WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration plans to create a special force to protect Iraq's oil industry and to deploy a rapid-reaction team to repair pipelines after terrorist attacks.

The administration, according to documents obtained by Reuters yesterday, also plans to provide continuous security to Iraq's oil minister and his director generals.

"The life of one of the director generals was threatened as recently as late August," the administration said in explaining the urgency of the $8 million request.

These and other oil-related initiatives were included in the White House's $20.3 billion reconstruction request for Iraq, which requires approval by Congress.