MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ, AL-JAFARI'S VISIT TO IRAN,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002919

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ,
INR/P
E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO IZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ, AL-JAFARI'S VISIT TO IRAN,
TERRORISM; BAGHDAD


1. SUMMARY: The major themes in the daily newspapers on
July 12 were Al-Jafari's upcoming visit to Iran, the
constitutional committee's preparations for drafting the
constitution, and the latest developments of the security
situation. END SUMMARY.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A. "The Prime Minister's new tour" (Ad-Dustoor, 7/12)

B. "Blair's call and Talabani's suggestions for ending
terrorism" (Al-Adala, 7/12)

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SELECTED COMMENTARIES
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A. "The Prime Minister's new tour" (Ad-Dustoor, 7/12)

Ad-Dustoor (independent) published a front-page editorial
by Bassem Al-Sheikh about Al-Jafari's expected visit to
Iran and Syria:

"Al-Jafari will soon depart on a new tour to Iran and
Syria. It was only recently that the Prime Minister
returned from his visit to Brussels, Britain, and the
United States. It appears as though our officials will
always be destined to travel in order to provide a decent
life for the Iraqi people. Al-Jafari's current tour is
primarily aimed at solving all pending issues between Iraq
and Iran. Most of these lingering issues originated from
Saddam's policies against the people of Iran and Iraq. Iran
wants to ratify the agreement that was signed in Algeria
between the deposed Shah of Iran and Saddam Hussein
regarding the border issue. This agreement, however, is
suspicious because it represents a contract that was signed
by two plotters who only cared about their personal
interests.

During the last meeting between the Iraqi and Iranian
Ministers of Defense, Iran demonstrated its willingness to
offer one billion dollars to support Iraq's reconstruction,
establish mutual military cooperation, and to help the
Iraqi people. However, this assistance had a string
attached that stated Iraq must not allow foreign troops to
establish military bases on its land. The visit by the
Iraqi Minister of Defense was made in preparation for Al-
Jafari's visit, which will discuss the above-mentioned
issues and focus on obtaining further political support.

I believe Al-Jafari's visit will yield positive results
because he has strong relationships with Iranian
politicians and leaders. But will his visit settle the
issue of the large debts that were accumulated due to the
Iraqi-Iranian war that was sparked by the deposed dictator?
Will this visit resolve the numerous border issues that
have long provided a source for bilateral tension? Will the
visit solve the issue of prisoners of war and other missing
persons? Will Al-Jafari's visit lead to an agreement
regarding the one hundred and eleven Iraqi planes sitting
on the tarmac in Iran? We believe that these are the most
important issues that should be discussed during the
upcoming visit because obtaining political support and
cooperation on border security have already been discussed
at length."


B. "Blair's call and Talabani's suggestions for ending
terrorism" (Al-Adala, 7/12)

Al-Adala (affiliated with SCIRI) published a last-page
column by Hamdi Hassan about terrorism in Iraq:

"The London bombings will not come to pass without a real
strategic review of the international strategy against
terrorism. The bombings in London hold the same importance
as the September 11th attacks. British Prime Minister Tony
Blair stated that the motives for terrorism must be
eradicated because such terror is aimed at distorting
Islam. Blair added that procedures must be implemented to
reinforce mutual understandings between the world's
religions and to proceed forward in working to achieve
peace in the Middle East.

In the wake of the London bombings, this suggestion appears
aimed at searching for treatments that can restore the
social, economic, and political balance in Middle Eastern
countries. Many countries in this region are accused of
being a primary source for spawning terrorism. Most
importantly, this suggestion is aimed at looking for the
motives rather than results. All international efforts must
be united, in coordination with the Middle Eastern
countries, to root out terrorism. These terrorists are
exporting their crimes every day to the Middle East and
around the world with the objective of disseminating more
horror through killing and bloodshed. In Iraq, however, the
situation is more difficult because of the daily presence
of terrorist operations. Nonetheless, we think that Blair's
suggestions are worthy and we support the call to establish
a strategy that will mobilize international efforts to
implement practical solutions to end terrorism.
Meanwhile, President Jalal Talabani recently called for
holding a meeting for all Arab Ministers of Interior to
declare their united opposition to terrorism. Such a
meeting is especially pertinent since many of these
countries are suspected of supporting and financing
terrorism. In fact, Iraq's Minister of Defense, Sadoun Al-
Dulaimi, revealed that Iraq has evidence that proves
certain countries are involved in spreading terror in Iraq.
Without a doubt, the most hurtful wounds in Iraq are being
inflicted by Arab terrorism. The Arab countries, their
media outlets, religious institutions, and social
organizations all possess the safety valve that can stop
terrorism in Iraq. This fire of terrorism will be extended
to burn the Middle East and other countries. For this
reason, these countries must respond to the suggestions of
Blair and Talabani. A new strategy must be implemented to
fight the plague of the current era. Iraq must become the
first laboratory where those countries accused of
supporting terrorism can prove their innocence. If such
countries refuse, we will be forced to reveal secrets for
the sake of peace and the protection of nations."

SATTERFIELD