Kurdistan prime minister rejects Iraq oil auctions - Reuters

BAGHDAD, June 26 (Reuters) - The prime minister of Iraq'slargely autonomous Kurdistan region condemned on Friday plans bythe Oil Ministry to auction six fields in a June 29-30 tenderfor service contracts, saying they violated the constitution.

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A row between Kurds and the central government in Baghdadover control of Iraq's oil reserves, the world's third biggest,often sees them refusing to recognise each other's dealings withforeign firms. The dispute is part of a wider struggle over power and landthat analysts say is the greatest long-term threat to Iraq'sstability as the United States plans to withdraw combat forcesfrom Iraq by the end of August 2010.

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