Phoenix Rising Radio is the live radio program of the private "Gimme Shelter" forum hosted by Phoenix. Show topics cover the global current events impacting us all.
The live show airs at 8:00 PM EST. Monday Through Friday. All past shows are on-demand.
Phoenix Rising @ Link
As of December 22, 2011, Going Global East Meets West will move to a new address. You can check out the new address @ link.
I will be posting on both sites (until January 1st) and will adhere to the strict copyright SOPA law, which may go into effect January 1, 2012.
Please note that the new site will Also be free from any advertisements or solicited donations that fall under SOPA's strict policy. New Address ~ link ..
Link ~ Going Global Headline News for Wednesday and Thursday, December 21-22 -2011 .. Winter Solstice ...
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Going Global Headline News for Wednesday and Thursday, December 21-22 -2011 .. Winter Solstice ...
Life is short .. live it ... Love is rare .. grab it. .. Anger is bad .. dump it. .. Fear is awful .. face it. Memories are sweet .. cherish them ...
Great Explanation on the Situation in Iraq .. easy enough .. even a caveman will understand it ...:) Phoenix Rising Radio ~ 7:00 AM EST, Thursday, December 22, 2011 ...
Biden ~ In a telephone interview. Talabani discuss with Biden all hot issues on the Iraqi scene
Iraq ~ Former Prime Minister Allawi's Group Blame the U.S. Withdraw for Attacks ...
Zebari said: they should deal with the issue of al Hashimi quietly among political leaders rather than inflated information
Al-Maliki discuss with the US Army Chief of staff of joint cooperation between the two countries
UN, Iraqi PM react to series attacks in Baghdad
Al-Maliki: the criminal bombings of today emphasizes faith enemy confusion of political realities in the country
Thursday ~ Obama to discuss payroll tax extension: official
Series of blasts hits Iraqi capital - police
Iraq PM Warns Sunnis Could be Shut From Power
Petraeus Back from Baghdad ...
Baghdad and Kurdistan ~ The Leaders of the Kurdistan accepted the terms of the Charter of the National Honor of Moqtada al-Sadr
Sadr ~ Maliki is not responsible for the arrest warrant against Hashemi
Iraq and EU ~ Zebari met ambassadors of the EU to brief them on developments in the political crisis, and the initiative of Iraq to Syria
Iraq row deepens as PM calls for VP handover
Iraq’s Zebari warns of foreign meddling amid crisis
Americans will be transferred to foreign prisons under Indefinite Detention act
IEA expects Iraqi oil boom
UN and Iraq ~ Ban Ki-moon: U.S. Withdrawal Marks New Moment in Iraq's History ~ He is Closely Watching the Current Political Situation ...
Iran's Currency ~ The collapse of the currency of Iran threaten stability ...
Obama Ready to Sign Indefinite Detention Bill into Law
Central Bank of Iraq the return of the dollar exchange rate to what it was ...
Iraq and U.S. Director of CIA Meets with Iraqi Leaders As Allawi Out Of The Country Once Again ...
U.S. CIA Director, Petraeus, aware of crimes Hashemi
Maliki: Baath Party leader asked his followers to get ready, when the Americans withdraw then pounce on the Iraqi regime ...
Who are the Ba'athist? Allawi Gets a Ba'athist Endorsement ... ''07'
Maliki admits hiding the evidence for the crimes documented and Warned the owners if continued there would be consequences
Basel III .. International regulatory framework for banks (Basel III)
Links ~ Infrastructure Bank, National Infrastructure Bank, U.S. Infrastructure Bank
Going Global Headline News For Tuesday and Wednesday, December 20-21-2011 ...
Great Explanation on the Situation in Iraq .. easy enough .. even a caveman will understand it ...:) Phoenix Rising Radio ~ 7:00 AM EST, Thursday, December 22, 2011 ...
Biden ~ In a telephone interview. Talabani discuss with Biden all hot issues on the Iraqi scene
Iraq ~ Former Prime Minister Allawi's Group Blame the U.S. Withdraw for Attacks ...
Zebari said: they should deal with the issue of al Hashimi quietly among political leaders rather than inflated information
Al-Maliki discuss with the US Army Chief of staff of joint cooperation between the two countries
UN, Iraqi PM react to series attacks in Baghdad
Al-Maliki: the criminal bombings of today emphasizes faith enemy confusion of political realities in the country
Thursday ~ Obama to discuss payroll tax extension: official
Series of blasts hits Iraqi capital - police
Iraq PM Warns Sunnis Could be Shut From Power
Petraeus Back from Baghdad ...
Baghdad and Kurdistan ~ The Leaders of the Kurdistan accepted the terms of the Charter of the National Honor of Moqtada al-Sadr
Sadr ~ Maliki is not responsible for the arrest warrant against Hashemi
Iraq and EU ~ Zebari met ambassadors of the EU to brief them on developments in the political crisis, and the initiative of Iraq to Syria
Iraq row deepens as PM calls for VP handover
Iraq’s Zebari warns of foreign meddling amid crisis
Americans will be transferred to foreign prisons under Indefinite Detention act
IEA expects Iraqi oil boom
UN and Iraq ~ Ban Ki-moon: U.S. Withdrawal Marks New Moment in Iraq's History ~ He is Closely Watching the Current Political Situation ...
Iran's Currency ~ The collapse of the currency of Iran threaten stability ...
Obama Ready to Sign Indefinite Detention Bill into Law
Central Bank of Iraq the return of the dollar exchange rate to what it was ...
Iraq and U.S. Director of CIA Meets with Iraqi Leaders As Allawi Out Of The Country Once Again ...
U.S. CIA Director, Petraeus, aware of crimes Hashemi
Maliki: Baath Party leader asked his followers to get ready, when the Americans withdraw then pounce on the Iraqi regime ...
Who are the Ba'athist? Allawi Gets a Ba'athist Endorsement ... ''07'
Maliki admits hiding the evidence for the crimes documented and Warned the owners if continued there would be consequences
Basel III .. International regulatory framework for banks (Basel III)
Links ~ Infrastructure Bank, National Infrastructure Bank, U.S. Infrastructure Bank
Going Global Headline News For Tuesday and Wednesday, December 20-21-2011 ...
Biden ~ In a telephone interview. Talabani discuss with Biden all hot issues on the Iraqi scene
Thursday, 22-12-11
In a telephone interview. Talabani discuss with Biden all hot issues on the Iraqi scene
Baghdad, Search President Jalal Talabani, Thursday evening, during a telephone call from us Vice President Joseph Biden all hot issues on the Iraqi scene.
According to a statement by the Presidency of the Republic received (News News Agency) Thursday: contact search included all hot issues on the Iraqi scene, where the Vice President said the United States commended all efforts by President Talabani to collect Iraqi political forces to resolve problems through serious dialogue and cordial.
"Biden to contact United States support fully the efforts of President Talabani to contain the current crisis facing Iraq. He was United States Ambassador in Iraq for more cooperation for successful endeavours of his Excellency President.
At the conclusion of new connection Vice-President thanked the President for his and his "always expects you like this national effort. These troubles sincere to the country and that's what you folks.
link
In a telephone interview. Talabani discuss with Biden all hot issues on the Iraqi scene
Baghdad, Search President Jalal Talabani, Thursday evening, during a telephone call from us Vice President Joseph Biden all hot issues on the Iraqi scene.
According to a statement by the Presidency of the Republic received (News News Agency) Thursday: contact search included all hot issues on the Iraqi scene, where the Vice President said the United States commended all efforts by President Talabani to collect Iraqi political forces to resolve problems through serious dialogue and cordial.
"Biden to contact United States support fully the efforts of President Talabani to contain the current crisis facing Iraq. He was United States Ambassador in Iraq for more cooperation for successful endeavours of his Excellency President.
At the conclusion of new connection Vice-President thanked the President for his and his "always expects you like this national effort. These troubles sincere to the country and that's what you folks.
link
Iraq ~ Former Prime Minister Allawi's Group Blame the U.S. Withdraw for Attacks ...
Snip .. "Unfortunately this was all agreed upon by America - to hand over Iraq to a new dictator, and so Iraq will implode again." Ali Hatem Suleiman, the leader of one of the nation's largest Sunni tribes said
video .. warning graphic ..
http://www.newslook.com/videos/384141-graphic-multiple-blasts-rip-through-baghdad?autoplay=true
In a sign of the deepening sectarian crisis facing the Iraqi government, a series of explosions hit Baghdad today, killing at least 63 and wounding another 180.
A series of 14 bomb attacks, apparently coordinated, in Baghdad today ed Iraqi officials to declare it the worst day of 2011.
At least 63 people are dead and more tha 180 are wounded as signs emerge that the political crisis facing the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki may be spilling into the streets.
The violence comes just days after the last U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq and into neighboring Kuwait. American officials have said the soldiers in Kuwait could return to Iraq rapidly if the situation spiraled out of control, but so far there's no reason to think that's the case.
According to the New York Times, insurgents used car bombs and IEDs to strike at grocery stores, schools and government bombings in neighborhoods all around the capital city. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but they bear the hallmarks of previous work by the group Al Qaeda in Iraq.
“This has nothing to do with the American withdrawal,” Abdul Kareem Thirib, the head of the security committee for Baghdad’s provincial council, said to the Times. “When they were here, there were also explosions. We were the ones in control of the streets when the Americans were here. I think there will be more cowardly attacks in the coming days but we will face them and everything will be under control.”
The sectarian problems have been increasing since the government of al-Maliki, a Shiite himself, issued an arrest warrant for Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, a Sunni and one of the most political influential Sunnis in the country. He's accused of running a death squad, though many Sunnis view it as a political ploy to force the Sunnis from power.
The BBC reported that the al-Iraqiyya group, the main Sunni group in parliament, is boycotting the assembly in protest.
"Maliki will drive Iraq towards separation and will create a new dictatorship and take on Saddam's mantle," Ali Hatem Suleiman, the leader of one of the nation's largest Sunni tribes said to the BBC.
"Unfortunately this was all agreed upon by America - to hand over Iraq to a new dictator, and so Iraq will implode again."
al-Hashemi is believed to have fled to the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq. link
related .. Iyad Allawi ~ 'Saddam without a moustache' ... BBC News Profile ...
video .. warning graphic ..
http://www.newslook.com/videos/384141-graphic-multiple-blasts-rip-through-baghdad?autoplay=true
In a sign of the deepening sectarian crisis facing the Iraqi government, a series of explosions hit Baghdad today, killing at least 63 and wounding another 180.
A series of 14 bomb attacks, apparently coordinated, in Baghdad today ed Iraqi officials to declare it the worst day of 2011.
At least 63 people are dead and more tha 180 are wounded as signs emerge that the political crisis facing the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki may be spilling into the streets.
The violence comes just days after the last U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq and into neighboring Kuwait. American officials have said the soldiers in Kuwait could return to Iraq rapidly if the situation spiraled out of control, but so far there's no reason to think that's the case.
According to the New York Times, insurgents used car bombs and IEDs to strike at grocery stores, schools and government bombings in neighborhoods all around the capital city. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but they bear the hallmarks of previous work by the group Al Qaeda in Iraq.
“This has nothing to do with the American withdrawal,” Abdul Kareem Thirib, the head of the security committee for Baghdad’s provincial council, said to the Times. “When they were here, there were also explosions. We were the ones in control of the streets when the Americans were here. I think there will be more cowardly attacks in the coming days but we will face them and everything will be under control.”
The sectarian problems have been increasing since the government of al-Maliki, a Shiite himself, issued an arrest warrant for Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, a Sunni and one of the most political influential Sunnis in the country. He's accused of running a death squad, though many Sunnis view it as a political ploy to force the Sunnis from power.
The BBC reported that the al-Iraqiyya group, the main Sunni group in parliament, is boycotting the assembly in protest.
"Maliki will drive Iraq towards separation and will create a new dictatorship and take on Saddam's mantle," Ali Hatem Suleiman, the leader of one of the nation's largest Sunni tribes said to the BBC.
"Unfortunately this was all agreed upon by America - to hand over Iraq to a new dictator, and so Iraq will implode again."
al-Hashemi is believed to have fled to the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq. link
related .. Iyad Allawi ~ 'Saddam without a moustache' ... BBC News Profile ...
Zebari said: they should deal with the issue of al Hashimi quietly among political leaders rather than inflated information
December 22, 2011
Zebari said they should deal with the issue of al Hashimi quietly among political leaders rather than inflated information
Baghdad, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said that the issue of Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi exaggerated in the media when they should have been handled quietly among political leaders.
A Ministry statement quoted received (News Agency news) a copy of Zebari expressing concerns about Iraq's return to the fighting that is tearing the country almost communal in 2006 and 2007.
Most areas saw Iraq years above a wave of sectarian violence on the back allow bombing in Samarra which killed thousands of civilians.
link
Zebari said they should deal with the issue of al Hashimi quietly among political leaders rather than inflated information
Baghdad, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said that the issue of Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi exaggerated in the media when they should have been handled quietly among political leaders.
A Ministry statement quoted received (News Agency news) a copy of Zebari expressing concerns about Iraq's return to the fighting that is tearing the country almost communal in 2006 and 2007.
Most areas saw Iraq years above a wave of sectarian violence on the back allow bombing in Samarra which killed thousands of civilians.
link
Al-Maliki discuss with the US Army Chief of staff of joint cooperation between the two countries
Thursday, 22-12-11
Al-Maliki discuss with the US Army Chief of staff of joint cooperation between the two countries
Baghdad, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki full importance of continued cooperation between Iraq and the United States in the interest of the two countries.
According to a statement by the information Office of the Prime Minister received (News Agency news) on Thursday: Al-Maliki confirmed, during the meeting, stressed the importance of continued cooperation between Iraq and the United States in the interest of the two countries.
The Prime Minister invited: to accelerate the processing of Iraqi forces with the necessary equipment and machinery necessary for their work.
His Chief of staff of the US military was ready to cooperate with Iraq in the area of training and equipping and arming of Iraqi forces.
link
Al-Maliki discuss with the US Army Chief of staff of joint cooperation between the two countries
Baghdad, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki full importance of continued cooperation between Iraq and the United States in the interest of the two countries.
According to a statement by the information Office of the Prime Minister received (News Agency news) on Thursday: Al-Maliki confirmed, during the meeting, stressed the importance of continued cooperation between Iraq and the United States in the interest of the two countries.
The Prime Minister invited: to accelerate the processing of Iraqi forces with the necessary equipment and machinery necessary for their work.
His Chief of staff of the US military was ready to cooperate with Iraq in the area of training and equipping and arming of Iraqi forces.
link
UN, Iraqi PM react to series attacks in Baghdad
December 22, 2011
UN, Iraqi PM react to series attacks in Baghdad
Baghdad, The UN and Iraqi government both condemned the recent attacks which hit the Iraqi capital Baghdad, leaving 75 people dead, and 167 injured.
On the UN level, Special representative of the UN Secretary General for Iraq Martin Kobler lashed out at the 13 explosions which rocked the Iraqi capital, saying that such was amongst the most brutal crimes ever committed against the innocent.
He called on all Iraqi parties to swiftly react and protect their fellow citizens from such bloodshed, affirming that the Iraqi people should not be victims of such attacks.
Similar reactions were echoed by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, who noted that such an incident was politically motivated due to its timing.
He called on the Iraqi police and army to both intensify their efforts to track-down those responsible for such atrocious attacks.
link
UN, Iraqi PM react to series attacks in Baghdad
Baghdad, The UN and Iraqi government both condemned the recent attacks which hit the Iraqi capital Baghdad, leaving 75 people dead, and 167 injured.
On the UN level, Special representative of the UN Secretary General for Iraq Martin Kobler lashed out at the 13 explosions which rocked the Iraqi capital, saying that such was amongst the most brutal crimes ever committed against the innocent.
He called on all Iraqi parties to swiftly react and protect their fellow citizens from such bloodshed, affirming that the Iraqi people should not be victims of such attacks.
Similar reactions were echoed by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, who noted that such an incident was politically motivated due to its timing.
He called on the Iraqi police and army to both intensify their efforts to track-down those responsible for such atrocious attacks.
link
Al-Maliki: the criminal bombings of today emphasizes faith enemy confusion of political realities in the country
December 22, 2011
Al-Maliki: the criminal bombings of today emphasizes faith enemy confusion of political realities in the country
Baghdad, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said the series of criminal explosions targeting innocent and defenceless in schools, markets and public places again reveal enemy faced by Iraqis Tine and criminal nature which would not hesitate to conduct any way to achieve its objectives and emphasizes the enemy intention of shuffling the political reality in the country.
Maliki said in a statement sent to (Agency news News) on Thursday that the timing of these crimes and their choice once again to every skeptic political nature of the goals they want to achieve through crime and murder innocent, unarmed and trying to mix cards hoping to reach those goals.
Al-Maliki called on security forces and army troops to tighten its procedures and to do its duty with utmost discipline to protect citizens and fill security holes that implemented these killers and call on them not to be dragged to the reactions of criminals try to push them to achieve their goals.
He also called on all clergy, politicians and political parties, tribal chiefs and all good forces must assume their responsibility in this delicate and ykovo along with their security forces and the strengthening of health information, support and maintain unity.
Maliki insisted that offenders and from behind will ysttiao change the course of events and the political process or the impunity that happens to them sooner or later.
And several areas in the capital, terrorist attacks and car bombs claimed the lives of hundreds of citizens killed or injured.
link
Al-Maliki: the criminal bombings of today emphasizes faith enemy confusion of political realities in the country
Baghdad, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said the series of criminal explosions targeting innocent and defenceless in schools, markets and public places again reveal enemy faced by Iraqis Tine and criminal nature which would not hesitate to conduct any way to achieve its objectives and emphasizes the enemy intention of shuffling the political reality in the country.
Maliki said in a statement sent to (Agency news News) on Thursday that the timing of these crimes and their choice once again to every skeptic political nature of the goals they want to achieve through crime and murder innocent, unarmed and trying to mix cards hoping to reach those goals.
Al-Maliki called on security forces and army troops to tighten its procedures and to do its duty with utmost discipline to protect citizens and fill security holes that implemented these killers and call on them not to be dragged to the reactions of criminals try to push them to achieve their goals.
He also called on all clergy, politicians and political parties, tribal chiefs and all good forces must assume their responsibility in this delicate and ykovo along with their security forces and the strengthening of health information, support and maintain unity.
Maliki insisted that offenders and from behind will ysttiao change the course of events and the political process or the impunity that happens to them sooner or later.
And several areas in the capital, terrorist attacks and car bombs claimed the lives of hundreds of citizens killed or injured.
link
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Thursday ~ Obama to discuss payroll tax extension: official
December 21, 2011
Obama to discuss payroll tax extension: official
President Barack Obama will publicly discuss the importance of a payroll tax extension, a new push in his end-of-year showdown with Republicans, according to a senior administration official.
The official said privately that Obama would hold an event Thursday to pressure Republicans to approve a two-month extension.
Republicans in Congress were facing a torrent of political pressure and media scorn after triggering an uproar by blocking a compromise plan to extend a tax break for 160 million Americans.
The conservative editorial page of The Wall Street Journal, normally a bastion of support for House of Representatives Republicans, branded the episode a "fiasco" that could end up reelecting President Barack Obama.
House Republican leaders stuck to their guns despite taking on heavy political fire, insisting that the Senate return from its vacation to work out a new compromise to unpick the pre-Christmas imbroglio.
If the tax cut is not extended by January 1, payroll tax deductions, which are separate from income tax, will go up from 4.2 percent to 6.2 percent in a move Obama says will hurt a "fragile" recovery.
The hike would cost the average American $1000 over the course of 2012.
Additionally, around two million people also stand to lose federally funded unemployment benefits.
link
Obama to discuss payroll tax extension: official
President Barack Obama will publicly discuss the importance of a payroll tax extension, a new push in his end-of-year showdown with Republicans, according to a senior administration official.
The official said privately that Obama would hold an event Thursday to pressure Republicans to approve a two-month extension.
Republicans in Congress were facing a torrent of political pressure and media scorn after triggering an uproar by blocking a compromise plan to extend a tax break for 160 million Americans.
The conservative editorial page of The Wall Street Journal, normally a bastion of support for House of Representatives Republicans, branded the episode a "fiasco" that could end up reelecting President Barack Obama.
House Republican leaders stuck to their guns despite taking on heavy political fire, insisting that the Senate return from its vacation to work out a new compromise to unpick the pre-Christmas imbroglio.
If the tax cut is not extended by January 1, payroll tax deductions, which are separate from income tax, will go up from 4.2 percent to 6.2 percent in a move Obama says will hurt a "fragile" recovery.
The hike would cost the average American $1000 over the course of 2012.
Additionally, around two million people also stand to lose federally funded unemployment benefits.
link
Series of blasts hits Iraqi capital - police
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Series of blasts hits Iraqi capital - police
A series of explosions struck Baghdad Thursday, the first apparently coordinated attacks on Iraq's capital since a crisis erupted between its Shi'ite-led government and Sunni rivals after the withdrawal of the last U.S. troops, police said.
Two roadside bombs exploded in the central Baghdad area, killing at least four people and wounding 14 more, while a car bomb hit the commercial Karrada district, wounding five people, police and security officials said.
Two more explosions hit northern Baghdad, police and witnesses said.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from those blasts.
link
Series of blasts hits Iraqi capital - police
A series of explosions struck Baghdad Thursday, the first apparently coordinated attacks on Iraq's capital since a crisis erupted between its Shi'ite-led government and Sunni rivals after the withdrawal of the last U.S. troops, police said.
Two roadside bombs exploded in the central Baghdad area, killing at least four people and wounding 14 more, while a car bomb hit the commercial Karrada district, wounding five people, police and security officials said.
Two more explosions hit northern Baghdad, police and witnesses said.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from those blasts.
link
Iraq PM Warns Sunnis Could be Shut From Power
12/21/2011
Iraq PM warns Sunnis could be shut from power
Iraq's Sunni Muslim minority rejected a call for all-party talks on Wednesday, ignoring U.S. pressure for dialogue to resolve a sectarian crisis that has erupted since American forces left the country this week.
With fears mounting that the nation of 30 million might one day fragment in chaos in the absence of the U.S. troops who toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki warned Saddam's fellow Sunnis they faced exclusion from power if they walked out on his ruling coalition.
The main Sunni-backed party, furious at terrorism charges leveled by the Shi'ite-run authorities against Iraq's Sunni vice president on the day Americans left, rejected Maliki's call for all-party talks in the coming days and vowed to try and unseat the prime minister in parliament, a move unlikely to succeed.
Having stuck by a decision to withdraw U.S. forces in 2011, a return of the kind of sectarian blood-letting that killed tens of thousands of Iraqis after Saddam fell could embarrass President Barack Obama as he campaigns for re-election.
Vice President Joe Biden called Maliki and the Sunni speaker of parliament on Tuesday to press for urgent talks among Iraq's leaders. But there was little sign of a thaw on Wednesday, although it remained unclear how far the rhetoric reflected a real threat to the fragile coexistence of Sunnis with the majority Shi'ites and ethnic Kurds, both oppressed under Saddam.
Maliki, calling on the Kurds to hand over Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi who has taken refuge in their autonomous region, said he wanted Hashemi's Sunni-backed Iraqiya block to end a boycott of parliament and of his year-old power-sharing government.
Continues ...read more ..
Iraq PM warns Sunnis could be shut from power
Iraq's Sunni Muslim minority rejected a call for all-party talks on Wednesday, ignoring U.S. pressure for dialogue to resolve a sectarian crisis that has erupted since American forces left the country this week.
With fears mounting that the nation of 30 million might one day fragment in chaos in the absence of the U.S. troops who toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki warned Saddam's fellow Sunnis they faced exclusion from power if they walked out on his ruling coalition.
The main Sunni-backed party, furious at terrorism charges leveled by the Shi'ite-run authorities against Iraq's Sunni vice president on the day Americans left, rejected Maliki's call for all-party talks in the coming days and vowed to try and unseat the prime minister in parliament, a move unlikely to succeed.
Having stuck by a decision to withdraw U.S. forces in 2011, a return of the kind of sectarian blood-letting that killed tens of thousands of Iraqis after Saddam fell could embarrass President Barack Obama as he campaigns for re-election.
Vice President Joe Biden called Maliki and the Sunni speaker of parliament on Tuesday to press for urgent talks among Iraq's leaders. But there was little sign of a thaw on Wednesday, although it remained unclear how far the rhetoric reflected a real threat to the fragile coexistence of Sunnis with the majority Shi'ites and ethnic Kurds, both oppressed under Saddam.
Maliki, calling on the Kurds to hand over Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi who has taken refuge in their autonomous region, said he wanted Hashemi's Sunni-backed Iraqiya block to end a boycott of parliament and of his year-old power-sharing government.
Continues ...read more ..
Baghdad and Kurdistan ~ The Leaders of the Kurdistan accepted the terms of the Charter of the National Honor of Moqtada al-Sadr
Related article ~ Sadr's call for Iraqi blocks the signing of a code of conduct is receiving broad support
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The leaders of the Kurdistan accepted the terms of the Charter of the national honor of Moqtada al-Sadr
Said Secretary General of the Liberal bloc Zia al-Asadi said a President Jalal Talabani and the Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani accepted the statement in terms of the Charter of the national honor given consent and complete with some minor modifications which do not affect the essence of the Charter.
The delegation concluded that sent the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr to Kurdistan to discuss with the leaders of the province on the initiative of the Charter of the national honor his visit today after meeting with both Talabani and Barzani.
He added, "Asadi" The meetings resulted in the formation of a joint committee represented by all those who participated in the signing of the Charter and the mission of this Committee to follow up implementation of the Charter.
link
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The leaders of the Kurdistan accepted the terms of the Charter of the national honor of Moqtada al-Sadr
Said Secretary General of the Liberal bloc Zia al-Asadi said a President Jalal Talabani and the Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani accepted the statement in terms of the Charter of the national honor given consent and complete with some minor modifications which do not affect the essence of the Charter.
The delegation concluded that sent the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr to Kurdistan to discuss with the leaders of the province on the initiative of the Charter of the national honor his visit today after meeting with both Talabani and Barzani.
He added, "Asadi" The meetings resulted in the formation of a joint committee represented by all those who participated in the signing of the Charter and the mission of this Committee to follow up implementation of the Charter.
link
Sadr ~ Maliki is not responsible for the arrest warrant against Hashemi
21/12/2011Maliki is not responsible for the arrest warrant against Hashemi
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is not responsible for the judiciary issuing an arrest warrant for Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi according to the Sadrist movement which belongs to al-Maliki's National Coalition.
The Iraqi Interior Ministry announced the warrant had been issued last night. They said al-Hashemi is wanted on terrorism offenses and they presented the confessions of three members of al-Hashemi's protection detail who said the Vice President ordered them to carry out assassinations since 2009.
Continues ...read more ..
Iraq and EU ~ Zebari met ambassadors of the EU to brief them on developments in the political crisis, and the initiative of Iraq to Syria
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Zebari met ambassadors of the EU to brief them on developments in the political crisis, and the initiative of Iraq to Syria
Met Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, ambassadors and heads of missions of the EU operating in Iraq.
The meeting came at the request of the Representation of the European Union informed on the developments of the political crisis, and the initiative of Iraq to Syria to implement the Arab initiative and the Arab Plan of Action, and relations, Iraq - the U.S. after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.
The foreign minister stressed that all Iraqi political leaders emphasize the language of dialogue to address and mitigate the escalation of the tone of the media and the judiciary take its course.
He also stressed on the success of Iraqi efforts to encourage the Syrian government to agree to receive the Fact-Finding Commission according to the protocol monitors the status of the Arabs, and the Iraqi government sought to participate in the work of the Committee.
The Minister reviewed the results of the visit, Mr. Prime Minister and ministerial delegation to Washington, and the positive results that emerged from the strengthening of the bilateral relationship through the activation of the strategic framework agreement.
link
Zebari met ambassadors of the EU to brief them on developments in the political crisis, and the initiative of Iraq to Syria
Met Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, ambassadors and heads of missions of the EU operating in Iraq.
The meeting came at the request of the Representation of the European Union informed on the developments of the political crisis, and the initiative of Iraq to Syria to implement the Arab initiative and the Arab Plan of Action, and relations, Iraq - the U.S. after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.
The foreign minister stressed that all Iraqi political leaders emphasize the language of dialogue to address and mitigate the escalation of the tone of the media and the judiciary take its course.
He also stressed on the success of Iraqi efforts to encourage the Syrian government to agree to receive the Fact-Finding Commission according to the protocol monitors the status of the Arabs, and the Iraqi government sought to participate in the work of the Committee.
The Minister reviewed the results of the visit, Mr. Prime Minister and ministerial delegation to Washington, and the positive results that emerged from the strengthening of the bilateral relationship through the activation of the strategic framework agreement.
link
Iraq row deepens as PM calls for VP handover
December 21, 2011Iraq row deepens as PM calls for VP handover
Iraq’s government marked its first anniversary on Wednesday in turmoil as its premier urged Kurd officials to hand over the Sunni vice president on terror charges, in a row that has raised communal tension.
Baghdad - Iraq’s government marked its first anniversary on Wednesday in turmoil as its premier urged Kurd officials to hand over the Sunni vice president on terror charges, in a row that has raised communal tension.
Washington has urged calm, but Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki threatened to replace ministers belonging to the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc if they did not end a cabinet boycott, while Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, currently holed up in the autonomous Kurdish region, rejected claims he ran a death squad.
Lawmakers are also due to consider a call from Maliki to sack Sunni Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlak, who has decried the Shiite-led national unity government as a “dictatorship”.
All this comes just days after US troops completed their withdrawal from the country, leaving behind what US President Barack Obama described as a “sovereign, stable, and self-reliant Iraq.”
Continues ...read more ..
Iraq’s Zebari warns of foreign meddling amid crisis
December 21, 2011Iraq’s Zebari warns of foreign meddling amid crisis
Baghdad - Iraq’s foreign minister said on Wednesday Iraq would invite more regional meddling in the country’s affairs if its leaders failed to solve quickly a political crisis between the Shi’ite-led government and Sunni rivals.
“This aggravation is not in anybody’s interests,” Hoshiyar Zebari, a Kurd, told reporters in an interview.
“As long as your internal front is fragmented and not united ... others who want to interfere will be encouraged. That’s why it is very important to deal with this crisis as soon as possible,” he said.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s Shi’ite-led government has sought the arrest of Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, accusing him of running a death squad, and demanded that parliament fire another rival, his Sunni deputy Saleh al-Mutlaq, after he compared Maliki to Saddam Hussein.
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Americans will be transferred to foreign prisons under Indefinite Detention act
December 21, 2011
Americans will be transferred to foreign prisons under Indefinite Detention act
If you’re upset that congressional approval of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 can send you away to military prisons and be tortured in America, don’t worry — it could be worse.
The US could send you somewhere else.
No, really. They could. And they can. Anywhere else, too. Really.
While the bill that left Capitol Hill last week and awaits authorization from US President Barack Obama allows for the United States to indefinitely detain and torture American citizens suspected of aiding enemy forces, one provision in the bill specifies that that detention doesn’t necessarily have to occur domestically — nor does it have to be in a foreign prison run by the US.
The ongoing detention of foreign terror suspects at the US base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has been a hot topic since the War on Terror began, with American military authorities torturing could-be criminals without ever bringing them to trial. An exposé years earlier on the Abu Ghraib facility in Iraq revealed how American troops were subjecting detainees to disgusting, inhumane conditions; conditions which left some dead without ever going to trial. While Abu Ghraib has since been shut down, Guantanamo Bay continues to hold suspected criminals despite a promise to Obama to shut it down.
When the commander-in-chief inks his name to NDAA FY2012, Americans can be on their way to the same torture cells that have kept al-Qaeda and Taliban-linked terrorists for the last decade. It’s now been revealed, however, that US citizens and anyone suspected of a crime against America can be sent all over the world.
Under the legislation, the president has the power to transfer suspected terrorists "to the custody or control of the person's country of origin, any other foreign country, or any other foreign entity."
China? Sure. Iran? Why not! North Korea? That’s a possibility too. David Glazier, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, tells Mother Jones that this was an authority that the president has had before, but only under the new NDAA is the legislation endorsed and insured that it could be applied to Americans.
"If the president could lawfully transfer a German prisoner of war to a foreign country, then in theory he could do the same thing with an American prisoner of war," Glazier says.
Under the Feinstein Amendment imposed under NDAA FY2012, the Democratic senator from California proposed a law which would not change “existing law” with regards to detaining Americans. As Mother Jones notes, however, the jury is still out on what exactly “existing law” is when it comes to the topic, with those suspected of hostilities against America already being imprisoned without trial — citizen and otherwise. Both US-born Bradley Manning has been under military watch, isolation and torture for nearly two years, and the same has applied to a countless number of suspected terrorists at Gitmo and Abu Ghraib.
Al Franken, a Democrat senator from Minnesota, wrote in an op-ed last week that the provisions put in NDAA such as Feinstein Amendment were enough for some lawmakers to sign onto the legislation, but he said the final draft was still “simply unacceptable.”
“These provisions are inconsistent with the liberties and freedoms that are at the core of the system our Founders established. And while I did in fact vote for an earlier version of the legislation, I did so with the hope that the final version would be significantly improved. That didn't happen, and so I could not support the final bill,” wrote Franken.
link
Americans will be transferred to foreign prisons under Indefinite Detention act
If you’re upset that congressional approval of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 can send you away to military prisons and be tortured in America, don’t worry — it could be worse.
The US could send you somewhere else.
No, really. They could. And they can. Anywhere else, too. Really.
While the bill that left Capitol Hill last week and awaits authorization from US President Barack Obama allows for the United States to indefinitely detain and torture American citizens suspected of aiding enemy forces, one provision in the bill specifies that that detention doesn’t necessarily have to occur domestically — nor does it have to be in a foreign prison run by the US.
The ongoing detention of foreign terror suspects at the US base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has been a hot topic since the War on Terror began, with American military authorities torturing could-be criminals without ever bringing them to trial. An exposé years earlier on the Abu Ghraib facility in Iraq revealed how American troops were subjecting detainees to disgusting, inhumane conditions; conditions which left some dead without ever going to trial. While Abu Ghraib has since been shut down, Guantanamo Bay continues to hold suspected criminals despite a promise to Obama to shut it down.
When the commander-in-chief inks his name to NDAA FY2012, Americans can be on their way to the same torture cells that have kept al-Qaeda and Taliban-linked terrorists for the last decade. It’s now been revealed, however, that US citizens and anyone suspected of a crime against America can be sent all over the world.
Under the legislation, the president has the power to transfer suspected terrorists "to the custody or control of the person's country of origin, any other foreign country, or any other foreign entity."
China? Sure. Iran? Why not! North Korea? That’s a possibility too. David Glazier, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, tells Mother Jones that this was an authority that the president has had before, but only under the new NDAA is the legislation endorsed and insured that it could be applied to Americans.
"If the president could lawfully transfer a German prisoner of war to a foreign country, then in theory he could do the same thing with an American prisoner of war," Glazier says.
Under the Feinstein Amendment imposed under NDAA FY2012, the Democratic senator from California proposed a law which would not change “existing law” with regards to detaining Americans. As Mother Jones notes, however, the jury is still out on what exactly “existing law” is when it comes to the topic, with those suspected of hostilities against America already being imprisoned without trial — citizen and otherwise. Both US-born Bradley Manning has been under military watch, isolation and torture for nearly two years, and the same has applied to a countless number of suspected terrorists at Gitmo and Abu Ghraib.
Al Franken, a Democrat senator from Minnesota, wrote in an op-ed last week that the provisions put in NDAA such as Feinstein Amendment were enough for some lawmakers to sign onto the legislation, but he said the final draft was still “simply unacceptable.”
“These provisions are inconsistent with the liberties and freedoms that are at the core of the system our Founders established. And while I did in fact vote for an earlier version of the legislation, I did so with the hope that the final version would be significantly improved. That didn't happen, and so I could not support the final bill,” wrote Franken.
link
IEA expects Iraqi oil boom
December 21, 2011IEA expects Iraqi oil boom
PARIS, Iraq is expected to account for as much as 80 percent of the anticipated production increase from OPEC members, the IEA estimates.
The International Energy Agency in its latest monthly oil report estimates crude oil production from Iraq is on pace to increase 1.87 million barrels per day from 2010-16. This means that by the end of the timeframe, Iraq will produce on average 4.36 million bpd.
The IEA said overall production capacity from members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is forecast to increase from 2.33 million bpd to 3.81 million bpd by 2016.
"This revised forecast means that Iraq is expected to account for 80 percent of the increase in OPEC's crude oil production capacity in the six-year period," the IEA said in a statement.
The December report, however, warns of growing political instability in Iraq now that U.S. military forces have formally ended their mission there.
"International oil companies also report that continued bureaucratic, logistical and operational constraints are posing significant challenges and delays to project work, which we have already largely built into our forecast," the monthly report said.
Iraq's Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki wants Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi arrested on charges he operated death squads in the country. Authorities in the central government in Baghdad, meanwhile, are at odds with the Kurdish regional government over natural resources.
link
UN and Iraq ~ Ban Ki-moon: U.S. Withdrawal Marks New Moment in Iraq's History ~ He is Closely Watching the Current Political Situation ...
December 21, 2011US withdrawal marks new moment in Iraq history: UN chief
United Nations, Iraq will have a new opportunity to prove that it can put past troubles behind it with the full withdrawal of US forces from the country, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said.
"The completion of the withdrawal of the US military forces marks a new moment in Iraq's recent history," Xinhua quoted a statement from the UN chief as saying.
"This important development is an opportunity for Iraqi leaders to demonstrate to their people and to the world that they are fully capable of steering the country towards a better future," it said.
The US signed a document Dec 18 officially ending the Iraq war, after the last American combat forces left the country. The US began fighting in Iraq in 2003 and has had a presence on the ground since.
According to the statement, Ban said he was closely following the current political situation in Iraq.
Ban urged Iraqi political leaders "to engage in inclusive and constructive dialogue to resolve their differences and build on the achievements that have been made so far in laying the ground for a democratic state".
"Iraqi leaders owe it to the people of Iraq who elected them to work together in spirit of partnership and national unity to address the pressing challenges facing the country," the statement said.
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) was "still strongly committed" to helping the government and people of the country, he said.
Link
Iran's Currency ~ The collapse of the currency of Iran threaten stability ...
Wednesday, December 21, 2011The collapse of the currency of Iran threaten stability
The value of Iranian rial plunged for several months
Iranian currency fell to its lowest level ever, according to analysts, threatening the stability of the approaching Iran with more sanctions.
To Miss Farhat: Haute value of Iranian currency (Real) to its lowest level ever against the dollar on Tuesday, with investors selling Bbashkl increasing due to economic isolation experienced by Tehran as a result of international sanctions, which the cause of the problem of inflation and fears that can not officials government to devise a practical solution to the crisis.
Weakened the value of the riyal for several months, but this decline came as a shock on Tuesday led to the so-called "new Msty of concern" about Iran's economy in the country, exacerbated by the conflicting information received from Tehran, and the hierarchy which has reinforced the sense of bewilderment and confusion.
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Obama Ready to Sign Indefinite Detention Bill into Law
December 21, 2011
This was on CBS news.
I think he will sign it right before he gets on Airforce One to leave on vacation so no one can ask any questions about it. Phoenix
This was on CBS news.
I think he will sign it right before he gets on Airforce One to leave on vacation so no one can ask any questions about it. Phoenix
Iraq and U.S. Director of CIA Meets with Iraqi Leaders As Allawi Out Of The Country Once Again ...
20/12/2011After private "arenas of Liberation," the news of Petraeus, the "Arab" publish a report from the meetings of the U.S. Director of Central Intelligence with Iraqi leaders
BAGHDAD - "arenas of Liberation"
Site after himself "arenas of liberation" on Monday evening, news of the arrival of Petraeus to Iraq, published site "Arab Net" Tuesday a report from the meetings of the U.S. Director of Central Intelligence with Iraqi leaders.
Site that follows the channel "Arab" reported that "sources of political beginning, it was revealed Tuesday that the outgoing U.S. commander in Iraq David Petraeus attended a meeting of the Iraqi List, which was held yesterday, while the source in the office of the leader of the list, Iyad Allawi, the U.S. ambassador and former military commander participated in the meeting.
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U.S. CIA Director, Petraeus, aware of crimes Hashemi
December 21, 2011Petraeus aware of crimes Hashemi
An official source in the Iraqi List, that head of U.S. intelligence (CIA), which served as the commander of U.S. occupation forces in Iraq earlier (David Petraeus) arrived in haste to Baghdad after receiving a phone call from a Gulf state and leaders of the Iraqi List ask him to attend the emergency meeting held last Monday at the home of the leadership in Iraq Rafie al-Issawi.
The source said that (Petraeus) and the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad (James Jeffrey) participated in the emergency meeting on the serious accusations against Hashemi. According to the source, (Petraeus) surprised the audience by saying he has information about the involvement of al-Hashemi and his involvement in the criminal operations, but added to say that The time then was not allowed to disclose it, adding that he was aware of the issuance of arrest warrant against the latter
link
Maliki: Baath Party leader asked his followers to get ready, when the Americans withdraw then pounce on the Iraqi regime ...
Link ... October 2011 ~ Iraq Arrests More in Wake of Tip About Coup By Saddam's Former Baath Party
21/12/2011
Maliki: Baath Party leader asked his followers to get ready, when the Americans withdraw then pounce on the Iraqi regime
Baghdad, Prime Minister, Nouri Al Maliki, said “we arrested the baathists before the American withdraw so that nobody says the government benefited from the withdrawal.”
He compared the Baath Party with the Nazis in Germany, explaining that the baath is a constitutionally banned party in Iraq.
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21/12/2011
Maliki: Baath Party leader asked his followers to get ready, when the Americans withdraw then pounce on the Iraqi regime
Baghdad, Prime Minister, Nouri Al Maliki, said “we arrested the baathists before the American withdraw so that nobody says the government benefited from the withdrawal.”
He compared the Baath Party with the Nazis in Germany, explaining that the baath is a constitutionally banned party in Iraq.
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Who are the Ba'athist? Allawi Gets a Ba'athist Endorsement ... ''07'
*** Alleged Baath Members Confess in Videos to Iraq Attacks
related articles ~
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Maliki admits hiding the evidence for the crimes documented and Warned the owners if continued there would be consequences
21/12/2011Maliki admits hiding the evidence for the crimes documented and only warned the owners to continue
BAGHDAD - "arenas of Liberation" - Admitted to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of hiding evidence of crimes documented, and only warning to the parties executing the crimes of the consequences of which continue.
Maliki said in a press conference in Baghdad today that his government had documented evidence carried out by unnamed parties, who said "there are a lot of irregularities and, if not stopped some of these violations .. Fsnkhv their files at once and put them all to justice."
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Basel III .. International regulatory framework for banks (Basel III)
Related articles .. June 2011 .. Europe Warns US to Speed Up Bank Reform ...(it seems like just yesterday...)...
Sept. 2010 .. EU to lift the rock on abusive high finance ... May 2010 .. ***Geithner Meeting Barnier on Basel III Presses Banks ...
December 2011
International regulatory framework for banks (Basel III)
Current highlights:
Progress report on Basel III implementation
Basel III implementation monitoring (QIS)
Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems - revised version June 2011
Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring
Basel II
"Basel III" is a comprehensive set of reform measures, developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, to strengthen the regulation, supervision and risk management of the banking sector.
These measures aim to:
_improve the banking sector's ability to absorb shocks arising from financial and economic stress, whatever the source
_improve risk management and governance
_strengthen banks' transparency and disclosures.
The reforms target:
_bank-level, or microprudential, regulation, which will help raise the resilience of individual banking institutions to periods of stress.
_macroprudential, system wide risks that can build up across the banking sector as well as the procyclical amplification of these risks over time.
These two approaches to supervision are complementary as greater resilience at the individual bank level reduces the risk of system wide shocks.
The Basel III framework is summarized in a table which provides an overview of the various measures taken by the Committee.
Basel III is part of the Committee's continuous effort to enhance the banking regulatory framework. It builds on the International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards document (Basel 3
Compilation of documents that form the global regulatory framework for capital and liquidity (Basel II, Basel 2.5 and Basel III)
Basel Committee's response to the financial crisis
Sept. 2010 .. EU to lift the rock on abusive high finance ... May 2010 .. ***Geithner Meeting Barnier on Basel III Presses Banks ...
December 2011
International regulatory framework for banks (Basel III)
Current highlights:
Progress report on Basel III implementation
Basel III implementation monitoring (QIS)
Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems - revised version June 2011
Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring
Basel II
"Basel III" is a comprehensive set of reform measures, developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, to strengthen the regulation, supervision and risk management of the banking sector.
These measures aim to:
_improve the banking sector's ability to absorb shocks arising from financial and economic stress, whatever the source
_improve risk management and governance
_strengthen banks' transparency and disclosures.
The reforms target:
_bank-level, or microprudential, regulation, which will help raise the resilience of individual banking institutions to periods of stress.
_macroprudential, system wide risks that can build up across the banking sector as well as the procyclical amplification of these risks over time.
These two approaches to supervision are complementary as greater resilience at the individual bank level reduces the risk of system wide shocks.
The Basel III framework is summarized in a table which provides an overview of the various measures taken by the Committee.
Basel III is part of the Committee's continuous effort to enhance the banking regulatory framework. It builds on the International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards document (Basel 3
Compilation of documents that form the global regulatory framework for capital and liquidity (Basel II, Basel 2.5 and Basel III)
Basel Committee's response to the financial crisis
Links ~ Infrastructure Bank, National Infrastructure Bank, U.S. Infrastructure Bank
The creation of a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank was first proposed by Senator Christopher J. Dodd and Senator Chuck Hagel in 2007.
Barack Obama backed this proposed legislation in February 2008.
_Obama suggested that the Bank would borrow US$60 billion of federal funding to invest in infrastructure over 10 years, while leveraging "up to $500 billion" of private investment. It would invest in high-speed trains to provide an alternative to air travel, energy efficiency and clean energy, among others.
According to _O, the Bank's "work will be determined by what will maximize our safety and security and ability to compete" and it would "create nearly two million new jobs", mainly in the construction industry. According to the text of the proposed legislation funding for the bank would be taken from borrowed funds not to exceed one percent. The Bank would complement existing federal programs to fund infrastructure, such as the Highway Trust Fund or State Revolving Funds.
It is expected to invest primarily in surface transport infrastructure, which is likely to include highways and mass transit. _O did not mention investments in water supply and sanitation as an area of activity for the new Bank. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) estimates that investment in water supply and sanitation in the United States will have to be "over $250 billion above current levels of spending in the next 20 to 30 years" to replace aging infrastructure.
The original version of the bill expired with the 110th Congress, a different version of the bill was introduced into the 111th Congress by U.S. Representative Rosa L. DeLauro, (D - Connecticut 3rd District) as H.R. 2521. Obama proposed the Bank as part of his $210 billion economic stimulus package.
The original version of the proposed legislation was introduced in the United States Senate as Senate Bill 1926 (S. 1926). A similar bill has been introduced into the United States House of Representatives as House Resolution 3401 (H.R. 3401). The status of the bill can be tracked on THOMAS
The proposed legislation states that the "Bank" is actually an "an independent establishment of the Federal Government, as defined in section 104 of Title 5, United States Code." As explained in 5 US Code 104, an independent establishment of the Federal Government is "(1) an establishment in the executive branch (other than the United States Postal Service or the Postal Regulatory Commission) which is not an Executive department, military department, Government corporation, or part thereof, or part of an independent establishment; and (2) the Government Accountability Office."
According to the proposed legislation, the "Bank" would be administratively similar to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).The "Bank" would have the power to: conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, obtain information from any other federal agency, accept for funding any infrastructure project with a potential Federal commitment of $75 million or more, authority to determine the appropriate Federal share of spending for each project, to act as a centralized entity to provide financing for qualified infrastructure projects; to issue general purpose infrastructure bonds, and to provide direct subsidies to qualified infrastructure projects from amounts made available from the issuance of such bonds; to issue project-based infrastructure bonds for the financing of specific qualified infrastructure projects; to provide loan guarantees to State or local governments issuing debt to finance qualified infrastructure projects; to issue loans, at varying interest rates, including very low interest rates, to qualified project sponsors for qualified projects; to leverage resources and stimulate public and private investment in infrastructure; and to encourage States to create additional opportunities for the financing of infrastructure projects.
According to the summary of H.R. 2521, the revised bill "Makes the Bank's Board of Directors responsible for monitoring and overseeing energy, environmental, telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure projects. Authorizes the Board to: (1) issue public benefit bonds and provide direct subsidies to infrastructure projects; (2) borrow on the global capital market and lend to entities and commercial banks for funding infrastructure projects; and (3) purchase, pool, and sell infrastructure-related loans and securities on such market. Requires the Board to establish criteria for determining project eligibility for financial assistance under this Act."
*** Obama calling for more infrastructure spending and a new bank: and remember ~ American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ...
Obama kicks off campaign with infrastructure plan
National Infrastructure Bank ...
Republican Mica’s Love-Hate Relationship with Infrastructure Finance
Also read ~ Business Groups Fault Obama Infrastructure Plan's Lack of Funding Details
Growth and Renewal in the United States ~ Infrastructure ...
Today, August 2, 2011 ~ Obama Mentions Infrastructure Again ~ Remember ~ 2009 Obama Infrastructure Bank Takes Shape ...
National Infrastructure bank ~ Innovative Funding ~ Senators Examine Need for National Infrastructure Bank ...
Put the millionaires' tax money to good use and creating the "National Infrastructure bank" ...
*American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ...
Gimme Shelter Radio ~ 11:00 pm., est. Wednesday, July 13, 2011 "Going Global...East Meets West...The Global Marshal Plan" ...
Infrastructure Bank? Smartest investments? ...
Shadow Banking .. Narrow Banking, Infrastructure Bank ..etc ...
President Barack Obama is pressing Congress to create a new "infrastructure bank" ...
National Infrastructure Bank ~ Obama Mentions Infrastructure Again ~ Remember ~ 2009 Obama Infrastructure Bank Takes Shape ...
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ...
Barack Obama backed this proposed legislation in February 2008.
_Obama suggested that the Bank would borrow US$60 billion of federal funding to invest in infrastructure over 10 years, while leveraging "up to $500 billion" of private investment. It would invest in high-speed trains to provide an alternative to air travel, energy efficiency and clean energy, among others.
According to _O, the Bank's "work will be determined by what will maximize our safety and security and ability to compete" and it would "create nearly two million new jobs", mainly in the construction industry. According to the text of the proposed legislation funding for the bank would be taken from borrowed funds not to exceed one percent. The Bank would complement existing federal programs to fund infrastructure, such as the Highway Trust Fund or State Revolving Funds.
It is expected to invest primarily in surface transport infrastructure, which is likely to include highways and mass transit. _O did not mention investments in water supply and sanitation as an area of activity for the new Bank. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) estimates that investment in water supply and sanitation in the United States will have to be "over $250 billion above current levels of spending in the next 20 to 30 years" to replace aging infrastructure.
The original version of the bill expired with the 110th Congress, a different version of the bill was introduced into the 111th Congress by U.S. Representative Rosa L. DeLauro, (D - Connecticut 3rd District) as H.R. 2521. Obama proposed the Bank as part of his $210 billion economic stimulus package.
The original version of the proposed legislation was introduced in the United States Senate as Senate Bill 1926 (S. 1926). A similar bill has been introduced into the United States House of Representatives as House Resolution 3401 (H.R. 3401). The status of the bill can be tracked on THOMAS
The proposed legislation states that the "Bank" is actually an "an independent establishment of the Federal Government, as defined in section 104 of Title 5, United States Code." As explained in 5 US Code 104, an independent establishment of the Federal Government is "(1) an establishment in the executive branch (other than the United States Postal Service or the Postal Regulatory Commission) which is not an Executive department, military department, Government corporation, or part thereof, or part of an independent establishment; and (2) the Government Accountability Office."
According to the proposed legislation, the "Bank" would be administratively similar to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).The "Bank" would have the power to: conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, obtain information from any other federal agency, accept for funding any infrastructure project with a potential Federal commitment of $75 million or more, authority to determine the appropriate Federal share of spending for each project, to act as a centralized entity to provide financing for qualified infrastructure projects; to issue general purpose infrastructure bonds, and to provide direct subsidies to qualified infrastructure projects from amounts made available from the issuance of such bonds; to issue project-based infrastructure bonds for the financing of specific qualified infrastructure projects; to provide loan guarantees to State or local governments issuing debt to finance qualified infrastructure projects; to issue loans, at varying interest rates, including very low interest rates, to qualified project sponsors for qualified projects; to leverage resources and stimulate public and private investment in infrastructure; and to encourage States to create additional opportunities for the financing of infrastructure projects.
According to the summary of H.R. 2521, the revised bill "Makes the Bank's Board of Directors responsible for monitoring and overseeing energy, environmental, telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure projects. Authorizes the Board to: (1) issue public benefit bonds and provide direct subsidies to infrastructure projects; (2) borrow on the global capital market and lend to entities and commercial banks for funding infrastructure projects; and (3) purchase, pool, and sell infrastructure-related loans and securities on such market. Requires the Board to establish criteria for determining project eligibility for financial assistance under this Act."
*** Obama calling for more infrastructure spending and a new bank: and remember ~ American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ...
Obama kicks off campaign with infrastructure plan
National Infrastructure Bank ...
Republican Mica’s Love-Hate Relationship with Infrastructure Finance
Also read ~ Business Groups Fault Obama Infrastructure Plan's Lack of Funding Details
Growth and Renewal in the United States ~ Infrastructure ...
Today, August 2, 2011 ~ Obama Mentions Infrastructure Again ~ Remember ~ 2009 Obama Infrastructure Bank Takes Shape ...
National Infrastructure bank ~ Innovative Funding ~ Senators Examine Need for National Infrastructure Bank ...
Put the millionaires' tax money to good use and creating the "National Infrastructure bank" ...
*American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ...
Gimme Shelter Radio ~ 11:00 pm., est. Wednesday, July 13, 2011 "Going Global...East Meets West...The Global Marshal Plan" ...
Infrastructure Bank? Smartest investments? ...
Shadow Banking .. Narrow Banking, Infrastructure Bank ..etc ...
President Barack Obama is pressing Congress to create a new "infrastructure bank" ...
National Infrastructure Bank ~ Obama Mentions Infrastructure Again ~ Remember ~ 2009 Obama Infrastructure Bank Takes Shape ...
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ...
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Going Global Headline News For Tuesday and Wednesday, December 20-21-2011 ...
UN and Iraq ~ Ban Ki-moon: U.S. Withdrawal Marks New Moment in Iraq's History ~ He is Closely Watching the Current Political Situation ...Israel, US to hold largest ever missile defense exercise this spring
Fighting for the Future of the Internet - Wednesday, Dec. 21st 9:00 am H.R. 3261, the “Stop Online Piracy Act”
Biden Calls On Iraqi Leaders To Work Out Disputes
GCC ~ Gulf States will establish a development fund and a "partnership" with Morocco and Jordan ...
GCC ~ The Time Has Come To Unite the GCC Countries As a Political and Economic Entity ...
Who Makes Up Your Mind? You or the Media?
Sadr ~ Maliki is not responsible for the arrest warrant against Hashemi
Iraq leaders seek urgent talks ...
Iraq VP 'ready to face trial' before court
Listen .. Arrest Warrant Issue For Iraq's Vice President
Greece Set to Reach Bank Deal ...
Maliki acting "like Saddam" Sunni bloc leader, Allawi
Iraq ~ Allawi and Iraqiya List Announces Again They Will boycott Government Sessions
Iraq's Economy ~ political problems affecting the economic development ...
Talabani calls to avoid a flurry of media on sensitive issues ...
Tuesday, December 20th ~ Obama and Biden will mark end of Iraq war at ceremony in Maryland ...
GCC ~ Saudi King Abdullah urges GCC ‘to move from phase of cooperation to phase of union’
Emerging Markets .. No Longer the BRICS .. Look For The N-11 ..
Wow ~ CNBC ~ Report on Ponzi Schemes ...
GCC backs Mubarak port project disputed by Iraq ...
Going Global Headline News for Monday, December 19th and Early Tuesday, December 20, 2011...
Israel, US to hold largest ever missile defense exercise this spring
Snip ~ The drill, which is unprecedented in its size, will include the establishment of US command posts in Israel and IDF command posts at EUCOM headquarters in Germany – with the ultimate goal of establishing joint task forces in the event of a large-scale conflict in the Middle East. 12/20/2011
US commander visits Israel to finalize missile drill
Israel, US to hold largest ever missile defense exercise this spring; thousands of US soldiers will be deployed in Israel.
Israel is moving forward with plans to hold the largest-ever missile defense exercise in its history this spring amid Iranian efforts to obtain nuclear weapons.
Last week, Lt.-Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of the US’s Third Air Force based in Germany, visited Israel to finalize plans for the upcoming drill, expected to see the deployment of several thousand American soldiers in Israel.
The drill, which is unprecedented in its size, will include the establishment of US command posts in Israel and IDF command posts at EUCOM headquarters in Germany – with the ultimate goal of establishing joint task forces in the event of a large-scale conflict in the Middle East.
The US will also bring its THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) and shipbased Aegis ballistic missile defense systems to Israel to simulate the interception of missile salvos against Israel.
The American systems will work in conjunction with Israel’s missile defense systems – the Arrow, Patriot and Iron Dome.
Gorenc came to Israel for talks with Brig.-Gen. Doron Gavish, commander of the Air Force’s Air Defense Division.
He toured one of the Iron Dome batteries in the South and the Israel Test Bed lab in Holon where the IAF holds its interception simulation exercises.
The IAF is planning to deploy a fourth battery of the Iron Dome counter-rocket system in the coming months and is mulling the possibility of stationing it in Haifa to protect oil refineries located there.
The Defense Ministry has allocated a budget to manufacture an additional three Iron Dome batteries by the end of 2012. IAF operational requirements call for the deployment of about a dozen batteries along Israel’s northern and southern borders.
The IAF is also moving forward with plans to deploy Rafael’s David’s Sling missile defense system, which is designed to defend against medium-range rockets and cruise missiles. Rafael recently completed a series of successful navigation and flight tests of the David’s Sling’s interceptor and plans to hold the first interception test by mid-2012.
link
Biden Calls On Iraqi Leaders To Work Out Disputes
Tuesday, December 20, 2011Biden Calls On Iraqi Leaders To Work Out Disputes
Washington, Vice President Joe Biden is stressing an “urgent need” for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to meet with leaders of other political blocs in Iraq to help resolve potentially explosive sectarian differences emerging in the wake of the U.S. troop withdrawal.
The White House says Biden on Tuesday spoke by telephone with al-Maliki and with Osama al-Nujaifi, the speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives.
The political climate in Baghdad has been deteriorating in the wake of charges against Iraq’s Sunni vice president that he organized death squads. The accusations by the Shiite-dominated government raised fears that the government could collapse.
The White House says Biden emphasized U.S. support for an inclusive government in Iraq and the importance of Iraqi leaders to follow the rule of law.
link
GCC ~ Gulf States will establish a development fund and a "partnership" with Morocco and Jordan ...
Tuesday, December 20, 2011Gulf States will establish a development fund and a "partnership" with Morocco and Jordan
Riyadh: The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit at the end of normal in Riyadh on Tuesday set up a fund development of the size of five billion dollars to Jordan, Morocco, emphasizing at the same time it seeks to "partnership" with the two countries.
The final statement said the summit decided to "create a fund to Gulf begin to provide support for development projects" in Jordan and Morocco, "in the amount of two and a half billion dollars for each state and cost of finance ministers in the countries of the Council study the basic structures required" to do so.
It also agreed to "consider the areas of joint cooperation and the formation of specialized committees of cooperation in this regard and down to the desired partnership."
The consultative summit of the leaders in Riyadh last May upheld the accession of Jordan and Morocco to the regional assembly to gain full membership, but the reservations of some member states and other opposition prevent this.
And said UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed another last month that "there is no objection to the very special relationship between the Council, Jordan and Morocco, but there is lack of consensus at this time to join" the two countries.
"The difference between the relationship is very special and full membership is very limited. Must learn from the experience of the EU, which speed up the inclusion of ten countries."
But the minister did not mention by name the UAE countries that oppose the accession of Morocco and Jordan.
The GCC was founded in 1981 from the six Gulf states, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.
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GCC ~ The Time Has Come To Unite the GCC Countries As a Political and Economic Entity ...
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Saudi Arabia: Saudi initiative will enhance the competitiveness of the GCC
The Secretary-General of the Council of Saudi Chambers that the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy will enhance the competitiveness of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Riyadh: noted the Secretary-General of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Dr. Fahad Al-Sultan initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his call to his brothers, the leaders of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf states at a summit that concluded today in Riyadh for the transition from cooperation to the Union, stressing that this will contribute to the promotion of strength of the economies of the GCC countries in general and will work to enhance the competitiveness of the private sector in particular.
Dr. Fahad Al-Sultan said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency, commenting on the decision of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council to adopt the initiative of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the transition to an entity Gulf and one moves the GCC countries from the stage of cooperation to the Union as a predictor of the vision of the Kingdom of His reality and the future of the global economy in light of the challenges regional and international facing the countries and peoples of the GCC.
The Secretary-General of the Council of Saudi Chambers to guide the leaders of the Ministerial Council to form a specialized body to be selected by the Member States by 3 members of each state is mandated to study the proposals in all its aspects in the light of the views that are exchanged between the leaders and the meetings of the headquarters of the Secretariat and provide all the requirements of the potential administrative, technical and financial by the General Secretariat is a confirmation of the unity of determination among the GCC countries.
It made Dr. Fahad Al-Sultan, the timing of this initiative in light of the current global political and economic confirm the extent of that enjoyed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of prudence and foresight and stresses at the same time follow-up minutes at the suffering of the world economy from damage as a result of financial crises that befell him as keen Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to spare the region's countries and peoples of the consequences of these international crises.
And saw Dr. Fahad Al-Sultan, the timing of the initiative was important to the observer in the economic terms is the culmination of the efforts of their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the Council over the past three decades since the establishment of the Council and to date and confirms the validity of this approach complementary and Federal among the States of the Council that he would work to strengthen the economic position in the regional and international spheres.
He expressed confidence that, if achieved, the initiative in the transition from cooperation to Union Gulf in all levels of economic and political, it will make a major move in the march of peoples and countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States, pointing out that the private sector in the economic dimension will be the biggest beneficiary Unity of the Great Gulf.
"I'm sure that if the leaders adopted the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States that the proposed al-Hakim of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, it will strengthen the position of regional and international Cooperation Council states in the map of the international economy of the Gulf states combined in the position of a unified economic force everyone to respect and deal with".
According to the Secretary General of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Dr. Fahad Al-Sultan at the end of his statement of "SPA" that the private sector will be the biggest beneficiary of the Union Gulf demonstrating that that the volume of bilateral trade between the countries of the Council not exceeding 6% of the volume of trade with the world while it is in the European Union 54% which will contribute to the recovery of the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the event it was agreed on the establishment of the GCC will also promote integration among projects, trends and visions of the economic value of the Gulf and enhance the competitiveness of clusters and the major powers in the world.
He stressed that the time has come to unite the GCC countries in political and economic entity has been particularly significant in light of the common denominators between the countries and peoples of the GCC and that it therefore has an economic interest and big business will Bnfha to GCC nationals.
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011Saudi Arabia: Saudi initiative will enhance the competitiveness of the GCC
The Secretary-General of the Council of Saudi Chambers that the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy will enhance the competitiveness of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Riyadh: noted the Secretary-General of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Dr. Fahad Al-Sultan initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his call to his brothers, the leaders of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf states at a summit that concluded today in Riyadh for the transition from cooperation to the Union, stressing that this will contribute to the promotion of strength of the economies of the GCC countries in general and will work to enhance the competitiveness of the private sector in particular.
Dr. Fahad Al-Sultan said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency, commenting on the decision of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council to adopt the initiative of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the transition to an entity Gulf and one moves the GCC countries from the stage of cooperation to the Union as a predictor of the vision of the Kingdom of His reality and the future of the global economy in light of the challenges regional and international facing the countries and peoples of the GCC.
The Secretary-General of the Council of Saudi Chambers to guide the leaders of the Ministerial Council to form a specialized body to be selected by the Member States by 3 members of each state is mandated to study the proposals in all its aspects in the light of the views that are exchanged between the leaders and the meetings of the headquarters of the Secretariat and provide all the requirements of the potential administrative, technical and financial by the General Secretariat is a confirmation of the unity of determination among the GCC countries.
It made Dr. Fahad Al-Sultan, the timing of this initiative in light of the current global political and economic confirm the extent of that enjoyed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of prudence and foresight and stresses at the same time follow-up minutes at the suffering of the world economy from damage as a result of financial crises that befell him as keen Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to spare the region's countries and peoples of the consequences of these international crises.
And saw Dr. Fahad Al-Sultan, the timing of the initiative was important to the observer in the economic terms is the culmination of the efforts of their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the Council over the past three decades since the establishment of the Council and to date and confirms the validity of this approach complementary and Federal among the States of the Council that he would work to strengthen the economic position in the regional and international spheres.
He expressed confidence that, if achieved, the initiative in the transition from cooperation to Union Gulf in all levels of economic and political, it will make a major move in the march of peoples and countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States, pointing out that the private sector in the economic dimension will be the biggest beneficiary Unity of the Great Gulf.
"I'm sure that if the leaders adopted the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States that the proposed al-Hakim of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, it will strengthen the position of regional and international Cooperation Council states in the map of the international economy of the Gulf states combined in the position of a unified economic force everyone to respect and deal with".
According to the Secretary General of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Dr. Fahad Al-Sultan at the end of his statement of "SPA" that the private sector will be the biggest beneficiary of the Union Gulf demonstrating that that the volume of bilateral trade between the countries of the Council not exceeding 6% of the volume of trade with the world while it is in the European Union 54% which will contribute to the recovery of the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the event it was agreed on the establishment of the GCC will also promote integration among projects, trends and visions of the economic value of the Gulf and enhance the competitiveness of clusters and the major powers in the world.
He stressed that the time has come to unite the GCC countries in political and economic entity has been particularly significant in light of the common denominators between the countries and peoples of the GCC and that it therefore has an economic interest and big business will Bnfha to GCC nationals.
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