French boycott? That doesn’t sound so bad, really. The French never have liked us anyway and we could get along without Evian water.
Why boycott? Because not only have the French dissented against the war in Iraq and thrown a wrench in the Bush administration’s plans, they have trotted the globe working against American diplomacy. According to the March 13 New York Times, White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer commented, “France rejected the British [and U.S., U.N. Security Council] proposal before the Iraqis did.” Does this sound like an ally?
It is reasonable to think that France, as well as other dissidents Russia and Germany, all are claiming moral high ground by opposing war in Iraq. However, don’t be so quick to think highly of them. Puff Daddy, in his infinite wisdom, said it best, “It’s all about the Benjamins.”
France has billions of dollars of contracts with Iraq. According to the BBC World Edition, France has exported $3.5 billion in goods to Iraq since 1991, despite the post-Gulf War UN embargo. France also sold Iraq $650 million worth of goods in 2001, more than any other country, and was the Western country with the most representatives at last November’s Baghdad Trade Fair.
But wait, it gets better. The notion that America is driven by imperialist desires to seize Iraq’s vast oil fields is bunk. France, as well as others around the world, have perpetuated this fallacy. It has the not-so-informed among us believing that France’s, Russia’s and Germany’s intentions are not quite as simple-minded and transparent as to be about money. Yeah, right. They, too, are occasionally blinded by the almighty dollar.
Nicolas Sarkis, of Arab Oil and Gas magazine, says France’s state-controlled oil company TotalFinaElf is “poised to win contracts to drill the largest unexploited oil reserves in the world.” It’s quite apparent France is all but acting to preserve the rights and lives of Iraqis. It is acting in its own economic interests; the very thing about which it is so quick to lambaste America.
Russia is no different. According to CNN, Iraq still owes Russia $7 to $8 billion in Soviet-era debt. And as recently as last August, Russia and Iraq were ready to sign a $40 billion, five-year economic agreement. This doesn’t sound much like an impartial player looking out for principle and righteousness in the international community. It sounds like a hypocrite. Russia is just looking out for “number one” in its unwillingness to cooperate with the United States. Again, it’s all about the Benjamins.
Turning to Germany: As if it wasn’t enough that Prime Minister Gerhard Schroeder got elected on anti-American rhetoric, his country is among the small group actively blocking United State’s and British U.N. Security Council progress. The LA Times has reported Iraq’s desire to reward German businesses with contracts for its opposition to a U.S.-led campaign in Iraq. “Iraqi-German relations have witnessed a notable improvement after the firm stand of Germany in rejecting the launching of a military attack against Iraq by the U.S.”, the Iraqi government-run newspaper, Iraq Daily, reported. “Accordingly, President Saddam Hussein has ordered to give priority to German companies to enter the Iraqi market.” Germany: beacon of justice and righteousness in the global community? Nope. It, too, is all about the Benjamins. Germany couldn’t care less about the people of Iraq.
Will America benefit economically from Iraq’s oil fields? Of course, but those are the spoils of war. Ahmed Chalabi, the Iraqi banker and president of the Iraqi National Council — the American-backed organization poised to bring democracy to a post-Saddam Iraq — has said American firms will play a “preponderant role.” The United States is willing to put lives and money on the line to improve Iraq. At the very least, its businesses ought to be given a preponderant role.
The bottom line: don’t allow the wool to be pulled over your eyes. America may have some ulterior motives, but don’t believe the countries antagonizing us are altruistically defending justice, principle and Iraqi lives. Russia, Germany and France all are acting with regard to their pocketbooks. If we defeat Iraq, they lose money. It’s funny how they are doing the same thing over which they love to berate us, acting with utmost concern for economic gain … ironic, isn’t it.