Kurds make oil deal with Norweigans. Money supposed to go to central govt.

[bigtree]

Foreign oil deal renews debate on Kurd autonomy

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-12-08-kurdish-oil_x.htm

ZAKHO, Iraq — The semiautonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq has struck a deal with a foreign oil company to drill for oil in a mountainous region just outside this town. Kurdish leaders hope the new oil well will spur further exploration in the area and tighten the regional government's control over its oil wealth.

But the agreement has raised eyebrows in Baghdad, where Kurdish aspirations for autonomy are viewed critically by some Sunni and Shiite Muslims. It was the first time the Kurdish regional government contracted directly with a foreign company to explore for oil.


>>>>The Kurds reached an agreement with a Norwegian oil company, DNO, to build the rig about 12 miles from here in a mountainous region where black pools of oil seep effortlessly through the ground. The rig was unveiled in a ceremony last week.


>>>>The Kurds hope the DNO deal will jump-start production inside the Kurdish-controlled region, which historically has produced little. "We will find sufficient amounts of oil that it's commercially viable to exploit," said Magne Normann, the company's vice president.

[tx_dem41]

1. This is one of the bigger stories of the last few days...

yet no one appears to want to talk about it. It foretells inner struggles between Kurds, Sunnis, and Shiites over the location of oil within regions, yet we want to talk about if Ann Coulter is anorexic instead. Oh well.

Thanks for posting it, bigtree.

[A Simple Game]

3. Bad news ban

say it really fast.
say it really fast 5 times.

Ann Coulter is anorexic?
Who knew, I hadn't heard.
I thought she was on drugs.
A lot of really bad drugs.

[bigtree]

5. The story highlights the murkiness surrounding the competition for oil

in Iraq.

Norway is a symbolic bit player for the U.S. in both Iraq and Afghanistan

from CENTCOM: Norway has been supporting the operations in AFGHANISTAN and IRAQ in several ways since September 11, 2001.

Norwegian SOF, Mine Clearers, EOD-teams, C-130 for Tactical Airlift, MOVCON, F-16’s for Close Air Support, CIMIC-teams and a Surgical Unit have over the past years completed missions in and around AFGHANISTAN in either Operation Enduring Freedom or in ISAF. Since December 2003 NORWAY has deployed forces to AFGHANISTAN as a part of ISAF Security Forces in KABUL and recently to the British PRT in MEYMANEH.

In Iraq Norway has supported the reconstruction of the country with an Engineer Coy and Staff Officers in MND SE and MND CS.

In cooperation with our coalition partners Norway is continuously evaluating and subsequently adjusting the contribution according to the Coalitions needs, Norway ’s available resources and her Governments security interests. http://www.centcom.mil/Operations/Coalition/Coalition_pages/norway.htm


Yup, Norway is adjusting her contribution according to the coalition's needs.

[400Years]

2. interesting

I think the Kurds probably should get their own state.

[tx_dem41]

4. Which the Turks will promptly invade and take over, and possibly..

the Iranians too.

[400Years]

6. Yes, Turkey would be very upset over that

I'm well aware of the geopolitical implications.