Iraq inquiry: British firms 'did pretty well' out of overthrowing Saddam

[sabra]

Source: UK Times Online

British companies have benefited from the award of oil contracts in Iraq because of the decision to help to overthrow Saddam Hussein, Gordon Brown’s chief foreign policy adviser told the Chilcot inquiry yesterday.

Simon McDonald said British companies had “done pretty well” in a recent auction of oil rights and that Britain had “privileged access” to the Government of Nouri al-Maliki, the Prime Minister.

“I do think we have privileged access and I do think that they take account of our views in reaching sovereign decisions,” Mr McDonald told the inquiry.

“I think they have also given us credit when making key commercial decisions — so in the recent auction of oil rights British firms did pretty well.” Mr McDonald said Britain was praised in Iraq for helping the country at a crucially important time and that there would be “lasting benefits for that”.

Read more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6976933.ece

[Tempest]

1. Brown should have just come out and say it

Britain signed on to the war for the oil contracts.

He also all but comes out and says Maliki is a puppet.

[ck4829]

2. Well, if the corporations did well, then we know the sacrifices of the troops were not in vain

:sarcasm:

K&R

[Solly Mack]

3. Gee, what a great incentive for invading countries that would be

snort