We've seen a few guru types mention that a lot of foreign dignitaries have been arriving in Baghdad, CBI specifically, in the last week, or so. I didn't want to allow myself to believe it until I got confirmation from this guy on SWFG's website today. This guy only posts there and SWFG trusts him, so I think it's worth posting. His guy works at the embassy.

LapDog:
MY COMPLIANCE OFFICER GUY DID SAY THERE HAS BEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF DIPLOMATS AND OFFICIALS ARRIVING IN BAGHDAD OVER THE PAST WEEK. UNSEEN LIKE THIS BEFORE.

HE SAID THEY ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO GET THESE ARRIVING WHATEVERS (DIPLOMATS, DIGNATARIES, OFFICIALS, TECHNICIANS, ETC.) TO THEIR DESTINATIONS IN TOTAL SAFETY.

BY THE WAY --- HE MENTIONED SOMETHING INTERESTING. BECAUSE OF MONEY LAUNDERING AND IQD BEING TAKEN OUT OF IRAQ --- SECURITY MEASURES HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED SEVERELY. HE HIMSELF CANNOT NOW ENTER KURDISTAN ON HIS IRAQ PASSPORT AND CREDENTIALS FROM THE PAST. HE HAS BEEN ISSUED NEW, SPECIAL ID JUST TO CROSS INTO AND BACK FROM KURDISTAN.

WHAT THIS TELLS US IS THAT THE GOI IS MAKING A REAL EFFORT TO CURB MONEY LAUNDERING AND IQD FLOWING OUT OF IRAQ --- ALL IN AN EFFORT TO GET THIS CURRENCY PROCESS COMPLETED.

MY GUY SAYS SINCE JOHN KERRY WAS IN BAGHDAD THINGS HAVE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY FOR THE BETTER. PEOPLE NOW SEEM TO BE IN A HURRY TO "GET THINGS DONE." WHATEVER THAT MAY MEAN.