Mosaic News - 7/28/10: World News From The Middle East[VIDEO]
Pakistan plane crash kills all 152 on board
Al Jazeera TV, QatarPresenter, Female #1
An air disaster shook Pakistan today. Police confirmed that all 152 passengers aboard the plane, which crashed near Islamabad this morning, met their fate. The Airbus plane was operating a domestic flight from Karachi to Islamabad when it plunged into a mountainous region near the capital. The latest details with our al-Jazeera correspondent, Abdel Rahman Matar in Islamabad.
Reporter, Male # 1 (Abdel Rahman Matar - Al-Jazeera Correspondent)
The Pakistani government officially stopped rescue efforts a short while ago due to nightfall here in Islamabad. The minister of information said that they will be resumed tomorrow morning. He confirmed that 115 bodies were recovered from the total 152 passengers who were on board. For the most part, these bodies are in bad condition and are hard to identify. Of course, the names of the passengers were provided by the airline company and the southern city of Karachi, from where the plane departed. However, as for individually identifying all the bodies, it is hard to do, so the government will conduct DNA testing to identify the dead. It will last one week. As I said, rescue efforts were halted at night here in the capital, Islamabad. It will be resumed tomorrow. So far, the government has only talked about technical problems as being the main cause behind the crash. As for the mood around the incident, and the site where it took place, I prepared a report this morning about the plane crash here in Islamabad. Let’s watch it.
Reporter, Male #1
The most beautiful landscape in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad is the Margalla Hills that surrounds the city. But it became the stage for a humanitarian tragedy when a passenger flight from Karachi crashed into a hilltop during stormy weather. The plane, which had 152 people on board, crashed into pieces, and the wreckage was scattered in the mountains. Military helicopters immediately conducted a number of search operations to locate the pieces of the plane and search for possible survivors.
Guest, Male #1 (Imtiyaz Elahi, mayor of Islamabad)
“The terrain is very difficult to reach the top of the mountain.” Even so, we sent out a rescue team as quickly as possible and military helicopters are trying to evaluate ways to help and to gain accurate information on the reason behind the crash.
Reporter, Male #1
The rescue efforts on the ground started immediately as well. Hundreds of armed soldiers and policemen, as well as a large number of volunteers, paramedics and medical teams are rushing to reach the top of the mountain where the plane crashed.
Guest, Male #2 (Eqbal Khatak - Head, Civilian rescue committee)
We have special equipment to manually build bridges in order to reach the top of the mountain. The paramedics will try to get there and provide all possible support and coordination with the rest of the relevant rescue efforts.
Reporter, Male #1
The difficult and tense security situation that Pakistanis have been living under for years seemed obvious here. The army completely closed off the area and detained a suspect, without revealing what he was suspected of, except that he was trying to gain something from the difficult situation. From this place, it is not easy to reach the location of the air crash, which is on top of one of the Margalla Hills that surround the capital. Nonetheless, efforts continue to be exerted from the air and on the ground. Abdel Rahman Matar, al-Jazeera, Istamabad.
Al-Qaeda video warns Turkey
BBC- ArabicPresenter, Female #1
Al-Qaeda released a new tape warning Turkey of its continued participation with NATO troops operating in Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda’s second in command, Ayman al-Zawahri, had previously released an audio tape accusing the forces of Islamic countries, especially Turkey’s, of participating in the war in Afghanistan. The new tape was released by As-Sahab Foundation for Islamic Media Publication, al-Qaeda’s media production house. It shows details of an operation carried out by 4 suicide attackers, including a Turkish man, on a US military base in Afghanistan, in retaliation for the death of two of its leaders.
Reporter, Male #1
The daily incidents in Afghanistan’s long war may have made some people forget that the multinational forces, leading the mission to impose security and stability in this country, also include Middle Eastern countries, such as Turkey. Daily reports on loss of life in battles indicate that the majority of victims are either Afghans or Westerners. However, al-Qaeda's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahri’s warning to Turkey and Arab states due to their participation in the war in Afghanistan, might have highlighted this issue. Al-Qaeda did not simply issue warnings; it went even further as a Turkish suicide bomber carried out an operation that was described by al-Qaeda as retaliation for the death of two of its leaders in Afghanistan. Turkey’s participation in the NATO-led operations was approved by parliament in 2001 following the events of September the 11th during Bülent Ecevit’s term. However, one year later, the political reality changed in Turkey when the Justice and Development Party took over under the leadership of Abdullah Gül. During that period, Turkey’s political view regarding its participation in Afghanistan was formed, and has become what it calls the strategy of soft force. Its most important strategic platforms in Afghanistan include: taking into account the historical framework of the two countries’ relations since World War I; avoiding direct military operations, even though Turkey has led ISAF forces twice so far; concentrating on development programs and supporting Afghanistan economically, socially and technologically through building schools and hospitals, in addition to training the Afghan army to improve its competence. But the latest warnings from al-Qaeda to Turkey may have a different interpretation. Many political observers point out that Turkey has a clear position in regard to the presence of foreign fighters in Afghanistan, but at the same time, it supports Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s proposal to negotiate with the Taliban. The warnings directed at Turkey carried religious terms, which prompted some to interpret it as part of the psychological war on the troops of the allies in Afghanistan, which are facing immense difficulties on the battleground.Adel Mahjub, BBC.
Is another Houthi conflict looming in Yemen?
Al Arabiya TV, UAEPresenter, Male #1
In Yemen, the security situation has deteriorated, which could lead to another outbreak of war between the army and the Houthis, especially after the rebels captured 200 soldiers and took them to Sa’ada. In addition to the different incidents that have caused the death of many soldiers at the hands of unidentified gunmen.
Reporter, Female # 1
Houthi rebels imposed a quasi-complete control of the most important military sites in the region of al-Amshiya, among them al-Za’ala, Labda’a, al- Samsara and al-Mashat. The Houthis were able to capture nearly 200 soldiers who were stationed at these sites, the majority of whom were detained in al-Za’ala. The Houthis moved those prisoners to different locations across Sa’ada, among them al-Naka'a and Matra. Cities in the region of al-Amshiya remain under the control of the army, amidst the unusual silence of the authorities over the confrontations that were witnessed in al-Amshiya during an entire week, especially since information indicated that the Houthis were mobilizing nearly 3,000 soldiers from Sa’ada to the region of al-Amshiya. The confrontations between the rebels and the tribes become relatively quiet, especially after Minister Shageer Ben Aziz left al-Amshiya after getting slightly injured. The Houthis destroyed his house, and some of his relatives and supporters’ houses. There are fears over the rise in the demand for separation in southern Yemen. Military posts in the province of Dale’a were subjected to bombings and RPG shelling, which resulted in the death and injury of a number of soldiers. In addition, a military vehicle that was transporting soldiers was subjected to gunfire while it was heading to Halimeen in Lahj Province. In the city of Sabra, Colonel Abdo Mohamad el-Hashidi escaped an assassination attempt by unidentified gunmen, who shot him as he was leaving his house. And even though there are no links between this incident, the events that took place in al-Amshiya in Amran Province, and the attacks on the provinces of el-Dale’a and Lahj, all of these events draw a worrisome Yemeni scene that threatens the security and stability of the country. Enjel Qadi, al-Arabiya.
Toxic legacy of US assault on Fallujah 'worse than Hiroshima'
New TV, LebanonPresenter, Male #1
The disastrous outcome of the Americans’ war on Fallujah exceeds that of their nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The true face of American democracy is to spread death with internationally banned and unethical weapons. Washington uses different excuses to spread its power in the Middle East.
Reporter, Male #1
The Independent newspaper published a report revealing that the number of cancer cases in the city of Fallujah exceeds that of the two Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on which the Americans dropped nuclear bombs during World War II. Fallujah suffered the worst shelling since the Second World War by US troops. According to the report, doctors in Fallujah noticed an increase in stillbirths, as well as an increase in the number of birth defects, which include babies born with two heads, or with an extra limb or missing a limb, and cases of partial or complete deformity. The report references the results of research conducted in a city located in northern Iraq, which shows that the number of cancer cases among children under the age of 14 is four times higher than that in a comparable city in Jordan, and eight times higher than a comparable city in Kuwait. The research also points out that the types of cancer found in Fallujah are similar to those reported by survivors who were exposed to the radiation of the nuclear bombs that were dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The report says that the number of leukemia cases increased 38 fold, and the rate of breast cancer rose 10 fold, in addition to a large increase in brain disease among adults. US occupation forces in Iraq admitted to having used white phosphorus and other munitions in its attack on Fallujah. The British media network Sky News unveiled that US forces used unconventional weapons during their massive military operation in Fallujah. Weapons that are internationally forbidden from being used against civilians, which led to a large increase in the number of deformed newborns, many of whom died before reaching the age of 5.
Arab Knesset member urges Europe to downgrade Israeli ties
Press TV, IranA Palestinian member of the Knesset has urged the European leaders to downgrade their ties with Tel Aviv. Haneen Zoubi says Israel could interact with impunity when it has western diplomatic, military and economic support. Zoubi was punished by the Israeli parliament for taking part of the Gaza aid mission.
PA Chairman Abbas denies resisting push for direct talks with Israel
IBA TV, IsraelSecurity was top of the agenda as the defense chief met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington. Jerusalem is seeking security guarantees as the peace process with the Palestinians moves forward. Barak also told the Washington Post that if Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon launch rockets at Israeli towns and cities, then Israel has the legitimate right to strike at any target in Lebanon, not just Hezbollah sites.
Spanish FM calls for unconditional direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians
Jordan TV, JordanSpanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos has called for direct peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel after talks with his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman, Moratinos called for both sides to move to direct talks without preconditions. Moratinos continued his visit to the Middle East traveling to the West Bank city of Ramallah for a meeting with the Palestinian leadership.
Israeli occupation arrests puzzle Golan Heights residents
Syria TV, SyriaPresenter, Male #1
Within the framework of the Israeli occupation forces’ arbitrary acts against the people in Syria’s occupied Golan Heights, the forces detained 50-year-old Syrian citizen Mona Hossein al-Qadmani from the occupied town of Majdal Shams.
Reporter, Male #1
As part of Israel’s oppressive and terrorist policy to violate the rights of the residents of the occupied Golan Heights, Israeli occupation forces detained Ms. Mona Hossein al-Qadmani, a native of the occupied Majdal Shams town, after summoning her for a so-called investigation into a Jewish settlement in the Golan. Qadmani’s arrest came soon after her son, artist Feda’a Sha’ar, was arrested upon his return from Paris to the occupied Golan Heights two weeks ago, and the arrest of her husband, Mr. Majid Sha’ar, under false Zionist pretexts and excuses.
Guest, Male # 1
We are soldiers in our trenches, thank God, we won’t leave it. Whether the child is 1 day old or 100 days old, our children are soldiers, and so are our women. We, the citizens of the occupied Golan, all consider ourselves to be a brigade of Syrian soldiers residing in these trenches, and defenders that are attached to this nation by blood and flesh, along with dignity, values and principles. And thank God, we will stay free in our hearts.
Reporter, Male #1
It is worth mentioning that on July 11th the occupied town of Majdal Shams witnessed confrontations between the residents of the Golan and the occupation forces due to the Israeli police’s demolishment of Majid Sha’ar’s house. During the clashes, dozens of Golan citizens were wounded or suffocated, two occupation forces’ vehicles crashed and 3 so-called terrorist elements were detained, many of whom were released afterward due to the occupation’s use of real bullets, military machinery and helicopters.
Lebanon's Tourism Ministry tackles tourist complaints
BBC- ArabicPresenter, Male #1
The Lebanese government is trying to solve problems that could be faced by the tourism industry and Arab and foreign tourists, following complaints over the high cost of services. This comes as tourism to Lebanon has increased by 26 per cent in the first six months of the year, in comparison to the same period last year. From Beirut, Mohammad Noun.
Reporter, Male # 2
964,000 visitors is the number of arrivals to Lebanon in the first half of the current year, versus 761,000 in the same period last year. An increase of over 26 per cent. The Lebanese Ministry of Tourism considered these numbers positive, but expressed fear over the repercussions of the high prices and swindling that takes place in some restaurants and hotels within the tourism industry in Lebanon.
Guest, Male # 3 (Fadi Abboud, Lebanon's Tourism Minister)
Whether it’s a hotel or a home, wherever the tourist may be…any sort of cheating…I’m talking to my friends, the business owners. At the first offense, I will close the business for one week. If it happens again, I will permanently shut it down.
Reporter, Male # 2
Arab and foreign tourists also voiced other problems related to the condition of the roads and the electricity, in addition to the traffic jams. It is being said that it might lead to a decrease in the number of tourists in the coming period. But some owners of tourism enterprises see these problems as ordinary, and possible to overcome.
Guest, Male # 4 (Nizar Aluf, Owner of tourist resort in Lebanon)
The tourism industry is growing in Lebanon. Did we expect a larger number? Yes we were, I won’t hide that fact. But is the number that we received logical, and good for tourism? Yes, it is good for tourism.
Reporter, Male # 2
However, the Lebanese government listened to the advice of the Gulf-Arab leaders over the necessity to reduce the political speeches of the Lebanese powers in order to encourage tourists to pack their bags and head to Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministry of Tourism confirms that it takes into consideration all the problems of the tourists by cooperating with the respective ministries, based on the Lebanese government’s view that confirms the need to have a flourishing tourism season. Mohammad Noun, BBC, Beirut.
** Mosaic News is produced by Jamal Dajani. Contact: mosaicnews{at}linktv{dot}org
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