Revenue Watch Institute - News

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

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

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

Tullow Says Profits Have Been Hit by Falling Oil Prices - BBC

Global Oil and Mining Transparency Initiative Arrives at Key Deadline - Publish What You Pay

Many Countries Failing to Implement Oil and Mining Industry Anti-Corruption Initiative - Oxfam International

Uganda: Pressure Mounts on Government Over Oil - The Monitor

West Africa: Ivory Coast "Battles" Ghana Over Oil - The Chronicle

Ugandan Donors Warn of Aid Cuts, Oil "Curse" - Voice of America News

Ghana: Battle Over Supremacy in Jubilee Field - The Chronicle

Energy Security in Europe: Central Questions - The Economist

IMF Urges Azerbaijan Government to Improve Transparency - Reuters UK

Pricey Real Estate Deals in Dubai Raise Questions about Azerbaijan's President - The Washington Post

Strengthening Governing Capacity in Post-Conflict Liberia - Huffington Post

Uganda: Pressure Mounts to Make Public Oil Agreements - Inter Press Service

BPMigas Reshuffle Aimed at Lifting Oil Output, Especially from Cepu Block - Jakarta Globe

Congo-Kinshasa: Europe Urged to Ban "Conflict Minerals" - Inter Press Service

Lugar and Cardin Praise UK Energy Transparency Initiative - Office of Senator Richard Lugar

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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Drilling Down
This milestone guide from the Revenue Watch Institute provides step-by-step explanations of each phase of EITI implementation and a comprehensive review of extractive industries accounting for civil society readers.
Learn more about Drilling Down ...