Iran's Oil Diplomacy Frustrates US Policy (IRAQ!)--Daily Star

[Gloria]

From the new World Media Watch up now at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical
Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com


1//The Daily Star, Lebanon Friday, July 15, 2005

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=3&article_id=16782



IRAN’S OIL DIPLOMACY FRUSTRATES U.S. POLICY

Washington's goal of isolating the Islamic Republic stands in conflict with its aims in Iraq, Pakistan and India

By Will Rasmussen and Nora Salim
Daily Star staff

BEIRUT: With yesterday's announcement of a landmark oil and power agreement with Iraq, Iran is on the move diplomatically. Under the deal with Iraq, the two countries will swap refined oil for crude oil and connect their electricity grids. Also this week, Iran secured "serious commitment" from India and Pakistan for a $4.5 billion pipeline deal carrying Iranian oil eastward.



The United States is wary of Iran's oil diplomacy. While reluctant to speak out against the Iraq deal, it has made no secret of its displeasure with the India-Pakistan pipeline.



U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said tersely: "We have communicated to the Indian government our concerns about gas pipeline cooperation between Iran and India."



The Iraq agreement stemmed perhaps more from the fledgling government's desperation to solve its energy crisis, and the U.S. offered tepid support.



The deal with Iraq comprises a 40 kilometer oil pipeline between the Iraqi oil center of Basra and Iran's Abadan port, using Iran's Caspian ports to import refined fuels into Iraq from Central Asia. A senior Iraqi official said it will be signed next week.

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//Gulf News Online, UAE Published: 14/7/2005, 00:00



IRAQI PM TO VISIT IRAN ON SATURDAY: EMBASSY



http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=173023



Tehran: Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari is scheduled to travel to Iran on Saturday, making him the first Iraqi premier to visit the country since the toppling of Saddam Hussein, an embassy official said.



"The three-day visit ... will mostly evolve around bilateral ties during which will have discussions with the Islamic republic's high-ranking officials,” the source said on Thursday.



He added that seven ministers are already in Iran, and that more will accompany Jaafari.



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[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. Looks like the war criminals and anyone associated with them

are being cut out of the deal.... pity. The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray....

Especially when the plans are made by thugs and corporate criminals.

[psychopomp]

2. And I don't think they will only discuss oil, either

Three days for talks...

[drduffy]

3. god, the dilemma of

love my country and wanting us all to prosper (in the best sense) vs my complete and utter loathing of bush and the neocon crap. I hope the latter fails - also utterly - but that America will survive.

but Iran will make the best strategy it can. And it looks like it has thwarted the US designs. Also the China/Russia agreements with the countries on Iran's northern border. What would you call these chess moves?

[Amonester]

4. How about "US colonialists, get the fock out of Asia"? n/t

[goforit]

5. LOL!!!........Those Texas Barons just ain't making fwiends.