Decline in Oil Output Dims Iraq’s Recovery
Iraqi oil production fell by 8% last year, calling into question the nation’s ability to support itself and fund reconstruction efforts as U.S. assistance is scaled back.A sharp decline near year’s end left average daily production at half the 3 million barrels envisaged by U.S. officials at the outset of the war in 2003. Prospects for improvement this year are slim, many experts say. Full Story