Editorial: Ethnicity and religion form of Iraqi identity
By Hameed Abdullah
(Al-Mashriq, 15 Sep 04) – Turkey expressed unprecedented sympathy with residents of the Iraqi town of Talafar who have been facing clashes with American forces for days. Observers interpreted the Turkish position as a racial prejudice rather than a mere humanitarian stand. Turkey rightfully thought Iraq had been partitioned into regions according to ethnicities and sects. Hence, it wanted to protect the ethnic Turks of Iraq. If our government actually had control over Iraq, nobody would have stuck their nose in our affairs. We are not denying the residents of Talafar being of a Turkish origin. But their ethnicity and religion must form part of their Iraqi nationality.
(Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments publishes Al-Mashriq daily.)

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Editorial: Too little sympathy for the plight of Iraqis
(Al-Bayan, 16 Sep 04) – Two days after black Sunday, came black Tuesday where 70 were killed, 114 injured. As usual, all of the victims were civilians and policemen. This shows that extremist groups aim at undermining security. The events passed by without receiving enough concern. Arab foreign ministers' condemnation of kidnapping and murder was late, but important. Our neighbours pay more heed to kidnappings than to the wave of violence all over the country. Treating the kidnap file cannot be done without treating the whole security file. Unfortunately, sympathy with Iraqis' plight remains at the lowest level.
(The Islamic Dawa Party issues Al-Bayan four times weekly.)

Editorial: The government must act responsibly over security
By Ismail Zayer
(Al-Sabah al-Jadeed, 15 Sep 04) – The question now is: "did security slip out of the government's hand, and did it lose the security initiative to the extent that terrorists are the ones who decide the time of confrontations while the government is satisfied with sending ambulances?" The reply to this question is obligatory because it is part of the pledges made by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi in achieving security. We do not want to embarrass the government, for we are in the same boat. The government has to undertake its responsibility as part of democracy, and as an expression of self-respect.
(Al-Sabah al-Jadeed is an independent daily paper.)

Editorial: Violence is the central concern
(Addaawa, 15 Sep 04) – The wave of violence overwhelming Iraq is central for those who care about the country. What is astonishing in the bloody scene of Iraq is the intermingling of political and criminal aspects. Even the followers of the events have become blind to the difference between components of the scene that agree on violence instead of negotiations to resolve the Iraqi issue. Conflicting wills around the world find continuing violence in Iraq the best atmosphere for settling their scores. We have to use wisdom and reason in looking at this dilemma. We must depend on negotiation to solve the issue and return Iraq back to its bright historical role and to shorten the distance for rebuilding a progressive, safe and brilliant Iraq.
(Addaawa is a daily paper issued by the Islamic Dawa Party.)

Editorial: National Assembly plays the most important role
By Muhammed Abdul Jabbar
(Al-Sabah, 12 Sep 04) – I hope that members of the interim National Assembly work on the basis that they hold their posts temporarily until January 31. I also hope they remember they are entrusted with keeping the country’s election schedule on track. They should not make the possibility of their own electoral victory or loss the basis on which to shape their stands. The government and all other political powers are responsible for the political process, but the National Assembly's share of responsibility is the largest.
(Al-Sabah is a daily independent publicly owned newspaper.)

Editorial: We have different buckets for the same well
(Al-Adala, 11 Sep 04) – After the fall of the former regime, Iraqi journalism has grown. Now there are more than 200 newspapers that differ from those of the former regime which were devoted to praising the dictator's regime. There are three features to distinguish the new journalism: First, the huge number of enthusiastic inexperienced journalists who are in conflict with the former experienced ones. Second, our journalism is multi-sided with a large amount of freedom to reflect the views of the parties behind them. Third, it is a two-year-old journalism, which means it is still crawling. Thus, we have to do our best to strengthen it to become upstanding. These characteristics of today's journalism urge all of us to help it find the steady infrastructure for development. We have different buckets for the same well.
(Al-Adala is issued daily by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq.)