Despite Crisis, Iraq Outlines Grand Oil Plan

21 February 2003 Unfazed by the prospect of an imminent war, Iraqi oil officials are forging ahead with a 10-year plan drawn up last year, which aims to bring on stream early oil production from discovered but not-yet-developed fields, as well as launch an ambitious oil and gas exploration program to boost proven reserves. The 10-year plan, which stretches through 2012, aims at almost doubling oil production capacity in the…

Iraq: Opposition Alternative

14 March 2003 A group of Iraqi exiles opposed to Saddam Hussein is gearing up to present itself as an alternative to opposition groups like the Iraqi National Congress that, having worked closely with Washington for years, are now regarded as US sell-outs by most Iraqis. The group, led by former foreign minister Adnan Pachachi, rejects a US military administration and is against any foreign interference in managing the oil…

Interview: Jordan’s Foreign Minister Gives His Take On The War

14 March 2003 Ever since UN sanctions were imposed on Iraq, Jordan has been the only gateway to and from Baghdad. Ahead of the last Gulf War, the late King Hussein of Jordan played a major role mediating between Saddam Hussein and the international coalition that eventually drove Iraq out of Kuwait in 1991. Accused of siding with Iraq, Jordan was snubbed by the US, as well as its Gulf…

Saudi Arabia Seizes Iraqi Pipeline

15 June 2001 In a further sign of deteriorating relations with neighboring Iraq, Saudi Arabia has confiscated an Iraqi-built crude oil pipeline that runs across the Kingdom to the Red Sea port of Muajjiz. The $2 billion IPSA line has been closed for nearly 11 years. The move came two weeks after Saudi Arabia complained to the UN that Iraqi troops had been attacking Saudi border guards since March. Officials…