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The latest test of whether or not the recently formed Iraqi government will succeed centers around oil. In order to improve economic conditions in a country dominated by insurgent violence, the distribution of the country’s oil wealth needs to be settled. The current attempt to achieve that goal has understandably met with its share of disagreement. The Kurdish contingent had voiced concerns that state control over regional control was unconstitutional.

Iraq cabinet endorses changes to draft oil law

Tue Jul 3, 2007 5:53AM EDT
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq’s cabinet approved changes to a landmark draft hydrocarbon law on Tuesday and will submit the bill to parliament after months of bickering between the central government and Kurdish officials.

Iraq has the world’s third largest oil reserves. Most reserves are in the Kurdish North or Shi’ite South. An arrangement providing 17% of all oil revenue to the Kurds may have been the real problem for the Kurds. In addition to the Kurdish dissent, the Sunni contingent decided to boycott cabinet meetings over the legal problems of one of its ministers. Oil and the political and economic issues to be resolved are also complicated by religious tensions brewing from a near ageless split between Sunnis and Shi’ites. Expectations of resolving this issue or working around it are at the very least unrealistically optimistic based on the history of the conflict.

The Origins of the Sunni/Shia split in Islam

by Hussein Abdulwaheed Amin, Editor of IslamForToday.com
History
Ali is the central figure at the origin of the Shia / Sunni split which occurred in the decades immediately following the death of the Prophet in 632. Sunnis regard Ali as the fourth and last of the “rightly guided caliphs” (successors to Mohammed (pbuh) as leader of the Muslims) following on from Abu Bakr 632-634, Umar 634-644 and Uthman 644-656. Shias feel that Ali should have been the first caliph and that the caliphate should pass down only to direct descendants of Mohammed (pbuh) via Ali and Fatima, They often refer to themselves as ahl al bayt or “people of the house” [of the prophet].

The notorious opponents to nearly everything aimed at resolving issues in Iraq are not silent or avoiding the wielding of their influence over matters in the new Iraqi government either. Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr once again recklessly uses his sectarian popularity to frustrate a means of improving Iraq’s economic plight and reconstruction.

Sectarian row stalls Iraq oil bill

Wednesday July 4, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Iraq’s crucial oil bill today faced further delay amid opposition from Kurdish politicians and parliamentary supporters of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Passage of the bill is seen by the US as vital to healing Iraq’s sectarian divisions. The prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, had hoped for parliament to start debating the draft law today.

As Mr Sadr’s supporters voiced their displeasure with the bill, the Kurdistan regional government (KRG), which administers Iraq’s Kurdish north, said it had not seen and did not support the draft approved by the Iraqi cabinet yesterday. Sunni politicians were also opposed.

And a report from the fourth seems to indicate all parties disapprove with only 24 out of 37 members present for a vote and Kurdish, Shia’ite and Sunni spokespersons issuing statements of disapproval.

Officials say continued disputes likely to delay new Iraqi oil bill

July 04, 2007 11:21 EDT
BAGHDAD (AP) — Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish officials say they have not agreed to a draft bill that regulates the country’s oil industry and distributes revenues.

American officials hope that passage of the bill will rally Sunni support for the government and reduce backing for insurgents.

These events suggest to the outsider or casual observer a continuing trend of actions by major players in Iraq. While it is difficult to assess how those directly affected should act if sincerely interested in the future of the country and the best interests of the Iraqi people, common sense at least hints at the fact that time is not on their side. Or is it? Perhaps the actions of members of the current Iraqi government are no different than the actions of insurgents and in fact are one in the same. As much as there are mixed responses to the continued involvement of the US in Iraq, it may be in the best interest of the US to express the concern just mentioned to the current Iraqi government and the members delaying efforts to solve major issues. It appears the friendly messages are not getting through. A tougher stance by the US on expectations should be accompanied by options less favorable to the Iraqi government than the US simply leaving. You are left to fill in the blanks.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

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