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

To: HH who wrote (71561)	2/5/2003 4:51:18 PM
From: greenspirit	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

I believe the French assisted in building many of Saddam's newest palaces. Their reluctance may be due to the nature of that relationship. In other words, what kind of underground tunneling system did they build to connect those palaces? What kind of security did they install? How many bunkers did they build which could harbor WMD? They may not want the world to know how complicent they were and how much support they gave Saddam to remain in power.

To: HH who wrote (71561)	2/5/2003 6:39:41 PM
From: carranza2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Follow the money, forget the delusions 216.239.51.100 >>>French companies. (A) TotalFinaElf contract to develop the Majnoon oil fields (1) The U.S. Department of Energy explained in its Iraq country brief: “The largest of Iraq's oilfields slated for post-sanctions development is Majnoon, with reserves of 12-20 billion barrels of 28o-35o API oil, and located 30 miles north of Basra on the Iranian border. French company TotalFinaElf reportedly has signed a deal with Iraq on development rights for Majnoon. Majnoon was reportedly brought onstream (under a "national effort" program begun in 1999) in May 2002 at 50,000 bbl/d, with output possibly reaching 100,000 bbl/d by the end of 2002 (according to Oil Minister Rashid). Future development on Majnoon ultimately could lead to production of up to 600,000 bbl/d at an estimated (according to Deutsche Bank) cost of $4 billion.” [US Department of Energy 10/02] (B) TotalFinaElf contract to develop the Nahr Umar oil fields. (1) The U.S. Department of Energy explains in its Iraq country brief that was last updated in October 2002: “TotalFinaElf apparently has all but agreed with Iraq on development of the Nahr Umar field. Initial output from Nahr Umar is expected to be around 440,000 bbl/d of 42o API crude, but may reach 500,000 bbl/d with more extensive development. The 2.5-4.6 billion-barrel Halfaya project is the final large field development in southern Iraq. Several companies (BHP, CNPC, Agip) reportedly have shown interest in the field, which ultimately could yield 200,000-300,000 bbl/d in output at a possible cost of $2 billion.” [US Department of Energy 10/02]