Iraq oil minister replaced after protesting price hikes (Chalabi takes control for 30 days)

Agence France Presse | December 30, 2005

[HAL9000]

Iraq's deputy prime minister Ahmed Chalabi was put in charge of the oil ministry Friday after the minister, Ibrahim Bahr al-Ulum, was relieved of his duties, an official said.

"The government has relieved Mr Bahr al-Ulum of duties for 30 days and put in charge Mr Chalabi who heads the energy council," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"The decision was taken because of Mr Bahr al-Ulum's objections to the early introduction of higher petrol prices," the official said.

The Iraqi government earlier this month announced a tripling of petrol prices in a bid to reduce subsidies, a move that sparked angry protests across the country.

[RightWhale]

Similar to what happened in Alaska when Port Authority's Gas Line plan was rejected.

[Democratshavenobrains]

This story has all the keywords of the Left conspirazoids.

"Chalabi", "oil", "hike" etc

[GaltMeister]

Wait a minute - I thought Bushco and Halliburton! already stole all the Iraqi oil?

/DUmmie

[babydoll22]

What is the price that the gasoline is increasing to?

[No Longer Free State]

I thought lefties liked higher petrol prices. Good for the environment, don't ya know?

[68skylark]

What is the price that the gasoline is increasing to?

I hope someone knowledgeable will answer your question -- I'm curious as well. Until now, I believe gas has been subsidized to keep the price extremely low -- perhaps in the 10-20 cents a gallon range. As with all government subsidies and distortions of the market, that gives rise to smuggling and shortages and illegal markets and other problems.

[jbwbubba]

Chalabi in charge of anything is a receipe for problems

[operation clinton cleanup]

I thought the price was being hiked to discourage illegal exports to neighboring countries.

[jonsie]

I heard it was going from 6 cents to 65 cents per gallon.

[68skylark]

Thanks for the info -- the price rise sounds like a great idea, although I'm not sure the average Iraqi will see it that way when it happens.

[Cheburashka]

I thought lefties liked higher petrol prices. Good for the environment, don't ya know?
---
They like it when the government is getting the money, not when some evil oil company that invested in production and refining assets reaps the rewards of their investments.

The latter calls for massive penalties and, if such disgusting behavior persists, government seizure of all company assets.

[fallujah-nuker]

Actually they'd be correct about Chalabi, he's the guy who passed on secrets to the Iranians. Guess its the deal about a broken clock having the correct time twice a day.