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Axis of Evil
Sammy cuts oil exports...
2002-04-08
  • President Saddam Hussein announced today that Iraq would cut oil exports starting today for 30 days or until Israel withdraws from Palestinian territories. In a nationally televised speech, Saddam said all exports would be cut. The oil minister said the move took effect as Saddam spoke.
    He's been talking about it. Iran may follow suit. Not important - yet. Steven den Beste notes that
    One of the reasons Turkey has been leery of a US invasion of Iraq is because of their concern that they'd lose access to Iraqi oil. But now they've lost it anyway. And this shows that even leaving Saddam in power won't guarantee continued access to Iraqi oil.

    The most important effect of this action will be to make Turkey more likely to permit the US to use Turkish territory to attack Iraq.
    Sammy has always been an unstable fellow but the "we can do business" crowd has accepted that because he's willing to sell in return for money, and then to spend the money where he got it. Indulging his whims in business, though, makes him an unreliable partner. This is not a good habit to have. The same expensive suits who can accept a few dead Kurds or a few kilotons discretely tucked away have a different attitude toward missed delivery dates and short counts.
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

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