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FYI: http://www.khilafah.com/home/lographics/category.php?DocumentID=8030&TagID=2 Israeli firm wins public telephone contract in Iraq - Road to normalisation 07 Aug 2003 Israeli firm wins public telephone contract in Iraq Iridium Satellite Israel is supplying Iraq with public telephones worth four to five million dollars. The global satellite voice and data communication provider was authorized last month by the office of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to sell its mobile satellite communications services, subscriber terminals, and related equipment in Iraq. According to CEO of Iridium Satellite Israel Ami Schneider, the order was placed by a Jordanian company, reported Globes. The company also plans to market several thousands of mobile telephones in Iraq. Israel’s Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu signed a general permit late last month authorizing trade with Iraq. The new agreement normalizes commercial and financial ties between the two countries, marking the Jewish state’s recognition of Iraq as a hostile-free nation. Israeli companies can now trade and invest in Iraq without facing any sanctions from the government. A group of Israeli industrial representatives reportedly made a trip to Baghdad this past June in order to scope out business opportunities related to the reconstruction effort. Iridium Satellite Israel is a subsidiary of the privately held corporation Iridium Satellite. The company acquired the assets of the Iridium company in December of 2000. It is a provider of global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth. Through a constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites operated by the Boeing Company, Iridium delivers communication services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. Iridium currently provides service to the US Department of Defense under a multi-year contract. Iridium Satellite Israel is owned by Iridium Satellite Solutions' regional operators in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Eastern Europe, and East Africa, and a group of investors headed by Schneider. — (menareport.com) PREVIOUSLY Israel normalizes trade ties with Iraq Israel’s Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu has signed a general permit authorizing trade with Iraq. The new agreement normalizes commercial and financial ties between the two countries, marking the Jewish state’s recognition of Iraq as a hostile-free nation, reported Globes. Israeli companies can now trade and invest in Iraq without facing any sanctions from the government. A group of Israeli industrial representatives reportedly made a trip to Baghdad last month in order to scope out business opportunities related to the reconstruction effort. According to Haaretz, a number of Israeli firms are planning to open commercial offices in Iraq and are looking into the possibility of appointing local agents in the country. US commerce officials have advised Israeli firms interested in reconstruction deals team up with Jordanian counterparts. Several Israeli firms have already been contacted by Jordanian companies, who require their neighbor’s expertise and funding. In addition, Israeli media reported that Turkish companies have also expressed interest in teaming up with Israeli companies in tenders for reconstruction in Iraq, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, water, construction, and energy. Two Israeli firms who have shown interest in Iraq are infrastructure firm A. Arenson and the Solel Boneh Building and Infrastructure Company. A. Arenson has already reported receiving a Jordanian partnership offer. — (menareport.com) Source: menareport.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cathy Aitchison" <cathy@twiza.demon.co.uk> To: <casi-discuss@lists.casi.org.uk> Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2003 8:32 AM Subject: [casi] Phone networks, Iridium, tendering Dear list Some queries on contracts for wireless/mobile phone networks in Iraq: 1. I recall that there are 2 kinds of mobile phone networks - one used by the US, one used by Europe - sorry to be disorganised, but can someone send me a reference, thanks. Which one do most Arab countries use? Does anyone know which kind is used by the Iridium Satellite group (see report below)? 2. How does the Iridium contract (again, see report below) fit in with the tendering process for wireless phone networks (see Peter Brooke's news roundup of 7 August: BIDS OPEN FOR WIRELESS SERVICE IN IRAQ, La Vegas Sun, 31 July http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/tech/2003/jul/31/073107368.htm l Is it part of the same set of contracts or something different? Thanks Cathy ---------------- http://menareport.com/story/TheNews.php3?action=story&sid=255621&lang=e& dir=mena Israeli firm wins public telephone contract in Iraq Iridium Satellite Israel is supplying Iraq with public telephones worth four to five million dollars. The global satellite voice and data communication provider was authorized last month by the office of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to sell its mobile satellite communications services, subscriber terminals, and related equipment in Iraq. According to CEO of Iridium Satellite Israel Ami Schneider, the order was placed by a Jordanian company, reported Globes. The company also plans to market several thousands of mobile telephones in Iraq. Israel’s Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu signed a general permit late last month authorizing trade with Iraq. The new agreement normalizes commercial and financial ties between the two countries, marking the Jewish state’s recognition of Iraq as a hostile-free nation. Israeli companies can now trade and invest in Iraq without facing any sanctions from the government. A group of Israeli industrial representatives reportedly made a trip to Baghdad this past June in order to scope out business opportunities related to the reconstruction effort. Iridium Satellite Israel is a subsidiary of the privately held corporation Iridium Satellite. The company acquired the assets of the Iridium company in December of 2000. It is a provider of global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth. Through a constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites operated by the Boeing Company, Iridium delivers communication services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. Iridium currently provides service to the US Department of Defense under a multi-year contract. Iridium Satellite Israel is owned by Iridium Satellite Solutions' regional operators in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Eastern Europe, and East Africa, and a group of investors headed by Schneider. — (menareport.com) -- Cathy Aitchison _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk