Iraq's Economic Catastrophe

[G_j]

Iraq's Economic Catastrophe (April 7-13 2005)

Under 13 years of sanctions on Iraq, "businesses crumbled, infrastructure rotted and families starved." This piece argues that since the 2003 invasion, things have only gotten worse: "living standards have declined, poverty as well as child malnutrition have increased," and unemployment "could be as high as 65 percent." Corruption is partly to blame, but "failure to rehabilitate the oil industry is another major factor," depriving Iraq of billions of dollars that could be used to fund reconstruction projects. (Al-Ahram Weekly)

http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/reconstruct/2005/0407catastrophe.htm

[oblivious]

1. If foreign armies left, oil exports and employment would increase.

It's so disgusting to hear people say the US must stay to help Iraq back on its feet. Just let them have their damn oil revenues and get their people back to work. The US and UK know absolutely nothing about nation building, only about destroying nations and mass murder.

[G_j]

2. yes, the doubling of child malnutrition (for example)

does not appear to be a sign that Iraqis are getting back on their feet. :-(