IRAQ | Foreign Affairs

[Sinjar]

Originally Posted by sheytanElKebir

it is not only about import regulations, but many of the Iraqi companies have relocated to kurdistan to escape the violence in baghdad. they have the exclusive licences for many turkish companies, and thus most exports from turkey are listed as going to kurdistan.

there is no border/customs between kurdistan and iraq... one of the major loopholes as you know...



It'll certainly make turkey take notice of one of their major trading partners.

Well then we will not see any major effect of the import ban since the laws are different in KRG... We will only see some serious change if KRG agrees on the ban (highly unlikely) or by setting border customs between Iraq and KRG, as you said.

[Sinjar]

Originally Posted by sheytanElKebir

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...pe=marketsNews

Reuters) - Iraq has denied permission to a North Korean plane bound for Syria to pass through Iraqi airspace on Saturday because it suspects it could be carrying weapons, a senior official said on Friday.

Iraq on Thursday denied a Western intelligence report that said Iranian aircraft had flown weapons and military personnel over Iraqi airspace to Syria to help President Bashar al-Assad battle an 18-month-old uprising.

The allegation, reported by Reuters on Wednesday, said arms transfers were organised by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

"Continuing the Iraqi government policy to investigate the passing of weapons to Syria through Iraqi land and air space, the Iraqi authorities prevented a North Korean plane from going to Syria, after they suspected that the plane was shipping weapons," Ali al-Mossawi, media advisor to the Iraq's prime minister, told Reuters.

Moussawi said the scheduled plane's itinerary, from North Korea to Syria, was what had aroused suspicions but that there had been no contact between the Iraqi government and North Korea on the issue.

Mossawi said that despite repeated requests from the Iraqi side, the United States had not presented any evidence that Iranian civilian aircraft were shipping arms to Syria via Iraq.

"We have told the Iranians that we could search their planes any time, randomly, and whenever we get any evidence (that they are shipping weapons)," he said.

"We will seriously stop these plans (from passing through Iraqi space)," he added added.

Although charges that Iraq has allowed Iran to send arms to Syria are not new, the report said the extent of such shipments is far greater and more systematic than has been publicly acknowledged, thanks to a deal between senior Iraqi and Iranian officials.

The report also said Iran was dispatching trucks overland via Iraq westwards to Syria.

Syria's upheaval is politically tricky for Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim-led government. Close to Assad's ally, Shi'ite Iran, Baghdad has resisted joining Western and fellow Arab calls for the Syrian leader to step down while also calling for a reform process in Syria.

Iraqi leaders fear Assad's fall would fracture Syria along sectarian lines and yield a hostile, hardline Sunni Muslim regime that could stir up Iraq's volatile Sunni-Shi'ite mix.

Baghdad has reinforced key points along its 680-km (420-mile) desert border with Syria.

U.S. officials said earlier this month they were questioning Iraq about Iranian flights in Iraqi air space. On Wednesday, U.S. Senator John Kerry threatened to review U.S. aid to Baghdad if it does not halt such overflights to Syria.

I actually think the denial was mainly to keep the good relations with South Korea intact.

[Turknology]

Originally Posted by sheytanElKebir

the only way to squeeze turkey is for iraq to ban all imports from there. Will the kurds cooperate? or will Iraq have to setup border posts along the kurdish "border"?

good luck with that

[Sinjar]

Kuwait Ready For Iraq Pacts

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 23, (KUNA): Representative of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met Sunday with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

During the meeting, attended by Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the two senior officials discussed regional and international developments. They also exchanged views on the situation in Syria and international efforts to solve the conflict, stop bloodshed and alleviate suffering of the Syrian people. Sheikh Jaber and Ban discussed different visions to support the UN and boost its global credibility.

Sheikh Jaber commended Ban’s endeavors to tackle international issues, and affirmed Kuwait’s support for the Secretary General’s priorities during his second term in office. Sheikh Jaber expressed the government of Kuwait’s honest desire to iron out all outstanding issues with the government of Iraq including free navigation in Abdullah inlet and the legal cases against Iraq airways.

The Kuwaiti Prime Minister said he planned to visit Iraq soon to sign a number of agreements to pave way for Iraq to implement all UN resolutions and exit from Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Ban’s office issued a statement after the meeting saying the Secretary General reiterated his personal commitment towards normalization of relations between Kuwait and Iraq.

Iraq must fully and swiftly comply with all UN resolutions related to Kuwait, affirmed Ban.
Ban and Sheikh Jaber, said the statement, discussed the developments in the region including the Syrian conflict and the Middle East peace process.

The meeting was attended by Amiri Diwan Advisor Mohammad Abulhassan, Kuwait Ambassador to the UN Mansour Al-Otaibi, Kuwait Ambassador to the US Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and director of Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister’s office Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah.

[Sinjar]

Talks under way with Iraq to serve as export gateway

By Hana Namrouqa

AMMAN -- The Ministry of Agriculture is communicating with its Iraqi counterpart to secure the transit of local agricultural produce via Iraq to Turkey and Europe, a government official said on Monday.
The move seeks to open new portals for exporting the Kingdom's fruits and vegetables to east European countries as the Syria route remains suspended due to the crisis and the unstable security conditions in the country, Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin told The Jordan Times.

"The ministry is exerting all efforts to avoid an expected market glut during the 2012-2013 agricultural season. We are trying to open new export gateways and facilitate marketing of local produce," Haddadin said.

Officials at the ministry are coordinating with Iraqi officials to activate the transit agreement between Amman and Baghdad and facilitate the export of local produce via Iraq to Turkey and Europe, he underscored.
Syria is Jordan's main gateway for exporting fruits and vegetables to Turkey and Europe, but all exports came to a complete halt in July due to the crisis in Syria.

According to agriculture ministry figures, in normal circumstances Jordan exports 180,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables to Syria, at a value of around JD40 million annually.
Overland cargo movement between Jordan and Syria, however, has reached "zero", with barely a single truck leaving Jordan for Syria or vice versa due to the escalating violence.

Between 300 and 400 freight trucks used to enter the Kingdom through Syria on a daily basis, according to official figures.

"The ministry is also coordinating with Royal Jordanian to start exporting local produce to Europe by air, especially since Jordanian fruits and vegetables are sought after in international markets," Haddadin noted.

© Jordan Times 2012

[Sinjar]

Iran and Iraq enjoy strong ties: Jalal Talabani



05 October 2012, TEHRAN - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said that Baghdad and Tehran enjoy strong and friendly ties.

Talabani made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi in Baghdad on Thursday.

The Iraqi president hailed Vahidi’s visit, which was the first by an Iranian defense minister to Iraq since the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979.

Commenting on the scourge of terrorism in the region, Talabani said that the promotion of terrorism in the region only serves Israel’s interests.

During the meeting, Vahidi briefed the Iraqi president on the process of defense cooperation between the two countries.

Syrian govt. does not need other countries’ weapons: Vahidi

Vahidi held a joint press conference with Acting Iraqi Defense Minister Saadoun al-Dulaimi in Baghdad on Wednesday, in which he said that there is no limitation in regard to the expansion of ties between the two countries.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s relations with Iraq are deep-rooted, and we and the Iraqis have common interests and enemies,” Vahidi stated.

Asked about U.S. claims that Iran is shuttling military equipment to Syria via Iraq and the fact that Iraqi authorities made their first inspection of an Iranian aircraft on Tuesday afternoon and let it fly on to Syria after finding no weapons, Vahidi dismissed the claims and said, “Syria does not require other countries’ weapons in civil conflicts.”

On the claim that Iran is shipping weaponry to Syria, Dulaimi also said, “The purpose of accusing Iran is completely political” and is also meant to compel Iraq to change its stance toward the Arab country.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he commented on regional security and said that the security of the region can be maintained and promoted only through cooperation between regional countries.

During his stay in Baghdad, Vahidi met with a number of other senior Iraqi officials and stated that Iran is ready to provide assistance to the Iraqi Army.

EP/PA

[Sinjar]

Iraq exports oil with USD 18 discount - Jordan minister

Saturday, 06 Oct 2012
Aswat Aliraq cited Mr Alaa Batayneh Jordan Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources as saying that Iraq exports oil to Jordan with USD 18 discount per barrel.

The minister added that his country is in good relations with Iraq, and both countries agreed to increase crude oil imports from 10,000 to 15,000 barrel per day.

Mr Batayneh said that his country has assigned part of the GCC financial donation, a sum of USD 5 million to execute projects that would boost the electricity sector in the kingdom.

He said that the Jordanian government has assigned such amount to establish five solar and wind power generators capable of generating 200 MW to 300 MW.

In recent days, five Arabian Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE) approved a donation total of USD 5 billion donation spread into 5 years plan to finance developmental projects.

[BigDreamer]

unnecessary for us to do this.. never understood why

[alshawi1234]

Originally Posted by BigDreamer

unnecessary for us to do this.. never understood why

It's good for influence, if we are able to make Jordan fully reliable on Iraq for energy, we could have great impact on its political decision making.

I think it's also to help pay for services of Iraqis on Jordan? Maybe?

[Al-Hashimi]

Because ties with Jordan have always been deep-rooted and will continue to be so. No need to change that.

On the other hand the continuous advancements towards Ajam are deeply regrettable and worrying.

[Chounz]

Originally Posted by Sinjar

Iran and Iraq enjoy strong ties: Jalal Talabani



05 October 2012, TEHRAN - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said that Baghdad and Tehran enjoy strong and friendly ties.

Talabani made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi in Baghdad on Thursday.

The Iraqi president hailed Vahidi’s visit, which was the first by an Iranian defense minister to Iraq since the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979.

Commenting on the scourge of terrorism in the region, Talabani said that the promotion of terrorism in the region only serves Israel’s interests.

During the meeting, Vahidi briefed the Iraqi president on the process of defense cooperation between the two countries.

Didn't notice that at all during the past decade... thanks for enlightening us Mr. Talabani!

[Al-Hashimi]

Originally Posted by Sinjar

Iran and Iraq enjoy strong ties: Jalal Talabani



05 October 2012, TEHRAN - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said that Baghdad and Tehran enjoy strong and friendly ties.

Talabani made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi in Baghdad on Thursday.

The Iraqi president hailed Vahidi’s visit, which was the first by an Iranian defense minister to Iraq since the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979.

Commenting on the scourge of terrorism in the region, Talabani said that the promotion of terrorism in the region only serves Israel’s interests.

During the meeting, Vahidi briefed the Iraqi president on the process of defense cooperation between the two countries.

Syrian govt. does not need other countries’ weapons: Vahidi

Vahidi held a joint press conference with Acting Iraqi Defense Minister Saadoun al-Dulaimi in Baghdad on Wednesday, in which he said that there is no limitation in regard to the expansion of ties between the two countries.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s relations with Iraq are deep-rooted, and we and the Iraqis have common interests and enemies,” Vahidi stated.

Asked about U.S. claims that Iran is shuttling military equipment to Syria via Iraq and the fact that Iraqi authorities made their first inspection of an Iranian aircraft on Tuesday afternoon and let it fly on to Syria after finding no weapons, Vahidi dismissed the claims and said, “Syria does not require other countries’ weapons in civil conflicts.”

On the claim that Iran is shipping weaponry to Syria, Dulaimi also said, “The purpose of accusing Iran is completely political” and is also meant to compel Iraq to change its stance toward the Arab country.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he commented on regional security and said that the security of the region can be maintained and promoted only through cooperation between regional countries.

During his stay in Baghdad, Vahidi met with a number of other senior Iraqi officials and stated that Iran is ready to provide assistance to the Iraqi Army.

EP/PA

One of the most laughable articles I have read in a long time. It's really regrettable and deeply worrying that such strong ties exists with a primitive regime that is getting isolated by virtually everyone else. For what exactly? What is Iraq actually gaining from all this apart from crappy and cheap imports from Iran that are making life a hell for our farmers and private sector!

Not to mention that they are a historical enemy and a country that has actively contributed to the destruction of Iraq after the 2003 invasion.

Before that we fought a long and bloody war against them. The same leadership that is based in Teheran were actively promoting hatred towards Iraq and doing their utmost to kill Iraqis.

Why don't those Iraqi Shi'ah Arabs who love Ajam that much for religious reasons, not increase ties with fellow Shi'ah Arabs in Syria, Lebanon, KSA, Yemen, Bahrain etc. instead?

The lines I highlighted in the article are too obvious to discuss so I better leave that before I will hurt someones feelings - something that should never happen when speaking about Iran.

[BigDreamer]

Originally Posted by alshawi1234

It's good for influence, if we are able to make Jordan fully reliable on Iraq for energy, we could have great impact on its political decision making.

I think it's also to help pay for services of Iraqis on Jordan? Maybe?

what influence??

their king DIDN'T EVEN TURN UP to the arab league summit earlier this year.. in fact they sent the lowest delegation they could find !

it shows how much they give a crap about Iraq..

jordan is a Saudi / US puppet , there is no point even trying to influence them

[Al-Hashimi]

Then why have relations with Jordan always been more or less excellent? And why are we to date close allies? As close as one can get in the Middle East at least.

They welcomed thousands of Iraqis and treated them well in general. I have never seen any Jordanian being hostile towards Iraqis.

We have close cultural, tribal and historical ties.

That Arab League summit was a farce like all Arab League summits. Many leaders also declined because of security issues and I don't blame them.

I consider King Abdullah of Jordan to be one of the best leaders in the Arab world. He has always talked warmly about Iraq and Iraqis.

Hell, even King Abdullah of KSA has a mother who is from an branch of the Shammari tribe (one of the biggest tribes in Iraq. He is even married to an member from an Iraqi branch of the Shammari tribe amongst many others of course, LOL.

Give me Jordan each day of the week rather than Iran.

[BigDreamer]

jordan should import all their oil form ksa at subsidised price.. why are they "la7gena b-3arabana" .. we can sell that 15k b/d at market price.. there are no shortage of buyers of our oil.. no need for this misplaced subsidy..

also, incase people here are not aware.. jodan has a gdp/capita higher than Iraq's !

jordan doesnt have millions of its own citizens homless and displaced..

@al-hashmi. you really dont need to explicitly tell us your views.. we all know what you were going to say.. it's rather predictible.. " something something someothing.. I hate iran.. something something something.. arab tribal connections something something something.. [insert pan arabism rehoteric here] .. etc etc'

I actually don't give a crap about Iran or saudi Arabia.. i care ONLY about the people of IRAQ.. soo hashmi you can start your king abdullah love-club somewhere else..

[Al-Hashimi]

Well nobody here is talking about anything from a non-Iraqi perspective.

Being in favour of having good ties to Jordan - a country that has cultural and historical links with Iraq rather than Iran has nothing to do with Pan-Arabism - just simple logic.

Not to mention that Jordan and Iraq have always been allies and that the former helped thousands of Iraqis after the 2003 invasion.

I don't see the problem at all.

This is a thread specially made for foreign affairs. If we are not going to discuss Iraq's foreign relations in this thread then where should such discussions take place?

Saying that person X is the best Arab leader does not equal worship nor is that any sign of him being an excellent leader, sadly.....

But I fail to find a better Arab leader than him right now. Unless I missed someone.

[Ali - Iraq]

Personally i think you are more fanatic of arabism, tribism than Iraq. You do always question why Iraq has strong ties with Iran? Why not? Since the establishment of the new regime, Iraq have tried to make a good relationship with ALL countries, however some countries ( Saudi Arabia, KSA etc.) rejected that idea because their ideology is based on sectarianism.

So far the countries who you are praising so much will not cooperate with Iraq.If you were in power what would you do, would you cooperate with Iran and those who want to cooperate with you, or will you just say '' Iran isn't an Arab country bla bla. bla and therefore i don't have to cooperate with Iran'' ? Don't forget Iran is a big and a NEIGHBORING country, it's dangerous to ''ignore'' Iran.

Nevertheless I'm against that Iran has so much influence in Iraq but it doesn't mean we have to cut all our relationship with them.

Those who you praise also told Saddam to go in war with Iran, where they would support him. Afterwards the arab countries told Saddam to pay what they loaned him and some more, even though the Iraq's economy was destroyed.

In 1991 they let the Americans use their land in order to attack Iraq which also happened in 2003. Nowadays they send terrorists to Iraq.

All in all how can you prefer some Arabic countries over Iran? Please explain because for me it doesn't make sense, and in matter of fact people like you are the reason why Iraq can't develop as other countries.

[Ali - Iraq]

Originally Posted by BigDreamer

what influence??

their king DIDN'T EVEN TURN UP to the arab league summit earlier this year.. in fact they sent the lowest delegation they could find !

it shows how much they give a crap about Iraq..

jordan is a Saudi / US puppet , there is no point even trying to influence them

Exactly.

[Al-Hashimi]

I explained my reasons for being against Iran and being suspicious of them. Most Iraqis dislike Iran and we are historical rivals since ancient times. I am not going to like them nor should I.

Why should I prefer Iranians - whom I have no relation to nor in terms of ancestry, origin, language, culture, religion - over fellow Arabs, in this case Jordanians, who have always been friendly towards Iraq and who we share cultural, tribal and historical ties with?

I don't care what unelected head of states have done of wrongdoings in the past. It does not concern me since I am talking about mutual and healthy relations between the same people (Arabs) across borders made by imperial Europeans less than 90 years ago. Normal ordinary fellow Arabs.

Again what can we use Iran for? They are a dictatorship whose rulers where the same people who actively supported the killings of Iraqis less than 25 years ago. What can we gain from an failed state that is heavily isolated? A state that is an historical enemy nevertheless and who actively helped destroy Iraq after the 2003 invasion.

Oh, that was because Saddam made a huge and completely unnecessary mistake by invading Kuwait. That's where it all started. KSA, Kuwait, Qatar and others gave Iraq millions of dollars when we fought against Iran. It's not like they have an obligation towards us.

None of those states you mentioned were actively sending terrorists. Those terrorists are themselves against the governemnts in KSA, Qatar and Kuwait because they deem them traitors for being allies with USA and the West and because they deem their rule unislamic! Those same terrorists are persecuted in KSA, Kuwait, Qatar etc.

I think Iraq can do without Iranian interference on all levels. I am not against an truly healthy relation but I would prefer other allies. Simple as that.

Some prefer complete foreigners and longtime enemies (Iranians) and others prefer fellow Arabs. I happen to belong in the last "sector".

[alshawi1234]

Al-hashimi, you're hate for anything related to Iran is unbearable. Iran is our neighbor, we cannot pretend it doesn't exist. Iran shares many things with Iraq. History, Religion, culture, geography...

I don't know why you insist on bad relations with Iran. Iran does have many negatives, but at least they see the current elected Iraqi government as a legitimate government that represents the country. Unlike KSA and Qatar whom refuse to even recognize the Iraqi government.

Now if other Arab countries don't like iran, that doesn't mean we should join them in their hostility against Iran.
The Arab countries have already caused Iraq enough atrocities by pushing the Iraqis against the Iranian and supporting hatred and war between the two counties. Let the Arabs wage their own war against Iran and keep us away from their problems.
Truth is the Arab rulers are cowards, they always try to get others to do their job. They got the Iraqis to fight against Iran after the revolution. They got mama American to free Kuwait and occupied Saudi territory.

The problems we have got from our Arab neighbors are much worse than what we got from the Iranians. They Arabs supported Iran-Iraq war, they provided loans to Iraq to keep the war going at high interest rates, they refuse to drop the debts, the supported the first gulf war, years of sanctions, they allowed their territory to be used for attacking iraq in 2003, they supported terrorism from 2003- now, many Arabs openly show their hate for iraq and Iraqis, they pay money to hamper iraq's development (politically and economically), they openly refuse arming Iraq with heavy weapons... The list goes on.

If I MUST make a chose. Than I prefer Iran over most Arab counties any time.