Mosaic News - 12/16/09: World News From The Middle East
Palestinian Central Council extends Abbas' term
Al Arabiya TV, UAEPresenter, Female #1
The Central Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization, or PLO, decided today to extend the mandates of both President Mahmud Abbas and the Legislative Council, until new elections are held. President Mahmud Abbas reiterated that he will not run in the upcoming presidential elections.
Reporter, Male #1
The Palestinian Central Council, which is the highest Palestinian legislative authority, has put an end to speculations about President Mahmud Abbas’ successor. The central council also decided to extend the mandate of the Palestinian Legislative Council, which will expire in a few days.
Guest, Male #2
The President has accepted the decision of the Palestinian Central Council, which is the highest Palestinian legislative authority. According to the decision, Abbas is to continue serving as president. Therefore, it’s not an extension of the president’s term. There’s a difference between continuing as president and extending the presidential term.
Reporter, Male #2
The PLO’s Central Council has extended the mandate of the Palestinian president as chairman of the Palestinian national Authority, until new elections are held. The decision aims to prevent any foreseeable constitutional vacuum in the Palestinian territories.
Guest, Male #3
The decision will help keep the path to reconciliation open. It will also help uphold the Palestinian political system and safeguard its institutions, until new elections are held.
Reporter, Male #1
The PLO’s Central Council is the highest legislative authority, taking precedent over the National Council. According to the basic law, all resolutions issued by the Palestinian Central Council are binding. The Central Council is the highest legislative authority, followed by the National Council and the Legislative Committee of the PLO. The decision of the Palestinian Central Council has managed to keep the path open to national reconciliation, which is imperative, especially amidst the state of internal division in the Palestinian territories. From the Headquarters of the Palestinian Presidential Office in Ramallah, Khalid al-Kassim, al-Arabiya.
Presenter, Female #1
Meanwhile, Dr. Khalil al-Haya, a member of the Hamas political office, announced that his movement is ready for reconciliation. In an interview with al-Arabiya channel, al-Haya said that the Palestinian elections will not succeed until national reconciliation is achieved.
Guest, Male #4
The elections, if they are held before achieving national reconciliation, are not bound to succeed. We told them before and we are telling them now: Come join us to achieve reconciliation, don’t fear the US veto power. We are ready for reconciliation. We want to tell them, via this satellite channel: Hamas is ready for reconciliation if its demands are met. We are not saying that we want to reach the sun or the moon, we just want reconciliation.
Israeli Army raid Palestinian homes searching for damning video
Al Jazeera, QatarPresenter, Man # 1
This morning, dozens of Israeli occupation soldiers the home of Salam Kana’n. A member of the family had taken pictures of occupation soldiers shooting a Palestinian in the village of Nil’in a year and a half ago.
Presenter, Woman # 1
The soldiers broke the windows, destroyed furniture and demanded that the family hand over their youngest son Arafat who had been video taping the weekly clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians protesting the separation wall.
Presenter, Man # 1
The details are in the report of Jevara Al Buderi from Ni’lin.
Reporter, Woman # 1
On Wednesday, at 2:00 AM, dozens of masked Israeli soldiers raided the home of Kana’n in the town of Ni’lin, west of Ramallah. Israeli soldiers with police dogs attacked members of the family. They raided the home and destroyed everything inside. The soldiers said that they want to arrest the youngest son Arafat, but failed to do so because he managed to escape. Arafat, who is only 16 years old, is a talented amateur photographer.
Guest, Man # 2
They expected to find the pictures I took so they can confiscate them, and use them as evidence against young Palestinian men who have been organizing the protests against the separation wall.
Reporter, Woman # 2
Arafat works with the Israeli B’tselem human right organization, which helps Palestinians document the violations committed by the Israeli occupation soldiers against the Palestinians.
Guest, Man # 3
B’tselem will follow up the case and will protest the excessive use of force by the Israeli army. It’s very worrisome if this attempt to arrest Arafat, who works for our institution, was aimed at scaring him to force him to stop taking pictures and document what is going on.
Reporter, Woman # 2
The family and a number of human rights activists believe that the real objective of the raid is revenge.
Guest, Man # 4
We feel that the harassments by the Israeli army are to avenge the actions of my sister. She videotaped a military officer shooting a blind folded and handcuffed Palestinian citizen at the entrance of Ni’lim.
Reporter, Woman # 2
The video tape filmed by the youngest daughter of the Salam family a year and a half ago shows an Israeli military officer shooting the handcuffed Palestinian young man, Ashraf Abu Rahmeh, at a very close range. The video tape was leaked and as a result, the Israeli military court is investigating the incident.
Guest, Woman # 3
Two weeks ago, I was called to testify at the court in Tel Aviv against the army officer I video taped shooting the Palestinian young man. They asked me to give them the original copy of the video, but I refused because I was afraid that they would modify the content.
Reporter, Woman # 2
The family of Salam lives in Ni’lim, which is surrounded by the separation wall. Palestinians living in Ni’lim and other neighboring towns fight this wall by engaging in civil resistance. But it turns out that the occupation is trying to put an end to this form of resistance, which explains why a number of individuals, who established a committee to resist the wall, were arrested last week. Whoever resists the wall and the settlements, and those who document war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation soldiers, are not spared punishment. This is the message that the Palestinians receive at the front lines. The occupation insists on stealing more and on suffocating people.
Palestinians cheer Livni's UK arrest warrant
Syria TV, SyriaPresenter, Female #1
The Palestinian public welcomed the news of a warrant issued by a British court to arrest and try Tzipi Livni for war crimes. Our correspondent Mahmoud Aliyan reports from Gaza.
Reporter, Male #1
A British court in London decided to issue a judicial order to arrest Tzipi Livni, former Israeli Foreign Minister and the head of the opposition. This may be the result of pressure from Palestinian and international human rights organizations, or a decision to deal differently with the Israeli occupation. Nevertheless, it is a step in the right direction towards trying the leaders of the occupation for their crimes.
Guest, Male #1
We should unite all official and unofficial Palestinian and Arab efforts to put an end to the sense of immunity that Israeli leaders feel entitled to. From political and military leaders to soldiers and generals, they feel that they are immune from the law.
Reporter, Male #1
The Israeli Foreign Ministry’s first response to the British judicial request was to summon the British ambassador to Israel. The ministry told the ambassador of the extreme danger of issuing the warrant to arrest Livni. Israeli sources stated that Israeli officials will not be able to visit London before this case is settled.
Guest, Male #2
The British government cannot change laws that have existed for decades. If it does so, it would clash with British public opinion. This will create a struggle within the UK.
Reporter, Male #1
Perhaps, Israel’s official and military institutions know that it will be difficult to overcome the repercussions of this decision. This has been a positive for many Palestinians who are suffering from the ramifications of Israel’s aggressive war and years of occupation.
Guest, Male #3
Perhaps, this decision is a half step forward in the right direction. It’s a good start. It’s not strange for this decision to have been taken in regards to Tzipi Livni, the former Zionist Foreign Minister who committed crimes against the Palestinian people.
Guest, Male #4
I demand that they make these difficult decisions; to arrest her and other Israeli political and military leaders who launched the war on Gaza and completely destroyed it.
Reporter, Male #1
Everyone is waiting to see how this matter will develop in terms of the relations between some super powers and Tel Aviv; and as a result, how it will affect Gaza’s suffering. No doubt, this is a positive step, but Palestinians want actions to be taken to pressure the occupation and to advocate the Palestinian cause. For now, what matters is how this issue ends. Mahmoud Aliyan, Syria TV, Gaza strip.
Livni arrest warrant 'UK's biggest mistake' says Peres
IBA, IsraelBritish ambassador to Israel has been urgently summoned to the Foreign Ministry regarding the arrest warrant issued by a British court for opposition leader Tzipi Livni and Israel warned that the warrant could harm relations between the two countries. Livni has said that she would repeat every decision she made during the war.
Hamas training to capture another Israeli soldier
Al-Alam, IranPresenter, Man # 1
Despite the destructive war and siege in Gaza, the occupation is still concerned with Hamas’ survival. For Israel, it would be unacceptable for Hamas to regain its military capabilities and carry out maneuvers aimed at capturing more soldiers.
Reporter, Man # 2
This is an innovation for the military wing of Hamas. Although the negotiations over the Shalit prisoner exchange have not yet ended, Hamas is already planning another operation to capture more Israeli soldiers. This film shows the intensive training that Hamas members undergo. In this case, it is the Radah brigade in northern Gaza, it is one of the Gaza city’s many brigades. It seems that training started before Israel’s Cast Lead Operation and just ended. The largest part of the training included jumping through rings of fire, walking on ropes and rappelling. There are also special units trained to protect important figures. Here is the leader of the unit greeting the leader.
Guest, Man # 3
To the leader Ahmad Said Al Jabari. God is the greatest and we thank him.
Reporter, Man # 2
This unit, like other Hamas units, is responsible for protecting its designated area and can be called upon to help with large missions when needed. The objective of this operation was accomplished. The objective of this training maneuver is to kidnap an Israeli soldier from a military base. Like Hamas political leader Khaled Mishal once said, there will be other shalits. The spectators who gathered on the sand to watch the training maneuvers were making noise. The training included launching attacks using mortar shells and explosive devices. And this unit, which was trained to raid the base, has succeeded in kidnapping a soldier. This graduation ceremony includes those whose training started recently, those who receive technical training and others who were trained on the use of anti-aircraft machine guns. The leaders of units and brigades were also taught different techniques.
NATO's airstrike in Afghanistan investigated
Al Jazeera, QatarPresenter, Man # 1
Today, an inquiry committee will be formed in the German parliament to investigate one of NATO air strike that was carried out on September 4th in the Afghan province of Kunduz on the orders of a German military commander that killed dozens Afghani civilians.
Presenter, Woman # 1
The German opposition has asked that Defense Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg to resign and Chancellor Angela Merkel to be questioned by a parliamentary inquiry committee.
Reporter, Man # 2
Will this man be the next victim of a NATO attack on civilians, like the infamous one in Kunduz? According to Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg this incident is the most important event in post-war Germany’s military history. The German defense minister was referring to the Kunduz incident in northern Afghanistan when NATO planes attacked two fuel tankers that were captured by Taliban fighters on the orders of a German commander, killing 141 people mainly civilians. The opposition is demanding the resignation of Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg although he was not the defense minister when the Kunduz attack took place. Perhaps he will follow the path of Labor Minister Franz Young who was the defense minister at the time. He resigned on the 27th of November. Many senior German officials also resigned, including Chief of Staff Wolfgang Schneiderhan and senior Defense Ministry Peter Bekhart. The Kunduz attack has become a raging fireball after the opposition accused the government and the minster of defense of saying that the attack was "militarily appropriate". He later retracted his statement saying that it was "militarily inappropriate". The German government defended the attack right after it happened and denied that civilians were killed. This led the opposition to accuse Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government of covering up the crime of killing civilians, and withholding important information about the incident. For example, the objective of the attack was not to prevent the Taliban from using the two fuel tankers in suicide operations as was claimed, but rather the objective was to kill the armed men who hijacked the two fuel tankers. As a result of the increasing controversy around the Kunduz attack, Germany has refused to send additional troops to Afghanistan despite American demands. It seems that what happened in Kunduz has awakened feelings of guilt among some Germans, whose country was accused of causing two world words that claimed the lives of many innocent civilians.
Military uniforms not allowed for sale in Pakistan
Dubai TV, UAEPresenter, Male # 1
The successive attacks on the Pakistani Army has not only impacted the security of the country, but has had economic repercussions as well. In different cities around Pakistan, the business of selling military uniforms used to be thriving and open to the public. However, some attackers have been using the military uniform to carry out their missions. As a result, the government has been monitoring the businesses that sell them, negatively impacting their sales. From Islamabad, Mahyub Khoder.
Reporter, Male # 2
In the city of Rawalpindi, Landa bazaar is a perfect example of a trade that has started to lose its shine. Today, whether it’s the old or the new uniforms, the entire business is standing at a crossroad. Following decades of flourishing enterprise, security concerns have caused a noticeable decrease in sales. The day Taliban fighters concealed their identity by wearing military uniforms during their attack on the headquarters of the Pakistani Army, sale numbers completely turned around.
Guest, Male # 3
Sales decreased by over 50% because the government now forbids regular citizens from buying military uniforms. I don’t really know why they are tightening the noose on us while there has been absolutely no connection between our store and terrorism.
Reporter, Male # 2
Anguish has prompted business owners to gather, read the newspapers and discuss the issue amidst their clear state of confusion. Selling military uniforms is now limited to soldiers and specific companies. Many other companies whose employees used to wear the military uniform have now shed it to avoid problems and maintain their standing.
Guest, Male # 4
We are now being monitored by security agencies, and we have been ordered to sell military uniforms only to soldiers and well-known companies. We also have to keep a record of the buyer and of the items sold.
Reporter, Male # 2
For less than 30 dollars, any Pakistani could buy a general’s outfit with all its stripes and bars. These days are long gone because of the lack of security. The trade, once free and thriving, is now struggling and under the threat of ruin. The business of selling military uniforms has been hurt by the violence and has caused its traders to face a severe economic crisis. Mahyub Khoder, Dubai Television, Rawalpindi.
Dieting before Christmas
BBC Arabic, UKPresenter, Male #1
A new dieting fad has been increasingly gaining popularity in Western societies, especially during the holiday season. With Christmas and New Year approaching, many are trying to follow rigorous dietary programs in order to lose weight fast before the holiday. However, health experts are warning of the dangers of unapproved and random dietary programs.
Reporter, Female #1
A ticking time-bomb is hiding behind the joyous, decorative and glowing atmosphere of Christmas and the New Year, as confirmed by health experts. Many people, especially women, are increasingly trying rigorous diets in order to lose weight fast before the holiday. However, health experts are warning that many of these diets have dangerous side effects. Among these diets is what has become known as the “detox diet,” which is a cleansing method used by dieters to lose several kilograms in a very short period of time. Detox is one of dozens of fad diets used by many dieters, including some in the Arab world.
Guest, Female #2
I’m on a light diet. I’m very thin as it is, but I would like to lose a little more weight by the New Year, just in case I overeat during the holiday.
Guest, Female #3
Women shouldn’t go on diets because they are beautiful, with and without the holiday.
Guest, Female #4
No, I will not go on a diet. Any weight that I might lose before the holiday could be gained right back. So I might as well not go on a diet.
Guest, Female #5
I’m for dieting. I’ll go on a diet every month, not only during the holiday.
Reporter, Female #1
Nutritionists have openly warned dieters about the health dangers of unregulated dietary programs, saying that the risk of following unhealthy diets far exceeds the risk of obesity. Health experts are advising people to follow a dietary program that allows them to lose weight gradually and slowly. This will help dieters avoid the possibility of regaining the kilograms lost during the program. This fad diet issue becomes a double-edged sword during the holiday season, when delicacies, sweets, and festivities are in full swing. Maya al-Musawi, BBC.
UN climate talks face uphill battle
Press TV, IranThe Copenhagen climate change conference has entered its final stage in deadlock with poorer countries looking to developed nations for financial support. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said that: “you cannot fix the problem of climate change in one country or in one region, and not in the other…the US, like the other developed countries must take a lead in making drastic cuts and if they do, I’m sure the other major developed countries will follow….there has to be a fund and resources available to support the poorer nations.” 200 delegates and dozens of activists walked out of the summit because the voice of indigenous people is not being heard and industrial nations are not taking responsibility for their share of climate change.
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