Thread: Archive - Latest News Think Tank - 15/01/09 - 04/05/09

Maliki says time of US pressure in Iraq is over

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told reporters on Tuesday that the time when the United States could put pressure on Iraq had passed.

"The time for putting pressure on Iraq is over," Maliki said, referring to comments made by US Vice President Joe Biden, who at the weekend urged the Iraqi government to speed the pace of political reform in the war-torn country.

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidAN...aq%20is%20over

Originally Posted by Seaview

Maliki says time of US pressure in Iraq is over

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told reporters on Tuesday that the time when the United States could put pressure on Iraq had passed.

"The time for putting pressure on Iraq is over," Maliki said, referring to comments made by US Vice President Joe Biden, who at the weekend urged the Iraqi government to speed the pace of political reform in the war-torn country.

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidAN...aq%20is%20over

lol....he better rethink his mind....all the U.S. has to do is threaten to pull out or quit sending the 10-20 billion a month we are sending them now and they will be right back where they were before we took over..its beginning to be apparent that they can't govern themselves...much too corrupt and devious..its all about delays and cutting deals with partys...sounds a lot like our government,doesn't it...lol...Pat

Pat, sounds like a bit of Overconfidence huh? To me this "investment" has been one of learning and frustration. I doubt we ever see much return, but it has been more fun than watching my market fund tank. Hope you are well. Good to see you. 67

good to see you too Warrior..glad you are doing ok with the exception of the stock market...a lot of people took serious hits because of the stock market...hope our DINARS hit one day...it has been a long ride....frustrating at times...but enjoyable non the less....take care....Pat

Iraq and Iran agree to a roadmap to activate the economic and commercial relations and increase the volume of trade exchange

The Trade Minister Abdul Falah Hassan, the Sudanese on the willingness of Iraq to increase trade with Iran, which amounts to four billion U.S. dollars despite the difficulties and obstacles facing the process of trade because of procedural matters in both countries.

He said the Sudanese at the conclusion of bilateral talks within the Iran-Iraq said Wednesday that the joint meetings would resolve the problems and increase the volume of cooperation between the two sides as well as to increase cooperation frameworks to include the agreements signed between the two countries, indicating that there is a copy prepared before the Iranian side and review the version of Iran, and we are waiting for Tkhozil the House of Representatives to sign the minutes of the Convention.

He added that Iraq needs food, cars, looking for processing in a fixed monthly rates as well as needed investments in all fields, especially in the holy city and would also require expertise in the development of the Iranian private sector, the fact that Iran has a pilot experiment in this area and the Iraqi private sector needs to take advantage of these experiences for the purpose of participating in the development of the Iraqi economy and contribute to its development.

He pointed to the importance of the Sudanese agreement to avoid double taxation and free trade and investment agreements and the signing of a joint and Iraq is ready for signature after the completion of procedural matters as well as raise the subject of transit trade between the two countries to the advanced level and the possibility of the signing of a joint.

He pointed to the importance of the participation of Iranian companies in the specialized exhibitions in Iraq and active participation in the Baghdad International Fair, at its next session, with the possibility of an exhibition at the border in the southern region Aeraakip involving Iranian and Iraqi companies and an exhibition along the lines of Gaziantep in Turkey.

Mottaki said the meeting raised the need to translate ideas into reality of work that includes all the common areas between the two countries, especially in the substantive import and imports, in addition to the Convention on the customs tariff and to facilitate the task of entering the business and activating the role of chambers of commerce and trade between the two countries and added that we need to further cooperation in the field of oil We hope a visit by a delegation in the field of oil in addition to the monitoring of earthquakes in the border areas and Alastvadpmn Abadan refinery and the activation of areas where there is gas in addition to increased cooperation in the field of electricity, where there are three lines to transfer electricity to Iraq and work to increase the amount of processed to 600 MW.

He said, adding that there are four projects to build roads and a railway project between Basra and Shalamjah and we are working to increase these projects in the future after the draw the Iraqi point of view on the subject.

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki, who a month Iran's readiness for the transfer of information technology to Iraq in the therapeutic area and building plants to produce medicine, especially chronic diseases, in addition to cooperation in the banking sector and the establishment of a joint exhibition between the two countries to conduct banking facilities as well as the importance of the agreement on the establishment of specialized exhibitions on the common border or within the two cities.

The two sides had discussed a range of topics concerning the development of religious tourism and areas of oil and energy and electricity in addition to topics concerning aspects of marine and water as well as the development of joint investments between the hands and to facilitate the entry and the Iranians in and out of the two countries through the visa facilities for businessmen and traders, Iraq expressed its related steps in facilitating procedures for admission of Iranian pilgrims in larger quantities from the past.

The two sides agreed to prepare a draft road map, working on a sound and valid basis for the development of mutual relations in the economic, trade, finance and the formation of various committees to discuss all topics related to the two countries and to review past agreements and to activate the advanced level, contributing to an increase in the volume of bilateral trade and economic development and joint ventures in the areas of electricity, transport, water resources and the banking sector and banks.

The Trade Minister Abdul Falah Sudan, has led the Iraqi side in the bilateral talks between Iraq and Iran as part of the Committee headed by the Iraq-Iran on the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Mottaki, who arrived in Baghdad at dawn on Wednesday.

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Central Bureau of Statistics: the evolution of GDP per (10.9%) in the year 2008

A preliminary estimate by the Central Bureau of Statistics in the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation for a significant rise in GDP for the year 2008 by (44.2%) compared to the year 2007 at current prices, the prices have been fixed annual percentage increase (10.9%) compared to the previous year.

He attributed the press statement issued by the Central Statistics Agency has received the independent press (Iba) today, Wednesday, a copy of which was: "This increase in gross domestic product, which represents the value of production of final goods and services generated during the year, ie, the total value added of resident producers during the year, to the high the output of the activity of the crude oil rate was increased (50.4%) and at current rates (18.0%) at constant prices for the year 2007 .. pointing out that the quantities of oil products increased from (742,079) million barrels in 2007 to (850,239) million barrels in 2008, or the rate of increase (14.6%) also saw .. exported quantities of crude oil increased by (13.3%) in the year 2008 .. the year 2007 also witnessed the average price of a barrel was the source of a remarkable increase (35.8%) in 2008 compared to the year earlier, as the price of a barrel of (65.4) dollars in the year 2007 to (88.8) dollars during the year 2008 as a result of high oil prices in the first half of 2008 and reached the price of a barrel to record levels in excess of the barrier (100) dollars per barrel.

The statement added: "The activity helped by crude oil (53.7%) in GDP at current prices in 2007, but increased to (56.0%) in 2008 .. in the proportion of its contribution to the year 2007 at constant prices (41.6%), increased to ( 44.3%) in 2008."

With regard to the contribution of other economic activities, "the statement issued by the Central Bureau of Statistics ..The activities of agriculture, industry and services contributed to the composition of the gross domestic product at constant prices in 2008 amounted to (7.5%) and agriculture (2.4%) and industry (17.6%) of the services .. This was the most active development services, social and personal activity, second only to oil in terms of its contribution to output.

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Central to the decline in the sales of 98 million dollars in the canteen

the U.S. dollar decreased sales of the Central Bank in an auction for the sale and purchase of foreign currency, on Wednesday, to 98 million and 950 thousand dollars compared to the previous meeting and a stable exchange rate was 1170 dinars per dollar.

The bulletin issued by the Central Bank received the agency (Voices of Iraq) a copy of which was that "the total volume of demand for the dollar stood at 98 million and 950 thousand dollars, a stable exchange rate was 1170 dinars per dollar."

The figure is a decrease from the previous meeting, which recorded total volume of demand for the dollar stood at 108 million and 365 thousand dollars at the exchange rate was 1170 dinars per dollar.

The Bulletin that "the demand for the dollar is distributed by 18 million and 30 thousand dollars in cash, covered by the bank at the exchange rate was 1176 dinars per dollar, including the central bank and a commission of six dinars per dollar."

According to the bulletin, "the value of remittances outside the country reached 80 million and 920 thousand dollars, covered the central exchange rate was 1173 dinars, including the central bank and a commission of three dinars per dollar," did not make any of the 11 banks participating in the auction, offers to sell the dollar.

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PA Economic Committee, welcomes the initiative of France on Iraq debt deal

The Vice-Chairman of the parliamentary economic committee, on Tuesday, the French initiative to "address" on Iraq's debt through the joint projects carried out between the two countries expected to contribute to the strengthening of the Iraqi economy.

Yonadam Kanna said we were told (Voices of Iraq), "We are grateful to the European positions and the members of Paris Club debt to put them out."

And we were talking, commenting on the Declaration of the French President Sarkozy of Baghdad, said Tuesday that his country will address 20% of the remaining debt owed by Iraq through the holding therein projects between the Iraqi and French governments.

The French initiative we have a "stimulating" as prior to Paris, "other countries in fighting this debt and to encourage other States and the outcome turned off if the debt of Iraq which has nothing to do but the people and policies of the former regime, Iraqi people are not punished for crimes the former regime."

"This stimulating and an emphasis on friendship."

France has been turned off 80% of its debt to Iraq, and announced (23/12/2008) fire the third stage of the debt pursuant to the terms of the agreement between the two governments support the Iraqi debt and French, with a reduction of the main currencies in the third stage of € 757281489, and 227862530 U.S. dollars.

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Union of Kurdistan, importers & exporters involved an international exhibition in Washington

The President of the Federation of importers and exporters in the region of Kurdistan, on Tuesday, the Federation will organize a trip to the dealers Alocard Washington, DC, to participate in international exhibition there, indicating that the visit is also aimed to encourage American companies to open branches in the region.

Mustafa Al-Sheikh Abdul Rahman Abdullah told Voices of Iraq (VOI) that the Union "will be a trip to the dealers Alocard to Washington to participate in an international d.r.u.gs and soft drinks and fruit will be the end of March next," pointing out that the partnership aims to "attract U.S. companies to participate in the exhibition to open branches in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. "

"We've completed the necessary preparations for the trip and travel is open to all traders on the applicant had exceeded the age of 25 years and provides insurance of $50 thousand dollars for the Union."

The Union of importers and exporters in the province of Kurdistan, an independent professional organization with branches in cities Kurdistan President.

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Foreigners entering Iraq via Kurd region will be deported – interior ministry

The Interior Ministry says it will arrest foreigners using the border crossing with Kurdish region to enter Iraq without a visa issued by the central government.

Lt. Gen. Abdulkarim Khalaf said only visas issued by the central government were valid and that entry permits issued the Kurdish authorities were null and void.

Khalaf, who is also the ministry’s spokesman, made the statement after the arrest of a foreign reporter in the city of Falluja who had entered the country via the Kurdish region.

“The interior ministry has issued orders to arrest any foreigner entering Iraq without a visa issued by it. The ministry is the only authority entitled to issue visas,” Khalaf added.

He said in addition to prison, violators will be fined and then deported.

He made it clear that only interior ministry authorities were allowed to issue visas. “The Kurdish authorities are not entitled to do so,” he said.

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index...02-10\kurd.htm