UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000059
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ, INR/P
E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC, KMDR, KPAO, IZ, Terrorism, Media, Iraqi Islamic Party
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI GOVERNMENT, DECEMBER 15th
ELECTION, TRANSPARENCY; BAGHDAD
SUMMARY: The major themes in today's editorials included the
recent terrorist attacks in Ramadi and Karbala, economic
crises, government formation, and the recent agreement
between the PUK and KDP.
In its front-page editorial entitled "The Announcement of
Unity Is a Great Event," KDP-affiliated At-Taakhi lauds the
agreement between the KDP and PUK, which unites the two
Kurdish administrations in the Kurdistan region.
Independent As-Sabah Al-Jadeed published a front-page
editorial by editor-in-chief Ismael Zayyer highlighting
current political negotiations, recent terrorist attacks,
and the preparations for forming the new government.
Other independent papers focused on the country's political
and economic obstacles, with Az-Zaman's back page column
discussing the political process since the downfall of the
former regime, and Al-Mashriq's front-page editorial
discussing the current fuel crisis. The author considers the
observation that Iraq's situation deteriorates following
each political achievement. Independent Al-Mada also assumes
a somber tone in its third-page column entitled "Successive
Crises and Tyrannical Decisions," by Tarek Al-Jiburi, who
bemoans the relative dearth of fuel, electricity, employment
and potable water in Iraq. The author suggests that the
Iraqi government has intentionally harmed Iraqi citizens by
remaining silent since April 9th, 2003. END SUMMARY.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A. "Playing with Blood" (Dar As-Salam, 1/8)
B. "The People Know" (Al-Adala, 1/8)
C. "Cost" (As-Sabah, 1/8)
D. "For the Sake of Ending Terrorism" (Al-Ittihad, 1/8)
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SELECTED COMMENTARIES
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A. "Playing with Blood"
(Dar As-Salam, affiliated with the Iraqi Islamic Party,
published a front-page unattributed editorial about the
recent terrorist attacks in Karbala and Ramadi. The
editorial reads in part)
"We were surprised to hear some groups accuse specific
political parties of being behind the criminal events that
took place in Karbala and Ramadi. These accusations widen
the divisions among Iraqis and make it difficult to know who
benefited from those crimes. At the same time, there are
demands that the government's security forces intensify
their operations without restriction. It seems that the
accusations are attempts to win political benefit at the
expense of innocent blood. Iraqis have the right to know why
these accusations were associated with the current political
crisis that began after the election fraud was revealed.
This is merely playing with fire and blood, and it resembles
an adventure more than a political process."
B. "The People Know"
(Al-Adala, affiliated with SCIRI, published a third-page
editorial by Ali Khalif about Iraq's political scene. The
editorial reads in part)
"We are not surprised to see some groups release statements
that provoke terror. We noticed that some political figures
are two-faced, but the Iraqi people discovered these types
of politicians before the election. For this reason the
overwhelming majority of Iraqis voted for their real
representatives. The political scene after the election
shows that there are groups in Iraq that do not believe in
democracy or ballot boxes. In any case, the determination of
Iraqis will be stronger than any other tyrant because our
people know what they want and they expressed this wish
during the great Election Day."
C. "Cost"
(As-Sabah, Iraqi Media Network, government financed,
published a front-page editorial by editor in chief Muhammad
Abdul Jabbar about Iraq's economic situation. The editorial
reads in part)
"The needs of the people cannot be satisfied by donations.
In Iraq, there are three kinds of citizens: government
employees, private sector employees, and the unemployed.
Salaries of government employees must be based on the real
cost of living in the country. On the other hand, the
unemployed have no solution for their problem. Recently, the
Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs began presenting
financial donations to the unemployed. But these donations
cannot cover the costs of the basic standards of living. If
we want to find solutions to the salary problems of
government employees and to the problem of the unemployed,
we first have to calculate the real costs of a good life."
D. "For the Sake of Ending Terrorism"
(Al-Ittihad, affiliated with the PUK, published a front-page
editorial by editor in chief Faryad Rawanduzi about the
recent terrorist attacks in Iraq. The editorial reads in
part)
"Terrorists have increased their crimes against the Iraqi
people. This time they attacked funerals, shrines, and
mosques. Theses terrorist operations come after the
terrorists realized that the political process in Iraq is
progressing. These operations represent a proclaimed battle
against the Iraqi people and their dreams to establish a
democratic, federal country. Hence, the political
participation of all Iraqi sects and groups can bring an end
to terrorism in Iraq. Terrorism has become a principal
obstacle facing the progress of this country. For this
reason, we have to save Iraq, the region, and the entire
world from the evils of terrorism and terrorists."
KHALILZAD