"Frank Carlucci was setting up policies while he was in office as Secretary of Defence that he's now capitalising on as Chairman of Carlyle Group. Its a brilliant scheme if you think about it..."
The Carlyle Group is a Global Private Equity Merchant Bank, it employs high profile politicians such as George Bush senior and John Major, defence experts and business people from around the world. The 'Iron Triangle' refers to the confluence of big business, the military and politics.
The documentary examines the 2001 US Defense Authorisation Bill, which authorised funding for United Defense's Crusader Howitzer mobile gun. United Defense was owned by the Carlyle Group. There were deep concerns over the missile's suitablity for the US army. The missile procurement was eventually cancelled but those who opposed it were vilified
The Iron Triangle was broadcast on VPRO Netherlands TV in 2009.The documentary exposes the influence the Carlyle Group can bring on foreign policy.
Translation of the first one minute forty seven seconds of this program.
"The war in Iraq does not seem to be over al all, but in the meantime the rebuilding has already started. This has unleashed fiercecompetition for contracts, which are mainly awarded to American (ed: U.S.) companies.
What is remarkable about these companies, is that they have people on their payroll from American politics and the military. Is this a conflict of interest, or is this the new global way of doing business?
[text in the screen at this time reads: 'the iron triangle']
One of the companies that operates in this manner is the Carlyle Group."
On their payroll are people like : George Bush (Sr.), James Baker III and old premier John Major.
The Carlyle Group is a private investment bank which doesn't come to the publics attention very often but it is one of the biggest American (ed: USA) investors of the defense industry, telecom, property and financial services.
What is the Carlyle Group? Who are the people behind the name? And how much power does Carlyle have?