Posted on 02/17/2006 7:10:50 AM PST by Jeff Head
SHANGHAI, China - China and Iran are close to setting plans to develop Iran's Yadavaran oil field, according to published reports, in a multibillion-dollar deal that comes as Tehran faces the prospect of sanctions over its nuclear program.
The deal is thought potentially to be worth about $100 billion.
According to Caijing, a respected financial magazine, a Chinese government delegation is due to visit Iran as early as March to formally sign an agreement allowing China Petrochemical Corp., also known as Sinopec, to develop Yadavaran.
The Wall Street Journal also reported in Friday's editions that the two sides are trying to conclude the deal in coming weeks before potential sanctions are imposed on Iran for its nuclear ambitions. The report cited unnamed Iranian oil ministry officials familiar with the talks.
The deal would complete a memorandum of understanding signed in 2004.
In exchange for developing Yadavaran, one of Iran's largest onshore oil fields, China would agree to buy 10 million tons of liquefied natural gas a year for 25 years beginning in 2009, the Caijing report said, citing Sinopec board member Mou Shuling.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
China is in the middile of this mix, and, IMHO, they certainley aren't on our side of the fence.
Terribly similar to the fictional Dragon's Fury Series scenario.
FYI...not good.
Looking too similar, IMHO.
We need to stand firm and resolute...and we'd best have a lot of steel in our composition the way this is shaping up. I hope I am completely wrong.
It will be tough to drill for oil when everything glows.
But maybe there is an upside to this - along the lines of a typical "protection racket". China wouldn't want any "accidents" to happen that would disrupt deliveries of their petroleum products, would they? Remember (cough, cough) that little matter of the unfortunate Clinton-era bombing error that took out the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia? Unless the Iranian regime suddenly becomes very, very cooperative on the nuclear front, some innocent bystanders could be hurt (cough, cough). But a little insurance could be had if China would twist a few mullahs' arms, which would guarantee that the gas deliveries continue uninterrupted (hint, hint)...
So far, you are only wrong with the Indians---and that could be a big "except."
The new carrier they are refitting is Russian and will be filled with Russian aircraft and defense systems. They have conducted exercises with the Chinese military right along with the ones they conduct with us.
We need, IMHO, to be much more active in recruiting and brining them solidly into our camp. I hope and pray...and believe...we shall.
I don't think so either, Jeff. Thanks for the ping!
The Chinese are aware of and applying this Sun Tsu saying..."All warfare is deception."
Just two bands of crazed thugs making a deal. Nothing to see here.
Yes, and they will use similar techniques against us (you wouldn't want to have any "accidents" with Los Angeles, would you?).
March 15, 2006 is just down the road, but I don't think the Chic*nts will make any moves until after the 2008 Olympics...until then, they want to look good, to the extent that any barbaric thugocracy can actually do so.
I was wondering if we send in ground troops what would be China's take on protecting her economic assets.
Is all of this gas and oil going to China via land routes?
And in the context could keep Pakistan in by acting as an "honest broker" between the two.
The wreckless dolts with their heads in the sand running the American gub'mint had better realize we're further suseptible to economic blackmail if we continue to ignore our own oil resources and refineries, and developing alternative fuel sources besides oil. AND QUICK.
Agreed. 2008 with the Olympics and an election here in the US is much more likely a time frame.
Would be very difficult. Have to believe it is primarily a sea route...unless the Russians and the Stans to the north get into the deal.
I am afraid we may be looking at the potential for a "conventional" war on the order of World War II in scope. I hope I am wrong.
Amen. We are standing into harms way and we'd best prepare for it in every way. Including military, economically, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, etc.
I imagine we'll be trading Taiwan for Iran in the near future.
They have already had military delegations visit Iran. We may well look at a scenario where China tells us to back down from any military option as regards Iran...in which case Iran will continue to thumb its nose at the free world. And in which case our mettle and will shall be severely tested.
A terribly sobering thought. I pray not.
March 15, 2009, maybe? You'd only be off by three years.
I have seriously considered a re-write...a new edition if you will...that pushes the time fram back to 2009 or 2010 and edits the entire series accordingly to allow for it.
The Chinese are not stupid...if no, then they get Irans' oil...if yes, then we get Iran and they get Taiwan.
Battle lines being drawn for WW IV.
Then it seems that Iran should be dealt with as soon as possible. Waiting would appear to make the scope of the war larger. The longer we wait, the worse it will be.
Agreed.
Next we'll hear -
"China sees no need for further sanctions or military action" when Iran's nuclear ambitions go before the UNSC.
Iran could get by with China as its sole oil customer at bargain rates, and drive oil prices elsewhere sky high.
Iran could get by with China as its sole oil customer at bargain rates, and drive oil prices elsewhere sky high.
That is exactly what this is. China is buying an ally in the Middle East, hitting us right where we're most vulnerable, in the energy sector.
Weaning ourselves off overpriced Middle Eastern crude is not only an economic issue, it's becoming a matter of national security.
What concerns me is that too many nations who we have some problems with may react if we hit Iran's nukes due to their oil needs getting disrupted. THis is why "hey, lets just take 'em out" is not as easy as it sounds...
India and China agree to Strategic Partnership
Particularly, as regards The Dragon's Fury Series, check out post number 90 on that thread.
Wierd.
Iran figures it can thumb it's nose all it wants to, and an alliance with China will only make her the ultimate nose thumbing machine. Oh what to do? We accept Iran as the newest entrant to the nuclear powers, or we better be prepared to do something about it. Not many options as I see it, but then circumstances aren't in my control and time can change alot of things.
Spot on my friend...in the middle of the ring.
I know, let's get a regime change going...oops, tried that.
I wouldn't be suprised to see a joint China - Iran Naval Exercise right in the Persian Gulf.
When you take it all together...it is a clear, planned, strategic alignment.
Gotta pick up your books, Jeff...
You're trying to make our day again... ;o)
Thanks. If you do, let me know what you think. You have fremail.
AND a good first srike target in case of Ugh!.. an asian problem.. Would hard for China and India to store much long term supplies.. of the stuff.. makes them vulnerable.. Armys don't move well on no fuel.. or economys either..
Sort of like the three gorges Dam. The Chinese call it the biggest dam in the world (and it is). The US Air Force calls it the biggest target.
Financed, no doubt, by the massive trade surplus China has at its disposal due to the offshoring of manufacturing and technical services the U.S. has provided to the Chicoms in recent years.
So now the Chinese now have the infrastructure to build a state-of-the-art military force, the technical expertise, and the fuel to make it go.
Wonderful.
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