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

Discuss Iraq's Accession to WTO

The National Commission for Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization Bmnaakect a number of topics and files designed to facilitate the entry of Iraq as a member of the organization, which includes more than 153 countries.

Opent Committee and its achievements and activities for two years, which represents the negotiations that took place in Washington and Geneva and the answers presented by the ministries concerned to questions from the member states and related laws and legislation.

The Minister of Trade and the government department in charge of negotiating with the World Trade Organization, Abdul Falah Hassan, the Sudanese first round of negotiations and the second was positive.

He said the Committee had prepared answers to questions submitted by the World Trade Organization, adding that the goal of Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization not to impose restrictions on the movement of trade and economy, but for the development and rehabilitation of the Iraqi economy to keep pace with the global economy which has seen major developments.

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Experts & Officers & officials fear departure of U.S. troops & confirm: (internal cleaned her sectarian)

Experts agree, officials and Iraqi and American officers to read the new efficiency (security forces), they tend by the ability to recognize (Iraqi police) to hold internal security, despite the shortage of staff officers (the current 42,000 and the need to more than 100,000) and also the lack of equipment and machinery And buildings, stressing that the police, which was (the focus of sectarian) become (national police) were cleaned after the Interior (home) and expelled more than 11,000 police officers, and turned to very large numbers and other ministries.

On the other hand, believes these experts, officials and officers that (the army), despite high potential, is facing the tasks of Foreign Affairs held a large, and that is very understanding fear the departure of U.S. forces but there were intervals of three years. In the opinion of those sources that Iraq is still so far and relying heavily on U.S. forces in border protection - especially those between with Iran - and regional climates in providing the Iraqi military training expertise and logistic support and intelligence. That is why they are convinced that Iraq could face a serious and Iranian influence could be the character of North even from other Arab parties not satisfied with the dominance of a Shiite government in Iraq an alternative to the former Sunni government. In the face of such possibilities that could threaten U.S. interests in the Middle East as sources confirm the plan of President-elect (Barack Obama) requires to keep the F-16 aircraft flying in Iraqi airspace to protect against any breach, as well as keeping military advisers, and specialized units stay in the fight against Terrorism for quite some time.

The experts, officials and the officer Iraqis and Americans that the fears may be more at home, because Iraqi citizens, if the sectarian conflict erupted again rely to protect themselves and their property Sunni or Shiite militias, bringing waves of violence are very serious as has been the disintegration of Iraq, particularly the presence of (Sunni tribal leaders) and (Shiite religious leaders) want to transform Iraq into three regions.

The sources of all that Iraq had so far been unable to obtain the aircraft, equipment and weapons necessary to qualify army or security forces in general to protect the country from (the excesses of Foreign Affairs)-style raids against Turkish Kurdish rebel elements, Turkish or Iranian interference (the exploitation of the Shiite center) can be Turn to extend the military directly.

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The government put the draft security agreement on the parliamentary blocs

Iraqi government plans to circulate a draft security agreement with the United States to the parliamentary blocs in the next few days to see the view in Washington accepted the demands.

A source with the United Iraqi Alliance that there is no room for the new amendments, and blocks Mekherp between acceptance or rejection.

To this, said a government source speaking on condition of anonymity, said that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice may visit Baghdad soon to urge political parties to accept the agreement and explained the U.S. position of the demands made by the Government.

The administration acknowledged last Thursday Baghdad final answer to the demands of the Iraqi Council of Ministers to amend the terms of the agreement, Washington responded to some of them refused to each other.

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Amendment to the Constitution: the first report to parliament within 14 days

Expected to provide that a committee to amend the constitution during the next two weeks, the first report to Congress, committees will also report on another form of government and the method of work between the federal and provincial governments.

The deputy said the United Iraqi Alliance Hassan Senaid told a news briefing today, Monday, the deployment of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has called for strengthening the central government, but demanded recently that the rule that the Constitution be distributed accordingly powers federal and federal powers.

He added that the Constitution gives the federal government exclusive powers in return for the powers of other federal and provincial governments.

Sunaid said the five committees that the problem is intensively to resolve the issue of powers and the state's economy and oil, military and security and examine the points of disagreement.

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Interview: Iraq's ambassador to the U.N.

The day after Barack Obama was elected to be the next U.S. president, Iraq's Ambassador to the United Nations Hamid al-Bayati called it inspiring. But on the ground in Iraq, Obama really wouldn't be too different from President Bush, he said.

In an interview with United Press International on the sidelines of an energy conference here, Bayati said if talks for a U.S. troop deal fail by the end-of-year expiration of the current U.N. mandate, the U.N. Security Council is ready to extend it.

Behind the scenes of the negotiation are billions of dollars in oil revenue being held, per U.N. mandate, in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, called the Development Fund for Iraq. For now, the money is safe from Saddam-era creditors. Bayati says Iraq will keep it that way, even as it attempts to remove itself from the U.N. Security Council's oversight, referred to as "Chapter 7" (after the chapter in the U.N. Security Council charter).

Q: The next president of the United States is going to be Barack Obama. What does this mean for Iraq?
A: We respect what the American people decide in their elections, to elect Barack Obama as the next president. For us, really, it means a lot. It means there is a democracy in the United States. It means that a nation which elects an African-American for the first time in its history, they are living in a new world, really a world of change. Barack Obama promised that he'd bring the change. This reminds me of the situation in Iraq, when we have for the first time in the history of the country a Kurdish president. The Kurds were considered a second- or even third-class citizen in Iraq. They were oppressed. They were almost wiped out by chemical, biological weapons. This is real democracy, this is real freedom.

Q: Especially in the general populace, George Bush is not very popular. Do you think this will change, the Iraqi people will look at the United States in a different way, because the leadership has changed, because it's Barack Obama?
A: I believe the United States is a country of institutions, not individuals. It's not like the Saddam regime who would decide everything. So we believe there are institutions, and whether it's Barack Obama or someone else, I think the president will listen to experts on the ground, whether they're U.S. experts, military experts or Iraqi experts. We will not see a big difference between President Bush and President Barack Obama. I think both of them will emphasize the importance of a long-term strategic relationship between Iraq and the U.S.; Iraq is an ally to the United States. It's a partner in the war against international terrorism. We had several opportunities to meet with Barack Obama and his team to discuss the future, and I think they both, both candidates, emphasized they're going to listen to the experts, military experts on the ground. If there will be change in policies, we're going to discuss that, but the most important issue that we will be United States allies and partner in the war against international terrorism, especially al-Qaida.

Q: The ongoing negotiations about the Status of Forces Agreement: If the negotiations continue for the next two months when the U.N. mandate expires, will you look for an extension of the U.N. mandate?
A: Yes. We are still optimistic that the U.S. and the Iraqi government will be able to agree and to sign the SOFA agreement. However, if they can't reach an agreement by the end of the year, we have no option but to go back to the Security Council to have another mandate to extend the Multi-National Forces in Iraq.

Q: Has that discussion started, in case, a Plan B measure?
A: Yes, we already started some discussion with the members of the Security Council, and they told us if Iraq is going to request an extension of the mandate for Multi-National Forces in Iraq, they're going to support that.

Q: What is the importance of Chapter 7 from the United Nations Security Council and Iraq's place in that?
A: There are two important issues: One, it considers Iraq as a danger for security and stability. Second, it authorizes a Security Council member to use force in Iraq. Iraq and the Iraqi government wanted to get out of Chapter 7 because of those two points. We don't think Iraq is a danger for security and stability, and we think that there is no need to authorize Security Council members to use force in Iraq.

Q: Does it have any other effect? Does it change any legal status or financial issues?
A: The resolution gives us some advantages. It gives us immunities to development funds for Iraq, the DFI. It gives immunities to Iraqi oil shipments. ...

Q: From attachment by creditors, from the Saddam era, saying, "You owe us money still, we're taking this"?
A: Yes. Any creditor will be able to confiscate Iraqi money or Iraqi oil shipments, but with immunity under Chapter 7 they can't do that. So there are some advantages to having that. Though if we are going to extend the mandate of Multi-National Forces under Chapter 7 by the Security Council, then we will enjoy the extension of the immunity for the DFI and for the oil shipments.

Q: And what about the removal of Iraq from Chapter 7, whether it's Status of Forces Agreement, are you looking to protect today's Iraqi money from being held liable for Saddam's Iraqi decisions?
A: We have other options, and we are considering any other option if we don't extend the mandate of the Security Council, we have other options to protect Iraqi money.

Q: What are those? Would it be because it's in a U.S. bank, having the U.S. presidential decree like it has now?
A: Yes, in the U.S. we have the presidential decree. In some European countries we have certain banks who could have immunity for central bank money, so there are some other measures we are considering.

http://www.metimes.com/Security/2008...o_the_un/b233/

Presidential Economic Commission examine the country's economic policy

Held the Presidential Commission in charge of reviewing economic and financial file and the file of oil and gas yesterday evening its first meeting chaired by Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi.

They also discussed the agreement on the agenda of future meetings will be discussed by the public budget.

For its part, confirmed Alaa Saadoun member of the finance committee in the House of Representatives from the Iraqi Accordance Front, the meeting discussed a number of important economic issues, including identification of economic philosophy of the Iraqi state in terms of the overall vision and comprehensive framework in addition to the monetary policy and file of oil and gas.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh and ministers of finance, trade and oil in addition to a number of consultants and experts.

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Expert: Iraq will not be affected by the reduction in OPEC oil production globally

Ruled out an economic impact of the decision of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries "OPEC" cut production globally in the event of continued deterioration of oil prices during the current period.

A member of the Association of Iraqi economists peace-Bayati told the independent press (Entcha) today, Monday, that there is a direct correlation between a reduction in the volume of world oil production and economic realities of each country, but one that Iraq oil-producing countries to the effect that if the International Organization applied its decision to reduce Production in the case of global prices continued to fall aside.

He added that a large part of the production is consumed locally, both to generate electricity or as fuel for vehicles and that the State has blocked domestic demand for oil.

Al Bayati called to review prices of oil products after falling world prices and reduce staff salaries and reduce the total amount of the budget.

The current Chairman of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Chakib Khelil, OPEC said yesterday it is unlikely to cut production of new Member States, hinting that the proposal made by Venezuela during the last week to cut production.

He said, "We have always said that our goal is that the barrel price ranges between 70 and 90 dollars, and if the price of a barrel to the level it is likely that there will be a new reduction, stressing that there should be unanimity among the 12 OPEC member states.

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Financial resources needed skills & expertise to invest

Sincerely, Dr. Abdel Rasul, a ministry of planning and development cooperation need to build mechanisms to prepare Trchiq State officials, and build a modern structure away from the existing system of central economic philosophy.

Abdul Rasul said in an interview with Al (morning): You must identify the points of the imbalance in the state and addressed by the competent departments in this regard and this could create a modern play service entrusted to it.

This is a government institutions such as planning and administrative and Counseling Center Office of Financial Supervision.

He added: Cadres working in various institutions today do not have the high efficiency qualify for the implementation of its tasks well compared to the resources that we have large and need to experience and highly qualified to invest in the right place, and the reason is the migration of the Iraqi experience and also because the retirement age and the new law, noting That this led to low efficiency of ministries and the Ministry of Planning and down graph of the efficiency of more than 30% of what it was.

Abdel Rasul said that the continued increase the number of state employees is the wrong direction, and we have to be the structure of each institution in line with the service performed to achieve the goal, and then the division staff based on the new structure and identification numbers at a time during which the ongoing training of professional staff in how to manage the service age The correct format required.

Mahmoud Ibrahim and employees is based in the Ministry of Industry futility of the preparation of staff in many organizations, especially the staff of the ministry manufacturing disbanded until today not exercise any work that was, as well as the preparation of staff in enterprises and factories stalled or those working part-production does not exceed 15% Energy production at the time of preparation workers have integrated the surplus were not here requires study this subject seriously and carefully and fee structure of each set and defining the goal posts because the wrong move in this direction we find encouraging the expansion of the administrative corruption in all its forms and lack of discipline to obviate the need Actual many staff members at the present time, which leads because the ministry will adopt a new policy which could make these numbers tables produced in various industrial fields.

The agricultural engineer raised Hisham said: There are a lot of the Iraqi agricultural circles in the suburbs of Baghdad to the hot areas especially the former, non-performance of its functions as required, although it was a significant impact in raising the production of agricultural crops, but the absence of some competent cadres of engineers and specialists prevented Add to continue the work that the migration of some cadres, making the institution away from achieving the goal set up for him, and we are today in desperate need of rebuilding these services, which serves as the process of agricultural and what is most important is subject to stand at the efficiency of agricultural engineers and rehabilitation to serve this important sector And the payment of energy production.

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Talabani & Barzani parties refusing to declare unequivocal support for formation of councils & regarded as "serious plot"

Announced the leadership of the two main parties in the territory of Iraqi Kurdistan Patriotic Union of Kurdistan led by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the Kurdistan Democratic Party led by Massoud Barzani, its categorical rejection of the formation of support councils in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and disputed areas, described the move, backed by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Pal "Dangerous scheme."

The communiqué issued by the meeting between the leaderships of the two age today, Monday, the two parties "to declare their full composition of these boards in general and Iraq's Kurdistan region and the disputed areas, in particular, and was under any pretexts, because the formation of these councils, the revival of the phenomenon of mercenaries and contrary to the Constitution and the law", according to In the communication.

The author, who received a "Uzmaitk" a copy of which was that "the National Union and the Democratic Party and the Kurdistan Alliance bloc, the House of Representatives and the Kurdistan Regional Government, refused to" this dangerous plan which creates some form of the phenomenon of mercenaries Aljhouc in Kurdistan and the disputed areas. "

The authors support the formation of councils "contrary to the permanent constitution and laws adopted by the Iraqi Council of Representatives, and is directed by contrast the majority of Iraqi political forces and public opinion calling for the dissolution of militias."

Ballaa take it as a "tribal force against the operation of democracy and progress of society and civil life struggling for it all, and the revival of relations underdeveloped" in the words of author.

The communication Kurdish parties, invited the territorial Government to "prevent any citizen or head of clan to participate in the councils of attribution," and said "at a time when we declare our position against this common political bodies of the so-called attribution, call the Kurdistan Regional Government to prevent any citizen and the Chairman of tribe From Kurdistan to engage in these councils. "

The political offices of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party held a meeting in Arbil on Monday afternoon to discuss the formation of councils of attribution and attended by senior officials of the two parties,'s announcement this position at a time relations between the Kurdistan region and the Federal Government crisis because of disagreements on several subjects armed Kalqguat budget and investment Oil and gas and others.

The Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had agreed during a meeting days before a gathering of dignitaries and heads of clans province of Kirkuk, 260 km north of Baghdad, the formation of support councils in the province of Kirkuk to take into account the diversity of these councils in the province and no one does not eliminate the requirement that exclude anyone Support the Iraqi central government in the decisions and laws have taken on Kirkuk.

The boards formed attribution formed mid-year the invitation of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told tribal elders and elders in the southern provinces to assign security forces, which had been opposed by Maliki's call by some political powers as a way to win loyalties in the upcoming local elections.

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Trade Minister: Iraq International Fair is one of the factors of the success of Iraq

The Trade Minister Abdel Falah Sudan that the opening of Iraq international exhibition on the ground Baghdad International major achievement and an important step to set up exhibitions in the next regular session in November of next year 2009, pointing out that the main objective of the Iraq International Fair is the reconstruction of Iraq and rebuild its economy.

The Sudanese in an interview with "Uzmatik", on the sidelines of the exhibition which opened today, Monday, in Baghdad, "the exhibition in which 150 companies from 16 Arab and foreign countries is a major achievement, although it may be a modest step as we will over the years to come."

He said the Sudanese "The Iraqi people will be exposed during the exhibition of products Iraqi companies that are still some quality which will increase over time and the return of normal life" as he put it.

He added that Sudan "exhibition will be a chance for the Iraqis to identify the products of the companies participating in the exhibition, though limited, as it would be an opportunity for companies and countries to identify the findings of the Iraq stability and ****** to growth and economic activity with these countries."

The Trade Minister Abdel Falah Sudanese that "Iraq seeks economic and trade cooperation with other countries, also ******s to the reconstruction of the country and its economy and restore life to it," noting that "This requires us great efforts, this is one of the factors for the success of Iraq."

The company of the Iraqi opposition, founded in 1959 and formerly known as the Directorate of the interests of the Iraqi opposition and joined the company to the Federation of International Expositions, based in Paris in 1971 and held its first exhibition on the territory of the Baghdad International Fair in 1964 and stopped the sessions of the fair year after 2003, because of the security situation unstable In Baghdad.

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