STATUS OF THE RV , PART. 3 BY MNT GOAT

 STATUS OF THE RV , PART. 3

Article 2 Begins Here:

IRAQ’S CENTRAL BANK UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ALLEGED MONEY LAUNDERING

Country’s Supreme Judicial Council also probing allegations of involvement in terrorist financing by Central Bank of Iraq, along with 13 private banks

Published date: 26 December 2020  

Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council is investigating the country’s central bank and 13 private banks over alleged involvement in money laundering and terrorist financing operations, lawmakers and officials have told Middle East Eye.

In response to a parliamentary probe that ended last month, the council is understood to be investigating cases of customs and tax evasion and potential fraud in connection with the foreign exchange auction run by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) and the 13 private entities.

A statement issued by the Supreme Judicial Council on Thursday said that the Rusafa Investigation Court, which oversees cases of integrity, money laundering and economic crimes, had decided to “bring in” the directors of the banks “for violating the procedures of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Law (No 39) of 2015″.

“Biden will not change policy towards Baghdad, Iraq’s deputy prime minister says”

The statement did not mention any details of the “violations,” or the names of the banks involved. However, the Parliamentary Finance Committee revealed the existence of “suspicious operations” concerning officials in the CBI, who were reported to be aiming to exploit the foreign exchange auction.

MPs and bankers told Middle East Eye that the CBI, which does not deal with individuals, had become a hub for money laundering and currency smuggling due to weak supervisory measures.

To acquire US dollars, Iraq has an account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which draws on Iraq’s vast oil reserves. As the Baghdad government sells oil in US dollars, it uses the currency to buy Iraqi dinars from the CBI in order to finance salaries and public services.

The CBI then sells the dollars to private banks with a mark-up of 10 dinars on the dollar. Instead of bringing the dollars back into the country, the CBI is understood to deposit it in foreign banks, outside of the country, in exchange for invoices presented by the private banks to cover imported goods, lawmakers and bankers told MEE.

‘False invoices for fake goods’

“The game is that these [private Iraqi] banks give false invoices for fake goods,” Mohammed Saheb al-Darraji, a member of the Parliamentary Financial Committee and the chairman of the parliamentary probe, told MEE.

“In other words, there are no goods for the money deposited outside Iraq, and this is money laundering, as the source of this money is unknown or illegal.

“The CBI has to investigate the invoices and impose fines. But the CBI has stopped checking bills since 2016, under the pretext that they are not responsible for this matter,” he added.

“The operation is deliberate. The CBI is ignoring this step due to bribes and political influence in order for the money laundering process to take place properly.”

‘There are no goods for the money deposited outside Iraq, and this is money laundering as the source of this money is unknown or illegal’

– Mohammed Saheb al-Darraji, chair of parliamentary probe

The investigative committee chaired by Darraji revealed that the period from 1 January to 1 September had seen the transfer of $27bn out of Iraq, while receiving no more than three percent of its customs revenues.

According to customs instructions, the merchant who imports goods from abroad must pay 15 percent of the value of the goods as customs, meaning that the annual customs revenues must reach 15 percent of the value of the sums transferred outside Iraq in dollars when it is transferred under the pretext of importing goods. “The customs revenues that Iraq is supposed to get are 15 percent of the value of the amount that was transferred, that is, $4bn. The actual receipt is only three percent, or $418m,” Darraji said.

“This means that the rate of waste reaches 12 percent. Where did this go?”

Until last week, the CBI used to buy $1 at 1,182 dinars from the Iraqi government and then sell it to private banks and financial transfer offices for 1,190 dinars.

Lawmakers and bankers told MEE that the private banks would then sell $1 to the final beneficiary at a price of 1,250 dinars, a difference of up to 60 dinars per dollar.

“The daily profit from this operation reaches $11m, while the monthly profit reaches $220m, while the annual profit reaches $2.64bn,” Sabah al-Saaidi, a member of the Parliamentary Integrity Committee, said in a televised parliament session last month.

“The only beneficiary of this operation is a group of private banks. Neither the government nor the citizen are beneficiaries of this process.”

Panic as prices rise

Most Iraqi political forces depend on illegal sources of funding, including through money laundering, commissions, extortion and oil and drug smuggling, lawmakers said.

There are at least 52 private banks in the country, according to the public records of the CBI, and most are either used or owned by political forces to participate in the foreign currency auction and conceal their funding sources, Parliamentary Financial Committee investigations revealed.

In an attempt to curb the smuggling of the dollar and reduce the annual budget deficit for 2021 – around $43bn – the Iraqi Ministry of Finance raised the dollar exchange rate to 1,450 dinars on Saturday, which immediately caused the prices of goods to rise sharply, causing panic among citizens.

Iraq hurtling towards a financial crisis that could leave millions unpaid.

While the government has defended the decision to devalue the dinar, which means it will get more Iraqi dinars from the central bank, the move threatens to spark popular demonstrations across the country.

A key adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi told MEE that devaluation, tax increases and austerity measures were the “only option” to address the liquidity crisis after proposals to reduce public salaries had been rejected.

“The devaluation is a response to the urgent need to stop the collapse of the Iraqi economy, reduce the budget deficit and stop the bleeding of foreign currency – and this [is in response] to pressure from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund,” the adviser said.

“Iranian and Turkish goods have been invading Iraqi markets, and the competing power of Iraqi goods… is almost non-existent, with complete reliance on oil sales. All these factors have forced the government to search for other financial resources to reduce the budget deficit.

“The country is heading for a real disaster and Kadhimi is trying to stop the bleeding with shocking measures,” the adviser added.

“All political forces know this and agreed to it, but they have actually started trading this issue, and a number of them have begun to mobilise demonstrations to protest against the government’s actions.”

https://mntgoatnewsusa.com/latest-mnt-goat-newsletter/

🚨 APRIL 1: Iraq’s Global Trade Switch Goes Live !! @DINARREVALUATION #iraqidinarinvestor #iraq

 

BAGHDAD OR ERBIL? WHO CONTROLS IRAQ’S WEALTH?

 BAGHDAD OR ERBIL? WHO CONTROLS IRAQ’S WEALTH?

Iran’s News Channels

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil declared two agreements between two American energy companies and the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq “null and void” due to their failure to obtain federal approval.

The World – Correspondents

The tense relationship between Baghdad and Erbil has once again come to the fore after the Kurdistan Region of Iraq signed two massive gas field development agreements with two American companies worth more than $110 billion. This move sparked widespread political and legal controversy and brought to the fore an old question: Who owns the decision-making power over Iraq’s resources?

Political analyst Naseem Abdullah told Al-Alam TV: “The Iraqi constitution states in Articles 110, 112, and 121 that the management of oil resources is a joint management between the region and the federal government. This provision is explicit, as the 2005 constitution stated that these resources are managed jointly by the region and the federal government. Currently, the region has violated the constitution through its unilateral management, which constitutes a breach of it.”

The agreement, announced by the Prime Minister of the Kurdish region, Masrour Barzani , includes the development of massive oil and gas reserves in the Mizan, Topkhana, and Kordemir fields, potentially transforming Kurdistan into a regional energy hub. However, Baghdad, through the Ministry of Oil, quickly declared the agreement invalid, asserting that it violates the constitution and a ruling by the Federal Supreme Court.

Law professor Mohammed Adiq told Al-Alam TV: “Regarding the relationship between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal authorities, it is governed by Articles 110, 114, and 112. Therefore, the expired Kurdistan Regional Government must partner with the federal government in managing oil and gas and concluding oil contracts.”

On the other hand, Erbil believes its actions are legal and within its jurisdiction, citing the absence of a federal law regulating the oil and gas sector. It asserts that the revenues will benefit both Kurdistan and Iraq.

Kurdish political analyst Hussein Al-Jaf said, “What happened is not a new contract, but rather the transfer of ownership of the project, which was operating in oil, from Kurdistan to another company. Therefore, there is no such thing as a renewed contract.”

This sharp contrast raises a highly complex legal and political issue. While Baghdad champions sovereignty over resources, Erbil asserts that it is exercising a constitutional right that is absent from the national agreement.

The relationship between Baghdad and Erbil remains hostage to intense disagreements over resource management, with Baghdad insisting on centralized decision-making and Erbil insisting on its constitutional rights. The absence of a national agreement is evident, making every crisis a renewed conflict between Baghdad and Erbil.

STATUS OF THE RV , PART. 2 BY MNT GOAT

STATUS OF THE RV , PART. 2

Article 1 Begins Here:

WITH NEW LAWS AND SOME HELP, IRAQ TURNED AROUND ANTI-MONEY-LAUNDERING PROBLEMS

The Iraqi government was removed last year from an international watchlist

By Samuel Rubenfeld, Feb. 28, 2019  

Iraqis celebrate the anniversary of the country’s victory over Islamic State, in the city of karbala.  Seven years ago, Iraq’s financial system was beset by problems.

An estimated $800 million in U.S. currency was illegally flowing out of Iraq every week, Iraqi auditors told American investigators at the time. And the central bank governor was dismissed after corruption had become institutionalized within the country’s government and political system.

Iraq landed on international watchlists for money-laundering failures. Since then, however, the country’s efforts to combat illicit finance have improved, and international watchdogs have taken notice.

Cleaning up corruption in Iraq has been the central bank’s biggest priority since he came in 2014, Ali Mohsen Ismail Al-Alaq, the current Iraqi central bank governor, said in an interview. His efforts, combined with input from the country’s leaders and U.S. and international experts, have started to pay off.

“This earned us respect from international organizations and opened opportunities for global financial institutions to come in,” Mr. Al-Alaq said.

Iraq passed a law in 2015 that criminalized money laundering and terrorism financing. It created an anti-money-laundering council within the central bank. It also created an office for combating money laundering and terror finance. The council became the authority for supervision of compliance, while the office was tasked with handling suspicious activity reports.

“This was important to give us the way to deal with the problems we had at that time,” Mr. Al-Alaq said. The effort established the infrastructure needed to support the country’s anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing efforts, he said.

Iraq had an unstructured banking system after the invasion and dealt with a lack of capacity to combat money laundering, said Ayham Kamel, head of the Middle East and North Africa practice at the Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy.

“Now, things are significantly improved and the government is in a place where it seeks to preserve the integrity and the safety of the Iraqi financial sector,” he said. “It will continue to adjust its regulations and procedures to ensure compliance with the broad standards of the international and financial community.”

Money-laundering convictions in Iraq rose dramatically, according to a 2017 U.S. State Department report.

In June, the Financial Action Task Force, a Paris-based international watchdog, took the country off its list of countries failing to tackle money laundering.

Ali Mohsen Ismail Al-Alaq, governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, said cleaning up corruption is a priority. 

“Iraq has been dealing with some big problems over the years,” said John Sullivan, a former U.S. Treasury Department attaché to Iraq who now is a director with consultancy Financial Integrity Network.

“The government did a good job to get people to focus on what they needed to do under the FATF plan,” he said. They really have made progress against money laundering, Mr. Sullivan added, crediting Mr. Al-Alaq for the effort.

https://mntgoatnewsusa.com/latest-mnt-goat-newsletter/

MARKZ: When those two came together- we would see a change in value of the dinar!! #iqd #iraqidinar

 

A WORD OF TRUTH FOR A MAN WHO HAS A RIGHT.. AL-SUDANI LEADS A REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT TO STRENGTHEN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

 A WORD OF TRUTH FOR A MAN WHO HAS A RIGHT.. AL-SUDANI LEADS A REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT TO STRENGTHEN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

Since assuming office, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has led an active diplomatic effort at the regional and international levels. This effort aims to restore Iraq’s relations with its Arab and international surroundings and build a new, positive image for the country, within the framework of a foreign policy based on balance, openness, and constructive dialogue.

Since assuming office in late 2022, Al-Sudani has been keen to make diplomacy one of his most prominent tools in supporting the national economy. This is achieved by attracting foreign investment, expanding cooperation with various countries around the world, activating economic and trade partnerships, and raising the level of Iraq’s representation in international forums.

Al-Sudani’s movements included official visits to several important capitals, including Washington, Tehran, Riyadh, Ankara, Abu Dhabi, Paris, and Berlin, during which he held high-level talks with heads of state and senior officials, resulting in understandings and agreements in the fields of energy, transportation, security, education, and investment.

Indeed, Al-Sudani realizes that Iraq’s restoration of its regional and international standing cannot be achieved without changing the stereotypical image that has been entrenched about the country over the past decades. He is therefore working diligently to strengthen Iraq’s presence at international conferences, affirm its commitment to international conventions and the principles of good neighborliness, and seek to resolve disputes through peaceful means.

In this context, Iraq participated in important international conferences and initiatives related to climate, food security, combating corruption, and countering terrorism. The Prime Minister had a notable presence at these conferences, delivering several speeches that affirmed Iraq’s commitment to its role as a responsible regional actor, striving for stability and shared development.

Among the priorities of the Sudanese-led diplomatic effort are supporting the Iraqi economy by opening up to new markets, attracting capital and investments, and opening the door to bilateral cooperation in the fields of technology, energy, and infrastructure.

The Sudanese president has announced on more than one occasion that Iraq welcomes foreign companies wishing to invest, emphasizing the provision of a safe and stimulating environment, and encouraging the private sector to enter into strategic partnerships with its counterparts in friendly countries. 

In addition to the economic dimension, Al-Sudani did not overlook the importance of Iraq’s role in calming regional tensions, as Baghdad has played a mediating role in a number of issues, including the Saudi-Iranian dialogue and security coordination with neighboring countries to confront the challenges of terrorism and limit drug and weapons smuggling.

The man also worked to raise the level of Iraq’s representation in international organizations and bodies, by nominating competent figures to fill important positions, and actively participating in sessions of the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and others, with the aim of conveying Iraq’s voice and defending its interests.

In this report, we are not seeking to create media propaganda, as much as we want to emphasize the principle of “give each his due,” a principle we are keen to apply with everyone, including entities or figures with whom we disagree or differ. It is a word of truth about a man who has rights.

STATUS OF THE RV, PART. 1 BY MNT GOAT

STATUS OF THE RV

No, the RV has not yet happened and the newer lower denominations are no yet out. If this is all you want from my blog you can leave it now. Thanks for watching….lol….

So, again today I need to go back to the past and let you take another peak at the situation of Iraq was in back then. This time only going back to 2014-2020, but that is far enough to get my point across to you today.

 Down below are three articles from the past. Please read them carefully. Can you compare the main issues back then to the reforms recently implemented over the past couple years needed to make all these changes in the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) efforts. 

But most importantly the impact these AML laws have had on advancing the efforts for Iraq to push ahead in the international arena. 

So what situation was Iraq in during its past with money laundering and corruption?

Knowing what you are going to learn today about Anti-Money Laundering (AML) you can clearly see that there was absolutely NO WAY the Central Bank of Iraq was ever going to conduct the Project to Delete the Zeros or Reinstate the IQD any time back then. But are they in a situation now that they can do these events? Why hold this recent AML summit this week to give speeches by the CBI about all the progress if something has not changed drastically in Iraq?

Why did all these intel gurus, and you know exactly who I mean, keep telling you the RV was going to happen any day / every day for the last 20 years? So, now you can see who was bullshitting you over this RV and who is not. We all need to know the TRUTH and stop asking – What is the holdup? It should be obvious to you now that the TRUTH is, THERE IS NO HOLDUP. Get it?  Oh…one can say it was the money laundering and you would be right. But many of you looked at the “hold up” in other terms, like a single event that needed to occur. I am getting a bit tired of those who keep asking this question yet can’t be bothered to learn about WHAT is happening in Iraq and WHY they are doing all these reforms. Basically, these are steps Iraq had to take to go global, to work with the international economies / financial world. 

Remember the three “Pillars of Financial Reform”. How many times have I talked about these pillars already? If you read the White Paper you can also see very clearly that AML  is a huge part of the reforms that needed to be in place. The reforms included AML laws, electronic banking, digital transfers, dealing with correspondent foreign banks, etc.  All these events are interconnected, mainly to prevent money laundering out of Iraq.   

So, we start the commentary off today by presenting these three articles from the past. These articles are long and of course I don’t expect you to read them in their entirety. I know everyone is busy with their lives, so I highlighted many of the important parts for you. All you need to do is skim the articles. Please look at the dates of the articles. I also added a few of my own comments in red. 

https://mntgoatnewsusa.com/latest-mnt-goat-newsletter/