Thread: Iraq/Dinar News. 09/05 to 01/14/07

Iraqis find a common goal - for 90 minutes at least

December 18, 2006

BAGHDAD: The streets were empty, most shops shuttered, and families huddled at home. But for once it was not through fear, or a strict curfew in this war-scarred capital.
It was excited anticipation: Iraq had reached the final of the Asian Games soccer tournament. All eyes were glued to the television, watching the match.
"This soccer game is taking place under such a cloud," said Qassem Hossein, the proprietor of the Karada Youth Casino, a teahouse where men gathered to watch the game on Friday. "Through this team we can express the happiness which we have lost."
Iraq reached the final thanks to a semi-final victory over South Korea on Tuesday that sparked a furious eruption of celebratory gunfire throughout the country.
The team, which includes Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds and a Christian, made it to the final without personal trainers or fancy equipment. Many of the players come from Sadr City, the impoverished Shiite district in Baghdad.
Some commentators optimistically hailed the team as a force for unifying a country. But sectarian strife has crept even into sport, with some Sunnis grumbling there were too many Shiites in the team.
Mr Hossein had posted a guard outside his crowded cafe to prevent suicide bombers from entering. "I won't allow any cars to park in front either," he said.
But this being Baghdad, everyone in the cafe had guns. Before the game started Iraqi leaders asked fans to keep their weapons holstered if Iraq won. Save the rounds for the real war, one cleric suggested.
"I urge the people not to shoot in celebration of the victory of the Iraqi team," Sheik Abdul Hadi Mohammedawi told worshippers in Sadr City hours before the game began. "It squanders ammunition."
Even though the over-anxious Iraqis played sloppily, for 90 minutes Iraqis back home were almost united. "Twenty-seven million Iraqis are watching you," the television announcer said. The denizens of the teahouse cheered when forward Mostafa Karim took control of the ball, eagerly hoping for a chance to head outside and fire a few celebratory shots into the air.
Ultimately Iraq lost 1-0 to the hosts Qatar and had to settle for the silver medal. "You are heroes, oh lions of Mesopotamia," the television announcer declared. "Silver is not a small thing. Second is a beautiful position."
So in the end there were no shots of joy, and no Iraqis died from stray bullets.

Cheers!
DayDream

A decline in demand for dollar
Baghdad - (Voices of Iraq)

Decreased demand for dollar in a meeting today, Sunday, recording a volume of 24 million and 930 thousand dollars, compared with 60 million and 250 thousand dollars last Thursday.

The daily bulletin issued by the Central Bank of Iraq, and got News Agency (Voices of Iraq), a copy of which independent, that the purchase orders were distributed between 10 million and 600 thousand dollars in cash and 14 million and 330 thousand dollars in the form of remittances outside the country, the Bank has full coverage at the exchange rate amounted to 1400 dinars, down from 11 dinars price last Thursday.

This is the largest decline in the dollar exchange rate seen in one meeting at all with the auction, did not submit any of the 12 banks any offers sale in the auction.

Meanwhile, the economic and industrial Sadiq Abdul Razzaq as far as this sudden reduction in the dollar rate would negative reflection on the state of the market and commercial banks to participate in the auction because the market would be subject to significant economic shocks affecting confidence in the local currency.

ÏæáÇÑ - ( ÇÞÊÕÇÏ) :: Aswat al Iraq :: Aswat al Iraq

Blair On Unannounced Iraq Visit

December 17, 2006 9:20 a.m. EST


Som Patidar - All Headline News Staff Writer
Baghdad, Iraq (AHN) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in the Iraqi capital Sunday on an unannounced visit. Blair is holding talks with his Iraqi counterpart Nouri Al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani as a part of his Middle East visit.

A spokesman traveling with Blair said: "We recognize that the challenges facing the government of Iraq today are huge and the prime minister wants to show his support to Prime Minister Maliki."

The spokesman added that the Prime Minister will assure the Iraqi government that Britain will give primacy to the Iraqi government's views when considering any future deployment of British troops in Iraq, AFP reported.

Blair's trip was not announced for security purposes and British authorities had imposed a news blackout on journalists travelling with Blair, the Australian reported Sunday.

All Headline News - Blair On Unannounced Iraq Visit - December 17, 2006

Down to 1400.....hmmmm nice even number. I say time for the big jump!!!

Blair in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders
17 December 2006 11:09

The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who is in Iraq has said it is vital that all countries in the region support the fledgling government in Baghdad.

At a joint press conference with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mr Blair reaffirmed his 'determination' that the democracy would not be 'destroyed by terrorism and sectarianism'.

Mr Blair is expected to discuss with Mr Maliki and President Jalal Talabani plans to hand over the last two British-controlled provinces in the south of Iraq to local authorities.

Aides to Mr Blair said he wanted to underline his support for Mr Maliki and his government and for the process of reconciliation in the country. This is his sixth trip to Iraq since the 2003 war.

In Washington, the Bush administration urged Iraq's Shia, Sunnis and Kurds to move forward on reconciliation, as President George W Bush weighed options for overhauling his Iraq strategy.

Iraqi leaders are meeting for the second day of national reconciliation talks against a backdrop of ongoing sectarian and insurgent violence.

Yesterday, police said that a total of 53 bullet-ridden bodies had been found across Baghdad and a roadside bomb also killed three US soldiers and wounded one north of Baghdad.

Mr Blair's visit, which is part of a Middle East tour, comes after Iraq's Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki called for the return of all officers of Saddam Hussein's disbanded army.

The move is seen as a political overture to disaffected Sunni Arabs.

Mr Maliki made the call at the national reconciliation conference of Shia, Sunni and Kurdish politicians yesterday.

Blair in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi 'leaders'

The President : We are working to establish a front that includes all strong believers march of democracy and be open to everyone
December 17, 2006


The President of the Republic, Jalal Talabani thanked the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, praised for his support of the Iraqi people in the past and the present time.

President Talabani and added, during a joint press conference with Blair, at the residence of the President of the Republic in Baghdad on Sunday, 12-17-2006. "We have to bypass the British Prime Minister on the situation in Iraq, Pena's sovereignty, the trend now prevailing in the country is moving towards national reconciliation and harmony for the establishment of a front that includes all forces that believe in the march of democracy and be open to everyone, as well as strengthening our armed forces to be able to impose security and stability in the country." Noting that efforts are continuing to achieve that.

On the other hand, the new British prime minister reaffirmed to continue to support his government to the Iraqis. And he said, "The challenges faced by the great Iraq, but we have the determination to continue our support to you and to the march of democracy in your country and preserved."

And in response to a press question on a new American president toward Iraq, Blair said : "I think the nature of such a strategy relies on the quality of existing threats and challenges on the ground, as now attempts are being made to obstruct the work of the Iraqi government and stoke sectarian sedition and violence in order to obstruct the political process and national reconciliation between the various Iraqi people."

And Blair stressed that "Our approach must be the first policy-oriented, that is, to bring about national reconciliation between the various parties in the country and to demonstrate to all that they have a place in Iraq, the second in our direction it supports building the capacity of the security forces of the Iraqi army and police."

And the British Prime Minister that he had talked not only with the politicians of Iraq, but with the leaders of the Iraqi Army who are working to develop their full-time citing the opinion of one of Iraqi military commanders, who met Blair, saying, "We now need to translate the resolutions into action and if so, in spite of all attempts of sectarians and destroy terrorists, the Congo Stencer."

For his part, and in replying to questions from journalists about the fears of the withdrawal of American and British forces from Iraq, especially after the issuance of the report of the Baker-Hamilton, the president said, "We know that the American and British forces will not stay in Iraq forever, as you know, our troops of this fact."
His Excellency added, "we seek to develop our capabilities and Kabliatna of the movement and maneuver so that the friendly forces to leave"

And President Talabani that "at the political level, we wish to achieve national reconciliation, and we will continue to train our troops so that they can assume their responsibilities in imposing security and stability in the country, and then say thank you to the forces who came to free us."

Iraqi Presidency

Six suspected terrorists detained; weapons cache found
By MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
Dec 14, 2006 - 4:47:38 AM
Email this article
Printer friendly page


Blackanthem Military News, BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained six suspected terrorists and seized a weapons cache Wednesday morning near Tikrit while seeking a terrorist associated with the al-Qaida in Iraq network.

Intelligence reports also indicated the production of improvised explosive devices was also taking place in the targeted area.

When ground forces searched the targeted building, they discovered a weapons cache consisting of machine guns, pistols, rocket-propelled grenade boosters and a sniper rifle scope.

Ground forces also found the equivalent of more than $200,000 in Iraqi Dinar along with more than $160,000 in U.S. currency.


Six suspected terrorists detained; weapons cache found

A press statement on the implementation of the Ministry of Water Resources, a number

(Voice of Iraq) - 12-17-2006
This issue was sent to a friend

The Republic of Iraq
Council of Ministers-the governmental communications
Media Relations
A press statement / Press Release
Sunday, 12-17-2006

The Ministry of Water Resources carried out a number of projects at 10,7 billion dinars in a number of governorates.

Noticed the Ministry of Water Resources amount of 10,7 billion dinars for the implementation of a number of different projects to some Iraqi cities.

It has continued to the Directorate General of dams and reservoirs implementation of the establishment of its housing complexes and services projects in locations Alsdat dams, including the establishment of a Dam Project Bekhme cost (1,486) Dinarokzlk billion and the completion of the rehabilitation work of the guesthouse in the location of the project cost (3,044) billion dinars.

The Directorate General of the implementation of irrigation projects and the completion of reclamation is part of a freedom-Dgarh district Afak Diwaniyah Governorate cost up to (4,531) billion dinars and serves an area of dunums (5900) and the work was being performed by the company Iraq to implement irrigation projects.

The assignment of tender No. (23) for 2006 and for the implementation of sealing off cars in the draft conduit Euphrates east in the province of Muthana, at (1,650,530,000) dinars.

Originally Posted by Wm.Knowles

Hello everyone. As a previous post stated, "It just got interesting"! We have seen the largest rise in the value of the dinar since we began this vigil. A nice increase in the rate. Not the "dribble" increases we have seen for the last month or so. So, what can we say about this? There are several things that we might think about.
This is the first rise that sends a signal to the economy that they are not afraid to raise the level of the dinar during one auction in a significant amount. And, we might want to begin to confirm a trend that they will increase the value of the dinar in increasing increments. The "speeding up" process that we have discussed. A good thing. Market psychology will begin to play much more than before. We are already hearing of merchants in Iraq unwilling to sell their dinar at these levels, they want more. I think one report was for around 1000 to 1. I suspect these types of reports will continue. There is the possibility that the CBI is "testing the water'. Demonstrating to the economy and to the world that the value is about to increase even more. They are NOT being to subtle about this. They are clearly sending a signal and the market will respond with increasing demand and a rising price. Especially since supply has apparently been cut off in a process that may have begun earlier this year. None of this precludes a bold adjust in the exchange rate. If they keep this gradual rise in the value of the dinar, then, when they do decide to adjust the currency in a more dramatic way, it will not be surprising to anyone. Just another day in the sand box.
So lets see if the week confirms our idea that the rate will continue to increase at increasing levels, that the CBI will continue to remove currency from the market, that they are not going to put more dinar into the economy, and see what reports come in about a "drying up process either in supply or price. Thank You. Life is good!

Exactly,

The Iraqi's have well established their mode of operations, test the waters with subtle persuasion before enacting. How many times have we seen signs of progress, and then have to wait forever. If you go back over time you will see this same pattern over and over.

Nothing moves quickly in Iraq, this we know. Look at the latest example where they annouce 10K gift, and then almost three months later, still nothing. The same is true of FIL, HCL and every other major decision, they put tidbits out when in fact it was already a done deal, but they are afraid to announce them immediately.

Now we see the same trend in dinar value, little by little they are testing the market to see if there is any worldwide resistance to this measure. Now we see them stepping it up as there were no negatives on previous rise in value. We also now heard the infamous 10K worth $6,600. slip, mistake, who knows, but it was another tip of the hand in my opinion, just as they have done over and over again. Was there any backlash on this slip? Hardly a whisper, so it makes you wonder, was this all planned? (g)

Happy Holiday Season to all, Mike

Originally Posted by Adster

Not forgetting the IMF recommended end of year rate of 1345. Another 4 auctions at say 11 points and the rate will not be far off that. Think this is the last week fo auctions until January, someone correct me please if I'm wrong. Up to now they have followed and complied with all the IMF's wishes except the increase in inflation. How do they improve inflation? Well we all know the answer to that.

Even if we do not get the biggy this week, look for early January IMO.

Exactly,

What we are seeing is another example of a floundering economy learn to crawl, walk and then run. I think it is safe to say we are seeing the walk stages kicking in finally and what we have is the CBI having been given a goal, and is now about to reach it, with no ill effects to date. Also important is the fact that they are demonstrating stability in the manner in which they have been able to systematically move the value of dinar, so I do expect the goal to be met by end of year and hit 1345, so another step forward, more steady than the last, and this is good news.

Happy Holiday Season to all, Mike