eoh1965

Sorry about that!

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Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Wikisource has original text related to this article: Charter of the United Nations#Chapter VI - Pacific Settlement of Disputes Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter deals with peaceful settlement of disputes. It requires countries with disputes that could lead to war to first of all try to seek solutions through peaceful methods such as "negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice." If these methods of alternative dispute resolution fail, then they must refer it to the UN Security Council. Under Article 35, any country is allowed to bring a dispute to the attention of the UN Security Council or the General Assembly. This chapter authorizes the Security Council to issue recommendations but does not give it power to make binding resolutions; those provisions are contained Chapter VII.[1][2][3] Chapter VI is analogous to Articles 13-15 of the Covenant of the League of Nations which provide for arbitration and for submission of matters to the Council that are not submitted to arbitration. United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 are two examples of Chapter VI resolutions which remain unimplemented

IMF Mission Concludes Article IV Discussions with Iraq Press Release No. 13/87 March 21, 2013 An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Mr. Carlo Sdralevich, met with an official Iraqi delegation headed by the Acting Minister of Finance, Dr. Ali Al Shukri, in Amman, Jordan, during March 2-12, 2013 to conduct the Article IV Consultation discussion. The IMF mission met with the Acting Minister of Finance, the Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), head of the Board of Supreme Audit, AbdulBasit Al Turki Said, and other Iraqi officials from the ministries of finance, planning, and oil, and representatives from the Central Bank and the Board of Supreme Audit. The team also met with representatives from the Iraqi banking and business community. At the conclusion of the mission, Mr. Sdralevich made the following statement: “Following the recent expiration of the Stand-By Arrangement with Iraq approved in 2010, the IMF is committed to continue close collaboration with Iraq to support its development and help the government improve the social conditions and employment opportunities of Iraqi citizens. “Despite a difficult security and political environment, Iraq managed to maintain macroeconomic stability over the past two years. On the back of rising oil production and robust non-oil activity, economic growth has remained strong at about 8 percent in 2012. We expect activity to accelerate further to 9 percent in 2013, as oil production increases from just under 3 million barrels per day (mbpd) in 2012 to 3.3 mbpd in 2013. In 2012, inflation was contained at 6 percent, and we project it to decline slightly next year. On account of strong oil proceeds, CBI reserves reached US$70 billion at the end of 2012, while the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) rose to US$18 billion. “While we welcome the achievement of a budget surplus of about 4 percent of GDP in 2012, largely due higher-than expected oil revenues, the execution of the 2013 budget should be aligned with available financing and provide for the accumulation of adequate fiscal buffers in the DFI, which suggests to target a budget surplus in 2013. Public financial management should be strengthened, notably by phasing out off-budgetary spending practices and reliance on state-owned bank financing to support public enterprises. Approval of additional spending commitments during the fiscal year should also be avoided. “Financial sector policies are improving, but more remains to be done. The CBI’s ongoing efforts to refine monetary policy instruments, strengthen banking supervision, and accelerate the restructuring of the banking system are crucial. In this respect, the recent steps to clean up the balance sheets of Rasheed and Rafidain in preparation for their restructuring and recapitalization are key. The CBI should also take measures to gradually liberalize the provision of foreign exchange through its auctions, with the objective of avoiding in future the turbulence experienced by the market in the past year. “Iraq will need to address serious medium-term challenges in order to be able to create the conditions for high and sustainable growth that is necessary to improve the living standards of its people. The economy continues to suffer from severe structural weaknesses such as a small nonoil sector, high unemployment, public sector dominance, and a weak business environment. In this context, we discussed the role of economic policies in leveraging Iraq’s potential and creating an enabling environment. “With regard to the fiscal sector, the budget must be managed carefully to maintain macroeconomic stability, meet Iraq’s large social and investment needs while continuing to accumulate buffers to address oil market volatility, and ensure medium-term fiscal sustainability. At the same time, Iraq needs to strengthen fiscal institutions and public financial management to make sure that the large oil revenues are used effectively and transparently. “Developing a stronger financial sector development will require moving away from the current model in which weak state-owned banks dominate the financial sector and enjoy favorable treatment vis-a-vis private banks. A solid banking system that can support growth and employment will require the full financial and operational restructuring of state-owned banks and creating a level playing field for both private and public banks. “Finally, while oil-growth is projected to remain high over the coming years, boosting non-oil private sector growth will need a long-term government strategy centered on improving the business environment and opening up opportunities for the private sector.” http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2013/pr1387.htm

Iraqi troops shoot into air to scatter protesters By By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press – 1 hour ago BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi soldiers fired into the air Monday in an effort to disperse protesters demonstrating in the north of the country against the Shiite-led government, according to officials. Two security officials in the Mosul operations command center said shots were fired after a small number of protesters in the city tried to climb onto Iraqi army Humvees. They said no one was injured in the shooting. One of the officials said three protesters were injured in a collision with an army vehicle. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information to reporters. Protesters drawn primarily from Iraq's Sunni minority have been rallying for more than two weeks to protest what they see is unfair government treatment of their sect. Separately, the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant activities, said al-Qaida's Iraq arm claimed responsibility for a wave of attacks on New Year's Eve that killed 23 people across Iraq. In its message, the militant group, known as the Islamic State of Iraq, also took note of the protesters who have been rallying in the western province of Anbar and other Sunni-dominated areas. It urged the demonstrators to make their intentions "pure and make it only for Allah," according to the SITE report. The protests have been ongoing for more than two weeks following the arrest of bodyguards assigned to Finance Minister Rafia al-Issawi, one of the central government's most senior Sunni officials. Demonstrators' anger runs deeper than the arrests, tapping into Sunni feelings of discrimination and unfair application of laws against their sect by the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite.

Hate to say but i agree.

They will never RV as long as people are still buying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why would they? I would'nt.

On hold till 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Dinars for Old Posted on 05 July 2011. Tags: iraqi dinar, ISX, Redenomination At the end of last month, a spokesman for the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) told reporters that a plan to redenominate the Iraqi dinar will be presented to the Council of Ministers in the near future. (See here and here.) The Council is then expected to submit the relevant legislation to Parliament for a vote. If the lawmakers approve the project, all existing banknotes will be replaced with new currency at the rate of 1,000 old dinar for one new over some unspecified period of time. Given Parliament’s current backlog, this change can hardly be imminent. Still, you might think they could get around to voting on the CBI’s proposal some time before the end of this year. In that case, the redenomination could presumably be completed by the end of 2012. The process will necessarily involve both the exchange of new banknotes for old and the restatement of contractual obligations in terms of the new currency. Among other things, three zeros will have to be eliminated from the share capital of the ISX listed companies as well as from the number of shares each has outstanding. (This will keep the par value at one dinar.) I’m told this should be a relatively straightforward change for the depository center to make. Trading should not have to be suspended for more than a few days and it may be possible to proceed in phases of a few names at a time so that the entire market does not have to shut down during the transition period. Similarly, it seems reasonable to expect the CBI to exchange new dinars for US dollars at one thousandth the rate for old dinars. In other words, if the original rate were IQD 1170 = US$ 1, post-redenomination this would become IQD 1.170 = US$ 1. All of this seems reasonably straightforward for anyone holding assets such as currency or shares inside the country. For those holding dinar cash outside Iraq, however, things may not be so simple. How and on what terms their old dinars will be convertible into the new currency remains an open question.

Just want to here the facts! - No bull !!!

I AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Iraqis deserve to see dividends of recent democratic gains, UN envoy says 8 April 2011 –Recent political and democratic gains in Iraq will seem hollow to the country’s people unless its leaders produce the benefits that they have promised, the top United Nations envoy to Iraq told the Security Council. Ad Melkert, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), briefed Council members on the latest developments in Iraq, where a national partnership Government was formed in December after nine months of political stalemate. “While Iraq has made remarkable strides in its democratic transition in recent years, which included the adoption of a constitution, credible national elections, a broad national partnership government and an opening environment for media and civil society, the people of Iraq are now demanding the dividends that were promised by their leaders,” he said. Protests have been taking place in Iraq since late February, part of the wider pro-democracy movement that has emerged across the Middle East and North Africa this year. Mr. Melkert said the protesters have legitimate concerns about the lack of job opportunities, the delivery of basic services and the accountability of those in power. “Unless these demands are addressed, the political and democratic gains made thus far may seem hollow to ordinary Iraqis,” he noted, adding that the new Government faces a significant challenge in trying to achieve the demands. Meeting the burgeoning aspirations of young people in Iraq, where almost four-fifths of the population is under the age of 35, and nearly half are under 15, will be critical, the Special Representative said. “Youth constitute over 50 per cent of the total unemployment rate, [or] about one million people. In addition, less than 40 per cent of children are enrolled in school after their primary education, and only 21 per cent are enrolled in the last two years of secondary school. These statistics paint a picture of a young population with few prospects for the future.” UNAMI and UN agencies working in Iraq have developed a list of projects that could be fast-tracked to tackle some of Iraq’s biggest challenges, such as youth employment, access to water and waste management. Mr. Melkert praised the efforts of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to take action on several fronts, including fighting corruption and cutting defence expenditure. But he warned that the country’s stability is still under pressure, with terrorist attacks continuing and sectarian tensions lingering. “While the overall trend of security incidents in recent months suggest a downward slope, still, an average of 25 incidents per day was reported over the last month. “Yet the Government, security forces and society continue their efforts to make decisive progress towards stability and normalization. As US [united States] forces prepare to leave, Iraq should not be forgotten and the international community should stand ready to continue support.” In a Newsmaker interview with the UN News Centre, Mr. Melkert said he saw Iraq pointing in the overall right direction, despite the ongoing security and economic concerns he outlined to the Council. Iraqis “want to retake their lives, to organize them in a way that they deem fit and I think that more and more they’re succeeding in that. There are definitely also parts of the country that are relatively safe and normal life has returned.” Speaking to the Council, he said he had observed “the start of removing endless lines of concrete T-walls over the past months… Increasingly, the prospect for Baghdadis and residents in other parts of the country to regain the space and beauty of their cities seems no longer a dream of the past.”

(CNN) -- The war-torn nation of Iraq is not "immune" to the "wave of civil unrest" sweeping the Arab world, and if it doesn't respond swiftly to grass-roots grievances, the battered country's political and security gains could be threatened, according to a report from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Citing recent street demonstrations and violence, Ban says there's an "urgent need to address the poor state of public services, high unemployment and the perceived failure to tackle corruption." The report is an update on the activities of the United Nations in Iraq, and covers a range of developments -- political factors, regional and international events, and operational and security issues. The last such review was issued in November, and the present report covers the period from November 26 to March 31. The report notes that several locations in Iraq endured protest in February, with people raising issues over "the provision of basic services, the lack of employment opportunities and corruption of officials." Demonstrations were in Basra, Kut, Baghdad, Mosul, Karbala, Diwaniya, Anbar, Irbil, and Sulaimaniya. About 20 people were killed and more than 100 people were injured in the unrest, the report said. Governors of three provinces resigned after "strong protests" in their provinces, and "Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki issued a statement requiring that government ministries take urgent steps over a period of 100 days to improve living conditions and access to essential services." "Unless there is quick and concerted action by the Government of Iraq to address these concerns, the political and security gains that Iraq has made in recent years could be undermined," Ban said. The secretary-general welcomed al-Maliki's directive to the ministries. Ban expressed concern over how security forces have handled some of the protests, citing "consequent" deaths and reports of "arbitrary arrests," jailings, torture, and mistreatment of journalists. "I call on the Government of Iraq to conduct an independent investigation into these alleged violations and to ensure a measured approached in dealing with future protests by exercising maximum restraint and avoiding violence," he said. The report comes as U.S. forces in Iraq plan to withdraw all of their troops by the end of the year. At present, there are about 47,000 American troops there, according to the Brookings Institution's Iraq Index. It says that while Iraq has achieved progress on the political front, the overall security situation "remains tenuous." "The security situation in Iraq continues to affect the civilian population, who face ongoing acts of violence perpetrated by armed opposition groups and criminal gangs," the secretary-general said. "In particular, armed groups continue to employ tactics that deliberately target crowded public areas and kill and maim civilians indiscriminately. While some attacks appear to be sectarian in nature, frequently targeting religious gatherings or residential areas, others seem random, aimed at creating fear and terror in the population at large and casting doubt over the ability of the Government and Iraqi security forces to stem the violence." The report said mass graves continue to be found, and they contain the victims of the Saddam Hussein regime and those killed during the conflict after 2003. It says all Iraqis have endured violence, including attacks against Shiite pilgrims and the targeting of Christians. It said there are reports of "torture and maltreatment of detainees," and raised concern about the numbers of boys and girls in prison and pretrial detention. The report said the United Nations is operating "in a volatile security environment" with "persistent and unpredictable changes." However, he noted improvements in the performance of the Iraqi security forces. "There were over 3,000 security incidents during the reporting period, which resulted in at least 950 civilian deaths. The increase in operational capacity and security operations of the Iraqi security forces has, however, contributed towards a reduction in overall attacks involving improvised explosive devices, as well as significant interdiction of supply routes and materials for those devices," the report said. The United Nations said it's "expanding its security capacity" ahead of the drawdown of U.S. troops by the end of the year." "Given that insurgents still demonstrate capacity to stage complex attacks in Iraq, a trend that is likely to continue in the near future, the United Nations will need to continue to remain vigilant in ensuring the safety and security of its personnel," the report said. The report cited the formation of a new government in December, a "development that should enable Iraqi leaders to begin to tackle the major political, social and economic challenges." It took months of political jockeying to create a new government after an election in March 2010. Ban called the transition from one elected government to another a "historic accomplishment" that ended "months of political uncertainty." But he said key security posts need to be filled. "This development should enable Iraqi leaders to begin to tackle the major political, social and economic challenges," the report said.

Thank you, I could'nt load the link.

Bad news for the central bank Posted on 31 January 2011. Tags: Banking & Finance, CBI, Corruption Last week the federal supreme court ruled in favor of the government’s request to have the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), along with the Independent High Electoral Commission, the Integrity Commission, and the High Commission for Human Rights, put under the supervision of the cabinet. This is bad news for the central bank. Up to now, the CBI has been under the supervision of the parliament, as stipulated by the constitution. There is a good reason for this. Under the parliament, the central bank is not answerable to any single politician. Under the cabinet, it could potentially be directly controlled by one man. A dangerous opportunity has been created for the governmnet to increase the money supply arbitrarily. Saddam Hussein tried this during the 1990s. The result was hyperinflation. Iraq’s US$ 50 billion in forex reserves are also at risk. There will be a big temptation to use these for local patronage projects with foreign currency-denominated expenses. If this happens, the CBI could be saddled with significant losses. It could even end up having to be recapitalized. The court’s ruling is great news for anyone who might some day be in a position to “wet his beak” at the CBI’s expense. Bad news for everyone else.