Um...yes, they do think that they are fooling people.
Displacing the regular people for the sake of the greedy is not the answer. In your own reply you seem unsure as to whether or not the common person will see any gain; "Probably use inefficiently...much lost to corruption..." Yes, it is dressed up as if it is meant to help (and there are no doubt some, who truly do expect and want this to help); however, the same has been said of the invasions of Iraq over the past hundred years and the truth has, although, usually far too late, been shown-repeatedly.
I never said PR is necessarily false, just that in the case of what we are seeing now, it is, most definitely false. The Iraqi people are not going to be helped. A few upper level current government officials of Iraq will do quite well from these deals, as will the oil companies. Al-amiri will not do so well as his family is shoved off the land in the dead of night (cousin Abby might do decently, seeing as he has always played his cards well).
I will not continue to argue this, as we clearly come at the matter from different directions. I see a country for which I still hold a great affection, you see one which matters more or mainly from an observer's viewpoint. This doesn't make either of us right or wrong. I see your words, comprehend, but, must disagree, just as you may well do with mine. That's part of what makes life interesting.
I am surprised by nothing in the whole farce. (perhaps farce is too nice a word-I'll possibly get back to you on that one)