[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 12/24/08: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, Male #1
The Qassam Brigades, the military wing for Hamas, announced that five of their fighters were martyred last night. Meanwhile, the Qassam Brigades have shelled from Gaza several Israeli targets, using thirty homemade rockets, with some reaching the city of Askalan. In addition, the Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for launching 7 missiles into Sedorot. The city of Sedorot was also hit by one rocket launched by the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

Presenter, Female #1
Amidst this, the Israeli security cabinet held a meeting over the situation in the Gaza Strip and discussed ways to deal with it. Wael al-Daghduh reports on the latest security developments in the Gaza Strip amidst the ongoing Israeli blockade and the closure of border crossings.

Reporter, Male #2
The situation in the Gaza Strip is taking a turn for the worst. Instead of focusing on the truce in Gaza, the focus is on a new but larger military escalation. Dozens of homemade missiles have been launched from Gaza into Israeli targets. This is the first time the Qassam Brigades claim responsibility for launching Grad-type missiles since the collapse of the truce in Gaza.

Guest, Male #3
The launching of missiles is a normal response to the ongoing Israeli aggression against our people in the West bank and the Gaza Strip. Three fighters from the Qassam Brigades were martyred yesterday. The launching of missiles is also a response to the ongoing oppressive blockade imposed on our people. This is to confirm that we have chosen the path of Jihad and resistance.

Reporter, Male #2
The level of intensity in the launching of missiles came after three members from the Qassam Brigades were martyred by Israeli gunfire. It also came before the Israeli security cabinet will hold a meeting over the situation in Gaza. This means that the issue of rocket-launching will be brought to the bargaining table. And, without a doubt, it will have consequences on the ground.

Guest, Male #4
God wiling, we will continue the launching of missiles as well as continue to respond to any Israeli madness or violation.

Reporter, Male #2
The situation in Gaza has been tense since the early hours of the morning. The border crossings, which were scheduled to re-open to allow entry of limited aid to Gaza, remained closed. This is the second week the residents of the coastal enclave are not receiving supplies, not even limited aid. This further fueled the bread, gas, and power crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Guest, Male #5
People come every morning looking for bread but they don’t find any. We didn’t have bread yesterday either. People depend on bakeries to buy their bread. Those who want to bake bread at home don’t have flour, gas, or power to make it.

Reporter, Female # 2
I can’t find bread at the bakeries. We don’t have any bread at home.

Reporter, Male #2
It’s a series of crises that continue to increase each day or even each hour as long as these border crossings remain closed. A crisis that may lead to another crisis, which is the military escalation. Wael al-Dahduh, Aljazeera, Gaza, Palestine.

Presenter, Male #1
Syrian and Israeli officials may meet to negotiate face to face, without Turkish mediation. The Syrian President, Bashar Al Assad, expressed willingness to hold direct peace negotiations with Israel based on UN Security Council Resolutions. Assad said that peace negotiations should be built on a strong foundation, not the other way around.

Reporter, Male # 2
Some believe that Assad’s statements are a major change in the ongoing indirect peace negotiations between Israel and Syria being mediated by Turkey. The Syrian president said that his country may enter direct negotiations with Israel based on UN Security Council Resolutions, and on the principle of Land for peace. Optimism increased after the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, discussed the recent peace negotiations with Turkish counter part, Rajab Tayeb Ardughan. It is believed that the Turkish mediation paid dividends after four rounds of indirect Syrian-Israeli peace negotiations. These negotiations which ended in May were held away from the media.

Guest, Male # 3, Assad
It is normal that we will enter direct negotiations in the next phase. We can’t achieve peace with indirect peace talks. I compared the efforts of my colleague, the Turkish president, with the process of construction, in which strong foundations should be built before the actual construction takes place, not the other way around.

Guest, Male # 4
These statements confirm the broad lines for the upcoming peace negotiations. There are indications that the indirect negotiations will be transformed into direct peace negotiations. Therefore, a frame work must be put in place regarding borders, water, and other peace-related issues.

Reporter, Male # 2
With annulment, Damascus has thrown the ball in the Israeli court.
Syria is now waiting for a response from the Hebrew state saying that it will return all of the Golan Heights which was occupied 1967. It wants to avoid a repetition of the Rabin’s promise scenario which the Israeli government reneged from. The promise included borders, water, and bilateral relations. Syria is counting on the European role in the Middle East peace process which supports the implantation of UN Security Council Resolutions. Syria stresses that the European countries use their relationship with Tel Aviv to its response to these resolutions. Political observers link between Assad’s statements and French efforts led by president Sarkozy who is presiding over the European Union to narrow the gap between Syria and Israel so peace can be achieved.

Guest, Male # 5
I think that these roles are complementary to one another. The ongoing indirect Syrian-Israeli talks that have been mediated by Turkey will also take place in Turkey when they take place. These negotiations will comply with Syrian univocal principles. The role of France and Turkey are complementary to each other, there are no contradictory roles. When the indirect negotiations started between Syria and Israel, the Syrian-French relations were not at their best.

Reporter, Male # 2
The timing of Assad’s statement notably came only weeks before Obama will take over the white house. Also, the new Israeli government will be shaped by the upcoming early elections.
Syria insists that International resolutions be the basis of the peace negotiations in order to avoid any possible development that may be used by the extremist Likud candidate Benjamin Netanyahu to win the elections. For Al Madr programs, Tawfiq Yazigi, Abu Dhabi Channel, Damascus.

Presenter, Male #1
The Somali Fishermen are suffering from the decrease in revenue due to the spread of piracy is the Gulf of Eden. More details in the following report.

Reporter, Male # 2
The Somali fishermen near the gulf of Eden and the Indian Ocean are facing many problems.
This is due to the spread of piracy that is setting back their activity. Another problem are the European ships that are fishing illegally in the territorial waters of Somalia. Kenay Hassan is a Somalian fisherman and he indicates that these issues have really affected the revenue of fishermen. This has pushed some fishermen to join the pirates in order to get some revenue. Hassan refuses to do so no matter how appealing it may seem.

Guest, Male # 3
In the past we used to make a much larger profit than what we make now, this is due to the situation in the ocean. However, I won’t become a pirate just to collect a lot of money.

Reporter, Male #2
Hassan supports his family from the profit that he makes as a fisherman. He feels that his daily trip in the open ocean is very dangerous, because the war ships are constantly searching the boats of the fishermen looking for pirates. They also shoot at their boats if they suspect that they are pirates.

Guest, Male # 3
When we go fishing at night we face huge war ships, these ships focus very high beam lights to see what is on our boats.

Reporter, Male # 3
However, the only thing that these high beams do not see are the hungry mouths of Hassan children and many others in Somalia. Many do not see any hope in the future for their children at least for the next 2 decades. Safah Abasi, Al Arabiya

Presenter, Female #1
Mahmoud Ahmad Elnejad said that the current world situation is not functional and is asking to fix it. This happened in a joint press conference with the Malaysian president Abdallah Badawi in Tehran. Badawi urged for world unity in order to face the current economic crisis.

Reporter, Female # 2
Tehran and Kuala Lumpur are jointly tying to move their relationship forward. The two nations are using calculated methods, cooperation and new talks to overcome this crisis. The Malaysian president Abdallah Badawi is in Tehran, where he is joined with great political and economic members. The goal of this is to reenergize the economic relationship between the two countries. Starting with energy, economy, trade and culture. This was done by signing several documents.

Guest, Male #1 (president of Iran)
I must say that the main reasons for the economic crisis that the world in facing, are the policies of the tyrannical and controlling countries.

Reporter, Female # 2
Malaysia gave Iran the opportunity to move forward, regardless of economic pressures. Today Ahmad Elnajad did not hesitate to say that the problems are part of the past. In the meeting, it was decided that Kuala Lumpur and Tehran will cooperate. If Malaysia will help break the siege, then Iran will invest in the Malaysian energy industry.

Guest, Male # 2 (President of Malaysia)
We must take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen our cooperation with Iran. I am happy to say that we initiated new projects together, and that we signed new agreements.

Reporter, Female # 2
The Iranian-Malaysian relationship started 30 years ago. In the past three years they have signed many agreements. Today indicated that their relationship is only becoming stronger. The trade between the two has increased by 30% in less than 6 months.

Female, Reporter # 3
There is no doubt that the goals of Iran and Malaysia are similar. The warmth of their relationship does not end here, as both are becoming more influential in the area. Especially because both have a very strong presence in the institution of the Islamic forum, and in the “no bias movement. ”Zainab Al Kirisht, Al Alam TV, Tehran.

Presenter, Female #1
Hello again, the general inspector from the justice ministry has organized a forum to focus on combating administrative corruption. A number of ministers from different ministries were part of the forum, as were legal experts in the field.
Reporter, Male #1
The ministry of justice held a forum to combat administrative and financial corruption; which was organized by the office of the general inspector in the ministry. The Forums slogan was, “2008 is the year to get rid of corruption.” Because corruption is very dangerous, and it is not less important than terrorism. Both terrorism and corruption are two different faces that belong on the same coin.

Guest, Male #2
Corruption hurts the political body of the country from the inside. Just as terrorism destroys all of the countries governmental institutions. This is why terrorism and corruption must be treated equally.

Reporter, Male #1
The head of the integrity committee has assured that the anti-corruption committee is preparing strategic ways to fight corruption. Now let’s look to the importance of these forums in which different opinions are given regarding the combat against corruption.

Gust, Male #3
We, as part of the anti-corruption committee are trying to deploy measures to combat corruption between 2009-2011. These talks and debates are very helpful for us to reach a solution for this problem.

Reporter, Male # 1
The forum also discussed different methods to fight administrative and financial corruption.
These include an environment of honesty, as well as teaching, educating and rebuilding the human consciousness. All of these methods can be used to combat this phenomenon.

Gust, Male #3
While combating corruption we must use integrity among other methods.

Reporter, Male # 1
It can be said that this phenomenon is not unique to one society, or one country. Rather, this is a global phenomenon that most countries suffer from. Thus, this phenomenon has therefore gained attention from all societies, forums are being held and the effort to stop it is widely spread. Akeel Adi, Al Iraqiya Baghdad.

Presenter, Female #1
In a move exemplifying the strong bonds of religious coexistence in the Jordanian community, Her Majesty Queen Rania al-Abdullah took part in the lighting ceremony of the Kingdom’s largest Christmas tree in the city of Fuheis. The lighting of the tree is part of the country’s celebration of Christmas, which falls on December 25th.

Reporter, Male #1
Her Majesty Queen Rania al-Abdullah, shared with the residents of Fuheis and surrounding areas comprised of Christians and Muslims alike, their joy and happiness as they celebrated the lighting ceremony of the Kingdom’s largest Christmas tree. The lighting ceremony took place in the main square in central Fuheis. The Mayor of Fuheis, Engineer Idris Swais, gave a speech stressing the true meaning of this religious holiday in the hearts of Christians in Jordan. Swais further said that this event will help exemplify the strong bonds of religious coexistence in the Jordanian community. Her Majesty Queen Rania, joined by representatives from the Christian and the Muslim communities, listened to songs performed by the Christian Carol Choirs and the Christian Youth Scouts from the Roman-Orthodox, Latin, and Catholic Churches. Queen Rania also visited the Orthodox Club in the old town in Fuheis, where she was met by the Head of the Club, Sakhar Simirat, and his staff. The Queen talked with the orphans from the Om Hussein Orphanage, Dar al-Bara’am and the Mansur Church. She also met with children from the city of Fuheis and other surrounding areas. The children attended fairs and festivities in commemoration of this jolly holiday.

Guest, Male #2
We are very happy. This is a beautiful gathering, and the plays were very entertaining. We wish you a happy holiday.

Guest, Female #2
Merry Christmas.

Guest, Male #3
It’s a beautiful Eid because my Dad gives us gifts.

Guest, Female #3
Happy Eid.

Guest, Male #4
Happy Eid. I’m very happy because Queen Rania visited us.

Reporter, Male #1
Her Majesty Queen Rania concluded her tour by visiting the Christmas Bazaar in the Roman-Orthodox School. Nearly 30 agencies from the Civic Society Organization have taken part in this event. The Bazaar is offering workshops and Christmas gifts as well as toys throughout the holiday. Queen Rania exchanged holiday wishes with the residents and the workers from various civic institutions. Adorned with holiday lights and Christmas decorations, the largest Christmas tree in Jordan has been lit. This shows that Jordan continues to be a model country for religious coexistence and tolerance. Now that the Christmas tree has been lit, the official festivities will start, which will include several entertaining activities. Ahmad Ismigna, Jordan TV, the area of Fuheis.

Presenter, Female #1
The travel of foreign Christians to Bethlehem for Christmas was intensive but smooth. The number of Christians visiting Bethlehem this year is expected to exceed last year’s number. Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, Peace be upon him, will host Midnight Mass, with the participation of political and religious figures. Based on a previous agreement with the Security Administration of the Israeli occupation, the Palestinian Authority will deploy security forces in and around the city of Bethlehem. Mohammad al-Sayed reports from Bethlehem.

Reporter, Male #1
Despite the ongoing security measures imposed by the Israeli occupation on the city of Bethlehem and the rest of Palestine, the Palestinians insisted on holding Christmas festivities.
The festivities are taking place at the Manger Square at the Church of Nativity in the city of Bethlehem. Thousands of Christian pilgrims from around the world have flocked to Bethlehem over the past few days. The pilgrims will attend the Midnight Mass at the Church of Nativity. According to various sources, the number of Christian pilgrims visiting Bethlehem this year is expected to exceed last year’s number.

Guest, Male #2
Tourism to Bethlehem has been on the rise. Nearly 1.25 million Christian pilgrims have visited Bethlehem this year. We expect about 30,000 will visit the city of Bethlehem over the next few days.

Reporter, Male #1
In an unprecedented move, Israel elected not to impose travel restrictions on foreign pilgrims, entering Bethlehem through its military checkpoints. However, it tightened surveillance on the Palestinians travelling in the West Bank, especially to Bethlehem.

Guest, Male #3
God willing, we will have peace and calm. We also hope that the borders will reopen so Palestinians can visit one another.

Reporter, Male #1
Based on a previous agreement with the Israeli occupation, the Palestinian Authority-run security forces will be in charge of security in Bethlehem, where they will protect Christmas festivities and today’s Midnight Mass.

Guest, Male #4
We have increased the number of police and security forces deployed in Bethlehem. We also placed detours on all streets leading to the city.

Reporter, Male #1
Many of the foreign Christian pilgrims, who visited Bethlehem this year, expressed hope that the in year to come when the Palestinians will achieve their dream. Mohammad al-Sayed, Dubai TV, Bethlehem.

As the end of 2008 approaches, views of the United States remain negative around the world; in the Middle East they have become virulent. The question now remains whether the Obama administration might elicit a more positive response from the populace in this part of the world. Can Obama restore the United States' image in the Middle East?
We decided to take a look at some of the most important issues in the region that remain unresolved at the close of 2008, issues the new U.S. president will have to address.