EU to Study Legality of Iraq Contract Row

[DeathvadeR]

<http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3488583,00.html>

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The European Union's head office said Wednesday it would examine whether the Pentagon decision to shut Germany, France and other countries that opposed its war in Iraq out of bidding for reconstruction contracts violates World Trade Organization rules.

[DuctapeFatwa]

1. Well the EU can bite me

This is pretty sick, they didn't make this much of a fuss over the invasion, they rubber-stamped the occupation, and they haven't been doing any studying over what is violated as the US has slaughered and maimed civilians, destroyed crops, tortured people to death, disappeared people's kids and wives, destroyed peoples' homes, cut off access to lights, water, food and medical care, now they are turning Iraq into a bigger concentration camp than Gaza and bringing in Israeli assasination experts to "train" US troops to kill even more people, not to mention shutting down newspapers, murdering journalists, taping up mouths and carting people off for criticizing any of the above, and what is the EU upset about?

That they won't get any of the money.

[Paschall]

9. I don't think you've been paying attention

In any case, I think you're overreacting a bit when you say, "they didn't make this much of a fuss over the invasion." But maybe that's not surprising. Where would you get full coverage of the EU in the US?

The "rubber stamp" you mention (UNSCR 1483) actually puts quite a few burdens on the US. Granted, the US is not meeting these obligations, and I would like to see the UN condemn the US for the invasion. Perhaps that will happen yet.

Anyway, in the meantime, check out this link for EU action/reaction to the invasion. You'll see that despite the UN humanitarian pull-out of Iraq, the EU has maintained its humanitarian workers in the country:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/iraq/intro/index.htm

Also keep in mind that, beyond the financial interests of the EU, calling this US policy into question is another way to force Shrub into a truly multilateral position in Iraq. The EU is attacking where it can. And I think that's to be applauded.

[DuctapeFatwa]

10. Even the UN, which is a hydrapoodle of the US has a provision

to authorize the use of force to prevent unilateral aggression of the type the US is currently engaged in.

Instead, the poodle elected to whimper a couple of times, tuck its tail between its legs and slink off.

If the EU were serious about stopping US crimes against humanity, it could and would have done so, long before this.

The US has a lot of money and a lot of guns, but it can stomp around the world playing Genghis Khan exactly as long as the world lets it.

It may seem like an overreaction to you, but I imagine that the families of the untold thousands of victims would have a different view.

I do not deny that I consider those victims human beings, nor do I deny the belief that each of their lives is no more and no less valuable than yours, or my own.

Nor do I buy the "multilateral" crap.

There is no indication that the Iraqis feel that it would be preferable to have their children slaughtered by Belgians as opposed to Americans, and I concur that it would not be preferable.

[PurityOfEssence]

13. Perhaps only greed can stop greed

It WOULD be fitting if the WTO splinters out of naked self-interest.

It's hard to hold the whole world accountable for its degree of resistance to us these days; we've amply proven that we'll brook no dissent, and will come down like the proverbial ton of bricks on anyone who gets in our way. Although altruism's never been an abundant commodity out there in world affairs, it's sort of a moot point here: the Bushies are gonna do what they're gonna do, and anyone who gives them much guff had better watch out.

I know I'm proud.

Sheesh.

At least one of those dependable, core human traits can always be counted on: greed. If that's what it takes for the other 96% of the world's population to figure out that it can put the screws on us and have some say in the matter, then so be it; at least there'll be some brakes on the train.

[DuctapeFatwa]

17. Agree and disagree

I agree with you that greed is the bottom line, and I will admit to being even beyond my usual rage level at waking up to see yet another list of atrocities committed with US tax dollars, and all over the CrusadeNets, the big argument is which bunch of white folks should get the Iraqi peoples' money.

I don't think that more greed, or greed from a different source will stop it, though, any more than I think having European soldiers torture people to death and kick doors in would make Iraq a better place to live for the people who have lived there since before Europeans could make fire, but I agree with you again that watching the World Feudalist Organization implode from sheer putrescense could have the potential to save some lives.

As for going along to get along, I am pretty tired of that, and pretty tired of hearing people make excuses for it, whether it is calling US troops who commit war crimes "good boys in a bad situation" or other countries whining that they just can't - just CAN'T do anything or big mean ol United States will GET them.

Guess what? Big mean ol' United States is doing it anyway, and the big cheeses who whine these whines are NOT of a mind with their citizens.

Going along to get along did not save a single Gypsy, Jew or gay person from Hitler and I can't see any indication that it has become a more efficient method of fighting evil over the decades.

[pinto]

18. heard a great talk about terrorism, from an academic....

....his premise was that terrorism is a relationship of last resort with the powers that be, i.e. if we can't get you to relate to us on any other grounds - financial, poltical, humanitarian - we will meet on one point. You will feel our pain. It was a sobering listen.

[pinto]

11. kick

that's one clear statement

[baby_bear]

2. How stupid and petty can those Bushites be?

Nothing like shooting yourself in the foot.

<snip from the same article>
Canada suggested it might halt further aid to Iraq, and Russia issued an implicit threat that it would take a harder line on the restructuring of Iraqi debt that Washington seeks.

"I find it really very difficult to fathom," Canada's incoming prime minister, Paul Martin, said of the Pentagon order. Martin, who takes office Friday, said he was "disappointed" -- particularly since Canada has pledged about $225 million for Iraq and has troops in Afghanistan.

In light of the order, "it would be difficult for us to give further money for the reconstruction of Iraq," said Canada's deputy prime minister, John Manley.

</snip>

Now the Bush administration is successfully alienating countries they hadn't been able to alienate previously.

:crazy:

s_m

[Code_Name_D]

3. Isn't this WAR profitering?

Man, this reakes to high heaven.

[DuctapeFatwa]

4. Yes, it is, and the EU should be isolating the US for doing it

Not getting pissed off because the US won't share money soaked in the blood of Iraqi children.

[HereSince1628]

5. That's delicious. Will Bush make the WTO irrelavent?

or will this lead to another assault on old Europe? I can imagine that lil George is taking this personal. First the WTO in support of Europe forces Bush to lift steel tariff thus alienating steel manufacturers and their communities and now the EU is screwing with Halliburton's ability to run Iraq.

[tsipple]

6. Oh, That's Classic!

Hmmm... Let's see what other tariffs the European Union can impose on swing state products. How about:

citrus (Florida)
Harley-Davidson motorcycles (Wisconsin)
Hersheys chocolate (Pennsylvania)
hams (Virginia)

Anybody got other ideas?

[kclown]

15. Texas grapefruit

Half of Texas' grapefruit goes to EU countries.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

7. Is it even REMOTELY possible...

...the USA won't be bitchslapped in a most unpleasant fashion in the WTO over this? Please enlighten me.

[Just Me]

8. Heh, heh, heh,...

,...see what unilateralism buys ya',...I knew there would be repercussions but am surprised at how quickly they are being taken,...

[J B]

12. The Guardian version of the story had quote a quote...

Basically it said that Wolfowitz's statement said that the restrictions would encourage the barred nations to join the coalition (i.e. send troops)!

In other words, the intent is blackmail.

Lives for contracts.

Disgusting.

[baby_bear]

20. are bees attracted to honey or vinegar?

Hey, Wolfie, put the cork in your vinegar and go hide under a rock.

jeez

so damned obvious

But then, he is a diehard neocon, so this may be exactly what he wants.

All the more reason to get these nuts out of the executive branch of government, asap (I'll settle for 11/04, but no later).

s_m

[RPG-7]

14. notice how it's "US tax dollars" now?

Remember when Iraq was going to pay for it's own reconstruction? Has all that completely fallen by the wayside or have Iraqi oil assets suddenly become "US tax dollars".

[pinto]

19. all Iraqi profits are property of coalition members, by fiat of CPA

[burrowowl]

16. It is the Irakis

who should be deciding who gets what. There are many local Iraki companys that can do it, but the U$ won't let them.
There was an article in Buzzflash which said that the Army Corps of Engineers found that 85% of the work done by the American Coporation$ on the schools was sub-standard and had actually made a lot of the 'refurbished'schools worse.
I think that when the Irakis kick the U$ out, they will probably not look too favorably on U$ companies.