Thread: Iraq/Dinar News until April 26, 2007 Midnight cst.

New "Think Tank" will Start Now Please. If you have any Articles and or Discussion to Them, Please post all new ones here. I will Lock the Other Thread 1 Hour. Thanks.

131 arrested during the past 48 hours

Her command of Baghdad Saturday that the Iraqi security forces were able during the past 48 hours killed two gunmen and arrested 38 others and the arrest of 91 suspects in different parts of Baghdad in the framework of the security plan Baghdad (a law) that the Iraqi government has implemented mid-February last year.
بA statement by the leadership of the Iraqi security forces also managed to dismantle the rockets to manufacture explosives and explosive materials in the Mansour district west of Baghdad and neutralization seven explosive devices and controlling seven Car Show civilian credentials to bear in different areas of Baghdad, and seized large quantities of weapons and ammunition in the possession of gunmen in the Kazimiyah Mansour, and Mahmoudia and Abu Ghraib. And the loss of Iraqi security forces during the past 48 hours statement said the two were killed in the bottom of the fourteen others injured in a combat missions in Baghdad.

Translated version of http://www.iraqworld.net/

Lewscrew

Multiple arrest : 17 suspects including Prince in the organization (Al Qaeda)


Announced that the multi-national forces in Iraq about the arrest of 17 suspects including the Emir of Al-Qaeda military during operations in different areas of Baghdad and Mosul.
ةThe multinational in a statement that it had "arrested eight terrorists during a raid north-west of Taji," and that among those arrested Amir of the organization (Al-Qaida) in the Rusafa and leader of a cell of the car bomb.ف
"The statement added that "arrested two suspects in Mosul, with links to Al Qaeda recent attacks against coalition and Iraqi forces."
رة"The statement continued, "As has been the arrest of three Al-Qaida in Iraq during a raid in Baghdad, was detained four other east Ameriya."

Translated version of http://www.iraqworld.net/

Lewscrew

crack down being done with results . that is good news.

please excuse if previously posted. thank you.

Ivanhoe Energy Secures Heavy Oilfield in Iraq

By Jon A. Nones
19 Apr 2007 at 06:11 PM GMT-04:00

St. LOUIS (ResourceInvestor.com) -- Ivanhoe Energy’s shares [Nasdaq:IVAN; TSX:IE] jumped more than 14% in heavy trading today after the company announced a partnership deal with Japan's Inpex Corp. to co-develop an oilfield in North Central Iraq. Ivanhoe believes the field is suitable for its heavy-oil upgrading technology.

Joe Gasca, President and CEO of Ivanhoe Energy, told listeners today in a conference call “this opportunity is tremendous - a very large heavy oilfield.”

In late 2004, Ivanhoe Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil to evaluate a specific, large heavy oilfield and its commercial development potential using Ivanhoe's patented heavy-to-light (HTL) oil upgrading technology.

Since that time, the company said it has carried out a detailed analysis and has generated data regarding the applicability HTL upgrading technology for the development of the field. The necessary approval by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil for Inpex Corp.’s participation has been received.

David Martin, Executive Co-Chairman of Ivanhoe Energy, said he could not give specifics on the size of the oilfield due to confidentiality agreements with Iraq, but told listeners that it was a “large amount” of heavy oil at “shallow depths.”

He later admitted that almost every oil field in Iraq contains over 1 billion barrels, and it would probably be “safe to assume” the same here.

Martin said the oilfield is in North Central Iraq, adjacent to Kurdistan. He said residents will soon vote on whether it will be included in the Kurdish area, but did not foresee any problems arising either way.

It is in a “very remote” location that will require further development, but there is a competent security force present, Martin added.

The agreement requires a payment by Inpex Corp., Japan’s largest oil and gas development company, of $9 million to Ivanhoe Energy as a contribution towards past field studies.

Kunihiko Matsuo, Chairman of Inpex, said in a statement: “we are interested in supporting the development of Ivanhoe Energy’s HTL technology, which is expected to have the potential to improve the economics of heavy oil production the world over.”

The project will be 55%-owned by Ivanhoe and 45%-owned by Inpex, but down the road there could be other partners, according to Martin. If the project goes ahead, the company would also generate technology fees.

Iraqi Oil

Iraq has potential oil reserves in excess of 215 billion barrels and proven reserves in the region of 115 billion barrels, which puts close to that of Saudi Arabia. Its exploration and development costs are amongst the lowest in the Middle East.

However, Iraq’s oil production has historically not matched its oil reserve capability, and maximum production in any one year has never exceeded 3.5 million barrels per day (bpd), despite an exploration and development history stretching over nearly eight decades.

According to the International Energy Agency, Iraq, a member of OPEC, currently produces about 2.2 bpd, with hopes of moving towards production of 4 million bpd.

Leon Daniel, Deputy Chairman of Ivanhoe Energy said, less than 20% of the potential oil properties in Iraq have been developed.

He said about 52% of the remaining oil reserves in the country were below 28 gravity, “which they consider to be heavy,” with quite a bit below 20 gravity. “They don’t have the refineries” to handle this type of oil, he added.

Robert Abboud, Independent Co-Chairman and Lead Director for Ivanhoe Energy, said the company will closely monitor the development of the new petroleum law now in Iraqi parliament.

The overall objectives of the draft petroleum law are to optimize Iraq’s oil and gas exploitation, maximize return and unite the country. The law is investment friendly, and welcomes international oil companies to work in partnership with the Iraq National Oil Company.

Abboud said “prevailing in the bidding process is critical,” but with a Japan’s largest oil & gas developer, Ivanhoe is confident the companies will be recognized as front runners.

Skinner discuss arrangements for the visit in Cairo Maliki

(Voice of Iraq) - 20-04-2007

Cairo - "Union" : Research spokesman, the Iraqi government to Skinner during his meeting with the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Amr Mousa, said the arrangements for the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to the headquarters of the University during his visit to Egypt the day after tomorrow, Sunday, to discuss the developments in the political and security situation in Iraq · Skinner said that the Iraqi government is seeking to activate the role of Arab to help Iraq and support the ongoing political process to deal with terrorism and to reach understanding between the various components of the Iraqi people stripes
As for the role of the Iraqi government in support of reconciliation, especially that the security plan has been expected of it, said that the Iraqi government is the reconciliation project, which began before the start of the security plan, emphasizing the Iraqi government's determination to continue to apply the security plan. He said that the withdrawal of the Sadri movement of a democratic government stressing that the trend Sadri will remain active in the political process and the parliament.

Translated version of http://www.sotaliraq.com/


Lewscrew

Originally Posted by mustang sally

please excuse if previously posted. thank you.

Ivanhoe Energy Secures Heavy Oilfield in Iraq

By Jon A. Nones
19 Apr 2007 at 06:11 PM GMT-04:00

St. LOUIS (ResourceInvestor.com) -- Ivanhoe Energy’s shares [Nasdaq:IVAN; TSX:IE] jumped more than 14% in heavy trading today after the company announced a partnership deal with Japan's Inpex Corp. to co-develop an oilfield in North Central Iraq. Ivanhoe believes the field is suitable for its heavy-oil upgrading technology.

Joe Gasca, President and CEO of Ivanhoe Energy, told listeners today in a conference call “this opportunity is tremendous - a very large heavy oilfield.”

In late 2004, Ivanhoe Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil to evaluate a specific, large heavy oilfield and its commercial development potential using Ivanhoe's patented heavy-to-light (HTL) oil upgrading technology.

Since that time, the company said it has carried out a detailed analysis and has generated data regarding the applicability HTL upgrading technology for the development of the field. The necessary approval by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil for Inpex Corp.’s participation has been received.

David Martin, Executive Co-Chairman of Ivanhoe Energy, said he could not give specifics on the size of the oilfield due to confidentiality agreements with Iraq, but told listeners that it was a “large amount” of heavy oil at “shallow depths.”

He later admitted that almost every oil field in Iraq contains over 1 billion barrels, and it would probably be “safe to assume” the same here.

Martin said the oilfield is in North Central Iraq, adjacent to Kurdistan. He said residents will soon vote on whether it will be included in the Kurdish area, but did not foresee any problems arising either way.

It is in a “very remote” location that will require further development, but there is a competent security force present, Martin added.

The agreement requires a payment by Inpex Corp., Japan’s largest oil and gas development company, of $9 million to Ivanhoe Energy as a contribution towards past field studies.

Kunihiko Matsuo, Chairman of Inpex, said in a statement: “we are interested in supporting the development of Ivanhoe Energy’s HTL technology, which is expected to have the potential to improve the economics of heavy oil production the world over.”

The project will be 55%-owned by Ivanhoe and 45%-owned by Inpex, but down the road there could be other partners, according to Martin. If the project goes ahead, the company would also generate technology fees.

Iraqi Oil

Iraq has potential oil reserves in excess of 215 billion barrels and proven reserves in the region of 115 billion barrels, which puts close to that of Saudi Arabia. Its exploration and development costs are amongst the lowest in the Middle East.

However, Iraq’s oil production has historically not matched its oil reserve capability, and maximum production in any one year has never exceeded 3.5 million barrels per day (bpd), despite an exploration and development history stretching over nearly eight decades.

According to the International Energy Agency, Iraq, a member of OPEC, currently produces about 2.2 bpd, with hopes of moving towards production of 4 million bpd.

Leon Daniel, Deputy Chairman of Ivanhoe Energy said, less than 20% of the potential oil properties in Iraq have been developed.

He said about 52% of the remaining oil reserves in the country were below 28 gravity, “which they consider to be heavy,” with quite a bit below 20 gravity. “They don’t have the refineries” to handle this type of oil, he added.

Robert Abboud, Independent Co-Chairman and Lead Director for Ivanhoe Energy, said the company will closely monitor the development of the new petroleum law now in Iraqi parliament.

The overall objectives of the draft petroleum law are to optimize Iraq’s oil and gas exploitation, maximize return and unite the country. The law is investment friendly, and welcomes international oil companies to work in partnership with the Iraq National Oil Company.

Abboud said “prevailing in the bidding process is critical,” but with a Japan’s largest oil & gas developer, Ivanhoe is confident the companies will be recognized as front runners.

Has anyone else noticed the amount of oil news article coming out over the last few weeks, the source being posted is from a American or western news source, truly good indeed

Gates wants Iraqi leaders to pick up their game
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Big News Network.com Thursday 19th April, 2007

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he would like to see faster progress by Iraqi leaders in addressing challenges in their country.

Gates says the Iraqis need to push through legislation on sharing oil revenues.

The defense secretary spoke in Iraq, where he made a surprise visit Thursday, one day after bombs killed more than 200 people in Baghdad's worst violence in months.

Gates has been on a Middle East tour calling on states in the area to help stabilize Iraq. He says chaos would hurt the entire region.

In violence Thursday, a suicide car bomber struck a Shi'ite district in Baghdad, killing 12 people.

British officials say two British soldiers were killed Thursday in Iraq. The U.S. military says three U.S. soldiers were killed Wednesday in separate attacks near Baghdad.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki condemned Wednesday's attacks on mostly Shi'ite areas of Baghdad, calling those responsible "soldiers of Satan." U.S. military officials say they suspect the bombings were the work of al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists and their Sunni insurgent allies trying to inflame sectarian passion.

Meanwhile, an Iraqi insurgent group linked to al-Qaida says it has killed 20 Iraqi police and soldiers abducted last week.

An Internet video posted by the Islamic State of Iraq group showed a masked militant shooting blindfolded men in the back of the head. The authenticity of the video could not be confirmed.

Gates: 'Clock Is Ticking' on Iraq

(AP Photo/Lolita Baldor)
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrives at Camp Falluja, Iraq, after visiting Baghdad, Thursday, April 19, 2007, and is greeted by soldiers and top military commanders. At Camp Falluja Gates met with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace, and the top commander in Iraq, Army Gen. David Petraeus. Gates delivered a deliver a sharp message to Iraqi political leaders Thursday, that the U.S. military's commitment to the war is not open-ended. By LOLITA C. BALDOR, The Associated Press
Apr 19, 2007 6:18 PM (1 hr 43 mins ago)
Current rank: # 1,650 of 6,670

FALLUJAH, Iraq - Defense Secretary Robert Gates, on an unannounced trip to Iraq, delivered a sharp message to the country's political leaders Thursday: The U.S. military's commitment to the war is not open-ended.

"The clock is ticking," Gates told reporters, saying he will warn Iraqi officials that they must move faster on political reconciliation. "I know it's difficult, and clearly the attack on the council of representatives has made people nervous, but I think that it's very important that they bend every effort to getting this legislation done as quickly as possible."

A suicide bomber infiltrated the parliament building in the heavily fortified Green Zone a week ago, dealing a blow to the U.S.-led effort to pacify the capital's streets.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called the violence in Baghdad an "open battle."

Gates, traveling to Iraq for the third time in four months, took a decidedly stronger tone this time, reflecting U.S. frustration and the political tumult in Washington, where President Bush and Congress are deadlocked over whether to set an end date for the war.

Since January, when Bush announced his new strategy for the Iraq war - featuring a troop buildup and a renewed push for economic development and political progress - Gates and other senior administration officials have frequently and publicly reminded the Iraqis that they must act quickly to settle their differences. They have attempted to strike a balance between pressuring the Iraqis to reconcile and reassuring them that the U.S. military will not abandon them while they struggle to avert a full-scale civil war.

Gates said again Thursday that the Washington debate has been helpful in letting the Iraqis know that American patience with the war is ebbing. Democrats have seized on those remarks to bolster their arguments that there must be a deadline for the Pentagon to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq.

Speaking at a town hall-style gathering in Ohio on Thursday, Bush reiterated his opposition to any timetable for a troop withdrawal.

"If you're a young commander on the ground, or an Iraqi soldier, and you've been tasked with a mission to help provide security for a city, and an enemy hears that you're leaving soon, it affects your capacity to do your job," Bush said.

The last time a U.S. defense secretary visited Fallujah - which until late 2004 was a key stronghold of the Sunni insurgency - it was Donald H. Rumsfeld, who stopped here in December 2005 to announce a plan to begin reducing U.S. troops. Small reductions were made, but shortly afterward troop levels began climbing again. In February 2006, the spectacular bombing of a mosque in Samarra, north of Baghdad, set off a wave of sectarian retribution and a surge of civilian deaths that scuttled U.S. plans to pull out more troops.

Gates said the Iraqis must, as quickly as possible, push through legislation on political reconciliation and the sharing of oil revenues among the Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.

"It's not that these laws are going to change the situation immediately, but I think ... the ability to get them done communicates a willingness to work together," he said.

Those efforts, Gates said, would, in turn, create an environment in which violence could be reduced. But he acknowledged, "I'm sympathetic with some of the challenges that they face."

Shortly after landing in Baghdad, Gates boarded a helicopter to Camp Fallujah, about 35 miles west of the capital city. There, he met with top military commanders, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace, and the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Army Gen. David Petraeus.

Commanders agreed that the recent uptick in violence is troublesome, occurring just as they were starting to see some improvements.

Gates stopped in Iraq on a trip through the Middle East. His visit comes on the heels of Iraq's bloodiest day since the U.S. troop buildup ordered by Bush began nine weeks ago. On Wednesday, four bomb blasts killed 230 people.

"Yesterday was a bad day, there's no two ways about it," said Petraeus. "And a day like that can have a real psychological impact, and it came at a time where frankly ... (we) felt like we were getting a bit of traction."

Petraeus added that while the changes are almost imperceptible at times, there had been slow progress both in Anbar Province, which has been a stronghold for Sunni insurgents, and with the Baghdad security plan.

"Clearly these sensational attacks can't be anything other than viewed as setbacks and challenges," said Petraeus. But he said that after meeting with Iraqi leaders Wednesday and Thursday, he believes they are determined to calm their people and press on.

Commanders also expressed little support for withdrawing troops in the coming months.

Brig. Gen. Mark Gurganus, commander of ground forces in Anbar Province, said he has seen progress in western Iraq, including a decrease in attacks and an increase in recruitment of Iraqi police and army soldiers.

Reducing his forces, he said, could erase the gains they've made. "Would it have an adverse impact? Absolutely," he said.

Underscoring the urgency in controlling the violence, police said a suicide car bomber rammed into a fuel truck in central Baghdad only hours before Gates arrived, killing at least a dozen people.

"It is very important they make every effort to get this done as soon as possible," Gates said, noting that the attack at the Iraqi parliament building made people particularly nervous.

Just a day before Gates' visit, Bush met with congressional leaders to discuss the impasse over legislation to provide funds for the war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Three of the five brigades Bush ordered into Iraq to stem Baghdad violence have arrived, bringing U.S. forces in the country to 146,000. Officials want the rest in place by June, for a total of 160,000.

Soon after that, they plan to assess how much longer the higher troop level - about 30,000 more than before the buildup - will be needed.

Officials have struggled to find troops from within the stretched U.S. military to sustain the increase. Gates last week lengthened tours of duty to the war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan from one year to 15 months.

---

Kurdish businessman

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

19 April 2007 (BBC News)

Delsoz Sherwani is the CEO of Zagros Group, which started life as a construction company 15 years ago.

He is 51 and is based in the Kurdish capital, Irbil.

The group has diversified into air travel, bringing Kurdistan closer to the outside world.

We are in the top three companies in Kurdistan; we employ 400 people.

Zagros Air was the first airline to be registered in Kurdistan after the liberation. We registered in 2004, after Irbil International Airport was opened.

We fly direct from here to Dubai, Istanbul and Vienna several times a week.

Most of the passengers are foreigners coming to do business in Kurdistan - especially those people flying from Austria.

Or they are Kurdish people living abroad who are visiting home.

We started this airline when we saw Iraqi Airways could not provide what we wanted.

Foreign investment it's not been simple; we have invested a lot of time and money.

Actually, many, many companies are now starting up in Irbil. Some are in partnership with foreigners.

There's a lot of construction - housing and factories. Lebanese, UAE and American companies are investing in housing here.

Many start with their HQ in Irbil and then follow up other activities in other parts of Iraq.

They choose Irbil because of the security and because it is the governmental capital.

They are also investing in Suleimaniya and Dohuk.

It is all growing faster than we imagined, actually.

Back in 1991 we started by helping our regional Kurdish government in construction projects: buildings, water projects.

Since 2003 we have diversified into IT, the medical sector and telecommunications.

Construction work in Irbil: the Kurdish capital is relatively safe

Before 2003 all businesses suffered from the banking system - there wasn't one.

We had to take our currency to neighbouring countries.

Now, we have an international system which meets international standards. It's easier for us because we can operate from Irbil.

People can reach Kurdistan easily now.

So, things are improving here. But we are not happy because other parts of Iraq are suffering.

We hope every part of Iraq will be secure. For me, I feel secure in Kurdistan.