Scottish Sunday: Carving Up The New Iraq

Introduction

IRAQ lies in ruins this morning. Its cities are bombed; its buildings have been torched by teenage arsonists; its shops, hospitals, factories, and homes have been looted. This is Year Zero for Iraq. The old regime is gone and the United States is to rebuild this country literally from the ground up.

The Reconstruction Plan

Since the beginning of the year, America has had its reconstruction plan in place. Answering directly to Centcom commander General Tommy Franks, retired Lt Gen Jay Garner will be in command of the reconstruction effort. He will be aided by a series of military hardmen, diplomats, and Republican party place-men who will help the United States create "Free Iraq" - aided by exiles who are returning to get their share of the spoils.

The Network of Financial Kickbacks

In a special Scottish Sunday investigation, we have charted the network of financial kickbacks, political pay-backs, cronyism, self-interest, and ferocious ideology that underpins the entire reconstruction scheme. The US denies that men like Jay Garner are in effect the first wave of a military occupation. The Bush administration insists that it wants these men to work their way out of a job as quickly as possible. Some have mentioned three months as the possible length of their tenure in Iraq - others, more realistically, claim five years is a more likely term, taking the length of the US occupation of post-war Japan as the best comparison. America will be entrenched in this nation for decades to come. The colonisation process has begun already.

The Connection between Ideology and Business

In this investigation, we have traced the roots of the reconstruction process back to the ideologues - the neo-conservatives now in the ascendancy in the US government - who devised the scheme. These men see the US military as the "cavalry on the new American frontier", they wanted Saddam "regime changed" long before Bush took power and they have long dreamt of a permanent US satellite in the Gulf. They have also been brutally honest about having a say over Iraq's oil fields. Ideology is ideology, but in the US government political theory goes hand-in-hand with big business. The end result of the lofty musings of Republican hawks fashioning the concepts behind the new world order is money-grubbing for the yankee dollar. The world isn't just watching the spread of a political philosophy in Iraq, it is watching a conquest by and for US big business as well.

The Reconstruction Contractors

The term "military-industrial" complex brings to mind crazy conspiracy theories, but let's consider the term again. Each and every one of the companies in the running or in possession of contracts to reconstruct Iraq are either major Republican donors or have government staff working for them. The donations to the Republican party - and also to George W Bush himself - run into millions. Is this payback time? In the UK, connections like this between big business and politicians would be front-page news for months. But not so in America. There is more to this than just kickbacks. The Americans call it "the favor bank," we call it more simply cronyism. The connections between the reconstructors are staggering. If these people aren't in the same think-tank together, then they work for the same companies, have the same friends and interests. Just look at one example - under our power-brokers section you will find Andrew Natsios. He's the head of USAid, the government department which hands out Iraqi reconstruction contracts. Would it surprise you to find out that Natsios has a connection to a company called Bechtel which is - yes - tipped for a rather lucrative contract? Then there's IRG. It secured one of the eight government contracts up for grabs. Are you shocked to learn IRG has four vice-presidents and 24 other staff who at one time worked for USAid? There's also a subsidiary of Halliburton, the oil giant once run by Dick Cheney (Bush's number two), which stands to make a cool $500 million out of reconstruction.

The Impartiality of Power-Brokers

With only a few exceptions, there is a smoking gun for all those behind the reconstruction work. Whether it's a seat on a board, shares in a firm, a favor owed here or there, these question the impartiality of seriously powerful people and ask important questions about the levels of self-interest that lie behind the rebuilding of Iraq. While Iraq may be free of Saddam, it looks like it's going to be the most lucrative country on Earth for the foreseeable future - at least for US hawks anyway.

Hotels in Post-War Iraq

With the rebuilding efforts in full swing, attention has also turned to the hospitality industry in post-war Iraq. As investors and businesspeople are flocking to the country, the demand for hotels is skyrocketing. Here are a few hotels that have already sprung up in the region:

Grand Oasis Hotel

Located in the heart of Baghdad, the Grand Oasis Hotel offers luxurious accommodations with stunning views of the city. With its state-of-the-art facilities and world-class service, it has become a favorite among international dignitaries and business travelers.

Desert Rose Resort

Situated on the outskirts of Basra, the Desert Rose Resort provides a tranquil retreat for those seeking a peaceful stay amidst the natural beauty of the desert. The resort offers a range of amenities, including spacious rooms, swimming pools, and fine dining options.

Euphrates Palace Hotel

Located in the ancient city of Babylon, the Euphrates Palace Hotel combines modern comfort with a rich cultural experience. Guests can explore the nearby historical sites and enjoy the hotel's luxurious facilities, including a spa, fitness center, and gourmet restaurants.

Conclusion

As Iraq continues its journey towards reconstruction, the intertwined interests of ideology and big business will shape the future of the country. The network of financial kickbacks and political connections behind the reconstruction efforts raise important questions about the impartiality of those involved. Meanwhile, the emergence of new hotels in post-war Iraq reflects the growing demand for accommodations in the region. It remains to be seen how the nation will navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.