Let me add that the 'other countries' mentioned in this particular context are: China, India, Japan

And the US and France, according to the link in Brucie's 25 Jul 05 - 01:50 AM post...

"American companies are not far behind. Marathon Oil, based in Houston, TX, is a partner in the French Total Corp., which holds oil leases in a southern area marked by fierce fighting throughout the war. The Associated Press reported recently that Marathon, a major contributor to the Bush re-election campaign, has resumed payments to the Khartoum government and will be part of Total's operations in the oil fields."