Arabic News Weekly Edition for Iraq, 3/31/2003
Weekly Edition, Iraq - Week of March 31, 2003
- Shiite figures ban dealing with occupation; clashes around Basra; Baghdad's battle starts with a massacre
The invading American forces started yesterday Baghdad's battle with waht was termed as a massacre that claimed the lives of scores of civilian Iraqis, targeting a secure village near Saddam International airport, as the invaders advanced during night time and violent confrontation took place between the invading forces and the Iraqi resistance forces in al-Kout, al-Hella and al-Basra, the surrounding of Kerbala and al-Najaf whose religious references ban dealing with occupation. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/4/2003 - Jordanian King: Military operations against Iraq is an invasion, the Iraqis are martyrs
The Jordanian king has described the American- British against Iraq and for the first time as an "invasion" disclosing that his country has rejected a request to open its air space for the military jets of the coalition. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 4/4/2003 - Moroccan press denounces international silence on mercantile war
Moroccan dailies denounced this week the "mercantile war" and wondered about the role of mere onlooker observed by the international community in this war that threatens the Iraqi people of "genocide" and "destruction" of all its wealth. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/4/2003 - Moroccan first humanitarian aid batch to Iraq arrives in Amman
A Moroccan plane arrived Thursday in Amman, Jordan, carrying 16.5 tons of medicines, pharmaceutical products and medical kits, as well as 58.5 tons of powder milk as an urgent aid for the Iraqi people. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/4/2003 - Chambers of Industry and Commerce for supporting people of Iraq
Members of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Damascus have denounced the American- British "brutal aggression against the Iraqi people," and "its resorts to use weapons that are banned internationally against the innocent Iraqi civilians, including children, women, and elderly." Syria-Iraq, Politics, 4/4/2003 - Moroccan civil society demand stronger backing to Iraqi people
Moroccan civil society associations have renewed decry of the ongoing US-led war on Iraq and demanded a stronger backing to the Iraqi people. The associations called, in separate releases, on the international community to press for an immediate halt to what they called the execution of civilians, children, women and elderly. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/4/2003 - Saudi Prince Bander reply to Ramadan's accusations
Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the USA Prince Bandar Bin Sultan on Wednesday evening strongly replied to statements made by the Iraqi vice- president Taha Yassin Ramadan in which he accused him together with the Saudi foreign minister Saud al-Faisal as being "two hirelings" of the USA. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 4/4/2003 - L'Economiste: Red Crescent, Red Cross federation refuses delivery of humanitarian aid by allied forces
Secretary general of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent federation, Didier Cherpitel, said it is "indecent" that the same soldiers who are killing civilians in Iraq are helping their victims. Iraq, Politics, 4/4/2003 - US presentation of the status of the military attack of Iraq
US Army Brigadier General Vincent Brooks, CENTCOM deputy director of operations, briefed the media Iraq-USA, Military, 4/4/2003 - 30 Iraqi children, 215 wounded in Red Crescent hospital bombing; contradictory news
Baghdad, once again yesterday was exposed to brutal bombardment that even struck hospitals. Bombs were dropped on various areas of the capital and bombardment also targeted a telecommunication establishment and a presidential complex near the Tigris river and a bridge at the southern suburb of Baghdad. Iraq-USA, Military, 4/3/2003 - Moroccan press slams carnage of Iraqi civilians
Al Alam daily of the Istiqlal Party (PI, in government) opines that the United States and Great Britain apply the scorched land policy on infrastructures, habitations, telecommunication centers and neighborhoods that are destroyed "in the sole objective to subdue the Iraqi people, occupy the country and control oil wealth." Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/3/2003 - Arab, Russian dailies condemn the war on Iraq
Arab and Russian dailies yesterday condemned the US-British aggression against Iraq and the "barbaric bombardment targeting Iraqi civilians." Regional-Iraq, Politics, 4/3/2003 - Large demonstration at the Egyptian Suez Canal University
Suez Canal University witnessed yesterday a massive demonstration in opposition to the American- British "aggression on Iraq that aims at controlling the region and seizing its wealth." Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 4/3/2003 - Egyptian demonstrations in Alexandria
Demonstrations in Egyptian governorates in rejection of the US-led war on Iraq took place with trade unions, students, Islamic and Christian clergymen and members of parliament expressed condemnation of the current war. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 4/3/2003 - Arab revolutionary dialogue meeting
The Arab National and Vocational Organizations Committee held a meeting yesterday in Damascus at the Arab Revolutionary Democratic Dialogue Forum headed by Secretary General of International Arab Trade Union, Hasan Jamam, under the motto: "Supporting Iraq against the American- British aggression." Regional-Iraq, Politics, 4/3/2003 - Al-Jazira TV freezes work of its correspondents in Iraq
The Qatari satellite al-Jazira TV announced freezing the work of all its correspondents in Iraq in protest of the Iraqi authorities' expulsion of one of its correspondents from Baghdad and preventing another from practicing his press activity. Iraq-Qatar, Politics, 4/3/2003 - British press: land attack against Baghdad within 48 hours
The British press have stressed quoting military sources at the American central leadership in Qatar that the land attack to be launched by the American and British forces against Baghdad is nearby and might be most expectedly within 48 hours. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/3/2003 - Lahoud and the war in Iraq Lebanon-Iraq, Politics, 4/3/2003
- Egypt FM questions why invade Iraq and leave Israel out Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 4/3/2003
- Pan-Islamic body calls for immediate cease-fire, withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq
The group of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in the United Nations called in New York on Monday for an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of all foreign forces from Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 4/2/2003 - Cairo expels an Iraqi diplomat, Baghdad regrets Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 4/2/2003
- Besiege of ditches of blood in al-Najaf, Kerbala; Baghdad appeals Ankara for help
In the 13th day of the war against Iraq, the invading American- British forces escalated their military operations and bloody attacks in southern Iraq in an attempt to tighten the belt on al-Najaf, Kerbalaa and al-Basra and to enhance its position on the outskirts of al-Kout in preparation for the next move -- the besiege of Baghdad. Iraq-Jordan, Military, 4/2/2003 - Drifts of a war supposed to be clean and swift, moroccan press
Commenting on the civilian victims of coalition missiles targeting residential neighborhoods, Al Bayane says "Freedom bombs" are killing a growing number of civilians. "Because of the Iraqi resistance, the aggressors are taking revenge from civilian populations," Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/2/2003 - Moroccan NGOs call for more support to Iraqi people
Moroccan political and human rights organizations and associations reiterated condemnation of the US-British aggression on Iraq, calling for more support to the Iraqi people and the immediate halt of military operations. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/2/2003 - Syrian teachers demonstrations against war on Iraq
With the participation of party, vocational and public activities, teachers in al-Raqqa Governorate ( southern Syria) staged yesterday a sit- in expressing solidarity with the Iraqi people and condemning the American- British aggression. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 4/2/2003 - Al-Shara made telephone calls with Gul, Kharazi on Iraq Syria-Iraq, Politics, 4/2/2003
- Saudi minister of interior denied a plane, missile explosion in al-Kharj base Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 4/2/2003
- Rumsfeld denies cease-fire being talks Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/2/2003
- Iraq denies news that Saddam's family members left Iraq, Politics, 4/2/2003
- US description of its military attack on Iraq's
U.S. Army units attacked Iraqi Republican Guard units around Karbala within the past day, a senior Central Command official told media yesterday. Iraq-USA, Military, 4/2/2003 - Rumsfeld briefs on the US attack on Iraq
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, along with Gen. Richard B. Myers, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, briefed yesterday on the status of US attack on Iraq Iraq-USA, Military, 4/2/2003 - UN identifies $1 billion worth of humanitarian goods for priority delivery to Iraq
The United Nations office overseeing the humanitarian Oil-for-Food programme yesterday said it has identified over $1 billion worth of goods and supplies as potential priorities for delivery to Iraq over the next 45 days. Iraq-UN, Politics, 4/2/2003 - Annan recommends maintaining UN's Iraq-Kuwait observer force in region
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recommended retaining in Kuwait City for a further three months a small logistics headquarters of the United Nations mission monitoring the Iraq-Kuwait border to support UN activities in the region, where the world body is currently concentrating on humanitarian relief. Iraq-UN, Politics, 4/2/2003 - UN relief agencies warn of soaring heat and water shortages in Iraq
As United Nations relief agencies struggled to move more humanitarian aid into Iraq, stifling heat amid a continuing water shortage emerged yesterday as a new threat to the health of the civilian population, especially children. Iraq-UN, Local, 4/2/2003 - 26 Iraqis, 11 children, 7 women killed by the US
Preliminary news reports from Baghdad said that 20 Iraqis including 11 children and 7 women were killed after the American- British missiles fell on the two sides in the outskirts of Baghdad. Three houses were completely destroyed and other houses were damaged and the rescue teams were able to aid scores of wounded Iraqis. Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003 - Syria: We decided to side with the Iraqi people, international law
A Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman announced on Monday the following: Yesterday, American Secretary of States Colin Powell said in front of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual conference, which is the strongest Zionist lobby in the U.S., and it seemed obviously that he was offering a bill of his latest achievements to ensure that what the American administration is doing in our region serves the Israeli schemes and interests and satisfies Sharon. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003 - Moroccan speaker calls Iraq war human catastrophe
Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (lower chamber of parliament), Abdelouahed Radi, on Monday condemned the ongoing Iraq War as a "human catastrophe." Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003 - Sabri: Certain Arab regimes are stabbing Iraq from the back
The Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri stressed yesterday that the Arab governments that stab Iraq from the back will be held accountable before history and the Arab nation. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 4/1/2003 - Syrian VP war against Iraq an outrage to international law
Syria's Vice President and Deputy Chairman of the National Progressive Front, NPF, Mahmmad Zoheir Masharqa reviewed the "catastrophic repercussions of the US-British aggression on Iraqi people" and described it as a "breach to the international law and legitimacy resolutions." Syria-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003 - Moroccans say no to war in Iraq, papers
The paper goes on to say the marches, staged throughout the world, bear witness to the fact that "humanity has not forgotten the atrocities it has already gone through." They are also "a human outcry to rid the world of other criminals disguised in the cloak of justice makers." Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003 - Suzanne Mubarak announces campaign to accept citizens financial aid for Iraqi people
The Egyptian Red Crescent, at a meeting Sunday under Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak, chairperson of the Red Crescent, decided to extend relief aid to the people of Iraq and to accept financial donations from citizens Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003 - On Iraq's war effect on political reform in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has been facing strong resistance for reforms from a religious pressure group, provoked by the war led by the US against Iraq. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003 - Mahfouz: Iraq war to harm Arab-West ties for years
Mahfouz expressed his personal dislike of the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and described him as bloody dictator, but at the same time, he does not agree with Bush's acts of using illegal mechanisms to push Anglo-American soldiers into an unfair war against innocent Iraqis. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003 - Riyadh asks Hussein to quit
The Saudi foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal has asked the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to resign "as a sacrifice for his country's sake." Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003 - Economy sustains heavy losses due to US-led aggression
"Egypt's economy has suffered heavy losses estimated at US$15 billion due to the on-going and unjustified US-British aggression against Iraq," economists told opposition newspaper al-Wafd. Egypt-Iraq, Economics, 4/1/2003 - Al-Hakim expresses readiness to return back to Iraq
The chairman of the Higher Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, Ayatullah Muhammad Baqer al-Hakim, who lives in exile in Iran expressed his readiness to return back to Iraq. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/1/2003 - Pumping of Iraqi oil to Syria suspended
A source concerned with the Syrian oil industry said yesterday that Iraq has stopped its oil supplies to Syria for technical reasons in the first days of the US-led military campaign against Baghdad. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003 - Al-Shara holds talks with Kharazi on the Iraqi issue Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/1/2003
- Red cross, Red crescent received only a few refugees since start of iraq war Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003
- Syrian women observe a sit in in solidarity with the Iraqi people Syria-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2003
- UN urged to hold a General Assembly meeting on Iraq
The whole world was vociferous in opposition to war, but no action was taken to stop it, despite attempts by some nations to obtain a resolution from the UN General Assembly on the illegality of the US-led attack against Iraq. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/31/2003 - Islamic group decide to take Iraq crisis to UN General Assembly
Members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in the UN held a meeting to consider the latest developments of the Iraq crisis and efforts within the world body to halt the US-led aggression on Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/31/2003 - Assyrian Oriental Church condemns the war against Iraq
The archbishopric of the Assyrian Oriental Church in Syria has condemned the American- British aggression on Iraq stressing that it is a strong violation to all heavenly religions, international laws and human rights. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/31/2003 - Anti-war protests continues worldwide
They called for putting US President George W.Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair on trial as war criminals. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/31/2003 - Al-Shara: US failed to be welcomed in Iraq as a liberator
the U.S- British troops felt with shock when the Iraqi people didn't receive them with flowers as liberators. Contradictory, they received them with protests and severe resistance, al-Shara said. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/31/2003 - Moroccan march in solidarity with Iraq
Demonstrators, wearing stickers that read "we are all Iraqis" chanted slogans and waved Iraqi and Palestinian flags, to speak out against the sufferings of the Iraqi people. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/31/2003 - Egypt: two parliament members opposing the war released
The Egyptian authorities on Sunday released 28 persons including two opposition members of parliament who were arrested over their participation and provoking of demonstration against the war on Iraq, according to an Egyptian judicial source. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 3/31/2003 - King Mohammed gives instructions for humanitarian assistance to Iraqi people
The committee, that expressed pride at the resistance of the Iraqi people, further called the UN security council and the international community to endeavour for "the immediate cessation of aggression, the withdrawal of the American and British troops from Iraq and the respect of Iraq's territorial integrity." Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 3/31/2003 - Iraq: war is aimed against Arab states resources and Palestinian cause
Iraqi permanent representative at the Arab League, Mohsen Khalil has warned against the fact that the American-British war on Iraq is just a beginning of a brutal attack against the whole Arab nation and aims at seizing its wealth and eliminating the Palestinian cause. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/31/2003 - US forces intensify bombing against Baghdad, destroy al-Basra oil company, confrontations fierce
Along the past hours on Sunday, the American- British fighters raided several areas in Baghdad and the shelling hit the residential areas especially al-Karrada area. More explosions were heard inflicting more casualties in lines of the Iraqis among the killed and wounded civilians. Iraq-USA, Military, 3/31/2003 - Sunday Mirror: Cook: war on Iraq is wrong; British forces should withdraw
The British former foreign office secretary Robin Cook has described the war launched by the US against Iraq as bloody and ruthless, calling for the withdrawal of the British forces from this war. Iraq-UK, Politics, 3/31/2003 - Hungarian trade party condemns the war against Iraq
Hungary Trade Party has firmly condemned the American-British aggression against Iraq and criticized the American administration stressing that it wanted the war from the beginning ignoring the United Nations and the world. Iraq-Hungary, Politics, 3/31/2003 - Al-Watan: Ruling out of Saddam Hussein's family to Syria
The Saudi daily al-Watan has ruled out press reports which talked about the possibility of Saddam Hussein family and relatives resorting to Syria. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/31/2003 - Shura Council members condemn appalling massacres against Iraqi civilains Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 3/31/2003
- US presentation of its military war status on Iraq
Following is the transcript of the Pentagon's briefing, on the status of war against Iraq Iraq-Kuwait, Military, 3/31/2003