>>>Really??? So when General Franks takes over he will be asking the Iraqi people what to do with the oil wells?...And they are free to just say 'leave them alone and we will deal with them after you are gone'?
>>
>>It will take sometime to help setup a government, but we have no desire to stay over there. Basically, we want to help the Iraqis setup a democratic government, then get out.
>
>You didn't even come close to answering the question!

Once again, the Iraqi people are free to do with their oil what they wish.

>>>After Iraq has been obliterated, the costs of reconstruction will be massive. Everyone who comments on that issues states unequivocally that Iraqi oil revenue will be used to pay for all this. No question about it.
>>>How does this square with the reality you suggest? Why is it that the people of IRAQ are responsible for paying the reconstruction bill, and no doubt "reparations" to the U.S. and U.K. for their own war costs?????
>>
>>http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=540&ncid=716&e=2&u=/ap/20030319/ap_on_re_mi_ea/un_iraq_relief_money
>Did you read it?...Carefully?
>It is talking about EXISTING money in the "food for oil" account and it is talking about HUMANITARIAN relief. I can see how bridges and building will quickly become "humanitarian"!

Good point. I do not know who is going to pay for the reconstruction costs. I imagine it will be handled by the U.N. Do you have any sources you can provide on your statement that Iraqi oil revenues will be used to pay for reconstruction?

>>>You make it all sound so simple, but it really isn't so simple, is it?
>>
>>The basic concept is simple... the oil belongs to Iraq, not the United States. If we really wanted to, we could go in there and take the oil for ourselves. We don't want to do that.
>
>Right. It will all look so clinically clean, yet you will still get the OIL. Why not say it like it is???

I do not know if we will be able to buy the oil from the Iraqis. I certainly hope so, but they may decide not to. Exactly how are we going to get the oil if Iraq decides not to sell it to us?

While you are at it, please respond to Message #766807.