Iraqi Kurdistan Region Media Summary --

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000447 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR PKPA PGOV ECON IZ TU SUBJECT: Iraqi Kurdistan Region Media Summary -- February 10, 2007 ¶1. (U) This is a Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) cable. ¶U. S. Air Force Attacks Peshmerga in Mosul -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) PUK media outlets reported that late Thursday night the U. ¶S. Air Force attacked a PUK office in al-Karama neighborhood in Mosul killing eight Peshmerga and injuring six. The report says Coalitional Forces apologized to the families of the Peshmerga who had been killed and injured, saying that the plane missed its target. Turkey's Anti-Terror Coordinator Calls for Dialog with Kurds -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) Major Kurdish media covered a statement made by the Anti-Terror Coordinator for Turkey, Adib Basher, on NTV Turkish TV station in which he said, "We are ready to meet with the Iraqi Kurdish leaders." ¶U. S. Supports Kirkuk Referendum -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) PUKmedia.com reported on a statement by Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Dan Fred to the Turkish TV station, NTV. In the statement Fred says the United States supports holding the referendum in Kirkuk City. "The Iraqi constitution mentions the importance of holding this referendum. It is the Iraqi's wish, and we have to respect it." KISU Supports Article 140 Committee's Resolutions to Relocate Arabs -------------- -------------- ¶5. (U) KDP-run Khabat newspaper published a press release from the Kurdistan Islamic Scientists' Union in support of two resolutions issued by the Higher Committee for the Implementation of Article ¶140. The resolutions called for the relocation of "Arabs of Arabization" in Kirkuk back to their original homeland beginning on March 15. They also call for the cancellation of their title to land in Kirkuk, a compensatory payment of 20 million Iraqi Dinars (about $15,325),and a promise of land and jobs in their new homes. Iraqi Parliament Creates New Article 140 Committee -------------- -------------- ¶6. (U) Peyamner News Agency (run by the KDP) reported on a statement by Mohammed Ahmed, a member in the Iraqi National Assembly (INA) from the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU),announcing the creation of a new Article 140 Committee. He said, "The INA decided to create a new committee for monitoring the implement of Article 140 in Kirkuk Province. The committee will contain five Kurdish members." He continued, "We've succeeded in adding a member representing the KIU and another one representing the Christians of Kurdistan. They are both members of the Kurdistan Alliance." KRG Deputy Prime Minster Visit to Ras al-Khaymah -------------- -------------- ¶7. (U) PUK-run Kurdistani Nwe newspaper reported the visit of Omar Fatah (PUK member),the KRG Deputy Prime Minister, to Ras al-Khayman in the United Arabs of Emirates. Fatah met with Sheikh Suoud Bin Saqar al-Qasimy to discuss cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and the Emirate. Commentaries: -------------- -------------- ¶8. (U) The President of Saladdin University, Dr. Mohammed Sadiq, gave an interview to the KDP-run Khabat newspaper in which he said the greatest barrier to improving the educational system in the Kurdistan Region is the lack of freedom on university campuses and lack of openness in government decisions affecting higher education. Criticizing a 2004 Kurdistan National Assembly decision to expand the number of departments and course offerings in KRG universities, he said, "These colleges have been opened with no plans. The University does not have professors in all these fields." He continued, "No one asked for advice from the University when the Higher Education law was issued, and it has a direct impact on the University." He said he regrets that he only had one opportunity to meet with the Minister of Higher Education to discuss the law. He concluded that he is now cooperating with the Ministry on a development plan sponsored by USAID. ¶9. (SBU) This media summary is completed by Public Diplomacy Assistant Tawar Rasheed.