RESPONDING TO THE OIL LAW - Strategy Conference in Basra

Towards a Democratic Oil Policy for Iraq

Iraqi Oil Union Holds Strategy Conference on Forthcoming Energy Legislation

The General Union of Oil Employees held a conference dedicated to discussing the widely-anticipated new Oil Law in cooperation with the BasraUniversity's "Center for Arab Gulf Studies" today (Tuesday February 6th).

The conference took place at the conference hall of the Oil Education Center, Basra.Representatives from all the main and relevant political parties and trade union organizations participated plus NGOactivists, university professors and MPs (list tba).

Over 200 delegates attended. Speaking from Basra today, General Union of Oil Employees leader Hassan Jumaa Awad al Assadi said that the conference had been a great success and that the event has been admired for its courage and bravery.

The main TV channels and newspapers in Iraq also covered the event. A joint statement has been prepared during the conference and will be forwarded to the Iraqi parliament and prime-ministry.

The statement, according to Hassan, is 'very strong'.

Watch this space for a translation of the statement shortly.