56978 “evict maliki” countdown : 7 days to the scheduled * election
“EVICT MALIKI” COUNTDOWN : 7 DAYS TO THE SCHEDULED * ELECTION
* NOTE: that the countdown notice has been amended to qualify the Election as ”Scheduled ” to give emphasis to the tenuous state of political / constitutional affairs in Iraq in recent days and specifically the mention in the news of a possible delay in the election due to the Anbar diaspora. Add to the foregoing the ” threat” of the election occurring under martial law with Maliki as the chief executive officer.
U.S. Ambassador : U.S. confirms holding elections as scheduled.
23/04/2014 14:33:00
BAGHDAD / Nina /-- U.S. Ambassador in Iraq Stephen Beecroft, stated that the United States stresses continuously during talks with Iraqi officials of all political spectrum , the importance of holding elections as scheduled , also supports the absolute independence of the UN High Commissioner guaranteed by the constitution.
He added , according to a statement by the U.S. embassy in Baghdad today , during a meeting with Serbst Rashid Mustafa, Chairman of the Independent Higher Commission for Elections and Miqdad Sharifi, head of the electoral administration for the Commission : "The United States hopes that the electoral process reflect the will of the Iraqi people .
The latest daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq on the 23-4-2014 results were as follows:
Details Notes
Number of banks 13
Auction price selling dinar / US$ 1166
Auction price buying dinar / US$ -----
Amount sold at auction price (US$) 171,559,000
Amount purchased at Auction price (US$) -----
Total offers for buying (US$) 171,559,000
Total offers for selling (US$) -----
Exchange rates ( 1,218 Market Rate ) * Constant and unchanged since April 3, 2014 ; Prior to April 3 and from January 19th the rate was constant at 1,221 *
56980 Understanding Between Gorran and KDP on Forming Government, No Strategic Agreem
Understanding Between Gorran and KDP on Forming Government, No Strategic Agreement
By RUDAW
Change Movement (Gorran) MP Yousif Mohammad.
Yousif Mohammad, a Change Movement (Gorran) MP and potential speaker of parliament says that there is good understanding between Gorran and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to form a coalition government. Mohammed says that a recent agreement signed between Gorran and the KDP is the outcome of six months of negotiations and that it is not intended to undercut any other party, especially the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). In this interview with Rudaw, Mohammed says that all groups should respect the results of the September 21 elections and not expect more than their share in the government.
Rudaw: Was the agreement between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Gorran last week expected or was it a surprise?
Yousif Mohammad: After six months of negotiations among the parties since the September 21 elections, there came about some kind of understanding. In particular, the last two weeks of negotiations the KDP and Gorran had reached such understanding that they were able to sign an agreement to form the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The agreement was expected and it is only about the formation of the government.
Gorran insisted that people’s votes be considered as the only measure for government posts.
Rudaw: Do you think Gorran is receiving its fair share of posts in the new government?
Yousif Mohammad: Gorran insisted that people’s votes be considered as the only measure for government posts. Since 1992, this is the first time that Kurdish voters have made any change to the political balance in Kurdistan. Maybe everything will not be implemented as they should be, but huge steps have been taken and posts will be given out based on the election outcome.
Gorran received what it deserved. We pursued a soft policy that would help form a government and prevent a crisis or power vacuum. Also, we did not want the people of the Kurdistan Region to wait any longer for a new government.
Rudaw: An Iranian delegation was in the Kurdistan Region recently. Did they have any influence on Gorran and the KDP?
Yousif Mohammad: Outside pressure would have no influence on Gorran because other than normal relations we have no relations with the neighboring countries. As regards the recent negotiations, there wasn’t any kind of external pressure to sign the agreement, especially from Iran.
Rudaw: Have you signed any agreement with the KDP similar to the strategic agreement between the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)?
Yousif Mohammad: We have not singed a strategic agreement with the KDP. What we signed was an agreement on government formation.
Rudaw: Some people believe that the agreement means that the KDP and Gorran will not interfere in each other’s sphere of influence and that Gorran will be stepping in the PUK’s shoes.
Yousif Mohammad: Such an agenda does not exist. The aim of Gorran is to institutionalize the government, to put an end to the system of two administrations. We don’t want to control the sphere of influence of the KDP or the PUK. We want to establish a decentralized system of governance in the Kurdistan Region.
As regards the recent negotiations, there wasn’t any kind of external pressure to sign the agreement, especially from Iran.
Rudaw: During the negotiations did you tell the KDP that your ministers should have full authority in Erbil and Duhok?
Yousif Mohammad: Every ministry has a law that defines the rights and responsibilities of the minister. Gorran ministers will have all the authority stipulated by law in all areas of Kurdistan.
Rudaw: After the elections there was talk of a coalition government with the participation of all. Why did you leave the PUK behind and signed an agreement with the KDP?
Yousif Mohammad: No one has left anyone behind. The PUK has had its own negotiations with the KDP. Some ministries are offered to the PUK, which I think is more than what they deserve. But it depends on negotiations between them; we want the PUK to participate in the government.
Rudaw: Taking into account the fact that the PUK controls the security forces and much economic revenues in the Sulaimani and Garmiyan region, do you think the KDP and Gorran can govern the Kurdistan Region?
Yousif Mohammad: We believe that all security and intelligence institutions should be nationalized. We cannot look on forever as two political parties control these institutions. Security and intelligence forces are not being funded by the KDP or the PUK. They are funded by the government. Therefore, it is very necessary that the security forces are nationalized in the shortest possible time.
Rudaw: How can Gorran control the PUK security forces? Don’t you think you are being unrealistic?
Yousif Mohammad: Some of the PUK leaders are making a grave mistake when they say they don’t believe in democracy. They are seeking to solve the problems through violence and threats. The statement of some PUK leaders might prevail within the party and that will make PUK an outlawed party.
Some of the PUK leaders are making a grave mistake when they say they don’t believe in democracy.
Rudaw: A PUK leader has said that they will use the Gorran-KDP agreement as the selling point of their own election campaign for the April 30 polls. What do you think?
Yousif Mohammad: They are free to do what they want or how they want to carry out the campaign. But of course we too will have the word of our own about this agreement, government formation, and our participation in it.
Rudaw: There are indications that you are Gorran’s candidate for the speaker of parliament. Did you ever expect this to happen?
Yousif Mohammad: Since the day I decided to enter politics, I have taken my tasks very seriously and sometimes it has intervened with my private life. As it was the case in my previous jobs, I will be fully committed to whatever position I hold in the future. It is great pride for me and other young politicians within Gorran that our movement nominates someone who is not from a powerful family to occupy one of the highest posts in the Kurdistan Region.
Rudaw: When you were a college student in Erbil, you refused to be on government payroll, and instead worked as a security guard. What do you have to say about that?
Yousif Mohammad: That is true. I have been through difficult times in my life. My father was a teacher and the teachers’ situation in Kurdistan was very bad. When I was accepted at the college of law and political science of the University of Salahaddin, I needed to work to cover my expenses. As you indicated, I was a security guard and I am proud of that.
56981 Ahrar bloc ( * read in here Sadrist ) confirms its readiness and desire to take
Ahrar bloc confirms its readiness and desire to take over as Prime Minister after the next elections
BAGHDAD / NINA / The MP, of the Ahrar bloc, of the Sadr movement, Amir al-Kanani confirmed Ahrar bloc's desire to take over prime minister post after the next parliamentary elections . "
He told the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA / "The Ahrar bloc did not put any name of its candidate for the next prime minister , but the bloc announced its desire to the post of prime minister, because there was an obstacle to this position during the past period , which was the American occupation , and after the occupation left there is no any obstacle stands to the prime minister post. "
He explained that "the submission of candidates for the prime minister's post officially will be after the elections to see the number of parliamentary seats and how to deal with partners."
He pointed out that "the position of the Ahrar bloc is firm to change in the next phase , with the peaceful transfer of power , because we see that two terms for any prime minister is sufficient , so we adopt the project of limit the mandates of the three presidencies."
Ahrar MP describes holding alliance after elections as "Complicated"
Tuesday, 22 April 2014 15:55
Baghdad (AIN) –MP, Riyadh al-Zaiydi, of al-Ahrar bloc described holding the alliances after the next elections as "Complicated."
He stated to All Iraq News Agency (AIN) "It is difficult to predict the future political alliances but I think it will be complicated to hold them."
"Forming a clear alliance is not discussed at the current time where some blocs to interfere to settle this issue and form the alliances depending on the numbers of the parliamentary seats," he concluded.
56983 Sinead: The call for a vote on the budget after the election reveals deliberate
Sinead: The call for a vote on the budget after the election reveals deliberate desire to undermine government
23/04/2014 09:34:00
BAGHDAD / NINA / The MP, of the State of Law coalition, Hassan al-Sinead said: "the call for a vote on the budget after the election reveals that the delay was deliberate to discredit the government and disrupt the wheel of reconstruction and construction."
He told the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA / "disable that budget intentionally and confidential consensus between the blocs aimed to restrict the government."
The MP, of the Hurra Bloc, Zuhair al-Araji, confirmed a genuine desire for many of the House of Representatives to approve the general budget nearest possible opportunity.
The parliament formed several committees to resolve the dispute over the budget between the center and the region, most recently, the Quartet, headed by First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Qusay al-Suhail.
*** My sense about the budget as a campaign issue is that all political blocs have used it as an election issue against the other. However, the posturing by the SLC is more nefarious in that it is their intention to use the budget issue in the negotiations for the formation of a new government, especially with the Kurds, who are the most " vulnerable " on the budget. Whatever negative press the SLC may get take on the budget issue in the election likely would have made little difference to their overall prospects in the election outcome, so in postponing the budget issue it tells me that their primary effort at maintaining power, whether it be with Maliki or another member of their party, is focused upon the post election " free for all ". ***
Kurdish MP: the budget will be subjected to political bargains after the elections
22/04/2014 11:21:00
BAGHDAD / NINA / MP, of the Kurdistan Alliance, Sharif Suleiman guessed that the federal budget will be subjected to political bargains after the end of the elections.
56985 Zubaidi: We have no knowledge about any agreement reached by the Quartet and we
Zubaidi: We have no knowledge about any agreement reached by the Quartet and we welcome any agreement between the province and the center
23/04/2014 10:43:00
BAGHDAD / NINA / Head of the citizen bloc, Baqir al-Zubaidi confirmed that he has no knowledge about any agreement reached by the Quartet on the budget.
Zubaidi said in a statement to the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA / : "Any agreement reached by Quartet committee formed by large blocs concerning disputed paragraphs in the budget between the center and the region is welcome, since the rest of the political blocs with the speedy adoption for the budget ."
He said: "We support the positive results reached by the Quartet, which was made up of MPs as a political blocs representing a majority in the House of Representatives."
The Deputy Speaker, Arif Tayfur announced that a tentative deal between Kurdistan region and the federal government reached.
He said in a statement to the Kurdistan Democratic Party Website yesterday: "a joint committee will be formed and will oversee Iraq oil exports."
He added: "Baghdad agreed to form a committee to oversee the entire Iraqi oil. But no final agreement yet."
Tayfur expected reaching a final agreement between Baghdad and Erbil on the export of oil , saying that " the final agreement will not be reached before the election, and talks between the two sides will be after the election."
It is mentioned that the House of Representatives formed on April 6, quadripartite committee for the convergence of views between Baghdad and Arbil to resolve differences over the budget.
56986 A preliminary agreement between Baghdad and Erbil to export oil
A preliminary agreement between Baghdad and Erbil to export oil
23-04-2014 09:41 AM
Baghdad (news) .. announced Aref Tayfur, leader of the Kurdistan Alliance and the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, on the reach of the Kurdistan region and the central government reached a tentative deal with the problem of the export of oil, revealing a joint committee will supervise oil exports Toronto-Iraq. said Tayfur in a statement received by (Agency news): The 'Baghdad had agreed to form a committee to oversee Iraqi oil the whole, but there is no agreement once and for all after.' and added: 'reach the province and Baghdad to reach a preliminary agreement to the problem of oil between them, but stayed there some important points are talks on them, pointing out that among the remaining points mechanism oversee the new committee on export '. went on to say 'probably not reached a final agreement', adding that 'the final agreement will not be before the start of the election, where Ststalv talks between the two sides after the election.' The decision of the committee Oil and Energy has predicted earlier in Erbil and Baghdad reached an agreement on the export of oil after the elections, the House of Representatives.
Tayfur announce a tentative agreement between Baghdad and Erbil to export oil
Wednesday, April 23 / April 2014 09:11
[Baghdad - where]
The leader of the Kurdistan Alliance and the Second Deputy Speaker Arif Tayfur, reached the Kurdistan region and the central government reached a tentative deal with the problem of the export of oil, noting that the joint committee will oversee the Toronto-Iraq oil exports.
And the transfer of the official website of the Kurdistan Democratic Party for Tayfur as saying that "Baghdad had agreed to form a committee to oversee the entire Iraqi oil, but no final agreement yet."
"He reached the province and Baghdad to reach a preliminary agreement to the problem of oil between them, but there remained some important points are talks on them, explaining that the remaining points of the mechanism of supervision of the new Committee on Export."
He went on to say "probably not reached a final agreement," adding that "the agreement will not be final before the start of the election, which will resume the talks between the two sides after the election."
In a related context, said Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz they "would issue about 2.5 million barrels of crude oil storage tanks located in the port of Ceyhan in Turkey even if it did not agree with the Kurdistan region of Baghdad."
The quartet headed by First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Qusay al-Suhail, has visited Erbil in the past few days, but without reaching an agreement to resolve the problems related to the budget of the region and resolve the dispute with the government around the center.
Sources in Arbil, about a proposal by the Kurdistan Regional Government to the delegation of the Quartet, to form the federal government in Baghdad, a technical committee, of neutral experts assume the verification process of the potential of each province or territory oil producer, about the amount that could be exported, and not produced only , because the production is export, and that this proposal will be binding on the Kurdistan if the Committee approved, as required every oil-producing provinces in Iraq, in order to get rid of all of the assumptions and preconditions on the amount of what comes out of the oil, did not respond Baghdad after this proposal .
56987 Name of next Prime Minister depends on Citizens through the ballot box
Name of next Prime Minister depends on Citizens through the ballot box
23/04/2014 10:57:00
BAGHDAD / NINA / MP, of United for reform coalition (Muttahidoon), Mudhher al-Janabi said there is a first agreement between some blocs / unnamed / not to renew the mandate for al-Maliki to assume the post of prime minister for a third round, pointing out that the name of the candidate for the next prime minister is decided by the citizens through the ballot box.
He told the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA /: "If we depend on the results of the recent provincial elections, change is coming, no doubt."
He added : "Any agreement between the blocs at this stage is premature , unless an active role for the Iraqi people to vote for those who deserve it to be his reprehensive " denying a secret agreement between Nujaifi and Maliki to take the post of president of the republic for Nujaifi and to renew third term for Maliki, describing those opinions naive and incorrect .
Janabi confirmed that: "Muttahidoon coalition opposes that Maliki takes prime minister post for a third term , because the Iraqi people have suffered during the time when Maliki prime minister."
He continued: "We, at the end of Maliki's second term, depend on the citizens to change the government and save the country from the continuing tragedy since ten years ago" calling on citizens to "do change through electing the honorable, who can manage this country and save it from horrors."
56988 Nujaifi makes intensive calls with Ban Ki moon, Iraqi officials to discuss Anba
Nujaifi makes intensive calls with Ban Ki moon, Iraqi officials to discuss Anbar and flood crisis
23/04/2014 12:46:00
BAGHDAD / NINA / House Speaker, Osama al-Nujaifi made intensive phone calls with the secretary-general of the UN, official in the Iraqi government, the Minister of Water Resources and the head of the Baghdad Provincial Council, to discuss the repercussions of the Anbar crisis, and floods that threaten Baghdad. "
A statement by the Office of the President of the House of Representatives cited today that " with continued crisis in Anbar province and the worsening events amid indented and unjustified government blackout, with total absence of wisdom in dealing with this subject, and neglecting all internal and even international pleas to resolve the crisis peacefully, it seemed the repercussions of this crisis emerge at various levels and in various forms, including the crisis of the floods that hit the last few weeks several areas of Fallujah and Abu Ghraib, and the surrounding areas , and the danger is threatening the capital, Baghdad . "
The statement added, " Because of the seriousness of the consequences of this disaster , and its aftermath, and great neglect by government agencies, the House Speaker made intense calls with each of the Secretary -General of the UN, official in the Iraqi government, the Minister of water Resources and the head of the Baghdad Provincial Council to take the necessary measures. "
Nujaifi noted out to the need to do quick and immediate procedures, and provide aid , food and basic materials for citizens, and made technical efforts to end this problem before its developments lead to a real disaster , also he appealed to the United Nations and international organizations to provide urgent assistance and expertise to save the people of these areas , and to prevent further developments that may lead to serious consequences.
56990 Hakim: History to punish officials / MP calls to punish security
Hakim: History to punish neglectful, failedofficials
Tuesday, 22 April 2014 22:20
Babel (AIN) –The head of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, Ammar al-Hakim, said that Babel is the province of history and civilization as well as scholars.
During the Festival of the Citizen Coalition (273) in Babel province, he said "Babel today faces a big challenge that will determine its future and restore its glorious history through the elections."
"We have the chance to establish the modern and just State through the victory of citizens where history wil punish the negliectful and failed officials" he concluded.
MP calls to punish security officials through elections
Tuesday, 22 April 2014 22:58
Baghdad (AIN) –MP, Bahaa al-Araji, of Ahrar bloc pointed out "We have to punish those who run the security file on 30th of April through the elections."
He stated to All Iraq News Agency (AIN) "The deteriorated security situation must stimulate Iraqis to bring about change."
"It is strange for the officials to be busy with their electoral propagandas without considering the bombings that took place in Wasit, Babel and Baghdad on last Monday," he concluded.
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