Thread: Iraq/Dinar News. 09/05 to 01/14/07

The Archbishop of Canterbury has claimed Iraq's government policy is putting Christian communities in the Middle East at risk.

In a newspaper, Dr Rowan Williams says issues such as the reaction to the Iraq war, mistrust from surrounding communities and security measures have all put intolerable pressure on Christians in countries across the region.

He said Christians in Iraq, Iran, Israel, Egypt and Turkey were even migrating away from their homelands.

He also accused the British and US governments of endangering the lives and futures of the many thousands of Christians living in the Middle East.

He wrote that in the days leading up to the Iraq War a warning was made and "systematically ignored" that Christians living in the region would be seen as supporters of the "crusading West".

He states there was no strategy of how to handle this warning.

He wrote: "Iraq's own Christian population is dropping by thousands every couple of months and some of its most effective leaders have been forced to emigrate.

"In Istanbul, the Orthodox population is a tiny remnant, and their Patriarch is told by some of the Turkish press that it's time he left.

"In Egypt, where Christian-Muslim relations have been - and still are - intimate and good, extremist attacks on Christians have become notably more frequent."

Dr Williams was writing during a visit to Iraq by UK church leaders, including the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor.

Saturday, December 23, 2006
15:38


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JAMEJAMONLINE: At age 40, Mitchell Bell left a wife, two young daughters and a comfortable job as an American Airlines pilot to reenlist in the Marines and go to Iraq. He spent last Christmas helping to manage an airbase in the Anbar province. This year he'll be with his wife and children in Texas.
He reflects on the holidays and the men and women still serving overseas.
Last Christmas, I was sitting in a Marine Corps chow hall in the middle of the Anbar province, looking at a giant sculpture of the Virgin Mary and a dark-skinned Santa Claus who seemed to resemble our short Indian cook. It was a great attempt to make you feel good during a time when you knew your loved ones would be gathering together for a nice meal, presents around the tree, without you. As we sat down to eat dinner, Iraq was passing into the evening, and the sun was starting its slow march over the horizon to wake America. I was with my friends, my "other family," 7,000 miles from home, fighting a war that the average person will never understand, and wishing I were home.
For an instant, as we sat down to give thanks for our meal, time stood still, and the fear that there would be a rocket attack was gone. I sat on my plastic seat, a tray full of turkey and dressing made by the cooks who accented it with Indian spices, and I only thought about my family and friends still fast asleep in bed. Looking at the hundreds of young men and women around me as they bowed their heads to pray before their meal, I realized that they were thinking of their families, too, as they sat there with an M-16 machine gun strapped across their backs, heads bowed, lips moving. They say that there are no atheists in combat, and I believed it as I watched them.
What are you thankful for? I'm thankful that I was able to serve our country, that I have a wife who would let me go back into the Marines knowing I would go to war, that I have two children who love their daddy and parents who support their son through thick and thin. Most of all, I'm thankful for the loyal corps of supporters I made friends with through AnySoldier.com, the military support Web site that kept us connected to home and to the people, strangers, who sent letters and packages.
As I type this here in Arlington, Texas, I'm thankful that there are young men and women in our country, who, even knowing all the dangers that military life involves, still choose to join the service with such a high chance of going to combat.
They aren't drafted; they, of their own volition, raised their right hand and took an oath to serve. They are my heroes who have accomplished more in their lives then many Americans can dream of. I'm thankful that we have brave men and women working 24.7 in harm's way with very little rest, and I'd be extremely thankful if I could say to my fellow Americans, no matter your politics or views on the war in Iraq, that you put your feelings aside while our troops are in a war zone. After going there, I believe we are fighting a group of Muslim extremists who hate us no matter what we do or whom we support And I don't think that comes out in the media. So for the sake of your neighbor's son or daughter, who is far away from home, please take the time to go to one of the military-support Web sites, to their letter-writing team to thank them for being there for us.
And to all the men and women of every branch who are in harm's way, I will pray for your safe return, as we bow our heads here over our holiday dinner here in America. You are the only true heroes this country has right now. When the job is over and we leave, I pray that maybe we touched one Iraqi life, and gave him the taste of our freedom that all citizens of the United States enjoy.
Merry Christmas to all of our marines, troops, airmen and sailors deployed—God Bless you! Semper Fi.

Al-Sabah : the first page of the newspaper Sabah

The first political : Sistani representative criticized members of the House travel to the holy places of Islam

قال: إن المسؤولية الدينية والقانونية والظرف الامني يتطلب بقاءهم
Karbala - Sabah
Representative criticized Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Karbala travel large number of members of the House of Representatives to the Holy Land to perform Hajj, saying that contrary to the duty of the religious, legal and national, especially traveled for the second time
Calling for concerted Iraqi Shiites and Sunnites Arabs and Kurds to stop the bloodshed and the failure of schemes invitations sectarian launched from another.

He said Sheikh Abdel Mahdi Alkerblai in his Friday sermon in the dish-Husseini al-Sharif : that some media outlets news of the lack of quorum for the meetings of the House of Representatives because of the large number of members of the Council to perform Hajj. He wondered whether it was necessary to travel Council member to perform Hajj, but what about who traveled for the second time a special circumstance and that requires his role in the Chamber of Deputies in order to contribute to building the country based on justice and work to achieve law and the prestige of the state. His record regret that the large number of non-attendance of meetings of the House at this crucial juncture.

He called Alkerblai to the need for concerted good people Shiites and Sunnites Arabs, Kurds, Muslims and Christians to stop the bloodshed and everyone must stand in the face of those invitations sectarian issued from here and there and meant to dismantle the people they claim to the souvenir of the people's unity and continued that there are issues statements in this place or that the State should respond firmly and steadfastly as this would provide the ground to respond to these calls sectarianism to achieve unity between Sunnis and Shiites.

He called Alkerblai neighboring countries, the observance of human neighbors and to contribute to Iraq's stability and its economic and security out of the crisis may not legitimately use the funds to achieve the political interests and tearing entire people and the displacement of its people, not of humanitarian conditions for the exploitation of these interests and immediate trigger sedition. He called Alkerblai Iraqi government and the local governments and citizens in the cities safe need help families displaced from the hot spots and asked the Ministry of Oil to provide oil derivatives of these cities where there is mass of the displaced are sharing in the areas of new whereabouts. He stressed that the local government to reconsider the suffering of these families and the terrorists who tried to extract Sadamion religious and national identity and their view of the humanitarian and religious. By allowing them to transfer their belongings, furniture, even if this necessitates the sacrifice of citizens and holds them with their suffering.

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Wide condemn to Bahrain King's statements in Dewania





Dewaneia, Dec. 23, P. 2
Cultural circles and people powers in Dewaneia condemned hostile statements against Iraqi people of Bahrain's King Hamad AlThani and described it lacking Islamic



and Arabic morale and called Iraqi Government and Parliament to pressure on Bahrain's King and Government to make an official apology for Iraqi people.Head of writers and literatures union considered these statements as offense to reputation and unity of Iraqi people because it came from one of who named Arab leaders, while head of information center in Dewaneia said that these statements affected so much in ourselves as it came from brother country we have good ties with it.

Dividing Baghdad into 9 regions for providing Security





Baghdad, Dec.23 p3
Interior ministry declared arrival a lot of developing tools for uncovering explosives and weapons, and would soon using to support Baghdad security plan in its new stage




which dividing Baghdad into 9 squares within direct supervision of the prime minister Dr. Norri al-Maliki . Spokesman of the ministry general Abdul Kareem Khalaf emphasized in a press conference that more than 200 experts in controlling bombs department would having such tools distributing on Baghdad districts to uncover the bombs and weapons from 100 meter distance at least besides uncovering of the explosives and bombs inside the land. He added that these tools would using in supporting the new security plan which by it decided to divide Baghdad to two sectors as Kharch and Rasafa, and a pointing general leader on the whole city by Dr. Norri al –Maliki, then dividing Baghdad to 9 squares.

Colleges Qualified For Rebuilding Iraq, Minister Says





Baghdad, Dec.23 p3
High education minister Dr. Abd Thiab al-A'ageely emphasized necessity of opening the colleges on the society as in more activity and dedication their scientific




and technique experiences to challenge the troubles and the crisis which faces the state and the citizen in a way help decision makers and share in building the state.
On the other hand, he added that the security situations tottering wouldn't let high education family from offering their faithful efforts in separating sciences and literatures, parsing on the ministry staffs as officials and students.
Worth mentioning that he concluded his calling on necessity of opening on the international colleges and the new technique and science which should search as good as possible.

CAIRO-Meeting of Dr. Allawi and Albajaji Amre Moussa

(Voice of Iraq) - 12-23-2006
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Iyad Allawi confirmed
There are no national reconciliation in Iraq, the lack of differences
The required actions and decisions to promote confidence and security alike

Cairo - The Voice of Iraq - Ibrahim Mohammad Sharif

Held at noon today, Saturday, at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League meeting that included Dr. Iyad Allawi, President of the existing Iraqi National Secretary General of the Movement of Iraqi National Accord, Dr. Adnan Pachachi political figure in the existing Iraqi national and the Speaker of former Iraqi member of the older in the new parliament and attended by Secretary General Amr Moussa of the Arab League, Ahmed Ben Hali, assistant secretary-general of the League of Arab States and the Jaroush official in the Iraqi dossier to the Arab League.

The presentation (Allawi) immediately upon arrival of the Arab League, the political situation and security situation in Iraq and the reasons that led to break the current security and focused on the presence of armed militias and show of arms of different armed factions also addressed the role of the Arab League in stopping the bloodshed in Iraq and the efforts of its Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General to bring the points of view between political and religious groups in Iraq and embrace the Conference on Iraqi National Accord in the League of Arab States last year, as well as the dispatch of the Secretary-General for Iraq and more than once to work the same direction.

The (Allawi) that the preservation of Iraqi identity is the basis of all political action, because it preserves the unity of Iraq's land and people, and beyond this line mean to alienate Iraq's legitimate rights to work in the past, present and future of this national constants.

On the question of an increase or decrease in the occupation forces in Iraq responded (Allawi) is not subject to increase or decrease in American forces in Iraq, but the question of how to lay the foundations of security and stability and must retreat America plans strategic outlook in Iraq and the region because the deterioration of security in Iraq has a negative impact on the situation in the Middle East.

And on the draft national reconciliation in Iraq, Dr. Iyad Allawi. The draft national reconciliation proposed by the draft Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and believe that we are no national reconciliation between political and religious because of the lack of fundamental differences and contradictions, we affirm that reconciliation Attam for conferences and meetings, but actions and decisions that serve the Iraqi citizens and the strengthening of trust between everyone.

Regarding the role of the Iraqi neighboring states in promoting security in Iraq responded (Allawi) for Everybody knows everyone that the neighboring countries has an effective role in strengthening security in Iraq and on this basis to understand and realize that the damage that affects Iraq Emshahatma We must take the appropriate decisions to help Iraq to get out of their current predicament, we hope the convening of a regional conference involving the neighboring countries of the decision-making process of moving the process of strengthening security and stability in Iraq.

The (Allawi), he said. The challenges faced by the great Iraq must be confronted firmly and fully aware of and build Maussat Iraqi state on the basis of their loyalty to the Iraqi people, for the extension of the influence of security and stability.

Yesterday, Dr. Adnan Pachachi in his reply on the paper presented to the Arab League about the possibility of changing the strategic outlook of America in Iraq and the region responded ... As you know, our meeting today of the League of Arab States addressed several topics related to the war on Iraq will be the completion of talks tomorrow, and we believe that stability in Iraq is effective element in the stability of the region in general, it would have to take Erica a new approach to Stratijitha in Iraq and the Middle East and we are seeking to achieve this direction after the presentation of all the facts and data, results and targets.

Ammar Hakim : not in the interest of Iraq to postpone the implementation of Article 140

(Voice of Iraq) - 12-23-2006
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Ammar Hakim : not in the interest of Iraq to postpone the implementation of Article 140

2006.12.23

PUKmedia :


The Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, during the annual Hajj season, a rally in Mecca on behalf of (the Iraqi people).

In this context, the Conference was held in the Palace House Staff Mecca question the participation of a large number of representatives of political parties and the Iraqi political and Alcordstaneh and religious figures including the President of the Supreme Committee for pilgrimage Cordstan and representative of the Union of Islamic clerics in Cordstan and a number of parliamentarians and ministers Alkord.

Said Mr. Ammar Hakim, head of the martyr told PUKmedia inner sanctuary has been extended an invitation to representatives of all the neighboring countries except Turkey, in protest over the hosting of the Istanbul conference and its interference in the internal affairs of Iraq, and added that they would not allow the interference of neighboring countries in Iraq's affairs and split the Alkord strategic relations between the Shiites and all other components in Iraq.

With regard to the report of Baker-Hamilton and the recommendation which calls for the postponement of the implementation of article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution the Permanent, said Ammar - Hakim : the Iraqi Constitution not the plaything has been voted on by the majority of the Iraqi people from Alkord and the Arabs and all components, and in the event that if entailed a paragraph or article postponement or of the amendment must be the initiative of Iraq, and my opinion the the current situation in Iraq did not bear any postponement of the implementation of the items of the Iraqi Constitution and that delaying the implementation of article 140 not in the interest of the Iraqis, and it is likely to simply tear down by our own hands stable conditions in the Territory of Cordstan, then and will not remain is nothing called Iraq.

UN voices fresh alarm at attacks on Palestinians in Iraq


22 December 2006 – The United Nations refugee agency today voiced growing concern for 15,000 Palestinians remaining in Iraq “living in a climate of constant fear,” after a group of 41 of them fleeing Baghdad to escape increasing violence, harassment and targeted killings was blocked at the border with Syria.

“We now have 41 traumatized Palestinians who have spent the past week 250 metres from the Iraqi checkpoint,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman Ron Redmond told a news briefing in Geneva. Some do not have travel documents while those of others have expired due to the suspension of renewals or issuance of residence permits.

It was the latest in a long series of alarms raised by the agency for the Palestinians, who fled to Iraq from their homes in newly created Israel in 1948. Some received preferential treatment under ousted President Saddam Hussein, and they have become targets since his overthrow in 2003. There are still an estimated 15,000 in Iraq out of 34,000 in 2003.

“We have spoken out repeatedly over the increasingly dire situation in Iraq, particularly for those who have no possibility of leaving the country, nor any safe haven or support network inside Iraq,” Mr. Redmond said. “The Palestinians are such a group. We call on the Iraqi and Syrian authorities to allow them to leave the country. We also reiterate our plea to neighbouring and resettlement countries and Israel to offer a solution.”

In the latest case, Iraqi border authorities initially refused to allow the group to leave Iraq, citing a lack of proper documentation. The Palestinians have also been told by Iraqi border officials that Syrian authorities should first approve their entry. Only then will the Iraqi side allow them to exit and at least enter the no-man’s land between Iraq and Syria to join an earlier group of 350 Palestinians who have been stuck there since May.

A local tribal leader has provided accommodation, food and water, Iraqi border officials have given some food and water, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is supplying tents, blankets, stoves and jerry cans.

UNHCR has contacted the respective authorities but so far without success. According to Iraqi officials, a recent agreement between Iraq and Syria calls for tight control on the movement of people. Exit and entry permits can reportedly only be granted if authorities in both capitals agree. Both border authorities have told UNHCR that they are not in a position to make an exception and allow the Palestinians in, not even into no-man's land.

In another development, the agency voiced “extreme concern” at Syria’s extradition to Iran of four Iranians of Arab descent who had earlier been recognized as refugees, at least one of whom is reportedly facing execution.

“Recent human rights reports have expressed concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in Khuzestan province in Iran, home to nearly 2 million Iranians of Arab descent,” Mr. Redmond said.

Two of the four had managed to call their family members and tell them they had been detained immediately on arrival and were now awaiting their sentence. One reportedly told a relative that he was “about to be executed.”

“UNHCR is extremely worried about the four refugees,” Mr. Redmond said. “Extradition does not mean that a refugee or asylum seeker loses his or her international protection status. UNHCR has a mandate to intervene in these cases and therefore strongly appeals to Iranian authorities to ensure the well-being of the four and allow for a fair trial and the right to due process.

“UNHCR also appeals for access to the four refugees and we are prepared to find alternative solutions for them,” he added, also calling on Syria to abide by its obligations under international law in line with the principle of non-refoulement under which no refugees or asylum seekers whose cases have not yet been properly assessed can be forcibly returned to a country where their life or liberty could be in danger.

A committee to discuss the return of the current sternum to the government and Parliament

(Voice of Iraq) - 12-23-2006
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The United Iraqi Alliance is a committee to discuss the return of the current sternum to the government and Parliament

The members of the United Iraqi Alliance meeting that included Prime chest bloc in the parliament Nassar spring, in order to persuade the latter to return to the government and parliament.
The spring in a press statement that "coalition" form a committee to discuss the return of the current sternum to the government and Parliament. "
Current and approval for a return to government-Rubaie said "we do not want to anticipate events, demands of us declared and known to all", in reference to the two main themes rescheduling the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq, the transfer of the security file of the coalition forces to the Iraqi government.
In a related context, said yesterday the representative of the Iraqi Coalition Falah Fayyad, after meeting with the religious authority Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, "said a delegation from the coalition, will visit Najaf in the coming days to meet with Muqtada al-Sadr."

Radio Sawa