[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 02/01/08: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, Woman # 1
We start the second hour of news with two explosions in Iraq. More than 60 people were killed and more than 80 others were injured in two separate explosions in Baghdad. Our Al Arabiya reporter said that the first explosion took place in al Ghazil market in central Baghdad, by a female who was wearing an explosive belt under her Islamic garb. Usually women wearing garb are not searched. The second explosion was caused by an explosive device that was planted in a popular market in eastern Baghdad.

Reporter, Man # 1
Once again, the Iraqi capital of Baghdad is afflicted with violence. Two simultaneous separate but simultaneous explosions killed and injured many people. The first explosion took place in al Ghazil pet market. This market has seen several explosions in the past. According to security sources, the explosion was carried out by a female wearing an explosive belt in the middle of the crowds who usually come to this market on Fridays. Security forces closed down the area immediately and ambulances transported the dead and injured to hospitals in the capital. The second explosion took place in another market in the “Baghdad Al Jaadedad” area killing and injuring dozens of people. This new wave of violence comes after relative calm in Baghdad: the city of Haroon Al Rasheid. This comes as the Iraqi security forces are preparing to launch a wide scale operation against Al Qaeda which has been accused of launching such operations in Al Mosul. The American forces however accused what they call the pro Iran militias of carrying out the explosions. Majed Hamed, Al Arabiya.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
The Israeli Embassy in Nouakchot witnessed heavy gun fire early this morning. Eye witnesses said that the attack was carried out by six people, who escaped after the embassy guards opened fire back. The attack on the Israeli Embassy in Nouakchot comes after the Head of the Mauritanian Parliament called on his government to reconsider their diplomatic relations with Israel about two weeks ago. Mahmood Muhammed reports from Nouakchott.

Reporter, MALE, #1
This is the second operation in less than two months, but this time, it targeted the Israeli Embassy in Tafranzeina, one of the safest neighborhoods in the capital. The attack reached an adjacent night club, and among the wounded were its patrons.

Guest, MALE, #2
It happened outside the night club adjacent to the Zionist Entity’s Embassy; we did not see any people wounded, but it’s been said that there was a guard in front of the door who got a bullet in his thigh.

Gust, MALE, #3
We heard gun fire and came out; they said some terrorists went over to the Israeli Embassy.

Reporter, MALE, #2
The operation was carried out by six armed persons calling out “Allah Akabar” or God is great, both during and after the attack. They then escaped, using the Northern Route this time, and not the route to the Senegal, which is the typical choice of escapees from Mauritania choose. Terror shook one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the capital, Nouakchott, where the Israeli Embassy and the night club VIP are located. According to security forces, the chase currently underway on the Nuwadiboo road will end today or tomorrow, by capturing the escapees. This development comes only one week after the President Sidi Ould Sheikh Abdellahi, met with leaders of the Mauritanian Salafi group, from amongst whose midst came the attackers against the French tourists. It is likely that the current attackers are also connected to this group; or at least, they share common aims. Mahmood Muhammad, Dubai TV, Tefranzeina, Nouakchott.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
Mahmood joins us via telephone from Nouakchott. First, are there any new developments in regards to the attack against the Israeli Embassy in Nouakchott today?

Reporter, MALE, 2
The only thing that is confirmed thus far is that the people who opened fire at the Israeli Embassy escaped to the Northern Mauritania. So this time, it seems they preferred heading to the North, which is not surrounded by security forces like the South, where the search for the escapees who killed the French tourists a couple of months ago is underway. The area is semi secure, even though it borders Morocco. Many people here think that the chase will not last long, and that the attackers will be arrested today or tomorrow.

Presenter, Man # 1
Chad’s government forces are trying to deter a wide scale military attack launched by a coalition of different rebellion factions. Chad accused the Sudanese authorities of supporting the attack. Our Al Jazeera reporter said that he heard the sound of gun fire exchange between the two sides from a distance of hundred kilometers.

Presenter, Woman # 1
A spokesman for one of the rebellion faction said that its forces are surrounding the capital, N'Djamena. The UN secretary general urged Sudan and Chad to remain calm and control themselves.

Reporter. Man # 2
Forces similar to these with about 300 military vehicles left eastern Chad towards the capital N'Djamena which is hundreds of kilometers away. Similar military maneuver took place in the past, the most dangerous of which happened in April 2006. At the time, the rebel forces arrived at the capital’s suburbs but the government forces were able to deter them with the help of French forces. Once again, Chad accused its eastern neighbor Sudan of supporting the rebels and encouraging them to attack the government forces with the objective of toppling Chad’s regime. Khartoum is not on friendly terms with this regime and accuse it of supporting some of the rebel forces in Darfur. N'Djamena said that it wants to mobilize its allies before the deployment of 3700 European soldiers, most of whom are French. These forces will be in charge of protecting the 450,000 refugees from Darfur living in Chad and The Republic of Central Africa. As usual, the President of Chad, Idriss Neby is leading the counter attacks on the rebels. It is clear that he took these threats seriously; military vehicles were deployed around government buildings in N'Djamena. The soldiers’ presence at the city’s main intersections was also intensified. The conflicting sides made contradictory statements about the distance that separates the rebel forces from the government soldiers. Some say that the rebels are 150 kilometers away, but others say that the two sides are exchanging fire at a distance of 100 kilometers, north of the capital. Hearing contradictory news is part of war, but perhaps the confusion about the location of the rebel groups stems from the fact that the rebel forces were divided among different groups. While some are clashing with government forces, others are allegedly surrounding the city. It is worth mentioning two important historical facts. First, most of the rebel attacks that toppled previous governments in Chad successfully in the past, originated from Sudan. Second, French forces have been deployed in Chad since 1986, according to a military coordination agreement that was signed by the two countries in 1976. France has about 2000 soldiers in Chad, who officially are only supposed to provide logistical and surveillance support to the army of Chad.

Presenter, MALE #1:
Dr. Ghulam Ridda Haddad, the head of the Iranian Islamic Shura Council, said that relations between his country and Egypt are good. Haddad’s statements came after he arrived in Cairo as the head of a large delegation, which is participating in the 5th meeting of the Interparliamentary union of Islamic countries. For his part, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Monashahr Motakki, stated that Iran is waiting for a sign from Egypt to resume diplomatic relations, which have been cut off between the two countries. More details in the following report.

Reporter, MALE #2:
Negotiations continue over the resumption of diplomatic relations between Tehran and Cairo.
Diplomatic relations have been severed for three decades and the situation has remained the same, despite efforts to restore relations. However, the intensity of these efforts have been low and both sides have been unable to break this diplomatic freeze, that is until a few months after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became the president of Iran, when the ice appeared to melt.

Guest, MALE #3:
When I was visiting the United Arab Emirates, I announced that we are prepared to resume relations, if the Egyptian government approves of this. They welcomed this proposal.

Reporter, MALE #2:
“The beginning of the end of a crisis era.” This is how we may be able to describe the months following the Iranian initiative, when the Iranian and Egyptian governments appeared to have serious intentions about restoring ties. This is what may be construed from the statements being made by officials in Tehran and Cairo, especially in the past few days.

Guest, MALE #4:
All discussions about resuming official political ties between Iran and Egypt have been made at various levels. Meetings were held between the assistant foreign ministers. We are now at the threshold of restoring diplomatic relations.

Reporter, MALE #2:
Statements indicate a new beginning for the two countries. The road remains crowded with diplomatic delegations at the assistant foreign ministerial level and political envoys, the latest of whom was the Iranian envoy, Ali Larijani, the representative of the Supreme Leader in the Iranian national Security Council. This is the head of the Iranian parliament, Haddad Adel, who begins his trip to Cairo this week. There have been intense communications between both sides aimed at breaking through the complexity of these deteriorated relations, which have caused various political impacts.

Guest, MALE #5:
There were many factors. There were external factors. There were foreign warnings. Some people were inciting us, trying to create divisions between the two countries. They were conveying the situation in unreal terms.

Reporter, MALE #2:
The people of Iran and Egypt share a similar history, a common culture and many points of similarities that unite them. However, politics have played a larger role in breaking the relations between the two countries and distancing them from each other. Politics also harmed the interests of two of the largest and most influential countries in the region. Many complex files divide Tehran and Cairo politically. Coming to an agreement on them appears to be a far reaching hope. However, the current political will enables both governments to turn a blind eye to these files in order to exchange ambassadors and restore diplomatic relations. Ahmed Habibi. Nile TV. Egypt News TV.

On the second day of his Presidency in the African Union’s Heads of State Summit, Foreign Minister Mottaki had meetings with Presidents of Sudan, Djibouti, Senegal, and Burkina Faso and head of the AU Commissions, as well as Foreign Ministers of Chad and Ghana. At the meetings, the Iranian top diplomat referred to Tehran’s resolve to deepen ties with the African continent. Sudanese President, Omar Al Bashir, for his part, welcomed the initiative of holding an Iran African meeting. He also said that Khartoum’s stance on Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities is a 100% support because Sudan believes that the world of Islam needs an all out power to stave off US imperialism. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso’s President, whose country is a member of the UN Security Council, said his country supports Iran's suggestion of focusing more attention on the part of the Security Council’s report.

PRESENTER, MALE #1
“Obviously, Human rights around the world has not improved during the past year.” These were the words of the Human Rights Watch Group, which released a special report on Iraq and Palestine today. In the report, the group accused governments around the world, including the US administration, of committing human rights violations. The report added it is rather difficult for the US and Europe to promote human rights around the world, while committing the violations themselves, in the so called “war on terror.”

REPORTER, MALE #2
Nearly all governments in the world, including the large, the small, the rich, and the poor, have violated human rights in one way or another during the past year. These were the words of the Human Rights Watch Group, an international organization dedicated to protecting and defending human rights around the world. In the Middle East, the humantarian situation in the Gaza Strip is living proof of that. This news comes as Israel continues to impose a blockade on the Gaza Strip, where it confined more than 1.5 million Palestinians and cut off humantarian supplies, including food, medicine, and fuel. In addition, many Palestinian civilians have been killed during 2007 in countless Israeli airstrikes, which is a blatant violation of international laws. In the report, the Human Rights Watch Group also criticized Palestinian armed groups for launching cross border rocket attacks on Israeli towns. The international watchdog also accused Hamas and Fatah of human rights violations within their internal fighting in Gaza. In Iraq, the situation seems bleaker and more tragic, as cited in the report of the Human Rights Watch Group. According to the report, during 2007, the US army has carried out systematic offensives against Sunni and Shiite armed groups, killing an unspecified number of Iraqi civilians. In addition, the report accused the US of human rights violations specifically in the killing of 17 Iraqi civilians by the US Black Water security company in September of 2007. It seems the US has a hobby of killing, without expressing remorse and without being held accountable. Parallel to that, Iraqi armed groups and militias are to share part of the blame for the escalation of violence in Iraq. During 2007, Iraqi armed groups have carried out senseless attacks in the form of sectarian and ethnic cleansing. The situation was not much different in Afghanistan, where civilians continue to pay the price in a conflict often described as ruthless and randomly orchestrated. While the US led NATO forces used air strikes during their offensives, the Taliban movement used suicide operations in their counter attacks. According to the Human Rights Watch Group, during 2007, the Sudanese government and the rebels committed atrocities against civilians in the war torn region of Darfur, in western Sudan. In addition, many Sudanese civilians have been killed by bullets, starvation, or diseases in Darfur. Moreover, more than 250,000 Sudanese have been displaced during the first 9 months of 2007. Similar episodes took place in Somalia, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and recently in Kenya, where the people are the ultimate losers in these political feuds. The report did not exclude the US and Europe, which are part of the problem. The report criticized the US for continuing to cover up for certain tyrant regimes in the world, including Pakistan, Nigeria, and Kenya. Washington and the Europeans union have the tendency to always endorse certain elections, especially when the winner is one of their strategic or trade allies. The report says the US continues to commit human rights violations, publicly and secretly, in the so called “war on terror.” Moreover, the US failed to improve its image in dealing with those it refers to as “enemy combatants.”

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
The snow storm that hit Lebanon dissipated after covering the hills and mountains with brilliant snow. The snow reached the coastlines, causing damage to the agricultural sector. The dissipation of the snow storm that was at its height yesterday opened the way for a wave of sleet and frost in most areas. This led to ice piling up, especially in the high areas and mountainous roads. Meanwhile, the Lebanese electrical company said that the snow storm affected both high and low voltages in most areas higher than 500 meters.

Reporter, MALE, #1
All economic and commercial facilities and educational institutions are at a standstill. But this time, this was not imposed by security measures or national mourning, but rather by the canopy of white snow covering Lebanon’s mountain tops and central plains. For the first time in several years, it also covered the coastlines. Snow fell on areas that are more than 100 meters above sea level, including several areas in the Zahrani. The storm of rain and snow started Sunday afternoon, reaching its apex yesterday, dissipating in the early morning. The piling up of snow isolated dozens of villages and blocked roads. The National Guard, including the “Islamic Message” boy scouts division, the municipalities, and volunteers, worked to open the roads to and from villages. Meanwhile, children took the opportunity to play with the white guest, which seldom knocks on their doors with the same intensity. The weather was hard on the areas along the borders, like Bint Jubayl area, where snow shut down most of the roads leading to the area. People in the city stayed home, and schools shut their doors.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
The snow storm that hit Lebanon left major damage behind, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Reporter, MALE, #2
The land is not concerned with politics; it neither supports nor opposes the government. This is what the residents of the southern sour said, as they tried to get quick compensation from the storm that’s enveloped Lebanon for two days. The storm severely damaged the crops and the plastic houses specialized in planting organic vegetables. NBN’s camera caught these images of nature’s wrath in the area around Soor, meeting with some farmers who talked about their losses due the storm.

Guest, MALE, #3
The farmers have not been compensated for anything from the July war; then this storm came, adding losses to losses. What you see here is nature’s anger, it’s known and clear. With the drop in temperature, even the rain that follows is likely to freeze and ruin everything.

Guest, MALE, #4
The wind and snow came. The previous cold front delayed production, then the wind came and broke things down, then the sleet hit. About 80% of the bananas got damaged.

Reporter, MALE, #2
The citrus fruit also got their share of the storm, with damage reaching 50% of the total northern crop. The storm also crippled the movement of civilians and the snow covered the cars.

One of the Arab World’s biggest musical stars is finding herself at the center of a political storm. The 73 year old Lebanese singer, Fayrouz, performed to sell out crowds this week in Damascus, her first concert in Syria in almost 30 years, but her decision has been causing controversy back home.

When she sings her voice resonates throughout the Arab World. Touching the hearts of the secular, as well as the religious, the young and old, and across the spectrum. Fayrouz rocks, if we may say. But the most important living Arab singer is losing some of her fans in her own country, Lebanon. The Lebanese icon accepted an invitation to sing in Damscus, part of a series of cultural events in the Syrian capital, designated by UNESCO as the Arab Capital of Culture for 2008. But for many Lebanese, Syria is considered enemy territory these days. Those who love Lebanon, don’t think for its jailers, one politician appealed to her. Fayrouz is called Lebanon’s Ambassador to the Stars and has always kept herself neutral and away from politics. She refused to sing in Lebanon throughout the Civil War.

A good portion of society here sees itself at battle with the Syrian regime and to them its as if Fayrouz has taken sides.

Others argue that Fayrouz should refuse the Syrian invitation, as the regime is arresting and torturing its own intellectuals and dissidents. Pierre Abi Saab wrote her another letter. “No, Fayrouz, go to Damascus.”

I see it as an opportunity for Syrians to meet with the outside world. Guests will be coming from all over. It will be like a breath of fresh air for our Syrian brothers.

It's unfair to make the Syrian people pay for what their regime is doing, says Abi Saab. Fayrouz didn't even bother to respond to critics. She went to Damascus and sang at the Syrian Opera House, a musical about a reckless ruler challenged by a poor young woman. Its 30 years old, but that didn’t take away the enthusiasm of Syrians as they cheered when the people won over the ruler.

The debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on Thursday night commanded almost as much attention on major Arab television networks as it did in the U.S.
Arab networks such as Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya and Dubai TV currently have camera crews shadowing top US presidential hopefuls. They have been busy interviewing Americans about their choice for candidates. Al Jazeera English channel is also running promos promising “an in depth coverage of the US presidential elections.”
There is a buzz about Obama that his victory would revive America’s sinking image abroad. Many Arabs believe that Obama’s ethnicity and background gives him a kinder understanding of third world countries. On the other hand, on an interview on Al Arabiya channel a Saudi businessman preferred Hillary, because he hoped she’d make Bill her Middle East emissary. “Obama would be a novice at navigating the dangerous Middle East quagmire,” according to him.
Meanwhile, Iranians are watching the US presidential primaries closely. The Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki made it clear, in several appearances on Iranian television, that Tehran believes the next U.S. president will have to accept Iran’s right to a nuclear fuel cycle. Obama is favored since he is the only one who has made an offer to talk to Iran without preconditions.
In Yemen, a local newspaper, (the Yemen Times), hosted a press conference to explain the significance of the American primary elections. While in Lebanon, the relatively moderate Beirut Daily Star ran an editorial on January 8; "Whom Should Arab Americans Vote For." This made me laugh …an advice coming from a country with an empty presidential palace where a parliament has postponed presidential elections for the 13th time.
Additionally, we have the debate over the usual “Israel factor” as one commentator described it. Aljazeera has interviewed critics who say that pro Israeli groups are set to play a major role in the forthcoming election battle, both in terms of funding candidates and by publicly criticizing any candidate critical of Israel or the US's relationship with it.
John Mearsheimer, co author of a controversial series of articles and a recent book on the Israel lobby, told Al Jazeera: "Almost all of the major candidates are falling over themselves to demonstrate how deeply committed they are to America's special relationship with Israel.
And yes, Arab media has also been covering the republican candidates…with less enthusiasm I must add. “It is clear that McCain will secure the Republican nomination,” a man on the streets of Cairo commented. He added, “Who cares, we know what the republicans are capable of doing.”
I asked a colleague in Qatar if he had a favorite. His answer was, “anyone but Bush.”
I’m Jamal Dajani for the Mosaic Intelligence Report. To learn more about this program or to share your thought visit us at Linktv.org/mosaic