The Iraqis are holding up the Hydrocarbon Law not because of the division of income between Iraqi ethnic groups but because of the paltry share of their own oil revenue the US drafted law gives all Iraqis compared (12%) compared to the big oil companies. Other countries with easily accessible oil wouldn't accept terms like that unless they had a gun to their head. Iraq does, and their parliament still won't sign, knowing they could never walk among their own people and live if they did.
Iraqi oil workers, scholars, former bureaucrats, and even average Iraqis oppose the corporate domination model imposed by the law.
By contrast, the short term contracts recently awarded were service contracts which means they are doing a job for the Iraqis, not sharing in the profits. That is the way it should be. That is the way it should be HERE.
The oil companies are parasites, sucking the wealth from under our land as well, giving us next to nothing for it, and then demanding tax breaks and wars to seize more oil fields.
I agree with that climate scientist who said the oil company execs should be tried for crimes against humanity. What they have done to us and the Iraqis and are still trying to do to the Iraqis should be added to the indictment.
John Kerry and Chuck Schumer should either do their homework and stand up for the Iraqis against big oil, which might reduce resentment toward our troops and save some lives, or they should sit down down and shut the fuck up. They could even retire early and go collect their seven figure salaries sitting on boards of directors of oil companies like Sann Nunn, and others who leave ''public service'' which should more appropriately be called ''public servicing the rich.''
The Democrats are better than the Republicans, but only when graded on a curve, and not when they shamelessly pistol-whip Iraq like a robber mad at his victim for not getting the money out of his pockets fast enough.
KEY EXCERPTS:BACKGROUND ON THE OIL THEFT LAWSenators seek to block Iraq oil contracts
Sens. Schumer and Kerry appeal to Bush administration to stop no-bid deals with big companies until equal royalty distribution is guaranteed.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Two U.S. senators asked the Bush administration Tuesday to stop the Iraqi government from signing imminent no-bid contracts with several U.S. and European oil companies, expressing concern about the distribution of royalties from the deal.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressing concerns about a contract that the Iraqi government is preparing to sign with Exxon Mobil Corp., (XOM, Fortune 500) Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA), Total SA (TOT), Chevron Corp (CVX, Fortune 500)., BP (BP) and other companies. The contract would let those companies develop Iraq's largest oil fields.
The senators, who released the letter, said they are worried that unfair distribution of oil revenue could inflame the violence between the warring religious and political groups of Iraq.
"We urge you to persuade theto refrain from signing contracts with multinational oil companies until a hydrocarbon law is in effect in Iraq," read the letter from Schumer and Kerry.
FULL TEXT
Iraq War to keep oil prices HIGH
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