Iraq Report to members
Although the world’s media is focussed on Turkey’s incursion into Iraqi territory in it’s battle with the PKK Kurdish forces, there are significant developments taking place in other parts of Iraq too, not least, the steps being taken towards economic recovery. From Iran to Britain and the EU, measures are being agreed on how this can be best achieved. Many of those interested in Iraq’s economic recovery are no doubt keeping an eye on her oil wealth and Iraq can probably expect to receive considerable help in this arena.
There are also moves afoot to restore, as far as is possible, Iraq’s shattered cultural heritage, with the British Museum spearheading the current initiative.
Finally, although Iraq in general has started showing signs of recovery, suicide bombers continue to devastate parts of the country, with 40 victims killed in the latest attack.
Tehran signs pact to help rebuild Baghdad
Agence France Presse
Tehran on Monday signed an agreement with Baghdad to help execute projects in the infrastructure and services sectors in the Iraqi capital.
"The municipality of Tehran must stand by Iraqis in these hard conditions," said Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the mayor of Tehran, after signing a pact with Saber al-Isawi, director of Baghdad municipality…
EU, Iraq to hold trade talks on Tuesday
Kuwait News Agency
The European Commission and Iraq will hold the fourth round of negotiations in Brussels Tuesday and Wednesday for a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) since negotiations started in November 2006.
The fourth round is expected to cover human rights issues, trade in goods and services, customs and taxation, industrial cooperation, transport, employment and social protection, education, training, youth, culture, agriculture and rural development, noted a statement by the EU's executive body today.
The negotiations will be led on the European Commissions side by Hugues Mingarelli, Deputy Director-General for the External Relations, and Mohammed Hamoud Bidan, Iraqi Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The TCA negotiations underline the European Unions determination to play a significant role in Iraq's transition and to help Iraq improve living conditions for its citizens, noted the statement.
Oil giants are poised to move into Basra
The Guardian
Western oil giants are poised to enter southern Iraq to tap the country's vast reserves, despite the ongoing threat of violence, according to Gordon Brown's business emissary to the country.
Michael Wareing, who heads the new Basra Development Commission, acknowledged that there would be concerns among Iraqis about multinationals exploiting natural resources.
Iraq demands Turkey withdraw from border conflict with Kurds
The Guardian
Iraq's government today demanded Turkey immediately withdraw from northern Iraq after six days of fighting between Turkish troops and Kurdish separatists.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the military action was a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, and called on the Turkish government to engage the Iraqis in dialogue instead.
"The Iraqi cabinet has denounced the Turkish army's incursion," Dabbagh said in a televised statement after the government met to discuss the issue.
What Is Behind Turkey's Invasion of Northern Iraq?
Der Spiegel
Turkey had been warning for months that it was considering an invasion of northern Iraq to go after Kurdish rebels based there. But now that it has happened, many are wondering why now? Could it actually be an invitation to negotiate?
The invasion of northern Iraq by the Turkish army last week shouldn't have come as much of a surprise. After all, back in October the Turkish parliament in Ankara gave its approval for an invasion to put a stop to cross-border raids carried out by the Kurdistan Workers Party. Turkish fighter planes had been bombing PKK targets periodically since December.
Kurds protest Turkey offensive
Al Jazeera
Turkey has continued its offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq for a sixth day with conflicting reports of rising casualties from both sides.
The government in Ankara has revealed few details about its cross-border operations but Kurdish communities in the Turkish town of Diyabakir have voiced their opposition
Turkish troops were engaged in fierce clashes with fighters from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq as they closed in on one of the group's main bases, security sources said on Tuesday.
Government ordered to release minutes of Iraq discussions
The Guardian
The government has been ordered today to release the minutes of cabinet meetings in which military action against Iraq was discussed.
The office of the information commissioner, Richard Thomas, announced today that the confidential minutes would have to be made public under the Freedom of Information Act.
Thomas said that the papers should be released because of the "gravity and controversial nature" of the discussions.
"He believes that disclosure of this information would allow the public to more fully understand this particular decision of the cabinet," the commissioner's office said in a statement.
The order comes a week after the release of an early draft of the controversial intelligence dossier that later included a claim that Iraq could launch weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes, also under the Freedom of Information Act.
The first draft did not contain that claim.
British Museum and army team up in move to rescue Iraq's heritage
The Guardian
The British Museum and the British army have held talks about a new initiative aimed at restoring, as far as it ever can be, Iraq's shattered cultural heritage.
The plan involves assessing major archaeological sites, including the ancient Sumerian cities of Warka and Eridu, to see how badly damaged they are and the full extent of looting.
Another aspect will concentrate on southern Iraq's emptied museums, the main one being in Basra, but also smaller ones in Kut, Amara and Wasit.
More than 40 Shia pilgrims killed in attacks
The Guardian
A suicide bomber killed at least 40 people and injured 60 yesterday in an attack on Shia pilgrims taking a break during their days-long march to a shrine for a major religious gathering south of Baghdad.
It was the second attack of the day against pilgrims travelling to Kerbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, to commemorate the end of the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, one of Shia Islam's most revered figures.
Hours earlier, extremists attacked another group with guns and grenades in the predominantly Sunni Baghdad neighbourhood of Dora, killing three and wounding 36, police said.
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Jane Swann
NCF Iraq Co-ordinator