Is the Libyan "to do" only about OIL?

[Erose999]

So as the topic states, do you think OIL is the main reason we are getting involved in Libya.

[Junkdrawer]

1. Yes, it is about the oil...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x697952

[Erose999]

14. Rec'd. Good thread.

[David__77]

2. Why isn't "oil isn't the only reason" or "oil isn't the main reason" an option?

It's not black and white here.

[gateley]

3. I don't think so -- doesn't BP already have a big chunk of it? Maybe others? Anyway, I

don't think it's oil. This time.

[denverbill]

6. I agree. If it was about oil, we'd be supporting Gaddafi.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/rices-historic-trip-to-libya-signals-improved-relations-920951.html

[Ikonoklast]

21. Yes, I'm fairly certain the oil patch would be for stability and Qaddafi.

There are no guarantees that whoever is left as the government will even contract with Western oil companies.

They might call in the Chinese, and let PetroChina run the show for them.


After all, it was western oil money propping up Qaddafi all these years, the population of Libya may be a tad miffed at that.

[Junkdrawer]

7. Last I heard, only exploration was done by the western oil companies....

I think they were reluctant to make Gaddafi the main supplier of European oil needs.

[Junkdrawer]

8. BP suspends gas, oil drilling preparations in Libya

LONDON (Reuters) - BP PLC (BP.L) has suspended preparations for exploratory drilling for oil and gas in western Libya due to growing unrest in the north African country, a spokesman for the British energy giant said on Monday.

The company does not produce any oil or gas in Libya but has been readying an onshore rig to start drilling for fuel in the west of the country.

"We are looking at evacuating some people from Libya, so those preparations are being suspended but we haven't started drilling and we are years away from any production," the spokesman said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/21/us-bp-libya-idUSTRE71K1CG20110221

[Turborama]

15. Multiple Transnational Oil Corporations Have Been In Libya Since At Least 2004

Details: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x696024

[Erose999]

18. And Gadhafi has a habit of nationalizing oil operations.

[Turborama]

19. Right

So you didn't read the OP or any of the replies discussing it, then.

BTW When you come out with stuff like that you need to cite sources, if you want to be taken seriously.

[gateley]

22. That could be, too. nt

[highplainsdem]

4. No.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x706216

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x694407

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x701030

[Motown_Johnny]

5. then wouldn't we be taking over Venezuela?

[TBF]

9. Gadaffi had recently been threatening to award contracts

to China, India, and Brazil - thereby threatening billions of dollars of revenue for western oil companies (and Libya is a big supplier of oil for Europe).

You don't just "take over" countries but this was an easy one for Obama as far as Imperialism goes - protect the oil companies with the smokescreen of going in at the request of the UN.

Here's another view: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/TBF/41 (many articles throughout the threads, I did a lot of research on this yesterday morning)

[Forkboy]

16. Why do you think we supported the coup attempt there?

[Marr]

20. "We", or rather the US government, tried.

It resulted in lost revenue for big business in the US, so our government's tactics quickly changed.

[Maru Kitteh]

10. For once, no.

[GSLevel9]

11. Not so simple

Gadafi recently entered into negotiations with China and India re: Oil Contracts. Libya is a primary supplier of Oil to the EU. These future contracts threaten the Oil supply for the EU, hence the EU ordered Obama to support THEIR war to protect the oil.

[jdlh8894]

12. The EU "ordered" Obama? Please explain.

[GSLevel9]

13. The French bullied Obama into it. nt

[Erose999]

17. We can't side with Gadhafi to crush the rebellion, that sort of thing is bad for PR. So theway

to quell the "unrest" is to side with the rebels and oust Qadhafi. Then there will be nation building, and no-bid contracts for Halliburton and Blackwater just like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Its clear the Qadhafi has outlived his role as a useful stooge and the powers that be will be on hand to make sure his replacement is another useful stooge.