First, it is an acknowledgement was all about oil. The new Iraqi government isn't honoring the old contracts. And for the Western oil companies to take 75% of the production is ridiculously greedy. This stuff isn't going out to bids for the benefit of the Iraqis, it's being split among Bush and Cheney cronies.

Second, it's obvious Bush has to do WHATEVER he can to prop up a government which will honor those contracts and not throw out the American military and the predatory oil companies. After all, first, it was all about oil.

Third, the sanctions against Iraq forced abuses. It was legitimate of the Iraqi government to do anything it could to avoid those sanctions. Anyone would have tried to circumvent them, you, me, anyone.

In it's desperation to cement things while Bush is still CinC they are becoming more obvious about oil. Because if the Iraqis had their way, it's clear the US would be out of there and al-Maliki would be living in London in exile. Or dead.

Arf