Too many times, people will refer to articles and start posting things that just don’t match the words.
So today there’s a big push about ambassadors meeting in Basra, of course because, “this is it!” Well it’s not exactly like some would have you believe. Yes, there are people meeting in Basra, but the story is more like this. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein arrived in Basra accompanied by heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Iraq as part of a tour aimed at reviewing the vital and strategic projects implemented by the government, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. The tour will include a visit to Al Faw Grand Port and the Development Road, where the advanced stages achieved by these projects, which represent a fundamental pillar of economic development in Iraq, will be highlighted. The Minister and his accompanying delegation were received by the Governor of Basra Mr. Asaad Al Eidani, who reviewed the efforts made to implement these projects and achieve their goals in strengthening the national economy. So this is the DEPUTY Prime Minister and the meetings are about the Port and Developmental road project, which are both ahead of schedule. This is good news, just don’t expect this to be some huge currency announcement.
This is from the Minister of Foreign Affairs website today, doesn’t exactly look like there’s room for 140 ministers to hang out in this room. So again, things are not always what some would have you believe.
12-12-2024 Militia Man There’s 140 ambassadors already started arriving for a celebration in Basra. For what? A historic event inclusive, UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank, deputy ambassadors, etc etc. Why would they all be there? For what? Because they’re going to showcase, for all the investors. What are they going to showcase? Iraq’s basically sounding like they’re going to open to the world. It’s always THE MOMENT, sometimes it’s just another event in Iraq’s progress. Looking through delegations that were mentioned, UNESCO has had an established representative, H.E. Mr Asaad Al-Bdairi, was assigned as a permanent delegate in July of this year, UNICEF has someone there as well. As far as the World Bank, there are no special delegations there at this time. What about U.S. officials, per the State Department site, Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass and Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara A. Leaf traveled to Iraq December 10-11 and met with government leaders to discuss a range of bilateral issues and regional security opportunities and challenges. They will also travel to Ankara, Türkiye on December 12 where they will join Secretary Antony J. Blinken. In Baghdad, Under Secretary Bass and Assistant Secretary Leaf met with Iraqi government officials and political leaders to emphasize the enduring U.S.-Iraq partnership, the importance of regional security and stability, and the need to take action to promote Iraq’s energy independence. On Syria, Under Secretary Bass emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power that is an inclusive, Syrian-led process in the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Don’t think this reads as an RV to me.
12-12-2024 MarkZ I have gotten another report from another Iraq contractor saying that they are due to renegotiate rates on their contracts with the government of Iraq this week. So I am going to say that the rumors out there with contractors are true at this point. I am definitely hearing that a number of contractors are negotiating rates on contracts in the low $3 range. This has me exceptionally excited. This is just another head shaker for me. First of all, when in another country, you would negotiate in the home countries currency. Now with the use of the USD in Iraq, I could see that possibly coming into play, but we’ve heard for YEARS all these contracts that were signed in USD at amazing rates and not a single one has come to fruition. So I reached out to buddies in Halliburton today to see exactly what all the fuss was about. They explained in no uncertain terms that oil contracts are negotiated on lengths of normally 20-50 YEARS. And that the value of the currency wouldn’t change anything if it was negotiated in USD. If the home countries value changed, it would merely buy more.
12-12-2024 Wolverine The banks are ready to go. Oil Reform is complete and get ready. … We are nearly there. It may begin today, or tomorrow when Trump rings the bell at the Stock Exchange. We are about to cross that finish line. Just get ready everyone… the weekly, “I’ve-signed-an-NDA-and-can’t-talk-but-I-keep-posting-because-I-need-the-attention-and-support” post. This guy is just a crook, plain and simple. There is ABSOLUTELY no truth in anything that passes from his fingertips or mouth. Period.
12-12-2024 Walkingstick The auctions…were the reason why the purchasing power of Iraq’s currency was being bled out of the country and out of the hand of the citizens. Those auctions needed to be stopped, changed and eventually metamorphosed into an auction that is usable with foreign currency and the Iraqi dinar in their country. They’ve accomplished all of this.. The auctions persist. It is an important piece of the puzzle that has yet to cease. So to say this has all been accomplished is far from the truth. Until those auctions stop, there will still be an outlet for corruption and currency manipulation.
So another day of “not quite the truth” posts by the gurus, but the real news about the Port and developmental road project is bright. So there are still a few weeks until the end of the year and the supposed, end of the auctions. Let’s just see how things go and if the news continues to trickle out or decides to pick up a bit. But the more people will tell you it’s going to be a great Christmas, just remember, Iraq could care less about our holidays.
BWM