The new Iraqi government should create a trust fund to share the country's oil money with its people, President George W. Bush said at a news conference at the White House Rose Garden.
Bush said Iraq's people need to enjoy the benefits of the country's oil revenue.
"It's an interesting idea for them to consider, to basically say that no matter where you live in the country you have a stake in the future of your country because of your ownership in energy assets."
"I reminded the government that that oil belongs to the Iraqi people and the government has the responsibility to be good stewards of that valuable asset and valuable resource," he said.
To make sure oil supplies and revenue keep flowing, Bush said the United States was working with Iraq to establish "rapid repair teams" to fix damage from attacks on Iraq's energy infrastructure.
