Mosaic News - 11/17/09: World News From The Middle East
Foreign power behind rebels: Yemen
Al Arabiya TV, UAEPresenter, Female #1
Al Arabiya correspondent at the Saudi-Yemeni border just reported that armed clashes broke out a little while ago between Saudi forces and Houthi infiltrators in the military area in the middle of the border, or more precisely, in the area overlooking Jabal el-Dukhan on the Saudi side. Meanwhile, a Yemeni military official affirmed that a number of Houthis were killed and captured in the Amshiya area. Other sources have indicated that about 40 Houthis were killed in the conflict in the Sa’ada province in the last three days.
Reporter, Male #1
Violent battles are ongoing between the Yemeni army and Houthi rebels in most towns in the Sa’ada province and Harf Sufyan region. Military operations have been intensified to support the army’s position. Brigades of Yemeni security forces arrived in the Harf Sufyan region and began to take control of several locations in the area. They are ready for the military operation that aims to open the Sa’ada road, while other operations continue to advance into Amashi’a and al-Mahadir regions, as well as Haira area in northern Sufyan, in the direction of Sayghan and Haydhan. A Yemeni military official confirmed that a number of Houthis were killed and captured in the al-Amashi’a region. Meanwhile, other sources indicate that about 40 Houthis were killed in the clashes the in Sa’ada province in the past three days.
Guest, Male #1
There have been confrontations between our forces and the rebels in Jabal al-Wahdan and we have controlled three areas in the direction of Sana’at and al-Nai. Our forces, with the help of the forces or group of Sheikh al-Sa’adan, have surrounded the rebels at this moment...
Reporter, Male #1
Violent clashes broke out between the Yemeni army and the Houthis in Jabal Wahdan, and the army managed to control three areas in the direction of Damaj. The army also took control of three locations in the direction of Wahban and Jabal Damaj, and advanced into Jabal al-Khazan in the direction of Manahit and Jibal Ghafra. Military units are attempting to advance in the direction of Harf city, which is still under the control of the Houthis since the beginning of the sixth war. During the latest battles, there has been noticeable participation from tribal men on the army’s side in a particularly efficient way, especially on the Harf Sufyan front. Meanwhile, the Houthis have begun to engage in a new fighting tactic that does not rely on full confrontation with the army, but uses instead guerilla tactics that move from one region to another.
Mixed signals from Britons on Afghanistan
Al Jazeera TV, QatarPresenter, Man # 1
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggested holding an international conference on Afghanistan in the beginning of 2010, in order to set a timetable for a handover of authority to Afghans.
Presenter, Man # 1
This comes as the public’s demand for the withdrawal of western forces from Afghanistan is becoming more vocal. The French are also debating a strategy for dealing with the Afghan war. This comes as French forces met with local Afghan tribal leaders, a meeting that took place while Taliban missiles were being launched.
Reporter, Man # 2
The meeting between the French forces and local Taliban leaders in the northeastern part of Kabul was preceded by the recitation of verses from the Qur’an. People at the meeting appeared to be in a state of hurry, as if they were running out of time in Afghanistan. French military officials wanted to change the well-established image of western military forces among Afghan in which they are seen as occupiers or temporary invaders. The military meeting between the French forces and civilian Afghan leaders was interrupted by Taliban missiles that landed only three hundred kilometers away from the headquarters of the French forces led by Commander General Marcel Druar, killing and injuring tens of Afghans. International forces (ISSAF) denied that any of its troops were injured. This comes at a time when foreign forces say that that they are in Afghanistan to protect the Afghan people.
Guest, Man # 3
We, the coalition forces and the national Afghan army, are meeting with Afghan civilians to discuss how to provide them protection and implement development projects.
Reporter, Man # 2
France, which has 3000 forces in Afghanistan, says that it does not intend to send additional forces. However, it has also stated that it doesn’t plan quickly withdraw from Afghanistan, which has troops from many nationalities. In Guildhall in the center of London, British Prime Minster Gordon Brown was warmly received before delivering his annual speech on foreign policy. Brown is looking for political support at a time when public opinion is increasingly leaning towards the withdrawal of British forces from Afghanistan.
Guest, Man # 4 (Brown)
“And if it is at all possible”, we must put a time table for the transfer of security responsibilities to the Afghans starting in 2010.
Reporter, Man # 2
Western coalition forces in Afghanistan do not specifically say when they plan to do so or when the Afghan people want the withdrawal to take place.
Taliban bomb Peshawar in response to Pakistan offensive
BBC- ArabicPresenter, Male #1
One month after Pakistan began its military campaign against the armed Taliban in the Wazirstan region, the government said that it has achieved notable progress. But a public survey indicated that only 50% of the Pakistani people support the military campaign against the group.
Reporter, Male #1
It appears that the Pakistanis are beginning to get used to scenarios like this one in their country. The damage caused by the Taliban attacks no longer stop them from living normally; and they have adjusted and prepared themselves for similar attacks to happen at any moment. The residents of Peshawar city in northwestern Pakistan are still trying to remove the rubble of a police station that was targeted by a suicide attack with a booby-trapped vehicle last week. Bombings and armed attacks have increased recently, as a response to the military campaign that the government forces are carrying out against the Taliban. But despite the escalation of violence, a public survey showed that only 50% of Pakistanis support the military campaign against the Taliban.
Guest, Male #1
The government has launched a military campaign against the armed group in Wadi Siwat and other areas. What is actually happening is that a larger number of our people are getting killed.
Guest, Male #2
The Pakistanis are suffering not only because of the Taliban, but also because of the Americans, who launched these attacks in their pursuit to control our nuclear weapons.
Reporter, Male #1
Many here have a different opinion like this one, and they believe that the government will not capture the Taliban. But even those who are opposed to this opinion, think that the government’s strategy against the thousands of armed Taliban members is not useful.
Guest, Male #3
“If we look at the claims made by the army” about the death toll of Taliban members during the military operation, we find that it’s no more than 500. But where are the rest of the armed men? This means that they have escaped, and will continue to fight in other areas and fronts. “There is no end to these bombings in Pakistani cities”.
Reporter, Male #1
The government affirmed its determination to continue the military campaign until the Taliban is eliminated. But political observers say that the increase in violent events indicates that the campaign has not achieved its expected goal. If the situation does not change, funerals for the victims of these attacks will continue to gather the Pakistanis almost every week. Khalil Lubad, BBC.
Illinois Town Divided Over Moving Gitmo Prisoners
BBC- ArabicPresenter, Male #1
A US official has said that the Obama administration is considering relocating the detainees from Guantanamo detention camp in Cuba to a prison in the US, in order for them to be prepared for their trials. The official added that a special committee concluded that Thomson Correctional Center in Illinois may be the best option for taking this step.
Reporter, Male #1
The highly fortified prison that is 250 kilometers away from Chicago, Illinois, may soon become the new home of the detainees in the US’s Guantanamo Bay Camp in Cuba. Thomson Correctional Center with its 1,600 cells was chosen as one of the best options by a government committee relegated to find an alternative for Guantanamo.
Guest, Male #1
Well, both of us have been in this prison, we stayed in there and observed how it was run.
No one can escape from it.
Reporter, Male #1
Even though news reports have not confirmed the government’s intention to buy the prison that was completed in 2001, this has revived Thomson, a small town hoping to create more job opportunities for its residents in a bleak economic situation.
Guest, Male #1
We have a maximum-security prison here, why don’t we use it? There must be some purpose for it to be built.
Reporter, Male #1
We don’t know yet the number of Guantanamo Bay prisoners that the US government intends to transfer to this prison or another, but a decision like this one may provide about 500 new work opportunities. Ahmed Diyab, BBC.
Iraqi children suffer from radiation related illnesses
Al-Iraqiya TV, IraqPresenter, Female #1
Six Iraqi civilians were martyred and eight others were wounded in a car bombing that targeted the area of Khan al-Tamr in the city of Kirkuk. Our correspondent in the province confirmed that the explosion has caused property damage to several parked cars and shops in the area. In addition, five Iraqi soldiers were martyred and 12 others were wounded in two separate attacks in Baghdad.
Presenter, Male #1
In another development, the Baghdad’s Military Command Center formed a follow-up high committee to investigate the incident which has claimed the lives of 13 Iraqi civilians in the county of Abu Ghraib. According to the Baghdad’s Operations Room initial reports, the criminals, who live in the area of Abu Ghraib, have disguised themselves as army officers. The command center further said that the criminals have been accurately identified by the victims’ relatives.
Presenter, Female #1
Meanwhile, two Iraqi teachers and a student in a local girl school have died and 6 others have been diagnosed with a deadly disease.
Presenter, Male #1
This Eden’s Secondary School in the area of Sha’b is believed to have been exposed to radioactive pollution, as confirmed by the school administrators. However, the environmental officials, who launched an investigation into the case, said that the finding of their report was inconclusive.
Reporter, Male #2
The Eden’s Girl School is located in the area of Shaab east of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. The school, which has more than 1,600 female students, is at the center of debate, following reports on radiation exposure by the school in the aftermath of the 2003 war in Iraq. Two teachers and a student have recently died of cancer. In addition, 6 students have been diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment.
Guest, Female #2
Four deaths were reported by the school. The guard’s daughter, who was a student at the school, has also died. My daughter was recently diagnosed with cancer. I’m seeking medical treatment for her in Indian hospitals. According to this medical report, her surgery will cost $13,000. I don’t have this kind of money.
Guest, Female #3
The level of radiation exposure in the secondary school is 13% and in the middle school is 12%. The level of exposure inside these hallways is 10%.
Reporter, Male #2
The Anti-Radioactivity Division of the Iraqi Ministry of the Environment formed a special committee to conduct laboratory studies of the area. After conducting a field visit, the anti-radioactivity division issued a report ruling out any possibility of radiation exposure in the area.
Guest, Female #4
The results are showing no evidence of radioactivity pollution, whether they were based on radiation measurement or on the analyses of soil and water particles.
Guest, Male #3
We are in direct contact with the Iraqi Ministry of Health. If we start to see cases of this type, then we will take immediate measures by suspending classes or even closing the school. We will conduct the necessary tests.
Reporter, Male #2
The residents believe that the entire area has been exposed to radioactive materials, after the US forces shelled a residential home that was used to store arms belonging to the former Iraqi regime.
Guest, Male #4
I still remember the incident: I was sitting in front of my house one early morning, about 10:30 AM in 2003, when the house was shelled. The house was filled with arms.
Many other homes were wiped out during the shelling.
Reporter, Male #2
Eden’s School was once used as a warehouse to store various types of weapons. The results of the laboratory analysis performed in the school show no evidence of radioactive pollution in the area. However, the families of the students and the faculty are expressing reservation over the officials’ report, especially after the recent increase in the number of cancer related illnesses. Qais al-Murshid, Iraqiya, Baghdad.
Thousands protest Peres' visit to Argentina
Press TV, IranThousands of people gathered in front of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires to protest the visit of Israeli President Shimon Peres to Argentina. The protesters called him a child killer who deserves a Nobel Prize for murder, and carried signs condemning Tel Aviv’s illegal activities against the Palestinians.
Set Back for Palestinian Statehood
IBA TV, IsraelPalestinian threats to declare unilateral statehood has suffered a double setback in the past 24 hours, as Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas has been put under pressure to return to the negotiating table, and two major powers have stated that it is too premature to declare a Palestinian State.
The famous street baker of Jericho
Dubai TV, UAEPresenter, Woman # 1
The smell of fresh baked bread spreads in the heart of the West Bank city of Jericho. It is the traditional Palestinian bread called “Shirak”. The presence of this bread here shows that the Palestinians in this old city are committed to maintaining its history. The Shirak bread is baked on a small area on the street where everyone can see it. The way in which this bread is made was inherited by today’s Palestinians from their ancestors and maintaining the method means maintaining their identity. Our reporter, Muhammad Al Said reports from Jericho.
Reporter, Man # 1
Once you see baker Ballo, you immediately remember Marcel Kahlifea’s famous song: I long for my mother’s bread and coffee”. This song takes a new meaning once you stand here, close to baker Ballo. He shows you his roots and traditions in Jericho; the oldest city in the world. Here modernity intertwines with ancient history, even though modernity sometimes prevails. The son of Jericho, Musa Ballo absolutely refuses the usage of modern equipments in making or baking the thin Shirak Bread. This bread is used in the traditional Palestinian dish: the Mansaff. After returning from Jordan, Musa transformed the sidewalk of one of the city’s streets into a bakery. He learned how to make this bread from his father when he was just a child.
Guest, Man # 2
My father thought me how to make this bread. I was only five years old. First we started making the bread at home and sell it to people. This how I learned.
Reporter, Man # 1
The professionalism exhibited by Ballo and his attachment to old traditions, made his bread very popular despite all the modern bakeries around him.
Guest, Man # 2
The bread that is baked in modern gas ovens is just ordinary bread. It is not like my late mother’s and grandmother’s bread which is baked on wood. I’m still using these old methods.
Reporter, Man # 1
Ballo uses left over wood from local factories to bake the bread. He makes a living from this job for his family. The government does not provide him with any help, but at least it has allowed him to operate in the heart of the city because it attracts tourists. People in Jericho known Ballo’s street bakery very well. They come from all over the city to buy his unique bread which smells and tastes different from all the other breads. Not only is this bread baked in a traditional method, it is also made of traditional healthy wheat which makes it delicious and easy to digest.
Guest, Man # 3 customer
If you want the bread for “mansaff” for example, just make the order and go shopping. By the time you come back it will be ready.
Reporter, Man # 1
People like this bread because it reminds them of their mothers’ bread. Even better, Ballo makes sure to preparer tea and coffee on amber for any one that stands by him. Muhammad Said, Dubai Television, Jericho.
Bad season for olive growers in Lebanon
Future TV, LebanonPresenter, Female #1
The Lebanese are well-known for their large consumption of olives and olive oil in all their meals, especially since the Lebanese olive oil differentiates itself by its fine quality. However, these days, it’s suffering from a lot of domestic competition seeing that the demand for extra virgin olive oil is high, while its supply remains limited. In turn, the price of a single tin of olive oil has become an additional burden for the consumers. Together, we take a tour of some of the olive presses in the Shouf region.
Guest, Male # 1
This season is weak; we don’t have 10% of normal production.
Guest, Female # 2
The olives are all spoiled and the environment is to blame for ruining the season.
Guest, Male # 2
Of course, we make our livelihood from olives. This year, we have to buy olive oil just to eat.
Correspondent, Female # 3
For the second consecutive year, the olive tree has disappointed the farmers. The tree that used to be counted on for its reliability during the past years has barely produced olives this year. The season is weak, and there is very little output. And what is left over from the crop was infested with worms.
Guest, Female # 4
This is the third year. This year, we had promised ourselves a good crop but nothing came out of it! We owe everything to the olive tree and it used to produce well every single year. Now, it has become every other year. This is the third year.
Guest, Male # 3
This year, the output has been very modest. It’s not sufficient. It was better two years ago; this year the olive tree only gave us 50 kilos of olive oil.
Guest, Male # 4
There are few olives, and there’s a demand for it. We haven’t seen any stability for three years. Three years ago, we had an excellent season, the next year production fell to 20%, and for the last 2 years, the olive season has barely existed.
Correspondent, Female # 3
The disappointment was not limited to the farmers, but also to a big part of the population that relies on the olive to live. A lot of the olive presses didn’t even open. And the laborers who usually make a living from the olive season have stopped working. And the parents who rely on the income provided by this “black gold” to face the winter were disappointed after the crop was reduced by more than 70%.
Guest, Male # 5
The difference between the last 2 seasons is about 25%. For the past 4 year, the season has become half a season, not a complete one.
Guest, Male # 6
Last year, production was 100% complete. This year, it’s 20%. Last year, we would come and we would have to wait long at the olive press because it was so full.
Guest, Male # 7
On a daily basis, we used to receive up to 40 tons of olives, taking into account both the day and night shifts during a 24 hour timeframe. Today, it has become a single shift during the day for about 12 or 13 hours, and we’re receiving 7 or 8 tons.
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