[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 06/27/08: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
The commander of the ISAF forces in Afghanistan, US General David McKiernan, met with Pakistani army chiefs. They discussed the developments of the so-called terrorism; ways of intensifying the cooperation between Pakistan; forces and the international forces in Afghanistan; and the conditions in the tribal areas of Pakistan.

Presenter, MALE, #1
Meanwhile, the Taliban of Pakistan and officials from the Provisional government in Bishawer have concluded another round of talks. The talks were aimed at saving the Swat truce, which is threatened with collapse.

Reporter, MALE, #2
Concerns about facing the Taliban and Al Qaeda might be the main reason behind the visit of the ISAF commander in Afghanistan to Islamabad. Plans need be coordinated to face the ‘eminent danger’ of crossing the border from the tribal areas of Pakistan into Afghanistan, according to McKiernan and the US Defense Minister Robert Gates. As for the West, it is not hiding its objection to the peace agreement between Pakistan and the Taliban of Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Pakistani military leadership affirms that it has not and will not rule out the military option in facing the influence of the Taliban.

Guest, MALE, #3
It is the prerogative of the government to make the necessary decisions and order the troops to move to particular areas. When the government finds that the peace agreement does not achieve their desired results, and when the conditions of the people are abnormal, then it is the army’s right to act. So, we will carry out orders and do what is needed in those areas.

Reporter, MALE, #2
The West has reservations and the provisional government has hinted it might use force. However, this has not stopped the government of the North West Frontier Province, adjacent to Afghanistan, from conducting a new round of talks with a delegation from the Taliban of Pakistan, to save the SWAT agreement from collapse. The two sides affirmed their commitment to the agreement, in spite of the many difficulties.

Guest, MALE, #4
We want to save the agreement, and have assigned local mediators to withhold it, to maintain peace and security, and to enable the locals to carry out their daily work. The army will go back to its post, and we will not turn it against our people.

Reporter, MALE, #2
Even though the Pakistani tribes in the various areas are divided about the Taliban, they are united in facing any external threat.

Guest, MALE, #5
We, in Wazeeristan, are strong and brave. We are ready to destroy our enemies whom ever they may be. And I hope the enemies will come so that I can blast them with my hand grenade.

Reporter, MALE, #2
Under external pressure and internal Taliban threats, the elected government is between a rock and a hard place. Tense clouds gather over Pakistan’s tribal belt; the government has authorized the army to do as it sees fit, and external pressure is high, which suggests that a storm might soon blow over these areas. Ahmad Barakat, Al Jazeera, Islamabad.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
What is the fate of the calm? Will it endure or will it collapse? And if it endures, then for how long? The people of Gaza ponder these questions, while Gaza continues to be under tight enclosure, after an Israeli order which prohibited the opening of the border crossings for the third day in a row. An exception was made this morning for shipments of fuel which the Israeli authorities allowed to enter into Gaza. The fuel shipment arrived at the electricity generation station in Gaza. Tension is likely to increase, as the rockets continue to be fired from Gaza towards the Israeli settlements. Most recently, two mortar shells fell south of Israel, but no Palestinian side took responsibility for the attack. The Aqsa Brigades of Fatah denied any link to the rocket fired into Israel yesterday, and announced its full commitment to the calm. All signs on the ground confirm that the calm will not endure in Gaza unless the agreement includes the West Bank. The chances that the calm will collapse increase by the minute. What is certain is that Israel is meddling into the West Bank. Early this morning, the Israeli forces carried out a wide campaign of raids and arrests. More than 10 activists from Hamass and Islamic Jihad were arrested. Muhammad al Said reports from Ramallah.

Reporter, MALE, #1
Since the first day of announcing calm, Israel has not stopped its breaches of calm in the West Bank. At dawn this morning, the people of Qalqilia, Bait Lahem, Jinin, Ramallah, and Bira woke up to a campaign of raids, searches, and arrests. They targeted activists and leaders in the two movements of Hamass and the Islamic Jihad. More than 10 people were arrested and were taken by the occupation forces to an unknown destination.

Guest, MALE, #2
Agreeing to calm does not mean that the Palestinians accept the raids in the West Bank. What is taking place in the West Bank is an Israeli offensive that has to stop.

Reporter, MALE, #1
In spite of assaulting the Palestinian territories, Israel accuses the Palestinians of breaching the truce at the border of Gaza, which was clam until the occupation forces assassinated activists in Islamic Jihad.

Guest, MALE, #3
It is impossible for us to accept that our people be slaughtered, and to sit with our arms crossed as the Zionist enemy continues its breaches and offensives against the Palestinian people.

Reporter, MALE, #1
Israeli incursions began after midnight and extended into Nablus in the North. The incursions are wide, covering most of the Palestinian territories. The occupation forces are concentrating on areas where the security plan has been successful, and where there is a presence of Palestinian police. The issue of calm between the Palestinians and the Israelis is just a matter of time. It seems that Israel will not wait until completing the prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinians to announce the end of the truce by carrying out a wide scale incursion, especially with the approaching elections. The Palestinian territories have been, and will remain to be a fertile battleground for the Israeli elections. Muhammad al Said, Dubai TV, Ramallah.

PRESENTER, MALE #1
Israel continues to keep an eye on its northern border (Lebanon). While Israel’s Chief of Staff, Ashkenazi, is monitoring the cooling off period with Gaza in the south, he is warning against the north; and the message here is clear: The security problem, in the opinion of Ashkenazi, may end in the south at the Gaza borders but it begins all over again in the north. The following report was originally broadcasted by Israeli Channel one.

REPORTER, MALE #2
Israel’s senior military commanders knew all along that a cooling off period with Hamas was approaching but they tried to downplay the level of enthusiasm. An Israeli “Aman” Military Intelligence official said that the cooling off period is temporary. In addition, Israel’s Chief of Staff said that his country is working toward a cooling off period but it is also preparing for a military offensive.

GUEST, MALE #3
We are preparing for both options. We are working towards a cooling off period; by the same token, we are preparing to take action in case Hamas fails to meet its obligations, as it has done on many occasions in the past.

REPORTER, MALE #2
The Israeli army has 350 terrorists killed over the past few months in Gaza; however, Ashkenazi is looking toward Lebanon, where a ceasefire is in place; but some believe that this observed calm overlooking the Lebanese territories is misleading. This news comes as Hezbollah continues to further arm itself and fortify its military installations, under the nose of UNIFEL.

GUEST, FEMALE #1
Hezbollah is continuing to build its military infrastructure, and it’s a matter of time before Hezbollah uses it to threaten the north (northern Israel), as it did on the eve of the second Lebanon War.

GUEST, MALE #4
UNIFEL, which is currently deployed in Lebanon, is making Hezbollah’s life more difficult, and this, in itself, is an accomplishment of the July war.

REPORTER, MALE #2
Israel’s Aman Military Intelligence officials displayed images of missile systems that Hezbollah is hiding in the southern Litany, and said that Hezbollah has more and longer-range missiles than it had before.


PRESENTER, MALE #1
The report talked about the cooling off period and described it as the first step towards a military action; and this is what we said in the beginning of the program. Now, Israel is looking towards the north. Despite the deployment of UNIFEL, the international forces, and the Lebanese army, the Israelis continue to believe that Hezbollah is building and fortifying its military installations in southern Lebanon; and, of course, these installations continue to grow and house more arms and missiles.

GUEST, MALE #5
From past experience, it has been known that Hezbollah has always been ready for any war, information that Hassan Nassarallah himself has confirmed on many occasions. Nassarallah said that his party and his party’s missiles are ready to counter any aggression. We also know from media and intelligence reports leaked from the Israeli entity that Hezbollah has smuggled a large quantity of long-range missiles and other weapons; which Hezbollah is not denying; in fact, Hezbollah confirmed that it has amassed a large cache of long-range missiles that could reach Tel Aviv. Regarding Israel’s preparations for a new war in southern Lebanon, I don’t believe that Israel will try to repeat its July War experience.

PRESENTER, MALE #1
Why is the Israeli media, especially Israeli television, drawing attention to southern Lebanon, and keeps warning against any movement along the Lebanese border. They are describing any Lebanese movement along the border strip with Israel as a dangerous security, and military action, or as intelligence gathering by Hezbollah.

GUEST, MALE #5
These security warnings against Hezbollah are due to an Israeli fear from southern Lebanon. By this, Israel is gaining advantages at the internal and external levels. Israel wants to mount pressure to gain the upper hand in the negotiations with Syria and in the prisoner swap deal with Hezbollah. The reason behind portraying Hezbollah as a threat to Israel is an attempt by Tel Aviv to gain advantages internally and, perhaps, to benefit some of the allies in the region. Hence, it’s in the best interest of the Israeli army and politicians to keep the heat on Hezbollah and continue to portray it as a security threat to Israel. It has been known that Hezbollah is ready for any war; information that Hezbollah is not denying.

Presenter, Woman # 1
Calm has spread in the city of Tripoli which witnessed security tensions in the past few days. The security forces have taken tight security measures and increased the number of patrol units both on foot and in vehicles.

Reporter, Man # 1
Calm has began to return to the city of Tripoli gradually, especially in areas where clashes took place between Muhsen Mountain and Al Tabani Gate. The Lebanese army and internal security forces began implementing a new security plan. They also strengthened their positions and spread to more areas. They have taken strict security measures in all areas which gave the residence peace of mind though some are still concerned that more attacks will target their properties and commercial stores. The internal security forces managed to arrest four individuals who were trying to burn some homes on Syria street between Muhsen Mountain and Al Tabani Gate. They also prevented another group from burning a commercial store in Qiba. Measures were taken against those who disturb security and terrorize citizens. The internal security forces and some units from the Lebanese army removed dirt barriers which were placed in the streets by armed groups between Muhsen Mountain and Al Tabani Gate. Although the security measures and armed clashes ended, citizens are still concerned that clashes will be renewed and more homes will be burned. Homes were burned in Al Bakar and Al Qiba neighborhoods and on Syria street.

Guest, Woman # 2
I went to visit my brother. All of a sudden someone told me that clashes erupted. When I came back, my home was burned. I do not have any armed men. I only have one son and he is abroad. I live here in Al Bakar area on the second floor. I have been displaced from my home and I live outside people’s doors. They have left me nothing of my home.

Guest, Man # 2
I took my family and fled. When I came back to my home it was burned to the ground. It was completely burned down. I live in Al Bedawai. Some people came to help and I have been living with them.

Guest, Woman # 2
They robed and burned his home. He lives with his cousins. He took his family and fled under fire and as people were being killed. They have left nothing of his home. It was completely destroyed.

Guest, Man # 3
If we do not have weapons, we will fight with our bodies. I would like to tell all of them, we are not Jews. Those who want to fight the Jews know the borders of the Jews. Whoever is fighting us is not a real Muslim. He is an infidel with powerful weapons. We are peaceful people, but the messenger did not tell us to be peaceful and cowardly.

Reporter, Man # 1
The return of calm has allowed some families to return to their homes and survey the damages. Dozens of homes were destroyed or burned. Many families are now homeless while others are waiting for security and stability to return to Tripoli before returning to their homes.

Presenter, Woman # 1
On the International day for Victims of Torture, Amnesty International and other human rights organizations organized demonstrations demanding the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison, and putting an end to torture in American and European prisons.

Reporter, Woman # 2
On the International day for Victims of Torture , the screams of victims of Torture and the pain of detainees in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Abu Grierb in Iraq, and Israeli prisons in occupied Palestine were captured in tragic paintings and exhibited in the squares of the world’s capitals. These activities were initiated by Amnesty International which exhibited statues about Guantanamo Bay prison in the heart of the American capital, outside the White House and near the national monument. Another demonstration was held in Brussels demanding putting an end to torture in American and European prisons including secret detention centers and rendition programs. These images of Abu Grieb, which the world saw, included methods of torture that no one has even imagined. Interrogators from the CIA and Pentagon have innovated new methods of torture and interrogation, that were practiced against detainees who did not even know why they were imprisoned. Some of the detainees are not even twelve years old. The international day for victims of Torture brings to mind the Palestinian detainees held in the prisons of the Israeli occupation. Their suffering can’t even be described with words. Palestinian prisoners are tortured everyday in prisons that allow physical and psychological torture of women and children. On the international day for Victims of Torture, we hope that the countries who claim that they respect human rights, will listen to the calls of Amnesty International and other human rights organizations by closing Guantanamo Bay prison and putting an end to the torture of Palestinian prisoners. However, so far it seems that these calls have fallen on deaf ears.

[Summary]

The Iranian-U.S. relations’ tensions are easing. Washington considers opening a new diplomatic office in Iran.

Presenter, Woman # 1
The British capital of London has established itself as one of the main financial centers in the world. In the past few years it has been working effortlessly to do the same in Islamic financing. YES, Islamic financing.Britain has passed more flexible laws to attract Islamic investment funds. Let listen to the following report.

Reporter, Man # 1
The decision of the British government to give tax breaks to Islamic investment funds and get rid of double taxation which it used to impose on Islamic real-estate deals stems from a strategic vision to establish London as an international center for Islamic financing. Many finance experts believe that is the most important measure taken by the British Authorities to encourage the growth of Islamic financing in British Banks and attract Islamic funds there. These funds have grown to unprecedented levels due to the rise of oil revenues. It is worth mentioning that the largest international banks such HSBC, Citi group and Standard Bank are the most active banks in structuring and regulating Islamic finance.

Guest, Man # 2
London is one of the leading Banking centers in the world. The British government works tirelessly to establish London as one of the international centers for Islamic finance. London changed its laws so Islamic investment funds can be deposited in the UK. This is an indication that there is a high level of competition pertaining to Islamic financing.

Reporter, Man # 1
Islamic investment funds have dominated most of the participants’ questions at the London Investment Conference. Islamic funds have dramatically grown due to the surpluses in some of the Asian and Middle Eastern countries. The market for Islamic investment has doubled in 2007 reaching 60 billion American dollars and it will reach 100 billion in the next few years. These Islamic investment funds are the fundamental base of the Islamic finance system which has rapidly grown during the past few years. Efforts are being exerted to find new finance mechanisms that do not violate Islamic principles and satisfy the desires of the investors at the same time.

Guest, Man # 3
I think it is important to introduce people to the Islamic finance system. Also there must be unified standards and documentation, to simplify complex deals. If these things were to happen, the services provided by the Islamic finance system will become more attractive to investors.

Reporter, Man # 1
Without a doubt, the laws and regulations that guide the market in Britain have gained a great deal of respect by foreign investors. In addition, the strict laws that were imposed by the US on foreign investors following the September 11 events have compelled many investors to transfer their funds to Britain. The British government passed special privileges for depositing Islamic investment funds in 2008. Capital funds can’t be limited within geographic borders or behind checkpoints. Britain has given a great deal of attention to the Islamic finance system for a very long time. The rapid growth of the Islamic finance system in Britain and other countries in the world has tempted the British government to pass more flexible laws. Britain wants to become an international center that competes with other centers over Islamic funds. Abdel Qader Bel Haj, Al Arabiya, London.

Just recently, Taliban fighters drove a car filled with explosives up to Sarposa prison, the largest detention facility in Kandahar. They were able to free hundreds of their prisoners who can now return to fighting Afghan and NATO troops.
In April, during the Mujahedin Day military parade, a celebration of the expulsion of Soviet forces in 1989, Taliban fighters penetrated a heavy security area and attacked with machine guns and heavy weapons. The bullets hit Afghan parliamentarians within 30 yards of President Hamid Karzai.
There is no question that more than six years after the invasion of Afghanistan, the Taliban have been getting stronger day by day. Now midway into 2008, all indications lead us to believe that the balance seems to be tilting in their favor. It all started on January 14 of this year, when the Taliban conducted a daring attack on one of Kabul's best-protected landmarks in the Afghan capital, the Serena Hotel, a luxury hotel frequented by Westerners. At the time, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed said that they decided to attack the high security 5-star hotel to show "foreigners that the Taliban hand and might can reach anywhere."
Despite the presence of more than 50,000 troops of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the Taliban has taken back control of vast rural areas since the beginning of 2008 and now has a foothold just outside Kabul. Their recent brazen attacks have raised questions about the effectiveness of the War on Terror in Afghanistan and whether any place in the country is safe from the Islamist movement that the war was originally intended to eradicate.
For the past several weeks, I've been monitoring (mostly on foreign media) a number of ground assaults and rocket attacks by the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan. About 100 Taliban insurgents attacked the towns of Gomal and Sarobi in Paktika province. They were able to capture entire districts and in Wardak province have even taken Afghan soldiers captive. Just a couple of days ago, the Taliban attacked a convoy of about 40 trucks on the main highway southwest of the capital Kabul in order to disrupt supplies for foreign troops. Despite counter attacks by ISAF, it seems that the Taliban can operate freely in most of the Helmand province and have acquired strategic depth in the provinces of Kunar, Nooristan and Khost.
Meanwhile, the Afghan government blames neighboring Pakistan for failing to prevent insurgents active in the tribal areas there from entering into Afghanistan. These charges have been totally rejected by Islamabad. Afghan President Hamid Karzai also blasted the British, saying that their efforts in southern Afghanistan's lawless Helmand province have made things worse. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has criticized the NATO troops as well, saying they don't know how to fight insurgents. However, most Afghans put the blame on Karzai's government for widespread corruption and incompetency.
The truth of the matter is, everyone is correct in this blame game; add to it, the allies' failure to control the thriving opium trade which has been used to finance the Taliban, the ISAF's lack of clear strategy for defeating the Taliban, and most importantly the ineptitude of Hamid Karzai.