Washington suspends Russian oil contracts with Saddam's regime
Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/16/2003

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow said in a statement issued yesterday that the US is ready to permit Russian companies to work in Iraq, but he stressed that the next Iraqi government will decide the fate of oil contracts finalized with Saddam Hussein's regime.

The Russian official news agency ( Inter-Fax) quoted the American ambassador as saying that Washington had approved "according to a UN resolution no. 1483 to extend the oil-for-food program for 6 months. A matter which permits the execution of most of the Russian contracts signed in the context of the program."

Concerning the oil sector, the American ambassador said "our position is clear, the Iraqi oil and oil resources are for the Iraqi people and the decision to develop them and production in future will be taken by the future Iraqi government." He added "therefore we have suspended the contracts signed by Russian companies with the former Iraqi regime, in another word, the contracts are not executed, nor violated."

He said " decisions on these contracts will be taken by the next Iraqi government." The Russian foreign ministry said yesterday that the deputy foreign minister Anatoli Sovnov renewed demands to the American ambassador on the need that the American occupation forces to ensure the security of the Russian embassy in Baghdad.

Previous Stories:
  A historical celebration on the birth of the Iraqi rule council   (7/14/2003)
  Occupation wants to privatize oil, Saddam declares himself resistance leader   (7/9/2003)
  Future Iraq army to be limited in size; Former soldiers to receive monthly stipends   (6/26/2003)

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