Iraqi News Catch-UP Weekend June and 5 2022 US media: Biden postpones his visit to the Middle East
These are the articles I discussed on the My FX Buddies Podcast:
US media: Biden postpones his visit to the Middle East
NBC News reported that US President Joe Biden's trip to the Middle East has been .postponed from late June to next July
The American network quoted unnamed sources as saying that the White House .plans to expand the scope of President Biden's visit to the Middle East We are working on a trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia to attend the Gulf Cooperation" .Council 3 summit," a senior administration official told NBC We are working to confirm the dates, when we have something to announce, we" .will," the official added In the same context, a foreign diplomat and two US officials said that the scheduled .trip to Israel and then Saudi Arabia in late June was postponed to later in July It was not immediately clear why the flight was delayed. The foreign diplomat and the two US officials said they learned on Friday of plans to postpone President Biden's travel. The two US officials said the dates were not yet set and could change .again The White House declined to comment on Biden's itinerary. The Israeli and Saudi .embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to inquiries Friday evening In addition, the journalist of the American "Axios" website, Barak Ravid, wrote on Twitter that two high-ranking Israeli officials confirmed the NBC News report .regarding the postponement of Biden's visit to the Middle East Ravid said in his tweet that "US officials informed" Israel on Friday evening that it is possible to postpone the visit to July due to the schedule and the feeling of the need .for more time to work on its content And on Friday, President Biden confirmed the possibility of his visit to Saudi Arabia, which constitutes a major change in his position, after he previously promised to .treat the kingdom as a "pariah" country
Biden told reporters, "I do not know the exact date of my visit. There is a possibility that I will meet with the Israelis and (officials) in some Arab countries. Saudi Arabia ".will be part of (the tour) if I make it, but I do not have direct plans yet The New York Times had indicated earlier that President Biden had decided to visit .Saudi Arabia this month And the American newspaper wrote in its report that the President of the United States "decided to go to Riyadh this month to rebuild relations with the oil kingdom ".while seeking to reduce fuel prices at home and isolate Russia internationally She explained that the logistical details and schedule have not yet been confirmed, but the visit will be added to a trip that he will take at the end of June to Israel and Germany to attend the G7 summit and Spain to participate in the North Atlantic .)Treaty Organization (NATO
Iyad Allawi to the Tigris: Allawi: The demonstrations will return and will be stronger and may witness the carrying of arms (video)
the video is in Arabic
deep breath
Demonstrations will return
And you will be stronger
Iraq..a new chapter in the oil battle between Baghdad and Erbil
The Judicial Council in the Kurdistan region of Iraq announced, on Saturday, that the central government in Baghdad does not have the right to cancel the oil and gas law in the region, which means that it will remain in effect, in a new chapter of the dispute between the two parties.
The Federal Supreme Court in Iraq ruled last February that the oil and gas law in the Kurdistan region of Iraq was unconstitutional .
The Federal Court's decision obligated the region to enable the Ministry of Oil and the Federal Financial Supervision Bureau to monitor oil and gas sales contracts in the region.
The decision means canceling the local law, which was enacted in 2007, as well as handing over oil production in the region to the federal government.
Oil revenues have always constituted a thorny issue in the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil, and represented the headline of the dispute between the two parties for years.
According to media in Iraqi Kurdistan, the Local Judicial Council said in a statement: “The actions of the Kurdistan Regional Government related to the process related to oil and gas are consistent with what was stated in the Iraqi constitution issued in 2005, and that the provisions of the Oil and Gas Law did not specify the exploration, production and export of oil and gas from The exclusive privacy of the federal authorities as stated in Article 110 of the Iraqi constitution, so the provisions of the oil and gas law remain effective.
The statement added: "According to Article 122 of the Iraqi constitution, the federal government manages the oil and gas extracted from the current fields with the governments of the producing regions and governorates."
He continued: "The distribution of revenues will be equitably among the population, with a quota set for the affected regions that were deprived by the previous regime."
The statement concluded: "The court that issued decision 15 in February 2022 with the aim of repealing the oil and gas law in Iraqi Kurdistan does not have any constitutional authority, and that the oil and gas law in the Kurdistan region remains in force.
Parliamentary Finance denies monitoring more than 25 trillion food security and sets a date for resolving the law
The Parliamentary Finance Committee announced, on Saturday, the holding of a meeting tomorrow to put the final touches on the proposed food security law.
Committee Chairman Hassan al-Kaabi said in a statement received by Mawazine News, "The Finance Committee will hold a meeting tomorrow, Sunday, to put the final touches to the proposal for the emergency support law for food security and development, and to complete all its paragraphs to a degree on the agenda of the next session for the purpose of voting on it."
He continued, "
Al-Kaabi noted that there is no truth to the news that the amount allocated for the proposed law exceeds 25 trillion dinars.
The Presidency of Parliament refuses to pass the Food Security Law in its final form
The Second Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Shakhwan Abdullah, announced on .Saturday, June 4, 2022, his refusal to pass the Emergency Food Security Support Law in its last form
The office of the second deputy said in a statement received by Al-Masala that we are not in favor of passing the emergency food security law in its latest form, and the House of Representatives has a great responsibility towards .this law and in this sensitive circumstance
He added, “The necessary priorities must be identified only and the doors must be closed to corruption. Therefore, we, as the presidency of the House of Representatives and Parliament, seek to direct and approve the proposed law towards these priorities, foremost of which is providing the ration card items and food baskets, securing basic services from electricity, supporting the agricultural sector, disbursing farmers’ dues, and implementing the demands of free lecturers.” Stabilization of contract holders and daily wages who have served for more than two years, and the .inclusion of the necessary financial allocations for social welfare for the eligible poor and affected classes
He explained that Article 13 of the Financial Management Law No. 6 of 2019 and the disbursement mechanism at a rate of (1/12) or less of the total actual expenditures for current expenditures for the previous fiscal year is sufficient .to run the country's affairs for this fiscal year
The political dispute is expanding over the eligibility of the House of Representatives to approve the law of emergency support for food security or not, especially after the federal government refused to send laws after its transformation .into a caretaker
On Saturday, the representative of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Briar Rashid, called on the political forces to pass the 2022 budget instead of approving the food security law, indicating that the last law hovered around suspicions of .corruption and political dispute
Representative of the Coordination Framework, Muhammad Al-Ziyadi, says that the law on emergency support for food security includes significant observations as it gives the government the authority to access percentages of funds outside its powers, noting that the law in its current form will not pass within the parliament due to the size of the .parliamentary rejection of it
The Federal Court had earlier ruled unconstitutional for the caretaker government to send draft laws to the House of .Representatives
Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi said that the food security law supports social welfare to protect the poor and needy classes in the face of the global economic crisis, provide services in cities, provide job opportunities for graduates and .the unemployed, as well as provide urgent funds to support the agricultural sector, and deal with climate variables
He pointed out that the failure to achieve all of these necessities represents a factor obstructing the government's role in running the daily affairs that are responsible for providing the requirements of the Iraqi people, protecting the .poorest groups, providing services and electricity, and limiting the rise in international prices
Parliamentary Finance increases the allocation of electricity in the Food Security Law
link there are at least 3 articles about the law all saying different things so don't hold on too tightly to any of them
The Chairman of the Finance Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, Hassan Al-Kaabi, revealed on Saturday, the increase in the allocations of the Ministry of Electricity, as part of the proposed law on emergency support for food security and development.
Al-Kaabi said, in a statement to Shafak News Agency, that "the Ministry of Electricity requested the allocation of 3 trillion and 200 billion dinars in the food security law, but after signing the agreement with the Iranian side and increasing the gas share, due to the use of more than 8 thousand and a half megawatts from the electricity sector on Iranian gas supplied to Iraq, this allocation was increased by an official letter directed by the Ministry and the approval of the Council of Ministers.
He added that "the financial allocation of the Ministry of Electricity in the Food Security Law has become 5 trillion and 300 billion dinars," noting that "the House of Representatives and the Parliamentary Finance Committee, cannot manipulate, reduce or increase the financial allocation of the Ministry of Electricity, because the amount is related to an international deal and agreement between Iraq and Iran.
Al-Kaabi explained, "The amount is not subject to discussion, because the Ministry of Electricity has nothing to do with selling goods in the markets, but rather it is an agreement concluded at specific prices and specific quantities, and therefore it has become imperative for the Parliamentary Finance Committee to set the financial allocation to the Ministry of Electricity 5 trillion and 300 billion dinars."
The Director General of the National Iranian Gas Company, Majid Jekini, had recently announced that Iraq would be obligated to pay an amount of one billion and 600 million dollars for importing gas from Iran, within a maximum period of one month.
The Minister of Electricity, Adel Karim, had complained, in mid-May, of the lack of funding for the ministry, which affected the level of energy production and supply in the country, in addition to impeding the payment of debts and dues for Iranian gas supplied to Iraq.
Iraq has been suffering from a chronic electricity shortage crisis for decades as a result of the siege and successive wars. For many years, residents have protested against frequent power cuts, especially in the summer, when temperatures sometimes reach 50 degrees Celsius.
Iraq is holding talks with Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia, to import electricity from them by linking its organization with the Gulf system, after it had depended on Iran alone during the past years by importing 1200 megawatts as well as gas fuel to feed local electric power stations.
Iraq also intends to import electricity from Jordan and Turkey, in an effort from Baghdad to fill the shortage until building power stations that are able to meet local consumption.
Parliamentary Finance expects to challenge the Food Security Law
Committee member Jamal Cougar told {Euphrates News}: "We expect that the Food Security Law will face appeals," noting that "its passage in the House of Representatives requires a simple majority to complete the session's quorum {50 +1}.
He added that "this condition is available, but to pass the law requires 50 + 1 of the audience," noting that "the matter will depend on the appeals that the law faces in the Federal Court, and it will invalidate the law similar to the law sent by the government."
And the Federal Supreme Court decided, on May 15, 2022, to cancel the draft law on emergency support for food security and development based on a lawsuit filed by Representative Basem Khashan, while it indicated that Al-Kazemi’s government is a caretaker and is not entitled to send bills, contract loans, appoint to senior positions of the state and exempt them or Restructuring of ministries and departments.
Parliamentary Finance talks about the possibility of passing the Food Security Law: Very soon
The Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed, today, Saturday, the proximity of the House of Representatives legislation for a food security law prepared by the committee, after rejecting the law submitted by the government by a decision of the .Federal Supreme Court Committee member Jamal Cougar told (Baghdad Today) that "the Food Security Law will be passed very soon in the House of Representatives, despite the presence of some objection and reservations by some political parties, especially since the failure ."to pass this law will open the door to new differences between the forces." political
And Cougar indicated that "the Parliamentary Finance Committee is still discussing the provisions of the law with all the relevant executive parties, and with representatives of all political forces, with the aim of arriving at a drafting of the law ".that is agreed upon by everyone or by the majority
US media: Biden postpones his visit to the Middle East
NBC News reported that US President Joe Biden's trip to the Middle East has been .postponed from late June to next July
The American network quoted unnamed sources as saying that the White House .plans to expand the scope of President Biden's visit to the Middle East We are working on a trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia to attend the Gulf Cooperation" .Council 3 summit," a senior administration official told NBC We are working to confirm the dates, when we have something to announce, we" .will," the official added In the same context, a foreign diplomat and two US officials said that the scheduled .trip to Israel and then Saudi Arabia in late June was postponed to later in July It was not immediately clear why the flight was delayed. The foreign diplomat and the two US officials said they learned on Friday of plans to postpone President Biden's travel. The two US officials said the dates were not yet set and could change .again The White House declined to comment on Biden's itinerary. The Israeli and Saudi .embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to inquiries Friday evening In addition, the journalist of the American "Axios" website, Barak Ravid, wrote on Twitter that two high-ranking Israeli officials confirmed the NBC News report .regarding the postponement of Biden's visit to the Middle East Ravid said in his tweet that "US officials informed" Israel on Friday evening that it is possible to postpone the visit to July due to the schedule and the feeling of the need .for more time to work on its content And on Friday, President Biden confirmed the possibility of his visit to Saudi Arabia, which constitutes a major change in his position, after he previously promised to .treat the kingdom as a "pariah" country
Biden told reporters, "I do not know the exact date of my visit. There is a possibility that I will meet with the Israelis and (officials) in some Arab countries. Saudi Arabia ".will be part of (the tour) if I make it, but I do not have direct plans yet The New York Times had indicated earlier that President Biden had decided to visit .Saudi Arabia this month And the American newspaper wrote in its report that the President of the United States "decided to go to Riyadh this month to rebuild relations with the oil kingdom ".while seeking to reduce fuel prices at home and isolate Russia internationally She explained that the logistical details and schedule have not yet been confirmed, but the visit will be added to a trip that he will take at the end of June to Israel and Germany to attend the G7 summit and Spain to participate in the North Atlantic .)Treaty Organization (NATO
3 International experiences and an Iraqi proposal to invest oil revenues for development in a way that does not lead to “bankruptcy
The oil expert, Nabil Al-Marsoumi, reviewed 3 experiences of investing the surplus and oil revenues for development, while he presented a proposal to benefit from the oil surplus in Iraq.
Al-Marsoumi mentioned, in a clarification followed by “Yes Iraq”, the first experience represented by “the Alaska experience,” noting that “the US state of Alaska is known for its oil wealth and for distributing small amounts of that wealth directly to its citizens, during the period of prosperity in oil wealth, the government did little to diversify the base. tax”.
Judgment Day
He added, “In 2016, due to the decline in prices, and the state government faced a budget deficit of 4 billion dollars, Governor Paul Walker had the task of trying to persuade his voters to receive lower payments through direct distributions of oil in order to obtain longer financial relief. derived from oil revenues as he tries to diversify the economy.”
And he continued, “The governor, Walker, felt the state’s urgent need to make a radical change so that he voted to veto a legislative budget that took money from an emergency oil fund, and instead passed cuts from industrial tax credits and direct distribution networks to citizens. That day was called Judgment Day, and the governor justified this unpopular decision by explaining that for 40 years Alaskans had enjoyed free lunch and could no longer bet their state's future on a depleting resource."
UAE experience
In a second experiment, Al Marsoumi reviewed the experience of the Arab Emirates, noting that “in the constitution of the United Arab Emirates, the revenues of each emirate, especially from the discovery and export of oil, are kept independently and are not considered a federal asset. In addition, the process of providing support to the federal budget from The revenue that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi directly generates from its oil exports is an informal process and is not constitutionally obligatory, and although the tradition of Abu Dhabi’s support for the entire federation has been enshrined by the generous political wisdom of the founding father Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, institutionalization through commitments The legality of this support is still intangible.”
norwegian experience
In Norway, Al-Marsoumi indicated that “in 1976 the Norwegian government decided not to spend from oil revenues and was transferring its revenues to the search and exploration for more oil fields, and in 1990 it established a sovereign fund, which it activated in 1996 and began transferring profits to it. The government announced that The fund belongs to future generations and the government prevented itself from using more than 4% of these funds only, including infrastructure projects and other public projects, while investing the rest of the money in the global financial markets, where the government separated government spending from the revenues of the sovereign fund completely, and spending only from profits The fund whose investments are distributed among more than 9,000 companies around the world in an investment strategy that guarantees diversification in investment and lack of risk. Therefore, it is said that the Norwegian sovereign fund goes bankrupt if the whole world goes bankrupt, as its assets amount to 1.4 trillion dollars, which is the largest in the world.
Iraqi proposal
In light of the aforementioned experiences, Al Marsoumi suggested investing Iraqi oil revenues as an appropriate solution for managing oil revenues by enacting a law in which net oil revenues exceeding a certain level would be saved in a special fund, depending on the estimated price of a barrel of oil fixed in each budget separately.
Al-Marsoumi gives, for example, that the estimated price is 65 dollars per barrel, and the actual price in the budget year has risen to 90 dollars, so the difference is estimated at about 25 dollars for every barrel of oil exported to this fund and through it the resources of this fund are distributed to the governorates through regional development projects and petrodollars And if the allocation, for example, is 15% for the development of the regions and 10% for the oil and gas-producing governorates, and the remaining 75% should be employed through a comprehensive development plan for the purpose of diversifying the Iraqi economy and expanding and modernizing the material base so that it can produce more goods and services and provide job opportunities for citizens, especially And that the oil resource is, in the end, a depleted resource.”
Al-Kazemi’s advisor identifies the reasons for the failure to approve the final accounts since 2012
The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, identified, today, Saturday, two main factors that contributed to the failure to approve the final accounts of the state ten years ago.
Saleh said, to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the final account of the state reflects the processes of applying the general budget in accordance with the legal regulations, regulations and financial instructions issued, to show the financial position of the state, because of its collectible rights and its repayable obligations."
He added that "the balance of the final account shows the increase or decrease in the state's assets or assets, which is embodied by the deficit in expenditures or the surplus in revenues during one fiscal year."
He continued: "Therefore, the government final account is one of the most important financial statements that the government prepares annually, based on the provisions of Article 34 of the effective Financial Management Law No. 6 of 2019 as amended, related to the financial statement, in order to clarify all actual expenses and revenues for the ended fiscal year and the consequences thereof. actual surplus or deficit.
He pointed out that "the legislative authority was unable to approve the final account after the year 2012 until the present, that is, a decade has passed, and the state's financial position is still unknown in its details. The end is before the legislative authority, which is the first supervisory authority in the country."
He pointed out that "two main factors contributed to the failure to approve the final accounts on a regular basis for ten years. The first is the difficulty of settling the accumulated government advances, which amounted to a very high number and may be equivalent in terms of the amount to the expenses of a full fiscal year or more, and the lack of supporting documents at a high rate."
He explained that "the second factor is the presence of more than one fiscal year in which there was no law for the general budget, which requires legislation (a current budget), which is closer to the final account, especially for the years 2014-2020."
He stressed that "the oversight task of the House of Representatives in this regard will be a little arduous in following up on the completion of the country's final accounts for the years 2013-2021, but it will certainly be fruitful."
Parliamentary Integrity: The emergency support law will delay approving the country's budget
The head of the Iraqi Parliament's Integrity Committee warned today, Saturday, of the delay in approving the country's general budget if the emergency support law is passed.
"Although the emergency support law is an emergency measure that must be adopted to finance important benefits in the joints of the state, ministries and the interests of citizens, it will delay the approval of the federal budget, which is solutions to many problems and benefits with the rise in oil prices in global markets," MP Nahida Al-Dini told Shafaq News.
And Al-Daini called for "the adoption of an integrated budget that guarantees the financing of grades and job benefits for all segments whose applications and benefits have been pending for years, and the financing of ministries with the necessary budgets to carry out their service duties towards the people."
And she added, "The approval of emergency support and the allocation of high amounts in its provisions will weaken the budget allocations in light of the extensive financial benefits and the state's internal and external obligations," continuing by saying, "Emergency support is a measure and a necessary solution in the current circumstance because the government is not formed and the current government remains under pain of conduct and lack of business. Its powers to pass any law or send it to the current parliament.
She explained that "the budget law is prepared by the government and sent to Parliament, but the remaining period after the expiry of half a year requires finding alternative solutions to the budget law to cross the current year and prepare an integrated budget for the next year, which is the reality in light of the current political crisis."
On May 19, the House of Representatives completed the first reading of the proposed law on emergency support for food security and development.
On the 18th of the same month, the Finance Committee submitted this proposal to the Presidency of the Iraqi Council of Representatives as an alternative to the project submitted by the current caretaker government headed by Mustafa Al-Kazemi.
The law on emergency support for food security sparked controversy between representatives and political blocs and those interested in political affairs between supporters and opponents, before the Federal Supreme Court vetoed the law and invalidated the law because the current government is a government for the conduct of daily business and it is not within its powers to legislate laws, propose them or send them to the House of Representatives.
And the Federal Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority in Iraq), decided May 15, 2022, to cancel the draft law on emergency support for food security and development based on a lawsuit filed by Representative Basem Khashan, while it indicated that Al-Kazemi’s government is a caretaker and is not entitled to send bills, contract loans or appoint In the higher positions of the state and exempting them or restructuring ministries and departments.
Disclosure of mechanisms to recover Iraq's smuggled money in accordance with international law
Today, Saturday, legal expert Ali Al-Tamimi revealed specific mechanisms to recover Iraq's smuggled money and move to solve the economic crisis, in accordance with international law.
Al-Tamimi told Alsumaria News, "The recovery of smuggled funds and international action to solve the economic crisis in accordance with international law is through specific mechanisms, the first of which is the existence of a money-laundering agreement for the year 2005 regarding the return of smuggled funds in accordance with Articles 55 and 56 of which a fee has been signed by way of recovering these funds. It was imposed on Iraq in 2007 by Law 35 of 2007, and the value of the smuggled money is estimated at 500 billion dollars
He added, "The US Federal Bank has 65 billion dollars belonging to the previous regime, and it belongs to the Iraqi people. Iraq can demand it according to Article 28 of the Iraqi-American Strategic Agreement of 2008, which allows Iraq to request economic assistance from the United States."
And he stated, "According to Article 50 of thecharterThe United Nations States that fight parties under Chapter VII may request economic assistance from the Security Council, and Britain and France have declared their readiness to help, andIraqFight ISIS, and the subject is under Chapter VII under Resolution 2170 of the Security Council.”
Al-Tamimi pointed out that,IraqIt is still under Chapter VI of the UN Charter, because there are financial relations with Kuwait worth 4 and a half billion dollars, and if the political, security and economic crises continue, the Security Council may return withIraqTo international trusteeship, i.e. Chapter VII ofcharterUnited nations
The Islamic Development Bank confirms its readiness to finance strategic projects in Iraq
The Islamic Development Bank in Egypt affirmed, today, Saturday, its readiness to finance strategic projects in Iraq and to develop human resources for the Central Bank of Iraq and the Ministry of Finance in various financial aspects.
A statement by the Central Bank, received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), stated that "the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq participated in the annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank that will be held for the period from 1-4 June 2022 in the Arab Republic of Egypt."
He continued: "A delegation from the Central Bank of Iraq and the Director General of the Iraqi Fund for Foreign Development in the Ministry of Finance participated in the meetings."
He added that "the deputy governor held several meetings with officials and institutions of the Islamic Development Bank to enhance their contributions in supporting various projects for the public and private sectors in Iraq."
For its part, the Islamic Development Bank affirmed its readiness to provide support and contribute to the financing of strategic projects in Iraq and the development of human resources for the Central Bank of Iraq and the Ministry of Finance in various financial aspects, especially the issuance of green sukuk.
On the other hand, a delegation from the Central Bank of Egypt arrived in Baghdad yesterday afternoon, Friday, June 3, 2022, on an official visit to discuss prospects for cooperation with the Central Bank of Iraq and to exchange experiences in various issues of common interest.
Iraq and Iran discuss strengthening relations and activating understandings and agreements
The President of the Republic, Barham Salih, and Iranian Minister of Health Bahram Ayn Allah, .stressed, Thursday, June 2, 2022, the importance of continuing to strengthen relations between the two countries In the presidential statement, it was reported to Al-Masala that at the beginning of the meeting, which was held at the Peace Palace in Baghdad, Bahram Ein Allah conveyed the greetings of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi to his Iraqi .counterpart, while Saleh Bahram conveyed his greetings to the Iranian president
\He added: During the meeting, they discussed the strong bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries, and their importance for the two friendly peoples to serve the two countries and the whole region, and to emphasize the importance of continuing to strengthen relations between the two countries in various fields, exchanging experiences, activating understandings and agreements concluded between the two sides, cooperation in the health .field and confronting Diseases and epidemics
Bahram Einollahi affirmed the Islamic Republic of Iran's support for the security and stability of Iraq, and aspiration towards expanding horizons of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in a manner that serves the interests .of the two friendly peoples
Central Bank Governor: The Iraqi banking sector is witnessing development and openness to the outside
Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mustafa Ghaleb Mikheeb, confirmed today, Sunday, that the Iraqi banking sector is witnessing development and openness to the outside world.
And the bank stated in a statement that Mawazine News received a copy of it, that “Fear, received a delegation from the Central Bank of Egypt, headed by Deputy Governor Sherif Ashour, in response to an official invitation. Financial Inclusion.
He stressed that "the Central Bank of Iraq always seeks to develop its relations with central banks in the countries of the world, in a way that contributes to developing bilateral relations and increasing cooperation, which will reflect positively on the Iraqi economy."
He added, "The Iraqi banking sector is witnessing development and openness to the outside," explaining that "the mutual visits between the Iraqi and Egyptian Central Banks are part of the cooperation efforts between the two parties, which contribute to the development of human resources for workers in the banking sector."
It is noteworthy that the delegation of the Central Bank of Egypt, yesterday, Saturday, conducted an inspection tour of the new building of the Central Bank of Iraq, and visited cultural and heritage landmarks in Baghdad, where he praised the great architectural edifice that decorated the capital, Baghdad.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party issues a statement regarding its entitlements to the Food Security Law, including funds related to Article 140 of the Constitution
Date 6/2/2022
To the Parliamentary Finance Committee
M / proposed law on emergency support for food security and development
good greeting ...
Given the economic and living conditions of the Iraqi people, including the citizens of the Kurdistan region, as a result of global conditions, and the absence of a general budget for the country for the year 2022, and the proposed emergency support law
For food security and development, it includes multiple financial aspects in its articles. We demand the following:
1- The inclusion of the Kurdistan Region’s share of the operational, governing and investment allocations and the regional development allocations at a rate of (13.9), according to the population data of the Ministry of Planning.
2- Including the financial dues to the farmers of Kurdistan Region for the years 2014-2015-2016.
3- Allocating a percentage of all agricultural equipment and fertilizers mentioned in the allocations of the Ministry of Agriculture in this law to the farmers of the Kurdistan Region, as well as the other Iraqi governorates. 4- Providing the necessary financial allocations for the reconstruction of the areas of Article 140 of the Constitution and allocating
A fair percentage of it for the projects of the stricken city of Shingal.
Providing the necessary financial allocations to compensate the Yazidi survivors. 6 - The inclusion of the financial allocations necessary to solve the problems of lecturers in all of Iraq. Transforming electoral contracts into operational contracts and providing the necessary financial allocations to pay
Their dues have been suspended for a long time.
You have the utmost respect and appreciation.
Dr.. Vian Sabri Al-Qadi
Head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc
2022 // 2
Mira
The Finance Committee meets to finalize the proposed emergency support law
The Parliamentary Finance Committee met today, Sunday, to finalize the proposal for the emergency support law.
The Media Department of the House of Representatives said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "the Finance Committee held a meeting today to put the final touches to the proposal for the emergency support law for food security and development."
And she added, "This came before the law was raised to a vote."
How Swift became a tool for conflict
link this is in Iraq's news for their citizens to see
The Society for International Interbank Financial Communications, known for its acronym “SWIFT” in English, was established in 1973, and it does not undertake practically any transfers or exchanges of financial assets.
However, its messaging system, which was developed in the seventies of the last century for solutions instead of "Telex" devices, provides banks with the means to communicate quickly, securely, and at low cost.
This Belgium-based company is practically a cooperative of banks, and it underlines its neutral position.
Sources use SWIFT to send messages about money transfers between them, money transfers for customers, and orders to buy and sell assets.
More than 11,000 financial institutions in 200 countries use the SWIFT system, making it the backbone of the world's remittance system.
However, its leading role in the financial sector also means that the company has to deal with the authorities to prevent illegal financing operations, especially terrorist financing.
"Swift" has recently emerged at the center of the conflict between the West and Russia. Far from the battlefield in Ukraine, Western countries led by the United States of America adopt financial and economic embargo packages on Russia, and by excluding more Russian banks from the Swift banking system, Western countries are depriving these banks of The most prominent tools of the global remittance system.
The European Union countries agreed to exclude Russian banks from Swift, including the country's largest, Sberbank, as part of "war sanctions", in an effort to "paralyze the banking sector and the national currency."
According to the National Assembly ("Rosswift"), Russia is the second largest country within "Swift" in terms of the number of users after the United States, with about 300 financial institutions.
According to the association, these members constitute more than half of the country's financial institutions.
According to estimates, the volume of financial transactions linked to Russia through "SWIFT" amount to hundreds of billions of dollars annually.
In addition, Russia has its own financial infrastructure, including the "SBFS" system for bank transfers, and the "Mir" card payment system similar to the "Visa" and "MasterCard" systems.
exclude countries
In November 2019, the access of some Iranian banks to the “Swift” system was “suspended”, following the announcement by the United States to re-impose sanctions on Tehran and warnings from then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin that “Swift” may be subject to sanctions unless it adheres to what is required. set by Washington.
Iran had disconnected from the Swift system from 2012 with the imposition of US sanctions on it, until 2016 when the sanctions were lifted after the conclusion of the nuclear agreement between Tehran and the major powers.
Seven Russian banks were suspended in March.
Sberbank was not on the list of banks originally excluded with the aim of allowing EU countries to pay for Russian oil and gas supplies.
Gazprom Bank, the financial arm of the Russian energy giant Gazprom, remains in the system. The majority of EU payments for Russian gas and oil supplies pass through it.
In practice, the exclusion of Russian banks from the SWIFT system means that these banks cannot use the system to transfer or receive funds with foreign financial institutions in exchange for commercial transactions.
alternatives
Following the West's threats of isolation from Moscow over the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia established its own system, SBFS, to conduct cross-border transactions.
On December 15, 2021, following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Kremlin announced plans to develop a joint financial messaging and clearing system with China. The goal of this system is to attract several international banks, that is, enough participants to deter the threat of Western economic sanctions.
Russian leaders describe the SPFS system as part of the "fortress economy", which constitutes a defensive economic strategy adopted eight years ago to isolate the country from foreign pressures.
Although hundreds of Russian banks have adopted the SBFS system, only a few international banks have done so, and many do not use the system effectively, so far. The Bank of China is among the international institutions that have joined the SBFS system.
On the Chinese front, since 2015 Beijing has designed the "Cross-Border Payments System between Banks" (CIPS) with the main goal of strengthening the central government's control over the domestic economy and settling international claims to the yuan. But so far the majority of China's global transactions are settled in other currencies, so the country continues to rely heavily on the SWIFT system, which allows transactions to be settled in a variety of currencies.
If only dozens of international banks are members of the RMB-based “System of Cross-Border Payments between Banks” based on the yuan, the possibilities for the expansion of this system and for the accession of more countries and institutions is only a matter of time, though given that most Chinese transactions abroad are conducted in US dollars, it will not be It is in Beijing's interest to undermine the SWIFT system.
Establishing an alternative system to the “Swift” system with the support of Russia, China and other countries may be a far-fetched issue, but the presence of a multiplicity of payment systems may be a more realistic issue, and thus the journey of reducing the political influence of the “Swift” system begins, as is the case at the present time.
Al-Zamili and the Minister of Finance agree to add a paragraph to the Food Security Law for the lecturers
Today, Sunday, the First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hakim Al-Zamili, and Minister of Finance Ali Allawi, agreed to add a paragraph to the Food Security Law for the lecturers.
The media office of the First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "Al-Zamili chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, in the presence of its Chairman, Hassan Karim Al-Kaabi and all of its members, to put the final touches on the proposal for the emergency support law for food security and development, and to finish its discussion for its inclusion." on the agenda of the next
session of the House of Representatives for the purpose of voting on it.
Al-Zamili stressed that "the financial situation of the lecturers and administrators, the procedure, electricity and oil contracts, has been adapted by allocating a fixed amount of money in the Food Security Law, in addition to increasing the allocations for social welfare and people with special needs, the ration card, and the allocation of funds to import gas and pay debts to ensure the continuation of electric power for citizens. During this summer, petro-dollar sums are included for the oil-producing governorates, for the development of the regions, farmers' dues, and others.
Al-Zamili also met in his office with Finance Minister Ali Abdul-Amir Allawi, where it was agreed to add a paragraph in the Food Security Law to adjust the financial situation of lecturers, administrators, wages and contracts, and to authorize the minister to make transfers of other allocations if necessary.
Emphasis was placed on "the need to increase coordination between the Office of the First Vice President, the Ministry
and the Finance Committee to solve the problems faced by the various segments, and to ensure that the allocations reach all beneficiaries.
Al-Zamili chairs the meeting of the Finance Committee to finalize the proposed emergency support law
The First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hakim Al-Zamili, chaired today, Sunday, the meeting of the Finance Committee to put the final touches to the proposal for the emergency support law for food security and development before submitting it to a vote.
Al-Zamili said in his speech while chairing the meeting of the Finance Committee to put the final touches on the Food Security Law, “The Finance Committee is distinguished and is considered one of the most important committees, and it is the heart of the House of Representatives,” pointing out that “we hope that the committee will continue to excel and have one opinion in legislating laws by agreement.” among its members and not among the heads of the blocs.
He added that "the food security law is important, and we did not adopt this law for personal matters, but rather for the citizen's need for the law, especially electricity, the poor, social welfare and the ration card, which concerns a large segment of citizens, especially the poor, in addition to the segment of free lecturers and the governorates."
Al-Zamili expressed his hope that “the law will be voted on within the Finance Committee,” stressing the need to “look at the law in the interest of the citizen and not for the interests of the provinces or the region.”
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The Framework Succeeds In Overturning “Food Security” And Afflicts The Trio And Provokes Division Within It
The State of Law coalition confirmed, on Sunday, that the pressure exerted by the deputies of the Coordination Framework and its allies succeeded in reducing the proposed amounts for the Food Security Law from 40 trillion dinars to 13 trillion, which angered the Kurdistan Democratic Party, indicating that the statement of the second deputy speaker of Parliament, Shakhwan Abdullah confirmed this in a way. sincere .
The leader of the coalition, Jassem Muhammad Jaafar, said in a statement to / the information /, that "the insistence of the tripartite alliance to pass the food security law in a way that differs from its content and its true goal by inserting paragraphs that have nothing to do with the law for utilitarian goals and achieving the greatest gains for the region and the Sunni governorates at the expense of other governorates hastened." Representatives of the Coordination Framework to put pressure on the Finance Committee to reduce the proposed amount and to trim many paragraphs that are tainted by suspicions of waste and financial corruption.”
Jaafar added that "the deputies of the coordination framework and its allies have achieved success in reducing the proposed amounts for the food security law from 40 trillion dinars or a little more to 13 trillion, which angered the Democratic Party and parties from the tripartite alliance who were aspiring to obtain great spoils," explaining that "the statement The second deputy speaker of parliament, Shakhwan Abdullah, explicitly confirmed this.”
And the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Shakhwan Abdullah, confirmed in a surprising statement issued yesterday, Saturday, that Barzani's party is not in favor of passing the emergency food security support law in its latest form.
Mazhar Saleh: Iraq needs an integrated work system
Food Security Law.. Sadrists in Parliamentary Finance Send Messages to Iraqis
Deputies of the Sadrist bloc in the Finance Committee of the Iraqi Council of Representatives announced, on Sunday, the completion of the finalization of the proposed law on emergency support for food security and development, in preparation for a vote on it within the parliament, stressing that the law is based on important, "indispensable" points.
The head of the committee, the representative of the Sadrist bloc, Hassan Al-Kaabi, said during a press conference, which was attended by Shafak News Agency, that "the law comes at a critical and very important time in light of the high food prices and the lack of electric power, and this law is based on basic and important points, related to food security." By providing the necessary allocations for the ration card items that will be reflected on the citizen, and by 40 million Iraqis for the ration card items for a period of nine months, and three months of strategic storage.
Al-Kaabi added, "The law included financial allocations to the Ministry of Electricity for the purpose of covering the expenses related to the import of gas and energy at a rate of 8 thousand and a half megawatts, and also included the provision of necessary allocations for social welfare and an important amount in the development of the regions and an amount to secure and maintain the pipeline connecting to the offshore platform in the waters of The Arabian Gulf".
He continued, "We support the law because of its importance, and we do not deal with it from political aspects, as evidenced by the fact that in the Sadrist bloc, we did not present this proposal except to preserve the cohesion and cohesion of the Iraqi people with all its components and political blocs. We did not account for a specific topic."
Al-Kaabi sent a message to all the people from the lecturers and all ministries to the effect that “the provision of sufficient allocations to solve their problems,” calling on the Iraqi government to “perform its duty in an optimal manner while authorizing the Minister of Finance to complete and solve these problems and contracts that greatly affected these segments throughout Iraq.” .
He considered that "some parties have begun to exploit this suffering in order to achieve political goals, and there has been an agreement within the committee to allocate all the funds needed by the ministries to secure the agricultural and electricity sector," expressing his hope that "the House of Representatives will deal positively with the law and complete its passage before the end of the chapter." The current legislature, far from political strife, and for the law not to be considered a political commodity because it guarantees the needs and requirements of more than forty million Iraqi citizens.”
For his part, a member of the Finance Committee, representative of the Sadrist bloc, Sattar al-Atabi, said during the conference, “The allocations that were guaranteed to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, where a trillion dinars were allocated to the Soft Loan Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises and those covered by social care, is among the doors of development for loan applicants. In addition to the inclusion of families below the poverty line.
In turn, a member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, a representative of the same bloc, Muhannad Al-Khazali, stated during the conference that "the law is divided into two parts, the first for food security and the second for development, and there are funds allocated to the development of the regions, which amount to ten trillion dinars, which are distributed to the provinces according to population ratios." The poverty line, petrodollars, and the governorates’ participation in production.”
?How Iraq's budgets contribute to the spread of corruption
Eight governments have run Iraq since 2003 after the occupation, four of which came during the presence of the American forces until their exit in late 2011, and the signing of the Sofa agreement for cooperation to keep the "Sawiya hair", as politicians in Baghdad describe it between local and American politicians, which has been subjected to repeated attempts to cut, With the bombing of the Washington embassy and the military forces, and the killing of dozens of soldiers and officers, to begin a phase described as a consensual, democratic federation, during which the country’s budgets were distributed among the parties that toppled the former regime, and the permanent constitution was written with an endless stream of criticism from partner and opposition parties, especially from the Sunni component and many Shiites , And Reda Kurdi drafted the .constitution according to his whims and interests
Unprecedented financial budgets
The annual financial budgets, which enjoyed an abundance, multiplied several times due to the increase in oil production and the increase in its prices, which reached 120 dollars per barrel, and enabled governments to free government appointments, which reached unprecedented inflation and accumulation of nearly six million employees, extracting what is More than 60-70 percent of the country’s budget, which is described as operational, has resulted in the phenomenon of “space employees”, a popular term for the fictitious employment of people close to the parties in power, and they are just designations for certain people in the state that do not exist in reality, and others who are unemployed Work, registered in the payroll without performing a role or a ceiling in productivity, classifies Iraqis as disguised unemployment, which deprives budgets of huge sums, as if government employment with the motives of winning electoral votes was practiced by all sects .quoting the distribution of roles in the three authorities
There are thousands of people who are classified as multi-salaries, as a result of the transitional legislation that prevailed after 2003, which favored a certain segment of followers, loyalists and supporters of power, which resulted in the phenomenon of extreme disparity in financial incomes, which enriched some and impoverished the .majority
?who is in Charge
Towards the end of each year, the Iraqi government presents the annual spending budget, which the Council of Ministers discusses at length to determine spending .priorities on state activities
Writer Hussein Hamed said, “If you ask most of the parliament: What are the functions of the parliament, the answer will come (legislation and oversight), but the shocking answer that these members do not know is that the parliament’s competencies are financial and legislative, while the oversight role is a subsidiary jurisdiction, because the budget is an absolute jurisdiction of the authority. The .legislative role, as for the government’s role, is to prepare budget data only
But this matter is not actually done in the way he mentioned, because the budget is going in reverse, when governments deliberately seized the decision to prepare the budget and presented it to the Council for approval, which created a huge space for the executive authority to control public money and direct it according to its interests and needs without the need for the legislator’s control. In a system that adopted the parliamentary method, not the presidential one, according to the effective .constitution approved in 2005
Politicians' interference
Adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister Mazhar Muhammad Salih explains the phenomenon of politicians’ interference and their biased control in setting the general budget and stealing the role from economic specialists by saying: “The majority of politicians tend to jobs and businesses that generate high revenues for them and improve their personal well-being, as (Buchanan) says the economist , at the expense of the general budget by virtue of their legislative powers, and this leads over time to the expansion of the scope of the general budget as long as they constantly need to be re-elected. Rather, those politicians go to provide government jobs to their supporters, and expand the scope and multiplicity of government jobs to provide job opportunities for them in an attempt to win their electoral votes during .subsequent sessions, and to maintain their political weight
Saleh said, "By this, the government financial system is biased towards the principle of (large budget) in allocations and trading activities, which puts governments in front of complex difficulties in making financial decisions, which requires more experts to delve into intractable public finance problems. Thus, as (Buchanan) marked the Keynesian economics calls it ' disease ', or rather, 'Keynesian disease', which leads to ends that undoubtedly require a limitation of the irresponsible conduct .of politicians, and constrain them to act in a disciplined fiscally responsible manner
He added that "the Keynesian school is what has made politicians far from the principle of balancing the general budget, and immersed in the fiscal deficit. (Buchanan) also turns away with his idea of hostility to the political dimensions of the school (post-Kinsey)." Saleh believes that "future generations in Iraq will bear the budget deficit, which requires them to pay more taxes and bear many tax burdens in a manner that is not compensated by the interest returns granted on government bonds, according to which they lent to governments, which is called Ricardo's parity. As I see and see ( Buchanan) that leaving governments without constitutional restrictions will excessive financial behavior, and become trespassing on public money, and comes at the forefront of these demands constitutional restrictions by adopting the principle of a balanced budget , on the basis of which public finances .restore health, purity and integrity
Mazhar asserts that "the problem in Iraq also lies in the final statements, which have not been issued yet, and they are the real source of our information about the extent ".to which the budget is adhered to or not
Inability of budgets to implement their goals
Regarding this paragraph regarding the feasibility of budgets and if they coincide with the objectives of their allocation in investment spending, the Iraqi presidential adviser told The Independent, “Unfortunately, investment budgets over two decades have not been able to implement their financial and material goals by more than 28 percent annually, for the best productive sectors And the infrastructure sectors, with the exception of the oil extraction sector, which was linked to the rounds of licenses .and service contracts that are paid for directly with crude oil
Based on the foregoing, operational budgets acquired the share of the investment budget through the annual expansion of operational spending, with the aim of managing government jobs, which are of a service-consumer nature only, and the “compensatory budget” replaced the “compensatory budget” in the interest of expanding the number of workers in official jobs, as the relatively high government wage became Available or allocated in part to fill the cost of the shortage in infrastructure services, which was generated by investment spending, which was not achieved sufficiently and planned, by providing the opportunity for state employees to compensate from their salaries for the shortfall in social services and general .public goods, such as schools, hospitals, hygiene and electricity water, and others
Borrowing and its accumulation
The current crisis in Iraq lies in the absence of the governmental authority empowered to present the budget to Parliament for approval. And government spending as a result of the current political blockage. The government has no authority to present a budget, and it has no right to take advances from the financial surplus, due to the rise in oil revenues, and after the constitutional amendment of .the Financial Management Law
The economic advisor to the Prime Minister comments on this that “the government cannot borrow or take advances outside the constraint of the first of December, and if it were possible, the problem would be basically solved without resorting to the emergency law or even the existence of a budget in the first place. The advances withdrawn without documents, which are made Settling it later requires the existence of a budget law, as these are wrong interpretations taken from one of the paragraphs of the Financial Management Law No. 6 of 2019, amended regarding dealing with advances, and if things are that easy, which some imagine, why then go to the emergency law, but it is possible Making arbitrary allocations, paying them with an advance check, and directly disposing of the surplus reserves that the .government currently has in advance
bad document
Saleh confirms the fact that there are accumulated unreconciled advances from previous budgets, which indicates the government's inability to liquidate huge financial assets. He said that "the accumulated unreconciled advances from previous budgets amounted to approximately 140 trillion Iraqi dinars (about 96 billion dollars), 70 percent of which are withdrawn from the exchange units and there are no fundamental documents, and this is one of the reasons for the failure of the state's final accounts since 2021. Due to the withdrawal of advances under the previous ”.Financial Management Law prior to its amendment in 2019
Yet another crisis
The former Minister of Oil, Jabbar Al-Luaibi, who was interviewed by The Independent Arabia, believes that the problem with the Iraqi financial budgets lies in another dimension, which is a feasibility study and the proceeds of the allocations made to ministries and departments and approved for government sectors, and where were they spent and how? Especially in the investment and not the operational aspects of salaries, and what results have been achieved, after the end of the year, that is, the grantor of the allocations does not pursue the feasibility of .their implementation and what the objectives of their allocation have been achieved
The bitter truth that economic specialists realize is that Iraq needs decades to verify the outlets for spending its budgets and to prosecute corrupt politicians and their followers who have missed growth opportunities in light of the oil financial boom and .billions of budgets
The first speech of the number one candidate for prime minister: Our decision must be an independent Iraqi
The number one candidate for prime minister, Muhammad Jaafar al-Sadr, presented his vision for the political process in Iraq, which included two entitlements and points for building the state.
And Muhammad Jaafar al-Sadr published an article that dealt with confronting the political process in Iraq after every election for "two merits."
Al-Sadr believes that the first entitlement is "the completion of the state-building project that has not yet been completed, in its two dimensions: the legal and the political, since the articles of the constitution have not been applied, and it has not been agreed on which state to build, and how?"
The second entitlement, according to al-Sadr, includes “the election of the three presidencies on the one hand, and the preparation of the government program on the other hand, that is: the administration of the state.”
The prime ministerial candidate linked state building to societal dialogue and agreement on several points:
- That our decision be an independent Iraqi, not a subordinate.
Iraq is a federal state, in which the constitution regulates the relationship between the center and the region.
The file of the decentralized administrative system for the governorates.
To give up any reference outside the country, for our reference is the state, we protect it, and it protects us, with its people, its constitution and its institutions. To be our national reference.
That the law applies to everyone without exception.
Restriction of arms in the hands of the state.
Fighting corruption and stopping it through specialized mechanisms.
Social justice, reducing the differences between members of the same people by all available means.
And to decide: What is the shape of the country's economic system?
Below is the text of Muhammad Jaafar al-Sadr's article:
Towards the transition from the stage of power and its management to the stage of the state and its construction
فَإِذا أَدَّتِ الرَّعِيَّةُ إِلَى الْوَالِي حَقَّهُ، وَأَدَّى الْوَالِي إِلَيْهَا حَقَّهَا، عَزَّ الْحَقُّ بَيْنَهُمْ، وَقَامَتْ مَنَاهِجُ الدِّينِ، وَاعْتَدَلَتْ مَعَالِمُ الْعَدْلِ، وَجَرَتْ عَلَى أَذْلاَلِهَا السُّنَنُ فَصَلَحَ بِذلِكَ الزَّمَانُ، وَطُمِعَ فِي بَقَاءِ الدَّوْلَةِ، وَيَئِسَتْ مَطَامِعُ الْأَعْدَاءِ.
Imam Ali bin Abi Talib
After every election, we are faced with two entitlements: The first is the completion of the state-building project that has not yet been completed, in its two dimensions: the legal and the political, since the articles of the constitution have not been implemented, and there is no agreement on which state to build, and how? The second is the election of the three presidencies on the one hand, and the preparation of the government program on the other hand, that is: the state administration. And every time he neglects the most important entitlement, we are preoccupied with the second entitlement: interest and dialogue to reach consensus on a government that is no more than four years old, and we leave the work on consensus on the always-delayed state-building project. Is the opportunity, through the national majority and the Alliance to Save a Homeland, to begin?
For the first and greatest entitlement; It is the completion of the state-building project, which has “two dimensions” as we will see below, and it has an existential condition: it is the participation of all the sons of the nation in it, with all its spectrums, civil forces and various actors, including the parties, that is: civil society.
The first dimension: legal
It is the drafting of the country's constitution document, which defines the nature of the state, the philosophy of governance, the type of system, the rights and duties between the ruler and the governed, and the various governing authorities. Then the stage of implementing the constitution begins after its approval, through the same forces collectively, which should continue the process of construction, development and amendment, but change, if necessary, taking into account the higher interests of the country, and adapting to the changes.
The second dimension: my community.
These forces have the right to actively participate in shaping the fateful and highly important policies for the country, through dialogue and communication, and through various official and popular institutions, so that everyone feels their role and even their duty to build their country, determine its options, and chart its future.
As for the second entitlement; It is a program for managing the state through its various institutions: the legislative and judicial, up to the executive authority, which is entrusted with managing the government, according to a specific timetable. within this selection. Here, the political movement appears, represented by the political parties and forces, which are involved in political work with programs and visions, and which are present in constitutional institutions such as Parliament, and which express a segment of the people, so it is necessary to work with these forces within the constitutional rules, and political action such as the majority, the opposition, alliances and the like
Today, as we call for the achievement of these two entitlements, we cannot be satisfied with the program of the prospective government only, through understandings or alliances between political forces; Rather, we must also return in earnest to the origin of the state-building project, the constitution of which we wrote with the blessing of our wise reference, and the acceptance of it by the majority of the people through an elected assembly. We should also have a serious dialogue among our people about what we want for our Iraq?
Unfortunately, however, we still stumbled in its full and correct application, which made it difficult to fill its gaps or change some of its ambiguous articles, even though it is the document that includes all the concepts that must be followed in building the country. Will we have the courage to implement the constitution so that we can say that we have taken the first step in the right direction? And to stop wasting time, jumping on merits, clinging to narrow factional demands, and trying to evade the entitlement to be fully committed to it? Was the constitution written with the sacrifices of our people, and the calls of our reference to be ink on paper?
I say this because this document outlines for us the features of the state: politically, socially, economically, security, rights and duties, organization of powers, and so on.
Unfortunately, we are still preoccupied with its procedural and formal articles rather than the content and content, because we have not yet moved “from the stage of power and its management to the stage of the state and its construction.”
It is necessary to pause to carry the people's honesty, implement the constitution with all its articles, and move forward in building the state.
We seriously and continuously need a societal dialogue between all societal forces, parties, media, intellectuals, social and religious fronts, non-governmental organizations, various labor, student and professional unions, family and women associations, seminaries, and other religious institutions, in order to work on crystallizing common visions. And agreed upon for what the country needs, while preserving the differences, so as not to impede the process of building the state. I know the extent of the differences, and the divergence of views, but all of this can be addressed if the intentions are sincere, and the orientations sincere.
We should be very careful not to distance the people from building their country. For the renaissance of a nation we need:
The participation of all the people in building this country; to a sense of responsibility and honesty; and sacrifices, patience, work and effort; Just as we were able to offer our blood to establish this experience, we are more deserving of our sweat, time and effort to build it. Therefore, without this active participation, nothing will be achieved.
In return, we need clarity, integrity and dedication from those in charge of government and decision-makers.
We must address the second entitlement: the program of state administration. The administration of the state is not entrusted to the executive authority alone. The legislative and judicial authorities have an active and important role in it. Any government program will need Parliament to legislate the required laws referred to in the Constitution, or that the state needs in the course of its work. Any violation of the law or the anti-corruption program will need an impartial and efficient judiciary to carry out the burdens of doing so.
Parliament must stand; When drafting any government program, along with government, to provide legislative support and cover, to get the job done. The judiciary must be strongly present when its procedures are not implemented and violators are held accountable.
if we want to build the state, based on the constitution, we must have a societal dialogue and agree on the following:
that our decision be an independent Iraqi, not a follower. We must decide: Are we a sovereign or dependent state? And that Iraq is the supreme interest, and to move away from the policy of axes.
Iraq is a federal state, in which the constitution regulates the relationship between the center and the region. It is necessary societal consensus, dialogue, and mutual trust regarding the problems and obstacles that obstruct the implementation of the constitution, and to get this file out of narrow political bargaining.
The file of the decentralized administrative system for the governorates.
To give up any reference outside the country, for our reference is the state, we protect it, and it protects us, with its people, its constitution and its institutions. To be our national reference.
That the law applies to everyone without exception.
Restricting arms to the state’s hands is “legitimate violence,” and that the arms are to serve the country, and the security forces, with all their names, are subject to the authority of the state, and are entrusted with the orders of the Commander in Chief, and their powers are determined, restructured and developed.
Fighting corruption and stopping it through specialized mechanisms. To choose between good governance or corrupt institutions and bureaucracy.
Social justice, and the reduction of differences between members of the same people by all available means.
And to decide: What is the shape of the country's economic system? And to develop an integrated economic plan to build an effective private sector and a partner for the public sector, and to reform the state’s administrative, financial and monetary system.
Natural resources belong to the people through their successive generations, and we have to make good use and management of them. To achieve growth and prosperity for us and for subsequent generations.
To other things that happen in the context of state building. All of this requires a societal consensus, not a political one.
In conclusion and in light of the foregoing, we can answer the question that we posed at the beginning:
It is very necessary that the program be clear, specific and practical, and that a certain party implement it, bear its responsibility, and be subject to evaluation and review. This does not happen unless the entity is specific, taking upon itself this program, in order to be able to implement it and assume its responsibilities. Therefore, putting forward a national majority is the most appropriate mechanism for the success of the government program, and the best way to run the state.
I note that this solution is in the field of the second entitlement, that is: the administration of the state, because it obtains the parliamentary majority, and is alone in forming the government, which achieves the privilege of making decisions and assuming its responsibilities, and not in the field of the first entitlement, that is: building the state; Building the state requires the participation of everyone, the government and the people. As mentioned above, the problem of building the state and the country is dialogue and consensus. While the problem of managing the country is the decision.
Hammurabi issued his laws by saying: "When Marduk commanded me to prepare justice for the people of the land, so that they would win a good judgment, I established truth and justice throughout the land, and I made the people happy." Mesopotamia, the land of blackness, was the cradle of civilization and the home of messages, and the country of laws and legislation, and it will not deviate - by the permission of God Almighty - from its great legacy; With the zeal and efforts of the people of this country, and their devotion and love for this pure land in which only truth, justice and law are valid, so that we may be the best successor to the best predecessor.
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