[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 05/01/08: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, Man # 1
Aden Ayro, the head of the military wing of the al Shabaab al Mujaheen movement in Somalia and a number of other leaders were killed by an air attack. It is suspected that American planes carried out the attack by striking a home in the town of Dusamareb in the middle of Somalia.

Presenter, Woman # 1
Reuters cited local leaders saying that 30 people were killed and 15 others were injured.

Reporter, Man # 1
Aden Ayro, or Abu Hasan Al Ansary is described as the leader and founder of the al Shabaab al Mujahdeen Movement, but according to the US, his name is included on the terrorist list. He is known in camps, in the battles of Islamists, in large areas of Somalia, and the Ogaden region, which is under Ethiopian control. There is also information that he was in Al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan before the September 11TH attacks seven years ago. Aden Ayro was one of the Islamic Court leaders when they enforced their control over all of Somalia including the capital Mogadishu two years ago. The Ethiopian forces intervened by backing the forces of the Somali interim government headed by president Abdullah Yosef which managed to expel the Islamic courts from Mogadishu. When the Islamic courts regrouped in an effort to liberate Somalia, the al Shabab al Mujaheen movement split from the Islamic courts. During the past several months the movement has launched attacks on cities that fall under the government’s control. They stay in these cities for some time then they withdraw after releasing the detained individuals and after capturing weapons from the government forces. Fighters from al Shabab al Mujaheen also attacked Ethiopian forces and the Somali government forces using tactics that are similar to the ones used in Iraq. The African peace keeping forces were not spared from similar attacks in Somalia which were called for by Aden Ayro. Ayro was targeted by American planes last year. In one incident Americans kidnapped three of his followers after which Aden Ayro announced the beginning of what he called a real war between his followers and what he described as the American enemy.

Presenter, MALE, #1
Today, Jordan’s Interior Ministry began implementing the agreement signed between the Jordanian Government and TNT international courier. The agreement concerns the issuing of visas between Jordan and Iraq to regulate the entry of Iraqis. Jordan’s infrastructure has been heavily strained due to the influx of more than 700 thousand Iraqis into the country.

Reporter, MALE, #2
Muhammad spends his time with his friends, and with the hope of reuniting with his wife and son, who left to Iraq for personal reasons. His hope of meeting with his family was renewed when he heard about the decision to grant visas to Iraqis who want to come to Jordan.

Guest, MALE, #3
This May 1st decision serves us and reunites us with our families. Each one of us who’s here and his wife and children are there-living in different worlds….we can reunite by getting this visa.

Reporter, MALE, #2
However, this decision has been met with apprehension by some Iraqis.

Guest, MALE, #4
It’s a good decision for us as Iraqis. But those in Iraq fear that their visa applications would be rejected and they would have to stay in Iraq where there is no security and where their lives are at risk.

Reporter, MALE, #2
The company accepts visa applications inside Iraq through its 13 offices spread across the governances. The offices send the visa applications to Jordan’s Interior Ministry.

Guest, MALE, #5
The visa is valid for one month from the date of issuance by the Interior Ministry. If it is proven that any of the necessary documents in the application are forged, the visa is cancelled.

Guest, MALE, #6
The cost of applying for a visa is 15 thousand Iraqi dinars (about $12.5) The Iraqi citizens pay this fee when applying directly through the office they are dealing with.

Reporter, MALE, #2
The visa agreement takes into consideration humanitarian cases by expediting the application process. The normal processing time is two weeks, after which the Jordanian Interior Ministry decides to grant a visa or deny it. As for the Iraqis outside of Iraq, they can apply for a visa at the Jordanian embassy or consulate in their place of residence. It is expected that TNT international Courier will receive over 500 applications a day. The Jordanian government however will only handle 200 applications a day. Ghassan Abu Loze, Al Arabiya, Amman.

PRESENTER, MALE #1
The students in the housing facilities of the Basra University are suffering from an absence of basic services. Meanwhile, students confirmed that the government is paying large sums of money for services that are not being rendered, which is due in part to administrative corruption and an absence of monitoring agencies. Hashim Al-Abedi has the details.

REPORTER, MALE #2
The students living in the housing facilities of Basra University began the school year with no basic services. Now that the school year is about to end, they still have no basic services in their residential halls. It seems that all the cries for help by the students have been blown away with the wind, as their areas of residence are covered with filth and waste. In addition, their housing facilities lack the basic features such as shelves and closets, and they don’t even have ashtrays.
Their living conditions are similar to those experienced by prisoners in some underdeveloped countries.

GUEST, MALE #3
We, in the housing facilities, are suffering from the lack of basic services. No one is monitoring the situation here; in fact, no committee, whether from the ministry or the province, have ever visited the facility or offered to help the students. We are suffering from a lack of basic services, including poor water and sanitation services; we are living in an unhealthy environment. Also, not enough custodians are working in the housing facilities.

REPORTER, MALE #2
The students confirmed that the government is paying a large sum of money as part of subsidies to pay for services that are presumably being performed in the housing facilities of Basra University. However, due to the absence of an adequate control system and due to administrative corruption, most of these services are not being performed. Meanwhile, the students believe the solution is in the hands of the government, which needs to build student dormitories or housing facilities on campus or near the university, and put them under its direct control.

GUEST, MALE #4
They leased these hotels for us, with bogus leasehold agreements. For example, if a certain hotel charges 100,000 Iraqi Dinars a month, they write it off for 7 million and a half dinars. This is not acceptable; they need to spend the money in a way that pleases God, almighty and that suits their conscience, considering they have one. With this large sum of money spent by the government on the students, the government could use the money to build housing facilities for those students coming from the various provinces. The government could exploit the large lots of land in and around Basra University to build housing facilities for the students.

REPORTER, MALE #2
Amidst these dark images, a rather beautiful picture emerges; resembling the melting pot of the various Iraqi sects, who came from all over Iraq, to study at Basra University. In a show of unity and brotherhood, they came here to confirm that the future Iraq is painted with the love and loyalty they condone for one another.

GUEST, MALE #5
The students here are living in a sate of harmony, peace and love. They come from all over Iraq, and they come from different sects, including Sunni, Shiite, and Kurdish; however, we don’t like to use such sectarian names to describe our students at Basra University.

REPORTER, MALE #2
When challenges are great, the results are often greater. Tomorrow, the hands of these youth will raise the flag of the nation and rise above all their sectarian, religious, and ethnic differences. Hashim Al-Abedi, Sumariya, Basra.

Presenter, Man # 1
The Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs estimates the number of unemployed Iraqis to be at one million. Others however believe that the number is much higher. In addition, many of the government jobs are almost exclusive to a certain group of people due to partisan ties, sectarianism and nepotism. More details in the following report.

Reporter, Man # 2
The number of Iraqis who do not have jobs and have lost hope of a better future is increasing.
Only few Iraqis can find jobs and many are forced to accept modest jobs, much less than they were hoping for. The Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs estimates the number of unemployed Iraqis in the violence torn country to be at one million. Others however believe that the number is much higher. After the fall of the regime of the late president Saddam Hussein five years ago, violence quickly replaced hopes for economic growth and job opportunities.

Guest, Man # 3
As you can see we have a lot of free time. We spend a great deal of time in coffee shops because of the living conditions. We are unemployed and our life is very difficult. The unemployment rate increased because of these conditions.

Reporter, Man # 2
Amidst these pessimistic conditions, some positive signs have emerged. In some parts of Iraq, violence has decreased and oil revenues have flooded government safes. The Iraqi authorities promised to use the money for reconstruction projects and to provide job opportunities for citizens. According to the Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, 18% of the working force can’t find a job. Many of the government jobs pay very low salaries which mean that the number of those whose salaries are not sufficient is very large.

Guest, Man # 4
We have no jobs, I applied to work at National security but I was not accepted. I was forced to do this job.

Reporter, Man # 2
The unemployed are qualified to get what is equivalent to $40 a month which is expected to rise to $50. This year the government will double the small loan programs by making 450 million dollars available in small loans so the unemployed can begin small projects. However only a small segment of the unemployed Iraqi population is expected to benefit from this program.

Guest, Man # 5
The lack of security affects the level of economic activity. All projects have stopped due to the violence. If these projects went forward, a lot of people would be working. If the situation is stabilized and if things continue on the same path, I expect that the unemployment problem will disappear in one year.

Reporter, Man # 2
Men who exchange conversations sit in Baghdad coffeehouses, drinking tea and smoking the hookahs. They spend their time playing backgammon and pool with their friends.

PRESENTER, FEMALE #1
The Sudanese National Mine Action Authority is exerting diligent efforts to help clear landmines from the Peace Road, which is expected to open next May; thus, marking the start of the implementation process of the long awaited peace in the country.

REPORTER, MALE #1
The Sudanese National Mine Action Authority has totally cleared nearly seventy three kilometers along the Peace Road from landmines and undetonated explosive devices. The demining process, which entered its first phase, starts from the Jungli Canal to the area of Ayout.

GUEST, MALE #2
This is not only a program to remove landmines but it’s also a humanitarian effort as well. Through this program, we are trying to promote the health and the wellbeing of the public and spread awareness. God willing, we will achieve our objective within a short time; the program is up to standard and the process is going very well.

REPORTER, MALE #1
The National Mine Action Authority has exerted a tremendous amount of efforts to clear landmines along the roads in southern Sudan; thus, marking the start of an important phase in the implementation process of the peace accord.

GUEST, MALE #3
This road is one of the most important roads connecting southern Sudan with the north and also linking areas within the south itself. This particular section of the road has been closed for nearly 23 years.

REPORTER, MALE #1
Meanwhile, the Sudanese Popular Movement said it was committed to taking part in the mine-removal program. The poplar movement said it will help clear landmines along the roads in the southern Sudanese states, which is part of its commitment towards bringing the peace process into the implementation phase.

GUEST, MALE #4
The process is going very well under the direction of the National Unity Government. This is a revolutionary experience, which is taking place after the signing of the peace accord in the country. 20 years have passed since the Canal Project began; we are trying to secure the equipment necessary to help complete this project.

REPORTER, MALE #1
The ongoing efforts to clear landmines in the Sudanese southern states and areas battered by the war will help bring the country into a new stage of security and stability and it will also help bring peace to everyone.

Presenter, MALE, #1
“The stick and the carrot” is the double standard policy that Israel uses with its neighbors.
On the one hand, Israel shows its readiness for peace negotiations with Syria, mediated by Turkey. On the other hand, it launches intensified military maneuvers in the Golan Heights, waving the flag of a possible war on the Lebanese and Syrian fronts. Issmat Tarabai reports.

Reporter, FEMALE, #1
These weak bullets do not reach women, children, or the elderly, but imaginary targets in any possible war with the enemy. The Israeli occupation forces staged this scenario during their military maneuvers in the Golan Heights-the occupied Syrian territory since 1967.

Guest, MALE, #2 (Ehud Barack)
This is a wonderful place and part of the Israeli State. We like the Golan Heights. We train here because it is the only area where the topography and the villages resemble the fighting conditions in Lebanon and Northern Israel.

Reporter, FEMALE, #1
The topography and geography of this area has a direct relationship in learning lessons from the July war of 2006. Israel’s thorough review of the war’s events, led to a 33% increase in military maneuvers. Their focus is on combined joint trainings between the various military units.
Also, large amounts of additional funding have been designated for this purpose. The maneuvers take place under the supervision of the Israeli chiefs who have stood at the Syrian and Lebanese fronts waving the flags of war.

Guest, MALE, #2 (Ehud Barack)
We are surrounded by great weather in the Golan Heights, as we prepare for a possible war by training, training, and more training.

Reporter, FEMALE, #1
“Training” is the stick that Israel carries, in exchange for “the carrot” which is its readiness for peace negotiations with Syria. It uses its customary double-standard policy, which may not lead to the return of this occupied land to its people.

[Summary]

In Gaza, Palestinians are struggling to survive, due to Israel’s lockdown on Gaza. Many drivers have even resorted to using cooking oil as a means to keep their cars running. Even at Gaza’s main hospital, Al Shifa, cooking oil is being used to keep the hospital’s dryers going. Due to the lack of diesel, water pumps in Gaza are no longer working, leaving farmers with no irrigation, and causing crops to dry up. The people of Gaza are calling this a catastrophe.

Presenter, Man # 1
We would like to remind our audience that it has been 222 days since the illigtimate government of Fayyad banned the Alaqsa Channel from operating in the West Bank. We also would like to remind our audience that it has been 311 days since the Zionist siege was imposed on Gaza.
This morning, the young girl Meriam Tala’t, who was 14 years old was martyred by Zionist shelling that targeted a residential home in Al Daa’or in Beitr Lahaya in Gaza. Her mother and eight other citizens were injured by the same raid. More than 30 Zionist armories participated in the incursion against Gaza, which targeted the home of Tala’t, one of Hamas’ members. The shelling also targeted the ambulances that tried to save the injured people.

Reporter, Man # 2
As the Quran sates, “the infant girl will ask for what reason was I killed.” Mariam Tala’t Maruf who was barley 14 years old, was martyred during a Zionist incursion and missile attacks.
Her home in Al Saima in Biet Lahia, in northern Gaza was hit. Mariam was left bleeding for many long hours because ambulances were not allowed to rescue her. The shelling also injured her mother, but she suffered different wounds. Her father was kidnapped from inside the house.
The occupation forces carried the incursion in the early morning hours in Shima with more than 30 military vehicles and under the heavy cover of Zionist planes, mortar shells and missiles.
Eight people were injured during the incursion. The Israeli forces deliberately opened their machine guns towards the ambulances and civil defense forces as they were trying to rescue the injured people. The ambulances were directly hit. The occupation forces kidnapped a large number of the residents of the town which was destroyed. They bulldozed dozens of dunnums of agricultural land. The occupation forces withdrew from the area hours after the aggression had begun, leaving the area looking like a ghost town. There were images of destruction and blood. The hearts of women and children were full of fear.

[Summary]

Israeli President, Shimon Peres, spoke at the opening ceremony for the Holocaust and Martyrs Remembrance Day. He sent out a message that the world woke up too late to prevent the Nazi Holocaust, and that it must never happen again.

[Summary]

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini calls for an effort to make the Iranian armed forces mightier.