1-22-11 Recap of the day's events/postings

Facts:

1.    Barzani initiative includes agreement on Iraq security

2.    Maliki's visit to the state of Kuwait

3.    Biden hopes to see Iraq maintain security

4.    National Alliance reveals the launch of new candidates for the security ministries

5.    Iraq deputy minister to delay selection of security ministers

6.    Iraq calls on government to take urgent decision on security issues

7.    Iraqi lawmakers demanding an emergency session of Parliament to discuss deteriorating security

8.    Oil and gas law will be discussed after recess

9.    Leaders will meet to resolve ministry of National Security

Rumors:

Of Interest (rumors that I find of particular interest either because of who said it or because of how I think it relates to what is happening right now):

1.    Boots on the ground

2.    KTF Wells Fargo bank rumor

3.    Interesting bank rumor

4.    Update on Panama HSBC cash in

5.    RV was done 1/11

 

The Rest (doesn’t mean these are not happening):

1.    Kaperoni chat

Where Are We At?

1.      Today’s news was mainly focused on the government formation.  Barzani continues to implement his plan to complete the formation of the government. There is also news of Maliki working with Kuwait on their outstanding issues.   Since Parliament has taken recess, there has been news of the issues surrounding the security ministries.  This news continues today, but today is the first time I’ve seen the word “urgent” used.  In the general case, the government formation appears to have taken front and center.  The escalating violence in the streets appears to be putting pressure on the government to form, which is also likely related to their sense of urgency.  Also, Biden’s name was mentioned and within the context of helping Iraq with their security files, which means he will help them finalize the security ministry.  

2.      The oil and gas law has come up for a second time now.  There have been some who have said the HCL is done, but we are seeing news today where they are saying they need to discuss it in Parliament.  It appears that more work needs to be done.  Or, perhaps it is done and there are important items to be discussed. 

3.      In terms of rumors, the bank rumors are appearing from many and with more frequency.  They appear to be consistent.  I’m not sure if that is because much of the research and news of the bank activity rumors is coming from one group, or if it is because all the banks are truly doing the same things…..training and ordering large quantities of money. 

What’s Left?

1. Reading of the budget for the first time (due to redraft).

2. Closure on Security positions (5 in total) and the remaining unfilled positions (4)

3. Formal announcement of government

4. Agreement on outstanding Kuwait issues

5. Lifting of remaining Chapter 7 sanctions (Kuwait related)

6. RV/RI

7. HCL

What’s It All Mean?

1.      Given the escalating state of violence plus the upcoming Arab summit in March, Iraq must act with a high sense of urgency to complete the government.  I’ve seen nothing concrete that says that the summit will not take place if Iraq doesn’t have a government in place, but I do believe it makes sense that Iraq finalizes the security positions prior to the summit.  It has been said in the articles that the security ministry is critical to their economic, social, and political stability. 

2.      I have seen many bank rumors during the time I’ve been invested.  I’ve heard about how banks have trained their employees for foreign currency exchanges.  I’ve heard how bank employees were told they couldn’t take vacations for a few weeks.  What’s new?  I have not heard rumors of banks increasing their reserves.  I also have not seen anything persist like the cash in rumors reported to have happened in Kuwait, Jordan, Panama, and Hong Kong.  Further, I’ve never had any confidence in the past bank rumors.  But, on the Middle East cash outs, I know of at least a couple people who are adamant it has happened.  I also include Forex in the mix of the bank rumors.  For me, when I look at all the bank rumors now, I see a trend that I can’t ignore.  I can no longer ignore the bank rumors the way I have in the past.

1-22-11 Athena rumor

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this posting on DD

1. Had a 2 hour private conference call yesterday with very high level sources
2. When Terry K said it was done and cited the rate, he was right
3. Will not show until after CBI updates on Sunday
4. All news of people cashing in at banks in other countries is true
5. Each individual bank made decisions to profit. They knew the rate
6. Monday is cash in, but one source said maybe Tuesday
7. One source said TK has been right, but the RV was stopped 6 different times
8. Terry has great sources. He was never wrong
9. Rate is high as evidenced by some banks cashing in at over $3
10. Thing 1 and 2 stuck their necks way out
11. Seeing it on Forex was huge as the IQD is not exotic anymore

1-22-11 Leaders will meet to resolve Ministry of National Security: Biden may intervene according to Iraqi List

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get to the details of this article

1. Political blocs will meet this week to resolve the Department of Homeland Security
2. Kurdish bloc will present its position on the ministerial position relating to the distribution of the security ministries
3. The List said that Biden will intervene to help resolve the issues

1-22-11 Oil and gas law will be discussed after the recess

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this link to get the details of the article

1. National Alliance member stated that committee is determined to discuss the oil and gas law when parliament convenes after their recess (1/30)

1-22-11 !!Iraqi Lawmakers Demanding Emergency Session of Parliament to Discuss Deteriorating Security!!

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get to the details of this article

1. Iraqi lawmakers are demanding an emergency session to discuss the deteriorating security situation
2. They want to open an investigation on the causes of the recent security breaches
3. Saadi asked Parliament to put security and stability at the forefront of their priorities
4. Saadi said that Maliki's delays to the security files should be discussed in Parliament
5. Allawi said that the recent explosions indicate the decline of security and stressed the need to improve the situation
6. The US does not intend to reconsider the date for the withdrawal of the US military scheduled at the end of this year, despite the bloody attacks that have occurred recently

1-22-11 RV was done 1/11 (rumor)

Highlights/Thoughts

1. Person was told that friend's US government contact said the RV was complete 1/11
2. RV would be made public on 1/25
3. Person noted that it is interesting to see all the reported banking activity happening now (see posting from today)

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[******] I was told from a friend who has a contact in the in the US govt that the rv was finished January 11th and would be made public with in two weeks. What was strange to me is that the 25th is the drop dead date and Obama is having a state of the Union address. Please treat as rumor and do not buy anymore dinar based upon this. I knew about this on January 12th way before the state of the union was announced. I find it very interesting based upon all the banking info we have been able to confirm. I want everyone to be encouraged with all the great verifiable info out there and know that I am feeling at peace with my investment.

1-22-11 Iraq calls on the Government to take urgent decisions to ensure an effective presence for the Arab States summit in Baghdad

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get to the details of this article

1. Member of the List said that government needs to make quick decisions urgently to ensure that the participation of the Arab countries in the upcoming summit in Baghdad
2. Doing so would send a positive message to them and open the doors of Iraq

1-22-11 Kaperoni chat from Friday

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this chat on J4D (membership required)

1. Kap had his friend translate a recording he posted weeks ago for a second opinion
2. He was told the first translator was spot on
3. The large notes are being removed and the people are frustrated
4. This will happen before 3/1
5. His sources tell him that the surrounding Arab countries do not want to see Iraq prosper
6. # 5 is Iraq's motivation to show them otherwise

1-22-11 Update on Panama HSBC cash in

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get to the details of the chat on J4D (membership required)

1. I mentioned that someone said that people in Panama were cashing out
2. This same person has an appointment (in person) with HSBC bank in Panama to see if he can cash out his Dinar
3. He was told he can cash in his Dinar by people there who have already cashed in
4. He showed the email he received from the bank where it states he can come in to realize the change of his currency
5. He will provide an update on Monday after his appointment

1-22-11 Interesting Bank Rumor - From Another Site - 1/22/11

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this posting on 1 Dinar

1. This rumor is related to all the PD information that has been released on the conference calls
2. Banks are training employees for foreign currency transactions and are ordering at least twice as much money than they normally carry
3. Unconfirmed report of the RV being delayed while Obama tries to write in laws that specifically target RV investors
4. AZ attorney team ready to file class action suit since it is illegal to target a group
5. CONFIRMED report that the government is formed, ministries are complete, and the budget is complete

1-22-11 KTF WellsFargo bank rumor

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get to the details of the posting on 1 Dinar (membership required)

1. Person went to bank and her personal banker approached her asking where he could buy Dinar
2. She asked if there was something she should know
3. He said no, but he wanted the information to order for himself
4. He said that memos have begun to be issued about the RV for the IQD throughout the branches preparing employees for what was going to happen
5. This was her personal experience

1-22-11 Iraqi deputy prime minister to delay a selection of security ministers

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this article

1. MP for the List said that Maliki will delay the decisions in the security positions
2. The MP said the delay is based on the grounds that it is authorized by the agreement of the political blocs
3. He also said the political blocs are not responsible for the delay and that it is out of their will
4. Maliki is the only one responsible for determining how long this crisis will be resolved
5. He pointed out that there is no state government in the world that is formed the way Iraq is forming their government

This sounds like Maliki truly is the cause for delay and that the political blocs cannot do anything about it.

1-22-11 National Alliance reveals the launch of new candidates for the ministries of security

Highlights/Thoughts

1. National Alliance will put for names of candidates for the security position which have not yet been disclosed in the past
2. Maliki reviewed the names that were put forth this week
3. A member of the National Alliance said that the security position is important to the political and economic stability
4. He also said that it is important to society as well as to the International and Arab countries

Note number 3.  It has been said recently that Shabibi is waiting for the security positions to be filled.  This could support that argument not just from the standpoint that it would complete the government, but also from an economic and political standpoint.  Why would Shabibi want to RV with uncertainty in politics and economics?

1-22-11 Biden: We are in great hope to see Iraq take to maintain a safe

Highlights/Thoughts

What I found of interest in this article are the words "He will not return".  Is this referring to the US not having to return because Iraq will be able to maintain its own security?  Is this referring to Biden not returning because his work there is done?  Seems like either of those scenarios would suggest that we're very close to the finish line.
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Biden: We are in great hope to see Iraq take to maintain a safe
2011-01-22 10:34:12
[-] Text [+]

BAGHDAD (Iba) .. U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, said he was with great hope to see Iraq take to maintain security.

He said in a speech to members of Alhzl Democrat in Congress I have great hope, I hope that will allow natural resources to the Iraqis fully funded their own security.

He will not return and when civil institutions need our support, Iraq will be in a good position, I think that there is at least Fifty per cent, God willing.

He said Biden, a question posed by some of you, and I do not think I ask myself, too, was it worth it in the 4439 dead American soldiers?, It was worth the 32 000 injured people, including 16 thousand will need permanent care? (...) The history alone holds the answer. But as much as if we turn back, maybe we would not do it. In reference to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. (End) / g / ..

1-22-11 Boots on the ground rumor

Highlights/Thoughts

1. Person in Iraq, who has been there for 6 years, spoke to US citizens that are invested heavily in Dinar
2. Last week, he spoke with 2 of the people who informed him Warka bank stopped selling dinar
3. Today (1/22), he was informed the same 2 people that Warka is selling Dinar for 1 IQD = $3.45
4. Bank employee told the 2 that there will be a big announcement on the 24th in the US

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******] Hey all, I cringe at the thought of posting this but it is here in the rumor section. I am here in the lovely sand box just north of Baghdad. Have been for 6 years now. I deal with numerous departments and nationalities all the time but last week I spoke to some personnel (US Citizens) that arrived from a site called JBB. These individuals are invested and invested quite well. Two of these individuals informed me that the Warka Bank on that site was not allowing the customers to accesss their accounts, purchase any more dinar, or withdraw / deposit any dinar or US currency. Well today 22 Jan 11, I was informed by these same 2 Expats that Warka will now allow them access to their accounts, but still will not allow any withdraws / deposits. I was also informed that they now can buy the new IQD, BUT at 1 dinar to $3.45. I did not say it the other way around, the bank employee told these 2 Expats that if they wanted to buy dinar, they would pay $3.45 US for 1 IQD.
Jan 22 3:19 PM [******] the bank employee told these 2 Expats that if they wanted to buy dinar, they would pay $3.45 US for 1 IQD. The Expats also said the employee informed them that there was going to be a big announcement on the 25th of Jan. (24th in the US). Take it for what it is and that it's a rumor that was relayed to me. Let's keep our fingers crossed. I have a beautiful wife waiting for me at home. As always maintain that PMA= Possitive Mental Attitude! Aim High all!!!!!!!!!!!!

1-22-11 Maliki’s visit to the State of Kuwait is to open a new page with all Arab countries

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this article

1. Maliki visits Kuwait with the intention of building good relationships and working on the outstanding issues between Iraq and Kuwait
2. Iraq will move towards all Arab countries to create closer political ties and discuss any outstanding issues

1-22-11 Hashemi: Barazani initiative includes agreement on Iraq security

Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this article

1. Hashemi affirmed that initiative of Barzani includes a political agreement to handle the security files
2. The agreement is waiting on the nomination of the security ministers