The Kurdistan Regional Government, is offering the global oil industry its first and, so far, only chance at entering the Iraqi crude sector. Despite anger in Baghdad, the KRG plans to sign even more controversial oil deals and is waving the “For Sale” sign proudly.
“We have many opportunities to excite you,” KRG Natural Resources Minister Ashti Hawrami told United Press International when asked what the “sales pitch” is to international oil firms. “And if you don’t come forward now, you will lose.”
Read the entire story I wrote for UPI here.
KRG is Pro-Union
The Kurdish government also says it must embrace the oil workers.
“Our key objective is maximize returns for Iraq,” Hawrami said, “so we have no problems with unions and professional organizations, because in a democratic society we must be inclusive of all these requirements.” …
“We must win the unions over and not label them being illegal,” Hawrami said.
Iraq’s Electricity
A new magazine from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ reports on two reconstruction efforts: Overhead transmission line doubles Nasiriyah, Shatra link and Solar street lights in Fallujah.
Society, Security and Politics
Rise in Violence Puts Kirkuk’s Future in Doubt, Ivan Watson reports for National Public Radio.
In the south, where most of Iraq’s oil is located, the situation spirals away.
The director of the Basra airport and Mark Kukis asks in Time.com Has the U.S. Ceded Southern Iraq?
Unable to Defeat Mahdi Army, U.S. Hopes to Divide It, Gareth Porter reports for Inter Press Service.
Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies has a new report titled: Pandora’s Box: Iraqi Federalism, Separatism, “Hard” Partitioning, and US Policy
The Iraq Press Roundup by Hiba Dawood for UPI.
The U.S. ‘reputation for accomplishment’ gives added challenge to the Iraq effort, Bernd Debusmann writes for Reuters.
The troubles of the United States in Iraq have been blamed on many causes: too few troops, wrong strategies, flawed intelligence, a very stubborn commander-in-chief.
The Man on the Moon rarely rates a public mention.
But the Man on the Moon looms so large in relations between the U.S. and 28 million Iraqis that every U.S. field commander knows his job would be easier if no American had ever set foot on the moon.
—————
