Thread: Archive Latest News - Dinar Think Tank - 27/08/08 - 15/01/09

Al-Maliki and policy of taking Iraq backwards

At least three indications demonstrate that the most recent policy of the Prime Minister Nuri-Al Maliki does not serve the Iraqi situation and harm the political process.

The first indication is deliberately creating crisis in areas that their political future has not yet been settled without paying the slightest heed to the possibility of the perilous outcomes that may affect the entire political process .This kind of policy, despite showing inept in politics, it also brings Maliki's reliability into question.

The second indication is his constant efforts to establish armed political organizations among the tribes under the name of Supporting Councils. Although Maliki wants to establish a power balance with the awakening councils of the Sunnis, but it became obvious that these supporting councils are funded by the government and guided by Maliki's Al-Daawa party. Some supporting councils in the south of Iraq are obviously overseen by the members of Al-Daawa party.

The third indication is the delay in passing the security pact between Iraq and US which is related to Maliki's attempts to hinder the agreement.

In his recent statements, Al Maliki cites the consensus policy as a hamper to the performance of the state, while in a state like Iraq only consensus can provide a sustainable political process.

These statements, in other words, could mean that what is now on the ground in Iraq is not federalism, taking for granted that the situation needs a reconsideration of the constitution and reducing the powers of the regions in the favor of increasing the power of the center.

Sami Al- Askari, a MP and Al-Daawa party member went even further, suggesting that there is no federalism in Iraq, rather it is confederalism, arguing that (If things remain as they are Iraq will undoubtedly go towards partition).

When we know that Maliki himself in 2005 was a member of the committee tasked with delineating the authorities of the regions in writing the constitution, hence the over-enthusiastic criticisms of Maliki over the authorities of the regions will go in vain.

The constitution that Al Maliki cites inapt for Iraq is the very constitution which in 2006 and after just one year from electing him as the prime minister, he hailed saying (our constitution meets the international standards).

The theory of increasing the power of the center for establishing a strong state and keeping the political unity is no longer a preferred one.

There are no guarantees that reducing the powers of the regions will lead to the emergence of a strong state.

Persistence on such an expired policy will constitute a threat to the entire political process and hold Iraq back.
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*Farid Asasard is member of PUK Leadership Committee and Head of Center for Strategic Research

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...=7649&Itemid=1

Kadir Aziz: Our problems with Baghdad are with al-Maliki not with Iraqi federal Gov

“All disputes between the Iraqi Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) concerning the implementation of article 140- which deals with normalizing conditions in Kirkuk and other disputed areas between Baghdad and Erbil- sources from violating the Iraqi permanent constitution by the Iraqi federal government ,” Kadir Aziz General Secretary of the Kurdistan Toilers Party, and representative of the Kurdistan Region President to the supreme Committee for Implementation of Article 140 told Asharq Alawsat.

Aziz indicated that the use of force may not be unlikely if the formation of supporting councils by the Iraqi federal government in the disputed areas between Baghdad and Erbil to continuo.

“Article 140 is like a roadmap to deal with normalizing conditions in Kirkuk and other disputed areas between Baghdad and Erbil in the Iraqi permanent constitution, but the government of Iraqi Prime minister Nouri al-Maliki did not abide by this constitution and suspended the implementation of article 140,” Aziz said.

Kadir Aziz pointed out that problems between Baghdad and Erbil are with al-Maliki himself not with the Iraqi federal government since the Iraqi government is a national unity cabinet, saying Kurds have no disputes with the other sides and that the problem with al-Maliki is on the implementation of Iraqi constitution which is written consensually and most Iraqis voted to.

Regarding recent demands by the Iraqi premier for amending the Iraqi constitution in favor of empowering the federal government in Baghdad, Aziz said that amending the Iraqi constitution is not the authority of al-Maliki and a single political side. He also clarified that amending the Iraqi constitution cannot be made without conducting a referendum, saying “any referendum boycotted by any three Iraqi provinces would not be legal; therefore, no amendments to the Iraqi constitution could be made without the assent of the Kurdistan region. This is like the Kurdish people’s veto and is a protection from the hegemony of majority in Iraq.”

“Kurds see no other alternatives of US-Iraq security pact and the Iraqi government asked the US for amendments,” Kadir Aziz said stressing that the last version of the security pact is in the interests of the Iraqi people.

“Kurds will benefit from the pact in the framework of the Iraqi state; Kurdistan region is a part of Iraq and anything which is in the interests of Iraq it would be in the interests of the Iraqi people and the Kurdish people. From this viewpoint Kurds are for the security pact since there are no other alternatives of US-Iraq security pact. Alternatives of US-Iraq security pact is withdrawal of the US forces from Iraq and leaving Iraq to al-Qaida terrorists and disorder.” He said as well.

Aziz however, indicated to some “negative issues” in the US-Iraq security pact, saying “An item in the US-Iraq security pact says that Iraq can sign similar pacts with other countries a matter interpreted of being against Kurds. Accordingly Iraq can sign treaties with the neighboring countries and this is not in the interests of Kurds. Another item says US can support Iraq against foreign and internals threats, which targets Iraq’s integrity, Iraq can exploit this against Kurdistan region.”

He also clarified that Kurds are being targeted by several sides in the area, saying “There are regional interferences into Iraq’s internal affairs, there are other interferences by the Iraqi federal government and there are fears of the return of autocracy in Iraq, therefore, Kurds need the support of US to defend themselves and this requires an agreement and a commitment by the US.

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...=7738&Itemid=1

Iraqi Parliament holds session

The Iraqi Parliament headed by its speaker Dr. Mahmud al-Mashhadani continued the discussions in its 32rd normal session to discuss the project of the security pact between Iraq and US under the title “The Law of Ratifying the Agreement between the Republic of Iraq and Unite States regarding the withdrawal of the American Forces from Iraq and Organizing its Activities in its Temporarily Presence.”

After discussions lasted for 6 hours on the agreement, Dr. Mahmud al-Mashhadani announced the end of the second reading of the agreement. He emphasized that the Parliament will vote on the agreement when there will be consensus between the political blocs on either saying “YES” or “NO”.

The voting is slated for coming Wednesday or Thursday as a deadline.

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...=7754&Itemid=1

Bankers & businessmen stress the need to expand the competition among banks, civil

A number of bankers, businessmen and experts in the economic conference held today, Saturday, morning, in Basra province, the need to promote the banking sector in southern Iraq and the expansion of competition between banks, development banks and civil government through removing the restrictions.

The director of the Central Bank in Basra province, in a speech at the conference in a hotel tourism that "civil banks in the province of Basra growing despite many challenges, while surrounded by banks, is still suffering from recession because of restrictions imposed in accordance with item VII of the Charter of the United Nations. "

Said Zuhair Ali Akbar that "Rafidain Bank, which was founded in 1941 and who was the father of offices and representatives in many countries in the world can not since 1991 until now to prevent one of dinars into Iraq to the outside."

The more that "when Iraq is rid of his under the heading seventh time this problem will be resolved and that Iraqi banks from dealing with banks," he said.

The Director of the Central Bank in Basra province, Ali Akbar that "the advancement of the banking sector in the province of Basra at the outset requires the resolution of disputes between some banks and the establishment of a stock exchange, in addition to the training of personnel in the banks on how to deal with modern banking systems."

"They even open up the Iraqi banks in the world should be invited international banks to open branches in Basra and politicians investment relations with the governments of neighboring countries to encourage banks to invest in Basra."

He commended the largest financial policy adopted by the Central Bank of Iraq at the banks, civil, pointing out that "the dollar exchange rate before 2003 was unchanged for more than three times a day, and then enable the Central Bank of Iraq to eliminate such fluctuations," he said, "the Ministry of Finance For its part, recently issued directives to all state institutions that deal with all banks the same way that civil deal with the government banks. "

For his part, the representative of Prime Minister Mohammad Nasser Al-Basri "The Iraqi government is serious in supporting banks as a civil encourage investment," and emphasized that "some laws and regulations are hindering the development of the banking sector in Iraq because they are Balillabip and bureaucracy," pointing out that "the government Iraq was willing to reconsider those laws. "

The visual in a speech at the conference that "Basra has all the elements of the success of the banking sector due to its geographical location overlooking the Gulf and the oil industry," expected to "restore the banking sector recovered in the near future."

The other hand, businessman and owners of Sam "near the opening of a branch in the province of Basra to a bank (the country), which was founded in 2007 in Baghdad," and added that "the bank board decided to open a branch of the bank in the Basra area for a wide range of banking competition," Stressing that "it is expected to open this new branch officially next week"

The province of Basra, about 560 km south of Baghdad, where there are 17 banks waged, and the two government banks Rafidain and Rasheed, has been known since ancient province of Basra recovery of the banking sector and there was in 1890 three banks, one British and one by the Ottoman Bank "Ahahnchah Iranian".

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Al-Daini: PM al-Maliki’s statements represent challenge to Iraqis will

In an exclusive statement to PUKmedia website correspondent, MP Mohammed al-Daini from the Arabian Bloc for National Dialogue said that PM al-Maliki’s statements do not express his commitment to the constitution and represent a challenge to the Iraqi people will.

Al-Daini added “the Prime Minister is speaking on the Supporting Councils. These councils don’t have any constitutional authority and legal cover. From where does he bring his statements? These councils serve his party’s (al-Daawa Party) interests including the continuity of his work on the personal and party level. He spends the state’s budget.
Who gave him the right to spend these millions of dinars?”

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...=7755&Itemid=1

Clarification from the Central Bank of Iraq

We received the following clarification from the Central Bank of Iraq on the subject (Economists: auctions central bank set the size of investment) published on the economic web page in the number of a former edition to respond freely and publish the text of clarification

Best greetings ...
Referring to what has been published in your newspaper, published on 2008/10/28 No. 1522 and by the writer Haider Fulayyih Al Rubaiy under the title ((Economists: auctions central bank set the size of investment)) and it came as the Iraqi Central Bank would like to point out the following: - ( (Based on the price of the definition of the concept in economic theory, they value of goods and services expressed by cash that this value is deteriorating with high prices and there is the reciprocal influences between the amount of money and prices as the ((high inflation means)) ((wane means contraction)) as it seeks monetary policy To achieve the goals set forth law as No. 56 in 2004 and included the stabilization of domestic prices and lower levels of inflation and raise the value of Iraqi dinar internal and external ((of the exchange rate)), and on this basis the view of modern monetary theory in the improved terms of trade, which reflected the balance of payments surplus of reason it called to address the situation of inherited monetary imbalances the Iraqi economy by adopting a fixed nominal ((to counter inflationary expectations to achieve economic stability as it came to spending and overall demand and on this basis must be the Iraqi dinar's value will rise to counter inflationary pressures and expectations)). In addition to the above The exchange rate policy faced strong external variables, including high prices of foodstuffs and other goods globally and have access to imported inflation can not be dealt with, but the improvement in the value of Iraqi dinar and the foundations according to the terms of trade outside of Iraq, which is still working for the benefit of the national economy Please note in your newspaper and publishing newspaper. .. With appreciation
Department of Information and Public Relations

While we appreciate this initiative by the Central Bank of Iraq by pointing the extent of their interest, including published in the newspapers and this is the right way to continue and strengthen trust and cooperation in building our economy strong and proud record our thanks to this understanding.
Al-Sabah news paper

Clarification from the Central Bank of Iraq

Kurdistan Alliance denies calling for the withdrawal of confidence from the Prime Minister

Spokesman denied the Kurdistan Alliance in the House of Representatives passed the Ferjad Raundozi some agencies of the news media reports that the Kurdistan Alliance is to Thhid views in the House of Representatives to withdraw confidence from the Prime Alpzrae Nuri al-Maliki.

The Raundozi told the independent press (Iba) today, Sunday, the news is unfounded, stressing that the prime minister still has the support of the Kurdistan Alliance, noting that the differences between the Presidency and the Prime Minister, or that exists between the federal and provincial government Kurdistan Atwther this support.

The Raundozi There is no draft to the Kurdish Alliance in this regard, he said, adding available, or statements by some deputies from other blocs they are in fueling problems and created in Aellouktaat which are all efforts towards resolving the difficulties between the Kurdistan Alliance and Prime Minister by the Constitution and the five committees.

The Iraqi political scene has witnessed recent days, differences between the Prime Minister and the Kurdistan regional government after an invitation Riiis Minister Nuri al-Maliki to form tribal councils backing in the provinces of Kirkuk and Mosul, while the Kurdistan regional government considered it a constitutional violation is threatened by the accused joined the boards of Kurds, Arabs and the treatment of treason acceding to it on the basis of being mercenaries as was mentioned by Massoud Barzani, head of the province.

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Citizens assert need for economic reforms in the points provided by the security agreement

Citizens called for the Iraqi government to achieve the course of economic reforms in the points provided by the security agreement with the United States from the economic side ..

They stressed in interviews with the Independent Press Agency (Iba) today, Sunday, the need to adhere to the commitments to social welfare and the terms of the agreement include points for the evolving role of the private sector and promote investments and to pay the bulk of Government's economic interest, and devote their efforts to meet the challenges of poverty, unemployment and recession.

Said Ali Abdul usher / employee of a government: that the Government had earlier announced details of the agreement on the people only after approval by the Council of Ministers, and after learning some of the points and found certainty that there are points of emphasis on strengthening the national economy.

He said the government should adopt a plan for rapid economic recovery for the remainder of this year and targeted to restore confidence in the economy and end the recession and face the difficult humanitarian situation of families had no breadwinner. Calling to continue to provide services to people and rehabilitation of the security and safety and dignity of citizens by imposing the rule of law and economic recovery.

For his part, believes Aziz Rahman / Officer in the Ministry of Education, the Government will give great importance to restore the confidence of the private sector and the promotion of confidence Balaguetsadh power through Matdmenth some of the points of the economy within the Convention itself.

He says the terms of the agreement with regard to the economic side, the package can provide loan guarantees and capacity-building and modernization programs, which requires all those responsible sought to expand support for those programs, from the firm belief that the way to fight unemployment and boost the economy lies in economic growth.

He stressed the need to improve the living reality of the Iraqis, or whether the employee retired or beneficiaries of the welfare system and social security through the establishment of the legislative framework governing the sector and capital market development to suit the times and with the spirit of international good practices.

In turn, says the enactment Jabbar / teacher assistant at the University of Baghdad, has seen the items that belong to the economic side, which in my opinion a modern law and unite the legal framework after approval by the government which is representative of the people.

It says the application of these points will open broad prospects to stimulate investors at home and abroad to invest in Iraq and enable the public shareholding companies to purchase the shares, which can contribute in providing liquidity to the financial market. Noting that consultation with those responsible for the issuance of laws in the modern mortgage finance and investment promotion.

It added that these points alone certainly can not be a change, and can not substitute for real political horizon, leading to the resumption of economic development on the basis of international commitment to the legitimate rights.

The raised Hussein / officer in the electricity sector and called for adequate funding to pay staff salaries and payment of arrears. Considering it as a component element most impact on economic activity in the short term and seek to confirm the fact improve the living conditions of citizens.

The people wish to contribute items in the area of economic security agreement between Iraq and the United States in the revitalization of the economy and end the poverty that affected different categories of our people, which in turn reflected positively on the productive sectors and service sectors.

He look forward to securing the United States of America to the terms of the success of the Convention of the agreement is clear that full sovereignty and the development of a binding timetable and international guarantees to conclude the agreement on various issues of the final solution as soon as possible.

And there is continued progress in the implementation of the projects were to resume work in dozens of them during the last two years, many of which are completed, and it is possible to push the new agreement to the implementation of projects in various sectors, calling for the allocation of funds for projects ready for implementation in the various governorates.

The security agreement between Iraq and the United States included the points emphasizes commitment to the American side in the process of developing the Iraqi economy.

Translated version of http://www.ipairaq.com/index.php?name=inner&t=economy&id=6939

Kurdish parliament: the political blocs will prevent Maliki to make decisions outside powers

Revealed a member of the House of Representatives Iraqi Alliance bloc Khalid Huani Kurdish political blocs that would prevent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to take any decisions or actions contrary to the Constitution, and not within his purview.

Huani said in an interview with "Uzmatik" on Sunday, said that "Maliki, who was elected as prime minister under the Constitution, the Constitution and abide by the terms of the powers given to him, and not interpreted the Constitution as he does and issued resolutions and in accordance with its view", in A reference to the formation of support councils which raised the controversial inter-Maliki and the two Kurdish Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

The spokesman of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party, led by President Jalal Talabani, revealed last Wednesday for "Uzmatik" for the direction of the Presidency memorandum to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, asked in consultation with the political leaderships in the country before the adoption of important resolutions which must be approved by the representatives of All components of the Iraqi people.

The Huani that "Maliki's statements in his final press conference, made the judge and jury at the same time, when he should have to deal through channels that are used to solve problems and issues which, in the event of problems already."

Maliki has expressed astonishment at the press conference held last Thursday, the silence of the Presidency of the Republic of constitutional violations committed during the special open offices of diplomatic missions and the signing of oil contracts and meet the federal government forces in areas controlled by certain political forces, as well as the support of tribal councils In those areas and state funds for the benefit of those forces, as opposed to the formation of councils support the pretext that it is unconstitutional, without explicitly referring to the Kurdish leaders.

The Huani that "the parliamentary meeting held at the headquarters of the President of the Republic last Friday, is not aimed at any party, and he came to study the attitudes and move on the parliamentary blocs that had reservations to the Security Agreement with the United States, in order to reach national consensus to vote on the subject" .

The number of parliamentary and political blocs which the Sunni Arabs of the foundation, had held a meeting with President Talabani on Friday to discuss differences over the Security Agreement with the United States, which calls for Sunni Arabs to change some of its clauses as well as the release of all detainees from U.S. prisons and Transferred to prisons in Iraq.

But the Iraqi leader Osama Najifi MP revealed the "Uzmatik" earlier in the day for "trying to block the Kurdistan Alliance, and some other political blocs to withdraw confidence from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, formed by the boards of attribution", indicating that the meeting in the house "Talabani had discussed the subject of withdrawal of confidence."

The Kurdish deputy that "the Dawa party, headed by Maliki has so far remained an ally of Kurdish parties," noting that "the final statement issued by the meeting of the parliamentary blocs, referring to seek the participation of the Dawa party and invite the Supreme Islamic Council, to participate in future meetings to narrow differences Consideration of the Convention and access to national consensus on them."

The relations between the Kurdistan region and the federal government in crisis because of disagreements on several subjects Kalqguat armed and Budget and oil and gas investment and other parties have exchanged accusations in a public press conferences.

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46% of Iraqis support the withdrawal agreement. Parliament set the date for end of week vote on treaty

Poll "morning", said 46.1 percent of citizens support the signing of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq while 34.5 percent rejected the agreement, remained neutral 19,4 percent of them.

These results coincide, with the Presidency of the House of Representatives later this week deadline to vote on the security agreement, and political leaders continue their efforts to bring the treaty to pass, despite the reservation and rejection faced by some of the parliamentary blocs in parliament.

The poll conducted by the Center for strategic studies (Expeditionary Unit) in the "morning" (5576) a citizen of the ten provinces are: Baghdad, Babil, Dhi Qar, Basra, Karbala, Diwaniyah and Wasit, as well as the provinces of Maysan, Irbil, with seven provinces agreed to the Convention met while Rejected in Diwaniyah, Babylon and Diyala.

Parliament, after extensive discussions were calm and continued for more than six hours before the parliamentary blocs and members of the House of Representatives on the draft Convention on the Law of the withdrawal of U.S. forces, said Dr. Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, speaker of parliament by the end of the second reading and discussion of the bill ratifying the Convention with the United States.

He said in a statement received "morning," said a copy of which was that the Presidency of the Council of Representatives will vote for the bill, "Once there is agreement between the blocs on the attitude of rejection or acceptance given that the deadline for it on Wednesday or Thursday."

In the meantime, the meetings continued yesterday between the leaders and representatives of parliamentary blocs, in an effort to reach a common vision to the Convention on the withdrawal.

A source close to the meetings: The members of the Alliance bloc, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani still continue efforts to convince some powers (the Accordance Front, virtue and dialogue, the Iraqi and Arab independent) to vote in favor of the Convention. The source said the "morning" More than half the members of parliament support the accord, security, indicating that the number of deputies who support the Convention's more of us to Altfezin, with a number of Altfezin may vote on the treaty yes. In a similar framework, Israel's Defense Minister Abdul Qadir Obeidi told the "morning", "The three years set forth in the Convention before the total withdrawal of U.S. troops, will enable the Ministry to complete readiness in terms of air and maritime forces by more than 80 percent, and other units By 100 percent. In a later development the President stressed during his meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker on the importance of the approval of the parliamentary blocs to vote in favor of the Convention and out of a national agreement about it.

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