IRAQI GOVERNMENT'S STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN TRUCE WITH ARMED FACTIONS

Al-Araji From Brussels: NATO's Mission In Iraq Is Advisory, Not Combat, 28 AUGUST

 Tuesday 27 August 2024 17:51 | Politics Number of readings: 75  Baghdad / NINA / National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Araji reiterated the Iraqi government's confirmation that NATO's mission in Iraq is an advisory mission and not a combat mission.

The National Security Advisory said in a statement: "Iraq and NATO held, today, Tuesday, the first session of the High-Level Partnership Dialogue at the alliance's headquarters in the Belgian capital, Brussels."

According to the statement, a high-level official Iraqi delegation headed by National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Araji participated in the dialogue, while the side representing NATO was headed by Assistant Secretary-General for Operations and Special Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism Tom Govas, and the Secretary-General's Representative for Southern Neighborhood Affairs Javier Colomina.

The dialogue, which came at the invitation of NATO, discussed ways to enhance the partnership between Iraq and the alliance, including completing the capacity building of Iraqi security forces and other issues related to border security, combating drugs and terrorism, and the file of the Syrian Al-Hawl camp.

During the dialogue, Al-Araji reiterated the Iraqi government's emphasis that NATO's mission in Iraq is an advisory mission and not a combat mission, stressing: "The long-term partnership with NATO is to achieve Iraq's interests, fight terrorism, and develop and rehabilitate the capabilities of the Iraqi forces," stressing the importance of continuing dialogue and partnership with NATO, to achieve Iraq's interests, security and stability.

In a speech on the sidelines of the dialogue, the National Security Advisor referred to Iraq's position rejecting the killing and starvation taking place in the Gaza Strip, and that there is no security or safety except with the existence of an independent Palestinian state, stressing the importance of adopting the principle of dialogue and diplomatic channels as a way to resolve international crises and conflicts.

For their part, NATO representatives praised Iraq's pivotal role and its importance in enhancing the security and stability of the region, expressing the alliance's readiness to increase cooperation and enhance the defense capacity building package agreed upon between the two sides.

Al-Araji also extended an official invitation to NATO representatives to hold the second session of the High-Level Partnership Dialogue in the capital, Baghdad, next year. /End9 https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1150108

INFORMATIVE MESSAGE FROM GINGER, PART.2, 28 AUGUST

 LOWER DENOMINATIONS

So, I wanted to share that good news and the next part is about the lower denominations. So, there's been rumors going around that there's lower denominations have been released. That was the key word that the gurus said, “released,” and this information I'm bringing you is coming from two people that are Liberty Loungers extraordinaire that have family inside Iraq.

 One of them has a family member who is a part of the parliament in the financial committee that's rolling out the Iraq financial reforms. 

And as of Friday, and Saturday when she reached out to me, she said, I'm going to be a part, out to him, they could not confirm, there was no official release of lower denominations. And she went on to say, “You know, TNT likes to be ahead of everyone else, so maybe he's making it educated, guess I'll let you know more as soon as I hear.”

Then I got another message today, confirming from another friend who has family inside Iraq. She said, “From my source, and then yesterday Mark Z was saying the same thing, that they are seeing old lower denominations that were used years ago, those are in play.

 But not the new ones yet. People are getting confused on this. Mark even showed us a lower denomination that he had last year, and some of those are still out there in Iraq. So that's probably what people are seeing, and they're mistaking for the new notes, which have indeed already been printed, and they've been seen as far as, 

you know, people are aware that they're out as far as they're printed and they're in the ATMs, but they are not out as far as released to my knowledge,” she said. And Mark, of course, agreed with that they've not been officially released but we know that is going to be the step when the official RV happens. So, I thought that was pretty encouraging just to get the facts on that to avoid confusion.

And the next bit of news is there was a little post, a screenshot that's been going around viral this weekend saying that, yeah, there's a cute post that says everything has to happen in duplicate, everything has to happen twice, I guess, for like validation for the White Hats setting the stage, and because of this delegation in the U.S.A., this means we're here, this has happened twice.

And I just wanted to, you know, just call fake news, because Iraq has been here at least four times, if not five times. To my knowledge from following this very, very, very closely, absolutely more than two, I actually remember the first time my jaw dropped when they were here, it was actually Nancy Pelosi, of all people, who celebrated and acknowledged Al-Sudani for Iraq regaining their sovereign status.

So, yeah, they've definitely been here more than twice in recent, very recent years. So, all is looking good, everything is positive. We were seeing Militiaman, TNT, and others quoting this whole D.C., you know, information that is just not true. But definitely they will be back in D.C. in October, and lots of good things happening. But we know that the, you know, the trip here to New York City is also beneficial.

So, there's nothing slowing this down. Everything is positive. Everything is encouraging. Keep your chin up. And, you know, all is well, and just wanted to just help confirm, you know, the truth of what's really going on, and it’s the 27th of August, of 2024, and this is Ginger of the Liberty Lounge signing out.

Due to this being an informative message only, there is no Q&A attached.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE IRAQ'S ROADMAP FOR FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IN THE IRAQI BANKING SECTOR 2024

DINAR REVALUATION REPORT: THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULATE IRAQ'S GOVERNMENT BANKING SECTOR, 28 AUGUST

 Minister of Finance Stresses Importance of Regulating Iraq's Government Banking Sector in 2024

In August 2024, Iraq's Minister of Finance, Taif Sami Mohammed, emphasized the critical need to complete plans aimed at regulating the work of the government banking sector. 2 This move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the private sector and attract foreign direct investment, which has been a recurring theme in Iraq's development strategies since 2006. 1

Background on Banking Reforms

The Iraqi government has intensified its efforts to reform the banking sector, recognizing the importance of addressing exchange rates and enhancing the overall efficiency of financial institutions.  3 These reforms are not only crucial for stabilizing the national economy but also for improving Iraq's international standing and investment climate.

Digital Banking Regulations

In line with global trends, the Central Bank of Iraq launched regulations governing the licensing of digital banks on March 28, 2024. 4 These regulations are designed to foster innovation while ensuring a robust regulatory framework that protects consumers and maintains financial stability. Digital banking is viewed as a key component of modernizing Iraq's financial sector.

Partnership with European Bank

The Minister of Finance also highlighted the importance of partnering with international institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), to support the government's economic diversification plans. 5 By leveraging foreign expertise and capital, Iraq aims to strengthen its private sector and accelerate digital transformation in the financial infrastructure.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite these positive steps, Iraq continues to face significant challenges, including institutional weaknesses, fiscal constraints, corruption, and governance issues. 6These factors have historically impeded development efforts. However, the government's renewed focus on banking sector reforms and international partnerships represents an opportunity to overcome these barriers and pave the way for a more prosperous and diversified economy.

In summary, Iraq's Minister of Finance is driving forward comprehensive plans to regulate the government banking sector, recognizing the critical role of financial stability in national development. By addressing regulatory frameworks, embracing digital banking, and forging strategic partnerships, Iraq aims to create a more resilient and dynamic economy.

Minister of Finance stresses the importance of completing plans to regulate the work of the government banking sector, 28 AUGUST

 Money and business   Economy News – Baghdad  Finance Minister Taif Sami stressed, on Tuesday, the importance of completing plans to regulate the work of the government banking sector.

A statement by the ministry, seen by Al-Eqtisad News, said that "Minister of Finance Taif Sami chaired a coordination meeting with the international auditing and oversight firm Ernst & Young to follow up on the ongoing technical plans to merge and organize the work of Rafidain and Rasheed banks and insurance companies."

It added, "During the meeting, which was attended by a number of the ministry's general managers and formations, a report was presented by the auditing firm on the final stages of its work regarding organizing the work of the government banking sector, in addition to discussing the proposed plans and final implementation stages in line with the priorities of reform and development."

The Minister of Finance stressed - according to the statement - "the importance of implementing these procedures to contribute to enhancing confidence in the banking system and providing a stable financial environment that supports economic growth, which is positively reflected on the national economy in general and achieving sustainable development and stimulating growth in various sectors."

Sami explained, "The importance of benefiting from the expertise of solid international companies such as Ernst & Young in the field of regulating and restructuring financial institutions, as the ministry aims to make Iraqi banks internationally and locally acceptable to provide better services to citizens.

The auditing company's expertise will also contribute to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of financial institutions, as it is expected that merging and regulating financial institutions will improve the quality of banking services provided and enhance investor confidence in the Iraqi economy."

The statement continued, "Iraq is witnessing transformations in the government banking sector through the adoption of ambitious work programs to restructure government banks, aiming to enhance the efficiency of these banks and improve their services provided to citizens and companies and strengthen financial suitability by increasing capital and diversifying sources of income,

 in addition to improving governance by applying high standards of transparency and accountability and adopting the latest banking technologies to provide more efficient services, as well as increasing confidence in the banking sector and thus attracting foreign investments." 32 views 08/27/2024 -    https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=46822

INFORMATIVE MESSAGE FROM GINGER, PART. 1, 28 AUGUST

 INFORMATIVE MESSAGE FROM GINGER

So, my friend, who is a member of the Liberty Lounge family, she loves the channel and it's her go-to spot for the news of the day and to stay in tune with all of the “Camper News”, that's what we like to call the RV around here, and she's a lovely lady and just happens to be from my home state, Virginia. She is in government. She's asked me to keep her name and role anonymous, but she does rub shoulders with folks in government. She's a true patriot, a true conservative, and a lover of freedom.

APRIL MEETING WITH AL-ALAQ

Well, she had the privilege of meeting Al Alaq back in April when the

delegation was last here. And they absolutely hit it off. As soon as she met

them, she said, “Now when you go home to Baghdad, you need to drop those

zeros,” and they laughed. And she also mentioned, you know, the rate,

knowing what the rate was going to be, and they were like,

 “What? How did you know that?”, they were so intrigued by her awareness and

understanding of the financial reforms with Iraq. 

They were super impressed, so they had a really beautiful and genuine connection. They even were talking about the new notes that were to come out, etc., and had a very

pleasant conversation. To which Al Alaq said to her, “Wow, if I wasn't hopping on a plane right now, we would love to take you out to dinner to discuss this some more.”

AL-ALAQ IS IN NEW YORK

They had a really nice conversation. She sent me a picture taken with Al Alaq and this was in D.C. and she was wearing a beautiful green dress and he had on a dark, dark gray suit with a sky blue tie and a beautiful warm smile. And she sent me some helpful information. Our friend listens to the same news that you and I listen to, so she wanted, you know, to just reach out to me just to correct some misinformation that has been going on. It seems that TNT, Militiaman, were saying that there's a delegation in D.C. going on right now. 

Much love to everybody who's sharing information, I know we're all just trying to do the best we can to have the most reliable info, so you know, no slam on these gentlemen at all, I love and respect all of these folks, what they're doing, but just wanted to let you know that they're not in D.C. at all. She actually sent a message to Al Alaq, and they are in New York. 

So, she said, “I spoke with Al Alaq, the CBI Director, he goes by Ali, he's not in D.C. this time, but he will be back in October and hopefully I'll be able to have dinner with him then if I'm not out of the country. Sending some Virginia love,” and she signed her name.

So, they did confirm that they are in New York though, so she went on to say yeah, “TNT is saying that he's in D.C., I don't know where he's getting his information from,” but she said his source is full of it or they're not letting anyone know the truth about, you know, the developments this week.”

She went on to say she met Al Sudani, she met the military attaché’ that travels with them, she also met the personal advisor to Al Sudani, and the ambassador.

She reached out to the ambassador today and sent me a screenshot of his response to her just a confirmation that there is not a delegation in D.C. at all. The ambassador is reaffirming that they are in New York.

And the cool news is when he, Al Sudani, or sorry Al Alaq comes back to the U.S. to D.C., more specifically, in October, he's invited her to connect for dinner and she's invited me to join them for a special dinner with the Iraq delegation since I'm in Virginia and not too terribly far away and I thought that was just super-duper exciting..............TO BE CONTINUED