blueskies

I read this early this morning and think that the articles about the budget deal came later. So I am hoping they are more accurate

I thought that there was a lot of good background detail in this article (warning, long read but you'll likely learn a lot)-- By Bushra Al Mudhafar for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. It seems that a prospective national meeting of political parties in Erbil, the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, is imminent. But questions remain as to whether such a meeting can solve Iraq’s increasingly complicated problems. There are reports of US pressure and Iranian and Arab support for a second meeting among Iraqi factions under the auspices of Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani. Erbil hosted a similar meeting in 2010 with some success: it resulted in what is known as the “Erbil Agreement” that led to the formation of a national unity government, headed by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. According to Kurdish leaders in Iraq, Barzani is expected to send formal invitations within two weeks to leaders of Iraqi political parties for a comprehensive national conference in Erbil. The conference would discuss the repercussions of the anti-government protests taking place across Iraqi cities, which have increased sectarian tensions across the country. The announcement of Barzani’s national-meeting initiative was preceded by the visit of a delegation from the National Iraqi Alliance — which includes the main Shiite parties — to the Kurdistan region, where they met with Kurdish leaders. Sources revealed that the Shiite delegation proposed an initiative that included comprehensive reforms. The visit coincided with another meeting held by Barzani among Ayad Allawi, leader of the Iraqi List, which is supported by the Iraqi Sunnis; Ahmed Chalabi, president of the Iraqi National Congress; and a representative of the “Sadrist current” led by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The parties discussed the crisis and its repercussions. The prospective “national meeting” would theoretically require concessions by opposing parties to solve the crisis. But it appears that each party is trying to improve its position in advance of sitting down at the negotiating table. The Kurds, represented by the Kurdish Alliance, stipulated that the prospective conference must incorporate guarantees that conference decisions would be implemented. The goal is to prevent a repeat of what happened in Erbil in 2010; from the Kurdish Alliance’s perspective, the Iraqi prime minister failed to implement most of the elements of the decisions that were issued. According to the Kurds, commitment to agreements made at the conference will be the benchmark for success. Opposition political parties have accused the prime minister of evading the implementation of agreements, particularly with regard to national partnership. The Erbil Agreement agreed on establishing a “strategic policies council” and national balance at state institutions; developing rules of procedure for the Council of Ministers; enacting laws pertaining to oil and gas, the Supreme Federal Court and the General Amnesty Law; assigning the position of minister of defense to the Iraqi List; solving the problems of detainees; participating in the management of the state in a way that would preserve all components and factions of the Iraqi people; and other issues that would help to rectify the political process. The Sunnis, represented by the Iraqi List, will attend the prospective meeting carrying perhaps the most influential card: the anti-government protests being held in the major Sunni cities — Anbar, Mosul, Salahuddin and Diyala — which have resisted attempts to disperse them or to respond partially to their demands, particularly those related to the detainees and de-Baathification measures. The Sunni demonstrations draw their strength from the fact that they threaten to undermine social peace in the country, which is greatly feared by the Shiite-led government. Sadr’s support of protesters’ demands in Sunni governorates has earned him some approval and legitimacy among Sunnis. This might allow Sadr’s bloc to attend the prospective meeting from a position of strength, which he has acquired from his approval by both parties, in addition to a privileged relationship with the Kurdistan region following his visit there last year to participate in meetings demanding the prime minister’s dismissal. In the midst of these movements, Maliki remains stuck in a fierce battle with his opponents. He wants to ensure the continuity of the power and influence he has built since becoming prime minister. In an attempt to strip Maliki of one of his main strengths, the Justice and Accountability Commission — which is responsible for excluding former Baathists from government positions, and was formed in May 2012 with seven members who make consensual de-Baathification decisions, but is actually dominated by five members affiliated with the anti-government blocs — made the bold decision to remove Chief Justice Midhat al-Mahmoud. The commission attributed its decision on Mahmoud to the belief that he is an “agent of the former regime.” Maliki’s opponents denied that the decision was politically motivated. According to Mohammed Kayani, member of parliament for the Movement for Change, excluding Mahmoud from the Supreme Federal Court is a step in the right direction to make the court neutral and apolitical. Kayani added that “what is known about Mahmoud in recent years is that he has been the godfather of the return of dictatorship to Iraq through this court.” Regarding Mahmoud’s role in supporting Maliki’s influence, Kayani said: “Mahmoud freezes the laws passed by parliament which do not appeal to the executive authority, and disables the role of parliament through the [judicial] institution, which has become a machine for reinstalling dictatorship rather than democracy in Iraq.” The prime minister responded by sacking the head of the Justice and Accountability Commission, Falah Shanshal, who belongs to the Sadrist movement. Maliki assigned Bassem Sharif al-Badri as chairman in his place. The commission, which is elected by parliament, claimed the decision was unconstitutional, as the appointment and dismissal of its chairman is the exclusive prerogative of parliament. However, Maliki’s media adviser, Ali al-Moussawi, said that the decision to dismiss Shanshal was taken because the latter was not elected by parliament, as required by law. He said that because Shanshal was appointed, not elected, the prime minister can dismiss him. The announcement on Feb. 19 that the Discriminatory Authority of the Justice and Accountability Commission vetoed the decision to exclude Mahmoud from government may not end the battle between Maliki and his opponents — the Kurds, the Iraqi List and the Sadrists. But it certainly demonstrates some of Maliki’s aspirations in advance the upcoming meeting in Erbil. The announcement of a prospective conference in Erbil to resolve the crisis, just a month before the provincial elections and less than a year before the parliamentary elections, raises questions about how useful temporary compromises are in an atmosphere with almost no attention to reform or comprehensive state-building. According to public opinion, Iraq needs comprehensive consensus over reforms on all disputed national issues, including the constitution if required. Meanwhile, there are mounting fears that temporary agreements will fail. The success or failure of the prospective Erbil meeting depends on whether it can shift the political mood in Iraq from discussions of partial solutions toward solving the major differences that regularly arise. Those include the form of government, the powers of authorities, the boundaries of a federal system, the distribution of wealth, judicial, military, and security reforms, systematic solutions to corruption, and foreign-relations reform. Bushra Al Mudhafar is a writer and journalist from Baghdad working in both Iraqi and Arab media.

There is a reference at NINA today to an article stating that a budget compromise has been reached and Parliament is prepared to vote on the budget on Monday. I know, I know-- we'll believe it when we see it but I wanted to pass the info along. Here is the title of the article (dated today): After reaching "compromise solutions " Parliament will vote on budget tomorrow. I don't have a subscription to NINA so couldn't pull up the actual article itself. If someone else can do that and paste it in the thread that would be great

Maliki: asked parliament to officially distribute the budget to the provinces according to the number of inhabitants to manage their projects himself  Basra / range Press Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, on Saturday, he made a formal letter to the House of Representatives for the distribution of the budget according to the ratio of the population of the provinces giving it powers the planning and implementation of local projects, and that the demand will determine the ministries implementing projects federal push the limits of the same governorate, demanding the provinces regardless allocations on housing and health sectors and create jobs. Maliki said in his opening address to the first conference of the Governors of the center and south, which was launched yesterday at the Sheraton Hotel in Basra and attended (range Press) "presented an official letter from the Council of Ministers to Parliament that the current budget should be distributed to the provinces according to the percentages of population and be conservative is responsible for setting estimates and schedules for projects. " He made it clear that this approach "good and can only be approved until we get rid of the issue expenses of ministries and projects of ministries and problems that arise here and there and distributed projects fairly," and that according to the "will of federal ministries projects of a federal nature that transcend provincial boundaries, and the process of sustaining projects by their own hands. " Maliki addressed the governors and council chairmen central and southern governorates, saying "the new projects you Stdonha on the basis of the budget to be allocated to the province and this requires you to effort and thinking and the use of experts and engineers to take over the process of achievement." Maliki also criticized the provincial councils because of "the inability to spend their budgets," he explained, saying, "I regret to say that the demonstrators are demanding services but do not demand their local drainage because some provinces do not spend more than 20 percent of their budgets," stressing that "the officials of those provinces not deserve to remain in office because of unpaid balances disabled and a waste of the people's interests. " Maliki has demanded the provinces to "concern for the poor where we live and the health and pursuant," and saying "these are the article that asks us about history should not stay in Iraq a poor suffering from his poverty and tackling poverty are not available only when appoint people and Cnama through projects that we undertake." Maliki promised that "these areas (central and south) forbids injustice and a view of the previous regime," and addressed those areas by saying officials "and I hope that it will be among the claims submitted by your governments local after it became Rushd and the experience and expertise." The Prime Minister called the central and southern governorates to "openness," he explained by saying that "in Basra pioneering experience in the rest of the provinces wish to expand and a great help to us. From www.almadpaper.net

BAGHDAD / Oruz Finance Committee revealed the formation of a parliamentary committee with the Minister of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan region. A member of the Finance Committee and MP for the Liberal bloc Magda Tamimi said in a statement summarized by (UR) that "Iraqi parliament speaker ordered the creation of a parliamentary committee by the heads of political blocs and the Finance Committee and the Minister of Natural Resources in the region to resolve the dispute over the oil companies operating in the region." And parliamentary source disclosed that "Najafi start a new evening meeting with heads of political blocs after failing morning meeting to discuss the budget and voting on them." For his part, accused the Alliance MP Kurdistan Mahma Khalil in a statement singled out (UR) "the Iraqi government not to pay dues of the oil companies and the confiscation of the rights of these companies," he said, adding that "the Kurdistan Alliance has fear a failure to approve the budget of companies operating within the region." From www.uragency.net

We are all entitled to our beliefs and opinions. No worries, dog.

I believe SteveI and find him to be well-intended.

02/23/2013 From DR- Stevel Update - Post From don't promote other sites Hello Members, This is a hard post to write, but you know me by now, I tell it like it is and not make up some sort of fabricated guess as to what is going on. Our sources are in the know and very close to the truth and facts. As you are well aware by now the vote did not take place again. At the last minute there were more disputes and differences that neither party could set aside and move on. You will be reading about then in the next day or two. I can give you one hint, they refuse to give the budget back to Maliki to disperse at his will. You will read news from the media that they will vote again on Monday, which at best would be a 5% chance. I have read so many false articles from various recaps and groups that lead you all to believe you will cash in first of the week, but that is just not true. ... Read More Link On Right Until they get past their differences it simply will not happen for at least a minimum of probably two weeks. I just do not see it this week. My guess is that they will hold more meetings and hash this out, in the mean time the country will lose 27 Million dollars per day and the citizens will continue to suffer. It is very apparent that the leaders of this country do not care about the citizens, but do care more about themselves. I am just as disappointed as you all are because I spent every waking hour trying to rush the new SMS Text Notification input done so I could share the good news that part of this hurdle was accomplished. Oh well, at least it was done and ready. I am going to plead to all of our wonderful members and mods and ask a huge favor, please get back to your daily lives and do not focus your every waking minute on this investment or this site. This site is totally free and we do not rely on traffic to exist like the other do. I probably do not need to reassure you again, but it will in due time be the best investment of your life. It is coming, and it will come as soon as the Iraqi leaders unite as one for the good of their citizens. So until then, this is not about us, and you all know that, but about building a better life for the citizens of Iraq and their futures. Our sources, all of them, are extremely upset over the continued delays, so with their pressure and pressure from the outside world, maybe they can escalate this and resolve these issues and take this country to the next level of becoming an economic giant. From what I have read and what we have been told, most all laws that need to do this has been approved and implemented. So the next step is activation of the new value from the 2013 budget and we are on our way. Again, I am very sorry and it breaks my heart to have to share this with you, but I feel it necessary to do so. I refuse to lead you to believing anything false and causing you all emotional distress over and above what you are already going thru. I have heard and read that many members are at the very end of your financial ropes and if things do not improve they will get nothing but worse. My wife and I will continue to pray for you and your families. I wish there was more I can do, but perhaps sticking with us and sharing your thoughts will help. I do not have the correct answer to that one, but can assure you that this entire forum, its members, mods and staff will continue to pray for those in need. For the most part this community has some of the most caring members ever, so maybe sticking around and sharing will be positive and encouraging. As a personal promise, I will continue to keep you updated as often as I can and share only the facts as we get them. Maybe if it helps, I can join chat every day and share with you what I know and am hearing. Will that help? I will listen and respond to all replies as long as they are respectful. All I can say is that I love you all and you will remain in my prayers. God Bless each and every one of you. Steve *** buckeye dude, on 23 Feb 2013 - 14:13, said: Thanks for the update Steve, Actually I see it as good news and reafirms the new rate is in the budget. In the past they bickered back and forth but not to this extent, that tells me this budget is of most importance. Buckeye steveI: Thank you for sharing. Yes it is pretty telling and I agree, before the just went on and on, but now. I will absolutely guarantee you the new rate is in the budget and it is within a few pennies of what I shared in the past. Absolutely, positively, 100% sure. This is probably the only reason I have given this my all and will hang in there until the end as I know what the end is. Blessings, Steve ... Read More Link On Right PM MARINE1 SAID: Steve....here are a few excerpts from a conversation that my partner had with his OCC/Treasury friend last night. OCC-Office of the Comptroller of the Currency -(They are the ones that drafted the FINCEN Form 104 for the Currency Transaction Report. That alone just elevated my excitement. How much better can this get? Blessings, Steve) From an email from him to me. This is the same Treasury guy that advised us that on Jan 18th.US .treasury analysts pegged the value of the Dinar at $3.41Here are his comments: My friend reminds me that their is greater integrity to lie so successfully that your opponent crumble in fear of loss rather than build an incredibly stellar character that imbibes leadership. The last thing he reminded me about is that in the end the Iraqis are bush league players that are about to engage not only the majors but the best in the hall of fame. US corporations, international corporations, the US government, the EU and specifically countries like the US, Canada, France, Germany, the British, Russia and China are not going to stand by while their treasury's and corporate titans have poured billions/trillions into Iraq with no ROI. As it was said to me yesterday, the tab has come due and somebody's going to pay even if it's at the end of F18A - but the bill is going to get paid. STEVE: This is probably one of the most powerful replies on this forum to date. Can you explain what OCC is to our members? It this does not make you wet your pants or hyperventilate, nothing will. :)Blessings, Steve SNEAZY: Ah well... The same shades as 2010, 2011, and 2012. I'm hoping for the best but with past history for so many years i am prepared for he worse, as in "January is the month, no February is, no it's May 22nd, no it's got to be June/July, no it's got to be September because of this and that, no, it's January 2014, because that's what they have been telling us in their articles, etc etc etc. Again, hopin!g for the best, but this year has started out 'IDENTICAL" to the last 3. High hopes and NO results It will happen when it happens. It will be GREAT when it happens, but I hope everyone can see by now, that Nobody has a grasp or a clue on when this will happen. Darn it! --focus on your life, give big hugs to you children, and know it will happen one of these days!-- WHO KNOWS MAYBE IT WILL HAPPEN NEXT WEEK!! Optimus Prime, on 23 Feb 2013 - 15:59, said: Searzy, What makes this year different? To me, it is Steve saying over and over again that the new rate is absolutely 100% in this budget. Steve and Ocrush have been pretty much "on point" with their information, thus far. This is what keeps me going. If the budget opens up, and there is no new rate in it... Then I maybe with you. Thanks e'rbody! STEVE: Listen, I will back you up on this one. I am absolutely positive on my comment, statement, etc. regarding the new rate. I will not back down, not now, not ever on this one. All the "want a be" people that says it will be anywhere from 10 cents to under a dollar can kiss my grits. That is what Alice would have said so I kept it clean. Blessings, Steve SAGER: I think part of what Steve said relating to Maliki is this: Decision: the Committee will move toward the economy economic laws, most notably the anti-trust legaland investment Date: 2013-02-23 12: 32: 34 Saturday Baghdad (newsletter). According to the decision of the Commission on economy and investment Deputy/Kurdistan blocs Coalition/mehma Khalil, said his Committee will move towards important economic laws, notably investment and antitrust law in the market to support and develop the national economy. He said Khalil (News Agency): most of the economic laws that were enacted in the House need to be adjustments in line with the evolution of the world and to support the investment process and enhance the national economy. Explained: the main laws which will be modified and prevent monopoly and protect local product and tariff and laws in support of the private sector as appropriate to the direction of the Iraqi economy towards free market economic LINK policy./finished/8 n. p. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Comment from Maynard: This is really big. I consider it more relevant to the RV than the budget right now. They need to have their infrastructure in place and there are a few things left to do in their banking, investment, etc. They have the custodial account arrangements in place with Kuwait, so institutional investors can now come in and Iraq can have access to huge foreign capital to get this economy off the ground. Couldn't be better. There is also an important banking meeting next week which might well be the last pre-RVpiece of that puzzle. It’s all good. It’s great. Just keep the freaking faith, folks. Maynard --------------------------- Also from D2D: More good news. The investment law, anti trust, tariff, etc. This is part of the "basket of laws" when they get these done you will see your budget passed, HCL Federation Council etc. Just my personal opinion. I am sure many disagree but as we saw in recent articles, Maliki is pushing for them to pass the budget using the excuse that it will help the provinces. He simply wants his hands on the budget money. What happened? No budget passed. Not going to happen until his power is stripped away. They must amend these investment and banking laws to cut the red tape for businesses to come to Iraq. The WTO has bent their rules and made things flexible for Iraq's ascension as a full member. Concessions were made on the tariff tax. Maliki has to be in check (Federation Council) will take care of this. Shabibi wanted political and economic stability. The new Judge and the new Judicial law will handle Tariq at the CBI. As an earlier article stated yesterday evening, they must go back to the table one more time and come up with a plan to get this done. It seems so simple from my point of view. They should be able to go back to the table make a couple of amendments and throw their hands up. Done we are finished. However, these nuts like to argue for a while before they say OK. Again, just my opinion, I could be wrong. Either way, our payoff is coming. JMO

Thanks, Uneek. You're da bomb!!!

I love ya, Uneek. Keep up the good work and bringing us all the good vibes. We're with ya.

Agreed

Snip .. "Mr. Sosa said that, among other factors, central banks in emerging countries are more likely to start using currency-appreciation as a tool to fight inflation, and that could benefit foreigners with investments in the local currency" February 21, 2013 Pimco Still Sees Value in Emerging-Market Local Currencies New York - Local currencies are still the best way to invest in emerging markets, despite the threat of rising interest rates in the developed world, said an executive from U.S. mutual-fund giant Pimco. Emerging-markets have attracted billions of dollars in investment in the past few years, thanks in great part to the low-interest rate policy in developed countries, which left few options for investors seeking high yields. But a growing feeling that the Federal Reserve and other central banks could be about to start reversing low-rate policies has sent jitters through the emerging-markets community, as it could redirect investment to larger, safer economies. More here -- http://professional.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323549204578318781274391420.html?mod=djkeyword&mg=reno64-wsj (requires WSJ subscription).

Virtue block: proposed rebalancing of the government will contribute to resolving the problem and delay the approval Said the head of the parliamentary Virtue Ammar Tohme rebalancing proposal for a government that does not contribute to solving the problem and delay the approval. Tohme said in a press statement Thursday that any increase in allocations would lead to an increase in the planned budget deficit and entail damage assessments and commitments with important international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. He added that it is possible to provide additional allocations for the development of the regions claimed by some blocks from the transfer of the gates is less important and the lowest priority of the demands and provincial services. http://ar.radionawa.com/%28X%281%29A%28JgsAfUtHzgEkAAAAOTc5MDA4YjctMWZjZS00ZjZhLWJhNTktMDk0MjI0YWM4OTdjWh6m5lb0G0BatQzIFZReQuZPbS01%29%29/Detail.aspx?id=57014&LinkID=63

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) -The head of the Iraqi National Alliance discussed with representatives of INA and the Kurdistani Alliance the issue of the dues of the Oil Foreign Firms working in Kurdistan Region. A statement by Jaafary’s office received by IraqiNews.com cited “Jaafary headed a meeting involved representatives of INA and KA with the attendance of Minister of Oil, Abdul Kareem Leibi, where all sides agreed upon legal way of paying the dues of the foreign companies and the incomes of the extra oil revenues to go to the Central government in addition to the adherence of KR to exports the quantities of the oil as agreed upon without stoppage.” The parliament chairmanship, the heads of the political blocs and the Parliamentary Finance Committee held a meeting on Thursday to discuss 2013 Budget where the meeting resulted in adding one IQD Trillion to the budget of KR without dealing on the merits of the oil companies working in KR. Read more: http://www.iraqinews.com/baghdad-politics/jaafary-discuss-dues-of-oil-foreign-firms-working-in-kr-with-representatives-of-ina-ka/#ixzz2LddEw4Dv

I think that he gave vacation to the COM members, not the parliament MPs.

OCrush's information is confirmed by the agenda for Parliament tomorrow. Both the budget and the law of antiquities are, indeed, set for a vote-- Agenda for the meeting (12) Thursday (21) February 2013 Wednesday 20 February 2013 First: read verses from the Koran. Second: the vote on the draft law on the federal budget for fiscal year 2013. (Finance Committee, the Committee on the economy and investment). (Article 29). Third: the vote on the draft law on ratification of an exchange of letters and the notes and minutes of discussions on the Japanese loan to the Republic of Iraq signed on 29.05.2012. (Finance Committee). (2 items): 1. Rehabilitation of the health sector. 2. Development of the telecommunications network in the major cities. 3. Updated Musfah Baiji - engineering services. Fourth: the vote on the draft law on ratification of an exchange of letters and the notes and minutes of discussions on the Japanese loan to the Republic of Iraq signed on 29.05.2012. (Finance Committee). (2 items). 1. Updated Basra refinery / 1. Fifth: the vote on the draft law of the First Amendment of the Law of Antiquities and Heritage (55) for the year 2002. (Commission of Tourism and Antiquities). (Article 14). VI: the vote on the draft registration law, adoption and protection of agricultural varieties. (COAG). (20 items). Seventh: the second reading of the proposed law regulating the duration of the work designated agency. (Legal Committee). (5 items). The meeting begins at 11:00 eleventh AM

Baghdad / Orr News Is almost certain that the parliament votes on Thursday on the federal budget for the current year, and said the parliamentary Finance Committee it had ended the discussion of all the economic and financial problems in the budget in 2013. Said committee member Abdul Hussein al-Yasiri "There are no technical or financial problems or facing economic draft budget and the members of the committee agreed on the need not to delay more than this length of time." He continued that "the delay in approving the budget will reflect negatively on the implementation of the major service projects and the provision of electricity to the citizens." He pointed reference to "the House of Representatives must be professionally deals with the budget and approved by the file as soon as possible after the agreement on resolving the ratio of the Kurdistan region." And held the Presidency of the Council of Representatives, on Wednesday, with the heads of political blocs meeting to agree on the disputed paragraphs in the draft federal budget. And spins out of the dispute over the draft budget inter points, notably the calculated amounts of foreign oil companies operating in the Kurdistan region of up to more than four billion dinars, and calculating the amounts of the Peshmerga forces and to keep the region's share amounting to 17 percent. And the leaders of political blocs failed in the House of Representatives to agree on the contentious points in the draft budget after more than one meeting to resolve differences. http://www.uragency.net/index.php/2012-03-11-16-31-52/2012-03-11-16-33-57/17286-2013-02-20-17-04-22

The budget vote is on the Parliament agenda for tomorrow. Fingers crossed

Yes, I'm fine but am a new member so maybe you are confusing me with another member with a similar name? Thank you for asking. How are you? I love Williamsburg.

Wow, great news, thanks Uneek.

21 February 2013 Agreement on the distribution of 25% of the surplus oil revenues to the people and Darraji warns of force allocations Housing Fund Agencies: confirmed MP Zainab السهلاني that the agreement was reached between the political blocs on the distribution of 25% of the surplus oil revenues to the people. She السهلاني in a press statement that «the general atmosphere and the discussions in the House of Representatives bode well for approving the budget and there are a number of political blocs demanding add allocations for the purposes of election propaganda initiative of these blocks without taking into account the constitutional article which describes the right of Parliament to rearrange and added if there is justification . She added, that all additions demanded by the political blocs came from popular extrapolation of the situation experienced by the provinces, which did not take into account the Council of Ministers, indicating that there are discussions between the Finance Committee and the blocks to re-transfers some customizations. The السهلاني that the budget by virtue of ending two weeks ago and got agreement on the basic principles to maintain the rights of the people, adding that he remained a few additions, indicating that it was agreed to distribute 25% of the surplus oil revenues to the people, as it was agreed to establish a special fund for retirees, In addition to supporting the ration card, as well as scholarship students, and a number of health projects, roads and the development of tourist and religious sites. On the other hand, warned Minister of Construction and Housing Mohammed Darraji, Wednesday, stopped granting loans in the case of non-inclusion of the financial allocations for the Housing Fund provided for by law in the general budget for the current year. Daraji said in a statement quoted by his press office and received / Baghdadiya News, / copy of it, he «in the case of non-inclusion of the financial allocations for the Housing Fund provided for by law in the general budget for the current year 2013 original and not from abundance financial, funds will run out of the fund and stop lending citizens through one month. The statement added that« Darraji holds the Finance Committee in the House of Representatives and the Committee in charge of the prime minister responsibility stops loan because of running out of money », adding that« Housing Fund has achieved during the past period great achievements through the law that allowed all citizens to benefit from loans He was able to increase the number of housing units built through the loan in a very large. He continued Darraji «This is what drives us to the claim and strongly in the inclusion of the housing fund allocations within the current year budget. From www.almutmar.com?

Thought you might like to read it for yourself. I did not translate but found the translation online-- The Central Bank of Iraq 2/18/2013 Second Link: To All Licensed Bankers Cash Sales Based on work requirements, regulations, and the promotion of transactions of foreign currency through the CBI, it has been decided that: The weekly cash shares for banks will be according to the attached tables. The bank sales will be in accordance with the following guidelines. In addition, the sales will be subject to close examinations by the inspectors of the General Director of Supervision of banks and creditors: 1. Sales must occur according to the price set by the Central Bank in addition to a maximum ten additional dinars of the announced cash sale price set by the central bank. 2. Eligibility for sales is based on having a valid passport instead of a Civil Status card, provided the following: A. A citizen cannot submit more than one request during a month's period, with the exception of delegates in accordance with stipulation numbered 9/3/29 as of 2/5/2013 B. The passport will be stamped to show receipt of money. C. When the application is submitted to the bank, a document showing the names of the recipients of the cash transfer, as well as an explanation/reason for that transfer must be submitted. D. The bank will announce the names of the banks and locations of its branches that will sell the currency to the citizens, according to the list and contract provided to the central bank. 3. In the event that the bank violates any of the above listed points, it will be forbidden for that bank to participate in the buying and selling of foreign currency for one month. If it repeats that violation, it will be forbidden for that bank to participate indefinitely. You will work with the regulations mentioned above, as of 2/17. The previous stipulations for currency cash sales have been cancelled (or are null and void). With Appreciation Assistant to the General Director Kamal Suheil Abdallah

On DR, there is a frantic post from Frank talking about some document posted on the CBI site in Arabic that he thinks is a huge deal. Does anyone know what that's about?

Bayazid Hassan: I start great facilities for private investment oil refineries will attract foreign investors to Iraq Published in: 1:20 pm, February 19, 2013 by ipa 2 Views: 72 Share on linkedinShare on facebookShare on twitterShare on emailMore Sharing Services BAGHDAD (Iba) .. The member of the Commission on oil and energy MP Bayazid Hassan, that included the second amendment to the Investment Law to establish oil refineries great facilities and encouraging to attract foreign investors. Hassan said in a statement to Agence independent press (Iba) .. "conducted on the investment law on the establishment of refineries of crude oil amendment first and now the second amendment under study, calling that includes the Second Amendment reduce the price of crude oil to investment companies and express facilities by Iraqi banks and grant processing land for the construction of refineries to encourage foreign investors to invest in Iraq. " "The second amendment to the law of private investment in crude oil refining think will encourage investment companies to come to Iraq and this investment sector refineries Iraq, pointing out: that Iraq imported 7_9 million barrels of gasoline a day from neighboring countries." He also added "the intention of the Ministry of Oil Created four refineries in Kirkuk, Karbala, Missan and Nasiriyah card up to 700 thousand barrels a day to meet the needs of Iraq from oil derivatives and to take advantage of them in البتروكميائية industries dependent on the production of the refineries." Hassan continued: Created refineries in Iraq will create jobs for workers and can be exported some البتروكميائية products abroad as in Saudi Arabia. "(End)

Here's some more info, it seems like great news-- And a member of the Finance Committee announced, Majida al-Tamimi, said that an agreement had been reached shortly before the mini-meeting of the leaders of the political blocs to resolve differences between the Kurdistan Alliance and the Iraqi relating to the budget and carried out all their demands. She Tamimi said in a statement received [where], a copy of which, that "the budget is now ready for a vote next Thursday, and on Wednesday will be limited to modify some numbers and modify print", indicating that "this means that it was agreed to all the demands of political blocs ".