The plan to privatize Iraq

[gristy]

Reading between the lines in an article on the front page of today's Washington Post, my prediction is that bushco's plan is to "sell" most of Iraq (e.g. its water, electric, sewer, road, and airport infrastructures) to private corporations. But to sweeten the deal (lest there be no takers at all), bushco will "invest" billions of our tax dollars and keep "minority" stakes in the ventures. I see several Enrons in the making.

Bremer: Iraq Effort to Cost Tens of Billions

Iraq will need "several tens of billions" of dollars from abroad in the next year to rebuild its rickety infrastructure and revive its moribund economy, and American taxpayers and foreign governments will be asked to contribute substantial sums, U.S. occupation coordinator L. Paul Bremer said yesterday.

Bremer said Iraqi revenue will not nearly cover the bill for economic needs "almost impossible to exaggerate." Just to meet current electrical demand will cost $2 billion, Bremer said, while a national system to deliver clean water will cost an estimated $16 billion over four years.

The figures, which must be added to the $4 billion the Pentagon spends each month on military operations in Iraq, offer the latest evidence that the price of the Iraqi occupation is growing substantially. A State Department official said the Bush administration is preparing to seek a "huge" supplemental spending bill from Congress. Administration sources also said the U.S.-controlled Coalition Provisional Authority is running so low on funds that the White House is considering seeking an emergency infusion next month to cover the organization's bills.

Bremer's comments, in an interview with Washington Post reporters and editors, came on a day when the Congressional Budget Office said the federal government will post a record deficit next year of $480 billion. Wary of revealing specifics, neither Bremer nor President Bush -- who referred to "substantial" new costs in a St. Louis speech -- would give details.

To tap one source of cash, a "very intense dialogue" is underway with Iraq's 25-member governing council about the need to open the country to foreign investment, Bremer said. That includes deciding the fate of 192 state-owned enterprises -- most significantly the oil industry, which Bremer believes should remain in Iraqi hands.

[Classical_Liberal]

1. It is 20/20 hindsight rather than prediction at this point

.

[gristy]

2. umm, ok.

Though I recognize it may take you some time, could you fill us in? Do you have links to any news or opinion? Thanks!

[Melinda]

4. You must be new to DU, gristy... welcome :-)

This is not new to DU junkies. All you need do is google Haliburton (Kellog, Brown and Root), Bechtel, Fluor Corp, Parsons Corp, the Louis Berger Group, and International Resources Group, and you'll find it all there. :)

[Melinda]

5. Damn. How could I forget Unca Dickie and the Carlyle Group?

Bad Melinda! ;)

[gristy]

6. I get 121,000 hits when I google "Haliburton"

My understanding is that the companies you mention are currently working as contractors with the U.S. Government paying the bills. Do you have links to anything about the "privatization" of parts of Iraq, and how those private companies expect to make their money?

[Melinda]

7. Here's another suggestion:

Make a tidy little donation to DU and get yourself a shiny gold star. You'll then be able to use the search function here to find previous DU discussions on the subject, plus you'll be helping to keep the lights on. :)

I understand your desire to learn more, but unfortunately, I haven't the time to help you research today. It's all here, and it's all on the web - seek and you will - trust me - find. Have fun! :hi:

[Melinda]

8. Okay, here is one:

http://www.corp-research.org/extra_040303.htm

And now I REALLY have to go back to work. :)

[qb]

3. They're going to have trouble with this as long as private companies

are too scared to show up.

[damnraddem]

9. It has already been tried, unsuccessfully.

Saddam did his best. And his efforts were so much more competent than Dubya's.