Thread: Archive Latest News - Think Tank - 15/04/08 - 26/08/08

A modern communications system covering all parts of Baghdad

Aimed at improving telecommunications in Iraq and provide better services to subscribers Exchange was opened for a modern system with a global system developed by the company contracted public telecommunications company with a cost of $ Z Chinese eleven million dollars and lines of the two hundred and ten thousand lines and a capacity to cover all parts of Baghdad. The system of modern Chinese company focused communications promised the first between companies in the world for most of the services and privileges. The Chinese side stressed its desire to contract with the company's public communications in Iraq to provide better services to subscribers pointing out that he made offers for other such projects to improve the reality of communications in the near future. Completion of the completion of this project company Z Global Telecom became a branch figure Iraq hundred and fifty of the branches owned by the company in the world system of global and sophisticated Chinese-Iraqi joint team.

http://66.102.9.104/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&langpair=ar%7Cen&u=http://nahrain.com/news.php%3Freadmore%3D16386&prev=/language_tools&usg=ALkJrhiM1FwXmi-4nbeVxEnfuTBh4zKZSQ

Iraqi PM Says He Wants Short-Term Memo

Iraq's prime minister says he wants a short-term memorandum of understanding instead of a formal agreement on the presence of U.S. forces in the country.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says the proposed memorandum includes a formula for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

U.S. President George W. Bush has said he opposes the idea of a specific timetable.

Al-Maliki says his government proposed the memorandum after having difficulty negotiating a formal Status of Forces Agreement keeping U.S. troops in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires at year's end.

Al-Maliki's comments Monday came in a meeting with several Arab ambassadors to the United Arab Emirates in that country's capital, Abu Dhabi.

PUKmedia :: English - Iraqi PM Says He Wants Short-Term Memo

President Talabani Meets US Ambassador in Baghdad

Today the Iraqi President Mam Jalal met with the US ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, in Baghdad.

During the meeting, which was attended by a number of Iraqi officials, the ways for reinforcing relations between the US and Iraq were discussed. The US ambassador reaffirmed that the sovereignty of Iraq will be respected in any agreement between Iraq and the US .The joint strategic framework agreement was another topic of the meeting. President Talabani briefed Crocker on the latest progress taking place between Iraq and its neighbors, referring to the recent visit of Iraq’s prime minister to UAE, which coincided with that country’s commitment to write off Iraqi debts worth $ 7 billion.

Discussing other Iraqi internal issues including the forthcoming provincial elections, both sides stressed the importance of strengthening relations between KRG and federal government in Baghdad.

PUKmedia :: English - President Talabani Meets US Ambassador in Baghdad

Iraq’s Deputy PM: Iraq Will be Transformed from Recipient to Donor

Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister, Barham Saleh, said today that Iraq will be transformed from a recipient country to a strong donor and provide other countries with aid.

In his remark during the 7th conference of donor countries held today in Baghdad, Barham Saleh acknowledged the role of the countries worldwide for their contribution toward the reconstruction of Iraq. He also expected Iraq to be transformed from a recipient country to a donor that will be strong enough to provide aid and assistance to other needy countries.

PUKmedia :: English - Iraq’s Deputy PM: Iraq Will be Transformed from Recipient to Donor

Iraqi Islamic Party Leader Interviewed on Government Formation, Other Issues

Al-Arabiya t.e.l.e.v.i.s.i.on at 2009 (?) gmt on 4 July carries in its weekly "Frankly Speaking" programme an interview with Dr Tariq al-Hashimi, secretary-general of the Iraqi Islamic Party [IIP] and Iraqi vice- president, in Amman, by moderator Elie Nakuzi.


Nakuzi begins by saying that "we are going to discuss the Iraqi Al-Tawafuq [accord] Front's position, statements to the media by some Iraqi politicians, the big differences among the front's members, and the reported plans for the front to rejoin the government." He also wonders "why the front and the IIP have lost their popularity to the awakening councils in the Al-Anbar Governorate and other areas of Iraq." He says that "we have many other questions on the relationship between Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Vice President Taqiq al-Hashimi, as well as the latter's relationship with the Americans." He says "we will also discuss the proposed security agreement between Iraq and the United States, the Iraqi oil issue, and the US interests in the region."

Starting the interview, Nakuzi asks Al-Hashimi how he views the upcoming parliamentary elections in Iraq, the expected signing of the controversial security agreement between Iraq and the United States, the anticipated return of the Sunnis to the political process, and the Al-Tawafuq Front's decision to rejoin the government.

In response, Al-Hashimi says that "we have decided to rejoin the government."

Asked what has delayed the front's return to the political process, Al-Hashimi says that "the delay is due to a dispute over a ministerial portfolio" and that "the media organs have reported this issue in detail."

Asked if this is the only reason, Al-Hashimi says that "this is the main reason as far as we are concerned."

Asked on whether the differences in the ranks of the Al-Tawafuq Front are another reason, Al-Hashimi says that "the main reason behind the delay is the dispute over a ministerial portfolio," that "we reached an accord several day ago," and that that "the front is going to rejoin the government, God willing."

Nakuzi quotes Prime Minister Al-Maliki as saying two months ago that "there would be a government within a week."

Al-Hashimi says that "I was upset by the lengthy negotiations over this issue" and "the front is expected to return to the government next week."

Asked why he is optimistic this time, Al-Hashimi says that "there is a national need for the front to return to the government" and that "the front is coming under a popular pressure."

Asked on whether the dispute is only over the ministerial portfolio or is it more serious as far as Sunnis are concerned, Al- Hashimi says that "we hope we will put an end to the sectarian issue and launch a new culture," that "we should not talk about Sunnis and Shi'is in this way," and that "the front has decided to name some Shi'i and Christian candidates for ministerial posts in order to break the sectarian and ethnic line that has gripped Iraq since 2003."

Asked if there are serious differences among the leaders of the Al-Tawafuq Front, Al-Hashimi says that "we resolved our differences a week ago and reached an accord to end this illogic argument."
Asked if he has decided to withdraw from the Al-Tawafuq Front, Al- Hashimi says: "No, I have not."

Asked on whether the front in its current shape will run for the upcoming parliamentary elections, Al-Hashimi says that "each party in the front has its own political mode of action and viewpoint" and that "perhaps the entire political scene in the country will change next year." He says that "we have no intention to withdraw from the Iraqi Al-Tawafuq Front" and that "the state of affairs shows that the sectarian line adopted during the previous parliamentary elections will be broken at the expanse of the current political alliances."

Asked if we are going to witness non-sectarian political alliances this time or if the country will continue to suffer from this problem, Al-Hashimi says that "it is difficult for the political parties to market their election programmes based on sectarian lines." For example, "the Al-Tawafuq Front is known as a representative of the Sunni Arabs, although it does not have such a political programme," he says, adding that "it is extremely difficult for us to win votes if we adopt the sectarian line."

Asked how the IIP views itself under the current circumstances, Al-Hashimi says that "we are in the middle of the political strife so far" and that "the political makeup of the country is going to change, although the blocs in and outside the government pursue sectarian lines for the time being." He also says that "the political process is now at a crossroad" and that "Iraq will witness new alliances and a new political makeup within the next few months."

Asked where the IIP is from all this, Al-Hashimi says that "some fronts in and outside the government are trying to win the IIP's support" and that "our future decisions will be based on the homeland's interests far away from the sectarian and ethnic lines, which were pursued during the previous parliamentary elections."

Nakuzi says some parties have declared that the IIP no longer enjoys popularity compared to the awakening councils.

Al-Hashimi says that "if the IIP had had no weight, it would not have come under all these attacks by this or that party."

Nakuzi says that Sunni leaders are accused of accumulating huge wealth, but that Sunni masses have gained nothing so far.
Al-Hashimi says that "this is baseless" and that "the IIP has not gained a single contract."

Nakuzi says that "a friend of yours has stated that you have $200 million," Al-Hashimi denies the report as "baseless" and says that "the IIP is facing a difficult financial problem." People knew me "as a businessman before I joined the political process," he says, adding that "since I joined the government, I have frozen my businesses 100 per cent" and that "I will quit politics with a clean hand in the future."

Asked if the IIP has lost its popular base to the awakening council, Al-Hashimi says that "defending the awakening councils is part of the IIP's project" and that "certain parties are targeting Islam and want to destroy the Islamic institutions in the country." Therefore, "a new political makeup should come into existence for different reasons," he says, adding that "huge funds are used and foreign intelligence services work to taint the image of the IIP." He says that "nobody budged when certain groups threatened to fight the IIP and kill its members unless it closed its headquarters within a month." He says that "if any other party had been threatened in this way, the government would have used the Anti- Terror Law and arrested these groups." He also says that "the campaign came to an end after these groups made sure that the IIP has only one government employee in the Al-Anbar Governorate and has nothing to do with contracts in the governorate." The IIP "has deep roots in the conscience of the Iraqi people," he says, adding that "many circles in the southern governorates and the Kurdistan Region support me personally," that "the current campaign against the IIP is based on certain political agenda," and that "we have no differences with the awakening councils." He says that "I am still pressing the government to incorporate more and more members of the awakening councils into the Armed Forces" and that "the awakening councils have defended the country's security and must be absorbed by the Armed Forces, regardless of their sectarian affiliations." He also says that "the Americans pay $300 to each member of the awakening councils," describing this as "a disgrace for Iraq." He says that "we have differences with certain figures in these councils but not with the councils" and that "we will continue to defend the councils until the government incorporates them all."

Nakuzi says that the Association of Muslim Scholars and the Iraqi National Front attack the IIP, asking if these Sunni blocs are seeking to destroy Islam in the country, Al-Hashimi says that "some of these parties are trying to market themselves at the expense of the IIP" and that "these campaigns will not affect the IIP, its popularity, and its political project."

Asked if the Americans have established the awakening councils as an substitute for the IIP in the upcoming political process, especially since they are financed and armed by the Americans, Al- Hashimi says that "the IIP was behind the creation of the awakening councils and countered the Al-Qa'idah's project in the Al-Anbar Governorate, although the tribes were embracing it."

Nakuzi says that the Iraqi IIP was accused of treason for joining the political process.

Al-Hashimi says that "the IIP adopts a moderate policy and has never backed Al-Qa'idah's project" and that "the Al-Qa'idah is still operating in the Diyala Governorate with the support of the tribes." He also says that "130 of the IIP's leading figures have been killed by Al-Qa'idah in the Al-Anbar Governorate and elsewhere in Iraq."

Nakuzi says that Adnan al-Dulaymi of the Al-Tawafuq Front and his son were accused of being behind a terrorist operation.

Al-Hashimi says that "some of the misleading, wicked media reports have complicated the political scene" and that "Al-Dulaymi will never get involved in suspected actions of this kind at all."

Asked if the IIP agrees that the awakening councils have made an achievement in the security file, Al-Hashimi says that "we agree and even support the awakening councils, which are part of the IIP's political project," urging the Iraqi Government "to support and incorporate more and more elements of the awakening councils into the Armed Forces."

Asked about his party's relationship with the Americans, Al- Hashimi says that "there is nothing new in this regard."

Asked if the IIP expects the worst when Barack Obama is elected president of the United States and decides to withdraw the US forces from Iraq, Al-Hashimi says that "we have no concerns over this, since any upcoming US president will take US interests into account" and that "we have to deal with him flexibly and logically." He says that "I do not expect any change in the US strategy regardless of who is president of the United States."

Asked on whether the IIP will ask the new US Administration not to carry out an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, Al-Hashimi says that "the security scene is improving" and that "the Iraqi Army is expanding and developing its combat capability." From the beginning, "we called for a timetable for the US forces' withdrawal," he says, adding that "any such withdrawal will take two years." Therefore, he says, "we will have enough time to strengthen the army and purge it of the militias in order to impose security and deter any foreign aggression."

Asked about Iraqi-US differences over the proposed agreement between the two countries and how the IIP and the Al-Tawafuq Front view the agreement, Al-Hashimi says that "the Iraqi people will reject the agreement unless it meets the country's interests, including the acquirement of modern technology, the reconstruction of the infrastructure, and the improvement of the services." Iraq needs the big countries' backing "to achieve this goal and end the Iraqi people's suffering." The proposed security agreement between the two countries, he says, "conflicts with Iraq's sovereignty 100 per cent and has been rejected."

Asked if Iraq will accept the presence of permanent US military bases, Al-Hashimi says that "the Iraqis will reject any such plan" and that "the United States does not intend to establish such bases in Iraq."
Even if a security agreement is signed with the United States, he says, "the US forces will stay in the country only one or two more years."

Asked if the United States has come to Iraq just to liberate it from the former regime, spread democracy in it, and provide modern technology to it, Al-Hashimi says that "whenever I meet US officials and I ask them about the bottom line of the US project, they do not respond." I believe that "the US Administration has no studied project that is acceptable to Iraq," he says, adding that "I do not expect Iraq to sign such an agreement." Stressing that "the Iraqis will study this issue carefully" and benefit from the experience of world countries, he says: "The problem facing us is as follows: First, we are trying to change the current state of affaires. Second, Iraq must be removed from Chapter Seven of the UN Charter. This is the central problem. We have several bitter options and face an extremely difficult situation. We are seeking help from countries, which have faced a similar situation. How could Iraq restore its sovereignty, remove itself from Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, and protect its properties abroad from the current claims? How can we get the UN Security Council to issue such a resolution, at a time when some if its permanent members have agendas conflicting with those of the United States? We want to extract ourselves from the said chapter, set a timetable for the US forces' withdrawal, and restore our sovereignty with the support of the international community."

Asked if the United States has come to Iraq to seize control of the Iraqi oil, Al-Hashimi says that "we expected the United States to focus on this issue" and that "no US official, congressman, or study centre has raised the oil issue with me," wondering why the United States has offered all these sacrifices. Iraq "sells its oil in the international market, although the United States was accused of having come to Iraq control oil prices." Nevertheless, he says, "Iraq sells its oil in the international market without any US interference." I am part of the Iraqi authority today, "but I do not see any US influence on Iraq with regard to the oil issue," he says, adding that "the US oil companies, like other international companies, compete to win oil contracts to develop oil wells."

Nakuzi quotes US President Bush as saying that the US project is aimed at spreading democracy in the region in general and Iraq in particular and that the US project has nothing to do with oil, asking if the United States wants a share in the Iraqi oil.

Al-Hashimi says that "if the Americans had made such a demand, I would have exposed them to the entire world," that "there is something more important than oil, namely, Iraq's departure from the Middle East military equation, a high price to be paid by the Arab world." This, he says, "is probably the US strategy in the region."

Asked about the nature of relationship between the IIP and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and if the party has made some concessions to return to the government.

Al-Hashimi says that "our political position changed after the prime minister made a historic decision to carry out a military operation against militias in the southern city of Basra and other governorates."

Nakuzi says that you sought reconciliation with Al-Maliki after he struck Shi'is in the south.

Al-Hashimi says that "Al-Maliki carried out similar operations in the Ninawa Governorate, a mainly Sunni governorate," and that "these operations have nothing to do with any sectarian agenda at all." He also says that "the government has taken an unexpected huge stride in the right direction," urging the government "to take similar huge strides towards building a state based on justice and law."

Asked if these huge strides have cleared the way for Arab openness to Iraq, Al-Hashimi says that "we have encouraged this openness."

Asked if he has cleared the way for Al-Maliki to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Al-Hashimi says that "the political agenda has changed" and that "the kingdom does not only seek to promote bilateral relations with Iraq, but also markets Iraq's position in the Arab countries which are still angry with the Al-Maliki government."

However, "the Iraqi Government still has a long way to go to establish a state of law far away from the past sectarian line and administrative corruption," he says, adding that "this file may be opened after the closure of the security file."

Asked on whether Iraq has freed itself from Iran's influence and whether he raised this issue during his meeting with Iranian President Ahmadinezhad, Al-Hashimi says that "Iran has deep roots in many important institutions in Iraq" and that "the recent military operations have failed to end Iran's interference in Iraq." He urges Iran "to reconsider and repair its relations with Iraq and respect Iraq as a neighbour," warning that "there are no signs that Iran will reconsider its position." He also urges the Iraqis "to restore their national agenda far away from the sectarian line, which some use to create a serious rift among the Iraqis."

Discussing his meetings with Iranian President Ahmadinezhad, Al- Hashimi says that "have held two meetings with Ahmadinezhad in Tehran and Baghdad to discuss Iran's interference in Iraqi affairs," quoting Ahmadinezhad as saying that "the United States is behind the current security trouble in Iraq." He says that "I told him that we have confirmed information that Iran interferes in Iraq and contributes to the current security problem." He also says that "I informed Ahmadinezhad that we would sign a security agreement with the Americans even if they are an arch Satan unless Iran stops its interference in Iraq's affairs" and that "the Iraqis want normal relations and good neighbourly ties with Iran."
Originally published by Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai, in Arabic 2009 (?) 4 Jul 08.

Iraqi Islamic Party Leader Interviewed on Government Formation, Other Issues

Update......

Rafidain Bank decides not received category thousand dinars from owners of fuel stations

Nasiriyah News Network / editorial board:
The head of the Energy Commission of the Council of Dhi Qar that Rafidain banks in the province did not receive the cash category groups dinars mill owners stations petroleum products.

The engineer Alaa Hassan had been informed "by a branch of Dhi Qar distribution of petroleum products that there is a book circulated to all banks, Rafidain non-cash receipt categories dinars mill owners stations, because the owners of the stations are paying off for a certified, and therefore this will be Non-receipt of the owners of those stations monetary few categories of citizens. "

He pointed out that the book circulated the text of the receipt of funds from category five thousand dinars, or over 90% and General thousand dinars, or below 10%. Adding that "all categories of cash received by citizens in the packing plants and agents and agents of gas and oil is one of the few categories where no cash received from the banks it will acknowledge receipt." Engineer Alaa Hassan stressed to the News Network Nasiriyah that the provincial council "will be approached and the competent authorities concerned to withdraw this matter and pressure him."

Translated version of http://www.nasiriyah.org/ar/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5117

Salahuddin province: the disclosure of false value of 133 treated 266 million Iraqi dinars were returned to Treasury

The governor's aide Salah al-Din, head of the Compensation Commission in the province, Qassim Alborznge, the discovery of about 133 fake treatment, an estimated value of the sums which about 266 million Iraqi dinars, was returned to the treasury.

He said Alborznge, in an interview with "Uzmatik", that "fraud in transactions in the decisions of the Medical Service Committee health Salahuddin," adding that "it was manipulating percentages deficit injured as a result of armed actions, by increasing the descent to enable those infected get more compensation ".

The assistant governor of Salah al-Din noted that "when addressing the Department of Health on this issue, denied the issuance of such resolutions, and it was decided to form an investigative committee to determine the persons involved in the falsification of these transactions" as saying.

Alborznge He explained that "the Commission will begin regardless of compensation in Congress this month at two million and a half million dinars of the martyrs," and added: "The wounded are calculating compensation rate for the degree of disability and medical decision of the Commission, so as to provide two million for 100% disability rate, a million and half of those who represent 75 %, And one million for those between 50% to 75%, and five hundred thousand Iraqi dinars to the deficit rate of 50%. "

He pointed out that Alborznge "proposal was made by Salahuddin province to the prime minister to include compensation for those affected by the date 9-4-2003, and not only from the date of 1-6 - 2004 and approved by the prime minister to initially been lifted from earlier to the House of Representatives , But until now has not taken a decision on it. "

It is noteworthy that the compensation committee of the martyrs and the wounded had been set up under the Ministerial Decree No. 10 in 2004, instructed the Ministry of Finance No. 3 in 2005.

Translated version of http://iraqalaan.com/bm/Economy/-133-266-.shtml

Deputy expected to get surprises at the meeting next Tuesday in the absence of agreement on electoral law

According to a member of the legal committee in the House of Representatives MP Khalid Sichuan to the Presidency of the Parliament decided to postpone the vote on the law of provincial council elections due to differences over some paragraphs, to next Tuesday, and expected that surprises in the absence of political blocs to reach a solution before this date.

He said Sichuan deputy Kurdistan Alliance in an interview with "Uzmatik" on Monday, that "the postponement decision came after the outbreak of a disagreement over some paragraphs of the law, and the lack of consensus among the political blocs holistic about the law, which led to obstruct the vote".

The Sichuan that "the current differences are the paragraphs on religious symbols and the existing open and closed and the share of women's representation in provincial assemblies and minority representation on boards in addition to the issue of Kirkuk," asserting that "in case of failure to remove these differences before next Tuesday, failed to vote on the law, The first elections in October this year, will not take place. "

He stressed member of the Legal Committee that "the meeting will vote next unexpected surprises, if no agreement is reached between the political blocs outside the parliament, before next Tuesday," without clarifying the nature of these surprises, unlikely at the same time, "obtain political deals between Some political blocs to vote against the law. "

Chua stressed the "necessity of holding elections on schedule," pointing out that "before the maturity schedule if we can not vote on the law quickly, it will not be able to complete the preparations with the Electoral Commission to create an overdraft in the election."

The head of the Independent Electoral Commission in Iraq, Faraj Al-Haideri, in an interview with "Uzmatik" stressed the need for Adoption Law fifteenth of the month of July present, so that UNHCR can work to complete the preparations in helping to organize the elections on schedule and without delay "Warning that otherwise" will be the task of organizing the elections on schedule rather difficult. "

He said a member of the Legal Committee that "the Commission Territories copy of the extradition law, amendments and the outstanding issues to the presidency of parliament, before the fifteenth of July next", recalling the importance that "the wording of the law in conformity with the Constitution, does not contravene its laws democracy in Iraq" as he put it .

It is noteworthy that one of the departments responsible in the House of Representatives, asked to remain anonymous, said in an interview with "Uzmatik" on Monday, "The political blocs agreed to give a time limit, among them, until next Tuesday to resolve all problems," stressing that " No choice but to vote blocs of political compromise version of the law, in any event in any way ", according to him.

Translated version of http://iraqalaan.com/bm/Politics/3523.shtml

Saad Al-Bazaz to be Al-Maliki Advisor

There are claims among the Iraqi politicians that Saad Al-Bazaz, an Iraqi journalist who is living abroad, will be an advisor to the Iraqi Premier Nouri al-Maliki.

He is from Mosel .He is born in 1952 and left Iraq in 1992.He has published several books and took several media posts in Iraq.
Current posts:

Editor in Chief of al-Zaman Iraqi newspaper.
Consultative board member of Protecting and Freedom of Journalists Center (Jordan).
Lecturer at Iraq, Jordan and UK universities.
General Director of al-Sharqia ********* channel.

PUKmedia :: English - Saad Al-Bazaz to be Al-Maliki Advisor

Speaker of Kurdistan Region Parliament Invited to Visit British Parliament

The speaker of Kurdistan Region Parliament, Adnan Mufti, met today with the British consul, Bill Dixon, in Erbil. During the meeting friendly relations between Kurdistan and British parliaments were discussed.

The consul presented an invitation letter to Adnan Mufti to pay a visit to the British parliament.

The dispute over article 140 of Iraqi constitution was another topic of the meeting. Adnan Mufti stressed the importance of implementing article 140 in a bid to erase the impacts of ethnic cleansing campaigns which were committed by the ousted Baath regime.

PUKmedia :: English - Speaker of Kurdistan Region Parliament Invited to Visit British Parliament