Iraqi minister calls on China to refuse the American project

The Iraqi minister of oil Amer Muhammad Rasheed has called on China to refuse the American project on amending the sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1990.

Rasheed, currently visiting China in conclusion of the meeting of the 11th session of the joint Iraqi- Chinese committee on economic and trade cooperation said that the American project aims at undermining Iraq's economic openness to the neighboring states, including China.

He explained that Iraq's enemies will once again, try during the coming phase to debate this neo- colonialist project to perpetuate it under a new cover and a new name.

He stressed Iraq's desire to expand and reactivate the oil-for-food contracts with China and to accelerate trade and economic cooperation forward between the two countries.