Mosaic News - 3/19/10: World News From The Middle East
Mousavi declares a "year of perseverance"
Al Arabiya TV, UAEPresenter, Male #1
The latest development in Iran’s internal crisis is reformist leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi’s speech delivered to the Iranian people on the occasion of the Persian New Year that officially begins on Sunday. Mousavi affirmed in the speech that denying the people their constitutional rights is a betrayal to Iran and to Islam, and challenged the authority of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Reporter, Male #1
In a clear and frank challenge familiar in the Islamic Republic of Iran, reformist leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi gave a speech to the nation, and continued to act as the leader of the Iranian people; he said that the people voted for him last June before the elections were rigged in favor of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In Mousavi’s video message, he recounts the events that took place after the elections, reiterating that the authority undermined the Iranian people’s will in their dealing with those protesting against the rigged elections. He stressed that the Iranian people will not retreat from demanding their constitutional rights, and that Ahmadinejad’s government remains illegitimate. Mousavi said that he considers the denial of constitutional rights to be a betrayal of Iran and Islam. Breaking with convention, Mousavi marked the Persian New Year as the “year of perseverance and integrity”; it is Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who is known for naming the Persian New Year. Meanwhile, Mousavi’s wife Zahra Rahnavard took similar action and gave a speech that criticized the authority’s oppressive measures, especially against Iranian women. It seems clear that the Iranians will not easily solve their internal crisis because of the many obstacles that were created by the conservative hardliners, who once again arrested Hossein Marashi, spokesman for the Executives of Construction Party and a close ally of Hashemi Rafsanjani, the head of the Assembly of Experts. Marashi is a member of the committee formed by Mousavi and reformist leader Mehdi Karroubi that follows-up on the victims of the post-election protests. He was detained and released, and then the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to a one-year prison term right before the start of the Persian New Year. Prior to his arrest, Marashi affirmed that the Revolutionary Guards rejects all resolutions proposed by Rafsanjani to get Iran out of the current crisis, and threatens to arrest Mir-Houssein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi, former president Mohamed Khatami and others. He called on the people to foil this scheme. Najah Mohamed Ali, al-Arabiya
Iraq is heading towards a shift of power
Dubai TV, UAEPresenter, Female #1
US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton will meet today with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The Iranian nuclear issue is expected to be a major part of their discussion. This was also the topic of discussion between Clinton and her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Following the meeting, Clinton criticized the Russian decision to bring the Bushehr nuclear power station into operation in Iran in the summer, saying that it was premature. Clinton reiterated the importance of reaching an agreement on new sanctions. Lavrov, however, reiterated that Moscow will go ahead with operating the nuclear facility, saying that it is the only nuclear facility in Iran with international inspectors from the IAEA. Iraqi Prime Minister Nour al-Maliki continues to have a narrow lead over Iyad Allawi. After tallying 89% of the votes, Maliki’s State of Law slate still has the largest number of votes. It has received 2,260,483 votes: 40,000 more votes than Iyad Allawi’s Iraqiya list. However, the two slates are now qualified to have 37 seats in the upcoming parliament. So far, the special voting sessions which include the votes of military personnel, ill people in hospitals and prison inmates, as well as the expatriate vote have not been added to the general results.
Kurds and the Peshmerga
BBC Arabic, UKPresenter, Female #1
While the State of Law and the Iraqiya slates continue to compete in the Arab-dominated areas, the Kurdish regions of Iraq tell a different story.
Reporter, Male #1
To a large extent, the distinguished national flag, the pictures of the victims of the Halabja chemical attack at the end of the 1980s and the Peshmerga fighters in the mountains remain the dominant characters of the Kurdish region in Iraq and explain why they have stayed united. Since the fall of former President Saddam Hussein, the Kurds have been able to gain more unique privileges from the central Iraqi government. The Kurdish region remained relatively isolated from the crises that took place in the rest of Iraq. The Kurds were divided in the latest parliamentary elections after the emergence of the Change Party that tried to introduce a new political vision, challenging the historical domination of the National Kurdish Alliance led by Jalal Talibani, and the Democratic Party led by Massoud Barzani. Perhaps, the Kurds have started to shift toward a party with a new political vision, just like the Arabs who also shifted their political alliances in the latest Iraqi elections. However, Peshmerga’s military capabilities are maintained to safeguard Kurdish unity and self-autonomy.
Unrest continues in the West Bank and Gaza
Al Jazeera, QatarPresenter, Female #1
Clashes between Palestinian youth and Israeli occupation forces are ongoing in the area around the Ibrahimi Mosque, in the southern part of Hebron.
Presenter, Male #1
Dozens of young men threw stones at occupation soldiers who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Clashes took place after the demonstration that was called for by Hamas was held. The Israeli army was placed on a state of alert, in order to prevent the clashes from reaching the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Presenter, Female #1
Israeli occupation authorities heightened their security measures in East Jerusalem. Men under the age of 50 who do not have an Israeli identification card were prevented from accessing the Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers.
Presenter, Male #1
In addition, hundreds of Palestinians who are allowed to enter Jerusalem were denied entry, and forced to pray in the street outside the city’s gates. Clashes took place between Palestinian youth and Israeli police near the Damascus Gate; at least three Palestinians were arrested.
Presenter, Female #1
Al Jazeera correspondent in Hebron, Wael al Shiokhi. Wael, considering what we have said, have there been any changes?
Reporter, Male #2
The intensity of the clashes started to decrease after the Israeli army used tear gas to disperse a number of young Palestinian men who were throwing stones at the Israeli army. At this point, the intensity of the clashes has decreased. No injuries were reported among the Palestinians, but some residents were affected by the tear gas that was fired in areas close to where the clashes were taking place, in the southern part of Hebron.
Presenter, Male #1
Our al-Jazeera correspondent Elias Karram also joins us from Jerusalem. Elias, what is the situation like now that Friday prayers have ended? Especially for the people who were forced to perform their prayers outside the Aqsa Mosque.
Reporter, Male #1
Friday prayers calmly ended in occupied Jerusalem. Only several hundred Palestinians were able to enter the Aqsa Mosque, and they dispersed calmly. The worshipers, who were prevented from entering the old city of Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque, were forced to perform Friday prayers near the gates of the old city, as well as in the street alleys leading to the Aqsa Mosque. In the past hour, we were told that clashes between protestors and Israeli occupation soldiers took place near the Shofa checkpoint in northern occupied Jerusalem. However, the general atmosphere in Jerusalem is calm and life has started returning to normal.
Sudan's president campaigns in the South
Sudan TV, SudanPresenter, Female #1
Sudanese president and National Congress Party candidate, Omar al-Bashir launched his presidential campaign in the city of Malakal in Alemeen province. The event featured a large crowd and was attended by leaders of the National Congress Party and the al-Soluk tribe, and prominent figures of the region. Speakers at the event reiterated that the residents of Malakal support Bashir’s candidacy, and that they will be standing with him in the upcoming elections. They also reiterated that the development projects in the south were the result of efforts exerted by the national government led by Bashir. They praised his efforts to push the peace process forward in Sudan. Al-Bashir gave a speech at the event and said that peace was achieved by Sudan’s people, and that it will be long-lasting. He added that there will never be a war again between the north and the south. He also talked about the ongoing efforts to achieve development projects in the south, including the construction of roads and bridges and the establishment of a variety of services.
Guest, Male #1
When we say we’re going to do something, we actually do it. We are not lying to you. We came here and said that we want peace; we came to Malakal and said that we want peace and then went to other places and said that we want peace, and in the end we brought about peace. Peace is not only between the government and the people; peace is also between tribes. All of us are Sudanese! Aren’t we all Sudanese? When they ask us ‘where are you from’? We should say that we are Sudanese. If they ask ‘what is your tribe’? We should say that we are Sudanese. If we’re asked ‘what is our country’? We should say Sudan. Sudan is the home country of all tribes: from Nemoli to Halfa and from Port Sudan to Junaynah. It is one homeland; wherever you go, you will always be Sudanese. We all have the same rights and obligations. There is no difference between people. We don’t have first-class citizens and second-class citizens. There is no tribe that is better than another. All tribes are good and all people are good. All people are first-class. We do not discriminate against anyone.
Turkey threatens to expel Armenians
Press TV, IranTurkey’s prime minister has said he could expel up to 100 thousand Armenian migrant workers from Turkey. This has been apparently in reaction to resolutions passed by the US and Swedish lawmakers that described the killing of Armenians in World War I as genocide. The comments have surprised Armenians living in Istanbul but are being viewed as an expression of anger, rather than threat.
Lebanon's civil marriage
Future TV, LebanonPresenter, Male # 1
A festive gathering took place in downtown Beirut to support a campaign for the enactment of a Personal Status Law that would include the adoption of civil marriage in Lebanon. Report by Susan el-Daouk.
Reporter, Female # 1
Under the slogan “A wedding about to be recognized”, a number of young people decided to hold a festive celebration for a supposed civil marriage. They demanded a Lebanese Personal Status Law that would include the option of civil marriage.
Guest, Female # 2
I am a Lebanese citizen, and I want a Lebanese law to regulate matters related to my personal status.
Guest, Male # 2
One is allowed to register their marriage here, even if they got married abroad.
The state facilitates this matter, so there’s a contradiction of some sort; something’s not right.
Guest, Female # 3
Today is the international day for “freedom of choice,” I have chosen to come here to demand the right of the Lebanese youth. Those who want to have a civil marriage should have the option to do so under Lebanese law.
Guest, Male # 3
People who chose a civil marriage can divorce here, but can’t get married here.
Reporter, Female # 1
The Non-Violent Non-Sectarian Young Lebanese Citizens association, CHAML, chose the Riad as-Solh square to express its view. The gathering was joined by Minister Ghassan Mokheiber.
Guest, Male # 4
After years of struggle, and with the commitment of the state to have a law that regulates personal status matters, it is time to enact that law. I promise to sign it into law, and will call on my colleagues to sign onto that project.
Reporter, Female # 1
The demonstrators then headed to the parliament to submit a proposal of the law to the ministers and deputies.
Iraq: Elections But No Stability
Link TV, USAWith close to 90% of the votes tallied in Iraq's parliamentary elections, the coalition headed by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has taken a slim lead over the bloc led by his main challenger, Iyad Allawi. A day ago, it was the latter.
Since March 7, Iraqis have been glued to their television screens looking for clues for the direction their seven-year-war ravaged country might be heading in the next few years. Similarly, residents in neighboring countries have been closely monitoring the Iraqi elections through the many satellite television networks operating in the region. After all, elections are not a daily happening in the Arab world, and a number of those countries, such as Jordan and Syria, permitted Iraqi refugees to cast votes in their territories.
Meanwhile, one does not have to spend a lot of time watching Iran's Arabic-speaking Al Alam TV or the Saudi-financed Al Arabia TV in order to figure out who are the regional stake holders in the Iraqi elections. At times the Iraqi elections seem to take the shape of a battle between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as both countries have been overtly and covertly supporting the two heavyweight contenders. Iran supports Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, while Saudi Arabia has been rooting for former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
Both al-Maliki and Allawi are Shiites, so why does Saudi Arabia want Allawi to win?
Al-Maliki's "cozying up" to Iran has been alarming many Arab countries. The Iraqi Prime Minister, whose Dawa Party is backed by Iran, has been flashing the sectarian card during his election campaign. With more than 500 candidates accused of links with the Ba'ath Party banned from running in the March elections, Al-Maliki's government has been accused of using the hated former regime to intimidate Sunnis in particular and opposition in general.
Iyad Allawi, although a Shiite, leads the al-Iraqiyya list, which proposes a secular agenda for the country. Many of its leading members are Sunnis or Arab nationalists who share the goal of bringing Iraq back to its Arab roots. Allawi's campaign ads have been airing on several Arab television stations, some say courtesy of Saudi Arabia.
But does this really matter to the average Iraqi citizen?
Not according to Kazem al-Dari, an Iraqi social scientist.
"What we need is stability," he says. "We've had elections before, we've tried Allawi before and now al-Maliki. Neither one brought stability and security to Iraq."
Today marks the seventh anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. In 2003, the architects of the war envisioned that the toppling of Saddam Hussein would lead to the birth of a democratic Iraq. They told us that elections in Iraq would help spread democracy and liberalism across the Middle East, but this could not have been further from the truth.
The Middle East is more chaotic than ever, and the vast majority of its citizens are leaning politically towards Islamic theocracy and not liberal democracy. Iraqis are still searching for stability.
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