Iraq: Confidence is in the Air

 

At a major Iraqi business event on Monday, there was a strong sense that Iraq’s fortunes are turning a corner, with the Islamic State group (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Da’esh) on the retreat, andsubstantial export funding newly available for projects in the country.

More than 250 delegates attended the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC)‘s Spring Conference in London, with half of those flying in from Iraq.

Amongst detailed discussions on topics such as energy, finance and technology, several soundbites captured the overall mood of the conference:

“Confidence has returned to Baghdad — it is in the air! Baghdad is confident again, and it’s absolutely wonderful.”

— Baroness Emma Nicholson (pictured), UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Iraq.

“I am confident that Iraq is recovering.”

— Dr Andrew Parmley, Lord Mayor of the City of London.

“Despite … challenges, I do believe that the trajectory for Iraq is upwards … Don’t be shy in suggesting projects.”

— Frank Baker OBE, British Ambassador to Iraq.

The IBBC Spring Conference focused on the rising confidence of Iraq’s private sector, bringing to attention liberated areas open to investment, and discussing new areas for expansion, such as infrastructure and technology.

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2017/04/05/iraq-confidence-is-in-the-air/

Washington Seeks Continued Coordination with Erbil: US Delegation

 

Basnews English

05/04/2017 – 00:05

Kurdistan

ERBIL — A high-level delegation from the United States on Tuesday met with Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani in Erbil, ensuring the Kurds of continued US supports and stating that Washington is in need of a coordination with Erbil.

According to a press release by Kurdistan Region Presidency, Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, commended Barzani’s role in leading the Peshmerga forces and scoring tremendous victories in the anti-Islamic State (IS) efforts.

In response, Barzani thanked the US administration for standing with Kurds and reiterated that close cooperation between Peshmerga and the US forces resulted in significant victories over terrorists “without targeting even one single civilian location”, according to the press release.

Barzani also highlighted the culture of coexistence in Kurdistan Region and pointed out that this culture has given Kurdistan a privilege to overcome the threat of terrorism.

Following the meeting, Chancellor of Kurdistan Region Security Council, Masrour Barzani described the meeting as “productive”. He posted on his official twitter account that the anti IS efforts and “plans for the day after” were discussed with the US delegation.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/340900

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A terse, two-sentence statement just issued by @StateDept in name of Secretary Tillerson reacting to the #DPRK launch.

US delegation including Trump’s son-in-law meet Kurdish leadership in Erbil

 

Kurdistan

By Rudaw 2 hours ago

US delegation including Jared Kushner and Gen. Joseph Dunford meeting with President Barzani and Kurdish leaders in Erbil.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is meeting with Kurdish leaders in Erbil on Tuesday.

The US visitors have met with Kurdish President Masoud Barzani, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, along with veteran Peshmerga commander Mohammad Haji Mahmoud, and other Kurdish officials.

Masrour Barzani, Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council, described the meeting on Twitter as “productive,” saying they discussed progress in the war against ISIS and “plans for the day after.”

Dunford and Kushner were in Baghdad Monday where they met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and were updated on the war against ISIS.

Kushner, on his first trip to Iraq, came on the invitation of Dunford, “to meet with Iraqi leaders, senior US advisors, and visit with US forces in the field to receive an update on the status of the counter-ISIS campaign in Iraq and Syria,” according to a press statement.

Trump’s advisor and son-in-law “is travelling on behalf of the President to express the President’s support and commitment to the Government of Iraq and US personnel currently engaged in the campaign,” the press statement detailed.
 

Masrour Barzani with Jared Kushner. Photo: Masrour Barzani/Twitter
 

Masrour Barzani with Gen. Dunford. Photo: Masrour Barzani/Twitter

 

Jared Kushner and Gen. Dunford visited Hammam al-Alil base, south of Mosul, on Monday. Photo: Joint Chiefs of Staff/Twitter

http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/040420174

 

 

 

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Gen. Dunford and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and advisor, meeting with President Barzani, PM Barzani, Deputy PM Talabani in Erbil.

 

The government commits bank Rafidain and Rasheed promoting small loan transactions

Baghdad … The cabinet voted on Tuesday to approve a recommendation on exempting taxpayers to pay tax penalties and accrued interest on their debts, and while committed bank Rafidain and Rasheed promoting micro – credit transactions in accordance with the mechanism adopted, approved the implementation of the 202 service project in Nineveh province in coordination with the International Support Group. Information Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement , “Economy News” received a copy of it, that ” the Council of Ministers held on Tuesday, its regular , headed by Haider al – Abadi,” noting that ” the Council voted to approve the draft trade unions and professional associations law and submit it to the House of Representatives, voted on adoption of the recommendation of the Committee on economic Affairs on taxpayers to pay the tax exemption of fines and accrued interest on their debts. ” The statement added that ” the Council issued a directive regardless of the amount of 30 billion dinars , agricultural, veterinary and fertilizers for the prevention that provides an account for the expense of farmers to support and provide revenue veterinary and prevention departments for the year 2017,” pointing to “guidance follow – up and project financing breakwater in addition to the adoption of implementation of 202 projects SOA services water, electricity, sewage , municipal services, health and education in Nineveh province in coordination with the international support Group “. He continued, ” The Council voted on small loans and approve the recommendation of the Committee on Economic Affairs, containing the approval of the acceptance to ensure that the sponsor guarantor of state employees for loans granted by private banks to the borrowers of the staff,” he said . “In the event of a breach of the borrower guaranteed his commitment to repay the loan , the Ministry or entity is associated with Ministry to recover the outstanding loan amount of the employee ‘s sponsor to sponsor the employee submit a written undertaking to the bank creditor to approve the deduction of the amounts of Roatbh when a breach of the debtor to pay the debt earned his trust. ” And between that, “it was required to bank Rafidain and Rasheed promoting micro – credit transactions in accordance with the mechanism approved in addition to private banks,” adding that ” the Board directed by the Ministry of Finance to launch funding for allocations earmarked medicines within the Ministry of Health Center in 2017 in the light of the books received from the Ministry of Health month which , including the share of the Kurdistan region contained in the draft agenda Quaon the general budget for the year 2017 “.

http://economy-news.net/content.php?id=7075

so Baghdadi fled from Mosul!

 

Twilight News

25 minutes ago

Twilight News / President of the Presidium of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Fuad Hussein, the British Independent newspaper revealed information about the way in which is believed to be the leader of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Daesh fled out of Mosul.

According to the official, the Kurdish Baghdadi “fled Mosul two months ago when he opened the road to the west quickly after a fierce attack” was carried out by militants militant group.

Hussein said in an interview with journalist Patrick Cockburn that “17 Daesh used a car bomb in Mosul and some of its units in Syria to reveal the road that leads to the outside of Mosul.

Hussein said he and other officials believe that the Kurds Daesh what was to implement a process of this kind, but to take out al-Baghdadi safe from the siege.

President of the Presidium of the region and explains that al-Baghdadi smuggling operation carried out after the liberation of the eastern side of Mosul, and before Iraqi forces are currently ongoing launches, which began in the 19th of last month, freeing the western side of the process.

Hussein said Daesh “brought 300 fighters from Syria” for this task.

The newspaper suggests that al-Baghdadi had fled across the road to the west, through the elements of the territory they control the popular crowd before their withdrawal, allowing the organization to complete the smuggling operation.

He adds that the Hussein of Daesh unity, which came from Syria to participate in the output of Baghdadi immediately returned to their place.

The Kurdish official believes that Daesh turns after the liberation of Mosul to the guerrilla style “because I do not think they will stay as a state” and will launch terrorist attacks, but “without the sources they owned” in the past.

http://www.shafaaq.com/ar/Ar_NewsReader/3c081405-e2c7-44c5-ae84-a237a27e27bc/%D9%87%D9%83%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D9%81%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%BA%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%84-

 

 

 

of the Council of Ministers takes decisions concerning Kurdistan and 24 – hour electricity and talking about Kirkuk

 

Twilight News

13 minutes ago

Twilight News / The cabinet held its regular meeting on Tuesday , April 4, 2017 , headed by Haider al – Abadi, the search phrase files.
The Council discussed the issue of raising the flag of the Kurdistan region in the province of Kirkuk , where he stressed that “at a time when the united army and police forces and the Peshmerga and popular crowd … the local government of the province of Kirkuk , has taken a unilateral decision to lift the flag of the Kurdistan region in the absence of key components in the province.”
“The Iraqi government stresses the need to respect the constitutional and legal frameworks within the unity of Iraq and that racial, ethnic and national diversity live under the shadow population of the province of Kirkuk.”
The Council said , according to a statement reported to Twilight News, “his commitment to preserve the unity of Iraq and the protection of citizens and coexistence between the components and follow all constitutional and legal means in order to achieve that.”
In the rest of the paragraphs of the agenda the Council of Ministers issued a directive regardless of the amount of 30 billion dinars for agricultural prevention, veterinary and fertilizer that provides an account of the support account for farmers and provide revenue veterinary and prevention departments for the year 2017 it has
also been steering follow – up and project financing breakwater in addition to approving the implementation of the (202) service projects for water services, electricity, sewage , municipal services, health and education in the province of Nineveh , in coordination with the international support Group.
They also discussed the procedures for the provision of electricity for 24 hours a citizen through the collection and ensure full electricity service coverage and the rationalization of consumption , which offset to get the service at a reasonable price and service is guaranteed and that there are those who stand behind the artificial protests for personal purposes.
The Council voted to approve the recommendation of the Committee on Economic Affairs on taxpayers to pay the tax exemption of fines and accrued interest on their debts.
It was also voted to approve the project of trade unions and professional associations law and submit it to the House of Representatives.
The cabinet voted on small loans and approve the recommendation of the Committee on Economic Affairs, containing the approval of the acceptance of the sponsor to ensure that the guarantor of state employees for loans granted by private banks to borrowers of staff.
In the event of the borrower ‘s breach of its obligation to repay the loan guaranteed by the ministry or entity is associated with the Ministry to recover the outstanding loan amount of the employee ‘s sponsor that the employee sponsor provides a written undertaking to the bank creditor to approve the deduction of the amounts of Roatbh when breach of the debtor to pay the debt earned his trust.
It was also committing bank Rafidain and Rasheed promoting micro – credit transactions in accordance with the approved mechanism , in addition to private banks.
The face of the Council of Ministers by the Ministry of Finance for the release of funding allocations earmarked medicines within the Ministry of Health Center in 2017 in the light of the books received from the Ministry of Health a month which , including the share of the Kurdistan Region contained in the draft agenda Quaon the general budget for the year 2017.

Keywords:

http://www.shafaaq.com/ar/Ar_NewsReader/d7eb44e7-d3e9-4170-806d-368b0fd17d30/%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%B0-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%B5-%D9%83%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8824-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D9%83%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%AB-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%88%D9%83

 

Abadi: Our goal is to maintain a civilian Mosul despite attempts by blocking victories

 

History of edits:: 2017/4/4 21:26 • 1 times readable

[Where – Baghdad]
said the commander of the armed forces Haider al – Abadi on Tuesday that ” the real goal of security forces during the liberation of Mosul battles is the preservation of the lives of civilians, despite attempts by some people do it to block big victories.”

According to Abadi , during a press conference followed the agency all of Iraq [where] that ” the protection of civilians and rid them of the terrorist Daesh made us more determined to eliminate the gangs because giving any chance for terrorists will lead them to kill more civilians , ” pointing out that “large numbers of civilians demanding to expedite in editing , although some want Tojerna and Arqltna since before the start of the process of Mosul , others painted in another way , but we have achieved this success citizens welcome the troops. ”
He noted that “Aldoaash kill civilians who are trying to escape and Ahasrunhm houses , and this happened in the house that surrounded Daesh in which a number of civilians from 100 to 120 citizens in the house of a small area of citizens in that place the destruction said the security forces that Daesh confined people in the place and there is evidence The place where booby – trapping and demonstrates that there is work to ease inside the building which is clear , which led to the killing of so many “.
The Abadi said , “Our goal is to maintain civilians and edit Mosul is the liberation of the citizen and the sacrifices of our troops compared to the sacrifices of civilians shows that wars when they fought in the cities routinely number of civilian casualties is weakening the security forces casualties, but in Iraq has achieved brilliant success in maintaining the civilian and this indicates the size of the sacrifice “.
He pointed out that “there are those who want n mixed leaves and take us back to square the army ended the day and the crowd popular national and includes all Iraqis,” he said . “Enhance our air and received additional aircraft and Kdatna air strengthen days after the last and we have the Army Air and an assessment of the forces on the ground and assess international Alliance leaders said that you have a brave air in Iraq and the army air force who sacrifice themselves in order to protect the troops to help them progress and applaud the engineering effort is important to salute the medical staff effort. ”

http://www.alliraqnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=60397

The House of Representatives ends questioning the health minister and to raise its next Tuesday {expanded}

 

History of edits:: 2017/4/4 16:13 • 91 times readable

{Baghdad: Euphrates News} House of Representatives ended at its twenty-third regular Open, which was held under the chairmanship of Salim al-Jubouri, head of the Council on Tuesday, questioning Adila Hammoud Health Minister process.

According to a statement of the Department of Media Council of Representatives and the Euphrates News Agency {} it received a copy of it today presented the President of the Council at the outset of the session, thanks and appreciation for the efforts exerted by MP Awad al – Awadi , the consolidation of the regulatory work and the Minister of Health to attend the interrogation process.
And completed MP Awad al – Awadi , questioning inquiring about the reason that each of first lieutenant Ali Hammoud , the brother of the minister and First Lieutenant Ali Salman bought inks and materials printing Bagta entering the ministry is very high amounts of almost three times the real value, and procedures regarding some badges leak companies for a sum of money , despite the existence of objections these names.
He asked MP Al – Awadi for “negligence of the minister and the failure to take precautionary measures and prevention to prevent the spread of hepatitis Alvairose inflammation and causing increasing numbers of people living with the disease type {bc} high – risk and caused the death of many citizens, as well as deliberately failing to provide the vaccine required despite the existence of a tender.”
In its response, denied the minister , “the existence of any negligence in the precautionary and preventive measures for liver Alvairose where Iraq is one of the countries with the most advanced and effective systems to control the virus by following WHO recommendations , ” indicating that ” the ministry relies on a global ratio to determine the rate of infection the disease compared to the neighboring Mediterranean and Middle countries , “noting that” the incidence of liver Alvairose in Iraq is 2 percent, which is considered normal and the lowest percentage among the neighboring countries , “adding that” the vaccine is given adults to people infected with high – risk and who have brushed AK patients and workers in health institutions. ”
He also called al – Awadi , Minister of Health to “clarify administrative irregularities in the special controls in the distribution of people with medical professionals to the provinces and cancel orders of appointment in the provinces and re – appointed in Baghdad under the pretext of assuming exceptions and thus change the branches to stay old without studying and outside controls , which led to severe shortages in the most important branches , accusing the existence of financial corruption in appointments. ”
Health Minister explained that “the Ministry of Health set the controls as directed by the Ministry of Planning and approved by the minister, and there is no administrative irregularities except for some legal and medical conditions that require according to the medical hierarchy and the need for and validity of the minister,” pointing out that “the staff of the ministry of martyrs ‘ families are excluded from the distribution I believe in the provinces are exposed to the threat and be in danger of his life, strongly rejecting accusations of financial corruption linked to the ministry appointments. ”
He called al – Awadi , “to know the health of the minister of violating the instructions of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers regarding appointments at the ministry ‘s headquarters and departments of health by appointing a Missouri case of community colleges, according to nepotism, clientelism and loyalty without the formation of specialized committees or the announcement of grades despite the objections of the Office of Financial Control.”
In turn, the minister stressed , “not contrary to the instructions of the General Secretariat regarding the appointments being conducted according to the Planning Department , which receives a list of graduates from the Ministry of Education, which in turn sent to the administrative department for the distribution of appointments in accordance with the electronic submission requirements , ” noting that ” the role of the minister includes the ratification of the appointments installed in the development of grades budget and staffing law movement, indicating that the objection of Supreme Audit was based on a complaint via e – mail irregularities controls the appointment has been investigated by the Inspector General at the Ministry. ”
I asked MP Awad al – Awadi , for “reasons for the insistence of the minister on the violation of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers instructed on the determination of the number of cars and the protection of each minister and the minister regardless of large sums of money for fuel and auto repair and placement of protections out to be costing the budget huge amounts of money.”
The minister pointed to the “commitment to the law and what has been raised falls within federal budgets for 2015 and 2016 and 2017 the law, not the instructions of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, noting the need for the urgent number and cars for frequent visits to the provinces and field tours fronts and camps of displacement and within their responsibilities, saying not to buy any new cars as well as exchange 41 million dinars in one year for the consumption of fuel and repair of vehicles in the convoy acted protection elements of the salaries of participating teams to work in the Ministry of Health by the Ministry of the Interior, has been reduced by the number of elements of the protection minister and sections of his office , while the elements of a Protection of personal work is different. ”
At the end of the process of questioning the President of the Council announced “show the vote on the conviction of Representatives answers Health Minister or not in the next session, expressing his thanks to the Vice – Awad al – Awadi , for the practice of democracy and the collection of questions and how to deal with the questions and thanks to Adila Hammoud Health Minister to attend to the House of Representatives and the answer Alaslih as well House of Representatives thanks to their attendance at the interrogation sessions.
for his part , the price of MP Qutaiba al – Jubouri , chairman of the parliamentary Health Committee MP Awad al – Awadi , the efforts of the fact that questioning health to evaluate the work of the Iraqi ministries.
then decide to adjourn the meeting until Tuesday , 11/4 / 2017.anthy

http://alforatnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=140921