Friday, October 05, 2007
Kuwait will not accept partition of Iraq
Region
(Reuters) - Kuwait will not accept any plan to divide Iraq into federal regions and wants the United States to remain there until the country is stable, the Kuwaiti Emir said in remarks aired yesterday. "We will not accept the partition of Iraq, we consider this to be dangerous to us. It will be dangerous for the whole region," Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah told Al Arabiya television, commenting on a US Senate resolution advocating the division of Iraq into federal regions. "We are against this division and I think that even the Iraqis will not accept this." The non-binding Senate amendment, which was passed last week, says the United States should actively support a political settlement among Iraqis based on a federal system of government.
The amendment has been widely interpreted as a proposal to divide Iraq along sectarian and ethnic lines into Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish regions. Shaikh Sabah also called on the United States to keep its troops in Iraq until stability is seen on the ground. "I say it frankly, I would like the United States to withdraw its troops from tomorrow, but do you think that if they pull out there will be stability in Iraq? I think not," he said.
"We will hold the United States responsible for the fighting in Iraq, therefore, I wish that they will not leave now before they maintain a strong army in Iraq that can protect Iraq and its people." Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said on Monday that the resolution was well-meaning but failed to recognise the ethnic complexity of Iraqi cities and regions. The Arab League criticised the resolution and described the idea as "hostile to Arab interests."
The amendment has been widely interpreted as a proposal to divide Iraq along sectarian and ethnic lines into Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish regions. Shaikh Sabah also called on the United States to keep its troops in Iraq until stability is seen on the ground. "I say it frankly, I would like the United States to withdraw its troops from tomorrow, but do you think that if they pull out there will be stability in Iraq? I think not," he said.
"We will hold the United States responsible for the fighting in Iraq, therefore, I wish that they will not leave now before they maintain a strong army in Iraq that can protect Iraq and its people." Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said on Monday that the resolution was well-meaning but failed to recognise the ethnic complexity of Iraqi cities and regions. The Arab League criticised the resolution and described the idea as "hostile to Arab interests."
Labels: federalism, Hoshiyar Zebari, Iraq, Kuwait, partition, Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Philippine envoy to invetsigate Iraq kidnap reports
(AP) -- A Philippine special envoy is traveling to the Middle East to investigate allegations that a Kuwaiti contractor took Filipino workers to Iraq without their knowledge to build the U.S. Embassy, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Saturday. Special envoy Roy Cimatu was scheduled to arrive in Kuwait Sunday after testimonies last week before a Congressional probe revealed Filipino workers recruited by the First Kuwaiti General Trading & Contracting Co to work in Dubai were instead taken to Iraq without their consent, Foreign Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said in a telephone interview.
Two former employees of First Kuwaiti, John Owens and Rory J. Mayberry, testified before Congress that the foreign workers were mistreated. Owens, who worked as a general foreman for eight months, said foreign workers were packed in trailers, lacked shoes and gloves, and were required to work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mayberry, a medical technician, said there were 51 Filipinos on his flight to Baghdad but that all their tickets, and his own, said they were going to Dubai.
Mayberry said a First Kuwaiti manager told him not to tell the Filipinos they were being taken to Baghdad. "They had no idea they were being sent to do construction work on the U.S. Embassy," Mayberry said. "I believe these men were kidnapped." State Department officials say the embassy in Baghdad will be completed by September will cost about $592 million. The 104-acre compound will be the largest embassy in the world and a symbol of U.S. commitment to Iraq. There will be working space for about 1,000 people.
The Philippines' Department of Labor has reported that only 11 Filipinos were on that flight, with the rest of the workers coming from other countries, Conejos said. Five of the 11 Filipinos are still in Iraq, but six returned to the Philippines where officials are now tracking them down to get their statements, he added.
The Kuwaiti company earlier told Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya that the Filipinos agreed in writing to be sent to Iraq and were being treated well, Conejos said. "Ambassador Endaya said that is not the point," Conejos added. "Assuming its true, the point is they should not be allowed to go there because we have a ban on deployment to Iraq."
The Philippines banned its citizens from working in Iraq in July 2004, but up to 7,000 Filipinos remain, mostly working in construction, Conejos said. Howard Krongard, Inspector General of the U.S. State Department, last month dismissed allegations that foreign workers were mistreated in building the new complex in Baghdad. But he acknowledged that foreign recruiters may have misled foreign workers about pay expectations and living conditions. Conejos said depending on the results of his investigation, Cimatu may continue to Iraq, where the Philippines currently has no diplomats.
Two former employees of First Kuwaiti, John Owens and Rory J. Mayberry, testified before Congress that the foreign workers were mistreated. Owens, who worked as a general foreman for eight months, said foreign workers were packed in trailers, lacked shoes and gloves, and were required to work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mayberry, a medical technician, said there were 51 Filipinos on his flight to Baghdad but that all their tickets, and his own, said they were going to Dubai.
Mayberry said a First Kuwaiti manager told him not to tell the Filipinos they were being taken to Baghdad. "They had no idea they were being sent to do construction work on the U.S. Embassy," Mayberry said. "I believe these men were kidnapped." State Department officials say the embassy in Baghdad will be completed by September will cost about $592 million. The 104-acre compound will be the largest embassy in the world and a symbol of U.S. commitment to Iraq. There will be working space for about 1,000 people.
The Philippines' Department of Labor has reported that only 11 Filipinos were on that flight, with the rest of the workers coming from other countries, Conejos said. Five of the 11 Filipinos are still in Iraq, but six returned to the Philippines where officials are now tracking them down to get their statements, he added.
The Kuwaiti company earlier told Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya that the Filipinos agreed in writing to be sent to Iraq and were being treated well, Conejos said. "Ambassador Endaya said that is not the point," Conejos added. "Assuming its true, the point is they should not be allowed to go there because we have a ban on deployment to Iraq."
The Philippines banned its citizens from working in Iraq in July 2004, but up to 7,000 Filipinos remain, mostly working in construction, Conejos said. Howard Krongard, Inspector General of the U.S. State Department, last month dismissed allegations that foreign workers were mistreated in building the new complex in Baghdad. But he acknowledged that foreign recruiters may have misled foreign workers about pay expectations and living conditions. Conejos said depending on the results of his investigation, Cimatu may continue to Iraq, where the Philippines currently has no diplomats.
Labels: Esteban Conejos, Filipino contract workers, First Kuwaiti General Trading and Contracting Co, John Owens, Kuwait, Rory J. Mayberry, Roy Cimatu, U.S. embassy Iraq
Friday, July 20, 2007
Iraq signs MOU with Turkey for electricity
Region
(Iraq Directory) - Jawad Hendawi, Chairman of the Energy Committee at the Sharm-Sheikh conference, has announced that Iraq has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ankara to link part of the Turkish electricity network with Iraq.
Hendawi said in a press conference held in Baghdad on Wednesday that the Turks agreed to link part of their network with the Iraqi electrical system, facilitating the transfer of electricity to a large section of the country.
He added that Kuwait declared its readiness to send tanker trucks transporting fuel to central and southern governorates. Hendawi also noted the Committee, which includes Iraq, Turkey, Kuwait and Iran will hold its second meeting next month.
Hendawi said in a press conference held in Baghdad on Wednesday that the Turks agreed to link part of their network with the Iraqi electrical system, facilitating the transfer of electricity to a large section of the country.
He added that Kuwait declared its readiness to send tanker trucks transporting fuel to central and southern governorates. Hendawi also noted the Committee, which includes Iraq, Turkey, Kuwait and Iran will hold its second meeting next month.
Labels: electricity, fuel, Jawad Hendawi, Kuwait, MOU, Sharm-Sheikh conference, Turkey
Monday, July 02, 2007
DynCorp Kuwaiti LOGCAP IV partner's shares up by 6.6 per cent
Contracts
(Gulf Daily News) - Kuwaiti logistics provider Agility said yesterday it was part of a group with US firm Dyncorp International which won a $50-billion (BD18-billion) deal from the US military. Agility shares rallied 6.6 per cent after the news. Agility said in a statement on the Kuwait bourse Web site it would provide various logistics, supply and warehousing services as part of the deal.
The contract would run 10 years, of which 9 were optional, and would have a value of $50bn for the whole period, it added. The deal, which included food and oil supply services, would be worth $5 billion for each year. Agility, which is diversifying its business and expanding abroad, said it could not currently determine its exact share of the deal.
The total deal also includes US firms KBR, a former unit of Halliburton, and Fluor Corporation with a combined potential value of up to $150 billion to provide services to the US military in the Middle East. Agility said on June 16 the US military had renewed a five-year deal worth $1.5 billion, extending the deal to its third consecutive year. The contract is up for yearly renewal.
The US government said on June 1 it had awarded Agility another supply and food deal worth up to $2.8 billion. Agility has said it was expanding in the Middle East, Africa or Eastern Europe to diversify its business and lower its exposure to US military deals, a key source of income.
Agility, previously known as Public Warehousing Co., has bought at least seven smaller rivals this year including New Zealand-based LEP International and Chinese freight company Guangzhou Runtang International Transport Company Limited.
Kuwait's money supply rose 15.6pc in the year to May, according to data on the Central Bank of Kuwait Website. M3, the broadest measured of money supply, rose to $60.36 billion. Money supply rose 18.3pc in the year to April.
The contract would run 10 years, of which 9 were optional, and would have a value of $50bn for the whole period, it added. The deal, which included food and oil supply services, would be worth $5 billion for each year. Agility, which is diversifying its business and expanding abroad, said it could not currently determine its exact share of the deal.
The total deal also includes US firms KBR, a former unit of Halliburton, and Fluor Corporation with a combined potential value of up to $150 billion to provide services to the US military in the Middle East. Agility said on June 16 the US military had renewed a five-year deal worth $1.5 billion, extending the deal to its third consecutive year. The contract is up for yearly renewal.
The US government said on June 1 it had awarded Agility another supply and food deal worth up to $2.8 billion. Agility has said it was expanding in the Middle East, Africa or Eastern Europe to diversify its business and lower its exposure to US military deals, a key source of income.
Agility, previously known as Public Warehousing Co., has bought at least seven smaller rivals this year including New Zealand-based LEP International and Chinese freight company Guangzhou Runtang International Transport Company Limited.
Kuwait's money supply rose 15.6pc in the year to May, according to data on the Central Bank of Kuwait Website. M3, the broadest measured of money supply, rose to $60.36 billion. Money supply rose 18.3pc in the year to April.
Labels: Agility Defense and Government Services, CH2M Hill, DynCorp International, Fluor Intercontinental, KBR, Kuwait, LOGCAP IV, Public Warehousing Co.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
New risk management company to operate in MENA
Business
(AME Info FZ LLC) - GlobalOptions Group, Inc. (OTCBB: GLOI), a leading provider of domestic and international risk management services, today announced that its James Lee Witt Associates unit has formed a multi-year agreement with Kuwait-based Investors Group Holdings K.S.C.C. (IGH).
It will jointly provide emergency planning, crisis management, business continuity planning, training and exercises, and continuity of government services to governments and corporations throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
James Lee Witt, CEO, Mark Merritt, Senior Vice President and Partner, and James Jones, Director of Business Continuity Planning for James Lee Witt Associates, met with Mr. Sami Al-Bader, Chairman and Managing Director of International Investment Group (KSE: IIG), a subsidiary of IGH, in Kuwait last week to establish the MENA team. Under the agreement, GlobalOptions Group's James Lee Witt Associates unit will provide subject matter expertise to clients in the region, and IIG will provide the logistical support necessary for them to carry out client activities.
'James Lee Witt is an acknowledged leader and highly respected emergency management expert, and IIG is pleased to be representing their unique products and services in the MENA region,' commented Mr. Al-Bader. 'JLWA's proven experience is unrivaled and IIG believes that this relationship will bring superior disaster management and planning services to the region.'
With IIG's assistance, JLWA will expand their client base in the MENA region with a particular focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council states (GCC) comprised of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman. Additionally, JLWA and IIG will extend their scope of services to governments and businesses in Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.
It will jointly provide emergency planning, crisis management, business continuity planning, training and exercises, and continuity of government services to governments and corporations throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
James Lee Witt, CEO, Mark Merritt, Senior Vice President and Partner, and James Jones, Director of Business Continuity Planning for James Lee Witt Associates, met with Mr. Sami Al-Bader, Chairman and Managing Director of International Investment Group (KSE: IIG), a subsidiary of IGH, in Kuwait last week to establish the MENA team. Under the agreement, GlobalOptions Group's James Lee Witt Associates unit will provide subject matter expertise to clients in the region, and IIG will provide the logistical support necessary for them to carry out client activities.
'James Lee Witt is an acknowledged leader and highly respected emergency management expert, and IIG is pleased to be representing their unique products and services in the MENA region,' commented Mr. Al-Bader. 'JLWA's proven experience is unrivaled and IIG believes that this relationship will bring superior disaster management and planning services to the region.'
With IIG's assistance, JLWA will expand their client base in the MENA region with a particular focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council states (GCC) comprised of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman. Additionally, JLWA and IIG will extend their scope of services to governments and businesses in Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.
Labels: GlobalOptions Group, International Investment Group, Investors Group Holdings, James Jones, James Lee Witt Associates, Kuwait, Mark Merritt, risk management, Sami Al-Bader
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Iraqi parliament demands Kuwait cancels debts from former regime
Finance
(Iraq Directory) - Vice-Chairman of the Investment Committee in the Iraqi Parliament demanded the Kuwaiti government cancel Iraq debts resulting from policies of the previous government, and confirmed Iraq's need for nearly $200 billion to restore economic infrastructure such as asphalt, petrochemical, cement and other plants.
Abdul Hadi Hassani said, "We call on the Kuwaiti government to cancel its debt on Iraq because it is now investing the oil fields of southern Rumaila wells which are located 94% on Iraqi territory and 6% on Kuwaiti territory." [Ed. Note: this was one of Saddam's excuses for invading Kuwait.]
He pointed out, "Kuwaiti oil production for the southern Rumaila fields is up to 8,500 barrels of oil per day, while Kuwaiti production amounts to 350,000 barrels a day."Hassani explained, "the Kuwaiti side is digging wells for horizontal extraction of oil from Iraqi territory, in particular in the Rumaila oilfields overlapping southern Iraq and northern Kuwait, making it easy to draw oil to the adjacent Kuwaiti wells."
He added, "Shortly Iraq's total debt will fall after the 80% cancellation commitments at the recent Sharm el-Sheikh conference." Hasani said, "Iraqi people and the current government are not responsible for the [odious] debts resulting from the arms purchases of the former regime, used to build military bases and arsenals that burdened and indebted the country." .
He called on Arab countries to cancel these debts and added, "We don't count on Egypt to cancel Iraqi debt because it is not a rich capitalist country, rather a poor one living on external assistance provided by states like the United States of America."
Abdul Hadi Hassani said, "We call on the Kuwaiti government to cancel its debt on Iraq because it is now investing the oil fields of southern Rumaila wells which are located 94% on Iraqi territory and 6% on Kuwaiti territory." [Ed. Note: this was one of Saddam's excuses for invading Kuwait.]
He pointed out, "Kuwaiti oil production for the southern Rumaila fields is up to 8,500 barrels of oil per day, while Kuwaiti production amounts to 350,000 barrels a day."Hassani explained, "the Kuwaiti side is digging wells for horizontal extraction of oil from Iraqi territory, in particular in the Rumaila oilfields overlapping southern Iraq and northern Kuwait, making it easy to draw oil to the adjacent Kuwaiti wells."
He added, "Shortly Iraq's total debt will fall after the 80% cancellation commitments at the recent Sharm el-Sheikh conference." Hasani said, "Iraqi people and the current government are not responsible for the [odious] debts resulting from the arms purchases of the former regime, used to build military bases and arsenals that burdened and indebted the country." .
He called on Arab countries to cancel these debts and added, "We don't count on Egypt to cancel Iraqi debt because it is not a rich capitalist country, rather a poor one living on external assistance provided by states like the United States of America."
Labels: Abdul Hadi Hassani, debt, Kuwait, oil production, Rumaila field
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
British Cypriot company to bid on $3 bn airport to be built in Karbala
Reconstruction, Business
(Al Mada Newspaper) - 7 May - Yesterday, the Karbala Governorate Council Chief, Abd Al Awl Yassiri, stated that the council has received the necessary approval to construct an international airport in Karbala. Al Yassiri added that a British Cypriot company made a bid to carry out the project while a Kuwaiti investor announced his interest in funding this project which will cost three billion dollars.
The British Cypriot company confirmed that the airport will be prepared to bring the world’s largest aircraft in a year after the project begins. The Kuwaiti investor said that there will be eleven different kinds of fees and taxes at the airport. He wants to receive a portion of these fees for his investment. Muhsin Al Kinnani, a Communications and Transportation Committee member and Al Yassiri discussed with steps to be taken to carry out this project with the PM’s Advisor, Ali Al Sadawi. During the meeting, Al Yassiri requested that the central government should partially fund this project because this project will benefit the entire country.
COMMENT: Karbala is a city in Southern Iraq which houses the tomb of the best-loved martyr, Abbas, who died there with Hussain ibn Ali in the Karbala massacre of AD 680. Karbala is the Mecca and Medina, as it were, of Iraq and thousands of Shia pilgrims travel to there every year creating a spin-off large 'tourism' industry. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Abd Al Awl Yassiri, airport, Britain, Cyprus, Karbala, Kuwait
Friday, April 27, 2007
Kuwait reluctant to forgive Iraq's debt
Economy, Kuwait
(Associated Press) - Lingering bitterness from the 1990 Iraqi invasion and distrust of the government of Nouri Al Maliki are making it impossible to convince Kuwaitis and their lawmakers to forgive most of the $15 billion (Dh55 billion) of Iraq's debt. But the struggling Iraqi premier was hoping to do just that as he ended a two-day visit to this country on Wednesday, with appeals to Kuwaiti leaders and statements to editors of local dailies that he hoped their parliament was going to be "generous" and write off some of the debt.
Al Maliki said he believed Kuwait was "no less generous" than fellow Gulf country Saudi Arabia, which was writing off 80 per cent of a similar sum in debts. But Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer, has no legislature. Kuwait, a constitutional democracy with a ruling royal family, cannot make such a decision without its elected parliament. And while Kuwait's government itself may be willing to oblige Al Maliki and Washington requests, the decision rests with parliament, where strong sentiments prevail.
"Most Kuwaitis and parliament members believe that Iraq must pay," lawmaker Mohammad Al Mutairi said. "A commitment is a commitment; we have suffered enough from that neighbour." The UN panel overseeing compensation for victims of Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait said yesterday it has paid out a $280 million instalment from Iraqi oil funds to cover claims for losses and damages. The latest transfer brings the total amount paid in compensation to more than $22.1 billion. Most of the payments - about $229.5 million - went to 35 claimants in Kuwait, the United Nations Compensation Commission said.
Al Maliki said he believed Kuwait was "no less generous" than fellow Gulf country Saudi Arabia, which was writing off 80 per cent of a similar sum in debts. But Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer, has no legislature. Kuwait, a constitutional democracy with a ruling royal family, cannot make such a decision without its elected parliament. And while Kuwait's government itself may be willing to oblige Al Maliki and Washington requests, the decision rests with parliament, where strong sentiments prevail.
"Most Kuwaitis and parliament members believe that Iraq must pay," lawmaker Mohammad Al Mutairi said. "A commitment is a commitment; we have suffered enough from that neighbour." The UN panel overseeing compensation for victims of Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait said yesterday it has paid out a $280 million instalment from Iraqi oil funds to cover claims for losses and damages. The latest transfer brings the total amount paid in compensation to more than $22.1 billion. Most of the payments - about $229.5 million - went to 35 claimants in Kuwait, the United Nations Compensation Commission said.
Labels: debt relief, Iraq, Kuwait, Mohammad Al Mutairi, U.N., United Nations Compensation Commission
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Draft document for Sharm el-Sheikh requires Iraq to meet benchmarks
Politics, Region
(AP) - Arab countries will demand that Iraq do more to reach out to its own disgruntled Sunni Arabs, before they pledge substantial aid to the troubled nation, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press. The festering tensions between Iraq and its neighbors are complicating U.S. efforts to round up key aid, including debt relief, before a summit on May 3-4 in Egypt.
Iraq's prime minister, on a Mideast tour, said this week that his country would not tolerate other Arab countries setting conditions on Iraq. He also accused some Arab countries of still harboring extremists who infiltrate Iraq to launch attacks. But according to the draft document at the summit's core, the size and form of international aid to Iraq would be contingent on the Iraqi government's success at reaching certain benchmarks.
"The initiative is based on the pledge of the Iraqi government to implement a patch of political, security and economic commitments," states the document. "The size and the form of the international aid will be decided according to these (steps)." Arab diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, said al-Maliki had been told during his travels that Arab countries would link their support to a package of demands before they gave substantial help to his government.
U.S. officials would not comment on the document to be presented at the summit. But an Arab official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said there were some disagreements over what it would say and that key participants were meeting to try to resolve them.
The key issue for Arab countries is greater Iraqi government outreach to disgruntled Sunnis in Iraq. The Sunni-led governments of the Arab world have long been suspicious of Iraq's new Shiite leadership, blaming it for fueling violence by discriminating against Sunnis. They also accuse al-Maliki's government of helping Shiite Iran extend its influence in the Middle East. At a meeting last month in Saudi Arabia, Arab states demanded Iraq change its constitution and its military to include more Sunnis and end the program that uprooted former members of Saddam Hussein's regime.
In June, al-Maliki announced a national reconciliation program that offers amnesty to members of the Sunni-led insurgency who are not involved in "terrorist activities," and amends a law that had removed senior members of Saddam's Baath Party from their jobs. But Arab countries say those steps were incomplete and never implemented.
Armed Sunni groups in Iraq and some insurgent groups have said they would not join any Iraqi political process until the current al-Maliki government falls. Other signs of Arab-Iraqi tension have arisen as the summit nears. Kuwait has been unable to muster the support in its parliament to agree to an al-Maliki request to forgive Iraq's $15 billion debt to it. Al-Maliki's claim that Arab countries are harboring extremists is another point of tension.
The Syrian official retorted that countries in the region were worried about the presence of 150,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, and said those killing Iraqi intellectuals in militant attacks are "not al-Qaida but other political sides." Iran said Wednesday it has still not decided whether to attend, despite urgings from its ally, the Shiite-led Iraqi government.
Iraq's prime minister, on a Mideast tour, said this week that his country would not tolerate other Arab countries setting conditions on Iraq. He also accused some Arab countries of still harboring extremists who infiltrate Iraq to launch attacks. But according to the draft document at the summit's core, the size and form of international aid to Iraq would be contingent on the Iraqi government's success at reaching certain benchmarks.
"The initiative is based on the pledge of the Iraqi government to implement a patch of political, security and economic commitments," states the document. "The size and the form of the international aid will be decided according to these (steps)." Arab diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, said al-Maliki had been told during his travels that Arab countries would link their support to a package of demands before they gave substantial help to his government.
U.S. officials would not comment on the document to be presented at the summit. But an Arab official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said there were some disagreements over what it would say and that key participants were meeting to try to resolve them.
The key issue for Arab countries is greater Iraqi government outreach to disgruntled Sunnis in Iraq. The Sunni-led governments of the Arab world have long been suspicious of Iraq's new Shiite leadership, blaming it for fueling violence by discriminating against Sunnis. They also accuse al-Maliki's government of helping Shiite Iran extend its influence in the Middle East. At a meeting last month in Saudi Arabia, Arab states demanded Iraq change its constitution and its military to include more Sunnis and end the program that uprooted former members of Saddam Hussein's regime.
In June, al-Maliki announced a national reconciliation program that offers amnesty to members of the Sunni-led insurgency who are not involved in "terrorist activities," and amends a law that had removed senior members of Saddam's Baath Party from their jobs. But Arab countries say those steps were incomplete and never implemented.
Armed Sunni groups in Iraq and some insurgent groups have said they would not join any Iraqi political process until the current al-Maliki government falls. Other signs of Arab-Iraqi tension have arisen as the summit nears. Kuwait has been unable to muster the support in its parliament to agree to an al-Maliki request to forgive Iraq's $15 billion debt to it. Al-Maliki's claim that Arab countries are harboring extremists is another point of tension.
The Syrian official retorted that countries in the region were worried about the presence of 150,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, and said those killing Iraqi intellectuals in militant attacks are "not al-Qaida but other political sides." Iran said Wednesday it has still not decided whether to attend, despite urgings from its ally, the Shiite-led Iraqi government.
Labels: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Nouri Al-Maliki, region, Sharm el-Sheikh, Syria
Maliki tells Satterfield to speak with Iran, Syria to prevent foreign fighters, weapons
Politics, Region
(RFE/RL) - During a meeting in Kuwait on April 24, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told David Satterfield, a senior adviser to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Iraq, that the United States should start talking to Syria and Iran, international media reported. According to an al-Maliki aide, who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity, Satterfield asked the Iraqi leader what more could be done to prevent foreign fighters and illegal weapons from entering Iraq through Iran and Syria.
The aide quoted al-Maliki as telling Satterfield, "You should open a dialogue with Iran and Syria in the interests of Iraq's security." The Iraqi and U.S. governments have long accused Damascus of allowing foreign fighters to cross into Iraq from Syria to carry out attacks. In addition, U.S. officials have accused Tehran of funneling weapons into Iraq that have been used against U.S. military personnel. Both Iran and Syria have denied these accusations. One of the key recommendations in a report conducted by the U.S. bipartisan Iraq Study Group called for direct U.S. engagement with Iran and Syria in an effort to help stabilize Iraq.
Labels: David Satterfield, foreign fighters, Iran, Kuwait, Nouri Al-Maliki, Syria
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Maliki goes to Kuwait to discuss $15 bn debt
Kuwait
(Associated Press) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki met with top officials from Kuwait and the US yesterday to discuss the $15 billion (Dh55.05 billion) Baghdad owes Kuwait and ways to stop the infiltration of foreign fighters, officials said. Al Maliki, on his second visit to this country as prime minister, met with Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah for about an hour and later held a separate meeting with David Satterfield, an adviser to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Iraq.
Satterfield, who was on a regional tour to encourage financial support for the Iraqi government, told Al Maliki that Saudi Arabia has agreed to write off most of the more than $15 billion Iraq owes the country, but Kuwait has not made a final decision, according to an aide to Al Maliki. During his visit, Al Maliki is expected to ask Kuwait to forgive the $15 billion that his country owes the nation dating back to Saddam Hussain's former regime.
The Kuwaiti government has pledged to forgive 80 per cent of the debt, but the decision is subject to parliamentary approval. Many lawmakers oppose the move, arguing that Iraq also is an oil-rich country and should pay back the money. Satterfield said on Monday that the American and the Iraqi governments are "working closely" with Gulf countries and other major creditors to write off Baghdad's debts.
The US official asked the prime minister on Tuesday about what should be done to stop the infiltration of foreign fighters and weapons into Iraq from neighbouring Iran and Syria, the aide to Al Maliki said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Satterfield, who was on a regional tour to encourage financial support for the Iraqi government, told Al Maliki that Saudi Arabia has agreed to write off most of the more than $15 billion Iraq owes the country, but Kuwait has not made a final decision, according to an aide to Al Maliki. During his visit, Al Maliki is expected to ask Kuwait to forgive the $15 billion that his country owes the nation dating back to Saddam Hussain's former regime.
The Kuwaiti government has pledged to forgive 80 per cent of the debt, but the decision is subject to parliamentary approval. Many lawmakers oppose the move, arguing that Iraq also is an oil-rich country and should pay back the money. Satterfield said on Monday that the American and the Iraqi governments are "working closely" with Gulf countries and other major creditors to write off Baghdad's debts.
The US official asked the prime minister on Tuesday about what should be done to stop the infiltration of foreign fighters and weapons into Iraq from neighbouring Iran and Syria, the aide to Al Maliki said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Labels: David Satterfield, debt, Kuwait, Nouri Al-Maliki
Monday, April 23, 2007
Al-Maliki drums up support from region's Sunni-led governments
Security, Region
(AP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki got a strong endorsement from the Egyptian leadership as he began a tour to drum up support from fellow Arab nations for his government and its efforts to reduce widespread sectarian violence. Al-Maliki, making his first visit as prime minister to Egypt, the Arab world's most populous nation, met with President Hosni Mubarak for about 45 minutes Sunday and later held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Nazif.
Al-Maliki's visit came 10 days before two conferences on Iraq will be held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik. They will be attended by Iraq's neighbors as well as Bahrain and Egypt, and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain - and other members of the Group of Eight industrialized nations.
Al-Maliki won't attend those meetings but is lobbying for more help from the mostly Sunni-led governments of the Arab world in stopping violence in Iraq. Nazif said they discussed the situation in Iraq and international efforts to help the embattled Arab nation. "Egypt stands by Iraq and we affirm our support to the Iraqi government's efforts for reconciliation between all parts of the Iraqi society and we condemn terrorism that does not differentiate between anyone," Nazif added.
Al-Maliki planned to travel next to Kuwait and aides said the United Arab Emirates and Oman might be added to his agenda. The Iraqi leader also said "there are efforts to release" five Iranians who were captured by U.S. forces on Jan. 11 in the northern city of Irbil in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq, 220 miles north of Baghdad. U.S. authorities said the five detained Iranians included the operations chief and other members of Iran's elite Quds Force, which is accused of arming and training Iraqi militants.
On Tuesday, he said his Iraqi government is holding talks with some insurgent groups, including members of Saddam Hussein's former regime, as part of a reconciliation plan aimed at reducing fighting and terrorist attacks that have left thousands of people dead in Iraq in the past few years . Al-Maliki did not identify the groups his government is in contact with, but said that when the Sharm el-Sheik conference takes place on May 3-4, "we will have good chances for reconciliation."
In June, al-Maliki announced a 24-point national reconciliation program that offers amnesty to members of the Sunni-led insurgency who were not involved in "terrorist activities," and amends a law that had removed senior members of Saddam's Baath Party from their jobs. Earlier this month, the prime minister visited Japan and South Korea, members of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.
Al-Maliki's visit came 10 days before two conferences on Iraq will be held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik. They will be attended by Iraq's neighbors as well as Bahrain and Egypt, and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain - and other members of the Group of Eight industrialized nations.
Al-Maliki won't attend those meetings but is lobbying for more help from the mostly Sunni-led governments of the Arab world in stopping violence in Iraq. Nazif said they discussed the situation in Iraq and international efforts to help the embattled Arab nation. "Egypt stands by Iraq and we affirm our support to the Iraqi government's efforts for reconciliation between all parts of the Iraqi society and we condemn terrorism that does not differentiate between anyone," Nazif added.
Al-Maliki planned to travel next to Kuwait and aides said the United Arab Emirates and Oman might be added to his agenda. The Iraqi leader also said "there are efforts to release" five Iranians who were captured by U.S. forces on Jan. 11 in the northern city of Irbil in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq, 220 miles north of Baghdad. U.S. authorities said the five detained Iranians included the operations chief and other members of Iran's elite Quds Force, which is accused of arming and training Iraqi militants.
On Tuesday, he said his Iraqi government is holding talks with some insurgent groups, including members of Saddam Hussein's former regime, as part of a reconciliation plan aimed at reducing fighting and terrorist attacks that have left thousands of people dead in Iraq in the past few years . Al-Maliki did not identify the groups his government is in contact with, but said that when the Sharm el-Sheik conference takes place on May 3-4, "we will have good chances for reconciliation."
In June, al-Maliki announced a 24-point national reconciliation program that offers amnesty to members of the Sunni-led insurgency who were not involved in "terrorist activities," and amends a law that had removed senior members of Saddam's Baath Party from their jobs. Earlier this month, the prime minister visited Japan and South Korea, members of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.
Labels: Ahmed Nazif, Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, insurgent groups, Kuwait, Nouri Al-Maliki, Oman, Sharm el-Sheikh, UAE
Friday, April 20, 2007
Iraq reviews Kuwait gas request
Gas, Kuwait
(MENAFN) - Iraq's Oil Minister said that the ministry is reviewing Kuwait's appeal for natural gas though Iraq's domestic market will be the priority, Gulf News reported. He went on to state that Iraq's central government will utilize the gas for supplying the country's power plants. A senior Kuwaiti Oil Ministry official announced that the Kuwaiti government will conduct further discussions with Iraqi officials in the near future on Kuwait's request and does not discard the possibility gas imports to start by the end of 2007. It is worth mentioning that the Kuwaiti government signed a preliminary contract with Iraq three years ago to purchase a maximum of 200 million cubic feet of Iraqi gas per day, though the agreement has not yet been fulfilled.
(MENAFN) - Iraq's Oil Minister said that the ministry is reviewing Kuwait's appeal for natural gas though Iraq's domestic market will be the priority, Gulf News reported. He went on to state that Iraq's central government will utilize the gas for supplying the country's power plants. A senior Kuwaiti Oil Ministry official announced that the Kuwaiti government will conduct further discussions with Iraqi officials in the near future on Kuwait's request and does not discard the possibility gas imports to start by the end of 2007. It is worth mentioning that the Kuwaiti government signed a preliminary contract with Iraq three years ago to purchase a maximum of 200 million cubic feet of Iraqi gas per day, though the agreement has not yet been fulfilled.
Labels: 10th Iraqi Army division, Gas, Kuwait
Iraq appeals to Egypt to wipe out Iraqi debts owed
Finance, International
(VOI) – Iraqi Finance Minister Baqer Jabur Solagh urged his Egyptian counterpart Boutros Ghali to wipe out the huge debts owed by the Iraqi government, as Egypt is the host country for the international conference on Iraq this May."The Egyptian minister presented the idea to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and vowed to forgive Iraq's debts by 100% as a sign of Egypt's support of the Iraqi government," the Iraqi Finance Ministry said in a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
"There are (also) good signs from Saudi Arabia on forgiving Iraq's debts. Iraqis are looking for such a step, especially from Arab neighboring countries," the statement added. "There are also contacts and talks with Kuwait and Turkey for the same purpose," it noted. "The Iraqi minister also met with his Slovenian counterpart to urge him to wipe out Iraq's debts, highlighting the importance of Slovenian participation in Iraq's conference," the statement said. The conference will be held at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh from 3-4 May, 2007.
Labels: Baqer Jabur Solagh, Boutros Ghali, debt, Egypt, Iraqi government, Kuwait, Turkey
