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Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004

Editorial
Semi government

By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar

Help team or foreign help team has deviated from consensus of Islamic teams in terms of the importance of Imams or government. It said that the society has no need for a government. Of course, this idea is not encouraged by large numbers of scholars and it was kept in religious community books.

Nowadays, it seems that there are a large number of people who support this idea likely to be approved. In Iraq we has a semi government or may be less , however , Iraq is good and Iraqi people is good, let alone the crisis of electricity, oil , benzene, gas , transport , unemployment and terrorism!

Iraqis sleep, awaken, stay in their houses or go to jobs, go to mosques, hear news, read newspapers and they live in half government.

However, no civil war erupted, nor division for Iraqis occurred and there is a reasonable rate of commitments in general system. Life is Iraq is monotonous, however, we live in semi government or may be less than that.

Sheikh Ghazi al Yawar the Iraqi President paid an official visit to the United States.

Dr. Iyad Allawi the Iraqi Premier paid an official visit to Syria currently.

Moreover, around 16 Iraqi ministers are now abroad, including Ayham al- Samaree the minister of electricity, Thamir al- Ghadban the minister of oil , Qassim Dawood the state minister for national security affairs , Hazim al Sh'laan the minister of defense .

Yet , this phenomenon has two positive indications ; God willing:

The 1st indicates that the government, at least, is active in terms of enhancing Iraq's foreign ties, which means also that Iraq resumes its presence in the international community after a period of isolation during the toppled regime rule.

The 2nd indicates that life does not run by direct authority that necessitates presence of all officials at one time . Keep in mind that Saddam Hussein did not leave Iraq since the end of Iraq-Iran war in 1988 until his collapse on 9th April 2003 . Thus, I say that Iraq is good, Iraqi people is good, , Thanks God!

May God keep Iraqi people and Iraq safe!.









AL-YAWAR, KING ABDALLAH WARN AGAINST ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT IN IRAQ

Baghdad, Dec 9, P1

Sheikh Ghazi al- Yawar the Iraqi President and King of Jordan Abdallah have warned against establishment of religious government in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Washington Post was quoted US officials as saying that US intelligence stations deem that Saddam's loyalists are carrying out military operations from Syria.

Meanwhile, disputes were settled between the VI-committee and the Shiite political council in which the latter decided to stay within the list as the Failis Kurds withdrew.

As-Sabah learned that Hussein al- Shaharstani the member of the committee is existed within the list under number 7 contrary to the rules of the committee that they will not be representatives in election lists.

At a press conference held in Syria, Dr. Ibrahim al- Ja'fari the deputy president of Iraq said that the interim government hopes to realize general national reconciliation.

In the meantime, Iraqi government signed contracts with the international bank, to lent Iraq $ 103 millions dollar necessary for waters and health projects.







NEW SOCIAL CATEGORY INCLUDED IN SOCIAL WELFARE SALARIES

Baghdad, Dec 9, P1

The ministry of labor and social affairs has included new social categories in the salaries of social welfare during 2005.

An authorized source at the ministry said the ministry included categories who suffer incurable and chronic diseases and Mongols.

He indicated to 104,000 families included in social welfare until the end of 2004 in Baghdad and other cities, clarifying that the ministry intends to amend concerned laws and instructions, with the aim to increase the number of included categories coping with the new circumstances in Iraq.

He said that the increase of social welfare salaries ranged between 40,000-50,000 Iraqi dinars instead of 30,000 dinars will be paid by January 2005.







NATIONAL GUARD SUPERVISES FUEL STATIONS

Baghdad, Dec 9, P3

The National Guard are capable to supervise and control work system of the fuel filling stations beside guiding cars' drivers to obtain fuel in easy way, several citizens note the high limit of attention presented by the National Guard to help stations' owners to receive as much as possible largest number of cars to eradicate fuel crisis.

Several military men widely spread in the station, wearing their military uniforms to manage, control and check pumps numbers as well as they shouldered the responsibility to arrange queue, prevent any accidents, not allowing trespassing or racing to be supplied with all kinds of fuel.

Several critics said that the National Guard about to rescue Oil Ministry from real trouble which is not capable to control it despite that the ministry has all the means to overcome the crisis, but it has been realized that the mentioned ministry is in minimum of its responsibilities particularly if we take its statements as an evidence on its failure, the ministry from one hand says it has a huge strategic reserve of oil without clarify where is this reserve and why it didn't tune it to the stations.

The Iraqi officer Sami Hassan who supervising one of the stations that his national guards group is seriously determine to solve the problem as much as the matter is connecting with fuel quantities, referring that many citizens are sympathizing and cooperating with us.









OIL MINISTRY CANCELS HIS EUROPEAN TOUR TO SOLVE FUEL CRISIS

Baghdad, Dec 9, P3

The Minister of Oil the Eng. Thamer al-Ghadban has canceled his tour which was prepared for several European states to hold talks with these countries in order to participate in rehabilitating the oil sector in Iraq.

The source confirmed that al-Ghadban had canceled all his regional and international commitments, apologizing to participate in OPEC and OAPEC conferences scheduled to hold in the Egyptian capital, Cairo on Dec 11.

Al-Ghadban had made several talks with Russian side in joint oil cooperation after the Russian side had expressed preparedness to contribute in upgrading the Iraqi oil sector and rehabilitated it.

The source added that Iraq has deep-rooted ties with Russian oil companies which consider as one of the good world companies in domain of holding oil projects, referring that Iraq has a real interest to deal with such kinds of companies.







TECHNICAL PRIVATIZATION COOPERATION BETWEEN IRAQ, JORDAN

Baghdad, Dec 9, P3

Iraq and Jordan has economically and technically agreed to cooperate in privatizing the economic installations through exchanging technical expertise as well as coordinating in various domains.

This statement came after the returning of the Head of Economic Installations Privatization Committee from Amman who clarified that horizons of cooperation had been discussed with the Jordanian Committee specializing to privatize the Jordanian installations.

He pointed out that the delegation had got acquainted with the Jordanian experience which started since 1996, expressing his admiration with the achieving outcomes during the past period, confirming the importance of taking advantages of Jordanian side experiences in this domain.









MOC CONFIRMS CONTINUING OF ORASCOM WORK

Baghdad, Dec 9, P3

The Ministry of Communications said it has not decided yet to halt its work with ORASCOM specializing cell phones.

Replying on some newspapers which indicated that the Communication Ministry has decided to halt the company work due to its tardiness and not committing with the ministry's conditions, the ministry added in brief clarification that it has never decided that but it has only raised a complain in which it clarified the bad service presented by the company, demanding it to upgrade its services level to serve all citizens subscribed with it.
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Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004

Editorial
Citizens
By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar

Along with aggravating dual fuel and electricity crisis, we should talk frankly with ourselves.

The Oil Ministry is responsible for a part of the crisis and it is not important to say it is a big or little part, but the important one is that the ministry's court is not innocent in participating of making the crisis. So, the ministry should be asked, assign failure and its reasons & factors since it adopted transparency.

However, the crisis does not seem to be limited when other factors are revealed as we watch up some phenomena in Baghdad neighborhoods.

Some people talk about sending a couple of benzene trailers into fuel stations but they do not arrive or just one would arrive to be distributed to people while the other one would be sold under black market elsewhere in the time that both (the seller and buyer) are citizens participating in prolonging the crisis.

Many teenagers and children are spread along with the roads leading to the fuel stations to sell fuel in black market. Now, the question is from where did they get fuel?

The answer would be: either from the other trailer that was sold in black market or from other citizens got the fuel in the station in ordinary price then they sold it in black market or the teenagers have managed to get the fuel in someway from the station.

I myself have seen a man opening his car boot which was full of fuel jugs following taking them out of the station and exposing them on the pavement for sale.

These acts were committed by citizens and not ministers or any officials. Though they are simple acts, but create a crisis suffered by all the citizens.

Active citizen could not be part of crisis, yet he could be part of solution, which is not impossible.









JAFERRI ADMITS KUWAITI DEPT AS ALLAWI DECLARES RESUMING TIES WITH SYRIA

Baghdad, Dec. 11 p1

Vice-President Ibrahim al-Ja'ferri assuredin a press conference held in Kuwait recently Kuwaiti government that their dept in Iraq are admitted and no one can deny them.

Al-Ja'ferri's statements were opposite to Planning Minister Mehdi al-Hafidh's statements to the BBC who said that those might be a donation or a gift or a bribe for the former ousted regime.

Meanwhile, al-Ja'ferri belittled warnings aired by Jordanian monarch King Abdulla about Iraqi-Iranian Shiite crescent in the region.

it is worth mentioning that UN Compensation Committee has approved 3billion US dollars for Kuwait due to environmental demands paid by Kuwait in the past.

For its part Washington has reiterated urging Iran and Syria not to intervene in Iraqi elections as they vowed to help Iraq in the Sherm el-Sheikh Conference held recently in Egypt.

Iran has criticized the US statements and the Jordanian monarch statements considering them as insulting to Iraqi people referring that they would not think of intervening in the Iraqi affairs.

National Security Advisor Muaffeq al-Rubaei sided with President Ghazi al-Yawer as saying that he has documents of charging Syrians engaged in the terror acts in Iraqi cities, while Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said that Iraq and Syria have decided resumption of deteriorated bilateral ties since 1980.









ISLAMIC DEMOCRATIC TREND SUBMITS ELECTORAL LIST

Baghdad , Dec 11, P2

The Islamic democratic trend submitted electoral list. It included more than 60 names of different Iraqi segments of society representing academics, chieftains and women.

Ali al- Shabout the official spokesman of the Islamic democratic trend said the list included qualitative representation for the cities.

He confirmed that the trend prepares to run elections alone, postponing alliances after elections .

As regards elections of the cities councils, Al- Shabout affirmed that the Islamic trend offered its list for electing provinces' councils in seven cities.

Moreover, the lists included distinctive representation reflecting cultural, political and social nature of the cities.









MISSIONS OF MINISTRY OF ELECTRICITY POSTPONED

Baghdad, Dec 11, P2

Well acquainted sources at ministry of electricity said that the ministry decided to halt sending delegations abroad until improvement of electricity grid in Iraq.

Moreover, the sources added that the ministry decided to continue the work of technicians and engineers in generating units round the day. Assuming protection responsibility for multi national forces and ministry of interior along with electricity protection force, notably, these procedures adopted by Dr. Ayham al- Samaree the minister of electricity after recent electricity crisis.









$ 45 MILLIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING SERVICE PROJECTS

Nassiriya , Dec 11, P2

The ministers' council has allocated urgent donation worth of 45 millions dollars, for implementing important service projects all over Dhi Qar .

Meanwhile, it was decided to build 750 residential units for deported in Nassiriya.

Adnan al- Shareefi the deputy governor said he studied the subject with the cabinet.

He said that these projects include filling up with earth the pools besides building health centers and setting electricity lines and modernizing other ones in Suq al- Sheukh .







DENYING STATEMENT

Nassiriya , Dec 11, P2

A number of media wired news about Iraqi Premier Statement on possibility on postponing the intended elections or may be made on stages, saying this is inaccurate news because Iraqi government and Premier announced clearly that the elections are to be made in the decided date. Iraqi government supports the independent commission's work as it realizes the importance of these elections in the light of the interim constitution and in coordination with UN organizations.









MOVABLE SUPPLYING STATIONS TO BE IMPORTED

Baghdad, Dec 11, P3

The Ministry of Oil has signed contracts with one of the world companies specializing for importing tanker cars; these cars will work as mobile stations to supply citizens with fuel in districts known of high population density.

A joint committee between Interior and Oil ministries has been created to control the crisis and find solutions for it.

A well-informed source in the ministry said that this procedure came within the ministry plan's to put an end for fuel crisis, citing that these stations will be protected by interior ministry as well as elements of the national guards.

On the other side, a delegation from oil ministry has addressed to Cairo to participate in OPEC, 133 session meetings as well as attending OAPEC, 107 session meetings on Dec 11, 2004.

The delegation will be headed by the counselor Abdul Allah al-Ameer, Radhwan al-Sadi and Dr. Mosapp al-Dajili.

Notably, this delegation was hoped to be presided by the Oil Minister the Eng. Thamer Abbass al-Ghadban but the acute crisis took place few weeks ago in providing oil products has made this matter impossible.

The daily has been informed that a joint committee between the Interior and Oil ministries has been created to supervise fuel stations in Baghdad and control cars queues to obtain oil in easy way.

An official source at the interior ministry said that the committee will supervise on distributing benzene and gas in fuel stations inside Baghdad, preventing the entrance of any plastic jugs into the stations which badly effected the reputation of the stations.









CABINET EXPRESSES COMFORTS OVER PARIS CLUB

Baghdad, Dec 11, P3

The Iraqi cabinet has issued a statement in which it expressed its comfort towards some foreign member states in Paris Club due to its position representing in shrinking Iraqi debts in a way harmony with Paris Club agreement.

An official source at the council said that the council has studied Iraq's agreement with Paris Club for creditors due which 80% of Iraqi debts had been canceled.

He indicated that the agreement includes three phases; the first one includes waiving 30% from debits immediately, while the second phase waiving 30% of debits after the Iraqi agreement with International Fund which includes the commitment in performing several reformations to upgrade the economic life, while the third phase will include waiving 20% of debits after Iraq had succeeded in implementing the agreement.







TRAINING COURSES FOR IRAQI TRADE STAFFS

Baghdad, Dec 11, P3

The Ministry of Trade has sent a number of its staffs to join training courses in the World Trade Organization as preparedness to return Iraq to this organization.

Several well-informed sources told the daily that this procedure has came with the ministry plan to effectuate Iraq's role in the international organization which Iraq has moved away for several years.









LARGE NUMBER OF BRIDGES & ROADS IN BAGHDAD, OTHER CITIES ACHIEVED

Baghdad, Dec 11, P17

The state board of bridges and roads has achieved, maintained 54 roads and bridges in Baghdad and different Iraqi cities at a cost 16 billions Iraqi dinars .

Meanwhile, the production department at Baghdad municipality undertook maintenance of tens of pedestrians bridges in Baghdad besides establishing 11 municipality centers.

Sources at the state board said that specialized cadres were achieved full plan of maintaining 40 bridges, 14 roads all over Iraq at a cost 16 billions Iraqi dinars.

Moreover, the sources said that engineering and technical cadres at the board achieved 100% of its plan.







HUMAN, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO REFURBISH DORMITORIES IN BAGHDAD

Baghdad, Dec 11, P17

A number of international and human organizations expressed preparedness to maintain and refurbish dormitories belonged to Baghdad University.

Dr. Immad Taqi the director general of dormitories at the university said some UN organizations are to refurbish Baghdad university's dormitories.

He further said that the directorate of dormitories will supply Al- Wihda dormitories compound with heaters, cooking stove and light apparatuses.
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Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004

Editorial
Voting
By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar

Voting process will not be easy for the voters. Regrettably, we have no other option. The numbers of appointed lists whether they are multi or unilateral are 100 lists. The voter should choose a list, not candidates. As long as the choosing or electing process is based on knowledge, the available knowledge for the voter at the voting moment can not be abundant.

Iraqi voter will go to the polls on 30th January. He will give the ballot which will be relatively big. The voter will find a list that includes name, logo, name of political entity, name of the entity's chief and may be the number of the list.

The voter will not find the candidates' names whether they are 12 names as a minimum or 275 names as maximum or in between.

The voter should choose one list out of a number of lists, which means the voter will rely on his memory in specifying the list he is to choose. May be he suffers weakness of memory because of the similarity of names , descriptions and words , repetition of words such as Iraqi , unity , Islamic , patriotic, democratic , movement , party , gathering, etc.

However, the available opportunity for the voter to get acquainted with the candidates will run between 15/12 -28 /1 2005 which is the period permitted by the election commission to make elections campaigns. In this period, in charge of the lists will announce names of their candidates existed in the list for propaganda purpose.

This period will be serious in studying and verifying the work for both candidates and voters alike; however, the responsibility of voters in studying the names will be bigger and more sensitive since they are responsible for the options.

As long as democracy is a knowledge , those voters are supposed to practice stemming from clear knowledge in the candidates' names and get acquainted with their political programs, as voting without knowledge is similar to action without understanding .Marching along the road towards the goal will make you so far.











IRAQIS IN SYRIA, CANADA, GERMANY TO BE DEPRIVED FROM VOTING

Baghdad, Dec 12, P1

The election commission marked the start of difficulties of Iraqi elections outside Iraq, the matter will deprive from voting around 621,000 Iraqi citizens live in Syria , Germany and Canada .

Meanwhile, an official Iraqi source said that some neighboring countries started to purchase ballots from Iraqi citizens, with the aim to deprive them participation in the elections as Ashraf Qadhi the UN special envoy in Washington tackles regulating these elections.

Another numbers of political officials warned against the existence of foreign financing for some parties who participate in the elections.

In the meantime, aggravation of fuel crisis instigate popular anger, the matter push US officials distribute hand bills warns against the crisis' aggravation which may shake confidence in the government .

Syria denied any support for gunmen in Iraq from inside Syrian territories.

The UN emigration organization told election commission about some difficulties it faces regards signing understanding memorandums with countries hopeful to open voting centers in, which means impossibility of making elections in some selected countries.

Dr. Fareed Ayaar the commission's spokesman said that negotiations have got underway regards memorandums of understanding with Syria and Canada.

In the meantime, Dr. Farhan the state minister for civil society affairs said" It is fault to consider Iraq as unilateral constituency because of security disorder.

He said we do not fear violations in the elections thanks to the existence international monitors, adding assured information reported that regional countries started to purchase ballots from Iraqi citizens opposite to $ 100 to prevent them from voting.







DEBAATHIFICATION COMMITTEE TO REHIRE 14,000 BATHISTS

Baghdad, Dec 12, P2

The Higher National Committee to weed out Ba'th has regained around 14,000 Bathists to their jobs, these Bathists are senior members in ABSP, this number is out of 35,000 persons, and the committee is still studying their files in order to decide in it while it referred around 1400 senior members to the attorney-general after it has been proved that they directly contributed in harming Iraqi people.

In an exclusive statement to as-Sabah, Dr. Ali al-Fareeji, the director of the educational and cultural department in the committee said that the committee has published around 38 resolutions in the newspapers; most of them included points clarifying Bathists, especially the senior party's members returning to their jobs. These decisions are as a passports granted to the discharged persons to newly merge in the Iraqi new community.

Al-Fareeji confirmed that the weed out committee has contributed in purging the Iraqi society from the bad elements, but some Bathi elements which deeply penetrated to the Iraqi government's apparatuses, are arduously seeking to reduce and confuse the committee's role, referring that the committee is resuming and effectuating its work and that the prime ministry has addressed a request to all Iraqi ministries and establishments in Baghdad and other provinces in which the committee called them to commit with committee's resolutions.

He referred that some ministries have tried to disregard the committee's resolutions and regaining some dissolved ABSP members to some departments as has been done by Trade Ministry, confirming that these ministries are not violating the committee's resolutions only, but it violated the interim constitution, the Iraqi government and the National Assembly (parliament).









$2 BILLIONS TO UPGRADE BAGHDAD UNIVERSITY

Baghdad, Dec 12, P2

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has allocated more than $2 billions to upgrade Baghdad University within its 2005 plan.

An official source at Engineering Affairs Department at the university said that the sum will be spent on projects which hopefully will be established in the capital, including developing and upgrading hot zones researches unit in the al-Kindi Medicine College, establishing studying halls in the Arts and Languages Faculties as well as establishing center for electronic computer in College of Management and Economics and rehabilitate and upgrade health compounds in the university.

Notably, the Baghdad University allocations for 2004 are 1 and four hundreds millions, the large part of it has specialized to reconstruct and rehabilitate the university's boarding departments.







WEAPONS DEN IN SAMARA FOUNDED, ATTEMPT TO SABOTAGE OIL PIPE IN DIYALA DEFUTED

Baghdad, provinces, Dec 12, P2

The Iraqi Security Forces have found in Samara new weapons' den includes large quantities of mortars and shells at time terrorist acts are continuing in Mosul and Baqoba.

As-Sabah reporter said that the Iraqi Security Forces have found new den was used by terrorists contain one mortar and several ammunitions.

An official source at Samara Security Forces said that several intelligence information cited by various citizens are helping to find this den.







EGYPT, ROMANIA EXPRESS READINESS TO RECONSTRUCT IRAQ

Baghdad, provinces, Dec 12, P2

Egypt and Romania have expressed preparedness to construct and build Iraq as well as encourage investment especially that connects in housing projects.

This came during a meeting held by Omar al-Farooq ad-Damloji the Minister of Housing and Construction with Egypt and Romania Charge d' affairs in Baghdad.

During the meeting, procedures adopted by the Iraqi government to prevail security and stability as well as the clarifying the possibility of reconstructing Iraq and reviewing the mutual ties between these two countries.











MOST OF IRAQIS REJECT POSTPONING ELECTIONS

Baghdad, Dec. 12 p3

76% of Iraqis rejected postponing elections, while 24% varied between agreeing with postponing and declining commenting, As-Sabah newspaper polling center found in a poll made recently.

The center asked 758 citizens from various factions of Iraqi society.

The center said that 18% agreed with postponing whereas 6% were not crucial in expressing their ideas.







OIL MINISTER: FUEL CRISIS CAUSED BY SABOTAGE ACTS

Baghdad, Dec. 12 p3

Oil Ministry decided using parks of the state super markets to distribute mobile fuel stations in order to ease the blazing fuel crisis for nearly a month, the Oil Minster Thamir Abbas Ghadhban said last Saturday.

The Minister added that coordination is going on with other ministries so as to build fueling stations in the ministries buildings to meet their needs.

He linked reasons of the crisis to sabotage acts made by saboteurs for the aim of disrupt Iraqi economy by targeting oil pipelines and storages in addition to political aims of puling down the state's ability of producing and exporting crude oil.

He also indicated the saboteurs' aims as he mentioned their attempt to set blaze in Khabbaz oilfield northern Iraq as the Dora oil refinery was halted for 17 days.









BLACK MARKET BROKERS BEHIND PROLONGING FUEL CRISIS

Baghdad, Dec. 12 p3

A member of the Baghdad Council said that black market brokers were behind the reason of the fuel crisis.

The member who asked his name to anonymous said that British Arnes (its name's spelling was not fitted) Company was coordinating its works with personnel of National Guards and Iraqi Police.

Eyewitnesses said that members of the National Guards have filled tankers with fuel by force from a couple of fueling stations in Baghdad.

The eyewitnesses said that members of the 301 battalion National Guards have broken into two fuel stations and arrested policemen on their duty to protect the stations and filled the tankers.

The eyewitnesses said that the policemen objection did not affect the Guards acts who detained them in addition to the boss of the station.

A source at the Interior Ministry affirmed the incident.

The Council Member unveiled that the accord between the British company and National Guards were on the account of Iraqi citizens.

He revealed that problems of distribution were because of misadministration in addition to hidden operations of selling fuel via tankers.







POLICE CAPTURE THIEVES OF ANTIQUITIES IN DHI QAR

Nassiriya, Dec. 12 p3

Police in Dhi Qar Province said that they have captured thieves of antiquities in various parts of the province.

The police said that five thieves were arrested in Abu Ajaj position with their articles of digging the ruins.

The ancient positions which were counted for more than 800 ones were protected by the police in addition to many maintaining groups working for many months.

A source at the antiquities department said that they proposed erecting a high gate for 12 meters height in addition to some reception offices in order to protect the ancient positions and perform them in a tourist face for the province and the whole nation's benefit.







HEALTH MINISTRY ADOPTS GRAND PROJECT FOR DEVELOPMENT

Baghdad, Dec. 12 p3

Health Ministry has approved undertaking grand project for the basing development in the regions that suffer shortening in the basing services.

Head of development projects at the Ministry Dr. Muhammed al-Hassouni said that the said program would be undertaken in coordination with World Health Organization (WHO) which would carry on the fundament.

He said that the program would cover all the regions suffer poverty, as they would start wit height cities.
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Monday, Dec. 13, 2004

Editorial

HAZIM AL-SHA'LAN

By: Muhammed Abdul Jabber al-Shabbout

Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan has written a couple of articles in As-Sabah explaining his ministry's plans and views. It is a good tradition that the president, prime minister and ministers write assays to illustrate some points for people.

Interconnection between officials and citizens via writing articles can boost mutual links more than the press conferences do, as the officials would face media men only, then the dialogue would be between the two sides and other reporters would take part of the speeches edit and issue them, a matter which may not deliver the complete view let alone it is not a direct speech from the said official and citizens.

Officials' writing in newspapers give transparency between authority and readers in addition to making people an open book toward citizens who would read it understandingly and when the minister writes his articles in a newspaper it means that he opens the door for dialogue and criticism with the readers, which is useful for the two sides.

It is necessary that government should not be a locked box towards people, for opening on people would help pouring more information to the public opinion except for security reasons.

More, pouring information is a main basis for democracy since this concept is identified as knowledge in one of its identifications.

Continuing communication between officials and citizens through articles can lead to absence of the need to issue an official newspaper as the government mouthpiece, because the government entering into the media market is just like entering economic market which puts a block between democratic system and whatever name you like to nominate on the other side unless for the national necessity.





SISTANI REBUFFS NEWS OF ADOPTING ANY LIST IN ELECTIONS, MANY LISTS PRESENTED TO COMMISSION

Baghdad, Dec. 13, p1

Grand Ayatulla Ali Sistani's office has denied news of adopting any of the electoral lists rejecting statements released by some political figures concerning adopting any list.

The office stressed the past stances towards schedule and timing of the voting for the people's benefit.

On the other hand, Vice-President Rose Noori Shawies has said that Kurds may threaten boycotting elections in Kirkuk, referring that Kurdish powers demanded postponing elections in Kirkuk so as not to emphasize the reality for the city chosen by the tyrant Saddam who expelled the Kurds from the city and deprived them from registering themselves in their own city.

Meanwhile Islamic Party denied news of participating in the elections, while the Iraqi Unity list is going on meetings to include Prime Ministerand Health Minister and maybe the President himself would come in the list.

Mithal al-Aalousi has performed his list along with 54 signatures, as the Islamic Democratic trend has presented its list with 65 signatures.

As for al-Umma (nation) who includes al-Umma party and Tajammu' (gathering) for democracy has entered with 227 signatures and Turkmen front wit h63 signatures including five Turkmen parties.

Feili Kurds allied with the Justice and Advancement party have entered with a full list of 275 signatures.





PEOPLE DEMAND SPEEDING UP SADDAM'S TRAILING

Baghdad, Dec. 13 p2

After a year of the tyrant Saddam's jail people demanded speeding up his trail and shut down the last page of the oppressive era of 35 years.

Mizher al-Rubeie' said that government should end this gloomy file of the people's memory by sending Saddam into his last fate.

An other man said that Saddam is the first enemy to the Iraqi people and should face his fate.

Samir Hashim was astonished to see some people still defend Saddam and asked what did he performed to his people more than sufferings and victims along with his rule.



PREVENTING REGISTRATION RESIDENTIAL LANDS IN NAMES OF ARAB MILITARY MEN IN KHANQEEN

Khanqeen, Dec 13, P3

Several residents of Khanqeen city have expressed their discontent over Khanqeen Deputy Governor resolution which prevents the registration of the residential lands in the names of Arab military men, saying this resolution is completely contradicting with the interim constitution as well as with is contradicting with the new aspirations which give right to the Iraqi citizen to dwell in any region in Iraq.

Diyala newspaper reporter said that the citizens consider this matter as an attempt to move them away from the mentioned district or not giving the complete precedence to reside their.

Meanwhile, several suitable solutions have been reached to in Thai Qar province for expelled families and others resided in the governmental departments.

Razzaq Hassan al-Sadi, the Chief of the Emigrated Families Council said that the province has decided to register 750 residential units in the names of these families within the frame work of its new project.

Notably, Thai Qar province had decided of the direct implementation of the vertical housing in al-Sader city, northern part of al-Nassiriya.





RATION CARD DEPENDS ON OBTAINABLE LOCAL STOCKPILE

Baghdad, Dec 13, P3

The State Company for trading foodstuffs said that distribution and supplying of ration card items are underway in the current period according to the available materials from the actual stock on hands in the company's storehouses.

Nazzar Khader as-Samari' the director of the company said in case that one of the items are not available within the decided stuffs, this quantity will be considered as a demand for the agent and he would be supplied with this quantity as soon as these items have been available in the company's storehouses.

He stressed on the necessity for agents to be committed with the instructions issued from the company during citizens' receiving to their rations completely through the year, appealing citizens to go to the agents' centers to receive their rations that they would be supplied within one month.

Al-Samari' confirmed that the company has specified a period for citizens to receive foodstuffs from agents during a period limited within 20 days only from the date of the programmed agent discount.





ARRESTING SEVERAL GANGSTERS HEADED BY IRAQI POLICEMAN IN BAGHDAD

Baghdad, al-Najaf, Dec 13, P3

The police patrols in al-Dawoodi district have arrested a gang headed by one of the Iraqi policeman affiliated to al-Russifa Affairs Checkpoints, this gang contains three criminals adopting the responsibility of killing and kidnapping policemen.

Police officers are continuing investigation in al-Khadra Police Station with those criminals after recording their confession.

An official source at the riot squad said that the accused persons had confronted with the riot squad in al-Dora district, Hay al-'Amal and al-Khadhimya and shoot fire, a group of riot squad chased them after cordoning the residential district of al-Dawddi, then arrested them.

On the other hand, al-Najaf riot squad had arrested a gang includes a number of previously convicted persons including a woman.

A security source informed al-Najaf reporter that armed conflicts had been taken place lately in al-Najaf cemetery after Najaf riot squad had received some certain information confirmed that several unknown armed groups had entered the grave coming from various Iraqi cities aiming to attack the election centers, as-Sabah reporter didn't mention any information about conflicts results.







NATIONAL GUARD DENIES SELLING FUEL, CONFIRMS ROLE TO SHRANK CRISIS

Baghdad, al-Najaf, Dec 13, P3

The oil tankers convoys have resumed flowing from the neighboring countries into Iraq following the recent events, at a time citizens see relative remission in the crisis especially after the interfering of the National Guard and Iraqi Police.

While the National Guard has denied that no body of its elements is involving in fuel crisis or tried selling it in the black market.

During his meeting with major elements of the ministry, the Eng. Thamr Abbass al-Ghadban, the Oil Minister clarified the reason behind the crisis of the oil products, referring that the ministry is working to increase its oil products imports from the neighboring countries, especially the benzene as an urgent procedure to put an end for the crisis.

He added that several work teams, especially technical and engineering have been created to rehabilitate and repair the oil pipes to make possible to return them for work as soon as possible, besides creating investigation teams to follow up oil storage, and oil stations, referring that these teams include the general-inspector bureau, technical department and distribution and exploring companies.

Al-Ghadban stressed that the ministry is studying the status of the oil products in the Iraqi provinces and resort to the substitutes in case that any harm inflicted the oil pipes.





GRAND AYATULLA AL-SHIERAZI STRESSES PARTICIPATING IN ELECTION

Kerbala, Dec. 13, p4

Grand Ayatulla Seid Sadiq al-Husseini al-Shierazi stressed participating in the upcoming elections in Iraq and passing over the political process so as to be successful.

Shierazi said in reply on some questions concerning elections that elections is a step forward expulsion of occupation and peaceful way for people, thus they should all participate in the election.

He also stressed the need to national and Islamic lists since they are real ones.

He noted that demands of adjourn elections were of sectarian reasons for fear of democratic process may open the way for the majority people to rule themselves.

Shierazi elaborated that threats of killing are against people whether they voted or not, so one should not be aware of killing if he votes.







SIX THOUSAND RESIDENTIAL UNITS TO BE BUILT IN SULEIMANIA

Suleimania, Dec. 13, p17

Council of Ministers in Kurdstan enclave decided building three villages with about six thousand residential units.

The villages would be provided with power, water, sewerage and health services in addition to building modern markets and three various schools.

It is worth mentioning that Spaniard company BSCP has offered conductingthe projects.
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Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2004

Editorial

Competition
By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar

Period between 15/12 /2004 and 28/1/2005 will be a chance for all Iraqi political factions to test political and world maturity and ability to interpret it into acts.

This chance includes the government, parties, candidates and voters.

The above mentioned period appointed by the High Independent Commission of Elections for the electoral campaign which will witness intense and hot competitions and may be seen on the T.V sets and open meetings where candidates will address their views and promote their lists and parties or political programs.

In all these fields candidates will get their historical chance to prove their ability to go on decent electoral campaigns embodied with high ethical, civilized and political level that Iraqi society enjoy.

All factions should comply with criteria ordered by the High Commission. These criteria can measure the civilized, ethical and moral level for the candidates and voters.

The moral level for the elections requires averting enraging, defamation, charging and relying on external factors away of political operation in addition to averting drawing the electoral process and misleading voters into other issues.

Civil society organizations should play their role in watching up the election exercise to make sure of applying all terms of the High Commission's criteria.

No doubt that resorting to impoliticly ways in the political competition would harm the required level.

It is our chance to prove to ourselves and the surrounding world that we accept challenge and we are capable of this challenge with Iraqis best level of civilized and ethical roots.







407 MIA, INCLUDING KUWAITIS, DISCOVERED

Baghdad, Dec. 14, p1

Technical teams started re-operating power stations in Beiji district recently gradually in addition to provide power for water, sewerage and hospital services following sabotage acts suspended the station's activity and deprived the country from about 500 megawatts.

On the other hand, triple committee of Missing-In-Action said that they found 33 Iraqi missing, 151 Kuwaitis and three Saudis.

Human Rights Minister Bekhtiar Amin said that the committee have found 175 Kuwaiti corpse and 45 Iraqi missing since the Second Gulf War in 1991.

Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz stressed the Kingdom's efforts to enforce guarding borders with all human and technical capabilities.

He said that authorities are doing their best to prevent any penetration via the borders, albeit the borders are so large that might be violated sometime.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness to make Russian companies come back to Baghdad as soon as security condition is maintained.

He said that status-quo in Iraq do not provide this capability as many employees are exposed many risks and threats.

In Washington, democrats loopy for knowing sources of money looted by Saddam during his rule despite international sanctions imposed on the country before his collapse in April 2003.

They ask the US administration about the reasons of not preventing Saddam from smuggling oil to gain the money.

The CIA said in report that Saddam's smuggling to oil via Syria, Jordan and Turkey had presented benefit to him more than the UN oil-for food program done.





NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CRITICIZES KING ABDULLA STATEMENTS

Baghdad, Dec. 14, p2

National Assembly discussed statements released by Jordanian King Abdull II over what he had proclaimed of infiltration of one million Iranians to be registered in the upcoming elections under Iran's government encouragement.

The Assembly considered the statement as interfering in Iraq's affairs and violation to decisions of Sher el-Sheikh conference in which Jordan was present and agreed to its decisions.

The parliament said that it was better for the king enforcing ties with Iraq instead of harboring terrorist groups attempting to destabilize Iraqi society.





HIGH COMMISSION APPROVES PROPAGANDA SYSTEM IN MASS MEDIA

Baghdad, Dec. 14, p2

Spokesman of the High Commission of Elections Dr. Fereed Ayar said the Higher Commission has approved propaganda in mass media as political trends would start campaigns right by 15/12 Wednesday.

He said the system includes five chapters in which the mass media would explain in time.

He added that the mass media should be neutral and not biased towards any party in promoting its program.





MUNICIPALITY UNDERTAKES REMOVING VIOLATIONS FROM STATE'S LANDS, PROPERTIES

Baghdad, Dec 14, P3

The Baghdad municipality is undertaking to remove all violations on government's and municipality possessions according to the law within few coming days.

The Eng. 'Ala Mahmoud al-Tamimi has made a study with number of officials on the necessary procedures adopted to remove violations.

An official source said that the meeting reviewed a report on the current violations on several departments belong to the municipality', referring that numerous necessary legal procedures have been adopted.

The source clarified that Baghdad governor has addressed departments belong to the municipality to accomplish all legal procedures against violators within the next two weeks, especially those who didn't implement these procedures to initiate removing these violations daily within the geographical area of each municipality after resuming all legal procedures like lifting the breach and mulct him the obligatory fine.



MUNICIPALITY COUNCIL RETRACTS SUPERVISING OIL DISTRIBUTION

Baghdad, Dec 14, P3

The municipality council at 9 Nissan Sector has retracted from process of distributing oil products which signed with Oil Ministry.

The Chairman of the Council Hato Abdul Al-Hassan said that his council is not ready for shouldering the ministry's failures and the administrative corruption took place in its service departments.

The Head of the sector's services committee that Oil Ministry has never covered until now the citizens need for Oct and Nov., then how it could overcome the crisis now which reaches its climax at the current time without immediate treatments, clarifying that the committee is not responsible for oil mafia violations seeking to feed this crisis for its own interests, as he said.



GOVERNMENTAL TRUCKS CARRY SEEDS FROM PORTS TO SILOS

Baghdad, Dec 14, P3

Trucks of Trade Ministry have begun to discharge weeds and rice cargos in the local silos.

Nazar Khader al-Samari' the director of the Foodstuffs State Company that work is underway to discharge these trucks to transport seeds from Tartoos and Aqaba ports to silos to enhance seeds stocks on hands, adding that Tartoos port had received the German Nicolas ship loaded with 32,399 tons of weeds in addition to Idiss Poklar Ship loaded with 26,400 tons, referring that Aqaba Port has witnessed also the arriving of two ships loaded with Thai rice.

Al-Samari' confirmed that the Iraqi Um Qasar Port is witnessing now the discharging of two Australian ships loaded with Australian wheat.

The source clarified that another two Australian ships loaded with wheat will also arrive over the next week to substitute the two ships anchored in Um Qaser Port after discharging its complete load.





SUNNI ENDOWMENT ALLOCATES ID17 MILLIONS FOR FALLUJA POPULATIONS

Baghdad, Dec 14, P3

The Sunni Endowment Administration has distributed several aids with cost of ID10 millions such as blankets, oil heaters and children clothes for families emigrated from the City of Falluja and residing in mosques and small tents inside the city of Baghdad, Saqlowiya and al-Khaldiya.

Abdul Majeed al-thahabia the director-general of management and investing Suni Endowments' funds has said that this sum had been added to ID7 millions allocated for food stuffs, the endowment had handed to the Iraqi Red Crescent Society to be distributed on Falluja's families who resided Baghdad mosques.
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Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2004



Editorial

Police:
By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar

We have some kinds of policemen, one of which are those who joined the job so as to serve the homeland and citizen and submit to criteria of respecting human rights and laws in dealing with people.

People in this kind of policemen find a defendant line of their security and proper rights as they rely on them whenever they are in a problem. In return, this kind of policemen is viewed with respect and admiration from people.

In a previous commentary, I have demanded activating a government decision considering police death cases as martyrs and grant their families suitable compensations.

However, the policemen are mere human including the virtuous and the bad. So, it is not strange to hear news, stories and rumors about bad acts made by bad policemen nevertheless it is natural in many countries to see the good and bad sorts, yet we hope the good are more than bad ones.

In some provinces, the bad policemen commit beating, torture and enforcing people to pay bribes and tribute and almost the bad policemen are more than the good poor people.

Some stories are told about police engaging in trade processes and illegal deals that have aggravated the fuel crisis.

Interior Ministry has to respond to people and media in order to clear the facts, for it is unfair to judge the culprit along with the innocent as it is unfair to deform the good reputation of the majority with the little bad ones.

Thus, the Ministry and the general Inspector should play their role and enlarge the reformation circle and banding corruption so as to treat them and drying their resources.

We need understanding policemen to the meaning of supremacy of law and respecting human rights, while others who do not understand that would harm people with no right to do so.





FALLUJA RESIDENTS BACK HOME, ELECTIONS ON DATE

Baghdad, Dec. 15, p1

Iraqi government stressed that fuel crisis, holding elections on their time, trialing the former regime officials and getting Faluja residents back home are its main serious tasks to achieve.

A well informed sources for the government said that there is an electoral alliance between President Ghazi al-Yawer and ministers in addition to the Prime MinisterDr. Ayad Allawi when it appeared on the last day of extension period.

The list, the sources said, included Defence Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan, Industry Minister Hachim al-Hasanu, Health Minister Alaeddin Abdul Sahib Al-Alwan and political figures as well.

The sources denied existence of any former regime figures in the said list.

On the other hand the government called on the UN to play a larger role in the upcoming elections, rejecting criticism sent by the UN on Iraqi-multi-nation force military attacks against terrorist and suicide strongholds.

Semeer al-Sumeidei, Iraq's permanent envoy to the UN said that Iraq's concern on the anti people attacks were bigger than concerns over boycotting elections which may not face numerous boycotting among Iraqis.

The UN decided to increase its representatives in Iraq for the up coming elections, however the UN Advisor Ashref Qadhi said that that increasing UN number representatives is linked to security conditions in the country.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Hoshiar Zeibari said in his visit to the Pope in the Vatican that Tyranny Saddam's trial would follow his assistants after holding the elections.

Procedures of testing elections of Iraqis abroad would be in Abu Dhabi instead of Amman, the High Commission said Tuesday.

On the other hand, trade Ministry has sent 35 vehicles of funds into Faluja city as the first batch of food funds for the residents who started to come back again to their city, according to the Prime Minister Ayad Allawi.

Allawi said that the government has started procedures of resettling Falluja residents despite threats and there would be many funds to be presented to them as the reconstruction process is going on in the city.

He added that humanitarian funds are coming in coordination with humanitarian organizations.





POLICE CAPTURE 6 KIDNAPPING AND ROBBERY GANGS

Baghdad, Dec. 15, p2

Information spokesman of the Baghdad Police said that a 24-hour plan was applied to arrest more criminals and terrorists in the crowded regions. He said that the said plan is being applied every day.

He said that the police patrols have captured a gang of three criminals one of whom was sentenced to 30-year prison in the pre-amnesty period during the rule of the former regime and now was holding articles of unlocking locks with his accomplices.

Who were driving a stolen car.

The police said also they have captured a gang in She'la district as they were cutting pieces of the aluminum strips surrounding the high way near the city. Police said that there were 19 pieces cut off the strips.

In Quds police station there were a couple of gangs specialized in robbing cars. The criminals have admitted of their crimes since they were arrested red handed.





ARRESTING SADDAM'S COUSIN IN FALLUJA

Baghdad, AFP, Dec 15, P3

The Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi announced on Dec 14 the arresting of the former Iraqi president Saddam's cousin in Falluja which witnessed recently many ferocious battles between US forces and the insurgents.

Attending one of the Iraqi National Assembly's sessions, Allawi said that former Iraqi regime's elements especially the major figures are still want to harm Iraq and Iraqis, adding that the Iraqi forces arrested last week Izzaddin Majeed, Saddam's cousin, he was red handed.

Allawi clarified that Izzaddin Majeed was left Iraq with Hussein Kamil, after a period of time he returned again to Iraq and since then he started his moves.

He confirmed that an investigation is currently underway with him and he may be prosecuted later on.

Izzaddin Majeed, 44 years, was an officer in the Republican Guard and he run away to Jordan in 1995 with Hussein and Saddam Kamil, his wife whom the sister of Hussein and Saddam Kamil was killed as well as his fourth kids by the former dictatorial regime as soon as they returned from Jordan.



HEALTH MINISTRY INVESTIGATES WITH PERSONNEL STOLEN MEDICINE COST $10 MILLIONS

Baghdad, AFP, Dec 15, P3

The Health Ministry General-Inspector Adel Mohessan said that investigations are underway with one of the ministry's personnel's who stolen chronic diseases and cancer medicines with cost of $10 millions equal to ID15 billions, indicating that the investigation department has inspected with the personal and found that several sides are involved in these stealing.

He indicated that the department is exerting wide efforts to know the side responsible for this stealing and arresting it in coordination with the official sides to prevent reiterating such process in future, considering it one of the biggest processes the ministry has ever witnessed until now.

Meanwhile, he clarified that investigations which had been made on kidnapping the child, 12 years-old who was kidnapped in front of al-Khadimiya Public Hospital before he had been brought back again a matter that proves that there is a clear deficiency in guard receptionist's work as well as the nurse responsible for the child and his mother, confirming that the department had punished the neglectful personals.

On the other side the ministry warned citizens from wearing some bales' clothes to prevent transferring diseases through them.

Dr. Na'ma Sa'eed the Director-General of the State Health Department and Primary Health Care said that importing such clothes must be done after fulfilling all importation conditions put by the ministry with the concerned sides, referring that these conditions had stopped after the toppling of the former regime for several reasons including the existence of several cross points uncontrolled under the current time, besides the unstable security conditions.



BAGHDAD COUNCIL ASKS TO REGAIN ARMY ELEMENTS TO SERVICE

Baghdad, AFP, Dec 15, P3

Head of Baghdad Governorate Council Shiekh Baqer al-Saheel has asked that Iraqi government to return Iraqi Army staffs to the service as well as returning the military academy in order to train elements of Iraqi Army.

He confirmed that returning the army will contribute in realizing security and controlling boarders to prevent the illegal infiltration of several persons, stressing on necessity to regain the military academy which should be run by Iraqi experienced staff, referring that the US Administration had decided to dissolve the Iraqi, a matter that accumulated suffering of this society's segment.
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Thursday, Dec. 15, 2004


Editorial
Freedom

By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar

Getting freedom is something, and maintaining it another thing.

Iraqi people lives now in prosperity of freedom i.e freedom of expression, freedom of media , freedom of creating parties and political organizations , freedom of gathering, and freedom of transportation etc.. This was being banned during the buried regime.

However, the price of obtaining this freedom was so expensive, representing in the occupation and existence of foreign forces on Iraq's lands, the matter makes Iraqi people shoulder new responsibilities in the course of peaceful political process to regain full sovereignty and restore building of the Iraqi independent and sovereign state.

However, the importance lies in maintaining freedom, necessary to build the state's institutions that secure its continuation, other than realizing this freedom only, as freedom is not guaranteed in any society unless freedom's institutes, laws and organizations established.

Yet , freedom could be relapsed at any moment without the existence of these reliable establishments . History is the scene of grand popular revolutions for the sake of realizing freedom. However, these revolutions soon changed into oppressive dictatorships. Those who study French history post French famous revolution in 1789 understand what I say.

In the Iraqi situation, it seems that the need to secure freedom is urgent than its counterparts over history, as the high-priced democracy i.e the occupation , makes it inevitable on Iraqi people to be keener than others in order not make this price go in vain.

In terms of searching guarantees, it seems that the Iraqi people, which consists of productive citizens and civil society of permanent presence is as the grandest guarantee for freedom's continuation.

Yet, this is not enough , there should be constitutional and establishment frameworks , to build and maintain freedom, on forefront, the permanent constitution , elected national assembly, periodical & democratic elections process besides keeping political process away from effects that deviates its freedom from the factual objective necessary to realize the conditions and circumstances , pave the way for kicking out foreign forces or regulate ties with them in a way maintain sovereignty and freedom of Iraqi people and state.





ELECTIONS PROPAGANDA STARTED

Shaalan warns Iran, boycotters receive forms secretly, work of Mosul commission tarried

Baghdad, Dec 16, P1

Hazim al- Shaalan the Minister of Defense said that Iran is the source of terrorism as Iran runs grand circle of terrorism in Iraq, warning that Iran is a dangerous foe for Iraq and Arabs as a whole .

"We will not permit Safawis state re-rule Iraq once more" . Adding "terrorism in Iraq is feeding by Iranian and Syrian intelligence in coordination with ex- Iraqi intelligence and Al- Zarqawi".

These statement are coping with declarations and criticisms addressed by Hoshiar Zibari the Iraqi minister for foreign affairs to the neighboring countries, on backing armed groups , but he comfort these states that Iraq will not allow US forces use Iraqi lands for attacking them .

Meanwhile, the elections commission unveiled clear fault in Mosul' elections commission.

The elections commission's spokesman said that investigations have got underway with its representatives in Mosul to surmount causes of failures in a record time.

Mosul , witnesses decrease of numbers of those who are willing to work in favor of the elections .

The distribution of elections forms by the food agents are going on even in the hot sites .

In the meantime, several chiefs of parties and political entities involving in the elections process were seen wander in Al- Sadr city of high population density exceeds more than two millions and a half , accompanied by chieftains to gain voters and get population acquainted with them.







BORDERS GUARD SECURE FULL PROTECTION FOR SOUTHERN OIL PIPELINES

Basra, Dec 16, P2

Upon cooperation between ministries of oil and interior, borders guard's fourth zone , is capable to secure protection for the southern oil pipelines .

Brigadier Ali Hammadi al- Mousawi the commander of fourth borders force said " Our task lies in controlling the international borders with three neighboring countries 1500 km length in Shaat al- Arab and Khor Abdallah , further for protecting pipelines transporting vital fuels from Basra oil refinery towards Dhi Qar and Khor Abdallah to the south.

Oil marketing experts said that Iraq's losses because of oil smuggling occurred in this pipeline is million dollar daily, confirming restoration of the oil pipeline in short period by pure Iraqi efforts.









FORMATIONS OF CONSTRUCTION MINISTRY ACHIEVE NUMBER OF PROJECTS

Baghdad , Dec 16, P2

Cadres of Rasheed and Manour general contracting companies belonged to ministry of construction has achieved projects of potable and sewerage waters stations in Baladroz and Rasafa compound belonged to ministry of justice .

They realized advanced steps in other projects at total cost of 22 billions , 850 millions and 74 ,000 Iraqi dinars .

Meanwhile, housing general board is going on verifying sketches of residential compounds in provinces.

An official spokesman at the ministry said Mansour cadres achieved work in treating sewerage in Baladroz in Diyala , at a cost 960 millions Iraqi dinars besides treating potable waters at a cost 367 millions and 500,000 Iraqi dinars .





IRAQI JURISTS END COURSE IN PRAGUE

Baghdad, Dec 16, P2

Iraqi jurists ended a training course in Zech capital Prague .Over two weeks; trainees received courses on penal code, human rights and DNA.

Ahlaam Hamami in charge of information section at judiciary council said that Iraqi participators received lectures on the penal code and human rights and updated technology in computer and internet , conducted by experienced professors besides lectures on DNA , which is considered an evidence of the crime , adding that Iraqi jurists got acquainted with traditions of peoples and the method of the European tribunals .

Furthermore, Justice personnel joined different courses for promoting their administrative and scientific abilities.







TRAINING COURSES FOR OIL CADRES IN BRITAIN

Baghdad, Dec 16, P2

Thamir Abbas al- Ghadban the Oil Minister received British ambassador to Baghdad Edward Chaplin.

During the meeting, Chaplin expressed optimism on promoting volume of cooperation with Iraq in oil field.

For his part, Al- Ghadban reviewed situation of Iraqi oil industry and challenges facing it and acts of sabotages aiming at depriving Iraqi people from oil revenues and products, clarifying that the ministry prepared a plan for upgrading oil industries and overcoming shortages in oil products.

British government has expressed preparedness to offer all kinds of support for Iraqi ministry of oil in all domains, besides organizing training courses for Iraqi oil cadres, to get them acquainted with updated technologies in field of oil industries.







MOE REHABILITATES BAIJI STATION NEXT DAYS WITNESS IMPROVEMENT IN SUPPLYING

Baghdad, Dec 16, P3

The technical and engineering staffs in the Ministry of Electricity are continuing their work to return and rehabilitate Electricity Power Station at Baji after it recently had subjected to a sabotage accident completely halted it beside cutting the electricity current in all over the country.

An official source at the ministry said that the staffs had capable to control on putting the electricity grid to return work in the station besides entering a number of electrical units allover stations of the city of Baghdad as well as number of provinces.

He added that supplying citizens with electricity during the few next days will last for 2 hours electricity in return for four hours programmed cutoffs over the beginning of the next month to be 3 hours supplying in return for 3 hours programmed, expecting a shrinking in electricity programmed cutoff through entering additional generating units after accomplishing maintenance works.



$500 FOR EACH FALLUJIAN FAMILIES RETURN TO FALLUJA

Falluja, Dec 16, P3

An official military source has announced that each Fallujian family has the intention to return to Falluja will receive $500 from Marines Forces as a partial compensation for destruction affiliated their city at a time confrontations are still underway between insurgents and US forces.

Capitan Poll Batty from Marines Forces informed AFP that each family will receive $500 as a compensation for big harms inflicted Falluja, "we would like to inform them that we are sorry for what happening in their city during the wide military operations launched by the US army on Nov 8, in addition to the irregular confrontations.

The expected returning of civilians in Dec 15 would be delayed at least one another week after a ferocious confrontations in northern southern the city a matter that killed 5 marines soldiers and wounded 17 of them. Notably the harmed families will be allowed to return to estimate damages their houses subjected for in order to ask for compensations from the Iraqi government.





JORDANIAN NATIONAL CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZES TRAINING COURSE FOR IRAQI ORGANIZATIONS

Amman, Dec 16, P3

The Jordanian National Center for Human Rights in cooperation with Arab Institute in Tunis and the National Organization for Granting American Democracy is holding a training course, the 1st of its kind for 40 participants of Iraqi governmental and NGOs working in human rights, woman, children and development domains. The course will be run on Dec 22-28, the participants will be chosen according to certain criteria valid by the international sides interesting in human rights.

The course aims to build capabilities and deepen human rights culture for participants to help them transferring to the so-called the correct reign. The program will include training and rehabilitating trainees on several subjects, most important of them are human rights concepts and the related terms, human rights in the frame work of the International Organization for World declaration and the international agreements specialized on human rights.

The session will also tackles the contracting procedures to resist torture and violence against woman and the role of NGOs in protecting human rights and the way to enhance woman rights and her role in process of democratic transport.

The training will be done by trainers and lectures of the national center of human rights besides Arab and foreign lecturers.





IRAQI, BRITISH COOPERATION

Baghdad, Dec 16, P3

A delegation from Human Rights Ministry has participated in the training course held at the Jordanian capital, Amman organized by Human Rights Institute at Totanham.

An official source at the ministry clarified that the delegation has visited the national center and got acquainted on the process the center during the last two years.
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Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004


Editorial
Dangers & guarantees

By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar al-Shabout

Freedom in any country may possibly be violated or oppressed by materially and morally powerful parties. These parties are diversified in accordance with the society's political, social and economic situations.

Generally speaking, Government represents the key source able to strike freedom for being unilateral side, in terms of purpose, who monopolizes weapon, on one side and possesses authority of releasing orders and decisions on the other. In most world countries, for example, the government is only the authorized side to stop issuance of newspaper. After the government, comes the capital which is the controlling power in making opinions and effects on people. Mostly, the role of the capital in restricting freedom is dubious and hidden, however, it is valid and tangible in the societies includes grand investment and capitalist companies.

There are different pressure groups, range among religious, social or violent ones, which is the terrorist groups who use weapon for intimidating civilians.

The three parties (government, capital, pressure groups) can pose real threat, on practicing democracy in their societies, particularly once the guarantees the society should make them available, for protecting their citizens are absent.

Human societies created four guarantees for their freedoms. 1st guarantee is constitution which represents the base of the state's structure, further for being the authority of the society and a document for controlling governmental behavior. In Iraq, the society moves towards writing permanent constitution through elected national society, which is powerful element. 2nd guarantee is the presence of strong democratic institutions, on forefront, is parliament or national assemblies, which possess authorities of controlling, questioning and ousting the government. Without this parliament, the social and political arena may be void and violated by the government.

3rd guarantee is effective and active institutions of civil society, which are able to be defensive force between government and people. The activity of people in resisting foreign compulsions emerges and depends on the extent of their activity in setting strong institutions of civil society and voluntarily joining their activities.

Media constitutes the 4th guarantee .As long as there is strong media capable to practice its role as fourth authority, freedom will prosper, on condition, media does not misuse authority on its part.

As for the citizen's awareness, it is the first and last guarantee; I don't call it 5th guarantee for practicing freedom in the society with high responsibility and awareness.









107 LISTS, 7200 CANDIDATES, 9 COALITIONS COMPETE ON 275 SEATS

Baghdad, Dec 18, P1



US President George Bush has warned Syria and Iran from interference in Iraq's internal affairs.

"We clearly told regional countries particularly these two countries that we await their help, to establish society able to elect their leaders ".Bush said.

On his part, Iyad Allawi the Iraqi Premier accused Syria for sheltering wanted elements among whom step-brother for ousted president Saddam Hussein , run military operations in Iraq , confirming that the government demanded Damascus to halt activities of these elements , arresting and handing them to Iraq.

In the meantime, Syrian foreign affairs spokesman denied any interference in Iraq's affairs, describing US and Iraqi accusations as groundless.

General Casey gave optimistic assessment for situation in Iraq, told reporters that shifting Iraq into elected and constitutional government by 2005 has got forward.

He said that gunmen follow strategy of intimidation to prevent Sunni from voting, however, he think that Sunni will vote to add credibility for the elections.

Meanwhile, Elections Commission announced final lists of the candidates.

Around 107 lists include 7200 candidates, 73 parties, 25 independent nominees and nine coalitions compete on 275 seats of national assembly or national society.

In the meantime, coalition list includes two main Kurdish factions namely Kurdistan Democratic Party, headed by Masoud al- Barazani and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, headed by Jalal al- Talabani, compete to win 111 seats of Kurdistan national assembly.

As for elections of provinces' council which are 18 cities, there are 382 lists include 7850 candidates. Baghdad council is consisting of 51 seats while other cities councils consist of 41 seats.









352 BN I.D WATER RESOURCES MINISTRY'S SHARE IN 2005 BUDGET

Baghdad, Dec. 18 p2

Water Resources Minister, Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal said that his ministry's share of Iraq's budget was 352 billion Iraqi Dinars, referring that Iraqi budget for 2005 is 19 billion US dollars.

In a press conference attended by Iraqi and foreign press media, the Minister said that 2004 was concentrated on security file on the expense of projects and services.

He added that the ministry has put its plans let alone the donations allocated by donating states pointing out that the said donations would be scheduled for other programs.

The minister elaborated that there are 3500 employees with premier, master and PhDs graduates in addition to 500 vehicles hinting at reemploying 900 persons who were sacked for political reasons and 4000 delegates for training abroad.











1 MILLION FOR EACH SCHOOL, MANY TEACHERS APPOINTED

Baghdad, Dec. 18 p3

Education Ministry decided allocating one million dinars fore each school in Iraq so as to cover the schools requirements.

On the other hand, the Ministry decided appointing new batches of teachers in Najaf and Wasit provinces for primary and secondary schools.

Education Minister Dr. Sami al-Mudhaffer said that this decision was made to cover lack of teachers in rural areas referring that priority of appointing was gone to recent years' graduates.

He said that the appointed teachers were 1598 and there would be new plans to cover shortages in Salahuddin province.















HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER: WE NEED 30 YEARS TO FIND OUT A MILLION MISSING

Baghdad, Dec. 18 p3

Human Rights Minister, Dr. Bekhtiar Ameen said that unveiling fate of nearly a million victims missed during the tyrant Saddam rule would take more than a quarter century.

Following concluding talks the ICRC officials, the Minister said that the Ministry found out till the recent days 283 mass graveyards despite the deteriorating security situation nodding that Saddam had turned the country into a mass grave museum.

He affirmed that the biological work requires developed articles and sets that are not existent in the country in addition to local experiment hinting at lack of legal doctors, who are only 20 ones.











INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR CONSTRUCTING BAGHDAD

Baghdad, Dec. 18 p3

Baghdad mayoralty declared that an international conference would be set forth in the French capital Paris to discuss means of constructing Baghdad.

Mayor of Baghdad Engineer Ala' al-Timimi said that French Embassy in Baghdad has allocated 256 thousand dollars for service projects in addition to hoisting theparis conference for constructing the city.

On the other hand, a technical team was formed to study transforming Jameela markets into other place away off the city center.

The team is presenting a study concerning erecting a residential compound in the current position of the markets.

It is worth mentioning that the market so much crowded that hurdles traffic and many thieves were spread in the region due to the traffic and random spread of shops.









500 FIGURES PARTICIPATE IN 1ST NATIONAL CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE

Baghdad, Dec 18, P3

Under the motto "Democracy and development are the goals of the Civil Society"

The 1st National Civil Society Establishments Conference will be held on Sunday with the participation of 500 figures and will be lasted for two days.

Dr. Momo Ferhan Othman the State Minister of Civil Society Affairs said that the preparedness which were held to succeed this conference were big, notably, several world figures, ministers and members of the diplomatic corps working in Iraq.

He clarified that the conference has four topics, the legal, social, economic and informational, referring that this conference is the government's message to the establishments, to indicate that these establishments are concerned in building democracy in Iraq and there is no heavy cover or supervision on their activities.

He confirmed the clear image of civil society's establishments upon its necessary role needed in the current stage, considering these establishments as the parallel line of the Executive Authority as well as the supervisor on government's performance.













TWO DIYALA COUNCIL'S MEMBERS, SEWERS, WATER RESOURCES DIRECTOR DISCHARGED

Diyala, Dec 18, P3

Diyala Local Governing Council has decided to discharge two members of its council, at the same time the council also discharging the Director of Sewers and Water Resources in the province.

Nowfal Abdul Hussein the Chairman of the Council said that the reason behind discharging which includes also Saja Qadouri and Haifia Abdul Ameer is the frequency of their absences – the council also decided to regain the membership of each Sa'eed al-Hashimi and Yahya Irrzoqui and nominate Aladdin al-Dawodi for position of Governor Assistant of the Administrative Affairs Section and Dr. Ali al-Hadowi for the position of Governor Assistant of Emigrants Affairs Section.

On the other level, the council also decided to vote on deposing Sewers and Water Resources Director Ali al-Zohairi, the decision gained 20 votes against one vote a matter that led to discharge the director after concluding balloting.













BAGHDAD - CAPITAL FOR ARAB CULTURE IN 2009

Baghdad, Dec 18, P17

The Iraqi delegation has participated in the 14th Cultural Affairs Ministers Conference in the Arab Homeland held in Sana'a for the period Dec 2-27, Jabar al-Jabari, the Iraqi Cultural Undersecretary headed the delegation.

The light was limelight on the current Iraqi situation and the nature of the cultural changes in light of political process, the Arab-Iraqi ties, role of mass communication and Arab culture in dealing with the interior Iraqi affairs and resuming the Iraqi role inside the Arab environment and calling Arab to respect Iraqi people will in its various options and process towards democracy and openness in dialogue.

The delegation exerted efforts led to for joint Arab countries contribution represents in project of "1000000 books for Iraq". It has been declared that Baghdad will be a capital for Arab culture in 1009.
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Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004



Editorial

7200

By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar al- Shabout

Such a big number of parties, lists and candidates denote welfare of the whole democratic political process in Iraq.

There are 107 lists and 7200 candidates competing on 275 seats of the National Assembly and that is a good thing to let voters to practice opting.

A previous poll made by As-Sabah indicated that people prefer multi lists instead of the united one, which means that people prefer plurality.

Following 35 years of one-party rule, people realized that this system is a sterile one that can no more produce or develop, whereas plurality means the opposite.

In the light of plurality; views, images and ideas struggle each other and produce right views, as Imam Ali bin Abi Talib said in the past, and that is the dialectic link between things and phenomena which is fruitful one.

This relation would be developed, following the elections, among parties and powers and push them to continue in life, while those who fail would leave the political stage for the winner. This could be the core of the electoral process which leads to testing of political market and approves either death or life for various parties.

However, voters unfortunately, will not know all candidates by names, not because they are so much, but because of the united electoral list, which carries some negation, for the multi-party lists are the real leading group in the real competition, with the exception of several reasons. Yet, it is not the time to discuss this system now, but people may think it is better to change it later, and the upcoming National Assembly's task is to put a new system on which the next 2005 elections would be held.

We are waiting.











TERRORIST ATTEMPTS FOILED, AL-HAKEEM LASHES OUT SHALAN STATEMENTS

Baghdad, Dec. 19 p1

Iraq's neighbouring states raised fears in coincide with defence minister Hazim al-Shalan continuos criticism to Syria and Iran as some religious offices directed run counter criticism to Shalan .

Seid Abdul Aziz al-Hakeem, head of the Superior Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq said following a meeting with the Grand Ayatulla Sei Ali Sistani we were expecting such irresponsible and inadequate statements and we do not want to invoke debate… we trust people who vote for their candidates backed by their clerics" .

Shalan named the Shiiet list with the name "Iranian list" and commented on Hussein Shehristani, one of the list's candidates and member of the six fold committee that backed holding elections, with saying "this expert has spent a couple of years working in Iranian nuclear program and now comes to be on the head of Iraqi government which will not be possible".

On the other hand, Sistani representative Sheikh Ahmed As-Safi held the government responsible for letting life attempt against Sheikh Mehdi al-Kerbalaie since security and stability are absent in the country.

Iraqis in Iran criticized the elections procedures since they can not be included in the upcoming elections.

For its part the British foreign Ministry said it has no alternative in case of the elections fail, referring that the aim of the elections is to solve Iraq's problems.

The British ministry hailed the Iraqi list including the President and the Prime Minister and other ministers describing it the most Iraqi nation list.

Meanwhile, the US secretariat of defence said that protecting forces enforcing peace in Iraq is a US priority.

In Basra, the National Guard forces have captured many tankers as they were smuggling oil products, while intelligence in Samawa have foiled a bombing attempt targeting al-Warkaa district near the highway area and captured big explosives and some suspected men in the location.

Najaf police, also, detained some foreigners holding forged passports and documents provided by some agents in Samawa.













TRADE MINISTRY TO SUE ARAB COMPANIES, CRITICIZES PRIVATE SECTOR

Baghdad, Dec 19, P2

Trade Ministry brings suit against four Arab companies, claimed to transport commodities to Iraq, and received sums from Iraqi development fund at UN opposite to illusive transactions

At a symposium held to support Iraqi private sector, Muhammed al- Jubouri said that the ministry informed Interpol with the names of Arab companies, for interrogation purposes, notifying that the personnel of the ministry are involved in these deceptive transactions.

"Trade ministry faces grand challenges through its endeavor to adopt items of food ration card". Minister added.

He clarified that robbers are always attacking Lorries transporting commodities, for example, the robbery targeted lorry loaded with canned tea besides targeting lorries loaded with sugar and milk powder.

The minister referred that part of the challenges facing the ministry is that the Iraqi private sector lacks enough experience or finance necessary for upgrading it after slumber since 1964, held tradesmen responsibility of delaying food stuffs such as tomatoes pastes and cheese and other materials, the matter led to freeze $ 90 millions at international bank as guarantees for importing commodities.

The minister urged Iraqi tradesmen for establishing grand companies; realize their promises to make available items of food ration card.

Al- Jubouri affirmed that Iraqi private sector promised to make available 35,000 tons of tomato pastes, to meet the needs of people in accordance with food ration card , clarifying that private sector did not realize unless 55 tons of this material .

Al- Jubouri urged Iraqi private sector to full its commitments , particularly the budget of trade ministry for 2005 is confined to four billions dollar , grand part of , will be allocated for opening a letters of credit for Iraqi private sector , referring that the Iraqi company will meet needs of ministry , will have priority on all world and Arab companies.

















MINISTRY OF CULTURE TO CONSIDER DESTINY OF PERSONNEL OF DISSOLVED INFORMATION MINISTRY

Baghdad, Dec 19, P3

The ministry of culture formed a committee, includes representatives of finance ministry and dissolved information ministry, to study possibility of finding suitable solution for personnel of dissolved information ministry.

At a press conference held Saturday, Mufeed al- Jazairi the Minister of Culture said "times and times again the subject tackled" confirming the ministry exerts serious efforts to find solution for the destiny of personnel of dissolved information ministry.

Al- Jazairi announced about a committee created for this purpose, will meet in few coming days, to find suitable formula and decision in this regard.

He indicated the ministry expressed preparedness to connect some dissolved departments shared similar activities with Ministry of Culture, confirming that there are several institutions in which their activities are harmonized with the ministry, adding the ministry is to adopt a decision, in the light of outcomes and consequences of the committee's discussion.













ELECTRICITY TO MEASURE UP THREE HOURS SUPPLY

Baghdad, Dec 19, P3
Technical and engineering cadres at ministry of electricity is capable to restore 24 energy transporting lines , from northern and southern sites to Baghdad ,out of 34 lines subjected to sabotages in last few coming days.

An official spokesman at the ministry said that sabotages targeted these lines will not prevent electricity from restoring these lines , affirming these lines subject to threats from time to time , committed by sabotage elements , aiming to destabilize Iraqi people.

He said the cadres are capable of rehabilitating large parts of electricity grid's joins all over Iraq including electricity stations, lines and transporting towers.

A number of generating units restored, and the number of the programmed power reached two hours on and four programmed power off, expecting increase of hours of electricity supply to three hours on opposite to three hours off.

Notably, Baghdad and other Iraqi cities witnessed darkness because of unknown causes of a blaze hit Baiji electricity station, caused stoppage of all electricity stations all over Iraq.















MOE REHIRES ALL POLITICALLY DISCHARGED, RESIGNED, PENSIONERS TO BE APPOINTED

Baghdad, Dec 19, P3

The Ministry of Education has decided to rehire all politically discharged, their number reach to 10,000 ,the ministry will disregard the period whom those discharged had spent in the service as well as it will rehire those who left their career for economic reasons and open the path for secondary schools teachers pensioners to work under certain contracts.

Dr. Sami Abdul Mahdi al-Mudhfar the Minister of Education announced that the ministry has decided to return all politically discharged and resigned for economic reasons which their files reached to the ministry before last August 30, the decision excludes discharged for uprightness and faithfulness reasons.

During a press conference held at the headquarters of as-Sabah daily, al-Mudhfar said that the number of the concerned reaches to 10,000 secondary and primary schools teachers as well as personals, confirming that the ministry has put a plan to announce several lists include names of 1000 discharged daily.

He added that the ministry has issued this decision when it realized the necessity to solve unemployment and came as an implementation for the promise had pledged to compensate victims of the former regime and to bridge the gap of vacancies in the schools to prevent the intrusive practices to exploit others by weak wills.













FOUR PRIVATE FORCES, COMMANDOS' BRIGADES IN INTERIOR MINISTRY ESTABLISHED

Tikrit, Dec 19, P3

The Interior Ministry has created three brigades of commandos and private forces in the former army.

An official source at the ministry mentioned that several officers and various grades of these brigades have been chosen according to their efficiency, expertise and uprightness as well as honesty. These brigades had been created to form force capable to support security departments in Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces as well as actively contributed in stabilizing the suitable security atmospheres to perform elections and protect the election centers.

The source confirmed that the interior ministry is concerning to create another brigade to join the former Iraqi Army brigades of officers and infantry.

In meantime, on Dec 18 around 329 participants in the National Guard had graduated from primary training course lasted for 30 days, the graduation ceremony had been done in one of the Presidential Palaces of the former president Saddam Hussein in Tikrit.

The Staff Lieutenant General Abdul Aziz al-Mufti the Commander of the 4rth National Guard brigade said that this course will contributes in building a free and democratic Iraq towards more progress and prosperity, indicating that Iraq's unity is embodied in faces of the participants who represent Saladdin, Kirkuk, Diyala and Sulaminya provinces.

During the meeting attended by Saladdin and Diyala Governors, Staff Colonel Haider Ibrahim had been promoted to staff brigadier rank and appointing him as a commander of the 23 brigadier national guard in Diyala.
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Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004


Editorial



Clarity

By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar Ash-Shabbout

Those who commit military operations under whatsoever titles, claims or pretexts are clear in their target. This clarity is proved by acts and not words as it is clear enough that slogans and nominations can not withhold it.

This clarity has been raised so much during last Sunday attacks when the militants have killed civilian employees working in the High Commission of Elections in addition to several attacks on elections centers and accomplished with a couple of heroic massacres in Kerbala and Najaf cities.

It is important to say that the Sunday operations did not target the occupying forces, while their victims were not of blue eyes; blond hair and white skin of strangers, yet those who have been martyred were Iraqis of Sumerian features; Arabs, Kurds or Turcoman. They were not stranger comers or even Iraqis abroad.

The message is clear by targeting political process and its core chain; the elections and then aborting people's drive of rebuilding the state and authority on democratic bases that embody their will and interest following decades of dictatorship that compensated people's rights of expressing options and decisions.

Some persons say those militants aim at forcing decision makers to include them in the authority, and if it is true, it will reveal their views towards taking part in power, which is a bloody and terrorist view that ignores again the people's will.

Warning is not that we are approaching intensified terrorist acts, yet it is about foiling the political process in its democratic elections, which is a great and hard target needs to a big sabotaging act evaluated by the terrorists themselves.

On the other side, true and honest Iraqis stand with their project of national fate to found their state basing on elections and peaceful rotation of power.

Compass of victory points to the right side as it works between those (terrorists) and true Iraqis.













PAKISTAN, IRAN SUPPORT ELECTION POLICE DETAIN 50 SUSPECTS

Baghdad, Dec. 12 p1

Pakistan expressed readiness to send its troops into Iraq to support the political process going on in this country.

This has come during a visit made by Iraq's foreign Minster Hoshiar Zeibari who concluded his visit on Monday as he met with the Pakistani President Bervese Musherref.

Bilateral ties were discussed between the two sides in addition to means of enhancing Pakistan's role in reconstruction drive in Iraq and its intentions to send troops into Iraq.

On the other hand, Iran has said that holding elections in its deadline is the sole option to end Iraqis' sufferings to decide their rights and self determination away off foreign powers interference.

Head of the Iranian parliament said that holding elections in its deadline would serve the region's states.

Meanwhile, fierce clashes have been broken out in Falluja following leaflets dispatched calling people not to come back home.

The police and National Guard forces have captured more than fifty suspects in Najaf following bomb explosion that coasted dozens of killings as the clerics officies warned of avenge for fear of setting sectarian sedition.

Adnan al-Zerfi, Mayor of Najaf said that death toll of the Najaf explosion has come to 52, while the injuries were 142 adding that the explosion had targeted a funeral of one of the tribal chiefs.

He accused the Selefi groups and remains of the former regime of committing the crime.

In Mousul city northern Iraq clashes have been broken out targeting the mayoralty building whereas police and National Guard forces have spread in the city so as not to let the militants flee.

















CUSTOMS ON COMMODITIES IMPORTED BY MIXED SECTOR CANCELLED, QUALITY & STANDARDIZATION CONTROL ORGANIZATION RESUMED

Baghdad, Dec 21, P2



Ministers' council has canceled 5 % custom, which was imposed on raw materials and imported production's requirements necessary for mixed sector i.e its final products included in the tax-emption such as food stuffs, clothes, medicine etc.

The council also decided not including declared tenders of the state's departments in the condition that the commodity is of foreign origin, instructing only to mention the needed qualifications, regardless the local or foreign origin.

Moreover, the council agreed on resuming work of quality and standardization control organization and special control departments, to practice their activities and submit all imported commodities and apparatuses for checking and control, add to that , the custom authority must not allow entrance of any commodity that does not carry approval document issued by specialized control authority besides putting mechanism for controlling work of these departments coping with the valid laws.

Notably, ministry of Industry and minerals held series of meetings. These meeting was held between minister of industry and his deputies and aids and directors of industrial mixed, private sector and representatives of Iraqi federations of industries .

During the meeting, means of promoting situation of Iraqi local industry were discussed.

As a consequence, a joint committee was established, consisted of industry experts and directors of companies in the mixed sector and representatives of grand industrial companies in private sector as well as members of Iraqi federations of industry and businessmen, chamber of commerce, to tackle problems face industry sector in Iraq.

To push forward wheel of Iraqi economy to have positive role in facing challenges , and after intensive discussions between the ministry and private and mixed sector , the ministry requested cabinet to reconsider Decision No. 38 for 2003 issued by Coalition Provisional Authority , pertains to impose 5% customs on all imported materials , except the mentioned exclusions.

















SEQUENCES OF ELECTIONS LISTS SPECIFIED BY ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Baghdad, Dec 21, P3



The electoral commission specified Monday the sequences of elections lists, which will appear in the ballot by relying lotto.

Numbering process depended on numbering balls taken from crystallized glass box, in front of representatives of political entities and media. The ceremony was attended by UN special representative Ashraf Kadhi , who pulled the 1st balls . Lots –drawing included 265 independent political entities and participated coalitions in different voting process scheduled in 30th January 2005, including interim national association, independent Kurdistan parliament and provinces' council.

"Numbering process did not start with Number 1 , however , it started with No 101 , a number of three figures in which sequences of the list is equalized with, to realize 265" said Abdul Hussein al- Hindawi the chief Electoral commission.

















FALLUJA POPULATION BACK HOME ON THURSDAY

Baghdad, Dec 21, P3



In its session held today, the minister's council announces start of Falluja population return on Thursday 23rd December.

The spokesman announced that Falluja population return will be on stages, in accordance with a timetable. On the 1st day i.e Thursday, population of Andalus district will be allowed for return only. The names of other districts will be announced later on in Baghdad and As-Sabah newspapers as well as the advertisements will be announced in Iraq and Dijla radios.

"Iraqi different ministries in cooperation with multi national forces have achieved wide leaps in rehabilitating Falluja to be ready for receiving its population" Hajim al- Hassani the minister of industry and minerals, the chief reconstruction committee in Falluja said.















HOUSING & RECONSTRUCTION COMPANIES ACHIEVE DIFFERENT PROJECTS WITH A COST 5 BILLIONS DINARS

Baghdad, Dec 21, P17

The engineering cadres of Faw contracting company has carried out project of enlarging Qadissiya silo for storing seeds in Khan Dhari .

In the meantime, cades of state board of roads and bridges achieved Al- Thawra concrete bridge in Diwaniya besides establishing tube archways on public and sub roads in Missan in addition to the box archways on the way Hindiya –al- Khairaat with a cost 315 millions and 5,000 Iraqi dinars .

" Work has got underway in enlarging Qaddisiya silo for seeds in Khan Dhari , within 2nd stage ,as work includes mechanic exploration for equipment and systems of the silo as vertical lifters and spiral transporters , system of removing dust , slide gates , storehouses for supplying lorries , train wagons , compressed air system , further for control board of low and high pressure and electric generators" An official source at ministry of housing and construction said . Adding the cost of the project is four billions and 560 millions Iraqi dinars.















AL- BATOOL MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN KUT RE-OPENED

Kut, Dec 21 ,P17

Sheikh Muhammed Ridha al –Gash'mi the governor of Wassit has re-opened Batool maternity hospital in the city of Kut after rehabilitation and refurbishment.

Notably, about 120 millions Iraqi dinars were allocated for rehabilitation works ,within the plan of health ministry for promoting and improving performance of health institutions in Iraq.

On the other hand, Wassit electricity directorate, backed by other directorate in the city launched wide campaign to lift encroachments on electricity grid.

An official electricity source in Wassit said this campaign came upon the loading caused by encroachments of some persons on the grid.
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Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004


Editorial
Options

By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar al-Shabbout

As-Sabah newspaper has released a poll made on its website recently. The poll said that most of 1317 readers participated in it have put political agenda as the first criteria for voting to candidates.

The paper had asked: would you base, in voting, on political agenda or sectarian nature, party, ethnic or else? The answer came as follows:

65% said they would vote on political agenda, 12,6% preferred sectarian nature, 4,02% opted the party identification, 13,36% chose the ethnic list and 5,01 were of other various options.

Results of the poll affirmed that the majority prefers political agenda instead of other options concerning ethnic, party or sects.

Hence, Iraqi voter looks for political view and is not led mechanically into the party, sect or ethnic trends. This means that majority of Iraqis have liberated off inherited traditions of ethnic or sectarian loyalty, which are not rejected options rather than being rare in democratic process that supposes other influences.

Anyhow, it is high level position for the Iraqi voter and puts big tasks on the candidates' burden, one of which is addressing the voter through the political agenda not through ethnic, sectarian, religious or tribal influences.

A large number of candidates and lists reflect many programs and political views, while other traditional loyalties would not embody the political views rather than inherited traditional loyalty.

It is worth mentioning that large number of lists and candidates though it is a positive sense does not reflect variety in political agenda, whereas many names, titles and general trends of political views have similar sense that nod to other influences away off political views.





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BLAIR IN BAGHDAD, $2500 US FOR EACH FALLUJA FAMILY

Baghdad, Dec. 22 p1

British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Baghdad in his first sudden visit to Iraq.

In press conference held in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, who was the first hand to receive him in the Baghdad Airport, Blair said that fierce battle between democracy and terror is going on, while "we face big challenges in Iraq".

He added " we are building Iraqi security forces which fastens foreign forces departure off Iraq.

Responding to a question of whether it is deserving collapse of many Iraqi victims, Blair said when UI see Iraqis determined to achieve democracy and sacrifice their lives I realize that we march the right way, and those who have been killed in Iraq were because of terror and those who work for elections are heroes.

Allawi replied that Iraqis appreciate British sacrifices and services in Iraq saying he is looking forward upcoming elections hoping that all Iraqis would participate in the political process.

He added that he had made contacts with all sides of the Iraqi society and tribes urging them to participate in the elections.

On the other hand the Independent Higher Commission for Elections declared that it has prepared seven thousand electoral centers.



In Falluja, Iraqi government said it has allocated 2500 US dollars for each family in the light of rebuilding the city under the term of construction drive for the city.

Ashref Qadhi, the UN envoy to Iraq said that it is natural to see different views in Iraq and that commitment in of reconstruction in Iraq is on the burden of all Iraqis.




----------------------------------
VOTING STARTS MINUTE AFTER SUNRISE, ENDS 33 MINUTES BEFORE SUNSET ON 30TH JAN

Baghdad, Dec 22, P2

Voting scheduled on 30th January is the 1st of its kind run in Iraq sine more than half century. It will be started a minute after sunrise and ended 33 minutes before sunset on January 30th.

Dr. Fareed Ayaar the official spokesman of the electoral commission depicted the view of elections day as saying that voting starts on 7:00 a.m , ends on 5:00 p.m .

This period will make available for employees checking all identity cards of the voters. Around 500 employees appointed in each polling center for this purpose. All voters can vote during hours of the day.

He added that in charge of elections or the employees should be attended at the polling centers before 7:00 a.m. as they should stay at polling centers after the close of these centers to count voters.

Spokesman clarified that ballots will include several information such as electoral independent commission's logo for electing national assembly, provinces' council and Kurdistan national assembly besides other information for the voter regards signing the ballot – name of each political entity or coalition competing in the elections, a number was specified through the lotto held in the convention center on 20th December.

"For distinguishing ballots in terms of logistic, electoral side for the voters, ballots will be printed in different colors for elections of provinces councils, Kurdistan national assembly and national society" Ayaar said.

Ballots are to include as large numbers as possible of the elements in both Arabic and Kurdish languages.





-----------------------------------------
US LEGISLATORS PREDICT ELECTIONS HEADS IRAQ TOWARDS DEMOCRACY
Baghdad, Dec 22, P2

Prominent US legislators at US Senate predict Iraq will witness progress in realizing democracy, after parliament elections scheduled in Iraq on January 2005. Notably ,republican senator Richard Lugar from Nivada , and prominent member of democratic party Jo Byden from Dilawer , have discussed Iraq's cause in a T. V interview in which other two important Senator members joined them .Byden predicts Iraqi election will bring about surprise " We expect electing some independents". It is practically impossible the list of majority Shiites prevail in Kurdistan region.

" I deem some Sunni members realize a decision make them inevitably participate in the elections" Byden said. Adding " I don’t think the Iraqi elected government is headed by clergymen" .

"Democratic effects of the elections may spread to neighboring countries’ Lugar" said." "Hopefully, democracy in Iraq will offer an example to follow or at least a start to follow by Iranians particularly the youth".

------------------------------------------------------------
OIL MINISTER: BAGHDAD A VICTIM FOR FRIGHTFUL PLAN TO SEPARATE IT FROM ENERGY SOURCES

Baghdad, Dec 22, P3

The Oil Minister said that the terrorist acts which targeted the oil installations had succeeded in imposing a blockade on energy resources in what concerning Baghdad that blockade was the most distinguished elements behind fuel crisis in addition to smuggling processes, bad consumption beside that most oil industry facilities are became ancient.

In an elaborated speech with Editor-in-Chief Mohammed Abdul Jabbar al-Shaboot , Oil Minister Thamer al-Ghadhban said that around 240 terrorist acts have been targeted the oil facilities and took place between last Nov and current Dec, causing many damages costed 7 billions and 10 millions dollars besides to the huge losses in productive energy.

Al-Ghadhban clarified that Baghdad and allover Iraqi provinces have been a target for a terrible political and military scheme to separate Iraq from energy sources as well as aiming to abort the political process and failed efforts of reconstruction drive and entering into the political process under the conditions stipulated by owners of this scheme whom most of them are from the remnants of the former regime elements who cooperated with the religious extremists outside Iraq.

He said that these reasons had caused a big crisis in fuels most Iraqis are severely suffering from it now, referring that the bad consumption of fuel has deepened it besides the large numbers of cars which entered Iraq recently which their numbers reach to 800,000 a matter that makes the local consumption larger than the production energies which beginning to have low levels.

Al-Ghadhban added that citizens are not shouldered their responsibilities towards rationalizing using fuel and not dealing with the crisis in a proper way, yet they formed a squeezing reason, citing that smuggling oil outside Iraq or to the black market had been by several gangs which pushed by profits gained by differences of the official fuel prices in Iraq and comparing them with prices in the neighboring countries and the black market.

He said that these gangs have used all means to obtain fuel in order to smuggle it outside Iraq, the process had been done either by taking oil from oil storages or stations or through making holes in the transferring pipes, indicating that this process is not separating from the scheme which aimed to effect the political and economic process.

Al-Ghadban saw that solving the crisis is representing in confronting terrorists who targeted the oil facilities all over Iraq and through solving the price difference among Iraq and the neighboring countries to prevent smuggling oil, referring that this must be adopted through subjective and accurate dealing in away led to support citizen beside supporting prices of the other oil products commodities, especially that most citizens are taking oil from the black market in very expansive prices.

He pointed out that upgrading oil production will solve the crisis and that couldn't be done without modernizing the oil facilities which are very old and not fit for work, referring that most of them are off the work, the another solve representing in citizen participation through attributing care to the oil wealth either through rationalizing consumption or through preventing sabotage, stealing oil or the denied selling.


---------------------------------
MODERN ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, KIOSKS, RESTAURANTS AT BAGHDAD TOURISM ISLE ESTABLISHED

Baghdad, Dec 22, P17

Ahmed al- Jubouri the chief state tourism board said that efforts have got underway for reconstructing Baghdad tourism isle. Children theatre, cinema, watering system, electricity grid of high voltage, station of filtering sewerage established.

Notably, planting grass is going on, further for establishing baths and preparing areas for volleyball, basketball and soccer. Restaurants and kiosks were also established.

Southern gate, fence and lighting system established, to set up civilized modern entertainment center in Iraq, ready to receive families coming for entrainment.
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Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004



Editorial
Media & propaganda

By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar Ash-Shabbout

Difference between media and propaganda is easy, measurable and understandable as media is as a commodity includes information , entertainment and criticism to market itself and win as large number as possible of agents i.e news readers , observers and listeners and a large number of advertisers. Through distribution and advertisement, media aims to secure its independence from sources of decision, to be able for controlling, evaluating and criticizing them.

Thus, media is a kind of authority, which is the fourth one. The society needs ,in the same time, guarantees for this authority on two levels i.e guarantees for protecting media from government's authority , to keep on independence , and guarantees for protecting people from media's authority as there is always a possibility that in charge of media authority misuse it. The guarantee represents always in the law.

As for propaganda, it is an activity similar to media in terms of essence; however, it is different in terms of marketing. Once media seeks marketing itself, propaganda seeks marketing another authority as propaganda fort drink, restaurant or any product. Propaganda seeks also for marketing political authority or position .Thus, we could not imagine independent propaganda as , in accordance with identification , is connected with the commodity is to be marketing .If any grand cars manufacturing companies issued posters , this poster could not be independent from marketing and commercial purposes of this company , nor could it be neutral between them and other competing companies.

Governments in non-democratic societies fear free and independent media as it always needs media practices propaganda. Hence, experiment of comprehensive and dictator regimes proved failure in setting vocationally high level media in terms of independence, neutrality and running three tasks of media i.e education , criticism and entertainment, despite its ability to establish financially , technically and human huge propaganda machine.

In democratic transformation stage, the concerned countries need free and independent media not submitting for authority's coercion, without the need for countering it.

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DISSOLVED OFFICERS, RANK & FILE TO BE REHIRED IN NEW ARMY, PENSION SALARIES INCREASED

Baghdad, Dec 23, P1

The ministry of defense has called on officers and Rank & Files of the dissolved Iraqi army to join the new Iraqi army.

In the meantime, US forces closed bridges in the city of Mosul after increase of victims' numbers after attack on US base.

The ministry of labor and social affairs decided to increase salaries of the pensioners of the social guarantee.

In the meantime, Amr Moussa the Arab League chief warned Iran against interference in Iraqi internal affairs or trying to affect on the intended elections.

Meanwhile, US forces received security responsibility in Kerbala from Polish forces.

Iyad Allawi the Iraqi prime Minister left Iraq heading Iraqi delegation to visit Jordan.

Iraqi government demanded Mas'oud Brazani and Jalal Talabani to protect Iraqi oil pipelines in Mosul and Kirkuk , upon an official request of minister of defense during his visit to Suleimaniya and Arbil few days ago.

On the other hand, Karama Jordanian borders center witnessed crowd of travelers after the opening of Iraqi-Jordanian borders which were closed over four last days interruptedly because of the military conflicts as hundreds of trailers loaded with imported cars model 2000 , are going on flowing to Iraq , to get benefit of the opportunity given by the government to the tradesmen .

In the meantime, Jordanian finance minister Muhammed Abu Ahmed is to open Sunday free trade zone situated on 20 kilometer on Iraqi-Jordanian borders.
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AL- YAWAR SENDS CONGRATULATIONS ON CHRISTMAS

Baghdad, Dec 23, P1

Ghazi al- Yawar the Iraqi President has congratulated Iraqi people particularly the Christians on Christmas occasion and new year :

" Ghazi al- Yawar , the President of Iraq sends warm congratulations for all Iraqi people , particularly Christians on occasion of Christmas and new year , supplicating to Almighty God to maintain Iraqi people , Arab and Islamic nations to live prosper life and be rightly guided towards integration and cooperation for boosting Iraq" .

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MOE MOBILIZES EFFORTS TO REHABILITATE SOME UNITS

Baghdad, Dec 23, P2

The engineering and technical cadres have mobilized their efforts for improving electricity grid, through maintenance works in a number of electricity generating units and rehabilitation of lines of electricity transportation and towers, which were sabotaged.

An official source at the ministry said "Despite existence of some obstacles facing work of electricity cadres such as saboteurs' threats and limited quantities of fuel supplied to the electricity stations, however, electricity cadres achieved great part of work".

The source expected improvement of electricity energy by 2005 , to supply population with three hours electricity on opposite to three hours electricity off.

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AGREES ON DISCHARGING CHIEF BOARD OF OWNERSHIP'S CONFLICTS

Baghdad, Dec 23, P2

The national assembly has agreed on discharging Suheel Muhammed Salih the chief board of ownership.

Meanwhile, a member of national assembly proposed to discharge ministers and officials who were nominated for national assembly seats.

The assembly denounced acts of terrorism targeted Najaf , Kerbala and phenomena of kidnapping physicians .

The national assembly held ownership board responsibility of delaying process of regaining possessions of harmed citizens during Saddam regime, particularly the board gave negative impression on the nature and history of the board chief for being Saddam's partisan .

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ALLAWI VISITS AMMAN, MEETS JORDANIAN KING, IRAQI FIGURES

Baghdad, Dec 23, P3

The Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi who is currently paying a short-term visit to Jordan said that the Iraqi elections will be held in scheduled time, pointing out that he may be met Iraqi figures residing abroad.

In statement to the Batra Jordanian News Agency upon his arrival to the Marca Airport, eastern the Jordanian capital, Allawi said that the Iraqi elections will be held at their scheduled time by the end of the next Jan., adding if there is a period of time I will meet several Iraqi figures in Jordan in order to join all Iraqis in the elections.

He pointed out that this visit in which he met with the Jordanian Monarch, King Abdullah II has came in the framework of the Iraqi-Jordanian continuous contactsin order to coordinate the bilateral ties and discuss particularly Arab situation and generally Middle East region.

A diplomat working in the Iraqi Embassy in Jordan informed AFP that Allaw had arrived to Marca Airport, eastern the Jordanian capital and directly to the Monarchal Divan whereas he met the Jordanian King, then he immediately after meeting left directing to Baghdad.

Allaw was accompanied during his visit which lasted for several hours with an Iraqi delegation included the Iraqi Interim Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, Planning Minister Mehdi al-Hafidh and Electricity Minister Ayhm as-Samari', according to the same source.


-----------------------------

MOL RECOMMENDS INCREASING PENSIONERS' SALARIES, RELEASED APPOINTMENTS IN NEXT YEAR

Baghdad, Dec 23, P3

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has recommended the increasing of pensioners' salaries that are included within pension insurance as their partners who received their salaries from State Pension Department.

During a press conference, the Eng. Layla Abdul Latif the Minister of Labor said that the raising is recommended to with this wide segment of the Iraqi society, pointing out that the ministry will release appointments in 2005 whereas the ministry's personals have continued the names' lists of those who will be appointed, referring that priority of degrees will be for ministry's divan staff, ministry's employees who working under certain contracts, volunteers in the ministry's center, Social Welfare Department and Rehiring and Training Center.

She clarified that during 2005 the problem of the dissolved Information Ministry will be solved, after the Iraqi Culture Ministry had adopted the question of accepting staffs of the information ministry without exception after making several careers levels available.

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FREE OF CHARGE INTERNET SERVICE, WIDENING WIRELESS TELEPHONES SYSTEMS

Baghdad, Dec 23, P3

The Minister of Communications Mohammed Ali al-Hakeem announced that within near future the internet specialized cart specialized will be canceled, the service will be at the rate of the telephone call, referring that the entering system to the internet will be free, saying that the ministry has ambitious program connecting with internet service, pointing that the citizen who has PC in his house will be able to enter on internet through his telephone directly.

He indicated that during 2005 wireless telephone services will be widespread allover Iraq, private sector licenses will be granted for the private sector to distribute wireless telephone services in Iraq.
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[Uisguex Jack]

Army Medics Mom, I hope you saw Rumsfeld early this Christmas eve morning.

On Fox news around Seven A M est a soldier asked the SOD why the reporters only covered the 'bad' news and never the positive accomplishments of their daily grind.

Rumsfelds response was!!: 'that sounds like a question that was not planted by the press'

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/story.jsp?id=2004122409020002473435&dt=20041224090200&w=RTR&coview=

Merry Christmas to all, God bless our guys and gals over seas this holiday.

[ArmyMedicsMom]

Saturday, Dec. 25, 2004


Editorial

94%

By: Muhammed Abdul Jabbar al-Shabbout

This is another target that was achieved following overthrowing the tyrant system, that is declaring the country's budget. And this is for those who enquire about what was achieved and what is the difference?

Iraq, for decades of tyranny rule without declared budget, which means that the country's fortune were under the tyrant's personal disposal and his oppressive group that led to wasting this mammoth fortune on wars, illicit luxuries, throwing away and dissipating money.

The budget is declared today and would be exposed to the public opinion and to the National Assembly for discussion and then we would know how the government would spend our fortune in 2005 that would witness the National Assembly elections and forming new government.

More, 94% of the budget, which was asserted with 35 trillion Iraqi dinnar, were allocated for the productive and civilian ministries, while the government, security and military expenses were not included in this percentage. The over mentioned sum would be spent on 27 ministries including health, education, municipalities, telecommunications and others that are present services for people and build the country's infrastructure.

As for the administrative body of the state, the presidency, government and the parliament, the expenses were little, while the security and military allocations were six per cent despite that it is higher than the other countries, but it is not so much high in the light of facing up fierce war against dark terror and sabotage.

I have said before, in a previous article that we are in good condition and Iraq is in good condition and now I reiterate the same saying.

Although hard circumstances we are going under, due to the former regime sufferings, the country's budget is declared and allocated for the people's service.

Finally, we should say that the most dangerous task facing the budget is terror and administrative and money corruption, for it is possible that the said budget of construction and services could be sent away into corrupted officials, traders and contactors.

Hence, combating corruption away of fears and flattery is the sole way to protect our fortunes from looting and waste that may appear again.

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35 TRILLION IRAQI DINNARS COST OF IRAQ'S 2005 BUDGET

Baghdad, Dec. 25 p1

The 2005 budget was declared with the number 35 trillion Iraqi dinars.

94% of the said number was allocated for service and productive ministries, while 6% were allocated for security and defense affairs.

33 trillion were allocated for 27 productive and service ministries that can achieve the country's rising and economic development, whereas 2 trillion dinars were allocated for the military affairs and building security forces.

The budget data revealed that the administrative departments in the state like the presidency office, government and the parliament here of the minimum quota of 262 million dinars .

The figures of money distributing on ministries indicate that the general trend is to improve the country's scientific, economic, social and service fields on the contrast of the former regime programs who was concentrating weaponry affairs that left the country deteriorated and back warded.

Declaring the budget denotes that transparency is covering the new era not like the past regime that was declining to do so for more than thirty years.

Meanwhile, the figures denote that the main task of the government is to perform service and development for all sectors and infrastructure that approaches most of people. It means that it adapts the aims of all people's programs according to economic and service needs that they look forward.

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ALLAWI SENDS LETTER TO ASAAD

IRAQI OFFICILAS: DAMASCUS –SOURCE OF TERRORIST ACTS

Baghdad, Dec 25, P2

Ayad Allawi the Iraqi Prime Minister announced that he handed Syrian President Bashaar al- Assad documents affirm existence of Iraqi gunmen who launch their attacks stemming from Syria, referring to the existence of ex-regime elements in Damascus.

Meanwhile, Iraqi ambassador to Damascus screened photos of Syrian officials along with gunmen as Allawi affirmed determination on running elections in the intended day. Allawi said that elections will have bullets effects; however, it will not be the magic solution for the Iraqi situation.

Allawi's letter included documents pertains to the use of Syrian land by the terrorists in launching attacks against Iraq.

He added that he demanded Syrian President to hand over persons responsible for such operations in Iraq namely Sab'awi Saddam's step- brother and Tahir Haboush the director of Iraqi ex-intelligence.

-----------------------------------------
FORCE FOR PROTECTING ELECTIONS CENTERS ESTABLISHED

WEAPONS IN BAGHDAD, DIYALA CONFISCATED

Baghdad, Dec 25, P4

Baghdad police command has prepared a force for protecting elections centers in Baghdad, in coordination with other formations, prepared by the government, to secure running democratic elections by January 2005.

Meanwhile, police and national guards' patrols breaks into the site thought to contain weapons and ammunitions used in explosions and bombs.

Diyala police seized quantities of light and heavy weapons as Al- Sadr police patrols launched crack down on Kasra and Attash site. Large number of weapons and ammunition and mortars were seized.

About seven suspects were arrested.

In the meantime, Najaf security departments have adopted precautionary procedures in searching for weapons and suspects involved in latest explosions.

An official source at Rasafa police directorate said that Baghdad police command and staff were trained and prepared for protecting electoral centers all over Baghdad, in coordination with National Guard and backing concerned sides.

He confirmed that Rasafa police chose faithful staff of officers and provided them with equipments, weapons and machineries in this purpose.

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LARGE NUMBERS OF IMPORTANT SERVICE PROJECTS IN BAGHDAD, MISSAN ACHIEVED

Baghdad, Dec 25, P4

Ministry of labor and municipalities has achieved large number of service projects in Baghdad and Missan , within investment plan for 2004 .

Eng. Zakki Mattar Jassim the director of Baghdad projects said that these projects included carrying out waters complexes with million and 250,000 gallons a day capacity in Nahrawaan district, to eliminate shortage in potable waters, affirming start of the project , which is hopeful to be fulfilled within 60 days with a total cost 110 millions dinars .It is one of projects that achieved out of the investment plan.

On the other hand, Baghdad waters directorate undertook implementation of interior network for neighboring site of the residential compounds in Abu Ghreeb.

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DE-BAATHIFICATION BOARD: SADDAM IS RESPONSIBLE OF TERRORISM IN IRAQ

Baghdad, Dec 25, P4

In charge of de-baathification board commented on the statement issued by the so-called political information department at Baath Party , issued earlier this month , on the 1st anniversary for arresting Saddam .

He said that what was mentioned in the doubtful statement considers as a repetition of the same slogans in distorting facts and as an attempt of disdaining peoples despite all crimes committed against Iraqi people.

In charge of education and culture department at the board said that Saddam is responsible of what was he called resistance in Iraq.

On the other hand, education and culture department at de-baathification national board urged for correcting deformed items in writing history owing to the volume of sabotage inflicted Iraq's history because of tyrannical teaching systems, which is considered inseparable part of mass destruction afflicted infrastructure of Iraqi individual and society.

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POTABLE WATERS CHANNEL ACCOMPLISHED IN SOUTHERN IRAQ

Baghdad, Dec 25, 17

The US International Development Agency has announced that a sweet waters channel in southern Iraq has been refurbished, the cost of the project reached to $23 millions.

In a press release issued by the US Agency indicated that cleaning and refurbishing the water channel which its long reaches to 149 miles, the agency will refurbish also 13 water treatment stations, including the pumping station which sent water from channel storage to agricultural and commercial users as well as the ordinary residents all over Basra.

This project carried out by Bechtel Company, the main contractor in the project, for the sake of Iraqi Water Resources Ministry.

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AL-MUSTANSIRRIYA UNIVERSITY'S GARDENS REHABILITATED

Baghdad, Dec 25, 17

The Divan of al-Mustanissiryia University has prepared a plan to rehabilitate the university's gardens which suffered from negligence over the last two years post the last US-led war on Iraq.

Dr. Saleh Hadi al-Qorushi the Director of the university divan said we are busy with many works such as turning the garden's soil, preparing for planting those sets as well as maintaining sport gardens, adding that the ministry had addressed the agricultural division at the university to supply the later with irrigation system for watering the university's gardens including the sport ones.

He pointed out that the agricultural division has maintained fountains, cleaning basins and it is now busy in filling up these basins with water to initiate operating them.

On the other hand, Dr. al-Qorushi confirmed that the university has spent huge sums reach to tens millions to rehabilitate and furnish al-Mustanisirya boarders' compounds like Ibn Sina and al-Mustanisiryia (al-Baker, formerly) and al-Qannat compounds.

Notably, Jump Star Company is launching a drive to remove burned wastes due to plundering and blazing sabotages which affected several Iraqi departments during the last war on Iraq, these fires had included also the students club which it completely fired after the war.


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IRAQI WRITERS, JOURNALISTS UNION ABROAD CONDEMN TERRORIST ACTS IN KERBALA, NAJAF

Baghdad, Dec 25, 17

The Iraqi Writers and Journalists Union abroad has condemned the terrorist acts took place at Najaf and Kerbala, in which 62 persons were martyred, 144 wounded.

The union released a statement in which the Iraqi writers and journalists abroad vehemently condemned the bombs crimes took place in the two holy cities Kerbala and al-Najaf al-Ashraf which killed 62 and wounded 144; most of them are from innocent Iraqi children and women.

The union considered this crime as a flagrant aggression on the sanctity of the holly cities and as a flagrant provocation directed for Shiite Moslems in Iraq.
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