The dirty little secret of Sovereignty

[ewagner]

It is widely known that Iraq will not have control over military forces after June 30 so the term Sovereignty already becomes somewhat of an oxymoron, but there is one overwhelming fact that is being intentionally overlooked by all who report on Iraq.

That is, the Iraqi government will have NO power over contracts to American or other foreign contractors for reconstruction or privatization made under the rule of Bremer. In other words, American profiteering off of the reconstruction and public treasure of Iraq will continue to go to foreigners. Likewise, the refusal of this administration to allow other nations to participate in these cash-rich activities is a major stumbling block to participation by the United Nations.

Silence on this issue from the media is deafening. No media outlet wants to admit that the desire of this administration to hold onto the cash cow in Iraq is the greatest impediment to peace.

[CulturalNomad]

1. Your right I didnt know that - and it is scandalous

[On the Road]

2. The Military is One Thing -- That May Take Awhile

the contracts are another. What's worse is that the US voided the previous contracts and wrote its own. Both Iraq and a lot of foreign governments are out a lot of money.

If I were part of the new Iraqi government, the first thing I would do would be to reverse the US-imposed contracts and honor the former arrangements. No US president, either Bush or Kerry, is going to dare to reinvade.

[papau]

3. Oil financed Contracts run by Iraq with UN OKing each, US aid is via US

:-)

[ewagner]

5. So the resolution

gives Iraq control over oil revenues?

But the contracts to American firms for infrastructure rebuilding and privatized services remain the same. Is that a fair representation?

[papau]

8. That is the way it is being interpreted but Iraq control over oil revenues

is not real - requires UN approval so as to "prevent corruption".

[wtmusic]

4. Sovereignty -- an empty promise reappears

sovereignty

1. Supremacy of authority or rule as exercised by a sovereign or sovereign state.
2. Royal rank, authority, or power.
3. Complete independence and self-government.
4. A territory existing as an independent state.

Yet 13 days before the US invaded Iraq, the US promised in a UN Security Council resolution that we are:

"...reaffirming the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, Kuwait, and the neighbouring States..."

There is a credibility problem here.

[Cat Atomic]

6. So they basically get to run... what? Schools, the hospitals,

sanitation... maybe the fire trucks? All the stuff that the Republicans can't be bothered with here either, I assume.

[ithacan]

7. "full sovereignty" is an out and out lie.

Bush has, once again, lied to the American people. Shamelessly.

NO ONE in his regime is calling for effective sovereignty to be handed over to the Iraqis. No one.

They are calling for what could charitibly be called LIMITED sovereignty.

And yet Bush lies and says they'll have full sovereignty.

Why haven't the media called him on this? (yes, I know, rhetorical question).