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| Axis of Evil |
| More on Russian / Iraqi oil deal collapse |
| 2002-12-14 |
| From the steamy pages of Pravda on-line: LUKOIL never quits anything for no particular reason Har! We never quit! Sometimes we just walk away. It is an open secret that Iraqi authorities and Russiaâs oil company LUKOIL argued about a part of the Western Kurna oil field for a long period. Moreover, LUKOIL Vice-president Leonid Fedun mentioned several times already that Russian oilmen would soon leave Iraq. First of all, they are leaving because of a highly probable You'd think this wouldn't bother the Russians, who are masters of the greased palm. In accordance with the production division agreement, the mentioned Russian oil companies are to develop the Western Kurna oil field till 2020 and invest not less than 6 billion dollars in the project within this period. However, after the agreement was concluded in 1997, Russian oilmen had to restrict their activity in Iraq for fear of violating the UN sanctions, as Russia supports the sanctions. This became a stumbling block in the relations between Iraq and Russian oil companies. Hypocrisy was easier in the old Soviet days. According to some sources, Iraq was extremely indignant at the offstage negotiations held between US Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and LUKOIL president at the Russian-American oil summit in Houston this autumn. As was reported, Abraham and Alekperov discussed possible guarantees that the USA could provide in Iraq after replacement of Saddamâs regime. I'm beginning to think that Sammy's dyslexic. He clearly has a problem connecting the dots ... Itâs obvious that despite all assurances of âRussiaâs old friendâ, President George W. Bush, it will be quite a problem for Russian oil companies to stay on the Iraqi oil market. Dastardly Merkins. However, the recent actions of Iraqi authorities with respect to Russian oil companies give Russia no chance for a maneuver. If I had to choose between sticking around to pump oil or avoid meeting a daisy cutter, I think I'd leave too, but that's just me. If the regime of Saddam Hussein doesnât guarantee Russian oil interests any more, Russia will consequently negotiate protection of its interests with that subject of the international law which can offer such guarantees. And that would be who, again? Experts and Russian diplomats are dispirited by the attitude of the Iraqi authorities and say that after this demarche Iraq will have almost no allies on the international arena. Excepting the peoples' republics of Berkeley and Hollywood. And the Al-Guardian. But itâs not ruled out that the Iraqi dictator has achieved a goal which he considers actually important: he won unanimous and real support of the Arab world, whose relations with the USA seem to have seriously worsened. Under these conditions, Hussein doesnât need Russia any more. 'course not. Why ally yourself with a large nation with (still) a large army and political influence when you can align yourself with a bunch of Especially that in the present-day situation Russia has definitely taken a position on the opposite side of the barricade. This fact is proved by recent attacks of President Vladimir Putin upon Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Putin's talking the talk, now he just needs to walk the walk. Busting up the oil deal was a step in the right direction. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #1 Aargh, wrong category again. Fred, can you fix this? Thanks, |
| Posted by: Steve White 2002-12-14 17:43:46 |