IRAQ: REGIONAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAM KURDISH MEDIA SUMMARY 19 MAY 2015

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06708891
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: September 19, 2018
• Case Number: F-2017-02575
• Publication Date: May 19, 2015

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UNCLASSIFIED!,
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ZNR TJULMU-
HEADER
CONTROLS
191637Z MAY 15
FM OSC RESTON VA
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CITE OSC RESTON VA 37361
WARNING: TOPIC: DISSENT, DOMESTIC ECONOMIC, DOMESTIC POLITICAL,
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL, MILITARY, TERRORISM
SERIAL:L1N2015051958605699
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COUNTRY: IRAN, IRAQ, SYRIA, TURKEY, UNITED STATES
SUBJ: (U/nrot&e} IRAQ: REGIONAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAM KURDISH MEDIA
Summary 19 May 2015
SOURCE:, Arbil Kurdistan Regional Reconstruction
Team in English 19
May 15 (Urt
TEXT:
[ (U/7F0i341.1.. The following is a roundup of Kurdish press published
on
19 May as provided.by the Public Diplomacy Section, Regional
Reconstruction Team, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. OSC is not
responsible
for the content of this. publication.]
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Rashid al Shaabi [Popular Mobilization forces] Launches Offence to
Liberate Anbar
Shar Press reported that today' Hashid al-Shaabi militants have
launched an offence to liberate Anbar.
The Aim of The U.S. Operation in ,Syria Was Abu Sayyaf's Wife
Xendan reported that the .aim of the U.S. commando's operation in
Syria May 15 was capturing Abu Sayyaf's wife, who was behind
torturing and killing American citizen Kayla Mueller.
KNN reported that the State Department Spokesperson stated that Abu
Sayyaf's wife was involved in committing crimes against Yezidi
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Kerry: War Will Change in Favor of the GoI
KurdiStani Nwe newspaper reported that Secretary of State John
.Kerry
stated that the balance of war will change soon in favor of the
GoI,
and the Iraqi Security Forces(ISF) will defeat ISIL in Anbar.
The U.S. is Behind the Failure of ISF
Khabat newspaper reported that Chief of Security and Defense
Committee at the Iraqi Council of Representatives ( ICoR) Hakim'
Zamily accused the United States for the failure of the ISF,
weakening the ISF, and making a Mess in Iraq. Zamily stated that
the
United States has not provided necessary weapons and ammunition to.
the ISF and is not serious in targeting ISIL.
The United States Supports Iraq in Regaining Control Over Ramadi
Shar Press reported that the White House spokesperson stated that
the
United States and Coalition support Iraq in regaining control over
Ramadi.
Dempsey: Fall of Ramadi Proves the Weakness of Iraqi Security
Forces
PUK Media reported that Chairman of the Joint .Chiefs of Staff
Martin
Dempsey stated that the fall of Ramadi proves the weakness of the
Iraqi Security Forces. Dempsey 'also stated that the U.S. supports
the
GoI to overcome the issue.
IKR President Meets with Peshmerga Commanders
Bas News reported that on May 18 the IKR President and Vice
President
met with commander of' the Peshmerga forces and discussed the
..developments in frontlineS.
Gorran Submits a Proposal to the IKR President on How .t.c5 Resolve
the
Issue of Disputed Areas
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KNN reported that on May 18 the Gorran Movement submitted a
proposal
to the IKR President on how to return the disputed areas to the
IKR.
.Gorran's proposal 'includes: voting by local:councils of cities and
towns in the disputed areas on whether they want to be part of the
IKR or not; an IKP referendum on the disputed areas; and steps to
assure ethnic and religious minorities that their rights will be
protected.
Ministry of Trade and Industry Cancels Licenses of 64 Companies
Bas Newspaper reported that the KRG Ministry of Trade and Industry
decided to cancel the licenses of 64 companies, and asked the
Ministry of Municipality to take back. public lands that have been
allocated to those companies for investment purposes. The decision
came after the companies failed to abide by KRG regulations and
used
public land for irrelevant purposes.
Kirkuk Governor Denies U.S. Discussion of an Independent Region of
Kirkuk
Hawlati newspaper reported that Kirkuk Governor Najmadin Karim
denied
that he discussed the establishment of an independent region for
Kirkuk during his recent visit to the United States. Karim stated
that he supports the idea that Kirkuk become part of the IKR with
special status as a way to protect the rights of all components of
the province. Kirkuk Governor also stated that after the Gal failed
to release the Kirkuk budget, the Kirkuk administration began
working
with all the government departments in Kirkuk to discuss options
for .
the future of Kikruk.
IKR President Meets with IKR Political Parties
Rudaw reported that on May 18 the IKR President and Vice President
met with the IKR political parties and discussed various issues
such
as Barzani's visit to the United States and Europe; KRG-,G0I
relations, the possibility of a referendum on independence and the
future of the disputed areas, and the reform process in the IKR.
Below are the key themes of the meeting that were highlighted by
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Barzani's Visit to thellnited States
NRT: Barzani stated that the White House said they will neither
oppose Kurdish independence nor support it. During the meeting the
decision was made to form a aommittee'responsible for preparations
for declaring independence .and holding a referendum in the disputed
areas. The committee will visit Jordan, Iran, and Turkey to 'gain
support for Kurdish independence.
Rudaw: Barzani told the IKR. political parties that "if you support
me
I will declare independence at an appropriate time-."
Kurdish Unity
Awene reported that the Meeting emphasized Kurdish unity and
practical efforts to generate trust among political parties and the
public.
KRG Oil
NRT reported that in'the meeting the-KRG Deputy PM stated that some
international companies are ready to buy oil from the KRG.
Rudaw reported that Poland and Hungary are ready to buy Kurdish
oil.
Awene reported that during the meeting participants reiterated that
only resolution of the KRG-GoI oil and budget issue can calm Gal-
KRG
political relations. The Political parties expressed support to the
KRG to find sources of revenue for the KRG budget according to the
IKR law No 5, 2013.
KRG-GoI Relations
The political parties agreed that the KRG shoul6 continue
negotiations with the GoI over oil ancrbudget.iSsue.
ICoR Deputy Speaker: More Common Points Among Iraqis Than
Differences
Radio Nawa reported that during a meeting with his Hungarian
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'counterpart on May 18 1CoR Deputy Speaker Aram Muhammad stated
that
common points among Iraqis outnumber the differences.
IKP Approves Constitutional Committee.
NRT reported that tomorrow the IKP will give approval to the
constitutional committee that is responsible for review and
preparation of the IKR constitution for referendum in no more than
90
days.
Confession of Terrorist Group Arrested in Erbil
NRT reported that on May 18 the IKR Security Council arrested six
ISIL-linked terrorist in Erbil. They were Kurdish, and residents of
Erbil. NRT aired the guspects' confessions, during which they
claimed
to have prepared 18 pieces of explosive materials to use' in Erbil.
Bas reported that three of them had participated in training
workshops organized by the Kurdistan Islamic Group ( KIG)
headquarters in Erbil in the past years:: One of them was a KRG
employee at the Ministry of Agriculture, and two .of them have been
praying at Abdullah Dizyee Mosque where KIG MP Mullah Salim
Shwshkayee gives Friday speeches.
Rudaw TV's Coverage on Developments in Anbar Province
On May 18 Prime Time news Rudaw widely covered the developments in
Anbar Province. Below are some key excerpts of the coverage:
"Today (May 18) is the fourth day since Ramadi fell' into the hands
of
ISIL."
"The situation in Baghdad is not normal, and people of Baghdad are
frustrated after the fall of Ramadi."
"People of Baghdad fear that Baghdad ,might fall into the hands of
ISIL, and the GoI fall, and Abadi's cabinet to be turned into an
ISIL
cabinet."
"The U.S. role is not clear in Ramadi,".
"The' chief of the Anbar Provincial 'Council stated that the U.S.
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AMbassador to Iraq agreed on the participation of Hashid al-Shaabi
in
the Anbar war, but under the command of .the
"The GoI attempts to liberate Anbar have had counter results."
"Pentagon spokesperson: The fall of Anbar is a disaster,"
Rudaw: al-Baghdadi says "We Will Control Baghdad and Karbala"
Citing an ISIL outlet Rudaw reported that in a. taped statement the
leader of ISIL, Abubakir al-Baghdadi, stated that _ISIL will control
Baghdad and Karbala. (NOTE: Rudaw calls al-Baghdadi "the Caliphate
of
ISIL" while other Kurdish media outlets using phrases such as
"terrorists of ISIL" or "so-called ISIL."'In the past there have
been
criticism by journalists, activists and politicians about Rudaw's
coverage of ISIL war and some people called it pro-ISIL coverage.
END
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