Rubatex Information

Rubatex Msds WASHINGTON - Representatives of The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and Government Accountability Project (GAP) today urged Congress to investigate - and repeal - an executive order signed by President George W. Bush that gives sweeping powers to U.S. oil companies operating in Iraq.

Fri, Aug 31, 2007 Bush to Hear Military's Concerns on Iraq Aug 31, AP Military Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush, consulting military leaders on how to go forward in Iraq, term impact on U.S. forces of maintaining a heavy troop presence in Iraq in 2008 and beyond. Iraq was to be the main topic at a meeting, scheduled for Friday, at the Pentagon with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Rubatex Neoprene The two public interest organizations charged that President Bush far overreached a May 22, 2003, United Nations resolution that was designed to protect Iraqi oil revenues for humanitarian purposes when he signed an executive order that could place U.S. corporations above the law for any activities "related to" Iraqi oil, either in Iraq or domestically. Bush signed Executive Order 13303 the same day that the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1483, which sets up a development fund, from Iraqi oil revenues, for "humanitarian purposes."

The standoff between Bush and the Democrats is largely on principal, as the Democratic bill would likely have little to no practical effect on force levels in Iraq. a requirement that Bush is already on track to meet as he begins reversing this year's troop buildup in Iraq. And the 2008 goal to have most troops home is a nonbinding goal, which means Bush could ignore it.

Rubatex Pipe "This order reveals the true motivation for the present occupation: absolute power for U.S. corporate interests over Iraqi oil," said IPS Senior Researcher Jim Vallette. "This is the smoking gun that proves the Bush administration always intended to free corporate investments, not the Iraqi people."

- U.S. Congress approves the billions requested by President Bush for war and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. The U.S. economy proves strong in third quarter, with the fastest expansion rate since 1984. November 2003 President Bush becomes the first American President to visit Iraq when he makes a secret Thanksgiving visit to the country.

Rubatex Pipe Insulation "In terms of legal liability, the Executive Order cancels the concept of corporate accountability and abandons the rule of law," charged Tom Devine, legal director of the Government Accountability Project. "It is a blank check for corporate anarchy, potentially robbing Iraqis of both their rights and their resources."

In June 2003, the House approved the $162 billion "Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2003" in a vote of 264 to 163. If passed in the Senate, the bill would cancel the sunset clause in President Bush's 2001 act. And the Estate Tax would be permanently repealed. The Senate has yet to act on this bill.

Rubatex 180 In order to encourage the flow of oil revenues into the Development Fund, the UN Security Council declared that Iraqi oil and gas would be immune from legal proceedings until Dec. 31, 2007. The intent was to immunize the oil and gas only "until title passes to the initial purchaser" and further does "not apply to any legal proceeding... necessary to satisfy liability to damages assessed in connection with an ecological accident."

Given the new dynamics at play, President George W. Bush's administration has shifted its position on estate tax legislation, calling the House compromise bill "a step in the right direction" and one it can support now with the ultimate goal of full and permanent repeal in the future. President Bush has repeatedly called for permanent repeal and White House officials previously have shown no support for a compromise that would exclude most, but not all taxpayers from paying estate taxes. While maintaining that the estate tax ultimately should be repealed, the administration meanwhile supports ending it "for as many people as possible now. While short of full repeal, [the House bill] provides significant relief from the death tax, " according to an administration policy statement issued on June 22.

Rubatex 180 Fs However, the president's executive order ignores these important caveats and declares that "any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process is prohibited, and shall be deemed null and void," with respect to the Development Fund for Iraq and "all Iraqi petroleum and petroleum products, and interests therein."

Rubatex 1800 In addition to an exemption for ecological accidents, the UN order had restricted immunity to the point of initial sale. Bush grants Iraqi oil a lifetime exemption provided US companies are involved in the oil's production, transport, or distribution. His order applies to Iraqi oil products that are "in the United States, hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of United States persons." Under U.S. law, corporations are "persons." Executive Order 13303 means that if oil companies establish separate corporations to handle Iraqi oil, they may be able to escape liability entirely.

For further information, visit:
http://www.seen.org/BushEO.shtml To schedule interviews
contact Joia Jefferson Nuri at 301-920-0670.