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In 1999, UNICEF estimated that infant and
child mortality had more than doubled since the war. It largely
attributed this sharp reversal in mortality trends to malnutrition and
deteriorating health conditions caused by the war and ongoing sanctions.
It estimated that half a million more children died as a result. That's
5,200 children a month. [67]
[Bush says:] That ought to teach Saddam a lesson he won't soon forget!
-- Have a Nice War.
And the U.S. keeps on bombing Iraq year after year.
[General says:] Just for good measure!
Of course, there were those who celebrated the war as a great victory.
And indeed it was for some.
Operation Desert Storm--American Flag.
Who were the winners?
First, there are the oil companies...
... which reaped windfall profits through speculation and price gouging
that drove up gasoline prices. [68]
Earnings Soar 75% at Exxon.
Profits Rise 68.6% at Amoco.
Mobil's Profit Jumps 45.6% in Quarter.
War Fears Lifted 4th-Quarter prices: Net at $538 Million.
Texaco Net Up 26.5%; Chevron Climbs 17.8%.
But more importantly, the oil companies strengthened their grip on the
Middle Eastern oil supply. The war, at least for the time being,
preserved the cozy relationship between the oil companies and the royal
families of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the other gulf emirates (which
were all put in place by the British Empire). This cozy relationship has
brought fabulous wealth to the owners of the oil companies and to the
princes and emirs while the majority of Arab people remain poor. As a
result of the Gulf War, U.S. troops are now permanently stationed in
Saudi Arabia, despite strong opposition among many Arabs. [69]
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