American Contractor

PM Maliki: Kurds Support and GCC Countries Too

2010-09-09T16:57:13Z

The head of Iraq's Kurdistan region Massoud Barzani said he told
the leader of the Iraqi List, Iyad Allawi, Ammar al-Hakim, to
support the PKK and its support for Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki for prime minister for a second term.

]]> He said Barzani said Maliki is the most successful of the prime
minister for several reasons, including the experience of four
years is an excellent experience at the present time Iraq needs
someone who has the ability and courage to run the country,
stressing that the Kurdish coalition and from the beginning said
he had no red line on any personal, as well as al-Maliki and vice
versa Kurdistan has expressed readiness to support Mr. Maliki to
speed up the formation of the government and the advancement of
the current crisis in the country.

The Associated Press quoted French leader in a coalition of law
unnamed confirmed al-Maliki during a meeting of his list on
Monday that U.S. Vice President Joe Biden told him that the Iraqi
List (led by Iyad Allawi) has many problems and complications,
she assured the Turks, Egypt and Jordan, Qatar and the UAE need
to stop provide support to Allawi Vaguetnat excluding Saudi
Arabia.

Maliki was also quoted as saying that Allawi has become convinced
that the roads are all closed in front of him and there is no
glimmer of hope has to take over as Prime Minister, describing
the dialogue with the Iraqi Balassab because the goal of Iraqi
re-Baathification.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=ar&tl=en&
u=http://www.qanon302.net/news.php%3Faction%3Dview%26id%3D1618&
rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1

American Contractor misquoted

2010-09-09T01:20:38Z

***I would like to address this quote from a Dinar related web
site posted on 5 September 2010:

"I heard from (name edited) about an hour ago that American Contractor, who has constantly been a naysayer regarding the imminence of the RV/RI, has been quoted as saying on (website) that in fact the RV has already occurred in Baghdad. While I sincerely hope this is true, I’m a bit skeptical and suspect that American Contractor has mistaken the issuance of the small denominated notes to the banks for the RV itself. In any case, neither (name edited) nor I can confirm this at this time."

]]> American Contractor's response to the above quote.

"The American Contractor DID NOT AT ANY TIME say nor post that an
RV has occurred in Baghdad. This statement is unequivocally
False in the harshest terms. I am astonished that people would
actually listen and accept this as fact without confirmation from
myself. I challenge anyone to examine the web site and show me
where I have said anything about an RV in Baghdad. Remember,
this is the American Contractor, I am the individual telling you
there is no RV. This is just another example of how those self
acclaimed guru's play with your emotions and tell you what you
want to hear in order to get you wired up. As I've said before,
I do not hype anything and I do not play with the emotions of
others. At times, I realize that the information I post comes
with no bells and whistles just straight facts, but that does not
give anyone the right to hype up or play up what I post in order
to achieve their common goal. I simply post what I perceive and
know to be happening on the ground in Iraq. I am here, they are
not. And, you can quote me on this one."

I expect there to be a retraction of this false quote and for it
to be publicly posted for all to see.

E-mail: ac@americancontractor.com

8 September

2010-09-08T16:22:12Z

The Kurds are siding with PM Nuri Al-Maliki

The Kurdish Regional President has said that his political party
is now going to back PM Nuri Al-Maliki, for a second term as
Prime Minister. This message was conveyed to Dr. Iyad Allawi by
Massoud Barzani the Kurdish Regional President. This is good
news, for the Kurds because they are no longer sitting on the
fence and a decision has been made.

]]> The Al-Sadr Trend political bloc have given their approval to
having PM Nuri Al-Malki for a second term as Prime Minister.
Fortunately, they have resolved their differences between the two
groups. This was all occurring while Dr. Allawi was in Beirut,
Lebanon having meetings regarding development projects and
relationships between the two countries.

At the present time, there are problems and disagreements between
the political blocs that are growing day by day. Their are
several disagreements. One being, the percentage of the votes a
candidate will be allowed. The State of Law Coalition (SLC) wants
65% of the vote and the Iraqi National Alliance (INA) wants 80%
of the vote. The SLC and the INA have to agree on one candidate
to bring forth to the Iraqi parliament. The toss up is between
PM Maliki and Vice President Al-Mahdi for the Prime Minister
position. In addition, there are other disagreements that need
to be resolved, adding a 7th member to the already six members of
the Wise Men Committee. The SLC is against adding this 7th
member. This new member would act as an arbitrator and be from
the Kurdish bloc. Finally, there is a disagreement on the
decision between either Al-Maliki or Al-Mahdi or a completely
different individual.

I would like to note that, Arab governments with the exception
of Saudi Arabia have pulled their support for Dr. Iyad Allawi and
are now supporting Al-Maliki for a second term as Prime Minister.

__________________

***I would like to address this quote from a Dinar related web
site posted on 5 September 2010:

"I heard from (name edited) about an hour ago that American Contractor, who has constantly been a naysayer regarding the imminence of the RV/RI, has been quoted as saying on (website) that in fact the RV has already occurred in Baghdad. While I sincerely hope this is true, I’m a bit skeptical and suspect that American Contractor has mistaken the issuance of the small denominated notes to the banks for the RV itself. In any case, neither (name edited) nor I can confirm this at this time."

American Contractor's response to the above quote.

I expect there to be a retraction of this false quote and for it
to be publicly posted for all to see.

E-mail: ac@americancontractor.com

Iraq's Banking Industry

2010-09-08T01:40:56Z

Security and the lack of a functioning government is affecting
all sectors within Iraq including the banking industry. The U.S.
State Department is bringing in 15 U.S. companies to Iraq in an
attempt to obtain business contracts and partnerships in Iraq.

E-mail: ac@americancontarctor.com

]]> Article from iraq-businessnews.com web site.

Lending still anemic at foreign-invested banks
Lending still anemic at foreign-invested banks Last month,
Central Bank of Iraq governor Al-Shibibi told AFP he was hoping
foreign banks would play a bigger role in developing Iraq’s
financial system. From the banks’ point of view, he said, “the
prospects are good, except for security.”

But the foreign institutions that have already entered the Iraqi
market through investments in local banks don’t yet seem to be
finding all that many good opportunities to grow their lending
businesses. In fact, their loan-deposit ratios tend to be even
lower than those of their wholly locally owned counterparts.

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2010/09/07/lending-still-anemic-
at-foreign-invested-banks/

6 September Follow Up

2010-09-07T00:26:05Z

This is the information I was referring to in my post dates 5
September. I had learned about the information as it was
initially published in a local Baghdad newspaper called
Al-Mashriq. I was unable to get a copy at the time. Later, the
same information was posted online by a local Baghdad Internet
news source URNEWS. I have enclosed a copy of the web site and
the article. The same article that was published on other
internet sites.

New Currency Info

More of these of articles will be released especially when you
have the IMF and World Bank meet next month.

I work long hours and at the same time try and bring you updates
on what is happening in Iraq that would be important to you all.
Sometimes I can not get out the information fast enough due to my
work schedule.

I do promote my web site and the mailing list to obtain
subscribers it is only natural as any other web site owner would
be doing the same thing. Your joining the mailing list for my
updates that is most likely important to you all. I do not hype
anything.

When I see people joining my American Contractor mailing list it
does give me satisfaction that I am doing something that is
beneficial to you all and keep writing.

Thanks for joining and reading.

American Contractor

E-mail: ac@americancontractor.com

6 September

2010-09-06T17:16:40Z

Today I wanted to point out something to my readers/subscribers.
No where in my post on 5 September does it state anything about
lower denominations being issued in Baghdad. Many of you know my
position about this subject, there are no lower denominations in
Iraq. Previously, I only mentioned in my 5 September post that
new Iraqi currency will be issued.

]]> I am referring to the new Iraqi currency that will be in addition
to the already Iraqi currency in circulation. The date for the
new printed Iraqi currency is in the future as several other
things have to occur first.

In order for the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) to commence issuing
the new Iraqi dinar currency, the Iraqi Parliament has to pass
legislation and the necessary funds in order to print the new
Iraqi currency. The CBI has to also get approval from the
Ministry of Finance and other Iraqi government officials to
accomplish adding new currency in Iraq. In addition, the
government will have to launch an education campaign to educate
the Iraqi’s on the new currency.

The American Contractor is now informing you the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) meeting being held in
October is important for the governor of the Central Bank of Iraq
and the Ministry of Finance. At the meeting the topics that will
be discussed are the Iraqi currency, re-denomination and
technical training as well.

The President of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, would like the Parliament
members to start showing up for work and performing their
constitutional duties. Talabani believes this will place
pressure on the political blocs to form the government. I
however, don’t believe it will work but let's just see what
happens.

A State of Law Coalition (SLC) member reported that a Wise Men
Committee inside the National Alliance (NA) will meet after the
Iraqi National Alliance (INA) chooses its candidate for Prime
Minister. The Wise Men Committee will then be responsible for
choosing between the two candidates. Do not count Nuri Al-Maliki
out from the post of the Prime Minister position. The fight is
not over.

The SLC and the INA have postponed a meeting that was supposed to
be held at the residence of Ahmad Chalabi, head of the Iraqi
National Congress. Both parties were going to discuss the
mechanism of selecting a candidate from the SLC-INA alliance for
the post of Prime Minister. However, the meeting could possibly
be postponed until the next day.

Many political groups have commented on the meeting between
SLC-INA. Al-Sadr Trend, (a political group), said no solid
decisions will be made at the meeting. There will be no attendees
from the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council (IISC), the Badr
Organization, and the National Reform Trend, led by Ibrahim
Al-Ja’fari.

The INA is upset about the mechanism used to appoint Adil
Abd-Al-Mahdi as the INA’s candidate for Prime Minister. Some are
saying the vote is unrealistic and that no candidate would secure
80% of the votes. INA members are pondering and considering
changing their position and supporting Nuri Al-Maliki for the
Prime Minister position.

Currently, Kuwaiti investors are seeking business opportunities
in Basrah, Iraq. The Kuwaiti’s are interested in agricultural
projects. This will be a positive move for both parties to
partner together in business in Basrah.

*********************
Please join the American Contractor Mailing list by placing your
email address in the sign up form. Thank you.

E-mail: ac@americancontractor.com

Iraq Central Bank Reveals New Iraq Currency

2010-09-05T11:42:25Z

The American Contractor would like to inform you that an Iraqi
Central Bank official just revealed the details of the new Iraqi
currency in Baghdad. I will post more details later.

You heard it first from the American Contractor about the new
Iraqi currency to be issued.

If your not on the new American Contractor mailing list you will
miss out on any new details of this new Iraqi currency as it
becomes available.

To join the new mailing list just go to the American Contractor
web site and place your email address in the sign up form
located on the right side.

American Contractor

http://www.americancontractor.com

e-mail: ac@americancontractor.com

4 September

2010-09-04T17:37:50Z

ADMIN NOTE:

First, my apologies if your getting this email twice. I should have both email lists cleaned up for the most part over the weekend. Thanks for joining my new mailing list.

My information is copyright please abide by the standards of Fair Usage when it comes to copyright materiel when posting on the web other than the American Contractor web site. Thank you and have a great weekend.

]]> UP TO THREE!!

It is being reported in several media publications in downtown Baghdad that the Iraqi National Alliance has now nominated Adil Abd-Al-Mahdi, for the new Iraq Prime Minister position. Al-Mahdi is a leader in the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council (IISC). The Iraqiyah List stated that this was the right choice. Now, we are down to three candidates for the position of the Prime Minister office.

Adil Abd-Al-Mahdi of the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council (IISC)
Dr. Iyad Allawi of the Iraqiyah List
Nuri Al-Maliki, the Current Prime Minister of the Iraqi Caretaker Government

The Iraq President Jalal Talabani, does not like it when the Iraqi Parliament has already been sworn in and the Parliament has yet to put in a full days work. The Parliament members make between 20-30 thousand dollars a month and receive benefits for doing nothing. The Iraqi President is calling for all Parliament members to start showing up for work. However, no legislation can be passed with out having a Parliament Speaker.

This is not being negative this is just a fact. When the Parliament meets several times maybe we’ll get the rest of the political blocs to settle on the three Presidency’s and get on with government business.

If the Parliament can not get the political blocs to settle maybe the upcoming Sit-in with over 200 organizations will. This will take place on 7 September on the Iraqi Parliament steps.

An inside source says the President of Iraq will go to Jalal Talabani, the Prime Minister Position will go to Adil Abd-Al-Mahdi, the Parliament Speaker will go to Rafi Al-Isawi, the Vice-President will go to Tariq Al-Hashimi, and Dr. Iyad Allawi will chair the Political Council for National Security with of course with extended powers. The post of deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister will be given to the Kurds and the Foreign Minister to the Al-Iraqiyah List.

Several months ago the former Minister of Trade was arrested after trying to flee to Dubai on a commercial airline from Baghdad International Airport. Some of you may recall that the Minister of Trade was on a flight to Dubai and the Pilot turned the plane around on a request by the Iraqi government so it could remove Abd-Al-Falah Al-Sudani, who was then arrested on corruption charges. The Iraq criminal court has acquitted the former Trade Minister and the higher court upheld the ruling. The former Trade Minister and the Prime Minister Maliki are good friends.

The National Reform Trend who is headed by Ibrahim Al-Ja’fari rejects the nomination of Adil Abd-Al-Mahdi, for the position of Prime Minister. A member of the National Trend Falih Al-Fayyad, said “that the Trend does not consider Abd Al-Mahdi a representative of the Trend or the Iraqi National Alliance (INA) noting that the National Reform Trend is an inseparable part of the INA and of its founders.

Al-Sharqiyah TV in Dubai stated this on the matter. - "Informed sources have said that Ibrahim al-Ja'fari, head of the National Reform Trend, and Ahmad Chalabi, head of the Iraqi National Congress, who are affiliated with the INA did not attend the meeting during which Adil Abd-al-Mahdi was nominated for the prime minister post. The sources said that Chalabi did not attend the meeting because he was on a visit to Iran, whereas Al-Ja'fari did not attend the meeting due to differences over the mechanisms to choose a candidate for the prime minister post within the INA. The sources added that Chalabi sent his representative to attend the meeting. For its part, the office of Al-Ja'fari said that the head of the National Reform Trend did not send any representatives to the meeting."

We will continue to wait till after the Eid ul-Fitr celebration and see what happens next in this drawn out debacle. No positive development will occur until after Ramadan.

I guess its better late than never to realize that the current Iraqi government is a caretaker government and has been since 17 March. It is not an illegal government as some would wrongly claim just a temporary government with very limited authority.

The Cleric and leader of the Al-Sadr Trend Muqtada Al-Sadr, is supportive and has convinced Iranian officials to go along with the nomination of Al-Mahdi for Prime Minister. This is not a done deal we still have several more weeks of this.

Global Firms have proposed investment projects in the power sector in Basrah. Iraq desperately needs to jumpstart their power sector because they only have three hours of government electricity per day.
The German Company Siemans, recently had a business delegation in Basra looking to obtain a contract for the power sector. However, they do have some competition as some Turkish companies are also interested in the Basrah Power Sector.

Speaking of the Power Sector, did any of you happen to notice on the State Department Business trip in October which American company was the sixth on the list that I had listed? If you don’t remember just go back to my 2 September post and look at the sixth company out of the 15 U.S. companies that are going to Iraq. These companies are going in hopes of obtaining business contracts in Iraq. I will save you some time looking for the company on the list it was General Electric.

I guess someone forgot to tell the Department of State, that GE was already in Iraq? Or quite possibly, the American Contractor maybe right and GE is not there at all. Like my favorite guru says “I could be wrong.”

Things are beginning to look up in Iraq. I am staying optimistic however, you all need to still consider the governments problems and pay attention to the private sector.

As always more to follow. Be sure and go to the web site and join the mailing list.

http://www.americancontractor.com

e-mail: ac@americancontractor.com

American Contractor has been living in the Middle East and Central Asia since 2003.

UPDATE: The date for the sit-in is 7 September....it was a Typo. Thanks.

2 September

2010-09-02T18:25:39Z

Iraq Important Dates

September 10, 2010 End of Ramadan - Eid ul-Fitr Celebration
September 27-28, 2010 Oil & Gas Conference Istanbul, Turkey
October 8-10, 2010 IMF Conference & CBI officials/MoF Washington D.C.
October 15-16, 2010 GET ENERGY for Iraq Conference Basra, Iraq
October 24, 2010 Iraq National Census - Postponed to 2011
November 25-28, 2010 Basra International Oil & Gas Conference Basra, Iraq
November 29-Dec 1, 2010 Iraq Petroleum 2010 London, U.K.
December 31, 2010 DFI Fund Remains in Federal Reserve NY
December 15, 2010 3rd Review Stand-by-Agreement Iraq
March 12, 2011 Kurdistan Regional Elections
March 1, 2011 Arab League Summit - Baghdad, Iraq

**Dates are tentative and could change without notice

]]> If you have been paying attention to the ‘Iraq Important Dates’ you will notice a very important meeting will be taking place on October 8-10 with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and representatives of the World Bank (WB). In attendance will be the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Dr. Sinan al-Shabibi, and other officials from the CBI and the Ministry of Finance, Bayan Jabr, and his deputies. If American Contractor could attend the meeting the one question I would ask the MOF is why do you refuse to accept checks from Iraqi banks?

The meeting is between the IMF and World Bank Annual that is held every year. I am sure they will talk about the Iraqi currency and that the re-denomination that is still on the table. The CBI is just waiting for the government to be seated.

The situation in Iraq will get much better as soon as the new government is formed as everyday old and new contracts are being canceled. This is the bad thing about not having a government. They are being canceled due to the funding of the contracts is more than the allowed signature authority of the ministries. Without a Parliament and a working functional government the contracts that have been signed in the last six months or so are beginning to just be canceled due to lack of funds.

The North Oil Company which is State owned is back in service after being down for several days due to technical reasons. The pipeline outside of Kirkuk with a daily flow of 450 thousands barrels of oil is back up 100%.

British Petroleum BP, who recently was awarded one of the largest Iraq Oil fields has now been awarded a contract to two additional companies. BP issued a $100 million dollar contract split between the American Company Baker Hughes Centrilift and the Saudi Arabian Company Al-Khorayef to provide critical ESP production equipment and related artificial lift services for the Rumaila oil field. Our inside source has relayed that Al-Khorayef had already supplied the initial trial ESP’s to BP for the Rumaila oil fields.

Violence, corruption, and lack of infrastructure appear to be the top three risks preventing business from being conducted in Iraq. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) sent out a survey and concluded those were the risks.

http://arabnews.com/economy/article78686.ece

In October the U.S. State Department will be hosting a trade mission to Iraq and bringing 15 American business owners and representatives with them. The American companies are listed below that will be headed to Iraq.

1. America Cargo Transport Company – Seattle, Wash.
2. Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. – Fort Worth, Texas
3. Bond Building Systems, Inc. – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
4. CSECO – Alameda, Calif.
5. Flatter & Associates – Stafford, Va.
6. General Electric – Schenectady, N.Y.
7. ICON Global Architectural Engineering – Bloomfield Hill, Mich.
8. KT Engineering – Rancho Dominguez, Calif.
9. Newport Global Group, Ltd. – Middletown, R.I.
10. Omnitrans Corporation – New York, N.Y.
11. Sallyport Global Holdings – Bridgeville, Pa.
12. Target Engineering Group, Inc. – Miami, Fla.
13. Ted Jacob Engineering Group – Oakland, Calif.
14. The Boeing Corporation – Chicago, Ill.
15. Wamar International Inc. – Simi Valley, Calif.

www.trade.gov/trade-missions

Is your business interested in how we can help you with specialized market services in Iraq? On a retainer, or contract case by case basis, the IRAQ IQ Group provides essential business specialty services, direct investment, industrial and oil & gas contracting services support, business analysis, and partnership / agency business development. You can find out more at www.IraqIQ.com or email ddavidson@IraqIQ.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the commentary from the American Contractor please join the mailing list to get the latest copy in your email inbox. Click on the link and enter your email address or you can just send me an email. Thanks.

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Please send your comments and or feedback to the American Contractor at email: americancontractor@gmail.com

American Contractor web site http://www.americancontractor.com
American Contractor has been living in the Middle East and Central Asia since 2003.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 September

2010-09-01T17:03:28Z

Wednesday, 1 September 2010

IRAQ IMPORTANT DATES

10 Sept 2010 End of Ramadan
27-28 September Oil & Gas Conference Istanbul, Turkey
8-10 October IMF Meet with CBI in Washington D.C.
24 October 2010 Iraq National Census (extended to 2011)
December 2010 DFI Account extended
December 2010 3rd Review Stand-by-agreement (IMF)
March 2011 Kurdistan Regional Elections
March 2011 Arab League Summit - Baghdad

We have nine or ten days left depending on which religious sect you fall under before the Ramadan celebration is over. The feast that marks the end of Ramadan is Eid ul-Fitr which lasts for several days. For all of you waiting on, expecting a government to form during Ramadan you will continue to wait. The Eid celebration is more important than forming a government.

]]> The Al-Iraqiyah list leader, Dr. Iyad Allawi, sent several days ago a reform paper to the State of Law Coalition (SLC) officials and is still waiting on the approval of the political bloc. According to the Al-Iraqiyah list the approval of the reform paper is crucial in removing the obstacles in forming the next government.

The former Director to PM Maliki office, Tariq Najm Abdallah, resigned because of major differences within the SLC political bloc is carrying his influence over to the Al-Iraqiyah List. This will be at the detriment of SLC as T. Abdallah knows all the secrets.

The computers that were seized and auctioned off at the Umm Qasr Port have now been returned to the U.S. Army and are now going to a children's school in Babil Governorate. The Iraqi customs states it was just a simple mix up in records.

In regards to any evidence of RV for this month I can only base my analysis for the next thirty days.
When considering this I take into account the following and other issues not mentioned.

- No seated Iraq government in place
- Iraqi banks are weak and lack funds to make loans for reconstruction projects
- Electricity levels are lower than pre-war levels
- Oil exports are declining in the year 2010; 1.8 bpd reported in July 2010
- The carrying of debt on the books of State Banks Rasheed and Rafidain
- Central Bank of Iraq still sweeping Ministry accounts of all unspent funds
- Iraq government failing to pay contractors for projects completed several years ago
- Ministry of Finance failed to complete audit of Iraq banks.
- Iraq banks not merging or partnering with other banks to increase value

Based on all this and other issues there will not be an RV in the month of September 2010.

In other politics the Vice President Al-Mahdi proposed three options in regards to the Prime Minister position. Al-Mahdi presented three options to leader of the Al-Sadr Trend, Muqtada Al-Sadr.

1. Approaching the State of Law Coalition and either accepting its candidate or a replacement candidate from within the coalition

2. Approaching the Al-Iraqiyah List and accepting its candidate

3. Selecting a candidate representing the Iraqi National Alliance (INA)

The Al-Sadr Trend leader did not respond to the options presented by the Vice President Al-Mahdi.

***************************************************************************************************************
Is your business interested in how we can help you with specialized market services in Iraq? On a retainer, or contract case by case basis, the IRAQ IQ Group provides essential business specialty services, direct investment, industrial and oil & gas contracting services support, business analysis, and partnership / agency business development. You can find out more at www.IraqIQ.com or email ddavidson@IraqIQ.com.
**************************************************************************************************************

If you like the commentary from the American Contractor please join the mailing list to get the latest copy in your email inbox. Click on the link and enter your email address or you can just send me an email. Thanks.
http://americancontractor.com/mailman/listinfo/iraqinfo_americancontractor.com

Please send your comments and or feedback to the American Contractor at email: americancontractor@gmail.com

American Contractor web site
http://www.americancontractor.com

American Contractor has been living in the Middle East and Central Asia since 2003.

31 August

2010-08-31T16:52:32Z

31 August 2010

IRAQ IMPORTANT DATES

9 Sept 2010 End of Ramadan
27-28 September Oil & Gas Conference Istanbul, Turkey
8-10 October IMF Meet with CBI in Washington D.C.
24 October 2010 Iraq National Census
December 2010 DFI Account extended
December 2010 3rd Review Stand-by-agreement (IMF)
March 2011 Kurdistan Regional Elections
March 2011 Arab League Summit - Baghdad

It is possible that there will be a sharing of power between Dr. Iyad Allawi and Adil abd-al-Mahdi, who is a leading member in the Iraqi Islamic Supreme council (IISC). The term will be two years each however, now they have to decide who will be first to take the two years when already they have waisted six months. The State of Law political bloc has downplayed the agreement between the IISC and Al-Iraqiyah List. The agreement has the blessing of Al-Sadr.

]]> There was no red line with the Iranians with the agreement between Dr. Allawi and Al-Mahdi. I would not say for sure that the agreement will be the final end to forming the government. PM Maliki still has a chance at the PM slot for a second term.

We all just have to keep an eye on all the developments between now and Id-ul-Fitr which is a celebration after Ramadan. There is the little ied and than the big ied.

There will be a International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Washington D.C. on October 8-10. The Central Bank of Iraq representatives will be attending. Dr. Shibibi, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq has not decided if he will be attending. People are paying attention to the U.N. meet in October and I say pay attention to the IMF meet in Washington D.C..

More to follow.

Please send an email and join my mailing list. Thanks.

Please send your comments and or feedback to the American Contractor at email: americancontractor@gmail.com

American Contractor web site
http://www.americancontractor.com

American Contractor has been living in the Middle East and Central Asia since 2003.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

29 August

2010-08-29T14:46:14Z

Ministry of Communications went the way of General Electric

Your probably thinking they are the governments Ministry, they have plenty of money. The truth is that they are broke and as the same way with not knowing how much electricity the Iraqi people are using to collect the money what is owed to the government they also can't collect what is owed to them from landline phones.

]]> The Ministry of communications has a problem of not knowing how much and unable to collect the fee's for landline phones and other services the Iraqi's used to add to the communications budget.

The MOC does not have a budget to pay the government employees and is seeking a loan from a private Iraqi bank.

Today, the Deputy Minister of communications for Technical Affairs, Ameer Al Bayati, said "The Ministry realizes the importance and seriousness of this issue. To us at the Ministry, this is about the people and not about the job. The Ministry has been waiting for the government to allocate our portion of the budget, however, the Ministry of Finance has not yet allocated a budget for the Ministry of Communications due to our Ministries' lack of revenue sources when compared to other Ministries."

There is no government and no budget allocated to this ministry. The Ministry of Finance did find the funds for the month of July to pay the government salaries of the MOC. You have to ask yourselves where did those funds come from?

The deputy Minister continued with his statement, "there are many outstanding debts owed to the Ministry from private citizens for landline phone service, even if all these outstanding debts were paid, it would not even cover the Ministry's salaries for one month."

At&T or Verizon would not set one foot in Iraq just like your favorite Company, General Electric, when they are paid by the usage of those services for the life of the contract. When I say contracts I mean 20-30 year contracts and at the end of the contracts the Iraqi government will nationalize those entities and then they would own them ie. Telecommunications, Power electrical grid, Oil refineries etc.

By the way, their are General Electric parts sitting inside a Iraq warehouse getting a little rusty.

Let's hope the MOC has a plan to maybe use the Ministry owned companies and the financial resources of the Ministry to become self funded. We can only hope.

The Al-Sharqiyah Television Station broadcast news reports and I will list a few here.

- Violence: Violence kills 200-300 Iraqi civilians each month as a result of blasts and assassinations. It is worth mentioning that this figure is much lower than during the days of sectarian violence in 2006 and 2007, during which 3,000 civilians were killed each month.
- Refugees: Some 1.5 million Iraqis have migrated from their homes to other areas of Iraq as a result of sectarian violence, while some believe that the number of Iraqis residing abroad is perhaps as many as 3 million.
- Crime and justice: Extremist groups and militias commit crimes at an increasing rate and no reliable statistics are available on crime, however, it is believed that dozens of people, including children, are abducted for ransom. In addition, gunmen have launched bold attacks on jewellery shops, banks, and employees who carry government employees' salaries.
- Economy: The official unemployment rate is 18 per cent; however, experts believe that it is closer to 30 per cent. It is worth mentioning that many contracts have been signed with international oil companies to develop the oil reserves of Iraq, which currently holds the third largest oil reserve in the world, but so far, no tangible results have surfaced.
- Services: The majority of Iraqi families only receive electricity for a few hours per day. The people's main complaints revolve around electricity cuts. According to government statistics, which are used by the International Committee of the Red Cross, one out of every four cannot obtain safe drinking water.
- Poverty: Some seven million Iraqis or 23 per cent of the population live under the poverty line.
- Corruption: In 2009, Transparency International ranked Iraq number 176 out of 180 of the most corrupt countries in the world.
- Society: Some 300,000 Iraqi youths do not attend school. A recent survey conducted by the UN discovered that 65 per cent of Iraqi youths do not know how to use a computer.
- Hospitals and Health Services: Iraqi suffers from an acute shortage of hospitals and has 35,000 beds but needs 95,000, according to a report by the Ministry of Health.
- Mines: In a report issued last year, the United Nations Development Program and the United Nations Children's Fund said Iraq has one of the highest numbers of mines in the world.
- Widows and Orphans: After decades of war, there are still no official reports on widows or orphans in Iraq. However, Iraqi officials estimate the number of widows to be no less than one million while the number of orphans is three million.
- "The leadership of the Iraqi National Alliance [INA] has underlined the need to preserve its unity in its capacity as the largest bloc in the parliament. A statement issued by the Iraqi National Congress yesterday said that the leadership of the INA held an open meeting during an iftar banquet hosted by Ahmad Chalabi, a leading figure in the INA, on the occasion marking the first anniversary of the establishment of the INA."
- "A number of tribal chieftains and prominent figures in Basra have called on the leaders of political blocs to expedite the formation of the government and to put the nation's interests above narrow personal or partisan interests. The chieftains pointed out that the delay in the formation of the government has caused a negative impact on the security and economic situation in the country. They also called on the political blocs to direct their attention to the daily suffering of the citizens and to bear in mind their misery due to the delay in the formation of the government."
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If you enjoy reading my posts I would greatly appreciate you join my mailing list so you do not miss my latest postings. Just send me an email asking or click on my link below. All my information is free as I do not charge anything. I appreciate all the emails that I receive and would like to thank all my supporters. I appreciate it and it motivates me to write more and as often as I can. I do have a full time job and I take time from my schedule to write and post it to the American Contractor Mailing list and my web site.

The talks of forming a government have reached a "Dead End." This is what an Arabic newspaper is currently reporting.

As always more to follow:

Please take the time to read this article about the Iraqi government crushing labor unions.

Is the US Pulling the Plug on Iraqi Workers?
http://cli.gs/jMR3qE

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American Contractor has been living in the Middle East and Central Asia since 2003.
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28 August

2010-08-28T16:44:30Z

The Iraqi National Allaince (INA) has a desire to nominate Ibrahim al-Ja'fari, has the next Prime Minister of Iraq. This is not concrete as other names are being discussed. Names such as Adil Abd-al-Mahdi, Al-Chalabi. The Sadrist assure that that outgoing Prime Minister Maliki will not be endorsed.

]]> The leader of the Al-Iraqiyah list Dr. Iyad Allawi, has stated if the INA announces a candidate for the post of Prime Minister and removes the right of the Iraqiyah list to form the government the list will boycott the entire political process. The INA has granted positions in the government for the Iraqiyah list such as the Parliament Speaker and Chairman of the Strategic Political Council. Which these options do not agree with

Dr. Iyad Allawi, has sent several letters to the Arab league and the United Nations asking for intervention in the formation of the government.

I had told you before that the Kurdistan Blocs want the post of President, INA will get the PM position, and the Iraqiyah list will get the post of Parliament Speaker and Council for Strategic Policies. The Iraqiyah list is warning of bloodshed among lists constituents. The Iraqiyah list is thinking that they need three more months to name their candidates for cabinet positions. In my opinion the forming of the government between the political blocs is going to become much more heated in the coming weeks and months.

There are 35 members of the State of Law Coalition (SLC) who have contacted the IISC their willingness to break away from the SLC political bloc and join any alliance that includes the Iraqiyah List, Al-Sadr Trend, and the IISC. The out going Prime Minister Maliki insists that he be named the Prime Minister in the new Iraqi government.

The right hand man in the SLC, Tariq Najm Abdallah, has given his resignation from the outgoing Prime Minister's Party. This is very bad for PM Maliki has Tariq Abdallah, knows all the secrets of Maliki's political Party.

Don't be surprised if the INA nominates PM Maliki. Eid al Fitr dinner they will announce during the Ramadan Feast.

More to follow...

Please send your comments and or feedback to the American Contractor at email: americancontractor@gmail.com

American Contractor web site
http://www.americancontractor.com

American Contractor has been living in the Middle East and Central Asia since 2003.
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25 August

2010-08-25T15:41:33Z

IRAQ IMPORTANT DATES

9 Sept 2010 End of Ramadan
27-28 September Oil & Gas Conference Istanbul, Turkey
24 October 2010 Iraq National Census
December 2010 DFI Account extended
December 2010 3rd Review Stand-by-agreement (IMF)
March 2011 Kurdistan Regional Elections
March 2011 Arab League Summit - Baghdad

]]> The State of Law Coalition (SLC) and Iraqi National Alliance (INA) resume talks with meeting between leaders of State of Law Coalition and Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council (IISC). This meeting is very significant and they are discussing very important issues.

Just so you all know the Al-Iraqiyah list is warning the SLC that they will suspend all talks if the SLC does not answer the letter that Dr. Iyad Allawi has sent a few days ago.

The (INA) are getting very close to naming the candidate to rival as they say or even name Maliki for the Prime Minister position.

This is the middle week nothing really major to write about.

I appreciate all the emails and questions lately.

Until tomorrow…

Please send your comments and or feedback to the American Contractor at email: americancontractor@gmail.com

American Contractor web site
http://www.americancontractor.com

American Contractor has been living in the Middle East and Central Asia since 2003.
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24 August

2010-08-24T16:11:22Z

IRAQ IMPORTANT DATES

]]> Just last week the government of Iraq announced the budget for 2011 would be approximately 90 trillion dinars during discussions with the cabinet. It does not really matter what the amount is as you have no government to enact any new legislation as the government is nonexistent. Plus, with the current report of oil exports down in the month of July to 1.8 bpd the government is going to have to recalculate the 2011 budget. The government has a target of 12 million bpd in six to seven years which I would think ten years is more realistic time frame considering the infrastructure of Iraq is in dire shape. The article mentions the lower export totals was due to domestic consumption and oilfield maintenance. I would also add attacks on the pipeline especially in the northern areas.

We all know the the northern Iraq pipeline operated by the North Oil Company, has been shutdown since Saturday due to technical reasons. The pipelines and the refineries are in bad shape and officials have stated the pipeline should be up and running on Thursday. There was more problems for the North Oil company has five employees were killed in a robbery as they were traveling to the work site with 453 million in Iraqi dinars. You have to wonder with sending a large amount of cash you would think they would have armed security guards traveling with them. In this case they had no security traveling with the North Oil Company employees.

The Iraqi and Kuwaiti government are going to try agin and solve their problems of war reparations and land disputes between the two countries. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated he has no intention of giving up land that is owned by Kuwaiti's that are on Iraqi land. Another dispute that needs to be resolved if you ever want to be released from U.N. resolutions of Chapter VII. The iraqi government is purposely slowing down the process of handling over documents to the properties to the land owners whom are Kuwaiti's.

Dr. Iyad Allawi has left Russia after his meeting with the Russian President and also had a meeting with the officials of the Crescent Petroleum Company, of U.A.E.. The Russian Oil Company Rosneft, has invested $630 million dollars into Crescent Petroleum Company to drill for Gas in Sharja, U.A.E.. Next you will see both of these Oil Companies in Iraq has the U.A.E. is the largest state to invest in Iraq to date.

The Oil and Services Company Petrofac, U.K. has been doing services for an unidentified international oil company in Iraq. They are reporting growth profits this year. We will keep a eye on this company and hopefully learn which international Oil Company are getting there services.

I have mentioned this and I have said that the Cleric Ayatollah Sistani, does not get involved in politics. The cleric has sermons to perform on Fridays then worry about Iraqi politics.

Central Bank of Iraq Governor Dr. Sinan Al-Shibibi is calling for international banks to come to Iraq and partner with Iraqi banks. Al-Shibibi said "We are calling for them to come and help develop the financial system, this is the objective. I would prefer that they establish standalone branches but even if they do a partnership with Iraqi banks that would be fine." When you have family owned run banks it is going to be tough to partner and let an outsider look at everything the bank has been doing for the last six years. I would like to see a western stand alone banking operation to show and demonstrate the banking practices of the 21st century.

By the way Prime Minister did send a letter of apology to Dr. Iyad Allawi.

This is all I have for now…it has been a long day again.

Please send your comments and or feedback to the American Contractor at email: americancontractor@gmail.com

American Contractor web site
http://www.americancontractor.com

American Contractor has been living in the Middle East and Central Asia since 2003.
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Iraq's banks urge privatisation of state lenders
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5icVqlYnYgSYm8FbyoGIzcYQG7mCQ

MPs say Shia religious authority has not intervened in govt crisis
http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/176639/

Five oil workers killed in armed robbery
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100824/twl-five-oil-workers-killed-in-armed-rob-3cd7efd.html

Iraq oil exports slip in July to 1.8 bpd
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/newsdetails.asp?Sn=OGN&artid=184920

Iraq-Turkish pipeline flow halted
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/newsdetails.asp?Sn=OGN&artid=184809

Kuwaitis to get Iraq land
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/158683/reftab/69/t/Kuwaitis-to-get-Iraq-land/Default.aspx

Rosneft to invest $630m in UAE
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/business/2010/August/business_August335.xml§ion=business&col=

IRAQ BOOSTS PETROFAC
http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/195135/Iraq-boosts-Petrofac/