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Assalamu'alaikum,
IS OIL THE REAL TARGET IN AFGHANISTAN?
http://www.iacenter.org/nowar_oil.htm
For more analysis, visit http://www.iacenter.org/warcrisis.htm
Why are the Bush Administration and the Pentagon so intent on invading
Afghanistan? If Bush has the "evidence" he claims, why not bring Bin
Laden before the World Court? Are they really just interested in
bringing down the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden? After all, it was the
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, along with Pakistan's intelligence
forces who helped establish the Taliban as a base of power in
Afghanistan in the first place. As recently as May 2001, George W. Bush
sent the Taliban $43 million allegedly to aid in the fight against drugs
in northern Afghanistan, the one part of the country controlled by
opposition forces. Now Congress is allocating billions more dollars for
"America's new war." There's not much new about it, however.
U.S. bombs and missiles have killed hundreds of thousands of civilians
in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, Somalia and Afghanistan in the past
two decades alone. More often than not the aim has been to secure U.S.
control over the oil rich resources of the Middle East and southern
Asia, and this latest war drive, with the pretext of revenge for
September 11, may be no different.
Ever since the fall of the former Soviet Union ten years ago, Exxon,
Mobil, Chevron and the other big oil monopolies have been scheming to
get their hands on the vast oil and gas wealth around the Caspian Sea,
just north of Afghanistan. This region's oil reserves may reach more
than 60 billion barrels -- enough to service Europe's oil needs for 11
years. Some estimates are as high as 200 billion barrels. The Caspian
Sea reserves are 10 percent of the world's known supply -- worth about
$5 trillion at today's prices.
In February 1998, Unocal Corporation testified to the House Committee on
Internal Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific that the
"Taliban government in Afghanistan is an obstacle" to having an oil
pipeline from the Caspian region to the Indian Ocean -- that is, through
Afghanistan. In 1997, Unocal even tried to woo the Taliban with
billions of dollars to support the proposed pipeline through their
country. The unrecognized Taliban government, however, was a set back to
their plans.
Having a government in Afghanistan that is beholden to U.S. interests,
along with stationing U.S. troops in the former Soviet Republics of
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, would secure the region and
allow this project to proceed. And just in time, as far as the U.S. oil
companies are concerned, because there is international competition for
the Caspian Sea oil resources.
Russia and German companies had been trying to establish a pipeline from
the Caspian Sea through Eastern Europe, but U.S. bombing of Yugoslavia
blocked this plan. Russia, however, also brokered a treaty with Iran
for a pipeline route. China also began negotiating to build oil and gas
pipelines from Kazakhstan. In January 2001, oil industry journals
lamented that any chance the U.S. had of cementing alliances in the
region seemed doomed. They noted, however, that the incoming Bush
administration, heavy in oil and related interests, would likely try to
reverse this trend (www.caucasuswatch.com).
The U.S. has it's own oil reserves, and does not need to rely on oil
from abroad. However, Europe, Japan and Asia are dependent on oil from
the Middle East (oil that is controlled by U.S. and British companies)
and they are eager for alternative and cheaper sources. The continuous
U.S. bombing of Iraq has kept oil prices high enough to make
construction of a U.S.-owned pipeline seem possible. The profits to be
made from controlling the flow of oil are the issue at stake in "America
's new war."
Issued by Philadelphia International Action Center, 813 S. 48th St.,
Philadelphia, PA 19143, 215-724-1618, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Posted 10/14/01
International Action Center
39 West 14th Street, Room 206
New York, NY 10011
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WE AFFIRM THAT INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE!!!!
"O you who believe, fasting is made obligatory on you as it was made for
those before you, so that you may achieve Taqwa (God Consciousness).
(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a
journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For
those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that
is indigent. But he that w ill give more, of his own free will,- it is
better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.
Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to
mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and
wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month
should spend it in fas ting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the
prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. God intends every
facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you)
to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has
guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful." (Holy Qur'an 2:183-185)
Information on Fasting In Islam: http://www.inin.net/fasting.htm
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