Administration condoned Kurdish oil-deal despite official policy

Hunt Oil struck a deal with the Kurdish Regional Government despite the Administration's official stance. The State Department discouraged such dealings in an attempt to foster an Iraqi National Oil agreement which would hopefully help unite the regions of Iraq. Nevertheless, members of the Bush administration privately supported this move, going so for as to offer assistance if there was any trouble.

Ray L. Hunt, CEO Hunt Oil, is a major contributor to George W. Bush, and is a member of the latter's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.

The President said that he knew nothing of the deal.