Iraq Reconstruction News 27 February 2007

Iraq Reconstruction News
27 February 2007


1. "The Surge That Might Work" discusses DoD's effort to revive a significant source of employment - Iraq's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17316434/site/newsweek/

2 Iraqis Reach an Accord on Oil Revenues -- BAGHDAD, Feb. 26 — The Iraqi cabinet approved a draft of a law on Monday that would set guidelines for nationwide distribution of oil revenues and foreign investment in the immense oil industry. The endorsement reflected a major agreement among the country’s ethnic and sectarian political blocs on one of Iraq’s most divisive issues. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/27/world/middleeast/27iraq.html?_r=1&n=Top%2fNews%2fWorld%2fCountries%20and%20Territories%2fIraq&oref=slogin

3. Iraq's New Oil Law May Affect World Markets - All Things Considered, February 27, 2007 · The new oil law that Iraq's cabinet approved Monday is politically significant, says that oil revenue will be shared among the provinces or regions based on population. That was a key concern for Sunnis. But the legislation would also have big implications for oil companies around the world. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7626831

4. IWPR Iraqi Press Monitor http://www.iwpr.net/?apc_state=henmicr&o=c-1-1172448000-2-1172534400-3-icr&o1=month-2,year-2007&month=2&year=2007

5. Iraq drafts deal on oil riches. Legislation reached to divide oil wealth among Iraq's ethnic and sectarian divisions. - CSMonitor.com - The Iraqi cabinet has signed off on draft legislation that would manage direct huge oil reserves, and spread its wealth among the country's ethnic and sectarian divisions. Reuters reports that passing such a law has been "a key demand" of the United States as part of its continuing support for the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0227/p99s01-duts.html

6. Iraqi Cabinet Approves Draft Oil Law - An Iraqi oil law deemed essential to helping allay the country's sectarian divisions and rebuilding Iraq's economy got a major boost Monday after Iraq's cabinet approved a draft of the measure, setting the stage for a key parliamentary vote in March that stands as the final barrier to the draft becoming law. http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=41821

7. Iraq Shares Oil Riches - The Iraqi government has signed draft legislation to manage the country’s oil industry and share its wealth among the country’s ethnic and sectarian groups. Russian analysts note that the bill closes the door to the country’s vast oil industry for such countries as Russia and China. http://www.kommersant.com/p746030/Iraq_Oil_Bill_Russia/

8. Low public opinion of draft oil law -- WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Advancement of Iraq's hydrocarbon law is being met by low public approval in the country, which may affect the oil sector, a leading business risk firm says. http://www.upi.com/Energy/Low_public_opinion_of_draft_oil_law/20070227-022514-4272r/

9. "Options for Developing a Long Term Sustainable Iraqi Oil Industry" BearingPoint report to USAID, December 2003 http://www.carbonweb.org/documents/Bearing_Point_Iraq_oil.pdf

10. Iran's non-oil exports to Iraq surpassed USD 1b - Ahvaz, Khuzestan Prov, Feb 26, (IRNA) Head of Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines Hassan Tizmaqz said here Monday that Iran exported USD 1.3 billion worth of commodities to Iraq since the start of the current Iranian calender year 1386 (March 21,2006). http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/february/26/economy/irans_non_oil_exports_to_iraq_surpassed_usd_1b.html

11. Iraqi Trade Links launches wireless phone service in Iraq (MENAFN) According to the Head of the Iraqi Trade Links Company for Communications, the company has started providing wireless telephone services with the most modern technology in communications at initial cost of $350 million, Iraq Directory reported. http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093143487

12. Cilvlians Can Win the Peace - Members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff sparked a maelstrom in Washington recently when they told President Bush and Defense Secretary Gates that the administration’s planned troop surge in Iraq may fail if it does not receive sufficient civilian support. The military role in Iraq will always be limited in what it can achieve, they said. No matter how well funded or well trained our troops may be, they alone cannot stabilize Iraq because many of the needed political, economic, legal, and other nation-building skills are not part of the military toolkit. http://www.usip.org/pubs/usipeace_briefings/2007/0221_civilians_peace.html

13. An Iraqi presents 20 archeological pieces to Babel provincial council - Hilla, Feb 21, (VOI) - An Iraqi citizen handed over on Wednesday authorities in Babel provincial council 20 different archaeological pieces belongs to different historical dynasties, a media source at Babel province said. http://www.aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=37846&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

14. Iran, Iraq sign memorandum of understanding on fisheriers cooperation http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20070221035556/SecCountries/pagIraq

15. McPherson to lead financial repair of Iraq - MSU President M. Peter McPherson will join coalition efforts to restore the Iraqi government. McPherson met with the Bush administration in Washington on Thursday to discuss the financial reconstruction of Iraq. The university president obtained financial experience while working second in command for the U.S. Department of Treasury under former President Ronald Reagan. http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=3217

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