Whiskey,
Please understand, I share your view on Saddam, it is a very delicate situation. Although this makes me sound ridiculously naive Saddam should be tried by international courts for genocide and war crimes, as Milosovic is. This is not the US’s war or concern and for people who disagree with that remind yourselves of a certain war in Vietnam.
It has never been a matter of BUYING oil, rather the production/refining this can make significant difference to a nation’s economy. Last Year Iraq announced it was going to allocate two untapped oil reserves for exploitation to a French and Russian companies. But following pressure and sanctions from the US, the companies have not yet proceeded. What the US goverment wants to do in Iraq is exactly what they did in Afghanistan, overthrow the goverment, install their own leaders, monopolise the oil production (or in Afghanistan’s case build a pipeline from the Caspian sea - which they have done if you read the tiny columns in the middle of newspapers buried between the Justin Timberlake stories and the Botox adverts) and as a bonus they set up more bases in the middle East which will come in handy for further attacks on nations who have natural resources (Also, when the US has setup bases on all nations in the middle East and eventually Asia will they make preparations for a war with China).
Sorry to refute your analogy regarding Iraq’s Neighbours, with the exception of Israel (mini US, its not even a nation, check your history, its a rogue state created by Zionists and maintained by all US admins since the 60’s) and perhaps Turkey, the others are not a target for Saddam there can be no situation where they ‘snitch’ (i believe, actively aid is what your getting at).
You entirely missed my point on the administration’s exploitation. You referred to Clinton’s actions to divert attention from his scandal, this was not exploitaion. I was referring to current members using their political status to further their own financial affiliations. With most of the members having served on the board of oil companies it is entirely their interests to get their hands on oil resevers no matter what.
I don’t want to extend this debate a great deal because we all essentially share the same concern for the Iraqi people and our own safety due to any calamitous responses (in the west?)this war may cause, but answer me this question: Have you heard of a man called Robert Mugabee, just in case CNN failed to mention him, he is the leader of Zimbabwe, various aid authorities and even politicians have said his level of dictatorship is at least as bad as Saddam’s, Milosovic was just as bad, why doesn’t (or didn’t in Milosovic’s case) the US intervene? Do you want my answer? Oil. And if you beleive it’s because those nations didn’t have WOMD, well it’s becoming apparent neither has Saddam,and if you don’t believe that just ask Colin Powell who seems to be jumping off the WOMD bandwagon.
to answer what we are still sending to Iraq, I believe actually it is chemicals. I don’t remember if it was on 20/20 when they were doing that report about the chemist living in the L.A. area who was making weapons for the South African government to poison their citizens who were not of the white persuasion. Anyways, back to the point it was only briefly mentioned but it was chemicals. And for the those of you who find it hard to believe, as anyone should who watches mass media productions, was it all that long ago when we were involved in the Vietnam war and Air America was running drugs out of Laos and Vietnam,as well as American oil companies making a killing running oil through the Gulf of Tonkin. I mean do any of you really believe that we are fighting a war on “terror”? we are simply trying to wipe out the ghosts that we created all those years ago. And Mutt have you ever considered the reprocussions of your actions… I am not for keeping Saddam in power either, but our actions should stop being politically motivated and truly altruistic. Mutt, just out of curiousity what branch of the military are you in and what unit…
Tony.S,
The time for being delicate is over. We have pussy-footed around the issue for 12 years. You?re right. It does sound na?ve to think Saddam would give himself up for trial. He won?t. The difference between Milosevic and Hussein is Milosevic was easily caught. It?s difficult to keep tabs on a person who stays at a different place every night, and kills whoever he thinks will betray him immediately. Iraq, whether we like it or not, is our concern, is our problem. As I?ve stated before, he is a terrorist who has supported other terroristic enemies of the United States. Is there anyone who can provide proof that he isn?t a terrorist? I think it was well proven in Colin Powell?s speech that he is a terrorist to the United States. You remind us of Vietnam. Vietnam was during a time when Communists were very aggressive. And I could be wrong, but from what I?ve read and studied, the main reason we weren?t successful in Vietnam was poor government management. If any one who was there or has also studied can say otherwise, let me know. I?m still learning about it.
You bring up the pipeline in the Caspian Sea. Are you now suggesting the only reason why we are in Afghanistan is for oil? I would hope not. I would hope you had different feelings about the events of 9/11/01. I know the family of those people that were in the buildings that were struck by the terrorists would hope we were there for reasons other than oil. I would hope those that have already died in Afghanistan didn?t die just for oil. My impression was they were there ousting a known enemy in the Taliban and Al-Qaida. If they?re there for just oil, as I feel you are suggesting, I suggest we just give up this war on terrorism and bring our troops back home.
How have Americans monopolized oil production in Afghanistan? How can they in Iraq? Sure, it may be American oil companies in the country?s doing the work, but it?s still the country?s oil. In all reality, we probably don?t get that much oil from that region, anyway. Sure, Iraq has a lot of oil. But, we?ve done all right for the past while on what we have from every where else. On another note, what if one of the many reasons for going to war is for oil. Wouldn?t we be looking out for the welfare of Americans and other countries by opening up those reserves? Have you noticed the price of gasoline for the last ten years? Gas is expensive! And the price of goods all boils down to the price of gas. If gas goes up, so does the cost of living.
I did a little research into the Caspian Sea pipeline. Afghanistan has a lot to gain from the production and exportation of its natural resources. Gains the Taliban oppressed. It has an abundance of oil, natural gas and coal. Why shouldn?t we help them develop those resources so they can thrive on their own?
The French and Russian?s did the right thing by keeping the pressure on Saddam by not drilling. Why support such a terrible person such as he? He doesn?t give the money back to his people. If a nations economy banks on the production/ refining of oil, someone has to BUY it. That?s how they make the money from it.
I didn?t miss what you meant about exploitation. If it?s true their interests are in oil, why doesn?t George Bush issue a presidential order and open up the Grand Staircase Monument. There?s supposed to be oil there, but now it?s untouchable. I?m sure there are many other examples on American soil like that.
Did I, and many others in this forum miss something? I could have sworn Colin Powell?s speech last Friday showed indisputable evidence that Iraq was producing weapons of mass destruction, and cover-ups. I thought he supported a war against Iraq, and was trying to convince the UN Security Council of it. Did he change his mind in one day?
As far as Mr. Mugabe: People like him shouldn?t be in power. It?s still a fairly new problem. There has to be another reason we aren?t involved. Apparently, the EU and Britain are quite involved. His country has had sanctions placed against it. But, we don?t go to war in vain, just looking for oil. If that were so, why did we go to Somalia and Bosnia?
The US has multiple interests in this war. I believe we have a duty to help those who can?t be helped. The Iraqi people will be singing the praises of America when we oust Saddam.