Choppers shoot to protect Iraq oil, power

[sabra]

Source: UPI

BAGHDAD, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- The Iraqi Defense Ministry has issued a shoot-to-kill order to helicopter gunners guarding Iraq’s vulnerable oil and power infrastructure.

Azzaman reports the Ministry of Defense has brought in armed helicopters, possibly Russian, to protect the power and fuel supply to Baghdad.

Iraq as a whole suffers from drought of fuels and electricity, and Baghdad is especially targeted by insurgents looking to choke the country’s capital.

The newspaper reports pilots are to shoot at anyone approaching the oil pipelines or power lines and towers.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/International_Security/Energy/Briefing/2007/09/18/choppers_shoot_to_protect_iraq_oil_power/6157/

[Xipe Totec]

1. How long do you think before they shoot a repair crew? n/t

[saigon68]

6. FREEDOM is on the March

Shouted the Awol Chimpanzee

[budibudinski]

2. They going to shoot Halliburtonistas & their Blackwater protectors?

or do they have the immunity idol?

[dipsydoodle]

3. It would seem that at present

Blackwater are fair game for the turkey shoot because they're supposed not to be there any longer. From the air the Haliburtonistas probably look the same so I guess their issue will be being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Just unfriendly fire folks , nothing to see here , move along, move along.

[Robbien]

4. So much is wrong with this

If Iraq is such a success story, why are poachers being shot on sight? Due process of law is not counted when measuring success I see.

[Shipwack]

5. I'm more interested in -this- aspect of the story...

"Ministry of Defense has brought in armed helicopters, possibly Russian, to protect the power and fuel supply to Baghdad."

Who are the helicopters being manned by? Russian pilots? Iraqis trained by Russians? The choppers come from Russia... not supplied by the US, nor one of hte "Coalition of hte Willing", nor one of the armed corporations...

Does the Iraqi Ministry of Defense feel that he's going to need a force that is more loyal to Iraq than the US? The person who suggested that it's going to be "open season" on BLackwater mercs most likely has the right of it. Hopefully it would stop with them.