Pentagon backs plan to build luxury hotels, shopping center and condos in the Baghdad "Green Zone"

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Forget the rocket attacks, concrete blast walls and lack of a sewer system. Now try to imagine luxury hotels, a shopping center and even condos in the heart of Baghdad.

That's all part of a five-year development "dream list" — or what some dub an improbable fantasy — to transform the U.S.-protected Green Zone from a walled fortress into a centerpiece for Baghdad's future.

But the $5 billion plan has the backing of the Pentagon and apparently the interest of some deep pockets in the world of international hotels and development, the lead military liaison for the project told The Associated Press.

For Washington, the driving motivation is to create a "zone of influence" around the new $700 million U.S. Embassy to serve as a kind of high-end buffer for the compound, whose total price tag will reach about $1 billion after all the workers and offices are relocated over the next year.

"When you have $1 billion hanging out there and 1,000 employees lying around, you kind of want to know who your neighbors are. You want to influence what happens in your neighborhood over time," said Navy Capt. Thomas Karnowski, who led the team that created the development plan.

Karnowski said a deal already has been completed for Marriott International Inc. to build a hotel in the Green Zone. He also said a possible $1 billion investment could come from MBI International, a conglomerate that focuses on hotels and resorts and is led by Saudi Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber.

...

Even now ... the faint hints of the development plan have driven up the Green Zone's already sky-high real estate prices.

Land that a few years ago was going for $60 a square meter on 50-year leases in the zone is now going for up to $1,000 a square meter, American officials say.

Last week, a Los Angeles-based holding company for equity firms, C3, confirmed it was starting a $500 million project to build an amusement park on the outskirts of the Green Zone in an area encompassing the Baghdad Zoo. The first phase, a skateboard park, is scheduled to open this summer.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080505/ap_on_..._the_green_zone

[mawilson 2,133]

Land that a few years ago was going for $60 a square meter on 50-year leases in the zone is now going for up to $1,000 a square meter, American officials say.

$100 a square foot? Damn!

[HAL 9000 96]

Maybe Haliburton can finance it instead of our tax revenues.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

Land that a few years ago was going for $60 a square meter on 50-year leases in the zone is now going for up to $1,000 a square meter, American officials say.

$100 a square foot? Damn!

it's the new new york..........

[mawilson 2,133]

Maybe Haliburton can finance it instead of our tax revenues.

Where does it say that our tax revenues will pay for it?

[HAL 9000 96]

Maybe Haliburton can finance it instead of our tax revenues.

Where does it say that our tax revenues will pay for it?

Ridiculous corporate tax breaks imply it.

[mawilson 2,133]

Maybe Haliburton can finance it instead of our tax revenues.

Where does it say that our tax revenues will pay for it?

Ridiculous corporate tax breaks imply it.

Can you be more specific?

[HAL 9000 96]

Maybe Haliburton can finance it instead of our tax revenues.

Where does it say that our tax revenues will pay for it?

Ridiculous corporate tax breaks imply it.

Can you be more specific?

I should have more closely focused on having exclusivity in contracts to do business while the granting authority is supported by our tax money. This in effect, makes operation of these businesses, a tax-supported venue. Perhaps those already benefiting from lucrative contracts can and should foot the bill as a form of investment.

[mawilson 2,133]

Maybe Haliburton can finance it instead of our tax revenues.

Where does it say that our tax revenues will pay for it?

Ridiculous corporate tax breaks imply it.

Can you be more specific?

I should have more closely focused on having exclusivity in contracts to do business while the granting authority is supported by our tax money. This in effect, makes operation of these businesses, a tax-supported venue. Perhaps those already benefiting from lucrative contracts can and should foot the bill as a form of investment.

Read this again:

"Karnowski said a deal already has been completed for Marriott International Inc. to build a hotel in the Green Zone. He also said a possible $1 billion investment could come from MBI International, a conglomerate that focuses on hotels and resorts and is led by Saudi Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber.

...

Last week, a Los Angeles-based holding company for equity firms, C3, confirmed it was starting a $500 million project to build an amusement park on the outskirts of the Green Zone in an area encompassing the Baghdad Zoo. "

Our tax dollars are not paying for these projects.

[HAL 9000 96]

Yes, that's right. Which is why I state what I state in my last post.