Arabic News Weekly Edition for Iraq, 3/24/2003

Weekly Edition, Iraq - Week of March 24, 2003

• Scores of Iraqi civillians killed in new attack on Baghdad; Washington warns Syria and Iran Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/29/2003
• Syria rejects American accusations on supporting Iraq militarily
  An official source at the Syrian foreign ministry said "Once again the US defense secretary provokes the humanitarian feelings at a time when his forces are committing crimes of an ugly war against unarmed civilians in Iraq where hundreds of children, and women are killed, houses are demolished and civilians are arrested." The statement added "Now and after the failure of Rumsfeld's allegations of a clean and quick victory, ( Rumsfeld) tries to justify the failue of his forces -- one time because of the weather condition and another time by accusing others of smuggling equipment for Iraq." Syria-Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/29/2003
• Moroccan political organizations condemn war, call for immediate halt
  The union particularly condemned the aggression incurred against Iraqi journalists, as a violation of the Geneva Convention and international law. The Moroccan TV channel staff denounced the coalition's aggression and expressed solidarity with all peers at Iraqi TV, calling for the cessation of military action and observance of international law. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/29/2003
• Anti-war demonstration at al Azhar backs Iraqi people
  The demonstrators denounced the Anglo-American attack on the Iraqi people and the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and the UN's inability to stop them. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 3/29/2003
• Moroccan press highlights humanitarian tragedy and lingering of the conflict
  The daily further deplores how the American administration is muzzling American channels to avoid the impact the footages of the terrifying massacres on the American-British public opinion Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/29/2003
• BBC: Maher: Egypt deeply concerned over occupation of an Arab country Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 3/29/2003
• King Mohammed announces bank account for donations to Iraq
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI has decided to open a bank account to receive donations by Moroccans who want to show their solidarity with Iraq, a statement of the Royal Palace released yesterday announced. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/29/2003
• Al-Hayat: British writer says war on Iraq has already failed
  Seale said that what is called "Iraq Liberation Operation" is proved to be an imperialistic war built on lies and geopolitical greed. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/29/2003
• Al Monaataf: Palestinian ambassador pessimistic over future of Palestinian issue if war in Iraq fulfills objectives
  Of promises to publish "the road-map" made by US president George W. Bush, he called this "low-priced kickbacks." For Abu Marwane, the US-British war is not a gulf war but a world war, given its repercussions and range. Palestine-Iraq, Politics, 3/29/2003
• Morocco denies selling monkeys to USA for mine clearance in Iraq Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/29/2003
• US military leaders detail war progress
  US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the U.S.-led coalition has made solid progress since the ground war started. Coalition forces are now within 50 miles of Baghdad and concentrating on the Iraqi Republican Guard divisions guarding the capital. Iraq-USA, Military, 3/29/2003
• UN Security Council restores oil-for-food program in Iraq
  The UN security council yesterday unanimously adopted a resolution provided for resuming the oil for food program for Iraq. Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/29/2003
• Explosion in Kuwait claimed to be from missile
  An explosion took place in Kuwait said to be a result of a missile. The explosion took part in a market near the palace of the Amir of Kuwait and the foreign ministry building. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 3/29/2003
• American organizations condemn bombardment of the Iraqi TV
  The director of the Human Rights Watch Organization which takes New York as a headquarters Kenneth Roth said " TV stations can not be attacked just for the fact they are used for campaigning activities." He added that the US "has to explain how an attack against the Iraqi TV will be useful for a military operation," considering that this attack is considered a violation for international laws. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/28/2003
• Al-Assad to Assafir: Iraq situation was planned, reminds of Sykis-Picot agreement to partition region
  With regard to the historic perspective of the war on Iraq and with regard to what US. Secretary of State Colin Powell's recent statement that the war aims at reshaping the Middle East as a whole, the president indicated that the Arabs looked with sadness at Sykis-Picot Agreement which partitioned the region and "we dealt with it as a temporary event." Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/28/2003
• Moussa meets Turayki;: It is unacceptable to Arabs to facilitate killing of Iraqis
  He added that it is unacceptable to any Arab national that any Arab state offers facilities to the Americans or the Britons. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/28/2003
• Egyptians: No to Anglo-American aggression on Iraq
  The Anglo-American aggression on Iraq is still sending shock waves through the Egyptian streets, as witnessed by angry protests and marches denouncing the war. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 3/28/2003
• Moroccan newspapers deplore increasing number of victims among Iraqi civilians
  "Bush is currently launching war against innocent civilians after his forces faced fierce resistance from Iraqi fighters," comments Aujourd'hui le Maroc, noting that the tragic course of events proved right the French and German heads of state who opposed war. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/28/2003
• Syrian draft resolution to be vetoed by the USA
  The BBC correspondent in New York said it is certain that the Syrian draft resolution to condemn the American- British war against Iraq and to halt it immediately will be vetoed by the US and UK if the resolution comes up for a vote. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/28/2003
• Morocco urges international community to rescue Iraqi people
  "War does no longer depend on reports of UN disarmament inspectors, or on a given legal provision, it is indeed a bitter reality that instils doubt in our ethical progress, our values and our humanism," the Moroccan diplomat deplored. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/28/2003
• Arab trade unionists held an emergency meeting in Damascus
  He said that this aggression is represented by the unjust aggression against Iraq under the pretext of disarmament weapons of mass destruction stressing that this war is also targeting the Arab and Islamic Nations. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/28/2003
• Moroccan artists pay tribute to US anti-war stars
  Moore, one of the first signatories of the "Not in my name" appeal, symbolizes resistance to war and to violence, he said adding "with their commitment against war, American stars have given another image of America." Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/28/2003
• Iraqi health minister announced Iraqi war casualties
  The Iraqi minister of Health announced that 36 Iraqis were killed and 215 wounded in Wednesday's raids of the American and British forces against Baghdad. Iraq, Politics, 3/28/2003
• Al-Jalabi: UN too weak to play a role in the post- Saddam phase
  The chairman of the Iraqi National Congress, Ahmad al-Jalabi, said yesterday that the Iraqi opposition strongly opposes the UN to play a role in the post Saddam phase in Iraq, hoping that the coalition will permit the Iraqi opposition to play a greater role especially through calling on the Iraqis to rebel. Iraq, Politics, 3/28/2003
• Egypt rejects any foreign leadership of Iraq-PA committee Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 3/28/2003
• UN human rights chief makes fresh appeal to protect civilians in Iraq
  Expressing increasing concern for the welfare of the people of Iraq, the top United Nations human rights official issued a fresh appeal today to all parties to respect fundamental civil liberties and observe meticulous precautions in protecting civilians. Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/28/2003
• US military operation in north Iraq
  Several hundred "Sky Soldiers" of the 173rd Airborne Brigade opened a new front in a Kurdish-controlled area of northern Iraq, US defense officials announced yesterday. Iraq-USA, Military, 3/28/2003
• ISESCO Invites UNESCO to Take Joint Action to Rescue Human Cultural Heritage in Iraq
  The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO, a Rabat-based offshoot of the Organization of the Islamic Conference) exhorted UNESCO on Thursday to take an urgent joint initiative to protect human lives being reaped by internationally prohibited weaponry and to preserve human cultural heritage in Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Culture, 3/28/2003
• Al-Basra water supplies re-operated partially Iraq, Local, 3/28/2003
• Arab, world demonstrations against the war in Iraq
  Thousands of students demonstrated in Cairo University yesterday protesting against the American- British war on Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Pope refuses to bless the war against Iraq as just
  Pope John Paul on Wednesday firmly opposed the U.S-British war against Iraq refusing to bless it as a just war. Iraq-Vatican, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Tureiki, Moussa criticizes stances of certain Arab states concerning the Iraqi issue
  Secretary General of the General Popular Committee of the African Unity in Libya Ali Abdul Salam al-Tureiki has criticized stances of certain Arab states which provides facilities and aid for the American- British aggression against Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Iraqi resistance gave war a new shape, says Arab League SG
  Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa hailed the Iraqi resistance and steadfastness in the face of the Anglo-American aggression, noting that this stiff resistance had changed expectations on the course of war. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2003
• More Syrian demonstrations in Aleppo, Daraa against the war
  Millions of Syrian people in the city of Aleppo and the city of Daraa demonstrated today expressing anger and condemnation against the American and British war on Iraq. The participants called for stopping aggression on the Iraqi people and an immediate withdrawal of the aggressive forces from Iraq. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Lebanese demonstration in protest of war against Iraq
  Lebanese People's Assembly's Speaker, Nabih Berri, renewed his denunciation yesterday to the U.S-British aggression against Iraq. Lebanon-Iraq, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Iraqi resistance, coalition barbarous bombings make Moroccan headlines
  The heroic resistance of the Iraqi people, the US-led unrelenting bombings and King Mohammed VI's deep concern and repeated calls for respect of the Iraqi people's unity and territory, and of Arab states' sovereignty, security and stability made the headlines of this Wednesday's front pages. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Russia: stop the aggression against Iraq
  Russia Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov criticized the U.S. and British liberation motto of the war on Iraq which stresses that Washington and London's pretexts on liberating Iraq is a lie. Iraq-Russia, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Iraqi ambassador in Amman: Baghdad is ready to send new diplomats to replace expelled ones
  The Iraqi ambassador in Amman on Wednesday announced that Baghdad will send three new diplomats to replace the diplomats who were expelled from Amman, considering that what had happened as a "passing summer fog," according to the Jordanian official news agency. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Galloway and the British, American war
  British House of Common member, George Galloway, has stressed that the American- British aggression against Iraq is a brutal imperialistic action, a crime against humanity and a stigma for the UN Security Council. Iraq-UK, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Arab physicians warns over the environmental effects of the war against Iraq
  Arab Physician Union has condemned the American, British war on Iraq warning over the dangerous health and environmental effects of this aggression on Iraq and the region. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Sabri strongly criticizes expulsion of Iraqi diplomats
  The Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri yesterday strongly criticized Jordan's expulsion of five Iraqi diplomats in response to an American request to this effect and held Jordan responsible for this act. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 3/27/2003
• United Nations humanitarian organizations expressed deep concern due to air strike on Baghdad Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Three journalists including two Lebanese were missed in Iraq Iraq-Regional, Local, 3/27/2003
• Jordan has not witnessed any flow for Iraqi refugees
  So far, no Iraqi refugee has arrived in Jordan, one week after the beginning of the aggression against Iraq. However, humanitarian organizations are still preparing to receive and accommodate thousands of them. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 3/27/2003
• Arab states call for immediate end to war against Iraq
  Following their meeting in Cairo yesterday, the Arab foreign minister branded the aggression on Iraq "a violation of international law and legality, a threat to international peace and security and a challenge of the international community and public opinion." Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Former Egyptian army chief commends Iraq's steadfastness
  Egyptian Forces Leader in the October Liberation War, Gen. Sa'd Eddine Al-Shazeli, has stressed the importance of the Iraqi people and army's steadfastness in confronting the US-British aggression. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2003
• UMA trade union calls war in Iraq declaration of war on all humanity
  The American-British aggression against Iraq is a declaration of war on all humanity and an attempt to expand the American hegemony in the world, said the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA)'s trade union. Iraq-Maghreb, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Islamic countries calls security council to immediately end war against iraq
  "War has never proved to be the best means to settle international conflicts, says Belkziz, noting that the war against Iraq "was waged without being mandated by the Security Council, thus violating the international legality." Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Calls to stop the bloodshed in Iraq
  Popular Organizations and Vocational Associations in Syria Demanded yesterday an immediate halt to the U.S- British aggressive war against Iraq. They called for "an immediate end to the U.S policy of bloodshed and destruction in Iraq." Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Moroccan intellectuals denounces coalition's 'barbarous aggression'
  A group of intellectuals grouped in the "wisdom circle for thinkers and researchers" strongly denounced "the US-British barbarous aggression that seeks to destroy Iraq's cultural legacy." Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Moroccan press hails Iraqi resistance, hopes war ends
  Headlines in Moroccan press hailed Tuesday the "unexpected" and "heroic" resistance of the Iraqi people, hoping for an end to the "dirty war." Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Egypt rejects expelling Iraq diplomats
  Egypt rejected a US request for expelling Iraqi diplomats from Cairo and for closing the section of Iraqi interests. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Khatami: the situation in the region is a human disaster
  Iranian President Muhammad Khatami, described the current situation in the region as a human disaster that has to be solved on the bases of logic and justice. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Iraq calls for Annan to revitalize the oil for food program
  In conclusion of the press conference Saleh said that Iraq is not in need of aid from the USA and Britain which strike people and cities in Iraq by missiles and bombs and that Iraq has enough of foodstuffs Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Syrian Cabinet calls on US, Britain to immediately withdraw from Iraq Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Yemeni losses because of the war Yemen-Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Jordan denies a visit by an American delegation for mediation to halt the war in Iraq Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2003
• US view of the war advance in Iraq
  all of Iraq is a battlefield and coalition forces are challenging the heart of Iraqi resistance around Baghdad, Air Force Maj. Gen. Victor Renuart said yesterday in Qatar. Iraq-USA, Military, 3/26/2003
• Amnesty International concerned about al-Basra Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2003
• Call for UN General Assembly to issue resolution on Iraq war
  This comes in accordance with Article 377, which allows the General Assembly to intervene in controversial issues in the event of the failure of the Security Council to find a solution. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/25/2003
• Arab ministers condemn aggression against Iraq; Kuwaiti reservations
  Syria's representative at the UN Security Council Mikhael Wahba, on behalf of the Arab group, yesterday proposed convening a meeting for the UN Security Council to discuss means of ending the American- British aggression against Iraq, in implementation of the decision taken by the Arab ministerial council in Cairo earlier in the day. The decision unanimously, with a Kuwaiti reservation, condemned the aggression and called for the "immediate withdrawal" of the invading forces from Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/25/2003
• More Moroccan parties, unions join in condemning aggression on Iraq
  Several Moroccan parties and trade unions condemned the aggression of the US-led coalition on Iraq, calling for an immediate halt of military operations. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/25/2003
• Algerian president, Lebanese parties support Iraq
  Lebanese parties and national bodies asserted yesterday that the volume of dangers and threats which face the Arab states is increasing because of the crimes of U.S- Zionist terrorism. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/25/2003
• Iraqi issue concerns all Moroccans, minister
  The Iraqi issue concerns all Moroccans and must not be used for one-upmanship, said Friday minister of communication and spokesman for the government, Nabil Benabdellah. Iraq-Morocco, Politics, 3/25/2003
• Russia warns of grave consequences of the war against Iraq
  The Russian foreign ministry has warned that the American military operations against Iraq are of grave consequences for the Middle East region and the world as a whole. Iraq-Russia, Politics, 3/25/2003
• Continued demonstrations in Syria in protest of war against Iraq
  Thousand of people in Damascus yesterday continued massive marches condemning the US and British aggression on the Iraqi people. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/25/2003
• France, Netherlands turn down U.S. request to expel Iraqi diplomats
  Paris turned down U.S. request to expel Iraqi diplomats and said it declined the U.S. request because it concerned a question of French sovereignty, a Foreign Ministry spokesman. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/25/2003
• Not all journalists are equal at US military center in qatar
  At the US central military command in As-saliyah basis in Qatar "Centcom," not all journalists are equal, especially those not coming from countries forming the US-led coalition. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/25/2003
• Large march today in Damascus in support of Iraq Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/25/2003
• AL chief meets with Sudanese, Tunisian FM s Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/25/2003
• Islamic Conference calls for stopping the war against Iraq Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/25/2003
• Moroccans express solidarity with Iraq in several cities Iraq-Morocco, Politics, 3/25/2003
• Iraqi oil tanks to Jordan suspended Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 3/25/2003
• Islamic Organization fears damage to Iraqi heritage
  Calling for the preservation of the Iraqi cultural heritage, the Islamic Organization for Education, Science, and Culture in Rabat has condemned the American- British war against Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Culture, 3/25/2003
• Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union Condemns Criminal War on Iraq Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Anti-war demonstrations and statements
  Arab League Secretary General has called on the international Community and all peace forces in the world to strongly confront the US-British aggressive war against Iraq which he said is a clear violation of the international law. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Greek- Orthodox church deplores attack against Iraq
  Patriarch of Antioch and all the East for Greek Orthodox, Ignatius Hazim IV, has condemned the policy of "the right of might vis- a- vis the power of right" which are practiced by the American and British administrations against Iraqi people and the Arab and Islamic nations without any legitimate justification. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Mostafa Fiki said that the war on Iraq is illegal and unjustified Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Arab FMs held a consultative meeting in Cairo
  Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk al-Shara, asserted yesterday, at the consultative Arab foreign ministers' meeting, the necessity for adopting effective Arab resolutions that rise to the level of the responsibility for halting the U.S-led attacks against Iraq. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Al-Shara confers with Iraqi counterpart
  Sabri: Regarding the US official statements on the situation in Iraq, he underlined that such statements fall within the framework of propaganda. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Syrian Baath Party: US attack on Iraq are illegal and immoral
  Al-Baath Arab Socialist Party -- pan-Arab Leadership -- on Sunday circulated a message to the other parties on the US.-British aggression on Iraq. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Rift precedes meeting of Arab FMs; Kuwait condemns Iraq
  He said "The government of Kuwait has facilitated the entry of the aggressors and hosted the aggressors, financed them to attack the people of Iraq. From Kuwait shells are fired to kill the children of al-Basra." Sabri accused the ruler of Kuwait "the hirelings" of opening two thirds of their country before the American invasion of Kuwait. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Saudi consultative demands halting war on Iraq
  The Saudi Consultative Council "Shura" demanded yesterday a halt to the U.S- led war against Iraq which they described as a breach to international law. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Continued demonstrations in Damascus in protest of the war against Iraq Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Iraqi rejection for amending the oil for food program Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Iraqi citizens in Jordan decide to return back home to fight
  The Iraqi citizens in Jordan have decided to return back home and take part in defending it against the American- British aggression. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 3/24/2003
• After they were expelled by Jordanian authorities, four Iraqi diplomats, families arrived in Syria Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 3/24/2003
• US: 12 Americans soldiers missing as fight intensify
  12 Americans Missing Twelve American soldiers are unaccounted for following actions around the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah, U.S. Central Command officials said yesterday. Iraq-USA, Military, 3/24/2003
• Kuwait denies to have forces in Um al-Qaser
  The official spokesman for the Kuwaiti army Col. Youssef al-Mulla has denied what was quoted by the media that there are Kuwaiti forces in the Iraqi area of Um al-Qaser, stressing that this news is groundless. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Iran summons the Iraqi charge de affairs in Tehran Iraq-Iran, Politics, 3/24/2003
• Kuwaiti airlines suspends flights Kuwait-Iraq, Local, 3/24/2003
• On the escape of Iraq general in Denmark
  The Danish BT daily said that the agents of the CIA had organized the escape of the opposition Iraqi Lt. Gen. Nizar al-Khazraji, the former chief of staff of the Iraqi army to Saudi Arabia via Germany Iraq-Denmark, Politics, 3/24/2003

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