Iraqi Kurd oil ready with no place to go

BAGHDAD, June 6 (UPI) -- Iraqi Kurds said they are ready to ship $18 million worth of oil a day, but political disputes have hampered shipments.

The Kurds have signed deals with numerous foreign companies, but the bordering countries of Turkey, Iran and Syria have refused to extend transit rights for Kurdish oil, Assaman News Service reported Friday.

Iraq's Oil Ministry has also retaliated against companies that sign deals with the Kurds, who control Iraq's Arbil, Sulaimaniya and Dahouk provinces and are trying to gain control of the oil-rich city Kirkuk, Assaman reported.

The Kurds have said 150,000 barrels a day could be shipped. Recently, they have sent signals to the central government in Baghdad that they would like to resolve their differences.

But, Baghdad has insisted the oil profits from Kurdish provinces should go the country's central bank, the report said.