Why is Iraq sabotaging its own oil fields?

UF Jspec

Senior member
Oct 15, 1999
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This is something I can't understand.

"He also confirmed an earlier report that at least one Iraqi oil well in a southern oil field west of Basra was broken, gushing oil onto the ground. Iraqi soldiers are "definitely preparing (more wells) for sabotage" in the same area, he said.

The troops are removing safety valves used for automatic shutdown during accidents, he said."


Oil Sabotage
 

Fencer128

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2001
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Originally posted by: UF Jspec
This is something I can't understand.

"He also confirmed an earlier report that at least one Iraqi oil well in a southern oil field west of Basra was broken, gushing oil onto the ground. Iraqi soldiers are "definitely preparing (more wells) for sabotage" in the same area, he said.

The troops are removing safety valves used for automatic shutdown during accidents, he said."


Oil Sabotage

Becaue they know that they will lose any war - and want to make sure the invaders don't get any of the oil - and have to deal with the environmental aftermath.

Andy
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
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One major reason the US is fighting is for oil. This is their way of getting revenge. They did the same in Kuwait when they were going to lose that territory as well.

North Korea is a greater threat to our safety. Countries in Africa have done far worse things to their people. Why aren't we attacking them? Well we don't have many American's interests to protect there. What are American's interests to protect in Iraq? Oil is one of them. That is why oil is one of the major reasons to fight.

I'm not saying we are going to steal the oil. I didn't say anything like that. Most likely we will save as much of the distroyed oil fields and let the Iraq people sell it to us after the war. Selling is not stealing!
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
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Saddam doesn't care for the environment, that's why! Yet, the liberals still love him
rolleye.gif

 

conjur

No Lifer
Jun 7, 2001
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Originally posted by: dullard
One major reason the US is fighting is for oil. This is their way of getting revenge. They did the same in Kuwait when they were going to lose that territory as well.

Major reason? Only time I heard Bush mention oil last night in his speech was in a plea for the Iraqi soldiers to NOT do what they are doing now as it only hurts the Iraqi people (environmentally and economically).
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
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Originally posted by: dullard
One major reason the US is fighting is for oil. This is their way of getting revenge. They did the same in Kuwait when they were going to lose that territory as well.

Yep, Saddam hosed the wells in Kuwait, Americans fixed them, then STOLE ALL the oil, didn't we? Actually, we did all but the last one. If this was all about oil, we would have taken it in 1991.
 

XZeroII

Lifer
Jun 30, 2001
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Originally posted by: dullard
One major reason the US is fighting is for oil. This is their way of getting revenge. They did the same in Kuwait when they were going to lose that territory as well.
Yea, after the first war, we just went and took all the oil we wanted
rolleye.gif
You just keep making up little stories in your head.
 

UF Jspec

Senior member
Oct 15, 1999
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It's not like US soldier can put the oil in the backpack and bring it home so it seems like it is only hurting IRAQ and its future. But it's not like Suddam hasn't hurt the Iraqi people before.
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
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Originally posted by: dullard
One major reason the US is fighting is for oil. This is their way of getting revenge. They did the same in Kuwait when they were going to lose that territory as well.

Yeah, and we took over the oil wells then, too, huh?

 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
26,129
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Yea, after the first war, we just went and took all the oil we wanted
rolleye.gif
You just keep making up little stories in your head.
When did I ever say we stole oil from Kuwait? You are the one making up that story. The oil was Kuwait's oil to begin with, and it still is Kuwait's oil. What I said was that Saddam thinks one of the major reasons is so we can have control of their oil, thus Saddam will torch their oil. Whether we actually take it or not is another story altogether - all that matters for this discussion is what Saddam thinks.

It is pretty common in wars that you trash the territory that you don't want or cannot keep. Look back in history - it has happened many times. Saddam is just continuing that destructive history.
 

UF Jspec

Senior member
Oct 15, 1999
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Originally posted by: Stark
Because Saddam is a nutball. Stop trying to understand him.

It is frightening how different Middle Easterners and Westerners think.