[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 07/24/08: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, MALE, #1
Sudanese President Omar al Bashir concluded his visit to the Darfur region with a speech in the Al-junaynah area, west of the region. He renewed his promise to bring peace and development into the province. Meanwhile, the Sudanese Minister of Justice said that foreign experts had been invited to examine the judicial system and its capacity to try the indicted individuals on the Sudanese territories.

Reporter, MALE, #2
The city of Junaynah was the third stop on Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir’s tour.
While there, he renewed his commitment to bring peace into Darfur, saying that safety in the region is the prime concern and the strategic aim which he is working towards. He said that his call to establish peace includes all Sudanese forces, as well as the armed groups in Darfur. He promised to develop the region and return the refugees and the displaced back to their villages. He hinted at the rejection of any kind of external interference in the issues of Sudan. Echoed in his speech were slogans criticizing the Chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, and the United States. This led the US Charge D’affaires in Khartoum, to express his disappointment yesterday, over what he called ‘The promises of Bashir,’ rather than taking practical actions to diffuse the crisis, as the international community had hoped for. According to some people, the messages expressed by the Sudanese President were an incentive to opening a new path which guarantees a solution in the region. Others however, considered the event as no more than promises, which Bashir did not support by a plan of action to come out of the crisis. However, in an active step that corresponded with the conclusion of Bashir’s visit to Darfur, Khartoum said that it will invite foreign experts to study the Sudanese Judicial system to discern its capacity to try the people accused of war crimes. The invitation was in fact delivered to experts from the United Nations, the African Union, and the Arab League. Khaled ‘Ouways, Al Arabiya.

Presenter, MALE, #1
Joining us from Cairo is Dr. Hani Rasslan, the head of Sudanese Unity and the Nile Basin in Al-Ahram center for strategic studies. Welcome. The Sudanese President visited Darfur and promised peace and development. How do you assess this first step in light of the latest crisis in Darfur?

Correspondent, MALE, #3
I think that the visit was aimed at achieving two main objectives: The first aim was to send a clear message and a practical demonstration that the situation is stable in Darfur, that it is safe, and the accusations of Ocampo about genocide are unfounded. Among the huge masses who welcomed Bashir were the tribes of al-Fore, and Zaghawa Mazaleet, who were mentioned in Ocampo’s accusations. They gave public speeches by authentic representatives of the tribes.
One of them was the grandson of Sultan Ali Binar, the most important chief of al-Fore tribe in current history. The second aim was to prepare the environment in Darfur for the next initiative, by announcing a pardon of the accused children in the Justice and Equality Movement, during the Um Durman raid. He also wanted to give the message, internally and externally, that there is a forthcoming resolution. All of this was part of the preparation, especially that before this visit, Sudan re-established relations with Chad. This was also accompanied by what the report just mentioned about the internal judicial system.

Presenter, Man, # 1
Gholam-Reza Aqazadeh, the head of the Iranian Atomic Organization met with Muhamad Al Baradie, the Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency to discuss the Iranian nuclear program. Meanwhile the Iranian president said that the participation of the US in the Geneva talks is a step towards acknowledging Iran’s right to own nuclear technology.

Reporter, Man, # 2
The Iranian President sent two mixed messages to the US and other leading countries that are concerned with his country’s nuclear program. He sent a message to the US praising its participation in the latest talks in Geneva. Ahmadinajad praised the American negotiator William Burns and his politeness. According to Ahmadinajd, Burns showed that he respects the Iranian nation.

Guest, Man, #3 (Ahmadinejad)
With this, you, the Americans, have taken a positive step towards acknowledging the rights of the Iranian nation, towards justice and improving the U.S.’ reputation in the world, and towards winning over the Iranian people. I advise you not to destroy this positive step.

Reporter, Man, # 2
Ahmadinajd sent another message reflecting Iran’s persistence on it position pertaining to its nuclear program.

Guest, Man, # 3 (Ahmedinejad)
We are ready to negotiate with anyone. However those who want to negotiate with us have no right to place conditions on us. If conditions are to be made, then the Iranians are the ones to make them.

Reporter, Man, # 1
The statements of the Iranian president came after the latest round of negotiations between Iran and the UN Security Council’s five permanent members plus Germany. These countries have given Tehran two months to respond to the incentives that were offered to Tehran in exchange for giving up uranium enrichment. The US has given Iran two options: cooperate with the 6 leading countries or confrontation. The Democratic presidential candidate, Obama, supports this policy which is a clear reversal of his previous position in which he called for using the policy of diplomacy with Tehran.

Guest, Man, # 4 (Obama)
If Iran develops a nuclear weapon, this will lead to an arms race in the Middle East. This will not only pose a danger to Israel, it will also mean the rules of the game will change pertaining to our national security. We must do everything to prevent this from happening.

Reporter, Man, # 1
While the position of Tehran continues to be different from that of the Western countries, American ships continue to carry their patrol missions in the Gulf in a clear show of power. Among these ships is USS Abraham Lincoln whose leader said that the objective of his crew is to keep this port open for international ships.

Presenter, Female, #1
Welcome back. Military operations against the rebels of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) are ongoing. The Turkish army announced today that its fighter planes struck thirteen targets belonging to Kurdish Separatists in Northern Iraq yesterday. The army added that it is still trying to investigate the losses amongst the rebels. Since last December, the Turkish army carried out about 20 raids against PKK locations. In February of last year, the army carried out a week long ground operation accompanied by air strikes. According to Ankara, there were more than two thousand rebels hiding in that area.

[Summary]
Osama Bin Laden’s former driver, Salim Ahmed Hamdan was shown on tape denying any links to Al Qaeda. In the first trial at Guantanamo, Hamdan insists that he worked for an Islamic charity. The prosecution produced photographs, however, that showed Salim Hamdan carrying an assault rifle. These images contradict Hamdan’s claim that he was simply Bin Ladens’ driver in order to make a salary and support his family. Hamdan was transferred to Guantanamo in 2002, but only given access to a lawyer in 2004. If Hamdan is convicted, he will face life in prison.

Camp Justice was built in Guantanamo Bay, to serve as a courtroom to try sixty detainees. Salim Ahmed Hamdan’s case is the fist war crime tribunal since WWII. Hundreds of detainees have been imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay without charge. Many of them often face interrogation, and torture.

Presenter, Woman, # 1
The decision of the British government to ban the military wing of Lebanese Hezbollah came into effect. This decision was approved by the British House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Reporter, Woman, # 2
The British government managed to pass its decision in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Now collecting money and encouraging the military activities of Hezbollah are considered punishable crimes in Britain. Gordon Brown’s government justified its decision based on information indicating that Hezbollah is involved in what it called supporting terrorism in Palestine and Iraq. Hezbollah is also accused of training and supporting extremist groups like the Mahdi army in Iraq.

Guest, Man, # 1
There is sufficient evidence to justify banning Hezbollah’s military wing. For example, a Lebanese national named Ali Musa Daqduq who was a member of Hezbollah for 24 years was sent to Iraq to help Shiite militias in carrying out military operations in coordination with some Iranian elements.

Reporter, Woman, # 2
However, British officials reiterated that the new legal measure only targets the military wing of Hezbollah. It does not apply to the political, social or humanitarian activities of Hezbollah.

Guest, Man, # 1
Britain realizes that Hezbollah is an inseparable part of Lebanese society. Therefore it will be a positive step if Hezbollah integrates itself in the political process and becomes part of the national unity government which was formed a few weeks ago. It is Britain’s view that it is NOT appropriate for Hezbollah to play a role outside of Lebanon.

Reporter, Woman, # 2
The British law allows banned organizations to appeal the government’s decision to the Ministry of Interior and if the appeal is rejected, the banned organization can then appeal to a special legal court. It is not clear if the British measure against Hezbollah will succeed. In the past, Britain faced difficulties with other organizations because it is hard to differentiate between the military and political wings of certain organizations. Ramia Karam, Future TV, London.

PRESENTER, MALE #1
Six Palestinians were wounded by the bullets of the Israeli occupation forces during a demonstration in the town of Ni’leen west of Ramallah. The occupation forces fired a barrage of tear gas bombs and rubber bullets at the demonstrators, who came out to protest the confiscation of their land, where Israel is trying to build the apartheid wall. Elsewhere in the West Bank, two Palestinian youth were wounded in the Balata Refugee Camp east of Nablis. This news comes after the Israeli occupation forces carried out major sweeps, including the arrests of 12 residents in the Asker refugee camp east of Nablis. According to security sources, the occupation forces invaded the city of Nablis from the area of Jineed near the Eapa checkpoint, where they conducted raids and searches of several homes and damaged their contents. In another development, the so-called the Israeli High Court has given the lawyer of a Jerusalemite family until July 20th to file supporting documents in connection with a previous request to stop a pending eviction order against the family. In response to a request filed by the defense attorney, the court granted an extension to al-Kurd family to stay in their home. Al-Kurd’s home is among the 28 homes, which the occupation authority is planning to seize and destroy.

REPORTER, MALE #2
The escalating Israeli security measures implemented in the West Bank, which include the demolishing of homes, arrests, and closures of health, media, and civic institutions, have become the occupation’s policy despite regional and international criticism. Under hasty justifications and shady excuses, such as the absence of building permits, the Israeli occupation authority continues to carry out random security measures against the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem. The occupation authority recently demolished several residential homes in the towns of al-Aesawiyeh and Beit Hanina in occupied Jerusalem. In addition, the so-called Israeli High Court issued a warrant, authorizing the occupation police to hand eviction notices to more than 20 residents from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem. Al-Kurd family is one of many Jerusalemite families who are facing eviction and daily harassment by the occupation authority and herds of Jewish settlers. Meanwhile, dozens of prominent legal and national leaders visited al-Kurd’s home in east Jerusalem to voice their support and express solidarity with the family

GUEST, FEMALE #1
They (the Israelis) began to make offers for the house; they told my son they would give him enough money to buy the entire land of Beit Hanina; however, my son rejected the offer. After my son rejected the offer, a man by the name of Shimouni, I believe he was their (the Israelis) lawyer, came to me and said: Listen, Um Kamel, instead of throwing you and your children out of the house, take a suitcase full of money, more than 10 million dollars, which is enough money to buy the entire land of Beit Hanina; yes, this is how low he stooped. I told him this is the only house I know; I was married in this house and I will be buried in it.

GUEST, MALE #3
The objective of our visit is to express support and solidarity with the family (al-Kurd), who is facing eviction and harassment from the settlers. Several Zionist and Jewish organizations have recently exerted a tremendous amount of efforts to expand the settlement campaign in order to judify Jerusalem, seize its land, and evict the Arab Palestinian residents from their homes and properties.

REPORTER, MALE #2
The systematic policy adopted by the occupation in occupied Jerusalem has intensified after the Israeli authority completed the construction of the apartheid wall, which intends to isolate the city from its neighbors and forcefully evict the Jerusalemites from their city.

[Summary]
Israel’s approval of a new Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank comes as a blow to the US in an effort to negotiate a peace deal between the Palestinians and Israelis. Israel’s defense ministry has now revived the plan to build a new settlement in the Jordan Valley. The defense ministry had previously cancelled the plan due to international pressure and promised not to resume construction. Settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law.

Over twenty Israeli settlers have attacked a Palestinian village in the West Bank, and also damaged property. Palestinian police stated that the Israeli settlers cut off electricity wires in a village near Nablus, and also smashed dozens of cars and windows. Israeli soldiers began shooting when they arrived on the scene. Israeli police spokesman denied that the settlers entered the Palestinian village. He said that the Israelis had been protesting a plan to demolish an unauthorized structure in Yitjar. The Israeli forces withdrew troops and military equipment from Yitjar in 2006.

Russia has opposed setting a cut-off date for Iran to respond to Western proposals on its nuclear program. The Russian foreign minister opposed the idea, stating that Iran should not be pressured to set a deadline.

The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization stated after his meeting with the director general of the Atomic Energy Agency, that Iran is no longer a central case for the agency. Iran is ready for dialogue, and expects the other side to participate beneficially in negotiations. Tehran is now expecting the six world powers will carefully consider Iran’s proposals for resolving nuclear differences.

Presenter, Man, # 1
Iraq is well known for its eastern Musical instruments especially the Oud. Iraqis are not only known as the best Oud makers, but also the best Oud players. This has made the Oud a permanent ambassador of the land of the two rivers.

Reporter, Woman, # 1
In his small shop located in the eastern gate of western Baghdad; Najah is surrounded with walls of pictures that go back in history 60 years. During this time, Najah has made the making of the Oud his profession in a country where the best quality Ouds are made.

Guest, Man, # 2
My father, Hashim Baghdadi opened this place 60 years ago. I have been working in this shop since I was seven years old. I have been working here for 40 years. Famous Arab singers from the Gulf like Abdalah Rashid and the Lebanese artist Wade’ Al Safi bought their Ouds from me.

Reporter, Woman, # 1
Najah is one of four other Iraqis that still make Ouds. Even Oud makers were subjected to threats by extremists, which made this hard and rare profession even harder.

Guest, Man, # 2
I used to open the shop in the morning and stay here until 11:00 PM. But now the security situation is not very good. I leave by 5:00 PM. There are a lot of problems. Very few people can do this profession. This is not like carpentry where one makes a bed or sofa. Making an Oud requires precise measurements. There are specific ways in which Ouds have to be made both externally and internally. We call the precise measures inside the Oud, jisure. Also, the lighter the Oud the better the sound.

Reporter, Woman, # 1
The parts that are used in the making of the Oud, include silk lines, and the wood of walnut trees; all of which must be put together in a very artistic manner. The Long experience that Iraqi Oud makers have, has crowned these Ouds which are made to the most famous Arab artists.

Reporter, Woman, # 1
This Iraqi instrument that sings of sentiment and cultural heritage has become a permanent Ambassador attesting to the glory of Iraq. There are high demands on Iraqi Oud especially from the Gulf. At one point more than 90 percent of Iraqis made Ouds were exported to the Gulf but now the demand has decreased to less than 20 percent than it was. Iraqi Oud Makers are still making instruments that can play the softest tunes. Unlike the rest of the Iraqis, they can escape from explosives by playing on the sensitive strings of their Ouds. For Al Madar Program, Dhuha Al Hadad, Abu Dhabi Channel.