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Interview: Kurdistan's oil law 'meant to
speed up development'
23.8.2007
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August
23, 2007
Erbil-Hewler, Kurdistan region (Iraq), -- The
autonomous Kurdistan parliament approved their own
regional oil and gas law ahead of the the
Baghdad-based Parliament's endorsement, drawing
anger and criticisms.
The Arab Sunni Muslim Scholars Association, which
considers the ratified law as illegal, forbade
investors to work by its contents.
The parliament in Baghdad has approved the federal
draft oil and gas law. The cabinet has to approve
the draft law.
However, various political groups have been seeking
amendments to the draft law, thereby the draft is
yet to be approved.
Gulf News talked to the foreign relations service
official in the Kurdistan regional government, Falah
Mustafa Bakir, on the issue.
Gulf News: Why
did the Parliament of Kurdistan ratify the regional
oil and gas law and why now?
Falah Mustafa Bakir: The Parliament of
Kurdistan approved the draft law after one year of
negotiations with the federal government in Baghdad.
The state consultative council, an appointed body
based in Baghdad, made some substantial amendments
though it does not have the right to make these
changes.
Gulf: Are you
saying that you have approved the original draft and
not the draft that included the amendments
introduced by
the consultative council making some amendments?
Bakir: It is true.
Gulf: The
Kurdistan regional oil and gas law allows you to
participate in managing old oil fields in Iraq
beside newly discovered ones, besides exporting
approximately one million barrels per day in the
future. Does that mean that Kurdistan will be able
to sign contracts for oil investment by itself?
Bakir: What you mentioned as the features
granted by the regional law are true, yet the whole
matter will be coordinated with the federal
government in Baghdad.
Also, the agreement contracts will be signed only
through the federal oil and gas council where we are
represented by the Kurdistan minister of natural
resources.
All revenues from exporting oil and gas from
Kurdistan will go to Baghdad and our share of it
will be 17 per cent of the total oil and gas imports
according to the census.
Gulf: Was
the approval of the regional law in Kurdistan a
political card to pressurise the parliament in
Baghdad to ratify the law later?
Bakir: No, we do not intend to put pressure
on the Iraqi parliament and we do not think this
way.
We practised our constitutional right and the
regional parliament approved the law to accelerate
development and provide job opportunities for
Kurdistan citizens.
Gulf: The Sunni
Muslim Scholars Association reacted angrily to the
law in Kurdistan and considered it as null. What are
your comments?
Bakir: The association has no right to
criticise the law nor our move. It is our
constitutional and legal right. The issue was
studied by experts and advisors before its
endorsement.
Gulf: Some
experts say that you will have the right to explore
new oil and gas fields. What is your response?
Bakir: This is not true. Our share will be 17
per cent of the total gas and oil revenue regardless
of new oil wells.
Gulf: Some
politicians accused the Kurdistan government's
approval of the regional law, of working to secede
from Iraq. What is your comment?
Bakir: I emphasise that the law ratification
meant that Kurdistan is part of Iraq and it could
not secede from it.
Gulf: Can Turkey
impede exporting oil and gas from the area ?
Bakir: It is Iraqi federal government's
concern. Oil and gas will be exported from the
[northern] provinces through known ports and
pipelines across Iraq.
gulfnews com
Since 1991, the Kurds of Iraq achieved self-rule in
part of the country. Today's teenagers are the first
generation to grow up under Kurdish rule. In the new
Iraqi Constitution, it is referred to as Kurdistan
region. Kurdistan region has all the trappings of an
independent state -- its own constitution, its own
parliament, its own flag, its own army, its own
border, its own border patrol, its own national
anthem, its own education system, its own
International airports, even its own stamp inked
into the passports of visitors.
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