Nukes For Oil -- Kiss And Tell

Here's an interesting combination of stories. One is an editorial from the June 10, 2008 Wall Street Journal by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass). He discusses President Bush's plan to sell nuclear power technology to the Saudis. This would be the Saudis that sit on the largest oil reserves in the world and have sunshine about 365 days a year. It's the same technology for which Bush is rattling sabers of Iran. Gee, weren't there like 18 Saudis among those 911 hijackers?

Story two: The Saudis coincidentally are planning to increase oil production. Could it be for the nukes? Could it be because of the upcoming Presidential election? Gee, I'm starting to sound like a conspiracy theorist. I forgot, the Saudis are our friends.

Read on...

From the Wall Street Journal:

Editorial link: Why Is Bush Helping Saudi Arabia Build Nukes?

"Last month, while the American people were becoming the personal ATMs of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in Saudi Arabia signing away an even more valuable gift: nuclear technology. In a ceremony little-noticed in this country, Ms. Rice volunteered the U.S. to assist Saudi Arabia in developing nuclear reactors, training nuclear engineers, and constructing nuclear infrastructure. While oil breaks records at $130 per barrel or more, the American consumer is footing the bill for Saudi Arabia's nuclear ambitions."

From China View:

Read more @ UN chief: Saudi Arabia to increase daily crude output by 200,000 barrels

RIYADH, June 15 (Xinhua) -- UN chief Ban Ki-moon said on Sunday that Saudi Arabia had pledged another crude output increase in July to meet rising demand in the world market. Saudi Arabia, the top producer of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has promised to raise its daily output by 200,000 barrels in July, Ban said after a visit to the country. The oil powerhouse has said it would increase output by 300,000 barrels a day in June during a visit by U.S. President George W. Bush's last month.