ABSTRACT
The targets are identified as independent oil development and the use of the oil sector as the engine for economic development. In Iraq, however, there can be no convenient starting-date since it is impossible to begin to understand the issues in Iraqi oil policy unless the pre-1961 period is considered. The administrative structure of the Iraqi oil sector has probably been one of the main causes of the relative failure of Iraqi oil policy. The issue of Iraqi involvement in its oil industry began with the first concession in 1925 and has been a consistent theme ever since. In the second, longer-term stage the government would acquire full control of the foreign companies, using the success of stage one to provide the muscle to fight and the experience to capitalise on the victory. In general terms the policy tools available stem from the ability of the Iraqi government to take administrative decisions.
