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I think it can go 1 of 3 ways. 1) .05 then climb for a while until Iraq joins the GCC monetary union. 2) 1.40-1.50 (near the Euro) 3) Higher but with a LOP. I think #2 is more likely. Im hoping #2 is more likely.

I quit nicotine a littel over 3 months ago, 2 weeks ago the quack, I mean doc, said alcohol had to go. I decided I might as well do it. Nicotine should theoretically be harder than alcohol to give up, so I think both of us can make it. BTW, I'm adding the NLT Feb 6 date to my calendar of predictions.

If Iraq starts paying Iran for natural gas, will Iran be less likely to attack Iraq? Iran has entered into talks with Iraq for supplying its neighbor with natural gas, a senior Iranian gas official said. The Deputy Managing Director of the National Iranian Gas Company, Mostafa Kashkouli, said that Iran is in negotiations with Iraq to pump its gas to the country via two pipelines that cross the border at Dehloran and Khorramshahr, but he offered no details. Kashkouli stated the Islamic Republic seeks to increase its share of the gas export market by finding new consumers. Last year, Iranian Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi suggested that Baghdad might benefit from Iranian gas in its efforts to increase electricity production. Iran possesses the world's second largest gas reserves, which compose almost 16 percent of the world's total. The country is eager to expand its consumer base for energy resources. http://www.topix.com/world/iraq/2010/01/latest-news-iran-enters-gas-talks-with-iraq

More progress made on the oil deals: Iraq finalizes oil deal with Eni-led consortium By Sinan Salaheddin, Associated Press Writer , On Friday January 22, 2010, 6:32 am EST BAGHDAD (AP) -- Iraq on Friday signed a final agreement with a consortium led by Italy's Eni SpA to develop a promising oil field in the south, another step forward in the nation's efforts to develop its dilapidated oil sector to bring in sorely needed cash for postwar reconstruction. Under the 20-year deal, Eni and partners -- Los Angeles-based Occidental Petroleum Corp. and South Korea's KOGAS -- will develop the 4.1 billion barrel Zubair field for $2 per barrel produced above the current production. The deal boosts Iraq's drive to bring in Western oil technology and raise output. It also marks the first entry by a U.S. oil company to Iraq since the country nationalized its oil industry in 1970. The consortium plans to boost production from around 200,000 barrels per day to 1.2 million barrels a day within seven years at the field, which was first offered in June in Iraq's first such oil auction in more than 30 years. Only one deal was struck in June, but three consortiums later accepted Iraq's terms for developing two oil fields in the south, including Zubair field. The Eni-led group initially bid $4.80 per barrel produced, but agreed to the lower payout offered by Iraq. The Iraqi oil minister, Hussain al-Shahristani, hailed the signing as an "important day in the history of the Iraqi oil industry" and noted that production at Zubair was not at a "satisfactory level" despite years of efforts in Iraqi hands. Eni CEO Paolo Scaroni called the event a "historical moment," estimating investment of at least $20 billion in the field, located in Basra province, about 340 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad. Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, was a base for Shiite militia factions until an Iraqi-led offensive in early 2008. The area has been relatively calm in the past two years. Scaroni said the consortium would probably have both a private security company and Iraqi forces. He didn't elaborate. "Yes, we are very pleased to be the first American oil company signing a deal in Iraq," Occidental's Executive Vice President, John M. Winterman told The Associated Press on the sideline of the signing ceremony at the Oil Minister in Baghdad. Iraq has pending deals with six consortiums, which include major firms such as Exxon Mobil Corp., Royal Dutch Shell PLC and China's CNPC consortium. The deals are scheduled to be wrapped up next week. Although it sits atop the world's third-largest proven oil reserves, Iraq produces a comparatively modest 2.5 million barrels per day -- with about 1.9 million barrels a day are exported. Crude oil sales account for roughly 90 percent of the government's budget.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100122/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq January 22, 2010Iraq election chief: More candidates to be banned Hamid Ahmed Iraq's electoral commission chief said Friday he expects more candidates to be blacklisted from March parliament elections because of suspected ties to Saddam Hussein's Sunni-led regime, an issue that has split the highest levels of Iraq's government. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Shiite-dominated government appeared Friday to be throwing support to the government-sanctioned body tasked with identifying hardcore supporters of Saddam's outlawed Baath Party. The development came a day after Iraqi President Jalal Talabani questioned the legitimacy of the legal authority of the same body, the Accountability and Justice Committee. The additional names, which could be added to the list as early as Saturday, will include military men who carried forged documents and people with criminal records, commission chief Faraj al-Haidari told The Associated Press. The proposed ban has raised concerns among U.S. officials that such a move could undermine political stability and lead to an increase in violence ahead of the nationwide balloting March 7. A leaked list with more than 500 names thought to be banned by the committee was printed in Iraqi newspapers on Thursday. Al-Haidari declined to confirm whether that list was authentic or to discuss the number of candidates who so far could potentially be banned from running, but he said the names include members of Iraq's various sects and ethnic groups. He says the number of Sunnis and Shiites is roughly equal. "We informed the political parties of the names of those candidates that would be banned, and there are two choices for them: either replace the candidate or appeal to the court," al-Haidari said. Reconciliation between Sunnis and Shiites has been a priority for the U.S., which worries a flare-up between Baghdad's Shiite-dominated government and Sunnis who lost their political prominence following Saddam's 2003 fall could destabilize the country. Political tensions have been on the rise in recent months following accusations by al-Maliki that Baathists were to blame for a series of attacks since last summer that targeted government sites in downtown Baghdad. Hundreds were killed and wounded in the explosions. The U.S. is concerned the blacklisting of candidates could undo Iraq's security gains, possibly jeopardizing a timetable set by President Barack Obama to withdraw all but 50,000 troops by Aug. 31, 2010. The remaining U.S. troops would leave Iraq by the end of 2011. Vice President Joe Biden was expected to visit Baghdad soon, underscoring U.S. concern about the rising tension. However, Ali al-Dabbagh, Iraq's government spokesman, said the banning of candidates is an internal matter. "Their exclusion from the elections is a matter that is governed by the constitution and the laws regulating the work of the committee," he said. "It is an internal affair that should be discussed by Iraqi political entities." Talabani, a Kurd, said Thursday he requested a ruling from the Higher Judicial Council on whether the vetting committee has the authority to ban candidates. Al-Maliki, though, appeared Friday to be standing by the committee, telling Shiite tribal leaders during a meeting in southern Iraq that they should not support Baathists. "Baathists are the ones who brought terrorism and created sectarian divisions among people," al-Maliki said. ___ Associated Press Writers Chelsea J. Carter and Sameer N. Yacoub contributed to this report. The Associated Press

Since this is the 5th or 6th time in JUST the last 2 months, I'd say they have a wheel with 'intel' on it, and today spin landed on "banks are awaiting a rate".

Ahh, once again someone clinging to the "No WMD" BS. Anyone familiar with Iraq (which should be all of us) , would know that Chemical Ali just got a death sentence for the 5000+ deaths in Halabja, caused by poison gas. I can understand clinging to party lines because of tradition, but believing every lie spat out by corrupt politicians when there are facts available is just inexcusable. Both parties lie. Almost all politicians are corrupt. 5000+ dead Kurds=WMD.

Well, I see what the excuse for this week will be on that site. "YES, I know I've told you many times the RV was already done, but now it's the Parliament's fault"

Banks won't know until it happens. Some of the larger banks who reqularly perform currency exchanges will be aware that there's a possibility, but until the Dinar is OFFICIALLY a recognized currency outside of Iraq, they wont do much with it, or provide much info for it.

Are you sure the 500 isnt on this page? http://www.cbi.iq/banknotesandcoins.html

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/world/EU-Iraq-sign-energy-cooperation-pact/Article1-499168.aspx

I still dont see a strong possibility of a lop at this time. If the RV doesnt happen soon, the changing political and economic climates may bring about circumstances in which a lop is possible.

http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=11309

Oli let me know about this. I googled the keywords so I could find a safe URL to post. Oli gets the assist. BTW, 5600 killed in one gas attack, yet we still have people in the US insisting that WMD never existed. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100117/ ... _mi_ea/ml_iraq

Proof of increasing stability, which we want.

NOTE: chas32 joined the chat, mentioned an article but she didnt want to post it because it was another site. I used keywords from the title to find a neutral site and posted it for her, so chas gets the assist on this. Kuwait being willing to forgive 16 billion+ is significant. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100116/wl_mideast_afp/kuwaitiraqdebtdiplomacy

Guys, I dont know how to say it. The best I can do is just say thank you.

Got another one: there once was a man named terry... his wife said his butt was real hairy... .. then his dinars RVd ... he was wealthy indeed.... now his wallet's too heavy to carry.

There once was a d-vet named Terry Who had more dinars than he could carry. He got really sick from playing with his ....... vietnamese currency But got better and now he is merry. Hope you feel better TK.

I believe almost everyone can provide input. My source, Sheik M. 8 Ball, says that the other Sheik may be misguided, but is mildly entertaining and does not cause offense. However, M. 8 Ball also said, "Signs point to yes" Dont know what that had to do with the question.

blah blah blah blah.