Iraq allocates 136 billion dinars for Shiite Waqf (Endowment), official says

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq ’s State Minister and the Spokesman for the Iraqi Government has said on Wednesday that the Council of Ministers has decided to allocate 136 billion Iraqi dinars for the Shiite Waqf (Endowment).     “The Council of Ministers has allocated 136 billion dinars for the Shiite Waqf (Endowment), from the interest achieved by the difference in oil prices, according to Iraq ’s Federal Budget for 2011,” Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement, copy of which was received by IraqiNews.com news agency.   Dabbagh also said that the Council of Ministers had also passed the draft-law on banning Iraq ’s former ruling Baath Party and all other racist and terrorist entities, parties and activities, passing it for the Parliament for final approval.   He also said another decision was passed by the Council of Ministers, approving the payment by the Finance Ministry of the dues of Egyptians, working in Iraq , estimated at US$408 millions.   “The Council of Minister had also agreed on the opening of U.S. consulates in Mosul and Kirkuk , in response to the 1963 Vienna Agreement for Consulate Relations, limiting their activity for 5 years and mission of which would be based on the Strategic Agreement, signed between Iraq and the United States , Dabbagh said.   He said that the both consulates “would act under the general auspices of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad , and to carry out an additional role for the U.S. General Consulates in Arbil and Basra , whilst Iraq would reserve its right to open two additional consulates in the United States .”   Dabbagh added that agreement had also been issued to open an honorary consulate for France in southern Iraq ’s Dhi-Qar Province , vis-à-vis Iraq ’s right to open a similar consulate in France .   SKH (IT) 814