I'd take it in a heart beat. I've always believed 1260 was a bogus number just as the magic number 1345 turned out to be. 1260 will come and go and our RV will be over 1:1.
Printable View
Since the collapse of the United Iraqi state after previous April 9, 2003, features new image of the Iraqi economy did not seem evident, despite the clarity of the overall framework which was installed .. ordered the state economy, driven by totalitarian authority towards political interests, to the uncontrolled market economy not controlled by any officer,
..Through many collapses injuring overall productive sectors, through the stages of degradation experienced by this rentier economy .. ...Have emerged for the ordinary citizen and observer economic phenomena many may not withdraw by constants and economic laws, which called for the adoption of many erratic (mobility commercial and financial mobility, as well as mobility productive) before economic laws and constants over recent years and years that preceded it ...
فهل...Are features new Iraqi economy, after a series of laws and legislation designed to shape the final picture of this economy? Are deals ordinary citizen to accept and clear with new features? A series of questions tried some of the employees in the economic answer ... عدة..Abdul Jalil Al-Saadi (economic researcher) told us : perhaps not seen any economy in the world in twenty years, witnessed by the Iraqi economy from failures and missteps variety, a result of what is caused by damage to the corridors of politics, the different Phases tasted this economy, which has no real infrastructure for being economical unilateral were numerous .. فق ..No experience collapse that occurred in the economies of East Asian countries (Tigers seven) in the mid-1990s of the last century could be similar experience catastrophic collapse of the Iraqi economy, and the Argentine economic crisis that occurred due to the sudden movement of the Argentine economy and non-systematic to a market economy, similar to what passed by the Iraqi economy fluctuations even reached the stage can be written off all its activities to establish a new direction and building the economy continued to global economics .. ..Our economy may not apply vocabulary theory of supply and demand in many stages because of the multiplicity of factors influencing the performance of its economic imbalance, and the multiplicity of factors affecting these make the economic reality (raw) can be made available to the decision-making to chart out the features form a new Iraqi economy moving .. ..Valeria coming from the sale of oil and qualifies it seems, the political decision-maker for the state budget and then move towards shaping (raw material) intended to manufacture the final form of the economy .. ل..The citizen here (consumer), and appear to be part of the process of restructuring .. هذا..This citizen who did not expect that at the stage of the 1980s when the price of the car equal to the price of a pack of cigarettes value in the 1990s, is the same that was happening on the (vial of liquid gas) and at official thousand dinars, the equivalent of two years ago and now it is happening at a formal five thousand dinars, the equivalent of a satisfied, because he lived spiral crises and that commodity purchased twenty thousand dinars, and this applies to the subject of electric power, citizen now is on the verge of the summer season, it is ready to buy power at any price up to the limits of the price at which it buys trend unstable owners generators .. لقد أصبح هذا المواطن جزءاً مهماً من عملية التشكيل الجديد للاقتصاد العراقي...The citizen has become an important part of the new composition of the Iraqi economy ... ..Mr. Abdul Amir Alawi (BA economy), he said to us : some economists called the nomination (adjustment phase) of this period of transition experienced by the Iraqi economy and intended time frame for the Iraqi economy until the early stages of stability, and this stage accompanied by disruptions in many systems and economic transactions, state transition from a state to a market economy and the existence of the productive structure The economic base undergoes major disruptions, and these imbalances and the resulting price the consumer pays, how the case in the absence of infrastructure and productive economic base such as the economic reality in which we live that it will be very difficult for the public, and ordinary citizens will pay a heavy price bread covered in the stage adaptation of this, so I I think that the current drive towards attempts to support poorer classes through a network of social welfare or increase the salaries of junior staff, came to alleviate the burdens of the consequences of these classes this stage, it is natural to find a set of contradictions at the same time, the high value of the dinar against foreign currencies now seems to be contributes to the reduction of the price hike, and the citizen is psychologically ready to bear the expenses of campus services, which were previously subsidized by the State in a time when laws clearly features of the final picture of the Iraqi economy .. !!As Ziad, the owner of an office Dealer, said to us : they say that Iraq's economy, is a so******t and was, for example, each dollar deals go hand, and then permitted to deal in dollars on the streets and sidewalks, sold public sector enterprises, but now say that a market economy, but we have yet to understand the features of this economy, legislation still focus difference (and gas bottles) became five thousand dinars, at the government and 20 thousand dinars on the black market, the dollar fall while prices do not go down, the law of supply and demand determines prices Maad!
شبكة الزوراء الأعلامية - في ظل تجاذبات التشريعات الاقتصادية المتعددة .. أي منهج ينطبق على واقعنا الاقتصادي؟
Potential business investors arrive in Iraq
العراقThe arrival of investors to Iraq
.Irbil, Iraq arrived here today more than 12 Mestthmuraemal by direct flights from Vienna to look closely at the many opportunities available to the work site.
قام.The Minister of Finance and Kurdish Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for the transfer of business and director of the tasks to support the business and established operations in Iraq and Mr. Powell Bernclai hold a joint press conference in Arbil International Airport upon the arrival of the executive directors.
.Businessmen will spend a week of international roaming which in north Iraq to develop working relationships and meet with managers of factories.
http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl.../thl0508b.html
اليThe dinar will continue to rise against the dollar in the Central Bank
.Baghdad / Nina / rose dinar rate of exchange against the dollar in an auction today, Tuesday, the Central Bank. لواحThe sale price is 1264 dinars to the dollar after yesterday 1265 dinars to the dollar PLATE
OH OH where is the rest of this story? LOL
http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl.../thl0508b.html
This is a ridiculous solution. Only days ago the Iraqi foreign minister said Iraq cannot be Balkanized. These Senators like Biden and Brownback are more political hacks than anything else. Both of them want to sell snake oil to the public because the media has been infecting them with the sewage they call reporting the news.
Condi is right and if there is anything we have learned in recent days it's that Condi understands the nuts and bolts of this situation where as the other two are just plain nuts.
They not only want to micromanage the war from the Congressional Ivory towers, now they want to impose a separatist agenda on the people as well. So much for their view on democracy eh?
Iraq-Currency
Demand for dollar slightly lower, exchange rate down in daily auction
By Dergham Mohamed Ali
Baghdad, May 8, (VOI) – Demand for the dollar was slightly lower in the Iraqi Central Bank’s daily auction on Tuesday, reaching $87.865 million compared with $89.140 million on Monday, while the dollar exchange rate went down.
In its daily statement the bank said it had covered all bids, which included $16.945 million in cash and $70.920 million in foreign transfers, at an exchange rate of 1,264 dinars per dollar, one tick lower than yesterday.
None of the 18 banks that participated in Monday's auction offered to sell dollars.
Abdul-Razzaq al-Abaiji, an economist, told VOI "the one-tick-decline in the exchange rate has encouraged traders to make bids for the dollar as it has become a new policy by the Central Bank to absorb local liquidity in an attempt to bring down inflation."The Iraqi Central Bank runs a daily auction from Sunday to Thursday.
Iraq-Currency :: Aswat al Iraq :: Aswat al Iraq
As I recall, much like the 1345 rate that was slated to end '06 was blown by. This 1260 idea was thought to be in place by the end of March. If 1260 is not a leap point then I believe they will just waltz past it. frankly i'd like to see them "Mosh pit" the rate to death instead.
تفاصيل الاخبارQuote:
President Talabani stressed the activation steps to implement the political program of the Iraqi government
21:30 07 / 05 / 2007 21:30 07 / 05 / 2007
PUKmedia :PUKmedia :
President Talabani met this afternoon today, Monday, headquartered in private capital Baghdad, Dr. Nuri Kamal al-Maliki Iraqi prime minister. In a meeting between the two sides here Maliki President Talabani on the success of two Sharm el-Sheikh. For his part, al-Maliki was light on the outcome of the Sharm el-Sheikh and his visit to Kuwait and a number of other states.
This, during the meeting the two sides exchanged views on a number of issues and recent political, security and economic. President Talabani renewed emphasis on the need to strengthen relations between the components participate in the government and parliament for the development of the Iraqi reconstruction process and preserving the achievements. As President Talabani renewed emphasis on the activation steps to implement the political program of the Iraqi government.
This met with President Talabani on the same day, Spick hard Deputy American Ambassador in Iraq, and discussed with him the situation and the developments in Iraq, as they discussed the upcoming visit of Vice President Dick Jenny to the region.
Quote:
UN official to travel to Saudi Arabia to sort out Iraq debt
Politics 5/7/2007 11:12:00 PM
UNITED NATIONS, May 7 (KUNA) -- Ibrahim Gambari, the Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on the International Compact with Iraq on Monday said he is planning to visit Saudi Arabia "soon" to sort out the Iraqi debt.
He told a press conference here following his visit to Sharm EL-Sheikh where he attended the launch of the International Compact with Iraq that he will be accompanied on the trip by Sinan Al-Shibibi, the Governor of the Iraq Bank.
"The Saudi-Iraq relation is very complicated. There are elements of the debts that need to be reconciled because the Saudis have a sense of how much is owed, and the Iraqis have a slightly different sense of how much is owed," he said.
Also there are official debts and there are debts owed to private people," he added. "They have to sort all that out".
He said he and Al-Shibibi will see how "we can promote a reconciliation of some of these issues where there is difference of opinion between Iraq and the Saudis".
The UN and Iraq co-launched the International Compact with Iraq last week in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in support of the five-year plan for peace and development in the war-torn country.
Over USD 30 billion in specific financial commitments have been announced so far.(end) sj.bz.
KUNA 072312 May 07NNNN
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesP...23&Language=en
What's a "Mosh Pit"?
[QUOTE=Hkp;198008]Draft of Iraqi oil bill criticized by Kurds, Sunnis
With so many articles of this nature going around, is this true or is it smokescreen? i thought i remembered reading an article that stated the Kurds were pleased with it, or are they just miffed that it is taking so long.
I can't remember anymore, maybe I have been through a mosh pit instead.
LOL still very popular, they basically beat the bejeebers out of eachother by body slamming and throwing themselves down, my son plays at concerts, creates much moshing, hahahhaa.....even hubby gets in there! I still don't understand why they have the urge to do that!
Number of banks 18 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1264 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ------ -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 87.865.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) ------
Total offers for buying (US $) 87.865.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ------ -----
Gooooooooooooooood Morning Rolclub
I say by the end of this week, (the Thursday auction) we'll be past 10 trillion dinar extracted from the economy
"The More They Take, The More We Make"
"Stay the Course, its the difference between Winners and whiners"
9.82 Trillion taken out and still the Party has not started
1. "1" Dinar rate change today, it was 1265, it is now 1264
2. A (net) worth of dinars, IQD - 111,061,360,000 pulled out of circulation today 5/8/07.
3. 18 banks participating today
4. 138th auction since the beginning of CBI's reval plan
5. 220 days into the CBI's reval plan. (Seven Months +)
6. 9,822,600,821,000 dinars pulled from circulation !!
6A. Conservative ESTIMATE of Dinars still in circulation or controlled by the CBI 7,177,399,179,000
7. "0" Dinars back into circulation today
8. 213 dinar change since Oct 1st (baseline was 1477) 14.421% increase in value of the dinar since beginning of reval plan (Approximatly Oct 1st).
9. 3 point reduction in the rate so far this week. Was at 1267 at the end of last week, 1264 so far this week.
10. 5 point drop in the month of May. Ended at 1269 in April, now stands at 1264
In January we saw a 2.49% drop in the rate.
In February we saw a .928% drop in the rate.
In March we saw a .546% drop in the rate.
In April we saw a .3142% drop in the rate
Don't you know that dentists (tongue bolts...) and orthopedists love this generation. Some years ago we went $thousands in the hole when my teenaged daughter was knocked flat by someone flying OUT of a mosh pit, (she wasn't even in it...) and sustained a classic football injury to her knee. I don't think childbirth held a candle to that particular pain. I felt lucky to have raised her to adulthood more or less in one piece.
Blackout plunges Iraqi parliament into darkness
08 May 2007 12:44:08 GMT
Source: Reuters
BAGHDAD, May 8 (Reuters) - A power blackout forced Iraq's parliament to cancel its session on Tuesday, at a time when Iraqi legislators are under growing pressure from U.S. officials to pass laws seen as vital to healing sectarian divisions.
Parliament, which is in the heavily fortified Green Zone, usually receives 24-hour power despite severe electricity shortages in other parts of Baghdad.
The lights went off as legislators were about to enter the hall and a couple of hours later, officials decided to postpone the session until Wednesday.
It was unclear what caused the blackout. The building has also had little or no water for months.
Iraq's different political blocs need to agree and pass contentious bills such as an oil law that opens the way for foreign investment in Iraq's long-nationalised oil sector and measures that will roll back a ban on members of Saddam Hussein's former Baath party holding public jobs.
more at linky...
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KHA835171.htm
Big Article!! We Are Getting Close!!!
Iraq market for securities quantum leap in the area of capital markets for domestic sectors
ةExecutive Director : draft circulation mail Sedkhlina world competition with Arab capital markets
of shareholders : the current stage in the work market is a success regardless of the problems and obstacles
member of the management company : the market will establish a scientific basis for the work of traders and businessmen
The citizen-Ammar Secretary
Iraq established market for securities under Act No. (74) of 2004 and is of an Iraqi major securities companies and different economic sectors vital mission in Iraq, The first meeting of the circulation of the two months after its establishment after a Board of Governors consisting of nine members in addition to the Executive Director.
The optimistic view
Says Ahmed flash / director of a company listed on the market (that our company contribution in the market, We undergoing attendance of the meetings circulation weekly half and strive with others to contribute to the success of the market in order to compete with market international capital markets, especially that Iraq possesses a large base of self-employment and facilities giant enable self-sufficiency in the event and provide conditions of stability and security first, He (the Iraq market for securities transfer and the reality of domestic companies into reality scientific and technical important as a first stage to reach the ranks of capital markets in the Middle East, and that communication will increase its support for the implementation of their aspirations and future plans)
And he (the current stage of success regardless of the obstacles that exist in the work of economic life in Iraq and with a market created requirements for success for companies and banking sectors, industrial and service, tourism, However, the repercussions of the current stage and targeting businessmen, local traders requires the State to provide security protection to us through the links and coordination with other businessmen to Hedman migration of capital and the Iraqi problem must be considered by the government bodies responsible for seriously and find solutions to them).
The Muhannad Al-Bayati / Head of the Department says one hotel (formerly I-defense security that the country's financial market such as exists in much of Europe and Japan and the United States and is economically developed countries, .. However, the successive wars and political unrest stopped the economy and not allow the Iraqis to develop their potential and their own in the fields of production, processing and export, although Iraq is a relative and productive and have full capability to reach self-sufficiency stages of the local production is different). It goes on to say (... more than three years ago, we welcomed the establishment of the market which is a quantum leap in the area of economic work through registration and listing companies and the introduction of modern technical means in the work which makes a market in the future scientific basis for the work of traders, businessmen and the Iraqis think it is a step in the right direction to reach the art the advanced countries in the area of capital markets, which rely on modern techniques for dealing with capital and corporations Alantajiho service).
Mahdi Efrai / member management company listed on the market for more than two years (the businessmen in Iraq, especially the Iraq market participants look to be in the country's capital market developed. Although Iraq market
Securities wonderful gesture and seen everyone optimism. She (the Aaddalshrkac contributing involved in the deliberative sessions is gradually increasing and is an important stage will reflect positively on the development of reality because it opens the door for the entry of other companies and therefore the possibility of the return of capital Iraqi immigrant benefited greatly from neighboring countries during the spur investment, and I think that this requires that governmental bodies responsible move to strengthen the relationship Iraqi trader and owners of the various market through the development of Iraq's plans and programs and effective supervision of experts and professors economy renowned for their expertise in their fields).
A desire to develop banking sector
Haider says Jasim / member management of a bank (in response to an invitation addressed to market Iraqi banks endorse BIS financial management, a number of banks in the performance of advanced a strong response to this request, As we learned from our brothers in market management, the process of preparing the details of the implementation of this plan is by sponsorship revenue and an expert specializing in stock and has the experience of implementation (46) Brush - commerce will be discussing with the departments of these banks in a few days at a joint meeting includes departments banks with Iraq the Board of Governors of the Iraq Stock Exchange, which is an effective step to involve the banking sector in achieving balance and productive participation in the response to a call for the development of market mechanisms work according to the latest technologies and access to capital markets in the Arab world and the world).
And added (We will not turn ourselves to offering something contributes to the success of the market to the benefit of both parties, the success of the market will reflect positively on the reality of other sectors and is generally Mantmah him despite the current difficult circumstances).And added (to highlight the problems and obstacles facing the development of the investment is to increase the capital-organization, which coincided simultaneously with the migration of capital which impact on the governor investors through stock liquefaction high price for the purpose of underwriting and increase whose shares were at one dinar addition to the departments of companies threatened and some of them were subjected to kidnapping).
اTivallahdav based programs
For his part, the Executive Director of Market Taha Ahmed Abdul Salam, in a meeting with the (citizen) (law systems market activity under specific objectives derived from work programs and daily activity, as follows : -
-management meetings circulation Pmaidman operations, the average annual number of meetings convened by the market (96) circulating in addition to cooperation with international bourses and join unions and the Arab and international exchange of experience and training to raise the level of performance of the market which is now permanent member of the Union of capital markets Arabic and in the European Union and Asian bourses based in Turkey.
2- 2-establishment of courses, lectures, symposia and meetings with intermediaries and companies and investors.
3- ا.3-issuance of the investment law to non-Iraqis in the market and there are efforts to start its operations especially dimensions Aghercil conservatives instructions circulation of non-Iraqis and referred to the concerned authorities for approval and delegating work ... .And pointed out (to the requirements of incorporation included contacts with the contribution reporting incorporation to control performance and know how to fulfill the conditions required for the registration and launch circulation of shares as well as liaison offices and mediation firms and retraining and creating employment requirements and are representing (34) is a company limited mediation and (16) the Office of the mediation in Iraqi banks, including banks, (5) government in addition to Theehalkader career and work programs of contracts Hall and the conversion of the circulation system of communication with investors and dissemination of data and statistics needed to familiarize citizens with this type of investment) He (the constraints facing the implementation of the Millennium lags to allow non-Iraqis investment in a market of Iraq at a time when most bourses benefit from the characteristic movement of capital to promote investment in their countries as well as to increase Asaaralvaideh bank deposits, and everyone knows that the inverse relationship between rising interest rates and stock prices in the stock market, the participation of the private and non-governmental financial investment in spite of the existence of very large financial surpluses among other assets invested with the failure of some departments of companies in the industrial sector to develop areas of activity and was still operating at less than capacity despite the fact that much production requirements, which fall within the list of prescription However, despite this market has been able to achieve (93) a circulation rate of two per week and the circulation (58) billion shares worth (146) billion dinars).
The draft circulation mail ... Quantum leap
10)موظفين ).And electronic trading on the draft central and conservation in the market said (Hall that the market will change is reflected in the memorial terminals and transfer to plastic plates circulation to the other side to continue with the process memorial networks where required that the Department prepared plans for training on the project first phase (32) of them (7) staff were trained for two months in Amman at the site of her IBM programmers in the company and the Swedish OMX second phase included (15) staff training period of one week and the final stage (10) which included staff). And he (it is expected that the use of electronic systems to increase the number of meetings Aaltdaoul to five meetings a week instead of two, enabling the investor to buy the shares and sell at the same meeting and eliminate the problem of the late issuance of share certificates experienced by the market and investors with the receipt of value shares in the following day's meeting without delay in the transaction clearing bank and no need to stop companies with increases in Rees funds to a long period of standing more than four months, ... and also expected to build a base of contributors throughout Iraq fully without errors or circumstances with the issuance of reports leaflets at (300), according to a report statistically desire by investors and brokers will be able to investor circulation through more than one intermediary Wade, which means a positive force for investors with the focus on the registration of companies in the international numbering agency). The plans are expected to be achieved during the current year, the Executive Director stressed that the work in a 0-1 circulation mail and transfer files investors from all the companies contributing to the deposit which leads to the elimination of the daily problems that we face, and also increase the speed rate cycles shareholders to benefit the most prominent plans). (we seek to encourage investors to training and moving to electronic trading and issuing instructions circulation mechanism and investment with the opening of non-Iraqis as soon as the basement and told inclusion of new companies in the market and expand investment, primarily in the country to sign an agreement with the Kurdistan Hall for the opening of circulation linked electronically headquarters in Baghdad market, in addition to accede to the International Federation of Stock Exchanges after success in performing the required international standards, We are also cooperating with Arab bourses to open direct investment channels via the stock exchange to enable investors from trading directly and by the requirements of the opportunity (. explaining (that the negotiating process is now under way to Akhtbarmasrv off commerce with banks (6) non-governmental organizations and to choose one of them to manage Rappasho direct broadcast of the proceedings of trading and price movements across the network universal Press and Reuters had been selected under an agreement addition Alitsgel shareholding companies listed in the International Atomic renumbered (Annals of Social Science).
(that there will be important stages of approval will work in the market such as the market, with companies contributing to transfer files contributor who deliberating shares in the market to depository center and conventions Bank settlement banks and financial investors in addition to the direct link between market intermediaries and offices and instructions for non-investment Iraqis by the Commission on the problem of the Board of Governors, after it had been holding a meeting with the Department of the International Monetary Fund in Amman to start training and advisory projects for the benefit of Iraq's market in the near future).
Translated version of http://www.almowaten.com/economy.html
I hear ya there, my daughter still has one [tongue bolt...] and she has a son now as well..hmmm I wonder how she's going to explain this Frankenstein electrode protruding from her mouth? lol
http://www.fantascienza.com/magazine...ankenstein.jpg
I like your new avatar Snotty! Wink Wink....
IM a newbie. (hate that word) anyway hello everyone...I sure hope we're getting close...it's sure been a long haul...got to hand it to the Iraqi people though after all they've been through Thanks for alowing me to join...great bunch of folks!!!
I agree with cooldolpins. We were all NEWBIES at one point or another. WELCOME to Our World Of DINAR world , Facts and Fiction. I believe the Fiction will Very soon Become Facts. Go RV!
Wolfhounds work toward economic success
Tuesday, 08 May 2007
By Spc. Mike Alberts
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
HAWIJAH — The local government approves a building project and provides the land. Local businesses supply the materials. Residents perform the work, and the community reaps the short-term and long-term economic benefits.
Several months ago, that was a vision for economic success in this predominantly Sunni Arab town. Now, with the assistance of coalition forces, that vision of the future is becoming reality in Hawijah, Iraq.
On April 24, coalition force representatives of 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, conducted the final pre-construction meeting for the Hawijah Industrial Park Security Wall - the “HIP Wall” - at Forward Operating Base McHenry, Hawija, Iraq.
“This is the first of many steps to moving economic development forward in Hawijah. The wall will truly be a symbol of the start of a new era for the people of Hawijah.”
U.S. Army Maj. Brian Payne
The HIP Wall is a more than one million dollar, three-phased public works construction project. The concrete block and chain-link fenced barrier will separate Hawijah’s primary industrial businesses from other mixed-use properties, according to Capt. Jeffrey Fuller, fire support officer for 2-27.
“The HIP Wall is very similar in concept to barriers in large industrial areas in the United States that are gated or fenced and that separate industry from residential areas,” said Fuller. “In Hawijah, it will not only provide businesses with a more secure place to operate, but will also offer residents a safer place to work.”
When 3rd Brigade’s Wolfhounds arrived last fall, they quickly realized that they needed to find a way to infuse money into the Hawijah economy in a way that would be accepted by the local population. So they listened.
“We wanted to focus on long-term economic development that would equate to employing a lot of residents, so we began to have conversations with local business leaders,” Fuller said.
“We learned that several of the more prominent businessmen in the area were already talking about how they could bring more jobs and industry into the city. The only thing really holding them back was security.”
The Wolfhounds offered the concept of the HIP Wall and the local city council, government officials and business leaders embraced it. The result will be the first joint, cooperative government and local business effort in Hawijah.
The wall will secure cotton and cinder block factories, as well as several other existing businesses that will be housed together. It is anticipated that the factories will employ more than 250 local residents and will generate products that Hawija can export to other parts of Iraq and beyond.
“This is the first of many steps to moving economic development forward in Hawijah,” said Maj. Brian Payne, executive officer for 2-27. “The wall will truly be a symbol of the start of a new era for the people of Hawijah,” he continued.
Payne cautioned, however, that whether the concept ultimately succeeds will depend on its acceptance by local residents, a conclusion reiterated by the project’s general contractor.
“Great efforts have been made for this project to be one for the people of Hawijah, constructed by the people of Hawijah. For that reason, we plan on hiring all labor for this project from Hawijah,” said engineer Ali, the general contractor’s representative at the final pre-construction meeting. The 29-year-old civil engineer is cautiously optimistic about the project’s success.
The biggest challenge will be showing the people that it is a project by them and for them. Without their acceptance, its future will be in jeopardy. But we have really done everything we can.”
Iraqi, U.S. officials discuss way forward
Tuesday, 08 May 2007
Daniel Speckhard (left), Charge D’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, Ali Al-Dabbagh (center), an Iraqi government spokesman, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, the MNF-I spokesman, provided an update concerning the current relationship between Iraq and its neighboring countries at the Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad Sunday. U.S. Army photo courtesy of Combined Press Information Center.BAGHDAD — Iraqi and U.S. government officials along with the Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman held a press conference at the Combined Press Information Center Sunday.
Ali Al-Dabbagh, an Iraqi government spokesman, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, the MNF-I spokesman, and Daniel Speckhard, Charge D’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, provided an update concerning the current relationship between Iraq and its neighboring countries.
“The stability of Iraq means the stability of the region itself, which matters to the whole world” said Al-Dabbagh. “As for the conference of the neighboring countries, there’s a general [good] feeling.”
Al-Dabbagh stressed the importance of national and international unity and cooperation to pull Iraq out of a state of violence.
“This success should be supported by a national determination between all political parties to pull Iraq out of violence,” he said. “[Iraq] could be a meeting of all cultures to remove violence and conflicts from the area.”
Al-Dabbagh recognized the need of neighboring countries to help with reconstruction.
“[Iraq] will stay like this unless the neighboring countries help Iraq enter a new era,” he said.
Speckhard commented on the ‘International Compact of Iraq,’ and the Neighbors’ Ministerial Conference. Both meetings offered leaders from around the region to participate in peaceful dialogue.
“The neighbors’ meeting marked the first time there has been a gathering on Iraq at this level with the participation from all the neighbors in the region,” he said. “The participation of Iraq’s neighbors shows the promise for the goal of addressing Iraq’s challenges by creating a stable, secure and prosperous Iraq with the support of its neighbors.”
“The ‘International Compact for Iraq’ laid the economic foundation, which progress can be built on,” he continued. “Iraq’s leaders have to move forward with courage and boldness in bringing the country together through political action.”
According to Speckhard, Iraq’s reconstruction will not be easy.
“Iraqi leaders have a full plate of issues on their agenda,” he said.
Caldwell expressed the importance of securing Iraq and how efforts may get harder before the quality of life for the Iraqis gets easier.
“Once security is improved, the Iraqi people will be able to move forward, build their government, deal with challenging issues and develop their own security forces so they can assume responsibility for protecting themselves,” he said.
According to Caldwell, al-Qaeda continues attempting to decimate hope by advancing their agenda through chaos, fear and intimidation to discredit the Iraqi government and demoralize the citizens.
“Al-Qaeda is a vicious and committed enemy,” he said. “They target symbols of progress, vital infrastructure and gatherings of innocent people.”
Recently, Coalition forces discovered detonation wire leading to a girls’ schoolhouse in Tarmiyah, Iraq, which was found to be rigged with explosives around and within its construction.
“It was designed to be a vicious, ugly, sophisticated, premeditated attack against the most vulnerable and innocent members of society – girls trying to get an education,” he said.
However, Caldwell remained optimistic due to the amount of help received from the Iraqi populace.
“We have seen a dramatic increase in the reporting and discovering of weapons caches,” he said. “People know the security forces are there, and they are there to protect the people.”
As Iraq continues to progress in reconstruction, Speckhard reaffirmed the commitment of the U.S. to support the Iraqi democracy.
“The United States remains firmly committed to supporting the government, the nation and the people of Iraq as they move ahead, which is of vital importance to all Iraqis,” he said.
(U.S. Army story by Spc. Carl N. Hudson, Combined Press Information Center)
Kirkuk Police Academy takes training to a new level
Monday, 07 May 2007
By Spc. Amanda Morrissey
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Iraqi police cadets at the Kirkuk Police Academy practice drill and ceremony techniques during training. The academy, in Kirkuk, Iraq, offers basic physical training to cadets, as well as advanced training in criminal investigation, computer skills, first aid, and more. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Amanda Morrissey.KIRKUK — It’s the sound that strikes you first. The yelling and chanting, shrieking whistles, the thunder of boots striking the ground. Then there is the visual: hundreds of Iraqis lined up and arranged in groups of blue uniforms. Some stand still, some march, and some perform movements in place at the commands of their instructors. It is in this crucible that men are transformed from civilians into Iraqi police officers.
This is the new life of the cadets at the Kirkuk Police Academy. Just a few weeks ago, these men lived the normal everyday lives of Iraqi citizens. Then they answered the call to serve their country and their people, leaving behind the life they knew for one of training, discipline, sacrifice and honor.
“The training is hard, but it’s also easy because we have a goal to reach,” said Adnan Omar Ahmed, a cadet at the academy. “The majority (of cadets) came here for more than just a job. They came here because a lot of them got hurt by terrorists. They have had a cousin killed, a relative, or a brother. Everybody has a problem with the terrorists and the bad guys.”
With more than 1,000 graduates from the previous four training sessions, and almost 900 cadets in the current session, the Kirkuk Police Academy draws in many whose desire for justice leads them to become police officers.
The Iraqi police basic training experience is similar to that of U.S. soldiers. During the eight-week course, cadets engage in physical training every morning, followed by drill and ceremony and weapons training the rest of the day. All of their instructors are Iraqi police officers.
“We teach them how to use the guns and how to defend themselves and the police station they’re going to work with,” said Capt. Samad Mustafa, a weapons instructor. “It’s not a game, it’s something important. That’s what I’m teaching them.”
It is a demanding schedule that leaves many cadets exhausted by the end of the day. However, they come back every day, ready to learn more of what it takes to be a police officer.
Col. Samir Morshed Khorshid, the chief of the academy, is credited for the high attendance of the academy. Samir took charge of the police academy more than a year ago, and has worked with 25th Infantry Division soldiers on the Police Transition Team (PTT) at nearby Forward Operating Base Warrior. PTT soldiers work as advisers to the Iraqi colonel, helping him improve training at the academy.
“We step behind the Iraqi instructors, let them take charge and do their own thing,” said Staff Sgt. Amaury Garcia, a PTT adviser to Samir. “Basically, we’re there to assist if they need assistance, or mentor them on whatever they need.”
Some improvements implemented by Samir are the additional training programs offered at the academy. Besides basic training for cadets, the academy offers a variety of advanced training courses which are taught by International Police Liaison Officers (IPLO), civilian police officers from the United States.
The academy has graduated about 3,100 officers from its advanced training courses, including criminal investigation, sergeants training program, first aid and computer skills. Currently, more than 100 officers are enrolled in advanced training courses. After attending the Kirkuk Police Academy, those officers will also be able to share their knowledge with fellow officers back at their stations.
“I came to learn the computer, and I’ve learned a lot here,” said Abas Nathim. “There are many guys in my police station, and they will ask me questions about the word (program), the keyboard, and I can teach them what I learned here.”
Samir also wants to start a training course for women who want to become police officers. He is in the planning stage of the operation, but hopes to recruit 100 women so he can start a trial course soon, Garcia said.
Through the combined efforts of Samir, the academy instructors, the PTT soldiers and IPLOs, the next generation of police officers should hit the streets of Kirkuk with better training and a wider range of knowledge to use in the fight to secure their city.
“I can’t speak for the rest of Iraq, but I feel that they’re going to make a big change overall in Kirkuk,” Garcia said. “I believe that Col. Samir is doing a great thing. He’s all about training and doing the right thing. He’s actually taking charge and leading them forward.”
Fourth Rebuild Iraq Exhibition Opens
AMMAN, 8 May 2007 -- Jordanian Minister of Trade and Industry Salem Khazaleh yesterday opened the Fourth Rebuild Iraq Exhibition with the participation of about 1,000 firms from 40 countries. The four-day event provides a "good opportunity for international firms to forge regional investment alliances" for taking part in Iraq's reconstruction, Khazaleh said.
Chairman of the Economic and Investment Committee at the Iraqi Parliament, Unadem Kena, said that the reconstruction of the war-ravaged Iraqi economy would require $300 billion worth of projects.
By Abdul Jalil Mustafa
© Arab News 2007
Iraqi expatriates costing Jordan $1 billion annually -- Interior Ministry
07 May 2007
Economists differ on estimated losses
AMMAN -- Iraqi nationals in the Kingdom are costing Jordan $1 billion a year, according to preliminary estimates recently released by the Interior Ministry.
The billion-dollar budget burden was first revealed in April during a UN conference in Geneva designed to raise awareness on the Iraqi refugee crisis and its effect on neighbouring countries that have absorbed them.
"Our initial investigation estimates that the overall cost of hosting Iraqi nationals on our national budget is no less than $1 billion," Interior Ministry Secretary General Mkhaimar Abu Jamous told The Jordan Times.
According to the 2007 budget, capital expenditure (mostly spending on infrastructure) is expected to exceed JD1 billion for the first time, whereas current expenditure was forecast to cost the country JD3.3 billion, noting that the bulk of current expenditures are civil servant salaries and pensions.
Final figures cannot be released until FAFO -- a Norwegian agency contracted to conduct a survey on Iraqis in Jordan -- defines the exact number of Iraqis in the Kingdom and identifies their living conditions, financial status and needs.
Bisher Al Khasawneh, the newly appointed director general of the Jordan Information Centre, who was previously in charge of the Jordanian supervisory team for the study, told The Jordan Times that the survey is expected to be completed in the first half of July.
During the ministry official's address to more than 450 delegates from 60 countries at the Geneva conference, Abu Jamous explained that the bulk of spending is being directed towards the water, energy, health and education sectors, which are subsidised by the government.
He noted that Jordan is one of the poorest countries in the world in water resources, while power and basic infrastructure services are being upgraded to keep up with the continuously increasing demand, and that Iraqi nationals have equal access to these services.
But according to Jordanian economist Yusuf Mansur, the numbers simply don't add up.
Mansur explained that if the estimated 1 million Iraqis residing in Jordan are costing $1 billion, then (assuming they are equally treated) the 5.5 million population should be costing the country $5.5 billion, which is not the case.
"I challenge anyone to come up with a number higher than JD200 million ($282.3 million) annually, that is if one million Iraqis are all being subsidised for water, energy, school and health services... plus we haven't seen any major infrastructure changes in Jordan besides the Amman ring road which has been in the planning for 10 years," Mansur told The Jordan Times.
The columnist disputed the extra energy cost, since the "government is expected to make a surplus of JD167 million this year from oil derivatives and is therefore not subsidising anyone."
"We cannot look at this as a one-sided problem and not attribute the benefits we have seen from the surging population. Iraqis have spent tons of money in the Kingdom and are partly behind the boost in the stock market and real estate... if we calculate money the government received in visas alone we are talking around JD50 million," he said.
Mansur claimed that the impact on Jordan would be tremendous if all Iraqis left, adding that with "proper strategic planning" the government could turn this into a profitable opportunity.
"Allowing more Iraqi nationals to enjoy full residency means that they will work, contribute, pay taxes and Jordan will benefit further," he said.
Economist Fahed Fanek, however, said $1 billion was a "reasonable" figure.
Fanek, who is chairman of the Jordan Press Foundation, pointed out that an unexpected 15 per cent population increase, with the majority concentrated in Amman, has created havoc in the capital.
"All of our services have been under pressure, for example phone lines, energy and water... the extra water-distribution is a major problem in itself in a water-poor country," Fanek told The Jordan Times.
He added that energy prices rose 35 per cent in one year and the capital's infrastructure is not equipped to handle this kind of major population surge in such a short time.
"We must also take into account all the added security measures the government is paying for... this adds up," Fanek added.
In his speech, Abu Jamous said: "Jordan deals with Iraqis based on our historic friendly relationship and the Kingdom's political will and leadership to provide assistance and humanitarian services to neighbouring countries despite our limited resources, in addition to the burden placed on Jordanians having to deal with consecutive waves of refugees."
The Interior Ministry secretary general pointed out that despite the country's meagre resources, Iraqi guests have access to the public heath system and education institutions for a token fee.
Any child who holds a residency permit is accepted into public schools and official figures place 40,000 non-Jordanian students in public institutions.
But a government source told The Jordan Times that around 50,000 Iraqi children, with or without residency permits, are in some of Jordan's 3,200 schools.
"We have already reached our limits... as you know most public schools run on the double-shift system," the source said.
Positive response
The overall response to UN pleas for international recognition of the "human tragedy being ignored," was positive at the conference, with neighbouring countries promising to keep their borders open and most European and Western countries pledging to allocate funds and accept more refugees for resettlement.
"The meeting was not a 'pledging funds' conference. It was meant to gather decision-makers, NGOs and donor countries to highlight the problem and create partners to focus on the road ahead," Astrid van Genderen Stort, UNHCR senior information officer, said.
Stort told The Jordan Times that the agency expects clearer figures and "hopefully more pledges" from the international community in the coming weeks, adding that the only solid figure committed was from the Iraqi government, which promised $25 million for its citizens in neighbouring countries.
"I think it is a commendable first step by the Iraqi government to allocate resources under the magnitude of problems they face ... even if it is a drop in the bucket," she said.
By Linda Hindi
© Jordan Times 2007
Cheney to seek help on Iraq, Iran
[8 May, 2007 l 0808 hrs ISTlAP]
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WASHINGTON - US Vice President Dick Cheney heads on Tuesday to the Middle East, seeking help from sometimes wary US allies for stabilizing Iraq and hoping to enlist them to counter Iran's growing regional influence.
But Cheney -- who will visit the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan -- will leave the diplomatic heavy lifting on the Arab-Israeli peace process to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a top aide said on Monday.
"I'm not sure that getting another cook in that kitchen makes much sense," a senior Cheney aide told reporters in a pre-trip briefing held on condition that he not be named.
"So my sense is that the division of labour on this was really the vice president would be focused on Iraq and some of the other security challenges that we have in the region," the aide said.
Instead, Cheney will aim to convince Iraq's mostly Sunni neighbours to back the four-month US-led crackdown and convince their fellows in Iraq to end support for the insurgency and embrace the country's shaky political process.
"These are some of the, I think, the most respected and most influential leaders in that part of the world," the aide said. "You're in a situation where you want to be firing on all pistons and using every tool we have," he continued.
The US vice president, a potent force in an increasingly weak White House, will be the senior-most official from Washington to visit Riyadh since King Abdullah railed against the "illegitimate foreign occupation" of Iraq.
Asked about such tensions -- King Abdullah recently refused to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki -- the Cheney aide said Riyadh's other actions, including significant Iraqi debt forgiveness, spoke louder than words.
"I think on the whole, Saudi leadership is a very good thing given the strength and enduring nature of our relationship with the Saudis and the amount of work and cooperation we've done over the years," the aide said.
The US-Saudi alliance may also prove critical amid mounting tensions between rising powers Saudi Arabia and Iran on Iraq and Lebanon though the aide declined to characterize the struggle for influence as a "proxy war."
"On the sort of notion of a proxy war, I mean, it's clearly important to avoid any kind of inflammation of those tensions to that extent," the Cheney aide said.
Iraq stops doctors leaving
Iraq: 13 hours, 18 minutes ago
Iraq's education ministry is trying to stem the flow of doctors leaving the country by stopping local medical schools issuing graduation certificates and transcripts to new graduates, The Washington Post reports. Physicians need the documentation to work abroad. The Iraqi Medical Association says that at least one-third of the country's 40,000 registered doctors have fled to Jordan, Syria and other countries.
Iraq pleads for help at Jordan reconstruction fair
Jordan Times - 08/05/2007 [-] Text [+]
(MENAFN - Jordan Times) AMMAN (Agencies) ? Minister of Industry and Trade Salem Khazaaleh on Monday opened the 4th International Rebuild Iraq Exhibition, stressing the country's keenness to support Iraq and its rebuilding efforts.
At the opening ceremony, Khazaaleh underlined the importance of holding the exhibition which opens the way for forging new partnerships and launching new investments. The First Iraqi Business Forum, organised by the Iraqi Business Council, also opened in Amman on Monday on the sidelines of the exhibition.
Around 150 Iraqi companies representing different economic sectors, are participating in the forum, viewed as a good opportunity to highlight investment opportunities available in Iraq.
The forum also provides Jordanian and Iraqi businessmen the chance to build business partnerships.
An Iraqi lawmaker urged foreign firms attending the exhibition to help rebuild his war-battered country, saying that more than $300 billion were needed.
"Iraq needs more than $300 billion for reconstruction in all fields ? oil, economy, industry, agriculture, infrastructure," said Yunadem Kanna, a member of Iraq's parliamentary commission on the economy, investment and reconstruction.
"I urge the representatives of the firms attending this exhibition not to hesitate and to participate in the reconstruction of Iraq," Kanna told AFP.
"Iraq is a huge market that needs expertise and technology in order to take its seat among world countries," he said during the opening of the exhibition which lasts until Thursday.
"We are not here to say that everything is fine in Iraq," added Kanna, acknowledging that deadly daily violence was the main hurdle facing foreign investors.
"There are security problems but we have safe areas in the north and the south, and there is an investment law that gives foreign firms many benefits," he indicated.
More than 700 Arab companies and foreign firms from Britain, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States are at the exhibition.
"This huge international participation clearly shows a desire by these firms to work with their Iraqi counterparts and to forge future deals," Khazaaleh told reporters.
"The Iraqi market needs a lot of what is on display here today, and everyone is hoping for stability in that country in order to participate in its reconstruction," he said.
Last month, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki told South Korean business leaders that the Iraqi people were struggling to "rise from the ashes" of conflict.
"Because of its abundance in resources such as oil and gas, Iraq has a great potential to become an advanced country," Maliki said in Seoul after a visit to Japan to drum up support to revamp Iraq's oil and petrochemical sectors.
Last week, the leaders of more than 50 countries agreed at an international conference in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh to fund reconstruction if Iraq meets certain economic benchmarks.