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

Originally Posted by Seaview

Dana Gas Charters World's Largest Aircraft to Iraq
Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum, has chartered the world's largest aircraft, the Antonov 124 (An-124), to transport a large load of equipment and components from Houston, Texas (USA) to Erbil, Iraq.

Dana Gas, the Middle East's first and largest regional private-sector natural gas company, along with its project partner Crescent Petroleum, has chartered the world's largest aircraft, the Antonov 124 (An-124), to transport a large load of equipment and components from Houston, Texas (USA) to Erbil, Iraq for use in Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum's projects under implementation in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, at a cost of $1.25m.

The companies' project is being implemented on a fast-track basis and involves a total investment of $650m - the largest single private sector investment in Iraq since 2003.

The project implementation includes upstream development and production, processing with state-of-the-art LPG plants, and transportation of natural gas through a new 180km pipeline, in order to provide urgently-needed gas supplies to cost-effectively fuel new power stations under construction, providing savings to the Government budget of over $2bn annually in fuel costs.

The project implementation will also provide work opportunities for over 2,000 Iraqi nationals of all ethnic groups, and provide comprehensive training in oil and gas operations for Iraq's citizens.

The An-124 shipment consisted of essential project components weighing 58 tons that are to be utilized in the construction of two LPG plants which will be used to transport natural gas to new power stations being built in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

The equipment was loaded and secured carefully on the An-124 using the aircraft's 10-ton gantry crane and a team of specialized personnel over a period of five hours.

Part of a requirement identified in the later stages of the project to add flexibility to the plant, the components were identified, acquired, airlifted to Adana airport in Turkey, and transported on flatbed trucks to the project site in a record delivery time of just three weeks.

Thomas Watts, Project Director for the project in Iraqi Kurdistan, explained the rationale behind chartering the Antonov 124 for this task, and said, 'Chartering the largest plane in the world at a cost of $1.25m to move urgently needed equipment from Houston to Iraq shows that Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum are going the extra mile to get the job done.

'We have a mandate to expedite the implementation of this project in order to meet the needs of the Iraqi economy and to deliver much-needed gas supplies that will fuel power generation and industry, resulting in major savings for the Iraqi economy and a catalyst for industry and resultant job-creation,' Mr. Watts added.

The An-124 has been the largest plane ever mass produced in the world since 1982, with a capacity of up to 150 tons of cargo. It can also carry up to 88 passengers in its upper deck, and is able to kneel in order to facilitate front loading through its nose.

The An-124 has been used to transport some of the largest and most delicate cargo in the world, including large industrial equipment, train locomotives, small aircraft, archaeological treasures, and animals like elephants and even whales.

Dana Gas charters world's largest aircraft to Iraq | Dana Gas

Update.......

As for the week's events in the oil and gas sector in the Gulf, record its contract «Dana Gas», the first regional company from the private sector in the Middle East and the largest, operating in the area of natural gas and oil company Crescent, a strategic partner in the project «Dana Gas », Worth 1.25 million dollars to lease cargo aircraft jet« Antonov 124An », the largest aircraft in the world, to transport equipment and fixtures critical of the city« Houston »mandate« Texas »U.S. to Iraqi Irbil, to use such equipment in the draft« Dana Gas » The oil Crescent under implementation in the Kurdistan region - Iraq, where the two companies will implement vital projects with investments totaling 650 million dollars to be pumped by the company's largest investment from the private sector in Iraq since 2003, the project includes the development of gas fields and gas extraction, production and processing, through two factories to produce gas Liquid (LPG) equipped with the latest equipment, in addition to transport natural gas via a pipeline along the 180 kilometres to secure gas supplies to be used quickly and economically fuel to generate electricity at power stations under construction.

The project will support the policy of rationalization of expenditures power in Iraq, providing more than two billion dollars annually to the budgets of government expenditure allocated for fuel.

The implementation of the project provides jobs for thousands of Iraqis and rehabilitation professionals, trained in the processes associated with the oil and gas industry.

Sotaliraq.com -

Iraq received $ 125 million of debt relief for the Arab Monetary Fund

Iraq signed an agreement for the settlement of debts to the Arab Monetary Fund, which happened to be exempt from about 125 million dollars of debts amounting to 500 million dollars.The agreement was signed in Amman today and the Iraqi Finance Minister Baqer Al-Zubaidi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fund, Jassem Al. Manai said that the debt and interest that accrued on Iraq for the benefit of the Fund for many years is 500 million dollars and that the exemptions were approved by the fund could exceed 116 to 125 million dollars. He explained that members of the Governing Council and the Fund's Board of Governors adopted a resolution exempting Iraq from an important part of the accumulated interest the outcome of this indebtedness and exemption limits is 35 to 38 percent. He said "the balance payable in stages of a long and comfortable up to 18 years instead of eight years is the maximum period given by the Fund but taking into account the circumstances of Iraq that resulted from reasons beyond his control and we agreed to the settlement."

In addition to debt relief provided by this agreement, it would open the way for Iraq to take advantage of the support provided by the Fund in the areas of programming corrective College of sectoral and structural reforms aimed at achieving macroeconomic stability and stimulate growth in addition to increasing the activity-oriented training of Iraqi cadres and support the funding needs of foreign trade Iraq through facilities provided by the ATFP's Fund.

He pointed out that the immune Iraq of the founders of the Arab Monetary Fund and the players and has a permanent seat on the board and that the agreement today is the beginning of a real return of Iraq to take its role in the fund.

And the relationship between Iraq and the Arab Monetary Fund fatigue in past years was not an active role in the fund because of the delay in the payment of its arrears to the Fund due to large debts to financial institutions and Western countribute

Manai said "In light of this agreement we will be able to provide many of the technical aid and increase the activity of training Iraqi cadres."

He continued: "More than that we are ready to provide credit facilities to exporters and importers Iraqis in Iraq's foreign trade through the facilities of the Arab Trade Financing Programme of the Fund."

He said: "We have given instructions to the engagement of Arab Trade Financing Programme for the lines open and to have the Iraq of today to these facilities without restrictions."

He stressed that he would not be immune to wait for the Board of Governors of the Arab Monetary Fund in April next and that will be sent Convention has been signed and asked the blessing scrolling.

Manai said that the Arab Monetary Fund needs to Iraq to play its required in the activity of the fund and its existence is to strengthen the role of the Fund's activity in the service of Arab States.

He said that efforts to patch Iraq's economic bode well both at the level of inflation or laws which will be issued to Arab Monetary Fund important and positive role in programmes for the next correction in this country at the level of financial and banking sector.

Zubaidi said that what was Matn Iraq reductions in interest rates and duration of payment to settle its debts to the Arab Monetary Fund obtained and that Iraq today has returned to its normal especially as he enjoyed one of the three seats in the important fund's board of directors.

He stressed that Iraq would begin this year to pay the first installment of its debt to Arab Monetary Fund, which will be quarterly over 18 years equal installments.

He said that Iraq will benefit from this agreement, especially as the private sector is capable of borrowing, financial and monetary institutions will enjoy priority to training and qualification by the Arab Monetary Fund.

Translated version of http://www.hewarat.dk/hewarat_data.php?sid=7300

Iraqi funds froze in Federal Reserve Bank

Around USD 50 billion of Iraq’s money remains frozen in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. These financial reserves are the legacy of the international sanctions against Saddam Hussein. The money is protected currently by a presidential immunity.

Iraqis fear this money would be used to pressure the Iraqi government into signing the controversial long term US-Iraq Friendship agreement, and as a price to remove Iraq from under Chapter 7 of the UN charter.

Once the UN mandate comes to an end without an alternative agreement, the Iraqi money will loose immunity and will be misplaced due to imposed indemnities.

http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News...erve-Bank.html

American project and the Treaty of fait accompli with Iraq

In a single day this week we have followed different newspapers in serious vision of the latest developments in Iraq. On the first page of a newspaper read: Washington acknowledges that it may be unable to conclude a security treaty with Iraq before the expiration of the mandate of Bush.

In the context of the news we read that this recognition by the U.S. administration is likely for the first time a senior official in the administration anticipated would extend the current authorization from the United Nations, which granted U.S. forces the right to exist and work in Iraq until the end of December (December) next, which means that The current administration of American President will leave next task of taking decisions on important and fateful American presence in Iraq and the future size of the authority granted by the United States to Iraq with respect to military operations and how quickly the transfer of power to the Iraqi side. But in all cases - as Robert Gates said the American defense minister - the country will not abandon the conclusion of the security treaty with Iraq.

On the same day it was decided that another serious newspaper: «Washington stresses the significant progress in the negotiations does not preclude the completion of the treaty the end of next month». The difference here is that this license for Sao David Satterfield, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State, which held a press conference in the capital Baghdad Green Zone and said that U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker is leading negotiations for the conclusion of the treaty strategy with Iraq and that, while the United States did not specify a date for its completion, however, Sufficient time until the end of next month to sign the Treaty of security.

Tell the press coverage here are the facts of movement and news agencies. But the difference in approach is different in the eyes of most likely possibilities. This difference - even contradictory - in the weights is at the heart of American policy itself, particularly those concerning Iraq. In one day also followed President George W. Bush in the latest round of presidential stand him in Europe summit in Slovenia and warned U.S. European imminent danger that lesbian Iran to the world in the event managed to acquire nuclear weapons, and demands of European allies also continue to work for confirmation of the leaders of Iran That they have no choice but isolation or stop enriching uranium to enjoy better relations with the West.

Those that stick to move in the American president of Slovenia against Iran coincided with statements on the same day from Washington to San spokesman of the U.S. Defense Department, drawing their attention to the fact that U.S. forces in Iraq will not be used to launch any military operations against any country from neighboring countries, including In which Iran, while stressing the need for protection for American troops anywhere in the world. Even the newspaper «a Times» British reported that President George W. Bush had telephoned on Thursday, 5 this month, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq before traveling to Iran to ease tensions between Washington and Baghdad, and also to assure him that his administration «does not seek to touch the sovereignty of Iraq The American military presence would be aimed at helping Iraqi forces »expressing« U.S. government was ready to re-examine the disputed items of the Convention security under discussion ». Of course not succeeded those nods - addressed to Iran in an indirect - in anaesthesia Iranians who reiterated their stance on the San Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of the Republic of «that the main problem facing Iraq is the presence of American forces and other foreign troops on its territory».

The newspaper also revealed «a Andbndant» British Finally, the United States is holding about fifty billion dollars of Iraqi funds in the Central Linke, which is now used to put pressure on Baghdad to force Israel to sign the Convention security, which is expected to include a fifty military base in Iraq. As well as threaten the United States in Iraq, losing 40 percent of the reserve of hard currency since the independence of Iraq is still constrained by the international embargo measures imposed since Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, which would mean that Iraq is still considered a threat to international security and stability under Chapter VII of the Charter The United Nations. In conclusion, the Americans say negotiators to Iraq to escape the eighth chapter VII is the signing of the treaty «strategic alliance» with the United States. Treaty will, to one degree or another, simply to codify the status quo.

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

Continued........

Important for the United States, therefore, that swallows Iraqis - voluntarily or against their will - this American military presence in their country's permanent delegate open duration and power. Is also important that neighbouring Iran swallow the bitter truth itself and adapt it so as not to turn it round. For instance, it is the role if we heated statements against Iran, which exported from the United States and Israel from time to time. Another of those firearms issued statements on Friday, 6 of this month, according to Shaul Mofaz, Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, which he said was: «we will have no choice but to attack Iran to stop its nuclear program». Other members of the Israeli government of reneging on those statements immediately, although it only three days before Ehud Olmert was Prime Minister of Israel calls clearly before the Commission on the American Israeli Public Affairs (AIPAC) in Washington to «deal with Iranian nuclear ambitions by all possible means» scheduled to:

«Israel will not tolerate the possibility of a nuclear Iran». But at some point stop Israel because it believes that America is best able to rally allies behind against Iran, as well as the United States and Israel want to portray it as a confrontation between Iran and the international community, and not between Iran and any of them.

Iran reiterated allowance twentieth time it absolutely does not seek any nuclear arms and that its nuclear program entirely peaceful. The International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna reiterated that if the United States or Israel is no evidence to the contrary notified by the IAEA to inspect and check. Of course this has not happened. But that has happened to Israel in September (September) last bombed a Syrian site claimed that Israel and America that secret nuclear facility which was strongly denied by Syria at the time. But the international perspective, Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of IAEA is the only one who expressed his objection in substantive dialogue with the magazine «Der Spiegel» German attacking Israel, saying that the Syrian position on suspicion of being a nuclear reactor and the threat now and then attacked installations in Iran without UN authorization is due to the medieval world.

In fact, the crux of the matter from the beginning was the insistence of the United States and Israel to prevent Iran from any nuclear program, peaceful or not peaceful. The irony is the basic knowledge of the U.S. confirmed the fact that Israel is the only state in the region already nuclear-armed - and not likely or guess - plus the fact the second, which is its insistence on not to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the protection of America. In the second phase turned to the United States is another matter: If it was not possible to deprive Iran of peaceful nuclear program must be at least prevent them from enriching uranium enriched uranium arguing that dual-use peaceful and militarily.

In fact, another response to this argument was Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who said recently that the Secretariat recognized that uranium enrichment is the exclusive right to Iran according to the wording of the NPT and under control. The former French president Jacques Chirac goes far beyond the subject. On January 29 (January) 2007 Chirac made statements to newspapers «New York Times» and «Herald Tribune» Americans and «French Weekly» and «Novell Opsrfatour» France. Chirac said in those statements: «I would say that in fact is not dangerous to get Iran to the first nuclear bomb, followed by the second later in time. ».That is not all that dangerous ». Chirac then went on briefly, saying that even if Iran acquired a nuclear bomb will not be able to use, even if you try that Iran will erase from the earth completely before exceed those limits bomb two hundred meters from the atmosphere.

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

Continued.........

At the time angered the U.S. administration strongly from the French president's statements as to push back by saying it was an informal comments was not supposed to publish. Once winning the chairmanship of France, Nicolas Sarkozy was keen to set aside politics for the French it is committed to announcing the U.S. line in the first presidential speech that the failure of Iran to suspend uranium enrichment activities as calling on the international community will make catastrophic scenario, according to Mohammad. «Either the Iranian bomb or grenade attack Iran». That day came objecting senior French politicians and warned that it is not in the interest of France that Sarkozy encouraging President George W. Bush of repeating the Iraqi scenario in Iran.

In fact, since the repeats Leading experts in the strategy warn that the last months of age of the U.S. administration may be more serious. The occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan before the project is part of an integrated and bloated Imperial wants to lay hands on what might be called «the Balkans World» loan from the European recipes Balkan region, according to Zbigniew Brigginski former advisor to American national security. That region - the Balkans world - stretching from the Suez Canal in Egypt eastward to the borders of China. In the past three empires dominated the region expanding globally. Austrian Hungarian Empire controlled the Balkan region of Europe. The Ottoman Empire controlled the Middle East. Russian and Soviet empire took control of Central Asia.

Now wants the project in 2008 the American imperial empires to inherit those three in a single thread. It would be fortunate if the United States reviewed the same brain and recovered in the fourth elections of November (November) next. In this policy a long time.

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

Britain seeks long-term pact with Iraq by year-end

Britain seeks to sign a long-term partnership pact with Iraq before the end of the year, which would provide for the presence of a small British force in the country, a British government spokesman said Monday. The British government's spokesman in the Middle East, Jon Wilks, told the Iraqi daily al-Sabah that London was awaiting the outcome of the ongoing negotiations between Iraq and the US over a bilateral long-term security pact.

Britain "hopes that it can seal a partnership agreement with Iraq before the end of the year, setting a new stage for the military presence of alliance forces, which will see their mandate expire by year-end according to UN resolutions," Wilks said.

"There is no timetable for British troop withdrawal from Iraq because troops are there with the consent of the Iraqi government and in accordance with UN resolutions," the spokesman added.

The number of British troops, the spokesman said, will be determined by the security situation in Iraq.

Since October, the British government has cut troops from 5,000 to 4,000. In April, British Secretary of Defence Des Browne announced that further cuts to 2,500 were halted due to violence in the southern Basra province.

British troops took part in a security offensive launched by the Iraqi government at the end of March against Shiite militias in Basra.

A British delegation is expected to visit Iraq in July for talks over a long-term partnership, Wilks said.

Separately, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told US broadcaster CNN on Sunday that he expected Iraq to reach a long-term security pact with the US by the end of July, brushing aside reports that negotiations have reached an impasse.

"We made a great deal of progress on finalizing the strategic framework agreement," Zebari said.

Progress have been made on key issues, such as how much authority US troops will have outside their bases and whether they would use those bases to launch strikes against other countries in the region, Zebari explained.

Baghdad "made it absolutely clear that Iraq will not be used for any offensive actions or for any attacks against any of Iraq's neighbours," the minister said.

Britain seeks long-term pact with Iraq by year-end : Middle East World

President Talabani Heads to USA

President Jalal Talabani left yesterday to the US. The aim of his visit is to make some ordinary medical tests in Mayo Clinic and to treat his left knee.

President Talabani will leave US to Greece in order to participate in the International Socialism Conference, and then he will return home.

PUKmedia :: English - President Talabani Heads to USA

McCain Meets With Iraqi Foreign Minister Outside D.C.

John McCain and Iraq’s foreign minister met Sunday in Arlington, Va., on ways to improve security in Iraq and a future status of forces agreement, a treaty the U.S. maintains with several nations to determine U.S. military force presence abroad.

McCain and Hoshyar Zebari said they are sure they can overcome the number of objections that have been raised by Iraqi officials.

“I am confident that over time that we can work out that kind of agreement as we have with other countries in the past,” McCain said. “It is very important that we not let any of this success slip away and this relationship and partnership that has led to the strategy. That has led to the success in the past I am confident will continue.”

Asked whether he would promise indefinite protection to the Iraqi people, McCain said the United States has made progress in Iraq and that the decision to send additional troops has worked.

“I’m very pleased at the success of the surge. The surge is succeeding. There are still enormous challenges. Al Qaeda is on the run they are not defeated but having said that there is no doubt the surge has succeeded. And we will be able over time to withdraw and come home with honor and victory not in defeat,” he said.

McCain also criticized Democratic rival Barack Obama, saying Obama was wrong to say the surge would fail. However, Zebari said he also has plans to meet with Obama on this trip and the Iraqi government has no preference as to who wins the U.S. election.

“It’s in our interest, in fact, to brief both candidates on the reality of the situation, the way we see it from our perspective, from people who’ve been at the thick of this conflict, so yes, indeed, we will have that opportunity,” Zebari said.

PUKmedia :: English - McCain Meets With Iraqi Foreign Minister Outside D.C.

Significant increase in the demand for the dollar

Demand for the dollar was notably higher in the Iraqi Central Bank's auction on Monday, the second this week, reaching $80.440 million compared to $54.340 million on Sunday.

"The demand hit $12.870 million in cash and $67.570 million in foreign transfers outside the country, all covered by the bank at a stable exchange rate of 1,197 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 $2.430 million, which the bank bought at an exchange rate of 1,195 dinars per dollar.

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

Aswat Aliraq