It is disappointing, therefore, to learn that the federal oil minister in Baghdad has taken it upon himself to air to an international news agency a number of hostile political opinions about the KRG and its prudent and constitutionally sound management of the natural resources that lie within the territory it administers.
In a series of ill-judged remarks to Reuters, the federal minister of oil:
- threatens to cut the KRG’s share of the federal budget;
- threatens companies active in Kurdistan for pursuing their legal right under the PSCs to market the oil and gas that they have discovered;
- threatens other companies for exercising their legal right to explore for oil and gas;
- appears to incite violence in the disputed territories;
- accuses the KRG of oil “smuggling” and “trafficking”.
In addition, he reveals details of an illegal and unconstitutional plan to allegedly allow BP to enhance the recovery of some of the depleted fields in Kirkuk (a disputed territory under Article 140) without consulting and obtaining approval of the other parties to the dispute.
COOPERATION NOT CONFRONTATION
Iraq’s citizens are simply tired of this sort of language of threat and intimidation, which in the cynical pursuit of narrow political agendas serves only to create division and strife.
The minister does not even speak for the whole federal government. Such remarks reflect a lack of respect for the Constitution of Iraq and also for the people of Kurdistan. They represent a degree of panic and desperation. It would appear the overriding philosophy is that if your own policies have failed, lash out and blame others.
Very well written! And top of all above, SOMO has collected the moneys for exporting all oil including the one from KRG territory. Unilateraly, SOMO and alikes do not honor the contracts with the OIC's operating in Kurdistan, but retain the money. Can you understand that many IOC's are alarmed and are calling this behavior for theft or even harder words?
The harsh language used by the Oil ministers in Baghdad may scare small oil companies and now with the consolidation of IOC's in Kurdistan, there is no way that Gazprom, Exxon and alikes will fell down for the rod of Baghdad.
Have you not learnt that capitalism and IOC's have a very good and large memory? They will never forget nor forgive such behavior.