Ulterior Motives

Dr. Ron Paul is a Republican who represents the 14th Texas congressional district has recently written: “Ulterior motives have always played a part in the foreign policy of almost every nation throughout history. Economic gain and geographic expansion, or even just the desires for more political power, too often drive the militarism of all nations. Unfortunately, in recent years, we have not been exempt.”

The Vice President for International Relations for UNOCAL Oil Corporation, John J. Maresca, testified on February 12, 1998 the following before the House Committee on International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific: “I appreciate your invitation to speak here today. I believe these hearings are important and timely, and I congratulate you for focusing on Central Asia oil and gas reserves and the role they play in shaping U.S. policy.”

“The Caspian region contains tremendous untapped hydrocarbon reserves, much of them located in the Caspian Sea basin itself. Proven natural gas reserves equal more than 236 trillion cubic feet. The region's total oil reserves may reach more than 60 billion barrels of oil. Some estimates are as high as 200 billion barrels. In 1995, the region was producing only 870,000 barrels per day.”

“One major problem has yet to be resolved: how to get the region's vast energy resources to the markets. (A) project...sponsored by the Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC), a consortium of 11 foreign oil companies including four American companies -- Unocal, Amoco, Exxon and Pennzoil...(want to follow a) ...potential route south...across Iran. However, this option is foreclosed for American companies because of U.S. sanctions legislation. The only other possible route option is across Afghanistan, which has its own unique challenges.”

“The country has been involved in bitter warfare for almost two decades. The territory across which the pipeline would extend is controlled by the Taliban, an Islamic movement that is not recognized as a government by most other nations. From the outset, we have made it clear that construction of our proposed pipeline cannot begin until a recognized government is in place that has the confidence of governments, lenders (read big banks) and our company.”

“In spite of this, a route through Afghanistan appears to be the best option with the fewest technical obstacles. It is the shortest route to the sea and has relatively favorable terrain for a pipeline. The route through Afghanistan is the one that would bring Central Asian oil closest to Asian markets and thus would be the cheapest in terms of transporting the oil. The 1,040-mile-long oil pipeline would begin near the town of Chardzhou, in northern Turkmenistan, and extend southeasterly through Afghanistan to an export terminal that would be constructed on the Pakistan coast on the Arabian Sea. Only about 440 miles of the pipeline would be in Afghanistan.”

In George Bush’s war cabinet we find V.P. Cheney, from Halliburton Oil Industry Corporation; Condolezza Rice who sat on the board of Chevron Oil and has an oil tanker named after her; Donald Rumsfeld former CEO of G.D. Searle and General Instruments, Pentagon contractors; and General Colin Powell author of the cowardly “Powell Doctrine” saying the U.S. should only attack when victory is guaranteed. While the National Electronic News Media sells antiterrorism to the clueless “nobodies, ” the ulterior motive is oil for the “Big Boys.” Surprised? Why?

December 2001