Thread: Archive Latest News - Think Tank - 01/01/08 - 14/04/08

Petraeus, Crocker to give new Iraq Assessment

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino announced that Top US Commander in Iraq General David Petraeus and US Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, are scheduled to appear again before the US Congress on April 8 and 9 to give their latest long awaited assessment of the situation on the ground. This assessment seems to be crucial regarding the US military interference in Iraq especially after US President Georges W Bush declared that he relies greatly on the assessment to decide about whether to draw down US troops in Iraq or not after July 2008.

Meanwhile and part of a pre-planned drawdown plan; US Military spokesman Steve Stover announced that about 2000 US soldiers in Baghdad are being pulled out in the framework of General Petraeus plan to withdraw five out of ten Brigades by July 2008. This move comes after US State Department Iraq’s coordinator David Satterfield announced that any extension of armed forces mandate in Iraq does not require the approval of the Congress.

Petraeus,Crocker to give new Iraq assessment | Iraq News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Oil smuggling still a major concern in Iraq

The occurrence of oil smuggling in Iraq is still the major concern of politicians and security parties in the country. Officials in the Ol Ministry clarified that the Ministry is working with several security parties to curb this violation. To view the video report of this article, click on play movie.

Oil smuggling still a major concern in Iraq | Iraq News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Maliki meets Electricity and Oil Ministers

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki met with Electricity Minister Wahid Karam and Oil Minister Hussein Al Shahristani as well as a number of general directors from the ministries. During the meeting, Al Maliki called on both ministries to respect commitments of providing electricity power and oil derivatives to citizens. Following the meeting, Electricity Minister affirmed that the Ministry has put forth plans to ration hours of electricity supply in summer noting that a number of electricity stations supplying the main station with power are about to be completed.

Maliki meets Electricity and Oil Ministers | Iraq News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Oil barrel price exceeded $105 in New York

The price of oil barrel in New York exceeded $ 105 for the first time yesterday in electronic transactions, backed by an unexpected drop in US crude oil stocks that have spurred anew fears over supplies after OPEC decided to keep its oil production unchanged. The organization has attributed price surge to competitors and failed management of the US economy.

Oil barrel price exceeded $ 105 in New York | Economics News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Al Rafidayn Bank plans to launch the Smart Card

Al Rafidayn Bank is preparing to launch the smart card for employees and retired people which would be used to cash their monthly salaries. A number of ATM machines will be installed to implement this service.

Al Rafidayn Bank plans to launch the Smart Card | Economics News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

UN World Food Program Executive Director expects inflation to continue

The executive director of UN World Food Program Josette Shiran expects inflation to continue which has increased prices of food products to a record high that will last at least until the year 2010. Prices surge is due to several factors among which oil and energy price increase, weather fluctuation effects and growing demand on food by India and China in addition to using agriculture crops in producing vital fuel.

UN World Food Program Executive Director expects inflation to continue | Economics News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Gold prices reach a record level

Gold for April delivery surged to an all-time high of 995.20 dollars an ounce. Moreover, it hit a record of $991.90 per ounce in the immediate exchange scoring another record price.

Gold prices increase raised fears about investors that might shift to it given a weakening dollar. Moreover, gold prices are still increasing and might reach the double of its current price.

Gold prices reach a record level | Economics News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Housing a new existing crisis in Iraqis’ life

Despite the fact that the Ministry of Housing and Construction has granted financial loans to Iraqi employees in order to curb the problem of housing taking grip of the country, the crisis has not been solved yet. To view the video report of this article, click on play movie.

Housing a new existing crisis in Iraqis’ life | Economics News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Exclusive: Iraq builds $1 BN high-tech border barrier

Iraq is about to award a $1 billion contract to build a high-tech perimeter around its border to prevent Al Qaeda terrorists entering the country.

In an exclusive interview with Noozz, former Iraqi Minister of Communications and current Iraqi MP Mohammed Allawi revealed that Iraq is about to award a contract to foreign contractors to create a high-tech surveillance system along the country's borders to prevent intruders entering illegally.

"The first phase will involve securing the border with Syria. Ninety per cent of terrorist attacks in Iraq are by non-Iraqis and many of the terrorists come through the borders between Iraq and Syria," said Allawi.

"Technologies will include wimax [wide area ******** networks], sensors, cameras and other equipment capable of differentiating between animals, human beings and vehicles."

According to Allawi, the border technology is to be provided by outside security consultants and designed to help the Iraqi authorities identify and apprehend terrorists such as Al Qaeda suicide bombers before they can enter the country.

Allawi added that 20 companies from countries including Britain, France, Germany and the US have been shortlisted for the $1bn contract. He said the all the companies offer security consultancy and to be awarded within the next few weeks. The former Iraqi communications minister said that the contract could be awarded to a single company or to a consortium.

The contract has been drawn up by five Iraq government ministries: the Ministry of Communications - Iraq, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of National Security.

According to Allawi, another security contract will also be awarded for the city of Baghdad for surveillance equipment such as closed circuit TVs. The value of the Baghdad contract is estimated at between $100 million and $300 million.

Exclusive: Iraq builds $1 BN high-tech border barrier - Middle East News

Rehabilitating Kirkuk-Banias line is under discussion

Oil minister, Dr. Hussein Al-Shahrastani, received the Syrian ambassador in Baghdad, Dr. Adil Mohammed Al-Shimat, on Monday and discussed with him prospects for cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

The press office of the ministry confirmed that Shahrastani said, "The Iraqi government is keen on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries especially in the economic and oil fields to serve the interests of the two peoples." The Syrian ambassador reiterated his country's desire to activate bilateral relations for the expansion of bilateral cooperation, noting that" Syria is ready to provide all possible technical expertise in the fields of economics and oil energy."

It is noted that the Syrian ambassador had visited the ministry last month to discuss the rehabilitation of "Kirkuk-Banias" oil line, which capacity exceeds 200 thousand barrels a day.


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