[Summary]

According to U.N. spokesman Amano, there is no evidence that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons. This is Amano’s first comment on Iran since his election. Iran has said that its nuclear program is peaceful and under the supervision of a U.N. nuclear watchdog.

Private contractor Xe, formerly known as Blackwater Worldwide, has found a new venue for state department in Afghanistan, after being expelled from Iraq. Experts say the early weeks of Blackwater operations already show signs of violence and lawlessness.

Presenter, Woman #1
Documents from the FBI, the Federal Bureau of Investigation made public that the late Iraqi president Saddam Houssain said to his interrogators that he led the world to think that he had weapons of mass destruction because he was afraid to seem weak in front of his enemies, especially Iran. Aziz al-Marmisi has the details.

Reporter, Man #1
New details about the late Iraqi president Saddam Houssain see the light for the first time since his death almost 2 and a half years ago. These details were revealed by FBI documents, complying with the freedom of information act. These documents include the official and non-official interrogation records that the Arabic-speaking FBI investigators had carried out with Saddam since his capture in December 2003. According to the investigators, Saddam did not leave Baghdad right after the American troops invaded Iraq, but only when he thought that the capital was on the verge of falling. Saddam said that the farm where he was captured in Durb area, north of Baghdad, was the same farm that Abdul Karim Qasim, who was the Prime Minister at that time, hid 4 decades ago, after a failed coup. Among the interesting personal details that the documents revealed, Saddam denied that he was using look-alikes, saying that those rumors were without any grounds. But he confirmed to the investigators that he rarely slept in the same place two nights in a row, he only used the phone twice since 1990, and he gave orders through his envoys. The documents also showed that Saddam was more concerned about Iran finding out Iraq’s weakness, than the UN’s weapon inspectors who were searching for weapons of mass destruction. Saddam wanted the world to think that he had these weapons, as a method to repel his primary enemy, Iran. Despite questions that were raised pertaining to these documents, they remain a rich source of historical and personal details of the late Iraqi president, who preoccupied people of the world in his lifetime, and even after he passed away.

Presenter, Woman #1
Aljazeera correspondent Othman al-Batiri, who was reporting about the Ruh al-Insaniah, or the humanitarian spirit, which sailed to Gaza in an attempt to break the siege, is still detained by the Israeli authorities in Ramlah prison, along with the camera man Mansour Ebia. To know more about the conditions and latest development of their case, our correspondent Othman Al-Batiri joins us from Ramlah prison. Othman, is there anything new concerning you and your colleague Mansour?

Reporter, Man #2
Honestly, till now, we’re still held in separate cells, the problem is that we cannot communicate with the prison authorities. Today is Friday, which means that today and tomorrow are official holidays, and we cannot talk to the prison authorities to inquire about the legal procedures that we need to take, through other people outside the prison. For me, I have to contact people in Jordan, and for my colleague, he has to contact people in Yemen. This means that we have to wait till Sunday before we can have access to prison authorities. Possibly, we will have a judge and a lawyer at 9:30am, but we don’t know if our case will be presented to this judge or if our case has already been decided on. We don’t know what will happen to us, they might take us to another prison, but we don’t have any information.

Presenter, Male #1
The Iraqi High Criminal Court held its first session in the trial of 33 former Iraqi officials being accused of draining the marshes of southern Iraq and displacing the local residents.

Presenter, Female #1
Among the key defendants are: Ali Hassan al-Majid, Saba’wi Ibrahim, Watban Ibrahim, and Abed-Hamid Mahmud. A number of international dignitaries are expected to give their testimonies in this case.

Reporter, Male #2
The fourth Iraqi High Criminal Court held its first trial session in the case of the draining of the marshes of southern Iraq and the forceful migration against the local residents. Thirty three members from the former Iraqi regime are standing trial in this case.

Guest, Male #3
The issue of draining Iraq’s marshland and displacing its residents is important due to the large number of defendants implicated in the case. There are 33 defendants facing criminal charges in this case. This is the first time a case of this magnitude, with so many defendants, is being tried in an Iraqi superior court. Among the key defendants are: Ali Hassan al-Majid, Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan, Saba’wi Ibrahim al-Hassan, Iyad Fetahi al-Rawi, Saber Abed-Azziz al-Duri, and Aziz Salih al-Numa’n.

Reporter, Male #2
Several studies and scientific research have proven that draining the marshes of southern Iraq is behind the climate change witnessed in Iraq, including desertification. This environmental issue is expected to cast shadow over the court’s proceedings. A number of witnesses from international organizations, including a commissioner from the European Union Council, are expected to take the stand.

Guest, Male #3
The draining of the marches of southern Iraq, which include those located in Basra, Missan, and Nasseriya, has reflected negatively on the environment and the issue of desertification. The court will hear the testimony of a key witness from the EU Council; she is Baroness Emma Nixon.

Reporter, Male #2
The court will review numerous complaints and hear the testimonies of key witnesses in the trial of 33 members from the former Iraqi regime accused of draining Iraq’s southern marshland and displacing its residents. Mohammad al-Khafaji, Iraqiya, Baghdad.

Presenter, Male #1
Joining us from Baghdad is Karim al-Yakoubi, the Representative of the Islamic Virtue Party and MP of the National Assembly of Iraq. Mr. Karim, Welcome. How is the draining of the marshes of Iraq affecting the area today?

Guest, Male #4, al-Yakoubi
In the name of God, the most compassionate, the most merciful. I would like to thank the Iraqiya channel for giving me an opportunity to comment on this issue. The main objective behind draining the marshes of southern Iraq by the ousted regime of Saddam was to quell the Sha’ban uprising. The former regime wanted to carry out its vengeance against the people of southern Iraq, especially those living in the Marshland. The Marsh residents are known for their courage and patience; they joined the resistance against the ousted regime, and refused to recognize the dictator’s policies. At the time, several political factions and noble Iraqi groups across Iraq, especially in the north and the south, joined the resistance, and took refuge in the marshes of southern Iraq. The marshes, which were planted with sugar cane and bulrush, has transformed the area into a complex web of waterways. These waterways are very difficult to maneuver by anyone not familiar with the area. Hence, the regime of Saddam Hussein was unable to reach and quell the resistance, so he ordered the draining of the marshes. Saddam spent billions of dollars to build the so called “al-Qaed’s River,” which is a river that is deeper then both the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. The river extended from southern Iraq to Basra. The purpose of building the river was to drain the water from the marshes to the al-Qaed’s River. Consequently, the residents and the resistance were forced to migrate out of the area. Many were killed and many were forced to flee Iraq or relocate to other parts of the country.

Presenter, Female #1
At this time, Basra is welcoming its first new patrol boat. Deputy Kheir Allah al-Basri said that there are forces that seek to undermine any development projects to arm Iraq. The deputy said that this force, which he did not name, benefits from oil smuggling and also said that the borders remain filled with porous smuggling areas. Ali Kharaf in Basra reports on the Italian patrol boats that just arrived to Iraq.

Reporter, Male #1
Fatah 702 is the first patrol boat that will be added to the Iraqi naval fleet since they restructured the Iraqi Navy 4 years ago. This is one of four boats that Iraq will receive from the Italian government by the end of this year.

Guest, Male #3
This is a modern ship that functions through a computer. With its current equipment it can precisely and efficiently engage the enemy from as far as 10 kilometers. Also this ship has the unique ability to launch boats.

Reporter, Male #2
Iraq agreed to buy these boats during the time of the Iran-Iraq war but due to the conditions of war the boats were never received. The Iraqi Defense Minister, Abdul Kader Al-Obeydi travelled to Italy to return the boats so that additional adjustments could be made to them. The Italian ambassador confirmed that Iraq can now protect its commercial and oil ports by depending on the highly advanced technology of these boats. Meanwhile, Member of Parliament, Kheir Allah Al Basri, reiterated that the government is neglecting to restructure the Iraqi army while there are forces that seek to undermine any project aimed at developing Iraqi military capabilities.

Guest, Male #4
This ship is a patrol boat that was built to protect the oil ports and territorial waters.

Guest, Male #5
Of course there is neglect and fear to strengthen the navy, air force, and the infantry but these fears are baseless.

Reporter, Male #2
The Iraqi government announced that it’s taking the first of three steps planned to restructure the Iraqi Navy. The first stage will be complete at the end of 2011 and during this time Iraqi’s will receive all types of boats, including patrol boats and war ships that will enable Iraqi’s to engage in clashes with any enemy from a distance of more than 20 kilometers. From Basra Port. Ali Khalaf. Al Arabiya.

Presenter, Male #1
The Iranian army is conducting military maneuvers on the ground, in western and southwestern Iran, designed to test operation management in classic and electronic warfare. In addition, they are testing the capabilities of military units in methods of warfare.

Reporter, Male #2
The ground maneuvers named after Ali Ibn Talib, peace be upon him, were conducted by the Iranian army on an area larger than 67 kilometers in southern Iran. This is the third and last day of the military maneuvers, where the ground troops and Iranian combat units are implementing methods of control and command. These troops exhibit the capability to manage the operations and tactics of classical warfare, the administration of electronic warfare and dealing with physiological warfare, in addition to the leadership training of military and intelligence operations.

Guest, Male #3
During these maneuvers, they implemented many advanced methods, taking advantage of modern equipment to manage war in the field of communication, leadership, engineering, information, training, as well as electronic and psychological warfare.

Reporter, Male #2
The army maneuvers come during a series of trainings for armed Iranian forces, especially ground troops with the goal of assessing the readiness of armed forces which are made up of troops and officers.

Guest, Male #4
These maneuvers take place after each school semester when they participate in field exercises. Their goal is to evaluate the capabilities and qualifications of the officers in confronting challenges and their ability to execute missions assigned to them.

Reporter, Male #2
These maneuvers send many messages. The first internal message is that Iran is continuing to strengthen its defense capabilities. The second is a message to Iran’s neighboring states; that these maneuvers aim to preserve security and stability in the region. The third message is to Iran’s enemies: that Iran will not be so easily preyed upon. Muhammad Hasan Al-Shubari. Al Alam. From southeastern Iran. Ahwaz.

Presenter, Female #1
In Iran, it seems that the opposition has nothing new to offer, except to reiterate their rejection of the presidential election results. The defeated presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi has described President Ahmadinejad’s government as “illegitimate.” Mousavi called on the authorities to release those he referred to as “The sons of the Revolution,” who have been in police custody since the June 12th presidential elections. While the Iranian authorities are estimating the number of detainees at 1,000, the opposition is saying the figure exceeds 2,000. The defeated presidential candidate, Mehdi Karroubi, said that he will not recognize the current government of Ahmadinejad, and added that the election results are “Unacceptable and Invalid.” Karroubi’s remarks were published on the website of his party’s “Etemad Melli” newspaper, which the government shut down yesterday. Joining us from Tehran via phone is our correspondent, Reda al-Basha. Reda, it seems that the two reformists are joining hands by voicing their opposition to the elections. They have launched media efforts to rally support for their position. Are there any new reactions on the internal front?

Correspondent, Male #1
There have been some new reactions coming out of Tehran. Today, former president Mohammad Khatemi called for the release of all detainees and renewed his support for the presidential candidate, Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Khatemi also criticized Iran’s state-run television and described at as “Bias.” On the other hand, supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, including Iran’s Basij Student Union, have called on the state chief prosecutor in Tehran to investigate opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi. The Basij is accusing Mousavi of several crimes including undermining national security and disturbing the peace, in addition to committing other violations. It seems that the students of the Basij are trying to block the road to litigation, where Mir-Hossein Mousavi said he will take his case.

Presenter, Female #1
Reda, what are the chances that the Mousavi investigation will be conducted? Are there any facts to support this claim against Mousavi?

Correspondent, Male #1
There are no facts to support this claim against Mousavi. This is merely an attempt to block Mousavi’s efforts. We’re not sure whether this request will be implemented.

Presenter, Female #1
Where are the attempts of the reform leaders being directed amidst demands by Karoubi that election results be invalidated and Ahmadinejad’s government be delegitimize, whose government was ratified by the guardian council of the constitution?

Correspondent, Male #1
The only channel open to the reform leaders is the legal channel especially after the guardian council of the constitution confirmed the election results. The legal avenue is the only way that the reformists can take action, as confirmed by reform leader Mir Hossein Mousavi and other reformists. The reformists confirmed that they will take their grievances to the courts in an unprecedented case since the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

Presenter, Female #1
What about Iranian foreign diplomatic relations especially after several western countries threatened to pull their ambassadors out of Tehran?

Correspondent, Male #1
The recall of some of their ambassadors is a reaction to the arrest of some attaché from the British Embassy in Iran. The recall will be temporary and will only last a few days. Today Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his foreign policy will not change and said that he will emerge stronger in the international community. Amadinejad further said that these elections will help strengthen his position in the international community more so than during the past four years of his presidency.

Presenter, Female #1
Our correspondent, Reda Al-Basha from Tehran. Thank you very much.

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