BAGHDAD AGREES WITH THE AMERICANS: “THE LESSON OF 2014 MUST NOT RETURN.”
Advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister for Security Affairs, Khaled Al-Yaqoubi, confirmed today, Sunday (January 28, 2024), that Baghdad is trying to reach a formula with the American side to confront the threats, in reference to the recent attacks that targeted American bases in Iraq.
Al-Yaqoubi added, “The basis of the dialogue is to find a common formula with America and the international coalition.”
He explained, “Baghdad agrees with the Americans that the lesson of 2014 should not be repeated, in reference to the attacks launched by ISIS in Iraq,” stressing that “the lessons of the past are present to the Iraqis and Americans.”
FINISH THE ALLIANCE MISSION
Yesterday, Saturday (January 27, 2024), the first round of bilateral dialogue between Iraq and the United States began to end the mission of the international coalition against ISIS, which is led by Washington.
Baghdad hopes that this will lead to a gradual reduction of coalition forces on its territory. The media office of Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani published a picture of the first meeting in which senior commanders of the Iraqi army, security services, and leaders of the international coalition, which includes dozens of foreign countries, participated.
TARGETING AMERICAN FORCES
This initiative came in a very tense regional context. Since mid-October, more than 150 drone and missile strikes have targeted American and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, in a direct reflection of the war in Gaza between Israel, Washington’s ally, and the Palestinian Hamas movement.
On Saturday evening, a drone attack targeted the Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq, where coalition forces are deployed, according to what a US military official told Agence France-Presse, without being able to estimate the occurrence of damage or casualties.
Shafaq News / Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani received, on Wednesday evening, a phone call from the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres.
According to a statement issued by his media office, it was reported to Shafaq News Agency, during the call, coordination with the international organization on various issues and the future relationship between Iraq and the United Nations was discussed. The developments in the situation in the region were also discussed, especially with the continuation of the war in Gaza, which caused serious humanitarian and security repercussions that require the speedy of urgent humanitarian assistance to the people in the Gaza Strip.
The Prime Minister appreciated, according to the statement, Guterres’ positions calling for a stop to the war in Gaza, which coincide with Iraq’s positions, which confirm preventing escalation and spare the region from sliding events towards dangerous turns.
For his part, Guterres stressed the need to stop the war on Gaza, and to spare the region more repercussions and tensions, praising Iraq’s role and continuous pursuit of communication to achieve calm and prevent the expansion of the conflict.
This is the monetary reform roadmap for the next couple of weeks...January 29th a banking campaign was started to release deeper education about the monetary reform to the Iraqi citizens...
Either Thursday or Friday the Minister of Planning, Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq and the Prime Minister Sudani are all going to be receiving the flow down of information regarding the new currency that is to be released and the new exchange rate for that new currency...Also...the Erbil Stock Exchange (ESX) and The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) have completed their linkup...of international platforms. They are done and going live at any moment.
Movements before they release the lower denoms and new exchange rate we expected to see this... December was to have everything ready in place to go. January all these systems are being implemented through the monetary reform education. From private banks like the one Aki [Iraqi bank friend] represents to international markets as of today January 15, 2024 they're all international now. It's what we expected...there's not more to say...because everything now is in print...
The rate doesn't matter. You're going to trip over you own feet when it finally does float because you're going to be looking for a rate. Watch the growth of the dinar's value.
The only thing missing is the lower denoms and the new exchange rate. Everything else is in position.
[Aki - Iraq Bank In US update]
AKI: There are many Iraqi citizens in the United States of American holding 3-zero notes. It is my job to collect them for the CBI, where they will destroy them. Our [job] is to turn in the 3-zero notes.
WALKINGSTICK: This is huge!
AKI: Agree. Direct deposit from now on. No limitations. Article VIII not only for the citizens but for investors.
[Aki - Iraq Bank owner in US update]
Question: " The new orders you got on January 1st, are they for you to dispense the lower denoms and collect 3 zero notes?"
Here in the Untied States we are preparing to do everything with electronic platforms...We are prepared to collect the 3 zero notes from those that wish to exchange them for American dollars...We follow International banking laws, the same laws American banks follow. Here in the United States the bank that I am in charge of will be all electronic.
When you ask about the LDs they are only found in Iraq. We do not possess them. Iraq will give to the Iraqi citizens, when the time comes, physical lower notes and coins and collect three zero notes...The difference is that here in the US I have to do everything electronic where my friends in Iraq, their banks can do it electronic or physically if they want the lower denoms and coins in their hands .
There are many Iraqi citizens in the United States of American holding 3-zero notes. It is my job to collect them for the CBI, where they will destroy them. Our [job] is to turn in the 3-zero notes. WALKINGSTICK: This is huge! AKI: Agree. Direct deposit from now on. No limitations. Article VIII not only for the citizens but for investors
[Aki - Iraq Bank owner in US update]
Question: "The new orders you got on January 1st, are they for you to dispense the lower denoms and collect 3 zero notes?" Here in the Untied States we are preparing to do everything with electronic platforms...We are prepared to collect the 3 zero notes from those that wish to exchange them for American dollars...We follow International banking laws, the same laws American banks follow. Here in the United States the bank that I am in charge of will be all electronic.
When you ask about the LDs they are only found in Iraq. We do not possess them. Iraq will give to the Iraqi citizens, when the time comes, physical lower notes and coins and collect three zero notes...The difference is that here in the US I have to do everything electronic where my friends in Iraq, their banks can do it electronic or physically if they want the lower denoms and coins in their hands.
WASHINGTON’S MESSAGE TO BAGHDAD: ECONOMIC SUPPORT WILL FADE AFTER WITHDRAWAL, NO NEGOTIATIONS BEFORE ATTACKS STOP
Mawazine News – Baghdad Reliable sources revealed the content of a letter handed over by US authorities to the Iraqi government regarding the arrangements for the withdrawal of the international coalition forces.
The letter included “the method of withdrawal and its timetable,” along with “the obligations on the Iraqi side,” stressing that this withdrawal, if it happens, will not be without a price and “will not stop the deterrent attacks of armed groups loyal to Iran.” The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday night that an “important letter” had been received from Washington, and that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’a Al-Sudani would study it carefully.
The sources explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that “Washington does not mind the transition to a new stage of bilateral relations, but the withdrawal of forces (by any way) will not stop the deterrent attacks of the activity of armed groups loyal to Iran, as long as they contribute to destabilizing the security and stability of the region.”
The Sudanese shared “important aspects” in the American message with leaders in the “Coordination Framework” coalition, including “confirmation that US strikes will not stop against the factions,” according to the sources. “The upcoming technical negotiations to arrange the withdrawal will not be easy and quick, and will take the time necessary to ensure that all files associated with this presence are settled,” the letter hinted.
According to the sources, “Washington encouraged Baghdad during the letter to understand and understand the consequences of the withdrawal, including the financial and economic obligations that bind the two countries.”
Iraq has been depositing its oil revenues in a bank account controlled by the US Treasury Department since 2003, pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1483, which was intended to “help Iraq manage its resources in a transparent manner.”
Since the American message arrived at the government offices in Baghdad, political forces have been active in intensive dialogues, trying to understand the appropriate way to deal with “this sudden step.” Three informed sources told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that “an influential Shiite party within the (coordination framework) is now trying to convince the factions involved in the field escalation against the Americans to retreat a little.”
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq confirmed yesterday, Friday, that the request of the United States of America to the Iraqi government to hold talks to arrange the status of its forces, is “except an attempt to mix the cards, turn the table on the resistance, and gain time, to carry out more crimes and demonic schemes to harm our people and nation.
“The US Treasury requests Iraqi cooperation to limit funding for armed factions” This is all part of what’s going on as Iraq cleans up. And yesterday - again in Iraq - they started openly talking about the exchange rate and the value of the dinar.
Comment: I hear more and more groups are under NDA’s. MarkZ: We are hearing of more and more… My banking contacts still feel If we have to sign one - it will be about the amount we get...we are definitely close.
“Burhan Nassir Mohammed Al Namral sworn in as Iraq’s new Parliament speaker” This one is important. It has been rumored in some circles for a few months that he was a stickler for moving forward with the white papers and rate change. I’m taking this as a good sign.