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Cheney eyes iraq before 911 Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2003%2F07%2F22%2Fwcheny22.xml&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=45415 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2003%2F07%2F22%2Fwcheny22.xml&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=45415 Cheney had Iraq in sights two years ago By Simon English in New York (Filed: 22/07/2003) Documents released under America's Freedom of Information Act reveal that an energy task force led by vice-president Dick Cheney was examining Iraq's oil assets two years before the latest war began. The papers were obtained after a long battle with the White House by Judicial Watch, a conservative legal charity that opposes government secrecy and which is suing for the dealings of the task force to be made public. The emergence of the documents could fuel claims that America's war in Iraq had as much to do with oil as national security. It also indicates that the Bush administration is beginning to lose the battle to keep its internal workings secret. The 16 pages, dated March 2001, show maps of Iraq oil fields, pipelines, refineries and terminals. A document titled Foreign Suitors for Iraqi Oilfield Contracts is also included, listing which countries were keen to do business with Saddam's regime. Judicial Watch requested the papers two years ago as part of its investigation into links between the Bush administration and senior energy executives including Enron's former chairman Ken Lay. Mr Cheney has fought the release of the documents at every stage. A court ordered two weeks ago that at least some of the task force's working papers should be made public. Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton said: "People will draw their own conclusions about the documents, but that is what an open society is about. Given the delay in their release, the Bush administration clearly did not want them to come out." A spokesman for Mr Cheney did not return calls yesterday. The US Commerce Department said in a statement: "It is the responsibility of the Commerce Department to serve as a commercial liaison for US companies doing business around the world, including those that develop and utilise energy resources. The Energy Task Force evaluated regions of the world that are vital to global energy supply." Judicial Watch isn't claiming that the documents are proof of any particular intent but say they should be open to public scrutiny. Mr Fitton said: "Opponents of the war will point to the documents as evidence that the Bush administration was after Iraqi oil. Supporters will say the energy task force would have been remiss if it did not take Iraq's oil into account." Nevertheless, the documents represent a surprising development. Until now it had been assumed that the US government was stonewalling over the energy task force papers because they would show the extent to which major party benefactors, including Enron, effectively wrote national energy policy. Judicial Watch and other watchdogs are now curious what else may be revealed. A court ordered the government to comply with the Freedom of Information Act and give up these documents more than a year ago. Judicial Watch said it could not explain why the papers were suddenly released. A government spokesman declined to elaborate. Maps of oil fields and pipelines in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and a list of energy development projects in those two countries are also included. Mr Cheney argues that his consultations with the energy industry should be private so that all parties can speak freely. A US court recently described this invoking of executive privilege "extraordinary" and "drastic". © Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2003. Terms & Conditions of reading. Commercial information. Privacy Policy.

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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