Iraq Reconstruction News 4 April 2007

Iraq Reconstruction News
4 April 2007


1. After Action Report - GEN McCaffrey visit to Iraq and Kuwait March 2007 http://www.militarytimes.com/static/projects/pages/AARMcCaffreyIraq032607.pdf

2. Iraq's Draft Oil Law: The Federal Dimension http://historiae.org/oil-law.asp

3. Iraq Invites 15 International Oil Companies to Drill 50 Wells in the South - Dow Jones Newswires - Iraq has invited 15 international oil companies to drill 50 new oil wells in southern oil fields which would increase the country's output by 70,000 barrels a day, an Iraqi Oil Ministry spokesman said Tuesday. "The Oil Ministry has instructed the South Oil Company to invite 15 specialized and well known international oil companies to take part in a tender to drill some 50 oil wells in Maysan province," the spokesman said in a statement, a copy of which obtained by Dow Jones Newswires.
http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=43460

4. Iraq calls in the drillers -- Iraq has asked 15 Arab, Asian and American companies to tender for a drilling job in the country's south, an Oil Ministry official said today. Asim Jihad told Reuters that the tender, issued at the end of March, will close at the end of May. The state-run South Oil Company will review the offers, he said. http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article130562.ece

5. Lukoil counts on Kremlin in Iraq -- Russian oil producer Lukoil signed a partnership deal with the Russia's Foreign Ministry today, saying it counted on its support as it prepares for talks to revive a giant oil deal in Iraq. Lukoil and the ministry said in a statement that the deal, the first of its kind in Russia, aims to support Lukoil's projects abroad, defend the company's interests by diplomatic means and facilitate its meetings abroad. http://www.upstreamonline.com/incoming/article130534.ece

6. Japan and Iraq to engage in oil talks -- Sapa-AFP - Tokyo - Japan will agree to help Iraq improve crude oil output and push for reconciliation in the war-torn country when Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki comes here next week, officials said Tuesday. Maliki will pay his maiden visit to the world's second-largest economy from Sunday to Wednesday and meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Emperor Akihito, Japan's foreign ministry said. http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=126&art_id=nw20070403080026202C629669

7. Iraq losing corruption battle -- AFP - Baghdad - Iraq has lost some $8bn to administrative and financial corruption since the 2003 US-led invasion which toppled the Saddam Hussein regime, an anti-corruption panel said on Tuesday. http://www.fin24.co.za/articles/companies/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&lvl2=comp&ArticleID=1518-1783_2093535

8. Saudi company to establish electricity station -- An important Saudi company has expressed its readiness to establish electricity station in Muthana province within reconstruction and building projects, depending on financing from the Saudi donation. http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles.php/article/15701

9. Kuwaiti diplomat underscores committment to Iraq's re-construction process -- ISTANBUL, March 20 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's Ambassador to Turkey Abdullah Thuwaikh on Tuesday underscored the significance of the 5th Iraq International Conference of Donor Countries which is currently held here. Thuwaikh, who leads Kuwait's delegation to the conference, told KUNA that Kuwait was always keen on participating in such events, noting that Kuwait has presented a USD 1.5 billion of cash in support of Iraq and that there is USD 500 million more for the reconstruction of Iraq to be executed in cooperation with the Iraqi government. http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=963552

10. Iraqi water minister calls for transparency - ISTANBUL – Turkish Daily News - Sharing information between neighbors, coordination and consultation are the key to collaboration, Iraqi Minister for Water Resources Dr. Abdullatif Jamal Rashed told the TDN in an interview. http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=68824

11. Economic restructuring in Iraq: intended and unintended consequences -- http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-29753148_ITM

12. The World Bank supports electricity rehabilitation in Iraq -- Washington, March 29, 2007 -- The WB approved today a credit of US$124 million for Iraq for the Emergency Electricity Reconstruction Project. The total cost of the project is estimated at US$150 million. The World Bank has approved an additional US$6 million from the WB ITF; and the Government of Iraq is contributing US$20 million of its own resources. http://siteresources.worldbank.org/IRFFI/64168382-1092419012421/21279096/Iraqpressrelease28March.pdf

13. LDP approves 2-yr extension of Iraq reconstruction support law http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=305902

14. Newly Trained Iraqi Loan Officers To Expand Microfinance Services in Baghdad - As a future loan officer of an indigenous microfinance institution based in Baghdad, Manar, a 27-year-old female, has an ambition: to assist in the economic development of her country. Manar is one of 18 proud graduates of the Microfinance Basics course organized by the USAID IZDIHAR program. http://www.izdihar-iraq.com/news/stories.html#story124

15. Betrayed - The Iraqis who trusted America the most. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/03/26/070326fa_fact_packer

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