Sara Johnson

Abdul Mahdi discusses with Jaafari the issues raised on the political arena Ali Abdullah-07/04/2011 ad-6: 36 | readers number: 10 ________________________________ Research vice-president of the Republic, Mr. Adel Abdul Mahdi, with National Alliance head Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jaafari the latest developments in the political and security situation, rapid developments in the region. He said Mr. Abdul-Mahdi, Al-Jaafari during the talks, which was held on Wednesday evening 6-4-2011 at the residence of the president of the alliance, the importance of supporting the political process in the country, and the government of national partnership so as to ensure progress towards meeting the demand of the people of security and stability and services, development and well-being of society. The two sides also stressed the need for activating the role of the National Alliance in the political process and its programmes in various fields.The talks also addressed to the events rapidly in the region, where the two sides stressed the importance of taking appropriate positions in support of the right of peoples to freedom and democracy without any discrimination. http://www.burathanews.com/news_article_121508.html

Likely to postpone the Arab summit in Baghdad 07/04/2011 ad-3: 30 | readers number: 97 ________________________________ Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee suggested to postpone the Arab summit due to be held in Baghdad in mid-next month for an indefinite period of time. And ruled out "Iraqi List" The convening of the summit as well as Iraq, "a political crisis, and the absence of trust between the parties," said "coalition of the rule of law," which is led by the prime minister, Nouri Al-Maliki, that " the Egyptian prime minister, Sharif will represent his country in the summit." Despite the security measures and service, which was carried out by the Iraqi government to encourage the Arab leaders or their representatives to attend the summit in Baghdad but that a delay is likely by most of the parties. Said a member of the Foreign Relations Committee of the "Kurdish coalition" Ala Talabani that " Iraq's current conditions and circumstances through which the Arab countries do not allow the holding of the summit by the coming May." She added that "could not be held (the conference) within the period of time Nearby, and a new date is unrealistic, but should be deferred for an indefinite period of time until the end of the crisis, especially that the countries that did not face crisis to date, of infection to the protests," she explained that " the region is witnessing radical changes and it could not be on the agenda of the or specified themes could be discussed by the summit, there is no need for that convened in such an environment, which would be the tangible results." The list did not deny "Iraqi", which is led by Iyad Allawi, the crises in some Arab countries may prevent the holding of the summit, but said " the political crisis in Iraq and the lack of confidence that threaten national partnership major impact." He said the advisor hani ashour in a statement that " the inability of the government of Iraq to provide genuine national partnership, as had been agreed upon within the framework of the Massoud Barzani (the president of Kurdistan region), will the Arab states to note the lack of confidence in Iraq, which it is not convinced of giving Iraq the Arab action for the period ahead." He added that "the National Partnership in Iraq gave the reverse of what must be after the elections, particularly with regard to the representation of all the people in the government", confirming that " the convening of the summit will not happen because the Iraqi situation your salary has security and political, and the Arab countries to Iraq in its current view of doubt." But Deputy for "coalition of the rule of law," Deputy Yasin majid, declared the day before yesterday that " the new Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf will be at the forefront of the participants in the summit." His confirmation came after his meeting with the Egyptian chargé D'Affaires. It was assumed that the summit would be held at the end of last month, but the Arab League اجلتها for two months, because of the changes in the regulations and acts of violence which have taken place in a number of states http://www.burathanews.com/news_article_121488.html

Us study: Al-Maliki shows tyrannical tendencies 06/04/2011 ad-2: 40 | readers number: 297 ________________________________ You compare us study-the product of popular protests in Egypt and Tunisia to what happened of protest demonstrations in Iraq, described the study published by the Carnegie Institute for International Peace Research, one of the most prominent of policy-making in Washington, D.C. where the Iraqi pluralistic system, but the Iraqi prime minister is trying to deal with authoritarian with the authority. The study pointed out that the nature of the demonstrations in Iraq vary between the centre and south, which was mostly demands, and those that went out in اقلليم Kurdstan in an attempt to pull the inter-Kurdish opposition forces and parties ruling the two presidents, " the National Union led by Jalal طالبني, and democratic of Kurdistan, headed by Massoud Barzani, " The study believes that the most important impact of the protests in Iraq are so far in "shake the ruling coalition," Clarifying " The government was formed in December 2010 after nine months of friction, elections were held March parliament, from the outset, on the basis of a great coalition fragile parties did not meet common ideological programme, the participants, but with beneficial interest. " " She said no Al-Maliki and iyad Allawi, leader of the Iraqi list managed to form a coalition to provide the required majority of the seats in the parliament to the exclusion of his rival. Shiite parties that refused at the outset, Al-Maliki's attempt to stay as prime minister, in particular, the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council, Sadr movement had not been able to come together on an alternative candidate. Therefore, all parties had to work together, but did so without a great deal of enthusiasm and conviction." Confirming that the political regime in Iraq is different from the totalitarian regimes, " she said while Al-Maliki has shown authoritarian tendencies clear and disturbing, but it does not preside over a system of uniform. The ruling coalition is divided, and was therefore weak internally. Moreover, there are separate centers of power at the provincial level. " The study showed " the non-democratic, pluralistic but. As a result, the protests, which would have led to the consequences of a few, if any, in political systems more homogeneous, shook the ruling coalition in Iraq and affected the relationship between the central government and the provinces." This result it Carnegie study as " not necessarily positive for people who want the government to address their problems. Protests were, in fact, the opposite effect: re-igniting political competition-free content on policy, and hence the reluctance by the authorities to deal with the problems of the country " concrete. And concluded saying, " has led to the success of the protest movements in Egypt and Tunisia to topple two presidents does not enjoy widespread popularity, and the changes are still the story of popular protests unfolding in each of Iraq's Kurdistan. It would not be wise to predict the result, but it seems reasonable to conclude that the political conditions in both regions would prevent the occurrence of either scenario Tunisia, Egypt, the Yemen, Libya, Bahrain. In the end, the results will be determined through political dynamics in Iraq Kurdistan." According to the text of the study http://www.burathanews.com/news_article_121385.html

The government restricts official statements Al-Maliki والدباغ Zibari 06/04/2011 ad-5: 55 | readers number: 189 ________________________________ Ali Al-Dabbagh, the government spokesman said on Wednesday, that the government has issued a decision to restrict statements pertaining to the government will be the spokesman of the ministry on behalf of the government and Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, confirming that any statement beyond that is valueless. Al-Dabbagh Said in a press conference held on the sidelines of his meeting with managers of the media in ministries and government institutions that "the government has taken a resolution stating that the policy statements expressing the cabinet authorized by the spokesman of the government statements that represent the opinion of the state authorized by the prime minister and minister for foreign affairs and on behalf of the government," he said. Al-Dabbagh Said " it is not permissible for anyone to say governmental matters, therefore, no statement from here and there is not worth it." http://www.burathanews.com/news_article_121405.html

Arab League: The summit will be held in Baghdad in time Ali Abdullah-06/04/2011 ad-5: 11 | readers number: 99 ________________________________ According to the director of the office of the secretary-general of the Arab League, Wednesday, that the coming Arab summit in the twenty-third session, to be held in Baghdad, as scheduled on May 11 next May, there was no talk of postponement. Hisham Yousef said in press statements have not received any requests so far to postpone summit to be held in Baghdad by any Arab country, and if we have any proposal in this regard will deal with him at the time, therefore, we are on the grounds that the Arab summit will be held on time, which was agreed upon and Iraq and was informed of all the Arab countries, 11/May/مايوالمقبل. Many were the Iraqi deputies from the Iraq has asked to postpone the Arab summit because the situation in Iraq and the rest of the Arab countries are not conducive. He said Ambassador hisham youssef to That " the issue of the appointment of a new secretary-general of the Arab League to succeed Mr. Amr Moussa, who ends his term in office as secretary-general of the league has changed May 15 next May, will be one of the items listed on the agenda of the upcoming Arab summit in Baghdad." Particular The presence of candidates from other Arab countries to occupy this position said that " we have not received so far an official nominations any other countries With the exception of Qatar." In his comment on the fears of the the post of secretary-general of the League of the country of the headquarters, he said, that " the Arab League's charter is not the nationality candidate, historically, Egypt has maintained this position with the exception of the period that had moved to Tunisia, and Egypt presented Eminent persons to occupy this position over the past decades from this point of view, Egypt was interested in maintaining this position but we have to wait and see how things evolve, and based on this matter." http://www.burathanews.com/news_article_121402.html

Abdul al Mahdi calls for economic reform to solve the problem of unemployment On Wednesday, 06-04-2011 11: 19 PM Baghdad-The Citizen Deputy called the president of the Iraqi republic, Adel Abdul Mahdi, to economic reform in all production sectors. The statement quoted Abdul-Mahdi, during his meeting with a group of university students, Workers in the women, saying: "That the problem of unemployment in the country could not be solved completely true only through a comprehensive economic reform of all production sectors, such as agriculture, industry, tourism, and services," he said. He added: " That the phenomenon of unemployment does not resolve the issue of appointments to institutions and government departments, and that it was the only way under the current circumstances, but through the activation of the private sector is capable alone to absorb the largest number of the labour force and the professional and scientific." Abdul-Mahdi said: " That the country could not rely on oil resources to the never-ending, especially as oil production are subject to change depending on the circumstances, as well as are the, which requires the search for other means to diversify sources of income and other productive sectors." He stressed that " unemployment vacuum have negative effects on society, especially among the youth and student groups, stressing the importance of developing programmes to combat negative phenomena such as smoking, drugs, Deviant Behaviour, and activating the role of human and social organizations in this area and support on the part of the government." http://www.almowatennews.com/news_view_18721.html

Central Bank: Iraq will seek help of the International Monetary Fund to End the commercial debt On Wednesday, 06-04-2011 11: 19 PM Baghdad – Citizen The Iraqi central bank adviser said that Iraq will seek help of the International Monetary Fund (IMF to end commercial debt file after the end of the UN on Iraqi funds in June Articles He said the appearance of Muhammad Saleh to (اكانيوز) that " the central bank of Iraq would draw advice and the opinion of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to end the commercial debt file, which is supposed to be resolved by Iraq through a clear plan." He said that " the committee that was formed by Iraq to put a legal study to prevent any threat to its funds, has a mechanism for coordination between them and the International Monetary Fund to prevent any violation of these funds and in conformity with the convention of the Paris Club." The Paris Club is an informal group of financiers, consisting of 19 of the richest countries in the world, the United States of America, Britain, Australia, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, the service to cancel the debts of the debtor and creditor. The International Monetary Fund is to identify the names of those states, after they have alternative solutions had failed, with changing the means to repay the debt. Mohammed indicated that " Iraq will continue to grant debt businesses and businessmen who claim they ask Iraq in accordance with the procedures for international payment." In the sixth of last March, the central bank confirmed that Iraq followed a high-level political in the payment of the economy, as it did not face legal problems, while he declared in 23 of the last February that Iraq paid debts of 3500 commercial creditor with a value of 2.7 billion dollars as a means to protect its foreign, trade companies. It is hoped that the present Iraq to the UN Security Council a detailed report in next May, is discussing the most important pillars of the protection of Iraqi funds. http://www.almowatennews.com/news_view_18720.html

Violence against journalists soars in some Iraqi provinces Wednesday, April 6th 2011 7:19 PM Baghdad, April 6 (AKnews) - The Iraqi Association for Defending journalists rights expressed on Wednesday concerns about the escalation of pressure exerted by the local governments in a number of Iraqi provinces against journalists and media in those provinces. The Head of the association, Ibrahim al-Sarraji told AKnews that " monitoring and evaluation reports prepared by the association's offices in the provinces revealed the expand of restrictions and pressure campaigns exerted against journalists during their reporting of the events especially security, protests, demonstrations and meetings of the councils in a number of provinces." "Journalists in Anbar, Diyala, Dhiqar and Sulaimaniyah provinces have the largest share in campaigns, restrictions and pressure, which is now taking a more organized form in those provinces." Media spokesman for the Association Nathim Ugaili told AKnews that "A number of reporters have been exposed to pursue and arrest operations and threat in some of these provinces," pointing to the arrest of the journalist , Mortatha Al-shahtor in Dhiqar province, for publishing articles that criticizes the policy of local government in the province. " "the Association considers these practices as completely contradict the commitments launched by the federal government and the leadership of Kurdistan over the activation and protection of press freedoms and calls for the Iraqi parliament to take urgent action and effective measures to translate the provisions of the Iraqi constitution on press freedoms that ensures a safe and healthy journalist working in Iraq." Ugaili demanded "The government and the Federal leadership of Kurdistan to pressure the provincial councils, governors and security authorities and urged them to pave the way for journalists to exercise their functions without media pressure or narrow practices and stifle press freedoms." A special security force in Nasiriyah city have arrested a journalist and author Mortatha Al-Shahtor after publishing an article in which he criticized the government policies towards the security file, and he had published it in the media and several other websites more than a month and a half ago. Reported by Flaiyeh al-Jourani SA/GS AKnews http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/3/230085/

Basra allocates 37 billion dinars to compensate people Wednesday, April 6th 2011 9:29 PM Basra, April 6 (AKnews) - Basra governor revealed on Wednesday, that the province office allocated 37 billion Iraqi Dinars in compensation for the ration card items for the past month. Nizar Jabri told AKnews that the province will start giving the amount to Basra citizens next week," noting that "delay in the payment process is due to the preparation of the amount and the mechanism of exchange." A number of Iraqi cities is experiencing popular demonstrations since 25 of the last month in protest against the deterioration of services , the growing phenomenon of youth unemployment and the spread of administrative and financial corruption in state institutions as well as the lack of the ration card items. "The distribution mechanism will be by the agents directly in order to avoid congestion that may take place in the banks." It is noteworthy that the, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had ordered after 25 of last March demonstrations to pay 15 thousand Dinars for every citizen to compensate the ration card items in all governorates of Iraq. Reported by Noor al-Tamimi SA/GS AKnews http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/3/230120/

Paul Bremer should be tried for Fallujah incidents that killed thousands, says MP Wednesday, April 6th 2011 4:02 PM Baghdad, April 6 (AKnews) - A Kurdish member of the Iraqi parliament says US civil governor in Iraq Paul Bremer is responsible for massacres in Fallujah city which was heavily bombarded by the US forces killing thousands of people. The Kurdish MP's statement comes as lawmakers called on the supreme criminal court for considering the 2005 Fallujah events as "genocide" after the court ruled a 1988 chemical attack on a Kurdish city, Halabja, genocide. In gas attack on Halabja, more than 5,000 civilians were killed and double injured. Some of the lawmaker said earlier this week that Ayad Allawi, a former interim Prime Minister should be put on trial for the mass killings in Fallaujah because he was the head of the Governing Council that ruled Iraq then. The U.S. forces launched in 2005 an attack on Fallujah after Blckwater security team was ambushed and killed by insurgents. The US forces launched a military operation which was described as the deadliest and heaviest battle in the Iraq war. Some 6,000 civilians are believed to be killed in the operation also extensive damage to the a quarter of the buildings of the city. "At that time, Ayad Allawi was not responsible for the security situation (in Iraq)," said Mahmoud Osman, a Kurdish MP in the Kurdish Blocs Coalition (KBC) Wednesday. "But it was Paul Bremer who was the civil governor. And when Fallujah was attacked, he (Bremer) did not consult the Governing Council," said Osman, "So, Allawi was not responsible or the security" The Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) was the provisional government of Iraq from July 13, 2003 to June 1, 2004. It consisted of various Iraqi political, religious, and tribal leaders to provide advice and leadership of the country until the June 2004 transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government led by Ayad Allawi. Osman called for "trial of Bremer for the Fallujah and other incidents rather than sticking the issue to Allawi." An MP, Aliyah Nusaif of the White Iraqiya list - a splinter from Allawi Iraqiya list - said the calls for putting Allawi on trial for Fallujah was politically motivated. "The strange thing is that Allawi's allies raised the issue and not the National Coalition (Allawi rivals)," she said, "Allawi was unable to take decisions at that time and many massacres were committed by the occupation forces that need to be disclosed because they killed people and disseminated corruption," Reported by Kazem Atwan, edited by Raber Y. Aziz RN/AKnews http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/230019/

Iraqi MP: Americans deliberately delayed arming Iraqi forces Wednesday, April 6th 2011 7:47 PM Baghdad, April 6 (AKnews) – An MP from AL-Iraqiya While Bloc stressed on Wednesday that the Americans deliberately delayed arming the Iraqi forces and have been slow in training those forces to remain in need for them. Aliya Nassif told AKnews that U.S. forces have not implemented most of the contracts concluded with the Iraqi government regarding arming and training the Iraqi security forces. "The American side was slow in training the Iraqi security forces, especially in counter-terrorism and insurgencies area by critics of the political process," she said. "Americans played a main role in a lot of contracts concluded with the Iraqi government and as they insisted that these contracts would be assigned with American companies specifically." "Moral and political responsibility impose on the Americans the commitment to implement all agreements with Iraq," indicating that "the security forces became on a high degree of efficiency and ability that can control the security situation after the departure of the American occupation from the country." "There will be no extension of U.S. troops to stay in Iraq and this will not be done without the consent of the Iraqi parliament, in which most of the blocs agree on not approving any extension under any circumstances." Iraq and Washington signed an agreement on the end of 2008 over the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq to withdraw completely from Iraq by end of 2011, as a number of MPs expressed fears that the U.S. troops remain might extend in Iraq despite the insistence of the Iraqi government on its commitment to implement the agreement. The U.S. Vice President, Joseph Biden, has hinted to the possibility of the survival of U.S. forces in Iraq for a longer period in spite of his emphasis on his country's commitment to the security agreement, when he arrived Iraq on 13 of last January. Reported by Kathem Atwan SA/GS AKnews http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/230093/

Iraqi commission is paralyzed for political intervention Wednesday, April 6th 2011 9:43 PM Erbil, April 6 (AKnews) - A deputy from Kurdistan Blocs coalition (KBC)said on Wednesday that the names of candidates to fill the security ministries in the country which are considered the integrity, accountability and justice boards may reach an agreement, stressing that the work of the boards is subjected to the political blocs interventions. Shawan Mohammed Taha told Furat TV channel that" the problem of the delay in resolving the candidates of the security ministries lies that the concerned blocs offer specific names and withdraw them surprisingly a few days after, so we prefer to submit acceptable and compatible names among all the political blocs. " He noted that "the names of candidates to fill the security ministries in the country considered by the integrity, accountability and justice boards may reach an agreement about it, as the work of boards is subjected to interventions of the political blocs." "The problem is mainly between AL-Iraqiya and the State of law coalitions, and if the problems were solved between them, there will be no problems." "KBC does not have a reservation to any candidate from any bloc, only what it has announced if they were linked to Anfal and Halabja crimes, while the rest of the things certainly will be subjected to discussion." Reported by Safah Khalaf SA/GS AKnews http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/230129/

Kurdish parliament urged for electoral law amendment Wednesday, April 6th 2011 9:46 PM Erbil, April 6 (AKnews) - The head of the Electoral Commission in Iraq, expressed his hope that Kurdistan parliament would vote in the proposed amendments to the Local Elections Law in the province which is a subject of dispute between the blocs in order to hold elections as scheduled on the tenth of next month. Faraj al-Haidari, told Furat TV channel that "the delays subject in amending the election law in Kurdistan makes us concerned for fear of not being able to hold elections on time." Expressing hope that "the parliament would approve the amendments during the next two weeks." "The Commission requested an advance cash in order to create the logistic potentials of the local elections in the region, particularly since the remained time is short." Reported by Safah Khalaf SA/GS AKnews http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/230130/

Moon utters concern over situation in Kirkuk Wednesday, April 06, 2011 13:23 GMT Presenting a report at the U.N. Security Council Ban Ki-moon said that his organization is concerned about the situation in Kirkuk and the deployment of five thousand Peshmargas in the past two months. The secretary general called for a review of the distribution of forces between the Peshmarga, Iraqi army and the Americans in the provinces of Kirkuk, Dyala and Nineveh. During the second report presented to Security Council over resolution 1936 U.N. secretary general said Kurdistan Regional Government had only found excuses to send Peshmarga forces to tackle the security threats in the area. “This act,” said Ban Ki-moon, “is a violation of the agreement reached by the security team that was formed in Baghdad to maintain the security of those areas.” http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-62597-Moon-utters-concern-over-situation-in-Kirkuk.html

Maliki Cabinet to “Collapse”, Kurdish MP Wednesday, April 06, 2011 12:30 GMT Kurdish Alliance MP Mahmoud Othman told Alsumaria news that he expects Maliki Cabinet to “collapse” because of the political blocs conflicts and because it called the same to question their leaders about the latest security incidents and added that forming a political majority Cabinet is the best solution currently. Othman added that there are a lot of conflicts between the political blocs and each bloc wants to win more advantages than the other. The Iraqi political scene is getting more complicated than ever, Othman uttered. http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-62594-Maliki-Cabinet-to-%E2%80%9CCollapse%E2%80%9D%2C-Kurdish-MP.html

Ministry binds foreign companies to emply 50% of their work force from Iraq Wednesday, April 6th 2011 12:27 PM Baghdad, April 6 (AKnews) - The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs said Tuesday that it will force the foreign companies operating in Iraq to employ 50% of their work force from the local working hands in a bid to reduce a plaguing unemployment in the country. Official figures indicate that Iraq is plagued by more than 25% unemployment with unofficial statistics indicating 40% unemployment. The figure is lower in the Kurdish region of Iraq - 14%. "The ministry has decided to force foreign companies operating in Iraq to hire 50 percent of their total employees from the Iraqi work force" said Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Nassar al-Ruabie. The number of the jobless in Iraq is up to 990,000, he said. He also highlighted a draft law submitted to the Council of Ministers which provides for soft loans to people to encourage small businesses with a capital of IQD150 billion (about US$12.5) Reported by Yazn al-Shemmari RN/RY/AKnews http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/2/229944/

Sometimes the rich see threads like this and just smile, shake their heads, and fly in a corporate jet to a nice island. Wait a minute.... If there is no need for a corporation when money is involved... why is it a corporate jet and not a personal jet? That's weird.

Google launches Kurdish language service for first time ever Thursday, March 31st 2011 9:22 PM Erbil, March 31 (AKnews) – Kurds can now enjoy the utility of googling the internet after the giant search engine launched its first ever search services in Kurdish language. Google’s Kurdish language service launch is part of a coordination agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Information technology department and the search engine company. The KRG IT Department is tasked with developing the IT and relevant issues in Kurdistan. Google’s decision to add Kurdish languages search services has been the “result of last year’s KRG Information technology department visit,” said a statement issued by the IT department Thursday. More services are to follow in Kurdish language in the coming period, according to the statement. Users can visit www.google.iq and then click on Kurdish. RY/GS AKnews http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/1/228742/

Iraqi parliament discusses oil law soon Thursday, March 31st 2011 9:18 PM Baghdad, March 31 (AKnews) - The Iraqi parliament began on Thursday its 48 session headed by Osama al-Nujaifi and his two deputies Aref Tayfur and Qusay al-Suhail in the presence of 240 MPs, and the agenda includes the first reading of the Iraqi National Oil Company draft law submitted by the Oil and Energy commission. Bahaa Jamal al-Dien, the member of the Oil and Energy parliamentary committee told AKnews that the law will provide an appropriate environment for energy investment in Iraq, including oil, gas and will also encourage the local workers to compete for work according to world contexts in the extraction of oil from fields under the management of the national oil company. The Committee has several laws that will be submitted in stages for the parliament especially oil and gas law postponed by the parliament during the previous session. "The oil and gas law will be returned to the Ministers Council to be reformulated for being written before the licensing rounds. The Oil Minister Abdul Karim al-Luaibi said while he was hosted by the parliamentary committee on Wednesday that many developments have occurred in the past three years." The Iraqi National Oil Company was formed according to Act No. 11 of 1964 and Act no. 97 issued on the same year to regulate the investment of the Iraqi National Oil Company of the areas allocated to them. The center of the Iraqi National Oil Company was integrated with the center of the Oil Ministry according to the decision of the disbanded Revolutionary Command Council number 267 on April 26 - 1987, and this decision was considered as a cancelation for the company. A number of experts concerned in oil studies believe that Iraq lacks clear political policy which was a reason in delaying the development of its oil wealth. The Ministry of Oil announced in September last year that the Iraq’s proven reserves of oil reached 33.463 billion barrels in the northern and southern oil fields, particularly in the fields of Qurna and Zubair. Iraq signed oil contracts with international energy companies at the beginning of this year after two rounds of licenses to develop ten oil fields were tendered. The Oil Ministry announced at the end of last year a five year plan to raise the country’s oil production to 12 million bpd from the 2.7 million bpd currently produced While the Chairman of the Legal Committee MP Khalid Shuani from Kurdistan Blocs Coalition (KBC) told AKnews that "today's meeting will include the first reading of the proposed law of internal rules and the second reading of the draft law of the salaries and allowances of the President of the Republic and his deputies, the Prime Minister and his deputies, ministers, deputy ministers and those at their grades, advisers, general managers and those at their grades, salaries and bonuses paid monthly to the Parliament Speaker and his deputies and MPs submitted by the Legal Committee." "Many amendments were done to the articles of the internal system of the parliament to strengthen its regulatory and legislative role and its relationship with the government and how to address it. The internal system will be legally binding for the parliament as well the government in the paragraphs related to it." The agenda of the parliament includes the second reading of the proposed law of inspectors general submitted by the Parliamentary Integrity Commission. The chairman of the Integrity Parliamentary Commission Bahaa al-Araji said on March 14 that his committee had agreed during a meeting with the inspectors general of a number of ministries to develop a law to regulate their work. Reported by Fulaih al-Jawari RN\GS AKnews http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/2/228739

Protesters turn on politicians who joined them in anti-govt Iraqi demonstration Published on March 31, 2011 SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq - Officials say an Iraqi Kurdish lawmaker was briefly hospitalized after being hit in the head by rocks thrown by a group of protesters. About 500 demonstrators were marching to demand investigations into fatal shootings by security forces at a series of protests demanding reform. The protesters turned on politicians from the Goran, or Change, party who participated in the march in the northeast Iraqi town of Kalar Lawmakers said Kurdish parliamentarian Narmen Abdullah was treated for cuts and bruises and released from a local hospital Thursday. At least nine protesters have been killed in anti-government demonstrations in Iraq's semiautonomous Kurdish region since Feb. 17. http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Canada---World/Society/2011-03-31/article-2385031/Protesters-turn-on-politicians-who-joined-them-in-anti-govt-Iraqi-demonstration/1

A big fire broke out in free channel offices in central Baghdad 31/03/2011 ad-6: 24 | readers number: 97 ________________________________ A source in Iraqi police reported, that " a big fire broke out in the offices of Al-Hurra channel in the ` Ishtar Sheraton Hotel in al-karadah region in central Baghdad." He added the source, who requested his name not to be revealed, that "civil defence teams rushed to the scene to put out the fire, what has been out all those working in the offices of the channel," he said. http://www.burathanews.com/news_article_120881.html

The House of Representatives, meeting the 48 next Saturday 31/03/2011 ad-6: 35 | readers number: 28 ________________________________ The presidency of the council raised the Iraqi house of representatives, Thursday, its regular Forty-eighth, next Saturday, while a parliamentary source said that the meeting witnessed the completion of the second reading of the draft legislation to cut the salaries of three Presidencies and without discussion because of a heated argument between the deputy of a coalition of the rule of law and the parliament speaker. A parliamentary source said in an interview to "Sumerian News", that "speaker of the House of Representatives of the Osama Al-Najafi normal to adjourn the meeting, which was held 48, today, in the presence of 240 to this Saturday", pointing out that " the session witnessed the completion of the second reading of a bill to salaries and allowances of the president of the republic and his deputies, the president of the deputy prime minister, ministers and ministries who are بدرجتهم, and receive their salaries and advisers and Special grade and two years and who are بدرجتهم, and receive their salaries monthly emoluments of the parliament speaker and his two deputies and members of the House of Representatives without discussion." He said the source, who asked not to be a state of anonymity, that "the council did not discuss the draft law because of a dispute between the president of the parliament deputy is a coalition of the rule of law," al-fatlawi, which prompted the speaker of parliament to the adjournment of the debate, "he said, adding that" the council will continue to discuss the draft law at a future session, after receiving a joint report of financial and legal committees on the project." The source added that "the session to vote on the introduction of the formation of an interim committee to eliminate the consequences of the war on the basis of a proposal by Deputy Abdel-Salam Al-Maliki to deal with the effects of depleted uranium, mine in Basra," he said, adding that " the council ended during the meeting, the first reading of a bill the Iraqi National Oil Company, the purpose of which is to ensure the exploration, development and production of oil and gas fields and allocated to it under the law." He clarified that "the council ended the second reading in today's session a proposal for the public the inspectors," he said, adding that "the House of Representatives", after which their interventions and suggestions, which focused on the importance of amendments on the bill, " he said. , A parliamentary source said in a previous interview to "Sumerian News", today, that a heated argument took place between speaker of the House of Representatives of the Osama Al-Najafi, deputy of the rule of law, hanan Al Fatlawi, has caused the postponement of the second reading of the draft legislation to cut the salaries of three presidencies, while MP said the Kurdish coalition, has Shabaan in an interview to " the Sumerian News, said that a number of the House of Representatives are trying to block the draft legislation to cut the salaries of presidencies. http://www.burathanews.com/news_article_120888.html

Assyrians to celebrate their traditional New Year PUKmedia 2011-03-31 18:08:16 The Assyrian community in Kurdistan region is expected to celebrate New Year on April 1 in a festival known as Akitu. Wearing their traditional costume and dance in the streets, the Assyrian celebrators will hold parades and parties. Director of Christian affairs in KRG ministry for religious affairs, Khalid Jamal, congratulated the Assyrians on their traditional new year, wishing it brings peace and more stability and coexistence in Kurdistan region. http://www.pukmedia.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7252:assyrians-to-celebrate-their-traditional-new-year-&catid=29:kurdistan-region&Itemid=385

Kalar… protest turns violent, wounding 5 PUKmedia 2011-03-31 17:36:27 The demonstration in Kalar town turned violent Thursday, resulting in some injuries with thrown stones and knives. Five protesters were rushed to hospital for treatment including Kurdish lawmaker from opposition Gorran Abdulla Mala Nuri and bodyguard of another Iraqi Kurdish lawmaker from the same bloc Sardar Abdulla, a source in Kalar hospital told PUKmedia. The clashes broke out among the demonstrators as they split over giving address and ways to maintain the protest. http://www.pukmedia.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7251:kalar-protest-turns-violent-wounding-5-&catid=29:kurdistan-region&Itemid=385

Shawes, presiding over the meeting of the ministerial committee relating to the status of mechanisms to protect Iraqi funds abroad 2011-03-31 05:55:20 ________________________________ Baghdad (IBA). Presided over by Deputy Prime Minister روﮋ Nuri Shawes الاربعاءاجتماع اللجنةالوزراية RELATing to the status of mechanisms to ensure the protection of Iraqi funds abroad. الاجتماعوزراء Attended the financial, oil, and justice, and Planning Agency, the governor of the central bank, and the prime minister's advisor, legal adviser of deputy prime minister. The committee examined the contents of the report of the fourth Iraq to be submitted to the UN Security Council before next May. This meeting comes within a series of الاجتماعاتعقدتها of the committee, in order to take the necessary measures to close this sensitive issue to ensure adequate protection of Iraqi funds and take all measures and precautions before lifting the international immunity for these funds. (END) http://www.ipairaq.com/index.php?name=inner&t=economy&id=36977