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

"Man and Daimler" German plan to compile trucks and buses in Iraq

Company announced that "Man" the German giant in the industry of trucks and engines intention building an assembly line of trucks and buses in Iraq in conjunction with the Iraqi Tiramar company for marketing. The sources said the company "Mann" that it signed an agreement in this regard include the compilation of buses, trucks and vans draught in Iraq starting in 2009. The company sources in the capital Berlin that parts of these products will be shipped from the factory Salzjeter company in Germany.

On the other hand, Germany and Iraq signed an agreement for mutual protection of investments under German companies keen to participate in Iraq reconstruction projects. It should be noted that this Convention is the first between Germany and Iraq since the overthrow of the former regime. Investment insurance is one of the most important conditions for the return of German companies to Iraq.

Translated version of http://www.almadapaper.com/paper.php?source=akbar&page=107

Iraqi funds «corrupt and intermediaries» flow to Dubai and Cairo and London for investment

when they began Alia Naji translators working with U.S. forces four years ago did not expect it from this work will bring enormous wealth in many years.

Alia, which entered the area of contracting and business matching between American forces and between entrepreneurs and traders, gathered a wealth of more than five million dollars in the period of record did not exceed four years after it turned into a centre for the distribution of ages in the country CONSTRUCTION. She says that «chance alone played a role in the entry area of construction when one of them asked that the generals are looking for a contractor to equip U.S. forces with food and drinks and then the evolution of species subject to enter mediation with the understanding regarding a transaction processing camp with an American electrical and maintenance», after dozens of transactions completed Alia, which made it one of the most important mediators dealings and transactions in the country.

Alia believes that the entry of American forces in the country has created a new class of rich middlemen are transactions and commercial transactions and operators working with American forces and smugglers of crude oil and politicians who embezzled some money in cases of administrative corruption.

Alia does not feel ashamed when talking about the nature of their profession, one of the unusual occupations of women in Iraq and says that «mediation and contracting profession is to collect wealth and that the workers do not steal people, as do some politicians who are fleeing the riches of money obtained through embezzlement and suspicious transactions».

Alia is one of dozens of new rich who collected their wealth in record time a result of trade deals and speculations offered by the government and U.S. forces over the past five years, which are often a lot of them in closed rooms.

No longer the concept of the rich collection of wealth in Iraq limited to senior traders and industrialists after taking politicians and speculators commercial transactions and mediators contractors place the task of reconstruction contracts between rich Iraq in the past few years map wealthy families Ltd. in Baghdad, which they did not exceed a group of traders and industrialists, extended horizontally to include Officials and speculators and brokers deals governmental organizations and party members who collected large sums after the occupation.

The confidential report leaked some information by an Iraqi official that rich layer of new Iraq did not choose to invest their funds obtained through tortuous Senior Iraqi politicians have become over a few years of major investors in Dubai, Oman and Cairo and London.

The report refers to politicians bought the towers and Yacht freely in the capitals of money and global tourism, with some of them went to the employment of his money into partnerships with foreign and Arab firms operating in the area of international trade.

And recognize the integrity in Iraq, the loss of millions of dollars in suspicious transactions held for former government officials, gathered enormous wealth through statistics indicate owned body to the escape of dozens of officials after obtaining the financial resources of value ranged between 10 and 900 million dollars each.

Translated version of http://www.aljeeran.net/economic.html

Parliament calls for clarification of what has been disbursed from the general budget in 2008

Amar called on the taste Virtue Party member of the Islamic When done for the general budget in 2008, especially the investment budget, taste and confirmed "the need to inform the House of Representatives Iraqi PROFILE detailed financial and determine their doors and resources is clearly to enable the exchange control mechanisms and ensure the integrity of the procedures followed in investment funds And deploying them for the benefit of citizens "and pointed a member of virtue in his speech, told" Portfolio Press, ".

"The mystery still surrounds the supplementary budget amounting to 21 billion dollars and has not been clarified yet doors exchange or statement details and information that shows where those amounts spent in a transparent manner to prevent the waste of the greatest Of those sums in the pockets of spoilers "

It is noteworthy that the parliament did not approve the supplementary budget, yet despite the call by several members of parliament necessary to approve it before Parliament enjoy summer vacation, in a reference to permit the first deputy of the parliament, Khalid al-Attiyah, who explained that" legislative Will not end unless the approval of the supplementary budget "and called the taste" of allocating a supplementary budget to cover the expenses of financial commitment contained in the law of the suffering of victims of terrorism after the slide that hit the preparation of the victims of terrorism to 30 thousand only in Baghdad, as well as increasing the suffering and loss that chip Of the basic elements of a decent living as a result the majority of them to handicap "and also called for" the allocation of funds from the same budget for the purpose of addressing the problem of widows and orphans especially as the number of widows arrived at No. scary and therefore calls for attention and trying subsidy that chip to meet the challenges of life difficult after that outstripped Issue more than one million widows.

"The Islamic Virtue Party had called earlier in the head by a mass of Virtue MP Hassan al-Shamri, Deputy Sheriff behalf of the need to allocate money for university students, given the magnitude of the budget allocation and therefore this will contribute to the alleviation of pregnancy on the Iraqi family, said Tamah."

The demand today is the same requirement to supplement and again for the allocation of those financial grant for university students and the need to include that the supplementary budget bill in 2008 and Lofa what our statistics, the number of students (264553) and Grant required are 100 thousand dinars for each student and for a period of nine months, so The total Almlnha school for one year, amounting to (198) million or equivalent (238) billion Iraqi dinars, an amount is compared to the huge budget amount is also subject if it will work in support of the university.

Translated version of http://almalafpress.net/index.php?m=39

CRISIS district councils election law raises again the idea of dividing Iraq
PARLIAMENTARIANS l (light): federalism on the basis of geographical was acceptable but the sectarian division totally unacceptable

Despite the political crisis afflicting the adoption of the law of provincial council elections, but the bids on the division of Iraq into three mini states returned to a point of fear among large segments of the Iraqis, while squandered a number of politicians and the enemy of this idea was rejected. The MP Mahmoud Othman, a member of the Kurdistan Alliance calls for dividing Iraq into three states is unacceptable because it is mainly the foundation of the Iraqi people may not be for others to intervene either to unify or retail According to the Constitution we have the right to be federal regions in Iraq, pointing out that work within the framework of geographical Does not give the right to say when the representative of the Kurdistan region there does not mean that a Kurd is a geographical area comprising Kurds, Arabs and others also may not be formed on the basis of the territory on the basis of a Shiite or Sunni.

The Osman in his speech to newspaper (Noor) U.S. role in Iraq now is very small compared with evolution witnessed by the Iraqi government so there are armed forces control the country and this shows the desire of Iraq to be strong, but at the same time it is undeniable that Americans have a special international In Iraq.

And confirms that the Iraqis under the current phase do not want a commitment with the United States, but there will open on the Arabs and Europe, where we want to have relations with everyone and if our relations are concentrated in a certain country and for the benefit of a certain well-being of this opinion is not Iraq and I would imagine that other nations are invited to help Iraq The opening of embassies and diplomatic representation has increased is the correct policy.

And shares the U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Anna Skerohima in opinion says in an interview with the newspaper (light): Today we note there is tremendous progress in the Iraqi situation, especially at the level of enacting laws so we believe that Iraq is moving from stage to stage the best and the Iraqi government started to define their internal and external The idea of dividing Iraq into three states Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish are originally rejected the idea that the Government of the United States still supports the efforts of the Iraqi government at all levels of political, economic and security.

The strike Skerohima example of the saying: we see Iraqi security forces began to dominate the files of security through the transfer of security functions to it by U.S. forces as well as a plan to hand over the presidential palace of the Iraqi government when the transfer of all equipment the U.S. Embassy to its new headquarters, pointing out that the government had Achieved a great and important achievements, particularly in the security file and what happened in Basra and Maysan was clear evidence of this will contribute to the withdrawal of American forces is a success and I do not say that where there is full yet significant challenges facing Iraqis.

She says that Iraq is now in the process of development and openness to the Arab world and the west, where we see mutual visits and by the Iraqi government with many of the States that they update the progress and improvement of diplomatic relations as different from previous relationships mean that Iraq's current application of democracy and it is hoped to expand Iraq's relations with states Other.

With stand MP Harith Obaidi, a member Accord Front in contrast to previous opinion blaming American forces responsible for what happens in the Iraqi arena, calling the United States Government to reconsider any draft raises particular reason to the idea of dividing Iraq as it violates Iraqi sovereignty and therefore such a proposal is a conspiracy against the people Iraqi because it is only on the situation and whether there were any problems Iraqis are able to develop solutions and no one has the right to interfere in Iraqi affairs.

He said that the presence and under the roof of the U.S. Open is a fundamental problem facing the Iraqis and we do not accept the division of Iraq and whether there were options is an internal Iraqi is not entitled to any foreign body to give the provisions would fragment Iraq confirming what emerged when U.S. forces from Iraq, we will see greater coherence between Iraqis.

The Obaidi to the American pressure on Iraqi decisions and stand behind it, especially the interests of its own interests and therefore not easy to decide to withdraw the United States to take a step or inconsistent with Strutijetha in the region and America troops came to the dark eyes of the Iraqis but for their interests in the region, pointing out that U.S. pressure Includes not only the government or the Iraqi political forces and even governments in the region for access to U.S. objectives and interests.

And the Iraqi government's ability to escape from the grip U.S. confirms Obaidi, if we look at the Iraqi reality America is an integral part of the Iraqi case and not easily relinquished its interests in Iraq and the region at the same time, no matter howpoliticians act Iraqis are exercised influence the U.S. administration on some political forces and therefore there is coordination With those forces to preserve the interests of both sides and the result can not be separated from the U.S. role as Iraq, at least for the time being.

Translated version of http://almalafpress.net/index.php?m=39

Royal Dutch Shell admits making little progress in Iraq oil deals

Royal Dutch Shell admitted making no significant progress in agreeing short-term oil service contracts in Iraq in recent weeks but said it was hoping for "entrepreneurial" natural gas deals.

Royal Dutch Shell admits making little progress in Iraq oil deals | Economics News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Iraqi Planning Minister opposes complementary budget

Planning Minister Ali Baban opposed the project of the complementary budget on account of lack of mechanisms that determine expenses. Moreover, Baban clarified that the ministry has opened the court of contractors’ complaints to ease investment measures and construction process.

Iraqi Planning Minister opposes complementary budget | Economics News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Quadruple Coalition Holds Meeting

The leaders of the Quadruple Coalition which consists of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Party and al-Daawa Islamic Party, held a meeting yesterday at the residence of the Vice President Adel Abdel Mahdi.

Latest political developments especially the Provincial Elections Law and the U.N. suggestion to find an acceptable form for the law were discussed at the meeting which was attended by President Jalal Talabani, the President of Kurdistan region Massud Barzani, the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The meeting emphasized the need to resort to the constitution in solving the unresolved issues in order to guarantee the progress of the political process and the deepening of democracy and consolidating the National Unity.

PUKmedia :: English - Quadruple Coalition Holds Meeting

In Phone Call: Al-Mashhadani and Ban Ki- moon Discuss Provincial Elections Law

The Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mahmud al-Mashhadani received yesterday, a phone call from the U.N. General Secretary Ban Ki-moon. A statement issued by Mashhadani’s office said that that Ban informed al-Mashhadani about his phone call with President Talabani who expressed his understanding concerning the need to find an accordance solution to the question of Kirkuk.

The U.N. General Secretary expressed his optimism that the efforts of al-Mashhadani will lead to a solution that satisfies all sides and that he is looking forward to the Parliament session tomorrow to end the crises according to the recommendation of the U.N. Convoy in Iraq.

PUKmedia :: English - In Phone Call: Al-Mashhadani and Ban Ki- moon Discuss Provincial Elections Law

Kurdish Leadership Calls for Addressing Iraqi Pending Issues According to Constitution

PUK and KDP Political Bureaus held a meeting today in Baghdad. During the meeting, which was attended by PUK Secretary General Mam Jalal and KDP Leader, Massoud Barzani, joint relations were discussed.

Member of PUK Political Bureau, Fuad Massum, said both bureaus stressed the importance of reinforcing relations which are in the best interest of Kurdish people. In addition, they called for addressing the pending issues with other Iraqi political parties according to the constitution.

PUKmedia :: English - Kurdish Leadership Calls for Addressing Iraqi Pending Issues According to Constitution

I think this article sums up nicely the situation as it is at present.

Row over Iraq Elections Law

The Kirkuk issue has always been a major problem in Iraq. Recently, the Iraqi parliament had a tough time to approve the elections law because of the disagreement over voting in the disputed oil city of Kirkuk.

Finally, last Tuesday, the Iraqi parliament passed the law, setting guidelines for provincial elections, despite a boycott by Kurdish lawmakers.

Soon after the elections law was put to vote, the President of the Kurdish region, Massoud Barazani, rejected the resolution. Iraq's President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and Adil Abdul Mehdi, his first deputy, also rejected the law. The third member of the Iraqi Presidential Council, Tarik Al Hashimi, was out of the country.

The Kurds were protesting the secret ballot setting out a power-sharing arrangement in the Kirkuk region, with Kurds, Turkmens and Arabs getting the same amount of power.

At one stage, some members of the parliament, including those belonging to the Kurdish alliance, Supreme Islamic Council, and Bader Organisation representatives walked out of parliament in protest against the draft law. As such, it was not put to vote as scheduled.

Later, the parliament continued its session and the elections law was put to vote. A majority of the lawmakers who stayed on voted for it.

After the first session of the parliament, held some years ago, this is the first time Iraq is facing a major political problem.

The Presidential Council will not convene, unless its three members are all present to reject the law. If that happens, the law will be returned to parliament once again as per the provisions of the Iraqi constitution.

Row over Iraq elections law - Middle East News