Iraq Gov't Hopes To End Oil Dispute With Kurds

SINAN SALAHEDDIN

BAGHDAD (AP) — The Iraqi government Wednesday hailed the start of oil exports from the self-ruled Kurdish north but stressed that all oil deals signed by the Kurds must be ratified by the Oil Ministry in Baghdad.

The Oil Ministry has long opposed Kurdish deals with foreign oil companies. This month, however, the government approved Kurdish plans to export crude from two oil fields to alleviate the national budget crisis caused by falling oil prices.

The agreement stipulates that revenues will be deposited in a federal account and the Kurds will receive 17 percent, the share allotted to them in the federal budget. ...