Poor security dogging Iraq economy, IMF says

[Barrett808]

Source: Reuters

Poor security dogging Iraq economy, IMF says
By Alister Bull

WASHINGTON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Iraq has taken steps to strengthen its economy but there will be no real progress until the country's dire security situation has improved, the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday.

Announcing the completion of the fifth review of Iraq's $727 million standby arrangement, which Baghdad wants as a precaution and not because it badly needs the money, the IMF said the country faced some serious economic challenges.

"The expansion of oil production is lagging and inflation, while on a downward path, remains high reflecting in large part shortages associated with the security situation, notably of fuel products," the IMF said in a statement.

"A turnaround hinges critically on an improvement in the security situation," it said.

Read more: http://wap.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N02239268.htm

[ohio2007]

1. when you give pink slips to the fourth largest military on earth,what did they expect would happen?

they need a "hire the vet" program.

[Dj13Francis]

2. Business as usual

The neocons never wanted Iraq to be stable. The chaos has been created deliberately to keep us there. They never had any intension of leaving. A stable Iraq means the US can go home! As strange as it sounds to say, from what THEY were aiming for, it has been handled brilliantly.

[Doctor_J]

3. Besides Halliburton stealing us blind, you mean?

If there was ever a security crackdown, the Halliburton borad would be in handcuffs.