[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 05/20/08: World News From The Middle East

[Summary]

There has been heavy fighting along the border between north and south Sudan. The battles have been taking place between rebels and government forces in the Abyei territory.

Presenter, MALE #1:
The Iraqi army began a wide scale military operation in the neighborhoods of Sadr City in eastern Baghdad without any resistance from the Mehdi Army militia. Eye-witnesses said they were surprised by the wide scale deployment of Iraqi forces in the Jawader area, in the Falah and Dakhil streets, which are the main areas in the city. According to the government-run Iraqiya television, today, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Al Maleki received an apology from U.S, President George President for the incident in which a US soldier shot at a copy of the Quran. The tribes in Mosul are playing a role in the war against Al Qaeda and illegal foreign fighters by coordinating with the Iraqi army forces in a military operation to purge the city and form what is called the Courageous Tribes of Mosul Council.

Reporter, MALE #2:
The last reminants of Al Qaeda in Iraq are being defeated by the “Umm Al Rabieen Operation.” The Courageous Tribes of Mosul Council has become a strong defense in Mosul after the tribes joined the side of the Iraqi government.

Guest, MALE #3:
We are fighting these terrorist groups. We are fighting these criminal gangs, and this organization that has harmed Iraq.

Reporter, MALE #2:
There are 11,000 tribesmen in the tribal forces, which were deployed throughout Mosul despite its vast size. This army linked itself with the Iraqi government, and specifically with the Ministry of Defense.

Guest, MALE #4:
I thank the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Interior and Defense because they took a strong and encouraging look at the city of Mosul. They came here and sent us heroic armies to liberate the city of Mosul from terrorism.

Reporter, MALE #2:
In this battle, the role of the tribes is no less important than that of the official security forces, especially since the tribal members understand the people of Mosul, who are a vital source of intelligence information about the presence and whereabouts of members of Al Qaeda, the extent of their weaponry as well as their real names.

Guest, MALE #5:
The Courageous Tribes of Mosul Council has volunteered 11,000 people to fight terrorism. We are like a sharp sword in the hand of the Prime Minister, Nouri Al Maleki. We have indicated to him that we are prepared to support him and eliminate terrorism.

Reporter, MALE #2:
The men of the Courageous Tribes could have begun their role in this decisive battle before today, however, coordination with the government was belated, according to Shaikh Fawaz Al Jarba. He also said that there is not a lot of time left, especially since the zero hour has come and the tribes are totally prepared. From Mosul. Ahmed Al Hamdani. Al Arabia.

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Presenter, Woman # 1
Dozens of Lebanese citizens held demonstrations along the road leading to Beirut’s International Airport demanding their disputing leaders who are meeting in Doha to exert all their efforts to reach an agreement that stabilizes Lebanon.

Presenter, Man # 1
A number of the civil war veterans participated in the demonstration to warn all different parties not to repeat past mistakes.

Guest, Woman # 2
Before thinking about weapons, they should think about their family, parents, and neighbors. They should think about what they are doing, because at the end some one will be hurt. I was disabled and I suffered a great deal before I was able to come back to society. Yes, I currently work for a social magazine, but my family suffered a great deal with me too. We should not be thinking about war; when we really feel that we have to fight, we should hold flowers. We should find a better way to fight; we should defend our position with our words not with weapons.

Reporter, Woman # 3
Like many Lebanese, Rasmiya Al Hindi came to this demonstration because she is concerned about her leaders’ inability to reach an agreement.

Guest, Woman # 4
We call for resolving political issues within the political process and institution and adhering to the Lebanese constitution.

Reporter, Woman # 3
This is the second event that was held by the veterans union and more than 13 other organizations. The first event was held to say goodbye to the disputing Lebanese leaders before leaving to Doha and today they gathered here on the road to Beirut’s International Airport, urging them not to leave Doha before reaching an agreement.

Guest, Woman # 4
I do not belong to any organization or any group, yesterday I received an email and I forwarded it to my friends. I left my Job to come here because I’m very agitated, the country has been paralyzed for the past ten years.

Reporter, Woman # 3
Of course this is a symbolic gesture, but it is important because it calls for refraining from the use of violence. The demonstrators also stressed that all Lebanese share the same national identity, although some differ on how this national identity ought to be protected.

Guest, Woman # 5
This is the fist step to in build our homeland. This is an initiative from the civic society; this homeland is for everyone regardless of religious affiliation. It is a country for all its citizens; and we want the benefit of everyone. We want to resist Israel, but we should do this through science, education, art, and civilization.

Reporter, Woman # 3
These demonstrators are hoping that their voices would be heard by their leaders meeting in Doha so they understand the risks of failing to reach an agreement and of resolving disputes in the streets, which killed 76 people and injured 199 others in three days. A large number of these victims did not have anything to do with what was happing. These are the silent majority of Lebanese who came from all over the country and united under one banner: the banner of the homeland. These demonstrators insisted on making their voices heard by the decision-makers in Doha. Bushra Abdel Al Samad, Al Jazeera, Beirut.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
Singer Nawal Al Zughbi went to the Sheraton Hotel, but did anyone listen to the voice of art? Firass Hatoon prepared the following report.

Reporter, MALE, #1
What was divided by politics was united by Nawal el-Zughbi. The opposition and the government loyalist, who diverged around the dialogue table, agreed on their admiration for this Lebanese artist. She went into the Sheraton Hotel to sing in a concert, and she stole away the politicians’ lime light. She hoped there agreement about her is the preface to their agreement on fundamental issues.

Guest, FEMALE, #2
I accepted to do this concert over two months ago. But I was happy for this coincidence, because it’s good for the citizens to speak up. I’m not talking here as an artist, but as a Lebanese citizen, it’s nice to have my voice heard directly…

Reporter, MALE, #1
To the leaders!

Guest, FEMALE, #2
Yes, to the leaders.

Reporter, MALE, #1
What did you say?

Guest, FEMALE, #2
That they need to agree and relieve us of this problem because we’ve had enough. The Lebanese people have had enough and can’t take it any more. There is nothing left in the county. They have to think about the Lebanese people, because their job is to provide their people with security and peace of mind. If they cannot give us security and make us feel safe, then we might as well migrate.

Reporter, MALE, #1
You don’t like to talk about politics, but in general, do you empathize with any of the sides?

Guest, FEMALE, #2
At the end of the day, they are all Lebanese, and I am Lebanese. I empathize with all of them of course. I just request of them- as a Lebanese person- to get it over with because we’re tired.

Reporter, MALE, #1
If you were to dedicate one of your songs to them, which one would it be?

Guest, FEMALE, #2
Dedicate…?

Reporter, MALE, #1
Something that suits them!

Guest, FEMALE, #2
I have to make a song for them; none of my songs fit them, I need a new one!

Reporter, MALE, #1
“Take a break and kill him” doesn’t this work for them!?

Guest, FEMALE, #2
No no, have some mercy; we don’t want to be unjust!

Reporter, MALE, #1
The ‘appearance’ and the ‘content’ of Lebanon’s time in Qatar started blending together. The politicians substituted the official dialogue table with side-meetings. It was difficult to indentify the political discussions from the social ones. The tables of restaurants and cafés were filled with Parliamentarians of the first class, second, and third. As for the reporters, they changed the hotel lobbies into waiting rooms. They kept a watch for people coming and going, looking for a statement or position. The heightened security measures limited their freedom of movement. But within these restrictions, the cameras succeeded in catching a few images. The Prime Minister was walking around the circumference of his room. MP Waleed Jumblat escaped the noise of politics and was looking for a book or a newspaper. We tried to eaves drop on the whispering of parliamentarians. But to our bad luck, the only thing we could hear was whispering in Armenian. We searched somewhere else and succeeded in finding Parliamentarians from the majority. After examining and analyzing the opposition’s statements to the point of saturation, they decided to cool off by the water. Lebanon’s political and media wings descended in Qatar to dialogue, giving Lebanon respite from its politicians, and maybe its reporters too. The hope is for a quick return to the homeland, before the Qatari host gets tired of its guests. From the Sheraton Hotel in Doha, this is Firass Hatoom, New TV.

[Summary]

Officers will meet with PM Ehud Olmert to question him for the second time about the case regarding U.S. businessman, Morris Talansky.

PRESENTER, MALE #1
While the world is gathering in Ireland’s capital Dublin to work on an international agreement for a ban on cluster bombs, the pastures in the Jordan Valley region continue to pose threats to the villagers and the Bedouin shepherds there. In the Jordan Valley, where grass has mixed with landmines and where the Israeli army carries out military trainings, many Bedouin shepherds are facing death or maiming. The Bedouins in the Jordan Valley are living in between the snap ring of a pair of pliers: on one side they face the threats of minefields and on the other they face the threats of Israeli settlers. Mohammad Al-Sayed reports from the Palestinian Jordan Valley region.

REPORTER, MALE #2
Some may have lost a child, a hand or a leg or may have been disfigured for life. They are the victims of landmines, which were left behind the occupation army in the Palestinian regions of Jericho and the Jordan Valley.

GUEST, MALE #2
This is a military zone, which has a large residue of landmines and shells. Many Bedouin shepherds have been killed by landmines, shells, and undetonated bombs.

REPORTER, MALE #1
The vast majority of the victims are villagers and Bedouins, who often relocate from one place to another while looking after their livestock, not paying attention to what is awaiting for them beneath the ground. This man, like many others, has refused to talk publicly due to fear of losing his rights in a case he filed against the occupation army.

GUEST, MALE #3
For God’s sake, please talk. In the name of your father, may God bless him, and may he rest in peace, please talk. His name is Mahmud, please talk.

REPORTER, MALE #2
Nearly 40% of the landmine victims are children under the age of 18, who raises sheep in the fertile Jordan Valley region, which extends to the banks of the Jordan River, where the Israeli army continues to carry out many of its military trainings.

GUEST, MALE #4
Our sheep graze in this area, which is full of landmines and shells. We are not allowed to travel east; if you get caught in that area, you will be humiliated by the settlers.

REPORTER, MALE #2
According to a Palestinian census, the number of landmine victims, from the 1970’s to the end of the second millennium, has reached more than 120, including 40 martyrs. The residents here depend on the breeding and the raising of livestock, which graze in these pastures that the occupation army has planted with landmines, making shepherding a very dangerous thing to do. Mohammad Al-Sayed, Dubai TV, from the Jordan Valley, the Palestinian territories.

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[Summary]

Iran looks into strengthening ties with African nations. Ayotollah Khomeini says that independent nations can change world order.