Prior to Iraq invasion, CIA paid Iraqi oil workers not to burn the oil wells

[sabra]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3034.html

Iraqis Paid Not to Burn Oil Wells: Wilson

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) has told The Politico that before the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, the CIA paid Iraqi oil workers not to burn the oil wells. The agency, he said, also offered them future employment in exchange for their cooperation.

CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield declined to comment on Wilson's assertion.

Wilson said that the briefing was classified at the time but that he doesn't consider it to be so anymore because the invasion is over. He made his comments during an interview about pending oil legislation in Iraq to demonstrate that he has followed developments regarding that country's oil infrastructure for many years.

Before the invasion, there were widespread fears that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein would set fire to the nation's oil wells, as he did during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. Largely, those fears did not materialize. Preventing the wells from burning had been a top priority of the Bush administration.

Wilson said that "extraordinary efforts had been made to make sure that the oil wells were not blown up. The CIA, of all things, had provided funds to the persons who worked in the oil industry that if they stopped Saddam Hussein from blowing up the wells they would be employed. Plus, they would also be given money in advance and at the conclusion -- like $100 in advance and $100 afterwards to make sure the oil wells weren't blown up -- and that's a reason they weren't."

[TacticalPeek]

Loose lips sink ships, idiot congresscritter.

He should lose his clearance and access, the commie bastard.

[The_Warmth]

1. just incredible

this article really needs to be circulated. a simple article with several levels of information.

[GreenZoneLT]

2. Hey, maybe the CIA ISN'T completely incompetent

That was actually a good idea. Imagine, trying to accomplish a national objective without just shooting people.

[GaYellowDawg]

3. Can't say I mind this...

Not having the wells go up was a good thing. Yes, it shouldn't have been an issue as we shouldn't have been invading in the first place, but I'm still glad it was averted. Bribes well spent if you ask me.