Baghdad The newspapers issued in Baghdad today, Thursday, December 8, followed up on the possibility of decreasing the exchange rate of the dollar, and the phenomenon of leaked government official documents… and other issues.
On the issue of the dollar, Al-Zawraa newspaper published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate referred to the proposal of experts and specialists in economic affairs to gradually reduce the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar, down to its old price, through coordination between the government and the central bank to control prices in the local markets.
The economist, Madhar Al-Ghaithi, said in an interview with Al-Zawraa: “The government can start by reducing the exchange rate of the dollar, but gradually to reach the old exchange rate, and the government can start with the proposed reduction, which is 1375.”
He added: “The reduction will have an impact on prices, but not at the required level. Previously, at the beginning of the decision, it could be reversed without damage or incurring economic costs, but now the price has become double, as the prices of strategic commodities are constantly rising, as well as the impact of international tensions on the prices of products and technology in general,” stressing: “The government has the option of supporting the poor class through direct measures, and even in the event of a reduction, these measures will remain until the citizen’s income improves in parallel with the high cost of living.”
While the researcher in economic affairs, Nabil Jabbar Al-Ali, said in a statement to the newspaper: “It is possible for the government to agree with the central bank to set a new price for the dollar, and this also depends on monetary policy and the central bank’s decision to set a new price for the dollar, investing in the rise in reserves and the presence financial surplus and the accumulation of current funds in the state’s coffers, and this can be discussed and its damage to coffers in general, government contractual obligations, and even the nature of markets and between creditors and debtors discussed.
He explained that: “The price can be reduced, if possible, gradually, by no more than 1% per month, and this is the appropriate reduction that can decrease within a year by 10% or more.”
As for the expert in financial affairs, Abd al-Salam Hassan, he explained in his interview with Al-Zawraa: “Changing the price of the dollar in the budget is contrary to the constitution and the Charter of the International Covenant, and it can be challenged and returned to the government by Parliament and not to legislate the budget.”
Al-Sabah newspaper, published by the Iraqi Media Network, followed the issue of leaking important official documents and publishing them on social media.
In this regard, it said: “In an accelerated way of publishing and in any issue, social networking sites are full of leaked official government notes and documents, including what is known as (confidential and personal), which is known to be opened by hand, but it seems that this reality has changed and is now being opened on these sites.”
The newspaper added: “Not a day passes without documents and notes being leaked from various ministries and government agencies, including sensitive security orders and reports on movements, directives and approvals, without taking any action against those involved.”
It continued saying: “It seems that the matter of leaking documents is simplified from the point of view of observers, through the ease of filming with small cameras and mobiles, and the immediate publication on social networking sites encouraged this.”
Legal expert Ali Jaber Al-Tamimi told Al-Sabah: Article 19, Paragraph III, of the Penal Code indicated that what is published on social media is a means of publicity and is similar to newspapers and advertisements, and therefore the insult, slander and defamation contained in Articles 433 and 434 of the aforementioned law applies to it.
He explained: “The penalty for those involved reaches up to one year in prison in some cases, and the Court of Cassation considered (Facebook) websites and other websites as media publications that the Penal Code applies to.”
Al-Tamimi stressed: “Iraq is in dire need to legislate the cybercrime law, which I consider very important,” pointing out at the same time that freedom of opinion has nothing to do with crime.
As for Al-Zaman newspaper, it followed the second regional summit on Iraq, which will be held in the Jordanian capital, Amman.
The newspaper pointed out that Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said: “A second regional summit on Iraq will be held in Amman in the coming days, amid the expectation that Iran and Turkey will participate in it to discuss support for sovereignty and the challenges of food and drug security.”
It quoted the minister as saying in a joint conference with the foreign ministers of Jordan and Egypt: “The second version of the Baghdad Conference will be held in Amman on the 20th of this month.”
He added: “The first conference in Baghdad was attended by Turkey and Iran, and it is expected that they will also participate in the upcoming conference,” noting: “The Partnership and Cooperation Conference will be held to support Iraq and its sovereignty.”
He continued: “There are great challenges facing us, related to food security, medicine and energy, and because they are challenges that go beyond the borders of the country, we need regional and international relations to face these challenges,” pointing out: ” There are many interventions in Iraq, and we are in continuous dialogue with these countries to solve these problems.” Some of the problems date back to the past, and others are due to the presence of some political organizations from these countries on Iraqi soil.”
The Foreign Minister affirmed: “We have obligations related to the constitution not to allow any organization to use Iraqi lands to attack neighboring countries, but at the same time, no attack on these lands by neighboring countries can be accepted.”
He stated: “Iraq is in constant communication with Tehran and Ankara in order to reach solutions to protect the sovereignty of Iraq, and to prevent these organizations from carrying out operations against neighboring countries.”
Source: National Iraqi News Agency