" The Dinar Daily " ............ Saturday, 1 June 2013
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  1. #1

    " The Dinar Daily " ............ Saturday, 1 June 2013

    Hakim meeting sponsored miss him Barzani and Allawi: Iraq looking for a road map out of the crisis

    01-06-2013 | (Voice of Iraq)

    BAGHDAD - bright Abbas
    Saturday, June 1, 2013
    The worst of the crisis experienced by Iraq, and virtually immerse him in the civil war again, that none of the actors and influential politically, religiously and socially does not have a solution, and there is no road map proposed to amend the existing tracks. Does not lead the demands of all parties except to further crisis.
    Succeeded parties meetings Erbil - Najaf mid-2012 in determining the «map» approved by the leaders of the Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds, and the proposal was the most prominent change Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, and political reforms and legal, economic, and implementation of the commitments entered into during the formation of the government.
    The question today, after nearly a year of failed efforts that front, just hours before a meeting sponsored by the leader of the Islamic Supreme Council Ammar al-Hakim of the leaders of political blocs is: Is it still the road map established by the Erbil agreement is valid for the application?.
    May pose ideas that came in the meetings Erbil - Najaf ground for research in the crisis, but the solution will not only be through a new consensus is different from that approved a year ago.
    Success rate Hakim in the collection of the most important leaders to the same table does not look great, in the absence of Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani, the leader of the «Iraqi List» Iyad Allawi will not be meeting complete, but success in the collection of the Speaker and the leader of the «united» in support of the demonstrations Osama Najafi, Mr. Muqtada al-Sadr, who continues his criticism of the government, and Maliki may be a positive step.
    The meeting is expected to consider wise in political solutions, in mostly devoted to moisten the atmosphere between the disputing parties, but it may also turn to the occasion for the exchange of accusations and devote rivalry.
    What could be posed by a meeting Hakim great significance to signal that the keys to the solution did not come out completely from the inside of Iraq to the countries of the region and some international electrodes, and the solution time not completely wasted.
    But trading Interior Solutions will not come out in the end for great sacrifices will be on Maliki more than any other submission, as it considers a wide range stuck to renew confidence wisely, leader of a major Shi'ite achieved breakthrough success in 2008 stopping the civil war, but opponents contend it caused in turn setbacks largest may not be the latest sectarian war.
    Angered Maliki, his partners and rivals in 2008 when monopolized to the same electoral result of the completion of security to end the civil war, and did not pay attention to the seriousness of investment that achievement individually and party rather than invest nationally, as he tries to liabilities - Partners punish him for this error downloaded and solely responsible for the outbreak of a new civil war, and are trying to invest risks those electoral War also.
    But overcome the current difficult phase, it does not seem possible, on what opponents say, by al-Maliki himself or through his (call), which means that the results of the 2014 elections will not have a significant impact in determining the fate of his third term.
    Opponents insist on the philosophy of governance adopted at the London Conference in 2002, summed up a central government brief powers of a federal limited, and local governments and federal strong and effective powers of local and wide, and believe that the policy of al-Maliki tried to reproduce the central government, leading the country today to the division, while he sees the referee decentralization Sevit the country quickly.
    This profound contradiction at the core of governance would be solved at a meeting of the political forces today, he needs to re-produce a long-term vision and direction and ambitions of the political class, and in need of a regional and international consensus may be difficult, but not impossible. The nearest what to expect from political leaders today is to restore the system «consensus» real unable to face the civil war, and to achieve responses acceptable Shiite and Kurdish demands for the year, and restore confidence in the security forces and the army to confront groups «base» and militias active remarkably Finally, try to devote herself alternative the political process.
    The term «consensus» who translated the Iraqis to «quotas» needs to be redefined in turn, may not be permitted in such a system for a leader or a party or sect exclusivity decisions major at the expense of the partners in the country, but that does not mean the transfer of power to «trophy» shared parties.


    https://translate.googleusercontent.c...#ixzz2Uvv5Ewwv



  2. #2
    Supreme Council confirms: Iraqi leaders will meet at the same table today for the first time in 3 years

    01-06-2013 | (Voice of Iraq)

     Baghdad / Mohammad Sabah
    He favored the Islamic Supreme Council, the presence of both Parliament Speaker Osama Nujaifi and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Vice Chairman of the Party of Kurdistan, Barham Salih, on behalf of President Jalal Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister Ruz Nuri Shaways a representative of the President of Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani, and Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq at the meeting Hakim, who called him on Saturday, in what would be the leader of the coalition in Iraq, Iyad Allawi, the most prominent absentees.
    The Council stressed that the meeting would be informal and aimed at breaking the deadlock in the relationship between the senior political leaders by holding bilateral meetings between the audience, pointed out that today's meeting will pave the meetings of the "critical" in the future.
    And fired Hakim days before the public initiative includes a meeting Ramzi between senior political leaders in order to reassure the Iraqi people after escalating violence in the country, and the persistence of the political crisis, were invitations to all blocs and parties, and political and religious figures in the country, while welcoming the most of the initiative.
    The leader of the Supreme Council, MP Abdul Hussein Abtan in remarks to the "long" yesterday that "all leaders of political blocs have announced their presence at the meeting, which was called for by the head of the Islamic Supreme Council Ammar al-Hakim personally or through representatives after welcoming the initiative, and stressing استعداهم to come and attend , pointing out that the meeting will begin its effectiveness Saturday afternoon at five o'clock in the afternoon at the home of al-Hakim in Jadriya.
    And on the most prominent leaders of the first grade who told the Supreme Council participation in person, explained Abtan that "until now has not shown us conclusively who will attend and will miss," pointing out that the president of the republic and because of illness Sinop him Barham Saleh, and make sure the presence of a major cabinet Nuri al-Maliki and the House of Representatives Osama Najafi. "
    He added that "it is in the audience, Deputy Prime Minister for Services Affairs Saleh al-Mutlaq, the head of the Jamal al-Karbouli solution," noting that "the Iraqi leader Iyad Allawi did not appear to a final position of the audience, in addition to the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.
    He explained that "Deputy Prime Minister Ruz Nouri Shaways will represent prime Kurdistan Democratic Party and if unable to attend the region's president, Massoud Barzani," noting that "the audience will be big because of the good relations between Hakim with most of the leaders of political blocs who answered the call."
    Like most prominent absentee from the political leadership Abtan said that "some of the leaders of the political blocs would not attend the meeting due to travel outside Iraq, noting that these leaders will send their representatives and a high level of representation at this meeting."
    And on the agenda of the meeting explained that "the meeting is informal and will be limited to a speech his calling Ammar al-Hakim, and then there will be meetings between the attendees."
    He pointed out that "the objective of this meeting is to bring together political leaders at the same table after a lapse of three years without the presence of any meeting or a meeting or dialogue in order to break the ice between the political parties."
    He stressed that "the word al-Hakim will focus on preparation for the meetings of the expanded and decisive in the future, noting that" the meeting is a clear message for a return to the compatibility between politicians and the confirmation on the stability of the security situation, renounce terrorism and sectarian violence. "
    He added that "The initiative will be the first phase to start a constructive dialogue between the political blocs," he said, adding that after the meeting will form committees to activate the previously agreed in collaboration with some of the brothers who have other initiatives to coalesce into routings positive Halhh problems and crises accumulated, and thus seek to hold meetings Other bilateral after this meeting. "
    He pointed out that "it is difficult to resolve all differences and problems in meeting the meeting because there is a big gap between some politicians, because of the estrangement between the leaders that need time and effort to overcome them."

    https://translate.googleusercontent.c...#ixzz2UvwzDrTt

  3. #3
    Nechirvan Barzani: This is the era of soft power and we are part of the march of progress of civilization

    01-06-2013 | (Voice of Iraq)

    Sulaymaniyah: Shirzad Shikhani of the
    Suitable graduation ceremony saw the second installment of the American University in Sulaimaniya, the second city in the Kurdistan region of Iraq a public meeting between the current President of the Government of the Territory Nechirvan Barzani, the former Barham Salih. Ceremony, which took place the day before yesterday witnessed graduated 83 students and students praised which Barzani, the achievements of the rule of Saleh, stressing that «the American University founded his efforts and determination, and that the program developed by the human capacity development will continue to be by his government to achieve his goal President to prepare a scientific personnel and advanced management in various disciplines and areas.
    At the beginning of the ceremony gave Barham Salih, chairman of the Trustees of the University speech which he emphasized that «this university is a non-profit organization, which does not belong to one, but is the property of the community, the goal of the foundation is to prepare scientific personnel developed in accordance with the curriculum approved finest American universities, this group which has achieved her dream of receiving the flag in this university سيزج their Bmaatark work struggle to build a democratic society », gave favor of thanks and appreciation to the supporters of this university headed by President Talabani and former U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Khalilzad and the Prime Minister Barzani, investors and businessmen in the city, but he extended thanks to Minister of Natural Resources Ashti Hrama of his efforts to snap up financial support for the establishment of this university from the oil companies operating in Kurdistan.
    For his part, reiterated Barzani support of the American University, pointing out that «feel satisfaction and peace of mind and he sees his people had passed through a lot of difficult stages, and today is at an advanced stage of advancement and progress», adding that «the territorial Government will continue its efforts to improve the rate of its universities, and provide an opportunity for young arms science and knowledge, because the current era is the era of (soft power) and there are developments and changes occur in different areas of life, and we do not want to be left behind them, but insist that you be a part of them, and there are a lot of the duties incumbent upon the government Snadaha, and others university professors and political elites to be involved in this process in order to turn Ntboa our seat of advanced march towards the advancement of civilization ».
    Turning Barzani to the political crisis in Iraq and a private part on disagreements Erbil and Baghdad, said «there are a lot of problems with Baghdad not solved yet, and talked openly around in our recent visit to Baghdad with Mr. Nuri al-Maliki, head of the federal government, and other parties, and we told them that we We hope to resolve those differences that will pave resolve the rest of the crises in Iraq, and here I would like to emphasize once again that our constitutional rights, and in the framework of the Iraqi constitution, we will insist on achieving our demands and our rights, which will not give them no matter what happens.

    In a meeting separately with Phillip Gordan Special Assistant to the U.S. President and the High Representative for the White House, the President of the Government of the Territory «We consider ourselves partners in Iraq, the Parties other to consider us as a partner, because the era of marginalization and exclusion has gone, and we stress the importance of opening the door to dialogue to resolve our problems , and we are now waiting for the Prime Minister to come to the federal Arbil to talking with him about the problems and the outstanding differences between us, and that should not be any agreements نعقدها this regard at the expense of others or raise concerns. Calling on the federal government to abandon the mentality to deal Donny with his government and said «We look forward to resolving our differences with Baghdad, this is a priority for governments, but if it has the mentality that are handled by the federal government with us, and look at us as beggars and not partners in this country, this is is not acceptable to us at all. He defended Barzani for his government's policy of oil and its desire to hold a strategic partnership with Turkey and said «our relations with Turkey is the relationship between the Kurdistan region and its people, and fall within the framework of Iraq's relations with Turkey, and we hope to expand this relationship to include all parts of Iraq, including the common interest of the two peoples. The oil contracts signed with oil companies it right approved by our Constitution, and the companies that hire us are well-known companies worldwide, and the overall activities and its knowledge of the location and Ministry of Natural Resources as well as the sites official for those companies and with the utmost transparency, I would like to reassure everyone as the government that the process is completely transparent do not worry, we actually received money from companies and Srvnaha on projects in all parts of Kurdistan and we will continue our policy of this until they reached with the federal government to ensure that each party agreements constitutional rights.


    https://translate.googleusercontent.c...#ixzz2Uvylf64R

    and



    Premier Barzani: We Will Never Compromise on Our Rights
    by RUDAW

    Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani (R) standing next to former Prime Minister Barham Salih, the driving force behind the establishment of the American University in Iraq-Sulaimani (AUIS), Thursday, May 30, 2013. Photo: Rudaw

    SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani said Thursday that, despite divisions among political parties there would be no compromise on the autonomous region’s commitment to defending itself.

    Speaking at a commencement ceremony at the American University in Iraq-Sulaimani (AUIS), he also vowed that Erbil will not back down in its rows with Baghdad, and will continue to insist on resolving quarrels over the budget, disputed territories and oil.

    “Though there are differences among the political parties in Kurdistan over certain issues, I assure you that we will stay united in defending this region, and we will work for the progress of this society in every aspect,” the premier said.

    “We should not let our political disagreements divide the society,” he told an audience of students, professors and foreign and local officials.

    Barzani said that major disputes between Erbil and Baghdad still persist and that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is trying to find solutions with the central government.

    “In my last visit to Baghdad I discussed all the issues with Prime Minister Nuri Maliki frankly,” Barzani said. “The outcome was an agreement between both sides. I also told them that we hope they will honor the agreement this time, which will only pave the way to solve all other disputes,” he added.

    The prime minister said that the Kurds will not quit demanding full implementation of the constitutional Article 140 on disputed territories, their fair share of Iraq’s budget, Baghdad’s funding for Peshmarga forces and Kurdistan’s right to develop its own oil and gas sector.

    “We must not be shy in seeking our own rights as well as the rights of oil companies that operate in Kurdistan,” Barzani said. “But sadly, some parties want to treat these Kurdish rights as some kind of shame,” he added.

    Barzani said that the Kurds will honor the Iraqi constitution and that the Iraqi side should appreciate this Kurdish commitment.

    “We consider ourselves partners in Iraq and we must be treated as equal partners,” he said. “We are looking for solutions, but we will never compromise on our rights nor will we let go of what we have achieved so far,” Barzani vowed.

    Barzani said that the Kurds would never accept to come under the control of the central government.

    “Iraq has a federal system and the Kurdish people have voted for a constitution that puts federalism as the bedrock of the new Iraq,” he said.

    https://rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/310520131
    Last edited by chattels; 06-01-2013 at 04:58 AM.

  4. #4
    The American Wake: Iraq is bleeding but the state has become stronger than the 2006 and civil war are excluded

    01-06-2013 | (Voice of Iraq)

    Western experts saw that in spite of the bloodshed in Iraq and reprisal attacks, but the country does not go toward a civil war because the security forces constitute a strong barrier against any chaos, as quoted by the Journal of the American with Wake.
    The magazine said that the month of April was the bloodiest months since five years. It seems that placed no better now.
    The magazine pointed out that on Monday, killing at least 95 people in a wave of attacks in areas in Iraq. Two days earlier, 76 people were killed in the Sunni areas of Baghdad. That came after the explosion of a car bomb fired 15 days of violence that killed 33 people.
    The increasing volume of violence has raised some experts warning of a return to the year 2006, the when Diving country in sectarian conflict was severe to the point where it is described in many cases civil war. The magazine wondered: What's behind the renewed violence in Iraq?
    The magazine says that "year مختنقين in what they call the heavy fist of the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shiite-led government. For example, in December 2012, was arrested bodyguards of Finance Minister Rafie, triggering a wave of mass protests."
    In April, 56 people were killed when government forces stormed a protest camp helicopters backed Sunni Hawija. Did not stop the cycle of violence and revenge attacks so far.
    But while many links between the ongoing violence and sectarian bloodshed that began in 2006, most experts did not believe that the country is now in a civil war.
    This Chnk Joshi, a visiting scholar at the United Services Institute Royal, a Centre for Studies based in London, wrote to CNN news, saying that part of the reason to avoid Iraq falling into civil war is that the Iraqi government more stable now than it was in the past.
    And adds Joshi wondering "Does this situation mean that Iraq is destined to return to the days of 2006 and 2007, blacks, when death squads were administered at the heart of the Baghdad government is facing waves of ethnic cleansing?" Joshi answers that "it is important to note that while Iraq itself bleeding now, but the state has become strong."
    Joshi says that "al-Maliki is weak in Sunni-majority areas where the Sunni Awakening militias provide security, but the government security forces larger and more cohesive act as a barrier against any chaos wider." British researcher adds, "As well as this, that a lot of the Sunni groups eager to keep the violence under control, so it has suffered greatly in the past in the hands of al-Qaeda."
    And is also believed to Dan Murphy of the Christian Science Monitor newspaper that the Iraqis are very tired of the war in order to allow violence to drown the country. Moreover, the bloodshed is a bad thing for those who earn the money, at least for government officials who Agrvon of money.
    And Murphy said, "With all this, it is very easy to predict the occurrence of what is worst., But Iraqis may اوغلت their wounds of the civil war, the loss of many on both sides, to the extent where it is difficult to imagine a massive fire Jasper again. Whereas suffered متوسطو income Iraqis because of weak economy, benefited from Shiite and Sunni leaders on both the generosity of the rise in oil prices in recent years, and will not win a lot of all-out civil war is almost certain that it will end the same score: Shia majority country charge of the helm. "
    But the magazine attached saying that the fact that the security situation has improved from what it was in 2006 does not mean he can not be descended. So how to deal with the government delayed elections in the provinces of Anbar and Nineveh, both of محافظتان with Snetan, could have serious consequences for the security of the country. Elections were postponed in these two provinces to July 4 of next year.
    As well as this, as the magazine says, it may be for the ongoing civil war in Syria after destabilize Iraq. He noticed Ramzi Mardini, in an article the magazine Foreign Affairs that "the Maliki several reasons invites him to fear the overthrow of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad," especially if forces seized the Sunni opposition to power in Syria, it is possible to line up with the Sunnis in Iraq to form a "sectarian issue transient national boundaries aimed at removing the Shiite power. "
    The magazine concludes its speech and Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, on CNN that the U.S. News and confirmed that the country is moving toward all-out civil war. The Zebari said he "does not give a rosy picture or offers is realistic picture" of the situation in Iraq, but he stressed that Iraq "does not collapse."

    https://translate.googleusercontent.c...#ixzz2Uw0yWL7i

  5. #5
    Iraqi protesters accuse the government of silence for the killings 'identity' in Baghdad

    01-06-2013 | (Voice of Iraq)

    BAGHDAD - Hussein Ali Dawood
    Saturday, June 1, 2013
    Continued Yards sit criticism of the Iraqi government, and responsibility for the deteriorating security campaign in Baghdad because of «silence about the activities of militias, reconditioned back to the demonstrations until the achievement of demands in F dubbed« Hrakna path invincible Milishtm.
    And witnessed the governorates of Anbar and Salahuddin, Kirkuk massive demonstrations, while condemning preachers in mosques in the provinces of Mosul, Diyala and Baghdad government policies and ongoing denounced the bombings that hit Baghdad weeks ago.
    Khatib said Friday in Ramadi yesterday, said that «the government after failing to break the patience and Tnicm about Hrakkm, here are today coming out a new file, namely the militias.
    He added that «Our message to the people of Baghdad and the people of Diyala and the people of all fields to issue one, we Kalgesd If you complained to a member falter, the rest of the body», addressed the government, saying: «We are unable to defend ourselves, and know that the foreheads of the protesters do not bow down to God, We are the owners of the issue and will not abandon them and we will pay in the process of dear and precious.
    The disability checkpoints in Anbar worshipers access to the yard 'honor and dignity' in gray, and stressed that «the Sunnis in Iraq differ in the period after mobility than before.
    In Samarra, said Khatib Friday in the yard sit Mounir al-Obeidi, said that «the government army is unable to confront the militias equipped identities private issued by points higher», adding that «these militias working knowledge of the government, and the military can not prevent them», and considered the «popular movement and sit-ins sane But the government has lost her mind and started tracking various means to our deterrence, called «All sensible people, of references, politicians and tribal leaders, to the official position.
    The following statement in the courtyard of the sit-in Samarra, which stated that «people of all sects declare their solidarity with Baghdad to stand in the face of vicious attack that targeted during blasting operations car bombs and improvised weapons Occlusive». He warned of «the continued deterioration of the security situation and the loose things and lack of control, leading to ominous results.
    In Fallujah, there were altercations and tangle with hands between the protesters in the main square to protest against the backdrop of some of them raised banners calling for the formation of regions, and others objected to it and asked them landed, for the second time get المشادات.
    A member of the Council of Anbar tribes Sheikh Mohammed Bijari in connection with the «life», that «the political party known for trying to impose their agendas on protesters in the city, including the claim form regions», adding that «the people of the city and the protesters reject that.
    He explained that «a number of banners calling for the formation of regions faced a rejection of the protestors and got tangled with hands and on their impact has been lowered banners», explained that «Visiting the intake increased militia activity in Baghdad and target parents insulation in a number of Sunni areas».
    And the news that reported the presence of the delegation of tribal represents the protesters will be meetings with the government to discuss the demands of the protesters, denied Bijari that these representatives true of the demonstrators, and pointed out that «there are a number of politicians and tribal leaders, unfortunately, seek to exploit events to achieve personal interests».
    In Baghdad, saw mosques in areas Aloazimh and session and Sedea and Ameria F speeches critical of the government and the escalation of violence in the capital, and the speeches focused on the growing militia activity and the targeting of people on a sectarian basis, and held the government responsible for it.


    https://translate.googleusercontent.c...#ixzz2Uw2m9vKB

  6. #6
    Is Iraq on Verge of New Civil War?

    By: Mustafa al-Kadhimi for Al-Monitor Iraq Pulse Posted on May 31.

    For months there has been growing talk about the outbreak of civil war in Iraq. Concerns and warnings have been mounting since the outbreak of the Sunni demonstrations on Dec. 12, 2012. Concerns grew with the withdrawal of US troops at the end of 2011, not to mention arrest warrants that were issued against former Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi during the same period

    Summary :
    Months of unrest in Iraq’s Sunni provinces, along with recent car bombings and other forms of sectarian violence, have raised concerns about another civil war.
    Original Title:
    How Likely Is A New Civil War In Iraq?
    Author: Mustafa al-Kadhimi
    Translated by: Sahar Ghoussoub

    Categories : Originals Iraq Security


    It can be said that the year 2012 was dedicated to consolidating calls for civil wars, not only by those calling for it who have been fomenting sectarian violence, but also by those who rejected it, as they have been fueling speculation about its possible outbreak. They have been intimidating people and urging them to elect certain political lists. They may have been also seeking to make political gains amid a raging political crisis that is still ongoing.

    The pertinent question in Iraq today is: “Is Iraq on the verge of a new civil war?”

    To answer this question, one ought to study certain factors. Most importantly, it should be noted that following the civil war in Iraq that took place between 2006 and 2008, people realized that the use of weapons would not solve anything and that the results of the war did not come to the advantage of those advocating it, but to the advantage of those who rejected it.

    Undoubtedly, the presence of US forces at the time had contributed to quelling the civil war. Militarily, at the beginning of 2006, the US administration took a few strategic steps, such as increasing the number of troops, opening the doors of cooperation with Sunni tribes, supporting the Iraqi government to launch the Battle of Basra Operation in the city of Basra to drive out the Mahdi Army militia out of the city.

    It could be said that the void left by the US troops’ withdrawal after 2012 was not felt on the ground and battlefield, as the American army was less present between 2009 and 2011, after signing the withdrawal agreements. However, the American administration had a strong presence when it took up the role of mediator, and by imposing solutions on the conflicting parties in the domestic area. This is seen as one of the most important factors that resulted in a relatively stable security and political consensus.

    What were the changes on the economic, political, social, or security level that occurred towards the end of the civil war in 2008, which led to the outbreak of a new sectarian conflict today?

    On the ground, the lives of Iraqis have not changed and there have not been any major events that could have fueled expectations about a new war, even at the security level.

    Acts of violence and terrorist attacks have been recurrent throughout these years. In the first half of 2012, however, they escalated and have further intensified during the first months of 2013.

    The most prominent variable, however, was the outbreak of armed conflict in Syria, which transformed into a sectarian hotbed and a battlefield that involved nearly all major powers in the world. This increased speculation that Iraq is likely to turn into a new Syria, whose situation has been already akin to that of Iraq in 2006.

    One cannot assume that external factors alone could lead to a full-scale sectarian war in Iraq. However, it is certain that some internal parties have interests — whether religious, tribal or political — and which are linked to foreign agendas. They are ready to embark on the path of civil war.

    Moreover, forming a Sunni province is not a new idea. However, there have been new parties advocating the establishment of this province, who are ready to resort to bloody confrontation for this goal. The Shiite parties, on the other hand, have failed to contain the crisis, insisting on reading the events in their political framework, ignoring social, historic and religious indications, as well as regional conflicts. Thus, there has been a sense of marginalization and exclusion among Sunni Iraqis in their own country.

    It is true that there have been threats of new civil war in Iraq, but Iraq is still far from it and has been struggling to remain distanced.

    The cycle of violence in Iraq might be incomplete until now, and perhaps the Iraqi political forces have not matured yet and have not reached a mechanism that guarantees their ability for dialogue and resolving crises. However, the Iraqi street is not ready for such a costly war today. It already has similar models to the war's tragedies and losses. The Iraqi people are not willing to make sacrifices simply for the whims of adventurous warmongers.

    Mustafa al-Kadhimi is an Iraqi writer specializing in defense of democracy. He has extensive experience in documenting testimony and archiving documentaries associated with repressive practices. His book Humanitarian Concerns was selected in 2000 by the European Union as the best book written by a refugee.

    https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/orig...#ixzz2Uw3u7r7z

  7. #7
    Shiite Holiday Raises Fears
    Of More Bombings in Baghdad

    By: Omar al-Shaher for Al-Monitor Iraq Pulse Posted on May 31.

    The streets of the Iraqi capital have been gradually losing their pedestrians for the past two weeks because of a series of explosions that hit different parts of the capital, leaving hundreds dead and wounded, amid news about the return of fake checkpoints. Iraqi streets are expected to be almost completely devoid of any movement during the first days of the current month, as Iraqi Shiites start the festival of Imam Musa al-Kadhim, the seventh Twelver Shiite Muslim, on June 5, 2013.

    Summary :
    With the approach of a Shiite holiday expected to bring observers to the capital, authorities worry that the recent wave of car bombings will grow.
    Original Title:
    Baghdad: Fears of Escalation of Bloody Attacks in Conjunction With Shiite Occasion
    Author: Omar al-Shaher
    Translated by: Sami-Joe Abboud

    Categories : Originals Iraq Security


    The latest wave of bombings that hit Baghdad on Thursday, May 30, 2013, left dozens dead as car bombs and improvised explosive devices detonated in the areas of Waziriya, Karrada, Sadiyah, al-Zoyoot and al-Bonook, following a bloody night during which a car bomb targeted a wedding party in the Shiite-majority neighborhood of Al-Hussein, part of ​​the predominantly Sunni al-Jihad area, west of Baghdad. The attack killed and wounded more than 80 people.

    The Iraqi security services fear more casualties could result from attacks organized by Sunni militants against the Shiites in Baghdad, who will start to flock to Baghdad at the beginning of the week to visit the shrine of Imam al-Kadhim, located in the district of Kadhimiya, north of Baghdad.

    A senior Iraqi officer who attended a security meeting convened by Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Nouri al-Maliki said, “One of the officers who attended the meeting told Maliki that the Islamic State of Iraq organization, an armed wing of al-Qaeda in Iraq, may succeed in killing thousands of Shiites attending the festival of Imam Kadhim in Baghdad, if the government does not impose a complete curfew in the capital.”

    The officer told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that intelligence estimates expect growing violence in the Iraqi capital over the next month in light of a severe political crisis, against the backdrop of protests launched by Iraqi’s Sunni-majority provinces against the policies of the Maliki government.

    “It was agreed during the meeting to partially restrict the movement of pedestrians and vehicles during the days of the festival, which ends next weekend,” he added.

    He continued, “The Baghdad Operations Command, which is responsible for the security of the Iraqi capital, received instructions from the Office of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to withdraw identification cards from all Iraqi intelligence officers, because these enable them to cross checkpoints without being subject to inspection procedures.”

    He disclosed that Maliki relieved the chief of his military office, Gen. Farouk al-Araji, of his duties, and assigned instead the senior official in the intelligence service, Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta, in an attempt to breathe new life into the military establishment, which has been reeling from the impact of frequent security breaches in recent weeks.

    In an effort to calm the concerns of Baghdad residents, who fear the collapse of the security situation, Maliki made on Wednesday night [May 29] an “inspection tour of checkpoints in different areas of the two Baghdad neighborhoods of Karkh and Rusafa. The tour lasted about three hours and included the areas of al-Jihad, al-Amiriya, al-Mansour, al-Adel, al-Horiya, al-Kadhimiya, al-Taji and al-Adhamiya,” according to a statement issued by his office and seen by Al-Monitor.

    Omar al-Shaher is a contributor to Al-Monitor’s Iraq Pulse. His writing has appeared in publications including France’s LeMonde, Iraq's Alesbuyia, Egypt’s Al-Ahaly and the Elaph website. He previously covered political and security affairs for Iraq's Al-Mada newspaper.

    https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/orig...#ixzz2Uw5P5PLq

  8. #8
    Al-Qaeda-Iraq Statement A Sign
    Of Rising Sectarian Violence

    By: Ali Abel Sadah for Al-Monitor Iraq Pulse Posted on May 31.

    Al-Qaeda in Iraq revealed in a unique statement that it met with tribal leaders in Anbar province in western Iraq and agreed with them to “unite their efforts against the Safavid [Iranian] gestapo in Iraq.


    Summary :
    In a rare public statement, al-Qaeda in Iraq has announced that it is meeting with Sunni leaders in the west of the country to join forces to fight the “Iranian Safavid gestapo.”
    Original Title:
    Al-Qaeda is Seeking to Implicate the Sunnis in Iraq
    Author: Ali Abel Sadah
    Translated by: Joelle El-Khoury

    Categories : Originals Iraq Security


    The statement confirmed what was published by Al-Monitor on May 8, 2013. Al-Monitor’s correspondent spoke to a political source active in the protests in Anbar, who pointed out that dialogue sessions with tribal leaders to calm the situation — which were attended by the Sunni politician and Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq — were held in the presence of representatives from armed groups.

    Al-Qaeda’s statement spoke about an expanded meeting that was held between the Anbar tribes and representatives of the Islamic State of Iraq. However, it did not specify the time or place of the meeting, for understandable reasons that are related to the very reasons the meeting was held.

    The group explained in the statement that “the main essence of the subjects that were addressed in the meeting was unanimously agreed upon, while these subjects have also remained secret.”

    Yet, the statement added that “those in attendance agreed to deploy jihadists to confront (the fascist Shiite Safavid gestapo).”

    The statement continued, “The conflict with fascism is moving to a stage that will certainly be able to completely change the balance of power.”

    Al-Monitor contacted a number of Sunni tribal leaders in Anbar. While some declined to comment on what was mentioned in the al-Qaeda statement, others said it was an attempt to entrap the tribes in the city.

    Cleric Labib al-Nakib, head of the Sunni Fatwa Committee, said, “Al-Qaeda is using the pretext of protecting Iraqi Sunnis when it conducts acts of violence in the country.”

    An activist in the protest square said that a number of tribesmen in the province “have specific contacts with the armed groups.” The source, a dentist who has been attending the protests in Ramadi since February 2013, said, “The armed groups have specific agreements with tribal leaders, especially regarding the armed confrontation against the Maliki government.”

    Nearly a week before the al-Qaeda statement was released on May 21, 2013, Al-Monitor received via email a statement signed by 76 Sunni religious leaders, declaring that they have no connection with al-Qaeda.

    Sunni clerics representing nine Iraqi provinces — Anbar, Ninevah, Baghdad, Diyala, Salahuddin, Kirkuk, Babil, Wasit and Basra — signed the statement. It said, “Sunnis in Iraq have no connection with any terrorist attacks targeting Iraqis of various sects, or with the ideology of al-Qaeda, which according to them, is not similar to the Sunnis’ beliefs and ideology.” The statement urged citizens “to cooperate with the security forces in the fight against al-Qaeda, and not to help or assist the group.”

    The reason that pushed al-Qaeda to announce “a joint understanding” — a similar [announcement] has never before been disclosed — with Sunni tribes is not precisely known. Yet, this announcement coincided with the most extended security operation conducted by the Iraqi forces in the Anbar desert, where security officials said that al-Qaeda members are entrenched.

    Gen. Ali Ghaidan, commander of Iraqi army ground forces, told a group of journalists, including Al-Monitor, “The Iraqi army ground forces took control of the largest al-Qaeda camp in Anbar, in a military operation that they carried out in the Anbar desert.”

    The military operation was code-named The Ghost. It started in the early hours of May 16, 2013, and concentrated on Highway 160, linking Baghdad to both Jordan and Syria.

    A major in the Iraqi army told Al-Monitor, "Four fixed-wing aircraft coming from the al-Bakr air base in Salahuddin arrived at al-Assad air base in Anbar, as the military operation started there.”

    Under these circumstances, Iraqi Sunnis are placed under the pressure of the armed groups on the one hand, and that of the country’s public opinion — which has considered Sunnis as a whole to be a main component in the acts of violence — on the other. Al-Monitor’s correspondent found it very difficult to talk to political decision-makers in the city of Ramadi, the majority of whom had concerns over issuing positions that could anger al-Qaeda or the government in Baghdad.

    Nevertheless, some Sunni leaders are trying to convince Maliki to take steps to calm the situation. Al-Monitor attended a press conference by Karim al-Samarrai — a Sunni politician in the Iraqi Islamic Party and the resigned minister of science and technology — in which he confirmed that he had sent Maliki a message calling on him to make a TV appearance to condemn al-Qaeda and Shiite militias. Samarrai said, “Maliki has responded to that.”

    In a press conference that included Deputy Prime Ministers Saleh al-Mutlaq and Hussein al-Shahristani, Maliki had announced on May 28, 2013, the Council of Ministers’ decision to support security services in their fight against al-Qaeda and militias. He emphasized the importance of confronting the outlaws, regardless of their affiliation, beliefs and political parties.

    Ali Abel Sadah is a Baghdad-based writer for both Iraqi and Arab media. He has been a managing editor for local newspapers as well as a political and cultural reporter for more than 10 years.

    https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/orig...#ixzz2Uw675mXp

  9. #9
    Iran’s Reform Movement and the Kurdish Dilemma

    By Salah Bayaziddi

    The Kurdish question in Iran has remained unresolved under the regimes of the ousted Shah and the Islamic Republic that replaced him, and has done huge human and material damage to the country. More importantly, it has been a major obstacle to the process of peace and democratization in Iran.

    When almost two decades ago the military confrontation between the Kurds and Iranian regimes ceased, there was a naive assumption that new elites inside the regime had learned from past mistakes. It was hoped they eventually would find a peaceful and humane way to ease a decades-old oppression of the Kurdish people.

    It was the emergence of the reform movement in Iran in the mid-1990s that was responsible for this illusion. The main reformist leader at the time, Mohammad Khatami, successfully ran for the presidency on a platform of liberalization and reform, and during his two terms advocated freedom of expression, tolerance and a civil society.

    There can be no doubt that the rise of the reform movement during the early stage of President Khatami’s administration had its momentum, raising some hope among Kurds for greater cultural and political rights.

    In multi-ethnic Iran the early reformist leaders counted the growing demands for greater rights -- by the large Kurdish and other non-Persian ethnic groups -- among their most important issues.

    The Kurdish region had played a major role in this so-called reform period in Iran. A variety of organizations emerged during this period, related to human and civil rights, literature, children, women and the environment. This is strong evidence that Kurds were hoping to achieve their rights through nonviolent means.

    The primary Kurdish demands were for greater economic development of their regions, a bigger share of the profits from natural resources and the unfettered use of their language in education and politics. During Khatami’s two-term presidency, the Kurdish statutes did not change. Hence, the reform movement failed to expand its populist base among the Kurds. Once again a sense of betrayal and a feeling of being second-class citizens within their homeland began to spread, radicalizing Kurdish demands.

    Once again, during the early stages of campaigning for Iran's presidential elections in 2009, both ostensibly reformist leaders, Mir Hussein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, promised greater cultural rights for Iran's ethnic minorities.

    They were aware – as was Khatami when he promised greater Kurdish rights nine years ago – of the demands of the various ethnic minorities, including the Kurds.

    It remains more than obvious that during the eight years of Khatami’s presidency, all the promises of greater rights for Iran's minorities remained on paper and no major changes took place. Therefore, it came as no surprise that the Kurds almost boycotted the second round of the reform movement and had no will to participate in the Green Movement and its popular uprising following Iran's disputed presidential election in June 2009.

    It is also worth noting that a bloody crackdown on peaceful Kurdish protests four years earlier had resulted in a greater level of anger and animosity toward the policies of the Islamic regime.

    During President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's first term in the summer of 2005, the extra-judicial killing of a young Kurdish activist was portrayed as the peak of injustice against the Kurds. It ignited massive protests and demonstrations throughout the Kurdish regions, in which people were killed by direct fire at peaceful protests, and hundreds were arrested. But even those atrocities and human rights abuses did not evoke much reaction from the so-called pro-democracy reformists in Iran.

    Even worse was the passive response of pro-reform and opposition media outside Iran, who were skeptical about supporting the struggle of an ethnic minority with a past history of separatist tendencies. They looked at this as a “national interest” issue.

    These events resulted in the breaking of the last remaining ties between the reform movement and the Kurds, and eventually raised suspicions about the true intentions of the reform leaders.

    Throughout the modern history of Iran the mentality of the government's elites has remained polluted by the old myth of "Kurdish separatism," and this has played a major role in suppression of the Kurdish struggle and the continuation of the Kurdish tragedy. However, there have been major political developments and power shifts since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, and the toppling of several dictators following the so called Mideast “Arab Spring” since 2011.

    Today, many things have changed: The Kurdish question has gained greater attention at the international level; there is de-facto international recognition of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq; there is hope of greater political rights for Syrian Kurds; on the horizon is a peaceful resolution of a long-standing and bloody suppression of Kurds in Turkey.

    All these developments are combining to turn Iran’s Kurdish dilemma into a major and urgent challenge -- for any government in Tehran.

    Indeed, Iran is extremely troubled by the upheavals in the region, especially in Syria and Turkey. In Syria, should President Bashar al-Assad fall, Tehran fears not only the loss of its most important Arab ally, but also the possible repercussions for Iran, including over the Kurdish question.

    Once these tremors cross into Iranian borders, Tehran should brace for an upheaval.

    Salah Bayaziddi is the representative of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan to the United States.

  10. #10
    Allawi, Nujaifi and Mutlaq will attend Hakim's meeting
    01/06/2013 08:45:00

    BAGHDAD / NINA / The MP, of the Iraqiya coalition, Hamid Kassar al-Zobaie declared that the coalition's leader, Ayad Allawi, House Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi and Deputy Prime Minister, Saleh al-Mutlaq will attend the meeting called by the Head of the Islamic Supreme Council Ammar al-Hakim. "

    He, in a statement to the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA / expressed hope that the political leaders discuses, in this meeting, all disputed issues among the blocs seriously, to find radical solutions to apply them on the ground, not like the previous meetings dedicated to the compliments, or be without solutions and results, as happened in the Erbil agreement one and two or Najaf and decisions of Five and Seven Committees."


    It is mentioned that the head of the Islamic Supreme Council, Ammar al-Hakim had called in a speech of the occasion of the birth of Imam Ali, all political parties, Shiite and Sunni Waqifs, and Kurdistan Region and to hold a meeting to reassure the Iraqi people to stand against terrorism.

    https://www.ninanews.com/english/News...ar95_VQ=GIEHJH

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