'Meddling' Iran offers $1 billion to Iraq

[bigtree]

17 March 2007

Iran offers $1 billion to Iraq: New York Times

New York: According to a report in the New York Times, Iran has offered to lend Iraq $1 billion and Iraqui authorities were reviewing an application by Iran to open a branch of an Iranian bank in Baghdad

This is because the economies of the two countries are becoming closely integrated. Iranian goods are flooding Iraq markets and Iraqi cities look to Iran for basic services even as the the Bush administration works to stop Iran from meddling in Iraq.

The New York Times says "Iranian air-conditioners fill Iraqi appliance stores, Iranian tomatoes ripen on the windowsills of kitchens and legions of white Iranian-made Peugeots sit in Iraqi driveways".

According to the report, the Iraqi government relies on Iranian companies to bring gasoline from Turkmenistan to alleviate a severe shortage. The report notes that commerce between the two neighbours has exploded since the American-led invasion of 2003.

"Reconstruction and security have lagged so far behind the expectations of ordinary Iraqis that cheap goods from Iran and neighbouring countries often provide the only comforts in their lives," the paper reports.

New York Times quoted Iraqi leaders saying that political and economic ties with Iran, which is governed by Shiite Persians, will inevitably strengthen due to the hostility of Sunni Arab states to a Shiite-run Iraq and Iran a non-Arab Persian nation coupled with the ambivalence of the White House toward the Shiite parties in both countries.

http://www.domain-b.com/economy/general/2007/20070317_offers.htm

[no_hypocrisy]

1. $1 Billion that won't go to contractors, corrupt politicians, etc.

The money MIGHT go to Iraqis left destitute, homeless, without utilities, without fresh clean water, food, necessities?

*Sigh!*

[Robbien]

2. It will probably go to corrupt politicians

It is a loan, so the politicians get first whack at it.

Contractors favored by the US are probably far down on the list however.

Iraq is in civil war, so there is little chance of any of government loaned money getting down to the people.

[bigtree]

3. that's right. it's money to perpetuate the Iran friendly regime

so I'd expect the money will go to support those individuals and factions whose activities support that relationship.