|
Kurdistan Region-Iraq News in brief
12.11.2006
Update 1
|
|
|
|
Sulaimaniyah,
Erbil, Duhok, Kirkuk, Kurdistan Region (Iraq),
November 12,
2006
14 Iraqis arrested for attempting illegal entry
to Turkey
Zakho, Nov 11, -– The Iraqi Kurdistan borders guards
arrested 14 people near the northern Iraqi borders
attempting an illegal entry to Turkey, a security
source said on Saturday.
"14 Iraqi citizens were arrested near Bishok bridge
on the Iraqi northern borders attempting an illegal
entry to Turkey," Captain Saad Haji said.
The arrested confessed that they paid $ 5000-7000 to
local smugglers to illegally transport them to
European countries, the source added.
In 2006, the border guards detained more than 600
people in areas near the border town of Zakho while
they were trying to travel illegally to European
countries. Zakho town is in north-western province
of Dahuk in Kurdistan Region.
No restrictions on non-Kurdish Iraqis' residence
in Kurdistan-official
Cairo, Nov 11, - Iraq’s Kurdistan government denied
media reports that further restrictions were imposed
on non-Kurdish Iraqi citizens seeking residence in
the Kurdistan region.
“Kurdistan region is part of Iraq and an Iraqi has a
right to live in it,” Kurdistan interior minister,
Kareem Sinjari, said.
Mr. Sinjari in a statement published on Saturday in
the London-based Asharq al-Awsat daily denied media
reports quoting Erbil Residence department director
as saying “ rigorous restrictions were passed in
Kurdistan region to cut down non-Kurdish Iraqis who
flee a rampant sectarian violence in the other parts
of Iraq.”
"Measures taken by security agencies in Kurdistan
include registering names of workers arriving in the
region from other parts of Iraq," he said. "The
registration is made for sheer security checks, but
so far no objection was raised against the residence
of a non-Kurdish Iraqi citizen."
The Kurdistan interior minister noted “this security
verification is only meant for the protection of the
people living in the region.”
"We are part of Iraq, and we expect attempts also be
made to destabilize the region, not to mention
desperate attempts by armed groups to infiltrate
into the Kurdistan region," Mr.Sinjari added. Mr.
Sinajari, in his statement, wondered "how comes a
citizen be asked of obtaining a residence permit
within part of his own country."
Kurdistan signs MOU with German companies
Iraqi Kurdistan government on Wednesday signed a
memorandum of understanding with a German delegation
representing 200 companies.
"The delegation arrived on Tuesday and signed a
memorandum of understanding with the ministry
concerning cooperation in reconstruction, investment
and services," Emad Ahmed said.
"Contracts signed between the ministry and German
companies will soon be implemented," the minister
added.
This is the second visit by the German delegation to
Kurdistan in as many months.
Crime rates among minors in Erbil on the rise
Erbil- Recent statistics have shown that the number
of crimes in the Kurdish society, especially among
minors - youth under the age of 18 - has
significantly risen since 2005.
According to the figures, this is particularly true
about crimes taking place in the Kurdish capital,
Erbil.
In 2005, the number of recorded crime cases in which
defenders were found guilty was 11; however, this
figure seems to have gone up to 19 so far in 2006 -
a 72% increase from the previous year. As per
information received from certain police centres,
the reported crimes were categorized mainly as
murder, theft, abuse, sexual assault, drugs and
traffic incidents.
The statistics break down the different types of the
reported offences in 2005 and 2006 as follows: a
rise in murder cases from only 1 case in 2005 to 5
cases in 2006; theft from 4 cases to 9; and traffic
incidents from 2 cases to 4. Drugs and homosexual
behaviour were also listed as criminal acts; but
they are, however, said to have decreased in 2006 in
comparison to the year before.
Kurds hope for continuation of ration system
Food agents are authorized by the government to
distribute the ration items.
People in Kurdistan are hoping for the continuation
of the current ration-distribution system, that has
been existing in the country since 1996 and provides
families with a monthly share of certain food items.
Over the past few months, Iraqi government officials
have been speaking of terminating the ration system
and instead giving a monthly salary to families. But
many Iraqis fear that it would only increase the
already rapidly- growing inflation in the country.
The Oil-for-Food Programme, established by the
United Nations in 1995 (under UN Security Council
Resolution 986) and terminated in late 2003, was
intended to allow Iraq to sell oil on the world
market in exchange for food, medicine, and other
humanitarian needs for ordinary Iraqi citizens
without allowing Iraq to rebuild its military.
Following the US-led invasion of 2003, the program
ended in April 2004 and ever since Iraqi government
has
been running the ration system unilaterally, without
UN partnership. Now the government supplies the
citizens
with food items such as rice, flour, beans, cooking
oil, and sugar.
KurdishGlobe net | Agencies
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the content of news
information on this page
|
® 