Reply to Noam Ben Haim

[Michael A Barnhart]

I am just sharing conflict in my local media. The general view presented by the media about war is not days as you say, but weeks or a few months yes. For example of what is being reported: Fort Worth, Texas Star Telegram - 16 Feb 2003 Page 14A[^] Second sentence: <-begin-> And hundreds of oil entrepreneurs, from North Texas to Europe to China, are hoping that a potential U.S.-led overthrow of Saddam Hussein will open Iraq's vast reserves to outsiders. <-end-> Now please note the conflict the above has with the below from the same article. So who really is clean in all of this? and or when do you believe what is being written? And I repeat not just same paper same day but same article. As for our relations with those leading Anti-War in the UN it goes on: <-begin-> Although U.N. sanctions bar outsiders from drilling in Iraq, Saddam's regime has signed at least $38 billion in contracts with foreign companies, primarily from Russia, France and China, that would go into effect when sanctions are lifted, according to Deutsche Bank. Major companies include France's TotalFinaElf, China's National Petroleum Co. and several Russian companies. The contracts carry an investment potential of up to $20 billion, but they may not remain in force in a post-Saddam government. Al-Chalabi, who could conceivably return to Iraq's oil bureaucracy, said each contract should be re-examined. A number of oil analysts believe that at least some of the contracts were awarded as political vehicles to help Saddam buy support among selected U.N. members. Russia, which looked on Iraq as a client state during the Soviet era, is thought to wield the most clout in brokering prospective drilling contracts. But the Iraqi oil ministry recently canceled a deal with Lukoil, one of Russia's biggest companies, amid suspicions that Lukoil executives were cozying up to the United States and anti-Saddam opposition groups to prepare for a post-Saddam era. The departure of Saddam would presumably open the door to Americans and British oil companies, although to what extent depends on the makeup of the next government, the length of military occupation and a number of other uncertainties. <-end-> "I will find a new sig someday."

[Roger Wright]

That certainly explains a lot of the foot dragging going on in the UN... It is ok for women not to like sports, so long as they nod in the right places and bring beers at the right times.
Paul Watson, on Sports - 2/10/2003

[Giles]

That is very interesting. Certainly explains a lot. So the security council members saying no to removing Saddam, and stalling, are doing it, in that they have a vested interest in Saddam staying in power, as well as getting sanctions removed. Very much a conflict of interest on France, Russia and China's part. Frankly this is a messy state of affairs. Quote from a clever bloke : "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein