IRAQ OIL LAW UPDATE

The deadline for getting the oil law written was May 31. Don't hold your breath.

Iraqis To U.S. Congress: Back Off Oil Law
June 8, 2007 (UPI)

WHO
Faleh Abood Umara, general secretary, Iraq Federation of Oil Unions; Hashmeya Muhsin Hussein, president, Electrical Utility Workers Union, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
Iraq oil resources (click to enlarge)
WHAT
Representatives of Iraqi oil workers reject the still-being-negotiated Iraq oil law, claiming its provisions rob the country of its assets. They met with Kucinich to say so.

WHEN
- The meeting was June 7.
- An Iraqi oil worker strike began June 4 but was suspended.

WHERE
The meeting was in Kucinich’s offices in Washington, D.C., Oil law negotiations are on-going in Iraq.

WHY
- The union leaders fear the oil law will give foreign multinational oil companies too much control.
- Arrest warrants on 10 union leaders were put out by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki this week in response to threats of oil worker strikes in pursuit of better conditions and a role in the oil law negotiations.
- US officials, including President Bush and Democratic leaders, have urged the Iraqis to pass the oil law.

QUOTES
- Umara: "We believe this is a new invasion of our economy and especially to take over our oil fields…this is a very aggressive act to take over our resources…The oil law, in its current status, does not serve the Iraqi people."
- Umara: "Mr. Kucinich, we see you as a friend of the Iraqi people and that is the general belief over there…We would hope that your government could put pressure on our government to not pass the oil law."
- Kucinich: "Unfortunately our government is putting pressure on your government to pass it."