Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — Iraq has again warned Kurdistan against unauthorized
energy exports.

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Hussein Al Shahristani said Baghdad was preparing to respond to any unauthorized energy export by Kurdistan.

At a conference in London on Jan. 28, Al Shahristani stressed that all Iraqi oil must be processed through the State Oil Marketing Organization.

“This is the property of the Iraqi people, and we are ready to respond, including fiscal measures,” Al Shahristani said.

KRG, believed to be preparing to declare full independence from Iraq, has insisted on the right to sell crude oil and natural gas from its growing energy sector.

KRG said oil has been pumped from northern Iraq to neighboring Turkey since last month.

  Hussein Al Shahristani, Iraq warns it will penalize Kurdistan financially for unapproved oil exports, KRG