Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Sunday Afternoon 10-22-23
Tlm724 Administrator Bondlady’s Corner
SECURITY ALERT EMBASSY IRAQ – OCT-22-2023
By U.S. Embassy In Baghdad October 22, 2023 The Department of State has updated the Travel Advisory for Iraq to reflect the ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members from U.S. Embassy Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General Erbil. Full text of Travel Advisory here . Additionally, please read the most recent Security Alert from October 18, 2023 below:
Demonstration Alert: U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq (October 20, 2023)
Location: Baghdad, Iraq Event: U.S. Mission Iraq is monitoring calls for demonstrations throughout the country, including a large demonstration with potential for anti-U.S. sentiment in Baghdad on Friday, October 20 around the 14th of July Bridge.
The U.S. Mission continues to advise U.S. citizens to monitor local media for updates and to avoid protests and large gatherings. U.S. citizens should be aware of the potential for demonstrations and protests related to the ongoing events in Gaza to spread rapidly throughout Iraq. Such demonstrations can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting traffic, transportation, and other services, and sometimes turning violent.
The State Department’s Travel Advisory for Iraq remains at Level 4: Do Not Travel due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and Mission Iraq’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens. For more information, please visit the Iraq Country Information page on travel.state.gov . Please also review what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas .
Actions to Take:
– Avoid the area of the demonstrations and large gatherings.
– Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
– Keep a low profile.
– Monitor local media for updates.
https://iq.usembassy.gov/security-alert-embassy-iraq-oct-22-2023/
Iraq Travel Advisory October 22, 2023 Iraq – Level 4: Do Not Travel Updated to reflect the ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members.
Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and Mission Iraq’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens.
On October 20, 2023, the Department ordered the departure of eligible family members and non-emergency U.S. government personnel from U.S. Embassy Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General Erbil due to increased security threats against U.S. government personnel and interests.
Country Summary: U.S. citizens in Iraq face high risks to their safety and security, including the potential for violence and kidnapping. Terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attack Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-U.S. militias threaten U.S. citizens and international companies throughout Iraq. Attacks using improvised explosive devices, indirect fire, and unmanned aerial vehicles occur in many areas of the country, including Baghdad and other major cities. In an emergency, consular services to U.S. citizens in Iraq are limited due to severe restrictions on the movements of U.S. government personnel.
Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently throughout the country. These events can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting traffic, transportation, and other services, and sometimes turning violent.
Do not travel near Iraq’s northern borders due to the continued threat of attacks by terrorist groups, armed conflict, aerial bombardment, and civil unrest. U.S. citizens should especially avoid areas near armed groups in northern Iraq, which have been targeted with aerial strikes by neighboring countries’ militaries.
U.S. citizens should not travel through Iraq to engage in armed conflict in Syria, where they would face extreme personal risks (kidnapping, injury, or death) and legal risks (arrest, fines, and expulsion). The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq has stated that it will impose prison sentences of up to ten years on individuals who illegally cross the Iraq-Syria border. Additionally, fighting on behalf of or supporting designated terrorist organizations is a crime under U.S. law that can result in prison sentences and large fines in the United States.
Because of security concerns, U.S. government personnel in Baghdad are instructed not to use Baghdad International Airport. Due to risks to civil aviation operating in the Baghdad Flight Information Region, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended for an additional two years its Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) prohibiting certain flights at altitudes below 32,000 feet. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Iraq.
If You Decide To Travel To Iraq:
Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization or consider consulting with a professional security organization.
Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
Review the Country Security Report for Iraq.
Visit the CDC website for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist
Washington Directs Non-Essential Personnel To Leave Its Embassy In Baghdad
10/22/2023 Mawazine News – Baghdad The US State Department directed, on Sunday, the departure of the families of its diplomats and non-essential employees from Iraq, warning of “kidnappings.”
In a statement, the US State Department called on its citizens “not to travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the limited ability of the Iraqi mission to provide support to American citizens.”
The Department directed the departure of “eligible family members and non-essential U.S. Government employees from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil due to increased security threats against U.S. Government employees and interests.”
She explained, “American citizens in Iraq face significant risks to their safety and security, including the possibility of violence and kidnapping,” noting that “terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attack Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-American militias also threaten American citizens and international companies throughout Iraq.” https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=236742
Decrease In Dollar Prices In Baghdad Markets
Time: 10/22/2023 10:21:45 Read: 3,133 times {Economic: Al-Furat News} The price of the dollar fell, today, Sunday, in Baghdad markets The prices were as follows..
The selling price was 160,500 Iraqi dinars, while the purchase amounted to 158,500 dinars per 100 dollars. LINK
Details Of A Meeting Chaired By Al-Sudani Regarding The Unified Treasury Account And The Electronic Payment System
Money and business Economy News – Baghdad Today, Sunday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani directed the activation of the work and tasks of the Payments Council at the Central Bank.
Al-Sudani’s office said in a statement, “Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani chaired a meeting devoted to discussing the completion of the unified treasury account, and following up on the electronic payment system and electronic card payment points/POS, in the presence of the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank, the Head of the Federal Financial Supervision Bureau, and a number Among the advisors and general managers of a number of government banks.
He added, “The meeting witnessed a presentation and follow-up of the implementation of the unified treasury account, the level of progress in implementing and disseminating the electronic card payment system, and a discussion of the challenges facing public and private sector institutions and electronic payment companies.”
He pointed out that “the facilities and incentives that can be provided to citizens and employing entities were reviewed, with the aim of encouragement, in addition to the overall measures taken, progress rates, and necessary requirements for completion, as Al-Sudani stressed the need to give priority to the goal of encouraging the government sector, and identifying negligent or lagging entities.”
He continued, “During the meeting, the report containing a number of recommendations was approved, and it was decided to present it to the Council of Ministers.”
Al-Sudani directed, according to the statement, “activating the work and tasks of the Payments Council at the Central Bank, and the importance of submitting a final report on the achievements to be presented to the Council of Ministers meeting.”
Regarding the completion of the unified treasury account, the Prime Minister directed, “Emphasizing all ministries to implement the fourth paragraph of Council of Ministers Resolution (3581 of 2023), and the necessity of accelerating the formation of committees and analyzing the non-active bank accounts of each of them, within one month.” Views 68 10/22/2023 – https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=37048
Points to Ponder on FEAR:
74. The fear of an unknown never resolves, because the unknown expands infinitely outward, leaving you to cling pitifully to any small shelter of the known: a cracker has twelve calories; the skin, when cut, bleeds. ~ Caroline Kettlewell
75. We fear what we most desire. ~ Harley King
76. You shouldn’t feel so bad about being afraid of so many things.” “Why not?” “Because if you weren’t afraid never ever, then you couldn’t be brave never ever.” ~ C. JoyBell C.
77. If you have no faith in yourself, then have faith in the things you call truth. You know what must be done. You may not have courage or trust or understanding or the will to do it, but you know what must be done. You can’t turn back. There is no answer behind you. You fear what you cannot name. So look at it and find a name for it. Turn your face forward and learn. Do what must be done. ~ Patricia A. McKillip
78. When you do what you fear most, then you can do anything. ~ Stephen Richards
79. The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream.The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg;and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs.Dreams are the seedlings of realities. ~ James Allen
80. Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
81. But fear doesn’t need doors and windows. It works from the inside. ~ Andrew Clements
