28 Oct 2009 Newsletter
American Contractor Blogger latest commentary
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American Contractor Blogger latest commentary
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Do you know what is so great about not having a private web site...I don't have to pre-approve anything...
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I like transparency and the freely exchange of information no matter what side of the spectrum it is. Its the only way people can decide for themselves what is relevant for them in whatever they are trying to accomplish or learn about. The censoring of information which if someone or a web site is censoring the only logical conclusion you can conclude is that its designed to mislead you by not allowing you the different viewpoint or perspective.
The writings and postings of the American Contractor blogger is for you to read for your enjoyment and obtain a different viewpoint on Iraq and what is happening on the ground. Believe what you like and gather as much information as you can in whatever endeavor you find yourself in regards to Iraq.
Iraq Investment Laws
My last posting dated 27 September, I mentioned about the Investment laws that needed to pass before the Prime Minister of Iraq, Nuri al-Maliki and his delegation, arrive and attend the U.S. - Iraq Conference in Wash., D.C. on 21 October. To date as I write this the Iraqi Parliament has still not able to pass the four investment laws that are needed to facilitate foreign injection of foreign money into Iraq's reconstruction. Remember what I've said PM Maliki is attempting to ask for funds with out the Iraqi Parliament ratifying the needed Investment Laws to support those offers.
When I mentioned about the investment laws the very next day on 28 September, a news article from the Iraqi newspaper Aswat al-Iraq confirmed what I had posted the previous day.
The Headline Reads and the article below.
4 laws await parliamentary approval
September 28, 2009
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Four crucial legislative items are awaiting a parliamentary approval during the current legislative term, the vice president of the parliamentary economic committee said on Monday.
The items include an amendment to the Investment Law, which was submitted to a first reading and is expected to be debated next week; the Customs Tariff Law; the Infrastructure Law and the Consumer Protection Law,î Yonadem Konna told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
The four laws are expected to be passed during the current legislative term, Konna pointed out.
http://en.aswataliraq.info/?p=119619
The four laws that are in dire straights to be passed are;
Amendment to Investment Law
Customs Tariff Law
Infrastructure Law
Consumer Protection Law
It would be of great benefit to the Iraqi government and most importantly the Iraqi people who are suffering daily if all four laws can be passed before the U.S. Iraq Investment Conference. If not than I do believe the same thing will happen as it happened in April 30, 2009 at the Investment Conference in London which is nothing.
So if the Iraq Investment laws are not passed then why have the Investment conference you are probably wondering the only answer I can give is you have to look at the NEW YORK TIMES article dated 27 September 2009.
New York Times article:
Many Investors Still Avoid Risks of Iraq
Privately, though, American officials express concern that it will be little more than a political exercise before Mr. Malikiís re-election campaign unless the Iraqis do more to create a solid foundation for foreign investors willing to take a risk on the country's prospects.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/28/world/middleeast/28diyala.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&hp
The New York Times article is very informative and describes the state of affairs the Iraqi government is dealing with at this time. Commercial contracts worth millions being cancelled for a variety of reasons. Largely due to inefficient laws and regulation towards the investors investment.
I have mentioned this in the past where it concerns the International Monetary Fund (IMF) imposing guidelines as to the break up of the State owned enterprises and the firing of State workers. You do not terminate government employees right before you have a National Election if you want to remain in power.
In the same New York Times Article it mentions about the dismissal of workers.
Iraqi law forbids foreign companies from owning equity in state-owned enterprises. The Ministry of Industry also forbids wholesale restructuring of companies that would require dismissing workers.
most accurate
Iraq Important Dates
My 'most accurate' Iraq Important Dates, as you all can see I have added a few more important dates to the list.
On 14 October the Iraqi Parliament is back in session to vote on we all hope the Investment laws. The short break occurred because just before the Iraqi Parliament session last week and just before the questioning of the Ministry of Electricity. There were rumors of explosives inside the Ministry so everything was evacuated to conduct a search of the building and there are some unverified reports from different Arab media sources that explosives were found. The Ministry of Electricity, Kareem Wahid, who was just about to be questioned is probably glad that it happened because his questioning has now been postponed. Lucky him!
Another Important and ever so accurate Iraq date is the conference in Heidelberg, Germany on 26-31 October, in which the Iraqi government officials will be discussing the obstacles that is generated from the Iraq Constitution. All in attendance will be Iraq government ministers, Parliament members, International experts, and others I shall not name for security reasons. Hopefully, solve the problem of the disputed areas, and how to develop a state based on a federal system and institutions. There is more to this however I'll mention at a later time. The Max Planck Institute of International Law will sponsor the conference.
On 1 November you have the Release of Financial assets of Iraqi Parliament members to the public and not everyone in the Parliament have released their financials for obvious reasons. I think the figure is about 30% of the members have given there financial status to the Integrity Board. The rest are thinking about it.
On 16 October the Sadr Movement will be holding a primary election for the upcoming National Elections as several hundred potential candidates are aspiring for those positions. The Sadr Movement have imposed higher standards for public office compared to what the requirements from the HEC are; such as the IHEC requires H.S. Diploma, the Sadr Movement requires a B.A., however, with all those fake college degrees floating around that is probably not hard to overcome.
RV UPDATE
The landscape as it is in Iraq does not support any change in the exchange rate or any change in the Iraqi dinar currency. Not this month in October, and I can also say with confidence for the rest of the year knowing the National Elections coming up in less then 100 days from now. The intel guru's, Information wizards, and all others, all good people I am sure; I just don't see things the way they all are seeing things, at least not on the ground as I see it. There are a lot obstacles to overcome before that type of scenario can ever be considered in Iraq.
I know a lot of you may disagree with my analysis on this and that is fine feel free to contact me and we can debate it.
As always more to follow...
I have included a variety of cartoons from different newspapers in Baghdad. See below.
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Most Accurate - Important Iraq Dates
October 14, 2009 – Iraq Parliament back in session
October 16-17, 2009, Getenergy for Iraq 2009, Istanbul, Turkey
16 October 2009 – Sadr Movement Primary Elections
October 2009 – International Compact with Iraq – Baghdad
October 26-31, 2009 Iraq Constitution Conference, Heidelberg, Germany
November 1, 2009 Release of Financials; Parliament Members
December 7-9, 2009 Iraq Petroleum Conference London U.K.
December 31, 2009 – Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) expires
December 2009 – Article 140 Vote
January 16, 2010 – Iraq Referendum Vote (SOFA Security Agreement) (Maybe)
January 16, 2010 - National Parliamentary Elections
October 2010 – National Census rescheduled
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