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Iraq's Maliki warns of 'wars' over Exxon
deal with Kurdistan
19.6.2012 |
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Iraq PM asks Obama to stop
Exxon-Kurdistan oil deal
June 19, 2012
BAGHDAD, — Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki
believes a contract between U.S. oil giant
ExxonMobil and Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region is
dangerous and could lead to "wars," his spokesman
told AFP Tuesday.
ExxonMobil signed an oil exploration deal with the
Kurdistan region in northern Iraq covering six
areas, including two that are said to be outside the
region and claimed by both Baghdad and Kurdistan.
The central government says all oil contracts must
go through Baghdad and regards any that do not as
illegal.
"Maliki views these deals as representing a very
dangerous initiative that may lead to the outbreak
of wars" and " breaking up the unity of Iraq," Ali
Mussawi said of the Kurdistan contract.
"Maliki is prepared to go to the highest levels for
the sake of preserving the national wealth and the
necessary transparency in investing the wealth of
the Iraqis, especially oil," Mussawi said.
The premier "sent a message to American President
Barak Obama last week urging him to intervene to
prevent ExxonMobil from going in this direction."
Exxon and Kurdistan inked the exploration deal Oct.
18. Baghdad has since said the deal is frozen,www.ekurd.net
which Kurdistan has denied.
Iraqi Kurdistan has been locked in a standoff with
Baghdad for months, one of a series of intertwined
political crises which have escalated into calls for
Maliki to be removed from power.
Copyright ©, respective author or news agency, AFP
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