AboutLe Anne Clausen Expertise I can answer questions about life as an expatriate in the Middle East; women's experiences, international human rights efforts and issues, interfaith relations in areas of conflict, with a particular emphasis on Iraq, Israel/Palestine, and Afghanistan.
Experience I was a human rights worker for four years in Palestine/Israel, Iraq, and Afghanistan. I have additionally traveled in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. I speak intermediate Arabic and some Hebrew, and I have an MA in Christian-Muslim relations. I am currently working to create an interfaith peace-teams based human rights organization
Publications "Be the Healers" (a response to Abu Ghraib), July 2004 issue of the Lutheran magazine. Also: www.christian-muslim.net; www.young-activist.blogspot.com; additional articles and interviews about me can be found via Google search.
Question If as most people will contend, the US invaded Iraq to steal the oil, then where is it? Are we in fact taking their oil?
Thanks, Ray
Answer Hi Ray, thanks for your question.
Yes, actually; during 2003-2004, the U.S. was reporting record-high exports of oil at the same time I was witnessing Iraqi citizens lined up for miles,sometimes waiting over 24 hours in line, outside gas stations for the little amount that was alloted to them. This also included a shortage of heating/cooking fuel allowed to the Iraqi market--people had to cut down the decorative palm trees lining the streets to stay warm over the winter, and there were many house fires. The U.S. claimed that the proceeds from the sale of the exported oil was going to pay for reconstruction; but there was little evidence of this going on. Otherwise, the oil would have gone to our corporations and entered the general market. Our higher costs are not due to a shortage of oil, but a combination (according to recent news reports) of profiteering and the new dangers of getting that oil from Iraq and the region in this manner.
