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| Iraq |
| Iraqi Kurdistan begins first-time oil exports |
| 2009-06-02 |
| [Al Arabiya Latest] Iraq's self-ruled Kurdish region began exporting oil for the first time on Monday, shipping crude through a pipeline to Turkey, in a major step forward for economic ties between the neighbors. Kurdish President Massud Barzani and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani opened a ceremonial valve at the event while a live broadcast showed workers at the Taq Taq oil field in Arbil province turning on the pumps. "It is a historic date, a giant step," said Barzani at a lavish ceremony in Arbil. "We are proud of this success, and this achievement will serve the interests of all Iraqis, especially the Kurds." No representatives of Iraq's Shiiite Arab-led central government were apparent at the ceremony, underscoring Baghdad's still frosty relationship with Kurdistan's leaders, although Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, showed up. Many hope the joint project between the autonomous region and Baghdad may pave the way to ending bitter domestic feuds over Iraq's oil wealth. "These contracts are legal, constitutional and legitimate and they are in the interests of Iraqi people," said Talabani, a Kurd who, however, was not accompanied by any non-Kurdish member of the Baghdad government. "We all love the Iraqi people and the Kurdish people are an important part of the Iraqi people, who made sacrifices to free Iraq from dictatorship," Talabani added. "With the commencement of oil exports ... The Kurdistan region wants to be a leading example in the new Iraq ... to contribute to Iraq's increased oil production. Today, we are proud to be part of this," Khalid Salih, a senior Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) adviser said ahead of the ceremony. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 ...And nothing happens at the pump, whereas some turban burps and the price goes up a buck and a half. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2009-06-02 05:30 |