Iraq Reconstruction News 16 March 2007

Iraq Reconstruction News
16 March 2007


1. Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq March 2007 http://www.defenselink.mil/home/pdf/9010_March_2007_Final_Signed.pdf

2. Guarding Iraq's oil platforms, and its income -- IN THE PERSIAN GULF -- A Ukrainian cargo ship that inadvertently sailed into protected waters around Iraqi oil platforms in the Persian Gulf ignited a rapid security crackdown Wednesday morning, displaying some of the measures coalition forces take to protect the platforms. Ships rushed to intercept the cargo vessel. http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=43972

3. Iraqi leader says he has until June 30 to divvy up oil wealth -- BAGHDAD --Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki fears the Americans will torpedo his government if parliament does not pass a law to fairly divvy up the country’s oil wealth among Iraqis by the end of June, close associates of the leader told The Associated Press on Tuesday. http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=20443a9a-db51-4092-85e4-6dceafb870fb&k=88520

4. ‘Iraq not negotiating with oil majors yet’ - VIENNA: Iraq is not conducting negotiations yet with major oil companies on new oilfield developments, although they wait keenly in the wings, Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani said on Thursday. He said that Baghdad was waiting first for its new oil sector law to pass through parliament. “We are not negotiating with any major oil companies for the time being, we are waiting for the hydrocarbons law to be enacted by the parliament,” Shahristani said. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C03%5C16%5Cstory_16-3-2007_pg5_18

5. Unesco faces uphill task in Iraq: Official -- Doha -- Iraq is where Unesco is facing it greatest challenge in combating illiteracy. "The challenges faced by the education sector in the post-conflict Iraq is mind-boggling. With children witnessing blood baths in schools, militia making frequent rqids at schools many a parents have stopped sending their children to schools in several areas," said a senior Unesco official who is in-charge of Education Planning and Management in the country.
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com:80/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=March2007&file=Local_News200703154957.xml

6. Chinese company to set up power plant in Wassit - Kut, March 14, (VOI) - A Chinese company is to set up a power plant with a design capacity of 1,320 MW in north of Kut, 180 km southeast of Baghdad, at cost of $750 million, a source at Wassit electricity department said on Wednesday.
http://www.aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=39439&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

7. Iraq asks China firm to hurry power plant -- BAGHDAD, March 15 (UPI) -- Iraq is urging the Chinese power company building a power plant southeast of Baghdad to hurry because of the ongoing electricity shortage. http://www.upi.com/Energy/iraq_asks_china_firm_to_hurry_power_plant/20070315-121406-7297r/

8. Electricity Workers in Kirkuk took a Strike Action http://www.iraqitradeunions.org/archives/000854.html

9. UN chief to convene international meeting on Iraq reconstruction -- UNITED NATIONS, March 15 (APP) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has scheduled an international meeting here on Friday aimed at assisting Iraq’s reconstruction and recovery, his spokesperson Michele Montas said Wednesday.
http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5881&Itemid=2

10. Contractor could lose $400 million -- Military contracting giant KBR Inc. could be docked up to $400 million for improperly using private security companies in Iraq, the company disclosed this week. The Army has already said it withheld about $20 million in payments to KBR's parent company, Halliburton, because the company's subcontractors used private security contractors, including North Carolina-based Blackwater USA. Army officials have said that private security companies were not allowed under Halliburton's main contract in Iraq and that the military was to provide security. http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/548701.html

11. Iraqi : Reconstruction Projects are Big Improvements -- BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Reconstruction efforts are providing successful, tangible results in the lives of Iraqis every day, said the commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Brig. Gen. Michael J. Walsh addressed the media at two press conferences recently at the Combined Press Information Center -- one with Adm. Mark Fox from Multi-National Force -- Iraq, the other with Ambassador Joseph Saloom from the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office. http://www.waterandwastewater.com/www_services/news_center/publish/article_001211.shtml

12. Chief Arab economist stresses support for Iraq -- CAIRO (KUNA) -- Secretary-General of the Arab Economic Unity Council Ahmed Gweli stressed here Tuesday that the council supported Iraq's national economy. The council affiliated to the Arab League said in a release that Gweli met with a delegation of the Iraqi Commission, led by Basel Al-Azawi, affirming the council's support for Iraq's stability, security, unity and economy. http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidKUN0139070306210000/SecMain/pagHomepage

13. US Investigator Says Iraqis Steadily Taking Over Reconstruction -- Speaking to VOA by telephone from Baghdad, Special Inspector-General Stuart Bowen says the time has come for Iraq to shoulder the financial burden of its reconstruction. "The theme, and why this theme is such an important watershed moment, is that it marks the end of the phase wherein the United States will bear the preponderant financial burden for the relief and reconstruction of Iraq," said Stuart Bowen. "That burden has now in earnest shifted to the Iraqis and the Iraqi government." http://voanews.com/english/2007-02-28-voa64.cfm

14. Iraq's political and economic bullet -- Several economists and economic development experts argue that land –specifically “land reform” – is key to ending Iraq’s complex civil conflict. Among them is Peter Schaefer. Schaefer served in Vietnam as an American military intelligence officer then in the mid-1970s became deeply involved in economic development analysis and property right issues. His is also a former adviser to Peruvian economist Hernando De Soto. http://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1650

15. Courthouse Project helps build a secure self-governing Nation http://www.grd.usace.army.mil/news/releases/NR07-03-05.pdf

16. Car washing. good job for the jobless -- Karbala, March 3, (VOI) – Work in garages and car service centers in the holy Shiite city of Karbala, 108 km southwest of Baghdad, is flourishing as many Iraqis consider car washing to be a nice source of income and a way to avoid the endless queues of job seekers. http://www.aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=38592&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

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