[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 10/20/09: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, Male #1
A Yemeni penal court that specializes in cases of terrorism sentenced 10 Houthi rebels to death and 5 others to 15 years in jail. Meanwhile, 4 leaders of the so-called Southern Movement were tried for belonging to an organization that calls itself the Peaceful Struggle of the South. Hamoud Nasar has the details.

Reporter, Male #1
The defendants reacted to the death penalty and jail terms by repeatedly shouting the slogan of the Houthi group that fought the Yemeni army and security forces in the sixth war in the provinces of Sa’ada and Amran. These sentences were based on the charges of participation in an armed gang to carry out criminal plans, exposing the public to danger.

Guest, Male #1
The first defendant Muhammed Ahmed Hamoud al-Shaikh al-Aghrub, the second defendant, Ahmed Ahmed Muhammed Hilmaziji, the third defendant, Abdullah Muhammed Ali al-Ouqli, the fourth defendant, Abdul Jalil Muhammed Ahmed Hossein al-Jipsi, and the fifth defendant, Bashir Muhammed Ahmed Hossein al-Ouqli, all received the death penalty.

Reporter, Male #1
13 convicted men appealed against the legitimacy of the sentences, saying they do not acknowledge the legitimacy of the court. They reject the current government, which they fought against. A lawyer for two defendants appealed the court decision, which implies that they acknowledge the legitimacy of the court. Meanwhile, the court reiterated that this group is an extension of other groups that the government described as “backward forces.”

Guest, Male #1
We have evidence to prove the accusations of participation in an armed gang in the form of an organized terrorist group that wrongfully justifies its actions on a religious basis, with the objective of undermining the country’s peace, stability, and national unity.

Reporter, Male #1
Meanwhile, protests are continuing in some of the southern cities, demanding the release of the arrested men known to be part of the Southern Movement. 4 leaders of the Najah Organization were tried on charges of committing criminal acts, undermining national unity, violating constitutional rules, and instigating armed rebellions among people.

Guest, Male #2
You say that we call for separation, repeat slogans against unity, and call for the intervention of the international community. The answer, first of all, is that we in the Najah Movement have not said these things. Even if we did say these things, the goal was to pressure the authority to respond to the people’s requests.

Reporter, Male #1
As the trials continue against the Peaceful Struggle of the South, the battles between the government and the armed rebels in Sa’ada and Amran increases the challenges for the Yemeni authorities to restore stability to these areas. Hamed Munasar, Al Arabiya, Sana.

Presenter, Male #1
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated that organizing runoff elections in Afghanistan will be difficult. The Afghan election committee scheduled the runoff election for November 7th, after confirming widespread forgery in the first round of elections that took place about two months ago. The Afghan president Hamid Karzai announced his acceptance of the committee’s decision and described it as “lawful and constitutional.” Karzai won less than 50% of the vote in the previous election when he ran against former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, thus making a runoff necessary.

Presenter, Male #1
Joining us by telephone from Kabul is Abdul Shakur Waqif Hakimi, the media official of the Afghan Islamic Institution and vice president of the election campaign for the candidate Abdullah Abdullah. Welcome sir. First, what are your thoughts on the election committee’s decision to hold another round of elections? What is your official position on this decision?

Guest, Male #2
In the name of God, the most merciful and compassionate, we welcome this decision. We were waiting for it. We submitted complaints and waited for an investigation. The results will come in the second round of elections. Like I said before, we welcome this decision.

Presenter, Male #1
Mr. Abdul Shakur, can you guarantee that there will not be more forgery like in the first round of elections? Is there anything to guarantee that the runoff on November 7th will be different from the previous election?

Guest, Male #2
The second round must avoid any mistakes and the problems that happened in the first round of elections. We will provide detailed suggestions to guarantee the integrity and neutrality of the election committee and the ballot centers, so we avoid the problems we encountered in the first round.

Presenter, Male #1
What are the institutions and groups that will supervise these elections, or at least the next round of them? Are they the same ones as in the first round? Are they confident about the transparency of the next round of elections?

Guest, Male #2
We have repeatedly submitted our opinions on the lack of integrity of the election committee, or what is called the Independent Elections Commission in Afghanistan. Like I said, we will provide detailed measures in the next several days so the committee can avoid the mistakes it made and problems it caused in the first round, God willing.

Presenter, Man #1
Islamabad is being pressured from inside and outside. Tehran intensified its accusations today against Pakistan of taking part in the attack against the Iranian Revolutionary Guards last Sunday, which killed 15 members. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the perpetrators of the attack, which took place in the middle of Iran’s southeastern region, are based in Pakistan and received support from intelligence agencies from some countries in the region. According the Iranian security Minister Sheik Haider Musalhi, Tehran is supposed to send a security delegation tn Pakistan with evidence linking Jundullah with Pakistani intelligence. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on his Pakistani counterpart, Asef Ali Zardari, urging him to arrest Jundullah members, especially after the organization claimed responsibility for the attack in Iran. Ahmadinejad announced previously that his country received information that some Pakistani intelligence agents collaborated with the perpetrators of the attack. He said that Iran has the right to ask for their extradition and said that Tehran will provide evidence linking Pakistani intelligence to the explosions and that it will demand Pakistan hand over the head of Jundullah, Abdolmalek Rigi. Funeral processions were held for the victims of the attack, which killed 42 and injured 50 others. Our correspondent Reda Al Basha reports from Tehran. What message will the Iranian security delegation take to Islamabad since these accusations have intensified?

Correspondent, Man #2
Just as you indicated, the Iranian Minister of Security and the Foreign Minister said the security delegations that will go to Pakistan in the near future will present strong evidence showing that Pakistani intelligence collaborated with Jundullah and supported them inside Pakistan. In addition, the Iranian delegation will demand that Pakistan specify a timetable for pursuing Jundullah and hand over the head of this organization, Abdolmalek Rigi, in the near future. Of course this is the most important message that the Iranian security delegation will present. In addition, Iran has evidence showing that Britain is involved in supporting groups in Sistan and Baluchistan, which uses bases in Pakistan to attacks targets inside Iran. These were the words of the Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

Presenter, Man #1
Reda, how are Iranian security forces dealing with the demonstration that is taking place outside the Saudi embassy in Tehran? Is this demonstration linked to the attack in Iran?

Correspondent, Man #2
There is an intensive security presence outside the Saudi embassy in Tehran. All streets leading to the embassy were closed. Iranian students went the Saudi embassy today to condemn the Saudi policy, which they believe supports terrorist and extremist groups that were behind the attack in Sistan and Baluchistan. They are also demanding that the religious ritual of hajj be suspended because of the Saudi policy which these students believe supports Britain and the US. They say they do not want to perform the hajj in a country that serves American interests.

Presenter, Man #1
Are there new arrests?

Correspondent, Man #2
According to an Iranian official last night, the identity of the perpetrator was revealed. He said that Iran could not arrest the ones who helped him carry out this operation. It is believed that they have left Iran and went to Pakistan.

Presenter, Man #1
Thank you, Reda Al Basha, who joined us from Tehran.

[Summary]

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with Sunday’s deadly bombing in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province. The bomber has been identified as an Iranian national.

Presenter, Female #1
Iraq's Minister of State for National Security, Shirwan al-Waili, said that 30 members of the Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK, are seeking to return to their country, Turkey. During an interview with al-Iraqiya channel, Al-Waili said that the negotiations with Ankara will continue to evacuate the more than 13,000 Turkish nationals from the Makhmur Refugee Camp.

Guest, Male #2 (Iraqi National Security Advisor)
As part of the efforts underway in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, several members from the PKK were allowed to travel between the region and Turkey. They returned to Turkey via the Ibrahim al-Khali border crossing point, also known as the Sharnak passage on the Turkish side. Today, 30 members from the PKK tried to cross into Turkey, but only a few of them were allowed to enter. Currently, we are negotiating with Turkey in order to secure a safe passage for them to Ankara. We are seeking to help secure the return of more than 13,000 Turkish nationals in the Makhmur camp. We are trying to find a peaceful closure to the PKK issue by allowing all members to return safely to their country.

Presenter, Female #1
The countless crimes committed by members of the Iraqi Baath Party are familiar to nearly everyone, except those in denial. A senior member of the Baath Party gave confessions today before the Iraqi High Criminal Court.

Presenter, Male #1
Qutban Ibrahim al-Haasn admitted today before the Iraqi High Criminal Court that the dismantled Baath Party has committed countless crimes against the Iraqi people.

Reporter, Male #3
The Iraqi High Criminal Court held another trial session today against members of the former Iraqi regime. The defendants are standing trial on charges stemming from their role in the draining Iraq’s marsh region and displacing its residents in the 1980s.

Guest, Female #2 (witness)
I was displaced by Saddam. This is my third day on the run. They wiped out entire families, including children. We were left with nothing. We had no place to hide, they followed us everywhere. Where is the international community and where are the good people of Iraq? We were displaced by Saddam. He didn’t leave us alone.

Reporter, Male #3
The court listened to recorded testimonies from a number of witnesses, including Qutban Ibrahim al-Hassan. Al-Hassan admitted that several members of the dismantled Iraqi Baath Party have committed countless crimes against the Iraqi people, and called for their prosecution.

Guest, Male #4 (Qutban al-Hassan, a Baathist leader)
The leaders of the Iraqi Baath party must be prosecuted. Its leaders must be held accountable for political and criminal charges. They must be held politically accountable for the crimes they committed and the harm they caused the nation. I, for one, demand their prosecution.

Reporter, Male #3
The Iraqi High Criminal Court held its 27th trial session, with the honorable judge Mahmud Salih Al-Hassan presiding. Thirty three senior members from the dismantled Baath Party, which ruled Iraq with an iron fist, are standing trial. Among the defendants are: Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as Chemical Ali, Abed-Hamid, and Tarik Aziz. The presiding Judge has adjourned today’s court session until Tuesday. From Baghdad, Gheith Talal, Iraqiya.

Presenter, Man #1
The Islamic Party said the Somali president’s call to opposition parties for dialogue was hypocritical. The party added that it will not carry out any dialogue with the government because it is part of the problem in Somalia.

Presenter, Woman #1
The Islamic party spokesman said that the government of Sharif Sheikh Ahmad is participating in what he called a crime against the Somali people committed by the African Union Forces.

Reporter, Man #2
The Somali government views the latest battles between the Islamic party and the Al Shabab Al Mujahideen movement as an opportunity to show that the ongoing war in the country is not based on religion. The Somali president demanded that the fighting between Somalis be stopped, even between his opposition parties, and called on them to hold a dialogue with the interim government and find diplomatic ways to solve their problems.

Guest, Man #2
We are sorry for the war that is taking place in southern Somalia, between our opponents who at one point described us as infidels. This war shows that their ideas are not sound. We are calling on them to stop fighting. If they are trying to achieve certain objectives, then the government is ready to open dialogue with all parties in order to end problems in the country.

Reporter, Man #2
However this call fell on deaf ears. The Islamic party reiterated its previous conditions with the government, including the demand for Ethiopian forces to leave the country, dissolve the current government, and hold a general conference for dialogue and reconciliation between all Somali people.

Guest, Man #4
Sharif was the leader of two popular intifadas. The first one was launched against war lords. The second was launched against the Ethiopian invasion. However the developments that followed these two popular intifadas should have been used to solve the political crisis in Somalia. Instead the situation returned to square one and the president became the Karzai of Somalia.

Reporter, Man #2
Political observers believe that Somali reconciliation requires tangible compromises, especially from the opposition and the interim government as well. The preconditions set for the dialogue will weaken the possibility of bridging the gap between political opponents in the country, especially between the Islamic party and the interim government. The Al Shabab Al Mujahideen movement looks at things from an ideological perspective and believes the current government is not Islamic. No one is allowed to talk about it. The only solution, in their view, is fighting the interim government and defeating it with military force. This reflects the international community’s symbolic support of the Somali president, especially support from the US and neighboring countries.

[Summary]

An American scientists who thought he was working for Israel is under arrest for espionage.

Presenter, Female #1
The heat wave that has swept over Lebanon has caused more fires, including a large fire in the region of Tikrit and Akar. Lebanese military forces are trying to put out the fire.

Reporter, Male #1
The heat wave caused fires in Akar, ravaging many almond and olive trees. A large fire broke out in the valley between the two towns of Tikrit and Rahbe, and burned a wide range of farms with olive, grape, pine and other types of trees. Military forces worked on putting out the fire.

Guest, Male #1
Every other day there is a fire. We don’t know the exact cause of it, it could be climate factors, like the air or the sun. But the problem is that we don’t get good responses from the fire department. It is necessary to improve the capability of our fire departments and civil defense forces. They must be more prepared.

Reporter, Male #1
Do you think that the fire will be controlled soon?

Guest, Male #1
It is possible. If there were more equipment and manpower, then of course it would help to contain the fire immediately. But I feel that the fire is more powerful than the manpower we have and the equipment is not sufficient.

Guest, Male #2
The olive trees are the most important in this area, which is mainly comprised of olive groves and farmland. This is a big loss, but we leave it to God.

Reporter, Male #1
When the residents, military forces and civil defense volunteers rushed to put out the flames, the problem of poor equipment became evident, especially considering that the location of the fire was difficult to reach, thus delaying the process of containment. Today’s fire is one of a series of fires that swept through the whole Akar region. There is a serious attempt to extinguish the fire in the town of Tikrit. Lebanese fire fighters, consisting of the internal security forces, residents of the town, and civil defense volunteers, are trying to control the fire. The Lebanese air force is also participating in putting out the fire. Ziad Mansour from Future TV reports.

Presenter, Male #1
In Iqlim al-Kharub region, a similar heat wave is the reason for the rise in temperature. The residents escape to the sea to get away from the heat.

Reporter, Female #1
The heat wave sparked off fires in the Iqlim al-Kharub region of Lebanon. Flames broke out in fields of olive, carob trees and pine trees as well as some forested areas, especially in the Alman area by the northern bank of al-Awali River where a massive fire broke out and burned some fruit trees. In the areas of Baasir and Barja, the fire crew subordinate to the civil defense forces managed to put out some of the fires. They are still working to contain the fire to prevent it from spreading. The October heat sparked by the mountain fires drove some citizens living by the beach to the ocean. At the beaches, many swimmers headed to the water to cool off.