Finally, the truth about Iraqi oil and rivalry between the neocons & Big Oil

[shamrock_uk]

Using the US' Freedom of Information Act, Newsnight has put together a bundle of information about this - you can find the article here as well as a link to the programme.

It looks like the neocons had a plan for Iraqi oil before September 11th - they wanted to privatise it and use it to smash Opec's hold on oil prices - basically acting in what they thought was in the best interests of America.

Now, for me who thought that the neo-cons basically were big oil, I found it quite surprising that these plans were eventually scuppered by American oil companies themselves who naturally benefit from the high prices.

The programme has interviews with leading Iraqi oil figures, ex-CIA oil analysts, the former CEO of Shell USA who was in charge of the oil, details of secret meetings in London with the likes of Ahmed Chalabi - it all looks like it'll be a very interesting programme.

The article is a reasonable length whilst the programme is only 11 mins and doesn't say much more.

[ 03-20-2005, 08:55 AM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

[Cerek]

Interesting article, shamrock. It certainly sounds legit with the various sources that are interviewed and/or cited.

Ironically, it actually contradicts the reasoning of those who originally said the Iraqi War was a "War for Oil". There accusations were that President Bush wanted to secure the oil reserves for his oil executive buddies, but the oil executives have admitted they have no interest in the reserves because the high prices from OPEC actually make MORE money for them.

Still, it does lend credibility to the notion that Iraq was invaded - at least in part - to gain control of their oil reserves. But it turns out the neo-cons didn't want the oil for themselves. They wanted to privatize it to break the stranglehold OPEC has on American oil needs. Makes sense, given our huge domestic dependency on oil.

However, the assertion that this attempt to privatize the oil fields the reason for the insurgent attacks is nothing more than a smoke-and-mirror-strawman. The insurgents are attacking the American troops because they WERE in power before the war and now they aren't. The invasion cost them their status and power. They are attacking the oil fields and refineries because that is where large concentration of troops are stationed. They may well be claiming that America is trying to steal their oil and resources, but that is nothing more than recruiting propoganda to endear or enlist other Iraqi's to their cause.

[Timber Loftis]

Ownership of Iraqi oil by anyone other than Iraq not only reeks of imperialism, it also ignores the real big money factor for the war -- which is contracting jobs relating to rebuilding and infrastructure projects, including those related to oil. But, I have not read the article yet, and will do so now.