VOL. XLV

No 32

12-August-2002

IRAQ

Trading Firms Accuse UN OfPurposely Depressing Iraqi Oil Sales

Majortrading firms that lift Iraqi crude are accusing the UN sanctions committee andthe overseers of purposely adopting practices that minimize Iraqi oil sales,according to MEES soundings. Tradersallege that the UN is not only delaying the approval of price formulas beyondreasonable periods but is also being inflexible to a degree that has made Iraqioil prices uncompetitive with similar grade crudes....