Starwood Preferred Guest - Starwood in Iraq?

I noticed in an article about looting at the Sheraton in Basra. It seems that there are a few Sheratons in Iraq. Why don't any of them appear on the SPG site?

Here is a link

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.tcl?location_id=1831

Update:

This link might explain something....

http://www.littleredbutton.com/iraqimages/0007.html

"Men greeting each other near the book market in Baghdad. The Pepsi Corporation no longer has business ties with Iraq, but "Pepsi" is still sold. Similarly, it is possible to stay in a "Sheraton" hotel in Baghdad, though it no longer has any connection to the Sheraton hotel chain."

[This message has been edited by brj8826 (edited 04-07-2003).]

I wonder if they have to be a separate operating entity, and probably any US business is prohibited from selling anything in Iraq - for the next several weeks, until the leader of Iraq is a U.S. General.

Very scary.

well, i hope one can get starpoints. if so, i will have to visit my best friend in baghdad once things calm down a bit.

Christian

If you look in the other thread that was already opened earlier yesterday, that the Lurker commented that they are not Starwood properties. I believe, hmm, something to do with more lies coming out of that country...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/006883.html

Remember that if you book at the St. Regis Baghdad to book on SPG.com so you get your 500 bonus starpoints.