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Blair advisor says war for oil Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=ahJS35XsmXGg&refer=top_world_news http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=ahJS35XsmXGg&refer=top_world_news U.S., U.K. Waged War on Iraq Because of Oil, Blair Adviser Says By James Kirkup London, May 1 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. and U.K. went to war against Iraq because of the Middle East country's oil reserves, an adviser to British Prime Minister Tony Blair said. Sir Jonathan Porritt, head of the Sustainable Development Commission, which advises Blair's government on ecological issues, said the prospect of winning access to Iraqi oil was ``a very large factor'' in the allies' decision to attack Iraq in March. ``I don't think the war would have happened if Iraq didn't have the second-largest oil reserves in the world,'' Porritt said in a Sky News television interview. Opponents of the war, including some members of Blair's Labour Party, have said that the conflict was aimed at securing Iraqi reserves to benefit Western economies and oil companies. U.S. and U.K. leaders have repeatedly rejected that, saying the war began because Iraq held illegal weapons and threatened other countries. Blair has said he wants Iraqi oil revenues to be held in a United Nations-run trust fund and spent on rebuilding Iraq. Secretary of State Colin Powell said yesterday the U.S. may encourage Iraq to set up an oil revenue-sharing system that would distribute some proceeds from what he called the ``marvelous treasure'' to Iraqi citizens. Oil production in Iraq was halted before the U.S.-led attack that toppled President Saddam Hussein. According to UN data, the nation is losing about $55 million a day in oil revenue as the U.S., the European Union and the Iraqi people debate postwar reconstruction plans. Porritt's commission was set up in 2000 to advise the U.K. government on making economic and business activity compatible with environmental-protection policies. The body reports directly to Blair. This isn't the first time Porritt has criticized the U.K. government. In October 2000, he said Blair and his ministers had failed to fulfill election promises on ecological issues. Last Updated: May 1, 2003 06:39 EDT

After 36 years oil giants return to iraq { June 19 2008 } Blair advisor says war for oil Bp shell gets bulk iraqi crude oil Bush funds shift to oil production and security { September 13 2004 } Cheney 2001 energy task force { July 18 2003 } Cheney eyes iraq before 911 Cheneys oil map { July 19 2003 } Iran US stooge chalabi takes over oil { January 2 2006 } Iraq agreements with major oil companies fail { May 2008 } Iraq government to allow oil privitization { December 11 2006 } Iraq oil ministry control { April 20 2003 } Iraq oil mission successful says reporter { March 20 2006 } Iraq producing less oil than under saddam Iraq unions against oil privatization { November 2006 } Iraqi union protesters fear loss of oil control { June 3 2007 } Iraqi union workers protest oil privatization { June 5 2007 } Iraqi war oil { September 15 2002 } Iraqis fights over foreign oil rights { April 2007 } Iraqis protest theft of sovereignty oil { June 2007 } Iraqis want un control oil cash { May 9 2003 } Israel eyes iraqi oil { April 9 2003 } Israeli firm awarded oil tender in iraq { February 25 2004 } Its the oil { September 23 2002 } Last pipeline oil peak Law keeps central control over oil in iraq { January 20 2007 } Maybe 100 barrel Oil advisor conflict interest { May 16 2003 } Oil output plunges to lowest levels { January 3 2006 } Post war iraq lags in oil production { May 2 2005 } Pre 911 oil contracts { July 18 2003 } Protect oil { January 23 2003 } Re engages oil { September 17 2002 } Russia iraq oil { September 30 2002 } Tricle could become gusher { May 10 2003 } US advised iraqi ministry on oil deals { June 30 2008 } Us asks israel explore reopening pipeline Us wants oil industry control { May 9 2003 } US written iraqi oil law opposed by iraqis War oil stability { February 1 2003 } Western companies to get 75 perc of iraqi oil profits Files Listed: 40

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