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

Crocker: Security Pact Guarantees Iraq’s full Sovereignty

In his speech during a celebration at the Iraqi museum, U.S Ambassador in Iraq Ryan Crocker said that the security pact will guarantee Iraq to restore its full sovereignty and permits the temporal presence of the U.S forces to help the Iraqi forces.

“In addition to the security pact, we have the agreement of the strategic framework that clarifies many of cooperation fields between both countries in the economic development, science, technology, culture and education sections”, Crocker added.

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...=7106&Itemid=1

Radio Dijla published the final draft of the Convention Security

Provides the final draft of the security agreement between the United States and Iraq, the withdrawal of American forces from Iraqi cities no later than the date of next June, to withdraw all troops no later than the end of 2011.

According to the draft, Washington made concessions by the mission to Baghdad, which previously Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced that a few days ago.

The draft has, which bore the date of 13 October, to indicate that it was an agreement "on the temporary presence of U.S. forces in Iraq, and its withdrawal, the United States and the Republic of Iraq" instead of a security agreement only temporary.

It also has in its preamble, the reference to the fact that "cooperation based on full respect for the sovereignty of both countries in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter ... and without prejudice to Iraq's sovereignty over its territory and waters and airspace, under what they have jointly as partners sovereign, independent and equal:.

Among the points contained in the first, that "the United States providing troops to the Government of Iraq, once the Convention enters into force, a list of all installations and areas used by the forces of the United States as of that date, for review by both parties, as well as by their agreement in the history of Only on June 30, 2009. "

Draft agreement as defined by United States troops and "civilian component", as well as contractors and their employees.

The draft did not refer to the possibility that U.S. forces carrying non-conventional weapons, known as "defense" as "defensive weapons systems, equipment and weapons, equipment and supplies and materials used in conventional wars exclusively, and it needs the United States forces with respect to the activities agreed under the present Convention, Which are not linked directly or indirectly systems of weapons of mass destruction. "

And Article III of the draft laws governing the implementation of the Convention, as "committed to the U.S. armed forces personnel and members of the civilian component of the duty to respect the laws and customs, traditions and customs of Iraq, where military operations under this Convention and abstain from any activity inconsistent with the letter and spirit of the Convention. The The United States and the duty to take all necessary measures for this purpose. "

She stressed the need for "coordination of United States forces with the Government of Iraq to ensure that the entry to or exit from Iraq, any Iraqi citizen, or citizen of any other State habitually resident in Iraq, vehicles or vessels or aircraft covered by this Convention in accordance with the laws and regulations of Iraq."

As stated in the text of the Convention, "as U.S. forces must not allow the exit of any Iraqi citizen or a citizen of any other State habitually resident in Iraq, which alerted U.S. authorities that he was subject to a warrant of arrest by the Iraqi authorities, to get out of Iraq by Facilities and areas agreed upon for the exclusive use of U.S. troops. "

Article IV stressed that "All military operations carried out under this Convention with the Government of Iraq and in full coordination with the Iraqi authorities. Oversees the coordination of all the military operations of the joint committee to coordinate military operations would be formed under this Convention.

Article V, pointed out that Iraq "had all the buildings and infrastructure construction and immovable in land and existing facilities and areas agreed upon, including those used by U.S. forces or being constructed or change or improve."

It also has to protect the heritage of Iraq, where it noted that "when the discovery of any historic or cultural site or find any supplier of strategic installations and areas agreed upon, stop all acts of development or construction or modification immediately, and are reporting the discovery to Iraqi representatives in Joint Commission to determine the appropriate next steps. "

Article VI imposed on the Iraqi government, "with full respect for the sovereignty of Iraq, within the framework of exchange of views between the parties under this Convention, to ensure access to facilities and areas agreed upon and used by United States forces and contractors with the United States and to those employees Contractors and other entities or individuals, as agreed by the parties. "

Among the contents of Article VII that "the use and storage of equipment commensurate with the tasks the Interim United States forces in Iraq, not related directly or indirectly systems of weapons of mass destruction ... The forces of the United States not to store explosives or ammunition in areas close to facilities Housing, and have the right to transfer such material stored in facilities close to residential areas. The United States will provide the necessary information to the Government of Iraq on the numbers and types of stocks. "

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Continued......

Article IX related to the movement of vehicles, ships and aircraft, which "may cars and ships operated by United States forces, or those run time for her exclusively, in and out and moving inside Iraqi territory for the implementation of the Convention ... and give the Iraqi authorities to aircraft referred to leave each year Land on the territory of Iraq and take off for the purposes of the implementation of the Convention ... and there is no planes, ships and vehicles the United States Government and civil aircraft, which operate exclusively under contract with the Pentagon, the rise of any party on board without the consent of the authorities of the United States forces, it is not Be subject to inspection. "

It highlights of the draft, the transfer of oversight and control over Iraqi airspace to the Iraqi authorities "as soon as the Convention enters into force", that "Iraq may be requested from the United States troops to support the interim Iraqi authorities to undertake the task of monitoring Iraqi airspace, and control ".

Article X was contracting procedures, noting that "the forces of the United States would respect the Iraqi law when signed contracts with Iraqi suppliers of materials and services."

The Article XII highlights of the Convention, where she has the concept of jurisdiction that had delayed an agreement between the two countries.

The article says: "The United States the right to exercise primary jurisdiction over troops and the civilian component on matters within the facilities and areas agreed upon, and be outside during the state of facilities and areas agreed upon."

She added that "Iraq has the right to be the main exercise jurisdiction over troops and the civilian component, on the deliberate and serious crimes enumerated in accordance with paragraph VIII, which is committed outside the facilities and areas agreed upon during the case to be outside."

She also pointed out that "Iraq has the right to be the main exercise jurisdiction over contractors with the United States and their employers."

The fifth item of this article that "recognizes the troops and the civilian component, upon arrest or detention by the Iraqi authorities, the authorities of United States forces. When there is Iraq and its jurisdiction by the United States authorities then detained a member of the task forces or civilian component of the accused , And the United States authorities, making this an accused person to the Iraqi authorities for investigation and trial. "

But the item also points out that "authorities may either party may request the authorities of the other party to give up its right main jurisdiction in a particular case. The Government of Iraq to exercise jurisdiction only after approval and the United States notified in writing within 21 days of the discovery of the crime Alleged to have occurred, the special importance to exercise that jurisdiction. "

The article pointed out that the "forces personnel and civilian component of the right to apply their standards of due process and protections guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution and American laws, in situations where the United States jurisdiction, in the event of a crime and is usually the victim is a resident in Iraq , The parties procedures through the Joint Commission to inform the persons concerned, as appropriate: the investigation of a crime, to the list of charges to the accused suspect, and determine the date of court proceedings and the outcome of talks on the status of the accused, and the opportunity to hear the testimony of the accused in open court in which a Governance, and to consult with counsel to pursue the case in court. "

The article: "The U.S. authorities will seek, where appropriate and in accordance with the agreed upon by the parties as between them, to conduct a trial of such cases in Iraq. If the trial of such cases in the United States, efforts will be made in order to facilitate the personal presence of the victim Court. "

The article that "In cases where the jurisdiction of Iraq have the troops and the civilian component of the right to apply their standards of due process and protections consistent with those available under U.S. law and Iraqi law."

It also must provide the authorities of the United States, "shows recognition of whether the alleged crime had occurred during a state duty. In those cases where the Iraqi authorities believe that the circumstances require a review of this approval, consult the parties immediately through the joint committee, receives U.S. authorities United full information on the facts and circumstances and any information provided by the Iraqi authorities may have an impact on the adoption of the United States authorities. "

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Continued.......

Article did not fail to note also that it is possible that "the parties review the provisions contained in this article every 6 months, including any proposed amendments to this article, taking into account the security situation in Iraq and concern over the United States forces in military operations, and growth And the development of the Iraqi judicial system, changes in U.S. law and Iraqi law. "

The draft provided to pay the "authorities of the United States forces a fair and reasonable compensation for the settlement of claims Asthakakip to a third party, which arise from the actions or not done by troops and the civilian component, the course of their official duties, or be connected with the activities of non-combat troops to the United States. .. And the authorities of the United States forces to address and resolve these claims expeditiously and in accordance with the laws and regulations of the United States. When the settlement of claims U.S. authorities take into account any report on the investigation or the opinion of the Iraqi authorities on the liability or the extent of the damage. "

It also stipulates that "No U.S. forces arrest any person or arrest him (with the exception of arrest or the arrest of a member of the force or civilian component), but under Iraqi decision made in accordance with Iraqi law and pursuant to Article IV."

In the event of United States troops detained persons or arrest, as authorized in this Convention or Iraqi law, those persons must be handed over to the competent Iraqi authorities within 24 hours from the time of arrest or capture.

The Iraqi authorities may request assistance from the United States forces for the purpose of the arrest of wanted individuals or arrest.

The Convention provides for the release of all detainees in the possession of United States troops safe and orderly. The forces of the United States, upon entry into force of this Convention to provide all relevant information on all cases of detainees to Iraqi officials. It also forces the United States, when an Iraqi arrest warrants valid extradition of the arrested person to the appropriate Iraqi authorities.

Nor may the United States forces searching homes or other property, other than under a court order issued in this regard, except in cases where there actual combat operations, in coordination with the relevant Iraqi authorities.

To implement these items, the draft order to form a joint military commission is in turn a subsidiary of the joint committees in various areas by each of them, in accordance with the terms of reference, to consider issues arising from the interpretation and application of the Convention.

Article Twenty-fifth that the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraqi territory on the date no later than Dec. 31 / December 2011.

It also provides that the United States to withdraw combat troops from the cities, villages and towns in Iraq no later than the date by which Iraqi security forces take full responsibility for security, on the withdrawal of United States troops from the places mentioned in no later than June 30, 2009 .

That the draft also pointed out that the parties will review progress made towards meeting the target date and conditions that could allow both sides to ask the other party to either reduce or extend the period specified. And govern the acceptance of such a reduction or extension and the timing of the approval of both parties.

She also pointed out that a U.S. withdrawal dates prior to the dates specified in this article at the request of either party. The United States recognizes the sovereign right of the Government of Iraq to request the departure of United States troops from Iraq at any time.

The draft action to end on 31 December 2008 the mandate and authority granted to the multinational forces under Chapter VII contained in the UN Security Council resolution (where) should be recovered by Iraq and international legal position it was before the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution No. 661 (1990) , And also emphasized that the United States will make its best efforts to help Iraq to take the necessary steps to achieve that by 31 December 2008.

Article Twenty-ninth that "upon the entry into force of this Convention by the Government of Iraq fully responsible for the international zone. May request the Government of Iraq by United States troops in support of the interim Iraqi authorities in the task of security in the international zone, and thus when such request of the Iraqi authorities Related to work jointly with the United States on international security in the region during the time period requested by the Government of Iraq. "

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President Talabani: Visit of Kuwaiti PM is Very Crucial

President Jalal Talabani said that the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Muhammad al-Ahmed al-Jabir al-Sabah will visit Iraq in the near future to discuss a number of issues among them the Iraqi debts.

That came during an exclusive statement with Sawa Radio. Talabani also said “I met the Kuwaiti Prime Minister in New York, and agreed to visit Iraq soon. The visit is very important to start new relations between both countries.”

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...=7101&Itemid=1

Troops deal seen unlikely before U.S. vote

A pact to allow U.S. troops to stay in Iraq for three more years is unlikely to win approval in Iraq's parliament before the U.S. presidential election on November 4, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said.

Zebari said Iraq still hoped to enact the pact before the end of this year when the U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing the U.S. presence expires, but acknowledged difficulties reaching agreement among Iraqi political leaders.

"The aim is to sign the agreement in the fastest time possible, preferably before the U.S. presidential election on November 4, but given the ... political contentions we don't think this is possible currently," Zebari told Dubai-based Al-Arabiya **********.

Washington and Baghdad reached agreement on a final text of the pact last week, which would require U.S. forces to pull forces off Iraqi streets by the middle of next year and leave the country altogether by the end of 2011, unless asked to stay.

But the pact hit a snag on Sunday when a meeting of leaders of Iraqi political blocs declined to endorse it. The cabinet is due to review it this week and then send it to parliament for approval, but without the backing of the leaders of the political blocs its fate is uncertain.

In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman declined to say whether the administration would be prepared to make changes to the text of the pact. But he stressed the administration was satisfied with the current text.

"This is a process," he said. "Both governments have to eventually agree to all aspects of any sort of arrangement and we'll see where it goes."

"We have what we believe is a good document," he said.

In Iraq, the only blocs that have endorsed the pact without reservation are the main Kurdish parties, whose members include Zebari and President Jalal Talabani.

Crucially, the Shi'ite alliance of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Sunday it wanted to seek amendments to the draft, which had previously been described as final.

Their Shi'ite rivals, followers of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, are deeply hostile to the pact and staged a massive street demonstration against it on Saturday.

Iraqi officials have begun discussing a "plan B," under which they would ask the United Nations for an emergency extension of the existing U.N. mandate if the pact is not ready by the end of the year.

But in Washington, U.S. officials said they were not yet ready to seriously look at other options. "We're focused on ... trying to get that agreement" with Iraq, State Department spokesman Robert Wood said.

U.S. officials have not discussed the contents of the draft publicly, although they briefed members of Congress, including the two main presidential candidates, about it on Friday.

The pact does not need congressional approval, but the administration of President George W. Bush is hoping to win broad political support for it.

Iraqi officials say the draft would allow Iraqi courts to try U.S. troops for serious crimes committed while off duty, which they have described as a major concession from Washington.

But the pact would put in place a number of safeguards to protect U.S. troops from prosecution, and some Iraqi politicians have voiced reservations about that mechanism.

PUKmedia :: English - Troops deal seen unlikely before U.S. vote

Central Bank disrupt development by the presentation of dollar in auction & sold less than its true value

Economists carrying Iraqi Central Bank of Iraq responsible for disrupting development in the country, by the way the dollar supply in the auction and sold less than its true value way for the withdrawal of liquidity from the market,

Stressing that the disorder in inflation was not the result of cash flow but also the structural imbalance and lack of investment.

The economic expert and professor of economics at the University of Mustansiriya Dr. Iyad Alwan in his island's Net present value of the Iraqi dinar compared to the value of the dollar as "Bekaz lifted and the Central Bank of exercise three years ago led to the disruption policy A***anip college in the country when it adopted a policy based on the premise as Inflation caused by monetary reason .. therefore uphold the principle of supporting the dinar's exchange rate more than its true value. "

Tackle inflation
The Alwan to address inflation in Iraq by increasing domestic production because of financial and monetary stability does not come only through spending on investment, pointing out that citizens miserable faces a sharp rise in prices without knowing the reasons for the increase and ways to address them.

Consistent member of Baghdad Chamber of Commerce with the view of the intransigence of Silwan expert Iyad Alwan, says the island's shown that the general rise in prices should not be seen from the perspective of exchange rate depreciation of the dollar only, because the consumer does not have any details on the economic process in his country, especially as they expected a decrease in the level of Prices commensurate with the percentage decline in the dollar exchange rate for the Iraqi dinar.

As the dollar in the market is equal to 1180 Iraqi dinars after the dollar equivalent of two years ago dinars in 2225 compared with a rise in prices rose 55%

The cost of import
In the view of the intransigence that is supposed to consider the citizen to the process in all its aspects because the cost of imports from transport, power and security of increased commodity prices rather than a cause of decline as it is required to bear this result the Central Bank of Iraq.

In the view of other economic, Saadoun al-Albulada in the island's remarks indicated that the decline in the dollar exchange rate, according to impose political Central Bank of Iraq does not mean that the Iraqi dinar value went up because "we do not deal outside of our country and in our dealings with international markets."

The State Economic Albulada political that it is not based on a point in the direction of a specific policy or the future of the Iraqi economy, then it is wrong to state intervention in setting prices at the same time moving towards free market policies and privatization.

He adds that the intervention would contradict her, and that market competition can solve the issue of exchange rates rather than the central bank intervention in the wrong and impractical

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US military chief warns Iraq on Security Deal

US military chief Michael Mullen bluntly warned Iraq on Tuesday that it risked security losses of "significant consequence" unless it approves an agreement on a legal basis for US forces there.

Admiral Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also charged that Iran was working hard to scuttle passage of the so-called Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA.

"We are clearly running out of time," said Mullen.

Mullen said that when the current UN mandate runs out December 31, Iraqi security forces "will not be ready to provide for their security. And in that regard there is great potential for losses of significant consequence."

The admiral, who is on a visit to Europe, made the comments as the Iraqi cabinet took up a draft status of forces agreement negotiated over a period of months with the United States.

It calls for a drawdown of US combat forces from Iraq by the end of 2011 and includes US concessions on jurisdiction over US troops accused of serious crimes while off duty or off base.

But the agreement has ignited fierce debate in Iraq with radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr leading protests against it.

Mullen said debate was healthy in a democracy but he was "increasingly concerned with what I see in terms of the public rhetoric as this debate goes on in Iraq," because Iraqis did not appear to recognize the seriousness of the situation.

"It is also clear that the Iranians are working very hard to make sure this does not pass," he said. "This should not be lost on the Iraqi people."

He said US diplomats and military leaders in Iraq had made an "extraordinary effort to move this to conclusion on the part of the United States."

"It's time for the Iraqis to make a decision," he said.

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...=7112&Itemid=1

Parliament: Next Week will be crucial to accept or reject the Security Agreement

Council member Abbas al-Bayati, the Iraqi parliament that "next week will be crucial to the acceptance or rejection of the convention security," noting that "it depends on the American side accepted the amendments which will be conducted by the United Iraqi Alliance drafted."

Bayati said in an interview with "Uzmatik" today, Tuesday, "The United Iraqi Alliance had not determined a final position on the draft agreement," he pointed out that "the coalition are not unique to approve or reject, unless assured that the Iraqi street and the religious authority and all political forces involved In the political process have understood the importance of this Convention. "

The al-Bayati, a deputy of the Alliance, "the coalition is working to create a national consensus on the amendments as it deems necessary to preserve Iraq's sovereignty and independence," he said.

The Sadrists had demonstrated last Saturday in Baghdad, condemned the Convention security negotiate Iraq and the United States to sign, in response to a call by the leader Moqtada al-Sadr's movement protesting the agreement in total.

A Bayati of the "formation of the Alliance to consider amendments to the articles he considers it necessary to amend," noting that "there are seven points of dispute with the U.S. side highlighted the scheduling of the withdrawal and inspection of mail and immunity."

Bayati said that "there are a lot of observations about the legal language and terminology and concepts of security in the Convention, as there is a problem in English, and its conformity with the English version."

The deputy coalition that "if the amendments were absorbed to be held in the coming days, and acceptance by the American side we will proceed to the House of Representatives, and not the political will of the Council."

The Iraqi negotiations - launched in the U.S. atheist tenth month of last March, on a treaty on long-term future the links between the two sides and determine the status of U.S. forces in Iraq. The recent days witnessed meetings of the ****utive Council and the Political Council for National Security to discuss the draft agreement to be discussed by the Cabinet at a later date. There remain some political forces reluctant acceptance or rejection of the Convention.

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Hassani: contract with Shell is necessary to develop the Iraqi economy and its abolition would lead to big losses

Deputy Chairman of the Commission on oil and gas in the Iraqi parliament deputy from the United Alliance list of Abdul Hadi al-Hassani, that "the contract by the time the Iraqi Oil Ministry with Shell to invest in gas associated with oil wells in southern Iraq is an important benefit of the Iraqi economy will not cause any economic loss of the country," .

The most likely al-Hassani, in an interview with "Uzmatik" on Sunday that "the fears of some political actors of the signing of the contract is somewhat exaggerated," noting that "the contract will fill the shortage of natural gas in the country, especially for power plants, fertilizer and petrochemical projects currently stalled ".

Hassani said that "the contract signed with Shell is not a partnership or extract natural gas, but the service to take advantage of the burned gas per day from wells in southern Iraq, which cost Iraq an estimated annual loss of 12 billion dollars as well as major environmental damage in the territories of neighboring wells."

The refusal Hassani, "a claim by some political actors to cancel the contract," saying that "the contract will lead to big losses the Iraqi economy is the loss of investment opportunity for the development of oil firms in southern Iraq, and the cancellation means the continuation of annual losses due to Iraq's combustible gas without the benefit of it."

Asked Vice-Chairman of the oil and gas in all the Iraqi parliament to "consider whether or ****ution of the contract from the interests of the Iraqi people instead of thinking the logic of abolition, which would ultimately halt the economic life in Iraq", he said.

Hassani stressed the need for "the Committee of the oil and gas in parliament over political differences when discussing a particular oil contract as it represents all the political components of the Iraqi people."

The decision of the Commission on oil and gas in the Iraqi parliament deputy from the Islamic Virtue Party Khalifa Jaber Jaber said in press statements and the Oil Ministry signed a contract with Shell that's going to hurt the Iraqi economy and lead to significant damage to oil installations in southern Iraq.

Hassani pointed out that "the time factor is the anticipated signing of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil of this decade, especially with the significant decline in world oil prices given that this project will provide additional financial resource of Iraq," as he put it.

The contract signed by the Iraqi Oil Ministry with Shell in September last gas investment associated with the extraction of oil wells in the Basra province was the first since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in April 2003 with an international company.

The contract includes the formation of a joint venture between Shell and South Gas Company to manage the project will be Iraq's share in the project, while 51% share of Shell's 49% as well as opening of the Shell offices in Iraq, one in Baghdad and one in Basra province, also provides for the training of Shell Iraqi cadres working in the field of oil extraction.

Translated version of http://iraqalaan.com/