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Friday, March 28, 2003
Wenceslao: Post-war Iraq
By Bong Wenceslao
Lost in the frenzy of the giant television networks’ coverage of the US-led war on Iraq was the report of the British Broadcasting Network (BBC) the other day. The item, flashed in but a few seconds, talked about an oil firm, where US Vice President Dick Cheney was formerly connected, bagging a contract to rehabilitate Iraq’s oil wells.
This must have been one of the things that prodded British Prime Minister Tony Blair to go to Camp David and talk things out with US President George W. Bush. Indeed, while prosecuting the war has become trickier than expected (the Iraqis are not surrendering in droves as yet), talking about a post-war Iraq will be even more so.
The bone of contention will surely be Iraq’s oil. In a speech before the British House of Commons, Blair assuaged the fear of his colleagues about the US exploiting that resource by claiming Iraq’s oil will be given back to the government that will take over that of Saddam Hussein’s. Apparently, that claim was not etched in stone.
Now, Bush and Blair seem to have different views on a post-war Iraq. The US wants Iraq to be under the control of coalition forces—meaning under a US-appointed administrator—during the rehabilitation process. Blair wants Iraq to be under United Nation’s supervision. With the money the US poured on the endeavor, I doubt if Bush will agree to Blair’s plan.
But what I am interested in is how US, and even British, big business will outmaneuver honest plans for Iraq’s rehabilitation. They must be salivating at Iraq’s oil potentials even now. And if western big business succeeds in profiting from a post-war Iraq setup, then we need no other proof that the US-led invasion is but another western imperialist undertaking
BOMBS AWAY. As the US-led coalition is tightening its noose on Baghdad, it is also increasing the number of bombs targeted at the Iraqi capital. As a result, the number of civilians killed or were wounded have increased. The latest “collateral damage” was a marketplace there. Scenes like that only deepen the hatred of the Iraqis against the US.
Even well meaning people outside of Iraq are worried at the rise in civilian casualties. And I doubt if the not-so-rabid pro-war people can, in conscience, still clap as blood, including those of US-led coalition troops, is being spilt on Iraq’s grounds. We have pointed this out earlier: war is messy. Those who say it isn’t are naïve or sadists.
“Lives are wasted because of the arrogance of Bush,” complained Text Reax contributor Meredith Bianes of Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City. Runddie Suarez of West Poblacion, Naga Cebu, for his part, has this proposition: What if the Iraqis and the Americans changed shoes? Indeed, pain is only felt deeply if we are the ones hit.
“Even if Bush will eventually topple Saddam from power,” said Jurlyn Mendoza of Mabolo, Cebu City, “he’ll have his hands full of the blood of thousands of people, be they Iraqis or Americans.” Andy Leo Magbanua of Balamban, Cebu and Jay Gil of Banawa, Cebu City consider the war in Iraq stupid.
For his part, Bob Johnson Perkins advised me not to “hold hatred of the past” but “just say no to war.” Actually, the suggestion is hard to do because it is difficult to oppose the US-led coalition’s attack on Iraq without pointing to the world’s experience in previous wars. As they say, those who forget the lessons of the past are bound to repeat it. And, indeed, we are.
Finally, here’s Engr. Sukarno Tiannok of Punta Princesa, Cebu City: “I salute you for writing the right views about the Us-led war on Iraq. Keep it up.”
(For your Text Reax contributions, my cell phone number is 09166496783. Please give your complete name and address. E-mail: opinion@ sunstar.com.ph and cowens21@lycos.com)
(March 28, 2003 issue)
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