Havana, Cuba. – War and occupation have already lasted more than 7 years. Washington lost its military gamble in Iraq, but it can still get hold of the oil treasured beneath that rich soil. And now that the booty is about to be shared, the big shots and close associates of the previous administration are the first to show up. After all, Bush’s government organized the invasion and occupation.

Now everything is out in the open. For instance, Jay Garner, first administrator or governor imposed by Bush when he occupied the Arab nation, is a brand-new adviser to Canadian company Vast Exploration. This firm owns 37% of the shares in an oil field in Northern Kurdistan.

Another example is Peter Galbraith, US foreign affairs consultant. He is very close to vice-president Joe Biden and senator John Kerry and advised the Kurds on their rights when the Iraqi Constitution was drafted.

Galbraith got himself the rights to explore one of the largest oil fields in Kurdistan, in Dohuk, after negotiating a contract that allows the Norwegian oil company DNO to drill in search of oil. The potential revenues are estimated in excess of $ 100 millions.

Zalmay Khalilzad, former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq and United Nations, also founded his own business consultancy company in the Kurdish city of Irbil. His eyes are also set on the oil wealth of that area.

And the character most interested in Iraqi oil is, of course, former vice-president Richard Cheney. This man has no scruples and advocated the vicious tortures practiced in Iraqi jails and the illegal Guantanamo base.

Reportedly, last November 5, Iraq granted the rights to develop the huge oil field of West Qurna to Exxon-Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell. The field is located to the south of the country and its tested reserves are 8, 7 million barrels.

Exxon-Mobil was the first US oil mammoth to sign a 20 years contract. Together with Dutch Shell, it is planning to increase West Qurma´s daily production from 300 000 to 2, 3 million barrels during the next 6 years. In that time span, the revenues for US company could exceed $ 50 000 millions.

These are only a few examples of who are the ones getting hold of the Iraqi oil, the true reason behind US invasion and occupation of that Arab nation.

Translated by: Pedro A. Fanego

( 03.12.2009 10:13 AM )