[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 01/31/08: World News From The Middle East

PRESENTER, MALE #1
In Israel, there have been mixed political reactions to the final report of the Winograd Commission regarding the war in Lebanon. While the report was described as “somewhat satisfactory” by the Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, some officials in the labor party said their party will not withdraw from the government. Meanwhile, the Likud party renewed its demands for earlier elections. In addition, the Mirtz left party called for the resignation of Olmert, without dismantling the Knesset. The Winograd Commission concluded that Israel failed during the Lebanese war on both military and political levels. However, the commission didn’t hold Olmert directly responsible for Israel’s shortcomings. In Lebanon, Hezbollah said the Winograd final report on the war in Lebanon hid many facts and it was less harsh than the first report.

PRESENTER, FEMALE #1
The Lebanese majority held Hezbollah accountable for what has become known as the July war. This was the first reaction by the majority to the Winograd report, which concluded that the Israeli army gravely failed during the war in Lebanon.

REPORTER, FEMALE #2
The “large and serious” failure findings in the final report of the Wingrad Commission have different interpretations in the areas which were destroyed by Israel during the war. Here, in the southern suburb of Beirut, where the war left behind massive property damage, the residents are saying that Hezbollah defeated Israel, and changed the political equation in the history of its struggle with it.

GUEST, MALE #2
Israel and the Arabs never thought that Hezbollah would defeat Israel.

REPORTER, FEMALE #2
Hezbollah has always been indifferent to any reports issued by Israeli investigative commission.
Moments after the war ended, Hezbollah declared a victory over what it described as “the most combatant army in the region.” Today, Hezbollah said the Winograd final report hid many facts and was less harsh than the first report.

GUEST, MALE #3
We hope that some Lebanese rival and political groups are finally convinced that Lebanon did win the conflict. We also hope that no groups come out and accuse the Winograd Commission of collaboration with the resistance, Hezbollah, and the forces of the Syrian-Iranian axis.

REPORTER, FEMALE #2
However, the victory that the Lebanese resistance was so proud of is being examined from a different angle by certain groups, perhaps, due to their political differences. Meanwhile, the Lebanese ruling party held Hezbollah accountable for igniting the war, and manipulating the decisions of war and peace.

GUEST, MALE #4
The only way to protect the resistance is through a transfer of its leadership from Hezbollah to a joint Lebanese force, which comes in the context of a broad defensive strategy.

REPORTER, FEMALE #2
Away from the political interpretations, some local civic society organizations are mobilizing international efforts, calling for the indictment of Israeli officials for committing crimes against Lebanese civilians.

GUEST, MALE #5
The international community is disgusted by the daily massacres committed in Palestine, Lebanon and other countries. The international community can’t remain silent, and needs to start moving.

REPORTER, FEMALE #2
This court of international consciousness has found many who support it, and still many who don’t care about it. Meanwhile, Lebanese newspapers were indifferent in their coverage of the Winograd report. Those newspapers loyal to the resistance, published the Winograd report on their front page. However, in other newspapers, the Winograd report was ignored and overshadowed by other news such as local weather.

It’s a day after the publication of the Winograd report and a collective sigh of relief is emanating from the Prime Minister’s office. Joining us now from Tel Aviv is IBA’s diplomatic correspondent, Leah Zinder. Leah, is Ehud Olmert justified in feeling the worst is behind him?

I believe he is, Laura. The report was better than the Prime Minister had dared hope for. That was evident, I believe, at this morning’s meeting in Tel Aviv of the Kadima Ministers with Ehud Olmert. Especially important for the Prime Minister was the report’s finding that the costly operation the last 60 hours of the war was justified in the words of the committee, was almost in fact, inevitable. The Prime Minister now feels that the moral stigma has been removed from him, and his supporters, in fact, are demanding an apology from the opposition, which they say leveled a blood liable against Ehud Olmert. Now, today, the Kadima Ministers showed that they are firmly behind the Prime Minister. Olmert made it clear there was no euphoria, at least he took pains to show that there was none. He knows that approximately 60%, according to the latest polls, of the Israeli public still want him to resign, but Olmert made it quite clear that he's not going anywhere and he said to the ministers that they are now going to get down to work and try to correct all the failings that were revealed in the Winograd report. And one more word Laura, as far as Minister Livni is concerned, we remember she led a half-hearted effort at a coup after the interim report was released. Today, at the meeting with the Kadima Ministers, she made it clear she is behind the Prime Minister, although she also took pains to say that what the committee said about the war being a missed opportunity, those were painful words she said, which will be difficult for the public to hear, especially for the bereaved parents and for the fighters, Laura.

Leah, is there any sign yet whether Defense Minster Ehud Barak intends to keep his promise and resign from the government with the publication of the report?

No, there’s no sign at all yet. It should have been easy for Barak to remain in the government, which is what he really wants to do, but then there is that tricky question of the promise he made, to either step down or call early elections, once the final report of the Winograd Commission was released. A close contact who is in daily contact with Ehud Barak told me a short time ago that one thing is clear, that Barak had said that within 26 hours he would announce his intentions. Now, he's hoping that with public pressure down, he’s going to wait for as long as he possibly can. This source believes that in the end, Barak will remain in the government, citing national security and the difficult military challenges that still lie ahead of us. Laura.

Thank you Leah Zinder in our Tel Aviv studio.

Thank you.

IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Ashkinavi, has set up a team of senior officers to study the Winograd report and make recommendations. This after the army took the brunt of the blame for failings during the 2006 Second Lebanon War. We get more on this report by IBA’s Dennis Zin.

The IDF regards the Winograd report as important and they're committed to studying its content and correcting the failures. This was the laconic response issued by the army yesterday, hours before the official publication of the report. The response went on to explain the general command is well aware of the deficiencies and began taking corrective methods immediately after the war. It's obvious that the officers who compiled the document were not prepared for the harsh criticism the IDF was about to receive. The Winograd Committee findings described severe shortcomings in the conduct of the higher echelons of the IDF, which permeated throughout the ranks. The fighting forces were poorly deployed and unprepared, and thus floundered in carrying out missions. The weaknesses were more prominent in the Green Units, that is the land based forces, than the Navy or Air Force. There was no strategic plan. There were communications breakdowns, especially between the general command in Tel Aviv and the northern command. Orders were confused and cryptic. Army discipline was lax. Missions were not carried out. Attacks on the civilian centers were not taken into account sufficiently. The Army Generals, on the whole, did not display leadership. The most basic IDF values were disregarded. The criticism goes on and on. The committee did not name names. However, each clause has a virtual finger pointing at one officer or another, which is easily recognizable. This was undoubtedly the gloomiest document ever compiled about the Israeli army. Inside the IDF today, many said the report is one-sided and unfair and is intended to let the political echelon off the hook. Coincidently, former IDF Chief of Staff, Dan Khalutz, who last January resigned his position in the wake of the war, today, formally received his discharge from military service. Dennis Zin, IBA News.

Returning to the Winograd report, committee member Professor Ruth Gavison, summed up the findings in English.

Overall, we regard the Second Lebanon War as a serious missed opportunity. Israel initiated a long war, which ended without its clear military victory. A semi-military organization of a few thousand men resisted for a few weeks the strongest army in the Middle East, which enjoyed full air superiority and advantages of size and technology. The barrage of rockets aimed at Israel’s civilian population, lasted throughout the war and the IDF did not provide an effective response to it.

Presenter, MALE, #1
Tension between Libya and Israel was running high during a UN Security Council session. The council members failed to adopt a non binding resolution on the crisis in Gaza due to the amendments proposed by the United States. ‘Ismaat Tarabai reports.

Reporter, FEMALE, #1
The grim humanitarian conditions in Gaza are lit by nothing more than the candles of hope. There is no food, no fuel, and no medication to sustain the 1.5 million Palestinians, and yet, this tragic situation did not cause one eye to flutter at the Security Council. The 15 council members failed to reach an agreement on the situation in Gaza, so they gave up on the case.

Guest, MALE, #2
In spite of our pleas and international protest over Israel’s intensified blockade and raids on Gaza; no serious measures have been taken, and the situation continues to deteriorate.

Reporter, FEMALE, #1
If the situation continues to deteriorate, then one can conclude it has something to do with Washington’s meddling with the resolution. This news comes as Washington proposed an amendment to the US Resolution, which includes an immediate halt to the launching of rockets into the Israeli territories. By the same token, Israel must ease up its military measures against the Palestinians. However, the US double standard policy always works in the interest of Israel, which hold people accountable for their words but not their actions.

Guest, MALE, #3
Characteristically, the permanent observer of Palestine to the UN used the word ‘occupation’ 13 times, but he never mentioned the word Hamas. My dear friend, this is the real world, it is the security council, not a theatre.

REPORTER, FEMALE #1
The UN Security Council may not be a stage; however, the humanitarian situation in Palestine seems to be taking a turn for the worse. Meanwhile, the Arab ambassadors are preparing to draft a resolution and submit it to the UN General Assembly in an attempt to rally broad support among the international community, which may help break Israel’s wall of aggression in the occupied territories.

Presenter, Man # 1
Pertaining to the courageous prisoners in the occupation’s prisons, his Excellency Mahmud Abbas said that they want peace more than anyone else. Abbas addressed the Israelis saying, “If you want peace then all the prisoners must be released, confirming that peace must be established based on justice and international law.

Guest, Man # 2 Abbas
I told Israeli journalist that we have 11,000 prisoners. Olmert said that this does not concern him.
Why is he keeping these people in prison? If you want peace then these people shouldn’t remain in captivity. We all know that our political prisoners want peace and seek it more than anyone. Their release will generate support among voters for the peace process. If you really want the peace process to happen, then you must release all these prisoners. Then you will see that these people want peace along with you. We want peace along with you. Take advantage of this opportunity; do not waste it because we are the not the only ones who will be subject to danger, you will also be subject to danger. We are not the only ones who need peace, you also need peace. Peace must be established on the principles of justice. We are not saying absolute justice; rather we are saying relative justice that is based on international law. If you do not agree with this, then frankly this means you do not want peace; you do not want security and stability. I have even told Israeli journalists that the Arab and Muslim worlds are showing a greater interest in the peace process now than during any other period in the past. They have expressed their willingness to establish diplomatic relations with you if you withdraw from occupied Palestinian and Arab lands. You should take advantage of this historic opportunity because it will not come again. 57 Arab and Muslim countries are willing to normalize their relations with you if you withdraw and give the Palestinians their rights. I do not know what is preventing you from giving us these rights.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al Maliki, said that anticipated military operations against al Qaeda militants in the city of Mosul will be decisive. The commander of the US troops in Northern Iraq, General Mark Hertling, cautioned using such terms to describe joint military operations between Iraqi and American forces. Iraqi Defense Ministry Spokesperson, Muhammad al Askari, said that the aim of the operation is not only to cleanse the city from al Qaeda militants, but to also make the streets and neighborhoods secure for all citizens. Meanwhile, Iraqi forces went into the city of Mosul with a state of readiness and alertness to search for al Qaeda militants based in the city. Joining us from Mosul is al Arabiya correspondent, Ahmad Al Saleh. Ahmad, tell us about the atmosphere surrounding this operation described as ‘decisive’ by Al Maliki.

Reporter, MALE, #1
There are military forces advancing, with new Iraqi troops joining the forces that are currently stationed north of Mosul city. It’s really an attempt to “control the land,” if we can describe it as such. The city of Mosul has not been under the control of any real authority since the fall of the former Iraqi regime. There might have been some areas that were controlled, but not all of it, which made the city become a center for major militant groups. Mosul is considered one of the hardest areas to control in Iraq, and the most volatile. Now that the situation in Ramadi is under control, Mosul has become the primary threat to official forces and the locals. The locals are filled with anticipation, horror, and fear from the forthcoming operations; not because they think the operation will harm them, but they are afraid of a backlash by the militants. So, there is fear, but there is also hope that this operation will achieve its objective of returning security into the area.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
How about a time frame? Did the Iraqi or the multi national forces provide a specific date for the start of the operation?

Reporter, MALE, #1
So far, they have not provided a set time, but the Iraqi forces say that the coming few days will mark the actual beginning of the operation? There is continuous coordination and some operations have begun, particularly in regards to intelligence, and communication with the prominent people in Mosul as well as some representatives from al Sahawa, the awakening council of local tribes.

PRESENTER, MALE #1
The residents in the area of Shuala expressed frustration over repeated raids and searches of their homes by the multinational forces, despite the fact the security situation is leveling off in the city.

PRESENTER, FEMALE #1
In addition, the residents urged the local authority to intervene and put an end to these types of operations.

REPORTER, MALE #2
In a quiet night and under warm blankets, the residents of Shuala took refuge from a stormy night that included lightening and thunder. However, moments later, the sky lit up, not by the lightning anymore but by the falling bombs fired on the Suala neighborhood in Baghdad. Several homes were destroyed in the attack.

GUEST, FEMALE #2
The residents were terrified. This is the third time they raided our home. We don’t have weapons here, and we are not fighting anyone, neither the Americans nor the Iraqis.

GUEST, MALE #3
What did the women and the children do to deserve this. They continue to carry out home raids every night at 1 AM and 3 AM. There’s no need for this; this area is very secure. Everyone knows that the city of Shuala is a secure area and free of terrorist activities.

REPORTER, MALE #2
The residents were somewhat lucky because the raids took place during the winter rather than during the summer, when many families choose to sleep on the rooftops to escape from the scorching temperatures. Having said that, if these raids were to take place in the summer, the number of causalities among the residents would be higher, as a result of the falling bombs.
Meanwhile, the residents called on the Iraqi authority to intervene and put an end to these attacks.

GUEST, MALE #4
They have no respect for anyone, including women, children, and families. They keep on targeting this area.

GUEST, MALE #5
We are pleading to the Iraqi government for help. Look what they did to us. I’m a disabled man, and they took away my son. We don’t have anything to hide. My son is a worker in the area of Jouba.

REPORTER, MALE #2
Everyone in Iraq likes to see that the laws of their country are enforced and the criminals are pursued and brought to justice. However, this shouldn’t be done at the expense of these poor families, whose homes were destroyed and whose children were either killed or arrested. Kais Al-Murshid, Iraqiya, Baghdad.

Presenter, Man # 1
My Guest today is Amer AL Musawi, an expert in strategic affairs. Welcome Mr Musawi. Let us analyze the recent development pertaining to the Iranian nuclear file. Despite all the recent political developments, including the positive ones such as the statements that were made by officials from the IAEA, ---despite all these developments, we noticed some countries are trying to impose new sanctions on Iran through the UN Security Council. What is the significance of this from Iran’s perspective?

Guest, Man # 2
In the name of God the merciful and companionate. The American administration has tried to bring about a resolution against Iran’s nuclear file before the IAEA’s report is released. The US has tried during the meetings in Berlin to convince the Chinese and Russians to support the passage of a resolution against Iran before the release of the IAEA report. Of course this has not happened due to the Iranian diplomatic maneuvers. Iranian officials warned the IAEA and western countries not to escalate the situation because this may affect Iran’s willingness to cooperate with the IAEA. This includes the statements that were made by parliament speaker, Dr Hadad Adel, Foreign Minister, Dr Al Mutaki; and even the Iranian president himself. I believe that the diplomatic maneuvers which took place last week convinced some influential countries at the UN Security Council including China, Russia, and non permanent members such as South Africa, not to support the US position. At the same time, I think that Russia and China exerted a great deal of effort to improve the language of the draft resolution that was submitted by the US to the Security Council in coordination with France and Britain. The US draft resolution was too extreme. The language of the draft resolution was changed and some amendments were made to it. In addition, Iranian efforts have managed to delay the discussion of this draft resolution at the UN Security Council. This delay may help some countries who are demanding that the security council wait for the IAEA’s report which will be submitted by Dr Muhamd Al Baradie. I think that this report will be positive towards the Islamic Republic of Iran. Tehran cooperated completely with the IAEA.

Host, Man # 1
There are several indications that the IAEA’s report will be positive. Why are some countries opposing to the IAEA report?

Guest, Man # 2
Yes, the American Administration wants to preempt the IAEA’s report, which will be released two months from now. This will be the third piece of evidence showing that US policy is wrong.
The first piece of evidence was Dr Al Baradie’s first report; the second piece of evidence was the US intelligence report, which showed that Iran’s nuclear program was peaceful. If Dr Al Bardie’s report is released and is read at the UN Security Council then it will become the third piece of evidence and it will expose the hostile policy towards Iran.

Now, if you're a regular user of the Internet, I know I am, you'll know how frustrating it is when it goes down. Well, a fault in a cable off the coast of Egypt, has left tens of millions of Internet users either without any access or with a very slow connection. The main Internet connection runs from Sicily to Egypt, but the final users extend far beyond North Africa. Outages are causing difficulties in countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, India, and Pakistan. Well, India is also severely affected with only half the normal bandwidth currently available to feed its high tech industry. Officials say it could be over a week before the repairs are completed. Well, Kavitha Rajasekhar is an IT expert with a leading international publishing house in Dubai. She joins me on Al Jazeera. Thanks for joining us Kavitha. What does today's loss of the Internet mean for Dubai's businesses and stock market, for example?

I think at the first stage it simply means a loss of efficiency and productivity. That's what people have been telling me. I made a lot of calls today and spoke to some banks, I spoke to some transaction-based companies. What they say is that things have been really slow. They have not been able to work at a normal pace, which means I think people are pretty much having a forced holiday in a sense. What they say is that some of them are having delays. I don't think any of them said they're completely out of communication, simply because they have backup lines and they seem to have redundancy built in. Basically, everyone is very frustrated that efficiency levels have really really dipped since yesterday.

In the age of this sort of global world we live in, how does an Internet disruption in one place actually affect another? You sort of touched upon it just then.

The thing is that today, businesses aren't operating in the country that they exist in. Its pretty much a global world today. Companies in this region are collaborating on an everyday basis, even on a minute by minute basis with countries anywhere else in the world. I think a lot of communication and collaboration happens through the Internet because it's quicker, a lot more affordable. We are all living in an internet-based world. I think pretty much if business shuts down here, you're not able to interact as effectively with your partners who are sitting anywhere else in the world. So yes, it does have an effect.

Just briefly Kavitha, is there an alternative if the Internet goes down, besides the fax machine?

I think you have to go back to a manual world today. Start making those calls, knock on more doors. You wouldn't be able to communicate as quickly as you normally do.

Kavitha Rajasekhar joining us from Dubai, thank you very much.