Monday, August 06, 2007
Shiites press for autonomy in southern Iraq
Politics
(Christian Science Monitor) - When Najaf unplugged its power station from the national grid last week, it was a sign of provincial dissent over the unequal distribution of electricity. But it also indicates a new assertiveness in the south, as Iraq's regional leaders seek to wrest control from a central government in Baghdad paralyzed by political infighting.
Multiple visions for unifying the county's southern provinces are emerging. The Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), one of the most powerful Shiite parties, is leading the charge to form an autonomous "South of Baghdad Region." But 45 southern tribal notables in Najaf last week signed their own pact that envisions creating "the self-rule government of the unified Iraqi south."
Regardless of which southern group wins out, Baghdad faces a formidable challenge that could mean not just the loss of electricity, but revenue from the region's ports and oil fields, and further fracturing along sectarian lines. When Najaf pulled the plug on its electricity from Baghdad, provincial spokesman Ahmed Duaibel said it was because the provincial officials felt Najaf was not getting its fair share of electricity. He says the province is prepared to turn on the power station's remote terminal unit, which normally allows Baghdad to manage the output, if Baghdad addresses provincial grievances.
But one prominent resident who is familiar with the workings of the local authority says the move is part of a larger effort to include Najaf in the "South of Baghdad Region." The other provinces included in the project are Babil, Basra, Dhi Qar, Diwaniyah (also known as Qadisiyah), Karbala, Maysan, Muthana, and Wasit.
In recent weeks, Ammar al-Hakim, the son of SIIC leader Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, has been leading a passionate grassroots campaign to rally support for the project. "I call upon you to be totally prepared from now to form the South of Baghdad Region at the end of the period prescribed by parliament," he said. On July 21, he repeated the plea at another rally in Baghdad.
The national assembly had passed a controversial law in October 2006 outlining the mechanism for establishing regions in Iraq. The law allows for regions to be created starting early April 2008 provided local referendums are held on the issue. The law was opposed by Sunnis and Shiite rivals to SIIC, such as the Fadhila Party and Moqtada al-Sadr's movement, because they said it heralded the fragmentation of Iraq.
Multiple visions for unifying the county's southern provinces are emerging. The Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), one of the most powerful Shiite parties, is leading the charge to form an autonomous "South of Baghdad Region." But 45 southern tribal notables in Najaf last week signed their own pact that envisions creating "the self-rule government of the unified Iraqi south."
Regardless of which southern group wins out, Baghdad faces a formidable challenge that could mean not just the loss of electricity, but revenue from the region's ports and oil fields, and further fracturing along sectarian lines. When Najaf pulled the plug on its electricity from Baghdad, provincial spokesman Ahmed Duaibel said it was because the provincial officials felt Najaf was not getting its fair share of electricity. He says the province is prepared to turn on the power station's remote terminal unit, which normally allows Baghdad to manage the output, if Baghdad addresses provincial grievances.
But one prominent resident who is familiar with the workings of the local authority says the move is part of a larger effort to include Najaf in the "South of Baghdad Region." The other provinces included in the project are Babil, Basra, Dhi Qar, Diwaniyah (also known as Qadisiyah), Karbala, Maysan, Muthana, and Wasit.
In recent weeks, Ammar al-Hakim, the son of SIIC leader Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, has been leading a passionate grassroots campaign to rally support for the project. "I call upon you to be totally prepared from now to form the South of Baghdad Region at the end of the period prescribed by parliament," he said. On July 21, he repeated the plea at another rally in Baghdad.
The national assembly had passed a controversial law in October 2006 outlining the mechanism for establishing regions in Iraq. The law allows for regions to be created starting early April 2008 provided local referendums are held on the issue. The law was opposed by Sunnis and Shiite rivals to SIIC, such as the Fadhila Party and Moqtada al-Sadr's movement, because they said it heralded the fragmentation of Iraq.
Under the Iraqi Constitution, regions have been given significant power, including adopting their own constitution; exercising executive, legislative, and judicial authority, organizing and managing internal security forces; and opening offices as part of Iraqi missions abroad. Also, regional laws take precedence over national ones in case of conflict.
The power of regions is currently one of the points of contention in the constitutional amendment process, according to an aide to Sheikh Humam Hamoudi, who heads the constitutional amendment committee in parliament.
An alternative to the plan that SIIC is promoting is the pact from tribal leaders. Leaders from Basra, Dhi Qar, Diwaniyah, Maysan, and Muthana provinces signed a pact in Najaf that envisions creating "the self-rule government of the unified Iraqi south." They even elected a president and announced plans to form a legislative-type body made up of 130 sheikhs and experts.
Sheikh Abdul-Karim al-Mahamadawi, who supports the initiative, says it's an alternative to the federalist or "super-region" project of the SIIC that would give more powers to "real southerners" while maintaining a commitment to a unified Iraq.
Although Najaf and neighboring Karbala Province hold spiritual significance to Shiites, the viability of any regional federation hinges on Basra, which is the economic linchpin with its oil resources and sea access.
The power of regions is currently one of the points of contention in the constitutional amendment process, according to an aide to Sheikh Humam Hamoudi, who heads the constitutional amendment committee in parliament.
An alternative to the plan that SIIC is promoting is the pact from tribal leaders. Leaders from Basra, Dhi Qar, Diwaniyah, Maysan, and Muthana provinces signed a pact in Najaf that envisions creating "the self-rule government of the unified Iraqi south." They even elected a president and announced plans to form a legislative-type body made up of 130 sheikhs and experts.
Sheikh Abdul-Karim al-Mahamadawi, who supports the initiative, says it's an alternative to the federalist or "super-region" project of the SIIC that would give more powers to "real southerners" while maintaining a commitment to a unified Iraq.
Although Najaf and neighboring Karbala Province hold spiritual significance to Shiites, the viability of any regional federation hinges on Basra, which is the economic linchpin with its oil resources and sea access.
Partition is increasingly being advocated by Washington lawmakers and think tanks as the only way to bring peace to Iraq. "There is a massive operation underway to pave the way for the [south of Baghdad] region, but it's being done quietly," says Sheikh Jalaleddin al-Saghir, a senior parliamentarian and Hakim partisan who favors the SIIC plan.
Besides enjoying a close relationship with Iraq's most revered Shiite cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and educating the public about the merits of the "South of Baghdad" project, Sheikh Saghir says his party has already drawn up a detailed blueprint for creating the regional administration and that regular meetings take place now between top political, economic, and security officials from all nine provinces to further the goal.
He says the issue is of "tremendous regional and strategic significance that leaves no room for misadventures."
But the project faces important obstacles from other influential elements within the Shiite community. There is Mr. Sadr who, despite his low profile in recent months and a US-led crackdown against his Mahdi Army militia, continues to enjoy wide support, especially among disaffected segments of Shiite society.
The Fadhila Party says that one of the main reasons why SIIC and its allies "orchestrated a campaign" to squeeze out Basra's governor, Muhammad al-Waeli, is because of his strong opposition to joining the federation. "They simply want to eliminate all those opposing the region project," says Jaber Khalifa, a Fadhila leader.
Besides enjoying a close relationship with Iraq's most revered Shiite cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and educating the public about the merits of the "South of Baghdad" project, Sheikh Saghir says his party has already drawn up a detailed blueprint for creating the regional administration and that regular meetings take place now between top political, economic, and security officials from all nine provinces to further the goal.
He says the issue is of "tremendous regional and strategic significance that leaves no room for misadventures."
But the project faces important obstacles from other influential elements within the Shiite community. There is Mr. Sadr who, despite his low profile in recent months and a US-led crackdown against his Mahdi Army militia, continues to enjoy wide support, especially among disaffected segments of Shiite society.
The Fadhila Party says that one of the main reasons why SIIC and its allies "orchestrated a campaign" to squeeze out Basra's governor, Muhammad al-Waeli, is because of his strong opposition to joining the federation. "They simply want to eliminate all those opposing the region project," says Jaber Khalifa, a Fadhila leader.
Labels: autonomy, Babil, Basra, Dhi Qar, Diwaniyah, Karbala, Maysan, Muthana, Najaf, Sheikh Humam Hamoudi, SIIC, southern Iraq, tribal leaders, Wasit
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Tragetting of Baath party members leads to further displacements
Security, Politics
(IRIN) - Militants in southern areas of Iraq are reportedly targeting former members of the Baath Party in a bid to exterminate them, causing new displacements, according to local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). At least 200 ex-members of the Baath Party of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein have been killed so far.
According to local police, hundreds of families have been forced to flee their homes. “Militias are conducting a campaign to exterminate over 4,000 members of the Baath Party,” said Hassan Dureid, spokesperson for Iraqi Brothers Relief, a local NGO working in southern Iraq. “Most of these people didn’t have a choice and were obliged to join the party during the ex-regime.” “Dozens of new widows of ex-members of the Baath Party have reported [the deaths of their husbands] in the past three weeks to southern governorates, and their numbers could increase, according to experts,” Dureid added.
We want to prevent Saddam’s followers from returning to power and the best way is to exterminate them. Militants affiliated with Shia groups refused to give detailed information about the campaign but said their action was to guarantee the “cleansing of any remnants of Saddam Hussein’s regime”. “We want to prevent Saddam’s followers from returning to power and the best way is to exterminate them,” Abu Khalid Alawi, who said he was a senior local Shia militia member but declined to name his organisation, told IRIN.
We want to prevent Saddam’s followers from returning to power and the best way is to exterminate them. Militants affiliated with Shia groups refused to give detailed information about the campaign but said their action was to guarantee the “cleansing of any remnants of Saddam Hussein’s regime”. “We want to prevent Saddam’s followers from returning to power and the best way is to exterminate them,” Abu Khalid Alawi, who said he was a senior local Shia militia member but declined to name his organisation, told IRIN.
“Only Shia families in the southern governorates really know what we suffered in their hands and we don’t want to risk having them back,” he added. The Iraqi Brothers Relief said they were worried about the number of newly displaced families which have been seeking protection in displacement camps in southern areas, mostly on the outskirts of the cities of Najaf, Missan and Basra.
“We have received information from our volunteers that at least 2,000 Iraqis, mostly women and children, have joined displacement camps in the south over the past three weeks,” Farid Abbas, a spokesman for Najaf-based NGO the Muslim Organisation for Peace (MOP), said. “These families are without their husbands or fathers because either they have been killed or were forced to flee to the northern governorates for being ex-Baath Party members,” Abbas said.
Change of policy Current government policy, supported by the US, is to reinstate some former Baath party members in government posts to bolster the government’s effectiveness. This is believed to be one of the reasons for the current campaign by Shia militants in the south. “In 2003, the temporary Iraqi government set up by Paul Bremer started firing all Baath Party members from government posts,” Professor Abdel-Qader Azize, a displacement analyst at Baghdad University, said. “The problem is that most of these people didn’t have a choice and were forced by Saddam’s regime to follow orders or would have been killed.” “This move failed and the US government is now forcing the Iraqi parliament to reverse the law and accept ex-Baath Party members back into government jobs,” Azize said, adding that this was causing local resentment.
The Iraqi government couldn’t be reached for comment but the governing council of Basra said they had started negotiations with militant leaders to get them to stop such attacks.
The Iraqi government couldn’t be reached for comment but the governing council of Basra said they had started negotiations with militant leaders to get them to stop such attacks.
Labels: Baathists, Basra, IDPs, Iraqi Brothers Relief, Maysan, Muslim Organisation for Peace, Najaf, Shia militias
Monday, July 30, 2007
Gold found in Al Anbar, red mercury in Maysan
(Voices of Iraq) - An economic expert said that the lack of interest by Iraqi government in exploration of other minerals other than oil refers to weak economic policies. Ali Al-Manii, from the Center of Economic Studies, added, reliance on oil and gas as basis of the natural wealth is not a correct perspective in economic terms, because the State must seek to adopt plans for exploration of other minerals in Iraq, especially in southern and central regions, and abandon the unilateral economic strategy."
He added, "Field economic studies showed that gold is found in Anbar province and red mercury, which is the most expensive among minerals, is found in south-eastern of Maysan province."
Al-Manii explained, "The western region of Iraq, being of vast desert nature, comprises ethylene phosphate and sulpfur, while copper is found in Karbala and Najaf." He continued, "The results of these studies require the provision of means of research and exploration of non-oil minerals, which are expected to be found in larger proportions than the rough estimates, for not conducting exploration and production for many years."
Al-Manii called relevant authorities and specialists to achieve strategic plans to prospect for minerals other than oil.
He added, "Field economic studies showed that gold is found in Anbar province and red mercury, which is the most expensive among minerals, is found in south-eastern of Maysan province."
Al-Manii explained, "The western region of Iraq, being of vast desert nature, comprises ethylene phosphate and sulpfur, while copper is found in Karbala and Najaf." He continued, "The results of these studies require the provision of means of research and exploration of non-oil minerals, which are expected to be found in larger proportions than the rough estimates, for not conducting exploration and production for many years."
Al-Manii called relevant authorities and specialists to achieve strategic plans to prospect for minerals other than oil.
Labels: Al Anbar, Ali Al-Manii, copper, gold, Karbala, Maysan, Najaf, red mercury, sulphur
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Maysan Sheikhs refuse to arm their tribes
Tribal, Security
(Al-Sabaah) - The Sheikhs of Mayssan province have rejected the resolution of theUS forces to arm tribes' local citizens in the province. In a statement released by NANA, the Secretary-general of the Islamic Movement in Mayssan province, Hassan Ali Maz'al said that a tribal conference which had been held in Amara, attended by political and national figures in Amara, reached several important recommendations, the most important being that arms must be in the hand of the government only.
Labels: Hassan Ali Maz'al, Islamic Movement in Mayssan, Maysan, tribal leaders
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Iraqi Forces to take control of Maysan in April
Security
(AFP) - Iraqi security forces are set to take control from foreign troops of a fourth province in the violence-plagued country this month, Iraqi and British officials said on Thursday. "The timetable for our armed forces to receive national responsibility is accelerating. And this month, multi-national forces will transfer security responsibility to the authorities in Maysan," a statement from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's office said.
"The prime minister hereby authorises the governor of Maysan to receive security responsibility from the multinational forces in another achievement for the people of the province." British Lieutenant Colonel Kavin Stratford-Wright confirmed that troops were working towards transferring Iraqi control in the southern province of Maysan, which shares a border with Iran, in April.
"That transfer to provincial Iraqi control is projected to be this month. At that point, the responsibility is theirs and we'd only intervene in a security situation at their request," he told AFP from the southern city of Basra where British troops are based. "This is a positive thing. We're pleased the Iraqi prime minister has made this decision. It's an indication of further progress in the south," he said.
Maysan province will be the fourth out of Iraq's 18 provinces handed over to Iraqi security control and the third transferred by British-led troops since July. In August, British troops had handed over security in Amara, the capital of Maysan, but retained other regions of the province.
Stratford-Wright said multinational troops would continue to be in Maysan and would also retain forces on the border after the transfer. Prime Minister Tony Blair told parliament in February that the number of British troops would likely drop to 5,000 by the end of the year, compared to about 7,200 deployed in the country today.
"The prime minister hereby authorises the governor of Maysan to receive security responsibility from the multinational forces in another achievement for the people of the province." British Lieutenant Colonel Kavin Stratford-Wright confirmed that troops were working towards transferring Iraqi control in the southern province of Maysan, which shares a border with Iran, in April.
"That transfer to provincial Iraqi control is projected to be this month. At that point, the responsibility is theirs and we'd only intervene in a security situation at their request," he told AFP from the southern city of Basra where British troops are based. "This is a positive thing. We're pleased the Iraqi prime minister has made this decision. It's an indication of further progress in the south," he said.
Maysan province will be the fourth out of Iraq's 18 provinces handed over to Iraqi security control and the third transferred by British-led troops since July. In August, British troops had handed over security in Amara, the capital of Maysan, but retained other regions of the province.
Stratford-Wright said multinational troops would continue to be in Maysan and would also retain forces on the border after the transfer. Prime Minister Tony Blair told parliament in February that the number of British troops would likely drop to 5,000 by the end of the year, compared to about 7,200 deployed in the country today.
Labels: Iraqi Army, Lieutenant Colonel Kavin Stratford-Wright, Maysan
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
15 Arab, Asian and U.S. firms invited to drill in Iraq
Oil
(Reuters) - Iraq has issued invitations for 15 Arab, Asian and American firms to drill 100 oil wells in the country’s south as part of efforts to boost production, the oil ministry spokesman said yesterday. Asim Jihad said the invitations, issued at the end of March, would close at the end of May. The state-run South Oil Company will review the offers, he said.
He said among the companies invited were Syrian, Iranian and Chinese firms.“We want to drill 50 wells in Maysan (province) and 50 in Basra. It will take from one year to three years,” he said. “These new wells will give us between 50,000 to 60,000 bpd.” Iraq has the world’s third-largest proven oil reserves and needs billions of dollars to revive its oil sector. Most of Iraq’s proven oil reserves are in the Shia south or the Kurdish north.
Iraq’s cabinet has endorsed a draft oil law regulating how wealth from the vast oil reserves will be shared by its ethnic and sectarian groups.The world’s top oil companies have been manoeuvring for years to win a stake in Iraq’s prized oilfields such as Bin Umar, Majnoon, Nassiriyah, West Qurna and Ratawi – all located in the south of the country. The oil law which is still awaiting parliament’s ratification has given the regions the right to negotiate with international firms on developing oilfields.
Labels: Asim Jihad, Basra, Maysan, oil wells, South Oil Company
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Foreign firms offer to develop Missan's oil fields
Oil
(Azzaman) - The authorities in the southern province of Missan say they have received several requests from foreign firms to develop the province’s gigantic oil fields. The officials refused to name the firms but said the relative stability which the province currently enjoys was luring both foreign and Iraq entrepreneurs to invest.
The province, which borders Iran, is among Iraq’s most impoverished with a rickety infrastructure. It was a battle scene in the eight years of Iraq-Iran war. “The provincial council has received offers from international and Arab firms to invest in the oil sector,” said Taha al-Dhaif, head of the Development Commission in the province. He said investors were also interested in developing the province’s tourist infrastructure and have made several offers to construct hotels and other tourist installations.
Some of the finest Iraqi marshes are situated in the province and the officials said the wetlands were flourishing once again and the authorities were considering ways to turn into tourist attractions. Dhaif said the council has an offer from a foreign firm to develop the massive West Gurna oil field, one of the largest unexplored oil fields in the country.
He said the council was keen to attract investors to help reduce the high unemployment rate and fight poverty. The province relies mainly on agricultural produce as its huge oil fields, with billions of barrels of proven oil reserves, remain undeveloped. Dhaif said the province was in need of power stations and it has already received an offer to construct one. There have been requests to construct housing apartments, and rehabilitate idle industries such as the prefab factory.
Iraq has the third largest proven oil reserves in the world behind Saudi Arabia and Iran. It is total proven reserves are estimated at 112 billion barrels, with as many as 220 billion barrels of resourced deemed probable. Of the country’s 74 discovered and evaluated oil fields, only 15 have been developed.
Some of the finest Iraqi marshes are situated in the province and the officials said the wetlands were flourishing once again and the authorities were considering ways to turn into tourist attractions. Dhaif said the council has an offer from a foreign firm to develop the massive West Gurna oil field, one of the largest unexplored oil fields in the country.
He said the council was keen to attract investors to help reduce the high unemployment rate and fight poverty. The province relies mainly on agricultural produce as its huge oil fields, with billions of barrels of proven oil reserves, remain undeveloped. Dhaif said the province was in need of power stations and it has already received an offer to construct one. There have been requests to construct housing apartments, and rehabilitate idle industries such as the prefab factory.
Iraq has the third largest proven oil reserves in the world behind Saudi Arabia and Iran. It is total proven reserves are estimated at 112 billion barrels, with as many as 220 billion barrels of resourced deemed probable. Of the country’s 74 discovered and evaluated oil fields, only 15 have been developed.
Labels: foreign firms, Maysan, Missan, oil fields, Taha al-Dhaif, West Qurna
