Representatives of Iraq's Sunni and Shia factions have agreed to consider a series of principles on non-violence after talks involving NI politicians.
The discussions were held at a secret location in Finland over the weekend.

They were chaired by Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein, and former South African government minister Roelf Meyer.

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson was also involved in the four days of discussions.

The seminar was attended by about 30 representatives of Iraq's warring Shia and Sunni Arab factions.

The faction leaders have agreed to consult further on a series of recommendations, labelled the Helsinki agreement.

The 12 points contain clear echoes of Senator George Mitchell's principles on non-violence and democracy which paved the way towards the Good Friday Agreement.

Aside from promising to resolve political differences peacefully, the agreement commits the Iraqi parties to consider the creation of a disarmament commission, and the formation of a group to deal with the legacy of Iraq's past.


Martin McGuinness chaired the talks

They also seek an end to international and regional interference in Iraq's affairs.

The significance of this agreement will now depend on whether the principles drawn up in Finland make any difference on the ground once the Iraqi participants return home.

Besides Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness and the Lagan Valley MP, other local participants included the former Stormont Assembly Speaker, Lord Alderdice, and the loyalist Billy Hutchinson.

The former IRA hunger striker and Sinn Fein official Leo Green took part, as did the public relations consultant Quintin Oliver who masterminded the Yes campaign during the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement.

South African participants also included the ANC leader Mac Maharaj.

The seminar has been organised by the Crisis Management Initiative, an organisation headed by the former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari who served as an independent inspector of IRA arms dumps.

Mr Ahtisaari did not himself attending the discussions.

soon be buy time again..

This is Grand Old Duke of York stuff, it's just a case of knowing whether they are halfway up or halfway down.
2517

wrong analagy mate
Grand Old Duke of York caused chaos by having 10,000 men
The Brit Army causing chaos is due to 5,000 men!!!!!!!!!

Good buying opportunity now, with the Iraq Oil meeting due to start on the 8th Sept

only a good time to buy if the chaos does not get even worse (short odds) and bits of paper can actually be converted into action in the very near future (considerably longer odds)

This is not a good time to buy at 113p as more instability is most possible

Fortune favours the brave, having said that I am not increasing my holding.
2517

government warning .... fortunes can get smaller too!

Absolutely, but this is an impressive performance from the day's low (so far), could PET get into positive territory by the close?
2517

btw PET working in South Iraq

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/04/africa/ME-FIN-Jordan-Iraq-Oil.php

The oil minister also told Dow Jones that he expected Iraq's parliament to pass a draft oil and gas law this month. Lawmakers, who were on a monthlong summer recess until Tuesday, had postponed debate on the controversial hydrocarbon law until September.

"Some members of parliament have told us they would pass the law this month," said al-Shahristani, a member of the ruling United Iraqi Alliance. "But if the parliament delays passing the law, we're going to invite foreign companies to develop some oil fields in the south."

http://tinyurl.com/2tqf5y


DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (UPI) -- The question is simple on the third and final day of a major Iraqi energy conference where hundreds of hungry oil men and women broke bread with Iraq`s industry chiefs, politicians and technocrats: When will Baghdad set the ground rules for the international oil community`s long-awaited venture into the largest oil prize on Earth?

The answer, evenly nuanced, is clear: A version of the Iraq oil and natural gas law was agreed to by most of Iraq`s political leadership last week, and when Parliament resumes this week it will, possibly, debate the law and, perhaps, maybe vote on it soon.

the hotheads and mis-named fundamentalists don't give a fig what the politicos might say .... they have their own agenda and it's nothing to do with becoming cuddly and friendly with anyone except their own clique

katoema - 4 Sep'07 - 20:20 - 573 of 585


A point of order here, relating to the present laws in Iraq; before, during and after Saddam Hussein. Unless they have been anulled and made void, they are all still legitimate. That is to say, they (the Government) may, at this time, issue contracts as the law stands, but may, if a proviso is mentioned in any contract, that it is subject to be ammended when new laws have been passed.

In this context, the reference to get contracts under way in the south, is valid and bound by law. Providing those companies that are asked to agree to such a contract, albeit temporary, to get oil moving, then you will see movement. I cannot and will not place myself in the shoes of the PET management, but I suspect that they will have been advised of this already. K

katoema - 4 Sep'07 - 20:37 - 578 of 585


The date I gave is the date that was marked before the end of the normal last session. That is before they extended the session. There is no reason, or in deed I have not been informed of a change. I give you the facts as given to my office. The quote today that they will go ahead with the south, prior to the HCL, is something that they can and looks like they may do. PET could well be the only foreign entity down there, in this context, but as you should know, E&P is not the only aspect they would be talking about. K

katoema - 4 Sep'07 - 21:43 - 593 of 595


Amman:
You must read back over the months to ascertain that, but I am close to what goes on, from my different perspectives. However, I tell it as it is, not what it should be - a subtle difference! K

Mixitup12:
Unless PET have been informed otherwise, the contracts under past laws are valid. International law and the intervention by external forces may have changed what was, but if PET have Block 6, they should have been legally informed as to the contrary. If, as they say, they have been informed to be prepared to return to Iraq, they will have been briefed as to what they were going for in terms of type of contract(s). K

Whatever happens, my group would place a contract to PET for all their oil. That said, it would be best to wait and see what unfolds in the hours, days etc. K

Hatto - 4 Sep'07 - 21:49 - 595 of 596


Good evening everyone.

Hi Katoema my first chat with you....hello & thanks for all your input.

I must say you seem extremely confident of PETs SP prospects & yet you tell us your PET holdings are only a small part of a large portfolio.....

Why is that Sir ?

katoema - 4 Sep'07 - 21:53 - 596 of 596


Hatto:
Thankyou for asking such a question. I did not say that I was holding a small quantity of PET. I said it was part of a larger portfolio. The portfolio is international and covers a number of sectors. K

katoema - 4 Sep'07 - 22:11 - 605 of 605


Amman:
Are you not confident in your PET? Petrel Resources is involved in Iraq, so as soon as others become active there, present ones excluded, I will invest in them, or my group will. I (we) have confidence in the long term arrangements of Iraq and so should all those thinking about investing there. Tonight, I have spent longer than usual writing, but it may be because the thread is readible now. K

katoema - 4 Sep'07 - 22:25 - 617 of 665


Amman:
I have a number of operations and also headup parts of the group that operate global consortiums. The most important thing is that in life you must be able to communicate with all! K

Davius - 4 Sep'07 - 22:47 - 631 of 665


One comment from a report that made me think it's worth checking out any oil company with decent prospects in Iraq:

"Iraq`s 115 billion barrels of proven reserves could sustain a higher production output. The goal is 6.5 million bpd by 2015, according to a presentation at the summit by Thamir Ghadhban, Maliki`s top energy adviser and a former oil minister."

This is 48 years worth of supply at 6.5m barrels a day, and that's just on proven reserves. If PET do get their contracts they'll be here for a very long time.