NEWS / ARCHIVE 2005
November 2005
Misunderstanding Iraq: Recommendations for U.S. PolicyMany of the seemingly intractable problems the United States faces in Iraq stem from a series of fundamental misunderstandings about the situation and the views of Iraqis. Following is an attempt at a more accurate assessment of what is happening and policy suggestions which could improve the situation and, most importantly, lay the groundwork for a US withdrawal.
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October 2005
Open Letter on Oil and Gas Wealth in the Draft Iraqi ConstitutionExperts on the oil industry sent this open letter to Iraq's National Assembly and future House of Representatives, raising questions about the new constitution's handling of oil revenues.
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July 31, 2005
Report: Iraqi and International Experts Call for Comprehensive Strategy for Managing Iraq's Oil arabic

Democracy in Iraq hinges on a comprehensive and transparent approach to the management of its resource wealth, says a group of Iraqi and international stakeholders who met to carve out a strategy for the future of Iraqi oil.
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July 1, 2005
Press Release: Iraqi Officials & International Experts Debate Future of Iraq's OilSenior Iraqi officials gathered with oil company representatives and international civil society leaders to carve out a plan for managing Iraq's oil wealth that will aid the country's democratic transition and economic reconstruction. The event, "Iraqi Oil Wealth: Issues of Governance and Development," is part of the Open Society Institute's ongoing effort to support informed and inclusive public policy debate in Iraq, and to assist Iraqis in holding all stakeholders to account in promoting an open, peaceful, and prosperous Iraq.
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May 26, 2005
Report: Protecting the Future: Constitutional Safeguards for Iraq's Oil Revenues arabic

The people of Iraq endured decades of corrupt and totalitarian rule under Saddam Hussein, who squandered the nation's natural and human resources on unwinnable wars, internal repression, and enriching himself and his cronies. With Saddam gone, Iraqis are now demanding a more just and economically viable future. This report explores ways that Iraqis can avoid many of the problems that can accompany oil wealth - corruption, conflict, and the "resource curse" - by rising above the political rivalries and cronyism that threaten post-Saddam Iraq and embedding measures for accountability into the future Iraqi constitution.
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MEDIA FEED

U.S. Said to Allow Drilling Without Needed Permits - The New York Times

Australia Gas Deal Renews Tension - Financial Times

Charged With Fraud, Nigeria's Ruling Party Leader Resigns - Reuters

Western Senators Propose Ban on Pacific Drilling - The New York Times

To Limit Corruption around Mining in Africa, Follow the Money - The Globe and Mail

Court Backs Oil Project - The New York Times

Transparency Increases, But There Is Still a Long Way to Go - The Phnom Penh Post

IMF Develops Project to Help Africa Deal with Illicit Trade - African Manager

Three-day Conference on Africa's Natural Resources Starts in Tanzania - Standard Times Press

After Oil Rig Blast, BP Refused to Share Underwater Spill Footage - ABC News

Finger-Pointing, but Few Answers at Hearings on Drilling - The New York Times

Complaints Over U.N. Prize Sponsored by Equatorial Guinea's Obiang - Reuters

Guide: Community-Company Grievance Resolution for Australian Mining Industry - Oxfam Australia (pdf)

Cote D'Ivoire: President for Life, and Then Some - The New York Times

In Midst of Massive Spill, Oil Industry Fighting Transparency and Accountability - Oxfam America

Leaked Oil Contracts in DRC Threaten Resource Wars and $10 Billion Rip-Off by British Company - Carbon Web

 

NEWS & INFORMATION ARCHIVES

2006, 2005

PUBLICATIONS

Contracts Confidential: Ending Secret Deals in the Extractive Industries
Contract transparency is sorely needed to improve the management of natural resource wealth. In a new report from RWI, authors Peter Rosenblum and Susan Maples delve into government and private sector objections to contract disclosure and make conclusions about what information may legitimately and reasonably be kept confidential, and how civil society institutions can better confront the challenge of secret deals.
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NEW TRANSLATION: Revenue Redistribution at the Local Level
Many resource-rich countries are attempting to compensate their producing regions through shares of resource revenues to be spent at the local level. In "Extractive Industries Revenues Distribution at the Sub-National Level," development economics consultant Matteo Morgandi presents a comparative analysis of international legislation for distribution of extractive revenues from across all levels of government. Prepared at the request of the Peruvian National Congress, the report studies the legislative practices of seven resource-rich countries to identify potential and address challenges. Please note that this report is now also available in Vietnamese.
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