__Talabani praises the role of the U.S. and Maliki confirms the transition to state-building
 
01/12/2011


Biden met privately
BAGHDAD - Al Sabah
Praised President Jalal Talabani, the U.S. role in helping the Iraqi people get rid of the most notorious dictator and destroy, and the establishment of a democratic and federal.
As Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that Iraq today has moved from the stage of security challenges to the stage of state building, and will contribute to the strategic framework agreement in achieving this goal.
Talabani praised during his meeting with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, America's role in the process of rebuilding Iraq and its institutions and to assist in achieving stability.
And confirmed by a presidential statement received (morning) a copy of that Iraq aspires to strengthen relations and development at all levels between the two countries would serve the common interests of the peoples of Iraq and the United States, noting that the next stage is the stage to promote cooperation and joint action in all fields according to the agreement signed between the two countries.
The other hand, said Biden, according to the statement that the phase following the complete withdrawal of forces is a vital stage for diplomacy and cooperation in the fields of construction and development, especially in the economic, commercial, agricultural and education, in addition to training, stressing the desire of the United States to develop relations of friendship and cooperation with Iraq in light of the Convention signatory countries and the desire to improve the relationship and develop areas of joint action.
It was in the meeting, attended by U.S. Ambassador James Jeffrey and the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, Gen. Lloyd Austin, talk about the relations between Iraq and its regional and international community, also discussed political developments in Iraq
To that Maliki said during his meeting with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and the delegation accompanying him, according to a statement issued by his press office has received the "morning," a copy of it, "We have finished a difficult task, and security challenges, and today we open a new page of mutual relations within the framework agreement strategic in the economic, commercial, agricultural, scientific, cultural and other. "
Promise of this meeting is an important step that deserves mention, because it lays the foundation for a growing relationship between Iraq and the United States through the work of the High Joint Committee between the two countries, which was established under the strategic framework agreement.
He has signed two agreements with the United States, the first agreement to withdraw its troops from Iraq by the end of this year, and the second strategic framework agreement covering cooperation in various fields.
He explained, "We have finished a difficult task, which is the face of security challenges, and today we open a new dish of mutual relations within the strategic framework agreement in the economic, commercial, agricultural, scientific, cultural and other."
He confirmed that the general of the Iraqi people have made great sacrifices, when faced terrorism that has crippled the political and civic life at various levels, and our experience in this regard deserve to be a model for other States.
He said the ambitions of Iraq and the United States will be achieved through the relationships and common interests and parity.
He said the area today are going through the conditions of a sensitive and experiencing many variables, and being where required to avoid negative impacts and to stand by the peoples to freedom and to achieve their demands according to the principles of democracy, and we are in Iraq, establish countries have been engaged in the affairs of others, but does not allow others to intrude in their affairs, and have a central role in stable region free from fluctuations, not to be against the center axes of the other, and our aim is to have a brother and a friend of Iraq and all its partners and certain of his friends in the region.
For his part, Vice President according to the statement: Iraq has suffered during the last decades of the regime of Saddam dictatorial, and then made great sacrifices when faced with terrorism, but to overcome the challenges that confronted him, he deserves respect and appreciation for their determination and ability and determination to promote and to overcome the jam of circumstances.
The dialogues are heading today to normalcy in Iraq, even to join other countries in the world that contribute to the cultural, scientific, and others.
And continued our conversation today comes within the strategic framework agreement, by which we aspire to extensive relations between the two countries based on respect for sovereignty, and we are working together to expand cooperation in scientific, cultural, commercial, economic, agricultural and others.
He stressed that the United States confirmed its commitment to the promise, when pulled out its troops from Iraqi cities by the year 2009, and in 2010 when it withdrew its combat troops, and today complement what you have agreed with Iraq in 2008 and completed its withdrawal from Iraq by the end of this year, and heading towards the beginning of a relationship with him within the broad strategic framework agreement.
In a related context the Supreme Coordinating Committee held a joint between Iraq and the United States on a meeting, attended by the Prime Minister and Vice President, where he presented the two sides during the meeting Raitema on ways of cooperation in economic, commercial, diplomatic, scientific, cultural, agricultural and others.
He reviewed the heads of the committees from both sides what has been achieved so far in these areas, and must work on it in order to achieve the highest level of cooperation between the two countries.
The focus by the Commission for Higher Coordination common ways to develop cooperation in the fields of politics and diplomacy, as well as cooperation between the two countries in international fora, and in the areas of education and cultural exchange, services and technology, environment, transport, trade, money and energy, as well as in the judiciary and law enforcement.
Other details p. 3

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_Iraqi, U.S. diplomats discuss peaceful means to end UN Chapter VII status

Politics  11/30/2011 10:25:00 PM
 
BAGHDAD, Nov 30 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari discussed on Wednesday with Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Jeffery Feltman peaceful steps and ways to help Iraq exit UN Chapter VII.

An Iraqi source AT the Foreign Ministry told KUNA, that Zebari and Feltman, who arrived here last night accompanied by U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden, also talked about political developments in Iraq and the region, including discussion to help Iraq get out of Chapter VII.

The two sides also tackled issues regarding relations between the U.S. consulate and Iraqi government, including preparations for mutual visits between the two sides.
The source added that the two sides also discussed U.S. military withdrawal at the end of this year and ways to improve relations on all levels.

(end) mhg.mb KUNA 302225 Nov 11NNNN

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_Biden marks new relationship with Iraq 
By Aamer Madhani , USA TODAY  

With a month to go before the U.S. officially ends the war in Iraq,  Vice President Biden sat down with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki  in Baghdad on Wednesday and declared that the two countries are setting  off on a "new path." 

By Khalid Mohammed, AP"This  is marking a new beginning of a relationship that will not only benefit  the United States and Iraq, I believe will benefit the region and, in  turn, the world," Biden said. 

The U.S. military has about 13,000  troops left in the country that are set to depart before Dec. 31. The  Obama administration had been pushing to allow thousands of trainers to  remain beyond the end of this year, but abandoned that plan after it  became clear that Iraq's parliament would not approve immunity from  Iraqi law for those forces.

Biden noted  during Wednesday's joint news conference that President Obama was  keeping his promise, as set by a 2008 pact with Iraq to withdraw all  U.S. troops by the end of 2011. The U.S., however, will maintain the  largest embassy in the world in Baghdad — with 16,000 State Department  personnel.

Still, Biden subtly suggested that the United States  influence in Iraq may be waning. Already, the Obama administration and  Iraqi government are at odds about Syria. The White House has condemned  the violent crackdown against protesters in Syria by Bashar al-Assad's  regime and declared that he's lost legitimacy to lead. Al-Maliki's  government has refused to back the Syrian leader's ouster.

"We  realize we are one relationship you will have," Biden said. "We feel a  particular kinship to you because our people - our military in  particular --  has made sacrifices."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/11/biden-marks-beginning-of-a-new-relationship-in-iraq/1

_ Wednesday, 30 November 2011

By AL ARABIYA WITH AGENCIES 
BAGHDAD

The United  States and Iraq are embarking on a new phase in their relationship as  the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from the country will be completed at  the end of this year, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said in Baghdad  Wednesday. 

“Our troops... are leaving Iraq and we are embarking on a new path  together, a new phase in this relationship... between two sovereign  nations,” Biden said at the opening of a meeting of the U.S.-Iraq Higher  Coordinating Committee. 

“That  partnership includes a robust security relationship, based on what...  you think that relationship should be,” he said at the presence of Iraqi  Prime Minster Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad.

The vice president also said that the United States was keeping its promise to withdraw its troops by the end of the year.

“We kept our  promise to withdraw from Iraq’s cities in 2009. We kept our promise to  end our combat mission in the summer of 2010.”

Biden who has  been U.S. President Barack Obama’s point man in overseeing the  withdrawal of all U.S. troops from the country by the end of this year,  arrived in Baghdad late Tuesday for his eighth visit as vice president,  which comes after a bloody seven days in which at least 61 people were  killed in a wave of attacks in Iraq.

His surprise  visit to Iraq was to meet with Iraq’s leaders and to participate in an  event recognizing the sacrifices and accomplishments of U.S. and Iraqi  troops, a White House statement said. 

Meanwhile, the  U.S. troops’ withdrawal from Iraq opened a heated debate in the  conflict-torn country, with some officials including the country’s prime  minister showing their desire to see U.S. presence at least to train  Iraqi troops. While other factions including that of the firebrand  Iran-backed Shi’ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr warned if U.S. troops to  stay, he and his followers will wage war against the troops. 

Talks to train Iraqi troops came to a full stop, when Iraqi officials did not accept granting Americans immunity. 

Baghdad will  still host the largest American embassy in the world, with the full U.S.  mission to Iraq including up to 16,000 people.
 
According to  the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, James Jeffery, the direct budget to operate  and assist on a broad variety of security and non-security issues to  Iraq amounts to $6.5 billion. 

http://english.alarabiya.net/article...30/180043.html

_Oil announces oil production rising to three fields to more than 1.0009 million barrels a day


Author: HM Editor: AA | SS Wednesday, 30 T 2 2011 12:57 GMT
Abdul Mahdi al-Amidi, director of the Department of Contracts and Licensing at the Ministry of Oil
Alsumaria News / Baghdad



The Ministry of Oil in Baghdad, Wednesday, rising for the Iraqi oil production for the three fields to more than 1.0009 million barrels a day, confirming that this rise came after the presentation of those fields for development on the international oil companies in licensing rounds first.

The Director General of the Department contracts and licenses in the Ministry of Oil Abdul Mahdi al-Amidi said in an interview for "Alsumaria News", "increases in oil production during the last period came from the three fields are Rumaila, Zubair, West Qurna within the first licensing round," noting that "those increases the production of these fields amounted to 500 thousand barrels a day. "

The Amidi, that "the current production in the Rumaila oilfield between 1.00025 million A to 1.0003 million bpd, up from primary production to him of 1,000,066 thousand barrels per day and an increase of 200 to 250 thousand barrels per day," adding that "the production of the Zubair field at the present time is between 250 thousand barrels per day to 270 thousand, after the initial production of the field of 184 thousand barrels per day and an increase of 80 to 85 thousand barrels a day. "

He Amidi, that "the production of the West Qurna field amounted to 350 thousand barrels per day, after the production of 244 thousand barrels per day and an increase of 106 thousand barrels," pointing out that "there are some increases of the few in the production of Maysan fields ranging from 10 to 15 thousand barrels a day. "

The Amidi, that "the first round of oil licenses to invest the Rumaila field, which was won by the two companies (CI to C) of China, Inc. (BP) British, seek to reach the roof of a productive field of 2.85 million barrels per day during the next six years," he that "this tour also aims to be a production of West Qurna field, won by Exxon Mobil, Shell Anglo-Dutch to 2,000,225 thousand barrels per day during the next six years."

The Amidi, "presumably of companies, Italy's ENI and Kocaz Korean and U.S. Occidental Petroleum, which won the development of the Zubair oil field in Basra, the production of the field to reach 1.0002 million barrels during the next six years."

The Iraqi Oil Ministry signed on 29 October 2010, a contract with Exxon Mobil and Shell Anglo-Dutch to develop the West Qurna field, also signed on 2 November of 2010, a contract oil with a coalition of international companies led by Italy's Eni to develop Zubair, also signed a contract on November 3 of 2010 with a consortium of British companies BP and China National to develop the Rumaila oil field.

She ran a major international energy companies in the first licensing round in July 2009, at a public auction on the management contracts of six oil fields and gas fields are Bai Hassan and Rumaila, Zubair, West Qurna and loose change, and Abu West and between the population and the Akkas and Mansuriyah, and distributed to the cities of Basra, Amara, Kirkuk, Baquba and Anbar.

Iraq seeks through the development of oil fields and presented to the international companies, to reach a production of at least 11 million barrels per day within the next six years, to 12 million barrels per day after the addition of the quantities of the other fields of national effort.

Iraq exports crude oil from the ports of Basra and Khor al-Amaya on the Persian Gulf, as well as the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean, and through the truck by truck to Jordan, and Iraq currently produces about 2.0005 million barrels of crude oil per day, and the percentage of Iraqi exports from the Basra oil 90 %, while the remaining issue of Kirkuk.

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_Parliament confirms receipt of the budget next week after the 2012 reduction of the deficit

Editor: BK | NQ | SS Wednesday, 30 T 2 2011 14:07 GMT
Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament Haider Abadi
Alsumaria News / Baghdad


Confirmed the Finance Committee in the Iraqi Council of Representatives, Wednesday, that the balance of 2012 will reach parliament next week after the Ministry of Finance reduced the proportion of the deficit and the adoption rate of 85 dollars per barrel of oil, while it likely that the reduction rate of up to 115 trillion dinars.

Committee Chairman Haider al-Abadi, in a press conference held today in the parliament building, attended by "Alsumaria News", "the state budget would reach parliament next week after the Ministry of Finance downwards to reduce the deficit," adding that "the duty of Ministry of Finance to reduce the budget deficit, but we do not want to affect the investment budget. "

Abadi and likely to "go down the financial budget of 125 to 115 trillion Iraqi dinars, not including the reduction balance of the security ministries and armament contracts," noting that "the IMF insisted that determine the price of a barrel of oil in the development of the state budget $ 85."

The Chairman of the Finance Committee that "the deficit in the budget, the adoption of this price will be 13 percent of gross national product of Iraq," adding that "the proportion of these deficits are too high and should be reduced."

The head of the House of Representatives Osama Najafi student, yesterday Monday (November 28, 2011), the need to expedite the completion of the annual budget for the coming year during a short period, stressing the need not to prejudice the rights of the provinces in pumping money into ventures and investments, as he emphasized the International Fund it works now to reduce the budget and reduce the current budget for Iraq in 2012.

And Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, (November 16, 2011), that the budget for fiscal year 2012 will be forwarded to the parliament soon, adding that many countries agreed to implement the project on credit payment method.

The Ministry of Planning, announced (22 September 2011), that the financial budget for 2012, next will be between $ 112 and $ 120 billion, confirming that 35 percent of allocated budget investment, while the balance of 2011 the current 81.9 billion dollars deficit of $ 13.3 billion.

LINK

_Emerson Submits Bid To Get Contracts At Iraq's Zubair Field - Executive


BASRA, Iraq -(Dow Jones)- U.S.-based energy firm Emerson (EMR) has submitted a bid to win an automated systems contract at Iraq's giant Zubair oil field, a company executive said.

Emerson, a specialist in oil and gas, refining and power automation, submitted the bid to a consortium led by Italy'sEni SpA (E) which is the operator of Zubair oil field, which holds some 8 billion barrels of oil reserves.

"We hope that we will be successful," said Branko Pecar, vice president and general manager of Emerson's Northern Region, Middle East and Africa.

No details about the value of the contract (to set up process and control automation equipment in the field) were made available.

"We are hoping to get contracts in Zubair, West Qurna Phase 1 and 2 oil fields," Pecar told Dow Jones Newswires on the sidelines of an oil and gas conference and exhibition held this week in Basra, in southern Iraq.

Pecar also said Emerson is fixing a process and control automation equipment in supergiant Rumaila and Majnoon oil fields in southern Iraq which are being developed by BP PLC (BP) and Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSA).

Iraq's state South Oil Company, the largest Iraqi firm, awarded a contract to Emerson earlier this year to provide crude oil metering systems and related technologies for the new Basra oil terminal now under construction in the Persian Gulf.

The new terminal, which includes both onshore and offshore facilities, will boost Iraq's oil exports capacity by 2.7 million barrels a day.

The company is also installing control systems in each of Hilla and Kerbala power station in central Iraq, he said.

-By Hassan Hafidh; Dow Jones Newswires; +962 799 831 831; hassan.hafidh@ dowjones.com


  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
  11-30-110307ET
  Copyright (c) 2011 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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_Lukoil is looking at an American share of Iraqi oil field

Published: 30 November, 2011, 14:49

Russian oil major Lukoil is looking to expand its business in Iraq through buying a share in one of Iraq’s largest oil fields.

The RBC daily reports Lukoil is considering buying part of ExxonMobil 60% stake in the West Qurna field. If the deal goes ahead Lukoil would hold 37,5% in a business.

Vice CEO Leonid Fedun says Lukoil is interested in developing West Qurna-1, it is already in partnership with Norway's Statoil over developing the West Qurna-2 oil field.

Meanwhile some experts are not optimistic about the project. “West Qurna-1 may cost $4-5 billion”, says Alexey Kokin, analyst in Uralsib Capital. “ExxonMobil is probably giving up the project, because its economics are not clear yet. It requires $15-20 billion to be invested in the next 20 years”

Anglo-Dutch Shell is reportedly going to buy the rest of ExxonMobils’s share. The purchase would increase Shell’s share from 15 to 37,5%. The Iraqi state North Oil Company holds 25% of the project.
ExxonMobil has recently signed several agreements with the Kurdish Government to develop the field. The Iraqi authorities threatened the American company with sanctions.

The West Qurna field is believed to hold about 43 billion barrels, making it the second largest oil field in the world after Ghawar in Saudi Arabia.



http://rt.com/business/news/lukoil-iraq-oil-kurna-557/

_Talabani, Biden discuss issues pertaining to Baghdad and Washington Ch7
On: Wed, 11/30/2011 15:47

Baghdad (news) .. President of the Republic, Jalal Talabani, Vice President Joe Biden and the delegation accompanying him on Wednesday afternoon at work.

A source in the presidency (of the Agency news) on Wednesday: President Talabani I keep Vice President Joe Biden and the delegation accompanying him, where they discussed a number of issues relating to Iraq and the United States.

The source added: that the two sides discussed a number of political issues and the relationship between Iraq and the United States after the U.S. withdrawal, where he stressed President Talabani, the need for the United States continues to support Iraq in all fields and especially to take it out of Chapter VII, asserting that Iraq live in a state of security and political stability, and that this stability will evolve in the coming days.

The source noted: President Talabani expressed his delight at the commitment of the United States to withdraw its troops from Iraq in accordance with deadlines.

http://www.ikhnews.com/news.php?action=view&id=25859

_INTERVIEW-Kurdish president says Exxon deal is on

Wed Nov 30, 2011 3:17pm GMT


* Kurdish leader says Iraqi PM had no objection

* Deal is constitutional, Barzani says

* Baghdad has threatened sanctions over Exxon pact


By Rania El Gamal


ARBIL, Iraq, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region will go forward with its exploration deal with U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil despite objections by the central government in Baghdad, the Kurdish president said on Wednesday.

Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, said Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was told of the deal prior to its signing and had no objection, and called Baghdad's opposition unconstitutional.

"The contract is not unconstitutional. Yes, we have signed with Exxon Mobil according to the constitution ... the objection that we heard from some officials is what is unconstitutional," he told Reuters in an interview.

"We are committed to the deal and we will execute it without caring about what some officials in Baghdad say, which is against the constitution."

The U.S. oil giant became the first major to move into the northern Kurdish region in mid-October when it signed with the KRG for six exploration blocks.

The Iraqi oil ministry said the deal was illegal and could result in termination of Exxon's contract to develop the major West Qurna Phase One oilfield in the south. Officials later said they were considering sanctions.

Exxon has not commented publicly on the agreement and Iraqi oil officials say the company has not responded to their requests for an explanation.

The deal heightened tensions between Baghdad and Arbil, which have long-running disputes over oil and land, as U.S. troops pull out of Iraq. Iraq territories disputed by the Kurds and the Arab-led government in Baghdad are considered a potential flashpoint for future conflict in Iraq.

Despite the silence from Exxon, the U.S. State Department commented on the deal, saying it hoped Iraq and Exxon could resolve the dispute in a way that would not undercut the future development of Iraqi oil resources.


MALIKI INFORMED, HAD NO OBJECTION


Interviewed at his sprawling hilltop headquarters outside the Kurdish capital, Arbil, Barzani said the Exxon deal would benefit all of Iraq, not just the Kurdish region. He said he was surprised at Baghdad's recent warning against the deal.

"It is strange really, and has no meaning. For us, it doesn't mean anything," he said.

"At the first step, I sent a message to the prime minister and informed him of all the details. The answer I got back was that there was no objection... Before the signing, yes."

The Kurdish president criticised Iraq's oil policy and said Baghdad has been dragging its feet in approving a hydrocarbon draft law that was agreed between the two governments in 2007.

"The oil policy in Iraq is a failed policy, I say it clearly. Ask the Iraqi people where are the oil refineries? ... How many hours of electricity are available for the Iraqi citizen in the center and south? And Iraq lives on a sea of oil," he said.

"If it is not a failed policy, then what is the reason?" he asked.

Barzani repeated a long-held KRG position that the oil and gas contracts signed by the Kurdish government are constitutional and the region will not give away such rights in order to solve its disputes with Baghdad.

He also said under a 2007 deal both the regional and central governments agreed to continue signing contracts with oil companies until the long-awaited hydrocarbons law was approved.

Maliki and Kurdish Prime Minister Barham Salih agreed in a meeting in October to present an oil law to parliament by year-end and said it would be the draft law approved by the political blocs in 2007, or a version of it with agreed amendments.

"We are exercising the right that was given to us by the constitution and no official in Baghdad has the right to take this away from us," Barzani said. (Editing by Jim Loney)



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http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E7MU61820111130?sp=true