August 22, 2008, - 11:23 am
More From the “How’s the Iraq Invasion Workin’ For Ya” File: Iraq Welcomes Saddam’s Russian Oil Companies
By Debbie Schlussel
Well, you don’t need me to tell you that all the lefties who said we invaded Iraq for cheap oil we’re wrong. At over $3.60 a gallon, it still ain’t cheap and it’s at least $1.50 per gallon higher (on average) than when we invaded.
But perhaps you’d be surprised to know that not only are we not getting cheap oil from Iraq, our oil companies aren’t even getting the major access to Iraqi oil. The Russians–and Chi-Coms–are, or soon will be.
The Iraqi rationale: We don’t want to rely on the Americans and British who helped liberate us. We don’t trust them. We prefer Saddam’s preferred Russian oil companies.
But some commentators are suggesting–and I believe it–that America suggested this boneheaded move. Leave it to Bush and Condi Clueless to never miss an opportunity to screw America in foreign policy:
An Iraqi Cabinet minister invited Russia’s Lukoil on Wednesday to renew its bid on the vast West Qurna-2 oil field and urged Russian companies to seek roles rebuilding dilapidated power plants as Iraq searches for foreign investment to revive its oil industry and infrastructure.
“I hope Russian companies will take part in the bidding,” Iraqi Electricity Minister Karim Wahid told a news conference in Moscow. “Lukoil is welcome to bid for the service contract at the second or third stage of the tender in March or September.”
Lukoil signed a contract for West Qurna-2, one of the largest oil fields in the world, in 1997. Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein declared the deal void shortly before the 2003 U.S. invasion. West Qurna-2 is believed to hold 6 billion barrels in proven reserves.
Lukoil’s officials have repeatedly said they continue to consider the contract valid as it was not revoked within the international legal framework. But in a recent interview with the an-Noor newspaper, Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani referred to the contract as no longer valid.
Wahid and Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko had earlier agreed to set up two working groups to develop power industry cooperation. Wahid also called on Russian companies to bid in tenders to revive the country’s power plants and build new ones.
He said Iraq is eager to renew deals signed in the 1990s and early 2000s. “We are currently reviewing their technical and economic terms, but not their political component,” he said.
The Iraqis are anxious to find foreign investors to help modernize their vast oil industry, which suffered from years of neglect under Saddam’s rule and during the 13 years of U.N. sanctions following the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
Iraq is also anxious to reach out to partners in Russia, China and other countries to avoid relying too heavily on American and British companies. That could feed criticism that the 2003 invasion was aimed at seizing control of Iraq’s oil.
Janusz Bugajski of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. said that the timing of the Iraqi announcement was interesting given sharp U.S. criticism of the Russian military action against Georgia, but that who initiated the move was unclear.
“Did someone within the U.S. suggest that Iraq reach out to Russia as a show of good will, or did Russia want to show that they are indispensable in the Middle East, that they are a player?” he said.
“Russia wants to go back into areas where it has lost influence,” Bugajski said.
So, let me get this straight. We invade Iraq, spend gazillions and lose thousands of U.S. troops, with thousands of others severely maimed. And THEY–those who want to revive the former Soviet Union and who are already doing biz with Iran and Syria–get the oil benefits?
Hello . . . ? Anyone home at the State Department? Maybe, too many people are at home there. That’s the problem.
For the record, I was all for the Iraqi invasion, but not for the way George W. and his myriad of minions screwed it up beyond belief. I supported installing in a Sunni, pro-American benevolent dictator, not “free” elections in which barbarians elect Shi’ite barbarians as an extension of Iran. And I supported taking steps to benefit America, not Russia’s expansionist dreams of a reborn Soviet empire.
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By the way, check out talk show host and friend Steve Gill’s great bumper sticker. Very apropos.
I initially supported the invasion of Iraq for two reasons: (1) I believed the intelligence reports that Saddam was a threat and (2) I was insufficiently informed on the jihadist nature of Islam and the violent, anti-democratic and uncompromising attitudes of Muslims living in those societies. Of course, the administration/government was (and continues to be) ignorant regarding the Koran, Hadith and Sira.
Since I thought Saddam was a threat, I didn’t question the idea of spreading democracy back in 2002. However, the administration still clings to the fantasy of “bringing freedom to ordinary moms and dads” and the establishment of a “democratic Iraq that is an ally in the war on terror.” Iraq will be an enemy, just like the other Arab-Muslim countries that we pretend are pro-American because they accept our foreign aid, weapons and protection.
So what is the point in destroying American lives and wasting American treasure to make sure that enemy is unified and highly functional. An Iraq full of divisions, squabbling with itself and struggling to build its own infrastructure is the desirable outcome. This scenario would give the phony “Iraqi people” plenty of activities to distract them from participating in jihad against the West.
4infidels on August 22, 2008 at 12:36 pm