The coming attack on Iran explained

"I explained to the Prime Minister that, you know, that the policy of my government is the removal of Saddam, and that all options are on the table."

Presidential Press conference with Tony Blair CRAWFORD, Texas April 6 2002

"This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous."
(Short pause)
"And having said that, all options are on the table."
"Even the White House stenographers felt obliged to note the result: '(Laughter)."

The Washington Post's Dan Froomkin on George Bush's Feb. 22 2005 press conference)

If you wish to understand the current declared, public and nonsensical US Mid-East policy and the secret separate US policy dictated by the shadowy neo-cons the following article is essential reading - it is pointless to try to précis it, here is a start ... ;

Petrodollar Warfare: Dollars, Euros and the Upcoming Iranian Oil Bourse
by William R. Clark (Friday August 05 2005)

"Contemporary warfare has traditionally involved underlying conflicts regarding economics and resources. Today these intertwined conflicts also involve international currencies, and thus increased complexity. Current geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran extend beyond the publicly stated concerns regarding Iran's nuclear intentions, and likely include a proposed Iranian "petroeuro" system for oil trade. Similar to the Iraq war, military operations against Iran relate to the macroeconomics of 'petrodollar recycling' and the unpublicized but real challenge to U.S. dollar supremacy from the euro as an alternative oil transaction currency.

It is now obvious the invasion of Iraq had less to do with any threat from Saddam's long-gone WMD program and certainly less to do to do with fighting International terrorism than it has to do with gaining strategic control over Iraq's hydrocarbon reserves and in doing so maintain the U.S. dollar as the monopoly currency for the critical international oil market.(pic Chavez & Saddam Aug 10th 2000 Baghdad)

In essence, Iran is about to commit a far greater "offense" than Saddam Hussein's conversion to the euro for Iraq's oil exports in the fall of 2000. Beginning in March 2006, the Tehran government has plans to begin competing with New York's NYMEX and London's IPE with respect to international oil trades – using a euro-based international oil-trading mechanism.The proposed Iranian oil bourse signifies that without some sort of US intervention, the euro is going to establish a firm foothold in the international oil trade. Given U.S. debt levels and the stated neoconservative project of U.S. global domination, Tehran's objective constitutes an obvious encroachment on dollar supremacy in the crucial international oil market."

It is equally important to read (Note the Dates);

William Clark, "Revisited - The Real Reasons for the Upcoming War with Iraq: A Macroeconomic and Geostrategic Analysis of the Unspoken Truth," January 2003 (updated January 2004)

Here in full is an article that appeared in Counterpunch shortly after , by a non-academic, non-economist who independently came to similar conclusions. Even though copies were sent to all the UK cabinet members – no answer was ever received. Nor, despite considerable effort was it accepted by any Major UK paper, TV , Radio service.

February 26, 2003 An Open Letter to Tony Blair Stand Tall, But Tell the Truth

by EDWARD TEAGUE

Dear Tony,
Stand tall, yield to no-one. Your stand by George is to be admired. You need however, to tell the UK electorate the truth.

1. This war is to protect US interests. The US has a massive Trade Deficit, revealed only on Friday for Y/E 2002 @ $460Bn.

2. That means for the US they have to maintain the flow of dollars in world trade / capital flows etc., (Gordon will provide details)--so far this has been mainly supported by the Japanese buying US Bonds, property etc.,

3.However, the euro since launching has shown a very healthy appreciation against the $ caused by;

4. Build up of national Forex reserves in Euros worldwide--UK, Russia, China(see Prodi's visit Sept 2002 with Chirac), and consequent run down of $ rserves overseas--EU etc.,

5. Increasing world trade denominated in euros--EU has bigger share of World Trade than US--set to rise when EU expands.

6.Iraq denominated oil sales inn euros in April 2000 and UN held reserves. Then euro = 83 cents$ now (today) $1.09 a 20% appreciation.

7.Venezuela holding back oil supplies, arranging barter deals. Euro bond market increasing worldwide--eg. Oil producing Maylaysia raised $500Mn $ bonds for State Oil Co.

8. Resulting not only in $/euro decline but increased oil/energy cost in US (e.g gas at the pump up from $1.20 June 2002 to $1.90 plus today.

9.France wants to sell Air Buses in euros. Maximise returns on costs incurred in euros.

10.By the way, don't forget that George II dismissed Kyoto obligations and Under Secretary Bolton (jewish) signed letter to Khofi Annan withdrawing from World Court proposals. (Also factor on counterfeit $'s from Iran and DPRK). When will the drugs merchants want payment in euros?

Therefore as you have seen the only route is for US (unless they sell dollars to buy euros and prompt further decline in the dollar), to use it's second major tool for dominating world affairs and economy--Military force. Hence need for swift, short, sharp resolution at UN. Those not with us(US) are against us--buy off the Turks with aid, sort out post Saddam trade with French and Russians. (Main recipient of Iraqi oil (currently) is US via Russian Oil traders).

Therefore your bold move to support is to be applauded. As everyone knows, Saddam has no weapons of mass destruction (i.e gas, biological nor the means of deliveryo outside Iraq) including all military forces in NATO and UN also know such weapons have limited lethality or use in the battlefield.

Iraq has not and is unlikely to have nuclear weapons or means of delivery in foreseeable future.

Nobody gives a shit about Iraqi people--expendable as, Ruandans, Matabele that Mugabe slaughtered (with North Korean mercenary help) in 1,000's, everyone stood back whilst millions of people lost lives in Iran/Iraq war.

Therefore your policy is not only wise but the only sensible one available.
Be careful however that, if on the "fog of war" the Israelis decide to resolve the Palestinian problem, a la Sabra and Chattila camps.

As a point of solidarity I will be circulating my letter of support for you.
Regards
Edward Teague

Why did Saddam decide to sell his oil exports in Euros ?

The theory that by getting the UN to agree to Oil for Food (OFF) sales being made in Euros for Iraqi oil and for the proceeds to banked at Paribas in Paris, France, precipitated the reprisal of a full blown invasion, still receives no exposure, analysis or comment in the mainstream of academia, the Press or the world’s Think Tanks.

Nor, does the origin of Saddam’s policy get any traction. Simply, in May 2001 Castro toured Iran (see pic) , Syria and Libya – he is reported as saying (Agence France Press) in Teheran "Iran and Cuba, in cooperation with each other, can bring America to its knees. The U.S. regime is very weak, and we are witnessing this weakness from close up."

His objectives on the trip are detailed by Jaime Suchlicki, Director, Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies, September 2001 Pic Assad & Castro May 15th 2001)

"Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union, Castro continues to undermine U.S. policies in the Middle East in several ways:

a)by portraying U.S. actions and diplomacy in the region as those of an aggressor, seeking to impose hegemony by force, particularly in Iraq and the perpetration ofunjustified economic sanctions on Iraq and Iran;

b)by portraying the U.S. as the main obstacle to a peaceful settlement of the Israel/Arab conflict;

c) discrediting U.S. policies and seeking support for Cuba at the U.N.

These anti-American views and policies are conveyed as a systematic message through a network of Cuban embassies and agents, as well as at the U.N. and other non-governmental political, religious and cultural organizations.

While not abandoning his close relationships in the Middle East, Castro has recently concentrated his support on several groups: the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), where Castro, and his new ally Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, see significant possibilities for success; ETA, the Basque terrorist/separatist organization from Spain, which has found refuge and support in Cuba, and the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which established its Latin American headquarters in Havana."

In the September 0f 2001 the OPEC heads-of-state summit was held -- the first in 25 years – hosted in Caracas by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Publicly he criticized the world's industrial powers for expecting cheap energy, and complained that Third World debt is more crippling to the world's impoverished than costly fuel.

Privately he encouraged OPEC to make a stand against the US oil hegemony.

Chavez, who had paved the way for the summit during a tour of the Middle East in August, (pic Khatami and Chavez) urged fellow leaders to become advocates for developing nations and to join forces in fighting U.N. sanctions against Iraq.

When the conference was over Iranian President Mohammad Khatami met Cuban leader Fidel Castro during an official visit to the island following the OPEC summit in nearby Venezuela.

In January 2001 Saddam at the time George Dubya was taking control in Washington after being sworn in, Saddam made the first move.

The rest as they say, is history.