Iraqi Press Highlights for Feb. 19

Key bits of information from the Iraqi press, selected from a mass of such articles in the Foreign Broadcast Information Service report for Sunday, Feb. 19. A reader asked me if I was deliberately repositing nuggets of key information down in the text, with an eye to giving an exam later. The answer is yes, and the nation's test is coming. I'd read carefully if I were you.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service
Highlights: Iraqi Press 19 Feb 06
Iraq
Sunday, February 19, 2006

Al-Bayan carries on the front page a 250-word follow-up report citing Unified Iraqi Coalition candidate Abbas al-Bayyati confirming fruitful negotiations with Kurdistan Coalition and the coalition's persistence to retain the interior ministry. . .

Al-Bayyinah publishes on the front page a 900-word report entitled "Al-Fadilah Party Supports Al-Ja'fari, Demands Appointment of Al-Jabiri as Deputy Speaker of Parliament. . .

Al-Bayyinah publishes on the front page a 230-word report citing Talabani confirming
alliance with Unified Iraqi Coalition. . .

Al-Adalah carries on page 1 a 500-word report citing Unified Iraqi Coalition member Hamid Mu'allah al-Sa'idi commenting on a recent meeting by SCIRI to discuss the formation of the next Iraqi government. The report also cites coalition member Abbas al-Bayati saying that the coalition insists on occupying the Interior Ministry. . .

Al-Adalah runs page 6 a 700-word article by Ahmad Mahdi al-Yasiri commenting on the "suspect movements" by various Iraqi groups to "abort" the democratic process by depriving Unified Iraqi Coalition of its electoral entitlement. . .

Al-Hawzah publishes on page 1 a 100-word citing Unified Iraqi Coalition member Nasir al-Sa'idi, Al-Sadr Bloc member, saying that Al-Sadr trend followers cannot forget the "crimes" committed by Iyad Allawi against them, but will respect the coalition's decision to allow Allawi to participate in the next government. . .

Ishraqat al-Sadr runs on page 1 an 800-word editorial criticizing Iraqi political entities for being "deceived" into participating in the political process by the "false" promises of democracy and freedom. . .

Tariq al-Sha'b carries on the front page a 1,100-word report citing Jalal Talabani calling for the involvement of all winning electoral entities in the formation of the next government. The report cites reliable sources at Unified Iraqi Coalit ion saying that the formation of the next government will take a long time because Al-Ja'fari was elected as prime minister. The report cites the Rida Jawad Taqi expressing the coalition's refusal to amend the constitution. The report cites Abbas al-Bayati, Unified Iraqi Coalition, saying that negotiations with Kurdistan Coalition are being conducted and that the coalition will not give up Interior Ministry. . .

Al-Mashriq publishes on the front page a 300-word report that Al-Fadilah Party demands British forces to get out of Al-Amarah. . .

Al-Mada publishes on page 3 a 200-word report that Al-Wahdah Party has dismissed Nuri Al-Rawi for forming political blocs out of the frame of the party, during the elections. . .

Al-Furat publishes on the front page a 240-word report citing Unified Iraqi Coalition candidate Khudayyir al-Khuza'i confirming that the coalition will agree to the Russian proposal for an international conference on Iraq, if it enhances the political process. . .

Al-Furat publishes on the front page a 300-word report citing Defense Ministry Spokesman Muhammad al-Askari announcing that Iraq seeks to join NATO. . .

Al-Furat publishes on the front page a 600-word report on the survey conducted by the newspaper showing that 76 percent of polled citizens were not happy with the changes in Iraq following the downfall of the former regime. . .

Al-Furat runs on page 2 a 300-word report citing Al-Sadr aide Abd-al-Zahrah al-Suway'idi denying major changes in Al-Sadr trend's structure. . .

Al-Da'wah publishes on the front page a 200-word report citing Qasim al-Sahlani, chairman of Al-Da'wah Party, Iraq Organization's Central Bureau, calling for improved public services in Al-Sadr City. . .

Al-Da'wah runs on the front page a 300-word report citing Unified Iraqi Coalition candidate Jalal al-Din al-Saghir praising Al-Anbar tribal chiefs and emphasizing the
importance of de-Ba'thification in the next stage. . .

Al-Da'wah publishes on the front page a 250-word report on the demonstration organized by Al-Sadr trend in Diyala and Al-Nasiriyah to protest the insulting cartoons.

Al-Da'wah runs on the front page a 300-word report citing Sadr al-Din al-Qubbanchi, SCIRI leader in Al-Najaf and imam of Imam Ali holy shrine, condemning the mistreatment of Iraqi detainees by US and British forces.

Al-Da'wah publishes on page 3 a 300-word report citing SCIRI leader Ammar al-Hakim condemning Prophet Muhammad's cartoons during Friday's prayer sermon in Buratha Mosque in Baghdad.

Al-Da'wah publishes on page 5 a 600-word column by Rasim Qasim calling for the expulsion of Mujahidin-e-Khalq Organization from Iraq.

Al-Bayyinah publishes on the front page a 100-word report citing well-informed sources confirming that Al-Ja'fari demanded Britain to hand over Iraqi detainees, through British Ambassador Patey. . .

Al-Bayyinah carries on the front page a 130-word report entitled "Diyala Tribal Chiefs Refuse To Attend Mujahidin-e-Khalq's Conference. . .

Al-Mashriq publishes on the front page a 500-word report citing Sayyid Muqtada Al-Sadr confirming that relations between Iraq and Jordan are good but the west is "trying to create sedition between them." Al-Sadr was also quoted as saying upon his arrival in Amman on Thursday, that his party's participation in the Iraqi government will pave the way towards "the withdrawal of occupation forces from Iraq." . .

Al-Zaman carries on page 2 a 250-word report saying that a meeting was held in Tikrit recommending that the responsibility of security in Balad will be handed over to Iraqis next month . . .

Al-Zaman carries on page 4 a 400-word citing Iraqi social and economic circles calling on Interior and Defense Ministries to exert efforts to reveal the abduction of Businessman Ghalib Abd-al-Husayn Kubbah and his son. The report cites industry and minerals minister confirming the importance of the private sector in developing the industrial sector. The report cites the ministry's Undersecretary Sami al-A'raji saying that investment opportunities have been agreed upon with Iran in seven big projects.

Dar al-Salam carries on page 2 a 75-word report that US planes raided a village in Al-Yusifiyah. The report adds that unidentified gunmen assassinated a doctor at Al-Hawijah Hospital . . .

Al-Furat runs on page 2 a 160-word report citing Al-Amal Women's Association Chairman Hana Idwar praising Talabani for his recent call for a larger role for Iraqi women in the government.

Al-Furat carries on page 2 a 700-word column by Khalid Isa Taha on the problems faced by Iraqi children due to lack of security and basic public services. . .

Al-Da'wah carries on page 3 a 1,500-word report citing citizens complaining about high prices and deteriorating services in private clinics. . .

Tariq al-Sha'b carries on page 2 a 200-word report on a statement by Health Professions Association calling for a sit-in today, 19 February. . .

Al-Manarah carries on the front page and on page 6 a 250-word report saying that doctors and pharmacists in Mosul staged a demonstration threatening a civil rebellion if the government does not protect them. The report cites eyewitnesses saying that unidentified gunmen assassinated inspection director of banks in the north. . .

Al-Mashriq publishes on the front page a report on the execution of 200,000 birds in Dahuk to prevent bird flu . . .

Al-Furat carries on page 10 a 1,200-word report on the advantages and drawbacks of Iraq's current open and unrestricted import policy.

Al-Bayan runs on page 4 a 1,300-word report on the problems faced by postgraduate students in Iraq . . .

Al-Da'wah runs on the front page a 100-word report citing Oil Ministry Spokesman Asim Jihad denying that the ministry is planning to annul previous contracts. . .

Al-Bayyinah devotes all of page 5 to a report on deteriorating public and health services in Hay Tariq district in Baghdad. . .

Al-Adalah carries on page 3 a 300-word report citing Displacement and Migration Minister Suhaylah Abd Ja'far commenting on the efforts to provide houses for displaced Iraqis.

Al-Sabah al-Jadid runs on page 1 a 300-word report citing a source at Finance Ministry denying the news that the ministry is behind the current fuel crisis, and saying that the ministry has "fulfilled its financial obligations" towards the Oil Ministry.

Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 5 a 1,000-word report on the fuel crisis.

Al-Sabah al-Jadid runs on page 5 an 800-word report on fuel crisis in Mosul Governor
ate.

Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 10 a 2,000-word report on the negative influence of migration of Iraqis [abroad] on the Iraqi economy. . .

Al-Mashriq publishes on page 4 a 400-word report citing Ministry of Trade announcing that it has no intention to cancel the food rationing system. . .

Al-Furat publishes on page 11 a 1,700-word unattributed report entitled "Crime of the Century, How a 7,000 Year Old Civilization Disappeared?"Al-Furat carries on page 11 a 700-word unattributed report entitled "Who looted Baghdad's museum?" . . .

Al-Hawzah runs on page 2 a 900-word article by Ali Qasim Mahdi discussing the "negative" role of United States in establishing democracy in Iraq. Al-Hawzah publishes on page 8 a 600-word article by Abd-al-Karim Abd-al-Hamid commenting on the "atrocities" committed by British "crusaders" against Iraqis, and calling on Al-Sadr trend followers to rise against the British troops. Al-Hawzah carries on page 8 a 600-word article by Dr Nadia Shkarah commenting on the deterioration in security, economic, and political situations in Iraq. . .

Ishraqat al-Sadr runs on page 6 a 2,000-word article by Dr Adil Rida discussing the role of United States and the clash between Iraqi political and sectarian groups in leading Iraq toward "chaos." The writer suggests establishing a religious state in Iraq to end this. '