U.S. plans special force to protect Iraqi oil

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24191892.htm

WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - 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 on Wednesday, also plans to provide "continuous personal security" to Iraq's minister of oil and his director-generals.

The administration said providing personal security to oil officials -- at an estimated the cost at $8 million -- was a "critical requirement," noting that "the life of one of the director-generals was threatened as recently as late August."

These and other oil industry initiatives were included in the White House's massive, $20.3 billion reconstruction request for Iraq, which must still be approved by the U.S. Congress.

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[fertilizeonarbusto]

1. hmmmmmmmmm

Let me guess, Halliburton is providing this force for a small consideration?

[Jacobin]

2. Funny. They gave up on the idea of guarding the pipelines

Now they'll have "rapid repair" pipeline guys.

They will be busy.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Gee, I wonder who they will OUTSOURCE this to!

Dyncorp or one of the mercinary agencies?

[arcane1]

5. dyncorp, wackenhut, we know who WON'T be getting the $$

the Iraqi people


:grr:

[htuttle]

4. A Modest Proposition

Given that a large portion of the US Military's efforts seem to be going into protecting and and ensuring the flow of oil, I suggest that the United States add a branch to it's military:

The Petroleum Corps

Kind of a combination of the Marines and the See Bees, but targeted toward oil production. These troops would be trained in all the standard military skills, but would also specialize in fixing oil equipment, putting out oil fires, and even oil exploration.

If we're going to spend our military on acquiring and producing oil, I think it would be good to do it up front, so we can all see what the costs of an oil based economy are out in the open.

If oil production is important enough to be one of our 'critical' national security issues, than it's important enough to nationalize as well.

(am I being facetious here? your guess is as good as mine...I'm not sure)

[saigon68]

6. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN

I thought we were going to feed the poor in the good old usa and maybe buy some drugs for our seniors so they could at least function a little without pain and disease. --- What ever happened to that.

[htuttle]

8. I believe the American Dream has been downsized

Nowdays, I think the US is shooting for providing the poor with a pep talk, and senior citizens with a guaranteed burial.

Hey, but at least we're not socialist, like Canada and Europe.

:eyes:

</sarcasm>, in case it wasn't obvious before

[Emillereid]

7. Why am I not surprized --

these guys sure have their priorities straight. Forget the fact that a thousand Iraqis die each month from murder, etc., that kidnappings are out of control, that women aren't safe to go to school, that that the Iraqis don't have consistent electricity, clean water or food, etc. etc. etc., we got to keep that oil flowing (so we can pay Bechtel, Halliburton, and so on and so on). What a scam.