Thread: Archive Latest News - Think Tank - 16/08/07 - 03/11/07

Arab economic council cancels 70% of Iraq's debt

The Arab economic and social council which follows the Arab League decided canceling 70% of Iraqi debts besides making many decisions to support Iraqi economy, Trade Minister Dr. Falah Sodani said.

He mentioned that these decisions considered major turning point at the council's work towards Iraq and came after the Ministry referred complete work paper to the council which its members approved it unanimously.

Arab economic council cancels 70% of Iraq's debt | Iraq Updates

Daawa Party-Iraq Organization will not withdraw from UIC – MP

Member of the parliament from the Daawa Party-Iraq Organization Abdul Hadi al-Hassani said on Monday that his party would not consider pulling out of the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC), while member of the Islamic Daawa party Ali al-Alaq played down statements made within this regard.

The leader of the party Abdul Kareem al-Anzi said on Sunday that the Daawa Party may withdraw from the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC) if efforts to heal the rift within the Shiite alliance failed.

“Al-Anzi’s statements are personal,” al-Hassani told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

“The party does not think in withdrawing from the UIC,” he added, noting that there are efforts to heal the rift within the Shiite coalition.

Regarding the decision taken by the Sadrist bloc to pull out of the UIC, the MP said that he urged the Sadrist bloc to reconsider its decision.

He stressed on the importance of having a strong UIC for the establishment of a new strong Iraq, noting that de****e the withdrawal of the Sadrists, the UIC was still strong with 83 seats out of the 275-seat parliament, in addition to the Kurdistan Coalition’s support.

“The party still supports Nouri al-Maliki’s government,” the man emphasized.

Meanwhile, Ali al-Alaq, a leading figure from the Islamic Daawa part, played down al-Anzi’s statements.

Member of the parliament from the Daawa Party-Iraq Organization Abdul Hadi al-Hassani said on Monday that his party would not consider pulling out of the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC), while member of the Islamic Daawa party Ali al-Alaq played down statements made within this regard.

The leader of the party Abdul Kareem al-Anzi said on Sunday that the Daawa Party may withdraw from the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC) if efforts to heal the rift within the Shiite alliance failed.

“Al-Anzi’s statements are personal,” al-Hassani told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

“The party does not think in withdrawing from the UIC,” he added, noting that there are efforts to heal the rift within the Shiite coalition.

Regarding the decision taken by the Sadrist bloc to pull out of the UIC, the MP said that he urged the Sadrist bloc to reconsider its decision.

He stressed on the importance of having a strong UIC for the establishment of a new strong Iraq, noting that de****e the withdrawal of the Sadrists, the UIC was still strong with 83 seats out of the 275-seat parliament, in addition to the Kurdistan Coalition’s support.

“The party still supports Nouri al-Maliki’s government,” the man emphasized.

Meanwhile, Ali al-Alaq, a leading figure from the Islamic Daawa part, played down al-Anzi’s statements.

Daawa Party-Iraq Organization will not withdraw from UIC – MP | Iraq Updates

UIC, Quartet alliance want Fadhila party – parliamentarian

A member of parliament from the Islamic Fadhlia (Virtue) party said on Monday that senior Iraqi officials have voiced “desire” for the party to enter the four-way alliance, while some Shiite officials are trying to convince the party to return to the Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC).

“The Quartet coalition has a desire for us to join, but we have not received an official invitation in this regard so far,” Basem Sharief told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

The Islamic Daawa Party, the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), and the two main Kurdish parties formed a four-way alliance in mid-August that they claim aims at backing the current Iraqi government following the withdrawal of some political blocs from the cabinet.

Regarding the withdrawal of the Sadrist bloc and the Fadhila party of the UIC, the parliamentarian said “The two have the desire to continue negotiations to agree on a project that serves the national interest.”

The spokesman for the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's movement announced on Saturday the withdrawal of the Sadrist parliamentary bloc from the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition.

Six months ago, the Shiite Fadhila (Virtue) party, which holds 15 seats in the parliament, withdrew from the UIC.

UIC, Quartet alliance want Fadhila party – parliamentarian | Iraq Updates

UIC urges Sadr movement to go back on withdrawal decision

The Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC) called on the Sadrist bloc to go back on its decision to quit the coalition, according to a statement released by the coalition.

Expressing its "amazement" over the decision, the UIC said "all components of the coalition showed their willingness to positively respond to Sadrist demands, with particular regard to filling vacant ministries," read the statement that the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) received a copy of.

"We call on Sadrists to reconsider their decision, and stress the need for unity and solidarity among all Iraqi political forces in order to overcome the difficult circumstances facing our country," the statement indicated.
"The coalition set up a committee to follow up and negotiate with our brothers in al-Sadr movement…," it added.

The Sadrist bloc, which held 30 out of a total 275 seats in the Iraqi parliament, announced on Saturday from the holy Shiite city of Najaf its withdrawal from the UIC, the largest bloc, holding 115 seats prior to the Sadrists quitting.

The UIC now has 83 seats after two members on the Risalyoon list, an offshoot of the Sadrist bloc, quit in solidarity.

Meanwhile, Hammam Hammoudi, the head of the Foreign Relations Committee in the Iraqi parliament and a leading member of the UIC, described the withdrawal decision as "sudden," noting, "The Sadrists have not submitted any official demands to us."

Acknowledging serious implications for the Iraqi government and parliament, Hammoudi said the withdrawal does not mean that "the political picture will complete change."

"The coalition has a strategic plan, which will not be affected by quick political fragmentation…," Hammoudi added.

UIC urges Sadr movement to go back on withdrawal decision | Iraq Updates

Czech’s PM Meets Iraqi Foreign Minister

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari was received by Czech’s PM Cerc Tobolank in Prag yesterday following an official invitation from the Czech’s Government.

Iraqi minister convoyed the thanks and gratitude of the Iraqi government for the Czech government’s support to achieve security, stability and the training of Iraqi security forces and other cadres in the fields of ancient monuments and children treatment.

He also mentioned that the support of the Czech Republic for the new Iraq is a long time investment to serve the mutual interests of both friendly people.

On his side, Czech PM said that the relations between his country and Iraq is having the 1st priority in his country’s foreign policy, and that Prag is watching the situation in Iraq and ready to continue its support to build the new Iraq, and supporting the Iraqi forces to handle its responsibility in the whole country.

They also discussed issues of mutual interest and the bilateral relations between the two countries, and they stressed their intention to develop the relations between Baghdad and Prag in all fields.

PUKmedia :: English - Czech’s PM Meets Iraqi Foreign Minister

Rice Calls al-Maliki

Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki received a phone call from the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The Secretary informed the PM her personal and the American Government apology for the accident that happened in al-Nisoor Square yesterday in Baghdad, and they agreed on making an investigation to unveil the facts and punishment of the perpetrators.

The Secretary stressed in the phone call that U.S. will take an immediate action to prevent the repetition of such incidents.

The PM condemned the gun fire initiated by American Security Company in al-Nisoor Square which resulted in killing and wounding a number of citizens.

PUKmedia :: English - Rice Calls al-Maliki

Concerning Article 140, Administrative Work to End

Mrs. Narmin Othman deputy head of High committee for the implementation of article 140 told (Kurdistani Nwe) that administratively, Kurdistan Region Government work is to finish.”

There are no problems except that of statistics that are related to Iraqi Ministry of Planning.” She said.

Narmin explained that there is no formal decision to postpone Article 140. Even we try hard to implement works unfinished and our next committee meeting will be on October 1st.

PUKmedia :: English - Concerning Article 140, Administrative Work to End

The Next Five Years to Come, Electronic Government System will Be Installed

A protocol will be signed between Regional Government and consultative company of (Price Water House Coopers), according to a project an electronic government system will be installed in Kurdistan.

The purpose behind the project is transformation from a government using papers to a government that works through networks.
The company that has 140,000 experts will be working for five years putting government works on Internet.

Botan Mahmud, director of IT office said the company will introduce its report details on the plan to the government next month.”

The implementation of the work is a step towards eradicating corruption”, he said.

PUKmedia :: English - The Next Five Years to Come, Electronic Government System will Be Installed

Speaker of Kurdistan Region Parliament Receives Dr. Ashraf Khadi

Speaker of Kurdistan region parliament, Mr. Adnan Mufti, received Dr. Ashraf Khadi, the former representative of the UN general secretary in Iraq, who on occasion of ending his duties in Iraq vested Kurdistan region.

Dr. Ashraf Khadi thanked Kurdistan parliament during a meeting attended by Mr. Dindar Zebari, KRG representative in UN, for their support in his previous visits to Kurdistan region.

Speaker of Kurdistan region parliament then appreciated the role of Dr. Ashraf Khadi who honestly served the people of Kurdistan and Iraq hoeing that his successor to do the same.

Concerning article 140 Dr. Ashraf Khadi said “Article 140 is a constitutional one and the role of UN will be only supporting the steps of implementation of the article agreed upon by the Iraqi sides. The essential solution is the duty of the high committee of implementation of article 140 which to present its report to the Iraqi council of representatives.”

Dr. Ashraf Khadi also talked about his visit to Sulaimani and Qahtaniyah village in Shangal area which recently targeted by the terrorists.

PUKmedia :: English - Speaker of Kurdistan Region Parliament Receives Dr. Ashraf Khadi

US Iraq chief to hold talks with British PM

US commander in Iraq General David Petraeus is to hold talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Tuesday, during a stopover on his way back to Baghdad from Washington.

Petraeus, who arrived in London late Monday, was also due to meet Foreign Secretary David Miliband. US ambassador to Baghdad Ryan Crocker is also in London for the talks.

Petraeus gave a key report to the US Congress last week on progress of the "surge" strategy which saw thousands of extra US troops arrive to bolster security in Baghdad and the volatile western province of Anbar.

He said the strategy was managing to quell some of the rampant insurgent violence that has threatened to tear Iraq apart under the US occupation, and proposed to end the surge and begin reducing the troop deployment next year.

Brown and his predecessor Tony Blair refused to set a timetable for withdrawing British troops from Iraq, insisting only conditions on the ground could determine when the time was right.

Over the next four weeks, some 500 soldiers are set to leave Britain's last remaining base in Iraq, Basra Air Station outside the southern oil port city, bringing numbers down to 5,000.

Brown has pledged that that it will decide on any further troop reductions after consulting with its allies and military commanders on the ground.
"Like America, Britain will discharge our duties to the Iraqi people, to our allies and to the international community," he said last week.

"Decisions on the future size and strength of our forces on the ground in Iraq will continue to depend on conditions on the ground."

After Petraeus's report to Congress the British prime minister had "cordial and constructive" talks by videoconference with US President George W. Bush, according to Brown's spokesman.

US Iraq chief to hold talks with British PM - Yahoo! News UK