D.C. labor, environmentalists and antiwar activists say "Stop the Theft of Iraq’s Future – Iraqi Oil

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.uslaboragainstwar.org/article.php?=1&cache=0&id=15381



One year ago, the Iraqi Cabinet, under intense pressure by the United States government, passed an Oil Law that is now awaiting Parliament’s approval. The proposed Oil Law is a plan to give Big Oil unprecedented control over Iraq’s oil fields for 30 years. The U.S. government collaborated with corporate oil giants in this resource grab, and has continued to put pressure on Iraq to pass the law.<1>The Iraqi Parliament has so far resisted pressure to pass it, but their struggle is by no means over.

In response to this pressure, the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions is mobilizing an international day of actionand will be holding protests in Basra and elsewhere against the ongoing occupation and proposed oil law. US labor, environmental and antiwar organizations are joining the 70% of Iraqis who oppose the passage of the Oil Law in this day of solidarity. See a list of all US, UK, and Iraq Actions

"Iraq, ever since the occupation started, and now, is producing oil without an oil law," said Hassan Juma Awad, President of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions. "Therefore we think the insistence of passing a law under the current circumstances is a trick to bring in international oil companies."

The oil workers unions have played a leading role in fighting privatization of Iraqi oil. "Because of an opposition to the oil law, we find all kinds of condemnation from the government, and our workers understand fully that the campaign waged against us is because of our opposition to the oil law," Awad said. "The Iraqi people need such a law, but we need to gain our full sovereignty before such a law is enacted."
(Iraqi Worker, Activists Demand Hands Off Iraqi Oil 6/6/07 UC)

On Friday, Feb. 22, at noon U.S. Labor Against the War, Oil Change International, and allied organizations (listed below) convened a press conference and conducted a street action in Washington, D.C., in solidarity with the unions of Iraq to oppose U.S. attempts to impose an Oil Law that would privatize control of their national resources, and to demand respect for labor rights for Iraqi workers.

FULL story and photos at link.