Budget cuts do not justify delay in performance

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: An Iraqi parliamentarian from the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) on Thursday said that the cuts in the 2009 general budget, which have recently been approved by the Parliament, cannot justify any delay in the performance of ministries and state institutions. “The budget approved by the Parliament will not affect two vital issues for Iraqi citizens: salaries and services,” Reda Jawad Taqi said in a statement released by the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC) and received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “We cannot deny that the drop in oil prices and production will affect the Iraqi economy and consequently services, investment, etc…,” Taqi added. Taqi said that it is time for a new economic policy that does not rely on oil revenues alone. The Iraqi cabinet has approved $4.2 billion cuts in the general budget. SS (P)/SR 1