" The Dinar Daily " ...... Monday, 22 April 2013 - Page 5
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  1. #41
    President's Absence Complicates
    Iraqi Politics

    By: Ali Abel Sadah for Al-Monitor Iraq Pulse Posted on April 22.

    Five months have passed and Iraq is still without a head of state. The president [Jalal Talabani], who is ill and has been undergoing treatment in the German capital of Berlin, is turning out to be quite the mystery in Iraqi politics at present.


    Summary :
    As Iraqi President Jalal Talabani continues to undergo treatment in Berlin, Iraqi leaders are indecisive on how to proceed in his absence, writes Ali Abel Sadah.
    Original Title:
    Five Months Since the Absence of Talabani…Iraq Remains Without a President
    Author: Ali Abel Sadah
    Translated by: Joelle El-Khoury

    Categories :Originals Iraq


    The sole source entitled to speak about his health condition is Najmeddine Karim, the Kurdish governor of the city of Kirkuk and head of the medical team supervising the health of Talabani, who is also a leading Kurdish politician. Yet, Karim does not utter a word that might let the public know what is going on in the treatment room in Berlin. He is simply using a few tactful terms such as “the president is getting better" and "the president has started to become aware of what’s going on around him, and is talking to some of his friends.”

    On Nov. 18, 2012, Talabani had a health emergency and was transported to the hospital following the intensive efforts that he made ​​to bring about reconciliation in the country. A medical team supervising his health said that he is unable to speak or walk. There had been conflicting reports on his health before he was moved to Berlin. There, the detailed records of the president’s illness have disappeared, and there has not been much news on his health.

    Al-Monitor contacted Kurdish political leaders, some of whom are close to the president's family. Their statements did not differ from what Dr. Karim said. In the search for more information, there was a video showing Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan shaking hands with Qubad Talabani, the president’s son, in a meeting with representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government. [In the video] Erdogan asked: “How is your father?” Qubad Talabani answered with a brief sentence in Kurdish: “My father is in a very good condition.”

    The most recent meeting of the Kurdish parties did not even touch on the president’s health condition. Since March, Kurdish political movements, Kurdish ministers and members of parliament in the federal government have taken the initiative to hold intensive meetings to take a position regarding the political crisis. It was strange that Talabani’s issue and its repercussions were not included in these discussions.

    In an interview with Al-Monitor, a political source familiar with these meetings and who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “The Kurdish parties did not discuss President Talabani’s return to the country or developments regarding his health condition ... Thus far, party leaders have not made any future arrangements for his return.”

    When Al-Monitor tried to press further regarding the future of the presidency in Iraq, the source, who preferred to remain anonymous, had reservations about providing an answer. He stated, “Karim is the only one entitled to speak … I have nothing else to say.”

    In the [northern] city of Sulaimaniyah, the birthplace and political stronghold of Talabani, Al-Monitor spoke to Kurdish journalists and politicians about the presidential conundrum. No one knows anything, except for some who said that the president did not attend the Kurdish Nowruz celebration this year, which is a national holiday marking the Kurdish New Year and is celebrated on March 21. This means that things are bad.

    This ambiguous situation and tense media atmosphere have allowed unconfirmed reports of Talabani’s condition to emerge in local Iraqi press. Earlier in April, a press report circulated stating that Talabani's health had significantly deteriorated. The news was quickly denied, but not by Dr. Karim — “the only person entitled to speak.” A statement by the Iraqi embassy in Berlin was distributed to the media on April 2, saying that “there has been an increasingly steady improvement in the president’s health, and everyone is looking forward to his return to the country, as soon as the physicians and his health allow him to do so.”

    Nearly four months ago, no one dared to give any information on the development of the president’s health condition and any contacts with his medical team in Germany were confidential.

    Iraq remains without a president. Despite the symbolic nature of his position, Talabani represented an element of balance in the political equation, given his personal characteristics. They enabled him to manage political tensions and sponsor dialogue between opponents, among whom it was hard to find a common language during these pivotal years in Iraq.

    In such a situation, the Iraqi Constitution stipulates that, “if the position of the president of the republic becomes vacant for any reason, a new president shall be elected to complete the remaining period of the president’s term.”

    Iraqi political blocs seem to be satisfied with the presidential absence. This is probably for two reasons. The first is that they do not have time to think of an alternative president of the republic. In fact, the crisis of the Sunni protests against the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reached its peak in February and early March with frequent talk that the situation could turn into a civil war. Thus, there was no time to think about the president, although his presence had at times represented an occasion to prevent the explosion of different crises.

    The second reason is for fear of Talabani’s party political circles — the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) — in case it actually decides to look for an alternative to the ill president.

    Since the absence of Talabani, the Kurdish and Iraqi public have noticed Iraqi Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani’s interest in the party of his historical peer. He said on a previous occasion that he “would be the father of all supporters of the PUK.” This angered senior political leaders close to the president, and signs of a new dispute between the Kurdish poles has begun to emerge.

    A PUK leader told Al-Monitor that “Talabani’s absence serves as a reason for the outbreak of the crisis between the two parties. Talabani had an impact on the emergence of the current confrontation. He had maintained the balance between the two parties, despite the disruption in the balance in favor of Barzani’s party.”

    In general, Iraqi politicians would rather not face the problem of a vacant presidency. Their fear of being unable to contain the differences is what likely makes them resort to silence.

    Ali Abel Sadah is a Baghdad-based writer for both Iraqi and Arab media. He has been a managing editor for local newspapers, as well as a political and cultural reporter for over 10 years.


    Read more: https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/orig...#ixzz2REgmYn9Y



  2. #42
    Iraq's Legislative Crisis

    By: Mustafa al-Kadhimi for Al-Monitor Iraq Pulse Posted on April 22.

    Everybody in Iraq agrees that the slogans, statements and stands that were declared at the same time as the advertising campaigns of the local elections of the Iraqi provinces carried an escalating sectarian, regional and exclusionary tone. Moreover, no political party in Iraq has steered clear of this excessive use of incitement, intimidation and threatening strategy in the elections.


    Summary :
    As political and social divisions deepen throughout Iraqi society, Mustafa al-Kadhimi calls attention to the legislative negligence that has allowed this worrying crisis to grow.
    Original Title:
    Iraq: The absence of fundamental laws ruins coexistence
    Author: Mustafa al-Kadhimi
    Translated by: Pascale Menassa

    Categories :Originals Iraq


    This reality might reveal the political parties’ tenuous belief in coexistence, yet it also indicates the absence of laws that govern the rhythm of political escalation and prevent it from turning into social division or threats of violence.

    Article 7 of the Iraqi constitution stipulates that “every entity or approach that adopts racism, terrorism, takfir or sectarian cleansing or that provokes, praises, promotes or justifies such acts shall be forbidden from operating.” However, this article also confirms that an effective implementation will not take place, except through a detailed law stipulated by the Iraqi parliament. Yet, eight years after the approval of the constitution, the parliament has still not succeeded in establishing such a law.

    All this suggests a different perspective on the Iraqi crisis in general and to the social division in particular. Is it a factional crisis or a legislative one?

    The fact of the matter is that social division is nothing new in Iraq. The differences between sects, religions and ethnicities are clear and related to rooted historical backgrounds. However, they are not any different in essence from the religious and national disagreements in any other country in the world, like the US and Europe.

    Social division will not be a problem in and of itself, if everybody agreed on one general national culture and if the laws governing this division were clear, strict and unbreachable.

    In the Iraqi experience, the fact that a law criminalizing discrimination and sectarianism was not formal or complementary, but constitutional was dismissed. Moreover, the fact that the absence of such a law constituted a deep gap that led to the leakage of escalation, social fighting and political and electoral exploitation of differences between the social factions went unnoticed.

    Laws are not ratified for deterrence purposes only. Their ratification, in fact, is a whole intellectual contribution to the conscience of nations. Furthermore, it trains people and orients them to set apart socially convenient ways from those that only lead to conflict and chaos.

    The most recent escalation in Iraq is a realistic result of the absence of wisdom among the political parties. Such behavior allows the gambling of the destiny of people to reach a political or governmental position. Consequently, the political regime is flawed and marred by failure when it comes to strategies that aim to build instead of destroy.

    In this regard, the question is the following: If the Iraqi government had consistently protected society from escalation and exclusionary speeches through the law and political, cultural and educational practices, would the choices of society during the elections have been any different from the ones expected today?

    The choices would undoubtedly have been different. At least, the people would have known that the elections, over which parties have been bickering for months, are essentially local ones with economic, administrative and service-oriented dimensions, rather than political ends. In such a case, the stance regarding the protests of Sunnis would not affect the choices of Shiite cities, while the stance regarding the behavior of Shiite parties would not affect the choices of Sunni cities. The same would apply to Kurdish voters.

    Reconsidering the fundamental laws as the core of the Iraqi problem and the cornerstone of permanent existence in the country is a large-scale task that requires efforts from political leaders. The fact of the matter is, such leaders are few in Iraq.

    Mustafa al-Kadhimi is an Iraqi writer specializing in defense of democracy. He has extensive experience in documenting testimony and archiving documentaries associated with repressive practices and has written many books, including Humanitarian Concerns, which was selected in 2000 by the European Union as the best book written by a refugee.


    Read more: https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/orig...#ixzz2REhaTkqj

  3. #43
    Iraqi Kurdistan Open
    To Arab Investment

    By: Abdel Hamid Zebari for Al-Monitor Iraq Pulse Posted on April 22.

    Arab states no longer look at the Kurdistan Region of Iraq with suspicion and apprehension, especially after the regional capital, Erbil, was selected as the Arab Capital of Tourism for 2014. Furthermore, economic and trade relations between these states and the Kurdistan region have evolved.

    Summary :
    New investment projects in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have led to a strengthening of ties with Arab states, writes Abdel Hamid Zebari.
    Original Title:
    Investment and Trade Strengthen Iraqi Kurdistan's Ties with Arab States
    Author: Abdel Hamid Zebari
    Translated by: Al-Monitor

    Categories :Originals Iraq


    It appears that developments in economic and trade relations between Arab states and the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq have preceded the development of political ties. Statistics released by Kurdish institutions concerned with investment in the area show that Arab companies — particularly from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Lebanon — have invested billions of dollars in oil and construction in the region. This has led many Arab states to open consulates and representative commercial offices in Erbil.

    Mufti Kamran Raqeeb, the general manager in the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) investment agency, said, "The KRG's investment law does not differentiate between national and foreign investors. They both have the same rights. This has led to the emergence of Arab and foreign investment in the region."

    According to Raqeeb, the region has immense natural resources, including vast agricultural areas and numerous sources of water. This is in addition to other elements that might attract tourism investment. Raqeeb stressed, "The region has succeeded in opening up politically and economically to the brotherly neighboring states, the Gulf states, Egypt and Lebanon. This includes many prospects for economic cooperation, given that there are many Arab businessmen who are investing their money in the region."

    Raqeeb said that the Arab investments have accounted for 10% of all investments in the region, which amounts to $26 billion dollars. The regional government has worked to adopt an investment policy that focuses on three strategic sectors — industry, agriculture and trade — as priorities for the coming years. Said Raqeeb, "We are hoping to expand investment in the region, particularly Arab and foreign investment."

    Every year the region's cities host a number of international exhibitions in a variety of areas, including reconstruction, construction, agriculture, industry and automobiles. Ahmed Abdullah Abdul Rahim, counselor for economic affairs and the general manager of exhibitions in the KRG’s Council of Ministers, said, "The participation of Arab countries in international exhibitions held in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is increasing year after year. We noticed that even in the international book fair there was sizable participation on the part of Arab publishing houses. This is evidence that Arab culture is welcomed in the region. Even in other trade fairs we've seen sizable participation on the part of Arab countries. Without exception, all Arab countries participate in these exhibitions."

    According to Abdul Rahim, "A number of Arab states, including the UAE, are carrying out large projects in the construction sector. There is also notable Lebanese investment." He added, "We are hoping that other Arab states will take big steps as well."

    Statistics provided by the KRG's Ministry of Trade and Industry reveal that there are 2,250 foreign companies operating in the region, including hundreds of Arab enterprises. Fathi Mohammed Ali, a counselor in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said, "This includes 98 Emirati companies, 97 Lebanese companies, and 12 Egyptian companies, as well companies from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Gulf states." He added, "These include very large companies, such as UAE's Dana Gas Company, which has invested more than a billion dollars in the field of gas, as well as the Lebanese Dar Engineering Company, which has a great tradition in reconstruction and building efforts."

    Ali told Al-Monitor that the government wants to encourage large projects, stating, "The Egyptian Valley of the Kings Company has recently submitted a request to the investment authority to build eight large factories for the food, clothing and construction industries."

    Egypt was the first Arab country to open a general consulate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Jordan, Palestine, and the UAE then followed suit, and Lebanon is currently in the process of doing so. There are a total of 27 foreign consulates and representative offices in the region.

    Salman Osman, Egypt's consul general in Erbil, noted, "The diplomatic presence in the region has a positive and significant effect on the development of economic relations." He added, "Before opening the consulate, [Egypt's] level of trade with the region was virtually nonexistent and amounted to only about $50,000 per year. However, after [Egypt] opened a consulate and trade office in the region, there was a significant jump in trade, reaching $23 million in 2011 and $50 million in 2012. This came as the result of visits by commercial and economic delegations on both sides."

    Osman also observed, "These relations are not limited to trade alone, today we are talking about investment." He announced that the Egyptian minister of tourism, Hisham Zazou, plans to visit the Kurdistan region of Iraq this month. Osman stated, "We are waiting to sign an executive agreement between the Kurdistan region of Iraq and Egypt that deals with supporting and promoting tourism from Egypt to Kurdistan and vice versa. It will also include the establishment of investment projects in the tourism sector, especially after Erbil was chosen as the Arab Capital of Tourism for 2014," said Osman.

    Abdel Hamid Zebari is a contributing writer for Al-Monitor’s Iraq Pulse. A reporter from Erbil who works in the field of print journalism and radio, he has published several reports in local and world media, including Agence France-Press and Radio Free Iraq (Radio Free Europe).


    Read more: https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/orig...#ixzz2REioChVm

  4. #44
    State law lose half its seats in Maysan, Najaf and seeks to circumvent the win "Douai" and the "Zurfi" of
    23-04-2013 | (Voice of Iraq)

    Baghdad / Wael grace
    Showed preliminary results of the local elections on 4 southern provinces on Tuesday, the loss of state law for about 10 seats in the provincial councils, which constitutes half of its seats in the provinces of Najaf, Maysan, which he kept the Sadrist movement where Besdarth thanks to "Ali Douai," While he did not witness the presence of the Sadrists in areas Other noticeable change.
    He favored the observers of the electoral affair in the four provinces to seek a coalition of state law to block the victory of the Liberal bloc in Maysan and some other provinces through an alliance with the mass of citizens and some of the other blocks as a bloc, "Asaib".
    Preliminary results of which were recorded in the province of Maysan, which does not exceed a population of one million people, offering the Liberal bloc of the Sadrist movement with 77 thousand voice, Marjaheen be harvested between 6 - 8 seats out of 27 seats.
    The preliminary results of the elections in architecture that state law had a loss painful in front of the Sadrist movement, with a solution of state law in second place by votes 65 thousand votes, which would give between 4-5 seats, after he won 8 seats in the 2009 elections .
    Experts point out that the preliminary results showed the Liberal block progress in architecture was expected due to the performance of the Governor Ali Douai required, which they described as the key to the success of the Sadrists. Solving the citizen coalition, led by Ammar al-Hakim and includes Ahmed Chalabi and former Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani, in third place. According to observers citizen coalition has lost some of its positions in Maysan, compared to the previous local elections, which then got 8 seats under the name of the block "martyr of the mihrab."
    It is likely experts in Maysan to try the leader of state law, Nuri al-Maliki prevent preside over the Sadrist movement of the local government, expecting alliance with the mass of citizens and some small blocks such as "entity honesty and tender", close to the "League of the Righteous", which received over 11 thousand votes. It is also expected alliance with the "Albayrak National", another mass of small got 10 thousand votes. It is said that the proportion of voting in the suffrage in Maysan was low, as reached by the Independent Electoral Commission 44% to not juggle a list of Prime Minister to get the highest votes in the province of Najaf distinctive religious nature. According to unofficial results, it has dissolved in third place after Fidelity governor of Najaf, led by Adnan al, who finished first, followed by the coalition of citizen.
    The results, announced by the organizations monitored the voting process, that the state law got almost 74 thousand votes narrowly on the mass of citizens, which got 75 thousand votes, while the governor of Najaf, came in the lead with 121 thousand votes.
    And competing lists in the province does not exceed a population of one million and 300 thousand people, 29 seats.
    It draws experts in Najaf that the decline in the rule of law in the last election was because of the lack of success of its representatives in achieving any noticeable achievement, while the conservative Popular escalated Adnan al Maliki's list breakaway that close to him say that he earned the nickname "the best governor in Iraq." Observers likely that the State of Law alliance with the state of the citizen Zurfi to prevent the return of the province.
    The rule of law has won first place in Najaf, during the 2009 elections, won 7 seats, while his current martyr Mehrab the same number of seats. Fidelity came to Najaf fourth in the standings with 4 seats, after the Sadrists, who won 6 seats.
    In a related context topped the list of the rule of law in the provinces of Diwaniyah and Kut, the rest of the competing blocs. The results showed preliminary ballot provincial councils provide the rule of law in the province of Diwaniyah by obtaining 120 thousand votes, which ensures him nearly 8 seats according to experts, but it is a retreat from the number of seats obtained by the "rule of law" solo in the elections of 2009, where he was able to gaining 11 seats out of 28 seats.
    And dissolved mass citizen in Diwaniya second place with 70 thousand votes, while the Liberals came in third place with 50 thousand votes.
    The experts predicted entering the rule of law in alliances drawn in advance with the block "masses of Diwaniya," led by MP Ihsan al-Awadi, MP for the rule of law, which got 46 thousand votes, and mass white of the Vice-Aziz Mayahi, which recently joined the list of prime minister, which got by observers in the last ballot on 3 seats.
    Preliminary results show in Wasit decline in the number of seats obtained by the rule of law compared to previous elections, where observers are likely not to get more than 8 seats after it was given 13 seats in the 2009 elections, although issued in the province for two.
    It is said that and Wasit not exceed a population of one million and 250 thousand people, and allocated the Independent Electoral Commission to maintain 27 seats.



    Read more: https://translate.googleusercontent.c...#ixzz2REkvITQX

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