Thread: Archive News - Iraqi Dinar Think Tank - 24/01/201 - 23/07/2011

The Apparent End of the Strategic Policy Council

The following article was published on Thursday by Reidar Visser, an historian of Iraq educated at the University of Oxford and currently based at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. It is reproduced here with the author’s permission. The opinions expressed are those of the author.

The rumours began circulating yesterday and today they have been confirmed: Ayad Allawi, the leader of the secular Iraqiyya movement, no longer considers himself the candidate to the position as chairman of the projected “national strategic policy council”, a new political institution with ill-defined powers that was included in the grand political agreement on a new government by Iraqi leaders last November. It should perhaps be added that Allawi has gone far in dismissing the council in media interviews previously; his level of outspokenness on this occasion is however unprecedented.

The council, an extra-constitutional concoction created largely to compensate Allawi personally for his thwarted prime ministerial ambitions, was always going to be a difficult proposition. Unsurprisingly, from day one there was disagreement on its exact prerogatives, with Allawi hoping it would include executive powers in key areas of government, and with Nuri al-Maliki and his all-Shiite State of Law alliance taking the opposite view of it, i.e. seeing it more as a deliberative think tank. Marshalling the arguments of constitutionalism and separation of powers, State of Law had some success in making the case that it would be hard to accommodate an additional executive institution in Iraq’s political system. It should be added that even the draft versions of the law that did exist had watered down the powers of the council and Allawi’s role in it quite considerably: For example, an 80% consensus requirement for decisions to have executive force meant that the council would rarely have played an active role in shaping government policy anyway – and that Allawi’s personal role as chairman would not be particularly prominent. Symptomatically, perhaps, the latest rounds of debate between the blocs have focused on petty issues concerning Allawi’s precise ceremonial status in relation to the existing ranks of leadership positions. It is to be expected that the whole project will founder if Allawi is no longer interested.

Even as Allawi is making this dramatic decision, it is hard to follow his attempt at reorientation. The eminently logical thing for him to do would be to take as much of Iraqiyya as possible into a purely opposition role in parliament, where the bloc would be free to speak its mind on core issues that resonates with its electorate. Instead, today, he is reverting to old talk of good relations with the Sadrists, ISCI and the Kurds, apparently forgetting that those were the forces that ultimately betrayed his prime ministerial ambitions in summer 2010, and that a critical mass of them still seem interested in playing along with Maliki inside government.

It cannot be stressed sufficiently that the strategic policy council was first and foremost Washington’s project in Iraq, and an attempt at keeping up appearances and creating a consolation prize for Allawi while tacitly – in the case of Ambassador Chris Hill, actively – accepting Iran’s push for a government formation based on a sectarian Shiite alliance. Last November, sources in the Obama administration gave glowing accounts of how American diplomats were present during the final negotiations where the deal on the strategic policy council was supposedly clinched, whereas the Iranians were absent. Today, four months later and with the apparent death of the strategic council, the power-sharing structure of Iraq’s new government is looking even more like 2006 than before.

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/201...olicy-council/

How Iraq can build a robust economy

The big idea: The unmet challenge of economic development lies at the heart of our world's most pressing social issues.

The scenario: Thinking about growth may seem a luxury in Iraq, a nation beset by war and deep in the throes of political change, but the path to rising living standards runs directly through how firms, large and small, domestic and foreign, play a constructive role in rebuilding the Iraqi economy.

For most MBAs, the phrase 'global business opportunity' conjures China or India, but most of the tough challenges faced by firms occur in places more like Iraq than in the BRIC economies. In nations like Iraq, one can readily appreciate the foundations of economic growth and productive commercial activity, largely by their absence. So, how can firms and their managers best create jobs and incomes for Iraqi people in the long run?

One irony of development is what economists call the 'resource curse.' Countries with abundant, extractable, nonrenewable resources such as oil and gas too often are dependent on that single economic sector. They lack competitiveness in other sectors. Power is entrenched in controlling the vital sector. And that power is wielded in ways that strangle internal investment and productive risk taking. Consequently, the incentives to build human capital and to create new firms to challenge incumbents or serve new markets are weak. Such are the conditions in Iraq.

The resolution: While efforts are underway to create a more diversified economy, the nation must channel its natural resource abundance into economically and socially valuable institutional change. The heart of the Iraqi economy is oil, which represents more than 90 percent of all exports from Iraq and generates 70 percent of GDP. Iraq has the fourth-largest proven oil reserves in the world -115 billion barrels - though this estimate is decades old. Many believe that Iraq may have at least another 100 billion barrels of reserve. Yet, Iraq's volume of oil exports rank only 14th or so worldwide.

Sagging infrastructure, inadequate electricity supplies and lack of investment constrain field development and the generation of revenue and jobs that could spark more rapid growth. Iraq exported just over 1.9 million barrels of crude oil a day in 2010, or 23 barrels annually per person - well under its target of 25 to 30 barrels.

The lesson: The financial capital needed to increase export capacity is critical to fund what is most needed in Iraq: infrastructure services, schools, hospitals and better housing. But what can lead Iraq's economy toward robust and sustainable growth? Macroeconomic stability, a precondition of growth, is emerging. Inflation is in single digits, and the Iraqi dinar's crawling peg to the U.S. dollar has delivered steadiness to the banking and price systems.

Still, challenges persist. More than 40 percent of the population is under age 14. Male life expectancy is over 60. High jobless rates and a limited role for women in the labor force mean that big production increases are unlikely. Security concerns and an inchoate democracy make the risk of investments high. But the economy has improved and, at times, grown rapidly in recent years.

The future of Iraq's economy can be bettered through greater commitments to economically productive institutions and by firms willing to invest wisely while the future remains highly uncertain.

- Peter L. Rodriguez

Rodriguez is associate professor of business administration, associate dean for international affairs, and director of the Center for Global Initiatives at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...030503720.html

Banks tend to offset instruments electronically

Iraqi Central Bank held an expanded meeting of representatives of government and private banks have been able to discuss the mechanics of clearing the use of electronic instruments. This was announced by »economic morning« Executive Director of the Association of Iraqi private banks and Abdul Aziz al-Hassoun said the official payment system in the central and his aides have presided over the meeting and addressed ways to pursue and complete the restructuring of payment systems and plans for her.

Hassoun said that this system will enhance confidence in the capabilities of Iraqi banks and develop work and encourage banks dealing with the adoption of instruments between banks and the collection of amounts electronically and in a short period not exceeding two days among banks in the provinces and one day in the cities and the capital, Baghdad.

He said that 6 banks began implementing the system on a trial basis a Bank of Baghdad, Middle East, Dar es Salaam, commercial credit, and the Trade Bank of Iraq. The results confirm the initial success, forcing other banks to speed up the completion of the requirements to run the system for its devices and instruments coded and encrypted and bear safety conditions that limit fraud or manipulation.

He pointed out that there is another system in place since years for all banks, which is known (RTGS), where can the owners of the accounts in any bank to pay their obligations or NFL money among banks through this system where the demand from the bank a payment which is being implemented within seconds of meeting fees symbolic.

Hassoun, "said Abdul Aziz at the end of his statement that these financial products are a quantum leap in the services provided by banks, Iraqi traders attributed the reasons for the reluctance of traders in the market for trading instruments among themselves, and procedures for clearing that take more than a week now.

http://www.alsabaah.com/ArticleShow.aspx?ID=3728

Interview - Trade Bank of Iraq will launch a fund for direct investment

Intends to Trade Bank of Iraq launch a fund for direct investment of $ 500 million to invest in the projects in war-torn country and will discuss next month for an international investor to be a General Partner of the Fund.

Azri said Hussein, President of the Bank and chairman of the board that the bank intends to launch the fund this year and he will invest in medium-sized projects in sectors including oil services, power and hotels.

The bank, which was established in 2003, also to open branches this year in London, Beirut and plans to eventually open branches in North America and East Asia and perhaps in China within the framework of Iraq sought to attract investment to finance reconstruction projects.

Azri said during an interview, "Iraq would need a significant investment in infrastructure .. in housing, oil, electricity and this will require capital investment in the country and we are counting on the participation of the private sector, whether Iraqi or foreign."

Said a senior government official told Reuters last month that Iraq is expected to increase private investment tripled to reach $ 30 billion this year.

In general, Iraq needs investments worth 600 billion dollars for reconstruction in accordance with the National Commission for Investment.

Azri said that the Trade Bank of Iraq before more of its products beyond the trade finance and plans to open eight new local branches this year as well as 15 branches in place.

The bank's assets amounted to $ 15 billion by the end of 2010, the Bank intends to lift the level of about 15 percent this year. The bank made a net profit of $ 386 million last year and looks forward to increase 20 percent this year.

Azri, who refused to participate in the global banking conference in the Indian capital, naming the companies chosen to assist in the management of the Fund is planned. The Fund will seek to raise money from investors.

"We want the party to enjoy worldwide recognition, of course, at the same time be prepared to invest time and money in Iraq."

"We want to ensure that it be strategic for them ... and they want to come and engage people and make the time."

Security remains a concern for investors in Iraq and the headquarters of the Trade Bank of Iraq for the devastating bombing last year. But Azri said that the promotion of investment in Iraq is much easier than it was in the period from 2005 to 2007.

"It comes to us visitors from the outside almost every day."

He added that once the approval of the privatization law, the bank plans to invite investors to buy a minority stake and is likely to invite foreign strategic investor.

http://translate.googleusercontent.c...StV8Ki79iumUBg

Iraq seeks to develop the banking sector

The Director of the Central Bank in Basra, the largest, that «the Central grant formal approval for the opening of bank« Pepe Luis »Lebanese in the province of Basra, to soon start operations in accordance with regulations in force in the private banks and approved by the Central Bank», expected «the opening of three local banks other in Basra, after they obtained the official approvals ». He said: «increase the number of private banks in the province contribute to the strengthening of the cash block in the form of large», pointing out that «the number of banks in Basra is 22, 6 of which are state banks and the Bank of Iranian and other Lebanese banks and the rest are Iraqi civil».

A source in the «Association of Iraqi private banks» «life», that «the presence of the Lebanese banking in Iraq in the form of increased growth, reflecting the desire of the Lebanese banks and enthusiasm to work on the Iraqi arena, given the importance of investment and economic leverage if the availability of more factors of security and stability» he said, adding that «the Lebanese banks ahead of the other Arab banks to open branches in Iraq and the development of its activities».

The source pointed out that «the Lebanese banks currently operating in Iraq are:« Byblos », which has two branches in Erbil and Baghdad, and« Intercontinental »has two branches in Erbil and Baghdad, and« Beirut and the Arab countries »and has branches in Erbil, Baghdad and Basra, and« the Lebanese French »has a branch in Baghdad, and« Bank of Beirut »has a representative office in Baghdad.

In addition, the expert stressed financial Mowaffaq Abbas sack, that «the work during the current period requires the development of the banking public through the adoption of modern mechanisms entered the field of global banking, in particular that the Iraqi cadres able to manage the latest methods of banking if the conditions are appropriate». He added: «control the financial sector, fiscal policy is a revenue management of financial resources for state and mechanisms of spending in any of the fields and the consequent inability to become accumulates year after year», pointing out that «the deficit be covered from the religion of both types of procedure, of bonds Treasury, and external, which represents the accumulated debts of the former regime ».

http://translate.googleusercontent.c...8O851_d67HMMIg

Iraqi govt. has few options to improve economy

The Undersecretary of a Ministry, a government adviser and two economists said Monday that the Iraqi government has few options and need to put developing economic policies in the public and private sectors to confront all the difficulties that hinder the progress of although the latter put policies and strategic plans to improve the Iraqi economy in all sectors in an effort to create an improvement that face all challenges.

The adviser of the Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdullah Hussein Al-Ankabi told AKnews that the available options for the government to improve the economic situation are few as a result of the presence of four million government employees in the country which includes 31 million people.

He pointed out to some of the procedures taken by the Government this year, represented by increasing the financial allocations of the ration card from three to six billion dollars, noting that it will be reflected positively on the quantity and quality of food items on the citizens.

"The investment factor is the only available option for the Iraqi government to improve the economic situation," stressing on the need to protect completely the investors and investments and to facilitate the process of granting licenses and the allocation of lands in order to improve the investment and construction in the country that are capable of ensuring a lot of working opportunities and improve their living conditions."

"The investment opportunities in Iraq that may improve the economic situation are not big, especially since most of the general budget of the sate is operational consumable," stressing on "the need for economic reforms by the government represented by transfering allocations and granting powers to the provinces to get rid of the centralism that increases the routine in the implementation of required projects."

The Iraqi governments are facing since 2003 challenges in the economic sector, most notably the confusion that occur in the development of annual budgets described by economists as great, but the areas of exchange in it don't go to investment but to the operational area which suffers from administrative and financial corruption that affected the high incidence of poverty, unemployment and poor services in the country.

On the other hand Ali al-Shummari, the economic expert and member of the Arab Council for economic and academic policies at Petra Jordanian University called the government to pledge the citizens to make optimal use of economic resources and determine the size of government in the economy which is measured by government spending to National Production so that it does not exceed 15-25%.

"The government should put an end for the poor distribution of financial allocations through reviewing the financial allocations for the three presidencies (the Republic and parliament and cabinet), where they exceed the allocations of service ministries."

"The government must face the low efficiency of use of financial resources to focus its impact on economic growth and social development in the state," pointing out that the latest growth indications of the Iraqi economy shows the high proportion of administrative and financial corruption in the institutions and departments, and thus decrease the effectiveness of public spending and purpose towards economic reform and raise the level of social development."

"The government must promote and strengthen and activate the exchange controls through the monthly reports that focus on the performance of the development plan and on all ministries, in addition to preparing annual reports to accounting the defaulting ministries in their work, as well as the need to form an advisory economic council that include in its membership a group of economists in order to raise the recommendations and advice to the government so that it will be obliged to apply them."

While Samir Alwan, the financial expert and former member of the Baghdad Commerce Chamber stresses on the need to pursue a policy of fiscal discipline in order to avoid the risk of entering Iraq in financial chaos that lead him to enter into the economic crisis tunnel.

Alwan told AKnews that the policy of fiscal discipline is achieved in the adoption of precautionary oil price policy where the rate of oil prices for the last three years will be less than the expected global oil prices by 15 dollars."

He also stressed on the need to "establish sovereign wealth fund which capital is made from the difference between the precautionary price of oil from its global level, in addition to the establishment of similar funds which resources come from the petro-dollar allocated to the oil producing provinces."

"The petro-dollar funds will be the safety valve of the Iraqi economy from changes in world oil prices and can also provide capital investment in the future."

The head of the Central Agency for Statistics and the Deputy Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation Mahdi al-Allak believes that the Iraqi economy needs to achieve goals and concepts and theorical foundations that will develop its situation, especially with the great challenges facing the country at this time.

About the most prominent obstacles that face the Iraqi economy, Allak said that the weak production and the elements of empowerment and declining industries and agriculture are the main reasons behind slower economic growth in Iraq," stressing on "the importance of these sectors in supporting the local production."

"There is a risk in relying entirely on the profit-taking economy, and relying on oil imports assuring that "the key steps to improve the economic situation is represented by improving both the agricultural and industrial sectors and energy saving."

The value of the 2011 Iraqi budget passed by the parliament on Feb. 20 is estimated with 82,006,000,000 U.S. Dollars, based on the $76.50 for one barrel of oil and export of 2.2 million barrels per day.

The budget deficiency for 2011 was estimated to be around $13.4 billion at a time Iraq depends on oil exports by about 95 % to support the budget, in the presence of the dilapidated infrastructure in all sectors in the country as a result of long years of siege and war during the last two decades of the last century.

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110308065009

Economist: the right investment in the telecommunications sector can bring revenue to Iraq comes after oil revenues

Returned the House resolution to form a parliamentary committee to investigate irregularities and the performance of mobile phone companies and the reality of telecommunications services in Alaraclzhor again on the scene the media, especially Mekhv Communications and Media Authority announced the launch of Zain five million slice is licensed, which led to fined and suspended the work of the slides before.

Addressed the media led recent problems with mobile phone companies in Iraq and the reality of telecommunications services after rising resentment of the beneficiaries of the services of these companies as it does not meet their aspirations, as well as many of the irregularities that accompanied the work of these companies Mmahdy Council of Representatives formed a committee to investigate these irregularities financial and technical.

Issue did not stop at the boundaries of firms currently operating in the telecommunications sector in Iraq, but opened the door wide open to discuss plans for new investment in this important and vital sector, which can be regarded as one of the most important sectors after the oil sector in terms of economic returns of the country.

Expert economist who specializes in the telecommunications sector, said in a statement told the independent press (Iba) that the Iraqi market is the focus of many international companies successful in the telecommunications sector and this was confirmed by the Ministry of Communications and the media and communications, where there are more than one company to have a serious desire to work in Iraq and compete with existing enterprises, which arise from time to time many question marks on the services provided.

He said the expert, who requested anonymity, said the Iraqi government had previously decided late last year set up a company mobile phone and the national participation rate with an international company, but the decision has not been implemented yet effective because of legislative problems between the Ministry of Communications and the media and communications as well as the announcement of the Communications plans to launch a work permit from the third generation this year.

He added in a quick read on the positive aspects of this matter there are many things that may be hidden for those interested in this market, as well as entry and imports substantial financial treasury Iraqi government through imports, which could reach hundreds of millions of dollars annually, it will provide significant employment opportunities for youth Iraqi university graduates up to more than 1500 direct jobs and 5000 indirect jobs not to mention other positive impacts such as import taxes and the introduction of composting equipment to these companies.

The expert stressed the need to move the Ministry of Communications forward as soon as the announcement of the establishment of this company, in partnership with a global company private and that the ministry, according to officials, which burdened the salaries of its employees, which amount to thousands of where most of the departments of the Ministry act in a self-financing and thus is a good opportunity to provide imports The financial returns of the Ministry and also for the elimination of unemployment that exist between many of the staff of the ministry through an agreement with these companies to benefit from the experiences of many of these staff and the appointment of a large proportion of them in this company to be established.

He stressed that the telecommunications sector need to reconsider all concerned, whether they are politicians or legislators, or because the economic and employment development in this sector so far has failed to meet the aspirations of its employees who aspire to services equivalent to what exists in the rest of the world.

Mentioned that there are three major companies of the mobile phone in Iraq is Zain Iraq, Asia Cell, Cork granted work permits under the long-term public auction held in 2007.

http://www.ipairaq.com/index.php?nam...onomy&id=36174

Federal Court denies retreat from the decision to link independent bodies under the chairmanship of Minister

Federal Supreme Court confirmed on Tuesday that the clarification issued on its previous decision to link independent bodies under the chairmanship of the Minister is to explain the interpretation of the former and not to retreat with him, indicating that the resolution has been approved by all members.

A spokesman for the Supreme Judicial Council Judge Abdul Sattar Bayraktar said in an interview for "Alsumaria News", "The Federal Court issued early March this, clarification on the interpretation of its decision to link independent bodies under the chairmanship of Minister at the request of the President of Parliament Osama Najafi," asserting that "the explanation issued is to explain the interpretation of the previous report on the resolution."

Bayraktar said that "clarity is not a retreat from the Federal Court decision earlier as some pictures," adding that "the decision to link independent bodies has been approved by all members of the Federal Court."

The Iraqi Council of Representatives considered, on Tuesday, in a statement issued by the Information Office of the President Osama Najafi received "Alsumaria News", a copy of that clarification of the Federal Supreme Court on the interpretation of its decision to link independent bodies under the chairmanship of Minister is a retreat from its earlier decision, noting that the explanation emphasized to respect the provisions of the Constitution of independent bodies linking the House of Representatives or the prime minister with an emphasis on independence professionally and administratively and financially.

The Federal Supreme Court confirmed in a book and part, in the first month of March, the Iraqi Council of Representatives that the decision issued on 18 January is the same resolution of the ninth of June 2006, has stressed the independence of the bodies of the aspects of professional, administrative, financial, As pointed out that the bodies which were not foreseen at the Constitution relate to the point of its terms of reference determined by the nature of the tasks that you make, noting in this regard to the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister of the State administration, ministries and departments not associated with the Ministry.

The Federal Supreme Court issued a decision, in January 18 last, provides for attachment to independent bodies referred to in the Iraqi constitution, prime minister directly, not under the chairmanship of the House of Representatives, and the decision came following a request by the Office of the Prime Minister to the Federal Court on 2 December of the year the past, to show a link.

The president of the Iraqi Council of Representatives Osama Najafi, last February, the decision a threat to the Iraqi constitution, and unveiled several measures to be taken to determine the relationship between the legislative, executive and judiciary and independent bodies.

And raised the resolution widespread criticism of the political blocs, where he described the Kurdistan Alliance, "is successful", adding that it could dilute the independence of these bodies, also considered the Iraqi List, that decision was a coup against the Constitution, a claim the presidency of the Council of Representatives and leaders of political blocs to take a firm stand to protect democracy in Iraq, urged the Iraqi Central Bank as one of independent bodies, the Federal Supreme Court to issue a decision Illustration of the first resolution.

The text of the law set in 2004 by the American civil administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer, the independence of the central bank, the Bank was granted the task of ensuring price stability in the home and building a stable financial system and competitive market-based view to promote sustainable growth in Iraq.

The Council stressed that the decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court is binding on all authorities, not subject to appeal any of them does not solve, or reset other people, pointing out that each party to consider the decisions of the Federal Court from the perspective of partisan or personal interests.

http://www.alsumarianews.com/ar/1/18...-details-.html

Federal Supreme Court: Obligation to respect the provisions of the Constitution explicitly linking the independent

Issued a Federal Supreme Court and at the request of former President of the Council of Representatives resolution interpretative number 21 / federal / 2011 which raised the occurrence of the ambiguity in its decision to select a link and reference independent bodies where the court confirmed the necessity of respecting explicit provisions of the Constitution binds independent bodies the House of Representatives or Council of Ministers, with an emphasis on the independence of these bodies professionally and administratively and financially.

http://parliament.iq/Iraqi_Council_o...tails&sid=4217

Council support the Iraqi relations - Kuwait sets five-year plan to resolve outstanding problems and Kuwaiti investment in Iraq

Public opinion: launched by the Cabinet to support the Iraqi relations - Kuwait in its new period of five years to come, an ambitious work plan E to resolve the outstanding problems between Albuldik like the search for remains of missing Kuwaitis and the martyrs of Iraq, and encourage Wallace Tosmar Kuwait in Mesopotamia, as well as to search for Kuwaiti property.

He apologized a number of council members during a press conference moderated by Director of journalists Adnan Rashid on Thursday evening at the Regency from Kuwait, the leadership and people and the Government of the invasion of Saddam's regime remnants of the country, and said: «We were a victim of one of the hangman one».
And hoped «extend a hand of tolerance and acceptance of an apology Iraqi and non-excavation in the past», arguing that the cacophony outside Squadron flying from both sides and calling for the strained relations between the two should not be relied upon to understand a few subversive ».

The members called «Kuwaiti investments to invest in and rebuild Iraq, especially with its need for more than $ 700 billion for the reconstruction of infrastructure, in addition to its need for more than 3 million units and said: Do as the reconstruction of Iraq and take advantage of constructing».

And confirmed the former judge and prosecutor Jaafar al-Moussawi said «the security of Kuwait undoubtedly means the security of Iraq and Iraq's security means the security of Kuwait», calling on God to make the two countries in security and safety.

In response to a question for the «opinion» on the legislation issued by the Iraqi side for the protection of foreign investments to encourage the investors said : «Do as Biammarha and benefit from reconstruction», pointing out that he «was emphasized to Mr. Ali Al Rais that we are ready to adopt any topic Kuwait on investment in Iraq and to facilitate his work and we will be cured through our work in Parliament and government oversight on our part to overcoming any difficulties for the investor under Kuwaiti law ».

In a question about parliamentary relations Kuwait - Iraq said al-Moussawi said «parliamentary work is different from government work, we as parliamentarians are monitoring the work of governments, but this does not preclude the existence of cooperation», adding that they «would meet the President of the Kuwaiti National Assembly Jassem Al-Kharafi and we will bring him to form a joint committee for everything related to the Iraqi side - Kuwaiti Committee affords independence from the state commissions from both sides and help in the work of government commissions and facilitate the work ».

For his part, expressed Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Iraq, Dr. Fawzi Atrushi «full readiness for the launch of a joint cooperation with the Kuwaiti side and work to address the outstanding issues between the two countries», calling for «deepen mutual relations dimensions of cultural, social, economic and investment», and said: «We feel that Iraq gate wide open for Kuwait, as Kuwait is in the same regard ».

The Atrushi «personal apology for what he has done this dictator against the Kuwaiti people», hoping to «accept an apology from the Kuwaiti side of tolerance», saying «the impossibility of renewed war between the two countries are moving or that any military force against Kuwait».

The Atrushi in response to a question to a journalist about how to confront and address the Iraqi Ministry of Culture of votes anomalies which strained relations between the two countries, said that «there are six thousand Iraqi journalist, almost representing the Ministry of Information Baathist dissolved in Iraq and those separated from working career and are given their salaries are not drawn into the decision-making positions ».
There may be voices Nhaz remnants of the Baathists, not counting on this sound to the flight outside the flock, and do not represent the sound of the new Iraqi voice, but they are surrounded by a logical and intellectually, pointing out that «the media, Iraq is open and there is a separation between media and culture».

He said «I am convinced that the apology act civilized, but it must be tolerated by the other party».

For his part, said the Chairman of the Investment Committee in the Iraqi Council of Representatives member, Dr. Salman Mohsin Salman «We have come to encourage Kuwaiti investments in Iraq, which needs to be more than $ 700 billion for the reconstruction of infrastructure and then we encourage investment from neighboring countries and we Kprlman Iraq is prepared to overcome various obstacles and conduct a study on the investment law and are trying to address several issues, especially in the area of investment, especially with the need of Iraq for more than 3 million housing units », adding that« the situation in Iraq is good and there are Turkish, Korean and Chinese entered the investment and we hope to enter the Kuwaiti companies strongly ».

He said the deputy in the Iraqi Council of Representatives Engineer Aba'bas Saadi in his response to questions from journalists, the culmination of the visit of His Highness the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al- Iraq and the state visit of President Nouri al-Maliki of Kuwait has been the formation of a committee at the level of foreign ministers of the two countries would meet during the month of March to discuss and address the outstanding issues between two countries, which is considered one of the duties of governments not directly solve civil society organizations », saying that« the Kuwaiti and Iraqi sides extensive goodwill in this regard ».

For his part, the President of the Council support the relations of Kuwait - Iraq on the Kuwaiti side Hamoud al-Khalidi told the «opinion» that «the Council has achieved a number of Iraqi and Kuwaiti sides to facilitate the research mission of prisoners and the remains of the martyrs and also search in the case of property of nationals in Iraq, where it was to reach agreements satisfactory to all parties have been identified the sources of such property and determine the names of owners and the search for documents and to identify ways to recover », pointing to the« cooperation Kabirmen the Iraqi side in this regard ».

He said «we chose to stay away from the media, although the council established since 2005 to ITSAM the nature of allergies and reactions, and then felt some delays in the formation of this Council», pointing out that «the Council held a large number of seminars, media and cultural rights in Iraq, where he held a symposium on the anniversary of Saddam's invasion conference was held and great oratory festival in the Mansour Hotel in Baghdad and the Kuwaiti flag and singing the national anthem for the first time apologized as a large number of Iraqi officials from Saddam's invasion of Kuwait ».

The Khalidi «We have many joint ventures with the Iraqi side and we are invited and receive precipitant Iraqi officials, decision-makers both at the grassroots level or official», explaining that «there are no restrictions on joining the Council of everyone who sees himself as able to serve in this area he can join us and already A large number of political leaders and social, academic and cultural past and present to the Council is bound by the Kuwaiti side ».

And select the Director of journalists Adnan Rashed Council's objectives to support the Iraqi relations - Kuwait on many points such as building bridges of cooperation between the two countries and create a mechanism for understanding brotherly joint and also help to remove the effects of the invasion Saddam's brutal of Kuwait, in addition to supporting the joint cooperation and focus on the rights of Kuwaiti and delivering them to the community Iraq, in addition to bringing the views and trapping any difference arises due to the media or other authorities, pointing out that «the council is made up of many members from both sides Kuwaiti - Iraqi and take the Kuwaiti side, Mr. Hamoud al-Khalidi The Iraqi side Vitolah Dr Abdul Rahim Al Rifai».

http://www.marsadiraq.com/strategy-i...-11-12-28.html