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Northern Iraq’s oil now in the hands of Iraqis

Jun-15-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT , Iraq News

(Task Force Olympia press release)

MOSUL, IRAQ (June 15, 2004) – For the five governorates of northern Iraq, the responsibility for distributing fuels such as propane, benzene and diesel has transferred to a group of Iraqi fuel representatives.

Upon their arrival in Iraq, Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division worked with a group of Iraqi fuel representatives to distribute the almost 15 million liters of fuel that comes from Turkey each day. The representatives meet each day to decide how much fuel will be distributed and where it will go based on the needs of the people.

At a linkup point north of Mosul, approximately 500-700 trucks filled with fuel come each day to be directed to their final destination in Iraq. This site is the largest fuel distribution site in the country right now.

After today, these daily meetings and the distribution itself will be handled by Iraqis. Coalition forces will still play a part in advising and funding projects to improve the fuel conditions in northern Iraq, but they will not maintain a daily presence.

Fuel is an important part of Iraq’s economy. Approximately $6 million dollars worth of fuel is distributed in northern Iraq each day. Money from fuel revenues goes to fund the government ministries and back into the local economy.

This transfer of authority is one of many that will happen as June 30 approaches and the people of Iraq prepare to take full control of the safety, security and governance of their country.


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