World Media Watch for September 6, 2002

BUZZFLASH NOTE: Once again, these are the views and perspectives of the individual papers, not of BuzzFlash or Gloria. They offer BuzzFlash readers a way of reading what other nations are saying about the crisis, whether we like it or not. We repeat: This is not an endorsement of their viewpoints.

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1//News.com.au, Australia--WE HAVE IRAQ PROOF: PM (PRIME Minister John Howard yesterday said Australia had seen US intelligence which proved Iraq still held weapons of mass destruction, something denied by Saddam Hussein…Key Government ministers believe an attack on Iraq, led by the US and Britain, is now almost inevitable with a possible launch of action within the next two months. Previously ministers did not think the US would attack until early next year but activity in Washington in the past two weeks has led to a reappraisal…Senator Hill's office also confirmed yesterday that massive Russian Antonov aircraft have been transporting Australian troops and equipment into Kuwait but denied it was part of a major military build-up in the region.)

2//The Straits Times Interactive, Malaysia--STRIKE ON IRAQ WOULD OPEN GATES OF HELL, SAYS ARAB CHIEF ('We will continue to work to avoid a military confrontation or a military action, because we believe that it will open the gates of hell in the Middle East,' Mr Mussa told a press conference after a two-day meeting of Arab foreign ministers dominated by concerns over a possible US strike against Baghdad…'Everyone in the Middle East is angry and frustrated with what is happening in the occupied Palestinian territories. Therefore a strike against Iraq, I believe, will lead to serious repercussions in the Middle East and beyond,' he said .)

3//Asia Times Online, Hong Kong--INSIDE SADDAM'S SECURITY NETWORK (The primary role of this extensive security system is, of course, to keep Saddam in power. Iraq's security men have mastered this task. In short, Saddam Hussein isn't going to meekly wait for a US-sponsored overthrow…Understanding these state organs of control is necessary to understand just how entrenched Saddam's rule is. Even if he is defeated in battle, remaking Iraq will have to take into account dealing with these agencies.)

4//Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran--RAFSANJANI: SADDAM, IRAQ ACCUSTOMED TO WASHINGTON'S WRONG POLICIES (Rafsanjani, who was addressing the participants of the `Fatemiun-3' war games in southern Tehran, said the US had escalated tension in the world, disturbed economic, political, cultural and psychological stability and public tranquility only to pursue its own hegemonic goals. He said no regional disputes would be solved without Iran's involvement…The US should be vigilant in western part of Iran and know that Tehran's displeasure would cost it dearly, said Rafsanjani, adding, "US ambition in the region would have no benefit but would only cause it harm."… He went on to say that the existence of nine million Basijis, one third of whom are women, has increased the level of national security necessary for the country's defense.)

5//The Guardian, UK--BLAIR TO MEET PUTIN FOR IRAQ TALKS (Tony Blair is to fly to Moscow for a summit on Iraq with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in October, Downing Street announced today…The Russian prime minister's close relationship with both Mr Bush and Mr Blair is expected to be enough to smooth out any objections to military action against Iraq, if the question of the debts can be settled.)

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1//News.com.au September 06, 2002
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,5044438%255E421,00.html

WE HAVE IRAQ PROOF: PM
By Dennis Atkins, Michael Beach and James McCullough
The Courier-Mail

PRIME Minister John Howard yesterday said Australia had seen US intelligence which proved Iraq still held weapons of mass destruction, something denied by Saddam Hussein.

The US has indicated that Iraq's refusal to allow United Nations inspectors in to check this intelligence could spark an attack in the near future.

(SNIP)

The dramatic toughening of rhetoric yesterday suggests the Bush administration's anti-Hussein strategy is firming, with military experts tipping a US strike between November and January.

(SNIP)

Mr Howard continued to stress a diplomatic solution was preferable but he acknowledged what he called the inevitable tempo of activity surrounding US intentions in the Persian Gulf.

"We obviously have access to intelligence," Mr Howard told reporters at Amberley Air Base, west of Brisbane. "We haven't idly said that we believe Iraq has weapons of mass destruction."

Mr Howard said he did not expect anything to happen in "the very near future".

Key Government ministers believe an attack on Iraq, led by the US and Britain, is now almost inevitable with a possible launch of action within the next two months.

Previously ministers did not think the US would attack until early next year but activity in Washington in the past two weeks has led to a reappraisal.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said the probability of war was increasing.

(SNIP)

Senator Hill's office also confirmed yesterday that massive Russian Antonov aircraft have been transporting Australian troops and equipment into Kuwait but denied it was part of a major military build-up in the region.

The heavy lift freighters, among the largest aircraft in the world, are capable of holding three Black Hawk helicopters plus troops.

The Antonovs have been shuttling between Darwin and Kuwait carrying staff and equipment once or twice a week for five months.

2//The Straits Times Interactive Updated Sept 5 9.43 pm (Singapore time)
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/

STRIKE ON IRAQ WOULD OPEN GATES OF HELL, SAYS ARAB CHIEF

CAIRO, AFP -- Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa warned here on Thursday that military action against Iraq would 'open the gates of hell' in the Middle East.

'We will continue to work to avoid a military confrontation or a military action, because we believe that it will open the gates of hell in the Middle East,' Mr Mussa told a press conference after a two-day meeting of Arab foreign ministers dominated by concerns over a possible US strike against Baghdad.

He added 'you can never tell or talk about the results, the dimensions' of such an action.

Such a military strike 'should be seen against the background of Arab frustration and anger' against Israel.

'Everyone in the Middle East is angry and frustrated with what is happening in the occupied Palestinian territories. Therefore a strike against Iraq, I believe, will lead to serious repercussions in the Middle East and beyond,' he said.

Arab foreign ministers issued a statement on Thursday rejecting 'any threat of attack' against Iraq and urged Baghdad to pursue a dialogue with the United Nations to head off Washington's push for military strikes.

(MORE)

3//Asia Times Online Sept. 5, 02
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/DI06Ak01.html

INSIDE SADDAM'S SECURITY NETWORK
By David Isenberg

(SNIP)

The primary role of this extensive security system is, of course, to keep Saddam in power. Iraq's security men have mastered this task. In short, Saddam Hussein isn't going to meekly wait for a US-sponsored overthrow. He has placed loyal family members and followers from his native Tikrit region in every key position of the Iraqi infrastructure - particularly in the officer corps of the military and intelligence and security services. To forestall plots against him, Saddam has such groups spying on each other. By coming to power through violence, Saddam follows the principle of "kill or be killed". He has even murdered longtime friends and associates - such as in 1996 when he had two sons-in-law executed.

Understanding these state organs of control is necessary to understand just how entrenched Saddam's rule is. Even if he is defeated in battle, remaking Iraq will have to take into account dealing with these agencies.

An article by Ibrahim Al-Marashi in the September issue of the Middle East Review of International Affairs notes that "Iraq's security apparatus, commonly referred to as the Mukhabarat, is one of the main instruments of state control for Saddam's regime and has been instrumental in its survival despite two costly wars plus numerous internal insurrections, coup attempts and crippling international sanctions".

The Mukhabarat is not a monolithic unit. Instead it is a vast, complex labyrinth of security organizations with their own intelligence and military units pervading all layers of Iraqi society. The number and size of these agencies have grown dramatically since the Baath Party takeover of Iraq in 1968. The five main agencies are the al-Amn al-Khas (Special Security), al-Amn al-Amm (General Security), al-Mukhabarat (General Intelligence), al-Istikhbarat (Military Intelligence) and al-Amn al-Askari (Military Security). In addition, there are myriad Baath security agencies, civil police forces, paramilitary militias and special military units that protect the regime.

All five intelligence agencies are headquartered in Baghdad, but General Intelligence, Military Intelligence and General Security maintain field offices in numerous provinces, cities and towns of Iraq. Generally, Military Intelligence and Military Security deal exclusively with military matters, while General Security focuses on the civilian domain. The following description draws heavily from Al-Marashi's article.

(MORE-Details on all arms of Saddam's security apparatus.)

4//Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) last Update Thursday, 05-Sep-2002 14:54:12 PDT
http://www.irna.com/en/head/020905170809.ehe.shtml

RAFSANJANI: SADDAM, IRAQ ACCUSTOMED TO WASHINGTON'S WRONG POLICIES

Shahr-e Rey, Tehran prov, Sept 5, IRNA -- Expediency Council (EC) Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said here Thursday that Saddam and , which the US refers to as 'dangerous' power today and which is out to overthrow -- are accustomed to the 'wrong and unsound' policies and support of the US administration.

Rafsanjani, who was addressing the participants of the `Fatemiun-3' war games in southern Tehran, said the US had escalated tension in the world, disturbed economic, political, cultural and psychological stability and public tranquility only to pursue its own hegemonic goals.

He said no regional disputes would be solved without Iran's involvement.

He added that the US should take Iran's situation, policies and fair goals into consideration on account of the country's strategic location, economic resources as well as its Muslim and revolutionary forces, like the Basijis. He advised the US and its allies to look realistically at the region, Iran as well as its vicinity.

(SNIP)

The US should be vigilant in western part of Iran and know that Tehran's displeasure would cost it dearly, said Rafsanjani, adding, "US ambition in the region would have no benefit but would only cause it harm."

He said the 15,000 female Basijis, who braved the summer heat to take part in the current cultural and military war game, are awaiting directives from the leader to go into action. The US, however, has turned a blind eye to the realities, he added. He went on to say that the existence of nine million Basijis, one third of whom are women, has increased the level of national security necessary for the country's defense.

Rafsanjani went on to say that 18 percent of the Basijis are well-trained and they are psychologically, physically and tactically well-prepared to repel any movement and ambition of the US and other enemies of the Islamic establishment. He called on the audience to strive for national unity and consensus and contribute to the development of Islamic Iran.

Meanwhile, Commander of Basij Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi told the participants that 440,000 women and girls are members of the Basij in the capital, Tehran.

5//The Guardian Thursday September 5, 2002
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,786597,00.html

2.15pm update
BLAIR TO MEET PUTIN FOR IRAQ TALKS
Matthew Tempest, political correspondent

Tony Blair is to fly to Moscow for a summit on Iraq with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in October, Downing Street announced today.

The resumed globetrotting - the prime minister is also travelling to Washington for a tete-a-tete with the US president, George Bush, this weekend - casts Mr Blair back into the role he played during the Afghanistan war, as "link man" between the US administration, Europe and its allies.

(SNIP)

Mr Putin is expected to be reassured about the huge debts Saddam Hussein's regime owes Russia, estimated to be around £11bn.

The Russian prime minister's close relationship with both Mr Bush and Mr Blair is expected to be enough to smooth out any objections to military action against Iraq, if the question of the debts can be settled.

Mr Putin was quick to allow US military bases in former Soviet satellite states during the American bombardment of Afghanistan. However, a diplomatic dispute between Mr Putin and Mr Bush has recently broken out over Russian aid for the fledgling nuclear industry in Iran.

(SNIP)

By the time Mr Blair meets Mr Putin, the dossier of evidence of Iraq's alleged attempts to build or acquire weapons of mass destruction should have been made public. On Tuesday Mr Blair said it would be published "within the next few weeks".

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© 2002, Gloria R. Lalumia
insight@zianet.com

Updated listings of Radio for Progressives on the internet at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical

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