2-25-11 Recap of the day's events/postings

Facts:

1.       Breaking news - violence in Iraq

2.       Iraq Trade Ministry: Iraq’s WTO ascension; Asking for US support over next few days

3.       Source: Maliki, Barzani, and Allawi to meet next week

4.       Economic Commission: Iraq’s budget deficit will be addressed by raising revenue

5.       Baghdad province: investment will be able to solve all the crises occurring in the country

6.       Commerce Minister announces the distribution of the amounts of compensatory early next week

7.       end demonstrations in Karbala and local governments are implementing demands

8.       9 dead and 120 wounded, the outcome of events Friday in Iraq's provinces

9.       Nujafi says iraq in new phrase and parliament is supreme

10.   Hasnawi: Parliament may pass a resolution Monday to suspend the first sacking of the provincial councils

11.   Basra governor resignation confirmed

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.       None

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

1.       Skype chat - Ray's update from Steve I

Where Are We At?

1.       It goes without saying that the big news of the day is the demonstrations.  At last count, 11 were killed, 51 policemen were wounded, and 120 people were wounded.  Also, buildings were burned, including the government building in Fallujah.  As a result of the demonstrations, Maliki asked for officials in some provinces to step down, and the governor of Basra announced his resignation.  Some officials received protestor’s demands at the end of the demonstration.  In related news, Parliament said they will be making the decisions on which government officials should either be suspended or be asked to step down

2.       In government formation news, it was reported that Maliki, Barzani, and Allawi will meet next week to discuss the security postions as well as the National Council

3.       On the budget, it was reported that the deficit would be closed by unplanned revenues from either increased oil production or the price of oil

4.       In miscellaneous news, Nujaifi said that Iraq is passing through a new phase which is developing plans for reform and pointed out that Parliament will take a new supreme authority in the country.  Also, it was reported by the trade minister that the distribution of compensatory payments for the ration card items will go out next week

5.       On the rumor front, Ray said that the TV said they will present the 3 security candidates in Parliament next week

What’s left?

1.    Vote on the budget – Done!

2.    Closure on Security positions (3 in total)

3.    Formal announcement of government

4.    Agreement on outstanding Kuwait issues (I believe this is done)

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

6.    RV/RI

7.    HCL

Important Dates

1.      February 17 – GCC Meeting (no news of this yet)

2.      February 20 – Vote on the budget – Done!

3.      February (sometime after the budget is voted on) – Parliament votes on the National Council of Supreme policies 

4.      February 25  -- Large demonstration

5.      February 28 – Constitutional deadline to form government

6.      March 29-30 – Arab Summit

7.      May 1 – CBI must have transfer DFI monies

8.      May 22 – Presidential order 13303 expires

9.      June 30 – DFI expires

What’s It All Mean?

1.       I read something where someone said that the demonstrations today were peaceful as expected.  Given the thousands that attended and the statistics above, I guess one could make that argument.  But, the demonstrations seemed pretty violent to me.  I watched some of it live and saw policement being pelted by all kinds of things.  They were also wielding their batons trying to hit demonstrators, and the demonstrators were doing their fair share of violent acts.  In any case, I think the demonstrations were effective in terms of getting the government to seriously focus on their demands.  Nujaifi’s comment about Iraq passing through a new phase which is developing plans for reform is likely related directly to this idea

2.       Regarding the government formation, the news and a rumor from Ray state that the security positions will be presented next week.  Iraq’s week starts on Sunday.  Also, if you look above, you’ll see there is a constitutional deadline of the 28^th for Maliki to form the government.  I’m not sure if that is truly the case, but it was stated in an article by a member of the state of law, which I have an entry for here.  On the 9^th of this month, he stated that the Constitution allows a commander to nominate the appropriate people to the post and resolve the security files by the end of the month.  Let’s hope Maliki, Allawi, and Barzani have that meeting before the 28^th

3.       Going back to Nujaifi’s comment about parliament taking a new supreme authority in the country, I find that interesting.  What does that mean?  What’s that mean in relation to Maliki?  Look what happened today when Maliki asked some officials to step down.  Parliament said they’d review those decisions and make the decisions on who will or will not step down.  That happened to Maliki?  Is he truly losing his power as some are suggesting?  Interesting.  The members of parliament are getting braver by the moment!

2-25-11 Basra governor resignation confirmed

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

1. The Basra governer resigned amid pressures from demonstrators to step down over lack of sufficient basic services in the oil rich province
2. Thousands took to the streets to call for the resignation of Sheltagh Abboud
3. The Basra provincial council media official said there was a meeting with security leaders, Basra MPs, and provincial councilors to assign an alternative for Abboud
4. Demonstrators also called for the resignation of the electricity director in the city
5. They also want Abboud to formally provide an apology
6. The Iraqi parliament's Basra MP confirmed Abboud's resignation and the assigning of his first deputy in his place on a temporary basis

2-25-11 Hasnawi: Parliament may pass a resolution Monday to suspend the first sacking of the provincial councils

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

1. An MP from the Sadrist movement said that Parliament will take a decision on Monday regarding the provincial councils, districts, and areas to either suspend their membership or dismiss them entirely, which would require the formation of new elections
2. He said that the demonstrations did not call for bringing down the political system, but called for better services, the expulsion of the spoilers, and asked for the removal of the provincial House of Representatives that would have the final say in this matter
3. He said that Parliament will listen to the demands of Mtazahrihm and, if necessary, will remove the Baghdad governor from office

2-25-11 Nujafi says iraq in new phrase and parliament is supreme

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

1. Nujaifi said that Iraq is passing through a new phase which is developing plans for reform
2. He pointed out that parliament will take a new supreme authority in the country
3. During a meeting with the Iraqi community, he said there are forces seeking to reform the political situation in Iraq through the restructuring of the state, fighting against corruption, and he promised to send a parliamentary committee to examine the problems and constraints experienced by Iraqis in Syria
4. Nujaifi arrived in Syria yesterday and met with President Bashar Assad
5. They discussed bilateral relations and developments on the Arab and International arena

2-25-11 Skype chat - Ray's update from Steve I

Highlights/Thoughts
PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ RUMORS

1. Ray said Maliki was on TV and told the people that he would present the 3 security ministers to Parliament next week
2. No specific date given
3. Protests went very good as predicted
4. Ray still feels strongly about next week being positive
5. The last 3 candidates must be approved
6. The 3 candidates look to a be a shoe in as Parliament indicated that if Maliki approves of them, they will vote them in

************************************************************************
Ray's Update by SteveI ------> "Greetings, I just got off the phone with Ray a few minutes ago. According to the information that was provided, Ray stated that Maliki was on TV and told the people he would present his final 3 candidates to the Parliament next week. When I asked Ray what next week meant, he said a specific date was not given. It could be Sunday, or thereafter. If you have any questions, please ask as Ray will keep this post updated. All protests went very good as previous predicted. Nothing much more to share at this point. I still feel very strongly about next week being very positive and perhaps some results we are all looking for. Remember that we need to see the last three candidates approved. Have a great weekend. Blessings, Steve"
[12:12:25 PM] follow up post from Ray ----> "From what my contact says. The three candidates are shoe ins. Parliament has indicated that if Maliki approves of them then they will be voted in. Blessings, Ray"

2-25-11 9 dead and 120 wounded, the outcome of events Friday in Iraq's provinces

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

1. Statistics show that demonstrators were out n Iraq in 16 counties and 22 cities
2. They went out to demand better services and elimination of rampant corruption
3. 9 people died and 120 in various provinces were wounded

This article reports 11 dead
This article says 51 policemen were wounded and that grenades were used

2-25-11 end demonstrations in Karbala and local governments are implementing demands

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

1. The demonstrations ended in Karbala
2. The provincial council chairman received the protester's demands and ordered the creation of a joint committee of representatives made up of the demonstrators and the Council to implement the demands
3. He said the demands will be submitted to Parliament and they will implement or develop a plan to implement the demands
4. He noted the attack on the provincial council as well as the wounding of a policeman

2-25-11 Commerce Minister announces the distribution of the amounts of compensatory early next week

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

1. The trade minister announced the distribution of compensatory payments for the ration card items will be next week
2. He said the ministry coordinated with the Ministry of Finance to deliver the amounts of compensation to the provinces for distribution through the committees that were formed for this purpose under the chairmanship of the conservatives
3. He added that the ministry seeks to quickly provide the ration card items, especially sugar, flour, rice, and oil through contracts with the companies

2-25-11 Baghdad province: investment will be able to solve all the crises occurring in the country

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

1. The first deputy governor of Baghdad said investment, whether in Baghdad or all parts of Iraq will solve many problems affecting the country at this time
2. He said investments will help with housing, unemployment, the economy, and standards of living
3. The government desires to attract all investors and companies to contribute to the reconstruction and confirms that any legislation concerning investments should reflect the current state philosophy, investment environment, and constraints
4. They emphasized the need to facilitate and simplify procedures in a competitive environment to attract investment and to stimulate the national economy
5. He noted that the investment process will take priority for major housing projects for the needs of low-income housing
6. The Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers needs to create great economic partnerships between Iraq and companies wishing to invest in various sectors with a clear strategy and message that the Iraqi market is promising and Iraq is fertile ground for investors

2-25-11 Economic Commission: Iraq’s budget deficit will be addressed by raising revenue

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

1. A member of the economic committee said the budget deficit of $13 bil is not a real and viable treatment
2. He said there is a wide expectation that there will be a balance between the oil revenues and the state financial expenditures
3. He added that the government decided to borrow $5 bil from the IMF, $2 bil from the WB, and $4.5 bil from the surplus of the CBI in case the revenue remained unchanged
4. al-Dabbagh, the Iraqi government spokesman, said that the Iraqi Council of Representatives decided that any increases to the oil price or oil production would result in the unplanned revenues being mostly diverted to the budget to bridge the deficit
5. He said that the government decided to raise the investment ratio in the current year budget to 30% at the expense of the operational budget in order to support investment projects
6. The Ministry of Planning and Development said that the issue regarding the operational budget is that they didn't make extensive changes to it for the standard of living of the citizens

2-25-11 Source: Maliki will sacrifice officials in state law to prevent the high ceiling Liabilities People

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 is considering eliminating a number of officials of the state of law in the provinces and in Baghdad
2. He said Maliki would probably eliminate a number of governors, including the governors of Baghdad and Basra in order to appease the angry crowd

In a related article, the governor of Basra announced his resignation in response to the demands of the demonstrators

2-25-11 Source: Maliki, Barzani, and Allawi to meet next week

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

1. A member of the state of law expects a meeting between Maliki, Allawi, and Barzani next week
2. The purpose of the meeting is to resolve the outstanding problems relating to the security ministries and the National Council
3. He said the outcome of the meeting will be important, but not decisive
4. He added that the List would need to make concessions to resolve the outstanding issues because it cannot go beyond the law and the Constitution
5. He noted that the problems in Iraq are affecting the political situation and said that were it not for the demonstrations, the candidates for the 3 security ministries would have been given to parliament this week
6. He said that they will view the names of the security ministries this period

It's interesting to see that Maliki's group is saying that the atmosphere/demonstrations caused the delay of the 3 security ministries. Yet, there are two reasons why Barzani, Maliki, and Allawi are meeting: 1) security ministries; 2) National Council. Hmmm....which is it? Is it that they haven't agreed yet and need to work things out? Or, is it the demonstrations? Maybe neither.

2-25-11 Iraq Trade Ministry: Iraq’s WTO ascension; Asking for US support over next few days

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

1. The general director of economic relations said the Iraqi Ministry of Trade asked the US embassy in Baghdad for support from the US on its accession to the WTO during the next few days in order to develop the economic sector
2. The US embassy confirmed it would offer significant support to Iraq in their efforts to join the WTO
3. The US will also offer support in growing their economy by improving their investment climate

2-25-11 Breaking news - violence in Iraq

<b>Highlights/Thoughts</b>
Click on the title of this posting to get to the NINA site

Below are a few breaking news bits from National Iraqi News Agency

25/02/2011 15:26:00
Breaking News Demonstrators burn governing buildings in Fallujah

25/02/2011 14:50:00
Breaking News Dozens killed, injured in Mosul demonstration

25/02/2011 14:20:00
Breaking News Clashes erupt in Tahrir Square

25/02/2011 13:07:00 ISF open fire on demonstrators in Mosul   24/02/2011 23:25:00 Demonstrators in Muthana put Municipal Council's building on fire CNN says 5 killed Demonstrators set Nineveh government building on fire Watch here Update 8:10am Central: There are so many articles about the violence related to the demonstrations that I can't keep up with the long list of articles