IRAQIS UNITE—AGAINST OIL LAW

The good news: Observers say the growing coalition (nicknamed the "National Salvation Government") against the oil law also opposes Al Qaeda in Iraq and Iran’s influence.

Iraq (Near) United In Opposition
Ben Lando, July 9, 2007 (UPI)

WHO
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Iraqi Sunni and Shia leaders, the Sadr Movement, the Iraqi Accord Front, the Association of Muslim Scholars, the Iraq Freedom Congress, the Anti Oil Law Frontier, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), U.S. leaders (President Bush, U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Robert Gates), Tariq Shafiq, oil law co-author now opposing the new law,
oil in the north, oil in the south, trouble in the middle (click to enlarge)

WHAT
The closest thing Iraq has seen to real unity since the British took over after World War I, according to local observers, is the nearly national contempt for the proposed “hydrocarbon law.”

WHEN
Negotiations began last summer. A tentative outline was approved in February. Divisiveness prevented completion by the June 30 deadline. An agreement was passed July 3, due to boycotts by significant factions.

WHERE
Where the Tigress and Euphrates meet.

WHY
- President Bush referred to the law as a "benchmark for reconciliation." The rejection of it seems to be. Both major factions denounced it, vowed to defeat it and threatened keep it out of Parliament. Complaints: it weakens the federal government and allows foreign multinational oil companies too much.
- Any economic strength Iraq could have would come from oil revenues but they cannot begin to flow, restrained by the U.S. in hope of leveraging cooperation, until the factions agree on a law governing the resource. A package of 2 to 4 laws is being developed . No agreement has been reached on revenue sharing.
one thing we all agree on: what's happening to her is a sin

- Revenue sharing is the crucial issue. The Maliki government wants control for Baghdad. The KRG wants less central control. The oil workers’ unions demand more control by the Iraq National Oil Company (INOC). Oil ministers are said to be inclined toward participation by foreign multinational oil companies
- The growing coalition: Early supporters of the law have turned against it, contending the current language creates regional power blocs and structuralizes conflict. The newest version only passed because Sunni and Shia representatives boycotted the voting session. Boycotts may also prevent Parliamentary quorums from considering the measure, though other groups want Parliament to take it up so they can denounce and reject it. Almost all factions want to increase the noise of denunciation. Many have held large rallies against the law.

QUOTES
- U.S. State Department official: "It has to be a package of laws in which all the Iraqis can agree, which is why it is a benchmark of national reconciliation…"
- Shafiq: "The last four years have witnessed repeated attempts at dismantling the basis for any well planned resources management for the whole nation, only to replace it with market oriented destabilization and fragmentation policies that are at variance and in competition with each other and the national interest…Would this law really optimize the management of the oil and gas? Would it really unite the country? I believe sincerely it is naive to think it would."