Open go for US oil corporations in Iraq

"No Blood for Oil" was a popular slogan voiced by millions of 
demonstrators around the world against the invasion of Iraq. It was 
emblazoned on T-shirts, written on placards and shouted by demonstrators. 
At the time Bush, Blair and Howard ridiculed the idea and pedalled their 
lies that the war was about weapons of mass destruction and "regime 
change".

President Bush has recently quietly signed executive order 13303, that not 
only gives US oil companies an open go but is a classic example of the 
criminal nature of the US Government and of the oil corporations. These 
corporations are a major driving force behind the attempts of the US 
Government to control oil resources wherever they are found.

Writing in the Melbourne Age, columnist Kenneth Davidson says, "In a 
report last month for the US Democratic legal think tank Government 
Accountability Project, the legal director, Tom Devine, said that in terms 
of legal liability, 13303 'cancels the concept of corporate accountability 
and abandons the rule of law. [It] is a blank cheque for corporate anarchy. 
Its sweeping, unqualified language places the industry above domestic and 
international law for anything related to commerce in Iraqi oil'.

"The immunity is unconstrained. The opening sentence decrees that 'any 
judicial process' is 'null and void' Section 1(b) shields the value 'of any 
value whatsoever' if it is 'related to' the 'sale or marketing of all Iraqi 
petroleum and petroleum products' or 'interests'".

Kenneth Davidson goes on: "According to Devine: 'That means all corporate 
activities with roots or any connection to Iraqi oil. It covers everything 
from extraction through transportation, advertising, manufacture, customer 
service, corporate records and payment of taxes. It covers compliance with 
contractual obligations involving Iraq that industry enters into with the 
US Government in postwar Iraq.'"

Licence to loot

Kenneth Davidson says the "The executive order applies to US 'persons' 
(including corporations or other organisations) who 'come into possession 
or control' of anything relevant to Iraqi oil or oil products. Devine 
comments, 'Translated from the legalese, this is a license for corporations 
to loot Iraq and its citizens."

Bush's order "is built on UN Security Council resolution 1483, which ended 
sanctions against Iraq and led to the establishment of the Development Fund 
for Iraq into which all proceeds from future sales of Iraqi oil and gas 
will be placed.

"The development fund is controlled by Paul Bremer, who is in charge of the 
US occupation of Iraq and it will be overseen by a board that includes 
representatives of the UN, the World Bank and the IMF.

"According to Devine: 'Under the executive order there is no accountability 
to the taxpayers for taxpayer-supported spending by firms with US 
contracts. It cancels liability for civil fraud in government contracts 
under the False Claims Act, the most effective anti-fraud statute. In 
short, the order is a blank cheque for pork-barrel spending.'"

Kenneth Davidson asks: "for how long will US troops be prepared to risk 
death for Bush's Texas oil mates?"

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"No Blood for Oil" T-shirts still available from CPA,
65 Campbell Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010.
Price $16 plus $2 postage. Sizes M, L, XL, XXL