war on terroism in Africa.

Iraq and Afghanistan attract all the headlines, but there is another theater of operations in the worldwide War on Terror that the American public rarely hears about. Call it a silent war, if you will, or a preventative program.

It's the U.S. program to keep Africa from becoming the next happy hunting ground for Islamic warriors. It costs relatively little, involves relatively few Americans and so far seems to be effective. In short, it is everything Iraq is not.
The African Front
At first glance it appears this could be a model used in future. Will corrupation undo what has been achieved so far?
Perhaps more is less by not spending huge amounts of money in the region the USA may be preventing corrupation.
Might some of troops use there american miltary training to overthrow governments make war on there neighbours ?

Well got to admit, that is one of the few positive things I have read in a while.

The reason we're in Africa (Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, etc.) is because of oil. It's the last great frontier of reserves. BushCo. calls it a part of the war on terrorism. It's a cover.

Before discussing developments in equatorial Africa it is essential to understand the oil picture there. There are no oil reserves anywhere which rival those of Saudi Arabia with approximately 250 billion barrels (Gb), or Iraq which has approximately 112 Gb. Current world consumption is approximately 1 Gb every twelve days and demand is increasing rapidly. The two critical factors are the accessibility of oil (both geologically and geographically) and how long it takes to get it to market. It takes about six weeks for oil from the Persian Gulf to reach an American gas tank yet it takes only about two weeks for oil from West Africa to make the same journey. Equally important, oil installations in West Africa are in direct and immediate reach of US naval forces from the Atlantic Ocean. There are no political or international coalitions which need to be massaged if intervention becomes necessary.

Nigeria, the world's sixth largest oil producer, passed its peak of production in 1979 and has estimated reserves of approximately 24 Gb. What makes Nigeria critical is the fact that it can function, with minimal investment, as a so-called "swing" producer. In the event of oil shortages there are wells, pipelines and refineries already in place and easily accessible which could accommodate a short-term increase in production to control prices or offset shortages. Shell, ChevronTexaco and TotalFinaElf have heavy investments in the country and until recently, maintained sizeable workforces there.

www.fromthewilderness.com...

Oh and by the way. For those of you who are wondering, China and Columbia are two more countries in which the U.S. is preparing to go to war.

[edit on 29-9-2004 by mrmulder]

I heard in the news that the oil in that area is the best oil so far is called "sweet oil".

And lest not forget that the people in the Nigeria area called the "Niger" valley is being pump by the Chevron, and that they have the military in their side against the poor people complaining about the substandard living and pollution in the area, they don't have environmental laws you know.



portland.indymedia.org...

Originally posted by marg6043
portland.indymedia.org...

You can tell from that article that Cheveron does not care for the people of Nigeria. They only want the oil.

Originally posted by marg6043
portland.indymedia.org...

You can tell from that article that Cheveron does not care for the people of Nigeria. They only want the oil.

That's a great link, mrmulder. Very informative.

Don't ya love how the media doesn't cover this stuff?

I came across this article today. Thought I'd add it to this thread as it relates.

Pentagon link to Guinea coup plot

Bush official was warned of trouble brewing in oil-rich state

David Leigh, David Pallister and Jamie Wilson
Monday September 27, 2004
The Guardian

Links have been discovered between senior American military officials and the failed coup plot in Equatorial Guinea that has left Sir Mark Thatcher facing trial in South Africa.
Theresa Whelan, a member of the Bush administration in charge of African affairs at the Pentagon, twice met a London-based businessman, Greg Wales, in Washington before the coup attempt. Mr Wales has been accused of being one of its organisers, but has denied any involvement.
www.guardian.co.uk...

Oil, oil, oil.

I love it:

Mr Wales, who denies any involvement in the coup plot, has refused to comment on any of these fresh allegations.

Why of course you'll deny any involvement. All U.S. government officials usually do when it comes to something illegal. Geesh.