In other words: A discussion of The Bush Administration
Saddam 'offered Bush a huge oil deal to avert war'
Days before the US invasion of Iraq, Saddam Hussein's spy chiefs attempted to buy off the Bush administration with huge oil concessions, it was reported yesterday.
The offer of lucrative oil and mineral deals for US companies was conveyed to Richard Perle, an influential Pentagon adviser, but was rejected as yet another stalling tactic.
The White House noted yesterday that Saddam was given 48 hours to leave Iraq and avert war, but refused. Scott McClellan, the president's spokesman, said: "The United States exhausted every legitimate and credible opportunity to resolve this peacefully."
So I guess this means the war was about more than oil.
On the eve of war, Iraq publicly offered unlimited access for American and British weapons hunters.
In private, Mr Hage said they offered co-operation in the Middle East peace process, unlimited access for 2,000 US weapons hunters, and a pledge that US companies would be granted first priority in securing valuable Iraqi oil and mining concessions.
Habbush, who is number 16 on the US list of Iraq's most wanted, was also reported to have offered to hand over Abdul Rahman Yasin, an Islamic militant who fled to Iraq after being indicted in connection with the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing in New York.
Mr Perle met Mr Hage in London, with CIA and Pentagon permission, and was told that Iraqi spy chiefs wanted to meet him in Beirut. But when he sought CIA guidance, he was told that the Bush administration was not interested. "I was given the impression that there had already been contacts," said Mr Perle.
Hmmm... improved insepctions and the handing over a terrorist. Then what was this all about?
- rob 4:52 PM - [PermaLink] -
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