(Iraq) Defense ministry gives occupants of govt. facilities 72 hours to leave

[sabra]

Source: Voice of Iraq

Baghdad, Jun 24, (VOI) – The Iraqi defense ministry instructed all parties, political institutions and citizens occupying government buildings in Baghdad and central and southern provinces to leave within 72 hours starting as of Tuesday.

"The security forces would have to evacuate these buildings of their occupants if the deadline expired," according to a ministry statement received by Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq – (VOI).

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had issued a decree in mid-May to have all government facilities evacuated of all their occupants, whether they were parties or political powers, drawing uproar in political circles.

Read more: http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=83490&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1

[Ian David]

1. Is this a credible source? You have another link? n/t

[sabra]

2. yes - VOI was helped formed by the Reuters Foundation

http://www.allbusiness.com/services/business-services-miscellaneous-business/4680559-1.html

Iraq News Site Morphing into News Service, Says Reuters Foundation
By E&P Staff
Publication: Editor & Publisher
Date: Monday, August 8 2005

Earlier this year, RF announced that it and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had launched an Arab-language Web site allowing Iraqi media to pool their news coverage (E&P Online, March 16).

Now, said RF, additional resources secured from the UNDP and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation will enable the service, called "Voices of Iraq," to provide breaking news to local, regional, and international media. The agency will have journalists reporting from each of the 18 governorates in Iraq.

The "Voice of Iraq" site currently publishes more than 600 news items a month. Reports are drawn from 30 stringers and a group of contributing media organizations that include three of Iraq's independent newspapers.

Meanwhile, RF has provided journalism training to more than 50 Iraqi reporters.

[sabra]

3. More:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKL2452716120080624


* BAGHDAD - The Defence Ministry gave all people who have been squatting in government buildings abandoned when U.S. forces ousted Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003 three days to evacuate them or risk being forcibly evicted. A number of political parties have headquarters in such buildings.

[Robbien]

4. Aw come on, how the heck does Maliki think he has this kind of power

He is going to boot out US military and Blackwater & friends from Iraqi government buildings?

I'd love to see the video.