COM SECGEN BLAMES SHAHRISTANI FOR HYDROCARBON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002634

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2017
TAGS: ECON ENRG EPET PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: COM SECGEN BLAMES SHAHRISTANI FOR HYDROCARBON
LEGISLATION MISHAP

REF: A. BAGHDAD 2332

B. BAGHDAD 2443

Classified By: Economic Minister Charles P. Ries for reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d)


1. (C) On August 7, EMIN made an introductory call on Council
of Ministers (CoM) Secretary-General Ali al Alaq. Al Alaq
recounted the chain of events that led to the confused July 3
initial introduction of the Framework Hydrocarbon law to the
Council of Representatives (CoR). According to al Alaq,
following review by the Shura Council, the text of the
legislation was to be finalized by a group of three comprised
of Oil Minister Hussein Shahristani, Oil Adviser Thamer
Ghadban, and DPM Barham Salih. The law that was forwarded to
the CoR on July 3, claimed al Alaq, was sent unilaterally by
Shahristani, much to the chagrin of DPM Salih.


2. (C) On the Revenue Management law, al Alaq explained that
the Shura Council had already reviewed the legislation
(though the Shura Council complained that sufficient time for
a thorough review was not provided). A lack of political will
in the CoM notwithstanding, a vote on the Shura-reviewed text
by the CoM is the only step remaining before the law may be
transmitted to the CoR. Al Alaq clarified that, should there
be changes agreed as part of the upcoming "leaders" meetings,
a new version of the Framework Hydrocarbon law could be
approved by the CoM and submitted anew to the CoR, perhaps in
association with adoption of the Revenue Management law (That
is, if the CoM agrees upon any changes to the July 3
Framework Hydrocarbon law text, it would not need re-referral
to the Shura Council and the CoR can take it up in
substitution for the July 3 text).
CROCKER