Arabic News Weekly Edition for Iraq, 1/17/2005
Weekly Edition, Iraq - Week of January 17, 2005
- On the Iraqi elections
The higher commission for elections in Iraq issued a new system in which it authorized its council of commissioners to settle disputes and issue sanctions over violations emerging between sides participating in the elections due on January 30th. Iraq, Politics, 1/21/2005 - More attacks in Samera
In a new outcome for the military operations which has been witnessing notable increase with the approaching date of the general elections due on January 30th, the Iraqi police announced the killing of seven persons including 6 Iraqi soldiers in three attacks in Samera city. Iraq, Military, 1/21/2005 - Al-Zarqawi claims Israel, Jordan's participation in Falluja attack
Leader of "al-Jihad organization in Bilad al-Rafeydeen (Mesopotamia)" said that some 800 Israeli and Jordanian soldiers took part in the military campaign launched by the American forces against Falluja city in November. Iraq-Israel, Military, 1/21/2005 - Group kill 2 westerners Iraq, Local, 1/21/2005
- Iraqi opposition collect one million signature against the elections
One Iraqi group said it gathered the signatures of one million Iraqis from various religions and communities and regions opposing the holding of the elections due on January 30 because of the presence of the American forces and the applied emergency law in the country. Iraq, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Continued attacks; minister warns of civil war in Iraq
the interim Iraqi minister of the interior Falah al-Naqib warned against the eruption of a civil war in Iraq in case the Arab Sunni will not take part in the legislative elections which will be on Monday of this month. Iraq, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Bush holds telephone talks with Allawi over preparations for the elections
al-Hakim said the elections should be held in due time, noting the great turnout on this gathering constitutes a tangible evidence on clinging to such a date and rejection to postponing it. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Eight Chinese were kidnapped in Iraq; Georges released
a Church source in Baghdad announced the release of senior Catholic archbishop in the city Rev. Bassel Georges, 24 hours after his kidnapping. A spokesman for the Vatican said that the release operation was made without paying a ransom. Iraq-China, Local, 1/19/2005 - Annan sees sufficient time to convince Iraqis to participate in elections
The UN secretary General Kofi Annan considered that there is plenty of time before the Iraqi government to encourage the Sunni Muslims and other Iraqis who are hesitant to take part in the elections. Iraq, Politics, 1/18/2005 - Kidnapping of chief archbishop in Musil
Unidentified gunmen kidnapped chief archbishop of the Catholic church in Musil city to the north of Iraq. A spokesman for the Vatican considered the kidnapping of Rev. Bassel Georges Kasmousi as a terrorist act. Iraq, Local, 1/18/2005 - Two American marines killed in Iraq
A statement by the American army said on Tuesday that two marines were killed during confrontations with gunmen in al-Anbar governorate which includes al-Ramadai and Falluja. The statement said the two soldiers were killed on Tuesday at dawn but gave no details about their killing. Iraq, Military, 1/18/2005 - Egyptian FM meets Iraqi diplomats Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 1/18/2005
- Al-Shara confers with UN special envoy the situation in Iraq
Syria's Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara and the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Iraq Ashraf Qaddi discussed on Sunday latest developments in Iraq and ways of helping the Iraqi people find an outlet for his current ordeal. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 1/17/2005 - Attacks in Musil, demonstrations in Baghdad
The American forces launched various attacks in Musil city to the north of Iraq that resulted in detaining 11 persons suspected to be members of the armed groups, who stand against the foreign presence in Iraq. Iraq, Military, 1/17/2005