Iraq oil sector lost over USD 6 bln. in 2005 -- official

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BAGHDAD, Feb 18 (KUNA) -- Iraq has lost over USD 6 billion throughout 2005 due to sabotage operations against its oil sector facilities, a senior official told KUNA on Saturday.

Issam Jihad, Spokesman for the Iraqi Oil Ministry said the ministry experts have estimated the loss at USD 6.25 billion, while 138 security and technical personnel lost their lives in a series of 186 sabotage operations carried in 2005.

Operations to set oil fields ablaze cost the ministry about USD 400 million, while above USD 2.7 billion were lost in operations against crude oil pipelines. Destroying petrochemicals pipelines also cost over USD 3 billion, he concluded. (end) mhg.

KUNA

[BlueEyedSon]

1. The guy's name is "Jihad"?????

[bemildred]

2. Surely you don't think they would lie about something like that? nt

[SpiralHawk]

3. You can bet your bippy this didn't cut into Halliburton profits

or to the Massive Profits "enjoyed" by other BushCo oil & munitions cronies.

[A Simple Game]

4. Let Exxon-Mobil take over operations,

they'll figure out a way to make a profit.

[FloridaPat]

5. That wouldn't pay for the invasion like * promised. Not even close.

[heidler1]

6. Would you please give me a link to the * promise?

[FloridaPat]

8. It was in the run-up to the invasion. * said it would only cost $60

billion and the rest would be paid by income from the Iraqi oil wells. We are currently spending $2 billion a week.

[OKthatsIT]

7. Just Another Day in the Life of Bush RipOffs, "fixing books is our forte"

whatevea