Venezuela can manage its own affairs without the “help” of the USA
www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, March 13, 2003 By: Oscar Heck
VHeadline.com commentarist Oscar Heck writes: I recently received a letter from a USA military person (USMC) who fought in the Gulf War (1991) in Kuwait, where I was working at the time. He said something to the effect that many US personnel that fought in that war are not very happy with what I wrote in my last article … principally, my statement that the USA did not “help” Kuwait (as the USA claims) but that they were “paid” to do the job.
- I based my statement on what I was personally told by some Saudi Royalty members at the time.
First, I would like to apologize if I hurt anyone’s feelings ... I would feel the same if I were told something to the effect that the effort I made in a war was of no value, or was not appreciated. In addition, I suspect that military personnel have no say in whether or not they will, or will not, do something that they either believe in or not.
Next, I decided to do a little numbers research: Here are the results ... 32 countries (allies of Kuwait) apparently participated in the war, which lasted up to 42 days in January and February 1991. The total estimated cost of the war was US$82 billion ... there were approximately 700,000 allied troops; 540,000 from the USA. Apparently, the USA contributed US$18 billion (of a total of US$82 billion).
Here is my analysis: Using the above figures, US$18 billion would cover roughly 22% of the military forces, being 154,000 people. The USA had 540,000 military personnel. Someone else paid for 540,000 minus 154,000 people, which represents 55% of the forces, which represents US$45.2 billion.
Now, supposing that the USA made a profit of 40% on the use of US$45.2 billion for their involvement in the war … the profit would be about US$18 billion ... in other words, the war may not have cost them a penny. (I suspect that it may be financially possible to make a 40% profit on operations of that nature, especially under situations of war).
Isn’t it also possible that the USA was/is/will be indirectly or directly involved in the reconstruction of Iraq’s infrastructure? (in 1991, estimated at US$200 billion).
More jobs for all ... more profits.
So, to conclude, the person that wrote to me saying that they (the USA) did it to “help” Kuwait, may be be right.
Depends how one looks at it.
As for the USA being “paid” to fight, I would still say yes, the USA was “paid” to fight...
Why? Because 72% of the USA involvement in the war (as per the above figures) was paid for by others, not by the USA.
One thing for certain, the USA provided approximately 77% of the wo/man-power ... and that is admirable I suppose … if war is a justified and needed tool … and if one believes it.
- As far as I can see, the Saudis who told me that the USA was paid to fight were not wrong after all.
This article does not have much to do with Venezuela, at least not in a direct fashion. Indirectly, yes! Venezuela can manage its own affairs without the “help” of the USA ... or any other country ... or group of “friends.”
“Help” can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on where one stands.
I am not “bashing” the USA ... as I was accused of doing … I just hope to awaken others to the dangers that Venezuela could face if Venezuela follows the path of Colombia in its partnerships with the United States of America
Saudi Arabia has lots of oil ... so does Kuwait, Iraq, Colombia … and Venezuela.
Oscar Heck oscarheck111@hotmail.com