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

Housing projects between dream and reality (2 - 2)

Hossam Alsamuk In the skies up a large segment of those dreaming of a bill Housing remember what has been preached by the Minister of Housing and Construction to commence on the project and one million housing units two years ago, we had Aqbana the economic repercussions of this project if it were really as well as its direct to the solution of the problem of housing, While will provide hundreds of thousands of job opportunities of building workers and craftsmen in woodworking, metalworking and occupations back-up in the transport, catering and tasks other detailed, including sector employs bulk of the army of the unemployed, where statistics indicate documented that he consists of 55% of the labor according to estimates the Food and Agriculture Organization of the International confirm the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs that the figure of the unemployed rate of 50% and refers scientific research to one of of Women Researchers based on the statistics and Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and taskforces, research that in Iraq five million capita suffer from unemployment, but the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation insists in its report on the statistics of operating for in 2004 that there total unemployment amounting to increase of 22% and another partial amounting to 28%. This classification developed by the Ministry of Planning states the latest report by Statistics citizens who own residential homes, which hit Central surprise anybody up 79% despite all the studies emphasize the need for Iraq to build three to four million housing units, and if we assume that every housing unit will three very least estimate the twelve million Iraqis do not have a home any housing, including nearly 45% of the population of Iraq.

Returning to the draft Law on Housing, which is monitoring the Council of Ministers, according to an announcement billion dollars, one of the priorities of his success to proceed with the Ministry of Housing and Construction huge national projects to build 1 million housing units to meet the very least estimate the proportion of the needs of the super do not have homes, as well as housing effectiveness of this measure to provide hundreds of thousands of job opportunities.

The only project grants covered by loans from the Housing and Mortgage Bank, it should be alert all concerned to adopt the resolution to the random mechanisms, what can be whipped up from the chaos of transactions and problems later up to the inability of beneficiaries to pay back the loans of them, while according to percentages posted a 8% up to 150% of the loan amounts any that borrow 18 million dinars of the Housing Fund would pay about 45 million and receive thirty million to reimburse 75 million. And then the problems will peak amid inflation rates and existing chaos transactions confusing.

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

Oil is found in the north, northeast, and in the south. The reserves are estimated to be the second largest in the world (second to Saudi Arabia). The oil industry of Iraq was nationalized in 1972. Iraq is member of OPEC.

Iraqis are all facing very difficult conditions, as prices have peaked while wages have lagged seriously behind, and people with state jobs often have to wait to receive their salaries. Smuggling exists, and a large black market, too.

Iraq: Economy

Originally Posted by CharmedPiper

Oil is found in the north, northeast, and in the south. The reserves are estimated to be the second largest in the world (second to Saudi Arabia). The oil industry of Iraq was nationalized in 1972. Iraq is member of OPEC.

Iraqis are all facing very difficult conditions, as prices have peaked while wages have lagged seriously behind, and people with state jobs often have to wait to receive their salaries. Smuggling exists, and a large black market, too.

Iraq: Economy

I read somewhere that they were not but maybe they are according to this. They joined in 1960. Would that still be a valid membership?

Country Joined OPEC Location
Algeria 1969 Africa
Indonesia 1962 Asia
IR Iran 1960* Middle East
Iraq 1960* Middle East
Kuwait 1960* Middle East
SP Libyan AJ 1962 Africa
Nigeria 1971 Africa
Qatar 1961 Middle East
Saudi Arabia 1960 Middle East
United Arab Emirates 1967 Middle East
Venezuela 1960* South America
*founder Members
The OPEC Statute stipulates that: "any country with a substantial net export of crude petroleum, which has fundamentally similar interests to those of Member Countries, may become a Full Member of the Organization, if accepted by a majority of three-fourths of Full Members, including the concurring votes of all Founder Members".
The Statute further distinguishes between three categories of membership: Founder Member, Full Member and Associate Member.
Founder Members of the Organization are those countries which were represented at OPEC's first Conference, held in Baghdad, Iraq, in September 1960, and which signed the original agreement establishing OPEC.
Full Members are the Founder Members, plus those countries whose applications for Membership have been accepted by the Conference.
Associate Members are the countries which do not qualify for full membership, but which are nevertheless admitted under such special conditions as may be prescribed by the Conference.

Who are OPEC Member Countries?

Originally Posted by Webster

I read somewhere that they were not but maybe they are according to this. They joined in 1960. Would that still be a valid membership?

Country Joined OPEC Location
Algeria 1969 Africa
Indonesia 1962 Asia
IR Iran 1960* Middle East
Iraq 1960* Middle East
Kuwait 1960* Middle East
SP Libyan AJ 1962 Africa
Nigeria 1971 Africa
Qatar 1961 Middle East
Saudi Arabia 1960 Middle East
United Arab Emirates 1967 Middle East
Venezuela 1960* South America
*founder Members
The OPEC Statute stipulates that: "any country with a substantial net export of crude petroleum, which has fundamentally similar interests to those of Member Countries, may become a Full Member of the Organization, if accepted by a majority of three-fourths of Full Members, including the concurring votes of all Founder Members".
The Statute further distinguishes between three categories of membership: Founder Member, Full Member and Associate Member.
Founder Members of the Organization are those countries which were represented at OPEC's first Conference, held in Baghdad, Iraq, in September 1960, and which signed the original agreement establishing OPEC.
Full Members are the Founder Members, plus those countries whose applications for Membership have been accepted by the Conference.
Associate Members are the countries which do not qualify for full membership, but which are nevertheless admitted under such special conditions as may be prescribed by the Conference.

Who are OPEC Member Countries?

This is a very interesting question. I have read a couple of opinions over the last couple of years that stated that the US and other western countries intend to use Iraqi oil to break OPEC. I remember the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 and everyone knows how we have been under their control since then. A non-member who can produce 6 to 8 MBD might "upset" the apple cart. Especialy when SA has past peakoil production. Thank You.

Originally Posted by Wm.Knowles

This is a very interesting question. I have read a couple of opinions over the last couple of years that stated that the US and other western countries intend to use Iraqi oil to break OPEC. I remember the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 and everyone knows how we have been under their control since then. A non-member who can produce 6 to 8 MBD might "upset" the apple cart. Especialy when SA has past peakoil production. Thank You.

There was an article recently pertaining to the last OPEC meeting which said that Iraq has a special exclusion from the OPEC limits until they get their oil and economy up and running. I would assume once they are up to 6-8 mbd OPEC will end this exclusion and IRAQ would have to abide by the limitations if they want to remain a member.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Director hails appointment of chair of Iraq accession working group
16 December 2006 (Kuwait News Agency (KUNA))
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The World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Pascal Lamy said Friday that the appointment of the Chair of accession working group for Iraq today is an important step in the process of anchoring Iraq in the Multilateral Trading System.

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Lamy added this is a system of rules that provides stability, transparency and predictability to international trade exchanges.

"But the process of accession to the WTO is always a long and difficult one and will require a lot of work on Iraq's side. I know that Iraq has already provided initial material for the Working Party like a Memorandum of its foreign trade regime and replies to questions raised by its trading partners," he said.

Lamy stressed that this positive development and the appointment of the chair of the Working Party means that the negotiation can now start in earnest.

Iraq had requested accession to the WTO in October 2004 and the working group was established two years ago, but there was through the two years no chair to start the process.

The new chair whose name was adopted by consensus in the General-Council today is Colombian ambassador Claudia Uribe who will proceed in 2007 with the meetings of the working group for the accession of Iraq.


The World Trade Organization (WTO) Director hails appointment of chair of Iraq accession working group | Iraq Updates

Originally Posted by nventr

I have read prior posts (a month, and more, ago) that the fils of the Saddam era were simply withdrawn and put into storage. They apparently did not bear Saddam's image so they could quite reasonably be re-introduced when the need for small value currency arises (real soon, we all hope and trust).

This was brought up as an opinion (by osw) in Oct. around the 28th I believe, I can tell you they won't re-introduce the old smaller bills because they were buried with all the other old dinar under the Baghdad airport landing strip. You may ask how I know, well my cousin was actually there and he buried it I spoke to him in great detail about this, about the same time that this opinion came about. He also helped with exchanging the new for the old. And his brother happens to be there now setting up there banking systems and so on, he recently came home (for a funeral) with millions of dinar and said the buzz is soon. And said he wasn’t at liberty to say much more. He said he let me know as soon as he gets wind of smaller dinar

Voices of Iraq : Conference-compatibility
Kawthar wrote : On Saturday, December 16, 2006-11:36 AM BT
Accord Front stresses the need to activate the charters held with
From the hushed Abdulamir and Santa Mikhail
Baghdad - (Voices of Iraq)
The list of the Iraqi Accord Front in the words of MILF spokesman, Salim Abdullah today, Saturday, on the need to activate the charters held with them before they enter the political process.
The deputy said Salim Abdullah today during a speech given at the political forces, which was held in Baghdad, "The Accord Front participation in the political process came as a result of the charters held us, but we do not find any activate it, therefore, we see that part of the success of the initiative is to reconsider reconciliation and the activation of these covenants. . "
Today, the national reconciliation conference in Baghdad attended by the heads and representatives of the three presidencies in addition to the leaders of the political blocs and figures from outside the political process.
The deputy Abdullah "otherwise this will be the precedent of this conference."
He pointed out that there are several axes must be resolved is "serious in solving the militias and criminal gangs resistance, and to work seriously to stop the deportation and return of refugees to their homes and compensate them, and opening the doors of reconciliation for all, without exception."
He asked "to reconsider including been ignored by the military in the former army, and the work of national balance, and dealing with the national resistance and dispersed on terrorism, and preserving the unity of the state and ministerial support reforms. . "
It is noteworthy that the Accord Front representative in the House of Representatives Iraqi number 44 seats.
Translated version of http://www.aswataliraq.info/

Posted by: saleem on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 11:57 AM

Maliki-Front
Iraqi premier calls for forming new political front
By Kawther Abdul-Amir and Santa Michael
Baghdad, Dec 16, (VOI) – The Iraqi Prime Minster Nouri al-Maliki called on Saturday for forming a new political front representing all main components of the Iraqi people to re-build Iraq away from what he called “the political quota system.”
“I call upon all the major components of Iraqi people to form a political front away from ethnic affiliation so as to rebuild Iraq regardless of the political quota system,” al-Maliki said in a speech at the conference opening session.
The Prime Minister pointed out a huge budget was made for rebuilding the war-torn country in all sectors adding “the plans worked out for rebuilding Iraq will have a positive impact on the country’s economy as more job will be available.” T
The Iraqi political powers conference started on Saturday in Baghdad with the participation of more than 200 Iraqi politicians representing the Iraqi political powers and parties.

What initiatives Maliki Will Iraq turn to extricate from the crisis?
Baghdad-Sabah
Moving attention to the political parties and forces, which convenes in Baghdad today and continue through tomorrow, Sunday, under the slogan (will Kisah Iraqi political forces and to ensure the success of the political process and reconciliation and concord).

.While politicians expressed cautious optimism they Occasionally attention on the new political initiatives was the official spokesman Dr. Skinner said at a press conference Thursday that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will present at the conference.
.They believe that politicians Maliki initiatives will focus on a range of subjects has been outstanding and a bone of contention among the opponents of the political process in Iraq, especially the issue of amnesty, and uprooting the Baath, the former army, and the balance of security functions. It seems that the tone of Maliki in recent days strict towards improving the situation in Iraq and call upon all Iraqis to participate without red lines or exceptions except Sadamiin Qaeda and those who aspire to the date back. Sources close to the supreme body of reconciliation that representatives of the armed groups will attend the conference, while the leakage of the (morning) that the two formations of the three formations comprising the Accord Front will not participate in the conference, namely the people of Iraq, led by Dr. Adnan Al-Dulaimi, who is now in Turkey, the National Dialogue Council, led by Khalaf Al-Alyan, who is believed to be found outside Iraq. Thus participate Islamic Party (restructuring in the third compatibility) in the conference.
.The conference until yesterday, Friday, fraught with complete confidentiality could not be told (morning) access to detailed information from members of the dialogue or political figures close to it. But politicians explain that the possibility of convening political figures Iraqi opposition abroad in the background of meetings held by the delegations of authority over the past months in Amman, Damascus, Cairo and Abu Dhabi. According to initial information announced that the table of the Conference focuses on three axes are participating in the political process, and the balance, and services. He said a member of the champion Ani told (morning) : The deteriorating situation has prevented some opposition figures from attending despite the fact that the government has given assurances to them but many fear that obsession is still dominant, as he put it. The politicians that this conference would be the best rules based reconciliation, and said in the meetings conducted by the (morning) they are optimistic that the work will move towards political unification and the vision of the common good, or at least it will be practically the windows of dialogue and frankly range (details p. 3). This is the third conference of the reconciliation after the tribes and the civil society