They, along with the Russians, want their current oil contracts honored, too. I dont think that will happen...Originally posted by: Leon
Interesting article
While French contributed nothing to this war, they already thinking about profits from it. Let the dirty Americans do all the fightning, while they get more oil contracts, and not a single buck spent for war costs/reconstruction. Talk about an easy ride there....
Leon
I did not know this. Can you post a link please?Originally posted by: Mookow
I think the honorable thing to do is to allow the Iraqi people and their future government to choose who they want to develop their oil fields, whether it be a company from the USA, France, Russia, or another country. Saddam Hussien granted the oil contracts in an attempt to get France and Russia to advocate lifting sanctions. Its funny how the day after the Russian Foreign Minister praised Iraq's cooperation with the inspectors, Iraq reinstated a large contract it had cancelled with a Russian oil company. The cancellation came soon after Russia voted in favor of Res. 1441
Originally posted by: Fencer128
I did not know this. Can you post a link please?Originally posted by: Mookow
I think the honorable thing to do is to allow the Iraqi people and their future government to choose who they want to develop their oil fields, whether it be a company from the USA, France, Russia, or another country. Saddam Hussien granted the oil contracts in an attempt to get France and Russia to advocate lifting sanctions. Its funny how the day after the Russian Foreign Minister praised Iraq's cooperation with the inspectors, Iraq reinstated a large contract it had cancelled with a Russian oil company. The cancellation came soon after Russia voted in favor of Res. 1441
Andy
Yup, Iraq should decide.Originally posted by: Fencer128
France will just have to join the queue like everyone else to see who the Iraqi's want to rebuild their country.
Andy
Because those extremely lopsided contracts were negotiated by a dictator for his own political and economic gain and are thus illegitimate. The Iraqi people should have a say in those contracts.If the French and Russians want oil contracts honored . . . why NOT? It's the honorable thing to do . . . plus they will have to invest billions in order for Iraq to produce enough oil to make the ventures worthwhile.
War costs, sure, but these type of contracts *would* be considered reconstruction.Originally posted by: Leon
Interesting article
While French contributed nothing to this war, they already thinking about profits from it. Let the dirty Americans do all the fightning, while they get more oil contracts, and not a single buck spent for war costs/reconstruction. Talk about an easy ride there....
Leon
I really don't understand that(bolded) statement. France didn't leave anything, the US has gone in under it's own volition. This wasn't a UN "approved" act that France backed out of, it is an unapproved act that the US took despite France's(and others) opposition. If all the contracts for reconstruction go to Coalition members, especially if they are chosen by some form of Coalition controlled government, the reconstruction will appear as a form of thievery.Originally posted by: tcsenter
Because those extremely lopsided contracts were negotiated by a dictator for his own political and economic gain and are thus illegitimate. The Iraqi people should have a say in those contracts.If the French and Russians want oil contracts honored . . . why NOT? It's the honorable thing to do . . . plus they will have to invest billions in order for Iraq to produce enough oil to make the ventures worthwhile.
I'm not opposed to partnering with the French and Russians, but given their utter obstructionism and refusal to join the coalition, leaving the United States to assume all the risks including intense criticism, access to Iraq's reconstruction should come at a premium.
In that case, which I doubt would happen, the Coalition should make the choice wisely.Originally posted by: dahunan
What if the Iraqis vote to let the US and Britain consult/decide for them?
Personally, I doubt the majority of Iraqis really know much at all about economic freedom and capitalism.Originally posted by: sandorski
In that case, which I doubt would happen, the Coalition should make the choice wisely.Originally posted by: dahunan
What if the Iraqis vote to let the US and Britain consult/decide for them?
On the flipside: What if Iraqi's choose France/Russia?
Originally posted by: ReiAyanami
easy solution, let france and russia have all the burnt up oil wells.
its funny how all the enviro anti-war liberals get back stabbed by saddam as he torches all the oil wells to create and environmental disaster. he's their favorite dictator