Bush Says Can't Count on Iraqi Oil Revenues

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030906/pl_nm/iraq_oil_bush_dc&cid=615&ncid=1473

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Despite prewar assurances by the White House, President Bush acknowledged on Friday that the United States cannot count on Iraqi oil revenues in the short-term to cover the country's reconstruction needs.

Bush, in an interview with CNBC, said he would "look at" one congressional proposal under which Washington would be paid back with future Iraqi oil revenues.

"But first of all, the oil revenues in Iraq really aren't as steady as they will be in the future. I mean I don't think we can count on much in the short term," Bush said.

The Bush administration is putting together a massive spending package for postwar Iraq expected to total about $65 billion, though sources said the final number was still in flux. One source said it could be expanded to $80 billion.

The White House asserted in the run-up to the war that Iraqi oil reserves would pay for reconstruction, but critics said Bush's budget office was overly optimistic.

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[AnnabelLee]

1. Don't forget to rate this story a "5" n/t

[Flying_Pig]

2. Yeah, we won't be able to count on it, because....

the U.S. oil companies, and Israel, are in the process of spiriting millions of barrels out the back door, never to be accounted for. We've got trillions missing from the Pentagon, and there will be billions missing in Iraqi oil, ...that is, unless we kick Bush's ass in 04', and politically destroy every bit of his regime, *and* the BFEE.

:mad:
Grrr!

[hussar]

3. One word........

Asshole...............nuff said

[pansypoo53219]

4. but but but

the retardicans said it WASN'T about oil.

[nextbillgates]

5. And who are we paying for reconstruction?

Halliburton and Bechtel, both of which have been given permission to charge the US government whatever the hell they want :mad: :mad: :grr:

[JackSwift]

6. Halliburton and Bechtel

have dibs on Iraqi oil money so it won't be accounted for. What ever happened to the Iraqi people owning the oil and the profit?

[kysrsoze]

7. Wait, wasn't the oil supposed to pay for all this?

I've said all along, it's about perpetual control of that place and continued high oil prices. What better way to do that than make the neighborhood dangerous? Occupation and a permanent military installation while they suck the country dry.

[PurityOfEssence]

8. What good are Republicans if they can't even pillage properly?

Geez, didn't they read the job description? Is that how the "Energy Administration" works? Attack a major oil producer so you can render it useless at great cost?

[SOS]

9. You hit the nail on the head

Destroying oil companies is the only thing on Shrubs resume, other than his crooked Texas Ranger dealings.

Shrub formed 3 oil companies:

Arbusto Oil - bankrupt

Spectrum 7 - bankrupt

Harken Energy - bankrupt

Everything he touches fails. He's the CEO President!