2005 BUDGET TO BE ANNOUNCED LATE IN AUGUST
Baghdad, As-Sabah, Aug 12, p.3 
The 2005 budget will be announced late in August, sources at the Ministry of Finance announced.In a statement to As-Sabah daily, media spokesman for the ministry Hameed al-Kifaie said that the ministry is waiting for the timetables of the financial expenditures of Iraqi ministries, adding that discussions are on with the ministries on each's values and sizes of expenditures.Earlier, Minister of Finance Dr. Adil Abdul Mehdi said in a press conference that it is expected that this year's budget will surpass the current year's one which reached 15 billion dollars.  

NATIONAL CONFERENCE MAY BY POSTPONED
Baghdad, As-Sabah, Aug 12, p.3
Because of the current security situation the National Conference might be either postponed or cancelled, sources at the preparatory committee said.Member of the preparatory committee Aziz al-Yasseri said that there are four possibilities before the committee that include either to cancel the conference, postpone it, select 100 members to represent the national council without holding the national conference, or holding the conference as scheduled.In a statement to As-Sabah daily, Al-Yasseri said that these possibilities were put because of the security situation which could aggravate in the coming few days, a state that could make it difficult to hold the conference.Al-Yasseri called for all parties and political powers as well as prominent figures in Iraq to join the national conference. 

DAMS ESTABLISHED IN KIRKUK
Baghdad, As-Sabah, Aug 12, p.3
In cooperation with Ministry of Water Sources, the Department for Dams and Stores has put a joint working plan to make a complete survey for dams and establishments of quality control.Sources at the ministry said that the plan aims at protecting the dams and quality control establishments, pointing out that the General Department for engineer designs are preparing a study for a number of suitable sites in Kirkuk for establishing dams.He said that establishing dams is within the ministry's 2005 plan, adding that it is hoped that these projects be implemented early next year after making available necessary financial allocations.