Iraq to open oil bidding to Russia and France

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/2328605

Iraq's Governing Council will let Russian and French firms compete for oil sector development contracts despite opposition from pro-U.S. members, a leading Iraqi politician said Tuesday.

Hamid al-Bayati, a senior official with the main Shiite Islamic group, Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, said a Governing Council delegation led by his party has told Moscow and Paris not to fear exclusion from Iraq, although they did business with Saddam Hussein and opposed the war that toppled him.

Bayati said Iraq could also honor a $3.8 billion deal between Russian company Lukoil and former leader Saddam Hussein struck in 1997.

"We asked Paris and Moscow to be involved in the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty and reconstruction, including oil. We do not want them to be isolated from Iraq," Bayati told Reuters.

[gmoney]

1. Let's see how long THIS lasts...

I'm sure we'll hear from the champions of free markets and a self-determined Iraqi government.

[lefty_mcduff]

2. Does Cheney know about this?

n/t