Kirkuk and Louis Vuitton: Difference between pages

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[[Image:Kirkuk.jpg|thumb|right|Kirkuk city centre.]]

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[[Image:Khasa.jpg|thumb|right|Khasa river in Kirkuk.]]

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[[Image:Downtown Kirkuk.jpg|thumb|right|Downtown Kirkuk.]]

'''Kirkuk''' ({{lang-ar|كركوك}},''kirkūk''; [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]]: Kerkûk; The present city of Kirkuk stands on the site of the ancient [[Assyria|Assyrian]] city of [[Arrapha]] ({{lang-ar|أررابخا , عرفة }}) and sits near the [[Khasa River]] ({{lang-ar|نهر خاصة }}) on the ruins of a 5,000-year-old settlement. Kirkuk reached great importance under the [[Assyrians]] in the 10th and 11th centuries BC. Because of the strategic geographical ___location of the city, Kirkuk was the battle ground for the three main empires, [[Assyrian]], [[Babylonian]] and [[Medes]], who controlled the city at various times .

[http://www.fortunecity.com/business/laur/791/nouri_kirkuk.htm]

{{Infobox Company

One theory states that the name ''Kirkuk'' is derived from the [[Assyrian]] name ''Karkha D-Bet Slokh'' ({{lang-ar|كرخاد بيث سلوخ }}), which means 'siege wall'. The [[cuneiform script]] found in 1927 at the foot of [[Kirkuk Citadel]] ({{lang-ar|قلعة كركوك }}) stated that the city of Erekha of [[Babylonia]] was on the site of Kirkuk. Other sources consider Erekha to have been simply one part of the larger [[Arrapha]] metropolis. The region around Kirkuk was known during the [[Sassanid]] period as ''Garmakan'', which means the 'Land of Warmth' or the 'Hot Land'. The [[Turkmen]] of Kirkuk believe that the word Kirkuk started to be used for the first time by the Turkmen State [[Kara Koyunlu]] (1375–1468). According to [[Turkmen]] tradition, the name of the city comes from their word ''Kerk'', meaning 'beauty'.

| company_name = Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy.PA (LVMH)

[http://www.koord.com/webbook/book/aras/aras1/kerkuk.htm]

| company_logo = [[Image:Louis Vuitton Logo.PNG|250px]]

| company_type = Public

| foundation = [[1854]]

| ___location = [[Paris]], [[France]]

| key_people = [[Bernard Arnault]], [[Marc Jacobs]], [[Antoine Bernheim]], [[Ed Brennan]]

| industry = Luxury goods ([[leather]] goods, [[prêt-à-porter]])

| subsidiary = [[LVMH]]

| parent = [[LVMH|Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton]] (LVMH)

| products =

| revenue =

| num_employees =

| homepage = http://www.louisvuitton.com

}}

[[Image:Louis-Vuitton-Paris.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Louis-Vuitton situated on the famous [[Champs-Elysées]], Paris]]

''Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy LVMH.PA'' more commonly known simply as Louis Vuitton, is a [[luxury]] [[France|French]] fashion and leather goods brand and company headquartered in [[Paris, France]].

The company is named after its founder Louis Vuitton ([[August 4]][[1821]]-[[February 27]][[1892]]), who designed and manufactured luggage, as a [[Malletier]] during the second half of the nineteenth century. Vuitton was born in [[Jura (département)|Jura]], [[France]] (now part of the commune of

Kirkuk is the centre of the northern Iraqi [[petroleum]] industry. It is an historically and ethnically mixed city populated by [[Kurds]], [[Turkmens]], [[Assyrians]], [[Chaldeans]], [[Arabs]], and [[Armenians]]. It is located at 35.47°N, 44.41°E, in the Iraqi province of [[at-Ta'mim]], 250 kilometres (156 miles) north of the capital, [[Baghdad]]. The Kirkuk region lies between the [[Zagros Mountains]] to the north-east, the [[Zab River]] and the [[Tigris]] River to the west, the [[Hamrin]] Mountains ({{lang-ar|جبل حمرين}}) to the south, and the [[Sirwan]] ([[Diyala]]) River to the south-east. The population was estimated to stand at 755,700 in 2003.

[[Lavans-sur-Valouse]]), but moved to Paris in 1835. The trip from his home town to Paris was over 400 kilometers long, and he traveled by foot. On his way there he picked up a series of odd jobs to pay for his journey. Two years later, at the age of 16, he apprenticed for the luggage manufacturer Monsieur Marechal. In 1854 he founded the company, which is now owned by [[LVMH]], a French [[holding company]] helmed by [[Bernard Arnault]].<ref>[http://stocks.us.reuters.com/stocks/fullDescription.asp?symbol=LVMH.PA Reuters Description of LVMH]</ref>

One hundred and fifty years after its eponymous founder began creating and selling trunks in [[Paris, France|Paris]], Louis Vuitton's signature leather goods are considered a [[status symbol]] around the globe and are highly regarded in the [[fashion]] world. The company's iconic Monogram Canvas design can be considered the first designer label in contemporary history; the design was created in 1896 by Vuitton's son Georges and was intended to prevent counterfeiting. Ironically, Louis Vuitton has become the most counterfeited [[brand]] in fashion history, with just over 1% of all items branded with the Vuitton logo ''not'' [[counterfeit]].<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/25/business/google.php European trademarks vs. Google]</ref>

==Oil field==

In 1927 a huge [[oil]] gusher was discovered at [[Baba Gurgur]] near Kirkuk. The Kirkuk oil field was brought into use by the [[Iraq Petroleum Company]] (IPC) in [[1934] and has ever since remained the basis of northern Iraqi oil production with over ten[[billion]] [[Barrel (unit)|barrel]]s (1.6 km&sup3;) of proven remaining oil reserves as of [[1998]]. After about seven [[decades]] of operation, Kirkuk still produces up to one [[million]] barrels a day, almost half of all Iraqi oil exports. The facilities have been frequently sabotaged during the fighting between Iraqi forces and the Kurds.

[[Image:babagurgur.jpg|thumb|right|Eternal Fire of Baba Gurgur.]]

[[Image:Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil Pipeline.jpg|thumb|right|Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline.]]

The Louis Vuitton company has carefully cultivated a celebrity following and has used famous models and actresses in its marketing campaigns, most recently [[Uma Thurman]] and [[Scarlett Johansson]]. Other models and actresses who have lent their name to the Louis Vuitton line include [[Jennifer Lopez]], [[Chloe Sevigny]], [[Christina Ricci]], [[Gisele Bundchen]], [[Kate Moss]], and [[Naomi Campbell]]. [[Hayden Christensen]] has also appeared as model for the company's luggage and [[prêt-à-porter]] lines. The company commonly uses print ads in [[magazines]] and billboards in [[cosmopolitan]] cities.

Some analysts believe that poor [[reservoir]]-management practices during the [[Saddam Hussein]] years may have seriously, and even permanently, damaged Kirkuk's oil field. One example showed an estimated 1.5 billion barrels of excess fuel oil being reinjected. Other problems include refinery residue and gas-stripped [[oil]]. Fuel oil reinjection has increased oil [[viscosity]] at Kirkuk making it more difficult and expensive to get the oil out of the ground.

[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/kirkuk.htm]

Vuitton bags and [[purses]] have a considerable list of [[celebrity]] adherents who are frequently seen in [[tabloid]] and magazine photographs carrying the brand. [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]], [[Beyonce Knowles]], [[Lindsay Lohan]], [[Kimora Lee Simmons]], [[Ayumi Hamasaki]], [[Jessica Simpson]], [[Ashley Tisdale]], [[Paris Hilton]], [[Nicole Richie]], [[Angelina Jolie]], [[Anna Kournikova]], [[Pamela Anderson]], [[Katharine McPhee]], [[Carmen Electra]], [[Mariah Carey]], and [[Victoria Beckham]] are included in this list.

The Vuitton collection has also created a cult-like following among consumers. Owners of the bags and accessories often refer to the products as their “Louis.” This cult following by both celebrities and wealthy consumers has elevated the Vuitton brand to the foremost position in accessory design alongside houses such as [[Gucci]], [[Prada]], [[Fendi]], and [[Hermès]].

Overall, between [[April]] 2003 and late [[December]] 2004 there were an estimated 123 attacks on Iraqi energy infrastructures, including the country's 4,350 mile-long [[pipeline]] system. In response to these attacks, which have cost [[Iraq]] billions of [[US dollars]] in lost oil-export revenues and repair costs, the [[United States|US]] military set up the [[Task Force Shield]] to guard Iraq's energy infrastructure and the [[Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline]] in particular. In spite of the fact that little damage was done to Iraq's oil fields during the war itself, [[looting]] and [[sabotage]] after the war ended was highly destructive and accounted for perhaps eighty percent of the total damage.

[http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/iraq.html]

==History==

The discovery of vast quantities of oil in the region after [[World War I]] provided the impetus for the annexation of the former [[Ottoman]] [[Subdivisions of the Ottoman Empire|Wilayah]] of [[Mosul]] (of which the Kirkuk region was a part), to the Iraqi Kingdom, established in 1921. Since then and particularly from 1963 onwards, there have been continuous attempts to transform the ethnic make-up of the region.

===Early Days (1854-1892)===

[[1854]] - Vuitton opens his first store in Paris on Rue Neuve des Capucines, founding Louis Vuitton ''Malletier a paris.'' Before his quality trunks, French philosopher, Denis Diderot & Jean Le Rond d'Alembert makes mention of a Malletier and his techniques about 140 years earlier. (1713-1784)<ref>[http://portail.atilf.fr/cgi-bin/getobject_?p.138:109./var/artfla/encyclopedie/textdata/IMAGE/ COFFRETIER - MALLETIER - BAHUTIER]</ref>

Vuitton began by selling flat-topped trunks that were lightweight and airtight. All trunks before this had rounded tops for water to run off and thus could not be stacked, it was Vuitton's gray Trianon canvas flat trunk that allowed the ability to stack for ease with voyages.

Pipelines from Kirkuk run through [[Turkey]] to [[Ceyhan]] on the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and were one of the two main routes for the export of Iraqi oil under the [[Oil-for-Food Programme]] following the [[Gulf War]] of 1991. This was in accordance with a [[United Nations]] mandate that at least 50% of the oil exports pass through Turkey. There were two parallel lines built in [[1977]] and [[1987]].

[[1860]] - Vuitton opens a larger factory in [[Asnières-sur-Seine]] to accommodate increased demand.

==Demographics==

Major historic ethnic groups of Kirkuk are [[Kurds]], [[Turkmen]], [[Arabs]], [[Assyrians]] and [[Chaldeans]]. The city of Kirkuk was long known as a city where people of different ethnic groups lived together in peace, but this changed starting in the [[1980s]] during the regime of [[Saddam Hussein]]. Kurds and Turkmen were forced from Kirkuk and outlying villages where they had been living since the time of the British occupation of Iraq, to be replaced with Arab oilfield workers in Saddam's [[Arabization]] plan of the [[Al-Anfal Campaign]].

[[1867]] - Vuitton enters the Universal Exhibition at the World's Fair in Paris, winning the bronze medal.

On [[January 26]], [[2004]], the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' quoted [[Barham Salih]], Prime Minister for the [[Patriotic Union of Kurdistan]], one of two main political parties controlling the [[Kurdish Autonomous Region]] in northern Iraq. Kirkuk is a benchmark by which most Kurds would define their legitimacy in Iraq, he said. "We have a claim to Kirkuk rooted in history, geography and demographics. This is a recipe for [[civil war]] if you don't do it right". However, many say that the Kurds only want Kirkuk for its oil and don´t really have a special interest in the city itself.The Arabs and Turkmen claim the same, and both insist that they were the historic ethnic group in Kirkuk. Arabs and Turkmen are often united nowadays against the Kurdish claims over the city.

[http://www.latimes.com/]

[[1872]] - Vuitton creates a red and beige striped canvas, which he uses to line the interior of his trunks.

According to the [[Kurds]], the conquerors of [[Kurdistan]] have tried to destroy the numerous Kurdish emirates one after the other. One may consider the time of occupation of the Kirkuk area by the [[Safavid Dynasty]] during the reign of Shah [[Ismail I]] as the point in time at which the enforced settlement of [[Turkmen]] in the area began. The [[Safavid]] tried to impose the [[Shi'a]] faith on the [[Kurds]], in an attempt to replace the [[Sunni]] [[Muslim]] whom they did not trust. Apart from their historical claim for Kirkuk, the Kurds invoke Article 58 of the Adminstration for the state of Iraq for the transitional period, also known as Adminstrative Law of March 8, 2004 which is considered the interim constitution of Iraq by the now-dissolved [[Iraqi Governing Council]]. Article 58 states in part: ''The [[Iraqi Transitional Government]] shall act expeditious measures to remedy the injustice caused by the previous regime's practice in the demographic character of certain regions, including Kirkuk, by deporting and expelling them from their place of residence and forcing migration in and out of the region.

[http://www.koord.com/webbook/pertuk.htm]

[[1876]] - Vuitton creates the [[wardrobe trunk]], which contains a rail and small drawers for storing clothing.

According to the [[Turkmen]] themselves, they migrated to [[Iraq]] during the [[Umayyads]] and [[Abbasid]] eras because they were in demand by these rulers as a result of their prowess in battle. However, they acknowledge that this period of their residence in [[Iraq]] was one of introduction rather than settlement and therefore the [[Turkmen]] of that era were integrated into the existing population. They believe that real settlement began during the [[Seljuq]] era when [[Toghrul]] entered [[Iraq]] in 1055 with his army composed mostly of [[Oghuz]] [[Turks]]. Kirkuk remained under the control of the [[Seljuq]] Empire for 63 years. The [[Turkmen]] settlement in Kirkuk was further expanded later during the [[Ottoman]] Era.The Iraqi historian [[Abdul-Razzak Al-Hassani]] ({{lang-ar|عبدالرزاق الحسني}}) asserts that the Turkmen of this region are: "part of the forces of Sultan [[Murad IV]], who recaptured Iraq from the [[Safavid]] in 1638, and remained in these parts to protect this route between the southern and northern Ottoman [[Wilayah]]s".

[http://www.geocities.com/mykirkuk/dr.nori.htm]

[[1880]] - Vuitton's son Georges is married and (on the same day) is given control of the business. Georges is credited with developing the unique five-number combination lock found on Vuitton trunks.

Originally there were only two [[Arab]] extended families in the city of Kirkuk: the [[Tikrit]]i and the [[Hadidi]] ({{lang-ar|الحديدي}}). The Tikriti family was the main [[Arab]] family in Kirkuk coming from [[Syria]] in [[1600s]] with the [[Ottoman]] Sultan [[Murad IV]] as did the ancestors of [[Turkmen]]. As a reward for their help, the sultan gave the Tikriti family the villages and land in the southwest of Kirkuk plus the small city of [[Tikrit]]. Other [[Arab]] tribes who settled in Kirkuk during the [[Monarchy]] Period are the [[Al-Ubaid]] ({{lang-ar|العبيد}}) and the [[Al-Jiburi]] ({{lang-ar|الجبور}}). The Al-Ubaid came from just northwest of [[Mosul]] when they were forced out of the area by other [[Arab tribes in Iraq|Arab tribes]]. They settled in the [[Hawija]] ({{lang-ar|الحويجة }})district in Kirkuk in 1935 during the government of [[Yasin al-Hashimi]] ({{lang-ar|ياسين الهاشمي}}).

[http://www.geocities.com/mykirkuk/kanatkerkuk.htm]

[[1883]] - Georges' son Gaston-Louis is born.

For generations Kirkuk was [[Iraq]]'s [[melting pot]] where the country's diverse ethnic and religious groups lived in relative peace. Today, Kirkuk's [[ethnic]] balance is threatened by [[Iraqi insurgency]], the [[Kurds]] and other long-oppressed groups thirsting for justice and power in post-[[Saddam Hussein]] Iraq.

[[1885]] - The first Louis Vuitton store in London opens.

At present there is surprisingly little sectarian [[violence]], while political leaders quarrel over who will control Kirkuk. Newly powerful [[Kurds]], who hold the second greatest share of seats in the [[Iraqi National Assembly]] insist that Kirkuk be included in the [[Kurdish Autonomous Region]] in the north. However, [[Sunni]] [[Arabs]] and [[Turkmen]] want the city controlled by [[Iraq]]'s central government in [[Baghdad]], 150 miles south. This dispute virtually derailed the creation of Iraq's new government: [[Kurds]] refused to support the new government without a guarantee that Kirkuk would be part of [[Kurdish Autonomous Region]], and [[Shiites]], who hold the majority of seats in the [[Iraqi National Assembly]], refused to give in.

[[1888]] - The Damier Canvas pattern is created by Louis Vuitton in collaboration with Georges, and bears a logo that reads "marque L. Vuitton déposée," which translates to "mark L. Vuitton deposited" or, roughly, "L. Vuitton trademark".

==Ancient Monuments in Kirkuk==

[[1889]] - Vuitton wins the gold medal at the World's Fair in Paris.

* The Prophet [[Daniel's Tomb]] ({{lang-ar|

== ''مسجد النبي دانيال'' ==

}})

* AL [[Qaysareyah Market]] ({{lang-ar|قيصرية كركوك }})

* [[The Qishla of Kirkuk]] ({{lang-ar|قشلة كركوك }})

* [[Kirkuk Citadel]] ({{lang-ar|قلعة كركوك }})

* Qal'at [[Jarmo]] ({{lang-ar|قلعة جرمو }})

[[1892]] - Vuitton dies; the Vuitton company begins selling handbags.

==1970 Autonomy Agreement==

[[Image:1970 peace talks.jpg|thumb|right|1970 Agreement.]]

On paper, the Autonomy Agreement of March 11, [[1970]], recognized the legitimacy of [[Kurdish]] nationalism and guaranteed Kurdish participation in government and [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]] language teaching in schools. However, it reserved judgment on the territorial extent of [[Kurdistan]], pending a new [[census]]. Such a census, according to [[Kurds]] would surely have shown a solid Kurdish majority in the city of [[Kirkuk]] and the surrounding oilfields, as well as in the secondary oil-bearing area of [[Khanaqin]] ({{lang-ar|خانقين }}), south of the city of [[As Sulaymaniyah]] ({{lang-ar|السليمانية }}). A census was not scheduled until [[1977]], by which time the autonomy deal was dead. In June [[1973]], with Ba'ath-Kurdish relations already souring, the legendary guerrilla leader Mullah [[Mustafa Barzani]] laid formal claim to the Kirkuk oilfields. [[Baghdad]] interpreted this as a virtual declaration of war, and, in March [[1974]], unilaterally decreed an autonomy statute. The new statute was a far cry from the 1970 Manifesto, and its definition of the Kurdish autonomous area explicitly excluded the oil-rich areas of Kirkuk, Khanaqin and Jabal Sinjar. In tandem with the 1970–1974 [[autonomy]] process, the Iraqi regime carried out a comprehensive administrative reform, in which the country's sixteen [[provinces]], or [[governorates]], were renamed and in some cases had their boundaries altered. The old province of Kirkuk was split in half. The area around the city itself was named [[At-Ta'mim]]({{lang-ar|التأميم }}) ("nationalization"), and its boundaries were redrawn to give an [[Arab]] majority.[http://hrw.org/reports/1993/iraqanfal/ANFAL1.htm]

===Golden Age of Louis Vuitton (1893-1936)===

==Ethnic cleansing==

[[1893]] - Georges displays Vuitton products at the World's Fair in [[Chicago]] and begins his campaign to make the company into a worldwide corporation.

In [[1975]], the Iraqi government embarked on a sweeping campaign to "Arabize" the areas that had been excluded from [[Kurdistan]] under the offer of autonomy in [[1970]]. Restrictions were imposed, and maintained throughout the following years, on the employment and residence of [[Kurds]] in the Kirkuk area. [[Arab]] tribes from southern [[Iraq]] were enticed to move to the north with government benefits and offers of housing. Uprooted [[Kurdish]] farmers were sent to new homes in rudimentary government-controlled camps along the main highways. Some were forcibly relocated to the flat and desolate landscapes of southern Iraq, including thousands of refugees from the [[Barzani]] tribal areas who returned from [[Iran]] in late [[1975]] under a general amnesty. In November [[1975]], an [[Iraqi]] official acknowledged that some fifty-thousand [[Kurds]] had been deported to the southern districts of [[Nasiriya]] and [[Diwaniya]], although the true figure was almost certainly higher.[http://hrw.org/reports/1993/iraqanfal/ANFAL1.htm]

[[1894]] - Georges publishes his book ''Le Voyage''.

According to [[Human Rights Watch]], from the 1991 [[Gulf War]] until 2003, the former Iraqi government systematically expelled an estimated 120,000 Kurds, [[Turkmens]], and [[Assyrians]] from Kirkuk and other towns and villages in this oil-rich region. Most have settled in the Kurdish-controlled northern provinces. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government resettled Arab families in their place in an attempt to reduce the political power and presence of ethnic minorities, a process known as [[Arabization]].[http://hrw.org/english/docs/2003/03/28/iraq5450.htm]

The "Arabization" of Kirkuk and other oil-rich regions is not a recent phenomenon. Successive governments have sought at various times to reduce the ethnic minority populations residing there since the discovery of significant oil deposits in the 1920s. By the mid-1970s, the [[Ba'ath Party]] government that seized power in [[1968]] embarked on a concerted campaign to alter the demographic makeup of multi-ethnic Kirkuk. The campaign involved the massive relocation of tens of thousands of ethnic minority families from Kirkuk, Sinjar, Khaniqin, and other areas, transferring them to purpose-built resettlement camps. This policy was intensified after the failed [[Kurdish]] uprising in March 1991.([http://www.hrw.org/reports/1994/iraq/TEXT.htm], [http://www.hrw.org/reports/2003/iraq0303/Kirkuk0303.htm], [http://www.hrw.org/wr2k/Mena-05.htm], [http://www.hrw.org/wr2k3/mideast4.html], [http://www.hrw.org/reports/1996/WR96/MIDEAST-04.htm] and [http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/mena/iraq1217bg.htm]) Those expelled included individuals who had refused to sign so-called "nationality correction" forms, introduced by the authorities prior to the [[1997]] population census, requiring members of ethnic groups residing in these districts to relinquish their [[Kurdish]] or [[Turkman]] identities and to register officially as [[Arabs]]. The Iraqi authorities also seized their property and assets; those who were expelled to areas controlled by Kurdish opposition forces were stripped of all possessions and their ration cards were withdrawn.[http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/mideast/iraq.html]

[[1896]] - Georges designs the Monogram Canvas. Its graphic symbols, including quatrefoils and flowers, are based on the trend of using Japanese and Oriental designs in the late [[Victorian era]]. This can be considered the first contemporary designer logo, as Georges is driven to create the pattern to prevent counterfeiting, which has already begun. The same year, Georges sails to the [[United States]], where he tours various cities such as [[New York City|New York]], [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]], and [[Chicago]]. He sells Vuitton products during the visit.

==Kirkuk in Post-Saddam Iraq==

[[Image:crowd in kirkuk.jpg|thumb|right|crowd in Kirkuk works at pulling down saddam's statue.]]

[[Image:Kirkuk council.jpg|thumb|right|members of Kirkuk's city Council.]]

Following the March 2003 invasion of [[Iraq]], led by [[American]] and [[British]] military forces, which drove [[Saddam Hussein]] and his [[Ba'ath Party]] from power, [[Coalition Provisional Authority]] was created as a caretaker administration in Iraq until the creation of a democratically elected government. Since April 2003, thousands of internally displaced [[Kurds]], [[Turkmens]] and others have returned to Kirkuk and other Arabized regions to reclaim their homes and lands which have since been occupied by [[Arabs]] from central and southern Iraq. These returnees were forcibly expelled from their homes by the government of [[Saddam Hussein]] during the 1980s and 1990s. Under the supervision of chief executive of [[Coalition Provisional Authority]] [[L. Paul Bremer]], a convention was held in May 24, 2003 to select the first City Council in the history of this oil-rich, ethnically divided city.

Each of the city's four major [[ethnic groups]] was invited to send a 39-member [[delegation]] from which they would be allowed to select six to sit on the City Council. Another six council members were selected from among 144 delegates to represent independents social groups such as teachers, lawyers, religious leaders and artists.

Kirkuk's 30 members council is made up of five blocs of six members each. Four of those blocs are formed along ethnic lines-[[Kurdish]], [[Arab]], [[Assyrian]] and [[Turkmen]]- and the fifth is made up of[[ independents]]. Turkmen and Arabs complained , however, that Kurds hold five of the seats in the independent bloc. they are also frustrated that their only representative at the council's helm is an assistant mayor whom they consider pro-Kurdish. [[Abdul Rahman Mustafa]] ({{lang-ar|عبدالرحمن مصطفى }}), a [[Baghdad]]-educated lawyer was elected mayor by 20 [[votes]] to 10. The appointment of an Arab, [[Ismail Ahmed Rajab Al Hadidi]] ({{lang-ar|اسماعيل احمد رجب الحديدي }}), as deputy mayor went some way towards addressing Arab concerns.

Kirkuk, Iraq's biggest oil-producing city and thus a plum in the postwar redistricting, still crackles with [[ethnic tension]] despite a more functional public service network than other larger Iraqi cities. But [[Saddam Hussein]] focused his drive for [[Arabization]] of Kirkuk, ethnically engineering the Kurdish majority out of existence by expelling an estimated 250,000 Kurds from the area and giving or selling their homes to [[Arabs]]. Spontaneous efforts to reverse that injustice have brought hordes of armed young [[Kurds]] to the city at night to chase away the [[Arab]] settlers. Numerous people have been killed in recent violence. Kurdish leaders have appealed to their [[constituents]] to be patient and let a [[legal process]] determine [[property rights]].

[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/05/25/MN141865.DTL]

[http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/2861/2]

[[1899]] - Georges exhibits Vuitton products at the maiden [[Paris Auto Show]].

==References==

*[http://hrw.org/reports/1993/iraqanfal/ANFAL1.htm Human Rights Watch Report: Kurdish Autonomy and Arabization, 1993]

*[http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/mideast/iraq.html Human Rights Developments in Government-controlled Iraq, 2001]

*[http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/ENGMDE141342003 IRAQ: PEOPLE COME FIRST, 2003]

*[http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/arms/iraq0202003.htm International Humanitarian Law Issues In A Potential War In Iraq, 2003]

*[http://web.amnesty.org/pages/irq-article_3-eng Amnesty International Report: Decades of human rights abuse in Iraq, 2003]

*[http://hrw.org/reports/2004/iraq0804/7.htm Reversing Arabization of Kirkuk, 2004]

*[http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/08/03/iraq9174.htm Iraq: In Kurdistan, Land Disputes Fuel Unrest, 2004 ]

*[http://www.washtimes.com/world/20040517-124757-6947r.htm Insurgents stir up strife in Kirkuk]

*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2852859.stm Kurds flee Iraqi town, March 15, 2003; named Kurds' preferred capital].

*[http://www.csis.org/stratassessment/reports/iraq_targets.pdf Key Targets in Iraq, Anthony H. Cordesman, CSIS, February 1998; information about the oil resources and facilities].

*[http://kbciraq.org/, Brief Summary of Kirkuk History]

*[http://www.geocities.com/mykirkuk/Drnorikirkukvast.htm, Kirkuk, Past and Present].

*[http://www.geocites.com/initiatief21maart/awny2.htm, Kirkuk the city of light and fire].

*[http://www..geocities.com/mykirkuk/kanatkerkuk.htm, Arabization of the Kirkuk Region].

*[http://www.koord.com/webbook/pertuk.htm, Kirkuk in Old Ages].

*[http://www.koord.com/webbook/pertul.htm, Numerous research about Kirkuk].

[[1900]] - Georges Vuitton is given the honor of setting up the ''Travel Items and Leather Goods'' section of the 1900 [[World's Fair]] in Paris.

[[1901]] - The Louis Vuitton Company introduces the ''Steamer Bag'', a smaller piece of luggage designed to be kept inside Vuitton luggage trunks.

[[1904]] - Georges chairs the jury for the [[Louisiana Purchase Exposition|St. Louis World's Fair]]. The same year, the Louis Vuitton company introduces a new line of trunks that have special compartments for items such as perfumes, clothing, and other goods.

[[1906]] - Georges' son Gaston-Louis marries Renee Versille, and the company introduces trunks for automobiles.

[[1914]] - The Louis Vuitton Building opens on the [[Champs-Elysees]]. This is the largest travel-goods store in the world at the time. Stores also open in [[New York City|New York]], [[Bombay]], [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]], [[London]], [[Alexandria]], and [[Buenos Aires]] as [[World War I]] begins.

[[1924]] - The company introduces its iconic ''Keepall'' bag, a forerunner of the duffel bag. The bag is still made by the company today in four sizes; the smallest retails for [[US$]]855.

[[1929]] - The company celebrates its seventy-fifth anniversary and expands its offering of custom-made items. It creates a toiletry case specially for opera singer [[Marthe Chenal]], which can hold bottles, brushes, mirrors, powder boxes, and other toiletries.

[[1931]] - Louis Vuitton introduces exotic bags, including handbags made from crocodile skin and elephant hide, and presents them at the Colonial Exhibition.

[[1932]] - Louis Vuitton introduces the ''Noé'' bag. This bag was originally made for champagne vinters to transport bottles, and is currently sold as a handbag. Prices for this bag now begin at [[US$]]585.

[[1933]] - The Louis Vuitton ''Speedy'' bag is introduced. It is still manufactured today.

[[1936]] - The golden age of Louis Vuitton ends as Georges Vuitton passes away. Estimates credit Georges Vuitton with over 700 new Vuitton designs. Gaston-Louis Vuitton assumes control of the company. The secretary trunk is introduced for Leopold Stokowski, a conductor.

===Modern Age of Louis Vuitton (1937-1996)===

[[1959]] - The company revamps its signature Monogram Canvas to make it more supple, allowing it to be used for purses, bags, and wallets.

[[1963]] - [[Audrey Hepburn]] is seen carrying the bag in the film [[Charade]].

[[1966]] - The company launches the classic ''Papillon'', a cylindrical bag that is said to resemble a butterfly .

[[1978]] - Vuitton opens its first stores in Japan, in [[Tokyo]] and [[Osaka]]. (Sales in Japan would come to account for nearly half of the company's total revenue by the 1980s.)

[[1983]] - The company joins with America's Cup to form the [[Louis Vuitton Cup]], a preliminary competition (known as an eliminatory regatta) for the world's most prestigious yacht race.

[[1984]] - Vuitton expands its presence in Asia by opening its first store in Korea, in Seoul.

[[1986]] - The company introduces its Epi leather line.

[[1987]] - [[Moët et Chandon]] and [[Hennessy]], leading manufacturers of [[Champagne (wine)|champagne]] and of [[brandy]], respectively, merge with Louis Vuitton to form the world's largest luxury goods conglomerate, [[LVMH]]. The group is partly owned by the [[Christian Dior]] group, and [[Bernard Arnault]] is chairman and CEO of both companies.

[[1988]] - Vuitton reports profits up 49% from the prior year.

[[1988]] - The company hosts its first [[Louis Vuitton Classic]] car show in Paris.

[[1989]] - The company's stores total 130 worldwide.

[[1990]] - Yves Carcelle is named president of the company.

[[1992]] - The first store in China is opened at the [[Palace Hotel]] in Beijing.

[[1993]] - The Taiga leather line is introduced.

[[1996]] - The [[centennial]] of the Monogram Canvas is celebrated in seven cites across the world, marked by parties at stores and the release of limited-edition items bearing the signature design.

===Millennium Age of Louis Vuitton (1997-present)===

[[1997]] - The company hires designer [[Marc Jacobs]] to be the label's artistic director. In March of the following year, he designs and introduces the company's first ''[[prêt-à-porter]]'' line of clothing.

[[2001]] - [[Stephen Sprouse]], in collaboration with [[Marc Jacobs]], designs a limited-edition line of Vuitton bags that feature [[graffiti]] written over the monogram pattern. The graffiti says ''Louis Vuitton'' and, on certain bags, the name of the bag (such as 'Keepall' and 'Speedy'). Certain pieces, which feature the graffiti without the Monogram Canvas background, are created and only available to the customers on Vuitton's [[Very Important Person|V.I.P.]] customer list.

[[2003]] - [[Takashi Murakami]], in collaboration with [[Marc Jacobs]], masterminds the new Monogram Multicolore canvas range of handbags and accessories. This range includes the monograms of the standard Monogram Canvas, but in 33 different colors on either a white or black background. (The classic canvas features gold monograms on a brown background.)

[[2003]] - Takashi Murakami creates the "Cherry Blossom" pattern, in which smiling cartoon faces in the middle of pink and yellow flowers are sporadically placed atop the Monogram Canvas. This pattern appeared on a limited number of pieces, which sold out quickly; the production of this [[limited-edition]] run was discontinued in June 2003.

[[2005]] - Takashi Murakami creates the Monogram Cerises pattern, in which cherries with faces on them are placed over Monogram Canvas on select pieces.

[[2006]] - The company launches a new line, called Damier Azur, a reinvention of the oldest pattern created by Louis Vuitton (the original Damier).

[[2006]] - Louis Vuitton launches the Winter 2006 show collection, which includes styles called "Monogram Miroir", giving new life to the classic Speedy 30, Keepall, Alma, and Papillon in a flashy, reflective silver and gold bag. Also included is the "Monogram LV-Inyl", "Monogram Embossed Leather", "Monogram Mink" (Multicolor Monogram canvas on [[Mink]]) and "Monogram Léopard" (Monogram canvas with leopard print done by Stephen Sprouse in 1989 and introduced by Marc Jacobs). Louis Vuitton was an amazing man he helped make a landmark of amazing handbags.

[[2006]] - The Monogram Mini line is discontinued throughout the world except for the [[United States]]. The Monogram Mini Lin will assume its position.

[[2006]] - Louis Vuitton opens its first store in [[Norway]], located in [[Akersgaten]] in [[Oslo]].

[[2006]] - Louis Vuitton opens its tenth [[UK]] store in the upmarket [[Leeds]] [[Victoria Quarter]]. The store is the first [[UK]] Louis Vuitton store outside [[London]] that has its own [[Very Important Person|VIP]] area. The store sells most of Louis Vuitton's lines except its ''[[prêt-à-porter]]'' lines.

[[2006]] - Louis Vuitton reopens its Malaysian flagship store at the upscale Starhill Gallery. The store is 6,000 square feet - the largest in southeast Asia.

[[2006]] - Louis Vuitton reopens a Global Store in [[Guam]], 27 years after they opened the first store in there. The store is 3 floors high with a high display wall called the Bags' Bar. The outside wall is built with laser-cut LV logo shaped stones.

[[2007]] - Louis Vuitton opens its first store in the Dutch Antilles, in Aruba. The store features the new Louis Vuitton concept and is located inside the Renaissance Hotel & Casino.

[[2007]] - Louis Vuitton's [[Nagoya]] store opens its doors in [[Midland Square]], [[Japan]].

==Counterfeiting==

[[Image:CIMG0185.JPG|right|thumb|A genuine Louis Vuitton purse from its new line.]]

The brand is highly [[counterfeit]]ed, and just over 1% of the items bearing the trademark [[Image:LV_Icon.svg|20px]] monogram are authentic. Ironically, the signature Monogram Canvas was created to ''prevent'' counterfeiting.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/25/business/google.php European trademarks vs. Google]</ref> In 2004, Louis Vuitton fakes accounted for 18% of counterfeit accessories seized in the [[European Union]]. LVMH, Vuitton's parent company, said that it employed "some 60 people at various levels of responsibility working full time on anti-counterfeiting, in collaboration with a wide network of outside investigators and a team of lawyers."<ref>[http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8209-2220038,00.html Special Report: Trying to stub out the fakes]</ref>

In an effort to prevent counterfeiting, the company closely controls the distribution of its products. Until the 1980s, Vuitton products were widely sold in department stores, such as [[Neiman Marcus]] and [[Saks Fifth Avenue]]. Today, Vuitton products are primarily available at Louis Vuitton boutiques, with a small number of exceptions. These boutiques are commonly found in [[upmarket]] shopping districts or, less commonly, inside high-end department stores. The boutiques within department stores operate independently and have their own managers and employees.

Louis Vuitton's biggest stores are in [[New York]], [[Beverly Hills]], [[Waikiki]], [[Guam]],[[Hong Kong]], [[Tokyo]], [[Boston]], [[San Francisco]], [[Chicago]], [[London]] and their flagship ___location in [[Paris]].

The rise of internet retailing created an extra challenge for the company in the fight against counterfeit goods. In 2006, Louis Vuitton and its sister company [[Christian Dior]] sued [[eBay]]<ref>[http://www.tech2.com/india/news/websites-internet/ebay-to-be-sued-for-counterfeit-products/1303/0 eBay To Be Sued For Counterfeit Products?]</ref> for failing to adequately prevent the sale of counterfeit products. According to the suit, which was filed in French courts on September 20, 2006, over 90% of the Vuitton items sold on eBay are fake.<ref>[http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.pcinpact.com/actu/news/31582-ebay-lvmh-contrefacons.htm&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=2&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Debay%2Bmalletier%2Bdior%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26rls%3DGGLG,GGLG:2005-36,GGLG:en Dior and Vuitton want to put at bag the counterfeit on eBay]</ref>

In 2005, the company successfully sued [[Google]] in France, and Google was ordered to pay [[US$]]250,000 for trademark violations, unfair competition, and misleading advertising. Vuitton has collected half the award, but Google has not settled the suit in full, alleging, in part, that French courts don't have jurisdiction over certain Google ___domain names.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/25/business/google.php European trademarks vs. Google]</ref>

In 2006, Louis Vuitton filed suit against Haute Diggity Dog<ref>[http://www.hautediggitydog.com/ Haute Diggity Dog Website]</ref> in Federal Court in the Eastern District of Virginia (opinion published at 464 F.Supp.2d 495). Haute Diggity Dog is a company that sells stuffed toys and beds for dogs under names that [[parody]] the products of other companies. Haute Diggity Dog marketed products such as "Chewnel #5"<ref>[http://www.pawstogo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=405 Chewnel #5]</ref>, "Dog Perignon"<ref>[http://www.pugcafe.com/catalog/dog-perignon-plush-dog-toy.htm Don Perignon</ref>, "Chewy Vuiton"<ref>[http://www.thepamperedpup.com/shopping/hdd-chewyv-toy.htm Chewy Vuiton</ref>, and "Sniffany & Co."<ref>[http://www.bestinshowsf.com/sncosqdogtoy.html Sniffany & Co.</ref> for sale in pet stores. Louis Vuitton alleged that Haute Diggity Dog’s use of the mark Chewy Vuiton as well as other marks that imitate Louis Vuitton trademarks and copyrights, violate Louis Vuitton [[trademark]], [[trade dress]], and [[copyright]] rights. The court ultimately denied Louis Vuitton’s motion for [[summary judgment]] and granted Haute Diggity Dog’s motion for summary judgment. The court found that while Louis Vuitton is a strong mark and there is some similarity between the products in question, the lack of actual confusion and bad faith, when combined with contemplation of parody acted to vastly outweigh the factors that favor Louis Vuitton’s argument for trademark infringement. Similarly, the court found that no reasonable trier of fact could find for Louis Vuitton on the issue of [[trademark dilution]], [[counterfeiting]], and copyright violation. This case is indicative of the far extent that Louis Vuitton will go to protect its products.

==See also==

*[[LVMH]]

*[[Louis Vuitton Cup]]

==References==

<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"><references/></div>

==External links==

* [[List of places in Iraq]]

* [http://www.louisvuitton.com Official Louis Vuitton website]

* [http://www.americascup.com Official site for the 2007 [[Louis Vuitton Cup]]]

[[Category:KurdistanAccessory brands]]

[[Category:CitiesFrench and towns in Iraqdesigners]]

[[Category:Companies of France]]

[[Category:Clothing companies of France]]

[[Category:LVMH brands]]

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