New Iraqi oil-for food contracts

Iraq, through the end of January 1998, has signed 34 contracts to sell 151.78 barrels of oil in oil the framework of the third phase of the oil-for-food accord.

The "Middle East Economic Survey" bulletin issued in Nicosia on Monday said the contracts were signed by the Iraqi National Oil Company with international oil companies, including 13 with Russia, three US companies and two French.

The remaining contracts were signed with oil companies from Turkey, Italy, Switzerland, India, North African states, Spain and China. The third phase of oil-for-food accord started as of December 5,1997 and will be valid until June 2, 1998.