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

Japan confirms to end Iraq mission

Japan has decided to end a military mission flying goods and personnel into Iraq in support of the US-led coalition, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said Thursday.

The Japanese government decided to finish "the mission of the Air Self-Defence Forces in Iraq by the end of this year," Komura told reporters.

The decision ends all Japanese military operations in Iraq. The officially pacifist nation finished a landmark ground deployment in 2006.

Japan's opposition, which has been making gains, is against the mission, under which Japanese military planes based in Kuwait fly into Iraq on behalf of the US-led coalition and United Nations.

PUKmedia :: English - Japan confirms to end Iraq mission

Iraqi Foreign Minister meets several diplomatic figures in Cairo

Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari met several diplomatic figures on the sidelines of the League of Arab States meeting at the ministerial level in its 130th regular session in Cairo.

Zebari met first with Ambassador Sotoz Zakhughes, Special Envoy of the President of Cyprus at the headquarters of the Secretariat upon the request of the latter. During the meeting developments in the political process and security in Iraq were reviewed, and the Cypriot envoy expressed his country's desire to develop economic ties and trade such as oil and gas after resuming the opening of its embassy like other states that resumed diplomatic activity in Iraq and exceeded 55 state after the great development in security witnessed in Iraq.

Regarding the desire of Cyprus in the field of cargo transfer and shipping, the Foreign Minister called on Cypriot officials to visit Iraq and coordinate with the Iraqi Ministry of Transport regarding the ports operating in Basra in southern Iraq.

Minister Zebari called on Cypriot companies to come to Iraq and investment in various economic and reconstruction fields.

Later, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari met with Mr. Vuk Jeremy Foreign Minister of Serbia and his accompanying delegation.

At the beginning of the meeting Minister Zebari reviewed developments in Iraq on the level of the political process and the positive development witnessed in security in five years and the hard work the government has done and continues to do, adding that Iraq will complete the receiving the entire security file with the end of the current year, and that Iraq will sign a security agreement with the United States soon.

The Serbian minister expressed his country's desire to invest in Iraq and contribute to its reconstruction, especially after the great development in security.

The Minister stated the Serbian government's rational action in addressing the Kosovo crisis by resorting to the International Court of Justice and International Law of the judgement in the matter.

Minister expressed his desire to see the Serbian minister and his accompanying delegation in the near future in Baghdad.

Following that meeting, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari received His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Sabah, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister with his accompanying delegation at his residence in Cairo.

Latest developments in the Arab situations and area were discusses in addition to the developed positive developments between both countries. Kuwaiti Minister stressed the Kuwait's government's concern and its people in strengthening the brotherly ties with Iraq and supporting the Iraqi government's efforts establishing the security and the democracy and political transformations, stressing the Kuwaiti Prime Minister's desire to visit Iraq soon and meeting the Iraqi leaderships to support the cooperation and joint coordination.

Minister Zebari stressed the Iraq's desire to address all matters regarding developing the relations and Iraq's willingness to send a technical delegation of experts to Kuwait soon to examine all shared files.

The meeting was attended, on behalf of Iraqi side, by Mr. Labeed Abbawi, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, Ambassador Safa AL Falaiki, Head of Arabic Department and Ambassador Raad Al Alwousi, Permanent Representative at the Arab League.

Finally, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari met Mr. Ahmed Abu Alkhaid, Egyptian Foreign Minister in Cairo. At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Zebari expressed the Iraqi government's condolences to the Egyptian government and its people for the victims of Al Douyka, wishing soon recovery to the injured people.

The two ministers discussed the latest political developments and Minister Zebari explained the current political and security developments in Iraq and praised the Egyptian and Arab attention to the overall developments in Iraq and support given to the Iraqi government in its efforts towards the national reconciliation and the increasing Arab presence in Iraq.

Minister Zebari welcomed the Egyptian stance by supporting Iraq and spoke about the importance of activating the steps towards formation the Higher Committee for the Egyptian- Iraqi Strategic Joint relations.

PUKmedia :: English - Iraqi Foreign Minister meets several diplomatic figures in Cairo

U.N. envoy urges neighbours to respect Iraq sovereignty

U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura urged all of Iraq’s neighbours to respect its sovereignty on Wednesday as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Iran, a country repeatedly accused by Arab states of interference.

"The key word is sovereignty to judge whether a relation is constructive from Iraq’s point of view," de Mistura told reporters.

"The key issue if for all neighbours to carefully respect the sovereignty of Iraq," he said.

"Iran is an important neighbour of Iraq and Iraq is an important neighbour of Iran. All know the strong involvement and influence of Iran in Iraq."

The U.N. envoy held talks with both President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki who raised Iran’s concerns about a proposed security pact between Baghdad and Washington which will see U.S. troops deployed in Iraq after their U.N. mandate runs out at the end of this year.

"I replied that the United Nations are not involved in these negotiations and, from what we understand, Iraq doesn’t want interference from any neighbour on this issue," de Mistura said.

The U.N. envoy has been on a tour of Iraq’s neighbours that has already taken him to Turkey, Jordan and Kuwait.

PUKmedia :: English - U.N. envoy urges neighbours to respect Iraq sovereignty

Intercepted letter shows al-Qaeda weakened in Iraq

U.S. General David Perkins told FOX News Wednesday that the military has intercepted a letter in which senior Al Qaeda operatives reveal their fury over militants' failure to keep up with the campaign against U.S.-led forces in Iraq.

The letter, dated March 6, 2008, has been reproduced with select quotes in English.

It was found on the body of Abu Nizar, believed to be the go-between between Al Qaeda's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and Abu Ayyub al-Masri, his leader in Iraq.

Nazir was killed by Coalition Forces in Baghdad on April 24.

The letter blasts Al Qaeda in Iraq for failing to maintain communication and for poorly-planned attacks. Al Qaeda leaders also slam operatives for sending fighters into battle alone, without direction.

Al-Zawahiri also criticizes them for posting videos online using archive footage of violent attacks, yet presenting them as new evidence of their success.

The letter reads, "[Aby Ayyub al-Masri]... is not strong enough to bear this great great responsibility, and is weak at [...] decision making. He is weak [...] he is totally isolated [..] this is affecting his grip on reality."

The United States military said Al Qaeda in Iraq responded to the criticism with claims of being financially cut off, and unable to recruit capable new members.

Perkins told FOX News the communications show that Al Qaeda in Iraq is "psychologically bankrupt,” and that it cannot raise meaningful support within in the country. He added that the numbers of Al Qaeda operatives in Iraq are a third of what they were previously. When asked what those levels were, Perkins would not release numbers.

PUKmedia :: English - Intercepted letter shows al-Qaeda weakened in Iraq

Zebari: Iraqi security Convention of America has been amended six times

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari disclosed that the Security Agreement with the United States had been amended six times, and draft only one leak is not the last. Zebari said in an interview with the newspaper "Middle East" was published in its issue published today, Thursday, it was agreed not to Convention "colonial" and not rules permanent presence in Iraq, and the ceiling of the time talking about the Convention is between two to three years and is Renovated according to variables. He added that the peace negotiating team to the final draft of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri After visiting Foreign Minister Rice to Baghdad because he was addressing some issues which Also disputable and outstanding, pointing out that the Convention passed six drafts and only one Unpublished not leak.

Zebari pointed out that differences on the negotiating Also present "along the Line" and "Working negotiator returned to Washington for talks with Rice having asked the Iraqi leadership is the answer to the question - What is the last?".

The Iraqi minister pointed out that Obama the Democratic candidate for the presidency, he asked Why do not we postpone the conclusion of the agreement until the arrival of the new administration early in 2009.

Zebari said: "I best that we have a security agreement to organize the work of foreign troops and in their work instead of giving it the mandate is open.

Translated version of http://iraqshabab.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10585&It emid=1

Iraq still awaiting US response on pact proposals: MP

Iraqi negotiators are still waiting for a response from the United States to their proposals regarding the controversial security deal between the two countries, a top Shiite MP said on Thursday.

"The Americans have not informed us about their opinion on our objections" over the pact, which will decide the future of US forces in the country, said Ali al-Adeeb, who is a member of the Iraqi negotiating team.

Last week Adeeb told AFP that Washington had asked for 10 days late last month to come up with a response to Iraq's proposals. That grace period has lapsed.

"We are still waiting for them to come to us with their proposals," said Adeeb, a member of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's Dawa party.
US embassy officials in Baghdad were not immediately available for comment.

The sticking points are the questions of whether American soldiers will have immunity from Iraqi law, who will lead combat missions and whether US personnel may detain Iraqis.

The Iraqis insist American soldiers must be prosecuted in Iraq if they commit "grave intentional mistakes," something Washington is not agreeing to, officials close to the negotiations said.

The proposed pact will decide the future presence of American forces in Iraq after the December 31 expiry of a UN mandate, which is the current legal basis for their deployment. American troops are expected to withdraw from Iraqi cities in June. The draft gives no final date for a complete withdrawal, which Iraqi negotiators have told AFP will take place by the end of 2011.

Iraq still awaiting US response on pact proposals: MP - Middle East News

Investors Poised To Move In Iraq

Investors are poised to move into Iraq with $74 billion in projects not related to oil, an Iraqi official said.

Ahmed Ridha, chairman of the National Investment Commission said the projects involve $13 billion for a new port in Basra, the addition of thousands of housing units around the country and $38 billion for a proposed new city near the holy city of Najaf, USA Today reported Wednesday

Investors Poised To Move In Iraq - Business & Financial News: The Post Chronicle

Dhi Qar concluded contracts with international companies to develop oil sector

Dhi Qar is implementing several projects to develop the oil sector, where Ismail bonded Chairman of the Investment Authority in the maintenance of the "Radio Sawa" The two companies submitted bids for the establishment of an investment of oil refinery capacity of 150 thousand barrels a day.

Abbud said that the project will secure fuel for power station is currently stalled, saying, explaining that there are companies offer to invest in oil refinery in Nasiriyah, one company set European companies (C. Krupp) energy that the liquidator is 150 thousand barrels per day and the second presentation by the company (Castle Alorca) and Partner of a German company is also a capacity of 150 thousand barrels a day, and that the process of studying the offers and choose the optimum between them.

For his part, Hussein Chancellor Media Group projects of the Chamber of Dhi Qar, the completion of most development projects liquidator Dhi Qar tables implemented by the Ministry of Oil Of the 17 projects, adding, that the three projects which were within the plan for development in 2007 for the Dhi Qar and 14 on a draft investment plan Of the liquidator of Dhi Qar, and most of these projects are completed except for the draft memorial unit and improve Abannznin Hydrogenation.

The group pointed out that Cisco will be equipped with American units to improve gasoline and Hydrogenation into a contract with them will cover the need to maintain full of benzene, adding that Cisco will be processed and the card unit to improve gasoline 4000 barrels per day and the draft memorial card unit Hydrogenation 6000 barrels per day is a huge project will provide approximately 1000 cubic meters of gas per day and this fills a need to maintain full amounting to 600 cubic meters per day.

It should be noted that Act 64, which pertains to the subject of oil refineries and investment by allowing investors to buy crude oil from the ministry reduced one dollar or one per cent of the global market, while retaining the right to sell these products inside or outside Iraq, led by a committee formed by the ministry.

Translated version of http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNewsAr.aspx?id=6865

Iraqi Oil Minister told Lucky: a plan for producing 6 million barrels per day

Vienna (September 10) Agency (Lucky) Italian news said Iraqi Oil Minister Hasan Shahrastani said that his country now produces 2.5 million barrels of light crude oil per day, and expect this figure to rise to 4.5 million barrels by the end of the First Five Year Plan in 2010 , To 6 million barrels per day under the Second Five-Year Plan, which will expire in 2015. The minister stressed Shahrastani, who presided over his country's delegation to the Conference of Ministers of oil and energy in OPEC, in an interview made by the agency (Lucky) Italian news in Vienna, "that large numbers of international companies specialized matters of energy and oil production and refining and exploration reach rushing to Iraq to participate in.

Sector industrial development and contribute to the implementation of a series of ambitious development projects. "The Iraqi minister that" the rush of foreign companies and multinationals to the country, is an extremely important and proof that Iraq started to regain its health, security and stability ", as he put it

In this context, he pointed to the importance of Shahrastani decades, which were signed by the Iraqi government represented by the Ministry of Oil last week, the first with Chinese national oil company, aims to invest in a giant project to develop Al-Ahdab field, located in Wasit governorate, up to $ 3 billion U.S. dollars will be repaid Over 25 years; and second with the British-Dutch Shell company dedicated to the production of oil and natural gas in the governorate of Basra

The Iraqi minister expected to be signed on a series of presentations and new contracts between the Iraqi government and a number of companies involved in the energy sector and construction during the coming few months

Shahrastani He also expressed his belief that "only the Iraqi possessing the power to enter into new contracts in various fields of energy and gas prospecting and development of oil fields and installations with states or foreign companies are the Ministry of Oil, to be ratified by the central government." He stressed saying "any contract does not meet the required conditions, notably approval of the Oil Ministry and the Council of Ministers held in Iraq is illegal and not binding." The Iraqi minister was referring to a series of oil contracts entered into by the local government in Iraqi Kurdistan with about 15 foreign companies including oil and gas company Austrian, and he considered abolitionist

The Iraqi minister pointed out that any Iraqi oil to conclude any contract with any state or company can not legally lead to any quantity of Iraqi oil or gas abroad, because the oil and gas within the framework of wealth belonging to the Iraqi people at large, one has no right to monopolize the Or control, as he put it. He also pointed out that the process of producing oil or gas in Iraq are subject to controls and provisions of Iraqi law, and that the production or export of oil or gas is subject to one central management. He added, "From that standpoint can not point to any export of any quantity of oil or gas without the consent of the Iraqi central government" in Baghdad. It also praised the improved security situation in Iraq in light of declining activities and terrorist operations, the continued flow of foreign investment companies.

At the end of a modern, called Iraqi Minister of Oil, all members of the OPEC production quota obligation should be allocated to them under the new agreement Vienna, and felt that that contributes to market stability and maintain a balance in oil prices at levels reasonable and acceptable

He concluded by commending the decision to extend the OPEC official production ceiling of work and reduce the rate increase process half a million barrels per day, and regarded it as a body of the will of the Organization in the world oil market stability and balanced oil prices.

Translated version of http://www.hewarat.dk/hewarat_data.php?sid=10373

Vice-Kurdi: Kurdistan Alliance agrees to pass a law on special elections in Kirkuk

The deputy Yusuf Ahmed of the Kurdistan Alliance not to reach the meeting held last night at the home of House Speaker Mahmoud scene to an agreement regarding the elections in Kirkuk province, indicating that there was progress in negotiations on the subject.

He said Ahmed told the independent press (Iba) today, Thursday, that a meeting held this morning in the office scene with members of the committee that was formed yesterday to reach solutions on the subject.

The Chamber of Deputies had decided in its yesterday to form a committee headed by Mahmoud scenery and the membership of three MPs from the province of Kirkuk are the basic components for the purpose of reaching an agreement on the problem of maintaining that elections are the only impede the adoption of the electoral law.

He added that talks are under way on the proposal made by the United Nations representative in Iraq Dmistora around Kirkuk governorate elections, which supported the Kurdistan Alliance, the United Iraqi Alliance, the Accord Front as a compromise between the United Nations and Article (24), which was voted upon by The House of Representatives.

Ahmed pointed out that if no agreement is reached will resort to the old law because all the bloc agrees on holding elections on schedule.

He explained that the coalition together Stanilaus decided to approve the proposed issuance of a special law that the elections in Kirkuk after it was opposed to that.

He Ahmed expressed optimism over reaching a solution next week to vote on the election law provincial assemblies.

Translated version of http://www.ipairaq.com/inner.php?name=politics&id=4093