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

Kurdish leader says U.S. has to meet pledges to prevent attack on Iraq

A leader in the Kurdistan Coalition (KC) said on Sunday the United States has to honor its pledges toward Iraq and prevent any attempt by neighboring countries to attack Iraqi territories.

"UN Security Council resolution 1546 on Iraq after the invasion that the United States has to stand up against any assault or attack that might be waged on Iraq," Mahmoud Othman, a member of the KC, the second largest bloc in the Iraqi parliament with 55 out of a total 275 seats, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

"The U.S. must be aware of the magnitude of threats posing on a daily basis against the territories of Iraqi Kurdistan Region," said Othman, accusing the Turkish government of trying to throw a monkey wrench into the democratic experiment of the Kurdistan region.

"If Turkey is really keen on fighting members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), why shouldn't it fight them on its lands now that there is an intensive presence of PKK inside Turkey," wondered Othman.

On whether it is possible to reach solutions for the PKK issue during the Iraq neighboring countries conference, scheduled for early next month in the Turkish city of Istanbul, Othman replied "we wish to hear radical solutions satisfactory to all parties inside the conference."

Earlier on Sunday, the Iraqi parliament on Sunday called on members of the PKK to leave Iraqi territories, stressing their rejection to the Turkish threats to use force against Iraq.

"The parliament voted unanimously in favor of a decision mandating the Iraqi government to take whatever measures necessary to stop the activities of the PKK and discuss the crisis with the Turkish side by peaceful means," a parliament's media source told the VOI.

Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barazani said the Kurdish forces would never be party to a conflict between Turkey and the PKK.

"However, if the conflict directly entangled us or the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, we will definitely defend ourselves," Barazani said in a joint press conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in the resort of Salah al-Din, Arbil province, the headquarters of the autonomous Iraqi Kurdish government, on Sunday.

Barazani appealed to neighboring Turkey to resort to the language of dialogue as a means of resolving pending issues between the two sides.
"If Turkey resorted to dialogue, we would do whatever we can to reach a peaceful solution with it and in the meantime come up with a reasonable solution for the PKK issue in a tranquil atmosphere," the Kurdish leader said.

Asked whether the Iraqi Kurdish leaders are ready to consider the PKK as a "terrorist" organization, Barazani replied that if Turkey "offered a peaceful resolution and the PKK rejected it then, we would certainly consider the PKK as a terrorist organization."

Talabani said during the news conference that he is scheduled to meet the Turkish foreign minister on Tuesday to discuss with him "means to have appeasement on the Iraqi-Turkish borders."

"We would say that we don't want or wish a war with Turkey. This is our position," he said, terming as "unjustifiable escalations" the unrest on the joint borders.

Talabani rejected Turkish demands to hand over leaders of the PKK and other Kurdish leaders.

"The PKK leaders are in mountainous areas we are unable to reach. As far as other Kurdish leaders, we will never hand over any Kurdish man come what may. This is a dream that will never come true," Talabani stressed.

The Turkish parliament unanimously approved on Wednesday a memorandum forwarded by the government to give the thumbs up to the Turkish army to hunt down members of the PKK, or Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan in Kurdish, in northern Iraq. Only 19 out of a total 555 legislators in the Turkish parliament voted against the proposal. The Turkish parliament made the decision after PKK fighters on the Turkish-Iraqi border areas waged armed attacks that killed more than ten Turkish soldiers.

Kurdish leader says U.S. has to meet pledges to prevent attack on Iraq | Iraq Updates

ISX index plunges, active non-Iraqi investors' trading registered

The Iraqi stock exchange (ISX) index plummeted by 1.312% in opening sessions this week while non-Iraqi investors had the lion's share in Sunday trading.

Traded shares in Sunday's session exceeded 2.404 billion at a total value of 5.578 billion Iraqi dinars in 236 transactions while the market price index stopped 37.210 points at the session closing.

According to daily analysis of the capital market, non-Iraqi investors were active in Sunday's session by carrying out eight contracts in the banking and industry sectors with total shares hitting more than 1.934 at a value of 4.737 billion dinars.

Shares of 24 listed joint-stock companies were traded in the ISX, 14 of which were banking companies in addition to one service company, eight manufacturing companies and one travel agent.

The banking sector's quota of traded shares exceeded 2.325 billion (96.7% of total traded shares) at a value of more than 5.497 billion dinars.

ISX index plunges, active non-Iraqi investors' trading registered | Iraq Updates

Central Bank of Iraq appreciates Iraqi dinar to 'rein in inflation'

Since September, the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has slowly appreciated the Iraqi dinar - as suggested by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - in an effort to rein in inflation.

According to the U.S. Department of State, year-to-date inflation through August is 11.2 percent and the year-on-year inflation rate dropped to 20 percent, as monthly inflation for August was lower than for August 2006. Historically, prices tend to rise in the latter part of the year, and August's increase may reflect that pattern.

Central Bank of Iraq appreciates Iraqi dinar to 'rein in inflation' | Iraq Updates

Iraqi SBDC staff learn to conduct microfinance activities

The key staff of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Tal'Afar recently attended a training program on the Pillars of Microfinance, organized by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Izdihar project. The program was conducted by a certified Iraqi CGAP trainer.

The course covered issues critical to operation of a microfinance institution, such as loan terms and conditions, loan procedures, loan follow-up, collection and controlling delinquency. The training equipped SBDC staff with up-to-date microfinance techniques that will facilitate the processing of micro-loans, a new line of activity for the SBDC.

Until June, when the SBDC awarded its first loans, participants in its business development courses were referred to local microfinance institutions or banks.

"It's great to have a complete idea about how to make a database system for lenders," one participant said.

"We learned how to follow up the loans and collect the installments. The training has provided us with a new vision. The knowledge that we gained will help us handle all matters related to microfinance," another participant said.

The training will help the SBDC in Tal'Afar better fulfill its mission to facilitate access to funding for small and medium-size businesses. Since November 2006, when they were established with the support and technical assistance of Izdihar, the five SBDCs in Iraq referred 110 entrepreneurs to banks and microfinance institutions - of which 26 received loans.

Iraqi SBDC staff learn to conduct microfinance activities | Iraq Updates

Central Bank of Iraq stabilizes exchange rate

The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) decided Oct. 12 to stabilize the dollar exchange rate through Oct. 18.

Ali al-Yasseri, a trader, said: "The Iraqi Central Bank has decided to stabilize the dollar exchange rate at 1,232 dinar per dollar for buying and 1,230 for selling."

It is of note that international trading continues in Iraqi dinar and the stabilized exchange rate is the one being used internationally, according to the U.S. Department of State.

Central Bank of Iraq stabilizes exchange rate | Iraq Updates

The challenge of seizing the moment in Iraq

Let's assume the numbers from Iraq are right, and that there has been a significant reduction in violence there. Let's even agree that the Bush administration's strategy is finally showing some success. Isn't that an argument for accelerating the transfer of security to the Iraqis - and speeding up the withdrawal of some US support troops?

US military commanders are now discussing precisely these issues. Some argue that the Bush administration should seize the moment - and take advantage of its recent gains - by handing off more responsibility to Iraqis. That's the definition of success in this mission, after all - to create enough security that we can bring most US troops home.

Adm. William Fallon, the commander of Centcom, discussed the security improvements in a conversation this week. He said he focuses on two metrics every day, the number of US combat deaths and the number of violent incidents in the country. As we talked last Tuesday, the total of US combat deaths for October stood at just 15, the lowest in many months. The number of violent incidents was averaging in the low 60s per day, compared to 150 early this year when he assumed command of US forces in the Middle East.

"I look at the numbers and I say the success that Gen. (David) Petraeus and the guys have made is amazing," Fallon said. "But how do we leverage that to get the Iraqi government to take decisions that will provide enduring security? How do we help them take advantage of this?"

Fallon cautioned that the schedule "is where it ought to be" for a gradual reduction by next summer of the US combat forces that do the actual fighting. But he said he is exploring with Petraeus and his other commanders "whether there is a way to take more of the support force out" on a quicker timetable.

In this new discussion of Iraq options, the commanders are weighing a classic question of military strategy: What's the best way to exploit gains on the battlefield? Should you move cautiously to protect and consolidate those gains? Or should you move more aggressively to seize the new opportunities that success has provided? Not surprisingly, the commanders on the ground are wary of risking the progress they've made, while senior officials at Centcom and the Pentagon are probing for new initiatives.

Southern Iraq will be a good test of whether the transition to Iraqi control can be accelerated. Britain announced this month that it is withdrawing half its troops from Basra, and that the remaining 2,500 may be gone by the end of 2008. Rather than moving US troops south to fill the vacuum, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno plans to let the Iraqi military and various militias sort out who controls what. About 400 US troops will be embedded with Iraqi special forces to help in a crisis, and thousands more can be flown in quickly. As other areas of the country become more secure, this hands-off approach can be extended.

The biggest argument against accelerating the handover is that violence is down now only because of the surge of US firepower. But in coming weeks, commanders will be exploring whether it's possible to maintain the same combat "tooth" with less of a "tail" of logistical support.

Politically, the Iraq debate has a markedly different tone than it did a few months ago. At the White House, the sense of political free-fall is over. Officials feel they are on a stable glide path toward a reduced but still substantial troop presence when Bush leaves office. It's not exactly a military victory, with marching bands and flying flags, but it's not a defeat either.

The mood has changed on Capitol Hill as well. Congressional pressure for a quick pullout has eased, in part because Democratic leaders know they don't have the votes. Meanwhile, the top two Democratic candidates, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, have both said they expect US troops will still be in Iraq when the next president takes office, and they have discussed what role this residual US force should play.

The one certainty about Iraq is that a large US troop presence isn't acceptable over the long run, for Iraqis or Americans. So US military commanders are wise to examine how to use the remarkable success of recent months to create alternatives that rely less on US firepower. That's really the challenge now in Iraq - how to seize the moment, rather than maintain the status quo.

The challenge of seizing the moment in Iraq | Iraq Updates

Higher demand for dollar, exchange rate stable

Demand for the dollar was higher in the Iraqi Central Bank’s auction on Sunday, reaching $94.960 million compared to $81.945 million on Thursday.

In its daily statement, the bank said it had covered all bids, including $14.410 million in cash and $80.550 in foreign transfers, at an exchange rate of 1,232 dinars per dollar, the same for the seventh consecutive day.
None of the 13 banks that participated in Sunday's session offered to sell dollars.

In statements to the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI), Ali al-Yasseri, a trader, said that the significant increase in the demand for dollar was attributed to the profitable exchange rate at the daily auction as it was lower than that of the local market, encouraging traders for more bids but refraining from selling dollars to the Central Bank.

The Iraqi Central Bank runs a daily auction from Sunday to Thursday.

Higher demand for dollar, exchange rate stable | Iraq Updates

Iraq turns up heat on Kurdish rebels

Arbil, Iraq: Iraq's president, a Kurd, ordered Kurdish guerrillas yesterday to lay down their arms or leave Iraq after the rebels ambushed a military unit inside Turkey, killing at least 16 soldiers and increasing pressure on the Turkish government to stage a cross-border incursion.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani urged the PKK to stop their attacks. "We have appealed to the PKK to desist fighting and to transform themselves from military organisations into civilian and political ones," Talabani said.

"But if they [the PKK] insist on the continuation of fighting, they should leave Kurdistan, Iraq, and not create problems here."

Talabani tempered his strong words, however, acknowledging the difficulties in controlling the rebels who operate from bases in northern Iraq.

In Turkey, military and government officials were meeting President Abdullah Gul to decide the response. In Kiev, Ukraine, after talks with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, Turkish Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul said Turkey has "plans" to make a crossborder incursion but "not urgently".

Turkey's military general staff said 12 soldiers and 32 rebels were killed in continuing clashes.

Hours after the ambush, Turkey fired about 15 artillery shells toward Kurdish villages in northern Iraq but caused no casualties, an Iraqi army officer said.

Gulfnews: Iraq turns up heat on Kurdish rebels

Another top Iraqi scientist killed

Unidentified gunmen have silenced another top Iraqi scientist, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has said.

In a statement, the ministry said Dr. Mohammed al-Attabi was first kidnapped and taken to an undisclosed location.

“His bullet-ridden body was found two days later dumped on a street in the Ur District of Baghdad,” the statement said.

Attabi, the police say, was abducted from his house in Baghdad.

Attabi’s murder comes amid an intensified campaign to liquidate Iraqi university professors and other scientists.

Local newspapers now point the finger at the so-called security contractors or mercenaries who flocked to Iraq in the wake of the 2003 U.S. invasion.

Scores of top Iraqi doctors, scientists and intellectuals have been killed in the years since the invasion.

Some reports accuse the Kurds whose militias are currenlty aiding U.S. and Iraqi troops in the fight against Iraqi resistance groups. The unruly Shiite militias are also said to be implicated.

Thousands of Iraqis with high degrees have fled the country in the past few years and the ministry’s efforts to protect university faculty have all but failed.

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news\2007-10-21\kurd.htm

Iraqi Parliament condemns incursion threat (Again)

The Iraqi parliament yesterday condemned Turkey's threats to launch an incursion into Iraq's northern Kurdish region in a bid to crack down on Kurdish rebels battling Ankara.

A parliamentary motion condemning the Turkish threat was approved by 183 lawmakers of the 275-member national assembly, media reports said.

Meanwhile, the government said it was taking important steps to end what it called the "terrorist actions" of Kurdish rebels. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki held urgent talks with his national security team after rebels of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) killed at least 12 Turkish soldiers and Turkey shelled northern Iraq.

Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani said his autonomous region would defend itself if Turkish troops invaded.

"We are not going to be caught up in the PKK and Turkish war, but if the Kurdistan region is targeted, then we are going to defend our citizens," Barzani told reporters after meeting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who is also a Kurd.

Iraqi Parliament condemns incursion threat | Iraq Updates