Things no mass media will publish.. because it makes things look ... well you decide...
A weekly update on events and factors in Iraq:
On May 26, the Iraqi Interior and Defense Ministers announced “Operation al
Barkh (Lightning)” as a mission to secure long-term freedom for the Iraqi
people. The Iraqi-led joint operation includes over 40,000 Iraqi Security
Forces operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week and manning more than
675 fixed and mobile checkpoints.
On May 31 in a statement to the UN Security Council, Iraqi Foreign Minister
Zebari reiterated the Iraqi Transitional Government’s commitment to meeting
the timeline for political transition, to have an inclusive political process, and
stated the permanent constitution would enshrine the ideals of “pluralism,
federalism, human rights and civil liberties.”
On May 28, the Arab League's Secretary-General Amr Mousa told reporters in
Damascus that the Arab League was “ready to send consultants to help and
offer assistance'' in writing the new Iraqi constitution.
Japan announced it will grant $100 million to build a power plant in Muthana
governorate, the only governorate without a power plant.
A group of 86 Iraqi and American business executives revitalized the American
Chamber of Commerce in Iraq. During a luncheon on May 26, Iraqi business
leaders highlighted the importance of promoting the private sector and reducing
unemployment.
An Iraqi court sentenced three rebels to death for rape, kidnapping and murder,
the first death sentences passed in connection with the ongoing insurgency. The
Iraqi government also announced that two Syrians were sentenced by a court in
Baghdad to life imprisonment for joining the insurgency.
On May 1, the UN Security Council agreed to the continuation of the mandate of
the Multinational Force, Development Fund for Iraq and International Assistance
Monitoring Board, per requests from the ITG; current mandates for each will end
with the completion of the political process.
On May 25, NATO member Greece increased its involvement in Iraq saying it
had agreed with the alliance to help transport equipment bound for Iraq on
commercial cargo ships.
Iraqi Security Forces Update:
The Iraq Police Service graduated 4,516 police officers in May from basic police
training courses in Al Kut, Sulaymaniyah, Al Hillah, Jordan and Baghdad. The
Iraqi Police Service graduated 157 police officers from advanced and specialty
courses at the Adnan Training Facility on May 26, as part of the Iraqi
government’s on-going effort to train its security forces.
Task Force Baghdad units took down 15 terror suspects during six early morning
raids conducted throughout Baghdad on May 22. One of the raids in
central Baghdad netted two suspected terrorists and $6 million. Another Iraqi
citizen’s tip helped in finding 14 mortar rounds.
Iraqi Security Forces conducted an infiltration and raid in an area southeast of
Mosul on May 26 which led to critical information resulting in the capture of six
suspected insurgents. The very complex operation was planned, rehearsed
and executed solely by the ISF. This successful operation demonstrated the
ISF’s growing capabilities in fighting a determined insurgency.
Total trained ISF(Iraqi Security Forces), Army and Law Enforcement 168,227 (U.S. Troop level is less than 140,00)
Constitution Update:
During his “State of the Nation” address on May 31, Iraqi Prime Minister
Ja’afari said that “the political process is proceeding smoothly. Preparations
for drafting the constitution continue and this operation remains as important
as the huge efforts we have exerted to form a government that comprises all
colors. We have the same eagerness and insistence on completing the
constitutional process on time as we insisted on holding the elections on 30
December 2005.”
On May 31 in a statement to the UN Security Council, Iraqi Foreign Minister
Zebari reiterated the Iraqi Transitional Government’s commitment to meeting
the timeline for political transition in an inclusive political process, and stated
the permanent constitution would enshrine the ideals of “pluralism,
federalism, human rights and civil liberties.”
On May 28, the Arab League's Secretary-General Amr Mousa told reporters
in Damascus that the Arab League was “ready to send consultants to help
and offer assistance'' in writing the new Iraqi constitution.
Water and Sanitation:
PCO has 82 water treatment projects underway and has completed 27 to date.
Under the Accelerated Iraq Reconstruction Program (AIRP), there are a further
12 water treatment projects under construction and 38 have been completed.
Total water treatment capacity to be added from PCO projects is approximately
1.4 million cubic meters per day, which will benefit 2.5 million Iraqis.
The Third Infantry Division is working with the Ministry of Health to rebuild the
entire water system in Zafaraniya, a suburb of Baghdad.
– The $3.5 million project will provide potable water to more than 200,000
residents.
Health Care:
Construction is underway on 143 new primary health care (PHC) facilities across
Iraq. Under the AIRP, an additional two PHCs are under construction and eight have
been completed.
One million sachets of Oral Rehydration Salts were delivered from UNICEF to the
Ministry of Health in May as contingency stocks to be used for treatment during the
diarrhea/cholera season. Diarrhea is a major killer of children in Iraq, causing
around 25 percent of child deaths.
USAID, in cooperation with WHO and UNICEF, is supporting the Ministry of Health’s
campaign to vaccinate children against measles, mumps and rubella.
– Ninety-eight percent of the targeted 2.7 million children in 14 governorates were
reached during Phase 1 of the campaign. During the first five days of Phase 2,
forty seven percent of approximately 934,541 targeted children in five
governorates were vaccinated.
The Minister of Health is seeking to establish a national campaign to vaccinate
children against polio in June and July 2005. Polio has not been a concern in Iraq
for several years, however, the potential of the virus importing from nearby countries
with ongoing outbreaks, particularly in Sudan and Yemen, has initiated the support of
the campaign. The Ministry has developed plans with the assistance from the USG,
WHO, and UNICEF to support these activities.
Education:
PCO has completed 589 schools renovations to date and a further 122 are
under construction. Under the AIRP, an additional 25 school renovations have
been completed and 15 are underway.
– 840 schools are scheduled for completion by mid-2005.
USAID is working with the Ministry of Education and a Jordanian firm to
develop an early childhood learning television program to help pre-school age
children develop learning and comprehension skills.
Telecommunications:
The three major cell phone companies in Iraq (Asiacell, Iraqna, and Atheer)
continue to enroll new subscribers at healthy rates. As of May 1, there were
2,180,355 active cellular subscribers in Iraq, a 6 percent increase over last
month. Landline telephone subscribers in Iraq have also increased to 992,416.
Prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom, there were approximately 833,000 landline
subscribers and no cellular network.
Iraqi Stock Exchange:
On May 30, the Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) traded 539,320,554 shares with a
total trading volume of NID 5,018,973,594 ($3,425,921). The industrial sector,
which includes manufacturing, packing, and chemical producing companies,
comprises the largest percentage of trading. On May 30, the industrial sector
traded 50,344,921 shares with a trading volume of NID 405,319,599 ($276,669).
The banking sector comprises the second largest percentage of trading. On
May 30, nine banks traded 429,656,923 shares with a trading volume of
4,059,853,487 ($ 2,771,231).
Private Sector Development:
On June 1, the World Bank International Finance Corporation signed an
agreement with the Iraq National Bank to provide the first investment for the Iraq
Small Business Financing Facility (SBFF). This facility will provide $170 million
in loans to small and medium sized businesses.
First Death Sentences for Convicted Insurgents:
An Iraqi court sentenced three rebels to death for rape, kidnapping and
murder, the first death sentences passed in connection with the ongoing
insurgency. The Iraqi government also announced that two Syrians were
sentenced by a court in Baghdad to life imprisonment for joining the
insurgency. The three death sentences, passed on men aged 25, 30 and 44,
followed their conviction on charges of taking part in 20 different rebel
operations during which they killed and captured policemen and raped Iraqi
women. Members of the public attending the trial in the town applauded the
sentence and shouted, “long live justice.“ What do you want to bet these people do not sit on death row for 20 years like here in the U.S. I bet they have already set a date to carry out the sentence.
Iraqi President Expects Saddam Trial in Two Months:
On May 31, Reuters News Service reported that Saddam Hussein could go on
trial for crimes against humanity within two months, far earlier than expected.
Asked in a CNN interview when Saddam's trial would begin, Iraq’s President
Talabani said: "I hope within two months.”
Well there is your weekly summary of the other important issues going on in Iraq. Just for your edification."