President Millworth recently gained a slight “rally ‘round the flag” bump in the latest approval poll (Robinson). This percentage boost is relatively small compared to prior polls. Perhaps the numbers are up as a result of sending U.S. troops into Nigerian oil fields. At the same time, the numbers were not more impressive as the country is feeling more “war fatigue.”
However, it seems some form of military action was needed to secure the oil-rich area in which the Shell Oil Company operates. Prior to this civil war, Nigeria produced 2 million gallons of oil each day. Economists have predicted global gas prices to soar as a direct result of the ongoing Nigerian violence. Factions, derived from the dissolution of the old government, sprung up from the hundred or more ethnic groups struggling for territory and control while a new military government is attempting to crush resistance. A military move by the U.S. Government was seen as a crucial step in drawing world-wide attention to both the violence and natural resource issue in Nigeria. And with over a thousand people a day dying from wounds and starvation, the death rate is increasing.
In a statement released by the White House last night, the Nigerian conflict has become even more intense. Rather than summarize Press Secretary Adamez’s statement, below is the press release in its entirety: “The Situation in Nigeria has gotten worse. The British have introduced the resolution on sending in negotiators and peacekeeping forces to secure the oil fields in the Niger River Delta. The resolution has a good chance of passage. The peacekeeping force would keep the oil fields safe while the Nigerians have an opportunity to work out their problems. Our British allies are asking us to support a United Nations Security Council to provide military assistance to protect Nigerian oil wells against sabotage. The resolution would create an international peacekeeping force made up of representatives from Great Britain, Russia, India, Australia, the United States and Egypt. A British general would serve as the overall commander of the operation. The force would only be in place until the civil war in Nigeria is concluded and the country is declared safe. The proposed UN resolution also sends negotiators to resolve differences between the new Nigerian government and the many ethnic groups. The U.S Forces would be assigned to the western region of the oil wells. That region is the least likely to experience any serious problems. Most of the tension is in the eastern region where the Ogoni people live. This resolution and the peacekeeping force should have the long-term impact of calming tensions and guaranteeing Nigerian production of oil. This stabilization of production should stabilize oil process for consumers. The U.S. will support the resolution and play a minor role in the peacekeeping force. The goal is to strictly protect/secure the oil fields. The minimum amount of troops needed to secure the oil fields will be sent in.”
The White House seemed confident this plan would be successful and added that they believe the House supports this current military action. But as of tonight, there have been several talk radio and late night television programs taking calls from concerned Americans who are worried that this may be the start of another long war.
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