From: "David Guyatt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The following is extracted from Bill Murphy's regular "Midas" gold market commentary. It is interesting because it again demonstrate that oil does, indeed, have a "geopolitical" flavour to it - as it did back in 1973 when Bilderberg was instrumental in causing a fourfold increase in oil (the so-called "oil shock") and then cunningly blamed it on OPEC. The end result - as always - is that the tax-payer picks up the tab of the foreign policy crowd without ever being asked or informed and the third world who are reliant on oil get thrashed again. Same crowd. Same game. I also like the bit about Bush junior and his Lebanese backers. David **** A very well connected Café follower sent me the following regarding oil, gold, Middle East politics, etc. I found it most intriguing as well as eye opening: "I have been lately in contact with some very knowledgeable persons who have both a deep understanding and degree of involvement in the Middle East peace process. They say the recent oil strength has quite a strong geopolitical flavour to it and that it is here to stay for a while. It is no secret to anyone that Israel has unofficially claimed it needed about $65 bln (some even mutter $100 bln) in order to abandon the Golan Heights and withdraw from South Lebanon within the scope of a global peace treaty. One might ask "Where will the money come from?" Certainly not the US, not directly at least. "According to these sources, while there is no denial that oil firms are experiencing some pumping & delivery problems (e.g. Venezuela & gasoline), there undoubtedly is another agenda aiming at raising the necessary funds for a long awaited peace deal. In fact, it is the Arabs (again) who will be providing the bulk of the funds, certainly "helped" by the surge in oil prices, which should still range between $28 & $40 in the coming 6 months until some positive developments unfold in the region. I guess none of the players would oppose such an orderly rise as long as it doesn't create any energy panic or wreak havoc in the US. It might even cool off a tad an overheating economy . "Anyhow, the story goes even further. I am told that one of the main and biggest Republican (read Bush Jr.) party donors is billionaire Rafic Hariri, Lebanon's former Prime Minister with extremely strong ties with the Arabs, mainly the Saudis with whom he made his fortune during the 70s. Wouldn't be surprised to see Arab money indirectly rerouted towards Texas via local oil corps. As an aside, you might recall that President Chirac of France owes Hariri a large part of his presidential victory and their strong friendship is notorious. Hariri, if elected and parliament permitting, would be quick to consider selling Lebanon's 9 million ounces (roughly 300 tonnes) of gold in order to restructure and repay its heavy debt. In fact, Central Bank's governor, Riad Salame (ex Merrill & given the post by Hariri himself) has already often alluded to "effectively managing" the country's gold reserves. "It all seems very foggy at the present time, the whereabouts are still largely unknown, but one thing is certain: the oil price strength is here to stay and it has deeper implications than most of us can imagine. "Take it for what it's worth." End. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DON'T HATE YOUR RATE! Get a NextCard Visa, in 30 seconds! Get rates as low as 0.0% Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR and no hidden fees. Apply NOW! http://click.egroups.com/1/2120/2/_/475667/_/953201635/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------
