Oil and Regime Change Don't Mix: Iraq Oil Plan is a Recipe for Disaster (and more $$ for Bush)

[babylonsister]

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/analysis/187

Oil and Regime Change Don't Mix: Iraq Oil Plan is a Recipe for Disaster (and more $$ for Bush)
Submitted by BuzzFlash on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 3:12pm. Analysis

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS

The Iraqi plan to contract oil extraction to foreign companies is the latest example of a policy that is great for Bush and his pals, but devastating to the Iraqi people and our soldiers.

Many mainstream sources are heralding the move as "Fresh hope for Iraq" and predict it will cause "greater stability." But prominent Iraqis who know better are already condemning it. The bill is merely a proposal by Bush's puppets in the Iraqi Cabinet and has not actually been voted on by parliament; many expect it to fail there.

The big problem with the plan is that it promotes sectarian divisions by officially dividing the nation into the three major religious groups. Regional governments will be able to sign their own deals with foreign companies, allowing the oil-rich Kurds and Shi'ites to possibly finance autonomous states. The Kurds insisted on this approach since they distrust the two main groups, but it would leave the oil-less Sunnis out in the cold and provoke war. (maybe we can just let them have casinos?)

"Most people in Iraq assume the U.S. invasion was about oil. When the people of Iraq learn that the majority of their oil fields are being turned over to foreign private production … it worries me," said Antonia Juhasz, an analyst at the Institute for Policy Studies. "I wouldn't want to be a soldier on the ground when the law passes."

But trouble is likely to arise even during the debate over the proposal. The head of Iraq's largest union group has threatened to order a stop to all production unless a new bill is written that is actually "in the interests of Iraqis." He also "strongly" warned American companies not to enter into any oil deals. It would be a mistake to think Iraqis will sit back quietly while

The oil plan is a clear continuation of America's Middle East policy, which directly caused the mess we are in today. Remember what happened when the secular, democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran nationalized the oil industry in 1953? The CIA installed the Shah, a brutal dictator so bad he was overthrown and replaced by the current conservative Islamic regime. In Afghanistan, we also helped groups like the Taliban fight a 10-year jihad against foreign invaders seeking their oil. Shortly after we toppled that regime in 2002, our new puppet government agreed to build a $2 billion pipeline.

Oil and regime change just don't mix. Even under Saddam and UN sanctions, Iraq produced 3 million barrels a day, 50% more than the 2 million currently produced. Time and time again, attempts for short-term financial gain have been followed by catastrophic results. Oil production needs to stay in Iraqi hands.

[FrenchieCat]

1. We are incompetent at war and at stealing oil......

and all for profit! :puke:

[IndianaGreen]

2. How many have died, been wounded, or been displaced for this travesty?

The military-industrial complex and Big Oil have done very well at the expense of many.

[babylonsister]

3. Yes, and the blood spilled is collateral damage that no one cares about. nt