September 21, 2007

Following along from previous blogs, another " UN to Host Key Meeting on Rescue Plan for Iraq". While we're at it, regarding Lebanon's privatization, www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS190907_dsart27/SecMain/pagHomepage

But, all is not well in Lebanon, as everywhere else on the globe. See, FOR EXAMPLE, the following on Lebanon's elections, www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=684&language_id=1

Political conflicts and armed hostilities, generated by competing factions and profiteers continue unabated in the privatization money-go-round. Regarding another flashpoint, the contentious Kirkuk referendum. It appears the Kirkuk referendum will NOT go forward this Fall as initially planned, avoiding immediate military conflict with the US economic ally, Turkey's, "Islamic," AKP government whose "passion is to sell state companies." Meanwhile, the Hunt deal with the KRG is being opportunistically excoriated and seized upon, while Sadr becomes Iraq's Baghdad and Basra Czar and the "internationalization" and privatization, i.e., sell out and sell off, moves forward inexorably, as above. The nominal puppet "central Iraq government" in Baghdad will reign supreme, necessitated by the multinationals and necessary for the international enterprise "lets make a deal."

This all occurs within the context of the new Cold/Hot war with Russia/Gazprom. "Europe Drops Energy Curtain". In addition, Gaz de France has indicated its desire to become a partner in the US sponsored Nabucco pipeline. Of course, France's (Sarkozy's) Total is represented in Iraq. Nominally Russian, its largest private oil company, Lukoil (20% Connoco-Phillips) is also part of a deal to recognize Iraq's government. And, another one, "Russia Buys Right to Restore Iraq'

Two competing and contradictory economic systems exist simultaneously in Russia now. The State/nationalized one, best represented by Gazprom, and private industry. Much ink is being poured into analyzing and dissecting the extent and proportions of the "tipping point," will the current mix/proportion remain the same and the fact that Putin is currently exercising leverage over these private interests to achieve state goals. This discussion does not arise in the US as NO comparable state industries exist with which to leverage control against private interests. In the US it is perfectly clear. Private capital and the State are synonymous. One and the same. But, still, back in Russia, Chubais, one of the architects of Russian privatization, exists prominently in government and is busy with plans to privatize Russia's vast electrical system, UES. The oligarchs exist in much of Russia's other vast natural resources and industries, a la John Helmer's excellent reporting. And, thus, directly or indirectly, squeezed into this situation, a la Lukoil, Russia becomes a participant, collaborator in selling out and off Iraq, by default and collaborating with both Iranian and American death squads, etc.

Russia's situation has extenuating factors, however. The US and its Fascist allies in Europe now militarily and/or economically, with hostile and threatening intent, surround and control outright or dominate much/most of the geography surrounding Russia, from Lebanon to Israel to Egypt to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Coast, Iraq, the Caucasus, Georgia, Afghanistan, Baltics, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, Yugoslavia, etc., corresponding to the map that's been utilized in my previous blogs. See map. This includes both Iran and Syria, the last two Russian state links to warm water ports, and, of course, transit areas, as well. Anybody with a little bit of history understands this unique Russian dilemma, the cordon sanitaire, etc. Fast forward to the present. The preceeding article, as well as others, do this. Recently, Russia voted in the UN on the following, regarding NATO and Afghanistan, www.kommersant.com/p806684/r_527/Afghanistan_Taliban_UN_Russia Russia, Gazprom, also, .

In response, related to the above, I repeat, there's the politics surrounding Iran, Syria, the US, EU, NATO and the third invisible factor, Russia. Finally, a link to the other sort of resistance never mentioned, absent in the US, about which I've commented ad nauseum on my blogs, "Beginning of Decisive Struggle of Pakistan Working Class" .