11.   The plans, which include construction of new canals, dams and the deepening of parts of the river, threaten vital wetland ecosystems, the conservation group said.

12.   Iraq has begun work on a new canal to take drinking water to the southern city of Basra, Irrigation Minister Mahmud Diab al-Ahamd said Thursday.

13.   Contacts are underway with the Abu Dhabi and Kuwaiti development funds to finance the creation of this new canal, Radi added.

14.   Some have suggested building a new canal might make better strategic and business sense.