Poster: A snowHead
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It’s early days, but an investment and construction boom underway in the largely unreported, relatively peaceful northern part of Iraq, has led to a wave of development proposals, including the country’s first modern ski area. Neighbouring Iran contains about 20 ski areas and has a long history of winter sports dating back to the era of the Shahs and the first half of the 20th century. Despite the image of both nations as desert countries, the list of the world’s 20 highest ski areas includes several in Iran...
The many ranges of the Zagros mountains extend along southern and western Iran and into northern Iraq. Many peaks exceed 3000m (9,000ft), with the highest point being Zard Kuh at 4548m (14,921 ft).
The rumours of a ski resort for Iraq come on a wave of development projects in the relatively peaceful Kurdistan sector in the north of the country, which has been protected by a no-fly zone since 1991. Although this “nation within a country” still has many deprivations for most of the population, foreign investment and money from wealthy Iraquis is going in to new malls, housing developments, casinos and mosques at levels measured in the billions of dollars..
A New York Times article "Pointing to Stability, Kurds in Iraq Lure Investors," on 27th June 2007 notes that The Kurdistan Regional Government is investing $325 million in a modern terminal at the Erbil International Airport to handle, officials hope, millions of passengers a year, and a three-mile runway that will be big enough for the new double-decker Airbus A380.
“We’re not saying Kurdistan is heaven,” Herish Muharam, chairman of the Kurdish government’s Board of Investment told the NYT. “But we’re telling investors that Kurdistan can be that heaven.”
source: www.snow24.com
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Fri 29-06-07 10:49; edited 2 times in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The parents of our three soldiers killed yesterday in Iraq will be pleased to hear that.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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boredsurfin, Perhaps it does show that normality and investment is returning to Iraq, but then perhaps not.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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From the NY Times article:
"Two truck-bomb attacks by Sunni Arab insurgents in May against Kurdish government targets, including one in the center of Erbil, severely unnerved residents and the elected leadership, not only because they were so deadly — at least 69 people were killed — but because the last major suicide attack in the region happened two years ago.
The Kurds are anticipating an increase in insurgent activity as the country approaches a referendum on the question of whether Kurdistan can annex oil-rich Kirkuk and a swath of disputed territory in northern Iraq, a move opposed by many Sunni Arabs and Shiites. The Constitution calls for a vote by the end of the year, but no date has been set yet.
As jarring as the latest attacks may have been, they did not appear to derail any development projects, according to several government officials and private investors.
Kurdistan’s boosters point to the region’s homogeneity, as well as a strong military and a well-developed intelligence network as effective buttresses against rampant violence. “It’s relatively secure,” said Mr. Layton, an American who has worked for many years in Kurdistan. “It’s not perfect, but I’d much rather walk down the streets of Erbil than walk down the streets of Detroit, New York, Washington and Chicago.”
Still, he is not taking any chances. As he spoke, bodyguards were posted outside his office. And behind his desk chair, next to an umbrella, a Kalashnikov leaned against the wall. "
All I can say is Mr. Layton is delusional if he thinks that 69 people dying by truck bomb, and his need for bodyguards and a Kalashnikov give him a stronger sense of security than walking the streets of New York.
Either that or he stands to profit considerably from providing these sound bites of safety.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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admin wrote: |
an investment and construction boom underway in the largely unreported, relatively peaceful northern part of Iraq |
Is this the same unreported part of Northern Iraq where reports in the press say Turkey is massing its army in preparation for an invasion to search for alleged PKK terrorists?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Give it time. Iraq will stabilize.
Despite a few hiccups along the way, global democracy is trending relentlessly upward.
Roughly 1% of the world lived in a democracy in 1900.
It hit circa 30% in 1950.
And around 55% in 2000.
By 2050, almost all the world will be democratic, including Iraq. They will engage in jaw, not war.
In the long-term, Iraqi skiing is more likely to be curtailed by global warming rather than conflict.
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Whitegold, Will Middlesbrough have won the FA cup by then?
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In 2050, will a democratically elected government be allowed to take office in Palestine?
Support democracy unless the vote goes the wrong way!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Maybe by 2050 the UK will have a democratically-elected government which actually takes some notice of what the electorate wants it to do. But then again, probably not. If the EU carries on as it is, the UK will have no need for an elected government.
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Having some development in Iraq is better than not having any. It may as well be a ski resort!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Quote: |
“It’s not perfect, but I’d much rather walk down the streets of Erbil than walk down the streets of Detroit, New York, Washington and Chicago.”
Still, he is not taking any chances. As he spoke, bodyguards were posted outside his office. And behind his desk chair, next to an umbrella, a Kalashnikov leaned against the wall. "
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So, Mr. Layton would only walk down the street of NY or Chicago with no less escort than a tank then?
I wonder if the Times reporter wrote it as a joke or as a test for the IQ of the paper's reader?
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Quote: |
Ski Resort For Iraq?
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Fair swap, will we see Jalal Talabani enjoying his new home of La Rosiere?
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You know it makes sense.
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Pete Horn wrote: |
In 2050, will a democratically elected government be allowed to take office in Palestine?
Support democracy unless the vote goes the wrong way! |
This viewpoint depends on whether one views certain politicized groups as legitimate or illegitimate.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Whitegold wrote: |
Pete Horn wrote: |
In 2050, will a democratically elected government be allowed to take office in Palestine?
Support democracy unless the vote goes the wrong way! |
This viewpoint depends on whether one views certain politicized groups as legitimate or illegitimate. |
With Blair as Middle East peace Envoy, take your pick
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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bh1, No you leave them in a IRAQ
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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no matter how long you give it Iraq with always be a f***ed up place
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