Thread: Iraq/Dinar News. before Febuary 2nd 2006

Dhi Qar-Italy : to receive a delegation representing the administrative units

(Voice of Iraq) - 22-01-2007
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Italy : to receive a delegation representing the administrative units of Dhi Qar


Nasiriyah News Network / Fadel Khagani :

A delegation representing the municipal council in the district market Senate and Shatrah, Chabaish, the donkey and some towns in the province of Dhi Qar to Italy for the purpose of engaging in one of the courses built there, and confirmed member of the council of the province of Dhi Qar, Al-Haj Haidar Kryosh that a delegation representing the 20th and the administrative unit in the province, under the chairmanship of Mr. Mohammad Bahdaly member of the Provincial Assembly for the purpose of participating in the session built in Italy for a period of fifteen days starting from January 19, 2007, which aims to develop the competencies of participants on the process of supervision and management of construction projects in the governorate.

It is noteworthy that the Dhi Qar (350 km south of Baghdad), which is one of the cities oil-rich universal suffering since the era of Saddam's regime of the significant deterioration in the area of public services, and the governments of Iraq, which was formed after 2003 did not come something new to the city and keep the city has been suffering from many of the environmental problems and service and the inability of many of the members of the Provincial Assembly to remedy the lack of expertise sometimes and the lack of a corporate construction efficient at other times, in addition financial corruption rampant in some circles service task.

Iraqi Economy Restoration Remains Hopeful After Evaluation

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The U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Business Transformation, Paul A. Brinkley, held a press conference concerning the status of the Iraqi economy at the Combined Press Information Center in the International Zone Thursday afternoon.
"The United States seeks to partner with the government of Iraq to create a stable, secure, peaceful, free-market, prospering society, founded on democratic principles, employment, and the promise of economic prosperity being delivered to the Iraqi people, is a key element of that overall strategy," said Brinkley.

During the press conference, Brinkley expressed his views on the overall situation of Iraq's economic capabilities and the overall strategy on how to improve, or "kickstart," certain key facilities needed in Iraq.

"We came with a set of expectations that essentially expected to find a Soviet-style, older industrial base." he said. "From the very beginning we have found a more complex situation - factories that in many cases had very modern equipment, modern automation that manufactured goods that could be competitive in a world market and, in many cases, some factories that, in fact, are not positioned to be competitive but did employ large numbers of the Iraqi people."

"Our intent is to get these factories started, re-employ the Iraqi people, create viable enterprises that have customers, that make goods and deliver services that can then be engaged by private-sector investors," he said.

One of the issues Brinkley addressed was where to start the revitalization of the Iraqi economy through the already existing factories which employed the Iraqi population before the war.

"Of the factories we've looked at so far, we have prioritized, American vernacular, our top 10 list of where we want to focus initially," Brinkley said. "They're geographically distributed, they employ the most people the fastest, and they also have the fewest constraints to being able to go back into full production, which means the investment up front is relatively low."

"Under $10 million for those first ten factories," he said.

Brinkley also addressed some of the methods in which these factories would be restored.

"This is kind of the process we see: stimulating demand where we can through direct U.S. government contracts, as appropriate - through the normal process, transparent competitive process - but then also bringing outside industry in and re-forging intra-Iraqi business relationships," he said. "All these factories had customers in Iraq, and recreating those relationships and links serves as a unifying force in the country."

Approximately 200 factories in Iraq served significantly to the country's economy by employing hundreds of thousands of Iraqi citizens. Brinkley is not expecting instantaneous results, however, with evaluation and assessment through various teams from the United Nations and other organizations, he feels confident that restarting the factories will restore employment "fairly quickly."

Brinkley was also fascinated about the innovative people who ran the factories.

"One of the most interesting things we've learned is that in almost every factory we visited, there were some extremely savvy business people who used to run these factories," he said.

Brinkley, however, mentioned some of the constraints which hindered the potential of getting some of the factories up and running again.

"I find in many cases businessmen who are just ready to get their factory running again if we could just get power restored or secure their supply of raw material or secure their shipment of finished goods, or generate demand for them," he said. "They just want that, and they can take care of it from there."

The overall economic situation in Iraq is hopeful and full of potential. The constraints that hinder restoration are currently being dealt with.

The allocation of U.S. funds is going to support activities with restoration of sewer, water, and electricity, Brinkley said. "That continues to be a huge undertaking."

"We'll be constantly assessing and reporting" on the restoration of employment, he said.


Iraqi Economy Restoration Remains Hopeful After Evaluation | Iraq Updates

Iraqi dinar surges despite violence, economic hardships
By Mustafa al-Hashemi
22 January 2007 (Azzaman)
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The Iraqi currency is appreciating vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar but economists warn the surge in value may further increase economic hardships.

The dinar has risen to nearly 1,200 to the dollar from about 1,500. The U.S. currency has been retreating against almost all major currencies but government officials see its decline in Iraq as a sign of economic well-being.

Baghdad University economists said they did not share the government’s optimism.
The surge in the dinar’s value is bound to make life more difficult for low-income categories such as pensioners and a large portion of civil servants, they said.
Unless the government increases salaries the dinar’s surge will make life more difficult for these categories as risk of inflation increase.
They said the government’s economic polices had nothing to do with the recent rise in the dinar’s value.
The surge of currencies against the dollar is a global phenomenon due to the decline in the value of the U.S. currency.
Civil servants, security personnel and other government employees now get meaningful salaries compared to those under former leader Saddam Hussein.
Minimum a civil servant now gets is $250. Under Saddam maximum average salary was equivalent to $5.
The proposed budget for 2007 which the parliament is still deliberating is estimated at $47 billion which the economists say is reasonable in the light of the country’s current conditions.
The budget figures might have helped the dinar a bit, they said, but they warned drastic surges in the value of the currency could be as detrimental as drastic declines.
Traders in Baghdad did not hide their worries about the hike in the currency’s value which has forced some of them to slash prices.
Mohammed Salman said he was now selling at a loss since the dinar’s he collects at current reduced prices will not help him recoup the cost in dollars.
However, other traders said they were less concerned about currency gyrations than security.
Subhi Ashour, another Baghdad trader, attributed the current economic hardships mainly to the lack of security.
“The prices of almost all goods in the country are mostly now determined by security conditions, particularly transport fees,” he said.
The country’s economic instability is blamed on the mounting violence. The country’s roads are very dangerous, preventing free movement of people and goods.

CBI DON'T SHOW 1200 - WHAT THE HECK??? STREET VALUE??? DON'T THINK SO!!

Interview with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani
Al-Hayat - 22/01/07//

Damascus - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani looked comfortable at the al-Shaab Palace in Damascus. The Syrian capital, which received him when he was an opponent of the Saddam Hussein regime, received him this time as the President of Iraq. Syria stressed its commitment to support the efforts to bring about security and stability in his country.

It was clear that Talabani's visit, following his visit to Tehran last year, aims to create a regional atmosphere that helps the Iraqi authorities curb the rampant violence in the country that threatens an internecine civil war, that is, if the war has not already started.

'Al-Hayat' asked the Iraqi president about US President George Bush's new strategy and the new security plan of the Nouri al-Maliki government. He was asked about the civil war, the death squads, al-Qaeda attacks, the Iraqis' concerns about the unity of their country, debaathification, the execution of former President Saddam Hussein, and regional files, which include his attempts to arrange meetings between the Iranians and the Americans. President Talabani had a heart-to-heart conversation within the timeframe set for the interview.



The following is the full transcript of the interview, which was conducted by Ghassan Charbel, Al-Hayat editor-in chief and Ibrahim Hamidi, head of 'Al-Hayat' office in Syria.

Al-Hayat: What does the president of Iraq feel when he reads, for example, that the Baghdad morgue received 16,000 bodies during 2006 or that the number of deaths has reached 34,000?
President Jalal Talabani: He feels great pain, disappointment and sorrow over the security measures that were taken. At the same time, he feels resentment toward the terrorist organizations, especially al-Qaeda, which is committing crimes indiscriminately as though it were waging a war of extermination against the Iraqi people. They neither scruple nor respect Islam or the laws of war. For example, the crime of the day before yesterday: the explosion of two car bombs in Al-Mustansiriya University, in which more than 70 students were killed. Those students could have been Arab Sunnis or Shiites, Turkmen, Kurds, Christians or Muslims. This is a crime, not resistance. Resistance, as we have seen all over the world, targets the occupation and government forces. But here it is targeting innocent civilians. I have a statistic: the number of Arab Shiite deaths outnumbers that of Arab Sunnis and Kurds. In the past year, about 34,000 civilians have been killed. This is a form of genocide against the Iraqi people, carried out by people who came from outside Iraq. Sometime ago, it was announced that 4000 of the foreign invaders were killed. They were considered martyrs, of course. We believe that this number is small. This indicates that there are people vying for Iraq. Such vying has a known objective. Al-Qaeda has announced that the Shiites are Rafidites (refers in a derogatory way to those who reject legitimate Islamic authority and leadership); therefore, it is legitimate to kill them. It has also announced that the Kurds are traitors; therefore, it is permissible to kill them, and that the Arab Sunnis, who do not follow them, are apostates whose punishment is also known. It has even announced that the members of Tareq Al-Hashemi's Iraqi Islamic Party, which is the strongest Sunni Arab organization, are apostates. In fact, this is a declaration of war on the Iraqi people.

Al-Hayat: Mr. President, are you afraid that there will be no way out of this situation?
President Jalal Talabani: No, I believe there is a way out. I believe there is an inconsistency on both the Iraqis and the coalition forces sides. Until this moment - or to be accurate - until the beginning of this year, the security file has been entrusted to the coalition forces, and the Iraqi side has had a consultative role. Now the situation has been reversed. The security file was handed over to the Iraqis, and the Supreme Commander of the Iraqi forces, Nouri al-Maliki, has become the supreme leader, and there are Iraqi forces under his command. I think this inconsistency is now over and, we, as Iraqis, can assume our role in achieving security and stability. We are aware of the Iraqi situation better than the coalition forces. For example, when the coalition forces would purge an area of terrorists, they would leave the area and after a few days the terrorists would come back again. But we do not leave the area after purging it. Instead, we hand it over to its people or put government forces or police stations in it. We also rely on the people in the liberated areas and the areas that were plagued with terrorism. Besides, I think we have a more accurate plan which we all have contributed to. There are accurate observations from many parties to complete the security plan in Baghdad. I believe that this plan has a chance of 80% or 90% for success. I am not saying 100%. After that, there is the political mood. I will be frank with you: everybody thought that fighting is no longer a means of achieving their goals. The resistance, or those who call themselves the Iraqi resistance against the occupation forces, has begun to feel that these actions do not lead to what they were aiming for, and thus, they began to accept the principle of reconciliation, of course in a gradual way, not all at once. There is another good development: Iran and Syria have begun to help the Iraqi government in a good manner. Here in Syria, I found full support from President Bashar al-Assad and the brothers for the security and stability in Iraq. They said that Iraq's security and stability is essential to Syria, because the disease may later spread. This is an important development. Good agreements have been inked between the two ministers of Interior. These agreements will be implemented, God willing. Joint cooperation committees will be formed. We also have the Syrian-Iraqi Supreme Committee, which consists of the two countries' prime ministers. We decided to revive this committee and continue the joint work in this area. Besides, the people of the regions afflicted by terrorist acts or resistance have begun to feel that they have fallen behind in construction and progress. The terrorism-stricken provinces, for instance, cannot get the $500 million annual aid allocated to them by the State. The secure provinces spend $500 million on construction and the bare necessities, while the terrorism- or riot-stricken provinces cannot get these funds and, consequently, the people remain in need. This affects the schools, hospitals and universities. The peoples of the terrorism-plagued areas have begun to practically resist the terrorists. In certain areas, the people are completely ready to work with the government forces to put a lid on terrorist acts. This is a good phenomenon. On the other hand, I would like to say there is a change in the mindset of almost all the Sunni community, or part of it, as well as in the mindset of those who claim to be from the resistance. They now believe that Iran is the main danger, not the Americans. Therefore, they must agree to a sort of truce with the existing coalition forces. They have already started secret negotiations with the Americans. We can confirm that the overall atmosphere in Iraq helps in finding a possible way out of the crisis, especially if the current government succeeds in implementing the plan in Baghdad, because the Baghdad Plan encompasses a wide area. Baghdad is not a small town. It is now a vast area where seven million Iraqis live. If security is achieved in Baghdad, it will be easy to achieve security in other areas.

Al-Hayat: Does this mean that you expect the new strategy, announced by President George W. Bush, to succeed?
President Jalal Talabani: I have not been briefed on all the details of the new strategy, but I think that such a strategy is better than previous ones and is more consistent with the Iraqi reality and expectations. Hence, there is a possibility of further cooperation between the Iraqi and coalition forces. I think that the prospect of success of this strategy is higher than any previous one.

Al-Hayat: Honestly speaking, are you afraid to wake up one day to a US decision to withdraw from Iraq?
President Jalal Talabani: I want to be frank with you on this subject. I do not expect the Americans to withdraw without specific circumstances or conditions. I have even contacted several members in the opposition Democrat Party. I met with former President Bill Clinton, his Vice-President, Al Gore, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, Senator Biden, and many Americans and even presidential candidates. I found them determined not to leave Iraq without achieving tangible results. It is true that the Democrats are opposed to the tactics of President Bush, but they have ideas in some areas that are closer to the Iraqi ideas than the aforementioned ones. For example, they have always called for handing over the security file to the Iraqi government, and this is what we had called for, in order to put further responsibilities on the Iraqi government. I would like to tell you the second part of the opinion: if the Americans withdraw before achieving national reconciliation, I am afraid that the internal Shiite-Sunni conflict will be heightened. I think that the ruling forces now have the popular support and the troops, if you may call them armed forces. They have more than what the coalition forces have. For example, the current government's parties can recruit hundreds of thousands of combatants, but we are only concerned about the fact that a civil war might break out in this case.

The Civil War

Al-Hayat: Can we not say that Iraq today is witnessing a civil war?
President Jalal Talabani: No, there is no civil war. Civil war means, as you know, and as you saw in Lebanon, that a community fights against a community. There are members of a community fighting with members of another community; therefore, it is not a civil war. Now the Sunni community is not fighting the Shiite community, and the Shiite community is not fighting the Sunni community. I do agree that some members of the Shiite community are breaking the law. They are carrying out assassinations and kidnappings. These actions are rejected and condemned by the top Shiite authorities. His Eminence Al-Sistani has publicly called for disarming all non-government (parties), deactivating the militias, and enforcing the law. This is a decree from the Ayatollah. There is also a determination from the main forces in the Shiite community to improve relations with the main forces in the Sunni community. I want to say that there is a consensus between the Iraqi Islamic Party, the Kurdistan Alliance, and the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq and, to some extent, with the Da'wa Party. We want to bring together all the forces that believe in moderation and not impose one sect on another, so that we can become a real force that imposes security and stability in Iraq. So, relations still exist between strong groups in the Shiite community with the Sunni community. Consequently, what is being done by gangs from the two sides do not reflect the opinion of the people.

There is another point I would like to clarify: the structure of the Iraqi society does not allow a civil war. For instance, the major Iraqi tribes are half Shiite and half Sunni. Given the ethnically diverse areas, in addition to the historical and intermarriage relations, the factors of a civil war in Iraq do not exist.

Al-Hayat: There are reports of ethnic cleansing operations in Baghdad!
President Jalal Talabani: Yes, there are assassinations, kidnappings and cleansing and displacement operations. These are condemned operations. Some extremists from the Sunni Arabs living abroad, such as Sheikh Dhari and others, always claim that there is a war against Sunnis, and that the Sunnis are being killed. But the fact is that those who are being killed in Iraq are Sunnis and Shiites. Between 01/01/2006 and 20/11/2006, the number of deaths reached 20,101 people, including 15,522 Shiites, or 77%. Sunni martyrs amounted to 2138, or 11%. Unidentified Kurdish, Christian and Muslim victims reached 2441, or 12%. The number of injured rose to 17,360, including 15,320 Arab Shiites, or 88%, 1848 Arab Sunnis, or 11%, and others, 1192, making only 1%. This means that everyone is suffering from injustice: both the Shiites and the Sunnis are being killed. There is no war against the Sunnis, as some claim. Those who are killed are from the Shiites and the Sunnis. This does not mean that there are no Shiite gangs killing the Sunnis. We, as a government, decided to impose the law on everyone, not allow any militia to violate the law, and not allow any actions to be carried out by the militias. We will resist them by force. The Iraqi government gave clear orders to the armed forces to strike at any force violating the law, whether it be Shiite, or Sunni or Kurdish Arab.

Al-Hayat: There is the problem of the militants' infiltration into the security services. It is reported that the death squads have infiltrated into the security agencies. Will this problem be solved?
President Jalal Talabani: Yes, I agree. Let us be frank, we have no full control over the intelligence. The Iraqi intelligence has been fully controlled by the coalition forces up until now. Yes, there is infiltration in the police forces. From the outset, police forces have been inadequately recruited. The US officer in charge of police recruitment has recruited people indiscriminately, namely, without information about the persons, under the pretext of equality and the elimination of unemployment. Consequently, we now have people from different trends. Infiltration is not from one party, but from different parties. Each party tried to install some of its followers in the police, so there are infiltrations in the police forces. This year, the new interior minister has purged more than 4000 policemen and officers from the existing troops. We feel a serious infiltration and we seek to eliminate it quickly.

The Debaathification

Al-Hayat: Do you think the Debaathification Committee was a mistake that has further distanced the Sunni Arabs from the new ruling system?
President Jalal Talabani: I wrote my opinion in the 'Al-Ittihad' newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. I said that it was a mistake, which started by choosing its name, debaathification. Why this name? It would have been better if it were called: 'Removing Saddamism', not uprooting, because there are two Baaths: one in Iraq, the Arab Socialist Baath Party (the Iraq Command), which had fought alongside us and was one of the political parties of the National Front that was formed in Syria. It was one of the parties which offered the martyrs. It was with us in the mountains and gullies in Iraq. Second, a large part of the Baathists have been forced to register their names in the Baath Party, on the grounds that you could not be accepted at a university or become a teacher or a police officer unless you were admitted to the Baath. Apart from that, we, as a government and parties, have showed no hostility toward the Baath, but rather against the criminals who have committed crimes. So far, no one has been arrested in Iraq on a charge of belonging to the Baath, but there are criminals who have committed crimes. There is a tendency now to abrogate the Debaathification Committee and leave the matter to the judiciary.

Al-Hayat: So we can quote you as calling for dissolving the Debaathification Committee?
President Jalal Talabani: There is another point: all the Iraqi forces do not want to benefit from the efficiencies of Baathists, such as university professors, doctors and lecturers. In spite of debaathification, thousands of Baathists, who are included in this law, have been exempted from this article and were reinstated in their jobs and in the government. I want to add something: after Saddam Hussein's execution, I do not think the Baathists are any longer under the impression that they will return to power. There was a notion that Saddam might cooperate with the Americans and, thus, they would put him back in power, or that Arab States would apply pressure. This notion is now over. On the other hand, those who have suffered from the crimes of Saddam Hussein felt that they recovered part of their rights. Thus, they have no right now to exaggerate in this regard. So I think there is room to settle the issue of debaathification and to turn over a new leaf with the Baathists, who accept democracy and the peaceful approach, and refuse to fight against the current government.

Reassuring the Sunnis

Al-Hayat: How can the Sunnis be reassured, regardless of the federal project proposed for the South? How can they be reassured that the oil wealth will be fairly distributed?
President Jalal Talabani: First, I would like to correct the point about Sunnis. You focused on Sunni Arabs, we are also Sunni. Of course, Islam does not discriminate. Sunnism means that there are Sunni Turkomen, Sunni Arabs and Sunni Kurds. Let us first talk about the structure of the Iraqi government: how many Sunnis and Shiites are in it? In the presidency, for example, there is Daik Al-Mukhlis (Sunni), Tareq Al-Hashemi (Sunni) and Hafiz Abdul Mahdi (Shiite). There is only one Shiite out of three. In the Iraqi cabinet, there is the Prime Minister (Shiite), Dr. Barham Salih (Sunni) and Dr. Salam Al-Zobai (Sunni). Also two Sunnis and one Shiite. In Parliament, the speaker is Sunni, his first deputy is Shiite and his second deputy is Sunni. So, the percentage of Sunnis in the three presidency councils, as well as the ministries, is high. On the other hand, in terms of the distribution of wealth, regrettably, there is a kind of ambiguity concerning this issue. The Constitution clearly explains this issue in Articles 110, 111 and 112. Article 111 of the Constitution stipulates that oil is a national public wealth and it is used by the Central State. Article 112 stipulates that oil is a national public wealth in the new areas where drillings are taking place, and there is a joint management of this wealth between the central government and the regions, in order to overcome all the disturbances, because it exists in many areas. For example, in the Kirkuk Oil Company in the North, among 15,000 workers and employees there are 450 Kurdish workers. Is this reasonable? There must be some kind of equality between the employees. Besides, the cities of Basra and Amarah are deprived of drinking water, is this reasonable? Then, there is no disagreement over the distribution. The oil revenues are part of the general budget of the Iraqi State, how should they be distributed? I think there is a fair agreement. The distribution must be carried out in accordance with population and the needs of the regions. The wealth that comes from oil goes to the general budget. This wealth is distributed in line with the number of people in the provinces and their needs. The wealth is public and is distributed to all regions, including the Arab Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish areas.

The Constitution and the Fatwa (Religious Ruling)

Al-Hayat: Some Arab Sunnis say that the country is not governed by the Constitution, but rather by the highly-respected fatwas of Sayyed Ali al-Sistani?
President Jalal Talbani: Let me be frank with you. I described Sayyed al-Sistani as a blessing from God for Iraq. Sayyed Al-Sistani is a notable cleric who is very keen on Iraq's security and stability. He is playing a role in preventing differences from turning into a civil war. When an explosion near the Imam Ali shrine took place, killing His Eminence Mohamed Baker al-Hakim, many sentiments were raised, but they were curbed by the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution and Eminence Sayyed al-Sistani. Also, when the Al-Askari shrines in Samaraa were bombed, it was seen as a humiliation to the Shiite sanctities. Who could curb these feelings? It was Sayyed al-Sistani. In fact, Sayyed al-Sistani does not interfere in the small affairs and details. He always gives fatwas on general matters. Until now, all the fatwas he issued have served Iraq's security and stability. He always insists on showing respect for the rights of the Sunni Arabs and equality among citizens. Let us talk about the ruling system. It is true that the Constitution has given the ruling to the majority, but in addition to this, we have an agreement that the governing must be by compromise and participation of the other forces. We formed the Political Council for National Security, which comprises the three presidencies and the heads of parliamentary blocs. This council works on the basis of consensus. The government we formed must be a government of real partnership between the main segments of the Iraqi society: Sunni Arabs, Shiite Arabs, Kurds and other participants in the government. So, from the legal point of view, Sunni Arabs are not excluded from the government. However, I admit that this principle has not been adequately applied. We are about to establish a mechanism for the application of this principle in a way that satisfies everyone. For example, among the measures we have taken is the formation of a small panel in the Council of Ministers, which comprises all the key players. We are considering the formation of another committee to oversee the implementation of the agreements that have been signed and ensure the rights of Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds and the Arabs and their participation in the government. I believe that no one can impose totalitarianism on Iraq. In other words, Iraq cannot be ruled only by the Shiites or the Sunnis. The situation of Iraq requires consensus and participation from everybody.

Al-Hayat: President Bush talked about confronting the Iranian and Syrian networks within Iraq. Can you tell me whether the Iranian-US relations are developing into confrontation in and outside Iraq?
President Jalal Talalbani: You remember when President Bush himself said in his meeting with Mr. Nouri al-Maliki that Iraq has the right to hold dialogue with its neighbors, Syria and Iran, to solve its problems and the security issue. Indeed, we do not want the Iranian-US relations to develop into a conflict in Iraq. On the contrary, we have exerted efforts to bring about a US-Iranian agreement or understanding for a joint action for the security and stability in Iraq. I will relate two incidents: during my visit to Iran last year, we agreed with the Iranians on a three-pronged meeting between Iran, the US and Iraq to restore security and stability in Iraq. When I came back, I briefed the US Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, on the visit's result. After consulting with Washington, he accepted the meeting. The Iranians' condition was that the meeting should be held in secret, away from the media. We agreed on the date and the venue of the meeting. The US Ambassador arrived in the place one day before the date, but the Iranians canceled the meeting, because the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, disclosed the meeting before Congress.

Al-Hayat: Where the meeting was supposed to be held?
President Jalal Talalbani: In Iraqi Kurdistan, Dokan; but this is only half of the truth. Let me tell you the second half. After the period of His Eminence Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, the leader of the United Iraqi Alliance and SCIRI, the Iranians called for resuming the dialogue with the US on Iraq. I, too, supported this call and appealed to the brothers in Iran, who accepted, as well as the American friends. The Iranian foreign minister came to Baghdad and we discussed the matter with him and we agreed on a specific place for the meeting. They asked me to attend the first session and I accepted. The Americans asked to convene the meeting after forming the Iraqi government, for the deliberations were still underway, but the Iranians frowned and considered the delay as procrastination, and so they called off the dialogue. That is to say, the Americans delayed (the dialogue) once and the Iranians delayed it once. Well, we exerted efforts to bring the Americans and the Iranians together to resolve the differences over Iraq away from the long-running US-Iranian dispute.

Al-Hayat: Are these efforts still ongoing?
President Jalal Talabani: Yes, we are still trying. I will tell you a secret: during my recent visit to Tehran I discussed the issue with the Iranian officials, who expressed their willingness to meet with the Americans. However, they have officially announced that if the Americans express their willingness we will be ready to meet with them to discuss the issue of security in Iraq and resolve the other problems.

Al-Hayat: Does this mean that there are talks over the other issues?
President Jalal Talabani: Yes. The Iranians have shown flexibility in this regard. I testify that they said they are ready to come to an agreement with the US over the area from Afghanistan through Lebanon, and that they are prepared to negotiate in order to achieve results that are satisfactory for both sides.

Al-Hayat: Did President Bashar al-Assad ask you to convey a message to the Americans?
President Jalal Talabani: No, he has not until now.

Al-Hayat: Are you going to see him again during your visit?
President Jalal Talabani: Of course; the last meeting that will crown the other meetings will take place soon, God willing.

Al-Hayat: Being an old friend of Syria, did you feel that there is a possibility of a breakthrough between Washington and Damascus?
President Jalal Talabani: Yes, I think that there is a need for this. Therefore, to this end, we will make efforts. Quite frankly, as Iraqis, we have an interest in seeing good Syrian-US relations and for no differences to be reflected on Iraqi territory. We also have an interest in seeing good US-Iranian relations and no conflicts be reflected on the Iraqi territories.

Al-Hayat: Is Syria also ready to discuss with the Americans the issue of Iraq, bilateral relations and the issue of Lebanon? Did you feel this as well as readiness from Iranian?
President Jalal Talabani: Frankly, I did not discuss this matter with His Excellency the President. But I think Syria accepts to discuss and negotiate on these issues.

The Execution of Saddam

Al-Hayat: Have you been informed of the date of the execution of Saddam Hussein?
President Jalal Talabani: No.

Al-Hayat: Who have informed you?
President Jalal Talabani: I heard it on the radio.

Al-Hayat: What was your first impression?
President Jalal Talabani: Let me tell you a story: I was one of the signatories to an international memo against the death penalty. At the same time, I am the Secretary General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which is an active member of the International Socialism, which is opposed to capital punishment. Therefore, until now, I have not signed any death sentence in Iraq. The death sentence on Saddam Hussein was in no need of the signature or approval of the President of the Republic. The decision is clear. Of course, I disapprove of death sentences and my stance is that executions should by replaced by life sentences. In my opinion, political and gradual death is better than quick death. But let me tell you one thing: the vast majority of the Kurdish people and the Iraqi Arab Shiites consider the execution of Saddam Hussein a celebration.

Al-Hayat: Did you visit Saddam in prison?
President Jalal Talabani: No.

Al-Hayat: Did he not send you a message? Was there any contact between you and Saddam during his stay in prison?
President Jalal Talabani: No. The late Barzan once sent me a message about his health. I appealed to the Prime Minister at the time, Ibrahim al-Jaafari. He was generous as he agreed to treat him in hospital. It was the only contact between us.

Al-Hayat: Did they tell you that Barzan's head was cut off during his execution?
President Jalal Talabani: I heard it on the radio, but I did not ask. For your knowledge, I am not a supporter, nor do I follow up on the executions.

Al-Hayat: Did you ask Syria to hand over specific names?
President Jalal Talabani: No, this issue is left to the Sub-Committee at the Interior Ministry in both countries.

Did you invite President Assad to visit Baghdad?
President Jalal Talabani: Yes, and I will formally invite him to visit Iraq.

There are reports that Baghdad gave Damascus a list of wanted men, such as Tahir Habbush, Mohamed Yunus and Izzat Ad-Douri…
President Jalal Talabani: Iraq only asks for the extradition of criminals or the fighters, but we can not ask Syria to hand over all the Iraqis living in Syria. There are 800,000 Iraqis in Syria, the majority of which are Baathists. We can ask for the extradition of all these people, but if some of them are accused of theft, for instance, there is a court decision. In connection with corruption cases, there are people accused of stealing money. Others are accused of committing heinous crimes. In this case, the Iraqi Interior Ministry asks the Syrian Interior Ministry to hand them over. We have an extradition treaty with Syria, but not on a political basis.

Al-Hayat: What about those accused of supporting terrorism?
President Jalal Talabani: In regard to those convicted of terrorism, we hope, of course, our brothers in Syria agree not to allow any person who exercises or encourages terrorism to be present in their country, because they are keen on the security and safety of Iraq, as we have been told, just as they are keen on the safety and security of Syria. Therefore, they cannot allow the presence of those who incite or orchestrate terrorist operations against Iraq.

Al-Hayat: Some security agreements were signed between Syria and Iraq in July 2004?
President Jalal Talabani: They had been written, but they were signed this time.

Al-Hayat: What makes you certain that these agreements will be implemented this time?
President Jalal Talabani: It is the political will of both countries' leaderships, plus what we have heard from President Bashar al-Assad.

Al-Hayat: Is it true that you asked for a change in the Syrian political discourse, namely, whenever a major terrorist operation takes place in Iraq, official authorities issue clear condemnation of these operations?
President Jalal Talabani: It did not go into such detail, but we asked for the Syrian political and media support for the march of democracy in Iraq and for the elected government. This is our demand. We do not interfere in this issue, because it is a Syrian internal affair.

Al-Hayat: Is there a difficulty in there being a Kurdish president in Iraq?
President Jalal Talabani: There is a joke about this subject. But let me tell you first how I became president. I ran for presidency only after the approval of the four political blocs: UIA, Accord Front, Iraqi List and the Kurdish Alliance. I told the press that I would not run for president if one of these blocs disapproved. This means that I got the unanimous, not the majority, approval for my election.

However, there is an Iraqi joke that says: 'We have not palaces, straw mats or papyrus. We only have oppression, injustice and, above all, a Kurdish President'.

The End Dar Al Hayat

Originally Posted by MrsCK

Iraqi dinar surges despite violence, economic hardships
By Mustafa al-Hashemi
22 January 2007 (Azzaman)
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The Iraqi currency is appreciating vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar but economists warn the surge in value may further increase economic hardships.

The dinar has risen to nearly 1,200 to the dollar from about 1,500. The U.S. currency has been retreating against almost all major currencies but government officials see its decline in Iraq as a sign of economic well-being.

Baghdad University economists said they did not share the government’s optimism.
The surge in the dinar’s value is bound to make life more difficult for low-income categories such as pensioners and a large portion of civil servants, they said.
Unless the government increases salaries the dinar’s surge will make life more difficult for these categories as risk of inflation increase.
They said the government’s economic polices had nothing to do with the recent rise in the dinar’s value.
The surge of currencies against the dollar is a global phenomenon due to the decline in the value of the U.S. currency.
Civil servants, security personnel and other government employees now get meaningful salaries compared to those under former leader Saddam Hussein.
Minimum a civil servant now gets is $250. Under Saddam maximum average salary was equivalent to $5.
The proposed budget for 2007 which the parliament is still deliberating is estimated at $47 billion which the economists say is reasonable in the light of the country’s current conditions.
The budget figures might have helped the dinar a bit, they said, but they warned drastic surges in the value of the currency could be as detrimental as drastic declines.
Traders in Baghdad did not hide their worries about the hike in the currency’s value which has forced some of them to slash prices.
Mohammed Salman said he was now selling at a loss since the dinar’s he collects at current reduced prices will not help him recoup the cost in dollars.
However, other traders said they were less concerned about currency gyrations than security.
Subhi Ashour, another Baghdad trader, attributed the current economic hardships mainly to the lack of security.
“The prices of almost all goods in the country are mostly now determined by security conditions, particularly transport fees,” he said.
The country’s economic instability is blamed on the mounting violence. The country’s roads are very dangerous, preventing free movement of people and goods.

CBI DON'T SHOW 1200 - WHAT THE HECK??? STREET VALUE??? DON'T THINK SO!!

I think it may be Kentucky windage math and just rounded the numbers...i.e. the rate for along time was around 1476 so they moved it to 1500 and now that the rate cracked the 1200's moved to an even 1200 for the purposes of this article IMO

Originally Posted by PAn8tv

I think it may be Kentucky windage math and just rounded the numbers...i.e. the rate for along time was around 1476 so they moved it to 1500 and now that the rate cracked the 1200's moved to an even 1200 for the purposes of this article IMO

NOW THAT IS A THOUGHT - BUT WOULDN'T THEY ROUND UP TO 1300? CBI IS CLOSER TO 1300 THEN 1200 - HMMMMM NOW MY BRAIN HURTS.

CHEERS ALL
CHRIS

Iraq’s new draft hydrocarbons law will pave the way for ’transparent and fair’ competition, oil minister says
1/22/2007 AP
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A new draft hydrocarbons law will pave the way for "transparent and fair" competition in bids to develop Iraq's oil wealth, the oil minister said Sunday as he seeks to restore the confidence of global oil companies in the national industry.

The oil minister, Hussain al-Shahristani, said that new oil fields will be added as new tenders will be issued according to this law for global oil companies.

"The competition will be transparent and fair and companies will be chosen according to their modern technological capabilities to guarantee the highest benefits for Iraqis," al-Shahristani said at a news conference. "We will not consider their nationalities and we will ignore any contract doesn't achieve the highest benefits."

Al-Shahristani refused to say how long the law will take to be approved by the parliament and did not release more details about the negotiating mechanisms the ministry will adopt for dealing with global companies.

The oil minister also cautioned that attacks against oil installations and employees were increasing, saying that 289 oil employees were killed over the past year and 179 others were wounded.

"The ministry is always suffering from these terrorist attacks. I call upon all honest people to cooperate with the oil ministry in order to find those who are attacking the employees of this sector and provide us with any related information," he said.

Insurgents have frequently targeted oil facilities, pipelines and employees, disrupting exports and efforts to modernize the industry.

The new law, if approved, is expected to encourage foreign oil companies with their huge investment clout and technology to quickly modernize Iraq's oil sector and meet the country's goal of doubling the current crude production of 2.5 million barrels per day by 2010.

The oil minister stressed that all Iraqis will share in the benefits amid concern by many Sunnis that they will lose out as the country's two chief oil region — in southern and northern Iraq — are dominated by Shiites and Kurds, who want regional control over oil production and revenues.

Iraq's Sunni Muslims and much of the Baghdad government want to maintain national control over Iraq's petroleum resources as was the case during former leader Saddam Hussein's Sunni-dominated regime.

"The constitution states that oil and gas are for all Iraqis in all provinces and regions and according to this conception we drafted this oil law to help promote Iraq's unity and prosperity of its people," he said.

Last Thursday, the ministry's spokesman Assem Jihad told The Associated Press that the law stresses that all oil revenues will go to a central fund, then will be distributed to all Iraqis in all regions and provinces according to their populations.

Jihad added that the law provided for all oil contracts signed by Saddam's regime or by the semiautonomous northern government of Kurdistan to be reviewed and amended if needed.

Iraq's proven oil reserves stand at about 115 billion barrels, the world's third largest after Saudi Arabia and Iran.

On a technical matter, al-Shahristani said that a new metering system to track oil and gas flows from Iraq's southern export ports has been fixed.

Iraq's economy has been severely weakened by oil smuggling to neighboring countries, a problem that could be checked in part by the presence of a metering system. The smuggling has created a fuel crisis that leads to occasional shortages even though Iraq is one of the world's leading producers of oil.

Some experts believe that oil smuggling may be funding Iraq's insurgency.

Iraq's new draft hydrocarbons law will pave the way for 'transparent and fair' competition, oil minister says

Originally Posted by MrsCK

NOW THAT IS A THOUGHT - BUT WOULDN'T THEY ROUND UP TO 1300? CBI IS CLOSER TO 1300 THEN 1200 - HMMMMM NOW MY BRAIN HURTS.

CHEERS ALL
CHRIS

1200 gives the appearance of a stronger economy and we know how much this group of people like to give the appearance that they are doing....ummmm...something

Safe areas of Iraq is an investment ready


في دعوة لرجال الأعمال الإماراتيينIn calling for businessmen Emiratis
بغداد ـ حيدر الربيعيBaghdad Haider spring
..Iraqi businessmen called their counterparts from the United Arab Emirates to invest in Iraq, especially in the sectors of industry, tourism, construction and construction, indicating that the security situation is not considered to impediment to such investments, especially in areas of stable security, ...

This came in the conference for the exchange of business between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates held in Dubai recently organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Iraq and the Iraqi private sector development sponsored by the American Development Agency, in cooperation with the Society of Anbar businessmen and the Chamber of Commerce of the Babylon province.
During the conference was the need for Iraq to put all types of investments at the present time, and the audience on the role of the UAE President in the process of bilateral trade noting that it represents a good model for the private sector.
The representatives of the trade bodies the Iraqi presentation of the nature of the work can be accomplished in the provinces they represent, as a full-Kilani, the former Iraqi Minister of Finance presentation on the investment environment in Iraq.
He dealt with the nature of the new Iraqi investment law, pointing out that the law has opened the doors to the various spheres of economic activity, indicating the shift of modern frameworks in this law to the private sector for the investment, Kilani said that the law approved free transfer of currency to and from Iraq, taking into account the international requirements for combating money laundering.
The (law) provided to investors long-term lease for the land they live consulted or asked them for a period of up to 50 years, with the given facilities in the mobility and access for investors. Note that the investment law, the operation of the labor demands of Iraq aimed at the elimination of unemployment.
For his part, the governor, Mamoun Sami Al Anbar presentation of the most important investment opportunities in the province, pointing to the availability of large tracts of agricultural investment, animal and food industries, as well as contain climates suitable places to set up industries cement, glass, ceramics, in addition to the phosphate industry, which have their raw materials in the province.
Elwan, and pointed to the existence of new projects under way in Anbar, including projects in infrastructure, environment and health and education services up to 150 projects and funding allocations by the government of the province, in an aggregate amount of up to $ 170 million.
Elwan, and reduced the volume of security disturbances in the government could maintain and emphasizing cooperation with the chieftains to provide security for projects in the governorate.

Do you fail to distribute oil derivatives new?





المواطنون يحذرون ويطالبون بتشديد الرقابةCitizens CAUTION AND DEMAND tightening control
بغداد - عماد الامارةBaghdad-Imad Principality
طالب عدد من المواطنين مجلس الوزراء بوضع حد لممارسات (مافيا) المشتقات النفطية التي تتصدى لكل آلية من شأنها تحقيق العدالة في توزيعها بين المواطنين وحملوا في احاديثهم لـ (الصباح) بعض المسؤولينA number of citizens, the Council of Ministers to put an end to the practices (Mafia) oil derivatives that address each mechanism would achieve justice in the distribution between citizens and carried in their conversations for (morning) some officials




في شركة توزيع المشتقات ومديري محطات تعبئة الوقود وبعض مسؤولي المجالس المحلية مسؤولية الالتفاف على الآلية الجديدة والتي يعتقدون انها الحل الامثل للتوزيع لولا تحايل هذه المافيات التي أدمنت الانتفاع من الازمات ودعوا مجلس الوزراء ووزارة النفط الى تشديد الرقابة وانجاح خطة توزيع المشتقات عن طريق البطاقة التموينية. وهو آخر الاجراءات التي اتخذتها وزارة النفط في محاولة منها لايصال المشتقات النفطية الى المواطنين...Distribution Company in derivatives and managers mobilize fuel stations and some officials of local councils responsibility to circumvent the new mechanism, and that they believe the best solution for the distribution of these mafias and circumvent the ruling, which benefit from the crisis and called on the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Oil to tighten control and the success of the distribution of derivatives by the ration card. The latest actions taken by the Oil Ministry in an attempt to deliver oil derivatives to citizens ...
غياب التنسيقLack of coordination
بعد يوم واحد من تاريخ العمل بموجبها الصباح استطلعت آراء المواطنين والمعنيين بشان الالية الجديدة في توزيع المشتقات النفطية فقد اعتبر (خليل ابراهيم) احد المتعاقدين مع وزارة النفط ان هذه الالية تفتقر ومنذ ملامحها الاولى الى عنصر التنسيق بين دوائر وزارة النفط والتجارة ومجالس البلديات المحلية مروراً بمحطات توزيع المشتقات النفطية وقال: لو نظرنا الى مدينة الكاظمية على سبيل المثال لخرجنا بملاحظات فالمعروف ان مدينة الكاظمية تمتاز بكثافة سكانية عالية وتحتاج الى كميات ليست بالقليلة من مادة النفط الابيض والغاز السائل، يقابل هذا العدد الكبير من السكان نقص واضح في محطات توزيع المشتقات النفطية، اذ توجد هناك محطتان لتوزيع المشتقات النفطية، وحالة مدينة الكاظمية مشابهة لحالات مناطق عديدة في بغداد، وهذه احد الاسباب المباشرة في قصور آلية التوزيع عن سد النقص الحاصل وتابع ابراهيم: العامل الاخر هو عدم وجود تنسيق فاعل بين مؤسسات وزارة النفط والتجارة مروراً بالمجالس البلدية المتواجدة في المناطق الشعبية، وهناك امثلة عن هذا الموضوع ففي الايام الاخيرة الماضية قام وكلاء الحصة الغذائية باستلام البطاقات التموينية القديمة من المواطنين وختمها باختام خاصة من اجل تهيئة تلك البطاقات وجعلها اداة استلام للمشتقات النفطية، وبعد اتخاذ هذا الاجراء لم تف وزارة النفط بوعودها بتغطية محطات توزيع المشتقات النفطية، وهناك تضارب وآراء متناقضة بين الدوائر المعنية حول الاسباب الحقيقية وراء هذا التلكؤ.One day after the date of becoming whereby - Sabah reconnoitred the views of citizens and concerned on the new mechanism in the distribution of oil derivatives has considered (Khalil Ibrahim) One of the contractors with the Ministry of Oil that this mechanism lacked Since the whose features we see looming the first to the element of coordination between the the Ministry of Oil, trade and municipal councils local, passing through its landmarks of the distribution of oil derivatives, and said :

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