Oil Ministry productive despite politics

BAGHDAD - It’s not until the end of a 45-minute interview when Iraq’s Deputy Oil Minister Ahmed al-Shamma stops talking shop. And this is only to set the record straight, so he can get back to work.

The ministry does seem to be an all-purpose target: various ministries complain they aren’t getting enough money because Iraq isn’t selling more oil; regional and local governments demand the rights to make oil deals; nationalists want foreign investment restricted while others want the sector privatized.