Here in the Northwest, the Kurdistan Regional Government has been running ads touting the success of the Kurds in Iraq. They even go so far as to offer the region as a tourist destination. Have a look at their website:
http://www.theotheriraq.com/
At the bottom of the page, there is one "thank you" video clip. My cynicism has gotten way out of hand recently but when I first saw this on TV, I immediately wondered if this wasn't set up as a Pentagon-run propaganda campaign to influence public opinion before the elections.
Aside from the manipulative advertising, there's lots going on in Kurdistan right now.
(more....)
The Other Iraq site is sponsered by the Kurdistan Regional Government.
http://www.krg.org/
I hadn't realized how autonomous the Kurds have become. I thought we were fighting for some sort of national unity government. Hmmmm... Anyway, one of the more interesting moves the KRG has made recently is to enact a law that allows foreigners to own and lease land:
"On July 4 the National Assembly of Kurdistan - Iraq enacted an investment law which, among other reforms, allows foreign investors to own and lease land.
The law also provides for the equal treatment of foreign and national investors, as well as a quick 30-day project licensing period."
Considering the whole point of the Iraqi incursion was to live out the conservative wet dream (without outside interference) to "privatize" an economy, this seems oddly cooperative of the Kurds. Aside from the obvious advantages for big oil, what are the chances that this privatization scheme would also allow the U.S. to purchase land, build and maintain military bases when the Shi'ite controlled government in Southern Iraq kicks us out for good? (Not that the Kurdish government wouldn't welcome us with open arms anyway).
Another sponser of the site is the Kurdistan Corporation:
http://www.kurdistancorporation.com/
which offers this nugget of information concerning the new investment law:
"Douglas Layton, the director of the Kurdistan Development Corporation, a joint public-private company, says the new investment law will have many incentives for foreigners. "For example, foreigners will be able to own 100 percent of a local company, whereas in the past it was 49 percent, and it had to be majority controlled by Iraqis," he said. Foreign investors will also be able to own property; they will receive an automatic five-year tax holiday that can be extended to 10 years, and they will be exempt during that time from import duties, income taxes and taxes on repatriated profits."
No taxes!!!??? Now we're talkin'! Reaping all the benefits while not being required to support the local economy? Now this is capitalism at its best!
I did a quick Google search on Douglas Layton but managed to find no reference to him except as he relates to the Kurdistan Corporation. I suppose it would be shocking to discover he has close ties to big oil and the Bush Administration.
There you have it. Your tax dollars at work. See? Sometimes good things come out of war! What could go wrong? Oh yeah, this:
http://www.rferl.org/...
Sigh.