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

One holiday tree sparks mission for troops



WESTMINSTER, Md., Dec. 24 (UPI) -- What began as a dad's desire to send some holiday cheer to his daughter in Iraq snowballed into a Christmas tree operation for U.S. troops in two war zones.

Jim Ward wanted to ship a tree to Army Spec. Luisa Gonzalez, deployed two months ago to a base north of Baghdad, the Washington Post said Sunday. Finding a shippable tree was a problem, but after considering alternatives, Ward found one: "Charlie Browns."

Charlie Browns, 2-foot trees named after the Christmas cartoon special in which one was featured, were inexpensive and small enough to be shipped inside a box.

But the Westminster, Md., man said he was bothered that "my daughter was going to get one and other people weren't," so one tree became 75.

"Your kindness provided a piece of home to our young men and women who could not be with their families," Capt. Bryan Hunsaker, Gonzalez's company commander, wrote in a thank-you note.

Gonzalez, incidentally, was randomly assigned a two-week leave that included Dec. 25.

Ward now has a Web site, Operation Christmas Tree, to raise funds to send trees to all U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2007.



Copyright Political Gateway 2006©

Iraqi forces detain 48 suspected terrorists, insurgents
Bahamas News.Net
Saturday 23rd December, 2006

During the past 48 hours, coalition and Iraqi forces detained 48 suspected terrorists and disabled three vehicles used to transport explosives, Multinational Corps Iraq officials reported Saturday.

Targeting an al Qaeda terror cell, special Iraqi security forces with coalition advisors captured seven suspected terrorists Saturday during a raid in the Ghazaliya area of Baghdad.

The cell is responsible for kidnappings, roadside bomb attacks and killings in the Mansour district. The suspects allegedly belong to a group which openly claims responsibility for killing Iraqi civilians and police. They also are suspected of harboring foreign fighters and facilitating attacks against coalition forces.

During the operation, Iraqi forces disabled three vehicles suspected of being used by the group to move explosives, officials said.

In other news from Iraq, 1st Iraqi Army Division forces with coalition advisors yesterday detained 27 suspected insurgents during simultaneous operations at multiple locations west of Fallujah. Officials say they believe the insurgent network is responsible for roadside bomb and small-arms attacks in the area. Officials also allege the suspects are involved in weapons trafficking and other criminal activity supporting their terrorist activities against Iraqi and coalition forces.

Elsewhere Friday, 5th Iraqi Army Division forces with coalition advisors detained 13 suspects during operations near Muqdadiyah. Officials say they believe the suspects are responsible for kidnapping, murder and other sectarian attacks against Iraqi civilians.

Meanwhile, near Ramadi, 7th Iraqi Army Division forces with coalition advisors captured a suspect who allegedly belongs to an insurgent cell responsible for attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces in that area. One other person was detained for further questioning, officials reported.

Minimal damage was caused to the objectives and surrounding areas, and there were no reports of civilian casualties. There were no Iraqi or coalition forces casualties.

!raq GIs Continue Mission On Christmas

By WILL WEISSERT

BAGHDAD, Iraq Dec 24, 2006 (AP)— Pfc. John Alonzo knew Christmas would be his toughest time in Iraq. "Ever since I volunteered, I haven't been looking forward to it," said the 27-year-old, from Lubbock, Texas. "My son wants to know why I can't be home for the holidays. He doesn't understand that I can't just quit."

Before dawn on Sunday, Alonzo and the rest of the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment rolled through muddy, unpaved streets in a volatile corner of east Baghdad, hunting house-to-house for Shiite militia leaders and bomb-making materials.

Although they did not know it, a roadside bomb in the same neighborhood had killed three U.S. soldiers the day before; a fourth died in an explosion in Diyala province east of the Iraqi capital.

As the sun came up over the city Sunday, a soldier sang "Silver Bells" while others smashed windows in a tall residential apartment building to get a better look at the street below. "It's Christmastime in the city," he crooned.

A mortar round landed in the area. Later, a rooftop sniper fired a single shot that penetrated the helmet of a U.S. soldier, grazing his head. The lightly injured soldier was treated at his base camp.

The troops will spend Christmas raiding another section of the city.

"It's hard. But we've still got work to do. The mission doesn't stop," said Alonzo, who left his job as a beer salesman and enlisted because the Army provided better health care benefits for his three small children, and money for his wife to finish college.

There are small signs of the season across Iraq, where thoughts of the friends and loved ones they miss weigh heavier than usual on the minds of U.S. troops. But for most, Christmas is just another day.

"In the back of your mind you think about it, but there are no holidays in Iraq," said Staff Sgt. Brandon Scott, a 35-year-old from Woodbridge, Va., and the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, which is part of the Army's 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

A 16-year veteran of the Army, Scott said he was spending his third Christmas in four years away from his four children. "We don't really have time for Christmas," he said.

Originally Posted by jsfletcher

Can someone help me here. I'm getting mixed messages from the last paragraph

The question before the Ministry of Finance as the Minister stated before on the need for (evaluation Iraqi dinar) and called for the activation to the volume of the American dollar--(means, The question is still before the MOF regarding raising the dinar to the value of the dollar).
Will the Iraqi parliament seeks to lay the foundations evaluation of a new monetary unit. (means, should they seek a different benchmark to peg the dinar to instead of the dollar?)
Or will the dinar against the dollar circuit? (means, Or will the dinar continue to revolve around the dollar?)
And how low the Iraqi economy to atrophy if the dinar to the spinal column that can not withstand and integrity? (means, how long can we let the economy deteriorate without some credible action to support & fortify it? In this statement they might be questioning the stability and integrity of the US dollar.)

Just my take on it.

ND

Parliament to examine state budget after being blessed by government

ECO-IRAQ-BUDGET
Parliament to examine state budget after being blessed by government

BAGHDAD, Dec 24 (KUNA) -- Presidency of the Iraqi Parliament was notified on Sunday about the 2007 state budget projected to stand at 41 billion US dollars with a hike of USD 11 billion compared to the previous budget, a chief legislator said.

Speaking at a news conference at the Palace of Conferences in the capital, First Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Khaled Al-Attiah said the presidency of the assembly received a document outlining the projected budget, adding that it was submitted to the parliamentary committee of economic and investment affairs for examination.

The new budget has been worked out to secure up to 136,000 new jobs, Al-Attiah said.

The projected budget had already been blessed by the government. The parliament has the authority to examine it, propose amendments on forecast expenditure or income.

Minister of State for Parliament Affairs Safaa Eddine Al-Safi said the new budget includes USD 10 billion for investments, USD seven billion for security and USD 2.6 billion for education and teaching, double the allocation for this sector in the previous budget.(end) ah.

rk
KUNA 242120 Dec 06NNNN

ارسل هذا الموضوع لصديقThis issue was sent to a friend

جـــــمــهورية الـــعـــراقThe Republic of Iraq
مجلس الوزراء- دائرة الإتصالات الحكوميةCouncil of Ministers-the governmental communications
العلاقات الإعلاميةMedia Relations
Press Release بيان صحفي /Press Release Press release /
الاحد24-12-2006Sunday, 12-24-2006


قوات وزارة الداخلية تلقي القبض على عصابة قامت بسرقة مبلغ 750 مليون دينار من احد المصارفInterior Ministry troops to arrest the gang stole an amount of 750 million dinars from one of the banks

اعلنت وزارة الداخلية في بيان اصدرته عن القاءالقبض على عصابة قامت بسرقة مبلغ 750 مليون دينار عراقي من احد المصارف وفيما يأتي نص البيان:Interior Ministry announced in a statement issued on Gawaekabbd the gang stole the amount of 750 million Iraqi dinars from the banks and one Following is the text of the statement :

بعد ورود معلومات من مصادر سرية تحرك الرجال البواسل من الفرقة الثانية الشرطة الوطنية اللواء الثامن لالقاء القبض على زمرة ضالة قامت بعملية سرقة لمصرف الاسكان وبعد تحديد مكان سكن المشتبه بهم القي القبض على كل من فراس فاضل حميد سليم الكرطاني وعباس فاضل حمد سليم الكرطاني ويعقوب هنيدي جاسم خميس الجنابي.After the receipt of information from confidential sources move courageous men of the second National Police Gen. VIII to the arrest of the gang carried out a meager theft of the Housing Bank and housing after locating suspects were arrested by Firas Fadil Hamid Salim Kartani, Abbas Fadil Hamed Salim Kartane and Jacob Heneidi Jassim Khamis al-Janabi.
وبعد اجراء التحقيق الاصولي مع المتهمين اعترف المتهم فراس بقيامه وبالتعاون مع احد المتهمين والذي تربطه علاقة مع مديرة المصرف بتحرير صك بقيمة 750 مليون دينار عراقي وتعرف مديرة المصرف سلفاً انه مزور والتي استغلت منصبها وصلاحيتها بصرف الصك المزور وبعد استلام مبلغ الصك تم توزيع المبلغ بين افراد العصابة المساهمة في هذه الجريمة وهروب مديرة المصرف الى سوريا.After conducting the investigation with the fundamentalist suspects accused admitted Firas doing and in cooperation with one of the accused, who has a relationship with the Director of the bank liberalization instrument worth 750 million Iraqi dinars and knows in advance that the Director of the bank, which used fake her and validity regardless forged instrument and the instrument after receipt of the amount was distributed among the gang members to contribute to this crime and the escape of the Director of the bank to Syria.
واتصل احد المتهمين بقسم امن ومعلومات اللواء الثامن عارضاً عليه رشوى بقيمة 25 مليون دينار لاطلاق سراح المجرمين المقبوض عليهم الا ان رجال امن ومعلومات اللواء ابو على انفسهم الا ان يفضحوا جميع المتآمرين والمشاركين بهذه الجريمة وقاموا بنصب كمين للشخص المتصل واستدراجه مع المبلغ والقاء القبض عليه متلبساً بالجرم المشهود وبعد التحقيق معه كشف عن معلومات تفصيلية عن الجريمة ولا زال ابطال الشرطة الوطنية يبحثون عن الاشخاص الذين تمكنوا من الهرب ومغادرة العراق لاحدى الدول المجاورة.Contacted one of the accused department security and information 8th Brigade presented by Rchui value of 25 million dinars for the release of arrested offenders but the security men and Information Major General Abu Ali themselves but Ifedahawwa all conspirators and participants in this crime and they ambushed the person on and enticed out with the amount and arrest him in flagrante delicto, after his investigation revealed detailed information on crime and still heroes of the national police are looking for people who have managed to escape and leave Iraq to a neighboring country.
وبهذا يثبت ابناء الشرطة الوطنية انتمائهم الحقيقي لهذا البلد من خلال رفض كل المغريات المادية من اجل اعادة المال العام وهم بهذا ضربوا مثالاً حياً على حبهم لوطنهم الغالي.And this proves the national police of their true of this country through the rejection of all tempting material for the public money that they beat a vivid example of love for the dear homeland.

MENAFN) A study conducted by the Office of the World Food Program of the United Nations in Baghdad, said that over four million people are alimentary insecure, reflecting an increase of 11% from 2003. The study which was carried out in collaboartion with the Central Agency for Statistics and Information Technology in the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation of Iraq, warned that 47% of Iraqis are going to face real problems in food security, if they are deprived from the ration materials, without careful assessment of their needs. The study comprised more than 22 thousand families in 16 Iraqi governorates, where seven basic indicators were analyzed: stunting, underweight, leanness and the poorest of the population, who spend less than 15$ per month, the rates of depending on the ration materials, the food guide strategies, education and income, in addition to the diversity index of food to determine the poverty levels.
Copyright ©2000 MENAFN All Rights Reserved

Sunday, December 24, 2006 First batch of Iranian oil derivatives arrive at Sulaymaniyah
(MENAFN) Under an agreement signed by the Sulaymaniyah governorate with the Iranian authorities, the first batch of oil derivatives from Iran comprising 13 tanks each containing 30 thousand liters, has arrived to the northern Iraqi province, Iraq Directory reported. Governor of Sulaymaniyah stated that around 400 thousand liters of kerosene (used as fuel for heating) reached Sulaymaniyah from Iran and it is expected that certain amounts of it will arrive at daily basis. He added that the cost of the price of a barrel of oil imported from Iran is $90 for the government of the region (with transportation). The oil will be distributed at low official rates by the government. According to the agreement, the Iranian government will supply the province with about 300 million liters of oil within three months.
Copyright ©2000 MENAFN All Rights Reserved

Originally Posted by day dreamer

A press statement issued by the Information Office of Dr. Iyad Allawi
(Voice of Iraq) - 12-24-2006
This issue was sent to a friend

The name of God the Merciful



A press statement issued by the Information Office of the Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, the Iraqi National List, the Secretary-General of the Iraqi National Accord Movement
24 / 12 / 2006

<<<<<<<

A telegram from Dr. Iyad Allawi (Prime Iraqi List) to the sons of our people from the Christian community occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) and the Christmas and New Year holidays which reads as follows :

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in peace and Christmas and New Year holidays to say farewell to 2006 and welcome the new year. On this occasion, I extend to you and to all Iraqis truest sense of hope for all the blessings that Iraq is dominated by years of national unity, peace and prosperity. Years in which stability and security away from sectarianism and to ensure the provincial build a new Iraq. Iraq democracy and freedom and loyalty to the homeland.

Every year, you are fine shape
Dr.
Iyad Allawi
Chairman of the Iraqi National List
June 24 December / 2006


WOW I'm very impressed, for Allawi to acknowledge Jesus Christ, and celebrating His birth.

That's awesome...that he would acknowledge Jesus Christ. Praise, glory and honor are HIS and HIS alone!

Originally Posted by ozizoz

Good Morning and Merry Xmas!

Today is a big day for alot of people. Today is the break even day for everyone that paid $740 USD/ per million. . . .of which several of my millions fall into that category. (Still havent hit break even on the rest)

From this day forward, we are in the black!!! This has officially become a good investment and we can all thumb our noses at those who laughed and scoffed at us.

Its not quite the Xmas present I wanted, but I wont be waiting in line to return it!

Be well everyone!!!

Very good point. I too am in the positive by $21.61. Ooooooooh baby...I'm in the money, I'm in the money"