Parliament will resume its next Tuesday and 30 laws on the agenda

Information / Baghdad ..  The House of Representatives intends on Tuesday to resume its meetings after the end of the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, while preparing to vote on 30 draft law sent by the federal government so far.

“The parliament will resume its meetings starting next Tuesday after the end of the Eid al-Fitr holiday,” MP Hussein al-Aqabi said. “The agenda will be full of important laws, but it has not yet been formally announced.”

He added that “the government sent more than 30 law proposals, some of which read a first reading and some of them a second reading, some of which need discussions and deliberations between the parliamentary committees,” noting that “the initial approval of projects will be service laws that concern the Iraqi citizen.”

On 23 May, the House of Representatives lifted its meeting to another notice after it voted to allow the representation of Christians, Isidis, Sabians and Kurds in the Martyrs’ Committee. It ended the first reading of the proposed amendment to the provincial elections law.Finished 25 s

Almaalomah.com

Abdul Mahdi to present names of new ministers after Eidul Fitr

Member of Parliament Hussein Arab, member of Building Alliance, said that Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi will present the names of the new ministers to the parliament after Eidul Fitr.

In press statements, Arab said that Abdul Mahdi told MPs that he will present the names even no consensus was reached concerning them.

He added that MPs of Baghdad told Abdul Mahdi that they will okay his candidates only if they comply with the legal and constitutional requirements.

Abdul Mahdi had failed two present suitable candidates to the ministries of defense and security to the parliament for a several months now and that reflected the weakness of Abdul Mahdi and his government especially that all his candidates were agents to Iran.

Thebaghdadpost.com

Iraq electricity minister: US will continue exemptions for Iranian electricity imports

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Iraqi Minister of Electricity Luay al-Khatteeb talked about the situation of Iraq’s electricity sector amid tense US-Iran relations. He discussed the waiver timeline that Washington granted Baghdad to keep buying Iranian gas and mentioned his fear that some parties are politicizing the electricity sector in Iraq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s government voted Oct. 25, 2018 to appoint Khatteeb as minister of electricity. Before he was tasked with the ministry, Khatteeb was director of the Iraq Energy Institute and worked as an engineer for several international companies such as British Gas, the Dutch Shell Company and the Indonesian National Oil Company.

Al-Monitor: Does Iraq have any concerns in the electricity sector due to US-Iranian tensions?

Khatteeb: We have taken our precautions, specifically in summer, by putting more optimistic productivity plans, compared to 2018. We increased production for May by around 3,500 megawatts compared to electricity production levels in 2018.

The challenges of the political conflict in the region exist, but through our understandings with the United States, we explained that Iraq should not be involved in regional or international disputes. Our need to import electricity temporarily from Iran might not exceed six months or a bit more, but our need for gas will last for about two to three years until the situation of Iraqi gas improves.

Al-Monitor: What are your concerns and plans if Washington refuses to give Baghdad new exemptions for gas imports from Tehran?

Khatteeb: We have electricity and gas exemptions from the United States. They know and understand our gas needs. Neither the international community nor the United States would benefit from putting spokes in the wheels for Iraq. We have our priorities, and we have been strong US allies in the war against terrorism. We were victorious but paid the price humanitarianly and economically. The exemptions are divided into time periods and are extendable. I believe they will continue because Iraq’s situation is different from that of our countries, and we do not have an alternative.

Al-Monitor: Is there another country you can import from? Some information indicated that Iran is selling you gas at high prices.

Khatteeb: We are open to finding the best deals. We do not want to be a party to the conflict, and we do not want to favor one side over another. We have strategic relations with all neighboring countries and the United States. We do not want to incite any country against the other. We told neighboring countries that we are open to electricity and gas deals. Some offers were put forward, but they were nowhere near Iranian gas.

When we talk about offers, we mean gas and electricity together. We currently import 1,100 megawatts of electricity from Iran, and we import gas for producing 2,800 megawatts of electricity. The whole amount reaches up to 4,000 megawatts. We have not found better offers in terms of quantity, speed and price. Besides, we would need infrastructure to connect us to other countries. Our only option currently is Iran.

Al-Monitor: Do you think Iraqis will take to the streets in summer because of electricity?

Khatteeb: Our past steps have created more energy and have placed us in a better position. Although the situation is not ideal, it is better. To reach radical solutions, major agreements are needed. We hope people will understand that we signed agreements with Siemens and that our contracts with General Electric are ongoing. The radical changes will happen in 2020 because the production capacity and major transportation projects will become operational in the last quarter of 2019, reaching mid-2020.

Al-Monitor: Were you forced into a partnership with both Siemens and General Electric? And are the companies’ contracts part of the international distribution of shares in Iraq?

Khatteeb: The previous administration of the Ministry of Electricity signed two maps to boost the electricity sector, the first being the Siemens roadmap and the second the General Electric roadmap. Both are not binding. We reviewed and outlined the work of these companies, and we prepared an Iraqi roadmap rather than a company roadmap.

The agreement with Siemens was worth 1.7 million euros. With General Electric, we have not signed anything yet regarding the roadmap. But there were development and installation contracts worth 1.5 million euros signed in the past six months. Regarding the roadmap, there has been nothing so far. The timeline of the map is four years and it began May 1. It will be divided over three phases. The competition between Siemens and General Electric should be positive and healthy, and it should serve the reconstruction of Iraq — specifically the power issue.

Al-Monitor: Are there any indications to your claim that the electricity sector is politicized?

Khatteeb: Everything in Iraq is politicized. My hope is that it will no longer be so. At the Ministry of Electricity, we advise all parties interested in Iraqi affairs not to use an imposing tone. We are an independent state, and we have our entity. Iraq is stronger than it was in 2003. Such demands can be asked of a weak state, but not Iraq. Some embassies want to promote their companies; we welcome this idea, but we refuse pressure.

Al-Monitor: What is the situation of Iranian companies that have contracts with Iraq amid US sanctions?

Khatteeb: Everything is working normally. Those companies are limited in number; we pay them in Iraqi dinars with simple contracting operations.

Al-Monitor: Will you announce the privatization of electricity, or did this experience fail?

Khatteeb: Relying on the role of the government in everything has dangerous repercussions and would lead to failure. We are no longer a socialist country. We rely on the market economy and on creating job opportunities. We want to ensure a promising and attractive environment for hard currency to create a strong local private sector. We are examining the possibility of involving the private sector in investing in production and distribution but under strict international conditions that would aid the state treasury with revenue.

Al-Monitor: Did Saudi Arabia propose to sell electricity and gas for a lower cost than Iran?

Khatteeb: Saudi Arabia has shown cooperation with Iraq. But we did not receive any offers related to buying electricity. The agreement with Saudi Arabia is related to Saudi companies investing in the energy sector in Iraq. There is positive cooperation with Saudi Arabia, and in the next phase, Gulf companies will invest in the Iraqi energy sector.

Al-Monitor: Are you worried about being a victim if protests against the electricity situation are staged and you are dismissed?

Khatteeb: Protesting is a legitimate, constitutional right, and our responsibility in government is shared. Everyone must commit to their duties. The citizen has a right to protest, but he must pay the bill.

Al-Monitor: You don’t have a supportive political bloc. Will you be sacrificed?

Khatteeb: The people are my parliamentary bloc, and I am doing what I should. The decision is up to the parliament. I was questioned by the parliament four times in six months. I am not clinging to the position. I am here to do my job, and I will leave when my term is done.

Al-monitor.com

THE IMF WARNS OF A MAJOR THREAT TO THE US ECONOMY

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned the United States against further escalation of trade disputes and the sudden slowdown in financial markets, which pose serious risks to the US economy, especially in the context of the trade war with China.IMF officials said Thursday that the US financial system is increasingly vulnerable and economic conditions may falter as investors are more concerned about US trade disputes.
“Trade disputes are the risk factor that we feel is the biggest concern for the US economy,” said Nigel Chuck, head of the IMF mission.

In his report, the IMF criticized attempts by the administration of US President Donald Trump to reform global trade relations by increasing tariffs.

The report stressed that it is particularly important to resolve the trade dispute with China as a threat to the global economy.

“Import duties have increased, and other steps taken by the US administration undermine the global trading system,” the report said.

“The regulators of the US financial sector have not done enough to address growing weaknesses in the financial system,” he warned, warning of potential damage to the US economy.

The trade war between the United States and China escalated last month after trade negotiations reached a standstill, with Washington accusing Beijing of backtracking on an imminent deal that the two countries’ officials were close to completing.

Trump also raised tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on Chinese goods worth 200 billion dollars, bringing China an increase in tariffs on US goods worth 50 billion dollars. The US administration also included the Chinese telecom giant Huawei on its black list.

Alforatnews.com

Newspaper: Abadi and wise (Hakim) decision to go to the opposition

Information / Baghdad .. According to the newspaper “the new Arab”, Wednesday, that the victory coalition headed by Haider Abadi and the stream of wisdom headed by Mr. Ammar Hakim ordered them to go to the opposition, stressing the existence of an undeclared decision in this regard.

The newspaper quoted in a report seen by (information), a parliamentary source as saying that “the trend towards the opposition has become a matter of time no more,” explaining that “some of the blocks of reform resolved in this regard, including the stream of wisdom (led by Hakim), and alliance victory (headed by Former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi). ”

The source added that “there is an undeclared decision to go to the opposition, and the deadline given to Abdul Mahdi, is only to give the argument, not more,” indicating that “these blocks will wait for the end of the deadline, and then will announce its move.”

He pointed out that “there is an undeclared decision to go to the opposition, and the deadline given to Abdul Mahdi, is only to give the argument to him no more. “There is no chance for Abdul Mahdi, the situation is crisis and can not resolve any of the controversial issues, nor can face corruption and corrupt within the deadline.” Ending / 25

Faceiraq.org

Saleh and Abdul-Mahdi agree on the need to stay away from politics and solve the problems of Kirkuk and Diyala

President Barham Salih discussed with Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi the results of the two Arab summit summits and the OIC summit held recently in Mecca.

The two sides discussed the international and regional situations, the role of Iraq based on keeping away from the policy of the axis, and continuing to abide by its clear policy, supreme national interests, and its independent national decision, the statement said.

During the meeting, they discussed developments in Kirkuk and Diyala, efforts to solve the problems facing the two provinces, to confront terrorism and to enhance security and social peace.

Radionawa.com

Abdul-Mahdi threatens the Kurdistan region … We (will) deducted from your salaries equivalent to 250 thousand barrels of oil per day

Baghdad / Sky Press – The head of the cabinet Adel Abdul Mahdi, yesterday, with the deduction of part of the salaries of the Kurdistan region, in the event of non-delivery of the region’s oil quota of 250 thousand barrels per day.

Abdul Mahdi said in his weekly speech, that the budget law required the Kurdistan region to hand over 250 thousand barrels of oil to the federal government every day, and if the province does not deliver this share will be deducted from the share of the province Maywazih.

“We have not received any barrels of oil from the region until today and the government does not hand over the share of the entire region, but only receive salaries and this is a right for our people in Kurdistan because they are our sons.”

He added that “the government pays salaries and receivables to the Kurdistan region under the budget and do not pay the remaining part because the budget law committed to deduct the amount offset by the amounts represented by the value of 250 thousand barrels of oil per day.”

skypressiq.net

Abdul Mahdi: Kurdistan region did not deliver Baghdad one barrel of oil as stipulated in the budget

Alsumaria News – Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, on Sunday, not to hand over the Kurdistan region of one barrel of oil to Baghdad, as stipulated in the financial budget.
Abdul Mahdi said during his weekly press conference attended by Alsumaria News, “The federal government will not cut the salaries of employees of the Kurdistan region of Iraq.”

He added that ” Kurdistan did not deliver the federal government one barrel of oil as stipulated in the budget items.”

He pointed out Abdul – Mahdi , that “there are political differences and it is right to make it a source of threat to societal peace.”

alsumaria.tv

Anti-corruption announces the issuance of a list of wanted persons for the year 2016 and reveals the mechanism of detention of Ayoub

Baghdad today – An observer member of the Anti-Corruption Council, Said Moussa, issued a list of wanted persons in corruption cases dating back to 2016, while revealing the mechanism for the arrest of former Iraqi Secretary Naim Abboub.

“The judicial authorities have issued a new list of arrest warrants for the prosecution of a number of officials in the Iraqi state accused and convicted of financial corruption and money laundering,” Moussa said in a press statement (Baghdad Today), noting that “these officials are the rank of Director General and above, some Of them are inside and the other is outside Iraq. ”

He added that “the number of cases resolved by the judiciary during the past days amounts to about (900) cases out of more than (2500) financial and administrative corruption,” pointing out that “there are new lists containing arrest warrants against a number of officials fleeing.”

The observer member of the Supreme Council for the fight against corruption that “the arrest of the former Secretary of Baghdad comes within the new list issued by the judiciary to prosecute corrupt officials,” noting that “the new orders revert to issues raised in 2018.”
“The coordination work of the Supreme Council for Combating Corruption with the Integrity Commission and the Supreme Judicial Council has contributed to the issuance of arrest warrants against the wanted officials,” he said, adding that “the new list to be issued dates back to 2016.”

The Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi has announced, the restructuring of the Anti-Corruption Council to follow up the files of corruption and waste of public money and money laundering after the building of the Supreme Criminal Court headquarters for its regular meetings.

The Council consists of the National Intelligence and Security Services, the Integrity Commission, the Financial Control Bureau, the Supreme Judicial Council and the Inspectors General. The process of reclaiming the accused or convicted from outside Iraq goes through a mechanism requiring judicial decisions to prosecute and retrieve the fugitives at the request of the complainant.

A member of the Supreme Council for Combating Corruption explained the process of retrieving the wanted figures and the terror to Iraq by “the competent authorities to address the National Interpol in the Ministry of Interior, which circulates the names of those involved and fugitives to the International Police Departments around the world,” noting that ” Led by the prime minister’s office, played a major role in pursuing the return of those wanted and bringing them back to Iraq. ”

He stressed that “all those wanted for the elimination of Iraqis circulated warrants of arrest and recovery by the judicial authorities.”

He pointed out that “Britain, Panama, Turkey, Azerbaijan, the UAE and some of the Gulf countries are a safe haven for looted and smuggled money and money-laundering operations in Iraq.” He explained that “these countries are a free market that grants concessions to capitalists without checking their source of money . ”

“Iraq has signed memorandums of understanding with Jordan, Iran, Egypt and Lebanon to prosecute corruption and money laundering,” he said, noting that “Iraq and Lebanon are parties to the UN Convention against Corruption, which includes some 128 countries, which requires cooperation between States to prosecute corruption and money laundering.”

Baghdadtoday.news

President of the Republic and Najafan Barzani emphasize coordination and cooperation between the center and the region

Baghdad today – The President of the Republic Barham Salih, and the President of the Kurdistan region-elect Nizhirvan Barzani, Monday (June 3, 2019), the need for coordination and cooperation between the Kurdistan region and the federal government.

The presidency of the region in a statement that “the President of the region-elect Nigervan Barzani, made a telephone call with President Barham Saleh, during which the official invitation to the President of the Republic to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the President of the region, the two sides discussed the current political situation of Iraq and the region and the Kurdistan region.”

The statement added that “the two sides had the same views on the importance of maintaining unity and solidarity in the sensitive circumstances experienced by the region, and stressed the need to unify efforts to overcome the differences and the dimensions of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region from the crises.”

The President of the Republic and the President-elect of the Kurdistan Region stressed the need for coordination and cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government.

The President also extended his congratulations to the President of the Kurdistan Region elected and I hope Barzani success and conciliation.

Baghdadtoday.news