Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Iraqi media round-up
Shia-Sunni Grouping Call for Return of Displaced
(Al-Mada) During a recent meeting held in the city, the Sadrist current, Sunni Endowment and the Islamic Party called for Sunni mosques to reopen and Sunni displaced families to return to Basra. The groups pledged that security would be provided to Sunni interests. A joint Sunni-Shia committee was formed to follow-up on these promises, said Sheikh Adnan al-Silani, who is in charge of tribal affairs and public gatherings for the Sadr office in Basra. The two sides recently held a conference on Sunni-Shia brotherhood during which they pledged to end sectarian violence in the city. (Al-Mada is issued daily by the Al-Mada Institution for Media, Culture, and Arts.)
Implementation of Security Plan
(al-Sabah al-Jadeed) Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said that a plan to impose the rule of law would be implemented gradually until it reached its conclussion this week. He said that it would be in force in all neighborhoods at the same time and denied reports that there were disagreements over its implementation in some areas. He also said that according to the plan, displaced families would be returned and their affairs seen to. (Al-Sabah is a daily, publicly-owned newspaper.)
Human Rights Curriculum Included in All Schools
(Tareek al-Shaab) A source in the human rights ministry said that minister Wijdan Michael had met with a joint committee made up of representatives from the education, higher education, environment and interior ministries to discuss the implementation of a human right curriculum in schools. The human rights ministry, established after the fall of the Saddam regime, has been trying to add human rights issues to curriculum and educate security forces about human rights. (Tareek al-Shaab is issued by the Iraqi Communist Party.)
Plans to Address Pollution and Cleaner Environment
(Al-Mashriq) Environment minister Nermeen Osman announced the formation of a consultancy board to clean up the environment and to reduce pollution in the country. She added that this move came as part of the ministerial council’s instructions to monitor pollution in drinking water and soil, and address industrial and oil pollution. The board will work with neighbouring countries by exchanging information and guaranteeing international funds to make the projects a successs. (Al-Mashriq is published daily by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments.)
