Truck and Barter

Comments

---

Okie wrote:

Wow!! A brand new scratch pad..

I've been calling around to see if anything exciting is coming out of Iraq related to the new Government....very quiet. At least we're seeing a lot of forward movement that we can credit to the new PM.

-- April 30, 2006 12:57 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

I think we will see more Refinery expansion during the coming years. Folks, this is good news but I'm sure the liberal press will find something to bitch about. The companies involved in this are world class leaders in their field and will do an outstanding job.

http://www.construction.com/NewsCenter/Headlines/RP/20060104tx.asp

-- April 30, 2006 2:10 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

More and more of the news coming out of Iraq Is positive. The formation of this type of Government in the Middle East is monumental and will be so noted in the history books.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060430/ts_nm/iraq_dc_2

-- April 30, 2006 2:29 PM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

Sounds great Okie.

And, thanks for the comments about my girls ...just got some boxes off to them yesterday.

Sounds like the "Dinar Train" is back on track again!!!

Best of luck to the Iraqi People!

Bill1

-- April 30, 2006 9:52 PM ∞

---

carl wrote:

THOUGHTS-WORDS-DEEDS

The three tools which mankind uses to create the reality of the world and the events within it.

What is thought..? Simply Energy.....Active thought is active energy...concentrated thought is concentrated energy....concentrated energy focused on a goal or purpose becomes harnessed power...

In other words Thought is simply the attitude of the mind toward life...this attitude determines the experiences with which mankind will meet and experience life.

Religion, sciences and philosophies which the world is familiar have been based upon the effects of concentrated thought. Mankind keyed on the effects of concentrated thought, all the while ignoring and misunderstanding the cause of the effects itself.

For this we have God & Devil in Religion, Positive and Negative in Science, Good and Bad in Philosophy.

Some say the answer to all problems of the world is mankind has to change their attitude of thought toward one another...

I believe Jesus said, it best..." Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"

Until the attitude of thought changes, mankind will continue to have conflicts....

-- April 30, 2006 11:28 PM ∞

---

MinistryOfLies wrote:

Iran: U.S. Threats are Violation of International Law

UNITED NATIONS — Iran denounced the United States on Monday for contemplating possible nuclear strikes against Iranian targets and urged the United Nations to take urgent action against what it called a dangerous violation of international law.

In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan obtained by The Associated Press, Iran's U.N. Ambassador Javad Zarif called President George W. Bush's refusal two weeks ago to rule out a U.S. nuclear strike on Iran and a similar follow-up statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice "illegal and insolent threats."

Bush was asked on April 18 whether U.S. options regarding Iran "include the possibility of a nuclear strike" if Tehran refuses to halt uranium enrichment. "All options are on the table," the president replied, but he stressed that the United States will continue to focus on diplomacy.

Iran insists it is legally entitled under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to enrich uranium to provide fuel for civilian power plants but the United States suspects its real aim is to produce nuclear weapons, a view backed by Britain and France.

Zarif said the use of "false pretexts" by senior U.S. officials "to make public and illegal threats of resort to force against the Islamic Republic of Iran is continuing unabated in total contempt of international law and fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter."
The "U.S. aggressive policy" of contemplating the possible use of nuclear weapons also violates the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and other U.S. multilateral agreements, he said.

"Such dangerous statements, particularly those of the United States president, widely considered in political and media circles as a tacit confirmation of the shocking news on the administration's possible contemplation of nuclear strikes against certain targets in Iran, defiantly articulate the United States policies and intentions on the resort to nuclear weapons," Zarif said.

"In view of the past illegal behavior of the United States, these assertions yet again constitute matters of extreme gravity that require an urgent, concerted and resolute response on the part of the United Nations and particularly the Security Council," he said.

"It is indeed regrettable that past failures of the United Nations in responding to these illegal and inexcusable threats have emboldened senior United States officials to go further and even consider the use of nuclear weapons as an `option on the table'," the Iranian ambassador added.

After lengthy negotiations, the U.N. Security Council adopted a statement a month ago demanding that Iran stop enriching uranium. A new report Friday from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, confirmed what the world already knew: Iran has refused to stop enriching uranium.

The United States, Britain and France immediately announced plans to introduce a new Security Council resolution this week which would make Iran's compliance with their demands mandatory. To intensify pressure, they want the resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter which means it can be enforced through sanctions or military action.

China and Russia, the two other council members with veto power, oppose sanctions and military action and want the Iran nuclear issue resolved diplomatically, with the IAEA taking the lead, not the Security Council.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Annan had not yet received the letter. The U.S. Mission to the United Nations said it was also waiting to see the letter before commenting.

-- May 1, 2006 3:21 PM ∞

---

MinistryOfLies wrote:

Four Iraqis Killed, Protesters Demand Better Security in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — About 200 Shiites rallied outside the Green Zone on Monday to demand that U.S. and Iraqi forces do more to stop insurgent attacks in the capital and help Iraqis who are fleeing their homes because of sectarian violence.

Most of the protesters were women dressed in abaya, the full-length black robes worn by devout Muslim women. One weeping demonstrator held up the photo ID card of her husband, a truck driver, and said he recently had been killed in a drive-by shooting.

Other protesters waved large cloth banners with slogans demanding that the Iraqi government provide better care for displaced families.

The rally took place outside the tall cement wall surrounding the Green Zone, where Iraq's government meets and the U.S. and British embassies are located. At one point, two Iraqi men — a soldier and a civilian — left the compound to meet with the protesters and briefly take notes about who they were and what they were demanding.

Meanwhile, the bullet-ridden, handcuffed and blindfolded bodies of three Iraqi men were found in Baghdad's southern neighborhood of Dora, said police Capt. Jamil Hussein said. A drive-by shooting also killed a Shiite grocer was killed in his shop, Hussein said.

Elsewhere, three roadside bombs exploded in Baghdad on Monday, a national holiday in Iraq, wounding two Iraqi civilians, police said.

The first bomb exploded at 8 a.m. in the Mashtal district of eastern Baghdad, wounding two Iraqi civilians, said police Maj. Mahir Musa.

The second blast, targeting an Iraqi police convoy, occurred at 9:45 a.m. on a highway in the nearby district of Kamsara, causing no casualties, said police Lt. Bilal Ali Majid.

About five minutes later, a fuel can being used as a roadside bomb exploded about 500 meters (yards) behind a U.S. military convoy in Al-Bayaa, a neighborhood of southern Baghdad, causing no injuries or damage, the U.S. military said.

May 1, known as Workers' Day, is a national holiday that closes government offices across Iraq, but many businesses and stores work normal hours.

Tens of thousands of Iraqis have fled their homes in mixed Sunni-Shiite areas because of sectarian violence, some of it caused by militias allied with Iraqi political parties. A surge in such attacks began after the Feb. 22 bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra in northern Iraq.

In other violence Monday:

— Insurgents fired two mortar shells at a U.S. military base in Haqlaniyah, 220 kilometers (140 miles) northwest of Baghdad, prompting soldiers to search surrounding houses and shops for suspected militants, witnesses said. No casualties were reported.

— In Tikrit, the hometown of former dictator Saddam Hussein, roadside bombs aimed at American convoys exploded in two nearby neighborhoods, police said. No casualties were reported, but U.S. and Iraqi forces to searched homes in both areas.

On Sunday, a roadside bomb in Tikrit, which is 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Baghdad, destroyed an American Humvee, the military said. It said no service members were killed in the attack, but did not say whether anyone was injured.

-- May 1, 2006 3:23 PM ∞

---

MinistryOfLies wrote:

Skinheads, Militants Disrupt Gay Night at Moscow Club

MOSCOW — A group of skinheads and elderly Russian women holding religious icons disrupted a gay night at a Moscow nightclub, forcing clubbers to be evacuated by bus, media reported Monday.

Over 150 far-right activists and Orthodox Christian militants blocked the entrance to the La Guardia nightclub on Sunday evening, the Interfax news agency reported, citing an unidentified police official.

Police had to form a human chain to separate the protesters from people inside the club and the party did not take place because most of its guests could not enter the club.

Some of the young people started to throw eggs, tomatoes and plastic bottles when the guests began leaving the club by bus, according to footage shown by NTV television.

"We know this is a sin and we can't allow it to flourish here, these lesbians and sodomites, their souls will die, they will go to hell," said one elderly Orthodox woman.

The protesters yelled homophobic insults, the Ekho Moskvy radio station reported.

Moscow's mayor earlier this year refused to allow the Russian capital's first gay parade because the proposed May 27 event had "evoked outrage in society, in particular, among religious leaders."

Human rights groups criticized the decision as a violation of civil rights.

Police declined to comment on the nightclub incident.

But the leftist Radical Party, accused the police officers at the scene of failing to protect the clubbers from the protesters.

"If the police chiefs cannot force their subordinates, among whom there are significant numbers of homophobes, to obey orders, these chiefs should be fired," the party said in a statement.

-- May 1, 2006 3:33 PM ∞

---

MinistryOfLies wrote:

Carl,

Interesting philosophy on thought. Unfortunately, attitudes are hard to change since many people are either closed minded (i.e. always think they are in the right) or ignorant. Some more appropriate quotes for today's circumstances could be Confuscious' Golden Rule: "A man should practice what he preaches, but a man should also preach what he practices" and another Confuscious saying similar to Jesus' quote, "Do NOT do to others what you do NOT want done to yourself"

-- May 2, 2006 11:33 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iran will hit Israel if US does "evil": agency
Tue May 2, 2006 9:01am ET

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran will target Israel first if the United States does anything "evil", a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday.

"We have announced that wherever America does something evil, the first place that we target will be Israel," Revolutionary Guards Rear Admiral Mohammad-Ebrahim Dehqani was quoted as saying by Iran's student news agency ISNA.

The Islamic Republic has never recognized Israel and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for the Jewish state to be "wiped off the map."

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-05-02T130318Z_01_BLA246839_RTRUKOC_0_US-NUCLEAR-IRAN-ISRAEL.xml&rpc=22

-- May 2, 2006 1:07 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iran ’shelling PKK in Iraq’, say Kurds

5/2/2006 FT - By Gareth Smyth
Iraqi Kurdish officials yesterday reported Iranian artillery shelling of positions held by fighters of the Kurdistan Workers party (PKK) inside Iraq. This was a day after the Iraqi defence ministry said Iranian troops had recently attacked PKK positions inside Iraq, crossing 5km into Iraqi territory near Haj Umran. Iran denied the charge.

http://www.kurdmedia.com/news.asp?id=12165

-- May 2, 2006 1:09 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Carl;

I agree with you that, quote: "mankind has to change their attitude of thought toward one another..."

I also believe that God is not the author of evil and does not endorse it, as I posted before about evil just being the absence of God (who is Love, Light, Truth, Compassion, etc).

But the reality we confront in many dimensions, some examples of which you quoted when you said "Positive and Negative in Science, Good and Bad in Philosophy and God & Devil in Religion" do appear to be real constructs and not merely a trick of our imaginations. There really is a negative and positive polarity to a magnet, and if you look around you and see the effects of real evil in man's inhumanity to man (such as the terrorists in what they do to innocent men women and children in bombing them as they go about their daily routines), it does seem malevolent and not merely passive, intentional rather than accidental, concentrated (as you said) and not merely dilute. War is definitely called "Hell" for a reason - if Hell can be called a place where evil does indeed happen. Yet, on earth, even in the direst, dirtiest and most hellish places on earth, we can still sometimes see God. So it isn't really hell here, just a lot like it sometimes.

The reason we have wars, hellishness, and evil.. is precisely because mankind is not always capable of changing their attitudes of thought toward one another. Because there is a point where the two polar opposites of "Good and Bad" which you spoke of, cannot come to a place of agreement. Then we have a war. But, we are not in that day concerning Iran yet. I still see "wiggle room" to avoid further conflict as being possible. However, in light of the past few posts about Iran, they appear to be of the mindset that they will not change their attitudes.. and I do not think the world has the option of acceding to their demands and allowing them to "wipe Israel off the map". Therefore, this drama is unfolding in such a way that peace, love, diplomacy and brotherhood may not be capable of resolving this conflict due precisely to what you said here, a segment of mankind being hell bent on the destruction of another portion of mankind (in this case Israel, wishing to "wipe" it off the face of the map of our earth) and their not being capable of changing their attitudes or thoughts.

Sara.

-- May 2, 2006 1:37 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Meanwhile in Iraq, progress
Posted by: McQ on Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Once the logistical tail and the C3I nodes needed to support the military and security battalions in the field are in place we'll see a huge jump in level one battalions. That is targeted for happening this year. And when it does, coalition forces should begin to stand down in earnest.

As we've mentioned any number of times, there are various factions loosly lumped under the label "insurgent". One of the largest is the Sunni insurgency. There may be some significant progress in ending that portion of the insurgency according to Iraq's President, Jalal Talabani:

Meanwhile, in an attempt to reach out to insurgents, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said he has been meeting with seven armed groups in hopes of agreeing a deal to include them in Iraq's political process.

None of these groups include people loyal to al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, according to a statement issued Sunday from Talabani's office.

"These groups who are holding talks with the president are those who believe in a prosperous Iraq. Their will to fight America has waned," said a spokesman in the president's office.

A source close to Talabani said the meetings have been under way for some time.

The groups are realizing that Americans are not their true enemy, the source said, and that they have been "fighting the wrong enemy."

"[These groups] are coming to the realization that one day the Americans will leave — and that the most important thing is an Iraq that is free from Iranian influence," the source added.

Again, a critical step. Success in shutting down the Sunni insurgency would allow coalition and Iraqi security forces to concentrate on the smaller groups to be found among al-Queda and the Ba'athist dead-enders.

http://www.qando.net/details.aspx?entry=3808

-- May 2, 2006 1:57 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Meanwhile in Iraq, progress, more
Posted by: McQ on Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Speaking of al-Qaeda, Counterterroism Blog reports that there is all but open warfare between the Sunnis and al-Qadea in Iraq (and the information gathered supports Talibani's claim to be making progress in stopping the Sunni insurgency):

The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point looks at newly released al-Qaeda communiques from the Harmony database. The final analysis concludes "al-Qa`ida operational commanders [in Iraq] are increasingly vexed by the continued loss of popular support, which they attribute to the willingness of Sunni tribal leaders and politicians to participate in the political process." The report continues:

"One of these letters, written by an unknown commander in Zarqawi’s organization, describes the problems that local community leaders have caused for al-Qa`ida, particularly in al-Anbar province. By supporting local elections, collaborating with American military officials, and encouraging young Iraqi men to join police and security forces, Sunni politicians and tribal sheikhs have successfully steered thousands of Iraqis away from the jihadi message and toward the participation in the political process. The author, therefore, advocates the assassination of these figures."

Major progress. In fact, so much so that it appears that al-Qaeda has decided to change its entire way of fighting in Iraq:

"The leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, is attempting to set up his own mini-army and move away from individual suicide attacks to a more organised resistance movement, according to US intelligence sources.

Faced with a shortage of foreign fighters willing to undertake suicide missions, Zarqawi wants to turn his group into a more traditional force mounting co-ordinated guerrilla raids on coalition targets.

Al-Qaeda is sending training and planning experts to help to set up the force and infiltrate members into Iraq with the assistance of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the sources said."

Note too that this report also supports Talibani's contention that "the most important thing is an Iraq that is free from Iranian influence". And here we have reports of al-Qaeda teaming with Iran to staff it's "army".

One assumes the Iraqi people know leopards don't change their spots and won't buy into supporting al-Qaeda now that it has gone 'conventional'. But doing so is almost a gift. It plays right into the hands of both coalition and Iraqi security force's training. It's very hard to defend against a human being who is willing to blow themselves up in order to kill others. It isn't as difficult to fight a more conventional enemy, especially one who has already ostracized the majority of the population.

Add the fact that the government is now forming and preparing to govern and one has to see that progress is indeed being made in Iraq.

http://www.qando.net/details.aspx?entry=3808

-- May 2, 2006 2:04 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

Let the negotiations begin....

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Political leaders of Iraq's Sunni minority staked their claim to steering constitutional change through parliament on Tuesday, on the eve of the new assembly's first day of normal business since an election in December.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060502/wl_nm/iraq_constitution_dc_3

-- May 2, 2006 2:22 PM ∞

---

MinistryOfLies wrote:

Report: Japan to Pull Out of Iraq When U.K., Australia Go

TOKYO — Japan will withdraw its non-combat troops deployed in southern Iraq at the same time that Britain and Australia pull their troops out, a news report said Tuesday.

Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga officially told Washington on Monday about the terms under which Japan plans to pull out the 600 troops it has stationed in Samawah, southern Muthana province, on a humanitarian mission, Kyodo News agency reported.

"The foundations for reconstruction in Muthana province to a certain extent have been completed," Nukaga told a meeting of senior U.S. and Japanese defense and foreign ministry officials in Washington, according to an unidentified Japanese official cited by Kyodo.

"We want to complete our troops' activities at the same time as the British and Australian forces do, provided conditions allow," he said, according to Kyodo.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,193887,00.html

-- May 2, 2006 4:10 PM ∞

---

MinistryOfLies wrote:

The CIA Leak: Plame Was Still Covert

Feb. 13, 2006 issue - Newly released court papers could put holes in the defense of Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis (Scooter) Libby, in the Valerie Plame leak case. Lawyers for Libby, and White House allies, have repeatedly questioned whether Plame, the wife of White House critic Joe Wilson, really had covert status when she was outed to the media in July 2003. But special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald found that Plame had indeed done "covert work overseas" on counterproliferation matters in the past five years, and the CIA "was making specific efforts to conceal" her identity, according to newly released portions of a judge's opinion. (A CIA spokesman at the time is quoted as saying Plame was "unlikely" to take further trips overseas, though.) Fitzgerald concluded he could not charge Libby for violating a 1982 law banning the outing of a covert CIA agent; apparently he lacked proof Libby was aware of her covert status when he talked about her three times with New York Times reporter Judith Miller. Fitzgerald did consider charging Libby with violating the so-called Espionage Act, which prohibits the disclosure of "national defense information," the papers show; he ended up indicting Libby for lying about when and from whom he learned about Plame.

The new papers show Libby testified he was told about Plame by Cheney "in an off sort of curiosity sort of fashion" in mid-June—before he talked about her with Miller and Time magazine's Matt Cooper. Libby's trial has been put off until January 2007, keeping Cheney off the witness stand until after the elections. A spokeswoman for Libby's lawyers declined to comment on Plame's status.

© 2006 Newsweek, Inc.

-- May 2, 2006 4:13 PM ∞

---

MinistryOfLies wrote:

MSNBC: Plame was working on Iran

Melissa McEwan May 2, 2006.

Earlier this year, in a story largely ignored by the mainstream media, Raw Story's Larisa Alexandrovna reported that CIA operative Valerie Plame, whose covert status was compromised by a White House leak in retribution against her husband, Joseph Wilson, for concerns raised about the use of pre-war intelligence, was monitoring weapons proliferation in Iran. At the time, officials to whom Alexandrovna spoke confirmed that Plame's "outing resulted in 'severe' damage to her team and significantly hampered the CIA's ability to monitor nuclear proliferation."

On last night's Hardball, MSNBC correspondent David Shuster confirmed that report:

MSNBC has learned new information about the damage caused by the white house leaks.

Intelligence sources say Valerie Wilson was part of an operation three years ago tracking the proliferation of nuclear weapons material into Iran. And the sources allege that when Mrs. Wilson's cover was blown, the administration's ability to track Iran's nuclear ambitions was damaged as well.

The white house considers Iran to be one of America's biggest threats.

For a very long time, an essential part of the GOP spin on this issue has been that Plame was not covert, so leaking her name "didn't matter." If Raw Story's and MSNBC's sources are correct, this report wholly undermines that assertion--in addition to casting the gravity of the outing in a whole new light.

It also necessarily raises (at least in the mind of this cynic) the possibility that the assumptions about the White House's motive for the leak was not exclusively about political payback. The administration's rhetoric on Iran is eerily similar to that we saw during the run-up to the war with Iraq, as illustrated by this post at The Belgravia Dispatch. Knowing as we now do that the administration was bent on war with Iraq and the lengths to which they went to make that war happen, it would be foolish to think they would not endeavor to do to same if they are similarly bent on a confrontation (more here) with Iran. If Plame could have provided information that disputed Iran's nuclear readiness, which is serving as the key justification for escalating alarmism about Iran, it's very useful indeed from the administration's perspective to have her out of the picture.

-- May 2, 2006 4:18 PM ∞

---

drtayl0r wrote:

I've been reading through the history of posts recently. It seems alot of news is being posted, however, not alot directly relating to the dinar. Does anyone had any speculation as to the future of the Dinar once a pull-out occurs?

-- May 2, 2006 5:18 PM ∞

---

Mary Lou wrote:

Iran's secret plan if attacked codenamed 'Judgment Day'

Tehran has recruited and funded eight Islamic fundamentalist organizations to undertake retaliatory strikes against U.S. and British military and economic interests across the Middle East – and perhaps in the U.S. and Europe – in the event Iran's nuclear facilities are attacked, reports a London Arab daily, Asharq Al-Awsat.

The plan, which has been heavily funded and was created by a number of experts in guerilla warfare and terrorist operations, includes suicide attacks against U.S. and British targets in the region as well as their allies. According to information gleaned from a senior source in the Iranian armed forces' joint chief of staff, logistical support for the groups that would participate in the plan comes from Brigadier General Qassim Suleimani of the of the Revolutionary Guards' al Quds Brigades.

"Most of Iran's visitors in the last four months, including the leaders of revolutionary groups in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon, as well as the heads of Hezbollah cells in the Persian Gulf and Europe and North America were asked, when they met with the Iranian intelligence minister Gholamhossein Mohseni Ezhei and his aides: 'Are you ready to defend the Islamic revolution and vilayat e faqih (rule of the clergy)?'" the source said. "'If you agree to take part in the great jihad, what would you need to be ready for the great fight?'"

The leader of one of the Iraq groups that is part of the "Judgment Day" plan told the Iranians his men would turn Iraq into hell for Americans in the event of an attack on Iran. The Revolutionary Guards' military training camps have been made available to Moqtada al Sadr's Mahdi Army. Al Sadr has received more than $20 million from the Iranians.

Street-fighting training has been given in Isfahan, Iran, to members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as well as large sums of money and large quantities of arms.

As reported by WorldNetDaily, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has recruited Imad Mugniyah, the Lebanese commander of Hezbollah's overseas operations, to oversee retaliation against Western targets following any U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Officers sent to southern Lebanon last month are in command of more than 10 thousand rockets aimed at Israel's cities. It is believed they've been given control of Hezbollah's missiles to attack Israel if Iran's nuclear sites are hit. U.S. officials and Israel intelligence sources believe Mugniyah is in charge of these operations.

"When and if the Iranians decide to hit the West in its soft belly, Imad will be the one to act," a Western intelligence source said.

Approximately 80 members of Hezbollah received training last year in ultralight aircraft and undersea operations in order to carry out suicide attacks.

Implementation of the plan is set to begin immediately following a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and would progress in six stages:

U.S. bases in Iraq and the Persian Gulf region to be struck by Iranian missiles.

Suicide attacks in a number of Muslim countries against U.S. embassies, military bases, economic and oil-related facilities tied to U.S. and British firms, and targets in countries allied with the U.S.

Attacks by Revolutionary Guards and Iraqi insurgents loyal to Iran against U.S. and British forces in Iraq.

Hundreds of rockets launched by Hezbollah against pre-selected targets in Israel.

If U.S. military attacks continue, more than 50 Shehab-3 missiles will be launched against Israel and 50 terrorist cells in the U.S., Canada and Europe will be given approval to launch attacks against civil and industrial targets in those countries.

Maximize civilian casualties with germ agents and "dirty bombs."

Full Article

Back to Top

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tehran insider tells of US black ops

A former Iranian ambassador and Islamic Republic insider has provided intriguing details to Asia Times Online about US covert operations inside Iran aimed at destabilizing the country and toppling the regime - or preparing for an American attack.

"The Iranian government knows and is aware of such infiltration. It means that the Iranian government has identified them [the covert operatives] but for some reason does not want to show this," said the former diplomat on condition of anonymity.

Speaking in Tehran, the ex-Foreign Ministry official said the agents being used by the US "were originally Iranians and not Americans" possibly recruited in the United States or through US embassies in Dubai and Ankara. He also warned that such actions will engender "some reactions".

"Both sides will certainly do something," he said in a reference to Iran's capability to stir trouble up in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan for the occupying US troops there.

Veteran US journalist Seymour Hersh wrote in a much-discussed recent article in The New Yorker magazine that the administration of President George W Bush has increased clandestine activities inside Iran and intensified planning for a possible major air attack as the crisis with Iran over its nuclear program escalates.

Hersh wrote that "teams of American combat troops have been ordered into Iran, under cover, to collect targeting data and to establish contact with anti-government ethnic-minority groups". The template seems identical to the period that preceded US air strikes against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan during which a covert Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) campaign distributed millions of dollars to tribal allies.

"The Iranian accusations are true," said Richard Sale, intelligence correspondent for United Press International, referring to charges that the US is using the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK) organization and other groups to carry out cross-border operations. "But it is being done on such a small scale - a series of pinpricks - it would seem to have no strategic value at all."

There has been a marked spike in unrest in Kurdistan, Khuzestan and Balochistan, three of Iran's provinces with a high concentration of ethnic Kurdish, Arab and Balochi minorities respectively. With the exception of the immediate post-revolutionary period, when the Kurds rebelled against the central government and were suppressed violently, ethnic minorities have received better treatment, more autonomy and less ethnic discrimination than under the shah.

"The president hasn't notified the Congress that American troops are operating inside Iran," said Sam Gardiner, a retired US Army colonel who specializes in war-game scenarios. "So it's a very serious question about the constitutional framework under which we are now conducting military operations in Iran."

Camp Warhorse is the major US military base in the strategic Iraqi province of Diyala that borders Iran. Last month, Asia Times Online asked the US official in charge of all overt and covert operations emanating from there whether the military and the MEK colluded on an operational level. He denied any such knowledge.

"They have a gated community up there," came the genial reply. "Not really guarded - it's more gated. They bake really good bread," he added, smiling.

But that is contrary to what Hersh was told by his sources, According to him, US combat troops are already inside Iran and, in the event of air strikes, would be in position to mark critical targets with laser beams to ensure bombing accuracy and excite sectarian tensions between the population and the central government. As of early winter, Hersh's source claims that the units were also working with minority groups in Iran, including the Azeris in the north, the Balochis in the southeast, and the Kurds in the northwest.

Last week, speaking on the sidelines of a Palestinian solidarity conference, Major-General Yehyia Rahim Safavi, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander, sent a warning to the US and British intelligence services he accuses of using Iraq and Kuwait to infiltrate Iran. "I tell them that their agents can be our agents too, and they should not waste their money so casually."

On April 9, Iran claimed to have shot down an unmanned surveillance plane in the southwestern province of Khuzestan, according to a report in the semi-official Jumhuri Eslami newspaper. US media have also reported that the US military has been secretly flying surveillance drones over Iran since 2004, using radar, video, still photography and air filters to monitor Iranian military formations and track Iran's air-defense system. The US denied having lost a drone.

This new mission for the combat troops is a product of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's long-standing interest in expanding the role of the military in covert operations, which was made official policy in the Pentagon's Quadrennial Defense Review, published in February. Such activities, if conducted by CIA operatives, would need a Presidential Finding and would have to be reported to key members of Congress.

The confirmation that the US is carrying out covert activities inside Iran makes more sense out of a series of suspicious events that have occurred along Iran's borders this year. In early January, a military airplane belonging to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards went down close to the Iraqi border. The plane was carrying 11 of the Guard's top commanders, including General Ahmad Kazemi, the commander of the IRGC's ground forces, and Brigadier-General Nabiollah Shahmoradi, who was deputy commander for intelligence.

Although a spokesman blamed bad weather and dilapidated engines for the crash, the private intelligence company Stratfor noted that there are several reasons to suspect foul play, not least of which was that any aircraft carrying so many of Iran's elite military luminaries would undergo "thorough tests for technical issues before flight". Later, Iran's defense minister accused Britain and the US of bringing the plane down through "electronic jamming".

"Given all intelligence information that we have gathered, we can say that agents of the United States, Britain and Israel are seeking to destabilize Iran through a coordinated plan," Minister of Interior Mustafa Pour-Mohammadi said. This sentiment was echoed on websites such as AmericanIntelligence.us, where one reader commented, "We couldn't have made a better hit on the IRGC's leadership if planned ... sure it was just an accident?"

Then, in late January, a previously unknown Sunni Muslim group called Jundallah (Soldier of Allah) captured nine Iranian soldiers in the remote badlands of Sistan-Balochistan province that borders Afghanistan and Pakistan. And in mid-February, another airplane crashed just inside Iraq after taking off from Azerbaijan and transiting Iranian airspace. The Iranian Mehr news agency reported that the "passengers on board were possibly of Israeli origin". It added that US troops have restricted access to the site to Iraqi Kurdish officials and that Western media were reporting the passengers aboard as having been German.

The Iranian government has not sat idly by and just taken these breaches of sovereignty. Early this month, an unidentified source in the Interior Ministry was quoted by the hardline Kayhan newspaper as saying that the leader and 11 members of the Jundallah group had been killed by Iranian troops. Then last Friday, Iranian missile batteries shelled Iranian Kurdish rebel positions inside Iraqi territory. They were targeting a militant group called PJAK that seeks more autonomy for Iran's Kurdish population and has been operating out of Iraq since 1999.

The former Iranian ambassador argues that in the event that US pressure on Iran continues, "the end of the tunnel" for President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's administration is "weaponization of the nuclear technology ... and a military strike".

Full Article

Back to Top

Iran Vows To Strike Back: Israel First Target

Iran threatened on Tuesday to attack Israel in response to any "evil" act by the United States and said it had enriched uranium to a level close to the maximum compatible with civilian use in power stations.

The defiant statements were issued shortly before world powers meet in Paris to discuss the next steps after Tehran rejected a U.N. call to halt uranium enrichment.

Senior officials from the U.N. Security Council's permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany were to discuss how to curb an Iranian program that Western nations say conceals a drive for atomic warheads.

"We have announced that wherever America does something evil, the first place that we target will be Israel," ISNA quoted a senior Revolutionary Guards commander, Rear Admiral Mohammad-Ebrahim Dehqani, as saying on Tuesday.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for the Jewish state to be "wiped off the map".

Iran's deputy oil minister said there was "some possibility" of a U.S. attack on his country over its nuclear program.

"I am worried. Everybody is worried," Mohammad Hadi Nejad-Hosseinian said in New Delhi after talks on a proposed $7-billion pipeline from Iran to India via Pakistan.

Concerns that Iran's dispute with the West could lead to disruption of its oil output pushed oil prices above $74 a barrel, close to the record of $75.35 touched last month.

The United States, Britain and France are expected to introduce a resolution to the Security Council this week that would legally oblige Iran to comply with U.N. demands. The three countries favor limited sanctions if Tehran remains defiant.

Iran said Russia and China, also veto-wielding permanent council members, would not back any punitive measures.

"The thing these two countries have officially told us and expressed in diplomatic negotiations is their opposition to sanctions and military attacks," Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told Iran's Kayhan newspaper.

China and Russia both have big energy interests in Iran, the world's fourth biggest oil exporter. Russia is also helping Iran build its first atomic power plant in the Gulf port of Bushehr.

Nicholas Burns, the U.S. under-secretary of state for political affairs, said in Paris that Tuesday's meeting would seek to keep the Security Council members and Germany united before a meeting of foreign ministers in New York on May 9.

Asked about Mottaki's comments, he said: "All I know is that China and Russia say that they don't want a nuclear-armed Iran. And China and Russia have voted with us against the government of Iran. So we intend to preserve this unity."

Burns said he expected a consensus to emerge over the next 30-40 days on the need to send a "stiff message" to Iran, adding that a range of sanctions had been discussed privately.

These included restricting exports to Iran of dual-use technology that could support its research and development or help it fabricate fissile material or a nuclear device.

Other options were travel curbs on Iranian officials and a ban on arms sales to Iran, such as a planned Russian missile deal. Oil and gas sanctions were not being discussed now.

"We hope that the U.N. Security Council, through a resolution, will send a firm and united message to Iran," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said in Paris.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says it cannot confirm that Iran's goals are peaceful, but has found no proof of a military program

A U.N. resolution would be adopted under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, making it binding in international law. A separate resolution would be required for sanctions or military action.

Full Article

-- May 2, 2006 9:05 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Wednesday's Parliamentary session notes

By THOMAS WAGNER, Associated Press Writer May 3, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq - In Baghdad, Iraq's parliament met Wednesday for only the third time since it was elected last year. In an opening speech, parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, a Sunni Arab, urged the lawmakers to be "the healers" of Iraq's deep sectarian divisions.

Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, is in the process of choosing a Cabinet for the new unity government from Iraq's complex mix of political parties controlled by majority Shiites and minority Sunni Arabs and Kurds.

Al-Maliki was officially appointed as prime minister-designate on April 22 and has pledged to complete his Cabinet this month. That will be the final stage in establishing the new government. U.S. officials believe a unity government can, over time, calm sectarian tensions and lure many Sunnis away from the insurgency.

But on Tuesday, Shiite officials reported a new snag in the negotiations when Sunni politicians insisted on key posts, including deputy prime minister and a major ministry such as finance or education. Shiites, who hold 130 of the 275 seats, offered a lesser ministry but the Sunnis refused, according to Shiite politician Bassem Sharif.

Talks were to continue Wednesday, he said.

Sunni politicians are also eager for parliament to consider amendments to the new constitution. Sunnis oppose several provisions, including one allowing formation of regional governments. Many Sunnis fear that would lead to Iraq's breakup and deprive them of a fair share of the country's vast oil wealth.

Shiites and Kurds agreed to study changes in the constitution in the first four months of the new parliament. But in Wednesday's brief session, parliament decided to postpone forming a committee to discuss the constitution until after the Cabinet is appointed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060503/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

-- May 3, 2006 9:29 AM ∞

---

MinistryOfLies wrote:

15 Dead in Fallujah Police Headquarters Bombing
Wednesday, May 03, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Insurgents stepped up their campaign to stop Sunni Arabs from joining government security forces, killing 15 police recruits in a suicide attack Wednesday and fatally shooting three soldiers who recently had entered the Iraqi army, officials said.

Both attacks occurred in Anbar province, a mostly Sunni area west of Baghdad where some of Iraq's worst terrorist attacks and battles between Sunni-led insurgents and U.S. forces have taken place since the Iraq war began more than three years ago.

On Tuesday, Anbar Gov. Maamoun Sami Rashid al-Alwani narrowly escaped a homicide car bomb attack on his convoy as he headed to work in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. The attack killed 10 Iraqi civilians and wounded five of al-Alwani's bodyguards, the U.S. military said.

On Wednesday, a homicide bomber blew himself up while standing in a line of recruits outside Fallujah's police headquarters, killing 15 people and wounding 30, said police 1st Lt. Omar Ahmed. Thirteen of the dead were recruits and two were policemen, Ahmed said.

The bomber, dressed in civilian clothes, struck outside the entrance of the police building, police said. His hidden bomb exploded several minutes after he joined the crowd of recruits waiting to enter the building and apply for jobs, Ahmed said.

At about the same time, police found the bodies of three soldiers from Fallujah who had been shot and dumped in Khaldiyah, a city west of their hometown, said Dr. Rafie Mahmoud.

On Sunday, the three men had graduated from basic training as part of the first all-Sunni class in the Iraqi army. On Tuesday, the bodies of four other Iraqi soldiers from that class were found in Ramadi, officials said.

In Baghdad, Iraq's parliament met Wednesday for only the third time since it was elected last year. In an opening speech, parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, a Sunni Arab, urged the lawmakers to be "the healers" of Iraq's deep sectarian divisions.

Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, is in the process of choosing a Cabinet for the new unity government from Iraq's complex mix of political parties controlled by majority Shiites and minority Sunni Arabs and Kurds.

Violence continued in other areas of Iraq.

— Police found the bodies of 16 Iraqi men in Baghdad who apparently were the latest victims of a wave of sectarian violence involving death squads that kidnap civilians, torture them in captivity, and dump their bodies.

— A roadside bomb exploded in an outdoor market in northern Baghdad, wounding 16 civilians, said police Maj. Raid Moussa.

—Gunmen attacked a police patrol in central Baqouba, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, killing a police officer and wounding another, police said.

— A roadside bomb exploded near an elementary school for girls in Tikrit, 80 miles north of the capital, wounding one child, said policeman Hakim al-Azawi.

— A mortar round landed inside Camp Echo in southern Iraq where Polish forces are based, but no one was hurt, said Iraqi army Capt. Ali Hakim. Poland has about 900 troops in Iraq.

The U.S. military also said nearly 1,500 Iraqi soldiers and police on Wednesday completed the fourth day of a search for insurgents in Mosul, a city 225 miles northwest of Baghdad, during which they detained 36 known or suspected militants.

Al-Maliki was officially appointed as prime minister-designate on April 22 and has pledged to complete his Cabinet this month. That will be the final stage in establishing the new government. U.S. officials believe a unity government can, over time, calm sectarian tensions and lure many Sunnis away from the insurgency.

But on Tuesday, Shiite officials reported a new snag in the negotiations when Sunni politicians insisted on key posts, including deputy prime minister and a major ministry such as finance or education. Shiites, who hold 130 of the 275 seats, offered a lesser ministry but the Sunnis refused, according to Shiite politician Bassem Sharif.

Talks were to continue Wednesday, he said.

Sunni politicians are also eager for parliament to consider amendments to the new constitution. Sunnis oppose several provisions, including one allowing formation of regional governments. Many Sunnis fear that would lead to Iraq's breakup and deprive them of a fair share of the country's vast oil wealth.

Shiites and Kurds agreed to study changes in the constitution in the first four months of the new parliament. But in Wednesday's brief session, parliament decided to postpone forming a committee to discuss the constitution until after the Cabinet is appointed.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,194065,00.html

-- May 3, 2006 9:36 AM ∞

---

MinistryOfLies wrote:

Iran's Nuke Chief: Enriched Uranium at Reactor Fuel Levels
Wednesday, May 03, 2006

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's nuclear chief Gholamreza Aghazadeh said Wednesday that Iran has enriched uranium up to 4.8 percent — the upper end of the range needed to make fuel for reactors.

The announcement tops Iran's declaration last month when it said it had surpassed the 3.6 percent level.

Uranium enriched to between 3.5 and 5 percent is used to make fuel for reactors to generate electricity. Enriched to more than 90 percent, it becomes suitable for use in nuclear weapons.

"The latest enrichment percentage carried out in Iran is 4.8 percent," state-run television quoted Aghazadeh as saying.

Aghazadeh added that Iran has no intention of enriching uranium beyond 5 percent.

Aghazadeh also announced the discovery of uranium deposits in southern Iran near the port city of Bandar Abbas.

Iran announced April 11 that it had enriched uranium for the first time.

The Security Council has demanded that Iran cease all of its enrichment-related activities until Tehran answers its questions on its nuclear program.

Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran flouted the council's requests.

Iran says its nuclear program is confined to generating power, but the United States and France accuse the country of secretly trying to build nuclear weapons.

Mohammad Ghannadi, deputy chief for nuclear research and technology, told a conference in Qom, south of the capital Tehran, Tuesday that the country's political leadership had ordered him to ensure that enrichment did not go beyond 5 percent.

"We need enriched uranium to produce electricity ... we have been given orders to enrich uranium only up to 5 percent," he said.

Aghazadeh, the nuclear chief, said studies show there are considerable amounts of uranium ore at Bandar Abbas.

"The deposits have not been identified fully but studies show that there are considerable amounts of uranium (ore) at the site," he said adding that additional exploration at the site was underway," television quoted Aghazadeh as saying.

The announcement of the deposits came just after Ghannadi, the deputy, said Tuesday that Iran had discovered uranium ore at three new sites in the central Khoshoomi, Charchooleh and Narigan areas.

Aghazadeh, who is also the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said Iran was planning vast investments to extract uranium from its deposits.

"Experts at the (Iran's) Atomic Energy Organization are making plans to identify the country's uranium reserves. It is predicted that we will have vast investments in various parts of the country," he said.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,194062,00.html

-- May 3, 2006 9:38 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Drtayl0r;

I agree, the posts lately may have been off topic. Here are my suggestions to help address this.

Ministryoflies

I do not see the point of your barrage of posts which do not appear to have any relevance to the Dinar topic or Iraq's government and society. Could you please not post anything irrelevant. Plame may be interesting, but this is a DINAR discussion board. Iraq and possible incursions by Iran into Iraq (which would affect our investment if it occurred) are the topics we are discussing on the thread. Thank you.

MaryLou;

Interesting posts about Iran's positions on things. Thank you for your input, it is appreciated. It is a bit long, could you cut down the articles you post just a bit and only give us the most relevant bits along with the url for clarification or to see more, please. Again, your input is appreciated. :)

For Marylou, ministryoflies, Drtayl0r, and the board..

Could you give your view on the news, what you see as its being relevant to this Dinar board discussion, please? We can all read the news itself, therefore, unless it is something self explanatory (like the last post I did which explains where Iraq is in its efforts to set up a governing body which Maliki must do by the 21st of this month) please explain why you posted it.

Thanks everyone, lets keep working on it and learning together. :)

Sara.

-- May 3, 2006 9:41 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

One more thing..

While I know that the "if it bleeds it leads" mentality of the MSM (main stream media) fills the news with all the gory details of the latest body count in Iraq, and I care about and pray for the troops and people of Iraq daily, yet, because we are focusing on the DINAR and our investment in Iraq in this discussion thread, please do not quote long gory bodycount statistics like Ministryoflies just did. It also glorifies the tactics of those who wish to destabilize Iraq and destroy it and our investment, and we are people who believe in Iraq and its fortunes so it is counterproductive to our viewpoint to constantly wade through these statistics to glean the bits of info relevant to the discussion. The parts in the above posted article which spoke about the cabinet formation were what I posted already. That is relevant to the board, the rest of the post is off topic and an unnecessary a waste of time for us to wade through (in my case, AGAIN, because I read the entire version before I posted, shortening it to the relevant version, above). Please take time to make sure the posts you make are concise and on topic before posting or Kevin may start moderating our comments again. (Thanks for this board and all you do for us, though, Kevin! :) We DO appreciate it!)

Sara.

-- May 3, 2006 9:54 AM ∞

---

MinistryOfLies wrote:

Afghan Army Jeep Explodes in Government Compound
Wednesday, May 03, 2006

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A governor in eastern Afghanistan escaped an apparent assassination attempt Wednesday when a car bomb exploded outside his offices, while suspected Taliban gunmen killed a judge in the west, officials said.

No casualties were caused in the explosion that occurred shortly after 9 a.m. in the eastern Nangarhar provincial capital of Jalalabad, 75 miles east of Kabul, said police chief Abdul Basir Salangi.

Salangi said a bomb had been planted in an Afghan army jeep used by the assistant head of the province's administration department.

The jeep was parked inside the governor's compound near the car of Gov. Gul Agha Sherzai at about 5 a.m. and was timed to explode about four hours later, he said.

"Fortunately the governor arrived at work earlier than the 9 a.m. time he usually arrives," Salangi said. "From the preliminary evidence, it seems to have been an assassination attempt as the jeep was parked near the governor's car."

Salangi said the jeep driver was detained for questioning but was not regarded as a suspect.

Sherzai was an influential warlord from the former Taliban stronghold of Kandahar who captured that southern city from the former hard-line regime during the U.S.-backed military campaign to oust the Taliban after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Meanwhile in the far west of the country, Farah's deputy civil court judge, Sheikh Mohammed, was shot dead after he left a Sunni Muslim mosque following evening prayers Tuesday in Farah city, about 465 miles southwest of Kabul.

"Two Taliban militants on motorcycles waited for Judge Mohammed as he left the mosque in Farah city and shot him dead before speeding away," Gov. Izadullah Wasfi told The Associated Press.

Radical remnants of the toppled Taliban regime have been targeting Afghan officials and U.S.-led coalition forces in an incessant campaign of violence aimed at derailing this war-ravaged country's American-backed government.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,194077,00.html

-- May 3, 2006 10:05 AM ∞

---

MinistryOfLies wrote:

Sorry about all the posts, I was just following your lead Sara. As anyone can see, these boards are not helpful with the wanton posting of news articles unrelated to the Dinar information. Being well-informed means getting information on both sides. Lets get rid of the politics and focus on things people come on the board to see - DINAR INFO. News articles just clutter and make it hard for people to have any meaningful conversations. Commentary is better than copy / paste / repeat. Oh, by the way Sara - my name is Ministry Of LIES, not flies. If it is hard to spell, you can just copy and paste my name from these boards (which is a skill you seemed to have mastered).

MoL

-- May 3, 2006 10:15 AM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

"Lord of the Flies"

The future of the Dinar depends on how well the new Government performs....that's why you see a lot of postings related to Politics....Duh!
As my Brit friends say "don't get your knickers in a knot"....if you don't like a posting...skip it and go to the next one.

-- May 3, 2006 6:50 PM ∞

---

Mary Lou wrote:

Info found elsewhere:

I checked the CBI auction today. Auction price=1478, Amount sold = 32,950,000.

Two interesting observations. First, the CBI has held the value of the Dinar relative to the dollar very stable for a long time, including the "civil war" period. Second, 32,950,000 is very low relative to the 60,000,000 and 70,000,000 we have been seeing lately.

The CBI now has two sources increasing their dollar reserves. The price of oil is going up and people in Iraq are requesting less dollars from banks that participate in the CBI auction. The CBI must be accumulating a significant amount of excess reserves. This will put pressure on the CBI to increase the value of the Dinar (revalue).

As the Iraq economy opens up to foreign investment, there will be more demand for Dinars, less demand for Dollars. If the insurgency is controlled, more oil will be produced and the price of oil will probably continue to go up. This will lead to more reserves and more pressure to increase the value of the Dinar (revalue).

I never have anticipated a time when the CBI would all of a sudden just increase the value of the Dinar (sudden large reval) with no respect to macroeconomics. It could be that the CBI auction today is just a break from the norm, but if the trend holds, then the Dinar should in fact start to revalue soon and even though it will be relatively slower than some here hoped for, I think it will be a large revalue in the long run.

-- May 3, 2006 11:04 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Are Our Leaders That Stupid?

Iran
..... is begging, pleading, scratching, digging, provoking, throwing dirt in the face, name calling, snickering, poking, kicking, threatening, doing anything that they hope cause either om Israel or America to attack. If we don't attack they cannot achieve the final glue that will unite all of the shiites of Iraq against the USA. They cannot get the other fundalmentalistic minded Muslims countries to join in their little percieved war, that will bring forth the 12th Imadi..they want it...they need it...and as sure as chickens lay eggs, you can look for some more in your face tactics to come....they are going to have their little war regardless...
So far, we or Israel have not taken the trap bait....but they are continuing to crank up the scent of the bait on a daily basis....
May our leaders use good common sense....and allow the surrounding Arab Nations to remove the threat.

It is my opinion, the Iranians have every intention of moving into Iraq....That was and still is the plan... If they can create a situation, where they are seen as defender of Islam by the other nations, Iraq falls to their power without too much blood shed. I believe you will see Iranian Military forces building along Iraq's border in the coming months...

With all of that said....I hope I am just whistling dixie here....and all of the above just proves that I am a blubbering idiot...

-- May 4, 2006 9:29 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

As I have been reading the most recent post regarding Iraq and Iran. I think there is something of value we (as DINAR investors)may want to take into consideration.

The liklihood of a military strike against Iran and using Iraq a the staging area. Do not expect U.S. troop withdrawal soon. In my view, the invasion of Iraq is the precursor to a military conflict with Iran.

Looking ahead to Iran makes the invasion of Iraq make more sense. WMD, Sadam and his connection with Bin Laden were flimsy excuses but necessary to spoon feed the the media and the American people on the idea of war.

For George W. Bush Iraq apparently has been the road to go through to get to Tehran. Geographically, Iraq is perfect for a military strike against Iran. Since U.S. forces occupy the country (IRAQ)it is possible for us to fly bombing missions in and out of Iran without much danger.

I am not sure whether a war with Iran could help quickly stablize the Dinar. I have not thought through all of those variables.

I am sure that Syria is next folks. Your thoughts.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- May 4, 2006 10:32 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Notice this 'in country' blogger agrees with your assessment, Carl.. where she says: "various news sources are reporting Iranian troops by the thousand standing ready at the Iraqi border." The build up you spoke of in your post appears to be happening, by this account.

Sara.

The following is a blog entry by "Riverbend," a young Iraqi woman who writes about her daily life on "Baghdad Burning." Baghdad Burning was chosen as one of the Best Journalistic Webblogs in the 2005 Deutsche Welle International Weblog Awards.

U.S. Forces in Iraq Are Iranian Hostages
The big question is what will the U.S. do about Iran?
Tuesday, May 02, 2006

(Concerning Iran)...
Today they rule the country. Over the duration of three years, and through the use of vicious militias, assassinations and abductions, they've managed to install themselves firmly in the Green Zone. We constantly hear our new puppets rant and rave against Syria, against Saudi Arabia, against Turkey, even against the country they have to thank for their rise to power: America. But no one dares to talk about the role Iran is planning in the country.

The last few days we've been hearing about Iranian attacks on northern Iraq, parts of Kurdistan that are on the Iranian border. Several sites were bombed and various news sources are reporting Iranian troops by the thousand standing ready at the Iraqi border. Prior to this, there has been talk of Iranian revolutionary guard infiltrating areas like Diyala and even parts of Baghdad.

The big question is what will the U.S. do about Iran? There are the hints of the possibility of bombings, etc. While I hate the Iranian government, the people don't deserve the chaos and damage of air strikes and war.

I don't really worry about that though, because if you live in Iraq, you know America's hands are tied. Just as soon as Washington makes a move against Tehran, American troops inside Iraq will come under attack. It's that simple: Washington has big guns and planes... But Iran has 150,000 American hostages.

http://english.ohmynews.com/ArticleView/article_view.asp?menu=A11100&no=289406&rel_no=1&back_url=

-- May 4, 2006 11:51 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Ministryoflies;

I simply copied your name without the capitals.. lies, flies.. depends on how you read it, I suppose.

Your post called, "Afghan Army Jeep Explodes in Government Compound" does not in any way add to the Dinar discussion or that which affects Iraq. Please stay on topic with political or economic events which affect our investment in the Dinar. Thank you.

Sara.

-- May 4, 2006 12:05 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Although I disagree with the blogger whom I quoted concerning her deeply cynical outlook on the emerging Iraqi government and the deeply leftist bias in her viewpoints, I felt her blog had some good factual points which support what Carl was saying - such as the build up along the border of Iranian troops - so I posted it. I am still optimistic Iraq will do well, and here is a good development this morning on the Iraqi political front.

Sara.

Outlines of possible Iraqi govt emerging
Wednesday, May 03, 2006

BAGHDAD –– Iraqi politicians involved in negotiations on the formation of a new government said on Wednesday that an agreement on the top five ministries is close.

Maliki has said he may need only two weeks and several negotiators said they were looking to a possible deal next week. After an initial demand to retain under Sunni control the post of defence minister, the main Sunni bloc, the Accordance Front, said it would now rather have the finance portfolio.

Political blocs say they are using a complex points system based primarily on results from December's election to determine how many ministries are allocated to each grouping. Khudheyir al-Khuzai, a member of the Alliance, which holds just under half the seats in parliament, said Kurds were insisting on keeping the foreign ministry, while Shi'ites hoped to keep the key, controversial interior portfolio. The secular list of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi might now get defence.

"The United Iraqi Alliance hopes it will take the Interior Ministry," Khuzai said on the sidelines of Wednesday's session of parliament. "Defence may go to (Allawi's) Iraqi List." Khuzai said there were many meetings every day in an effort to form the government: "The deadline to form the government is May 22, but Nuri al-Maliki has set himself a target of May 9. "We are willing to work 20 hours a day to achieve this." –– Reuters

http://www.timesofoman.com/newsdetails.asp?newsid=29267&pn=international

-- May 4, 2006 12:14 PM ∞

---

ontheground wrote:

I am here in Iraq. I see so much development it is amazing but you certainly won't hear it on the news until it is too late to invest in the country. Example: 22 months ago I entered Iraq and found Baghdad International Airport to be a shell of a building with wires hanging out the ceiling, no lights, no electricity, and sand piled up against the walls. Today it is beginning to look like a miniature Dubai! I have seen the Iraqi Police Stations being built in the Southern Region. They are like small forts. They are nothing the insurgency can easily even get close to much less blow up...believe me. The freeway for approximatly 200 miles South of Baghdad is under construction being widened to 4 lanes for the entire 200 miles! I have been involved in Civil Construction all my life and I have never seen a road construction project 200 miles long but there it is stretching through the Iraqi Desert. I have seen house after house being built throughout the southern region as I have travelled in convoys and seen the economy in terms of farming and salt production mushroom before my eyes in these past 22 months. I have appreciated this site and found the group that posts here to be very intelligent people. That is helpful to me as I track the monetary/economic developments in Iraq. I have invested in Dinar and would like to ask some rather elementary questions of the group: 1. How long before I can exchange my Dinar for Dollars in a U. S. bank? 2. How do you plan to exchange your Dinar...might you go outside the U. S. to exchange it in order to avoid taxes? 3. Do you think they will change the currency again and if they do I understand that one can exchange it for the New New Iraqi Dinar in Kuwait...do you agree? I guess I should try and answer these questions if I expect you to. I think the Dinar will be on the world market in about 2 more years and I think it will open at somewhere around 10 cents on the Dinar. My wife and I plan to exchange half of our invesetment at that time by taking the money offshore on a Carribean Cruise and opening an offshore account. I do not think they will change the currency again. If they do I have seen the monetary exchangers in the Kuwait Airport so I would think it would be simple to fly to Kuwait and exchange the currency.

-- May 4, 2006 3:25 PM ∞

---

Turtle wrote:

Sara: I actually understand every word the lady you quoted wrote. I see A LOT going the way of success right now but we do have losses and some areas are not under our controle. If she lives in one of those areas or has lost loved ones in the battle, I can understand her dark perspective. I also agree with her that the thought of bombings, nuclear being among our few alternatives, is a very sad thought. I am not the bleeding heart type but once you've heard the explosions you can't help but sometimes feel for the innocents caught in that. Anyway, that is war. I support this one but if you ever thought I loved it... Naaa. Oh yeah, if we do go to war with Iran and Syria... Call me an arrogant American, but they will see what our military can do when the only goal is destruction and the rules of engagement are kill anything that is not running away and kill that if it has any form of visible weapon - rocks count.

Rob N: Syria and Iran have a pact that if one is attacked, the other will jump in. If we attack Iran, we will be fighting a 2 front war and Syria will not be next, it will be simultaneous. Both of these countries have Biological/Chemical weapons so it will likely get ugly. Increasing the probability of nuclear strikes on key targets in both. Anyway, your prediction of Syria being in the plans is almost a certainty.

-- May 4, 2006 10:51 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Turtle;

I agree.. the blog depicts the dark perspective of the writer, with very little silver lining to the cloud she sees. It is depressing stuff, and cynical. She sees no hope that the government can ever win or do anything, and from her perspective all the efforts politically are a joke. I find that sad.

I am not a warmonger, nor do I consider you one. We both feel for the innocent caught in the crossfire, perhaps the horrors of war this lady has seen firsthand. I would prefer a peaceful outcome and pray that if there is a way it can be found. However, as you said, the US army is not to be trifled with.. There is a reason they are "The Powers That Be"..

If the US military were to engage itself in the Middle East to address the Iranian threat, the outcome is already foreknown. It would not be in the cards if they tried it. However, as Carl posted, the wisest thing is not to engage the US military might at all, but only to let the Middle Eastern politicians take care of it themselves. Whether there is enough time for us to let it develop in this way so that we are assured of the desired result in our eventual aims.. And whether we have the restraint necessary to stand back for long periods of time and let them work it through in order to resolve that situation themselves.. has yet to be tested in this time period we are about to go through..

Sara.

-- May 5, 2006 2:07 AM ∞

---

Terri wrote:

Hello everyone!

Although I've been a faithful reader for several months, I've only posted once before. HOWEVER, today I read what "ontheground" wrote...he/she hit home for me! I'm very anxious to read the groups replies to his questions, all of them, 1, 2 and 3...

AND, would someone inject some comments on his opinion "...THE DINAR WILL BE ON THE WORLD MARKET IN ABOUT 2 MORE YEARS AND...WILL OPEN AT SOMEWHERE AROUND 10 CENTS."

Ontheground is 100% on target with his comment that most of you are extremely intelligent -- for the most part, most of what I read merely goes "over my head" -- but, I too have invested in Dinar's and it's my only hope of ever becoming "debt free".

Please someone give me some directions on his/her comment about an offshore account...how do "offshore" accounts work as far as taxes and regulations are concerned... Yeah, I'm just a regular single mom, not super intelligent, etc -- but I'm sure praying that God sees fit to bless me and all of you with substantial profits from these investments...

Sara I admire your faith based comments and references.

Just a closing comment: "thank you all, sincerely, for your comments, input and for your participation -- I truly look forward to reading each day!"

-- May 5, 2006 2:17 PM ∞

---

Turtle wrote:

I agree with ontheground's assessment except that I think they will put the dinar out in the next year at around 25 cents to the $. It's all specualtion mind you, but the US is going to start pressing hard to get the dinar on the world market once the government is fully formed. There is a lot of work that needs to be done here and we need to ease the financial burden on the US. Plus, these military units we are training cost money. All in all, the US government has a lot to gain by using all of its significant influence to get the dinar on the market soon at a good rate. Just my opinion though, I have no solid information backing my thoughts, just theory based on circumstances and past history in this region.

Terri: Don't feel stuck to one investment. You seem to be more intelligent than you realize but limited in your scope of thinking. This thread is about one possible investment that a lot of people, me included, see as a good investment. However, with limited resources you are good to look into a slow building process. Diversify your portfolio. Look for investments that offer solid small gains in short term to offset something like this that offers high risk/high reward over long term. Always keep a safe nest because I've been in your shoes, minus children, and credit card debt killed me. I only used them for necessities but there were more necessities than income. Finances also helped kill my marriage and thus I am in Iraq now. LOL Anyway, open your mind to other possibilies like Iceland or other countries that have strong financials and are looking to join the EU. There are better minds than mine to help guide you on this but I do recommend looking for opporunites outside the dinar. Iknow this would be a tangent to this thread but if anyone would like to share some of their ideas that could help someone like Terri build from little, I would enjoy reading it as a suppliment to the dinar. Assuming we can do this without trashing the purpose of this thread.

-- May 6, 2006 4:06 AM ∞

---

ontheground wrote:

Turtle:
Boy do i hope you are right on all accounts. The more and the quicker the better for me!
ALCON:
I do not see this as speculation in terms of the seeming allusion to it being something of a gamble. Risky yes but I see things here in Iraq that I think most people don't see because they are not here and that kind of gives me a type "inside" information on this investment.

Terri:
I too am new to this invesement game but I have made some gains that have been smart. In that one (gold) I used a similar kind of "in"sight. Only this was simply seeing that the economy in the U. S. could not keep going up and hitorically when it goes down gold goes up so, with the Dinar this is my thinking: Oil is a finite resource. There is no magic technology on the horizon that will create a Western lifestyle other than oil based economies. Everybody (except fundementalst Islamics)seem to want our material way of life if not our "decadence" so it seemed to me that we (The West) would soon exploit this resource in Iraq and it is cheaper to give the people of Iraq a good life in return than to create defacto slavery in this third world nation. Also traveling to Dubai and Kuwait opened my eyes to what is, in my opinion, "spreading" to Iraq. Dubai reminds one of a big Las Vegas!

-- May 6, 2006 5:34 AM ∞

---

Turtle wrote:

With the son now in charge, Kuwait may soon follow the path of Dubai. Can you imagine being able to grab a mix drink before going north? If the son follows through on his past statements, there will be money to be made in Kuwait also.

-- May 6, 2006 12:20 PM ∞

---

Ziarian wrote:

==== A Intresting Calculation, May be a Research Paper ====

The second type is the currency board. A currency board is not a central bank. It does not lend money to banks. The sole responsibility of a currency board is to maintain the exchange rate between the local currency and the pegged currency.

" It must maintain a reserve of 100% of the value of the local currency in the pegged currency. So say a country has 1 trillion dinars circulating and wants to maintain a 1:1 exchange rate with the US dollar, the currency board must hold $1 trillion in US currency. "

Now according to the above qouted Statement, we will calculate Iraqi dinar's Possible Rate,

Total Amount of Iraqi dinar which have been printed or Circulating = 4360 Billion Iraqi dinar
Iraq Total Reserves : 8.4 Billion Dollar

now according to the statement if Iraq pegs its Currency to the US Dollar at the Rate of 1 IQD = 1 USD then central bank of iraq will need to have 4360 billion US Dollar in reserve . Let me do calculation in Mathmetical Form ,

IF 1 IQD = 1 USD then Reserve must be 4360 Billion Dollar.
IF 1 IQD = .50 USD then .......... 2285 billion dollar.
IF 1 IQD = .25 USD then ......... 1142.5 billion dollar .
IF 1 IQD = .125 USD then ......... 571.25 billion dollar .
IF 1 IQD = .0625 USD then ........ 285.625 billion dollar .
IF 1 IQD = .03125 USD then ....... 142.812 Billion Dollar.
IF 1 IQD = .015625 USD then ...... 71.4062 Billion Dollar.
IF 1 IQD = .0078125 USD then ..... 35.7031 Billion Dollar.
IF 1 IQD = .00390625 USD then .... 17.8515 Billion Dollar.

" IF 1 IQD = .001953125 USD then ... 8.92578 Billion Dollar."

Now u can see the relation between Currency Rate and its Reserves, i calculated total reserve needed to peg the Currency at Suitable exchange rate . in the last qouted statement, u can see we reach at the current level of reserves and on the other hand we got the suitable Exchange rate .001953 USD it is the Current hiddin value of iraqi dinar .

Fixed Value of iraqi dinar = 1 USD = 1460 IQD
Total Reserves when above Price Fixed = 5 Billion USD

Hidden Value of iraqi dinar = 1 USD = 512.03 IQD
Current level of Reserves = 8.5 Billion USD

it means Central Bank of iraq can minimum Possible peg their Currency at 1 USD = 512.03 IQD.

but still i m confused that what is the possible solution because i read another statement that Total of 300 Billion IQD are circulating Outside IRAQ. it means CBI need to hold total reserve according to the amount circulating outside the iraq , not against total iraqi dinars which are in circulation outside and inside the IRAQ . so we will calculate price in Terms of Dinar Circulating outside the iraq ,



Total Amount of Iraqi dinar which is circulating outside the Iraq = 300 Billion iraqi dinar
Total Reserves = 8.4 Billion USD

IF 1 IQD = I USD then reserves must be 300 Billion USD.
IF 1 IQD = .50 USD ........... 150 Billion USD.
IF 1 IQD = .25 USD ........... 75 Billion USD.
IF 1 IQD = .125 USD .......... 37.5 Billion USD.
IF 1 IQD = .0625 USD ......... 18.75 Billion USD.
IF 1 IQD = .03125 USD ........ 9.375 Billion USD.

" IF 1 IQD = .02734 USD ........ 8.2031 Billion USD. "

it means the possible and maximum PEG will be around .02734 and it is also the current value of iraqi dinar . i did this calculation because when dinar's rate will go UP, dinar which are circulating outside iraq will then come back to iraq to convert thus CBI must have required Reserves of Dollars to keep stable Iraqi dinar .

i hope U All will easily Understand these calculations and statements . i m looking for Comments hope u all will give Comments. thanks

Bye
Ziarian

-- May 6, 2006 7:39 PM ∞

---

Anonymous wrote:

Sell Sell Sell
You'll be lucky to get 3/4 your money back. Market for the IQD not looking good.
Pretty soon there's going to be a pretty big mirror that glows in the dark. My suggestion is to invest in electric cars.

-- May 6, 2006 8:26 PM ∞

---

Turtle wrote:

I like that Ziarian. based on your calculations, the worst I would do is tripple my money. It won't buy my first mansion but it still makes for a good investment. Plus, based on your theory, the value would slowly rise with the increase in stock of foreign currency. Based on their main export being oil, it seems the value would rise very quickly. If war breaks out and we do turn Iran/Syria into a large glowing mirror, that would actually help the Iraq economy. I actually feel okay with those last 2 posts.

-- May 6, 2006 11:43 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Turtle:
If war breaks out what do you think Iran and Syria will be doing?

What kind of clue does Iran give you of their intentions, since they have been and are presently expanding their small attack boat bases all along their shores of the strait of Hormuzich? This increase in vessels by the hundreds have the capability of firing missles and torpedios at 10,000 yards. (The US and Coalition forces have 45 vessels)
We know that 17 Million barrels of oil flow through the hormuz every day on ships that are unarmed and have no armed escorts. What do you think will be the success rate of Iran in either blocking the channel, slowing the oil transport down, or stopping it entirely?

Considering the USA, does not get any oil from Iran, but does supply the following with these percentages of oil....china with 4%...France 7%....Korea 9%...Japan 11%...Italy 11%...Belgium 14%...Turkey 22%...and Greece with 24%...What do you think will happen to the price of oil? How do you think those other countries mentioned above will react?...What do you think will happen to the Economies of those countries, even the world ecomony?
Here in America we are now paying 2.65 to 3.10 a gallon just on the fear that we "might" get into a shooting conflict with Iran. What do you think will "happen" to our economy when we do?

Weapons and attacks against another country are delivered in many different forms. What most americans do not realize is, Iran fired the first shot several months back with saber rattling. What do you think that purpose was? Put gas in your auto lately? Buy Groceries lately? Purchase Automotive Parts lately? How many people do you believe have already cancelled or reduced their vacation stay due to the price of gas? How many people are already reducing the amount of times they eat out which effects the retail restaurant business, the trucking industry, the driver or owner of that truck,the food distributor, the manufacturer of the warehouse and shipping equipment used to load the merchandise, the food supplier, the processor, the farmer, the field hands, etc... as they say it rolls down hill, and the rolling ball of SH...has been sent your way with the warmest Iranian regards....

Collapse a Country's economy and you will weaken its ability to fight.
Winning Wars is more than pitting testorone against testorone in the field. The best way to win a war is not to fight it, but when you fight a war, you fight it on your terms... not the foes. The USA and Israel attacking Iran would be fighting just like the Iranians planned. What sense does that make?
Creating glowing parts of the world only produces parts of the world you cannot rebuilt for centuries...what kind of success to mankind is that?

Hopefully for mankind, our leaders are moving steathly and every so efficently to remove the threat of WWW 3, that now faces the world in very real terms.

Iran has already given us several clues at to what their intentions are:

Create a War which will bring massive destruction and death throughout the world. This will speed up the arrival of their 12 Imadi.

Block the strait and drive up the barrel price of oil...thus slow or collapse economies. They will not conduct a TIT for TAT war....they have every intention of boiling the world's economic market. You will see massive riots in surrounding Arab Countries to get the support of those Citizens under the Islamic Banner...some of those countries which now support us, will change hats for their own protection.
Strikes will occur in the US,and Countries that support the Coalition. Economies will start to collapse in certain countrys, which will produce riots and in some cases mass areas of total civil breakdown of order.

Attack Iraq as the U.S.A. and Coalition Forces have bases there in which to strike Iran..
*Iranian troops are already gathering along the northern border of Iraq and have been making probing missions into the Iraqi border defense...They have now started shelling the kurds in the north.
FACT:
We do not have the ability to stop them...not enough men, not enough equipment nor logistical support. We face a very real threat of loosing 120K plus military personnel and equipment either as prisoners or casualties, not including the contractors working in Iraq.
Do not mistake my resolve or faith in our military might....but I also understand logistics, manpower ability, equipment resupply such as ammunition etc... Remember! what Japan did to our men in the Phillipines?

May 5th, a Arab paper stated that Iran now has "A Strategic Position" in Iraq. The Iranians have been working since 2003 to influence the political out come of the new Iraqi government, and apparently feel they have had some success in doing so. Iran says that are going to dominate the region, and apparently feel they are well on their way to doing so. HERE IT IS FOLKS....THE IRANIAN MINISTRY OF INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY HAD SUCCESS IN INFILTRATING IRAQ IN 2003.
The new Iraqi adminstration wants to disarm and dissolve the Iraqi Militias into the police and military. The Paper is saying the Iranians stated, "the new Iraqi Government will not be successful in that move". We know that Sdar has already stated he would not go along with that move.
Yesterday, a large crowd of Basra citizens chanted at the British helocopter crash site, they are soldiers of the Sdar Milita...note they did not say Citizens of Iraq. The British Soldiers had to fight their way to the site and fight while they were securing the site. This is just a little example of what is going to happen when the fight starts with Iran.

89% of the Citizens of Iran are Shiite....the majority of the Citizens of Iraq are Shiite...
If Iran can pull off the pretense that they are fighting the Great Satan and Israel, given the religious nature of the Iraqi people...considering Iran controls the militias throught Sdar, the Police and Military are controled by Sdar's ex-commander, Chalabi controls the oil production, the new Iraqi Minister spent more time than Jarfarri in Iran....what do you think is going to happen with the Citizen Population of Iraq toward the Coalition Forces?
Even the Shiites who want to support the Coalition forces will not do so for their own safety of themselves and family.
The fact is this....we created a leadership vaccuum when Sadam was removed. This was something that Iran could not do with a 8 year war. Does it make sense they are going to allow this opportunity to feel that vacuum to slip through their fingers?
The Trap was set by in 2003, we are just now realizing who the pigeon was.
This Trap has placed our military forces in the middle of a hornets nest,and they surrounded by thousands of worker, and soldier hornets on all sides. Who do think is going to get stung when the nest is kicked?

This War will not be one battle, it will be many spread over many years....

Now! You tell us again what positive affect this is going to have on the Dinar????

-- May 7, 2006 9:45 AM ∞

---

Turtle wrote:

Carl: Simple answer, as you just pointed out, we have been fighting Iran informally for the last year. Why not make it formal so we can take the gloves off and go ahead and destroy the attacker? Why do we pretend the war with Iran did not begin a long time ago? We do have the fire power to destroy them at will if we were allowed to use it. You quoted the Iraqis swarming the British... Do you think they would be doing that if the rules of engagement gave us permission to kill? I hate to tell you this but Iran does not seem to be willing to settle for anything LESS than WW3. Fighting on their terms? Would you rather we keep talking until they have nuclear capability? No... The sooner we stabalize the region, the better for us all and if that means turning Iran into a sheet of glass... Well, I sympathize for the innocents but frankly it would not break my heart. Oh and if Syria was added to the list... Well, the 2 world's biggest sponsors of terrorism taken down in one blow would just be horrible. Yes, there would be major effects on world economies. I'll give you that. But, I'd rather pay now then wait for them to kill hundreds of thousands of Isrealis, Europeans, or Americans. I understand your thoughts, but understand mine... You smack me a couple times and stick your finger in my face while promising to shoot me and my family as soon as you reach a gun... Brother, you're not going to live to get to that gun. So you tell me, how do YOU wish to deal with a man who is threatening your family and makes no bones about his desire to destroy everything you stand for? When this man has preached nothing but war since he took office, what makes you think he will ever settle for peace? Show me some hair of evidence that the man would ever accept anything but the destruction of Isreal and freedom as we know it. But Turtle, he has only preached to destroy these things in the Middle East. Do you really think he plans to stop there? No, destroy Iran and Syria and we can rebuild Iraq without their interference. The Iraqi Shiites will know that they no longer have Iran as a possible supporter and they will fall more in line with doing what is right for Iraq and not what is right for Iraq's relationship with Iran. Without the support of those 2 nations, the insurgency would fail quite quickly. Al Sadr would not be nearly as bold without Iran behind him. Without insurgent sabotage, we could ge thte oil flowing out of Iraq at full speed again. Whatever can be salvaged in Iran, will be. World economies would hurt in the meantime, no question. The dinar would sky rocket as a result of all this. Frankly, that benefit to my bank account would mean very little to me by that time but the dinar would benefit heavily from Iran falling. Now, am I calling for us to quit trying for diplomatic resolution? No, I'm not. I would likely get killed due to my current proximity from Iran and lack of chem gear. Soldiers get full chem gear,most contractors don't. But I do not agree with waiting for the man to attack me at a time that he chooses because he can maximize the damage. Anyway, as long as there is a chance for peace, I'll join you in hoping for peace. Once it becomes clear that peace is not an option, I'm going to start choosing the battlefield. What chance do you see of Iran accepting peace while Israel, a free Iraq, or the US exist?

-- May 7, 2006 1:02 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Turtle:
You miss my point totally....I agree with 99% of what you said...my method of removing the problem is clandestine not overt in your face action by the USA or its coalition forces. Iran wants the war, and by IMadi they are going to get action....they has already been determine.. We just need to make sure we give it to them under our terms, at our time, at our designated place, and by our method.. not theirs......end of story....issue resolved....no nuclear battle....no mass lost of life....no faltering of the world's economic structure...no shock and awe...no big show...job completed....then we move on to rebuilding Iraq without all the pain in the ass'es hanging around nipping at our heels....
I admire your confidence and get it done attitude...there is a time and place for all things....knowledge comes to all with learning abilities...but wisdom seldom comes without experience and years to hone personal attributes....

The Arab Leaque of Nations have more to lose than anyone...yet if you notice they have kept quiet.....now the question is why are they keeping quiet? Is it because under the Arab custom, silence is a sign of agreement....or...is it because they do not wish to stir the fundalmentalist in they own country, thus putting their reign at risk...or... are they assisting behind the scenes with intellengence, and giving us the ability to complete our mission?

Don't take me for a dove nor a hawk....I am strictly a pramagtic thinker...I have learn in my years it is best to avoid a fight for in fighting both sides lose...but... if you must fight ...to fight as your adversary planned ...is a fool's move....

-- May 7, 2006 1:51 PM ∞

---

Turtle wrote:

Then we are in more agreement than you realize. Behind the scenes, the Arab league appears to neither help us nor hinder us. They too have called Iran to a private carpet requesting an honest report of Iran's nuclear intent. They have reasons to worry also. The problem we really have is that Iran has 25-30 years experience of defeating our attempts to overthrow them through covert means. Our spy network is weaker than ever - unfortunately common knowledge. I'm sorry to say that I don't see anything but open conflict working. When you measure our strengths and weaknesses against theirs... It does not bode well for a peaceful resolution. Sorry to be the psseimist for once but I think it is a realistic view of our capabilities based on what I have seen here. We captured a ruler through military force but we have failed to bring down insurgent leaders using covert means. Anyway, I can still hope they will find a way but that path would require finding a way to topple the entire establishment. That would require civil war in that country. We can hope.

-- May 7, 2006 11:43 PM ∞

---

sherii wrote:

Hello every one on this forum. i found this very interesting news, its little old, but its worth to mention that its just before the December's Election and this should happen very soon.

http://www.edinarfinancial.net/news/?quer=&nm=11&ny=2005&nn=221

The bank pointed out that it has assigned a committee of financial and banking experts for preparing this law, which totally differs from the old ones, which intended to imposing limitations on such companies and linking them to entities that benefit certain figures and close entities to the former regime. It clarified that the central bank is continuing in offering licenses for exchange companies and offices, which have currently reached more than 930 offices and companies all over Iraq, in addition to the old offices that were granted licenses during the period before the fall of the bygone regime.

He pointed out that among the most significant changes in the new regulations are the reduction of the percentage of security paid by the exchange companies and offices to the bank, which were estimated on basis of the total capital. In the past, it was paid as 40-60% of the capital as security and has currently reached 20% of the capital.

For the purpose of developing the reality of these companies, the bank stressed the necessity of offering anything that might encourage their works, including allowing these companies and offices to enter the official auction for selling currencies, which is held on a daily basis at the bank headquarters after they used to enter or get the hard currencies through governmental and private banks, after deducting 1-2% of the bid as benefits.

It confirmed that on the short and long run the bank is seeking to create a developed banking system that does not depend on the state in any form, including securing hard currencies, as such a role can never be given to the central bank. The private bank could have done that under the supervision of the central bank, but the current conditions in the country and the need of the Iraqi economy to increase the value of the iraqi dinar have forced the bank to achieve balance in the market and increase the value of the iraq dinar until the security and economic conditions stabilize and Iraq gradually turns to the free market system.

On the other hand, the finance ministry has announced reductions on the taxes on industrial projects to 30% of the total of the achieved benefits for each industrial project in Iraq, for the purpose of improving the reality of local industries, especially as they are currently suffering from severe problems that led to their suspension and their inability to compete with the imported goods that invaded the markets at low prices. Taxes are calculated on basis of the net profits of the projects after studying the fees that would be imposed on the industrial machines and equipments, so that the private sector can compete with the foreign industries with regard to quality and price. (Source) Al Sharq Al Awsat

-- May 8, 2006 3:15 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Carl and Turtle;

I think the Middle East plan would work out. The US authorities and military do indeed have the pulse of the region, and I think they have a winning strategy there. :)

Where I think they are blind is on the home front. If they attack Iran, can we expect coordinated nuclear attacks on US cities? How can we be certain the suitcase nukes that some sources say are currently in the US will not be used by hotheaded and upset Iranian or terrorist agents?

I have no problem believing you that the military option, if used without reserve, would win in the situation concerning Iraq, Iran and Syria. I am concerned it would touch off a firestorm that would ignite fires here at home costing the lives of millions. That alone is the real area of threat we do not know.

If the threat is exaggerated, then I pray the authorities know that. If it is not, then I pray they will do the right thing and not endanger our lives by igniting the Middle East.

You all know I believe the Bible. There is a reference in its pages about what sounds like a nuclear holocaust taking down one third of the earth. I would not wish to miscalculate and find that THIS time period and OUR part of the world was what it was referring to. We all know God has a hand in the Middle East.. I just hope it won't cost this third of the earth a lot more than we are bargaining for to keep the Middle East in good shape.

Sara.

-- May 8, 2006 4:53 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Turtle:
You are correct in your assessment!! There lies the problem!!!! Lets hope we have gotten better at that intel trade...but I would not trade my dinar on it.

Direct military action may be the final and ultimate solution, but it is by far the least attractive, with the most probability of uniting the fundamentalistic Islamic masses.

We will have put out that little campfire, but in return created fires that may burn down the whole forest. The real threat is not Iran itself,but the igniting of the entire middle east region.If that happens what have we gained? We will have then, ourselves created what we feared most, destruction and death by the thousands...and just delivered what the Iranians needed and intended all along...Death, and mass destruction to reign, so their 12th Imadi can return quicker...as they look at it...what is mortal life lost,...when you have gained eternal life with the Imadi....and of course the 72 virgins so you can hump the rest of your spiritual life...I wonder what happens when you run out of virgins? After all, I am sure they have instructions that come with them...USE ONLY ONCE, DISCARD CONTAMINATED VIRGIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE.

I feel if the job of neutralization can be done covertly, it is lets say..."Less Complicated".
Dead is dead, regardless of whether it is by a bullet,missle,rocket,knife,dart,inert gas,pricked with a needle,skin absorbtion,doctored food intake,etc. The method of delivery doesn't matter all we need is a certain outcome.

Sort of like the Mossad when they could not get to a certain leader of the PLO. They exploited his weakness....Chocolate..
A box of good Belgium Chocolate ended up in the presence of the leader...He could not stand it..and had to experience that wonderful taste of the best in the world. A few months later he became ill with something the doctors could not diagnose, a few weeks later he was under intensive care, a few days later the PLO was short one leader....
Job Complete...Problem solved...no uproar from the missle strike...or any overt action to instill violent emotions in the masses...
No Lost of life except the designated ones..
And the Israeli Mossad all said in unison...NEXT

Sara! Nuclear don't know...but I am sure the citizens of the USofA and other countries will experience a drastic increase in whatever attack method they can come up with.

I'm not much of a student on the Bible, so I'll leave the biblical interpretations to the ones who read the Bible more than I do....as I tend to still my foot in my mouth.
Carl

-- May 8, 2006 7:58 AM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

A recent letter from one of my daughters:

Thank you for the box Dad!!! I hate walking to chow because it is so hot. Yeah I got promoted, it’s cool I guess. So how are you? I’m okay, I’m just getting tired of this place. I miss being home. And all the rumors going around out here are driving me crazy!!!! I can’t wait to get my four years done and over with and move on with my life. Now that I know that I really could be a Marine I want to go out and do something else challenging this is becoming extremely tedious. I can’t wait to set foot back on American soil. I have not had a day off in three months and I wont get one until I get back to the states. I’m drained. And I know that XXXXX is too. Have you heard about all of the things that she is doing out here? She provides security for the engineer Marines when they are fixing roads or building things. She has to go into houses and secure them and so far she has been shot at and returned fire. I am so scared for her every day…. I don’t know what I would do if I lost her. I don’t know if you heard but a female from her unit was shot in the head and killed. It was a sniper. He targeted the female. Magen knew her really well, they were pretty close. Now they make the females hide their buns and tuck their hair into their kevlars. Can you believe it Dad? They are targeting females!!!! I just hope that she is okay. She is in Al Asad right now but I think she is coming back to TQ in a month. I can’t wait to see her!!! I just want us both to come home soon….. Alright Dad I love you and I’ll talk to you later…..

I just received it this morning. Not much else to say other than we are loosing some of our best and brighest in Iraq.

It wasn't that long ago my daughters were playing with dolls ...(they're 19), somehow just that quick Barbies turned into M-16s.

A father lives to protect his children -- especially his daughters, and not being able to physically be there and taking my K-Bar and cutting out the heart of the SOB shooting at my daughter is a quite an unpleasant and helpless sensation.

Just as they say that a person who uses profanity ever other word out of their mouth does so because they have limited vocabulary at their command to express themselves, so too is it with War.

Many times we fight wars simply due to an inability to compromise and work together for the common good ...stemming from arrogance founded in delusions of superiority, a general lack of respect for others, and complete and utter disregard for life itself.

Funny how such small minds create such big problems.

God bless you all,

Bill1

-- May 8, 2006 10:04 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

The discussion between Carl and Turtle has been most spirited. Please allow me to interject a different perspective. Whether the U.S. and Iran go to war, it is still in the best interest of the United States for the IQD to have its own inherent value beyond dollarization.

Its introduction into the currency markets will go a long way to establish the IQD as an independent currency. All currency whether at war or peace fluctuate. The IQD will also fluctuate if Iran and the U.S. go to war, but with the IQD's independence from dollarization its value should survive a conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

In fact, the U.S. using Iraq as a stagging ground for the coming conflict with Iran is a tactical win for our troops and a financial win and for the Iraqi Dinar.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- May 8, 2006 11:18 AM ∞

---

TC DASH wrote:

Hey Bill 1 , Read what you wrote on your latest posting and it must be very hard what your going through. My kids are only 3 and 8 and I cheerish them with my life . I would like to thank your Daughters and the other soldiers for staying strong and protecting our rights. Although the dinar isnt worth hardly much right now ,I hope my investment will mature so that my children will reap the rewards of this investment .

TC DASH

-- May 8, 2006 1:20 PM ∞

---

TC DASH wrote:

Hey Bill 1 , Read what you wrote on your latest posting and it must be very hard what your going through. My kids are only 3 and 8 and I cheerish them with my life . I would like to thank your Daughters and the other soldiers for staying strong and protecting our rights. Although the dinar isnt worth hardly much right now ,I hope my investment will mature so that my children will reap the rewards of this investment .

TC DASH

-- May 8, 2006 1:21 PM ∞

---

Turtle wrote:

Don't anyone get the wrong idea. I have total respect for Carl and his thoughts. If I seemed to demonstrate anything other, I do appologize. However, I have seen his reaction when he felt disrespected and I don't think I crossed any of those lines. LOL

Bill1: I was a hair away from being at those bases and I have friends at both. If your girls need ANYTHING, let me know. My best friend did that for 6 months and that was no joke. If there is an upside, that is one place where a Marine is allowed to be a Marine. For anyone who has fought in policing actions you understand what that means. I never did until I saw both sides of it here. And yeah, I heard they were targeting our girls and that still leaves a strong desire to make torture legal. Anyway, my offer stands, anything they need or any advice you may need. Ask... They are not allowed to wear Body Armor shirts outside the gates but they will love you for it on 140 degree days inside the gates. Sheds water like nobody's business. If they don't already have it, get them some Aloe gel. Bath gel and shower poofs. Makes shower faster and those things can be tough to get here. Anyway, I'll shut up now. If I can help, please ask.

-- May 8, 2006 2:08 PM ∞

---

drtayl0r wrote:

Hello All! Glad to see converstions are based on the Dinar again. After reading some of the comments about Iran it seems that we are on te brink of WW3 with the use of nuclear weapons. Hell.. even the commodore 64 computer used in "War Games" (1984) could understand that no one wins in a nuclear attack.
The situation will calm down in the middle east eventually after we pull our troops. How would we (US) feel if China was invading Cuba? Its just a little close to home. Media news is always negative lately. Its the best way to get the biggest ratings. People get bored with stories of success. People want a horror story. It keeps them interested. I'm glad to read about success stories here on this site regarding Iraq. It makes me want to hang on to those Dinars for a while longer. I'm not an expert.. but it seems better than just a "gamble".

-- May 8, 2006 4:11 PM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

Thank you my friends for your reassuring comments.

It's not easy by any stretch of the immagination.

I understand the importance of the work she is doing.

Basically, as I understand it, they have to go out and fill these holes in, in the roads, so that the insurgents don't have a ready made hole in which to place an IED for them to drive across at a later date.

She has bad dyslexia and the experts said that she'd never amount to anything because of it. They had her mother in tears telling us that the best we could hope for is that she'd grow up pretty and get married to someone who'd take care of her the rest of her life.

Well, this little lady, she has a heart ten times normal size. Without a discouraging word she went out and worked twice as hard to prove them wrong. She graduated high school six months early, passed her ASVAB tests, and graduated Marine Boot Camp earning the Molly Marine Award for being the most motivated female recruit.

Unselfishly, she has said many times that she wants to be a teacher, to be able to help give back to other struggling students that what her teachers did for her.

She volunteers in her spare time to help the underprivilaged every chance she gets, and does it all with enjoyment in her heart and a genuine smile of enthusiasm on her face. She's an Angel come to earth ...my Angel ...and she's worth more to me, and to our country, alive and well than otherwise.

Please keep her, and her sister, in your prayers.

Bless you all,

Bill1

-- May 8, 2006 4:23 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

Dinar Stabilizing
Dinar Stabilizing
On February 8th, 2006, A report was given on the efforts in Iraq and the stability of the Iraqi Dinar, this testimony was given by James R. Kunder who is the USAID Assistant Administrator for Asia and the Near East. This report and Iraqi Dinar Stabilization information was presented to the Committee on Foreign Relations. The following was communicated.

Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee, it is an honor to appear before you today. I welcome the opportunity to testify on behalf of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Before I proceed, I want to take a moment to thank Congress for providing the Special Inspector General for Iraq (SIGIR). Today, I would like to describe to the committee USAID’s contributions to the President’s Victory in Iraq Strategy as well as USAID’s perspective on the most recent report from SIGIR.

The Administration has a clearly defined plan of action in Iraq, and USAID’s programs, including our goals and benchmarks, support the President’s National Strategy for Victory in Iraq in all three tracks – security, political and economic. The goal of the Administration’s strategy is to create a new Iraq with a constitutional, representative government that respects civil and human rights; is able to maintain domestic order; keep Iraq from becoming a safe haven for terrorists; capable of proving essential and other services to Iraqi citizens; and able to harness its economic potential to create jobs and other opportunities for its people. The fundamental operating principle of this strategy is that transition to Iraqi self-sustainment and responsibility cannot be made without integrated progress on all three tracks.

Dinar Success
This section talks about what USAID is doing now and plans for the future that may impact the New Iraqi Dinar.

I would like to talk about what USAID doing now as well as what we are planning for the future. The civilian USG effort is crucial to our success in Iraq. It supports the Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I) and the Government of Iraq’s (GOI) security actions against the insurgency. We have all heard how Iraqi and Coalition forces have wrested control of many cities and areas from the terrorists. In most cases, Iraqi troops, with the help of the Coalition, are maintaining security. Their success in these post-conflict areas will allow our forces to come home. But these Iraqi units cannot be expected to maintain peace and stability without the help of Iraqi civilian institutions, and without assurances that Iraqis can depend upon essential services provided by their government and can look forward to economic opportunities. Specifically, the U.S. and international civilian effort helps to enable and consolidate gains made in the security situation in several ways:

It strengthens Iraq’s capacity at the local and national level to govern and provide essential services to Iraqi citizens.
It supports economic and social stabilization programs to minimize local support for the insurgency and foster support for the GOI.
It assists the public sector’s sustainable economic development by creating the enabling environment that will allow the private sector to flourish and by providing the private sector with the resources for the economic growth that creates jobs.
Since March 2003, USAID has been allocated approximately $5.2 billion in Iraq emergency relief and reconstruction funds. Of this amount, we have disbursed approximately $3.7 billion and we expect to disburse most of the remaining funds by this summer. Now, let me briefly summarize some of our accomplishments with these funds.
Accomplishments

USAID works with U.S. and multinational units to help cities recover from the effects of battle and to gain a sense of balance after the insurgency has departed. Projects are funded with combinations of military and USAID money. Projects are aimed at a combination of small, rapid programs that are followed by more complex projects that return public services to operation, promote representative local government, and reactivate the economy. Military patrols do much of the project monitoring.

USAID-managed programs enable the democratic transformation in Iraq. USAID worked with the United Nations and the European Community for a successful constitutional referendum in October 2005 and two national elections in January and December 2005. Our programs have provided expert assistance, drawing from the international community and Iraqi civil society to assist the Iraqi Constitutional Drafting Committee. USAID continues to support decentralization, empowering provin cia l and city authorities to provide essential services so that Iraq will be less likely to return to authoritarian national government. In the field, assistance teams work with the Provin cia l Reconstruction and Development Councils to help them shoulder the burden of decentralized power.

Stabilize Iraqi Dinar
Assistance to the Iraqi Central Bank helped stabilize the dinar, prevented hyperinflation, and enabled Iraqis to qualify for International Monetary Fund (IMF) resources and debt reduction. At the Ministry of Finance, a finan cia l management information system is beginning to track the Iraqi government’s budget and expenses. USAID supports agriculture, which employs 25 percent of the Iraqi workforce, and seeks to better target the so cia l safety net, the Public Distribution System, to reach those who cannot purchase enough food. Infrastructure repairs are plugging gaps in power and water delivery. At present, USAID projects have added 1,200 MW of new or rehabilitated generation capacity to the national grid. Further generation increases are planned by contractors under the Department of the Army. USAID partners provide operation and maintenance programs that will safeguard the investment of U.S. assistance.

A demographic bulge threatens Iraq’s future. In 2004, half of all Iraqis were under the age of 20 years. The population will double by 2030. Despite vast oil reservoirs, Iraq currently has some of the lowest literacy rates and poorest health statistics in the region. USAID’s education and health projects smoothed the way for the United Nations (UN) to work with schoolchildren and administer vaccinations against polio. The World Bank expanded a USAID pilot program for textbooks – our 8 million books leveraged their program of 70 million books. Poor girls bear the greatest burden of discrimination, reinforcing the need for equal education and adequate health programs for young mothers.
Our Commitment to Accountability

USAID has been, and continues to be, committed to ensuring that the resources that Congress has provided are managed effectively and transparently. Indeed, ensuring that these funds are used and managed in such a manner only strengthens their impact on Iraq and improves our chances for success in Iraq. Accountability for Iraq funds is fortified by the right mix of experience and teamwork between our field mission in Baghdad and USAID in Washington. Experienced controllers, contracting officers, and Inspector General staff have been in Iraq since 2003 working with technical staff to help ensure program accountability.

Dinar and Accountability
Accountability starts with a fair and open procurement process. USAID complies with all applicable federal regulations and works closely with our Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to identify and address any weaknesses USAID may have had in its procurement processes. USAID’s accounting and procurement systems ensure that the responsibility for procurement authorizations, justifications, and payments are segregated and recorded. A summary audit report on the contract award process found that USAID has generally complied with these regulations.

The President’s Management Agenda shows USAID with “green light” progress on improvements in financial management. The Iraq Budget and Finance Team received the Administrator’s 2005 Management Improvement Award for innovative financial information tracking.

USAID’s on-the-ground presence is critical to project oversight. Well-trained, on-site contracting staff and project managers use informed judgment to oversee USAID projects. USAID’s project managers are trained through a certification program in acquisition management practices. These personnel, located in Baghdad and regional offices, provide the technical oversight of these programs. USAID on average makes 10 to 15 project site visits per week. Our colleagues in the U.S. military have been forthcoming in providing not only security support for our staff but assistance in monitoring USAID projects in those areas deemed to be insecure. USAID has also taken proactive measures, such as fraud awareness training, for Government employees, contractors, and grantees to reduce the likelihood of undetected fraud, waste or abuse of funds. OIG audit staff in Baghdad conduct performance audits of USAID programs on a regular basis and often concurrently to enable USAID to identify problem areas early on. As of December 31, 2005, there have been 27 OIG performance audits and reviews and 73 financial audits completed.

Finally, USAID’s most valuable resources in ensuring program effectiveness and accountability are Iraqis themselves, who have greater freedom of movement than expatriates. USAID has 114 Iraqi national staff in its Mission in Baghdad and through its implementing partners, an extensive network of Iraqi organizations that are critical to the design and implementation of USAID’s projects. As of the beginning of this year, nearly 39,000 Iraqis were employed implementing USAID projects. These staff have the community ties that facilitate Iraqi ownership and contribute to proper oversight of USG resources.

To date, there have been three audits completed by SIGIR directed toward USAID. One had a recommendation for USAID and that involved the “Cost to Complete” (CTC) estimates. SIGIR’s January 27, 2006 report entitled “Methodologies for Reporting Cost-To-Complete Estimates,” recommended that USAID develop written guidance for a methodology for calculating CTC reports. The report also recommended that USAID develop a review process to eliminate errors in its reporting spreadsheets; create and maintain a permanent central file to document Estimates-at-Completion by project; and develop policies to define significant contract scope changes.

In response to these recommendations, USAID is developing written policies and procedures for estimating CTC that include controls for validating and revalidating estimates. Moreover, USAID is working with the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office (IRMO) to develop a mutually agreeable methodology for calculating CTC estimates and creating a permanent central file to document the calculation of Estimates-at-Completion by project. USAID is also developing policies to define significant scope changes. USAID will meet these recommendations using its current resources and personnel. The mission will comply with SIGIR recommendations so that there will be no replication of similar findings.

In conclusion, I want to assure you that USAID is taking every measure it can to ensure that U.S. Government resources and are used effectively and transparently. The successes that have been achieved to date in Iraq are the tangible results of these efforts. I believe with Congress’ continued support, USAID will be able to make further strides in helping to achieve Victory in Iraq

Mr. Chairman, thank you for offering me this opportunity to discuss USAID’s role in Iraq with your Committee. I am prepared to answer any questions that the committee has. Thank you.

Effect on the Iraqi Dinar
What effect will this have on the Iraqi Dinar? It’s unclear, but it is a very good sign! This post is from Iraqi Dinar.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- May 8, 2006 6:00 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Turtle:
I truely enjoyed our little debate...you brought forth several areas that I know just about everyone agreed with, including me. While our views are different on the delivery method to rectify the Iranian Leadership problem, our desire for the same conclusion is most certainly the same.
I have the utmost respect for your opinions for various reasons. You express yourself well, not afraid to stand behind and say what you think, and do it in a way that is a debate not a disagreement. It is obvious you have a ear to the ground and have a whole lot better feel of the situation, than either I or anyone else who is sitting over here out of harms way.

Bill!
I know you are very proud and scared for your girls safety at the same time. My heart felt regards to you, your family, and may your daughters return to you safely to grant you grandchildren that you can spoil rotten.
It is apparent with two children serving in the Marine Corp, that you have done well in raising your children. They are a credit to America and all for what it stands for.

-- May 8, 2006 8:59 PM ∞

---

Turtle wrote:

Carl: not to give the wrong impression, I'm a civi also. I just happen to be on what is one of the top 3 most dangerous bases with friends in the right places. I definitely do not claim to know more than anyone else over here who may have learned something conflicting to what I have.

-- May 8, 2006 11:41 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Dr Tayl0r wrote:

"Media news is always negative lately. Its the best way to get the biggest ratings. People get bored with stories of success. People want a horror story. It keeps them interested. I'm glad to read about success stories here on this site regarding Iraq. It makes me want to hang on to those Dinars for a while longer. I'm not an expert.. but it seems better than just a "gamble"."

I am glad you appreciate the success stories here on this site regarding Iraq and how it encourages you concerning Iraq and the fortunes of the Dinar. I wish the news media was likewise interested in success stories.. as a matter of fact.. concerning the news media.. I think they should be held morally responsible for glorifying the crimes against humanity they broadcast daily. We as a people have learned from past experience that you can cause copycat crimes by airing a crime, particularly its details, therefore, it is consistent to realize that the media's constant GLORIFICATION of this evil is nothing more than aiding and abetting these evil persons and their aims... and encouraging more of it.

It is as if the media is following a series of serial killers and bringing all the gory details to light and making the perpetrators feel good about their serial crimes by giving them a lot of media attention. When we hear about good folks like Bill1 and his daughters fighting in the field, we think differently than those in the news media who glorified Basra people rejoicing over the 4 British people killed in a recent helicopter downing. Do I think the media should have given them the newsprint and air time they did? No. But I think we also have a part to play as people in the public who consume this media news. I think we in the public make a market for it by oogling the news over Iraqi casualties... and if we shut off the media and did not demand these images by consuming them, we would not be getting so many of them. The public is just like men who oogle women's breasts, gawking at them and lusting over them, only the crime is oogling murder and its details. I believe this is how God Himself will judge the matter. Excuse it how you wish, it is still not going to fly when brought to light against the truth of morality.

You say people want a true life horror story, but this is not a movie, it is real life, and those are real people being killed out there because of the public thirst and lust for more gore and horror, and the media's willingness to give it to them (thus glorifying and abetting the enemy's aims). The public thirst for this horror creates a market the media is only too happy to fill by bringing them more and more of it for their consumption, glorifying it and helping to create more of it til the public are drunk with the gluttony of their desire for bloodletting and horror. After all, we are consumers and as the news outlets keep on telling us, they only put out what we want to hear. So, let's put the blame on who is really responsible then, shall we? Shame on all of you who rush madly to hear the news about the latest suicide bombings and war statistics and want to know the latest about who got shot.. and to those who glorify these evils by constantly putting it out in the news media, thus glorifying this evil and horror. You are both equally immoral. You will never be able to hide behind the fact of your being "objective news coverers" or "just wanting to keep current with the news" when you have to answer for the encouragement to create more murder and mayhem your actions have caused.

Tell me this, if the news STOPPED, I do mean STOPPED, right now.. ALL coverage of war stories which talked about what the enemy was doing, how much more would the enemy be inclined to do? Do they not just do it to FEED the appetite for it over here.. and in what name do we allow it.. FREEDOM of the PRESS.. right? Think about it.. when freedom becomes vice, and a means to exploit and promote evil (murder, horror, evil, war, bloodthirst, etc) it is no longer freedom.. it is sin. I believe that is how God will judge it, and those who excuse their sin in the name of freedom will not have an easy time explaining why they sinned and contributed toward the deaths of American and coalition personnel, both for those taking the pictures they project into our homes, and those who are consuming it.

Sara.

-- May 9, 2006 1:57 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

3rd International Rebuild Iraq Exhibition opens today - Jordan
Jordan Times - 08/05/2006

AMMAN — Deputising for Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, the minister of industry and trade will today open the 3rd International Rebuild Iraq Exhibition at the Abdali Urban Regeneration site.

At a press conference held last week, organisers announced that 1,025 companies from 48 countries would be participating in the exhibition, which spans over an area of 60,000 square metres

The exhibition, which extends through May 11, is so far the largest to have ever taken place in Jordan, with 5,000 Iraqi and 15,000 global visitors expected to attend, they said.

The opening ceremony will be attended by an array of Iraqi ministers and officials.

Running alongside the exhibition will be the 3rd International Conference "Doing Business in Iraq" which will take place at the Amman Inter.Continental Hotel on May 9 and 10 and will be attended by top Iraqi officials along with international and Jordanian experts.

Two major new projects to set up new cement factories and new IT systems in Iraq will be announced at the conference,organised by the American Chamber of Commerce to update delegates on the business environment in Iraq.

http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?storyid=1093111945

-- May 9, 2006 2:11 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq's PM eyes deal on unity government
By Mariam Karouny
Mon May 8, 1:17 PM ET

Maliki, a Shi'ite Islamist nominated as prime minister two weeks ago after months of stalemate following December's election, is expected to unveil a cabinet soon, possibly by Thursday.

Senior officials said Maliki, who has pledged to form a government of Shi'ites, Sunni Arabs and Kurds to stem violence, will announce at a news conference scheduled for Tuesday the distribution of ministries among parliament's four main groups.

"Tomorrow Maliki will announce which list gets which ministry. If all goes well, God willing, on Thursday we might have a government," a senior official in Maliki's ruling Shi'ite Alliance bloc told Reuters.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060508/wl_nm/iraq_dc

-- May 9, 2006 2:14 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq’s Kurdish MPs Vote to Unify Provincial Government
Associated Press

SULAIMANIYAH, 8 May 2006 — Kurdistan’s Parliament yesterday formally unified the Kurdish region’s two long-standing administrations, a step expected to consolidate and strengthen the Kurds’ push for power.

Unification of the two regional government, one headed by the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the other by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, was unanimously approved by the 105-member Parliament in Irbil. The step created a joint 32-member Cabinet.

Kurds have enjoyed self-rule in three provinces of the north but under the separate administrations. The Parliament move yesterday marks the final step in a plan for unification, which gathered steam following the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s rule in 2003.

Kurdistan’s president, Massoud Barzani, in the session of Parliament attended by the US Ambassador to Iraq, said the unification of the two governments will help the Iraqi central government in its bid to realize political stability and security.

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=81878&d=8&m=5&y=2006

-- May 9, 2006 2:17 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

Iraq signs wheat contracts May 6, 2006 - Iraq bought 500 000 tonnes of Canadian wheat at $188 per tonne and another 150 000 tonnes of US wheat at $190 per tonne, head of Iraq's grain board said on Sunday.
Khalil Asi told Reuters that Iraq is buying another 350 000 tonnes of Australian wheat but prices are to be decided later on Sunday.
"We would have bought from the Americans if they had lowered the prices," Asi said.
The purchase end weeks of speculation over from whom Iraq, one of the world's largest grain import markets, would make its current purchase.
Asi declined to give the name of the winning firms. Iraq had previously awarded a buying tender for 1 million tonnes of wheat to two American firms in October.
Iraq had bought much of its wheat from Australia but in recent months ruled out buying from Australia's monopoly supplier, AWB Ltd, after a scandal involving kickbacks to the former regime of Saddam Hussein under the oil for food program.
Australia's deputy prime minister and Minister of Trade Mark Vaile flew into war-torn Baghdad and met with Iraqi leaders on February 26 in a bid to save the market for Australian wheat.
Though it seemed he gained little at the time other than a promise to buy wheat from Australia, Vaile announced later in the week that the Iraqi's would buy 350 000 tonnes of Australian wheat.
Three large Australian grower-owned grain companies intended to work in collaboration to bid for the tender, Vaile said.
In a separate joint statement, barley exporter ABB Grain Ltd, Western Australian grains handler and trader Cooperative Bulk Handling and Eastern grains handler and trader GrainCorp Ltd confirmed market expectations by saying they would work together for the sale.

Article from: iraqieconomy.org
Thanks,

Rob N.

-- May 9, 2006 11:20 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

Ashur International Bank to Open Representative Office in Amman May 6, 2006 - The Ashur International Bank (AIB) is to open a non-working representative office in Amman to coordinate with banks in Jordan, official said.
President of board of directors of the AIB Wadee' Handal told Jordan News Agency, Petra that the Baghdad-based bank is planning to open office in Qatar.
Handal, who is also the head of board of directors of Al Thuraya Iraqi Group, said the group presented a project to establish a $1 million mobile telecommunication network in Iraq.
Article from: www.iraqieconomy.org

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- May 9, 2006 11:22 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

New power plant for Sulaimaniya May 6, 2006 - A small-sized power plant has been executed in the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya with 16-megawatt capacity.
The plant provides electricity for at least 5,000 households in a city of nearly 800,000 inhabitants.
Sulaimaniya is the capital of a province of the same name. It is administered by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, a Kurdish faction led by Jalal Talabani, currently the President of Iraq.
The $3.4 million project is one of several electrical plants the Kurds are erecting in their areas to ease power shortages.
Electricity is one of Iraq’s major problems and outages in big cities may last up to 20 hours a day.
Households now mainly rely on diesel-run generators which are only sufficient to power low-voltage bulbs and appliances.
Despite larges-scale investments estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars since the 2003 U.S. invasion, power generation capacity is still less than under the sanctions-hit former regime.

Thanks,

Rob N.

article from: www.iraqieconomy.org

-- May 9, 2006 11:23 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

Oil sector losses $1 billion to corruption – oil official May 2, 2006 - Iraq loses at least $1 billion of its oil revenues to corruption every year, according to a former oil minister.
Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloom said if not contained the corruption currently hitting the oil sector will have “catastrophic consequences on country’s reconstruction.”
Uloom told the newspaper democracy will not be established in Iraq in the absence of a serious attempt to eradicate graft.
He said 10% of the money the government spends on oil imports goes to corruption.
Iraq currently imports fuel products worth more than $500 million a month.
Attacks on oil installations are said to have almost halved refinery output forcing the country to rely on imports from neighboring countries.
Thousands of fuel tankers enter Iraq from Turkey, Iran, Kuwait and Jordan for distribution to the provinces.
Asked whether corruption had spread to SOMO, Iraq’s crude oil export arm, Uloom said: “I expect corruption to have found its way to SOMO which also supervises fuel imports but is still on a limited scale.”
He said corruption was rife in the Ministry of Oil whose contracts and financial dealings lacked transparency.
Uloom said the current climate of violence and the upsurge in attacks on oil installations were a contributing factor.
He said foreign firms were not willing to work in Iraq and the ministry’s attempts to have a foreign contractor install oil export meters have not yet borne fruit.

Thanks,

Rob N.

www.iraqieconomy.org

-- May 9, 2006 11:28 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

Saboteurs attack major water pipe in Baghdad April 30, 2006 - Most of the low-income Sadr City, where more than two million people live, has gone without water for several days.
Saboteurs have attacked a main pipe that the feeds the city with pure water for the second time in a week.
Baghdad Municipality said it had dispatched a team of technicians to the site to repair damage.
It took the team five days to repair damage from the first attack.
Once repaired, the saboteurs attacked again.
The municipality said it could take three more days to redo the damage inflicted by the second attack.
Municipality engineers and technicians work under tough conditions and scores have lost their lives to violence so far.
Nonetheless, they have managed to keep the flow of pure water to the nearly six million people of Baghdad despite the upsurge in violence.
While water supplies are only occasionally disrupted, the capital suffers from chronic power shortages.
Outages may last up to 20 hours a day.
Most people now rely on the erratic power supply of mobile generators.

Thanks,

Rob N.

www.iraqieconomy.org

-- May 9, 2006 11:29 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Thanks so very much Rob N. It is very nice to have positive articles which explain the work getting done in Iraq and the hope of moving forward that does exist there. :) Good work, nice articles!

Sara.

===
Optimism Rules At Baghdad Stock Market
Old-Fashioned Market Buzz Reigns, Despite Continued Violence
Baghdad, May 8, 2006

(CBS) For all the violence in Iraq, many Iraqis believe there are better times ahead.

As CBS News correspondent Allen Pizzey reports, it's the kind of optimism you find among those doing business on the Baghdad Stock Market, where there may not be 24/7 trading, hedge funds or dot-com IPOs, but there is plenty of old-fashioned market buzz.

There are fewer than 100 companies listed on Baghdad's stock market, and it's open only four hours a week. But the mood is surprisingly bullish.

Right now, the stock market moves just under $2 million a day, in local companies only. Investing in Iraq's future requires a long-term view — and an eye for a hot pick.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/08/eveningnews/main1600298.shtml

-- May 9, 2006 12:09 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

Iraq plans $4bn oil investment

Dubai

Iraq plans an investment of approximately $3.75 billion in its oil sector, according to a strategy paper prepared by the Iraqi government.

The investment for the country's reconstruction has been estimated at $36 billion through 2007, said the Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation, and chairman of the Iraqi Strategic Review Board (ISRB).

"Available internal resources can only finance roughly half of the stated amount in the budget for the period 2005-07. However, the needs are greater than what Iraq can provide for itself," Dr Mehdi Hafedh, Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation, and chairman of the Iraqi Strategic Review Board (ISRB) said, according to a report in the Gulf News.

He said that the government is currently not collecting any revenues for the crude oil being supplied to the refineries, which alone is estimated at approximately $5.2 billion annually.

Furthermore, the strategy paper said imports of gasoline made necessary by the shortage of refining capacity are projected to cost the country $2.4 billion (Dh8.8 billion) during 2005, said the report.

Therefore, the total budget cost arising from the lack of proper refining capacity is close to $8 billion annually - more than 40 per cent of the country's total revenue. "For this reason, the rehabilitation and creation of new refining capacity should take first priority during 2005, in order to reduce the budgetary cost," the minister added.

Noting that during 2007 the banking and financial sector and the oil refining sector are expected to generate more than $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion), forming at least 3.6 per cent of government revenues in 2007, the strategy paper pointed out that the introduction of new taxes and the revival of the economy with the key participation of the private sector should expand the revenue base further.

The IMF has estimated Iraq's external debt at $125 billion (Dh458.75 billion) of which about one-third ($42 billion, or Dh154 billion) is owed to Paris Club creditors, with Japan, Russia, France, Germany and the United States being the largest creditors.

Only 12 per cent of the debt, mostly short term, is owed to commercial creditors. The IMF has found that Iraq's external debt burden is highly unsustainable and that its reduction by anything less than 95 per cent is bound to leave a financing gap, the report said.

An amount of $29.8 billion (Dh109.36 billion) has been budgeted for the period 2005-07, to be financed roughly equally from the resources of Iraq and from grants and preferential long-term loans from donor countries."

It is estimated that the revenues of the budget during the next three years (2005-07) will be $73.8 billion (Dh270.85 billion), with an yearly average of $24.6 billion (Dh90.28 billion), constituting nearly 97.9 per cent of the expected GDP.

Source: Trade Arabia

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- May 9, 2006 1:59 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq's new cabinet almost ready 2006/05/09

Baghdad, May 9 - Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki said Tuesday that the line-up for the country's government was almost ready.

"We will finalize the cabinet today or tomorrow and will present the new government to the parliament this week," he told reporters.

"This is a government of all Iraqis and not of one sect," Maliki said.

"Iraqis have suffered enough under the Saddam Hussein regime and they now need a strong unity government."

"The candidates for the interior and defense ministries are independents and not from any major political party, nor do they have any links with any militias," Maliki said.

He did not name the candidates saying "we will announce the entire cabinet together."

http://www.iribnews.ir/Full_en.asp?news_id=212900&n=31

-- May 9, 2006 2:16 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Brisk Maliki sets pace as Iraq govt takes shape
Tue 9 May 2006 12:26 PM ET
By Alastair Macdonald

BAGHDAD, May 9 (Reuters) - Nuri al-Maliki has not yet named his government but his progress report on Tuesday gave Iraqis a glimpse of the brisk style and inclusive discourse that have already won their new prime minister respect in many quarters.

Though a tough-talking defender of Shi'ite interests in backroom negotiations since he returned from exile in Syria after the U.S. invasion of 2003, Maliki also made clear his intent to reach out to minority Sunni rebels as he strives to form a unity government that can stem sectarian violence.

While critics accused Jaafari, sometimes paradoxically, of being both autocratic and indecisive, Maliki has won praise from both political rivals and diplomatic observers for an ability to both consult widely and act quickly after the talking is over.

Sunni leaders describe Maliki as a straight talker they can do business with... Rivals admire his energy and dedication, noting the 20-hour days he has often been putting in lately behind the scenes.

Once the government is formed, Maliki's priorities will be improving security and trying to revive the economy.

With Iraqis hungry for better days -- and many of them armed and ready to fight their countrymen for them -- he will need all his energy, efficiency and diplomacy to show rapid progress.

http://today.reuters.com/News/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=MAC946024

-- May 9, 2006 6:03 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

US claim of Qaeda Iraq weakness may reflect reality
May 9, 2006 — By Fredrik Dahl

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A purported al Qaeda document published by the U.S. military may or may not be authentic but its message that the Sunni Islamist guerrillas face problems in Iraq could reflect reality, security experts said on Tuesday.

The U.S. military published late on Monday what it said was a captured al Qaeda document that showed the militant group recognised it was weak and unpopular in Baghdad.

The document, an apparent review of the group's strategy in the capital where it has claimed some of postwar Iraq's bloodiest attacks, was seized with videos on April 16 near Yusufiya, just southeast of Baghdad, a U.S. statement said.

A U.S. military statement accompanying its transcript of the "Baghdad Strategy" document said:

"Al Qaeda in Iraq attacks mosques and other public places to draw media attention and is having difficulty recruiting members because the people of Iraq do not support its cause."

Alani said al Qaeda had lost public support in Iraq and was now also losing the backing of the domestic Iraqi resistance to U.S. occupation, which he said felt it had an interest in the political process, unlike Zarqawi.

"I believe we are now witnessing some kind of gradual divergence between the two movements," he said, adding al Qaeda faced difficulties both with recruiting and logistics in Iraq.

The document published by the U.S. military showed the unknown author putting the strength of active fighters, referred to as "mujahideen" or holy warriors, at about 110 in Baghdad.

Since U.S. and Iraqi officials generally assess the ranks of the Sunni insurgency in the thousands, the figures may refer to hardcore Islamist militants, rather than all Sunni gunmen.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1941497

-- May 9, 2006 6:27 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq Expects to Form Government Soon

Key Obstacle in the Formation of Iraq's New Government Appears to Be Resolved

Iraq's prime minister-designate said Tuesday the main stumbling blocks to forming a new Cabinet have been overcome and he expects to present his team to parliament for approval by the end of the week.

Nouri al-Maliki said representatives of the country's political parties had agreed on what factions would hold the "main posts" but were still discussing the distribution of "a few" of them. Those included the ministries of oil, trade and transportation, he said.

Parliament must approve each minister by a majority vote.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1940933&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

-- May 9, 2006 9:40 PM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

Thank you Carl ...that is exactly my plan too.

A recent article on the resolve of International Businesses wishing to remain in and continue to assist in the rebuilding of Iraq:

Western firms keen to stay in Iraq

By Suleiman al-Khalidi

AMMAN: Worsening sectarian violence has greatly hampered business activity in the last six months but Iraq’s enormous long-term potential means western firms are keen to retain a foothold there, international executives say.

Businessmen from some 1,000 foreign companies attending the “Iraq Rebuild 2006” exhibition in the Jordanian capital said the insurgency was damaging efforts to spend billions of dollars on planned projects across the country.

“Security is top priority.... with any country and safety comes first and unfortunately Iraq does not have that....you cannot walk the street because kidnapping has become a business,” Siraj Khan, Iraq country manager for UK Trade and Investment, a government agency sponsoring 30 British firms at the fair.

Citing a 40 per cent growth in the value of UK business deals in Iraq last year, Khan said prospects would improve once a national government was formed that brought political stability.

“It’s slow progress, no one expects things to happen overnight. Nobody knows what’s going to happen, nobody likes doing business in a country where there is instability,” he said.

But forging long-term ties with Iraqi partners that can weather current conditions was what most western firms were seeking, he added.

“We are trying to promote more with the Iraqis now...the Americans are there but eventually the contracts will run out and we want to deal with Iraqi businesses,” Khan added.

The violence between Sunni and Shia communities that many fear is driving Iraq to the brink of civil war has radically transformed business dealings in the last six months, businessmen say.

It has greatly hindered the flow of goods and people between Sunni and Shia neighbourhoods both within Baghdad and outside and has wreaked havoc with trade, businessmen said.

“Goods movement has become much more difficult from an area that is, for example, predominately Sunni area to another Shia one...trucks have to unload cargo onto other trucks to safely cross,” said Mahdi Kanbar Agha, an Iraqi businessman who runs Antemina International, an import/export business, with offices in Baghdad and in the Middle East.

Many Arab and Western businessmen who used to make frequent visits to Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003 have now stopped going. They now confer in Amman or other safe locations with their local partners.

“I am afraid of going there...and my Iraqi partners are not getting out of their homes. They are conducting their business from their homes by telephone,” said Ramzi Batmani, export manager of Jordan Engineering and Tools Company which, through its Iraqi subsidiary, has construction contracts with US prime contractors in Iraq.

Many firms say worsening sectarian violence has brought to US-fostered activity to a halt and has even made some businessmen nostalgic about the fortunes they made during the period of UN sanctions after the 1991 Gulf War.

But despite all the problems, many western companies are not willing to give up on a country with enormous natural resources and which offers lucrative deals in the longer term.—Reuters

-- May 10, 2006 9:05 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

U.S. Envoy Forecasts Better Iraq Security
Posted GMT 5-10-2006 15:24:40
By Dale Gavlak

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) -- Iraq's prime minister-designate intends to implement a four-part plan to try to calm violence in his country, including a major push to secure Baghdad and nine other cities and demobilize militias, the U.S. ambassador said Tuesday.

Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told a gathering of business leaders in the Jordanian capital that he expected the formation of a national unity government among Shiite, Sunni Arab and Kurdish leaders in Iraq to "set the stage" to improve security conditions.

The other points of the plan were to promote reconciliation; create confidence in security institutions and rein in unauthorized military formations, he said.

Al-Maliki has vowed to implement laws to decommission militias and integrate their members into the military and police.

He called recent meetings by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, with representatives from several insurgent groups "encouraging" and expressed confidence that an agreement can be reached for them "to lay down their arms and reintegrate themselves in Iraqi society and Iraq's new democratic process."

But Khalilzad maintained that terrorist groups such as al-Qaida in Iraq "will never accept a democratic Iraq and must be defeated militarily."

Khalilzad spoke at the "Rebuild Iraq 2006" conference, which drew 20,000 business people and participants from 50 countries.

Al-Maliki, meanwhile, said the main stumbling blocks to forming a new Cabinet have been overcome and he expects to present his team to parliament for approval by the end of the week.

http://www.aina.org/news/20060510102440.htm

-- May 10, 2006 3:54 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Engineer discusses progress in rebuilding Iraq's grid
Associated Press Posted on Wed, May. 10, 2006

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - Rebuilding Iraq's fractured and often unstable electrical grid is wrought with problems, ranging from geographical hurdles to local engineers who destroyed equipment so they would keep getting paid to fix it, an army engineer said.

Brig. Gen. Todd Semonite, who served as a deputy commander of Task Force Restore Iraqi Electricity, helped organize and execute about $1.1 billion in critical repairs on the country's electrical system, starting basically from scratch.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/14545966.htm

-- May 10, 2006 5:10 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Proposed rule changes would tangle the Web
By Michael Socolow
Originally published May 9, 2006

Congress wants to change the Internet.

This is news to most people because the major news media have not actively pursued the story. Yet both the House and Senate commerce committees are promoting new rules governing the manner by which most Americans receive the Web. Congressional passage of new rules is widely anticipated, as is President Bush's signature. Once this happens, the Internet will change before your eyes.

Currently, your Internet provider does not voluntarily censor the Web as it enters your home. This levels the playing field between the tiniest blog and the most popular Web site.

Yet the big telecom companies want to alter this dynamic. You should care because any corporate restriction on information gathering directly counters the original purpose of the World Wide Web.

"Universality is essential to the Web," says its inventor, Tim Berners-Lee. "It loses its power if there are certain types of things to which you can't link."

If calling up the Web site of your favorite political commentator takes far longer than surfing to a commercial site, the new laws will have a direct impact on the Web's democratic utility. The proposed laws also facilitate future steps toward corporate censorship. Do you think that the telecoms, under the proposed regulations, would make it easy to visit the Web sites of their disgruntled - or possibly striking - employees?

The proposed new rules have received surprisingly sparse media coverage.

Many people believe the Internet's decentralized structure guarantees that no company or oligopoly could control it. Internet censorship - whether by corporate or state interests - simply sounds impossible. Yet not only is it theoretically possible, but the history of telecommunications regulation tells us it is probable. By the time the telecoms start changing what you see on your screen, it will be too late to complain.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.internet09may09%2C0%2C4559120.story

-- May 10, 2006 6:43 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

Been out of pocket for awhile...just catching up on recent postings which, as always, are very informative.

Bill 1....Al-Asad is a good spot for your daughter to spend some time. It's a huge air base with good security and perimeter. Many facilities for the Marines to enjoy. Godspeed to your daughters.

ontheground....Enjoyed your observations about Baghdad Airport. I was in total surprise the first time I saw families with small children coming thru there. It was a very positive sign about the country.

-- May 10, 2006 6:51 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Final warning from Iran's Islamist rulers?
Posted: May 10, 2006 By Laura Mansfield

Was yesterday's letter from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to U.S. President George W. Bush a "last warning" of sorts?

That's a possibility that must be considered in any analysis of the letter.

If the letter is anywhere near what is being described by the U.S. administration, then analysts must question: "What's the point?"

Why create and deliver such a missive in the public eye when there is little chance that the document is going to make any changes in the policies of either country?

Islamic theology documents that no attack can be carried out in jihad without first offering the "unbelievers" the opportunity to "repent" and accept Islam. Only when that overture is rejected can an attack occur.

Al-Qaida has repeatedly issued warnings prior to attacks, although the warning are never specific enough for the West to recognize the exact target or timing of the attack. However, the warning is made.

The Quran documents that Allah even is required to issue such warnings. Note in the letter below where Ahmadinejad says the following:

The holy Quran stresses this common word and calls on an followers of divine religions and says: [3.64] Say: O followers of the Book! Come to an equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but Allah and (that) we shall not associate aught. With Him and (that) some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah, but if they turn back, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims. (The Family of Imran).

Mr. President, according to divine verses, we have all been called upon to worship one God and follow the teachings of divine prophets.

We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking towards a main focal point - that is the Almighty God. Undoubtedly through faith in God and the teachings of the prophets, the people will conquer their problems. My question for you is: "Do you not want to join them?"

The gist is this: Iran's president has just officially invited the United States to embrace Islam.

This is NOT good.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=50139

-- May 10, 2006 7:02 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

About the article above which I posted called.. "Proposed rule changes would tangle the Web"...

We get a lot of our news... about the Dinar.. from very "minor" sources (such as Middle Eastern news media). The article says:

[QUOTE]

AT&T and Verizon have publicly discussed their plans to divide the information superhighway into separate fast and slow lanes. Web sites and services willing to pay a toll will be channeled through the fast lane, while all others will be bottled up in the slower lanes. COPE, and similar telecom legislation offered in the Senate, does nothing to protect the consumer from this transformation of the Internet.

The telecoms are frustrated that commercial Web sites reap unlimited profits while those providing entry to your home for these companies are prevented from fully cashing in. If the new telecom regulations pass without safeguarding net neutrality, the big telecom companies will be able to prioritize the Web for you. They will be free to decide which Web sites get to your computer faster and which ones may take longer - or may not even show up at all.

[/QUOTE]

Note it said.. THEY WILL BE FREE TO DECIDE WHICH WEB SITES GET TO YOUR COMPUTER FASTER.. OR MAY NOT EVEN SHOW UP AT ALL.

I was concerned our ability to follow our investment from these "minor" sources, would also be curtailed.. or removed.

Also, the ability to put bias into the news by censoring out the minor sites or opposing views.. kind of made me wonder if this is not an attempt to make the MSM have a monopoly. Maybe they thought the net helped defeat them in the last elections, and if the public does not have access to alternate news, the MSM will have a monopoly on the dissemination of information to the public.. and thus they will have much more power over public opinion.. and their votes.. next time?

Sara.

-- May 10, 2006 7:47 PM ∞

---

Mary Lou wrote:

You all talk about the situation with Iran-ran accross this news item and want to pass it on:

Home | RSS | Archives | Contact Us | Thursday, May 11, 2006

Main News
National
Islamabad
Karachi
Lahore
Briefs
Foreign
Editorial
Business
Sport
Infotainment
Advertise

Site Search

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Israel will hit Iran in the next few months: Israeli official

By Khalid Hasan

WASHINGTON: Israel will strike Iran’s nuclear facilities in the next “month or two or three,” an Israeli official has been quoted here as saying.

The unnamed official told Arnaud de Borchgrave, editor-in-chief of the United Press International (UPI), at the recently held national day reception at the Israeli Embassy that he believed Israel would strike Iran first in the next two or three months and that fighter bombers would not be involved as they had been to take out Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor before it went critical in 1981. For Osirak, Israel had used 14 F-15s and F-16s. This time, the Israeli said, it would be missiles. Asked if Israel would employ Cruise missiles, he replied, “with a gesture of his hand that went up and down again”, which meant that it would be the weapon of choice.

Asked if tunnel entrances to widely scattered Iranian nuclear facilities would be targeted, he responded that Israel had its own geo-stationary spy-in-the-sky satellite taking constant pictures of Iran with a resolution down to 70 centimetres. “We know far more than anyone realises,” he added.

De Borchgrave’s report quoted a poll of conservative Republicans by a conservative web-based news service, which showed overwhelmingly strong support for bombing Iran. Almost 60,000 people took part in the poll and 88 percent agreed that Iran poses a greater threat than Saddam Hussein did before the Iraq War. To the question, “Should the US undertake military action against Iran to stop their (nuclear) programme?” 77 percent replied yes, 23 percent said no. Forty-five percent said that military action should be taken by the United States, while 35 percent wanted Israel to do that. Twenty percent said neither. As for whether US efforts to contain Iran’s nuclear weapons are working, 93 percent said they were not, while 89 percent said the US should not rely solely on the UN.

According to de Borchgrave, “Israel has developed some 100 Jericho-II medium-range ballistic missiles (which entered service in 1989). Jericho II’s range varies from 1,500 to 3,500 kilometres, depending on payload weight. They are deployed in underground caves and silos. Israel has several satellites in orbit - Ofeq-1 through Ofeq-5 - that were launched by Shavit space launch vehicles (SLV). The first two stages of the Shavit were Jericho II missiles. There are unconfirmed reports of an upgraded Jericho-3 missile with a range of over 3,000 kilometres.

-- May 10, 2006 11:34 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Presence of Iranian fighters reported in Iraq
By UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Published May 10, 2006

BAGHDAD -- An Iraqi daily is claiming that a "staggeringly high" proportion of foreign jihadis arrested in Iraq are Iranian.

Iran Focus reported on May 9 that al-Taji, a newspaper with close connections to the Kurdistan Democratic Party Massoud Barzani, noted that 1,577 of the 1,972 jihadis arrested since last May were Iranians.
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20060510-030836-7355r

-- May 11, 2006 12:39 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Fellow named Dinarextreme posted this.. I thought it was good. :)
Sara.

Bush was right on Iraq
5/11/2006

I want to draw your attention to that last line. In June of 2004, one year after the invasion of Iraq, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a stunning announcement that got virtually no coverage here in the United States. Here is an excerpt from an Associated Press report out of Kazakstan on June 19, 2004, about Putin's statement:

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday his government warned Washington that Saddam Hussein's regime was preparing attacks in the United States and its interests abroad -- an assertion that appears to bolster President Bush's contention that Iraq was a threat. After Sept. 11, 2001, and before the start of the military operation in Iraq, the Russian special services. . . received information that officials from Saddam's regime were preparing terrorist attacks in the United States and outside it against the U.S. military and other interests, Putin said.

Now, put yourself in President Bush's position. Three thousand Americans have recently been murdered in downtown Manhattan by jihadists, and the president of Russia tells you that Saddam is preparing terrorist attacks in the United States and outside it against the U.S. military and other interests. We now know -- from captured Iraqi documents -- that Putin was telling the truth.

Yesterday I met with a retired Israeli general, a man who has been on the frontlines of the war against terrorism for many, many years. Toward the end of the conversation, I asked him why the United States has not been hit again since September 11th. He said it could be strategy, but there is evidence that the Islamists were shocked by President Bush's strong reaction. They didn't believe we had the will to fight back. After all, the U.S. response to a string of terrorist attacks, beginning with the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center towers, was to treat each incident as an unrelated criminal offense, rather than coordinated acts of war committed by a common enemy. That mentality changed after September 11th. The Israeli general I spoke with said Bush is absolutely right that by taking the war to Islamofascists, we are preventing them from bringing the war to us. He said that was the lesson Israel has learned. Against this enemy, so totally consumed with hatred and so determined to kill, the best defense is a good offense.

My friends, as frustrating as the headlines out of Iraq may be, the alternative to a good offense is to invite more atrocities like September 11th. As we now know, that is clearly what Saddam Hussein intended. I don't know about you, but I believe President Bush made the right call by invading Iraq and removing that threat against America.

http://www.kurdmedia.com/news.asp?id=12305

-- May 11, 2006 10:12 AM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

Additional Info...

US urges investment in Iraq
By Sharmila Devi in Amman
Published: May 10 2006 03:00 | Last updated: May 10 2006 03:00

Zalmay Khalilzad, US ambassador to Iraq, yesterday urged the business community not to miss opportunities in Iraq because of the myriad risks posed by instability and violence.

"From the business perspective, the question is when and how to become involved in Iraq," he told potential investors at the Rebuild Iraq conference in the Jordanian capital Amman.
"While acting now undeniably involves risks, waiting might entail the risk of missing fleeting opportunities as Iraq's energy industry, agricultural and tourism industry takes shape.
"For those understandably concerned about security, I remind you that 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces have little or no insurgent or terrorist violence."
Many of the representatives of the more than 1,000 companies exhibiting in Amman say investment decisions hinge on the ability of Nouri al-Maliki, prime minister-designate, to install a stable government over the next few months, a point acknowledged by Mr Khalilzad.
Mr Maliki said yesterday he hoped to present a new cabinet for parliamentary approval by the end of this week. Such a move would enable the US to plan for the withdrawal of some forces and hand over more functions to the Iraqis.
However, few of the potential investors appeared optimistic about Iraq's future for at least the next year or so while recognizing the enormous potential for growth and profits.

-- May 11, 2006 5:46 PM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

Although the title may not sound too upbeat, the article itself has a lot of positive info in it:

Businesses cautious about Iraq rebuilding
DALE GAVLAK
Associated Press
AMMAN, Jordan - U.S. and Iraqi entrepreneurs pointed to some positive economic numbers in Iraq as they voiced cautious optimism on Wednesday about doing business in the country despite the raging violence.
An estimated 20,000 participants from 50 countries looked for business opportunities at the "Iraq Rebuild 2006" exhibition in Amman - billed as the largest exposition of its kind since the 2003 U.S.-led war.
"Of course, I'm optimistic about business prospects in Iraq, because frankly we need everything," said Daoud Mansour, who owns a Baghdad factory producing electronically operated doors.
"I believe that we will begin to see changes in the security situation but we must wait another six to seven months," Mansour said. He said the country's new government needs time to begin inspiring business confidence by tackling pressing security issues.
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad told business leaders during a Tuesday visit that Iraqis "are going through difficult times right now," but are on "a path to stabilizing their country."
He cited International Monetary Fund data saying that Iraq's gross domestic product grew last year by 2.6 percent and about 10 percent growth was projected for 2006. However, much of the growth has been fueled by high global oil prices.
A new electronic payments system has been installed at Iraq's Central Bank and by fall all banks in the country were expected to be connected, he said.
Pat and Sandy Boeshart of Lite-Form Technologies in South Sioux City, Neb., said they found "absolutely overwhelming" interest among Iraqis for their product - polystyrene insulation for concrete.
"Literally hundreds of people, mainly Iraqi construction companies, have been flooding our booth to speak with us," Pat Boeshart said.
"International business and rebuilding will boom in Iraq," predicted Jim Vaughn, a manager at American-Iraqi Solutions Group, which does construction, maintenance and security work in Iraq, and employs more than 2,500 people, mainly Iraqis.
"Iraq has been out of the global economy for some 30 years, so it's been in a steep learning process but I believe the Iraqi people will come through," he said.

-- May 12, 2006 8:08 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq unity government starts to take shape
2006-05-12 By Kamal Taha - BAGHDAD
Iraqi PM-designate is looking for independent personalities to run ministries of interior and defense.

Iraq was inching closer Friday to getting its long-awaited new government, with the outlines of a multi-confessional coalition slowly emerging and a deal expected in the next few days.

"The negotiations for the formation of the government are ongoing and prime minister (designate Nuri) al-Maliki is looking for independent personalities to run the ministries of interior and defense," deputy parliament speaker Khalid al-Attiya said.

"We hope in the coming days we will select a candidate."

Attiya said the key defense portfolio would likely go to a Sunni member of former premier Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National List, rather than one of the main Sunni parties.

He added that control of the all-important interior ministry, which is responsible for security, will go to a Shiite, but one without strong party ties.

"Maliki wants to give the (defense and interior) posts to candidates that are competent, honest, and transparent with no links to any party," he said.

Attiya added that the oil ministry is expected to go to respected independent Shiite Hussein Shahristani over two other Shiite candidates.

Maliki has a constitutional deadline of May 21 to finalize his team.

Meanwhile, Friday, both Sunni and Shiite religious leades called for a quick end to the political wrangling.

http://195.224.230.11/english/?id=16457

-- May 12, 2006 2:59 PM ∞

---

Outlaw in Gulfport wrote:

OK Gang.... I have been paying attention and still believe that we are about 6 months from anything with our investment going anywhere...but...who am I to say?

I have run into a financial snag and am offering 3 million Dinar for sale at a bargan price of only $725/mil plus shipping. Any one interested can contact me at outlawtwo2002@yahoo.com and we will work out the details.

-- May 12, 2006 6:32 PM ∞

---

Self-proclaimed prophet wrote:

Several very large mushroom clouds are coming.
A 25 yr war is upon us.
22 more to go until 1000 yrs of peace (1000 yrs of hardship for our childrens children), Every one will be forced to work together in order for the Human race to servive.

-- May 14, 2006 10:14 AM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

This looks like good news and not a "Large Mushroom Cloud"......

BAGHDAD, May 14 (KUNA) -- Prime Minister Designate Nouri Al-Maliki said on Sunday the new Iraqi cabinet formation is going to be decided today.

Al-Maliki made the statement at a press conference after meeting with the Iraqi Alliance leader Abdulaziz Al-Hakim.

"The cabinet formation will undergo changes from one party to another," Al-Maliki said, in a statement issued by the alliance' office, adding "an agreement can be reached today." On interior and defense portfolios he said "These portolios must be agreed on, which will lead to more understanding between the government and Iraqis." Questions were raised on assigning a Christian-Kurd and a Turkman for these two positions.

MP for the alliance, Baha' Al-Aaraji, stated earlier today that cabinet formation would probably be ready by the weekend. (pickup previous) ahh.

-- May 14, 2006 1:31 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Okie;

Looks good, thanks!

I hope they form the government and get on with running the country soon. They cannot squabble forever. They are, after all, men.

As for the prophecy fellow.. I haven't been a very big fan of crystal ball gazers, and the one book of prophecy I do see has made homeruns with every prophecy so far (the Bible) is not very specific about specific dates and times, so I think we are safe to say that is your opinion.

Opinions are like belly buttons.. everyone has one. :)

Hope you won't take offense if I don't take every word you wrote to heart like its the gospel..

Sara.

-- May 14, 2006 6:48 PM ∞

---

Self-proclaimed prophet wrote:

Sara,
Someone who has a mind of her own. You are so right to form your own opinion. Some would say the bible was written by Arab male chauvinist pigs high on opium having dillusions of grandeur.

-- May 14, 2006 9:19 PM ∞

---

tc dash wrote:

For being a prophet your spelling sure does need some work. The last time I spelled survive was done that way. Thank you for your thoughts .

TC Dash

-- May 14, 2006 9:33 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

AP Blog From Iraq
By The Associated Press , 05.14.2006, 07:27 PM
AP Correspondent at Large Robert H. Reid covers Iraq for The Associated Press and has been a periodic visitor to the country since 1982.
BAGHDAD, Iraq

Last December's elections, like the one nearly a year before, did not bring Iraq's Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds together. In fact, they institutionalized the differences. Shiites by and large voted for Shiite candidates, Sunnis for Sunnis and Kurds for Kurds. Those candidates ran on a platform of defending their community's interest, regardless from the occasional sloganeering about national unity.

One party - led by ex-Prime Minister Ayad Allawi - did present itself as nonsectarian and inclusive, with Shiites and Sunnis represented in its ranks. It ended up with only 25 of the 275 seats. The various religious and ethnic parties captured a percentage of seats roughly equal to their community's share of the national population.

Now the political process has shifted into formation of a new Cabinet, the final and most difficult stage in establishing a government of national unity. In Cabinet talks, however, the Iraqi politicians are doing what politicians do everywhere - defend the interests of the people who put them in power. Shiites want to make sure Shiites get as many top posts as possible - and the same for the Sunnis and Kurds.

Each of the parties gives lip-service to the goal of including all major religious and ethnic groups in the Cabinet. But the question is in what numbers and in what posts. The Shiites argue that they won the biggest number of parliament seats, and that entitles them to the lion's share of power. That's democracy, the Shiites maintain.

Sunni Arabs, many of whom still refuse to accept the idea that Iraq has an overwhelming Shiite majority, insist that without a major role in government, Sunni leaders will never convince fellow Sunnis to abandon the insurgency. Those who accept this argument believe the Shiites are being shortsighted by insisting on strictly following electoral results.

Divisions within the Shiite camp are an added complication. The Shiite bloc is an alliance of seven major parties. Each of those parties wants a share of the ministries and top posts allocated to the Shiites. One of the parties, Fadhila, walked out of the Cabinet talks after it appeared it would lose the oil ministry -- albeit to a fellow Shiite.

Much of the strident bickering is simply a negotiating tactic. But it also reflects fundamental divisions within Iraqi society, which must be healed before there can be real progress in restoring stability so that American and foreign troops can go home.

http://www.forbes.com/home_asia/feeds/ap/2006/05/14/ap2744704.html

From what I can see from this blog, it looks like the real problem is a lack of respect for the democratic process. The Sunni wish to have MORE than their share of power which was won at the ballot box. And the Shiites are squabbling between themselves as well..

Iraq is still a fledgling Democracy. It will take time.. even once they get this hurdle behind them, to make their country truly work. An economic peg of the Dinar will be critical to help the process move forward.

Sara.

-- May 15, 2006 1:32 AM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

With the information contained in Sara's most recent post, what I'm wondering and fearing now is this: Once we finally leave the country how long is it going to be before Iraq backslides into a "Business as Usual" kind of situation? In other words, once we say our farewells and sail over the horizon [in our absence] how long will it take before they once again resort to taking up arms against one another in an effort to control as much of Iraq's wealth and riches, as they seem to have been doing for centuries?

Under a scenario like that, and in an effort to quell the infighting and violence, I foresee the possibility of Turkey reclaiming the Northern, Iran the Eastern, and Jordan the Western portions of Iraq, effectively dissolving the nation as they absorb it back into their own.

If you think oil prices are high now, think of what they'd be under the circumstances I mention above ...not that it would ever happen [but, never say "Never"].

These are good people, but history has taught them not to work together, but that it's, "Every Man for Himself" ...therein lies the problem. It's like trying to equally divy up a delicious pie -- mathematically it "CAN" be done, but there's always going to some some greedy SOB (or a couple of greedy SOBs) wanting more than their fair share.

Just me, but once the IQD finally pegs I'm cashing in the majority of my Dinar ...especially if the peg is a decent one. I may hold back one or two mil, but if the road starts to get bumpy ...let's just say that my short-term faith in the Iraqis is not that great.

Bill1

-- May 15, 2006 8:30 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Bill 1
The history of that region has always been tribal,ethnic, and religion. Things have changed in the recent 3 years. They have been asked to work together, quit fighting, etc;;;and build a new nation under one banner. To ignore tribal standards, ethnic loyalty, and accept other religious faiths. That is so foreign to them, to some it is ridiculous and borders on insanity which leads to weakness and being taken advantage of...from their side of the fence it all makes sense to fight this western form of culture...These required changes will not occur over night,week, month, or years....generations will have to die out before you see real significant change...just like it had to in the USOfA during the Civil Right Era...

You still have the Sdar's who do not and will not give up their little portion of power for the good of the people. He and those like him appeal to their select group and do things that benefit only their select group. Most of the death squad killings are carried out by his militias...which operate freely while the police and military turn their eyes to the tortures and mass killings... The new minister stated, the militias would have to be absorbed by the police and military. The militias would be disolved, no longer a unit, gone, a mist, etc...
Sdar stated to the new prime minister..."I don't think so"....His followers in the new parliament are threatening to start their own cabinet and form their own government.(Knowing the background of Sdar and his Iran backing, I am sure this is not a surprise to any of us.)

The New Government has direct knowledge of his involvement in the mass killings by his militas, yet they do not move against him....They know directly these mass killings have slowed down the development of the new government, they know he has stalled the progress of Iraq getting back on its feet, they know he is directly taking orders from Iran, and acting accordingly...Have you heard any Iraqi politician critize him publically? The question is.... not is he responsibile?....The question is ...why is the present government allowing it to continue without any repercussions against him...Why have they not arrested him?...Why have they not charged him with treason?...Why have they took hard military action against the leaders of the Militas?

The answer may lay with the following different answers....

They are afraid to move against him because they have no real loyality or control over the police or military...it is all controlled by Sdar or leaders under his command.

They are allowing him to do their enforcement

They too are taking orders from Iran just as Sdar

They have allowed him to have the security reins unofficially.

Iran is now calling the shots...and political moves

They know corruption is riddled throughout the oil ministry under Chalabi but yet nothing is being done... Is this just an accepted way of doing business or is this money being used to support the insurgency, or the Sdar's Militias?

But this is not new to us either....We have put up with it for years...no one caused the immigation problem accept you and I...we are the ones who allowed our Republican and Democratic leaders to turn their heads and wink at the laws they would not enforce...We have some leaders here in our country who do the same thing as we see being done in Iraq....so we cannot point our finger and say....Why are they not doing something about it????

The same question needs to be asked of us!

Just some pondering of my pea brain...

-- May 15, 2006 9:37 AM ∞

---

okie wrote:

The negotiations are becoming very heated....I think they will settle their differences this week....cooler heads will prevail.

Published: 05/15/2006 12:00 AM (UAE)

Iraq government talks in jeopardy
AP

Baghdad: Efforts to form a new national unity government stumbled yesterday as a member of an influential Shiite alliance bloc threatened to unilaterally form a new government if rival groups did not scale back their demands.

Sunnis shot back with a threat to withdraw entirely from the political process.

The new warnings came as a May 22 constitutional deadline for Prime Minister-designate Nouri Al Maliki to form a government approached. Lawmakers have struggled for months to form a new national unity government they hope will cool escalating sectarian tensions between Iraq's Shiite majority and the Sunni Arab minority.

http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iraq/10040031.html

-- May 15, 2006 9:39 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Baghdad, May.15 p1

Closes sources to Prime Minister Norri al-Maliki transferred that Maliki decide to declaring the government through 48 hours accept defense and interior ministries since he examined more than 12 names from the independents out of parliament's member to choose only two ministries. While the lists give just two days to offer its final demands according to the specific condition.

http://www.alsabaah.com/English.html

-- May 15, 2006 11:05 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Talabani rejects incomplete Iraq cabinet
by Simon Ostrovsky May 15, 2006

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani insisted he would not accept the formation of an "incomplete" government, with the key interior and defence ministry posts still undecided five months to the day since the country's landmark election.

Talabani rejected calls for the defence and interior posts to be filled temporarily to end the long-running political deadlock, as Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds jostle for power.

"The presidency does not wish to see the presentation of an incomplete government lacking the defence and interior posts," he told reporters.

Prime minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki, a Shiite, has until May 21 to announce his cabinet

"There is an agreement that these two ministries should go to independents on which all party lists agree," Talabani said, adding: "God willing, the new national unity government will be announced before the end of the week."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060515/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_060515134640

-- May 15, 2006 11:06 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Bill1 wrote:
... what I'm wondering is this: Once we finally leave the country how long is it going to be before Iraq backslides into a "Business as Usual" kind of situation? In other words, once we say our farewells and sail over the horizon [in our absence] how long will it take before they once again resort to taking up arms against one another in an effort to control as much of Iraq's wealth and riches, as they seem to have been doing for centuries?

===

Bill, I am hoping that the thirst for freedom is stronger than the desire for greed and control. That is, after years of oppression, they can finally SEE that that way just isn't a good path, and they are willing - even against those who think it crazy to believe - to establish for themselves Democratic freedom for themselves and their people - even though some narrow minded individuals have taught for years the view that Democracy AUTOMATICALLY comes with debachery and moral decadence (such as they say we have here in the West, but they really ought to look at their two minute marriages, for instance, or honor killings.. etc). They need a paradigm shift in their reasoning to make the transition from their political world to ours, you are saying they cannot do it. I think they can. I think they have had so much oppression they are FED UP with it and will make the sacrifices to make the change to Democracy even AFTER we have gone. That is, obviously, a faith statement. But I think it CAN be done, and I just don't think this lesson was drilled into them via mass graves only for them to fall asleep and forget it and go back to it again. They don't want that.. They do not wish to import the Iranian government and live under it or another dictator like Saddam. They want freedom from political oppression and they are paying the price to get it. I think they will do what is necessary to choose freedom for themselves and their decendants, now AND after we are gone. It takes guts, but I have never seen such dedication to a goal and willingness to sacrifice for it. Yes, they are suffering terrible casualties, but unlike dying in a mass grave under Saddam or in a war fighting Iran, they have hope these deaths will lead TO SOMETHING.. establishing something good for themselves and their children. If the US just supports them, I believe the Iraqis can win and establish a real and free Democracy for themselves and their people. It will also be a Democracy that has a Middle Eastern flavor and they might just teach us a thing or two as they learn to adapt their customs into Democracy's free political and societal framework. If they stay the course and the US gives them the support they need, it will work for them and bring more freedom to them than any similar nation in that region has ever had before. Democracy is good and will be worth it, therefore, they will continue to choose freedom in our absence, that is my opinion.

Sara.

PS I do dislike it when we judge the present generation by the past ones, too.. when you say this people has acted in a certain way "for centuries", well.. that wasn't this crop of people, that was some dead guy a hundred or two hundred years ago. I do not see perpetuating a stereotype and saying they cannot progress past their ancestor's mindset or view. These are real flesh and blood people with minds of their own. They don't have to blindly follow the leaders of the past or their ancestors. Respectfully, they have free wills and can choose a better future for themselves and their decendants by their own will. Their ancestors would probably like it. Wouldn't you hope your decendants will do BETTER than you, or would you prefer they live using a plow pulled by a horse and a horse drawn carriage forever because you did so? Progress is possible for the human race, even the Middle Eastern portion of the human race.

-- May 15, 2006 11:52 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Gbush posted this today on another Dinar site.. I felt it relevant to the Iraqi quest to be FREE, too.. and live under a Democratic free republic.
Sara.

This is important for everyone to see!

The United States Military has honor, code, thing that most Americans don't have or take for granted. The American's Creed You don't learn in school any more.. it goes like this.

The American's Creed

"I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a Republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my Country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag, and to defend it againest all enemies."

I am the Flag
by Ruth Apperson Rous

I am the flag of the United States of America.

I was born on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia.

There the Continental Congress adopted my stars and stripes as the national flag.

My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind.

Today fifty stars signal from my union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.

My colors symbolize the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of my country.

My red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters.

My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.

My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.

I represent these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.

I embody American freedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.

I typify that indomitable spirit of determination brought to my land by Christopher Columbus and by all my forefathers - the Pilgrims, Puritans, settlers at James town and Plymouth.

I am as old as my nation.

I am a living symbol of my nation's law: the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

I voice Abraham Lincoln's philosophy: "A government of the people, by the people, for the people."

I stand guard over my nation's schools, the seedbed of good citizenship and true patriotism.

I am displayed in every schoolroom throughout my nation; every schoolyard has a flag pole for my display.

Daily thousands upon thousands of boys and girls pledge their allegiance to me and my country.

I have my own law—Public Law 829, "The Flag Code" - which definitely states my correct use and display for all occasions and situations.

I have my special day, Flag Day. June 14 is set aside to honor my birth.

Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow.

I am your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.

If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.

Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom.

As you see me silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that I am the flag of your country, that I stand for what you are - no more, no less.

Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth.

Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand: "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

I was created in freedom. I made my first appearance in a battle for human liberty.

God grant that I may spend eternity in my "land of the free and the home of the brave" and that I shall ever be known as "Old Glory," the flag of the United States of America.

---

People - history is short, they forget and move on. The Military has tradition. Millions have died for the flag for you to have freedom. They gave up their liberty for your freedom... But thanks to our schools and the dumbing down of American education, you were not taught about the flag...

Gbush!

-- May 15, 2006 12:54 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Top authority examines cabinet formation question, event may be in 48 hours

By Mohammed Al-Ghazzi BAGHDAD, April 15 (KUNA) -- The formation of the new cabinet is expected within the 48 hours, according to latest speculations and rumors buzzing in the Iraqi capital.

Al-Maleki has expressed hope to accomplish this thorny mission within the coming two days, in line with the constitution that stipulates that the premier designate must form the new cabinet 30 days after his appointment.

Abbas Al-Bayati of the (Shiite) United Iraqi Alliance said in remarks to journalists that the premier designate reached "a full agreement" with the alliance and a "semi agreement" with the (Sunnite) Iraqi Accord Front on distribution of the seats.

He refrained from revealing details but noted that the line-up of the new cabinet would be declared on Wednesday.

http://www.kuna.net.kw/home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=866184

-- May 15, 2006 1:17 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Sara:
FACT AS ILLUSTRATED BY HISTORY
Progress is possible but the time frame of changing old ways are always fluid and never happen as fast are expected,projected or wished.

We are all products of our up bringing within our close cell families. We absorb in our subconsious what is right and wrong by our conscious thougths. Not knowing any different or experiencing other views or cultures at such a young age attitudes are easy to form toward all different types of subjects. Once we get out of our close net family we are then subject to influences from our peers, and culture in general.

The Iraqi's belief in Islam is just as strong as your belief in Christ. Who is wrong or right depends on which side of the fence you are looking at. Just as they could not convince you their way was better, neither could you convince them. Thus...the catch 22 of each thinking they are superior to each other. Thus War's and Hatred abound toward one another and other races. HAAAA! mankind such an enhancement to mother nature's earthly paradise!

Maybe that is why we have hurricanes, tornados, typhoons, earthquakes, etc;; its mother nature's way of adjusting the playing field back to level, and removing some headaches for her...

Maybe that is why the Hamas organization start teaching their children at the age of 2 to hate the jews, and then carry these teachings on throughout their educative years and upbringing, until the hatred is as natural as breathing.

That is why I say generations of old hatred and ways of thinking toward one another have to slowly die out.The newer generations will slowly change their views toward one another and give way to new thoughts. But! I assure you as you put it we are handicapped the old dead man who left more in this world than white sun bleached bones.

-- May 15, 2006 1:38 PM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

[Communication is truly an art ...by no stretch of the immagination.]

Carl brings up some very good points which indicate that the Iraqis continue to have a 90 degree uphill struggle on their hands as they attempt to move forward equitably forming their new government -- all of which is based on present and existing conditions.

I am not saying that "things 'cannot' be accomplished" ...truth be told, in the absence of greed and other less than desirable human ideosycrasies "All Things Can Be Accomplished".

What I'm saying [not unlike Carl] is that this mindset has been handed down to these people like a baton in a relay race from one generation to the next ...it's all they've ever known. And, like Carl says, "the Old Guard 'is' going to have to die off", in order for a truly new day to dawn in Iraq completely free of this nonsense.

In a Utopian Society all things are possible, but a fledgling Iraqi government hampered by the meddlings of Iran, as well as antiquated thought processes when it comes to their idea of working together for the common good, is not there yet and won't be for some time to come.

Just as in our country, the ordianry citizen [you and me] wants what is right and just, but a good protion of our elected politicians -- to the contrary -- are anything but concerned with that ...and so it goes in Iraq. I believe the average Iraqi citizen is ready to get on with it and do what is right for the good of all in Iraq, but their elected politicans seem to be standing in their way, and looking out for their own personal interests.

Real and lasting change comes from within an individaul and cannot be thrust upon them from an external source. Normally, when that occurs rebellion is an individaul [or group's] first instinct.

We still have a long way to go, but I optimistically look forward to further progress being made in Iraq.

JMO

Bill1

-- May 15, 2006 1:45 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Thanks, Carl and Bill.. very good dialog. :)

I understand what you are saying about ingrained taught behaviors, however, I think living under Saddam and having to deal with constant oppression and murder has made the Iraqi people resilient and determined to seek true freedom. I don't think they went through the creation of so many mass graves without it affecting their outlook on life. It is my hope that they embrace a future free of tyranny and despots, and are willing to pay the price. The only alternative is, of course, to go back to tyranny. As Gbush's post today said:

"I am your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.
If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.
Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom."

What I am believing is that they don't want to be slaves to dictators and despots and are willing to pay the price for freedom. It is never cheap or easy, as the US has proven.. but it is worth it. I think they may have the ability to fight for and attain that freedom. If so, it revolutionizes their part of the world, their lives, their posterity and the future. It can be a future and a hope, if they are willing to stay the course and suffer the damage to attain it. If they do not, they STILL HAVE TO PAY in death and blood, but for no discernable benefit. The choice I see for them is to fight and possibly to die fighting for a possible benefit (Democracy, freedom).. or fight against and possibly die for the whimsy of a despot like Saddam or the dictatorship of Iran who will enslave you and your kin. Which would you choose?

Sara.

-- May 15, 2006 3:27 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq
By TAREK EL-TABLAWY, Associated Press Writer May 15, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The military said American forces killed more than 40 militants, including an al-Qaida operative, in five raids south of Baghdad in an area commonly known as the "Triangle of Death" because of the large number of insurgent attacks.

The U.S. hopes a national unity government that includes Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds will sap the insurgency's strength...

Deputies said Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki could announce a partial Cabinet ahead of a constitutionally mandated May 22 deadline, taking for himself the disputed defense and interior ministry posts. President Jalal Talabani, however, rejected that option.

"The presidency council does not want to see such key ministries excluded," Talabani said after meeting with his Shiite and Sunni Arab vice presidents. "We think the entire Cabinet should be announced."

"The defense and interior ministries are important, and we have previously agreed that they should be taken by independents agreeable to all the main blocs in Iraq," he said.

Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, a member of the Sunni Arab Accordance Front, said it had reached a deal with the main Shiite United Iraqi Alliance in which the Sunnis would nominate the defense minister. In return, the Shiite bloc would name the interior minister.

Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's secular Iraqi List, favored to get the defense post, accused the Sunnis of delaying the process and of stoking violence as a pressure tactic.

"The ceiling has been set too high by the Accordance Front who claim they represent the Sunnis. They still insist on the Defense Ministry," Wael Abdul-Latif, the bloc's spokesman, told the AP. "But the bombs are still playing a role in the negotiations."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060515/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_060515184011

-- May 15, 2006 8:50 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

A lot of good discussion regarding formation of the new Government. Some have questioned whether the Iraqi people have enough strength to overcome everything they’re faced with and gain a form of freedom they deserve and need.
I believe they do because of “Grandma Power”. I remember during the first election in Iraq when the bad guys told everybody not to vote or they would get killed. Well….in the wild wild West, A.K.A. Ramadi, a bunch of little Grandmas chased the bad guys away from the polling areas because they “had enough” of these thugs. It was truly amazing that these little ladies took a stand for their right to vote.
It impressed me to the point that I started buying Dinars again because things looked very positive at the grass roots level.

-- May 15, 2006 8:54 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Thanks, Okie. I think they can do it, too. They do seem to have the stamina to handle the conflict and win.

After all, unlike us, they don't have the luxury of saying, "Let's quit and go home".

Sara.

-- May 15, 2006 9:10 PM ∞

---

Self-proclaimed prophet wrote:

tc dash,
You sure may not be obtuse, but quite possibly a quizzical poseur who is considered a pernicious parricide who finds himself in plight after his paregoric. Without being surreptitious you have used your plethora of wisdom and knowledge to surmise the obvious and still understand the meaning. Have fun on your peregrination.

-- May 15, 2006 10:54 PM ∞

---

not to be outdone by P's wrote:

The "sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is said to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language.

-- May 16, 2006 12:36 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Sara and All!
Rest assure I have not given up any resolve of the will of the Iraqi people, as its not the people I am worried about. Its what has been plopted in those Iraqi Governmental slots that makes you wonder if we should be "Winding our A--" or "Scratching our Watch".

At this year's Iraqi "Come and Get It Convention" there was a major turnout. However the atmosphere was totally different than it was from the first year. The first year, companies were scrambling to get into the mix. This year, while everyone recognized the protential of the Iraqi business, most considered the security situation still far to violantle to risk their capital. The Companies still kept that attitude, eventhou, 14 of the 18 areas of Iraq have no or very little insurgency activity.(The Power of the Media producing a perspective that all of Iraq is under insurgency seige, and fear of the Iranian situation is keeping progress at a snails pace)

This elected Iraqi Government is like a 2 year old child begining to walk. As you watch, you start to hold your breath knowing that the possiblity of a tumble is high. In this case, the child is walking across a river washed debarked smoothed, narrow tree limb, that stretches over a crocodile pit.The limb has been made constantly slippery by the Crocodiles of Sdar, and Iranian Clergy below. There they wait with glee to taste the sweet flesh of the baby as it falters, then begins to lean into the plunge...

After all was this not the ....Plan?????

-- May 16, 2006 7:54 AM ∞

---

Bob Jenkins wrote:

After the Cabinet is put into place; what is the time frame that you think the Dinar will be put onto the international market? What price do you believe the Dinar will open up against the US Dollar?

-- May 16, 2006 9:04 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Bob:
Pick a number your guess will work...

-- May 16, 2006 9:18 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

In Iraq war, time is a weapon
Tue May 16, 2006 8:14 AM EDT
By Bernd Debusmann, Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. forces in Iraq, locked in a war that cannot be won by military force alone, are facing a weapon that tends to favor insurgents -- time.

The war is in its fourth year and public support is waning. According to opinion polls taken in May, a majority of Americans think that invading Iraq was a mistake and that things in Iraq are going badly.

Military officers and experts involved in drafting a new counterinsurgency manual for the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps say that patience is one of the keys for success in winning against the kind of enemy the U.S. is facing in Iraq.

"The (counterinsurgency) effort requires a firm political will and extreme patience," says the draft, now going through revisions and expected to be issued in summer. "The insurgent wins if he does not lose, while the counterinsurgent loses if he does not win. Insurgents are strengthened by the common perception that a few casualties or a few years will cause the United States to abandon (the effort)."

"EXTREME PATIENCE" NOT TYPICAL U.S.TRAIT

In past conflicts the United States has often lacked the "extreme patience" prescribed in the new manual, largely because of pressures from a public clamoring for swift, decisive victories.

In a recent study published by the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College, scholar Colin Gray noted that "time is a weapon, (and) the mindset needed to combat an enemy who is playing a long game is not one that comes naturally to the American soldier or, for that matter, to the American public."

"To wage protracted war is not a preference in our military and strategic culture, " he said, and it is difficult to explain and defend to a doubting and increasingly impatient public.

Andrew Krepinevich, a retired army officer and professor at Washington's George Mason University, estimates that defeating the insurgency in Iraq would take at least a decade, hundreds of billions of dollars and longer casualty rolls. "Are the American people and American soldiers willing to pay that price?" he asked in an article in the magazine Foreign Affairs.

To underline the different concept of time in different cultures, one of the participants cited a saying he attributed to the Taliban in Afghanistan, "The Americans have the wristwatches," the saying goes, "but we've got the time."

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2006-05-16T121353Z_01_N15456005_RTRIDST_0_LIFESTYLE-USA-WAR-TIME-COL.XML

-- May 16, 2006 10:24 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Army Issues Warning About Iraq Documentary
Associated Press | May 16, 2006

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army is warning soldiers and their families that a new film about an Iraq war medical unit may trigger mental health problems for some who view it.

Army brass have sent a cautionary warning to military medical personnel about the soon-to-be-aired HBO documentary "Baghdad ER," which gives a graphic view of the Iraq war through the eyes of trauma doctors and nurses, even filming during an amputation.

The film records two months at the 86th Combat Support Hospital in Iraq, where medical teams treat those injured by improvised explosive devices.

Filmmakers Alpert and Matthew O'Neill were given access to the hospital, and the result, Alpert said, "is a very patriotic film."

"It shows the true consequences of war. Americans haven't had the chance to be able to see some of the consequences. It shows the heroism of the Soldiers, and you can't understand the heroism of the doctors and Soldiers unless you see the horror that they face every day," said Alpert.

The filmmaker said he has since spoken to many of those featured in the movie who told him they are proud to have been a part of it.

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,97379,00.html

-- May 16, 2006 10:43 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Carl;

I was looking at a picture today of the politicians trying to get the government formed.. they don't look like babies to me. This may be new to them, but they seem quick learners..

I would not be so swift to give up on them.. perhaps extreme patience is a trait Americans should attempt to develop? Who knows.. America might even be able to stay long enough to learn not to put babies out over pits in the first place, but to superintend the process slightly more closely? If there was fault to be pointed out, it would not be the baby's in your scenerio.. it would be the idiots that let a baby get into that situation in the first place.

Sara.

-- May 16, 2006 10:52 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Bob Jenkins wrote:

After the Cabinet is put into place; what is the time frame that you think the Dinar will be put onto the international market? What price do you believe the Dinar will open up against the US Dollar?

===
This could be of help.. Sara.

UAE specialized bulletin sounds alarm on GCC inflation

ABU DHABI, May 16 (KUNA) -- The current hikes in oil prices would pose the threat of inflation and aggravating monetary imbalances in the GCC region, a specialized bulletin warned.

"Al-Saa'a" bulletin issued by the UAE's Strategic Studies and Research Center said oil revenues are expected to increase for years to come which requires serious adjustment of exchange and monetary policies in order to check serious increase in inflation.

"The way to reduce inflation is to curb import and further diversify points of origin. As to inflation triggered by the depreciation of local currency, it should be countered by pegging to a basket of main currencies."

http://www.kuna.net.kw/home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=866422

-- May 16, 2006 11:31 AM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

I believe it's really going to happen this time....

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's new government is finally taking shape and could be unveiled this week, negotiators said on Tuesday, signaling a compromise among sectarian and ethnic factions to rally behind Shi'ite strongman Nuri al-Maliki.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060516/wl_nm/iraq_dc_45

-- May 16, 2006 2:56 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Hope so, Okie.. Sara.

Iraq govt takes shape
16 May 2006 By Mariam Karouny

BAGHDAD, May 16 (Reuters) - Iraq's new government is finally taking shape and could be unveiled this week, negotiators said on Tuesday, signalling a compromise among sectarian and ethnic factions to rally behind Shi'ite strongman Nuri al-Maliki.

Senior negotiators from most groups involved in efforts to form a national unity government told Reuters Maliki could name his cabinet as early as Thursday, before the Muslim weekend and four days ahead of a constitutional deadline set a month ago.

"The government is in its final form now. Maliki will absolutely meet the constitutional deadline and will announce the government before it," said Dhafir al-Ani, spokesman of the main Sunni bloc in parliament, the Iraqi Accordance Front.

"Nobody wants him to fail. Even those who oppose the political process will not put up obstacles."

A senior Shi'ite negotiator said: "The government will be ready soon ... I mean probably in the next 48 hours."

http://today.reuters.com/business/newsarticle.aspx?type=tnBusinessNews&storyID=nIBO660413&imageid=top-news-view-2006-05-16-170544-eRPPISA[86].jpg&cap=AnIraqipolicemaninspectsthedamageoutsideashopsellingalcoholafterabombattackinBaghdad

-- May 16, 2006 5:40 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq Announces Arrest of Senior Zarqawi Aide in Ramadi
Posted GMT 5-16-2006 14:54:1

BAGHDAD (KUNA) -- A senior aide to Al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was arrested in Al-Ramadi in possession of documents and pictures showing him alongside Al-Zarqawi himself, the Iraqi government announced Monday.

The ministry issued another statement which reported arrest of "terrorist Umar Ahmad Saleh, aka Abu Jibreel, a Tawheed and Jihad leader, in western Baghdad Monday morning." The statement added "the terrorist had in his possession weapons including RPG shells and rockets, automatic machineguns, mortars, three barrels of TNT, remote control devices, bullet proof vests, protective masks, and a car laden with explosives."

http://www.aina.org/news/2006051695401.htm

-- May 17, 2006 12:52 AM ∞

---

Bob wrote:

What will be the driving force on the peg of the Iraqi Dinar besides getting control of the security situation? What influence will the US Government have on when the Iraqi Dinar will appreciate; if it appreciates? I bought the IQD when it was 1 to 2500; now it is 1 to 1465, so yes I am optimistic about the future. Any thoughts.

-- May 17, 2006 4:02 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Bob;

The ability of Iraq to trade with other nations is central to its ability to thrive as a nation. With the Dinar at so ridiculous a level, they cannot hope to trade with any international investors. They are crippled economically with a Dinar worth 1460 to the dollar. With a peg, and some worth in the Dinar, they can attract and maintain foreign investment without losing their interests to foreigners. What is to stop everyone buying up Iraq cheap? For now, no foreign investment is allowed into the country to protect them from this, but eventually they have to have trade with the world. When they do, it MUST go up to a credible level. Market forces do not currently affect the Dinar or its worth. That cannot remain so for long nor is it wise, in my opinion. Carl believes it will take until they are accepted into the GCC before that revaluation can happen.. in other words, years. I think it will be soon because a peg of the currency enables commerce and helps move Iraq forward. Without it, Iraq remains crippled economically and disadvantaged.

Sara.

-- May 17, 2006 6:29 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraqis to Present Cabinet on Saturday
May 17, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki will present his Cabinet to parliament on Saturday..

Al-Maliki "will present his government to the presidency today, and the presidency will refer it tomorrow to the parliamentary council," Deputy Speaker Khalid al-Atiya, a Shiite, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

"On Saturday, the parliament will convene to vote on each of al-Maliki's nominees and the government's program."

Sunni Arab deputies confirmed that Cabinet list would be presented at a session on Saturday, two days before the constitutionally mandated deadline for al-Maliki to present the Cabinet. Parliament was originally to have convened Sunday, after having met Wednesday.

Under the constitution, parliament — officially the Council of Representatives — must then approve each proposed minister by an absolute majority.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060517/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_cabinet_2

-- May 17, 2006 11:41 AM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

Sara…..

Very good comments on why the Dinar needs to be at a higher level. As usual, your summary of the situation is spot on. For sure it has to be valued at a level that will allow them to kick start their economy and get it off ground zero.

Regarding the initial value of the Dinar, I offer the following as “rumor and raw data”, “unsubstantiated comments”, “not to be used for investment guidance” and as a “super SWAG”.

In any case, several months ago I saw a news release from one of the Government officials and he stated the Dinar was ”just where it should be”. This caught my attention because at the time the Dinar was being quoted at 1 USD=1465 Dinar. If he thinks the Dinar is where it should be and a lot of us think it should be at better value….how will it be transformed to the better value?

I believe the equation will be like this:

Assume 1 USD = 1465 fils instead of Dinar.
Then 1 USD = 1.465 Dinar.
Then 1 Dinar = .68 USD = 68 US Cents.

It makes sense to me, but again, is offered with the “super SWAG” precursor above.

Anybody have comments on this? Remember…..treat me gently….I’m just an Okie trying to get by in this world.

-- May 17, 2006 12:45 PM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

More [neutral] information on reconstruction efforts in Iraq...

Rebuilding effort in Iraq faces roadblocks
By Philip Dine
POST-DISPATCH WASHINGTON BUREAU
05/14/2006

WASHINGTON

American concerns about Iraq have focused largely on problems of the insurgency, but just as important for Iraq's future and the U.S. mission is something less frequently discussed: the effort to rebuild the country's roads, sewers and power lines.

Unless Iraqis see successful reconstruction that improves their daily lives soon, experts say, they'll lose faith in the ability of the new society to provide for them.

"The bottom line is we'll be judged on whether the lights are on or not - and the lights aren't on," says Michael Rubin, a former administration official in Iraq, now with the conservative American Enterprise Institute.

"We have promised again and again to get the electrical grid up," Rubin said. "And what you get from every Iraqi; you hear this repeatedly, 'You guys can land a man on the moon, but you can't get the electricity up.'"

Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., an Army veteran and strong supporter of U.S. policy in Iraq, traces the problem to what he calls "unimaginably large infrastructure needs" created by the failure of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to maintain the country's physical structure.

"I remember visiting the power plant in Baghdad," said Shimkus, who has been twice to postwar Iraq. "It was built in the mid-1960s, and the most recent piece of equipment was from 1982. More smoke was coming out the side of that plant than going out of the smokestack.

"And the electrical lines were so old and so decrepit. Saddam made no improvements to the infrastructure of the country. Today it's better. Is it where we would like it to be? No, it's not."

Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, R-Mo., who also backs the U.S. war effort, acknowledged that while progress on reconstruction is being made, the effort faces "large challenges" and won't improve markedly until a unified government is formed.

But the problem, experts say, is that the twin challenges of the insurgency and infrastructure are linked in a vicious cycle, with continuing violence complicating reconstruction, and the lagging quality of life turning people against the government. And those factors, in turn, make political stability elusive.

"There is a real chicken-and-egg problem there," said Nathan Brown of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "You can't really do much in terms of reconstruction in the current security situation, but you can't really improve the security situation unless you can communicate to people that there's something in this new Iraq for them."

Troubles

Areas from electricity to sewage collection are experiencing problems.

"From all the indications we see, things are fairly low, even by prewar standards," Brown said. If Iraq's politicians can't offer their constituents tangible benefits, they won't be able to deliver those constituencies to forge national political consensus and a working coalition, he added. Moreover, Americans will be increasingly discounted as a force for a better future.

"It's leading to a broad disillusionment with the American presence there, with people saying, 'You created some of these problems, and you're really not part of the solution.'"

Rubin spent 18 months handling Iraq matters for the Pentagon, with a stint from July 2003 to March 2004 at political adviser at the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. Yet he is sharply critical of the results of the U.S. effort to rebuild the country and improve the daily lives of average Iraqis.

"The reconstruction obviously hasn't gone that well," Rubin says. "But we have put together a lot of PowerPoint presentations about the problem."

The importance of electricity, he said, extends beyond lights: "The sewers back up without electricity, the irrigation pumps don't work and the factories close."

Administration mismanagement is partly to blame, Rubin said, including officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

"I think U.S. AID in Iraq makes FEMA look competent," Rubin said. "What looks good on paper doesn't necessarily correlate to reality, and too many of the people in Iraq don't know what reality is because they're shut up in the world's biggest embassy and they're not interacting with Iraqis. It's easy to blame things on security problems, but that gets stale after a while."

Agency officials acknowledged that "restoring and improving Iraq's electricity supply has been (their) biggest challenge," despite $1.5 billion provided to the agency to do so. But they cited progress in water treatment, with services restored to 2.3 million Iraqis and sewage treatment restored to 5.1 million.

On the ground

Improving Iraq's infrastructure is a daily job for Army Sgt. Maj. Gregory Glen, the command sergeant major for the Army Corps of Engineers. Recently back in the United States to attend a conference in St. Louis, the 28-year Army veteran was interviewed while in the Washington area.

His focus is on electrical, water and oil facilities and transportation, Glen said, and he works closely with about 500 Iraqi contractors and others whom he regards as pioneers for their country.

There is a common misconception, he said, that the roughly $18 billion Congress appropriated two years ago would do the job. In fact, the World Bank estimated in 2003 that it would take $50 billion to $60 billion to meet the country's needs, and in fact now it appears it will require "closer to $100 billion."

"The $18 billion is just to get them jump-started," he said.

One key issue, Glen said, is the regional disparity in Iraq, which can feed discontent. For example, in terms of electricity, the goal was to achieve 10 to 12 hours a day of electricity. The current average is 13, he said, but divergent expectations cloud that achievement.

"If you talk to a person in Baghdad who before the war was getting 24 hours a day of electricity, or a person in the provinces who was getting 1 to 3 hours, the person in Baghdad is going to be a little more disgruntled," he said.

The initial U.S. effort was criticized for focusing on large capital projects that had little immediate effect on people. Now, Glen said, there's a dual approach, with power plants being done along with small water treatment facilities that can help local areas. Those latter efforts produce "a lot of ownership by the people there, lots of pride," he said.

Glen is in his 11th month in Iraq this time around, after a yearlong tour from 2003 to 2004, when he "had the pleasure of capping that hole (Saddam) was in" after the former ruler was discovered hiding in a hole in the ground.

Iraqi doubts

Despite the "can-do" spirit of the military and progress "here and there," overall reconstruction is lagging, said Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution. He noted a poll two weeks ago by the International Republican Institute depicting most Iraqis as downbeat about the economic rebuilding of their country, citing poor electrical service and a shortage of jobs.

Continuing violence makes it hard to improve the infrastructure for several reasons: Security problems limit what work can be done, resources must be diverted from projects to protection, and what is built risks being destroyed.

The problems stem in part from earlier U.S. policies in Iraq that discouraged countries that hadn't joined in the military invasion from helping to rebuild Iraq, said Lawrence Korb, assistant secretary of defense in President Ronald Reagan's administration. That reduced the assistance available from other countries, he said.

Bill1

-- May 17, 2006 3:45 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Bill1 wrote:

Iraqi doubts

Despite the "can-do" spirit of the military and progress "here and there," overall reconstruction is lagging, said Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution. He noted a poll two weeks ago by the International Republican Institute depicting most Iraqis as downbeat about the economic rebuilding of their country, citing poor electrical service and a shortage of jobs.

====
Bill.. Do you see how a Revalue of the currency which brings in monetary help will help build the infrastructure and be key in helping get Iraq moving forward?

This says, "overall reconstruction is lagging" but who will invest when the Dinar is worthless? Once the currency is worth something, and has a legitimate value on the market, they can attract foreign investment which they do not have now. Revaluation is key to getting the infrastructure in place.. the US cannot do it single handedly.

This speaks of the Iraqis as being.. "downbeat about the economic rebuilding of their country, citing poor electrical service and a shortage of jobs." But what stimulates an economy and jobs? MONEY, right? And what can be done with a currency worth 1460 to the US Dollar? That small value to the currency just won't be able to provide the populace with jobs.. or help attract the amount of investment which is so badly needed. The RV of the Dinar is a key to making this work without the government of the USA doing all the heavy lifting. It will literally take off on its own, once it is given wings. :)

A thriving economy and jobs means less recruits for the insurgency, too.. cutting down on terrorism and decreasing the load on security, moving more of the resources toward progress forward economically for the Iraqis.

Sara.

-- May 17, 2006 4:42 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq parliament to vote on new govt May 20
17.05.2006 - 13:29

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Parliament must approve the appointments before the government, Iraq's first full-term, sovereign administration since the U.S. invasion of 2003, can take office.

With most parties expected to be represented in cabinet, the vote is likely to be a formality.

http://www.swisspolitics.org/en/news/index.php?page=news_inhalt&news_id=6728053

-- May 17, 2006 5:11 PM ∞

---

FIRST BOB wrote:

I am the charter member "Bob".
I see someone else is posting as Bob so I will post in the future as "First Bob". I hope the second Bob will not be as antagonistic as I am.

Bill-1, you paint a bleak picture but I agree with most that you say and quote. I really need a soapbox because I am upset over a number of things. Every day I read that American soldiers are killed and Iraqi police and civilians are killed but I read very little about terrorists being killed.

I read about illegal immigration and building a wall to stop them. The only solution is to stop employing the illegals. They won't stop coming the first day and the unemployed won't go back home the first day, but soon the word will get around and the movement will be back to Mexico. I agree with the politicians that you can't deport 12 million people tomorrow but you can start tomorrow.

Everyone talks about FEMA like they were a group of Doo-Doo's but I ask who could have performed better at the time and under the circumstances? When he city is overwhelmed, they ask for State help and when the State is overwhelmed, the ask for Federal help. City and State had a power struggle in New Orleans and did not ask for FEMA help. Also, who could cope with the situation that this country had never been faced with, a metropolis covered with 16' of water. Normally a hurricane whisks through with its ravages but the next day help can be rushed in. Mr Brown with FEMA got a raw deal. I don't believe that George Washington could have done better given the same set of circumstances.

Enough controversy for this post but I have several items that I take issue with and will post later.

FIRST BOB

-- May 17, 2006 10:59 PM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

It was an article Guys [verbatim] ...not my words. Just additional info regarding the dinar is all it was.

For every A-OK article written on Iraqi reconstruction, there's a not so A-OK article written about it.

I just offered the info as something else to consider is all.

We're all singing from the same sheet of music -- some in one key, some in another ...but the song is the same.

Don't kill the messenger...

Bill1

-- May 17, 2006 11:34 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Bill;

Not shooting any messengers.. sorry, this has been a long trip, and it has been edgy lately. Didn't mean to come across adversarial.. I think I need a break from Dinar boards for a while. If I don't post for a week or two, you'll know why.

First Bob;

Excellent points. Ticks me off how the terrorists get top billing when they attack but when they get attacked.. no coverage, or back page obscure. I often have tried to post it here, show the "other side" which rarely gets top billing in the news...

Going to take a walk on the beach and look at the stars,

Y'all take care,
Sara.

-- May 18, 2006 1:04 AM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

It still looks good for a Sat. vote. They're getting very close to the deadline....

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi leaders are closing in on a deal to form a national unity government but negotiators cited a host of names still being discussed for key posts on Thursday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060518/ts_nm/iraq_dc_53

-- May 18, 2006 9:54 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraqi PM names defense, interior ministers
5/18/2006 Xinhua

The Iraqi state-run television reported today that prime minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki has named two men for the crucial ministries of defense and interior in the new government.

On Wednesday, a Sunni legislator said that al-Maliki will submit his new cabinet list to the parliament for approval on Saturday.

http://www.kurdmedia.com/news.asp?id=12398

-- May 18, 2006 12:00 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Bob 1 !
I agree with ya about Brown at FEMA....Have you guys noticed that politicians are reactive individuals instead of proactive. You can count on the Politicians doing one thing for certain during a major event..."throwing money at it..."
When the heat cranks up they want to throw a offering into the fire to appease the crowd. But isn't it amazing how the sacrifice is neither them or one of their own kind.

The State of La, City of New Orleans and Federal Government knew for 35 years the city could not withstand a major hurricane, yet continued to build and allow to be built structures in areas of extreme danger. Yet! when the axe fell, they screamed like stuck pigs...
My answer to La ,City of New Orleans, State of Florida, State of Mississippi, State of Texas and other Governmental entities along any of our cost lines...The message is simple...you created the mess...you clean up your own mess..show responsibility in the future and we will show you some assistance...but the rest of the people of the United States will no longer be a open bank account to your repeated stupidity.

Bob! On immigration...
I like the Mexican people. Just like us, most are hard working honest people who just want to better themselves and their family.The issue is not do they contribute to our economy. The issue is what they contribute and does the negative out way the positive.

It makes sense to me that if ya boat is leaking water, you first stop the leak, then bale the water.

Fiquring out the solution is simple, the logistics just a little bit harder...

1. Secure the border ASAP. No restrictions on any unit as to what they can and cannot do. JUST SECURE THE DAMN THING....DON'T START PUTTING RESTRICTIONS ON YOUR PEOPLE UNTIL THEY GET THERE AND SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO PERFORM THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY... Its just like politicians to tell you what to do...when they don't have any practical sense as to the steps needed in order to accomplish your mission. (WHAT A BUNCH OF SELF SERVING...SELF PROTECTING PRICKS! PRESIDENT BUSH INCLUDED IN THIS LITTLE FIASCO)

2. Immediately enforce the laws already on the books and go after the employers who are employing illegals.

3. Expedite the legal immigration process. Too much red tape...There are plenty of mexican nationals still coming from Mexico to replace the ones here illegally. Allow those who apply legally to get come in after screening and being issued proper papers.Allow the ones required to leave to get back into the system legally.

4. Quietly start rounding up the illegals and deport immediately.

5. Empty all of the prisons of illegal nationals who committed property crimes,non-violent crimes, etc; and send them back to mexico.This in itself will save millions for both State and Federal Government.

6. Place the mexican government on notice that in order for free trade to continue they must immediately block their side of the border to S T O P ... (NOT REDUCE).. the flow of illegals. Regardless, of the statements made by President Bush, NO ONE IS YOUR FRIEND when they continue to contribute to the draining of our national budget. The USA does not have any obligation or responsibility to financially support illegal Mexican Nationals. That is the responsibility of their own country. If their leaders can't do it, then their citiziens of that country need to replace them or the system with one that can.

Humanitarian benefits should be available to legals not illegals. What motive would anyone have in becoming a legal when you are given the same type benefits as any american or legal nationalize citizen. Its just plain common sense..and less than intelligent to think otherwise.

Like you Bob I just need to vent sometimes...

-- May 18, 2006 12:00 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

Carl....

Even when you're in the venting process you still pass on some good thoughts.
I hope we're soon in the PLANNING process...that is to say, which Island and in what country we will buy after we cash in the Dinars.
Com'on Iraq!! Com'on Dinars!!!!

-- May 18, 2006 1:13 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

FirstBob;

Maybe this is more what the media should be covering, as well as what progress this sacrifice is making.
Sara.

Marine's Mom Views Son's Last Hours in HBO's 'Baghdad ER'
By JONATHAN KARL

ARLINGTON, Va., May 16, 2006 — Paula Zwillinger knew something awful had happened when she saw two military officers waiting in her driveway as she came home from work on June 6, 2005. The officers told her that her son had been hit by a roadside bomb in Fallujah and had died 17 hours later.

It turns out that HBO was there in the Army hospital in Baghdad when Zwillinger's son, 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Robert Mininger, was rushed in for treatment. Its cameras were rolling as the medics struggled to keep him alive.

Millions of Americans, she was told, would soon see the documentary "Baghdad ER," which includes an emotional finale in which her son dies on the operating table. The documentary airs Sunday night on HBO.

Its portrayal of wartime medicine is so painfully realistic that the Pentagon has warned soldiers and Marines who have served in Iraq, and their families, that it may trigger flashbacks, nightmares and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Painful as it is to watch, she calls the movie a blessing.

"To see him alive, moving, was wonderful," she says. "Having to come to terms with losing him and watching is something else, but literally it allowed me to be there with him in his final moments."

There have been some complaints that "Baghdad ER" is too graphic, too negative, but Zwillinger sees it differently.

"This is war, this is war, this is what people need to see," she says. "If they don't believe this is raw image, then they are not in reality.

"What does the public really see right now? The public sees a blurb on the second page of a newspaper, we're not even front page newspaper anymore. It's a little blurb saying 'two soldiers have lost their lives over in Baghdad' — that's it. … You don't get the graphic reality of what war is about until you see the film. That's war, it's graphic, it's raw, it's authentic, it's real."

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=1968943&page=1

-- May 18, 2006 1:38 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

To All:
I hope everyone who reads this makes a point to watch Baghdad ER on HBO Sunday Night.
Every American should recognize the reality of war and what it entails. Our Men and Women of the Military Forces should be honored by all Americans. They are doing a job, that if not done well can result in dire consquences for them and their love ones. Even if they do the job well, sometimes it is just being in the right place and the wrong time.

These young men and women know all too well the danger of their job. They definitely know by now, if not when they signed up for service. These soldiers are in the business of enforcement. These men and women on the front line are putting their all at risk. That is what soldiers do...they sometimes have to kill and in the process also join the ranks of the dying and dead. I really don't think Ted Kennedy or President George Bushes remarks are on their minds when the actrid, sulfer smell of hot metal is coming at them. Combat soldiers are the tools that politicians use to carry out their words once diplomacy fails. It is the mark of humanity's failure to reach a compromise when differences erupt.
A soldier's life can be a deadly one, with the financial rewards a pittance when compared to some civilian jobs of today.

Sometimes the ignorance of youth, and the belief we are going to live forever does have its advantages.That "can do attitude" of our soldiers amazes me sometimes as I grow older. Yet! I believe that it is necessary to have this invincibility sometimes to carry out their missions.

I hope that one day the Iraqi people will realize what our American Men and Women have given to them. This gift has at least given them the opportunity to achieve a better way of life for their family and Iraqi generations to come. What and how they use that gift is not under the control of our children who have died and are going to continue dying so they can have that privilege.

The red cross places a monetary value on a pint of blood. I assure you, if you ask Bill 1, or the other Dads and Moms of our soldiers what their child's blood is worth, I really don't believe any person or country in the world could afford even one drop. Yet! Bill 1 and parents like him proudly and willingly allow their sons and daughters to go to some foreign land, with a name that some cannot spell or even locate on a map. Those parents realize that sometimes it is necessary to fight for one thing that is priceless... to be Free from Tyranny...and the freedom to live life as we choose and not as someone else dictates...

Many parents and citizens of the United States know the word "freedom" but very few have had to pay the price demanded.... so that all can experience it.

Sunday night you will see that price being given willingly...

-- May 18, 2006 4:14 PM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

Haven't read more sincere, eloquent, and sobering words in quite some time, than the ones contained in Carl's post above.

Couldn't have written them better if I died trying!

Don't think I can watch HBO this coming Sunday. My guys and I already go up to Bethesda Naval Hospital, from time to time, to check in on the war wounded. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and for me its certainly no picnic when we travel up there.

We also get what we call "Taskers" for volunteers to render Honors (present the National Ensign to the grieving family) at the funerals of our fallen Marines and Sailors ...an honor "yes", but not the best of experiences by any stretch of the imagination.

..."God, please bless 'all' people; men, women, and certainly the children, who reside in harms way in Afghanistan and Iraq, in our attempt to help make their lives a little better." Amen.

Bless you all,

Bill1

-- May 18, 2006 4:50 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Amen, Bill and Carl.
Excellent posts, thank you.
God Bless you both,
and Bless and protect those who fought and are fighting this day for us and for freedom.
The sacrifices they made and are making will never be forgotten.

Sara.

-- May 18, 2006 6:47 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Carl,

Great job... but aren't you forgetting someone??? There are approx. 146,000 Troops in Iraq and Halliburton has somewhere around 50,000 Contractors there, (the last figure I heard). I can't even guess how many Contractors in total are there but I think the number is higher than the number of troops. Lets keep everyone in our thoughts...

Outlaw

-- May 18, 2006 8:54 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

===

"Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom." (General George Patton)

===

Teddy Roosevelt once said, “It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the door of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”

-- May 18, 2006 8:55 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

"War has no Victory or Defeat...only sorrow in the conscience of the participants" (Outlaw 2006)

-- May 18, 2006 9:28 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Outlaw wrote:
"War has no Victory or Defeat...only sorrow in the conscience of the participants" (Outlaw 2006)

====

But if everyone felt that way when Hitler was coming to power, (taking over Poland, incarcerating and killing Jewish persons, etc) who would have sacrificed anything to create that defeat? And.. was it worth it? Is it ever?

====

While Teddy Roosevelt spoke of how important bravery is in war, General George Washington - who was no timid soul - was known as "the sly fox" for his cunning in strategy. These two traits, bravery and cunning, have been traits the USA has been known for traditionally. Unlike Cindy Sheehan (and company), I don't think it just words in a song when I hear the words, "The land of the free, and the home of the brave". And, Outlaw, of COURSE the contractors, coalition forces of many nationalities, as well as the brave Iraqi and Afghani people themselves that are standing up against tyranny and seeking to liberate their homelands - all these are in our thoughts and prayers.

May God grant us victory and afterward His lasting peace.

Sara.

-- May 18, 2006 9:55 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Sara,

Hitler used the young to do his dirty deeds because a conscience is something that one gets with maturity... I bet if you were to talk to some of the Death Camp Guards today... they to would have sorrow in their hearts for what they did.

I guess my words can only be understood by the ones who experienced War first hand.

"Peace in the Middle East" (Vincent Jones, Baghdad, Iraq 03/04/05/06)

Outlaw

-- May 18, 2006 10:16 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Understood, Outlaw.. and sympathized.. so sorry,
Sara.

PS.. this looks like some good news? :)

====

Iraq's Prime Minister Set to Present Cabinet Picks
By Solomon Moore, Times Staff Writer
May 18, 2006

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister-designate Nouri Maliki is planning to present his new government to Iraq's Council of Representatives on Saturday and to formalize his ministry appointments by Monday, U.S. and Iraqi sources said Wednesday.

A day after announcing that Iraq's contentious political parties had agreed on the distribution of Cabinet posts, Iraqi politicians appeared to be coalescing around the names of several prominent candidates, the final step in the long-delayed formation of a government after parliamentary elections in December.

One key post, the Interior Ministry, is expected to go to Ahmed Chalabi, who currently is the Oil minister.

Hussein Shahristani, a nuclear physicist who ran as an independent, appears set to be named Oil minister.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq18may18,1,4569452.story?coll=la-headlines-world&ctrack=1&cset=true

-- May 18, 2006 10:46 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Outlaw:
Never words so true...and yet understood only by the warriors who have tasted the cold fear of battle..and the dead emptyness that swallows your soul afterward...knowing that tomorrow it all begins anew.....

-- May 18, 2006 10:50 PM ∞

---

FIRST BOB wrote:

Carl and Sara: You are both great. You both present your views in a comprehensive and intellectual way that is enviable. Bill-1, you are posting some very good information-keep it up.

Again, I have some controversial information about Hitler. I have spent some time in Germany and got to know many Germans personally. On the surface almost all Germans denounce what Hitler did but after you gain their confidence there is a different feeling. The Jewish people who are honest, hard working people who drive a hard bargain, over a period of time managed to gain control over most of the wealth of Germany and were the elite. Most Germans were living in poverty and when Hitler came on the scene promising a "chicken in every pot", almost all Germans embraced him. You know the rest and how it played out and like Bill-1 said, I am just the messenger, so don't crucify me for telling you how the German people really feel.

-- May 18, 2006 11:28 PM ∞

---

sherri wrote:

Joint Iraq-Kuwaiti Bank

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18 May 2006 (Baghdad: Al Sabah newspaper)

Mohammed Abdul Raheem, the Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Tigris-Euphrates Bank for

Investment and Development, which has its headquarters in Iraq, announced that the Bank

participated in activities organized by the Ayan Company for Trade and Investment. These took

place at the Marina Hotel in Kuwait on 14th-15th May.

The objective of these activities, Abdul Raheem continued, is to introduce the Bank and the

services it carries out in Iraq to the Kuwaiti people, particularly as the Kuwaiti share in the bank is

49%, with 35% of the shares being owned by the Ayan Company. The Bank was established in

2005 with capital estimated at 50 billion ID. This is to be increased at the beginning of 2007.

Abdul Raheem explained that the Bank will offer high quality services to customers to include all

economic sectors (agriculture, industry, and services). The aim is to hold a place in the

international market.

In order to implement the latest scientific developments, the Bank has signed a contract with the

ITS Company for the provision of an integrated electronic system and an employee training

program to be held at Arab and Islamic banks overseas. Branches will soon be opened.

-- May 19, 2006 1:21 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Where were you when you heard the news concerning what happened on 911? Did you think what was happening was fair play by those who did it? They did, and do. In every war, both sides think they are right and the other ones wrong. They rejoice when the "bad" guys lose or get killed, because they are convinced the other side is evil. Hitler rallied the youth saying they were part of a master race, he brainwashed them from the cradle. History repeats itself.

The enemies we face in Iraq may depict America as a brothel full of evil and vice, because examples of evil behavior within the nation do indeed exist and are real. This is so because freedom means that those who are evil are much more free to abuse the privilege of freedom they have, and freedom allows for open reporting of them. But there, behind their curtain of religiosity, they have as much abuse and sin, if not more. From their imam endorsed two minute "marriages" for sex and profit, to honor killings and public beheadings of those who merely hold a different opinion, their culture is filled with sin and evil and fear. They point one finger at us, but four fingers point back at them. The problem is that sinful, wicked behavior is a human problem, not a cultural one. Hence, we fight in Iraq against those who are, in their own estimation, sitting upon their white horses in righteousness, while all the while they are seeking to impose their form of corruption, evil and death (mainly death, if you read the news). As the saying goes, "Democracy is the worst possible form of government... right after all the other ones". In other words, there is nothing better out there, and though Democracy itself is not a perfect political system, it is yet the best men have devised considering our human condition, and it beats being placed under a dictatorship ruled by this extremist religious elite.

Men have always fought in wars, killing other men. Mainly, it has been to protect their own homes - their wives, mothers and sisters from being raped then treated as whores for the enemy's use, their children from becoming slaves, their neighbors, sons and men from being killed, their wise and aged from being murdered in cold blood. They knew if they let the enemy hoard come in, their loved ones died and all they had was taken from them - their people, lands and possessions. This enemy we face is no different. They have openly said they must destroy the USA. They have coveted our houses, lands and possessions as they do the oil fields of Iraq. They do not think any US citizen "deserves" the bountiful blessings we enjoy, nor our freedoms, which they would take from us and impose their own "law" instead. If you do not think they dream of nuclear bombs being taken to "your city/town" and detonated, killing millions of Americans and bringing the nation to her knees, you didn't pay any attention as to what happened on 911. Brass tacks, men kill others to preserve their own.. and even if it serves other aims as well (spreading freedom to Iraq, etc), the main motive which causes an American to fight is still Mom, apple pie and the white picket fence around their home which the enemy wishes to destroy and take for themselves.

When fighting gets messy and there is collateral damage.. or even dealing with the horror of war itself - like the recurring nightmare of seeing a man's head being blown off - this is the only consolation a fighting person has. When they remember the death, gore, horror and evil they have seen or directly caused, of course it isn't normal or glorious. It is the kind of thing that makes a decent man vomit. But it is still necessary, and without it, we lose everything we hold dear. There is no such thing as honorably giving over all you have and own to those who will abuse and murder it in cold blood and say they do so for the furtherance of their version of god.

Firstbob, you say the Germans embraced Hitler because he promised them a better life. That may be so, but what he delivered was anything but that... instead, he stole their souls and made them less than human - example - the SS. If the bodies turning up tortured and shot in Baghdad or the killings of innocent civilians are any indication, this enemy is likewise without conscience and can justify any evil while promising a better life to any who will support their "cause". If a country already under their thumb (like Iran) is any indication of what their "utopia" will look like, there are plenty of people who will testify and explain to you what that life is really like when living under the reality of their utopian dreams.. and it isn't pretty. Research what they offer - what it would really look like under them - and tell me if that is what you wish for your family and friends.

Concerning this war, is there not a just cause for us to fight it? And if we stop fighting, will the enemy likewise lay down his weapons and make peace? Are our loved ones endangered? And if you believe it is not so, and we lay down arms because of your belief in peace, what if you are wrong? What if you are saying "peace peace" when there is no peace? (Jeremiah 6:14)

Sara.

-- May 19, 2006 1:57 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iran's new president promotes suicide squads
Glorifies 'martyrdom,' recruiting volunteers to target Americans
Posted: July 30, 2005

In the second TV appearance since his election victory, Iranian President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad spoke in praise of "the art of martyrdom" as volunteers continued to mobilize for suicide squads aimed at U.S., British and Israeli forces.

The day after the appearance, the London Arabic-language daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat published a report about the new leader's spiritual advisor, Ayatollah Mohammad Misbach Yazdi, who told Iranians how to volunteer for the regime-sponsored "martyrdom squads," according to the Washington, D.C.-based Middle East Media Research Institute, or MEMRI.

The report mentioned an Iranian women's volunteer group dedicated to carrying out martyrdom operations against U.S., British, and Israeli forces.

The subject of Iranian martyrdom seekers also was the topic of a recent program on Al-Arabiya TV.

In Ahmadi-Nejad's July 25 segment on Iranian Channel 1, he praised martyrdom operations and declared Islam will conquer the world.

The announcement reads:

"Acts of martyrdom are the great pinnacle of the [Iranian] people and the height of its courage. The commander [Iranian Leader] Khamenei has announced registration for the forces of martyrdom in all of Iran's provinces, in order to defend Islam and to fight the enemies of Islam. Our sacred organization, [the organization of martyrs belonging] to the Islamic Republic, is intended for those interested in carrying out shahada [martyrdom]. The volunteer, male or female, will join specialized courses. Brother and sister believers who want to defend Islam are invited to contact [us] at POB 664-1653, Tehran, and to send two photos, a copy of their birth certificate, and a request to join the martyrs' corps."

According to the report, the martyr organization is headed by Elias Naderan, leader of the conservative faction of the Iranian parliament, former intelligence officer in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and an ally of Ahmadi-Nejad.

A few months ago, he founded an organization called Zeitoon, intended for women and men interested in committing martyrdom operations "against the enemies of Iran and Islam" – especially against U.S., British, and Israeli forces.

One of the volunteers, Mohammad Reza Siyari, who recently fled from Iran to Turkey, told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that during a visit to Yazdi's office in Qom, the spiritual adviser told the volunteers: "The gates of Paradise have opened for you. There are beautiful black-eyed virgins waiting for you on the banks of rivers of honey."

As WorldNetDaily reported earlier this month, an Iranian movement called the World Islamic Organization's Headquarters for Remembering the Shahids [Martyrs] says it now has recruited 40,000 human "time bombs" to carry out suicide attacks against Americans in Iraq and Israel.

Last year, Insight Online magazine reported the movement, which at the time claimed 10,000 recruits, was signing up members on the Internet.

Supporters of the movement include members of parliament and Revolutionary Guards officers.

As MEMRI reported last year, Iranian political leader Ali Khamenei and Revolutionary Guards Gen. Shabani praised the culture of martyrdom and jihad in speeches to students, urging them to become martyrs themselves in order to resist enemies, particularly the United States.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45515

-- May 19, 2006 2:19 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iran opens garrison to recruit suicide bombers against West

Tehran, Iran, Jul. 22 – A military garrison has been opened in Iran to recruit and train volunteers for “martyrdom-seeking operations”, according to the garrison’s commander, Mohammad-Reza Jaafari.

The full text of the original interview in Persian can be seen on the weekly’s website at www.partosokhan.ir/283/page08.pdf .

The commander said that “in Tehran alone, there will be four martyrdom-seeking divisions”, adding that “we are currently in the process of recruitment and organisation and soon volunteers will receive training in accordance to their assigned missions”.

The weekly’s interview with Jaafari appeared under the title, “Commander of Lovers of Martyrdom Garrison: Let America and Israel know, each of our suicide volunteers equals a nuclear bomb”.

Jaafari told the weekly that his organisation had set up branches all over Iran and was in particular aiming to convince young persons to enlist for “martyrdom-seeking operations”.

“One of our garrison’s aims is to spot martyrdom-seeking individuals in society and then recruit and organise them, so that, God willing, at the right moment when the Commander-in-Chief of the country’s armed forces [Ayatollah Khamenei] gives the order, they would be able to enter the scene and carry out their missions”, Jaafari said.

“The Imam [Khomeini] said years ago that Israel must be wiped off the face of the Earth, but so far practical steps have not been taken to achieve this”, the garrison commander said. “Our garrison must spot, recruit, organise and train martyrdom-seeking persons to be able to materialise this objective. Any delay in fulfilling the strategy of the Imam and the Supreme Leader in this regard will not be to the advantage of Islam or the revolution”.

“The United States should know that we have nuclear weapons, but they are in the hearts of our suicide bombers”, Jaafari added.

http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2945

-- May 19, 2006 2:24 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Although we do seek to make those in Iraq able to withstand the onslaught of their enemies and stand against them - which furthers their goals of freedom and independence - we are also furthering our goals to keep those enemies out of our country. Frankly, we don't want them or their jihad here. I find it difficult to believe that these "righteous" jihadis are innoculous and benevolent. Their true character turns up with each dead body we find bound, tortured and executed.. you think these are nice guys? You want them to come ply their trade here, implement their "freedom" over us so they can torture and kill at will in the dark, without the exposure our freedoms give us to show what is happening? We are seeking to help the Iraqis stand against all their enemies, "foreign and domestic". Though the bodies turning up daily in the news now are definitely the work of those outside of the legitimate Iraqi fold (foreign elements, we may say), there was one of these enemies (perhaps one of Saddam's old henchmen?) which got into the Iraqi police (yes, they do infiltrate it sometimes, unfortunately) and he continued to torture and kill until he was found out and stopped. Would it have ever stopped under Saddam (no) or the insurgents (no).. We just don't wish their form of "righteousness" to be over our families, lest, in their disagreement with us over religious dogma (or "tribal differences" - we are definitely of a different tribe) they choose to torture those of our loved ones with which they disagree.

===

Britain's captured soldiers allegedly spying on Iraqi prison torturer
Sun Oct 16, 6:25 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - Two British soldiers captured briefly by Iraqis last month had beeen spying on a senior police commander who was allegedly torturing prisoners with an electric drill, a British newspaper reported.

The newspaper said Britain's Special Air Service (SAS) had been staking out several members of the Iraqi police, who were suspected of torturing prisoners at the notorious Jamiyat prison in Basra.

The operation was ordered after the body of an Iraqi, who had been arrested by the police, was found on the outskirts of the city in April.

An examination of the corpse showed that his skull, hands and legs had been penetrated with an electric drill, the Telegraph said. The army learnt, from Iraqi sources, that a senior police officer was behind the abuse.

Describing the suspicions of torture, a senior army source told the newspaper: "We believe victims were strapped into a chair and then the torture would begin. We think it was more to do with inter-tribal warfare than clamping down on terrorist activity. This is a very corrupt society."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051016/wl_mideast_afp/britainiraqbasra_051016102420

So the next time they proclaim how righteous a society they would wish to implement on the whole world in the name of Islam, remember Saddam's mass graves, the oppression under the Iranian regime, and that this is an example of what their "inter-tribal warfare", corruption and intolerance brings. Then thank God and the next soldier you see who is standing up for you and your freedom from tyranny, torture and jihadi war. War is hell, but thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the military, for standing on that wall between us and this extremist tyranny.

Sara.

-- May 19, 2006 11:39 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

It is hoped that the formation of the new Iraqi government will help this situation.

Sara.

Iraqi President Says Killing Must Stop
By THOMAS WAGNER, Associated Press Writer May 10, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq - President Jalal Talabani said Wednesday that nearly 1,100 people were killed in Baghdad alone last month and urged Iraq's feuding factions to unite against surging crime and terrorism.

Talabani, a Kurd, said in a statement that the 1,091 bodies found in the Baghdad area in April were the tip of the iceberg.

"We feel shock, dismay and anger over the daily reports of the discovery of unidentified corpses and those of others killed" around the capital, he said.

"If we add this to the number of corpses that are not discovered, or to similar crimes in other provinces, then the total number ... reflects that we are confronting a situation no less dangerous that the results of terrorist acts" such as car bombings and other attacks.

Scores of unidentified bodies turn up around the capital on a daily basis, many bound, tortured and shot execution style in what officials say is an unwavering tide of reprisal sectarian killings.

At least 3,525 Iraqis have been killed in war-related violence this year. These numbers include civilians, government officials, and police and security officials, and are considered only a minimum based on Associated Press reporting.

Saying that behind every unidentified corpse is "an orphan, a starving father or a grieving wife," Talabani warned that these daily abductions and murders are stoking a "climate of suspicion among the sons of the nation."

He said terrorists are capitalizing on the weakness of government institutions and stressed that the formation of the new government will help create a climate in which such attacks can be halted. But Talabani also called on all factions "to issue a fatwa (religious edict) condemning these crimes, irrespective of who perpetrated them."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060510/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

-- May 19, 2006 11:42 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq 'Not As Bad As Under Saddam'
Posted GMT 5-19-2006 5:32:5

(BBC) -- Iraq is not in a worse state than it was under Saddam Hussein, new Defence Secretary Des Browne has insisted.

Mr Browne said the new Iraqi government needed "to quickly show people that politics works" by meeting their concerns on key issues.

The priorities had to be security, economic progress and tackling the militias, he argued.

Opponents of the political process had used the five-month "hiatus" when the new government was being formed to produce an upsurge of violence, he said.

Mr Browne said the Iraqi army was working to root out people who had infiltrated the Iraqi security forces.

"The most important thing is there is a political structure that delivers the authority to do that and it has to come with an Iraqi face and an Iraqi voice," Mr Browne told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Seven British service personnel have died within a week, including five troops killed when their Lynx helicopter crashed in Basra.

But Mr Browne said individual tragedies could not be allowed to deflect the UK from its strategy in Iraq.

http://www.aina.org/news/20060519003205.htm

-- May 19, 2006 12:47 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

A lot of people are of the opinion that our war is only with the “radical Muslims”. Islam has been at war with the Western world, and anybody else that doesn’t believe the same as them, ever since it started several hundred years ago. They have zero tolerance for any other thoughts except their Koran. They believe this so strongly that they feel it’s their right to kill you in the name of Allah because you’re a non-believer and therefore an enemy. A “moderate” Muslim will not put the bullet in your head but will tolerate a radical while he does it….they all read from the same page. I strongly believe they have a right to believe any teachings they want but when they try to impose it on me by force or death then the line has been crossed.

They’ve crossed the line with me on several occasions. They fired SCUD missiles at me in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. They blew up the Khobar towers in Saudi Arabia and knocked out two windows of my house in the process. They fired small arms, rockets and mortar rounds into my living area in Iraq. They fired a mortar round within 32 feet from me at my work area in Iraq. This all happened because some goof ball cleric didn’t like Americans being in their country, when in fact I had a right to be there. So when somebody tells you that Islam is a beautiful religion and we should embrace it, you’re fully entitled to tell them to pound sand and to get out of your face. After all, what other group have you ever seen hack off the head of another human with a dull knife on national TV?

When our President comes on national TV and tells you that we are “at war” and it will be a long hard battle, it might be a good idea if you take him serious and give him your support.

-- May 19, 2006 1:26 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

My concern is those who are saying "peace peace" - the Democrats and Cindy Sheehan, etc - when there may be no peace to be had. Even if we withdrew from Iraq and ceased our dealings with the terrorists, will this ideology of world triumph under the extremist form of Islam simply stop being a threat to the United States? Is the War on Terror able to be retreated from? Can we STOP fighting them and not be attacked? Will they live in peace and harmony with their fellow men? Or is theirs an ideology which demands of them that they fight forever against us until they - or we - triumph?

The Bush administration thought it was only a matter of time until they came with WMD to us. They took the battle to them. Whether you agree with that move or not, where we are now in time and history, do you think that we can STOP fighting against the religious jihadis and they will be at peace with us? Do they pose no threat to us and our standard of living or our freedom, views, beliefs, values, families, homes, lands, and possessions? I would appreciate any thoughts the board may have on the issue.

Sara.

-- May 19, 2006 1:28 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Sara:
Regarding your question? Do the Islamic Fundalmentalistic believers pose a threat to our national security?

The answer is: Sept 11

No other observation or explaination needed.

You will always have the Cindy's,Jane's and Phil Donahues who live in a world idealogy instead of reality.
Just be greatful that countries like Canada,America,Australia, and Britain have the majority of their population made of sterner metal that the above mentioned.

-- May 19, 2006 5:22 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

Sara....

Today is 21Raby Al-Thaany 1427 according to the Muslim Hijri calendar. If the Muslims make it to the year 1776 they might figure out how to separate church and state and how to grant freedom to their people. Iraq is a step in that direction.
However, if they insist on forcing their way of life on the rest of the world, they may not be around by that time. They need to change or perish.
I believe Sistani and his buddy Sadr have a hidden agenda in store for Iraq so we will soon see if the new Government can keep their distance from them. If they can, it will be another giant step for Iraq.

-- May 19, 2006 9:33 PM ∞

---

FIRST BOB wrote:

Sara:

May 19th may have been your best day of posting ever.

I, for one, appreciate the time and effort that you put forth in compiling and writing all the facts, opinions, and predictions that you post. I really am amazed at the insight and knowledge that you have regarding Iraq, Germany, religion, the economy and the nature of mankind.

Please keep those informative posts coming. You and Carl are the heart of the T&B.

-- May 19, 2006 10:41 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Thank you for your words of understanding concerning what I was trying to say Carl, Firstbob and Okie.

I believe we are on the verge of something very good for Iraq and for the coalition forces.. this news article shows the good anticipation of the formation of the government and birth of a free nation. I hope we will all feel it was worth the labor pains. :)

Sara.

===

Exit route for allies after new Iraq deal
By Ned Parker in Baghdad and Philip Webster May 20, 2006

TONY BLAIR and President Bush are preparing to hail the formation of Iraq’s first permanent government since the fall of Saddam Hussein today — a development that should finally allow them to begin withdrawing their 140,000 troops..

After hours of talks in a heavily fortified compound in Baghdad, a senior aide to Mr al-Maliki disclosed that the Prime Minister had decided to act as temporary Interior Minister for a week and that Tareq al-Hashemi, the Sunni Vice-President, would take over Defence, also for a week.

Anticipating today’s announcement on the formation of a government, Downing Street said that it would be a “defining moment” for Iraq, and all the more remarkable because “it has been done against the background of a terrorist campaign which is specifically designed to stop such a government taking shape”.

There was still time for an agreement to fall apart last night. But despite the continuing disagreement over the Defence and Interior portfolios, invitations have been issued to the press to attend the parliament session at which the Prime Minister will introduce his Cabinet. The parliament’s 275 MPs will then vote to approve each nominee, with an absolute majority required in each case.

A Downing Street spokesman said that if a new government was formed it would be “representative of the country as a whole and the ethnic grouping of the country as a whole”.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2188863,00.html

-- May 19, 2006 11:11 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraqi Parliament Approves New Cabinet
May 20, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's parliament approved a national unity government on Saturday, achieving a goal the U.S. hopes will reduce widespread violence so that U.S. forces can eventually go home.

In a show of hands, the 275-member parliament approved each Cabinet minister proposed by incoming Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The new ministers then took their oaths of office in the nationally televised session in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

That completed a democratic process that began following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime in the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

In his first address, al-Maliki told parliament that he would make restoring stability and security the top priority of his new administration. He said he would "work fast" to improve and coordinate Iraqi forces so they can reduce attacks by insurgent groups and militias.

Al-Maliki said he would set "an objective timetable to transfer the full security mission to Iraqi forces, ending the mission of the multinational forces."

"This is a historic day for Iraq and all its people," deputy parliament speaker Khalid al-Attiyah said at a nationally televised news conference as the legislators gathered.

"It is the first time that a full-term, democratically elected government has been formed in Iraq since the fall of the ousted regime. This government represents all Iraqis," said al-Attiyah, a bearded Shiite cleric wearing a white turban.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060520/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

-- May 20, 2006 8:25 AM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

It's a done deal. Congratulations to the Iraqi's on their first taste of freedom in a long time.

In a show of hands, the 275-member parliament approved each Cabinet minister proposed by incoming Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The new ministers then took their oaths of office in the nationally televised session in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

That completed a democratic process that began following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime in the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060520/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_060520084351

-- May 20, 2006 8:51 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Amen, Okie. :)

Congratulations to the Iraqis on forming their first democratic government!

Sara.

-- May 20, 2006 9:06 AM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

I did notice this morning that CNN devoted ten seconds to the new Government in Iraq. They spent more time on their story of the Mayor in Arkansas who was seeking sex from housewives who couldn't pay their water bill.
In the meantime, the rest of the world is putting out good news regarding this big event that will have a lasting impact on a lot of Americans......

No nonsense PM seeks brave agenda
From: Reuters From correspondents in Baghdad
May 20, 2006
NEW Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who heads Iraq's first permanent post-invasion government, is a straight-talking Shiite who emerged from the sidelines to face the mammoth challenge of restoring unity and peace to his country.

The revolt that gave Maliki the prime minister's post may well define his next four years as he endeavors to bridge the ethnic and sectarian tensions pulling the country apart.
In the month he spent putting the government together - a government he assured everyone would transcend political and sectarian ties and focus on competence - Mr Maliki has impressed people with his direct, no nonsense manner.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19204964-2,00.html

-- May 20, 2006 9:32 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

World leaders hail formation of Iraq government
(Reuters) 20 May 2006

BAGHDAD - Leaders from around the world welcomed the formation of a permanent Iraqi government under Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki on Saturday, the first full-term administration since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003.

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said she congratulated the Iraqi people on the government and offered support for the challenges it faces.

“In Britain it has taken centuries to develop our democracy; in Iraq, this process is now firmly under way. One thing is certain: this government of national unity reflects the diversity and choice of the people,” she said in a statement.

“The new Iraqi government is going to have to take tough decisions on building democratic structures, building up their security forces and developing their economy,” she said.

Egypt’s state news agency MENA quoted Amr Moussa, the Secretary General of the Arab League, as saying the formation of the government was a step towards achieving security and stability.

The agency quoted Moussa as saying he hoped the government would be completed soon to reflect national unity, a key issue in shaping Iraq’s new government. Wrangling over the posts of interior and defence left those jobs vacant for now.

An Iraqi national reconciliation conference, which the Arab League has called for, will take place next month, he said.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2006/May/focusoniraq_May100.xml§ion=focusoniraq

-- May 20, 2006 3:09 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

German FM to visit Iraq, 'if security situation allows it'
Berlin, May 20, IRNA

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is likely to become the first official German government member to visit Iraq since the end of the war in that country, DPA quoted on Saturday an advance report in the Berlin-based Der Tagesspiegel, due to hit newsstands on Sunday.

"The European Union troika will travel to Baghdad, if the security situation allows it," Steinmeier said.

As of July 1, Finland, Germany and Austria will form the EU troika, comprised of the past, current and future rotating EU presidencies.

Steinmeier added either the Iraqi prime minister or foreign minister will be invited into the round of the EU troika foreign ministers.

Berlin had strongly opposed the invasion of Iraq back in March 2003.

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0605204877180742.htm

-- May 20, 2006 6:33 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

To all of the people of Iraq... Congratulations on your free Government! I wish everyone happiness and peace.

To all of my good friends still in the thick of it... May this new beginning bring a quick end to the fighting. I think about you all each and everyday! Be safe my friends!

As promised... I will bring the Pig for the roast... We still haven't decided where we are going to have it, have we???

Outlaw
(KBR, Baghdad, Iraq 04.05.06)

-- May 20, 2006 6:59 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Sara,

Just wanted to clarify one thing... I am not a Sheehan hugger as I interpeted you were saying previously! I fully agree with the War on Terror. Ask our brave Warriors, the Contractors, and any "sane" Iraqi that you can find... most will agree that the War was necessary at all costs!... and if we are placed in the same situtation again... We should do it again, the very same way! I am dazed and confused on why we haven't already invaded Iran... but trust me, their day is coming very quickly.

I applaude President Bush for being a good American, a great President, and a promoter of the "NO MORE" push-over reputation we now have throughout the World. With no doubt... One day very soon... all of the top Terror King Pins will face the same fate as the ones we already fed a taste of American Justice too.

When I speak of "Peace", my meaning is not to stop the war... but only wishing our warriors God's speed in their task at hand to hopefully limit their loss of life and distruction of needed resources throughout the War torn Middle East. If anything... I wish more troops to the region to speed this result.

Outlaw

-- May 20, 2006 8:00 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Gulf states urged not to revalue before union
Web posted at: 5/21/2006 2:58:12
Source ::: REUTERS

dubai • Gulf Arab states should not revalue their dollar-pegged currencies before a planned monetary union is formed, an official at the regional body coordinating integration said yesterday.

The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are eyeing a unified currency by 2010.

"If there is a revaluation it should be collective," he said. "It would not be beneficial for our project if the decision was not reached collectively."

"The most important thing is that our main commodity, oil, is priced in dollars," he said. "Most of our trade is denominated in dollars, with China or with the United States."

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Business_News&subsection=market+news&month=May2006&file=Business_News2006052125812.xml

Carl;

I believe that they are holding off their RV to include the Iraqi Dinar. As you have often said, they wish to include and WILL INCLUDE Iraq in the one GCC currency. I saw an article recently that says the expected union date is moved up considerably from 2010.. I believe I posted it here on the previous thread... So.. if it is going to happen quite soon, why do ONE RV and then ANOTHER when you include Iraq? And Iraq will be good for boosting them all up.. give all the GCC member currencies a lift. It is, after all, the gem of the lot - the one worth the most in the region, with the greatest asset base (the most oil in the region). If they wish a VERY GOOD GCC rate to begin with, holding off a while now until they can include Iraq is a smart move.

This is GOOD NEWS, IMHO. :)

It means they are expecting Iraq to succeed and join their union. They have a positive feeling for the future of Iraq now.

What do you think, Carl.. board? The article says it is due to the high oil prices.. but I think the GCC union wishig to include Iraq is a very compelling reason behind the holding off... Your thoughts?

Sara.

-- May 20, 2006 9:23 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Thank you, Outlaw.
As Bill1 said, we are all singing from the same page.. I do so appreciate your explanation. :)

Today took us one GIANT step closer to all our hoped for goals for Iraq, the region and the War on Terror.

Congrats Iraq! :)

One small step for Iraq, one giant leap for mankind.

Sara.

-- May 20, 2006 9:27 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

newly elected leaders meet
Updated 5/21/2006 8:06 AM ET

BAGHDAD (AP) — Al-Maliki's new government met for the first Sunday. The prime minister hopes the government will eventually improve Iraq's military and police forces, persuade the insurgents to lay down its weapons and disband militias, reduce sectarian violence and restore stability to Iraq.

If all that can be done, it would set the stage for the eventual withdrawal of tens of thousands of U.S. and other foreign troops.

Al-Maliki, a Shiite, has said he was determined to soon find independent, non-sectarian officials to fill those three portfolios in his government.

"I do not think that the naming of defense and interior ministers will take more than two or three days," he said at a news conference.

The prime minister said his government would use "maximum force in confronting the terrorists and the killers who are shedding blood" in Iraq.

But he also said it would try to reduce public support for insurgent groups by promoting national reconciliation, improving the country's collapsing infrastructure, and setting up a special protection force for Baghdad, one of Iraq's most violent cities.

He said Baghdad "must end its crisis of sectarian violence that is causing many families to flee their homes."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-05-21-iraq-violence_x.htm

-- May 21, 2006 8:38 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Sara:
Regarding the GCC...
As many of the reader know the GCC is wanting to create their own currency by the year 2010. In order for them to do that, each country which participates in the new currency must meet several criteria.
Some are following:

The Government must be stable.

The Security Situation must in control.

The inflation rate of each country must be 3% or less

The Banking System must be a full member of the International Banking Industry.

Each GCC country must give up the right to revalue its own currency. The value will be set by the GCC Montetary Guidelines.

Iraq presently does not meet any of those criteria. They have 3.5 years to be within those guidelines.

Can it be done?...sure! nothing is impossible....

Will it be difficult to reach such a goal in a tremendously short period of time? Most Certainly...

Given the unknown with the present Iraqi government, the forboding war clouds of Iran on the nuclear issue, it is reasonable to think that International companies are going to keep their distance for a while. Very few if any Company officer would violate the fiscal principal of Investment and risk millions of dollars of his stock holders funds, where there is a possible change of it either being lost to Iran or destroyed in the process of war.

Now! Will those same companies perform smaller scale operations. Probably! But this within itself simply slows down the process of bringing Iraq into the International market as a stable and secure Government.

Now! Will Iraq place their currency on the world market and let the market set the value?
It is my opinion that is more likely to happen, than Iraq being involved in the initial RV of the GCC Countries Currency.

What is time frame?
Again! I make no spectulation on any date. There are simply too many varibles that can change the direction set for the currency over night.

This is just my opinion folks, and my opinion does not have anymore validity that anyone else who post their opinion as to what may happen.

The one thing I like about Sara is she can see sunshine in a cave when most cannot. The power of a optimist view is necessary in a violatile time like this, and is greatly appreciated by me and I betcha many readers.

-- May 21, 2006 9:43 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Carl wrote:

Regarding the GCC...

Iraq presently does not meet any of those criteria. They have 3.5 years to be within those guidelines.

Can it be done?...sure! nothing is impossible....

Will Iraq place their currency on the world market and let the market set the value?

It is my opinion that is more likely to happen, than Iraq being involved in the initial RV of the GCC Countries Currency.

===
Carl;

I do see and agree with much of your view..

I agree with you that the Dinar may go public and get its own valuation in the marketplace, which seems a wise move. Then, when peace and stability have taken root through the continuing economic reforms they can then implement with their revaluated currency, they will be allowed into the GCC. :)

Your outlook for the Dinar being able to join the GCC in the next few years is that it is possible, but unlikely... mine is that they might move quicker than anticipated and this is why.. The initial valuation of the GCC currency should be strong and if they can include Iraq in it, they will! :) Iraq has a lot to offer the GCC in an asset base and I think they would prefer it to be in the GCC currency rather than out of it.

However, I concede, as you state, this is predicated on the continuing of the strengthening and stabilization of Iraq we see taking deep root there now, AND dealing with Iran, which is a big part of the picture, too. The first part, stability and strengthening of the Iraqi economy and positive good governing I see as inevitable and ongoing, the second part, Iran, I see as being the subject of intense mental activity and strategic planning from many countries.

Support for the first position, that the progress is inevitable and ongoing, just to reiterate this position to those on the board who have not read it:

Going back to a time of butchery like in the days of Saddam doesn't appear to be a viable solution for those who live in Iraq or who care and are watching the situation in Iraq. It seems even less viable to anyone who doesn't care for their flavor of "truth" being imposed on others. FREEDOM means the ability to choose, for good or evil, what you wish to believe. The insurgents are fighting to take that freedom away, so I ask you, will they succeed and be blessed in this endeavor by the "powers that be" which are moving in the world? As that Arabic commentator stated, they have already lost by seeking total power.

"... the Iraqi insurgency and its terrorist allies, not to mention its Islamist and pan-Arab sympathizers elsewhere, have already lost the political battle because they have failed to present a clear political alternative to the democratization project. The Iraqi insurgency’s future is dim because Al-Duri and Zarqawi are seeking total power at a time that Iraqi politics, and beyond it the politics of the greater Middle East, are being recast on the basis of power sharing and compromise. Because they want all of power they will end up having none of it. The insurgency may continue for many more months, if not years, in the area known as Jazirah (island), which accounts for about 10 percent of the Iraqi territory, plus parts of Baghdad. It may continue killing people but will not be able to stop the political process."
http://truckandbarter.com/mt/archives/000502.html#11571

===

As for the second, concerning Iran, it is my hope that they might resolve the Iranian instability factor quickly and with the least disruption to commerce and the stability of the region (however that can be managed). Diplomatic measures are, of course, the more preferable course, with military options a distant second. Basically, the real forseen problem to Iraq's good fortunes and entrance into the GCC currency is IRAN... Iran is the factor creating the negative factors and pessimism which is stopping Iraq's entrance into the GCC in 2010. If Iran can be dealt with - perhaps through covert operations as you have alluded to in the past - the fortunes of Iraq's joining the GCC currency would be greatly enhanced. We have 3.5 years, and we will see how this plays out on the scene of history, but I think Iraq's long term outlook for their good fortune is sure, certain and positive because the political process is unstoppable and the Iranian situation is likely to be dealt with with a good measure of success in the near future by the Powers That Be - perhaps with the Arab League and regional powers taking a greater role and interest in dealing with this rogue state. The inevitable forward momentum for stability through the political process is seen daily. As the Middle Eastern correspondent said, terrorism ".. may continue killing people but will not be able to stop the political process", therefore, Iraq's future is secure - Iran is just an obstacle which will be taken out of the way when the Powers That Be decide one day how best to deal with it.

So.. :) There is truly light in the cave.

Sara.

-- May 21, 2006 3:03 PM ∞

---

Ziarian wrote:

" Government Securities Auctions:

D.G. of Agreement & Loans

Announcement

The Ministry of Finance decided to postpone the Treasury Bills auction no. (39) For term (91) days to another notification.

Hassan H. AL-Haidary

D.G. of Agreements & Loans "

what does that mean ? did they postpone treasury bills auction for 91 days untill another notification ?

Ziarian

-- May 21, 2006 6:40 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

West too cynical about Iraq, says Howard
From: AAP From correspondents in Dublin
May 22, 2006

PRIME Minister John Howard has urged the West not to be so cynical about Iraq following the first meeting of new Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's cabinet.

The ratification of the new government was a true milestone on Iraq's hard march towards a more hopeful future, Mr Howard said, noting that the Iraqi people have voted in democratic elections three times despite violent intimidation.

"I have written to him today congratulating him, assuring him that Australia will go the distance in helping Iraq and that means that we're not going to become slaves to artificial deadlines about troop withdrawals," he said.

"We will withdraw our forces, we will reduce them when the circumstances suggest that that might be possible.

"But this is a very important day, a very important weekend for the people of Iraq and the world should be a little more generous in praising them for what they have achieved, a little less critical, a little less cynical, a little less desirous of finding fault because of its disagreement with the action of the American-led coalition."

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19215440-29277,00.html

-- May 21, 2006 10:28 PM ∞

---

carl wrote:

Heads Up!

It looks like we have some movement out of the Persian Gulf Council and the Arab Leaque of Nations regarding bad boys of Iran.
I believe you might see some behind the scene verbal dressing downs, with get yourself out of this mess attitude.
Anything that is going to happen will be done behind the scenes as to keep the fundamentalist from acting up in their own region.
As I see it, they are the best way to solve this thing if possible.
Get that resolved and you will see the Iraqi economy take off like a rocket.

-- May 22, 2006 6:46 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

A Chinese official announces that China will explore for oil in the north of Iraq:

The Chinese ambassador in Baghdad recently revealed China’s intention to explore for oil in the Kurdistan region in Iraq. This announcement was made by the Chinese Ambassador after meeting Kurdish officials in the region. He said that China wants to take practical steps regarding trade exchanges with Iraq. The Ambassador added that for this purpose a delegation from China arrived in Kurdistan to negotiate exploring for oil fields.

Translated and Edited by: IZDIHAR Public Relations Department

http://www.izdihar-iraq.com/news/PDFs/RoundUps/2006_05_may/IBN%2015%20May_pdf.pdf

-- May 22, 2006 5:00 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

France welcomes formation of new Iraqi government

PARIS, May 22 (KUNA) -- The French government on Monday said it was pleased with the formation of the new Iraqi government and expressed hopes this would lead to a drop in violence and better national cohesion and rebuilding of the Iraqi nation.

"France welcomes the formation of the Iraqi government which emerged from the 15 December 2005 elections and which aims at assuring a balanced representation for the different components of the country," an official Foreign Ministry statement said.

France, expressed a willingness, along with its European partners, "to work with the Iraqi authorities in order to preserve the unity of Iraq and ensure the country returns to full sovereignty," the statement said..

http://www.kuna.net.kw/home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=868552

-- May 22, 2006 5:07 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Russia says ready for close cooperation with new Iraq government
19:13 | 22/ 05/ 2006

MOSCOW, May 22 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is ready to work closely with the new Iraqi government and provide assistance to stabilize the country, the Foreign Ministry's official spokesman said Monday.

"We are ready for close cooperation with the new Iraqi government to strengthen further traditionally friendly Russian-Iraqi relations, provide the necessary assistance to normalize the situation in the country as soon as possible and ensure its stable social and economic development," Mikhail Kamynin said in a statement.

"This is certainly an important event in Iraq's political life, concluding the transitional period of establishing bodies of constitutional power," Kamynin said.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20060522/48447830.html

-- May 22, 2006 5:18 PM ∞

---

Ziarian wrote:

Iraq could double oil output with security

SHARM EL-SHEIKH: Iraqi officials believe they can double their daily oil output quickly if a new government improves security, US Treasury Secretary John Snow said on Monday.

Snow spoke to reporters travelling with him after a private meeting with Sinan al-Shabibi, Iraq’s central bank governor, about conditions in Iraq now that a new national unity government is in place.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C05%5C23%5Cstory_23-5-2006_pg5_18
_______________________________________________________________

the meeting of cbi governor and jhon snow sounds like something is going to happen and they are finalizing something .... it is amazing that sinan Al shabibi and jhon snow are meeting to discuss about OIL .. impossible :P , to discuss about oil there is a Oil Minister of iraq but they are discussing with central bank governor . i hope they will do something special for all of us for iraqi dinar investors and for IRAQ.

Bye
Ziarian

-- May 22, 2006 7:52 PM ∞

---

Bob wrote:

Ziarian- I don't think the Dinar is going to move as a result of this meeting or by the doubling of oil production. Stay patient; the appreciation from the Dinar to the dollar will come. I wish the same things that you do in that regard though. Good things will happen with the Dinar; but one thing has to happen at a time despite the great accomplishment of the Iraqi government.

-- May 23, 2006 8:38 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Bob!

I agree with your reasoning and train of thought.

-- May 23, 2006 9:24 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Interesting when the radical Muslims cause the government to "rather see a Muslim become a Christian rather than a radical Muslim". Being so against the government hurts their cause.

Sara.

===

'Good news' from northern Iraq
By Julia Duin May 23, 2006
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Retired Iraqi Gen. Georges Sada, a former fighter pilot-turned-Christian evangelist, says Kurds are converting to Christianity "by the hundreds" in northern Iraq.
Gen. Sada earlier reported that he had been told that Iraqi pilots, flying private planes, took weapons of mass destruction to undisclosed locations in Syria in 2002.
The "good news" from Iraq's turbulent religious scene, consisting mainly of Sunni and Shi'ite Muslim militias battling each other, is from the Kurds, he said. Kurds are creating a constitution that does away with Shariah, or Islamic law, a move counter to trends in other Muslim countries such as Afghanistan and Iran, where leaving Islam is a capital offense and Christian converts are often killed.
"No Christians in the Kurdish territory are persecuted," he said yesterday in an interview.
He added that Nechervan Idris Barzani, prime minister of the Kurdish regional government in Irbil and nephew of former Iraqi Governing Council President Massoud Barzani, was extremely positive about evangelical Christians' efforts among Iraq's 4 million Kurds.
"He told me he'd rather see a Muslim become a Christian rather than a radical Muslim," the general said.

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20060523-124029-4936r.htm

-- May 23, 2006 11:11 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

OIC mulls plan to end Iraq violence
22 May 2006

SHARM EL-SHEIKH: The Organisation of the Islamic Conference may propose sending a peacekeeping force led by itself or the United Nations to end violence in Iraq.

Abdullah said there was increasingly a belief within the international community that the prolonged presence of Western troops in Iraq had worsened the security and humanitarian situation there.

There was also the notion that an alternative was sorely needed to bring peace back to that country.

He added that the OIC would first bring all stakeholders in Iraq, including the occupying powers, to the negotiating table.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Monday/National/20060522075416/Article/index_html

-- May 23, 2006 11:19 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq to lobby oil majors for investment
May 23, 2006

BAGHDAD -- New Iraqi oil minister Hussein Shahristani said on Tuesday that he would launch wide-ranging contacts with international oil companies to boost investment in the vital but battered sector.

"Iraq's God-given natural resources are huge and, if we can use and develop them properly, could put Iraq on the level of the richest countries in terms of income.

"They say Iraq has the second largest reserves in the world, but I think Iraq is really the first because there has been no exploration or investment for all these years."

Iraq has more than 112 billion barrels of proven reserves, second only to Saudi Arabia, but potential reserves could be double that given the lack of exploration in recent decades.

Modern exploration techniques that have emerged in the past two decades, such as 2-D and 3-D seismic imaging, have never been used in Iraq.

The minister vowed to move strongly against the saboteurs, who have been particularly active in the northern oil fields around Kirkuk.

"The government will strike with an iron fist anyone who wants to attack the oil sector in the future," he said.

http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20060523-084653-3850r

-- May 23, 2006 11:38 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

KUWAIT-IRAQ
H.H. PM congratulates Iraq on cabinet formation

KUWAIT, May 23 (KUNA) -- His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah sent Tuesday a cable of congratulations to his Iraqi counterpart, Nouri Kamel Al-Maliki on the occasion of the formation of the new Iraqi cabinet.

H.H. Sheikh Nasser hoped that the bilateral brotherhood relations would further boost for the interest of the two countries.

http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=868811

-- May 23, 2006 1:37 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Pakistan greets Iraq's new PM
www.chinaview.cn 2006-05-22 21:35:07

ISLAMABAD, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday greeted Nuri al-Maliki on assumption of the office of the prime minister of Iraq.

Aziz said that in Pakistan, "we have been stead fast in our support to our brothers in Iraq and remain committed to extending a helping hand for the country's rebuilding efforts."

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-05/22/content_4585677.htm

-- May 23, 2006 1:40 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Heads up!

According to Saudi Arabia, The Gulf States are sending envoys into Iran to discuss the nuclear Issue. At least we have some movement worth mentioning, in reference to defusing this little middle eastern powder keg that can send the whole warehouse to the moon.
Arab Nations solving their own regional bad boy problem removes the Great Satin Card.

-- May 23, 2006 7:50 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Afghanistan welcomes Iraq's new cabinet
www.chinaview.cn 2006-05-23 13:42:03

KABUL, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The government of Afghanistan has welcomed the formation of new cabinet in Iraq and called for boosting relations between the two allies of the United States, a statement of Afghan foreign ministry available here Tuesday said.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-05/23/content_4588352.htm

-- May 24, 2006 12:14 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Some of Saddam's Evils Turn Good in Iraq
by Lee Greenwood
Posted May 24, 2006

Three years after Saddam's regime crumbled, Iraq is a better place. Where mass graves and torture facilities once dominated the landscape, an open economy is emerging.

Today's Iraq is very much different than that of the former dictator. No longer must Iraqi soccer players fear the wrath of Saddam's sons when they lose a match. Hope is in the air; and though occasional setbacks occur, Americans can rightfully feel proud of the work the brave members of our Armed Forces are doing in Iraq. With every terrorist captured and every school reopened, our soldiers breathe new life into Iraqi society and give people there, even more hope for the future.

This Memorial Day, as Americans salute the flag and enjoy the company of loved ones safe at home, we should ask ourselves how we can help our brave men and women in uniform and thank them for the sacrifices they have made to defend America and fight terrorism around the world.

I hope everyone will have the opportunity to spend this Memorial Day weekend with their friends and families, watch fireworks displays and cookout in backyards and parks across this great land. But more importantly, I hope that they take the time to realize that freedom is not free and that those who advanced its cause in Iraq deserve our support now more than ever.

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=15052

-- May 24, 2006 9:29 AM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

The positive Milestones in this Iraqi undertaking continue to materialize one after the other.

With our continued support, as well as support from around the world, Iraq is certainly on the right path. They must still navigate a long, bumpy road in their quest to better themselves, but with every positive event which unfolds their road becomes a little smoother still.

The future is getting brighter and brighter, so get out your sunglasses and SPF 30, cause this is only the beginning!

Godd luck to all,

Bill1

-- May 24, 2006 10:15 AM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

Bill1

Sounds good...sunglasses and SPF 30 are already in my bag.
I have two Islands I want to visit and I'll get me a grass shack on one of them.

-- May 24, 2006 2:05 PM ∞

---

Yahkin wrote:

New to the boards here. Been out of the loop for a while, but am just starting to read about investing in the IQD. I have skimmed the posts here, but have not really found a listing of good reputable sources for someone living in the US to buy IQD.

Can someone shoot me some recommendations?

Thanks.

-- May 24, 2006 2:18 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Oman welcomes new Iraqi govt
Wednesday, May 24, 2006

MUSCAT — The Sultanate has welcomed the formation of the new Iraqi government, hoping that it would be capable of finding solutions to the basic problems faced by Iraq to achieve national unity, safeguard Iraq, its unity, independence and stability and help provide required services and boost reconstruction efforts.

This was stated by an official source at the Foreign Ministry yesterday.

http://www.timesofoman.com/newsdetails.asp?newsid=30430&pn=local

-- May 25, 2006 12:12 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Council welcomes inauguration of new Iraqi government

UNITED NATIONS, May 24 (KUNA) -- The Security Council has welcomed the inauguration last week of Iraq's new government and congratulated the Iraqi people on this "milestone" in their country's political transition.

A statement, read out by council president Basile Ikouebe of Congo on behalf of the members in an open meeting late on Wednesday, said the council is "particularly encouraged by the fact that he government is representative of Iraq's many diverse communities." "The Security Council encourages the new government to work tirelessly to promote national reconciliation through dialogue and inclusion and to build an atmosphere in which sectarianism is rejected (and) urges all Iraqis to participate in the political process peacefully," the council said in the statement.

The council also reaffirmed, at the suggestion of Qatar, the only Arab council member, "the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq."

The council also "strongly" urged all states and relevant international organizations to accelerate and augment their help to Iraq's sovereign government "at this crucial time," noting the "particular role" Iraq's neighbours can play, and calling on them to conform to relevant council resolutions and "how they can reinforce their contribution." It also said it "looks forward to the continued efforts" of the League of Arab States, including the forthcoming conference in Baghdad, in support of the political process in Iraq. The council finally expressed hope that the Iraqi ministers of Defense, Interior and National Security Affairs will be appointed as soon as possible.

http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=869530

-- May 25, 2006 12:22 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Condoleezza Rice: Iraq War is Mideast's WWII
Thursday, May 25, 2006 10:39 a.m. EDT

The war in Iraq will transform the Middle East much the same way the last world war changed Europe forever, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday.

"You don't have to be much of a visionary to just look a few years further down the road and see that that kind of stable Iraq could make the Middle East as different as we left Europe after World War II," Dr. Rice told the Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes."

The top diplomat noted that the Middle East "has been ruled by authoritarian governments" that have "held back" the entire region. She blamed oppressive Arab regimes like Saddam Hussein's for producing "this ideology of hatred that led to groups like Al Qaeda."

Since the U.S. liberation, however, Iraq has been "going through a kind of important rejuvenation of culture, of people's rights," Rice said.

"It's hard, as big, historical changes always are, but imagine that, in the center of Arab culture, in Baghdad, a place that has a history as long as the culture of the Middle East itself, that you have a stable, multi-ethnic, democratic government that is a friend of the United States."

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/5/25/104223.shtml?s=rss

-- May 25, 2006 1:37 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq police hail arrest of leading Sunni militant
Published: 5/25/2006

KIRKUK - Iraqi police said they arrested a senior commander of an Al-Qaeda linked militant group near the northern oil centre of Kirkuk Thursday.

Abdul Nasser Rahim al-Dulaimi, alias Abu Hanin, is suspected of masterminding attacks on US troops as well as kidnappings of foreigners for the militant group Ansar al-Sunna, police said.

He said the documents recovered included records of associates across the Sunni heartland of western and north-central Iraq.

The arrest followed the interrogation of three other Ansar militants detained on Wednesday, he added.

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=125346

-- May 25, 2006 3:21 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraqi Army Officer Speaks Out About The Future of Iraq
Blackanthem Military News, AD DAWR, Iraq, May 25, 2006

As the Iraqi Army works toward freedom for all of Iraq, some Iraqi Soldiers believe they are seeing the fruits of their sacrifice – a better Iraq and the development of the entire Middle East.

"We are building a new future, not just for Iraq but for the whole world," Hassan said. "I see this purpose. We will sacrifice and rebuild our country and know we are not just helping Iraq, but the whole area."

Many countries throughout history have taken similar steps in their road to freedom. Each had difficulties with the transition, including the United States. All shed blood, sweat and tears making their freedom a reality. Those countries also had outside influences that helped them in their struggle.

"We feel Coalition Forces are doing a great job of training us and then letting us take our country back," Hassen said. "If they were to just leave at once, it would destroy our country and all the sacrifice and hard work would be for nothing."

"We Iraqis are not fighting one enemy," Hassan said. "There are a few people here that still support the old regime. That is one battle, but we also are fighting insurgents from Syria and Iran."

Hassan says that the leaders of the surrounding countries are afraid of democracy in Iraq and that the people will want democracy there as well.

http://www.blackanthem.com/TheAllies/military_2006052501.html

-- May 25, 2006 4:08 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

JI training in chemical weapons
Natalie O'Brien
May 25, 2006

TERRORISTS linked to the group blamed for the Bali bombings are being trained in the use of chemical weapons that can cause widespread death and destruction.

Terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna has warned that the authorities have proof Jemaah Islamiah has been training its operatives in chemical warfare.

"Al-Qa'ida has conducted experiments on dogs and rabbits exposing them to the fumes and forcing them to die harrowing deaths."

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty yesterday confirmed chemical warfare was an option that terrorist groups might consider, saying: "We do have to be prepared for biological and chemical attacks."

He said the interest of global jihad groups to manufacture, develop and use chemical and biological weapons such as hydrogen cyanide was growing significantly. Hydrogen cyanide is a widely used industrial chemical which in high doses is extremely toxic, causing laboured breathing, headaches, dizziness, hyperventilation, convulsions, heart attack and death.

Dr Gunaratna said JI had also been involved in training in al-Qa'ida's anthrax program in Afghanistan.

He said there had been past plans to move the anthrax laboratory from Afghanistan to Indonesia but the plans were thwarted by the "vigilance" of the Indonesian, Thai and Malaysian police and subsequent arrest in 2003 of JI operations chief Hambali.

Dr Gunaratna said jihadist groups around the world were keen to use chemical warfare and said governments should invest more in developing intelligence on these groups.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C20867%2C19248166-2702%2C00.html

-- May 25, 2006 7:24 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq: Bush, Blair Acknowledge Mistakes, But Vow To Stay On
By Nikola Krastev

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- In a joint press conference at the White House on May 25, U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair admitted they've made costly mistakes in the Iraq war, but nevertheless remain determined to bring the process of democratization of the country to its conclusion.

Bush said that despite what he called setbacks and missteps in Iraq, he believed the United States and Great Britain did the right thing by invading Iraq in March 2003.

Blair also said he expects the biggest threat to newly trained Iraqi police units to come in the next few months:

"Progressively, there will be more and more parts of Iraq that are policed by the Iraqi security forces themselves," he said. "But I also think you will find, probably over the next few months, there will be a real attempt by the antidemocratic forces to test them very, very strongly. Remember, a lot of the attacks are now happening not on the multinational force but actually on the Iraqi forces themselves, on their police, on their army, and so on. And the purpose of that, of course, is to deter them from the buildup of capability that we want to see."

'Complete The Mission'

Bush and Blair vowed to keep U.S. and British forces in Iraq until the new Iraqi government is capable of taking over security duties. Neither leader gave any timetable for a significant withdrawal of troops.

Incentives Vs. Isolation In Iran

Turning to Iran, Bush said the United States could consider providing incentives if Tehran first agrees to halt uranium-enrichment work. He said it was up to Iran to decide whether it wants to remain isolated by the world community because of its nuclear program.

"The Iranians walked away from the table," he said. "And I think we ought to be continuing to work on ways to make it clear to them that they will be isolated. And one way to do that is to continue to work together through the United Nations Security [Council]. If they [Iran] suspend [enrichment] and have the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] in there, making sure that the suspension is real, then of course we'll talk about ways forward, incentives."

Bush reiterated that he hoped to resolve the dispute diplomatically.

Bush's comments came as the United States, Britain, Russia, China, France, and Germany have been seeking agreement on a package of incentives and possible sanctions that could be presented to Iran in a bid to persuade Tehran to halt enrichment.

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/05/70cb10ae-ee13-4616-8e29-545371d4266a.html

-- May 26, 2006 9:35 AM ∞

---

FIRST BOB wrote:

I read a lengthy article by a
Geologist who was trying to sell a monthly newsletter, but he talked about a four-state area with Colorado at the hub which had shale rock 1000' below the surface. The U.S. Govt owns 1800 square miles of this area. They can dig it out cheaper than Canada is digging its sandy oil and reap more oil per ton.
The process is somewhat easier than w/Canada inasmuch as they heat the rock and the oil oozes out. There is 2 trillion barrels of oil in this area, enough to supply all USA needs for 50 years.

The above venture is the most intelligent thing the USA has been involved in recently. The hottest issue in this Country is immigration and I believe Mr. Bush's 33% approval rating is about to drop further. Consider this:

No wall can be feasibly built which will keep illegals out. You plug up one area and they go to another.

Enforcing the law about hiring illegals will discourage newcomers and encourage many who are here to return.

Once the illegals are given amnesty, they will qualify for a myraid of govt programs
and they will no longer be so happy to work those undesirable jobs.

We constantly hear that we are the melting pot so send us your poor, underprivileged,
downtrodden and unwanted in huddled masses and they will be welcome here. When this policy was so popular, we had a barren land and offered nothing but an opportunity. Now we should charge an impact fee since immigrants immediately qualify for all our give-away programs.

The House of Representatives has the right idea with their bill, but if the Senate version passes, millions of illegals will pack their sack and bottle of water and start their journey to the USA.

Still venting.

-- May 26, 2006 11:34 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

Our President is making comments that the new Government in Iraq is a history making event. The article below backs up his belief.

"In such confusing times I find it useful to listen to someone steeped in the history of the Arab world, someone like the Egyptian sociologist and democracy campaigner Saad Eddin Ibrahim, who was visiting Washington with a human rights group from the Carter Center.

Ibrahim compares the U.S. invasion of Iraq to Napoleon's invasion of Egypt in 1798, which punched the first big hole through which modernity could seep into the Arab world. It was the key ruler of Egypt after the Napoleonic invasion, Muhammad Ali, who started sending students to Europe, introduced secular education and ushered in a mini-Arab renaissance that culminated with the first Egyptian parliament, elected in 1866".

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/opinion/article/0,1426,MCA_536_4730562,00.html

-- May 27, 2006 11:26 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraqi politicians struggle to fill posts
By SINAN SALAHEDDIN, Associated Press Writer May 27, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Al-Maliki said Thursday he soon could be ready to name the two men who will be charged with carrying out his pledge to take over security for Iraq within 18 months, but Friday passed without word of the appointments.

The main Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political blocs in the 275-member parliament resumed talks on the candidates Saturday afternoon, hours after al-Maliki's spokesman, Yassin Majid, said "probably this issue will be settled today."

Hashim al-Taie, a Sunni legislator involved the negotiations, complained nominees had been rejected by the dominant parties because they were former Baath Party members.

"This issue became a thorny one," he told The Associated Press. "We have not agreed on specific names and we hope that this issue is to be settled in today's meeting."

He said there were three candidates: two independents and a member of the National Accordance Front.

"They are all former army officers but were not Baath party members," he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060527/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

-- May 27, 2006 11:48 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iran vows one billion dollars worth of projects in Iraq
Published: 5/27/2006

NAJAF - Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Saturday his country was ready to help Iraq with an economic investment plan totaling one billion dollars.

"We are planning seven projects in the fields of oil, electricity, hospital construction and other services," he told reporters during his visit to the Shiite holy city of Najaf, south of Baghdad.

"The Islamic Republic has set aside nearly one billion dollars to help Iraq," he said, adding that Iranians were ready to come and implement the projects.

He said the projects could be carried out in the southern Shiite provinces or the northern Kurdish ones.

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=125555

Am I overly suspicious or is my seeing a tide of invading Iranians taking up leadership places in each of these areas of "oil, electricity, hospital construction and other services" throughout Iraq as a negative development? Are they going to hand over these areas to the Iranians to run.. because they so badly need the money?

Are the Iranians creating instability so that they are the only ones who can freely move about in Iraq or are willing to invest in it?

Sara.

-- May 27, 2006 4:03 PM ∞

---

okie wrote:

Sara...

I believe your suspicious thoughts regarding Iran are well founded. Clerics like Sistani and Sadr see their grip on power eroding with the formation of a Democratic Government and they will do anything and everything to retain power. I believe this would include selling out their country to the radicals in Iran. My hope is that the new Government will take swift action.

Some thoughts on freedon from President Bush....

"We have made clear that the war on terror is an ideological struggle between tyranny and freedom," Bush said. "Our strategy to protect America is based on a clear premise: the security of our nation depends on the advance of liberty in other nations.

"We learned an important lesson. Decades of excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East did nothing to make us safe."

Bush mentioned Syria and Iran specifically in vowing to pursue an end to repression in countries around the world.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060527/pl_nm/bush_dc_2

-- May 28, 2006 10:22 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraqi Newspaper: Osama Ben Laden on Deathbed
28 May 2006 | 15:25 | FOCUS News Agency

Baghdad. The leader of the International terrorist network Al Qaeda Osama Ben Laden is on deathbed, the Iraqi newspaper Al Bayan al Djedid reports, cited by RIA Novosti. According to the newspaper the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq Abu Musab al Zarqawi has left for Afghanistan due to the fact that Ben Laden is dying.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?catid=138&newsid=89234&ch=0&datte=2006-05-28

-- May 28, 2006 11:21 PM ∞

---

sherri wrote:

Breaking news: every one please have a look at the Iraq Central Bank Website....their is some thing new....all this time they were giving "Auction price selling dinar / US $" but now it is also for "Auction price buying dinar / US $".......a sudden change!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- May 29, 2006 1:08 AM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

Good find Sherri!!! I hope it prints out ok below.....

The 691 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq Monday 2006/ 5 / 29 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 16 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1476 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 33.060.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 33.060.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ----- -----

Cash amounts sold to the bank and its customers were USD(29.000.000)at a rate of(1476+1+6=1483)IQD\USD .
The amount sold to make transfers abroad was USD (4.060.000) at a rate of (1476)+ one dinar as a bank fee and exempt the transferred amount from conversion fee.

-- May 29, 2006 11:44 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

I don't see it as any change??

Wasn't it always like that?

Sara.

-- May 29, 2006 2:01 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Though buying transactions are RARE (as this article states) it has happened in the past..

Sara.

===

Iraq-Currency
Iraqi Central Bank sells $33 million
By Dergham Mohammed Ali

Baghdad, May 29, (VOI) – Iraq’s Central Bank on Monday sold $ 33.06 million to banks and customers in the daily tender.

On Sunday, the bank bought $29 million from state banks at 1,474 dinars a dollar in a rare buying transaction.

http://www.aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=20399&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

-- May 29, 2006 3:43 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq Less Violent than Washington, D.C.
Monday, May 29, 2006 1:22 p.m. EDT

Despite media coverage purporting to show that escalating violence in Iraq has the country spiraling out of control, civilian death statistics complied by Rep. Steve King, R-IA, indicate that Iraq actually has a lower civilian violent death rate than Washington, D.C.

Using Pentagon statistics cross-checked with independent research, King said he came up with an annualized Iraqi civilian death rate of 27.51 per 100,000.

"It's 45 violent deaths per 100,000 in Washington, D.C.," King told Crowley.

Other American cities with higher violent civilian death rates than Iraq include:

Detroit - 41.8 per 100,000

Baltimore - 37.7 per 100,000

Atlanta - 34.9 per 100,000

St. Louis - 31.4 per 100,000

The American city with the highest civilian death rate was New Orleans before Katrina - with a staggering 53.1 deaths per 100,000 - almost twice the death rate in Iraq.

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/5/29/132706.shtml?s=rss

-- May 29, 2006 4:03 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iran Set Up for Big Gains in Iraq
By ROBERT H. REID
The Associated Press
Monday, May 29, 2006; 1:19 PM

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- With a new Iraqi government in place, Iran is positioning itself to play a major role here at a time when American influence is showing signs of faltering.

That is worrisome to Iraq's Arab neighbors, especially Sunni-dominated countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt. But it also raises serious questions for Washington, including the wisdom of withdrawing entirely from Iraq when it has long been considered the eastern defense against Iranian expansion.

U.S. officials have long accused the Iranians _ though not necessarily the Tehran government_ of smuggling weapons to Shiite militias in Basra and perhaps also selling roadside bomb technology to Sunni militants _ charges Iran denies.

If the charges are valid, it may be that Iran wants to keep Iraq bubbling just enough to tie down the Americans and keep them from any military moves against Tehran.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/29/AR2006052900499.html

-- May 29, 2006 4:13 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

Trends You Don't Hear About
May 29, 2006: There are a number of trends in Iraq that you hear little, or nothing, about in the mass media. For example;

@ The economy. GDP doubled from 2003 to 2004, and was up double digits in 2005. Inflation and unemployment have both been falling steadily. Yes, the terrorists are still at it, but in the background you will notice all those people going to work, all the new cars and all the new construction. While big companies have stayed away from Iraq, and all those nasty headlines, smaller firms have been more aggressive. Life goes on.

@ Agriculture. For thousands of years, Iraq was a food exporter. But as oil became a larger part of the economy over the past half century, agriculture declined. Now, for the first time in half a century, Iraq is exporting food. Agriculture has come back big time, mainly because many of the regulations government bureaucrats have piled on farmers for decades, have been eliminated. A farmer can now make a lot of money, growing food in the most productive agriculture land in the region.

://www.strategypage.com/qnd/iraq/articles/20060529.aspx

-- May 29, 2006 7:41 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Sara:
Interesting statistics on the death rates in the US vs Iraq.
Good researching..

-- May 29, 2006 9:34 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Carl;

The media don't say Washington D.C., Detroit, Baltimore, Atlanta, St. Louis or New Orleans are a quagmire of death and we ought to be doing something about them on the news? How come, when they have worse death rates than Iraq.. not violent enough deaths they can film and throw on the TV screen? Why aren't we pulling out of them?

Sara.

-- May 30, 2006 12:07 AM ∞

---

Anonymous wrote:

hmmm due to time difference, i saw different thing than you guys did...yesterday, on Iraq Central Bank Website it was given as(because i had save that page):

Details Notes
Number of banks 17 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1476 -----
**Auction price buying dinar / US $ 1474 -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 43.520.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) 29.781.000
Total offers for buying (US $) 43.520.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) 29.781.000 -----

Cash amounts sold to the bank and its customers were USD(36.340.000)at a rate of(1476+1+6=1483)IQD\USD .
The amount sold to make transfers abroad was USD (7.180.000) at a rate of (1476)+ one dinar as a bank fee and exempt the transferred amount from conversion fee.

Note:the amount given in **, was never given in past(i am sure about it), this is what i am talking about......

-- May 30, 2006 1:33 AM ∞

---

Anonymous wrote:

oppssss sorry, forgot to add my name :sherri , for the above post!!

-- May 30, 2006 1:39 AM ∞

---

Anonymous wrote:

oppssss sorry, forgot to add my name :sherri , for the above post!!

-- May 30, 2006 1:40 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Folks:
In my opinion,the best way to think of Iraq is as an individual in the hospital. There are days when the prognosis for the patient does not bode very well,then the following week the patient seems to improve some. Usually, the improvement of the patient depends a lot on the patient themselve's, and how hard they are willing to fight. Experience shows that improvement takes time and is gradual. I can not think of anyone who one morning was on their death bed, and the next morning out chainsawing lumber.
Iraq has a lot of illness's such as; Iran supported militias, Fundamentalistic Insurgency, corruption within and outside of the government, weakened and inadequate infrastructure,political infighting even among their own political party, etc...

All of these, if the patient keeps fighting, will be done away with, but not tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. As long as the patient does not recieve a traumatic injury the prognois will be good, just not in the time frame that either you or I would like to see.

When I bought the Iraqi Dinar it was 1464 it has lost value since 1.5 years ago. Not significant, in that was to be expected in such a disfunctional situation.

Maybe... just maybe in 5-10 years we will see some profit from the dinar...by investment standards this is considered to be a short to normal span of time.

Watched Baghdad E.R. last night on HBO.....While it brought tears to my eyes, I made my heart swell with pride for those souls who are standing on the front line, day after day. Regardless, whether, they get a physical wound or not, I assure you the same individual who left the USA for an Iraq Tour, will not be the same individual that returns.

Here in Alabama, the 115 Signal Unit went and came back last fall. Over 30% of those guys are now affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which has symptoms such as cannot sleep for any length of time, pacing at night, jumping at sounds within the night,uncontroled anger, alcohol abuse, etc...Reported domestic abuse counseling has climb dramatically. A significant amount of the marriages within that unit have disolved since returning. Research shows that most of the spouses(male or Female) gave the same behavior traits of their significant other after their return. These are the ones with wounds who are not making headline news. However, this is not because of the Iraqi War. This is from the results of War period. I don't care what the reason is or what name you give it. There is nothing civil or sane about killing another individual, with whom you have not real personal anger toward. It is simply kill or be killed.
It is our soldiers who are standing the front line who are paying the price for our freedom and way of life.
So! if you see a soldier coming through a airport, in a mall, on the street. Stop! Them! Take their hand and let them know just how much you appreciate what they are doing for you and your family.

-- May 30, 2006 8:47 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq PM ready to break deadlock on key ministries
Tue May 30, 2006 9:36am ET

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Tuesday he will overrule squabbling parties in his coalition and present parliament with his personal nominees for two key cabinet posts if they fail to agree this week.

.. he would exercise his constitutional right to put his own nominees to a vote. Parliament is next due to meet on Sunday.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-05-30T133851Z_01_MAC047896_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-MALIKI-MINISTERS.xml&archived=False

-- May 30, 2006 11:59 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Three prominent Zarqawi aides killed in Sowera

Waset, May 30, (VOI) – Three top aides of ultra-militant Abu Musaab al-Zarqawi were killed in Sowera town (150 km north west of Kut) in clashes with local police forces, an Iraqi police source in Waset province said on Tuesday.

“Three of the most wanted (militants) who belong to Zarqawi’s al-Qaeda group, were killed in clashes with the emergency regiment in Sowera,” the source told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

“They are among the top aids of Zarqawi in West of Sowera, Waset province, and the adjacent areas,” added the source who declined to be named.

No details were available..

http://aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=20448&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

-- May 30, 2006 12:23 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Yes, Carl.. as you said.. it is not an unsolvable situation.. it just takes time and working at it. Thanks for the great post of your thoughts. :)

Sara.

===

Iraq PM ready to use force on Basra oil "gangs"
Tue 30 May 2006 9:39 AM ET
By Mariam Karouny

BAGHDAD, May 30 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will fly to Iraq's second city Basra on Wednesday to end faction fighting among fellow Shi'ites and said he is ready to use force against "gangs" holding oil exports and other trade to ransom.

"We must restore security in Basra and if any defy peaceful solutions then force will be the solution," he told Reuters on Tuesday.

"There's no way we can leave Basra, the gateway to Iraq, our imports and exports, at the mercy of criminal, terrorist gangs. We will use force against these gangs."

In an interview three days after a small Shi'ite faction warned it could halt oil exports from Basra to win concessions in Baghdad, Maliki said: "I will go tomorrow with a delegation from the government and from the parliament."

"We will spare nothing to find a solution," he added, saying he would stay in the city beyond Wednesday if needed.

"We will work on reconciling tribes and religious figures and political parties, and also increase the security presence to stop the criminals," he said.

"We have to go to find solutions ... We have a crisis but it is not an insolvable crisis and, God willing, our efforts will be enough to find solutions acceptable to all sides involved."

http://today.reuters.com/News/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=L30182670

-- May 30, 2006 12:38 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

SCIRI ponders new system/structure, disbanding militias, integration into security forces

SCIRI ponders developing internal system, structure
By Dergham Mohammed Ali

Baghdad, May 30, (VOI) – The Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) is considering developing and changing its internal system, its structure and political message including its name, a prominent legislator said on Tuesday.

The changes will include SCIRI’s Badr organization (militia).

Taqi said the council was working with Badr to activate a law that provides for disbanding militias and integrating members into domestic security forces.

“Badr organization was the first militia to dissolve itself and merge into the state’s security organizations,” he added.

“A strong government cannot exist in the presence of armed groups that are beyond the rule of law. The security issue should be in the hands of the government alone,” he added.

http://aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=20464&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

-- May 30, 2006 12:46 PM ∞

---

Anonymous wrote:

A win ...win ...win ...situation......

1. Dig a moat along the length of the Mexican border.

2. Use the dirt to raise the levies in New Orleans

3. Put the Florida alligators into the moat.

Any other problems you would like me to solve?

-- May 30, 2006 6:30 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Hi, Im Roger,

I'm new to this site, and have read the postings with interest. I must admit that the volume of postings are incredible, and had to do selective reading.

Some of you however are very dominant, and only a few names occupy the vast majority of posts. Nothing wrong with that per se, but posting endless references to news and articles is wasted time. I appreciate the fact that you can not have an informed discussion without having data, but if the volume of posts are news references in an effort to enlighten us, then this is a newsbulletin board, not an Iraq Dinar discussion board.

I'm completely able to look up the Iraq News myself, thankyou.

I had great interest in comments on this site from soldiers and contractors, having been there, or writing from there, thats very valuable information.

I, as well as fellow investors are interested in the comings and goings in Iraq, even though some of the sites here seem to express some urgency, and perhaps lack of patience. I firmly believe Iraq Dinars investment is a more long term investment rather than a "quick buck". Hopefully it will pay out handsomely, (we all wish...right), and preferebly before we have lived out our life.

I just think that the mindset I had when I was in my younger years will not cut it, always first at the redlight, always speeding, and always rolling my eyes in me not understanding howcome five minute epoxy took so long to cure.

It will get better over there, but not tomorrow. Social changes is, and have always been a painful process.

Northern federation and southern confederacy, had two completely different views on life, so much so that it was worth a war.

It was not a calm period after the war, southern ex-rebels (like Jesse James), refused to see the light.

It took years to fully control all the territory after the war.

Germany same thing, secret cells and saboteurs was operating for some years in Germany afterwards.

As all the countries got liberated from the germans,each country had their "night of the long knifes".

Iraq have had a very very long time in supression, and you bet that there is scores to settle, positions to hold, evils to cloak, and jockeying for advantages.

This would not come as a suprise or chock.

It's a natural evolution after a war.

What suprised me was that the US goverment had not read the history books.

The Preussian army did a suprise attack on France, during the Preussian/France war (1880 I believe), by going through the Ardenne forest.

Big suprise.

First world war the germans did a suprise attack on France by going through the Ardenne forest, got almost to Paris with that move.

Big suprise.

In the second world war the germans took France by a suprice attack through the Ardenne forest.

Big suprise.

At the end of the war the germans did a suprise attack on American and Brittish forces by going through the Ardenne forest, they almost got to the sea.(Battle of the bulge)

Big suprise.

They were ultimtely repelled, but pulled off the suprise factor four times, doing the same thing.

How hard can it be to read yesterdays newspaper.

So we have had a war, and now its instability, so whats your point, suprised?

It will get better, any human being want to survive, things just has to play its course in Iraq. Let time take care of things.

I think the investment opportunity is right now, the world are getting one bad instant re-play of a carnage after the other, and to not put any morality in any of that, but from a pure financial investment viewpoint, thats great news, as it will during this instable period keep the Dinar extreemly down.

However I dont think that the "investment window" will last forever.

It will come a time when the mindset in the Iraq people will swing towards peace and stability, but I dont honestly think it will happen before Saddam has been hanged.

When that fact is announced, something big will be lifted from the minds of the Iraqis, it will be an acknowledgement that it's somehing that will never be able to come back.

I dont think they will appreciate their democracy, until after Saddams death, because in order to evaluate anything you must compare it with something of similar magnitude, and Saddam is the only thing Iraqis can compare anything with right now.

I'd say, hurry up with your investments, its not a forever thing, they'll hang him at one time or the other, and that will most probably be the end of the current situation.

Iran will ofcourse have to be dealt with, for the sake of human survival, but I do not think (as opposed to many others) that Irans destiny in itself will be a bigger influence on Iraq, They will have an influence , but Iraqs destiny will be set by Iraqis themself, they are a proud people, and will not be ruled from Teheran more than US is influenced, but is not ruled from Canada or Mexico.

As long as the basic principles FREEDOM, is aimed at, in all its forms, freedom to speach, freedom to print, freedom to worship any religion, freedom to ...(well you got it), Iraq will have a winner.

Unfortunately, democracy is a very clumsy vessel, but history has proved that is the best one. But remember here, its a vessel to reach the different principles of FREEDOM.

Hitler got elected, Palestinians elected Hamas, Soviets had elections, and I believe even in Cuba, you can go to electoral boxes.

Democracy in itself is not freedom, only when democracy STANDS for freedom.

Iraq has all that, now just let them figure it out, and that will take care of that.
They've got wobbly feet right now, but I'm not worried.

Time and communication will take care of things, right now it might be the cooles thing for a young arabian boy to swing an AK47 and scream his lungs out, for some cause.

In time he will get other problems, his kids need braces, his car needs a clutch and he will hate to go to that family reunion.

In time his kids will think its cool to have green hair, and studded eyebrows and when his dad will try to indoctrinate them in Jihad, they will say..."are you nuts?

It will not change overnight, and this is my 2 cents worth why I think this is a long term investment, and not a daily nailbiter.

Roger

-- May 30, 2006 9:51 PM ∞

---

Ron wrote:

Hi all,just been reading for a long time now.I am still ready for the dinar train everyone.I do smell something cooking tho"maybe a pig".
Good luck to all and Iraq.
Ron

-- May 30, 2006 10:11 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

A footnote to earlier posting,

When I say it will take long time for recovery in Iraq, and with the same breath Im saying , hurry up to invest, the "investment window" will not last forever, I need to explain myself.

I believe that when Saddam is hanged changes will take place, but it will take years to bring Iraq up to a modern, functional stable country.

I should rather have said, hurry up, the "investment window" where you can buy cheap, artificially low Iraq dinars will close after Saddam swings.

Ok Roger

-- May 30, 2006 10:30 PM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Roger:
I like how you expressed your views. .... to me they are practical and project a reasonable view of how time is just another ingredient needed for change to take place. I enjoyed reading your post....it is obvious you are a student of history, and realize that history is a proven indicator of human nature. You are right...I wish some of our officials were of the same.
Welcome aboard

-- May 30, 2006 11:06 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq imposes state of emergency in Basra

Iraq imposes emergency in Basra
Wednesday, 31 May 2006, 13:58 GMT 14:58 UK

Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki has declared a month-long state of emergency in Basra, which has been plagued by sectarian clashes, anarchy and factional rivalry.

Visiting the city, Mr Maliki said he would use an "iron fist" to crush those who threaten security.

The prime minister has accused criminal gangs of holding the city's oil exports and other trade to ransom.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5032294.stm

-- May 31, 2006 10:36 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

I have been watching the news closely since the secterian violence began. For the country of Iraq to be successful and for the NID to trade well on currency exchanges around the world; it is imperative the U.S. get a handle on the insurgency.

I know this is not a revelation to anyone, but the clock is ticking on the George W. Bush Presidency. Our window of opportunity is closing with each passing day another car bomb explodes or another U.S. soldier dies.

Unless Iraq is successful, 2008 election may be where we loose all we have invested in the Iraqi Dinar.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- May 31, 2006 2:35 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

This is good news....Maliki is off to a good start in the security department.

BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - Police and soldiers set up checkpoints and searched cars in Iraq's second city on Thursday in a first test of new Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's ability to restore stability with an "iron fist" security crackdown.

A day after he declared a one-month state of emergency in key oil hub Basra, the tough-talking Shi'ite Islamist said in Baghdad he planned to present his candidates for the interior and defense ministers to parliament on Sunday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060601/wl_nm/iraq_dc;_ylt=Ah2XINkRRUzdOTasOV7N89MUewgF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NTMzazIyBHNlYwMxNjk2

-- June 1, 2006 10:44 AM ∞

---

carl wrote:

Had The Opportunity
To listen to C-Span this morning.They were showing Maliki giving a speech in Basra.
My impression of him, is a man who is doing everything he can to bring ALL of the Iraqi people together. He talks about a 4 year plan to bring the security of the Iraqi Nation together, and eliminate the insurgency and anyone else who is presently interfering with the New Iraqi Government's success. I found myself wishing that man was one of our own leaders.
You could tell he was speaking from the heart and what he was trying to get across to all of the Iraqi citizens, he truthly believes in. He didn't need to read some speech someone had written for him. I believe if Iraq has a chance it is under this man's guidance. Now! that I said, that....I'll probably in up with egg on my face...but that is my first impression.... There is always the right person to fill a slot for a certain period of time. I believe he is that man....
I found myself agreeing with everything he said....not once did I detect that he was blowing smoke or being flaky.
Got my fingers crossed

-- June 2, 2006 7:15 AM ∞

---

Bill1 wrote:

That's just what the Iraqis need right now ..."A Great Communicator". Someone who speaks from their heart about national pride and unity. Someone who can impassion them and influence them through firey and sincere, motivational speaking. Someone to lead by example ...to help them believe in themselves and their future.

Maliki sounds like an Iraqi version of our Ronald Reagan. And, while President Reagan wasn't perfect he was certainly one of the better leaders to this country, and helped to get us moving in the right direction.

Sadly though, now that Maliki has demonstrated a good amount of virtue in regard to his duties, there are probably a number of corrupt individuals targeting Mr. Maliki at this very moment ...plotting various ways to remove him from power, as he most certainly stands in the way of their agenda.

I truly hope he's not just blowing smoke, and that he can stay in power long enough to really get the country on it's feet ...and on the road to prosperity.

It's going to take an "Iron Fist in a Titanium Glove" to face all of the challenges that lie ahead of him.

All the best to him ...and to us as well.

Bill1

-- June 2, 2006 8:33 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq veteran sues Michael Moore
Friday, June 2 2006, 11:48 BST - by Fiona Edwards

A veteran of the war in Iraq is suing filmmaker Michael Moore for using footage of him in Fahrenheit 9/11.

Sgt. Peter Damon, 33, claims that Moore misused footage of him lying in a hospital bed without his arms to portray him "in a false light" and as "disagreeing with the president about the war effort and as disagreeing with the war effort itself."

"It was kind of almost like the enemy was using me for propaganda. What soldier wants to be involved in that?" Sgt. Damon told CBS's local television news. "I didn't lose my arms over there to come back and be used as ammunition against my commander-in-chief."

In Moore's film the footage of Damon follows a statement by Democratic Republican Jim McDermott of Washington, who says of the Bush administration: "You know they say they're not leaving any veterans behind, but they're leaving all kinds of veterans behind."

"The work creates a substantially fictionalised and falsified implication as a wounded serviceman who was left behind," the complaint said.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds33699.html

-- June 2, 2006 8:34 AM ∞

---

Terrance wrote:

Memo to Roger:

Welcome to the NID jungle. Grab a vine and swing on in more often.

I would agree on some of your points and gently disagree with others.

I agree that it takes time to gain a level of stability after a paradigm shift in government from one power to another, and from one system to another. Upheavel, unrest, and violent resistence are all part of the transition when new forms of government attempt to take root. History does prove this over and over again. That means an element of time is at play and patience is required on our part.

But remember, although after WWII the Nazi party had a resistence group, the masses of Germany were not with that insurgency in thought process or spirit. There was no cultural divide between an American and a German, and the German people didn't hate Americans. Both peoples were of Western thought - a solid common ground of thinking processes.

But in Iraq and the Middle East in general we are hated by not only the insurgents, but most of the people as well. We are the Great Satan to them. They think differently....insanely acutally. Need proof of that? Read President Amanidijad's letter to George W. Bush. This Iranian President is widley accepted in their culture - here he would be branded as certifiably insane. Their core beliefs are rooted in a capricious God, and they act the same unpredictable way. Some, who are friendly to us in the region are in actuality just tolerating us at best.

This situation in Iraq is a much tougher row to hoe than those after WWII. Yet, I believe it can be done, as you say, with enough time and effort. The question is: Will it be done? On that - the jury is still out.

But I disagree that Saddam's execution is going to change anything of significance in regard to the insurgency, or peace within Iraq. The current insurgency in Iraq has very little, if any, to do with the old hard line Baathist party who were loyal to Saddam, they have been assimilated into the new movement sponsered in large part by Iran. This current insurgency is fueled by the influx of terrorists sponsered by Iran and that insane regime.

Therefore - the future of Iraq may very well hinge on the Iranian situation. That is the ball we all need to keep our eye on in the months to come.

Remember, for NID success we need not only stability within Iraq, but regional stability. If Iranian President Amadanijad continues on his course of pursuing a nuke coupled with his inflamed rhetoric, then conflict is inevitable. That turns our beloved tickets on the NID train into glorified rainchecks with no make up date in sight.

Whether Saddam hangs today. tomorrow, or never matters very little at this point in the big picture of the NID.

Roger baby - one more thing. Remember that "is" follows a singular noun, and "are" follows a plural noun. It will make your thoughful posts even better.

Surfs up on the West Coast -

Sara, Carl, Ron, Okie, Outlaw, and all the rest - Have a great weekend!

Out-

Terrance

-- June 2, 2006 3:24 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Analysis: Iraq War Ties U.S. Hands on Iran
June 2, 2006, 11:19AM
By ANNE GEARAN AP Diplomatic Writer

VIENNA, Austria — With U.S. forces and fortunes lashed to Iraq for years to come, nations that the United States cannot afford to alienate can insist that Washington give diplomacy every chance to succeed before resorting to economic punishment or military force, foreign policy scholars said. Even many American allies believe the Iraq war was avoidable.

"The Iraq example coupled with the North Korea example probably is part of the motivation for some in Iran to get a nuclear weapon," and do so quickly, said Ken Pollack, research director at the Brookings Institution's Saban Center for Middle East Policy.

Iran absorbed the lessons of those other two nations that President Bush linked as a three-way "axis of evil," Pollack said.

"We didn't invade North Korea because they had a nuclear weapon. We did invade Iraq because they didn't have a nuclear weapon but we thought they were trying to get one. If you're Iran, what is the logical lesson?"

Both North Korea and Libya feared U.S. military action, and used their weapons programs as leverage to get Washington to make a deal.

The Bush administration strongly resisted calls from allies and others to negotiate with Iran. Some conservative policy-makers have repeatedly accused Iran of funding and sowing terrorism.

Rice decided about six weeks ago that the stalled European efforts to bargain with Iran were doomed unless the United States lent its weight to the effort, aides said. She drew up a timeline for U.S. involvement that would try to resolve the impasse before the end of the year, and conditioned U.S. involvement on suspension of uranium enrichment activities that have alarmed the West.

Rice announced the U.S. overture Wednesday morning, and worked the phones in Washington for hours to blunt criticism from conservative leaders and writers.

The deal she helped broker in Vienna would give Iran economic incentives and international help developing a peaceful program to produce atomic energy if it gives up activities the West suspects are aimed at building a bomb, diplomats said.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/3922754.html

-- June 2, 2006 5:19 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Media scoundrels Vietnamize Iraq
Posted: June 2, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern

I've never been angrier in my life about current events and the world of politics than I am over the media's current obsession with smearing our military.

While left-wing organizations are busy proclaiming how they've been successful in undermining the war in Iraq, turning popular opinion around to a 75 percent disapproval rate for Operation Iraqi Freedom, the media are playing guilty accomplice with the enemy while men and women are dying horrible deaths.

Our sons. Our daughters. Our sisters. Our brothers. Our friends.

The heroic men and women of the U.S. military have liberated a country from a murderous tyrant who threatened American national security, and the thanks they get is to face an enemy at home that is almost as determined to see Americans lose in Iraq as the terrorist insurgents themselves.

Despising the media more than I ever thought I could, hating that I have to spend one minute defending our troops from their attacks, let's look at the latest insult with clear eyes, a sense of proportion and something that your networks, newspapers and magazines are incapable of – context.

The facts of that fateful day

Nov. 19, 2005, was a fateful day in the ongoing insurgency raging in Iraq.

Twenty-four Iraqis and one Marine soldier died in Haditha, Iraq, after a roadside bomb exploded, slicing in half the body of Lance Cpl. Miguel Terrazas. In the wake of the attack, Marines came under small-arms fire, and 24 Iraqis died in the firefight that ensued. There are currently ongoing investigations into the attack that took place that day, and no Marines have yet been charged with any wrongdoing.

Questions surrounding the incident in Haditha

There are many questions that remain unanswered about what really happened in Haditha. Was it a case of improper conduct by a handful of Marines, or were our troops reacting with appropriate force following an attack on one of their own? Was this a case where the insurgents used women and children to provide cover – like they had so many times before?

Lance Cpl. Terrazas' family told Newsweek that they doubt the reports of improper conduct by Terrazas' fellow Marines.

Similarly, the family of Lance Cpl. Brandon Dewey, who died two months later, reported that women and children in that area of the Sunni triangle had been throwing explosives at soldiers. Brandon's stepfather, Scott Conover, told me that critical piece of information yesterday morning, which could have been checked out by the same reporters willing to convict the troops in the court of world opinion.

THE MEDIA: Judge, jury and executioner

It's apparent that most reporters have already come to the conclusions that the Camp Pendleton Marines are guilty of cold-blooded murder.

Comments like this coming from representatives of our major news outlets are both outrageous and unacceptable. The media have made it clear that they no longer consider themselves to be outlets for divulging facts; they are now instead judge, jury and executioner.

In another report on the activities in Haditha, the Washington Post intentionally twisted the words of Brig. Gen. David H. Brahms to suggest that he had concluded the events in Haditha would have an impact that was "worse than Abu Ghraib."

Gen. Brahms was incensed by the Post's report and responded with this statement:

Recent reporting on the events in Haditha, Iraq, have included significant factual errors and/or misleading statements. This includes a quote attributed to me in the Washington Post this morning that was taken completely out of context and its meaning distorted. Many facts that are favorable to the Marines involved have not yet been disclosed.

Not only have our major media outlets decided to judge our Camp Pendleton Marines before the investigation is concluded, but they have gone to great lengths to misrepresent what other military officials are saying, all in an effort to make our troops look guilty in the eyes of the public.

Ongoing investigation

Let us not forget that this is an ongoing investigation. These Marines deserve nothing less than our complete support until and unless wrongful conduct has been proven. There is no doubt that if these Marines engaged in improper conduct, then they should be charged and punished as such.

And one final thought. Our military has a system of justice that is one of the finest in the world. Whatever happened that hellish day in Haditha, none of the people on our side beheaded anyone with a video camera recording the last horrific moments of life and then played it for the world to see on Al Jazeera.

And yet for some reason, the "Blame America First" news media don't recognize that difference. They lie to themselves when they fail to acknowledge the moral differences in the conduct and intentions of the competing sides in the war on terrorism.

And it is by lying to themselves