Interesting HR 4655 from 1998:

http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Legislation/ILA.html

Following chronological quotes are from the Department of Energy's website at:

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/chrn1998.html

"August 20 Following its regular 60-day review of trade sanctions against Iraq, the United Nations (UN) Security Council decides to extend the sanctions and expresses concern over Iraq's continuing refusal to cooperate with arms inspectors. On August 5, 1998, Iraq suspended cooperation with UN weapons inspectors, stating that it has destroyed its banned weapons of mass destruction and calling on the UN to lift the trade sanctions. (DJ)"

"August 21 Due to Afghanistan's continuing civil war and recent U.S. attacks on suspected terrorist training camps inside Afghanistan, Unocal suspends plans for the construction of a $2 billion natural gas pipeline that would run from Turkmenistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan. Unocal has stressed that the gas pipeline project will not proceed until an internationally- recognized government is in place. To date, only three countries -- Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates -- have recognized Afghanistan's Taliban government. (DJ) (WSJ)"

"December 7 Unocal Corporation drops out of a consortium that has been trying to build a $4.4 billion Central Asian oil pipeline passing through war-torn Afghanistan. A company spokesman attributes the decision to continuing political instability in the region and low oil prices. (DJ)"

I hate to sound like a fatalist, but I am assuming that this was started well before "W" was "appointed" as president. It all points to bottom line profits for me. For those gov't watchers out there, you can learn alot about our foreign policy by reading through the monthly chronologies at the above posted website.