Frank, Delta and KTFA Members Late Sat.PM/ Early Sun. AM

KTFA:

Don961:  HERE COME THE LEAKS ...

DELTA:  THANK U DON .........IF THEY PUT AL SAADI THEY WILL MAKE CITIZEN SO HAPPY HE IS SO POPLAR ..

MilitiaMan:  That would be a good thing and it too would be a timing that thing too. ~ MM

Leaks On The Names Of Candidates For Ministerial Portfolios In The Allawi Government

 February 15, 2020 ( Independent ) ..

Despite the affirmation of close associates of the Prime Minister-designate that the names that are being transferred as candidates for the new cabinet lineup are incorrect, however, social networking sites have circulated today a number of names that were said to receive ministerial portfolios in Allawi's lineup.

The alleged leaks from the ministerial formation indicated the nomination of Lieutenant General Abdel Wahab Al- Saadi to the Interior Ministry, General Juma Anad for the defense portfolio, and economic expert Salam Smeism to the Ministry of Higher Education.

She also indicated that the names nominated for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revolve between Safiya al-Suhail and Salah al-Tamimi, while she mentioned that expert Ali al-Dahwi is a candidate for the portfolio of the Ministry of Communications.  LINK

DELTA:  Exclusively For "Al-Ahed News" .. Allawi Has Completed The Government Formation And Will Announce It Within 72 Hours

Author: AhadNA4 On 02/25/15 - 9:11 PM  24

Al-Ahed News- Baghdad

Political sources said today, Saturday, that Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Allawi has completed the formation of his cabinet, and will be announced officially within 72 hours, no later than Tuesday.

The sources confirmed to "Al-Ahed News" that the vast majority of the new ministers are from the scientific competencies of residents outside Iraq, all of whom are independent, along with two of the demonstration squares. And he chose them himself without allowing any party to interfere.

She added that Allawi refused to receive any candidate lists from the parties, Sunnis and Kurds, or even negotiate in this regard

She indicated that there is an initial agreement from the various Shiite components, and the majority of 

https://alahadnews.net/?p=22448

Tigg:  Thank you Delta! I remember Frank saying a while back that he likes a Tuesday as opposed to a weekend release..

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Zneopec:  ​IMO: new rate could happen most likely on a Sunday. Long weekend in USA gives our banks more time to prepare for big influx & changes on Tuesday after President's Day 17th. We shall see...If new rate popped tomorrow... think POTUS would really shine like never before on 17th President's Day?

Samson:  Aboul Gheit: The Kurdistan Region is a successful model for governance in Iraq

15th February, 2020
The President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masroor Barzani, met on Saturday, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

This came on the sidelines of the work of the second day of the Munich Security Conference 2020, which is hosted by Germany with the participation of many decision makers in the world.

The meeting reviewed all developments in Iraq and the region, and the need to calm and address disputes through dialogue and peaceful means was emphasized.

A statement issued by the provincial government quoted Abu al-Ghait as saying, "The Kurdistan Region is a successful model for governance in Iraq, and this is due to the wisdom and leadership of President Masoud Barzani, and to your wisdom." He added that the Arab League supports the rights of the Kurds in the context of Iraq.

This thanked the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the position of the Arab League, and expressed his hope that it will continue to exercise its positive role for the stability of Iraq and the region. The head of the Kurdistan Regional Government continues to hold meetings with senior global officials participating in the Munich Security Conference 2020.  LINK

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Frank26:  2-15-20 WHAT’S IN YOUR CABINET

This video is in Frank’s opinion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeKOop_Ijwo

MilitiaMan Saturday Night "Counterfeiting, Coins and a New Rate" 2-15-2020

KTFA:

Don961:  The US Treasury publishes a video that includes simple steps to reveal the "fake" dollar
(YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK)

Localities 02/15 2020 17:28 500    Baghdad today - follow up

The US Treasury Department released an explanatory video, which includes simple steps through which the "counterfeit currency" of a dollar can be distinguished from various categories from non-counterfeit.
The video also included an introduction to how to understand the key security features common to all banknotes in the United States to help determine whether the banknote is original or not quickly and easily.

“Fake” dollar currencies are widely spread in most countries of the world, while gangs specialized in counterfeiting currencies develop from their counterfeiting mechanisms whenever banks to print currency devise new codes that limit counterfeiting. 

To read the news and watch the video, on the original website of the US Treasury, click HERE  LINK  

Don961:  Legal protection of the national currency

Saturday 15 February 2020

 Judge / Kazem Abdel-Jasim Al-Zaidi 

There is no doubt that the currency is of great importance as the main tool for dealing which necessitates the full confidence in the state’s currency, and it has called for securing confidence in the currency that the state monopolizes itself with the right to issue its currency, and for this reason it was and still is crimes of counterfeiting the currency, and from the ages when the money was known, from Serious crimes affecting the financial reputation of the state. Therefore, old legislation imposed on them the most severe penalties, and we find that the Iraqi legislator punished these crimes as crimes. This crime acquires its seriousness in several ways. 

It is an attack on the sovereignty of the state and its right to mint the currency because it undermines confidence in the official currency, and this inevitably leads to a decrease in the value of the official currency in circulation, which is necessarily reflected on the bonds and securities issued by the state, and the risk of this crime extends to the innocent individuals who fall into their hands.

Counterfeit currency, what drives them to get rid of it by dealing with it, which extends the crime department to include a larger category of individuals, and the Iraqi Penal Code, No. 111 of 1969, as amended, in Article (306), is imprisoned for a period not exceeding a year,

or A fine for anyone who does not accept a valid national currency in circulation Legally, at their nominal value, whether metallic or paper, and currency-specific crimes are crimes against public trust and crimes related to the national currency stipulated by the Iraqi legislator, in articles (280-281) of the Iraqi Penal Code, namely, counterfeiting, forgery, forgery, entry to Iraq and possession with intent Promotion Dealing and re-dealing with a coin or banknotes that are invalidated in dealing with it, and the Iraqi legislator requires that the crime of counterfeiting, counterfeiting or counterfeiting the currency be required for the act to be based on a currency legally traded or custom in Iraq or in another country, and the intention of legal circulation when individuals are obligated to accept it in dealing .

In other words, legal circulation is the obligatory law for individuals to accept the state’s currency in their transactions, i.e. currency circulation has become compulsory, it is not up to the individual’s choice if he wishes before it, and he has the right to refuse to deal with it and that crimes of counterfeiting currency include all manifestations of assaulting public trust and that the punishment Essential in counterfeiting crimes is imprisonment, and the Iraqi legislator imposed a prison sentence of no more than seven years for anyone who makes or possesses a coin, lender, machinery, tools, or other things, what is used in counterfeiting, counterfeiting or counterfeiting a currency, whether paper or metal.

And banknotes or bonds, and the articles (283 - 284 - 285) came. As for the cases of exemption from punishment for the purpose of encouraging the perpetrators to return to the proper path and not to continue the crime to the end of it, Article (303) of the Penal Code stipulates that the person who committed a crime by imitating or falsifying seals, bonds, or stamps, or Counterfeiting currency, forgery of banknotes and financial papers and forgery of official documents if he told the public authorities before their completion and before the authorities searched and investigated their perpetrators, and that the protection of the national currency is the protection of public trust.

Given that the law does not protect things for themselves, but rather their relationship with people and constitute crimes of counterfeiting In the end, hitting the integrity and health of the currency, tampering with it, and exposing it to a risk of losing its role, which leads to a disturbance of public financial confidence based on the emotional psychological state of individuals and groups, and to spread deterioration and turmoil in financial transactions, commercial markets and banking institutions, and to create chaos and confusion as a result of the mixing of counterfeit currency     LINK

MilitiaMan:  These two articles are seeming to be placed and timed accordingly.. A re enforcement if you will on the act of counterfeiting will not be tolerated. Not only outside countries, but, their own currency and they make reference to the IQD currency and coins.

They don't have them yet? Even if they did no one in their right mind would counterfeit coins at a program rate. But, by this article about Iraq, they seem to suggest they will have coins.

A key point here that I see is they mention it is illegal to not accept legal tender. So, whereby, when they cease the Dollar Multi Currency Practice and Article 8 component, it will be illegal to accept payment in USD for goods and illegal to not accept IQD for goods when it is legal tender..

The people when doing business with other people having new IQD and or coins are going to be obligated to accept it. They will have an obligation to not accept outside country currency for payment within Iraq. Those holding USD will when going into convert at banks if need by will now have been notified that you better make sure your USD is not counterfeit. If it is there will be consequences for it. 

Now I believe in recent CCs (Mon/Weds recent past) there has been talk of the ATMs having been loaded with NSCNs and these above articles suggest that with the current warning having been given out about counterfeiting currency and coins, and obligations to accepting them if legal, suggests that there is an expectation for a rate change to warrant coins.

A significant value is needed to be applied for them to worry about counterfeiting coins. We have been told to watch the ATMs. Why? As the banks will have to be prepared for activation of new software. These articles are a huge indicator for me..

Articles suggest that the Dollar Auctions are to stop and this would indicate they are and make notice that the CBI has been showing pattern changes of recent imo ~ MM

Samson:  Al-Nassiri: Government support to the private sector is the savior for achieving economic reform

15th February, 2020

The economic and banking advisor to the Association of Iraqi Private Banks, Samir al-Nasiri, stressed on Saturday that government support and special care for the national private sector is the savior and solution to all problems of the economy and achieving the national economy

 He said in an interview with "Al-Iqtisad News", that "through discussion, analysis and study of the economic reality that Iraq is going through, it is necessary to stand logical, scientific and economic analysis on the most important axes that require finding solutions for them in the next stage in order to build the proper premises for the transition to the proper building of the economy

Giving a role to the private sector in making economic decisions and for the purpose of implementing the strategy of developing the private sector until the year 2030 requires the government and the private sector in all its banking, industrial, agricultural and service fields to participate and cooperate in implementing the development strategy in the directions that achieve For intermediate, medium and long term goals

He pointed out that "this means engaging the private sector in a greater role in managing the economy and forming the private sector development council," pointing to the need for a "representative of the private sector in the cabinet and for the private sector to be represented in opinion bodies in ministries and in special follow-up committees to follow up the implementation of council decisions." Ministers

Al-Nussairi added that there is a need to secure the governmental program for the interim or ordinary government with a clear vision of the role of the private sector for the new stage and to involve non-governmental experts and specialists in the implementation of the desired comprehensive economic, financial and banking reform program  

“Al-Nussairi added that there is a need to secure the governmental program for the interim or ordinary government with a clear vision of the role of the private sector for the new stage and to involve non-governmental experts and specialists in the implementation of the desired comprehensive economic, financial and banking reform program”  LINK

MilitiaMan:  The new stage and it implementation for comprehensive economic, financial and banking reforms.. Today we saw them talking to the people about how to check authenticity of USD currency and the Dinar with coins considered! The new stage! Coins beget value!!  One doesn’t counterfeit coins at a program rate..

They don’t warn about counterfeiting coins for just no random reason. They warn about knowing other countries currency and that legal obligations are coming soon to the local currency.

These things in the news earlier today suggest more reasoning they are about to get plenty of USD coming into banks and will need new local currency.

A obligation for the locals will to cease using USD and will have to accept only local currency. Hence again, coins with value begets a warning to not counterfeit and to check your currency for authenticity before bringing it in!! Imo -MM 

KTFA Members "Saturday News" 2-15-2020

KTFA:

Samson:  Including Iraq .. Learn about the ranking of Arab countries with the size of loans from the World Bank

15th February, 2020

Egypt topped the list of Arab countries, in terms of loans from the World Bank, with a value of 22.4 billion dollars.

According to the latest statistics, Iraq ranked sixth with a loan value of $ 5.6 billion.   LINK

Samson:  Deputy: The new government does not include any former minister

15th February, 2020
Member of the House of Representatives for the Alliance of Saireon al-Shammari affirmed on Saturday that the Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi almost completed the nomination of the ministers of the new government.

Al-Shammari said in a statement received by Shafak News that the new squad would be from independent technocrats without any former minister, desiring the demands of peaceful demonstrators and protestors and the direction of the religious authority.

Al-Shammari added that most political blocs are with this trend, and the new government will vote and give it confidence and within the constitutional period. He stressed the necessity of the parliament's attendance of the session to give confidence to the new government and its ministerial program, which is in line with popular demands.  LINK

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Samson:  Deputy: Allawi completed his cabinet and will refer it to Parliament for review before the vote

12:33 - 02/15/2020

Independent MP Nada Shaker Jawdat confirmed, on Saturday, that the Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi had completed his ministerial cabinet while he was sending it to Parliament, noting that Allawi had not yet agreed with part of the Kurds and another part of the year.

Jawdat said in a statement to "Information", that "confirmed information we obtained indicates the completion of the selection of the new cabinet for the government of Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi." She added that "the Prime Minister-designate will send the names of his cabinet during the day or tomorrow to Parliament to review it before the vote", suggesting that "the ministry is passed even if its dispute with part of the Kurds is not resolved by Masoud Barzani and part of the Sunnis represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi."

The MP, Muhammad Al-Khaldi, confirmed, today, Saturday, that the cab was complete and ready to vote as of tomorrow, Sunday, indicating that Allawi met about 100 personalities of various spectra, components and orientations, and he selected 22 of them.    LINK

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Don961:  Friday, February 14, 2020 4:53 PM

 The National Union: Budget and Article 140 are more important than positions

 The leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Ghiath Al-Surji, confirmed: "The Kurds do not care about the positions in Allawi's government as much as his commitment to implement the constitution properly, especially as it relates to the region's budget and Article 140".

Al-Surji said in a press statement: "The parties participating in the political process met a few days ago with the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, and during the meeting, unification of visions regarding the government cabinet was reached, but everyone is awaiting the visit of the Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi to the Kurdistan Region to discuss the formation of the government."

He added: "The Kurds have a direction regarding the new government, and positions in the cabinet will not concern them as much as Allawi's commitment to implementing the constitution, especially what relates to the Kurdish people, to balance the Peshmerga and the application of Article 140, and therefore these matters are more important than positions."

F.A.   LINK

Pompeo: The Iraqis want only a safe country free from corruption and the Iranian presence precludes it

15th February, 2020

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said today, Saturday, that the Iraqis only want a safe and corruption-free country, pointing out that the Iranian presence and continuous interference prevents this.

Pompeo said in his speech at the Munich International Conference and its "news" follower, "The Iraqis are demanding their legitimate rights and we support that. They want a country that lives safely and is free from corruption and corrupt."

Pompeo also expressed his condemnation of Iran's interference in Lebanon, saying ... that its interference suffocates the Lebanese and the Iraqis alike."  LINK

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Samson:  A jump in oil prices coupled with hopes of reducing supplies

15th February, 2020
Oil prices have stabilized, but they are heading towards achieving their first weekly gain in six weeks due to the assumption that large producers will implement greater production cuts to mitigate the impact of the slowdown in demand from China caused by the Corona virus.

Brent crude futures rose 95 cents to $ 57.29 a barrel, after winning one percent in the previous session. And Brent is up more than 4.5 per cent a week, the first rise since the week ending January 10.

US West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 74 cents to $ 52.16 a barrel. And benchmark crude increased 0.5 percent on Thursday, which is about 3.5 percent currently higher in the week.

And the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reduced its forecast for demand for its crude in 2020 by 200 thousand barrels per day, which raised expectations that the organization and its allies, in what is known as the OPEC + group, may reduce production further.

"It seems that oil prices are stabilizing this week thanks to optimism that OPEC + will do everything necessary to reduce production and thanks to the hope that the peak of the Corona virus is approaching," said Edward Moya, market analyst at Oanda in New York.

"The Russians have hinted very much that everyone in OPEC + agrees to implement deeper production cuts ... the price movement of crude may indicate a stable bottom. As long as the Corona virus does not show strong indications that the spread of the virus is getting more severe, then West crude Intermediate Texas may go to a higher level. "

Crude prices plunged about 20 percent of their peaks in 2020 on January 8, as concerns about oversupply joined concerns about massive fuel demand declines in China as the country's quarantine measures to combat the spread of the Corona virus disrupted economic activity. .

In response to declining demand, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, in what is known as the OPEC + group, are considering cutting production by up to 2.3 million barrels per day.

The International Energy Agency said on Thursday that demand for oil in the first quarter of 2020 is declining compared to what it was a year ago, for the first time since the financial crisis in 2009 due to the outbreak of the Corona virus in China.  LINK

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Samson:  Including Iraq .. These are the countries that spend the most on arms in 2019

14th February, 2020

The annual report of the International Institute for Strategic Studies revealed on Friday that global military expenditures rose by 4 percent in 2019, the largest increase recorded in nearly a decade, amid increasing competition between the major powers and their race for new technologies

"These expenditures have increased as economies emerged from the 2008 financial crisis," said John Shipman, director of the institute, when presenting the report on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference

The United States topped 685 billion dollars, and China with 181 billion dollars

Together, the two countries increased 6.6 percent in 2019, compared to 2018

In the Arab world, Saudi Arabia ranked third with 78.4 billion dollars, while Iraq ranked 15th with 20.5 billion dollars

The rest of the countries ranked

4- Russia at 61.6 billion dollars

5- India at $ 60.5 billion

6- Britain with 54.8 billion dollars

7 - France with 52.3 billion dollars

8- Japan with 48.6 billion dollars

9 - Germany with 48.5 billion dollars

10 - South Korea has 39.8 billion dollars

11-Brazil with 27.5 billion dollars

12 - Italy with $ 27.1 billion

13 - Australia with $ 25.5 billion

14-Israel with 22.6 billion dollars

The report pointed out that the death of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Weapons Treaty (between 500 and 5500 km) in 2019, and the possibility of the end of the new START Treaty on Transcontinental Nuclear Weapons in 2021, overturning the international system that prevailed after the end of the Cold War

The report also points to other factors that shake this system, including the rise of China and a series of regional crises from Ukraine to Libya

New weapons developed by China and Russia, most of them supersonic missiles and unmanned submarine mechanisms, described as "impenetrable", fueled the race to armament

Although China lags behind the United States in terms of its total spending on defense investment, it dominates the Asia region

China alone accounted for about 60% of defense investment in Asia in 2019   LINK

KTFA Members "News and Views" Friday 2-14-2020

KTFA:

Samson:  The richest countries in the world ... How much is Iraq's wealth?

14th February, 2020

Americans hold nearly 30% of the wealth of the entire world, but it appears that other countries are trying to catch up with it despite the big gap - as the total wealth of the entire Asia region was higher than the United States.

This came in the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report, whose researchers define wealth or “net worth” as the sum of financial assets minus any debts, which is a simplified method similar to preparing the balance sheets of families and companies.

In total, the report indicated that global wealth reached $ 360 trillion in 2019, an annual increase of 2.6%, and the world added 47 million new millionaires, and the average wealth for every adult reached $ 70.8 thousand, expecting the growth of the total wealth of the earth's population to $ 459 trillion by the year 2024.

The United States, China, and Europe accounted for the most growth in global wealth last year, with each adding $ 3.8 trillion, $ 1.9 trillion, and $ 1.1 trillion, respectively.

But the highest rates of wealth growth during 2019 were in India, whose wealth increased by 5.2%, followed by the Latin American region by 4.9%, then North America by 3.7%.

The ranking of the world's ten richest countries in terms of wealth is as follows.

1- United States (106 trillion dollars)

2- China (63.8 trillion dollars)

3- Japan (25 trillion dollars)

4- Germany (14.6 trillion dollars)

5- United Kingdom (14.3 trillion dollars)

6- France (13.7 trillion dollars)

7- India ($ 12.6 trillion)

8- Italy ($ 11.3 trillion)

9. Canada ($ 8.5 trillion)

10- Spain ($ 7.7 trillion),

While the rankings of the wealthiest Arab countries in the Middle East are as follows.

25- Saudi Arabia (1.5 trillion dollars)

27- Turkey (1.3 trillion dollars)

32- Israel (one trillion dollars)

35- UAE (922 billion dollars)

36- Egypt (898 billion dollars)

40- Iran (775 billion dollars)

51- Kuwait (405 billion dollars)

54- Qatar (328 billion dollars)

55- Iraq (327 billion dollars)

59- Morocco (305 billion dollars)

Among the most prominent countries as well, Russia's wealth reached 3 trillion dollars in the eighteenth place globally, while the wealth of Lebanon 232 billion dollars in the sixty-fifth.

According to an analysis of the site, "How Match", which specializes in statistics, the Americans' exclusivity with the highest wealth is due to the amazing growth in the net worth of its affluent class.

For example, the wealth of the world's 500 richest people (many of them concentrated in America according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index) grew by $ 1.2 trillion over the past year alone, bringing their total wealth to $ 5.9 trillion, which exceeds the total wealth of the continent of Africa combined which It is $ 4.11 trillion.

Another notable pattern from Credit Suisse data analysis is that inequality has increased from countries other than the United States. A good example of this is the wealth of the 10% richest group in China exceeding that of the same class in America.

All in all, the wealth of Asian countries was higher than the United States, at $ 141 trillion. How Match favors the Chinese ’tendency to support higher taxes for the wealthy, as it is now the United States.

The analysis showed that America and Asia control a huge amount of global wealth, explaining the interest of observers and experts in the complexities and developments of the trade war between America and China. He pointed out that one of the reasons why the world possesses so much wealth today is globalization.   LINK

Samson:  Bashir Haddad : The international community may intervene if protesters continue to be repressed

13th February, 2020
The deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament, Bashir Haddad, on Thursday waved the international community’s intervention if the protests continued in Iraq.

Haddad told Shafak News, "We do not support violence and reject it from any party, whether from the demonstrators or the security forces," noting that "the right to peaceful expression is guaranteed to the citizen constitutionally."

Haddad explained that "the practice of violence against demonstrators is rejected, and we do not accept it," noting that "this phenomenon, if it continues, will have major repercussions from the international side, and Iraq’s relationship with the international parties, and there may be international intervention to stop the violence in the protests."  LINK

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Samson:  The first American message to Allawi regarding Iraq and Iran

14th February, 2020

A high-ranking official in the US State Department called on Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi to respond to the demands of the Iraqi people and fight corruption, noting that the US administration is studying all aspects of cooperation with the Iraqi government within the framework of the comprehensive strategic relationship that unites the two countries.

Al Arabiya TV quoted the American official without referring to his name, "There is a similarity between the situation of the Lebanese government and the status of the Iraqi government, where there is a segment of the Iraqi people supporting the government and there are those who oppose it, and we support the demonstrators and their right to peaceful protest, because successive Iraqi governments prevailed in corruption and we are waiting for the formation of the new government and approval House of Representatives, but it needs the legitimacy of the people."

He also said, "We saw a large number of demonstrators demanding not only basic services, reform and fighting corruption, but also the rejection of Iranian influence, and perhaps an example of this, Qasim Soleimani, who was staying in Iraq and decides who will be the next prime minister." He refused to turn in the orbit of Iran. He continued, "There are large numbers of Iraqis who reject this interference and want sovereignty. They do not want to turn in the orbit of Iran. They do not want the decisions that relate to their lives to be issued from Tehran instead of Baghdad." The US official sent a message to Tehran and said, "It must choose either to be a neighbor or an interfering and controlling country in Iraq."

Regarding President Trump's announcement to expand the scope of NATO's activities, which the president announced in 2017, the State Department official said that NATO has had a training mission in Iraq for some time and the US administration wants to develop training operations. Without America, the coalition will not remain composed of 82 countries. As for the decision to withdraw American forces from Iraq, he stressed that the United States is the primary ally of Iraq to fight ISIS, and without it, there will be no coalition formed from 82 countries. He said, "We have conducted 4000 joint operations against ISIS. We gave the Iraqi government military assistance of $ 5.4 billion over a period of 4 years. If we look at the vote in Parliament to bring out the American forces, it was by a small margin. The Sunnis and Kurds did not participate, and we respect this vote. All levels of partnership with Iraq." Affiliate Country

With regard to exemptions, the US Secretary of State's decision to extend it for a period of 45 days was based on US national security interests, to allow Iraq to continue importing energy from Iran. He said, "We have granted similar exemptions in the past, but we hope that Iraq will take steps towards self-sufficiency, but I think Iran wants Iraq to keep its states dependent."   LINK

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Samson:  Leaked US documents: "Al-Maliki" stole Awakening funds to engage militias in the "Syrian conflict"

Rommy:  IMO this is a perfect place to insert the swaying noose image from the citizens.

ChrisC:  As I have said for many months, they need to do this for their own good for some form of closure and to make a statement to anybody that wants to try this in the future.  Yeah, they should hang Mahdi, but EVERYONE needs to get in line behind Maliki.  He is first for sure.  It really amazes me to tell the truth, I know he has some good security, but these people are violent as a whole.  If there is one person in Iraq that represents their pain it is this guy and I don't see that they have done anything to him.  I mean, he admitted forming ISIS!  Admittedly, he said Obama made him do it, but he was the one that did it.  I remember the day it happened like it was yesterday.

Rommy:  IMO Chris it is very frustrating to see these mafioso thugs getting away with murder and looting.  And of course Iraq is not the only place we see this.   IMO the USA has its own legion of corrupt politicians who do anything to stay in power and cover their crimes.  

HoosierGirl:  BUT thankfully we have a brilliant team led by Pres. Trump and some highly skilled "operatives" who are working to clean up the mess. It's taking a while - it's DEEP and WIDE for sure.  And in very high places.  We have high hopes that by this summer we will see some big ones fall hard.

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Samson:  Deputy: Five ministries to be led by women in the government of Muhammad Allawi ... considered a successful step

13th February, 2020

Deputy and member of the Parliamentary Women Committee, Dylan Ghaffour, revealed today, Thursday, that there are five ministries in the government of Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, which will be led by women, stressing that they are considered a step in the way of the government's success.

Ghafour said, in a statement to "Al-Akhbaria": "The share of women in the formation of the new government will be about four to five ministerial portfolios," noting that "the dialogues of Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Allawi with the political parties are still continuing to form his government."

She added: "There is a tendency to activate the Ministry of Women, and this is also another positive step," indicating that "caring for women and giving them ministerial portfolios is an important step in the success of any government," explaining that "Allawi will succeed in forming his government during the period specified for him and present it to a vote in Parliament".

The Women, Family and Parliamentary Committee of Parliament had demanded the Prime Minister-designate, Muhammad Allawi, to include women in the next government formation, give them their constitutional entitlement, and not be marginalized as the previous government had done. LINK

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Samson:  Trump: very close to the peace agreement with the Taliban

2/14/2020 8:57 AM

 US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he believes there is a good opportunity for the United States to reach a peace agreement with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Asked if the United States had reached a preliminary agreement, Trump said in radio statements, "I think we are very close ... I think there is a good opportunity to reach an agreement." We will know within the next two "weeks   LINK

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Samson:  Rouhani: Iran May Collapse Soon

14th February, 2020
President Hassan Rouhani warned of Iran's "collapse", ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

He said in a speech before thousands of people in the square "Azadi" in the center of the capital, Tehran, that there is instability, if the elections are conducted in a "unilateral" manner, and he warned of the imminent consequences of a "revolution" if the Iranians could not vote in "sound and free" elections .

According to the Iranian opposition radio, "Farda", Rouhani warned of what he described as "collapse" if the scheduled elections were suspended within 10 days, which shows the depth of the country's political crisis, and reveals that the presidency appears to be a bystander to the expected event.

On Tuesday, crowds of Iranians participated in the forty-first anniversary of the establishment of what was known as the “Islamic Revolution”, and Rouhani used this occasion to send several political messages. Ruhollah Khomeini, saying that the last king of Iran, Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, was "a corrupt person."

Rouhani added that "the revolution would not have taken place in Iran if there had been no corruption, and if the regime toppled at that time gave people the right to choose."

In statements considered by observers as a hint, Rouhani added that the revolution broke out because the elections were not an option in front of people, and when this road was closed, people had to go out to open the path.

Rouhani entered into a deep disagreement with the most hard-line faction in Iran over the upcoming elections on February 21, because of preventing the most prominent reformists from submitting their candidacy and entering the competition. Even the reformists who have consistently participated in Iran's elections, have retracted their positions or preferred to boycott, because of harassment by militants.

Observers said that Rouhani was ostensibly talking to crowds in central Tehran, but that the letter was actually addressed to the mentor Ali Khamenei and other military institutions in the country such as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Rouhani's warnings about controlling the elections reveal a pictorial nature of the country's electoral process, given that the President of the Republic himself takes the initiative to warn and demand transparency like any independent observer.

Rouhani is not the only politician who warned the country's ruling establishment. Just a week ago, Iranian government spokesman Ali al-Rubaie, an official who had accumulated an important intelligence experience, warned that going to elections was the only solution that avoided Iran the risk of collapse.   LINK

ChrisC:  Well,...this is interesting.  There are, and have been, things running in the background and behind closed doors that we have NO idea of, nor may not even be able to comprehend.  They may be surrendering to Trump right now for all we know.

KTFA Members "News and Views" Wednesday Afternoon 2-12-2020

KTFA: 

Doodlebug:  PRAISE REPORT:  Family, I just received word via text that Dr. Shabibi was in the office on Monday 2-10-20 for approximately 3-4 hours. Thank you for praying for him.    All Honor and Glory be to God!   

ChrisC:  That's great news!  I am sure he feels a great responsibility to see this finished.  With the cabinet being voted on Sunday (let's hope), maybe he will be ready to hit that button.

Don961:  Conscious / Masdala'a: Allawi completed his cabinet, leaving only four ministries

Conscious Baghdad

A political source very close to decision-making revealed on Tuesday that Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi completed his cabinet, leaving only four ministries.

The source told (Iraqi Information News Agency INA) that "Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, faced a great difficulty in choosing the new cabinet, due to the pressures he faced from the two parties of power."

He explained that "the ministerial cabinet is close to completion, and only the Ministries of Finance, Defense, Oil, and Higher Education are left, pending the final agreement with the Kurdish party to complete the cab   link

StephenMac63:  MTA takes over PM position on Feb 1......has 18 positions filled out of the 22 thats needed.....still needs to check with Kurdistan on the Final Four positions...if its a go then a possible parliamentary vote on Sunday. Kurdistan getting a larger portion of budget, seriously doubt they will "kick the can"

Are you kidding me, today is the 11th, he did all this in 10 days flat while everyone has been waiting for close to 17 years.  IMO, Of Course

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Samson:  Source: Barzani informs Allawi of agreeing to his freedom to choose Kurdish ministers

12th February 2020

A political source revealed, on Wednesday, that the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Massoud Barzani, informed Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi of his approval of choosing Kurdish ministers in his cabinet.

The source said to "Al-Akhbariya", "The Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi agreed with Masoud Barzani on the ministries and included the Kurdish demands in the government program."

He added that "Barzani informed Allawi of agreeing to his freedom to choose the Kurdish ministers, and thus the main obstacle to forming a government that is supposed to be presented to Parliament next week is overcome."

It is mentioned that Allawi continues his meetings with the political blocs in order to form his cabinet, as it is hoped that it will be presented next week in the event that there is no surprise.   LINK

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Don961:  Conscious / setting a date for the parliamentary vote on the government booth

Posted by Iraqi media news agency consciousFebruary 11, 2020

Conscious / Baghdad / M.N.

Head of the Bayraq Al-Khair Parliamentary Bloc, Muhammad Al-Khaldi, announced today, Tuesday, the date for voting on the cabinet of Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi.

A statement to Al-Khaldi reported by ( Iraqi Media News Agency INA ) correspondent stated that "next Sunday, the parliament will hold an extraordinary session to vote on the ministerial cabinet."
He added that "the cabinet did not include the recycling of any name from the ministers of the resigned government," stressing that "all the names are independent from the parties."

Al-Khalidi indicated that “more than 220 deputies expressed their willingness to attend the voting session.”   link

2Cents:  IMO.....The Kurds are once again the holdup.  The PUK gave Allawi authority to pick whomever he wants.  Of course the KDP did not.  However, the KDP is submitting 10 names for each ministry and has given Allawi authority to pick any of the ten and they will back his government.  This is a slight departure from them demanding specific individuals and particularly Fouad Hussein for the MOF.  It sounds like this agreement will allow full Kurd support for the pending Allawi government and therefore confidence may just be given by Sunday.......We will see if Allawi accepts their proposal.

We are watching to see if any US official goes to meet the KDP and particularly Massoud......If not, we think Allawi will be good with the agreement.....   

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Samson:  Security expert: The US Congress allocated 71 billion for military operations in Iraq and a number of countries

11th February, 2020

Security expert and extremist groups, Hisham al-Hashemi, revealed today, Tuesday, that the US Congress has allocated a large budget that enables the presence of US forces in unstable countries due to terrorism, including Iraq.

Hashemi said, in his tweet on "Twitter": "The US Congress allocates a large budget to enable the presence of US forces to implement its strategy in countries that are not stable because of terrorism, including Iraq."

He added: "There are special budgets for Iraq to enable stability in the regions of northern and western Iraq," noting that "71 billion for military operations in Iraq, Syria, Somalia and Afghanistan. And a billion and a half for the civil effort to secure integration in western Iraq and the Nineveh Plain."  LINK

Samson:  Integrity announces the verdict of imprisonment of a former director of Rabiaa port for wasting $ 17 million

12th February, 2020

The Federal Integrity Commission announced the issuance of a decision to imprison the Director General of the former Rabia Al-Hodoudi port, in addition to three employees in the port, for intentionally harming public money by more than seventeen million dollars.

In its discussion of the decision issued in the case in which the commission investigated and referred it to the judiciary, the Commission’s investigations department indicated that “those convicted of smuggling petroleum derivatives through the Rabia border crossing by exploiting important facilitation books,” noting that “the defendants smuggled (1500) A tank loaded with crude oil, and that this act resulted in damage to public money amounting to (17,580,720) million dollars."

And the department added that "the criminal court specialized in integrity issues in Baghdad reached the full conviction of the defendants' exclusivity after reviewing the evidence obtained in the case represented by the statements of legal representatives of the Ministry of Interior and the Petroleum Products Distribution Company and the General Authority for Customs who asked to complain against the accused, in addition to the minutes of the investigation committee in the secretariat Members of the Council of Ministers that contain their shortcomings and refer them to the Integrity Commission."

She explained that "the court decided the four defendants to be imprisoned for a period of seven years for each of them, based on the provisions of Article 340 of the Penal Code and in terms of articles 47, 48 and 49 thereof, as well as issuing an arrest and investigation order against them, and supporting the seizure of their movable and immovable property, while giving the right For the affected party to claim compensation before the civil courts after the decision is finalized.   LINK

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Samson:  Charges against a UN official trying to end the protests in Iraq

12th February, 2020
The independent deputy of the Iraqi parliament, Bassem Khashan, accused the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Iraq, Jenin Hennes-Blackshart, on Wednesday of trying to break up the popular protests, "in order to achieve a job achievement for her."

Since the start of the demonstrations in Iraq, the UN official has issued official statements and positions denouncing the use of excessive violence against protesters.

Khashan told Shafaq News that "Henness-Blackshart is trying to achieve a functional achievement by breaking up protests and demonstrations, to show that the crisis was resolved through the United Nations, and this is contrary to the aspirations of the demonstrators, just as it did not find anyone buying its corrupt goods from the demonstrators, especially since those present In the sit-in arenas are aware. "

And between "I met with Hassan al-Najjar, an associate of Blackshart, and found that the United Nations is not interested in solving the crisis and what it means is that it records for it that it has resolved the crisis, even if it is not resolved, it wants to achieve a job achievement, even if it is at the expense of the interests of the Iraqi people."

Khashan added, "History confirms in many cases that the United Nations was part of corruption deals, and it is not unlikely that there will be suspicions of Blaskhardt's movements."

And witness the capital Baghdad and the provinces of central and southern Iraq protests since early October demanding the departure of political parties that have taken over the administration of the country since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime until now, and go to early elections under the supervision of a UN.

The scene was complicated by the demonstrators after the President of the Republic, Barham Salih Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, was appointed to form a new government instead of conducting the work headed by the resigned Adel Abdul Mahdi. Muqtada al-Sadr attacking protesters.   LINK

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Samson:  Information about the history of the 12 US military bases in Iraq

12th February, 2020
The American presence in Iraq is divided into two periods, the first started after the occupation of Iraq in 2003, and lasted until 2011, when former US President Barack Obama decided to withdraw American forces from Iraq. The number of American forces in Iraq reached 150,000, until its withdrawal was announced in 2011, during the era of former US President Barack Obama.

The second period began in 2014, when Washington decided to send military forces to Iraq to lead the international coalition to fight the terrorist organization "ISIS" in Syria and Iraq, according to the Associated Press, while the American newspaper "The New York Times" indicates that the number of American soldiers , Who are currently in Iraq, about 6 thousand soldiers.

During the history of the American military presence in Iraq, the American forces were deployed in about 12 military bases, according to what was announced, regarding the locations of those forces, according to the "Military Peace" website, which listed a list of American bases in Iraq, noting that this Includes rules, which have been closed. The Ain al-Assad and Erbil air bases are among the most prominent US military bases in Iraq at the present time, and their use dates back to 2003, after the invasion of Iraq, according to the Telegraph newspaper.

1- Abu Ghraib base is one of the first American military bases, which were established in Iraq, after its occupation in 2003, and is located in the city of "Abu Ghraib", 32 kilometers from the capital Baghdad, and 15 kilometers from Baghdad Airport.

2- Fallujah base - Referred to as "Camp Fallujah", which is a military base used by the American forces in Iraq, and is located near another base called "Camp Bahariya", which is located outside the city of Fallujah.

3- Ashraf Camp is located in the city of Khalis, Diyala Governorate, near the Iraqi border with Iran, and it is also called "The Red Lion".

4- The Justice Camp is located in the Al-Kadhimiya district, in Baghdad, and it is officially known as the “Banzai Camp.” This military base was used in 2006 to execute former regime president Saddam Hussein and others, most notably Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as “Ali al-Chemical”, That was executed in the same place in 2010.

5- The Skye base is located in Nineveh Governorate, in northern Iraq, kilometers away from the city of Tal Afar, and was intended to support American forces during the Iraq war, and includes a runway and a hospital.

It is located in Baghdad and includes many military sites, and it was considered one of the most important military bases, after the American invasion of Iraq, and the number of its sites was up to 10 military sites, near Baghdad Airport.

7- Bucca camp is located in the vicinity of Umm Al-Qasr city, Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq, and it was one of the most important American military installations in Iraq, after the American invasion in 2003, and the American army placed a group of the most dangerous prisoners of war in Iraq.

8- Zarbatiya base, located in Wasit Governorate, on the Iraqi-Iranian border, and was established years after the American invasion of Iraq.

9- The Taji camp is located in Baghdad, and is used by the American and international coalition forces.

10- Balad Air Force Base - It was one of the most important military bases used by the American forces in Iraq, and it is called several names, most notably the "Anaconda Camp", located more than 60 kilometers north of Baghdad.

11- Ein Al-Assad base is located in Al-Anbar Governorate, northwestern Iraq, and has about 1,500 American soldiers, in addition to Norwegian and Canadian soldiers, according to the New York Times, according to the American Security Project.

12- Erbil Air Force Base has a headquarters for the American Special Forces, and it is equipped with advanced missiles, planes and radars, and the American-led coalition forces began using them in 2015, according to the New York Times. LINK

Delta, Frank and KTFA Members News 2-11-2020

KTFA:

DELTA:  ISO 4217 Code

IQD

Central Bank

Central Bank of Iraq Currency Subunits

Fils = 1/1,000 of a Dinar

Denominations

Bills: 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 25,000 dinar

Coins: 25, 50, 100 dinar 

Countries Using This Currency

Iraq

Currencies Pegged To IQD :

None

IQD Is Pegged To:   None

https://www1.oanda.com/currency/iso-currency-codes/IQD

Frank26:  WOW .................. FASCINATING !!!

Monday Night CC 2-10-2020

Playback Number: 605-313-5163 PIN: 156996#

https://fccdl.in/ED6PUUJ15o

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Samson:  Source: Allawi completed his cabinet, leaving only four ministries

11th February, 2020

A political source very close to decision-making revealed on Tuesday that Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi had completed his cabinet, leaving only four ministries.

The source said to "Al-Ikhbaria", "Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, faced a great difficulty in choosing the new cabinet, due to the pressures he faced from the two parties of power."

He explained that "the ministerial cabinet is close to completion, and only the ministries of Finance, Defense, Oil, and Higher Education are left, pending the final agreement with the Kurdish party to complete the cabinet."

It should be noted that only 10 days have passed since the assignment of Allawi by the President of the Republic to their villages, Saleh.   LINK

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Don961:   After warning the American embassy, ​​a deputy in Al-Fatah reveals the site of the upcoming demonstration in Baghdad and explains its objective

Politics 02/20/2020 16:07 2147    
Baghdad Today - Baghdad

The deputy of the Al-Fateh Alliance, Abbas Shuail Al-Zamili, commented on Monday (February 10, 2020) on the recent warning of the US embassy to its citizens in Iraq on demonstrations expected to take place during the next three days near Baghdad Airport and Najaf Governorate.

Al-Zamili told (Baghdad Today), "The US embassy alert to its citizens in Baghdad from demonstrations that may be launched in the coming days in Baghdad, and Najaf is not considered an early warning and fears the memory of the forty leaders of the popular crowd."

He added that "the demonstrations in the squares will not take more space in the coming days because the most demands of the demonstrators have been fulfilled," noting that "the demonstrations that will be witnessed by Baghdad and a number of governorates on the occasion of the memorial commemoration of the martyrs of the popular crowd, will be in specific areas and will never go out of the memorial."

Al-Zamili said, "The memorial will be near the assassination of the two martyrs Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani near the Baghdad International Airport, provided that the airport movement is not damaged by it."

Earlier, the American Embassy in Baghdad, on Monday (10 February 2020), issued an alert to its citizens regarding the demonstrations that may be launched in Baghdad and Najaf during the next three days.

"According to reports, large-scale demonstrations, events and processions are expected to take place in Baghdad from February 11 to 13, as well as in Najaf on February 14, as is the case with previous demonstrations and road closures," said a statement obtained by the embassy (Baghdad Today)). Noting that "demonstrations may be launched in the vicinity of Baghdad International Airport."

He added, that "the general consular operations in Baghdad are still pending," stating that "American citizens should not approach the American embassy in Baghdad."

The embassy statement continued, "The American General Consulate in Erbil is open for visas and appointments for the services of the American citizen, including the issuance of the passport."

The embassy statement called on "citizens of the United States in Iraq or interested in the family in Iraq to contact the State Department."

While stressing that "the measures to be taken: (according to travel advice on January 11, 2020, do not travel to Iraq, avoid demonstration areas, monitor local media)."   LINK  

ChrisC:  This is an interesting line...

"the demonstrations in the squares will not take more space in the coming days because the most demands of the demonstrators have been fulfilled,"

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Samson:  Legal: Iraq will face international sanctions if the Security Council does not submit the results of the investigation to the killing of the demonstrators

9th February, 2020

Today, Sunday, Iraqi legal expert Ali al-Tamimi revealed that Iraq will face international sanctions in the event that the results of investigations by killing demonstrators are not handed over to the UN Security Council.

Al-Tamimi told Al-Akhbariya: “The Security Council depends on gradualism in decisions. It starts from alerting and warning, then forming committees, preventing travel and the economic blockade, then switching to military sanctions and guardianship when states do not abide by resolutions in accordance with Articles 38 to 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.”

He added: "If Iraq does not comply, we will be in front of it, just as the violation of human rights is the most serious impact on international law and the United Nations Charter.  It is the ones that bring down the countries as happened to Iraq before 2003 in resolution 688 and longitude 36 and 32."

Al-Tamimi said, "This was accompanied by the American bill proposed by the American Congress on the American State Department, this law differs from the American treasury decisions, which is moral," stressing, "But this law, which will be legislated after 90 days, has an international character and may allow the use of military executive force." Inside Iraq, if the situation continues as it is."

LINK

Samson:  Allawi stressing: Lists of the names of perpetrators of crimes against the demonstrators will be in front of the International Criminal Court soon

10th February, 2020

The leader of the National Coalition, Iyad Allawi, confirmed today, Monday, that lists of names of perpetrators of crimes against demonstrators will be before the International Criminal Court soon

Allawi said in a tweet on his personal page on Twitter followed by "Al-Akhbariya", that "those involved in violence against demonstrators will not escape from the grip of justice," noting that "the cries of condemnation are not enough about what happened in Nasiriyah and the previous suppression and violence that preceded it."

He added, "A committee of lawyers began preparing lists of names of those who participated in these crimes in order to submit them to the International Criminal Court."

It is noteworthy that he committed repressive crimes against demonstrators in Baghdad, Najaf and Basra, leaving a number of martyrs, and wounded.   LINK

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Samson:  Legal: Trying 100 killers, dissolving parliament, and early elections are the solutions for Allawi to win the demonstrators

11th February, 2020

Today, Tuesday, legal expert Ali al-Tamimi confirmed that Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi had two legal steps to win the demonstrators.

He said in a statement, "Al-Ikhbaria" received a copy of it, that the first step is "coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council to form a specialized court to prosecute the killing of the demonstrators, who numbered as many as 100 killers, as indicated by statistics. With this move, an international legal move on the International Criminal Court to try those who carry Foreign nationality and the formation of a team of law attorneys for that."

He added that the second step is "holding early elections in coordination with the President of the Republic to dissolve parliament in accordance with Article 64 of the Constitution and calling for early elections under the supervision of the United Nations," noting that "if he does so, he will win the people."   LINK

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Samson:  Integrity seizes an Iraqi official who is caught in the act of receiving thousands of dollars in bribery

11th February, 2020

The Integrity Commission announced, on Tuesday, the arrest of an official of the Antiquities and Heritage Authority, in the act of corruption

"Its owners managed to seize the director of the legal department of the General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage in the company of another employee in it, for the crime that they received for the amount of (12,000) USD, in exchange for changing the discovery of an ancient building," the authority said in a statement to Shafaaq News

And indicated that "the defendants agreed to submit a new disclosure for the purpose of the legal department withdrawing the complaint submitted by it before the Money Laundering and Organized Crime Court against the owner of the property of the antique building, and closed the investigation with it

The authority added that "a fundamental arrest report was prepared for the exact amount of bribery, the numbers and details of which are fixed by the investigation papers, and presented to the judge of the investigative court in charge of integrity issues in Baghdad, who decided to arrest the accused in accordance with the provisions of resolution (160 of 1983)

Iraq is among the most corrupt countries in the world, since successive governments have been unable since 2003 to provide basic services such as electricity, drinking water, health and education services, and others

Iraq ranked 168 out of 180 countries in 2018 according to the "Transparency International" report, a rank that has been repeated for 15 years in a row  LINK

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Samson:  Oil prices are taking their breath after the sharp decline under the pressure of Corona

11th February, 2020

Oil prices rose on Tuesday, from their lowest levels since December 2018 after being affected by weak Chinese demand in the wake of the outbreak of the Corona virus, and waiting for dealers to see whether Russia will join other producers in seeking further production cuts

Brent crude prices rose by 70 cents, or 1.31%, to $ 53.97 a barrel, and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude prices fell by 60 cents, or 1.21%, to record $ 50.17 a barrel

It is noteworthy that oil fell more than 25% from its peak on January 8, and US crude fell from the level of $ 50 a barrel after the outbreak of the Corona virus damaged the demand for crude in China, the world's largest oil importer, and fueled fears of a surplus in global supplies   LINK

KTFA Members "News and Views" Monday Afternoon 2-10-2020

KTFA:

Doodlebug: Family, last Tuesday (February 4th) I received word that on Monday, February 3rd, an ambulance arrived at the CBI for Dr. Shabibi. I haven’t said anything because I was asked not to until my contact had an update for me.

 He shared with me last Tuesday, that Dr. Shabibi looked to be losing some weight since he came back to the CBI at the beginning of December. I shared with all of you in December, that Dr. Shabibi started working “full days” at the CBI. Today, February 10th, I just received an update that “Dr. Shabibi was treated at the Green Zone Hospital for Minor things”.

The employees are talking amongst themselves that it was for “stress”. He has not been to work since February 3rd.

I know some will be worried that this might affect the RI, but it is my opinion that it will not. This RI is not hinged by one person and one person only… the CBI has marching orders and they will follow them whether Dr. Shabibi is there or not.

Of course, this is Dr. Shabibi’s baby and we would all love for him to be there to ring the bell… so let’s just all lift Dr. Shabibi up in prayer so that his health will be Restored to His Perfection.

I will keep everyone informed as information comes in.

Don961:  Parliamentary Committee: The development of the banking system will encourage investments

Sunday 09 February 2020

Baghdad / Al-Sabah

The Parliamentary Economy and Investment Committee believes that developing the banking system and administrative and customs transactions will bring foreign companies to invest in Iraq.

Member of the Parliamentary Committee Nada Shaker said to "Conscious": "The most important steps that should be taken to bring solid foreign companies in the country is to work on developing the system as well as administrative and customs dealings."

She added, "The reluctance of foreign companies to work in Iraq is due to administrative corruption, in addition to that the investment law contains some gaps that hinder investment in the country."

She explained that "her committee is seeking with the public and private sectors to set up a mechanism to attract investment companies to work in Iraq".    LINK

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Don961:  Find a way out to the budget

Sunday 09 February 2020   Mohammed Sharif Abu Maysam 

 The budget law for the year 2020 has become linked to a series of timings related to the approvals on the cabinet cabinet of the new government, and then voting on it in the House of Representatives, which may mean more time and we are now in the second month of the fiscal year, which will reflect negatively on the financial plan Aiming at rotating the macroeconomic wheel in achieving its goals. 

And if the operational part depends on the authority of the caretaker government, to spend 1 to 12 according to Article -13- of the Financial Management Law No. 6 of 2019, then the spending in the investment part of the budget can be from the annual allocation of ongoing investment projects and their allocations are listed during The previous fiscal year according to the new law, and in a way that facilitates the caretaker government the task of avoiding continuous projects from extinction and exposing them to losses according to the request of the relevant ministries to the Council of Ministers, and this is what was not present in the Financial Administration and Public Debt Law No. 95 of 2004 established by the civil governor Paul Bremer, "which continued to work until the month of August of last year, which is the date on which published the text of the new law, the Iraqi newspaper facts.

However, investment expenditures on new projects will remain idle, unless the caretaker government submits an application that the existing authorities can find for him a legal outlet that allows addressing the current parliament to vote on adopting the financial statements for the previous year as a cup of financial statements for this year, for the public interest and not to be disrupted.

The interests of the people, and to avoid the risks of this disruption, whose effects on the movement of the market can be withdrawn due to the economic downturn that we will lead to, and in this direction there is a legal basis based on what was stated in the new financial management law, which “considered the final financial statements for the sixth year Bug mainly financial statements for this year, once approved in the House of Representatives, "and therefore could it be easy in front of the current parliament to push for the conduct of the current government work and to spare the country further losses that may result from the delay in approving the General Budget Law for this year. 

And since the general laws include a set of rules that target the public interest, and based on the legal rule "where there is no interest or no possibility to act", the search for legal exits that achieve the interests of the country and people at this critical stage is a patriotic act with distinction, so how about the matter and legal texts It allows those in charge an opportunity to spare the country more financial losses, in a country where the public budget accounts for about 45 percent of GDP.

Through the data we are witnessing, waiting for the birth of the budget law for the year 2020 and relying on the idea of ​​not disposing in the search for legal exits that depend the interest of the country, will lead, and necessarily, to more negative repercussions on the overall scene, which holds those responsible for this matter responsible for seeking to search for these exits .       LINK

MilitiaMan:  Pressure is on..I like the pressure they are showing.. imo ~ MM

Don961:  After the date of its approval was four months late and the deficit rate rose to 48 trillion dinars ... Parliamentary finance for "Al-Zawraa": The approval of the general budget will take place after giving confidence to Allawi and his interim government

February 10, 2020 9:03 PM Author: alzawraapaper

Al-Zawra / Youssef Salman:

Despite the late approval date since late last year and until now, the House of Representatives is still waiting to receive the draft federal budget law 2020 officially, after a vote to grant confidence to the Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Allawi and his temporary cabinet and its government program.
In addition, the Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed the high rate of deficit In the general budget 2020 to about 48 trillion dinars.

Member of the committee, MP Magda Al-Tamimi, told Al-Zawraa that “the financial deficit is very large in the draft of the general budget law 2020, when it reached about 48 trillion dinars, and this is the true reason for not sending the budget to Burl So far, that «the She added» the government is trying to load the burden of the outgoing and the implications of rising budget deficit in 2020 to designate the prime minister to get rid of the responsibility «, indicating that« since 15 last October, the budget was supposed to be ready in front of the parliament «. She explained that "the retirement of the resigned government under the pretext of conducting the business is due to its evading accountability for the reasons for the high rate of deficits in the public budget." 48 trillion dinars.

The committee’s rapporteur, MP Ahmed Hama Rashid, said in a press statement that “the prime minister-designate has a long history of fiscal and monetary policy in the country, so the budget that suffers from a large fiscal deficit exceeding 48 trillion dinars can be reconsidered.”

He added that “the new government six Om addressing the fiscal deficit through a reconsideration of some paragraphs », noting that« Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Allawi can not approve the budget and send it to parliament, only after the vote of confidence in his booth and the ministerial program of his government ».    link

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Don961:  A member of Parliament's security announced the start of the withdrawal of US forces from 15 military bases in Iraq

Security 02/2020 17:43 1238 Editor: amm   
Baghdad today - Baghdad

Member of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, MP Ali al-Ghanmi, confirmed on Sunday (February 9, 2020) that the start of the withdrawal of American forces from bases in which they are located on Iraqi soil.

Al-Ghanimi told (Baghdad Today) that "the United States of America has started to leave Iraq, and its forces have begun to physically withdraw from 15 military bases."

He pointed out that "the American presence was confined to two military bases, the first in the northern governorate of Arbil, and the second is the Ain al-Assad base in the western Anbar province."

Al-Ghanimi added, "The Americans have a commitment and determination to remain in the two bases (Erbil - Anbar), but the popular and parliamentary pressure insists on their withdrawal from all the bases in which they are present."

And last Thursday, the US Department of Defense confirmed that there was no intention to withdraw from Iraq, noting that its goal is to remain in the Middle East.

"We have no intention of withdrawing from Iraq and our goal is to remain in the Middle East," media quoted a Pentagon spokesman as saying.

He added, "We continue to plan and redeploy and look forward to the resumption of field operations."

The Iraqi Council of Representatives voted, on Sunday (January 05, 2020), unanimously on a parliamentary resolution that includes obliging the Iraqi government to cancel the request for assistance submitted by it to the international coalition to fight ISIS, and the Iraqi government's commitment to end the presence of any foreign forces in Iraqi territory, and to prevent it from using land and water And the Iraqi airspace for any reason, and the Iraqi government is committed to restricting weapons to the state.

The decision included the Iraqi government represented by the Foreign Minister urgently going to the United Nations and the International Security Council and filing a complaint against the United States of America for its violations of and serious breaches of the sovereignty and security of Iraq, and the Iraqi government to conduct investigations at the highest levels to know the causes of the American bombing and inform the House of Representatives of the results within seven Days from the date of this decision, which is implemented from the date of voting on it, in addition to the possibility of proceeding with the legislation legislation to abolish the Strategic Framework Agreement between Iraq and the United States of America.

And the region is witnessing an unprecedented tension, after an assassination operation carried out by the United States targeting the commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Qassem Soleimani, and the deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Authority, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, in an air strike on a dawn plane at dawn Friday, January 3 of this year. , Near the Baghdad airport.  LINK

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Don961:  An upcoming meeting between the Designated Prime Minister and the demonstrators
Sunday 09 February 2020   LINK

MilitiaMan:   ”The legal expert stressed that“ the prime minister-designate - in the event that he obtains the confidence of the House of Representatives - must work to the extent that preserves the interests of the state from harm, as well as send bills or conclude political or economic agreements with other countries, in addition to that His most important priority is to send a bill The general budget for the fiscal year 2020 due to its importance in conducting the work of state institutions and public facilities, provided that they do not include obligations that exceed the ceiling of the transitional government's mandate."

MilitiaMan:  They'll need to show the 2019 FML Amendment imo ahead of this years budget. Pressure is oh so high now.. The CBI will need to have a say in this.. imo!~ MM

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Samson:  Expert: Al-Sadr resorted to force after losing his political and popular strength due to the demonstrations

10th February, 2020

Political expert, Youssef Al-Tamimi, confirmed that the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada Al-Sadr, resorted to force and weapons after losing his political and popular strength due to the demonstrations.

Al-Tamimi said in a press statement, "The statements of Abu Dua'a Al-Issawi, a leader in the Sadrist movement, are not strange or surprising, because the current always waving arms when it exhausts its political or popular options."

Al-Tamimi added, "Al-Sadr lost his political strength due to the weakness of parliament, the overthrow of the government and the state of disintegration in the political scene because of the demonstrations that shook many of the previous alliances."

According to Al-Tamimi, "Al-Sadr no longer controls the parliament’s decisions to pressure the street like the previous one when he imposed Haider al-Abadi's candidacy or agreed to nominate former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki."

Al-Tamimi added that "Al-Sadr, who lost his political and popular power due to the demonstrations, which challenged his control of the street for the first time, resorted to the only remaining force he had, which is the force of weapons."  LINK

KTFA Members "Iraq News" Sunday 2-9-2020

KTFA:

Don961:  08-02-2020 11:00 PM

Al-Khalidi: Allawi almost completed his ministerial cabinet

Baghdad / Al-Ikhbaria:

Head of the Bayraq Al-Khair bloc, Muhammad Al-Khaldi, confirmed on Saturday that the Prime Minister-designate, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, promised to implement the demands of the demonstrators and will implement them, indicating that Allawi has almost completed his ministerial cabinet.

Al-Khalidi said in a statement to "Al-Akhbaria" that "Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi Al-Khalidi has completed his ministerial cabinet almost completely."

He added that "Allawi promised to implement all the demands of the demonstrators and take comprehensive reform measures during the next stage."

Al-Khalidi added that "negotiations are still ongoing regarding the formation of the government," noting that "Allawi will achieve a parliamentary consensus unprecedented in the history of previous governments.    link

Samson:  Allawi visits Erbil to meet with Kurdish leaders to agree to support and form a transitional government

9th February, 2020

A well-informed political source revealed, today, Sunday, a forthcoming visit by Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, to meet Kurdish leaders and agree to support and form the next transitional government.

The source said to "Al-Akhbaria": "The Prime Minister-designate was able, during the past 24 hours, to obtain the support of several Kurdish forces in the Kurdistan region in the first place, most notably the National Union and the Democratic Party, after understandings he had made with them about not stabbing or changing any of The agreements concluded between Baghdad and Erbil, which were concluded in the first year of Abdul-Mahdi's resigned government, including the budget agreement and the salary agreement for the employees of the region, the oil agreement and the Kirkuk issue.

He added: "The recent visit of President Barham Saleh to Erbil and his meetings with Kurdish leaders led to great rapprochement and conditional Kurdish political support for Allawi," adding that "Allawi reached a formula of understanding with the Kurdish parties to keep the Kurdish Ministry of Finance, as well as other ministerial seats, and positions Mission in his government, and seeking to "dismantle the crises and belongings between Baghdad and Erbil."

The source explained: "Allawi's upcoming visit to Erbil will be to complete Saleh's visit, and that he will be in agreement with the Kurdish side clearly, and get their support to complete his dialogues with other blocs."

The head of the Kurdistan Regional Government's representative in Baghdad, Faris Issa, said that Allawi will soon visit the region with the aim of engaging with the Iraqi Kurdish component, requesting in a statement that the KDP website quoted him as "everyone to provide support for him to succeed in performing his duties."  LINK

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Samson:  Allawi warning Iran: Tehran will not be able to fulfill its expansionist dreams in Iraq

9th February, 2020

Iyad Allawi, leader of the National Coalition, warned Iran against interfering in Iraq, stating that Iran would not be able to achieve its expansionist dreams in Iraq.

A statement from Allawi's office, "Al-Akhbariya" received a copy of it, "Once again, Iran crosses the red lines, proves its interventions in the Iraqi issue by challenging the will of the Iraqis and assuring that the Prime Minister-designate will gain confidence and that the axis (Tehran - Baghdad - Damascus Beirut - Palestine) will be pivotal One to expel the Americans and their allies, according to the letter of Ali Akbar Velayati, foreign affairs adviser in Khamenei's office, on the occasion of the Arba’een Qassem Soleimani.

He added, "While we condemn this blatant interference in Iraqi affairs, we warn Iran that it will not be able to achieve its expansionary dreams in the Arab region, including Iraq, and this is much greater than its size and dreams, and that the principles of neighborhood require the respect of neighboring countries and non-interference in their affairs, which is what we wish from Iran and other neighboring countries."

He continued, "The policy pursued by Iran in its dealings in Iraq and the countries of the region will lead to further escalation and complexity of the conditions in it, so we repeat our call for Iran to adopt a wiser and rational policy and deal with the countries of the region dealing with peer and counterpart, do not deal with the subordinate because that will backfire on them and will cause harm to their interest." And the interests of its people first."   LINK

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Samson:  Political analyst: Sadr lost four things because of his positions in the demonstrations

9th February, 2020

Political analyst, Mujahid al-Tai, confirmed that the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, had lost four things because of his positions on the demonstrations in Baghdad and the provinces.

Al-Taei told Al-Akhbariya that "Al-Sadr lost many things because of his position on the recent demonstrations, as confidence between him and the masses fell."

He added that "Al-Sadr's proposals for reform, change and combating corruption have become questionable, as have his allegations of wanting to confine arms to the state and controlling the militias have become ridiculed."

Al-Taie added, "Al-Sadr also lost the support of the Europeans, who were counting on his hostility with Iran."   LINK

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Sheikh Ali: Iran did not find a substitute for Soleimani, so she hired Sadr to lead the Shiite factions

9th February, 2020

Deputy Fayek Sheikh Ali revealed that the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada Al-Sadr, was afraid that he would be targeted by the United States of America in Iraq, indicating that Iran was unable to compensate for the loss of Qassem Soleimani, and that he hired Sadr for the leadership of the "Shiite factions" temporarily.

Sheikh Ali said in a televised statement, followed by "Al-Akhbaria", that "Al-Sadr did not stop visiting Iran because there was a plan to assassinate him by the United States, which forced him to seek refuge in Iran, as it is a safe haven for him and all politicians."

 He added that "Iran still + dominates the Iraqi arena, and we, as Iraqis, have to move away from the new occupation." The division between the leaders of the Shiite leaders."

 Sheikh Ali said, "Al-Sadr has become a cover for all factions and the highest policy-making for it and what it declares of hearing and obedience to the chest is in order to prove leadership."

 He explained that "the popular movement of the demonstrators is isolated from the ruling blocs and personalities, and it is the one that is stoking the street against the political blocs and their oppression and is not affected by the chest at all."   LINK

Samson:  The Supreme Judiciary: 38 detainees held in criminal cases branched from the events of the demonstrations

9th February, 2020

The Media Center of the Supreme Judicial Council has announced the outcome of the number of detainees arrested for criminal cases branching from the events of the demonstrations.

A statement issued by the media center of the Supreme Judicial Council stated, "According to the latest statistics from the investigative bodies concerned with demonstrations cases, until the date of 5/20/2020, the number of detainees arrested in criminal cases branched from the events of the demonstrations reached (38), while the number of those who were released (3123).   LINK

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Samson:  Dozens of the US Air Force National Guard leave Iraq

12:16 - 09/02/2020

Dozens of US National Guard air forces in Alaska from the 21st Rescue Squadron and auxiliary pilots from other 176th Wing Units to their country have returned to their country after a four-month deployment in Iraq, the Anchorage Daily News reported on Sunday .

The newspaper said in the news of his translation, "The information" that "the return comes a month after the air base they were stationed in in Iraq was attacked by an Iranian ballistic missile attack that damaged the base without mentioning the human losses."

She added, "The elements of the American military force to the Alndorf-Richardson base in two (HC-130J) aircraft."

The newspaper pointed out that the forces were stationed at Ain Al-Assad Air Force Base, where Wing 176 was providing support to the Operations Command Squadron there.   LINK

KTFA Members "Saturday News" 2-8-2020

KTFA:

Samson:  Deputy: Iraq's debts amounted to 127 billion dollars

8th February, 2020

Deputy Faik Sheikh Ali revealed, Saturday, the debts owed by Iraq.

Sheikh Ali said in a tweet via "Twitter" that "Iraq owes 127 billion US dollars (according to my information) but in it (except oil) gas, sulfur, phosphates, fortunes and other minerals, if invested, he will pay off his debts, employ his children and rebuild the country."

He added: "But all this will not happen with the rule of the militia, and the people will remain hungry and indebted."   LINK

Samson:  IMF director steps down, paving way for Trump appointee

7th February, 2020

One of the most senior figures at the International Monetary Fund is stepping down in a move that will allow the Trump administration to influence who will take over as second-in-command at the financial watchdog.

David Lipton, 66, will step down as first deputy managing director after a nine-year tenure that made him the longest-serving official to hold what is effectively the number two position. When he leaves at the end of this month he will be joined by Carla Grasso, chief administrative officer and one of three deputy managing directors appointed in 2015.

The moves will allow the IMF’s managing director Kristalina Georgieva to stamp her mark on the organisation four months after she took on the top job. It is understood she wants to raise the profile of the departmental directors who are the key people who will implement her policy on the ground. However, according to precedent, the first deputy managing director of the IMF has traditionally been an American national, offsetting the fact that Europeans have always held the top job of the Washington-based multilateral lender.

Traditionally the White House submits a shortlist of candidates from which the managing director will pick her nomination, who is then approved by the fund’s executive board based on consensus. The process will revive concerns among NGOs and campaign groups that senior roles at the IMF and its sister organisation, the World Bank, are chosen by politicians rather than through a competitive recruitment process.

Luiz Vieira, coordinator of the Bretton Woods Project (BWP), a network of NGOs, said: “We would say it is ridiculous to have a process by which the choice of all the candidates is restricted to one country. We will definitely be calling for an open, transparent and merit-based approach to the recruitment for a very senior post.” Ms Georgieva, a Bulgarian, was appointed as managing director in October after no other candidate was put forward by a member state. The post has gone to a European national since the IMF was established in the 1940s.

A year ago, David Malpass, a senior Treasury official, was appointed as president of the World Bank after being nominated by US president Donald Trump. Last month BWP raised its concerns that, soon after she was appointed, Ms Georgieva had given her support to the reforms instituted by Mr Trump, which include a $1.5 trillion (£1.16tn) tax cut that slashes corporate rates.

Mr Vieira said that contrasted with the more critical stance taken by her predecessor Christine Lagarde, who in 2018 identified Mr Trump’s tax reforms as a hazard that “could destabilise the current economic recovery”. “Georgieva is still getting her feet under the table but if she is more favourable to a US line then having her and the first deputy MD becoming aligned behind those policies could be interesting,” he said. “Lagarde was able to say some pretty critical things about the US.”

Ms Georgieva lauded Mr Lipton for his “intellectual leadership and innovative insights” and said that he commands “wide respect across the IMF’s 189 member countries” as well as among IMF staff. She added: “David has provided an invaluable service to the fund’s membership and the global economy more broadly with his outstanding economic experience and expertise.”   LINK

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Samson:  Deputy: There is no country in the world that kills and wounds more than 3,500 peaceful demonstrators, as happened in Iraq

7th February, 2020

The deputy of the National Approach, Hussein Al-Aqabi, confirmed on Friday that launching the word peaceful dealing with the demonstrators is not in the dictionary of the Adel Abdul-Mahdi government, stating that no country in the world kills and wounds more than 3,500 peaceful demonstrators, as happened in Iraq.
 
Al-Aqabi said in a statement to "Al-Akhbaria" that "about a thousand martyrs and 2500 wounded are the result of the demonstrations from four months until now, and some people in the government still use the term peaceful dealing with the demonstrations."

He added, "The government and the slogans it launches are extremely provocative, especially regarding the formation of committees to know the killers, despite their knowledge of the identity of the killer and their actual inability to hold them accountable." He pointed out that "the current reality of targeting and abusing activists cannot be taken by any country in the world in dealing with a peaceful protester."

Official statistics of human rights organizations indicate that hundreds of martyrs and thousands of wounded people since August 1, 2019, all of them were killed as a result of excessive violence against defenseless protesters.   LINK

Samson:  Iyad Allawi calls for a public trial of murderers and perpetrators of crimes against peaceful demonstrators

8th February, 2020

Leader of the National Coalition, Iyad Allawi, called for a public trial of murderers and perpetrators of peaceful demonstrators.

"A public trial of murderers and perpetrators of peaceful demonstrators," Allawi said in a tweet on Twitter.

He added, "The formation of a special court issued by a republican decree linked to the presidency of the republic, headed by some honest retired judges from inside or outside Iraq."   LINK

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Don961:  :  Iyad Allawi reveals the reason for addressing the United Nations to protect the demonstrators in Iraq

Politics 02/20/2020 14:07 597 Editor: ha   Baghdad today - Baghdad

Iyad Allawi, leader of the National Coalition, revealed on Friday (07 February 2020), the reason for his address to the United Nations to protect peaceful demonstrators in Iraq.

Allawi said in a tweet on the platform "Twitter", followed by (Baghdad today), "It is surprising that most of the world condemned the killing and brutal suppression of peaceful demonstrators and demanded accountability for the killers."

He added, "This was met with the utter suspicious silence of the Iraqi authorities, who failed to bring the perpetrators to justice."

Allawi pointed out that "for this reason I sent a letter to the United Nations calling for the protection of the generous Iraqi people."

Allawi had sent, yesterday, Thursday, 4 messages to international bodies demanding that those involved in the bloodshed of demonstrators be held accountable, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and the Arab League.

Allawi stated, in a tweet on his account on the website "Twitter": "I sent a message to Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Arab League, and the foreign ministers of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, in addition to the Organization of the Islamic Conference."

He explained that the messages were, "To show the reality of what is going on in Iraq and the need to hold those involved to account for the bloodshed of innocent demonstrators and bring them to the International Criminal Court."    LINK

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Samson:  Reuters highlights Sistani's influence among the demonstrators: If he asks them to return to their homes, they will!

10:02 - 02/02/2020

A report by "Reuters", Saturday, shed light on the extent of the influence that the religious authority, Mr. Ali Sistani, has among the protesters and protesters, noting that the demonstrators will return to their homes if asked to do so.

The agency said in its report, which was seen by the "information", that "the attention of some activists turned to the last remaining hope for them to aspire to support and support, which is the supreme Shiite authority Ali al-Sistani", indicating that "Sistani had the final say and the decisive word, which forced Abdul Mahdi To step down and with one fatwa from him in 2014, tens of thousands of fighters mobilized to fight ISIS.”

The agency noted that "Sistani rarely comments on politics, but he spoke in almost every Friday sermon about the popular uprising in Iraq, which sparked among the masses of the Shiite majority in the country in Baghdad and the south last October."

The agency quoted Muhammad al-Kaabi, a 54-year-old activist, as saying that he would wait to see what Sistani said, stressing that "if Sistani says that everyone should return to their homes, they will do so." 

"News and Views" KTFA Members Friday 2-7-2020

KTFA:

Don961:  Play with Yakaka on your own .. News about Abdel-Mahdi's escape to Paris, and the appointment of Fouad Hussein, headed by the Prime Minister and the leadership of the armed forces!

Policy  ,   02/20/2020 00:10  Baghdad-Iraq today:

Private sources revealed the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi to escape to Paris on Friday.

The sources confirmed that Abdel-Mahdi issued an order to Fouad Hussein to carry out his duties as prime minister and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, even though Thamer Al-Ghadban - the fugitive is also - is the first vice president!

Whoever guarantees that Fouad Hussain will not take sensitive and serious decisions in the interest of the region at the expense of Iraq as a whole, is not Allawi mandated to prevent Prime Minister Al-Mahdi and the rest of the ministers from traveling.

Especially since Adel Abdul-Mahdi occupies the position of Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, and there are serious bloody events During the empty and previous period, events in which people were killed, blooded and accused, occurred, in which arrest, investigation, corruption and accountability warrants are involved, including Abdul-Mahdi and Al-Ghadban before other wanted ministers, and the Iraqi judiciary may issue travel ban orders for them and their colleagues?   LINK

JaimieO:  And we are to believe nobody was watching his EVERY move.....and they would allow him to to stroll to the airport and "escape" to Paris???

ChrisC:  I told you this guy would be running.  This is the first big crack in the defense, and if he is truly gone, watch ALL the lower rats break and run. 

Iran's defense force will collapse like a frozen river thawing in Spring.  The new PM making a public statement with the people's beloved military leader saying "go after the ones that are responsible" was all that wuss could take. 

Maliki has some stones, I will give you that, but he is next. 

 If he stays, he will be lynched.  He and Obama formed ISIS and if anybody needs lynching it is those two, but they can't get Obama.  However, they can get Maliki and without protection, he is now vulnerable. 

I bet they strike the next layer in Hezbollah and some of the other militias and it will collapse like a dam bursting.  Bullies are cowards in the end and they know their time is up. 

I had hoped our new PM would be a good speaker and he apparently is.  The people have been yearning for someone to listen to them and care and now the next thing is to show it with an RV. 

I think he will announce his cabinet to the people and then follow that immediately with an RV. 

Once he galvanizes support from the people with these actions, it will be over for all the bad guys.  IMO. 

I don't know, maybe he RVs first.  Let's hope so.  I've always said Fri afternoon.

Samson:  Allawi is surprised by the "applied silence" of the Iraqi authorities in the face of killing the demonstrators

7/2/2020 2:19 PM

Iyad Allawi, head of the National Coalition, was surprised by the "silence applied" to the Iraqi authorities regarding the killing of the demonstrators.

Allawi said in a tweet to him on Twitter: "It is surprising that most countries of the world condemned the killing and brutal suppression of peaceful demonstrators, and demanded accountability for the killers

He added, "This was met with the utter suspicious silence of the Iraqi authorities, who failed to bring the perpetrators to justice

He said, "That is why I sent a letter to the United Nations calling for the protection of the honorable Iraqi people   LINK

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Samson:   Trump announces the killing of the al Qaeda leader in the Arabian Peninsula ... and revealed his identity

7/2/2020 9:40 AM

The American President, Donald Trump, announced, on Thursday, the killing of Qasim Al-Rimi, the leader of Al Qaeda in the "Arabian Peninsula", in a US military operation in Yemen.

"Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, under the leadership of Al-Rimi, practiced a tremendous amount of violence against civilians in Yemen and sought to execute and instruct numerous attacks against the United States and our forces," Trump said in a statement

Qassim al-Rimi was born in June 1978 in Yemen, and reports indicate that he joined the terrorist "Al Qaeda" organization, when he was fifteen years old

Al-Rimi traveled to Afghanistan where he was included in the leadership positions of extremist organization, before the US military operation in 2001

Al-Rimi was sentenced to prison in Yemen in 2005, for his conviction on charges of planning to assassinate the American ambassador to Yemen

He cooperated with the former al Qaeda leader in Yemen, Nasser al-Wahaishi, who was killed in a US drone strike in 2015, to announce the emergence of the militant group in Yemen in 2007

Al-Rimi was listed by the United States in May 2010, and his bank assets inside the United States were frozen

In May 2010, Al-Rimi was added to the United Nations sanctions list for individuals linked to al-Qaeda

In July 2007, the name Al-Rimi was associated with the attack that targeted a group with Spanish tourists, and killed 8 of them in Marib, central Yemen

Al-Rimi worked to recruit young men to join Al Qaeda, and his name was associated with a number of terrorist operations, such as an attempt to blow up a plane destined for America in 2009, and to send booby-trapped parcels to the United States in 2010

In 2013, Al-Rimi claimed, in a video, “Al-Qaeda’s responsibility” for the bloody attack on the Yemeni Ministry of Defense hospital, according to NBC News

In a June 2013 message to the American people, Al-Rimi warned that the Boston bombings had exposed the fragility of American security, and showed that making bombs was within anyone's reach

In the audio message, which was broadcast on sites close to al Qaeda and the YouTube website on the Internet, Al-Rimi urged Muslims in America to "fulfill their duty, defend their religion, and imitate those who preceded them

Al-Rimi took over the leadership of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, succeeding Al-Wahaishi in 2015, after the latter's death in Mukalla, eastern Yemen

In a 2017 video, Al-Rimi incited his supporters to launch attacks in European countries

In the same year, al-Rimi was targeted by the US Special Forces, but the attack that killed 14 leaders of al-Qaeda did not kill Rimi

In 2018, the US State Department announced that it would raise the value of the reward that will be granted to those who provide information leading to the arrest of Al-Rimi, from 5 to 10 million dollars

LINK

Samson:  The international coalition reveals a list of Iraqi personalities used by Iran to target American forces

7th February, 2020

A new report issued by the US-led international coalition today, Thursday, disclosed on a network of militia and political leaders in Iraq that Iran is using to maintain the momentum of targeting US forces in Iraq, in addition to increasing its influence.

The report, which was translated by "Al-Ikhbaria", said that it relied on information provided by the US Central Command, Military Intelligence and the State Department, that Iran is still training and supporting Iraqi militias to wage war against the United States, and to participate in repressions targeting popular protests in Iraq.

The report mentioned: The names of the most prominent Iraqi militia leaders with whom Iran is currently working and who were receiving orders directly from the Quds Force commander, Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in an American strike last month near Baghdad airport.

The report, consisting of 114 pages, places the deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Authority, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed in the same raid that targeted Qasim Soleimani, at the top of the list, where Abu Mahdi describes the engineer as the de facto leader of the Popular Mobilization Forces and also worked as an advisor to Qassem Soleimani and was a link between Al-Quds Force, which supports the PMF militia.

It also indicates that the engineer was a commander in the Badr Corps in the 1980s, returned to Iraq in 2005 and was subsequently elected to parliament and was an adviser to several prime ministers who ruled after 2003.

The second person, cited by the report, is the leader of the Iranian-backed Al-Fatah coalition Hadi al-Amiri, who was leading the Badr Corps militia in the 1980s.

The third person is Akram al-Kaabi, leader of the militia of the Hezbollah movement al-Nagaba, and according to the report, al-Kaabi defected from the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq militia led by Qais Khazali in 2012 to form his own militia.

The fourth person was Shibl al-Zaidi, commander of the Imam Ali Brigade militia, and the report says he defected from the Mahdi Army militia led by Muqtada al-Sadr and was arrested by US forces before 2011.

The fifth man is Abu Jihad al-Hashemi, whose real name is Muhammad al-Hashemi, the director of the office of the resigned prime minister, Abd al-Mahdi.

The report says that Hashemi has few appearances in the media, despite holding many leadership positions in pro-Iranian organizations, and that he has a major role in choosing Abdul-Mahdi as prime minister in Iraq. He adds that al-Hashemi was a prominent ally of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and was seen as a channel for influence of pro-Iranian militias on the prime minister's office.

According to the report, al-Hashemi resigned as director of the office of Abdul Mahdi in 2019, at the request of Soleimani.

As for the sixth and final person on the list, the leader of the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq militia, Qais Khazali, which has a political wing known as the Sadikoun Alliance, has 15 seats in the Iraqi parliament within the Al-Fateh Alliance, led by Hadi al-Amiri.

According to the report, Khazali was one of Muqtada al-Sadr's aides at the start of the new millennium before he defected and formed his own militia in 2004.

The report notes that Iranian-backed militias such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq, the Hezbollah Brigades and the Badr Organization are also using "strict measures to suppress the demonstrators, including shooting at them."

The report shows a detailed picture of the Iran-backed militias and says their members are more loyal to Tehran than Baghdad, and they swore allegiance to Ayatollah Khamenei.

And it confirms that Iran is financing, training and directing Shiite militia groups to wage a proxy war against the United States, as it is sending missiles and other ammunition to the militias and is strengthening its influence within the security infrastructure in Iraq as a way to pressure the United States to withdraw.   LINK

ChrisC:  Reminds me of a deck of cards that was distributed in Iraq a long time ago.  We got the Aces of Spades and Diamonds.  Now we just start working our way through the deck.

KTFA Members "Friday Iraq News" 2-7-2020

KTFA:

Don961:  Business Insider: The war in Iraq has cost America more than $ 2 trillion

Translate / Newsletter

The American economic newspaper, "Business Insider" revealed that the war in Iraq cost the United States more than $ 2 trillion, indicating that the US government deducted the war funds from American taxpayers, who paid an average of $ 8,000 per person.

"A new report from the War Costs Project at Brown University, estimated that American taxpayers paid an average of $ 8,000 each and more than $ 2 trillion in total for the Iraq war alone," the newspaper said in a report.

"The actual costs of the war exceed the Pentagon’s approved budgets, and are transferred to other parts of the federal budget. Unlike most wars in history, the war is funded by borrowing money, which leads to large amounts of interest being paid - not to mention increasing wages to keep soldiers and care Medical disability. "

"Regardless of the high cost of the Iraq war, the group estimates that the United States has spent more than $ 6.4 trillion on all its efforts in the" war on terror "in Iraq and Afghanistan, and related violence in Pakistan and Syria."

According to a new estimate by Neta Crawford, co-director of war costs, "US taxpayers have paid nearly $ 2 trillion in costs associated with the war on the Iraq war alone."

Newsweek estimated that the total war in Iraq amounts to about $ 8,000 per taxpayer. This figure far exceeds the Pentagon's estimate that Americans have paid an average of $ 3,990 to both Iraq and Syria so far.

In March 2019, the Department of Defense estimated that wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria combined cost each US taxpayer approximately $ 7,623 on average.

The War Costs Project, through Brown University, is researching the human, economic and political costs of the post-9/11 wars launched by the United States.

 "It is important for Americans to understand exactly what their taxes are paying when it comes to war-related expenses," Stephanie Saville, co-director of War Costs Projects, told Insider.

"While the Americans are discussing the advantages of the US military presence in Iraq and elsewhere in the name of the American war on terrorism, it is necessary to understand that the costs of the war far exceed what the Defense Department allocated in overseas emergency operations and access to many parts of the federal budget."

The Pentagon has allocated about $ 838 billion in "emergency operations" and "external emergency operations" to military operations in Iraq from fiscal year 2003 to 2019, including those fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria. However, Saville says, "The actual costs of the war often exceed the cost of budgets approved by Congress."

"When you are responsible for the cost of the war, you cannot just calculate what the Ministry of Defense has spent on foreign emergency funds," he added.

"You have to look at other sets of costs including interest on borrowed money, increased war-related spending, higher wages to retain soldiers, medical care and disability for post-9/11 veterans, and more."

According to their estimates, the cost of the Iraq war will now be $ 1922 billion in the current dollar - this figure includes funding explicitly allocated by the Pentagon for the war, spending on the country by the State Department, sponsoring veterans of the Iraq war and interest on debt incurred for 16 years from The US military was involved in the country.

Crawford says that war-related spending in Iraq has exceeded its budget within 16 years, and military forces have been present in the country, and the surplus is estimated at $ 382 billion in Iraq alone.

Increases in budgets approved by Congress were used to increase base security, recruitment and reinsertion bonuses, and increase wages to retain staff, and health care costs for service members.

In addition to the costs of the Ministry of Defense, the State Department added about $ 59 billion to the total costs of the US Agency for International Development’s war in Iraq and Syria. Meanwhile, $ 199 billion has been spent on veterans in Iraq who receive medical care, disability and other compensation. LINK

Don961:  Al-Araji: Political leaders are "miserable" and all that resulted in them was not in the interest of Iraq

7th February, 2020

Iraqi politician Bahaa al-Araji confirmed today, Friday, that the political leaders are miserable and desperate and all that resulted in them was not in the interest of Iraq.

Al-Araji said in a tweet on his personal page on Twitter followed by "Al-Akhbariya", that "the political leaders are desperate and do not appreciate the seriousness of the stage," noting that they are "working with reactions."

He added, "All that resulted from their political mobility during the past few days was not in the interest of Iraq!"

The leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Majed Shankali, stressed that if the parallel state in Iraq is not confronted, we will enter into the concept of no country.   LINK

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Don961:  Video .. Dhi Qar sets a week to hold a popular referendum to choose the prime minister and threatens a million on the threshold of the green

(VIDEO LINK - DELTA ?)

Politics 02/20/2020 20:41 1751     Baghdad today - Baghdad

The demonstrators of Dhi Qar Governorate, Thursday, 6-2-2020, set a week to hold a popular referendum to choose a "non-controversial" prime minister, while threatening a million on the threshold of the green.

The demonstrators stated, in a videotape in which they read a statement defining their position, that "given the elongation and procrastination, especially in the part of the post of prime minister, which confirmed the demonstration arenas and the rational reference by choosing a non-controversial figure, and despite that a controversial figure was chosen, and it was rejected from all the protest arenas, we will take We have a responsibility to choose, to bypass dialectics. "

They clarified, "And that is through a referendum, a public referendum, by monitoring and supervising the demonstration squares, the judiciary, the UNHCR and the United Nations, to vote on the figures provided by the demonstration squares."

They pointed out that "the date of the voting is decided one week from now, provided that the referendum centers will be in the provincial centers, and for a period of two days in order to prevent counterfeiting, and in all provinces with the region."

And they threatened a million people "on the green doorstep, to prevent procrastination and procrastination," according to their statement.    LINK  

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DELTA: FRANKIE...............CBI SITE WENT DOWN AT 1 PM IRAQI TIME..

Cashflow:  Im wondering with the CBI site down for so long if they aren't getting ready to do something positive this weekend. Here's to hoping.

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Don961:  Pompeo comments on the events of Najaf and describes the Iraqi people as `` brave ''

Politics 02/2020 09:13 989 Editor: ha    Baghdad today - follow up

On Friday (07 February 2020), US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo commented on the Najaf incidents that took place the day before yesterday, expressing the United States' anger at the violence.

"Since October last year, peaceful demonstrators took to the streets to demand government reform and were met with threats, brutal violence and live fire attacks," Pompeo said in a statement.

He continued, "It is unreasonable for the perpetrators of these acts to continue without punishment."

Pompeo called for "accountability of political figures who incite violence and government leaders who are not taking steps to protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, which has killed more than 600 protesters and wounded thousands so far."

He added: "The Iraqi government should immediately address the legitimate grievances of the demonstrators by enacting reforms and tackling corruption."

The US Secretary of State described "the brave Iraqi people who seek a government free from corruption and interference (Iranian). We offer America's continued friendship and support to the Iraqi people, and we reaffirm the United States' continued commitment to it and a strong, sovereign and prosperous Iraq."     LINK

Don961:  Play with Yakaka on your own .. News about Abdel-Mahdi's escape to Paris, and the appointment of Fouad Hussein, headed by the Prime Minister and the leadership of the armed forces!

 Policy  ,   02/20/2020 00:10   Baghdad-Iraq today:

Private sources revealed the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi to escape to Paris on Friday.

The sources confirmed that Abdel-Mahdi issued an order to Fouad Hussein to carry out his duties as prime minister and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, even though Thamer Al-Ghadban - the fugitive is also - is the first vice president!

Whoever guarantees that Fouad Hussain will not take sensitive and serious decisions in the interest of the region at the expense of Iraq as a whole, is not Allawi mandated to prevent Prime Minister Al-Mahdi and the rest of the ministers from traveling, especially since Adel Abdul-Mahdi occupies the position of Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, and there are serious bloody events During the empty and previous period, events in which people were killed, blooded and accused, occurred, in which arrest, investigation, corruption and accountability warrants are involved, including Abdul-Mahdi and Al-Ghadban before other wanted ministers, and the Iraqi judiciary may issue travel ban orders for them and their colleagues?   LINK

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Don961:  Israeli newspaper: Iran is training Shiite militias in Iraq to force America to withdraw its forces

7th February, 2020

The Israeli Jerusalem Post revealed today, Friday, that Iran is training proxy Shiite militias in Iraq to launch a war against the United States and forcing it to withdraw its forces from Iraqi territory.

The newspaper, in a report, translated by "Al-Akhbariya": "The Iranian proxies in Iraq are training in the war against the United States and will continue to fire missiles at the American forces in Iraq until they leave the United States."

The report added: "The Iranian-backed militias such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq, the Hezbollah Brigades and the Badr Organization are also using strict measures to suppress the demonstrators, including shooting at the demonstrators."

According to the newspaper, "The inspector general's quarterly report in recent months about Iran as the United States is increasingly concerned about Iran's threats to US forces in Iraq."   LINK

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Don961:  Close associate of the Prime Minister-designate reveals the mechanism followed by Allawi, choosing his government

Politics 02/20/2020 10:04 2103 Editor: as   
Baghdad today - Baghdad

The head of the Parliamentary Bloc of Al-Khair, Muhammad al-Khalidi, who is close to Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, revealed on Friday (February 7, 2020) the mechanism followed by the latter by choosing the ministers in his next transitional government that he is charged with forming.

Al-Khalidi said, in an interview with (Baghdad Today), that "the Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, has been working since the announcement of his mandate to choose the ministers of his prospective government himself, without any interference by any political party, and he refuses any interference with this choice."

He added that "since the announcement of Allawi's mandate, we have put in place approximately two to three weeks to complete the formation of the government. The process of selecting ministers needs time and accuracy, especially since the ministers will be from independent personalities, not previously tested."

The President of the Republic, Barham Saleh, had assigned Saturday (1 February 2020) the candidate Allawi, to form the new government to succeed Adel Abdul Mahdi, who resigned under the pressure of the protest movement that erupted on the first of last October.

According to informed sources, the Prime Minister-designate Mohamed Allawi has invited fifty deputies who submitted an application to the President of the Republic last December to assign him to form the government, and he talked about his vision in managing the next government and the possibility of providing solutions to get out of the current crisis and the challenges that Iraq is going through.  LIN