Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

If it were possible to pick a turning point in the ‘Oil Wars’ the battle for Kazakhstan comes to mind.

Kazakhstan, the Caspian's richest country in energy wealth, has spurned the U.S.-Backed Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline which could in fact turn the tide against the United States.

Not only does Kazakh oil favor another pipeline through Russia rather than a US-backed facility but China and Kazakhstan are to step up construction of the Atasu-Alashankou-Dushanzi oil pipeline.

If these things come to pass and the U.S. is denied an adequate supply of Kazakhstan oil I would be tempted to call the outcome of the ‘Oil Wars’ now with the United States going down in defeat.

Equally important is the strength of the alliance formed that is based on supplying China with its greatest need, energy. Thus Russia, Kazakhstan and China have shaped a strong and formidable coalition based on mutual cooperation revolving around oil and gas.

www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/03/28/2003108099

Ironically, although Bush has spent his presidency fighting for hegemony he will go down in history as the president who lost the proud position the United States once held, in my opinion. -Am


Reference:
Russia welcomes China to participate in East Serbia oil development. Experts held that it will help ease China's current oil shortage if the two countries can reach agreement on cooperation in oil.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200403/29/eng20040329_138798.shtml

On March 29, 2004 Yukos Oil Co., Russia's second-largest oil company, signed an agreement on Saturday with Russian Railways to more than double the railway delivery of oil exported to China this year and increase the amount fivefold by 2006.
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_5992.shtml

04.03.2004
Beijing. (Interfax-China) - China and Kazakhstan will step up construction of the Atasu-Alashankou-Dushanzi oil pipeline, a Chinese source told Interfax on condition of anonymity.

"Russia and Kazakhstan are potential rivals on the Chinese energy market. China would like both countries to become its partners if possible. China does not want to lay all its eggs in one basket. In addition, China wants access to oil fields on the Caspian shelf via Kazakhstan," the newspaper said.

http://www.interfax.com/com?item=Kaz&pg=0&id=5701851&req=