.2
Mr. Barham Saleh, deputy prime minister said that the procedures adopted by the government to face challenges resulted in resettlement of security and return of order.This was part of the discussions in a press conference which Minister of Defense, Minister of State for National Security Affairs took part in.He explained that more than 9000 anti-armor mines and 200 anti-person mines have been collected in addition to many heavy and light types of weaponry.

GREAT EFFORTS TO RESTORE IRAQI ANTIQUITIES

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 24, P.2
In Amman, a training workshop, organized by the general Department of Antiquities in Iraq and the Japanese agency for World Cooperation, in cooperation with Jordanian Antiquities Board and the UNISCO, has been concluded.15 Iraqi trainees have taken part in the workshop in addition to a number of Iraqi officials in the Iraqi Antiquities Board.



NEW TECHNIQEUE TO GET FUEL

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 24, P.2
Deputy governor of Hilla , Mr. Imad Lafta, said that shortage in fuel during the last few days was due to the deteriorated security condition on the way between Baghdad-Hilla especially in Latifiya district. This condition brought about burning 7 vehicles of fuel transportation and killing one driver. He pointed out that Babylon province is about to hold a conference to discuss this subject and find the suitable means to secure the ways and put a condensed observation on fuel station to prevent fuel smuggling.



PHONE INSTALLATION PAPERS SUSPENDED

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 24, P.2
The General Company of Communication and Post, in the Ministry of Communication, has decided to stop all papers of telephone installation until further notice.A responsible source in the company said the reason behind this procedure is to calculate the vacant numbers on all telephone centers and audit the documents in the computer center and even to prevent the trespassing states.



CAMPAIGN TO RECONSTRUCT 1200 SCHOOLS

Baghdad, Al-Sabah, Oct. 24, P.2
1200 schools all over Iraq and for the next15 months are witnessing a big campaign to reconstruct and rehabilitate schools.A spokesman of Projects and Contracts Bureau of the Program of Iraq’s Reconstruction in a brief press conference held at the Convention Center in Baghdad, said that the schools form 10% of the total number of schools that need rehabilitation and reconstruction due to negligence intended in the previous regime and due to acts of looting and burning after the war.



NEW INCREASE IN PENSION SALARIES

Baghdad, Oct. 24, p3
The Council of Ministers has discussed the pension salary in which a new system would depended on, while a new extension would granted to the pension of about 25% for the rest of this year.Meanwhile many people of the said faction expressed pessimism over what they hear recurrently about news of extensions in their salaries, which they find later that they are just baseless news, a matter that pushed them not to believe newspapers stories.For its part, Al-Sabah see that it share its sister newspapers being victims of the government officials' statements as they would be denied after releasing them in the papers.



I.R.I POLL: 85 % IRAQIS GO TO ELECTIONS

Washington, Oct. 24, p3
An International Republic Institute (IRI) poll found that 85% of Iraqis would participate in the upcoming elections in early 2005.58% of the participants in the poll suppose the elections would pass problems, while 35% see that it would be postponed due to violence striking the country nowadays, however 60% think that violence should not be an obstacle to the elections.Almost, public opinion is divided over the positive or negative direction for the country, for 45% see its on the wrong direction while 41% see the opposite. Causes of the negative vision were distributed among occupation (32%), terrorists (33%).



SPECIAL PROTECTION FORCE FOR UN OFFICIALS IN IRAQ

Baghdad, Oct. 24, p3
A special force of about 150 personnel would commit protection task of the UN facilities in Iraq, according to UN sources after signing a deal in this concern.Multi-nation forces vowed to cover the rest of protection duties for requirements of traveling in return of UN officials' supporting the election process and reconstruction and human activities.



HIGHER EDUCATION MINISTER: ALL DISMISSED EMPLOYEES BACK TO JOBS

Baghdad, Oct. 24, p3
Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Tahir al-Bakka declared that all the dismissed employees were returned to their jobs.On the other hand, the Minister said appointing Cultural Attaché would be committed according to capabilities in the light of the country's needs in the world countries, referring that old procedures were rescinded because they were passed before opening embassies and a way off rules and laws.



50% OF OIL PRODUCTION PIPELINE REHABILITATED

Baghdad, Oct. 24, p3
Technical teams loyal to the oil pipelines company in Basra Province have rehabilitated and repaired the violations more than 50% of the pipe that transports oil productions from Basra refinery into Dhi Qar Province following the National Guard forces took control of the region in which the pipe passes.It is worth mention that the US Earnest Co and Iraqi tribes have failed to protect the pipe before.



CEMENT STILL SUPPLIED TO PROVINCES, SAYS INDUSTRY MINISTRY

Baghdad, Oct. 24, p3
Ministry of Industry denied news of stopping supplying cement to provinces affirming that this material is still being provided to all provinces via the three Southern, Middle and Northern Companies every month.Supervisor of companies at the ministry Muhammed Abdulla said that 60% of the produces sums were allocated to provinces according to population density, while 40% are allocated to companies.



HIGHER EDUCATION REOPENS JURISPRUDENCE COLLAGE

Najaf, Oct. 24 p5
Ministry of Higher Education has reopened the Jurisprudence Collage which was forced to close following the 1991 uprising by the former regime.Acting Dean of the collage said that 100 students were applied this year as new era of teaching Islamic law was assumed on condition of favoring 60% marks of Arabic.



MERJAN HOSPITAL RECONSTRUCTED IN BABIL

Babil, Oct 24, p5
Merjan Hospital in Babil Province is an old one the southern city has witnessed a reconstruction drive including medical and service facilities, manager of the hospital Dr. Muhammed Hashim said."The whole building was reformed and the garden was rehabilitated, while the fence was rebuilt", he added referring that many medical equipments were provided in the ray department and cancer department was opened in addition to adding 16 beds to whole number.He made it clear that Echo and Sonar departments were opened as the heart department was improved with new equipments.



ECONOMIC CONFERENCE DISCUSES UNEMPLOYMENT

Kirkuk, Oct. 24 p 5
The first conference for economic development and preparing jobs was concluded in Kirkuk in coordination with the RTI organization with the attendance of the Ministries of Labor, Housing and reconstruction, Municipalities, planning, Industry and Education in addition to many economical states.Many trade unions and organizations were present at the conference. Means of finding jobs to women, handicapped, former militants and professionals who have no jobs were discussed.



TECHNICAL EDUCATION MEETS NEW TRENDS OF TECHNICAL CHANGES

Baghdad, Oct 24 p5
Technical Education in Iraq enjoys prior significance since it represents suitable responds to ongoing changes in the scientific and social fields.Mahmoud Shakir Abdul Hussein, head of the Technical Education Committee said that the Committee has received more than 70 thousand students this year in addition to 15 thousand ones at the Technical College, while the applied higher studies this year was 300 students.He said that studying democracy and human rights were new terms of study that entered the classes in addition to establishing a new center for increasing comprehension of election and roll of civil society facilities in the new society.He went on saying that departments of criminal proves and technology of building were opened in Baghdad and Mousul Institutes.He clarified that construction drive has covered about 90% of the facilities including labs, equipments and buildings with about 1,2 billion ID.He elaborated that there would be many courses to belittle gap of lack notion due to many years of sanctions and wars that deprived the country off development as many visits would committed to Arab and European universities to meet this term.
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Please scroll down for latest news.
Monday, October 25, 2004

The Editorial

By: Mohammed Abdul Jabbar
Crime
The gunmen who killed the national guards in their civil uniform are professional criminals.The massacre committed by those criminals against the brave and unarmed national guards in their way home is a deliberate killing.That action could not be called a resistance nor an operation against the occupation. Killing unarmed is not a resistance. Killing the Iraqi youth is not jihad against the occupation. The Iraqi people are denying those criminals because they are not Iraqis, but strangers off this good people who don't know the hideous killing. Or they are metamorphosed from the remnants of the ex-regime who lost their humanity because of the numerous crimes they committed against humanity or they are killers from those included in the amnesty released during Saddam regime latest days.Such immoral unjustified crime has no more hidden political goals. The crime aims firstly at intimidating the Iraqi youth to prevent them volunteering in the National Guard or the Iraqi army charged with protecting Iraqi people in which its existence and preparedness constitutes the achievement of sovereignty condition where the multi national forces will cease to be needed.Secondly : the crime is aiming at encouraging chaos and security disorder to enlarge the geographical site of the " warm regions" which started to shrink after military and political success released in Samara, Najaf, and the city of Al- Sadr .Thirdly: the crime aims to strike and abort the political process in Iraq and destroying the political democratic project scheduled in coming January.In vain the terrorists commit their crimes once they resort to cheap methods to realize their political goals. This is meant they attained the peak of failure and weakness in realizing their goals. They suffer psychological and political defeat force them directing their rifle into the Iraqi people in a losing battle recalling stories of mass graves.Such crimes don’t intimidate brave Iraqi people but enhance their determination to go on procession towards new Iraq. Peace be upon martyrs who were the ideal in sacrifice.



WEAPONS SEARCH CAMPAIGNS IN CITY OF AL- SADR STARTED

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 25, Page 1
The weapons search campaign has started in the city of Al- Sadr two day before the end of handing over the weapons.Dr. Barham Salih the deputy premier said that about 18,000 pieces of weapons were received against five millions dollars .Saying the process is successful and the government seeks to generalize it on all the warm sites preparing for the scheduled elections in January 2005.Meanwhile, Sheikh Ali Smeasm the political spokesman of al-Sadr Trend has clarified the preparedness of the trend to enter actively in the election process based on mass and popular support.In an elaborated speech to the newspaper, will be released soon in Election Horizons Pages, Smeasm added "we have no distinction between al-Mehdi Army and al-Sadr Trend as the government does because al-Sadr Trend is so larger than to be included in one party or one organization, since it includes large majority of people from southern to the northern of Iraq, furthermore it follows unarmed manner."He indicated "we are not handing over arms to any citizen, since he voluntarily joins this army even if he found himself forced to sell his house possessions to buy rifle in order to defend Iraq."He clarified "We have political project and we have worked in it since four months in order to activate it.. We have met leaders of Chaldean , Serian , Armenian and other political parties to form the national front for liberating Iraq .



FREE PIECE OF LANDS FOR POLICE MARTYRS

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 25, Page 1
The social and health care department at the ministry of interior undertook distributing 70 pieces of lands . Each land is 300 sq meter in Diyala .These pieces of lands allocated for the families of the police martyrs.Major General Sameer al- Wa'ili the director of the department said that these lands purchased by the fund of the police martyrs and considered as the 1st experiment that will be implemented in other Iraqi cities in cooperation with ministry of municipality and Baghdad municipality.Al- Wa'ili confirmed that these pieces of lands are distributed freely on the included families after filling a form folded with documents regardless previous land obtained by the martyr.



INTERROGATION WITH SADDAM & TOP OFFICIALS TO START NEXT MONTH

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 25, Page 1
Dr. Malik Dohan al- Hassan the minister of justice said that interrogations with the toppled president and his top officials are to start next month.He said that the interrogations will start with the top officials to be as witnesses on Saddam's countless crimes, then interrogating him to refer his documents to the tribunal. He added that the interrogations need more time because of the diversified dossiers that need to be verified and discussed with lawyers.



IMPARTIALITY COMMISSION ASKS HELP OF PEOPLE TO ELIMINATE CORRUPTION

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 25, Page 1
The general impartiality commission in Iraq has modernized a direct telephone line to receive the population calls regards complaint, certificates and important causes.The commission aims through this line to eliminate negative reflections and corruption of the ex-regime.The commission asked help and cooperation of all Iraqi people to eliminate whoever wants to stop Iraq's quest of development.



AL- HAFIDH: IRAQ IN NEED FOR NATIONAL FIRMS IN RECONSTRUCTION DRIVE

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 25, Page 2
Iraq is in need for new mechanism for carrying out the reconstruction drive summed up in involving Iraqi firms in the contracts to make available opportunities for Iraqis to promote Iraq.Upon his arrival from Tokyo and at a press conference, Dr. Mahdi al- Hafidh the minister of planning and development cooperation said that these ideas were crystallized through the research on the strategy of the Iraqi national promotion approved and submitted to UN and the International Monetary Fund. He urged the all to mobilize efforts for implementing the projects in the specified term.He added that the Iraqi delegation explained its view point in its detailed report on the reconstruction and diagnosed obstacles, indicating to unanimous position of the donors to accelerate implementation of these projects.



RAPID PROCEDURES TO SOLVE BENZENE CRISIS

Mosul , As-Sabah, Oct 25, Page 2
Mr.Duraid Muhammed Kashmoulla the Nineveh governor said that the short coming period will witness contracts are to be signed with Iraqi concerned offices for importing oil products for Nineveh province after the invalidity of the current contracts already signed with Turkish and Syrian companies.Commenting on the benzene crisis all over Iraq, Kashmoulla said that 3,000,000 liters of benzene will be supplied to the filling station over the last two days, adding that greediness of some citizens and unfair distribution aggravated the problem .



PROPOSAL FOR ESTABLISHING PRIVATE ESTABLISHMENT TO RECONSTRUCT NAJAF

Najaf , As-Sabah, Oct 25, Page 2
Iraqi religious and political personalities demanded the Iraqi interim government to modernize general establishment shoulder responsibility of reconstructing Najaf .This establishment is to be under supervision of director general experienced in construction , planning , designing and diagram and should be graduated and obtained academic post graduate certificate .These demands came to meet the needs of the city which is yet under miserable situation after two months cease of the military operations.



HABIBIYA, RUSTUMIYA'S WATER & SANITATION STATIONS REHABILITATED

Baghdad , As-Sabah, Oct 25, Page 2
Works have got underway in Baghdad municipality for implementing the rehabilitation project of Habibiya and Rustumiya water and sanitation in accordance with the needed technical specifications and world relied standards.Eng. Ala'aa al- Timimi the Baghdad mayor visited both stations and a number of sectors in the city of Al- Sadr . Meanwhile, a source at the municipality said that the rehabilitation works have finished. The rehabilitated parts have operated. The ceilings of the stations were covered and the roads were paved in both stations.



IMMUNIZING PUPILS AGAINST SMOKING

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 25, Page 2
Specialists in health and environment field urged the concerned sides for the importance of reviewing warning and education programs on hazards of smoking. At a specialized symposium held by the ministry of environment, the specialists instructed to intensify studies and researches to eliminate this phenomenon further for preparing positive programs aiming to warn children under " the age of primary school" to avoid hazards of smoking.



INTERNATIONAL BANK GIVES $360 MILLIONS FOR IRAQ'S PROJECTS

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 25, P3
Dr. Mehadi al-Hafidh the Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation has specified three kinds of projects which will be funded by the International Monetary Fund, the total cost is more than $360 millions.He said that the projects include three frameworks: 1st capabilities program, costs $3,6 millions, project of supplying school books, costs $40 millions which is in the implementation phase in addition to other 7 projects, their cost reach to $317 millions, they are in preparing phase. The aim behind these 7 projects is to develop the rural areas infrastructure.Around $20 millions will be allocated for building and rehabilitating schools, $60 millions to build establishments' capabilities which is in its second stage, $7 millions to rehabilitate water and sewers nets in Baghdad, $62 millions will be allocated for sewers nets in the City of al-Sadr, $90 millions will be allocated for project of developing water and sewers nets in 9 Iraqi provinces.Al-Hafidh clarified that $25 millions will be allocated for rehabilitating health sector, $55 millions will be allocated for private sector, clarifying that these sums will be trusted by the International Monetary Fund, clarifying that the total deposited sums have reached to $371 millions given by 13 states to finance several projects specified for certain sectors. 30% will be allocated for water and sanitation, 16% for education sector, 12 for finance sector and upgrading the private sector, 5% for rural development, 1% to promote establishments' capabilities and 1% for health sector.



MOE CALLS JAPANESE COMPANIES TO INVEST IN IRAQ

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 25, P3
The Ministry of Electricity has called Japanese companies to invest within the electrical sector, particularly companies which had previous participations in Iraq. Dr. Ayahm al-Samari' who is now in USA performed a telephone call with the informational bureau in Baghdad said that he made several meetings with large Japanese companies which contributed in building electricity stations in Iraq during the former period.He urged these companies to return Iraq in order to rehabilitate and build new electricity stations, referring that Electricity Ministry had made several studies with Japanese companies to upgrade status of the electricity grid, pointing out that Japanese side has expressed preparedness to rehabilitate and renovate stations by exploiting sums Japan allocated within the donor states.Notably, Japan had allocated large sums to upgrade status of electricity in Iraq. Despite the harsh circumstances, the technical and engineering cadres are capable to rehabilitate number of generating units for several stations as well as rehabilitating number of high voltage 400KV, 132KV electricity grids as they formerly had subjected to several sabotage acts.



MOT MEETS EDUCATION MINISTRY NEEDS

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 25, P3
The State Company of Shopping Centers has supplied the Ministry of Education with large number of stationeries in order to meet Iraqi students needs allover Iraq.An official source at the company said that the stationeries include 45 millions copybooks, 60 millions pencils, 60 millions pencil sharpeners, 30 millions rubbers, indicating that the ministry has supported these imported materials, clarifying that its importing value reaches to $8 billions while Trade Ministry sold it to the Ministry of Education with 1 billion.He added that this support has came to alleviate suffering of the students and pupils families as well as upgrade the education process in order to build the new Iraq.



FINAL EGYPTIAN PROPOSAL STATEMENT CONFIRMS IRAQ'S SOVEREIGNTY

Cairo, As-Sabah, Oct 25, P3
Several diplomatic sources in Egypt said that the proposal of the concluding statement of Sharm al-Shaikh conference which prepared by Egypt on Iraq had never specify timetable for the withdrawing of foreign forces in Iraq nor specify clear date for elections scheduled to hold in Iraq in January. The sources indicated that the proposal includes 9 points and will be handed over to the ambassadors of the concerned states and organizations later on in order to propose modifications in order to prepare the concluding formula would be displayed in the conference scheduled to be held on Nov 32.



BAGHDAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CALLS FOR FREE TRADE ZONE IN BASRA

Baghdad, As-Sabah, Oct 25, Page 17
Baghdad chamber of commerce has called to establish free trade zone in the city of Basra to receive imported and exported commodities similar to the Gulf States.Muhammed Hassan al- Qazaz the chief committee said that this procedure will expand free export and import for different commodities.He indicated that around 250,000 tradesmen and industrials are members of Baghdad chamber of commerce. They seek to liberate Iraqi trade coping with the requirements of newfound Iraq.
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