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

The Time to Revise Our Policy has Come

The strict position of certain parties regarding the Kirkuk issue and their insistence on dividing the governorate into four electoral districts could demonstrate a prelude for ending the objective alliance between the Kurds and those parties.

As the Kurdish political vision, the ongoing security recoveries in Iraq and the more masculine the Iraqi forces have become; both are the reasons behind encouraging those parties to take such a strict stance regarding the Kirkuk issue which is not in the best interest of Kurds.But for this stance those parties are not the only ones to be blamed, because the policy adopted by the Kurds for the last three years has contributed to push those parties towards this position.

We must admit that our policy during that three years was a policy of seizing opportunities, a policy which rarely resulted in good outcomes. Under that policy there were decisions taken for the greatest gains in the shortest time, namely before the recovery of security in Iraq in such a way that Kurds were often ungrateful for these achievements.

Lately, the KRG gratuitously created a range of problems with Baghdad that would not have any other advantages in practice expect for causing an uproar. These include lowering the Iraqi flag that created a wide range of adversaries to Kurds in and outside of Iraq. This action did not have any advantage at the local level. Kurdistan region then raised the flag without the stars. With the same criteria, Kurdistan region parliament passed a gas and oil law without waiting for approval from the Iraqi Council of Representatives. Pursuant to this law, KRG signed several oil contracts with foreign companies. As a result, the KRG oil contracts needlessly elevated tensions between KRG and Iraqi oil ministry and encouraged Shiites and Sunnis to unite their position on this issue.

KRG incited Baghdad over the custom issue since the customs tariffs should be restored to central government not to the regional authorities according to the constitution. Meanwhile, Kurds do not have a clear agenda in Kirkuk even though they have had a dominant power in Kirkuk provincial council since 2005 and they have controlled two key governorates and presidency of the council. Yet, Kurds could not play their cards to their own advantage.

The Kurdish arrogance has reached the extent of denying the Turkmens' right to have their language included on the sign above the entrance to the Kirkuk governorate.

All together, these point to the fact that the policy of seizing opportunities has brought about such a condition that the parties—after weighing in their favor—they are not more ready to give in under the pressure of Kurds.

Out past policy is full of shortcomings. The revision of this policy may provide an opportunity to reduce the strict position of adversaries-specially Kurds are no longer to seize the opportunities and impose their visions.

* Farid Asasard is a member of PUK Leadership Committee and Head of Center for Strategic Research.

PUKmedia :: English - The Time to Revise Our Policy has Come

Housing Ministry grants 70 percent of its investment budget

The Iraqi Ministry of Construction and Housing on Monday said it has given 70 percent of its allocations for economic projects for the first half of 2008.

"The amount has been distributed to a large number of projects, which have been carried out by the ministry or are currently under construction in all Iraqi provinces under the ministry's plan for the reconstruction of Iraq," according to a ministerial statement received by Aswat al-Iraq - Voices of Iraq - (VOI) quoting the minister, Bayan Dizayee, as saying.

"The ministry has asked for a supplementary budget for the second half of the current year to boost its financial abilities and to speed up work on the remaining projects...," the statement added.

Housing Ministry grants 70 percent of its investment budget - Middle East News

Parliament Decision: Elections in Kirkuk postponed six months at least

The decision of the Chamber of Deputies deputy Iraqi Alliance list common Mohammed Mahdi Al-Bayati, "The provincial council elections in Kirkuk postponed at least for six months from the date of voting on the law of provincial council elections."

The Al-Bayati, in an interview with "Uzmatik", today, Tuesday, that "Arabs and Turkmen in Kirkuk have all the necessary concessions to reach a consensual solution to the problem of Kirkuk, which would lead to the proposal ensures the preservation of fundamental freedoms, as well as the rights of all components and minorities in Kirkuk" anticipated "The law will be voted on, if intransigence points positions," in reference to the Kurdistan Alliance bloc.

A member of the House of Representatives from the Kurdistan Islamic Union, said Sami Alaterci day yesterday, Monday, told "Uzmatik," that "were scheduled Monday in a vote on the law of provincial council elections, but political blocs had been unable to reach a final formulation of the article on the elections in Kirkuk" .

The statement pointed out that "all the proposals submitted did not provide for holding elections in Kirkuk provincial assemblies simultaneously with the rest of the Iraqi governorates, in order to allow for a final settlement through the formation of a parliamentary commission to investigate the facts."

It is noteworthy that the presidency of the Iraqi parliament had decided at a meeting last Wednesday to postpone voting on the law of the provincial council elections yesterday, Monday, a day, to provide an opportunity for the political blocs to agree on controversial points in the law, especially the organization of elections in the city of Kirkuk, but the political blocs have not been able, in Meeting yesterday, to reach a compromise formula.

Translated version of http://iraqalaan.com/bm/Politics/3881.shtml

The Kurdistan Alliance not to produce or export oil under contracts signed

The head of the oil and gas from the Kurdistan Alliance MP Ali Hussein Blue Kurdistan region that did not produce or export any commercial quantities of crude oil under contracts concluded by the province with foreign oil companies.

Blue denied in an interview with "Radio Sawa" statements of a number of representatives from the Norwegian oil company, which contracted by the territorial Government to sell oil worth $ 35, and added:

"Did not produce oil, there are possibilities of production, but because of the lack of export potential for that was to stop any production until the matter with the central government and pass a law on oil, gas and oil exports for the possibility of officially sanctioned officially, but there are transformed into kerosine Oil Company to take advantage of it for their own purposes."

He stressed member of the Committee on Oil and Gas deputy coalition Abdul Hadi ABOLHASSANI that the Kurdistan region produced commercial quantities of crude oil, stressing that the Norwegian company contracting with the Territory sell a barrel of oil at 35 dollars:
"The companies operating since in 1992 so far what has worked so far from giving money to spend on its staff and employees were held there decades, more than 20 held if there is no production of why these contracts concluded."

It should be noted that the oil contracts entered into by the Kurdistan Regional Government with foreign firms met with rejection from the central government in Baghdad, which confirmed the illegality of these contracts.

Translated version of http://www.radiosawa.com/arabic_news.aspx?id=1644355

Host, director general of the Trade Bank of Iraq

On the day before yesterday - the patronage of the Prime Chamber of Commerce, Najaf, Al-Zuhair Mohammed Reza drink - hosting the director general of the Iraqi Trade Bank Hussein Al-Azri professor and director of branch Najaf, and in the presence of Dr. Ibrahim Bahr Al-Aloom, former oil minister.

He welcomed the Chairman of the Chamber of this audience in honor of the Chamber of Commerce, during the meeting and provided a detailed explanation regarding loans and investment track actor in the development of society in all areas, and also touched chairman of the chamber to overcome all obstacles to get better in terms of the loans exceeded the mechanisms of any unnecessary red tape and reduce the proportion of profits These loans. He has promised, director general of the Iraqi Trade Bank for the best interest in this subject. The meeting was attended by Director of the Chamber of Commerce and some members of the chamber.

Translated version of http://nahrain.com/news.php?readmore=18115

“Iraq head towards overcoming challenges of reconstruction”

Baghdad, Jul 21: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said that Iraq is heading now to face the challenge of reconstruction and investment after overcoming challenges of the issues of security and politics.

Al-Maliki said in a speech during the opening of al-Najaf airport on Sunday that his government and the Iraqi security forces succeeded in countering the challenge of terrorism in Iraq, pointing out that "if we have succeeded in the security file, we are better able to cope with the remaining challenges, including the challenge of reconstruction, services and the economy".

He pointed out that his "government has achieved another breakthrough yesterday represented in the return of political blocs to his government," saying that it had now become a cohesive unity government.

Al-Maliki pointed out that these successes have made Iraq an attractive hub to investors, noting that the Iraqi Investment Authority signed recently a contract to build a huge hotel in Baghdad, saying that it is a message for all investors to invest in Iraq.

He said that Iraq has the right to be proud of that progress in the economic sphere, adding that the Iraqi currency has been supported and unemployment rate has been reduced.

He disclosed that there is an intention to build another airport in the city of Karbala, pointing out that Karbala would soon sign the final contract for the establishment of an international airport to facilitate the movement of religious tourists to the city.

Zee News - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri

Originally Posted by Seaview

Host, director general of the Trade Bank of Iraq

On the day before yesterday - the patronage of the Prime Chamber of Commerce, Najaf, Al-Zuhair Mohammed Reza drink - hosting the director general of the Iraqi Trade Bank Hussein Al-Azri professor and director of branch Najaf, and in the presence of Dr. Ibrahim Bahr Al-Aloom, former oil minister.

He welcomed the Chairman of the Chamber of this audience in honor of the Chamber of Commerce, during the meeting and provided a detailed explanation regarding loans and investment track actor in the development of society in all areas, and also touched chairman of the chamber to overcome all obstacles to get better in terms of the loans exceeded the mechanisms of any unnecessary red tape and reduce the proportion of profits These loans. He has promised, director general of the Iraqi Trade Bank for the best interest in this subject. The meeting was attended by Director of the Chamber of Commerce and some members of the chamber.

Translated version of http://nahrain.com/news.php?readmore=18115

Update......

the opening of the Iraqi Trade Bank in Najaf

The Ministry of Finance Bank of trade in the Iraqi province of Najaf to provide banking facilities to investors Iraqis, Arabs and foreigners. He said Hussein Al-Azri ****utive director of the Bank of (long) "Trade Bank of Iraq continued to the Ministry of Finance and the Iraqi administration and is the first, which opens in the Euphrates East and the fifth branch opened in Iraq After sections of Baghdad, Irbil and Sulaymaniyah, Basrah. "He added" the first phase of the bank will work to support Iraqi investors for a large banking facilities and the country desperately needs investors Iraqis, Arabs and foreigners to participate in campaigns reconstruction, which will include all sectors of society especially after the economic successes achieved by government security Iraq is now a far larger trend towards the government building, reconstruction and attract investors."

He continued: "Therefore we need a solid banking institutions and accredited locally and internationally to investors and tranquility Commercial Bank of Iraq said it would economically customers banking facilities they need to and dependent today throughout the world."

Barzani announced that the bank relies service ATM and Visa cards are applied for the first time in Iraq, said: "It would be dealt with both the two Iraqi dinar exclusively, can any applicant for his money in Iraq use that service in any country of the world without the need to carry all his money."

He added, "will be opening service ATMs in several governorates of Iraq soon either in Najaf, the service has opened at the Headquarters of the Bank can no applicant for his money in the bank use this service" .. The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Ahmed Chalabi and the governor of Najaf, Asaad Abu tirelessly number of Government officials and economic experts.

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Originally Posted by Seaview

Parliament Decision: Elections in Kirkuk postponed six months at least

The decision of the Chamber of Deputies deputy Iraqi Alliance list common Mohammed Mahdi Al-Bayati, "The provincial council elections in Kirkuk postponed at least for six months from the date of voting on the law of provincial council elections."

The Al-Bayati, in an interview with "Uzmatik", today, Tuesday, that "Arabs and Turkmen in Kirkuk have all the necessary concessions to reach a consensual solution to the problem of Kirkuk, which would lead to the proposal ensures the preservation of fundamental freedoms, as well as the rights of all components and minorities in Kirkuk" anticipated "The law will be voted on, if intransigence points positions," in reference to the Kurdistan Alliance bloc.

A member of the House of Representatives from the Kurdistan Islamic Union, said Sami Alaterci day yesterday, Monday, told "Uzmatik," that "were scheduled Monday in a vote on the law of provincial council elections, but political blocs had been unable to reach a final formulation of the article on the elections in Kirkuk" .

The statement pointed out that "all the proposals submitted did not provide for holding elections in Kirkuk provincial assemblies simultaneously with the rest of the Iraqi governorates, in order to allow for a final settlement through the formation of a parliamentary commission to investigate the facts."

It is noteworthy that the presidency of the Iraqi parliament had decided at a meeting last Wednesday to postpone voting on the law of the provincial council elections yesterday, Monday, a day, to provide an opportunity for the political blocs to agree on controversial points in the law, especially the organization of elections in the city of Kirkuk, but the political blocs have not been able, in Meeting yesterday, to reach a compromise formula.

Translated version of http://iraqalaan.com/bm/Politics/3881.shtml

Update........

Iraq's parliament passes poll law, Kurds walk out

Iraq's parliament passed a provincial elections bill on Tuesday, but a walkout by Kurdish lawmakers over the disputed oil city of Kirkuk could mean the law may not ratified by the presidency.

Kurds make up one of the three main groups in parliament, and their boycott of the vote over a dispute on how the elections law would deal with Kirkuk means the bill could be sent back to parliament.

The law is meant to pave the way for polls seen as vital to reconciling Iraq's Sunni Arabs, who boycotted the last provincial elections in 2005, with its other communities.

"Today parliament passed the provincial elections law, in the absence of the Kurdish alliance, which walked out," Hanin Qado, a lawmaker from the ruling Shi'ite alliance, told Reuters.

Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Khalid al-Attiya cast doubt on whether a law passed without the Kurds present would even be ratified by Iraq's presidency council -- which must approve all laws -- headed by President Jalal Talabani.

"We cannot have a vote with an absence of a whole faction. The vote is useless. It will be rejected by the representatives of this bloc and by the presidency council," he said. If that happens, the bill gets sent back to parliament. ...................

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L22936003.htm

Lower demand for dollar in daily auction

Demand for the dollar was down in the Iraqi Central Bank's auction on Tuesday, reaching $177.280 million compared to $240.075 million on Monday.

"The demand hit $34.030 million in cash and $143.250 million in foreign transfers outside the country, all covered by the bank at an exchange rate of 1,192 Iraqi dinars per dollar," according to the central bank's daily bulletin, which was received by Aswat al-Iraq - Voices of Iraq - (VOI).

The 16 banks that participated in the auction offered to sell $2.600 million, which the bank bought at an exchange rate of 1,190 dinars per dollar.

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

Aswat Aliraq

Solag: the decision to lift the value of Iraqi dinar was the result of studies value

Said Finance Minister Baqir Jabr Solag that the Iraqi dinar is Mlhaudha improvement over the current period.

He added that the fluctuation Solag happening in the local market due to some rumors that arise in order to hinder the improvement.

He explained that the decision of the Iraqi Central Bank to raise the value of Iraqi dinar in front of foreign currency is correct, the decision was the result of studies aimed to raise the value of the purchasing value of the Iraqi citizen before everything else.

He pointed out that the ministry plans absorbed all future programmes in the budget for this year to move the Iraqi economy correctly.

Translated version of http://foratnews.com/paper.asp?ID=2819