Damascus, Safar 11, 1432, Jan 15, 2011, SPA
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otari began here today an official visit to Iraq during which he will hold talks with Iraqi officials on means of bolstering the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and ways of broadening avenues of cooperation in fields of economy and development.
The Syrian Prime Minister will also congratulate Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki for forming a new government and winning the confidence of Parliament.
--SPA
13:54 LOCAL TIME 10:54 GMT
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/readsinglenews.php?id=855789&scroll=1
Saturday, January 15, 2011
U.S. stocks ended higher Friday
Washington, Safar 11, 1432, Jan 15, 2011
In international economic news, China’s central bank said it will raise the reserve requirement ratio for the nation’s banks by half a percentage point. The move came after the government increased reserve requirements six times last year, as the nation attempted to combat inflation.
In U.S. economic news, the Commerce Department said the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of consumer inflation, rose 0.5 percent in December after rising 0.1 percent in the previous month.
Separately, the Commerce Department said retail sales increased 0.6 percent in December, following a rise of 0.8 percent in November. Sales were expected to have gained 0.7 percent. Sales excluding automobile sales rose 0.4 percent, after jumping 1.2 percent in the previous month. Economists expected a 0.6 percent gain.
The Federal Reserve said industrial production rose 0.8 percent in December. Capacity utilization is expected to have risen to 76 percent in December, form 75.4 percent during the previous month.
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/ListNewsInCat.php?pg=1&catid=11
In international economic news, China’s central bank said it will raise the reserve requirement ratio for the nation’s banks by half a percentage point. The move came after the government increased reserve requirements six times last year, as the nation attempted to combat inflation.
In U.S. economic news, the Commerce Department said the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of consumer inflation, rose 0.5 percent in December after rising 0.1 percent in the previous month.
Separately, the Commerce Department said retail sales increased 0.6 percent in December, following a rise of 0.8 percent in November. Sales were expected to have gained 0.7 percent. Sales excluding automobile sales rose 0.4 percent, after jumping 1.2 percent in the previous month. Economists expected a 0.6 percent gain.
The Federal Reserve said industrial production rose 0.8 percent in December. Capacity utilization is expected to have risen to 76 percent in December, form 75.4 percent during the previous month.
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/ListNewsInCat.php?pg=1&catid=11
The U.S. dollar rose against
The U.S. dollar rose against the euro and the yen. Light sweet crude oil for February delivery rose 14 cents to $91.54 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gold futures fell $26.50 to $1,360.50 an ounce.
In U.S. company news, J.P. Morgan Chase reported a 47 percent jump in fourth-quarter profits to $4.8 billion, beating analyst expectations. However, the investment bank also increased its reserve for mortgage-related legal expenses for the second straight quarter.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 55.48, or 0.5 percent, to 11,787.38. Bank of America and American Express led the Dow in percentage increases after a strong earnings report from J.P. Morgan Chase. Intel was one to the biggest losers despite strong profits.
The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 9.48, or 0.7 percent, to 1,293.24. The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index rose 20.01, or 0.7 percent, to 2,755.30.
--SPA
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/ListNewsInCat.php?pg=1&catid=11
In U.S. company news, J.P. Morgan Chase reported a 47 percent jump in fourth-quarter profits to $4.8 billion, beating analyst expectations. However, the investment bank also increased its reserve for mortgage-related legal expenses for the second straight quarter.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 55.48, or 0.5 percent, to 11,787.38. Bank of America and American Express led the Dow in percentage increases after a strong earnings report from J.P. Morgan Chase. Intel was one to the biggest losers despite strong profits.
The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 9.48, or 0.7 percent, to 1,293.24. The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index rose 20.01, or 0.7 percent, to 2,755.30.
--SPA
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/ListNewsInCat.php?pg=1&catid=11
ISCI chief hails good intentions between Kuwait, Iraq over common issues ...
1/14/2011ISCI chief hails good intentions between Kuwait, Iraq over common issues
BAHGDAD, Head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) Amar Al-Hakim stressed on Friday that the Iraqi and Kuwaiti parties have good intentions to solve common issues and challenges in order to promote and improve bilateral relations.
Al-Hakim said, during his meeting with the visiting Kuwaiti delegation, "there are good intentions for resolving the two countries' common issues and that bilateral relations should not be bound by official ties but should be further extended to social and civil communities as well as the economic and media spheres. The "best" way to promote relations and guarantee their continuation is to solidify the mutual economic and social interests, he explained.
He welcomed suggestions that call for the inception of a free trade zone between Kuwait and Iraq, expressing his joy that there are some Kuwaiti companies that have licenses to work in the fields of energy and oil in Iraq.
"We are happy to see Kuwait among investing countries such as Turkey and Lebanon. This is exactly what the two governments call for," he added.
He also pointed out that negative and irresponsible media and preliminary comments should not be "gagged", they should be "confronted" and should not be "given more than their size." On forming a new government, Al-Hakim said that "observers should not be surprised when all the different disputed parties reached a unified agreement to re-form the Iraqi government."
"It should be looked at as just an experience the Iraqis went through until they reached an agreeable medium," stressing that "democracy does not have a strict formula but it's rather changeable according to circumstances." "We should not be afraid of differences; however, we should be cautious of division and disagreements which could not be easily contained," he pointed out However, he reassured that everybody's reference is the constitution not matter how much they differ in opinion.
Finally, Al-Hakim stressed the importance of political harmony and its positive reflection on the security arena, noting that "trust" begets "stability".
He also noted that that although there are some outside influences in forming the Iraqi government, especially from countries that have interests in Iraq, however, Iraqi officials agreed in unison that no one is allowed to interfere with Iraq's interior policies and affairs.
"We are well capable of running our own government and solving our own issues," he concluded.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesP...71&Language=en
Otri Starts Official Visit to Iraq to Discuss Boosting Syrian-Iraqi Cooperation
Jan 15, 2011
Bagdad, (SANA) – Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri on Saturday started an official visit to the brotherly country of Iraq to discuss with the Iraqi officials cooperation between the two countries and means of boosting them in the fields of economy and development.
During his visit, Otri is also to congratulate Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on the formation of the new government and winning the confidence of Parliament.
Premier Otri is accompanied by an official governmental delegation including Finance, Foreign, Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministers, the Chairman of the State Planning Commission and the Assistant Vice President.
Kurds of Iraq may ban Friday sermons
Date: 2011/01/15
Secularists in the Iraqi Kurdistan region have pushed through a government ban on the Friday religious sermons, driving an ideological rift with the committed Muslims.
The move by some alleged intellectuals and feminists came after Mullah Farman Kharabaiy, the Imam of Majidawa Mosque in the capital of Arbil, accused a number of leading Kurdish feminists of blasphemy in his Friday sermon, reported Press TV's correspondent in the city, Matt Frazer.
Those referred to by Kharabaiy have also complained to the police, alleging that the words by the religious authority constituted a direct threat to their lives.
“The main concern here in Kurdistan is that religious leaders think that they must be the leaders of the whole society…,” Mariwan Naqshabani, a political expert told our correspondent.
The parliament is currently discussing a law which would only allow the government to authorize and broadcast three Friday sermons, one from each of the Kurdistan region's major cities of Arbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok.
“Ninety percent of the people here are Muslim. Those who are gathering signatures and petitioning the government to make this law should consider its acceptance by the majority of the people in the region,” said Salim Koyi from the Islamic Movement of Kurdistan.
“Religious leaders talk about the failures of the political leadership and the absence of government. That's why even the ruling parties are silent, when religious leaders are attacked by intellectuals,” he added.
Our correspondent said, “Many religious groups are ready to stage demonstrations if the law passes and experts agree that the vast majority of the population would oppose such a ban.”
http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=221168
Secularists in the Iraqi Kurdistan region have pushed through a government ban on the Friday religious sermons, driving an ideological rift with the committed Muslims.
The move by some alleged intellectuals and feminists came after Mullah Farman Kharabaiy, the Imam of Majidawa Mosque in the capital of Arbil, accused a number of leading Kurdish feminists of blasphemy in his Friday sermon, reported Press TV's correspondent in the city, Matt Frazer.
Those referred to by Kharabaiy have also complained to the police, alleging that the words by the religious authority constituted a direct threat to their lives.
“The main concern here in Kurdistan is that religious leaders think that they must be the leaders of the whole society…,” Mariwan Naqshabani, a political expert told our correspondent.
The parliament is currently discussing a law which would only allow the government to authorize and broadcast three Friday sermons, one from each of the Kurdistan region's major cities of Arbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok.
“Ninety percent of the people here are Muslim. Those who are gathering signatures and petitioning the government to make this law should consider its acceptance by the majority of the people in the region,” said Salim Koyi from the Islamic Movement of Kurdistan.
“Religious leaders talk about the failures of the political leadership and the absence of government. That's why even the ruling parties are silent, when religious leaders are attacked by intellectuals,” he added.
Our correspondent said, “Many religious groups are ready to stage demonstrations if the law passes and experts agree that the vast majority of the population would oppose such a ban.”
http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=221168
20th anniversary of first Gulf War air campaign tomorrow
Saturday, 15th January 2011
Tomorrow sees the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the air campaign which led to Allied victory over Iraq in the first Gulf War.
The massive bombing assault which started on January 16, 1991 began a more widespread offensive codenamed Operation Desert Storm.
This led to the expulsion of Iraqi forces from Kuwait, which Saddam Hussein’s troops had invaded on August 2, 1990.
Coalition forces then entered Iraq and advanced to 150 miles from Baghdad, before President George Bush Snr declared a ceasefire.
This proved to be a controversial move as Saddam Hussein continued to be a thorn in the side of the international community, leading to a second Gulf War in 2003, when Allied forces invaded Iraq and brought about Saddam’s fall.
The coalition force in the first war comprised 34 nations led by the United States and United Kingdom.
The invasion of Kuwait had brought international condemnation which was aggravated when Saddam appeared on state television with western hostages whom he appeared ready to use as a human shield. On November 29, 1990, the UN passed a security council resolution which gave Iraq until January 15, 1991 to withdraw.
When the bombing campaign began, the coalition flew more than 100,000 sorties, dropping 88,500 tons of bombs.
Saddam declared that “the mother of all battles has begun”.
The Allies’ first aim was to destroy Iraqi air force and anti-aircraft facilities. They also attacked command and communication centres and launchers for Scud missiles.
Iraq fired missiles into Israel, but Tel Aviv followed the request of the US not to respond, helping to keep Arab states in the coalition.
The air campaign was followed by land attacks into Kuwait from February 23, which saw coalition troops meet generally light resistance before the Iraqis were expelled.
Before the Iraqis left, they set fire to nearly 700 oil wells.
The coalition advance into Iraq was more speedy than US generals had expected. Forces from the US, UK and France chased retreating Iraqi forces over the border before President Bush declared a ceasefire on February 28.
A feature of the war was its accessibility to the public around the world, who were able to follow it closely on television.
For the first time, people were able to watch live pictures of missiles being fired and fighters taking off from aircraft carriers.
Another feature was that thousands of troops from Britain and other countries fell ill after the conflict with what is sometimes called “Gulf War Syndrome”.
The National Gulf Veterans and Families Association has said that more than 9,000 British veterans have suffered a cocktail of Gulf War-related health problems, typically including chronic headaches, cognitive difficulties, depression, unexplained fatigue, rashes and breathing problems.
In 2009, a landmark study for the US Congress concluded that troops’ ill-health was caused by them being given nerve gas pills and exposed to pesticides during the conflict.
The Ministry of Defence’s official position has been that Gulf War Syndrome is a useful “umbrella term” but comprises too many different symptoms to be characterised as a syndrome in medical terms.
Veterans’ representatives say this has led to difficulties in receiving pensions. The MoD says claims are dealt with as quickly as possible.
August 6, 1990: UN Security Council imposes economic sanctions on Iraq.
August 9, 1990: Security council votes 15-0 to declare Iraq’s annexation of Kuwait null and void.
August 12, 1990: Briton Douglas Croskery is shot dead as he attempts to flee Iraq to Saudi Arabia.
August 23, 1990: Saddam Hussein appears on television with British hostages who have been detained to prevent an invasion. They are among hundreds of Westerners prevented from leaving the country.
December 10, 1990: The first of the hostages are released after a visit to Baghdad by former Prime Minister Edward Heath.
January 3,1991: The Foreign Office expels eight Iraqi embassy officials from the UK after threats of attacks on Western targets.
January 15, 1991: Iraq fails to comply with the UN ultimatum for its troops to withdraw from Kuwait.
January 16, 1991, 11.30 p.m. GMT: Operation Desert Storm begins in what becomes the longest air strike in the history of aerial warfare.
January 17, 1991: Tornado pilots John Peters and John Nichol are shot down. They are captured and held for the next seven weeks.
February 24, 1991: Allies launch a land offensive.
February 28, 1991: President George Bush declares victory, but Saddam Hussein remains in power.
March 20, 2003: Second Gulf War begins.
The massive bombing assault which started on January 16, 1991 began a more widespread offensive codenamed Operation Desert Storm.
This led to the expulsion of Iraqi forces from Kuwait, which Saddam Hussein’s troops had invaded on August 2, 1990.
Coalition forces then entered Iraq and advanced to 150 miles from Baghdad, before President George Bush Snr declared a ceasefire.
This proved to be a controversial move as Saddam Hussein continued to be a thorn in the side of the international community, leading to a second Gulf War in 2003, when Allied forces invaded Iraq and brought about Saddam’s fall.
The coalition force in the first war comprised 34 nations led by the United States and United Kingdom.
The invasion of Kuwait had brought international condemnation which was aggravated when Saddam appeared on state television with western hostages whom he appeared ready to use as a human shield. On November 29, 1990, the UN passed a security council resolution which gave Iraq until January 15, 1991 to withdraw.
When the bombing campaign began, the coalition flew more than 100,000 sorties, dropping 88,500 tons of bombs.
Saddam declared that “the mother of all battles has begun”.
The Allies’ first aim was to destroy Iraqi air force and anti-aircraft facilities. They also attacked command and communication centres and launchers for Scud missiles.
Iraq fired missiles into Israel, but Tel Aviv followed the request of the US not to respond, helping to keep Arab states in the coalition.
The air campaign was followed by land attacks into Kuwait from February 23, which saw coalition troops meet generally light resistance before the Iraqis were expelled.
Before the Iraqis left, they set fire to nearly 700 oil wells.
The coalition advance into Iraq was more speedy than US generals had expected. Forces from the US, UK and France chased retreating Iraqi forces over the border before President Bush declared a ceasefire on February 28.
A feature of the war was its accessibility to the public around the world, who were able to follow it closely on television.
For the first time, people were able to watch live pictures of missiles being fired and fighters taking off from aircraft carriers.
Another feature was that thousands of troops from Britain and other countries fell ill after the conflict with what is sometimes called “Gulf War Syndrome”.
The National Gulf Veterans and Families Association has said that more than 9,000 British veterans have suffered a cocktail of Gulf War-related health problems, typically including chronic headaches, cognitive difficulties, depression, unexplained fatigue, rashes and breathing problems.
In 2009, a landmark study for the US Congress concluded that troops’ ill-health was caused by them being given nerve gas pills and exposed to pesticides during the conflict.
The Ministry of Defence’s official position has been that Gulf War Syndrome is a useful “umbrella term” but comprises too many different symptoms to be characterised as a syndrome in medical terms.
Veterans’ representatives say this has led to difficulties in receiving pensions. The MoD says claims are dealt with as quickly as possible.
Events leading to the conflict
August 2, 1990: Iraq invades Kuwait after a dispute over oil, sparking condemnation around the world.August 6, 1990: UN Security Council imposes economic sanctions on Iraq.
August 9, 1990: Security council votes 15-0 to declare Iraq’s annexation of Kuwait null and void.
August 12, 1990: Briton Douglas Croskery is shot dead as he attempts to flee Iraq to Saudi Arabia.
August 23, 1990: Saddam Hussein appears on television with British hostages who have been detained to prevent an invasion. They are among hundreds of Westerners prevented from leaving the country.
December 10, 1990: The first of the hostages are released after a visit to Baghdad by former Prime Minister Edward Heath.
January 3,1991: The Foreign Office expels eight Iraqi embassy officials from the UK after threats of attacks on Western targets.
January 15, 1991: Iraq fails to comply with the UN ultimatum for its troops to withdraw from Kuwait.
January 16, 1991, 11.30 p.m. GMT: Operation Desert Storm begins in what becomes the longest air strike in the history of aerial warfare.
January 17, 1991: Tornado pilots John Peters and John Nichol are shot down. They are captured and held for the next seven weeks.
February 24, 1991: Allies launch a land offensive.
February 28, 1991: President George Bush declares victory, but Saddam Hussein remains in power.
March 20, 2003: Second Gulf War begins.
Two decades on, Kuwait seeks better Iraq ties
15 January 2011
KUWAIT CITY — A landmark visit to Baghdad last week by Kuwait’s prime minister is seen by many Kuwaitis as a good sign of improving relations, 20 years after Iraq’s invasion of its tiny, oil-rich neighbour.
“The visit of Sheikh Nasser (Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah) to Iraq was indeed historical,” the liberal Al-Jarida newspaper said in a front-page editorial on Friday.
“Twenty years after Operation Desert Storm was launched to liberate Kuwait... he proves that the real storm that should blow over the two neighbouring nations is that of cooperation and mutual respect,” the daily said.
Wednesday’s visit to Iraq was the first by a Kuwaiti premier since 1989, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Gulf War.
Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990. On January 17, 1991, a US-led multi-national coalition force launched Operation Desert Storm, a 40-day war that pounded Saddam’s forces out of the wealthy emirate.
Mahmud Ali still remembers the devastation of the seven months of Iraqi occupation and the killing of around 2,000 civilians.
“The memories of destruction caused by Saddam Hussein’s troops on our small country have not completely disappeared,” Ali, a private sector employee in his 40s, told AFP at a local mall.
But 20 years later, he says life must go on.
“That was done by Saddam and he is gone, so it’s better for both of our nations to establish strong ties and cooperate,” said Ali, echoing a common Kuwaiti sentiment.
Saddam was toppled by the 2003 US-led invasion, and later tried and executed.
Before leaving Kuwait, Iraqi forces torched more than 700 oil wells, took several thousand Kuwaiti and other civilians prisoner and looted the wealthy emirate.
Most of the prisoners were freed after the war, but just over 600 are still missing and believed dead. The remains of about half have been found, and the search is still on for the rest.
“What happened to Kuwait on August 2, 1990 was not a simple catastrophe but a horrible shock still affecting some Kuwaitis,” independent Shiite MP Faisal al-Duwaisan told AFP.
He said the scars “would need some time to rid because the wounds were too deep.”
But ties, he said, are moving in the right direction, witnessed by last week’s visit by the premier.
“It was a timely visit, especially as we need to coordinate efforts with brotherly Iraq to erase scepticism impacting our ties, especially on the popular level,” Duwaisan said.
The 2003 US-led invasion, which removed Saddam and was launched from Kuwait, paved the way for improving ties.
Kuwait reopened its embassy in Baghdad in 2005, and Iraq reciprocated last year.
Ties have been on the mend ever since, but not without challenges.
Two days before Sheikh Nasser’s visit, a Kuwaiti coast guard was shot dead, apparently by Iraqi fishermen who had allegedly intruded into the emirate’s territorial waters, rekindling Kuwaiti anger and eroding trust.
Islamist opposition MP Waleed al-Tabtabai wondered why the visit went ahead at a time “when the blood of the martyr (coast guard) was not even dry.”
But Sheikh Nasser’s visit was considered a great success after both sides agreed to step up efforts to resolve issues dating from the invasion.
They formed a senior committee, headed by the foreign ministers, to hammer out differences.
“I believe ties will get much stronger as Kuwait is now focusing on boosting economic interests. The only opposition to normalisation of ties comes from some politicians on both sides,” said political analyst Shamlan al-Issa.
At the end of the premier’s visit, Kuwait said it is interested in investing more in Iraqi infrastructure projects, adding to the “billions of dollars” already invested in airports, hotels and telecoms in the north and south.
In August, the neighbours agreed in principle to regulate production from rich border oilfields that were at the centre of their war.
Iraq still pays five percent of its oil sales into a reparations fund for Kuwait, which has so far received $13 billion, and demands another $22 billion.
Kuwait also wants Iraq to return looted property, and explain the fate of hundreds of missing Kuwaitis.
In addition, Kuwait wants Iraq to remove farms on their borders near Umm Qasr and allow a proper drawing of the UN-demarcated frontier. The maritime borders have not been demarcated.
On top of war reparations, Baghdad also owes Kuwait about $16 billion in debt, which the emirate promised to “considerably cut.”
“There are no real problems between Iraq and Kuwait except some politicians who are fighting against good ties,” said Issa.
Sadr's Followers Demand Biden Stay Away from Iraq
Date: 2011/01/15
(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Followers of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr took to the streets on Friday after prayers to condemn a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and demand U.S. forces leave the country.
Around 2,000 supporters of the anti-American cleric demonstrated in the town of Kufa, chanting anti-U.S. slogans a day after Biden paid his first visit to Iraq since Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was reappointed.
"In our protest, we demand that visits like Biden's to Iraq should not be repeated and that the occupier leaves," said Mohammed Abbas, 25, a day laborer.
Sadr's movement has won a powerful place in Maliki's new government, with seven ministries.
His clout will make it difficult for Maliki to contemplate an extension of the U.S. military presence beyond the end of the year, when the U.S. forces that ousted Saddam Hussein in 2003 must withdraw under the terms of a security pact.
Biden visited Iraq on Thursday for talks with Iraqi officials, his seventh visit since January 2009. Iraqi officials said he and Maliki did not discuss keeping any U.S. troops in Iraq beyond the withdrawal deadline.
In his first public speech in the holy city of Najaf last Saturday, he urged his supporters to denounce the U.S. presence and demand the government of which his movement is a part live up to a promise to make the U.S. military withdraw on time.
"We have responded to Sayyed Sadr's call and demonstrated against the United States, the occupation, and the unwelcome visit of the U.S. vice president to Iraq," said Ali Saad, 35, also a day laborer.
Sadr attended Friday prayers in Kufa, site of a revered Shi'ite mosque, but did not deliver a sermon. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani paid Sadr a visit on Friday.
http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=221216
(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Followers of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr took to the streets on Friday after prayers to condemn a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and demand U.S. forces leave the country.
Around 2,000 supporters of the anti-American cleric demonstrated in the town of Kufa, chanting anti-U.S. slogans a day after Biden paid his first visit to Iraq since Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was reappointed.
"In our protest, we demand that visits like Biden's to Iraq should not be repeated and that the occupier leaves," said Mohammed Abbas, 25, a day laborer.
Sadr's movement has won a powerful place in Maliki's new government, with seven ministries.
His clout will make it difficult for Maliki to contemplate an extension of the U.S. military presence beyond the end of the year, when the U.S. forces that ousted Saddam Hussein in 2003 must withdraw under the terms of a security pact.
Biden visited Iraq on Thursday for talks with Iraqi officials, his seventh visit since January 2009. Iraqi officials said he and Maliki did not discuss keeping any U.S. troops in Iraq beyond the withdrawal deadline.
In his first public speech in the holy city of Najaf last Saturday, he urged his supporters to denounce the U.S. presence and demand the government of which his movement is a part live up to a promise to make the U.S. military withdraw on time.
"We have responded to Sayyed Sadr's call and demonstrated against the United States, the occupation, and the unwelcome visit of the U.S. vice president to Iraq," said Ali Saad, 35, also a day laborer.
Sadr attended Friday prayers in Kufa, site of a revered Shi'ite mosque, but did not deliver a sermon. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani paid Sadr a visit on Friday.
http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=221216
Shia Leader Calls On Nuri al-Maliki to Kick US Troops Out of Iraq Without Delay
Date: 2011/01/15
Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr who returned to Iraq last week has called on the Maliki government to promptly kick the remaining US troops out of Iraq and share Iraqi oil revenue among Iraqis without delay.
There are 47,000 US troops still inside Iraq hiding in remote garrisons under Washington’s strategy of pressuring Iraqi government officials to give future oil concessions to American and Western corporations.
Fully aware of this heinous strategy by Washington and its oil-dependent European allies, Iraqis from all factions oppose such plan as shown by Sadr’s comments in recent days. Now US policy makers –sinking deeper in their own domestic economic quagmire - worry that their devious long-term oil plans against Iraqis hidden behind technocratic paper works such as the so-called Status of Forces Agreement could be forestalled for good.
Muqtada al-Sadr called on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki honor earlier pledges to end US military presence immediately. Apparently, Iraqis believe US troops are no longer needed in Iraq. Sard enjoys grassroots supports among large sections of Iraqi population. Iraq’s Shia Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani and Sadr met on Thursday and agreed that all Iraqis should share Iraq’s oil revenue.
In the past the US and particularly its most subservient ally in Europe i.e. Britain, used bribery to lure local officials provide great oil / gas concessions for western corporations.
With Sadr’s return to Iraq, mischievous US military-industrial complex have not only to deal with fierce opposition from Sadrists, but also growing discontents by Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani and the rest of Iraqi population including the Kurdish factions and Sunnis
http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=221220
Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr who returned to Iraq last week has called on the Maliki government to promptly kick the remaining US troops out of Iraq and share Iraqi oil revenue among Iraqis without delay.
There are 47,000 US troops still inside Iraq hiding in remote garrisons under Washington’s strategy of pressuring Iraqi government officials to give future oil concessions to American and Western corporations.
Fully aware of this heinous strategy by Washington and its oil-dependent European allies, Iraqis from all factions oppose such plan as shown by Sadr’s comments in recent days. Now US policy makers –sinking deeper in their own domestic economic quagmire - worry that their devious long-term oil plans against Iraqis hidden behind technocratic paper works such as the so-called Status of Forces Agreement could be forestalled for good.
Muqtada al-Sadr called on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki honor earlier pledges to end US military presence immediately. Apparently, Iraqis believe US troops are no longer needed in Iraq. Sard enjoys grassroots supports among large sections of Iraqi population. Iraq’s Shia Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani and Sadr met on Thursday and agreed that all Iraqis should share Iraq’s oil revenue.
In the past the US and particularly its most subservient ally in Europe i.e. Britain, used bribery to lure local officials provide great oil / gas concessions for western corporations.
With Sadr’s return to Iraq, mischievous US military-industrial complex have not only to deal with fierce opposition from Sadrists, but also growing discontents by Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani and the rest of Iraqi population including the Kurdish factions and Sunnis
http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=221220
Government ministers are looking for
Posted 14/01/2011 08:21 AM
After more than three weeks to give the House of Representatives of confidence for the new government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is still about 12 positions vacant for lack of agreement of the political blocs around with conflicting reports about the reason for delaying the resolution of these positions so far .
There are nine ministries and three security service proxy managed by the new ministers or agents within the ministries or by the Prime Minister himself. There is talk now about the reasons for not resolving the names of the ministers after nearly two months remaining on the agreement of the political blocs to form a government after the crisis following the general election and lasted more than nine months .
A member of the Alliance MP Salim al-Wasat, "The political dimension of controlling the course of events is the reason behind the lack of completion of the file to form a government . "
The Jubouri's "weekly" that "the conflict situation to the one who holds the reins of things contributed greatly to the survival of government positions vacant," calling on Parliament to "The pressure on the government to resolve the remaining ministers soon . "
This comes at a time when parties assert, political differences over security positions between each of the National Coalition and Iraqi forces is the reason to keep the other ministries without ministers especially with the statements of the parties to reject each candidate other side of the security posts and so with the Iraqi letter formally rejecting the Alliance candidate for the Ministry of Interior Adnan al-Asadi. On the other hand refuses to Maliki, who belongs to the National Alliance to accept the first candidate for the office of Falah al-Naqib and Defense Minister .
In another development, informed sources revealed that "the Iraqi List, nominated by the military commander Sami Sultan bag and the Defense Ministry after the refusal of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's nomination Falah al-Naqib " .
The sources explained that "the Sultan was the commander of a military band in the former regime and has military experience being able to lead this important portfolio . "
The sources pointed out that "al-Maliki cult who remain stuck at the head of the Ministry of National Security for a second term " .
To the refusal of members of the National Alliance to talk about differences impede the process of naming the other ministers in the government .
Said Mohammed Mehdi Nassiri's "weekly" "There are no disagreements between the political forces but there is concern from various parties on the selection of qualified persons for the remaining positions . "
He predicted that the Nazarene "is to agree on positions of 12 positions at one time during the next two weeks " .
The number of ministries that voted in by the House of Representatives recently, after about nine months from the announcement of the results of parliamentary elections, the Ministry is 38, including nine ministries acting in addition to 12 and the Ministry of State. It has been observed on the cabinet reshuffle announced by the absence of women and technocrats, and not label those who hold the three security ministries of interior, defense and national security undertaken by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's proxy .
There were no differences on the vote in the House of Representatives on the Council Act of strategic policies
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The Iraqi List, revealed the existence of disputes about voting in the House of Representatives of the National Council for the strategic policy decision that is headed by Iyad Allawi, leader of the menu.
A source in the list that the differences lie in the request for Iraq to be voted on that Allawi is head of the National Council of the policies the upper and powers within the Council of Representatives, while the view block the National Alliance to be a vote on the presidency of Allawi, the new Council within the Council itself and by its members, referring to the that the vote on the presidency of Allawi's National Council for strategic policy and terms of reference and give him the confidence of the House of Representatives would give the Council the new constitutional legitimacy and momentum to be an active and influential in the political
http://radionawa.com/ar/NewsDetailN.aspx?id=48319&LinkID=158
The Iraqi List, revealed the existence of disputes about voting in the House of Representatives of the National Council for the strategic policy decision that is headed by Iyad Allawi, leader of the menu.
A source in the list that the differences lie in the request for Iraq to be voted on that Allawi is head of the National Council of the policies the upper and powers within the Council of Representatives, while the view block the National Alliance to be a vote on the presidency of Allawi, the new Council within the Council itself and by its members, referring to the that the vote on the presidency of Allawi's National Council for strategic policy and terms of reference and give him the confidence of the House of Representatives would give the Council the new constitutional legitimacy and momentum to be an active and influential in the political
http://radionawa.com/ar/NewsDetailN.aspx?id=48319&LinkID=158
UN delegation: Basra has the makings to be the spot the biggest investment in Iraq
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Research chief investment Basra Haider Ali with a delegation of the United Nations headed by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Christine McNab process of investment and private sector development and infrastructure projects.
McNabb showed that Basra is much better than the former as it is witnessing a marked improvement on the security front, investment and helping foreign companies to enter the private sector.
The coordinator of the UN mission said Jonathan Robinson, and despite the media focus on the security breaches in Basra, but it is much better than the rest of the provinces because they contain features that qualify to be the biggest investment spot in the near future.
For his part, Ali said the caution by limiting the amounts of movement of the foreign investor on the ground, pointing out that Basra secure, stable and a lot of foreign companies opened offices for its branches in Basra
http://radionawa.com/ar/NewsDetailN.aspx?id=48293&LinkID=155
Research chief investment Basra Haider Ali with a delegation of the United Nations headed by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Christine McNab process of investment and private sector development and infrastructure projects.
McNabb showed that Basra is much better than the former as it is witnessing a marked improvement on the security front, investment and helping foreign companies to enter the private sector.
The coordinator of the UN mission said Jonathan Robinson, and despite the media focus on the security breaches in Basra, but it is much better than the rest of the provinces because they contain features that qualify to be the biggest investment spot in the near future.
For his part, Ali said the caution by limiting the amounts of movement of the foreign investor on the ground, pointing out that Basra secure, stable and a lot of foreign companies opened offices for its branches in Basra
http://radionawa.com/ar/NewsDetailN.aspx?id=48293&LinkID=155
State Law: Iraq has prepared a draft of the Strategic Council stripped the three presidencies of some powers
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The MP said the coalition of state law Mohammed Chihod The draft Law of the National Council of the policies made by the Iraqi strategy aimed at ridding the three presidencies of some of the powers stipulated in the Constitution.
He Chihod Baghdad, told AFP that the vision of the alliance based on the National Council not to grant an executive role in a legislative nor judicial, but concentrated his role in supplying the government policy on security and services without requiring implementation
http://radionawa.com/ar/NewsDetailN.aspx?id=48295&LinkID=151
The MP said the coalition of state law Mohammed Chihod The draft Law of the National Council of the policies made by the Iraqi strategy aimed at ridding the three presidencies of some of the powers stipulated in the Constitution. He Chihod Baghdad, told AFP that the vision of the alliance based on the National Council not to grant an executive role in a legislative nor judicial, but concentrated his role in supplying the government policy on security and services without requiring implementation. |
| Saturday, January 15, 2011 |
The MP said the coalition of state law Mohammed Chihod The draft Law of the National Council of the policies made by the Iraqi strategy aimed at ridding the three presidencies of some of the powers stipulated in the Constitution. He Chihod Baghdad, told AFP that the vision of the alliance based on the National Council not to grant an executive role in a legislative nor judicial, but concentrated his role in supplying the government policy on security and services without requiring implementation. |
| Saturday, January 15, 2011 |
The MP said the coalition of state law Mohammed Chihod The draft Law of the National Council of the policies made by the Iraqi strategy aimed at ridding the three presidencies of some of the powers stipulated in the Constitution.
He Chihod Baghdad, told AFP that the vision of the alliance based on the National Council not to grant an executive role in a legislative nor judicial, but concentrated his role in supplying the government policy on security and services without requiring implementation
http://radionawa.com/ar/NewsDetailN.aspx?id=48295&LinkID=151
President Nujaifi meet the Inspector General at the Ministry of Interior
Saturday
15/1/2011
Press Release No: 112
President Nujaifi meet the Inspector General at the Ministry of Interior
Head of the Iraqi Council of Representatives by Mr. Osama Abdel-Aziz al-Najafi, the Inspector General at the Ministry of the Interior, Mr. Aqeel Turaihi, in his office on Saturday.
He congratulated Mr. Turaihi Mr. President on the occasion of his accession to the Presidency of the Council of Representatives, and expressed confidence that under his leadership to the Council.
***
Press office
President of Iraqi Council of Representatives
15 -1-2011http://nahrain.com/d/news/11/01/110115a.htm
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