U.S, Iraq sign pact to boost trade, investment ties

[sabra]

Why did we go into war again? Oh yeah, Iraqi freedom....

<<SNIP>>
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/11/AR2005071100754.html

U.S, Iraq sign pact to boost trade, investment ties

Reuters
Monday, July 11, 2005; 1:49 PM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and the U.S.-backed government in Iraq have signed a formal agreement aimed at boosting economic ties between the two countries, the U.S. Trade Representative's office said on Monday.

The pact, which could lead to a free trade agreement between Washington and Baghdad, was signed during a meeting of the U.S.-Iraq Joint Commission on Reconstruction and Economic Development in Amman, Jordan.

The trade and investment framework agreement, or TIFA, establishes a joint council to work on a wide range of commercial issues, USTR said.

"Iraq is making a major effort to reintegrate into the international economy and the meetings of the joint council should assist Iraq in this important endeavor," Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Ashley Wills said in a statement.

<</SNIP>>

[justinsb]

1. I think it's all about China

China is signing deals similar to this one with anyone who has oil - Venezuela, Iran, even a lesser deal with the Saudis. You know that, with Hussein in power, the deal would have gone to China and not the US if the sanctions had ever been lifted. *co had to make sure that didn't happen.

[sabra]

2. With this report, it makes this conclusion oh so obvious...

[mom cat]

3. What is the bottom line on OIL?

[Robert Oak]

4. wow what major coverage

War profiteering, privatization, US grab of oil and on and on and it gets a "blurb".

Barbarians not at the gate, inside the gate.