Iraqis: Iranians cross border, seize oil well

[unhappycamper]

Iraqis: Iranians cross border, seize oil well
By Rebecca Santana - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Dec 18, 2009 17:34:17 EST

BAGHDAD — Iranian forces crossed into Iraq and seized an oil well just over the two countries’ disputed border, prompting a protest Friday from Baghdad and providing a dramatic display of the sometimes tenuous relations between the wary allies.

The incident could trouble Iraq’s drive to attract the international investment needed to develop its beleaguered oil sector, analysts said, and it raised questions about the two countries’ ties, which had improved greatly after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

According to Iraq’s deputy foreign minister, Mohammed Haj Mahmoud, Iranian troops crossed into Iraqi territory on Thursday and seized oil well No. 4 in the al-Fakkah oil field, located in Maysan province about 200 miles southeast of Baghdad. The oil field is one of Iraq’s largest.

“This is not the first time that the Iranians have tried to prevent Iraqis from investing in oil fields in border areas,” Mahmoud told the AP. He said he did not know if the Iranians were still in control of the well.

Iraq’s national security council held an emergency meeting Friday to discuss the issue, and government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh later said the seizure showed anew the need for clearly defined borders between Iraq and Iran. He said the two countries have begun diplomatic talks.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_iran_iraq_oil_well_121809/