Thread: Iraq/Dinar News up until March 18th Midnight ctz

Originally Posted by shotgunsusie

no they dont and when i find the articles that described the new banking protection organization similar to the fdic ill post it because it has been developed.

Hardly think name calling is necessary but not surprised by it.
If you feel secure with your cash in Warka and the ISX....don't worry about trying to convince me.

16 March 2007 (United Press International)

The Iraq oil ministry has told leaders in Karbala Province it will build a 140,000 barrels per day oil refinery.The Voices of Iraq news agency reports construction dates have not been set, but the head of the provincial council announced the refinery will be built.

"The oil minister informed the provincial council during his visit to Karbala two days ago that the ministry agreed to build a large refinery in the province," Abdul-Al al-Yasseri said.

"The oil ministry announced the project tender and is waiting for bids by international companies," he said.

Iraq is in short supply of refined crude products, despite having the third-largest oil reserves in the world, 115 billion barrels. Refineries, like the rest of Iraq's oil sector, are besieged by regular attacks and a lack of electricity, as well as the effects of the war, U.N. sanctions and mismanagement under Saddam Hussein.

Iraq imports most of its transportation, heating and cooking fuel and exports about 1.6 million barrels of oil per day. It produces about 2 million bpd.

The refinery in Karbala, southwest of Baghdad, will be built along the highway from Karbala to Najaf and would take four years and $1 billion, al-Yasseri said.

Iraq Not Talking with Majors Yet-Oil Minister

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VIENNA, 16 March 2007 (Reuters)

Iraq is not conducting negotiations yet with major oil companies on new oilfield developments, although they wait keenly in the wings, Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani said on Thursday.

He said that Baghdad was waiting first for its new oil sector law to pass through parliament.

"We are not negotiating with any major oil companies for the time being, we are waiting for the hydrocarbons law to be enacted by the parliament," Shahristani said.

He repeated that the law was likely to be passed before the end of May. Iraq plans to tender for major oil projects in the second half of the year, he added.

"Meanwhile almost all the major oil companies have indicated interest to come and work in Iraq, we have MOUs with almost all of them," the minister added.

"They are preparing themselves but there is no negotiation about the development of any particular field," he said.

Memorandums of Understanding have been in place for several years with majors, who have expressed their interest in specific fields.

The new law will create the Iraq National Oil Company (INOC) which will be responsible for prized oilfields that are already discovered and producing.

These oilfields, such as West Qurna, Majnoon and Bin Umar are coveted by the majors.

Under Saddam Hussein a Russian consortium headed by LUKOIL had signed a deal to develop West Qurna, although that was cancelled by Iraq in 2002.

Iraq is also reviewing a deal to develop the Al-Ahdab field that had been signed with the China National Petroleum Corp and China's state arms manufacturer Norinco.

France's Total has initialled deals for Majnoon and Bin Umar.

Shahristani said production sharing contracts, favoured by majors, had not been proposed yet as an investment model.

"We are not discussing that form of contract yet," he said.

Production sharing deals are not favoured by producing countries keen to maintain as much control as possible over their energy assets.

"The law has left this (the investment model) open for INOC to decide what is the best for the interests of Iraq for the development of any field," he said, speaking before the start of an OPEC meeting.

As I posted earlier

Originally Posted by SpongeDinars

Which is better investment, ISX or holding actual Dinars? Thank you.
RV BABY RV!

Good question,

Personally, I would invest in both, not only holding dinar, but also stock which is also in dinar. I have been moving all my investments to offshore currency and stocks for months, so this is what I would advise everyone to consider. ISX could provide explozive growth in combination with our dinar growth.

Good luck to all, Mike

Statement on the Multinational Force in Iraq

Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, Acting U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Remarks to the Security Council
New York City
March 15, 2007

USUN PRESS RELEASE #048 (07)

Thank you, Mr. President.


At the outset, I would like to thank Iraqi Vice President Abd al-Mahdi for attending this meeting. His presence in this Chamber underscores the Iraqi government's clear international engagement on behalf of its people. And likewise, I would like to welcome back Special Representative Qazi.


As requested by the UN Security Council in resolutions 1546, 1637 and 1723, I am pleased to report on behalf of the Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I) regarding the Force's progress towards fulfilling its mandate.


Despite the sobering scale of violent attacks, the Iraqi government and people continue to pursue their political and economic development and security goals. Toward that end some important steps were taken since the start of the year.


On January 23, the Council of Representatives passed a law that established an Independent Higher Election Commission; the establishment of the Commission is a key step in preparing for Iraqi provincial elections. On February 26, the Council of Ministers approved the draft hydrocarbon law; its passage by the Council of Representatives, together with complementary legislation, will ensure national control and equitable distribution of Iraq's oil wealth.


During the UN-hosted International Compact meeting tomorrow, the final Compact document will be shared with members of the international community. The Compact is a key component in Iraq's efforts to complete its transition to financial self-sufficiency and integration into the regional and global economy. Active participation by regional and global partners in the International Compact with Iraq will be critical to assisting Iraq's development efforts.


Although progress has been made on the electoral and economic fronts, overall violence and the resulting instability continue. In response to the ongoing attacks in Baghdad, Prime Minister Maliki announced in January, and the Council of Representatives approved, the Baghdad Security Plan (BSP) to renew the efforts of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to lead operations and secure Baghdad from insurgents and militias. The plan includes a commitment of elements of nine additional Iraqi Army battalions to the operation. Announcing a New Way Forward on January 10, U.S. President Bush committed an additional 21,500 U.S. troops to the Iraqi-led effort, with 4,400 committed in early March. While we must be cautious about drawing conclusions about results of the new Baghdad Security Plan, there has been a decrease in violence in the Iraqi capital after the increase of ISF in the Iraqi capital.


Lasting stability in Iraq requires more than a security element, and the Baghdad Security Plan includes increased economic, political and reconstruction efforts to improve the government's ability to meet the needs of its people and assist with security. The Iraqi government will spend $10 billion on infrastructure and reconstruction projects, creating jobs for the Iraqi people. The U.S. and other governments have announced assistance plans to support Iraq's reform and development.


Assistance is also needed to address Iraq's grave humanitarian situation. In addition to the daily suffering of Iraq's population due to the ongoing violence, approximately 2 million Iraqis have fled the country and another 1.7 million persons are internally displaced. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees launched a $60 million appeal to fund its work over the next year to assist this vulnerable population.


Mr. President, the insurgents, extremists and terrorists remain capable of and intent on carrying out attacks against Iraqi civilians, officials, and security forces. The three-month period marks a continuation of violence in the country, though there has been a downturn recently in Baghdad violence as noted above.


Al-Qaeda continues to focus its attacks in order to destabilize the Iraqi government and force the withdrawal of MNF-I. As has been the case during the last reporting period, much of the violence is attributable to sectarian motives, including hostility between factions within sects. More than 80 percent of the violence observed by MNF-I troops is limited to four provinces, Baghdad, Anbar, Salah and Din, and Diyala, and within 30 miles of the Iraqi capital itself. However, such violence also occurs in other population centers such as Kirkuk, Mosul, and Basra.


Iraqi civilians and the Iraqi Security Forces suffer the majority of casualties. Attacks, such as the February 3 truck bomb in the center of Baghdad that killed 105 civilians and wounded 251 and the March 6 attacks in Hillah that killed over 100 people and injured more than 150, continue in an effort to intimidate and demoralize the Iraqi people and destabilize the country.


Infrastructure attacks have decreased, down from over four per week in 2005 and early 2006, to an average of one per week more recently. Yet, weak ministerial oversight and ineffectual rapid-repair teams have proved major impediments to improving the supply of essential services.


In announcing the Baghdad Security Plan (BSP) in January, the Prime Minister and his government committed to the following actions by the Iraqi Security Forces: holding accountable all those who break the law without regard to sect or political affiliation; denying sanctuary for criminals or murderers; not allowing militias to serve as a replacement for the state control of local security; and providing military commanders freedom of action and an ability to do what is needed without political interference or micromanagement.


Although it is too early to point to a firm trend, the initial security effort under the new plan has recently reduced violence in Baghdad. The effort has been assisted by citizen-provided tips to find several insurgent bomb-making sites and weapons caches in the Baghdad area.


As part of measures to address the source of the this violence, the Iraqi government has allocated about $150 million of its 2007 budget for a demobilization, disarmament and reintegration process (DDR) for militias. Putting this process into action, along with continued political progress on national reconciliation and passage of a de-Ba'athification law, are important components to ensuring long-term stability in the country.


The Iraqi Security Forces are increasingly taking the operational lead and demonstrating an increased capability to plan and execute counter-insurgency operations. On December 20, 2006, MNF-I transferred security responsibility for the An Najaf Province, with a population of nearly one million residents, to provincial Iraqi control. In February, the British Government announced that it would withdraw 1,600 of its 7,100 troops from southern Iraq by the end of the year as it transitions increased security responsibility to Iraqi Security Forces.


As of March 5, 2007, 8 Division Headquarters, 31 Brigade Headquarters, and 93 Iraqi Army battalions had assumed the lead for counter-insurgency operations within their assigned areas of operations. Iraq and MNF-I continue to work to address ISF logistical and sustainment capability needs.


Coordination between Iraqi and MNF-I forces in security operations has been good. On February 27, Special Iraqi Army forces detained 16 suspected militiamen during operations with Coalition advisers in Sadr City, targeting the leadership of several rogue Jaysh alMahdi cells who allegedly direct and perpetrate sectarian murder, torture, and kidnapping. Iraqi-MNF-I cooperation is also evident in other areas of Iraq. Last month, approximately 500 Iraqi Police led a large-scale operation in Anbar province that resulted in the capture of 13 known terrorists and one large weapons cache. A combined force of 1,000 soldiers from both the Iraqi and U.S. armies cordoned off the area to assist the police during the operation. Continued coordination is critical to combat the ongoing threat to peace and stability in the country and to prepare Iraqis for assuming full responsibility for the country's security.


Mr. President, the United Nations' Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), under the leadership of SRSG Ashraf Qazi, is playing an important role supporting Iraq. UN leadership and expertise will continue to be needed as Iraq moves forward to prepare for provincial elections, conduct possible referenda, continue work on national reconciliation and the constitutional review, as well as implement the International Compact. The UN's efforts to protect and promote the rights of Iraqis and to assist the vulnerable are also critical elements for Iraqi stability. A robust UNAMI presence remains essential to these efforts. In addition to Baghdad, the UN has representatives in Irbil and Basra. MNF-I continues to assist UNAMI and to help UNAMI achieve its goal of a full, robust and secure presence in Iraq.


Multinational Forces, notably the Georgian, Romanian and South Korean contingents, continue to provide security for the United Nations in Baghdad, Basra, and Irbil, respectively. These troops provide static site security, reconnaissance, security patrols, convoy escorts, checkpoints, and when necessary, MEDEVAC and emergency evacuation. Under a separate UN agreement, Fijian troops also provide static and close-in protection for UN personnel and facilities in Baghdad.


The UN Distinct Entity Trust Fund, which covers the "middle ring" security expenses, is facing dwindling resources. Contributions to the Fund are necessary to ensure the continued critical support provided by the "middle ring" security forces for the UN mission in Iraq and we call on Member States to consider contributing.


The Iraqi government remains engaged in efforts to build positive relations with its neighbors. Over the last three months, Syria and Iraq have reopened their embassies in each other's capitals and Iraq reestablished its embassy in Saudi Arabia. The Iraqi government also invited its neighbors, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, as well as Bahrain, Egypt, the UN Security Council P-5 Members and the UN to a meeting in Baghdad March 10. At that meeting all attendees announced their support for Iraqi security and stability.


In conclusion, Mr. President, the Iraqi government continues its efforts to secure a stable future for Iraq's citizens. Further progress in the political, economic and security arenas is essential to helping Iraq achieve its goals. The continued support of the international community remains important to Iraq's efforts, rooted in respect for Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity.


Thank you, Mr. President

Statement on the Multinational Force in Iraq

Originally Posted by Adster

Sus,

One article stated 'Spring'. I reckon we're looking at early to mid April time.

Interesting,

Sounds good to me, Spring starts the same time everywhere last I looked, 20th would work for me. (g)

Good luck to all, Mike

Middle East News
Iraq satisfied with compact conference at UN

Mar 16, 2007, 19:39 GMT

New York - Iraq's Vice President Adil Abdai Mahdi on Friday said his country was satisfied with the results of a UN conference aimed at assisting reconstruction and recovery of the war-torn nation.

'We are very satisfied of the results of this conference and we are ready to take Iraq out of its crisis with the assistance of the international community,' Mahdi told reporters following a closed-door conference on the International Compact with Iraq at UN headquarters in New York.

Mahdi said the more than 90 governments and financial groups that took part in discussions had endorsed Baghdad's unity government's efforts to rebuild the country, which still suffers daily attacks by insurgents, sectarian violence and the killing of civilians.

The compact is a political agreement between Baghdad and the international community that will provide the framework for assistance to rebuild Iraq. Once finalized by both sides, the compact document will be launched sometime in April and a new conference will be held to raise funds for reconstruction programmes.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who opened the session at UN headquarters, said the compact focuses on Iraq's long-term economic development with an emphasis on achieving progress in political and security fields through a mutually re-enforcing UN-Iraq relationship.

'The UN is committed to supporting the implementation of the compact,' Ban said, pledging UN efforts to ensure international engagement in the process.

He urged Iraqi parties to form a national compact to resolve security and political problems while the international compact would aim at fostering economic and social reform in Iraq.

Participants at the conference called Iraq's recent adoption of legislation on oil and gas production a major step to revive the industry and manage its natural resources. - IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE OIL LAW IS DONE

'The international compact is intended to help the Iraqi government to build a secure, unified, federal and democratic nation, founded on the principles of freedom and equality, capable of providing peace and prosperity for all its people,' Ban said.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur


closed conference - don't forget!!

Not listened yet, but this is the one apparently.

16 March 07 Media Stakeout: Informal comments to the Media by the Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Political Issues, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari and the Vice-President of Iraq, H.E. Mr. Adil Abdul-Mahdi, on the situation concerning Iraq.
[Webcast: Archived Video - 12 minutes ]

UN hosts wide-ranging international meeting on long-term development for Iraq

16 March 2007 – Nearly 100 delegations from Member States, humanitarian agencies and regional organizations gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York for a long-term initiative for Iraq that aims to consolidate peace and pursue political, economic and social development over the next five years in the violence-torn country. It was the first time that the International Compact with Iraq (ICI), a joint UN-Iraqi Government plan, has met in New York since it was initiated last July, and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called it “a tool for unlocking Iraq’s own potential” in public sector resource management, institution building and human development, and in achieving a more holistic approach to energy management. “Unlike the other initiatives, the Compact focuses on Iraq’s long-term economic development, while also stressing progress in the political and security fields, through a mutually re-enforcing relationship,” he said in opening the meeting, noting that Iraqis have to agree on needed security and political steps as prerequisites for normalization and revitalization of the economy. “Above all, it is essential that all Iraqi communities come together in a spirit of dialogue to find lasting solutions. As they do so, they should be able to count on the active support of Iraq’s neighbours and the international community,” he added, calling the Compact an important framework for fulfilling those shared responsibilities towards Iraq and its people. “It is heart-wrenching to see almost daily attacks on innocent civilians, which have left immense suffering and pain in their wake. Beyond the political violence and sectarian strife, a humanitarian crisis is stretching the patience and ability of ordinary people to cope with everyday life,” he declared. Mr. Ban’s Special Advisor on the Compact, Ibrahim Gambari, told reporters afterwards that the world community could not wait till the end of all violence to help Iraq. Mr. Ban recalled that the UN is now strengthening its humanitarian efforts and working with countries in the region to address the increasing needs of those who have left Iraq temporarily, those displaced inside the country and those suffering from diminishing access to basic public services. “The challenges ahead are immense. I am sure you will all agree that we cannot leave Iraq on its own to cope with them. The International Compact is intended to help the Government to build a secure, unified, federal and democratic nation, founded on the principles of freedom and equality, capable of providing peace and prosperity for all its people,” he said, pleading with all sides to end the violence. Today’s session was technically a preparatory meeting prior to the formal launch, building on previous meetings in the region, and Mr. Ban urged the Iraqi Government to agree on the date and venue for this launch. The Iraqi delegation, led by Vice President Adil Abdal Mahdi, formally presented the Compact document, committing the Government to a slew of benchmarks from fighting corruption and ensuring human rights to taking concrete security steps and instituting economic reform. He said the formal launch would take place by the end of April. “We had a very successful conference,” he told reporters, adding that the conference heard “a very important engagement” from the international community and recognized that Iraq had validated its commitment. “We are looking forward to taking Iraq out of its crisis with the help of the international community,” he added. Mr. Gambari said the Compact has a framework to address precisely those issues that will contribute to the normalizing the situation. “We cannot wait until every situation is settled on the security aspect before we move to support the Government of Iraq in their commitment to economic reform, to the enactment of the hydro-carbon law, the investment law and the fully funded budget for 2007,” he added. “So to the extent that they are doing the right thing according to their own commitment, then … the international community has to honour its own commitment.” International organizations attending included the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Arab League and the European Commission.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.as...=21895&Cr=&Cr1=

Excellent find, Adster! Thanks. I was looking myself for more info on it, but again, it was a closed doors conference - man, do I hate those!! :)