No problem with Iran
(Al-Adala) - Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has denied any escalation between Iraq and Iran in reference to statements by the Minister of Defence statements accusing Iran of penetrating Iraqi security and intelligence. He said his government tended to solve the problems through transparent and open dialogue which kept in mind the interests of the entire region. He added that Iraq has started a new phase of good relations with its neighbouring states.
(Al-Mashriq is published daily by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments.)

Cartoon of the Day

(Addustour) - A camera has just taken a soldier's picture. The soldier's hand is dripping with blood and he is holding a gun. But the picture emerging from the camera, which carries an American flag, shows an innocent soldier holding an olive branch. This is a reference to the fact that America is giving us a picture of things that differs completely from the reality.

Iraq seeks new outlets for oil
(Al-Mada) - An Official source in the Ministry of Oil said studies are being conducted to have oil contracts with Jordan which would be put in to practice by establishing an oil pipeline between the two countries. Iraq also is trying to have extra oil outlets through Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran to enhance the oil cooperation between Iraq and Iran. The source added natural gas would be supplied to Kuwait by the end of this year.
(Al-Mada is issued daily by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts.)

New terror group threatens beheadings
(Asharq Al-Awsat) - An armed veiled group describing itself as "The Black Banners" has demanded the departure of a Kuwaiti company. The group threatened to kill six hostages from Egypt, India and Kenya who worked for the company. In a video tape shown on the Arabia television channel, the group also demanded that those states pull out their subjects from Iraq with in 72 hours starting from 8.00 pm Wednesday, otherwise they would behead a hostage every other 72 hours.
(London-based Asharq al-Awsat, a Saudi independent paper, is issued daily.)

Kurd autonomy 'okay' says president
(Al-Nahdhah) - President Ghazi al-Yawer in Erbil yesterday said the central government would support the autonomy in the Kurdish area and would go ahead with federalism. Masood al-Barzani has welcomed the visit, saying it enhanced bilateral relations and reflected Yawer's interests in the area. About neighbouring states which support terrorism in Iraq, Yawer said insecurity in Iraq would adversely affect them.
(Al-Nahdhah is a daily newspaper issued by Adnan al-Pachachi, GC member and head of Independent Democrats Movement.)

Hard work brings reduced crime rate
(Al-Mutamar) – An official source in the Ministry of Interior said reduction in crimes by 90% was due to the application of martial law. The achievement is the outcome of 15 months’ effort to establish ten new security organisations. National guardsmen and Iraqi police are deployed on the highways between provinces to safeguard passengers otherwise liable to attacks by looters and kidnappers. So-called ‘Scorpion Forces’ have been established to eliminate terrorism. Those forces were properly equipped, which also helps them undertake their duties.
(Al-Mutamar is issued daily by the Iraqi National Congress.)

Election law committee selected
(Al-Bayan) – Spokesman for the High Committee of Elections Fareed Ayar said a committee of three experts in constitutional law would be formed to establish a law for the Iraqi elections which would be held in late January. He added that preparations were underway to choose 30,000 electoral centres supervised by 150,000 persons in Iraq, including Kurdistan. The UN has promised $250 million for the elections that are supposed to be held in an atmosphere of freedom.
(Al-Bayan is issued four times weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party, chaired by Ibrahim al-Jafari, Governing Council member.)