[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 6/30/09: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, Female # 1
Today, June 30th, is the date which Washington and Baghdad had designated, when they signed the security agreement last year, for the transfer of security responsibilities from the American forces to the Iraq government. By this evening the Americans have closed or handed over 57 military base and installation to the Iraqi government. This comes 6 years and 3 months after the invasion. This new page in Iraq’s history was opened by Prime Minister Nure al Maliki who called on political parties to support the security forces to help them face the many challenges ahead. We leave you with Katya Jamela.

Reporter, Female # 2
This is one of the few times when Iraqi chimerical stores cancel a celebration for reasons other than mourning or a curfew. Today, Baghdad celebrates an official Holiday. It was declared by the government as an official holiday celebrating Iraqi sovereignty. From now on, the US forces are supposed to remain outside Iraqi cities as a first step towards their withdrawal from Iraq approximately in 13 months. From the perspective of the Iraqis, this is a new phase where the Iraqis are in charge of security in Iraq.

Guest, Male # 2
Those who think that the Iraqis are unable to protect the security of their country are sorely mistaken. Although, the withdrawal of foreign forces will leave behind a vacuum that will be hard for the Iraqi forces to fill.

Reporter, Female # 2
These words were materialized on the ground as is evident by these images of the Iraqi forces patrolling Baghdad and other cities as well as participating in official celebrations to commemorate this new era. In any case the withdrawal of the American forces is an occasion for celebration.

Guest, Male # 2
The American forces are withdrawing from cities. I’m confidant that the Iraqi forces will be able to maintain security and order, God willing. They have to take on this big responsibility which was placed on their shoulders starting today. Of course they will be tested, and we will be tested as well. We must succeed in this test.

Reporter, Female # 2
The ability of about 500 thousand police officers and 250 thousand soldiers will be tested in maintaining security. Although the security agreement allows the Iraqi forces to ask the American forces for help when they need it, their mission is still not an easy one. The Iraqi forces are facing many challenges in Iraq as citizens are facing daily violence and politicians are involved in an endless power struggle.

Presenter, Man #1
What is the jurisdiction of the Iraqi police and security forces that will be deployed in Iraqi cities, and what is the jurisdiction of the American forces that will be stationed in military bases? And when will be a proper time for the US troops to move out of these bases? Details are in the report of Majid Hamid.

Reporter, Man #1
The police and the army are making joint efforts in volatile areas in some provinces. The Iraqi police force with its 500,000 police officers, will be taking on the responsibility of security in the districts and cities in 7 big provinces, and will be joined by the army in 8 other provinces. Joint police and security forces will take over full security responsibilities in politically and economically important areas, such as Basra and Karkuk.

Guest, Man #1
This absolute jurisdiction is authorized by the Iraqi laws, and it is a dominant way in which the government operates much like the police and army in any other country.

Reporter, Man #1
As for the American troops, they will be retreating to the center known as “The Joint Operation Center” starting June 30, which gives Baghdad control over all the military troops including the Americans. The coordination center is considered the first station with the jurisdiction to give permission to American forces to carry out their missions. There are high ranked representatives from American and Iraqi forces working at the center.

Guest, Man #2
The movements of American troops must be preceded with a request to the sovereign Iraqi government, and must be carried out in coordination through open communication channels, led by the Iraqi command center.

Guest, Man #3
We have built this joint center, which has all the security leadership to make decisions, so no US troops will act unless they are requested to assist.

Reporter, Man #1
The Iraqi force has taken over 142 of the total 460 bases from the US troops in various cities of the country. The US troops also reduced the number of its soldiers by 30,000, thus reducing the total number from 160,000 to 130,000. Washington is supposed to complete its full pullout by the end of 2011, according to the security agreement, if things go as planned. Ibrahim Bin Ali, Baghdad, Al Arabiya.

Presenter, Female #1:
Now, an interview with the Al Alam Bureau chief in Tehran with the spokesman for the Iranian Guardian Council, Abbas Ali Qadkhoda’I. To you Naheed Bahrouz.

Reporter, Male #1:
Yes. After the announcement of the transparency and fairness of the Iranian presidential elections by the spokesman of the Iranian Guardian Council, Abbas Ali Qadkhoda’I, President Ahmadinejad has become the legitimate president of the country. Of course, there will be an inaugural ceremony and other subsequent events. To shed light on the position of the Guardian Council regarding the elections and its decision is Mr. Ali Abbas Qadkhoda’I, the spokesman for the Guardian Council. Thank you, sir.

Guest, Male #2:
Thank you, and I am prepared to answer your questions. I am happy that the elections file has been closed. We are not seeing any opposition or protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The position of the Guardian Council, which was the only entity to review the election complaints, is that the elections file has been closed. It will not allow for opposition to the elections. However, if there were any violations or discrepancies on the sidelines of the elections, then the court system, in its legal capacity, may review them.

[Summary]

French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to get rid of his Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman. Critics called this strong personal attack on a friendly nation very inappropriate. Netanyahu responded by saying that Foreign Minister Lieberman is an important part of the democratically-elected government of Israel. He said that he has complete faith in the Foreign Minister, who is committed to peace and security.

Presenter, Male #1:
Israeli war planes carried out two raids on the city of Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli occupation warships gunned down Palestinian fishing boats near the northern coast of the Gaza Strip.

Presenter, Female #1:
On the second day of hearings carried out by the fact-finding commission in the besieged Gaza Strip, testimonies by the families of victims confirmed the racism and brutality of the Israeli army.

Reporter, Male #2:
Hearings were held to listen to the testimony of people who suffered and lost loved ones as a result of the savage bombardment of the Gaza Strip. The United Nations Human Rights Commission resumed the hearing in the Gaza Strip. It is tasked with investigating the Zionist occupation’s war crimes. The testimonies of those who have been harmed by the aggression serve as evidence against the occupation in international forums and in the pursuit of these criminals.

Guest, Male #3:
I think that what the commission witnessed and the testimonies it heard must lead to them describing what happened as war crimes. Those who carried out, ordered and even covered up these crimes must be pursued.

Reporter, Male #2:
Along with the testimonies, the international Red Cross Committee has confirmed that 1.5 million people are in fatal conditions inside the besieged strip. With the increased levels of unemployment, living conditions have deteriorated. Tough Israeli restrictions stop the transport of people and goods in and out of the Strip. Even more important is the restricted import of basic materials needed to rebuild the Strip, which looks like a region that has been hit by a devastating earthquake. The Committee also confirmed that the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip has forced the poorer Palestinians to sell what they have, including furniture and other material possessions to pay for food amidst continued deteriorating living conditions. There are many issues in dealing with what is happening in the hospitals, which are flooded with patients. Most of the patients can not get the treatment they need due to the shortage of medical supplies and materials.

Guest, Female #2:
I will ululate for the martyr.

Reporter, Male #2:
In this grim reality, which is acknowledged by the ICRC, children bear the lion’s share of suffering. Forever ingrained in their memories are the images of the occupation assassinating their families, relatives and friends. The question remains: For how long will the world watch in silence, overlooking the continued terrorist crimes committed against the Palestinian people?

[Summary]

Israeli forces have stopped and taken over a vessel carrying humanitarian aid into the Gaza strip. The activists on board will be handed over to the immigration police. The coordinator of the International Campaign Against the Gaza Siege, Amjad Shawwa, told Press TV that this move was an act of kidnapping on Israel’s part.

Presenter, Male #1
The African nations are looking forward to the outcome of the African Union Summit which is underway in the Libyan city of Sirte. The summit aims to redraw the continent’s political map in order to counter the region’s threats, especially amidst the global financial and political crises. The summit will also focus on Sudanese affairs, especially the report on Darfur, which was prepared by an African Heads of State Panel. The panel is exploring the possibility of achieving peace and reconciliation Darfur.

Reporter, Male #2
The theme of the AU summit underway in the Libyan city of Sirte is:” Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security.” However, the main issue on the summit’s agenda seems to be evolving around the report that was issued by an African Heads of State Panel, led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki. The panel is exploring a possible African-led solution to the crisis in Darfur, by promoting peace, reconciliation, and equality in southern Sudan. In addition, the summit will reiterate the unified position that was adopted by the AU regarding the decision of the International Criminal Court. The AU has opposed the ICC decision, saying that the ICC is a biased institution with suspicious background. The ICC is adopting a double standard policy by overlooking the crimes against humanity that are being committed by “The white man,” under the pretext of promoting human rights and democracy in the Palestinian occupied territories, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In order to meet the expectation of the African summit underway in the Libyan city of Sirte and achieve its goals, the AU must remain committed to the principles of African unity as approved in previous summits. This African unity must be at the center of any political or economic development launched in the region, over the short or long run. These principles are the only way to help bring the “Dark Continent” out of the auspices of Western super powers, which are continuing to rob Africa of its abundant resources, in accordance with the modern standards of colonization. Africa is indeed the solution to the world’s food crisis due to its large area and abundant fresh water resources. The African leaders have no choice but to remain committed to the firm principles of African unity. In order to do so, the AU must help end regional conflicts in Africa, promote development, and help poor African countries face the challenges, especially those stemming from the greed of world’s leading powers. Through out history and from the crises created by the West, the African nations have learned that solution comes from within, at the hands and willpower of the African people.

Presenter, Man # 1
Selling domesticated and undomesticated animals is often a career that starts as a hobby.

Presenter, Woman # 1
As soon as you enter the animals markets, you are surrounded by various beasts of different colors and sounds. Some are beautiful, some are useful and others are extremely exotic.

Reporter, Man # 2
The stabilization of the country has opened the door for this type of trade. The trade of domesticated and exotic animals enables people encounter and raise different types of animals which they never had access to before.

Guest, Man # 3
We have been here for a year or 10 months. Most of our animals come from abroad. We work with Arab and Western animal traders. Of course, we have acquired these animals through official venues. The demand for these animals is slowly increasing. Most people like to sell domesticated animals while some sell predatory animals. They come here and they buy what they want. All the animals here have medical documentation and passports.

Reporter, Man # 2
These animals are raised and sold in this special place, which is a positive sign that Iraqis care about different aspects of life. Raising animals is one of them.

Guest, Man # 4
People are buying fish to beautify their homes because the security situation has stabilized in the country. Animals also provide enjoyment for people.

Guest, Man # 5
It is very nice to have animals at home. I’m interested in police and hunting dogs. I’m a member of the Iraqi hunters association. I get great satisfaction from animals. Perhaps YOU may not get such enjoyment by having animals, but for me since it’s a hobby, I get great satisfaction from seeing purebread police or hunting dogs.

Reporter, Man # 2
Many say that civilizations are measured by the level of attention people give to animals. Here we can see that people have a great level of interest in animals. Some enjoy raising animals, others want to have domesticated and undomesticated animals. The animal trade however is only exclusive to people with high incomes, ordinary Iraqis, unfortunately, will have to enjoy these animals at the Zoo. Baghdad, Huidar Al Ubudi, AL Iraqiya.

Presenter, Female #1:
The Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, will meet the US envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, in New York today.

Reporter, Male #1:
The talks will take place after the revealing of the largest plan to annex Palestinian territories since 1967.

Presenter, Female #1:
An Israeli plan seeks to confiscate tens of thousands of dunums of land in the West Bank.

Reporter, Male #1:
The United States had demanded that Israel stop the settlement activity in order to push ahead in the peace process.

Presenter, Female #1:
Details of the new settlement plan in this report by correspondent, Sherrine Abu Aqla.

Reporter, Female #2:
They are not just abandoned or empty lands. Rather these lands are considered the arteries of life for the future of a Palestinian state. The latest Israeli plan is to annex nearly 139,000 dunums that lie along the eastern area of the West Bank. It includes land starting near the Ma’ale Edumim settlement, passing through the Nabi Musa lands and ending in Bethlehem and Saeer near Hebron. The plan was revealed after the land registration office for the settlement, Ma’ale Adumim, published them. Palestinians were notified that their lands would be confiscated and were given 45 days to submit their opposition.

Guest, Male #2:
It is an attempt to transfer the status of the land from abandoned properties, or former government properties during the Jordanian mandate, to Israeli state properties. Today’s proposal came from the head of the Israeli state properties who is requesting to register all the lands next to the Dead Sea coast for the Ma’ale Adumim settlement.

Reporter, Female #2:
Most of the lands are vacant except for what is used for grazing. They are under Israeli control. But what Israel is doing on a practical level is preempting the final status negotiations by changing the legal status of Palestinian lands and taking control of them. This also means that it will be an obstacle for the Palestinians in the future to obtain water rights to the Dead Sea, which Israel has control over and denies the Palestinians any share of. The plan serves to complete the creation of an isolated area between the north West Bank and the south, thus preventing the erection of continuous future Palestinian state.

Guest, Male #3:
At a time when the world is talking about creating a Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip on the 1967 borders, including Jerusalem, Israel is taking the land from beneath our feet. This means that after a short period, the geographic foundation for a Palestinian state will not exist.

Reporter, Female #2:
Israel has not yet officially commented on the plan, which is expected to create greater complications to the ongoing efforts to resume the stalled peace talks. It is a race over the land just as it was a race for Jerusalem. It is also a race for a state or a non-state. Israel continues to be ahead in this race. Meanwhile, the Palestinians are not getting sufficient support from the international community. Even worse, Palestinians aren’t getting support from one another. Sherrine Abu Aqla. Al Jazeera. East Bethlehem.