Iraq sets up committee to fight fuel smuggling: Bahr al-Ulum

Baghdad (Platts)--16May2005

Iraq has set up a committee to curb oil smuggling along its borders, according
to Iraq's new oil minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Ulum, as cited in the local press.

"The Ministry of Oil has set up a control committee to curb smuggling of
by-products that flourished within the ministry apparatus," the US-funded
Al-Sabah newspaper quoted Bahr al-Ulum as saying. The measure was ordered by
the Iraqi cabinet in a recent meeting focused on fighting corruption in
government. The committee will look into smuggling, loss and adulteration of
by-products, Bahr al-Ulum said. The committee will also coordinate with the
Interior Ministry and others relevant bodies to observe the movement of
tankers and contracts awarded to transporters. Violators to these contracts
will be persecuted and smugglers shall be deemed criminals, the minister said.

This story was originally published in Platts Global Alert
http://www.globalalert.platts.com

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