Indeed it is an imperialist war for oil...

[Pepe]

10:19 09Apr2003 RTRS-UPDATE 1-Crowds cheer as U.S. Marines near Baghdad centre

    BAGHDAD, April 9 (Reuters) - Hundreds of jubilant Iraqis mobbed a convoy of U.S. Marines on Wednesday, cheering, dancing and waving as American troops swept towards central Baghdad through slums and leafy suburbs from the east.
    Reuters correspondent Sean Maguire said crowds threw flowers at the Marines as they drove past the Martyrs' Monument, just three km (two miles) east of the central Jumhuriya Bridge over the Tigris river.
    "These are quite extraordinary scenes," Maguire said after a morning's drive through first the rundown sprawl of Saddam City and then more prosperous, suburbs with villas and trim lawns.
    The crowds, mainly young and middle-aged men, many wearing the soccer shirts of leading western clubs like Manchester United, shouted: "Hello, hello" as Marines advanced through local traffic.
    "No more (President) Saddam Hussein," chanted one group, waving to troops as they passed. "We love you, we love you."
    One young man ran alongside a Marine armoured personnel carrier trying to hand over a heavy belt of ammunition.
    An older man made a wild kicking gesture with his foot, saying "Goodbye Saddam."
 


Notwithstanding this, there will be people denying the evidence...

[funkedup]

[StSanta]

Having lived in constant tyranny for so long it is not surprising that it takes a lot to convince the Iraqi people that this time around, Saddam WILL go.

Basra in '91 is also embedded in their minds. It wasn't so long ago that the US semi-let the people there down, suggesting that they'd help but in the end electing not to.

With a bit of luck, this war could be over soon. I hope more and more Iraqis, including the Iraqi soldiers, will realize that US intent isn't occupation. Sure, the Iraqi people will pay a price for freedom; occupation for a bit, contracts going to Western (US) companies, war paid for by Iraqi oil, but what they gain, if democracy is succesfully installed, is worth many times more than what they pay.

IMHO, of course.

[Martlet]

Do we have any players from Arab nations?

One thing I've noticed, and it seems to be consistent with the Arab race, is that they smack images with their shoe.  It seems to be an insult of some kind, but I don't know how/why.  Anyone know what the history behind this is?  It's obviously not just coincidence.

[Toad]

My Santa... you're going to get tossed out of Club Euro if you keep talking like that.

[Dowding]

Any contracts gone to British companies yet, out of interest?

Oil alone will not pay for reconstruction. There will need to be outside investment.

[lazs2]

the Brits deserve to share equal credit with the Americans for this... Thier effort is proportional... Let's not forget Spain and the other coalition members either.
lazs

[hawk220]

Let's not forget Spain and the other coalition members either


good point. there were 200 Polish troops there, are there any reports how they performed?

[Saurdaukar]

Originally posted by hawk220
[B


there were 200 Polish troops there, are there any reports how they performed? [/B]

Last I heard from my Euro buddies, the Poles were instumental in the success of "special ops" moves.

[crowMAW]

Charon's post can't be beat in response to this...

http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=820881#post820881

[Pepe]

I disagree.

I think Charon's right about this war being about a lot of things. I don't thing Oil is the most important issue, although it is obvious it is an important one. If I have to think on the single most important aspect, I would say is war on terror. US lost its innocence on 9/11, and is acting accordingly.

I think the US goal on this was (is) to give the world a clear indication on what to expect. Terrorists assume that as long as they remain fuzzy against the background no sovereign nation is going to haunt them. US action is aimed (I think) to break this assumption and tell governments who shelter (or are suspected to shelter) there are a fair chance of being attacked if they are believed to be a threat to US, wether with or without UN support.

Afghan has no oil, and has been attacked too.

Let's see how N.Korea evolves.

Whatever way I look at it, I think this war as a tiny bit of a much wider picture. IMHO, we are seeing another step in a huge change in international relations and balance of power.

Reducing this to a war for oil is shortsighted.

[crowMAW]

Pepe, I think you need to do some more research on the neo-conservativies and the "Pax Americana" vision that they have, which was formulated long before 9-11.

If this war was to reduce terrorism it will fail miserably...it has been the best recruiting drive that Al Qaeda has ever had.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/896967.asp?0cl=c1

[Stringer]

Martlet,
In some Arab cultures (if not all, not sure though), it is an insult to show the bottom of your shoe to another person.

[Pepe]

CrowMAW, I am not an american myself, so my knowledge is only limited. But I think you need to do more research on the neo-liberals and the "No Blood for Oil" mantra they have, which, I'm afraid, is the habitual and worn "whatever for money" argument when questioning US behaviour. Talking about Iraq oil reserves, it is not clear even if they will be enough to pay for reconstruction.

Wether this battle will reduce or not terrorism, unless you are happy owner of a first grade crystal ball, I would say you are as clueless as the rest of us.

I'm sure your assertion about recruiting masses for Al-Quaeda cause is not true between iraqui population. And I am doubtful about the rest of the Arab countries.

You can focus as long and intensely as you like on the short term. That will not change the fact that the process we are involved in is of a very long term nature. And only time will tell if the strategy is right or wrong.

[Monk]

Hey Ya'll,  

Don't forget the Aussies!