Friday, July 13, 2007

 

Arabs in Kirkuk reject draft oil law

Oil
(Azzaman) - Iraqi Arabs in the disputed oil-rich city of Kirkuk have thrown their weight behind groups opposing the new draft oil law. The Arab Consultative Council in Kirkuk, an umbrella group for Arabs in the area, said the draft in its current shape puts “narrow regional interests” above national interests. In a statement, the council urged the parliament to turn down the draft unless it is substantially revised.
The government has passed the draft to the parliament after approving it, sparking a torrent of criticism from various political factions. The opponents of the draft say the draft in its current shape is bound to create further divisions and disparity among the country’s ethnic groups and sects. They want the central government and not Iraqi autonomous regions to have the biggest say in exploring, extracting, refining and selling of crude as well as the distribution of its royalties.
The draft gives regions, such the one currently under the control of Iraq Kurdish factions and their militias, the right to sign oil deals and keep a certain portion of oil proceeds to themselves. The council’s statement is the first indication of the troubles the draft law is going to cause if turned into law.

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