[Transcript]  Mosaic: World News From The Middle East - September 5, 2007

Presenter, Male #1
Germany’s Federal Prosecutor said that the three suspects, who were detained in connection with a plot to launch attacks in Germany, had a plan to target American installations in the country. The prosecutor’s office added that the three suspects belong to what it described as “an Islamic terrorist organization.” Germany’s Defense Minister said that the German authority has arrested three suspects accused of plotting to carry bomb attacks on Frankfurt airport and a US military base in Ramstein.

Reporter, Male #1
The German capital is witnessing a growing security concern. This news comes after a plot was uncovered to blow up the nation’s main airport. Frankfurt airport, an important European hub, which receives more than 50 million travelers a year. According to preliminary reports, three men were arrested in connection with a plot to blow up Frankfurt airport using a booby trapped car.

Guest, Female #2, German’s federal prosecutor
In a joint security operation, the German police and intelligence as well as other law enforcement agencies were able to foil a large- scale terrorist plot in the country. We have monitored the suspects’ activities and uncovered and foiled their plan.

Reporter, Male #2
According to German sources, one of the suspects is a Turkish national and the other two are German citizens, who converted to Islam, and we three belong to a Jihadist Group.
The source added that the suspects had a plan to carry out attacks on US targets, including the Ramstein air base near Frankfurt airport. More than 30,000 US military personnel are currently stationed at Ramstein and other military bases, which are opposed to by many Germans.

Guest, Male #3
The US President George Bush sends weapons to areas of conflict around the world. This policy serves only Bush’s financial interest.

Reporter, Male #2
The German public expresses a growing fear that a terrorist threat has become imminent in the country. According to public polls, more than 70% of Germans fear that a terrorist attack will be launched in the country. An increase of 35% from previous polls just a few weeks ago, which many believe it has to do with new developments at the international arena.

Guest, Female #2
I, personally, feel safe; however, the launch of terrorist attacks is still a possibility as long our troops are still stationed in the areas of conflict.

Reporter, Male #2, on screen
The investigation is still at the preliminary phase. However, Germany has realized that the waves of terror, no longer, distinguish between French, British, or German shores.
Akram Suliaman, Aljazeera, Berlin.

Presenter, FEMALE #1:
Ramadi, Iraq, which is currently under the control of the Iraqi and American forces, has witnessed a major change in its neighborhoods, especially its three main streets and is very different than what it used to be in 2002. These streets now have different names from the ones that they were long known for.
More details with Majid Hameed.

Reporter, MALE #1:
Life has changed in the city of Ramadi, which lies on the banks of the Euphrates River, especially on its three main streets. Since 2003, the names of these streets no longer apply to what they named for as a result of the military operations that took place between American forces and armed groups. The famed Cinema Street, which is known for its restaurants that offer delicious, traditional Iraqi foods, was abandoned by its frequenters as restaurants closed their doors after the US forces erected cement barriers at its entrances.

Guest, MALE #2:
All the stores are closed. Even the famous restaurants like the Fallujah Restaurant, the Irbil Restaurant, and Al Mosul restaurant and other good ones have all been abandoned. We pray to God and hope that the government will reopen this street for us and with time, life will return to normal, God willing.

Reporter, MALE #1:
The Doctors Street is the only street that witnesses normal activity, unlike other streets, because it is the only passageway that links to Ramadi through one crossing point. In addition, the US forces have allowed citizens to go from one side to the other. However, the street’s name no longer applies because the people who had been named after have all left since only a few doctors remain here.

Guest, MALE #3:
Some people want to go to their stores on the main street in order to remove their goods and products that were left behind. But they are unable to reach them.

Guest, MALE #4:
As you can see, this street is active and stable. Citizens are walking around, the stores are open. There are police stations and there are police services. The only thing left is that these barriers block road traffic. However, citizens can still pass through on their bicycles.

Reporter, MALE #1
The situation of the Orizdee market street is no better than the others. It lacks most of its shoppers due to security measures taking place on the periphery. Being located near a security base is a curse on its business owners rather than a blessing, contrary to what the government claims. From Ramadi in Western Iraq. Majid Hameed. Al Arabiya.

Presenter, Man # 1
Local citizens said that they were pleased with the transfer of control of the Presidential palaces in Basra from the multi national forces to the Iraqi government. They said that this transfer shows that the multi national forces have confidence in the capabilities of the Iraqi forces which are now ready to take over security responsibilities in all of Iraq.

Reporter, Man # 2
The Iraqi security forces took over the responsibilities of protecting the presidential palaces from the multi national forces until further notice.

Guest, Man # 3
We hope that the local population cooperates for the sake of protecting these palaces until the Prime Minister decides what to do with them. As an army, we are only responsible for maintaining security in these palaces; we have nothing to do with what these palaces will be used for.

Reporter, Man # 2
The citizens who live near these presidential palaces said that they were pleased to see the Iraqi forces in control of them.

Guest, Man # 4
Honestly all of us are happy because the British forces left the presidential palaces.
God willing we will help the Iraqi forces maintain security in the area.

Guest, Woman # 1
I think that the transfer of power over the Presidential palaces from the British to the Iraqi forces is a great step and God willing it will help in establishing security. We need such steps in the current time.

Reporter, Man # 2
The multi national forces have returned the Presidential palaces to the Iraqi government, as a first step towards the transfer of security responsibilities in all Iraq to the Iraqi government. The headquarters of the presidential palaces in Basra is the third site that was returned to the Iraqi security forces within the past two months. This step paves the way for the transfer of security authorities in all of Iraq from the multi national forces to the Iraqi security forces. Ali Al Sari, Al Ireqiyah, Al Basrah.

Presenter, FEMALE #1:
The search for fugitive Fatah Islam militants continued today. Lebanese troops were scouring the devastated Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared in search for explosives and any surviving members of Fatah al-Islam. Sporadic gunshots could be heard inside the bombed-out camp as troops tried to smoke out remaining militants.

Reporter, FEMALE #2:

Lebanese soldiers today continued to hunt for Fatah Islam fugitive fighters after crushing their Islamist militia in fierce gun battles that ended a 15-week standoff. Troops were scouring the devastated Palestinian refugee camp of Naher al-Bared in northern Lebanon for explosives and any surviving members of Fatah al-Islam. Sporadic gunshots could be heard inside the bombed-out camp as troops tried to smoke out remaining militants, also combing valleys and hills around neighboring villages for fugitives. Several explosions were also heard during the night and early Wednesday as troops blew up buildings and underground shelters booby-trapped by the Islamist militiamen. According to AFP, the army found the bodies of six militants on Tuesday and arrested one wounded. Sources said there were more than 40 bodies in one of the hideouts while the Lebanese Red Cross and the Civil Defense Service retrieved more than 19 bodies. Also on Tuesday a Tunisian member of Fatah al-Islam was captured in Tripoli, south of the refugee camp. Basheer al-Armani was caught in an abandoned building in a popular area of Tripoli known as Kobbeh. He told interrogators that he had fled Nahr al-Bared camp on Sunday, traveling on foot through a mountainous area. The source said the man, who had a shrapnel wound to his face, also told authorities that he had an accomplice who fled with him. He said the pair split after fleeing Nahr al-Bared some 20 kilometers north of of Tripoli.

Presenter, FEMALE #1:
The crisis between the Muslim Brotherhood and the authorities in Egypt did not start today but has climaxed with the recent arrest of the group’s prominent figures.
From Cairo, this report by our colleague Muna Ashmawi.

Reporter, FEMALE #2:
Recently, 16 leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, including Dr. Essam Al Arian and two members of the parliament were arrested and then released. These events came as the Brotherhood is trying to present their political platform and inaugurate their new headquarters.

Guest, MALE #1:
This crisis comes as a result of the government’s failure to administer the affairs of the country. Now, after 26 years of President Hosni Mubarak’s rule, and the government’s holding on to this old infrastructure and spending billions of Egyptian pounds on it. There are entires village that do not have potable drinking water. The entire public wastes a quarter of its time on a daily basis in order to obtain just one loaf of bread. This has become a bad situation. This is due to the terrible infrastructure that exists, resulting in the suffering of the Egyptian people. The Brotherhood’s activities in the streets, its presence and its garnering the support of the Egyptian public has resulted in a rivalry between the government, the National Party or the majority party, and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Reporter, FEMALE #2:
Many observers, mainly, Dr. Abu Ayla Modie, who broke with the Brotherhood and who is now the head of the Center Party, say that the lack of response by the Brotherhood on many complicated issues relating to its position on the Copts, women and taxes has been met by the government’s insistence on ruling indefinitely, unchallenged by any party or front no matter how powerful.

Guest, MALE #2:
The Brotherhood wants the freedom to work, to move, to spread legally and obtain all these rights. From a legal perspective this right belongs to any group. However, there are responsibilities that go along with these rights These responsibilities are never mentioned by the Brotherhood.. The other side, the state or the authority, says that the Brotherhood breaks the law just by existing. This is also partially true. The Brotherhood is an illegitimate organization. However, the government does not answer other questions. Are they prepared to grant to those who abide by the law the legal right to exist or not? They hide this part of the truth. The people in the government want sole authority for eternity, and they want to monopolize power and resources to use forever.

Reporter, FEMALE #2:
The Brotherhood insists that the reason behind the arrests is to distract from the problem of corruption and public opinion issues in Egypt. The National Party believes the Brotherhood is breaking the law by holding secret meetings between its leaders and members.

Guest, MALE #3:
The Brotherhood says that Islam is the solution. Does the National Party say that Islam is not the solution? Will the National Party abandon this issue? Will they say that the Christian brothers or Christianity is the solution? Or will communism or socialism be the solution? These are just slogans. But in reality what the Brotherhood has asked for is to amend the constitution for a political program that does not rely on any religious doctrine or slogans that have religious affiliation.

Reporter, FEMALE #2:
The Brotherhood is faced two options. Freedom and democracy that calls for rights or jails filled will prisoners. Meanwhile, four Brotherhood members are awaiting military trials. Eighty years of conflict between the government and the Muslim Brotherhood climaxed when the Brotherhood became a strong challenger to the National party.
Wide scale arrests and military trials have been met with the Brotherhoods insistence to bring their political program to the fore. Muna Ashmawi. New TV. Cairo.

Presenter, Male #1
Israel’s Vice Premier Haim Ramon, called for the halt of electricity, water and fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip if the Palestinians continue to launch rockets into Israel. Meanwhile, Kahlid Al-Butish, an Islamic Jihad leader, downplayed the latest threats, in which Israel vowed to carry out an assault on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the rocket attacks on the Jewish settlement of Sedrot. Al-Butish added that Israel has never stopped its military escalation.

Reporter, Female #1
Israel’s security cabinet will meet on Wednesday to discuss the course of action the government needs to take in order to stop the launch of the Qassam rockets from the Gaza Strip. The latest round of missile attacks was launched into the heart of Sedort, where schools were canceled for a day. According to knowledgeable sources, it is a matter of time before Israel launches a wide scale offensive or escalates its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. This news comes after several Israeli officials, including Ehud Olmert, talked about an imminent assault on the Gaza Strip.

Guest, Male #2, Israeli official
We have so far taken limited security measures. We must admit that such limited measures haven’t solved the problem. Our patience is running thin. We must carry out a wide scale offensive aimed at stopping the launch of cross-border rockets.

Guest, Male #3, Israeli official
We must strike the rocket launchers and their leaders and those support them financially. We must intensify the war on terror.

Reporter, Female #1
With the exception of some Israeli leaders from the far left, most political blocs in Israel support a military escalation at this time in the Gaza Strip, where each gave a different prescription to end the launch of Qassam rockets. While some Israeli leaders, including Israel’s Vice Premier Haim Ramon proposed cutting off electricity, water, and fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip, others proposed targeting Palestinian political and military leaders. Although the military option has enjoyed the support of the majority in Israel, a few have criticized it.

Guest, Male #4
Before launching an offensive, we should try to find a third party to help us reach a ceasefire agreement with the Palestinians. There appear to be no fruitful negotiations between Israel and Hamas especially since the later doesn’t recognize Israel’s right to exist.

Reporter, Female #1
Regardless to the course of action taken by Israel’s security cabinet, the outcome will likely overshadow the situation in those areas that are within the range of the Qassam rockets. After Israel isolated the West Bank from the Gaza Strip, the latter has become an easier target for Israel.

Guest, Male #5, Israeli political analyst
There is a difference between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip is run by the ousted government of Isamel Haniya, which doesn’t recognize Israel. However, the Palestinian government of Salam Fayad in the West Bank accepts the Quartet resolutions.

Reporter, Female #1, on screen
What more important to Israel and its security cabinet is not the course of action it takes but the reaction it may create at the national and international levels. This news has raised many questions about the political path that the government of Ehud Olmert may take in the near future. For Madadr Program, Shereen Yunis, Abu Dhabi Channel, West Jerusalem.

Presenter, Female #1
The town of Bilin, west of Ramallah, has been under the spotlight for the past 3 years.
The town fought hard against Israel’s apartheid wall, which continues to claim the West Bank’s land one inch at a time. Bilin finally reaped what its residents have sown. This news comes after Israel’s High Court of Justice ordered the government to reroute a section of the separation wall that has split the town from its farmland. Meanwhile, the residents expressed hope that they will be allowed to return to their confiscated land.
Amani Abu Hantash reports from the town of Bilin west of Ramallah.

Reporter, Female #2, on screen
This is how the residents of Bilin celebrated after reclaiming part of their confiscated land. This news was the outcome of three years of diligent perseverance and determination. It also comes after Israel’s High Court of Justice ordered the government to reroute a section of the separation wall around the town of Bilin, which has become a symbol of resistance against the barrier.

Guest, Male #1
We were able to re-claim 1,100 Donums of our land in Bilin. Another 1,200 Donums are still confiscated.

Guest, Male #2
The court decision was a victory. It’s true, it was a partial victory but it was a large one for the residents of Bilin, who showed a great deal of heroism and perseverance.

Reporter, Female #2
The residents celebrated the victory in their own way.

Guest, Female #3
Thank God, civil disobedience is the best thing to do. Thank God, we took back our land.

Guest, Male #3
What’s important is that we took back our land in Bilin, and we were able to remove this apartheid wall.

Reporter, Female #2
Some residents were not as lucky but this did not stop them from taking part in today’s celebration. Amidst this celebration, they vowed to continue the resistance until they get back every inch of their confiscated land.

Guest, Male #4
I’ve mixed feeling of happiness and sadness. My uncle and I have lost more than 60 Donums to the wall. So far, we have not received any part of our land.

Reporter, Female #2
The residents of Bilin chose this area overlooking an Israeli fence to celebrate their victory. This Israeli fence was a place where they have staged their protests during the past three years. It’s also in this area where the Israeli army often attacked the residents and foreign sympathizers who came to express solidarity with them. The army tried to silence the residents but their voice was louder and they were able to demand their rights.
Amani Abu Hantash, Dubai TV, Bilin.

(Summarized)
Permanent Iraqi religious figure Ayatollah Ali Sistani renewed his support for the government of Prime Minister Nour Al Maliki. During a meeting between the Sistani and a high delegation representing Maliki, Sistani urged the need for disarming the insurgents in the Iraqi holy cities. Meanwhile, hundreds of Australian school students marched in downtown Sydney to protest the war and Bush’s strategy. The also attacked the Australian premier for backing Bush in his plans in the Middle East.

(Summarized)
Morocco goes to the polls on Friday where there are 4 major parties in the race to rule. The secular socialist union of people’s forces, the secular independence party, the islamist party of justice and developmental PJD and the secular national rally of independence. Recent polls indicate that PJD will get the most votes.