Iraq Will Not Discriminate

Iraqi authorities say they are prepared to admit large French and Russian oil companies to participate in tenders for contracts along with companies from other countries.

Iraqi Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Ulum emphasized that Iraq is ready to consider the possibility of participation of companies from all countries in post-war development of Iraq. The minister stated, "Our strategy is to pursue an open policy and to maintain good relations with foreign oil companies using their assistance for conducting a broad training program for our specialists."

We are not going to "exclude a single foreign company" and will "hear them," emphasized the Iraqi Oil Minister.

The French and Russian companies, which had been closely cooperating with the former government of Saddam Hussein, voiced fears they would not be admitted to any post-war Iraqi oil field.