'Key' mark of 'progress' in Iraq disputed by Iraqis (Texas tea, OIL)

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/world/middleeast/03iraq.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin


Iraqi Blocs Opposed to Draft Oil Bill
Doug Mills/The New York Times


By EDWARD WONG and SHERYL GAY STOLBERG
Published: May 3, 2007

ERBIL, Iraq, May 2 — Kurdish and Sunni Arab officials expressed deep reservations on Wednesday about the draft version of a national oil law and related legislation, misgivings that could derail one of the benchmark measures of progress in Iraq laid down by President Bush.

snip//

In Iraq, the Kurds have taken issue with a new provision that was quietly packaged with the draft oil law by the Shiite-led Oil Ministry last month. The measure would essentially cede control of the management of nearly all known oil fields and related contracts to a state-run oil company to be established after passage of the law, said a spokesman for the Kurdish regional government.

snip//

White House officials have said passage of the oil law is one of four major benchmarks they would like the Iraqi government to meet before fall.

During a visit to Baghdad last month, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the Iraqi prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, that Mr. Bush would weigh Iraq’s commitment to meeting the goals when he decided at the end of the summer whether to extend the recent troop increase.


snip//

The draft oil law would allow regions to enter into production-sharing agreements with foreign companies, which some Iraqis and critics of the Bush administration say could lead to foreigners reaping too much of the country’s oil wealth.

Iraqi officials say all contracts will be subjected to a fair bidding process, but there are fears that American companies could be favored.

more...

[Solly Mack]

1. No need to fear - they will

"...fears that American companies could be favored."

[babylonsister]

2. IMO this is the crux of the whole war; using oil contracts as a 'benchmark'?

It seems pretty transparent to me.

[Solly Mack]

3. You would think....but never discount the power of denial

and people need to believe America is better than she is

Whereas I believe if we tell the truth about Iraq and all the crimes of the last 6 years, America could actually be better