US invaded Iraq for oil, says Castro

Jang Group of Newspapers ^ | Wednesday December 24, 2003 | Jang Group of Newspapers

[LibFreeUSA]

CARACAS: The US-led invasion of Iraq was aimed at taking control of the country’s oil, Cuban President Fidel Castro told Venezuelan state television in an interview shown on Tuesday.

"There is no moral argument, no possible justification to invade a country," said the veteran communist leader.

"The United Nations did not agree on it; rather the most powerful nation agreed to invade (Iraq): the main objective, let us be totally honest, was to win an essential raw material which is called petroleum," said Castro, who made a quick trip to Venezuela’s La Orchila island in the Caribbean on Tuesday, invited by his closest regional ally, President Hugo Chavez. "The arguments they have used to justify the invasion are not valid," Castro argued.

"They accused them of having weapons of mass destruction and they are the ones who have a monopoly on weapons of mass destruction.

"Yes, everybody has weapons of mass destruction, but there is a club that has nuclear weapons and there are no restrictions on its holding of weapons of mass destruction," he said. "No weapons of mass destruction even have been found," Castro said. "Saddam (Hussein) might have had some and destroyed them," Castro added.

Castro also noted that the deposed Iraqi president "made mistakes," including the war against Iran in the 1980s and the 1990 invasion Kuwait.

But, Castro argued, "Europe was (Iraq’s) accomplice in the invasion of Iran, and may even have given it some chemical weapons. Europe helped Iraq before the war with Iran, and helped it boost the range of its missiles from 600 km to 1,200km. That is a historical fact that nobody can deny," he added.

[The Bronze Titan]

Hi GH,

Nice to hear from you again. Let's hope for a 'Cuba Libre' in 2004!!!

[PhilDragoo]

Okay, you two, go to Vermont so we can change the regimes.

[exit82]

Fidel, we're going to invade you for your sugar. The first boat from Halliburton is in the water.

As for me, I'm coming for the 1950s car parts.

[ChEng]

Honestly, invading (anywhere) for oil works for me. It is the life blood of my (and your) existence, well worth fighting for. Better we Americans have it than anyone else I can think of. Willing to pay a fare price for others oil, but try to screw us over or hold us hostage to your product, well here we come!!

[Valin]

The US-led invasion of Iraq was aimed at taking control of the country’s oil, Cuban President Fidel Castro told Venezuelan state television in an interview shown on Tuesday.


Better hope we don't run short of sugar...or your a$$ will be next.

[VeniVidiVici]

Maybe he ought to run for mayor here in Seattle.

Nah. Miami. According to Castro, the Cubans love him.

A Cuban friend of ours just got her citizenship on Dec 6th. She was extremely happy to have received it and commented on the long road to get there.

In general, I find that immigrants from communist countries make great additions to the U.S. Unlike those who flee economic difficulty, they truly value what this country has to offer.

[Brett66]

I wish we would roll an Abrams over his head........

[right way right]

Naw, sounds to me like he's hinting interest at the VP position on the Democrat ticket in 04

(Are you listening Howie?)

[SuziQ]

Isn't old Fidel kinda late to that party?