WikiLeaks cables: Chevron discussed oil project with Tehran, claims Iraqi PM

[sabra]

Source: Guardian UK

Embassy cable reveals Nouri al-Maliki believed US energy firm negotiated with Iran about cross-border oilfield despite sanctions

The US energy firm Chevron negotiated with Tehran about developing an Iraq-Iran cross-border oilfield in spite of tight US sanctions, according to the Iraqi prime minister in leaked diplomatic cables.

Nouri al-Maliki's claim, reported in the cables, that Chevron was in discussions with the Iranian government will raise eyebrows in Europe and other parts of the world where international companies have come under significant pressure from Washington to end investments and other financial dealings with Tehran.

...

According to the cable, Maliki asked "about the political feasibility of such a deal involving a US firm working both sides of a cross-border field, given current USG (United States government) policies toward Iran".

Butenis told him that US laws on sanctions would apply but that the Obama administration was reviewing its policies on Iran. "PM al-Maliki said that he prefers to go with Chevron on the deal; however, he remarked that if US rules prevent Chevron from doing this project, he would approach a non-American firm."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/15/wikileaks-chevron-iran-iraq-oilfield-claim

[elias49]

1. Well, isn't this tasty! The 'innocuos' cables begin to have

a stronger flavor!

[tomm2thumbs]

2. first I thought clean energy would protect us from being dependent on foreign sources of oil

now I realize its biggest benefit is it protects us from being dependent on these huge DOMESTIC, CORPORATE sources of oil

[No Elephants]

5. Meh. Wanna bet domestic and foreign will do just fine, until the planet runs out of dinosaur juice.

[Arctic Dave]

3. Hypocrisy, gotta love it.

It does give an odd clue as to what the US will do to sustain it's oil addiction.

The more these type of nuggets come out the more it reveals that the US is only in the ME to take their oil and will kill any and all Muslims who do not want to give it away. The problem is, is they have to go to war against the Muslim faith to do it without saying they are at war with it.

[No Elephants]

4. Are U.S. oil companies the reason 'the Obama administration was reviewing its policies on Iran"?

And luckily for them, oil execs and big shareholders won't have to worry about their taxes going up next year.

But no money for 99ers or a one time $250 payment to seniors and disabled.

Sah-well