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Associated Press

Saturday, April 7, 2007 (Baghdad)

Ministers from Iraq's neighbouring countries, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and industrialised nations will hold a meeting in Egypt early next month to discuss the situation in Iraq.

The meeting, which was supposed to be held in Turkey, follows an international conference held in Baghdad last month in which Iran held direct talks with the United States for the first time in years.

The ministers will hold the meeting in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik on May 3-4.

''This conference aims to bring neighbouring countries, superpowers and industrialized nations together to help improve Iraq's security and stability and shoulder their responsibilities in this regard,'' Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said.

''It also aims at easing territorial tension through encouraging dialogue and contact between international parties and Iraq's concerned neighbours,'' he added.

''There is a feeling of how dangerous the situation is and a feeling of rising regional tension that negatively affects the situation in Iraq. There is a big willingness from neighbouring countries to try help in solving the problem,'' he said.

Hinting that there might be additional meetings between US and Iranian officials, Zebari said: ''I won't rule out bilateral talks between participating countries. The Baghdad conference was a starting point and was an attempt to break the ice.''

Zebari did not say why his government chose to hold the upcoming meeting in Egypt rather than in Turkey.

But he said the decision ''had nothing to do with any lack of confidence, as we highly appreciate our relations with Turkey.''

Another international Iraq summit would be held simultaneously in Egypt to sign the Iraq Compact - a five-year plan that requires the Iraqi government to enact key political and economic reforms as it moves toward financial self-sufficiency and economic integration.

Last month, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hosted a conference at UN headquarters for nearly 100 envoys and urged international support for the Iraq Compact.

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The Iraqi government has agreed to a new meeting between its neighbours and world powers in Egypt next month in a bid to help stabilise the country, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Saturday.
.
"The Iraqi government agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting of Iraq neighbouring countries, plus the G5 (UN Security Council veto-wielding permanent members) and G8 (most industrialised nations) in Egypt, most probably in Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3 and 4," Zebari told a Baghdad news conference.
.
The aim of the meeting would be to engage Iraq's neighbours constructively in restoring security to the war-torn country, follow up on an initial meeting in Baghdad last month and reduce regional tension.
.
The ambassador-level talks on March 10 saw the United States and regional foes Iran and Syria, two key Iraq neighbours, hold rare direct talks.
.
The follow-up ministerial-level conference, now scheduled for May, could see US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meet her Iranian counterpart -- a meeting that the US State Department has not ruled out.
.
Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States make up the five US Security Council permanent members. The G8 club of the eight wealthiest nations would also bring Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan to the table.
.
Although Zebari did not specify the individual guest list, he expressed hope that the talks would lead to dialogue and said it could present an opportunity to help break the "deadlock" against a background of increasing tension.
.
"We hope it will lead to some dialogue, contact between those regional powers and international powers," he told the news conference.
.
"As a forum, as a platform, there may be opportunities for breaking the deadlock which would be helpful to my country because we need a conducive, supportive regional environment for us to succeed," he added.
.
Addressing the conference in Arabic, he also said: "I personally don't rule out bilateral dialogue between the parties participating."
.
On Thursday, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Rice does not rule out a bilateral meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on the sidelines of the conference.
.
Zebari said Egypt would also host another international meeting, either back-to-back or separately, to sign documents in which the international community has pledged to support Iraq in exchange for certain economic reforms.
.
"The aim of the compact meeting is to finalise, or to sign the documents that the international community pledged support for Iraq in exchange of certain economic reforms," Zebari told the news conference.
.
Last month the United Nations hosted a conference on the International Compact with Iraq (ICI), a joint initiative of the world body and the World Bank established last July.
.
At that event, Vice President Adel Abdel Mahdi laid out a five-year economic revival plan before nearly 90 countries which will review Iraq's progress in carrying out reforms in exchange for international aid and debt relief. — AFP The Iraqi government has agreed to a new meeting between its neighbours and world powers in Egypt next month in a bid to help stabilise the country, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Saturday.
.
"The Iraqi government agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting of Iraq neighbouring countries, plus the G5 (UN Security Council veto-wielding permanent members) and G8 (most industrialised nations) in Egypt, most probably in Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3 and 4," Zebari told a Baghdad news conference.
.
The aim of the meeting would be to engage Iraq's neighbours constructively in restoring security to the war-torn country, follow up on an initial meeting in Baghdad last month and reduce regional tension.
.
The ambassador-level talks on March 10 saw the United States and regional
The Iraqi government has agreed to a new meeting between its neighbours and world powers in Egypt next month in a bid to help stabilise the country, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Saturday.
.
"The Iraqi government agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting of Iraq neighbouring countries, plus the G5 (UN Security Council veto-wielding permanent members) and G8 (most industrialised nations) in Egypt, most probably in Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3 and 4," Zebari told a Baghdad news conference.
.
The aim of the meeting would be to engage Iraq's neighbours constructively in restoring security to the war-torn country, follow up on an initial meeting in Baghdad last month and reduce regional tension.
.
The ambassador-level talks on March 10 saw the United States and regional foes Iran and Syria, two key Iraq neighbours, hold rare direct talks.
.
The follow-up ministerial-level conference, now scheduled for May, could see US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meet her Iranian counterpart -- a meeting that the US State Department has not ruled out.
.
Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States make up the five US Security Council permanent members. The G8 club of the eight wealthiest nations would also bring Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan to the table.
.
Although Zebari did not specify the individual guest list, he expressed hope that the talks would lead to dialogue and said it could present an opportunity to help break the "deadlock" against a background of increasing tension.
.
"We hope it will lead to some dialogue, contact between those regional powers and international powers," he told the news conference.
.
"As a forum, as a platform, there may be opportunities for breaking the deadlock which would be helpful to my country because we need a conducive, supportive regional environment for us to succeed," he added.
.
Addressing the conference in Arabic, he also said: "I personally don't rule out bilateral dialogue between the parties participating."
.
On Thursday, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Rice does not rule out a bilateral meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on the sidelines of the conference.
.
Zebari said Egypt would also host another international meeting, either back-to-back or separately, to sign documents in which the international community has pledged to support Iraq in exchange for certain economic reforms.
.
"The aim of the compact meeting is to finalise, or to sign the documents that the international community pledged support for Iraq in exchange of certain economic reforms," Zebari told the news conference.
.
Last month the United Nations hosted a conference on the International Compact with Iraq (ICI), a joint initiative of the world body and the World Bank established last July.
.
At that event, Vice President Adel Abdel Mahdi laid out a five-year economic revival plan before nearly 90 countries which will review Iraq's progress in carrying out reforms in exchange for international aid and debt relief. — AFP The Iraqi government has agreed to a new meeting between its neighbours and world powers in Egypt next month in a bid to help stabilise the country, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Saturday.
.
"The Iraqi government agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting of Iraq neighbouring countries, plus the G5 (UN Security Council veto-wielding permanent members) and G8 (most industrialised nations) in Egypt, most probably in Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3 and 4," Zebari told a Baghdad news conference.
.
The aim of the meeting would be to engage Iraq's neighbours constructively in restoring security to the war-torn country, follow up on an initial meeting in Baghdad last month and reduce regional tension.
.
The ambassador-level talks on March 10 saw the United States and regional foes Iran and Syria, two key Iraq neighbours, hold rare direct talks.
.
The follow-up ministerial-level conference, now scheduled for May, could see US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meet her Iranian counterpart -- a meeting that the US State Department has not ruled out.
.
Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States make up the five US Security Council permanent members. The G8 club of the eight wealthiest nations would also bring Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan to the table.
.
Although Zebari did not specify the individual guest list, he expressed hope that the talks would lead to dialogue and said it could present an opportunity to help break the "deadlock" against a background of increasing tension.
.
"We hope it will lead to some dialogue, contact between those regional powers and international powers," he told the news conference.
.
"As a forum, as a platform, there may be opportunities for breaking the deadlock which would be helpful to my country because we need a conducive, supportive regional environment for us to succeed," he added.
.
Addressing the conference in Arabic, he also said: "I personally don't rule out bilateral dialogue between the parties participating."
.
On Thursday, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Rice does not rule out a bilateral meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on the sidelines of the conference.
.
Zebari said Egypt would also host another international meeting, either back-to-back or separately, to sign documents in which the international community has pledged to support Iraq in exchange for certain economic reforms.
.
"The aim of the compact meeting is to finalise, or to sign the documents that the international community pledged support for Iraq in exchange of certain economic reforms," Zebari told the news conference.
.
Last month the United Nations hosted a conference on the International Compact with Iraq (ICI), a joint initiative of the world body and the World Bank established last July.
.
At that event, Vice President Adel Abdel Mahdi laid out a five-year economic revival plan before nearly 90 countries which will review Iraq's progress in carrying out reforms in exchange for international aid and debt relief. — AFP The Iraqi government has agreed to a new meeting between its neighbours and world powers in Egypt next month in a bid to help stabilise the country, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Saturday.
.
"The Iraqi government agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting of Iraq neighbouring countries, plus the G5 (UN Security Council veto-wielding permanent members) and G8 (most industrialised nations) in Egypt, most probably in Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3 and 4," Zebari told a Baghdad news conference.
.
The aim of the meeting would be to engage Iraq's neighbours constructively in restoring security to the war-torn country, follow up on an initial meeting in Baghdad last month and reduce regional tension.
.
The ambassador-level talks on March 10 saw the United States and regional foes Iran and Syria, two key Iraq neighbours, hold rare direct talks.
.
The follow-up ministerial-level conference, now scheduled for May, could see US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meet her Iranian counterpart -- a meeting that the US State Department has not ruled out.
.
Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States make up the five US Security Council permanent members. The G8 club of the eight wealthiest nations would also bring Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan to the table.
.
Although Zebari did not specify the individual guest list, he expressed hope that the talks would lead to dialogue and said it could present an opportunity to help break the "deadlock" against a background of increasing tension.
.
"We hope it will lead to some dialogue, contact between those regional powers and international powers," he told the news conference.
.
"As a forum, as a platform, there may be opportunities for breaking the deadlock which would be helpful to my country because we need a conducive, supportive regional environment for us to succeed," he added.
.
Addressing the conference in Arabic, he also said: "I personally don't rule out bilateral dialogue between the parties participating."
.
On Thursday, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Rice does not rule out a bilateral meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on the sidelines of the conference.
.
Zebari said Egypt would also host another international meeting, either back-to-back or separately, to sign documents in which the international community has pledged to support Iraq in exchange for certain economic reforms.
.
"The aim of the compact meeting is to finalise, or to sign the documents that the international community pledged support for Iraq in exchange of certain economic reforms," Zebari told the news conference.
.
Last month the United Nations hosted a conference on the International Compact with Iraq (ICI), a joint initiative of the world body and the World Bank established last July.
.
At that event, Vice President Adel Abdel Mahdi laid out a five-year economic revival plan before nearly 90 countries which will review Iraq's progress in carrying out reforms in exchange for international aid and debt relief. — AFP
The Iraqi government has agreed to a new meeting between its neighbours and world powers in Egypt next month in a bid to help stabilise the country, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Saturday.
.
"The Iraqi government agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting of Iraq neighbouring countries, plus the G5 (UN Security Council veto-wielding permanent members) and G8 (most industrialised nations) in Egypt, most probably in Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3 and 4," Zebari told a Baghdad news conference.
.
The aim of the meeting would be to engage Iraq's neighbours constructively in restoring security to the war-torn country, follow up on an initial meeting in Baghdad last month and reduce regional tension.
.
The ambassador-level talks on March 10 saw the United States and regional foes Iran and Syria, two key Iraq neighbours, hold rare direct talks.
.
The follow-up ministerial-level conference, now scheduled for May, could see US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meet her Iranian counterpart -- a meeting that the US State Department has not ruled out.
.
Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States make up the five US Security Council permanent members. The G8 club of the eight wealthiest nations would also bring Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan to the table.
.
Although Zebari did not specify the individual guest list, he expressed hope that the talks would lead to dialogue and said it could present an opportunity to help break the "deadlock" against a background of increasing tension.
.
"We hope it will lead to some dialogue, contact between those regional powers and international powers," he told the news conference.
.
"As a forum, as a platform, there may be opportunities for breaking the deadlock which would be helpful to my country because we need a conducive, supportive regional environment for us to succeed," he added.
.
Addressing the conference in Arabic, he also said: "I personally don't rule out bilateral dialogue between the parties participating."
.
On Thursday, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Rice does not rule out a bilateral meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on the sidelines of the conference.
.
Zebari said Egypt would also host another international meeting, either back-to-back or separately, to sign documents in which the international community has pledged to support Iraq in exchange for certain economic reforms.
.
"The aim of the compact meeting is to finalise, or to sign the documents that the international community pledged support for Iraq in exchange of certain economic reforms," Zebari told the news conference.
.
Last month the United Nations hosted a conference on the International Compact with Iraq (ICI), a joint initiative of the world body and the World Bank established last July.
.
At that event, Vice President Adel Abdel Mahdi laid out a five-year economic revival plan before nearly 90 countries which will review Iraq's progress in carrying out reforms in exchange for international aid and debt relief. — AFP The Iraqi government has agreed to a new meeting between its neighbours and world powers in Egypt next month in a bid to help stabilise the country, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Saturday.
.
"The Iraqi government agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting of Iraq neighbouring countries, plus the G5 (UN Security Council veto-wielding permanent members) and G8 (most industrialised nations) in Egypt, most probably in Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3 and 4," Zebari told a Baghdad news conference.
.
The aim of the meeting would be to engage Iraq's neighbours constructively in restoring security to the war-torn country, follow up on an initial meeting in Baghdad last month and reduce regional tension.
.
The ambassador-level talks on March 10 saw the United States and regional documents in which the international community has pledged to support Iraq in exchange for certain economic reforms.
.
"The aim of the compact meeting is to finalise, or to sign the documents that the international community pledged support for Iraq in exchange of certain economic reforms," Zebari told the news conference.
.
Last month the United Nations hosted a conference on the International Compact with Iraq (ICI), a joint initiative of the world body and the World Bank established last July.
.
At that event, Vice President Adel Abdel Mahdi laid out a five-year economic revival plan before nearly 90 countries which will review Iraq's progress in carrying out reforms in exchange for international aid and debt relief. — AFP The Iraqi government has agreed to a new meeting between its neighbours and world powers in Egypt next month in a bid to help stabilise the country, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Saturday.
.
"The Iraqi government agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting of Iraq neighbouring countries, plus the G5 (UN Security Council veto-wielding permanent members) and G8 (most industrialised nations) in Egypt, most probably in Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3 and 4," Zebari told a Baghdad news conference.
.
The aim of the meeting would be to engage Iraq's neighbours constructively in restoring security to the war-torn country, follow up on an initial meeting in Baghdad last month and reduce regional tension.
.
The ambassador-level talks on March 10 saw the United States and regional foes Iran and Syria, two key Iraq neighbours, hold rare direct talks.
.
The follow-up ministerial-level conference, now scheduled for May, could see US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meet her Iranian counterpart -- a meeting that the US State Department has not ruled out.
.
Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States make up the five US Security Council permanent members. The G8 club of the eight wealthiest nations would also bring Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan to the table.
.
Although Zebari did not specify the individual guest list, he expressed hope that the talks would lead to dialogue and said it could present an opportunity to help break the "deadlock" against a background of increasing tension.
.
"We hope it will lead to some dialogue, contact between those regional powers and international powers," he told the news conference.
.
"As a forum, as a platform, there may be opportunities for breaking the deadlock which would be helpful to my country because we need a conducive, supportive regional environment for us to succeed," he added.
.
Addressing the conference in Arabic, he also said: "I personally don't rule out bilateral dialogue between the parties participating."
.
On Thursday, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Rice does not rule out a bilateral meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on the sidelines of the conference.
.
Zebari said Egypt would also host another international meeting, either back-to-back or separately, to sign documents in which the international community has pledged to support Iraq in exchange for certain economic reforms.
.
"The aim of the compact meeting is to finalise, or to sign the documents that the international community pledged support for Iraq in exchange of certain economic reforms," Zebari told the news conference.
.
Last month the United Nations hosted a conference on the International Compact with Iraq (ICI), a joint initiative of the world body and the World Bank established last July.
.
At that event, Vice President Adel Abdel Mahdi laid out a five-year economic revival plan before nearly 90 countries which will review Iraq's progress in carrying out reforms in exchange for international aid and debt relief. — AFP

TODAYonline

The Secretary-General Off the Cuff
Meeting on the International Compact with Iraq, Statement by Takatoshi Kato,

Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund
United Nations Headquarters
New York,
March 16, 2007
As Prepared for Delivery
Mr. Secretary-General, Vice President Mahdi, Deputy Secretary Kimmitt, ladies and gentlemen, I am very pleased to address this meeting on the International Compact with Iraq. In my comments, I will focus on the relations of Iraq with the International Monetary Fund, in particular under the Stand-By Agreement, and on recent economic developments.
The Fund has been closely engaged with Iraq since 2003. Following the Emergency Post Conflict Assistance provided by the Fund in 2004, a Stand-By Arrangement was approved in December 2005. The First and Second Reviews of the program were completed in August 2006. I am pleased to report that the IMF Executive Board completed the Third and Fourth Reviews at the beginning of this week, on March 12, 2007. The IMF Board also approved an extension of the Stand-By Arrangement for six months, through September 2007. This extension will allow more time for the program to reach its objectives.
In their summing up of these reviews, the IMF's Executive Directors commended the Iraqi authorities for keeping their economic program on track despite the extremely difficult political and security circumstances. They stressed, however, that, while progress is being made in strengthening economic policies, improved security conditions will be crucial for achieving the objectives of the program. Directors therefore welcomed the government's commitment to stabilize the situation and its work on initiating an International Compact for Iraq to develop, with the support of the international community, a medium-term framework for political, security, and economic reform.
While the program has been largely on track, economic growth in 2006 was below target because oil production did not increase as projected. This reflected interruptions caused by the insurgency and by lower than planned investment, also related to the ongoing violence. The successful execution of the investment budget for 2007 and a resumption of growth in the oil sector will be heavily dependent on the evolving security situation.
High inflation also remains a concern. Annual consumer price inflation reached 66½ percent in January 2007, before dropping sharply to about 37 percent in February. In February, consumer prices actually fell by 7 percent. While the decline is a welcome development, inflation needs to be reduced further. Like the low growth rate, the high inflation rate is explained in large part by the ongoing violence, which is causing widespread shortages of key commodities, especially fuel products, and driving up prices.
The main focus of the just-completed program review was therefore on measures to help bring inflation down. With the economy highly dollarized and dominated by cash transactions, monetary policy in Iraq has limited effectiveness in influencing inflation at the present time. The central bank has raised interest rates and allowed the exchange rate to appreciate with the intention to arrest dollarization (and thereby improve the monetary policy transmission mechanism), and this may also help push inflation down.
The government is supporting its anti-inflationary policy by exercising strict control of government current spending, in order to ease spending pressures on the non-oil economy. At the same time, in order to alleviate fuel product shortages, the government has liberalized private imports of gasoline, while also stepping up government imports of gasoline (which will be sold domestically at unsubsidized prices so as not to compete with private imports).
It is important to note that the Iraqi authorities have continued their program of increasing domestic petroleum product prices. This policy is a key part of the process of removing distortions in the refined products market and reducing incentives for smuggling. It will also help improve fiscal sustainability over the medium term. The latest round of price increases went into effect on March 5, 2007.
I will not go into the details of the IMF-supported economic program for Iraq today, because these are available in documents published on the IMF website. The documents related to the most recent program reviews are currently available to IMF Executive Directors, and will soon also be published on the IMF website. A Press Release has been issued.
Let me conclude by saying that the Fund will continue to support the International Compact with Iraq. Our contribution will continue to be based on the economic program supported by the Stand-By Arrangement, in particular by working with the authorities to provide the medium-term macroeconomic framework for the Compact.

You Are In: USINFO > Current Issues

27 March 2007
Iraq Making Political, Economic Progress, U.S. Official Says

State’s Satterfield cites Iraq's advances in reconciliation, development
By David McKeeby
USINFO Staff Writer




Two soldiers guide a pipe into a river in Lutafiyah, Iraq, to rebuild a base for a bridge severely damaged from insurgent attacks. The United States is requesting $4 billion from Congress to help energize Iraq's rebuilding process. (DoD)



Soldiers guide a pipe into a river in Lutafiyah, Iraq, to rebuild a base for a bridge severely damaged from insurgent attacks. (DoD)


Washington – Iraq’s elected leaders are making progress toward political reconciliation, economic development and improved relations with neighbors, says a top U.S. official.
In a March 27 speech to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, David Satterfield, senior adviser to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and coordinator for Iraq, said Iraqi officials are making a “vigorous and comprehensive” effort to seek compromise and bridge differences among the Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish communities to create “a new national basis for a common future.”
The most important example of the reconciliation agenda’s progress, Satterfield said, was Iraq’s recently completed draft hydrocarbon law, a key benchmark recently approved by the Council of Ministers that will be submitted to the Iraqi Council of Representatives in a few weeks.
The law, which outlines foreign investment and the national and local government’s roles in developing the country’s estimated 115 billion barrels of oil reserves, was the result of intensive negotiation. Satterfield said this demonstrates that internal differences exacerbated by decades of political repression are not irreconcilable and can be resolved through the democratic process.
Another challenge facing the Iraqi government, Satterfield said, was confronting the legacy of Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party.
Even though the party was responsible for decades of abuses to the Iraqi people, membership was often a prerequisite for social and economic advancement for a wide range of Iraqi citizens. Satterfield said Iraqi leaders, accordingly, are developing a new approach to de-Baathification that shifts away from an approach of “criminality by association to one of individual accountability.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani sent a draft of the reformed de-Baathification law to the Cabinet and parliament March 27. The measure would offer jobs to former low-ranking regime officials and provide immunity to former Baathists, after a period during which Iraqi citizens can take them to court for suspected crimes.
Satterfield said that as these elements of the Iraqi government’s reconciliation agenda proceed, they will set the stage for future steps, such as provincial election laws to develop a free, fair, voting process for Iraqi citizens to elect their local governments, as well as a political process for disarmament, demobilization and integration of insurgents and militia members.
Another key task for the Iraqi government is to extend essential services, such as sewage, water, and electricity to all citizens, making economic development another top priority, Satterfield said.
Satterfield said officials were surprised at the level of neglect to Iraq’s key infrastructure during the Saddam regime, much of which appeared to have seen little maintenance since the early 1970s. Although Iraq is dedicating approximately $12.5 billion of its new budget for capital investment projects, he said that its leaders currently lack many of the bureaucratic tools needed to allocate funds and execute these essential large-scale projects.
The United States is responding by requesting $4 billion from Congress to help energize the building process by providing advisers and training for Iraqi officials. By doing so, Satterfield said, the United States could build on the success of parallel security operations by helping the Iraqi government undercut support for insurgents by creating economic opportunities and delivering essential services.
Satterfield called on Iraq’s neighbors and the wider international community to join the United States in stepping up support for the Iraqi government.
Two recent events show that nations are committed to Iraq’s success, he said. The first is the recently launched International Compact for Iraq, a U.N.-sponsored international effort to promote economic and political reforms. The second is the inaugural March 10 meeting of the Iraq Neighbors Conference, a multilateral effort to focus international support to stabilize and rebuild the country. (See related article.)
But more help is needed, Satterfield said. He urged countries to fulfill their pledges and deliver $31 billion in loans, credits, debt forgiveness and other types of aid.
Satterfield said that two of Iraq’s neighbors, Iran and Syria, also continue to be sources of “broad concern.”
Iran is the source of sophisticated bomb components and training for Shiite militants, and as many as 90 percent of the suicide bombers targeting Iraqi civilians are foreigners who entered Iraq through Syria, Satterfield said.
For more information, see Iraq Update.
(USINFO is produced by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: USINFO - The United States Department of State)

Region

UN chief sets launch date for Iraq compact
Marian Houk
Middle East Times
April 20, 2007

BERN -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said he intends "to officially launch an International Compact for Iraq [ICI] on May 3 in Sharm El Sheikh, together with Prime Minister [Nuri Al] Maliki of Iraq."

Speaking Thursday in the Swiss capital Bern, the UN chief said he hoped the ICI would grant an "important momentum to help the Iraqi government to restore peace and security" to war-torn Iraq.

Ban made the announcement at a joint press conference with Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey.

"I think everybody - including myself - in the world should be very much concerned and troubled by this ongoing violence and instability in Iraq," he said.

Ban urged the Baghdad leadership, to work "in parallel with the international community ... to engage in an inclusive political process to promote national reconciliation."

He noted that the UN and the international community have also been "trying to help the Iraqi government and people in their very difficult and daunting, but [also] noble efforts to secure their security and political stability and economic and social stability."

The countries in the region should be prepared to assist such a process, Ban said.

The launch of the ICI will apparently immediately precede "an expanded ministerial meeting of [the countries] in the region as well as some other major countries."

Earlier this week, Iraq's foreign minister Hosheyr Zebari said in Geneva he expected the UN Security Council's five permanent members (or P-5 - the US, UK, Russia, China, and France), and the G-8 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Britain, and the US) will also attend the next "neighbors meeting" to be hosted by Egypt at the Red Sea resort during May 3-4, "to discuss Iraq's security and stability."

It is not yet clear if Iran has decided to attend this meeting and, if so, at what level.

The UN Secretary-General also suggested that the ICI may be a way for the international organization to strengthen its role in Iraq and its "maneuverability" on the ground without necessarily increasing its physical presence inside Iraq, which has "been very much dictated by security."

The International Compact was initially launched July 27, 2006 as "an initiative of the government of Iraq for a new partnership with the international community." It is supposed to be chaired jointly by Iraq and the United Nations, with the support of the World Bank.

It was initially expected that the finalized compact - "including key priorities, benchmarks, and commitments" - would be presented by Baghdad by the end of 2006.

The Kuwaiti government then hosted a high-level preparatory meeting in Kuwait City October 31, 2006.

At the time of the initial launch, it was announced that the compact's primary focus would be "building a framework for Iraq's economic transformation and integration into the regional and global economy."

It appears to be a type of five-year plan, over which time the Iraqi government pledges to work "to meet basic needs, protect the rights of all citizens, and ensure the optimal use of the country's resources for the common good" - such aims infused by the lofty, albeit unverifiable, ambitions of the UN's Millennium Development Goals.

Also during this five-year period, the Iraqi government plans "to make progress on political inclusion, and consensus-building on the rule of law and on the establishment of professional security forces."

Baghdad had also said at the time that it was "committed to tackling corruption, creating a transparent and efficient oil sector, developing a solid budgetary framework, improving governance, and building and consolidating effective national institutions."

In the launch statement, the Iraqi government said it "recognizes that good governance and resolution of security and political challenges are prerequisites for progress in all other areas, including economic revival and normalization."

It added that "the government's vision is that, five years from now, Iraq shall be a united, federal, and democratic country, at peace with its neighbors and itself, well on its way to sustainable economic self-sufficiency and prosperity, and well integrated in its region and the world."

It was envisaged that there would be an executive committee to include the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and other regional financial institutions "which will manage the process towards the adoption of the Compact and beyond." The executive committee is also expected "to assist the government to formulate a strategy for economic regeneration and fundamental reforms for integrating Iraq within the regional and global communities."

The idea of a compact includes the principle of a disciplined standard to which compact members - in this case, primarily Iraq - pledge to adhere. Here, the ICI appears to share similarities with the road map that was expected to lead to peace between Israel and Palestinians, albeit phrased in a slightly less didactic way.

The concept of a compact also seems to borrow heavily from the "Global Compact" announced in 1999 by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, in one of his early appearances at the invitation-only World Economic Forum held in Davos. To join, business leaders must promise "to advance 10 universal principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption" - including transparency

16 March 2007

Meetings Coverage
IK/562
Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

International Compact
with Iraq
AM Meeting

‘FRAMEWORK FOR NORMALIZATION’ NEEDED MORE THAN EVER, SECRETARY-GENERAL


SAYS AT MILESTONE PRESENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL COMPACT FOR IRAQ

Iraq ’s Vice-President Introduces Compact Document;

New Co-Chair of Initiative Sets April Target Date for Formal Launch

As the International Compact with Iraq was formally presented to the international community at a Headquarters meeting this morning, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the gathering of Member States, regional and multilateral organizations that Iraq needed the “framework for normalization” more than ever.

The Secretary-General said the initiative should be seen as a “national compact” among Iraqis, where agreement would be reached on the necessary security and political steps towards normalization and revitalizing the national economy. Meanwhile, it should function as an “international compact” between Iraq and its partners, allowing the international community to channel support according to priorities decided by Iraqis themselves.

Describing as “heart-wrenching” the almost daily attacks on innocent Iraqi civilians that had left immense suffering and pain in their wake, he said that, beyond the political violence and sectarian strife, a humanitarian crisis was stretching the patience and ability of ordinary people to cope with everyday life. The United Nations was strengthening its humanitarian efforts and working with Iraq’s neighbours and other countries in the region to address the increasing needs of those who had left the country temporarily, those displaced internally and those suffering from diminishing access to basic public services.

The International Compact with Iraq is an initiative of that country’s Government for a new partnership with the international community. Jointly chaired by the Government of Iraq and the United Nations, it started in July 2006, with the support of the World Bank, and is focused on Iraq’s long-term economic development, while stressing progress in the political and security fields, through a mutually re-enforcing relationship. Today’s meeting follows the Compact Preparatory Group meetings in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait last September and October, respectively and the two events in New York last September and November. The Compact seeks to consolidate peace in war-torn Iraq and to pursue the country’s long-term political, economic and social development over the next five years.

Iraq’s Vice-President Adil Abdal Mahdi formally introduced the International Compact document, outlining its major principles: improving the investment climate; tackling political, security and economic problems simultaneously; normalizing Iraq’s relations in the region and internationally; setting up a democratic State with a federal Government on the Iraqi people’s own terms; working with the international community to alleviate the country’s debt burden and set up a reconstruction mechanism; and resolving social problems through a national reconciliation process and by distributing national resources in a just manner.

Ibrahim Gambari, the newly-appointed Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Political Issues, and the Compact’s United Nations Co-Chair, said that the time had come to empower the Government of Iraq, and the country’s constitutional review process was important for the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law. Immediate steps were also needed to tackle security issues while respecting human rights, and it was important to address the situation of refugees and internally displaced persons, among other objectives. Mr. Gambari also said that the target date for the initiative’s formal launch at a high-level event would be near the end of April at a venue to be announced.

Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, stressed the particular importance of linking the Compact with current and future domestic, regional and international initiatives. Among other priorities was the need for funds from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Government had begun to address the challenges facing Iraq, some of which could be carried out in the framework of the Compact, which provided for emergency response, including working with internally displaced persons. The Compact’s institutional underpinning would be strengthened by the establishment of its secretariat.

Out of the approximately 100 delegations participating in the meeting, some 30 speakers delivered statements in support of the Compact, saying it had been shaped by the serious challenges facing Iraq, and that its objectives and strategies composed an integrated plan to overcome them.

The meeting heard statements by the representatives of Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany (on behalf of the European Union), Republic of Korea, Iran, United States, Japan, United Arab Emirates, France, Syria, Turkey, United Kingdom, Canada, Romania, Kuwait, Egypt, El Salvador, Spain, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Australia, Viet Nam and China.

Also speaking were representatives of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Islamic Development Bank, European Commission, Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq.

Statements

BAN KI-MOON, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said as he opened the meeting that today’s event offered an opportunity to bring the larger international community to consider how best to support the people of Iraq under the Compact. “We are all aware of the difficult situation in Iraq. It is heart-wrenching to see almost daily attacks on innocent civilians, which have left immense suffering and pain in their wake.” Beyond the political violence and sectarian strife, a humanitarian crisis was stretching the patience and ability of ordinary people to cope with everyday life. The United Nations was now strengthening its humanitarian efforts and working with Iraq’s neighbours and other countries in the region to address the increasing needs of those who had left Iraq temporarily, those displaced inside the country and those suffering from diminishing access to basic public services.

Given those circumstances, some might question why a Compact would be necessary or appropriate, he said, adding that he understood those concerns. However, a framework for normalization was required now more than ever. There was also a view that there was a multitude of initiatives on Iraq, which had yet to yield tangible results. While there was certainly a need to streamline and consolidate those initiatives, and to concentrate on achievable goals, the Compact focused, unlike other initiatives, on Iraq’s long-term economic development, while also stressing progress in the political and security fields through a mutually reinforcing relationship.

He said the Compact aimed to achieve its objectives in two ways, the first being a “national compact” among Iraqis, whereby they would agree upon the necessary security and political steps towards normalizing the situation and revitalizing the national economy. The second way, an “international compact” between Iraq and its partners, would set out the Government’s agenda for the next five years with regard to economic and social reform. That shared vision and mutual commitment would allow the international community to channel support in accordance with the priorities decided upon by Iraqis themselves. The Compact should be seen as a tool for unlocking Iraq’s own potential by seeking to achieve concrete results in public sector resource management, institution building and human development, in line with the Millennium Development Goals.

The Compact also emphasized a more holistic approach to energy management, he said. Towards that end, the Government’s recent efforts to adopt new oil and gas legislation were encouraging. Indeed, a viable arrangement to share the nation’s oil wealth and natural resources could also help build much needed trust and confidence among the country’s communities. Welcome progress had also been made in adopting other key legislative acts, which, however, might not achieve their full impact unless the same consensus was expressed in the Iraqi Constitution. That made a genuine and meaningful constitutional review all the more important. Above all, it was essential that all communities come together in a spirit of dialogue to find lasting solutions. As they did so, they should be able to count on the active support of Iraq’s neighbours and the international community.

Describing the Compact as an important framework for fulfilling precisely that shared responsibility towards Iraq and its people, he said the United Nations was committed to supporting its implementation. Through the Secretary-General’s good offices and those of his Special Representative in Iraq, the United Nations would make every effort to ensure that the international community remained engaged. Ibrahim Gambari had been appointed Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Political Issues and would succeed Mark Malloch Brown as Co-Chair of the Compact. He would be in active contact with all concerned to move the process forward.

The challenges ahead were immense, he said in conclusion, adding: “I am sure you will all agree we cannot leave Iraq on its own to cope with them.” The Compact was intended to help the Government build a secure, unified, federal and democratic nation, founded on the principles of freedom and equality, capable of providing peace and prosperity for all Iraqis. A positive political progress and a reduction in violence were essential to success. To maintain the momentum generated by today’s meeting, the Government of Iraq was encouraged to agree on the date and venue for the launch of the International Compact. “I am hopeful that, through our concerted efforts, we can help to build a country at peace with itself, with its neighbours and with the wider international community,” he said.

ADIL ABDAL MAHDI, Vice-President of Iraq, said the International Compact document had managed to capture the Government’s vision for a stable Iraq at peace with itself, and contained provisions for adopting a State based on a constitution that upheld the right to free elections and the just distribution of wealth. The document also paid heed to the importance of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other States, he said. Indeed, since the fall of the dictatorial previous regime, Iraq had striven to build cordial relations with other countries. But while the country still suffered under the weight of international terrorism, sectarian violence, unemployment and destroyed civil infrastructure, it was fortunately blessed with fertile land, ample natural resources –- including great capacities in gas and oil -- and an educated populace, which it would do well to harness.

He said the International Compact document was founded on the following major principles: to improve the investment climate; to tackle political, security and economic problems simultaneously; to normalize Iraq’s relations in the region and internationally; to set up a democratic State, with a federal Government, on the Iraqi people’s own terms; to work with the international community to alleviate the country’s debt burden and set up a mechanism for reconstruction; and to resolve social problems through a national reconciliation process and by distributing the country’s resources in a just manner.

Iraq stood ready to implement practical solutions to security problems, which manifested in suicide bombings sometimes instigated by those from outside the country, he said. Such acts of violence undermined both the rule of law and the State, and had led to a massive displacement of people, damaged oil pipelines and electricity pylons, and destroyed universities and schools. Yet, the country had persevered, holding successful parliamentary elections, instituting a national unity Government and working towards a constitution. A campaign was under way to impose the rule of law and clear Iraq of saboteurs, with the help of the Multinational Forces in Iraq. Though that effort was still in its early stages, sectarian violence seemed to have declined. Thousands of families had been able to return to their homes in the suburbs, while the number of car bombs and suicide attacks had been reduced.

On the political track, he said, the national reconciliation process initiated by the Prime Minister continued apace, with many meetings having been held in Amman, Cairo, Damascus, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Baghdad. It was important to embark on a political process that had a stable political regime as its outcome, and that respected the will of Iraqis. There was a need for new political institutions based on respect for human rights, a renunciation of violence and sectarianism and a deep respect for the rule of law. The country must ensure that dictators would not return to power.

He said the milestone 10 March conference in Baghdad -- which had seen the participation of Egypt, Bahrain, International Compact members, the United Nations, the European Union and the Arab League -- had been a success, especially in setting up a security plan and developing ways to help displaced Iraqis. There had also been bilateral meetings, with neighbouring countries and those further away like the United States and the European nations, which boded well for Iraq’s positive relations with the world.

Iraq’s problematic history made the work or national rebuilding complex and difficult, requiring cooperation from all Iraqis, he said. As a result, the Government was reviewing de-Ba’athification and studying a draft budget for 2007, which would include a $10 billion allocation to investment projects. Furthermore, Iraq was committed to working with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and would soon hold its third and fourth review meetings in order to extend that institution’s programme for the country by a further six months. Bilateral agreements with commercial debtors would be held to settle the question of debt and an Iraqi delegation was in Saudi Arabia to discuss that issue with Gulf State donors, in line with Paris Club principles.

Noting that the Cabinet had recently voted on an oil law aimed at achieving the just distribution of resources among all Iraqis and the country’s different regions, he said that law had been prepared by Iraqi experts and discussed by federal and local authorities. It would safeguard the oil industry. Parliament had adopted a separate investment law to help attract foreign investors, whom it would give full safeguards. Under that law, an independent investment body would be set up with many branches throughout Iraq and with clear terms of reference.

Since 2003, the independent Central Bank, had taken steps to control inflation and to develop a strong currency, he continued. It had succeeded in raising the value of the Iraqi dinar by 15 per cent and would work with the IMF to further tackle severe inflation. The Finance Minister and Central Bank officials would work in 2007 to reform the banking system. Plans were also in place to re-open 143 Government-run industries and plants that had stopped working during the war. Those efforts would take place initially in secure provinces and serve as models for “difficult” areas.

ASHRAF JEHANGIR QAZI, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, noted that today’s meeting brought the Compact’s preparatory process to a close. The document had been finalized and presented to the partners and the time had come to agree on a date for the launch of the implementation phase within the framework to be agreed by the Government of Iraq and its international partners. The broader international community had a major stake in that process.

Pointing out that the Compact was not an exclusively economic initiative, he said it also had political and social aspects, reflecting Iraq’s priorities. It was particularly important to link the Compact with current and future domestic, regional and international initiatives, securing further support as had been done on 10 March at the Baghdad meeting of Iraq’s neighbours, the permanent members of the Security Council and others. Among other priorities was the need for funds from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Government had begun to address the challenges facing Iraq, some of which could be carried out in the framework of the Compact. It had provisions for emergency response, including working with internally displaced persons, for example.

The Compact’s institutional underpinning would be strengthened by the establishment of its secretariat, he said. In addition, the United Nations country team for Iraq had developed a joint priority action plan, in accordance with the development and humanitarian mandates of United Nations agencies. However, some questions would have to be answered between the present time and the Compact’s final launch, particularly with respect to the joint monitoring matrix. One of those questions was whether each issue should be separately noted for regular Government briefings to its international partners regarding its achievements and challenges. That would strengthen the sense of partnership and facilitate the disbursement of already-agreed assistance.

“We are partners in the International Compact,” he said, noting that Government measures to provide security in Baghdad were complemented by a legislative programme, which included the adoption of the budget law for 2007, the Cabinet agreement on oil revenue sharing and other laws to be presented to Parliament for approval. An election commission had been formed to prepare for new elections, probably later this year. On the regional and international level, conferences were being held and planned to secure regional and international support for the Compact process. With the Compact’s preparatory phase concluded, the ball was now in the court of Iraq’s partners. The time had come to quickly launch the implementation phase so as to pass the fruit of the partnership on to the Iraqi people.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record

Iraq 2007: Hell on Earth where not even the hospitals are safe

JAMES PALMER IN BAGHDAD AND GERRI PEEV
INSURGENTS fire mortars at the security forces and Shia militia roam the corridors looking for Sunni victims; power failures and roadblocks frequently cut it off from the outside world.
Attending Doctor Said Al-Hashimi's mental health clinic near Baghdad's Yarmouk hospital is a life-threatening exercise, not least for the psychiatrist.

Banner Advertising Removed.-neno

Dozens of his colleagues have left the country, no longer willing to put up with the deprivation and the danger. Others have been killed.
The Iraqi Medical Association estimates as many as 12,000 of the 34,000 doctors registered before the US-led invasion in March 2003 have left the country in the past three years. The IMA says assailants have murdered at least another 2,000 Iraqi physicians, and kidnapped roughly 250 others during that period.
"This may be the first time in history people are afraid to be admitted to a hospital because they're afraid of being killed," said Dr Hashimi.
And things are getting worse rather than better.
Yesterday, the International Committee of the Red Cross gave an unrelentingly dark picture of the "disastrous" security situation in Iraq.
In its report, Civilians Without Protection, the charity warns that violence has forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. And the humanitarian crisis facing the population is worsening.
It estimates 106,000 families have been displaced inside the country since February 2006, when violence escalated in the wake of the bombing of the sacred Shiite shrine of Samarra.
Daily life in Iraq is driven by fear. Families, particularly in the capital, are often too afraid to leave their homes, go to work or send their children to school because of random violence and kidnappings for ransom.
Power shortages are increasing, while the destructive legacy of previous conflicts and years of international sanctions imposed on Iraq are exacerbating the crisis.
One third of Iraqis live in poverty, with 5 per cent of the population classified as grappling with extreme poverty.
"The conflict in Iraq is inflicting immense suffering on the entire population," the report said.
"Civilians bear the brunt of the relentless violence and the extremely poor security conditions that are disrupting the lives and livelihoods of millions.
"Unemployment and poverty levels are rising and many families continue to rely on government food distribution to cover their immediate needs.
"Much of Iraq's vital infrastructure is in a poor state of repair, owing to lack of maintenance and because security constraints have impeded repair work on electrical power grids, water and sanitation systems, medical facilities and other essential facilities."
Half of Iraq's doctors had fled the country at a time when hospitals were grappling with an influx of casualties from the daily bombings and attacks, it added.
Healthcare is "stretched to the limit" because of the escalating violence, and food shortages have led to an increase in malnutrition.
Most hospitals and primary care centres are relying on back-up generators which often fail because of overuse.
Infrastructure is in a poor state as repairs had been impeded by the security situation while saboteurs were also carrying out attacks on power plants.
Devastating accounts were given in the report from Iraqis.
Saad, a young humanitarian worker in Baghdad, said: "Once I was called to an explosion site. There I saw a four year-old boy sitting beside his mother's body which had been decapitated by the explosion.
"He was talking to her, asking her what had happened. He had been taken out shopping by his mum." Raad, a shopkeeper in the Adhmaia area of the capital described a shooting near a mosque between police and an armed group.
"A young man passing by was hit by stray bullets and lay badly wounded and crying out for help. Because of the gunfire, nobody could get close to him to drag him out. He bled to death right in front of us."
The campus where Dr Hashimi teaches, at Mustansiriya University Medical School in the Yarmouk section of the Iraqi capital, is often nearly empty due to both students' and professors' fear of attacks. Despite the violence, the 54-year-old psychiatrist refuses to stop at simply satisfying his university class loads.
He continues to push ahead with workshops training teachers to identify symptoms of trauma in schoolchildren and adolescents to better help them cope with their young charges and possibly recommend professional help to the families. He has also conducted two small-scale studies regarding post traumatic stress disorder.
"People think nothing can be done here but we're still working and we need help," Dr Hashimi said, referring to funding and technical support.
But on some days, nothing is done.
Frequent power cuts and network failures leave professionals like Dr Hashimi without the use of a computer, e-mail, or phones. And spontaneous road closures and security cordons often prevent him from reaching his school or clinic.
Before Iraqi security forces and masked gunmen usurped control of Baghdad, Dr Hashimi kept normal office hours. Today, anyone seeking his counsel must make an appointment. Still, he keeps a secretary in his office in case any potential new patients, who are unaware of his policy, travel from outside of Baghdad to see him.
One of Dr Hashimi's greatest fears is that the trauma suffered by Iraqi children today, which often goes untreated, will haunt the country later.
"Some of these children are time bombs waiting to explode," Dr Hashimi said. "They may think it's better to martyr themselves for religion or country."
• UNEMPLOYMENT and poverty levels are rising and many families continue to rely on government food distribution to cover needs. An estimated one-third of the population lives in poverty while more than 5 per cent live in extreme poverty. Food shortages have been reported in several areas while malnutrition has increased over the past year.
• THOUSANDS of Iraqi families have been forced out of their homes because of the ongoing military operations.
The outlook is especially bleak in the capital, Baghdad, where the situation is expected to deteriorate even further.
Most displaced people have taken refuge with host families, who struggle to cope with the extra burden.
Humanitarian aid is desperately needed by a wide range of vulnerable civilians.
• SHOOTINGS, bombings, abductions, military operations and other violence plague the lives of ordinary Iraqis, forcing thousands to flee their homes. In some regions, particularly in Baghdad, families are too scared to leave their homes to go to work, shop or send their children to school because of the threat of kidnapping for ransom. Many aid organisations and medical workers feel it is not safe enough to operate there. Sabotage against power stations are exacerbating power shortages. Violence has escalated since the bombing of the sacred Shiite shrine of Samarra in February 2006.
• THE quantity and quality of drinking water are insufficient, despite limited improvements in the south. Water is often contaminated due to the poor repair of water-supply networks and the discharge of sewage into the rivers, the main source of drinking water. Poor infrastructure means there is no reliable supply of clean drinking water. The ICRC has been trucking water daily to displaced people.
• MEDICAL professionals are fleeing the country following the murder or abduction of colleagues. More than half the doctors have left, according to the Iraqi ministry of health. A mass daily influx of casualties has put the health system under huge strain.
Many hospitals are also having to rely on back-up power generators, which frequently break down due to overuse.
Medical staff are often threatened or targeted, while the injured sometimes feel it is too dangerous to risk going to hospital.
• MUCH of Iraq's vital infra-structure is in a poor state due to a lack of maintenance and security constraints which have impeded repair work.
Electrical power grids, water and sanitation systems are all in poor shape. Power shortages are growing worse across the country. Fuel shortages are affecting power stations. The poor state of repair is also due to previous conflicts and years of international sanctions
The Scotsman - Iraq 2007: Hell on Earth where not even the hospitals are safe

I come here to the rumor section of ROL club for big, fat, juicy, unsubstantiated rumors. I appreciate facts and news articles but shouldn't those be in the news section?

Hi Everyone from the wonderful big Rolclub family and greets from Sunny South Africa.

This is my first post here but as for my involvement in the dinar saga I am lurking the internet and other clubs for more than one’n a half year. Now I see I was wasting my time and thank to Troy Bank gone I have found you. Really right place in the right time.

Well, because our great time is coming I’ve got some questions:

Originally Posted by neno
I just read your post to my freind. They said "NO NO". The first LOI was for 30 days but was Voided not Amended and that the new one was released on April 9th. No link but from same freind as all the other post. So anytime in that 30 day window they can act. One of you have to be right. Thanks for sharing DaRock.

O.K. the LOI (letter of intent) has been signed on 09.04.07 and the open window is till 09.05.07. Could someone please clarify: this is the window only for CBI to act due to reval or the window is also open for us. I mean let’s say reval on 30.05.07 and all of us got ONLY 9 days to cash. Then the window (our opportunity) simply is closed….

Secondly: Most of you guys originated from USA and your national currency is US$.

I and many others from overseas have different currency and banks are not too friendly to the currency market (closed system with strong, unbelievable exchange law) and which are trading only in US$, british pound and euro.
The question is where and how I can exchange the dinars. Or.. may be the only options is to catch a flight222 to USA…

Purchased my ID from not so popular dealer on internet but very secure and quick with different payment options compare to rest of the dealers. Unfortunately he can not advise where and how to cash…

Originally Posted by MC Dig

I come here to the rumor section of ROL club for big, fat, juicy, unsubstantiated rumors. I appreciate facts and news articles but shouldn't those be in the news section?

Exactly. Let's keep things straight shall we. News in the news and rumors in the rumors. Thanks for concentrating folks.