IRAQI PRESS MONITOR, 4 Aug 05

SECURITY FILES HANDED OVER TO IRAQI FORCES

(Al-Mada) - In a step to hand over security to Iraqi forces, the American military in Najaf delivered security files to the Iraqis there. The spokesman of the multinational forces said Najaf is the first province that will deal with the security files as Iraqis replace foreign forces. He added that the readiness of the security forces in Najaf encouraged the Americans to transfer the security files to them. Meanwhile, the Sadrists accused the American army of torturing Sheikh Ahmed al-Shibani, a Muqtada al-Sadr supporter who has been detained by the Americans since September. (Al-Mada is issued daily by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and
Arts.)


CABINET TO DISCUSS MILITARY SERVICE, FUEL PRICES

(Al-Ittihad) - In its session that will be held today, the Iraqi cabinet will discuss the possibility of three important issues: mandatory military service, fuel price increases, and the raising of ration item prices. A source at the cabinet said there was a possibility for the initial approval of these issues, but he added the cabinet will decide what is good for the people. (Al-Ittihad is published daily by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.)


AL-DULAIMI ACCUSES AMERICANS

(Al-Taakhi) - The former head of the Sunni Endowment, Adnan al-Dulaimi, accused the American forces of being involved in a campaign launched against him by the Iraqi government. The American forces raided his house early Wednesday morning; but guaranteed him to compensate him for the damage they caused to his house. In a press conference held in his house, al-Dulaimi said the Americans destroyed the outer fence with a tank and the main gate with iron hammers. He also said the soldiers gathered all of his grandsons in one room and beat one of them who was sleeping in the garden. (Al-Taakhi is issued daily by the Kurdistan Democratic Party.)


HUMAN RIGHTS TO BE CONSIDERED IN ARRESTS

(Al-Sabah) - Interior Ministry security forces have begun implementing new measures that take human rights and respect of the people into consideration when arresting them. Brigadier General Noori al-Noori, general inspector of the ministry, said the minister has decided to conduct raids of homes during the day only in the presence of one of certain officials. He also said night raids will be conducted only with his permission. He added that the office of the general inspector has formed 400 committees to eliminate financial and administrative corruption in the ministry and to revise the previous contracts. (Al-Sabah is a daily, independent, publicly-owned newspaper.)


INTERIOR MINISTER TO APPROVE RESIDENCY PERMITS

(Al-Bayan) - The Interior Ministry has decided it will not give residency permits to foreign Arabs unless it is personally approved by the minister. A source at the ministry said Arabs who want to work in the private sector should obtain approval from the ministries of labor and interior.
(Al-Bayan is issued four times a week by the Islamic Dawa Party.)


OIL SMUGGLERS ARRESTED

(Al-Adala) - As part of its plan to eliminate oil smuggling, the Oil Ministry and the Interior Ministry have raided a smuggling operation den in the al-Kadisya neighborhood of Baghdad. A media source at the ministry said they found 22 cisterns ready for smuggling and arrested 60 people, in addition to confiscating some weapons. (Al-Adala is issued daily by the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in
Iraq.)


SECURITY FORCES RAID HIDDEN BASEMENT

(Al-Mashriq) - Ministry of Interior security forces raided a hidden basement used for storing weapons at the al-Nahdah garage after receiving intelligence information. A source at the ministry said they raided the Bab al-Sheikh area and confiscated anti- aircraft rockets with their launchers. They also arrested 25 suspects in the Salaman Pak and Abu Disheer areas. (Al-Mashriq is published daily by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments.)


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Iraqi Press Monitor is published by the Institute for War & Peace Reporting, an independent non-profit organisation supporting regional media and democratic change.