[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 11/18/08: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, Female #1
In his first official comment on the hijacking of the Saudi supertanker, Sirius Star, Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal described the incident as an outrageous act that stirs anger. During a visit to the Greek capital Athens, al-Faisal said that there’s a need to combat piracy. Al-Faisal added that piracy, just like terrorism, is a disease that needs to be countered jointly.

Guest, Male #1
This is a very dangerous situation. Fortunately, we have taken measures at the international level to counter piracy. France and Italy launched a joint initiative to counter the danger of piracy at the Red Sea. We would like to see other countries taking part in this initiative. Piracy is very dangerous. Just like terrorism, piracy is a disease that plagues the entire world.

Reporter, Male #2
The Sirius Star, which is the largest oil supertanker in the world, has fallen in the hands of pirates. According to the US Navy, the Saudi tanker was hijacked nearly 830 kilometers southeast of the Kenyan port of Mibas. After it was hijacked, the vessel was led to the Somali port of Eyl, an area that is under the control of Somali pirates. The tanker, which is owned by the Saudi oil giant, Aramco, was carrying nearly two million barrels of oil. The length of the vessel is 330 meters and its empty weight is 300,000 tons. A spokesman for the US Fifth Naval Fleet said the size of the hijacked vessel is equivalent to the size of the three aircraft carriers.

Guest, Male #3
Generally speaking, we need to minimize the number of successful piracy incidents. We have seen an unprecedented increase in the number of piracy attacks. The area is a home to naval ships and Nato fleets in addition to the US Naval Forces.

Reporter, Male #2
The US Fifth Naval Fleet confirmed that the Saudi tanker was raising the Liberian flag, and was on its way to the US via the Gulf of Aden. The tanker is operated by Vela International, which is the shipping arm of the Saudi oil giant, Aramco. The vessel started operations in March 2008. Since the seizure of the Ukrainian arms shipment by Somali pirates last September, the world expected that pirates on the high sea would face major crackdowns. However, this latest seajacking incident, targeting the largest oil tanker in the world, shows that pirates are continuing to expand their sphere of influence. Mazin Aman, Alarabiya.

Reporter, Female #2
The oil tanker, Sirius Star, was built in South Korea, and it was on its way to the US via the Gulf of Aden. The hijacked vessel, which is still under the control of Somali pirates, is owned by the Sauid oil giant, Aramco. The vessel was raising the Liberian flag when it was hijacked by Somali pirates. The vessel has a crew of 25 members, including some from Croatia, Britain, T\the Philippines, Poland, and Saudi Arabia. The hijacked vessel was carrying 2 million barrels of oil estimated at 100 million dollars. The incident has led to an increase in the price of crude oil. The vessel measures 330 meters in length and weighs 318,000 tons, which is equivalent to the size of three US aircraft carriers. Its capacity measures nearly 300,000 cubic tons. The vessel, which embarked on its first journey last march, fell in the hands of Somali pirates. The incident ignited a crisis that is still dominating the minds of many, especially those in the oil market. Fayza Harzallah, Alarabiya.

Presenter, MALE #1:
The Association of Sunni Muslim Scholars in Iraq denounced the Iraqi government’s approval of the security pact with Washington. They considered it a stigma of betrayal, calling on the parliament not approve it. The association, in a statement, said that it condemns this mark of treason and warns members of the current parliament of the gravity of the participation of residents in the Green Zone in their transgression and follow-up with their signature on this lasting pact, which will be lost with the demise of the occupation. The sin and shame of their actions will remain with them until judgment day. This is what was said in the statement.

Reporter, MALE #2:
Less than a day had passed after the Iraqi cabinet approved the security pact with the United States when the White House responded by welcoming the Iraqi decision on the basis that the approval will pave the way for a positive and important phase. The decision by the Iraqi government to approve the security pact, which translates into a complete US withdrawal from Iraq in 2011, represents the first step towards implementing the agreement. It is expected that the Iraqi parliament will begin their debates and internal consultations on the pact before its make its final decision on November 24th.

Guest, MALE #3:
The articles on a clear and complete withdrawal remained. All other articles were cancelled that gave an impression different from the Iraqi government’s understanding of a withdrawal. That is a withdrawal from the cities and villages by June 30th, 2009 to military camps, which are agreed upon between Iraq and the US government.

Reporter, MALE #2:
It seems that the fate of the pact in the parliament remains unknown amidst strong opposition by some members, who think that signing an agreement like this means that Iraqi blood had been shed in vain. In addition to granting American soldiers the green light to do as they please in Iraq.

Guest, MALE #4:
Actually, the agreement is degrading and humiliating from the first article to the last one. If the Iraqi public looked at this agreement, they would reject it outright.

Reporter, MALE #2:
As for the side in support of the pact, it reiterates that the agreement represents a diplomatic victory for Iraq, especially since the number of US soldiers in Iraq will gradually decrease with the start of the implementation of the pact.

Guest, MALE #5:
This is a first level success of Iraqi diplomacy. I will add that the cabinet of ministers, which has debated and agreed on the pact, reviewed the details of each or its articles.

Reporter, MALE #2:
Despite all that is happening, reality indicates that a new US administration will enter the White House after a pledge was made to withdraw all US soldiers from Iraq within 16 months. This is what Obama recently reiterated. This means that the security pact will remain, in the end, merely ink on paper.

Presenter, MALE #1:
Joining us live from Amman is Dr. Mohammed Bashar Faydi, the media spokesman for the Association of Muslim Scholars. Dr. Faydi, your attack against the agreement was strong. You described it as a mark of shame and a betrayal. Why do you oppose this pact even though on the opposing side there are those who originally criticized the government because it procrastinated and lost a lot of time in debates, and who said it should have agreed to it from the beginning?

Guest, MALE #5:
In the name of God, the merciful, the beneficent. Because it is a humiliating agreement as some members of the parliament described it. Because it gets the occupation forces out of a dilemma in the face of the international community. America does not care about the government’s opinion. It is embarrassed by the international community after it’s time has run out. This agreement will give America a justification to remain. How do you want to describe those who give the side and the forces, which have killed more than 1 million Iraqis; destroyed the country into ruins; and made it the most corrupt country in the world, who give them the legitimacy to remain? How would you want us to describe them?

Presenter, Woman # 1
Syrian president Bashar Al Assad and British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband discussed the situation in the Middle East and the peace process. The Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid Al Mua’lem said that the Miliband’s visit has established a strong basis for future partnership between the two countries.

Presenter, Man # 1
The British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband stressed the importance of Syria in the region, saying that next year will be important for developing a vision for comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

Reporter, Man # 2
This is not just another visit by a European diplomat to Damascus. It’s rather set the foundation for a new phase in the relations between the two countries and perhaps a common vision for issues in the region. Al Assad is reaping the fruits of what political observers believe to be the blunders of the outgoing American president George Bush. The policy of political isolation that the Bush administration has used effortlessly to isolate Damascus is collapsing. The British Foreign secretary Miliband arrived in Damascus to be the most senior British official to visit the country in seven years.

Guest, Man # 3 (British Foreign secretary Miliband)
Syria is an important country; it has important responsibilities in this region. We know that next year will be important for developing a vision for a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

Reporter, Man # 2
Even before Milliband had visited Damascus, he confirmed that Syrian has a pivotal role in the making or breaking of the peace process in the region. Milliband said that Syria has made important policy changes towards Lebanon and Iraq. Damascus has established diplomatic relation with Beirut. As for Iraq, Milliband said that the number of foreign fighters crossing into Iraq from Syria has decreased. Milliband’s statements debunk Washington’s political accusations that Syria is a factor of instability in the region. What is even more important is that Milliband indicated that Syria should play a larger role in the Middle East peace process. The British Foreign Secretary who had visited Israel and the Palestinian territories said that next year will present an opportunity to move the peace process forward including on the Israeli-Syrian peace track. Some political observers believe that Milliband’s visit to Syria must be viewed in the context of the European openness towards Damascus especially when it comes to France. After a long period of boycott between France and Syria, the French president Nicolas Sarkozy visited Damascus a few months earlier. At the time, Syria considered the visit as recognition of its role in the region and a significant diversion from Washington’s extreme position towards it. Before this visit, there was also an important visit by the US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to Damascus. Many believe that Pelosi’s visit was very important because it paved the way for a tangible shift in Western relations towards Syria. The open conflict with Syria was transformed into a dialogue that shattered Bush’s legacy and the neo conservatives’ vision for the region.

Presenter, MALE #1:
The remnants of the Israeli occupation in the province of Qunaytra continue to kill innocent civilians of this district.

Presenter, FEMALE #1:
An Israeli landmine exploded amidst a number of civilians, causing many casualties. The occupation continues to refuse to surrender the maps of where the landmines are buried in Qunaytra and it ignores international resolutions.

Guest, MALE #2:
We hope that all the organizations, international agencies, and the United Nations pressure Israel to reveal the number of landmines it planted while it occupied the Qunaytra province so that we can uncover them and keep citizens away.

Reporter, MALE #3:
New civilian victims have been added to the list of innocents who were killed for no reason as a result of remnants of the Israeli occupation, which were planted in our liberated lands of the Qunaytra province and its villages along the cease-fire line.

Guest, MALE #4:
We saw the land mine explode. We ran towards it. We saw people’s body parts all over the ground. It was indescribable.

Guest, MALE #5:
At the time of the incident, I was at my cousin’s house, which is about 15 meters away from the site of the explosion. We ran towards the explosion. I was the first or second person who arrived. I saw that some people were still alive. There were many body parts, including hands, legs and fingers.

Reporter, MALE #3:
Unarmed innocent civilians, victims killed by Israeli land mines. They had done nothing wrong except to remain clinging to the land. Whoever escaped the Israeli landmines buried under the soil did not escape from permanent disability.

Guest, MALE #6:
The patient arrived at the Martyrs Hospital of Roh Abatha. He has severe injuries to his head on the left side, as well as to his eye. He has injuries to his neck and torn tissue. He also has breaks to his upper left arm and his lower left leg. His initial medical treatment was administering a tetanus shot. We covered the wounds and they will be evaluated by a specialist. Then he will be transferred directly to the Damascus Hospital.

Reporter, MALE #3:
More than 600 citizens, including 200 children, were killed by the remnants of Israeli occupation. Meanwhile, Israel continues to refuse to follow international resolutions and treaties. It will not allow the surrender of the maps which show the positions where landmines were buried after its aggression in 1967. In addition, it absolutely refuses to join treaties that ban the use and production of landmines, which kill hundreds of people. New innocent civilians have fallen as victims of the remnants of Israeli occupation, which planted them in the ground of Qunaytra province amidst silence of international organizations, human rights and humanitarian groups. With you, Ali Al Awar, from the Martyrs Hospital of Roh Abatha in the Qunaytra province.

[Summary]

An Egyptian court has put a freeze on controversial gas exports to Israel. The fifteen year deal was costing the country a reported nine million dollars in daily loss. Former senior diplomat, Ibrahim Yusri brought the case forward.

Israel has once again closed off border-crossings into the Gaza strip, blaming on going rocket fires into southern Israeli towns. The blockade was renewed after one day despite warnings from the UN that food and fuel supplies are quickly running out.

Presenter, Man # 1
Gaza lost seven martyrs but that does not prevent Palestinian mothers from being fertile. In the first incident of its kind, a mother from Gaza gave a birth to five infants. More details in the following details.

Guest, Man # 2 (Prime Minister)
This is a happy and positive occasion. I congratulate the parents, the grandparents, the honorable family, and Palestine people. I pray that God the great that they grow up to be good sons and daughters.

Reporter, Man # 2
In a very unique situation, Heba Ali Eid gave birth to five infants: three sons and two daughters. This happens once in every 400,000 cases of birth. The Shifa Hospital, which is the largest in Gaza, witnessed a similar case six years ago.

Guest, Man # 3
Thank God we have sufficient numbers of doctors and nurses in the Shifa Hospital. We did not have any shortage of medicine or equipment. The birth went very well.

Reporter, Man # 2
The infants weigh between 1.1 and 1.5 kilograms. They enjoy good health are staying in the labor ward of al- Shifa hospital. A C-section surgery was conducted and without complications.

Guest, Man # 3
It is a very happy occasion. In the beginning, we thought that we had four children, but it turned out that we have five. We are even happier.

Reporter, Man # 2
Haitham, the father of the five infants named them after Palestinian leaders. The three sons are named Khalid Meshal, Ishmael Haniya, and Mahmoud Al Zahar. One daughter was named Maryam Farahat, and the second Fatima Al Najar, one of the most prominent martyrs of the Al Qasam Brigades of the Hamas movement.

Guest, Man # 4
Um Kalthu is with you in the battle, Abdel Halem Hafiz is with you in the battle, Fared Al Atrash is with you in the battle. Shikh Nizar Al Raiyan is with you in the battle, Khalid Meshal is with you in the battle. He is subject to assassination attempts. Abu Al Abed Haniya is with you in the battle. Mahmoud Al Zahar is with you in the battle.

Reporter, Man # 2
Heba carried her five infants in her womb for 34 weeks. Her doctor postponed her labor twice in an attempt to protect the lives of the infants. In al Shifa hospital in Gaza, Heba was blessed with five infants. The mother had tried to have children for four years. Now, she no longer has to worry about having children. Abdeal Murtaja, Al Aqsa.

[Summary]

Lieutenant General, and former army chief of staff, Moshe “Boogie” Ya’alon joined Benajmin “Bibi” Netanyahu in the Likud. According to rumors Ya’alon may be the leading candidate for defense minister if the Likud government were to come to power.

Presenter, Female # 1
Jordanians complained when the prices of fuel increased. However they are now complaining more even after oil prices have dropped. They are distressed because gas stations are refusing to sell them gasoline, in order to protest price fluctuations by the government. Citizens are left in distress and confusion. Salwa Sawalika reports from Amman.

Reporter, Female # 2
Jordan has been witnessing a suffocating fuel crisis, this time however the crisis is not caused by the rise in oil prices. In fact oil prices have been going down. The fuel shortage happened after the Jordanian authorities lowered the prices. The owners of gas stations protested the government’s decision by refusing to sell fuel. Almost every two weeks fuel prices change. Citizens normaly welcome any decrease in fuel prices which they see as a move to stop greed, but since gas stations stopped selling fuel, transportation across the Jordanian kingdom was derailed.

Guest, Man # 1
The gas station has gasoline, why are they making people wait in long lines. Am I right or Wong?

Guest, Man # 2
We could not find gasoline in all of Wadi Sacramento. Gas stations tell us that they do not have Fuel. No one knows whether they have it or not. I think they have fuel but they do not want to sell it now because they think the price will increase later so they can make big profits.

Reporter, Female #2
The supply and demand in the Jordanian fuel sector witnessed a state of panic, as some gas stations announced that they have totally run out of oil products. Meanwhile, gas station owners are refusing to place fuel orders in an attempt to avoid foreseeable losses due to government regulations. However, those looking out for the best interests of the citizens have no choice but to bear some of the burden. Gas station owners said they will not bear the responsibility and have put the blame on the policy of pricing, which they say doesn’t help stabilize the market.

Guest, Male #3
The Jordanian Petroleum Refinery Company must secure the orders placed by gas station owners. However, the lack of visibility surrounding the random decisions taken by the Ministry of Energy has led to this panic we are witnessing today in the fuel market.

Reporter, Female #2
Those familiar with the Jordanian market are expecting the crisis to continue for several days. Perhaps, until fuel reserves held by distributors run out and provided that oil prices remain unchanged in the international market. The Jordanian citizen, who is supposed to benefit from these decisions, which are aimed at lowering fuel prices, is instead feeling the pinch. A scenario that is puzzling the economists as well as turning fuel products in Jordan into a burning commodity. Salwa Sawalika, Dubai TV, Amman.