[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 11/13/08: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, Woman #1
Armed men kidnapped an Iranian diplomat and killed his bodyguard in the city of Peshawar Northwest Pakistan. Pakistani police said that the diplomat is Atthar Zada and that he was kidnapped while he was on his way to his office from his home. He was the victim of a trap in the suburb of Abad near the tribal area of Khaibar.

Presenter, Man #1
Armed men had also kidnapped the Afghan Ambassador in the same suburb on the 22nd of September.

Reporter, Man #1
While Iranian Trade Attaché, Hishmat Allah Aghfar Zada was on his way to his office in the Iranian Embassy in Peshawar, his car was subjected to a trap in the suburb of Abbad near the tribal area of Khaiber. Armed men stopped his car and shot his body guard to death when he tried to resist them. Of course, some suspect that the Taliban Pakistan and extremist groups such as Al Qaeda were behind the attack. The kidnapping came one day after an American relief organization worker was shot to death in Peshawar, which has become the front line of what is described as a rebellion that has swept northwest Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan. Peshawar is the last city on the main road of Khaiber, which leads to Afghanistan. The Pakistani army launched military operations in tribal areas near Peshawar against the Pakistan Taliban. Tensions reached a peak in the area after the attack launched by the army in the tribal area of Bajur, which coincided with missiles launched by what is believed to be unmanned American drones against targets in the tribal area of Waziristan. The missile attack which killed and injured tens of people compelled the Pakistani government to protest continued U.S. cross border attacks.

Presenter, Male #1
An administrative court in Kuwait fired a bullet of mercy at the Kuwait stock exchange, which has not stopped bleeding since the beginning of the economic storm that has destroyed world markets, financial institutions, and a large part of the global economy. The court order came in response to a lawsuit filed by a number of lawyers calling on the government to announce a court order that would force it to suspend trading in the stock exchange. The hemorrhaging of Kuwaitis’ pockets had begun to threaten economic and social stability. Ahmad al-Unaizi reports from Kuwait.

Reporter, Male #2
The long awaited court decision to suspend stock trading finally came. Investors were split-some doubted the usefulness of the order because of its lateness, coming after they had suffered major losses. Others, however, considered it an accomplishment that should not be underestimated, especially since it had been rejected by another court at an earlier date.

Guest, Male #3
Yes, they will implement it, and the stock exchange has to execute it quickly-right now. Right now, the stock exchange has to stop. The Deputy is coming now and we will close the stock exchange, God willing.

Reporter, Male #2
Small investors were bored of congregating and protesting inside the hallways of and around the stock exchange building. They were calling on the government to provide immediate solutions to stop their pockets from bleeding, since the economic crisis struck the world.

Guest, Male #4
Our previous demands were based on a clause in the stock exchange law which states that in times of crisis, it will be closed as an exception.

Guest, Male #5
Let us wait. Maybe a good result will come about. Let us see. We don’t know what happened to make them issue the order now. Let people see what develops.

Reporter, Male #2
This decision comes after the market had suffered million of dollars in losses, and after rescue plans and governmental procedures achieved no result. The court’s decision to stop trading was like euthanasia, after the market’s heavy bleeding, to try and save the little that had remained in the pockets of small investors. Ahmad al-Unaizi, Dubai TV, Kuwait.

Presenter, Female #1
Major General Mohammad al-Askari, a press advisor in the Iraqi Defense Ministry, announced today the arrest of Riyad Wahab Hassan Falih, a terrorist leader in the so called al-Qaeda ‘Butcher Squad’ in Diyala province. Al-Askari further said that the security forces arrested 60 wanted men and killed ten terrorists, including two Arab nationals. In addition, al-Askari said the Iraqi forces arrested nine wanted al-Qaeda terrorists who were hiding in an underground bunker in the area of Buhroj. In another raid, security forces dismantled two homemade bombs and uncovered a large cache of weapons stored in eight large warehouses south of Kana’an.

Presenter, Male #1
The security forces confirmed today that all roads leading to Diyala province have been declared secure and free of terrorists. Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces announced the arrests of more than 20 wanted men in the province.

Reporter, Male #2
The arrests of more than 20 wanted terrorists, including four senior al-Qaeda leaders, were the result of a swift military operation carried out in Diyala province. The operation was carried out by members of the Fifth Army Division, which is affiliated with the command center of operation ‘Basha’er al-Kheir,’ or ‘Promise of Good Deeds.’ This comes after the security situation in the province of Diyala has been stabilized.

Guest, Male #3
We have arrested 20 terrorists, including wanted men who committed crimes against Iraqi civilians.

Guest, Male #4
God willing, we will continue to take serious measures to cleanse this area and other areas from these types of lowlife groups, God willing.

Reporter, Male #2
Iraqi forces have staged military checkpoints, including portable and fixed security outposts, along all roads connecting Diyala with other provinces. Meanwhile, the residents in Diyala praised the security forces for their efforts and called on the provincial officials to keep the roads open during the night.

Guest, Male #5, commuter
These security measures are necessary. They need to search all cars traveling along these roadways in order to help maintain security in the area. Security is the most important thing. I’m not bothered at all by these security checkpoints.

Guest, Male #6
These security measures are good. This road used to be very bad. Now, we have a sense of security while traveling on this road. It’s also a good idea to open it during the night.

Reporter, Male #2
Maintaining security in Diyala or along the roads leading to and from the province is a mission being pursued by military commanders who are working day and night to make it happen.

Guest, Male #7
We will continue to maintain security in Diyala province. The Fifth Army Division, as well as the Command Center and Operation Room in Diyala, are ready to counter any security breach, whether it comes from inside or outside the province.

Reporter, Male #2
Meanwhile, Iraqi security officials vowed to protect all civic and service institutions in the province, where the second phase of operation ‘Basha’er al-Kheir’ is about to go underway. The visits by military commanders were not limited to security checkpoints and army outposts but included civic and health institutions in Diyala province. From the Baquoba Educational Hospital, Thamir Shumari, Iraqiya, Diyala.

Presenter, Male #1
Shatt al-Arab is the mouth of Iraq’s outlet into the Persian Gulf waters. Prior to the wars, it was an important waterway that received major ships into the heart of Basra. But the ships destroyed by the many wars remained sunken in the river’s waters and the passageway into the gulf for more than a quarter of a century. ‘The Sunken Ships of Shatt al- Arab,’ in the following report.

Reporter, Male #2
From the Ma’akal port to the water of the Arabian Gulf, and from Khor-Abdullah to the Um Qasr port. More than 80 naval vessels of various sizes and weights, rest peacefully in these waters. Walking on the shores of Shatt al-Arab, you see the ships that sunk during the Iraq-Iran War, the Gulf War, and the wars that followed.

Guest, Male #3
It’s a big loss because this is an important economic connection. It benefits the transporters, the civilians, and especially those in the area of the Ma’akal port.

Reporter, Male #2
For dozens of years, the sunken ships had created a large obstacle in the way of river traffic in Basra, obstructing large ships from docking at Iraqi ports.


Guest, Male #4
It is feared that the ships reaching seven or eight meters deep would come into the Kor-Zubair port. Once they remove these sunken ships, it would become safe for navigators to bring large ships with deep hulls.

Reporter, Male #2
The Iraqi Ministry of Transportation signed a deal with a Turkish company to remove all the sunken remains within eight months. Cleaning coverage includes the area between the ports of Kor-Zubair and Um Qasr.

Guest, Male #5
The company is working to remove four sunken vessels. One of them is next to where we’re standing now-the al-Waleed ship. There are also the Tadmur, al-Haffarah Philistine, and al-Haffarah Gaza ships.

Reporter, Male #2
Shatt al-Arab turned into a large graveyard for ships, which prevents river navigation and reminds the Iraqi people of times they would like to erase from their memories. From Um Qasr port in Basra, this is Ali Khalaf, al-Arabiya.

Presenter, Man #1
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have shown a strong presence at the GCC Europe Expo in London, hoping that tangible change will come in their relations with the European Union. Representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council attended the meetings and joint workshops that were held in this joint expo. They want to remind the Europeans of achievements that were made by the GCC in fixing their economies and building their infrastructure and show that they deserve the role expected of them to help ease the international financial crisis.

Reporter, Man #2
The GCC Europe Expo was held at the Olympia Museum with the encouragement of Prime Minister Gordon Brown via a television screen. This is not the first expo of its kind; a similar expo was held in 1994. Though negotiations have been ongoing for 20 years between the two sides, no free trade agreement has yet been reached. From 2002 to 2006, GCC investments reached a record level in Europe of 542 billion Euros. Direct European investments in the Gulf region, however, only reached 13 billion dollars in 2006. Officials from the Gulf were not hesitant to express disappointment.

Guest, Man #3
Some topics in the meeting’s agenda lead one to believe that there is procrastination and stalling. There are no economic reasons for prolonging the negotiations. I think we should sign the free trade agreement as soon as possible.

Reporter, Man #2
Ironically, Europeans do not deny the strong economic relations between the two regions and the efforts exerted by the Gulf to open and diversify their economy. The GCC also removed barriers to make their countries more attractive to foreign investments. GCC countries have tried to achieve what they can, such as the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by the GCC and European Union in 2007. In addition, the GCC has embarked on an intensive and expensive media campaign in attempt to attract European investors.

Guest, Man #4
The situation has changed due to the international financial crisis. The GCC welcomes foreign investment and expanded investment opportunities. I think this is an opportunity to increase cooperation and create job opportunities.

Reporter, Man #2
Regardless of what has happened, GCC countries have a strong presence at this expo. This shows that they want to be treated as more than just a fifth partner to the European Union. At the end of the day, the GCC countries want the Europeans to remove all types of barriers, including those that are politically motivated and have prevented the European Union from signing a free trade agreement which has been delayed for no reason. The GCC wants the European countries to invest in the Gulf region if they expect it to play a role in fighting the international financial crisis. For Al Madar program, Kamal Elwani, Abu Dhabi Channel, London.

Presenter, Male #1
With the participation of more than 50 Arab and foreign researchers, the International Forum on Golan History and Archeological Finds began at the National Museum in Damascus.

Presenter, Female #1
The participants stressed the historical and archeological importance of the Golan, which goes back to prehistoric times.

Reporter, Male #2
With the participation of more than 50 Arab and foreign researchers, the International Forum on Golan History and Archeological Finds opened a four-day seminar at the National Museum in Damascus. French researcher and Professor Jean-Marie Le Tensorer, American researcher Joey Maxton from Ohio University and Dr. Manuela Konfist all gave lectures about the historical importance of the region, which goes back to prehistoric times. The forum seeks to highlight the importance of the Golan region through its historical ruins and inscriptions. The forum calls for the protection of the area’s antiquity and archeological sites, which the occupation is accused of looting and robbing.

Guest, Male #3
The Golan was one of the first places to be settled by humans. They discovered the remains of some of the first human migrations that originated in the Golan region. They date back in history roughly two million years. They also discovered other remains in the Golan region that go back more than one million and seven hundred years in history.

Guest, Male #4
Over the course of history, the Golan region has given the world many prized archeological possessions, especially in the area of architecture. The first team of Syrian architects originated in the Golan region. Also, some of the very first graphic and symbolic inscriptions were introduced in this region.

Reporter, Male #2
Arab researchers participating in the forum highlighted the importance of the archeological sites in the Syrian occupied Golan region. While some of the Golan ruins date back to the Bronze Era, others date back to prehistoric times. The researchers said the struggle over the Golan is a struggle over history and culture, as well as a struggle for survival. It’s also a struggle against the Apartheid Zionists as well as against the myth and fabrication that Israel was built on.

Guest, Male #5
The occupied Golan region is rich with archeological sites that date back to different historical eras. Israel has carried out illegal excavations in the Golan region. During the Roma Conference held twelve years ago, the world considered the entire Israeli excavation campaign in the Golan region illegal.

Guest, Male #5
Settlement in the Golan region began a long time ago. It goes back to prehistoric times. It has been carried out throughout history and continues up to the modern day. This region is part of motherland Syria.

Reporter, Male #2
The International Forum on Golan History and Archeological Finds will continue its sessions until November 13th. The forum will issue a final statement in the Syrian liberated city of Quneira. Meanwhile, all participants, including Arab and foreign researchers, are calling for an end to random Israeli practices that target the history of the Golan and its ruins. Ali al-A’war, Syrian TV, from the National Museum, Damascus.

Presenter, Female #1
American actor Richard Harrison expressed shock after watching images of the deliberate and savage destruction carried out by Israeli occupation forces before withdrawing from the liberated Syrian city of Quneitra. Harrison said he was dismayed by Western media cover-up of this Israeli crime and vowed to share the story with workers in the film industry. Furthermore, Harrison confirmed that he would do everything in his power to bring to light the suffering of the people of the occupied Golan region to the American people. Harrison planted an olive tree in the Garden of the Friends of Quneitra, hoping that peace would prevail in this part of the world and the right of people will be returned to them.

Guest, Male #7
It’s very difficult. The best thing to do is to invite the American people to visit this country and learn the facts on the ground in a more realistic way.

[Summary]

Israel closes crossings into Gaza and prevents UN food aid from entering the Strip, claiming it must do so due to rocket firing from Gaza into Israel.

[Summary]

Israeli President Shimon Peres praises the Peace Plan offered by Saudi King Abdullah.

Presenter, Woman #1
The Second Arab Women Organization Conference was held today in Abu Dhabi under the title, the status of Women and Human Security from Arab and International Perspectives. During the opening ceremony of the conference which will continue until Thursday, Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, who presides over the Arab Women Organization, Women’s General Union and the Family Development institution said that the relationship between women and human security is essential in issues related to freedom, security and development. More details in the following report.

Reporter, Woman #2
Today, Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak who presides over the Arab Women Organization, Women’s General Union and the Family Development institution opened the Second Arab Women Organization Conference which was held today in Abu Dhabi. A media campaign was launched in the conference with the objective of establishing a positive awareness about the role of Arab women in society. Secondary objectives include increasing educational and social awareness of media agencies about presenting a positive image of the role of Arab woman in society. The objective is also to strengthen journalist skills in a way that better enables them to cover women’s issues and build partnership between media agencies and other institutions.

Guest, Woman #3
The women who talked in the conference gave a great vision about the future relationship between women and human security as well as how to overcome the challenges facing the security of Arab women. These ideas presented in the opening ceremony will be a great introduction to the discussions that will take place tomorrow.

Reporter, Woman #2
The Arab Women Organization has established the Arab Women Network in Exile. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak had announced a donation of funds necessary for the establishment of the Arab Women Network in Exile. It is a virtual network on the internet that provides services to two kinds of women: Arab women immigrants and Arab women living in exile. The objective of the network is to provide a data base about the skills of Arab women abroad as a way to encourage Arab women living in the mainland. The network will also inform policy makers in Arab countries about skills and expertise of Arab women living in exile.