Oil Workers Mobilize Iran Poised To

Oil Workers Mobilize
Iran Poised to Help with Reconstruction

Greg Muttit of the Guardian reports that the Iraqi oil workers’ union is gearing up to fight any attempt to privatize the Iraqi oil industry. Since it can shut down oil production at will, it is a fight the union is likely to win.

The watermelon poisoner has been caught.

“Iraq’s Ambassador to Iran, Mohammad Majid al-Sheikh, said that Iran is the most qualified country among neighboring states for reconstructing Iraq.”

Iraqi forces in the holy city of Karbala discovered 300 missiles.

Tidbits from the Iraqi Press via BBC World Monitor for 1 June:

“Al-Ufuq publishes on page 3 a 100-word report stating that Hadi al-Amiri, National Assembly member and chairman of the Badr Organization, has met Muqtada al-Sadr to discuss the participation of all Iraqi factions in drafting the constitution. The report adds that the citizens of Al-Abbasiyah district have staged a demonstration in front of the Al-Najaf Advisory Council to protest the dissolution of the local Advisory Council in their district . . .

Al-Adalah carries on page 3 a 1,500-word interview with National Assembly member Dr Amal Kashif al-Ghita discussing a proposal she presented to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on “guaranteeing women’s rights” in the new Iraqi constitution . . .

Ishraqat al-Sadr runs on page 1 a 50-word report stating that Muqtada al-Sadr in his meetings with Iraqi officials has said that the United States has come to Iraq only to “fight Islam,” and that there will be no security unless the “occupation forces” withdraw from Iraq. Ishraqat al-Sadr publishes on page 1 a 100-word report citing National Assembly member Fattah al-Shaykh saying that if the US Government does not “apologize” to him for “attacking him,” he will “retaliate” . . .

Ishraqat al-Sadr runs on page 1 a 100-word report citing a statement issued by a number of National Assembly members and the Al-Sadr Office’s Tribal Congregation demanding the withdrawal of the “occupation forces” from the Al-Sadr City . . .

Al-Ufuq publishes on the front page a 100-word follow-up report citing a statement issued a few days ago by the Human Rights Association in Babil Governorate confirming the arrest of the Iranian consular in the governorate. The report says that he was released after two days in detention.

Al-Ufuq publishes on page 3 a 170-word report citing Karbala Advisory Council announcing the completion of administrative work for the formation of a new commando brigade in the governorate to be led by Colonel Abbas Abid Zayd . . .

Al-Mu’tamar runs on page 2 a 50-word report stating that Al-Muqdadiyah Municipality Director in Diyala Rahim Rudan was released on 31 May, a week after his kidnap. The report adds that his relatives had paid a ransom of $30,000 . . .

Al-Furat publishes on the front page a 100-word report citing a security report saying that unidentified gunmen have kidnapped the traffic department’s bank director in Tikrit . . .

Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 200-word report citing Iraq’s Ambassador to Egypt Safiyah al-Suhayl announcing the formation of the Iraqi Women’s Supreme Commission that comprises over 100 women’s organizations . . .

Al-Mu’tamar carries on page 2 a 75-word report stating that Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad al-Chalabi, who is also the chairman of the Power Council, visited oil establishments in Kirkuk. . .

Al-Mashriq publishes on page 4 a 120-word report saying that Iraq and Iran have agreed to complete the technical details in order to expedite the $10 million Iranian grant to Iraq . . .

Al-Mashriq publishes on page 4 a 500-word report quoting an Iraqi academic as saying that nine million Iraqis are below the poverty line. . .

Ishraqat al-Sadr carries on page 8 a 1,600-word unattributed article discussing Muqtada al-Sadr’s involvement in politics. The article says that Al-Sadr is the mouthpiece for the poor and persecuted, adding that he works towards “liberating” Iraq. . .