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

Hmmm - people thought that about the Germans - lol.

I know Arabs are tempremental but 'variety is the spice of life'. We don't want everyone to be the same do we. That's the beauty of cultures.

The problem is not the Kurds running there own part of the Country - Good luck to them. If they run it well and are prosperous - so much the better for them.

The reasons for concerns is that there are pockets of Kurds living in most Arab Nations all vying for power.

Ultimately, the longterm goal is take power in the entire Middle East - not tomorrow. That can't be healthy for any continent. Remember the Second World War.

There are wheels within wheels going on over there. Not popular I know, but this is common knowledge not my personal opinion. Just a consideration some may wish to take into account.

Nouri Al -Maliki: I spared Iraq a Sectarian War

Iraqi prime minister, Nouri Al-Maliki asserted that national conciliation is his good choice to resolve political and security conflicts. In an interview with Al-Hayat in New York where he was attending the UN General Assembly session, he stated that militias are an alien phenomenon that he will fight along with every outlaw, be it Sunni or Shiite. He denied that his cabinet has failed because the destruction inherited from the previous regime and caused by the militias is too massive. He added, "I saved Iraq from a sectarian war."

While he expressed his reservations toward the Iranian and Syrian roles in Iraq, Al-Maliki felt a positive change in both countries. He also pledged that his cabinet will not allow any intervention in its affairs nor would it allow Iraq to turn into a launch pad for a US attack on any country in the region.

Below is the full transcript of the interview:

Al-Hayat: Anything new with respect to national conciliation and the relationship between the government and the militias?
Al-Maliki: I proposed a specific program from the start and I still believe that I have no other choice. The program is based on the principle of national conciliation. I staunchly believe that there is no alternative to national conciliation and political action as a solution to the security problem.

Al-Hayat: What about the militias?
Al-Maliki: National conciliation opens the security file. Security cannot be imposed by force. Militias constitute an alien phenomenon that is at odds with the concept of the state, and that cannot persist. Right now, militias have no legal cover, and this is why I am tracking them everywhere. Since the beginning of the confrontation, my slogan has been to confront outlaws without discrimination among Shiites, Sunnis, Arabs or Kurds.

Al-Hayat: WE are aware of the pressures, reservations and objections directed at you and you are aware that there are those who say that to an extent, you have not honored your promises or that you have failed; do you intend to make new proposals to wither those criticisms away?
Al-Maliki: To those who say that I have failed or whatever…I tell them that whoever takes a look at devastation in Iraq -- whether inherited from the previous regime, that which took place the collapse of the regime, or that which has been inflicted by Al-Qaeda, the militias or the gangs - knows that success achieved so far and promises honored have saved Iraq from a sectarian war. Were it not for the people's trust that I am not taking sides, people would have not supported the government. It is the objectivity in our approach to national conciliation that brought the tribes and the armed men to join the government against Al-Qaeda. I will continue this path. And I say: Yes, I have not achieved what I wanted. I am still in need, and the situation still needs more effort and time not to mention the internal and external treatment of issues. We have a multi-dimensional domestic conflict; we have a multi-faceted foreign conflict. This is why we are working on improving political relations with neighboring countries which have also had a significant impact on the security operation.

Al-Hayat: You are aware that the US is uncomfortable with the Iranian role in Iraq. It says that Iran is dedicating its efforts to attack American troops…
Al-Maliki: The Iraqi government did not and will not let Iran or other parties turn Iraq into a launch pad to attack the Americans. We have frankly and openly told them that what we forbid them to do to Iraqis also applies to Americans present on Iraqi territories as a result of a contractual understanding with the Iraqi government. They are ruled by this decision. Once the Americans are dispensable, we will thank them dutifully.

Al-Hayat: Do you have any reservations about the Iranian or Syrian roles in Iraq as the US is accusing both sides of playing a negative role?
Al-Maliki: How did you conclude that I have no reservations? I have reservations for the slightest Syrian or Iranian intrusion. Yes, I have full reservations and I will not allow and I will not be linked to any state that intrudes into Iraqi borders or that interferes in Iraqi affairs.

Al-Hayat: Has the Syrian position changed after your visit to Damascus?
Al-Maliki: In my last visit to Iran and Syria, I had a profound feeling about good changes in the positive direction. I will work on developing and entrenching that because it is important for the security and stability of the region.

Al-Hayat: Have you asked President Assad to deliver some of the Baath leaders?
Al-Maliki: No, no. In fact, I did not ask because I am not so interested in extradition, and the issue is not a vendetta.

Al-Hayat: There are many assassinations targeting Sayyed Sistani's agents in the south; how do you explain that?
Al-Maliki: These are part of an attempt to create security chaos in the south. Unfortunately, these attempts are linked to bigoted and fundamentalist institutions, not to states. They are interested in festering civil strife. The former regime also has a hand in this process.

Al-Hayat: Where is Izzat al-Douri?
Al-Maliki: I don't know!

Al-Hayat: Don't you have any intelligence reports?
Al-Maliki: We do; sometimes we know that he is in this or that state, but I certainly am not that interested in him.

Al-Hayat: It was previously said that the military intelligence located him in Yemen. Is this true?
Al-Maliki: Yes, he was in Yemen for a while. He was in Syria for a while. He stayed in Saudi Arabia for a while, which means that he is on the move according to incoming reports. I cannot confirm 100%. In fact, I am uninterested in him and I do not follow up on his affairs.

Al-Hayat: Do you think that the US administration has decided to give your government an ultimatum?
Al-Maliki: I hope that you reporters will get out of this issue. Al-Maliki's cabinet does not take a license or get an ultimatum. Al-Maliki's cabinet is elected. An entire nation was behind the elections; the people set the limits.

Al-Hayat: Do you sense that the Americans want a quick exit out of Iraq?
Al-Maliki: Yes, and the problem lies in the dates, because the exist is linked to finding a replacement to fill the security gap. There is talk about filling security gaps. Who fills the vacuum? It is the Iraqi troops. We have a problem but it is continuously diminishing, especially with respect to arming and equipping the troops. These will be completed. There also is talk about transferring responsibilities and the responsibility for security in the different provinces. I think this will not take long, but in principle, the Americans are looking for the appropriate opportunity to get out, but they do not want an exit that will leave a security vacuum behind.

Al-Hayat: How would you assess al-Qaeda's current situation in Iraq?
Al-Maliki: Al-Qaeda's situation is currently very confused. They used to have secure bases, prisons, courts and systems that they had installed in several areas including Al-Anbar, Diala, Mosul, and north of Babel, but now they have nowhere to go. Currently, they are moving toward al-Mosul, but I am after them.

Al-Hayat: Are they exiting or escaping Iraq? Where to?
Al-Maliki: They are exiting. We have information that we have given to some governments, information about al-Qaeda moving or partially transferring its activities to prove its existence.

Al-Hayat: Where to?
Al-Maliki: They escaped to Iran, to Syria, to Lebanon, and to Saudi Arabia. Some of them have returned to Al-Maghreb to Algeria. We have reported this information to all these states to keep them on alert.

Al-Hayat: Do you have any information that they plan to move in Syria or Lebanon for example?
Al-Maliki: Yes, yes, and we have informed other parties as well because we are aware that fighting terrorism is an international responsibility and that whoever has any information about a terrorist organization or cell must report it. A few days ago, I recommended and ordered the delivering of a complete file on Al-Qaeda to Algeria because of the Al-Qaeda's intention to launch major assaults there.

Dar Al Hayat

Jordan's king flies to Kuwait for talks on Mideast, Iraq

King Abdullah II of Jordan left Sunday for Kuwait for talks with Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah on latest efforts to push forward the Middle East peace process and the situation in Iraq, officials said. The monarch is also expected to press for increasing Kuwaiti aid to the Hashemite Kingdom to help cope with a growing oil bill and an aggravating public budget deficit as a result of soaring crude prices on the world market.

Kuwait, along with Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, volunteered on the eve of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 to supply Jordan with its energy needs amounting to 100,000 barrels of crude per day. But the three oil-rich countries stopped their oil gift early in 2005.

Jordan's king flies to Kuwait for talks on Mideast, Iraq : Middle East World

KRG: Oil Contracts Signed in February are Legal

KRG announced that all the oil and gas contracts which were signed by it are legal and according to the constitution.

Khalid Salih, the spokesman of KRG said in a statement “Hunt’s contract was signed according to the Regional law which was issued according to the federal constitution, and there is no doubt in this or other contracts about their legality.”

He added that “it is unconstitutional that Baghdad punished the companies which signed contracts with KRG.”

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahrstani has said “contracts signed in last February are illegal”, and he warned the companies of the consequences.

Al-Shahrstani also added that the raw oil cannot be exported legally by these contracts, because the Oil Draft Law mentioned that Iraqi Oil Marketing Organization only have the right to export oil.

PUKmedia :: English - KRG: Oil Contracts Signed in February are Legal

Hehe...I like that presumption on the Germans....but most would like a Benz in their driveway too....

Containing the Mafia may seem impossible...but it is feasible up to now and won't change given the might of the Law regardless of the switching personalities appearing like we have seen in Rudy Giuliani for example and many more Mayors in Milan to Marseilles and down south to Parlemo perhaps...

This world needs fossil Oil for the moment, for sure.. but looking over our shoulders is that surprise element of evil & darkness...we can't afford to lose our guard on that...with the Kurds and the Mob, thats the least of worries we should consider, more so with Al Qaeda and all those Muslim fundamentalists googling about....

KRG is not Informed about Iraqi and Turkey Agreement

Recently Media channels’ reported on the memorandum which was signed between Iraq and Turkey to eliminate PKK activities on Iraqi and Turkey borders.

On this issue, KRG spokesman said “KRG has not been informed of that agreement.”

Bahroz Galali, PUK representative in Ankara, told Kurdistani Nwe: “As far as it is known, article 3, 4 of that agreement is about reimplementation of the former agreement signed in 1989 between Iraq and Turkey.

According to which cross- border operation by Turkish army, without any prior note to Iraqi Government, is allowed. Of course, this is dangerous.”
“According to the International Security Council Resolution, any country that faces aggression in any form has the right to defend itself,” he added.

“The full text of the Agreement has not formally reached us. When that happened, KRG will express its view point about the subject.” Dr. Fuad Hussein, Kurdistan Presidency Divan Speaker said.

PUKmedia :: English - KRG is not Informed about Iraqi and Turkey Agreement

Iran will ponder wisdom of pursuing talks with US on Iraq -- spokesman

Sunday that pursuing talks with the United States would require further pondering for the discussions in the past proved to be fruitless.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said in a statement that the Iranian leaders would discuss the wisdom of continuing the talks with the Americans, considering the fact that there have been "no changes in the US policies in the region." He condemned what he termed the American forces' "abduction" of the director of the Iranian commercial affairs in Kermanshah, Mahmoud Ferhadi, but denied that Tehran's recent decision to close the border exits with the Kurdish regions in northern Iraq was related to this issue.

The spokesman accused the American forces, stationed close to the border, of supporting "terrorist groups," and rejected the US Congress' classification of the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.

http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesP...80&Language=en

For Releasing the Iranian Official, President Talabani to Present a Memorandum to President Bush

President Talabani’s assistance for commercial affaires, Abdullah Haji Saaid, held a meeting with a number of tradesmen and businessmen of Sulaimani on September 29th, in which they discussed the closure of the border gates by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its political, economy, and social damages and impacts on Kurdistan region.

They decided during the meeting to present a protest memorandum to President Bush, indicating the damages to Kurdistani region caused by the closure of the border gates by Iran, which consequently will create humanitarian, political, economy, and social crises.

The report also calls for releasing Mr. Mahmud Farhadi, the Iranian official who was arrested by the US forces in Sulaimani, for that purpose they contacted President Talabani who is now in an official visit in US, to submit the report to President Bush. On his side President Talabani accepted the report and his Excellency will submit the report today.

This is another effort by the private sector, tradesmen of Sulaimani city to avoid crises in industry, commerce and economy security aspects in Kurdistan region.

PUKmedia :: English - For Releasing the Iranian Official, President Talabani to Present a Memorandum to President Bush

Kirkuk ……. Process of Compensation of Arab Settlers Started

The first stage of the Process of Compensation of Arab Settlers started today in Kirkuk city in the frame work of steps to r normalize the situation the province - according to article 140 of the Iraqi permanent constitution- and repatriation of the Arab settlers families to their original places accordingly.

Regarding this, Kaka Rash Sidik ,head of Kirkuk office of high committee of the implementation of article 140 told PUK media : “ After the completion of the technical and financial procedures ,the first stage of giving compensations to the families of Arab settlers in Kirkuk will begin, paving the way for their repatriation.

“Taking into consideration the security situation, the process hasn’t been filmed and published in the Media, adding that 100 Arab settlers’ families will be compensated daily through checks that can be exchanged in all Iraqi provinces.

Arab settlers’ families will be compensated 10 million ID.

PUKmedia :: English - Kirkuk ……. Process of Compensation of Arab Settlers Started

Nouri Al -Maliki: I spared Iraq a Sectarian War

He did what is expected to do....regardless of the consequences to himself and or his fellow countrymen...it is NOT the outside world's only obligation to Iraq...it is his, as a leader to be committed, no more no less and no whining nor seeking outright praises for a job well done so he suffers from migraine at every sleepless night he also complaints about....

It is the destiny of Iraq and by the will of the Iraqi folks, somebody has to do the unenviable job... better an Iraqi than an American for sure...but they need guidance and help without question and he must heed advises too...thats in any game when you don't have all the answers and solutions, Maliki!