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

Kurdistan Region, Iraq's north is a beacon of hope


By Cassandra Groce
The British and Foreign Commonwealth office changed its advice against all but essential travel to a section of Iraq on Dec. 23.

The Kurdish Regional Government-controlled provinces are now safe for travel, according to the KRG Web site. You won’t find Kurdistan on any map of the Middle East, yet you can ask any Iraqi where Kurdistan is and he or she will point to the northern part of Iraq.

The three provinces in Iraq that make up the largest portion of heavily Kurdish populated areas are Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.

Seven parents of soldiers who were lost in Iraq recently visited the KRG portion of the country, approximately a month before this amendment, in order to better understand Iraq and for closure over their children’s death.

The parents were picked through a nonprofit organization called Move America Forward. The trip was done in secrecy and the KRG helped orchestrate it.

I understand the families desire for closure and wanting to understand Iraq. I spent a year there and I still would like to understand some of the people.

I sympathize with their loss and I think it is wonderful to visit the Kurdish provinces — they have a history of fighting for freedom that could echo our own, the countrymen without a country.

However, “Kurdistan” is like day and night in Iraq (they even have a Web site entitled “the Other Iraq”).

A lot of Kurds in the Iraq Army wear the Kurdish flag on their shoulder instead of the Iraq flag, much to the disdain of not only our military forces, but their own command. However, no matter how frequently they are told to remove their patches, they still sneak them back on.

Perhaps their stability, their passion and their desire to see Iraq succeed stems from being one of the most oppressed groups under the Saddam Hussein regime.

A lot of the families expressed frustration over the media’s lack of attention to this area of Iraq — in fact I didn’t know that area was declared safe for travel until I started this editorial.

The media does focus purely on the desolation of the rest of Iraq and completely blows over Iraq’s hope — the northern provinces. But perhaps that is because the Kurdish nation makes up a minority of Iraq and many Sunni and Shi’a tribes really don’t care about them, which has been their story for centuries.

Perhaps the most beautiful piece of human understanding is when people from opposite hemispheres, with different cultures, religions and philosophies can connect with each other.

In the case of the families that traveled to Kurdistan, they found that. In one outlying village they met a woman who took a photograph of one of the slain soldiers and put it with a framed picture of her own two sons and husband that were killed during Saddam’s rule.

“Now your son is my son,” she told the family. This kind of understanding however, seems to be completely lost between even some of the Shi’a and Sunni who live in the same 100 mile radius.

I and some of the soldiers I worked with use to always joke that we should give the country to the Kurdish people because then we would have a stable political government, however that probably won’t happen.

Until the Sunni and Shi’a learn to play nicely together, there will constantly be civil unrest in the region to the detriment of not only their own society, but ours as well.

I hope future families who make the pilgrimage to Iraq understand that while Kurdistan is a shining beacon of hope for a stable Iraq, this beacon is greatly dimmed once you travel a few miles south.




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Posted on Friday, December 29

Originally Posted by Mike5200

MTC Atheer 3m subscribers


Iraq-based MTC Atheer, a subsidiary of MTC Group, has increased by 200% to 3m the number of its subscribers in the past 11 months, Bahrain Tribune reported.

The company says it is investing $600m in its Iraq operations. The number of mobile users in Iraq is expected to grow from 8m to 14m by 2009, the company said.


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Posted on Friday, December 29

Hmmm...........sounds like I should look and see if there registered on the stockmarket. Could be a good buy.

Thxs Mike

Gloribee

For Iraqi City, Hopes in Dialogue Yet
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Posted GMT 12-29-2006 18:32:19
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Kirkuk, Iraq (AsiaNews) --- Shiite and Sunni imams in Kirkuk went in person to deliver Christmas greetings to the Chaldean archbishop, Mgr Louis Sako, in an atmosphere characterized by "sincere will of dialogue and mutual understanding".

The Iraqi diocesan clergy informed AsiaNews about the meeting: "A delegation of Muslim religious leaders, Muslims, Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens, visited the Chaldean archbishop's residence of Kirkuk to deliver best wishes to Christians for Christmas."

Those present said that "during the meeting with Mgr Sako and priests of the diocese, both parties expressed the shared objective of attaining pacific coexistence between the different local communities. They stressed the need to increase reciprocal visits to heighten awareness."

Some citizens of Kirkuk said: "In a context like the Iraqi one, such events raise hopes that all is not lost, and that dialogue and understanding could distance tragedy and dangerous social divisions."

© 2006, Assyrian International News Agency. All Rights Reserved

Housing Crisis In Iraq
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Posted GMT 12-29-2006 18:32:59
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(UPI) -- A housing crisis has gripped Iraq, with more than 1.6 million people displaced within the country since the start of the war in 2003.

About 50,000 people per month have moved within the country since February, The New York Times reported Friday.

Istabraq al-Shouk, the country's deputy housing minister, estimated the country is short about 2 million homes, with many displaced families forced to stay in low-quality encampments and shanty towns, the Times said.

Shouk said the Housing Ministry is working on 8,500 homes across the country for government employees and families of people killed by militants and the government hopes to have about 350,000 houses built by foreign contractors over the next few years. However, he said that plan is contingent on whether safe working conditions can be secured for the workers.

In addition to the violence, some of the blame for the crisis has been assigned to landlords who hiked up rent prices when economic controls were removed after Saddam Hussein was deposed, the Times said.

© 2006, Assyrian International News Agency. All Rights Reserved

World News


Hooded Saddam will be hanged in green overalls


London, Dec 29: Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is likely to be hanged in the next 36 hours, according to informed sources in Baghdad, and they say that he will be taken upto the gallows in green overalls and with a hood over his head.

According to The Mirror, Saddam will be hanged by the neck according to laws that he passed himself 37 years ago.

Manacled hand and foot, he will climb the 15 foot high steel gallows hooded and dressed in green overalls.

Before he takes those final steps, a Sunni Muslim cleric will offer Saddam the opportunity to make his peace with Allah.

The process of hanging is as per the Iraqi Penal Code that Saddam enforced as vice-president in 1969.

The execution will be carried out by an Iraqi volunteer. Saddam's body will then be buried in an unmarked grave kept top secret by the Iraqi Government.

He will not be given a funeral, but his family will be allowed to see him 24 hours before his execution. His wife and daughter are unlikely to reach Baghdad in time to even claim his body. They now live in Jordan.

On the morning of his execution, Saddam will be handed over by American troops at Baghdad's Camp Cropper, where he is being held, to Iraqi guards.

They will then frogmarch him to the nearby Abu Ghraib, a jail at which thousands died under Saddam.

Saddam's penal code was abolished by the Coalition Provisional Authority in 2003, but capital punishment was reinstated as part of Iraqi law the following year.

A judge, a prosecutor, a Ministry of Interior official, the jail director and its doctor will see him die.

A court ruled on Tuesday that Saddam must die within 30 days, but he will not be hanged on a public holiday or religious festival.

The Mirror yesterday revealed he is eating takeaway burgers and fries - and an ex-aide said his last meal might be the western snack.

--- ANI

Iraqi and U.S. troops team up in Siniyah
Friday, 29 December 2006
By Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Div. Public Affairs




Staff Sgt. Brett Graves (center), infantryman, Company C, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, and his squad prepare to breach the entrance of a home during an early-morning raid Dec. 15, 2006, in Siniyah, Iraq.SINIYAH — Many terrorists sought a haven here but were now confined to the cordoned city by a 12-foot high berm that wraps eight miles around Siniyah in the shape of a horseshoe. Razor wire outlines the tops of the berm amid surveillance and patrols by Iraqi and U.S. troops.

The only way in or out of the city is through a single, paved road with checkpoints manned by Iraqi army soldiers. The checkpoints have always existed but were reinforced after numerous attacks on security forces and civilians in Siniyah, said Lt. Col. Scott Harris, commander, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

Siniyah lies in northern Salah ad Din Province and is the first city east of the Syrian Desert’s northeastern edge. Because of the city’s location, coalition forces believe terrorists harbor them selves there before filtering to other areas throughout Iraq, Harris continued.

Security in Siniyah began showing signs of weakening Oct. 24, 2006, when the police force of more than 100 quit due to terrorist attacks and threats against them and their families. Security didn’t show any signs of improvement as the police station was completely destroyed only 13 days later.

“The insurgents had a very strong hold on the city,” Harris said. “The entire city council quit; even the mayor resigned.

The increased violence in Siniyah led to a city-wide cordon taking effect Nov. 29, 2006. Soldiers from the 4th Iraqi Army Division, and Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, established the city’s current posture to prevent terrorists from infiltration and escape, Harris said.

Paratroopers from the 618th Engineer Support Company (Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade, began constructing the berm. They worked hand in hand with their Iraqi engineer counterparts to reinforce the obstacle, according to 1st Lt. Time Hassell, the company’s executive officer.

Only those who required urgent medical attention were allowed to leave the city, and no one was allowed to enter. Supply trucks carrying food, water, and heating oil were searched and escorted to drop-off points on the edge of the city inside the cordon.

“People may endure discomfort, but isolating the terrorists is important to the long-term success for security in the city,” Harris said. “There are 29,000 good people in Siniyah, and we just want to help them get a grip back on their lives without fear of terrorism or violence.”

Two weeks passed before troops began clearing Siniyah. They began with more than 500 Iraqi troops from eight different Iraqi army units and a company-size element of Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Dec. 13, 2006, in search for the isolated terrorists.

Initially, Iraqi and U.S. troops stayed in the city for more than 72 hours straight. They searched homes for weapons and terrorists with hasty searches by day and nighttime raids.

Paratroopers from Company C’s First Platoon detained 17 suspected terrorists during an early morning raid Dec. 15, 2006. The clearing operation totaled more than 80.

During the two weeks of isolation inside the city, insurgent attacks decreased by at least 300 percent. The city’s focus now is to establish a police force to actively patrol, Harris said.

“If Siniyah doesn’t have an enduring security force in the city, it invites wrong-doing,” Harris continued. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to show the people a totally happy and secure population, but we’ve certainly set the conditions for success in the future.”

Siniyah’s western boundary will remain permanently cordoned from the desert. Iraqi and coalition troops will continue to provide security to the outer limits of the city, while the enduring police force patrols the inner, Harries added.

Operation Beastmaster successful
Friday, 29 December 2006
By Staff Sgt. Kason Fark
2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment




A Soldier from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, communicates with his squad leader while pulling security during Operation Beastmaster.BAGHDAD — Staring down at an empty lot, Spc. Craig McBaine wondered how such a tranquil neighborhood could be the scene of so much carnage.

Nicknamed “IED Alley East,” this 700-meter stretch of barren earth has been the scene of many attacks against coalition and Iraqi security forces.

On this day, the patch of land, bordered on three sides by once-beautiful three-story houses, is occupied by up-armored Humvees, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams Battle Tanks, all in support of Operation Beastmaster.

During Beastmaster, troops from the 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division cleared three large neighborhoods in the western Baghdad suburb of Ghazaliya. The sight of much sectarian violence, Ghazaliya is the battle ground for Sunni insurgents trying to push back the overwhelming Shia population in the northern and eastern areas of Baghdad.

“Alternate Supply Route Sword,” the U.S. military’s name for the largest road running through southern Ghazaliya, is also the in-road from Fallujah to Baghdad proper.

Having just arrived weeks ago, Soldiers of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, have set upon the goal of taking over the security of Ghazaliya from the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

“It’s been pretty crazy already,” McBaine said. The Florida native’s patrol would later be hit multiple times by small arms fire, a rocket-propelled grenade and a roadside bomb.

Based out of Fort Bliss, Texas, 2-12 Cavalry is part of the 1st Cavalry Division’s newest brigade – the 4th “Long Knife” Brigade Combat Team. While the unit may be new to El Paso, Texas, it is no stranger to combat.

2-12 Cavalry was de-activated shortly after its return from Operation Iraqi Freedom II in March 2005. The unit has also earned streamers in other conflicts such as World War II, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. The unit was the first U.S. unit in Leyte and Japan. The unit re-activated at Fort Bliss 18 months after returning from Iraq.

Participation in operations such as Beastmaster with the Iraqi Army is the key to handing Iraq back over to its people. The Iraqi soldiers involved were being observed by coalition forces to gauge their ability to perform urban warfare tasks.

Overall, Operation Beastmaster was a huge success. In the course of three days of house to house searches, the Iraqi Army troops uncovered seven weapons caches, numerous roadside bomb-making materials and captured a high-value target.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

1 US Dollar (USD) = 1,326.40 Iraqi Dinar

This means:
You buy 1 Iraqi Dinar : 0.0007539 US Dollar
You sell 1 Iraqi Dinar : 0.0006905 US Dollar
You buy 1 US Dollar : 1,326.40 Iraqi Dinar
You sell 1 US Dollar : 1,448.30 Iraqi Dinar

Learn about the new Iraqi Dinar
Median price = 0.0006905 / 0.0007539 (bid/ask)
Minimum price = 0.0006905 / 0.0007539
Maximum price = 0.0006905 / 0.0007539

Monday, December 25, 2006

1 US Dollar (USD) = 1,326.40 Iraqi Dinar

This means:
You buy 1 Iraqi Dinar : 0.0007539 US Dollar
You sell 1 Iraqi Dinar : 0.0006905 US Dollar
You buy 1 US Dollar : 1,326.40 Iraqi Dinar
You sell 1 US Dollar : 1,448.30 Iraqi Dinar

Learn about the new Iraqi Dinar
Median price = 0.0006905 / 0.0007539 (bid/ask)
Minimum price = 0.0006905 / 0.0007539
Maximum price = 0.0006905 / 0.0007539

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

1 US Dollar (USD) = 1,325.70 Iraqi Dinar (CBI Holding at this rate until Jan 8)

This means:
You buy 1 Iraqi Dinar : 0.0007543 US Dollar
You sell 1 Iraqi Dinar : 0.0006908 US Dollar
You buy 1 US Dollar : 1,325.70 Iraqi Dinar
You sell 1 US Dollar : 1,447.60 Iraqi Dinar

Learn about the new Iraqi Dinar
Median price = 0.0006908 / 0.0007543 (bid/ask)
Minimum price = 0.0006908 / 0.0007543
Maximum price = 0.0006911 / 0.0007546

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

1 US Dollar (USD) = 1,324.20 Iraqi Dinar

Thursday, December 28, 2006

1 US Dollar (USD) = 1,293.17 Iraqi Dinar

WOW!! This is a 31.03 point jump from yesterday! WWWWHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Friday, December 29, 2006

1 US Dollar (USD) = 1,269.72 Iraqi Dinar

WOW!! This is another 23.45 point jump from yesterday! WWWWHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

That is 54.48 points since the CBI stopped posting any result.

this means:
You buy 1 Iraqi Dinar : 0.0007876 US Dollar
You sell 1 Iraqi Dinar : 0.0007186 US Dollar
You buy 1 US Dollar : 1,269.72 Iraqi Dinar
You sell 1 US Dollar : 1,391.53 Iraqi Dinar

Learn about the new Iraqi Dinar
Median price = 0.0007186 / 0.0007876 (bid/ask)
Minimum price = 0.0007129 / 0.0007808
Maximum price = 0.0007221 / 0.0007916

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news...mnist _derosa

"From what has been publicly revealed, the plan is for the dinar to be a freely floating, or almost-freely floating, currency. In other words, the market would determine the dinar's value with an occasional bit of help from the central bank."

Governments and central banks trade currencies to improve trading conditions or to intervene in an attempt to adjust economic or financial imbalances. Although they do not trade for speculative reasons --- they are a non-profit organization --- they often tend to be profitable, since they generally trade on a long-term basis.

The CBI and Government have already said they want to raise the rate of the dinar by 13%. They have met all the requirments of the IMF to reduce their debt by 21 billion. They are holding at a 10% increase until Jan 8th when the ISX opens up for trading. The HCL and Investment law are all done and ready to go. As has been said many times here....2007 will see a new Iraq...a new economy...and a new beginning (Saddam will be hanged by the end of the year).
They will most likely present their new economic package, new strengthend Dinar rate and start business with foreign investors on the stock market. Everything is being lined up to go....To strengthen the dinar and prevent explotation they have put a hold on it . But it still has to "prove its market value" which (IMHO) is what Oanda is doing right now. As the dinar "free floats" right now and holds its value it will continue to rise and strengthen the value of the dinar.
Let's see how low it goes on Oanda and I think that will give us some idea of where it will open on Jan 8th. I have read in other articles that they want to open at 1000:1 so we will see. These are just my thoughts and why I am so excited. I could be way off base but these guys have a plan and they know what they are doing. We're just trying to keep up with them (LOL) Any thoughts from some of the experts?

Originally Posted by Mike5200

World News


Hooded Saddam will be hanged in green overalls


London, Dec 29: Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is likely to be hanged in the next 36 hours, according to informed sources in Baghdad, and they say that he will be taken upto the gallows in green overalls and with a hood over his head.

According to The Mirror, Saddam will be hanged by the neck according to laws that he passed himself 37 years ago.

Manacled hand and foot, he will climb the 15 foot high steel gallows hooded and dressed in green overalls.

Before he takes those final steps, a Sunni Muslim cleric will offer Saddam the opportunity to make his peace with Allah.

The process of hanging is as per the Iraqi Penal Code that Saddam enforced as vice-president in 1969.

The execution will be carried out by an Iraqi volunteer. Saddam's body will then be buried in an unmarked grave kept top secret by the Iraqi Government.

He will not be given a funeral, but his family will be allowed to see him 24 hours before his execution. His wife and daughter are unlikely to reach Baghdad in time to even claim his body. They now live in Jordan.

On the morning of his execution, Saddam will be handed over by American troops at Baghdad's Camp Cropper, where he is being held, to Iraqi guards.

They will then frogmarch him to the nearby Abu Ghraib, a jail at which thousands died under Saddam.

Saddam's penal code was abolished by the Coalition Provisional Authority in 2003, but capital punishment was reinstated as part of Iraqi law the following year.

A judge, a prosecutor, a Ministry of Interior official, the jail director and its doctor will see him die.

A court ruled on Tuesday that Saddam must die within 30 days, but he will not be hanged on a public holiday or religious festival.

The Mirror yesterday revealed he is eating takeaway burgers and fries - and an ex-aide said his last meal might be the western snack.

--- ANI

Green overalls? Dang, i'll never be able to look at mr. green jeans again when i watch captain kangaroo, LOL

CNN IS REPORTING SADDAM WILL BE DEAD BY 10:00 P.M. EST