Reply #34: It's a kickback and a major conflict of interest for Baker [View All]

His assigned task as envoy was to REDUCE Iraq's debt to Kuwait -- i.e., to get Kuwait to "write down" or "write off" the debt.

Kuwait obviously doesn't want to "write down" or "write off" the debt, and would prefer that it be paid in full.

Baker's attempt at getting a $2 Billion investment from Kuwait can be seen as an attempt to extort money out of Kuwait in exchange for Kuwait getting favorable treatment by Baker in his role as a debt middleman -- backed by the full force of the U.S. government and its many avenues of applying pressure. Kuwait would be buying Baker's loyalty (an oxymoron, I'm sure) in the deal.

When it happens in business it's considered a kickback and the culprits end up in jail.

When it happens on the world stage it should be considered treason.