Thread: Iraq/Dinar News to April 19, 2007 10PM CST

Iraqi Kurdish Official Blasts Turkish General's War Talk
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Posted GMT 4-13-2007 16:36:26
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ARBIL, Iraq (Reuters) -- The speaker of Iraqi Kurdistan's parliament on Friday described a call by Turkey's top general for a military operation in northern Iraq as a "dangerous escalation".

General Yasar Buyukanit, head of Turkey's military General Staff, said on Thursday the military operation would aim to crush Turkish and Kurdish rebels hiding in Kurdistan. He said he had not asked parliament to authorise any such operation.

"The threats by (Buyukanit) are a dangerous escalation that we take very seriously," Adnan al-Mufti told a news conference in Arbil, the capital of Iraq's largely autonomous Kurdish region in the north of the country.

"We hope that reason will prevail in taking decisions, because any military intervention will complicate matters more and will shape a threat to the Iraqi people."

Turkey has repeatedly urged the Baghdad government and U.S. forces in Iraq to crack down on an estimated 4,000 rebels from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) who use northern Iraq as a springboard to attack targets inside Turkey.

Mufti criticised the Turks, saying they had refused to speak with Iraqi Kurd officials.

"We asked for negotiations with Turkish officials to discuss the problems ... but the problem was on the other side," he said.

Ankara has said it reserves the right under international law to send troops into northern Iraq to tackle the rebels if Iraq and Washington continue to disregard its calls for action.

The United States reacted coolly to Buyukanit's comments.

The escalation in rhetoric came after Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani said in a television interview last week that Iraqi Kurds would interfere in Turkey's mainly Kurdish cities if Ankara interfered in northern Iraq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki sought to calm Turkey after Barzani's comments, making clear Iraq's foreign policy was decided by the government in Baghdad.

Turkish and Iraqi Kurdish leaders have since verbally sparred, but Buyukanit's comments marked a sharp escalation.

"The existence of PKK elements is ... an internal Turkish problem which they have to solve in a political manner, not militarily," said Mufti, who is also an aide to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, also a Kurd.

Ankara is worried by what it sees as moves by Iraqi Kurds to build an independent state in northern Iraq, with the multi-ethnic city of Kirkuk as its capital, fearing this could reignite separatism among its own Kurdish population.

A referendum on the status of Kirkuk, which sits on some of Iraq's richest oil fields, is due by the end of 2007. Settling its final status is one of the most sensitive issues in Iraq.

Barzani and other Kurdish officials have repeatedly indicated that the issue of Kirkuk as a red line.

"The issue of Kirkuk is an internal Iraqi issue in which the Turks should not interfere," Mufti said. "We want good relations with Turkey ... but they cannot impose their opinion on another people that is outside their country's borders."

By Shamal Akrawi

© 2007, Assyrian International News Agency

RED CROSS SAYS SITUATION WORSENING FOR IRAQIS
The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a statement on April 11 warning that after four years of violence in Iraq, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate and Iraqi civilians are paying a heavy price, international media reported the same day. "The suffering that Iraqi men, women, and children are enduring today is unbearable and unacceptable. Their lives and dignity are continuously under threat," said the ICRC's director of operations, Pierre Kraehenbuehl. He said the worsening security situation is causing "overlapping effects" of hardship for the civilian population, with medical care deteriorating as doctors flee the country. The Iraqi Health Ministry believes that half of the country's physicians have already fled. With regard to the recent Baghdad security operation, Kraehenbuehl said it has yet to achieve any noticeable improvements for Iraqi civilians. "We're certainly not seeing an immediate effect in terms of stabilization for the civilians currently," he said. His remarks were made in conjunction with the release of an ICRC report titled "Civilians Without Protection -- The Ever-Worsening Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq," which highlights the plight of Iraqi civilians four years after the fall of Baghdad. SS

IRAQI PRESIDENT SAYS FIVE INSURGENT GROUPS READY TO ESCHEW VIOLENCE
President Jalal Talabani announced on April 11 that negotiations with five armed groups are entering the final stages, and that they will abandon violence and join the political process, state-run Al-Iraqiyah television reported the same day. He declined to name the groups, fearing they may be singled out and targeted by groups connected to Al-Qaeda in Iraq. Talabani also stressed that a dialogue should be opened with all groups that reject terrorism. "We should be ready to deal with the groups that have distinguished themselves from terrorists," he said. "There are two trenches: the trench of Iraqi people and the trench of terrorism. We cannot be in the two trenches." Talabani singled out the Iraqi Islamic Party as being one of the groups that has rejected terrorism and as a result should be given the full support of the government and people. SS

Originally Posted by Jola

The beginning of the article is about how a father sold his handicapped son to Al-Quaida just to become a suicide bomber. I could not and I did not want to read the rest of the article. "Sad" is not the word for what I am feeling. I think I want revenge for all these kids.

Sickening epitome of evil, plain and simple.

Troops bringing peace to Haifa Street
Friday, 13 April 2007
By Spc. Alexis Harrison
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division



Staff Sgt. Jebediah Arthur patrols the streets of Baghdad’s Karkh neighborhood, shadowed by Iraqi children seeking chocolate and soccer balls, April 5. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison.BAGHDAD — Troops from 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division patrol the Haifa Street area daily, shadowed by scores of children who greet them at every stop they make to ask for chocolate or a soccer ball.

Most of the soldiers don't mind handing out sweets for the children while walking through the war-torn neighborhood the children call home. The "Black Hawk" Troop, commanded by Capt. Chris Dawson, who hails from Lima, Ohio, provides an essential service to residents who've been through so many violent times: peace of mind.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brian Long, a fire support officer and "Blue" Platoon's leader from Jacksonville, Fla., said there's nothing more important than getting to know the people in the area and addressing their concerns. He said that even months after the heaviest of fighting, people still come to his troops with information and questions on what's happened in recent months.

The troop took over the area after a heavy bout of insurgent activity forced many to flee their homes or hide for safety. Several days of fighting occurred before the cavalry troops finally slaked the violence, allowing many people to come back and start to live their lives.

Attacks on coalition forces have since dropped by more than 50 percent in the area. Dozens of bodies were found along sectarian fault lines in the area, but since the new security plan has been established, the Black Hawk troops have not found a single body lying in the street or anywhere in their sector.

Bringing peace to neighborhoods like this one is one of the major improvements the soldiers from the 2nd “Black Jack” brigade have been able to accomplish since they arrived last year.

However, as one soldier recounts, it wasn't as peaceful the last time he was here.

Staff Sgt. Jebediah Arthur was with 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division a few years ago during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. He said heavy fighting was a regular occurrence for him and his troops. The Moran, Texas, native said Iraqis weren't as friendly as they are now. They used to shy away from the soldiers, giving no more than a cold stare or unfriendly gesture.

Now everywhere the soldiers go, they are greeted like old acquaintances. The people in the community whom Arthur and his comrades visit, speak freely to them and often provide an inside look into what's really happening there.

"It's finally gotten to where they can come and talk to us and work with everyone," Arthur said. "Acting professionally helps, but they actually see the results of the information they give us. I think that's been the key to our success over here this time."

The troops have been busy with duties beyond patrolling busy streets. Recently, a medical operation headed by the troop and other soldiers from the brigade took place to bring some much-needed care to the residents.

The leaders of the troop say they know how important it is to continue their work and not give up on residents. Long says coalition forces have gained a lot of momentum against violence in the area.

"Being out there every day is a good way to dispel the rumors that we're not doing anything but inhibiting the growth of these neighborhoods," Long said. "We are seeing improvements, and we are appreciated by the people we interact with."

"In 10 years," Arthur said, "we'll probably be vacationing here."

Iraqi Police join security mission
Friday, 13 April 2007


Spc. Raymond Watson, Troop A, Task Force, 1st Battalion, 14th Cavalry Regiment, goes through a bag of roadside bomb-making material found during a clearing operation in Diwaniyah, Iraq, Saturday. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Robert Yde, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs.DIWANIYAH — Operation Black Eagle moved into a new phase with the Iraqi Police joining the Iraqi Army and Coalition forces in security efforts here Sunday.

Iraqi Police began manning key checkpoints throughout the city, adding security forces already in place.

“The Iraqi Police are now out in force helping to enforce the rule of law in Diwaniyah,” said U.S. Army Col. Michael Garrett, commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.

The Iraqi Army was asked by the government of Iraq to rid the town of militia members and other terrorist groups who had waged a campaign of murder and intimidation against the people of Diwaniyah and the security forces charged with protecting them.

“We have received more than 700 requests for the help of the Iraqi Army from the people of Diwaniyah,” said Iraqi Army Maj. Gen. Oothman Farhood, commander of the 8th Iraqi Army Division. “The Iraqi Army is here for the people of Iraq and to help the Iraqi Police provide security for the citizens of Diwaniyah.”

According to Farhood, Operation Black Eagle has achieved tremendous success, but much work remains. From capturing terrorists and their weapons to giving the people of Diwaniyah the hope of returning to their normal lives, the cooperation of the Iraqi Army and their counterparts moving into the next phase of operations.

Fighting continued in the city Sunday as Iraqi and Coalition forces captured 39 militia members and several large caches of weapons and explosives.

“We have freed the people of Diwaniyah from murder and intimidation, which have plagued the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week for months,” Farhood said.

Even with the assurances, concerns remain about the future security of the city once the Iraqi and Coalition forces leave the city.

“As with all wars, this is not a one or two-day event,” Farhood said. “We are going to be here until we have returned security and stability to Diwaniyah.”

“While the Baghdad security plan goes into its next phase, we will do the same. We are going to establish joint security stations through the city. The Iraqi Army and Police will supervise the stations alongside Coalition forces,” Lamla said.

“When the Iraqi Police are capable, we will return security responsibilities to them,” Lamla continued. “Until then, we will do what is required, for as long as it takes to make Diwaniyah safe.”

(Courtesy story from Multi-National Division-Baghdad, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division)

I

Time to rearrange the table settings OBSERVER


Friday, Apr 13, 2007

An evening of sobering, uncomfortable realities at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Wednesday evening. Ali Allawi, Iraq's former minister of finance, defence and trade, catalogued a list of US mistakes in Iraq and painted a frightening picture of possible consequences the Iraq mess will have on the region.

Allawi - who is promoting his book The Occupation of Iraq: Winning the War, Losing the Peace - says the US invaded an "imagined" country. The Iraqi exiles who advised the US war planners described the country of their memories. Sadly, the Iraq with a solid infrastructure, a solid middle class and a secular tradition had ended "decades ago".

This fondly remembered Iraq was snuffed out by the destructive Iran-Iraq war, decades of Ba'athist rule and the tough sanctions imposed on the country during the 1990s. And tribalism re-emerged in Iraq during the same period. But this only became clear to the planners after the invasion. Allawi believes only a regional congress - not a mere conference - can prevent chaos from spilling beyond Iraq's borders. "What has happened in Iraq is comparable to the creation of Israel in 1948 and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire" in terms of regional impact, he said. "I'd like a congress . . . where the (regional players) go in with a vision of a new architecture as a result of the Iraq invasion." He added the "table settings" needed to be "rearranged" in the Middle East, and a congress is where this could happen.

If there was a light moment, it came when Allawi was asked about his cousin, former prime minister Ayad Allawi, who has encouraged speculation that he might return to power. He did not see it happening. "Good luck to him, if he can manage it," Allawi said.



© Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2007

WTO to hold first meeting on Iraq membership bid


GENEVA, April 11, 2007 (AFP) - The World Trade Organisation will hold its first meeting on Iraq's accession process next week, some two and a half years after the country first launched its membership bid, trade sources said on Wednesday.

Iraq applied to join the global trade club in October 2004. Its oil-dependent economy has been ravaged by decades of sanctions followed by spiralling violence and unemployment since the US-led invasion in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein.

The WTO working party will meet on Friday, April 20 in Geneva to begin its examination of Iraq's foreign trade regime and consider its next steps, trade sources said.

The United Nations last month hosted a conference on Iraqi economic reconstruction, and called on Baghdad to ensure its oil wealth is equitably distributed amongst all ethnic groups.

wtf/jmy

WTO-trade-Iraq

Maliki seeks world’s help to rebuild Iraq
Web posted at: 4/13/2007 9:38:30
Source ::: AFP
seoul • Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki yesterday called for international help to rebuild his war-torn country, saying the people were struggling to “rise from the ashes” of conflict.

He also said the recent terrorist attacks were the work of Al Qaeda militants and remnants of former members of Saddam Hussein’s ruling Baath Party, stressing that sectarian violence in Iraq had ended.

“Because of its abundance in resources such as oil and gas, Iraq has a great potential to become an advanced country,” he told South Korean business leaders.

“However, it is true that reconstruction is being delayed and all facilities are in ruins. But the Iraqi people are making utmost efforts to rise from the ashes,” he said through an interpreter.

Iraqis are striving for democracy and peace in the face of near-daily attacks by insurgents, he said.

“For reconstruction, Iraq needs help from its friends ... we hope our friends join us in efforts to rebuild the country.”

Maliki arrived Wednesday from Japan for a three-day visit, accompanied by his oil, energy, industrial policy and urban planning ministers.

He said his delegation had many proposals for joint projects in the oil, electricity, road construction and petrochemical sectors, and invited South Korean firms to expand investment in Iraq.

“Iraq always welcomes you with open arms. Windows of opportunity are open wide and all kinds of conveniences will be provided,” he said.

“Even though we were late in beginning the reconstruction work, we want to catch up.”

South Korea’s Commerce, Industry and Energy Ministry said Seoul signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday on developing oil and gas fields in northern Iraq.

Maliki also met President Roh Moo-Hyun and discussed ways to cooperate more closely in natural resources, energy and construction, the presidential Blue House said.

In a press interview with local journalists, Maliki said sectarian conflicts had ended, and Sunnis and Shi’ites had reconciled.

“The recent terrorist attacks are the work of Al Qaeda extremists and former Baath Party members who are stirring up to return to power,” he was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency.

He said his government’s efforts to stabilise Baghdad were making progress, with Iraqi security forces expanding activity throughout Iraq.

The Iraqi prime minister was to tour industrial plants in the southern city of Ulsan yesterday.

South Korea, with 1,300 soldiers working on relief and reconstruction in the northern Iraqi city of Arbil, has the third-largest foreign force after the United States and Britain, but is looking to pull them out by year’s end. It has also provided some $220m in aid to rebuild the country.

U.S. Won't Secure Iraqi Parliament

By ROBERT BURNS
The Associated Press
Friday, April 13, 2007; 12:52 PM

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. military will not take over security of the Iraqi parliament building in the wake of the deadly suicide bombing in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, a top commander said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the No. 2 U.S. commander in Iraq, said "it is clear we still have a long way to go to provide stability and security to Iraq."



Image from television via AP Television News shows a man and a woman leaving the area through thick dust following an explosion in the Iraqi parliament cafeteria within the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq. Thursday April 12, 2007. A suspected suicide bomber blew himself up in the cafeteria Thursday, killing at least eight people and wounding dozens in a stunning assault in the heart of the heavily fortified, U.S.-protected Green Zone. Television footage showed scenes of pandemonium inside the building at the moment of the attack. A man being interviewed on Alhurra television ducked for cover, as a hallway filled with smoke. People can be heard screaming out one another's names. One man was slumped over, motionless, covered in dust. (AP Photo/AP Television News, pool ) (AP)






But, he told Pentagon reporters that the Iraqis should continue to provide the security for their government building.

"It doesn't help them for us to provide that security, they have to do that," said Odierno, adding that he has confidence in the Iraqi security forces' ability. "Frankly yesterday was a bad day, a very bad day.

"But we're going to come back from that," he said.

Odierno, speaking from Camp Liberty in Baghdad, also said that U.S. and Iraqi forces are still investigating the bombing, including how insurgents were able to penetrate the security.

An insurgent umbrella group that includes al-Qaida in Iraq claimed responsibility for it on Friday, as the U.S. military revised the death toll sharply downward to one dead. The Islamic State of Iraq said in an Internet posting that it had delayed issuing the claim of responsibility to allow its men time to flee.

Ali al-Dabbagh, a spokesman for the Iraqi government who was at the White House briefing reporters, said the government is taking the steps and measures necessary to stop the threat. He said there are instances where people who have been given permission to enter the Green Zone have misused the privilege.

He said if U.S. troops left Iraq too early, it would be a "great gift" to those responsible for the latest attack within the Green Zone.

"Definitely it will make a vacuum of power in Iraq, which is not desirable by anyone," he said