Wolfowitz Fesses Up: Iraq War Was About Oil - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Nomad · 06-04-2003, 01:16 PM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story...970331,00.html

-Snip-

Oil was the main reason for military action against Iraq, a leading White House hawk has claimed, confirming the worst fears of those opposed to the US-led war.

The US deputy defence secretary, Paul Wolfowitz - who has already undermined Tony Blair's position over weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by describing them as a "bureaucratic" excuse for war - has now gone further by claiming the real motive was that Iraq is "swimming" in oil.

EDIT - A hoax ? ...
http://dod.mil/transcripts/2003/tr20...secdef0246.htm

They started It.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/923054/posts

The_Dude · 06-04-2003, 01:47 PM

any other source beside the guardian?

Simple_Min · 06-04-2003, 01:55 PM

I'm not sure if I posted this elsewhere, but use this as a backup to Nomad's post.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=2840293

Quote:

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The U.S. decision to stress the threat posed by Iraq's supposed weapons of mass destruction above all others was taken for "bureaucratic" reasons to justify the war, U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was quoted as saying in remarks released on Wednesday.
Wolfowitz, seen as one of the most hawkish figures in the Bush administration's policy on Iraq, said President Saddam Hussein's alleged cache of chemical, biological and possibly nuclear weapons was merely one of several reasons behind the decision to go to war.

"For bureaucratic reasons, we settled on one issue, weapons of mass destruction, because it was the one reason everyone could agree on," Wolfowitz was quoted as saying in Vanity Fair magazine's July issue.

4thTimeLucky · 06-04-2003, 02:51 PM

I can remember all the pre-war talk of "of course this isn't about oil, that is so naieve."

In fact I was one of those who thought that this wasn't about oil -I thought it was about lots of hidden agendas, but not oil.

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe the US is more oil thirsty than I thought. Or maybe Wolfowitz is determined to stir things up a bit.

Dilbert1234567 · 06-04-2003, 03:45 PM

america is not oil thursty, its is the head of the country that is.

The_Dude · 06-04-2003, 03:47 PM

wolfwowitz was the #1 hawk in the administration.

he always wanted war, and if he fesess up....

Simple_Min · 06-04-2003, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 4thTimeLucky
I can remember all the pre-war talk of "of course this isn't about oil, that is so naieve."

In fact I was one of those who thought that this wasn't about oil -I thought it was about lots of hidden agendas, but not oil.

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe the US is more oil thirsty than I thought. Or maybe Wolfowitz is determined to stir things up a bit.

You're being Anti-American.

We love Petrol. By using up petrol we show our patriotism. You outsider would never understand.

http://www.sfgate.com//gate/graphics...23/hybrids.swf

For more reasons also see: http://www.idontcareaboutair.com/index.shtml

rth9821 · 06-04-2003, 07:19 PM

Here's what he actually said

Quote:

Look, the primarily difference -- to put it a little too simply -- between North Korea and Iraq is that we had virtually no economic options with Iraq because the country floats on a sea of oil. In the case of North Korea, the country is teetering on the edge of economic collapse and that I believe is a major point of leverage whereas the military picture with North Korea is very different from that with Iraq. The problems in both cases have some similarities but the solutions have got to be tailored to the circumstances which are very different.

http://www.defenselink.mil/transcrip...ecdef0246.html

(Nomad, your url wasn't working for me)

KillerYoda · 06-05-2003, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dilbert1234567
america is not oil thursty, its is the head of the country that is.

You obviously haven't driven on a road anywhere in a America. People seem to worry more about how big their spoiler is than the miles-per-gallon their vehicle gets.

Mr. Mojo · 06-05-2003, 03:31 AM

"The difference between North Korea and Iraq, Wolfowitz said, is that the United States could not use economic pressure to strangle Hussein's regime "because the country floats on a sea of oil." North Korea, by comparison, is near economic collapse, and that offers "a major point of leverage," he said."

Wolfowitz urges N. Korea to view China as model
http://www.sunspot.net/news/nationwo...al-nationworld

Dragonlich · 06-05-2003, 10:13 AM

Interesting: Something similar was posted on another (Dutch) discussion board. The same out-of-context quotes are leading to the same "I told you so" reactions from the same type of people.

HE DID NOT SAY IT WAS ABOUT OIL.

Wolfy said that because of Iraq's oil supplies, ignoring them (like North-Korea) would not have produced the collapse of the regime.

Charlatan · 06-05-2003, 10:51 AM

It isn't ALL about oil but it is about oil nonetheless.

Regardless whether the US allows elections to occur in Iraq the US will have some control over the oil policies of Iraq as such this gives them an in with OPEC.

A very favourable position.

smooth · 06-05-2003, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Charlatan
It isn't ALL about oil but it is about oil nonetheless.

Regardless whether the US allows elections to occur in Iraq the US will have some control over the oil policies of Iraq as such this gives them an in with OPEC.

A very favourable position.

I wouldn't say an "in" so much as OPEC has to restructure itself to account for Iraq's production or exempt Iraq from OPEC's quota.

Currently, however, prices have dropped due to the fact that the market is saturated due to the expectation that we would need more oil than we used in the Iraq war.

06-04-2003, 01:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nomad Heathen Location: California	Wolfowitz Fesses Up: Iraq War Was About Oil http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story...970331,00.html -Snip- Oil was the main reason for military action against Iraq, a leading White House hawk has claimed, confirming the worst fears of those opposed to the US-led war. The US deputy defence secretary, Paul Wolfowitz - who has already undermined Tony Blair's position over weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by describing them as a "bureaucratic" excuse for war - has now gone further by claiming the real motive was that Iraq is "swimming" in oil. EDIT - A hoax ? ... http://dod.mil/transcripts/2003/tr20...secdef0246.htm They started It. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/923054/posts Last edited by Nomad; 06-04-2003 at 02:58 PM..

06-04-2003, 01:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
The_Dude The GrandDaddy of them all! Location: Austin, TX	any other source beside the guardian? __________________ "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

06-04-2003, 02:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
4thTimeLucky Psycho Location: 4th has left the building - goodbye folks	I can remember all the pre-war talk of "of course this isn't about oil, that is so naieve." In fact I was one of those who thought that this wasn't about oil -I thought it was about lots of hidden agendas, but not oil. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe the US is more oil thirsty than I thought. Or maybe Wolfowitz is determined to stir things up a bit. __________________ I've been 4thTimeLucky, you've been great. Goodnight and God bless!

06-04-2003, 03:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dilbert1234567 Devils Cabana Boy Location: Central Coast CA	america is not oil thursty, its is the head of the country that is. __________________ Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen

06-04-2003, 03:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
The_Dude The GrandDaddy of them all! Location: Austin, TX	wolfwowitz was the #1 hawk in the administration. he always wanted war, and if he fesess up.... __________________ "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

06-05-2003, 03:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
Mr. Mojo Addict Location: NYC	"The difference between North Korea and Iraq, Wolfowitz said, is that the United States could not use economic pressure to strangle Hussein's regime "because the country floats on a sea of oil." North Korea, by comparison, is near economic collapse, and that offers "a major point of leverage," he said." Wolfowitz urges N. Korea to view China as model http://www.sunspot.net/news/nationwo...al-nationworld __________________ When I jerk off I feel good for about twenty seconds and then WHAM it's right back into suicidal depression

06-05-2003, 10:13 AM	#11 (permalink)
Dragonlich 42, baby! Location: The Netherlands	Interesting: Something similar was posted on another (Dutch) discussion board. The same out-of-context quotes are leading to the same "I told you so" reactions from the same type of people. HE DID NOT SAY IT WAS ABOUT OIL. Wolfy said that because of Iraq's oil supplies, ignoring them (like North-Korea) would not have produced the collapse of the regime.

06-05-2003, 10:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	It isn't ALL about oil but it is about oil nonetheless. Regardless whether the US allows elections to occur in Iraq the US will have some control over the oil policies of Iraq as such this gives them an in with OPEC. A very favourable position. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke