interim Iraqi national council

Press Statement

The INA hosted Dr. Ibrahem Al-Jafary, the PM, to discuss the political program of the Transitional Government. He attended the session held on Tuesday, 14^th June 2005, at the Convention Center in Baghdad and headed by Dr. Hussein Al-shahrstany, the first vice Speaker.

It is worth to mention that the INA formed a temporary committee to prepare a report to discuss the components of the government political program. Mr. Faraidoon Abdulkader, an INA member, presented the report in nine topics including general remarks related to the policies of security and defense, social development, foreign affairs, public services, economic and rebuilding, martyrs and political prisoners, displaced, vagrants and expatriated, and finally general political remarks. The report stated that the political program presented general aspects and ideas rather than a specific executive plan. The report also commented on security and defense policies, and demanded to the necessity to clarify issues mentioned in general i.e. army building, defense budget, training courses for the military cadres and the phrase of the militia integration. All these issues have not been elaborated in the government program. In regard of the social development, the government program did not specify the means to eliminate the administrative corruption.

Regarding the foreign relationships, the report suggested a set of priorities like, taking a decisive economical and political stand towards the aggressive states to Iraq, rebuild the Iraqi diplomatic delegations abroad, the necessity of presence of Iraq at the International bodies and support the National Assembly efforts to build the relations with the Arabic and International Parliaments.

In regard of economic and reconstruction, the report suggested to allocate sums of money to overcome the problem of unemployment, achieve self-efficiency, and make a budget for reconstruction.

Finally, general political remarks, political and social, have been derived through memorandums presented by the INA list. They call for activating the national dialogue, handling the relation between the government and the rehional government in Kurdistan, fix what the Iraqi woman suffering from oppression and discrimination created by the former regime, and finally proposing projects to cancel and amend the acquired laws from the ex-regime.

Then, the INA members commented on the report. Mr. Saed Jawad, an INA member, asked about appointment of the military intelligence manger and whether the procedure requires the INA approval. Mr. Saed Al-Barznchy presented a paper reflecting the Kurdistan Alliance perspective. He pointed out violation to some of TAL clauses. Mr. Abbas Al-Baiaty, an INA member, requested that the discussions should be within the report of the committee only because it reflects the remarks of the INA lists. Mr. Waleed Sharika asked for normalization of the situation in Karkuk according to TAL, Article 58. Speaking about the Government authorization to extend the existence of multi-national forces in Iraq, masters Mahmud Aal-Radhi, Falah Hasan and Mufid Al-Jazairi stated the government made the extension without involvement of the INA. Mr. Hasan Al-Sned criticized the program as it lacks percentages and suggested the ministries to present their programs as well.

Mr. Adnan Aljanabi, an INA member, stated that the program should include the budget in details, the income and increasing of the mass estimation.

However, some INA members like Mrs. Aqeela Abdulhussein, Mrs. Hanan Al-Fatlawi, Mr. Abbas Al-Biati and Iltifat Al-Fatlawi praised the government program.

In the second session, Dr. Ibrahem Al-jafery, the PM, replied the members and thanked them for the remarks they raised. He confirmed that he is completely responsible before the people and he will represent the others opinions rather than those of himself. Then, he defended his program. He said that the program is not a detailed plan and that it can be amended.

Later, the Chairman of the session asked to vote on the suggestion submitted by the INA presidency. The suggestion is to approve the government program along with the remarks and amendments of the INA temporary committee, the caucuses and the members. After putting the suggestion to vote, it has been accepted by the majority.

The Prime Minister accompanied by the ministries of interior, transportation and the National Assembly affairs.

The session adjourned at 4 O'clock in the afternoon.

Press and Media Office

INA

14^th June, 2005

Congratulations

Dear Mr. Masood Barzani, the Kurdistan Region President,

In the name of the INA, we warmly congratulate you on the occupation of the post of the Kurdistan Region President. May God save you, grant you with good health and our nation in Kurdistan, under your leadership, with more development and prosperity.

INA Presidency

14 June 2005

Press Statement

The INA members discussed reports of the Committees of Al-Ahwar (marsh) Revitalization as well as the Martyrs and Political Prisoners. Discussion of the reports and the hot issues came according to items on agenda for the INA session chaired by Dr. Hachim Al-Hasani, the Speaker, held on Monday morning, 13^th June, 2005 at the Convention Center in Baghdad.

In the first morning session, the INA members discussed the hot topics. Mr. Mahmoud Al-Sheikh Radhi emphasized what he has stated before; conduction of a census and follow up formation of a temporary committee to study the national sovereignty. However, no procedure has been taken in this regard yet. Mrs. Haifaa Al-Azzawi talked about the collective expulsion of the employees in some ministries. She said that she presented many requests to the cabinet, yet no answer has been received.

Regarding sowing the rice in some Iraqi territories and the necessity to secure water and electricity power, Mr. Fa'al Niaamah complained that no official is committed to do in spite of the existence of giant generators in Al-Najaf province and Ministry of Electricity can engage them in such tasks. On the same matter, Mr. Sami Al-Askary pointed out that people at Al-Batha district in Dhiqar suffer from the same problem. He wondered why there is shortage in electricity despite the existence of a power station in the province.

Discussing the hot topics, requests were raised to make laws in favor of people. Mr. Mufeed Al-Jazaeri asked to make passages or enact new laws for retired to let them enjoy the pension of not less than %80 of the salary collected by civil servants.

Mr. Sami Shabak talked about the bad treatment by some employees of Baghdad and Amman International Airport with the INA members during their traveling. He asked the government to issue a diplomatic passport to the INA members to avoid repetition of such cases.

On confiscation of the movable and immovable property issued during the former regime time, Mr. Nauzad Salih asked to issue a law to cancel the confiscation and compensate the wronged.

In respect of performing the elections of Karkuk province council, Mrs. Ala Nori pointed out that there were passes during the election process by the Supreme Electoral Commission (SEC), Karkuk office. The SEC promised to form an investigation committee to follow up the passes, yet no results presented.

In regard of the report of the Martyrs and Political Prisoners Committee, Mrs. Suria Al-Sultany, the chief of the committee, presented the report and indicated to the great sacrifices by the Iraqis during the former regime time. She suggested establishing an institution to deal with the martyrs and political prisoners and issuing a bill to create a national archive to keep the documents and data about them. Mr. Raof Othman confirmed the necessity to compensate families of the martyrs. He wished to take Kurdistan experiment into consideration in this particular regard.

Mr. Ali Al-Adib presented the issue from a different point of view asking for immediate tribute to the martyrs represented by dedicating a plot as the fiscal condition of the state is critical. In respect of the same topic, Sheikh Jalaladin Al-Saghir presented many suggestions; the fruitful cooperation between the different political bodies, establishment of a special institution for the martyrs, and review the whole educational and administrative curriculums. Mr. Hussain Al-Balisany said that to honor this class of society is to support them financially and morally. He also said that there is no need to set up memorials for their sacrifices.

Regarding the overlap between the works of the Martyrs and Political Prisoners Committee and the Victims of ex-regime Committee, Mr. Shirwan Al-Waeli drew the attention to the existence of a clear interlock between the works of the two committees. He demanded for common work and coordination between them to overcome the problem. Mr. Akram Al-Hakim considered honoring the martyrs a national task and the action motivates the people to sacrifice. He asked to prosecute the criminals, as this is part of honoring the martyrs.

Mr. Abass Al-Biaty asked to establish a special institution for martyrs and political prisoners. He also demanded to consider students of high schools and colleges who have spent long years in jails to excuse them of the provisions of age and score so that they can continue their study.

Then, the Speaker stated that there is a suggestion submitted by the Committee of Education, Culture, Media, and Tourism to amend the item 95 of the INA Bylaws to divide the committee into two; the Education Committee and the Culture, Media, and Tourism Committee. The suggestion set to vote and adopted with majority.

Another suggestion has been submitted to attach the Environment Committee to the Health Committee. The suggestion set to vote and adopted by majority too. The INA members agreed to combine the Victims of Occupation and Terrorism Committee with the Victims of Ex-regime Committee. The suggestion got 98 voices out of 158 and, as a result, it has been adopted.

In the afternoon session, Mr. Abdulkarim Al-Muhamdawy presented the report of Al-Ahwar (marsh) Revitalization Committee. He emphasized on development of this area as it has been exposed to complete annihilation of inhabitants and environment. Mr. Al-Muhamdawy suggested formation of a supreme commission of concerned ministers and bodies to develop and revive the marshes.

In relate to the marshes, some INA members stated that the executive should take the responsibility to revive them and establish an independent commission to draw a clear policy for reconstruction as a basic part of the revitalizing process.

Prior to adjournment of the session, the Speaker stated that the PM, along with the Ministers of Oil, Defense, and the INA Affairs, will be hosted to discuss the government program for the transitional stage. The Speaker congratulated Mr. Masood Al-Barazani who has been elected as a president for the Kurdistan Region and hoped progress and prosperity for our Kurdish people in a federal democratic Iraq.

The session adjourned at 3:30 PM.

Press and Media Office

INA

13^th June, 2005

Press Statement

Headed by Dr. Hachim Al-Hassany, the Speaker, the INA held the 27^th ordinary session on Sunday morning, 12^th June 2005, at the Convention Center in Baghdad.

The discussions focused on the reports of the Committees of Economic, Health, Victims of the former regime and the Provinces Affairs.

Dr. Amera Al-Baldawi, an INA member, presented the report of the Economic Committee about the flour in details. Then, the members commenced to discuss the issue. Mr. Falah Hassen Shinshl, an INA member, disagreed with the entire content of the report. Mr. Sa'ad Jawad Qendel, an INA member, demanded to form a special committee dealing with the issue. Adnan Al-Hassny, an INA member, supported the Economic Committee perspective and the resolution they passed. He also asked to commit to the resolution, as what has been released was just a rumor.

Mr. Mhmoud Al-Sheik Radhi, an INA member, confirmed that radioactivity has not been pointed out in the report. Mr. Sherwan Al-Waely, an INA member, demanded all the imported stuff should be examined in the laboratories of the Ministry of Health not those of Ministry of Commerce. Mr. Kamal Abdullah, an INA member, stated that what happened is just a game aims at making another deal.

Mr. Akram Al-Hakem, an INA member, asked the report to be published in the media so that all can acquaint with.

Mr. Wahed Alisawi, an INA member, pointed out the necessity to make a comparison among the different kinds of flour consumed in Iraq.

Mrs. Hanan Al-Fatlawi, an INA member, questioned about the reply supposed to be presented by the Ministry of Commerce concerning the flour cargo.

The Health Committee report submitted by Dr. Naozad Saleh, the Committee Chairman, has been discussed by the plenary. Mr. Qasem Dawood, an INA member, highlighted the strategy of the Health Sector and the role of the private and public sectors beside the necessity of preventive medicine through vaccines and conduct medicine record after the entrance of drugs into Iraq.

Mrs. Hanan Al Fatlawi, an INA member, pointed out the issue of scholarship and delegations regardless the age and certificates. Mr. Hussien Adhab, an INA member, said that the report is narrative rather than diagnosis. He also focused on activation of the role of the public health institutions to serve the people. The action should not confide to Baghdad only but all the Iraqi provinces.

Dr. Akram Alhakem, an INA member, stated that the health aspect in Iraq is unable to provide people with their needs. He suggested that the civil institution community can establish many clinics and support the travel of people abroad for treatment and allocate sums of money from the grant countries to the health institutions.

Mrs. Widad Hama Ghreb, an INA member, pointed out the shortage in delivery hospitals and she confirmed to enact a law to prevent unspecialized people from exercising the medical career. Mr. Sherwan Al-Waely, an INA member, asked the Ministry of Health to watch the bad performance of the civil society organizations, manufacture of the Iraqi medicine and put into consideration the number of people as a scale to establish health institutions.

Mrs. Iman Shalan, an INA member, stated that to implement contents of the report needs a long time and a big budget. She confirmed to fix the treatment fee and the medicine prices along with the necessity to keep watching the private hospitals and opening nursing school.

Mrs. Asma Almosawi, an INA member, demanded the modern medical equipment are to be provided to the student of higher studies and arrange training courses abroad to the physicians beside consider the principle of sending the top ten students abroad. She also asked to create centers in Iraq to study the international certificates specialized in medicine.

Mr. Ahmed Al-Safi, an INA member, requested hosting a minister on weekly basis in order to discuss the reports submitted by the committees and Mrs. Mayada Jasim supported the idea.

Mrs. Amal Al-jaberi stated that the report should include means of prevention from genetic diseases. The chair of the Health Committee appreciated the remarks and suggestions presented by the members.

Afterwards, Mr. Sarteeb Muhammed Hussein, the Chair of Victims of the Ex- Regime Committee, submitted the committee report. Then, the members commenced discussion of the content of the report. Mr. Waeel Abid-Latef, an INA member, confirmed that the committee should cooperate with the team of special tasks, created by the CPA and headed by Mr. Malik Dohan, that deals with compensating victims of the ex-regime.

Sheikh Muhammed Taqi Al-Maoula, an INA member, pointed out that the victims of the ex-regime didn't get any kind of compensation so far. He also asked statistics and documentation to be conducted for the martyrs countrywide, give them back all the properties confiscated by the ex-regime and build a monument to remind the Iraqi people with the ex-regime tragedies.

Mr. Raoof Othman, an INA member, hinted out that the use of chemical weapons was not limited to Halabja City, but many other villages in north of Iraq exposed to as well. He asked to specify a national mourning day for the victims of the ex-regime.

Mrs. Fayhaa Zein Al-Abeden, an INA member, stated that many Turkmen have been executed in early eighties not only in Kirkuk city but also in different cities in Iraq. She also asked for a compensation to each individual who has been exposed to deformation in the prisons of the ex-regime.

In the second session, Mr. Nasih Salih, an INA member, pointed out that the report didn't indicate to those dismissed out of the government offices for political reasons such as students, employees and others. Mr. Mahmoud Al-Sheikh Radhy, an INA member, demanded to trial those are responsible for crimes committed against the Iraqi people at the time of the ex-regime.

Mr. Abed Al-Majeed Zankana, an INA member, asked to make an inclusive field survey for the mass graves and study the serious influences of the chemical weapons particularly the diseases caused by this kind of weapons. Then Mr. Hunein Qado, an INA member, pointed out that the Shabak Kurds are an oppressed Iraqi people.

While Mrs. Suria Al-Sultani, an INA member, said that the report doesn't determine legal chase in regard of those committed crimes from 1970 until 2003.

Dr. Abood Al-Esawy, an INA member, asserted that compensation of the victims of the ex-regime has not interpreted into action yet. He also said that the report does not indicate to the case of the people missed during the Iraq-Iran war. Therefore, he insisted on solving these problems. He also evaluated the efforts made by the charity organizations to uncover the mass graves. Mr. Sarteeb Muhamed, the chair of the committee, emphasized that all these notices and suggestions will be taken into consideration.

Mrs. Hanan Al-Fatlawy, an INA member, put forward the report of Regions and Provinces Committee. Later, the members commenced to study the report. Mr. Raof Othman, an INA member, pointed out that the report didn't hint to restoration of the regions and areas that the ex-regime divested from Kirkuk and Arbil and attached them to Diala, Tikret and Mosul; the action that created unbalance in the provinces. Dr. Amera Al-Baldawy, an INA member, demanded to propose a bill to adopt the diagram of the provinces borders. Afterwards, Mr. Nasih Salih, an INA member, inquired whether the committee can contact the ministers directly or via the INA. He also asked about the relationship between the provinces councils and the INA.

Mrs. Fayhaa Zein Al-Abedeen, an INA member, praised the report especially the item of protecting the members of the provinces councils. Mr. Muhsen Sadoon, an INA member, stated that the CPA issued law No.71, 2004 to organize works of the provinces councils.

Mr. Hayder Al-Mayahee, an INA member, indicated that the report doesn't indicate to the work mechanism of the provinces councils. Shiekh Muhammed Taqi Al-Mawla, an INA member, said that the members of the provinces councils should be educated well to make them aware of their tasks.

Mr. Haider Al-Masoody, an INA member, requested to allocate some money to conduct the elections of the councils of the districts and sub-districts and the necessity to take into consideration the administrative change in the provinces.

Mrs. Hanan Al-Fatlawy, the committee chair, praised the remarks and suggestions presented by the members.

Finally, the speaker declared that the INA received an American official apology in both Arabic and English about the case of Fatah Al-Sheikh, an INA member.

The session adjourned at 3:30 PM

Press and Media Office

INA

12^th June, 2005

Press Statement

Dr. Hachim Hasani's Speech at the Kurdistan Parliament Session

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

"O my Lord! Expand me my breast; Ease my task for me; and remove the impediment from my speech, So they may understand what I say"

At the outset, I would like to salute the two great leaders, Mam Jalal, the Iraqi President, and my elder brother, Mr. Masood Barzani, the Kurdistan Region President (Allah Willing)

I greet this parliament and this day with respect and regard. It is my honor to be here to greet this great people and restore their strife as we are establishing the new Iraqi state and the second Republic. We want the state to be established on true bases for the former state was established on false ones; the case that led to great sufferings for the entire Iraqi people especially the Kurdish people.

Today you occupy these positions by the favor of the struggle of your people and leaders, the activity of Sheikh Abduslam Al-Barazani, the revolution of Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Hafid, then Sheikh Ahmad Al-Barazani and afterwards the great departed leader, Mulla Mustaf Al-Barazani. Later those who led the strives of the people were the big brothers, Mr. Masud Barzani and Mam Jalal Al-Talabani. However, I do not want to disparage the other parties and socialites that played a big role in the struggles of this nation. We have to remember all these people and their sufferings because I saw with my eyes what had happened to my Kurdish brothers in 1963 of what they call it Farhood (pillage). I saw how they have been forced to immigrate, their money has been stolen and their dignities had been trespassed.

We have to remember what had happened to the Kurdish people after the Algeria treaty in 1975 and what occurred afterwards; displacing the nation leaders, personalities and movements. The bleeding continued and the calamities followed one another. Nobody can forget the big disaster of Al-Anfal, this sacred Quranian term that has been distorted by the tyranny of the age who used this word to trespass the rights and dignities of this great people. Then the atrocity crime of Halabcha followed. I will always remember the picture of the old man, I am not sure whether he was a father or a grandfather, covering a baby with his arms trying to protect her so that she can live and see our present days. Thousands of people passed away in seconds with the poisons of the ex-regime. Then, in 1991 millions of the Kurdish people emigrated to the mountains of Kurdistan on the borders of Turkey and Iran after the repressive bodies of ex-regime chased them. I can now retain in the memory an old man over sixty and I do not know whether he is still alive or not. He was armed and then he disarmed and said in simple Arabic language "you said, raise, raise and we did, then you abandoned us and let us down".

We should remember those who made you enjoy your positions today.

We are also to salute the martyrs and heroes who sacrificed their lives so that you can see today. With the blood of those heroes, the first public elections took place in Kurdistan in 19/5/1992. With the sacrifices of the heroes, the historical decision has been taken on 4/Oct/1992; Kurdistan is to be within a democratic federal Iraq.

The heroes led this nation. It is the time now to tell the man who told us to raise, "We have raised and changed the situation. We wish the situation to be still better for our people in Kurdistan and to all our Iraqi people".

Today your brothers in Kurdistan play a big role to construct the new Iraq. They are representatives in the government. You listened before a while to a Kurdish struggler delivering his speech in the name of the President. The deputy PM, Dr. Roz Nori Shawis, is sitting among you now. There are ministers of Planning, Foreign Affairs, water resources, and many others as representatives in the Iraqi government. The INA vice Speaker, Mr. Aref Taifor, is sitting among you as well.

Today the Kurdish people became representatives in the government of Iraq and treated as first degree citizens. The time to divest anybody from the Iraqi Government is over.

They, Kurds, Arabs, Turkmans, Chaldo Assyrians, Sabia and the Yazidiees, are all equal and contribute to build the new Iraq.

We want this regime to rule Iraq with law. We want state of institutions and law. Today Iraq is ruled by the Iraqi Administrative Law. We, INA and the government, are to commit to the TAL with all its articles to make our new constitution.

Our ambition is to see the new Iraq where all live in enjoying the same rights and duties with no discrimination. Then we will feel we have our Iraqi identity along with keeping the private identities. The identity many used to talk about did not exist. To have the identity is to be a part of making decision, to have the right to own a plot everywhere in Iraq, and to live with dignity, honor, and freedom; the necessities that the whole Iraqis were deprived form.

Today we want to get back this identity so that nobody can oppress another, nor can tyrannize whether he is individual, in group or party, and no sect can dominate another.

We want Iraq with equal rights and justice for everyone.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today we have new pains, the pains of making the new Iraqi permanent constitution.

This process is a difficult travail because this constitution is made for the whole Iraqis and, therefore, all are to be involved. We should not permit anyone to be neglected or dismissed in making the constitution. It is not to be made for today only, but for the coming Iraqi generations and it is for the Iraqis.

From this podium, I would like to make an invitation for a national Iraqi dialogue. It is the time to clear ourselves of sectarianism we acquired in the time of former regime. We are to shake each other's hands, gather our powers and be united to be capable to build this country in a right way that all feel own something in this country and they belong to it. It is an invitation to reconciliation with the soul and the other. It is an invitation to stop bleeding of the Iraqi blood, prohibition of bloodshed and protect the dignity and honor of all Iraqis with all its religious, sectarian, and national components.

Dear brothers and sisters,

We can build the new Iraq with brotherhood, love, solidarity, understanding, and justice so that we become one hand. Then, the terrorists, who shed blood of the Iraqis, should exist no more. Terror does not differentiate between Sunni and Shitte, Arabic and Kurdish. Terror reaches every innocent Iraqi soul and every where; Erbil, Najaf, Baghdad, Al-Sadr City, Kerkuk and Ramadi.

It is time, dear brothers, to work, through your parliament and through the work with the INA, to build, hand in hand, a new free democratic federal united Iraq.

May peace be upon you.

Press statement by the Multi-National Division

This is to confirm that the Multi-National division has made a military operation last night as there was information that there would be a terrorist act in the area. The operation led to detention of many people in three territories in Basrah and Al-Zubair.

However, it has been realized that the information we got was wrong. We realize now that the detainees are innocent and, therefore, they already have been released. The Multi-National division conducted the operation with good will.

We strongly apologize for disturbing the Iraqi people resulted from this operation.

The Multi-National Forces are working in Iraq on request of the Iraqi Government to stabilize the security situation.

Condemnation

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate

To / The INA members

Condemnation

After midnight of Tuesday, May, 29, 2005, the house of Mr. Mansour Aedalrazak Mansour, an INA member, had been attacked, unfairly and illegally, by the British forces. During the attack, Individuals of Mr. Mansour’s family and his bodyguards have been arrested. Movable properties of him have been confiscated and others have been damaged.

As the INA charges the British forces legally, it demands to release the arrested persons immediately. The British forces must apologize in a formal way about the incident and present a detailed report explaining the reasons and excuses. The MP should be compensated for the damages affected him materially and morally.

While the INA assures to respect the law in general and for the INA members in particular as they enjoy immunity, it will form a fact-finding committee at the present incident hoping that such events not to be reiterated as it is an open violation to the law.

Press Statement

On Wednesday, 9 March 2005, Dr. Fuad Masum, the IINC President, received the media team of Kwait, UAE and ANN TV stations.

During the interview, they tackled the recent political developments in Iraq, the outcome of the talks among the lists won the elections to form the coming government and involvement of the parties that had no chance to win parliamentary seats in the current round. They also discussed the role of the Arab Sunnis in the next government.

Press Statement

Dr. Fuad Masum: The date of Sixteenth of March came as a decision made by the IINC.

On Tuesday, 8 March 2005, The IINC President, Dr. Fuad Masum met Mr. Tetsor Ammano, acting the Japanese ambassador in Baghdad.

At the outset of the meeting, the IINC President welcomed him. They discussed the recent events in general and the exact date to hold the National Assembly session in particular. During the meeting, Dr. Masum confirmed that the date of sixteenth of March came as a decision made by the IINC.

Both sides asserted the importance of the NA role to form the constitution and build democracy. Mr. Ammano confirmed that the entire globe look forward the success of the NA mission and wish NA all the success and prosperity. He also expressed his country's will to assist the NA to form the new constitution of Iraq through inviting Iraqi experts involved in forming the constitution to visit Japan in order to exchange opinions with the Japanese experts.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Ammano invited the Dr. Masum to visit Japan. Dr. Masum appreciated the exceptional efforts of the Japanese government to assist in rebuilding Iraq and the faithful wishes for then success of the NA.

Press Statement

On Thursday, 3 March 2005, the IINC President, Dr. Fuad Masum, met Mr. Yank Kee, acting the South Korea Ambassador. During the meeting, they discussed many important political issues and the latest developments in favor of the two friendly countries and the bilateral relations.

Mr. Yank Kee expressed his government's congratulations on the success of the general elections process in Iraq and hoped a new Iraqi government in near future to be establish. Mr. Kee presented the Shouth Korean's will to cooperate with Iraq in various aspects, confirming that the mission of the Korean Forces in Iraq is to offer humanitarian services in different respects.

Dr. Masum thanked the Korean government and people for their exceptional efforts to participate in reconstruction of Iraq and help to develop the democratic process.

Press Statement

On Wednesday morning, 2 March 2005, the IINC President, Dr. Fuad Masum, visited His Eminence, Dr. Hareth Al-Dhari, the Secretary General for the Muslims Scientists Board. A number of MSB members attended the meeting during which they discussed the important issues that matter Iraq in this critical stage.

Both sides agreed to continue having dialogue and deliberation in order to involve the entire Iraqis in the constitution process.

The debates were marked by full candor. With regard to the MSB attitude in Mr. Jalal Al-Talabani's occupation for the Republic Presidency, the IINC President stated, "We talked about the issue and the USB has no objection in this regard."

Congratulations

On the occasion of accomplishment of the general elections for the Iraqi Transitional National Assembly, the IINC President warmly congratulates the Iraqi people.

On this great occasion, the IINC highly appreciates the enormous patriotic spirit prevailed the elections and the widespread participation of the people through which they expressed their determination and capability in creation of the national event so that it can be a gate for the future democracy in Iraq.

To compete to reach the polls, in spite of obsessions of fear of death, was a challenge in face of terror and a merit the Iraqi presented to whom he elected. Therefore, the candidates are to deserve this merit and should do their best to serve Iraq and the Iraqis.

Finally, we pray may God save Iraq and the Iraqis, protect them of all misfortune and offense and grant them with luxury and prosperity so that they can build an independent democratic federal Iraq.

Dr. Fuad Masum

IINC President

1 February 2005

In the Name of God

Obituary

On Saturday, 13 November 2004, an IINC, the National Relations Committee and ICP member, Mr. Wadhah Hassan Abdul-Ameer, has been assassinated in a terrorist attack at the age of 43.

On his way to Erbil province to visit his family, folks and friends on Ramadan Eid, some of the terrorists and killers attacked his vehicle and shot him in a cowardly assassination act.

Condoling the first IINC martyr, we confirm our insistence to proceed forward to establish a stable, secure and democratic Iraq, and to hold the elections at its scheduled time.

We also reconfirm our covenant to do our best to clean the country from the gangs of terrorism, violence and damaging, and prevent the criminals who hate Iraq and the Iraqis.

May God bless the martyr Wadhah Hassan Abdul-Ameer, lead him into His Aden and give patience to his family, folks and comrades.

We are for God and to Him we all will return

IINC

14/11/2004