Iraq: Shiite-controlled provinces and oil contractsnote

The differences among Iraqi oil policy makers are said to be widening over whether the Shiite-controlled provinces in southern Iraq should be given powers to sign oil and gas contracts with major companies or not. The following 451-word report sheds light on the subject and tells who is for giving such powers to the provinces and who is not. It also tells what about the position of Iraqi PM Nouri Al-Maliki.