CBS: Iraqi Oil Fields Not So Secure

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/08/08/iraq/main634639.shtml

(AP) Fighting around the southern Iraq oil fields that U.S.-led forces had previously thought were secure has driven out civilian firefighters trying to put out the oil well blazes, the top firefighter said Monday.

"It's not nearly as safe as they said it was," said Brian Krause, vice president and senior blowout specialist for Houston- based Boots and Coots. "We're kind of sitting ducks out there."

The Iraqi resistance in the oil fields challenges U.S. claims that southern Iraq is quickly falling under allied control.

U.S. Marines declared the southern Rumailah oil fields in Iraq unsafe for journalists to visit Monday, forcing the cancellation of a trip under Marine escort intended to give the media a first-hand view of the blazing wells.

<snip>

Securing the Rumailah oil fields was one of the top priorities of commanders of the invasion into Iraq; military planners want to use Iraq's oil output to finance the rebuilding of the country.

...more...

need i say more

Well the price of oil is probably up, and Red Adair just died.