Oil pipeline attacked again; No U.S. combat deaths in seven days

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/251/world/Oil_pipeline_attacked_again_No:.shtml

By Sabah Jerges, Associated Press, 9/8/2003 14:32

KIRKUK, Iraq (AP) Saboteurs struck a critical oil pipeline in northern Iraq on Monday, the latest in a series of attacks that have halted the country's oil deliveries to Turkey at an estimated cost of $7 million a day.

Adel al-Qazzaz, director general of the Northern Oil Co., said the line attacked Monday had carried 35,000 barrels a day from the Jabour oil field 20 miles southeast of Kirkuk to the main pipeline that originates in the northeastern Iraqi city.

The official said saboteurs set the line afire at a valve at 10:30 a.m., sending huge flames and clouds of smoke into the air. Firefighters had the fire under control by nightfall; about 300 yards of the pipeline were damaged.

L. Paul Bremer, U.S. civil administrator for Iraq, has estimated the country is losing $7 million daily because of damage to the pipeline that carries oil from the Kirkuk fields to a Mediterranean port at Ceyhan in Turkey.

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[tom_paine]

1. Yeah, but I'll bet we've had a few of those "accidental" deaths

You know, the kind of "accident" where an Iraqi Resistance Fighter pumps a jeep full of bullets, thus causing the driver to veer off course and smash into a brick wall.

You know, that kind of "accident".

Bad enough that our soldiers are being squandered for Poltical Effect and Bushevik Empire and Bushevik Fraud and Theft, but then to have their combat deaths IGNORED for similar reasons is odious in the extreme.

[leftchick]

2. what about the soldiers that die "off the field" from their wounds...

Oh, yeah...they do not count! :grr:

[robcon]

3. It's great that there have been no deaths recently...

I hope nothing big is planned for Sept 11 in Iraq.

[fizzana]

4. The reason combat casualties are down -

I was listening to someone with military experience from the "Bring Them Back Home Now" organization (didn't catch his name) who said that soldiers are venturing out a lot less on patrol and are staying behind the wire a lot more where they are safe from attack.

They're suffering less casualties but at the same time they have ceded more freedom and safety to the resistance.

[htuttle]

5. Hiding in firebases, surrounded by a hostile population...

Sounds all too familiar.

In fact, my even SAYING it sounds all too familiar, sounds all too familiar...

:eyes: