On the Iraqi pipeline through Syria

A well-informed Syrian source told the Kuwaiti daily al-Qabas on Sunday that the issue of pumping Iraqi oil though a pipeline which passes through the Syrian territories is no longer in the foreseen future.

The Syrian source stated that the pipeline which used to transport Iraqi oil from Karkouk in Iraq has, practically, been taken out of the service of pumping quantities of oil that will presumably come up with required amounts of exported oil.

The source continued that the old pipeline operates now in a limited capacity, transporting Syrian oil from al-Rmeilan and al-Seweideh oil fields in northeast Syria to the oil refineries of Homs and Banias.

The source proceeded that even if an agreement to pump Iraqi oil via Syria was signed, it is inevitable that a new line should be erected in order to transport suitable amounts of exported oil, adding, "Then, it will be evident that the Iraqi side will bear the greater part of the costs."

The Kuwaiti paper added that according to information circulated during the beginning of the current year between Damascus and Kuwait, officials concerned in the two countries discussed having technical teams representing the two sides check the old pipeline and learn the extent of its readiness.

The paper continued that, "Talks on this area seem to be suspended," noting that, "No hope is looming to initiate a new dialogue on the issu," at least in this phase."