‘Afghan-China oil deal is transparent’

KABUL, during a meeting with President Hamid Karzai, on Saturday confirmed transparency in awarding contract to a Chinese firm for oil and gas exploration in the Amu River’s basin in the country’s north.

A statement issued from the Presidential Palace said President Karzai, who met with Ryan C. Crocker and Sir Richard Stagg at his office, sought explanation from the Western media about recent reports that claimed there had been no transparency in bidding process for the project.

Chinese state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) last year won a bid to develop oil blocks in the Amu River’s basin in northern Sar-i-Pul province.

The two ambassadors told President Karzai that all aspects of the contract had been processed under observation of experts.

They added the accord between the Afghan government and the Chinese firm was fully transparent and in line with international standards and Afghan laws.

ma

Visits: 3