The President of the Republic - Iraq is no longer a source of crises
Information/Baghdad..
The President of the Republic - Iraq is no longer a source of crises
Information/Baghdad..
AS OF THE BEGINNING OF NEXT MONTH, KURDISTAN WILL ADOPT THE IRAQI DINAR IN CROSSINGS AND AIRPORT TRANSACTIONS
The Director General of Customs in the Kurdistan Region, Samal Abdul Rahman, said, “In accordance with a decision issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government, all transactions at border crossings and airports will be in Iraqi dinars, starting from the beginning of next month.”
Abdul Rahman added that the regional government had previously used the dinar instead of the dollar at some crossings with neighboring countries, adding that there are still some crossings that will be converted to the dinar tomorrow.
The Kurdistan Region Council of Ministers had issued Resolution No. 227, circulated on 9/20/2023 and published on 10/16/2023, which stated: “Based on the provisions of Article (8) of the Kurdistan Region Council of Ministers Law, No. 3 of 1992, it was decided to collect fees.” Customs duties and customs taxes at border gates and customs points are in Iraqi dinars only.
Tweet Suggests Nuclear Threat to Gaza: Implications for Biden’s Middle East Policy
In the midst of the tumultuous cybersphere, a tweet has surfaced, hinting at a potential nuclear threat to Gaza. The cryptic nature of the tweet, associated with the news source Al-Ahram, does little to assuage the public’s growing concerns. The escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, already a thorn in the side of President Joe Biden’s Middle East policy, seems to have taken a menacing turn.
Prior to this stark development, Biden had ambitious plans in sight: further integrating Israel with its Arab neighbors and curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The current conflict, however, poses a significant setback, shifting the focus towards preventing the conflict from spiraling into a regional war involving Iran-backed combatants across Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria.
As the war drums beat louder, Biden has been actively engaging with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and regional leaders, including those of Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Key to this containment strategy is the provision of humanitarian relief to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made multiple visits to the region, advocating for humanitarian pauses for increased aid deliveries and civilian evacuation.
However, the tug of war between the conflicting demands of various parties continues to intensify. Israel’s refusal to allow fuel into Gaza or agree to a ceasefire not involving a hostage release brings it at odds with Arab partners advocating for a sustained ceasefire and increased protection for Palestinian civilians. The conflict has also fanned the flames of regional tensions, with Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and American troops in Iraq and Syria all entering the fray.
While Israel and the United States concur on a post-war Gaza not under Israeli governance, they diverge on the next steps. The United States upholds a two-state solution, envisioning an effective, revitalized Palestinian Authority overseeing Gaza and the West Bank. Netanyahu’s office, however, speaks a different language, espousing the elimination of Hamas and dismissing talk of Palestinian Authority control over Gaza as a fabrication.
Amidst these diplomatic impasses and the quest for a ceasefire, the groundwork for post-war governance in Gaza and the realization of a two-state solution must be laid. This involves ensuring no further radicalization and empowerment of regional extremists. Arab states will likely play a crucial role in formulating a policy response to address the underlying issues and chart a path towards lasting peace in the region.
Integrity Commission Discovers Fraud and Mismanagement of Funds in Iraq
The Integrity Commission in Iraq has unearthed a series of fraudulent activities, seizing documents related to a delayed project costing two billion dinars in the governorate of Diyala. The commission also arrested a man impersonating an official in Baqubah, releasing executive bonds to reviewers.
In the Iraqi Oil Tankers Company in Basra, the commission identified manipulation in 20 payment documents amounting to 4 billion dinars. The funds were allocated for public service projects as social benefits. However, the investigation team discovered that the Basra Oil Company – Projects Authority didn’t fulfill its financial obligations to an Australian company contracted for an energy escalation project, leading to public fund damage after the Australian firm declared bankruptcy. The commission also found discrepancies in compensation settlements for the West Qurna/1 field, where non-agricultural and fictitious lands were included in the compensation.
The commission also revealed violations during the distribution of housing units owned by the South Oil Products Distribution Company. Housing units were undeservedly granted to the company’s director-general and several employees. The director had even accommodated his son in a house he received, despite his son not being affiliated with the company.
Furthermore, at the General Company for Oil Products Distribution, the commission discovered two contracts signed this year for transporting oil products for extraction companies. These contracts were signed under “licensing tours” with a private transport company. But, the investigation showed that the General Company for Oil Products Distribution transported products to licensing companies using government vehicles without contracting with private companies.
The cases underline the urgent need for stronger measures to combat corruption and improve financial management within the Iraqi government. While the Integrity Commission’s efforts in exposing irregularities and holding people accountable are notable, they also suggest that systemic changes are necessary to prevent such occurrences in the future. Transparency, accountability, and proper oversight are crucial to ensuring the efficient and effective use of public funds and resources in Iraq.
Clare
Article: "An economic expert told Nina: Preventing the withdrawal of dollars in Erbil via ATM, i.e., an automated teller machine, is a health measure” Quote: "He stressed that this measure will contribute to the elimination of parallel markets and parallel exchange rates, the end of the state of dollarization, and the trend towards an automatic increase in the value of the Iraqi dinar."
RayRen98