Thread: Iraq/Dinar News. 09/05 to 01/14/07

I was evasive with my husband also, but I came clean and my husband is as excited as I am. I ordered more and he even knew about it. Who knew?

Bush tells Iraq leader U.S. will back him

6/13/2006


By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent 11 minutes ago

President Bush told Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in a surprise face-to-face visit on Tuesday that the United States will stand with Iraq's new government as it struggles for stability. "When America gives its word, it keeps its word," Bush said.

In a trip designed to both showcase that support and ease war concerns at home, the president also emphasized that the future of the war-scarred country rests in Iraqi hands.

"The decisions you and your cabinet make will be determinate as to whether or not a country succeeds that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself," he told al-Maliki.

Later, addressing a group of about 300 cheering U.S. troops, Bush said: "Our job is to help them succeed and we will."

Still, several U.S. lawmakers briefed on Bush's trip predicted that a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops might be accelerated following the presidential visit.

Bush spent just over 5 1/2 hours in Baghdad. On the way home, he told reporters aboard Air Force One that Iraqi officials had expressed "concern about our commitment and keeping our troops there."

"There's a worry, almost to a person, that we will leave before they are capable of defending themselves. And I assured them they didn't need to worry. I also made it clear that we want to work with their government on a way forward on all fronts."

Bush slipped away from what had been billed as a two-day meeting at Camp David, Md., for a secret 11-hour overnight flight that brought him to his first direct talks with al-Maliki and members of the new government.

His visit was accompanied by incredibly tight security. On the way out, lights were turned off both on the helicopters that took Bush and his entourage to the airport and on Air Force One itself.

Only a handful of close aides knew about the trip in advance.

Al-Maliki himself did not know the president was in Baghdad until five minutes before they met in the blue-domed palace once used by Saddam Hussein but which now houses part of the U.S. Embassy in the heavily fortified Green Zone.

The Iraqi president had come to the embassy expecting to participate in a satellite video conference with Bush and aides from the presidential mountain retreat in Maryland.

Instead, Bush sat beside him. The video conference went on as scheduled with the U.S. officials still at Camp David.

"I've come to not only look you in the eye. I've also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it keeps its word — that it's in our interest that Iraq succeed," Bush told al-Maliki.

Bush didn't say whether he and the prime minister had discussed the timing or scope of a possible U.S. military withdrawal. There are now about 130,000 U.S. troops in the country and Bush faces increasing pressure at home to begin bringing many of them home.

Al-Maliki, speaking in Arabic, told Bush through a translator that he was committed to a government that bridged Iraq's major ethnic factions and was determined to succeed in defeating terrorists.

He also thanked Bush for U.S. protection, but expressed a general hope for the day when American troops would be gone.

"God willing, all of the suffering will be over, and all of the soldiers will be able to return to their countries with our gratitude for what they have offered," al-Maliki said.

It was Bush's second unannounced visit to Baghdad in the three-year war.

Bush met with American troops at Thanksgiving 2003 in a visit to Baghdad confined to the airport and limited to several hours.

This time, Bush flew by helicopter from Baghdad International Airport to and from the Green Zone, where Iraq's government meets and the U.S. and British embassies are based.

Bush also met with other Iraqi leaders before leaving the country, and addressed U.S. troops assigned in supporting roles to the U.S. Embassy.

The troops cheered loudly and raised digital cameras high, hoping to capture a picture of Bush. After about 10 minutes, he took the podium, joined by U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and Gen. George Casey, the Army's top commander in Iraq.

"Thought I'd stop by to say hello," Bush said, to laughter. "I bring greetings from a grateful nation. And I thank you for your sacrifice."

"My message to the Iraqi people is this: Seize the moment, seize this opportunity to develop a government of and by and for the people," he said.

Bush's visit came as his administration attempted to regain the initiative after months of increasingly deadly violence in Iraq and flagging support for the war among Americans.

In Washington, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld gave a classified briefing on Bush's trip to selected senators.

Sen. Carl Levin (news, bio, voting record) of Michigan, senior Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, told reporters afterward that Bush's trip "is likely to lead to phased redeployments this year and continuing in the next year."

Nothing he heard at the briefing suggested otherwise, he said.

Rumsfeld said that many U.S. troops have already been brought home. He said officials would meet with Iraqi leaders "in the weeks ahead discussing at what pace we're going to be able to draw down our forces and it will all be done in a very orderly way."

Bush's visit came six days after a U.S. air strike killed terror chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and five days after al-Maliki completed his cabinet by naming the ministers of Defense and Interior — events the president's advisers hoped would lead to political progress.

But underscoring the dangers that remain in Iraq, a series of explosions struck the northern city of Kirkuk on Tuesday, killing at least 16 people. And the new leader of al-Qaida in Iraq pledged to avenge predecessor al-Zarqawi's death with horrific attacks, according to a statement posted on the Web.

Bush visited a day before al-Maliki's new security crackdown was to take effect, one involving a 75,000-troop deployment, road closures, a curfew and a ban on personal weapons.

"I appreciate you recognize the fact that the future of your country is in your hands," Bush told the Iraqi leader.

Without giving specifics, Bush said he and al-Maliki had talked about Iraq's economy, security issues and reconstruction.

The trip was known only to a handful of aides and a small number of journalists sworn to secrecy.

"Obviously, when you're entering a situation where the enemy is so active, we have to be extra cautious," said White House counselor Dan Bartlett.

Al-Maliki has won U.S. admiration by promising to crack down on militias and sectarian violence, promote national reconciliation, accelerate reconstruction efforts and restore essential services such as electricity.

About 2,500 members of the U.S. military have died since the war began in March 2003. War anxiety has been the driving force behind Bush's plunge in the polls and a cause of Republican distress about holding control of Congress in the November mid-tem elections.

___

Associated Press Writers Deb Riechmann at Camp David and Ryan Lenz in Baghdad contributed to this story.


Bush tells Iraq leader U.S. will back him - Source

Iraqi Dinar News Article List

In Baghdad, Bush affirms support for Iraq

6/13/2006


By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent1 hour, 30 minutes ago

President Bush assured Iraqis in a surprise visit to Baghdad on Tuesday that the United States stands with them and their new government. "It's our interest that Iraq succeed," he said, seated alongside newly named Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The dramatic trip came as Bush sought to bolster support for Iraq's fledgling government and U.S. war policy at home.

"I've come to not only look you in the eye. I've also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it keeps its word," Bush told al-Maliki.

The president also was to visit U.S. troops as part of what aides said was to be a visit of just over five hours to the war-scarred country.

Bush traveled to Baghdad less than a week after a U.S. air strike killed terror chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. It was his second unannounced visit since the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Al-Maliki, who didn't know Bush was in coming until five minutes before they met, said that Iraq was "determined to succeed, and we have to defeat terrorists and defeat all the hardships."

"God willing, all the suffering will be over. And all the soldiers will return to their country with our gratitude for what they have offered, the sacrifice," al-Maliki said through a translator.

Bush made it clear, however, that a U.S. military presence — now at about 132,000 troops — would continue for awhile.

"I have expressed our country's desire to work with you, but I appreciate you recognize the fact that the future of the country is in your hands," Bush said.

"The decisions you and your cabinet make will determine as to whether or not your country succeeds, can govern itself, can defend itself, can sustain itself," he added.

"I am impressed with the cabinet you have assembled," Bush said.

The two leaders were seated at a long table in a room with two large television screens, one showing Bush and al-Maliki and the other showing Bush's aides and advisers at Camp David, Md.

Bush was flanked at the table by al-Maliki and Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq.

Bush met with al-Maliki in the heavily fortified green zone at a palace once used by Saddam but which now serves temporarily as the U.S. Embassy.

"Good to see you," exclaimed al-Maliki as they met. "Thanks for having me," Bush responded. They smiled broadly and shook hands vigorously in the high-domed marble room.

The trip was known only to a handful of aides and a small number of journalists sworn to secrecy because of obvious security threats for Bush and members of his entourage.

"Obviously, when you're entering a situation where the enemy is so active, we have to be extra cautious," White House counselor Dan Bartlett said.

The prime minister had been invited to the embassy on the pretense of taking part in a video conference with Bush, supposedly at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains. The videoconference went on as scheduled, but with Bush appearing alongside al-Maliki.

What had been announced as a two-day meeting at Camp David was part of a ruse to conceal Bush's Baghdad trip and a cover story to bring al-Maliki and his cabinet to the green zone.

Bush's secret trip came six days after the death of al-Zarqawi. The administration hoped the elimination of the al-Qaida leader and the completion of al-Maliki's cabinet would make war-weary Americans look at Iraq in a more positive light.

Aside from al-Maliki and his cabinet, Bush was also meeting with Jalal Talibani, Iraq's largely ceremonial president; and with the speaker of the parliament, national political leaders and U.S. troops.

Air Force One landed in hazy daylight at Baghdad Airport, where the temperature was above 100 degrees. Bush transferred to a helicopter for the six-minute ride to the green zone.

Bush met with American troops at Thanksgiving 2003 in a visit to Baghdad confined to the airport and limited to several hours after dark. That trip was kept secret until Bush was safely in the air on the way home.

Bush faces increasing pressure at home to begin troop withdrawals. He has said cutbacks depend on Iraq's ability to provide for its own security.

Bartlett said the trip had been in the works for several weeks but was delayed until al-Maliki filled out his cabinet with his national security team last week.

"We are committed to the success of this new government and the Maliki plan that he is outlining," said Bartlett, who briefed reporters aboard Air Force One.

Al-Maliki has won U.S. admiration by promising to crack down on militias and sectarian violence, promote national reconciliation, accelerate reconstruction efforts and restore essential services such as electricity.

Secrecy aside, the meeting was intended to strengthen ties between the Bush administration and al-Maliki's ministries, Bartlett said.

Bush's aides and advisers had expected the president to be at the table with them for the videoconference. Instead, they saw him from Baghdad. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Vice President Dick Cheney were in on the secret.

Accompanying Bush on the trip were National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten, Deputy Chief of staff Joe Hagin, press secretary Tony Snow, Bartlett and a few others.

First lady Laura Bush announced Bush's trip to a surprised crowd assembled in Villanova, Pa., for a fundraiser for Republican Sen. Rick Santorum (news, bio, voting record). She told the GOP donors she is "very thrilled and very proud" of her husband.

Tuesday's trip came as Bush struggled for solid footing for his presidency, rocked by the Iraq war and other problems. About 2,500 members of the military have died since the war began in March 2003.

War anxiety has been the driving force behind Bush's plunge in the polls and a cause of Republican distress about holding control of Congress in the November mid-tem elections.

Approval of Bush's handling of Iraq has dipped to 33 percent, a new low, and his overall job approval rating was 35 percent in a new AP-Ipsos Poll.

The poll, taken last week before the announcement of the death of al-Zarqawi, found that 59 percent of adults said the United States made a mistake in going to war in Iraq — the highest level yet in AP-Ipsos polling. It also found that more than half — 54 percent — said it's unlikely that a stable democratic government will be established in Iraq — also a new high.

___

EDITOR'S NOTE: Associated Press Writer Deb Riechmann at Camp David contributed to this story.


In Baghdad, Bush affirms support for Iraq - Source

Iraqi Dinar News Article List

Iraq pull out 'would be mistake'

6/13/2006

Pulling British troops out of Iraq will damage the UK's security, Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted.

He said "our job is to stand with the thousands of people who are fighting for democracy" in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I think anything else would be a very, very great mistake for this country's security and the wider world," he said.

Mr Blair made the comments during a questions session at the GMB union's conference after a delegate urged him to bring British troops home now.



I believe now, with the attack on the democratic forces in Iraq, our job is to stand with them until the job is done
Tony Blair

Mr Blair said he had "never disrespected" people opposed to the war, but urged them to listen to the voices in the new democratic Iraqi government, which is made up of Shias, Kurds and Sunni members.

He said terrorists in Iraq were "trying to stop them having the same rights we have to elect their government", to equality and to freedom.

"Those people are fighting a struggle that I think concerns us as well," he said.

"I believe now, with the attack on the democratic forces in Iraq, our job is to stand with those people who are fighting for democracy, stand with them in Iraq, stand with them in Afghanistan and stand with them until the job is done."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...cs/5075028.stm

Published: 2006/06/13 15:28:38 GMT


Iraq pull out 'would be mistake' - Source

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Iraq resumes oil exports through Turkey

6/13/2006


By SELCAN HACAOGLU, Associated Press WriterTue Jun 13, 5:38 AM ET

Oil exports from Iraq's northern fields have resumed more than four months after insurgents sabotaged twin pipelines carrying Iraqi crude to Turkey, oil officials said Tuesday.

Iraq began pumping oil on Saturday and it is currently pumping around 21,000 barrels a day — just a trickle of the pipeline's full capacity, said oil officials in Turkey who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to address the media. Together the parallel pipelines can carry 1 million barrels a day.

Iraq briefly resumed pumping crude via the pipeline twice in January. But the pipeline was soon sabotaged, halting shipments.

Persistent sabotage of oil facilities by insurgents and operational problems have kept the northern export pipeline shut down for most of this year and 2005.


Iraq resumes oil exports through Turkey - Source

Iraqi Dinar News Article List

Bush: Future of Iraq depends on Iraqis

6/13/2006

Posted 6/13/2006 8:04 AM ET

CAMP DAVID, Md. (AP) — Two years ago when an interim, caretaker government assumed political power from the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, President Bush suggested that the Iraqis were ready to take off their training wheels.
Now, with a permanent government in place, Bush says the future success in Iraq depends largely on whether the new team in Baghdad is able to secure the nation and take care of its citizens.

On Tuesday, when the face of Iraq's new Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is beamed into the Camp David presidential retreat over a teleconference hookup, Bush will be offering to help the fragile democracy chart its future. At the same time, he'll be expressing the administration's desire to shift responsibility for Iraq to the Iraqis — a move that would permit a drawdown of U.S. troops.

"The best way to win this war against an insurgency is to stand up a unity government which is capable of defending itself, but also providing tangible benefits to the people," Bush said Monday, extolling the nation's vast oil resources, thriving small business sectors and stable currency.

"Ultimately, the Iraqi people are going to have to make up their mind: Do they want to live in terror, or do they want to live in peace," the president said. "And the United States and our coalition will help them realize their ambitions if they choose to live in peace and hope, which we believe they will."

Tuesday's secure videoconference between the U.S. and Iraqi leaders and members of their cabinets comes on the final day of a two-day work session on the war, a conflict that is dragging down Bush's approval rating at a time when Republicans are skittish about the prospect of losing control of Congress in November's midterm elections.

Bush's huddle in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains with his top advisers is aimed at seizing momentum generated by last week's swearing-in of key Iraqi national security officials and the U.S. airstrike that killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

al-Qaeda named a successor Monday to al-Zarqawi and said he would stick to the slain leader's path — attacks on Shiites as well as on U.S. and Iraqi forces.

"I think the successor to Zarqawi is going to be on our list to bring to justice," Bush warned.

But the meeting, planned before Zarqawi's death, was more narrowly focused on identifying ways U.S. agencies, including the Defense, Commerce and Energy departments, can best help the new government succeed in a country where the electricity runs sporadically and Iraqi civilian and U.S. troop deaths are mounting.

Bush, noting that Iraq's new defense minister was just sworn in last week, made no predictions about U.S. troop withdrawals. He said Gen. George Casey, the top commander in Baghdad, would make recommendations after assessing the Iraqis' ability to take the fight to the enemy and secure the country.

Bush also said Iraq's neighbors should be doing more to help. He said the United States expects countries — both in and outside the Middle East — that have promised $13 billion in financial assistance to make good on their pledges.

The president, Vice President Dick Cheney and a slate of top-level administration officials discussed security in Iraq, especially in Baghdad and Basra, the economy and energy.

Bush suggested that the Iraqi government use the nation's vast supply of oil as a way to unite the country, perhaps creating a fund for the Iraqi people to restore their faith in the new unified central government.

Now in its fourth year, the war also was an issue Monday on Capitol Hill.

The Senate opened debate on a military policy bill, and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., intended to offer a plan to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the end of the year. The White House has long opposed setting deadlines in Iraq, and Kerry's amendment is expected to be defeated in a vote later this week.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, in a speech in Washington, called the war in Iraq an "intractable conflict" and said Americans deserve a plan from the president that provides troops with an exit strategy. "It is no longer sufficient to say 'we will stand down as the Iraqis stand up,'" Reid said, quoting a Bush refrain.

The House and Senate are poised to deal with a $94.5 billion supplemental measure to finance military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and provide additional aid for the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast. The bill should receive easy approval, even as impatience is growing with the Iraq war and its $8 billion monthly tab.

On Thursday, the House will vote on a resolution supporting the U.S. mission in Iraq.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.



Bush: Future of Iraq depends on Iraqis - Source

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Bush makes surprise visit to Iraq

6/13/2006


By Steve Holland and Omar al-Ibadi 19 minutes ago

President George W. Bush made his second visit to Baghdad since the 2003 invasion on Tuesday, days after U.S. forces killed al Qaeda's chief in Iraq.

"When America gives its word, it keeps its word," Bush told new Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The White House said Bush would be on the ground for more than five hours and would also meet U.S. troops during a surprise trip that began in high secrecy.

His first visit since Thanksgiving in November 2003 came six days after a U.S. air strike killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al Qaeda in Iraq.

A wave of bombings hit the oil city of Kirkuk on Tuesday, killing 14 people, in what was seen as a bid by al Qaeda to show the death of its leader would not stop its campaign of violence.

Maliki was told about the trip only five minutes before meeting Bush and many of Bush's own aides were kept in the dark.

Only Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were aware Bush had slipped away from Camp David abruptly on Monday night.

Bush was flown to Baghdad International Airport, then boarded a helicopter for an 8-minute ride in searing heat to the fortified "Green Zone" for talks with the Iraqi cabinet and U.S. commander in Iraq General George Casey at the U.S. embassy.

"The decisions you and your cabinet make will determine as to whether or not your country succeeds, can govern itself, can defend itself, can sustain itself," Bush told Maliki.

The Iraqi prime minister said: "We are determined to succeed and we have to defeat terrorists and defeat all the hardships.

"God willing all the suffering will be over, all the soldiers will return to their countries with our gratitude, for what they have offered, the sacrifices."

The U.S. death toll in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion is approaching 2,500, and tens of thousands of Iraqis have died.

U.S. public unease with the war is growing in a congressional election year and Bush faces calls to set a timetable for withdrawal of some 130,000 U.S. troops.

On Monday he reiterated they would stay until conditions improved to the point where they could be withdrawn.

Bush's poll numbers have dipped to some of the lowest of his presidency, largely because of Iraq. The killing of Zarqawi, and news on Tuesday that White House aide Karl Rove will not be charged in a CIA leak case, have offered some comfort.

BOMBINGS

In one of the Kirkuk attacks, a car bomb exploded outside the house of a senior police officer, seriously wounding him and killing one of his bodyguards, police said.

As police and U.S. forces gathered in the area, a roadside bomb exploded, killing 10 civilians, in a common tactic by Sunni Arab insurgents seeking to topple the Shi'ite-led government backed by the United States.

"The terrorists want to send a message that they are staying active despite the fact that Zarqawi was killed," said Rizgar Ali, head of Kirkuk's governing council.

Al Qaeda in Iraq on Monday named a successor to Zarqawi and vowed the new leader would press on with a campaign of suicide bombings and beheadings. Almost nothing is known about Zarqawi's successor, Abu Hamza al-Muhajir. Bush vowed on Monday he would be "on our list" of targets.

A senior Iraqi defense ministry official told Reuters more than 40,000 Iraqi and U.S. forces backed by tanks would launch a crackdown in Baghdad on Wednesday, in what would be one of the biggest such operations since the 2003 war.

"Armored personnel carriers and tanks will be used. We will depend on intelligence to find suspects," Major General Abdel Aziz Mohammed told Reuters.

U.S. and Iraqi forces have launched several such operations aimed at rooting out insurgents and militants but have failed to ease violence.

Iraq's insurgency is dominated by Saddam Hussein loyalists.

In Saddam's trial at a courtroom in the Green Zone on Tuesday, the chief judge said it would be the last day to hear defense witnesses, setting the stage for final arguments before a verdict, although appeals may cause long delays.

Saddam and seven co-accused are on trial for crimes against humanity in connection with the killings of 148 Shi'ites after an attempt on his life in the town of Dujail in 1982.

(Additional reporting by Sherko Raouf in Kirkuk)


Bush makes surprise visit to Iraq - Source

Iraqi Dinar News Article List

Over the last 4 months I have made a number of purchases of dinar from myfreedinar, with no problems at all. With the negative comments I am now reading about this website on this forum it has made me a bit nervous about whether the dinars I have been sent are the real thing. Does anybody know if there has been any problems with the authenticity of the dinars they send people?

2006 Investment Climate Statement - Iraq

"Iraq is currently recovering from three decades of oppression and upheaval. The policies of the former Iraqi regime weakened Iraq's international trade relations and infrastructure, impacting Iraq's ability to attract foreign investment. International sanctions also affected legitimate economic activity and international exchange of goods and services. The consequences of these policies can be seen through economic data. Between 1980 and 2003 per capital GDP fell from USD 3600 to around USD 700. Unemployment during this same period increased from 15 percent to as much as 30-50 percent.

Since the fall of the former regime in 2003, Iraq has charted a new course for economic growth. In the World Bank's Doing Business in 2006, Iraq ranked within the bottom 30 percent (114 out of 155 countries) in terms of ease of doing business. Iraq will need to rebuild its trade and economic infrastructure, and establish laws, regulations, and policies that attract foreign investment. Substantial progress has already been made to remove some of the obstacles to open markets and to develop a more "investor-friendly" business environment, but much work remains. In addition, Iraq has made progress in stabilizing the value of its currency and reducing the rate of inflation. Iraq has also adopted an open trade and investment regime with a focus on strengthening the private sector. Already, GDP per capita is estimated at USD 1050 in 2005.

Iraq has made rejoining the international community a key part of its economic development strategy, and investment will play a key role. Iraq's National Development Strategy for 2005-2007 articulates this new direction. Several goals outlined in this strategy include ensuring private sector growth through creation of a favorable legal environment, fostering a transition to a modern free market economy, and integrating Iraq into the global economy.

. OPENNESS TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT
. CURRENCY CONVERSION AND TRANSFER POLICIES
. EXPROPRIATION AND COMPENSATION
. DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS AND INCENTIVES
. RIGHT TO PRIVATE OWNERSHIP AND ESTABLISHMENT
. PROTECTION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS
. TRANSPARENCY OF THE REGULATORY SYSTEM
. EFFICIENT CAPITAL MARKETS AND PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT
. POLITICAL VIOLENCE
. CORRUPTION
. BILATERAL INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS AND REGIONAL COOPERATION
. OPIC AND OTHER INVESTMENT INSURANCE PROGRAMS
. LABOR
. FOREIGN TRADE ZONES & PORTS
. FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT STATISTICS

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Brussels, June 14, IRNA
EU-Iraq Conference
The Council of European Union Foreign Ministers in their meeting in Luxembourg Monday drew up an assessment of preparations for the international conference on Iraq, due to take place in Brussels on June 22.

"The preparations, which are being made in close collaboration with Iraq, the UN, the United States, Egypt, Japan and Russia among others, are going well," stated Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, whose country holds the current EU presidency.

"We are expecting a good turnout. Over 80 countries and international organizations have been invited and, to date, most have indicated that they want to take part at ministerial level," he said.

The UN secretary general has signaled his intention to attend and Iraq will be represented by a delegation of around ten ministers as well as parliamentarians and representatives of the various institutions and communities, noted Asselborn.

The general aim of the conference is to mark the international community's support of the new Iraqi government during the transition period, which will lead to constitutional elections in December 2005.

"We also see the role of Iraq's neighbors as highly important," stressed Asselborn.

An EU troika visited Baghdad last week to discuss preparations of the conference with the Iraqi leadership.

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