Iraq: the French resistance

Why is France not joining ranks with the U.S. and Great Britain regarding a possible war with Iraq? Partly because of oil, says Dr. George Vernardakis, political science professor and expert on French government and politics. "France has oil contracts with Iraq over a number of years to the extent of $60 billion. But also the French Fifth Republic, established by De Gaulle in 1958, has pursued an independent course of action toward the promotion of its national interest and increased significance on the world stage." Additionally, the U.S. shared atomic secrets with Great Britain but not France, which also may account for its coolness toward the U.S., he adds.

Contact Vernardakis at 615-898-2719.
gvernard@mtsu.edu

Iraq: Russian reticence

Economic factors play an important role in Russia's insistence on continued inspections in Iraq, says Dr. Andrei Korobkov, assistant professor, political science, and expert on the former Soviet Union and international relations. "Iraq owes Russia up to $20 billion, and there is a fear that the fall of Saddam can result in the loss of this money. Russia also has a number of ongoing deals with Iraq in various branches of its industry." Then there's oil. "During the last year," he continues, "Saddam has offered numerous concessions to the Russian (Slavneft, Lukoil) and Western European oil companies for the development of Iraqi oil fields."

Contact Korobkov at 615-898-2945.
korobkov@mtsu.edu

Iraq: The case for China

There has been a consistency of criticism of American hegemony, notes Dr. Richard Hannah, professor of economics and finance, and expert on the Chinese economy. "Economically, China's extraordinary growth is, and will be, more dependent on oil. So there is a strong interest in stability in this market. I doubt that China is receiving any oil from Iraq, but a widening Gulf conflict would dampen all oil-importing nations." Hannah adds that rather than there being a single reason to any nation's reluctance to be a U.S. ally in a possible war with Iraq, the longer-term implications seem to be "the cloudy picture of re-alignments of nations in the world, and particularly in Europe," he adds.

Contact Hannah at 615-898-2228.
rlhannah@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA: TODAY: Feb. 14, 7 p.m., Wright Music Building, "A Night of Smooth, Soulful Jazz," featuring Marcus "Stix" Finney, Todd Johnson, and others. $2.00 admission. Media welcomed.