[Peace-discuss] seize oil for war

[Dlind49 at aol.com]

U.S. considers seizing revenues to pay for occupation, source says (*and 
perhaps the total cost of the war*)?

by Knut Royce 

WASHINGTON - Bush administration officials are seriously considering 
proposals that the United States tap Iraq's oil to help pay the cost of a 
military occupation, a move that likely would prove highly inflammatory in an 
Arab world already suspicious of U.S. motives in Iraq.

Officially, the White House agrees that oil revenue would play an important 
role during an occupation period, but only for the benefit of Iraqis, 
according to a National Security Council spokesman.

Yet there are strong advocates inside the administration, including in the 
White House, for appropriating the oil funds as "spoils of war," according to 
a source who has been briefed by participants in the dialogue.

"There are people in the White House who take the position that it's all the 
spoils of war," said the source, who asked not to be further identified. "We 
[the United States] take all the oil money until there is a new democratic 
government [in Iraq]."

The source said the Justice Department has urged caution. "The Justice 
Department has doubts," he said. He said department lawyers are unsure 
"whether any of it [Iraqi oil funds] can be used or has to all be held in 
trust for the people of Iraq."