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Shahrastani: Council of Ministers approved the plan places to develop oil sector
D said. Hussein Shahrastani oil minister said the Cabinet approved the plan places to develop the oil sector, after having delayed adoption of legislation and petroleum law which it has ratified the Iraqi government in February 2007.
He said in a broad dialogue with the newspaper Noor, T. bulletin next week, the Cabinet approved the plan last week decimal to the Ministry of Oil, to be able to proceed with the implementation of development plans and projects of oil fields and raise the ceiling on production and build a new rank and conclude contracts and implemented vigorously and rapidly rising, so as to contribute All workshops in the development of the oil sector.
He said. Shahrastani added that the Ministry of Oil does not suffer from a legislative vacuum at all, in order to move forward in implementing development plans, explaining that the Oil Ministry and the laws in force with adequate powers to carry out its tasks fully, to develop a wealth of Iraqis, and maintain that together. He pointed out that the Iraqi government made a decision in February 2008 to invest existing laws and powers conferred upon which to develop the oil sector.
It should be noted that the Cabinet had endorsed unanimously in February of last year, the petroleum law and to prosecute the four, the presence of ministers trend Sadr and the Iraqi List and the Kurds, the United Iraqi Alliance.
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Iraq oil talks break down
Six short-term deals between the Iraqi government and international oil companies are likely to be abandoned after the US embassy said talks had broken down yesterday.
Short-term technical support contracts between the Iraqi government and the multinational companies, each worth around $500m (£268), were due to have been signed earlier this year but stalled due to disagreements over terms, a senior diplomat said.
Charles Ries, co-ordinator for Iraq's economic transition at the US embassy in Baghdad, admitted that talks between the Iraqi government and a consortium led by US-based Anadarko had already fallen through.
Others with Royal Dutch Shell, a joint venture between Shell and BHP Billiton, BP, Exxon Mobil and a venture between Chevron and Total now seem unlikely to go ahead.
"It appears that on present form (the Iraqi government) probably won't proceed with most of these or all of them," Mr Ries said. "But I think some of the companies are open to continued discussions even on relationship grounds, and some of the companies don't think it's worth their time."
He added that the short-term contracts had limited appeal for the oil companies but some had hoped to go on to win longer-term development contracts, which would be far more lucrative.
The deals would have given global oil companies their first major involvement in Iraq's oil sector in nearly 40 years.
Iraq oil talks break down - Telegraph
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Iraq reserves right to put Blackwater guards on trial
Iraq on Sunday said it reserves the right to try six guards working for private security firm Blackwater USA for their alleged role in the killing of 17 Iraqis in Baghdad last year.
"There is information that half a dozen Blackwater guards who have been accused of shooting and killing 17 Iraqis are to be tried in Washington," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told reporters.
"The Iraqi government stresses its rights and that Blackwater guards have committed crimes against Iraqi victims. The government reserves the right to prosecute them," Dabbagh said.
On September 16, the Blackwater guards shot dead 17 Iraqi civilians while escorting an American diplomatic convoy through Baghdad.
Blackwater says its guards were acting in self-defence.
Dabbagh's commment came after the Washington Post reported on Saturday that six Blackwater guards had received "target letters" from the US Justice Department in a probe of the shootings.
Such letters are often considered a prelude to indictment, the report said, adding the guards were former US military personnel.
The report said any charges against the guards would likely be brought under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, which has previously been used to prosecute only the cases referred to the Justice Department by the Pentagon for crimes committed by military personnel and contractors overseas.
Despite strong opposition, the US Department of State earlier this year renewed a contract with Blackwater to protect American officials in Iraq.
Foreign security companies at present are not subject to Iraq law, but at the same time are not governed by US military tribunals, effectively allowing them to operate with impunity. Among the sticking points in complex negotiations aimed at striking a new US-Iraqi security deal has been the issue of whether and what immunity US troops should continue to have.
Iraq reserves right to put Blackwater guards on trial - Middle East News
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FTZ on Iraq Border Planned
A senior Iranian official says Iran plans to set up a free trade zone (FTZ) on its border with Iraq and also open an Iraqi trade office in Tehran.
Mehdi Ghazanfari, head of Iran's Trade Development Organization, in a meeting with Iraqi Trade Minister Abdul Fallah al-Sudani on Thursday in Tehran offered the proposals, adding that Iranian companies are ready to participate in trade fairs in Iraqi cities.
Trade between the two countries, which have a 1,200-kilometer border, has increased in recent years, from $1.5 billion in 2006 to $2.8 billion in 2007. It is expected to reach $4 billion by the end of 2008.
The Iraqi minister welcomed the offers, noting that the Iraqi trade office in Tehran could facilitate registration of companies in the two neighboring states.
Economic Cooperation
In another development, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for a three-day visit.
The Iraqi delegation, including ministers and government officials, discussed a number of economic and trade agreements that could help broaden cooperation in different fields.
Trade between Iran and Iraq is expected to reach $4 billion in 2008 as their economic cooperation continues to rise. Iran exported nearly $2.8 billion worth of goods to Iraq in 2007, of which approximately $1 billion was imported via the Iraqi Kurdistan region.
On Sunday, the prime minister of Iraq's Kurdistan regional government, Nechirvan Barzani arrived in Tehran to attend a conference on Iraqi reconstruction and met with Saeed Jalili, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
"Iraq needs Iran's help to reconstruct and develop its infrastructure. We seek to increase Iranian investment in Iraq," Barzani said at the conference.
Falah Mustafa, an Iraqi Kurd official in charge of foreign relations, said that Tehran-Kurdistan relations were the main focus on talks between the two sides during the conference as well as calls on Iranian businessmen to invest further in Kurdistan.
According to Presstv, Hassan Danaeifar, the secretary of special taskforce for development of Iran-Iraq trade also said that the two Muslim states have launched seven border points with trade terminals and constructed several roads during past two years to facilitate trade exchanges between the two oil-rich nations.
Iraq imports a wide variety of goods from Iran including construction materials, medicines, fruits and spices, fish, air conditioners, office furniture, carpets and apparels.
Iranian Loan
During his visit to Baghdad in March, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad offered a $1 billion loan to Iraq for projects that would be handled by Iranian firms.
Iranian banks also agreed to facilitate LC opening for Iraqi tradesmen in Iran, laying down incentives for bolstering further economic cooperation.
An Iraqi newspaper wrote Saturday that during the latest visit of Iraqi deputy prime minister to Iran the two sides agreed on establishment of a regional cooperation organization.
Quoting an Iraqi government source, who attended the meetings in Tehran, the 'Al-Mada' newspaper said in a meeting between Barham Salih and Iran's Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili the issue was discussed and the two sides reached an agreement on it.
The Iraqi official, whose name was not disclosed, said the aim of such an organization is to create a common ground for cooperation among Iraq's neighbors.
The paper wrote that during the meetings and consultations, the issue of progress in Iraq security affairs was also underlined and the two sides emphasized that promoting stability in Iraq is an important factor for developing cooperation in the fields of investment and construction.
Barham Salih, who has visited Iran several times in the past, said, "In the past years consultations were 80 percent on security issues and only 20 percent on economic cooperation while it has been changed now to 20 and 80 respectively.
Saleh added, "It is in Iraq's interest to consult with its neighbors to remove misunderstandings."
Transport Network
Head of Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines Hassan Tizmaghz on Thursday held talks with Iraqi Trade Minister Abdul Falah al-Sodani on issues of mutual interest.
Tizmaghz called for bolstering the transportation network between the two countries. "Iran has proposed to establish a joint transport company in Iraq and is waiting for the Iraqi government's reply," he said.
Tizmaghz also voiced Iran's readiness to make investment in Iraq's holy cities.
On Iraq's economy, al-Sodani said economic recovery is currently underway in his country and that Iraq's budget has increased from $30 billion in 2005 to $47 billion in 2007.
According to him, Iraqi firms are keen to cooperate with their Iranian counterparts and grounds have been paved for Iranian investments in Iraq.
Barham Salih visited Iran heading a high ranking Iraqi delegation, including ministers of energy and commerce.
In his two-day visit, he met with President Ahmadinejad, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Secretary of SNSC Saeed Jalili to discuss implementing economic agreements.
FTZ on Iraq Border Planned - Middle East News
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Iraq earned $43b from oil revenues in past 7 months
Iraq has made around $43 billion from oil exports throughout the past seven months, the Dubai-based al-Hilal Oil Company said.
"The average daily production of Iraqi crude oil was 2.5 million barrels, including 1 million for export uses and half a million for local consumption...," according to a report released by the company on Saturday and received by Aswat al-Iraq - Voices of Iraq - (VOI).
The report tackled the future of Iraqi oil industry, expecting oil revenues to reach $70 billion by the end of the current year.
"If oil prices maintained their current levels, Iraqi revenues will exceed $100 billion," according to the report.
Operating in the Gulf for more than 25 years, al-Hilal Oil Company issues a weekly report on international oil production and markets.
Iraq earned $43b from oil revenues in past 7 months - Middle East News
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Agreement to Enhance Commercial Exchange between Kurdistan Region and Iran
During an interview with Sawa Radio, the Head of the investment body in Kurdistan region Herish Moharam said that the KRG Delegation , during his recent visit to Iran, focused on three aspects to consolidate the commercial exchange between Kurdistan region and Iran.
“The first aspect was about enhancing commercial exchange, the second was on the participation of the Iranian companies in the contracts of the ministries and offices in the region and the third one was granting investment opportunities in the region.
He also added that the KRG informed the concerned persons in the Iranian government and the private sector that the Kurdistan region’s door is open to all the Iranian companies. He also expected the amount of commercial exchange between Kurdistan region and Iran to reach 2 Billion US$.
It’s worth mentioning that a KRG Delegation headed by PM Nichervan Barzani met last week, the senior officials in Iran among them, President Ahmadinejad and discussed the political, security and economic situations.
PUKmedia :: English - Agreement to Enhance Commercial Exchange between Kurdistan Region and Iran
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US oil company says it has ended talks with Iraq
A major independent U.S. oil producer said Wednesday that it has ended negotiations with Iraq to develop an oil field.
The company, based in the Houston suburb of The Woodlands, has a memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi government under which it has provided free technical advice, Beasley added.
The Iraqi Oil Ministry refused to comment on the company‘s decision.
But the contracts sparked a backlash over concerns that granting such contracts to Western oil companies could feed perceptions that U.S.-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein to seize Iraq‘s vast oil reserves.
They are Rumaila, Zubair, West Qurna 1, Maysan and Kirkuk.
In an e-mailed response to AP, both Chevron and BP confirmed that negotiations were still ongoing with the Iraqi Oil Ministry, but released no details. Others didn‘t respond.
Iraq is now producing about 2.5 million barrels of oil per day, its highest rate since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The government hopes to produce 4.5 million barrels per day by 2013.
US oil company says it has ended talks with Iraq
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The planning has custody of the increase in salaries and objects to the fiscal and monetary policies
The Planning Minister Ali Ghaleb two doors, "The Ministry of Planning, has custody of the recent increase of salaries of staff," saying "we did not object to the salaries of staff for the suffering of our non-employee, but we fear that this will be an increase in inflation, and thus get them on something employee during The period ahead. " He added two doors: "The policy of the ministry's policy differs from the Finance Ministry and central bank in dealing with inflation in Iraq, has custody of the recent increase of salaries of staff, as it will contribute to increase the rate of inflation.
He Wazzirali "The Ministry of Planning adopts the principle of moving the production process in the state to remedy the cause of inflation, the central bank adopts with the Ministry of Finance and monetary entrance to treat it."
He explained that "the Ministry of Planning focuses on investment projects, and to recycle the wheel productivity in the state, to curb inflation, while seeking the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance to raise interest rates," pointing to look at "The two will conduct a spot can not be a radical remedy to the reality Inflation in Iraq "as saying.
The Ministry of Finance was approved during this year's peaceful new staff salaries taking into account the allocation of marital and career ladder and transportation costs as staff salaries to lift more than 60% of the original pay and went some increases to 80%.
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During the coming days .. the start of the second phase of oil exploration teams
Said the official spokesman of the Ministry of Oil that the coming days will witness the start of the second phase of the expedition teams to the Ministry of Oil through the first expedition team will start work on the field of Gharraf in Dhi Qar in southern Iraq. He explained that "the Party will begin the first exploration in the coming days to work on field surveys of the largest fields of Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar having started on the eighth month of August this second expedition team Cowley teams working in the field of oil exploration for 20 years by conducting surveys on the field Gharraf north of Nasiriyah. " The spokesman pointed out that the current fixed reserve for the field of Nasiriyah in which it is hoped that the Party is working for the first exploratory estimated (4) billion barrels expected to rise this reserve to double that figure after the end of this process. "
The planned development operations to raise production capacity to field Nasiriyah aimed to raise its production by 30 thousand barrels per day to 100 thousand barrels a day. The spokesman stressed that "the ministry continues to prepare teams covering the fields of oil exploration in all parts of Iraq."
The Spokesperson of the Oil Ministry announced earlier this month that the ministry in connection with the resumption of oil exploration activity after an absence of two decades.
He said that "the next few days will witness a celebration attended by Oil Minister Hussein Shahrastani, on the occasion of starting production of seismic surveys in the field (empty) city of Nasiriyah, Center for Dhi Qar, boycotted operations in South Oil Company, by the second seismic band of the ministry."
He explained that this band "one of the three specialized teams working on sophisticated modern techniques, was formed recently, which formed the nucleus of a seismic other teams will be trained and prepared and distributed to the whole area of Iraq" to carry out exploration.
He added that the surveys would be "three dimensions," and stated that "the band completed the first phase of the experimental devices and equipment, and preparing to enter the phase of productive work in the field of Nasiriyah. As for the third year is at the end stages of preparation, it is hoped entry to work late this year."
That difference exploratory "includes specialist cadres, engineers and geologists, geophysicists professionals, who have been creating large numbers of them", noting that he was "implementing joint studies with experienced international companies to manage and operate such systems are modern."
He added that "Iraq's oil reserves more than doubled from a backup certainly being declared, and $ (115) billion barrels," noting that the lack of exploration over the past years "has not increased the confirmed reserves of Iraq."
Explaining that the Oil Ministry has prepared a "strategic future for the advancement of the Iraqi oil industry, through the exploration of hydrocarbon wealth and add to the Qinghai Geological in Iraq and turned into a reserve" in the coming years.
He noted that geological studies "showed that Iraq contains (530) complex geology where oil prospects are good and promising, of which (115) complex just witnessed the activity and investment, while (415) compound needed for exploration."
Translated version of http://www.almadapaper.com/paper.php?source=akbar&page=107
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60 Arab and foreign embassy in Iraq early next year
Government hopes to reach a number of Arab and foreign embassies in Iraq early next year to about 60, especially after the significant improvement in security conditions, and the positive results achieved through diplomatic movement of the last term.
The present weights with the creation of a number of buildings in the protected "Green Zone" to be taken to the headquarters of some embassies, like the district to be dedicated to them. An official source told "Sabah" that there is a significant diplomatic breakthrough at consolidating relations between Baghdad and several capitals, pointing out that the states (Jordan, UAE, Algeria, Morocco, Kuwait and Bahrain) is currently the procedures for opening their embassies in Baghdad officially in the coming days. The "morning" quoted parliamentary sources as saying: The six Arab countries will open embassies in Baghdad in the next two months, pointing out that a variety of actions have already begun The opening of this embassy, noting that the government had informed them that they would provide adequate protection for securing embassies and personnel. The source said: that the government hopes of all Arab countries to resume on opening embassies, especially that there are promises and the desire of some to the diplomatic representation of their countries in Baghdad, Noting that Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari is making efforts through visits to Arab and foreign capitals to speed up the re-representation, because the importance of strengthening relations and reflections on the situation in the country.
There Embassy in Baghdad, 52 of them Arab embassies 5 (Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Lebanon and Tunisia), and varies diplomatic representation in those embassies between Ambassador (Minister Plenipotentiary) and Chief of Mission, as exists in a number of other employees to conduct business. In a related, he said Spokesman of the Ministry of Defense, Major General Mohamed military: the security ministries created all the requirements to ensure safety of embassies that back its work in Baghdad. He noted that military and Interior Ministry had recently announced the formation of a special directorate for the protection of diplomatic missions and embassies, stressing that there is coordination between the various high state security ministries To secure the premises of diplomatic missions which are outside the Green Zone. He told a journalist that some diplomatic missions have chosen to be based inside the Green Zone, has been creating special buildings to serve as headquarters for these embassies, which will be protected, whether inside or outside the Green Zone. In Cairo, the Egyptian presidential spokesman ambassador Suleiman Awwad summit, Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, which concluded yesterday, I discussed the situation in the region particularly in Iraq.
He Awad On the question of sending an Egyptian ambassador to Baghdad, that "we can not send ambassador to Baghdad after the assassination of former Ambassador Ihab Sheriff, but he added at a press conference:" If we get full guarantees concerning the security or subjected to any threats and assess the Green Zone, we'll send ambassador. "The deputy coalition Abbas Al-Bayati transitional Arab parliament member had told" Assabah "last month: It is" Before the end of the year will appoint more than 10 new ambassadors Arabs in Baghdad, describing the step as "a new gesture to deal with Iraqi political reality. "Marked each from Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, the UAE and the Arab League ambassadors in the new Iraq.
Translated version of http://www.alsabaah.com/
