Romanian Oil Rig Comes Under Iranian Fire

Washington Post ^ | 8/22/06

[ExSoldier]

Was a Plank Holder for Team #2 and the original Commander for Six and also commanded the first RED CELL team.

IIRC what I read in Rogue Warrior Marcinko started out as a UDT guy before there was any thought of the SEALs and their specialized missions as they performed in VietNam. I remember the first magazine article written about his exploits in 'Nam (Argos magazine?) where he got his infamous nicknames: THE SHARKMAN: "Demo Dick Marcinko!" Draw your own mental illustrations.

[Lazamataz]

Nuke Iran.

I mean, maybe this isn't really too out of line -- Sundog gave us a nice background article -- but.... I'm just sayin'........

[Lazamataz]

The problem is that Iranian government is so paranoid they would think girl scouts were trained as spies.

Truth be told, I used to put little cameras in the Thin Mints.

[conservative blonde]

Have you missed the history of France since WWII?

[Jim Verdolini]

I still do not understand the issue...who owns the rig? where was it located (whose waters) and why grab other peoples property??

[Sundog]

Ummm, Just on the surface it looks like...

Who owns it? A Romanian company,

Where was it? On the coast of Iran,

Why grab it? Apparently the Iranians want it to keep pumping oil for them.

End of the world as we know it??? Not by any ordinary rationale.

[andre573]

They're likely showing what could happen to oil facilities in the Persian Gulf if any harm were to come to Iran. If we hit their nuke facilities be prepared for all hell to break loose in the Gulf against any oil facilities belonging to any country. This was a definite message related to upcoming sanctions.

[RustMartialis]

Have you missed the history of France since WWII?

So, when you said 'When has the world ever needed France', you *really* meant 'When has the world needed France since WWII?'

Sorry, the tinfoil hat you're wearing blocks my mind-reading powers.

--R.

[Karliner]

Sounds like a job for the SEALS...

Yes. I seem to remember Operation Praying Mantis did well in 1988

[PghBaldy]

They must be Iranians of Nigerian descent... (Nigeria frequently has similar events - hostages taken on rigs, pipelines exploding etc - all over business disputes). Also, I remember reading about Iran keeping oil offshore for an "emergency".

[cartan]

Have we completed adding Romania to NATO?

According to Wikipedia, we have, since March 29, 2004.

So, I guess if Romania wants us to, all of NATO is at war with Iran now.

[Stultis]

Hmmm. Looks like your article is saying this is the SECOND rig the Iranians have stolen (with personnel)!

[Stultis]

Also, I remember reading about Iran keeping oil offshore for an "emergency".

Sounds like B.S. Read sundog's article:

Another Dubai analyst said due to political risks many companies were unwilling to extend contracts with Iranian companies.

"I think there are few international rigs operational in Iran despite the many tenders coming out," the analyst said.

IOW, sour grapes. They may CLAIM they are "saving the oil," but the truth appears they would really like to pump it, but few are willing to do business with them.

Reminds me of a commie history professor I had back in the 80's who claimed that the Soviets were cleverly "keeping their oil in ground" and would rise up and crush us when we (capitalists) ran out.

I didn't know all the details at the time -- which turned out to be that the Soviets were DESPERATE for hard currency, and trying like hell to pump and transport all the oil they could, but much of their reserves were under hard rock and they didn't have the drilling equipment or expertise to get at it -- but I DID know a couple things that gave me reason to laugh openly at this:

1. The U.S. was focused on quashing (which they eventually did) a cooperative oil pipeline deal between the Europeans and the Soviets, and that this was reportedly urged by CIA director William Casey.
2. William Casey's specialty back when he was with the OSI during WWII was economic warfare. Indeed he virtually invented the discipline.
3. Casey would be focusing on disrupting the most vulnerable, and most essential, aspects of the Soviet economy.

[Jeff Head]

Try Yorktown, during the U.S. revolution.

[Centurion2000]

When has the world ever needed France?

The battle of Tours 732 with Charles the Hammer.

This represents the zenith of French military power. The one time they saved the world.

[bill1952]

This represents the zenith of French military power

The "French" of that day would spit on the Frenchmen of today.

[Enchante]

"And on the 22nd the world will tremble in fear as we....take over an oil rig."

They're still trying to figure out where the "12th Mahdi" dude is hiding.... he hasn't emerged yet and they've checked all the wells in the country, so now they're trying to examine every drilling shaft for evidence of the missing 12th Mahdi....

Yeah, it's a real tough stand on their part - we want to show the world how tough we are by invading an offshore Romanian oil rig. That'll teach those American carriers and cruise missiles not to mess with us, oh yeah!!

[conservative blonde]

Tinfoil has the capacity to cause such blockage.

[Sundog]

thank you for that.

unwiling to do business with Iran, that sounds like a motive for violence.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Unless it's in international waters, then, yes, I would consider this act of war.