Thread: Archive News - Iraqi Dinar Think Tank - 22/06/2010 - 04/10/2010

Iraq’s reconstruction: Strategy and players

The end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq presents a unique opportunity for a new beginning in U.S.- Iraq’s relationship. However, given Iraq’s crippling challenges and U.S. sluggish economy, the success of a such strategic partnership is contingent upon the political will of both U.S. and Iraqi governments, the support of the international community, and the genuine commitment of the international oil companies – Iraq’s biggest investors.

Drawing on past experiences, the stakeholders (U.S. government, Iraqi government, UNDP, World Bank, international oil companies, etc…) need to devise a concerted post-conflict reconstruction strategy, Marshall plan type, that is capable of a) averting the collapse of State’s institutions and b) creating the conditions for a sustainable socio-economic recovery. However, before undertaking a such colossal challenge, stakeholders need to build a strategic framework defining the mission’s objectives (attainable and realistic), organizational design (steering committee, for instance) , stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities, needed resources, and performance metrics.

Respectively, I’ll explore key stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities in Iraq’s post-conflict reconstruction as it’s mandated by their respective missions.

Iraqi government

In this process, Iraqi government should be treated as an equal partner that is fully responsible and accountable of its actions before its constituents and the international community. Consequently, the new elected government needs to formulate a comprehensive development strategy in concert with key stakeholders, including the planning for the impending multi-billion dollar mega-reconstruction projects, and the followings are some key areas of common interest and cooperation:

• National reconciliation to fend off ethno-sectarian strife and political violence.
• Reining in corruption and enhancing institutions efficiency.
• Providing basic services (e.g., drinking water, electricity, running sewer, health care, education, etc….)
• Promoting rule of law and human rights.
• Tackling illiteracy challenges, a serious threat to the country’s future.
• Creating jobs, higher unemployment rates are source of societal and political upheavals e.g., organized crime, militias, etc….
• Revamping severely languished infrastructure.
• Reviving the country strategic industries to curtail its dependence on petrodollars.

U.S. Government

To ensure the success of its new mission “New Dawn” in Iraq, the U.S. needs to learn from its past mistakes – $53 billion of unfinished or poorly executed projects– and capitalize on its acquired knowledge and understanding of Iraq’s ethno-sectarian fabric, political landscape, and socio-economic dynamics. Thus, U.S. Department of State’s Iraq strategic partnership office ISPO and USAID should play a crucial role in coordinating and overseeing the reconstruction efforts in concert with other stakeholders e.g., Iraqi government, UNDP, etc….

United Nations Development Programme

Given UNDP extensive experience – Honest broker – in conflict and post-conflict zones, the UNDP is well-positioned to promote and oversee national reconciliation, rule of law, and rehabilitate State’s decadent institutions to enhance efficiency and inclusiveness – Hiring and promotions are merit-based and not politically dictated.

World Bank

Given the decay of Iraq’s financial institutions as result of decades of wars and sanctions, the World Bank’s role, key partner in this reconstruction efforts, is to provide post-conflict reconstruction expertise, financial and technical assistance, which are key ingredients for a sustainable development.

International oil companies (IOCs)

Given the current Peak Oil and IOCs vested interest in a stable and secure Iraq, IOCs should play a major role in this reconstruction efforts. Oil sector is the engine of Iraq’s economy -%90 of government revenue. Nonetheless, the oil sector challenges are hampering the country’s economic recovery:

• Major oil fields require billions of dollars for rehabilitation and development as result of decades of wars and sanctions.
• Current oil workforce is in desperate need of training and technological know-how.
• Oil sector is a highly politicized field.

Thus, given Iraq’s vast reserves of oil and gas, IOCs’ should help revamp the oil sector swiftly by introducing technological know-how, the industry best practices, and fostering local workforce. With such perspicacious initiatives, IOCs will help enhance the oil sector efficiency, increase production, spur economic recovery; and, eventually, countervail some of deep-seated distrust and apprehension.

In sum, in the absence of a clear post-conflict reconstruction strategy, Iraq’s convoluted political impasse and the international community inaction — lack of political will– are recipes for a prolonged political instability and ethno-sectarian strife; subsequently, jeopardizing all the hard-earned successes (e.g., fair elections, strong Army, etc…) and exacerbating geopolitical tensions. Moreover, given the endured sacrifices, thus far, in blood and treasure — Thousands of lives and over $ 751 billion war price tag — it’s imperative to stand by Iraq in these difficult times to prevent it from reverting to a military dictatorship or ,worst, religious tyranny. In his speech to congress (12th March, 1947), President Truman exquisitely puts it when he warns us against lose of hope, destitution, and their grim outcomes chiefly chaos and tyranny:

“… The seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery and want. They spread and grow in the evil soil of poverty and strife. They reach their full potential when the hope of a people for a better life has died. We must keep that hope alive. If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world – and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation…”

The author, Tariq Abdell, is an Iraq analyst, and Founder & Chairman of Mesopotamia Insight

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/201...y-and-players/

Adel Abdel Mahdi stresses the approach of all the political blocs of the final times to form a government

Said Vice-President and leader of the National Coalition Adel Abdul -Mahdi said, "National Alliance is at the end to choose a candidate for prime minister after he realized the difficulty of implementing the political forces Mtalibha I realized the limits that should go to."

Abdul-Mahdi said in a statement paid by the reporter - "We are now at the end of the dialogues, which will produce out a single candidate, began political factors is its relationship to the party or the other and what are the hindering factors which will help in negotiations to expedite the removal of uncertainty."

He added that "our options become more pronounced, especially in the presence of many of the tracks Kalhawwarat between Iraq and the state of law which constitute the (180) seats, and dialogues between the state of law and the National Coalition are Constitute a high number and therefore I believe that everyone approached Times from the final out of a single candidate and the formation of the government."

http://al-iraqnews.net/new/political-news/24849.html

Iraq accuses al-Maliki bullying abroad and calls for Washington to clarify its position on his

Accused the Iraqi List led by former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, leader of the coalition, the rule of law and the Prime Minister's outgoing Nuri al-Maliki of trying to seeking external support to form a government, demanding at the same time the American administration to clarify its position on Maliki's comments, the last on the reporting and Washington has cut off Arab support for the Iraqi List.

The spokesperson for the Iraqi List, Mason Damluji said in a statement received "Alsumaria News" copy, "The menu surprised by the statements of Iraqi Prime Minister outgoing Nuri al-Maliki on talking with the Vice-President Joe Biden on cutting the Arab support for the Iraqi List of problems which", Noting that "the list was surprised by not lie to Maliki's office or speaking to him diagrams of these serious allegations."

The French Press Agency quoted the leader of the coalition of the rule of law that the leader Nuri al-Maliki said during a meeting of the coalition, on Monday, Biden told him that in Iraq a lot of problems and complications, so the U.S. administration assured the Turks, Egypt and Jordan, Qatar and the UAE need to stop its support for Allawi Vaguetnat With the exception of Saudi Arabia.

The Damluji "He was the leader of a coalition of law Nuri al-Maliki sought to form a government in accordance with the independence of the decision and the will of the Iraqi political preference interests of the country on foreign intervention," accused in the same time, "Prime Minister outgoing Nuri al-Maliki of trying to seeking external support to form a government."

Spokeswoman said on behalf of the Iraqi List, that "the list sent an official letter on Wednesday to the American Administration requesting clarification on its stated position of Maliki's comments, whether true or not, it represents a major threat to the future and the situation in Iraq can not be tolerated."

It seems that the statement of the Iraqi List about leaks last talked about cutting most of the Arab countries to support the list confirms the fears of their health this matter, especially with the continuing refusal of the National Coalition and a coalition of state law and the Kurdistan Alliance alliance with Iraq on the basis of formation of the Iraqi government and the return of the meetings of the National Alliance New meeting to choose a prime minister from among candidates are Adel Abdul- Mahdi Nouri al- Maliki, also comes fears of Iraq also after Scott most votes in the Arab and regional levels which had been demanded formed by the government, as well as the restoration of communication micro- between Maliki and the Syrian leadership following the connection Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al- Maliki 'Utti, which came after a year of estrangement which was the result of Baghdad, accusing Damascus of responsibility for the bombings that targeted Iraq in 2009.

The United States and Iran have stepped up their actions during the recent to persuade allies of the National Coalition and the Iraqi List to approve the survival of Iraqi Prime Minister outgoing Nuri al-Maliki for a second term but the leaders of the Iraqi National Coalition and the Iraqi List, noted in comments several times during the past few days to their refusal to give al-Maliki for a second term However, some observers believe that U.S. pressure and Iran 's political blocs could be resolved by the position of the political blocs to form a government, especially given that the two parties share a significant influence in Iraq seven years ago in conjunction with the inability of regional countries, particularly Syria and Turkey and Saudi Arabia to find an influential role it parallel to the role of Iranian and American people.

http://www.alsumarianews.com/ar/1/11...-details-.html

Halliburton and KBR Sued Over Iraq Contamination

Halliburton Co. and KBR Inc. must face lawsuits brought by military personnel and contractors allegedly harmed by contaminated water and toxic emissions from burning waste in Iraq and Afghanistan, a judge has said.

U.S. District Judge Roger Titus in Greenbelt, Maryland, who is overseeing 43 lawsuits on the matter, yesterday rejected the companies’ claims of immunity for combat-related activities, saying he was concerned it would limit legal remedies for people who allege they were injured, according to the report from Bloomberg.

Plaintiffs claim that the Houston-based companies ignored the terms of contracts with the U.S. that required safe and environmentally sound waste disposal for troops.

Improper disposal of waste in “burn pits” led to injuries including cancer and respiratory illness, law firms Motley Rice LLC and Burke PLLC said in a statement.

KBR, which split from Halliburton in 2007, said in a statement: “KBR is confident that the evidence will confirm that it performed waste disposal and water services pursuant to military direction and guidelines”. Halliburton reportedly declined to comment.

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/201...contamination/

US pushing new Iraq compromise plan: report

The United States is pushing a new power-sharing deal in Iraq that could solve the political deadlock by retaining Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki but curbing his power, a report said Friday.

The New York Times said that the compromise plan was promoted in Baghdad last week by Vice President Joe Biden, who is overseeing the US drawdown from Iraq, and would establish a committee to decide major political conflicts.

The paper quoted an unnamed senior official as saying the plan could result in a new government finally being formed in Baghdad within the next month, and that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would travel to Iraq at that time.

There was no immediate comment on the report from the White House, the State Department or Vice President Biden's office.

Maliki's State of Law Alliance, a Shiite grouping, gained two fewer seats in March's election than Iraqiya, a broadly secular coalition with strong Sunni backing led by ex-premier Iyad Allawi, a Shiite.

But neither man has managed to gain a working parliamentary majority despite months of coalition negotiations, leaving the nation's politics in limbo amid growing public frustration at the lack of progress.

Ecomagination from GE - with innovation, there will be more clean water for everyone.

The deadlock has coincided with the end of US combat operations with Iraq and fed fears that the political vacuum could offer an opening to extremists to further destabilize the country.

The Times report said that the new plan would amend the structure of the Iraqi government by adding extra restraints to the authority of the prime minister's office.

It would also establish a new committee with authority to approve military appointments, frame security policy and approve appointments in the military, the report said.

The paper cautioned however that doubts remained whether the United States, with its waning influence in Iraq, can close the deal.

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidAN...an%3A%20report

Petronas to Train Iraqi Engineers for Gharraf Oilfield

Petronas, the Malaysian state oil firm, has agreed to train 60 Iraqi oil engineers to help it develop the Gharaf oilfield.

The engineers will attend an intensive 6-month course in Malaysia and will then be sent back home to supervise the company’s operations, according to a report from Azzaman.

Petronas and Japan Petroleum Exploration Co (Japex) won the 20-year service contract to develop the 900-million barrel field. They have agreed to invest about $7 billion.

Petronas has a 60 percent stake in the venture, and Japex the rest.

Petronas and Japex will get $1.49 per barrel from Gharaf the development of which could churn out 230,000 barrels a day.

Iraq’s oil ministry announced on Friday that it would begin drilling for oil in the Gharraf oil fields by the end of the year.

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/201...rraf-oilfield/

Kurdistan Forges Links with Northern Ireland

The Kurdistan Regional Government UK Representative yesterday and today in Belfast met Trade Minister Arlene Foster, politicians and the private sector to forge closer ties with Northern Ireland.

On her first visit to Northern Ireland, Ms Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman met the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment at Parliament Buildings. Mrs Foster said, “I can see many synergies between Northern Ireland and the Kurdistan Region in terms of what our companies can provide. Just as you are the gateway to doing business in Iraq, we can also be the gateway for the Kurdistan Region to the rest of the UK and to the Republic of Ireland.”

Minister Foster added, “Kurdish companies who visit Northern Ireland will also find that we have a greater understanding of the challenge of emerging from a history of violence and terrorism.” She hopes to visit the Region for the first time next year.

During the two-day visit hosted by the government investment agency Invest Northern Ireland, Ms Abdul Rahman presented to over 40 companies the many business opportunities available in the Kurdistan Region. At the business seminar she said, “We have made great strides since 2003 and will continue to develop in many sectors. We are an outward looking society that increasingly appreciates the quality of European products. Northern Ireland companies can use the safe and stable Kurdistan Region as a gateway to doing business in Iraq.”

Many of the Northern Ireland companies who came to listen to Ms Abdul Rahman were from the construction, oil and gas and education sectors, which are ripe for trade and investment.

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) High Representative also met Mr Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive of Invest Northern Ireland to discuss a future trade mission to the Kurdistan Region. Ms Abdul Rahman said that the KRG already hosts many trade delegations from around the world including the UK, and will welcome Northern Ireland companies on a visit early next year.

Ms Abdul Rahman hosted a reception for Members of the Legislative Assembly, academics, councillors and business representatives. The guest of honour the Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Pat Convery said, “I hope that there will be growing links between the business community in Belfast and Kurdistan, which may then open the way for cultural and educational exchanges. This would be the best of worlds for everyone.”

Invest Northern Ireland arranged a women’s networking dinner for Ms Abdul Rahman with higher education leaders and a visit to Belfast’s Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), a research, training and consultancy centre. Ms Abdul Rahman said to AFBI’s representatives that the Kurdistan Region has great agricultural potential. Once Iraq’s breadbasket before decades of conflict took their toll, now the KRG has allocated 10 billion US dollars over the next five years to an agricultural development plan. She said that ties and exchanges with agri-food experts such as the institute could help to revive this critical sector.

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/201...thern-ireland/

Observers: the incompatibility of government financial institutions behind the failure of the Iraqi economy

The economists Iraqis , said Friday that causes deterioration of the reality of the system of economic and financial in Iraq of non-compatibility of institutions, government, financial and divergent views of the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank as well as the effects of political disputes in the country.

The economist said full quality of the Kurdistan News Agency (Akaniwz) that "economic action in Iraq was not consistent between governmental institutions involved in the management of financial affairs such as the Ministry of Finance and Office of Financial Supervision and the Central Bank of Iraq due to the influence of political differences to those institutions."

He explained that the quality of "The next phase needs to genuine efforts to standardize the financial and administrative policy in the country to support the Iraqi economy." indicating that he "can not remain differences that arise between the management of those institutions cast a shadow over the economic reality in the coming period."

He continued by saying that "the Ministry of Finance is considering the mentality of a central file in the Department of Economic and tries to impose its hegemony on the work of the Iraqi Central Bank which is linked to international economic policy."

For his part, another said economic adviser at the CBI Janabi (Akaniwz) that "the Ministry of Finance are closing in on the work of the Central Bank that it was still considering the mentality of a routine." he said, adding that "the Central Bank of effective plans for the development of economic policy in the country."

Janabi and hopes that "the next phase more efficient by the Ministry of Finance of closer economic relations." noting that "the Iraqi Central Bank in its performance distinguishes the financial performance of the Ministry of Finance, in particular in the dealings of the bank with the global economic system."

The Central Bank of Iraq has four major branches in the governorates of Basra and Sulaymaniyah, Irbil and Mosul, and founded a bank independent Iraqi under the law of the Iraqi Central Bank of 6 March 2004, which is responsible for the maintenance of price stability and the implementation of monetary policy, including exchange rate policies and management of foreign reserves and the issuance of And currency management, as well as to regulate the banking sector.

http://www.aknews.com/ar/aknews/2/180513/

Writer : the conflict in Iraq caused by competition for the post of prime minister

Said Ali Adeeb a leading member of the Dawa party that most of the conflicts between political blocs is the position of prime minister, which means Still rooted in the minds of Iraqi politicians.

Adeeb said in an interview with news agency reported, that the political entities pay the legitimate authority a little importance.

And on the position of the existing Iraqi political process and its threats to withdraw, "said writer declared that the list does not merely be told media that all political entities in Iraq does not want to be outside the executive branch."

http://www.wasatonline.com/index.php...d=40&Itemid=99

U.S. plan to share power in Iraq: al-Maliki as prime minister and with limited influence

encourages the administration of President Barack Obama to adopt a new measure of power-sharing in Iraq can keep Nuri al-Maliki as prime minister, but under the coalition can restrain its power to a large extent.

The New York Times that U.S. Vice President Joe Biden promoted the settlement plan in Baghdad last week and was in time weaken the American influence and move the United States withdraw its troops and explained that the new plan will change the structure of the Iraqi government by placing further restrictions on the authority of the President Iraqi Prime Minister and the establishment of new committees have the authority to approve the appointments of military and review the budget and security policy.

It quoted U.S. officials that this approach is designed to bring the rule of law, headed by Maliki, Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, the Kurdish Alliance, the coalition government represents the best chance to overcome the deadlock that has left the people of Iraq without a new government, over the last 6 months after the elections. A senior U.S. official said the plan is likely to produce a new government next month and can be Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to travel to Baghdad at that time.

The official said the last application, like anonymity do not see any other option is there if any government of national unity, less effective, but represent the Iraqi people into thinking that this is the best for the future of Iraq.

The American officials said he did not have any preferred candidate for prime minister, but the proposal is the survival of Maliki, or any successor acceptable to the strong and broad coalition government, adding that new legislation can contribute to the adoption of the new authority was no need for a constitutional amendment.

To that reported for the Christian Science Monitor Iraq and the U.S. agreed to pay 400 million dollars in compensation to U.S. citizens said they were affected psychologically and have suffered greatly due to the buried Saddam Hussein 's invasion of Kuwait in 1990.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry that the settlement, and the value of 400 million dollars, signed last week with James Jeffrey, the new U.S. ambassador in Iraq, and end the lawsuits against Iraq that were raised by the former regime, and it is engaged in negotiations to end the sanctions imposed on Iraq.

And senior Iraqi official said there was strong pressure on the Iraqi government to do something in order to get rid of the pressure and urgency of Congress, pointing out that the settlement paved the way for U.S. efforts to rid Iraq of sanctions imposed on it.

Include proceedings to seek compensation for psychological damage suffered by the children of contractors were detained near the Iraqi border - Kuwait in 1990, and the Americans who were held as human shields to prevent U.S. attacks, and the issue of Bob Simon, correspondent for CBS and photographer network who were detained following their arrest on the border with Kuwait.

http://www.nakhelnews.com/pages/news.php?nid=1917