Critics Charge Control of Oil Behind Bush Drive for War with Iraq

Interview with Michael Klare,professor of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College,conducted by Between The Lines'Scott Harris

With the White House moving rapidly to deploy troops and weapons necessary for their war against Iraq, the diplomatic endgame is now in sight. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's presentation of evidence at the Security Council represented a final effort by the Bush administration to gain support for their war plans from an ever more skeptical American public, European allies, Russia and China. While it's not yet clear whether Mr. Bush will seek a second resolution from the U.N. authorizing military action - it is almost certain the president is willing to disregard growing international opposition and launch a unilateral U.S. attack if necessary.

The Bush administration puts forth three major reasons to justify their plans for war: to destroy Baghdad's alleged weapons of mass destruction, to confront and reduce the threat of international terrorism; and to promote democracy in Iraq and the Middle East. But, although little talked about in the U.S., one of the major issues at stake in any future war with Baghdad is control of Iraqi oil. With Iraq sitting on top of the world's second largest reserves of crude oil, the potential prize for the U.S. and American oil companies is enormous.

Colin Powell stated recently that if the U.S. ousts Saddam Hussein from power, America plans to hold Iraq's oil fields "in trust." But the industry publication, Oil Daily reported that the State Department's oil and gas working group has been meeting to discuss post-war management of Iraq's oil sector, including the possibility of privatizing the industry. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Michael Klare, professor of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College, who assesses the control of Iraqi oil as a central motive behind President Bush's plan for a second Persian Gulf War.

Michael Klare is the author of "Resource Wars: The New Landscape of Global Conflict," published by Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt.

Related Links:

"Reaping the Spoils of War, Ousting Saddam could put U.S. oil giants in 'driver's seat,'" by Lisa Sanders, cbs.marketwatch.com, Jan. 31, 2003

Articles by Michael Klare:

"Bogus Reasons for War on Iraq," Alternet.org

"Washington's Oilpolitik"

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