Iraq ready to sign oilfield deals before new law

[redqueen]

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKL24654820070924
Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:30pm BST

BAGHDAD, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Iraq's oil ministry hopes to sign contracts with international firms before the year-end even if a new oil law governing the sector has not been passed by parliament, Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani said on Monday.

Shahristani told Reuters in an interview that the new contracts will be in line with rules and guidelines contained in the landmark draft oil law, which he said had been delayed by political infighting.

"As a responsible ministry, we cannot keep waiting. There is no legislative vacuum. The current laws allows the oil ministry to negotiate with firms and to sign contracts," he said.

"We are going to commit ourselves to the draft (oil law) in signing contracts by having free competition and total transparency and announce contracts which achieve the best interests for Iraq."

(more at link)


Now why do I have doubts about his sincerity when he says he'd be doing this to achieve the best interests for Iraq?