Thread: Archive News - Iraqi Dinar Think Tank - 22/06/2010 - 04/10/2010

War general says US exit from Iraq on track

Baghdad's political troubles won't keep American troops from leaving the country as planned at the end of 2011, the military's top commander in Iraq said Wednesday.

Gen. Raymond Odierno told reporters that the Iraqi security forces are doing much of the work already and that security has improved significantly since 2006 when an "almost civil war" gripped the nation.

Odierno says U.S. forces haven't needed to conduct airstrikes in at least six months and that Americans are mostly operating as advisers to Iraqi forces. Al-Qaida fighters in Iraq have been cut off from their leadership in Pakistan, he said.

"There has been steady, deliberate progress across all lines," Odierno said. "There's clearly more to do, but a new baseline has been established."

Iraq's political parties have been unable to form a new government since March, when elections failed to produce a clear-cut winner.

Former premier Ayad Allawi, who heads the heavily Sunni-backed Iraqiya coalition, won 91 seats compared with 89 for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's coalition. But neither won the 163-seat majority necessary to govern.

Odierno told reporters Wednesday that he would be concerned if the political issue isn't resolved by October.

"They will get there. Whether it happens next week or two months from now, I don't know yet," he said.

There are 70,000 U.S. troops in Iraq - fewer than half the total a year ago. The number is expected to drop to 50,000 by Sept. 1.

Odierno said it is likely that 50,000 troops will stay in Iraq through summer 2011, when the U.S. begins drawing down to meet Obama's requirement that all troops are gone by the end of that year.

Odierno said a major concern in the months to come will be protecting the Sons of Iraq, the Sunni tribesmen credited with turning the war around after they revolted against al-Qaida.

Odierno promised that the U.S., working through the Iraqi government, "will ensure that the Sons of Iraq program stays vibrant inside of Iraq."

So far, the U.S. has turned over some 500 bases to the Iraqis. The U.S. equipment used during the war has either been sent back to the United States or is en route to Afghanistan, he said.

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/07/20/...esence-in.html

Assigned the work of Zaha Hadid designs for the new Central Bank building

Council of Ministers approved in its meeting held on Tuesday, among other resolutions, where he agreed to assign the Iraqi Zaha Hadid architectural design of the new Central Bank building and the allocation of 3 billion to complete the reconstruction of a revered imam, Mohammed bin Ali al-Hadi «p».

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh in a statement issued by his office said "The cabinet agreed to a CBI commissioned Ms. Hadid architecture to carry out preliminary design and detailed engineering and supervision for building the new Central Bank of Iraq".

Dabbagh said in a statement issued by his office that "the Council also agreed to an allocation for the organizations in the oil-producing provinces of the amount of petro dollars, while other provinces are based to effect transfers from the budget of developing regions to provide the required amount in the case could not be allocated the amount is approaching the Council of Ministers".

http://www.alesbuyia.com/inp/view.asp?ID=14611

Kurds have no right to export own oil, says minister

Oil produced in the Kurdish region will have to be shipped abroad through SOMO, Iraq’s oil export arm, said Oil Minister Husain al-Shahristani. Shahristani said he has asked for a delegation from the Kurdish regional government to visit Baghdad in yet another attempt to solve outstanding issues. He made the remarks following reports that the Kurds were exporting their oil to Iran in violation of central government rules.

Iraqi Kurds have retorted by accusing unidentified factions in the central government of stealthily exporting up to 100,000 barrels a day to Iran. Shahristani said he would ask the Kurdish delegation to produce evidence of their allegations. The minister said SOMO and his ministry have not been notified by Kurds regarding their oil exports to Iran.

The Kurds, through foreign assistance, have developed several fields in their region and say they are capable of exporting up to 100,000 barrels of oil a day. But Baghdad has denied them access to national pipelines, saying the royalties should be diverted to national coffers, the thing which the Kurds refuse to do.

Meantime, international oil majors with contracts to develop Iraqi oil fields, have yet to start operations due to delays in granting visas to their technicians and shipping equipment to the country. Shahristani acknowledged the delays but said his ministry was coordinating with the Interior Ministry to remove the hurdles.

“Delays are expected because we are dealing with a gigantic project, which is the world’s largest,” he said.

The project aims to gradually boost Iraqi oil output to more than 12 million barrels a day in six years.

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index...07-21\kurd.htm

Maliki urges Iranian companies to invest in Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called on Iranian companies on Wednesday to contribute in the reconstruction operations in Iraq, according to a statement of his office.

“This came during al-Maliki’s meeting with Iranian Ambassador in Baghdad, Hussein Qomi, at the end of his term in the country,” said the statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“The premier underlined Iraq’s keenness to develop relations with all neighboring countries, including Iran,” the statement added.

He urged Iranian companies to contribute in the reconstruction operations and to invest in Iraq.

The ambassador asserted his country’s support to the political process and efforts exerted by the Iraqi government to strengthen security and stability in the country.

http://en.aswataliraq.info/?p=134743

Tough decisions against oil traffickers

The oil ministry issued on Tuesday tough decisions against oil derivatives traffickers, in addition to tightening surveillance at oil plants and warehouses, according to spokesman of the ministry.

“The oil ministry issued tough and strong decisions against oil derivatives traffickers,” Essam Jehad told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“The ministry coordinates with security authorities and border guards to prevent all kinds of trafficking, in addition to tightening surveillance at oil plants and warehouses,” he added.

http://en.aswataliraq.info/?p=134712

President of the National Commission for Investment : Calls Korean companies to enter the Iraqi market and to participate in the investment process

The Chairman of National Commission for Investment Sami Alaargiacharkat all Korean to enter the Iraqi market through direct investment or investment partnerships with public and private sectors of Iraq to participate in the investment process that currently exist in Iraq.

This came during chaired a series of meetings between the public and private sectors of Iraq and the Korean delegation which is visiting Iraq at the invitation of the National Commission for Investment and includes (15) business people representing (8) companies from the major Korean companies and international terms of reference are different, indicating that the meetings were intense and productive relationship between The two sides and included a discussion of investment opportunities in various sectors including (electricity, oil and gas, industry, housing and transport).

He Araji that the delegation represents companies Korea to attend the Global Distinguished including (Daewoo highest level in Daewoo Engineering and Construction and Daewoo International trade and investment, Samsung Electronics Company, Korea National Oil Company, GS, SK Telecom to build and by SK Energy), stressing that the establishment of such so Type of partnership after a long break did not come easily, as this delegation had been evaluated highly by the government during their meeting the State of Prime Minister Nuri al -Maliki, who in turn, stressed the importance of the entry of Korean companies in all disciplines and economic sectors in Iraq.

And explained that the significant achievements made during this visit is to hold a direct meeting between the Iraqi private sector and the Korean delegation, expressed hope that private investment to this opportunity to establish partnerships, investment and economic in the various sectors and benefit the Iraqi businessmen of the Korean know at work, Because large-scale projects in Iraq need to know the economic and financial resources and that two things are available to the Korean side.

http://www.ipairaq.com/index.php?nam...onomy&id=28025

Shaways chair a meeting of the Ministerial Committee for the Protection of Iraq's money abroad

Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Nuri al-Shaways ministerial meeting of the Committee on the Status of mechanisms to ensure the protection of Iraq's money abroad.

A statement from the Information Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the agency received the independent press (Iba) a copy of which was attended by Alajtmaasadp the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice and the Governor of Central Bank and the President of the Board of Supreme Audit Advisor to the Prime Minister the legal and the Under-Ministry of Planning and Central Bank Deputy Governor and a political advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister.

The statement said during the meeting was to discuss the results of discussions conducted by the Iraqi government delegation and the Committee financial experts during the meeting of the UN Security Council which was held in New York on 12 July.

The international meeting devoted to Astmaaly report by the Government of Iraq and the report of the Committee of Financial Experts to the report of the Secretary General of the United Nations on the actions and attitudes which have been achieved by the Iraqi government to pave the way for the protection of Iraqi funds abroad after the end of this year, Iraq would emerge from Chapter VII.

The statement noted that during the meeting, hear about the progress made by the Government in completing the remaining contracts of the oil for food program, and compensation and debt owed by Iraq during the former regime has shown the international players related to the appreciation of the seriousness made by the Iraqi government in addressing these important files.

It contains the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations a lot of positive signals result of actions and Iraqi positions except the period that followed the submission of its first last April.

The statement continued, the Commission agreed on the need to continue the government procedures and the application of the ministries which have contracts controversial after the oil for food program to accomplish what is required of them soon as possible before the submission of new report to the Security Council first and to be submitted in September. Indicating also discussed the Ministerial Committee on the outcome of meetings and discussions conducted by the The Iraqi delegation with experts alternate members of the UN Security Council, which focused on debt and discuss the issue of compensation and financial claims and legal proceedings relating thereto.

It should be noted that the Iraqi delegation said during his meetings on the need for participation and support of the international community to Iraq through the scale and address outstanding problems because of their negative impact on economic and security situation in Iraq and the regional level.

http://www.ipairaq.com/index.php?nam...onomy&id=28039

Iraqi Central Bank confirms its intention to delete the three zeroes from the currency

The Central Bank of Iraq that he was serious in the application of deleting three zeros from the national currency in the near future. Bank adviser said the appearance of Mohammed Saleh, said that it depends at the present time to form the next Iraqi government and parliament two new Siokman on them, determining the mechanism under which the application of the deletion of zeros from the Iraqi currency.

The question being debated widely about how successful this step in improving the Iraqi economy, says Chancellor valid in an interview with Radio Free Iraq that the deletion of zeros will contribute to reduce the size of inflation and reduce the size of the money supply in the Iraqi market of 26 trillion dinars to approximately 25 billion dinars, indicating that the Kurdish language to be added to the new currency as well as Arabic and English.

The consultant said that for the large number of money circulating in the Iraqi market has led to a confusion in trading large commercial transactions, the work of the banks, noting that deleting three zeros from the Iraqi dinar will to reform the management system of the national currency, thus improving and revitalizing the Iraqi economy.

However, the economic expert, Salim al-Jubouri varies with the central bank adviser believes that the deletion of zeros from the Iraqi currency will not necessarily lead to improved national economy, but on the contrary may cause additional confusion in the local market, calling at the same time the Iraqi government to go to support market stability and the national currency allowance and replace it with a new value of another currency.

http://www.iraqhurr.org/content/article/2107013.html

Zain plans to sell its license in Iraq and leave the torrent most interested in buying

An official source with Zain Iraq Telecom, unveiled the negotiations carried out by the Kuwaiti company Zain mother, with foreign parties for the sale of its license in Iraq, in order to preserve its financial position in the global market.

The source, who requested anonymity for lack of authorization to declare, to the world that the parent company in deciding to dismiss a number of department managers in Zain Iraq grounds that reduce operating expenses.

The source added that the sale began negotiations with a company, Turkey, Bangladesh, weighted by the arrival of the negotiations until the final stages of agreement with Turkish Türk torrent.

He attributed the source ventured Zine on the sale of its license in Iraq to its desire to reduce the repercussions of the global financial crisis that still effects hit the telecom market.

http://radionawa.com/Ar/NewsDetailN....179&LinkID=155

British company - Canadian willing to implement oil projects in Basra

An official company Top Oil Field Canadian British competent oil and petrochemical, on Thursday, said his company was ready to start the implementation of maintenance projects derrick towers and oil energy in Basra, during a meeting between representatives of the company with the Governor of Basra Cltag Abboud.

The Regional Director for Top Oil Field Ahmed improve Maaleh told Kurdistan News (Akaniwz) "The company has shown willingness to set up maintenance projects derrick towers and oil energy in Basra, the fact that the company has considerable experience in the use of oil energy and maintenance of the towers."

The Maaleh "This is the first time we have entered for projects in Basra, which will provide employment opportunities, transport and foreign currency."

For his part, said a spokeswoman for the governor of Basra Salem met for (Akaniwz) said, "were discussed proposals for construction projects for the maintenance of towers, drilling towers and oil energy with Top Oil Field Canadian British, and we are ready to cooperate with the company in the event opened an office in the city, and can be Provide facilities for the company through the provision of land suitable manner and in cooperation with the rental property the state."

He met, "it was announced 40 projects to develop the oil industry in Basra, out of 400 global companies began flocking to Basra for some investment opportunities and to win one of those projects."

The province of Basra (550 km south of Baghdad) of the province, the prolific oil production, as output amounts to more than a million and a half million barrels per day.

http://www.aknews.com/ar/aknews/2/166546/