Iraqi minister, MPs discuss displacement, blame insurgents, government
25 February 2007 (BBC Monitoring)
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["Panorama" programme: Panel discussion on "Problem of Iraqi Displaced Persons," moderated by Muntaha al-Ramahi who hosts Iraqi Displacement and Migration Minister Abd-al-Samad Abd-al-Rahman, via satellite form Baghdad; Iraqi MP Muhammad al-Dayli, via satellite form Amman; and Hadi al-Amiri, chairman of the Iraqi parliament's security and defence committee, via telephone from Baghdad - live.]
Dubai Al-Arabiya Television in Arabic at 1930 gmt on 20 February carries within its "Panorama" programme a 25-minute live panel discussion entitled "The Problem of Iraqi Displaced Persons [IDPs]," presented and moderated by Muntaha al-Ramahi.
Introducing the discussion, Al-Ramahi says 99,000 Iraqi families have been forcefully displaced by armed groups in 2006, according to Iraq's displacement and migration ministry. She says IDPs have doubts that the Iraqi government will guarantee their safety if they return.
A 3-minue report by Najah Muhammad Ali on video on IDPs and migrants follows. Ali says according to the UNHCR, the number of IDPs inside Iraq is increasing at the rate of 50,000 persons monthly, while the displacement ministry says about 100,00 families left their homes since the attack on the shrines of the 10th and 11th imams in Samarra in February 2006. The ministry says 25,000 families have been displaced in Baghdad, 13,000 in Al-Kut, 9,000 in Karbala, 6,000 in Al-Najaf, 5,000 in Basra, 6,000 in Al-Amarah, 6,000 in Al-Nasiriyah, 7,000 in Al-Hillah, and 5,000 in Al-Diwaniyah, while 6,500 families have been displaced in Al-Anbar and 6,000 in Salah-al-Din. Ali adds that the Assyrian Charity Committee says 700 Chaldeo-Assyrian families left for the Nineveh plain areas from Baghdad, Mosul, Basra, Al-Ramadi, Al-Diwaniyah, Al-Kut, Kirkuk, and elsewhere. Moreover, 1,500 Christian families have left Iraq.
Al-Ramhi says the UNHCR expects the number of IDPs inside Iraq to rise by about one million in 2007 only. To discuss the IDPs issue, Al-Ramhi hosts Iraqi Displacement and Migration Minister Abd-al-Samad Abd-al-Rahman via satellite from Baghdad, Iraqi MP Muhammad al-Dayli via satellite from Amman, and Hadi al-Amiri, chairman of the security and defence committee in the Iraqi parliament, via telephone from Baghdad.
Al-Ramhi asks the Iraqi minister how the 2.5 million IDPs can return to their homes. Abd-al-Rahman says the displacement is the result of the violence by the henchmen of the (Saddam) regime, terrorists, and takfiris (those who consider others unbelievers). He says the ministry has tackled the crisis by adopting policies such as including the displaced families in the social care network. He says so far more than 86,000 of those families are covered by that network. Abd-al-Rahman says with the commencement of the implementation of the security plan there is great optimism that the families will return. He says "about 820,000 families are returning to the homeland. Most of those families have returned to the Al-Mada'in areas" south of Baghdad, Al-Mahmudiyah, and other areas which have become secure "and which will be cleansed of the terrorists and takfiris".
Turning to MP Al-Dayli, Al-Ramhi says many of the IDPs, both Sunnis and Shi'is, used to live in mixed areas, and it seems the problem is bigger than the security plan. Al-Dayli says the agenda of the "US-Zionist-Iranian occupation" of Iraq includes ethnic and sectarian displacement of the components of the Iraqi people and is assisted by "those who came aboard the US tanks." He says "political and party blocs within the Iraqi authorities are responsible for the present ethnic and sectarian displacement." He accuses the "two Kurdish parties" (Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) of displacing Arabs in thousands of Iraqi villages in northern governorates by resorting to the intimidation and extortion of Arab citizens, many of whom have been killed by Kurdish militias now incorporated in the defence and interior ministries.
Al-Dayli says those who are displacing Iraqis are now working hard to partition Iraq, and he refers to the recent speech of Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim (chairman of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq) in which he stressed partitioning Iraq into a federation of central and southern Iraq, and "that in itself is a great danger for Iraqis."
Al-Ramahi asks MP Al-Amiri who is responsible for the displacement of the various sects and groups of Iraqis. He says those responsible for the displacement, be they the Saddamist and takfiri terrorists or other groups, have their agendas. He says the Iraqi families themselves live in amity, and when a Sunni family is displaced it weeps for having to leave and its Shi'i neighbours also weep for its departure, and vice versa in Sunni areas. Al-Amiri stresses that those who carry out the displacement are armed groups, "be they takfiris or outlaws." He says everyone without exception is responsible. He maintains that the occupying power should not be blamed for everything, and it has nothing to do with this matter. He adds: "Some sick people who have come from beyond the borders, the Al-Qa'idah, are not now only displacing Shi'is from Sunni areas, but are also displacing Sunnis from their areas, and many honourable families from Al-Anbar are now living outside Al-Anbar and outside Iraq." He reaffirms that the occupying power should not be blamed for everything, and says there is sectarian tension which must end.
Asked that from the time of the interim government and the early days of the US occupation and the drafting of the Constitution the foundations for such sectarianism were laid down and that is why there is displacement today, Minister Abd-al-Rahman says the displaced families are relying on the security plan, and the Iraqi government has created a ground for reconciliation and national dialogue. Told that many national dialogue meetings have been held and so far there has not been a single result, the minister says there have been many responses to the conferences that were held, and "now as you see there is security, assurance, tolerance, love, and amity in Al-Anbar as well as in many areas of Iraq." He says the pro-takfiri and particularly the pro-Al-Qa'idah media claims that the cause of the displacement is sectarianism, "but I say the cause of the displacement is that aberrant group in Iraq that has sought to find a haven in Iraq."
Al-Ramahi says one hears every day in the media that the takfiris, Saddamists, or militas are the cause, but when there is talk about the possibility of partitioning Iraq in the future into three regions -Shi'i, Sunni, and Kurdish -that lays down the foundations for the notion of displacement of the people. Abd-al-Rahman says: "I believe the coming months will clarify the picture, namely that there is no such aim as the partitioning of Iraq, and that there is a serious attempt by Al-Qa'idah, takfiris, and the [Saddam] regime's henchmen to create such a climate and to turn the Arabs against the Iraqi government. Neighbouring states must support Iraq to create a ground for security and safety in the country." He says he does not agree with what the other panellist said about Zionist or Iranian moves in Iraq, for everything that is taking place is because of the takfiris, the henchmen of the defunct regime, and Al-Qa'idah and "other vile people who have come to Iraq after they were exploited by other sides with the support of states that want Iraq to be an arena for settling their personal accounts."
Asked for his view, Al-Dayli says he will not comment on what the minister said, for his ministry has "very modest capabilities" and the number of his employees can be counted on the fingers of one hand. He says there are more than 3 million IDPs inside Iraq alone, "but regrettably the ministry which the minister is talking about has not been neutral." He adds that the blame is pegged on Ba'thists and takfiris but "we should not forget the state terrorism that exists." He says on the first day of implementing the security plan, the army and police went to Baghdad neighbourhoods and using loudspeakers called on citizens to evacuate their homes and "if they do not do so they will be arrested and killed, and that is the real terror of the present State." He then refers to "the more serious matter of rape."
Al-Ramahi says each side is holding the other responsible, and asks Al-Amiri whether the 15-day notice given by Al-Maliki's government to evacuate the houses of people who were displaced from them is sufficient. Al-Amiri says the aim is that a Sunni will not be compelled to leave an area so that a Shi'i will be housed in his place, and vice versa. He says everyone who is staying in an IDP's house must leave it. Asked if that person evacuates the house will the IDP be able to return and live in his home safely, Al-Amiri says: Frankly, the real reason that leads to displacement is the armed groups, be they Sunni or Shi'i.
Al-Amiri says if the evil of the outlaw armed groups ends then the displacement problem will be reduced and "steps forward will be made." He further stresses that Iraq will not be partitioned, and there is no one who wants a partitioned Iraq. He says it is hoped to institute a federal system "on the basis of governorates and not on a sectarian or ethnic basis. We reject any federalism based on sectarian..."
Interrupting, Al-Ramahi says the last question is addressed to the minister: If Al-Qa'idah leaves Iraq, and if the Shi'i armed militias are disbanded, security will be restored to Iraq, but what is the government's responsibility in assisting the IDPs? Abd-al-Rahman says Sunni families are responding to the ministry's calls on the hot line to facilitate the return of Shi'is to their areas, especially in Al-Mahmudiyah and Al-Amiriyah. He asserts that "there is no problem between Sunnis and Shi'is" but sectarianism is fanned by "the aberrant groups as I call them" which have created such a climate so as to achieve their aims in Iraq.
Al-Ramahi concludes the discussion at 1955 gmt.
Source: Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai
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Security crackdown achieves 70 percent success -- Iraqi president
POL-IRAQ-KURDS-MEETING
Security crackdown achieves 70 percent success -- Iraqi president
IRBIL, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- The new Baghdad security crackdown was executed with a 70 percent success, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said on Saturday.
His remark came at a press conference after a tripartite meeting he held alongside with leader of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region Massoud Barzani and US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad today.
Kurds; who effectively partook in the plan, were seeking to end disputes between Iraqi Sunnis and Shiites, Talabani told reporters, adding that amendments to the 'oil edict' occurred during the meeting.
Talabani expressed keenness for having strong relations with countries neighboring Iraq, especially Turkey.
Barzani; who praised the "positive" role played by Khalilzad in the region, said in turn that the oil law was complete. (end) sbr.
hb
KUNA 242019 Feb
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The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Finance to release loans citizens
The Republic of Iraq
مجلس الوزراء- المركز الوطني للاعلامCouncil of Ministers-the National Center for Media
العلاقات الإعلاميةMedia Relations
بيان صحفي / Press ReleaseA press statement / Press Release
الاحد 25-2-2007Sunday 2-25-2007
رئيس الوزراء يوجه وزارة المالية بإطلاق القروض ل لمواطنين العاملين في القطاعين الصناعي والزراع ي بشروط ميسرة وبقيمة 25 مليون دينار كحد أعلىThe Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Finance to release loans for citizens working in the industrial and farmers j soft value of 25 million dinars at a higher
قرر السيد رئيس الوزراء نوري كامل المالكي منح الم واطنين العاملين في القطاعين الصناعي والزراعي ق روضاً بشروط ميسرة وبقيمة 25 مليون دينار كحد أعلى .The Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki granting full pain and Atnen workers in the industrial and agricultural sectors s enrollment soft value of 25 million dinars at a higher .
جاء ذلك في توجيه سيادته الى وزارة المالية التي ال زمها بتقديم التعليمات والضوابط الميسرة الاستث نائية الخاصة بمنح القروض وبالتنسيق مع المصرفين الصناعي والزراعي بعد مصادقة لجنة الشؤون الاقتص ادية عليها.This came in direct sovereignty to the Ministry of Finance that the cast provide instructions and controls soft Alastth remote for granting loans, in coordination with the banks industrial and agricultural after ratification Affairs Committee Alaghtasse by Wade.
وتضمن قرار التوجيه إمكانية النظر في الاعفاء من ا لفوائد المترتبة على القرض لمدة سنتين، وسيتم صرف المبلغ بالتنسيق مع المديريتين العامت ين للتنمية الصناعية والزراعية.The decision guidance possibility of considering a waiver of the benefits of a loan for a period of two years, The amount will be disbursed in coordination with Almederitin Amt Yen for industrial development and agriculture.
وأوضح قرار التوجيه إن منح القروض يهدف للنهوض بال قطاعين الصناعي والزراعي لمحافظة بغداد وبما يخد م الاقتصاد الوطني وزيادة الانتاج وتوفير السلع و البضائع العراقية المحلية ضمن المواصفات المطلو بة.The decision guidance that the granting of loans aimed to promote Bal the industrial and agricultural sectors of the Baghdad governorate, including Ejd M. national economy and the increase in production and provision of goods and local Iraqi goods within specifications Almatalo by.