December 2011Monthly Archives

27 December 2011

The Islamic State of Iraq is claiming responsibility for the Thursday, 22 December attacks that killed 69 people.

The anti-US cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, is using his position in the Iraqi government and calling for removal of the Iraqi Parliament and issuing new elections. The political situation in Iraq is at an all time low. Muqtada al-Sadr is proclaiming to be an ally of Prime Minister Maliki and is now calling for early elections. Prime Minister Maliki has not responded to the call of new elections. I am sure PM Maliki is probably wondering about his political position.

Muqtada al-Sadr launched a campaign for peace last week. Al-Sadr mistakenly thought calling for new elections and getting rid of the Iraqi Parliament could be done peacefully.

Saudi Arabia flushed with cash in 2011. Budget surplus of 81.6 billion dollars. With that type of clout who needs competitors in the GCC.

On Tuesday, 27 December two Iraqi’s were killed in a Kirkuk car bomb in Kirkuk Huwalja district.

A video about last weeks attack on 22 December. Hat-tip to Joel Wing over on Musings on Iraq.

American Contractor

December 27, 2011

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al-sadr, kirkuk, talabani, vice president

25 December 2011 – Christmas Day

The Prime Minister Nuri Maliki said on Saturday, 24 December that if the Sunni’s created an autonomous region it would lead to “rivers of blood.”

“Despite the killings recently the political crisis the country is still unified according to PM Maliki.” — From Article.

***They make so much money each quarter not worried about a fifty-million dollar payment from the Iraqi Government….this is Iraq we work for free.

Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi said he hasn’t committed any sins now claims he’s Patriotic…

Accused of running a hit squad in Iraq says the Iraq Higher Judicial Council on Christmas Day. I think if they wait any longer to make the arrest it will be too late he will be having dinner in Turkey.

The US Government does not have the influence it once did when you have 170k troops in Iraq. Now it is a policy.

“There is a strong sense that we need to let events in Iraq play out,” a senior administration official said. “There is not a great deal of appetite for re-engagement. We are not going to reinvade Iraq.” –From Article.

Dysfunctional Banking in Iraq

This article by Roy Gutman a McClatchy Newspaper news reporter did a great job in writing this piece about the shambles of the Iraqi banking system. Something I have been saying for the last 5 years. Good Job Roy. You must all read this article slowly and read it again.

Highlights of the article:

No electronic funds transfers for Payroll or bills
No checking accounts
No Credit cards
ATMs few working
Banks are only a safe deposit box for your money

Quotes:

“Iraq is a completely destroyed country. Nothing is working. All the sectors are obsolete, and we have to start from minus, not zero.” – Iraq Government Spokesperson Ali al-Dabbagh

“The government cannot employ everyone. The private Sector has to play its role.” – Iraq Government Spokesperson Ali al-Dabbagh

They must have took lessons from the KRG. – AC

24 December 2011

Bayz Talabani, Kurdistan Region’s Minister of Finance, Iraq Kurdistan Regional Government

This is a great interview about the relationship between the Central Baghdad government and the ways of the KRG.

finance, government, interview, KRG

The VP Denies he has committed any Sin!!

It is amazing to me that people in the community think the situation currently being played out in Iraqi politics is not real or a joke. This is real and escalating and if this is not solved quickly it will have a domino effect on everything else in Iraq. All eyes are watching this carfeully. We are still looking for resignations. Let's see who blinks first.

In a televised news conference in Irbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, Hashimi said he had not committed any "sin" against any Iraqi, and described the charges against him as "fabricated."

VP Banned from Leaving Iraq

Reuters is reporting Prime Minister has banned his own Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi from leaving the country. The reporting so far is stating the recent arrests of the body guards are linking the Vice-President to terrorism. We are going to have to wait and see as this plays out. Everyone in Iraq is very concerned about the situation. Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi remains in al-Suleimaniya visiting with the Iraq President. Look for the Vice-President to give his resignation to the Prime Minister Maliki.

Body Guards Arrested Baghdad Airport

This is real and it is not a joking matter. PM Maliki had the body guards of the current Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi arrested as they were leaving for Erbil on the Iraqi Airways flight.

Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi and several of his bodyguards were escorted off a plane at Baghdad airport on Sunday because two of the guards were wanted on ‘terrorism charges,’ officials said, the latest step in a deepening political crisis. Two of his guards were detained by security forces but Hashemi was being allowed to travel on the Iraqi Airways flight bound for Arbil and Sulaimaniyah in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_746585.html