US barring war opponents from Iraq contracts sparks new storm

[underpants]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/iraq_us_rebuild

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States has barred countries that opposed the Iraq (news - web sites) war from bidding for billions of dollars of reconstruction contracts sparking a new storm with allies who did not join the US-led coalition.

Germany said Wednesday that the US decision was unacceptable. France said it would see if the move could be legally challenged. Russia's foreign minister insisted the contracts be open to all countries.


The Defense Department memorandum listed 63 countries ( Iceland :shrug: )eligible to compete for 26 lead contracts that cover the sweep of Iraq's reconstruction needs.

"It is necessary for the protection of the essential security interests of the United States to limit competition for the prime contracts of these procurements to companies from the United States, Iraq, coalition partners and force contributing nations," Wolfowitz said in the memorandum.

"Thus it is clearly in the public interest to limit prime contracts to companies from these countries," it said.

Companies barred from competing as prime contractors will still be able to work as sub-contractors on the Iraqi projects, said Major Joe Yoswa, a Pentagon (news - web sites) spokesman

It noted that since the end of major combat operations, the number of coalition troops from countries other than the United States has increased from 14,000 to 23,7000, allowing the number of US troops to drop by 12,000.

[Fovea]

1. The apotheosis of corporatism

Stated simply, this is a corporate sponsored adminstration, encouraging foreign corporations to subsume their governments in sort of a world corporatist uprising.

[KoKo]

3. Interesting observation, "realpolitik." Something to think more about

in what you say.

[PurityOfEssence]

6. Or, simply put: looting

It's simple monopolistic business: force the demise of one's competition, then "purchase" its assets.

[henslee]

17. Bingo.

[theivoryqueen]

2. France, Germany and Russia knew this was coming

they already had contracts in Iraq - and they had hard assets on the ground. These three countries refused to approve of the war partially because the US came right out and said that they would be the final arbiters of who got to keep or get contracts in Iraq, and refused to honor pre-existing contracts (that were held by Russia, France and Germany). These countries already know the worst: they got jacked by the Bushies using taxpayer dollars and american lives.

[Spazito]

4. Well, gee, this will help get international troop support in Iraq...

NOT! Here is Canada's response to this latest insult by Bush and his cabal:

Canada Says U.S. Iraq Rebuilding Rules Hard to Grasp

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's incoming prime minister said on Wednesday that a U.S. decision to deny Iraq (news - web sites) reconstruction contracts to firms from countries that did not join the Iraq war was hard to understand.



"I find it very difficult to fathom," Paul Martin told a news conference. He noted that Canada had pledged C$300 million ($230 million) in aid to Iraq, and has the largest number of foreign troops in Afghanistan (news - web sites).

(more, only one more paragraph so I only posted the first two)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=841&ncid=841&e=1&u=/nm/20031210/wl_canada_nm/canada_iraq_usa_col

[glarius]

10. I saw Martin at his news conference this morning....I'm impressed by him

He will NOT be buckling under to Bush as some were suggesting....Bush just keeps on widening the gap between U.S.A. and former allies!

[northzax]

20. afganiwhere?

why would anyone care who has troops there? that's the old war, remember.

[Mokito]

5. I see a subtle manipulation here.

By barring all 'opposing countries' they seem to be creating a list of bidding countries that are easily outbid by US-contractors, thereby moving all of the moneyflow in the direction of US business.

Tinfoil?

[theivoryqueen]

7. when you consider that the major contractors involved in Vietnam

are also the major contractors in Iraq, it really makes you reach for the Reynolds....

The Texas Observer did a great piece called "the Candidate from Brown & Root" about LBJ. It could as easily be written about Bush, as the decision to go to war with Iraq was partially based on Halliburtons upcoming bankruptcy hearings - also today!

[zbdent]

8. They should bar companies who were doing business with Iraq

between 1988 (the gassing of his own people) and 1998.

Oops, Arbusto and Halliburton.

Never mind.

[SpiralHawk]

9. "All the War Spoils Are Belong to Us."

- BushCo., impudently flying the Skull & Boner flag as they ream the planet.

[never cry wolf]

11. On a bright note

Isn't Diebold based in Vancouver? Maybe the Iraqis will at least get their votes counted.

[Tempest]

12. Diebold is based in Ohio. n/t

[zbdent]

14. North Canton, to be exact

and they're sweating now.

[never cry wolf]

16. Maybe I'm thinking of ESS??

One of the BBV companies was based in Vancouver. I thought the main offices were in Vancouver but the machines were made in Ohio.

[SidDithers]

15. Canada opposed the war...

So we're out too.

Sid

[glarius]

19. We opposed the war but contributed $300 million to reconstruction!

The whole thing is DISGUSTING!!!!!

[Tempest]

13. EU to Investigate Whether Contracts Ban Violates WTO

* is about to get bitch-slapped, again.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52262-2003Dec10.html

[CatWoman]

18. update

White House defends bid policy in Iraq


- - - - - - - - - - - -
By MATT KELLEY



Dec. 10, 2003 | WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House, defending a new policy barring companies from nations that opposed the Iraq war from bidding on $18.6 billion in reconstruction contracts, said Wednesday that countries wanting a slice of that lucrative pie must participate militarily in the postwar effort.

Responding to the angry response from Germany, Canada and other U.S. allies, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the policy was "appropriate and reasonable."

"Prime contracts for reconstruction funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars should go to the Iraqi people and those countries who are working with the United States on the difficult task of helping to build a free, democratic and prosperous Iraq," McClellan said.

The Pentagon policy prevents companies from countries that opposed war from bidding on reconstruction contracts because their governments opposed the American-led war that ousted Saddam Hussein's regime.

http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2003/12/10/bid_policy/print.html

[SpiralHawk]

21. "You either let us do what we want, or you're an EVIL Enemy."

- ChimpCo is just re-issuing this memo in case anyone misplaced it.

"Hate is not a family value." - A Trusted Source

[xchrom]

22. just in time for the holidays

corporate santa knows who's been naughty or nice.