Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Iraqi media round-up
Maliki: Iraqi Media Network should work for all
(Al-Sabaah al-Jadeed) Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki urged the Iraqi Media Network, the country’s official news service, to reject sectarianism and teach Iraqis about national reconciliation. Receiving the director general of the network, Habeeb al-Sadr, al-Maliki urged the organization work for all Iraqis. (Al-Sabah is a daily independent publicly owned newspaper, Iraq’s official news service.)
First Anniversary of Samarra Bombing
(Al-Bayan) At a commemoration on the first anniversary of the bombings of the Holy Shrine in Samarra, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said the road from Baghdad to Samarra would not reopen for another two months because security forces meant to be guarding the road were still being trained. The bombing triggered a surge in ethnic violence throughout the country. Interior Minister Jawad al-Boolani said his ministry would provide protection to companies rebuilding the shrine. (Al-Bayan is issued four times a week by the Islamic Dawa Party, chaired by Vice-President Ibrahim al-Jafari.)
Syria: Situation in Iraq “Very Dangerous”
(Azzaman) Syria’s foreign minister Waleed al-Mualim called the situation in Iraq very dangerous and complicated at a press conference attended by Arab League Secretary General Amr Mosa. He also said that Iraqis could only resolve their problems through political means that encouraged unity, a schedule for the withdrawal of foreign armies and the strengthening of Iraq’s armed forces. (London-based Azzaman is issued daily by Saad al-Bazaz.)
Tribal Leaders Denounce Terrorism
(Al-Mada) Tribal leaders of Najaf said they rejected their members who supported terrorists in the city. The 500 leaders denounced violence in a vast meeting held in Najaf and attended by Governor Asaad Abu Gulal and other officials. They also said they backed the government in its fight against terrorisms throughout Iraq. (Al-Mada is issued daily by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture and Arts.)
Politicians Agree on Return of Displaced
(Al-Ittihad) Baghdad’s security plan is also a strategy to rebuild the country, develop human and economic resources and improve public services, said Vice President Adil Abdul Mahdi during a visit with the governor of Diwaniya province in south-central Iraq. Mahdi also said that all political blocs supported the return of displaced families to their homes. (Al-Ittihad is published daily by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.)
