January 31, 2006
When US President George W. Bush takes to the podium amidst much fanfare and mechanical clapping, consider the following facts:
* 1047 days have passed since Bush announced the invasion and occupation of Iraq
* Conservative numbers indicate 2246 US soldiers are recorded to have died in this period. Another at least 16500 have been wounded.
* 208 coalition troops have been killed - 98 from the UK
* Between 35,000 and 135,000 Iraqis have been killed. This figure does not include resistance fighters.
* Iraq's oil output has been unable to match or surpass pre-invasion levels
* Iraq is some $140 billion in debt.
* Iraq is still paying Kuwait and others for 1991 Gulf War reparations.
* Conservative numbers indicate there are at least 15,000 Iraqis in US detention centers and jails. Figures reach as high as 35,000.
* There are no figures for Iraqis held in secret Interior Ministry jails.
* Some 56 Iraqi journalists have been killed by US forces, local militia and fighting with resistance groups.
* Number of conferences on reconciliation - 1
* Number of weapons of mass destruction, reason for going to war, found - 0 (Zero)
* In is 2003 State of the Union address Bush said Iraq had:
The 25,000 liters of anthrax.
Materials sufficient to produce more than 38,000 liters of botulinum toxin.
As much as 500 tons of sarin, mustard and VX nerve agent.
Upwards of 30,000 munitions capable of delivering chemical agents.
NONE HAS BEEN FOUND.
* Conservative figure of direct cost of nearly three years in Iraq - $300 billion.
* At least 20,000 non-Iraqi private military contractors work in Iraq.
* At least 340 non-Iraqi private military contractors killed in Iraq.
* Kidnappings per day; 2 (January 2004), 12 (December 2004)
* Number of active resistance fighters 15-20,000 (est.)
* Number of foreign fighters in Iraq 700-2000 (est.)
* Average number of attacks per week: 580
* Average electricity generated pre-war (3958 MW)
* Average electricity generated December 2005 (3500 MW)
* Stated July 1, 2004 goal: 6000 MW
* Bush approval rating: 39% (Zogby) January 15, 2006
* Bush handling of Iraq war approval rating: 40% (Zogby) January 15, 2006
* America's budget deficit: $340 billion (2006).
* 2001: surplus of $230 billion.
* Price of barrel of oil in 2003: $37
* Price of barrel of oil in 2006: $68
Sources: Zogby, Brookings Institute, Iraq Body Count, Iraq Coalition Casualties,
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