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Originally posted by Sir_Tainly: Ok this thread is about oil, and moreso about a program I saw on TV last week. I don't know if the show was anti or pro war as it seemed to swing half way through, but I just wanted to share the opinions of the programs creators with you guys and girls. The program began by examining oil production around the world. It said in all areas of the world, except the middle east, oil production was failing, and within 20 years or so many of the current oil producing areas would have run out. Examples were North Sea, some of the bigger wells in Texas and some south American countries. It then went on to make a case how the western world would crumble without oil, and explained that countries which are either exports or break even countries (like the UK*) would become net importers, and by 2020, the USA would have to import 60% of its oil. Now here is where the war connection swings in: The program said that unless the west could control the oil supply it would be at the mercy of the middle east, which would be particularly bad if the main oil producers #1 Saudi Arabia and #2 refused to trade with the West. This may seem odd now but if a Fundalmetalist government were to be established in Riyadh then it could be very real. Given that much of the funding for terrorist activities comes from Saudi, and indeed the bulk of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudis and indeed Bin Laden is by birth, it isn't so incredible. (Also from other news stories the Jordanian King is holding off an election and has dissolved parliament because of the strength of the Fundalmentalist party in Jordan http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Dail...902.html)Hence it explained why the USA/UK etc wished to have a favourable government in Iraq, to safegaurd future oil supplies. It also went on to explain that in particular several companies already have agreements with Iraq to export oil once the UN sanctions were lifted, but who would lose out if the current regime changed. These were Total of France, Lukoil of Russia and an Irish firm (I forget the name of this one). The program also claimed that Mr Rummsfeld had advised Mr Bush to attack Iraq after 9/11 whether they were responsible or not, in order to safeguard oil supplies. *The UK does import and export oil, but the production figures roughly equal the usage numbers

Bang on! Bush better find some nuclear waste in Iraq or this war is gonna look ugly even when won.