Presenter, Male # 1
Following his mysterious disappearance for over a year, Iranian nuclear scientist Shahram Amiri returned to Tehran from Washington, via Doha. He accused Washington of being behind his kidnapping by its intelligence agency in Saudi Arabia last July. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the return of Amiri, who denies being a nuclear scientist, does not fall within a prisoner exchange deal with Washington. From Tehran, our correspondent, Roda el-Basha.

Reporter, Male # 2
The steps of a victor returning to his country, those were Shahram Amiri’s first steps at the Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran. After a warm gathering with his family, he rushed to clarify the issue and solve the puzzle that has caused controversy between Tehran and Washington for over one year. As expected, Amiri confirmed his country’s theory, denying any link to its nuclear file.

Guest, Male # 3 (Shahram Amiri, Iranian scientist)
To maintain national interests, I will reveal later the story with the American intelligence.
As for my function, I confirm that I am a simple physics researcher and have no links to the nuclear program, in any shape or form.

Reporter, Male # 2
The researcher of radioactive isotopes at Malek Ashtar University, which is run by the Iranian Defense Ministry, blamed Washington for the physical and psychological torture he endured, in addition to his family’s suffering during his kidnapping.

Guest, Female # 1 (Nisrine Nakan, Shahram Amiri’s wife)
The period during which my husband was missing was really hard. I am surprised by the statements of the American secretary of state that entering and exiting the U.S. is simple.

Reporter, Male # 2
The difficulties endured by the family won’t be going away easily. With the support of the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the backing of its documents, the family’s next step is to pursue those involved in Shahram Amiri’s kidnapping.

Guest, Male # 4 (Hassan Ghashghavi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister)
I confirm that there wasn’t any deal to exchange prisoners with Washington. We will follow-up on the kidnapping of Amiri with the documents that are in our possession in order to compensate him.

Reporter, Male # 2
In the war between the Western and Iranian intelligence agencies, today’s case revolved around the Iranian nuclear program and Shahram Amiri. The details of this war are concealed; they are only known by God and the two sides. Roda el-Basha, Dubai TV, Tehran.

Presenter, Male # 1
Even though Shahram Amiri received a hero’s welcome in Tehran, and even though the details of his story have been revealed, the American State Department held on to its previous position. US State Department Spokesman Philip Crowley said that Amiri was not forced to come to the U.S., nor was he forced to leave. The Washington Post cited U.S. officials as saying that the American Central Intelligence Agency, the CIA, paid Amiri, more than one year ago, five million dollars in exchange for information about Tehran’s nuclear program. One of those officials told the newspaper that the Agency received the information that Amiri had, but that he will not be able to take advantage of the five million dollars he received because of the economic sanctions on Iran.

Back home after 14 months in captivity, Shahram Amiri was warmly welcomed by his family and a senior foreign minister representative upon his arrival at the Imam Khomeini International Airport, south of Tehran. The Iranian academic took questions from journalist recounting his kidnapping by US and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia, where he was to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

Presenter, Male #1
The Gaza-bound Libyan Amalthea aid ship has docked in the Egyptian port of el-Arish, after Israeli navy forces prevented it from entering the Gaza Strip.

Presenter, Female #1
The ship will be unloaded of its humanitarian and medical supplies at el-Arish Port. Egypt’s Red Crescent would be responsible for delivering medical supplies via the Rafah border crossing and food supplies through the Awja passage.

Reporter, Male #2
This is where the Amalthea ship anchored. The ship docked in the Egyptian port of el-Arish, off the Mediterranean coast, days after sailing from Greece to the Gaza Strip. The ship is carrying humanitarian aid to the coastal territory besieged by Israel from land, air, and sea. Since its launch, organizers of the vessel said that their destination would be Gaza, aimed at breaching the naval siege imposed on it. Before the launch of the ship, Israel said it has reached an understanding with Greece that the ship’s final destination would be el-Arish Port, not Gaza. The Israeli ministry of defense said that they have asked Egyptian officials to allow the ship entry to transfer the supplies to Gaza via its border crossings with Egypt. Israeli naval boats intercepted the ship at high sea and prevented it from continuing its journey to Gaza. However, the Qaddafi International Charity Foundation, which chartered the vessel, said that it has agreed to divert from Gaza after learning, through international mediators, that Israel accepted several of its demands, which include allowing-in building material as well as allowing Libya to invest 50 million dollars for the development of housing projects in Gaza. From the way it dealt with the ship, Israel wanted to make sure that its action was not strong this time, especially considering its latest attack on the Turkish freedom flotilla. The attack led to the death of 9 activists, who came with determination to lift some of the burden inflicted on this besieged nation, named Gaza.

Washington recently approved an extra two hundred million dollars for the Iron Dome anti-missile system, which Israel is eager to deploy in the field. This week, the system was tested again in southern Israel.

Presenter, Female # 1
In the first evidence linking detained Faisal Shahzad to the Pakistani Taliban movement, al-Arabiya has obtained an exclusive video of the Pakistani-born American who failed to blow up a car in Times Square, New York, in May. In the images obtained by al-Arabiya, Shahzad can be seem shaking the hand of Hakimullah Mehsud, the commander of the Pakistani Taliban, which confirms his association with the movement that has claimed responsibility for the failed operation.

Guest, Male # 1 (Faisal Shahzad - English)

Reporter, Female # 2
This video provides evidence of Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad’s intent to carry out a bombing attack on American territory.

Guest, Male # 1 (Faisal Shahzad - English)

Reporter, Female # 2
Shahzad, accused by the American authorities of being involved in the planning of the terrorist attack, is facing many charges. If found guilty of some, or all, of these charges, the harshest sentence he could receive is life in prison. In the video tape, he talks about the turning point in the war on terror. First, that those who are executing such operations now include college graduates who come from wealthy families. Second, he points to the expansion of the war against al-Qaeda to include the Pakistani Taliban movement, which had not carried out operations outside the Pakistani territory. Information released by the American security authorities reveal that his penchant for armed struggle started in 2006, and reached its peak in 2009 when he attacked moderate Muslims. In his last will, he attacks these Muslims for only condemning or refuting “some issues”. In addition, the information reveals his trips to Pakistan, in which he asked the Taliban movement for help. In this context, he was trained to carry out attacks and produce bombs. Until recently, American authorities were not certain of the extent of the Pakistani Taliban’s involvement in the planning of the operation. It seems that this video tape sheds light on the Times Square, New York, case. Maysa’a Aqbeeq, al-Arabiya.

Presenter, Female #1
Residents of the India-administered Kashmir are cautiously monitoring the peace talks that resumed today between India and Pakistan. The talks were derailed by the 2008 Mumbai attacks. More than 14 civilians were killed last month in a wave of protests against India’s governing of the region.

Reporter, Male #1
Indian Kashmir's summer capital of Srinagar was turned to a ghost town. The streets, which are normally crowded, were empty except for the heavy presence of security forces. Indian security forces were fully deployed in Srinagar in anticipation of more protests. Lat month, the city was turned into a battlefield between the security forces and anti-India protestors.The protestors threw rocks at the security forces, who responded by firing tear gas and live ammunition. This is the new face of Kashmir’s separatists: Youth under the age of 18, with whom I met at my hotel room due to security concerns.

Guest, Male #2
We demand a “Free Kashmir,” nothing more.

Reporter, Male #1
The new era of information technology has provided the separatists with new tools to lobby for their demands. While some are capturing videos of the protests on their mobile phones, others are blogging their messages across the internet. However, as the level of violence continues to escalate, some are considering bearing arms.

Guest, Male #4
If they don’t stop their heinous killing campaign, I will be one of the first to join “Mohammad’s Army”.

Reporter, Male #1
This family is still mourning the death of one of its members, named Abrar, who was about to turn 17 when he was killed. Abrar was playing with his friends at his home. Then, he went outside to watch the protests when he was hit by a bullet fired by the police, fatally hitting him in the neck, according to his brother. The city of Srinagar was swept by weeks of protest and curfews that impacted the lives of the residents, who say that the internal problem extends beyond India’s Kashmir.

Guest, Male #5
What’s happening between India and Pakistan has a direct impact on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Any glimpse of hope in the relations between the two sides will reflect positively on us.

Reporter, Male #1
The situation in Kashmir will likely overshadow the peace talks between India and Pakistan. Since their independence in 1947, Pakistan and India engaged in three wars, two of them were over the region of Kashmir.

Presenter, Female #1
In another unrelated development, 45 NATO troops were killed this month in Afghanistan, 12 of them were killed in the past two days alone. Nearly 100 NATO troops have been killed during the month of June, making it the deadliest month for the international forces in Afghanistan since the war started in 2001.

Reporter, Female #2
The situation of foreign forces in Afghanistan is getting more difficult. Amidst the sporadic but consecutive attacks, the number of fatalities among the international forces, led by NATO, continues to increase. Nearly 150,000 NATOO troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan. Twelve NATO troops were killed in the past 24 hours in sporadic attacks, most of which were launched in the southern parts of the country, a notable Taliban stronghold, raising the death toll among coalition forces to 45 this month. June was the deadliest month for the foreign forces in Afghanistan since the war started in 2001. Nearly 100 NATO troops have been killed in attacks last June. General David Petraeus, who was appointed early this month as commander of the US forces in Afghanistan, reiterated that his country will not change its policy in Afghanistan. However, many are questioning the US strategy there While the US forces continue to prepare for a wide-scale military operation aimed at breaking the backbone of armed groups in Afghanistan’s southern province of Qandahar, the country’s overall security situation seems bleak.It is still unknown whether Afghan security forces will be able to assume the security responsibility as US forces start to withdraw form the country next year.

Presenter, Female#1
The US military has transferred 26 Iraqi officials held in its custody to the Iraqi government, including former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz. Iraqi government spokesman, Ali al-Dabagh, said that the detainees are senior members of the former regime, and are being transferred to the Kademiyah Prison, which is under the authority of the Iraqi Ministry of Justice. The announcement comes one day before the US forces are to transfer authority of Camp Cropper to the Iraqi government. The US will hand over 1,600 Iraqi prisoners held in Camp Cropper to Iraq. However, 200 prisoners will remain in US custody at a maximum security prison there.

Presenter, Male #1
Eight Iraqi detainees, held in a prison run by the US forces, were released today, under the terms of the security agreement signed between the US and Iraq.

Presenter, Female #1
The release comes under the context of ongoing efforts aimed at closing the files of all Iraqi detainees, prior to the transfer of prison authority to the Iraqi government.

Reporter, Male #2
In the framework of ongoing efforts to close the files of all Iraqi detainees held in US custody, eight prisoners were released today from the Matar Prison. It’s the last wave of prisoners to be released before the US military transfers’ prison authority to the Iraqi government.

Guest, Male #3 (Abed Karim al-Aboudi, National Security Council)
This is the last wave of prisoners to be released before the transfer of prison authority to the Iraqi government. God willing, on July 15th, we will receive authority at the Matar Prison. This is the last US-run prison to be handed over to the Iraqi government. It will be placed under the authority of the Iraqi Ministry of Justice.

Reporter, Male #2
The release of the prisoners is due in part to ongoing efforts launched by the Tribal Support Councils, which prepared a list of all detainees and submitted it to the US military by way of the Iraqi government.

Guest, Male #4 (Talib al-Rubai, Head of the Support Council in Jihad and Furat Neighborhood)
The Tribal Support Councils has played an integral part in the release efforts. The Councils helped prepare a list of all prisoners, whether they are held in US or Iraqi custody. They submitted the list to the Iraqi government. We are members of the national reconciliation committee, which is affiliated with the council of ministers. We filed a petition, along with the list of prisoners, demanding the release of all innocent detainees.

Reporter, Male #2
The newly-released prisoners expressed joy over the taste of freedom, which has come after years of painful incarceration.

Guest, Male #5 (Khlil Jabar Hanush, former detainee from Anbar Province)
I was arrested on May 11, 2007 and released on July 14, 2010. Credit goes to God and the Iraqi government.

Guest, Male #6 (Mohammad Kathem Dakhel, former detainee from Baghdad)
I thank the Iraqi government. We were treated well. They did everything in their power to accommodate our needs. As for my detention, thank God, I was released. The worst is over.

Reporter, Male #2
Under the terms of the US-Iraq security agreement, all Iraqi prisoners are to be transferred to the Iraqi authorities. In addition, the US military is to transfer prison authority to the Iraqi government, which in turn will review the cases of all prisoners and release those not wanted by the Iraqi judiciary. From Baghdad, Razak al-Eikali, Iraqiya.

Presenter, Female # 1
The Saudi monarch, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, will not visit France next week for French Independence Day, and the opening of an exhibition about Saudi Arabia at the Louvre. This visit had not been officially announced, and was never confirmed. Joining me in the studio to discuss this matter and French-Saudi relations is writer and publisher, Mr. Ali el-Mereabi. Welcome. Is there a specific way we should look at the cancelation of this visit by King Fahd, excuse me, I mean King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz? Is this an indication of the state of French-Saudi relations?

Guest, Male # 1 (Ali el-Mereabi, writer and publisher)
The visit is governed by its specific circumstances, which we will talk about before we discuss Saudi-French relations. There were numerous reports, and an article was published a couple of days ago about a conversation attributed to King Abdullah in relation to Israel and Iran.

Presenter, Female # 1
What was this article about?

Guest, Male # 1
The article says that the king wishes that Israel and Iran would cease to exist because they’re illegitimate. So this article, apparently, bothered the Saudis; in addition to what has been repeated among Saudi sources that French protocol was unclear, rather, uncomfortable, in the arrangements of the visit. In turn, Saudi Arabia decided to cancel the visit rather than postpone it, since, according to protocol, postponing it without rescheduling implies its cancelation.

Presenter, Female # 1
It seems that relations between France and Saudi Arabia are not as warm as they used to be during the era of President Chirac.

Guest, Male # 1
Naturally, it is less warm. even though we had all hoped for French-Arab relations to be good and close since their establishment by General de Gaulle in 1967. However, the relations were excellent at the time of former President Chirac. Today, they are undoubtedly not as warm but probably due to specific circumstances within the institutions or within the current French administration. They may have different opinions or some reservations about Arab issues, and especially in relation to Palestine, of course.

Presenter, Female # 1
Are there other factors that are affecting this relationship?

Guest, Male # 1
It seems that there are many differences over the future of Iraq, following the American invasion, and the prospect of a Palestinian state…how will it be formed? What about its borders? These issues play an essential role. I think these 2 issues cause the most pressure, in addition to the other side that has recently come into play, which is what just took place in Yemen, and Saudi Arabia’s military confrontation with Houthi rebel. meant to preserve its national sovereignty.


** Mosaic News is produced by Jamal Dajani. Contact: mosaicnews{at}linktv{dot}org