NYT: U.S. Bars Iraq Contracts for Nations That Opposed War

[TexasPatriot]

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/09/international/middleeast/09CND-DIPL.html?hp

The Pentagon has barred French, German and Russian companies from competing for $18.6 billion in contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq, saying the step "is necessary for the protection of the essential security interests of the United States."

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Boy, that's one way to convince our allies to participate in Iraq... * is amazing isnt he.

[soothsayer]

1. o joy, more friends made around the world

jeez, the damage that nut has done to the US and our reputation

stop the insanity! get this crew out of DC fast!!!!

[ramapo]

2. How immature

The junta thinks this'll teach them a lesson?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. Then they should give nothing to rebuild Iraq!

.

[Hand]

4. Effing brilliant...

In response, a la Seinfeld's Soup Nazi, the French, Germans, and Russians can respond:

"NO TROOPS FOR YOU!"

There is no limit to this regime's vindictiveness--it's as vast as their stupidity.

:grr:

on edit: typo

[loudnclear]

5. So, stop asking those nations to send money and troops now!

The world will be against us before long.

[Laughing Mirror]

6. What about China?

Is China also on the blacklist?

[Hobarticus]

18. China's our friends, now!

Bush'd hand over Taiwan in a heartbeat if China would send troops!

[bif]

7. More childish vindictiveness coming from the top

He acts like a spoiled little brat, once again. "We'll show you not to cross us again."

[fishnfla]

8. All the allies on the ground there are bailing out

so whats the big deal? No business wants to invest in a quagmire.

[madrchsod]

9. much to do about nothing

german, french and russian companies won`t bid untill international courts recognize iraq and it`s government. the united nations won`t recognize iraq till it has an elected government..would you trust the bush klan to pay you????

[Kellanved]

13. not at all

French, German ... companies want to make profit - period.
They're not different from American companies - Siemens for example is already rebuilding old power plants, DHL delivers the mail; the list goes on.

The bad news for Iraq is that the discussed debt-waiver by France and Germany (several Billions) won't happen under these conditions.

[pinto]

15. Bet Baker heard some "no"s" on debt relief, contracts were his carrot n/t

[tom_paine]

10. Well, at least they formalized it...the whole thing is a sham anyway

Non-Bushevik AMERIKAN corproations are ineligible for Iraqi Resconstruction Contracts.

So the Free World shouldn't feel frozen out by the Empire. Imperial Subjects of Amerika are frozen out, too.

[davhill]

11. It's our country, we stole it fair and square n/t

[arcane1]

12. they admit it, openly

that profiting from Iraqi assets is their goal, for our "security"


Hey Bush, you ignorant pussy: Do the IRAQIS get to choose which foreign corporations get to profit from their resources? Are they not FREE to decide that themselves?

:shrug:


Fuck you George W Bush and your evil, pasty, impotent gang-o-thugs :grr:

[ConcernedCanuk]

16. "evil, pasty, impotent gang-o-thugs" - "impotent" ?? - I don't think so -

. . Haven't the USA's BFEE proved that they can (and will) fu_k with anyone ?

. . anywhere ?

. . "International Crimial Court" ? - feck that - we'll "unsign" that thing

. . "Sovereign Nation" - feck dat too - only the USA matters

. . " United Nations" - ?? can't have that !! - only the USA matters

and so on -

. (sigh) .

[pinto]

17. Yeah, and its a very dangerous game they're playing. Security? Geez.

[Hobarticus]

14. Schoolyard hissy fits...

Wasn't Powell just peddling for help from NATO last week?

"Put your troops in harm's way...for free".

Go pound sand, Powell. Thought you were a leader...you're just another grunt following orders blindly.

[teryang]

19. There is no profit from Iraq investment

...only losses. The profits are coming from the US Treasury as the hand outs to favored corporatist friends go on at a torrential rate.

Anyone who actually invests in Iraq is getting bad advice. Nothing will pay off there until the Americans leave and the civil war results in consolidation. Of course that may never occur.

Why throw good money after bad? If you are talking about American government contracts that is a different matter. But that well isn't going to last much longer. The net to the COUNTRY OR GOVERNMENT that gets involved in Iraq is going to be a big loss no matter how you look at it.