Iraq Reconstruction News 31 January 2007

Iraq Reconstruction News
31 January 2007


1. SIGIR January 2007 and Semiannual Report. Last January, SIGIR identified 2006 as the year of transition, highlighting many challenges to effective turnover of projects and programs to Iraqi control. SIGIR observed limited progress on these issues during 2006: supporting anticorruption efforts; enhancing infrastructure security; building ministerial capacity; ensuring the sustainability of reconstruction programs and projects; increasing support for reconstruction by the international community; improving coordination of all U.S. agencies involved in reconstruction. In 2007, transition to Iraqi control will accelerate. Success, however, hinges on the effective resolution of each of these issues. http://www.sigir.mil/reports/quarterlyreports/Jan07.aspx

2. Report Finds Big Problems with Iraq Rebuilding. Morning Edition, January 31, 2007 · The Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction says billions spent on security have had a limited effect, while waste and fraud have cost tens of millions. Special Inspector General Stuart Bowen says 2006 was the worst year yet. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7092772

3. Iraq in Talks With Chevron, Exxon. LONDON — Iraq is in negotiations with Chevron Corp. and Exxon Mobil Corp. to build a new $3 billion petrochemical facility, and is in talks with several other Western companies over industrial projects. In an interview Thursday, Iraq's minister for industry and minerals Fowzi Hariri said the discussions with Chevron and Exxon began this week in Washington and are at an early stage. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4500382.html

4. War News Radio: Got Gas? http://warnewsradio.org/

5. SOMO denies Turkey letter. UpstreamOnline.com Iraq's state-run oil company Somo today denied it had asked Turkey to deal with Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq and said it would handle all contracts itself. http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article127062.ece

6. Problem in the Oil Flow to Iraq. As well as being the neighbor of Iraq, Turkey is also an important logistics center for this country. There is a process of reconstruction in Iraq -especially in the northern part of it- and required energy, oil and construction materials go from the biggest supplier of the region; Turkey. However, this weekend the relations between these two countries have been disrupted due to bureaucratic problems that emerge in the transportation of oil to the region. http://www.turkishweekly.net/comments.php?id=2451

7. State Minister Tüzmen: Iraq should honor its signature. EkoTürk News Agency / Mersin, 30 January 2007. State Minister Kürşat Tüzmen said they expected Iraq to honor its signature at oil trade contracts. Holding a news conference on Iraqi oil deals crisis, Tüzmen said they are having problems to find a counterpart at Iraqi Oil Ministry. The minister stated that Iraqi state oil trading company SOMO had signatures at bilateral oil trading contracts, and no other entity in Iraq has the authority to export oil. http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-22101.html

8. Army Engineers Help Develop Iraq's Port Capacity. BASRAH, Iraq -- The Port of Umm Qsar directly influences the economy of Iraq and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) works to help improve the services of the Iraqi berths to handle the cargo flowing in or out of the country.
http://www.grd.usace.army.mil/news/releases/NR07-01-21.html

9. For war zone workers, a new fight. Some US firms deny injury claims. Boston Globe. WASHINGTON -- US companies employing civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan have refused to settle workers' compensation and medical benefit claims for hundreds of war-zone injuries that range from back pain to post-traumatic stress. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/01/20/for_war_zone_workers_a_new_fight/

10. Record turnout expected for 4th Rebuild Iraq Exhibition. (MENAFN - Jordan Times) AMMAN — More than 1,000 exhibitors representing over 45 countries are expected to take part in the 4th Rebuild Iraq Exhibition and Conference here from May 7-10, organisers confirmed on Monday. http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?storyid=1093140050 The 4th International Rebuild Iraq Exhibition, 7 - 10 May 2007, Amman, Jordan
http://www.rebuild-iraq-expo.com/

11. Police seize archaeological finds. http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news\2007-01-24\kurd.htm

12. IG Has More Audits Under Way of Contractors' Work. http://enr.ecnext.com/free-scripts/comsite2.pl?page=enr_document&article=newaar070129d

13. Contractors' Fears of Terrorists Hampers American Coalition Forces. (IsraelNN.com) Terrorist attacks against civilian contractors working in Iraq have hampered completion of American military projects in Iraq. Five contractors were killed this week after their helicopter came under attack by terrorists armed with machine guns. l Qaeda terrorist threats against civilians have delayed the issuing of tenders for military projects and present another obstacle in the American coalition effort to help the Iraqi government restore order to the country. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=120309

14. Iraqi Oil Minister: Iraq capable of raising oil exports to 1.9m bpd. http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093141106

15. Iranian Reveals Plan to Expand Role in Iraq. BAGHDAD, Jan. 28 — Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad outlined an ambitious plan on Sunday to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq — including an Iranian national bank branch in the heart of the capital — just as the Bush administration has been warning the Iranians to stop meddling in Iraqi affairs. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/29/world/middleeast/29iranians.html?_r=1&n=Top%2fNews%2fWorld%2fCountries%20and%20Territories%2fIraq&oref=slogin

16. Instability makes holiday treats a little less sweet. BAGHDAD — The Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha has been over for more than a week, but the al-Baraka Bakery is still feeling the pinch from a slow season. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/life-in-iraq.htm

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