[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 11/19/08: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, Male #1
The Indian navy confirmed that one of its military ships has clashed with Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden region, destroying one of their main vessels. This is the first time clashes erupt with pirates since the wave of hijacking began in the region.

Presenter, Female #1
Meanwhile, a naval official in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, said that Somali pirates have seized three additional ships since the hijacking of the Saudi oil supertanker, Sirius Star, last Saturday.

Reporter, Male #2
Piracy off the Somali coasts is one of the side effects of the political and security chaos, which has been battering the country for nearly two decades. This interpretation was translated at the meeting of the ministers of council for the African Egad Group gathering in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The participants issued a statement condemning the escalation in the number of piracy incidents. In addition, the ministers warned of sanctions against any Somali authority trying to hamper peace efforts in the country.

Guest, Female #1
The council decided to impose sanctions, which include travel restrictions and the freezing of assets, of anyone trying to hamper peace efforts in Somalia.

Reporter, Male #2
Here, in the Kenyan port of Mimbas, there appear to be some trying to deal with the epidemic of Somali piracy. This news comes after eight Somalis appeared in a Kenyan court on piracy charges. The eight pirates were captured last week in a clash with the British navy. The following images were shown by the Indian navy after one of its military ships clashed with Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The Indian navy added that it has successfully destroyed the main pirate ship. This incident is a first indication of the international state of security and military alert over the growing threats facing maritime in one of the most important trade passages in the world. Despite this, attacks launched by Somali pirates continue to spiral out of control. According to the International Maritime Bureau, pirates have hijacked eight ships during a 7-day period. Among the most daring incident was the hijacking of the Saudi oil tanker, Sirius Star. The supertanker was carrying 2 million barrels of oil. But, how to counter a situation like this?

Guest, Male #3
It’s very hard for a limited force of nearly 30 or 40 ships to cover the entire region. A long term solution can be reached at the political level. Somalia needs government, a police force, army, and coast guards that are able to impose law and order.

Reporter, Male #2
The problem of piracy has prompted several naval transporting companies to divert the routes of their vessels away from the Suez Canal to the Horn of Hope passage. In addition, they called on all nations overlooking the Red Sea to hold a meeting in Cairo to discuss the crisis. However, many believe that the ultimate remedy lies in the mobilization of the Somali people toward a political consensus

Presenter, Female #1
The Syrian authority has expressed a sigh of relief as the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohammad El-Baradei, started to read a statement clearing Syria of nuclear wrongdoing. El-Baradei downplayed the level of suspicion surrounding Syria’s nuclear capability. He said uranium traces found at a Syrian site bombed by Israel were not sufficient evidence of undeclared nuclear activity.

Reporter, Male #1
After a brief silence, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammad El-Baradei, issued a statement over Syria’s nuclear capability. In the statement, El-Baradei said that uranium traces found in the Kuber military site northeast of Syria are not conclusive. El-Baradei added that the uranium particles found at the Syrian site were not highly enriched

Presenter, Woman #1
Kuwaiti Parliament Member, Ali al-Rashid from the National Democratic Alliance Party reiterated that the request of Parliament members representing Islamic parties to question the Prime Minister is unconstitutional. Al-Rashid said that the issue must be presented to the Supreme Court so that it can decide on it. In an interview with al-Arabiya, al-Rashid said that the Prime Minster told a number of Parliament Members that the government will not resign and that the parliament will not be dissolved.

Guest, Man #1
Demands to suspend the constitution are not accepted regardless of who makes them. In fact, last night we were with the Prime Minister because a session was held to fight corruption. We talked on the sideline about this issue, and he reiterated that the government has no intention to resign and that the parliament will not be dissolved. This is what the Prime Minister told us yesterday. I think that future events will reflect that.

Reporter, Man #2
Yesterday the Kuwaiti Parliament was full of noise and yelling, today however it was empty. There is an atmosphere of silence in anticipation of what will happen pertaining to the demands by some Parliament Members to question the Prime Minister. The Parliament Members who were present talked about the possibilities that the government may resign and that the Parliament might be dissolved as an exit strategy from the current crisis. This comes as some of their Parliament Members reject these demands and described them as demands to suspend the constitution.

Guest, Man #3
Of course, every one is responsible for the comments he makes. I think that the demands as you said are unacceptable to voters. The constitution was agreed upon by the citizens and the ruling family of al-Sabah. I think that everyone is committed to the Kuwaiti constitution.

Reporter, Man #2
Ordinary Kuwaitis, unlike their representatives in the Parliament, presented their own views on how to deal with the crisis between the government and the Parliament after demands were made to question the Prime Minister in the Parliament.

Guest, Man #4
I support the notion that the government should resign as a way to protect democracy.

Guest, Man #5
Questioning the Prime Minister by the Parliament is allowed in the constitution. Of course, the Prime Minister should defend himself and rebuke their arguments. Citizens vote for Parliament Members and they have the right to question the government.

Guest, Woman #2
I think that the Parliament should be dissolved because we have not seen any political, social or economic solutions.

Reporter, Man #2
Amidst an atmosphere of anticipation, the supporters of the Iranian religious man, Mohammed al-Faly, who caused this crisis, held a press conference in which they reiterated that the man had left Kuwait on Thursday.

Guest, Man #6
I have one final word

[Summary]

Right wing settler activists wait inside a four-story building for a court order that might evict them. Settlers say they purchased the building for over $1 million from a Palestinian, a claim that is denied, and will refuse to voluntarily leave.

Presenter, Female #1
As soon as Syria announced the arrest of a terrorist cell in Damascus, the command center of the Lebanese army began to hunt down suspects at its side of the border. This news comes after violence started to spread by the invisible hands of terror, or better known as 'The phantom of terror.' Among those phantoms is Abed-Rahman Awad, whose mask was unveiled in the following report by Afifa Jartheli.

Guest, Male #1
We have received a letter from Abu Mohammad Awad, who has become the new Emir of Fatah al-Islam, succeeding Shaker al-Absi.

Reporter, Female #2
It’s the hobby of disguise that Shaker al-Absi has excelled in. Now that his successor, Abed-Rahman Awad, has taken command, he is following in the same footsteps. Awad disappeared from the Ein el-Helwa refugee camp on September 27, 2008 and headed to Iraq via Syria. In Iraq, Awad is expected to adopt the new Fatah al-Islam policy. He will also accept responsibility for some of the security incidents and distance himself from others. From Iraq, Awad will also announce the whereabouts of Shaker al-Absi. This new Emir began his life by selling coffee on the streets of Lebanon while bidding loyalty to an organization named 'Supporters of God.' In 1992, Awad left the coffee business and quit the organization to study Islamic jurisprudence, which has given him the name 'Sheikh Abed Shahrur.' The following footage shows Awad preaching in a religious gathering.

Guest, Male #2
As far as marriage of Muslim youth is concerned, the man has a choice. He needs to choose a woman who follows the teaching of the Prophet. With this, he would be answering the call of the Prophet Mohammad, peace and prayers be upon him. The Prophet said, “A woman is normally sought as a wife for her wealth, beauty, nobility, or religiousness, so choose a religious woman and you will prosper.”

Reporter, Female #2
In 2004, Awad went to Iraq and joined al-Qaeda. Then, he was appointed as 'The Emir of Samraa in Iraq.' Awad was a close friend of the late al-Qaeda leader, Abu Musa’ab al-Zarqawi. On February 12, 2008, Awad returned to his stronghold in Ein el-Helwa refugee camp and launched an organization named 'The Soldiers of Mohammad.' During that time, Fatah al-Islam was being established. Shaker al-Absi proposed to Abed-Rahman Awad to merge Fatah al-Islam and the Soldiers of Mohammad under one organization. Although Awad didn’t agree to the merger, he visited his brothers in the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp two months before clashes erupted there. As the count down began and the violence started to erupt in Nahr al-Bared, the two brotherly groups joined forces. Awad didn’t only express solidarity with Fatah Al-Islam during the battle of Nahr al-Bared, he also worked as a messenger between the Ein el-Helwa camp and Fatah al-Islam. Awad harbored several Fatah al-Islam leaders, including a Saudi national named Abu Yousif, also known as Abu Abdullah al-Jazrawi. After Shaker al-Absi’s daughter, Wafaa, left Nahr al-Bared camp to Sidon, Awad became her guardian. At the time, Wafaa was facing a relocation dilemma.

Guest, Female #3
Syria allowed entry to my children and not to me. However, Jordan allowed entry to me but not to my children. This is the problem.

Reporter, Female #2
The solution was for Wafaa to get married to a Syrian national named Yasser Anad, after her husband, Abu Laith, was killed along the Syrian-Iraqi borders. After getting married, the newlywed moved with Awad to his home in Ein el-Helwa for nearly five months. Then, the couple moved to Syria. According to a close friend of Awad, the Emir was surprised by the incident in Syria and the accusation by Abu al-Waleed or Yasser Anad against him. Awad said that the real perpetrator in the Damascus bombing attack was a Saudi national named Abed-Hamid Bin Abed-Aziz. According to the same source, Awad was the one who arranged for the transfer of al-Absi from the Badawi refugee camp to Syria. After al-Absi left, Awad took command of Fatah al-Islam’s affairs. Awad maintained contact with al-Absi until the latter disappeared shortly before the bombing attack was launched in Syria. Awad left Syria to Iraq in the aftermath of the Nahr al-Bared incidents. After his name started to circulate in the intelligence reports of Lebanese security agencies, Awad vanished, leaving behind a family of multi-national affiliations. Awad has three brothers who are members of Fatah al-Islam and another one with the 'Followers of God' organization. Awad has a family of three sons and two daughters.

Presenter, Woman #1
Al Qaeda's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, warned U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, that he will fail if he were to follow the policies of the American president George Bush towards Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran. In an audio tape that was published today, al-Zawahiri called for continuing the attacks on the US.

Ayman al-Zawahiri
To the new President of the US, I say: you have reached the office of presidency and a heavy legacy of failure and crimes awaits you. You have admitted to failure in Iraq, and the commanders of your army have admitted to failure in Afghanistan. The second issue I want to bring to your attention pertains to your announcement that you want to reach an understanding with Iran and pull your troops out of Iraq and send them to Afghanistan. This is a policy which is destined for failure before it was born.

[Summary]

Speaker of the House adjourned an Iraqi Parliament session after fierce debate erupted over discussion of agreement of the security pact, which would allow U.S. troops to stay in the country for three more years. Opposition remains strong.

Presenter, Woman #1
Since the ousted Mauritanian president was returned to his village of Lemden it became the destination for thousands of visitors including supporters who oppose the military coup and foreign ambassadors. Lemden which is a modest village can barely cope with the huge number of visitors, but due to the generosity of its residents, the visitors are treated for a feast every single day. Mahmudi Muhammad reports from the village of Lemden.

Reporter, Man #1
Since the ousted president was exiled to his home village, the home of his tribe, thousands of Mauritanians started flooding the village. Many visitors however do not realize that the residents of the village have been doing the impossible to accommodate everyone. Waves of visitors continue to arrive to the village

Presenter, Male #1
From the airport in the Turkish capital of Ankara, a wave of Turkish Hajj pilgrims headed towards the holy lands of Mecca and the glowing city of Medina. It is expected that 70,000 Turks will be making the mandatory Hajj pilgrimage this year.

Reporter, Male #2
At the Esenboğa International in the capital, Ankara, a wave of Turkish Hajj pilgrims headed towards holy Mecca and the glowing city of Medina midst the tears of happiness of their relatives. The visitors’ area of the airport was crowded with all the relatives of the travelers, who will be performing the mandatory Hajj pilgrimage. The airport administration designated an area to provide medical treatment and services to Hajj travelers. It also set aside an area for the pilgrims to wear their Ihram, or designated pilgrimage clothes, before boarding on the planes. Mr. Ambassador, what are the steps that the embassy is taking to facilitate the pilgrims’ trip to the holy lands of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?

Guest, Male #3
There is a central Visa system in all the countries of the world. With regard to Turkey, this system is linked to the head of religious affairs, the embassy, and the foreign ministry in the Kingdom. Through this system, the names are submitted and the people and groups are organized. This has helped to facilitate the travel to and from the kingdom. The use of the central system and the computers for the Visa has made a lot of things easier. Hajj has become so easy now that it is not necessary for people to come to the embassies. There are Hajj agencies that organize the trips and the people’s stay in the Kingdom. All of this is done through a central computer system in the Foreign Ministry.

Reporter, Male #2
During these blessed days approaching the Hajj season, there is a prevalence of happiness in Turkish society and blessings are given to those who God Almighty has allowed to visit the holy lands.

Guest, Male #4
Everything is beautiful here. I feel happy that I am going to perform the pilgrimage.

Guest, Female #1
I can not describe my feelings. I am very happy and I hope that God grants everyone the chance to perform this blessed act of worship.

Reporter, Male #2
Under the framework of facilitating the trip, the Turkish Religious Affairs agency coordinated its efforts with its Fatwa department and its branches in the Turkish provinces by holding educational and spiritual trainings for people heading to Hajj. During these sessions, experts taught pilgrims how to perform the rituals of the Hajj from the beginning of their trip until the end of the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Guest, Female #2
My emotions are mixed between happiness and sadness. I am sad to leave my family and children. But I am happy to be making the mandatory Hajj pilgrimage.

Guest, Male #5
I am very happy and I thank God almighty that he granted me the chance to perform the pilgrimage at this age.

Reporter, Male #2
Nearly 70,000 Turks are expected to perform the Hajj this year under the framework of a recently made agreement between the Saudi authorities and the governments of Islamic countries, including Turkey. The agreement allows each country to send a certain number of pilgrims relative to the density of their population or 1 pilgrim per 100 people. Amidst an atmosphere of happiness and joy mixed with tears of happiness and prayers from family and friends