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Russia Reportedly Angry With Iraq Over Oil Contract Snub
Russian government sources say that Baghdad's cancellation of a huge oil contract has removed one of Moscow's main reasons for opposing military action against Iraq. Oops! Moscow's RIA-Novosti news agency quotes one official as saying any nation's foreign policy is guided by its own interests and that Russia's economic interests outweigh any desire to defend Saddam Hussein. Hint: It is the oil, Saddam. Russia, along with France, has been one of Iraq's strongest defenders on the United Nations Security Council. Both Russian and French influence were instrumental in crafting the U.N. resolution that allows military action against Iraq only after arms inspectors conduct more searches for weapons of mass destruction and then report back to the Security Council. Thursday, Iraq's oil ministry informed three Russian oil companies it is canceling a deal for them to develop the large West Qurna oil field. Iraq's Oil Minister Amer Rasheed said Friday that the lead company, Russian oil giant Lukoil, has failed to meet its commitments under the contract. That's OK, Ivan. You can pump all the oil you want for the new government of Iraq. Posted by: Steve 2002-12-13 |
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