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2009 Budget vetoed by Presidency Council (and subsequently passed)

On 26 March 2009, the Presidency Council (President Jalal Talabani, Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi) effectively vetoed the 2009 budget law by sending it back to the Council of Representatives which had approved it on March 5. see Musings on Iraq UPDATE: The Presidency Council did approve the $58.9 billion budget […]

USAID المساعدات الامريكية

USAID المساعدات الامريكية is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. In Iraq, USAID has been working to encourage economic growth; support democracy and build the capacity of national and local government; bring agricultural products to market; and provide humanitarian assistance to displaced and vulnerable populations. […]

International Foundation for Electoral Systems

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is an NGO headquartered in Washington DC. IFES has been providing electoral assistance in Iraq since September 2003. Currently, IFES provides a broad range of operational and advisory assistance to the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to strengthen the institution, its responsiveness and implementation capacity. IFES provides crucial […]

Institute for International Law and Human Rights

The Iraq Program of the Institute for International Law and Human Rights (IILHR) (Executive Director, William ‘Spence’ Spencer) is an NGO working with Iraqi leaders to strengthen approaches to human rights and rule of law legislation by: (1) developing draft legislation and Constitutional amendments; (2) working to enact them; (3) developing a sustainable Iraqi capacity […]

GJPI meets with National Security Advisor

Dr Muwaffaq al-Rubaie met with GJPI at his offices on 8 March 2009. A former member of the Iraqi Governing Council, Dr al-Rubai was first appointed National Security advisor from April to September 2004 and has been in post again since 2006. UPDATE: On April 30, 2009 Iraq’s cabinet announced that it was introducing a […]

Judge Ghazi al-Janabi and the State / Shura Council

The Shura Council is currently presided over by Judge Ghazi Al-Janabi who met with GJPI on Tuesday 17 March 2009. The Shura Council is comparable with the Conseil D’Etat in France. As presently constituted, the Shura Council comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Justice. A replacement to be known as the State Council, […]

USIP in Iraq

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has maintained a permanent Iraqi field mission since 2004. Iraqi and American staff in Baghdad and Washington implement projects aimed at: 1. Promoting reconciliation and moderation; 2. Strengthening governance and civil society; 3. Giving the next generation a stake in peace and stability; and 4. Facilitating positive international […]

Professor Mallat in Najaf

Professor Chibli Mallat delivered a lecture on ‘the message of Najaf to the world’ at the Al-‘Alamayn Advanced Studies Institute in the holy city on Saturday 14 March 2009. Professor Mallat spent the weekend as the guest of Ayat Allah Muhammad Bahr al-‘Ulum in Najaf, where he spoke about how the past and future were […]