So Really it's not about oil. It's about democracy, sweetness and light. It's about being tough and showing Sadd-am that he can't be the Beast of the Mideast. It's about the Andover Cowboy proving that he's the Commander-in-Chief, during his Stand in the Sand in the "Tigris Smackdown 2", even if he did desert during the only war he was eligible to serve in. It was never about the oil.
Oh, you mean that there's a story in the Post about the new military regime being planned for Iraq, you know the country we are not going to war with?
The administration's plans, which are nearing completion, envision installing a civilian administration within months of a change of government, U.S. officials said. But the officials said that even under the best of circumstances, U.S. forces likely would remain at full strength in Iraq for months after a war ended, with a continued role for thousands of U.S. troops there for years to come.
But why do we need to help them establish an interim government, after all, it might not be the cradle of democracy but some say it's the cradle of civilization.
Ah, so Jo, what do you know?
A primary mission for U.S. forces if hostilities broke out would be to protect the country's oil fields and prevent rival factions from settling scores or grabbing territory. During the initial postwar phase, the U.S. military and its partners would concentrate on maintaining stability and searching for nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, officials said.
So we protect the oil fields, I wonder why?
"We would want to internationalize it to the greatest extent possible because there's going to be a lot of work to be done. We want everyone who can make a contribution to be involved," Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said in an interview. He added that the United Nations and European Union would likely play roles in the aftermath of any conflict. "Even if the military operation was conducted outside of a U.N. mandate, I think the U.N. would want to play a role."
I think Powell almost gave it all away here: "We want to Multinationalize it to the greatest extent possible..." but was probably stopped by Unka Karl from saying too much.
Finally, there's this little tidbit, which I am sure comes as a great comfort to the folks still waiting for relief from the liberation of their evil oppressors in Afghanistan:
Military commanders expect to handle humanitarian relief operations for several months and will work to clear roads, repair bridges and get water and electricity flowing. In a bid for speedy results, work would begin in some parts of the country even before other regions were under U.S. control, a Pentagon official said.
...
Among the key roles for U.S. forces would be the preservation of Iraq's borders against any sudden claims by neighbors and the defense of the country's oil fields. Oil revenue is considered the primary source of funds for Iraq's reconstruction, and the proceeds of the oil trade are seen as the glue most likely to hold the country's communities together.
Discussions have begun, with no conclusions yet, about who would run the oil business during the early postwar period and who would represent Iraq at meetings of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. A senior State Department official said the administration is committed to an "equal opportunity approach" to the development of Iraq and its oil industry.
HA HA HA HA HA like hell they have. Bush and Cheney between the two of them have probably had a silent auction in the Lincoln Bedroom for the rights to run the Oil Concession for Arbusto Mid-East. Who would represent Iraq at the OPEC meetings, how about a delegation from the 1600 Crew led by Don Evans, good guess?
