Baghdad fuel shortage supports generation of street kids

[Barrett808]

Baghdad fuel shortage supports generation of street kids
by Patrick Fort

BAGHDAD (AFP) - A chronic fuel shortage in Baghdad, capital of one of the world's most oil rich countries, has created a black market for petrol which sustains a growing population of dirty-faced street kids.

Along the pavements of the Saadun Avenue, cutting through the centre of the Iraqi capital, dozens of children siphon petrol into cars from five gallon drums, using funnels made of soda bottles and lengths of garden hose.

On the other side of the street, a once prosperous thoroughfare now marred by razor-wire, concrete barricades and shuttered shops, motorists queue for up to five hours to buy subsidised petrol at official rates.

Those who have the cash, but no time to wait, can ask kids like 13-year-old Mohammed Riyad to fill their tanks on the spot for 15,000 dinars (10 dollars) for five gallons (20 litres), more than twice the official price.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060801/wl_mideast_afp/iraqoilchildren

[skooooo]

1. budding capitalists

freedom is on the march :-(