The outstanding issues with Kuwait on the way to the final solution!!!

10/31/2010

Al-Dabbagh: The outstanding issues with Kuwait on the way to the final solution

Through the spokesman the Iraqi government d. Ali al-Dabbagh expressed optimism the present and future of the relationship between Kuwait and Iraq, he said, «all the issues with Kuwait on the way to the final solution», explained to the «now» mail that will soon be installing border markers and solve the problem of farmers, confirming re- property of Kuwaitis in Iraq, where they can enjoy them as a project, and added: there is a company survey oil is currently clearing the common fields of joint investment and determine the proportion of each party, and added: will solve all issues with Kuwait and will create future relationship built through joint investments and constructive dialogue.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&langpair=ar%7Cen&u=http://www.sotaliraq.com/iraq-news.php%3Fid%3D10494&prev=/language_tools&rurl=translate.google.com

Iraq is a parliamentary democracy with a federal system of government. The 2005 Iraqi constitution guarantees basic rights. The executive branch consists of the Presidency Council (one president, two vice presidents--an arrangement that may change following the March 2010 elections and the formation of a new government) and a Council of Ministers (one prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, and 37 cabinet ministers).

The president is the head of state, protecting the constitution and representing the sovereignty and unity of the state, while the prime minister is the direct executive authority and commander in chief.

The president and vice presidents are elected by the Council of Representatives.

The prime minister is nominated by the largest bloc in the Council of Representatives. Upon designation, the prime minister names the members of his cabinet, the Council of Ministers, which is then approved by the Council of Representatives.

The executive branch serves a 4-year term concurrent with that of the Council of Representatives. The responsibilities of the Council of Representatives include enacting federal laws, monitoring the executive branch, and electing the president of the republic.

Iraq's judicial branch is independent, and is under no authority but that of the law. The federal judicial authority is comprised of the Higher Judicial Council, Federal Supreme Court, Court of Cassation, Public Prosecution Department, Judiciary Oversight Commission, and other federal courts.

The Higher Judicial Council supervises the affairs of the federal judiciary.

The Federal Supreme Court has limited jurisdiction related to intra-governmental disputes and constitutional issues. The appellate courts appeal up to the Court of Cassation, the highest court of appeal. The establishment of the federal courts, their types, and methods for judicial appointments are set forth by laws enacted by the Council of Representatives.

Principal Officials of the Iraqi National Unity Government

President--Jalal Talabani
Vice President--Adil Abd al-Mahdi
Vice President--Tariq al-Hashimi
Prime Minister--Nuri al-Maliki
Deputy Prime Minister--Rafi al-Issawi
Deputy Prime Minister--Rowsch Nuri Shaways
Minister of Defense--Abd al-Qadir Muhammad Jassim al-Mufriji al-Ubaydi
Minister of Finance--Bayan Baqir Jabr Sulagh al-Zubaydi
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Hoshyar Mahmud Zebari
Minister of Interior--Jawad Karim al-Bulani
Minister of Oil--Husayn al-Shahristani

POLITICAL CONDITIONS

Recent Elections

On January 31, 2009, Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all provinces except for the three provinces comprising the Kurdistan Regional Government and Kirkuk (al-Tamim) province.

On March 7, 2010 Iraq held national parliamentary elections based on an open list system that elected the members of the Council of Representatives, who will elect the President and approve the next executive branch appointments.

The Iraqi National Movement coalition led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi won the most seats (91), followed by Prime Minister al-Maliki’s State of Law coalition (89 seats), the Kurdish bloc (headed by Kurdistan Democratic Party President Masud Barzani and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan President Jalal Talabani, with a total of 57 seats), the Iraqi National Alliance led by Muqtada al-Sadr (70 seats), and other smaller political and minority parties (18 seats).

Bumped this article although it doesn't fit the timeline and it's only 7 months later it still gives us an idea what to look for. We have dates. We have Monday, November 1st. This meeting will hopefully bring everyone together to vote for who will be the next speaker, the next president and the next prime minister. It appears that they have allotted themselves six days to resolve the matter. By then they should have all positions filled and have a full working parliament who can pass bills.

March 24, 2010

The Election is over - and so what happens next?

The order of events will be:

*ratification of results

*The call to the Council of Representatives to convene

*The election of a speaker

*The election of the new President

*The nomination and approval of the Council of Ministers.

The ratification of the general election results by the Federal Supreme Court will take place according to Article 93(7)

According to Article 54 of the constitution:

The President of the Republic shall call upon the Council of Representatives to convene by a presidential decree within fifteen days from the date of the ratification of the general election results. Its eldest member shall chair the first session to elect the speaker of the Council and his two deputies.

This period may not be extended by more than the aforementioned period. (deadline July 14th)

According to Article 55 of the constitution:

The Council of Representatives shall elect in its first session its speaker, then his first deputy and second deputy, by an absolute majority of the total number of the Council members by direct secret ballot.

According to Article 70 of the constitution:

First: The Council of Representatives shall elect a President of the Republic from among the candidates by a two-thirds majority of the number of its members.

Second: If none of the candidates receive the required majority vote then the two candidates who received the highest number of votes shall compete and the one who receives the majority of votes in the second election shall be declared President.

According to Article 76 of the constitution:

*First: The President of the Republic shall charge the nominee of the largest Council of Representatives bloc with the formation of the Council of Ministers within fifteen days from the date of the election of the President of the Republic.

*Second: The Prime Minister-designate shall undertake the naming of the members of his Council of Ministers within a period not to exceed thirty days from the date of his designation.

*Third: If the Prime Minister-designate fails to form the Council of Ministers during the period specified in clause “Second,” the President of the Republic shall charge a new nominee for the post of Prime Minister within fifteen days.

*Fourth: The Prime Minister-designate shall present the names of his members of the Council of Ministers and the ministerial program to the Council of Representatives. He is deemed to have gained its confidence upon the approval, by an absolute majority of the Council of Representatives, of the individual Ministers and the ministerial program.

*Fifth: The President of the Republic shall charge another nominee to form the Council of Ministers within fifteen days in case the Council of Ministers did not win the vote of confidence.

Pursuant to Articles 68 and 77, the President and Prime Minister must be Iraqi by birth, born to Iraqi parents. The President must be over 40 and the Prime Minister over thirty five.

http://www.gjpi.org/2010/03/24/the-election-is-over-and-so-what-happens-next/

Political first : good financed a project to sell cars in a manner installment ...

Sunday October 31, 2010

Political first : good financed a project to sell cars in a manner installment

BAGHDAD – Wafaa Amer

Bank reported good to begin financing a project to sell cars to people in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, as he emphasized his release near the network system, “Swift” global and comprehensive system.

The Director General of BADEA Kazem Mohammad fistula in a statement singled out the “morning”: that the bank initiated since the beginning of this year, in coordination with General Automotive Company of the Ministry of Commerce, launched a project to finance the purchase of taxis and private by citizens across the country, in agreement with the Councils provinces that are developing mechanisms for distribution and implementation of the project.

and that selling cars is a way installments in return for interest rate of 8 percent of the price of the car if the borrower staff, and 10 percent for non-staff, to be paid the full amount within a maximum period of five years.

In regard to the Post, reported fistula that the Board of Directors of the Bank recently decided to lend repeat customers who have accounts at the bank for money to buy cars productivity associated with their work, whether agricultural, industrial or other uses, noting that the bank is developing mechanisms and controls for the application of experience and then to instruct the branches for their implementation.

by another, stressed that the Bank of rational being final preparations for the direct application of network experience (SWIFT) global and it is hoped to be launched formally in the seventh month of November.

He indicated that it was to instruct the reporters the bank in a number of countries to connect to the banks of those countries with a view to starting to new methods in the banking system and the development of other banks to facilitate communication and thus expanding the network of connections to the Rasheed Bank and the overall banking activities in any country in the world.

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Iraqi parliamentary blocs agreed in a meeting here on Sunday to increase their meetings as of Monday

11/1/2010

Iraqi parliament blocs increase meetings on gov't formation

BAGHDAD, Iraqi parliamentary blocs agreed in a meeting here on Sunday to increase their meetings as of Monday, in order to present written proposals that would add the final touches to a government formation ahead of their next session.

Political party representatives decided to hold two separate morning and evening meetings everyday starting tomorrow up until the next parliamentary session, head of the Kurdish negotiating delegation Ruz Nuri Shawis told a press conference following a two-hour meeting.

Parliamentary blocs have also decided to present their proposals on the internal structure of the government as well as other disputes in written form to the Cabinet, ahead of achieving the final shape of the government and its inner political associations.

The meeting was the second for Iraqi factions, held in honour of an initiative thought up by Iraqi Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani which aspires to reach political consensus on a government formation in time for a new parliamentary session.

The meeting hosted representatives of the National Iraqi Alliance, the Iraqi List and the Kurdistan Alliance, the three majority parties in parliament.

http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2121891&Language=en

***CBI ~ Iraq called Economic Security Strategy to Reduce the Entry of Funds to Support Armed Groups ...

31/10/2010

Iraq called economic security strategy to reduce the entry of funds to support armed groups

Baghdad, The Central Bank of Iraq, Sunday, announced the launch of Iraq's economic security strategy for large transfer of funds out of the country, and to reduce the entry of funds to support armed groups.

The chancellor said the Central Bank of the appearance of Mohammed Saleh told the Kurdish news agency (Rn) that "Iraq's economic security strategy, which will last until 2019 and proceed accordingly private banks and government in the transfer of funds abroad or transferred to the inside."

He explained that "the strategy emphasizes the know the backgrounds of the money sent abroad or coming to Iraq in order to limit the entry of funds to support terrorist groups in the country."

He continued that "the Iraqi Central Bank to deal with the issue of economic security of great importance because of the fear of exploitation of such funds in the financing of terrorist operations carried out inside Iraq."

The Iraqi security officials say that most armed groups based in the implementation of its operations inside Iraq on the funding and material support came from abroad, while the rest depends on the remaining armed robberies target gold shops and banking.

And the Chancellor at the Central Bank that the "deal of cash in Iraq in which there is no freedom high in all countries of the world, especially regarding the transfer of funds abroad, but that freedom sometimes clash with economic security."

And founded the Iraqi Central Bank in its approach, based on a law of the Iraqi Central Bank for the year 2004 with authorized capital of 100 billion dinars, which is responsible for dealing with inflation and maintain stability and the implementation of monetary policy, including exchange rate policies as well as the management of the Reserve State and the issuance and management of the Iraqi dinar in addition to regulate the banking sector to promote the financial system stable and competitive.

Allonan of Jafar, the Open: Mohammad Faili

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Iraqi Finance discussing with the World Bank launched the second part of the general budget support loan ...

Links - Iraq and the World Bank ...

31/10/2010

Iraqi Finance discussing with the World Bank launched the second part of the general budget support loan

Arbil, discussed the Iraqi Finance Ministry, Sunday, with high-level delegation from the World Bank launched the second part of the loan policy development provided by the World Bank to support the budget value of (250) million as well as opening a permanent office of the Bank Bank in Baghdad.

The website of the Ministry of Finance of Iraq, "The Federal Minister of Finance Baqir Jabr Al-Zubaidi discussed with the Head of the Middle East in the World Bank, the Pacific Arab, the launch of the second part of the loan policy development sponsored by the World Bank to support the budget value of (250) million dollars."

And the site that "the discussion focused also on strengthening the presence of a cadre of the World Bank in Iraq and to secure a permanent building for the World Bank office in Baghdad." Noting that the meeting "also discussed the follow-up implementation of projects financed by the World Bank in the areas of education, electricity, and the delay made in the implementation process and processors that contribute to the delivery process.

It is noteworthy that Iraq has received the first part and the $ (250) million dollars in April of this year, note "that the value of the loan (500) million dollars. Revealed the Iraqi Finance Ministry last September that the draft initial budget for Iraq in the next year, an estimated 102 trillion dinars, ie about 86 and a half billion dollars.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ar&tl=en&u=http://www.aknews.com/ar/aknews/2&rurl=translate.google.com

What could a U.S. National Infrastructure Bank provide?

National Infrastructure Bank

What could a U.S. National Infrastructure Bank provide?

Establishing a U.S. infrastructure bank could draw more private equity and debt capital into infrastructure development. A federal infrastructure bank could help establish procurement protocols and standards for public/private partnerships, facilitating the bidding process.

If patterned on the European Investment Bank model, a U.S. version could “bring stability and long-term capital [15- to 25-year loans at low rates] to projects that require both,” and equity investors and commercial lenders “can get more comfortable before they dive in.”

The infrastructure bank proposal vetting process would also help introduce merit-based, competitive decision-making and provide a mechanism for funding major, cross-sector and multijurisdictional projects.

But a U.S. infrastructure bank would be no silver bullet—in the end, infrastructure loans must be secured by some revenue stream—tolls, fees, increased rates, or taxes.

The European Investment Bank Model Established in 1958, the European Investment Bank (EIB) finances $64 billion in projects annually across the continent, helping modernize seaports, expand airports, build rail lines, and reconfigure city centers. Few EIB projects have ever defaulted— borrowers repay EIB loans, allowing the bank to continually relend the money. That’s arguably not a bad model for the United States, especially considering daunting funding constraints. Following the EIB model, a U.S. entity could carefully underwrite long-term loans (up to 40 or 50 years) and base decisions on a competitive, merit-based process.

Private capital will almost surely follow infrastructure bank investments, jump-starting more public/ private partnerships and augmenting funding sources.

Rather than attempting to finance entire projects, the bank acts as a catalyst to attract other capital sources including local and national governments, public authorities, private banks and other financial institutions. Project investments are typically capped at 50% of total investment cost, but loans can increase to 75% for certain trans-European ventures. For funding, projects must be viable in four fundamental areas: economic, technical, environmental and financial.

By setting guidelines and providing loan guarantees infrastructure projects, EIB helps lower risk for other investors. Loan guarantees focus on carrying projects through ramp-up stages when revenues may not cover operating costs.

The bank favors projects which will take pressure off constricted road systems and limit greenhouse gases—passenger and freight railways, inland waterways, maritime projects, urban transit, and intermodal hubs. Road projects can get support if they have “high economic value” for reducing severe congestion and link into other transport modes. EIB also focuses on water supply and sewage treatment, championing EU goals of ensuring “good status” water quality by 2015 in rivers and along coasts. The bank also promotes and supports a recent EU initiative to encourage city living and discourage suburbanization by helping create vibrant infill neighborhoods out of former industrial sites and redevelopment areas under public ownership.

By helping finance and spearhead major cross border projects, the EIB fosters cooperation among EU member states and enables programs which individual countries might not undertake otherwise.

POOF for OCT 31st: Be Calm, that Rocket 88 is Fired Up ...

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Be Calm, that Rocket 88 is Fired Up

It´ll Shine When It Shines ~

lyrics Ozark Mountain Daredevils
The old cat on the roof.
He could stand a little push.
Cause he has got nine good lives to live.

But like my Mama said.
You only live until your dead.
And you got to give & give & give.

There is a pebble in a pond.
Going on & on.
Making waves & tides & ripples & rain.
There is a leaf in the wind.
That don´t no where to end.
Chasing days & waves & wishes & dreams

Seems like everyone is out, looking for the sun.
Singing rain & pain on he who hesitates.
But it will shine when it shines.
You might think I am wasting time.
But I am just a good old boy that is learned to wait.

Wipperwil´s in the Dawn.
Pretty soon he will be gone.
But he has got one good song to sing.
But like my Daddy said.
It is in your heart not your head.
And you have got to sing & sing & sing.

There is a window in the wall.
Looking out on it all.
Leavin´ fears & tears & troubles along.
There is a fire in the stove.
Keeping out the cold.
Warming wine & winters & babies & homes.

Seems like everyone is out looking for the sun.
Singing rain & pain on he who hesitates.
But it will shine when it shines.
You might think I am waisting time.
but I am just a good old boy thats learned to wait.
Yes i am just a good old boy thats learned to wait.

Greetings and Salutations;

I want to thank the reader for this contribution of songs, it speaks mountains. I went to one these guys performances back in the early 70's and heard them perform the song, 'Lord Have Mercy on my Soul' at a county fair, it would go well here, too. Enter it into your google and read the words, might make you think. (rruh oh) Looks can be deceiving. That you must remember to not believe everything you hear and only half of what you see.

I was on both sides of the farm claims business so, I haven't a doubt the originals were paid. Some have said, I wasn't made aware of it so, maybe it isn't your turn yet. There were only 9 left from the 11 from feb 09, when they got their first tranche. That money sent to them came from hong kong, the funds to pay them wasn't here. Tho these words have not been stuck directly in my ears but this smells like the us is under a 'trusteeship', bills being paid by an outside entity.

Due the legal stuff that went along with this lawsuit, the big banks began immediately converting to treasury banks, it took a little longer than 24hrs but that's done. If you looked at the scheduling of banks to be basel 3 compliant, you'd understand that funny look on the teller's face when you ask them something. To go along with this stuff, you'd find out that very quietly bank ownership, has changed. JPMorgan/Chase and BoA, I might cite as examples. People say to me, I don't see any changes, some things have been very subtle and you could only tell if you knew what to look for. Again, the announcements will clear up a lot of things, that are sliding around in the background, while you think nothing has changed and all is status quo. The big picture completed itself, while the talking heads had you listening to the debates going on. I, too, await the chinese surprise that'll have everybody tripping for a moment. It's all good but highly unanticipated....oh, the inscrutable. The writers of the Art of War. One can win a war, without bloodshed.

Let me say this, and I won't repeat it; no way, can anyone steal anything and run anywhere with it. No political leader can snatch anything and pay somebody else with it. There are technical reasons for this so when I read some of this stuff flying around out here, that obama did this or did that, it makes me laugh on it's face, 'cause it's impossible'. Every country is getting their own money, that's the reason for the new system coming online, in the first place. Time to change from fiat to precious metal backed currencies and a lot of the bad guys are butt puckering, right now. I also see all these guys that think they know everything are contributing to the terror out here. Soros works for the rothschilds and they bent a knee to the dragons a long time ago. So do you think the man is stupid and go against his employers? I sure am not hearing all this garbage from they who have a reason to know.

Elections don't have thing to do with the timing. I think it would be worthwhile to rent or watch again, 'The Matrix' because that would give you an understanding of what is afoot right now. Much of what you are seeing right now, will remain in the matrix and never cross over into the new reality. That notice that arrives at your door is your ticket to cross over into the new reality, this is where your choice to step out of the matrix comes. Can you, will you? It won't be the same anymore, can you deal? You can't bring the old into the new. Tic tic tic..time is running out to decide, the moment of your decision is upon you. Many surprises await the world, we leave the flintstone world and enter the jetson's, well at least to those who choose that.

The bad guys know what's afoot and by the looks of the skies this weekend, they 'went for it'. Along the east coast of the us, they carpet bombed with chemtrails. Reports from all up and down the east coast came at me about their skies. Take a moment and walk outside and look and stop acting like that's normal. Contrails are water vapor and dissipate, chemtrails get fat and spread. Next thing you know people have breathing problems. Again, all this stuff can be fixed and will be. There are preparations ready to clean the atmosphere and the water and you will be amazed at how easy it is. BTW, there isn't chemtrails over china, wonder why, with those lasers they got.

No one cares if you're a democrat or a republican because neither control the money. All this talk about the constitution is a lot of hot air...which constitution are you talking about? If it's the one the corporation was using on everybody and supporting, people will find themselves jobless, not sitting in congress, pontificating. Hey, even Hilary found out this is no joke and time ran out on the old and she moved with great haste to 'make things right' with the folks that matter. That's the difference between being a survivor, and being stupid....yo moleman, you got anything else to scare us with? Stay tuned for the next offering of hot manure offered up on a silver plate, representing the truth. This is the end game scenario, they have no power other than than use talking heads to create confusion and a dire future picture. Personally, I've been waiting for Obama to 'go street' in one of these speeches and lose all public properness...lolol, if you don't know the streets, watch one of those 'period movies' from the 70's. Not sure I could hold it and keep my lips locked after being called everything but a man.

I've been told everything is moving to finality, the real trigger was pulled and paid. The banks went treasury, know it or not. The fellas are clearing whatever paperwork on programs they had left this weekend, and as the man said, 'I guarantee this will happen on a tues, weds, or thurs' so, keep your eyes peeled, the time has come to rock the world.

Consultations available 2goforth@Safe-mail.net until the last moment.

http://www.dogwork.com/ddcv4

Big Hugs and Kisses;

'Poofness'

Economic cooperation between Erbil and Cairo and Preparations to open the Egyptian trade center in Kurdistan ...

November 1, 2010

In favor of a clean and discuss the prospects for economic cooperation between Erbil and Cairo

Preparations to open the Egyptian trade center in Kurdistan

القاهرة – اسراء خليفة Cairo - Esra Khalifa

Search the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan region, Dr. Barham Salih, with the Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Ahmed Nazif in Cairo on ways to strengthen bilateral relations in all fields, especially in the economic side, between the Territory and the Republic of Egypt.

The two sides discussed the possibilities available to enhance the relations between the two sides, especially in the exchange of experiences and the presence of Egyptian investors in the region as well as the presence of Egyptian companies from the private sector to participate in the process of reconstruction and development in the region.

Following the conclusion of the joint meeting was held, Dr. Barham Saleh and Dr. Magdi Radi, spokesman for the Cabinet's press conference confirmed the benefit that the talks had been addressed by the cooperation and understanding between the leadership of the two countries for the implementation of concrete projects in the service of the two peoples, expressing optimism about the prospects for relations of the two sides, and said «our in Kurdistan, to create a model for our relations with the Arab world model for the rest of Iraq.

He added, «that the Kurdistan today a successful experiment and a pioneer in the field of economic development and political stability, security and hope of Egyptian companies and the Egyptian private sector and the Arab world in general to look into Kurdistan as a potential market and the market important but the most important when we look at it as part of Iraqi airspace best way and the Iraqi market best way».

Saleh had discussed earlier in the day yesterday with the Minister of Industry and Trade Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Egyptian bilateral relations and ways of cementing.

He praised the Egyptian (b physical movement and developments in the region recently), he said, adding that (the region will be a gateway for investment for other areas of Iraq).

And Rashid said about (opening an Egyptian trade center in Kurdistan soon to be it the second Egyptian initiative with the region after opening the Egyptian consulate in Erbil).

He said (and high-level Egyptian delegation headed by Rashid and a number of investors and Egyptian businessmen will visit the region).

Alsabah

Talabani calls to the blocks quick deal - Meets with U.S. Officials ...

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani received in Erbil Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor to the US Vice President and Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs , US Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey , the commander of US forces in Iraq Lieutenant General Lioyd Austin and a number of officials at US embassy in Iraq and US Consulate in Kurdistan Region .

November 1, 2010

Talabani calls to the blocks quick deal .. Faisal (Saudi FM) and wish success to efforts to form government .. To meet with Baghdad over the second convergence ..

And infallible rule out the session without a political consensus

بغداد ـ الصباح Baghdad morning

With the political blocs agreed to continue consultations to reach a quick consensus on forming a government next Partnership, stressed President Jalal Talabani on the need to involve everyone in the ministry to come.

At the time of the continued reaction of local and Arabic about the king's call for the meeting of the political forces in Riyadh after the Hajj season, denied the Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal, the existence of any pre-conditions for participation, he did not save Riyadh to take a personal mandate as prime minister.

He met President Jalal Talabani in Arbil yesterday before returning to Baghdad Adviser Vice President for National Security Affairs Anthony Blenkn and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, James Jeffrey, the top U.S. commander Gen. Lloyd Austin, where President Talabani, the necessity of an agreement the parliamentary blocs to a meeting under the dome of the Parliament in order complete the stages and the formation of constitutional government, stressing the importance of involving everyone in the government desired, without discrimination or marginalization.

President of the Republic said in this regard: The «country does not run, but the participation of all components to be able to form a strong government based on national partnership real that will maintain the security and stability of the country and the gains achieved and to provide basic services to the citizens», referring to the initiative of the President of the Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani, which he said contributed to the convergence of the blocs and political parties and leading to the agreement will lead to a political breakthrough soon on the road to form a government of national partnership and real.

As part of the initiative Barzani, the political blocs held its second meeting yesterday at the residence of the President of the Kurdish negotiating team, Rose Nouri Shaways.

And blocs agreed to continue meetings to bring the views on the range of issues related to authorship of the next government.

The meetings of the political blocs will continue in Baghdad for six days before the meeting of the leaders in Arbil at the initiative of President of the region.

In the meantime, ruled out the President of the House of Representatives (Chairman of the Age), Dr. Fuad Masum, a parliamentary session by consensus of the political blocs on controversial issues, noting in a statement carried by the agency Voices of Iraq, that any of the early session would lead to «provoke a constitutional crisis new».

In addition, continued for the second day in a row positions of political forces and the reactions of States, regional and Arab organizations about the king's call to the meeting in Riyadh to discuss the process of constructing the next government, who welcomed the Vice-President of the Republic of command in the Iraqi List, Tariq al-Hashimi and the Islamic Supreme Council and a coalition of Iraq's unity initiative, also announced the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab League welcomed Saudi Arabia's invitation.

Indicated that the coalitions of national and Kurdistan crossed in a joint statement singled «morning» publish parts of it in a number yesterday, expressed their appreciation «the interest of Saudi Arabia to the situation in Iraq and their willingness to provide support to Iraqis», stressing that Iraqi leaders continue their meetings in the framework of the initiative of President of the province Kurdistan to form a government of national partnership.

In Riyadh, it was announced by Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said the goal of the initiative of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz is to preserve Iraq's unity and identity, stressing that the initiative is not subject to any preconditions.

He said in a press conference held at the headquarters of the Saudi Foreign Ministry yesterday:

That «the initiative respect the will of the Iraqi people, and that the kingdom does not have any reservation on the assumption of any personal presidency of the Iraqi government», pointing out that the initiative is based on the resolutions of the Arab summit.

He said al-Faisal: The «What hope for the Kingdom is to help the Iraqis to reach a solution satisfactory to all parties», pointing out that Saudi Arabia appreciates the initiative of the President of the Kurdistan region to manage the dialogue between the political parties which is complementary to the.

The king may face on the first appeal to the Iraqi people and their leaders, who called the president and political leaders to a meeting in Riyadh after the pilgrimage season under the umbrella of the Arab League, in order to find a solution to overcome the political crisis.

alsabah

Nov 7 ~ Six More Days for leaders & political blocs to agree on formula before the start of the session the House of Representatives ... Nov. 7th ...

snip ~ "representatives of the blocks of winning the election from the day Sunday, and will last for Six Days to reach a common formula lead to a meeting of leaders political blocs and to agree on a formula before the start of the session the House of Representatives which is proposed to be held soon"

November 1, 2010

Political blocs will resume its meetings today and The PKK to announce next week, his alliances

Infallible warns of a new constitutional crisis

بغداد ـ الصباح Baghdad morning

With re-political blocs today its meetings in efforts to reach a consensus to form the next government, select coalition of Kurdish blocs on Sunday, "7 November next" date to announce its position on alliances with other political forces, reiterated his commitment to nominating Jalal Talabani to the presidency of the Republic.

The Ashraf President Talabani and Kurdistan regional president Massoud Barzani to a meeting in Arbil to representatives of the parties, political forces, Kurdish and negotiation delegation of Kurdistan, as Barzani emphasized that the Kurds will not give up the presidency of the Republic, stressing at the same time that the formation of any new government will not succeed without the participation of components Chairperson, so we will do our best for the participation of all key components in the next government.

He also stressed the president of the region recognize the need to respond to the paper in Kurdistan and the official site.

I have decided to forces and Kurdish political parties in the formation of a committee meeting to discuss the withdrawal of the MDC with a view back to the Kurdish coalition.

For his part, said member of the Alliance of Kurdistan for Jemaah Islamiah, Zana's "morning": that "the coalition decided at a meeting yesterday, held daily meetings in Baghdad, representatives of the blocks of winning the election from the day Sunday, and will last for six days to reach a common formula lead to a meeting of leaders political blocs and to agree on a formula before the start of the session the House of Representatives which is proposed to be held soon."

In Baghdad, Vice President of the Republic considered the two leading figures in the National Coalition and the Iraqi List, Tariq al-Hashimi and Adel Abdul Mahdi, on Tuesday, ways to end the political crisis.

Middle of this picture, he warned the President of the Council of Representatives, "Prime age" Fuad Masum, from entering the country a new constitutional crisis in the absence of a quorum during the parliament session be held, saying he had told the political blocs of the Federal Court's decision and the importance of attendance to end the open meeting.

Alsabah

President Barzani meets with US senior officials and announces that Nov. 7th meeting will determine which bloc to make alliance to form the government

October 31, 2010

President Barzani meets with US senior officials

President of the Kurdistan Region, Massud Barzani met with a delegation of senior US officials including Tony Blinken, National Security Advisor to the Vice President, James Jeffrey, US ambassador to Iraq and Lieutenant General Lloyd James Austin, General Commander of US forces in Iraq today in Sahaladin resort, Erbil province.

During the meeting Tony Blinken said that president Obama and his vice president warmly welcomed the initiative by president Barzani, stating that both the initiative and an expected session of the Iraqi parliament ordered by Iraqi federal court will speed up the process of the formation of Iraq’s new government.

For his part, president Barzani appreciated the US position and that of Arab League, Egypt and Turkey as well, for supporting his initiative to hold talks among all Iraqi blocs.

President Barzani then informed the attendants of the latest outcomes of the meetings recently held among the wining blocs, describing them as “good progress”.

He also stated that Kurdish wining blocs constituting Kurdistan blocs’ coalition will hold their final meeting on November 7th to determine with which bloc to make alliance to form the government.

After appreciating president Barzani’s initiative to speed up the process of forming the new cabinet, Tony Blinken said that a strong government on the basis of national partnership which encompass all Iraqi groups and factions will be helpful to promote bilateral relations in all aspects.

http://www.pukmedia.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5463:president-barzani-meets-with-us-senior-officials-&catid=29:kurdistan-region&Itemid=385

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been busy saving the world, which may just qualify him to run France ...

Bumped ~

October 31, 2010

The Top Guy - Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been busy saving the world, which may just qualify him to run France

Dominique Strauss-Kahn is on top of the world right now, but maybe that’s not where he really wants to be. Almost by default, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund keeps accruing power in the midst of crisis.

Two years ago, when the global economy teetered on the brink like a house in a mudslide, the newly formed group of the world’s 20 richest countries turned to Strauss-Kahn and the IMF to help shore up the foundations. Late last month G20 ministers went back to Strauss-Kahn, seeking his assistance to avert a currency war and proposing to double the IMF’s fiscal resources.

Strauss-Kahn, 61, has never experienced quite so much adulation, nor, indeed, affirmation of his centrist political and economic views. As France’s finance minister in the Socialist government of Lionel Jospin during the 1990s, Strauss-Kahn was obviously at odds with his party’s own ideologues. He managed to get the government to embrace the euro, he pushed through massive privatizations of state industries, he cut taxes, and he allowed stock options. Indeed, such was his record that even The Economist bid him a “sad adieu” when he resigned. But his subsequent career sank into a mire of public confusion about his policies and motives.

Now DSK, as he’s called, finds himself not only at the top of the international financial system, but at the top of France’s opinion polls. And that presents him with a problem: should he try to stay on at the IMF in this pivotal role on the world scene when his first term there expires in late 2012? Or should he resign and return to France next year to run for president in early 2012? The clock’s ticking.

Those same polls show that if the French vote were held today, Strauss-Kahn would have a commanding lead over the wildly unpopular right-wing incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy. As a columnist in the French weekly L’Express articulated Strauss-Kahn’s enviable choice: “Either DSK serves France by declaring his candidacy for the presidency, or he serves it, as well, by saving the global economy at the IMF. It’s a grandiose dilemma of the sort any politician might dream.”

Close friends and colleagues of DSK, requesting anonymity in order to speak more candidly, feel sure he’ll be on the hustings at some point. A few, after reading political omens—and the man—think they can predict when. “He’s very careful not to say it, because the moment he gives an indication this is what he’s planning, he will have to leave the [nonpartisan] IMF,” says a friend whose relations with DSK go back decades. One of his female acquaintances points out “the diet he’s on at the moment,” which she said is most likely the portly politician’s preparation for television appearances. More substantively, a former adviser suggests he would want to make the announcement of his candidacy in June after a G20 summit expected to be held in France in May where he could “be at the helm of the IMF and use it as a platform.”

But, as DSK knows only too well after a miserable failed bid for the Socialist Party’s nomination in the 2006–07 political season, becoming a candidate is not the same as becoming president. And the IMF platform may have become so important over the last two years that it will be hard to give up if, as seems likely, he has a good chance to keep it for a second term.

One of the ironies of French political life is that in 2007 DSK landed the IMF post with solid support from the newly elected Sarkozy. Indeed, the French president was credited with a Machiavellian masterstroke that showed his willingness to work with prominent Socialists while at the same time eliminating, or at least compromising, them as potential rivals. At the time, as seen from Paris, the IMF seemed a sort of bureaucratic backwater of accountancy on the far side of the Atlantic.

Only months into his new job, however, DSK had a clear and alarming vision of the clouds gathering on the economic horizon. At Davos in early 2008 he called for fiscal and budgetary measures on a global scale to meet the coming crisis, and some observers were amazed to hear the IMF chief advocating pushing states toward stimulus measures. Samuel Brittan of the Financial Times wrote that “some reacted as if the Pope had embraced the teachings of Martin Luther.” Economist Larry Summers, as surprised as anyone else, was quoted as saying, “This is the first time in 25 years that the IMF managing director has called for an increase in fiscal deficits, and I regard this as a recognition of the gravity of the situation that we face.” According to Alexandre Kara and Philippe Martinat in their recent book, DSK-Sarkozy: Le Duel, the IMF board pointedly reminded Strauss-Kahn of the fund’s orthodoxy. But DSK held his ground. “With what’s waiting for us, you’re going to see us resort to budgetary expenditures more often than you think,” he’s reported to have said. Then, sure enough, the storm hit in September 2008.

By the spring of 2009, when the G20 met in London, world leaders stunned by the extent of the economic crisis “turned to DSK,” according to Kara and Martinat. They increased the IMF’s resources to $750 billion to try to restore an even keel. “It was a triumph for the man from France,” say his French biographers.

Since then, Strauss-Kahn has taken to speaking with ever more confident authority as he seeks to shape the world’s economic future. “We gather at a pivotal moment in history, facing an uncertain future,” he told the IMF board in September. Growth is coming back, but “the recovery is fragile and uneven—and fragile because it is uneven,” with Asia, Latin America, and even Africa returning to growth much faster than in the past, while Europe is “sluggish” and the United States “subdued.” DSK said he doesn’t expect a “double dip” recession, but talked about four critical risks that have to be avoided:

On the question of public debt, “the biggest threat to fiscal sustainability is low growth,” he said, and defended continued stimulus spending where needed except for “those countries that are on the edge of the cliff”: “Nobody would expect that the advice of the IMF to Germany will be the same as the advice of the IMF to Greece.” The second major problem is “a jobless recovery,” said DSK, and by extension “the risk of a lost generation” if GDP growth does not convert to job growth. Thirdly, financial regulation is important, he said, but financial supervision is even more vital. If rules are not implemented, “it is as if you did nothing.” And finally, there is the problem of “the vanishing of the commitment to cooperation” among nations. Leaders worked together to stop a second Great Depression and “avoided that altogether,” DSK told the IMF board, but now they’re pulling back, turning inward.

Strauss-Kahn’s vision is nothing if not broad. He told the IMF board that the two centuries of the Industrial Revolution, when relatively small countries could dominate world markets and world politics because they dominated certain technologies (think guns and steel, but also textiles, communication, and high-yield agriculture) are gone. Now technology is globally shared and, as was the case a few hundred years ago, it’s likely that “the strength of a nation will be measured by population.” Without getting into any real specifics, he predicted the adjustment to this new reality will take “a decade or two,” but as in the distant past, “a large country is very likely to be stronger than a small country.”

So given that vision, it’s not unfair to ask if France is a big enough stage for Strauss-Kahn. As a point of fact, Sarkozy himself has found the French presidency more limited and constraining than he would like and has thrived in office only when he has been able to cast himself as leading Europe. Sarkozy clearly is looking forward to his country’s turn heading the G20 over the coming year—if he can only take the spotlight away from DSK.

At times, Sarkozy and DSK really do seem born to be rivals: both grew up outside the traditional French elite, knocking on its door, then battering their way toward the top. Sarkozy’s father was a Hungarian émigré; Strauss-Kahn’s family is Jewish, and he spent his childhood in Morocco. Neither went to the elite École Nationale d’Administration, the accustomed training ground for top politicians. (DSK eventually taught there.) But Sarkozy has proved on many occasions that he has a genuine cynical genius for politics, while DSK’s record is not so clear. “I’m not yet absolutely convinced that he is a great politician,” says Gérard Grunberg, who has written extensively on Socialist Party politics. “And I am not absolutely convinced that he is able to run a great election campaign.”

For all Strauss-Kahn’s economic acumen and his current political luck, should he decide to take the plunge into the presidential contest, he is likely to face, again, many of the same political and personal problems that have hampered him in the past.

The least of Strauss-Kahn’s worries in the French context is likely to be his well-established reputation as a skirt-chaser. Before DSK went to Washington, a columnist for the Paris daily Libération cautioned that his “only real problem” there could be “the way he relates to women.” The IMF’s morals are “Anglo-Saxon,” Jean Quatremer wrote on his blog, and “an out of place gesture, an allusion that’s a little too precise” could lead to a media circus. Sure enough, in 2008 the IMF looked into an alleged one-night stand DSK had with a Hungarian economist at the fund. The brief investigation concluded the affair was regrettable and reflected poor judgment, but DSK kept his job. He also kept his wife of 20 years (his third), the celebrated French television interviewer Anne Sinclair, who subsequently told reporters she’d known about the Hungarian woman a year before the story broke. Back in France, few voters would find such stories scandalous, and Sarkozy, one might note, also has been married three times among multiple liaisons.

More problematic—and possibly fatal to his presidential chances—is the way DSK relates to his own Socialist Party. And when it comes to winning elections, or trying to, DSK the moderately left-wing economist has been known to advocate radically impractical policies to shore up his party’s support on the far—and even the extreme—left. In 1997, for instance, he fully supported the 35-hour workweek, and some Socialists say he actually came up with the idea, although his fellow minister, Martine Aubry, served as the leading public advocate for the policy. DSK’s current IMF post doesn’t allow him to speak his mind on French politics, and staying above the fray clearly hasn’t hurt him in the polls. So friends and foes are left to divine his mind—What Would Dominique Do?—on issues like the pension reform that has riled the French. DSK’s saying that French retirement at 60 shouldn’t be read as “dogma” is read in countless ways, and, for now, mostly to his political benefit.

The problem comes when he hits the campaign trail. In 2006, vying against a field of several contenders for the Socialist Party presidential nomination, DSK implausibly but insistently embraced the rhetoric of the far left. The privatizer of the previous decade was suddenly pleading for “temporary nationalizations” of strategic companies. “The people he really listened to were the Trotskyites, if you can imagine that,” said one long-time colleague now in the private sector. In the end, DSK lost the confidence of the country’s political center without gaining the trust, or the votes, of the more extreme elements in his own party. Ségolène Royal got the nomination, then lost the race to Sarkozy. “Strauss-Kahn has a real ability to defeat himself,” says his former colleague.

Political analyst Grunberg thinks DSK will be freer to speak his centrist mind next year than he was in 2006, but will still have the problem of the left of his own party and the many splinter groups that are out on the fringe but can still play an important role at the polls. “It isn’t so simple to run a campaign against your support,” says Grunberg.

Meanwhile, however, other potential Socialist candidates are getting ready to run. The most serious contender at the moment is Aubry, now the party’s head. She might step aside if DSK enters the race, but he needs to make up his mind soon, if he hasn’t already. It’s a tough call—and one that most other politicians can only wish they had to make.

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/31/could-dominique-strauss-kahn-run-france.html

Iraq’s National Alliance and Kurdistan Coalition refuse Saudi Monarch’s Initiative (different source) ...

October 31, 2010

Iraq’s National Alliance and Kurdistan Coalition refuse Saudi Monarch’s Initiative:

Baghdad, Iraq’s National Alliance and the Kurdistan Blocs Coalition have issued a joint statement on Sunday saying that the settlement of the government’s crisis must be solved locally, in their first official reaction towards the initiative of the Saudi Monarch, Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz.

Both Coalitions have issued a joint statement, read by the leader of the Islamic al-Daawa Party, Hassan al-Suneid, expressing “appeciation for the Kingdom of Saudi Arbia, expressing their position that the Iraqi political leaderships have received the said Initiative with a spirit of appreciation and keenness by the Brothren.”

But, both Coalitions have expressed “strong rejection of the initiative,” saying that “Iraqi leaders arre working within the initiative of Kurdistan Region’s President, Massoud Barzani, towards the formation of a government of parternship and national concorde, representing all trends of the Iraqi people.”

The statement, which Sunaid said was issued by the National Alliance and the Kurdistan Blocs Coalition had reiterated “confidence of the representatives of the people have reached the final stages in their dialogues to form such government.” adding that the “Iraqi parliament would resume its session soon to elect the three leading State posts, according to the constitution.”

“The Saudi initiative shall complicate things once again and postpone the process of forming the new Iraqi government,” Sunaid said, reiterating that “the Iraqi political leaders have began to reach a fruitful national consensus in its current meetings.”

On his part, the leader in the Islamic Daawa Party and Member of the State of Law Coalition, Walid al-Hilly, told Aswat al-Iraq: “Our position is clear towards the Saudi initiative, which was not to attend the meeting (proposed in the initiative).”

The Saudi Monarch, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz had called on Saturday night on Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the leaders of the Iraqi political blocs to meeting in Riyadh after the forthcoming Eid al-Ad’ha, under the umbrella of the Arab League, to overcome the crisis of forming the new Iraqi government.

The semi-official Saudi news Agency had pointed out that King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz had called on Iraqi President, Jalal Talabani and all Iraqi political parties which participated in Iraq’s March 7th nationwide elections and other political groups to attend his proposed Riyadh meeting after the end of the Haj (Polgrimage) occasion, under the auspices of the Arab league, in order to reach a settlement for the issue of the Iraqi government’s formation.

The Saudi Monarch had reiterated that the current circumstances “necessitate the Iraqis to unify their ranks and overcome their wounds, as well as keeping away the ghost of differences.”

King Abdullah also called for unity of the Iraqi political forces, their solidarity and cohesion that would reflect the power of Iraq, also calling for “unity, patience and wisdom, in order to build a powerful dam in the faceof those who try to create differences, whatever their motives might be, in order to restore the building of the Rafidain (Mesopotamia) Homeland, that had been and still is supported by its Arab brothren, forming a strong dam against differences and games that serve nobody but the enemies of the (Islamic) Nation.”

http://en.aswataliraq.info/?p=138476

Vietnam: Asia must avoid 'distortions' in handling hot money ...

October 31, 2010

Asia must avoid 'distortions' in handling hot money

HANOI: Developing Asian nations must carefully manage a massive inflow of foreign capital and avoid remedies that could create destabilizing "distortions", the Asian Development Bank chief warned yesterday. Haruhiko Kuroda told Asian leaders at a summit in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi that capital flows are one of two risks that regional economies face as they rebound from the global downturn that began in 2008.

His comments came shortly before the US Federal Reserve is expected to announce it will go into a second round of quantitative easing, injecting more money into the banking system to further stimulate the world's biggest economy. The first risk is that the recovery in the developed economies could falter, Kuroda told presidents, prime ministers and a sultan, as well as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Russian foreign minister.

The second risk is capital flows, which could complicate macroeconomic management," Kuroda said in a prepared speech made available to journalists. "We must be prepared," he told his audience, which also included Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Referring to Asian economies outpacing growth in the developed world, Kuroda said "faster growth and higher yields can draw excessive-and potentially volatile-capital flows into the region".

Authorities are watching asset prices and exchange rates carefully, with several beginning to use well-targeted capital controls to limit speculation," he said. "Care must be taken, however, not to create distortions." Hammered by the financial turmoil that began in 2008, the United States, Japan and Europe are moving to weaken or cap their currencies in a bid to make their exports more competitive in the global market. They have also injected more money into their banking systems to stimulate growth, with the Fed expected to announced a second round of quantitative easing when it meets from Tuesday to Wednesday.

But because growth in the developed world is anaemic and unemployment high, a large chunk of the money is heading to emerging markets, including in Asia, where it stands to gain better yields. According to the Washington-based Institute of International Finance (IIF), net private capital flows to emerging economies are projected to reach $825 billion this year, or more than two billion dollars a day, up from $581 billion in 2009.

The massive inflow has nudged most Asian currencies higher, making their exports more expensive on the global market as the US allows the dollar to weaken and China keeps a tight rein on the yuan. The influx has also led to steep gains in stocks and property prices, which have stoked fears of "bubbles" which could later burst if the money is withdrawn quickly, and prompted individual central banks to act to cool down their markets.

Philippine Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, who is attending the Hanoi meetings, called for cooperation among developing states to fight the impact of the currency tensions. "Our concerns as small countries is when the pendulum swings the other way around. What would happen to us-and really this is something that we need to address as a group and not as a single country," he told reporters on Friday.

The IIF in a research note released in October urged policymakers to be careful about the international and domestic impact of the actions they take on their currencies. A disorderly adjustment can cause "renewed strains in global financial markets and, possibly, igniting policy tensions and, possibly, protectionist measures between key economies," it warned

AFP

Kuwait hails King Abdullah's call on Iraqi leaders to meet in Kingdom ...

previous article link ~ Iraq's Shi'ite politicians turn down Saudi offer

10/31/2010

Kuwait hails King Abdullah''s call on Iraqi leaders to meet in Kingdom

KUWAIT, Kuwait on Sunday hailed the initiative made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz urging leaders of Iraqi political parties to hold talks in the Kingdom in a bid to resolve the issue of forming a new government.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohamad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, in a statement, expressed support of the State of Kuwait for this invitation "that depicts the responsible role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for bolstering security and stability of Iraq and the region." This call reflected concerns of the Kingdom and states of the region toward the political stalemate in Iraq, such an impasse might lead to dire consequences affecting the regional security, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad cautioned.

He added that the Saudi King initiative came up to the level of the aspirations of the neighboring states for aiding "the brotherly Iraq to free it from this dilemma." King Abdullah has urged the Iraqi leaders to sit at the negotiating table in the Kingdom following the upcoming Eid Al-Adha, expected in few days, to find a settlement for the political crisis that has been dragging on for months.

A new government should have been formed in Iraq since the March elections.

Saudi Arabia, a member state of the GCC, enjoys substantial political weight at the regional level. The GCC also includes Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.

Kuna News Agency

Global financial crisis still looming ahead - CBK governor at The Kuwait Financial forum ...

previous article link ~ Kuwait to host financial forum later this month - Arab financial, banking, and investment experts from Gulf countries and around the world ...

The Kuwait Financial Forum will be held in its second annual session on October 31-November 1, 2010 in Kuwait ...

This Forum is organized by Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal group in cooperation with the Central Bank of Kuwait and Kuwait Banking Association.

This year’s session follows on the overwhelming success of the first Forum in 2009 in terms of the size and level of participation, and the relevance of the topics discussed, such that it quickly established itself as a major regional event for finance and banking leaders, and highlighted the need of the banking and financial industry for a specialized forum that would address and analyze developments in this industry and its prospects.

This year’s meeting will be held against the background of the continuing repercussions of the international financial crisis and controversies about the nature and extent of the required financial and banking reforms. It is to be expected, therefore, that these issues will be at the heart of the Forum’s discussions, especially in terms of their implications for the Arab economies and the regional financial and banking system.

Main topics on the agenda include:

Is the financial crisis behind us and what are the near term prospects in the global economy?

Many issues and challenges in the Arab economies

_Requirements and priorities for reforming the international financial system?

_What’s ahead for Arab banks and what are the implications of ongoing reforms?

_Investment prospects and opportunities in Arab financial markets.

_The future of regional development financing.

_Kuwaiti’s new economic development plan and its meanings for investment opportunities in the country.
______
10/31/2010

Global financial crisis still looming ahead - CBK governor

KUWAIT, Governor of Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah said here Sunday the global financial crisis is still affecting many developed and emerging economies worldwide.

In a keynote speech at the second Kuwait Financial Forum, sponsored and attended by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the CBK governor said in spite of global economic recovery thanks to unprecedented financial packages in several countries, many countries are still struggling to wriggle out of further fallout.

For instance, several countries are facing budget deficit and hiking public debts, he said.

He cited the final communique of a recent G-20 meeting in Canada as stressing the significance of creating an independent financial atmosphere to ensure strong and balanced economic growth as part of sound financial policies which can provide adequate resilience.

He pointed to the role of the global financial crisis in highlighting the part of central banks in practicing macro and partial control, and in stressing financial stability and relevant link to monetary stability.

The world financial meltdown has contributed to providing an encouraging economic atmosphere that could lead to spurring up economic activities, stable prices and successful shifts in monetary policies, he believed.

On the Basel Committee, he said the group of central bank governors and chief auditors had adopted a set of financial reforms in September.

He stressed the significance of such reforms to the provision of additional resilience to square up to jolts and offset bank losses so that more flexible and stable banking systems could be found.

He finally boasted that the CBK's moves to face the ramifications of the global financial crisis since September 2008 have contributed to shoring up bank regulations bearing on risk management.

Kuna news Agency

What are we Looking For In The "Coming Days" ...

1. We are looking for Iraq's Government to be Seated (it looks like Allawi is finally on board) ~correction 11-4-2010 Not on board.

2. Once the gov't is seated, we are looking for Parliament to re-convene and pass necessary laws i.e, oil/gas law, budget, any adjustments to the investment law.

3. We are quite possibly waiting for the U.S. elections to be over (Nov. 3rd) ... that may or may not be the case but it appears to fall in line with everything else.

4. We are still waiting on Chapter 7 to be lifted? And, most likely, that will happen right after the gov't is formed.

... and what else could we be waiting for ??? Below are some of the events for the next few weeks - in order by date. (Kel)

_________

Link ~Monday - Wednesday - 1-10 November, 2010 – Baghdad, Iraq ~ Baghdad International Trade Fair ...

Link ~ Monday ~

Iraq's Parliament Monday, Nov. 1st ~ Fuad Masum, Iraq's Speaker, decides to end the open session of parliament and convene on Monday ...

and *** Tomorrow, Monday Nov. 1st ~ Maliki "Done Deal" will be Prime Minister for 2nd Term ...

Link ~ November 2nd ~ Next Tuesday a date for the resumption of parliamentary sessions ...

Link ~ *** Budget Next Week ~ Activation of a Distinct Budget that Supports the Iraqi Economy" ... Nov. 3rd?

Link ~ US Fed poised to inject more liquidity into economy ... November 3rd ...

_______November 7 through 14 - 2010___

Link ~ ~ Six More Days for leaders & political blocs to agree on formula before the start of the session the House of Representatives ... Nov. 7th ...

Link ~ November 8th ~ Irbil Prepares for Meeting of Leaders and Political Blocs on Monday ....

Link ~ Monday, Nov. 8th ~ Iraq parliament to meet, Maliki may form government ...

Link ~ Nov. 8th NBC's Matt Lauer gets First 1-on-1 TV interview with former President George W. Bush ...

Link ~ November 9th ~ Iraq to submit its report to the Security Council within two days, including a request to protect his money ...

Link ~ November 9th Release ~ "Decision Points" ~ Bush memoir coming with huge first printing -

Link ~ WTO chief wants G20 push on Global Trade Deal ...

Link ~ Thursday ~ 11-11@11 a.m. "The Eleventh Hour" Talabani, after meeting al-Maliki and al-Jaafari: The views agree on the participation meetings Erbil ...

Link ~ Nov. 11th ~ *** Barzani: Kurdistan meetings will end next Saturday ...

***Link ~ November 11-12 ~ G-20 Summit, Korea will set ‘Seoul Initiative’
Link ~ Nov. 13-14 ~ Currency movements likely to dominate APEC talks ...

Remember this is coming up ~ Link ~ The SDR Basket Composition is Reviewed Every Five Years by the Executive Board - Next Review Late 2010 ...

Upcoming Conferences, Events, and Financial Meetings for October, November, December 2010 with links ... Will Update ...

Paris-Baghdad flights resume after 20 years ...

On Sunday, the first direct European flight in two decades to Baghdad landed in the Iraqi capital. France's Aigle Azur airlines carried business leaders eager to boost once-strong ties

October 31, 2010

Paris-Baghdad flights resume after 20 years

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Aigle Azur plans to start regular Paris-Baghdad service in JanuaryOn Sunday, the first direct European flight in two decades to Baghdad landed in the Iraqi capital. France's Aigle Azur airlines carried business leaders eager to boost once-strong ties.

A French plane landed in Baghdad on Sunday, marking the first trip by a European airline since a 1990 international embargo on Iraq.

The flight, operated by France's Aigle Azur, left Charles de Gaulle airport carrying France's Trade Minister Anne-Marie Idrac and over 100 other passengers, officials said.

“This is an historic event because this is the first scheduled direct service by a European airline between a Western capital and Baghdad for 20 years,” France’s ambassador to Iraq, Boris Boillon, said before Sunday’s flight.

French national carrier Air France had previously operated flights between the two capitals but suspended the route after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.

It is hoped the resumed flights will boost the traditionally strong business tied between France and Iraq.

New choices

Aigle Azur plans to offer two flights a week from Charles de Gaulle beginning in early 2011.

If successful, the Baghdad-Paris route would be the first to connect Western Europe to the Iraqi capital. Currently passengers from Western Europe must fly to the Kurdish city of Irbil, or connect to one of the regional carriers that fly to Baghdad.

The flight coincided with the announcement from the private Iraqi firm Al-Nasr that it will begin the first Baghdad-London flights next week.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6176975,00.html

Maliki discuss with the French Trade Minister importance of developing relations between Iraq and France and about trade and economic development

2010-10-31

Maliki discuss with the French Trade Minister the importance of developing relations between Iraq and French

BAGHDAD (Iba) .. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the importance of developing relations with France in all fields, particularly trade and economic development.

A statement from the office of Prime Minister Maliki said during a meeting with French Trade Minister Anne-Marie Idrac and her entourage, we want to activate the relations between Iraq and France to serve the interests of both countries, and we have an idea about these relationships, we are heading towards the construction and reconstruction and investment.

Maliki said he looked forward for the Iraqi government to cooperate in other areas such as electricity, oil, etc., and invest large financial allocations this year in the field of water and sewage, adding that French companies have experience in this aspect.

And renewed the call to French companies for work in Iraq and contribute to the process of building and construction, and activation of commercial cooperation between the two countries in various directions, including the relation to the importation Alosmontwallhom.

For its part, said French Minister of Trade, we are working to develop relations with Iraq, especially economic and trade, and in this visit we have presented to the Ministry of Electricity for cooperation in the field of electric power stations, as well as cooperation in building oil refineries, in addition to trade cooperation.

She said today we are going to open a great success in Baghdad Atie exhibition of more than (40) a French company, and our participation in this year different from other years because of our desire for full cooperation.

The Secretary of Commerce has arrived in Baghdad at dawn today on board the first direct flight between Europe and Iraq twenty years ago.

http://www.ipairaq.com/index.php

Maliki discuss with the French Trade Minister the importance of developing relations between Iraq and French

2010-10-31

Maliki discuss with the French Trade Minister the importance of developing relations between Iraq and French

BAGHDAD (Iba) .. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the importance of developing relations with France in all fields, particularly trade and economic development.

A statement from the office of Prime Minister Maliki said during a meeting with French Trade Minister Anne-Marie Idrac and her entourage, we want to activate the relations between Iraq and France to serve the interests of both countries, and we have an idea about these relationships, we are heading towards the construction and reconstruction and investment.

Maliki said he looked forward for the Iraqi government to cooperate in other areas such as electricity, oil, etc., and invest large financial allocations this year in the field of water and sewage, adding that French companies have experience in this aspect.

And renewed the call to French companies for work in Iraq and contribute to the process of building and construction, and activation of commercial cooperation between the two countries in various directions, including the relation to the importation Alosmontwallhom.

For its part, said French Minister of Trade, we are working to develop relations with Iraq, especially economic and trade, and in this visit we have presented to the Ministry of Electricity for cooperation in the field of electric power stations, as well as cooperation in building oil refineries, in addition to trade cooperation.

She said today we are going to open a great success in Baghdad Atie exhibition of more than (40) a French company, and our participation in this year different from other years because of our desire for full cooperation.

The Secretary of Commerce has arrived in Baghdad at dawn today on board the first direct flight between Europe and Iraq twenty years ago. (End)