Iraq oil deal condoned, but not publicly

WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Bush administration officials contradicted a U.S. State Department public position during Hunt Oil's pursuit of a contract in northern Iraq, documents show.

State was publicly opposed to the deal Hunt Oil signed with the regional Kurdish government last fall, preferring companies wait until a national oil law was put in place, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

But, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., released documents Wednesday that showed State and Commerce Department officials were aware Hunt Oil was negotiating with the regional government and offered support in the negotiations.

Last fall, President Bush said he was unaware of the deal, although the company's chief executive officer is Ray Hunt, a major Bush supporter who is a member of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, the Post reported.

When the deal was announced, the State Department said Hunt Oil had signed the deal "regardless of our advice."

But, Waxman released a note from a Commerce Department official that wished the company "a fruitful visit to Kurdistan," the Post reported.

The note included an invitation for the company to contact the official "in case you need any support," the Post reported.