In lieu of doing a recorded call, I wanted to chronicle pertinent events that have occurred in Iraq since our announced break which coincides with their legislative break/Ramadan. My belief then and now is that Iraq must complete the formation of their government by including the three prominent sects Sunni, Shiite and Kurd. As I type the head of the House of Representatives, Jubouri, is on his way or has arrived in New York for a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon where the two will discuss the UN Member States continued support in capacity of Security and Humanitarian relief for the displaced citizens. Days before he was meeting with the US President, Senators and the US Secretary of Defense, Asthon Carter. Jubouri informed the US that any delay in arming Sunni fighters will advantage Daesh as the West (Sunni Territory) believes their government has yet to show allegiance by inaction and continued marginalization. Their position is that words are
pointless if not translated into action. Should Abadi and his Shiite led government continue to breach agreements arrived at the time of his government’s inception there is no tangible difference between he and his government and the perfunctoriness of Maliki’s. Jubouri, a prominent Sunni representative, told the world and the US, after a 2 hour discussion with President Obama and VP Joe Biden, that Iraq must become more inclusive if they are to achieve success both economically and militarily; that arming the Sunni is not just a political request, the people who reside in the West know the lay of the land much better than anyone else combined with creating positive mental dispositions in that they are a prideful people and want to see an integrated effort in liberating their homeland as they (Sunni) will be (after the passage of the National Guard Law) apart of the Iraqi Army, formally. Both America and Jubouri agreed on the importance of increasing support of the Iraqi Sunni and international support for those that have fled their homes. He also met with Senators Mitch McConnell and John McCain and Asthon Carter (Defense Secretary) where they covered the same topic areas as discussed with the President. Initially he met with American business leaders at the US Chamber of Commerce building where he stressed the need for US Corporate involvement in assisting Iraq in developing its private sector but was met with caution by said entities as they informed him that without ability to protect investment the risks would be too great as Iraq has not yet made a commitment to itself in creating a palatable environment to open the way for economic growth. Today, before venturing to New York, Jubouri made certain that the US realizes that there are parallels between arming the Sunni tribes and Iraq’s ability to find political agreement/reform. He said, “Security reform is closely linked to Political reform, and asked that there also be support for making sure the Iraqi government IMPLEMENTS the POLITICAL AGREEMENT CONTRACTS that were arrived at to give Mr. Abadi the Prime Minster position indicating, “We want to build a State that RESPECTS the LAW and that takes human rights into consideration.” The Chairman of the US Foreign relations committee, Ed Royce did reiterate the US’s support for Iraq and its eventual passage of the National Guard Law noting that the US supports a government in Iraq that includes ALL PEOPLES of the country. Overall it was a progressive meeting with rhetoric similar to that we have heard in the past, now we WAIT and WATCH to see if traction can be had by all components of Iraq. All factions Abadi (Shiite), Barzani (Kurd) and Jubouri (Sunni) have all had their independent meetings to inform the US as to how it should proceed by acquiring needed information.
Meeting in Germany by Abadi
The US media portrayed Abadi’s visit to Germany as a snub by President Obama but it was Abadi who made his presence felt at the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau, Germany last week. This mischaracterization was to sensationalize an occurrence that was to be nothing more than a side-bar. The G7 is a group consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the United States of America – the largest economies of the world. Mr. Abad last I checked, as he does not have that status, cannot be represented as a member. His visit was for the President to simply have another face-to-face encounter. Often times, conversations get lost in translation, the President thought Mr. Abadi understood his INCLUSIVE message of integrating POLITICAL REFORM but apparently Mr. Abadi did not comprehend. Prime Minister Abadi, after his meetings in France, which focused on the war against Daash told the Iraqi people that no contingencies were offered by his country to procure increased support from the international community. This public announcement infuriated the President thus another meeting was scheduled. Abadi had no purpose for being in Germany other than for the US to set the record straight with regard to what was expected of Iraq going forward. Abadi included himself in the photo opportunities, the picture with all Heads of State and conversations but he was to be a fly on the wall so to speak as there was not supposed to be a grandstanding moment. There the two discussed the need to get the Sunni more involved, in fact, the President told Mr. Abadi that he would be building a new military base in Anbar province (Sunni Province) and providing 450 additional military training personnel to Iraq. Since that time it seems that the US congress has shot down the idea of additional personnel. Without Iraq doing its part to democratize their land by including the Sunni and the Kurds there will be lackadaisical support by the International community. The plan was to fashion an inclusive State whereby all could benefit from that which Iraq has to offer the development of its own land, region and the world, namely Energy through Oil. Once the Central Banking System was implemented a NEW GOVERNANCE had to take hold the same way that it has taken hold in every other country that has its systems in place. Iraq is not different, they must comply. However, they differ in their controversial makeup as they have 3 factions that have a desire to not lose ground on any garnered achievement. Once the Kurds obtained their ability to control their resources and could contract for oil sales they are reticent to reverse that gain. Once the Shiite had the ability to exercise majority rule by having the largest population there’s no way they will allow the enemy Saddamist’s (Sunni) to regain strength by having political involvement, thus we continue to see the continuance of stagnation. Fear of being dominated weighs so heavily in the minds of those once oppressed that they cannot conceptually realize their cohesiveness will bring reward to future generations and their children could live in an Iraq that will, not necessarily accomplish a Sunni kissing a Shiite; but an Iraq that could flourish by being able to create laws that affect all citizens equally and fairly so as to not blur lines. Liking a counterpart has nothing to do with completing a task; two individuals as they built the Egyptian Pyramids may not have been fond of the other as long as the building blocks continued moving toward completion both could marvel at their individual contribution and not thrash the contribution of the other. No one is asking Shiite Muslims to next-door neighbor their Sunni counterpart, except by Provincial lines; the world is asking them to get along just enough to allow Iraq to breathe and achieve the greatness that the land has in store. The meeting in Germany was to right the ship’s course and only for that reason. As it happens, we will see no movement in Iraq in the way of the countries betterment until they get out of their own way and make way to Greatness! And the only way to accomplish that is to LEGISLATE!
Ramadan
In 2015, Ramadan will begin on June 18th it is time for fasting and prayer by all Muslims. They commemorate during the 9th and holiest month for 29-30 days (depending on the Crescent Moon), a spiritual exercise that is designed to bring them closer to Allah (God) through contemplation and humility. This is said to be a joyful and festive time but it will require fasting from food, drink and sex of any sort during daylight hours. They may participate in all three in the evening hours. It is one of the five pillars of the essential practices of Islam. The rules are not inflexible as children, the infirmed, pregnant women and sometimes even those who travel are not required to fast. It does not fall on a specific date categorized by our Gregorian or western calendar. It starts by use of the naked eye’s observation of the first sliver of the new Moon on the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and that is why different countries observe Ramadan contrarily. Ironically, it is the most UNIFYING of Muslim observation COMMUNITY between the Sunnis, Shiites and Alawites – they are supposed to an act the spirit of “UMMA” or which is central to Islam in its ideal form. Ramadan was meant also to impose a truce on all hostilities; I wonder if the war with Daash will also break in the spirit of this holiday. We have seen in the past that this does not matter and I presume that Daash will continue in its efforts. Source
IQD Team Connection
With that said, historically, things in Iraq move even slower during this time. It is not that they won’t convene, work or even try and come up with strategies to move their legislative process forward. Coupled with the legislative recess we anticipate not seeing much in the area of action at least until the 1st of July and that is why we have decided to take a break. As I’ve told you before nothing in America with the exception of our leadership speaking to the leadership in Iraq has anything to do with our desire to follow things newsworthy. We’re not affected by any statement, speculation, fool hearted guesses or events that occur in the United States – we’re only focused on what the Iraqi people say about the Iraqi predicament as that is the only barometer that can give measure to the eventual growth pattern Iraq will take to satisfy the demands of the system at large.
We hope that this message is received with an integral effort on our part to share and impart information obtained from Iraqi media sources - the only truth that can be had.
LJ
Meeting in Germany by Abadi
The US media portrayed Abadi’s visit to Germany as a snub by President Obama but it was Abadi who made his presence felt at the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau, Germany last week. This mischaracterization was to sensationalize an occurrence that was to be nothing more than a side-bar. The G7 is a group consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the United States of America – the largest economies of the world. Mr. Abad last I checked, as he does not have that status, cannot be represented as a member. His visit was for the President to simply have another face-to-face encounter. Often times, conversations get lost in translation, the President thought Mr. Abadi understood his INCLUSIVE message of integrating POLITICAL REFORM but apparently Mr. Abadi did not comprehend. Prime Minister Abadi, after his meetings in France, which focused on the war against Daash told the Iraqi people that no contingencies were offered by his country to procure increased support from the international community. This public announcement infuriated the President thus another meeting was scheduled. Abadi had no purpose for being in Germany other than for the US to set the record straight with regard to what was expected of Iraq going forward. Abadi included himself in the photo opportunities, the picture with all Heads of State and conversations but he was to be a fly on the wall so to speak as there was not supposed to be a grandstanding moment. There the two discussed the need to get the Sunni more involved, in fact, the President told Mr. Abadi that he would be building a new military base in Anbar province (Sunni Province) and providing 450 additional military training personnel to Iraq. Since that time it seems that the US congress has shot down the idea of additional personnel. Without Iraq doing its part to democratize their land by including the Sunni and the Kurds there will be lackadaisical support by the International community. The plan was to fashion an inclusive State whereby all could benefit from that which Iraq has to offer the development of its own land, region and the world, namely Energy through Oil. Once the Central Banking System was implemented a NEW GOVERNANCE had to take hold the same way that it has taken hold in every other country that has its systems in place. Iraq is not different, they must comply. However, they differ in their controversial makeup as they have 3 factions that have a desire to not lose ground on any garnered achievement. Once the Kurds obtained their ability to control their resources and could contract for oil sales they are reticent to reverse that gain. Once the Shiite had the ability to exercise majority rule by having the largest population there’s no way they will allow the enemy Saddamist’s (Sunni) to regain strength by having political involvement, thus we continue to see the continuance of stagnation. Fear of being dominated weighs so heavily in the minds of those once oppressed that they cannot conceptually realize their cohesiveness will bring reward to future generations and their children could live in an Iraq that will, not necessarily accomplish a Sunni kissing a Shiite; but an Iraq that could flourish by being able to create laws that affect all citizens equally and fairly so as to not blur lines. Liking a counterpart has nothing to do with completing a task; two individuals as they built the Egyptian Pyramids may not have been fond of the other as long as the building blocks continued moving toward completion both could marvel at their individual contribution and not thrash the contribution of the other. No one is asking Shiite Muslims to next-door neighbor their Sunni counterpart, except by Provincial lines; the world is asking them to get along just enough to allow Iraq to breathe and achieve the greatness that the land has in store. The meeting in Germany was to right the ship’s course and only for that reason. As it happens, we will see no movement in Iraq in the way of the countries betterment until they get out of their own way and make way to Greatness! And the only way to accomplish that is to LEGISLATE!
Ramadan
In 2015, Ramadan will begin on June 18th it is time for fasting and prayer by all Muslims. They commemorate during the 9th and holiest month for 29-30 days (depending on the Crescent Moon), a spiritual exercise that is designed to bring them closer to Allah (God) through contemplation and humility. This is said to be a joyful and festive time but it will require fasting from food, drink and sex of any sort during daylight hours. They may participate in all three in the evening hours. It is one of the five pillars of the essential practices of Islam. The rules are not inflexible as children, the infirmed, pregnant women and sometimes even those who travel are not required to fast. It does not fall on a specific date categorized by our Gregorian or western calendar. It starts by use of the naked eye’s observation of the first sliver of the new Moon on the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and that is why different countries observe Ramadan contrarily. Ironically, it is the most UNIFYING of Muslim observation COMMUNITY between the Sunnis, Shiites and Alawites – they are supposed to an act the spirit of “UMMA” or which is central to Islam in its ideal form. Ramadan was meant also to impose a truce on all hostilities; I wonder if the war with Daash will also break in the spirit of this holiday. We have seen in the past that this does not matter and I presume that Daash will continue in its efforts. Source
IQD Team Connection
With that said, historically, things in Iraq move even slower during this time. It is not that they won’t convene, work or even try and come up with strategies to move their legislative process forward. Coupled with the legislative recess we anticipate not seeing much in the area of action at least until the 1st of July and that is why we have decided to take a break. As I’ve told you before nothing in America with the exception of our leadership speaking to the leadership in Iraq has anything to do with our desire to follow things newsworthy. We’re not affected by any statement, speculation, fool hearted guesses or events that occur in the United States – we’re only focused on what the Iraqi people say about the Iraqi predicament as that is the only barometer that can give measure to the eventual growth pattern Iraq will take to satisfy the demands of the system at large.
We hope that this message is received with an integral effort on our part to share and impart information obtained from Iraqi media sources - the only truth that can be had.
LJ