Arabic News Weekly Edition for Iraq, 4/12/2004
Weekly Edition, Iraq - Week of April 12, 2004
- On the hostages in Iraq
In a press conference, the Muslim scholars commission in Iraq said that it had helped in the evacuation of more that 300 Russian workers and allowing them to reach Baghdad, while the Chinese embassy announced the release of one Chinese hostage. For its part, the Danish foreign ministry stressed that one Danish businessman was kidnapped. Iraq, Politics, 4/17/2004 - Occupation forces besiege Iraqi contingent since 3 days al-Sader refused to desolve al-Mahdi army
In a remarkable development, sources at contingent 36 of the new Iraqi army said that American forces enhanced by tanks and helicopters are besieging it since three days after the contingent refused to participate with the occupation forces in military operation in Falujja in solidarity with the citizens. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/17/2004 - Iraqi resistance group captures one American soldier
One armed group in Iraq announced it holds one American soldier serving within the occupation forces in Iraq. In a TV tape record for the Qatari al-Jazeera group, a spokesman for the group said that the soldier is being treated as a prisoner, according to the Islamic jurisprudence. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/17/2004 - Russia evacuates its citizens from Iraq, one Iranian diplomat killed in Iraq
News reports in Baghdad said that the three Japanese hostages who were kidnapped by a group calling itself ( Saraya al-Mujahideen) were released. Iraq, Politics, 4/16/2004 - Setback for Iranian mediation, al-Seistani warns occupation from entering Najaf, American criticizes Syria, appeals its help
The US administration yesterday called on Syria to give "every help" possible to ease down the conditions in Iraq, at a time when leaders of the American army were warning her from the continued "sneaking of foreign fighters from its lands," while the Iranian mediation failed to solve the crisis between Muqtada al-Sader and the occupation forces with the assassination of one Iranian diplomat in front of the Iranian embassy in Baghdad. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/16/2004 - An attack at the headquarters of the Spanish forces in al-Najaf
News reports in al-Najaf said that the Spanish base in the city was exposed to violent bombardment followed by confrontations between the Spanish forces and unidentified gunmen. Iraq, Military, 4/16/2004 - Iranian mediation delegation between Washington and al- Sader arrives in Iraq
An Iranian diplomatic delegation arrived yesterday in Baghdad to help in easing down the conditions in Iraq, following Washington's request from Tehran to interfere with Muqtada al-Sader to halt his resistance for the American occupation army. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/15/2004 - Occupation agrees to change al-Mahdi army to a political organization, one Italian hostage is killed in Iraq
A group calling itself the "Green contingent" announced it had killed one of the four Italians held by it. In a statement, the group said it killed him to be a lesson to whom may concern, threatening the killing of the other three Italian hostages, one by one, unless its demands are met. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/15/2004 - Al-Sader gives up his conditions; occupation enhances its forces in al-Najaf
A spokesman for the Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader said that a progress was attained in the current negotiations between the American forces and al-Sader supporters. Iraq-Italy, Politics, 4/15/2004 - Human rights Watch asks for investigating al-Falujja massacres
Human Rights Watch organization has asked for immediate investigation of the acts committed by the American occupation forces in the besieged al-Falujja city in Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/14/2004 - Occupation ends Falujja truce, bombards the city by planes
The American occupation forces violated the cease fire in al-Falluja and started bombarding it by planes after the tanks withdrew because of the fierce resistance. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/14/2004 - Nine Iraqis were killed in Falujja Iraq-USA, Military, 4/14/2004
- Saudi Shura Council deplores US practices in Iraq
The Saudi Shura Council on Monday strongly condemned the US practices of killing and destruction against Iraqi people in Falouja and other Iraqi cities. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 4/13/2004 - Some 11 Russians were kidnapped, 7 Chinese released in Iraq
News reports in Moscow said quoting an official in the Russian world company for energy services that some 11 Russian working in the company's branch in Baghdad were kidnapped. The reports added quoting the Russian official that two Iraqis from the guards of the building might have been killed during armed confrontations with the kidnappers. Iraq, Politics, 4/13/2004 - Some 700 Iraqis killed, 1250 wounded in Falouja only in one week, Syria and Iran are accused of works that does not help stability
The Iraqi fighters in Falouja announced that fighting will be resumed at 4 p.m. ( Iraq local time) yesterday if the American snipers will not withdraw from the city, according to a journalist who attended a meeting for the leaders of the fighters and men of religion. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/13/2004 - Arab Writers Union deplores coalition practices in Iraq Regional-Iraq, Politics, 4/13/2004
- Syrian Red Crescent aids to Falouja people Syria-Iraq, Politics, 4/13/2004
- Falouja is calm
News reports in Falouja said that the situation in the city is calm and the truce which is valid as from yesterday morning is honored by the two sides. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/12/2004 - Khatami-deplores incidents in Iraq
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami condemned the latest "crimes" in Iraq, comparing it to "murders committed by the Zionists occupation against the Palestinian people." Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/12/2004 - Several Marines injured, one Apache downed west Baghdad. A fragile truce, Kerbalaa weeps al-Hussein, chanted for resistance
The US President George W. Bush has admitted that the occupation forces faced a "difficult week" in Iraq, talking during his visit to the military Fort Hood base in Texas. Bush said talking to journalists in " last week was hard," but he added "our forces are strong and dealing with the situation." He continued, according to one attending journalist "I am praying every day for the losses to decrease..But what we are doing is correct." Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/12/2004 - Holding hostages in Iraq escalates pressure on the coalition
Owners of transport cars between Baghdad and Amman nowadays set a condition that among the passangers should not be any one of the citizens of the countries taking part in the occupation army. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/12/2004 - Moroccans demonstrate against coalition's operations in Iraq
Benamar denounced the "bloodshed" against Iraqi civilians, recalling that clashes between the US army and Iraqi groups in Falluja have left over 400 dead and 1,000 injured. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/12/2004