Wealthwatch Chat Room News & Comments
chattels: ” …… even if the current cabinet line-up is replaced with independent, technocratic ministers — a change that faces major obstacles — that would only be the beginning of the process.”
chattels: ” Ministries are packed with lower-level employees appointed on the basis of party and sectarian affiliation, and replacing them would face serious resistance.”
chattels: ” Technocrats would also lack the cover afforded by party affiliation, and could face threats by armed groups opposed to changes they proposed.”
chattels: http://wealthwatch.world/showthread.php?tid=4126&page=39
chattels: Sunni lawmaker Mishan al-Jabouri, who has assumed a lead role in the anti-corruption protest within parliament, was himself convicted of embezzling millions of dollars in 2007. Al-Jabouri evaded his prison sentence of 15 years by fleeing to Syria and was only allowed to return to Iraq in 2012 after being issued an amnesty decree under then-Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
chattels: “The word reform has just become a sort of instrument for each side of the political class to blame the government and the prime minister,” said Maria Fantappie, the International Crisis Group’s senior Iraq analyst, explaining that Iraqi leaders are standing under the banner of reform merely as an attempt to hold on to personal and party power.
chattels: “Everyone is appealing to reform, but not in a legitimate way,” ………….
Iraq in Political Limbo After Stalled Reform Attempts
chattels: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/04/16/world/middleeast/ap-ml-iraq.html?_r=1
chattels: Baghdad’s political crisis hinders campaign against ISIS
chattels: ” US officials have recently hinted at an acceleration of operations against ISIS as the campaign enters a new phase but are hesitant to reveal details for fear of further weakening embattled Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
Abadi is struggling to put together a new cabinet in the face of mass protests, demands for reform and an end to corruption. American officials are treading a fine diplomatic line as they worry that proposing increased American military activity in Iraq could harm a vulnerable Abadi.”
chattels: http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/170420162
chattels: Kurdish and Iraqi blocs searching for solutions to end political deadlock http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/17042016
chattels: ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—A meeting of major oil-producing nations aimed at stabilizing the global oil market by freezing production has ended without an agreement.
chattels: http://rudaw.net/english/world/170420164
chattels: ” Representatives of eighteen oil-producing nations have been hammering out a deal since February to freeze production at January levels until October 2016. The meeting on Sunday in Qatar was to be a rubber stamping of the agreement but ended with nations stating they need more time.
OPEC member Iran was not in attendance in Qatar. Iran is the only major oil-producing nation that has refused to participate in any freeze on production levels and has stated that they will increase production to pre-sanction levels.”
chattels: Harith al-Qarawee @harith_hasan Sadr’s followers from southern Iraqi cities r moving 2 Baghdad,organizing more demonstrations&sit-ins before the end of his 72 hrs ultimatum
chattels: Sajad Jiyad @SajadJiyad Sajad Jiyad Retweeted Methaq Al-fayyadh Jibouri receiving support to shore up his position, a smaller but determined contingent of opposition MPs remain
chattels: closure of ministries in Baghdad for security measures http://www.alliraqnews.com/modul…
http://www.alliraqnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=35727
chattels: On Sunday, Iraqi forces tightened security in Baghdad, after angry supporters of firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr took to the streets of the Iraqi capital, attacking four ministries to press for demands that ministers be fired and that Abadi take serious steps to stamp out government corruption.
chattels: Many of Sadr’s supporters arrived in Baghdad for the protest at the cleric’s request, according to a Rudaw correspondent. Security forces barred the gates of ministries to protect the lives of those inside, as helicopters flew overhead.
chattels: BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraq’s bickering political factions in parliament agreed on meeting Tuesday to discuss choosing the next parliamentary president, to exit a political crisis that the US worries may hamper the war with the Islamic State (ISIS).
The decision to meet, announced Monday, came shortly after US Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived in Baghdad to discuss the next step of the war with ISIS and meet with Iraqi commanders and officials, including the embattled Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi.
chattels: http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/180420161
chattels: BAGHDAD, Iraq – US Defence Secretary Ash Carter arrived in Baghdad on Monday, where he is expected to discuss the next step of Iraq’s war with the Islamic State (ISIS) and meet with the embattled Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi.
Carter arrives in the Iraqi capital as US officials have recently hinted at an acceleration of operations against ISIS, as the campaign enters a new phase.
But details of those operations have not been revealed for fear of further weakening Abadi, who is being challenged by the pro-Iranian firebrand Shiite leader, Moqtada al-Sadr.
http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/18042016
chattels: Abadi calls for parliament to convene immediately to overcome obstacles
chattels: withdrawal of the protesters in front of most of the ministries and institutions http://www.alliraqnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=35834
chattels: ” the number present House of Representatives is now no more than 125 deputies.” http://www.alliraqnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=35817
chattels: No quorum.
chattels: “Supreme full Federal Court confirmed that it has not issued any judgment or decision in connection with the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of the decision taken by the House of Representatives on its held on 04.14.2016 on the presidency in it.
http://www.alliraqnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=35816
chattels: Office of House Speaker Salim al – Jubouri said Monday that the House of Representatives of the protesters were negotiating with the bloc to return and end their sit -in . A statement by the office received by all of Iraq [where] a copy of the “large number of House of Representatives of the protesters are negotiating bloc to return and an end to the sit – ins after the separation of the political blocs to a number of deputies.
chattels: http://www.alliraqnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=35807
chattels: Deputy for the Union of Forces, on Monday, the existence of political dialogues to hold a united meeting of the House of Representatives in the coming days. He said Salah al – Jubouri told all of Iraq [where] that “there is a political dialogues sought to convene a unified council meeting of the House of Representatives , ” stressing that “there is no way out of the current situation away from the dialogue
http://www.alliraqnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=35797
chattels: It appears that the various political factions at odds may have stepped back from the precipice of the constitutional abyss. It remains to be seen whether the impasse will be resolved by agreement of the factions or the judiciary. The recent chaos may have scared everyone into sensibility. We shall see, eh ?
chattels: Kirk H. Sowell @UticaRisk 8m8 minutes ago Watching video of Thursday’s session “impeaching” Speaker Salim al-Jiburi makes it clear it was legally invalid.
chattels: Kirk H. Sowell @UticaRisk 6m6 minutes ago 1b Speakers including Hakim al-Zamli refer to 171 MPs but this was from previous day. Only 131 were present in this meeting. Quorum broken.
chattels: Kirk H. Sowell @UticaRisk 3m3 minutes ago 1c In Iraq parl’t, quorum can be broken mid-session by MPs walking out. This has happened numerous times. Happened Sat. No quorum Thursday.
chattels: 1d Even if quorum, absolute majority, 165, needed to impeach speaker. Provision from bylaws allowing temp speaker by simple majority.
chattels: Kirk H. Sowell @UticaRisk 1m1 minute ago 1e Do not buy line that this was a revolt of MPs against party leaders. Over 90% were Maliki-wing SLC, Sadr, Allawi MPs. Few rebels.
chattels: The importance of the video :
chattels: Tariq Harb: Federal will be based on the video to decide on the legitimacy of the dismissal of al-Jubouri
chattels: http://www.sotaliraq.com/newsitem.php?id…z464D5sKyu#axzz46E0tFu4t
chattels: More from Kirk Sowell
chattels: 1f Sunnis involved were either from Allawi’s bloc, or anti-Nujayfi factions w/n the pan-Sunni ‘Union of Nationalist Forces.”
chattels: 1g I count just for geniune rebel MPs out of 328: one each from Islamic Party, Mutlak’s bloc, Gorran & KIU. Anyone else note others?
chattels: 1h So this was an unconstitutional parl’t putsch pushed by MPs almost entirely loyal to Maliki, Sadr or Allawi.
chattels: 2/3 Anti-Jiburi push undermined by Maliki-Sadr split but Badr’s stance Saturday to have both Jiburi & Abadi removed shifts the balance.
chattels: 2b Badr’s seemingly contradictory actions are based on a calculated move make themselves (not Sadr or Hakim) the middle ground.
chattels: 2c Badr’s “moderate” line (their term) is to prevent “two parliaments” by allowing Jiburi to return as speaker but then resign/be removed.
chattels: 3/3 Abadi is not now, nor has he been, in danger of impeachment. But Speaker Jiburi may find it hard to continue functioning as such.
chattels: 3b Jiburi, unlike Abadi, needs willing acceptance of functional majority to do this job. With Badr’s move, he clearly lacks this.
chattels: 3c If Badr comes to define the middle ground, then Jiburi will have to leave office. This will weaken Abadi, who loses a key Sunni ally.
chattels: 3d Abadi will stay, tho his credibility is shot. The Maliki/Sadr split means no way to form an alternative govt, even w/ Badr on board.
chattels: 3e Separately, this idea which spread around that Iran was secretly backing Abadi has no basis. They are undermining him completely.
chattels: And that’s the way it is, at this hour, on Monday, April 18, 2016.
BOBBY: Chattels….. hope your well sir…… thanks for the updates,
OOTW: US GOVT..OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT MORE TROOPS TO BE SENT TO IRAQ, THIS TIME THEY WILL HOLD BRIGADE AND BATTALION POSTS
rocknrollbus: Looks like the Liberal Block grew a pair and are backing Abadi!!!
Tootsie: The Pentagon deployed an additional 200 troops in Iraq and gives $ 415 million to the Peshmerga forces WASHINGTON – Iraq Press – April 18 / April: A senior official at the Pentagon announced on Monday that it will deploy about 200 additional troops in Iraq and send Apache helicopters for the first time to fight al Daash terrorist, bringing the number of American troops there to about 4,100 More ~
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ar&u=http://www.iraqpressagency.com/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Diraq%2Bpress%26biw%3D1149%26bih%3D531
Tootsie: British report: Al-Maliki leads a coup reprisal from al-Abadi London -arac Press -18 April: said British report on Monday that the crisis is unprecedented Ptasv the Iraqi parliament , where marching inside it since last Wednesday , more than 170 deputies, demanding the resignation of Iraq ‘s three presidencies, and reached the wrath of Representatives demonstrators to vote on the separation boss Saleem al – Jubouri and two of his deputies. More ~
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ar&u=http://www.iraqpressagency.com/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Diraq%2Bpress%26biw%3D1149%26bih%3D531
Tootsie: I noticed that the Parliament Calendar is blank for sessions through EOM. Last session showing is 4/12 ~~~~~~
Tootsie: The failure of the Doha meeting leads to a marked decline in oil prices Doha-Iraq Press -18 April: Oil prices fell on Monday after major oil producers failed to agree on freezing production, on the eve of the postponement of the Doha talks session, on Sunday.
And the failure of major oil producers, after a marathon round of talks to reach an agreement on a freeze on oil production, which may raise investor concerns and shake happening in the oil markets. MORE
http://translate.google.com/translatehl=en&sl=ar&u=http://www.iraqpressagency.com/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Diraq%2Bpress%26biw%3D1149%26bih%3D531
Tootsie: Take care – Houston is declared a disaster zone – I know I was up until 5:50 this a.m. horrid storm, worst I can remember – all hugged interstate 10 , North of it ~ some areas 20″ of rain, my area had over 12″ – worst lightening/ etc I can rememver in my 38 years here ~
Tootsie: luckily, in ignorance when moved here purchased in non-flood area , dumb luck ~
Tootsie: so, off to go pick up tree limbs etc. Have a good day all!!! :silly:
Tootsie: Markets | Mon Apr 18, 2016 1:54pm EDTThe global oil deal that never came to be DOHA | It was supposed to be the easiest deal ever reached among key oil market players, a mere formality.
Eighteen countries were gathering in the Qatari capital of Doha to rubber-stamp the first joint agreement between major OPEC and non-OPEC nations in 15 years, tackling a huge global glut after flooding the market for two years. The text was agreed and the timeframe was clear.
Oil prices were rising. Traders were calling the event boring. Then, the first clouds began to appear. Thousands of kilometers away from Doha, at a Friday summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gave each other the cold shoulder in front of cameras after the 57-member group accused Iran of supporting terrorism.
The frosty tone was noted and quickly became a talking point among some delegates and OPEC watchers in Doha. None of the OPEC and oil industry sources who spoke to Reuters linked the subsequent collapse of the oil meeting in Doha to the events in Istanbul directly. CONT ~
http://wealthwatch.world/showthread.php?tid=4072&pid=13032&highlight=Doha#pid13032
Donnie: What a frigg’in mess over there in Iraq now. between Daash and now Maliki & Abadi going at each others throat….. might as well put my Dinar in long term storage now. 🙁
whitelions: I invite the distinguished deputies to convene immediately to overcome obstacles and to contribute to the development of solutions to the challenges facing the country. We are confident that Iraq will be out of his harder. Than it was and optimistic for a better future for our people, our beloved homeland. -Al-Abadi
whitelions: I’m looking forward to the house of representatives will be able to play its role in the legislative and regulatory framework to the fullest extent and vote on the amendment during the ministerial coming days and as soon as possible as well as voting on independent bodies and agencies at a later stage. -Haider Al-Abadi (via FaceBook)
whitelions: Abadi calls for Parliament to convene immediately and to vote on technocrats
whitelions: Political parties in Parliament agree to end sit ins and held a comprehensive hearing
whitelions: Urgent withdrawal of the protesters in front of most of the ministries and institutions
whitelions: Urgent .. Jubouri: the citizen is expected to raise its level of living , rather than downloading the burden of economic crises
whitelions: So it looks like they will be back on track by the end of the week
whitelions: Iran is moving to sacrifice Maliki to keep its influence in Iraq
whitelions: Iraqi Army Wins Back 2 Key Villages Near Mosul City
whitelions: :cheerful:
chattels: Peshmerga salaries to be paid from US $415m financial assistance
chattels: ” ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—The US Defense Secretary has announced that the US is going to allot $415 million to the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and are committing an additional over 200 troops to the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter was in Baghdad on Monday to finalize the agreement. ”
chattels: http://wealthwatch.world/showthread.php?tid=4555
chattels: Kirk H. Sowell @UticaRisk 6h6 hours ago The extreme feebleness of judicial institutions, & total lack of credibility of the judiciary under Midhat al-Mahmud, is also serious.
chattels: Kirk H. Sowell @UticaRisk 6h6 hours ago Iraqi parl’t has had crises where it couldn’t make quorum, but this unresolved but clearly unconstitutional parliamentary putsch is serious.
chattels: Omar Al-Dulimi @ODulimi 8h8 hours ago #Anbar Op commander says #Fallujah op will start next week. Does not name PMUs as part of the fighting units. #Iraq LINK
chattels: The kidnapping of ten workers Basmajh project east of Baghdad http://www.alliraqnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=35867
chattels: Zebari discuss with the World Bank to bring investors to the Iraqi market
chattels: ” …………. whether in the field of budget support or in the implementation of investment projects.
chattels: ” Zebari held a long meeting with a team from the international Monetary Fund , which was chaired by Christian coconut director of Iraq ‘s office of the Fund experts, addressed a number of executive actions to reach an agreement between Iraq Fund and as soon as possible to finalize the Stand -by arrangements ,
which will get Iraq under which the support of the fund, and will contribute to this agreement not only in Iraq for concessional financing but will significantly help in obtaining financial support from the international community and facilitate entry into the international capital markets. ”
chattels: http://wealthwatch.world/showthread.php?tid=4556
chattels: More Sitter / Rump Parliament Crisis News
http://wealthwatch.world/showthread.php?tid=4540&pid=13198#pid13198
