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

Mr. Hakim discuss with Zebari Iraq's external relations and ways to activate

Baghdad / justice Samaha met Mr. Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq and the leader of the United Iraqi Alliance bloc in his office in Baghdad on Wednesday evening, Mr. Hoshyar Zebari, Minister of Foreign Affairs

It was in the meeting discussed the current political situation in Iraq in addition to the discussion of the question of Iraq's external relations. For his part, Mr. Foreign Minister, the government has a national reconciliation is not interested in the reconciliation meetings held outside the will of Iraqis and outside the will of the government to hold such meetings lead to a deepening of the gulf and surgeries, instead of helping to concord and reconciliation. On the other hand, met with the delegation of the Organization of the Iraq women's Thursday morning by allowing Mr. Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq and the leader of bloc United Iraqi Alliance in his own private Baghdad, took place during the meeting reviewed the significant gains won by the Iraqi women in the new Iraq, The President of the organization, Dr. flowers Shekhli that the meeting was useful and fruitful and praised the positions of eminence Mr. Hakim positive on the issue of women.

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

The company's customer base (raised mtcMtc ) Exceed three million common In Iraq

Baghdad-12-27 : The number of customers of the company (raised mtcMtc )، A company in a group MTV CIA operative in Iraq, three million subscribers, up 200% during the past 11 months.

He said Mr. Aldhui Executive Director General Company (raised mtcMtc ): "Today we are pleased to announce a exceeded three million subscribers in the time invested in the company since the beginning of the work in Iraq so far, close to $ 600 million in order to serve its customers and we will continue further with the expansion of network investments to the north after covering south and central Iraq being the largest and longest network operating in Iraq with the largest number of participants. "This company and (raised mtcMtc ) Had consistently encouraged investment opportunities in Iraq in order to build up the country's economy and revitalize his business.

The number of subscribers of mobile communications in Iraq total of nearly eight million customers of the total population exceeded 28 million people and is expected to increase this figure to nearly 14 million subscribers by the year 2009. It is hoped a decision on the renewal of operating licenses for mobile communications companies operating in Iraq by the new year. In this regard he emphasized the Aldhui indicated that despite the what happens to the renewal of the license and Out of our belief in the Iraqi market, the promising, the company are continuing to provide unique service and distinctive-art technology and to continue to build wider network to ensure full coverage and distinctive is fully and competitor to companies other communications in Iraq thereby defying the security circumstances the harsh and is committed to playing its social role in the direction of Iraqi society create job opportunities are many and a provision in its cadre career on the Iraqis at 100% Training of Mercenaries inside the specialized institutions inside and outside Iraq, the auspices of the various sectors of society sports, cultural f the health sector as an actor with therefore our stewardship of the the Federation of the Central for football all Mentkhbath and emblem of the National Olympic Committee, the Iraqi and the renewal of our stewardship of the orchestra of connected with the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra as well as the fostering of many of the activities in coordination with the various humanitarian organizations.

MTV CNN reports of mobile communication-Iraq

Granted, the Iraqi Ministry of Communications Company (raised mtcMtc ) Leave the operation of mobile communications network in southern Iraq on December 22, 2003. The company managed to operate a modern communications network mobile GSM basis, according to a recent global technical standards

Challenger managed the difficult security conditions (raised mtcMtc ) So far to expand along the lines sent more than 6000 km to be the longest and widest network in Iraq, providing services to more than three (3) million subscribers. The company is seeking to increase investments in the next phase with the development and expansion of the network in parts of Iraq.

In addition to voice communication service the company offers to its subscribers other services including short-text messages, the service for international calls and curfews, the Internet service GPRS. GPRS In addition to the many educational services, news and entertainment.

The company did not overlook the social role towards the Iraqi society, whether by providing job opportunities and career cadre in reliance on Iraqis and fully trained in specialized institutions inside and outside Iraq and the creation of investment opportunities to boost the country's economy and revitalize his business or sponsored by various sectors of society sporting, cultural and social sector, education and health as well as the reactivation of institutions and charitable organizations.

MTC Atheer’s customer base exceeds the 3 million mark in IraqMTC Atheer’s customer base exceeds the 3 million mark in Iraq

The customer base of Mtc atheer, the subsidiary of MTC Group in Iraq, has exceeded 3 million subscribers, a 200% increase within the past 11 monthsThe customer base of Mtc atheer, the subsidiary of MTC Group in Iraq, has exceeded 3 million subscribers, a 200% increase within the past 11 months ..

December 27th 2006-BaghdadDecember 27 th 2006-Baghdad ::

Mr. Ali Al Dahwi, President of MTC Atheer, stated: “We are happy to announce today that we have exceeded the 3 million subscriber mark since we started investing around 600 million USD to serve our customers’ growing needs. We will continue to increase our investments with the expansion of the network, which is already the largest in terms of coverage as well as subscriber base. Today MTC Atheer’s network covers the North, South and central regions of Iraq. Mtc atheer has encouraged investment opportunities in Iraq in order to boost the country’s economy and promote commercial activitiesMr.. Ali Al Dahwi, President of MTC Atheer, stated : "We are happy to announce today that we have exceeded the 3 million subscriber mark since we started investing around 600 million USD to serve our customers’ growing needs. We will continue to increase our investments with the expansion of the network, which is already the largest in terms of coverage as well as subscriber base. Today MTC Atheer’s network covers the North, South and central regions of Iraq. Atheer Mtc has encouraged investment opportunities in Iraq in order to boost the country's economy and promote commercial activities .”. "

There are around 8 million mobile customers in Iraq in a country with a population of 28 million. This figure is expected to reach 14 million subscribers in 2009. According to Mr. AL Dahwi the Iraqi mobile operators will likely see their operating licenses renewed next year. Al Dahwi asserted that regardless of the license’s fate and based on faith in the Iraqi market, the company will continue to offer distinctive and unique services with leading edge technology. Al Dahwi added “We will continue building a larger network to ensure full and distinctive coverage that would compete with others in Iraq, despite security challengesThere are around 8 million mobile customers in Iraq in a country with a population of 28 million. This figure is expected to reach 14 million subscribers in 2009. According to Mr.. AL Dahwi the Iraqi mobile operators will likely see their operating licenses renewed next year. Al Dahwi asserted that regardless of the fate and license’s based on faith in the Iraqi market, the company will continue to offer distinctive and unique services with leading edge technology. Al Dahwi added "We will continue building a larger network to ensure full and distinctive coverage that would compete with others in Iraq, despite security challenges .” . "

About MTC Atheer-IraqAbout MTC Atheer-Iraq

The Iraqi Telecommunications Ministry granted mtc atheer a license to operate the mobile network in the southern region of Iraq on December 22, 2003. The company successfully operated a modern GSM network in line with the latest international technology standardsThe Iraqi Telecommunications Ministry mtc atheer granted a license to operate the mobile network in the southern region of Iraq on December 22, 2003. The company successfully operated a modern GSM network in line with the latest international technology standards ..

Despite the difficult security issues, mtc atheer was able to expand its coverage to 6,000 kilometers, the widest and longest network in Iraq, offering services to over 3 million subscribers. The company is seeking to increase investments in the upcoming phase through the network development and expansion throughout IraqDespite the difficult security issues, mtc atheer was able to expand its coverage to 6,000 kilometers, the longest and widest network in Iraq, offering services to over 3 million subscribers. The company is seeking to increase investments in the upcoming phase through the network development and expansion throughout Iraq ..

In addition to the voice telephony services, mtc atheer offers subscribers SMS services, international calls and roaming services, GPRS and many educational, informative and entertainment servicesIn addition to the voice telephony services, mtc atheer offers subscribers SMS services, international calls and roaming services, GPRS and many educational, informative and entertainment services ..

The company is a contributing entity in the Iraqi community whether by providing job opportunities, relying fully on Iraqi staff, training them in specialized institutions inside and outside Iraq, and creating investment opportunities to boost the country’s economy, or by supporting sports, cultural, social, education, health and charity sectors, as well as charity associations and organizationsThe company is a contributing entity in the Iraqi community whether by providing job opportunities, relying fully on Iraqi staff, training them in specialized institutions inside and outside Iraq, and creating investment opportunities to boost the country's economy, or by supporting sports, cultural, social, education, health and charity sectors, as well as charity associations and organizations ..

Rafidain
www.alrafidayn.comWww.alrafidayn.com

Welcome to ALrafidayn: The Iraqi information service

Originally Posted by Gloribee

{{{{{{{{{{ So Far Im Safe }}}}}}}}}}}}, ending on that note, I can now confirm that yes, gold reserves amount to 27.2 tons confirmed and known.

Switzerland, Balize, Jamacia, Brazil, Ivory Coast, are currently beginnining proceedings to return deposits to Iraq. I expect a PDF file showing this in the next few days. Once I figure out how to take and transfer, I will post.

Gloribee

heres a legit question is it metric tons 1 = 32150 troy oz
or short tons 1 =29166 troy oz

Originally Posted by shotgunsusie

fils. thats whats smaller than a dinar. they are still there like theyve been since before the plundge of the exchange rate.

we all know the old dinar was traded in for the NID however did anyone see anything about the fils being traded in and if not were they coins or bills could they be using these still?

Mina iron and steel in Basra suffer unemployment convincing because of sabotage company
Mostafa Kadhim
Basra - (Voices of Iraq)

Suffering (4000) associate of the company for Iron and Steel in Basra unemployment convincing
And after the company's facilities to neglect and vandalism because of wars Iraq.

He said Mr. Abdel Amir Saleh, director general of the Iron and Steel Company News Agency (Voices of Iraq) Independent that the salaries of staff acted according to three grades, which range between 100 thousand dinars (75 dollars) and 300 thousand dinars (225 dollars) in 2000 and is currently an associate continue to work and receive salaries than their peers in amount of 60 thousand dinars to 100 thousand dinars.

He added, "The company containing three large factories are sponge iron factory production capacity and 800 thousand tons annually and the steel plant capacity and 440 thousand tons annually and rolling plant in addition to the quality control unit and multi-service stations.

He said the Hadar employee in the company's information unit, "said the delay in the reconstruction of the company's factories mean damage to all company employees who are now salaried few Ataatmashi and standard of living."

He added : "We appeal to the Iraqi government to take a serious step in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the company's factories because of the high economic returns."

The company stopped the iron and steel from work after the fall of the regime in 2003 because of exposure to all of its destruction and looting by the events that followed the entry of foreign troops to Iraq.

Economic researcher Omar Sabri said, "The mission of the company as iron and steel needed to be a serious stand by the Iraqi government because the old means turning Iraq into a source of imported eight of the company's factories will support the Iraqi economy."

He said that "the importance of these factories were just as economically significant as the importance of oil wealth owned by Iraq to the effect of the officials of the Iraqi government to allocate funds for the reconstruction of those factories and the activation of the investment and improve the level of the salaries of the company."

The company is regarded as the Iron and Steel in Basra (500 km south of Baghdad), an affiliate of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, established in the early 1970s in cooperation with a French company and entered their factories work in 1978-1980, the company located at a distance (45 km south of the center of the city of Basra).

ÇáÈÕÑÉ-ãÕäÚ (ÊÞÑíÑ) :: Aswat al Iraq :: Aswat al Iraq

Advances of the unemployed in Basra to set up projects
Mostafa Kadhim
Basra - (Voices of Iraq)

Said Karima Hassan, member of the Basra governorate said that during the next Alayamen grant advances for the unemployed and divorced women and widows in the province.

The News Agency (Voices of Iraq) Independent today, Sunday, that amount of the advances ranging from three million to 15 million dinars grant for the unemployed, widows and divorcees to set up projects to overcome the difficult circumstances they are experiencing.

She stated that the maintenance would instruct the relevant departments to begin distribution in the coming days.

It did not state the conditions for the granting of advances or specific date for granted and the time period during which he would pay the amount.

She noted that the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, which had been approved at the beginning of December last December to give the unemployed, widows and divorcees advance funding for the establishment of investment projects.

It is noteworthy that the number of registered unemployed in the work of the Council of preserving the 6000 addition to the unemployed in 2000 promoted the treatment of widows and divorcees.

Located at a distance of Basra province 550 km south of Baghdad.

ÇáÚÑÇÞ- ÇáÈÕÑÉ - ÓáÝ ( ãÍÑÑ ) :: Aswat al Iraq :: Aswat al Iraq

Originally Posted by shotgunsusie

at the current rate of the dinar they are useless as they would be too small of denominations to even account for anything. now, upon revalue where they can represent 1/1000 of a dinar thats different.

i know that.. the point i was tring to make was that if they were coins then chances are they did not have saddams face on it and were not traded in ( and can therefore be used still ) if they were bills they would have to be recycled eventually and can then be exchanged for differnt (read NEW) bills. maybe no one knows about lower denoms because theres an intent such as above

Originally Posted by risktaker

its obvious. the principle behind PPP is the if the equal amount of the countries currency as measured against other currency was equal, then it had the equivalent purchasing power. example:

if a big mac in iraq cost 3000 dinar, and it the US it cost $3, then it is cheaper to buy a big mac in Iraq than in the US. it is based on current exchange rates not some hypothetical reason to justify a reval for the dinar. i have no idea why that was posted unless the person just had no idea what they were posting. it is a test to judge real exchange rates vs actual purchasing ability.

risktaker do you really know what you are talking about? If a big mac in Iraq cost 3000 dinar and in the US it cost $3 you say it is cheaper BUT that all depends on the value of the Iraqi dinar doesnt it? Lets say if the Iraqi dinar was valued at 1 dinar: $1 then it would obviously NOT be cheaper. I know you said it was based on current exchange rates.....
The whole point of the article is that eventually prices are going to effect the exchange rate of a local currency. And since the main currency for the world and especially for Iraq would be the US dollar then it would HAVE TO BE THE IRAQI DINAR to come into parity with the US dollar. If you dont think that study is significant to this investment then why are you here?

The simplest way to calculate purchasing power parity between two countries is to compare the price of a "standard" good that is in fact identical across countries. Every year The Economist magazine publishes a light-hearted version of PPP: its "Hamburger Index" that compares the price of a McDonald's hamburger around the world. More sophisticated versions of PPP look at a large number of goods and services. So the Iraqis must do something to fight inflation and the price of goods and services. And that is going to effect the dinar exchange rate. It is simple economics but you dont understand why it was posted????

The Republic of Iraq
Council of Ministers-the governmental communications
Media Relations
A press statement / Press Release
Thursday, 12-28-2006



In a speech on the anniversary of the formation of an Arab Parliament

Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies : the Iraqis are moving steadily towards the consolidation of the new political system and strengthen our national independence


The First Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Sheikh Khaled al-Attiyah : that the many risks and challenges and the great people, which is faced with rebuilding the nation and its political system has not Tthenh of gains and significant achievements in a short time.

This came in a speech celebrating the anniversary of the formation of an Arab Parliament in Cairo yesterday, and comes with the text of the speech :


The name of God the Merciful
Mr. Mohammed Jasim Al Saqr Prime Arab parliament
Ladies and gentlemen Member
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings

Let me starting to express my great pleasure to participate in this forum Koran, and I am pleased to convey to you the greetings of brothers and sisters, members of the Iraqi parliament, and wish you continued success.

Ladies and gentlemen present
This meeting is being held in conditions of political and security difficult and complex, social and economic conditions minutes reflected their repercussions on our reality directly, and today we face risks and challenges in light of rapid developments and new facts that cast a shadow over the Arab reality, in general, what we are witnessing today imbalance political and security in Iraq, Palestine and political crisis situations in Lebanon is only a result of such consequences that require us to stop and reflect and review of the diagnosis of the new reality accurately and objectively.

Ladies and gentlemen present
We in Iraq in the midst of these challenges, significant fluctuations, and after the democratic transition, which we have seen after the fall of the totalitarian system in the past, are steadily moving towards the consolidation of our new political undone on the basis of combining our national identity and belonging to our nation and our surroundings and the principles of democracy and human rights and on the basis of the federal government in which it has a collection of the people of Iraq and other regions of equal rights and equal opportunities.
At the time we move forward step by step, we take great care to ensure that those steps are based on strong national, according Zawabatt constitutional legitimacy and work to strengthen the ******* and national independence and liberation from all forms of foreign presence on our territory and our capabilities.

Ladies and gentlemen present
The risks and the many challenges and large faced people and is rebuilding the nation and its Statute on the above basis not Tthenh of gains and significant achievements in a short time.
The crowd came out that people Almlioneh own free will and under the conditions of security and economic extremely difficult and complicated to exercise their right to elect their representatives and put the legitimacy of the new political order in Iraq.
It has succeeded in expanding the scope of our political participation of the bench to stop all its ethnic, religious, sectarian and all trends and political trends.
This has been wonderful for fabric paints a microcosm of Iraq under the dome of the new parliament, which has the lead in the emergence of the national unity government, this government that the co-most parliamentary blocs representing various segments of society and influential in the Iraqi scene and in accordance with the entitlements and the national election, which today plays an important role in supporting the political process as well as the exercise of its legislative power and control.

Ladies and gentlemen Attendance
We have exposed experiment young democracy in Iraq to the savage attack in involving the terrorist groups obscurantism thinking, outlaw constants of Islam and ethics Arabism allying itself with the remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime ousted regime and the remnants of of its departments repressive established in some armed gangs, which are aimed at the killing of innocent people and raise the security anarchy and destruction of infrastructure and the theft of funds the state and the people, the hindering the efforts of the government the colossal which worked day and night in order to build and reconstruction of Iraq, and taken from Iraq a center for assault on its objectives and its nefarious designs and seek to make it arena for settling accounts and contesting the battles on its land and between the sons of the Division.

Ladies Sirs
That it on the occasion of the blessing and a precious opportunity that the we call on the common Arab position to for the adoption of policies cultural springs from sources of thought the Arab and Islamic creative to face the culture of violence, murder and rein in racial discrimination and sectarian, sectarian and a stop to the forced eviction of innocent citizens from their homes, etc. the contents of items and document Mecca. Tzafart on the liquefied and got out the efforts of Arab and Islamic Khaira and noble only an expression of the tender-Huda, and goodness which a rich endowment the sources that Islamic thought Al-Khalid Al-'s proposal to of brotherhood, tolerance and renunciation of Party and of Prohibiting the loss of humanitarian spirit whatever the Antmaouaha only the right.
At a time when we are facing the challenges of dealing with the forces of evil will start to invite all the national people of Iraq to participate in building the homeland, through national reconciliation initiative launched by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, which aims to reunification and strengthen ties and access to male and female national push towards political stability and the creation of a security and quiet living.
The Iraqi people, which ever seen fit to raise the efforts and mobilize energies in repelling terrorist attacks and acts of violence and waging a fierce war against it on behalf of the world and humanity, and provide for the enormous sacrifices, looked forward to the support of his brothers and his friends and stand with him in the same trench to face the forces of evil and shadows, and we know that the situation in Iraq stabilizes and the establishment of security in which the goal is not for Iraq alone, but would apply implications and ramifications on all the countries of the region Abrabih and regional strength of Iraq force to his brothers and neighbors. From this standpoint, we must find common solutions in order to lay the groundwork for solid understanding of the Arab and regional scale would pave the way for lasting peace based on the deal transparent and respect for human rights, will not be stability only convergence efforts and wills of Arab States and friendly countries seeking to defeat terrorism and the liquidation of the epicenter of the drying go.
The foregoing reinforces the vision of Iraq in the Arab world, the need to create a concerted manner, integrating the efforts of the Arab States and the right of development and progress in various spheres of life for the advancement of the Arab reality and advancement forward.
The pace of reform, reconstruction and reorganization destruction of life sought by Iraq calls us to utilize them within the areas of joint Arab cooperation particularly in the implementation of plans of construction and reconstruction explosive to be implemented in 2007. , Which represents the Thor major urban contributed to the strengthening of the House and the Iraqi government recently, and that Ptchriahma new investment law in the Iraqi bid to encourage investors from the non-Iraqis to secure their money exclusively in investments in Iraq and thus achieving sustainable development and economic integration of the Arab region in general and in its regional, and based on strategic partnerships based on the foundations of economic cooperation and integration between our sister without the competition and the scramble among them.
In spite of difficult circumstances undergone by and the ordeals plaguing us non - that all this did not affect the our commitment to the direction of our brothers and our sense of of concerns of our nation whether in Palestine and Lebanon, Darfur, or Somalia, where are following conditions with great interest and keen stressing the Our standing by the side of our brothers in Palestine in order to obtain their independence and building their independent state with holy Jerusalem as its capital, and we regret what is happening otherwise there between brothers and which negatively affects their legitimate in order to establish their independent state, and we also hope that the two brothers in Lebanon to the compromise solution that will among them the injectable shed, supports and stacking their unity. We call for a peaceful settlement to the Darfur problem in cooperation between the Sudanese government and the tribes, and also call for a peaceful solution between our Somali brothers and maintain the unity of their country.
Ladies and gentlemen present
From this rostrum, I am. I invite all the Arab Parliaments to the identification of experiment parliamentary in Iraq and Taidha, and support in all possible ways to be the Iraqi Parliament an essential and effective inside the Parliament Arabi which seeks a closer linkages Arab and the establishment of Arab regime that achieves Amani position themselves decent between nations and the reform of their political, economic and social, as we call upon the international community, Arab and international condemnation all criminal acts committed against the Iraqi people and stand clear and frank against what is happening of killing and expelling the Palestinians and the abduction of order feels the Iraqi people that he is part of this society To still in was nurtured. The nation Abrabih, Islamic and part him entitlement to the international community, and in this context renew our emphasis, and we were careful great concern for the unity of Iraq and maintenance of sovereignty and independence, and we also underline the keenness of all the political forces various orientations and affiliations build an Iraq that and one united, where all are equal in rights and duties. We are determined to support the national government and the rule of law and countless arms in the hands of the security services, which operate under the law and the Constitution, and the termination George militias and all armed manifestations that threaten the security of the homeland and would confuse the work of the State
Let me in conclusion to congratulate you on behalf of the Iraqi people and extending my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the passage of one year since the establishment of the Arab Parliament, this entity Boy which we hope will be a real breakthrough towards closer ties and achieve the aspirations of the Arab peoples who look to upgrade evolution, development and prosperity.
It is also a good opportunity to extend thanks and appreciation to the Arab Republic of Egypt, government and people for the hospitality of this conference, and the League of Arab States and its Secretary-General, Mr. Amr Moussa, for his tireless efforts and the efforts to serve the interests of our Arab peoples and the fateful issues and commendation to Mr. Speaker Urabi for his tireless work to make this project purposeful Shinafiyah and Muwaffaqiyah wish him every success. Every year, you are fine
May peace and God's mercy and blessings ...

Originally Posted by Pippyman

risktaker do you really know what you are talking about? If a big mac in Iraq cost 3000 dinar and in the US it cost $3 you say it is cheaper BUT that all depends on the value of the Iraqi dinar doesnt it? Lets say if the Iraqi dinar was valued at 1 dinar: $1 then it would obviously NOT be cheaper. I know you said it was based on current exchange rates.....
The whole point of the article is that eventually prices are going to effect the exchange rate of a local currency. And since the main currency for the world and especially for Iraq would be the US dollar then it would HAVE TO BE THE IRAQI DINAR to come into parity with the US dollar. If you dont think that study is significant to this investment then why are you here?

The simplest way to calculate purchasing power parity between two countries is to compare the price of a "standard" good that is in fact identical across countries. Every year The Economist magazine publishes a light-hearted version of PPP: its "Hamburger Index" that compares the price of a McDonald's hamburger around the world. More sophisticated versions of PPP look at a large number of goods and services. So the Iraqis must do something to fight inflation and the price of goods and services. And that is going to effect the dinar exchange rate. It is simple economics but you dont understand why it was posted????

at the current exchange rate it may not be cheaper to by a big mac in Iraq at those rates than in the US, it was completely hypothetical, and so were the rates. it is not a hypothetical comparison to complare the "hamburger index" as you call it when in my econ classes it was called a "big mac" index and it is also printed all of the time by that name on the Economist website. you can roll on the floor laughing all you want. it has nothing to do with what you "think" they must do, it is what is being done. i am basing somthing on first hand knowledge vs you saying they "must" do something.

here is some simple economics for you...the current exchange rate is 1325 dinar to the dollar. no hypothetical junk, like it is going to reval next tuesday. if today they exchange rate is 1325:1, at 3000 dinars a big mac is cheaper in Iraq than in the US at 2.99. the exchange rate matters of course, but we really dont know what a hamburger or big mac cost in Iraq, now do we.

what you say they "must" do is different that what is being done, which also affects the exchange rate