BAGHDAD, Iraq Aug. 7, 2004 � The Iraqi
government closed the Iraqi offices of the Arab television station
Al-Jazeera for 30 days, accusing it Saturday of inciting violence.
A spokesman for Al-Jazeera called the closure "unwise" and said it
restrained freedom of the press.
"It is a regrettable decision, but Al-Jazeera will endeavor to cover
the situation in Iraq as best as we can within the constraints," spokesman
Jihad Ballout said.
Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said the government convened an
independent commission a month ago to monitor Al-Jazeera's daily coverage
"to see what kind of violence they are advocating, inciting hatred and
problems and racial tension."
Based on the commission's finding, the National Security Committee
ordered the monthlong closure, Allawi said.
Iraqi Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib said the closure was intended to
give the station "a chance to readjust their policy against Iraq."
"They have been showing a lot of crimes and criminals on TV, and they
transfer a bad picture about Iraq and about Iraqis and encourage criminals
to increase their activities," he said.
"We want to protect our people."
Senior U.S. officials also have criticized Al-Jazeera's coverage of the
Iraq war, calling the network an outlet for the al-Qaida terror network,
broadcasting videotapes and audiotapes purportedly from Osama bin Laden or
his aides. Al-Jazeera denied the allegations.
Al-Jazeera's Ballout said the network was not given a reason for the
closure. He said the closure inhibits the "right of the Arab people around
the world to see a comprehensive picture about what's going on in an
important region like Iraq."
During a July 25 interview with Al-Jazeera in Moscow, interim Iraqi
Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari accused the channel of biased reporting
and implied its journalists could be barred from the country.
"We do not tolerate those who exploit the freedom of the media," Zebari
said then. "These channels have become channels for provocation against
the interest, security and safety of the Iraqi people and the Iraqi
government will not be lenient toward such behavior."
Al-Jazeera occasionally has encountered problems with authorities in
other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and
the former Iraqi regime. Unlike Arab state-run media, the station often
airs views of local opposition figures and their criticisms of their
countries' rulers. | 
