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Turkish oil-exploration company reacts
against Turkish State Minister Tüzmen
31.1.2007 |
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January 31, 2007
Ankara, Turkey, -- Güntekin Köksal, chairman
of Pet Holding, which has some oil prospect licenses
in a wide region of Kurdistan (Northern Iraq),
reacted against State Minister Kürşad Tüzmen in the
crisis which emerged with Iraq. Köksal said: “There
is a state called ‘Kurdistan’ there. Turkey should
settle a new strategy according to the new
situation.”
“We are working both with Barzani and Talabani”
In his statement, Köksal noted that they had a
license for prospecting oil on nearly 400 square
kilometer-area in the Barzani region and on nearly
800 square kilometer-area in the Talabani region.
Stating that they found oil in the region, Köksal
indicated that they experienced no troubles as a
company operating there.
He said: “We are directly working with the Kurds.
We are pleased with them and they are pleased with
us.”
Evaluating the possible reasons of the Iraqi
national oil company, Somo’s demand for the Turkish
companies to meet with the Kurds regarding the fuel
sale, Köksal said: “There may be commercial reasons
including the expensive sale made by the Turkish
companies or receivables problems.”
Pointing out that there might be an aim to put the
Kurds to trouble, Köksal emphasized that the US
wanted to make the Kurdish state autonomous.
Underlining that neither Turkey nor the US
established a strategy for Iraq, Köksal said:
“Kurdistan has been set up there.
From now on, the incidents should be dealt with
strategies. Conflicts or discussions are in vain.”
Köksal indicated that Turkey should communicate with
the Kurdish state. Asked “whether or not this would
be in contradiction with the state policy?,” Köksal
said: “Waters flowed under the bridge. A new
strategy should be formed in line with the new
situation.” Investments worth USD 1 billion.
Stressing that Turkey had investments worth USD 1
billion in Kurdistan region, Köksal said: “Northern
Iraq is a very large oil region. I believe that
instead of quarreling, we should look for receiving
more oil prospecting rights.”
Noting that the Turkish companies were carrying out
infrastructural investments in Iraq, Köksal said:
“It is nonsense to withdraw since Somo told that it
would not be engaged in anymore. What will the other
Turkish companies do? Are there any differences
between oil sale and construction? I cannot
understand why there are all these discussions.”
Assessing the news in the international press
claiming that big oil companies share the Iraqi oil
among themselves, Köksal said: “There is no
situation which affects us. Nobody tried to take
from us and give it to another. Dialogue should be
established. We should consider the issue from the
commercial standpoint.”
thenewanatolian com
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