From Southern Iraq to Northern Ireland

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Tuesday April 29, 2008 12:27

by tom eile

tomeile at hotmail dot co dot uk

The Basra Development Commission (BDC) , a panel consisting of six Iraqi businessmen ,and officials ,plus one Briton , is to visit the North of Ireland this week to speak to officials there . They hope to learn during their two day visit from community and business leaders about how the Irish peace process has transformed the six county economy.

The BDC –which describes itself as “an independent champion for investment and economic development in Southern Iraq “ was in fact set up by and funded by the British Department for International Development which sees the commission’s work as 'a crucial part of Britain's strategy in Iraq '. The Department for International Development works closely with the British Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence to provide assistance ,advice and a stable investment environment for investors .

Michael Wareing, Chief Executive of the British- based accountancy conglomerate KPMG International, spoke recently of his delight in being appointed Commissioner of the BDC . Wareing has already assimilated some lessons from the conflict in “Northern Ireland” .Carefully following F.O . guidelines in a recent interview on KPMG’s website he referred to “Southern Iraq” - as if partition of Iraq is now an accomplished fact - saying :
"I am delighted to accept this new position heading-up international input to the Basra Development Commission. There are enormous opportunities for business and enterprise, and – as Commissioner – I am excited by the prospect of helping to achieve economic growth which will benefit not only the people of Basra and Southern Iraq, but also the entire region."

Majid Alsadi, an Iraqi businessman and member of the commission, said that there were more than $200 billion worth of investment opportunities in oil-rich Basra province, including in the port, airport, oil industry and education . He told a news conference in London before flying to Ireland:
"I believe Northern Ireland has been through a similar path to some extent of what we’ve been through in Iraq -- the aftermath of a civil war, the reconstruction of the city and the country. "
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0428/iraq.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/24/iraq.oil

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Comments (3 of 3)

Business as usual

by paul o toole

Wed Apr 30, 2008 15:59

I hope they visit the Raytheon Factory where they build bomb parts used for killing the Iraqi civilians, a fact they choose to ignore.
Thet should take a trip south to visit the US Airbase formerly known as Shannon civilian airport, where they've brought through all the manpower and weaponry to carry out their slaughter of a million or so people on the 'assurances' of those whomb have told the greatest lies this world has ever been told that nothing is on the planes. Empty planes just flying about the place ....The irony here would make any sane person sick.

What you didn't say....

by The Grey Man

Wed Apr 30, 2008 13:36

No mention of the hundreds of thousands (at a conservative estimate) of people killed, the millions of people displaced from their homes, the people's natural resources being stolen or sold off for prices nowhere near their worth, destruction of many historical artifacts and religious sites, total breakdown in civil society, occupation by numerous invading forces and civil administrators who dictate what the government, military and civil institutions must do, the murder of many Iraqi civilians by US/UK and other forces, the construction of military bases and administration centres from which the invading forces will attempt to dominate the region for many years to come, cronyism and corruption on a massive scale with regard to tenders awarded to ‘reconstruct’ Iraq. All this is ongoing and is planned to continue for a long time.

Do you consider this at all? If you’re going to talk about the positives you perceive to be visible in the mess that Iraq has been made into, then at least consider all of the facts.

Wonderful

by Irish citizen

Tue Apr 29, 2008 16:26

In Ireland the violent criminals of the IRA and UVF no longer call the shots.
Democracy rules and the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic are prospering in a climate of peace.
If unification ever occurs it will be by consent.

The rule of Saddam is over and the Iraqi people now have parliamentary democracy.
Those who are opposed to democracy are Sunni and Shia fundementalist extremists and criminal gangs.
The international community should support the Iraq government and help their military and police to defeat these enemies.
The sooner the terrorists and thugs are defeated the sooner Coalition troops can return home and Iraqis can take responsibility for their own country.
Reconciliation between Sunnis and Shias is key.

The religious divide between Protestants and Catholics had more to do with power and control.

Like the Unionist Protestants, the Sunnis who were the backbone of the Saddam dictatorship was lost their privaledge position and must share power with the Shia.

For the sake of innocent Iraqis who are being murdered by extremists and who are collatoral damage as a result of Coalition military actions against terrorists and thugs, we must welcome and support this initiative.

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From Southern Iraq to Northern Ireland

Comments (3 of 3)