Received this tonite from a friend - accurate 100% ?- who knows. But if you had doubts about the interests of France, Germany, Russia and China in Iraq, this may be of help.
All the facts below can be confirmed -- see bibliography at the end
Facts on Who Benefits From Keeping Saddam Hussein In Power
by The Heritage Foundation
WebMemo #217
February 28, 2003
FRANCE
According to the CIA World Factbook .....,
[1] France controls over 22.5
percent of Iraq's imports. French total trade with Iraq under the
oil-for-food program is the third largest, totaling $3.1 billion since
1996,
according to the United Nations.
[2] In 2001 France became Iraq's largest European trading partner.
Roughly 60 French companies do an estimated $1.5 billion in trade
with Baghdad annually under the U.N. oil-for-food program.
[3]
France's largest oil company, Total Fina Elf, has negotiated a deal
to develop the Majnoon field in western Iraq. The Majnoon field
purportedly contains up to 30 billion barrels of oil.
[4]
Total Fina Elf also negotiated a deal for future oil exploration in
Iraq's Nahr Umar field. Both the Majnoon and Nahr Umar fields are
estimated to contain as much as 25 percent of the country's reserves.
[5]
France's Alcatel company, a major telecom firm, is negotiating a
$76 million contract to rehabilitate Iraq's telephone system.
[6]
From 1981 to 2001, according to the Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute (SIPRI), France was responsible for over 13
percent of Iraq's arms imports.
GERMANY
[7]
Direct trade between Germany and Iraq amounts to about $350 million
annually, and another $1 billion is reportedly sold through third
parties.
[8]
It has recently been reported that Saddam Hussein has ordered Iraqi
domestic businesses to show preference to German companies as a
reward for Germany's "firm positive stand in rejecting the launching of
a
military attack against Iraq."
It was also reported that over 101 German companies
were present at the Baghdad Annual exposition.
[9]
During the 35th Annual Baghdad International Fair in November 2002,
a German company signed a contract for $80 million for 5,000 cars
and spare parts.
[10]
In 2002, DaimlerChrysler was awarded over $13 million in contracts
for German trucks and spare parts.
[11]
German officials are investigating a German corporation accused of
illegally channeling weapons to Iraq via Jordan. The equipment in
question is used for boring the barrels of large cannons and is allegedly
intended for Saddam Hussein's Al Fao Supercannon project.
RUSSIA
[12]
According to the CIA World Factbook , Russia controls roughly 5.8
percent of Iraq's annual imports.
[13]
Under the U.N. oil-for-food program, Russia's
total trade with Iraq was somewhere between $530 million and $1
billion for the six months ending in December of 2001.
[14]
According to the Russian Ambassador to Iraq, Vladimir Titorenko, new
contracts worth another $200 million under the U.N. oil-for-food
program are to be signed over the next three months.
[15]
Soviet-era debt of $7 billion through $8 billion was generated by
arms sales to Iraq during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.
Russia's LUKoil negotiated a $4 billion, 23-year contract in 1997 to
rehabilitate the 15 billion-barrel West Qurna field in southern Iraq.
Work on the oil field was expected to commence upon cancellation of U.N.
sanctions on Iraq. The deal is currently on hold.
[16]
In October 2001, Salvneft, a Russian-Belarus company, negotiated a
$52 million service contract to drill at the Tuba field in Southern
Iraq.
[17]
In April 2001, Russia's Zaruezhneft company received a service
contract to drill in the Saddam, Kirkuk, and Bai Hassan fields to
rehabilitate the fields and reduce water incursion.
A future $40 billion Iraqi-Russian economic agreement, reportedly
signed in 2002, would allow for extensive oil exploration
opportunities throughout western Iraq.
[18]
The proposal calls for 67 new projects, over a
10-year time frame, to explore and further develop fields in
southern Iraq and theWestern Desert, including the Suba, Luhais, West Qurna,
and
Rumaila projects. Additional projects added to the deal include
second-phase
construction of a pipeline running from southern to northern Iraq,
and extensive drilling and gas projects. Work on these projects
would commence upon cancellation of sanctions.
[19]
Russia's Gazprom company over the past few years has signed
contracts worth $18 million to repair gas stations in Iraq.
[20]
The former Soviet Union was the premier supplier of Iraqi arms. From
1981 to 2001, Russia supplied Iraq with 50 percent of its arms.
CHINA
[21]
According to the CIA World Factbook ,
China controls roughly 5.8 percent of Iraq's annual imports.
[22]
China National Oil Company, partnered with China North Industries
Corp., negotiated a 22-year-long deal for future oil exploration in
the Al Ahdab field in southern Iraq.
[23]
In recent years, the Chinese Aero-Technology Import-Export Company
(CATIC) has been contracted to sell "meteorological satellite" and
"surface observation" equipment to Iraq. This contract was approved by the
U.N oil-for-food program.
[24]
CATIC also won approval from the U.N. in July 2000 to sell $2
million worth of fiber optic cables. This and similar contracts
approved were disguised as telecommunications gear.
These cables can be used for secure data
and communications links between national command and control
centers and long-range search radar, targeting radar, and missile-launch
units, according to U.S. officials. In addition, China National Electric
Wire & Cable and China National Technical Import Telecommunications
Equipment Company are believed to have sold Iraq $6 million and
$15.5 million worth of communications equipment and other unspecified
supplies,
respectively.
[25]
According to a report from SIPRI, from 1981 to 2001, China was the
second largest supplier of weapons and arms to Iraq, supplying over
18 percent of Iraq's weapons imports. [26]
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
> [1] Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook 2002 , at
> http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook .
> [2] Jon Talton, "French Ideals and Profits in the Iraqi Triangle",
> The Arizona Republic , February 23, 2003.
> [3] Jon Talton, "French Ideals and Profits in the Iraqi Triangle,"
> The Arizona Republic , February 23, 2003.
> [4] Kenneth Katzman, Iraq: Oil-for-Food Program, International
> Sanctions, and Illicit Trade , Congressional Research Service,
> September 26,2002.
> [5] Kenneth Katzman, Iraq: Oil-for-Food Program, International
> Sanctions, and Illicit Trade , Congressional Research Service,
> September 26, 2002.
> [6] Evelyn Iritani, "Hussein's Government Signs Lucrative
Contracts,
> Especially with Nations that Oppose the U.S. Led Effort to Oust
the
> Regime,"
> The Los Angeles Verdana,Arial,Helvetica , November 11, 2002.
> [7] Information from Stockholm International Peace
ResearchInstitute
> (SIPRI), "Arms Transfers to Iraq, 1981-2001," at
> http://projects.sipri.se/armstrade/IRQ_IMPORTS_1982-2001.pdf .
> [8] David R. Sands, "France, Germany Protect Iraq Ties,"
> The Washington Verdana,Arial,Helvetica , February 20, 2003.
> [9] David R. Sands, "France, Germany Protect Iraq Ties," The
> Washington Verdana,Arial,Helvetica , February 20, 2003.
> [10] "Africa Analysis-Trade Points Way to Peace", The Financial
> Verdana,Arial,Helvetica: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire , November
> 19, 2002.
> [11] Faye Bowers, "Driving Forces in War-Wary Nations: The Stances
> of France, Germany, Russia and China Are Colored by Economic and
> National Interests," Christian Science Monitor , February 25,
2003.
> [12] "Helping Saddam Rearm," The Wall Street Journal , October 11,
> 2002.
> [13] Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook 2002 , at
> http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook .
> [14] Testimony provided by Ariel Cohen to the House International
> Relations Committee, "Russia and the Axis of Evil: Money, Ambition
> and U.S.Interests," February 26, 2003.
> [15] Nelli Sharushkina, "Russia Plays the Field in Iraq-Mixed
> Signals Worry Baghdad," Energy Intelligence Briefing , February 5,
> 2003.
> [16] Dan Morgan and David B. Ottaway, "In Iraqi War Scenario, Oil
Is
> Key Issue," The Washington Post , September 15, 2002.
> http://www.heritage.org/Research/MiddleEast/wm217.cfm
All the facts below can be confirmed -- see bibliography at the end
Facts on Who Benefits From Keeping Saddam Hussein In Power
by The Heritage Foundation
WebMemo #217
February 28, 2003
FRANCE
According to the CIA World Factbook .....,
[1] France controls over 22.5
percent of Iraq's imports. French total trade with Iraq under the
oil-for-food program is the third largest, totaling $3.1 billion since
1996,
according to the United Nations.
[2] In 2001 France became Iraq's largest European trading partner.
Roughly 60 French companies do an estimated $1.5 billion in trade
with Baghdad annually under the U.N. oil-for-food program.
[3]
France's largest oil company, Total Fina Elf, has negotiated a deal
to develop the Majnoon field in western Iraq. The Majnoon field
purportedly contains up to 30 billion barrels of oil.
[4]
Total Fina Elf also negotiated a deal for future oil exploration in
Iraq's Nahr Umar field. Both the Majnoon and Nahr Umar fields are
estimated to contain as much as 25 percent of the country's reserves.
[5]
France's Alcatel company, a major telecom firm, is negotiating a
$76 million contract to rehabilitate Iraq's telephone system.
[6]
From 1981 to 2001, according to the Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute (SIPRI), France was responsible for over 13
percent of Iraq's arms imports.
GERMANY
[7]
Direct trade between Germany and Iraq amounts to about $350 million
annually, and another $1 billion is reportedly sold through third
parties.
[8]
It has recently been reported that Saddam Hussein has ordered Iraqi
domestic businesses to show preference to German companies as a
reward for Germany's "firm positive stand in rejecting the launching of
a
military attack against Iraq."
It was also reported that over 101 German companies
were present at the Baghdad Annual exposition.
[9]
During the 35th Annual Baghdad International Fair in November 2002,
a German company signed a contract for $80 million for 5,000 cars
and spare parts.
[10]
In 2002, DaimlerChrysler was awarded over $13 million in contracts
for German trucks and spare parts.
[11]
German officials are investigating a German corporation accused of
illegally channeling weapons to Iraq via Jordan. The equipment in
question is used for boring the barrels of large cannons and is allegedly
intended for Saddam Hussein's Al Fao Supercannon project.
RUSSIA
[12]
According to the CIA World Factbook , Russia controls roughly 5.8
percent of Iraq's annual imports.
[13]
Under the U.N. oil-for-food program, Russia's
total trade with Iraq was somewhere between $530 million and $1
billion for the six months ending in December of 2001.
[14]
According to the Russian Ambassador to Iraq, Vladimir Titorenko, new
contracts worth another $200 million under the U.N. oil-for-food
program are to be signed over the next three months.
[15]
Soviet-era debt of $7 billion through $8 billion was generated by
arms sales to Iraq during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.
Russia's LUKoil negotiated a $4 billion, 23-year contract in 1997 to
rehabilitate the 15 billion-barrel West Qurna field in southern Iraq.
Work on the oil field was expected to commence upon cancellation of U.N.
sanctions on Iraq. The deal is currently on hold.
[16]
In October 2001, Salvneft, a Russian-Belarus company, negotiated a
$52 million service contract to drill at the Tuba field in Southern
Iraq.
[17]
In April 2001, Russia's Zaruezhneft company received a service
contract to drill in the Saddam, Kirkuk, and Bai Hassan fields to
rehabilitate the fields and reduce water incursion.
A future $40 billion Iraqi-Russian economic agreement, reportedly
signed in 2002, would allow for extensive oil exploration
opportunities throughout western Iraq.
[18]
The proposal calls for 67 new projects, over a
10-year time frame, to explore and further develop fields in
southern Iraq and theWestern Desert, including the Suba, Luhais, West Qurna,
and
Rumaila projects. Additional projects added to the deal include
second-phase
construction of a pipeline running from southern to northern Iraq,
and extensive drilling and gas projects. Work on these projects
would commence upon cancellation of sanctions.
[19]
Russia's Gazprom company over the past few years has signed
contracts worth $18 million to repair gas stations in Iraq.
[20]
The former Soviet Union was the premier supplier of Iraqi arms. From
1981 to 2001, Russia supplied Iraq with 50 percent of its arms.
CHINA
[21]
According to the CIA World Factbook ,
China controls roughly 5.8 percent of Iraq's annual imports.
[22]
China National Oil Company, partnered with China North Industries
Corp., negotiated a 22-year-long deal for future oil exploration in
the Al Ahdab field in southern Iraq.
[23]
In recent years, the Chinese Aero-Technology Import-Export Company
(CATIC) has been contracted to sell "meteorological satellite" and
"surface observation" equipment to Iraq. This contract was approved by the
U.N oil-for-food program.
[24]
CATIC also won approval from the U.N. in July 2000 to sell $2
million worth of fiber optic cables. This and similar contracts
approved were disguised as telecommunications gear.
These cables can be used for secure data
and communications links between national command and control
centers and long-range search radar, targeting radar, and missile-launch
units, according to U.S. officials. In addition, China National Electric
Wire & Cable and China National Technical Import Telecommunications
Equipment Company are believed to have sold Iraq $6 million and
$15.5 million worth of communications equipment and other unspecified
supplies,
respectively.
[25]
According to a report from SIPRI, from 1981 to 2001, China was the
second largest supplier of weapons and arms to Iraq, supplying over
18 percent of Iraq's weapons imports. [26]
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
> [1] Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook 2002 , at
> http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook .
> [2] Jon Talton, "French Ideals and Profits in the Iraqi Triangle",
> The Arizona Republic , February 23, 2003.
> [3] Jon Talton, "French Ideals and Profits in the Iraqi Triangle,"
> The Arizona Republic , February 23, 2003.
> [4] Kenneth Katzman, Iraq: Oil-for-Food Program, International
> Sanctions, and Illicit Trade , Congressional Research Service,
> September 26,2002.
> [5] Kenneth Katzman, Iraq: Oil-for-Food Program, International
> Sanctions, and Illicit Trade , Congressional Research Service,
> September 26, 2002.
> [6] Evelyn Iritani, "Hussein's Government Signs Lucrative
Contracts,
> Especially with Nations that Oppose the U.S. Led Effort to Oust
the
> Regime,"
> The Los Angeles Verdana,Arial,Helvetica , November 11, 2002.
> [7] Information from Stockholm International Peace
ResearchInstitute
> (SIPRI), "Arms Transfers to Iraq, 1981-2001," at
> http://projects.sipri.se/armstrade/IRQ_IMPORTS_1982-2001.pdf .
> [8] David R. Sands, "France, Germany Protect Iraq Ties,"
> The Washington Verdana,Arial,Helvetica , February 20, 2003.
> [9] David R. Sands, "France, Germany Protect Iraq Ties," The
> Washington Verdana,Arial,Helvetica , February 20, 2003.
> [10] "Africa Analysis-Trade Points Way to Peace", The Financial
> Verdana,Arial,Helvetica: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire , November
> 19, 2002.
> [11] Faye Bowers, "Driving Forces in War-Wary Nations: The Stances
> of France, Germany, Russia and China Are Colored by Economic and
> National Interests," Christian Science Monitor , February 25,
2003.
> [12] "Helping Saddam Rearm," The Wall Street Journal , October 11,
> 2002.
> [13] Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook 2002 , at
> http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook .
> [14] Testimony provided by Ariel Cohen to the House International
> Relations Committee, "Russia and the Axis of Evil: Money, Ambition
> and U.S.Interests," February 26, 2003.
> [15] Nelli Sharushkina, "Russia Plays the Field in Iraq-Mixed
> Signals Worry Baghdad," Energy Intelligence Briefing , February 5,
> 2003.
> [16] Dan Morgan and David B. Ottaway, "In Iraqi War Scenario, Oil
Is
> Key Issue," The Washington Post , September 15, 2002.
> http://www.heritage.org/Research/MiddleEast/wm217.cfm
