Iraq vows to shield oil firms from union threats

Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, July 17 (Reuters) - Iraq will protect foreign firms against threats from trade unions seeking to block a major oil deal with BP (BP.L: Quote, Profile, Research) and China's CNPC, a pillar of Iraq's bid to renew its struggling oil sector, an official said on Friday.

"The Oil Ministry stresses its rejection of threats and provocation toward anyone: the government, the ministry, foreign firms," Oil Ministry spokesman Asim Jihad said.

"The government will protect the companies," he said.

Jihad said promises of strikes or sit-ins, designed to halt the deal with the BP and partner China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), were politically motivated and might be linked to posturing ahead of Iraq's national elections early next year.

Read more: http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINLG20279420090717

Hmmm, wonder where they learned that from?

They had good teachers.

:kick:

:sarcasm:

come from our invasion of Iraq!

Surely I do not need the sarcasm tag?