Fearing strike, Iraq dismantles refineries, rations fuel

Arbil, Iraq Press, Sep. 21 - The Iraqi authorities are rationing fuel and disassembling the
countries refineries as the United States prepares for war in retaliation for the devastating
terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Fuel supplies to the semi-independent Kurdish enclave in northern Iraq have been slashed
amid reports that essential refinery equipment was being removed and placed at unspecified
locations.

Bracing for war, the United States is building up troops in the Gulf region. Iraq has not
officially condemned the attacks which are believed to have killed more than 6,000 people.

Unidentified U.S. officials have implicated Iraqi Mukhabarat or intelligence in
masterminding the attacks. Iraq has denied the charges.

But Iraq is on the U.S. list of countries sponsoring international terrorism and the authorities
fear the country could be a target.

Meantime the authorities have intensified security measures on roads leading to Iraqi
Kurdistan. They have also stopped supplying private companies with crude and products
which they illegally sell to Turkey on government behalf.

The measures have led to a rise of about 25 per cent in fuel and gas prices in cities in
northern Iraq and a decrease in the number of Turkish trucks entering the country.

Iraqis are also said to have started stockpiling goods particularly food and fuel.
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