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The signers of the new Oil law will have more to worry about after they sign and pass the Iraq Oil Law and that is death threats from the 1920 revolution brigades a militant group.
This militant group said on there web site.
'We warn all those who have a role in approving this law, which represents a danger to our future, ... they will not escape the punishment of the mujahideen,' the statement said."
Just one more thing to worry about.
26 Gallons wouldn't fill up my Chevy truck and I am suppose to run on that for a full month. I don't think so at least not for me. I fully expect more riots in Tehran as the people are smart enough to know they can't do that either.
This is the same Tehran government that signed a energy deal with Iraq to give refined products from Iran to Iraq in exchange for oil. Why would Iran make this deal knowing that it will hurt the Iranian people.
And more importantly is why does Iran send refine products to Iraq knowing that it imports over half their refined products from abroad. Remember what I have said before with Iran it's all about position. To make inroads into Iraq at all costs.
Iran is opening up banks in Baghdad to serve as a conduit to funnel funds into Iraq. To fund different projects that are for and against Iraqi national interests. It doesn't take a rocket scientist that the Iranian government is not for the people of Iran it's all about keeping the people down and hope they don't rise up and topple your own current government.
I appreciate it if you take the time and read this article which was published in the Wall Street Journal by Mr. Robert Mcfarlane. It just goes to show you all that no matter what you see on the tv that there are things that are taking place behind the scenes.
To get a large group of people of importance together in one room is a feat in it's self especially in Iraq. Meetings like these are organized by people who care what happens in Iraq and to the Iraqi people and I am glad that this article was written by someone in attendance.
It gives hope and hopefully the second meeting will be just as good or better. Now if we only can get the political elements on the same page as the Religious clerics and do right by the Iraqi people, will be on the way of a more stable Iraq. I am hopeful that this will occur very soon.
The Iraqi 'Nation'
By ROBERT MCFARLANE
June 27, 2007; Page A12
One reason put forward for why we ought not continue the fight in Iraq is that the Iraqis themselves aren't doing their part to unite their country against the insurgency. It's wrong.
Two weeks ago, I participated in a remarkable three-day gathering of more than 70 Iraqi clerics. It was held in Baghdad, was organized by Canon Andrew White, an Anglican priest in Iraq, and had one aim: Give Iraqi religious leaders a forum to listen to and engage one another. It was a phenomenal success.
The conference was encouraging from the outset because it attracted some of the top clerics in the country. They included close advisors to Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the senior Shiite prelate in Iraq; Moqtada Al Sadr, the firebrand leader of the Mahdi militia; and equivalent Sunni and Kurdish figures. They arrived clearly interested in fostering reconciliation among Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, and in the process reducing violence, disarming the militias and enacting into law a framework for a fair distribution of political and economic power. Many of the participants are members of the parliament.
Think about the meaning of what's described in the preceding paragraph. How often have you asked yourself over the past four years as violence has unfolded in Iraq, "Is it possible that the hatred and bitterness on display each day will ever evolve into reconciliation?" After attending this conference, I believe the answer is yes.
First, it is important to note that in Iraq the term "cleric" carries a different meaning than in the West. In Islam, one's personal obligation is to devote himself to improving the well-being of his political and economic setting. A concept known as jihad acknowledges for some sects the legitimacy of violence. Indeed, many of the participants at the conference have a violent history. So much the better, because it is only through getting those at the center of the conflict to engage with their adversaries that we will find the basis for a modus vivendi. And so it turned out at this conference.
The opening salvos from each of the three sects involved rhetorical statements of grievance -- each against the others. What was remarkable, however, was that the statements turned out to be pro forma and by the afternoon of the first day these very powerful figures began to listen to one another. What transpired was fascinating. Shiite participants acknowledged that their followers had intermarried with Sunnis for generations -- and vice versa -- and while all deplored the brutality of Saddam's regime no one counted it as legitimating a blood feud. The common theme was one of anger at the violence in Iraq and its primary driver, al Qaeda. But this rage came tempered by a commitment to put their country back together. Throughout the conference, they called it their "nation."
By the second day they began to focus on setting benchmarks to measure each other's commitment to what was being said. Each of the participants, men and women of great influence -- the elite of Iraq -- pledged to return to their provinces and seek to reduce violence, attempt to disarm the militias and (for those members of the parliament) to forge a compromise and pass critical legislation including the pending oil law -- a benchmark measure of the willingness of Shiites and Kurds to acknowledge the centrality of a secure economic future for Sunnis.
It is important to note that this conference was strongly supported by American Ambassador Ryan Crocker as well as by Gen. David Petraeus, commander of coalition forces in Iraq. Neither sought to intervene nor to drive the conference toward any particular conclusion. Both clearly understood, however, that broad-based political reconciliation is the linchpin of any hope for lasting stability in Iraq.
In Washington, Mr. White's effort to nurture the process of reconciliation has been quietly supported by the Defense Department. Some would dismiss such support as nothing but self-interest on the part of the Pentagon. But I believe there is more to it than that. After four very difficult and counterproductive years in Iraq, we now have leaders in place in Baghdad who understand the nature of this conflict. Ambassador Crocker and Gen. Petraeus intuitively know that a political accommodation acceptable to all is only stable foundation for peace in Iraq. And they also understand that such a foundation can only be laid by Iraqis.
On the last day of the conference the delegates pledged to reconvene as soon as possible. A final settlement will likely take some time. But current plans call for a second meeting to be held in Cairo in August. The irony of this possibly historic work is that it is operating on a shoestring. Mr. White has organized a nonprofit in the U.S. and is now trying to raise the fairly modest sums needed to keep this trialogue going. If you'd like to know more about his efforts, please send me a note.
Mr. McFarlane, a national security adviser for President Ronald Reagan, can be reached via email at RCM@McFarlaneAssociatesInc.com.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118290882577449495-search.html?KEYWORDS=robert+mcfarlane&COLLECTION=wsjie/6month
Published by the Wall Street Journal
This article is reprinted with expressed permission.
Prime Minister Maliki Cabinet Ministers will resign and a new Cabinet will be formed. It will be very difficult for the current Cabinet to continue governing in it's present form due to the lack of services.
PM Maliki will appoint the new cabinet ministries. This is possibly PM Maliki announcement. A few months back the Firebrand Cleric Al-Sader had removed six of his Cabinet ministers in protest and wanted Independents for their replacements. Things will be different now as PM Maliki will be appointing the new cabinet members based on Parties and not Political Blocks and each party will nominate one Cabinet member per party.
Some say that there is a chance that this selection process of Cabinet Ministers could be successful without the pressure from political blocks. Like anything else in Iraq will just have to wait and see. One thing is for sure change is coming.
After several months of stalling and not coming together on the Oil Law the Kurds have agreed at least for now allowing the Oil Law to be submitted to the Iraqi Cabinet. The cabinet will be looking at the amended version on Monday. Everyone is watching to see what the Iraqi Cabinet does.
I hope it does well but what about this boycott.
The Foreign policy magazine had listed the North Korean Won as the worse currency followed by the Iraqi Dinar.
With the announcement of the Surge being completed the U.S. Military has begun major operations.
You need another major operation when you only control 40% of Baghdad.
On several Dinar Forums on the internet they continue to inflate the coming Revaluation (RV) of the Iraqi Dinar currency. They pump up the RV to increase dinar sales to unsuspecting new and old hands of this currency investment.
I have been noticing several members who are cashing in and selling their dinar in order to come up with some quick cash or getting out of the investment all together. Like I have said before any Iraqi Dinars outside the country of Iraq is illegal and will not be honored. There is no RV planned in June 2007.
If the outcome is not what we want after meetings from different elements then it leaves only one other choice. And it starts with the letter J.
Iraq’s political leaders have failed to reach agreements on nearly every law that the Americans have demanded as benchmarks, despite heavy pressure from Congress, the White House and top military commanders.
One of the architects for the Oil Law Mr. Tariq Shafiq, is very pessimistic on the passing of the law. Saying that Iraqi don't know if there going to live the next day or not. The goal is to get to 2.5 million barrels a day by 2010 up from the current 1.5 million barrels a day as it currently stands if they don't have any more problems with terror attacks against the oil pipelines and refineries.
PM Maliki said "we are now in a worse situation then a year ago"
The Ministry of Oil spokesman said "We hope the ratification of this law will be achieved in no more than one month from now."
If you remember last Dec 2006 Maliki said he really didn't want to be the PM of Iraq and wanted to step down. It is possible he could very well get his wish. Especially if he keeps having visitors.
Admiral Fallon also said that Iraq's Shiite-dominated Government had consolidated power and should have the confidence to reach out to its opponents. "You have the power," he said. "You should take the initiative."
This is video is not unusual if you have the time to watch it. Phyllis Bennis is a left extreme liberal and I am shocked at myself that I watched the whole thing. Bennis throws the word Mercenary like no tomorrow. Unfortunately, she has got the meaning of Mercenary all wrong.
I am no mercenary as I love my country and still have my citizenship and passport and working for a prime contractor in the Middle East and Central Asia.
When your top political advisor says:
"We hope to achieve some of them, but solving the Iraqi problems and resolving the different challenges in the [next] three months would need a miracle," Rikabi said.
You know there are some serious problems.
I am surprised PM Maliki has lasted this long in his position. We need some changes someone that can move the Iraq Parliament and the Cabinet forward and get the issues and problems resolved.
When the government fails you can always count on private enterprises to help the people especially entrepreneurs who want to make changes and better there lives such as organizations like Kiva make it possible.
You can read about them here in this news report.
I respect anyone that wears in good standing the uniform of the United States Military whether your male or female. (now you know I have to be politically correct)
For all you hardcore readers of the American Contractor Blog I would like to mention one particular soldier/blogger and a member of America's Finest the 82nd Airborne Division.
He is a writer, blogger, internet savvy, and probably can be seen passing out candy and flowers to win hearts and minds in Iraq. Does he enjoy it?!!! I am sure he does but what is the one thing he enjoys the best!!
Well, that is like all soldiers.
Pulling triggers.
Who is he????
This is interesting if the United States withdraws in 2009 as the article states then you have to ask yourself where are they going.
Maybe there going here! Minus the weapons.
I believe some are leaving but not all. The United States just signed a security agreement in Kurdistan. This means a nice piece of real estate. A large military base somewhere in Margaritaville.
"we have every right to take measures against terrorist activities directed at us from northern Iraq."
If you substituted the word Turkey for the United States, is it not the same thing. After all we are on the same side right!!
Seven Turkish soldiers killed. 10 billion dollars in trade. Seven soldiers killed. You get the picture. Read the Article here.
It has been one year since I started this blog and I am committed.
I am heading back to work you know the Contracting thing.
Work with me here!!
Have more Interviews but won't post them.
You know I wait
one year then I post.
Why I do what I do....I just do.
How much is an interview with Dr. Shabibi.
I'll tell ya.....
Priceless.
The Good Dr. David Kilcullen is from the down under and now in Baghdad hanging out with the General.
"I work with them, I support them, I protect them. They must give us something," he said as he sipped tea in a small cafe in the fortified Green Zone.
Helen Thomas from the Aspen Daily News Brings up some good points. I wonder if she has ever spent some time in Iraq and Afghanistan?
I am not sure what to think of this article.
Everybody's got problems.
Just a report of possible Artillery fire on the Iraqi border. The report does not mention any casualties or killed. You know - The Score.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkish troops shelled a border area in northern Iraq early Sunday in an attack on Kurdish rebels based there, an Iraqi Kurdish leader said. The leader of the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, Massoud Barzani, said there was shelling by Turkish troops on Kurdish areas but no incursion. "We reject any interference in Iraqi affairs and we do not accept any presence of Turkish forces on Iraqi lands. There was shelling by the Turkish troops on Kurdish areas. The Turkish army did not enter Iraqi territory yet but if they did, we would consult the Iraqi government and deal with it as an Iraqi issue," Barzani said at a news conference after meeting with fellow Kurdish leader and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.
A few days ago I had mentioned the trade between Iraq and Turkey has reached 10 Billion dollars. Today the 4th of June the Turkish papers are saying the same thing.
Possible attack on PKK in Iraq would hurt regional economyAs Turkey prepares for a possible attack on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq, residents along the border are bracing for the negative impact of any military action on cross-border trade. "This border is my only hope," said truck driver Süleyman Gidim, who was ferrying gasoline to US troops to Iraq and has a family of seven to feed. The economic fallout of an attack could be huge for both sides: Turkey provides electricity and oil products to the Iraqi Kurdish administration, and the annual trade volume at the Habur Gate crossing is more than $10 billion. The Turkish military has been building up forces along the border, where separatist militants cross from safe havens in Iraq to carry out attacks.
An analysis about the "surge'" just too early to tell. I don't think there will be a report from the General in September. It is just to early, let the forces get grounded say about six more months and then report. The Washington Clock probably will not allow this, just have to see how this plays out in September 2007.
And Read this!
Troops on the border I hope they let the trucks carrying oil and goods into Iraq. Turkey does on average 10 billion dollars in trade with Iraq. Do you think this is a factor in whether or not the Turkish army invades Iraq or not. Let's hope they don't do this it is not in the best interest of everyone.
US civilians leaving northern Iraq The US and some European countries are evacuating their citizens from northern Iraq due to the Turkey's possible attack on Kurdistan. The Turkish army Friday warning came as the Anatolia news agency reported that Kurdish security forces in northern Iraq had earlier harassed Turkish soldiers at a checkpoint in the city of Sulaimaniyah. The US and Israeli military personnel, often disguised as members of security companies, train the militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) according to DEBKA-Net-Weekly on Saturday. The Israeli citizens are also exiting the region through the Irbil International Airport as well as some Turkey-Kurdistan checkpoints, which are still open. Turkey has concentrated 80,000 troops at Sirank where the borders of Syria-Turkey-Iraq converge. The Kurdish forces also deployed 25,000 to the Kandil Mountains of northern Iraq.
The bad guys trying to isolate Iraqi's and making it harder to conduct business. I guess the bad guys don't care about the economy they just want more people to suffer and suffering they are.
BAGHDAD, June 2 -- Insurgents blasted a gaping hole in a major bridge on the main highway from Baghdad to northern Iraq on Saturday, part of a growing effort to target Iraq's infrastructure and immobilize its people.Ever since a large chunk of the steel-beamed Sarafiya bridge splashed into the Tigris River in April, attackers have systematically targeted bridges in and around Baghdad. The tactic has further sealed off neighborhoods, blocked vital transportation links and in some cases worsened divisions between Sunnis and Shiites.
Concern about the attacks led the Iraqi government to prohibit oil tankers and other heavy trucks from crossing all but two of Baghdad's 13 bridges across the Tigris, worsening fuel shortages at a time when drivers must regularly wait hours for gas in lines hundreds of cars long.
"We are really tired of this kind of living," said Amer Abdul Razzaq, 46, the owner of an abandoned hotel and a looted carpet shop, who was visiting a friend near the foot of the Sinek bridge in Baghdad. "We cannot work, we cannot move from one side of the river to the other. These bridges are not military targets, they are affecting the people."
There are 19 benchmarks for the Iraqi government to achieve before the two reports from president Bush is scheduled in July and September 2007. I have some notes and all 19 benchmarks listed.
The Iraqi government can show progress in some areas and for the others it is going to take awhile. I have faith in the Iraqi government they will do it on there time and after all it is the Middle East.
H.R. 2206 - U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act for FY2007
The president must report to congress in July and September 2007 regarding the Iraqi governments progress. The bill says that if the president cannot certify that progress is being made on the benchmarks and submit revisions to the political, economic, regional, and military components of the "surge" strategy.
The bill also says that if the president can not certify that progress is being made the economic support funds that is in the bill for Iraq will be withheld. The president is also granted the authority to waive this restriction.
As everyone knows and been widely reported in media reports General David Petraeus is required to testify before congress prior to the president second report in September. The bill also requires independent assessments by the Comptroller General and a private sector entity on the progress towards these benchmarks and the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces.
The bill also establishes benchmarks for the Iraqi government in the bill are:
1. Forming a Constitutional Review Committee and then completing the Constitutional review;
2. Enacting and implementing legislation on de-bathification;
3. Enacting and implementing legislation to ensure the equitable distribution of hydrocarbon resources of the people of Iraq without regard to the sect or ethnicity of recipients, and enacting and implementing legislation to ensure that the energy resources of Iraq benefit Sunni Arabs, Shia Arabs, Kurds,
and other Iraqi citizens in an equitable manner;
4. Enacting and implementing legislation on procedures to form semi-autonomous regions;
5. Enacting and implementing legislation establishing an Independent High Electoral Commission;
6. Provincial elections law; provincial council authorities; and a date for provincial elections;
7. Enacting and implementing legislation addressing amnesty;
8. Enacting and implementing legislation establishing a strong militia disarmament program to ensure that such security forces are accountable only to the central government and loyal to the Constitution of Iraq;
9. Establishing supporting political, media, economic, and services committees in support of the Baghdad Security Plan;
10. Providing three trained and ready Iraqi Brigades to support Baghdad operations;
11. Providing Iraqi commanders with all authorities to execute this plan and to make tactical operations decisions, in consultation with U.S. commanders, without political intervention, to include the authority to pursue all extremists, including Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias;
12. Ensuring that the Iraqi Security Forces are providing even handed enforcement of the law;
13. Ensuring that the Baghdad security plan will not provide a safe haven for outlaws;
14. Reducing the level of sectarian violence in Iraq and eliminating militia control of local security;
15. Establishing all of the planned joint security stations in neighborhoods across Baghdad;
16. Increasing the number of Iraqi security forces units capable of operating independently;
17. Ensuring that the rights of minority political parties in the Iraqi legislature are protected;
18. Allocating and spending $10 billion in Iraqi revenues for reconstruction projects, including delivery of essential services, on an equitable basis;
19. Ensuring that Iraq's political authorities are not undermining or making false accusations against members of the ISF.
This will be an interesting case and I will be following it closely. Continuing my endeavors as a American Contractor is getting more complex, but I am not worried I will still have something to do in the Middle East and can't forget Central Asia. There is plenty of work to go around.
A federal judge yesterday ordered the military to temporarily refrain from awarding the largest security contract in Iraq. The order followed an unusual series of events set off when a U.S. Army veteran filed a protest against the government practice of hiring what he calls mercenaries, according to sources familiar with the matter. The contract, worth about $475 million, calls for a private company to provide intelligence services to the U.S. Army and security for the Army Corps of Engineers on reconstruction work in Iraq. The case, which is being heard by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, puts on trial one of the most controversial and least understood aspects of the Iraq war: the outsourcing of military security to an estimated 20,000 armed contractors who operate with little oversight. Brian X. Scott, a 53-year-old Colorado man, filed the complaint in early April. He argues that the military's use of private security contractors is "against America's core values" and violates an 1893 law that prohibits the government from hiring quasi-military forces.
More added pressure on the Iraq government to pass a Oil and Petroleum Law. I hope they keep the pressure up so that the Iraqi's get there much needed or badly needed reconstruction funds from the United States.
WASHINGTON, June 1 The U.S. State Department says Iraqis need time to get the oil law "right," while U.S. pressure is to ensure Baghdad keeps its eyes on the prize. A senior department official told UPI on condition of anonymity that Iraqis negotiating the law must strike a "delicate balance" between getting it right and getting it done. The law will govern Iraq's vast petroleum reserves -- the world's third-largest -- and determine regional and federal control over the oil and the extent of foreign oil company involvement. It will also decide how the revenue from oil sales is split up, among other issues. "It's absolutely critical they get this right," the official said, adding, "It really is in their self interest to address these issues as soon as possible." But Iraqi parliamentarians and oil experts on various sides of the debate say U.S. pressure to pass the law could make matters worse by rushing the divisive issue. President Bush has called the law a "benchmark for reconciliation" and he, U.S. ambassadors to Iraq and Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Robert Gates have expressed the desire for the law to be passed soon. Congressional Democrats have joined the chorus, including it as a benchmark for success in supplemental war funding passed last week. The official said the United States has spent the last few years "getting the investment climate right in Iraq," which, in terms of the oil law, means pushing Baghdad for "clear, transparent" legislation. The United States, via a contract with McLean, Va.-based consultant BearingPoint Inc., has provided specialized experts, like an oil lawyer, to answer questions oil law negotiators may have, the State Department official said.
The time lines were dropped from the Iraq Bill and more benchmarks have been added to a total of 19.
The Iraq funding bill is far from being a sellout as its many critics on left and right claim -- in fact it imposes far more benchmarks to assess progress in Iraq than have ever been applied before, a leading U.S. military expert maintains. "As for the actual benchmarks, they are about as good as any practical legislation can get, and better defined than most academic and think tank lists," Anthony H. Cordesman, who holds the Arleigh A. Burke chair in strategy at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, a Washington think tank, writes in a new analysis entitled "Setting the Right Benchmarks: The Opportunity for Bipartisan Progress." Cordesman's conclusion flies in the face of current Washington conventional wisdom on both right and left. President George W. Bush has been on a high in public appearances since the Democratic-controlled Congress backed down and withdrew its demands to insert a timetable for U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq into a major defense funding bill. The Democrats were divided on the issue, and anti-war activists have angrily branded the provisions of the bill after the timetable pullout language was withdrawn as a sellout. But Cordesman argues that the bill still marks significant progress in the efforts of the new Congress to impose new standards of accountability and assessment on U.S. military and nation-building efforts in Iraq. He listed 18 different benchmark requirements in the legislation, none of which had been imposed by previous Republican-controlled congresses.
Just another reminder to the Iraqi government that if they don't pass the Iraq Oil and Petroleum law no funding or aid from the United States. I know it mentions benchmarks and that President Bush is committed to helping the Iraqi government achieve important objectives.
The Iraq oil law is the big one and if all of Iraq can get behind this law and pass it in the Iraqi Parliament then reason would have it that all the other bills that need to be passed would be that much easier, at least we can all hope.
President Bush on Thursday assured Iraqi President Jalal Talabani that he is ``fully committed'' to aiding the Iraqi government and dispatched a top aide to Baghdad to help leaders there make good on their promises. Talabani, whose visit to the United States has included medical treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., looked hearty as he sat in the Oval Office and defended his country's progress. ``I told the president that I'm fully committed to helping the Iraqi government achieve important objectives,'' Bush said.