Re: " The Dinar Daily ", Tuesday, 24 February 2014
Hamdiya dry) lend to the Central Bank of Kurdistan (PUK) two and a half billion dollars "without guarantees."
Brother - Baghdad (Hamdiya dry) lend to the Central Bank of Kurdistan (PUK) two and a half billion dollars "without guarantees."
Revealed the Liberal parliamentary bloc, on Tuesday, the Director General of the Iraqi Commercial Bank ( Tpi ) Hamdiya dry the central bank lending to the Kurdistan Regional Government in the amount of two and a half billion dollars "without guarantees remember."
A member of the bloc MP Yasser al-Husseini told a news conference, attended by a reporter for News Agency (et) that "Hamdiya dry the separation of Associate Director-General triumph Khalil Mahdi by 1467 the book in 23 of the current month due to recent media competent authorities subject of the Iraqi Commercial Bank tpi Lending to the central bank in the Kurdistan Regional Government the amount of two and a half billion dollars without significant guarantees. "
He added that "dry demanded resort with her children out of Iraq."
Husseini demanded Prime Minister and Finance Committee and the Integrity Commission and the competent authorities and the security agencies to "urgently investigate and prevent them from traveling out of Iraq until the end of the investigation."
Re: " The Dinar Daily ", Tuesday, 24 February 2014
Finance Minister receives a delegation from the US Treasury Department
Search Finance Minister Hoshyar Zebari evening February 23, 2014, with the Assistant Deputy Minister of the US Treasury, Mr. Andy Bockal relations and the prospects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting, which was attended by US Ambassador Stuart Jones Adeddamn issues of common concern, and capacity building of the Ministry of Finance.
There was an exchange of views on the challenges facing the Iraqi economy and ways to overcome the current financial crisis and stimulate economic growth.
Mr. Bockal and expressed the willingness and the US Treasury Department to provide technical support and advice to the Ministry of Finance and modernization of the banking system.
Re: " The Dinar Daily ", Tuesday, 24 February 2014
U.S. State Department: Arbil and Baghdad are committed to the Convention (Kerry Spoke with Zebari on Saturday)
State: Erbil and Baghdad are committed to the Convention
Confirmed the US State Department, that the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government are committed to the Convention concluded between them, regarding oil and budget.
She said a spokeswoman for the ministry, Jane Sacchi, in response to Roudao Media Network reporter, said that "according to our understanding of things; both from Baghdad and Erbil committed to the implementation of the Convention, which was included in the budget law.
The exchange Governments of Arbil and Baghdad charges of violating the Convention, Erbil says that Baghdad has not fulfilled its obligations by sending the budget, which has become a reason to deny many public sector employees in Kurdistan of their salaries since the beginning of this year, has demonstrated some of them to protest against this. While Baghdad says Erbil did not apply the section on the export of 250 thousand barrels of oil from Kurdistan and 300 thousand barrels of Kirkuk a day, arguing that it violated the Iraqi budget affected mainly due to lower oil prices.
The spokesman was the US government on behalf of, announced on Monday that his country understands that the economic situation in Iraq is worsening. She Jane Sake "We recognize that Iraq faces in general financial hardship, because of lower oil and internal conditions prices.
It seems that the Kurdish officials are still feeling optimistic about the application of the Convention, as expressed Prime Minister Barzani of the Kurdistan region on Monday its readiness to hold another meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi resolve dilemmas between the two sides.
Re: " The Dinar Daily ", Tuesday, 24 February 2014
White House Daily Press Briefing - February 24, 2015
MS. PSAKI: Well, let me give you a readout of that call first.
As you mentioned, Secretary Kerry spoke with Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari on Saturday to discuss bilateral and regional issues, the ongoing discussion between Baghdad and Erbil on energy and revenue sharing, and our shared commitment towards a long-term partnership under the Strategic Framework Agreement.
They also discussed the situation in Anbar province and the Government of Iraq’s efforts to combat ISIL in coordination with local police and tribes. The Secretary noted the critical need for support from the local population and encouraged the Government of Iraq to continue its efforts to empower local officials and tribes, and to drive ISIL out of the populated areas.
The Secretary also reiterated the United States commitment to support Iraq in its fight against ISIL. The two also discussed the importance of Iraq’s national election on April 30th, and Secretary Kerry assured Foreign Minister Zebari that the United States will continue to work with the United States Assistance Mission for Iraq to ensure that the election occurs on time, is transparent, and reflects the will of the Iraqi people.
Secretary Kerry also emphasized the importance of finalizing an agreement under discussion between Baghdad and Erbil on energy and revenue sharing, underscoring that this agreement should be concluded as soon as possible, as it will demonstrate that all Iraqis share equitably in the benefits of Iraq’s natural resources.
I don’t have anything further on the earlier question you had. It’s likely that was raised at other levels.
QUESTION: One more thing on this. Iraqi lawmakers say that Maliki had made the deal because he was fed up with delays to U.S. arms deliveries. Do you feel like you bear responsibility in pushing Iraq to make this deal with Iran?
MS. PSAKI: Well, again, we are still looking into those reports, but we certainly view the Government of Iraq as a partner in the fight against terrorism and we’re committed to supporting them in this fight. We have provided the Iraqi military and security forces with more than $15 billion in equipment, services, and training through the FMS program in the past, and we are working to accelerate our FMS deliveries of critical CT equipment. We’ve made a number of shipments recently, including critical deliveries of Hellfire missiles and hundreds of small arms along with large quantities of small arms and tank ammunition. And we have worked to approve important military equipment to Iraq through our FMS program, including the recent notification of Apache helicopters.
So we will continue to work closely with them. I think the proof of our efforts is in the pudding there, and all of the steps we’ve taken to move forward, whether it’s small ammunitions or a number of the items of military equipment I’ve mentioned, and that tells you how committed we are to our partnership.
QUESTION: Will this deal with Iran, between Iraq and Iran, affect the cooperation between the U.S. and Iraq and the arms deals?
MS. PSAKI: Well, again, we’re still looking into those reports. Iraq, of course, is a sovereign country with its own unique identity. But given the international sanctions with Iran, the Government, of course, of Iraq should use caution as it looks to these reports or to any proposed deals. And – but again, we’re looking for clarification from our partners in Iraq.
QUESTION: Can you refute the claim that the United States is dragging its feet in delivering the arms needed for Iraq despite many statements since Maliki’s visit?
MS. PSAKI: I think I just did.
QUESTION: You just did. Okay.
QUESTION: So just to push you --
MS. PSAKI: Sure.
QUESTION: -- a little bit farther on this, if those reports are true, and if the Iraqi Government is buying arms from Iran in direct violation of these Security Council sanctions, isn’t it obvious or inherent that the U.S. would end its FMS program with Baghdad? I mean, isn’t that almost a requirement if not some kind of moral obligation?
MS. PSAKI: Well, I don’t want to go too far, given we don’t – we’re not there yet, so we try not to get too far into hypotheticals, as fun as it is. But we – of course, that’s one of – we would be very concerned, as I mentioned, if this were – if we found this to be true, and obviously, we’d have to evaluate things. But I don’t want to go too far in terms of what that would mean.
QUESTION: And you can’t go too far at this point because you haven’t verified the reports, right?
MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm.
QUESTION: But once those reports are verified, which I assume won’t take very long, you would have a decision?
MS. PSAKI: We’ll see where we are. And we can keep talking about it.
QUESTION: I’m sure we will. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Can you please check if the Secretary has discussed this point with Foreign Minister Zebari?
MS. PSAKI: Sure, I’ll check and see. But again, my understanding is that it was raised at other levels.
Re: " The Dinar Daily ", Tuesday, 24 February 2014
Ministry of Finance: the amount that reaches Strzle Baghdad Thursday
Undersecretary of the Iraqi Ministry of Finance Fadel Prophet, on Tuesday, the readiness of the amount to be sent by Baghdad to the Kurdistan region, noting that it will arrive next Thursday.
The prophet of the network Roudao media, that "the amount of 250 billion dinars, to be sent to the region, was delayed due to lack of transport aircraft between the Central Bank of Iraq and Erbil."
The Deputy Minister of Finance, said that "other sums of money sent to the region is linked to the political dialogue between the two governments in Baghdad and Erbil."
The Iraqi Ministry of Finance has decided an official letter issued on the date 22.02.2015 send $ 250 billion dinars to the Kurdistan Region. https://rudaw.net/english sczin11- AND ANOTHER VERSION....HOW FUNNY IS THIS...TODAYS DAY OF THE SUPPOSED ADVANCEMENT OF ELECTRONIC BANKING, THEY CANT FIND AN AIRPLANE TO GO FROM CBI TO KURDISTAN TO DELIVER THE DINAR??.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance: Send 250 billion dinars to the region next Thursday
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance Fadel Prophet said, on Tuesday, the readiness of the amount to be sent by Baghdad to the Kurdistan region, noting that it will arrive next Thursday. "
The Prophet, in a press statement that "the amount of 250 billion dinars, and to be sent to the region, was delayed due to lack of transport aircraft between the Central Bank of Iraq and Erbil."
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, said that the "View other sums of money to the region is linked to the political dialogue between the two governments in Baghdad and Erbil."
COMMENT : PERHAPS KURDISTAN IS NOT TAKING A CHECK OR AN ELECTRONIC TRANSFER FROM BAGHDAD. THEY MAY DO WELL TO INSIST UPON PAYMENT IN GOLD UNLESS THEY BELIEVE THAT POSSESSION OF THE DINAR IS "MORE VALUABLE " ? - chattels
Re: " The Dinar Daily ", Tuesday, 24 February 2014
Parliament Legal:the party law will be put in the next session
Number of Views: 29 Parliamentary Legal: Parties Law will be put in the next session of parliament
BAGHDAD / ... Legal Committee confirmed on Tuesday that it is determined to legislation the law of parties, noting that the law will be put in the next session of the House of Representatives.
A member of the Committee MP Salim Shawki told the "eye Iraq News" that "the Legal Committee met with the President of the Republic Fuad Masum, and discussed with him a number of laws, including the law of parties," noting that "Masum said during the meeting that" the law of parties is important and must be prescribed because of its great importance, while noting that the infallible law in force in the province. "
He Shawki that "bent on legislation Parties Law Committee, and there is value observations obtained at a workshop organized for that," pointing out that "the law of parties will be put before the House of Representatives in the next session." Finished
Re: " The Dinar Daily ", Tuesday, 24 February 2014
World Bank Group & Kurdistan Reg Govt of Iraq Partner to Promote Equity and Reduce Vu
The World Bank Group and the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq Partner to Promote Equity and Reduce Vulnerability
ERBIL – The World Bank Group and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)-Iraq, launched today a social protection program of support to promote equity in living standards and reduce vulnerability. The program is aligned with the government’s efforts to develop a comprehensive social protection system and contributes to the goals of KRGs Vision 2020 of “freedom, health, welfare, economic security and opportunity for people.”
Today’s launch of the technical cooperation program which follows the signing of four technical assistance activities between the World Bank Group and the Kurdistan Regional Government-Iraq (KRG) in November 2014, was held under the auspices of KRG Minister of Planning Ali Sindi. The event was attended by government officials, civil society representatives, parliamentarians, and development and international organizations experts.
“We are pleased to have the experience of the World Bank Group to enhance social protection systems in the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq,” said Minister Sindi. “The World Bank will support KRG to meet objectives set out in in Vision 2020, which starts with ‘Putting People First’ as the initial chapter.”
Discussions revolved around the different phases of the program including scope, objectives, timeframe and implementation. Global and regional trends in social protection were highlighted and emphasis was placed on how they relate to the local context of social protection systems in KRG.
“The World Bank is supporting the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in its overall socio-economic development,” said Robert Bou Jaoude, World Bank Special Representative for Iraq. “Social protection programs are a critical element in building resilience so that people are better equipped to face shocks and crisis.”
The technical cooperation program comprises four activities: stock-taking, benchmarking and assessment of targeting effectiveness; a consultation process; the development of the KRG Social Protection Strategic Framework; and the dissemination process.
An inter-ministerial Steering Committee (SC) is being established to guide the work. The SC will ensure that the work done responds to the requirements of the technical cooperation program and is in line with the KRG Vision 2020. It will also overlook the work of the technical groups and maintains clear open channels for coordination and data sharing amongst all key institutions. The Steering Committee will be chaired by the Ministry of Planning, and will include senior representatives from the Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Health; Kurdistan Region Statistical Office; and technical advisors from the Council of Ministers.
“The development of the Kurdistan Regional Government Social Protection Strategic Framework will be guided by global best practices,” said Ghassan Alkhoja, World Bank Senior Social Protection Specialist and Task Team Leader.
“However, policy options will be presented in a manner consistent with the local KRG context and implementable within a 3-5 year implementation horizon.”
BAGHDAD, Iraq — On Feb. 18, the bodyguards of national security adviser Faleh al-Fayad beat up a group of journalists and media workers in the Al-Nahrain Center for Strategic Studies when they refused to leave the conference Fayad was attending. The incident triggered a major political and public controversy.
Summary⎙ Print The Iraqi prime minister has taken steps to confront the ministerial and official convoys that often act as though they are above the law, but the problems the enormous security details cause are unlikely to end.
Author Wassim BassemPosted February 24, 2015
TranslatorRani Geha
On Jan. 29, in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the security detail of Iraqi Human Rights Minister Mohammed Mahdi al-Bayati attacked a traffic officer and police officers who stopped the minister’s convoy in the course of regulating traffic. On Jan. 31, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered an investigation into the incident.
This was not the first time that people have complained about altercations cause by the convoys and security details of state officials, and such incidents are widely discussed by the public in the traditional and social media.
Trouble with the convoys of state officials in Iraq is not new. Before 2003, the convoy of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was a common sight in cities. Hussein’s convoy was attacked by oppositionists in Dujail, Salahuddin province, in 1982. As punishment, 143 residents were executed and several properties were destroyed by the security services of Saddam’s regime.
In an interview with Al-Monitor, Abbas al-Musawi, the media adviser to former prime minister and current Vice President Nouri al-Maliki, admitted that it’s “difficult to control large convoys of state officials. [The convoys] are part of the power and privileges that those officials refuse to waive. Some [officials] say that the bad security situation makes these convoys necessary.”
He pointed out, “In a country like Iraq, where the security situation is unstable, even convoys of embassies of countries that claim to be democratic and respectful of human rights behave in the same way, [riding in] large convoys that move around the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.” Moussawi did not name the embassies he was referring to.
In an interview with Al-Monitor, journalist Walid al-Tai said, “That repeated assaults by Iraqi officials on citizens and state employees are causing social discontent. Iraqi officials need a culture of law and awareness. When they start obeying the law, it will be possible to apply [the law] to everyone. The behavior of these officials is conclusive evidence that they don’t respect the law.”
Agreeing with al-Tai, Saad Hassan, a citizen from Babil, told Al-Monitor, “A minister assaulting police officers before the eyes of the citizens is an insult to the men who are protecting the law: police and security officers.”
The convoy of an Iraqi official in Iraqi cities typically includes dozens of cars and armored vehicles carrying dozens of security personnel.
In an interview with Al-Monitor, journalist Nassar Alkurity of the Iraqi Media Network, said, “The huge convoys of state officials often behave as if they’re above the law. No police officer, security officer or traffic officer can deter these convoys or stop them. They are in clear violation of the law and they cost a lot money, paid by public funds.”
Journalist and writer Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed told Al-Monitor, “The way Iraqi officials are protected shows that the law applies just to the weak.”
Police Capt. Rahim al-Asadi, who works at a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Baghdad, admitted to Al-Monitor, “Security vehicles with blacked-out windows are not inspected and security barriers are opened for them even before they arrive.”
Journalist and political analyst Saleh al-Sayyed Bakir told Al-Monitor that a state official should be “a model citizen in every way. His commitment to the law earns him popularity and makes people want to vote for him in the elections.”
On Dec. 8, the Iraqi Interior Ministry announced that Abadi had issued government orders — which ministers, parliamentarians and officials should abide by — instructing official convoys not to block streets and to prevent security details from brandishing weapons. But Bakir doesn’t expect these orders to be obeyed.
The ministry’s spokesman, Said Moen, said in a press statement, “The general commander of the armed forces, who is also the prime minister, ordered all officials’ convoys to abide by the general law and to take into consideration the citizens’ [safety]. He also demanded they not block roads, brandish weapons and cause chaos in the streets.”
Re: " The Dinar Daily ", Tuesday, 24 February 2014
"Exclusive: Iran smuggles in $1billion of bank notes to skirt sanctions-sources"
By Jonathan Saul, Parisa Hafezi and Louis Charbonneau
LONDON/ANKARA/NEW YORK (Reuters) - At least $1 billion in cash has been smuggled into Iran as it seeks to avoid Western sanctions, a bigger figure than previously reported, Iranian officials and Western intelligence and diplomatic sources say.
Sanctions imposed by the West over Iran's nuclear program have shut Tehran out of the global banking system, making it hard to obtain the U.S. dollars it needs for international transactions.
In December, the U.S. Treasury said the Iranian government had obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in bank notes using front companies.
Interviews by Reuters with Iranian officials and Western diplomatic and intelligence sources show a bigger smuggling effort by Tehran, as well as the routes and methods used -- details not previously reported. These sources said at least $1 billion in U.S. bank notes had been smuggled into Iran in recent months, with the Iranian central bank playing an important role.
Three Western diplomatic sources and three Iranian government officials, who all declined to be identified citing the sensitivity of the issue, said Tehran had been working on ways to obtain dollars since March last year.
The sources said the cash was hand-carried by couriers on flights from Dubai or Turkey, or brought across the Iraq-Iran border.
Before it reached Iran, the cash was passed through money changers and front companies in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq, they added.
A Western diplomat who follows Iranian affairs said the central bank was a driving force in efforts to obtain dollars.
Western and Iranian sources said Iran’s central bank had in recent months worked with other entities, including other sanctioned Iranian companies, to find ways to obtain U.S. dollars, including using front companies and their networks. They said the central bank had given the orders to the front companies abroad to buy dollars.
The Central Bank of Iran declined comment, as did government officials in Turkey. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates made no immediate comment when contacted, while the UAE central bank declined comment.
The extent of the smuggling has emerged as Tehran is in talks with world powers about its nuclear program, seeking a deal to lift the sanctions that have halved its oil exports and hammered its economy.
SUITCASES FULL OF CASH
An Iranian government official with knowledge of how the dollars were obtained said front companies had "mushroomed" in Dubai to facilitate payments to Iran.
The use of multiple front companies, which bought dollars from currency traders in Dubai and Iraq, was preferred as it concealed the overall size of the dollar purchasing operation, the Iranian and Western sources said. Front companies operate at arm's length from the Iranian government or state-backed organizations, the sources said.
Suitcases full of dollars were carried to Iran from Dubai, and sometimes Turkey, the Iranian government official said. Groups of three or four couriers would usually fly first or business class, the official said.
In return for dollars, the front companies were paid in United Arab Emirates dirhams or oil, the Iranian and Western sources said.
A report last year by the U.N. Security Council's Panel of Experts on Iran said Iran had used cash and money changers to help get around banking restrictions.
"The Panel continues to receive information from states and financial institutions that Iranian companies could operate through trading companies or shell companies in neighboring states," the U.N. report said.
U.S. Executive Order 13622, which came into effect in 2012, prohibits the purchase or acquisition of U.S. bank notes by the government of Iran.
Jonathan Schanzer, a former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, said Iran had been starved of dollars and euros.
"It has been a constant battle behind the scenes for Iran to get their hands on these hard currencies," said Schanzer, now with Washington think tank the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Iran says the sanctions are illegal and has vowed to sidestep them.
THE GULF CONNECTION
Iranian and Western diplomatic sources said as much as $500 million in cash was funneled to Iran through traders in Iraq.
An Iraqi government financial adviser told Reuters that Iraq was a major source of dollars for Iran, but the Iraqi government had this year begun to restrict the central bank's dollar sales to private banks and traders in an attempt to control the flow of dollars out of the country.
The Iranian and Western sources said another $500 million was obtained for Iran by two Dubai-based front companies that have been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury. The amount is in line with ballpark figures published by the Treasury in December.
One company was Sima General Trading Company, sanctioned in 2013 for acting as an Iranian government front company. The other was Belfast General Trading, a Dubai commodities company sanctioned last year.
The Treasury said Belfast General Trading had converted over $250 million, which was hand carried to Tehran.
The Treasury also said other individuals had delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. bank notes to Iran's government in breach of sanctions. It did not give an overall total.
Sima and Belfast General Trading did not respond to requests for comment.
(Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad, David French and Sami Aboudi in Dubai and Stanley Carvalho in Abu Dhabi; Editing by Giles Elgood)
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