‘Convey the repressed voices of Kurdistan… to the world,’ said Barzani
President Barzani appeals to diaspora, int’l community for help
Iraqi army, Shiite militia and Peshmerga exchange heavy fire north of Kirkuk
Iraqi PM orders forces to stop at Kirkuk boundaries
Iraqi army takes control of Batma, Ain Zala oil fields
Iraqi army took control of Zummar and Ain Zala areas, NW of Mosul
Kirkuk council won’t convene at ‘gunpoint:’ council head
“I am the head of the council. I cannot go to my home. Does this not mean invasion?”
Report: Israel lobbies to see Kurds ‘with means to protect themselves’
Israeli officials are working to sway international support for the Kurds
Five civilians killed in this week’s clashes in Khurmatu: HRW
They were killed by ‘apparent indiscriminate fire’
People of Kirkuk stage protest before US consulate in Erbil
What is our sin? We just want to live
US, UN express concern over mounting violence in Kirkuk
The UN is urging the Iraqi government to “take every action to halt any violence.”
Baghdad hits back at Rosneft/KRG Deal
By John Lee.
Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has hit back at Rosneft‘s recent decision to enter a production-sharing deal with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) without its approval.
In a statement, the Ministry warned:
“The ministry of oil warns seriously all the countries and oil companies from contracting or dealing with any authority inside Iraq without taking the approval from the federal government and the ministry of oil”.
Oil Minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi [Allibi, Luiebi] (pictured) added:
“… irresponsible statements from some of the officials inside & outside Iraq or the foreign companies about their intention to sign oil contracts with any authority inside the geographic borders of Iraq without telling the federal government or the ministry of oil, is considered as a Blatant interference in the internal affairs and a derogation from national sovereignty, and an outright violation of international norms.”
Rosneft boss Igor Sechin insisted that the company strictly followed the law. AFP quotes him as saying:
“If there are problems between the government of Iraq and Kurdistan they need to solve the problems themselves … I am not a politician, my job is to produce oil.”
In addition to the production-sharing deal, Rosneft has just agreed to start work on a new oil pipeline project in Iraqi Kurdistan.
(Sources: Iraqi Ministry of Oil, AFP)
Rosneft to Build New Kurdistan Oil Pipeline
Russia’s Rosneft and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have announced the start of joint implementation of an infrastructure project for the operation of the oil pipeline in the Kurdish Autonomous Region.
According to a statement from Rosneft, its share in the project “may amount to 60%“.
“The other project participant with 40% share will be KAR Group, who is the current pipeline operator,” it added.
Rosneft Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin (pictured) said:
“The entry into the infrastructure project will contribute to achievement of Rosneft’s strategic objectives and will enable Rosneft to enhance the efficiency of oil transportation to the end customers including supplies to the Company’s refineries in Germany”.
(Source: Rosneft)