Iraq accuses Iran of oil smuggling

[Barrett808]

UPI, BAGHDAD -- Iraqi Oil Minister Husayn Al-Shahrastani has accused Iran of helping with oil smuggling, Al-Iraqiyah television reported this week.

"We blame the Iranian coastguard for allowing Iraqi smuggling boats to reach Iranian waters. Not only that. In some cases, these boats get protection from the Iranian coastguard," he said.

"We have other problems, including smuggling and exploiting shared wells, with most neighbouring countries. Our corruption challenges are mainly domestic; they can be found not only within the Oil Ministry but within local markets as well. Therefore, I call on the Iraqis (involved in oil corruption) not to deprive the poor of their right to decent living. Some people, for example, buy gasoline at 250 dinars per liter and sell it back to those who badly need this product at 800-1,000 dinars!"

Linked with the widespread oil smuggling, the oil minister said, is the production surplus that affects the profitability of his country's oil industry.

"Due to lack of maintenance works and development plans, our oil refineries produce huge amounts of black oil, surpassing local demand. Unless this production is absorbed, the refineries will have to stop operating because of their limited storage capacity. This means that black oil has to be removed out of refineries. Neighbouring countries are not enthusiastic to purchase this black oil surplus because they hope to buy it trough smugglers at lower prices."

(more)

http://www.ncr-iran.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1815&Itemid=71

[VegasWolf]

1. Halliburton tells Iran to keep your hands off my oil. nt

[Virginia Dare]

2. Okay, here we go...

is the "independent government" of Iraq going to declare war on Iran?

[struggle4progress]

3. I guess we can't leave til over-production and oil smuggling ceases!

Them Moonies sure is got their own take on what's ailin Iraq ...

[joe_shmoe]

4. -- Sign this petition against military action against Iran --

It is with grave concern that I observe the growing threat of a new U.S. war--this time against the people of Iran.

For a collection of articles and resources on this subject you can visit this link: http://reseaudesign.com/research/iran/iran_summery.html

I'm starting up a petition which I will be sending out to as many members of Congress as possible. I'm asking for help to get this signed by as many people, possible in the next month. Send it to as many people you can.

http://www.petitiononline.com/n0war1rn /


thanks,
J-shmoe