Sharm El Sheikh On Iraqi T

Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah Television in Arabic — government-sponsored television station, run by the Iraqi Media Network — and Baghdad Al-Sharqiyah Television in Arabic — an independent, private news and entertainment channel focusing on Iraq, run by Sa’d al-Bazzaz, publisher of the Arabic-language daily Al-Zaman — between 1300-2100 GMT on 3 May are observed to cover events and reports about the Sharm al-Shaykh international conference on Iraq as follows: Al-Iraqiyah:

–At 1300 GMT, Al-Iraqiyah TV continues to carry a studio interview with Dr Walid al-Hilli, secretary general of the Human Rights Group in Iraq, started at 1230 GMT. Al-Hilli comments on the Sharm al-Shaykh conference. He describes the conference as “a huge and massive event attended by the permanent members of the Security Council, the G-8, the main industrialized world states, as well as the Arab states and other states that support Iraq and that affect the world economy and world policy.” He adds: “Definitely, this hugely important event comes in support of Iraq, of the Iraqi Government, and of the political process in Iraq. Likewise, this huge gathering comes to support Iraq’s march. These states are showing solidarity to render the process in Iraq a success and to help eliminate terrorism. Besides, the issue of writing off Iraq’s debts, or 80% of these debts (will feature prominently on the agenda). In return, the Iraqi Government made pledges to the international community that it will safeguard the political process and democratic mechanism, that it will protect human rights, that it will commit itself to giving everybody his or her lawful rights, and that the rule of law will reign supreme.”

–At 1309-1317 GMT, an unidentified Al-Iraqiyah TV anchorman in Baghdad carries a live satellite interview with Iraqi National Security Adviser Muwaffaq al-Rubay’i in Sharm al-Shaykh.

Iraqi National Security Adviser Muwaffaq al-Rubay’i

Asked for his reaction to this conference, Al-Rubay’i says: “As a matter of fact, this is a huge and massive political and media event designed to back the International Compact With Iraq. In brief, the International Compact is a structure or an equation under which Iraq will make pledges or undertakings that it will continue with the political process, and that it will enhance this process.” Al-Rubay’i adds: “In return, the world, or the international community, will pledge to help Iraq by dropping or writing off debts or reducing war reparations. Besides, the regional and world states will pledge to support the security process in Iraq, to ensure that all interference in Iraqi domestic affairs will stop and that national sovereignty will be reinforced. The world will help expedite the building of our Armed Forces and security forces so as to defeat terrorism and triumph over Al-Qa’ida and its stooges.”

When asked on what would guarantee compliance with the conference resolutions by the participating countries, Al-Rubay’i says: “Even the countries that are entertaining the notion of noncompliance with their undertakings and pledges” will find themselves compelled to show compliance because “the international community, the entire international community, is supportive of Iraq, of the political process, of the Constitution, and of the national unity government.”

When asked about UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon , Al-Rubay’i says: “Let me tell you something. Over the past few years, over the past four years, the United Nations has not played a huge role, one that would have lived up to the Iraqis’ aspirations.” He adds: “We seek to upgrade the level of UN efforts. Therefore, once this conference is concluded; specifically, the day after tomorrow, I will leave for Washington and New York for talks with the UN secretary general on the new ways and methods that could bring about an upgrade in ties with the United Nations, and also upgrade of UN presence in Iraq.” . . .

Within its 1700 GMT newscast, Al-Iraqiyah TV highlights the speeches delivered at the opening session of the Sharm al-Shaykh conference on Iraq. It also carries the following reports:

–“Prime Minister Nuri Kamil al-Maliki has affirmed that a strong Iraq is a factor of stability in the region. He added: Whoever thinks that a weak Iraq serves his interests is mistaken. Al-Maliki made these remarks when he received US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at his place of residence in Sharm al-Shaykh. Rice urged Iraq’s neighboring countries to support Iraq through its democratic institutions. She added that Iraq’s neighboring countries will understand that supporting Iraq cannot be achieved except through bolstering its democratic institutions.

Iraqi PM Al-Maliki and Condoleezza Rice

For his part, the prime minister called upon the United States to conduct bilateral dialogues with some of Iraq’s neighboring countries to achieve results that would serve stability in Iraq and the region. He indicated that the International Compact Conference and the neighboring countries conference offer a good opportunity for holding dialogues and achieving understanding among all participating countries.”

–“More than 50 countries and international organizations attending the International Compact Conference, which began its meetings in Sharm al-Shaykh today, were unanimous on the need to uproot terrorism and support the Iraqi people in the course of their efforts to build their future and rebuild their country. Through their speeches, the conference participants affirmed their full readiness to extend all kinds of support and backing to build Iraq and make it a secure and prosperous country that enjoys security and stability.”

–“During a meeting at his place of residence in Sharm al-Shaykh, Prime Minister Nuri Kamil al-Maliki and British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett discussed the results of the International Compact Conference held today, Thursday, and the willingness of the participating countries to help Iraq with regard to its debts. A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office, a copy of which Al-Iraqiyah has obtained, said that Al-Maliki commended the support extended by the countries that are participating in the conference, which is viewed as a milestone for Iraq and the world. He stressed the importance of there being an Iraqi national compact to interact with the International Compact Document, the statement noted. The statement added that Al-Maliki underscored that a strategic option, rather than the option of force, will be used to consolidate security and stability in the country.”

–“Arab and international media have attached great importance to the convening of the International Compact Conference on Iraq in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm al-Shaykh. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry affirmed that some 1,000 media persons covered the proceedings of the said conference.”

–“Politicians and MPs were unanimous that the launch of the International Compact Document on Iraq will open the doors wide for a new phase to save the country. In statements to Al-Iraqiyah, they affirmed that the said conference reflects the success of the officials’ relevant efforts.”

Then, Dr Salim Abdallah, MP for the [Sunni] Iraqi Al-Tawafuq Front, is shown saying: “All the issues that were raised were agreed to before. Nonetheless, the Iraqi man in the street and the political blocs wonder when these programs will be implemented.” He adds: “We think that it is high time these states fulfilled their obligations toward the deteriorating security situation, and toward a political situation that needs solutions.”

Iraqi MP Muntasir al-Imarah expresses optimism about the possible implementation of the provisions enshrined in the International Compact Document.
Iraqi MP Abdallah Salih says that the Iraqi Government is required to take some steps, including the implementation of political and economic reforms. He adds: “We should positively address these demands for political and economic reforms, not out of a desire to satisfy others, but rather out of a desire to meet constitutional demands.”

–“Citizens today expressed optimism over the convening of the International Compact Conference on Iraq. In statements to Al-Iraqiyah, the citizens affirmed that the said conference reflects the international community’s faith in the Iraqi people’s creative ability to save Iraq.”
Citizens are shown making statements urging Iraq’s neighboring countries to “help Iraq dismantle and rout terrorism” and write off Iraq’s debts. Al-Sharqiyah:

Al-Sharqiyah leads its 1300 GMT newscast . . . This is followed by several reports on the Sharm al-Shaykh conference, highlighting statements by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu-al-Ghayt, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, UN Secretary General Ban-KI moon, Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Saudi Foreign Minister Sa’ud al-Faysal.

Al-Sharqiyah leads its 1400 GMT newscast with a report citing Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu-al-Ghayt as saying that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with her Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki.

This is followed by a report saying: “Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and Saudi Foreign Minister Sa’ud al-Faysal held a closed meeting in a tense atmosphere after the Saudi foreign minister failed to announce the writing off of 80 percent of Iraq’s debts. Sources said that Al-Faysal told Zebari that Saudi Arabia was the first country to welcome Al-Maliki’s government and to express readiness to support it to achieve national reconciliation that would ensure Iraq’s stability. The Saudi foreign minister said that the Iraqi Government did not fulfill its promises of achieving reconciliation and disbanding militias, but it rather dismissed competent Iraqi officers who played an important role in confronting the outlaws. During the Sharm al-Shaykh conference, heads of the participating delegations read statements, stressing the need for the Iraqi government to fulfill its commitments in return for receiving support from the international.” . .

At 1430 GMT, Al-Sharqiyah interviews Ra’id Fawzi, member of the Arab Institute for Researches and Strategic Studies, in Amman, on the Sharm al-Shaykh conference.

At 1444 GMT, Al-Sharqiyah carries a statement by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu-al-Ghayt, in which he says: “Among the issues discussed are the political, security, and economic situations; human rights; how the Iraqi authorities are carrying out their duties on the ground; and the issue of monitoring, supervision, transparency, and creditability. Today, the international community gave the Iraqi government and people its support, and the Iraqis should in return adhere to the commitments they made and take measures to implement the provisions of the International Compact document.”

At 1451 GMT, Al-Sharqiyah interviews [Shiite, SCIRI cleric] Hammam Hamudi, member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives. He says: “The International Compact with Iraq document and this large participation in the conference show that Iraq is important to the world, not only to the region. Everybody is concerned about Iraq’s prosperity and stability. The International community is determined to support Iraq in the political, security, and economic fields.”

At 1452 GMT, Al-Sharqiyah carries the following on-screen message: “Sharm al-Shaykh conference: Al-Maliki’s government is required to fulfill its promises.”

Al-Maliki

Within its 1500 GMT newscast, Al-Sharqiyah carries the following “urgent” report as a screen caption: “Al-Maliki meets Mottaki; the two sides discuss the Iranian support for the Iraqi Government.”

Between 1504 GMT and 1546 GMT, Al-Sharqiyah carries live a news conference by the Egyptian foreign minister, the Iraqi prime minister, and the UN secretary general in Sharm al-Shaykh, during which the Iraqi prime minister and the UN secretary gen eral sign the International Compact with Iraq. (GMP20070503634001)

At 1606 GMT, Ali Muhsin, Al-Sharqiyah correspondent in Sharm al-Shaykh, interviews Hasan al-Sunayd, member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, on the conference. Al-Sunayd says: “There is full international desire to help Iraq carry out the commitments it made in the International Compact with Iraq document.” He adds: “For its part, Iraq introduced the International compact document and showed commitment to making political, economic, and security reforms. I believe that the commitments Iraq made allowed it to return to the international community and to come out of the political isolation imposed on it by terrorism.”

Within its 1700 GMT newscast, Al-Sharqiyah carries the following report: “Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki met with Iranian Foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki on the sidelines of the International Compact with Iraq conference in Sharm al-Shaykh. Sources said that the two sides discussed the Iranian support for the Iraqi Government and the security situation in Iraq.”

Within the same newscast, Al-Sharqiyah reports: “Speaking to Al-Sharqiyah on the sidelines of the Sharm al-Shaykh conference, Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa stressed the important role the Arab League played in trying to find a solution to the Iraqi crisis since its beginning, adding that the Arab League exerted efforts to find a solution to the Iraqi dilemma. He also added that the Arab League hosted the first reconciliation conference in 2005. He added that agreement among all Iraqis and achieving national reconciliation is the one way to resolve the Iraqi’s people’s problems.”

Musa says: “Since the beginning of the problem in Iraq, the Arab League, contrary to what is believed, has been involved in finding a solution to the situation in Iraq. In 2003, the Arab League was the one that called on the interim Iraqi Governing Council, despite all the criticism directed to it, to take Iraq’s seat in the Arab League. Had not been for this call, no international or regional organizations would have recognized it.” . .

At 1720 GMT, Al-Sharqiyah interviews Abd-al-Naf al-Zughbi, an expert in the Iraqi economy, to talk about the International Compact with Iraq, Iraq’s economic commitments, the challenges facing the Iraqi economy and how to improve it, and other related issues.

Between 1735 GMT and 1749 GMT, Al-Sharqiyah interviews Iraqi Government Spokesman Ali Al-Dabbagh from Sharm al-Shaykh. Al-Dabbagh says: “Today’s conference was very successful. As it was expected, there was a great international interest in Iraq and its security and stability.” . .