REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

• U.N. hopes of stepping up its activities in Iraq are still on hold due to the violence across the country and the risk of U.N. staff becoming targets, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday.

• The Iraqi army has arrested a member of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's militant group who confessed to beheading a Japanese backpacker in October 2004. Ibnal Masriya killed the 24-year-old when demands that Tokyo withdraw its troops were not met.

• Winds of Change's own Bill Roggio has posted his own Iraq Report well worth reviewing.

RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY

• The Iraqi economy is growing - It was about $28 billion last year. It's about $32 or $33 billion this year. Per capita income has tripled over the last two and half years from $500 per capita to about $1500 per capita.

• Data shows Iraqi oil exports last month rose around 260,000 barrels per day from January as better weather reduced loading delays - now up to 1.37 MM bpd.

• Iraq plans to purchase rice on a quarterly basis and has reconfirmed its need to purchase 86,000 metric tons of rice per month from the US to meet consumer demand.

IRAQI POLITICS

• Iraq's political parties continued to wrangle over the formation of a new government Tuesday, as the ruling coalition of Shiite religious parties tried to delay the first meeting of parliament, scheduled for Sunday, to have more time to line up support for its nominee for prime minister.

• This week's Carnival of the Liberated is up.

THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

• The Government of Iraq today announced that it has signed a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Korea canceling the equivalent of U.S.$170 million of Iraqi debt, amounting to 80% of Republic of Korea's claims against Iraq.

• Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, Ahmad Chalabi, has told Canberra that Baghdad will not deal with the Australian wheat trader, AWB.

• The Aussies and Japanese are working closely together in the Southern Iraqi town of Samawah - and the community is thriving.

• South Africa is to open an embassy in Iraq, President Thabo Mbeki revealed on Tuesday after meeting a delegation from that country.

ETCETERA

• Spielgel interview Marina Ottoway, who says Iraq has already collapsed. What do you think?

• Jack Kelly is not pleased with the U.S. media's approach to reporting on the Iraq war. Hat tip: Instapundit.

• Do you have your GI Bracelet? Many military families fall into financial hardship when the breadwinner is injured or killed. The entire purchase price of the GI Bracelet is donated to support our troops and their families! Please join us to give back to these brave people in their time of need.

• The troops are still there. So is the Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops: American, Australian, British, Canadian & Polish. Anyone out there with more information, contact us!

• Don't forget Chief Wiggles' Toys for Iraq drive!

• Many American troops have taken it upon themselves to reconstruct schools and gather learning tools for the children of Iraq. Their efforts have been met with immense gratitude from the local Iraqis and their children. You can help too! Visit Operation Iraqi Children and get involved.

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