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

A supreme headquarters for Iran-Iraq joint cooperation to step up bilateral economic ties is to be set up following the approval by the cabinet of the relevant proposal.

Noozz.com | IRAQ

WASHINGTON — Two days before he resigned as defense secretary, Donald H. Rumsfeld submitted a classified memo to the White House that acknowledged that the Bush administration's strategy in Iraq was not working and called for a major course correction.

"In my view it is time for a major adjustment," wrote Rumsfeld, who has been a symbol of a dogged stay-the-course policy. "Clearly, what U.S. forces are currently doing in Iraq is not working well enough or fast enough."

Nor did Rumsfeld seem confident that the administration would readily develop an effective alternative. To limit the political fallout from shifting course, he suggested the administration consider a campaign to lower public expectations.

"Announce that whatever new approach the U.S. decides on, the U.S. is doing so on a trial basis," he wrote. "This will give us the ability to readjust and move to another course, if necessary, and therefore not 'lose.'Ê"

"Recast the U.S. military mission and the U.S. goals (how we talk about them) — go minimalist," he added. Rumsfeld's memo suggests frustration with the pace of turning over responsibility to the Iraqi authorities; it calls for examination of ideas that roughly parallel troop withdrawal proposals presented by some of the White House's sharpest Democratic critics.

The memo's discussion of possible troop reduction options offers a counterpoint to Rumsfeld's frequent public suggestions that discussions about force levels are driven by requests from U.S. military commanders. Instead, the memo puts on the table several ideas for troop redeployments or withdrawals that appear to conflict with recent public pronouncements from commanders in Iraq emphasizing the need to maintain troop levels.

The memorandum sometimes has a finger-wagging tone as Rumsfeld says that the Iraqis must "pull up their socks," and suggests reconstruction aid should be withheld in violent areas to avoid rewarding "bad behavior."

Other options called for shrinking the number of bases, establishing benchmarks that would mark the Iraqis' progress toward political, economic and security goals and conducting a "reverse embeds" program to attach Iraqi soldiers with American squads.

The memo was finished one day after President Bush interviewed Robert M. Gates, the president of Texas A&M University, as a potential successor to Rumsfeld and one day before the midterm elections. By then it was clear that the Republicans appeared likely to suffer a setback at the polls and that the administration was poised to begin reconsidering its Iraq strategy.

By submitting the memo, Rumsfeld may have been trying to shape the coming strategy discussion and present himself as open to change.

The memo provides no indication that Rumsfeld intended to leave his Pentagon post. It is unclear whether he knew at that point that he was about to be replaced, though the White House has said that Bush and Rumsfeld had a number of conversations on the matter.

Told that The New York Times had obtained a copy of it, a Pentagon spokesman confirmed its authenticity. "As it became clear that people were considering options for the way forward, the secretary had some views on the subject, and this memo reflects those views," said the spokesman, Eric Ruff.

Unlike the lawyerly memo on Iraq policy submitted last month by Stephen J. Hadley, the national security adviser, Rumsfeld's listed more than a dozen "illustrative options" that the defense secretary did not specifically endorse but suggested merited serious consideration. "Many of these options could, and in a number of cases should, be done in combination with others," Rumsfeld advised.

With Rumsfeld's resignation, the options no longer have the same weight. In recent weeks, some have been discarded as the Bush administration tries to adjust its military and political strategy in Iraq. But others, like increasing the number of advisers attached to Iraqi forces, live on and have also been recommended by others.

Rumsfeld, who has presided over two wars and is one of the longest-serving Pentagon chiefs, is scheduled to leave when his designated successor, Gates, is confirmed by the Senate, which is expected to happen later this month.

Titled "Iraq — Illustrative New Courses of Action," the memo reflects mounting concern over a war that, as Rumsfeld put it, has evolved from "major combat operations to counterterrorism, to counterinsurgency, to dealing with death squads and sectarian violence."

The first section of the memo contains two pages of options that Rumsfeld describes as "above the line" ideas worthy of consideration. Some that Rumsfeld found intriguing appear to reflect his long-held view that the United States should use relatively modest force in intervening in foreign countries to avoid creating a dependency on American power. That approach, critics have charged, left the United States unprepared to deal with the chaos that followed the ouster of Saddam Hussein.

One option Rumsfeld offered calls for modest troop withdrawals "so Iraqis know they have to pull up their socks, step up and take responsibility for their country."

Another option calls for redeploying U.S. troops from "vulnerable positions" in Baghdad and other cities to safer areas in Iraq or Kuwait, where they would serve as a "quick reaction force." That idea is similar to a plan suggested by Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Pa., a plan that the White House has soundly rebuffed.

Still another option calls for consolidating the number of U.S. bases in Iraq from 55 to five by July 2007, a considerable shrinking of the U.S. footprint. At the same time, Rumsfeld all but dismisses the idea of setting a firm date for removing U.S. forces from Iraq, listing it as one of the less palatable ideas.

Taking a leaf out of Saddam Hussein's book, Rumsfeld seemed to see some merit in the former dictator's practice of paying Iraqi leaders. "Provide money to key political and religious leaders (as Saddam Hussein did), to get them to help us get through this difficult period," one option reads.

The list of favored options notably does not mention the "clear, hold and build" approach that the White House has touted as its strategy for waging counterinsurgency.

That is a troop-intensive approach that calls for clearing contested areas with U.S. and Iraqi troops, holding it with U.S. and Iraqi forces and then carrying out reconstruction programs to win popular support. Nor does the list make the withdrawal of U.S. forces contingent on improving conditions in Iraq.

The final page of the memo is a brief list of six "less attractive" options, which Rumsfeld describes as "below the line." These include an "aggressive federalism plan," an international conference modeled on the Dayton accords that produced an agreement on Bosnia and an idea that is currently being seriously discussed by senior administration officials: temporarily sending 20,000 additional U.S. forces or more to Baghdad to try to improve security in the Iraqi capital and regain momentum.

Moving a large fraction of U.S. forces to Baghdad to "attempt to control it," Rumsfeld writes without further elaboration, would be "below the line."

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

At the Pentagon, Rumsfeld has been famous for his "snowflakes" — memos that drift down to the bureaucracy from on high and that are used to ask questions, stimulate debate and shape policy. Rumsfeld's Nov. 6 memorandum, circulated as part of the administration's review of Iraq policy, is written in that spirit and with the same blunt aphorisms that Rumsfeld frequently uses in public.

(END OPTIONAL TRIM.)

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

One of the more provocative options would punish provinces that failed to cooperate with the Americans by withdrawing economic assistance and security. "Stop rewarding bad behavior, as was done in Fallujah when they pushed in reconstruction funds, and start rewarding good behavior," the option reads. "No more reconstruction assistance in areas where there is violence."

Some military officers have said that the idea of denying assistance in some areas ignores the fact that many Iraqis are afraid to cooperate with the Americans for fear of retaliation by insurgents.

Fallujah has been the focus of reconstruction efforts after an offensive by Americans that crippled city services and damaged scores of buildings, leaving the United States few options beyond rebuilding or evacuating the city. Now, it is considered by the Marines to be one of the few relatively stable areas in the dangerous Anbar Province.

Many of the other towns in the region have become even more hostile because the economic assistance has been minimal, leaving the residents feeling neglected by the authorities in Baghdad, military officers say. Then, too, work on infrastructure that sprawls across the country, like the electrical grid and the oil pipeline network, cannot be limited to nonviolent areas.

"There is an element of throwing in the towel and effectively giving up on at least some areas of the country," said James Dobbins, a former State Department official and director of the International Security and Defense Policy Center at RAND.

In any case, administration officials indicated last week that withholding assistance was not under serious consideration. Reflecting exasperation with much of the U.S. government, another option in Rumsfeld's memo raises the possibility of using military reservists to "beef up" the Iraqi government's ministries. "Give up on trying to get other USG Departments to do it," he writes, referring to other U.S. government agencies.

(END OPTIONAL TRIM.)

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Rumsfeld has frequently emphasized the difficulty of stabilizing Iraq and the need to turn over responsibility to Iraqi authorities as quickly as possible. But he has also been a forceful, even cantankerous, defender of U.S. policy, often insisting his critics were unduly pessimistic. On Oct. 31, just a week before finishing the memo, Rumsfeld told a radio interviewer, "I feel that we are making good progress with the piece of it the Defense Department has."

(END OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Rumsfeld memo proposes 'major adjustments' in Iraq | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, Fla.

The signing of the Japanese loan early next week & 2007 budget

Minister of Finance Baqer Jabr Al-Zubaydi with the president of the government of the Kurdistan Nigervan Barzani, the financial budget for the Kurdistan region for 2007 at a time when the Cabinet authorized the finance minister to sign the loan by the Japanese referred to the Council of Ministers.

A discussion with Dr. budget. Barham Salih Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Planning, Papan to ensure a strategic outlook projects and the optimal exploitation of the budget allocated to the explosive 2007, which will contribute to develop the region and increase the construction and infrastructure development in it. Committees were formed advisory body for the direct implementation of projects in the province.

In addition to budget support for the security forces in the region will help boost the efficiency as part of the Iraqi security forces, which defend the land of Iraq, the federal system.

The Minister of Finance, the ministry is keen to support every effort best contribute to the development of essential services in Iraq and the desire of the Prime Minister to develop the regions and governorates of Iraq, which has suffered from deprivation and lack of services in light of the totalitarian system in the Principles.

The minister pointed out that the contract will be signed early next week after obtaining approval from the Council of Ministers to authorize the Minister of Finance to sign it to be forwarded to the Iraqi parliament for ratification.
Translated version of http://www.alsabaah.com/

Translated version of http://www.sotaliraq.com/

The Council of Ministers approved the draft of the International Covenant with Iraq

(صوت العراق) - 03-12-2006(Voice of Iraq) - 03-12-2006
ارسل هذا الموضوع لصديقThis issue was sent to a friend

جـــــمــهورية الـــعـــراقThe Republic of Iraq
مجلس الوزراء- دائرة الإتصالات الحكوميةCouncil of Ministers-the governmental communications
العلاقات الإعلاميةMedia Relations
Press Release بيان صحفي /Press Release Press release /
الأحد 3-12-2006Sunday, 12-3-2006

وافق مجلس الوزراء خلال جلسته الأعتيادية السادسة والعشرين التي عقدها في الثالث والعشرين من الشهر الماضي على مسودة العهد الدولي مع العراق والتوصية في قيام السيد نائب رئيس الوزراء بمتابعة العمل مع الجهات ذات العلاقة لحشد الدعم الدولي وانجاح المبادرة واطلاق العهد بما يخدم الرؤيا الوطنية ال عراقية في الأصلاح السياسي والأقتصادي والأمني .The Council of Ministers during its regular sixth session, held on the 28th of last month, the draft of the International Covenant with Iraq and the recommendation of the Deputy Prime Minister follow-up work with the relevant agencies to mobilize international support and the success of the initiative and launch the Covenant in order to serve the national vision Iraqi political and economic reform and security.

Translated version of http://www.sotaliraq.com/

The Council of Ministers approved the draft amendment to the pension law

The Council of Ministers approved the draft amendment to the pension law

(صوت العراق) - 03-12-2006(Voice of Iraq) - 03-12-2006
ارسل هذا الموضوع لصديقThis issue was sent to a friend

جـــــمــهورية الـــعـــراقThe Republic of Iraq
مجلس الوزراء- دائرة الإتصالات الحكوميةCouncil of Ministers-the governmental communications
العلاقات الإعلاميةMedia Relations
Press Release بيان صحفي /Press Release Press release /
الأحد 3-12-2006Sunday, 12-3-2006


مجلس الوزراء يوافق على مشروع تعديل قانون التقاعد والضمان الأجتماعي للعمال رقم 39 لسنة 1971 واحالته الى مجلس النواب لأتخاذ القرار المناسب بشأنهThe Council of Ministers approved the draft amendment to the law on retirement and social security for workers No. 39 of 1971 and forwarded to the House for appropriate decision thereon


وافق مجلس الوزراء خلال جلسته الأعتيادية السادسة والعشرين التي عقدها في الثالث والعشرين من الشهر الماضي على مشروع تعديل قانون التقاعد والضمان الأجتماعي للعمال رقم 39 لسنة 1971 بعد تدقيقه من قبل مجلس شورى الدولة واحالته الى مجلس النواب لأتخاذ القرار المناسب بشأنه .The Council of Ministers during its regular sixth session, held on the 28th of last month on the draft amendment of the law on retirement and social security for workers No. 39 of 1971 after scrutiny by the State Consultative Council and forwarded to the House for appropriate decision thereon.

The Iraqi Central sells seven million dollars and the American currency continues to decline
Dargham of Muhammad Ali
Baghdad - (Voices of Iraq)

The Central Bank of Iraq said it sold during the auction today, Sunday, seven million dollars against 330 million one hundred thousand dollars during the meeting last Wednesday as there were on Thursday, the sale and purchase.

He added in a statement that the bank offers three banks participating today ERA dropped to $ 1 million compared with $ 2 million a hearing last Wednesday.

The statement said that the purchase orders were covered today by the Central at 1433 IQD, down 2 dinars compared to the rate on Wednesday, also central to buy all the sales presentations at the 1431 dinars to 1433 dinars.

He said on one Yasiri dealers in the auction Central Bank News Agency (Voices of Iraq) Independent that the reason for the limited purchase requests that the dollar is the dollar exchange rate in the local market from the lowest price in the Central Bank, where the purchase price is the market in 1410 and the sale price dinars 1420 dinars.

He pointed out that the purchase of the Central restricted to the large volume of transactions and urgent that the market is unable to provide the liquidity necessary.

ÏæáÇÑ- (ÇÞÊÕÇÏ) :: Aswat al Iraq :: Aswat al Iraq

Originally Posted by Arkie

Announcement No.(817)

D.G. of Foreign Exchange Control

The 817 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Sunday 2006 / 12/ 3 so the results were as follows :
Details Notes
Number of banks 3 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1433 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ 1431 -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 7.000.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) 1.000.000
Total offers for buying (US $) 7.000.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) 1.000.000 -----

Arkie.

Hello everyone. It seems like we continue to see a drying up of available dinar as if to sweep the economy in a "tidy-up" process. We see few banks participating and a slight improvement in the dinar rate of exchange. The Japanese have a saying, "must wrap roots before move tree". This seems to be their (CBI) position. An overall positioning of themselves for something different later on. A confirmation of a trend that first removed dinar from the economy, and then an sharp reversal where there seems to be little dinar left at these price levels. What we have seen is exactly what you would expect the CBI to do prior to an increase in the price of the currency. All very positve. With the amount of economic news, banks moving into iraq, other countries like japan, it would seem that few are concerned about the FIL at this point. So the numbers are all in our favor and I think we can expect to see similar auctions this week. But this trend cannot continue for long, just like what we said when they were removing the dinar. So this drying up is good, less dinar out there, and as this process continues expect banks, corporations, and larger speculators to get a "buy" signal and become much more interested and begin to buy. I wonder what the naysayers are saying over on the IIf. Since I don't go there anymore I wouldn't know (or care). Have a good day, life is good and things are continuing to look good for us. Thank You for your many kind comments.

Al-Maliki : the current government representing Iraqis

(Voice of Iraq) - 03-12-2006
This issue was sent to a friend
Maliki : the current government does not represent Iraqis talk about alternative government

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Nuri al-Maliki said Iraqi Prime Minister on Sunday that the current government represents all Iraqis and the government to talk about saving the national mean on the success of the coup Iraqis "Bey and return again to rule Iraq."

Al-Maliki said in his meeting with a group of dignitaries and heads of clans in Sadr City in Baghdad on Saturday that there is no room to talk about saving the national government because it "means hitting the constitution and elections and the parliament was scrapped and a fresh return to form Bey to rule Iraq again."

He added that the current Iraqi government "represents the will of the people is being subjected to it to the people. If someone wants to change Fleger. (But) rather than through conspiracy and the conspirators. "

The statements came two days after al-Maliki of the meeting in the Jordanian capital of Amman last Thursday with the American President George W. Bush, and Bush reiterated his support for the government of Maliki and described it as the right man for Iraq at the current stage.

The Iraqi political one part of the political process that the government believed al-Maliki failed to achieve their objectives due to lack of control over the security situation deteriorating and the lack of success in improving the level of services provided daily for the Iraqi people and called for a change through talking about the formation of the government of National Salvation.

Al-Maliki announced earlier last month his intention to undertake a cabinet reshuffle in the government, which was formed before the nearly six months but has not so far provided any concrete steps for such a modification.

Al-Maliki said that he does not object sought others in the creation of a sort of "development and renovation."

But he added that such a renewal must be "through the institutions of democracy, freedom and the will of the people. We will not allow passengers tank upward on horseback or regional or international intelligence agencies to obtain what we have achieved. "

Al-Maliki said that the Iraqi government "has forfeited the right one in this state the size of what everyone involved and gave them the elections and this is what we have agreed upon ... And this democracy which we have agreed. "

He continued, "There are state and the government of national unity, the House of Representatives elected a design by the government to continue to impose security ... The control of the State directed against all those who go out of the law or who kill citizens. "

He called Maliki heads of clans to take their role in guiding their children, "moving in the right direction in building the state and the refusal of sectarianism."

He said, "I believe that the clans of their extensions can be the biggest tool in controlling the security reality of this country."

The Council of Ministers approved the draft amendment to the pension law

(Voice of Iraq) - 03-12-2006
This issue was sent to a friend

The Republic of Iraq
The Cabinet-governmental organizations - the Communications Media Relations-Press Release Press release

The Council of Ministers approved the draft amendment to the law on retirement and social security for workers No. 39 of 1971 and forwarded to the House for appropriate decision thereon

The Council of Ministers during its regular sixth session, held on the 28th of last month on the draft amendment of the law on retirement and social security for workers No. 39 of 1971 after scrutiny by the State Consultative Council and forwarded to the House for appropriate decision thereon.

The Council of Ministers approved the draft of the International Covenant with Iraq

(Voice of Iraq) - 03-12-2006
This issue was sent to a friend

The Republic of Iraq
The Cabinet-governmental organizations - the Communications Media Relations-Press Release Press release

The Council of Ministers during its regular sixth session, held on the 28th of last month, the draft of the International Covenant with Iraq and the recommendation of the Deputy Prime Minister follow-up work with the relevant agencies to mobilize international support and the success of the initiative and launch the Covenant in order to serve the national vision Iraqi political and economic reform and security.