Friday June 6, 2008, 10:24 pm
So was that the plan all along? All the rest was just another massive fraud?

Sunday June 8, 2008, 12:18 am
Revealed: Secret plan to keep Iraq under US control

Bush wants 50 military bases, control of Iraqi airspace and legal immunity for all American soldiers and contractors

By Patrick Cockburn
Thursday, 5 June 2008

A secret deal being negotiated in Baghdad would perpetuate the American military occupation of Iraq indefinitely, regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election in November.

The terms of the impending deal, details of which have been leaked to The Independent, are likely to have an explosive political effect in Iraq. Iraqi officials fear that the accord, under which US troops would occupy permanent bases, conduct military operations, arrest Iraqis and enjoy immunity from Iraqi law, will destabilise Iraq's position in the Middle East and lay the basis for unending conflict in their country.

But the accord also threatens to provoke a political crisis in the US. President Bush wants to push it through by the end of next month so he can declare a military victory and claim his 2003 invasion has been vindicated. But by perpetuating the US presence in Iraq, the long-term settlement would undercut pledges by the Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama, to withdraw US troops if he is elected president in November.

The timing of the agreement would also boost the Republican candidate, John McCain, who has claimed the United States is on the verge of victory in Iraq – a victory that he says Mr Obama would throw away by a premature military withdrawal.

America currently has 151,000 troops in Iraq and, even after projected withdrawals next month, troop levels will stand at more than 142,000 – 10 000 more than when the military "surge" began in January 2007. Under the terms of the new treaty, the Americans would retain the long-term use of more than 50 bases in Iraq. American negotiators are also demanding immunity from Iraqi law for US troops and contractors, and a free hand to carry out arrests and conduct military activities in Iraq without consulting the Baghdad government.

The precise nature of the American demands has been kept secret until now. The leaks are certain to generate an angry backlash in Iraq. "It is a terrible breach of our sovereignty," said one Iraqi politician, adding that if the security deal was signed it would delegitimise the government in Baghdad which will be seen as an American pawn.

The US has repeatedly denied it wants permanent bases in Iraq but one Iraqi source said: "This is just a tactical subterfuge." Washington also wants control of Iraqi airspace below 29,000ft and the right to pursue its "war on terror" in Iraq, giving it the authority to arrest anybody it wants and to launch military campaigns without consultation.

Mr Bush is determined to force the Iraqi government to sign the so-called "strategic alliance" without modifications, by the end of next month. But it is already being condemned by the Iranians and many Arabs as a continuing American attempt to dominate the region. Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the powerful and usually moderate Iranian leader, said yesterday that such a deal would create "a permanent occupation". He added: "The essence of this agreement is to turn the Iraqis into slaves of the Americans."

Iraq's Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, is believed to be personally opposed to the terms of the new pact but feels his coalition government cannot stay in power without US backing.

The deal also risks exacerbating the proxy war being fought between Iran and the United States over who should be more influential in Iraq.

Although Iraqi ministers have said they will reject any agreement limiting Iraqi sovereignty, political observers in Baghdad suspect they will sign in the end and simply want to establish their credentials as defenders of Iraqi independence by a show of defiance now. The one Iraqi with the authority to stop deal is the majority Shia spiritual leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. In 2003, he forced the US to agree to a referendum on the new Iraqi constitution and the election of a parliament. But he is said to believe that loss of US support would drastically weaken the Iraqi Shia, who won a majority in parliament in elections in 2005.

The US is adamantly against the new security agreement being put to a referendum in Iraq, suspecting that it would be voted down. The influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has called on his followers to demonstrate every Friday against the impending agreement on the grounds that it compromises Iraqi independence.

The Iraqi government wants to delay the actual signing of the agreement but the office of Vice-President Dick Cheney has been trying to force it through. The US ambassador in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, has spent weeks trying to secure the accord.

The signature of a security agreement, and a parallel deal providing a legal basis for keeping US troops in Iraq, is unlikely to be accepted by most Iraqis. But the Kurds, who make up a fifth of the population, will probably favour a continuing American presence, as will Sunni Arab political leaders who want US forces to dilute the power of the Shia. The Sunni Arab community, which has broadly supported a guerrilla war against US occupation, is likely to be split.

Sunday June 8, 2008, 9:53 am
sure this plan was made from along time ago since the first gulf war the map of this region was replanned to control the whole energy resorces no kidding...nothing happened by coincidance or luck , the US government are using the PRESENT circumustances to pass and impend new treaty and agreements with iraqi coallition government to maintain their soveriegnty over iraqies , threating the neighbours and ensure safe and secure oil supply ...the iraqi people for sure pay much for their liberation from former saddam regime and they will keep loosing .

Sunday June 8, 2008, 10:33 am
If we, the ordinary peaceful citizens in all countries, take an active stance for the shift to renewable resources of energy, i.e. wind and solar and some geothermal, and if we work with great determination, inspiration and imagination to get rid of the present oil-addiction - then I think there could be a much more peaceful and prosperous future for all people - just imagine a peaceful, fair and decent sustainable development all over the globe.
From the beginning of the protests against the USA attacking and occupying Iraq, yes, from the protests in 2002 and on against this illegal war, I have been absolutely convinced that the only reason for USA to do this are their strategical considerations about their oil supply, and this only for the sake of the oil-companies and their owners, not the ordinary American, who could have had their energy need met by sources in their own country, providing work and opportunities locally - so both Iraqis and Americans are made to suffer. The Iraqis suffer much more as a nation, that's clear, but this war is also a wrong against so many American citizens.

What about using our choice as consumers, we can vote with our wallet and show what we stand for in our habits, if we don't use much oil at all, but turn to the renewable energy that there is plenty of in any country, we can work both for peace, and for political and climate stabilization. These are goals worthy of our massive mobilization for a better world on the whole earth.

Thanks for the article - I hope it contributes to making the awareness more widespread!

Sunday June 8, 2008, 2:21 pm
"Under the terms of the new treaty, the Americans would retain the long-term use of more than 50 bases in Iraq. American negotiators are also demanding immunity from Iraqi law for US troops and contractors, and a free hand to carry out arrests and conduct military activities in Iraq without consulting the Baghdad government."

It looks as if, as regular U.S. troops are withdrawn from Iraq, PRIVATE CONTRACTORS LIKE BLACKWATER, MERCENARIES, DEATH SQUADS, WILL THEN TAKE OVER THE JOB OF "POLICING" IRAQ FOR U.S. CORPORATE POWER. MERCENARIES AND PRIVATE ARMIES WITH PERMISSION TO BE COMPLETELY RUTHLESS, AND RESPONSIBLE TO ABSOLUTELY NOBODY.
COMPLETELY OUTSIDE OF U.S. LAW, INTERNATIONAL LAW OR ANY ENTITY'S CONTROL. RESPONSIBLE NOT EVEN TO THE PRIVATE CORPORATION OR COMPANY THAT HIRED THEM -- WHICH WILL NEVER PUNISH THEM FOR ANYTHING THEY DO!

Sunday June 8, 2008, 3:00 pm
Good post, Senseless, thank you for posting.
Tnx for forwarding BMutiny
It's becoming more and more clear, that the Bush administration doesn't want to leave Iraq, no matter what.

Sunday June 8, 2008, 3:07 pm
Yes,Doris! That was the PLAN all along.
Louise B.

Sunday June 8, 2008, 4:38 pm
I hope this revealing article has reached the front page though the notes have dropped in different days - it sure is a horrible scenario: I want to underline what B Mutiny says: it is to my mind ... words fail me ... more than disgusting, scaring, outrageous that a country is pressed to have a presence of troops under no law, free to do what ever, in their midst - what if some aliens came to USA and wanted to have similar impunity??? Wouldn't all the world scream: horror, terror, warcrime!

And why the frenzy and hurry to push it through in the middle of summer - remember: it was in the middle of summer a certain military commisions act was bushed through, also - when the climate was so hot that it affected the brains and thinking seemed impossible, not to speak about action...

How much must the deceived people of USA take - and how much the poor attacked people of Iraq... and eventually the world...

... let's get off the hook, let's not be oil-addicted any more, let's determinedly steer away from it, step-by-step - it is already a world-wide movement to get clear, free, every-one can give a bit more momentum to this movement, you sooner we're free from oil, nuclear and fossile fuels the better... let's be the change we long for! For peoples', peace' and all innocent beings' and the earth's sake - we must protect what we truly love - and it's doable.

Sunday June 8, 2008, 5:52 pm
Good post senseless thing. Thanks. It's a difficult pill to swallow if this is Bush's intention. And hard as it is to believe, the love for money IS the root of all evil, though as Doris commented, we can break free of fossil fuels which are damaging our enviroments and eco-systems. Though can we assume Pres Bush is all for the rewards of oils materialist value? What of Iraq once all fossil fuel is drained from the land? IF, US gains total control over there that is.

Switch to Alternative and/or renewable fuels (Not biofuel food based). It is doable Doris, the energy wars can be ended with an International Community Voice. A society of peace, equality and freedom can develop.

Monday June 9, 2008, 4:15 am
MY RANT -- CONGRESS SHOULD NOT TAKE OUR TAX MONEY TO DESTROY OUR TROOPS AND SUPPORT THE CONTRACTORS, WHO ARE FAR BETTER ARMED AND PROTECTED, FAR BETTER PAID, FAR BETTER TAKEN CARE OF THAN OUR TROOPS -- NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR THE MERCENARIES, INCLUDING MEDICAL CARE! WITH OUR TAX MONEY! WHILE OUR TROOPS LIVE IN DIRT AND NEGLECT!!!
-----------------
{In answer to a comment on another thread}:
Bush & Cheney do whatever they feel like; democracy has nothing to do with it.

Congress when it votes to FUND the war, votes for this.
Tell Congress NO FUNDING FOR THE WAR! There is PLENTY of money to bring the troops home immediately and safely!

Congress is outside of the loop when it comes to Iraq, legally or illegally, Constitutionally or un-Constitutionally. ALL CONGRESS DOES, IS KEEP ON COUGHING UP YOUR AND MY TAX MONEY, VOTING FOR THE WAR WITH OUR DOLLARS.

Their excuse is, that MEANINGLESS SLOGAN, "Supporting the troops". Actually, the Congress by funding the war, and you by paying taxes, are SUPPORTING THE TROOPS TO THEIR DEATHS. YES, SUPPORTING THE TROOPS TO THEIR DEATHS. That is LITERALLY true. If the troops survive ONE deployment, Commander-in-Chief Bush sends them on ANOTHER AND ANOTHER DEPLOYMENT, until that soldier is either DEAD, or physically {and mentally} A TOTAL AND COMPLETE WRECK, PHYSICALLY INCAPABLE OF FIGHTING ANY MORE.

It is the INTENTION, to physically USE UP AND DESTROY THE SOLDIER.
Does even ONE escape?
If they survive THREE deployments somewhat intact, they are then sent on a FOURTH deployment -- and so on. Until OF NO MORE POSSIBLE USE to the Army, because in such bad shape. Or DEAD.

Re-deployments ARE ALSO ILLEGAL.
Bush and Cheney DON'T CARE. THEY DO WHATEVER THEY LIKE.
THEY LAUGH AT US, AT THE DELUDED TROOPS AND THEIR GULLIBLE FAMILIES, AND AT CONGRESS -- THEY FEEL THEY WILL NEVER BE IMPEACHED, OR HAVE TO ACCOUNT IN ANY WAY FOR THEIR ILLEGAL AND CRIMINAL ACTS.

Are you ANGRY, yet? Had ENOUGH, yet?

If your Congressperson voted to FUND THE WAR, he or she voted directly to KILL AMERICAN TROOPS. Your Congressperson is a MURDERER OF AMERICANS. Cheerfully voting YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY to do so.

It seems in fact, to be Bush's PURPOSE to exhaust and destroy the Army, soldier by soldier by soldier, AND TURN THE ENTIRE MILITARY OVER TO CONTRACTORS, MERCENARIES, AND PRIVATE ARMY DEATH SQUADS; ACCOUNTABLE TO NO-ONE BUT THEIR EMPLOYERS. BLACKWATER is the face of American force and policing abroad, for the future.

The HORROR has only BEGUN.

By the way, it is not JUST the oil, that the greedy corporations want. It is ALL THE RESOURCES OF THE MIDDLE EAST -- Iraq by its central location, is good for BASES -- ALL THE RESOURCES, MINERALS, HUMAN RESOURCES, and WATER ITSELF -- ALL IRAQ'S INDUSTRIES AND WATER {that was once free!} AND PUBLIC UTILITIES THAT WERE ONCE STATE-OWNED, ARE BEING PRIVATIZED BY THE BUSHCO MIS-ADMINISTRATION.

The HORROR, for Iraqis, is only BEGINNING.
And WE are allowing OUR TROOPS, our family and community members, to be used up and DIE, in order to bring this police-state horror into existence; to benefit THE BANK ACCOUNTS OF THE SUPER-RICH.

Monday June 9, 2008, 5:06 am
[I hope this does not get posted TWICE -- but, my post has DISAPPEARED!!!}
{I always make COPIES, tho -- and so should EVERYONE, ALWAYS! in case of such an eventuality!}

MY RANT -- CONGRESS SHOULD NOT TAKE OUR TAX MONEY TO DESTROY OUR TROOPS AND SUPPORT THE CONTRACTORS, WHO ARE FAR BETTER ARMED AND PROTECTED, FAR BETTER PAID, FAR BETTER TAKEN CARE OF THAN OUR TROOPS -- NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR THE MERCENARIES, INCLUDING MEDICAL CARE! WITH OUR TAX MONEY! WHILE OUR TROOPS LIVE IN DIRT AND NEGLECT!!!
-----------------
{In answer to a comment on another thread}:
Bush & Cheney do whatever they feel like; democracy has nothing to do with it.
Congress when it votes to FUND the war, votes for this. Tell Congress NO FUNDING FOR THE WAR! There is PLENTY of money to bring the troops home immediately and safely!

Congress is outside of the loop when it comes to Iraq, legally or illegally, Constitutionally or un-Constitutionally. ALL CONGRESS DOES, IS KEEP ON COUGHING UP YOUR AND MY TAX MONEY, VOTING FOR THE WAR WITH OUR DOLLARS.

Their excuse is, that MEANINGLESS SLOGAN, "Supporting the troops". Actually, the Congress by funding the war, and you by paying taxes, are SUPPORTING THE TROOPS TO THEIR DEATHS. YES, SUPPORTING THE TROOPS TO THEIR DEATHS. That is LITERALLY true. If the troops survive ONE deployment, Commander-in-Chief Bush sends them on ANOTHER AND ANOTHER DEPLOYMENT, until that soldier is either DEAD, or physically {and mentally} A TOTAL AND COMPLETE WRECK, PHYSICALLY INCAPABLE OF FIGHTING ANY MORE.

It is the INTENTION, to physically USE UP AND DESTROY THE SOLDIER.
Does even ONE escape?
If they survive THREE deployments somewhat intact, they are then sent on a FOURTH deployment -- and so on. Until OF NO MORE POSSIBLE USE to the Army, because in such bad shape. Or DEAD.

Re-deployments ARE ALSO ILLEGAL.
Bush and Cheney DON'T CARE. THEY DO WHATEVER THEY LIKE.
THEY LAUGH AT US, AT THE DELUDED TROOPS AND THEIR GULLIBLE FAMILIES, AND AT CONGRESS -- THEY FEEL THEY WILL NEVER BE IMPEACHED, OR HAVE TO ACCOUNT IN ANY WAY FOR THEIR ILLEGAL AND CRIMINAL ACTS.

Are you ANGRY, yet? Had ENOUGH, yet?

If your Congressperson voted to FUND THE WAR, he or she voted directly to KILL AMERICAN TROOPS. Your Congressperson is a MURDERER OF AMERICANS. Cheerfully voting YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY to do so.

It seems in fact, to be Bush's PURPOSE to exhaust and destroy the Army, soldier by soldier by soldier, AND TURN THE ENTIRE MILITARY OVER TO CONTRACTORS, MERCENARIES, AND PRIVATE ARMY DEATH SQUADS; ACCOUNTABLE TO NO-ONE BUT THEIR EMPLOYERS. BLACKWATER is the face of American force and policing abroad, for the future.

The HORROR has only BEGUN.

By the way, it is not JUST the oil, that the greedy corporations want. It is ALL THE RESOURCES OF THE MIDDLE EAST -- Iraq by its central location, is good for BASES -- ALL THE RESOURCES, MINERALS, HUMAN RESOURCES, and WATER ITSELF -- ALL IRAQ'S INDUSTRIES AND WATER {that was once free!} AND PUBLIC UTILITIES THAT WERE ONCE STATE-OWNED, ARE BEING PRIVATIZED BY THE BUSHCO MIS-ADMINISTRATION.

The HORROR, for Iraqis, is only BEGINNING.
And WE are allowing OUR TROOPS, our family and community members, to be used up and DIE, in order to bring this police-state horror into existence; to benefit THE BANK ACCOUNTS OF THE SUPER-RICH.

Monday June 9, 2008, 10:47 am
{My post disappeared AGAIN! for a SECOND time!!!
I hope this posting does not appear THREE TIMES!
This was posted right after C2 was "down for repairs" -- it looked like it WAS posted, but then it DISAPPEARED!!!}

[I hope this does not get posted TWICE -- but, my post has DISAPPEARED!!!} {I always make COPIES, tho -- and so should EVERYONE, ALWAYS! in case of such an eventuality!}

MY RANT -- CONGRESS SHOULD NOT TAKE OUR TAX MONEY TO DESTROY OUR TROOPS AND SUPPORT THE CONTRACTORS, WHO ARE FAR BETTER ARMED AND PROTECTED, FAR BETTER PAID, FAR BETTER TAKEN CARE OF THAN OUR TROOPS -- NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR THE MERCENARIES, INCLUDING MEDICAL CARE! WITH OUR TAX MONEY! WHILE OUR TROOPS LIVE IN DIRT AND NEGLECT!!!
-----------------
{In answer to a comment on another thread}:

Bush & Cheney do whatever they feel like; democracy has nothing to do with it.
Congress when it votes to FUND the war, votes for this. Tell Congress NO FUNDING FOR THE WAR! There is PLENTY of money to bring the troops home immediately and safely!

Congress is outside of the loop when it comes to Iraq, legally or illegally, Constitutionally or un-Constitutionally. ALL CONGRESS DOES, IS KEEP ON COUGHING UP YOUR AND MY TAX MONEY, VOTING FOR THE WAR WITH OUR DOLLARS.

Their excuse is, that MEANINGLESS SLOGAN, "Supporting the troops". Actually, the Congress by funding the war, and you by paying taxes, are SUPPORTING THE TROOPS TO THEIR DEATHS. YES, SUPPORTING THE TROOPS TO THEIR DEATHS. That is LITERALLY true. If the troops survive ONE deployment, Commander-in-Chief Bush sends them on ANOTHER AND ANOTHER DEPLOYMENT, until that soldier is either DEAD, or physically {and mentally} A TOTAL AND COMPLETE WRECK, PHYSICALLY INCAPABLE OF FIGHTING ANY MORE.

It is the INTENTION, to physically USE UP AND DESTROY THE SOLDIER.
Does even ONE escape?
If they survive THREE deployments somewhat intact, they are then sent on a FOURTH deployment -- and so on. Until OF NO MORE POSSIBLE USE to the Army, because in such bad shape. Or DEAD.

Re-deployments ARE ALSO ILLEGAL.
Bush and Cheney DON'T CARE. THEY DO WHATEVER THEY LIKE. THEY LAUGH AT US, AT THE DELUDED TROOPS AND THEIR GULLIBLE FAMILIES, AND AT CONGRESS -- THEY FEEL THEY WILL NEVER BE IMPEACHED, OR HAVE TO ACCOUNT IN ANY WAY FOR THEIR ILLEGAL AND CRIMINAL ACTS.

Are you ANGRY, yet? Had ENOUGH, yet?

If your Congressperson voted to FUND THE WAR, he or she voted directly to KILL AMERICAN TROOPS. Your Congressperson is a MURDERER OF AMERICANS. Cheerfully voting YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY to do so.

It seems in fact, to be Bush's PURPOSE to exhaust and destroy the Army, soldier by soldier by soldier, AND TURN THE ENTIRE MILITARY OVER TO CONTRACTORS, MERCENARIES, AND PRIVATE ARMY DEATH SQUADS; ACCOUNTABLE TO NO-ONE BUT THEIR EMPLOYERS. BLACKWATER is the face of American force and policing abroad, for the future.

The HORROR has only BEGUN.

By the way, it is not JUST the oil, that the greedy corporations want. It is ALL THE RESOURCES OF THE MIDDLE EAST -- Iraq by its central location, is good for BASES -- ALL THE RESOURCES, MINERALS, HUMAN RESOURCES, and WATER ITSELF -- ALL IRAQ'S INDUSTRIES AND WATER {that was once free!} AND PUBLIC UTILITIES THAT WERE ONCE STATE-OWNED, ARE BEING PRIVATIZED BY THE BUSHCO MIS-ADMINISTRATION.

The HORROR, for Iraqis, is only BEGINNING.
And WE are allowing OUR TROOPS, our family and community members, to be used up and DIE, in order to bring this police-state horror into existence; to benefit THE BANK ACCOUNTS OF THE SUPER-RICH.

Monday June 9, 2008, 5:21 pm
Perhaps we should have seen this when Bush claimed God told him to do it and then failed to make an exit plan. Strange how a country as great as the USA used to be can condone legalised murder and then say that its troops are exempt from the due processes of law. I fear that the Iraqis are in for a rough ride.

Monday June 9, 2008, 7:06 pm
Lets be honest,the wishes of the US people,or the Iraqui people are irrelevant to any decision making of this Bush junta?

Monday June 9, 2008, 7:18 pm
It is really unfortunate that someone has not engaged in oral sex with Mr. Bush in the Oval Office. Then perhaps we might have a chance to go forward with impeachment hearings.

Monday June 9, 2008, 9:03 pm
Eco Mann, isn't that a most daring phantasy ;-) ;-) ;-) but who would do it? LOL!

Tuesday June 10, 2008, 9:08 am

I love your comment, Eco ! Really, that says it all -

you can attack a foreign nation on false premises, send thousands of US troops to their deaths, engage in gross human rights violations thoughout the world (eg. extraordinary renditions), criminally neglect the levee system of a city at risk, etc etc, BUT unless you engage in naughty sex in the Oval Room...no basis for impeachment. Bravo !

And if only it could be construed as having been Cheney, we could get rid of both in one coup.

Latest News from June 9th:

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a former Democratic presidential contender, said Monday he wants the House to consider a resolution to impeach President Bush.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi consistently has said impeachment was "off the table."

Kucinich, D-Ohio, read his proposed impeachment language in a floor speech. He contended Bush deceived the nation and violated his oath of office in leading the country into the Iraq war.

Tuesday June 10, 2008, 1:53 pm
tell your rep to support Kucinich's move to impeach: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/354405305

Wednesday June 11, 2008, 12:59 pm
thanx for the post and thanx for both the witty &wise comments ....things along this line was the plan from them beginning of the bush years ... ie pulling out of the the war crimes tribunal w/ in the 1st 100 days of being prez analsothe new american century & wolfowitz papers of the early 90's