Author: garykent

Islamic religious leaders from over 40 countries have urged senior religious and political authorities in Iraq to effect an end to sectarian strife. (Dave Spector)

New hydrocarbon legislation will both encourage foreign investment and ensure an equal distribution of the profits amongst all Iraqis as an attempt to curb oil smuggling which may be used to fund insurgents. (Dave Spector)

A work programme will be synchronised with the latest security plan, with the intention of providing better services to Baghdad neighbourhoods. (Dave Spector)

See this debate between bloggers on who supplied Saddam. The USSR, France and China rather than the US or UK would appear to be largely responsible. (Dave Spector)

Insurgents who distributed leaflets prohibiting education were probably behind recent University bombing. Iraq The Model suggests that it may be time to differentiate between deaths caused by insurgents and those resulting from military actions. (Dave Spector)

The National Democratic Institute, which runs programmes to assist civil society organisations, pays respect to those murdered by insurgents in Baghdad: They did not see themselves as heroes, only people doing a job on behalf of a cause they believed in. They were not the enemies of anyone in Iraq; they were there to help. Now, the prayers of all of us at NDI are with them and with their families. We pledge to do everything that is within our power to see that they did not die in vain. We will honor their example, keep alive their memory, and … Continue reading NDI Remembers Staff Member in Iraq

Commons Answer 17 Jan 2007 Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support his Department is providing to strengthen trades unions in Iraq. Hilary Benn: Under Saddam Husseins regime, trades unions were part of the Ba’ath Party machinery and had very little independence. After the fall of his regime, trades unions effectively collapsed. Trades unions in Iraq are therefore relatively recently established. DFID provides support to trades unions through our Civil Society Fund (CSF) programme. There are two main aspects to this assistance: training trades union leaders; and providing a resource centre for trades … Continue reading How the government helps Iraqi trade unions

Britain and the US are no longer recognising existing Iraqi passports. The recognition withdrawal affects many Iraqis living abroad or in Iraq neighbouring countries, including business travellers, students, visitors, family reunion cases and those who need medical treatment. “This inhumane punishment must be stopped, the people of Iraq continues to suffer at every level.” saidJabbar Hasan, director of the Iraqi Association in London. Recently, Iraqi authority has issued new passports which are only issued in Baghdad with limited availability. With continuing violence in the capital, many people may not be able to travel to Baghdad. In addition to that, its … Continue reading Britain and the US withdrew Iraqi passport recognition

President Bushs decision to increase the number of U.S. troops in Iraq by more than 20,000 ignores the will of the American people and perpetuates this administrations flawed policy, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said in a statement. (Dave Spector) Statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney On the President’s Proposal to Expand American Troops in Iraq January 11, 2007 No United States foreign policy can be sustained without the informed consent of the American people. Last November the American people spoke loudly and clearly that the President’s course in Iraq was flawed and that he should begin bringing our troops home … Continue reading Iraq Needs Political, Diplomatic Efforts, Not Military Build up

Harry Barnes carries a link to a very moving song for peace on his blog and appeals for people to work with those in Iraq who work with each other often irrespective of religous sect, ethnic or national background, family or tribal links, sex or sexual orientation, race or creed.