Middle East News
By DPA
Feb 27, 2007, 13:35 GMT
Baghdad - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced in a press briefing Tuesday that his cabinet would pass a newly-approved draft law on oil and natural gas to parliament for voting.
Oil Minister Hussein Shahristani, meanwhile, confirmed 'differences in views' between his ministry and officials from the Kurdish autonomous region over some clauses of the new law.
The draft law, which was approved on Monday, outlines the procedures and guidelines for oil transactions based on articles 11 and 112 of the constitution and, according to al-Maliki, 'makes Iraqis the prime owners of the wealth of oil and gas.'
The cabinet-backed law - currently proposed to parliament for review and approval - would have a 'positive impact and will certainly endorse the unity between all Iraqi elements and factions,' said al-Maliki.
He added that the 'main aim' of structuring this law was to 'realize the highest interest for the Iraqi people,' assuring that the law put 'Iraqi benefits' first.
According to Maliki, in light of the new law, Iraq's national oil company would be restructured and turned into an independent holding company. This company would then be in charge of implementing the national oil policy.
Oil revenues would be directed into a single account, and from there distributed between the different provinces according to their population counts.
The Federal Council on Oil and Gas is to represent these provinces and manage the flow of revenues.
The central government would also 'set up a new oil management structure tasked with drawing up national oil policies,' al-Maliki was quoted as saying by the Voices of Iraq news agency.
According to al-Maliki, the regional authorities would be given the right to negotiate with the bidding companies and potential investors under the guidelines established by the Oil and Gas Council.
Shahristani, however, said that the ministry would also have a role in 'regulating' the series of negotiations, 'accepting bids from qualified international companies.'
In remarks to the press, Shahristani added that 'nationality and background' of the companies would not be taken into account in making deals, 'but the ability of the company to revive the oil fields in accordance with the measures put forward by the Oil Ministry' would.
According to the minister, competition would be 'free,' and foreign investment encouraged.
During his statements, Shahristani also confirmed 'differences' between the Kurdish independent government, controlling the Kurdistan region, and the ministry.
'There is a difference of views between our Kurdish brothers in Kurdistan region (on one side) and the Oil Ministry and members of the parliament's Council of Oil and Gas (on the other) about the mechanism of negotiations over the new contracts and the existing ones,' he said.
According to reports, the Kurds would still be given the opportunity to thoroughly review the contracts, where the existing ones are incorporated in the new law.
Iraq has the third largest oil reserves worldwide. However, many of the existing oil fields have not been utilized since the 1970s.
Most oil fields are located in the south of Iraq near oil-rich cities like West al-Qurna, Majnoun, Nahran Omar, Rafideen, Helfaya, Sabba, Lahees and Bazrkan.
Other areas like eastern Baghdad, Al-Ahdab, Nasiriyah, and Artawy are also famous for their wealthy oil fields.
The current oil reserves are estimated to be equivalent to 115 billion barrels. But local experts estimate it might cost at least 30 billion dollars to renovate and revitalize the oil construction and refinery facilities.
Meanwhile, Sean McCormack, spokesman of the US State Department, sounded hopeful, when he told the press during a Monday briefing in Washington, that the proposed draft law was 'an important piece of draft legislation' and that 'oil would become a tool that would help unify Iraq and give all Iraqis a shared stake in their country's future.'
'The law would include international standards for transparency, including requirements for public disclosure of contracts and associated revenues,' he added.
dpa pa gma
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
© Copyright 2006, 2007 by monstersandcritics.com.
This notice cannot be removed without permission.
Link: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1269977.php/Iraqi_Cabinet_approves_oil_draft_law_refers_it_to_parliament
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
DPA: Egyptian students protest Jerusalem excavations
Middle East News
Feb 19, 2007, 16:23 GMT
Cairo - Hundreds of Cairo University students and staff took to the streets of the Egyptian capital on Monday to protest against Israeli renovation works near the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem.
Israel has begun excavations several dozen metres from the compound as preparation for the construction of a new pedestrian bridge leading up to the elevated compound's Mughrabi Gate.
The bridge is to replace an earthen walkway that collapsed because of snowstorms and a minor earthquake in 2004.
The work however has sparked the anger of many Muslims, who believe it may harm the al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock mosques.
'(The al-Aqsa mosque) will not be destroyed as long as we live,' read some of the flyers and banners held by young demonstrators at Cairo University, as they were cordoned off by hordes of riot police.
The zealous students shouted slogans against 'the breaching' of the Islamic site. Speakers at the two-hour-long demonstration, which included members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, encouraged the youths to show their anger in a peaceful manner.
According to a statement issued by a collective of university professor and staff, the protest was to be 'a step towards awakening the (Islamic) nation, so that it can defend its identity and existence, and claim its pride.'
dpa pa
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1265613.php/Egyptian_students_protest_Jerusalem_excavations
Feb 19, 2007, 16:23 GMT
Cairo - Hundreds of Cairo University students and staff took to the streets of the Egyptian capital on Monday to protest against Israeli renovation works near the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem.
Israel has begun excavations several dozen metres from the compound as preparation for the construction of a new pedestrian bridge leading up to the elevated compound's Mughrabi Gate.
The bridge is to replace an earthen walkway that collapsed because of snowstorms and a minor earthquake in 2004.
The work however has sparked the anger of many Muslims, who believe it may harm the al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock mosques.
'(The al-Aqsa mosque) will not be destroyed as long as we live,' read some of the flyers and banners held by young demonstrators at Cairo University, as they were cordoned off by hordes of riot police.
The zealous students shouted slogans against 'the breaching' of the Islamic site. Speakers at the two-hour-long demonstration, which included members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, encouraged the youths to show their anger in a peaceful manner.
According to a statement issued by a collective of university professor and staff, the protest was to be 'a step towards awakening the (Islamic) nation, so that it can defend its identity and existence, and claim its pride.'
dpa pa
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1265613.php/Egyptian_students_protest_Jerusalem_excavations
Saturday, February 17, 2007
DPA: US protestor "pushed and shoved" by food chain employees in Cairo
From Monsters and Critics.com
Middle East News
By DPA
Feb 17, 2007, 17:07 GMT
Cairo - An American protestor claimed Saturday he was pushed and shoved by Kentucky Fried Chicken employees in downtown Cairo after he dressed as a giant 'crippled chicken' to protest what he called 'abuse' of chickens in factory farms and slaughterhouses.
'We were protesting, (then) KFC employees started pushing and shoving,' said Jason Baker, who is originally from the US state of Michigan.
Baker, 34, is a member of a group called People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and supports a worldwide campaign against the food chain.
The campaign alleges - according to a recent press release by PETA - that 'at slaughterhouses that supply KFC, birds are still alive after having their throats slit are scalded to death in defeathering tanks.'
According to the campaign's official website, the abuse includes 'live scalding, life-long crippling, and painful debeaking.'
As Baker protested with an Egyptian fellow activist holding signs in English and Arabic reading 'KFC cripples chicken,' employees from KFC came out of the store to talk with the protestors.
As the activists refused to leave, the employees allegedly pushed Baker, forcing him away from the store. Baker claimed that he 'hit the ground' and was kicked.
However, a KFC staff member who was present told Deutsche Presse- Agentur dpa on condition of anonymity that 'we did not push the protestor to the ground, no-one harassed the protestor.
We only wanted to understand why they're protesting. We asked them a few questions. They were not convincing. Their flyers were not convincing.'
He added: 'We slaughter according to the Islamic tradition, slaughtering is done legally according to this tradition. Our slaughterhouses are supervised by the health ministry.
'We did not push them away. They were taken away by the police. We were trying to urge them to stay away from the store, away from the entrance. Their presence annoyed some of the customers.'
Plain-clothed national security members who came to the scene intervened and carried Baker to a nearby building. He was said to be bruised, but suffered no major injuries. Baker was questioned by members of the security police, then released after around two hours.
No complaints were filed nor any inquiry instigated, although the employees and Baker were questioned. 'But none of the employees were detained,' Baker said.
Police escorted Baker back to his hotel room and requested that he not talk to the press. He was also told to inform the police of any upcoming protest 'for their protection.'
'It's kind of ironic that these employees have this attitude, (similar to) people that run the company in Kentucky,' Baker told dpa after the incident.
'It's from the ground level and the executives. They seem to be rather aggressive. But we will be back.'
dpa pa
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
© Copyright 2006,2007 by monstersandcritics.com.
This notice cannot be removed without permission.
Middle East News
By DPA
Feb 17, 2007, 17:07 GMT
Cairo - An American protestor claimed Saturday he was pushed and shoved by Kentucky Fried Chicken employees in downtown Cairo after he dressed as a giant 'crippled chicken' to protest what he called 'abuse' of chickens in factory farms and slaughterhouses.
'We were protesting, (then) KFC employees started pushing and shoving,' said Jason Baker, who is originally from the US state of Michigan.
Baker, 34, is a member of a group called People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and supports a worldwide campaign against the food chain.
The campaign alleges - according to a recent press release by PETA - that 'at slaughterhouses that supply KFC, birds are still alive after having their throats slit are scalded to death in defeathering tanks.'
According to the campaign's official website, the abuse includes 'live scalding, life-long crippling, and painful debeaking.'
As Baker protested with an Egyptian fellow activist holding signs in English and Arabic reading 'KFC cripples chicken,' employees from KFC came out of the store to talk with the protestors.
As the activists refused to leave, the employees allegedly pushed Baker, forcing him away from the store. Baker claimed that he 'hit the ground' and was kicked.
However, a KFC staff member who was present told Deutsche Presse- Agentur dpa on condition of anonymity that 'we did not push the protestor to the ground, no-one harassed the protestor.
We only wanted to understand why they're protesting. We asked them a few questions. They were not convincing. Their flyers were not convincing.'
He added: 'We slaughter according to the Islamic tradition, slaughtering is done legally according to this tradition. Our slaughterhouses are supervised by the health ministry.
'We did not push them away. They were taken away by the police. We were trying to urge them to stay away from the store, away from the entrance. Their presence annoyed some of the customers.'
Plain-clothed national security members who came to the scene intervened and carried Baker to a nearby building. He was said to be bruised, but suffered no major injuries. Baker was questioned by members of the security police, then released after around two hours.
No complaints were filed nor any inquiry instigated, although the employees and Baker were questioned. 'But none of the employees were detained,' Baker said.
Police escorted Baker back to his hotel room and requested that he not talk to the press. He was also told to inform the police of any upcoming protest 'for their protection.'
'It's kind of ironic that these employees have this attitude, (similar to) people that run the company in Kentucky,' Baker told dpa after the incident.
'It's from the ground level and the executives. They seem to be rather aggressive. But we will be back.'
dpa pa
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
© Copyright 2006,2007 by monstersandcritics.com.
This notice cannot be removed without permission.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
DPA: Censorship Of Literary Work Remains Unchallenged In Egypt
By Pakinam Amer, dpa
First Published: February 12, 2007
Cairo - Book censorship is spreading in Egypt now that numerous self-appointed authorities have received the absolute right to ban, sue or destroy a book for so-called religious and security reasons.
Freedom of expression is a right granted by the Egyptian constitution that acknowledges "freedom of literary, artistic and cultural invention".
However, Islamic institutions like the Azhar and state-run bodies such as the Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Education have the right to review books and withdraw them from the market.
Last week, a court banned foreign schools from teaching a book entitled History of the World, which according to the Cairo-based Egyptian Gazette, "contained information considered blasphemous and humiliating to Islam."
Another book was recently confiscated by the arts division in the Interior Ministry for allegedly criticizing modern Islamic scholars and questioning their eligibility.
On the one hand, books focusing on religious and political matters are confiscated for broaching tabued subjects. On the other hand, religious books that arguably "entice hatred" are sometimes left on book shelves.
"What these government and religious bodies exercise regarding literary work is a form of thuggery," said Mohammed Hashem, owner of a local publishing house. Hashem was interrogated about a book he published that was later deemed "irreligious and profane."
In the event of censorship, people calling for a ban have only to petition the office of the prosecution, and a case is almost immediately upheld against both the author and the publisher if the book is deemed "insulting to Islam" or to the ruling regime.
"In my case, I was asked questions like: 'Why did you publish this book? Did you know it contained blasphemy?' and so forth," said Hashem, adding, "Publishers face numerous pressures."
Hashem's book was quickly removed by a committee following the investigation. In other cases, representatives of the Azhar arrive and remove the controversial book "although they do not have legal rights to do so," Hasham notes.
The Azhar, a top authority on Islam, could not be reached for comment.
But although some liberals accuse religious organizations of "infringing on writers' freedom of expression," others say that the problem is more entrenched in the Egyptian system and is "beyond religious institutions."
Author Sonallah Ibrahim said, "Censorship in Egypt is closely connected to the political status that does not encourage freedoms" and to a culture of silence.
"The whole issue is almost comical," said Ibrahim, whose first book sparked a fury and was banned for criticizing the Egyptian cabinet.
Despite outcries, sometimes writers in government-controlled media even rush to justify the practice for fear of "disturbing public order".
Nawal Saadawi, a well-known author and outspoken critic of the government, had five books banned by her own publishers less than two weeks ago.
Saadawi's autobiography and another controversial play called "God Resigns in the Summit Meeting" were among the books removed from display.
Saadawi believes that the security police are behind the ban.
Every single copy of "God Resigns in the Summit Meeting" was shredded by local publisher Madbouli, who did not even give 70-year- old Saadawi a copy of her own book, and kept the manuscript.
When asked, Hajj Mohamed Madbouli, owner and manager of the publishing house, said the decision was not political saying that he removed the book as soon as he learnt the title.
"She's insulting God. I can publish anything even if it's against governments or kings, but never against God," Madbouli said, adding that members of the security police only witnessed the destruction of the book but did not initially request it.
There are other "thriving" forms of censorship in Egypt. For instance, some "pious" Muslim lawyers have adopted censorship cases; systematically filing court cases against "notorious" books, movies, and TV shows.
Hashem, the local publisher, said that in some cases "censorship has become a flourishing business."
An unknown lawyer files a case against a book, deeming it immodest or sacrilegious and attracts plenty of media attention in the process.
In other instances, the publishers take advantage of the situation by removing a book from a shelf, claiming that it has been confiscated. It can then be sold illegally at a higher price.
"People rush to search for books that are banned," explained Hashem.
But pressure in the form of death threats and exclusion from the media, which eventually lead to self-censorship, are the worst.
Saadawi is always under crossfire from conservatives and security officials and has not only faced defamation and court cases but also death threats from Islamic radicals. Local media, who are sometimes equally conservative in view of "sensitive issues" have often ignored her plight and have not answered her pleas.
Saadawi is banned from public television because of her writings. "There are other ways of silencing a writer, make them withdraw their work or express regret for publishing it ... such as prison," said Saadawi, who was briefly incarcerated in the early 1980s.
© 2007 DPA
Link: http://www.playfuls.com/news_10_13790-Censorship-Of-Literary-Work-Remains-Unchallenged-In-Egypt.html
http://my.earthlink.net/article/ent?guid=20070212/45cff450_536_133420070212-1676977377
http://my.embarq.earthlink.net/channel/entertainment/article/ent?guid=20070212/45cff450_536_133420070212-1676977377
http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/february/16/muslim_world_news/censorship_of_literary_works_spreads_in_europe.html
First Published: February 12, 2007
Cairo - Book censorship is spreading in Egypt now that numerous self-appointed authorities have received the absolute right to ban, sue or destroy a book for so-called religious and security reasons.
Freedom of expression is a right granted by the Egyptian constitution that acknowledges "freedom of literary, artistic and cultural invention".
However, Islamic institutions like the Azhar and state-run bodies such as the Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Education have the right to review books and withdraw them from the market.
Last week, a court banned foreign schools from teaching a book entitled History of the World, which according to the Cairo-based Egyptian Gazette, "contained information considered blasphemous and humiliating to Islam."
Another book was recently confiscated by the arts division in the Interior Ministry for allegedly criticizing modern Islamic scholars and questioning their eligibility.
On the one hand, books focusing on religious and political matters are confiscated for broaching tabued subjects. On the other hand, religious books that arguably "entice hatred" are sometimes left on book shelves.
"What these government and religious bodies exercise regarding literary work is a form of thuggery," said Mohammed Hashem, owner of a local publishing house. Hashem was interrogated about a book he published that was later deemed "irreligious and profane."
In the event of censorship, people calling for a ban have only to petition the office of the prosecution, and a case is almost immediately upheld against both the author and the publisher if the book is deemed "insulting to Islam" or to the ruling regime.
"In my case, I was asked questions like: 'Why did you publish this book? Did you know it contained blasphemy?' and so forth," said Hashem, adding, "Publishers face numerous pressures."
Hashem's book was quickly removed by a committee following the investigation. In other cases, representatives of the Azhar arrive and remove the controversial book "although they do not have legal rights to do so," Hasham notes.
The Azhar, a top authority on Islam, could not be reached for comment.
But although some liberals accuse religious organizations of "infringing on writers' freedom of expression," others say that the problem is more entrenched in the Egyptian system and is "beyond religious institutions."
Author Sonallah Ibrahim said, "Censorship in Egypt is closely connected to the political status that does not encourage freedoms" and to a culture of silence.
"The whole issue is almost comical," said Ibrahim, whose first book sparked a fury and was banned for criticizing the Egyptian cabinet.
Despite outcries, sometimes writers in government-controlled media even rush to justify the practice for fear of "disturbing public order".
Nawal Saadawi, a well-known author and outspoken critic of the government, had five books banned by her own publishers less than two weeks ago.
Saadawi's autobiography and another controversial play called "God Resigns in the Summit Meeting" were among the books removed from display.
Saadawi believes that the security police are behind the ban.
Every single copy of "God Resigns in the Summit Meeting" was shredded by local publisher Madbouli, who did not even give 70-year- old Saadawi a copy of her own book, and kept the manuscript.
When asked, Hajj Mohamed Madbouli, owner and manager of the publishing house, said the decision was not political saying that he removed the book as soon as he learnt the title.
"She's insulting God. I can publish anything even if it's against governments or kings, but never against God," Madbouli said, adding that members of the security police only witnessed the destruction of the book but did not initially request it.
There are other "thriving" forms of censorship in Egypt. For instance, some "pious" Muslim lawyers have adopted censorship cases; systematically filing court cases against "notorious" books, movies, and TV shows.
Hashem, the local publisher, said that in some cases "censorship has become a flourishing business."
An unknown lawyer files a case against a book, deeming it immodest or sacrilegious and attracts plenty of media attention in the process.
In other instances, the publishers take advantage of the situation by removing a book from a shelf, claiming that it has been confiscated. It can then be sold illegally at a higher price.
"People rush to search for books that are banned," explained Hashem.
But pressure in the form of death threats and exclusion from the media, which eventually lead to self-censorship, are the worst.
Saadawi is always under crossfire from conservatives and security officials and has not only faced defamation and court cases but also death threats from Islamic radicals. Local media, who are sometimes equally conservative in view of "sensitive issues" have often ignored her plight and have not answered her pleas.
Saadawi is banned from public television because of her writings. "There are other ways of silencing a writer, make them withdraw their work or express regret for publishing it ... such as prison," said Saadawi, who was briefly incarcerated in the early 1980s.
© 2007 DPA
Link: http://www.playfuls.com/news_10_13790-Censorship-Of-Literary-Work-Remains-Unchallenged-In-Egypt.html
http://my.earthlink.net/article/ent?guid=20070212/45cff450_536_133420070212-1676977377
http://my.embarq.earthlink.net/channel/entertainment/article/ent?guid=20070212/45cff450_536_133420070212-1676977377
http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/february/16/muslim_world_news/censorship_of_literary_works_spreads_in_europe.html
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
ANALYSIS: Shiite militants change tactics against new security plan (DPA)
Middle East News
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: Feb 7, 2007
Baghdad/Cairo (dpa) - Following the death of two of their senior leaders, the Shiite Sadr faction has threatened an uprising in Iraq - but their threats are downplayed by security analysts.
The faction, analysts say, cannot afford a direct confrontation with the US military forces and the government which are now putting in place their new security plan.
"The US forces are trying to provoke the Mahdi militias into a direct confrontation" which the latter cannot afford, said Baghdad University analyst and political science professor Hamid Fadel.
The Mahdi Army is a feared militia loyal to the powerful Muqtada al-Sadr, who controls a political bloc in the Iraqi parliament on which Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is dependent. Nor are they the only Shiite militia that the government is affiliated with.
Recently however, joint Iraqi and US army forces declared an offensive against the Shiite cult Soldiers of Heaven in Najaf, killing more than 260 of cult members after a day of clashes.
The offensive marked a new strategy by the government towards Shiite militias - some of whom were previously heavily protected by members of al-Maliki‘s cabinet.
The Shiite-led cabinet headed by al-Maliki has been accused of fighting a largely one-front war against Sunnis and Baath insurgents - although the war should have also targeted the Shiite militias who are suspected in the wave of killings and kidnappings in the country.
But not until US President George W Bush warned the Iraqigovernment that it must get tougher on the insurgency or face the consequences that Baghdad‘s stance became firmer.
In a move to assure the US administration, al-Maliki apparently sought to deny that his government is sectarian and so a change of tactics was needed when it came to handling the militias.
"The Iraqi government was being accused by everyone - internal groups and foreign forces," Fadel added.
Last Sunday, Bahaa al-Aaraji, a Sadrist MP, in what appeared to be a threat, warned that a "huge upheaval" would occur if the policemen did not stop targeting Sadrists.
Although Fadel said these "military threats" are void, he added that using its popularity at the street level, Sadr is capable of mobilizing the public against the government.
But even after al-Aaraji‘s warning, security forces continued their raids. High-profile Sadrists were arrested in the course of the past few days. On Monday, Najaf supporters of top Shiite authority Ayatollah Mahmoud al-Hosni were also targeted.
It is not clear if these and the Najaf operations were a signal of goodwill to Bush - or a message to the armed Shiite militias who are almost embarrassing al-Maliki by adopting violence.
But it could very well be a dual message. When al-Maliki was appointed as premier he led a Shiite coalition - the United Iraqi alliance - that consisted among others of his own Islamic Dawa Party as well as the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) and the infamous Sadr faction.
Analysts say this puts Maliki in a dilemma. On the one hand he is trying to clamp down on Badr organization, which is SCIRI‘s military wing and the Mahdi army under al-Sadr. On the other, he is trying to maintain stable ties with their affiliated deputies in parliament.
The government has shown great reluctance about getting tough on Shiite militias. In January, for example, after US and Iraqi security forces detained an alleged Sadri leader of a punishment squad, Iraqi authorities quickly promised he would be released.
In short, the government showed readiness to bow to Sadri pressures. But then US patience began to wear thin, in turn threatening to weaken al-Maliki‘s position as Iraq‘s leader.
Now it appears that al-Maliki manoeuvring may be working. The US, following the Najaf operations and the arrests in the Mahdi ranks, may be taking notice.
On Tuesday, a US embassy spokesman in Baghdad told the press that it is understandable that dismantling armed groups in Iraq "takes time" and was difficult and could not be accomplished overnight. But the diplomat, Lou Fintor, said al-Maliki‘s government was capable of meeting its commitment about putting a stop to the death squads.
Al-Maliki and Shiite militias also seem to be forming a sort of "agreement" whereby the main Shiite militias would limit their operations, change their tactics and in turn give the impression that al-Maliki had successfully controlled the raging forces, suggests Iraqi analyst Fadel.
Halting the activity of the militias - even if it‘s temporary - is a show of power, he believes.
Fatah el-Sheikh, senior member of Sadr politburo, said that his movement is fully aware that - at this point - the US forces were intensifying their operations.
"But we will deal with this with our best weapons - patience and wisdom," he said.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
Links: http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Shiite_militants_change_tactics_aga_02062007.html
http://www.jurnalo.com/jurnalo/storyPage.do?story_id=15882
http://www.playfuls.com/news_10_12683-Shiite-Militants-Change-Tactics-Against-New-Security-Plan.html
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: Feb 7, 2007
Baghdad/Cairo (dpa) - Following the death of two of their senior leaders, the Shiite Sadr faction has threatened an uprising in Iraq - but their threats are downplayed by security analysts.
The faction, analysts say, cannot afford a direct confrontation with the US military forces and the government which are now putting in place their new security plan.
"The US forces are trying to provoke the Mahdi militias into a direct confrontation" which the latter cannot afford, said Baghdad University analyst and political science professor Hamid Fadel.
The Mahdi Army is a feared militia loyal to the powerful Muqtada al-Sadr, who controls a political bloc in the Iraqi parliament on which Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is dependent. Nor are they the only Shiite militia that the government is affiliated with.
Recently however, joint Iraqi and US army forces declared an offensive against the Shiite cult Soldiers of Heaven in Najaf, killing more than 260 of cult members after a day of clashes.
The offensive marked a new strategy by the government towards Shiite militias - some of whom were previously heavily protected by members of al-Maliki‘s cabinet.
The Shiite-led cabinet headed by al-Maliki has been accused of fighting a largely one-front war against Sunnis and Baath insurgents - although the war should have also targeted the Shiite militias who are suspected in the wave of killings and kidnappings in the country.
But not until US President George W Bush warned the Iraqigovernment that it must get tougher on the insurgency or face the consequences that Baghdad‘s stance became firmer.
In a move to assure the US administration, al-Maliki apparently sought to deny that his government is sectarian and so a change of tactics was needed when it came to handling the militias.
"The Iraqi government was being accused by everyone - internal groups and foreign forces," Fadel added.
Last Sunday, Bahaa al-Aaraji, a Sadrist MP, in what appeared to be a threat, warned that a "huge upheaval" would occur if the policemen did not stop targeting Sadrists.
Although Fadel said these "military threats" are void, he added that using its popularity at the street level, Sadr is capable of mobilizing the public against the government.
But even after al-Aaraji‘s warning, security forces continued their raids. High-profile Sadrists were arrested in the course of the past few days. On Monday, Najaf supporters of top Shiite authority Ayatollah Mahmoud al-Hosni were also targeted.
It is not clear if these and the Najaf operations were a signal of goodwill to Bush - or a message to the armed Shiite militias who are almost embarrassing al-Maliki by adopting violence.
But it could very well be a dual message. When al-Maliki was appointed as premier he led a Shiite coalition - the United Iraqi alliance - that consisted among others of his own Islamic Dawa Party as well as the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) and the infamous Sadr faction.
Analysts say this puts Maliki in a dilemma. On the one hand he is trying to clamp down on Badr organization, which is SCIRI‘s military wing and the Mahdi army under al-Sadr. On the other, he is trying to maintain stable ties with their affiliated deputies in parliament.
The government has shown great reluctance about getting tough on Shiite militias. In January, for example, after US and Iraqi security forces detained an alleged Sadri leader of a punishment squad, Iraqi authorities quickly promised he would be released.
In short, the government showed readiness to bow to Sadri pressures. But then US patience began to wear thin, in turn threatening to weaken al-Maliki‘s position as Iraq‘s leader.
Now it appears that al-Maliki manoeuvring may be working. The US, following the Najaf operations and the arrests in the Mahdi ranks, may be taking notice.
On Tuesday, a US embassy spokesman in Baghdad told the press that it is understandable that dismantling armed groups in Iraq "takes time" and was difficult and could not be accomplished overnight. But the diplomat, Lou Fintor, said al-Maliki‘s government was capable of meeting its commitment about putting a stop to the death squads.
Al-Maliki and Shiite militias also seem to be forming a sort of "agreement" whereby the main Shiite militias would limit their operations, change their tactics and in turn give the impression that al-Maliki had successfully controlled the raging forces, suggests Iraqi analyst Fadel.
Halting the activity of the militias - even if it‘s temporary - is a show of power, he believes.
Fatah el-Sheikh, senior member of Sadr politburo, said that his movement is fully aware that - at this point - the US forces were intensifying their operations.
"But we will deal with this with our best weapons - patience and wisdom," he said.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
Links: http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Shiite_militants_change_tactics_aga_02062007.html
http://www.jurnalo.com/jurnalo/storyPage.do?story_id=15882
http://www.playfuls.com/news_10_12683-Shiite-Militants-Change-Tactics-Against-New-Security-Plan.html
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
ANALYSIS: Iraqi-Syrian relations turn sour, verbal war continues (DPA)
From Monsters and Critics.com
Middle East News
By Pakinam Amer
Feb 5, 2007, 19:35 GMT
Baghdad/Cairo - Expectations that Syria would prove a 'caring neighbour' and peace partner for war-torn Iraq were dashed after Iraqi politicians accused Damascus of sheltering militants and aiding terrorist groups in Iraq.
'Around half of the murderers and bombers are radicals who come through Syria, Iraqi cabinet spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told reporters Sunday adding, 'We have the evidence to prove it.'
Al-Dabbagh's allegations echoed accusations repeatedly voiced by US policy makers and implying that the attacks in Iraq occur with both the knowledge and consent of Syrian officials.
Iraq cannot afford to sever relations with its neighbours and in the worst-case scenario, it increases the possibility of a fully- fledged civil war, not just in Iraq but in the entire region.
The terrorists arrive via the Syrian borders, al-Dabbagh confirmed. MP Sami al-Askary said their entrance was 'continuous especially from Syria.'
The war of words between Iraq and Syria began Sunday, following a string of attacks across Baghdad. On Sunday, a truck bomb attack rocked a busy market in Baghdad killing more than 130 Iraqis, mostly Shiites, and wounding over 300.
The incident sent shockwaves through Shiite communities; even high-ranking Sunni authorities rushed to express their condolences and dodge responsibility.
Top Iraqi officials were quick to blame Syria. They accused the country of having a 'loose grip' on Syrian-Iraqi borders, and also charged that the country was financing terrorist groups within Iraq as well as facilitating their entry.
Iraqi authorities say Syria is also turning a blind eye to weapons smuggling into Iraqi territories.
During President Jalal Talabani's visit to Damascus, Syria had earlier responded that the porous desert land forming the long borderline between Iraq and Syria was almost impossible to control.
Adding insult to injury, the remarks came as hundreds of thousands of Iraqis seeking refuge from the anarchy in their own land fought Syrian restrictions on them. Al-Dabbagh had deemed Syria 'antagonistic' and unreceptive towards 'real' and legal refugees.
Syrian authorities vehemently and quickly denied any responsibility for the turmoil and lashed out at the 'fraudulent' allegations that Syrian intelligence was harassing legitimate Iraqi refugees.
Mohammed Habash, an Islamist and a Syrian MP, told al-Arabiya television that such remarks enticed 'hostility' in the region and were baseless.
'What has Syria got to do with the bombing of a vegetable market in Iraq? There is an American or Israeli hand to this,' Habash said.
After almost a quarter of a century of cool relations, in November 2006, the anti-US Syrian government, backed by Iran, started forging an alliance with Iraq, arguably attempting to act as a power broker and pressuring the US to start a dialogue in a bid to curb the unrest in Iraq.
Syrian intentions were not kept clandestine. Both Iranian and Syrian leaders told reporters that Western States had to be willing to talk to Iraq's neighbours.
Syria has also exchanged ambassadors with Iraq and Iran. The latter has been keen to draw Syria into a Tehran-based summit on the violence in Iraq. In January, President Talabini visited Damascus, signing a series of agreements - a first in decades.
But the contentment of Tehran and Damascus did not last for long because of the Iraqi officials' verbal attacks.
Only a few hours after the fiery accusation, Syrian news and pan- Arab TV channels quoted authorities saying that an 'Iraqi truck' loaded with explosives and arms had attempted to cross into Syria via the Lebanese border. The so-called smuggling attempt was immediately foiled, authorities said.
There is a message in this piece of news, which was timed with the accusations.
Damascus could be implying two things: that they are actually clamping down on would-be terrorists or that its very own territories are equally threatened by Iraqi militants trying to slip into Syria, then possibly into Iraq through the joint border.
Perhaps, it is a sign of goodwill that Syria is acting on information regarding militancy or an act of hostility. Baghdad, however, has not responded to the incident - and is not likely to.
Despite firing back, the Syrians continue to signal 'tolerance' to Iraqi authorities saying Monday they were still ready to broker peace in their neighbouring country.
Syria apparently wants to influence the Iraqi insurgency as 'a gambling card.'
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
© Copyright 2006,2007 by monstersandcritics.com.
This notice cannot be removed without permission.
Link: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1255955.php/ANALYSIS_Iraqi-Syrian_relations_turn_sour_verbal_war_continues
http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Iraqi_Syrian_relations_turn_sour_ve_02052007.html
http://www.playfuls.com/news_10_12518-Iraqi-Syrian-Relations-Turn-Sour-Verbal-War-Continues.html
Middle East News
By Pakinam Amer
Feb 5, 2007, 19:35 GMT
Baghdad/Cairo - Expectations that Syria would prove a 'caring neighbour' and peace partner for war-torn Iraq were dashed after Iraqi politicians accused Damascus of sheltering militants and aiding terrorist groups in Iraq.
'Around half of the murderers and bombers are radicals who come through Syria, Iraqi cabinet spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told reporters Sunday adding, 'We have the evidence to prove it.'
Al-Dabbagh's allegations echoed accusations repeatedly voiced by US policy makers and implying that the attacks in Iraq occur with both the knowledge and consent of Syrian officials.
Iraq cannot afford to sever relations with its neighbours and in the worst-case scenario, it increases the possibility of a fully- fledged civil war, not just in Iraq but in the entire region.
The terrorists arrive via the Syrian borders, al-Dabbagh confirmed. MP Sami al-Askary said their entrance was 'continuous especially from Syria.'
The war of words between Iraq and Syria began Sunday, following a string of attacks across Baghdad. On Sunday, a truck bomb attack rocked a busy market in Baghdad killing more than 130 Iraqis, mostly Shiites, and wounding over 300.
The incident sent shockwaves through Shiite communities; even high-ranking Sunni authorities rushed to express their condolences and dodge responsibility.
Top Iraqi officials were quick to blame Syria. They accused the country of having a 'loose grip' on Syrian-Iraqi borders, and also charged that the country was financing terrorist groups within Iraq as well as facilitating their entry.
Iraqi authorities say Syria is also turning a blind eye to weapons smuggling into Iraqi territories.
During President Jalal Talabani's visit to Damascus, Syria had earlier responded that the porous desert land forming the long borderline between Iraq and Syria was almost impossible to control.
Adding insult to injury, the remarks came as hundreds of thousands of Iraqis seeking refuge from the anarchy in their own land fought Syrian restrictions on them. Al-Dabbagh had deemed Syria 'antagonistic' and unreceptive towards 'real' and legal refugees.
Syrian authorities vehemently and quickly denied any responsibility for the turmoil and lashed out at the 'fraudulent' allegations that Syrian intelligence was harassing legitimate Iraqi refugees.
Mohammed Habash, an Islamist and a Syrian MP, told al-Arabiya television that such remarks enticed 'hostility' in the region and were baseless.
'What has Syria got to do with the bombing of a vegetable market in Iraq? There is an American or Israeli hand to this,' Habash said.
After almost a quarter of a century of cool relations, in November 2006, the anti-US Syrian government, backed by Iran, started forging an alliance with Iraq, arguably attempting to act as a power broker and pressuring the US to start a dialogue in a bid to curb the unrest in Iraq.
Syrian intentions were not kept clandestine. Both Iranian and Syrian leaders told reporters that Western States had to be willing to talk to Iraq's neighbours.
Syria has also exchanged ambassadors with Iraq and Iran. The latter has been keen to draw Syria into a Tehran-based summit on the violence in Iraq. In January, President Talabini visited Damascus, signing a series of agreements - a first in decades.
But the contentment of Tehran and Damascus did not last for long because of the Iraqi officials' verbal attacks.
Only a few hours after the fiery accusation, Syrian news and pan- Arab TV channels quoted authorities saying that an 'Iraqi truck' loaded with explosives and arms had attempted to cross into Syria via the Lebanese border. The so-called smuggling attempt was immediately foiled, authorities said.
There is a message in this piece of news, which was timed with the accusations.
Damascus could be implying two things: that they are actually clamping down on would-be terrorists or that its very own territories are equally threatened by Iraqi militants trying to slip into Syria, then possibly into Iraq through the joint border.
Perhaps, it is a sign of goodwill that Syria is acting on information regarding militancy or an act of hostility. Baghdad, however, has not responded to the incident - and is not likely to.
Despite firing back, the Syrians continue to signal 'tolerance' to Iraqi authorities saying Monday they were still ready to broker peace in their neighbouring country.
Syria apparently wants to influence the Iraqi insurgency as 'a gambling card.'
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
© Copyright 2006,2007 by monstersandcritics.com.
This notice cannot be removed without permission.
Link: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1255955.php/ANALYSIS_Iraqi-Syrian_relations_turn_sour_verbal_war_continues
http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Iraqi_Syrian_relations_turn_sour_ve_02052007.html
http://www.playfuls.com/news_10_12518-Iraqi-Syrian-Relations-Turn-Sour-Verbal-War-Continues.html
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