U.S. allies threaten retaliation for Pentagon decision to ban war critics

[Judi Lynn]

U.S. allies threaten retaliation for Pentagon decision to ban war critics from contracts
By Robert H. Reid, Associated Press, 12/11/2003 04:38


BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) Critics said a U.S. decision to bar opponents of the war in Iraq from reconstruction contracts could complicate American efforts to restructure Iraq's estimated $125 billion debt as Europe reacted swiftly and angrily to the decision.

French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Russian President Vladimir Putin all raised the contracting issue during previously scheduled telephone calls with President Bush on Wednesday, the White House said.

''Iraq's debt to the Russia Federation comes to $8 billion and as far as the Russian government's position on this, it is not planning any kind of a write-off of that debt,'' Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters earlier, responding to a question about the contracts. ''Iraq is not a poor country,'' he said.

Much of Iraq's estimated $125 billion debt is owed to France, Germany, Russia and other nations whose companies are excluded under the Pentagon directive. (snip/...)

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/345/world/U_S_allies_threaten_retaliatio:.shtml

[bowens43]

1. The idiot never learns, does he?

Just as international relations ships damaged by his attack on Iraq begin to mend , he does this shit. What a moron.

[izzie]

3. We are much loved in this world!!!!!!

Well we did trade with Hitler. Lots of people wish to do business with the big guy in town even if he is hated.I hate to say it by old Ben was right, we could not hold on to the republic. Unless the people wake up as I am sure we are walking into our own downfall.

[JailBush]

2. The Europeans are morons, too.

When are those clowns going to stop APPEASING this jackass and lower the boom. They were on the verge of declaring a trade war, especially targeting Republican states. Well, bring it on!

[jamesinca]

4. Bush backed off of the steel tariffs

They are looking at some of his other illegal activities and are proposing the tariffs for different reasons now. It seems you are forgetting that the hateful, spiteful undiplomatic one in the world is Bush and his administration. The rest of the world is willing to forgive and work with each other. Bush is the one that does things to piss people off, exact revenge and stir things up, the rest of the world takes the higher moral ground.

[hadrons]

5. it reminds me of one of the last scenes in 'Animal House' ...

when Boone asks Dean Wormer "Can you just give us one more chance???"; at some point you wake up and realized that Dumbya is a shit

in fact, I'll rather have Plato and Flounder and the gang run America than these clowns

[teryang]

6. These discussions are academic

Our junta's corporate cronies are going to share the graft. As for Iraq's debts, it is unlikely they will be paid. A few payments on selected debts might be made as a token gesture, but all their debt will be repudiated.