2-13-11 Recap of the day's events/postings

Facts:

1.     CBI auction results

2.     It is not right to have a two Vice President of the Republic

3.     Iraq parliament approves 8 new ministers

4.     House of Representatives vote on the eight ministers and completed the second reading of budget

5.     Allawi will meet with Barzani in Arbil in a surprise visit today

6.     Maliki’s intelligence threatens protestors by sending random SMS

7.     Agreement between the Coalition and Iraqi national security ministries candidates

8.     Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will decide today or tomorrow on the candidates from the security ministries and security and the law of the National Council for strategic policy

9.     Al-Maliki Visit Wednesday for Kuwait

10.  KUWAIT: Kuwaiti opposition MPs refused to organize their ranks to drop Iraq debt

11.  The Prime Minister asked the House of Representatives quickly approved the budget for fear of street agitation

12.  Allawi Maliki meeting cancelled for unknown reasons

13.  Maliki vows in front of the House of Representatives to meet the demands of the demonstrators

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.     Email from Daniel

2.     Nighthk11 chat from this afternoon

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

1.     Okie Oil Man

Where Are We At?

1.     I haven’t commented on the CBI auctions lately, but today I will.  The CBI auctions have clearly resumed back to normal.  Today’s volume was $147,756,000

2.     In government formation news, Parliament did not allow the National Alliance to have a 2^nd VP in the Republic.  However, they did vote 2 VPs in today during the Parliament meeting.  Parliament also voted in 8 new ministers of the 9 that were vacant.  It was reported today from the List that there is an agreement on the list of candidates on the national security ministers, and that the agreement was made 5 days before the candidates on the defense and interior were identified.  In other news, Allawi and Maliki were scheduled to meet, but Allawi unexpectedly left to meet with Barzani to discuss outstanding issues as well as government formation related topics.  Meanwhile, the List said that Maliki will decide either today or tomorrow on the candidates for the security ministries as well as the Law of the National Council for strategic policy.  However, a member of the state law said that Maliki did not choose the security minister candidates from the list of candidates given to him by the parties.

3.     In other news, it was said that Maliki ordered his intelligence group to send text message to protesters threatening to jail them should they decide to take part in demonstrations.  However, an article published this evening said that Maliki vowed in the House to meet the demands of Iraqi demonstrators in the coming days. 

4.     On the Kuwaiti front, Maliki is scheduled to go to Kuwait to discuss outstanding issues, including getting Iraq out of Chapter 7.  The meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday.  Also, it was reported that Talabani went to Kuwait to discuss debt relief, but Kuwait is not willing to forgive Kuwait the $23 bil that is owed to them.  Kuwait said they might consider eliminating some of that debt, however.

5.     In rumor news, Okie is still saying that the RV should be happening anytime.  Night had a long chat that cannot be summarized in a sentence or two.  That said, some of the important things he mentioned is that Maliki must finish the government and the budget by Tuesday, or he will be out.  He also said that the drafting of the law limiting the Supreme Federal Court has crippled Maliki.  Last, but not least, he said that Parliament has the full backing of the UNSC, the Secretary General, Obama, and Biden.  Further, he said they have the power to remove Maliki, if he doesn’t do what he is supposed to do.

What’s left?

1.    Reading of the budget for the third time (again!)

2.    Closure on Security positions (3 in total) and the remaining unfilled positions (1)

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

Important Dates

1.     February (on/after Tuesday) – Parliament votes on the National Council of Supreme policies    

2.     February 15 – 3rd reading of the budget

3.     February 16-17 – GCC Meeting

4.     February 28 – Constitutional deadline to form government

5.     February 25  -- Large demonstration online

6.     March 6 – Tariff law goes into effect

7.     March 29-30 – Arab Summit

8.     May 1 – CBI must be ready to transfer DFI monies

9.     May 22 – Presidential order 13303 expires

10.  June 30 – DFI expires

What’s It All Mean?

1.     I’m starting with the budget news today since that is puzzling!  As of the 8^th of this month, Parliament completed the 2^nd reading of the budget.  Then, there were articles that mentioned they were working on amendments, but not modifications.  There were no articles that I saw between the 8^th and yesterday where it stated that they modified the budget and needed to redraft it.  Therefore, I was expecting today’s reading to be the 3^rd and final reading.  I was surprised to see that the article said they met for the 2^nd reading of the budget.  Something is not right!  That said, I’ll leave the status on the budget where it is at since they said they read it for the 2^nd time today.

2.     The big news in government formation is the fact that Parliament gave a no vote to Maliki’s party regarding the 3^rd VP, or the 2^nd VP of the Republic for the National Alliance.  That is a pretty big deal for them.  Night said that Parliament has the backing of the Secretary General, UNSC, Obama, and Biden.  Perhaps that is true?  Ever since the Federal Court ruling, Parliament has shown a very different side.  This should send a message to Maliki should he stay in as PM in some capacity.  Apart from this news, I find it interesting that Allawi unexpectedly declined to meet with Maliki and instead met with Barzani.  Could it be that Allawi doesn’t believe that his meeting with Maliki would be productive?  Could it be that Allawi feels that meeting with Barzani would produce the results he needs?  Could it be that Allawi thinks Maliki will not play a significant role, or any role at all?  The meeting between the two was stated as being the much needed meeting that would put an end to the outstanding government formation issues.  Why would Allawi so casually brush this meeting aside?

3.     On the rumor end, I found Daniel’s email interesting.  He questioned whether it is realistic to expect Iraq to RV sooner rather than later, if they don’t RV this week.  If we look at the CBI auctions over the past few days, it doesn’t indicate they are preparing for an RV given how high the auctions have been.  It is rumored that just before an RV, the CBI auctions would be low, or they won’t have any at all days prior to an RV.  Given that, Night is suggesting that everything needs to be done by Tuesday.  Today’s auction is pretty normal.  Perhaps we’ll see a low auction for tomorrow?  But going back to Daniel’s email, if they don’t care to RV for the GCC, what would make them think it’s an important thing to do for the Arab summit?    It’s hard to understand their line of thinking.  On the other hand, it’s very easy for us to drum up a million reasons why they need to RV.  We haven’t been right yet. 

2-13-11 Maliki vows in front of the House of Representatives to meet the demands of the demonstrators

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

1. A member of Parliament for the List said that Maliki pledged to the House to meet the demands of the Iraqi demonstrations through inter Corrections
2. The Kurdistan News Agency explained that the House is interested in phenomenon of popular protests and said that Maliki pledged to manage the security situation through naming the 3 security ministers

2-13-11 Allawi Maliki meeting cancelled for unknown reasons

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

1. The meeting between Allawi and Maliki was canceled for unknown reaons
2. Allawi suddenly appeared in Arbil to meet with Barzani
3. The meeting between Maliki and Allawi was supposed to take place after Allawi's return from Arbil

2-13-11 Okie Oil Man

Highlights/Thoughts
PLEASE IGNORE IF YOU DO NOT LIKE READING RUMORS

1. If nothing else comes in tonight after 2am, Okie will have no more intel
2. He has been assured that all necessary steps, which were mainly political, have been taken care of
3. There is nothing left
4. Okie was told direct from Baghdad that the RV will come any moment

**********************************************************************************

[OKIE_OIL_MAN] after 2 A.M. Tonight if nothing else comes in then i will have no more intel. I have been assured all necessary steps (which were mainly political) are all taken care of and theres nothing--i repeat nothing--standing in the way of the r/v. It may occur suddenly--thats all i have been told direct from bagdad and to expect it at any moment--i can not give exact time and i don't think anyone else can--- thats the best i can do presently--i am only a messenger but the message is still good--i like you are waiting also--it will happen
[OKIE_OIL_MAN] if i do get any intel i will always share--thats the best i can do--- [OKIE_OIL_MAN] i would appreciate my post being passed on to m t t --they deserve an explanation also-----thnx

2-13-11 Nighthk11 chat from this afternoon

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

1. Night thinks that they will announce the rate and date of cash in for everyone else, if intel is correct
2. He thinks Iraq will do their thing on Monday
3. They must have the vacancies filled as reported earlier and assured of the budget passing by Tuesday with or without Maliki
4. The publication of the budget in the Gazette will serve as the final reading--they do not need to have a third reading
5. Night thinks the budget is done, but not announced. He reminds that they gave assurances to the local and international community that the budget would be passed by Tuesday
6. Night says the article regarding giving people 50 thousand dinar is only a proposal from a talking head in the National Alliance (NA). He says it will not fly
7. They realized Maliki's suggestion of 15,000 dinar at today's rate is an insult to the Iraqi people ($12.50 per month). They suggest this when they are making billions in a month?
8. The same problem is present in Kurdisan in the oil industry
9. Som people are taking home 2,000 dinar per month; others are taking 250 thousand dinar. Yet, the oil production takes in millions each month
10. This is why the oil workers made the threat yesterday to shut down oil production unless their demands are met for new pa and worker's rights
11. They referenced Egypt and can do the same for Algeria
12. It seems to Night that the GOI is afraid and this is why they are making statements to "please" the people, but it is too late
13. The Iraqi people will settle for nothing except the free market rate that the dinar will revalue at, and for it to be international so they can shop in Kuwait and other Arab countries and buy direct from the West
14. The 50k is a far cry from a welfare handout--especially when the GOI has not stopped
15. Night says they can make all the statements they want about what they intend to do, but it will not stop the movement to get rid of them
16. In the 5.5 yrs Maliki has draggedhis feet no one in his administration has done anything but steal
17. The Iraqi people are calling for their rights and for those involved in the corruption to be brought forth
18. Pay no attention to the National Alliance or the National Coalition
19. The RV will go on as planned because there is no other choice
20. Parliament has found the courage to confront Maliki and deal with his attempts to create another dictatorship
21. Through Moon's representative Melkert, Nujaifi has been given a green light to move around Maliki
22. That is why we saw the actions with the Supreme Federal Court
23. The drafting of the new law and limiting the SFC's power has crippled Maliki
24. Night was told a few days ago that Moon and the UNSC want Maliki gone
25. They are waiting for things to calm down. Then, they will release accurate documents that will be irrefutable concerning his misconduct
26. This will require him to step down or be removed
27. The RV is in motion and at this point will not be stopped no matter what happens in the GOI or Parliament
28. They are under UN guidance and the matter is an internal one
29. The RV is international because of the effect it will have on many nations
30. If he fails to produce the required names, they will be seated by Parliament
31. The issues confronting them are national in nature and Maliki will not be allowed to procrastinate any longer
32. They are close to declaring a national emergency if he continues to delay
33. If a national emergency is declared, Maliki knows he will be removed
34. Night was told that Parliament has teh full backing of the Secretary General, UNSC, Obama, and Biden
35. It is not a good thing to incure the wrath of either the Secretary General or UNSC
36. Iraq is still under certain provisions of Chapter 7, which allow the UN to intervene directly up to and including a new government or requiring Parliament to adhere to Barzani's agreement that was signed by Melkert
37. This is why Moon is so upset because after everything was agreed to and signed, Maliki reniged, or attempted to
38. They gave him the chance to be PM over Allawi and to appease Allawi
39. They created the supreme council with him at the head, which is designed to eversee and stop, if necessary, what Maliki has been accustomed to doing
40. They could not exclude Maliki from the government because he got 89% of the votes to Allawi's 92
41. When Maliki realized what the power of the counsil would be, he tried to change the agreement
42. By doing so, and unless agreed to by Barzani and Allawi, Maliki's government is insolvent because he did not keep the bargain
43. Should something drastic happen, Allawi will become PM
44. They may move Nufaifi up from POP to become the head of Mahdi, who was in the running for PM
45. What was relayed to Night a few days ago is that what Maliki has tried to do was the very last straw for them
46. Now they will insure that politics in Iraq will run the way the agreement was intended
47. After the events in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Somalia, Jordan, and now Algeria all are demanding a change of leadership
49. It would not be too far off that if Maliki tries anything in the final stages to delay the RV or government
50. He will be impeached through 2/3rds vote of Parliament with the full backing of UNSC and the Secretary General
51. Do you wonder why you haven't heard from Allawi? It is because he is behind the scenes
52. Night has worked with and know the people for over 20 years, and who have relayed the information to him
53. They have always been accurate with their knowledge and information
54. He was told this should happen and nothing will stop it because Allawi is ready to take over
55. Iraq will have a government through political purpose within 48 hours because stability and continuity of government is an absolute necessity
56. Night is looking for Maliki to blink. Once this is done, the RV will happen. Then, Maliki should find another home because his position will be very unpleasant
57. A new court will be installed an most likely led by Muhammad Allawi, who also heads the integrity council and who wants all the investigations into Maliki's tenure as PM from the beginning
58. They are fully aware of what Maliki has done along with his cronies
59. M Allawi has been compiling evidence since the election
60. As long as he is PM, they will not bring charges
61. They have moved to change the edict that "No member of the GOI or Parliament can be brought up on charges"
62. By releasing volumes of information concerning his misconduct in office, they can force his resignation
63. If Parliament or the UN demands it, he will either step down on his own or be removed
64. If there is to be a new nation and government, then no on is above the laws
65. If Maliki steps down, there may be a call for his arrest and presence before the International Court of Justice in the Hague
66. If the budget and RV are tied together as Shabibi has stated, then word was given to both the local and international community that everything would be done and the budget would be passed by Tuesday
67. That may be the reason for the post about the announcement on Sunday and cash in on Tuesday
68. They could be buying time to allow the Iraqi's to cash in first
69. Watch the CBI updates tomorrow
70. If it happens, we could cash in on Monday

2-13-11 The Prime Minister asked the House of Representatives quickly approved the budget for fear of street agitation

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

1. Talabani demanded that Maliki quickly approve the general budget for fear of the Iraqi street agitation
2. The main reason for the delay is the absence of the final accounts and noted that the final accounts were not submitted since 2003
3. The forces and political figures confirmed this week will see the adoption of the budget

2-13-11 Email from Daniel

Highlights/Thoughts
This is an opinion piece from one of the readers of my blog.  I thought Daniel pointed out relevant points and has an interesting perspective on this investment.  In particular, as we approach the GCC meeting, I have begun to wonder whether Iraq really would RV prior to the GCC as was rumored.  I realize that they do things last minute more than they do not, but there are still outstanding items (security ministries and full government formation, Kuwait issues, HCL, etc.) that are being reported as not done.  You would think that for something as important as the GCC meeting they would RV.  But, in my opinion, the sense of urgency isn't high enough and I don't get the sense Iraq feels it is important to RV prior to the GCC meeting.  We still have time.  So, it remains to be seen.  I remain hopeful!

In any case, I don't want to summarize Daniel's email as I think it should be read in full, if you're interested in reading it.  Thanks Daniel!
********************************************************************************

I remember we talked about this the other day.  I was just talking to someone about the same subject and looked up numbers.

How much each country in the Middle East makes from oil exports (approx).
Saudi Arabia = $200bil/year
Yemen = $15bil/year
UAE = $40bil/year
Qatar = $20bil/year

Total = $275bil/year

Looking at CIA stats, Al Qaeda roughly spends about $30mil/year to operate.  If you include all other terror organizations, it might be $50mil/year total.

So $50,000,000 (cost of terrorism) / $275,000,000,000 (total wealth) = 0.00018% (the percentage the cost of terrorism is to the area).

If the average adult male over the age of 30 in the US makes roughly $50,000/yr, then 0.00018% of his income is $9/year.  So $50mil to the Arab oil tycoons who fund the terrorism is like $9/year TOTAL to us.  And since there is probably 5 or 10 of them that actually fund the terror groups, it works out to $1 or $2 each.

Pretty crazy huh!?!

-------------------------------

The reason I share this, is to shed light on the amounts of money they are used to dealing with.  They don't think about money the same way Americans do, simply because of the VAST quantities they are used to dealing with. There is no anxious movement, there is no "jumping the gun", nor "sweaty palms". This is everyday business to them to have access to these amounts, and they toss it around like pocket change, because to them - it is!.

The tie in-

If the GOI does NOT RV this week, I don't see them RVing until the deadline of the DFI funds.  If you think about the Princes of Saudi and the mass amounts of wealth the share, they are going to make sure they maximize this opportunity and profit from it - keeping it in the family as much as possible. What better place to discuss it than at the Arab summit, with what better partners than the GCC family.  I think this may be a slightly pessimistic view,  but I guess what I am saying is that IF they aren' worried about RVing by the GCC meeting, then they aren't worried about RVing by the Arab Summit. If they aren't worried about RVing by the Arab Summit, then the next logical dates are to make sure they don't loose the funds in the DFI  - which means June.  Now that said, with Saudi showing that they over stated Oil reserves by 40% (Thanks Wikileaks) that means Iraq is truly holding the wealth of the ME nations. With this knowledge freely passed around between the Princes, they don't need a currency RV to deal with Iraq because RV or no, Iraq has the Golden Rule. "He who holds the Gold, makes the Rules." (Black Gold, to be more specific, and the Country is sitting on the worlds current "Gold Standard" ("Black Gold Standard" to be more specific).

I just personally think that if your friend came to you and said, "Hey my Facebook Stock is about to go public, and when it does kick in, you - my best friends and family, have the opportunity to vastly increase your wealth." you wouldn't be worried about meeting dates, or deadlines because you would have the "inside track".  To think that the GOI, who in my opinion are puppets of the Princes of Saudi caught up with American power ploys, wouldn't give their brother nations (GCC and Arab Summit Countries) the "inside track" is foolish. This chess game is 20 years in the making and way bigger than a mere 8% of America hoping for tables scraps off the RV so we can pay off debt and buy shiny new toys. 

Will it RV? I think that Trump's $30mill will tell you a definite YES.  We are talking about America's hardest working wealth man. Trump would in NO WAY let $30mill sit LIQUID in CASH indefinitely. After all, it took Trump an estimate year to get his $30mill Dinar worth... where do you think it's being held? A safe in his bedroom? Under his mattress? Anywhere he puts it, it is in a WORSE situation that being in a standard low interest Savings account with a 1.9% annual return. Currently, Trump's $30mill is earning no interest. 

That means to hold Dinar Trump is NOT earning

$30,000,000 x 1.9% = $570,000 (yearly)

$570,000 / 12 = $47,500 a Month

That's just bad investing, and Trump is not in anyway shape or form a "Bad Investor".  People with his amount of money and power pay well to be informed (quote "Count of Monte Cristo") and I strongly believe that if Trump invested he would do it reasonably at the last opportune moment for his finances. In fact, if Trump invested in Dinar, than to me it says that it is 100% going to return on our investment. How much? Well if you look at the standard market gains of Bonds, CD's, Money Markets, High Interest Checking and Savings Accounts (5% return annually on the High Side), and Stocks, Commodities and Futures (18% return annually with a "B+" moderately conservative investment firm) - than anything over 5-18% return on investment in a year would be a good conservative gain.  

But let me say that again, on a low side, Trump is NOT earning $47,500 a month on his Money. And you better believe if Trump has $30,000,000 in Dinar in an account somewhere it would be in a NON-INTEREST BARING account so that it is 100% FDIC insured and available 100% of the time so that when the RV does happen he can move at a moment's notice. 

Personally, I think that Trump may be one of the reasons Ali at Dinar Trade made his "safe keeping" bank, but now I am jumping to conclusions.

We as Dinar investors are caught up in the American dream of becoming overnight Rock Stars and Paris HIltons, and are hoping that our $1000 will become $3,000,000.  The gain on that in one year is a 3000% return on our investment - which in a conservative investment market is unheard of, if not even possible. The only place in America to make that kind of money is either in Penny Stocks, or a Dot com going public (like the imminent Facebook public trading, of which I actually know someone who holds stock and I am begging to get some... good luck to me on that one).  

I hope to God that the 15th is our RV day because I would love to start the next phase of my life, and start my own Trump'ish empire. I just think that people don't know the minds of the ME, and our schedules and our ideas of acceptable operating policies and procedures have absolutely ZERO to do with what is going on in the ME.

2-13-11 KUWAIT: Kuwaiti opposition MPs refused to organize their ranks to drop Iraq debt

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

1. A source from the Kuwaiti parliamentary confirmed that Talabani's visit to Kuwait will open opposition from MPs to make claims against forgiving Iraq's 23 billion dollar debt
2. But, she said the government discussed the possibility of dropping some of the debt
3. She said the mass of the National Assembly of Kuawaits's Parliamentary does not want to drop the debt
4. She added that Iraq's president participated in the celebrations of Kuwaiti national, and opened negotiations to discuss outstanding issues between the two countries
5. She also stressed that the charged atmosphere between the legislative and executive branches would be an obstacle to any discussions or negotiations on the Iraqi debt

Please note that it has been rumored that Iraq must pay Kuwait the debt owed prior to the RV. Keep in mind that Kuwait holds the keys to letting Iraq out of Chapter 7. Also, it was rumored that Kuwait was allowed to exchange the IQD for Kuwaiti residents at an exchange rate equivalent to $.35. Further, it was said this was allowed as a way to compensate Kuwait for the $23 bil owed. This article seems to suggest that there is still debt owed by Iraq and that Kuwait is reluctant to forgive the debt. Maliki plans to be in Kuwait this Wednesday to discuss outstanding issues as well as the issue of Iraq getting out of Chapter 7.

2-13-11 Al-Maliki Visit Wednesday for Kuwait

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

1. A source close to Maliki said that he will visit Kuwait on Wednesday to discuss outstanding issues such as borders, exiting Iraq from Chapter 7, and other files
2. He said that Maliki will be accompanied by the economic trade delegation comprised of a number of ministers

2-13-11 Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will decide today or tomorrow on the candidates from the security ministries and security and the law of the National Council for strategic policy

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

1. The List said that Maliki will decide today or tomorrow on the candidates for the security ministries as well as the law of the National Council for strategic policy
2. The spokeswoman said that Maliki cannot bypass the poltical agreements between the leaders of political blocs on the positions and the eligibility of each bloc
3. A member of state law said that Maliki did not choose the security minister candidates from the list of candidates given to him by the blocs
4. He noted that the adoption of the nominations will lead to politicization of the security ministries
5. He said that if this is true, the statements are nothing but a sign to stay away from the concept of national partnership
6. The spokeswoman for the List said that some members close to Maliki are distorting the picture and are putting obstacles in the way of national partnership
7. She said that the List submitted 3 candidates to the Ministry of Defense
8. She said it is hoped that Maliki provides the names of the candidates for the nine ministries to the House for vote

2-13-11 Agreement between the Coalition and Iraqi national security ministries candidates

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

1. A member of the List said there is an agreement between the coalition and its list of candidates on the national security ministries
2. She said it was agreed between the National Alliance five days before the candidates on the defense and interior had been identfied
3. She said the agreement between the National Alliance was meant to solve the outstanding issues in light of what is happening in some Arab countries
4. She noted that the events in the Middle East are accelerating the government formation events
5. She said the vote on the candidates of defense and interior may not be at today's meeting because the meeting is devoted to the discussion of the budget and the vote on the VPs
6. She said the announcement of the names of the candidates will be made during the Parliamentary session

2-13-11 Maliki’s intelligence threatens protestors by sending random SMS

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

1. The Iraqi intelligence has been sending SMS texts randamonly
2. The txt messages threaten people and warn them of taking part in demonstrations
3. Maliki ordered his intelligence service providers to intimidate people and warn them of taking part in the demonstrations planned on 2/25, in an effort to suppress this popular revolution and keep the situation under control
4. The mobile SMS messages threatened to arrest anyone taking part in the demonstrations
5. Maliki's government took a set of security measures to prevent wider protests such as closing off Al Jumhureyah Bridget for alleged maintenance work, and establishing a security circle to protect vital institutions

2-13-11 Allawi will meet with Barzani in Arbil in a surprise visit today

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

1. Media relations in the List said that Allawi went to the Kurdistan region to meet with Barzani
2. They are discussing the issue of the formation of strategic policies
3. The differences between the State Law and the List intensified when the National Alliance refused to vote on the Law of the National Council of strategic policy within the Council of Representatives
4. The List threatened to take several options if the commitments are not what was agreed upon, such as the formation of the government, including Allawi as the president of the National Council for the strategic policies and not Allawi as Maliki's secretary-general
5. They are waiting for Allawi and Maliki to meet to agree on a law of the National Council for Higher strategic policies and the candidates for the ministries of security to complete the government

2-13-11 House of Representatives vote on the eight ministers and completed the second reading of budget

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

I've already posted a blog entry for the information about the 8 new ministers. This article, however, talks about the Board completing the second reading of the draft budget.

Either this article is incorrect, or I am. This should have been the 3rd pass on the budget. The 2nd pass was completed on the 8th.  See this posting

There is one position remaining to be filled, and I believe it is the Ministry of Planning.  Apart from this, the security positions still remain unfilled.

2-13-11 Iraq parliament approves 8 new ministers

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

1. 8 new ministers were approved today in Parliament
2. Lawmakers voted in favor of candidates presented by Maliki for the ministers of electricity, trade and municipality, as well as five state ministers
3. Maliki still has not named candidates for the security ministries
4. Parliament also voted on the 3 VPs

2-13-11 It is not right to have a two Vice President of the Republic

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

1. A member of the List said that the National Alliance has no right to have two VP of the Republic
2. He said the House refused to vote on the candidate on the House today
3. He said what happened in the House today (referring to the House refusing to vote and submit to the dictates of the Supreme National Alliance) is something new for the members of the House, and is a new step towards democracy
4. They refused to give the 3rd position to the National Alliance, and he said that 3rd position belongs to the Turkmen
5. An MP for the Iraqi Nahida Daini said that the first half of today's meeting saw the vote on a number of candidates from the service ministries, but the List, Liberals, and the Kurds did not vote for the 3rd VP

2-13-11 CBI auction results

Currency Auctions

Announcement No. (1834)

The latest daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq on the 13-FEB-2011. The results were as follows:

Details	Notes
Number of banks	17
Auction price selling dinar / US$	1170
Auction price buying dinar / US$	-----
Amount sold at auction price (US$)	147,756,000
Amount purchased at Auction price (US$)	-----
Total offers for buying (US$)	147,756,000
Total offers for selling (US$)	-----

Exchange rates

Dollar's exchange rates / in Baghdad markets