il sogno
05-16-2006, 10:09 PM
We've restored diplomatic relations with Libya. A country with a leader that played an instrumental role in the downing of Pan Am flight 103. Shall we discuss?
Oh and by the way, it's a country rich in oil and American oil companies stand to make beaucoup bucks. And Halliburton too.
U.S. to Restore Diplomatic Ties With Libya
By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer Tue May 16, 4:14 AM ET
WASHINGTON - American oil companies stand to gain in competing for access to oil reserves in Libya by the restoration of normal diplomatic relations and the removal of Moammar Gadhafi's regime from a U.S. list of terrorism sponsors.
The diplomacy that led to the renewal of ties with the North African country, which were severed in 1980, could also serve as an example to
Iran, Bush administration officials say.
"It could be a model," Assistant Secretary of State David Welch said Monday, citing Libya's decision, under the weight of sanctions, to abandon its nuclear and other weapons programs.
American oil companies were banned from operating in Libya for 18 years — until
President Bush in 2004 lifted most restrictions on doing business in Libya.
{snip}
Another control being lifted, he said, was one imposed by energy legislation enacted last summer. It barred shipment abroad of devices that could be part of a nuclear program that companies like Halliburton normally use to explore for oil.
"That potentially was going to shut down U.S. companies' ability to explore for oil," he said.
Libya produces about 1.6 million barrels of oil a day. Four big American companies, Occidental Petroleum, ConoccoPhillips, Marathon Oil and Amerada Hess, for some 20 years have held leases on Libyan oil and gas reserves.
{snip}
As the administration turned a page with Libya and struggled to find a way to halt what it insists is an Iranian nuclear program, the State Department took a significant step against Venezuela, also a major oil producer.
Long at odds with the leftist government in Caracas, the department gave notice it was banning arms sales to Venezuela as well as financing for such purchases.
It declared Venezuela was not cooperating with efforts to counter terrorism. U.S. officials said Venezuela was not being classified as a state sponsor of terrorism. But State Department spokesman Sean McCormack expressed concern about Venezuela's close relations with Iran and Cuba, both of which are classified as state sponsors of terror. .
This is an Associated Press article. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060516/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_libya_18)
Oh and by the way, it's a country rich in oil and American oil companies stand to make beaucoup bucks. And Halliburton too.
U.S. to Restore Diplomatic Ties With Libya
By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer Tue May 16, 4:14 AM ET
WASHINGTON - American oil companies stand to gain in competing for access to oil reserves in Libya by the restoration of normal diplomatic relations and the removal of Moammar Gadhafi's regime from a U.S. list of terrorism sponsors.
The diplomacy that led to the renewal of ties with the North African country, which were severed in 1980, could also serve as an example to
Iran, Bush administration officials say.
"It could be a model," Assistant Secretary of State David Welch said Monday, citing Libya's decision, under the weight of sanctions, to abandon its nuclear and other weapons programs.
American oil companies were banned from operating in Libya for 18 years — until
President Bush in 2004 lifted most restrictions on doing business in Libya.
{snip}
Another control being lifted, he said, was one imposed by energy legislation enacted last summer. It barred shipment abroad of devices that could be part of a nuclear program that companies like Halliburton normally use to explore for oil.
"That potentially was going to shut down U.S. companies' ability to explore for oil," he said.
Libya produces about 1.6 million barrels of oil a day. Four big American companies, Occidental Petroleum, ConoccoPhillips, Marathon Oil and Amerada Hess, for some 20 years have held leases on Libyan oil and gas reserves.
{snip}
As the administration turned a page with Libya and struggled to find a way to halt what it insists is an Iranian nuclear program, the State Department took a significant step against Venezuela, also a major oil producer.
Long at odds with the leftist government in Caracas, the department gave notice it was banning arms sales to Venezuela as well as financing for such purchases.
It declared Venezuela was not cooperating with efforts to counter terrorism. U.S. officials said Venezuela was not being classified as a state sponsor of terrorism. But State Department spokesman Sean McCormack expressed concern about Venezuela's close relations with Iran and Cuba, both of which are classified as state sponsors of terror. .
This is an Associated Press article. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060516/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_libya_18)