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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (981)	9/23/2001 11:33:48 AM
From: BigBull	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

Both Iran and Turkey wanted a pipeline. Me? I favor a massive attempt by the West to free itself from hydro carbons as the basis of it's civilization. That would create an economic boom such as the world has never seen. I got a kick out of the quatrains. ;o} Hey! Did you see who flew into Kazakhstan yesterday? Anyway, I've got lots to do. I'll let you guys figure it all out. Take care all! God have mercy on us all!

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (981)	9/23/2001 12:26:03 PM
From: Win Smith	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

I disagree. Oil has to be one of the more peripheral issues involved here. The Gulf War was about oil, this one isn't. Backing of the Taliban by Western oil interests, if it actually exists, has to be way down the list in the reasons for the Taliban coming to, or staying in, power. It's also quite dubious to hypothesize the former Soviet republics in Central Asia as a more reliable alternative to the Gulf states. They'll play this for all it's worth, but my understanding is that their governments are largely dominated by ex-communist types skilled at holding power by whatever means available. I see no reason to view them as particularly friendly or even particularly stable in the long run.

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (981)	9/23/2001 1:42:37 PM
From: BirdDog	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

...yes.. the caspian oil, and other reserves... All this talk of oil. I thought I'd add a couple little tid bits. 1) I had heard a major US diplomat say that both the largest producer and the largest user of oil in the world is one country.. The Soviet Union... The diplomat also said we didn't know how much of that oil was being stored...could be very much. That was said back when they were still the Soviet Union. 2) I worked in the Oil industry many years ago. It was common knowledge in the industry that many new wells that were drilled were also being capped off. These were good wells. The common gossip was that we intended to use the Middle East oil while it lasted, and keep our own oil for later. Especially in case of war. 3) I know there are oil fields in Texas who aren't pumping. All they have to do is start the pumps up to pull more oil from those fields. Please don't think that because an oil pump isn't working is because it has run dry. I'd like to suggest that there is more thought behind buying Middle East oil than having to depend on them. BirdDog