Tuesday, October 3, 2023
"RV UPDATE" BY FRANK26 & PIMPY, 3 OCT
Frank26
Community comment "I always felt that if the dinar came out of the gate at one to one it would cause mass inflation due to the amount in circulation. Hitting the forex at 1000 to 1 makes more sense to me. I do believe however that it won’t stay there very long IMO as the demand will be great." Yes!!
Iraqi President Proposes New Government Solution to Resolve Kirkuk Crisis, 3 OCT
Iraqi President Proposes New Government Solution to Resolve Kirkuk Crisis, 3 OCT
The Kirkuk Dispute
A critical development has emerged in the Kirkuk crisis in Iraq, with the Iraqi President proposing a solution to the ongoing conflict. He advocates for the formation of a government that represents all components of the province, marking a significant step towards resolution. The city of Kirkuk, located 250 km north of Baghdad, is the capital of the Tamim province, often referred to by some Iraqis as the Kirkuk province. The city is built atop of one of Iraq’s key oil-producing fields, which hold approximately 13 percent of the nation’s proven reserves, making Iraq the third largest global holder of proven reserves.
Kirkuk is one of Iraq’s largest cities and is situated just outside the largely autonomous Kurdistan region, predominantly inhabited by Kurdish people. The city’s population comprises Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen as its three main ethnic groups, with the presence of Chaldean Catholic Christians and other minorities. The demographic balance in Kirkuk is a contentious issue due to the influx of Arab families during the 1970s and 1980s under former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s Arabisation policy, alongside the expulsion of thousands of Kurds and Turkmen.
The Heart of the Dispute
At the heart of the dispute lies the ethnic and political division. Kurds consider Kirkuk their ancient capital and insist that it be part of Kurdistan. On the other hand, Arabs and Turkmen demand that the city remain under central government authority. They believe that Kirkuk has been intentionally populated with Kurds to sway the demographic balance in their favor in any potential ballot. This ethnic tension has even caused concern in neighboring Turkey, which fears that Iraq’s Kurds could gain control of Kirkuk and establish it as the capital of a new state, possibly reigniting separatist movements among its own sizable Kurdish population.
The United Nations’ special representative to Iraq, Staffan de Mistura, termed Kirkuk as the ‘mother of all issues’ in the country, emphasizing the necessity of a peaceful solution to the dispute for Iraq’s stability. The UN has proposed a model to resolve conflicts over several disputed areas near Kirkuk, which could serve as a reference for Kirkuk. This model involves determining administrative responsibility for the disputed areas and applying such a model to Kirkuk, with an emphasis on the protection of minorities.
Proposed Solution and International Intervention
One potential solution to the Kirkuk crisis was a referendum, mandated by the constitution, to decide Kirkuk’s status. However, it was delayed to give the United Nations time to put forth its proposals. The United Nations has urged Iraqi Kurds not to push for a referendum on whether the Kirkuk oil area should be part of their northern enclave, warning that such a vote could ignite conflict.
The United Nations, empowered by the Iraqi government to mediate a solution to the impasse, issued a report outlining possible solutions. These included a new political agreement that would ease the implementation of the constitutional plan for Kirkuk, including a census and referendum. Other proposals suggested Kirkuk become an Iraqi province like any other, become a governorate with special links to both Baghdad and Kurdistan, or gain a certain degree of autonomy.
The Path Forward
The Iraqi President’s proposal for a new government to represent all components of the province comes as a crucial development in this complex situation. If implemented successfully, this could pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the Kirkuk crisis, easing ethnic tensions and promoting stability in the region. However, the road to resolution may be fraught with obstacles, as it would require cooperation, compromise, and a shared commitment to peace from all parties involved.
Iraq Proposes Water Crisis Resolution with Turkey and Iran, 3 OCT
Iraq Proposes Water Crisis Resolution with Turkey and Iran, 3 OCT
On March 24, Iraq became the first Middle Eastern country to join the United Nations Water Conference, a global initiative aiming to foster cooperation over shared water resources. This move was announced by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani at the United Nation’s first significant conference on water since the 1970s. Only two days prior, he had visited Ankara to request a greater release of water downstream to alleviate increasing water insecurity in Iraq—a request that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pledged to fulfill.
Water Crisis in the Middle East
These developments follow weeks of violent clashes between protestors and security forces in southern Iraq’s Dhi Qar governorate over the escalating water crisis. However, protestors in Dhi Qar did not blame Turkey for their water woes; instead, they pointed the finger at the Iraqi government. The negotiations between Turkey and Iraq over water were far from coincidental. For over seventy-five years, diplomats have been striving to prevent international water disputes from inciting cross-border violence. Now, they are aiming to use international water agreements to prevent violence within national borders—a task that is becoming increasingly challenging.
States that fail to address water management within their borders often attribute their water problems to external factors, be it upstream neighbors or climate change. For years, downstream governments in the Middle East and North Africa have accused their neighbors of taking more than their fair share of water. These complaints have only intensified as the effects of climate change and decades of mismanagement have further reduced the available water share.
Blame Game Over Water Resources
In December 2021, amidst a prolonged drought, the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources threatened to sue Iran in international court over its water policies. Iraq accused Iran of digging tunnels to divert water away from Iraq. In response, Iran blamed Iraq’s water woes on Turkey, alleging that Ankara’s water policy was causing the dust storms that disrupt Iraq and Iran. Meanwhile, Turkey accused both Iranian and Iraqi politicians of scapegoating Ankara to shift the blame away from their own mismanagement of water resources.
Proposed Agreement with Turkey and Iran
Despite the difficulties, the official government spokesperson, Basem Al Awadi, recently expressed Iraq’s intent to establish an agreement with Turkey and Iran to address the water crisis. He conveyed this message during a call for a discreet and constructive dialogue with Turkey, assuring the nation that the current water crisis would not repeat itself. He revealed that ongoing negotiations were being conducted by Iraqi delegations, including technical experts from the Ministries of Water Resources and Foreign Affairs.
Al Awadi also disclosed a series of messages exchanged between the two countries to strengthen diplomatic ties, including visits from ministerial and official delegations. He underscored the indispensable nature of water resources for both Iraq and Turkey and stressed the need for extensive deliberations and measured discussions to forge satisfactory solutions that accommodate the interests of both parties through mutual understanding and dialogue.
A Hope for Enduring Solutions
Al Awadi expressed optimism, stating his belief that the ongoing crisis is a temporary setback and will soon pave the way for enduring solutions, thereby averting future recurrences. He emphasized that the water crisis remains a top priority for the government and the Prime Minister and affirmed that the government is resolute in upholding citizens’ rights and interests, committing to fulfill this duty within the boundaries of legality and constitutionality.
While the specific details of the proposed agreement are not yet revealed, suggesting that negotiations are still in the preliminary stages, this anticipated collaboration represents a significant step in regional diplomacy and mutual cooperation. It also reflects the escalating urgency of environmental issues, particularly water scarcity, and the need for collective action to resolve such problems.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Stability, Prosperity and Progress on National Day, 3 OCT
Iraq’s Prime Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Stability, Prosperity and Progress on National Day, 3 OCT
Prime Minister’s Message on Iraq’s National Day
On the occasion of the National Day of Iraq, the Prime Minister conveyed a heartfelt message to the people of his country. He underscored the historical importance, cultural richness, and civilizational influence of Iraq, referring to it as a beacon of civilization to the world. He went on to reflect on the creation of the modern Iraqi state and its membership in the League of Nations, considering these as a continuation of its civilizational influence.
Promise of Progress Amid Challenges
The Prime Minister strongly asserted that Iraq will persist as a pillar of stability, security, and prosperity in the region and the world. He pledged to continue working towards the goal of enabling Iraq to progress on all fronts, overcoming all challenges. This commitment comes at a time when the nation is grappling with economic, health, and political issues. The promise to tackle these issues head-on reflects the government’s commitment to improving the lives of its citizens.
Rebuilding National Pride
In an attempt to restore some of the country’s shattered national pride, the Prime Minister expressed his intention to reintroduce National Day, which was abolished after the overthrow of the former dictatorship. The new proposed date for National Day, October 3, marks the day Iraq gained independence from Britain in 1932 and became the 57th member of the League of Nations. This decision, however, has elicited mixed responses from the public, with many citizens more concerned with the pressing social and economic challenges facing the country.
Addressing Pressing Issues
Despite the unstable political situation and severe economic crisis, the Prime Minister’s government is pressing ahead with plans to introduce the new public holiday. The government is also working on tackling sectarianism while promoting patriotism and nationalism as part of its reform program, as evidenced by the proposed new National Day. This commitment to national unity and progress, even amidst adversity, demonstrates the resilience of the Iraqi government and its dedication to the welfare of its people.
Al-Sudani congratulates our people on the National Day and confirms that Iraq will remain a pillar of stability, security and prosperity in the region and the world, 3 OCT
Al-Sudani congratulates our people on the National Day and confirms that Iraq will remain a pillar of stability, security and prosperity in the region and the world
Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani congratulated our people on the National Day, stressing that Iraq will remain a pillar of stability, security and prosperity in the region and the world.
Al-Sudani said in his congratulations: On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Iraq, I extend to the people of our dear country, with all their components, in every place, and to all the national forces and all constitutional bodies, with the most sincere and blessed expressions of congratulations, accompanied by prayers to the Almighty God to preserve our country, dear, invincible, and lofty at all times.
He added: Iraq has always been a land radiant with the meanings of civilization for the entire world, just as it was the spot where history was made, and where humanity recorded its steps towards progress. Therefore, the emergence of the modern Iraqi state, and its accession to the League of Nations, came as a continuation of this effective and influential civilizational and cultural dynamism.
He continued: On its National Day, Iraq will remain a pillar of stability, security and prosperity in the region and the world, and a bridge where civilizations and cultures converge. Iraqis will remain skilled makers of peace and tranquility, and staunch fighters against darkness and backwardness, and in this sense, we will continue to work to make Iraq the goal and goal. He takes precedence over every consideration and rises above every necessity. linkEXCERPTS FROM MARKZ, 27 NOV
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