[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 05/16/08: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, MALE, #1
On May 15th 1948, the Arabs lost Palestine. That day became known as al-Nekba: the catastrophe. On the 60th anniversary of al-Nekba, the Israelis received even more support from the US. Bush gave his seal of approval in his address to the Israeli Parliament when he vowed to support Israel in the face of what he called ‘Terrorist Groups.’ While Bush and his hosts celebrated, the Arab Knesset members boycotted the session, and Palestinian youth clashed with the occupation police amidst rallies and commotion. Shuruq al Assad reports from Jerusalem.

Reporter, FEMALE, #1
Jerusalem has held on to its dreams for the past 60 years: To be free, to return to its owners, and to receive guests and loved ones. Jerusalem, isolated by Israel, and its landscapes changed, was sure to speak today. In spite of the deployment of the Israeli army and the closures which tried to stop it from speaking, the city spoke. A general strike took over the city, and a Palestinian rally took place at Damascus Gate.




Guest, MALE, #2
This rally started from Jerusalem and is a confirmation of Jerusalem’s Arabic identity. It is also in response to the occupation’s actions that have been aimed at Jewdifying and oppressing this city.

Reporter, FEMALE, #1
Meanwhile in Jerusalem, Israel’s celebrations were at their height, affirming the occupation of the city and thwarting the Palestinian dream. The US custodian of the peace-process said clearly, that he was not neutral. He crowned his visit with a speech to the Knesset in which he squeezed Israel’s hand, and forewarned Hamass, Hezbollah and Iran. Bush adopted Israel’s story, not only politically, but ideologically.

Guest, MALE, #3 (Bush)
“Sixty years ago in Tel Aviv, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed Israel's independence…a homeland for the chosen people…you are 307 million strong, because the United States of America stands with you.”

Reporter, FEMALE, #1
The Israelis applauded, but the Arab parliamentarians boycotted the session and demonstrated nearby along with figures from inside the green line.

Guest, MALE, #4
By addressing the Knesset on this day, George Bush is basically telling the Palestinian people that he undervalues them, their Nekba, and their suffering. He is completely biased to Israel, not only politically, but ideologically.

Guest, MALE, #5
It seems that 60 years were not enough for the US oppressor, which safeguards the Israeli occupation, to stop at any limit. So, we came here to tell him that he is not welcome, and to say that there are peoples being killed while you are celebrating the formation of Israel.

Reporter, FEMALE, #1
Those clashes took place at the Qalandia crossing, they continued for several hours, as if saying:
After 60 years of catastrophes, this is Israel’s true face, and this is the face of the Palestinian people who are attached to their story and their dream.These black balloons that were released from here went over the military crossing, and might be flying over Jerusalem’s sky by now.
Shuruq Assaad, Dubai TV, occupied Jerusalem.

[Summary]
Iraq's anti occupation cleric Muqtada al Sadr hopes a ceasefire between his group and the government will hold. Al Sadr wants the Iraqi people to unite against the US occupier and drive it out of the country. According to the al-Sadr’s spokesman, five members of Sadr movement were in Bagdad to follow implementation of the agreement. He said cooperation between the movement and the army was satisfactory. US forces have killed over one thousand Iraqis in the last month in Sadr city alone.

Protesters across Pakistan demonstrated expressing their rejection of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. They also denounced the US interference and army involvement in Pakistan and Afghanistan. They marched in the capital of Islamabad, condemning Israel and America, and called on halting the building of the dividing wall. Similar demonstrations were also held in various cities in Pakistan.

Presenter, Man # 1
The events in Lebanon coincided with very significant and consecutive events in Sudan last week. For the fist time in 32 years, an armed opposition group reached the outskirts of Khartoum. The future of the Sudanese government now depends on the results of the battles with the armed men from the Justice and Equality movement in UmDurman. Before discussing this topic, let us watch the following report which presents the unfolding of events on the ground.

Reporter, Man # 2
An armed attack was launched in Umdurman near Khartoum by the Justice and Equality party, the most powerful rebel movement in Darfur. According to the Sudanese army, last week, hundreds of these fighters from Darfur headed east towards Khartoum; they were supported by forces from Chad. Last Friday, the Sudanese army reiterated that they had countered an attack by soldiers from Chad at the border area of Kashkash. The attack was intended to facilitate the infiltration of armed members from the Justice and Equality Party into Sudanese territories. On the same day, the Sudanese government declared a high state of alert to counter the attack by the armed men who had managed to reach north Gordoghan province. Fierce battles erupted and continued until Saturday morning. The armed men advanced quickly towards UmDurman in western Sudan where they clashed with the Sudanese army; the clashes continued until Sunday.

Soon after that, the Sudanese army announced that it has defeated the rebel forces. This came as the Sudanese government announced that it had cut off its diplomatic relations with Chad.
On Monday, security forced detained Hasan Al Turabi, the leader of the Sudanese Popular National Congress party (PNC) for 12 hours. On Monday evening, Khalil Ibrahim, the leader of the Justice and Equality party threatened Khartoum with more attacks until the government is toppled. On Tuesday, the Justice and development announced that the Sudanese authorities have arrested the wife of its leader Zinad Ali Yosef. The party reiterated that it will respond in the near future. On Tuesday, a new development happened: The Sudanese army announced that it had killed Jamal Hassan Jalal-Eddin, the military commander of the Justice and Equality party, and had arrested more than 300 of its armed members.

According to Sudanese sources, armed clashes took place between the army and armed members of the movement in western Darfur. The government believes that the leader of the movement was there in Wadi Hor along the border with Chad. Ishak Al Khuwassnah, Alarabiya.

[Summary]
Feuding Lebanese leaders will meet in Qatar for talks that were mediation by the Arab League. This comes after the clashes of last week which killed at least 81 people in Lebanon. After the Qatar talks were announced, the blockades on the road to the airport and the sea port were lifted. MP Jumblat expressed having no fear in going to Doha, saying that all parties must accept compromise for the sake of the country. Amr Mussa, Arab League Secretary General, said that the meeting in Doha is different from previous talks because the realities on the ground have changed; he estimated a 50-50 chance of success.

Presenter, Woman # 1
The Iranian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Hamed Ridha Asafi cited the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Muhamd Albaradie, saying that the Iranian nuclear program is not complicated and that there are no confirmed reports indicating that it is not peaceful. Our reporter, Khaled Al Mashani met with the Iranian Ambassador Asafi and asked him about the bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and Iran and how the islands issue has affected these relations.

Guest, Man # 1 Iranian Ambassador
Iran and the United Arab Emirates have coexisted side by side for thousands of years. They share the same religion, civilization and history. I think that they also share the same future and faith.
We are close to our neighbors, and as the late Shiekh Zaid has said, Iran and the United Arab Emirates have always been friends. We in Iran consider the United Arab Emirates a friend.
The current the bilateral relations have progressed a great deal. The biggest proof is the visit of his Excellency the Iranian president, to the Unite Arab Emirates as well as the visit of Rashid Muhmad Bin Rashed, the vice president of the United Arab Emirate to Iran. These two visits were successful and the leaders of the two countries have been continuously exchanging views, and we value these relations. Our cooperation will continue to increase significantly.

Reporter, Man # 2
You have talked about these visits which were carried out at a very senior level, do you think that they will strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries which are already friends.

Guest, Man # 1
These visits enhance bilateral relations and they help solve economic and other problems. We know that there have been interventions by some foreign countries and we hope those countries will not be allowed to interfere in the internal affairs of the region. We think that all the problems can be resolved by exchanging views, solidarity and with consultations with other countries in the region.

Reporter, Man # 2
Mr. Ambassador, calls were made by Arab leaders and from the Gulf and the world to resolve the problem of the United Arab Emirates’ islands in a peaceful way. Are the Iranians receptive to these calls?

Guest, Man # 1
We have many common interests with the United Arab Emirates. We can resolve any problem or misunderstanding through good intentions and by exchanging views. The two countries have great capabilities in many areas and they can be developed through cooperation.

Reporter, Man # 2
Does Tehran expect a solution in the coming period for its nuclear program?

Guest, Man # 1
Pertaining to the peaceful nuclear program, we have submitted new suggestions to the Western countries and the UN, in attempt to deal with the challenges. We see other problems in the world such as the Problem of Palestine, and the disparity between the poor and the rich and other problems that have not been resolved. We submitted these suggestions which deal with economic, security, and political aspects. I would like to add that the peaceful nuclear program is not complicated, but America portrays this issue in a different manner.

Presenter, MALE, #1
In Afghanistan, eighteen people were killed and 22 others were injured by an explosion in a commercial market in Western Ifrah. The province governor, Rooh al Amine, said that the explosion took place near a police station. Eighteen people were killed, including 5 policemen. In Pakistan, eighteen people were killed by an explosion of two missiles believed to have been launched by a US aircraft. The missiles were dropped over an area bordering Afghanistan.
A Pakistan government official accused the US forces of killing civilians and targeting government representatives and armed individuals in tribal areas which are trying to end the cycle of violence.

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
Missiles have become the most common method of communication used by the United States in its war on what it calls ‘terrorism’ in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Usually, theses strikes leave dozens of civilians dead. A US air craft carrying two missiles targeted a home in Damadula, a Pakistan village on the border with Afghanistan. The US claimed that the house belonged to one of the Taliban members. The attack killed 18 persons at least, including women and children who were buried under the debris. The house was completely destroyed, along with a nearby mosque, which was not spared from the US missiles either.




Guest, MALE, #2
My brother had invited his school classmates to the house. About 5 minutes after the night-prayer, the Americans raided the house. Eight of the students were killed and several others were injured.

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
Government officials condemned the attack and accused the US forces of killing civilians and targeting government officials along with armed individuals in tribal areas. The US did not officially confirm conducting air raids over Pakistan. However, the remains of the rockets provide the proof, regardless of what Washington denies or tries to overlook. Afghanistan was not spared either from the US weapons, which do not falter in carrying out attacks under the guise of pursuing the Taliban. They leave behind scenes that speak louder than words, reflecting the US forces’ indiscriminate bombings which often fall on civilians.

Guest, MALE, #3
It has been reported that 200 civilians were killed in the first four months of this year. Most of the time, they were killed in operations carried out by the US forces.

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
In spite of the criticism and the accusations of targeting civilians, the US forces insist on their announced and unannounced targets. They want to end what they refer to as ‘Terrorism’ in these two neighboring countries.

Presenter, Woman # 1
Iraqi academics and researchers attended a conference at the school of political science in which they evaluated the political changes in the country during the past five years. We leave you with Ali Ramadan.

Reporter, Man # 1
A conference was held at the school of political science to evaluate the political developments in Iraq during the past five years. Some of the topics discussed included the nature of the American Iraqi relation, the security agreement, the internal Iraqi conflicts, the political behavior of Individuals, and the political system in the country.

Guest, Man # 2
The college holds annual conferences to evaluate the political developments in Iraq and tries to look at these developments from a scientific point of view. The objective is also to provide solutions to policy makers in Iraq on many issues.

Guest, Man # 3
So far, the political objectives of the Iraqi government are not clear. This is contradictory to the US policy. The political system in Iraq is still based on the rules of the “zero sum game”. Political players win everything or lose everything.

Reporter, Man # 1
The people who attended the conference both the researchers and the audience, talked about the suspicious American Iraqi security agreement. There are concerns that it is the only alternative that Iraq has to get rid of charter #7 of the UN without being harmed. If the US would stop protecting Iraq, it will be vulnerable for law suits pertaining to war compensations.

Guest, Man # 4
We are completely aware that the only solution to get Iraq out of charter #7 of the UN, is to sign a security agreement.

Reporter, Man # 1
Political official, Maryam Al Rais, stressed the importance of the research that was presented to evaluate the political reality in Iraq. While Al Rais believes that Iraq is getting closer the safety shore, Parliament member Omar Al Juburi did not give an optimistic view about the political reality in Iraq.

Guest, Woman # 2
One can say that Iraq has become close to the safety shore, but it has not arrived

Guest, Man # 5
Political observers regardless if they are Parliament members or not, can’t make an optimistic analyses that is contrary to what is happening on the ground. Of course there are weaknesses in certain aspects, but I believe that the source of problems is the nature of the recent political thinking that is based on sectarianism. This has weakened the unity of the Iraqi society.


Reporter, Man # 1
The chair of the political science department, Amr Hasan Fayyad confirmed that there is coordination between the Iraqi government and the College of political science. Fayyad stressed the need to support the democratic system and the creation of checks and balances which are bound to make political decisions more mature and useful. Alsumaria Satellite Channel, Ali Ramadan.

The warring parties in Lebanon agreed to a deal brokered by Arab diplomats, and incoming flights to Beirut's International airport have resumed ending a week of bloody, political crisis.

More than 60 people were killed since violence in Lebanon broke out on May 7, after the government discovered an electronic surveillance system used by Hezbollah to monitor Beirut's international airport and fired the head of security there. The government has also tried to declare illegal the group's private telephone network. But after a week of posturing, the US-backed government has caved in. The beleaguered government of Fouad Seniora rescinded its decisions against Hezbollah. The obvious winner is Hassan Nasrallah and his followers in Lebanon.

But there are other winners and losers in the aftermath of these latest Lebanese confrontations. Hours before this latest brokered deal, the Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal had accused Iran of supporting a "coup" in Lebanon.

"Iran is supporting the coup that happened in Lebanon, and this will affect Tehran's relations with Arab states, if not Muslim states as well,'' al- Faisal said in a televised news conference.

He also accused Hezbollah of planning the attack on Beirut and using political issues as an excuse to start the violence. "If this wasn't pre-planned, I don't know what is.''

When asked about al-Faisal's remarks, the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, "It is possible that these comments were made out of anger... I don't know how well coordinated his views are with those of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah."

The fact of the matter is, nothing comes out from the mouths of Saudi officials or Saudi media without the full knowledge and approval of the king himself. Since it brokered a peace deal that ended Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars in the country's reconstruction. This has been done by corporations set up by the late Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, one of the reasons why the Kingdom criticized Hezbollah's Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah during the Israeli war on Lebanon a couple of years ago. Saudi Arabia, which views itself as the leader of Sunni Islam, has been trying in vain for the past several years to counter Iran's influence in Lebanon. These recent events have highlighted its failure. Iran has won big in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia was outmaneuvered.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah's victory coincided with President Bush's outgoing "victory-lap"; a five-day tour of the Middle East, taking him to Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The U.S. president praised Israel, talked about peace and democracy, and as usual, Bush made a special mention of Iran and its alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons. He failed to mention that Iran is now stronger than it was when he took office.