Thread: Iraq/Dinar News until 6/17/07 8:30 PM CST

Don't have a link, came from Adster on another forum. Iraqi Workers Declare Victory

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Below is the full translation of a message received today, Monday 11 June 2007, from Hassan Juma'a, president of the Federation of Oil Union (IFOU) declaring a tactical victory in the ongoing struggle of Iraqi oil workers.

On behalf of Naftana, we would like to extend our thanks to all, from across the world, who have campaigned and written to express solidarity with the oil workers and the IFOU. Naftana will continue to relay news of the oil workers in their struggle to improve living and working conditions, assert trade union rights and protect Iraq's oil from the proposed oil law, championed by the occupation governments. Naftana*

Full text of message:
"Warm greetings, We would like to inform you of the latest developments in the oil workers strike in the south.

Finally the workers have won in demanding their legitimate rights. That is why an enlarged meeting was held with his excellency the minister of State for the Parliament Affairs lasting five hours resulting in the cessation of all the failings resulting from the conduct of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil and the irresponsible stance of the oil minister. Most of the issues within the remit of the prime minister were dealt with.

The meeting was very successful, because the minister represented the prime minister. The activation of the committee formed by the prime minister to deal with the outstanding problems was affirmed. And after deliberations within our union, the two sides agreed to halt the strike and to use dialogue in dealings to resolve the outstanding issues. On the other hand, all problems were presented to His Eminence Sayyid Sistani, and the Iraqi ministry of oil was reprimanded for its improper conduct.

Therefore, we would like to say to all that the workers will is indestructible. The workers can achieve what they want by the means available to them and their strength. And the oil workers are very strong, because they have a legitimate right. The workers have scored a third victory in demanding their rights.

Long live the Iraqi working class.
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they won. meaning they recieve the pay they wanted at the old rate ?or the reval is under way, making the pay they currently recieve worth a whole lot more?.....sorry, chomping at the bit here.....still time for me to call in sick-permanently.

Abdul Mehadi discusses ties with Japan and Britain

Baghdad, 11 June 2007 (Al-Sabaah)

Iraqi Vice-President Adel Abed al-Mehdi discussed during his meeting with the Japanses and British mbassadors to Iraq means of developing the political, economic and social ties.

During his meeting with the Japanese ambassador to Iraq Kanjero Monji, Abdul Mehdi praised the big role of Japan in supporting the political and democratic processes underway in the country, expressing his appreciation to Japan and its role in presence its forces and extending its staying for two years.

Exporting gas via Baku-Ardrom pipeline


11 June 2007 (Iraq Directory)

An American official said on Wednesday that the United States is holding talks with Iraq and Turkey arrange investments with the aim of resuming production and export of gas to Europe.

Matthew Pereza, Deputy Assistant to the American Secretary of State, said in a press conference in Baku that Iraq might be linked to the Baku-Ardrom pipeline between Azerbaijan and Turkey.

He added, "The United States is accelerating the creation of conditions in Iraq for investors willing help fund resumption of gas production."

He added that Turkey, Iraq and the United States intend to continue talks on the development of the energy sector, following up a previous round in March.

He said, "There is no assessment yet of the amount of investment required for the infrastructure of gas in Iraq. But it will be necessary to invest to improve the existing infrastructure de****e the problems related to ensuring security. "

Ilhami Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, said in the same Tuesday conference that his country will increase production of gas to 16 billion cubic meters in 2008 from 12 this year, and will begin exporting on a large scale to Europe via the Baku-Ardrom pipeline.

Most of the oil delivered by the pipeline will come from the giant Azerbaijan Shakh Deniz field in the Caspian Sea , run by the companies the British B.B, the Norwegian Schtat-Oil, the Russian Look-Oil, and the French Total Oil, in addition to the Iranian and Turkish National companies.

Pumping Iraqi gas through the pipeline will add a new source of gas supply to Europe and ease the dominance of the Russian company Gas-prom, which will increase its share to 25% of the European market in coming contracts.

Iraqi gas could also be exported through the Nabucco pipeline, a European project threatened by the Russian Gas-prom boycott and its control over the flow of gas from Central Asia.

But an official from the energy sector in Ankara said that Turkey would prefer an alternative course to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ardrom pipeline, adding, "Iraqi gas export via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ardrom will be very difficult and potentially problematic and costly. Instead of this line, Iraqi gas can be linked via the pipeline of Diyar-baker or Seeret. "

He continued, "If the project proposed by Turkey is completed, it would be only 130 km from the Iraqi border."

A source in the oil sector told Reuters last March that the Turkish companies T.B.A.O, Potash and Tech-vene, and Royal Dutch Shell, formed a consortium to make a license application to produce gas in Iraq and build a pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, parallel to the existing pipeline from Kirkuk to the Mediterranean Sea.

Turkey has a complex relationship with Kurdish-dominated northern Iraq. Its military leaders and politicians sometimes threaten to take a military action to crush Turkish Kurd separatists hiding in mountainous areas there.

But de****e these political tensions, there are more than 600 Turkish companies working in northern Iraq. Analysts say Turkish exports to the Kurdish government, including fuel, were valued at approximately five billion dollars in 2006 alone.

Iraqi Union Leaders oppose Oil Law
11 June 2007 (Iraq Directory)

Iraqi union leaders met with a U.S. congressman they say is their biggest friend in Washington, urging a united front against Iraq's draft oil law.

Faleh Abood Umara, general secretary of the Iraq Federation of Oil Unions, and Hashmeya Muhsin Hussein, president of the Electrical Utility Workers Union, called the proposed law a theft of Iraq's oil.

"We believe this is a new invasion of our economy and especially to take over our oil fields," Umara told Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, in a private meeting Thursday in the congressman ' s inner office, which UPI was allowed to attend. Kucinich is a presidential candidate and Congress ' most vocal war opponent. The law, which is stuck in negotiations, is feared by the unions as giving foreign oil companies too much access to Iraq's oil.

Umara was one of 10 union leaders for whom arrest warrants were issued earlier this week as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki responded to a strike of oil workers, who are demanding improved working conditions and a seat at the oil law negotiating table.

The unions began a strike Monday over the law, as well as working conditions, but the work stoppage has been temporarily halted as negotiations continue in Basra.

"Therefore we believe this is a very aggressive act to take over our resources," Umara said. "The oil law, in its current status, does not serve the Iraqi people." Umara said foreign companies were welcome to Iraq's oil sector, but warned it should be limited.

The unionists urged the United States, via Kucinich, to oppose the law. President Bush and the Democratic-led Congress have called on the Iraq parliament to pass the law soon, both in official speeches and as part of legislation funding the war through September.

"Mr. Kucinich, we see you as a friend of the Iraqi people and that is the general belief over there," Umara said. "We would hope that your government could put pressure on our government to not pass the oil law." Kucinich replied, "Unfortunately our government is putting pressure on your government to pass it." Ben Lando, UPI Energy Correspondent.

Will petrochemical industries be equal to international competition?
$120 million rehabilitation budget inadequate


11 June 2007 (Iraq Directory)

Petrochemical industries need substantial capital because of their large industrial plant. The Ministry of Industry and Minerals has estimated the total value of development and startup at $120 million. Some experts consider such amounts inadequate to develop and rehabilitate these giant industrial institutions, as their capital and operating funds must be highly liquid to meet high technical specification and enormous production energy needs.

Petrochemical Industries require certain basic factors to grow, especially capital and technological progress. Petrochemical industries in Iraq have had success both because of those factors and because of the availability of large quantities of raw material. In addition to refined oil derivatives, there are also large quantities of natural gas accompanying oil production (plus large pure natural gas plays), and this normally provides the enormous wealth essential for petrochemical industrial competitiveness. Most of Iraq’s natural gas production from oil wells, until recently, used to be burned in the oil companies’ incinerators or 'flared' without providing any benefit.

The two most important petrochemical industry projects in Iraq are:

First, the plant for extracting sulfur from gas. This project is part of a network collecting natural gas from oil fields, a plant for extracting sulfur from gas, a plant for water liquefaction on the river “Lower Zab”, and a pipeline for pumping water into the factory, designed to treat 84 to 88 million cubic feet of acidic natural gas per day. Output is 100 tons annually of pure sulfur, 402 million cubic feet per day of dry natural gas, equivalent to about 385 thousand tons annually, and in addition 15 -18 thousand barrels per day of liquid natural gas (LNG). Large quantities of sulfur are always a by-product of such plants, and are consumed by other industries such as the synthetic silk industry at Hindia Dam, the paper industry in Basra, the fertilizer industry, and Al-Daura refinery in Baghdad.

Second, the Chemical Fertilizers Project in Basrah, another project of the Petrochemical Industries established in Iraq in the later years of the last century. The project was completed at the beginning of 1971 at a cost of 30 million dollars and started actual production in 1971/6/1.

Now, the Ministry of Industry and Minerals is determined to restart these industries because the requirements for operation are available. The question is: “Will our petrochemical industries again compete internationally?”

Guarantor requirement for Industrial loans dropped



11 June 2007 (Iraq Directory)

An official source in the Ministry of Industry and Minerals said on Monday that the ministry has decided to amend regulations for granting industrialists facilitated loans through the industrial development department. The requirement for guarantors and the actual presence of a project’s owner have been canceled, giving necessary flexibility to the loan granting mechanism.

The source, in a statement issued by the ministry, explained, "the industrial development department will make loan grants to 150 out of 500 applicants very soon," but he did not specify a date.

He said, "Al-Rasheed Bank and all its branches is preparing to start working out delivery, which will cover loans for three categories - 15, 20, & 25 million dinars in the province of Baghdad (exclusively); special requests will be studied by a legal and technical committee, examining such indicators concerning industrial projects as type, energy requirements, and products, as well as ownership of land for the project and the number of workers registered in the computer database. "

Among the conditions to be met by the industrialist are: to be identified in the current year, 2007, the amount of the loan required (depending on the nature of the project), and estimates of the special grants committee of three categories or their equivalent in dollars; the loan to be repaid within a period of four years, including the approval period of one year, with calculated benefits, and the amount of interest on the loan is set at 2% annually.

Iraqi university professors finally get life insurance


Baghdad, 11 June 2007 (Voices of Iraq)

The Iraqi National Insurance Company (NIC) has decided to allow Iraqi university professors to purchase life insurance, the Iraqi Finance Ministry said on Sunday.

"The National Insurance Company, which is the only state-run insurance company in Iraq, has decided to allow governmental employees, particularly university professors, to obtain insurance against terrorist attacks," the ministry said in a statement that the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) obtained a copy of.

"The decision aims to reduce the danger from terrorist operations and their effects on Iraqi families, and to put an end to the immigration of Iraqi intellectuals," the statement added.

The decision marked a shift in the company's previous policy that prevented Iraqi academics from obtaining insurance policies, given the high level of risk they are exposed to.

In the aftermath of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, a large number of Iraqi university professors were assassinated or kidnapped in a well-organized campaign launched by unknown armed groups, prompting many of them to leave the country for more secure places and resulting in a lack of university staff.

The completion of the drafts elections, accountability and justice

Date : Monday, June 11
The name of the page : the first page of the newspaper Sabah
Maliki : Iraq will Atenkser We know anything pessimism
Baghdad-Sabah.
New Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Iraq's determination to achieve progress in building enacting laws pointing to the completion of drafts for the elections, accountability and justice, affirming that Iraq will not be defeated.

He said during his meeting yesterday with OC Central Command Admiral William Falun : We are fighting on several fronts because we want to get out of the reality deserves to another challenge.
Seem harsh language in an interview Mr. Maliki consistent with the aspirations to maintain security and calm the situation through political arrangements and new security expressed by statements and addresses in recent times.
Mr. al-Maliki said : "We know anything pessimistic because of the price of democracy, stability and the political transition is not easy, but our solid and Atenkser Ankhadda of terrorism nor the militias and has succeeded largely complacent with the outside of the law
And Mr. Prime Minister, have much work and hard, because of the complexities and challenges of the transition from dictatorship to democracy, and we are determined to achieve progress in the process of enacting laws, such as the construction of oil in addition to completing the drafts legal elections, accountability and justice, We believe the political project which we must abide by it and abide by all of the product that democracy and elections.
The iron and military support, rehabilitation and training can raise the morale of fighters, including help in the face of terrorist organizations and expedite the process of assuming security file from the multinational forces in the whole country.
For his part, the Commander of the Central Region : come bring a clear vision of the American administration and Congress, there is a strong will to support your government and your people stressing that the United States is working strongly for the success of the Iraqi government in all fields.
He expressed appreciation for the sacrifices of Iraqi soldiers who are working to re-establish security and stability in Iraq 'and multinational forces committed to helping them to carry out these tasks.

A proposal to replace the dissolved body industrialization Iraq reconstruction

Date : Monday, June 11
The name of the page : the first page of the newspaper Sabah
Cabinet decides to re rights of all former officers immediately and without exception
Baghdad-haven Secretary
The Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki grant immediate salary pension for officers from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and above who do not wish to return to the Iraqi army, and without exception, as provided by the Commission on Human army and the dissolved entities proposing to the government to replace the dissolved body manufacturing reconstruction of Iraq.


This announcement at a press conference yesterday, attended by (morning), Chairman of the Human army and the dissolved entities emanating from the Supreme national reconciliation Faleh ho****ality, pointing out that the Prime Minister had made a number of decisions after meeting with departments concerned, the granting of an immediate salary pension to all officers who do not wish to return to the army with the rank and above and the return of all former army officers from the rank of captain or below who wish to return to the new army.
He added ho****ality during the conference, which was attended by Director General of the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Ministry of Defense and general manager of the retirement and adviser to the Defense Minister General Thamer Sultan that the competent departments, for its part, members of the former army inventory to promote their own pensions transactions, as well as preparing statistical forms for the officers and employees of the former army who did not join the new army by the Commission to identify the problems that preclude joining in the ranks of the army. He explained that the Committee and distributed 350 thousand new form between the army and employees of the dissolved entities through special centers to receive emergency grants, calling this segment to expedite the filling of forms in order to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
He added that the number of employees of these entities who receive emergency grants currently stands at 218 thousand associate after they have more than 350 thousand in the wake of the fall of the former regime in 2003. This decline in the number was the result of absorbing large numbers of those between the Ministries of Defense, Interior and the protection of vital installations and other miscellaneous jobs, have been resolved with the disabled who receive these grants after referral to the Assembly for receiving retirement benefits, stressing that the persons currently granting emergency files will be resolved between repatriation and referral service to retire on par with their peers according to the new retirement law which hopefully done soon.
And on the promotion of transactions officers who had left the country, his ho****ality : that e-mail has been allocated in this regard they can send the forms in which power, or their representatives, adding that the Commission received during the past more than (40) A form of the officers living outside the country. The outpouring army officers who have joined the armed groups to abandon their arms and return to either the army or promote their dealings pensions. He called the House ho****ality expedite the review of the law dismissed as part of a reconciliation, saying : the implications of these amendments would abide by the Commission, calling on the Council to develop the political process through the development of legislative work.
The detection team Thamer Sultan adviser to the minister of defense of the proposal has been submitted to the Prime Minister replacement MIC gotten the reconstruction of Iraq and to take advantage of tables affiliates in the reconstruction of the country.
Sultan said that consideration has been given to the issue of manufacturing firms operating before the fall of the military regime of practical competence, which has been forwarded a number of its affiliates to the Ministry of Science, Technology and the other to the Ministry of Construction and Housing. He added that only 30 companies from manufacturing firms, which have been distributed Form No. (2) between its affiliate for the return of those willing to contribute to the reconstruction of the country. Meanwhile, the Major General Nabil Khalil Said, director-general of the Veterans Affairs in the Ministry of Defense during the conference, as well as all of invisible waves emergency payments to the program. He quoted Prime Minister reiterated the lifting transactions retirement from the Veterans Affairs Department to retirement without directly sent to the dissolved entities. For his part Mallees Service Retirement renewed public had been completed more than seven thousand treatment of retirement to employees of the former Iraqi army.
He renewed during the conference that there pension transactions completed pending review the owners to give them the identity of retirement, pointing out that the Service is currently auditing transactions retirement of the security organs to be disbursed pension to them in the coming weeks.