Iraq, and Big Oil, and no-bid contracts ... oh my
Dear Iraq, sorry the war hasn’t gone well. But now that the surge is wrapping up, we hope you won’t mind that we need several dozen permanent bases in your country. Oh, and did we mention that we’ll need you to approve some no-bid contracts for our oil companies, too? After all, what’s a few bases and oilfields among friends?
Four Western oil companies are in the final stages of negotiations this month on contracts that will return them to Iraq, 36 years after losing their oil concession to nationalization as Saddam Hussein rose to power.
Exxon Mobil, Shell, Total and BP — the original partners in the Iraq Petroleum Company — along with Chevron and a number of smaller oil companies, are in talks with Iraq’s Oil Ministry for no-bid contracts to service Iraq’s largest fields, according to ministry officials, oil company officials and an American diplomat.
The deals, expected to be announced on June 30, will lay the foundation for the first commercial work for the major companies in Iraq since the American invasion, and open a new and potentially lucrative country for their operations.
The no-bid contracts are unusual for the industry, and the offers prevailed over others by more than 40 companies, including companies in Russia, China and India. The contracts, which would run for one to two years and are relatively small by industry standards, would nonetheless give the companies an advantage in bidding on future contracts in a country that many experts consider to be the best hope for a large-scale increase in oil production.
Daniel Altman provides some helpful context: “Imagine. At the precise moment when demand for oil was the highest in history, a recently democratized country with enormous reserves had the chance to sell extraction contracts to the highest bidder. This was a country that desperately needed the revenue to help rebuild its schools, power grid and water supply after a long internal conflict. So why did it hand out the contracts with no auction at all?”
And Andrew Sullivan answers the rhetorical question: “Because the US told them so. You don’t get to conquer a new province and not get any spoils, do you? Who needs ANWR or a carbon tax when you can drain Iraq at record high oil prices?”
The fact that this has been in the works for 36 years just shows the scale the WASP mafia works in. They're in it for the *long* haul so we have to be on them every step of the way.
Apparently Obama has flip-flopped on telecom immunity. Thank god.
Funny how I found this. I just stumbled on it a minute ago.
THe PNAC crowd need to have a reunion gala to celebrate another check off on their list. They exceeded goals on increased defense spending and a missile defense shield which will soon surround Ivan. Multi-theater wars, check. Now all they need is Obama on board and the spreading of forced democracy will flourish too. Oil for blood? Nah! Oil for bloodsuckers.
LindsayLohan'sButtFreckles @ 2:
I think he got the message. We know he has people monitoring the internet. He must have heard everyone.
mudshark @ 5:
Yeah, unless he still votes for the compromise after failing to remove the immunity provision.
We need to fight the Republifascists over here, so they don't send our children over there.
We need to build refineries in Iraq to pump and extract the oil over there so we don't have to build refineries to pump and extract the oil here.
This is what winning is, my friends. Victory at last!!
Bring the troops home. We have prevailed! God bless Cheney.
Snark
So Iraq isn't getting any money for its oil? And all the companies are either American or British. Yeah, this war wasn't for oil at all.
Funny how that Capitalistic thing works huh?
Oil compnaies want back into Iraq, and into more U.S. Lands to drill, but what would happen to the oil from said fields, both abroad and in U.S. Are the oil companies nationalized? Are they REQUIRED to send the oil to the U.S.? OR are they FREE to perform the function the WHORPORATION was formed to do, namely make as much FCUKING money for its shareholders as possible IRRESPECITVE OF THE SHAREHOLDERS' country of origin AND IRRESPECITVE of even the country of origin of the WHORPORATION. THey are free to use that oil to make themselves as much fcuking money as possible, PERIOD! No selling it to U.S. as shitty U.S. dollar rates, when they coud be getting much more on overseas markets. Go figure this bullshit out for yourselves. The OIL WHORPOATIONS are the problem.
Couple them with eh Telecom Whorporations, and you can see why I say to undermine EVERY CORPORATION. PERIOD. KILL THE COPRPORATE MENTAILITY, even if it means killing the Corporations bigwigs.
this govt both repubs and dems is so corrupt that
it would take a spring cleaning of clearing out the
entire seated elected repres in washington, dc.
forbid this ever happen, but if the terrorists
are planning another attack and it's a nuclear
attack as bush has warned us about constantly, then
drop the fucking bomb on washington dc and let's
put the constitution back in place and elect real
representatives of the people and not of special interests.
the big four oil companies are going to get the iraqi constitution they want negotiations at the end of a gun barrel....this is a very good review..how the u.s.and u.k. intend on dominating this region's resources and people....this is why iran is pissed...and 99% of americans don't get it
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/43045/
You think that's the end of it? Once the US Oil companies have their sticky fingers all over Iraq's oil, the USA has plans to bomb Iran's oil infrastructure.
Once upon a time, when the mafia came into your neighborhood and set up a new night club, it wasn't uncommon for them to fire-bomb the competition's night clubs.
Why not just declare Iraq a US territory and be done with it?
LindsayLohan'sButtFreckles @ 2:
Huh? It's too late now, the time for leadership towards handling this problem
has passed. The Senate will send the bill to Bush, and he will sign it into law.
And, regardless of the provision for immunity, the entire (rest of) the bill
in one gigantic gift to Bush's utter trashing of the rule of law.
And, for something on topic to this thread, yes, the war was all about their oil.
If nothing else, that is at least more obvious than Obama's behavior.
mudshark @ 5:
I have created a new site that everyone can post on by request (in other words send me an email and i will set you up as a user).
Repeal FISA
The email address is prominantly displayed.
mudshark @ 3:
'But critics in the United States fear it will tie the hands of the next president when millions of Americans are anxious to bring troops home. Many Iraqis, in turn, worry the deal will allow American domination of their country for decades.' thanx Mudshark for the link.
Iraq is being set up as a colony of AmeriKa. Iran is next.
mudshark @ 3:
What kind of "deal" is this? Why would the Iraqis go for this deal?
Nevertheless, the two sides remain far apart on core issues, including the number of bases where the United States will have a presence, and U.S. demands for immunity from Iraqi law for American soldiers and contractors.
Other obstacles include U.S. authority to detain suspects, fight battles without Iraqi permission and control of the country's airspace
Will they change their name to the United States of Iraq?
Holy shit! We are actually making Iraq the 52nd State (Puerto Rico #51). New Texas, ya'all.
It was about the oil, stupid!
Operation
Iraqi
Liberation =
To liberate Iraqis of their oil!
Ordinary everyday people, without degrees, are fabricating "HHO on demand" systems, in their backyards and garages, from inexpensive parts bought at Home Depot and such, for their older existing cars (no hi-tech conversions necessary), that greatly improve their mpg.
Where's the top scientists, engineers, filthy rich oil companies, etc. examining this and trying to making it happen?
One very early on HHO developer was murdered. Another is in jail. Speculators live FOREVER, and very well off.
Japan developed a car that runs on pure water. The USA developed a system that runs on pure speculation, engineered by lobbyists, and it is functioning "perfectly", for them.
What to watch for at Jeddah’s oil summit
"Saudi Arabia could also do something radical, having lulled the market into expecting little. The kingdom has announced surprises before. Nervous traders suggest Saudi Arabia could ‘drop a nuclear bomb on the market’ by changing the way it prices its oil, slashing its prices and de-linking them from international futures markets. This would be a reversion to the past. Until the early 1980s - the infancy of the futures markets - Saudi Arabia set its oil price monthly.
This could have a huge impact on prices because Saudi Arabia would in effect be setting market prices, kill speculators and drive a wedge into its relationship with other Opec members."
well, since American tax payers paid for this Operation Iraqi Larceny, we should get all the oil for FREE no ?
$0.98/gallon by August anyone ?
Declare Iraq a U.S. territory? You fool! Then we would be on the hook with regards to helping them, but if we simply destroy their infrastructure, then put a puppet government in place, then we can say the Iraqis are a free people (the ones left alive). Make no mistake, corporations are the new empire, and since they are businesses, they are held to a much lower standard than any government could ever hope (well, except maybe the governments of some of the smaller, crazier countires), and there are few if any remedies when corporations screw so many people over, especially internationally. While Iraq's infrastructure was already anemic due to years of neglect, due in large part to sanctions and the fact that Saddam was crazier than a sh*thouse rat, actually invading and destroying so much of Iraq didn't really improve things much. This oil deal is about as surprising as hearing that Hell is an uncomfortable place to be. While deals like this should sicken and disgust me, after the last 8 years, it is exactly what I would expect. Welcome to the new "normal." Sorry for the long post
The Exotic Chico Hussein Chavez @ 24:
I just came in my pants.
oil $27.00 a barrel when g.w.bush went into office....now $130.00+...........all by design
Basically: Crooks and Liars, right?
Oil for American blood and your chicks for free!
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED !
the New World Order.....doesn't like nationalized oil/countries.........saddam kicked them out(oil cos.) in 1975 and they didn't like .....now OPEC and other oil trading/buying countries are looking to get off the u.s. pegged petrol dollar......they don't like that either ....neocolonalism....darwinian capitalisim.this is what bush will be remembered for nothing else.
Blood Oil.
Surprise! Surprise! Big freaking surprise...
One day it will come out how they're controlling water in the region, too. Surprised no one talks about it at all - yet.
It should be remembered that the Clinton administration oversaw the sanctions in Iraq that killed millions of people, left others terminally ill, malnourished, uneducated, standing on the street selling their precious belongings. It's really just more of the same, the agenda was set in place a long time ago. Iraq has for a very long time had it's resources plundered by the west.
Just the tip of the iceberg....and the media goes on about how the Iraqis hate America's freedoms.
Jeeeez.
Hog Heaven for corporations. No accountability, no laws, no morality, and an endless supply bodies. Probably should sign those contracts with GI blood. Crusader Rabbit's legacy of death for oil. Spread that freedom, George.
Epinnoia @ 14:
Oh, good, but creepy, analogy. I'm afraid you're right. And the world will end up with another WW.
Why the BushCo and the GOP wants to kill Amtrak http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/21/business/21amtrak.html?_r=1&partner=rs...
Because it hits them in their wallets http://www.aztlan.net/oiltanker.htm http://www.conspiracyplanet.com/channel.cfm?channelid=118&contentid=2857 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25078420/
Lynda from DownUnder @ 34:
we don't forget clinton's role were reminded routinely by the right in order for them to share the blame to the public....this was in making before that....bush #41 didn't finish the job with saddam..republicans don't like to talk about that clinton entered with this on his plate he had a republican congress this has been a continuation of a theme the oil was discovered in 1920's follow the history in that region since that time...hitler wanted to get his hands on this region also....
sled_dog @ 15:
That's easy .. cuz then US laws would apply .. and we can't have that!
JerryO @ 18:
"The world is my colony .. I shall not want .."
MountainMan23 @ 39:
We have laws?
[Write us at sitemonitor1@gmail.com for the explanation. Thank you. Site Monitor]
no that's ok i'm done
Lynda from DownUnder @ 34:
Spoils of war ..
World War One, instead of keeping their promise to the Arabs who rose up against the Ottoman Empire and allowing them to create a Pan-Arab Nation (as promised .. did I mention that?) .. the British and the French instead received "mandates" issued by the League of Nations to OCCUPY and CONTROL their "spoils of war" ..
"Iraq" was not a "nation" until the Brits drew a boundary line around three provinces of the old Ottoman Empire .. typical British maneuver to put groups with very different goals and customs into a single nation, ensuring they'll be at each others' throats and that much easier to control.
Oh .. and instead of that Pan-Arab Nation, of course, the Brits also started the Zionist occupation of Palestine as a reward for European Jewry's support of the Brits against the Germans. Anyone want to guess why the Germans so easily hated the Jews during World War Two? Setup by the Brits.
Sweet people them Brits.
No wonder "we" threw them out 232 years ago. Too bad "we" follow their example.
karl @ 38:
I get your point, but wonder about the overall agenda and how much Clinton was part of it. I guess we'll never know. With the Dems acting the way they are now, it's hard to see that it's all roses if the Dems get in. It sort of leaves one feeling a little bereft of hope for the future... I guess we just have to stay positive and keep our fingers crossed.
[Deleted. Off topic. Again, karl, please contact us at sitemonitor1@gmail.com for further explanation. Thank you. Site Monitor]
MountainMan23 @ 44:
Absolutely, totally!
the old maxim of "divide and conquer". Australia's former Prime Miniature, John Howard (rhymes with coward) knows all about that... he divided the yes vote when we had a referendum about Australia becoming a republic.
Divide and conquer - Brittania rules the waves - "we will, never, ever, ever be slaves" (read: we'll make slaves of everyone else). The Americans (the administrations) have learnt a lot from the British.
Dick @ 23:
Even Gazans, who have been under siege for more than a year now, have the hardware needed to convert their cars to run on propane cooking gas.
But, apparently, the big car manufacturers don't have the technical know how or the materials to do so. Riiiiiight.
MountainMan23@44 British and the French instead received “mandates” issued by the League of Nations to OCCUPY and CONTROL their “spoils of war” ..
"Oils of war"? but I just read a Chevron Exec. say Chevron is working on a "voluntary basis" in Iraq?
How can this Administration and our Congress even pretend to the families who have lost their loved ones, that these brave men and women died "protecting our freedoms", knowing full well that the real reason was for the oil. Shameful!
Proof that over 4,000 Americans died for big oil. And now with high gas prices they are trying to force Americans to give them the the right to own all the oil in America so they can be real Kings. Thanks Republicans
one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter wanna bet that those pipeline won't be full of oil anytime soon also does that mean that this war will finally be funded by this oil treaty yeah right
as for obama as a jedi master once said "There is no try there is only do"
ya...the war had nothing to do with oil....riiiiiiiiiiiggggggghhhht
Interesting time line of the Iraq debacle by MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23694433/
My take on the two Iraqi events of the recent past: 1) Malaki nixes the SOFA and forces US felxibility, 2) Oil agreement w big four (the foot in the door).
Iran tells Malaki that under no circumstances is he to sign SOFA as written by BUsh et al. He comes back from Iran and, lo, the deal is dead.
He then signs an oil agreement that in itself is not a big deal but gives hope to the Oil powers that were behind this war.
He saves his butt by giving in after saving his butt by standing firm.
thoughts?
Fuck the patriotic BS. We are raping Iraq. 4000 dead, 30000 injured so King George's buddies can pillage and pliunder. What a country!
Ruling Class Rou @ 56:
Unfortunately, for those of us who know the history of the USA in places like South America, this is really just par for the course. The only difference is that they're doing it much more openly now.
Maybe thats why we don`t see the anti war demonstrations in American streets similar to the Vietnam Era. Joe civilian has succumb to Cheney`s and the Neocon`s philosophy that if we want our American lifestyle to continue based on consumerism we need to embrace Imperialism. Democracy be damed. Win at all costs.
Notice something about the Demorats--They are all on the Bush team- yes yes yes, yes i like it , I like it,where do we sign up.But your 2006 promises to all them Joes and Janes--- They'll love us in Nov.2008--Bush has 2 week special coming--gas at $1.59/gallon.Iraq will never be free of American control,only when all the oil is gone.
The Exotic Chico Hussein Chavez @ 24:
Here's how Bush handled this in 2006, by having his Saudi pals pump more oil:
Election, economy and the price of gas
andy @ 30:
Gee... do ya think THIS is why Dick Cheeny didn't want to let the media into the room when he put together W's ENERGY POLICY early in their first term?
CowboyBob in Austin @ 61:
Does this ring a bell?
The Egyptian pharaohs held sway over their minions because they could predict when the seasonal floods would over-run the banks of the Nile River.
In middle America the kings and dictators used FEAR to control their people by accurately predicting solar and lunar eclipses.
I Babylonia, the Kings and Seers predicted the rising and falling of Ishtar (Venus) and the phases of the Moon.
Today W and Cheeny control their minions with cherry-picked INTELLIGENCE, out-right lies, and Atom Bomb fear-mongering.
CowboyBob in Austin @ 61:
Are you saying BIG DICK and the four oil corporations of the apocalypse actually planned all this shit! They would have to be as evil as satan, or republicans. Yikes!
mudshark @ 62:
Mudshark,
Yea... bells are going off all over the place! NICE FIND! Here's a quote from the article you cited:
"The White House went to great lengths to keep these meetings secret, and now oil executives may be lying to Congress about their role in the Cheney task force,"
Can you IMAGINE... lying to Congress??? God, what's next?
NoGWBpolicyleftinplace @ 64:
I would NEVER suggest that THEY PLANNED the occupation of Iraq together at those meetings.
I might suggest, however, that promises were made... and that plans were possibly laid that would include the movement of VERY LARGE sums of Kruggerrands and Euros ino certain off-shore accounts and Swiss bank account numbers... once the price of CRUDE hit a hundred dollars per barrell... and production contracts in Iraq were signed, sealed, and delivered.
CowboyBob in Austin @ 65:
What's next? Well, check out the link Billy provided upthread. It seems that the oil companies are going to try an end run around the offshore drilling issue. They actually think they can drill for oil in areas (on land) that are now grape vineyards and National Forests. WOW! The stupidity is really stunning.
Twelve INITIATING WAR FOR OIL
The President invaded Iraq for the purpose of, in part, seizing control of its oil.
Thirteen SECRET ENERGY TASK FORCE
The President created a secret task force to guide U.S. energy and military policy and then thwarted attempts to investigate that policy.
http://www.pubrecord.org/docs/vega/kucinich-bush-articles-of-impeachment...
CowboyBob in Austin @ 65:
But it looks like someone got passed over in the merger deal of Conoco/Phillips:
"Alan Huffman, who was a Conoco manager until the 2002 merger with Phillips, confirmed meeting with the task force staff. "We met in the Executive Office Building, if I remember correctly," he said."
Ooops, looks like his severance package wasn't quite big enough...
Wonder if he'd like to go on a speaking tour with Scotty McClellan?
Billy @ 59:
Great article Billy. One wonders how low gas prices would have to fall to get McBush into office in November...
Alan Greenspan “I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil.”
71 people are interested in this topic. No doubt the most important topic of the last 7 years. IT'S WHY WE INVADE A SOVERIGN NATION!
The best story to read on this is found in todays Eric Margoli's column-Toronto Sun.
If this doesn't piss you off...nothing will. It's so confirming of what we thought we knew all along and numbnuts (Bushco) denied. ENJOY!
http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Margolis_Eric/2008/06/22/59530...
This is another example of Naomi Klein's thesis in THE SHOCK DOCTRINE. An excellent book, highly recommended.
I can't wait to hear the oil companies screaming bloody murder when the Iraqis eventually regain control of their sovereignty and re-nationalize their resources. A majority of the Iraqi people have already made it clear that they hold such agreements (oil, permanent bases, etc) null and void before the fact because they have been negotiated by those with legitimate authority to represent the IRaqi people.
The oil companies moving into Iraq is the cherry on top of this obscene sundae. Even for the most ardently stupid Bushie believer this should prove to them it was always about the oil--not WMDs, not democracy in the middle east, not etc. It helps to explain why we could never leave. "When they step up, we will step down", and all the other excuses so that they could get a hold of the oil. However, the average Bushie supporter can only understand one lie at a time (WMD or Iraq was involved in 9/11) so their ability to gasp the oil contracts is doubtful. And of course with gas $4.00 a gallon they probably think it is ok to steal the oil from another nation as long as a republican does it.
And they still haven't metered the wells. Look it up. License to steal.
LindsayLohan’sButtFreckles Says: Apparently Obama has flip-flopped on telecom immunity. Thank god.
============
Um, he never once said he was for it. He was sort of a 'I'm still thinkin' about it' position before. But he was never for it.
The vote is what counts.
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