Compensation due for Najaf residents
(Al-Mashriq) – The transitional Iraqi government and US forces have decided to compensate residents of Najaf who were affected by the recent clashes in the city. Najaf Governor Adnan al-Thurfi said the multilateral forces would compensate the families of civilian victims and the Iraqi government would pay for damaged property. The government has funds to rebuild Najaf, Thurfi added.
(Al-Mashriq is published daily by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments.)

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Sadr aide shot dead
(Al-Taakhi) – The senior aide to Muqtada al-Sadr, Basheer al-Jazairi, was shot dead on the way from Najaf to Baghdad. A Sadr spokesman accused hardliners and henchmen of the former regime for the shooting. The spokesman also blamed the government for not providing enough security in the area of the shooting. It is worth mentioning that many prominent figures have been targeted in that area.
(Al-Taakhi is issued daily by the Kurdistan Democratic Party.)

Negotiations with Iran underway
(Al-Mutamar) – A source close to the Iraqi delegation to Iran said open and frank negotiations were underway with officials in Tehran. The negotiations concentrated on the security, border and economic issues between the two countries. The security file topped the agenda and the Iraqis were waiting for the Iranians to keep their promises. Iranian officials showed full understanding concerning Iraqi fears of meddling by some Iranian groups. The Iraqi side tried to persuade the Iranians to forget about compensation for the eight-year war between the two countries during the 1980s.
(Al-Mutamar is issued daily by the Iraqi National Congress.)

Saddam trial judges to be announced
(Al-Bayan) – An official source in the Ministry of Justice said the government has named a prominent judge to chair the trial of Saddam Hussein. The name of the judge and those of other members would be released later. The judges last week held a meeting to sort out the procedures and the special rules of the court. Some prosecution witnesses against Saddam would come from members of the former regime. Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has ordered a speedy start to the proceedings.
(Al-Bayan is issued four times weekly by the Islamic Dawa Party.)

Allawi meets resistance fighters
(Addaawa) – Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has secretly met with armed resistance groups from Fallujah, Ramadi and Samarra to convince them to accept his offer of amnesty. He has succeeded in changing views of some representatives who have taken his initiative seriously. Allawi aims to resolve the conflict by political means, not military.
(Addaawa is a daily paper issued by the Islamic Dawa Party.)