[BlackVeil]

There has already been discussion, on the financial pages, about who would get those oil wells. The idea is that the Iraqi oil concessions would go all to US companies - like in Saudi Arabia. This is not the case in Iraq at the moment. The problem is that French and Russian interests have most of the oil contracts in Iraq at the moment. Would they keep them after the war? Probably not, unless they send forces in.

There was an article in 'Business Review Weekly', an Australian magazine, a few months back, and they were talking about dividing the spoils in post-war Iraq (didn't put it quite so frankly as that, of course.) The article had a greedy tone, and noted with regret that although Australia will have forces, if there is an invasion, Australian resources companies will not be given any Iraqi assets.

[dennisw]

Colin Powell now says Iraqi oil will not pay for the war but will be used to fund reconstruction. I would use some of it to pay for the war. Even if just 10 billion dollars worth. Iraqi people should not be getting a free ride. Those who don't pay don't appreciate what they get. Liberation from a demon and his two psycho killer sons.

<Powell also tried to dispel talk that the United States planned to take over Iraqi oil fields once Hussein was defeated. Newsday reported last week that administration officials are seriously considering proposals that the United States use Iraq's oil to help pay for a military occupation.

"If there is a conflict with Iraq, the leadership of the coalition take control of Iraq. The oil of Iraq belongs to the Iraqi people,” Powell said. "Whatever form of custodianship there is ... it will be held for and used for the people of Iraq. It will not be exploited for the United States' own purpose.”>

[dennisw]

Some well placed neutron bombs would leave the oil fields and other important petroleum infrastructure intact. Such as pipelines, refineries, shipping terminals.

[sneakypete]

War has always been about greed and theft of assets. This one will be no different.