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

Sadr wants 'criminal' security firms out

Najaf: Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr on Tuesday demanded the eviction of all "criminal" security firms from Iraq after private contractors fired at civilians in Baghdad.

There are at least 20,000 security firms in Iraq, according to media reports.

The Iraqi government has already banned North Carolina-based security firm Blackwater after its personnel shot dead 13 civilians and injured 13 others in Baghdad on Sunday.

Officials said Blackwater security guards "opened fire randomly at citizens", but the United States said the guards only responded to insurgent attack on a US convoy.

"Most of [Blackwater's] members are criminals and those who have left American jails," Sadr said in a statement issued from his headquarters in Najaf.

"We have heard of the cowardly attack committed by the so-called security company against our people without any justification," he said.Sadr also demanded urgent investigation into the incident and compensation for families of all the dead and wounded.

Gulfnews: Sadr wants 'criminal' security firms out

Russia denies supplying arms to Iraq

Russia's Foreign Ministry dismissed Monday media reports that Russia is supplying weapons to Iraq.

"Russia is not carrying out any arms deliveries to Iraq. We take into account the acute military and political situation in that country," ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin told journalists.

Earlier, Iraqi and Western media alleged that Iraq's law enforcement agencies had received a batch of Russia's Mi-17 military helicopters (NATO codename Hip-H).

"This information is untrue. We have already officially denied such rumors, which periodically appear in the media," the official said.
But he said restrictions on Russian cooperation with Iraq in other areas did not apply.

About 12,000 Mi-17 helicopters have been built up to now and are used all over the world, while 70 countries have officially adopted them for military service.

RIA Novosti - Russia - Russia denies supplying arms to Iraq -1

Iraq sends first shipment of oil to Jordan

Iraq has sent out the first shipment of oil to Jordan since the outbreak of the Iraqi war in 2003, Jordan's official news agency Petra reported on Tuesday.

"The first shipment of Iraqi crude oil is currently on its way to Jordanian territory," said Petra.

According to the report, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki promised during a phone call with Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Al Bakhit that Iraqi government would provide Jordan with part of its oil needs in compliance with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed during the visit of Bakhit to Baghdad in August 2006.

Under the MOU, Iraq agreed to provide Jordan with between 10and 30 percent of its daily oil needs of around 100,000 barrels at preferential rates starting from September of last year.

However, the shipments have been delayed for technical and security reasons.

On Sunday, Jordan's Transport Minister Saud said that "the Iraqi side has informed the Jordanian authorities that it was ready deliver shipments of crude oil from northern oil hub of Kirkuk within three days because the circumstances are currently suitable."

Jordan, bordering on Iraq, had relied on its eastern neighbor for almost all of its oil needs before the Iraqi war broke out in March 2003.

Iraq sends first shipment of oil to Jordan

Peace summit should not aim to help US in Iraq says GCC
Pro-Western Gulf Arab states do not want the Middle East peace conference called by Washington to be aimed at helping get it out of "the Iraqi impasse," the oil-rich bloc's chief said Tuesday.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states "welcome any attempt to reach a just-and-comprehensive solution of the Palestinian issue and [to] settle the Arab-Israeli conflict," Abdel Rahman Al Attiyah said in remarks released at GCC headquarters in Riyadh.

He said he hoped the proposed conference will address core issues, and will: "not be aimed at linking movement in the Middle East peace process to developments in Iraq, in a bid to attract Arab states to a conference whose real goal is to help [the US] get out of the Iraqi impasse."

Attiyah did not elaborate on his suggestion that Gulf monarchies, which have close ties with the United States, fear Washington might use the summit to ease its difficulties in war-torn Iraq, where the continuing insurgency is fueling mounting domestic criticism.

His remarks came barely a week after GCC heavyweight Saudi Arabia said it might skip the international gathering if the meeting was not comprehensive and did not tackle core issues of the conflict with Israel.

The GCC also groups Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

US President George W. Bush has called for the international conference, expected to be held in November, to jump-start Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice heads to Jerusalem Wednesday to prepare for it.

Attiyah also reiterated that Gulf Arab states favor a negotiated settlement to the standoff between Iran and the West over its nuclear program.

"GCC states don't want to see any brotherly or friendly country subjected to sanctions," he said in a reference to Iran.

They also support "opting for the language of peaceful dialog to resolve all the problems liable to affect international security and stability," Attiyah added.

Peace summit should not aim to help US in Iraq says GCC - Region - Middle East Times

UK close to deal on Iraq troops

Gordon Brown is close to agreeing with the US the next stage of Britain’s withdrawal from southern Iraq, looking to reduce the UK’s role solely to training the Iraqi military by the end of next year.

The British prime minister, who on Tuesday night held talks with General David Petraeus, the commander of US forces in Iraq, is set to make a statement on Iraq to the UK parliament in three weeks’ time. He will seek to spell out Britain’s military strategy in southern Iraq between now and the end of next year.

Britain has about 5,000 troops in southern Iraq. The forces are aiming to complete the transfer of responsibility for security in the Basra province to the Iraqi military by the end of this year, moving to what is called an “over-watch” position.

This would see the 5,000 British troops having three roles. They would intervene when sectarian clashes arose; maintain supply lines out of the country; and train the Iraqi military.

The Brown government is now examining the possibility that UK troops will relinquish the first two of these roles at some point in 2008.

As the UK gives up its role in these two areas, the US will take control of security in southern Iraq from a base of their own. Those UK troops that remain inside the country will adopt a “niche role”, training the Iraqi military supported by a “US military platform.”

British officials believe that, during the first stage of “overwatch” – in which they retain the role of re-intervention, maintaining supply routes and training – the UK could reduce its force presence to an absolute minimum of 3,500 troops.

Once the UK has moved to the second “over-watch” stage – where it is solely responsible for training – it could reduce troops to less than 3,500.

British officials insist the gradual reduction in the UK presence in Iraq in the course of 2008 would be dependent on the security situation. They argue the past few weeks have been encouraging with no serious increase in violence in Basra city following the British withdrawal to the nearby airbase.

Gen Petraeus, speaking before meeting with Gordon Brown last night, said the southern states had seen a fall-off in violence over the past 1½ months.

British officials are making clear that any decisions on troop deployment will be taken in full consultation with the White House and the US military.

FT.com / World - UK close to deal on Iraq troops

Chuck Norris Sent to Iraq — Mission Accomplished!

September 18, 2007: C-Day.StillPhoto/SUNSHINE/Retna (Norris), iStockphoto (flag)

Freedom Now Officially on the March: Karate champion Chuck Norris is on the ground in Iraq visiting fifteen military bases and likely killing terrorists with his bare hands along the way. According to Chuck "the surge is working … It is so much safer and more relaxed, particularly in the Al Anbar province," he says. "It is so much better than often conveyed by the liberal media." Oh, snap! [WorldNetDaily]

Chuck Norris Sent to Iraq — Mission Accomplished! -- Vulture -- Entertainment & Culture Blog -- New York Magazine

Big oil’s waiting game over Iraq’s reserves

In Iraq, oil companies face a dilemma. They can wait for the central government in Baghdad to agree a new oil law that will give them a legal framework in which they can operate, and for the security situation to become manageable.

Or they can press ahead and sign agreements with the Kurdistan Regional Government, the authority in the autonomous north of Iraq, at the risk of souring relations with Baghdad and shutting themselves out of deals in the rest of the country.

It is a decision that has so far divided the smaller operators from the majors.

In Iraqi Kurdistan, the companies that are active include DNO – which has produced the first oil from a new source in Iraq since the invasion of 2003 – Addax, Dana Gas, Sterling Energy and Western Oil Sands, which is spinning off its activities in the region as part of its takeover by Marathon.

Most recently, they have been joined by Hunt Oil, a privately held US independent, which this month signed a deal to explore in Kurdistan.

The majors, on the other hand, have been conspicuous by their absence, aware that Iraq’s central government does not recognise the legality of agreements signed with the KRG.

Hussain al-Shahristani, Iraq’s oil minister, said recently about Hunt Oil’s deal: “All these contracts have to be approved by the Federal Authority before they are legal . . . This was not presented for approval; it has no standing.’’

Only 3 per cent of Iraq’s vast reserves of oil and gas are in Kurdistan, and while the minnows of the oil world might be able to make a good business out of 3 per cent of Iraq’s reserves, the big fish want access to the remaining 97 per cent.

That is why the majors that are interested in Iraq, including Total and Chevron – which plan to collaborate in the country – and Royal Dutch Shell, are all working with the government in Baghdad.

While they wait for contracts to be offered, the majors are building relationships, training engineers and carrying out technical studies for free, in preparation for the day when they might be able to operate.

The question is how long their patience will last. The level of violence is still unacceptably high, and the oil law is stuck in parliament. If anything, the prospect of agreement appears to be receding as tensions between the parties grow.

If the political situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate, there may come a time when the majors decide it is better to have 3 per cent of a large amount than 97 per cent of nothing.

Last week, the US commercial officer in Iraq said Hunt Oil was “smart” for becoming the first US oil company to sign a high- profile exploration and production deal in Iraq, even though the deal was with the KRG.

He was careful, however, not to suggest that other US oil companies should follow the Hunt model, saying: “I can’t recommend that as a US government official.”

DNO said last month it had rejected an offer of $700m from an unnamed international oil company for its Kurdistan assets. The identity of the bidder remains unknown, but the offer is a sign that at least one major has given up on the strategy of getting close to the Baghdad government.

Mr al-Shahristani, the oil minister, suggested recently that some contracts could be offered before the oil law is signed. But even if there are deals on the table, concerns about security will be a powerful deterrent to potential partners.

It looks as though the majors will have to keep waiting for Iraq for some time to come.

FT.com / In depth - Big oil’s waiting game over Iraq’s reserves

US considers building base in northern Iraq

Certain officials in the Bush administration have been considering the construction of a permanent military base in northern Iraq, which is predominantly populated by Kurds and considerably more peaceful than the other regions of the country, fraught with ethnic and sectarian violence, an influential US Democratic lawmaker has said.

Democratic Rep. John Murtha, a Vietnam veteran and prominent war critic, speaking to reporters on Monday at the National Press Club in Washington, said that the United States would no longer be able to prevent the quagmire in Iraq from getting deeper through military means, the private NTV channel reported.

During a recent meeting with officials close to US President George W. Bush, Murtha stated that he is against the idea of having a permanent military presence in northern Iraq. In response, an official, whom Murtha left unnamed, told him that the United States might need this military base. He also noted that Turkey would oppose such an idea and that he was not sure whether the US would take such a step if faced with Turkey's opposition.

The fact that members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have found a safe haven in the mountains of northern Iraq is a key issue in Turkey's relations with Washington, as well as with the central Iraqi government and the Iraqi Kurdish leaders in the largely autonomous region.

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/de...ay&link=122535

Iraq softens stance, says suspension of Blackwater temporary

The Iraqi government said on Tuesday that a ban on Blackwater USA was not permanent but warned it planned to review the immunity enjoyed by some private security companies following a fatal shooting of civilians near a State Department convoy.

A series of bombings, meanwhile, ripped through Baghdad, killing at least 18 people and wounding dozens, police said.

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said he understood the need for protection for Westerners and dignitaries but that preliminary findings showed Blackwater used excessive force in Sunday's shooting. He said more than 20 people were killed and 35 wounded -- more than double the death toll released by the Interior Ministry.

Blackwater has insisted its employees acted in self-defense and that those killed were armed combatants who threatened State Department personnel. "We have to protect the people. At the same time we have to show the sovereignty of the government in Iraq," al-Dabbagh said in an interview with CNN.

But he stressed the ban announced Monday on the North Carolina-based security company was temporary pending the final investigation. That seemed to represent a softening of the government position after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice assured Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of a fair and transparent investigation.

"Unfortunately there are many violations from this company and they have to be subjected to accountability," he said of Blackwater. "We are not intending to stop them and revoke their license indefinitely, but we do need them to respect the law and the regulation here in Iraq." The statements came a day after the Interior Ministry angrily denounced Sunday's shootings in a busy area in western Baghdad and said it was revoking the license of Blackwater, which provides security to US diplomats as senior as Ambassador Ryan Crocker as well as thousands of reconstruction projects in the country.

Blackwater said the company had not been formally notified of any expulsion and insisted its employees were acting in self-defense. "Blackwater's independent contractors acted lawfully and appropriately in response to a hostile attack in Baghdad on Sunday," spokeswoman Anne E. Tyrrell said in a statement. "The `civilians' reportedly fired upon by Blackwater professionals were in fact armed enemies and Blackwater personnel returned defensive fire," she said.

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/de...ay&link=122506

Iraq corruption panel moves forward on oil

The acting head of Iraq's Public Integrity Commission said allegations against oil, electricity and other quality of life sectors will be investigated first.

"The commission must investigate three main cases which are very important to the country," said Moussa Faraj, acting chief of the PIC, whose former head is in the United States and resigned amidst scandal.

The Al Adala newspaper reports the commission will look at money seized from former Saddam Hussein officials; U.S. money that has been unaccounted for; and the Oil for Food program.

Radhi al-Radhi, the former head of the commission, left suddenly for the United States last week after rumors he had cases pending against top Iraq officials. He also complained of death threats. Iraqi officials accuse Radhi himself of being corrupt.

He has since resigned but remained in the United States.

Iraq corruption panel moves forward on oil : World