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Profits from Stolen Oil Help Sustain Insurgency in Iraq

By Richard A. Oppel Jr. (International Herald Tribune)

posted on 03/19/08

The sea of oil under Iraq is supposed to rebuild the nation and then make it prosper. But at least one-third, and possibly much more, of the fuel from Iraq’s largest refinery here is diverted to the black market, according to U.S. military officials. Tankers are hijacked, drivers are bribed, papers are forged and meters are manipulated—and some of the earnings go to insurgents who are still killing more than 100 Iraqis a week.

"It’s the money pit of the insurgency," said Captain Joe Da Silva, who commands several platoons stationed at the refinery.

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