Thread: Iraq/Dinar Until June 9th 1PM CST

Originally Posted by HyiperOne

SDR is not a currency, it is a basket of currencies set by IMF as an international reserve asset.

thanks, so is that number something we need to keep an eye on along with usd rate?

Economic window
Date : Friday, June 01
Page name : Economic
The market mechanism
Imad Principality
Consider (economists) to the market mechanism as an effective tool in the structural change and to restore the Iraqi economy Tozanath implications for the activation mechanism (the market) in achieving economic variables require economic measures undertaken by the State economy) that the activation of the advantages associated with the Iraqi market to a large extent the size of this market whenever any widened strong demand and supply empowered in the Iraqi market could then access to competitive situations more efficiently, it must consolidate the supply situation in the Iraqi market, and this happens through expansion of productive Mmcnath (Economy Iraqi) This occurs through the conversion of public property or curbing the role of the State in ownership of the forces of production equipment and the kinds of projects large and medium and transformed into (the private sector), which is one component of supply in (the Iraqi market) could then market mechanisms and the restructuring of production according to demand trends, the reference here seem to function feature of the economy Iraqi being economical (permitted) to the high relative importance of the petroleum sector's contribution to GDP at its control, the subject was largely due to external variables (oil market) to be fluctuations in the revenue range then affected the GDP and so that it can be (the Iraqi economy) Diversity Commodity exports in the matter requires pursuit of trade liberalization to give a greater role to (the strong market) in the process of resource allocation in the Iraqi economy

It's possible that Iraq may follow Kuwait's lead by pegging their currency to a basket of currencies rather than just the dollar, but we won't know until they do it. I don't know if Kuwait determined their own 'basket' composition or the SDR rate, though I remember seeing reference that their basket was 75% dollar. I wouldn't spend a lot of time checking on the SDR rate unless you are just interested in it; unfortunately it won't give us any clues as to what the GoI might do.

After having been postponed three times in parliament
Date : Sunday, June 03
The name of the page : the first page of the newspaper Sabah
The vote on the new Cabinet next Tuesday
Baghdad-Sabah.
Parliamentary sources revealed that the vote on the new ministers will be next Tuesday. The deputy said the bloc Fawzi Akram Chest : The bloc deputies will vote on the Cabinet-independents who put their names during previous sessions of the Chamber of Deputies

Akram added in press statements made yesterday : it is hoped that the process of voting on the names of the candidates for ministries covered by the amendment of the ministerial meeting next Tuesday. Akram pointed out that there is pressure from within the United Iraqi Alliance bloc on Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on the choice of ministers had tendencies of the political parties or independent Arbekh which to choose ministers, explaining that "trend sternum demanded that the Prime Minister choose ministers independent and qualified technocrats and owners must abide by the request of the trend." The Akram sternum believes that the current state institutions based on technocrats and skilled people. It was the House had to vote three times to substitute biomass chest because of the lack of quorum. It said Osama Alenjevi member of the House from the list, the Iraqi National : that the list submitted three new names for the position of the Ministry of Justice after the resignation of its minister from office. He added of the National Iraqi News yesterday : The list submitted a number of names in the last term after the resignation of the minister Hashem Shebli However, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had all been rejected for different reasons. It is noteworthy that the list of three Iraqi ministries of human rights, justice and the Ministry of State and owns 24 deputies after the withdrawal of Dr. Mahdi Al-Hafiz recently. The Justice Minister Hashim Shebli resignation more than two months ago to differences with the list. Alenjevi He explained : "The names presented are names that enjoy superb and the experience is known names." He refused to reveal the names but said it will be announced next week these names.

The formation of task forces in various areas of assigning plan to impose law
Date : Sunday, June 03
The name of the page : the first page of the newspaper Sabah

Supporters formed committees to plan the security of Baghdad (the imposition of the Act) a number of task forces in various areas to upgrade mission and success of the plan as well as to expand the participation of civil society institutions in assigning plan

The representative of the Ministry of State for civil society and a member of the supporters of the plan to impose law Faris Abbas Secretary to the Committee formed working groups dealing forcibly displaced and unemployed labor and detained suspects who were found guilty as well as a means public services and the opinion of social and economic affairs of the citizens. He stressed the need to expand the participation of institutions civil society and NGOs in promoting the concepts of partnership and cooperation. He said the commissions supporters held last Wednesday the presence of the institutions of civil society, which is the broadest national conference in Iraq and in the crowd, adding that the goal of the conference is to mobilize the masses are educated and made aware of their role in the attribution of a plan to impose law

Originally Posted by zipper

It's possible that Iraq may follow Kuwait's lead by pegging their currency to a basket of currencies rather than just the dollar, but we won't know until they do it. I don't know if Kuwait determined their own 'basket' composition or the SDR rate, though I remember seeing reference that their basket was 75% dollar. I wouldn't spend a lot of time checking on the SDR rate unless you are just interested in it; unfortunately it won't give us any clues as to what the GoI might do.

it's actually the fact that they are suddenly listing it that has me curious...that along with the art i posted earlier on the conference calendar for banking they seem to be doing alot of preparations quite quickly.

Talabani, Bush resolved to achieve important objectives in Iraq
Baghdad, 01 June 2007 (Voices of Iraq)

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said during his meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush that the Iraqi government is resolved to continue efforts to realize important aims regarding national reconciliation and oil and investment laws, while Bush renewed the U.S.’s commitment to helping Iraqis achieve important objectives.

"We expressed, during the meeting with President Bush, commitment and desire to boost Iraq's unity and national government. I also updated the president on the latest achievements in Iraq," said a presidential statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

"The main enemy for Iraq is al-Qaeda armed group and other groups cooperating with it," the Iraqi president said.

He also noted the "armed groups that fight the government," saying "we will negotiate with them to join in the political process."

Talabani also criticized the mass media, saying it concentrates only on the negative side in Iraq and does not highlight big achievements realized in the country, mainly in the economic field and in improvements to social life.

"For his part, the U.S. president reiterated his country's commitment to helping the Iraqi government achieve important objectives," the statement added.

"Meghan O'Sullivan, who recently announced she is resigning as deputy national security adviser, will work with U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker to help Iraq's leaders in Baghdad," the U.S. president also said.

He further emphasized the importance of realizing success in Iraq, as "failure in Iraq will threaten Americans and strengthen Iraq's enemies."

"We must not let al-Qaeda have a safe haven in Iraq. We must not retreat in the face of the unspeakable violence that they perpetuate on your citizens. We must help you prevail," Bush said.

A source close to the Iraqi presidency in Sulaimaniya said earlier that President Talabani would return home on Saturday from the United States after a two-week recuperative trip.

Talabani last visited the White House in September 2005.

Possible Turkish attack on Kurdish rebels in Iraq would hurt regional economy


03 June 2007 (Associated Press)

As Turkey gears up for a possible attack on Kurdish rebels in Kurdistan (Iraq), residents along the border are bracing for the negative impact of any military action on cross-border trade.

"This border is my only hope," said Turkish Kurd truck driver Suleyman Gidim, who was ferrying gasoline to U.S. troops to Kurdistan-Iraq and has a family of seven to feed.

The economic fallout of an attack could be huge for both sides: Turkey provides electricity and oil products to the Iraqi Kurdistan region, and the annual trade volume at the Habur Gate crossing is more than US$10 billion. The Turkish military has been building up forces along the porous border, where separatist rebels cross from safe havens in the mountains of Kurdistan-Iraq to carry out attacks.

The mostly Kurdish residents on the Turkish side of the border fear that the boom times that returned to the region after the liberation of Iraq by U.S.-led forces four years ago could evaporate if Turkish troops pursue rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, known by its Kurdish acronym PKK, who are hiding out in Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

A string of small businesses, including bakeries, groceries and car repair shops, are now fully operational after the border was closed for years during a U.N. trade embargo against Iraq that ended after the fall of Saddam Hussein. During the embargo, the border trade was virtually limited to smuggling of crude oil and cigarettes from Iraq and most of the small businesses had gone bankrupt. Now, new hotels, restaurants and shops have mushroomed and larger customs buildings have been built to serve thousands of truck drivers and businessmen involved in reconstruction projects in war-torn Iraq.

"We are all worried. If Turkey enters Iraq, then the border could be shut down," said Tekin Ozgen, a 27-year-old waiter at a roadside restaurant that caters to truck drivers. "No border gate means no patrons. If that happens, I might have to migrate to the west to become a construction worker."

The border trade is the backbone of the regional economy, and vendors descend on the crossing to sell ice-cream, boiled eggs or T-shirts to truck drivers waiting in line for hours to get past the border gate. The crossing sits on a plain at the edge of a river and is surrounded by barbed wires and military watch towers. Sheep graze on a nearby field.

The Turkish military says its maneuvers on the border are routine, but political and military leaders have been discussing whether to stage an incursion in recent weeks amid an increase in rebel activity. PKK attacks usually rise in the summer, but a recent suicide bombing in the capital, Ankara, and a bomb that killed six Turkish soldiers - both blamed on guerrillas - have tested Turkey's diminishing patience.

On Friday, officials said Turkish troops killed two Kurdish rebels in an overnight clash in the southeast, bringing the number of guerrillas killed in fighting this week to 16. In a separate incident, rebels attacked a military vehicle near the border with Iraq, injuring eight soldiers.

Turkey has urged the United States and Iraq to wipe out rebel bases in Kurdistan (northern Iraq). The United States opposes a Turkish incursion into Kurdistan region (northern Iraq), fearing it could destabilize one of the most stable regions of the country.

At the Habur crossing, a large Turkish flag waved on a high post and was easily visible kilometers (miles) away. Much of the mountainous border area is off-limits to journalists, but some tanks sitting on trucks could be seen at a base in the border town of Silopi, 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border.

Southeastern Turkey is overwhelmingly Kurdish. Many people have relatives in Kurdistan region (northern Iraq), and some sympathize with the cause of the Kurdish guerrillas, who took up arms in 1984.

"Turkey should not stage an incursion but consider giving rights to the PKK," said teenager Sabri Sezer, as he sold cold water at the sun-baked border crossing. "Turkey is a state, but let the PKK to have their own state too."

Pro-government Kurds said the PKK had not only targeted soldiers or police, but also teachers or government workers who were building roads.

"The knife has touched the bone," said Abdullah Cite, owner of a makeshift coffee house near the border gate. "Turkey should go in and finish off the terrorists."

Turkey's military chief said Thursday his army was prepared to attack Kurdish guerrillas in a cross-border offensive and was awaiting government orders for an incursion, putting pressure on the government to support an offensive that risks straining ties with the United States. Turkey is NATO's only predominantly Muslim member.

Turkey last carried out a major incursion into Iraq to chase PKK rebels a decade ago. The Turkish military says up to 3,800 rebels are now based in Iraq, and up to 2,300 operate inside Turkey.

Kurdish officials ask Iraqi central government to honor commitments

03 June 2007 (Voices of Iraq)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said on Friday that the Kurdish government has reservations on the Iraqi government's commitments regarding the region's demands.

In statements after the meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Kurdistan's President Massoud Barzani in Salah ad-Din resort, the minister said "the government of Kurdistan region has reservations on the commitments of the Iraqi government on the Kurdistan region's constitutional demands. There is a need to get mutual understandings on these demands."

"Both officials tackled issues that concerns Iraq, mainly political and security challenges," Zebari also said, noting that the premier's visit came within the context of boosting coordination and consultation between the two governments, in addition to exchanging viewpoints regarding critical issues.

"The two discussed means to activate political blocs to support the government's programs and to continue efforts to realize national reconciliation," the foreign minister stated.

"Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution was also on the meeting agenda," he said, noting that they emphasized it is a constitutional right and we need to apply it but within a joint understanding.

Zebari said that the meeting also aimed at fostering political allies, mainly between the Iraqi Unified Iraqi Coalition, the Kurdistan Coalition and other political blocs.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki arrived in Iraq's Kurdistan on Thursday afternoon.

On Tuesday, Kurdistan Premier Nechirvan Barzani ended several days' visit to Baghdad to discuss with the central government issues to do with oil-rich Kirkuk city's status according to Article 140 of the constitution, relations between Baghdad's government and the Kurdistan administration, the status of the Peshmerga (Kurdistan National Gurad) and the draft oil and gas law.

Kurds want to accelerate the implementation of constitutional article 140, concerning normalizing the situation in Kirkuk city, as it was before the 1970s, when the former regime, Kurds claim, lured Arabs to settle in Kirkuk and drove Kurdish families out of the city.

The step should be followed by a referendum in the city to decide whether or not to join the three other Kurdish provinces in the Kurdistan region by the end of 2007. Non-Kurdish Iraqi political forces are inclined to put off the issue until better security prevails in the country.

Also, the draft oil and gas law, now under debate by lawmakers in Baghdad, represents another deadlock between Erbil and Baghdad. Kurdish leaders are pressing for more power in relation to oil investment inside the region, while Baghdad has opted to control all investment contracts in the country.

Iraqi vision : model-Iraqi

Mohammed Abdul Jabbar carp
(Voice of Iraq) - 03-06-2007 | Sotaliraq.com - ÕæÊ ÇáÚÑÇÞ

The American administration crush borrow, or import models precedent to indicate their perceptions on Iraq, shrugging off the possibility of building a new model can be called a later model of Iraq.

Before the war toppling Saddam months, the American President George Bush talk about the re-production of the German and Japanese models, and building a new Iraq along the lines of these two models. Often, Bush said that the American army will leave Iraq has become like those two, without aware of the difference between the two cases, a difference reflected in the case of the German and Japanese gathered coherent, compared shattered Iraqi society. It is regrettable that it is no longer possible to say that now, because the flavor of the flat-model German and Japanese Iraqi situation.

Recently President Bush has put the Korean model, which resulted in the construction of one of the strongest economies in East Asia, the South Korean economy. Once again, Bush ignored the difference between the Korean situation and the Iraqi situation, where the division is the key to success in the first, while the partition in the event it occurs Guide failure in the second case. What can be said with Leslie Gelb, former president of the American Council on Foreign Relations, that the comparison is not on the cards already!

Perhaps borrow successful models, but not identical with the Iraqi situation, attempt to exclude the Vietnamese model, which has become a milestone catastrophic failure. But even this example does not apply to the Iraqi situation, in the absence of one of those elements, which is similar to the overall resistance saw Kong, which could not be in any way compared to the Iraqi armed groups Balvic Kong southern Vietnamese time.

May will be seen later that the method of previous models improperly in building perception of Iraq because they ignore all the historical and social differences between these models together, and the Iraqi situation.

Such divergences, had reason to change his thinking and stereotyped planning, and focus on trying to build a model strategic Iraqi take into account, primarily, the inherent characteristics that distinguish the Iraqi situation on the psychological, social, economic, political, historical and regional environment.

... Perhaps this approach is more likely success.

Mohammed Abdul Jabbar carp