Thread: Iraqi/Dinar news until March 1st, 2007

KUNA : The Under-Secretary of Commerce for Franklin Afin American companies to come to Iraq to Cordstan the goal of participating in the building process. He pointed to Afin in Matm R. commercial held yesterday to encourage American investment in pw refined entitled (gates trade to Iraq) to meet Ate and meetings with government officials and holding T. Iraqi Alcordstaneh. He said that the nature of Kordst The landscape contribute to the advancement and we are here to open n Avth to encourage American companies considering that for this the the importance of the exchange of ideas and companies know it Eker on the climate of the region. It was only in the exchange behind on how to encourage capital of America to Las Tthmar in Iraq and the region and attract companies Cordstan of U.S. to Iraq and the most important means to achieve it. For his part, Trade Minister in the government of the territory Kordst Iraq Mohammed Rauf Muhammad that this conference opens F new Requests for reconstruction and the starting point Cordstan Lao Mar other parts of Iraq, particularly as the security situation offerings recognizing the trade process encourages companies calling all the American, European and Arab countries to make use of such a for a chance. He added that Muhammad and the nature of the Territory of Moa the natural and human important part in the Middle East and could Ja a starting point for the rest of Iraq. For his part, lauded Iraqi Trade Minister Falah Sudanese insisted directions stack for the advancement of the commercial realities and encourage private of% Al and reintegration of this sector to what it was in the past. Esch TR Sudanese to the role of the private sector in reconstruction Construction and saying that the government seeks to restore the prestige of private sector through laws and decisions, because this sector considerably damaged and needs to be comprehensive revival. participated in the the Assistant Minister of Commerce and head of a room the American trade minister of trade and Ar ages Agian, and the ministers in the government of the territory and representatives of Cordstan Iraqi Chambers of Commerce and Alcordstaneh.

Baghdad - fraternity-Mohammed al-Jabouri : is Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki forces mother n Iraqi only take pity terrorists during insisted converted security in Baghdad. In a rare open tour Beshoar p Baghdad submerged in violence called Maliki to end now Qsamat sectarianism which threaten the involvement of the country in civil war e comprehensive. Iraqi television showed Mr. Nouri Al-Maliki speaks the Iraqi soldier near the armored vehicle in the center of Baghdad. He pointed to the soldier said that the release of terrorists fire them at the security forces. Al-Maliki, a soldier only only says them and destroy the source of the fire. met Prime Minister Iraqis have been forced to leave their homes, but 99-13784 sectarian fighting which has divided Baghdad. He told them they would return to their homes "heroes". He said the owners on Friday that the first days of the campaign supported by a the United States had achieved "a huge success" but a series Aj died car bomb killed dozens of people and gained from a j optimism early. He warned the leaders of American soldiers taking into account Vish campaigns for similar security last year that the armed men likely to adjust their tactics and perhaps not intend a I appear in large numbers at the beginning of the campaign. this, the President stressed, Mr. Minister Nuri al-Maliki that Baghdad that the security plan entered will end the existence of militias and armed groups P j country. He stressed that the plan demonstrated that all Iraqis are equal either m law. He added Maliki during its meeting Tuesday with the Australian Ambassador in Baghdad that he told Mark Anzebraon want a hasty judgments about how pragmatic Advance Ahh Baghdad security plan, but assured everyone that the implementation o each lead to the end of defying the will of the State to extend Allen Adam and the law, according to the source.

B : P Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki yesterday Alar Afae that ousted President of the Court of stay Sunni Ahmed Abdel abolished Samurai immediately from office. A statement issued by the Cabinet Office that the Iraqi the Prime Minister "had issued an order exempting Diwania Prime Dew The Sunni suspension from his post while retaining Pedrjth of employment Yeh. " The dismissal came after the Samurai Court issued the stay of Sunni Monday issued a statement in which he confirmed that the Iraqi woman "raped "by the Iraqi policemen involved in the security plan Yeh new in Baghdad. The Office of the Sunni stay that this heinous crime and is evidence of the failure of the security plan. Al-Maliki Tuesday, and an incident of rape and Ate m "some of the known contriving view of this uproar jamming plan to impose law and the abuse of our troops armed that afflict terrorist organizations and working on a usually the security and stability of dear Baghdad and the other cities Iraq. " The advisor to the Vice-President Tarek Hashemi Chi Non Human Rights Omar al-Jabouri said yesterday that the statement Reas e Cabinet contained information "untrue", adding that Tekere OL medical issued by the Ibn Sina Hospital under the supervision of American troops "supports in principle what Mrs.."

Baghdad : There are many new employment opportunities created by the occupation American since entering Iraq in April (April) 2 003 So far, but not enough to bridge the large gap between the size Alateli n from work and the number of opportunities available. After the translation and guard posts and work with a company for foreign companies, whether security or commercial, emerged the sale and purchase of remnants of the American army Katj Are new employ many young people in the Iraqi S protective popular and poor in different regions of the capital b Baghdad and some other cities. The biggest market for this trade is located in the city center of Baghdad d specifically in the area near the eastern section of pain spot fortified Green security, and where there is a countdown d bulk of the army forces and American companies Alajenbe Yeh, It is the eastern section Center largest commercial P j Baghdad, if not the whole of Iraq and the vital% economic life for the Iraqis like market Alcheorg e trade. Anyone who passes from the region Seri gatherings and not% <stabbing> Jmehr people around despite the bombings h Dett in this market specifically and repeatedly, through the brain enveloped. sometimes car bomb and sometimes explosive belts and n Unfortunately, in search of various articles of foreign manufacture to buy a module the landscaping and laundry detergent and military uniforms and some a Ajehzih of electrical and electronic used, as well as canned food, magazines and Walkate b foreign different. Says Wahab Al-Saadi foregoing years, the simpler for the sale of American military clothing only < resorted to this profession that has been torn me ways of life Wie six of access to jobs or function in the institutions Hako away the new although I am a university degree in a Better required these days life is chemistry e>. He added Saadi, a father of two children and lived in the house rented <all what I am offering in this earth is all uniform requirements Alas Cree American only, which obtain some of the cleaners who work P j camps by American forces in Baghdad and other governorates In terms of high demand, especially by members of the armed forces were a and some of the Iraqi military clothing amateur>, He added that what is happening in the profession these are only bridge rift Jajat his family daily. He pointed out that Al-Saadi carry this profession two years ago and half a year is the only source of livelihood, working on a daily De n spite of the interruption of the bombings that targeted e a market and repeatedly, and continuing to come to market since the early-morning hours p Remorseful comes cleaners to sell him and the rest of his colleagues What they remnants of the American forces to Ekomo a are selling to clients and the clients market, which is Palan CHAR and expand even been opening branches in other areas, different neighborhoods of the capital Baghdad, in Sadr City Bug new Dade and the people, and the door of the great Al Bai'aa and other m n Baghdad other markets. He stressed that the latter will continue to sell such waste even if was the bombing of the entire region, and because it could not abandon the source of livelihood of his family, stating that miraculously escaped death in a bombing incidents the precedent which took place near the market and claimed the lives of a number much of the market vendors and customers of the part, Hasnawi said Mahdi competent sale of a food the specially produced for the American army and boxes of vitamins < unknown to me, the majority of poor families Wa for athletes who have a game of bodybuilding, Valaouwael comes to buying canned food and cheap relatively compared with prices in other markets. since Abiana, which specializes in products for those who e quality in the market because the industry are often a Mirkeh or European, while canned goods and traders Yeh available in the market are Arab or vehicle Make Lacey loya, The boxes of vitamins and amphetamine These customers only athletes, especially the heroes of the game perfect physical because, weightlifting training need such pain with strong as I say, and I was selling them at cheap prices does not compare Palace shame imposed by the owners of the iron halls and offices of the sale amphetamine>.

Sectarian lines dissolve when Shada sings on Friday night


By Omar Salih
BAGHDAD — An Iraqi contestant in an Arab-world talent competition similar to American Idol has managed to unite her country like no government can.

Every Friday night, Iraqis gather around their TVs to root for Shada Hassoon, 25, as she tries to sing her way to victory and a big cash prize on Star Academy. The show is a rare and welcome distraction for Iraqis cooped up indoors because of the violence and curfews affecting most of Baghdad.

Zainab Faris, 20, a Shiite college student who lives in the Saidiya district of Baghdad, says she normally doesn't watch variety shows, but she had to watch Hassoon "because everybody talks about her."

"She is so polite, she has a strong and nice voice, and everybody on the show loves her, so she's a good example of an Iraqi woman," Faris says.

Star Academy is in its fourth season. The show features 19 contestants from all over the Arab world. They live in a house rigged with cameras, similar to the Big Brother shows in the USA and elsewhere. At the end of each week, there is a weekly performance and talent competition, where one contestant is voted off the show. Ten contestants, including Hassoon, remain this week. Last year's winner got $50,000.

More than 20 versions of Star Academy appear around the world. The Arab program is produced in Beirut by the Lebanese Broadcasting Corp.

Hassoon was born in Iraq to an Iraqi father and Moroccan mother and now lives in Morocco, according to the show's website.

Viewers can use their cellphones to send text messages that scroll across the bottom of the TV during the show. On one recent program, messages included "The swords of Al Mujahedin are in the hands of Shada," and "Al Mahdi Army fighters support Shada."

Sunni insurgents call themselves mujahedin, and the Mahdi Army militia is loyal to the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. At last, the warring factions seem to have found something they agree on.

Recently, Hassoon prepared to sing Baghdad, a famous old song by the Lebanese singer Fairoz that describes a great city of moonlight, riches and beauty. She wept during the televised rehearsal.

Text messages from viewers started scrolling across the TV screen. "Don't worry Shada," one said. "It will be beautiful again."




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Posted on Friday, February 23

Iraqi Kurds agree on establishing higher council for parties


Kurdistan presidencies held a meeting, during which they agree to set up a higher council for Kurdistan parties.

The three presidencies met on Monday in Salah al-Dein resort in Arbil where they tackled a draft law on Iraqi oil and Kurdistan government's stance in this regard and they agreed to establish a higher council for Kurdistan parties", Director of Kurdistan president's office Fuad Hussein told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
The Iraqi parliament discussed two weeks ago a draft law that would allow Iraqi and foreign investors to build, operate and transfer oil refineries in the oil-rich-country in a bid to encourage the private sector's back-up of the Iraqi infrastructure.

The new law, if passed, gives investors a right to produce oil derivatives for local consumption or for export at prices never dictated by government.

The Kurds objected the present draft law formula and demanded a free hand be given to the Kurdistan region government for signing oil investment contracts within the region away from Baghdad.

"The three presidencies will act as a presidential foundation as it will meet periodically to discuss important issues and making decisions on these issues", he added.

The three presidencies include Iraq's Kurdistan President Massoud al-Barazani and Prime Minister Negervan al-Barazani and the Parliament Speaker Adnan al-Mufti.

"The three presidencies agreed on establishing a higher council for Kurdistan parties that includes the active parties participating in the ongoing political process. the proposal will be presented in the upcoming parties' meeting for discussion and approval", the official highlighted.

Source: Voices of Iraq




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Posted on Friday, February 2

Kurdistan: Duhok health sector improves despite shortage of supplies from Baghdad


By Khidhr Domle
The health sector in the northern Iraqi Kurdish governorate of Duhok witnessed an outstanding level of development over the past year, according to the 2006 annual report released by the Directorate of Health in Duhok.

The report attributed challenges to the shortage of logistical and medical supplies from Baghdad because of having received only 10% of its rightful share of supplies from the Iraqi Ministry of Health.

Several sources from the Directorate of Health confirmed that 2006 was full of successes for the health sector in Duhok in offering medical services to locals, despite a considerable shortage of resources.

"A total of 84 million Iraqi Dinars, funds provided by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), was spent on health projects and activities across the governorate in 2006," said Abdullah Saeed, Director General of the Health Sector in Duhok, adding, "Our major challenge was having received only 10% of our legitimate share of medical and logistical supplies from the Ministry of Health in Baghdad, which is the main provider of medicine and medical tools in the country."

Such challenges could not stop the process of developing the health sector in Duhok, however. "Health projects continued in 2006 during which new surgery halls and laboratories, fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical supplies, were built as part of the renovation process of Azadi Hospital, which is the main health facility in Duhok. Two huge, modern electricity generators were also provided; one went to Azadi Hospital in Duhok, and the second to Zakho Hospital. Moreover, more than 10 X-ray machines were set up at medical centers across the governorate," said engineer Kareem Mohammed, who is the director of the Engineering and Maintenance Department at the Directorate of Health in Duhok. "Amaddi Hospital in Duhok was renovated and its staff increased. Work is also under way to rehabilitate and expand the city's Emergency Hospital," Mohammed added.

There were more complications for the health sector in Duhok to overcome. Among them was the absence of a quality-control lab to check medicine. "Despite some sort of monitoring, unfortunately there is no lab yet to control the quality of medicine. The quality-control lab that is supposed to be built in Erbil should be completed soon to deal with this issue," said Sarwar Sadiq Bahaddin, the planning director at the Duhok Directorate of Health. Erbil is the regional capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Statistics of death cases and illnesses were also included in the 2006 report. The report shows a record of 830 cases of death and a considerable increase in the number of surgeries conducted in 2006 across hospitals in the governorate. Hospitals recorded 2,699 Caesarian surgeries, and 10,819 cases of natural births, an increase of over 1,000 surgeries in 2005.

The manager of Azadi Hospital, Shaker Saleem Balindayee, attributed the increase to the overflow of thousands of people coming to the hospitals from areas outside the governorate of Duhok, particularly people from Mosul who cannot go Mosul hospitals due to the worsening security situation in that area. Increase in the size of the local population was another contributing factor, said Balindayee.

A total of 84 million Iraqi Dinars, funds provided by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), was spent on health projects and activities across the governorate in 2006, said Abdullah Saeed.

Building medical skills was another area of improvement for the health sector in 2006, according to the report. "A total of 14 staff members of the health sector, including doctors, health specialists, and technicians, participated in 50 workshops and training courses held outside Iraq in developed countries such as France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Finland, Korea, and Cyprus, and in other regional countries such as Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Kuwait, and Iran," said Moayad Mirza, foreign relations director at the Directorate of Health in Duhok. "The trainings concentrated on building staff skills and familiarizing technicians with the use of modern health tools," Mirza added. Moreover, four doctors were sent outside Iraq on scholarships to further their education, according to the report.

Regarding work contracts and parties that assisted the health sector, Mirza further said that organizations such as UNICEF, WHO, QADNIL, DRACONIA, HARTLAND, OSSUR, IRD, PWJ, and HIFI provided generous help and assistance to the governorate. Zaytoon Division of the South Korean Government and multinational forces in the governorate were among other contributors.

Mirza concluded his statements by saying that despite the contributions and the successes, the staff of the health sector in Duhok still needed to be familiarized with the latest scientific medical advances and state-of-the-art medical technology.




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Posted on Friday, February 23

9m to improve basic services in al-Rashid sector


A Senior American officer has announced that more than 8 million dollars would be released to improve services, water networks, reconstructing schools and entertainment places in al-Rashid municipal sector.

General Brain Roberts asked residents of Karech area to cooperate with security units which act their duties within security plan, referring that joint security stations have been formed that consist of work teems of municipal councils, national police and Iraqi and multinational forces to increase security and activate it in this area.
Source: Al Sabaah




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Posted on Friday, February 23

Kurdistan Region proof of positive that US hasn't completely failed in Iraq


By Khasraw Pirbal
Ongoing discussion, both in America and globally, would have us all believe that the U.S. has failed in Iraq.

Domestic America, policy study institutions, foreign policy experts, and strategic advisors all refer to the failure of America's policies in their war on terror, specifically their launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom and its execution.

Both U.S. Democrats and Republicans debate the failure of the Bush administration's execution of the war, and offer new platforms and alternative projects, mostly according to their party affiliation. Mostly, they just want to accuse Bush's administration of having exercised wrong policies in Iraq. Through their strong media, Bush's opponents have only highlighted the bad news, including the beheadings and bombings by groups that to this very day are receiving weapons from Iran and Syria.

On the regional level, unfortunately, all of the countries were against American intervention and opposed the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime. All of these countries have dictatorial systems of rule and do not respect the rights of their own people and, similarly, have no respect for the legitimate demands of Kurds. They have all been working against freedom and peace, and that's why they cannot adjust to the democratic process in Iraq. Therefore, they are trying hard through their own media channels to bring terrorism and murder into the spotlight, and consider the acts as nothing more than resistance.

In the media, unfortunately, America's failure in Iraq was predicted. However, one thing we know for sure is that the politics and participation of the U.S. in Iraq have not completely failed. A perfect example of the positives that America has accomplished is evident right here in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. With the help of the U.S., its allied forces, and other peaceful and democratic countries in the world, all of the mechanisms necessary to establish and sustain an administration and an economic infrastructure were put into place, resulting in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

America must continue to support the Kurdistan Region experiment, and show the entire world that they have not completely failed in Iraq. I think, as most Kurds do, that from now on America should move past speaking about freedom and democracy, and concentrate on working for the development and revival of the country's economic infrastructure. They must stress and tie in the economic values of political success, and take all the steps necessary to work for the reconstruction of the Kurdistan economy and the Iraq economy in general. They can help the KRG by developing the ever-important production sector. Kurdistan is a calm window of opportunity and a suitable choice for Iraq's economic development and revival process.

We have all entered a new stage, both Kurds and Americans. At this juncture, America must know that Kurds are the better and more loyal friends to have. Because of that, we must work together to develop Kurdistan more actively by getting technology, capital, and American companies to participate in the region's growth. More important than all of this, perhaps, is that there must be a red line drawn to keep Iraqi Kurdistan Region from the dangerous areas in Iraq.

America's efforts in Iraq have not been a complete failure, as we see in Kurdistan Region. America must continue to work with us to succeed, but they must now move away from talk about freedom to effectively participating in the process of making a stronger economic infrastructure in the region.




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Posted on Thursday, February 22

Kurdistan: The Other Iraq


Try to imagine a peaceful and stable Iraq where business is booming and Americans are beloved. Now open your eyes because 60 Minutes is going to take you to a part of Iraq which fits that description: it's called Kurdistan.

Technically, it's inside Iraq but the Kurds who live there behave as if they already live in a separate state. As correspondent Bob Simon reports, they have their own prime minister, their own army, their own border patrol—even their own flag. And the overwhelming majority of Kurds will tell you they want nothing to do with Baghdad and the rest of Iraq.
And why would they after the brutal way Iraqis under Saddam treated them in the past? Why would they when they’re doing just fine on their own?

When visiting Kurdistan, one can see nation-building wherever one looks—Kurds are building their country day by day. There are more cranes here than minarets and there’s a run on cement. A new mall with 8,000 shops and stalls is going up. So is an apartment complex known as "Dream City," in which some of the units are selling for $1 million. A giant bowling alley is almost finished, and an opera house is not far behind. What’s behind the boom? Security.

Kurds are quick to remind you that they are not Arabs and there is a de facto border between Kurdistan, which is in the northeast corner of Iraq and the rest of Iraq. Arab insurgents who want to slip into Kurdistan must get past hundreds of Kurdish checkpoints. And distinct from much of Iraq, the security forces in Kurdistan are disciplined and loyal. And they’re all Kurds—there are no ethnic divisions here, so the violence stays on the other side of the border.

Asked how many American soldiers have been killed in the Kurdish-controlled area since the beginning of the war, Nechervan Barzani, the 40-year-old prime minister of what is officially called the Kurdistan Regional Government, tells Simon, "No one."

Read the full transcript of 60 Minutes

Watch video clip: Kurdistan strives for autonomy

Watch video clip: CBS reporter Bob Simon's notebook on Kurdistan

Watch video clip: An American in Kurdistan




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Posted on Thursday, February 22