When all is said and done, this conflict is about oil. Yesterday, the Shell International Petroleum Company reported record profits. The French and Germans currently have reservations about the war. The Russians have obtained concessions from the Iraqi Administration in regard to oil fields and exploration. The French are deeply involved in Iraq and companies that have links to Ireland and are quoted on the British Stock Exchange have been given concessions. Post-Saddam Hussein, no one is sure what will happen about the current agreements. This is part of the difficulty involved in removing his regime.