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Oil Protection Efforts in Iraq Harmed

Efforts to persuade Sunni Arab tribes to protect Iraq`s vital petroleum installations rather than attack them foundered last year when an Iraqi lawmaker allegedly took control of the program, embezzling funds and padding payrolls, according to an investigation ordered by the office of Iraq`s Prime Minister. Local tribes have often attacked oil pipelines in order to force payment of protection money.

The program was one of several at times overlapping initiatives undertaken over the past three years by the U.S. and Iraqi governments to safeguard pipelines and other oil infrastructure crucial to Iraq`s economy and the world`s oil supply. Over decades the United Kingdom, successive Iraqi governments and now the U.S.-led coalition have opted to pay, enlisting the tribes as guards against attacks.

A version of the payoff effort failed last year when a Sunni Arab member of Iraq`s National Assembly exceeded his authority by assuming command of one of the tribal oil-protection forces and pocketed money intended to keep the unit operating, according to the Iraqi government`s investigation. Still, many American officers say some tribal recruits have proved among the finest soldiers in the oil-protection effort under way in Iraq.