Iraq Reconstruction News 9 January 2007

Iraq Reconstruction News
9 January 2007


1. New US ambassador to Iraq no stranger to danger. WASHINGTON (AFP) - Ryan Crocker, named as the new US ambassador to Baghdad, is one of Washington's most experienced diplomats, with a history in hotspots that should serve him well, as he tries to steer the United States out of the Iraq quagmire.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070108/pl_afp/usiraqpolitics_070108205250 New York Times on Ambassador Crocker http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/06/world/middleeast/06crocker.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Ambassador Crocker's official biography is at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/37928.htm

2. Who Will Get Iraq's Petroleum? http://www.neftegaz.ru/. The largest American petroleum companies conduct intensive consultations with the leaders of the Iraq’s opposition from the West, who support authorities of USA. In the center of negotiations is the future of Iraq’s petroleum industry. http://www.neftegaz.ru/english/analit/comments.php?one=1&id=964

3. Trade warns foodstuff shops. of delaying items. The Ministry of Trade has directed a warning punishment for a number of flour's agents because of delaying distributing this item among families. http://english.iraqimedianet.net/index.php?mod=article&cat=Economy&article=1086

4. Minister of Planning: The budget does not meet the aspirations of development. The Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation, Ali Ghalib Baban, said in a press conference that the annual allocations proposed for the 2007 budget amounted to 12 trillion and 565 billion dinar (10 billion dollars). http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=2858

5. International conference on freedom of expression and media development in Iraq to be held at UNESCO. http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=36304&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

6. The Virgin Oilfields of Iraq. A large part of the country is still mainly unexplored. Of the more than 80 oilfields discovered, only 21 have been developed. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5305462/site/newsweek/

7. Orascom's Iraq Licence Extended. Middle Eastern operator Orascom Telecom has announced that it has been awarded a three-month extension to its mobile license in Iraq. http://www.telecommagazine.com/newsglobe/article.asp?HH_ID=AR_2664

8. Iraqi government to announce federal oil council soon. BAGHDAD, Jan 7 (KUNA) -- As part of a fresh economic opening-up policy, the Iraqi government is determined to make public the establishment of a federal oil and gas council soon, an Iraqi spokesman said here Sunday. http://www.kuna.net.kw/home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=940204

9. Iran resumes exports to Iraq via Mehran border point. IRNA. Iran resumed export of non-oil goods to Iraq via the international border point of Mehran on Saturday, a local official said here on Saturday. http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-237/0701062261170947.htm

10. GRD Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update 01/04/07 https://www.rebuilding-iraq.net/pls/portal/url/ITEM/07251F2EFBCA801DE040A8C00B0741F5

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. Blood and oil: How the West will profit from Iraq's most precious commodity. http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2132574.ece Information on how Production Sharing Arrangements (PSAs) really work is at http://www.theoildrum.com/node/2154

13. Iraqi factions agree on draft oil law. ISTANBUL - Referans. As the world still debates the execution of deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, it has been revealed that the Iraqi government is preparing to send to Parliament important arrangements on how the country's oil resources are to be carved up. http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=63439

14. Iraq: Maintenance of oil meters in southern ports delayed to February. (MENAFN) The Inspector General in the Iraqi Oil Ministry Stated that the delays in completing the processes of maintaining and replacing the meters used in southern ports still cause difficulties in calculating the quantities of exported oil, Iraq directory reported. http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093138274

15. Iraq Weekly Status Report, 27 December 2006. http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/78539.pdf

16. Iraq Weekly Status Report, 4 January 2007. http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/78538.ppt

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