Thread: Archive News - Iraqi Dinar Think Tank - 28/03/10 - 21/06/10

Where will the new Iraqi government be formed?

Who will be the head of the new Iraqi government? This is a simple question which is on the tip of the tongue of every Iraqi today. But it is answer is not that clear and simple.

The reason is that there is no established and permanent authority or institution in Iraq to go to in order to settle the current divisive issue of who is legible to form the government.

There is no simple answer to whether the winner of the general elections or the bloc with largest number of deputies has the right to form the government.

The rounds of negotiation on this sticky issue are apparently more difficult than those which preceded the formation of the government in the aftermath of the 2005 general elections.

And the reason for the difficulty is not hard to trace. The latest elections have led to the emergence of a new political force with the means to prevent the division of the country and its people alongside sectarian lines. It is a force in which the majority of Iraqis have put their faith and their fate.

Those willing to know about the structure of the new Iraqi government, they should look at the place where negotiations for its formation are taking place. The negotiators are busy exhibiting what they have in their briefs not in Baghdad but in Tehran.

They all wait for what the Iranian officials will tell them about Tehran’s views on the new government and the new prime minister.

The Arabs have no place and influence in this despite all their commotion and summits. Even the U.S. has no hand to play.

The issue of Tehran having the say is no longer a secret and it is nothing that someone should be embarrassed about.

It seems that the country’s provincial councils have become more powerful, more respectful than our own government. Otherwise, how could one imagine that its ingredients are being prepared and cooked in Tehran and not Baghdad.

But the issue is not that easy and simple this time. This is why Tehran is so cautious. It understands that picking a prime for the new government may have very grave consequences.

The selection of the wrong person to lead the new Iraqi government will be a mistake for which Tehran will pay, and heavily this time.

It will take time for Iran to decide. It is not in a hurry. But indecision could be as dangerous as a rash decision.

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index...04-09\kurd.htm

Iraqi Kurds willing to export oil via national pipelines

Iraqi Kurds would not mind if the central government in Baghdad collected the proceeds emanating from the sale of oil produced in their semi-independent region, a senior Oil Ministry official said.

Oil Ministry Undersecretary Muatasim Ahmad said the new initiative had come from the Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani.

Barzani is the region’s top official and, according to Ahmad, he had briefed the central government of the new move.

Ahmad said a central government delegation was in Iraqi Kurdistan to finalize a deal.

He said under the deal the proceeds emanating from the sale of oil produced in the Kurdish region would go to central government coffers and which would eventually “be beneficial to the (Kurdish) region.”

The Kurds say they can produced up to 200,000 barrels of oil a day. They sparked Baghdad’s anger when they went ahead with their contracts with foreign firms without Oil ministry’s approval.

But the Kurds have been unable to export their oil as it needs to pass through the national pipelines which the central government controls.

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index...04-12\kurd.htm

Basra approves free trade-zone with Iran

Basra's Investment Commission granted a permission to start a free trade-zone area with Iran.

"The project was proposed by a local firm," a source from the commission told Aswat al-Iraq news agency on Tuesday.

He said that the firm will invest $16.2 million in the project over a period of 25 years.

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZA...%20with%20Iran

Iran and Saudi push for Iraqi influence as US draws down

Iran and Saudi Arabia are bolstering their influence in Iraq weeks after a closely-fought election while the United States becomes increasingly focused on a smooth military withdrawal, analysts say. The composition of Iraq's next government remains unclear after a March 7 ballot ended in stalemate but the clout of key neighbour countries has seen Baghdad politicians journeying to regional capitals to obtain their blessing.

"The effective and psychological withdrawal of the US opens the way to other actors," said Peter Harling, a Damascus-based analyst with the International Crisis Group, which studies conflict-torn nations.

"Until now the negotiations for the formation of the government were done in the Green Zone, the symbol of the American occupation. Now, it is being done, in part, in the capitals of neighbouring states," he said.

Ammar al-Hakim, chief of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC), Iraq's main conservative Shiite party, which has close ties with Iran, held talks on Tuesday with Saudi King Abdullah in Riyadh, a bastion of Sunni Islam. The meeting came as Iraq's Sunni Deputy Prime Minister Rafa al-Essawi, close to Iyad Allawi, the secular Shiite former premier whose Iraqiya bloc won last month's election, led a delegation to meet political leaders in Tehran. The March 7 elections left Allawi narrowly ahead of his rival and incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's State of Law Alliance, by 91 seats to 89. But neither has yet been able to piece together a governing coalition of at least 163 seats in Baghdad's new 325-seat parliament. Saudi Arabia has insisted it does not interfere in Iraqi politics, but critics allege it is more sympathetic to Allawi, who met with Abdullah on the eve of the election, than Maliki who failed to win favour with Riyadh during the past four years.

Hakim and Essawi's visits followed those of Iraq's Kurdish leaders, President Jalal Talabani, and Massud Barzani, head of the autonomous Kurdish region, who visited both Tehran and Riyadh in recent days, proving that the quest for regional backing is a key concern.

"There is a feverish racing towards Saudi and Iran," said Hamid Fadhil, a professor of political sciences at Baghdad University. "We haven't seen any of these politicians running to the US embassy or to Washington."

The approval of Tehran and Riyadh remains vital, he said.

"There will be no Iraqi prime minister without fingerprints from Iran or Saudi on him," Fadhil added. "The Saudi view differs from the Iranian view and Iraqi politicians are now concerned about how they reconcile their demands."

The formation of Iraq's government in 2005, two years after a US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein, was a compromise between the ambitions of Baghdad's new political elite and Washington's demand for "acceptable" leaders. Five years later, however, the US is increasingly concerned on ensuring that its combat troops leave Iraq by September ahead of a complete withdrawal at the end of 2011. The issue of regional influence, though, remains sensitive.

"We believe that the government will indeed be made in Iraq ... it won't be made in some neighbouring country," Christopher Hill, the US ambassador to Baghdad, told reporters at a briefing in the capital on April 10.

"We have made very clear that we will live with whoever the Iraqi people are prepared to live with. The issue that we all worry about is creating this new democracy in the Middle East ... there are not a lot of precedents," he said.

The recent invitations to Iraqi politicians also show that Iran and Saudi Arabia "view Iraq as an important playing field in their competition for regional power and prestige," and are anxious to protect the latter, according to Alireza Nader, an Iraq specialist at the Washington-based Rand Corporation.

"However, history has shown that Iran and Saudi Arabia (as major regional powers) are also careful not to let their rivalry boil over into overt conflict," Nader said."Hence, they are willing to tolerate political arrangements that are at least somewhat beneficial for both," he added.

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidAN...20draws%20down

Council of Ministers agrees to establish oil company

The Council of Ministers agreed on Tuesday on the proposal presented by the Oil Ministry to establish the Central Oil Company (COC) with a capital of 100 billion Iraqi dinars, according to the government's spokesman.

"The Council of Ministers agreed during its 15th session to set up the Central Oil Company in accordance with the Article III of the public companies law number 22 of 1997," Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZA...0oil%20company

Asiacell Launches an Unsurpassed Per Second Billing Offer in Iraq

As part of its dedication to providing premium offers at competitive prices

Asiacell - the largest private Iraqi company and the first and only m.obile telecommunications company to provide coverage for all of Iraq - announced the launch of its new service on the 11th of April 2010, which utilizes the per-second billing system as an optional alternative to the per-minute billing system. The new billing system charges subscribers per second starting from the first second at a competitive billing rate of IQD 1/second. This offer sets Asiacell apart from other telecom companies within the Iraqi telecom market in that it does not impose any additional fees on the first second of a call and allows subscribers to choose between subscribing to the per-minute billing offer or to switching to the new per-second billing offer.

The competitive offer presents both current and future prepaid subscribers of Asiacell with the opportunity to benefit from this competitive service by simply dialing 200 and following the voice instructions.

Asiacell's per-second billing offer builds on a previous offer that was launched by Asiacel last year that calculated call fees on a 10 second basis rather than a 1 minute basis. The launch of this new Per Second Billing Offer further reiterates Asiacell's interests to providing the best services that cater to the demands and needs of Iraqi citizens and are at par with the latest developments in the international telecommunications markets, world-class practices and international standards.

Current prepaid subscribers will be charged IQD 2/second for on-net calls, IQD 4/second for off-net calls, IQD 25 per on-net SMS, IQD 50 per off-net SMS, and IQD 125 per international SMS. As for Internet tariffs, subscribers will be charged at IQD 12 for every 10 kbps. Moreover, existing subscribers to the 10-seconds billing system will be automatically transferred to the per-second billing offer as per the prices listed above.

With regards to Asiacell's Youth Line billing rate, subscribers will be charged at IQD 2/second for calls made between the hours of 9am and 12 midnight, IQD 1/second for calls made between the hours of 12 midnight and 9am, and IQDs 4/second for off-net calls. Subscribers will be charged IQD 25 per SMS between 9am and 12 midnight, IQD 12 per SMS between 12 midnight and 9am, and IQD 125 per international SMS. As for Internet tariffs for this offer, subscribers will be charged at IQD 12 for every 10 kbps consumed between 9am and 12 midnight, and IQD 3 for every 10 kbps consumed between 12 midnight and 9am. New per-second billing subscribers will benefit from this offer once they activate their Youth or prepaid lines.

The Youth Line also offers subscribers a number of additional benefits including 100 free SMS messages, the ability to choose 5 numbers subjected to a reduced billing rate reaching IQD 1/second and a free monthly subscription to the Hali Service. It provides subscribers with a 75% discount on Internet subscription as well as a free subscription to the Bye-Bye Service, enabling them to block unwanted calls and SMSs from 5 numbers of their choice.

Commenting on this step, Mr. Faruk Mustafa Rasool, Asiacell's Chairman, said: "We pride ourselves at Asiacell on being at the forefront of organizations that provide Iraqis with value added services at competitive prices which are based on a deep understanding of the Iraqi market's needs. This commitment is in line with our vision to continue to offer the best services and maintain the trust of our subscribers, fulfilling our goal of remaining the number one choice for telecom services in Iraq. As a national company, we are deeply dedicated to contributing towards the development of the Iraqi economy and building a new Iraq."

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZA...er%20in%20Iraq

Minister of trade: the urge to adopt a new economic order

Commerce Minister Safa al-Din net that the country was an economic crisis package. Is not to adopt the economic system and a clearly defined sectors and manages the joints of the Iraqi economy. He pointed out that the last period left accumulations can take advantage of them now and in the future.

Safi said in his speech (economic morning): The investment objective of the need to be achieved, especially that the fiscal revenue would be unable to cover the needs necessary for the process of re-Banna and reconstruction. As.pired to by all Iraqis.

Noting that the country needs to large projects in the infrastructure sector and multi-joints. Industrial sector is suffering from neglect for decades, and has dropped considerably compared with the outside world. In the time it was difficult to bridge the gaps between Iraq and the industrial world unless Issaraly serious work in agreement with global investment companies large and efficient able to work in Iraq. Also, the agricultural sector to his brother often used the industry.

Because of a lag in the overall agricultural process. Where output fell dunum agricultural yields. Than it was decades ago. In addition to the vital tourism sector, which is always where the oil can be invested according to the plans will lead to bring substantial resources to the country during the days of the year without interruption. But this is need to activate the reality of services commensurate with the reality of tourism in the countries of the world.

Tourists need to Mnasip security environment and methods of transport and distinguished banking services. Indicating that the state can not at present advancement of all sectors, depending on oil imports. It makes us turn to foreign investment for growth in the productive sectors and other beneficiaries of productive transformation of the Iraqi economy and the reality of the former totalitarian to a free economy. Stressing the need for the participation of investment companies, National Investment Commission in determining the most important projects which it is working.

Net he said: There is a weakness found in many different government departments. This reflects the reality of negative automatic distribution of expenditures. Here, I must talk about the post-audit, which means that makes the Office of Financial Supervision by following the mechanisms for spending allocated to various sectors. Where there are laws that grant the Financial Inspection Office the right to control the implementation of the allocations, especially in the subject of contracts.

The objective of control is the principle of transparency in addition to the stand at the large halo to the issue of corruption. This type of control means the process of addressing financial and administrative corruption.
He pointed to the existence of laws and procedures capable of achieving effective treatments for corruption. When implemented effectively, a serious and professionally applied.

Safi said by saying: There are not clear mechanisms for the implementation of budgets. Link performance accountability. We mean here the performance of government departments, institutions and departments not associated with the Ministry and as a result there may be some bugs.

This is natural and happens in most countries of the world where there is a disciplined performance and there is an overflow, as well as the jurisprudence in performance. Here comes the role of censorship.

Diwan of financial control that is the role of surveillance records. If there are certain actions that contravene the rules of law and financial management and correct.

There are also services of the Inspector General's Chambers, which have a significant role in the process of correcting Almsair. Erroneous and contrary, especially in financial terms.

http://www.alsabaah.com/paper.php?so...age&sid=100725

Central Bank's decision to lift the last capital of the banks need to be revised

Says financial expert Resan insured member of the Federation of Iraqi mediators said the central bank's decision on the lifting of the last capital of the Iraqi banks as this is negative and is not encouraged in the current stage, particularly

The decision of the Iraqi Central Bank last raised capital of Iraqi banks to 250 billion Dinarepeshkl gradually over the next three years, a mixed reaction to the resolution, as it promised a lot of economic experts, a positive decision will contribute to the development of the general situation of the Iraqi banks in both its public and private sectors and activate the wheel of the national economy, As seen by others, including a negative taken in haste, without doing some initial assessment, such as thoughtful approval, which calls for a review him again to overcome the negatives that have been made in some of its clauses.

That the reality of the local bourse as it is not able to absorb trillions of three new shares at Alhadharvi the presence of a clear lack of liquidity in conjunction with the serious depletion of foreign currency from Iraqi Stock Exchange. He added that the IPO is usually distributed among the shares free and another is purchased in circulation or investor rate nominal is one dinar per share, often by taking the shares free and margin multiplier of the shares for money, while the displays the extra to the public, and the fact that it stands behind the decision is the same as trying to push banks to merge with each other is the composition of the largest banks, a trend the detriment of banks and their business will not be served by a large near-term. Had criticized Dr. Raed Saadi, a professor of Department of Banking and Management in the College of Mamoon University of the resolution, stressing that the lack of prior discussions with specialized agencies in this regard as a Securities and officials in the local bourse before the issuance of this decision greatly undermined the relationship between the central bank and that actors and added tension and constricting should have been avoided in order not to influence in the financial and economic reality which was tainted by a lot of confusion and disarray, and the resolution needed further review and study with traders in the stock market and investors.

As said, rolling in the Iraqi Stock Exchange Yahya al-Moussawi said the decision was positive because the banking sector suffers from several problems including weak capital of Iraqi banks, governmental and civil, which slows down a lot in the process of paying the Iraqi economy to free market economy and increase the growth of investments by and give him extra strength in the face of crises global economic and financial. He said much of Iraqi banks will not be able to raise its capital by about that much of what makes them resort to merge banks Akbar, Shi expected during the coming stage in the absence of movements strong by some banks to avoid problems or obstacles that Staatardha future in the face of the deficit in the financial lending and increase rates and functions and gain more customers, which contribute to the revitalization of its work in the end.

http://www.alsabaah.com/paper.php?so...age&sid=100724

Complete the final version of a statement for the integration of the Iraqi National coalitions and state law

Detect lead in the National Coalition Muhammad Naji al-Iraqi from the completion of the final version of a statement to be announced next Friday at the headquarters of the National Coalition, which includes the official announcement for the integration of a coalition of national and state law in order to form the largest parliamentary bloc, the House of Representatives next year.

Naji said in a statement Wednesday that coalitions held a series of meetings and dialogues, even to the late hours of the night to agree on common points and unify visions of the future in order to form the next government, which will include all the political components, including the Iraqi List. He added that the most important reasons that led us to postpone the announcement of this Agreement for the existence of some technical differences in some of the terms of the Declaration of integration, stressing that all the components of the National Coalition, led by the Sadrists have shown flexibility and the approval of a merger and we are involved in the deal, serious for us.

Nagy also denied that the visit of the President of the Supreme Council of Islamic al-Hakim to Saudi Arabia to do with the question of integration or coalitions on the form the next government, noting that Mr. Hakim believes that the issue of government formation is purely an internal affair. He concluded Nagy saying we want to really open with all neighboring countries and the Arab countries and we are working to restore Arab ties with Iraq, but not at the expense of interventions in the internal affairs of the country, but on the basis of an exchange of views and building bridges with our surroundings Arab and Islamic world, noting that we want to Nthbt to the world that Iraq is not as in time of the dictatorial regime, but became a democratic system seeks to achieve stability in the region

http://www.nasvoice.net/index.php?act=artc&id=1100

League proposes to conduct a "lottery" to name a prime minister

Suggested that the Liberal leadership in the mass of the Sadrist movement Maha league draw for the winning candidate blocks in the elections for prime minister in the case of the arrival of the talks on naming its candidate to a standstill.

She said that "the insistence of blocs to nominate their candidates causes the heart to go the lives of the Iraqi people, and the draw between the candidates that would lift the political process in serious trouble, and to spare the country the violence, which warned of some politicians."

She added: "Islam is the official state religion is a basic source of legislation in Islam is the solution drawn for each problem," she said.

And stressed the need for periodic amendment of Article 76 of the Constitution, said: "We must amend this article only can be explicitly is the biggest bloc, which has the right to form the government, in order not to repeat this scene troubled the forthcoming parliamentary elections."

http://www.uragency.net/index.php?aa=news&id22=6397