Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this article
1. A number of Iraqi government experts and advisors and the Deputy US Treasury Department are engaged in a joint technical cooperation in the field of economics, money and energy
2. The head of the advisers to the Iraqi government said they are focused on the financial and banking sector as well as strengthening the role of private banks which are highly necessary in the current stage and the next stages, which will see more of the construction projects
3. He said the priorities of the government's work is directed towards the provisions of basic services to citizens and the development of the Iraqi economy in terms of diversifying its sources of non-oil revenue, particularly through the promotion of foreign investment and the Arab and local community
4. He said the government is moving forward in the process of transition towards a market economy that will include an agricultural and private sector, and pointed to the implementation of programs directed towards the reform of public companies that are state owned
5. The US Deputy Secretary gave his thanks and appreciation to the advisory board and expressed his authorities in the banking and specialized financial sector in the US will provide expertise to support and assist Iraq's banking and financial sector
6. The US will provide training programs, capacity development, give advice in addition to sending experts and specialist to Iraq when necessary
This is really good stuff!
Friday, February 18, 2011
2-18-11 Parliament will meet with heads of blocs and the Finance Committee to resolve the budget law
<b>Highlights/Thoughts</b>
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this posting on TCN
1. A parliamentary source said today that Nujaifi met with the heads of the political blocs and the Finance Committee to resolve the financial budget bill
2. He stressed that the budget will go to vote in Parliament during Sunday's meeting
Let's keep a watchful eye on what Maliki does with the 3 security minister positions. I would hope that he gives the names in Saturday's session. If he does, then they could potentially have a full government by tomorrow. They can then vote and ratify the budget on Sunday. If Maliki doesn't hand over the names of the 3 security ministries, or if they can't come to agreement in Saturday's meeting, we might see the vote on the budget slip out to the first part of next week.
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this posting on TCN
1. A parliamentary source said today that Nujaifi met with the heads of the political blocs and the Finance Committee to resolve the financial budget bill
2. He stressed that the budget will go to vote in Parliament during Sunday's meeting
Let's keep a watchful eye on what Maliki does with the 3 security minister positions. I would hope that he gives the names in Saturday's session. If he does, then they could potentially have a full government by tomorrow. They can then vote and ratify the budget on Sunday. If Maliki doesn't hand over the names of the 3 security ministries, or if they can't come to agreement in Saturday's meeting, we might see the vote on the budget slip out to the first part of next week.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
2-17-11 Recap of the day's events/postings
Facts:
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):
The Rest (doesn’t mean these are not happening):
Where Are We At?
1. In government formation news, Maliki that both he an Allawi are committed to the Barzani agreements. More importantly, Maliki announced that he will present the names of the 3 security ministry candidate, and he says he has more candidates if there isn’t agreement. In other news, Jaafar al-Sadr submitted his resignation today in protest against the deterioration of services and the inability of the GOI to provide anything for the people
2. In regards to Kuwaiti news, Melkert said that he believes that all issues between Baghdad and Kuwait would be solved.
3. In budget news, there were several articles today suggesting that they were done with the discussions on the budget, but the date for the vote was not consistent. Some articles say the vote will be on Sunday. Others say the vote will be Monday or next week. Also, Parliament called on Kuwait to cancel the outstanding debt owed by Iraq to Kuwait. Additionally, they want the 5% of oil revenues they pay to Kuwait canceled. Finally, a deputy for the List said that the final accounts for the past year will not hold up the vote on the budget, and the CBI said that it would be in an awkward position if the budget isn’t passed.
4. In other news, Maliki held a press conference today to address the economic reforms, protests, and his meeting with Kuwait. Also, the Kurds demanded a reduction in fuel prices and the establishment of power stations, and they warned that demonstrations would spread. Finally, it was reported today that the draft law of the Federal Court is still under study with the Council of Representatives.
5. In rumor news, it was reported that the RV was done and that we should see it within 24 hours, but we won’t be able to cash in until Monday or Tuesday. Cagetrucker also reported the RV is done and said the UN was in an emergency meeting. He also said Kuwait agreed and the UN will lift all sanctions now. Frank reported that Maliki stated that the citizens will not have to pay for their electric bills from today forward. He also said they would not need to pay for speeding tickets until further notice. In his much longer report, Frank suggested that Kuwait’s meeting with Maliki a month ago resulted in Maliki telling him the value of the dinar would increase. This, Frank suggests, is what made the PM of Kuwait give 20% of his 2011 budget to the people, and tell them he would pick up their food tab until next year. Delta reporting on the US Treasury meeitngs and said he felt this is significant. He also reported on what TV in Iraq is saying now regarding the GOI’s rejection of the 4th VP, the demonstrations, and the budget. He said TV said there is a good possibility that when Maliki returns, he would give over the 3 names for the security ministries.
What’s left?
1. Vote on the budget
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 (on/after Tuesday, but sometime this week) – Parliament votes on the National Council of Supreme policies
2. February 20 – Vote on the budget
3. February 17 – GCC Meeting
4. February 28 – Constitutional deadline to form government
5. February 25 -- Large demonstration online
6. March 29-30 – Arab Summit
7. May 1 – CBI must be ready to transfer DFI monies
8. May 22 – Presidential order 13303 expires
9. June 30 – DFI expires
What’s It All Mean?
1. Beginning with the big news for me, which is related to Maliki’s meeting with Kuwait, Melkert’s statement that he thinks all issues between Kuwait and Baghdad would be solved is a big deal. The UN lifted all sanctions from Chapter 7 except those relating to Kuwait. What they essentially said is that in order for the remaining sanctions to be lifted, Kuwait and Baghdad would have to agree on the outstanding issues. The fact that there was so much positive news from both sides, a committee will be established to work on the issues beginning in March, and taking into consideration Melkert’s statement tells me they have agreement. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so on this one. What this means is that the remaining sanctions can now be lifted, if I am right. If we need to wait for the resolution of all the outstanding issues, then we will not see the RV until sometime after the middle of March. That said, I do not think this will end up being the case given that violence is escalating quickly in Iraq. They haven’t even finished their budget and they are giving away things almost every day. If they drag out the RV, there will be nothing left for them to give away.
2. What else could hold up the RV? The government formation, of course. However, things sped up after Maliki’s meeting with Kuwait. He’s now ready to hand over more than 3 names for the security positions, if necessary. So, this will not be the hold up. I also do not believe Parliament will feel inclined to drag out the nominations given that the blocs eligible to receive those positions have all provided their candidates, and because of the escalating violence. So I am expecting the three names any day now.
3. On the budget, it feels to me they’ve been done with this long ago, but it feels like they’ve had to drag this out until it was close to the time for them to RV. If that’s true, then we’ll see the RV shortly after they vote the budget in, and of course, after they have a full GOI. The vote is this Sunday, or sometime next week. Either way, there really isn’t much left for them to do on this budget.
4. On the rumor front, Frank’s sugestion about Kuwait’s reaction to their meeting with Maliki is interesting. Taking 20% out of your budget in an unplanned way would have a devastating impact on a country, if it couldn’t fill that gap. So maybe Frank is right? It makes sense to me from the perspective of Maliki’s short visit to Kuwait along with all the positive news that came out of that quick meeting. Was that a meeting to just seal the deal? Sure didn’t seem like they had any seriousl discussions, but Maliki came back ready to go, and he’s beginning to give away the Iraqi farm. Interesting. Regarding the other rumors, it remains to be seen whether those have legs or not.
2-17-11 Frank26 & Delta Info: KTF Missions 2/16/11
Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this posting on DD
1. Last month the PM from Kuwait came to visit Maliki
2. Shouldn't it have been the other way around given what Iraq did to Kuwait?
3. Our investment started with Kuwait and it will end in Kuwait
4. Moments after the Amir met with Maliki, he rushed back home to pull out 20+% of his country's 2011 budget and spread the wealth financially to Kuwait, and he also told them he would pick up their food tab until next year
5. How could have have made such a decision so impulsively when it wasn't in the budget?
6. Such a move would damage their MOF and MOP's budget, unless last month after their meeting te Amir told Maliki I am going home to please my people because you are going to raise the value of your currency of which I have been given much of
7. If this was the case, then there be issues in their budget
8. Frank thinks Maliki did not go to Kuwait to finish the RI
9. He says they found the rate in contracts and believe the rate will be lower than Kuwait's rate when the RI is announced
10. A committee will be formed to do whatever Maliki and the Emir discussed in privte
11. There are many interesting dates to study, and Frank will share
Delta
1. TV said that the UST and their deputies were busy meeting people
2. They met with the financial advisor committee that worked with Maliki and Shabibi on the reform of their currency's monetary policy
3. They reformed their monetary policy and created a map that they called Al Kharetah
4. Delta thinks it is significant that the UST is there going from meeting to meeting
5. TV said the GOI met yesterday and rejected the president's proposal for the 4th VP
6. TV mentioned the demonstrations in Wasit
7. They said so far demonstrations have been peaceful, but made it clear that there is great frustration
8. Delta says it is getting ugly no
9. The ME uprising is bleeding into Iraq now
10. Maliki made it clear to the representatives of each city that he wanted them to talk to the citizens
11. The demonstrations started peacefully and they calle out for the politicians to come out of the buildings to talk to them in the streets
12. As the hours went by, nobody came out and the yelling got louder
13. They finally resorted to burning a government building down
14. They did this because the mayor just bought a 70 mil dinar car
15. They yelled,"you do this while we are starving to death!!!"
16. TV said the budget has a good possibility of completing today
17. They also said that when Maliki returns from Kuwait, he is expected to turn in the remaining 3 ministries
18. They said as soon as the budget is done three hundred thousand jobs will be ready on 3/1 for Iraqi citizens
19. Frank calls attention to 2/24 and what the Emir is doing on that day
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this posting on DD
1. Last month the PM from Kuwait came to visit Maliki
2. Shouldn't it have been the other way around given what Iraq did to Kuwait?
3. Our investment started with Kuwait and it will end in Kuwait
4. Moments after the Amir met with Maliki, he rushed back home to pull out 20+% of his country's 2011 budget and spread the wealth financially to Kuwait, and he also told them he would pick up their food tab until next year
5. How could have have made such a decision so impulsively when it wasn't in the budget?
6. Such a move would damage their MOF and MOP's budget, unless last month after their meeting te Amir told Maliki I am going home to please my people because you are going to raise the value of your currency of which I have been given much of
7. If this was the case, then there be issues in their budget
8. Frank thinks Maliki did not go to Kuwait to finish the RI
9. He says they found the rate in contracts and believe the rate will be lower than Kuwait's rate when the RI is announced
10. A committee will be formed to do whatever Maliki and the Emir discussed in privte
11. There are many interesting dates to study, and Frank will share
Delta
1. TV said that the UST and their deputies were busy meeting people
2. They met with the financial advisor committee that worked with Maliki and Shabibi on the reform of their currency's monetary policy
3. They reformed their monetary policy and created a map that they called Al Kharetah
4. Delta thinks it is significant that the UST is there going from meeting to meeting
5. TV said the GOI met yesterday and rejected the president's proposal for the 4th VP
6. TV mentioned the demonstrations in Wasit
7. They said so far demonstrations have been peaceful, but made it clear that there is great frustration
8. Delta says it is getting ugly no
9. The ME uprising is bleeding into Iraq now
10. Maliki made it clear to the representatives of each city that he wanted them to talk to the citizens
11. The demonstrations started peacefully and they calle out for the politicians to come out of the buildings to talk to them in the streets
12. As the hours went by, nobody came out and the yelling got louder
13. They finally resorted to burning a government building down
14. They did this because the mayor just bought a 70 mil dinar car
15. They yelled,"you do this while we are starving to death!!!"
16. TV said the budget has a good possibility of completing today
17. They also said that when Maliki returns from Kuwait, he is expected to turn in the remaining 3 ministries
18. They said as soon as the budget is done three hundred thousand jobs will be ready on 3/1 for Iraqi citizens
19. Frank calls attention to 2/24 and what the Emir is doing on that day
2-17-11 Frank26 rumor
Highlights/Thoughts
PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO READ RUMORS
1. Maliki just announced to the Iraqi people that no one will have to pay an electric bill from this day forward
2. No one will have to pay a speeding ticket till further notice
3. He is trying to please the people and keep the peace
4. Frank will explain more tonight
I wonder if they factored that electricity expense in their 2011 budget? If not, how do they plan to pay this?
***********************************************************************************************
[2:53:51 PM] Family from Frank!! Maliki just announced to the Iraqi people. That no one will have to pay a electric bill from this day forward!! That no one will have to pay a water bill from this day forward!! No one will have to pay a speeding ticket till further notice!! Maliki is trying to please the people and keep the peace!!! Frank stated that he will explain more tonight....Please take it to prayer and he looks forward to sharing more on tonights CC
PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO READ RUMORS
1. Maliki just announced to the Iraqi people that no one will have to pay an electric bill from this day forward
2. No one will have to pay a speeding ticket till further notice
3. He is trying to please the people and keep the peace
4. Frank will explain more tonight
I wonder if they factored that electricity expense in their 2011 budget? If not, how do they plan to pay this?
***********************************************************************************************
[2:53:51 PM] Family from Frank!! Maliki just announced to the Iraqi people. That no one will have to pay a electric bill from this day forward!! That no one will have to pay a water bill from this day forward!! No one will have to pay a speeding ticket till further notice!! Maliki is trying to please the people and keep the peace!!! Frank stated that he will explain more tonight....Please take it to prayer and he looks forward to sharing more on tonights CC
2-17-11 Huani: Federal Court Act is still under study within the House of Representatives
Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this article
1. A member of the Kurdish blocs said the draft law of the Federal Court is still under study within the Council of Representatives
2. He said the nomination of judges, the selection mechanism, and how to vote on them in the House are still in the process of being studied and need to be discussed more
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this article
1. A member of the Kurdish blocs said the draft law of the Federal Court is still under study within the Council of Representatives
2. He said the nomination of judges, the selection mechanism, and how to vote on them in the House are still in the process of being studied and need to be discussed more
2-17-11 Maliki: I will present candidates for the security ministries, the parliament in the absence of consensus
Highlights/Thoughts
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this article
1. Maliki said they've delayed giving the names of the security ministries because of the other ministries
2. He said that he has the names of the 3 security ministries, and he has additional candidates in case there is no agreement on the 3 names
3. The remainder of the article provides historical reference to the ministries and related events
Great news!
Click on the title of this posting to get the details of this article
1. Maliki said they've delayed giving the names of the security ministries because of the other ministries
2. He said that he has the names of the 3 security ministries, and he has additional candidates in case there is no agreement on the 3 names
3. The remainder of the article provides historical reference to the ministries and related events
Great news!
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