[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 9/24/09: World News From The Middle East

[Summary]
Today is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of UNRWA. The organization was established to help stabilize the lives of displaced Palestinians; the organization however faces a budget deficit and cannot meet the tremendous needs of the Palestinians, and thus urges nations throughout the world to donate to the cause.

Most Palestinians, though grateful for what they do receive, are tired of their lives in the refugee camps, where poverty, extreme overcrowding, violence and a blockade are daily realities for the residents. Some note that the relief is simply a band aid, and an attempt to pacify them, to quell their desire to return to their homeland.

Host, Man # 1
Can the new administration let Obama do what has usually been considered a taboo, which is to put pressure on Israel? What about the position of the State Department?

Guest, Man # 2
The State department has always been more sympathetic to the Arab point of view. Our main enemy is the Congress. Of course experts in the State Department have a played a very important role. The reports about settlements and the “Jewdifying” of Jerusalem, which have been sent from the American embassy in Jerusalem, explain the situation in detail. The US knows exactly what is happening in the occupied Palestinian territories. They know about the confiscation of lands and the “Jewdifying” of Jerusalem. When considering the fact that President Obama is currently dealing with many sensitive issues, such as health care, it is clear that he is starting to feel pressure. Israel is using the Zionist lobby groups in the United States to put more pressure on Obama in order to prevent him from putting pressure on Israel. Therefore I don’t expect much of Obama, not to mention that so far he has done nothing different in Afghanistan or Iraq. We haven’t seen any dramatic changes in these two countries.

Host, Man # 1
As the representative of the Palestinian Authority in Britain, do you notice European pressure on Israel? Netanyahu visited France and Britain and encountered a view similar to the one he found in the US: stop the settlements. Even in France, the French foreign minister was critical of Netanyahu. Do you feel that there is a plan? Or do you think the US is encouraging Europe to act in this way? Has the British government informed you of anything to that effect?

Guest, Man # 2
I can tell you that the European position is leaning towards stopping the settlements. The US and the European Union have a similar stance on the issue. In all the meetings between Israeli officials and Javier Solana, he said clearly that he sees the settlements as an obstacle to the two state solution. What bothers us as Palestinians is that the settlements are not the major issue. They are only part of a larger array of issues that must be dealt with in the negotiations for a final political agreement. We do not want partial solutions or temporary borders. We want to end the struggle by establishing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. During the negotiations there might be a land swap deal as part of a comprehensive solution to peace. However, the road map for solving this conflict is clear. The International Quartet Committee devised the road map, which was also adopted by the US. We as Palestinians are committed to it, but the Israeli side never committed itself to plans for peace. Now they are attacking the government of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad because he proposed that two states be established in two years.

Presenter, Female #1
In his address to the Security Council, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, said that he has instructed his new special envoy to Iraq, Ad Melkert, to help mediate the problem between Syria and Iraq. Iraq has called for the formation of an international criminal court to try members of the Iraqi Baath party residing in Damascus, over the bombings in Baghdad. In a speech before Susan Rice, the US Ambassador to the UN and the current head of the Security Council, Ban Ki-Moon, said that he has instructed his envoy to help Baghdad and Damascus reach a compromise over the bombing crisis. The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, had previously called on the Security Council to expand the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq in order to help boast regional cooperation.

Presenter, Male #1
Iraq said that it has corroborative evidence and compelling facts that may lead to indictment in the case of Iraq verses Syria. Damascus is being accused of harboring members of the Baath party, who are taking refuge in Syrian territories. The Iraqi Security Committee overseeing the negotiations with Syria, has presented strong evidence and material facts linking Damascus to the Bloody Wednesday incidents.

Reporter, Male #2
Several Iraqi members from the outlawed Baath Party, who are using Syria as a safe haven, are being accused of masterminding the Bloody Wednesday attacks on Baghdad. Iraq demanded Syria handover all the suspects involved in the attacks. The Iraqi Security Committee of the Ministry of Interior, which is presiding over the negotiations with Syria, has presented strong evidence against Damascus. The Turkish government is mediating the talks between Baghdad and Damascus. The Iraqi security committee was able to produce strong evidence and material facts that may lead to indictment against several members of the outlawed Baath party taking refuge in Syria.

Guest, Male #3
The fact-finding mission of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior has presented strong evidence and material facts against Syria. Iraq is not what it used to be before 2006. Iraq was able, over the years, to build and strengthen its security institutions. The security forces are working cordially to help protect the Iraqi people. Iraq will not tolerate the targeting of its citizens.

Reporter, Male #2
According to knowledgeable sources, diplomatic talks between Baghdad and Damascus have reached a deplorable stage, and the solution now lies in the hands of the Syrian negotiating team. This news comes after Iraq presented strong evidence linking Syria to the Bloody Wednesday attacks. Iraq has called on the UN to form an international criminal court in order to try the suspects involved in the bombings.

Guest, Male #4
The Syrian government must take a step forward in order to help bring the criminals, who are using its territories as a safe haven, to justice. Until Syria does so, it will lose significantly at international, political and economic levels.
Reporter, Male #2
According to legal experts, if Syria refuses to hand over the Iraqi suspects, Syria may face criminal charges in the international court of justice………Which may prompt the US, as one of the five permanent members of the UN, to intervene in the case. The US signed a long term security agreement with Iraq.

Guest, Male #5
The Syrians have a long criminal record at the international court of justice. Syria was accused of taking part in the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri. If Syria is indicted in the Wednesday bombing case, this will further complicate matters to Damascus. And if convicted, Syria may face tough sanctions.

Reporter, Male #2
Syria’s persistence in continuing to harbor the Iraqi suspects has prompted the International Criminal Police Organization, Interpol, to further pressure Damascus to handover the suspects. This has opened another battle against Damascus. The international criminal court will preside over the case in the event that the negotiations between Iraq and Syria collapse. Syria has faced similar charges stemming from its involvement in the case of Hariri’s assassination in Beirut. This has put Syria on the international radar, not once, but twice…..making it the only country in the Middle East and the world to receive such indictment. Thamer al-Shumari, Iraqiya, Baghdad.

Presenter, Female #1
Dozens of female senior citizens and several clergymen from the Golan Heights have crossed into Syria through the Quneitra border crossing. Meanwhile, several groups of women, who were denied entry, held a protest near the border crossing. It’s worth mentioning that the Quneitra border crossing is used by clergyman and students crossing to Syria.

Reporter, Female #2
After 40 years of alienation, this 85-year-old woman was allowed to visit her son in Syria.

Guest, Female #3
I want to visit my son. I’m an older woman now. My vision is blurry. I’m 85 years old, and I want to see my son before I pass away.

Reporter, Female #2
Forty three women over the age of 70 from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights were allowed to cross into Syria through the Quneitra border, crossing amidst strict security measures.

Guest, Female #4
I’m going to visit my sisters, my brother, and my nephews. I’m very tired. I’m also sick…I have been diagnosed with five illnesses. I brought my daughter to help me but they denied entry to her. She was sent back.

Guest, Female #5
I have two brothers and five cousins…Nearly all of my relatives live in Syria.

Reporter, Female #2
Another group of women, who were told they would be allowed entry into Syria, were sent back, which prompted some to hold a protest at the border crossing.

Guest, Female #6
I’m very sad and angry. My family is waiting for me on the other side of the border. I have not seen my relatives since 1967. I don’t know what they look like. They promised to allow us entry. I was nervous so I took pills to help me calm down.

Guest, Female #7
My father has been sick for the past 10 years. His health started to deteriorate about two months ago. I have been living in the Golan Heights for eight years. Two months ago, my father was admitted into the intensive care unit. His health conditions are very serious. I have submitted an application of entry based on compassionate grounds. However, they denied the application. I don’t know of any other situation that is worse than ours.

Reporter, Female #1
Also today, more than 500 clergymen were allowed entry into Syria through the Quneitra border crossing. The Quneitra border crossing is usually used by clergymen, students, and the exporting of apples. The passage is also used by brides crossing alone to meet their grooms on the Syrian part of Quneitra. This visit, though it’s brief, is historical. It’s a visit to the motherland, where these women will get to see their families and loved ones. These women suffered tremendously before their wish to visit Syria was granted. On the other hand, others are still suffering and waiting for another chance to visit Syria. Rima Mustafa, Alarabiya, from the Quneitra border crossing.

Presenter, Female #1
The Yemeni army announced the arrests of eight Houthi rebels, including two of their leaders. Meanwhile, the fighting continues to rage at various battle fronts between the Yemeni army and the Houthi rebels. The army said that 13 Houthi fighters were killed in the latest fighting. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, warned of a humanitarian crisis, threatening thousands of residents in the areas of conflict. The UNHCR warned that some refugees may start to cross into neighboring countries.

Reporter, Female #2
Civilians always pay the price of war and conflicts, and they are often caught in the crossfire. The residents of the North Yemen’s province of Sa’ada are no exception. The fighting between the Yemeni government forces and the Houthi rebels is isolating the city of Sa’ada and besieging its residents. UN humanitarian agencies warn of a humanitarian crisis in Sa’ada, in an attempt to help rescue the civilians.

Guest, Female #3, UNHCR Official
A real humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Yemen. Incoming reports from Sa’ada confirm that the civilians are being caught in the crossfire, and they are unable to access safer areas. They are stranded in the areas of conflict.

Reporter, Female #2
The UNHCR is calling for the opening of safe corridors so that assistance and supplies can reach all those displaced by the fighting. The agency also warns of a humanitarian crisis that could threaten thousands of residents in the areas of conflict.

Guest, Female #3
We are calling for safe corridors to be opened so that aid can reach the residents, and the displaced can move to safer areas. We are also appealing to the international community for funds to help deal with the crisis.

Reporter, Female #2
The humanitarian crisis is threatening both the residents and the refugees. Some of the refugees were able to reach the Mizrak camp near the area of al-Malahith, in the province of Sa’ada. According to the UNHCR, the Mizrak camp has the highest number of displaced Yemenis. Among the 5,000 displaced families living in the camp, 60% are women and 20% are children. The refugees are living in tents under harsh conditions. Some of the refugees may start to cross into neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia.

Guest, Female #3
We are still waiting for the green light from the Yemeni and Saudi governments, to help open corridors so aid can reach the civilians in Sa’ada.

Reporter, Female #2
More than 150,000 displaced Yemenis have fled the area of fighting in Sa’ada, and the number is expected to increase. This news comes amidst fierce fighting, and fluctuating political positions of the Yemeni government forces on one side, and the Houthi rebels on the other. Hadia al-Ruba’i, Al Arabiya.

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