Al-Hakim calls for end to occupation, Washington gives US company rebuilding contract
Iraq, Politics, 4/18/2003

The US yesterday directed a new blow to the former Iraqi regime by arresting Barazan al-Takreiti, half brother of Saddam Hussein, and at the same time announced no connection with al-Jalabi government which was declared on Wednesday in Baghdad. The US stressed hat all appointments in Iraq will be announced through the American agency for international development.

Meantime, Washington announced that it had offered the American Bechtel company a contract of USD 680 million to rebuild Iraqi foundations destroyed during the war.

The American agency for international development said it offered the US Bechtel company a contract estimated at USD 34.6 million to rebuild projects on energy and water in Iraq, in addition to another contract to maintain the Iraqi airports. The contract will also expand to cover maintenance of hospitals and schools and other governmental buildings that might be at a cost of USD 680 million during 18 months.

Meantime, the American occupation forces expressed concern over "ethnic conflict" in Iraq, in remarks to the escalated Kurdish-Arab frictions in northern Iraq, especially in the city of Karkouk.

The "higher council of the Islamic revolution in Iraq" announced yesterday that the forces of Bader contingent, the military wing of the council, is in Iraq and ready to launch battles "after receiving instructions" calling on the occupation forces to leave the country.

Sources close to the current discussions in the circles of the American administration on the form of the rule of Iraq after the war announced that certain officials of the US administration expressed their concern over the fact that certain areas with the majority of Sunni, Kurdish and Shiite population had won a great part of self-rule in the context of a future Iraqi government. A matter which threatens of an "ethnic conflict."

On Wednesday associates close to Ahmad al-Jalabi, the leading figure in the Iraqi National Congress, Muhammad Hassan al-Zubeidi and Jawdat al-Obeidi announced on Wednesday that a group of men of religion and tribes "elected them" at the consent of the "coalition forces" for the posts of the chairman of the executive committee and the municipality chairman, respectively.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the "higher council for the Islamic revolution in Iraq" Abdul Aziz al-Hakim announced that the chairman of the council Baqer al-Hakim "is looking forward to return back to al-Hakim as soon as possible, will be in Iraq when time is appropriate and we are waiting for that." American officials recently expressed their concern over any presence of the council in Iraq and accused it of having support from Iran and of trying to found an Islamic system in Iraq similar to Iran's.

Abdul Aziz al-Hakim said from al-Kout "I do not know why the Americans fear us. We do not want to make a revolution. We want to create a safe and secure Iraq." He added "we are looking forward to found a democratic Iraqi government selected by the people themselves and we will accept the decision of the people." Al-Hakim expressed his happiness over the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime but he criticized the way Washington had dealt with this matter. It called for the departure of the American forces from Iraq. He said "We hoped that the Americans would not have come to this country." He said "the aim of the American forces was Saddam Hussein. Now there is no Saddam Hussein, why are they still here."

Meanwhile, the American military leadership announced that the US occupation forces arrested Barazan al-Takriti, the half brother of saddam Hussein yesterday in one of Baghdad's quarters and is trying to get information from him on assets of the former Iraqi regime.

By arresting Barazan, the American forces have been able to arrest two of Saddam's brothers, one of them is Watban Ibrahim Hassan, the second half brother, who was arrested while trying to flee, according to one American official.

Previous Stories:
  Iraqi museums' looting is a catastrophe, ALECSO's director general   (4/17/2003)
  Iraq museums looting are acts of barbarity, UMA chief   (4/17/2003)
  Saddam is still alive, a treason by certain leaders of the Republican Guards   (4/17/2003)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search