Iraqi Elites May Award Oil Contracts

[McKenzie]

Before New Assembly Sits

What a surprise...I don't think

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Western oil interests are already jockeying for position to exploit Iraq’s massive petroleum reserves, and the country’s interim government appears poised to begin handing out major contracts even before the new, popularly elected assembly assumes authority in the next few weeks.
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http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/1452

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Get those bribes while you can!

In the meantime, UPI reports, Western firms are showering the Iraqi Ministry of Oil with gifts ranging from expensive software packages and training, to international trips and to cash.

Expressing concern that in a backroom process, American oil companies will be unable to compete with the kickbacks offered by international competitors, an anonymous embassy official told UPI that US advisors are encouraging Iraq to keep its bidding process open.

"If we go contract by contract, other companies will out-bribe the United States companies, and we will lose," said the official. Insisting the US favors a "fair, open, equal process," the official noted that "US companies have better technology" and thus the competitive edge, all else being equal.

But the official admitted that American corporations are trying their best regardless, with Shell, Exxon and Chevron each offering material incentives to earn favor from Iraqi officials.

After all, Bush's appointed cronies will be out soon, so they need to act quick (a) to get the bribes, and (b) to award the contracts in case the next lot in turn out to be unbribable. They might do something horrific like award the contracts in Iraq's best interests. We can't let that happen.