Iraq Reconstruction News 8 January 2007

Iraq Reconstruction News
8 January 2007


1. Iraqi minister: Oil production to reach 4.5 bpd in five years. http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093138019

2. Iraq poised to end drought for thirsting oil giants. For more than three decades, foreign oil companies wanting into Iraq have been like children pressed against the sweet shop window - desperately seeking to feast on the goodies but having no way of getting through the door. That could soon change. http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2132467.ece

3. US twists civilian arms to fill Fortress Baghdad. At the heart of George W. Bush’s “new way forward” – which the president is expected to announce on Wednesday and involve substantial troop reinforcements – is the plan already under way to expand the US civilian presence across Iraq and complete the world’s largest embassy in Baghdad. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/44bb3006-9e80-11db-ac03-0000779e2340.html

4. India again seeks Iraq oil deal. LONDON — India, together with Algeria, is for the second time seeking to develop a major oil field in Iraq. Algeria's state-owned monopoly and Indian energy majors have been discussing the prospect of joint development of a field in Iraq. Executives said India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp. and Reliance Industries have sought to develop the Tuba oil field in southern Iraq. http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/07/front2454106.220833333.html

5. Iraq could open oil reserves to foreign firms. LONDON. Iraq is preparing to allow foreign companies to exploit its oil reserves, The Independent yesterday newspaper said, citing a draft law expected to come before the Iraqi parliament soon. http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Business_News&subsection=market+news&month=January2007&file=Business_News2007010812131.xml

6. An Iraqi tendency to extend the contracts of communications companies for security reasons. It has been known that the supervisory body for organizing mobile communications in Iraq tends to extend the contracts of three mobile companies in Iraq: mtc, Al-Watnia for communications and Orascom Telecom for an indefinite period because of the difficult security conditions in Iraq now. http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=2861

7. Iraq country profile - U.S. Library of Congress. Includes text, comparative area map, location map, and historical timeline. Ancillary maps: Oil infrastructure -- Distribution of ethnoreligious groups and major tribes -- Population density -- Land use -- Kurdish areas of northern Iraq -- Physical features. http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?gmd:3:./temp/~ammem_XJGJ::

8. Iraq Vignette: Basra Air Station & New Iraqi Air Force. C-SPAN. http://switchboard.real.com/player/email.html?PV=6.0.12&&title=Iraq%20Vignette%3A%20Basra%20Air%20Station%20%26%20New%20Iraqi%20Air%20Force&link=rtsp%3A%2F%2Fvideo.c%2Dspan.org%2Fproject%2Firaq%2Firaq010407%5Fairforce.rm

9. Medications trade in the streets of Baghdad aggravate day after day. Various types of medications are sold Openly, now, on the streets of Baghdad. It is a kind of trade that draws its sustenance from the citizen's health. Citizens who despaired of finding certain treatments turn to the street hoping to find them, especially those with chronic diseases. http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=2860

10. Iran vows $1bn Iraq loan. TEHRAN: Iran is set to loan $1 billion to Iraq for reconstruction of the war-torn country, the official news agency Irna reported yesterday. "The Islamic republic will give Iraq a $1bn loan for reconstruction of this country," Economy Minister Davoud Danesh Jafari was quoted as saying by the economy ministry's public relations department. http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=165958&Sn=BUSI&IssueID=29286

11. Iraq Experts Weigh Jobs Program. (AP) Just as debate rages over sending more U.S. troops to Iraq, there are differing views about whether economic incentives such as micro-loans and U.S.-funded jobs programs would coax militiamen to trade guns for tools. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/06/ap/politics/mainD8MFTU580.shtml

12. Iraq to issue tender for Kirkuk oil. LONDON: Iraq is expected in coming days to issue a tender to sell Kirkuk crude oil, the first in months, after stocks held in Turkey reached more than 4 million barrels, industry sources said yesterday. http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=166366&Sn=BUSI&IssueID=29291