Throughout much of our media, you will find widespread criticism of the United States and its large oil consumption. The one fact that is rarely mentioned is that while the US consumes roughly 19.65 million bbl/day (according the CIA World Factbook, 2001), the European Union consumes roughly 14.48 million bbl/day (again, using the CIA World Factbook figures in 2001) putting the difference of approximately 5.17 million bbl/day between the two entities.Although it is clear the the US consumes the most oil, it is also very clear that the EU is not that far behind and should share some of the oil consumption criticisms.
Needless to say, this criticism directed towards the US has reached new heights in light of the current war in Iraq. These same critics, however are almost at a loss of words when they are confronted with the fact that while we have been fighting in Iraq, the price at the pump here in the US has greatly increased. Based on that fact, I find it almost a stretch to believe that the sole reason the US went into Iraq in the first place was for the oil. Another point to consider is that it would have been a lot cheaper for the US to have left Saddam in power and negotiate a deal for oil (like the other other countries involved in the oil-for-food scandal). Please don’t get me wrong, I am quite sure that Iraqi oil was somehow factored in the plans of our occupation; however, based on what I just mentioned, I do not believe that was the primary reason. Like anything else, time will eventually reveal the truths behind our invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Fortunately, time has already revealed (and still is) some of the key players in the oil-for-food scandal. Prior to the invasion of the US, countries like France, Germany, and Russia had already struck deals with Saddam worth billions involving its oil production. This isn’t the first time developed nations like these have placed oil profits over the poor and needy. Today, we will take a current look at Sudan.
Eric Reeves (Professor of English Language and Literature at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. He has spent the past six years working full-time as a Sudan researcher and analyst, publishing extensively both in the US and internationally. His website is www.sudanreeves.org ) has been closely watching the unrest in Sudan. Just recently, he provided this update for that region. I will just provide some excerpts, but please visit his very insightful site for this and other information pertaining to Sudan:
“Reports of large-scale military assaults on civilians in Darfur, by both Khartoum’s regular forces and its murderous Janjaweed militia allies, have been continuous for many weeks. Bombing attacks, ground assaults, and comprehensive village and town destruction have sustained the National Islamic Front regime’s genocidal policies toward non-Arab/African tribal populations and villages…”
“But it is worth noting in particular the aerial bombing attack against the town of Shangil Tobaya (approximately 40 miles south of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state) on January 26, 2005.
Jan Pronk, UN special representative to Sudan, is reported by the BBC to have said the attack left 100 civilians dead…”
“[Pronk] said the government bombers and helicopter gunships fly regularly over north and south Darfur, and 40 villages had been hit by pro-government militia.†(BBC January 28, 2005)
“These forty villages had been attacked by “government-linked Janjaweed militia [ ] in the area around Labado in South Darfur†(BBC, January 28, 2005).
“‘fighting between government and rebels troops in Darfur has decreased in the past month, but Arab militias still attack, rape, and abducted villagers in the troubled region,†Pronk said.†(Associated Press, January 23, 2005)
I must again point out that those that are committing these crimes against black Africans are Arab Muslims (with the blessing of the government) in that region.
Reeves also provides a map of Sudan that list the major oil and gas concession holders. Among them are the following nations:
Canada
China
France
Qatar
Australia
Sweden
Malaysia
Click here to see the actual map.
Conclusion
So the basic question that should come out of this information is “If these kind of atrocities against humans in Sudan, then why are the countries mentioned above still doing business with this country?
