Iraqi News Saturday AM 8-22-20
Iraqi News Saturday AM 8-22-20
TLM724 Administrator BondLady’s Corner
Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi Receives A Phone Call From The Leader Of The Republican Majority In The US Senate
Aug -22 2020 The Prime Minister, Mr. Mustafa Al-Kazemi, received a phone call from the Republican Majority Leader in the US Senate, Senator Mitch McConnell. During the call, they discussed bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States, and ways to enhance them at the economic and security levels, in addition to supporting joint cooperation in various educational and cultural fields.
And Mitch McConnell expressed his support for the efforts of the Iraqi government and its endeavors to achieve stability in Iraq. This comes within a number of bilateral files that Mr. Al-Kazemi is discussing, during his current visit to the American capital, Washington, at the head of a government delegation.
Information Office of the Prime Minister 22 -Aug 2020 https://pmo.iq/press2020/22-8-202002.htm
Al-Kazemi, After Meeting With Trump: The Interests Of Iraq Are Not Decided By Others
Saturday 22nd August 2020 100 Baghdad / morning The Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, affirmed that the Iraqi government aspires to build partnership relations between it and the United States of America based on "the economic basis and common interests for a better future for Iraq and the Iraqi people," while noting that this partnership establishes a new relationship based on a relationship A country with a state and that the Iraqi point of view and the decision of the interests of Iraq are not decided by others. US President Donald Trump pointed out that Iraq is an independent country and has a good government capable of resolving important files, and it is not appropriate for us to stay there for long.
Iraq's interests first
Al-Kazemi said, in an interview with Al-Iraqiya News Channel: “Both the Iraqi and American parties came out comfortable from the meeting with President Trump and the rest of the meetings that took place in the United States,” noting that “during the talk about economic cooperation, security cooperation and a reassessment of the American presence in Iraq. “.
Al-Kazemi added that "it was agreed through the strategic dialogue headed by the Secretary of State and his American counterpart on a set of principles, all of which are in the interests of the Iraqi people, relating to the presence of American forces, its rescheduling and the redeployment of American forces outside Iraq," indicating that "it was agreed within the strategic dialogue to develop A technical team to find a mechanism for this deployment outside Iraq.
Al-Kazemi pointed out that “for the first time, I see clear American positions and understand the demands of the Iraqi government.”
He continued, "The American President said: The numbers of American forces are very few and indeed they are few, but Iraq needs these forces to train and develop the army and security forces."
Al-Kazemi explained that "from the economic side, Iraq needs to evaluate the relationship for its own interests, especially that America is an important country, and it has major industries, in terms of oil, energy and even education," stressing that "Iraq has an opportunity to benefit from a partnership with a major industrial country."
And that "a set of memoranda of understanding in the field of oil and energy was signed, the most important of which is a contract regarding oil in Dhi Qar province, which is a strategic project that has great benefit for the people of the province and Iraq in general."
Al-Kazemi said, "Certainly, this partnership establishes a new relationship based on the relationship of a state with a state," noting that "the Iraqi viewpoint and the decision of Iraq's interests are not decided by others."
"We always raise the slogan of Iraq first, and today in this corner we believe that the interest of Iraq is the one that determines the type of its relations, and the American side told us that we are working on the principle of the relationship according to Iraqi sovereignty," the prime minister added.
Al-Kazemi explained that “the fact of extending my stay in America was at the request of the US Congress, in order to hold a meeting with the President of Congress,” indicating that “the American side is serious about building a relationship with Iraq based on the principle of respecting sovereignty and helping the Iraqis, and this meeting will provide an opportunity to explain the demands of the Iraqis to the representatives of the people. The American in Congress and the Senate. ”
Meeting with the US President
Regarding the details of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi's meeting with US President Donald Trump, at the White House, a statement by the Prime Minister’s Media Office stated that Al-Kazemi praised during the meeting “the stances of the United States and its support for Iraq in its war against ISIS terrorist gangs, and its assistance to him in overthrowing the previous regime. “.
And Al-Kazemi indicated that "his government is looking to build partnership relations between Iraq and the United States of America, based on the economic basis and common interests for a better future for Iraq and the Iraqi people, and he welcomed US investment companies in Iraq."
And he stressed "not to allow any threat to Iraq from any country, as he stressed his refusal to make Iraq a starting point for threatening any of its neighbors, citing what was stated in the Iraqi constitution."
Al-Kazemi referred to "the diplomatic path adopted by Iraq in dealing with Turkish violations on Iraqi lands, and confirmed the existence of a dialogue with Turkey to correct the current situation," expressing his hope that "this problem will be solved soon, as it is related to the sovereignty of Iraq, and Turkey must understand the current conditions of Iraq." .
In turn, the US President Trump welcomed “Al-Kazemi” and affirmed the continued support of the United States for Iraq, and indicated that Iraq is an independent and sovereign country, with which we have good relations, and we are ready to provide all forms of assistance to him, and indicated the development of the course of relations between the two countries with the arrival of Al-Kazemi, and what will be reflected On a better future for Iraq ”.
The statement added that "the prime minister and the American president chaired the expanded meeting of the Iraqi and American delegations, where" security cooperation was discussed and a new phase of this cooperation started in terms of training and arming the security forces, in addition to continuing cooperation. "
The closing statement issued after the meeting, according to the media office of the Prime Minister, stated that “the strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States is based on a common desire to achieve security and prosperity,” noting that “together, the international coalition against ISIS terrorist gangs, led by the United States, is empowered. "And the Iraqi security forces from destroying ISIS gangs and their succession, and we continue to coordinate to ensure that ISIS terrorist gangs do not pose a threat to Iraq, or any other country."
"We reaffirm a long-term commitment to bilateral security coordination, in order to build the capabilities of the Iraqi army and to confront threats to our common interests," the statement added, stressing that "our security cooperation lays a basis for expanding cooperation efforts in the economic, humanitarian, political and cultural fields."
The statement pointed out that "the Covid-19 pandemic confirmed the importance of working together to build a prosperous and stable Iraq, able to provide jobs and services to the Iraqi people, and to act as a force promoting stability in the Middle East."
Shared files
The Prime Minister also received, at his residence, in the American capital Washington, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and discussed with him "the most important files of common interest, and ways to develop relations between Iraq and the United States at various levels and fields."
"The file of economic relations and cooperation in the fields of development and investment, and addressing the Corona pandemic, as well as bilateral cooperation in the field of combating terrorism and strategic dialogue between the two countries," was discussed.
The Prime Minister also met, within the framework of his visit to Washington, a number of members of the American Businessmen Forum and the American Chamber of Commerce, in the presence of the US Secretary of Energy Dan Proelt.
Al-Kazemi welcomed, at the beginning of the meeting, "members of the Businessmen Forum and the American Chamber of Commerce, and expressed his thanks for their warm hospitality and reception."
Al-Kazemi referred to "the importance of sustainable strategic cooperation with the United States, and with companies and banks in it," stressing "the government's willingness to remove all obstacles to its work in Iraq."
The Prime Minister explained that "investment opportunities are available to American businessmen and companies, and he called on American banks to cooperate in the development of the Iraqi banking system, to keep pace with international banks as the basis for a major economic openness."
For their part, members of the Businessmen Forum and the American Chamber of Commerce expressed the readiness of "major companies to work and invest in Iraq, and expressed their optimism about the steps of the prime minister, since he assumed his duties in the government."
Meanwhile, Al-Kazemi, the UN Goodwill Ambassador, received the Iraqi Yazidi woman Nadia Murad.
Al-Kazemi praised, "its great efforts in conveying its message to the world, and the flagrant violations of the Yazidis and other components at the hands of ISIS terrorist gangs, and exposing their brutal practices."
He stressed that "the file of the Yazidis is receiving great attention by the government, which is keen to return all the displaced to their homes, and has plans to rehabilitate areas that have been subjected to terrorism, restore stability to them, provide justice to the Yazidis and all Iraqis who have been subjected to violations by ISIS gangs, and return the kidnapped and restore their rights."
The Supreme Coordination Committee
In addition, the Iraqi government delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein, and the United States government delegation, headed by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, held a meeting of the Supreme Coordination Committee in Washington, DC, in accordance with the 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement for a relationship of friendship and cooperation between the United States of America and the Republic.
Iraq.
According to a statement issued by the meeting, the two sides affirmed their commitment to a strong and fruitful bilateral relationship, and separate sessions dealt with topics related to economy, energy, health, environment, political and diplomatic issues, security, combating terrorism, educational and cultural relations.
In the economic session, Iraq outlined its ideas for economic reform plans, which would unleash faster economic growth and a more vibrant private sector, and the United States renewed its support for economic reforms in Iraq and identified areas for cooperation that could help Iraq achieve its plans, and the two countries discussed coordination with institutions. International Finance to help Iraq recover from low oil prices and the Corona virus, and put the country on a more sustainable financial path, and the two countries also plan to cooperate in the areas of e-government, financial sector reforms and private sector partnerships to enhance trade and investment between the United States and Iraq, and Iraq and the United States are looking forward to holding a meeting.
The Board of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) later this year to follow up on its July 2019 meeting.
In the energy session, the United States and Iraq discussed the Iraqi government's efforts to increase domestic electricity and gas production, reduce burning gas waste, and implement energy market reforms. The two governments also plan to hold a meeting of the Joint Energy Coordination Committee soon to discuss these issues in more detail.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Iraqi government signed sustainable energy agreements with American companies, including General Electric, Honeywell OP, and Stellar Energy, in addition to memoranda of understanding with Chevron and Baker Hughes, as concrete examples of the energy partnership between the United States and Iraq.
The Delegations of Iraq and the United States indicated the continued cooperation with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to develop plans for electricity tariff reforms in Iraq. The two governments plan to continue cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Interconnection Authority regarding electricity connections in Iraq and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and energy investment. The United States also welcomed the progress made in the talks between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government regarding both budget issues. And energy.
In the Health and Environment session, the two countries indicated their ongoing partnership to combat the Coronavirus and their intention to sign a memorandum of understanding to expand bilateral trade relations in the field of health, and the two governments also discussed the ongoing cooperation in the fields of environment, water and scientific issues and planning to hold a separate meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee on these issues.
In the political and diplomatic session, the United States reiterated its emphasis on respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and the relevant decisions of the Iraqi legislative and executive authorities. The two sides also discussed the best ways in which the United States can support the Iraqi government as it prepares for the parliamentary elections, including increasing support for the United Nations mission. United States to help Iraq, and the two countries reiterated their support for freedom of expression and freedom of the media, and the need to hold the perpetrators of violence against peaceful demonstrators accountable. The United States supports Iraq's efforts to improve its relations with neighboring countries and plans to assist the Iraqi government in this endeavor.
The United States has also reaffirmed its continued commitment to support Iraq in providing permanent, safe and dignified solutions for the internally displaced, and assisting the components that have been at risk of annihilation by ISIS terrorist gangs. Both sides recognized the need to improve access to humanitarian organizations.
In the Security and Counter-Terrorism Session, the United States and Iraq reaffirmed their commitment to achieving common goals through bilateral security coordination and continuous cooperation between the Iraqi security forces and the US-led international coalition to defeat ISIS, and the two delegations praised the increasing capabilities of the Iraqi security forces and their joint success in fighting ISIS terrorist gangs, This enabled the international coalition to move to a new phase focusing on training, equipping and supporting the Iraqi security forces.
The Iraqi government expressed its gratitude to the international coalition and affirmed its readiness to facilitate this transition and its commitment as a host country to provide protection for coalition personnel and diplomatic facilities in Iraq.
In the education and culture session, the two governments discussed past and current US support for Iraq's efforts to promote higher education in cooperation with American universities in Iraq, through the Fulbright Program, and through the Higher Education Partnership Initiative of the US Embassy. The United States and Iraq identified additional ways to support Iraq’s plans to address higher education reform priorities and strengthen US-Iraqi university partnerships. The two sides also reviewed progress made in returning the Ba’ath Party archive to Iraq as an important artifact in the history of Iraq.
The two sides discussed joint efforts to preserve the rich cultural heritage. Of Iraq and religious diversity, and they reaffirmed their commitment to return Iraqi artifacts that had illegally arrived in the United States to their rightful place in Iraq.
In addition, the Iraqi government signed two new agreements with General Electric Company as part of its continued focus on strengthening the country's electric power infrastructure, and its deep keenness to meet the growing electric power needs, especially with peak demand during the summer months.
The value of these two agreements amounts to $ 1,227 billion, by $ 500 million with General Electric for gas energy to implement modernization, maintenance and vital service for a number of electric power plants, which will enhance efficiency levels and help preserve more than 6,000 megawatts of electric power, and 727 One million dollars with the network solutions business unit of "General Electric Renewable Energy" to enhance the electric power transmission network in Iraq, improve its stability and connect it with the power grid in Jordan. LINK
Opening 3 Branches Of Al-Rafidain Bank In Nineveh
Saturday 22nd August 2020 98 Mosul / Shorouk Maher
On Friday, the Nineveh local government inaugurated three branches of Al-Rafidain Bank after completing their reconstruction, while it began reconstructing and rehabilitating the building of the Central Bank of Iraq in Ayman Mosul.
The mayor of Mosul, Zuhair al-Araji, said in a special statement to “Al-Sabah”: The local government opened three buildings for the Rafidain Bank branch on Friday after completing their reconstruction and restoration, which the terrorist gangs of “ISIS” had destroyed during their sinful rule over the city, indicating that the branches that were opened were divided between The district of Talkif, Wana district and the city of Mosul
In a related context, Al-Araji announced that the engineering teams had begun the work of rehabilitating the building of the Central Bank of Iraq by a private company, after the Nineveh Municipalities Directorate had completely removed the rubble, pointing out that the rehabilitation works will be funded from the funds of the reconstruction fund for the affected governorates, and for a reconstruction period estimated at nine months. LINK
Our Economy Compass
Saturday 22nd August 2020 47 Thamer Al Himas When the House Services and Reconstruction Committee expects to re-introduce the (Infrastructure) Law, which was hoped to be passed in (2013), but the wills (prevented) from that - according to what was stated by a committee member on 7/12/2020 - , It means that no one is interested in the infrastructure, or that it is not on the agenda for the simple reason that no one seeks to defend the seven-year delay in approving it. Years .
In this case, how did the law on consumer protection and the protection of the national product be passed, would they be exposed without the infrastructure that accompanies them, protects them and enhances their productivity, in the face of random import, so that the national product remains fragile due to the lack of electricity and services as additional costs that make it uncompetitive or non-factory to absorb its surplus Seasonal?
Or will government factories remain inviting state departments to buy their national products, and tend to import due to lower costs, because the infrastructure of the exporter is integrated and has become a competitor for our production in our own home, taking advantage of our weak infrastructure, which opened a door to corruption between (commissions and suspicions of money laundering), and the worst is that The relevant authorities may be aware!
This situation disrupted the development compass so that the country became a regional and international consumer, and it stands out as a number or its outcome is that 17 percent of the investment budget for the year 2019 is clearly reflected, and according to what the President of the Baghdad Investment Commission indicated on 7/29/2020 that there are 696 projects that were suspended from the original 1771, that is, 60 percent of the investment depends on the causes of corruption, at a time when imports increased and worsened, which formed a wound through the border crossings, which required surgery, in the hope of moving towards the passage of the infrastructure law or reforming the failure that paralyzed the investment as a whole.
Is recycling the issue a solution or a challenge? Especially since the alliance still exists between the exporter and the importer, the first is seeking his interests, and the second is in his interest to continue with an annual increase with all tools, to stop all infrastructure factors under mafia excuses, according to interest relations and schedules And priorities.
Therefore, the compass is not driven by a national economic interest according to the traditional methods of development, because the regional, international and local alliances have non-economic pressure tools, so there is a need for local mobilization to confront unemployment and poverty rates, which coincide directly with the goals of the three alliances, and in order not to remain paying the bill of wills Which prevented the infrastructure law from being approved as a cornerstone on which we stand and build our customs fence and see white smoke from our factories, after stopping the bleeding, let us heal the wound, guided by the axioms of development, to get out of the rent tunnel Oil. LINK
A Parliamentary Committee Intends To Institute A Lawsuit Against The Minister Of Finance
Pratha News Agency85 2020-08-22 A member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Thamer Theban, announced, on Saturday, that a lawsuit will be filed against the Minister of Finance, Ali Allawi, for a clear and explicit legal violation, which is wasting the money of the Iraqi people.
Theban said in a press statement that "there will be a case before the judiciary, similar to the case that was filed against Fuad Hussein, the former Finance Minister, following which a summon order was issued by the Iraqi judiciary against him."
He added that "he intends to initiate a lawsuit against the government and the Ministry of Finance against the background of the disbursement of 320 billion dinars without a legal basis or legislation from the House of Representatives."
Dhiban expressed "his surprise at the Kurdistan Regional Government handing over 320 billion Iraqi dinars without handing over the latter to border taxes and oil revenues." http://burathanews.com/arabic/news/375117
Al-Kazemi Returns To Baghdad After Concluding His Visit To Washington
Time: 08/22/2020 17:28:53 Read: 2,002 times {Baghdad: Al Furat News} The Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, arrived in the capital, Baghdad, on Saturday afternoon, after concluding his visit to Washington.
His office said in a brief statement that Al-Furat News received a copy, that "Al-Kazemi returns to Baghdad after concluding his visit to Washington."
After arriving in the American capital, Washington, DC, after midnight last Tuesday, Al-Kazemi held a round of talks with US President Donald Trump and senior officials that resulted in the conclusion of investment contracts with US companies in the economic, humanitarian, political and cultural fields.
It was also agreed to continue joint coordination to combat the terrorist ISIS.
Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi described his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday as "important and successful."
Al-Kazemi said, "We agreed with the American side on the redeployment of forces outside Iraq, and we also agreed to set up a technical team to find a mechanism for this deployment."
He added, "Iraq has an opportunity to benefit from its partnership with a major industrial country."
Al-Kazemi announced the "signing of an important and beneficial enactment for all of Iraq regarding oil in Dhi Qar Governorate." LINK
Deputy Reveals Investment Irregularities Worth 4 Billion Dinars In Baghdad
Pratha News Agency70 2020-08-22 A member of the Parliamentary Economic and Investment Committee, MP Mazen Al-Faili, revealed, on Saturday, violations of the investment license granted by the Baghdad Investment Commission for the rehabilitation and development of a production printing press, worth about 4 billion dinars.
Al-Faili said in a press conference that, "In light of the administrative and financial corruption under which the Iraqi economy rests, the joints of the state are ravaged and the aspirations of the people of the country have been eliminated for a well-off life. Legal. "
He added that "among these violations is the investment license granted by the Baghdad Investment Commission to rehabilitate and develop a productive printing press granted to the Wasit Printing Company Limited, at a cost of about four billion one hundred and fifty-two million four hundred and ten thousand dinars, according to the Financial Control Report No. 24669 on November 26, 2018, the administrative violations Finance shows the extent of corruption in the authority. "
Al-Faili added, "Among these violations in the license to develop the production printing press is that the authority granted the license for commercial purposes despite the objection of the Contracts Department in the Baghdad Municipality to the project because the land is a property of exchange that is used exclusively for housing project purposes, in contradiction to Article 10 / second of the law.
Investment No. (13) for the year 2006 which stipulates (it is permissible to own the Iraqi or foreign investor the lands allocated for residential projects belonging to the state and the public sector, and the Iraqi or foreign investor may purchase the land belonging to the private or mixed sector to establish housing projects exclusively, provided that it does not conflict with the uses of the design. Basic) and this is a clear violation of the law. "
He indicated that "the investor did not provide an account of the projects he had undertaken in and outside Iraq in the application submitted by him to obtain the license, in contradiction to Article (19 / second) of the law, which requires granting the Commission the investment license or the establishment of the project based on a request submitted to it by the investor according to conditions A facilitator prepared by the Commission, and the application submitted by the investor includes the following matters, including (the projects that the investor undertook in or outside Iraq), while the investor did not submit according to Inquiry No. 9 of July 19, 2018, submitted by the Board of Financial Supervision.
Al-Faili explained, "The Commission granted the investment license on 6/12/2016 despite submitting a request from the investor on 7/31/2016, ie with a delay period exceeding three months, in violation of the legal controls in Article (7 / c) of the Investment Law) 13) for the year 2006 (amended) which required (the authority to decide on investment license applications within a period not exceeding (45) forty-five days from the date of submitting the application) and this violation puts the authority’s management in the circle of financial and administrative doubt and suspicions.
He pointed out that "the economic department in the authority did not carry out the economic feasibility study presented by the investors, and this is what was revealed by the financial control report and is considered contrary to Article (9 / first) of the internal system of the investment authority in the governorate that is not organized in a region, which required the preparation of reports and studies related to the activity The authority and ways to promote it and evaluate the feasibility study submitted to the authority by the investor.
Al-Faili called on the Prime Minister and the Integrity Commission to "the necessity of conducting an investigation that shows the perpetrator of these violations and referring him to the judiciary, stressing his intention to clarify all suspicions of corruption in the Baghdad Investment Commission and the extent of financial and administrative manipulation. http://burathanews.com/arabic/news/375118
A Scandal Raises The Alarm Bell In The Baghdad Investment Commission
Time: 08/22/2020 16:37:38 Read: 3,185 times {Baghdad: Al Furat News} A member of the Parliamentary Economic Committee, Mazen Al-Faili, revealed, on Saturday, administrative fraud and investment violations worth four billion dinars.
Al-Faily said in a press conference, "In light of the administrative and financial corruption under which the Iraqi economy is rooted, the joints of the state are ravaged and the aspirations of the people of the homeland have been eliminated for a well-off life. And legal contexts. "
He added, "Among these violations is the investment license granted by the Baghdad Investment Commission to rehabilitate and develop a productive printing press granted to the Wasit Printing Company Limited, the cost of which is about four billion and 150 million 410 thousand dinars, and according to the Financial Control Report No. 24669 on November 26, 2018, the administrative and financial violations show the extent of corruption. In the body. "
And he continued, "Among these violations in the license to develop the production printing press is that the commission granted the license for commercial purposes despite the objection of the Contracts Department at the Baghdad Municipality to the project because the land is an exchange property that is used exclusively for the purposes of housing projects, in contrast to Article 10 / Second of Investment Law No. 13) for the year 2006 which stipulated (it is permissible for the Iraqi or foreign investor to own the lands allocated for housing projects belonging to the state and the public sector, and for the Iraqi or foreign investor to buy the land belonging to the private or mixed sector for the establishment of housing projects exclusively provided that it does not conflict with the uses of the basic design) and these A clear violation of the law. "
Al-Faili stated that "the investor did not provide an account of the projects he had undertaken in and outside Iraq in the application submitted by him to obtain the license, contrary to Article (19 / second) of the law, which requires granting the Commission an investment license or establishing the project based on a request submitted to it by the investor according to Facilitated conditions prepared by the Commission, and the request submitted by the investor includes the following matters, including (the projects that the investor undertook in or outside Iraq), while the investor did not submit according to Inquiry No. 9 of July 19, 2018, submitted by the Board of Financial Supervision.
He explained that "the commission granted the investment license on 6/12/2016 despite submitting a request from the investor on 7/31/2016, ie with a delay period exceeding three months, in violation of the legal controls in Article (7 / c) of the Investment Law (13). For the year 2006 (amended), which required (the authority to decide on investment license applications within a period not exceeding (45) forty-five days from the date of submitting the application) and this violation places the authority’s management in the circle of financial and administrative suspicion and suspicion.
He pointed out that "the economic department in the commission did not carry out the economic feasibility study presented by the investors, and this is what was revealed by the financial control report and is contrary to Article (9 / first) of the internal system of the investment authority in the province that is not organized in a region, which required the preparation of reports and studies related to the activity The authority and ways to promote it and evaluate the feasibility study submitted to the authority by the investor.
Al-Faili called on Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi and the Integrity Commission to “conduct an investigation that shows the perpetrator of these violations and to refer those involved to the judiciary,” stressing his “intention to clarify all suspicions of corruption in the Baghdad Investment Authority and the extent of financial and administrative manipulation. LINK
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