k98nights

January 27, 2010

REMEMBER IT WAS NOT A CONFIRMATION OF AN RV FROM CHASE. ****** says to (21:02:57): IT WAS ONLY THE INFORMATION THEY HAD FROM TBI AND WERE USING ****** says to (21:03:21): NOW IT WAS ALSO NLT FEB 7TH pepper says to (21:03:44): ****** says to (21:04:46): I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF MY WIFE FOR ALL THE PRAYERS, CARDS, CANDY, FLOWERS THAT WAS SENT TO HER ****** says to (21:05:42): I AM A BIT BURNT OUT ****** says to (21:06:00): SO BE PATIENT IF I AM SORT OF BLUNT ****** says to (21:06:19): NOW THERE WAS ALLOT THAT HAS HAPPENED ****** says to (21:06:27): BUDGET WAS HUGE butterfly says to (21:06:29): ****** has the floor ****** says to (21:07:00): AND IRAQ PUSHING SO HARD TO GET OUT OF CHAPTER VII ****** says to (21:07:31): NOW I AM GIVING YOU A HEADS UP ****** says to (21:07:40): ON THIS ****** says to (21:07:59): I HAVE MANY FRIENDS OVER THE YEARS ****** says to (21:08:22): WE DON

I hope so!!

What was that rumor about the RV I remember.... "no later than Feb 7th?" Hmmmmmmm

Financial Times - [1/26/2010] It may have taken months of haggling and brinkmanship but Iraq

26/1/2010 Education ministry declared that Baghdad province council pledged to build 60 schools in the capital. An official source in the ministry mentioned that ministry witnessed good movement to build & refurbish huge number of schools in 2010, after building 516 schools nationwide in 2009, in addition to appointment of 8000 new teachers. http://www.nmc.gov.iq./english/lnews_e/2010/1/26_3.htm

Baghdad / Qais sticks (Voice of Iraq) - 26/01/2010 يعقد يوم غد الخميس فى قاعة فندق الرشيد فى بغداد الاجتماع الاستراتيجي لمناقشة برنامج التعاون المشترك بين حكومة جمهورية العراق ومنظمة الامم المتحدة للطفولة (اليونسيف) للسنوات 2011-2014. Will be held on Thursday in the Hall-Rashid Hotel in Baghdad, the strategic meeting to discuss the program of joint cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Iraq and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for the years 2011-2014. وقال مصدر فى وزارة التخطيط في تصريح لـ(المدى): ان الاجتماع الذى سيقام بحضور وزير التخطيط علي بابان وبمشاركة رؤساء مجالس المحافظات كافة ووكلاء الوزارات العراقية وممثلي حكومة اقليم كردستان وسفراء عدد من الدول العربية والاجنبية فضلا عن منظمات الامم المتحدة العاملة في العراق ومنظمات المجتمع المدني والاتحادات المهنية. A source at the Ministry of Planning told (long): The meeting will be attended by the Planning Minister Ali Baban, with the heads of all provincial ministries and agencies and representatives of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government and the ambassadors of a number of Arab and foreign countries as well as the UN organizations operating in Iraq and civil society organizations and professional associations. واضاف المصدر: ان برنامج الاجتماع سيتضمن عرضا للاهداف الانمائية للالفية وخطة التنمية الوطنية للسنوات 2010-2014. The source added: The program of the meeting will include a presentation of the Millennium Development Goals and national development plan for the years 2010-2014. مبينا انه سيتم عرض لاولويات اطار الامم المتحدة للمساعدة الانمائية للعراق مع التركيز على تنمية الطفولة ودور منظمة اليونسيف في دعم وبناء الشراكات الاستراتيجية وضمان مشاركة الاطفال.مشيرا الى ان هذا الاجتماع سيتضمن بحث القضايا المهمة والتي تتعلق بالتعاون المشترك بين العراق ومنظمة الامم المتحدة. Indicating that it will be displayed for the priorities of the UN framework for development assistance to Iraq with a focus on childhood development and the role of UNICEF in supporting and building strategic partnerships and ensure the participation of children. He said this meeting will discuss important issues relating to cooperation between Iraq and the United Nations. المدى Term http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=ar&tl=en&u=http://www.sotaliraq.com/iraqnews.php%3Fid%3D56787&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhizfhtl0BQv93wQ2tH7zcCRbfveUA

Alsumaria News / Baghdad أعلنت المفوضية العليا للانتخابات، اليوم الثلاثاء، عن تلقيها قرارا من هيئة المساءلة والعدالة يقضي بإبعاد تسعة كيانات سياسية عن المشاركة في الانتخابات، فيما حددت موعد بدء الدعاية الانتخابية للكيانات السياسية المشاركة في الانتخابات البرلمانية المقبلة. Announced that the Electoral Commission on Tuesday that it has received a decision from the accountability and justice requires the removal of nine political entities from participating in the elections, set for the start of campaigns for political entities to participate in upcoming parliamentary elections. وقالت عضو المفوضية العليا المستقلة للانتخابات حمدية الحسيني في حديث لـ"السومرية نيوز"، إن "مفوضية الانتخابات حددت السابع من شباط المقبل موعدا للبدء في الحملة الدعائية الانتخابية للكيانات السياسية المشاركة في الانتخابات التشريعية المقبلة". A member of the Electoral Commission for elections Hamdiya Husseini said in an interview for "Alsumaria News", "The Electoral Commission has identified the seventh of February as a date for the start of the electoral campaign of political entities to participate in the upcoming legislative elections." من جهته قال عضو المفوضية العليا المستقلة للانتخابات سعد الراوي في حديث لـ"السومرية نيوز"، إن "المفوضية تقيم اليوم ورشة عمل لعشرين خبيرا مختصا بالأمور العملياتية للانتخابات، والذين سيتم توزيعهم على الدول التي سمحت بإجراء الانتخابات على أراضيها". For his part, member of the Electoral Commission for elections Saad al-Rawi said in an interview for "Alsumaria News", "The Commission maintains day workshop for twenty experts competent operational matters for the elections, who will be deployed to countries that permitted the holding of elections on its territory." وأضاف الراوي أن "أربع عشرة دولة وافقت على فتح مكاتب للانتخابات البرلمانية المقبلة على أراضيها من أصل 16دولة، وأن المفوضية تنتظر موافقة دولتي الدنمرك وبريطانيا على إجراء الانتخابات على أراضيها قريبا". The narrator added that "Fourteen countries agreed to open offices for the upcoming parliamentary elections on the territory of 16 countries, and that UNHCR was awaiting approval by the State of Denmark and Britain to hold the elections on its territory soon." وفي سياق اخر قالت الحسيني ان "المفوضية تلقت قرار من هيئة المساءلة والعدالة يقضي بإبعاد تسعة كيانات سياسية عن المشاركة في الانتخابات كما يحظر القرار استخدام أسماء وشعارات الكيانات السياسية المستبعدة في الدعاية الانتخابية"، مشيرة إلى أن "المفوضية هي جهة تنفيذية وتطبق القرارات التي تصدرها هيئة المساءلة العدالة بشأن إلغاء المصادقة على الكيانات التي شملها الاجتثاث، وليس لها حق الاعتراض على تلك القرارات". In another context, Husseini said: "The Commission received a resolution from the accountability and justice requires the removal of nine political entities from participating in elections, also bans the use of names and emblems of political entities are excluded in the election campaign," noting that "the Commission is an executive and implements the decisions issued by an accountability, justice on the abolition of ratification of the entities covered by the ablation, and have no right to object to those decisions. " وبينت الحسيني أن الكيانات المشمولة هي "حزب العدالة الكردستاني العراقي الذي يترأسه أرشد أحمد محمد مصطفى الزيباري، وكتلة كل العراق برئاسة جوهر محي الدين جانكير، والحركة الوطنية للإصلاح والتنمية (الحل ) برئاسة جمال الكربولي، وكيان سعدي فيصل الجبوري بزعامته، وتجمع السواعد العراقية برئاسة صالح جعفر فندي ناصر الساعدي، والتجمع الجمهوري العراقي برئاسة سعد عاصم الجنابي، والجبهة العراقية للحوار الوطني برئاسة صالح مطلك، والمجلس الوطني لتجمع عشائر العراق برئاسة مصطفى كامل حمد شبيب الجبوري، وتجمع الوحدة الوطنية العراقي برئاسة نهرو محمد عبد الكريم الكسنزاني". Husseini indicated that the entities covered are the "Justice Party, headed by Iraqi Kurdistan, Ershad Ahmed Mohammed Mustafa Zebari, Iraq and the mass of each substance under the chairmanship of Mohiuddin Jinkir, the National Movement for Reform and Development (the solution), headed by Gamal Karbouli, and the entity Saadi Faisal Jubouri his leadership, gathered under the chairmanship of cranks for the Iraqi Fendi Jaafar Nasser Saidi, and the Iraqi Republican Gathering, headed by Saad Asem al-Janabi, and the Iraqi Front for National Dialogue led by Saleh Mutlaq, the National Council to bring together the families of Iraq, led by Mustapha Kamel Hamad Shabib Jubouri, combining the Iraqi National Unity headed by Nehru, Mohammad Abdel Kareem Alexanzani. " من جانبه اعتبر رئيس القائمة العراقية في مجلس النواب جمال البطيخ ان "دوافع سياسية تقف وراء قرارات هيئة المساءلة والعدالة باجتثاث بعض الكيانات"، مضيفا أن "الفترة الزمنية التى أعطيت للطعن بقرارات الهيئة ضيقة جدا، مع قرب موعد الانتخابات". For his part, President of the Iraqi Council of Representatives in the beauty of melon that "political motives behind the decisions of the Justice and Accountability root out some of the entities," adding that "the period of time given to appeal decisions of the body is very narrow, with the proximity of the elections." وأوضح البطيخ في حديث لـ"السومرية نيوز"، إن "الغاية من إصدار القرار في هذه الفترة الحرجة هى إبعاد تلك الكتل من المشاركة في العملية السياسية، وإزاحتها عن المسرح السياسي"، مشيرا "إلى أن "هذا الأمر له انعكاسات سلبية على العملية السياسية التى يدفع ثمنها العراقيون الأبرياء". The melon in an interview with "Alsumaria News", "The purpose of the adoption of the resolution at this critical period are the dimensions of these blocks to participate in the political process, and removing it from the political scene," adding "that" this has a negative impact on the political process paid for the innocent Iraqi. " وكانت هيئة المساءلة قدمت إلى المفوضية العليا المستقلة للانتخابات، يوم الاثنين 18 كانون الثاني، القائمة النهائية للمشمولين بقرارات حظر المشاركة في الانتخابات المقبلة والتي تضمنت 511 اسماً بعد تدقيق اللجان البرلمانية التي شكلها مجلس النواب لمراجعة قرارات هيئة المساءلة والاشراف عليها، ومن بين تلك الأسماء، صالح محمد مطلك عمر، وحمل الرقم 220، وعبد القادر محمد عبد القادر، وحمل الرقم 282، ونهرو محمد عبد الكريم، وحمل الرقم 489. The Association of accountability submitted to the Electoral Commission for elections on Monday, January 18, the final list of decisions covered by the ban on participating in the forthcoming elections, which included 511 names after scrutiny of parliamentary committees set up by the House of Representatives to review the decisions of the accountability and supervision, and among those names, valid Mutlaq Mohammed Omar, and bears the number 220, and Abdel Kader Mohamed Abdel Kader, and bears the number 282, Nehru and Mohammad Abdul Karim, and bears the number 489. يذكر أن تعديل قانون الانتخابات الذي صادق عليه البرلمان العراقي في جلسة استثنائية في السادس من شهر كانون الأول الحالي، والتي ترأسها نائب رئيس البرلمان خالد العطية، نص على احتساب 325 مقعدا للبرلمان المقبل، توزع 310 منها على المحافظات بحسب عدد السكان، بالإضافة إلى 15 مقعداً تعويضياً، وأعلنت رئاسة الجمهورية العراقية في الثامن من شهر كانون الأول الحالي تحديد السابع من شهر آذار المقبل كموعد لإجراء الانتخابات البرلمانية المقبلة، التي سيشارك فيها 165 كيانا سياسيا ينتمون إلى 12 ائتلافا انتخابيا. The amended election law, which was approved by the Iraqi parliament in an extraordinary session on the sixth of the current month of December, chaired by the Deputy Speaker Khalid al-Attiya, the text of the calculation of 325 seats for the next parliament, 310 of which are distributed to the provinces according to population, in addition to 15 seats compensatory, and the Presidency of the Republic of Iraq in the eighth month of December, the current identification of the seventh month of March next as the date for the next parliamentary elections, which will be participated by 165 political entities belonging to the 12 electoral coalition. http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ar&tl=en&u=http://www.alsumarianews.com/ar/1/2581/news-details-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%2585%25D9%2581%25D9%2588%25D8%25B6%25D9%258A%25D8%25A9%2520%25D8%25AA%25D8%25AD%25D8%25AF%25D8%25AF%2520%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25B3%25D8%25A7%25D8%25A8%25D8%25B9%2520%25D9%2585%25D9%2586%2520%25D8%25B4%25D8%25A8%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B7%2520%25D9%2585%25D9%2588%25D8%25B9%25D8%25AF%25D8%25A7%2520%25D9%2584%25D8%25A8%25D8%25AF%25D8%25A1%2520%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25AF%25D8%25B9%25D8%25A7%25D9%258A%25D8%25A9%2520%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25A7%25D9%2586%25D8%25AA%25D8%25AE%25D8%25A7%25D8%25A8%25D9%258A%25D8%25A9.html&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhjHBRM2RJV0zbzVKlMp_8Zgkq5uLQ

If we knew that we'd be millionaires... hahahahaha! Hey wait! We just may be!

The fact that it passed is very good IMO

Regional heavyweights should apply pressure to ensure the March 7 elections go smoothly By Sami Moubayed, Special to Gulf News Published: 00:00 January 26, 2010 Clearly, 77 years down the road, little has changed in Iraq, as the country sinks into chaos ahead of the March 7 elections. If Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki digs into what remains of Iraqi historical archives — those not destroyed by revolution and occupation he might find a copy of a letter sent by King Faisal I, founder of modern Iraq, to a friend, dating back to 1933. In it Faisal writes: "In my belief, there is no Iraqi nation as yet, but there are groups of people without any idea of nationhood and patriotism or sense of belonging and allegiance to the homeland. These groups have embraced tribal traditions and religious superstitions, and they have nothing to cement them together. They listen to the worst of rumours and enjoy anarchy." Clearly, 77 years down the road, little has changed in Iraq, as the country sinks into chaos ahead of the March 7 elections, from which no less than 511 candidates have been disqualified by the government-mandated Accountability and Justice Committee, with the overt blessing of the prime minister. A large majority of those whose names have been crossed off electoral lists are said to be either former Baathists, or secular Sunni politicians, aspiring to take control of the Iraqi state. Many of these statesmen are crying foul, claiming that Al Maliki has orchestrated their disqualification to secure the re-election of Shiites. They point to the provincial elections of January 2009, when the Sunnis voted in large numbers even in areas that were once hotbeds of the so-called Sunni insurgency, such as Tikrit resulting in an overwhelming defeat for Iran-backed parties such as the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council. Al Maliki wants to make sure that such a scenario, which would prove disastrous for his own State of Law Coalition, will not be repeated in March. On Friday, US Vice President Joe Biden landed in Baghdad for an unexpected visit, aimed at hammering out differences between Sunnis and Shiites. Because of US President Barack Obama's ‘soft power' policy towards Iraq and declared intention to withdraw from the mess left behind by his predecessor, however, few in Iraq are willing to take the US vice president seriously. Why should they, if he holds neither the stick nor the carrot required in situations like these? Under George W. Bush, the US had both the desire and the ability to immerse itself in Iraqi politics, punishing those who went astray, while rewarding those who helped bolster the political process Al Maliki himself being a prime example. Obama has no interest in pursuing such a path, and settling for an advisory role will not get him far with a fragmented Iraqi political community that is tired of taking orders from Washington. While questioning the legality of the Accountability and Justice Commission that issued the bans, Iraqi President Jalal Talbani made it clear that his country would "take orders from no one" and would settle disputes within the political system. Yet if the disqualification stands, which today seems very likely, Sunnis are likely to boycott the upcoming elections, as they did in 2005. This means a return to the status quo of 2005-2010, when the Iraqi parliament was packed with Iran-backed Shiite politicians, an outcome that regional heavyweights such as Saudi Arabia would certainly want to avoid. This would mean that Shiites would continue to hold key posts in the government, such as the premiership, and the Sunnis would again be marginalised, until 2014. Prospect of violence If this happens, Sunnis are likely to once again resort to arms, raising questions about whether Obama would be able to start withdrawing his remaining 110,000 troops from Iraq in the spring and summer of 2010. One of the creative solutions floating in Iraq is to have these disqualified candidates sign a statement disavowing the Baath Party — something that Sunni secular heavyweight Saleh Al Mutlak has flatly rejected. During his reign as emperor in the early 1800s, Napoleon Bonaparte once famously said: "I have tasted command, and I cannot give it up!" That very much applies to the Shiite politicians of Iraq, who after eight decades of being treated as a political under-class, finally got their day in the sun during the elections of 2005, and are willing to fight with every possible means including the disqualification of others to maintain power that they claim is rightfully theirs. Their overwhelming parliamentary victory in 2005 was the result of several factors, including the war of 2003, the downfall of Saddam, the infamous Sunni boycott and the passiveness of neighbouring Arab countries, which failed to realise how vital it was for the Sunnis to take part in the post-Saddam political process, or else face likely oblivion. Today, much has changed and Iraqi Sunnis insist on returning to power perhaps for the first time since 2003 through ballots rather than bullets. It will take more than Biden showing up in their midst to convince the Iraqis to change course. A real solution requires regional heavyweights such as Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia to apply pressure and deliver guarantees that no community will seek to eliminate the other, if and when it comes to power on March 7. Iraqi politicians of all stripes, after all, are more willing to listen to dictates from these countries, that will continue to have proxies long after the Americans leave, than they are to Biden. Sami Moubayed is editor-in-chief of Forward Magazine in Syria. http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/us-has-little-influence-in-iraq-1.573569

Halleluja!!!

January 25, 2010

Baghdad / Orr News Informed political sources said that a long list might include more than 20 Iraqi figure would be in the Washington rotation, and calls from the White House during the coming period in order to meet each character individually with the U.S. administration and a dialogue was said that Washington wanted to anticipate the future of this country which is full of problems , before the actual withdrawal plan shall apply. While ended Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi, his visit to Washington and then to Qatar, and then to Iran, the sources told (Ur) that the important issues that were discussed not only required the exclusion of hundreds of candidates for elections, and is not subject to national reconciliation and the so-called American title "Reform of the Ba'ath Party ", but also the continuation of the mediation was carried out by the Supreme Council for years to ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington over Iraq and over its nuclear program, which entered this mediation by Qatar in the last year to" relieve "the tension in relations between the two partners of force in Iraq the region. Sources say that after the Mahdi traveled to Washington, Massoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan region, and will be followed by Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, and after the list Iyad Jamal al-Din, and Iyad Allawi, and comes after the speaker of parliament. Sources believe that Obama does not need to hear the most prominent figures of the ruling elite in Baghdad, each individually in order to assess what will the conditions of this country, which is divided around the administration's opinion, some Administration officials that Obama sees the fire under the ashes, it is wrong to withdraw troops in a timely decision, and that some former civil governor of Iraq Paul Bremer, and others say it's OK to withdrawal and not fear for the Iraqis. Sources said that the U.S. administration was still believes that the next election probably will result in a parliament and government are more liberal and enlightened, and could result in primarily a political system characterized by the participation of a broad national and, therefore, be willing to participate in the elections and the wide range that you wish to be transparent and fair and include all political components, but this desire to face difficulties that must be addressed, including the arrangements for this dialogue with the Iraqi personalities that was in Baghdad or in Washington. www.uragency.net/

[Adam Montana] Dinar News [Adam Montana] I have been talking to my CBI contact [Adam Montana] he's very excited [Adam Montana] and says a lot of other people in the CBI are excited too [Adam Montana] http://dinarvets.com/forums/showthre ... 4-10-Afternoon [Adam Montana] I can't vouch for anything other than he says everyone HE knows that is higher up [Adam Montana] is really anxious to get some news on this budget [Adam Montana] he's convinced that the RV or a rate change is tied to the budget [Adam Montana] he told me a week ago that this was coming, and he's been right about many key events [Adam Montana] it's 4AM in baghdad though, and I didn't et the final email I was looking for [Adam Montana] so no confirmed news [Adam Montana] other than his opinion, which I trust after talkign to him for so long and meeting him in Dubai [Adam Montana] if you weren't in chat earlier [Adam Montana] Sunglass will be doing a final confirmation when Red Cross cashes the check that was sent on behalf of DinarVets [Adam Montana] a BIG thank you goes out to everyone who took part! [Adam Montana] or even donated privately [Adam Montana] they still need hel;p, if you have an extra $10 - you can simply text [Adam Montana] "haiti" to 90999 [Adam Montana] I like the Red Cross, but there are others [Adam Montana] that's all [Adam Montana] no time for questions, I'm missing football! I'll be in tomorrow as soon as I hear back on anything [sBX] Thanks Adam

January 25, 2010 (?) The Governor of the CBI is expected to cut interest rates بغداد - الصباح BAGHDAD - morning Central bank governor said: that is likely to cut its interest rates from the current rate at seven percent, but the size of the reduction will depend on inflation. Shabibi ruled out in a press statement to the Iraqi economy suffered any problems because of the elections scheduled for next March. The Iraqi Central cut interest rates to seven percent from nine percent in June to fit with the decline in the rate of inflation. He added that it was likely to be less interest rate of seven percent, but stressed that it would depend on the rate of inflation to growth and that will be monitored so closely. Shabibi said: that monetary policy Stguetvi impact of developments in inflation and added that the central bank has managed to reduce inflation through monetary policies. He said inflation fell to about 6.0 percent.Although the inflation index for consumer prices, the President stood at 9.2 percent early last year. Shabibi said that it expected growth of the Iraqi economy, which depends on oil production a little more than the expectations of the International Monetary Fund came in at 5.8 percent. Shabibi expected to end violence once more economic growth and rising income levels. http://articlesofinterest-kelley.blogspot.com/

Sunday, 24 January 2010 16:45 A government move to exclude a number of prominent Sunni candidates from national parliamentary elections on 7 March could re-ignite sectarian violence and create a new humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country, according to some analysts.

24 Jan American Contractor Intel 24 January 2010 The Iraqi Parliament failed again to ratify the 2010 Iraq budget. In accordance with the Iraqi Constitution their legislative session ends on 31 January 2010. The Iraqi Parliament now has 6 days (31 Jan) to pass the budget. Are some Parliament members conducting blackmail, saying you pass this and I will pass that. From all the political bickering going on chances of passing (budget) are very small. It looks like political suicide from here. Just think the same political blocs that are in power now in the current Iraq Parliament are the same political blocs that will be candidates in the upcoming elections 7 March. Just different people of course. The Iraqi National Alliance (INA) are very adamant about certain provisions that need to be in the 2010 Iraq budget. INA saying if they don't do this then no problem we will do it when we form the next new government. I think the INA is getting ahead of themselves. With all of this going on now you have another holiday. The Al-Arba'in pilgrimage religious holiday being celebrated for the next few days. The worshipers would be heading to Karbala for the holy rituals. Surely, the Iraqi parliament members would skip this holiday ritual, right?!! This week is very important or maybe not. In Diyala, you had 13,000 members of the Awakening leave there checkpoints in protest for the arrests of members and other managers. Just in time the government does this right before the election in March. Unemployed and have guns. The members who are on the list whom have been banned in the upcoming elections have 72 hours to appeal. The Iraqi Parliament have set up a cassation committee to look at all the appeals. The cassation committee is made up of seven judges appointed by the High Judicial Council. The President Jalal Talabani, went on Iraqi TV and had this to say about the banned names. Talabani says that "a solution that observes the law and constitution will be sought by which the law is applied to all," adding that "we discussed the need to guarantee that the elections are held on time, and if there are legal issues that require time to be reviewed and resolved, then we hope they are postponed until after the elections." This is great but how long do you think it will take to hear every appeal out of the 511 names? That is if everyone appealed, days, weeks, years? The names are dwindling down as 75 candidates who handed in there documents to the electoral commission were actually forged documents. They must have ran them through a del a rue machine. The Kurdistan Alliance is getting out front and getting some press time talking about VP Biden visit. Firyad Rawaanduzi, who is the current spokesman, said that Biden visit will not reverse the Justice and Accountability Commission (JAC) decision to ban those election candidates. I wonder if VP Biden, had any incentives or did he just do lunch and left as quickly as he came. I wonder if they were any benni's maybe they will be released in due time. And no I am not talking about an RV either. I am talking about serious matters. Rawanduzi did say this "The first option is the one that is supported by the majority, and this is to let the law to scrutinize those candidates who have been mentioned in the (JAC) lists, to see whether they have links to the former regime's Ba'th Party or not; if not then they can take part in the election. My comments is Firyad, how long do you think this is going take? You still think we will have the elections on time? The reason VP Biden came to Iraq and all this from my friends at the Baghdad coffee shop on Hiyfa Street. 1. The Framework Strategic Treaty between the U.S. and Iraq 2. To assist Iraq in exiting out of the United Nations Chapter Seven 3. The Security measures to start the U.S. withdrawal in August 2010 Biden was smart enough not to make comments about Iraq's internal affairs so he had a plan B and I give him credit for that. The United Nations has authorized the extension of the U.S. President memo to protect the DFI funds. Remember it was suppose to expire in May and now the U.N. has extended the mandate to the end of the year 2010. I already knew this as I told you last summer it was always going to be extended and do not be surprised the way things are going in the Iraqi Government could very well could be extended again till the end of 2011. Just so you know Chapter Seven and DFI protection are one. The governates are in need of funds to operate so the Iraq Finance Minister Bayan Jabr al-Zubaydi, has advised those governates to come and collect 20% of the 2010 Budget. Maybe that will keep them from rioting later. A Ministry of Trade report says 166 different factories established in Kurdistan Region in 2009. The Iraqi government is making headway on recovering money from others during the oil for food program. The Iraqi government is looking at signing deals with Russia for weapons very shortly. PM Maliki had announced that 70,000 army and police officers who served in the former army and police are considered for retirement pensions after the election in March. Maybe the Iraqi government will come out and say no you can not get a pension because you were a member of the Ba'ath party or in any case that's a lot of money in retirement pensions. The Ration Card; if you make more then 2,100 usd a month you no longer get the staples, the benefits of the Ration Card. http://www.americancontractor.com/2010/01/24_jan_american_contractor_int.html#more

"Mr. President, that's why I'm here, and that's why one of the main issues discussed today with all the parties was how the United States accelerates its efforts, our efforts, in implementing the Strategic Framework Agreement -- including by developing close bonds of commerce, investment, education, and culture." This part caught my eye

Gregg Carlstrom | January 24, 2010 10:18 AM | 0 | recommend (0) | | Joe Biden held a brief press appearance yesterday with Iraqi president Jalal Talabani. The big headline: Biden said the Justice Department will appeal a recent court decision dismissing charges against the Blackwater guards involved in the 2007 Nisour Square shooting. He also offered a few thoughts on the de-Ba'athification crisis, mostly of the "Iraqis need to work this out themselves, I'm not here to interfere" variety. Full transcript after the jump. Statement by U.S. vice president Joe Biden during an appearance in Baghdad with Iraqi president Jalal Talabani, Jan. 23, 2010: PRESIDENT TALABANI: This is a very happy occasion in which we host and welcome our dear friend, the friend of the Iraqi people, Vice President Joe Biden. He was our friend when he was in his days at the Senate, and he has always stood for us on the side of the Iraqi people. We welcome him, a very warm welcome. VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Mr. President, thank you very much. It's a pleasure to be back here in Baghdad. This is my fourth visit since being elected Vice President, and third since being sworn in. As a matter of fact, I've been here so often, I'm probably becoming a nuisance. And, Mr. President, it's always a pleasure to be with you. As -- I met this morning with the U.N. Special Representative, Mr. Melkert, with Prime Minister Maliki, with Speaker Samarrai'e. And I had lunch with a group of elected officials, Iraqi elected officials, over lunch. And the point of my visit is that Iraq remains a central priority for President Obama. Our administration is absolutely committed to a successful, stable, representative, and just Iraq. And we are committed to building an enduring partnership between Iraq and the United States. Mr. President, that's why I'm here, and that's why one of the main issues discussed today with all the parties was how the United States accelerates its efforts, our efforts, in implementing the Strategic Framework Agreement -- including by developing close bonds of commerce, investment, education, and culture. As President Obama made clear last year, we will end our combat mission of our troops this summer and draw down our forces in compliance with the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement. But even as we draw down our military, Mr. President, we will ramp up our political, diplomatic, and economic engagement with Iraq. It is often said that the true test of democracy is not the first election, but the second election. Just last month, Iraqi political leaders passed a historic election law, which for the first time endorsed an open list for national elections. And now, you all are working together to ensure that the March 7th national election will be inclusive, transparent, and fair. In my talks with Iraqi leaders today, one of the things we discussed was the recent controversy regarding the proposed disqualification of some of the candidates running for election. I want to make it clear: I am not here to resolve that issue. This is for Iraqis to do, not for me. After today's discussions, though, I am confident that Iraq's leaders are seized with the problem and are working for a final, just solution. The issue is not the goal of holding individuals accountable for their past actions, but the process of disqualification itself. Iraqi leaders understand that if the Iraq people and the international community see the process as fair and transparent, it will enhance the credibility of the election. Let me also be clear: The United States condemns the crimes of the previous regime, and we fully support Iraq's constitutional ban on the return to power of Sadam's Baath party. At the request of the Iraqi government, we will help Iraqis living in the United States participate in the election by making out-of-country voting available. We are also prepared to support the request of the U.S. -- for U.S. election observers. This support is only one small example of our commitment to Iraq's democracy. On another point, let me make -- take this opportunity to express my personal regret for the violence in Nisour involving Blackwater employees in 2007. The United States is determined -- determined to hold accountable anyone who commits crimes against the Iraqi people. While we fully respect the independence and integrity of the U.S. judicial system, we were disappointed by the judge's decision to dismiss the indictment, which was based on the way in which some evidence had been acquired. A dismissal, I want to make clear, is not an acquittal. And today, I am announcing that the United States government will appeal this decision. Our Justice Department will file that appeal from the judge's decision next week. Mr. President, flying from the airport last night over Baghdad, I saw a city alive with great possibilities. One of the things that has changed fundamentally since my first flight over the city in 2003 -- bright lights were all over the city where not long ago there was darkness. And there were bustling traffic jams where I once saw empty streets. And so I'm convinced, Mr. President, that Iraq's best days will still come, they are still ahead and the partnership between our two countries will grow even stronger. And I thank you, Mr. President, for your hospitality. Thank you, Mr. President. PRESIDENT TALABANI: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Welcome. VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thank God you're here. Thank God you're here. http://www.themajlis.org/2010/01/24/biden-on-baath-i-am-not-here-to-resolve-that-issue#more

Sunday, January 24th 2010 9:55 AM Baghdad, Jan. 24 (AKnews)

Sunday, January 24th 2010 6:30 PM Baghdad, Jan.24 (AKnews) – Iraqi MP, Jabber Habeeb Jabber, denied Sunday his resignation from the Iraqi Parliament for being appointed Iraq's ambassador overseas by Foreign Ministry. The ambassador position is still pending the endorsement of Iraq's Presidency, Jabber said, stressing that he still attends parliament meetings. Jabber, who belongs to the State of Law Coalition, told the Independent National News Agency of Kurdistan (AKnews) that he refuted the "report about his resignation" and that he "still attended parliamentary sessions". It too soon to talk about the resignation because the ambassador position decree is not effective, because the Presidency has not approved it as yet, Jabber said. But, the MP is waiting an endorsement "soon". Moreover, the country to where Jabber is expected to be Iraqi ambassador has not been defined yet, the MP emphasized. News reported said Jabber had stepped down from the parliament membership to take over the ambassador post in a foreign country. sa/ry (AKnews) http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/106985/

Osama Bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader, has warned Barack Obama, the US president, that there will be further attacks on the United States unless he takes steps to resolve the Palestinian situation. In an audio tape obtained by Al Jazeera on Sunday, the world's most wanted man also praised the Nigerian accused of a failed attempt to blow up an airliner heading for Detroit on Christmas Day. "The message I want to convey to you through the plane of the hero Omar Farouk [Abdulmutallab], reaffirms a previous message that the heroes of 9/11 conveyed to you," Bin Laden said. "America will never dream of living in peace unless we live it in Palestine. It is unfair that you enjoy a safe life while our brothers in Gaza suffer greatly. "America will never dream of living in peace unless we live it in Palestine. It is unfair that you enjoy a safe life while our brothers in Gaza suffer greatly. "Therefore, with God's will, our attacks on you will continue as long as you continue to support Israel," bin Laden said. "If it was possible to carry our messages to you by words we wouldn't have carried them to you by planes." Palestinian 'frontline' Phil Rees, the author of Dining with Terrorists, told Al Jazeera: "Bin Laden has a great sense of timing; it's a complete poke in the eye to President Obama at a time when Obama is domestically suffering. "The reference to Palestine is possibly the most interesting part of this because he almost now becomes the al-Qaeda leader that speaks about Palestine. "One thing is very clear, Osama still has followers spread all over the world and such messages do reinvigorate the spirit in these people about their mission" Imtiaz Gul, chairman of the Centre for Research and Security Studies "What you've now got in Gaza is bin Laden looking at the situation where there's a peace process which is going nowhere, and in an ironic way, Hamas is at the frontline of the battle with al-Qaeda there." Azzam Tamimi, a political analyst and the author of "Hamas the Unwritten Chapters", said that bin Laden was simply using the Palestinian issue in an attempt to mobilise Muslims against the US. "I would say that al-Qaeda has not been able to set foot in many places in the Muslim world despite its rhetoric," he told Al Jazeera. "In Palestine they failed miserably and that is why I understand this message as a return to the older strategy of waging war against America and the world order in the skies. "It is very difficult to compete with an organisation like Hamas in Palestine." Osama Hamdan, a spokesman for the Hamas movement, told Al Jazeera that the Palestinians were focused on ending the Israeli occupation. "All Arabs and Muslims support our cause. [but] the Palestinian position is clear, the resistance is against the occupation, the Israeli army who is occupying and killing our people," he said. "Everyone knows that the policies of the US have created huge problems in the region. At this moment, we know who our enemy is - the Israeli occupation." 'Subjected to scrutiny' Imtiaz Gul, the chairman of the Centre for Research and Security Studies in Islamabad, questioned whether the tape was genuine. "I think the validity of this tape should be subjected to scrutiny because we haven't heard from Mr Bin Laden for quite some time." The audio tape is believed to have been recorded last month. In the attempted attack on Christmas Day, Abdulmutallab, who is now in US police custody, allegedly tried to ignite explosives sewn into his underwear as Northwest Airlines Flight 253 made its final descent to Detroit. He had boarded the flight in Amsterdam, but purchased his tickets in Ghana on December 16. Passengers on the flight were able to overpower the would-be bomber as he attempted to ignite the explosive's fuse. After being taken into custody, Abdulmuttalab told police he had been directed by al-Qaeda and had obtained his explosive device in Yemen. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the organisation's affiliate in Yemen, has said it armed Abdulmutallab, describing the attempted attack as revenge for the US role in a Yemeni military offensive against al-Qaeda. Obama has criticised his own intelligence agencies for failing to piece together information about the suspect which should have stopped him boarding the flight. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/01/201012415287209336.html

Conscious / MP Khalid al-Asadi: There is great pressure to approve the budget tomorrow Conscious / Baghdad / N. And 24/1/2010 9:50 pm A member of the Iraqi Parliament MP Khalid al-Asadi, a coalition of state law that considerable efforts have been made by the political blocs to pass the budget and was the main obstacle that prevented approval is the insistence of a group of political blocs to pass a law despite his opposition to the electoral behavior of the Constitution. Asadi said in a telephone conversation with (the Iraqi Media News Agency / conscious) "There is now considerable pressure for approving the budget and hope that the quorum tomorrow and it is passed, and end this legislative session and prepare a full political forces to run quietly and transparency until we get the results of a successful and constructive." Stressing that the legislative term will not end until the adoption of the budget We will not extend but according to the constitution, the legislative term in which to raise the budget, which will continue until the legal approval, I think will benefit from the rest of the time for approval and that was our hope, and very senior political blocs over minor issues in the political thinking and looks at the country's interests ahead of the election. " T.. P a http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=ar&langpair=aren&u=http://al-iraqnews.net/new/siaysiah/49229.html&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&client=tmpg

Speaking on speculation: Yesterday, I had a meeting with a VP-Investments at Chase/JPMorgan who said that Iraq is in such debt, thanks to Hussein, that they don