Wazi State Television

[Wazistan]

:!: Top Story- Party to reaffirm loyalty to Islamic principles, clerics at Congress

The ruling Revolutionary Democratic Party is expected to reaffirm its loyalty to Wazistan's Islamic system when it holds is annual congress in November, senior Party officials have told the State TV. Mahmoud al-Habib, who heads the Politburo's task force on state ideology, expressed concern that government officials have begun to stray from the country's constitution and core principles and that the Congress should make it clear that the republic will not forgo its loyalty to Islamic law to "make friends."

The announcement by the RDP just days after the clerical Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution, the highest political body, warned in a rare statement that subversive elements in the government were working to undermine the Islamic system and weaken the country's resolve against the separatists.

A spokesman for President Hamid Najibullah says the president remains "extremely loyal" the Supreme Council and the clerical leadership while a top Army official says the military would never allow separatist elements within the government to threaten the Islamic system.

The Party Congress, which is held every five years, is expected to slate a series of party and governmental changes for approval by the Islamic Shura Shura Assembly when it holds is annual session in March. Expected changes include the presidency, in which Najibullah is giving up after two terms, and the influential post of Party First Secretary.

 

[Wazistan]

Headlines

:!: President replaces senior intelligence official.
:!: Car bomb at southeast mall leaves 12 dead, Interior Ministry blames separatists.
:!: Agriculture Minister tours central farmlands, vows to boost government support.
:!: Anti-terror court sentences 11 students to death for role in 2008 Ijad hotel bombings.
:!: Foreign Ministry vows to pursue "positive cooperation" with regional neighbors.

 

[Wazistan]

:!: Top Story- Cabinet: All steps being take to tackle H3N2

The Health Ministry and the National Emergency Commission are taking all necessary steps ensure provinces are ready to tackle the deadly H3N2 virus, the Cabinet announced in a statement to state media. The move comes just one day after government officials in the Levant States and Frescania confirmed several cases of the deadly virus, more commonly known as Slavic flu. Earlier in the day, Deputy Health Minister Zahir Hassan told a press conference in Bakhdida that emergency officials in border regions have been put on alert.

A spokesman for the Defense Ministry says no unusual activity has been report in the southeast, where separatists have been leading a brutal campaign against civilians and government targets.

Earlier in the month, the Revolutionary Democratic Party's special task force on disease control and prevention released a 10-point plan aimed at combating the deadly virus and prevent a national epidemic. The plans author, Ali Hashem al-Majid, the party secretary for health affairs, says he will petition the Majilis for a €4 billion spending package to support relief efforts.

Other News

:!: Supreme Council appoints Kamil Ali al-Kaylani as new Judiciary chief.
:!: President Najibullah to make two-day visit to Ajman.
:!: Islamic Affairs Ministry closes down girls' school in Mosul on suspicion of promoting "indecent behavior."

 

[Wazistan]

Headlines

:!: Islamic Leader urges youth to remain vigilant against "foreign vices" in speech at Bam Islamic University in Hamzah.
:!: Senior cleric accuses international community of "hording" H3N2 vaccines.
:!: PM meets Majilis speaker Ahmed Yassin al-Ramdan to discuss economic policy.
:!: Cabinet: Vice President Mohammedan to tour southeast provinces next week.
:!: RDP Discipline Commission expels nine members on graft charges, prosecutor to investigate.

 

[Wazistan]

:!: Top Story- Officials: Policy on CoN to be left to Najibullah successor

Wazistan's participation in the Council of Nations will be left to President Hamid Najibullah, senior Foreign Ministry officials said Wednesday. Wazistan's relations with the CoN, which has been under intense debate within the Cabinet in recent days, has been subject to controversy after the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution denounced the organization in a lengthy report last month over concerns the Security Council poised a "dangerous threat" to Wazi sovereignty.

The Cabinet had been expected to make a decision later this month on the Council's findings. However, Foreign Ministry officials now say a decision has been made within the Politburo of the RDP to postpone an announcement until after the Majilis meeting in March in which a new president is set to be elected.

At a press briefing at the Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Ahmed Samir al-Jabr played down concerns of a major policy shift, saying the government remained "committed to actively engaging with the international community through the institutions of the Council."

President Najibullah, who often declines to discuss foreign policy matters in public, has said little about the Cabinet's deliberation in recent days.

Other News

:!: Mummar Ibrahim al-Jubbah names new chief prosecutor of Ijad.
:!: AP journalist detained in Mashad after producing false travel documents to immigration authorities.
:!: Assembly of Experts offers to review new higher education curriculum bill after top cleric slams it as "un-Islamic."

 

[Wazistan]

Headlines

:!: Minorities Affairs Ministry sets up new office for Kurdish affairs.
:!: Assembly of Experts recommends impeachment for Science and Technology Minister Kazem Namazi.
:!: Vice President Mohammedan to host reception for foreign envoys at official residence.
:!: National State Election Commission confirms Association of Muslim Scholars to get seats in Islamic Consultative Assembly.
:!: Islamic Affairs Ministry orders dismissal of four university rectors.

 

[Wazistan]

Headlines

:!: President Najibullah announces plans to Levant, Frescania.
:!: Defense Ministry announces military drills in Pradesh deserts slated for early next year.
:!: Foreign Ministry names Imran Meshud Zawab as new ambassador to CoN.
:!: Khazastan provincial chief sacked after police file charges of bribery against him.
:!: Outgoing RDP chief calls for arrests of senior opposition figures on treason charges.
:!: Islamic Affairs Ministry announces plans to set up new TV channel to promote "religious harmony."

 

[Wazistan]

:!: Top Story- Kurdish gunmen open fire on police graduation in Sine

Nine police officers in the southern city of Sine are dead and hundreds more wounded after gunmen from an outlaw Kurdish separatist group opened fire on their graduation ceremony, said Sine police and emergency officials. Interior Minister Akbar Malik, who is schedule to visit the city of 1.4 million next week, condemned the attack in a statement to the press and vowed "harsh measures" would be taken to track down those responsible and bring them to justice.

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The KSP has carried out a number of attacks in Sine in recent years

The Kurdish Liberation Army, the armed wing of the banned Kurdish Social Party, claimed responsibility for the attack shortly after in a web video posted online. The video claims the attack was retaliation for the recent killing of a senior Kurdish terrorist by the Islamic National Guard.

Later in the day, Sine provincial governor Abbas Merdin appealed for calm in a press conference and urged residences to remain vigilant. He condemned the murders as "the act of sick individuals" and pledge the government would never give in to terrorism, In a posting on their website, the army announces plans to send 1,000 paratroopers to help boost security and provide assistance to the Sine police.

 

[Wazistan]

Headlines

:!: Spokesman: President Najibullah to pay visit to CoN next week.
:!: RDP heads for crushing victory in Qazum provincial elections, exit polls show.
:!: Islamic Affairs Minister Dr. Jawad Ibrahim Massoud calls on Majilis to approve new law promoting religious freedom.
:!: Assembly of Experts deputy chairman resigns, Ayatollah Samir Amin al-Yazad named successor.
:!: Sine Mayor says security forces have arrested nine suspects in police graduation shootings.

 

[Wazistan]

:!: Top Story- Vice President says he's not interested in presidency

Three weeks ahead of a major party congress expected to anoint the country's next president, Vice President Mohammedan suggests Saturday that he would not be a candidate for the job. Speaking to a gathering of members of parliament from the ruling Revolutionary Democratic Party, Vice President Mohammedan said he was not interested in succeeding his longtime friend and ally Hamid Najibullah when the Majilis elects a new president next spring, and suggested that race for the RDP's backing was wide open.

A spokesman for President Najibullah's office declined to comment on the vice president's remarks. RDP Politburo member Reza Pezeshkian told state TV that it was still too early to say who would succeed the president.

Given the RDP's overwhelming majority in the Majilis, its candidate is almost certain to win any presidential vote, thus putting the spotlight on next month's gathering. No potential candidate has declared interests in seeking the nomination, through several announcements are expected as the congress draws nearer. Aside from its presidential candidate, the party is also expected to anoint its candidate for vice president.

 

[Wazistan]

:!: Top Story- Senior military commander killed in Rabat

A senior army commander was gunned down in a popular bazaar in the central city of Rabat Sunday, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry announced. Brigadier-General Babrak Amin Karmak, the head of the Rabat province's army headquarters, was assassinated along with 11 other army officers after their motorcade came under heavy fire from unknown gunmen. An army official told local radio that police in the area swept the scene shortly after the assault, but declined to say whether any arrests were made.

In a statement before the Majilis, Defense Minister Abdul Amir al-Rashid condemned the killing and vowed all resources would be exhausted to find those responsible. Rashid blamed Kurdish separatist rebels and opposition groups for the attack.

However, no group has claimed responsibilities for the murder, though a senior intelligence official has told state media that the attack has "the hallmarks of a classic Kurdish terror attack."

Rabat, a city of 250,000 about 200 miles east of Ijad, is the home of many senior political leaders in Wazistan and is often under heavy security. Among its residence include Leader of the Islamic Revolution Sheik Mohammad Ali Yassin.

 

[Wazistan]

Headlines

:!: President holds talks with senior generals in wake of Karmak assassination.
:!: RDP official: Early elections for Majilis could be called before upcoming presidential vote.
:!: Ninawa court sentences eleven convicted terrorists to seven years of hard labor.
:!: Foreign Ministry expresses "deep concern" over growing tension between Vangala and Ratomkira.
:!: Islamic Affairs Minister to address gathering of Bam Seminary Association of Scholars.

 

[Serenierre]

Foreign Office

Foreign Minister Marcelieu wishes to visit Ijad and meet with his counterpart.

 

[Wazistan]

Statement from the Foreign Ministry

Foreign Minister Ahmed Samir al-Jabr will be more than happy to host Marcelieu in Ijad for talks.

 

[Wazistan]

:!: Top Story- Head of Assembly of Experts slams opposition "lies"

The head of the powerful Assembly of Experts slammed the country's political opposition, accusing senior opposition figures of spreading "lies and false rumors" to smear the Islamic Republic's name abroad. Addressing students at the Kazem University, senior cleric Ayatollah Kazem Amir Hashemi said the opposition's repeated attacks on the government and Islamic system in the foreign media outlets was "unpatriotic" and suggested some may have even broken the law. Hashemi says he would ask Justice Minister Ali Najafi consider opening a criminal probe into several remarks.

Najafi's office said the minister would ask a Justice Ministry prosecutor to review the matter with state prosecutors.

Earlier in the day in the Majilis, lawmakers approved overwhelmingly a resolution calling for the arrest and trial of senior opposition leaders Jawad Bishara and Payan Kasravi for "actions detrimental to state interests." MPs from the opposition factions boycotted the vote. In remarks during the debate proceeding the vote, Kandistan MP Akbar Saba Bahman said decision by the opposition to boycott the vote was further evidence that they "were more comfortable with smearing than engaging the government."

President Hamid Najibullah, who has called on the opposition to work with the ruling party, said in a statement that the resolution should serve as a warning to opponents that "outlandish attacks" against the integrity of the Islamic Republic would not be tolerated.

 

[Wazistan]

Headlines

:!: Leader of the Islamic Revolution meets group of Kurdish MPs in Rabat.
:!: President appoints top aide as new Vice President for Energy Policy.
:!: Security Forces in Pardis kill four terrorists after firefight.
:!: Majilis approves massive spending increase on infrastructure project in updated appropriations request.
:!: Higher Education Ministry: Universities becoming "haven" for anti-revolutionary activities.

 

[Wazistan]

:!: Top Story- Zanjan Governor named new Public Security chief

The Governor of Zanjan has been appointed to serve as Wazistan’s new Public Security chief, the Cabinet announced in a statement on its website. Governor Sabit Hasanov, a close regional ally of President Hamid Najibullah, has been widely praised for his tough campaign against drug cartels and gangs in Zanjan and was widely viewed as a likely candidate to replace outgoing Public Security Minister Emile al-Kader, whose departure was widely expected following a wave of violent crimes this summer.

The Majilis Committee for State Security endorsed his appointment in voice vote without debate, according to the Cabinet statement.

Speaking to a local radio station, Zanjan's vice governor Ismail al-Marayati congratulated Hasanov on his appointment and hailed his governorship in Zanjan as “historic.” Marayati says he was unsure when discussion would begin with the Central Government on who will replace Hasanov, though he said he had been in contact with the Interior Ministry. Under the Wazi Constitution, provincial governors are appointed by the president following consultation with the provincial assembly.

Zanjan political analysts have said Provincial Assembly chairman Fazil Menderes, a veteran of the ruling Revolutionary Democratic Party, is the frontrunner for the post.

Other News

:!: Aides: President mulling early legislative elections.
:!: Defense Ministry says nine terrorists killed on Wazi-Levant border following air strike.
:!: Top Kurdish MP calls on KSP to lay down arms and join process of national reconciliation.
:!: Islamic Coalition Party announces plans to merge with RDP.

 

[Wazistan]

Headlines

:!: Leader of the Islamic Revolution meets generals from Islamic National Guard.
:!: President Najibullah signs off new bill granting provinces new tax collection powers.
:!: RDP officials arrive in Gaza ahead of annual congress.
:!: Vice President Mohammedan to meet leaders of Christian community in effort to boost interfaith dialogue.
:!: Islamic Coalition MPs to consider unity deal with RDP.

 

[Wazistan]

Headlines

:!: President to headline gathering of nation's university rectors in Ijad.
:!: Majilis set to pass new tax bill in line with demands from Central Bank of Wazistan.
:!: North Kurdistan announces plans to suspend construction of Azad Tower project due to lack of funding.
:!: Interior Minister announces plans to add 500 more officers to national police force.
:!: RDP to set up new task force to address poverty, says Secretariat in statement.

 

[Wazistan]

:!: Top Story- Najibullah opens RDP Congress with call for unity

In what his likely to be his final speech before the party officials, President Hamid Najibullah open the 8th annual congress of the Revolutionary Democratic Party in Gaza Friday with a call for party members to unite ahead of presidential elections next year. President Najibullah, who is expected to skip the remainder of the two-week meeting to focus on government affairs, criticized what he viewed as "indefensible" efforts by "rebels" to split the ruling party and impose "Northern-style democracy" on the Islamic Republic.

Najibullah urged members to resist such pressure and maintain their focus "on advancing the of this great nation and the vision of His Excellency, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution."

Following the president's remarks, several party officials made introductory speeches and reviewed the meeting agenda. On Saturday, outgoing Party Secretary Abdul Ali Jatani will present his report on the party's work for the pass five years. On Sunday, the meeting is expected to break up into several working groups to begin work on drafting the party's policy platform for the next five years.

On December 15th, the party's central election commission open nomination process for candidates seeking the RDP presidential nomination for the upcoming presidential election in the Majilis slated for spring. A party official says the vote for candidates will likely take place the next day.

Following the election of the RDP's candidate, the congress will wrap up with its elections for internal party organizations, including the central committee, politburo, and the post of Party secretary.