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

Blackwater case deepens as investigations multiply

US and Iraq investigations into powerful private security group Blackwater USA are multiplying as more questions are raised about the firm’s actions in a Baghdad shooting that left at least 10 Iraqis dead.

On Friday the US Department of State announced it was sending a team to Iraq led by a senior official to evaluate security measures for US diplomats who have relied on Blackwater and other private security firms for protection in the violence-ridden country.
“My instructions to the panel are simple: their review should be serious, probing and comprehensive,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement about the review.

“Once they have established the baseline facts, I look forward to hearing their recommendations on how to protect our people while furthering our foreign policy objectives.”

Secretary of Defence Robert Gates also sent off a five-man team to Iraq to investigate relations between US forces and private security contractors, who are often heavily armed with armored vehicles and helicopters.

And in Iraq, a joint US-Iraqi commission to study the security firms was preparing to meet, according to the US embassy in Baghdad.
The enquiries have been sparked by the September 16 shoot-out in which at least 10 Iraqi civilians were killed and 13 wounded by Blackwater guards protecting a State Department official.

Nearly two weeks later, the circumstances of the bloody shoot-out remain blurred, with Iraqis angry and indignant and the country’s prime minister having demanded Blackwater’s expulsion.

Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki initially said Washington should immediately replace Blackwater but later backed down and agreed to await the outcome of investigations.

Furious over the killings, the Iraqi government has threatened to try the Blackwater guards under Iraqi law and is preparing legislation to bring supervision of private contractors under its control.

Blackwater, which has some 1,000 people working in Iraq under reportedly 109 million dollars in security contracts with the State Department, insists that its employees only fired after they were fired upon and threatened by a suspicious vehicle.

According to the US television network ABC, Blackwater employees testified in initial investigations that their convoy, which was speeding back to Baghdad’s Green Zone near midday after a car bomb went off near where they had been guarding the diplomat in a meeting, were threatened by a white car bearing down on them in Baghdad’s busy Nisoor Square.

According to ABC, when the vehicle would not heed signals to halt, the Blackwater team opened fire until it was disabled.
According to the New York Times, citing a US official close to the investigation, the shooting continued even as one Blackwater employee ordered the others to stop firing.

Iraqi witnesses paint a different picture, however, claiming that the Blackwater teams opened fire without provocation.
Blackwater’s case suffered somewhat more this week with the release of a US Congressional report on the horrific murder of four of its staff in Fallujah on March 31, 2004, an act which sparked a brutal US military assault on the city.

A Congressional committee said that Blackwater had sent the men into the extremely dangerous district on a security mission without proper support or equipment. They were caught by Iraqi attackers and killed, and their charred bodies were later suspended from a bridge.

The report accused the company of having ignored warnings that the mission was too dangerous and of cutting the size of the team to save money.

“These actions raise serious questions about the consequences of engaging private, for-profit entities to engage in essentially military operations in a war zone,” the report said.

Khaleej Times Online - Blackwater case deepens as investigations multiply=

Kurds welcome US Congress proposal to divide Iraq

Iraq's Kurdish regional government has welcomed the non-binding decision of the US Congress to divide the war-torn country into three entities, while Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki rejected it saying it would be a 'catastrophe'.

'People and government of the Kurdistan region welcome the US Senate decision calling for rebuilding Iraq on the basis of federalism,' the Kurdish regional presidency, headed by Masoud Barzani, said in a statement.

Late Wednesday, the US Senate approved, with 75 votes for and 23 against, a non-binding draft decision proposing the division of Iraq into three entities -- Kurdish, Shia and Sunni -- with a federal government in Baghdad responsible for border security and supervision of oil production.

The Kurdish leadership emphasised that dividing Iraqi into three entities 'is the only viable solution to the problems of Iraq', adding that the federal system 'does not mean division for the country, but rather voluntary union'.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki vehemently rejected the resolution describing it as a 'catastrophe' and called for the Iraqi parliament to hold a session devoted to discussing the resolution.

'The resolution is weird, because it is an Iraqi affair dealing with Iraqis. Iraqis are eager for Iraq's unity. Dividing Iraq is a problem, and a decision like that would be a catastrophe,' Maliki told reporters on his way back from New York, where he appeared at the UN General Assembly.

The Association of Muslim Scholars, a Sunni body said to be close to several insurgent groups fighting the US-led occupation, condemned the decision in a statement, saying whoever backed the decision was a 'traitor to his religion, his nation and his home'.

Kurds welcome US Congress proposal to divide Iraq : Middle East World

Good for the Kurds. I would love to see them get their own State and oil rights to sustain it.

Regards,

Thelema

The Kurds are known to be pretty split up both by their historical and geographical roots...it goes quite some way when you hear and read the struggles of their plight against the Turks and many more on diplomatic fronts in that region...

Nonetheless, whichever side you are for or against them, there are still far many Kurds of high distinction in the International Community and by virtue of their identity yet to be fully established, the northern Kurds of Iraq in this case are one stable economy, stable minded community and one sure road to prosperity....lets not differentiate them with confusion esp with a war-torn southerly run bunch of disorganized Administrators that has not live up to reality and real needs for its own given identity...as Iraqis bent to mold each other to the ground...whatever it takes, less the prayers they undergo every 5 times a day!!!

This will win votes too for the US involvement...better side with the pragmatic northern Kurds and protect their resources instead than be blown daily to shrapnels by and from unruly madmen not wanting to live peacefully and become prosperous instead.

I certainly agree with all you said, Yogi. And, especially, I think you hit it on the head with comment there exists a likelihood that success for the Kurds would mean a good measure of success for the United States, too; and that they, like the Turks, would likely also be a stable and reasonable-minded force in their region--while the rest deliver themselves to whatever destruction can lead to an eventual construction, if not by dint of business sense alone. Let the kick-a$$ Kurds kick some a$$...say that fast a few times.

Regards,

Thelema

Apart from the fact that it would be a complicated mess to split Iraq into divided states - while already being a complicated mess - although a marvelous solution in theory and probably would be welcomed by many here - you would have to certainly wave goodbye to your dinar investment in our lifetime.

I know the Kurds are very popular amongst many on the forums, however, amongst Arab nations they have earned over many years the reputation equivalent to that of the mafia.

Unpopular opinion amongst many people here I know, but frankly true.

New Oil Law is not in Iraq's interest

Iraq's draft oil and gas law, which was approved by the Iraqi government in April and which is scheduled for parliamentary approval, is one of the most dangerous laws issued since the occupation of the country began in 2003.

The permanent constitution, passed in 2005, is another dangerous document that threatens the future of Iraq.

Some chapters of the draft oil law are based on the constitution, which is opposed by a large number of Iraqis. Many Iraqi politicians and lawmakers see the law as a major threat to Iraq's national interests.

Lawmakers and politicians from various ethnic, political and sectarian backgrounds have expressed deep reservations about the new law.

The Council of Ministers, which approved the Bill, is one of the three executive branches of the Iraqi government. Yet, it was formed after an election held under difficult circumstances in a country under foreign occupation.

However, no positive changes have yet to be seen since the start of the political process and the formation of the government of Nouri Al Maliki.

On the contrary, it had added fuel to the fire in the war-ravaged country and made a bad situation worse, taking the country to the point of no return. The new oil law is expected to play a negative role in shaping the future of Iraq.

Lawmakers must lay down flexible laws that encourage foreign investors to invest in Iraq, while preserving the national interest and giving Iraq the upper hand in controlling its natural wealth without depriving investors of their rights. This is simply because Iraq has had a record of disputes with foreign oil companies since the discovery of oil in the early 20th century.

The same scenario is taking place in Iraq following the government's approval of the new oil law. Iraqi workers in oil companies have engaged in confrontations with the Iraqi police, protesting at the new law.

In Basra, workers were involved in confrontations with Iraqi policemen and called for a civil strike last month.

In the 1960s, all political forces called for regaining Iraq's national control over its oil production. The struggle led to the passing of Law No 80 for 1961 through which Iraq managed to regain 99 per cent control over its oil fields.

Many lawmakers and oil experts have examined the technical aspects of the new oil law. They have unanimously expressed deep reservations, considering the law a step backward for Iraq whose oil revenues constitute 90 per cent of its annual budget.

Technical aspects

Here it is extremely important to highlight the negative technical aspects of the law. Al Maliki's government and the parliament must take into consideration Iraq's national interest and the future of its oil industry before endorsing it.

First, the law is a step towards - for the first time - privatising the oil sector.

Second, it establishes a framework for unusual commercial ties with foreign oil firms by giving these firms generous terms under long-term contracts that could last for 30 years without being changed.

The law could benefit foreign oil companies at the expense of the Iraqi people, deny Iraq economic security, create greater instability, and move the country further away from peace.

Third, it contains contradicting provisions.

For example, article No 111 of the permanent constitution states that oil and gas are owned by all the people, while the new law stipulates that oil and gas are owned by the Iraqi people in all the regions and provinces.

Authority

This contradiction is open to misinterpretation and gives provinces the authority to negotiate and conclude contracts with other parties and submit them to the Supreme Council, which is based on a sectarian quota system.

Under article No 1, the law may spark differences between provinces over their rights of handling oil fields, which exist in these provinces.

The controversy and exchange of accusations between the province of Kurdistan and the ministry of oil on the heels of signing the contracts with oil companies by Kurdistan, is another example.

Fourth, the law stipulates in its article No 6 that the powers of the Iraqi National Oil Company do not exceed the management and operation of existing oil fields and developing the discovered ones.

Even worse, the Iraqi oil company will not have the right of exploration for oil without obtaining a licence for that, just like other foreign companies.

Obviously, the new law does not provide protection to the national oil company and considers it unqualified to compete with foreign companies.

Fifth, the law does not oblige foreign companies to abide by a timetable to produce oil.

This allows these companies to influence global markets and apply political pressure on Iraq, causing harm to development plans in the country.

Sixth, it does not oblige these foreign countries to pledge not to use Iraqi oil to apply political or economic pressure on other countries.

Furthermore, the so-called exploration risk contracts are the most dangerous part stipulated in this law, because drilling for oil takes place in tough areas like deserts and seas.

This gives these oil companies the right to gain 40 per cent of the extracted oil.

Finally, the law is a fruit of the sectarian quota system installed by the occupation, while the Iraqi citizen is the victim of this odious system based on sectarian affiliation, and not on qualification or loyalty to the nation.

Therefore, in Iraq's interest, the parliament should not rush this law through, as this would shape the future of Iraq and its future generations, who have the right over their country's oil wealth.

The Iraqi parliament is required to pass this real test and place Iraq's supreme interest above other considerations.

http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/colu.../10157023.html

Iraq and Angola oil output will soar in two years

Abu Dhabi: The oil output of Iraq and Angola, two members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), which are outside the Opec-10, is set to rise over the next two years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The Paris-based IEA, which advises 26 member countries on energy policy, said the Iraqi export and refining infrastructure can accommodate some 2.4 million barrels per day of production.

"Full reactivation of Iraq's idled domestic refining capacity, together with feasible export potential, could take outlets for Iraqi production into a 3.5 million bpd-4 million bpd range," the IEA noted, adding that this also represents the Iraqi oil ministry's latest target production level for end-2009. While in July 2007 the Iraqi oil supply hit a three-year peak of 2.18 million bpd, renewed pipeline outages saw output dip in August to 1.97 million bpd.

In Angola, the IEA said crude capacity is seen reaching 1.79 million bpd in the fourth quarter of 2007 and 2.1 million bpd by the end of 2008.

Output quota

De****e being Opec members, Iraq and Angola haven't been allotted output quotas.

Gulfnews: Iraq and Angola oil output will soar in two years

Thanks Luner and Seaview, your probably the last two posters in the Dinar section. There may be a few lurkers left, but Admin has made sure the the dinar thread is dead, Mind JMHO

Gloribee

Originally Posted by Seaview

I know the Kurds are very popular amongst many on the forums, however, amongst Arab nations they have earned over many years the reputation equivalent to that of the mafia.

Unpopular opinion amongst many people here I know, but frankly true.

I won't differ with you on that...it is a fact but not everywhere upholds on that belief... nonetheless, like the mafia, it can be contained so long as they morally say their own prayers and the sign of the crucifix and like to live well.... thats what we want...and thats why, a balance force is there to check on them./..but prosperity prevails and thats WHAT we want too...

With madmen living with 13th century lifestyle they want to uphold on 21st century progress...only brainwashed morons by virtue of religious abuse would pursue such a course....and we see them as strictly lunatic as on either side of the divide with the Sunnis and Shi'ite s. The Kurds are better brothers and with their "intelligent" offspring's, the world can learn more than something that we hardly get to absorb as bullet's worth from the trigger-happy religious fanatics in Iraq, south of the Kurdish region..

I'd put my dollar much more on helping the Kurds!!!