Latest news from Iraq Updates

19th November 2005 - 25th November 2005
Politics

* Iraq: Saddam Trial Faces Big Challenges
* The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq holds meetings with representatives of Iraqi political groups and Non-Governmental Organisations
* Former Iraqi Defense Minister Al Shaalan Intends to Return to Baghdad
* Sunni clerics to boycott elections
* Between Agreement… and Occupation
* Talabani in Tehran signals a wise Iraqi policy
* After Afghanistan and Iraq wars- Is the world safer now?
* Shi'i leader Al-Sadr urges followers to participate in elections
* Iraq's Sunni election bloc urges UN to oversee elections
* Cairo meeting marks shift in Iraq political process
* The Third Man
* Why Iraq's neighbours must have a stake in its future
* Iraqis want Americans out - but no consensus on when
* Degree of Optimism Rises in October
* Bush salutes Mongolia for assisting his democracy push in Middle East
* High hopes, disillusionment among Iraqi women
* Saddam defence ‘ready to attend hearing’
* Iraq, Iran sign security deal
* The Culture of Killing and Torture
* Would Bush have Gone to War Without Blair?
* Who’s telling the truth? U.S., or the Iraqis?
* Iraq's Jabr downplays torture allegations

Security

* More than 50 killed in Iraq amid warnings of more unrest
* US military weighs troop cuts in Iraq
* Gunmen kill Sunni Arab leader in what police suspect was election-related violence
* At least 19 dead in Iraq car bomb
* Three Polish soldiers injured in Iraq bomb explosion
* Denmark "may withdraw from Iraq next year"
* Car bomb south of Baghdad kills at least 30
* South Korean minister explains failure to notify US of Iraq troops cut plan
* US sees conditions for troop reductions in Iraq 'fairly soon'
* Sixteen killed in Kirkuk suicide bombing
* Iraq Insurgents Kill Senior Sunni Leader
* Berlusconi in Tunisia, explains delay in Italy's Iraq pullout
* US says Iraq insurgents can be 'part of solution'
* It’s time Cheney steps down
* Tests to determine whether terror leader killed in raid in Iraq
* Iraqi leaders call for timetable for withdrawal of U.S.-led forces
* Cheney slams war critics
* Hillary Clinton says immediate withdrawal from Iraq would be `a big mistake'
* U.S. forces shoot Iraqi civilians
* Iraq, torture, prisons: Dick Cheney in line of fire
* Multinationals, not Iraqis, to reap oil fortune
* British soldier killed in Iraq
* Rumsfeld fuels hopes of cut in US forces in Iraq
* U.S. forces seal off house in northern Iraq after 8 suspected terrorists killed in gunfight
* Improvement in Services of Iraqi Navy
* US to pull back troops from Iraq 2006 - US ambassador
* Rumsfeld, Cheney punch back at critics of administration's Iraq war policies
* Iraq president invites talks with foes
* Car bombs kill 50 in Iraq
* Two suicide bomb attacks on Iraq mosques kill 67
* Bush vows: No early troops withdrawal from Iraq
* Security in southern city passed to Iraqi troops
* Iraq government plays down torture reports
* Baghdad rocked by two huge blasts
* South Korea to cut Iraq troops
* Iraq 'several years behind Afghanistan'
* Baghdad Police College graduates 64
* Two suicide bombers attack Shiite mosques in Iraq
* Bush in Asia still dogged by Iraq
* Fighting in western Iraq leaves at least 32 insurgents dead
* Senior Iraqi says Australian troops not needed in south
* War critics spineless, says Cheney

International Relations

* Iraq seeks Japanese support
* Japan agrees to waive US$6.1 billion (A5.17 billion) in loans to Iraq
* Iran to aid Iraq with $1 billion loan to help tackle insecurity
* Iraqi foreign minister arrives in Japan to discuss Tokyo's support for reconstruction
* Iran presses Baghdad on US pull-out
* Financial Grant From Saudis
* President Talabani refutes charges of Iran meddling in Iraq
* Iraq's Talabani says Iran promises support against insurgents
* Iraqi president in Iran to seek aid against terror
* Mideast leaders fear another Iraq in Syria: Annan
* Kuwait, Iraq move towards normalising ties
* Iraqi PM " Relations between Iraq and Syria are currently inconsistent with tradition”
* Call For Greater Italian And Austrian Participation
* Air of Optimism for the Cairo Conference
* Iraq promises Egypt it will stop criticising Syria
* Iraq asks Russia for help against Iran, Syria interference
* Syria's Al-Shar'a calls for "close cooperation" on Iraq borders

Conferences

* Iraqi business leaders attend seminar on private sector development
* Iraqi reconciliation meet to be held late February

Economy

* Spoils Of War
* Increase In Consumer Price Index
* Serious Privatization Discussions And Ideas
* A New Offer By Iraq To Repay Its Debt

Agriculture & Farming

* A Buffer Reserve of Grain, And a Call For More Trade Links With EU.
* Iraq Is Participating In The 33rd Meeting of FAW
* Tree-Growing Around Kurdistan Dams
* New Measures For Import of Agricultural Produce
* Iraq May Stop The Import Of Australian Grains
* War, neglect and disease devastate date palm industry

Building & Construction

* Housing Problem Can Be Solved With Donor-Countries Help
* Iraqi Housing Conference: Problems To Be Studied

Energy – Oil & Gas

* Iraq seeks $38bn oil investments
* Iraq Will Not Discuss Oil Development Before Election
* Poland Is Seeking Large Role In Iraq's Reconstruction
* Two Large New Oil Refineries To Be Set Up
* Oil Sector Needs Large-Scale Investment Policy
* 'Crude' designs on Iraq unveiled
* Companies waiting in the wings for Iraqi riches
* Big oil has crude designs on Iraq wealth
* Iraqi Ex-Oil Min Sees Talks With Foreign Cos In 06
* Poland holds talks with Iraq on access to oil fields, prime minister says.

Reconstruction & General Commerce

* Khalilzad promises to refurbish Babylon; allocates $20 billion to new projects
* Iraq approves antipoverty program
* Allocation of 27 Million Dollars For Services

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

* New Financial Grant For Health From Government

Culture & Tourism

* Abdulsalam’s novel rendered into Spanish

Manufacturing & Industry

* Large Participation By Private Sector In Cement Industry
* Difficulties Facing Joint Industrial Concerns in Iraq

Transport

* Kuwait Airways wins $319m from Iraq

Utilities

* Hopeful Future From A Very Dim Present-Day Reality
* Sabotage blamed for prolonged power outages
* Once Again, Crisis In Both Fuel And Electricity Supplies

www.iraqupdates.com