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

Voices of Iraq: Oil-Tour
Posted by: nadioshka on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 01:08 PM

Oil-Tour
Iraqi oil minister starts a tour in Australia, Japan and China
By Dergham Mohammed Ali
Baghdad, Oct 16, (VOI) – The Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahrestani headed on Monday to Australia starting a tour that would also take him to Japan and China, the ministry official spokesman said.
“Shahrestani will discuss with officials in the three countries means of promoting bilateral cooperation in the oil sector,” Assem Jihad told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
“In Australia, Shahrestani will talk about the (recently-approved Iraqi) investment law and potentials for the multi-national companies to invest in Iraq,” Jihad said.
The minister would discuss in Japan allocating a part of the Japanese grant for Iraq to the oil sector and ways of spending the allocated money, he added.
Shahrestani would encourage the Chinese companies to invest in al-Ahdab giant oil field, Jihad said. A Chinese company had signed a deal with the former Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein to develop the field but the Iraqi oil ministry later revoked the contract

Voices of Iraq: Kirkuk-Conference
Posted by: saleem on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 11:25 AM

Kirkuk-Conference
Tribal Chiefs reject federacy, demand release of Saddam
By Issam Tareq
Kirkuk, Oct 16, (VOI) – Arab tribal chiefs demanded in a conference held in Kirkuk to set free the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and to reject federacy.
“We demand to put a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops out of Iraq, to reject federacy that would result in a divided Iraq and to set free the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein,” Sheikh Mohammed al-Juburi told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
The conference, attended by 500 Arab tribal chiefs in and around Kirkuk, north of Baghdad, was held on Sunday in al-Hindiyah district, 25 km west of Kirkuk.
Saddam is facing the death penalty at trial on charges of killing 148 Iraqis from the village of Dujail after a failed assassination attempt against Saddam in 1982.
Saddam and six of his aides are also on trial on committing crimes against humanity in the Kurdish areas where more than 180,000 Kurds were killed in al-Anfal (Arabic word for war spoils) campaign in 1988.
Sheikh Juburi said “federacy is fully rejected and Iraqi politicians should act to impose the rule of law in order to achieve security and stability in Iraq as well as providing more job opportunities for the unemployed.”
Only then Iraqis would be able to decide on federacy, he added.
“We demand to put off federacy which ,if implemented, would result in a further deterioration in security,” Sheikh Juburi said.
Some parliamentary blocs rejected federacy describing it as a step towards a divided Iraq.
The Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front, National Dialogue Front and Reconciliation and Liberation Front as well as The Shiite Sadrists and Fadhila (Virtue ) party, of Unified Iraqi Coalition, rejected the principle of federcy.
Iraq’s parliament passed last week a controversial regions bill into law.
Sheikh Ali al-Hamdani said “ we stand by all Iraqis who wanted a stop to the Iraqi bloodbath as the country has become a theatre to settle disputes among international and regional powers.”
Sheikh Hamdani rejected federacy and stressed “ Kirkuk is a city of all Iraqis as it hosts people of different races Arab, Kurds, Turkmans, and Assyrians and no particular community has an exclusive right to it rather than others.”
This tribal chiefs rally was the largest in kirkuk.
Last month similar tribal chiefs’ rally in Iraq’s western province of Anbar demanded setting free former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, putting a timetable of foreign forces pullout of Iraq and rejected federacy.
The Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki sought assistance of Sunni tribesmen to resort order in Iraq’s western restive province of Anbar.

For Kurds, a messy US withdrawal would be disastrous


16 October 2006


Last August, British Prime Minister Tony Blair stated that however difficult the situation in Iraq is, "stay the course, stand up for those people who want democracy, stand for those people who are fighting sectarianism, stand up for a different vision of the Middle East based on democracy, liberty and the rule of law." US President George W. Bush and his supporters have continuously repeated the same message in many ways and on different occasions.

Less than 10 days ago, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John W. Warner of Virginia, aired a different idea: "In two or three months if this thing [the Iraqi prime minister's plan to improve security] hasn't come to fruition and this level of violence is not under control, I think it's a responsibility of our government to determine: Is there a change of course we should take?"

Some would say that dividing Iraq into three federal units is the only viable solution. Others argue that the Bush administration must accept and publicly acknowledge its failure in Iraq, leading to withdrawal as an inevitable outcome.

There is no doubt that an American withdrawal will happen; the question is when and how. From Kurdistan's perspective, it is difficult to see how any quick and messy American military and political withdrawal could bring about a better alternative to the current situation. A premature withdrawal would plunge Iraq's major political processes into more chaos and deeper conflicts.

Under such circumstances the Sunni Arab insurgency would escalate, with Sunnis hoping to recapture Iraq's political, military and security institutions. Iraq's Shiite political forces and population would do their utmost to avoid failing in their historic opportunity to come to power and rule themselves. Kurdistan's achievement in terms of self-rule, stability and prosperity could easily fade away.

Inevitably, more violent killings would follow as a consequence of haphazardly abandoning the emerging political arrangements based on Iraq's negotiated constitution under US and coalition protection. The idea of a federal, democratic and pluralistic Iraq can hardly survive without long-term US military, political and security commitments. On the contrary, a more likely outcome would be intervention by neighboring countries and terrorist groups to promote their own interests, exact revenge or punish those who sided with the Americans against Saddam Hussein's regime or dared to dream of a better and democratic future. In such circumstances, Kurdistan would pay a much higher price than we can anticipate: Not only is the Kurdish leadership seen to be actively supporting redrawing Iraq's political system, but the entire population is viewed as supporting foreign forces, ideas and values.

An American withdrawal before Iraq's political, military, security and economic institutions are able to survive on their own would invite extremist groups to penetrate Iraq's borders and cause more destruction than we have seen. Kurdistan is particularly vulnerable in such a scenario because of its geographic location and in view of the difficulties implied in controlling the region's mountains. If extremist groups managed to survive in Afghanistan, create a rule of terror and extend their influence across continents before they were confronted militarily, Kurdistan can potentially function in the same way for anti-Kurdish, anti-US, anti-Western and anti-democratic forces.

Panicked, unplanned and chaotic withdrawal is not the only answer to criticisms and demands for a different course of action in Iraq. It is not difficult to imagine the US rearranging its military and political presence but still remaining in Iraq. One option is to withdraw more from Baghdad and other cities in the hope that Sunnis and Shiites conclude that they cannot eliminate each other and therefore must find a modus vivendi.

Another option is to reduce the US military presence to a minimum level but keep the air bases the US has managed to build in Iraq in order to limit the capacity of extremist groups and to deter neighboring countries from embarking on a military adventure in Iraq. A further advantage of maintaining the air bases is the expected escalation with Iran on the issue of nuclear weapons and Iran's non-compliance with UN Security Council demands and resolutions.

Even if the US military and air bases cannot function to create democratic institutions in Iraq and support liberty and rule of law in the Middle East, they can prevent the collapse of the current regional order and possibly prevent regional wars over the issue of weapons of mass destruction.



Khaled Salih is Kurdistan Regional Government spokesman. He is also a senior lecturer in Middle East politics at the University of Southern Denmark. The views expressed here are his own. This commentary first appeared at bitterlemons-international.org, an online newsletter.


Article originally published by The Daily Star 16-Oct-06




Copyright © 2006 ABQ Zawya Ltd. All rights reserved. Please read our User Agreement

Hello everyone! Have been on this dinar train for almost a year now, I rarely post, but I sure appreciate this forum for putting out alot of great information out here for us to read!! Just curious if the national reconciliation conference meeting that was postponed will have any effect on the r/v? Anyones take on this would greatly be appreciated!

Originally Posted by neno

As I have said IMHO, there must be. Why would they risk everything for nothing. This Goverment has been put in office by the people. Not the BS other say by the US. Now they maybe learning what Democracy is by the US. Which to me shows why it is not a speedy proccess as we want. they have never done any of this before.

And I could care less of what others say. I would like to see what they could get do in another world of time. I believe they are getting it done as fast as possible with all the Crap that is front of them.

Man I take my Hat off to any of these High Power Iraq politicians for taking on the challenge in the first place. It reminds me of Bush as he became president. Man look at everything he has to face upon his Power has taken effect. And this isn't Shiit on what Talibanni and the Iraq Guys have to face everyday with their Lives. A US Puppet....Please.

It is so easy and common for others to point the finger. The Damm Democrates here in America are causing alot of this BS with Iraq. The Elections that are coming up with both Parties trying to prevail are using anything and everything to gain in the proccess. Hell 90% of the American people know nothing about the dinar much less what is going on in the real political world. They only go by what they "Hear". This is why I say "Read and do D&D" yourself. Instead of pointing the finger at the ones that do but, do not post what you want to hear.

Dang, I am cutting loose here. I am as ready as anyone else. But we can not move the r/v. But we can learn what is going on by what most here are doing. Ok I think I got all this out.

Tell the Neno....I am with you all the way...some people have to feel misery in order to feel alive...I appreciate your speaking out..

IMF's Middle East and Central Asia Department Sees Continued Strong Growth in Central Asian Countries
Press Release No. 06/219
October 16, 2006
The latest Regional Economic Outlook by the International Monetary Fund's Middle East and Central Asia Department sees continued strong growth in the Central Asia region but highlights the need for policies to guard against rising inflation and excessive borrowing. Mr. David Owen, Senior Advisor in the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia Department, presented the report's main findings for the region in Almaty, Kazakhstan, today:

"Macroeconomic performance in the Central Asia region remains very good. Growth in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan is expected to average around 8 percent in 2006. This will be the seventh year in a row of growth at this pace or higher—a sustained strong performance that has nearly doubled the region's GDP in real terms over the past decade. Growth has been aided by large external inflows to the region, reflecting buoyant oil and non-oil commodity exports, remittances, and capital inflows, which have led to rising foreign reserves in all countries. Fiscal policies have improved in recent years, and public debt is on a downward trend. Inflationary pressures are, however, increasingly evident, fueled by high oil prices and strong credit growth, with average consumer price inflation in the region now around 10 percent.

Growth is set to remain high in 2007, at 7-8 percent on average, and inflation is expected to ease slightly, but there are risks to the outlook. In particular, the region remains heavily dependent on volatile oil and non-oil commodity prices. Moreover, performance could be significantly affected if global growth were to slow or global financial market conditions were to tighten, which could significantly reduce external inflows to the region. While progress in building reserves and reducing debt has put the region in a better position, policies should continue to aim at strengthening the region's resilience to such developments. In particular:

The authorities in all four countries could limit inflationary pressure by tightening monetary policies and allowing more nominal exchange rate appreciation in response to continued foreign inflows.
Governments should be vigilant to the risks of a new cycle of excessive external borrowing, whether public or private. In Kazakhstan, tighter prudential measures may be needed to limit the external borrowing by banks that is financing rapid credit growth. The Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan need to avoid excessive debt accumulation while investing to improve infrastructure.
Adjustment to higher oil prices remains a challenge. Both oil producers and consumers should ensure that changes in world oil prices are passed through quickly to domestic product prices, while strengthening compensation mechanisms for the poor.
Structural and institutional reforms should continue, to foster private sector development, increase productivity, and boost countries' resilience to shocks. Increased regional cooperation would promote trade and investment, and improve prospects for long-term growth and poverty reduction."

Dr. Ibrahim Bahr Al-Oloum : the rise in the prices of fuel in a

(Voice of Iraq) - 10-16-2006 | Sotaliraq.com

Dr. Ibrahim Bahr Al-Oloum : the rise in the prices of fuel in a shock left negative impacts on the citizens
And by the Parliament's law importing oil derivatives, is an important step.


Dr. Ibrahim Bahr Al-Uloom, the former oil minister that the tests proved that the resort to shock, which provides for increasing the prices rapidly and substantially have had adverse effects on citizens, especially low-income groups. He added that any further increase in prices according to the rescheduling of the International Monetary Fund will further confusion in the economic situation and increase the suffering of citizens, especially the poor, as it Bahr sciences, by the Parliament's law participation of the private sector in the importation and distribution, which will lead to a gradual withdrawal t the government of import to the private sector is an important step The Sea Sciences on the need to achieve a quantum leap in the management and implementation of plans and installed the filter small and medium-sized enterprises, especially in the Furat and the Kurdistan region.

Bush tells Iraq PM: Ignore deadline talk
WASHINGTON - President Bush personally assured Iraq's prime minister Monday that he has no plans to pull U.S. forces out and to ignore rumors that a deadline would be enforced against the fledgling Baghdad government.


The president's pledge came in a 15-minute morning phone call with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who told Bush he was concerned because he had been hearing that the United States was giving him a two-month timeline to operate on his own.

"He said that rumors sometimes can undercut confidence in the government and also its ability to work effectively in fighting terror," said Bush spokesman Tony Snow. "And the president said, `Don't worry, you still have our full support.' "

Hagel said it is time to change course, but "our options are limited."

"We need to find a new strategy, a way out of Iraq, because the entire Middle East is more combustible than it's been probably since 1948, and more dangerous," Hagel said. "And we're in the middle of it."

Democrats long have urged a change in Iraq policy. Sen. Carl Levin (news, bio, voting record) of Michigan, the leading Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said there is "no military solution to this conflict" and the United States must pressure Iraqis to take over their country.

"If they're going to have a civil war, they're going to have to do it without us," Levin said on CNN. "This is long overdue. We've got to focus Iraqi leadership attention on this by telling them we need to begin a phased redeployment of American troops from Iraq within the next few months."
Snow said he wasn't clear where the rumors were coming from. He said that in his talk with al-Maliki, Bush did not express any sense of urgency. Casualties have been increasing amid almost daily violence that has eroded support for the war in the United States.

A growing number of U.S. lawmakers are calling for a new strategy in Iraq, including two leading Republican senators who spoke out Sunday on television talk shows.

"The American people are not going to continue to support, sustain a policy that puts American troops in the middle of a civil war," Sen. Chuck Hagel (news, bio, voting record), R-Neb., said on CNN's "Late Edition."

Hagel said he agreed with Virginia Republican Sen. John Warner (news, bio, voting record), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who asserted after a recent visit to Iraq that the wartorn country was "drifting sideways." Warner has urged consideration of a change of course if the Iraq government fails to restore order over the next two months or three months.

Warner said Sunday he stands by that assessment, and even in the week since his trip to Iraq, there has been an "exponential increase in the killings and the savagery that's going on over there."

"You can see some movement forward, but a lot of movement back," Warner said on "Face the Nation" on CBS. "We have to rethink all the options, except any option which says we precipitously pull out, which would let that country fall into a certain civil war at that time, and all of the neighboring countries would be destabilized."

Snow said Bush and al-Maliki agreed that Iraq needs firm leadership and close coordination between the Iraqi security forces and the coalition troops.

"The president didn't make any conditions, he said that we're going to support you and he said he knew that prime minister had to make tough decisions," Snow said. "On a number of occasions he referred to the importance of going after terrorists and militias."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061016...o_pr_wh/us_iraq

Originally Posted by Adster

No worries abbey, nice to see you on here.

Ok, my thoughts, give them a month to implement the FIL and pass/enact the hydrocarbon law which are both crucial for foreign investment. The hydrocarbon law will bring in all the big boys.

Debt forgiveness from Saudi and Kuwait, (I'd give this 4-6 weeks to be finalised, just my thoughts). Throw this in with the International Compact which will be signed at the end of November and voila, we will have our r/v....

Within 6 weeks is my take.

I just want to ask you a question you if you it's going happen in 6 week, What do you think will happen with the 10k they're suppose to give thier people???????