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

Uncertainty in Iraq

Fully five months after voters cast their votes in Iraq's second general election, they are still without a government.

The inability of the country's squabbling politicians to agree on a coalition is a matter of concern for Iraq's friends.

The facts on the ground are all too clear. It is how Iraq's political leaders choose to live with them that is causing increased anxiety. After outgoing Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki's fruitless challenge to some of the results, the moderate Sunni-Shiite coalition led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi remains by a small margin the biggest single electoral winner. However, it was clear from the outset that whoever emerged as the largest political group would have to reach an accommodation with other parties in order to form a workable government.

Yet, despite months of negotiations and argument, no other party bosses have decided to throw their support behind Allawi. Instead, there have been flailing attempts to put together a rival coalition among less moderate Shiite parties.

Thus Iraq staggers on with Maliki's government fulfilling a caretaker role while the important business of passing new legislation on issues affecting the day-to-day living of the people awaits the first assembly of the new Parliament under a new government.
There are two clear dangers here. The first is already manifest. The power vacuum continues to be exploited by those who are opposed to the American occupation with bombings and murders. The bloodshed may not be on the scale of the past, but as the police and security forces battle with them, they carry the disheartening knowledge that they are acting in the name of a political process that is proving itself spectacularly incoherent or incomprehensible to outsiders.

The second danger is perhaps less well appreciated. It is that Iraqis will become used to living without a government and will fall even further back upon the support and resources of their different communities. Though in some respects this may not be a bad thing, we should not forget that Iraq is a country deeply polarized by war and occupation. In such a situation it is easy for anybody -- the occupying authorities, disgruntled Iraqis or neighbors -- to sharpen the divisions between the communities and with these schisms, the death squads will return to the streets, butchering innocent individuals purely because they come from a different confessional or ethnic background.

When the American occupation really ends, Iraqis should be able and ready to grasp their destiny once again in both hands. If Iraqis are seen incapable of forming a working coalition government when foreign troops are still on their soil, that will only strengthen the hands of those who argue that the US withdrawal should be condition-based.
Has all the bloodshed, death and destruction counted for so little? Why are Iraq's politicians still pursuing narrow ambitions for power? Why are they not acting as they should be, for the good of all Iraqis, regardless of faction? Or is there something which outsiders and even a majority of Iraqis don't know?

© Arab News 2010

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZA...ty%20in%20Iraq

Top Iraq oil meeting in Istanbul in October

BP says work on Rumaila oil field progressing well

The exploration of Iraq's rich oil and gas fields will be under the spotlight during a top meeting of oil executives and Iraqi energy regulators in Istanbul in October as global companies that have won contracts prepare to start the development of various fields.
The programme director of Iraq Future Energy 2010, Claire Pallen, says "with the recent awarding of rights to develop various oil and gas fields in Iraq the world's oil and gas executives now await the formation of the government bodies following the recent general elections as well as the eagerly awaited third licensing round that is scheduled for September. Top representatives from global oil giants as well as lawmakers from Iraq will meet in October to prepare for the road ahead with regards to the short to medium term development of Iraq's oil and gas sector".

Rumaila progressing well
In 2009, British oil company BP won the first round license bid with China's CNPC, to start the development of the Rumaila oil field. BP Iraq's President Michael Townshend says much has been achieved since the contract became effective six months ago: "the Joint Management Committee has been formed and is meeting regularly with partners of South Oil CompanySouth Oil Company (SOCSOC), PetroChina and SOMO. Along with the initial production rate, the annual work programme and budget was approved early on. Key contracts have been awarded and plans are in place to double the activity in the field towards the end of the year. Key appointments have been made at the senior and team leader level and from July the Rumaila Operating Organisation will be established which will run the Rumaila field."

Opportunities for Iraqi companies
One of the largest direct employment and training opportunities will come through the more than 3000 SOCSOC staff that are transferred into the Rumaila Operating Organisation which will run the field. Says Michael Townshend: "In addition and from the start Iraqi companies will have the opportunity to participate. Recently the Iraq Drilling Company won the tender for the supply of rigs and associated services for the field. In addition the Base camp being constructed is mostly through Iraqi companies."

The BP Iraq President says that for now Rumaila is the company's main priority in that country: "This is a giant field and worthy of our full attention. We are a long term partner of Iraq and although we have other activities in the country, and will always look for other opportunities, the Rumaila field rightly deserves our foremost focus," says Michael Townshend.

High-level speakers at Iraq Future Energy 2010 include:

His Excellency Thamir Al Ghadhban, Chairman, Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister of Iraq, Former Oil Minister

Michael Townshend, President Iraq, BP

Dr Abdul Hadi Al Hassani, Vice Chairman, Oil and Gas Committee, Iraqi Parliament

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, Executive Chairman, IBBC (Iraq Britain Business Council)

Mounir Bouaziz, Vice President Commercial, New Business, LNG, Middle East and North Africa, Shell EP International.

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZA...n%20October%20

U.S. commander in Kirkuk : our troops would remain in Kirkuk without any change

An official with the American forces in the city of Kirkuk, on Wednesday, U.S. forces in Kirkuk will remain on the current status unchanged despite the continuation of its withdrawal in many provinces of Iraq, and Prime reconstruction team of Kirkuk, said the U.S. commitments in Iraq will remain steady, pointing out that relations will not end, but Will change its nature.

The official said American forces in the city of Kirkuk, Colonel Ccormer (CORMIER) in an interview with an agency (Voices of Iraq) that "there is good cooperation between the components of Kirkuk different, as evidenced by the security and stability and a favorable situation in the city," noting that at the time "to withdraw troops American and some Iraqi provinces, the shrinking number of troops in Kirkuk will remain unchanged at this time, and there is no change to it."

And on the vision of the situation in Kirkuk, "It shows we are trying to create problems within the city of Kirkuk, they are not from the people of Kirkuk, but from outside the county Vohale Kirkuk indigenous to their cooperation with each other leading to the establishment of security and stability, they are keen on the security of their city."

Meanwhile, the head of Kirkuk province reconstruction team and the representative of the U.S. embassy where Fletcher Burton that "U.S. relations with Iraq will be long term and will continue even after the date of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq."

He added that "Military forces will withdraw, but the U.S. commitment in Iraq will remain a solid and stable," noting that "relations will not end but will change its nature, this is very important, relations will be on the civil part of the agreement between the two sides."

The Burton that "U.S. policy in Iraq the policy of transparent and very clear, the basic objective is to build a strong relationship long term with the Iraqis," noting that "civil relations areas include educational and health, technological, commercial, cultural and many other sectors that will focus and efforts For development."

Is set to pull U.S. troops from Iraq by August 31 to leave the current strength of 50 000 troops in the country to the end of next year, after eight years of US-led war which toppled the former regime.

http://radionawa.com/ar/NewsDetailN....117&LinkID=151

Shahristani, discussing issues of oil and gas with Deputy Iranian Oil Minister

Discuss Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, the deputy oil minister and chairman of the National Iranian Gas Jawad Ogi in the presence of the new Iranian Ambassador to Iraq, Hassan Danaii, a number of issues of common concern, including joint oil fields and line pipe Iranian gas to Syria Across Iraqi territory, as well as install the boundary markers.

A statement of the Ministry of Oil Iraq, the agency received a copy of our house, the minister expressed Iraq's readiness to facilitate the task of the Iranian gas pipeline to Syria over Iraqi territory.

The statement, Dr. Shahristani would urge the Iranian side, the necessity of activating the bilateral meetings of committees to resolve the issue of boundary pillars installed in accordance with the agreed geographical references in order to preserve the natural borders of both countries, territorial integrity and the need to resolve talks joint oil fields as soon as possible.

With regard to the construction of a pipeline for Iranian gas across the territory of Iraq, Shahristani said "do not have anything to facilitate the laying of gas pipeline across the territory of Iraq to Syria and access to the sea," White said, adding that he will be technical committees from both sides to examine the project line Siralnbub with regard to Iraq.

And on the other, according to the statement he called on Iranian companies are eligible to participate in the competition for the rehabilitation of infrastructure, if they meet the conditions necessary to deliver on such projects.

For his part, expressed his support for the OGE issues raised by the minister, adding that the meetings between representatives of the joint technical committees of both countries is ongoing and has yielded good results.

He added, "we are in contact with the ministry through the holding of periodic meetings of the Joint Commission," pointing out that there is common ground with the Iraqi side to reach a compromise solution to all outstanding issues between the two sides.

He also expressed his readiness to supply Iraq gas to run electric power plants hello any Iraqi delegation to visit Iran in this regard, according to the statement.

http://iraq-beituna.net/show.php?sho=22371

White House: U.S. military advance in accordance with the deadlines for ending the hostilities in Iraq mission

The White House announced that the U.S. military advance in accordance with the deadlines for ending his combat in Iraq by the end of this month.

This came on the tongue, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs at the end of a meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and senior officials on the situation in Iraq.

President Barack Obama has gathered Wednesday morning, his national security team of civilians and military personnel to discuss the situation in Iraq less than three weeks ahead of schedule to end the combat mission of U.S. forces in Iraq, at a time not so far form a government in Iraq after five months Legislative elections.

Is due to end U.S. military, which currently publishes about 64 000 troops in Iraq, his combat in Iraq at the end of this month, according to the roadmap announced by Obama when he assumed the presidency in early 2009.

It is supposed to be completed and the U.S. military to withdraw its soldiers remaining in Iraq after this date and the 50 thousand by the end of 2011.

http://www.radiodijla.com/cgi-bin/ne...-11%2019:49:42

Economists warn of Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization

Warned a number of economists from Iraq's accession to the WTO because of its serious implications because of the limited activity sectors of the country and the inability to compete with foreign goods, which will turn Iraq into a country the consumer.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in a statement that meeting the fourteenth of the Supreme National Committee for Employment, chaired by Labour Minister Mahmoud al-Sheikh Radhi discussed the reality of foreign labor, and Iraq's accession to the WTO and reflected the reality of work in Iraq.

He called the meeting which was attended by deputy ministers and members of the Committee and representatives of the ministries and the General Federation of Trade Unions in Iraq and the Iraqi Industries Union to the need not for Iraq to join the WTO this serious implications because of the limited activity sectors of the country and the inability to compete with goods and foreign goods, which will turn Iraq into a country Consumer and Edmralsnaap national and contribute to the increase of unemployment.

http://radionawa.com/ar/NewsDetailN....166&LinkID=155

Azwaini : political blocs seeking to resolve the crisis, a compromise candidate and prime minister

A member of the Iraqi National Coalition, Bushra Azwaini that what is happening now, is a quad dialogues between the political blocs to resolve the crisis in the formation of the government to reach a "consensus candidate and prime minister."

This came in a statement to Sogni moved official site of the Islamic Virtue Party on Thursday, saying it did not and there are red lines on the party on any one, not qualify for any candidate for prime minister, referring to "put a new name as a candidate settlement in the National Alliance."

The Azwaini that negotiations between the blocs four winning "was well under way", indicating that gets the votes that qualify him to form a government through the establishment of alliances, "Fliscklha", saying the initiative, launched by the Islamic Virtue Party is "the perfect solution to this issue," noting That this is a "clustering together blocks the winning quartet under the roof of the Government of national partnership, and sit down and agree among themselves to form a government."

Azwaini stressed the need "not to cling to a single candidate for prime minister, and have the mechanism for the nomination of Prime Minister admissibility of all clusters."

She Azwaini that's what the recent political postponed Declaration National Party candidate for prime minister, noting that the National Coalition "was agreed on the personality of a particular candidate for prime minister," but recent developments have made the coalition "is taking its move", indicating "that the candidate would be acceptable to all political blocs parliamentary".

http://iraq-beituna.net/show.php?sho=22403

Sources: Allawi, Iraq will live in London, in the absence of his tenure as Prime Minister

Sources familiar with the part of the conditions of the existing Iraqi Interior Iyad Allawi has said on more than one occasion that in the absence of tenure as prime minister, it will leave Iraq completely and lives in London.

The source, who stipulate that not to be named for security reasons and political (as described) for the independent press agency said several leaders of the Iraqi List picked up such a position occasions degrees, especially when there is an atmosphere of frustration and weak position of the Iraqi National List in the process of negotiating with other blocs.

He stressed that the President of the Reconciliation Movement, showing great concern over the situation in Iraq, which has led to great resentment of the political blocs, especially since Allawi took in some cases by firing offensive remarks about political opponents. (by source).

The source added that this matter is starting to be a source of great concern to the leaders close to Allawi, and the fear of having to leave Iraq at this juncture.

He said Allawi, he became convinced of the dwindling opportunity his candidacy for prime minister, he also convinced that the partners in the list will not Erahoh any other office in the case of not being able to convince the political blocs to his job as prime minister.

The source said that the atmosphere in the Iraqi List, dominated by resentment of much of mismanagement of the files list, and the establishment of Allawi rounded people seeking a strong desire to acquire a rapid gains in the belief that the atmosphere is not going for Allawi, and the future of the menu is towards fragmentation and disintegration and disharmony it.

He said the numbers that it paid a sum of the list members, the direction of thinking to the restructuring of the Iraqi List, again keeping in mind the President directed that the list has become a source of concern for the rest of the blocks from which formed the Iraqi National List. (he said).

Mr Allawi said more than once, his willingness to withdraw his candidature for the post of prime minister, but would retain the existing right to form a government, while insisting members of the state of law and the Iraqi National addition to the Kurds that the government is headed by a candidate for the National Coalition made up of coalitions.

http://www.ipairaq.com/index.php?nam...itics&id=28912

Sea Science: Iraq is committed to pay reparations to Kuwait

Iraq's ambassador to Kuwait, Mohammad Hussein Bahr al-Ulum, said Iraq was committed to pay compensation, which resulted in a decision of the Security Council, adding that the issue of debt are the benefits of Kuwait during a certain period and registered for Iraq and this is an issue between the two countries.

The newspaper quoted Qabas on Thursday, on the Sea of Sciences as saying, "We should differentiate between debt and damages and court decisions, Damages committed and yet to be paid, which resulted in a decision of the UN Security Council and claims by private bodies and government have been approved but have now reached 30 billion and 22 billion left," adding: "But the debt issue is the benefits of Kuwait during a certain period and registered for Iraq and this is an issue between two states."

The file includes Iraqi-Kuwaiti relations a lot of outstanding issues, notably the compensation paid by the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1991, and the position of Kuwait from Iraq would emerge from Chapter VII of the UN, as well as the demarcation between the two countries and the remains of missing Kuwaitis during the Iraqi invasion.

He said the Iraqi ambassador, "The problems between the two countries Vtm Recombination by the decision of the Court, including the issue of Kuwait Airways," adding that "Iraqi Airways did not take any action because of the weakness of the legal role."

"The solution is to be sitting at the table of the two companies and one away from entering the two problems and away from the influence in connection with the two countries."

The Iraqi cabinet decided to liquidate and the elimination of Iraqi Airways, offer for sale to companies eligibility with the abolition of all administrative formations associated with the company, as it applies to Kuwait Airways, Iraqi Airways awarding of substantial damages against the takeover of the former regime in 1991 to ten aircraft and destroy Airport Kuwait Airways.

He Uloum According to the newspaper that "what is happening bloody clashes because of war are beginning to enter into treaties and peace," he said between Kuwait and Iraq is the beginning of a new era, it is hard to grasp the issues of small and come back to the big issues of the past must be overcome These events in order to move forward."

http://radionawa.com/Ar/NewsDetailN....197&LinkID=155

Oil Minister : Iraq will provide facilities to extend the natural gas pipeline to Syria

Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, Thursday, on Iraq's readiness to facilitate the construction of a pipeline for Iranian gas to Syria through the Iraqi territory, at the same time urging Iran to activate the bilateral meetings of committees to settle the issue piling border.

The statement said the Ministry of Oil Shahristani met with Deputy Iranian Oil Minister Jawad Ogi and the new Iranian Ambassador to Iraq, Hassan Danaii , and the two sides discussed a range of issues of common concern, including joint oil fields and line pipe Iranian gas to Syria through the Iraqi territory, as well as installing border markers.

The minister expressed the statement said Iraq's readiness to facilitate the task of construction of a pipeline for Iranian gas to Syria through the Iraqi territory, leading to the sea," White said, adding that technical committees from both sides will "discuss the project and route of the pipeline with regard to Iraq."

He urged the Iranian side, "the necessity of activating the bilateral meetings of committees to resolve the issue of border pillars installed in accordance with the agreed geographical references, and preserves the natural borders of both countries, territorial integrity and the need to resolve talks joint oil fields as soon as possible."

On the other hand minister called "Iranian companies are eligible to participate in the competition for the rehabilitation of infrastructure, if they meet the conditions necessary to deliver on such projects."

For his part, President of the Iranian delegation, according to the statement "support of the issues raised by the minister, adding that meetings between representatives of the joint technical committees of both countries is ongoing and has yielded good results."

He added, "we are in contact with the ministry through the holding of periodic meetings of the Joint Commission," pointing out that there is "common with the Iraqi side to reach a compromise solution to all outstanding issues between the two sides."

He expressed his willingness to "supply Iraq gas to run electric power plants," hello any Iraqi delegation "visit to Iran in this regard."

http://radionawa.com/Ar/NewsDetailN....175&LinkID=155