The New York Times’ Andrew E. Kramer and Campbell Robertson report that the Iraqi government has scrapped its plan to award no-bid contracts for oil exploration to Shell, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, BP, and "several smaller companies."

What does this have to do with federal agencies? Well, that’s what reporters are trying to find out. Reports of the no-bid contracts caused an uproar this June when it was found that Bush administration officials were informally advising the Iraq government. This went against the administration’s official line of no oil deals until the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds agreed upon an oil-revenue sharing law. Some lawmakers pleaded with the State Dept. to withdraw the contracts, all rewarded to U.S. or western European companies.

So perhaps State acted in getting the contracts withdrawn. Alternatively, it could show that in the twilight of the Bush administration the Iraqi central government wants to show its in control. Stay tuned.-MB

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