What does Bush expect to accomplish by denying

[Blue_Roses]

4 countries, Russia, France, Canada, and Germany access to bid for Iraq reconstruction contracts.

While many people are fawning or fighting over the Gore endorsement, Bush continues his crap.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/24/iraq/main541815.shtml

CBS/AP) The White House defends as "appropriate and reasonable" the policy barring countries that did not back the war from bidding on U.S.-funded reconstruction projects in Iraq, reports ...

-snip-

Germany and Russia also are angry, reports CBS Correspondent Charlie D'Agata.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said Germany is "astonished."

Russia, which is owed $8 billion by Iraq, issued a veil threat to take a harder line for repayment.

"As far as Russia is concerned," Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said, "it is not planning any kind of write off of that debt.

--snip--

[eyesroll]

1. Petulance

Foreign policy based on petulance. (That's a Dean quote, but I bet all 9 candidates would agree.)

[arwalden]

17. Do You Think Dumbya Could Even Define "Petulance"?

Neither do I.

-- Allen

[elfin]

2. He THINKS that it will

help Baker get the debt deals if they can beat them into sending troops in order to get the biz which could make up for forgiving some of the Iraqi debt. Then the money made in Iraq would come to us (read Halliburton) and not to debt payments to others and we can "show" an expanding "coalition" and "international" support for the "New Iraq."


Apparently no one told him that Putin is not Daschle rollover (bendover.)

What venal, greedy people!

[maddezmom]

3. nothing and that's what he wants...to be in control of everything.

Why would another country help in Iraq or on the "war on terra-ism" if we keep shutting them out? And at the same time bush* think they should shrug off all the debts of Iraq. Like to see bush* stand for a whole lot a crap like he expects other to do.

[Don_G]

4. It's Set Up For US Contractors

From what I can tell of the website: http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net/

[GOPBasher]

5. He can get more people pissed at us.

Apparently, his entire goal in life is to get the entire planet pissed off at the United States. That's the only thing I can think of.

[Military Brat]

14. I thought he had already accomplished that.

Of course, the planet is angry with bush, not us, which is why it's so important to remove him in 2004. We need to work at regaining the respect and admiration of the world.

[GOPBasher]

16. Well he's very ambitious.

Yeah, he already accomplished that, but he wants to get the world even MORE pissed at him. He's never satisfied. You have to admire that ambition.

[Wwagsthedog]

6. Keep your eye on James Baker.

His alleged mission is to get Iraq's debt forgiven. Yes, major holders of that debt include France, Germany and Russia. This should be interesting.

[Blue_Roses]

11. good grief

this just boggles my mind more. The major holders are France, Germany, and Russia? Where can I find a link to this? James Baker is definitely a "deal" maker. Look what he did with Florida in 2000.

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. Saudi and Kuwait

were actually the biggest holders of Iraqi debt but they got taken care of in the $87 billion the Congress just gave to Bu$hCo to 'rebuild' Iraq.

[onebigbadwulf]

7. Securing of oil

If russia germany and france can bid for oil halliburton and bechtel wouldn't be able to war-profiteer

[Minstrel Boy]

8. the purpose of the war was to collect its spoils.

Iraq BELONGS to Bush Co. That's the message.

And they call this the 21st Century? Good Lord....

[holeinboatoutatsea]

9. Typical hard line negotiating

If these countries give up their demands for repayment of some debts, then I'm sure the US will give up their "closed door" policy.

[newyawker99]

15. Hi holeinboatoutatsea!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[librechik]

10. it's pure, disastrous vindictiveness

Dubya is famous for his relentless drive for vengeance. The Iraq War itself may be an example ("He tried to kill my Dad!)

[soothsayer]

12. plain old racketeering

didn't I hear Snot McSmellin' (hey, if * can act like a 3 y.o., so can I) say something like, "well, if those countries want to reconsider helping the Iraq war effort, then maybe we can reconsider"

I'm sure it would be against RICO if this were in the US. Extortionist bastards! I hope the world court comes down hard on the dumbass in the WH and all his crooked friends

but in the long run, it only helps the world HATE the US

thanks, dumbya

[Homer12]

13. Can the WTO do anything?

Really, do they have any jurisdication in internatinal bidding?

I am clueless actually.