Thread: Iraq/Dinar News Until 5/31/2007 7:15 PM CST..

Government-Maliki achievements and wishes .. Iraqi vision
24/05/07

By : Abdul Amir Al-Salihi

In the throes of turmoil following the elections and did not witness testifies in history in daring defiance and finally emerged from the government Nuri al-Maliki in which we live these days Shimaatha first anniversary amid the welter of promises and wishes awaiting way to the light.

Professor Maliki known history jihadist We are confident that with sincere heart Division, which had taken him to this place, but the goodwill and sincerity of the heart are not enough to stand between Iholana challenges and crises and people looking for the better, which racked by bloodshed and Kouket disarmament estimated 10 million citizens that have brought responsibility today throne matter and Prevention in conditions few counterparts in the world, wants to be rewarded today on this heroic act is surprising is that today, one year after the government is the weakest of faith is scraping.

Says Prince of Believers peace in a letter to the owner Alaster known as Crown Egypt (... and I know that there is something good to Badi, and the thought of Braith preserve them and minimize their stocks, leaving Astkraheh Malis to let you have them in order to meet you by the good will, good Buraeitk probably interrupt your journey long, and later by those Zenk Hassan Hassan Blaak him, and later worsened by Denk who has worsened Blaak)).

A year has passed and things are even more things worse every day Vallagharbion them art and new scheme to kill Iraqis and the elected government battle among themselves hotly not know where is the hand rail, which promised to attack the rebels and services enjoyed by peaceful.

Not to mention the administrative corruption that affects the body from all edges without any glimmer of hope for the eradication of this scourge which is no less dangerous for the security file, and we do not know Will (misfortunes folk when folk benefits).
A year has passed since the formation of the first government Ntkhbah, and we are proud of that, but whether Congress completed its proclaimed by the security file with the exception of the nightmare to be over, which dissolved in a solution because it followed the wishes of the political parties that they want and that they want Tsalumoua rebelled.

If we take the services under Jan Tatha citizen with the state has the potential to provide Yahlha what is best and deserves the Iraqi citizen Money grabbing of the so-called social welfare network, which is right ((social strife)) to reap citizen Ansaba and many problems can not be equated with what gives him most of the funds go to theft, looting and this is natural because it funds _ a network of social welfare _ littering and other control but subject to the interpretations they invite theft and it is possible to optimize its investment through the appointment of a government of thousands of unemployed, which roam the east and the west of Iraq Ttlagaf some weak, others hands of terrorism.

After not find any minister come to us to save them and announce the appointment or plan to appoint a number of unemployed youth with the appointments were in full swing we graduated from behind the scenes and through the dollar.

These small problem can be resolved and the government's resolve not think that this is the Americans, however, especially since the budget ((explosive)) also announced not know when to explode the wellbeing of our people will lift them out of the abyss of poverty and need after years of the life of the government and half year for which provision might explosive budget elapsed.

Do not mean to say about this particular person, especially Professor Maliki, which we have every confidence in him and we know that takes two to tango, especially as events and the great days pregnant and Maangez on his hands cause for optimism taking into account the circumstances that existed, especially with the specter of war was etched or minimum "may happen that something is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you."
God is behind the intent

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Appologize if posted yesterday.


Time 'running short' for single Gulf currency



KUWAIT CITY, May 23, 2007 (AFP) - Regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia warned on Wednesday that time was running out for the planned launch of a single Gulf currency in 2010, after Oman said it would not join and Kuwait de-pegged its currency from the dollar.
"It is true that the time now is short and we need exceptional efforts to achieve" monetary union and single currency by 2010, the head of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, Hamad al-Sayari, told a banking conference in Kuwait.
Leaders of energy-rich Gulf Cooperation Council states decided at a summit in 2001 to launch a monetary union and single currency by 2010.
The plan has however met with a number of snags regarding technical, legislative and fiscal policies required for the planned union between the six GCC states.
Oman's central bank governor Homud al-Zidjali announced at the banking conference the sultanate had decided not to take part in the planned single currency.
"Our decision is not to participate in the Gulf monetary union... because we do not want to restrict our monetary and fiscal policies at present," he said.
Kuwait on Sunday pegged its dinar to a basket of international currencies after more than four years of linking the local currency to the dollar, in a bid to reduce inflationary pressures.
Senior economists and analysts said Kuwait's move made it highly unlikely the GCC would be able to fulfil its hope for a single currency by the 2010 target date.
The GCC groups Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
oh/la/txw Gulf-economy-money

Saigon revisited in Baghdad embassy? - Zawya.com | Middle East Business News

Parliamentary close to Maliki warns of attempts to overthrow the government
23/05/2007 21:38 (GMT)

MP for the common good Sunaid coalition government Maliki product parliamentary consensus, saying attempts by some parties to topple the Iraqi violation of the constitution.

Correspondent "Radio Sawa" in Baghdad and Salah Nasraoui details :
Radio Sawa - برلماني مقرب من المالكي ÙŠØ*ذر من المØ*اولات الرامية إلى الإطاØ*Ø© بالØ*كومة

Nation Building Is Key to Defeating Insurgents in Iraq

New sociological analysis explores counterinsurgency and claims nation-building is key to winning the war in Iraq.
WASHINGTON, May 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. military has discovered the body of Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack Jr., who was one of three soldiers missing after insurgents attacked a U.S. military observation post south of Baghdad on May 12, 2007. In addition, the U.S. death toll in Iraq topped 100 in April of 2007, largely due to insurgent fighting. The Spring 2007 issue of the American Sociological Association's Contexts magazine offers new insights into why U.S. forces appear to have lost control of Iraq. In an article titled "Counterinsurgency," State University of New York-Stonybrook sociologist Ian Roxborough offers suggestions as to how the U.S. military can help create a durable peace.

"When the invasion of Iraq turned out not to be the cakewalk some enthusiasts had expected, the U.S. military found itself engaged in a form of warfare for which it was not prepared and which it did not understand," says Roxborough.

According to the analysis, insurgency and counterinsurgency are terms that describe a struggle for control of the state. This struggle takes place simultaneously at the local, grass-roots level and involves political bargaining at the national level. Unless the U.S. military understands that counterinsurgency is about state-building it will probably fail in its efforts, according to Roxborough.

Roxborough draws comparisons between the Iraq and Vietnam Wars, stating that "a significant lesson the U.S. learned in Vietnam was that counterinsurgency is a struggle for the 'hearts and minds' of the population. This implies that an army cannot use the same kind of overwhelming firepower it would in a traditional offensive. Both the population and insurgents who surrender need to be treated well."

Roxborough says the "foremost lesson of Vietnam was 'never again.' Never again would the U.S. military be drawn into what was essentially a civil war. After Vietnam, the U.S. military ... lapsed into a bout of collective amnesia about counterinsurgency. When the Army and Marine Corps found themselves mired in a difficult conflict in Iraq, they had to relearn rapidly the lessons of counterinsurgency, dusting off and reprinting those 40-year-old books. The problem is these lessons were based on false assumptions."

Ultimately, Roxborough believes the military needs a better understanding of contentious politics and state-building in order to gain control. "I hope that my work will help concerned citizens think more constructively and critically about U.S. military operations in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. military needs a new, and better understanding of 'unconventional' war.'"

For more information or a copy of the article, contact Sujata Sinha, (202) 247-9871, [email protected].

Further information on Contexts can be found at CONTEXTS: UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE IN THEIR SOCIAL WORLDS.

The American Sociological Association, founded in 1905, is a non-profit membership association dedicated to serving sociologists in their work, advancing sociology as a science and profession, and promoting the contributions and use of sociology to society.

U.S. ambassador pushes for U.N. expansion in Iraq

Thu May 24, 2007 1:06AM EDT
By Evelyn Leopold

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations should expand its operations in Iraq, through internal reconciliation efforts and by involving Baghdad's neighbors, according to U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad.

In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Khalilzad, who has had two tours of duty as the U.S. representative in Iraq, said the country needed international help, regardless of whether one agreed with the U.S.-led invasion or not.

But he was vague on the details, saying U.N. members, especially those with seats in the Security Council had to be consulted first.

Most council nations had strongly opposed the war and many U.N. officials are wary of fielding more staff in the country where the world body had 23 of its top people killed in a bomb blast at its Baghdad headquarters in August 2003.

"I believe that (what) is happening in Iraq is important for the world," Khalilzad said. "The world may disagree with us .. but right now I believe that the future of Iraq will affect the Middle East."

There are "reconciliation issues and policies of the neighbors where the U.N. can play an important role, bridging internally and also facilitating cooperation among neighbors," he said.

'ENHANCED ROLE'

"I believe there is room for a lot more to do for the U.N.," Khalilzad said. "What I am saying is there is room for an enhanced role."

He said serious discussions had not begun yet "but the idea is out there" and more details would emerge before the mandate of the small U.N. political operation in Iraq would expire in August.

Khalilzad said he also expected Ashraf Qazi of Pakistan, the top U.N. envoy in Iraq to leave his post this summer after three years in the job.

While former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called the war "illegal" because it was not authorized by any U.N. body, his successor, Ban Ki-moon, has not spoken about the U.S.-led invasion.

Ban recently conducted a conference at Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, to raise money, mainly from U.S. coalition partners, and solicit offers of billions of dollars of debt forgiveness, such as from Saudi Arabia.

But the U.N.-organized International Compact with Iraq is dependent on conditions and benchmarks, including reforms aimed at giving Iraq's minority Sunnis Arabs a greater role in relation to the majority Shiites.

"The U.N. can help Iraqis in that resolve," Khalilzad said.

But he said he did not believe Saudi Arabia would easily write off the debt. "I don't think the Saudis would forgive debt without progress," he said.

"I think it is unlikely for them to do it unless there is progress on internal issues," he added.

IRAQ ALLOCATES $1.5b FOR WEAPONS


BAGHDAD [MENL] -- The Iraqi government has allocated more than $1.5 billion for military procurement in 2007.

Officials said the Iraqi Defense Ministry intends to order new weapons and platforms over the next year worth more than $1.5 billion. They said the overall defense budget would amount to $4.1 billion, an increase of 26 percent from 2006.

Most of the weapons were expected to be ordered from the United States. In 2007, Iraq requested more than $800 million in munitions, light weapons and military construction projects from the Bush administration.

"The Iraqi government has signed a contract with the American government to set up a foreign weapons sales office to buy weapons that Iraq needs," Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul Qader Jassim Mohammed said.

Iraq's Kurdistan opens its arms to Gulf investors


By Mayada Al Askari
This is not Switzerland. But in its most enchanting spirit, high up in the Iraqi clouds and skies, is the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. It has witnessed so much pain and misery throughout its history, we actually applaud its perfect beauty today.

With stability, peace and a willingness to develop the area, the Kurdish Regional Government put down the Kurdish Regional Investment Law No 4, which was issued in mid-2006.

According to Eamad Jamil Mazouri, the Kurdish Regional Government's Representative to the UAE, the process to attract investment to Kurdistan started as early as 1992.

“When the Kurdish Parliament elections took place in 1992, we started building our regional state's establishments, we decided to tread the road of free enterprise as opposed to so******m, which did not work in Iraq as a whole. We also had to mend our devastated infrastructure,” he told Gulf News.

According to Mazouri, when Nechirvan Barzani became prime minister in 1998, he introduced a whole new vision.

“He was highly interested in Dubai as a superb model of a dynamic fast-growing metropolis,” Mazouri said.

After the end of Saddam Hussein’s regime, Iraq voted on the constitution that approved a federal model for Iraq. In 2005, the Kurdish Region constitution was issued for discussion.

Growing interest

Recent months have witnessed a growing interest in Kurdistan. In a recent economic conference in the UAE, a number of Gulf investors expressed their interest in energy supply, road and water projects, Mazouri said.

“We have actually finalised some contracts [with UAE entities] such as Dana Gas, Sharjah, which signed agreements with the Kurdistan Regional Government to study gas development and utilisation potential in Iraqi Kurdistan,” he said.

The total cost of the project is $400 million.

Dana Gas and its affiliate Crescent Petroleum will launch an industrial gas complex concept called “Kurdistan Gas City”, designed to promote private sector investment and employment.

Under a separate service contract, Dana Gas will develop, process and transport gas from the Khor Mor field on a fast-track basis. Dana Gas will also appraise the Chemchemal gas field, which is needed to supply power plants under construction near the cities of Erbil and Suleimaniah, by January 2008.

The Kurdistan Regional Government may also establish a free zone to attract more investments.

“The free zone will be established close to the Kurdish-Turkish border in Zakho,” Mazouri said.

A new $300 million airport is being built in the city of Erbil, which will be able to handle the biggest aircraft in the world, including the Russian Antonov 225 cargo plane and the American C-5 Galaxy.

The airport’s new runway 18/36 will be one of the longest in the world, at 4,800 metres.

Additionally, the Iraqi Kurdish regional government and a Dubai firm are also to build a $400 million “Media City” in Erbil.

Under the deal to create the Erbil Media City Company, the regional government will have a 60 per cent stake and a Dubai-based TV and cinema production company will hold the remaining 40 per cent. Six satellite television stations currently air from Kurdistan, which is home to hundreds of foreign companies, including 400 Turkish ones. This project is to see light in two years’ time.

Specific draft

The Kurdistan Real Estate Development Company (KREDCo) presented the specifications draft for the construction of a mall in Kurdistan valued at $120 million and on an area of 104,000 square metres; it is expected to be completed within four years.

According to the proposed plan, the mall will include a hotel, a commercial office complex, big retail market, large shopping centre, three residential apartments buildings and a recreational area.

Kurdistan and the rest of Iraq have become even more dramatic. The plains around Erbil are the location for luxury housing developments. They have names like English Village, which resembles a gated-California suburb, and Dream City, which will have a conference centre, supermarket and American-style school.

The Turkish developers of Naz City, a high-rise condominium complex, are trying to sell house-proud Kurds on modern apartment living. An American company is planning to build Iraq’s first ski resort in the mountains near the Turkish and Iranian borders.

Mazouri was optimistic about the future. “The new policy has opened great opportunities for Kurdistan Al Iraq. We will soon see a tourist destination open to all the people in the area, a prosperous entity with open arms for all,” he said with a smile.

Source: KRG




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Posted on Tuesday, May 22

Published: 24/05/2007 12:00 AM (UAE)

Decision on dollar peg gets mixed reaction

By Babu Das Augustine, Banking Editor

Dubai: The UAE government's decision to maintain the dirham's peg to the dollar has created mixed reactions among the banking and business community in the UAE.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, told reporters in Seoul on Monday that that the government has not discussed a change (in the peg).
The UAE central bank governor also insisted that the UAE is committed to keep its peg to the dollar unchanged.
In recent years the dir-ham and other Gulf currencies have declined against the euro, sterling and a host of Asian currencies, prompting calls to revalue the region's currencies.
Following Kuwait's decision to de-link its currency from the dollar, there has been widespread speculation that the UAE will revalue its currency.



However, there are analysts who believe that an appreciation of GCC currencies would likely to have an overall negative fiscal effect.
According to a recent report by Moody's Investor Services, the bulk of Gulf governments' receipts are derived from hydrocarbon exports that are priced in US dollars at international market rates.
Hence, an appreciation would lower the value of these receipts in local currency terms. In addition, an appreciation in local currencies could negatively affect the balance of payments situation, as the non-hydrocarbon exports of goods and services could be retarded.
"The UAE is benefiting from a weaker dollar as it makes the country a cheaper tourist destination while making exports from UAE very competitive," said Sultan Nasser Al Suwaidi, Governor of the UAE central bank.
"The chances of revaluation of the dirham have diminished. Although the share of imported inflation is small in the UAE, the impact of the declining dollar will continue to affect the purchasing power of the dirham," said Steve Brice, economist with Standard Chartered.
"People have been expecting a revaluation of the dirham to compensate for the decline in its purchasing power. While the country keeps its peg there is always the option to revalue the currency within the peg to alleviate the exchange rate losses suffered by people who are doing business and earnings in dirhams and saving or spending in other currencies," Khalid Maniar, Managing Partner, AGNMAK Accountants and Business Advisors.
"There has always been a strong case for revaluation in the Gulf countries. But ultimately it is the governments and the central banks that have the final say," Ekart Woertz, Programme Manager, Economics at Gulf Research Centre.


Gulfnews: Decision on dollar peg gets mixed reaction

Oman rules out single currency
by Dylan Bowman and agencies on Thursday, 24 May 2007
Oman will definitely not join the planned single currency by 2010, the governor of its central bank said yesterday.

Homud Al-Zidjali told a banking conference in Kuwait that meeting the criteria required to join the single currency could have a negative impact on the country's development.

"Our decision is not to participate in the Gulf monetary union... because we do not want to restrict our monetary and fiscal policies at present," Al-Zidjali told a banking conference in Kuwait.

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Al-Zidjali's comments come just days after Kuwait dropped the dinar's dollar peg to control rising inflation caused by the dollar's decline in value.

Kuwait first adopted the dollar peg in anticipation of the proposed GCC monetary union.

The news casts further doubt as to whether the monetary union and single currency will launch by the 2010 deadline, with the head of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency admitting yesterday time was running out.

"It is true that the time now is short and we need exceptional efforts to achieve [monetary union and single currency by 2010]," Hamad Al-Sayari said at the conference.

Al-Zidjali did not rule out Oman joining the currency at a later date, but said this was unlikely until after it comes into existence.

"At present we will not join. Later when the single currency comes into existence, then maybe," he said.

Oman has previously warned GCC members that it would not be able to meet the required legislative and technical conditions for monetary union membership before 2010.

Analysts have said it is increasingly unlikely the GCC will meet the target date for launching the currency.

"They made clear previously that they didn't believe they would be ready to meet the single currency criteria in 2010 and yesterday's comments are a restatement of that view," said Simon Williams, an economist working for HSBC.

"I think there are a whole host of obstacles for the GCC to overcome - and overcome quickly - if the single currency is to come into effect at the start of 2010. I think the likelihood is that the deadline won't be met," he added.

Kuwait's move earlier in the week to unshackle itself from the dollar has raised speculation that other Gulf countries will follow suit.

Both Qatar and the UAE have come out in support of the dollar peg, but today the UAE central bank governor said changing the dollar peg had not been discussed by the Gulf states since Kuwait's decision to drop its dollar peg.

"At the collective level, the question has not been posed," said Sultan Nasser Al-Suweidi.

"If the Gulf states decide to adopt a reference basket, the exchange currency would be another thing," he added.

Published: 24/05/2007 12:00 AM (UAE)


Shroud of doubt cloaks Gulf monetary union

By Babu Das Augustine, Banking Editor

Dubai: Ambiguity about the viability of a Gulf monetary union and the region's ability to meet the 2010 deadline has deepened after Kuwait and Oman opted for independent monetary policies.
Oman yesterday made it clear the Gulf state was not ready to surrender its monetary policy independence in favour of a common Gulf currency.
Speaking at a banking conference in Kuwait, Oman's Central Bank Governor Homud Al Zidjali said the country had decided not to take part in union.
"Our decision is not to participate in the Gulf monetary union because we do not want to restrict our monetary and fiscal policies at present," he said.



Although the UAE government and the Central Bank have reaffirmed the country's commitment to the dirham-dollar peg, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said in Seoul on Wednesday the UAE was studying the region's plan to adopt a single currency.
"If we see that the currency will negatively affect our economy, we will have reservations about it," he said. Analysts say there is a strong indication that Gulf governments are yet to reach a consensus on the 2010 deadline.

Growing uncertainty
"We did not think the single currency was feasible by 2010. Statements from governments also point to the growing uncertainty," said Steve Brice, an econ-omist with Standard Chartered.
Oman believes restrictions on monetary policy will have a negative impact on its development plan. It was the first Gulf state to express its reservations about the 2010 deadline.
The country has also cited its inability to meet legislative and technical requirements for monetary union by the deadline.
"At present we will not join. Later when the single currency comes into existence, then maybe," said Al Zidjali.
Meanwhile, central bank governors of the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia defended the viability of the deadline and their commitment to the dollar peg yesterday, while their Kuwaiti counterpart insisted his country was still committed to the common currency.

Gulfnews: Shroud of doubt cloaks Gulf monetary union