Iraq's Allawi due in Russia for oil, debt talks

[bemildred]

Where's all this secret listening technology when you could
really use it? I'll bet this is a fascinating conversation.

MOSCOW (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi arrives in Moscow for the first time since taking office six months ago with hopes of soothing tensions over Russia's opposition to the US-led war in his ravaged nation. The US-backed Allawi is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) at some point before his departure Wednesday and both sides said the talks would focus on future economic prospects rather than the diplomatic bitterness over the war.

Officials said Russia would try to win back lucrative oil contracts it signed under Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s regime in exchange for Moscow's promise to write off 90 percent of Iraq (news - web sites)'s eight billion dollar Soviet era debt.

Iraq tore up most of the oil deals amid confusion over the approaching war and despite furious protests from such Russian oil giants as LUKoil.

Yahoo

[acmavm]

1. OOOOOOHHHHHHH! Allawi and Putin talking about the old oil

contracts. Man oh man oh man. Like the poster said, where in the hell is all that handy dandy spy listening gadgetry when you really need it.

I bet Allawi got a good talkin' to by bush*. Gave him quite a tongue lashing and warned him not to deviate from the agreement that put him into power. Probably told him he'd be grounded and have his allowance taken away.

The possibilities here are absolutely endless. Putin has been trying to cut bush off at the knees here lately for some reason. Oh hell, beause of oil. Wouldn't it serve bush* right if...

Never mind. I'm letting my imagination get carried, far away.

[Gloria]

2. Putin has really been on quite a tour.....India....talking military,

now India bidding on another defunct Russian energy company,...Putin wants India to get a permanent UN Security Council Seat..talking about a three way pact between India, China, and Russia...
On to Turkey, and now meeting Allawi.....and let's not forget the Iran nuke plant..
Putin is really making some big moves.....Latest article on this from the new WMW....last issue had an article with more details on the military deals made between Putin and India....



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1047641

[this_side_up]

3. US politicians/corporations./rich folks

have really screwed the pooch this time.

Fostering dissent, arranging assassinations

[daleo]

4. Ukraine could get hot too

I expect something serious to happen there in the next six months, given the great power machinations.