July 2002

President chairs meeting

Baghdad, July 1

President Saddam Hussein on Sunday chaired a meeting to discuss aspects related to the work of Iraq Satellite Channel (ISC) and ways of promoting its programs to perform its informational letter and convey it to the farthest point in the world.

The meeting was attended by Vice-President Taha Yassen Ramadan, Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz, Information Minister Mohammed Sa'eed as-Sahaf, Foreign Minister Naji SabriAhmed and a number of officials, administrators and technicians.

At the outset of the meeting, Vice-President Taha Yassen Ramadan presented a set of notes and proposals he described as important and necessary to rise up the performance of the Channel.

"The letter of the Iraq Satellite Channel should convey Iraq thinking to the Arab citizen. There should be also a variety in news, reports and reportage that talk about Iraqand its people to deepen awareness in the Arab arena through highlighting the daily events and analyzing the dimensions and contexts of President Saddam Hussein's speeches," Ramadan said.

He added that President Saddam Hussein had offered support for the Iraqi information since 1970s which was unprecedented by any Arab leader because of his belief in the importance of information and its effective role within the society. "Thus, this support should be utilized not in developing the Iraqi Satellite Channel only but in developing performance of the local broadcasts and channels also."

Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz introduced two important points in the process of rising up the level of (ISC); the first, he said, is technical which is concerned with financial resources, and the second is a programming.

Aziz affirmed that there is an urgent need to develop the editors who prepare the news and political reports, and there is a need to open offices in the Arab capitals to hold talks with senior Arab or foreign figures.

"The channel should have its special reputation and a feature distinguished of other Arab satellite channels. This could be achieved though the essence of the letter, which should be an Iraqi and underline the national frame of the channel. The local news should include Iraq as a whole. The means of transmission should be improved and there is a need to train the programs introducers on how to handle the dialogue," Foreign Minister Naji Sabri referred.

Information Minister Mohammed Sa'eed as-Sahaf tackled the shortages and obstacles which impede the progress and improvement of the channel, including inapplicable studios and the shortage in the requirements of the work such as cameras and other equipment.

The Minister confirmed the necessity of training the Ministry's employees in general and the ISC employees in particular and preparing and training new cadres as well.

President Saddam Hussein introduced important notes to improve the work of the channel as a distinguished informational means to transmit Iraq's voice to the entire world and as a mirror which reflects Iraq's real face and its stances toward Arab and international issues.

The President ordered to provide all the necessary requirements to rise up the work of the channel in away that makes it capable of representing the Iraqi information honestly.

President receives Qatari professor 

Baghdad, July 2 

President Saddam Hussein has received Monday Qatari professor of political sciences in the University of Qatar Dr. Muhammad al-Masfer.

During the audience, Dr. Al-Masfer expressed pleasure to meet President Hussein, Saying that he had been acquainted with Iraqis' struggle, people & leadership,he voiced solidarity with Iraqis and followed up their jihad. He revealed that Iraqi people defiant stands made him proud among Arab masses.

He called on the international society to understand Iraqi people's sufferings and oppression due to the ongoing unjust embargo and to work for lifting it.

For his part, President Hussein welcomed his guest, while the meeting moved into a deep dialogue concerning situation in Iraq and its relation with the UN as well as ties among Arab and Moslem countries.

Concluding the audience, his Excellency President Hussein asked Dr. al-Masfer to convey his greetings to all Arabs. 

President Hussein meets Arab thinker  

Baghdad, July 4 

President Saddam Hussein on Wednesday received the well-known Arab thinker Basheer bou Mi'za.

Bou Mi'za, former chairman of Algerian Nation Council, expressed happiness to meet President Saddam Hussein. He said "it is a historic opportunity to stand in front of an Arab leader who bore in his conscience and heart the burdens of his nation and its pains and aspirations. And who struggled and vowed to rise up the position of the nation and consolidate its status among the nations and the peoples."

The Arab thinker confirmed his support for Iraq in its confrontation against the evil aggressors. He expressed readiness to put his capabilities with the good international efforts for lifting the unjust sanctions off the Iraqis who became under President Saddam Hussein's wise leadership a legend in the fighting, building and deserve victory and peace.

The meeting touched upon the situation in Iraq, the impudent US threats against its people and the continued military aggression on Iraqi territories.

It also tackled Arab and international situations, foremost the US-Zionist scheme to thwart the courageous Palestinian Intifada and the Imperialist proposals which aim at harming the glorious Arab nation and belittling the nation's legitimate, central issues and converting them into small, subordinate ones.

Present at the audience was Speaker of Iraqi National Assembly Dr. Sadoun Hammadi.  

President chairs meeting for senior Iraqi officials 

Baghdad, July 5 

President Saddam Hussein on Thursday chaired a meeting included member of Iraq's Regional Command of Arab Ba'th Socialist Party, Republican Guard Supervisor QusaySaddam Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Military Industrialization Abdul Tawwab Al-Mulla Howiesh, Defence Minister Lieut. Gen. Sultan HashimAhmed, Minister of Industry and Minerals Myasser Rija Shlah, Head of Atomic Energy Organization Fadhil Muslim Al-Jannabi, Military Industrialization senior undersecretary Lieut. Gen. Mzahim Sa'b Al-Hassan, Air Force Commander Lieut. Gen. Hamid Rija Shlah, Air Defence Commander Lieut. Gen. Shaheen YassenMohammed and a group of fighters, researchers and engineers.

The meeting followed up what has been achieved on President Hussein's observations and directives during the previous meetings into items of work, plans and programs which contribute in strengthening means of defense for Iraq and rise up the efficiency of performance of national economy sectors.

The attendance expressed pledge to remain loyal soldiers for Iraqand its wise leadership. 

President receives Indian Prime Minister’s envoy  

Baghdad, July 7 

President Saddam Hussein on Saturday received Indian Prime Minister’s envoy, Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Ram Naik.

The Minister gave President Hussein a message from Indian Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee pertaining to the distinguished relations between Iraq and Indiawhich are based on mutual respect, and ways of expanding economic cooperation to achieve joint interests for both countries.

The message also confirmed India’s stance on strengthening ties and relations with Iraq. 

The Indian Minister also conveyed greetings form the Indian President, the Indian Prime Minister, and the people of India and their good wishes to President Saddam Hussein and the people of Iraq for further progress and prosperity.

He expressed pleasure to meet President Saddam Hussein. He expressed admiration for Iraqis’ ability and bravery in re-building their country in an extraordinary period and confronting the conditions of sanctions imposed on them.

The Minister affirmed that India seeks within the international forums to present all it has to lift sanctions. He expressed hope and confidence that the Iraqi-Indian Joint Committee meetings, still in session in Baghdad, will come out with positive results that contribute to strengthening aspects of economic and trade cooperation between the two friendly countries.

President Hussein welcomed the guest and asked him to convey greetings to the President of India, the Indian Prime Minister and the government and the people of India, wishing Indiafurther progress, prosperity and stability.

“The sanctions on Iraq is different from any precedent that took place on any country in the world. It was asserted that the sanctions and other Security Council resolutions related to Iraq are not based on any ground within the international law. What happened was that the United States at that time said to the world: do this and don’t do that, and the world responded to it, including the Security Council. Then, the resolutions have been adopted in the name of the Security Council. And as we believe that whatever the hand and arm are strong they would be weakened with the time if they depended in their international relations on what they carry of weapons. Thus, we believe that America’s hand which is carrying cudgel and weapon in confronting the world will be weakened within 15 or 20 years,” President Hussein said.

“Our measurements are arranged on the base of the stance and fairness, thus we see that it is for the interest of Arabs and India that India should grow and develop as a big country close to Arab waters and Arabs geographically. We take our stances in the light of one intellect, one conscience and one idea and we do not color with the conditions and titles but we take our stances on the base of justice and fairness regardless if the question concerns us or the others. What we feel proud of it is that we are depending the logic of peace, justice and fairness altogether, thus our pride is not by our force but by the ability which is built on wisdom,” President Hussein added.

 President Hussein lauded relations between Iraq and India as open.

“We don’t have any problem in relations between Iraq and India. We are ready to cooperate with India to the level that Indiacould do, and we say this not because we are under siege but within a strategic vision to the region and the world, most important than that, within the framework of India’s relations with Arabs. I had visited India in 1974 and I carried the same thoughts. We want you friends not for Iraqonly but for all Arabs,” the President said, adding “we say relations are open between Iraq and India. And because you are a great people with deep-rooted history, you will remain independent and behave on the base of your independence despite hardships. As we don’t like to establish relations with peoples who change their policies in a short period, we had picked friendship relations with India since 1974 when we were not under siege and had not any financial or armament problem.” 

Present at the audience were Iraqi Oil Minister Amir Mohammed Rashid and Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Rajandara Byanker. 

It Is worthy to mention that the Indian Minister and the accompanying delegation arrived in Baghdad recently for a several-day visit to the country and to participate in the proceedings of 15^th session of Iraqi-Indian Joint Committee scheduled to start in Baghdad Sunday. The committee will discuss horizons of economic, political and cultural cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Another Indian delegation arrived in Baghdad three days ago headed by Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Abhu Niger. The delegation includes in its membership 50 figures representing Indian businessmen and industrialists to hold meetings and talks with Iraqi officials to enhance and activate bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries. 

President Hussein sends telegrams

 Baghdad, July 7 

President Saddam Hussein sent a congratulatory telegram to President Uthman Ghazali of Comoro Islands on his country’s National Day.

In the telegram, President Hussein wished President Ghazali good health and happiness and the brotherly people of Comoro Islands further progress and prosperity. 

President Saddam Hussein also sent a congratulatory telegram to President Bakili Malozi of Malawi on his country’s National Day.

In the telegram, President Hussein wished President Malozi good health and happiness and the people of Malawi more progress and prosperity.

 President Hussein meets Industry Minister

 Baghdad, July 8

 President Saddam Hussein on Sunday met Minister of Industry and Minerals Myasser Rija Shlah and a group of distinguished fighters and researchers.

 At the outset of the meeting, the Minister presented congratulations on the celebrations of July, wishing President Saddam Hussein long life and health and the people of Iraqpride and victory under His Excellency’s wise leadership.

“It is a great honor for me and my comrades to stand before their commander into creativity, development and renovation. And within his valiant army, the army of glorious record flourished with deeds, heroism and epics which protected Iraq and maintained the honor of the Arab nation from brutal imperialistic attacks,” the Minister said.

He also confirmed absolute determination to rise up industry and add all that is new and useful for the people of Iraq, guided by the contents and principles of President Saddam Hussein’s message to the Cabinet on May 25, 2002, and the President’s directives.

President Hussein praised the efforts exerted by the fighters, lauding their serious cooperation and building with other State’s ministries and sectors to contribute to establishing a joint ground of understanding, information and connection to achieve more supreme and comprehensive goals.

 The President called on the attendance, and through them on all the fighters, to take care of the administrative part of the university professors who are mandated to coexist in the positions of production. And to adopt appropriate methods on convincing them and provide the needed requirements for them to help achieve the required goals.

 The President talked about ways of boosting activities of the socialist sector and the private sector. “We concentrated in the Cabinet meetings on the necessity of connection and cooperation between the ministers and between the director-generals in a way that makes each activity complete and help the other and convey the expertise from each activity to another on the level of the State as whole,” President Hussein said.

President Hussein receives Lebanese President’s envoy

Baghdad, July 11

 President Saddam Hussein received Wednesday envoy of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Minister of Energy and Water Mohammed Abdul Hamid Baydhoun.

During the audience, Mr. Beidhoun conveyed a message from President Lahoud to President Hussein concerning bilateral ties and means of boosting them in different aspects, in addition to Arab and international situations.

The Minister conveyed also President Lahoud’s and Lebanese people's compliments to the President wishing him good health and Iraqi people more progress and prosperity.

 President Hussein warmly welcomed his guest and asked him to convey his salutes to President Lahoud, Lebanese Prime Minister, Head of Deputies Council (Parliament), the government and Lebanese people wishing Lebanon more dignity, progress and stability.

 Present at the audience were Oil Minister Amir Mohammed Rashid and Foreign Minister Naji Sabri.

President Hussein chairs meeting  

 Baghdad, July 16

 President Saddam Hussein has met with Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Dr. Humam Abdul Khaliq. Present at the meeting were a group of researchers specialized in the pharmaceutical industry from Mosul University and State Company for drugs industry in Samarra.

During the meeting Dr. Abdul Khaliq presented congratulations to his Excellency on the anniversary of Revolution of 17-30 July. He talked about President Hussein's role in establishing modern Iraqi State.

The Minister expressed pledge to defend the country and maintain its independence and work for boosting medical industry in Iraq. 

The President expressed his pleasure to hear their achievements and asked them to convey his compliments to all their colleagues addressing them that their country deserves them and they also deserve it.

Commenting on the attendants’ efforts to reach the top of their achievements, the President pointed out that it is a matter of time to reach the top of your task as far as you have real intention and capability to do so.

He expressed pleasure to see professors of universities and medical experts exerting their efforts to complete scientific drive in the country to serve the people and nation.

President receives Cuban President’s envoy

 Baghdad, July 20

 President Saddam Hussein on Saturday received envoy of Cuban President Fidel Castro, MP Rodrego Alvarez Campras.

The Cuban envoy who also acts as Chief of the Cuban-Iraqi Friendship Society, conveyed a verbal message from President Castro pertaining to bilateral relations and scopes of developing and consolidating ties of friendship and cooperation between the two friendly peoples.

He also conveyed greetings from the President, the government and people of Cubaon the glorious 17-30 July Revolution, wishing the people of Iraqmore progress and prosperity under President Saddam Hussein’s wise leadership.

The envoy renewed Cuba’s support for the leadership and people of Iraq and its solidarity with it in its confrontation against foreign threats.

President Castro’s envoy expressed pleasure to have the honor, with his family, to meet President Saddam Hussein and take part in Iraq’s celebrations on the Revolution anniversary. The Cuban envoy lauded the achievements and triumphs of the Revolution in all fields.

President Hussein welcomed the guest and asked him to convey greetings and salutes of the leadership and friendly people of Iraq, wishing Cubafurther progress and prosperity.

 President Hussein receives Director of Electricity Commission

 Baghdad, July 23

 President Saddam Hussein on Monday received Director of Electricity Commission Sahban Faisal and a group of the Commission technical and engineering cadres.

 At the outset of the meeting, Mr. Faisal congratulated President Hussein on the 34th anniversary of the glorious 17-30 July Revolution. He affirmed Commission cadres’ readiness to continue working with high determination to increase production of power to meet the needs of the people and production sectors and search for local alternatives for equipment and appliances used in electricity industry relying on Iraqi  expertise.

President Hussein lauded the efforts and achievements made by the Commission cadres, urging them to exert more efforts to develop the means of production and improve it.

“Our great hope of you is not limited to improving production and distributing electricity through modernizing the distribution net but to reach to a state in which our imports of equipment should be as less as possible. This is a question you are capable of making because those who produce equipment in their countries, by theoretical study, are not more proficient than you,” President Hussein told the attendance.

 President's speech with Qatari Journalist

  July 24 

President Saddam Hussein affirmed that the whole Arab Nation, and not Iraqonly, is targeted by schemes and conspiracies of evil forces. The battle is not against Iraqonly but it is against the Arab nation. The problem of the Arab  nation is that its enemies deal with it as a one nation while Arab rulers do not deal with their enemies with the same way, President Hussein said, describing such contrast as a strategic deficiency of the rulers. The enemy mobilizes itself and prepares its capabilities on the base that it face the whole Arab nation in Iraq as it face the whole Arab nation in Palestine, the President said. This came during an audience with Qatari journalist Mohammed al-Musafer. 

President Hussein warned of the enemies’ conspiracies and continued attempts that aim to put obstacles and resist any step aiming at achieving closeness among Arabs.  

Among the issues that place differences among the people of the Arab nation is foreign interference that works to place differences and disputes and uses such differences for its benefit at the expense of our nation. The Foreigner (the foreign interference) prevents the nation from medicating its wounds and ending its differences, President Hussein said. He called on the Arab nation to unify its ranks, solve its problems and concentrate its efforts to confront its enemies.   

President Saddam Hussein talked about the embargo imposed on Iraqsince 1992, saying that the embargo is not lifted by a resolution from the Security Council but it has been breaking by time and by Iraqis’ will after depending on God.  

They also talked about Iraq’s relation with the neighboring countries. The president said that Iraq continued working on all levels to solve the pending issues. The president focused on Iraq’s willingness to open a new page in the Arab-Arab relations “and we declare this many time in official Committees and Conferences, the latest in Beirut Summit but whenever they see that we are to convince others concerning our brothers in Kuwait, America and the Zionist Entity fabricate things to deepen hatred among brothers,” the President said.

 The president indicated that Iraq implemented all UN resolutions relating to Kuwait. He expressed regret that some media accused Iraqof stealing properties and governmental documents from Kuwait. He said that Iraqis are not a group of thieves but they are owner of boon, riches and nobility. 

Concerning the issue of Kuwaiti missings, the President said that all wars from the past ages till now cause missings in both sides, this subject can be  solved through investigation with good intention away from foreign interference. Again he said whenever we want to solve pending issues with Kuwait, the evil forces suspend and place obstacles.

 The President praised Palestinians' steadfastness in confronting the enemy.

 As regards opposition, its meaning, its legitimacy, its relationship with the homeland, the President said every citizen has the right to nationality regardless of his viewpoint, at the same time Iraq has right on every Iarqi citizen regardless of its viewpoint that the citizen must defend its country, keep its secrets, work for raising its reputation and confront all enemies. This base is true from the moral, principle and national point of view. The old and recent experiences in Arab history and other nations affirm that they postpone their differences when aggression was launched on their homeland and they all work to stop aggression. Any Iraqi citizen, who wants to return home, welcome, the president said. Concerning those who want to remain abroad, this is their issue, the President said. 

 The Qatari journalist Mohammed al-Musafer said that, during the audience, President Saddam Hussein did not say any word opposing any Arab system. "I realized that President Saddam Hussein wants to open new page in the history of Iraqi-Arab relations and does not want to look to the past. He is a leader who looks to the future with awareness", Mr. al-Musafer said.

President Hussein meets Deputy Prime Minister, Air Defence Commander

 Baghdad, July 28

President Saddam Hussein met Deputy Prime Minister, Military Industrialization Minister Abdul Tawwab Al-Mulla Howeish, Air Defence Commander Mzahim Sa’ab Al-Hassan and a group of fighters and researchers.

 At the outset of the meeting, Mr. Howeish congratulated President Saddam Hussein on the 34th anniversary of 17-30 July Revolution praying to God for giving the President good health and long-live to lead Iraqis and Arabs under his banner in combating enemies until achieving triumph.

He expressed pledge of allegiance to remain loyal soldiers.

The President lauded the attendance keenness to serve their country.

“The enemies now feel that the youth began to hurt them, therefor, they are  targeting here and there in a bid to hurt them psychologically,” President Hussein said.

 About the value of the man, President Hussein stressed that “the man is more precious than the machine though it protects his dignity, pride and independence. In order to rise up the level of the march it is supposed not to leave any frozen power.. on this base, there is no barrier that prevent any Iraqi citizen from work whatever his age because we know that the Iraqi citizen is noble and brave and what hurts him is to see the movement of building while he is not able to be part of it.” 

President Hussein chairs meeting

 Baghdad, July 30

 President Saddam Hussein on Monday chaired a meeting included Vice-Chairman of

Revolution Command Council Izzet Ibrahim, Vice-President Taha Yassen Ramadhan , Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz and Member of Revolution Command Council Lieut. Gen. Ali Hassan al-Majeed.

President meets Head of Atomic Energy Organization

 Baghdad, July 31

 President Saddam Hussein on Tuesday met Head of Atomic Energy Organization Dr. Fadhil Muslim al-Janabi and a group of Organization technical and engineering cadres.

Dr. al-Janabi, on behalf of his colleagues, greeted President Hussein on the 34th anniversary of the glorious 17-30th July Revolution, praying to God to grant the President good health and long live to serve Iraq and the Arab nation.

He conveyed his colleagues’ greetings and their pledge of allegiance and adherence to their leader to defend their country against evil aggressors.

President Hussein replied with better greetings and hailed their scientific achievements that revealed Iraqis’ steadfastness and determination to rise up progress and development.