Iraqis Agree to Share Oil
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said today that he expects a finished constitution to be delivered to the National Assembly tomorrow, one day ahead of the deadline. Negotiations are continuing, but Talabani said that he does not expect any issues to be reserved for future resolution.
Meanwhile, Austin Bay notes the huge significance of the "tentative deal" reached yesterday on division of control over Iraq's oil wealth between the central government and the provinces:
Iraq’s oil revenue sharing proposal is the clearest signal since the election that Iraqis : (1) see a future after Saddam and Zarqawi — a future without either form of fascism; (2) intend to remain one state instead splitting into three (or more); (3) the federal system –whatever its final form– will recognize minority rights when it comes to cash.
Under the tentative deal, oil revenues will be distributed roughly according to population. One small point: Under the agreement, Iraq controls all the oil revenue. The U.S. gets nothing. Quick, someone tell Cindy Sheehan!
