And Things Just Keep Getting Worse for Iraq
The current US regime promises to pull out of Iraq just as soon as the government of Iraq can effectively govern. Then it does just about everything it can to make sure that never happens. The BBC points to the latest problems facing the post-invasion Iraq.
Iraqi Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum has been temporarily released from his post amid a dispute over the government's petrol pricing policy.
He is to be replaced for 30 days by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Chalabi.
Mr Bahr al-Uloum had publicly objected to the Iraqi government's decision earlier this month to raise petrol prices threefold.
...The Iraqi government cut subsidies on petrol earlier this month after it reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on reducing its debt burden.
...Although billions of dollars have been spent on infrastructure since Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled, fuel and electricity production have not reached the levels maintained before the invasion. [Emphasis added]
First of all, it never bodes well for Iraq when Ahmed Chalabi's name pops up in a news report. As a reward for garnering almost 1% in the recent election, it appears he has gotten himself a promotion, albeit "for 30 days." Putting an embezzler in charge of the only real money-maker for Iraq is just like giving a python cat-sitting duties. A lot can happen in 30 days.
The real important part of the article, however, is the fact that the cost for fuel has just been trebled for the people of Iraq, all at once, at the insistence of the IMF (over which the US has considerable influence). This means that it becomes very expensive to fuel police cars on patrol to keep down the violence. It also means that the average Iraqi, who can't depend on electricity, much less heat, now may not be able to get to whatever job he or she may have found. And this is supposed to help bring order to a nation ravaged and ravished by US imperialism?
I guess the regime had to justify the building of permanent US military bases somehow, eh?
Way to go, George.
Iraqi Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum has been temporarily released from his post amid a dispute over the government's petrol pricing policy.
He is to be replaced for 30 days by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Chalabi.
Mr Bahr al-Uloum had publicly objected to the Iraqi government's decision earlier this month to raise petrol prices threefold.
...The Iraqi government cut subsidies on petrol earlier this month after it reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on reducing its debt burden.
...Although billions of dollars have been spent on infrastructure since Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled, fuel and electricity production have not reached the levels maintained before the invasion. [Emphasis added]
First of all, it never bodes well for Iraq when Ahmed Chalabi's name pops up in a news report. As a reward for garnering almost 1% in the recent election, it appears he has gotten himself a promotion, albeit "for 30 days." Putting an embezzler in charge of the only real money-maker for Iraq is just like giving a python cat-sitting duties. A lot can happen in 30 days.
The real important part of the article, however, is the fact that the cost for fuel has just been trebled for the people of Iraq, all at once, at the insistence of the IMF (over which the US has considerable influence). This means that it becomes very expensive to fuel police cars on patrol to keep down the violence. It also means that the average Iraqi, who can't depend on electricity, much less heat, now may not be able to get to whatever job he or she may have found. And this is supposed to help bring order to a nation ravaged and ravished by US imperialism?
I guess the regime had to justify the building of permanent US military bases somehow, eh?
Way to go, George.
posted by Diane at 9:06 AM
3 Comments:
How does 1% of the vote net you "Deputy Prime Minister" in the first place?
He is to be replaced for 30 days by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Chalabi.
That made the hairs stand on the back of my neck...literally.
I think the real deal about oil is explained at http://www.carbonweb.org/crudedesigns.htm
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