SELF INFLICTED WOUNDS. Keep this in mind next time you read how slow the Americans are at rebuilding Iraq.

Post-war looting and sabotage at oil facilities have delayed the resumption of Iraq's oil exports and will keep shipments below pre-war levels for months.

The country's northern oilfields are now pumping about 550,000 bpd, with southern output at 200,000 bpd, another Iraqi oil official said.

Before the U.S.-led war, Iraq -- home to the world's second largest oil reserves -- was producing about 2.5 million bpd and exporting two million.

The whole story is here.