Truck and Barter

Comments

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kevin Brancato wrote:

Anybody out there?

-- September 13, 2006 2:31 PM ∞

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Terri wrote:

YEAH !!! I'v surely missed this forum!

-- September 13, 2006 2:35 PM ∞

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TAYLOR wrote:

UP AND RUNNING!! WOOOOOOOOO!!

Thanks for the new scratch pad! Now where's Roger and his hair shirt?

-- September 13, 2006 2:37 PM ∞

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TAYLOR wrote:

http://www.isx-data.com/opinion/137/revalue-the-iraqi-dinar-yes

I figure we can start the board with some positive thoughts...

Re-Value the Iraqi Dinar? Yes!
One Investor's Take on the Valuation of the Dinar
________________________________________
• By: Roger Isaksson (email)
• Published: 08/31/2006
o this author's past articles

________________________________________
Iraq's current government has been staggering badly under the pressure of growing violence and widespread infrastructure failures. As a result, government consolidation is taking place, including dismissals, arrests, and the emergence of strong personalities. Yet still, most government participants appear to lack the will to stick their neck out and make bold moves that would ultimately help the Iraqi people.
The Iraqi Dinar
Economically, according to my estimates, the Iraqi dinar is hopelessly undervalued, and should have been revalued long ago. The dinar is held down artificially by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), resulting in very little buying power for the Iraqi working class. Currently, most of the day-to-day products needed by Iraqi's are produced outside of the country, but when buying it with an undervalued currency, nobody except the intrepid merchant benefits. In order to justify the costs of manufacture and import into the country, most things that we in the West take for granted are priced far beyond the average Iraqi's ability to pay for it, due in large part to the vast exchange rate differences.
Due to these currency differences, few Iraqi's can afford the items they want or need. As fewer people can afford them, the market for these items is artificially small, resulting in less competition and higher prices. This, coupled with the day-to-day disruption of goods and services due to the violence plaguing large tracts of the country, have led to high levels of inflation.
By revaluing the Iraq Dinar to it's true value towards the market, the Iraqi people will regain a measure of their buying power back. Imported goods will now be within reach of nearly everybody, helped to infuse the Iraqi economy with a new vitality.
True Dinar Value
In analyzing the true value of the dinar, many have predicted a value as high as parity with the US dollar ($1 = 1 dinar), while more conservative estimates have been in the range of a $0.01 = 1 dinar. This range, of course, can only be estimated, because the dinars true strength can only be determined, as with all currencies, once it is freely traded on the world market.
The continued lack of purchasing power of the Iraq dinar will be yet another factor in a long line of social problems, and some have the idea that those problems have to be addressed first before the economy can be fixed. The Iraqi man on the street is having a hard time feeding his family, and in such dire circumstances he may even be tempted to work against his fellow Iraqi's through insurgency, crime and even terrorism. This writer urges the current Iraqi Administration; fix the dinar.
The "Big Guys" are standing at the gate waiting to get in, but have to wait until they get assurances that the investment will not be socialized as in Saudi Arabia, Iran and Venezuela, or lost completely due to a full-blown civil war. The new Iraq Investment Laws are tentative right now, but hopefully the Iraqi Government will make it a top priority when they return to session this fall. However, as with everything in Iraq these days, this supposition is a moving target at best.

-- September 13, 2006 2:40 PM ∞

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PreDICtion wrote:

RV .61:1, 13 December 2006 at 0530 eastern. Source (Space). Good luck.

-- September 13, 2006 2:56 PM ∞

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Terri wrote:

Your right, that was a good article...read this one -- FROM THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL -- especially the first and last paragraph -- I'm usually not very sure/clear about what I read...BUT, this article SURE PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE!!!
===============

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060913/mideast_annan_060913/20060913?hub=World&s_name

Mideast sees Iraq as a disaster: Kofi Annan
Updated Wed. Sep. 13 2006 12:41 PM ET
Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Wednesday that most leaders in the Middle East believe the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and its aftermath "a real disaster" for the region.
Annan said many leaders believed the United States should stay until Iraq improves, while others, such as Iran, said the United States should leave immediately. That means that the United States has found itself in the difficult position where "it cannot stay and it cannot leave."
"Most of the leaders I spoke to felt the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath has been a real disaster for them," Annan said. "They believe it has destabilized the region."
Annan returned from a two-week trip to the Middle East late last week. His main goal was to get leaders to support a Security Council resolution imposing a cease-fire in Lebanon, but he said he discussed other issues such as Iraq with the leaders he met.
Iran offered to help the United States leave but did not go into details, Annan said. He would not give his own thoughts on whether he believed the United States should leave Iraq yet.
"The timing has to be optimum and it has to be arranged in such a way that it does not lead to even greater disruption or violence in the region," he said.
Annan's news conference was meant to give him a chance to discuss the results of his trip to the region and take stock of the U.N. ahead of the annual ministerial meeting of the General Assembly, which begins Tuesday.
He said that on Monday, the U.N. would host a meeting of the Iraq Compact, a new group created by Iraqi's government meant to help strengthen its economy.
"The idea here is to generate support for the economic development of Iraq," Annan said. "Wait till next week, the pessimists will be surprised as to what happens."
Annan plans to step down on Dec. 31 when his second five-year term as secretary-general ends.

-- September 13, 2006 2:57 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

It is good that the board is back up. I found myself missing it. Does anyone know the root cause why the board was down?

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 13, 2006 3:02 PM ∞

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mfriedl1 wrote:

Hi everyone, what's the buzz over here?

-- September 13, 2006 3:12 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

From www.iraqieconomy.org

Kurdistan discovery may tempt oil majors September 7, 2006 - International oil companies including Shell, ExxonMobil, Total, BP and Chevron are positioning themselves to exploit Iraq's rich oilfield potential once the country agrees to legislation protecting their investments.
The attraction lies in more than 500 geological structures believed to contain huge volumes of oil and. Most structures have yet to be drilled and at present almost all Iraq's oil is produced from just 20 fields.
The majors could commit $20 billion into rebuilding and developing Iraqi oil and gas fields but moves so far have been delayed by the deteriorating security situation as well as a lack of definitive legal guidelines for foreign investment.
US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman pressed for a clear legal framework during a July visit to Baghdad declaring it would be instrumental in attracting foreign investment to Iraq's oil sector.
Raising output The government has said it aims to produce 3.5 million b/d of oil by the end of next year and 4 million b/d by the end of 2008 and up to 8 million b/d by the end of 2010. The targets are considered by outsiders impossible to achieve without multi-billion dollar investment from international oil companies.
Most companies have already identified areas of the country particularly in the southern provinces where they would like to explore. France's Total is looking at Majnoon and Bin Umar, Spain's Repsol at Nasiriyah and Shell at Ratawi.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's oil advisor Thamer al-Ghadhban says negotiations could take up to a year to conclude once rules of investment are established but he suggests talks should run alongside parliament's discussions about legislation.
A complicating factor is the question of regional power with politicians split according to religious and ethnic loyalties. Kurds, for example, have been used to a large measure of autonomy even during Saddam's time. The constitution is still vague on whether the country's mineral wealth is controlled by central government or by the regions in which it is located.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 13, 2006 3:49 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Here is another from www.iraqieconomy.org

Iraq to invest $4 billion in oil infrastructure September 6, 2006 - Iraq plans to invest $4 billion to build oil refineries and improve ageing infrastructure, Finance Minister Bayan Jabor said. 'Four billion dollars will be allocated to the Oil Ministry to build refineries and improve infrastructure,' Jabor told a news conference.
Iraq has the world's third-largest known oil reserves, but sabotage attacks, corruption and old infrastructure has crippled the sector and caused a severe domestic fuel shortage.
Jabor, who said the spending would come from a planned budget bill for 2007 of about $33 billion, did not say if the investments were aimed at increasing export levels or improving domestic supplies of fuel.
Iraq's oil minister, Hussain Al Shahristani, said earlier that Baghdad planned to raise oil production to 3.0 million barrels per day (bpd) before the end of 2006.
An Oil Ministry official said the ministry hoped to increase domestic production of petrol in its refineries at Basra, Shueyba, Doura and Baiji to 11 million litres per day by the end of the year.
Iraq currently refines eight million litres of petrol per day, way short of a domestic demand of 22-23 million litres per day.
In a move aimed at easing gasoline shortages and reducing smuggling, Iraq's parliament has approved a law that authorises private companies to bid for import licences to supply fuel direct to the open market.
Until now, all oil imports have been conducted by the State Oil Marketing Organisation (Somo), which is also responsible for the sale of Iraqi crude.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 13, 2006 3:50 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

And another from www.iraqieconomy.org

Slow reconstruction blamed on corruption September 6, 2006 - It has been three years since the fall of the former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein’s government and Iraqis are still lacking basic facilities such as power, clean potable water and sanitation, problems some experts blame on corruption.
“Corruption has become common in Iraq. Every government department is plagued by some type of corruption and the problem has become endemic countrywide,” said Judge Radhi al-Radhi, head of the Commission on Public Integrity (CPI), which is tackling corruption.
So far, some 3,500 corruption cases have been investigated by the CPI, of which 780 cases have been lodged in court but fewer than 50 have been tried, according to officials.
Al-Radhi said that corruption was present in Iraq in many forms - from stealing money from coffers of ministries that should be used for the country’s development, to the purchase of better grades by university students.
This endemic corruption has led to a dire lack of funds for a reconstruction process in a country which has some of the world’s richest oil reserves. Now, families still suffer from having less than four hours of electricity a day, poor potable water and there is open sewage almost everywhere.
The missing millions
“About US $4 billion has been pilfered from state coffers and no one is taking responsibility - but we are working hard to find those responsible,” al-Radhi said.
The US government has injected some US $21 billion for reconstruction and relief funding in addition to the US $5 billion Iraqi Security Forces Fund and the US $19.6 billion Development Fund for Iraq. This brings the total US reconstruction tab to more than $45 billion.
“From this money invested [by the US] and some US $10 billion invested by other donors in Iraq for the reconstruction process, at least 25 percent of the entire amount is missing without an explanation,” al-Radhi said.
According to al-Radhi, some of this money has gone towards the purchase of furniture for government officials who have also restored their homes with government funds.
At present, 70 cases of corruption are being investigated. In one of the cases, a female government official was found guilty of hiring about 40 bodyguards for her personal use but who were on the government payroll.
Al-Radhi also said that about US $1 billion was used by the Ministry of Interior for the purchase of arms which have not been received. Those funds, he said, could have been used for repairing schools and hospitals as well as for other reconstruction work.
“Corruption is definitely hampering reconstruction. Corruption affects development and prevents benefits from flowing to those who most need them,” said Arwa Hassan, Middle East Programme Coordinator for Transparency International (TI), a Berlin-based NGO that monitors corruption worldwide.
The worsening security environment has also facilitated corruption as people do not inform authorities of corrupt colleagues for fear of being threatened or even killed.
“If security was improved, you could have enforcement mechanisms and there would be freedom to actually carry out more proactive work. But as long as the situation remains so difficult, it does not look likely that things will change in the immediate future,” Arwa said.
According to the Iraqi government, there are three bodies that deal with corruption: the Commission for Public Integrity, the Board of Supreme Audit and the Inspector General - the latter of which each ministry has.
“It is fair to say that they are at varying stages of development. Some are dedicated and hard working, others lack competence,” Arwa added.
Failing legal system
“Iraq is failing in addressing corruption and this is pushing up the cost of rebuilding the country and worsening the already deteriorated economy,” said Faya’ad Ziad, a professor of economics at Mustansiriyah University.
“There is no real justice against corrupt people and this is resulting in more people living without access to essential services such as power and sanitation,” Ziad added.
Most of the courts in Iraq have been refusing to take corruption cases because of the huge number of terrorism and kidnapping cases, especially in Baghdad, where corruption is worse.
“For them, corruption is not as important as terrorism, but they are not aware that insurgency is also increasing due to corruption. Some of the looted money is being invested in terrorism,” Ziad said.
Al-Radhi said fear has also delayed prosecution work. “Some 20 judges working on corruption and terrorism cases were killed last year,” he said.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 13, 2006 3:51 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

And another from www.iraqieconomy.org

Iraq official calls for oil partnerships September 11, 2006 - A top Iraqi official called for partnerships with international companies to boost his country's oil industry on Sunday, saying Iraq's emergence as a "secure petro-democracy" could quell rampant sectarian violence.
Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, a Kurd, conceded disputes between local officials and the central government over who controls oil proceeds were one of many obstacles to making improvements. But he said he was hopeful that oil would be a "unifying force for Iraqis rather than a resource to fight over."
He spoke of Iraq emerging as a "secure petro-democracy" with the strength to put an end to the violence that threatens to tear the country apart.
"I don't underestimate the gravity of the situation in Iraq," Saleh said during a U.N.- and U.S.-sponsored Iraq donor conference in the Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi. "We are in a very critical situation."
Iraqi leaders are nearing agreement on a long-awaited hydrocarbon law that could usher in huge investments by foreign companies in Iraq's oil sector — and eventually rescue the embattled country from deepening chaos, Saleh said.
The deputy prime minister said he expected the law setting ground rules for managing Iraq's huge petroleum reserves would be approved in parliament by year's end.
"This will open Iraq's oil sector for investment," Saleh said. "We know what it takes. It takes partnerships with international oil companies."
Foreign oil companies, with their huge investment clout and technology, are best placed to quickly modernize Iraq's oil sector and meet the country's goal of doubling the current crude production of 2.5 million barrels per day by 2010, Saleh said.
But the absence of a legal framework governing investments and ownership of the country's oil resources has hampered foreign investment in the sector.
Iraq's oil infrastructure has been under repeated attacks from insurgents. The industry also suffered during the 1990s when the country under Saddam Hussein did not have access to state-of-the-art technology or engineering know-how.
Big oil companies have told the U.S. government they are willing to send crews to Iraq to explore and pump oil — regardless of the violence — as long as there are legal ground rules for their participation, said U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt.
"The oil companies have told us they need to know what the rules of the road are," said Kimmitt, President Bush's special envoy for the Iraq donor talks.
Currently, Iraq's oil production is overseen by the country's Ministry of Petroleum and two state-run oil companies, a centralized management system left over from the regime of Saddam Hussein that Saleh said "has proven to be a disaster."
"Iraq needs investment. Iraq needs to send a strong signal to the international community about investment in oil," the deputy prime minister said. "We need to push liberalization and open our markets."
Saleh, from the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, acknowledged that "differences remain" among those negotiating a hydrocarbon law, particularly on determining whether the resource is controlled by regional governments or Baghdad.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 13, 2006 3:52 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

The last one from www.iraqieconomy.org

New law allows private entrepreneurs to import fuel September 7, 2006 - Under new regulations, turned into law on Monday, Iraqi entrepreneurs will have the right to import fuel and compete with government-owned fuel distribution network.
Even foreign entrepreneurs, under the new legislation, are allowed to export and distribute fuel products directly. Iraq is currently facing a severe petrol, kerosene and cooking gas shortage.
The law gives Iraqi and foreign entrepreneurs the right to build fuel storages across the country, set up their filling stations and sell fuel directly to customers.
Those to be involved in what many see as a lucrative business opportunity will have taxes on their activities waived for two years.
The law comes as the government has decided to up spending on importing fuel this year to some $800 million a month.
Iraq with massive oil reserves faces severe fuel shortages which were non-existent before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
The government blames insurgent attacks on pipelines for the shortages, but Oil Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, say rickety infrastructure and lack of investment are among the reasons.
Most of the country’s fuel imports come from Iran, Turkey, Syria and Kuwait.
Before the U.S. invasion Iraqi refineries churned out 700,000 barrels a day but now they are said to be running at less than half capacity.
A liter of petrol or gasoline has soared to more than $1 dollar at a time the official price is set at nearly 17 cents.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 13, 2006 3:54 PM ∞

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PreDICtion wrote:

RV .61:1, 13 December 2006 at 0530 eastern. Source (Space). Good luck.

-- September 13, 2006 4:22 PM ∞

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Terri wrote:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060913/mideast_annan_060913/20060913?hub=World&s_name

Mideast sees Iraq as a disaster: Kofi Annan
Updated Wed. Sep. 13 2006 12:41 PM ET
Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Wednesday that most leaders in the Middle East believe the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and its aftermath "a real disaster" for the region.
Annan said many leaders believed the United States should stay until Iraq improves, while others, such as Iran, said the United States should leave immediately. That means that the United States has found itself in the difficult position where "it cannot stay and it cannot leave."
"Most of the leaders I spoke to felt the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath has been a real disaster for them," Annan said. "They believe it has destabilized the region."
Annan returned from a two-week trip to the Middle East late last week. His main goal was to get leaders to support a Security Council resolution imposing a cease-fire in Lebanon, but he said he discussed other issues such as Iraq with the leaders he met.
Iran offered to help the United States leave but did not go into details, Annan said. He would not give his own thoughts on whether he believed the United States should leave Iraq yet.
"The timing has to be optimum and it has to be arranged in such a way that it does not lead to even greater disruption or violence in the region," he said.
Annan's news conference was meant to give him a chance to discuss the results of his trip to the region and take stock of the U.N. ahead of the annual ministerial meeting of the General Assembly, which begins Tuesday.
He said that on Monday, the U.N. would host a meeting of the Iraq Compact, a new group created by Iraqi's government meant to help strengthen its economy.
"The idea here is to generate support for the economic development of Iraq," Annan said. "Wait till next week, the pessimists will be surprised as to what happens."
Annan plans to step down on Dec. 31 when his second five-year term as secretary-general ends.

-- September 13, 2006 4:32 PM ∞

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paul wrote:

Hi,
12 million Dinar and growing!

This is my favorite part...

He said that on Monday, the U.N. would host a meeting of the Iraq Compact, a new group created by Iraqi's government meant to help strengthen its economy.
"The idea here is to generate support for the economic development of Iraq," Annan said. "Wait till next week, the pessimists will be surprised as to what happens."

-- September 13, 2006 5:31 PM ∞

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Okie wrote:

==========================================================================
Terri wrote......

"The idea here is to generate support for the economic development of Iraq," Annan said. "Wait till next week, the pessimists will be surprised as to what happens."
========================================================================
This makes a person think that the meeting of the donor nations in the US on 9/18 will have some good news.....

-- September 13, 2006 5:35 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Allow me to address what PreDICtion wrote:
"RV .61:1, 13 December 2006 at 0530 eastern. Source (Space). Good luck." What evidence do you know of to support your assertion? What inside information do you have confirming such an high RV.

I do not believe neither the Central Bank nor the Central Government can support such an RV. The issues in Iraq are many and December RV is unlikely. If an RV occurs in December it may be modest such as: 1345:1.

Of course I hope I am wrong and I sure Roger and Lance shall chide me a second time. Their chiding is fine because iron sharpens iron.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 13, 2006 5:37 PM ∞

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Nelly B - Investor wrote:

I think thats what you call a SWAG (Simple Wild Ass Guess), Rob. The source (space) is a clue there.

-- September 13, 2006 6:28 PM ∞

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brian wrote:

I can only hope that the 18th will at least bring about speculation of a RV and increase value. At this point the NID has to see a increase to keep corruption from continuing. It certaily cant hurt that other countries i.e. Russia are going to help with all the Iraq failing refineries.

-- September 13, 2006 7:46 PM ∞

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Carl wrote:

When you kick the kitty hard enough you usually get results...!
I believe it is time to send that sucker through the uprights...that is.... the Iragi Government Officials for their lack of progress on corruption within their own ranks....How long do you continue to feed the kitty if the kitty keeps turning around and biting you...?
Well! the iraqi kitty has continued to bite us in the economic pockets, and they scream for more corruption funds...excuse me I mean aid...frankly...I think we should let them know in no uncertain terms the funds are connected to results....and results only...either make improvements within your ranks in arrest and convictions.... or the funds are going to be cut off starting this week...
Frankly....I am starting to feel like we have been taken for rubes....enough is enough...its time to change game plans.....

-- September 13, 2006 10:11 PM ∞

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C1Jim wrote:

Not to be negative, just another view on the dinar.

C1Jim

http://www.isx-data.com/opinion/139/will-the-iraqi-dinar-rise-not-likely

Will the Iraqi Dinar Rise? Not Likely
A brief look at the realities of a meteoric currency re-valuation

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By: David Sotnick (email)
Published: 09/07/2006
this author's past articles

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

Many have speculated that the Iraqi dinar (IQD) is set for a meteoric rise in 'value', with claims/rumors of the dinar being pegged 'in the near future' at levels ranging from $0.01 USD per dinar to as much as $1.00 USD per dinar.

First, let us examine these claims for what they must be; a scam, pure fiction or, at best, reasoned speculation.

Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics
Clearly, the vast majority of dinar-related claims appear to be a blatant scam, preying on the misinformed. Dozens of websites abound with information on the supposed previous value of the dinar, at or above $3.00 USD per dinar. On the surface, these claims are true, if one happily ignores the fact that this arbitrary level was picked by Saddam and his cronies and had absolutely no basing in economic fundamentals. Beware any source claiming these numbers as some kind of indicator of future value.

A second prevalent claim is that, much like the Kuwaiti dinar (KWD) during the first Gulf War, the Iraqi dinar is set for an overnight rise in value on a similar scale. Some simple facts however, reveal that these situations share nothing in common other than geography and the players involved. The Kuwaiti dinar had been historically valued at levels at or near those levels seen immediately after the liberation of Kuwait by Coalition forces (and in the 15 years since). The catastrophic, yet brief dip in the KWD's value was purely reflective of the economic uncertainty that the Iraqi invasion caused. The fact that once the Iraqi's were removed from Kuwait the currency bounced back to 'normal' levels should not surprise anyone. The KWD's worth was founded in decades of economic management by the Kuwaiti central bank, which had a track-record of demonstrating that a high exchange rate was sustainable for the Kuwaiti economy.

In discussing the IQD, a parallel is often made when attempting to justify the 'impending' rise in the value of the Iraqi dinar. Often people will cite (selectively of course) the valuations of several neighboring Gulf countries currency exchange rates. Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and others are touted as the 'natural' exchange rate for the region, given their similarity in both peoples and of course resources. However, this precludes the fact that Iran, Iraq's closest neighbor and clearly, if one is to look at the situation on the ground, most influential, has an exchange rate of over 9,000 Iranian Rial to the USD. If one feels the need to believe the superficial comparisons made in the positive, one also needs to look at those that may reflect negatively on the Iraqi situation.

A final comparison that you may see involves the supposed rise in value of the Afghanistan Afghani. In short, this currency has not experienced any real gains since the liberation from the Taliban. What it did experience was a phenomenon known as 'zero-lopping', in that the government decided to simply remove a number of trailing zeroes from their printed bills out of sheer convenience. Prices, and the Afghani's exchangeable values, immediately reflected these changes. No rise in value was or has been seen to the respective currency holder, or to the Afghan people.

One needs to remember that physical currency is simply a piece of paper with pretty pictures and an arbitrary number printed on it. Real value can only obtained through the trade of this paper, and its relative worth when compared to other currencies, which brings us to Iraq.

Reasoned Speculation, or How I Determined the Value of the IQD
At this point, in this author's opinion, targeting a specific exchange rate for the IQD is nonsensical, unless the person spreading the rumor has the ear of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) or has a complete understanding of the macro and micro-economic situation on the ground in Iraq. I would venture that nobody has such a complete picture, and that you would be better served to simply throw darts at a board when it comes to determining values.

Predicting the future of the Iraqi dinar is akin to predicting the future price of a given companies shares, without the 1) information needed to do it properly, 2) a language barrier which prevents all but a few from actually understanding what little information IS out there, and 3) a low-level civil war that makes gathering economic indicators and trends nearly impossible.

So what do we have to go on in terms of the true valuation of the dinar? Most obviously, the historical exchange rates of the current Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) regime. These rates have been steadfastly 'pegged' at close to 1500 IQD per USD now for almost three years. If one is to look at the daily currency auctions posted on the CBI's website, we can see that they seem to be managing the currency quite responsibly, and if anything have managed to stave off downward pressure, rather than stop some magical upward swing that many hope for. Through all the political bickering, sectarian violence and oil disruptions, the rate has traded within a very tight range of values.

In the face of an inflation rate hovering around 50%, the bank has done an admirable job of maintaining the current value of the dinar. One should not be surprised that given the on-the-ground realities, inflation and other economic factors, the dinar is probably slightly OVER-valued today. If the CBI was to back off on it's currency interventions, the value, at least in the short-term, would likely drop.

The Re-Pegging Myth
If the CBI were to decide tomorrow to 're-peg' the dinar to some arbitrary value (i.e. intervene to maintain the auction prices at a higher exchange rate value), of, say, 1 dinar = 1 USD, they would be insolvent within a month. Not to mention the obvious problems that these imaginary re-pegged exchange rates would create. Imagine the average Iraq citizen instantly becoming a USD millionaire, and then using these riches to flee the country and live like royalty elsewhere in the region. Or the range of weapons that the insurgents could then acquire with their billions of dinar/USD. Or the fact that individual currency speculators holding in some cases billions of dinar, now magically worth billions of USD, would have a net worth almost equal to Iraq's entire GDP (estimated to be ~94 billion for 2005). Ridiculous.

One should expect a loosening of the constraints of exchange on the dinar over the coming months/years, and one should expect some movement when this happens. One should not expect to suddenly be worth more than the entire country of Iraq.

**END ARTICLE**

-- September 14, 2006 12:05 AM ∞

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Terri wrote:

Good morning guy/gals!

I read on another forum that all roads entering Baghdad, on the 17th & 18th will have roadblocks and that the GoI has advised it's people to expect lengthy delays on those two days...I was half alseep when I read it (but I'm SURE of what it said) -- does anyone know WHY the 17th & 18th -- ?? I'm off to work right now (gotta work, at least until the r/v - LOL)-- I'll check back in a few hours...would sure like to know why the 17th and 18th !

-- September 14, 2006 7:29 AM ∞

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Okie wrote:

Looks like the hydrocarbon law will be passed at the end of the year. Sure wish they would get off their @$$ and get it done quicker.

==========================================================================
International Oil Firms

Shahristani, in Vienna for a meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exports Countries, was also briefing international oil companies about the latest developments in his country.

He said Iraq would enter into serious talks with them when parliament passed a new hydrocarbon law to regulate investment. This is expected by year-end.

http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles.php?refid=DH-S-14-09-2006&article=10486

-- September 14, 2006 9:01 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Enjoy the following article.

ICB Presenting financial adjustment with available reserve
ICB Presenting financial adjustment with available reserve
13/09/2006
Source: Al-Sabah

The Iraqi Central Bank assured that the country is improving in the field of reforming the financial sector in spite of the continuing violence and enough reserves are available to support the local currency.

Sinan Al-Shibibi, Governor of the Bank, emphasized the possibility of succeeding to maintain a stable financial status in Iraq if the reserves are enough to keep the currency exchange rate stable. He pointed out that the net foreign cash reached 10 billion USD at a rise estimated by 2 billion USD since last January. This matches the set down limit within the program of the International Monetary Fund.

Al-Shibibi said that increasing violence kept the inflation high about 10% over the set down limit of the Bank. Part of this is due to the unexpectedly high security costs. He anticipated that the country would not only maintain economic stability but also achieve more progress after the improvement of security status. Al-Shibibi pointed out that Iraq is on the right track in its financial reforms including: the change of banking system from one depending on cash to another depending on trust as well as improving banks' managements and developing the technology they use to conclude transactions.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 14, 2006 10:02 AM ∞

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Steve wrote:

I MISSED YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buy now my great news is common knowledge: Chase bank exchanging dinar.

I was quoted a price of 623.90 per million Dinar. Of course this will flucuate with the daily rates, but the point was that the rate is at the exchange rate. No middleman price increases or anything of that sort. Great news for liquidity eh?

C1Jim,

Your article neglects export factors as a basis for revalue. The curent model is based solely on reserves yes, but that is by design. It holds the currency value stable so that stressors to the market can be better assessed. Once they decide on an RV rate, the export factor looms large.

Where is Roger, or did I just miss his posts. I'll go look again.

Again, glad to be back on board...............

-- September 14, 2006 2:13 PM ∞

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Mattuk wrote:

Hello to every,I've been following this site for about six months now, and read many interesting articles about the dinar, for what its worth I agree with people like lance and steve that the revalve is inevitable, and soon hopefully. I am based here in the UK (and I am english) but having lived in the USA I find it amusing the comments made some of you stateside, especially your views in the past about religion and the meaning of life! Glad this thread is back online and it continues with insightful dialogue and interesting banter.I've been tempered to add my views in the past but so often someone else has beaten me to it. So I've just sat back and watched from a distance, and to be honest the only reason I'm writing this now is because some of you have incouraged more people to participate and I'm glad your all out there.I'm crap at typing so it maybe quite a while until I find the energy to compose more waffle.... Take care and good luck to you all, Matt in the UK

-- September 14, 2006 3:17 PM ∞

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Terry wrote:

Hi there. New to this forum. So many pieces of the puzzle seem to be falling in place.

-- September 14, 2006 3:19 PM ∞

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paul wrote:

Steve,
Do you have contact number for Chase?

-- September 14, 2006 3:48 PM ∞

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Terri wrote:

All right you guys! I really depend on the combined intelligence on this forum! Has ANYONE found out why the roadblocks on all roads leading into Baghdad on the 17th & 18th...I've been searching all day and can't find out why.

I thought it might be because of Ramadan, but that don't start until 10/24 -- it's much to early for extra security for that.

-- September 14, 2006 5:08 PM ∞

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Okie wrote:

Terri....

The only big event in that time frame is the Iraq donor meeting in the US....which is on the 18th. My contacts in Iraq don't know either...but they're out in the boonies right now.
Anybody know??????

-- September 14, 2006 5:55 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Judge tells Saddam: "You are not a dictator"
By Ibon Villelabeitia
Thu Sep 14, 1:28 PM ET

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The judge in Saddam Hussein's genocide trial said on Thursday he did not think the ousted Iraqi leader was a "dictator," prompting a spokesman for the U.S.-sponsored court to defend its impartiality.

Abdulla al-Amiri made his comments one day after prosecutors demanded his resignation, complaining that he was too soft on Saddam, who had threatened to "crush the heads" of his accusers. They also complained he let Saddam make long speeches in court.

Questioning a Kurdish farmer who testified he had secured a face-to-face audience with Saddam in 1988 and begged him to spare the lives of his wife and seven children, the former president said: "If I'm a dictator, why did you come to see me?"

Amiri, who has compared his approach to the trial as that of a referee seeking "fairness," then addressed Saddam politely, saying: "You are not a dictator. It is the people who surround a man who make him a dictator." He did not elaborate.

Visibly pleased, Saddam uttered a respectful "Thank you" and then regained his seat in the Baghdad courtroom.

Iraqi High Tribunal chief investigator and spokesman Raed Juhi sought during a news conference later to distance the court, set up by U.S. occupying forces, from Amiri's comment.

"The court will continue with its neutrality and its course. The judge is only human," Juhi said.

"At the end, the judge will decide guilty or not guilty based on the evidence. This has no effect on the case."

Saddam and six former commanders face capital charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for their role in the 1988 Anfal campaign prosecutors say left 182,000 Iraqi Kurds dead or missing. Saddam and his cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majeed, known as "Chemical Ali," also face genocide charges.

Part of the prosecution case is expected to rest on how far Saddam was directly responsible for the actions of his troops.

Amiri, who is a member of the majority Shi'ite community which along with ethnic Kurds suffered widely under Saddam's Sunni-led rule, was not available for comment after the trial.

FACE TO FACE

Earlier, farmer Abdulla Mohammad Hussain told the court how a furious Saddam shouted "Shut up and get out!" when he pleaded for the release of his family, including a 40-day-old daughter, who were rounded up in their village in northern Kurdistan.

"He told me to approach him and I begged him for their lives," he said, recounting a visit to one of Saddam's palaces in dramatic testimony during the fourth hearing this week of a trial that began last month.

Saddam, who has defended his policies of crushing Kurdish rebels fighting alongside Shi'ite Iran during the final years of the Iraq-Iran war, said he did not remember ever seeing the witness, who described himself as illiterate.

"Do you have a receipt that you saw me? The Presidential Palace always issued receipts to those who came to visit me?" Saddam asked of the alleged incident 18 years ago.

"No. You took the receipt away from me when I saw you," said Hussain, who is in his mid-50s and wore a traditional headdress.

The trial was adjourned until Monday.

The initial phase of the trial has featured a litany of often harrowing testimony from Kurdish survivors. Saddam is also awaiting a verdict in a first, separate, trial for crimes against humanity over the deaths of 148 Shi'ite men.

-- September 14, 2006 6:35 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Iran: 'Occupying forces' must leave Iraq.
POSTED: 10:43 a.m. EDT, September 13, 2006

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has praised the new Iraqi government and said Iran looks forward to the day when U.S. troops leave Iraq, according to an Iranian media report.

"A major portion of Iraq's problems will be solved when the occupying forces leave that country, and that is why we desire and hope that occupiers leave Iraq," Khamenei said, according to a report from Iran's semi-official news agency FARS.

Following talks with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Wednesday, Khamanei said Iran was happy that an independent and permanent government had been formed in Iraq. "We hope that the day will come when the Iraqi nation reaches its rightful place (among nations) and, after it is free from foreigners, its human and natural resources could be used to serve the Iraqi people," he said. "The Islamic Republic of Iran feels duty bound to provide practical assistant to the Iraqi government and nation."

Al-Maliki said Iraq's major problem is "the question of security," which he blamed on supporters of Saddam Hussein's former Baathist regime as well as Islamic extremists. The Iraqi leader expressed hope that by implementing Tehran-Baghdad agreements reached in the Iranian capital, the two countries' relations will further expand.

Al-Maliki met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday, who described the talks as "very good." Iran and Iraq are linked in large part by common religion -- Shia Islam -- but their relationship is complicated. While many Iranians and Iraqis -- officials as well as citizens -- believe the nations are kindred spirits, there have been tensions between them. They fought a bloody war in the 1980s under Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, who brought Iraq's minority Sunni Muslims to power.

The United States, the chief ally and backer of the new Iraqi government, has been a longtime adversary of Iran on many issues, including Iran's nuclear ambitions. American and British officials have claimed that Iran is attempting to fan the flames of insecurity in Iraq, where the government is trying to promote national unity among Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds.

CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq and Jomana Karadsheh contributed to this report.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/09/13/iraq.iran/index.html

-- September 14, 2006 6:47 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Iraq war 'disaster for Mideast'
Posted: Thursday, September 14, 2006


Baghdad, The UN secretary general has said that most Middle East leaders regard the US-led invasion of Iraq and its aftermath as a disaster for the region.

Kofi Annan, speaking at a briefing following his recent tour of the region, said that the timing of any US withdrawal was now a key issue. He said some leaders wanted the US to stay in Iraq and stabilise it, while others wanted an immediate withdrawal.

The White House said it disagreed with his characterisation of events in Iraq. Spokesman Tony Snow accepted there had been unrest in Iraq but pointed to attempts to establish democracy in Lebanon and in Palestinian areas, and said democracy was also gaining a footing in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Annan was speaking at a news conference at the UN in New York ahead of this year's General Assembly. He also appealed to Iran to work with the international community to solve the dispute over its nuclear programme. Washington accuses Tehran of attempting to build a nuclear bomb. Speaking about his tour of Middle East nations, Annan said: 'Most of the leaders I spoke to felt that the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath have been a real disaster for them...They believe it has destabilised the region.' But he also said many leaders wanted the Americans to stay in Iraq until the security situation improved, arguing that 'having created the problem they cannot walk away'.

He said other leaders, notably in Iran, felt 'the presence of the US is a problem and that the US should leave, and if the US were to decide to leave, they would help them'. Annan concluded: 'So in a way, the US has found itself in a position where it cannot stay and it cannot leave. 'And I believe, if it has to leave, the timing has to be optimum and it has to be arranged in such a way that it does not lead to even greater disruption or violence in the region.'

Turning to Iran, Annan said he detected a slight shift in Tehran's approach and believed the Iranians were more open to suspending their nuclear enrichment activities as part of negotiations. 'We cannot afford another crisis in this region. I appeal to the Iranians to ...lift the cloud of uncertainty surrounding their programme, so hopefully this will be done.'

http://www.tradearabia.com/tanews/newsdetails_snDEF_article111190.html

-- September 14, 2006 7:12 PM ∞

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Nelly B - Investor wrote:

Hi Matt.

Good to see another Brit here. I was starting to get lonely on this side of the pond. Have you bought your ticket yet?

Does anyone have Roger's Email addy? I feel if he does not return to post soon, the board will burst with his posts when he does finally return.

No signs of Lance either? I wonder if he's still wrestling with his hair shirt. Maybe he called in Roger for backup. Show it the shampoo I say.

-- September 14, 2006 7:31 PM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

Commenting on Outlaws Trade Arabia story on the Muslim reaction to the American invasion, I'd say, yes, the American presense in that country is destabilizing to the region. For too long the region has seem stable tyranny, human rights abuses, and millions of other problems. "Stability" in the past lead to terrorism and supporting Muslim dictators abusing their own people, languishing the area in backwardness. Iran wants to make an atom bomb so they can boss other Muslims around, and if they decide to steal Arab oil, they think they can get away with it if they have an atomic bomb. With a thousand billion dollars worth of new oil money, Iran could fund a lot more terrorism. I say nuke em while we have a chance. As a warmongering Canuck, let me say, God bless America.

-- September 14, 2006 7:38 PM ∞

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Steve wrote:

Paul,

Yes I do, but I am pretty sure you'll need to ask to speak with someone who does foreign exchange. This number is for members with accounts: 1-800-935-9935

Website is www.chase.com

-- September 14, 2006 9:39 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Back in business.

Hi everybody, really nice to see you all, I had almost withdrawal symphtoms, when this blog went down.

Well done Kevin, thanks.

Hold on everybody, seems like a lot of things are piling up and the dates are pretty much the same.

Roadblocks the 17th and 18th. The World Bank have their meting in Singapore now the 18th.

Kofi Anan, says that " Wait until next week, the pessimists will be suprised as to what happen"

Donor conferance in the US around the 18th.

It seems to bubble.

I know the Iraqis will be at the World bank meeting (I'm old have CRS, dont remember where I picked that up), and I checked the agenda on the meeting, but it was not mentioned.

Perhaps I missed something, but also, no revalue or devalue of any currency is ever announced in before hand, to protect the currency agains specuation, mass sellouts, or mass buyups, or unlawful trading, so this might very well be it.

According to the agenda, all the World Banks dignitaries will be there, and this is probably the best opportunity to align the Iraq currency plans with the rest of the world.

Please help out in checking whats going on in Singapore.

Carl had the right idea.

I can read into it, and from many sources across the world. People in general is completely sick and tired of the eeeeeeeeeeeeeendless "Iraq Problem"

It's an embarassment for democracy, and finally they are taking this country, and its economy by it's straps and bringing it up passed the fail safe point.

Me , I'm sick of all these politicians declaring this, and declaring that, and if they are blowing smoke in our eyes one more time, I think it's time we start to be a bit loud ourself to them about it.

Nelly B,

I've been on shampoo hunt for that hairy shirt Fred, I tried lice shampoo, I tried shampoo that tingles, and are currently experimenting with acids in a progressively stronger grade, but the hair shirt still shows signs of life. Haven't heard from Lance, but he was going over to the US beating his wife a couple of weeks, so we'll se if he can get hold of a pjuter over here, otherwise he'll probably be back in business upon his return.

Tim Bitts,

If Iran can be held in check, we're all happy, but I have a feeling that anything they say, anything they agree to and any promise thay will give, WILL be broken. Right now, they have volountarily suspended Uranium enrichment. In my eyes they are laughing and are continuing enriching it, commenting "suckers". Either we have to take care of them or Israel will. Israel have never acknowledge their nuclear capability, but are thought to have one of the biggest stockpiles of nuclear warheads, after Russia and USA. They have also two missile systems, buried, and deployed from underground bunkers, both capable of surviving a close nuclear blast. Both missile systems are capable of reaching Iran. Hope it doesnt have to come to this, but thats the reality facing Iran.

Outlaw,

Saddam should have swung from the rope long ago. In wartimes, wartribunals are internationally recognized as a means of trial.

I dont know if you remember the trial of the Rumanian communist dictator Cheuchesko.The country revolted, the cought the man, he had a 45 minutes trial, and then he was shot, it was shown on TV the day after, and that was it.

Hi Steve,

Good, that shows we have at least ONE official bank exchanging Dinars, that will save us from Dinar Dealers tarrifs.

Mattuk,

Welcome to the show, the abuse is instant and the pain and pleasure is free. If your typing sucks, dont worry abou tit bcausue we hvnt learnd english her e yet.

I saw a parking sign in LA that read, "Heads In First".
Not even a verb in it. Doesnt really mean anything in English.

Another sign on the Oklahoma Pike. "Failure to pay toll, strictly enforced".

C1Jim,

That article by David Sotnik,I read it, and I must say that he have read all the Dinar sales arguments, from all the Dinar dealers, opposed them all, and with that ground, think the Dinar will stay in the dark for a very long time. Seems like a guy that have done a two week research on his spare time, I'm pretty sure most of us on this board have far more knowledge than that.

-- September 14, 2006 10:13 PM ∞

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Paul wrote:

Steve,
Thanks for the info. I am finding it more and more difficult to discover bargains on Ebay. So far my average buy-in is $730.00 per million. I am now at 12 million. Good Luck!

-- September 14, 2006 10:26 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Nelly B,

If this is it, and we're doing really good, we're having a potroast in Florida Keys, get drunk BEFORE you get on the plane, because you can't bring the bubbly. No more liquids. Well not that it matters too much because you're going first class anyway, and get served that stuff for free.

I will have to warn you about the cultural chock though, over here we have absolutely no manners. We cruise in the passing lane, and use our finger(s) for communication.

No one have the slightest idea how to behave in a line.Everybody is special and have to cut in and say his piece to the clerk.

When we say, "come and see me sometime" and you really show up at their door, we will be chocked.

The distinction between distilled water and american coffee, is still in debate.

Any coffee bread you order, will come with a half inch of sugarcoating, and sometimes you get an extra cup of frosting(american name for sugar on bread) if you think it was too little.

We eat a 6000 calorie meals, but are very strict about getting a "diet" soda to the meal. We have not really learned to count calories yet.

We have a cop in every corner, demanding that you spread eagle, and keep your hands where they can se them. Any traffic stop will include a search and a back up car, and ofcourse a ticket. No one objects to searches, we happily go along with them, and the law enforcement is our heroes.

Dont worry about the ticket, if you get one that gives you a movingviolation(points on your drivers licence) you can easily go to a lawyer and have it swapped to a higher bail, but no moving violation. You dont need to go to court to do this, the lawyer and the DA is buddies on the golfclub, and thats where the deal is made.

We don't respectfully face you and speak with a normal voice, we address you across the room screaming, -"Hey you".

We have guns, I love mine, but the road signs are pretty peppered with bulletholes in some places.

Signs saying "Beer, Ammo, Bait", exists here and are true.

We sell everything, and will remind you about all the wonderful products you cant live without wherever you turn your head.

We dont have quality but we have DEALS, it doesnt matter if you buy a substandard product as long as you got a good deal.

Everything that is FREE, have a hook. But it doesn't matter, we go for it every time.

We're the center of the universe, and as we're the only one playing baseball, (you know the thing where nothing happens for twenty minutes, except a lot of hot dog sales, crouch scratching, tobacco chewing, sign language, and bat tapping on the base.)we have named it the World Series.

Soccer is gay.

We suffer a little bit from bad education, show us a map of the world and ask us to point out Brittain, and you will see an unsure finger choosing between Zimbabwe, and Guam.

Switzerland and Sweden is the same country. (got to be, they sound similar)

Our education is based on the entertainment industry, any one of us can quote who played in what movie.

You must also understand our devoted and deep loyalty, to our beloved country, its workforce, its system, and it's principles, so dont be suprised to see a lot of american flags painted on everything, like Nissan pickup trucks or BMW's.

If there is a crisis, we display our solidarity by flying a flag on the car, it's a thing you squeese in to the window by closing it around a heel formed to fit. It lasts about two weeks, because the plastic arm will break in about that time, and as we really have already showed our solidarity , we really dont need to buy another one. So our time frame of displaying our solidarity is based on the longevity of a plastic device.

Our social standing is based on a gradient scale, of how much we love to be in debt. We assign much status to it, and call it "our credit rating".

We are completely convinced that all women born with hair on their bodies, older men without hair, and any teeth that is not sparkling white, is a sickness, and must be cured.

We have a spray for everything.

So Nelly B, welcome to the pot roast. Once you have got a taste of the insanity over here, you know your going to be hooked, and from then on nothing will ever be the same.

-- September 14, 2006 11:38 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Iraq is in a very very unique situation.

Iraq have 85% of their export in oil. Meaning, the rest of their export is less significant. As oilproduction increases, the rest of their export will be even more marginalized.

When you have undervalued currency , like Iraq have right now, their currency will buy squat in any other foreign country.

That will produce a scarcity of goods.

That means, the merchant can ask whatever they want for the goods.

That means there will be a galloping inflation, just like we have in Iraq.

The upside with an undervalued currency, is that the export will be very cheap in any other country and will promote the internal industry.

However, Iraq have the MAJORITY , 85%, of the export in oil, the oil is not sold in Dinars, it's sold in Dollars.

So the agricultural or industrial export other than oil, that will benefit from an undervalued currency is very minimal, and have to this date not showed any bigger difference in the Iraq economy.

So if you OVERVALUE the currency, the Dinar will suddenly buy a lot of things for the Iraqi man, stores will be filled, and competition will be sharpened. No scarcity of stuff.

The downside is that the export (the one not fixed to oil, the 15%) will suffer, because the goods will now be more expensive for the foreign market to buy.

Now, here is a conclution.

Iraq CAN overvalue it's currency, because their export is minimal, very little in the whole picture will get hurt.

Dont be suprised, it might be a huge revaluation.

With Iraq's special situation, I dont think they give a hoots if their export of Hooka pipes or Used Camels, will be suffering.

-- September 15, 2006 12:08 AM ∞

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Seeker wrote:

Hey Ya'll

Glad glad to see ya back. Short acouple missed faces, and the addition of acouple of new ones, the world is starting to spin true on it;s axis again.

Steve
Do you know wich Chase branch you spoke to. The quote it got from the one in Phoenix was 763.00 per mil?

-- September 15, 2006 2:40 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

763 / mil sounds like a selling price,
623.90 / mil sounds very much like the banks buying price

-- September 15, 2006 3:47 AM ∞

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FRED wrote:

Seeker,
This is Fred, the hairy shirt, do you mind if I get in contact with your socks.

-- September 15, 2006 3:49 AM ∞

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Okie wrote:

I surely believe my next step will be to transfer my Warka Bank, Baghdad account, to their Branch in Kurdistan. At least I could go there and fondle my Dinars whenever I wanted to.

============================================================================
As for the daylight kidnappings, horrific car bombings, drive-by assassinations and economic misery blighting the rest of Iraq, Farok is blunt.

"I don't care," he says. "The Arabs never cried for us when we were suffering. I'm going to a teahouse with my friend to have some fun."

While much of Iraq remains engulfed in various layers of insurgent, sectarian, political and tribal violence, the Switzerland-sized Kurdish autonomous region in the north of the country, established after the 1991 Persian Gulf War, remains an oasis of safety and tranquillity where young and old concern themselves with mundane matters of life like work, dating and home furnishings.

Even as Iraqis of means take their money and skills and abandon cities like Baghdad, Basra and Mosul, the Kurdish enclave has been thriving.

A massive real estate boom has transformed major cities like Sulaymaniyah and Irbil into noisy construction zones. The once desolate ring road around Sulaymaniyah, for example, is being filled up from scratch with apartment towers and commercial buildings on a scale seen only in the oil-rich Persian Gulf kingdoms.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=16&art_id=27298&sid=9833020&con_type=1&d_str=20060915

-- September 15, 2006 8:28 AM ∞

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Steve wrote:

Roger wrote:

"We eat a 6000 calorie meals, but are very strict about getting a "diet" soda to the meal. We have not really learned to count calories yet."

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

Of all of my medical experiences, this has to take the cake. Nearly everyone with heart disease that comes through says the following: "Yes, I eat fried foods 3 times a week. But I always make sure to get a diet soda with every meal........"

Sigh.........

Paul,

You're welcome. I personally have been using SafeDinar and getting decent rates till now (although not anywhere near what you've been getting....). Make sure to check those notes for authenticity...........

Needless to say, I am making the switch to Chase.
I used to be concerned about liquidity so I went with smaller denominations incase a big RV occured. With this in place, I'll be buying 25k notes exclusively.

Roger and Seeker,

I'm in San Antonio. It was the branch on Culebra Road. I don't know the exact address off the top of my head. You might be correct Roger. The teller did say they just started it and it appeared that she might not have known that there was a difference in asking price and selling. She DID confirm that the exchanges were taking place both ways, but the price she quoted me may well have been a buyback price.......

I must apologize if this is the case. I will look into it this weekend.

HairyShirt (Fred),

Tell Lance that I have some detergent and a washing machine for sale.

Something tells me he won't get that message though................

-- September 15, 2006 10:28 AM ∞

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Bill1 wrote:

Been reading some of the recent posts speaking to the current conditions in Iraq, etc. There's a very good one at the top of the page by a Roger Isaksson, submitted by one of the regular posters here at the T&B, one which I believe hits the nail on the head when it comes to defining the stalemate in Iraq. He talks about the much needed [immediate] revaluation of the Iraqi Dinar to help catapult the country out of this quagmire of insurgent warfare, and I couldn't agree with him more.

Think of it ...even a modest revaluation at this point would indicate, more so than any other type of metric, that success really is taking place in Iraq despite the bombings and other terrorist activities. I would even go so far as to say it would just about demoralize the insurgency, by demonstrating to them that, "despite their best efforts at creating turmoil, hate, and disconent within the country, that Iraq is indeed rising from the ashes to become a democratic shining star in the Middle East.". It would also motivate and embolden Iraqis accross the board, and breath a much needed new life into their efforts to stabilize the country and jump start their economy. Remember, it wasn't that long ago when we were reading about how they were beginning to band together in their neighborhoods, to the point that they were openly cooperating with authorities (US and Iraqi) to help identify and turn-in known terrorist working for Iran's insurgency.

I loved reading those positive articles, and at that time really thought progress was being made and it wouldn't be long before Iraq was on her feet. But, it all lasted about five minutes, because rather than really sieze the initiative by assisting them as much as we could, somehow we allowed it to fizzle and once again the insurgents became proactive and we "reactive" to their schemes and operations. Seeing this take place, I'm certain, caused the everyday Iraqi to think more so in hopeless terms rather than positive ones, ultimately weakening their resolve, which was exactly the outcome the insurgency had hoped for.

We would all love a revaluation as NID holders/speculators for obvious reasons, but a positive revaluation of the dinar would be a HUGE slap in the face of the insurgency, and would work wonders in moving the country toward a higher level of stability. If we're really serious about claiming success in Iraq; if were really serious about ending this war sooner -- rather than later; and if we're really serious about getting our forces out of Iraq and putting a stop to throwing astronomical amounts of U.S. taxpayer dollars at restructure efforts; then its time for us to, "crap, or get off the pot.". Better than guns, bullets, bombs, bloodshed, and the like; we can deal the insurgents a harsh blow through economic manipulation. What better way to create a win/win situation for all concerned?... [JMO]

Good luck to all,

Bill1

-- September 15, 2006 3:58 PM ∞

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FRED wrote:

Bill 1,

Thanks. I do believe there are things happening. But I agree, it's far far to slow in the action department. It seems that any and all issue have to go one round or two through the UN. Documetns have sticky tape on them, and anyone that has to be briefed on the situation in Iraq, have to have a squirt of WD-40 sprayed into their ears to make the think machine run without squeking.

One might think that it is so obvious that the Iraq currency is hopelessly undervalued, graphs show a straight line on the Dinar value, while the consumer price index look like the vapor trails after a rocket going straight up.

As you say, we will benefit and be happy when a reval will happen, but set aside our own greed, or just cold unattached comments on graphs, the reality is, the Iraqis are suffering , and are suffering bad right now.

What gets me is the long inactivity on it, when the fix is comparably simple.

However, there is a lot of activity going to happen around the 17th-18th, here in a couple of days, and I'm watching with big ears, big eyes, like the wolf dressed up as the Red Riding Hood's grandma.

-- September 15, 2006 4:37 PM ∞

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Laura Parker wrote:

Hi All,

It's great to see everyone is still hanging on to relationships on this board. At my last posting, Lance wrote about George Soros and I couldn't agree more. For posts on these entries, look to last blog. However, I was speaking about General Georges Sada, a retired Iraqi Air Force Pilot and an Assyrian Christian. This man was responsible for taking care of our downed pilots during the 2003 war with Iraq. At one point, Quay wanted to kill all the pilots and this general quoted the Geneva Convention. As a result of his deviance, Saddam had the General jailed the next day. He was eventually let go and forced into retirement because of his lack of party afflication. He received training in Russia, France, Italy, Britain, and USA. He was only pilot with training in all these countries. He states in his book, Sadaam's Secrets, that Iraq had WMD's up through summer 2002. At that time, Sadaam had the weapons taken down by Russian Weapons Specialist and taken by truck and commercial air planes that had been gutted to Syria. Wonderful news, isn't it?.

Well gang, I think I too feel like Carl on the corruption issue in Iraq.

American's can't keep pouring dollars down the drain with no results. With what I am reading about the Iraq people, they are living in conditions of insecurity that we ourselves would never premit.

Whatever the sources of insurrection, we are going to have to stop kidding ourselves. We will need to commit more troops or get out!.

Our USA/British soldiers are not winning the hearts of the Iraqi people due to conditions the people are living under. We do not seem to have the will to win the peace. At least, that is what I am reading. No Results! If we are going to stay, we need to win the hearts of ordinary Iraqi's and get them involved in their country. Corruption, crime and security issues have to disappear.

Laura

-- September 15, 2006 4:39 PM ∞

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Mike wrote:

Are any of the Kurdish companies in the oasis of Kurdistan traded on the ISX?

-- September 15, 2006 5:20 PM ∞

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Dinar Phil wrote:

When will some people learn? Don't stir the pot until its time. Thank you mister pope guy for the ' comments ' about holy war today. This guy isn't a Rhodes scholar is he?

-- September 15, 2006 5:25 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Sorry,
I'm not Fred, except when in hairy drag.

-- September 15, 2006 6:00 PM ∞

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Terry wrote:

Is anyone hearing of a r/v at .98 euro on Sunday? Seen this on some other sites today. Not trying to start a rumor, but would like to know if anyone with boots on the ground has heard anything.

Thanks
Terry

-- September 15, 2006 7:19 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Roger,

Not only did they shoot him but they did the same to his ol' lady too!

hehe!

Outlaw

-- September 15, 2006 7:30 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Terry... Can you please post a link to this information?

Thanks,
Outlaw

-- September 15, 2006 7:33 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Outlaw,

Yes, she had too many shoes, shelfs after shelfs of them. Funny, Marcos widow had shelf after shalf of shoes also, but they didn't shoot her.

I say, if women have too many shoes, they have to get shot.

Terry,

This is my prediction. Oakland Oilers will win, New York Broncos, second, and Philladephia Packers third.

-- September 15, 2006 7:41 PM ∞

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Terry wrote:

Here is what I can get Outlaw. Seems to be some bickering since I read.

http://www.investorsiraq.com/226262-post278.html

http://www.investorsiraq.com/226005-post152.html

http://www.investorsiraq.com/226017-post161.html

I don't know what to make of it so I am asking the more informed on this site.
Thanks
Terry

-- September 15, 2006 7:55 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Laura,

Absolutely , the voice is more and more, "-Hey, show me the results".

Iraq is suppose to be a showpiece for democracy, but have turned into a joke.

Who wants to invest in a car parts plant over there.

Who wants to stroll in Baghdad, going to their Bazars and cafe's, on their vacation?

Only possibility , luckily, is the Big Oil, knowing they are going to be out in the desert with their operation.

I'm all ears now when this supposedly new program , or debt relief, or additional loans, or revaluation or whatever is supoosed to happen here very shortly. I hope they have a program that will really change things, not just Kofi Annan declaring another future hope, or something.

Laura, tell me something, I'm curious about Iran and the nuclear thing, your husband had some in, on the ammount and degree of enrichment. Can you stroke him gently in a way only a wife can do, and pump him on info about if he knows anything more about the enrichment.

Perhaps you can even get him to post something on this site about it.

-- September 15, 2006 8:03 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

SARA,

I LOVE YOU, you are not forgotten, you are part of our souls here.

Come back, have fun and laugh.

No time for right and wrong.

Dont regret yesterday, life is in you now, and we are looking for the future.

HUUUUUUUUUUUGGG

-- September 15, 2006 8:18 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Terry,

I as everyone would love to see a .98 EURO/Dinar but I agree with C1Jim's assement of the situtation in Iraq and a RV that high would drive Iraq into bankruptcy.

Everyone who has gone through the Baghdad International Airport... Remember the sign at Immigration... No more than 100,000 Dinar or $10,000 USD cn come into or out of Iraq without declaring to Customs. That would equal a ten cent RV. To me that sound more reasonable for an opening RV... and why would they post that at the Airport if they themselves didn't have that figure in mind?

Comments anyone???

Outlaw

-- September 15, 2006 9:01 PM ∞

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Terry wrote:

Thanks Outlaw.
Terry

-- September 15, 2006 9:08 PM ∞

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Terry wrote:

Just as a side note the 10k USD limit is a US Customs Reg. Even if you go to Canada you would have to claim that. the 100K IDR seems a little low compared. Has anyone ever iquired about that?
Thanks
Terry

-- September 15, 2006 9:17 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Checked the currency converter index.

1.27 Dollars = 1 Euro.

A Dinar at .98 Euro will be in Dollar, 1.24.

A Dinar revalued to 1.24 Dollar, sounds way way too high.

Then again, what will be hurt if you overvalue a currency is their export, thier only export of any substance is oil, and that one is in Dollars anyway, the rest of Iraqis export, that is depending on their Dinar is very small, so nothing significant will be hurt.

They CAN overvalue and get away with it.

I'm not against it, I'll take the money and run, and would do a dance inbetween there also, but in truth, seems a bit optimistic to me.

It will be very exciting to see after this weekend what (and if) they are coming up with.

-- September 15, 2006 9:29 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Terry,

That sign was very visible to all as you enter the Airport after landing. The last time I was in the Airport was this past Jan. and it was still posted then. I am sure that others who have passed through there more recent can verify if it is still on the wallor not...

As far as 100k IQD -VS- $10k??? Your guess would be as good as mine but as I said... That would mean a .10 USD/1 IQD RV.

Outlaw

-- September 15, 2006 9:30 PM ∞

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Terry wrote:

Outlaw, good point.
Thanks
Terry

-- September 15, 2006 10:06 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Hmmm....well, lets say they do revalue to 1.24 dollars.

All they have to do is just to change the sign at the airport.

100 K in Dinars is about 64 bucks.(in todays value)

I just think that the limit of bringing out 64 bucks will be changed if they are about to do an overhaul on their currency.

Also the US restriction of bringing out more than $10K , is a US mandate based on our own economy.

I have a hard time seing that the artificially set US limit compared with the artificially set Iraq limit to bring out currencies would have any relevance to how much or little they will RV the Dinar(if they are RVing, that is).

I agree that a reval to between 1 and 15 cents is most real, but hey, they might go wild, they have no significant export in goods traded in Dinars, so as I say,
they CAN overvalue and get away with it.

-- September 15, 2006 11:17 PM ∞

---

Laura Parker wrote:

Roger,

Read your post and the answer is not good to your question on Iran. IAEA in 2003 found highly enriched uranium on a site that Iran supposely moved a lab site.

IAEA did not disclose how enriched in a News Week article that I have previously cited on this blog. Further, I am sure President Bush knows.

However, anything over 3 to 4 percent enrichment is for bomb making. My husband had previously spoken about this to me.

I had been reading about Sadaam's wmd's and one intelligence source stated that the State Dept. believed that the missiles were removed from Syria and went to Iran. These of course are all Russian made.

I think we are going to have a war with Iran. I hope I am wrong. However, I don't see President Bush simply walking away with over 300 billion dollars invested in Iraq.

Most of the articles I have read from most ordinary Iraqi's--are people who believe that the various factions are controlled by influences from Iran.

These are precious people caught inbetween with lack of security and not a big heart for America as conditions have gotten worse instead of better. However, even they state you cannot trust the ordinary Iraqi due to where their own alliance is. The sad reality is the only source of trust is in the USA military and it seems to the ordinary Iraqi, the military seems complacant (to allow the conditions to continue). Iran has infiltrated the Iraq country in influence and their own people.

This is rather depressing--if you are an ordinary American and after over 300 billion spent. America needs to start getting results.

-- September 16, 2006 12:54 AM ∞

---

George wrote:

Fred

This is George, Seeker's feet. I'd live to introduce you to my socks. I'm sure they would love the companionship as they get very lonely. Their ONLY friends are his shoes.
You see they are very shy. Everybody else shuns them with horror where ever they go. They curl there noses, make terrible faces and loud noises of discontent when ever they enter a room.
The only time they feel save is when they are in his shoes.
Mabe with you they could get out and relax a bit. Stretch out, just be themselves.
I must warn you though. I hope your intentions are honorable. Even though they relize it, I like them alot, and I am very protective of them. I rely on them a great deal and thier always there for me.
George

-- September 16, 2006 2:05 AM ∞

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FRED wrote:

My intentions are honorable and I promise to bring back your socks by 10 o clock, unhurt.

-- September 16, 2006 2:23 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Laura,

Iran, yes I can't see a soluton to it. I doubt a nuclear standoff, like the cold war is even in Irans interest.

The Iran regine go to go in the interest of mankind, and especially for the region as a whole.

It screws up so much in Iraq, as they are completely infiltrated, orchestrating all the internal fighting in Iraq, and then show a face as a mediator, trying to look like saviors for the mess they have created in the first place.

Problem is, the more you tighten a grip on a country, the more the people will come together in that country.

If there will be a war, perhaps it's better to have it done quickly and efficiently. Have it done and over with.

There will be only two participants, USA and Israel, either one of them will do it, maybe the Brits may be in , but I can assure you that the rest of the world will be on lookers commenting the ballgame, and condeming it ofcourse.

In their hearts they will be very glad that we were the ones doing thir dirty work for them again.

-- September 16, 2006 2:39 AM ∞

---

Laura Parker wrote:

Roger,

I know you are right about what kind of allies we will have with a war on Iran.

The problem is, the other countries like Russia, France, Italy and I have read that German companies have been supplying arms to Iran, Syria for profit.

It makes me sick that they will get rich on the arms deals--and leave good old USA and Israel to pick up the pieces.

Mr. Putin was niece enough to tell Israel, he would sell Syria missiles that Israel could shoot down.

Iran wants to be the new world power in the oil rich gulf i.e., like the USA. If we back down, they will come after us.

I hate to be speaking about blood and guts like this; as our soldiers will be the ones to pay--while the world sits on the sidelines.

On other news, my husband came home and told me that the IAEA has invited him to Europe to speak in the country of Hungry at end of November beginning part of December. Apparently, they have a nuclear power plant.

He stated, he is not sure he can go as the company he works for is in the middle of an outage. His boss is sleeping on the decision of whether he will let him go on company time.

We at one time went to Mexico on an IAEA conference. My husband with another expect from Finland gave a conference on Nuclear Equipment Qualification.

Apparently, he must have made a good impression on the IAEA sponsor. It's good to be recognized for one's expertise.

Whatever happened to Lance?

-- September 16, 2006 3:53 AM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Iraqi PM promotes reconciliation plan.

By SAMEER N. YACOUB, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 22 minutes ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki urged Iraqis Saturday to cast aside their sectarian, ethnic and political differences and embrace his national reconciliation plan.

The appeal came as Iraqi security forces announced they will dig trenches around Baghdad in an attempt to prevent insurgents and explosive-laden cars from getting into the sprawling city of 6 million. The U.S. military confirmed Saturday that there was a plan in progress to create a "security belt" around the capital.

"There is a plan in progress for a security belt around Baghdad that includes trenches and other obstacles for channeling exit from and entry to the city through checkpoints controlled by Iraqi forces. This is a cooperative effort between the Iraqi government and the Coalition," said Lt Col. Barry Johnson, a spokesman for Multinational Forces in Iraq. The Baghdad anti-terror trenches are intended to curb attacks such as three car bombings Saturday morning that killed at least eight people and wounded 25 more. Three more people were killed in other explosions, and police also found six bodies strewn around the city.

"No one should be part of the national reconciliation plan unless they recognize others, accept them as partners and totally reject any sectarian, ethnic or political differences," al-Maliki told a gathering of Iraqi non-governmental organizations.

For the rest of the storygo to: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060916/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

-- September 16, 2006 10:11 AM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Freedom Facts:

Women comprise 25% of the Iraqi Parliament, which is the highest proportion in the Arab world and one of the largest percentages worldwide.

-- September 16, 2006 10:20 AM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Generals: Reconstruction and security working in tandem throughout Iraq.
Friday, 15 September 2006

Iraqi Army Soldiers from the 2nd Iraqi Army Division scan the area after departing a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during an air assault mission near Tafaria, Sept. 4. Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jackey Bratt.BAGHDAD — Combined operations by Iraqi and Coalition forces continue to target al-Qaida terrorists at the same time as reconstruction projects continue throughout Iraq, Coalition officials told reporters on Thursday.

In a joint press conference, Multi-National Force – Iraq spokesman Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV, and Maj. Gen. William H. McCoy Jr., commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region Division, discussed progress being made on both the operational and reconstructions fronts.

Since August 30th, over 150 focused operations have been conducted in Iraq, Caldwell said. The operations resulted in 66 terrorists killed and over 830 suspected terrorists detained, as well as the discovery of multiple weapons caches. About 60 percent of the operations were carried out in al-Anbar province.

On the evening of Sept. 12 there was a series of 25 raids conducted in and around Baghdad, targeting al-Qaida in Iraq activities. The raids resulted in the capture of over 70 suspected terrorists, one of which was a personal associate of Abu Ayyub al-Masri.

The al-Masri associate was the leader of assassination, kidnapping and IED cells in Baghdad. He is known to have directly participated in numerous terrorist acts, including kidnappings and executions, directly contributing to enflaming sectarian violence throughout the city. He also played a key operational role in terrorist activities prior to and during Coalition operations in Fallujah in November 2004.

The Baghdad Security Plan is working, Caldwell said, with the levels of attacks, murders and other violence reduced in focus areas. However, the general cautioned, terrorist and death squads are targeting civilians outside of the focus areas, thus continuing to drive high levels of violence.

“Overall, Baghdad’s level of ethno-sectarian violence has been reduced by Operation Together Forward, but remains above the levels of violence we saw before the Golden Mosque bombing in Samarra in late February,” said Caldwell. “As we approach Ramadan, we know there is generally an increase in violence, and the Government of Iraq has ongoing planning to address this.”

The generals also reminded that security operations do not take place in a vacuum. As combined forces work to secure Iraq, thousands of reconstruction projects under way are providing another critical contribution to the country’s long-term success, McCoy said.

The United States has contributed almost $22 billion toward a massive rebuilding effort that’s critical to the BaghdadIraq’s progress toward democracy, he said. security plan and

Understanding the extent and impact of these projects is important to assessing conditions in Iraq, McCoy explained. He noted the American public is bombarded with news about violence in Iraq, but also needs insight into successes of the reconstruction program to get “a balanced view of how we are making a difference in the lives of the Iraqi people every day.”

McCoy told reporters about an ambitious reconstruction plan that’s helping address health, education, electricity, water, sewer, transportation, communications and other needs around the country. It ranges from short-term, relatively easy fixes like trash removal to an ambitious effort to increase power generation around the country. “We are making incredible headway in Iraq and in Baghdad,” he said. As of Sept. 12, more than 2,800 of more than 3,800 projects planned under the Iraq Reconstruction Program had been completed. Work has started on another 600.

McCoy described how an initiative called “Iraqi First” is ensuring as many contracts as possible for this effort go to Iraqi-owned businesses. “This empowers the citizens of Iraq to play a major role in rebuilding their nation and helps boost the nation’s economy,” McCoy said. “Likewise, in virtually every project that we are working on today, we work hand-in-hand with the (Iraqi) ministries at the national level and the local director generals. “By teaming with our Iraqi partners, we are building the foundation for continued success,” he said, “and helping build a brighter future for Iraq.”

In other developments throughout Iraq:

Iraqi Army units liberated a man who was being held and tortured by members of an illegal armed group in Ad Diwaniyah during an early-morning raid on September 14th.

Five suspected anti-Iraqi forces members were detained and a small cache of weapons and ammunition was discovered when Iraqi Army and Coalition forces conducted a raid on a suspected terrorist safe house.

Two Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers were killed and 25 Soldiers were wounded by a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.

(Compiled from official DoD sources)

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5662&Itemid=18

-- September 16, 2006 10:28 AM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Muslim leaders demand apology for Pope's 'medieval' remarks.

John Hooper in Rome and Luke Harding in Berlin
Saturday September 16, 2006
The Guardian.

Pope Benedict XVI was last night facing angry demands from Muslims that he apologise for a speech in which he appeared to say the concept of jihad was "unreasonable" and quoted a medieval ruler who said Muhammad's innovations were "evil and inhuman".
Protests swept across the Islamic world and the furore threatened a scheduled visit by the Pope to Turkey.

The Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, told Vatican Radio: "It was certainly not the intention of the Holy Father to undertake a comprehensive study of the jihad and of Muslim ideas on the subject, still less to offend the sensibilities of the Muslim faithful."

Father Miguel Ayuso Guixot, head of the Vatican's Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, told the Guardian he feared the Pope's words had been "misinterpreted". He added: "The Pope has worked tirelessly for inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue and for tolerance."

In Turkey, however, where the Pope is due to visit in November, the deputy leader of the ruling party said Benedict had "a dark mentality that comes from the darkness of the middle ages". Salih Kapusuz added: "He is going down in history in the same category as leaders such as Hitler and Mussolini."

Representatives of the two million Turks in Germany, where the comments were made, also expressed deep annoyance. The head of the Turkish community, Kenan Kolat, said they were "very dangerous" and liable to misunderstanding.

In Beirut, Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, one of the world's top Shia Muslim clerics, said: "We demand that [the Pope] apologises personally, and not through [Vatican] sources, to all Muslims for such a wrong interpretation." An influential Iranian cleric branded his remarks "absurd". Ahmad Khatami told worshippers at Tehran University: "The Pope has insulted Islam."

By last night the protests had not spilled over into the kind of violence seen in February in protest against the Danish cartoons depicting Muhammad. But Diaa Rashwan, a Cairo-based analyst of Islamic militancy, warned that the comments were "more dangerous than the cartoons because they come from the most important Christian authority in the world. The cartoons just came from an artist."

The row broke out over a lecture given by the Pope on Tuesday at his old university at Regensburg. His central theme was one on which he has touched repeatedly in recent months - the need to reconcile faith and reason.

He quoted from a little-known medieval text recording debates between a Byzantine emperor and an educated Persian. The Pope recalled that the emperor had told his adversary: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

Benedict acknowledged the "startling brusqueness" of the remark, but went on to endorse fully the view that "spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/pope/story/0,,1873914,00.html

-- September 16, 2006 10:32 AM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Woman Pleads Guilty in Fake Penis Case...


MCKEESPORT, Pa. (AP) -- A woman pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in connection with a bizarre incident in February that resulted in a fake penis being microwaved at a convenience store.

Leslye Creighton, 41, of Wilkinsburg, entered the plea Wednesday, and authorities dropped the same charge against Vincent Bostic, 31, of Pittsburgh, who has agreed to help pay $425 to replace the store's microwave, police and the couple's defense attorney said.

Police in McKeesport, about 10 miles east of Pittsburgh, said the Feb. 23 incident began when Bostic filled a fake penis with his urine that they said Creighton planned to use to pass a drug test to get a job.

The two stopped at a GetGo! convenience store and, after wrapping the device in a paper towel, asked a store clerk to heat it up in a microwave, police said. Authorities said they believe Creighton wanted the device heated so the urine inside would be at body temperature during the drug test. The clerk, however, believing the lifelike device to be a severed penis, called police.

Defense attorney William Difenderfer said Creighton faces a maximum punishment of $300 and 90 days in jail when she is sentenced Nov. 15 by McKeesport District Judge Doug Reed. Difenderfer called it "a humorous, but weird, case."

© 2006 The Associated Press.

-- September 16, 2006 10:37 AM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

More than 1500 take part in national reconciliation meeting in Iraq .

POL-IRAQ-RECONCILIATION
More than 1500 take part in national reconciliation meeting in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki stressed Saturday the importance of protecting the national reconciliation project since it means protecting the country from terrorism.

In his opening speech at the second national reconciliation conference Al-Maliki said "our goals are big and they require patience and perseverance." He said "we need unity and the basis of unity is reconciliation and the principle of dialogue far away from extremism and violence." Al-Maliki noted that reconciliation means protecting national unity and the country from terrorism and joining efforts to strengthen the country's economy.

More than 1500 figures representing civil societies are taking part in the national reconciliation conference held by the supreme authority for national reconciliation and dialogue.

Earlier, Minister of State for civil societies' affairs Adel Al-Asadi told KUNA the conference will be an opportunity to exchange views and ideas to reach numerous solutions to allow decision-makers to solve political and social disputes. He believed the current circumstances will allow the conference to succeed especially because all parties are keen to reach a joint outlook on the future of Iraq.

He said political figures and representatives of civil societies such as human rights, organizations concerned with women and cultural affairs will give speeches on the first day of the two-day conference and on the second day these organizations will present work papers. Six committees will be formed to draft the final communiqu{.

President of the Iraqi Al-Amal organization told KUNA the success of the national reconciliation depends on reaffirming the principle of citizenship and putting pressure on political factions to stop adopting political dialogue that encourages extremism.

This is the second conference held by the supreme authority for national reconciliation and dialogue following the tribes' conference with the participation of more than 700 tribal leaders representing all the Iraqi tribes. (end) mhg.

KUNA 161138 Sep 06NNNN

http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=905377

-- September 16, 2006 10:43 AM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Iraq not in a civil war -- Bush and top U.S. military commanders...

POL-U.S.-BUSH-IRAQ
Iraq not in a civil war -- Bush and top U.S. military commanders...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (KUNA) -- Despite the ever-increasing numbers of bodies turning up around Iraq, President George W. Bush on Friday said that he and top U.S. military officials in Iraq do not agree that Iraq has descended into civil war.

While al-Qaeda and "Saddamists" are engaging in violence in Iraq, "the Baghdad security plan is making progress," Bush said during a White House press conference.

Responding to recent reports that Al Anbar province has been lost to terrorists, Bush said that is not the case. While Anbar is "a dangerous place" where al-Qaeda "is really trying to root themselves," Bush said the province is not lost.

" ... There is no question it is tough," the President said. "What I look for is whether or not the (Iraqi) unity government is moving forward, whether or not they have a political plan to resolve issues such as oil and federalism, whether or not they are willing to reconcile, and whether or not Iraqi troops and Iraqi police are doing their jobs." The Iraqi government is intact, working forward and making tough decisions, Bush said, "and we will stay with them" because success in Iraq is important for the United States.

"We are constantly changing our tactics," Bush said. "We are constantly adapting to the enemy." If the United States leaves the region and fails to help democracy prevail, "then our children and grandchildren will be faced with an unbelievable chaotic and dangerous situation in the Middle East," Bush said. "Imagine an enemy that cannot stand what we believe in getting hold of oil resources and taking a bunch of oil off the market in order to have an economic punishment," the President said. ... "Or imagine a Middle East with an Iran with a nuclear weapon threatening free nations and trying to promote their vision of extremism through Hezbollah." It is tough in Iraq because an enemy is trying to stop the new democracy, "just like people are trying to stop the development of a Palestinian state, which I strongly support, or people trying to undermine the Lebanese democracy, " he said.

The ideologues understand that liberty will trump their dark vision of the world every time, "and that is why call it an ideological struggle," Bush said. "And it is a necessary struggle, and it is a vital struggle." (end) rm.

KUNA 152050 Sep 06NNNN

http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=905276

-- September 16, 2006 10:46 AM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

MIL-IRAQ-NEIGHBORS-INTERIOR
Iraq's neighbors to sign joint security protocol

JEDDAH, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- The preparatory meeting for interior ministers of Iraq's neighbors has referred a joint security protocol to the ministers, said Kuwait's Assistant Interior Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Major General Dr. Khalid Al-Osaimi on Saturday. Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), he said the protocol would boost security cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts, as well as control borders, prevent infiltration, organized crime, and smuggling drugs. Furthermore, he said a recommendation had been made to establish a secretariat based in Baghdad assigned with coordination and follow ups to this effect. He added that the interior ministers would be signing a joint statement at the conclusion of their meetings stressing the importance of cooperation to boost security in Iraq and its neighboring states. (end) ay.

KUNA 161242 Sep 06NNNN

http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=905401

-- September 16, 2006 10:51 AM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

POL-JORDAN-MIDEAST
Arabs must support Iraq, prevent external interference -- Jordanian King

LONDON, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- Jordan's King Abdullah II called upon Arabs on Sunday to support Iraq and prevent "any external attempt to interfere in its affairs." Speaking to the London-based "Al-Hayat" newspaper, he said, "Let us leave Iraq to the Iraqis and leave it to them to determine their country's future." The King warned of the "daily deteriorating" security situation that could lead to a "civil war that will destabilize the whole region." On Lebanon, he said that there were those who wanted the country to remain unstable, adding that these parties were "aware that we will not allow them to play this dangerous role in Lebanon and the region." He added, "I think it is time to let the Lebanese decide on their own affairs and future without interference or pressure." As for the Palestinian issue, King Abdullah said that if negotiations did not start soon to establish an independent Palestinian state then "people of the region will be doomed to live difficult and violent years." Talking about the Iranian nuclear file, he hoped the crisis would not lead to a military confrontation as "our region cannot take another catastrophe that we will all pay for." And on Jordanian-Syrian relations, he said, "I cannot honestly describe them as excellent." King Abdullah said, however, that "relations between institutions and authorities are normal and delegations exchange visits." (end) aa.

KUNA 161146 Sep 06NNNN

-- September 16, 2006 10:55 AM ∞

---

Steve wrote:

Outlaw wrote:

"I as everyone would love to see a .98 EURO/Dinar but I agree with C1Jim's assement of the situtation in Iraq and a RV that high would drive Iraq into bankruptcy.

Everyone who has gone through the Baghdad International Airport... Remember the sign at Immigration... No more than 100,000 Dinar or $10,000 USD cn come into or out of Iraq without declaring to Customs. That would equal a ten cent RV. To me that sound more reasonable for an opening RV... and why would they post that at the Airport if they themselves didn't have that figure in mind?

Comments anyone???

Outlaw"

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

.98 Euro I must agree is outrageous. The only possibilities I see if such an RV were to take place are:

1)A zero lop
2)We find out after the fact that the CBI M1 and M2 figures were deliberately misleading.
3)A currency reissue

I find all of the above to be implausible, therefore do not believe a reval of such epic proportions will take place.

Yes, IIF has a rumor circulating on it right now that an RV of .93Euro or so is going to happen at 2am EST Sunday (9/17).

I don't see it happening. No Hydrocarbon Law + No FIL yet = No RV. Simple.

Too much foot dragging if you ask me. Iraqi politicians need to spped up the process substantially or they will find themselves governing a shattered and fragmented Iraq. US impatience is growing as well. I think Junior and the gang are going to start tightening the clamps on Al-Malikis boys as we head into 2007.

Time is ticking. The Iraqi people are starting to grumble much louder now and Bush has about 2 years left to salvage the situation. Will the Iraqi government cooperate? They haven't so far.

-- September 16, 2006 5:18 PM ∞

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MARK wrote:

Not for nothin, but the $10,000 limit when entering a country, is worldwide as far as I know, I've traveled to 7 different countries in the last 2 years and all of them have the $10,000 U.S Dollar limit for "Declaration" or equivalent currency. (Japan, Australia, New Zealand, England, Mexico, Canada, Miami etc.. As far as having more than $10,000 U.S dollars worth of NID outside Iraq, The C.B.I auctions off millions everyday for International Exchange. I don't think this will make a differnece when they R.V, We must all keep in mind, for every 1 million we exchange (small investor), there will be 10 big banks buying 100 million.

-- September 16, 2006 5:24 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

MARK wrote:

Not for nothin, but the $10,000 limit when entering a country, is worldwide as far as I know, I've traveled to 7 different countries in the last 2 years and all of them have the $10,000 U.S Dollar limit for "Declaration" or equivalent currency. (Japan, Australia, New Zealand, England, Mexico, Canada, Miami etc.. As far as having more than $10,000 U.S dollars worth of NID outside Iraq, The C.B.I auctions off millions everyday for International Exchange. I don't think this will make a differnece when they R.V, We must all keep in mind, for every 1 million we exchange (small investor), there will be 10 big banks buying 100 million.

-- September 16, 2006 5:24 PM ∞

Mark,

I agree with what you said but; I think you missed my point... As of Jan. of this year, as I understand what was posted at the Baghdad Airport, they were saying that 100K IQD was equal to $10K USD.

Outlaw

-- September 16, 2006 6:04 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

A follow-up to my last comment... I think that in Jan. the CBI was going to RV the Dinar and gave this information to the Iraqi Customs, who made up this sign and posted it at the Airport. A great deal of problems caused a delay of the RV and the sign was never removed. No one knows if that will be the same rate the CBI uses when they actually do RV the Dinar, but I do believe that .10 USD/1 IQD was the intended rate in Jan. 2006.

Outlaw

-- September 16, 2006 6:18 PM ∞

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MARK wrote:

OUTLAW:
I guess I did, SORRY About That, I didn't mean to sound rude or offensive, but if that sign has been up since January, What does that mean???? Were they just throwing that number out there??? because $10,000 dollars worth of Dinars would be close to 15 million Dinars. Who knows, I like $1.20, but if it exchanges @ .10, that would still be the best investment I've ever made.

-- September 16, 2006 6:22 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Mark,

I agree... where can you invest $700 and get $10,000 in return???

Outlaw

-- September 16, 2006 6:24 PM ∞

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MARK wrote:

TRUE DAT, TRUE DAT. Sunday can't come any faster, NFL and CBI opening

-- September 16, 2006 6:41 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Roger,

Aa far as Sara is concerned... She'll be back...

Ever since I first started cruising this site,(which has been awhile) Sara has used tactics that would make Hezbolla proud of her... She'll suddenly appear and very gradually introduce or entice the conversation of Religion. When she gets a positive response, she'll then bombard the site with massive amounts of non-stop spiritual rockets until the Bloggers can't take it no more and revolt. She'll then throw a temper tantrum, trying to draw sympathy or guilt, then lays low, while compiling a new supply of spiritual ammunition for the eventual next attack...

Trust me Roger, you haven't heard the last from Sara! (hehe)

Outlaw

-- September 16, 2006 9:35 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Pope stops short of apology to Muslims...
By FRANCES D'EMILIO, Associated Press Writer
10 minutes ago

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI "sincerely regrets" offending Muslims with his reference to an obscure medieval text that characterizes some of the teachings of Islam's founder as "evil and inhuman," the Vatican said Saturday. But the statement stopped short of the apology demanded by Islamic leaders around the globe, and anger among Muslims remained intense. Palestinians attacked five churches in the West Bank and Gaza over the pope's remarks Tuesday in a speech to university professors in his native Germany.

An Iraqi insurgent group threatened the Vatican with a suicide attack over the pope's remarks on Islam, according to a statement posted Saturday on the Web. "We swear to God to send you people who adore death as much as you adore life," said the message posted in the name of the Mujahedeen Army on a Web site frequently used by militant groups. The message's authenticity could not be independently verified. The statement was addressed to "you dog of Rome" and threatens to "shake your thrones and break your crosses in your home."

For the rest of the story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060917/ap_on_re_eu/pope_muslims

-- September 16, 2006 9:57 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Violence surges in Baghdad after lull.
By SINAN SALAHEDDIN, Associated Press Writer
Sat Sep 16, 6:51 PM ET

BAGHDAD, Iraq - After a one-day lull, bloodshed surged again in the capital Saturday, with at least 17 people dead in attacks and 27 probable victims of sectarian killings found dumped in the streets as Iraq's prime minister launched a fresh appeal for reconciliation. Violence has escalated sharply in Baghdad over the past week, except for Friday, when only three killings were recorded — two Iraqis shot to death and a U.S. soldier killed by a bomb. Saturday's toll raised the city's violent deaths to more than 180 just since Wednesday — either slain by bombs and gunfire or tortured and shot before being dumped, a hallmark of reprisal killings being waged between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

Appealing again to Iraq's divided sects, Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki urged Iraqis to put aside their sectarian, ethnic and political differences and embrace his reconciliation plan. "National Reconciliation is a correct way of thinking and carries a high feeling of responsibility," al-Maliki said. "To succeed in this today, we have to embrace the culture of dialogue and reconciliation." Al-Maliki's plan is intended to bridge the communal animosities fueling Iraq's violence. Among its 24 points, it offers amnesty to members of the Sunni Arab-led insurgency not involved in terrorist activities and calls for disarming primarily Shiite sectarian militias.

For the rest of the story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060916/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

-- September 16, 2006 10:36 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Training Iraqi troops a logistical feat!
By REBECCA SANTANA, Associated Press Writer
Sat Sep 16, 1:57 PM ET

TAJI, Iraq - Iraq has one of the world's largest oil reserves, but the Iraqi army can't get enough fuel for its tanks. It also can't get spare parts for its trucks or supply ammunition on its own. While the U.S. training program has made great progress teaching Iraqi soldiers how to fight, the force still relies on American help for distributing supplies — a dependency that is another obstacle to sending U.S. troops home. "Just because you stand up all the fighters, all the combat arms organizations, they're not self-sustaining until they have some form of a logistics system," said Brig. Gen. Rebecca Halstead, commander of the 3rd Corps Support Command. "It's not there yet."

As U.S. commanders worked the past three years to build Iraqi security forces, priority went to forming combat units capable of fighting Sunni Arab insurgents. The task of maintaining those troops was left to U.S.-led coalition forces — who got Iraqis to their missions, gave them ammunition, fed them and, in many cases, even gave them their pay. Even in areas where Iraqis have taken over security duties, they need help getting supplies from central and regional storage facilities. In volatile Anbar province, a hot bed of insurgents, it has been especially challenging for the Iraqis to keep troops supplied with food and water. So there is now an emphasis on building an effective Iraqi logistics operation.

Of the roughly 120,000 Iraqi soldiers, about 10 percent to 15 percent are involved in supply-related activities, said Maj. Gerald Ostlund, a coalition spokesman. By contrast, for every combat soldier in American and other foreign contingents, there are three performing support or logistics roles, U.S. officials say. The Iraqi military won't need quite the same ratio since they have a local economy to rely on for food, housing, equipment and repairs, unlike the Americans who need to import just about everything, said Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution, a Washington D.C. think tank. Brig. Gen. Terry Wolff, commander of the Coalition Military Assistance and Training Team that is helping Iraqis build their army, said Iraq also won't need the resources for moving troops around the world. But many Iraqi logistical units are still understaffed, Wolff said. For example, here at the Taji National Depot, a clearinghouse for supplies going to units across Iraq, the goal is to have about 1,200 Iraqi soldiers working at the post 12 miles north of Baghdad, but there are only about 300 now.

The American military's logistics system uses high-tech tracking devices such as radio monitors that allow items to be followed from when they leave storage in the U.S. until they arrive in Iraq. The Iraqis use a low-tech system. Some is computerized. But records are mostly kept on paper, which means supplies can easily be lost or stolen before they get to the units that need them. It's a system ripe for corruption, said John Pike, director of Globalsecurity.org, a research group in Washington. "The prevailing community standard is steal everything that isn't nailed down. And when you find something that is nailed down, to go to find a crowbar," Pike said.

For the rest of the story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060916/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_logistics

-- September 16, 2006 10:44 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

U.S. military deaths in Iraq hit 2,681.
By The Associated Press
Sat Sep 16, 6:56 PM ET

As of Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006, at least 2,681 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,131 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

The AP count is five more than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Friday at 10 a.m. EDT.

The British military has reported 118 deaths; Italy, 32; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 17; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, El Salvador, four each; Slovakia, three; Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Romania, one death each.

___

The latest deaths reported by the military:

• No deaths reported.

___

The latest identifications reported by the military:

• Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan A. Miller, 19, Pearland, Texas; killed Thursday in Anbar province; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

___

On the Net:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060916/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_us_deaths_2

-- September 16, 2006 10:51 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Outlaw,

Re Sara, you just got to love her, this silence is her punishment. Eventually the kid is hungry and will come out and ask for a sandwich.

Re rumor on peg to Euro,

All I know is a person posting something on Iraqinvestor site in the rumor department, one saying that an anynomous person (his contact) had called,and having said that this will be the peg.

Another person asked the right questions, right after that, WHO told you, WHAT phone number, WHAT's his name, and so on, but the original poster didnt answer that.

The word IFF is tossed in there, but the data originated from this lone poster that didnt answer up more, other than claiming it will happen.

I have not seen ANY other data about this ANYWHERE, unless it's the same data this poster did issue, that is reissued elsewhere.

What I see is a lot of dates of significances coinciding, and I'm very very interested seing what , if any, will come out of it.

I do however share Steves position of caution.

I did see a missunderstanding regarding the auction though, and thought to fill in about it.

The auctions in itself is not too relevant as to either how much or how little Dinars are out there.

If I may, get a little technical here.

The auction is to get Dollar backed Dinars out, but in technical terms, it's a reversed auction, the auction itself is DOLLAR auctioned.

On Oilnotes, and other Dollar income, the finance ministry are selling those notes to the CBI for daily expenses. Those Dollars are in turned Auctioned off for Dinars.

It's getting a little bit intricate here.

First it must be understood that the Iraq bank system is set up from a dicatator that had Stalinistic Communism as his raw model.

The banks involved in the auction is mainly state controlled banks, and a few other independent.

So the auction is basically in most part an auction where they do a buy back of the Dollar.

Very simple stated, it's an in house buy and sell.

The auction is mainly for the daily expenses, but any oilnote, can ofcourse be directly swapped for Dinars versus Dollars at will.

The TOTAL Dollar income is not reflected in the auction, as the total Dollar income can either be sold on auction in full, in part or not at all.

Overflow, Dollars that is not put on the auction, can either be put into the reserves,, be on hold for another auction, or be used as expenses when Dollars are needed.

Dollars sold on the auction, will be bought up mainly by statebanks (but not all) , that will mean, the banks are giving out Dinars back to CBI.

Contractors deposting Dollars in the banks, can swap with CBI for Dinars, using auction, to determine the Dinarvalue, and just do a normal currency exchange for the rest.

The banks in the neighbouring countries can principally do the same with the difference that their Dollar source is the direct sales from the Dinars.

So, even if it would be true to say that they are auctioning off their Dinars, strictly speaking, it's an, in house, reverse sell of the Dollar, to themselves.

Ministry of finance, goes to CBI, sells to state banks, it's all in the same bag.

To put it very simple, Dollars goes into the house, and Dinars get out.

Now, if you want to find data on Iraqs Total income, or outgo of currency, you have to look elsewhere than on the auction site.

The auction have two purposes, get the daily Dinars needed for the goverment expenses, and control the Dinars value.

So the goverments expenses might be one huge chunk of the auctioned Dollars, and a small part might be the sum needed to calibrate the sum needed to keep the Dinar in the right valuerange.

I have not found where the two are split apart, the CBI only announces the total of Dollar auctioned, and how much was going abroad.

To determine any ammount of Dinars in Iraq, outside of Iraq, or Dollars in the reserve by trying to add up numbers mentioned in the auction is meaningless.

They are not there, if you can find the Iraq Goverment current spreadsheet you will have those numbers.

All this will pretty soon be meningless anyway, because they are trying as soon as possible to start a modern banking system.

Okies report about Warka have convinced me that at least on the private bank sector in Iraq, they have done some really big steps, and I strongly suspect that a bank of CBI magnitude, with the help of a lot of aidworkers, will follow suit very soon.

-- September 16, 2006 10:56 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Two more journalists killed in Iraq.
Julia Day
Thursday September 14, 2006
MediaGuardian.co.uk

Two journalists have been killed by unidentified gunmen in Iraq, just three days after an editor at the country's state-run newspaper al-Sabah was murdered. The deaths highlight the fact that journalists continue to be targeted in Iraq simply for doing their job of reporting the news, said the New York-based press watchdog, the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Freelance photographer Safa Isma'il Enad, 31, was shot in a photo print shop in Baghdad on Tuesday, according to the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory, an Iraqi press freedom organisation run by local journalists. Two gunmen entered the store and asked for Enad by his first name, a source told the CPJ. When the photographer replied, he was shot. Enad had worked for the now-defunct Tikrit-based al-Watan paper, which was affiliated with the US-funded Iraqi National Movement. The paper, which closed two months ago due to lack of money, is trying to re-establish itself as a magazine.

Another journalist, and representative of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, was killed on the same day in the Iraqi eastern province of Diyala. Hadi Anawi al-Joubouri, 56, was ambushed as he was driving 125 miles northeast of Baghdad, according to the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory. His body was found riddled with bullets. CPJ is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

For the rest of the story: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1872335,00.html

-- September 16, 2006 10:59 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Inside Baghdad: last battle of a stricken city.

For two weeks Peter Beaumont, Foreign Affairs Editor, has travelled across Baghdad with the US military. In this remarkable dispatch he describes a desperate struggle to stop a brutal sectarian conflict from ripping the city apart

Sunday September 17, 2006
The Observer

Karima Mohammed's men were taken on 5 September. Her husband Saleh Ahmed Mahmoud, 50, and 17-year-old son, Ghazan Saleh Ahmed, were seized by men wearing the uniform of the Iraqi police near the filling station in Zafaraniya in southern Baghdad. The day after they disappeared, her husband's brother received a threatening phone call. He would not tell Karima what the caller said, only that it was 'sectarian' in nature. Since then she has heard nothing. Karima now fears the worst. It would be hard not to - between Wednesday and Friday more than 130 bodies were found, dumped on the dusty streets, the fetid rubbish tips, and floating in the sewers and rivers of the capital. Yesterday morning there were a further 47 corpses. Those killed by sectarian violence now far outnumber Iraqis being killed by suicide car bombs and insurgent attacks - more than 50 have died that way in the city in the past 72 hours.
Karima is a Sunni and her misfortune is to live in a largely Shia area - a stronghold of the Jaish al-Mahdi, the militia of the firebrand preacher Moqtada al-Sadr, a group implicated in the campaign of attacks against Sunni families across Baghdad. In Zafaraniya, bombs have been thrown at Sunni houses. A Sunni mosque has come under attack. People, like Karima's husband and son, have simply disappeared.

Surrounded by her remaining children in the courtyard of her modest home, Karima bursts into tears. 'I am so scared. We don't have any news of them. We can't sleep at night we are so terrified. We are so poor. My family relies on my husband and my son for their wages to live on.' The soldiers of Bravo Battery of the 4-320th Artillery of the US 101st Airborne Division, who came to Zafaraniya on Friday to follow up abduction cases involving Sunnis in the area, are shocked by Karima's plight. They empty their Humvees of anything they can find to help her and her children.

What is happening in Zafaraniya is not unique in the capital. Sunni families in largely Shia neighbourhoods, and Shia families in majority Sunni areas, are being driven out of their homes in the rapidly worsening campaign of sectarian violence and intimidation.

Inspired by Islamic history, a plan for a ditch around Baghdad was announced on Friday to try to stem the flow of weapons being smuggled into the capital. 'Trenches will be dug in the coming weeks,' the Interior Ministry spokesman, Brigadier Abdul-Kareem Khalaf, said. 'They will surround Baghdad.' Khalaf said the plan would restrict vehicle and pedestrian traffic to 28 guarded entry points. The idea was inspired by the Battle of Khandaq in AD627, when Prophet Muhammad protected the city of Medina from an army by digging trenches.

For the rest of the story: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1874375,00.html

-- September 16, 2006 11:06 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Correction.

The line : "Contractors depositing Dollars in the banks.....

Better say: The Banks, can swap Dinars and Dollars using CBI's auction, and for the overspill use normal currency exchange, to get Dinars back for payment for the contractors employees.

-- September 16, 2006 11:08 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

New bills spark panic-buying!

Sunday August 20, 2006
The Observer

Zimbabweans went on a panic-buying spree this weekend ahead of a switch to a new currency tomorrow that will see three zeroes deleted from the old tender.
Under the move being introduced by Robert Mugabe's government to offset the country's hyperinflation, which is at 1,000 per cent, an old Z$50,000 bill will be replaced by a new Z$50 bill. The value will be the same, just under 50p.

Shoppers with bags of notes were buying any asset that would hold its value, from refrigerators to whisky and goats.

'Everyone is counting their money to figure out what to buy so they won't get caught with the old currency,' said Iddah Mandaza, a Harare shop assistant. People are only permitted to convert Z$100m (£88) a day into the new tender. Anyone caught with more must prove how they earned it - difficult in an agricultural economy where farmers rarely bother with receipts. Police are seizing trillions of the old currency. 'There are roadblocks everywhere and police are searching cars and buses. They do body searches. They are confiscating money,' said Mandaza.

The new currency, called bearer cheques, is printed on flimsy paper. 'It looks like toilet paper and it won't hold its value as long as that,' said Mandaza. Economists say there will be a short-term gain in convenience but inflation could end the year at 2,000 percent, adding back the zeroes. 'It will take more than just lopping off zeroes to fix the economy,' said Professor John Makumbe, of the University of Zimbabwe. 'Corruption must stop, agricultural and industrial production must revive, but the government is not willing to do those things so Zimbabweans will continue to suffer.'

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1854231,00.html

-- September 16, 2006 11:09 PM ∞

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Laura Parker wrote:

Hey All,

I have been getting bored on the Iraqi news front. Same old, Same old. I decided to read the oil news.

I ran across a cite that I thought you all might be interest in.

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/about/newsreleases/2004/speeches/01282004_speech.shtml

The person speaking is Texas Secretary of State Geoff Connor on 1/28/04. He states that Iraq at her 1980 peak was producting 3 million barrels of oil a day. He had some other comments about Iraq as well.

Laura

-- September 17, 2006 6:40 AM ∞

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C1Jim wrote:

It would be nice to see a RV before XMAS!

-- September 17, 2006 7:52 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

C1Jim,

It would be nice to see a RV at all.

-- September 17, 2006 10:36 AM ∞

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Mattuk wrote:

Nelly.B...don't have a ticket for the pig roast in the keys...but would liked to be offered one when the big day is annouced...but i am on the dinar train looking forward to its destination.

Roger, thank you for the welcoming...as you mentioned, I agree, Iraq is in a very unique situation...as for the impending RV I want it to come soon but have my doubts because of the way things have panned out so far...having said that, I believe a strong RV is possible because at first people like us will cashin to cover our initial investment and some but will hang on to the majority of it to let it grow.(because we beleive it will)? We are very much small fry in comparison to the big world banks and institutions who have invested and I'm sure we will have very little effect on the flutuation of the rate exchange. Big contract companies from all over the world are queuing up to get in there to do business and have faith that the chances of prosperity in the region is pretty likely and business opportunities will/are be abundant, there waiting on reassurances that there not going to get shafted once they do. 1 euro to 1 dinar is'nt so far fetched in my opinion and a good spot to start and grow.
I can't see how they can pay international corporations for construction etc and for imports so badly needed for there people and economy at the present rate...it would be such a rip off ...I reckon as some one(s) stated... its how the rest of the world perceives its value will determine how stable it can be on the world stage...just me waffling again........matt

-- September 17, 2006 11:15 AM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

The 769 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Sunday 2006 / 9/ 17 so the results were as follows :

Number of banks 13

Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1474

Auction price buying dinar / US $ -----

Amount sold at auction price (US $) 75.990.000

Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----

Total offers for buying (US $) 75.990.000

Total offers for selling (US $) -----

Cash amounts sold to the bank and its customers were USD(38.640.000) at
a rate of(1474+1+10=1485)IQD\USD.

The amount sold to make transfers abroad was USD (37.350.000) at a rate of (1474-2)+ one dinar as a bank fee and exempt the transferred amount from conversion fee.

http://www.cbiraq.org/cbs6.htm

-- September 17, 2006 11:55 AM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Well Gang...

As you can see above, $76M that is the highest I've ever seen... Does it mean something?

Outlaw

-- September 17, 2006 12:12 PM ∞

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Okie wrote:

Mattuk......Welcome!.....Don't worry about the pig roast in the Keys.....go for the big one in Phuket, Thailand. With all the money you're going to make on the Dinar you can go to several pig roasts.

I agree...with all the construction they have to do.....an rv of around $1 is very reasonable. Right now the equation is weighted more towards politics than economists.

I think the Rv has a good chance of happening prior to Ramadan on 9/24. If not, then later this year.

-- September 17, 2006 12:49 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Mattuk,

Yes, you have a very good point. A strong RV IS possible.

I say POSSIBLE, but not necessarily what they WILL do.

I have argued for some time that the possibility is there, on the grounds that a strong currency will buy the Iraqis a lot of goods, and wealth from the outside world. He will suddenly have a lot to choose from, and prices will be held down because of a healthy competition.

His export that is based on Dinars will suffer, but in Iraqs unique situation, that is only 15% of the export, rest is in oil, and it is not based on Dinars, but in Dollars.

I said it a couple of times, they CAN do a high RV ...and get away with it.

I have heard arguments that Iraq will go bankrupt in a month if they do, because if they do, the argument goes, they have to back a so much higher valued Dinar with Dollars they dont have.

They dont have to, the Dinar is in itself so much higher valued, that THIS is the value the country now have.

If a Dollar or Euro or Dinar have approximately the same value, THATS the value it now have.

If a Dinar in the past had a value of 10 Dinars to ONE cent, and they have (lets say) 10 Billions Dollars in the reserve. That doesnt mean that if you revalue the Dinar to , lets say a Dollar or a Euro or thereabouts,, you now must get 1000 times more Dollars in the reserve.

The only difference is, you now have a Dinar that is worth a buck, and you still have 10 mill Dollars in the reserve.

It's all in the head, it is worth as much as we SAY it will be worth.

I'm not saying it will happen, but there is nothing that will stop them from doing so.

I'm amuzed to see long equations telling me that if a countrys equity have rised 1000 fold in value, the country will be bankrupt in a month. The Iraqi will supposedly run and get as much Dollars as he can, with his Dinars.

Why in the heavens and earth should ANY Iraqi run and get Dollar for the Dinars, he dont have to, he have the Dinar in his hand, it's ALREADY the same value as the Dollar, and he knows it might most probably in the future go even higher.

In former Soviet, the eastern countries, had a bit of what they call "chock treatment" to pass over from a socialistic to a free market economy. That gave a lot of internal troubles, as all the social networks was torn down mercilessly, and replaced with capitalism, the people suffered quite a bit in the transition.

When it comes to Iraq however, it's like Russia, they are slooooooow in dismatling the old structure, a big section of people are still dependent on the Iraqi state for food parcels or other support mechanisms for their immediate survival.

Given the social unrest currently underway in Iraq, pulling out the social system in an overnight operation, would probably trigger a civil war, already close at hand.

If they hold onto the goverment handouts, in the meanwhile as they are doing a chock treatment it will work, The cost of those foodparcels will be so much less of a burden with a revalued Dinar, and the possibility of getting rid of the socialistic system will be so much easier.

I do however think in the long run, the Iraqis are better off doing a fairly decent raise in the Dinar value, and do it more often, rather than doing the chock treatment.

Then again, if the Dinar goes to a buck or thereabouts, I'll quit my daytime job.

-- September 17, 2006 12:58 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Outlaw,

No it doesnt mean too much, read my post about how the auction is done.

You only see part of the countrys total in and total out on the auction.

-- September 17, 2006 1:00 PM ∞

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MARK wrote:

OUTLAW:
I have the same questions??? 4 months ago, the daily average was 45 million and this week we see it's up to 66.8 million a day. Does this mean that Iraq is putting away 66 million U.S Dollars a day????

-- September 17, 2006 2:46 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Mark:
I am not really sure where the money is going but; if I had to make a guess, I'd say that the chances are that the Minister of Finance or the CEO of the CBI could be stealing most of the funds... Time will tell.

Outlaw

-- September 17, 2006 3:07 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Pope sorry for reaction to his remarks.
By PIER PAOLO CITO, Associated Press Writer
34 minutes ago

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday that he was "deeply sorry" about the angry reaction to his recent remarks about Islam, which he said came from a text that did not reflect his personal opinion. Despite the statement, protests and violence persisted across the Muslim world, with churches set ablaze in the West Bank and a hard-line Iranian cleric saying the pope was united with President Bush to "repeat the Crusades."

An Italian nun also was gunned down in a Somali hospital where she worked, and the Vatican expressed concern that the attack was related to the outrage over the pope's remarks. Benedict sparked the controversy when, in a speech Tuesday to university professors during a pilgrimage to his native Germany, he cited the words of a Byzantine emperor who characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, Islam's founder, as "evil and inhuman."

On Sunday, he stressed the words "were in fact a quotation from a medieval text which do not in any way express my personal thought." "At this time I wish also to add that I am deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages of my address at the University of Regensburg, which were considered offensive to the sensibility of Muslims," the pope told pilgrims at his summer palace outside Rome.

For the rest of the story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060917/ap_on_re_eu/pope_muslims_53

-- September 17, 2006 3:17 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Mark, Outlaw,

No the auction is not a tell tale of where the money is, find a spreadsheet over Iraq whole economy and it will tell more.

Once again,

the auction have two puroses,
1. To get DINARS needed for DAILY goverment expenses.
DOLLARS are auctioned in a reverse auction.
2. To hold the Dinars in its current value.

So the DOLLARS auctioned might be in PART the daily need for Dinars, and IN part the balance needed to calibrate the Dinar value.

The TOTAL Dollar in, might be fully, in part or not at all sold to the CBI for Dinars. The TOTAL Dollar in, may be put into reserve, hold for another auction, or used for expenses where Dollar is needed.

The DOLLARS AUCTIONED, is DOLLARS exchanged for Dinars, from the Finance Ministry to CBI. However, CBI may at their choosing either hold OR AUCTION off Dollars, according to the need, not according to how much the Finance ministry is exchanging Dinars for Dollar.

SO, it is meaningless to look at the numbers in the auction, to determine how much Dinars is out there, how much Dinars is held, How many Dollars they have in the reserve.

-- September 17, 2006 5:17 PM ∞

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MARK wrote:

OUTLAW:
Another good question! If in fact IRAQ is making $66 million a day with their daily currency auctions coupled with whatever they make off the oil exports, IRAQ should have a nice little cash reserve. I also think that if it R.V's at $1.00, a large number of small time investors (myself included), will cash out and then the big boys will step in (RICH BOYS/ BANKS) and they'll buy up all the Dinars we cash in and hold them in hopes of it rising to $3.00. What do you think??? Keep in mind this my opinion and I really don't know what I'm talking about.

-- September 17, 2006 5:35 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

MARK,

Im close to giving up.

If 66 mil a day is auctioned off, this doesnt mean that Iraq did 66 mil that day, all it means is that the CBI did put those money on the auction. Iraq as a whole might have made 150 or zero millions that day.

-- September 17, 2006 6:01 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

The oil export money can be exchanged fully partly or not t all to the CBI, the CBI is taking either that full ammount they get from the oil export, part or not at all. The CBI will Auction off the DOLLAR, basically to themselves in something that could be described as a reversed auction.

They didnt MAKE any money on the auction, they basically did a Dollar Dinar swap.

-- September 17, 2006 6:08 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

"Dear class, today we're going to talk about airplanes, they fly differntly from helicopters and balloons. They fly by means of wings, that works in the way that different pressures is achieved when it travels through a gas.

Any question in the class?

Yes, you, with the propeller on the hat.

-Where do you put the Helium in the wing, in order for it to fly?

-- September 17, 2006 6:14 PM ∞

---

Nelly B - Investor wrote:

Mark: That's not how I see things...

1) I believe Roger has a good understanding of the daily currency auction. "The DOLLARS AUCTIONED, is DOLLARS exchanged for Dinars, from the Finance Ministry to CBI. However, CBI may at their choosing either hold OR AUCTION off Dollars, according to the need, not according to how much the Finance ministry is exchanging Dinars for Dollar."

Surely that's an internal exchange of currency between the internal banks and the internal government, not selling of dinars directly to foreign buyers for exchange of dollars. I don't see how Iraq is 'making' any money by doing this.

2) Daily oil production of (currently) around 2.5 Million barrls per day. Arbitary selling price of around $70 per barrel, profit of $40 per barrel at best, 25% of oil revenue lost to corruption...

2,500,000 x 40 x 0.75 = $75,000,000 per day... not bad...

until you consider that this is 85% of their total exports...

so 75,000,000 x 85 / 100 = $88,235,294 is roughly the money coming into the country each day from all exports...

Divide that by 26,000,000 people in Iraq = $3.39 per day for each person in Iraq.

Doesn't sound like a fortune now, does it?

-- September 17, 2006 6:39 PM ∞

---

MARK wrote:

ROGER: Thanx for both classes, I was typing my last post when you gave your 5:17pm class. Thanx for the info, as I stated, "I really DON'T Know" what I'm talking about when it comes to Economics/World Markets etc...
And by the way, That's my favorite hat

-- September 17, 2006 6:41 PM ∞

---

MARK wrote:

ROGER: Thanx for both classes, I was typing my last post when you gave your 5:17pm class. Thanx for the info, as I stated, "I really DON'T Know" what I'm talking about when it comes to Economics/World Markets etc...
And by the way, That's my favorite hat

-- September 17, 2006 6:41 PM ∞

---

Nelly B - Investor wrote:

Roger - Doh! Everyone knows you put the gas in the tank to make the propellers go around.

It's the exhaust fumes that makes it go forwards!

The wings are just for show and to store the gas. Helicopters don't have wings and they fly.

Don't call me stupit.

-- September 17, 2006 6:50 PM ∞

---

Kristina wrote:

I am sorry for coming into the chat so late however, someone told a very good friend of mine that there was supposed to be an RV of the dinar today (9/17) or tomorrow. The amount she heard was $1.35 IQ/USD. To me, that sounded awfully high however, from what I have gathered on this site is $1.00 USD may not be unheard of. My question (because I do not regularily follow the dinar) is, when is the Dinar expected to be given a value? Does anyone in this world know if it is given a value approximately how much????

-- September 17, 2006 7:30 PM ∞

---

MARK wrote:

NELLY:
Thanx for the info.
When you break it down like that, it doesn't sound like alot of money, but in today's IRAQ, I bet each citzen would love to $100.00 a month from oil revenue. Just imagine, when they start pumping to their full potential and cut back on corruption. This R.V thing might actually work.

-- September 17, 2006 7:38 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

Warka Bank has been off-line for about ten days for maintenance and it's a good sign of the times.
I believe the Banks are working night and day to get their systems linked to the CBI and international network.
Hope they get it finished soon!

COM'ON DINAR!!

http://www.warka-bank.com/maintenance.html

-- September 17, 2006 7:44 PM ∞

---

MARK wrote:

KRISTINA:
Unfortunately Kristina, most of the RUMORS start just like, "A Friend of Friend Told Me. This or That. The latest buzz is that it will R.V before Ramadon (spelling?), around the 24th. There are alot of rumors buzzing around the "Meeting in Singapore", with the IMF, WORLD BANK ETC... That meeting is taking place on the 17th and 18th.

-- September 17, 2006 9:24 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Nelly B,

When it comes to money, figures, concepts of how economy works, you're good. Your breakdown was very simple and to the point. The oilrevenue will in reality though, not be shared equally in a split between all the Iraq citizens. It will go to the goverment, that have already been dealing with the different groups in Iraq, of who is to split the cake.

Then through a couple of layers of corruption, it will eventually trickle down to the Iraqi man.

I do however have a few reservations regarding your class in aerodynamics.

Mark,

I dont have a clue either, I just fake it, but no one have ever noticed. Just whissle and most important of all.....just look normal.

Kristina,

Welcome to the show, may I ask, you spell Kristina like your're from Scandinavia.

Talar du Svenska?
Snakker du Noske?
Taler du Danske?

Kristina, you might want to do a bit of backreading, you will find a lot of very valuable info on this site, go back a page or two, and you will get right into it.

Okie,

Yes, that is very interesting info. A bank will just not be off line for TEN days. If there is a glitch they will be up and running quicker than that, if they are just restoring an existing system.

Yes I read the same into it as you are doing, they are aligning a new, or redoing a complete sytem right now. The coincident in time with all the other dates all seem to line up.

On top of it all, Jupiter aligns with Mars, so somethings got to give.

-- September 17, 2006 9:45 PM ∞

---

Tim Bitts wrote:

This Pope sure is lame. He quotes someone, in a speech, who says, some Islamic beliefs are barbaric. Then, Muslims get all barbaric and upset over his remarks. Then the Pope verbally kisses the rear end of every Mullah in the world.

No wonder Muslims think Christians, especially European ones, are weak pathetic wusses. No wonder they are planning on taking over Europe. No wonder they will succeed. One of the top Christian religious leaders can be bent to their will. Not a good sign.

The truth is, a lot of Islamic beliefs are, in fact barbaric. For instance, it says in the Koran, Muslims are supposed to dominate their societies, and Christians and Jews are supposed to pay a head tax, in order to be allowed to live.

I'm embarrassed to be a white Christian. We are so weak.

-- September 17, 2006 11:55 PM ∞

---

Laura Parker wrote:

Tim,

Where does it say in the Koran that Muslins must dominate their societies?.

I have been reading up on Muslins and I am aware that they think that they are taught that their prophet replaces Christianity and Jewish faith scriptures.

However, when asked to show where the Koran in fact states that the Koran replaces or supercedes the Jewish and Christian scriptures?. The Muslins I have read about are unable to provide this proof.

In fact, in one article I read about a Muslin journalist, who became a Christian due to researching this teaching on Muslim domination of other faiths!.

This journalist checked with Islamic theologicians and found that in fact, their Koran never taught that the Koran supercedes Jewish or Christian Scriptures.

Soooo-- Tim Bitts, do not be ashamed or embarrassed to be a white Christian. We are not weak. We are instructed to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. I think the Pope is following this teaching.

I sent the above article citation to Sara from this forum. I have not heard back from her on it.

I'll need to find it and share it with you Tim Bitts. Do you have an e-mail?.

Laura

-- September 18, 2006 1:46 AM ∞

---

Laura Parker wrote:

Oh and Tim,

I think the Pope was trying to get Muslims to admit that violence is not holy and is not from God.

I believe the Pope was trying to reason with Muslims to speak out about their faith in discussion about where this violence is coming from (the heart). Is hatred holy? And, is it Islamic?

I believe, the Pope is questioning the consequences of what the Muslims are calling holy war.

I hope this helps--Tim.

Laura

-- September 18, 2006 2:09 AM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

I agree with Tim.... If the Pope was man enough to make the statement... then he should be man enough to stand behind it! He does look weak.

Outlaw

-- September 18, 2006 2:18 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Whataya all doing up this late? Your not sitting up waiting to see the postings of some kind of reslults are ya?

-- September 18, 2006 2:59 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

We have to know the reslults.

-- September 18, 2006 3:00 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

I've got a couple of reslults for sale

-- September 18, 2006 3:01 AM ∞

---

c1jim wrote:

What time do the results come out?

-- September 18, 2006 4:44 AM ∞

---

C1Jim wrote:

What does the note at the bottom of this mean?

Announcement No.(769)

D.G. of Foreign Exchange Control

The 769 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Sunday 2006 / 9/ 17 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 13 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1474 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 75.990.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 75.990.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ----- -----

Cash amounts sold to the bank and its customers were USD(38.640.000) at a rate of(1474+1+10=1485)IQD\USD .
The amount sold to make transfers abroad was USD (37.350.000) at a rate of (1474-2)+ one dinar as a bank fee and exempt the transferred amount from conversion fee.

D.G. of Investments

Daily price Bulletin buying and selling Sunday 2006/9/17

Currency
Currency Code
Selling Price In IQD
Buying Price In IQD

US Dollar
USD
1475.000
1474.263

European Euro
EUR
1865.580
1864.647

Sterling Pound
GBP
2770.493
2769.107

Canadian Dollar
CAD
1317.906
1317.247

Swiss Frank
CHF
1172.496
1171.910

Sweetish Krone
SEK
202.554
202.453

Norwegian Krone
NOK
225.639
225.526

Denmark Krone
DKK
250.081
249.955

Japanese Yen
JPY
12.530
12.523

The above price represent reference rate and does not from any commitment on the Central Bank of Iraq.

Note: The prices of the bulletin issued on Sunday will adopted for Monday also due to the weekend in New York .

-- September 18, 2006 5:11 AM ∞

---

Laura Parker wrote:

Outlaw,

Is the Pope's standing up the way you mean, worth the cost of lives against Christians?.

That is what it means. In my opinion, the Pope is looking for a way to have peaceful conversation with the people and clerics of Islam.

Backing down as you say, does not represent weakness.

However, I was listening to Fox News this am and something said on the section called "The Costs of Terror" upset me. The commentators (guests if you will) said, "What's the problem with the sectarian was?. Shiiti's killing Sunni and Sunni killing Shiiti's. Let them kill each other." The other commentator stated, "I see no problem with that."

They spoke about the market not being affected by the war, after all oil a barrel has gone down in price.

--Now, I see a disclaimer from Fox News about what the guests are saying. One of these guy's is Mr. Hershey. The other one did not have his name.

I hope we did not fight a war--to not care about the people--this war has affected in Iraq.

Laura

-- September 18, 2006 6:02 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

No RV either on the 17th or 18th of September? Huh. Not surprising. Do not count on an RV before, during, or after Ramadan. Finally, do not look for an RV in 2006. Your going to have to hang on to your Dinar a little longer maybe 2008.

Market conditions in Iraq are non-existant. Little oil production contributes the country lacking both a GDP and GNP. It seems a little premature to speak about an RV when there is nothing to base an RV upon (no oil, no economy to speak of, continued secterian violence). I hope I am wrong.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 18, 2006 10:57 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Rob N,

I am optimistic, but have advocated caution, I don't think I'm that down on the scale, that 2008 is real.

It might happen then, but it might as well happen tomorrow.

The donor conference, and the World Bank meeting in Singapore is not concluded, it's going on right now.

Just ease up, and let the effects of all those happenings, take place.

-- September 18, 2006 12:06 PM ∞

---

Tim Bitts wrote:

Laura Parker, your views are charming. I hope I am wrong, but I think your views are naive. Are you a Christian? Then you are not a friend of Islam. They do not want to be your friend. In fact, true believers in Islam want to kill you. Let the Koran speak on this:

4:89 "They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be all alike; therefore take not among them friends until they fly, (their homes) in Allah's way; but it they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not among them a friend"

Laura, you might want to pick up a copy of The Force of Reason, by Oriana Fallaci, the great Italian journalist who just died, yesterday I think. She wrote extensively about the dark side of Islam.

As to Islam taking over Europe, that's a given already. No turning back now. The birthrate among white Christian or post-Christian European women is so low, and the age of the average European woman is so advanced, and the age of Muslim women and the rate at which they breed is so high, that it is mathematically impossible for Islam NOT to become the dominant religion of Europe some time this century. Europe is undergoing its greatest population collapse ever, in its history, at least for the white population. The fall in the birthrate of white European Christians is steeper than the fall during the Black Death, or Black Plague, which killed over a third of Europe. It took several centuries to recover. No society in history has ever recovered from such a fall, as is going on now.

The exception of course, is Islam. It is the fastest growing religion in Europe, by conversion, and demographic expansion. If you ever go to Europe, take a peek in at a maternity ward on any hospital in the continent. You will notice immediately that most of the babies are brown. Nothing wrong with that. I'm just stating a fact. I have friends who are doctors in Belgium and Holland. The top names for babies in those countries? Osama and Mohammed. What do you think that means for Europe's future?

As to Muslims dominating, first of all they will be a majority in Europe very soon. White people, especially Christians, will be a small minority. European civilization, as we have know it, that brought the Enlightenment, science, and pretty much the whole modern world into being, is dying, very quickly. The Christian era in Europe is finished. You can't have a European civilization without Europeans. You can't have a Christian Europe without Christians. That seems obvious. The Muslim era begins. But beyond that, Muslim leaders across Europe have consistently said they want to dominate Europe.

The only exception to the collapse of European-type civilizations is the United States, where the fertility rate is near replacement. It is also, not coincidentally, the most Christian European society. All other European rooted socities, including my own, Canada, are dying. Our main governmental collector of statistics, Statistics Canada, did an analysis last year of demographic and fertility and immigration trends last year. The number one source of immigrants for Canada are Muslim countries. Some time, toward the end of this century, Canada too will be Muslim.

The Pope, with his weak statements, kissing Mullah's rears, is just another sign of the caving of Europe on it's beliefs. For instance, this year is a transition year in Britain. Britain has more or less given up on Christianity. Only five percent of Brits go to a Christian church each week. This year, for the first time, the Muslim population is growing so fast there, that, for the first time, more people will go to mosques in England, each week, than Christian Churches.

You might want to look up Mark Steyn, who has a website. He is a brilliant writer who writes a lot about this.

The history of Islam is also instructive here. More or less since it's inception, Islam has been at war with Christianity. It's not at all taught in school, but the only time Europeans were able to slow down the consistent onslaught over many centuries against their societies and religion was since they started developing science and technology and superior weapons. Right now, Europeans have a big advantage technologically. The problem is, they don't believe in anything anymore. Certainly not the faith that founded their culture. I believe nature abhors a vacuum, especially a religious one. Humans are meant to worship their creator. We are genetically wired that way. Having rejected Christianity, I believe Europeans will quickly fill the void with Islam.

My own guess is that science and technology are not the determining factors as to which culture dominates in the end. I think belief is. Islam has men who will willingly fly an airplane into a building and die for their beliefs. You will find no such Christian men today. The top Christian leader, the Pope, just kissed their rear ends the other day. Not a good sign.

That's why I think, in the long run, Islam will win.

I prefer to post things on this forums rather than a one on one exchange. It lets other people comment.

Anyway, thanks very much for your kind thoughts. I encourage you to read the Koran and about the Koran and about Muslim history and beliefs so you can find out for yourself what to believe. Just make sure you look for both sides of every story. Thanks very much. Take care.

-- September 18, 2006 12:08 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Laura:

I am sorry but in my view the Pope is a "LEADER" and leaders should never reverse positions just because of opinion. How do you think it would look if the Iranians told Bush that they would attack the U.S. if he didn't back down on the Nuclear thing and Bush said "OK" you win???

No matter, I think he is going to lose no matter which way he goes here... it's better to stay the course than to turn around.

Outlaw

-- September 18, 2006 12:37 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Tim Bitts,

Very interesting posting of yours, thanks.

In itself, being white and Christian, defending it like it is THE way, is beyond me.

As far as I'm concerned, if anyone is a Muslim, let him be a Muslim.

If anyone is a Hindu, or Muslim and he or she is stopping the progress of mankind, I'm opposed to it.

The origin of the western civilization, with the technological and science it brought forward, happened to be, by circumstance in the white Christian civilization.

The knowledge of Newton, Einstein, Goethe, and all the other heavyweights we are basing our culture upon, is more an ability to comprehend the nature of things, rather than belief. That did propel our part of the world to where we are today.

In evolution, we were in par with Islam until the end of the middle ages.

So they believed, we believed, and we were no better or worse then them.

The fear you are displaying, the "take over" , is exactly the same fear they are going through right now.

The Muslim world have culturally been living a tribes culture until historic recent times, and our western culture, with its innovations have largely gone them by.

In historic very short time, that culture have been completely overwhelmed with TV,s cellphones, SUV's, laptops, and all the goodies from a far mysterious, and infidel world.

The very hard core Muslims see this as a very big threat to thir way of life, and the terrorist Jihadist, you see today, is basically a resitance to change. They are on a loosing streak, because eventually, and this is going very fast in the Muslim countries, they love their laptops, love to chat in chatrooms, love their SUV's and are TV junkies as any one else in the world.

If a Muslim goes to his mosqe in Belgium, well good for him, he will afterwards, go to the gas station and fill up, have a snack in McDonalds, and see a movie in the cinema with the rest of us.

I really dont give a rats ass if he is white, brown or black. If he wants to be a Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Bahai, thats his choice.

If white Christians, really dont go to church, it's the Christianities problem with the white population. That is not a Muslim problem.

-- September 18, 2006 12:39 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

However, when it comes to the Pope, yes he was acting spineless.

Pope:-"Muslims are using force, trying to spread their religion"

Muslim reaction:-"If you say we are intolerant, and are using force, we dont like that, either you apologize or we will kill a coupole of nuns"

Pope:-"Uh, sorry"

-- September 18, 2006 12:45 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Laura,

I do understand your feelings about the people of Iraq. One must remember that they have been fighting each other for thousands of years... Not just the last five.

I pray that the people of Iraq can see where their actions are taking them.

Regards,
Outlaw

-- September 18, 2006 2:38 PM ∞

---

smooter wrote:

Hello,

I just noticed Safedinar is now out of 10k notes of NID. They have been out of 1k and 5k notes for about two weeks.
The supply of notes seems to be drying up.

-- September 18, 2006 3:20 PM ∞

---

Steve wrote:

"All:

No RV either on the 17th or 18th of September? Huh. Not surprising. Do not count on an RV before, during, or after Ramadan. Finally, do not look for an RV in 2006. Your going to have to hang on to your Dinar a little longer maybe 2008.

Market conditions in Iraq are non-existant. Little oil production contributes the country lacking both a GDP and GNP. It seems a little premature to speak about an RV when there is nothing to base an RV upon (no oil, no economy to speak of, continued secterian violence). I hope I am wrong.

Thanks,

Rob N."

==========================================================================================================================

Gotta say that if it doesn't happen unitl 2008, I won't cry. No capital gains that year, so no decision on wether to cash out or hold for better tax conditions.......

I get a kick out of that InvestorsIraq site. People running around over there with their heads in the clouds. It's cool to dream, hell I do it on a regular basis.

It seems though that most don't have their feet firmly rooted to the ground. A lot of offended people over there because the rumor didn't pan out. Geez, they act like it's a Merril Lynch Q&A website and they got some bad advice...........

Anyone can come along and pass out a rumor. No way is anyone going to know the rate or the value of the RV if and when it does happen. Seems there is always one person who thinks they can lead the lamb away from the slaughterhouse..........

In short, I am glad to be here and posting, none of that silly crap going on here. Sure we all have our own views on the matter, but in the end most all of us know this is a high risk/ long term venture and act accordingly.

So I'll close by saying:

I HAVE INSIDE INFO THAT THE RV IS GOING TO OCCUR ON............AND ITS GOING TO BE VALUED AT...........

Damm sorry, my number keys don't seems to be working. I'll get back to you on this........
Keep your heads up, good things will happen................

-- September 18, 2006 3:35 PM ∞

---

Nelly B - Investor wrote:

Interesting post, Tim.

I remember an off-the-cuff remark by a Muslim in London, following the 2005 bombings of the London underground and buses... "Not all Muslims are terrorists... only about 1% of all Muslims are terrorists." or something very similar to that effect.

To say the least, that was a little disconcerting, as there were/are around 2 million Muslims in Britain at the time, equating to 20,000 terrorists!

What I can't understand for the life of me is that Muslims in England, even 2nd or 3rd generation Britain's, put their religion and culture before that of their host country. Why the heck do they come here if they don't want to live among us? because we offer a safe, secure haven, free healthcare, housing and a higher quality of life than their homeland? Some integrate with other cultures, but many do not. I was reading a story recently when a very busy road in Leicester (where there are large Muslim populations) is closed to traffic, for a Muslim religious ceremony. No such closures happen for any Christian ceremonies, simply because there is not the demand for it. Unless things change in a big way e.g. the British National Party take power (yeah, like that would happen!) this county might as well pack its bags and swap territories with the immigrants.

It is not just the Pope that is weak and spineless (and he probably had good reason to fear for reprisals) our government is a total joke when it comes to immigration controls. You may remember that it was recently revealed that the very government department that handles immigration applications had illegal foreign workers cleaning their offices! And what's worse, they probably still do. A few years back, there were some terrorists that hijacked a plane and landed at a London airport. Did they get shot? No. Did they get arrested and deported? No. They successfully claimed asylum! This country has gone to the dogs and I don't think it will ever be an 'England' that I will recognise again.

The Muslims (of foreign origin) are taking over and our government is handing it to them on a plate.

I don't believe it is our cars, microwaves, cable tv, laptops or cell-phones that threatens the Muslim extremists, it is the people who make them and buy them and I don't mean the Chinese or Western Muslims.

As many may already know, I am non-relious and feel like a by-stander when conflict and wars happen for relious reasons. I honestly wish ALL religion was abolished so that we can all be the same and get along in peace. It's not religon in itself that I have a problem with (though I don't agree with it), it's the consequences of the conflicts between the relious groups that is so abhorent.

-- September 18, 2006 4:07 PM ∞

---

Nelly B - Investor wrote:

*Religion*

Doh! I'll sack my proof reader.

-- September 18, 2006 4:08 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

Roger:

You asked me to ease up, why? I would rather venture on the side of caution then propogate an unsubstantiated rumor.

Regarding an RV of $1.00. I just do not see this as realisitc. I do see this as a viable exchange rate but not as an introductory offering. Once oil is pumping and market conditions marked by Iraqi consumer confidence have been established then I can see the possibility of the currency rising to $1.00.

I tend to think I have enough time to accumilate the amount of Dinar I have set as a goal.

Smooter:

Go beyond safedinar.com The market place is full of dealers with access to the smaller denominations. You can get the smaller denominations on ebay, but be careful who you do business with. I do not think any of the Dinar notes are drying up.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 18, 2006 5:45 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

From http://www.iraqieconomy.org

Iraq to hike oil output to four million bpd -- official September 14, 2006 - Iraq is seeking to hike its oil productivity to more than four million barrels per day by 2010, Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein Al-Sharastani said on Thursday.
In an interview with KUNA on sidelines of the international energy seminar, that concluded late on Wednesday, the minister added that Iraq also aspires to be among the top oil producers and seeks to hike the crude output to six million bpd, following development of oil fields, exploring new ones, upgrading the oil sector and building new refineries.
Iraq has the second largest strategic reserve of the oil and gas in the world in general and the Middle East in particular.
But Sharastani acknowledged that continuing violence and extensive damage, inflicted in this vital sector, as a result of a series of war and failure to upgrade the installations constitute some of the major hurdles in the face of schemes to expand and enhance this sector

The following is not part of the above article, this is my opinion: Even 2008 may be to optimistic for a revaluation of the Dinar.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 18, 2006 6:09 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Here is another from www.iraqieconomy.org

Jordan expected to sign free trade agreement with Iraq September 17, 2006 - Jordan and Iraq are in the final stages of discussions over the signing of a free trade agreement, a senior official confirmed on Saturday.
Minister of Industry and Trade Sharif Zu'bi told The Jordan Times that the committees from both countries will meet in Amman shortly to finalise aspects of the agreement, which is aimed at boosting bilateral trade and cooperation.
According to the minister, the trade volume between the two neighbouring countries in 2005 stood at $750 million.
Jordan exports consist of various items of foodstuff, pharmaceutical products, drugs, medical equipment, steel, cement and construction-related materials.
The minister made the remarks following a meeting yesterday with Iraqi Minister of Industry Fawzi Hariri, where he called on Iraq to facilitate the entry of Jordanian engineering and contracting companies to assist with rebuilding efforts.
During the meeting, Zu'bi stressed Jordan's readiness to assist Iraq in efforts to boost its economy, including the creation of qualifying industrial zones and other industry-related ventures.
The minister announced yesterday that work is currently under way to create four new qualifying industrial zones in Jordan at a cost of $80 million.
Iraq struck a deal in mid-August with Jordan to provide 10-30 per cent of the Kingdom's daily oil needs of around 100,000 barrels at preferential rates.
Part of the deal will eventually involve laying a new pipeline across the desert between the two neighbours.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 18, 2006 6:11 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Another from www.iraqieconomy.org

Australian oil companies invited to invest in Iraq September 17, 2006 - Iraq's Oil Minister will pay a visit to Australia next week to meet officials and oil companies, according to a ministry spokesman, Easy Bourse reported.
The spokesman said that the minister will invite Australian oil companies to invest in the Iraqi oil and gas sector.
The minister hadn't started discussions with oil companies on new contracts yet, although investors are already willing to begin discussions now, prior to the acceptance of the new hydrocarbon law which is expected to be passed by the end of this year.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 18, 2006 6:13 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Another from www.iraqieconomy.org

Power generation investments wasted, says official September 17, 2006 - As power shortages worsen with the national grid hardly operational, a senior electricity official says investments made so far were useless.
Aziz al-Rubai, a head engineer at the Ministry of Electricity, said the huge sums the country spent on constructing and rehabilitating fuel oil-driven plants have almost come to nothing.
He did not say how much Iraq had invested in the electricity sector since the U.S. invasion, but experts estimate the figure at nearly 1 billion dollars.
“The kind of power plants constructed in Baghdad and other provinces are ineffective because they run on fuel oil,” he said.
He said instead of alleviating the shortages, “these plants have aggravated them.”
“Huge amounts of money have been spent on their construction and still they are of little or no benefit,” he added.
He said the only solution to Iraq’s power shortages lied in the construction of what he described as “gigantic thermal plants” which have the capacity to generate a lot of electricity.
Despite massive investments, the authorities have failed to produce as much power as during the last months before the fall of former President Saddam Hussein.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 18, 2006 6:14 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Finally, from www.iraqieconomy.org

Southern province reaps bumper harvest September 11, 2006 - The southern province of Wasit has shipped more than 110,000 tons of wheat and nearly 900,000 tons of barley to state silos this year, the province’s agriculture official said.
Salam Iskandar said this year’s yield of 200,000 tons of both barely land wheat is record in the province’s history.
It is nearly four times higher than last year yields of 48,000 tons, he said.
Wasit of which the city of Kut, 160 kilometers south of Baghdad, lies in a fertile cereal grain-growing region.
It and the northern province of Nineveh, of which Mosul is the capital, were called ‘Iraq’s bread basket’ for their high grain yields.
In the 1940s and 1950s Iraq had a surplus of both wheat and barley.
But in the past few decades its turned into a major consumer with wheat imports costing the treasury hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
Iraq’s wheat needs are estimated at about 4 million tons a year and the country hardly produces 1 million.
The spectacular surge in wheat produce this year, according to Iskander, is due to the use of better seeds, fertilizers and “good incentives.”
He said the government pays 450,000 dinars (approx. $300) for each ton of wheat farmers ship to its silos.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 18, 2006 6:16 PM ∞

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Okie wrote:

I'm a confirmed "dinarholic" and about half of my Dinars are in Warka Bank and recently in their ISX. I have 12 stocks and 8 of them are Banks. I believe the Banks will lead the way when their market really takes off.

Iraq is a good investment just for their water and the quest for freedom by the people. You should remember that Iraq was a wealthy nation even before oil was discovered.

I don't have a clue as to when the Dinar will RV but I believe it will be sooner than later. I define sooner as weeks and not years.
==================================================================================================

Finance & Banking

Iraqi Banks hold meetings in Arbil

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

18 September 2006 (Al-Sabaah)
A lot of members of administrative boards of the banks and companies taking part in these meetings are living outside Iraq ; thus they would be unable to participate in these meetings in case they were held in Baghdad.

An Iraqi investment pointed out that the International Investment Bank in Basrah along with Al-Khaleej and Sumar banks are preparing to hold their meetings in Arbil but this procedure will not provide much information for the stockholders in these banks and companies about the meetings or what will be discussed in them concerning the present and future of their banks. How ever, another source who refused to reveal his name confirmed that the disturbing security situation in Baghdad justifies this exceptional step.

The indexes of the Iraqi stocks market sessions are pointing out for a high rise in circulated stocks in the banks sector at the cost of other sectors. The stocks of 10 banks have been circulated in the last session and their prices went high. The most distinguished bank among them was of Basrah which achieved the highest percentage estimated at 50, succeeded by the bank of Baghdad at a percentage of 22.2. The banks sector index closed at 39.752 points at a rise of 3.561%

The bank sector shares exceeded 400 million stock of the circulated stocks (79.7% of the overall stocks circulated in the session, at a value exceeded 79.8% of the overall mass of circulation).(Source)AlSabah

-- September 18, 2006 6:58 PM ∞

---

Tim Bitts wrote:

Nelly B. Thanks for the reply.

I read a statistic that only 10% of Muslims support terrorism. 90% don't. What is terrorism? The mass, random killing of innocent civilians, based on their religious identity, or lack of. The thing is, there are about a billion Muslims in the world. That means, even if 900 million don't want trouble, that still leaves 100 million who want us dead. And by us, I mean, non-Muslims. Your lack of religosity won't protect you. A lot of people who want me dead. What was it? Nineteen highjackers brought down the World Trade Centre? The thing about terrorism is it's random, and asymetrical. That is, a few people can do a lot of harm, in an open society. My fear is they will eventually get nukes. If that happens, and they use them against the West, the real fun begins.

I blame Multiculturalism for the coming collapse of Europe. Deluded liberals in the West bought into the notion that all people, all religions, that are non-Western, are loving and peaceful. This is a silly belief. The problem with multi-culturalism is it is the whites and the Christians who invented the concept and are the ones who are supposed to be tolerant. Most Muslims do not buy into the concept. As Osama bin Laden said today, in reference to the Pope's remarks, he considers his terrorism to be a holy war against the West, to be waged until Islam dominates all societies. Once Islam controls Europe, that goal will be a lot easier to attain, down the road in a hundred years. Multi-culturalism would be great, if Muslims bought into it, but they don't. The leading voices of Islam want to take over the world. Period. It's that simple. That's the larger narrative for the thing we are investing in. What we are really investing in is history. Each of us who bought dinars, consciously or not, gambled that history, in that corner of the world, anyway, was going to go in a certain direction.

Getting back to what we were discussing. Multi-culturalism only works if everyone buys into it, if everyone believes all cultures are morally equal and worthy of respect, and no real and ultimate truth exists. This sort of philosophical delusion only exists in present day Europe. Muslims certainly don't buy into it.

Muslim integration into Europe wouldn't be a problem if Muslims had a deep philosophical attachment to tolerance, and strongly shared attachment to their new countries, and it's values, but they don't. The root problem is Europeans don't have much confidence in their own cultures. If they had confidence, they would demand intellectual integration. Europeans don't even think of themselves as having a culture worth preserving, for the most part. Having lost their own religious beliefs, European identity revolves around a soft and fuzzy left-wing identity, relying on the state to look after you your whole life, anti-American hatred, and a naive and warm feeling toward any culture that is not your own. And tolerance nowadays is defined as one-way. Christians and whites have to be tolerant, not Muslims.

I believe this is all a failure of Europe's elite. After the Great War, and the Second World War, which left over 50 million dead, Europe entered a period of deep cultural self-hatred. The general intellectual tone of the last fifty years, can be summed up as, it's all whitey's fault, especially if he is Christian. Every ailment can be traced back to that. Having educated most of university educated people in self-hatred, and having as a result lost their religious and cultural faith, Europe finds itself spineless and in demographic freefall. I wish I could be more optimistic, but I'm not.

It's no wonder many Muslims don't want to integrate into a culture that hates itself. They'll take our welfare, and our jobs, and our technology, and medical care, and pensions, but our culture? We don't even believe in our own culture and the future to have babies. As the previous Pope said, we Europeans live in a culture of death. No thanks.

I know enough about Islam to say, the transition to a Muslim continent won't be pretty. Women's rights, gay rights, and general intellectual freedom will suffer a severe setback. Muslim cultures are not exactly intellectually vibrant. I read one report, from the UN, that said, in the past 1000 years, only ten thousand books were translated into Arabic, a language spoken by hundreds of millions. For a brief period about 1500 years ago, Islam was open minded, tolerant, and intellectually vibrant. Now, despite the romanticizing of Islam by European intellectuals, the truth is it is an intolerant, intellectually barren faith, without a whole lot of imagination or curiosity. Each and every year, more than 10,000 books are translated into Spanish alone. I expect some time in the future, "white flight" to start, as people with money get fed up, with the new Europe, and start to leave. You might recall, the Jews of France are starting to leave, as they get harrassed by Muslims.

Historically, Jews are the canaries in the mineshaft. In twenty or thirty years, white Christians, and non-religious Europeans will be the new Jews of Europe, and be heading out the door.

Couple the weak European identity with often rejecting attitudes by Europeans, and many young Muslims reject the pathetic European identity. That's why so many young Muslims reject integration, as you noted. We don't have much that is real to offer them. And by real I mean things that people can believe in, not material things. Islam, by contrast, offers them real purpose and moral identity and pride.

I don't share your optimism about getting rid of religion as an answer to bringing in world peace. That's a 1960s notion that has been fully discredited. Have a look in the Guiness Book of World Records sometime. The top three societies, in history, for mass murder and genocide, were all societies that rejected religious authority. The top prize, or gold medal goes to Communist China. Communism of course, explicitly tried to stamp out religion. Karl Marx believed as you did, that religion was the problem. The Silver Medal goes to the Soviet Union. More of the same. And the Bronze Medal goes to Nazi Germany. Strip away religion and you still have the root problem: human nature. That doesn't go away.

On the dinar, I am quite optimistic. I think this war in Iraq is not something the Americans can afford to lose. I think brighter Americans know the stakes are very very high, and should Islamic fundementalists win, and drive the Americans out, it will be very very bad for the West, including Europe. If Iraq, with it's 1000 billion in oil reserves gets in the hands of terrorists, or Islamic fundementalists in Tehran, who fund terrorists, this will be very bad for the whole world, in countless ways.

I think America will win because, they absolutely must. There is no choice. The consequences of losing are horrific, in terms of global geo-politics and long term American interests.

That makes me optimistic things will turn out well for the dinar, and investors on this blog. I read the other day that 54% of Americans, despite the daily doses of nothing but bad news, still believe some sort of functioning democracy will emerge by the time the Americans leave. That will be good for the dinar, and us. Also, the cost of the war is huge. It works out to $2,500.00 per U.S. family. If the Americans lose after all that time and energy, it will be very bad for the future of America being the global leader. They can't afford to let crazy fanatics beat them. This, again, makes me optimistic the war will eventually work, and we will all make a lot of money.

Of course, what this all really means, is I am betting on America. I believe in the inherent goodness and decency of America. I believe America is a special country in history, unlike any other. Not only the strongest militarily and economically in history, but also the only superpower that is basically driven by what it perceives to be right and good. I think the war in Iraq is what St. Augustine would call a Just War, and I hope the Americans win it.

If America wins, we all win.

And that will be, pretty sweet.

-- September 18, 2006 9:56 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Rob N,

I say also caution,but have more of an optimistic view, and oh, please do not asocciate me with any statement that makes it look like I think it WILL be a reval to one Dollar.

I have proposed that because of Iraqs unique minimal export, they CAN do a high reval.

There have to my knowledge NO hard fact statement saying a reval WILL be done.

As Dinaroholics, our creative and inquisitive minds , only second to Sherlock himself, will follow the clues layed out.

Sherlock got the butler, with a logic that still today amazes the readers.

When will we get the Dinars in the RV act?

The clues are piling up, and from a more pessimistic viewpoint one might see another picture.

As a case, no one can argue with the particulars.

Low oilproduction, insuregncy, bombs, corruption and a long line of other MSM goodies.

As cause and effect, I think that is to assign too much value to the effect phenomenon.

It can't happen because of ....

From a more survival, optimistic viewpoint I tend though to se more on the cause than the effect side of things.

The plain truth fact is, that any situation can be an effect that is in one aspect or the other undesirable.

So far I have not seen statments coming from either the Iraqi goverment, or the US administration saying that:
We will give up.
We will run.
We can't do anything about this.
The situation is not under our control.
There is nothing that can be done about it.

Instead, despite, any difficulties, the development of Iraq will not stop.

It is CAUSED, it is put in motion, someone is pushing the cart, someone is saying, we are going to...

Jut to step back and take a very broad picture..

Neighbouring countries producing oil, are they wealthy nations? Very wealthy.

Iraq have humongous oil reserves, that is known.

Will Iraq continue to be a poor conflict ridden nation?
Hardly, a wealthy nation is a happy nation.

So I think we all agree on this point, Iraq have a splendid future.

Where our views differ is in the progrss of the development, the timeframe when things will start to break loose.

Admittedly, Iraq have been in the aftermath of the invasion, been handled more in a very incompetent way, by administrators that in some cases could be more or less asocciated with clowns.

Iraq, on top of it all have to go through all the birthpains the eastern block had to go through after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Remember Iraq was set up by Saddam in the likes of Stalinist era Communism, with Saddam as Stalin.

It's not just another Kuwait, where everything was more or less a matter of turning back the switches to make it be up and running again.

So true, the difficulties have really tested our patience, but knowing things are DONE, some in the open, some in the dark, and all for the common goal of getting this country up and running, we sometimes have to do what mr Sherlock are doing.

Line up the clues, see what they mean, see if they have any significance, or just another piece of static.

From all the endless debating,news clip, info, and kicking the dirt pile back and forth, pictures start to emerge, things that after analysis by you and me, starts to clear up, why something would not work why something would make sense.

The impatience have reached more people than us at this blogsite, and is in itself in a bad situation a very good sign.

There is a higher DEMAND to get things going now.

In this new era of Iraq's development I can see a lot of buzz. The tone has sharpened, demands to hurry up projects have reached the Iraq Goverment, deadlines are starting to be important, and criterias have to be met.

The tone have changed from, "we will se how it goes", to "This has to be done before midnight".

Things never stay the same, its , put up or shut up time, in Iraq.

Knowing the simple strategy of getting the oil pumping quicker than quick, to jump start the Iraq economy, knowing the foreign investment law is urgently dealt with in Iraq.

Knowing that a reval from a finacial stand point HAVE to happen before the "Big Guys" are moving in, in order to not sell out the country for free.

That alone is enough to say that it's not a year 2008 proposition.

Add on all the other buzz, The Singapore World Bank meeting, Donor conferance, impossible to get Dinars for Dollar from the Iraqis exchange dealers, Warka realigning their computer system, Kofi Annan claims a suprise, dealer here can't get lower denominations, Banks here in the US are starting to deal in a currency that is not even traded on the market yet.

I'm sure a few of you can come up with a few more clues.

All this tells me something.

The world is not sitting still in a deadlock, waiting for things to develop. Things are developed because they are put in motion, caused.

Iraq is moving forward , and if that can't be observed, well I can't help you.

You can say you are a pessimist , and a realist, but I sure dont share that reality.

-- September 18, 2006 11:59 PM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

Roger, no, I really don't think it is about being white, as "the way". Being white or referring to whites is a kind of shorthand. Everything that I like, or admire: tolerance of other ideas and faiths, open-mindedness to other cultures, creativity, human rights, democracy, science, economic vibrance, intellectual curiosity, all these things happen to be have been in greater abundance in European countries, than in Muslim ones, for several hundred years. The things I dislike the most: intolerance, lack of curiosity, economic backwardness, abusive governments, lack of personal freedom, closemindedness, lack of intellectual stimulation and creativity, all these things I dislike have been in all too plentiful abundance in Muslim countries for a long time. This seems obvious to me.

For me, it's not about race. I have many friends of different backgrounds. For me, it's about culture, and religion. Lots of things about Muslim cultures I intensely dislike. I don't like everything about European, either, but I do think Europeans have made great contributions to the world. I also think all cultures are not equal, and that European Christian based cultures are superior to Muslim ones. I'm definitely not a cultural relativist.

As to your comments on science and technology, Rodney Stark makes a pretty good case in The Victory of Reason, and other of his books, that Christianity led to more personal freedom of all kinds, as well as science, capitalism, and Western Success. For example, the abolition of slavery was conducted by Christians. What will happen when the religion that gave birth to a culture that produced the modern world disapears from Europe, and is replaced by an intellectually backward upstart? I don't know, but I don't think it will be good.

As to "whites" not going to church just being a white problem, no, I don't think so. Again, it's not about race. It's about culture and religion. I think Christianity has been the basis of our culture, and everything we have and take for granted, and when the world changes, and Muslims take over Europe, and Christianity disappears, or fades into insignificance, there will be big changes. I'm guessing it will not be good. Historically, cultures do not usually die off without a fight.

Yes, my remarks are based on fear. Not all fear is bad. There is a bear loose in a park nearby, where I hike nowadays. I fear the bear, because I am not a total idiot. Fear is not bad. It is nature's way of keeping us alive. I do think we have plenty to be afraid of. History certainly teaches us that about Islam, if we read it.

Roger, you talk about change, in your posting. My opinion is, in the end, I think it is the Muslims who have to change, more than us. As you pointed out, they are being overwhelmed by the changes of the modern world. (Created almost entirely by Europeans, with Christian roots, I might add) I think Muslims must accept many things, like democracy, human rights tolerance etc. In other words, all the things I like most about European cultures.

he reason America is having trouble fighting this war, at present, is the simple fact that Arab culture is so bigotted, and narrow minded, and fanatical and lacking in decency. America is quite willing to leave, and hand power over, if the Iraqis would just stop killing each other. The Sunnis and Shiites have been going at each other and abusing each other a very long time, historically, and the Americans are trying to keep them from murdering each other by the tens of thousands, right now. To me, that's what this war is about: Changing Muslim culture to become more like the superior European culture. If they do accept the things that make the world civilized, like openess and tolerance and human rights and democracy, I will join you in not giving a rats ass, as to what color of skin someone has, or what his religion is. However, for now, since 10% of all Muslims at present agree with terrorism, in other words the killing of innocent people because they are of a different faith, I do care very much who is let into European based societies, and am generally suspicious of Muslims, and very much want the Americans to win in Iraq. To ignore the threat of fundementalist Islam is to bury your head in sand. Once Islam, like Christianity, transforms, to become an entirely a personal matter, between man and his God, and not an excuse to run into the World Trade Centre, or to try to get a nuclear bomb to blow up London, or to introduce Sharia Law into Britain, as 60% of Muslims desire, then I will welcome increased, not decreased, Muslim immigration. Till then, forget it.

And I hope the Americans win. This war is about values. It's about, what values will dominate in the future? If the Americans win, and create a functioning democracy in the Middle East, it will be good for the world in many ways. I also think we will make a pile of money, if that's the case. If America loses, it will be very bad for the world, and I've just wasted eight thousand dollars.

-- September 19, 2006 12:05 AM ∞

---

Laura Parker wrote:

Tim Bitts,

I have read your posts and agree with you about the threat of Islam Radicals. That is why the American's are there. We are tired of being targets of radical islamists and we need to put a stop to the senseless killings.

I am a Christian and for this I make no apologies. The Christian faith will survive, if only a remnant. Look at the Assyrian Church--right in the middle of all Islam Central Iraq.

Hope and faith in God is a wonderful place to be in this world. World events have a lot of circumstances to be concerned about... especially with Iran.

We (American's) know that their production of uranium is for bombs.

President Bush even offered to have the Uranium spun for them for the power plants and the Iranians turned us down.

IAEA, 2003 year, found enriched uranium at one of Irans abandomed sites.

My husband states this is a great indication that bombs are being made that are nuclear.

Roger,

I spoke with my husband on the matter of writing to this forum and he stated you know about as much as he does...the above facts are circulated in the news.

I believe, we are headed for a war with Iran because of radical Islam.

What better place to be than to place one's trust in God.

Who else is going to manage the affairs of man?. Man does not seem to be doing a great job--of loving their fellow man in this crisis.

Does this make me naive, Tim Bitts?. I think it makes me simply human like the rest of us.

We need to pray for President Bush today. He goes to U.N. to present USA case about Iran. And, we need to pray for our nation too.

Laura

-- September 19, 2006 5:41 AM ∞

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carl wrote:

Tim:Just read your post about the muslim world. Looks like you are a good observer of the way things are and not as they should be..
Culture war on going I agee...

-- September 19, 2006 8:25 AM ∞

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carl wrote:

Okie:
I am wanting to purchase some stock through the ISX can you give me some pointers and what are the logical rules to follow when doing business with these guy?

-- September 19, 2006 8:31 AM ∞

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carl wrote:

President Bush:
Must have idiots as handlers...
Why in the world would they allow him to go first in the UN speeches....then allow the Iraqi handlers to come up with a counter attack in their speech a few hours later...
Haven't they fiqured it out that is why the DA gets the last pitch to the jury before they go to deliberation...HE WHO GETS THE LAST WORD HAS THE MOST LASTING EFFECT...

What dumb asses....

-- September 19, 2006 8:42 AM ∞

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Okie wrote:

This is a good and interesting read. Iraq will go down in history as a milestone for freedom. I agree with our President....this act of freedom will have a huge ripple effect in the Middle East and is well worth our efforts

===================================================================================
Jalal Talabani: Letter to Americans from Iraq
By Jalal Talabani

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

19 September 2006 (KurdishMedia)
Dear Americans: As I am visiting the United States for the second time representing free and democratic Iraq, I felt it my duty to give you an update on what has been achieved in Iraq over the past year and on the challenges that lie ahead.

The first thing I would like to convey is the gratitude of all Iraqis, who are fighting for a democratic government and a civil society, to the Americans. Without your commitment, our struggle against despotism could not have made the progress that we have achieved. No expression of thanks could be enough for those who lost loved ones in Iraq. We feel your pain, we honor your sacrifice and we will never forget you.

To those of you who have family and friends in Iraq today, we say: Your sons and daughters are helping us through a historic transition. We will always remember the enormous sacrifice that America is making for Iraq.

Thanks to the United States, we are transforming Iraq from a country that was ruled by fear, repression and dictatorship into a country that is ruled by democracy and has the values of equality, tolerance, human rights and the rule of law at its heart.

http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles.php?refid=DH-S-19-09-2006&article=10587

-- September 19, 2006 9:02 AM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

Laura, having a loving attitudes and concern toward your fellow humans does not make you naive, as long as you see danger at the same time. And you obviously do. You said you were aware of the threat of Islamic fundementalism, and Iran getting nukes. People like you I don't worry about. It's people who only see the need to be compassionate, without being strong first, that I worry about. They are naive people. I think it was you who referred once to a biblical passage, in the New Testament, asking Christians to be gentle as doves, yet sharp as serpents. That's what I am talking about. Balance.

-- September 19, 2006 11:21 AM ∞

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C1Jim wrote:

So anyone heard any good Dinar RV rumors lately? I heard the Sept 14th one.

-- September 19, 2006 11:27 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

Roger:

I do not see where Iraq has not made progress. On the contrary, every piece of positive is a move in the right direction. I certianly have posted my share of posts containing good news for the Iraqi people.

Our differences arise from when and how much the Dinar will RV. Frankly, I wish it sooner than later. Because of the way I have interpreted market conditions my reality suggests later rather than sooner. It is my hope I am wrong on this one.

Laura:

You are right, we are headed for a show down with Iran. I envision the United States having a military base established in Iraq. This base will provide us with an efficient means of striking Iran.

If I were the President the following is my list of targets to be hit during an air strike.
1. Tehran University
2. Bunker Busting bombs to hit underground nuclear instillations
3. A lesson from Israel, hit all major roads into Tehran to cut water and food.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 19, 2006 11:32 AM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Gen. says U.S. may boost troops in Iraq.
By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer
14 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military will likely maintain or possibly even increase the current force levels of more than 140,000 troops in Iraq through next spring, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East said Tuesday in one of the gloomiest assessments yet of how quickly American forces can be brought home.Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. Central Command, said military leaders would consider adding troops or extending the Iraq deployments of other units if needed. "If it's necessary to do that because the military situation on the ground requires that, we'll do it," he said. "If we have to call in more forces because it's our military judgment that we need more forces, we'll do it."

Abizaid said that right now the current number of troops "are prudent force levels" that are achieving the needed military effect. His comments came as U.S. political leaders continue to face declining public support for the war in Iraq, as they head into the coming congressional elections. Abizaid, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Peter Pace are expected to meet with members of Congress later this week.

Late last year, military leaders had said they hoped to reduce troop levels to about 100,000 by the end of this year. But Abizaid said Tuesday that the rising sectarian violence and slow progress of the Iraqi government made that impossible. "I think that this level probably will have to be sustained through the spring," he told military reporters. "I think that we'll do whatever we have to do to stabilize Iraq and Afghanistan and use the military power of the U.S. to do that." Abizaid cautioned that the solution to much of Iraq's violence — both sectarian and insurgents — is not necessarily "throwing more American units at the problem."

Instead, he said it is vital that the Iraqi government improve the political and economic conditions in the embattled country, as part of an effort to get the "angry young men" off the streets. And he said there will be more emphasis on the U.S. military teams that are training the Iraqi army and police forces.

There are currently 147,000 U.S. forces in Iraq — up more than 20,000 from the troop levels in late June. Rumsfeld extended the one-year deployment of an Alaska-based brigade in July, as part of the effort to stem the escalating violence in Baghdad. Abizaid said Tuesday that there are no plans to further extend the deployment of the Alaska Stryker brigade.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060919/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq

-- September 19, 2006 12:00 PM ∞

---

Steve wrote:

Tim Bitts wrote:

"And I hope the Americans win. This war is about values. It's about, what values will dominate in the future? If the Americans win, and create a functioning democracy in the Middle East, it will be good for the world in many ways. I also think we will make a pile of money, if that's the case. If America loses, it will be very bad for the world, and I've just wasted eight thousand dollars."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I must beg to differ here. The war isn't about values, it's about the gravy train that America has been on for the last 35 or so years. The value of the dollar is threatened, thus we show up in force. Let me make it clear that I do not disagree with the action we have taken in the middle east. As an aside: Yes having Democracy and freedom in the world is a good thing, but at the end of the day it's all about wealth and asset procection. Thats the way capitalism works. The real reason must be brought to light and not ignored.......... The rest is just window dressing and is a convienent way of legitimizing our action to the rest of the world.

The second part of your paragraph captures the underlying reason for all of this nicely.

-- September 19, 2006 12:05 PM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Passing the baton to support the Iraqi security forces.
Sunday, 17 September 2006
By Gen. George W. Casey, Jr.
Commanding General
Multi-National Force - Iraq

On September 13, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Task Force Band of Brothers, transferred responsibility to the 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Lightning. The 101st Airborne Division’s list of accomplishments during its tour in Iraq is remarkable and representative of what other Coalition units are achieving alongside their Iraqi partners. Moving forward together, Task Force Band of Brothers and the Iraqi security forces made tremendous strides in securing an area the size of the state of Pennsylvania, transitioning security responsibility to Iraqi control and establishing conditions for Iraqi security self-reliance in the near future.

When the 101st Airborne Division assumed control of Multi-National Division - North, a single Iraqi Army battalion was “in the lead” and the Coalition controlled all territory in the six provinces making up the division’s sector. Over the last year, they transitioned 35 Iraqi Army battalions, nine brigade headquarters and two division headquarters into the lead and returned 25 bases to Iraqi control. The 4th and 5th Iraqi Army Divisions are now responsible for security within their defined battlespace and the 2nd and 3rd Iraqi Army Divisions are progressing to that level as well.

Task Force Band of Brothers brought two strategic infrastructure brigade headquarters and 14 battalions online to secure over 2,800 miles of oil pipeline and over 2,000 miles of major electric lines. They trained more than 32,000 Iraqi Police, renovated almost 100 Police stations, upgraded seven border points of entry and helped construct more than 130 border forts to secure Iraq’s frontier.

The task force secured more than 200 polling sites in December 2005, enabling 1.5 million Iraqi citizens to cast ballots in national elections. Additionally, the task force organized and monitored pesticide spraying of about 98 percent of the date palm trees and 50 percent of the wheat fields in three provinces - helping to put a promising industry back on its feet.

The work of the 101st Airborne Division is representative of transitions taking place all across Iraq. With the support of Coalition forces, Iraqis are in a period of key transitions and taking charge of securing their country. The total number of force-generated, trained and equipped Iraqi security forces surpassed 300,000 this week - 92 percent of the goal.

Two weeks ago, the Iraqi Joint Headquarters assumed operational control over Iraq’s Armed Forces and the Iraqi Ground Forces Command assumed operational control of the 8th Iraqi Army Division headquarters. Later this week, the IGFC will assume operational control of the 4th Iraqi Army Division headquarters. The remaining eight divisions will transfer over the coming months. Iraq always had command of its military forces. Now, Iraqis also exercise the control to plan and direct operations.

Iraqis are also assuming responsibility for provincial security. As both Iraqi government and Coalition officials reach agreement that provincial governments and local Police are capable of leading security operations, provinces will transfer to Iraqi control. In July, Al Muthanna province transferred to Iraqi control. This week, Iraqis will assume responsibility for Dhi Qar province. Several other provinces are soon to follow - nearly half of the country’s 18 provinces will be under Iraqi control by the end of the year.

These achievements are possible through Iltizam Mustarak – United Commitment of Coalition nations pulling together with the Iraqis toward a common goal. In partnership with Coalition units like the 101st Airborne Division, Iraq’s government and security forces will defeat terrorist and insurgent efforts to derail progress. With the steadfast support of the Coalition, Iraq is on a path to national unity, improved security and increased prosperity that will benefit all its citizens.

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5702&Itemid=37&lang=english

-- September 19, 2006 12:23 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Steve wrote:

"I must beg to differ here. The war isn't about values, it's about the gravy train that America has been on for the last 35 or so years. The value of the dollar is threatened, thus we show up in force. Let me make it clear that I do not disagree with the action we have taken in the middle east. As an aside: Yes having Democracy and freedom in the world is a good thing, but at the end of the day it's all about wealth and asset procection. Thats the way capitalism works. The real reason must be brought to light and not ignored.......... The rest is just window dressing and is a convienent way of legitimizing our action to the rest of the world."

=====================================================================================================================

Steve:

So what if it is??? As I understand it, the U.S. only gets 20% of its Oil from the ME. What is wrong with us protecting the World's Oil Markets from radicals? Can you name ONE PERSON who does NOT enjoy the benefits produced by OIL??? Everything you touch, eat, wear, use, consume, is all brought to you by OIL.

Becareful for what you wish for... because... it may come true!

Outlaw

-- September 19, 2006 12:38 PM ∞

---

Steve wrote:

"Steve:

So what if it is??? As I understand it, the U.S. only gets 20% of its Oil from the ME. What is wrong with us protecting the World's Oil Markets from radicals? Can you name ONE PERSON who does NOT enjoy the benefits produced by OIL??? Everything you touch, eat, wear, use, consume, is all brought to you by OIL.

Becareful for what you wish for... because... it may come true!

Outlaw"

I don't believe I said anything was wrong with it. As a matter of fact, I believe I said:

"Let me make it clear that I do not disagree with the action we have taken in the middle east."

My point was to emphasize that more people need to be made aware of the implications that failing in this endeavour would have for our lifestyle. Many more people would be on board with this if they knew the underlying truth. That was my point, nothing more, nothing less.

As for recieving 20% of our oil from the ME. I would have to do research on this, but that statistic is not relevant to this discussion anyway. I order to understand what "protecting the dollar" means:

1) You must first remember that oil is paid for in dollars.
2) That this creates artifical demand across the globe for USD
3) The demand is what drives the value of the dollar right now
4) Then you must realize that there is no binding agreement that forces any country to continue to do so

Many don't remember exactly what precipitated our actions in Iraq. Saddam didn't commit an act of terror, nor did we suddenly come across irrefutable evidence of WMD. No......... it started after he began to demand Euros for his oil instead of USD. You take it from there........

One must also be aware of the fact that Iran is wanting to start a trade association in the ME that bases oil exchange off of the Euro as well. What do you think the future holds for Iran in that regard? We again have window dressing for that one too, the nuclear issue.

Let me be clear again: I agree that Iran with nukes is UNACCEPTABLE. End of story. But it's an aside to our primary goal of protecting wealth and assests through protecting global dollar demand.

JMO.

-- September 19, 2006 12:52 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Again... So what??? Lets say that you get up in the morning and find that the Dollar lost 80% of its value... Please tell me what you perceive would happen here at home? Would your Boss raise your salary 80% to match the loss?

As far as Saddam... I know for a fact that he had WMD... Just as the Kurds! I think that Bush knew exactly what he had because I think the U.S. gave gave/sold it to him.

Question... Are you in or have you ever been in Iraq? Regardless of the reasons we went into Iraq... After being there and seen the horror that the people of Iraq were being subjected to by Saddam and his sons... I feel that we did the right thing!

Regards,
Outlaw

-- September 19, 2006 1:17 PM ∞

---

Snowballed wrote:

First of all I would like to say that I bought my ticket for this train a very long time ago and paid for it with my sweat and tears in the sandbox. Several of my Buds are still there helping the Iraqi People and I would like to say "HOORAH" to them!

This is the first time I've posted here, but have been reading for years. I'm posting today because I am having some financial difficulty's due to health problem that a family member is going through, sadly causing me to offer some of my Dinar for sale to cover some despertly needed Medical Costs. I really don't want to sell any of it but, it looks like I don't have much choice at the moment.

If anyone is interested, I can be contacted at ibsnowballed@hotmail.com

Heres to hoping that our investment pays off big in the very near future... See ya all at the Pig Roast!

Snowballed

-- September 19, 2006 1:44 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Sorry about the errors in my posts... I'm very tired and my keyboard needs a bath!

Outlaw

-- September 19, 2006 1:54 PM ∞

---

Steve wrote:

Outlaw wrote:

"Again... So what??? Lets say that you get up in the morning and find that the Dollar lost 80% of its value... Please tell me what you perceive would happen here at home? Would your Boss raise your salary 80% to match the loss?

As far as Saddam... I know for a fact that he had WMD... Just as the Kurds! I think that Bush knew exactly what he had because I think the U.S. gave gave/sold it to him.

Question... Are you in or have you ever been in Iraq? Regardless of the reasons we went into Iraq... After being there and seen the horror that the people of Iraq were being subjected to by Saddam and his sons... I feel that we did the right thing!

Regards,
Outlaw"

##################################################################################################################

Before I respond, I want to reiterate that we are on the same page as far as our role in the ME. We both agree that we are doing the right thing. I'm not sure if you are clear on that, so I posted it again to make sure.

Again, my point is that the average American doesn't care about helping the world. They care about making it from paycheck to paycheck. If this conflict is presented in the way I outlined above, we would be more galvanized as a nation. Unity is lacking right now. We need a uniting rallying cry. Believe me, helping Iraqis out is not it........ helping our bottom line is however.

Let me stress this Outlaw: not everyone has had the privelege of travel as you have. You are truly blessed and have additional perspective due to this. You hold yourself to a higher standard and I applaud you for that...... average Americans don't have that perspective however. Hence my argument for conveying the truth. And to answer your question, no I haven't been to Iraq. But I have been to Sudan and other places in need of help. Read about Darfur in your spare time. I am a medical professional, misery and I are old aquaintances.........

Ok, let me choose my words carefully here:

First realize that EVERY country (except MidEast of course) needs to hold some USD due to the current oil purchase arrangement. This is a very important fact. The USD is the worlds reserves currency due in large part to this.

What I would percieve happening here: First of all, less demand for USD will cause the USD to decrease in value which would mean that the dollar buys less. Let that sink in for a sec: It would cost every business and government agency more to buy what it currently does. This will create two primary problems:

1)Costs are passed on to the consumer (ie your buying power goes down drastically)
2)Supply begins to erode (business can't buy as much). With decrease in supply, we get even higher prices which leads to an even bigger nemesis: inflation.

It's true. Think about your standard of living over the past 4-5 years. Has it gotten a bit tighter or better? I can say that mine has gotten tighter, despite the fact I have gotten good pay raises. According to polls, most Americans agree. Costs are up everywhere in every sector. Don't fool yourself into believeing it's not tied to the weakness of the dollar worldwide during this same time period. The two are intimately linked.

Our standard of living is dependent on worldwide dollar demand. Believe me, it will make a big difference in your life. Americas wealthy realize it. What I am saying is that it is time to educate the people who don't deal with these economic principles on a daily basis. They do not understand the tie in between helping Iraqis and helping ourselves.

-- September 19, 2006 2:19 PM ∞

---

Okie wrote:

Carl…..regarding your interest in the ISX.

The only way I’ve figured out how to buy stock is thru Warka Bank. First you get an account with them and they will buy the stocks for you and keep them in an escrow account. When it’s legal for them, they will transfer the stock to your name. This part requires patience and Trust.

This link http://www.investorsiraq.com/iraqi-bank-accounts/ has all sorts of info
about opening an account with Warka Bank.

After you have the account funded, e-mail: e-bank@warkainvestmentbank.com
requesting instructions on how to purchase stocks.

You can get stock information from these two sites:

http://www.investorsiraq.com/iraqi-stock-exchange/
http://www.isx-data.com/data/#indices

If all else fails or you hit a roadblock, contact one of these guys:

'Mohammad K. Issa' (ifrd@warkainvestmentbank.com)
Saad Sadoon Al-Bunnia (ceo@warkainvestmentbank.com)

This is the main Warka Bank site: http://www.warka-bank.com/
(It’s currently down for up-grading)

If you need more help just holler real loud and I’ll get back to you.

Good Luck!

-- September 19, 2006 2:29 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Where is Lance? I miss both his singular wit and his chiding.

Roger, you will have to step it up until Lance returns.

Thanks,

Rob N.
Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 19, 2006 4:01 PM ∞

---

Nelly B - Investor wrote:

Lance had a couple of weeks leave to the U.S. If he has any sense (which he certainly seems to) he'll be making the most of his time at home with wifey. Must be hard to be separated for so long.

Hopefully He'll return soon.

-- September 19, 2006 5:02 PM ∞

---

Turtle wrote:

Steve: I have a hard time following your argument that the no one knows finances played a part of the deicision to go to war is why you're trying to spread the word. All I ever hear on the news is that oil and money were THE reasons.

To say that this war was all about money is equally as naive as saying that finances had nothing to do with it. The reality is that every reason Bush gave for coming here has been proven though much of it has not been released. Now, that said, we can and will debate the reason for coming here for generations. Some days the information we see here will be declassified and people will find new things to debate. Like, why was all that kept secret? Or Did they ever even know about that or was it really over finances the whole time? Did aliens make George do it? Blah... until the day comes, we can just keep hoping that 1st Cav can do what hasn't been done in the last 3 years - come up with a plan to make our dinar match our dreams. Oh yeah, and behind THOSE finances we can all agree would be a path paved by destroying insurgents, building schools, and helping an entire country create a better life.

I understand Outlaw's quickness to pounce on your comments because anyone who has been here has seen and heard stuff that we don't tell back home. But when people constatly claim that money was our whole or even main reason for coming when many of us have a different perspective...

-- September 19, 2006 5:24 PM ∞

---

Steve wrote:

Turtle wrote:

"I understand Outlaw's quickness to pounce on your comments because anyone who has been here has seen and heard stuff that we don't tell back home. But when people constatly claim that money was our whole or even main reason for coming when many of us have a different perspective.."

"The reality is that every reason Bush gave for coming here has been proven though much of it has not been released."

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

I assume by your comments that you have firsthand knowledge of these things and not assuming them or heard of these things from someone else. Thats good, I can't and won't argue your perspective.

I'll ask you to do one thing though. This might be hard so bear with me......

Take oil out of the equation. Presume for a second that Iraq is a poor destitute country like say, the Sudan. How many poor countries have we helped out by instilling a new regime? It's a non-existent list.

I love our troops and what you guys are doing over there (I am in a militry family myself). I also grant that you have a different perspective being over there. Doesn't change the events I outlined above....... Argue the other points all you want.WMD? Maybe we knew, maybe we didn't....... IF we did know, why wait? If we didn't, why go?

As you said Turtle, we can argue it till we are blue in the face. Those facts will not be known until long down the road.

So I stuck with what was known. Economics. Finance drives our existence. Yes its a crappy equation, but its reality. America cannot survive economically on its current track. Going away from the dollar on the oil exchanges will bring unbelievable hardship to our people.

All I was advocating is that we need a rallying cry. We need unity in this country for supporting our men and women over there!! To the American soldier in Iraq it may well be the cry for democracy in oppressed lands. For the farmer in Kansas or the college frat guy or the young couple starting a new family in New York, it simply isn't. You and Outlaw are unique and have an amazing insight into Iraq that I myself wish I could have. As for the rest of us, we can't put the equation together.

My argument for explaining the economic impact to the everyday American is that they better identify with the economic considerations of this conflict than with the humanitarian aspects of it.

While I have strong suspicions, I of course cannot prove that money was the prime motivating factor and won't even attempt to do so.

Stay safe Turtle and Outlaw. Hopefuly this will all pan out...... and I also hope you come home safely gentlemen.

-- September 19, 2006 6:55 PM ∞

---

Laura Parker wrote:

Hi All,

I have been reading the posts of Did we go to Iraq due to the people, security issues or simply economics?. I had a couple of comments.

First, I was reading an article about the USA dollar and how we as a super power are able to simply state that our piece of paper the dollar is worth this much money because the Federal Reserve states it is worth this much. According to this article I was reading-- As a superpower, we have to be the bully to protect the dollar. I do understand this perspective and it makes sense.

In addition, after having said the above, Iran's President and his new friends (North Korea and the south american president Chavez) are building a new coaltion of the third world countries (the under dogs if you will) to do exactly the above (under mine the dollar) and world opinion of America to influence geo and political spheres.

I am conceding the first two points!!!

However, I believe USA went to war mostly because of the security situation of protecting Americans! President Bush is a no nonsense President and a Texan. He sees a problem and goes after it with the same fortitude as he goes after roping one of his cows. I for one am glad about this!!

However, in 2005, President Bush signed into law allowing oil companies to drill inside of good old USA inside of Utah, Colorado and the state north of Colorado--the largest oil fine--even over the mere oil in the middle east. The problem is the oil is inside of slate oil rock. It is harder to get at and the oil rock has to be heated before extraction. Sooo---we in the USA could get on with life without Middle East oil.
That is what I concluded.

Laura

-- September 19, 2006 11:18 PM ∞

---

Laura Parker wrote:

Oh, and the USA government owns 80 percent of the land that has oil slate rock on it and the usa government has known about this oil source since the 1920's.

What I was trying to say about this coalition of under developed countries, it is my contention that Chavez and Iran's President is trying to shift world economy away from the Usa dollar and possibility base world economies on the Euro for example.

If this were to happen, then the USA could not just print and print dollars (like we have with this war over 300 billion dollars) as inflation would eat America alive.

There attack is not simply terrorism as a tool, it is also economic.

Laura

-- September 19, 2006 11:29 PM ∞

---

Bob wrote:

Look on abcnews.com..an interesting article titled "Millions Bet On Iraqi Money"...gives the opinions of persons on these types of blogs....one in particular from Taxmama was very optimistic.....and they also had opinions from other blogs stating the opposite....it was pretty neat to read.....the article stated the same things that are talked about here....just wanted to share that with everyone.....Taxmama....any comments on your interview with ABC?

-- September 20, 2006 2:49 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Whoa,

Things have came alive here, well done to ya all.

Did 800 miles plus, today,with full load, scales operating, and no slack in the roadconstruction department, rubber logs and a couple of drunk drivers to deal with.

I've got so much to say, to all of this, but I'm so pooped, I just double parked in the fuel island, had a dinner and a shower, and will drive over to the scale and take a nap.

-- September 20, 2006 3:15 AM ∞

---

C1Jim wrote:

I believe the name of the article is:

Betting Millions on Iraqi Money

Jim

-- September 20, 2006 3:16 AM ∞

---

C1Jim wrote:

Here is the link, it is kind of hard to find.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2448772&page=1&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

C1Jim

-- September 20, 2006 3:34 AM ∞

---

MrReee wrote:

Hi,just found this site and have read as much as I can in the time given. I'm currently working in Iraq and each month I put aside a days wages and go buy another million Dinar. A question.......does anyone really know when this bloody thing is going to get off the ground,and if so,what rate it's coming in at? I believe that before the 1st Gulf war that the rate was 1 dinar to 3 usd,I know I can't expaect it to kick off at that,but what has really changed to devalue the country's reserves and worth? I've heard rumours that the Iraqi govt. signed away most of the oil to US oil companies in trade deals,but this is a good thing eh? US oil companies,some of which I provide security to,are investing heavily to get the oil out. So what's the best,ball-park,date that I can retire? Thanks in advance...... Ree

-- September 20, 2006 6:16 AM ∞

---

Chris wrote:

All,

I have been reading this site now for about a week. I'm glad to have found others who see the potential in this investment. I served a tour in Baghdad in the Green Zone that we affectionately called the Amber Zone. Let me say thanks to all who have served or are serving. I have had Iraqis personally thank me for being there. They DO appreciate what we are trying to do for them. I had to travel out more than I cared to and saw the oil fields first hand. Mr Reee-Thanks for your post and the work you do. It was because of people like you that I was able to do my job safely. I'm guessing that you are a Brit or South African just from my experience. I brought back some Dinars as an investment but 3 gentlemen that kicked in my door decided to relieve me of them. Soo my dinars are traveling back across the Mexican border along with my Plasma TV. I've replaced my Dinars and am looking to purchase some more. I've gone back thru some of the many messages looking for some mention of USA Tax info and saw a light discussion. I've read two different sites. One indicates that we get hammered hard and the other I read yesterday indicated 60-40 split with 60% taxed at 15% and the 40% at your income rate. This may be old news to you veterans to this site but would you humor me and tell me what you know about taxes in regards to currency exchange?

-- September 20, 2006 7:56 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

I read the article Betting Millions on Iraqi Money and came away realizing the prejudice the MSM has against our involvement in Iraq.

Yet, I am encouraged by it. I think there is a good message in the article, stating this investment is not a get rich quick sceme. I think those who invest in the Dinar with that in mind are sadly disappointed.

For person's with a longer term view there could be a reward in the end. Any thoughts regarding my interpretation?

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 20, 2006 10:19 AM ∞

---

Steve wrote:

Laura Parker wrote:

"However, in 2005, President Bush signed into law allowing oil companies to drill inside of good old USA inside of Utah, Colorado and the state north of Colorado--the largest oil fine--even over the mere oil in the middle east. The problem is the oil is inside of slate oil rock. It is harder to get at and the oil rock has to be heated before extraction. Sooo---we in the USA could get on with life without Middle East oil.
That is what I concluded.

Laura"

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Laura,

Two things to consider.

1) How hard is it to extract the oil as you propose? Current estimates are that this is not a profitable and will cost more than we could sell it for. If you base world reserves on this kind of oil (shale oil, sand oil) then Canada has the worlds largest reserves by most estimates. Problem is that most of the oil in the western hemisphere is hard to get to or extract. Once you get to the source, then production capacity must also be considered because.......

2) Keep in mind that the US uses about 6 billion barrels per year. That demands about 16.5 million barrels per day. Consider that Prudhoe Bay (which is Americas largest field right now) makes about 400k bpd when BP isn't screwing things up, you have quite an unbalanced equation.

In short, with current technologies it is quite impossible to keep up with US demand on a daily basis. Yes, lots of oil in there. It's just impossible to extract it in a timely fashion today.

MrReee wrote:

" Hi,just found this site and have read as much as I can in the time given. I'm currently working in Iraq and each month I put aside a days wages and go buy another million Dinar. A question.......does anyone really know when this bloody thing is going to get off the ground,and if so,what rate it's coming in at? I believe that before the 1st Gulf war that the rate was 1 dinar to 3 usd,I know I can't expaect it to kick off at that,but what has really changed to devalue the country's reserves and worth? I've heard rumours that the Iraqi govt. signed away most of the oil to US oil companies in trade deals,but this is a good thing eh? US oil companies,some of which I provide security to,are investing heavily to get the oil out. So what's the best,ball-park,date that I can retire? Thanks in advance...... Ree"

####################################################################################################################

MrReee,

You must first consider that the rate under Saddam was an artificial one and that it was never tested on the open market. This was an internal exchange rate for his "preferred" clientel. As for what has happened to devalue the currency......well:

1) Horrible infrastructure - Saddam didn't keep things current. Oil refinaries are either old or there are simply not enough of them. There is inadequate power due to power plants which weren't kept up. Roads are in disrepair as well, this exacerbates the problem. In short, virtually everything is outdated and it needs to be replaced. This not only takes time, but money.......

2)Security - Simply put, the position of the Iraqi government in the eyes of the world is precarious. Will it succeed, will it fail? Until this crucial question is answered, don't bet on anything major (ie an RV that will allow you to retire) happening. Perhaps a small one, just to alleviate the suffering of the people would be a good idea. If they will do even that is up in the air. We are very accustomed to the snail race they have going over there............... Add in the voices that want an independent Kurdish state, and, well you get the picture.

3)By Design - Lastly you must remember that the Dinar is undervalued by design. The CBI is keeping the value of the Dinar artificially low in or to better test stressors to the market. Better comparisons can be drawn to the currency with a constant value rather than when it flucuates. Once they finish their research, you can expect a move. Some reports have them increasing the value to 1345:1 by years end. We shall see........

Chris wrote:

" All,

I have been reading this site now for about a week. I'm glad to have found others who see the potential in this investment. I served a tour in Baghdad in the Green Zone that we affectionately called the Amber Zone. Let me say thanks to all who have served or are serving. I have had Iraqis personally thank me for being there. They DO appreciate what we are trying to do for them. I had to travel out more than I cared to and saw the oil fields first hand. Mr Reee-Thanks for your post and the work you do. It was because of people like you that I was able to do my job safely. I'm guessing that you are a Brit or South African just from my experience. I brought back some Dinars as an investment but 3 gentlemen that kicked in my door decided to relieve me of them. Soo my dinars are traveling back across the Mexican border along with my Plasma TV. I've replaced my Dinars and am looking to purchase some more. I've gone back thru some of the many messages looking for some mention of USA Tax info and saw a light discussion. I've read two different sites. One indicates that we get hammered hard and the other I read yesterday indicated 60-40 split with 60% taxed at 15% and the 40% at your income rate. This may be old news to you veterans to this site but would you humor me and tell me what you know about taxes in regards to currency exchange?"

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Taxes are a peculiar thing but I can help you on that. Our good pal President Bush has signed into law a tax reconciliation law (2003). It provides for a gradual decrease in taxes to be paid on capital gains in the next few years.

Any profit from Dinar will be handled as capital gains. There are short term taxes (for Dinar that you have held for less than a year). This is taxed at the tax bracket you are in after cashout. For long term taxes, there is a spilt rate: This year the capital gains tax is 15% for people ordinarily in the 25% bracket or above and 5% for people ordinarily below 25%. Long term gains apply when you have held for over a year. Of course, if you are claiming long term rates, your pals at the IRS will want proof of this: ALWAYS KEEP RECIEPTS OF YOUR TRANSACTIONS!!!!!!!!!! I can't stress this enough. The IRS will be checking you out backwards and forwards if you're cashing out 6 to 7 figures, you can count on it.............

Hope those answers help...... good luck to alll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- September 20, 2006 10:36 AM ∞

---

Steve wrote:

Rob N wrote:

"All:

I read the article Betting Millions on Iraqi Money and came away realizing the prejudice the MSM has against our involvement in Iraq.

Yet, I am encouraged by it. I think there is a good message in the article, stating this investment is not a get rich quick sceme. I think those who invest in the Dinar with that in mind are sadly disappointed.

For person's with a longer term view there could be a reward in the end. Any thoughts regarding my interpretation?

Thanks,

Rob N."

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Dead on. Look at this long term, you'll be better off for it.

-- September 20, 2006 10:38 AM ∞

---

Steve wrote:

Chris, I forgot to include the fact that long term capital gains go to 0% thats right----- zero in 2008. This is when you want a massive RV IMO. Problem is that unless congress extends the tax benefits, the rate will reset in 2009 to the previous rate of 20% long term.

Just FYI, Congress is considering extending the benefits to 2010. I am following this and will post if I find anything out.......

-- September 20, 2006 10:46 AM ∞

---

XxSiNiStRaDxX wrote:

What is the cheapest price on 1 mil dinars that is legit?

-- September 20, 2006 11:30 AM ∞

---

Laura Parker wrote:

Hey All-

Take a look at two artices on Iraq Economy in today's Iraqupdates.com

The first is dealing with Iraq Finance Ministry on next budget, private sector, oil crisis at http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles/10612

This articles describes problems ordinary Iraqi's have in competition for dinar money due to non-regulated goods from foreign countries that come over Iraq borders. Without regulations (tariffs to protect jobs)- Iraq's become unemployed and factories close.

Border control is needed.

The other problem is that Iraq is going into winter months and their only power plants are oil dependent--that are continually being attacked (oil pipelines) and this brings down the energy grids for electricity (heat and/or air conditioning).

One billion dollars has already been invested in electricity prodution for oil power plants. However, the country has no other power plants (like nuclear power plants) to help them product electricity. Power is going to be a problem for Iraq for a while.

The other article is Iraq determined to settle Saddam Era Debt-- is important.

http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles.php/article/10607.

Laura

-- September 20, 2006 11:53 AM ∞

---

Steve wrote:

XxSiNiStRaDxX,

I would closely scrutinize anyone who is selling for less than 700-750 per mil nowadays. I would circumvent this by using legit dealers to begin with. I have used SafeDinar.com throughout this process and can vouch for them. I never had any troubles at all.

However, given that major banks are in on the action now (such as Chase), it has pretty much taken small time dealers out of the equation. I personally will not buy any more Dinar from any source other than a major bank.

Even though the dealers I went through certified that the Dinar were sourced legally, I do not lose sight of the fact that they had to be smuggled out of Iraq to begin with.........

-- September 20, 2006 2:05 PM ∞

---

MrReee wrote:

With regards border control Laura,Safwan is controlled by the american military,both crossings.The crossing at Jordan likewise,so who is regulating what's imported? hmmmmmmm As for the electricity problem,I have taken two generators into Al Quds power plant and two into the south near Umm Qasr.It's not easy to get a 400 ton gas turbine generator across Iraq from the free zone in Jordan without it getting shot at.Oh,and it only moves at 5mph and is as big as a house!! It all takes time and is hugely expensive. With regards oil pipeline proection,how exactly does one protect thousands of miles of pipes? It's a near impossibility given manpower costs.Incidentally,most of the guards employed to protect the pipeline near Baji were the same guys laying landmines 15 minutes after an american patrol had cleared the road,and then began the return trip to camp.
Sorry,I'm only a guy on the ground giving my point of view,doesn't even warrant a mention in any reports that you might read.
On another note,pardon the pun,I buy my currency at the money markets near the tower in Kuwait city.I then have them verified at De la Rue in Basingstoke by a friend,the guys that printed the stuff,every note so far has been genuine from almost 30 million now. I believe there are 5 banks in Kuwait that are authorised to open Iraqi dinar accounts,so why ot just deposit them there? reagrds Ree

-- September 20, 2006 2:28 PM ∞

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Turtle wrote:

"Take oil out of the equation. Presume for a second that Iraq is a poor destitute country like say, the Sudan. How many poor countries have we helped out by instilling a new regime? It's a non-existent list."

Now I have to ask, how many poor countries have threatened the US and actually had the financial ability to follow through - plausible nuclear capability and definite chemical/bio capability. How many times has Sudan threatened to sponsor attacks on the US just to have it happens months later like Saddam did prior to Sept. 11? You'll find that list just as non-existent. Just so you know, everyone on this board that has been here probably has information stored in their noggins that they won't repeat here. Anyway, defnite stray from dinar here so...

-- September 20, 2006 3:21 PM ∞

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Steve wrote:

Turtle wrote:

"Now I have to ask, how many poor countries have threatened the US and actually had the financial ability to follow through - plausible nuclear capability and definite chemical/bio capability. How many times has Sudan threatened to sponsor attacks on the US just to have it happens months later like Saddam did prior to Sept. 11? You'll find that list just as non-existent. Just so you know, everyone on this board that has been here probably has information stored in their noggins that they won't repeat here. Anyway, defnite stray from dinar here so..."

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Can't or won't? WAHHHHHHHH.... I wanna know!!!!! Just a morsel......

Im kidding of course Turtle. As they say, What happens in Iraq, stays in Iraq........

Point well taken. Perhaps I just need to be there in order to understand it all eh?

One thing I can say: The fact that you and Outlaw have Dinar speaks volumes. Means a lot more when folks that are in country believe in this as well.

Hope all goes well over there, stay safe.

-- September 20, 2006 5:14 PM ∞

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Lance wrote:

I’m baaaack!!! Ah, new notepad…….. have been away for a while. Travel to Kuwait from Iraq, T&B site down forever, no internet connection in Kuwait as it was being updated, 20 hours in the air to get back in the good old US of A, computer problems here. Ah the US, home of things that I had forgotten about:

I live in a home here and not a hooch.
They have real food, not MRE’s or burned stuff from the DFAC (military speak for Dining Facility). Don’t let the wife cook as it reminds me of the DFAC.
I don’t have to Combat Park, or turn on my flashers and honk the horn when backing.
I don’t have to weave when going under overpasses so as to avoid being hit by rocks dropped from above.
I don’t have to call anyone Sir, not that I mean it when I am there.
No Bunker Time or incoming.
Lot’s of Honey-Do’s. Yuck.
I can drive faster then 20 mph.
The temp is 65 not 120.
I sleep in a bed and not a bunk.
The Dinar is still unchanged and the debate continues.
Roger is still being a pain. Writing editorial pieces on FX Web sites and being taken for gospel on every site that concerns the Dinar. (Roger when are you going to open the Church of the Holy Dinar in Waco? No I won’t be your alter boy but Fred is offering to be the alter cloth.)
Fred my hair shirt is still sending me hate e-mail via ESP.
When I write, you may all be awake instead of asleep.

Some things never change.

-- September 20, 2006 9:49 PM ∞

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Mary Lou wrote:

I heard from my friends Sister-in-law the other day. Her husband works in Iraq. He said that there was, apparently, an article in Stars and Stripes which have all the soldiers extremely excited. Apparently, it has to do with the dinar. Anyone know anything?

-- September 20, 2006 10:24 PM ∞

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Mary Lou wrote:

Just ran accross this article you all may be interested in (in case it hasn't previously been posted:

Home > ISX Editorials & Opinion
~ Market Wrap (last 2)
Market Wrap - Wednesday March 15, 2006
Market Wrap - Monday February 22, 2006
~ Editorials (last 3)
The Unique Situation of the Iraqi Dinar
Will the Iraqi Dinar Rise? Not Likely
The Worth of Currency
~ Related Links
Iraqi News
RSS FeedsISX-Data.com Editorial
The Unique Situation of the Iraqi Dinar
A backgrounder on the Iraqi dinar, including details on why the Iraqi dinar is positioned for a huge rise in value.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Roger Isaksson (email)
Published: 09/11/2006
this author's past articles

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The Iraq Dinar is set up in a very simple, almost crude fashion. The set up was a quick fix after the invasion, seeing that the banking sector in Iraq was about as developed as a model T. Without a modern bank system in place, the "crude and simple" was chosen as a workable interim model.

A Brief History of the Dinar
With Saddam's face plastered all over it, the old dinar had to go. The Saddam dinar also was of very low quality, and could be easily forged on a simple copy machine.

After the invasion, new bills were immediately ordered, but due to the enormous amount needed, some of the old Saddam dinars continued to be printed and circulated until the new ones arrived.

Trusted Iraqi Dinar
Next day delivery, low prices and reliable service.

The new dinar bills started to arrive, and they brought with them all the modern safety features one would expect. A wide spread of denominations was chosen, both to make the daily handling easier, and to cover for value variations in it's exchange. Finally, a reasonable time period was granted in order to allow the citizens of Iraq to swap the old Saddam, and "Swiss" dinar in.

The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI)
The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) was set up as an auction system, with the CBI sitting on the newly printed currency, auctioning older outdated dinars and other foreign currencies with Iraqi banks for new dinars. Now that the currency exchange has been completed, the CBI also sends nearly half of it's daily auction of dinars to foreign banks in Kuwait, Jordan and beyond.

If you go to the CBI official website you will see the daily auction, the currency is now primarily sold in exchange for US dollars. The CBI is slowly but surely acquiring US dollars to help back the worth of the dinar. Everyday the amount of dollars in it's vaults increases.

The exact number of dinars in print, in circulation or on hold at the CBI is exactly known. By doing some very simple steps, full control is achieved through:

Limit the amount a person can bring with him if he is leaving Iraq, to a very small amount (in this case, 100,000 dinar);
Knowing the exact amount sold to banks outside of Iraq.
Once you know the amount of dinars out there, viola, you have complete control over it's fate. The CBI simply sells more or less to hold the dinar in a position exactly where they want it to be.

Given this situation, the dinar will not strictly be pegged. It has been called 'pegged' by some, but in reality you will have some small fluctuations on the dinar value, which you have likely noticed if you have followed it over time. These fluctuations are a balancing act by the CBI.

Simply put, truly pegged currencies don't move from the currency it is pegged to.

This is the basic Iraqi dinar system. Now some may already be asking, that if the Dinar is endlessly sold, wouldn't it flood the market, making them worthless? No, because you have exchanged your US dollars for your dinar, which helps to back the dinar through the above explained CBI mechanism.

Now, this is a very temporary system. Interested readers will of course note that any currency that is not free flowing is a hindrance to full economic development. This fall, new Iraq investment laws are suppose to be passed by the elected Iraqi parliament, allowing international investment companies (read: Big Oil) to invest.

At this very moment, oil company survey and geological teams are crisscrossing the desert, testing grounds, staking claims and hopefully not giving each other a black eye. Again, this is not Iraq government, US government, US Government contractors, US armed forces, etc. running around, this is oil companies. The future mega investment in Iraq which will help drive the economy forward.

A Question of Priorities
Some may ask if we shouldn't take care of the violence first. If Joe Everyman is building a house, is it relevant that his young children are fighting? The short answer is that 'Big Oil' is operating in many areas of the world where violence is the norm, not the exception.

By last June it was announced that no more printing of the dinar is necessary, meaning that we are most probably in the end part of the 'first stage', and are ready for the dinar revaluation. It would be an suicidal economically to leave the dinar in it's current low range, and let the oil companies come in 'on the cheap'. The dinar MUST have a much higher value at that time, otherwise Iraqi will be sold off for literally pennies, or dinars, on the dollar.

While the exact arrangement of the investment law is not yet settled, deals have already been made in how the oil revenue will be shared amongst the different regions and groups in Iraq. So things are moving forward.

It is not yet known if the revaluing of the dinar will be an overnight thing, with no previous announcements, or if it will be a gradual increase as necessary. It should be pointed out that the value of many oilfields in Iraq is also not fully known, because actual modern geological surveys have not been done for decades, if at all, but even with this lack of recent study, the known reserve in the ground rivals that of Saudi Arabia. It is hoped that in the next decade, Iraq will achieve the same oil output as its southern neighbor. Nobody can deny that the potential is there.

From the time the pumps start working, Iraqi society will start getting more and more benefits from the oil revenue. The finances will be available for roads, schools, the electric grid, social programs, new equipment, better computers, etc. These oil-funded infrastructure improvements will help drive manufacturing, and in turn, generate more jobs. Social unrest is handled with police and justice, but it must also be handled with economics. A prosperous nation is a happy nation.

Finally, Iraq has been blessed with something very few Arab countries have. Water. The agricultural heartland of Iraq have one of the highest potentials of big development. With proper development, it could be the Iraqi equivalent of the orchards and fields of California's central valley. This development and the potential of it will only strengthen the dinar now and in the future.

Exciting Times, a Positive Direction
For the dinar, these are exciting times, but even more interesting when it comes to investing in the Iraq stock exchange, because as the oil revenue will start making things possible in Iraq, the opportunities to be in on the ground floor on different investment start ups, will increase. Knowing this is a nation destined for great wealth it makes it even more exciting.

Saudi Arabia, Dubai, the Arab Emirates and Kuwait; are they rich and prosperous states? Of course they are. Why are they wealthy? Oil. Oil is money. Iraq is practically floating on oil. When do the oil companies want to start pumping? ... Yesterday.

Will Iraq continue to be a poor nation? Will the dinar continue to be at it's all time low?

**END ARTICLE**

-- September 20, 2006 11:05 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Lance,
Welcome to the show, you are eagerly awaited, and will get a standing ovation for your return, plus a free memebership in my newly registered Church of Dinars, just got the charter from Rolling Stone magazine.

I was gpoin go ask how the trip was , but you already told of numerous pjuter problems. Had almost an idea you would grab one of those Silicon Valley Monsters while you were here and send some lines, but I guess you had your hands tied ( in the bedposts) finally acting out your wishes for your wife to be the top.

I had a couple of e-mail replies from the articles, some critical, some very good, and one that wanted to debate intricicate details about the procedures of auction in CBI.

One reader thought the article should be sent to Bush and Blair.

Mostly they seem to think that I'm a Dinar dealer in Hairy drag or something.

(Oh man that Hairy Shirt joke seems to have been used so much now, it'a even hard to find spareparts for it now, but hey I try)

Why not change your daily dress to Skin Tight Silver Lamee Spandax, Dress, with Red Cape. Across the chest a Dinar symbol, always fighting for the rights of the depressed Dinar.

I give you a joke as a welcome gift.

An AlQaida fighter was stumbling across the Iraqi desert, in poor health and poor condition, he was mumbling "water water".

He saw ONE jewish man standing with a little box, selling neckties.

He asked -"I need water"

"I dont have any water" said the jewish man, but I can sell you a necktie for $300.

"I need water, and not an overpriced necktie, your jewish scum, I should kill you but I need my water, so I let you live".

Ok said the jewish man, "Just to show you that I am a great man, I show you were to get water, go six hours in that direction, and you will get to a restaurant that have all the water and food you need."

Tweleve hours later the AlQuaida man stumbled back to the neck tie salesman, with $300 in his hand.

-"Your brother wont let me in without a neck tie".

-- September 20, 2006 11:14 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Ok that was one of the articles, just dont get in to another detailed procedure about exactly how the auction is done. I wrote it for a general audience and tried to keep it as simple as possible. For a more sofistidated audience like on this site, you all know that the exact procedure is an inhouse reverse Dollar auction. I just didnt want to go into too much of detail and procedure when writing it.

That would have been an article about the internal workings of CBI rather than the basic principles of how the Dinar is set up. I just thought that those internal procedurew was pretty meaningless to get into when I wrote it.

-- September 20, 2006 11:19 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Mary Lou,

No have not heard about that article in the Stars and Stripe.

I just hope it's not one of my articles, that are floating around making a gospel now.

In that case, ...I've read it.

I will check on Stars and Stripe on line if they do a printed version on line.

-- September 20, 2006 11:25 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Mary Lou,

I give up, went through a couple of Stars and Stripes on line, but found nothing significant regarding the Dinar, would you know the date of the article?

-- September 21, 2006 12:32 AM ∞

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Mary Lou wrote:

Sorry, I sure don't. My info, as stated above, was third hand-he called her from Iraq and she, in turn, called me. He had been there for 2 1/2 years and started buying in 2004. This is the first time he has ever made a call like this.

In light of all the things I have been reading, doesn't sound impossible-although, I live by the statement of it will happen when it happens. I believe it's going to happen, but am not holding my breath until then-just will be very happy when (not if) it happens.

Sorry, I can't give you more information but I only have what she gave me-and that is third hand at that. Just trying to find out if any of you, that may have more access than I, may be able to find out more.

Thanks

-- September 21, 2006 1:28 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Laura,

Ok I see, well if anything of significance regarding your husbands knowledge on the atomic field that associates with Iran comes up, please let us know.

Carl,

You're right, it was a tactical mistake to go on the stage first.

However, the Iran and Venezuelan presidents did a clown job themselves, so I dont think nothing was lost.

I dont think the timeing of events was really planned, it's more a thing of "who cares"

Irans position is well know, their allies are Syria Hezbolla only, and have separated themselves from the rest of the world, including the Arab world.

Hugo Chavez, the clown of the morons.He have a country rich in oil and a potential wealthy nation could have been his legacy. Instead he have betrayed his own people, given away his countries resources for "the poor in the projects", and have managed to , despite all the countries richness, drive Venezuela into a finacial abyss.

So now he is standing up trying to look like a savior for the poor, when he himself have made sure that his own population stays poor.

He is a banana republic dictator of the lowest kind, and in a way I'm glad he have gone in cohoots with Iran, going over there giving them economical advice.

He will come up with some really good economic plans, and I'm more than happy to see him implelent them.

His dream is to dismatle the American Dollar, and start another world economy lead by poor nations, I guess.

He dont understand that it is not a Dollar imperium, it is a global economy, interlocked with Dollar, Euro, Yen, Stirling Pound , and so on, and to take them on, he have to take them all on.

His significance is there only because some one put a camera on his face, when he clowns around.

The reality is that he is so insignificant that if an ant would fart it would be an event of bigger magnitude.

Iran needs Hugo, the fact that this ignorant, is unaware that the iranians in the long run also want Hugo dead, as the infidel he is, have nothing to do with it, as long as it will bring a camera to Hugos face, he's happy.

Naa Carl, I wouldnt worry about it, Iran will be dealth with and Hugo can sit in his own poor country trying to walk the world beat, if he chooses. We need entertaining.
He is admittedly a bit tragic comic.See it from the comic side.

Steve,

Yes, I agree with your recommendation, SafeDinar was the best of the outlets that I had used in the past, somewhat expensive, but it was really worth it. The other dealers, that are promising a week or so in turnaround time, will in reality have a 4-6 weeks turnaround. Nailbiting times.

As they have started up dealing with Dinars in banks now, I would say that that is the safest institution to deal with.

Rob N,

Yes, its the reading of the cards that is the hard part. The cards may be read differently despite we are dealt the same cards.

Tim Bitts,

Very interesting postings long and deep. As a twenty year old I could eat the beef raw, but now I need it well done. It was a bit too thick in the middle so I think I pass.

Turtle,

No it is not a non existing list.

Either install a new regime, or reinstitute the old regime, is a long list.

Germany Japan, France Belgium Holland Italy Denmark, Norway, Austria, Phillipines, Guam, Korea, China, Taiwan, the list might be extended further with Panama, Nicaragua and a few more, but no, we have changed regimes, or reinstated one that previously ruled (Kuwait) pretty constantly, and in it's aftermath have either rebuilt it, or given substantial financial help. To mention, Germany and Japan, they were completely in ruins, and the Marshall plan, did on top of not only rebuilding those countries, also it helped very much other countries that was a victim of war, France , Greece, to name a few.

All,
As a parting story for the evening I would like to share with you my encounter with a couple of demonstrators today.

I was in Houston in the University area, where I was sitting in a stop n go traffic, five lanes wide and a sea of cars.

Strategically on a walkbridge across the freeway, were about 7- 10 people with a lot of signs, "Stop the invasion" "The rootcause is Israel" "No to Bush", "Honk".

No one honked, and I thought of doing a little demostration of my own.

I need to get technical here regarding my equipment so you can really appreciate the whole extent of my demostration.

I have three trainhorns, hidden within the truck, Each one of the trainhorns have a cluster of three or four horns.In order to be able to feed them with air, the original rope valve at the window is not sufficient, so I have installed a 3/4 diameter line with a ballvalve at my seat, feeding the horns.

The intensity is so high, that when standing close by you must protect your ears immediately.

I honked my horns, the sound bouncing around on the concrete walls, I can assure any one of the readers that it did not go unnoticed by no one.

The protesters now, hearing this, all jumped up and cheered, but saw immediately that this trucker wanted to communicate something else to them instead.

Halfway out the window, I had an overview that no one could miss, hanging out, honking loud, showing my finger ( you know what finger I'm talking about here).

The protesters fell down in an "Ahhh, oh well" attitude.

People was applauding in the cars that was all around me.

-- September 21, 2006 1:35 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Mari lou,
Ok fair and square

-- September 21, 2006 1:37 AM ∞

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Jesse wrote:

So as taxes are concerned, can we exchange our dinars in for another foreign currency, like euros, or austrailian dollars, and hold them until 2008 to get the 0% long term tax break?

also, would gold be considered a 'similar investment' since it to is a form of currency? ie - gold eagles?

-- September 21, 2006 5:59 AM ∞

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Laura Parker wrote:

Good morning everyone,

Lance

Welcome back. Say hi to hairy shirt Fred.

Roger,

Your demonstration was a good one. Sounds like it got everyone's attention.

On the nuclear situation, if we run across anything, we'll let you know.

All-

On the currency situation, I think Chavez and Iran's President are trying to get Russia and China on board to distablize the dollar.

Roger, your comment touched upon this--as Chavez and Iran would need all the countries, can you speak to this?. I would be interested in your thoughts on it.

Laura

-- September 21, 2006 6:50 AM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Roger!
After meeting you, and seeing your angelic face...I am surprised at such Norwegian character being displayed... at such misguided, ill informed children...
We might accept you as a southerner yet!!!

-- September 21, 2006 8:09 AM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Roger:
It was not Chavez's words that bothered me...it was the clapping and laughter in the UN Assembly from half of the audience as he degraded the US and President Bush...
Now that struck a cord...
Get one or two insignificant dictators together and you have two small minds scheming...get a bunch of dictators and thugs together as they did in Cuba recently...and you start to have a conspiracy thats going to give ya a headache...
2 cents for your thoughts on who they were conspiring about...
Continued disrespect breeds more disrepect....the problem we in america have is our political party leaders have such tunnel vision of hatred for each other, they are will to weaken our own infrastructure to win the political battle for their party...
We as citizens of this country decided somewhere along the way, to not take seriously the citizenship of our nation. Thus.... some...including a few of our political leaders see the invasion of illegals from any country as insignificant.
Give you something to think about...
In the battle for america's independence...Britain made a major mistake by under sizing their forces in the colonies...thus they had no real control of the colonist...
We believe we have one standing compliant about Iraq...we need more men on the ground to enforce security...

In Britain during the Revoluntary War the Lords and House of Commons were divided and at each others throats...thus it weakened their resolve to stop the uprising in the colonies...
Does this sound familiar to you?

History has a wonderful way of giving you a picture of things to come...if you follow the same road map...

-- September 21, 2006 8:27 AM ∞

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Lance wrote:

MrReee & Laura,

Note on the Border. There are actually 2 border crossings from Kuwait into Iraq. The one MrReee uses is the Coalition Crossing where all material in support of OIF crosses and is run by the US Military. If it is in support of the troops, or GoI's (refined fuel) then it crosses there with no import export tax. Right next door (1 mile east) at the end of HWY 80 is the civilian (Abdally) crossing. This is where all civilian and commercial goods cross into and out of Iraq. Taxes (and bribes) are collected on both sides of this crossing. You ought to see it every morning with the trucks lined up for miles on the Kuwait side trying to take goods north. It blocks the whole highway until they can get everyone through customs and border security. Just thought I would let you know that there is a revenue collection point on either side for all this commercial traffic. This same setup is used at the Jordan Crossing and at Habur Gate (Turkey) crossing. So they are getting some taxes, but it is not very efficient and prone to bribery and outright theft on the Iraq side. I have not seen the Iran Crossings and have no wish to.

-- September 21, 2006 8:39 AM ∞

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Bob wrote:

I was looking for the "exciting" article in the Stars and Stripes that supposedly had all the soldiers in Iraq buzzing.....but found nothing that stands out.....Mary Lou, can you elaborate on the "third party" information......surely you remember something out of that conversation.

-- September 21, 2006 9:11 AM ∞

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Anonymous wrote:

Mary Lou wrote,

"I heard from my friends Sister-in-law the other day. Her husband works in Iraq. He said that there was, apparently, an article in Stars and Stripes which have all the soldiers extremely excited. Apparently, it has to do with the dinar. Anyone know anything?"

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

This question was posted verbatim yesterday on Investors Iraq under the name mclay549. You two related?

-- September 21, 2006 1:34 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Jesse,

Might need an answer from a taxexpert. If you are investing, the investment makes a profit, now insteaad of taking out the profit, roll over the profit straight into another investment, (other currencies, gold whatever). Will there be a tax each time the investment is moved into something else or will there be a tax only when an investment is taken out of any investment , rolling or not.

Carl, Laura,

My 2 cents what the dictators in Cuba was conspiring about. First, how to stay in power. Second, as their economies are completely down the drain, because of their own actions, they have to find a reason other than their own why thy are down the drain.

From all the old school socialism floating around in any poor country, and the US is not practicing socialism, well, then the source for their miseries are pretty clear. USA.

Socialism are practicing the false idea of "zero money". Meaning, they think that there is only x ammount of money in existence, no more can be added or subtracted.

Socialism thus minted the expression of "classes" of people, where the money was believed to be predetermined of who will earn it or not.

So with that philosophy, anyone making it, is doing it on behalf of someone that is poor.

-"The reason you have money, is BECAUSE I am poor"

Communism and Socialism is basically two different gradients of the same thing. Communism have failed, but Socialism as a basic economic model have got quite a big following through the world.

It has gained quite a big acceptance in academic circles, (you know those guys that havent really contributed YET, still on loans, but they will get a DR degree in a couple of years), and in poorer countries.

The Socialist ideals was pretty much practiced in the European countries, after WW2 as their way of dealing with social issues.

Nowdays, the thinking might still be there, but it has become clear in most European countries that no one can afford to have a social system where the state takes care of you from the cradle to the grave, everything free.

So the old school of socialist thinking is vaning in Europe, plus the social welfare system is dismantled more and more.

Much of the Soviet era socialists/communist was trying to convert any poor nation into socialism.

They still today are sitting and thinking that because of unfair economics, they are poor.

It's so easy to start seing patterns of conspiracy, and of course, US with all it's wealth, is the reason they are poor.

Get a band of those diehard communists or socialists, let them take over a banana republic somewhere and you will get a dictator in no time.

Let them band together and they can sit with their failed economics and blame the world.

They will get followers from other poor failed countries in the UN that will applaud when these clowns come on the scene.

They only show their own uneducated ignorance, when they are doing so.

Any plot to take down the Dollar, is ridiculos because it is not Dollar they are against, it is as currencies goes, all the big currencies in the world that are the oil in the engine that drives the world economy.

They are not up against the Dollar because what they are up against is the total world economy, versus their little poor shit countries economies.

Theres not even substance there to worry about these clowns, they have come and gone the whole time, and I'm sure no one even remember the names of those 30,40 or 50 years ago.

-- September 21, 2006 1:34 PM ∞

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Anonymous wrote:

JOKE OF THE DAY:

Roger, I appreciated your comments on communism. Here is an old joke Ronald Reagan used to tell. He clearly understood that communism was an idiotic system, and was a complete failure, long before the Soviet Union collapsed:

"Boris, a Russian man patiently sacrifices and saves his money for twenty years, to be able to buy a car. He goes into the Soviet Motor Bureau, where he fills out four hours of paperwork, that will allow him to buy a car. He then waits an hour for a clerk to review his paperwork, and interview him.

"Well, Boris, it looks like your papers are in order. You must come here to pick up the car, when it is ready." Looking at his calender, the clerk says, "Yes, we have a date. Your car will be ready for pickup ten years from now, on July 21st, in the morning."

Boris looks distraught. "Can we make it another day?", he asks the clerk.

"Why?" replies the clerk.

"The plumber is coming that morning!"

-- September 21, 2006 5:28 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Anonymous,

Reagan was the man. He pulled a joke like that for Gorbatiov, Reagan had a belly laugh, and Gorbi, laughed halfheartedly and polite.

-- September 22, 2006 12:53 AM ∞

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Mary Lou wrote:

Thank you for looking Bob. Yes, Anonymous-I am the same one. At least you folks here weren't condescending as they were on the other site. I was sincerely hoping that, those of you who have better resources than me, might have been able to verify. So, I thank you for your help.

-- September 22, 2006 2:09 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Been reading up a bit on the Iraq progress, and I dont really like what I'm reading.

The main problem is the inactivity in taking necessary steps.

Many YEARS after the invasion, the oilfields are still mainly a war junk yard.

From the reports I'm reading, the Iraqi army is willing and ready to take on the militias, but no order is ever coming.

Iraq's PM Malaki, still have the backing of the US, but patience is wearing thin. The main objection from the US side is the complete non activity on the security. The hard decisions are never made, and the situation continues and continues.

Malaki are compromising with his minister appointees, in order not to stirr "feelings" and are forced by the militias to appoint a few of their own, known people with militia connections.

I was happy when Malaki took over from the other guy, but it seems to me now, that what we have here, is the same shit in different wrapping.

This endless, nothing will ever happen, situation will effect our Dinar investment.

Perhaps it is time to take back the reins over Iraq again, and implement the needed changes, take the hard decisions regarding militias, clean out the rats. Clean out the streets, and start the pumps.

Malaki promised in the beginning that real changes would take place quick and effectively, in fact, he has done very little or nothing, but sitting in endless negotiations with any farmer knocking on his door.

This is not leadership, it's an inability to take action, it's an inability to prioritize.

If a question regarding Iraq's safety, welfare and economy is on the agenda, it seems that he is unable to differ in importance this issue, against the issue wether a local clan chief can still collect his clan taxes from southern Tikrit, the clan might have sent a delegation of 25 people to him to impress him, and now he spend all his time trying to negotiate with a fart that doesnt matter.

Seems like his office is always booked full for the day with unimportant meetings and negotiatins.

I can imagine, people are lined up in the corridor, arguing, handwaiving, and demanding their turn to get in, under the threat of open or covert hostile action, if this demand is not met.

He is EFFECT.

He is not a CAUSE point.

True leaders are able to prioritize, and deal with issues in the order of magnitude as they are.

Not dealing with ANY issue that happen to be in front of the nose.

In order to be a power, you have to USE your power, otherwise you will lose your power.

Iraqi government IS the power, but the Iraqi Government is not using it. In the Iraq governments own oil revenue building in Basra, reportedly, in the entrance lobby,a big portrait of Al Sadr is hanging.

Another year goes by, and another year........our soluton so far have been to trow money to them , thinking this will sove the problem.

So far we have OVER A BILLION DOLLAR that is completely unaccounted for, just gone.

"We have appointed an investigation that will..." good luck suckers.

Something have to change, either we take Iraq back, or it's time to start pointing a gun to the forehead on some people over there and demand results.

-- September 22, 2006 2:31 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Roger!
When you are being cattle called by the same master "Iran" it is hard to take action against another member of the herd ....such as the milita under our friend Sdar...
The ingredients of Corruption and the unwillingness to take command of your own government is the reciepe which will lead to facilation and eventual collapse to a dictator...just proven ingredients from history...
I am afraid you see smell the stove already heated and ready for the dish...

-- September 22, 2006 4:44 AM ∞

---

Tim Bitts wrote:

Roger, don't worry about political dithering. This is a test for Iraq. Can they hold a democracy together? My guess is, no, in the long run. They are not up to it. Personally, I would like democracy to succeed there, but if it doesn't, so what? If some thug has to take charge at some point in the future, and cleans house, so what? With other thugs running other oil rich countries, their currency is still worth a lot. America won't let Iraq split apart, but they can't solve all their problems, either. My guess is America will settle for a thug again, in the future, who keeps things going, keeps the oil moving. Either way, I can't see this thing turning out as anything but good for investors. The world still needs oil. It's still running out of oil. The economies of India and China are still growing phenomenally. That will continue. China, for instance, will have an economy the size of the States by mid-century. India will soon replace Japan as the number two economy, after the States. All this economic expansion will require a lot of oil Guess where they will get it from?

Human greed won't stop. So if it ends up, Arabs are too incompetant to run a democracy, as I suspect, and some tin-horn dictator runs the show, and the Dinar is worth a lot of money that way, then so be it. America can defeat any army in the world. But it can't make people smart, nor good.

My brother in law works in Qatar. They have lots of oil. He makes lots of money. He tells me that 75% of the labor force is foreigners. Not enough competant Arabs, apparantly. So if Uncle Sam has to go there, get the oil out themselves, refine it, ship it, while bribing a bunch of brain-dead camel jockeys, I could care less. As long as I get my share of the loot.

The real resource in Arab countries are not the people, anyway. It is the oil in the ground, which, fuelled by human greed, will keep the world's economy growing, and my bank account growing. That's my belief.

Other countries, like Japan, have good and smart people and no resources. Not Arab countries. They have people in the thralls of a retarded version of Islam, who sit on the biggest pile of oil on the planet.

-- September 22, 2006 12:57 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Tim Bitts,

I'm on your page on this, I really hope they are going to make, it, and are willing to go to very long lenth and give all the slack in the world, for them to make it.

There is a point when there's no more rope. Thats all there is, their ai'nt no more.

You've got to haul yourself out of the bin with that. If you dont reach the rope, or can figure out a way to reach it, you're done.

I did yesterday get to the sites where the famous "Dr Q" was talking in teleconferance, did listen to both Dr Q, and Chairman of CBI's cousin.

"Dr Q" seem to have a little bit more contact with the chairman (at least that's what he claims, and the cousin, I dont know even why they have him on, he have not seen the chairman for fourteen years.)

For whatever it's worth, info coming from those sources have been a bit unreliable to say the least, but I did get a common thread, that the security situation have to be solved, or getting in hand before any major changes could take place.

Did check on the chairman of CBI's activities, and I must say that he is very active internationally.

I do actually believe that an RV is in the works, and I do also believe that "Dr Q" have enough of info that he can snap up bitts and pieces, but not enough to really get the insider stuff that counts.

He predicted an RV before the end of August "for sure" . That didnt happen, but I'm sure he have got the info in one way or the other, just the fact that it is an RV that is discussed, and dates are discussed, is one indication that the CBI is really planning for it.

The security situation have dramatically deteriorated in Iraq (better say Baghdad), since then, and as I can see it, a postponing of events have happened.

I dont give more to "Dr Q" other than he is just another piece in the (endless figuring ) puzzle.

So we are in fact waiting for an incompetent leader to take hard decisions regarding security, that will never come.

What amazes me, is the article about the Iraqi Army forces, they have been built up by now to quite a formidable force actually.

They have successfully , without runing, fought battles with the militia, and kicked ass.

Reportedly, the Iraqi generals, are eager to get the go ahead. The Iraqi forces are , I must point out, willing, to take the militias on.

From what I can read into the situation, Malaki hve to make some choices pretty quick, the pressure fromm US and internal pressures from his own Army is building. Take care of the militias.

Months and months of endless negotiting have produced nothing but horse voices.

It's a ridiculous proposition in the first place.

"Hi we are the goverment, can you please turn in your weapons, please stack the knifes in the blue barrel, and the AK's in the red barrel, and make sure you have cleared the chamber before you turn it in."

Imagine a "negotiating room " with cockies, sodas, and flowers on the table, table signs and a secretary running in and out with a coffee tray.

-- September 22, 2006 2:46 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Carl,

Correct, no timer on the owen.

-- September 22, 2006 2:48 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

Roger and All:

I stand by what I have posted more than once here. Your posting confirms at least part of my theory. Namely, the security situation must be controlled prior to an RV. I think this is one piece of the puzzle.

Once the security situation is handled the other items have the potential to fall into place. I still believe we are looking at 2008 before a modest RV of possibly 1345 to 1.

Though I may seem pessemistic in my postings, I am optomistic regarding the long-term future of Iraq. I hope I am wrong, but I think we will be holding our dinar long into the next decade.

Once the oil starts flowing Iraq will replace both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as the wealthiest country in the middle east. A wealthy Iraq translates into a strong currency, which in turn translates into wealthy investors. Hang on to those dinars.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 22, 2006 5:55 PM ∞

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JustMe wrote:

Question: Isn't there a seven day period of "silence" before the dinar/money can actually be R/V?
There "has" to be, otherwise you would have a lot of "inside trading."

I believe -- BASED STRICTLY ON WHAT I'VE READ, HEARD, AND BEEN TOLD -- ONLY MY OPINION -- today, Friday, is day one of that seven day period...I believe that we will see a r/v on Friday, 9/29/06...at least that my prayers!

Any comments...

-- September 22, 2006 10:46 PM ∞

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JustMe wrote:

Question: Isn't there a seven day period of "silence" before the dinar/money can actually be R/V?
There "has" to be, otherwise you would have a lot of "inside trading."

I believe -- BASED STRICTLY ON WHAT I'VE READ, HEARD, AND BEEN TOLD -- ONLY MY OPINION -- today, Friday, is day one of that seven day period...I believe that we will see a r/v on Friday, 9/29/06...at least that my prayers!

Any comments...

-- September 22, 2006 10:46 PM ∞

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Mary Lou wrote:

Posted this earlier, but not finding it. Thought it was interesting and will try again:

Home > Iraqi News & Related Items
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Opinion / Analysis
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Mutual funds look beyond chaos in Iraq
Mutual funds look beyond chaos in Iraq ^
03/17/2006 | Post-Gazette | cache ^
...T. Rowe Price Group Inc., based in Baltimore, says about $16 million of its $558 million Emerging Market Bond Fund is invested in the new Iraqi bonds. Standish Mellon Asset Management Co., of Boston, says it has about $2 million in Iraqi bonds, spread out among some of its emerging-market mutual funds. It declined to identify the funds but said they had a total of $400 million in assets...

-- September 22, 2006 11:51 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Rob N.

True, but the situation has to be handled not only with force, but also with a stronger economy, I am baffled of all the dallying around on the issue, and no direct hard and decisive action is taken.

My own reality is that the fix of the Dinar would give a blow to the insurgency, as business would suddenly thrive. This could very well be done simultaneously as taking hard measures on the militia.

The idea that the security issue has to be dealt with FIRST, might very well be the prevailing idea in Iraq. I dont agree, but if that is the case, the RV will have to wait.

-- September 23, 2006 12:11 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

JustMe,

Absolutely, in the economic doctrines taught in any university , socialist capitalist, free trade or barter trade, the seven day silence is one of the holiest economical principles.

"There are seven day silence before any revaluation" have been found on Viking runstones, and old Egyptian hieroglyfs.

The only country Ogabebeland, that did not apply that principle was consequently over runned by locust, fire , earthquake and Riots. The ruling family had to flee the country in shame after not applying this principle.

Ogabebe Credits, the countries currency is still floating around mostly in collectors hand, but are in general believed to be cursed and have very little , or no value.

-- September 23, 2006 12:20 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Ask me, I know.

-- September 23, 2006 12:22 AM ∞

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Nelly B - Investor wrote:

Roger, when will the RV happen and how much will it be? :o)

-- September 23, 2006 2:40 AM ∞

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C1Jim wrote:

The International Compact For Iraq/Economic Development

President Bush And Prime Minister Maliki Discussed Prime Minister Maliki's Proposal For An International Compact For Iraq, Which Is Expected To Be Signed Later This Year. The Compact will outline Iraq's commitment to specific economic reforms - and the international community's commitment to support those reforms. The United States will work hard to encourage other countries to support the compact, and provide assistance to help Iraq's new democracy succeed.

Iraq's Economy Has Made Real Progress In The First Two Months Of The New Unity Government. Most macroeconomic indicators are in positive territory, and Iraq has realized its highest oil production and export levels since before the war. Exports are averaging 1.47 million barrels per day for the year, and 1.60 million per day in June. Many challenges remain in these areas, but real progress is being made under the Prime Minister's leadership.

Prime Minister Maliki Has Laid Out His Plans For New Investment Laws, Anti-Corruption Measures, Restored Financial Relationships With Gulf States, And Initiatives To Restore Essential Services Through Investment And Reform - And He Is Following Up. Prime Minister Maliki's efforts include directing each cabinet member to establish a comptroller and to submit ethics and financial disclosure agreements. He has submitted an investment law to parliament, which he expects to be enacted before the end of this month.

Source : http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/

C1Jim

-- September 23, 2006 3:17 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Nelly B,

With such a direct approach a direct answer is appropriate, and no other details like "how many fake library cards are in the hands of illegal immigrants?" or " Is Camilla fridgid?", should be brought into the discussion. That is compltely beside the point, has nothing to do with it, and we shouldnt even go there.

-- September 23, 2006 4:24 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

C1Jim,

Seems like the official site is very positive from the White House, regarding Maliki, other reports from US gov are not so rosy.

Quite a pressure right now on Maliki to do something.

-- September 23, 2006 4:28 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

May I ask, where exactly did this 1345 :: 1 figure come from, I've seen it a couple of times, and it seem to have great significance to some, that keeps repeating it.

I just think that such a small RV is not really practical, as such a small step will do very little or nothing to change anything.

A Dinar to Dollar is on the other hand, a bit too much ( They might give us an early Christmas present though, who knows), and it seems not likely either. At least not in the short run.

Around 10 cents is a significant step, that will make a difference, and it's not so far out that it will tip any scales unfavorably. To me it seems to be a very workable ballpark figure.

Why would anyone try to make a very small insignificant, microscopic change on an already undervalued currency, and believe the endresult will have any kind of significance.

-- September 23, 2006 4:50 AM ∞

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C1Jim wrote:

I think the 1345:1 number won't work. All it will do is cause everyone to rush out an buy dinars, hoping it will continue. Same deal with a 1340:1, then a 1200:1, then 600:1 etc.
I think the RV will happen around 0.01 - 0.03. Then it will raise or fall with the situation. Anymore than that I think would be too drastic. Of course this is just my opinion. I of course welcome anything over .10. that is my retire point.
Where do you think it will actually hit the market?

-- September 23, 2006 5:13 AM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Roger!
You are confused...that was the 12 days before christmas, that brought devastation to the unbelievers as one of them released methane during the required period of silence...however, that is how here in the south we learned to search caves without a flashlight.....

Nellie!
No Shit! Camillia is frigid? Damn! all my fantasies shot to hell!

-- September 23, 2006 6:23 AM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Nellie!
Can't get over camillia being frigid...are you blokes in the UK going to have a mass demonstration in the streets like the muslims did over the pope telling the truth for once...
Boy! I bet that came as a shock to charlie....I mean after all...he was shagging her for years before he found out....but hey! again science has proved....rubbing anything against anything fast enough and you can get heat along with a mess, if you don't have a towel
Plus....just as certain as it is that "exlax" goes in your teacher's chocolate cookies... marriage has proven it will always be the cure for that cursed affliction of "sexual desire".

-- September 23, 2006 6:37 AM ∞

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C1Jim wrote:

How many times a day to you check this site?

-- September 23, 2006 6:58 AM ∞

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Mary Lou wrote:

Heard this on MSNBC-just a blurb-apparently not confirmed by US as I haven't heard it anywhere else-but finally found the article and wanted to pass it on to all of you (Please note-it is "French Intel"):

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

French Intel: Bin Laden is dead

PARIS, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Osama bin Laden is dead, according to Saudi intelligence sources, cited by a French newspaper, which claims to have obtained a document leaked to them by French intelligence.
The news of the death of al-Qaida's chief was reported in the Saturday edition of l'Est Republicain, a respected regional daily. The French paper cites a memo they claim was obtained from the French counter-espionage agency, the Direction Générale des Services Extérieurs, or the DGSE.
The world's most wanted terrorist, according to the French newspaper, is believed to have died last August as a result of typhoid fever while in Pakistan.
The report of bin Laden's death was however not confirmed by official sources.
But a Saudi intelligence source told United Press International: "We are not saying he is dead, but there is a lot of truth in the report." The Saudi source, who spoke on condition that his name not be revealed, confirmed that according to Saudi Arabian intelligence "bin Laden was very ill these past few weeks."
The Saudi intelligence source told UPI "There is no way we can prove that bin Laden is dead until we can see the body." But, he added, "A good portion of what is in the report is true."
For the moment, the source went on to say, "We do not confirm (the death). "We don't know."
Making the report all the more credible is the choice by the person or persons in French intelligence of where to leak the report, the regional L'Est Republicain, rather than one of the larger Paris-based dailies.
"There is a history with that paper," said the Saudi source.
The information is based on what the newspaper calls "a usually reliable source," stating that Saudi intelligence sources "are convinced" of bin Laden's death.
United Press International - Intl. Intelligence - French Intel: Bin Laden is dead

All I know is that I want a body........................
_________________________________________________________________

Additionally, I emailed my friend and questioned her further about her husband's call-I am posting her answer for you all to read:

I haven't heard from David the last couple days. But when he called on Tuesday he said that everyone was still twitterpated over there. And he is still hearing $1.68 to the Dinar. I can't imagine that, but that's what he is hearing. He said for me to just keep a good eye on things for now, just in case it isn't just a rumor!! I've had my TV on the stock channel for the last week and I had my neighbor set my computer to alert me when there is a change in the Currency. It's crazy! If I hear anymore I'll yell at cha. I did find out that Wells Fargo will be trading and when it does go on the world market all I have to do is take it to any branch and they will take care of it for me. I think they said that there will be a one time $5.00 fee. I told my mother to go to Amarillo tomarrow and open up an account with Wells Fargo so that's what she is doing. I already have an account with them. We don't have the bank you were talking about down south. Talk to ya later, Crystal

(please don't shoot the messenger, folks)

-- September 23, 2006 11:02 AM ∞

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Mary Lou wrote:

Per live phone conversation on MSNBC, US intel can not confirm the French Intel-and, as of right now-it is doubtful.

-- September 23, 2006 11:09 AM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

What's this? I think I read a rumour...out of the corner of my mind....on this winged tableau of hopes and dreams...It can't be true...I barely dare utter it...If true, this Hamlet's heart crashes, like a celestial meteor, crashing from from heaven's vault, like Momma Cass doing a belly flop, off a three metre diving board...the wicked thing some vile creature on this site dared utter was:....Her ladyship, Camilla, is ...dare I say it, ....frigid?.... Did I hear that right? Please....say it ain't true...Hells bells, how I have dreamed of ropin' that filly for years. Nothing sexier than a horsefaced English matron. I was hopin' to steal her away from Prince Jughead. I bought a saddle and spurs for the occasion. Now what am I to do? Frigid? Neigh! Neigh! Say it ain't true. Oh, well, Prince Chuckles should have known he could never compete with her first love---Mr. Ed!

-- September 23, 2006 12:10 PM ∞

---

Tim Bitts wrote:

What's this? I think I read a rumour...out of the corner of my mind....on this winged tableau of hopes and dreams...It can't be true...I barely dare utter it...If true, this Hamlet's heart crashes, like a celestial meteor, crashing from from heaven's vault, like Momma Cass doing a belly flop, off a three metre diving board...the wicked thing some vile creature on this site dared utter was:....Her ladyship, Camilla, is ...dare I say it, ....frigid?.... Did I hear that right? Please....say it ain't true...Hells bells, how I have dreamed of ropin' that filly for years. Nothing sexier than a horsefaced English matron. I was hopin' to steal her away from Prince Jughead. I bought a saddle and spurs for the occasion. Now what am I to do? Frigid? Neigh! Neigh! Say it ain't true. Oh, well, Prince Chuckles should have known he could never compete with her first love---Mr. Ed!

-- September 23, 2006 12:11 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Bin Laden Dead? I'm very very sceptical. First if he have been able to be hidden for years, and despite all efforts, no report of his whereabouts have resulted in his finding, then I can assume, that we have not been able to plant an agent close to him.

Second, from his camp, messages arriving regulary to AlJaazera TV network.

So they seem to be able to control what messages goes out and what goes in.

Suddenly a leak, that are getting to media in no time, with detailed information about his health, and death.

On top of it all, the French....

If he was actually dead, I dont thing they would use a French channel, they have luck with AlJazzera, they willingly play hours of their propaganda, all they have to do is rant in front of the camera, and they go for it. They would rather announce it with their old buddies
AlJazzera. His death would make him once again a hero, and a martyr, manage to execute the 9/11 and subsequently managed to escape all the electronic stuff we have, trying to get him.

That would be a PR opportunity thay would not pass up on, but then again, theyre really not thinking straight anyway, and might not know how to market stuff.

Journalists are fabricating things the whole time, hardly any story are reported as is, but have a slant of something in it, some are completely fabricated, Tiger Woods experienced one very recently.
So this might also be a fabrication, from someone that have nothing to do with Bin Laden.

-- September 23, 2006 12:21 PM ∞

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Outlaw in Iraq wrote:

To all my Buds in the sandbox:

I'M headed back... should be in country around the 5th if plans don't change... Revising my will and Packing for the trip now!

Be safe! See ya soon! Hoorah!

Outlaw

-- September 23, 2006 12:23 PM ∞

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Outlaw in Iraq wrote:

Roger,

He might be dead... I am not sure Bush would admit if he was... That would take the wind out of the sails for the war!!!

Bush probably has him on ice somewhere so he can pull his corpse out around election time in 07. (hehe)

Outlaw

-- September 23, 2006 12:27 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Mary Lou,

No no no, you wont get shot, we cut your retina out, make slices of your liver and eat it.

Please tell me, you have a friend, that is talking to some "David". who is this David, and what postition is he in? ...and why does these high numbers in a revaluation seem to come from this direction.

Dont worry, we can all see it's a pretty long winerank, just curious what you know about the source.

-- September 23, 2006 12:28 PM ∞

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Mary Lou wrote:

He and his wife are friends of mine-he works in Iraq for Haliburton. So far, his truck has been bombed out twice from under him-first time, he walked away okay-second time, he was injured and is still recovering. This is the first time he has called (been there for over two years) his wife with this kind of information. I talked with her last Sunday and have been checking everywhere I can for info-and asking others on these boards (with more sources than me) for confirmation. I emailed her last night-she also has been trying to confirm. I am posting our emails back and forth last night:
_______________________________________________________________
He has a new computer, but he can't access the internet. The military has put a block on all wireless access. Naturally, they do that after we buy a computer for him to take back with him this last time. I just have to wait for him to call me. Hopefully he will call tomarrow!! The info he got came from one of the guys that had just come off a convoy from Baghdad. He said that every one in Baghdad was twitterpated and now it has spread all the way to his camp. His friend said that he tried to get them to tell him how he knew that the Dinar was about to come out and they said "We can't tell you, but just trust us, we have inside info." Now what ever that means. And since David is on light duty and can't drive right now, he won't be going to Baghdad any time soon as far as I know. I really wish I knew what they were talking about TOO! I have been watching this stuff around the clock since a week ago this past Thursday night. I haven't seen anything else either. I've seen the tiny flux in the dinar too but that's about it. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything I promise, and you do the same okay. Crystal

Mclay549@aol.com wrote:
Did he elaborate on why they are thinking that it's going to revalue? I've been watching it closely this week (more so than usual) and still haven't seen any kind of movement other than an up and down between 1475 dinars to the dollar down to 1466 to the dollar and back up again. Also, have been looking through any source I can find on the net and nothing. They have to have heard something that has them worked up. It had to come from somewhere. If it's just a rumor-such as we get here-almost monthly-then it's a believe it when I see it. If it's valid information, sure wish we could find out where it came from.

Can you, perhaps, email him and obtain a little more information?
Thanks
Toni

In a message dated 9/22/2006 8:25:45 PM Pacific Daylight Time, crystal_k1968@yahoo.com writes:
I haven't heard from David the last couple days. But when he called on Tuesday he said that everyone was still twitterpated over there. And he is still hearing $1.68 to the Dinar. I can't imagine that, but that's what he is hearing. He said for me to just keep a good eye on things for now, just in case it isn't just a rumor!! I've had my TV on the stock channel for the last week and I had my neighbor set my computer to alert me when there is a change in the Currency. It's crazy! If I hear anymore I'll yell at cha. I did find out that Wells Fargo will be trading and when it does go on the world market all I have to do is take it to any branch and they will take care of it for me. I think they said that there will be a one time $5.00 fee. I told my mother to go to Amarillo tomarrow and open up an account with Wells Fargo so that's what she is doing. I already have an account with them. We don't have the bank you were talking about down south. Talk to ya later, Crystal

Mclay549@aol.com wrote:
Hi-

Nothing so far-have you heard any more from David? Has he given you any more information?

Toni

________________________________________________________________
As I stated before, not going to hold my breath - just hopeful. What I can't believe is if it does revalue, it would be $1.68 to the dollar. They started buying their dinars mid 2004 and this is the first time he has ever told his wife anything like this before. You may be right-the service men may be picking up rumors - like us - from the internet. Normally, I simply post news items I see that I believe would be of interest. Since this is the first time this has happened, I wanted to post it and see if anyone could find any validity to David's call

-- September 23, 2006 12:40 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Outlaw,

Cool, guess you will be posting as "Outlaw in Iraq" when you're there.

Bin Laden on ice, good idea, make a freakshow of him.

Keep it cool under the helmet, dont shoot yourself in the foot,(dont shoot someone else in the foot either)

Let us know how things are going. Our hearts are with you.

-- September 23, 2006 12:43 PM ∞

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Mary Lou wrote:

p.s.-our emails are reverse order-I copied and pasted the replys directly from my email rather than one at a time------so-----last email first, etc.

-- September 23, 2006 12:44 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Mary Lou,

Interesting, well it's a rumor, but at least it shows that it's some kind of activity on that front. From what I can get, Baghdad is where the jittering is, would like to know if this is rumours within the compalny, or if it is based more on actual observations, and events that are taking place with the locals. What they are doing and what they are thinking.

1.68 seems to be so much out of the frame, but hey, I take it.

-- September 23, 2006 12:52 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

What are you when you are twitterpated?

-- September 23, 2006 12:55 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

No wonder Iraq did so badly trying to repel our invasion, we probably knew their warplan ahead of time.

If a reval is to take place, it's suppose to be a secret, until it has happen, but in Iraq, it seems completely impossible to keep a secret.

-- September 23, 2006 12:59 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

C1Jim,

How many times I check this site, I dont know, I have it on the whole time.

-- September 23, 2006 1:06 PM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Roger!
I bet prince charles can tell ya what "twitterpattered" means! ..if I was him I would have quit drinking whatever caused his brain to reverse the number 01 to a 10...

-- September 23, 2006 1:11 PM ∞

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Mary Lou wrote:

Roger-I agree with you. Also, I think that that is her southern word for Extremely Excited-please note-that was her description-not mine. She was born and raised in Texas-probably would strangle me for posting our emails. However, wanted to show, as previously stated, my info was third party and was looking for verification. By the way, ran accross a very good article concerning Bin Laden's reported POSSIBLE death:
_______________________________________________________________
Probe into 'Bin Laden death' leak

Bin Laden is blamed for attacks across the world
President Jacques Chirac has ordered an inquiry into the leak of a French secret service memo claiming that Osama Bin Laden had died.
Mr Chirac told reporters he was surprised the memo had been leaked, and refused to comment on the claim itself.

A French newspaper quoted a document as saying the Saudi secret services were convinced the al-Qaeda leader had died of typhoid in Pakistan in late August.

Officials in Pakistan and the US said they could not confirm the account.

Saudi-born Bin Laden was based in Afghanistan until the Taleban government there was overthrown by US-backed forces in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks.

Since then, US and Pakistani officials have regularly said they believe he is hiding in the lawless border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

His last videotaped message was released in late 2004, but several audio tapes have been released this year - the last at the end of June, in which Bin Laden praised Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, who was killed in an American air strike.

Internal organs paralysed

In its report, French regional daily L'Est Republicain said it had obtained a copy of a DGSE foreign intelligence service report dated 21 September.

"According to a usually reliable source, the Saudi services are now convinced that Osama Bin Laden is dead," it read.

"The information gathered by the Saudis indicates that the head of al-Qaeda fell victim, while he was in Pakistan on August 23, 2006, to a very serious case of typhoid that led to a partial paralysis of his internal organs."

Mr Chirac said: "I am surprised that a confidential memo from the secret services has been published, therefore I've ordered the defence minister to start an inquiry.

"As far as the information itself is concerned, it's not confirmed in any way. Therefore I have no comment at all."

The Washington-based IntelCenter, which monitors terrorism communications, said it was not aware of any similar reports on the internet.

"We've seen nothing from any al-Qaeda messaging or other indicators that would point to the death of Osama Bin Laden," director Ben Venzke told the Associated Press news agency.

-- September 23, 2006 1:12 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

C1Jim,

May I ask, why have you set your retirement level at such a low level as .10?

Iraq have a lot of wealth, and in time the potential for the Dinar to rise is very high.

I could see that a part of the investment could be cashed in, just to be able to make a change in the life, but it is a long term investment.

Then again, if they go wild and do something close to a Dollar or Euro, I think the line at the banks will be pretty long.

-- September 23, 2006 1:18 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

Roger,

Thanks... you too be careful out there... I think the roads are more dangerous than Iraq but who knows...

To All:
I'm sure that when the Dinar RV'S... no one will know in advance. I have been sitting and waiting for over two years now and if you go back to the old posts on here, you will see that everyweek someone posts rumors of a pending RV and it comes and it always comes and goes...

Remember a few months ago whe the billions of Dinar was stolen??? I don't think the CBI is going to RV until they find out who got it... Has anyone heard of a follow-up on that story?

Cheers...

Outlaw

-- September 23, 2006 1:22 PM ∞

---

Outlaw wrote:

War price on U.S. lives equal to 9/11... By CALVIN WOODWARD, Associated Press Writer
Sat Sep 23, 1:36 AM ET

WASHINGTON - Now the death toll is 9/11 times two. U.S. military deaths from Iraq and Afghanistan now surpass those of the most devastating terrorist attack in America's history, the trigger for what came next.
The latest milestone for a country at war came Friday without commemoration. It came without the precision of knowing who was the 2,974th to die in conflict. The terrorist attacks killed 2,973 victims in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

An Associated Press count of the U.S. death toll in Iraq rose to 2,696. Combined with 278 U.S. deaths in and around Afghanistan, the 9/11 toll was reached, then topped, the same day. The Pentagon reported Friday the latest death from Iraq, an as-yet unidentified soldier killed a day earlier after his vehicle was hit by a roadside bombing in eastern Baghdad.

Not for the first time, war that was started to answer death has resulted in at least as much death for the country that was first attacked, quite apart from the higher numbers of enemy and civilians killed. Historians note that this grim accounting is not how the success or failure of warfare is measured, and that the reasons for conflict are broader than what served as the spark.

The body count from World War II was far higher for Allied troops than for the crushed Axis. Americans lost more men in each of a succession of Pacific battles than the 2,390 people who died at Pearl Harbor in the attack that made the U.S. declare war on Japan. The U.S. lost 405,399 in the theaters of World War II.

Despite a death toll that pales next to that of the great wars, one casualty milestone after another has been observed and reflected upon this time, especially in Iraq.

There was the benchmark of seeing more U.S. troops die in the occupation than in the swift and successful invasion. And the benchmarks of 1,000 dead, 2,000, 2,500.

Now this.

"There's never a good war but if the war's going well and the overall mission remains powerful, these numbers are not what people are focusing on," said Julian Zelizer, a political historian at Boston University. "If this becomes the subject, then something's gone wrong."

Beyond the tribulations of the moment and the now-rampant doubts about the justification and course of the Iraq war, Zelizer said Americans have lost firsthand knowledge of the costs of war that existed keenly up to the 1960s, when people remembered two world wars and Korea, and faced Vietnam.

"A kind of numbness comes from that," he said. "We're not that country anymore — more bothered, more nervous. This isn't a country that's used to ground wars anymore."

Almost 10 times more Americans have died in Iraq than in Afghanistan, where U.S. casualties have been remarkably light by any historical standard, although climbing in recent months in the face of a resurgent Taliban.

The Pentagon reports 56 military deaths and one civilian Defense Department death in other parts of the world from Operation Enduring Freedom, the anti-terrorism war distinct from Iraq.

Altogether, 3,031 have died abroad since Sept. 11, 2001.

The toll among Iraqi civilians hit a record high in the summer, with 6,599 violent deaths reported in July and August alone, the United Nations said this week.

Among the latest U.S. deaths identified by the armed forces:

_Army 2nd Lt. Emily J.T. Perez, 23, Fort Washington, Md., who died Sept. 12 in Kifl, Iraq, from an explosive device detonated near her vehicle. A former high school sprinter who sang in her West Point gospel choir, she was assigned to the 204th Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

_Marine Sgt. Christopher M. Zimmerman, 28, Stephenville, Texas, killed Wednesday in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

A new study on the war dead and where they come from suggests that the notion of "rich man's war, poor man's fight" has become a little truer over time.

Among the Americans killed in the Iraq war, 34 percent have come from communities reporting the lowest levels of family income. Half come from middle income communities and only 17 percent from the highest income level.

That's a change from World War II, when all income groups were represented about equally. In Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, the poor have made up a progressively larger share of casualties, by this analysis.

Eye-for-an-eye vengeance was not the sole motivator for what happened after the 2001 attacks any more than Pearl Harbor alone was responsible for all that followed. But Pearl Harbor caught the U.S. in the middle of mobilization, debate, rising tensions with looming enemies and a European war already in progress. Historians doubt anyone paid much attention to sad milestones once America threw itself into the fight.

In contrast, the United States had no imminent war intentions against anyone on Sept. 10, 2001. One bloody day later, it did.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060923/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/911_times_two

Comments???

-- September 23, 2006 1:29 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Mary Lou,

Well, if he is actually dead, may he go to hell. Have a feeling though that this latest Bin Laden thing, needs to be played out a bit more though.

Carl,

Oh I thought the southern way of entering a cave was to expel a looooong fart lit it, and thus have light.

-- September 23, 2006 1:36 PM ∞

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snowballed wrote:

First of all I would like to say that I bought my ticket for this train a very long time ago and paid for it with my sweat and tears in the sandbox. Several of my Buds are still there helping the Iraqi People and I would like to say "HOORAH" to them!

This is the first time I've posted here, but have been reading for years. I'm posting today because I am having some financial difficulty's due to health problem that a family member is going through, sadly causing me to offer some of my Dinar for sale to cover some despertly needed Medical Costs. I really don't want to sell any of it but, it looks like I don't have much choice at the moment.

If anyone is interested, I can be contacted at ibsnowballed@hotmail.com

Heres to hoping that our investment pays off big in the very near future... See ya all at the Pig Roast!

Snowballed

-- September 23, 2006 1:49 PM ∞

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cant tell you wrote:

MaryLou,

I have four family members in Iraqi, two very near the greenzone and one inside -- ALL CAMPS have been placed under "unusually" strict gag orders...I was told that a US military Captain has visited each camp and given each IT supervisor instructions to monitor all computer transactions and phone calls and that "NONE" are to be made unless they are completely and 100% business related...they were not given a time frame, but I was told that in three years this person has never seen such strictness on any gag order...now, your husband being wounded may make it different for him -- I don't know -- this is just what I've been told. Also, from the greenzone..."there's been an abnormally high amount of activity in the last few days, and it all appears to be from really high ranking officials from all over the world."

That's all I could get -- we were cut off... Yes, it could be indirectly related to Radana, but the impression I got was that it was TO strict, TO direct and way TO much activity for it to be related to the event ... MY OPINION, it's because the r/v is coming ANY DAY!

Anybody else hear anything...?

-- September 23, 2006 2:14 PM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Roger!
Naw! the strobe affect is better...its sort of like being at a RAVE CONCERT if you have a bunch of your buddies with ya...
of course every now and then we have to exit to refuel...that is why we always have cans of bushes best beans on the fire..
besides the smell keeps the bats off ya...unfortunately your girlfriend too...

-- September 23, 2006 2:15 PM ∞

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cant tell you wrote:

I forgot: I was told that this gag order was issued either late Thursday evening or early Friday morning...

-- September 23, 2006 2:16 PM ∞

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Turtle wrote:

That's a negative on the gag order. The only cut in comms has been due to military deaths, etc, when they do a comms black out. There are missions going on around Baghdad right now causing some OpSec related monitoring. There's a little tough love being handed to the Iraqi leaders right now basically telling them to square away their house - issue like malitias, death squads,corruption, etc getting some serious past due addressing. If there is any follow through, you will like what you see in the next month or so. IF...

-- September 23, 2006 2:57 PM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Dead? Don't Believe it.... I firmly believe Bin Laden is alive and well. There are several indications that tend to make me think this...
1. The French Government has not lowered their flag at half mast
2. I saw the French President in a news conference this morning and he was not flogging himself with chains.
3. Senator Kerry was not wearing black today.
4. At 5AM Senator Ted ennedy had not switched to Straight Malted Scotch

-- September 23, 2006 4:52 PM ∞

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Nelly B - Investor wrote:

For what it's worth, I do remember hearing an unconfimed report that Bin Laden was seriously ill some weeks back. Not sure if it was posted here or on another site.

If it is false information (and I'll sit on the fence for that one), what does anyone gain by releasing it?

P.s. Regarding Camilla, I'm not quite sure where that came from (Roger?!), but does it matter if she is frigid or not? I'd rather hump a horse.

-- September 23, 2006 5:31 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

The Latest Buzz,

Bin Ladens death, it just seems to irregular of a channel that this could be the case.

Might be a leak of our own, to make the Bin Laden camp make a move, that we have trapped.

When it comes to intelligence, specially leaks, there is a purpose behind them. A leak can be planted, wether the contens of the leak, is favorable or unfavorable by the planters, to serve a purpose, that will disclose data in the opposite camp.

Regarding the clampdown if info from the Green Zone.

We as Dinaroholics are living in our own reality bubble, and will eagerly interpret any movement on the ground as being Dinar related.

Not everything is related to Dinars. This might very well be a big security sweep in progress.

Remember, a potsmoker consider everyone potsmokers and is relating to lawyers, doctors and eeeeeeeeeeeverybody as potsmokers.

Same goes for an alcoholic, everybody drinks. Criminal the same, everybody are crocks, they just haven't got cought yet.

So, in our healthy Dinaroholic state of mind, we can't imagine what a security clampdown means when it comes to crimes, pot or alcohol but we for sure can associate it with Dinars.

Our world circles around Dinars.

This might very well be a buildup to a bigger ground offensive against the militia.

It might be a prepapration for a big announcement, Big Oil coming in, Investment laws passed, and, or hopefully a revaluation.

Something is about to happen, all the buzz, all the indicators that have pointed to somethig for months, actually a few months. Something is coming together, for sure, but in the order of things, the revaluation might be in their priority list somewhat lower on the scale.

Big things might very well happen, but the revaluation might still be some time away, I'm just giving a word of caution

I do believe they will make ONE package announcement of it all, but not nessecarily.

Carl,
So true, so true, those guys have choosen sides long ago, and should actually wear a Mao uniform to make it easier to distinguish from the reast of the crowd, but as the mindset of terroroists, they do everything necessary to mingle,believing they are one of us, until they detonate their bombs.

Regarding the constant afterburner flame, keeping the girlfirends away. Oh, I get it, sorry I thought they were the ones keeping the fire lit, in their rearends. Oh, sorry ,when it comes to southern girls and southern customs, you have to enlighten (!) us on how things are done down there.

Nelly B,

Just after the fall of the Taliban, and our successful invasion of Afghanistan, the rumor that Bin Laden have to have dialysis with a machine, was going on. Later it was found that there has been no history of him having any kidney problems, just a rumor.

Regarding Camilla, well if the choice is Camilla or a horse, ....hm...doesnt Charles look suspiciously like a horse???

-- September 23, 2006 9:11 PM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

The Queen and Camila have had a frosty relationship in the past. Looks like they are getting closer. The Queen just offered Camilla a weekend in Paris, with a car and driver.

-- September 23, 2006 9:38 PM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

The Queen and Camila have had a frosty relationship in the past. Looks like they are getting closer. The Queen just offered Camilla a weekend in Paris, with a car and driver.

-- September 23, 2006 9:39 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Tim Bitts,

I'm sure she announced it thoroghly for all the world to know, to make sure the paparazis are there, ready for the ride.

-- September 23, 2006 11:16 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Kevin, the moderator, and All,

I get glitches when posting. Sometimes when dialing the security code whe I'm posting, the default window comes up telling me it wasnt approved becuse of wrong code, the code was ok, but when the second window comes up, it's usually no problem at all, using the new code.

I've seen some double postings.

Sometimes when editing, the text does'nt move forward, but stays where it is, and cancel the text in front of it,as you are rewriting, so it means sometimes you have to rewrite a whole sentence or chapter to get it right.

At one time, the box with the codenumber had a little red cross in it only, and no number, so I posted it, it went to the deafault box, a new code number replaced the red cross and then it worked.

Anyone else experiencing this?

-- September 23, 2006 11:28 PM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

I get double postings. Sometimes I have to move the screen down, then back up, before I can read it. Otherwise parts disappear.

-- September 24, 2006 12:16 AM ∞

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panhandler wrote:

hello all, in answer to Outlaws question, yes the sign at BIAP is still up. . .100k iqd or 10k usd

-- September 24, 2006 12:16 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Tim Bitts,

The stuff that dissapears, highlight it, by pressing left on your mouse, and move the arrow over the text, then it jumps out of hiding.

-- September 24, 2006 2:16 AM ∞

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C1Jim wrote:

I haven't heard anything about keeping communications business only. We are business as usual.

-- September 24, 2006 2:42 AM ∞

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Anonymous wrote:

C1Jim,

May I ask, why have you set your retirement level at such a low level as .10?

Iraq have a lot of wealth, and in time the potential for the Dinar to rise is very high.

I could see that a part of the investment could be cashed in, just to be able to make a change in the life, but it is a long term investment.

Then again, if they go wild and do something close to a Dollar or Euro, I think the line at the banks will be pretty long.
----------------------

.10 is the number I have set. I won't cash it all in, but at .10, I have enough dinar to retire, while saving some to cash in later, should the numbers go up.

-- September 24, 2006 2:47 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Outlaw,

Got a snippet of info on the stolen IQD,s . The money were apparently insured, and the money will be, if not ready, reinstalled to CBI. All I got was a headline telling that the insurance company was to cover for a big fire somewhere in Iraq, and for the money stolen, then ofcourse a big truck went between me and the hot spot antenna, I dropped, and I lost the rest, cant find it.

-- September 24, 2006 3:58 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Outlaw,

Come and think of it, that bankrobbery was small potato compared with the bankrobbery that Saddam did a day before the bombs started to fall. About $980million dollars, walked out the door. One of Saddams son was in charge of the operation. About 650 million dollars was recovered in Dollars hidden within the walls of Saddams palaces, but the rest is just gone with the wind. Thats 230 million Dollars. Now THAT was a bankrobbery.

I'm pretty sure, like the mud in Mississippi, the Iraq desert hides a lot of secrets.

-- September 24, 2006 6:15 AM ∞

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panhandler wrote:

hello all, in answer to Outlaws question, yes the sign at BIAP is still up. . .100k iqd or 10k usd

-- September 24, 2006 7:53 AM ∞

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Okie wrote:

When the Dinar hits big time, and all of us have extra cash to invest in the future,don't forget to invest in the future of our country. Our Military is the "best of the best" and when they finish fighting for our freedoms they will return to lead the US to a bright future.

The link indicates many foundations and groups that aid our Military, and their famlies, in the transition from the battle zone to their state-side duties.

http://www.military.com/Community/Subpage/1,14746,CHARITY,00.html

-- September 24, 2006 8:24 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Hold on if they walked out with 980 mill, and only 650mil is recovered, that makes 330mil unrecovered, brainfart, sorry.

-- September 24, 2006 12:45 PM ∞

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Nelly B - Investor wrote:

Roger and others, regarding double-posting, disappearing text etc...

I had some problems with Internet Explorer 6 on my old system and couldn't reinstall, so I tried an 'upgrade' to IE7 Beta. Really wish I hadn't. T&B absoloutely crawled with it, taking a minute or so to scroll down a single page. I know, stay away from Beta programs, they have bugs in by their very nature...

Long story cut short, I tried FIREFOX and have to say it's brilliant. No missing text, no double-posting or slow scrolling, far fewer security vulnerabilities, built in pop-up blocking , customisable search bar (i.e. Google), Favourite shortcuts on the search bar. You can open 'tabs' (several windows which you can 'tab' between), with only one instance of the program being open.

I hadn't heard of it before I had probs with IE, but can't recommend it enough, having used it. Its a gem of a program, FREE and best of all, if you add in the FREE 'stumble' program, you get to find great stuff on the 'net, in categories that you have selected and other 'stumblers' have enjoyed. I've found all sorts of interesting sites that I'd never have imagined to search for.

I've used it for about 4-5 months now and can't find any down sides to it. IE stays on your machine and FIREFOX can easily be uninstalled if you don't get on with it.

Enjoy.

P.s. It says in the T&B home page that T&B preffers Firefox.

-- September 24, 2006 2:19 PM ∞

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Carl wrote:

To All:
I use foxfire and have only have had to enter the code a couple of time twice...
seems to be working OK at this date..

-- September 24, 2006 3:46 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Here I sit in front of my computer on a close to another Sunday afternoon. From this site I have found out that Bin Laden is not dead; there is still no concrete date for an RV and Camilla is as cold as a dead body waiting to be claimed at the morgue. I will of course check back tomorrow.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 24, 2006 8:00 PM ∞

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Neil wrote:

Roger:

I am appauled by your cheap shots on the South and Southern women. Southerners are polite and hospitable. I'll bet when you come trucking through the South that noone mentions your rotten teeth and the fact that you do not use deodorant.

Everyone knows that poor hygeine is a trademark of Britains.

Go a little easier on us and we won't point out your shortcomings.

-- September 24, 2006 10:33 PM ∞

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Turtle wrote:

I'm not sure that Roger is a Brit but I'm pretty sure he stinks and has bad breathe. Maine reason he get's along so well with hair shirt.

-- September 24, 2006 11:48 PM ∞

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C1Jim wrote:

Wow, pretty slow today.

In Order to Make Foreign Investment Acceptable
23/09/2006
Source: Al-Sabah

It is normal for developed countries ((mostly the hostesses of foreign investments)) to think about the benefits of this investment in many ways: economical, social and mainly political. In addition to other aspects like the systems used for managing foreign capitals in a host country and the nature of activities and functions that these investing capitals agree to.

Foreign investment has many advantages like creating an additional income for the country which would be reflected on the national economy in many ways such as the wages of local workers that may exceed 25% of the volume of the foreign project's capital; there is also the direct tax ((20-25%)) and the profits after tax ((10%)).Yet, it has another side that we need to be cautious of and that is the mismanagement of this investment either by the state hosting it or by the investors and the foreign investing companies themselves.. So, the precautions are as follows:

•The nature of the foreign investment activity should not be similar to that of a local one. Otherwise, this will create an irregular and dishonest competition that will terminate the local industries originated by the private sector, in particular, or even the ones developed by the state.

•Caution from involving foreign investors in local industries that already have sufficient investment conditions inside the state (whether the were big or small projects)..Otherwise, it will only drain the human and material resources of the developed country (the host).

•The main purpose for any foreign investment is to gain profits; therefore, it is able to control the prices of the produced goods. This will be directly reflected on the final consumer ((the final victim)) of this apparently normal politics. Thus, either there should be no investment in goods that are in direct contact with the consumer's life or the state should deal with this defect through the regular ways or through adopting the local investment projects that have similar activities. Also, avoid taking up loans from well-known foreign financing sources like The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

•The hosting state should be cautious of involving in Arabic and foreign investments that have the form of far away dictations or do not serve the national interests.

•Legislator of the foreign investment law should either prevent the right to own the land where the foreign investment project is set or grant it for a specific period of time that does not exceed 50 years at the most. Afterwards, the ownership of land and project goes back to the state; unless, there is what is called reciprocation which means that the country of the foreign investor should grant the local investor the right to own the land and establish investment projects on it of the same kind and size.

•The terms of granting a license to the foreign investor for investing must serve the national interests in the first place. The legislator of such investment projects should look far into the future and not be confined to the current phase or a little beyond.

•Caution of leaving the foreign investor all alone making service or consumer projects which the state could carry out by itself. It is better to utilize foreign investment in carrying out projects able to create an additional income to the national economy as well as being technically high and too impossible to be done by local efforts.

•The legislator should distinguish between the local investor and the foreign one when issuing licenses to establish investment projects, unless the investing state in the hosting country does not distinguish between the two as well.

•Legislating too many investment projects' laws in one country may create an uneven investment opportunities among the regions of that country. This is normal due to their different natures, but it is quite incorrect because they oppose the laws of the central state. Therefore, one law is much better and it could be included some exceptional articles concerning some regions.

•Never give full freedom to the foreign investor because this will allow him to interfere with official performances of the state. Therefore, this freedom should be limited within the investment work only.

•Allowing the foreign investor to invest in sectors that do not affect the economy of the state or manipulate it. In other words, this investment should not include gas or oil sectors, for example.

•Never neglect the local investors and capital owners that are able to carry out high-cost investments. How ever, their deals with foreign investors must be submitted to a suitable form for both sides put by the state.

•Never let political parties and under any names to access the investment field, unless they are out of the decision authority.

Such procedures and adjustments require constitutional legislations. Even if that meant reconsidering the articles of the constitution, before issuing the law of foreign investment in the country.

Generally speaking, our country is capable of developing its economy through local projects of positive outputs. This is to provide a suitable atmosphere for local investment soon, with the help of partial or total reliability on foreign scientific technology that could be obtained through many ways known to the specialists.

-- September 25, 2006 12:06 AM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Well! I have the real Goods...
I have met Roger face to face in Lousianna when he and I crossed paths in our traveling. I can say for certain that he does not have bad teeth, bad breath, ...but he does have a weakness for La bread pudding covered with lots of bourbon..I never saw anyone drank bread budding juice from a flat plate before...also I do know why that part of the world he comes from remains neutral in certain arenas.. the other parts of the world had problems understanding their accent...they couldn't fiqure out if they said we will sit this one out or shove it up the old .......
But I must admit I was puzzled when I met him...as he strangely looked a lot like Camillia...then after I left I was able to put it together....I read she was was over in America giving her support for the trucking Industry..
Celebrities the things they do to hide their identity..

-- September 25, 2006 8:37 AM ∞

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Outlaw wrote:

Gang...

Just wanted to say that I am not sure where a gag order is in place but everyone in the sandbox that I contact all have internet and say they know of nothing impending on the Dinar front.

I am excited about my return and hope to post good news when I get there...

Outlaw

-- September 25, 2006 9:19 AM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Just some causes that create reality as we are seeing it
The Generals say the Iraqi Army is coming along just fine....the ground soldier have a different story... It seems recently our soldiers in a joint mission with the Iraqi soldiers had quite a problem with the latter...
The plan:
surround the area, set up road blocks to stop the escape routes and the americans did a house to house search...
The house to house search went well....the road blocks not so good....
First the Iraqi soldiers showed up late....second...they refuse to follow orders....third...their loyalty to their miltias was stronger than the government they served so they allowed the arm militias they were after to go through the road blocks loaded in vehicles...
It seems the soldiers that come from baghdad are now coming into contact more and more with the guys they grew up with during the security searches...this has put more stress on the individual soldier....thus you have many siding with the militias...
The US Soldiers stated, these Iraqi soldiers out of Baghdad are some of the worst they have seen...it is obvious a lot of them are not competent....the Iraqi soldiers appeared to working against the american soldiers as they also allowed some of the road barriers to be trucked off to the militia's strong hold ...in this case the iraqi soldiers had to be removed from the roadblocks and US soldiers set up to complete the mission...
One of the officers stated in reality here in baghdad you can not make a distinction between the Iraqi Shiite Soldiers and the religious militias....they have family members and family ties throughout these militias...their respect for their religion runs deeper than their respect for the newly formed government...this security crackdown is a joke...
One of the pressures is that when the soldier goes home for a visit the ARMY can not protect him from the militias...thus many die on leave...
Presently al-Sadr controls 30 parliament seats and 5 cabinet seats...
An attempt to move the Baghdad soldier to the north and the north soldiers to the south met with resistance....the soldiers refuse to serve away from their home territory...and it appears the Iraqi Army is not strong enough to enforce the soldiers to do so...
A request for 3000 Iraqi soldiers by a US General was declined as the Iraqi Generals could not get their soldiers to move to another area....

The question is with a strong Iraqi Army what do you think the chances of a newly formed government is of surviving without coalition support staying to be their backbone....?

Yep! me either!!!!

-- September 25, 2006 9:54 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Carl's post speaks to Iraq's long road to a federalist type government. It is unlikely any RV can occur until the security situation improves and a strong central government is in place.

The GoI must put aside tribal and ethnic loyalities for the good of the country as a whole (eaiser said than done). Until some fundamental changes occur inside the GoI we will continue to see the Iraqi Dinar held to its current value. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- September 25, 2006 12:05 PM ∞

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Turtle wrote:

I have been speaking with people that have told me similar stories with the exception that the Mahdi is usually log gone by the time they get there. This is the stuff that is now being addressed at the top levels. The problem Al-Sadr has is that even he would find his head on a pike within weeks of a US pullout. As one leader stated, it's foolish to act with weakness when you have such a strong position. And that is exactly what we have been doing until now.

-- September 25, 2006 12:56 PM ∞

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Carl wrote:

YOU KNOW GUYS!
The Iraqi people need a leader with some real big cahoonas to first go get Sadr and string him up in the downtown public square kicking and screaming...then start publicly executing any police officer, soldier, army officer or public official that disobeys an order...
Sounds cruel...uncivilized....yes it does! but that unfortunately is apparently the only thing the iraqi people respect...
so give them what they want...a strong leader that has the moxie to put a strong government together...

I can no see why saddam had to treat some of them the way he did....they do not recognize anything else...
Damn! I can't believe I typed that...my frustration and disgust with the Iraqi leaders is boiling today...

-- September 25, 2006 6:10 PM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

Carl, I agree with you. Many American soldiers come to the same conclusions. I read that in a good book, "Imperial Grunts". It's not politically correct to say what you did, but it's true. Civilized democracy took centuries to take hold in Europe. Why should it happen overnight in Muslim countries? At this stage of their social evolution, most Arab countries need a President Theodore Roosevelt approach. He's my favorite President. He was asked to explain his foreign policy. He famously replied, quoting a West African proverb, "Speak softly and carry a big stick"

-- September 25, 2006 6:35 PM ∞

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Mary Lou wrote:

Thought perhaps you would all be interested in this article:

Published: September 25. 2006 3:00AM
Nation/World
Iraqi groups broker a deal
Sects agree to self-rule debate

September 25, 2006

Email this Print this FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's feuding ethnic and sectarian groups agreed Sunday to consider amending the constitution and begin debating legislation that could eventually allow the nation to be split into autonomous states.

A faction of Shi'ites and Kurds tried to pass such a proposal three weeks ago. But Sunni Arabs and some Shi'ite and secular lawmakers united to block the bill.

Sunnis fear such a split would deny them a share of Iraq's oil, which is found in the predominantly Kurdish north and the heavily Shi'ite south.

But they agreed to a legislative debate after all parties accepted a Sunni demand that a parliamentary committee be set up to study amending the constitution. The committee is to be named today.

The Shi'ite faction also agreed that any move for areas to break off would be delayed until at least 2008, easing fears that the Shi'ites would quickly split from the rest of Iraq.

Sunnis hope to win an amendment that would make it more difficult to establish autonomous regions. "The issue is just to consider it and go with the process," said Dhafir al-Ani, a leading Sunni lawmaker.

The committee will have four months to propose amendments, which then would have to be approved by a majority in parliament before being put to a public vote.

-- September 25, 2006 8:23 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Hi All,

Back, whatwegot, hygien bad teeth, Brits, southern woman.

No, I'm not a Brit , keep guessing.

No, I was born in Cincinatti and use my accent only to impress women.

My teeth are absolutely tip top, I have a $2700 invoice from my Mexican dentist in Tijuana to prove it.

I showered last Month, and I have changed underwear twice this year already, so I don't want to hear any complaints about my hygiene.

Carl, no you got it completely wrong, I was not drinking breadpudding from a flat plate, it was....well..you were right about the horses though, it was an old urin sample from a sick horse, that I was going to give to the vet, but it had been lying around for so long, as the horse died, so I thought I would not let it go to waist.

Regarding respect for the southern woman, absolutely.

There is no such thing as toothles, tattooed ladies serving in the Waffle House.

Better start holding in the reins before this is getting too wild.

Anyhow, Iraq, the Dinar... frustraiting is'nt it.

Endless squabble, no priority on the important stuff.

It shows what THEY consider important. From an outside western viewpoint this is so small and insignificant issues they are prepared to even die for.

Loyalty goes as far as the clan, how much Dinar you pay him or what kind of Islam he practices.

And there it ends.

The world must be very very small, in a bubble like that.

The awareness of how others beyond the horizon are affecting him is non existent, and is replaced by a kind of denial of reality where anything coming from beyon the bubble is a potential threat.

This was an issue we debated some time ago, and from any observation that I've seen, the idea to give the