Just saw a report on MSNBC mentioning that the Pope is trying to broker a deal with Saddam to accept exile. Under the apparent terms of the deal, Saddam and his family would have 72 hours from Tuesday (tomorrow, I guess - no date given on the ticker) to leave Iraq (and go where? North Korea?)
One of the things that caught my eye about this report was that it contained the following:
Under the terms of the deal, the UN, NOT THE US, would take control of the Iraqi oilfields. (I am paraphrasing here, but the ticker report did make a big point that the Vatican proposal specifically blocked the US from taking "stewardship" of the oil fields). Here's and idea - why don't we liberate the people of Iraq, and let them steward their own damn oil fields. And if someone starts talking about the US doing that for cheap oil, then let's point out what France and Germany did for money, namely sell arms to a dictatorial regime in the face of UN sanctions.
And what is the UN going to do with oil fields? Go into business for themselves? Become a profit generating free enterprise? Perhaps this has been their plan all along - thwart the US so they can gain access to Saddam's huge oil reserves.
UN anti-liberation initiatives - it's all about the oiiiiilllllllllllllllll!
Posted by Neal Mauldin at March 10, 2003 09:34 AM | TrackBackI assume the UN means to assure that the Iraqi people actually do get to control the oil once Saddam is out.
With the majority of the current admin former oilies, it's hard not to be skeptical.
Oh, I agree there is reason to be skeptical about the US taking control of the oil fields - but I don't think that will happen - too much worldview is focused for that kind of unsophisticated resource grab. Plus, it would be a hell of a lot easier to do it in Venezuela if that was the real intent.
Do you REALLY think having the UN in charge would be an improvement?
Posted by: Neal on March 11, 2003 08:54 AMHaving the UN in charge would be a massive imporovement and undoubtedly the best option. The US shouldn't take the oil, beccause that would prove all those demonic anti-war protesters right, and Iraq would be under US control for a while anyway, and after that would be a little on the fragile side I imagine.
This is just the sort of thing the UN is good at. I think it's unlikely to go into business for itself, on balance...