Payback - French, Germans and Russians barred from Iraq contracts

Ned · December 10, 2003, 07:46

How sweet it is!

"Pentagon Bars Three Nations From Iraq Bids
By DOUGLAS JEHL

Published: December 10, 2003

ASHINGTON, Dec. 9 — The Pentagon has barred French, German and Russian companies from competing for $18.6 billion in contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq, saying it was acting to protect "the essential security interests of the United States."

The directive, issued Friday by Paul D. Wolfowitz, the deputy defense secretary, represents the most substantive retaliation to date by the Bush administration against American allies who opposed its decision to go to war in Iraq.

The administration had warned before the war that countries that did not join in an American-led coalition would not have a voice in decisions about the rebuilding of Iraq. But it had not previously made clear that companies in those countries would be excluded from competing for a share in the money for Iraq's reconstruction that the United States approved last month."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/10/in...10DIPL.html?th

Nubclear · December 10, 2003, 07:49

Not a good idea to bar Russia, considering that Russia has slowly become a Washington ally.
Nor a good idea to bar anyone in fact, because it only quickens Americas political decline.

Which is a good thing, actually

Gangerolf · December 10, 2003, 07:54

Wolfowitz said he hoped that excluded firms would pressure their governments to join the post-war effort. That could be..

Ned · December 10, 2003, 07:55

Commie T, yeah, in a way, barring Russia was a bad idea given that Putin and Bush have really patched things up and Putin was the lever behind the recent 15-0 Security Council vote in favor of the US's Iraq policy.

Nubclear · December 10, 2003, 07:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Ned
barring Russia was a bad idea

Oh. Your just being sarcastic.

Ned · December 10, 2003, 07:58

Not really. I am truly surprised at Wolfy's move.

laurentius · December 10, 2003, 07:59

Try to get some sleep hanabi

Q Classic · December 10, 2003, 08:06

i feel sorry for canada. they did, after all, send about 200 mill for reconstruction.

either way... i don't buy the reasoning behind it saying that this limitation is for national security.

it's retaliation. uncle sam's way, or the highway; you're either with us, or you're against us.

Nubclear · December 10, 2003, 08:09

And hopefully (luckily), the world is choosing "Against us"

Winston · December 10, 2003, 08:11

It's quite laughable that the opposition against taking out Saddam now all of a sudden want to cash in on the contracts.

Well now it's too late to join the Coalition of the Billing.

Gangerolf · December 10, 2003, 08:23

Quote:

Originally posted by Winston
the Coalition of the Billing.

Nubclear · December 10, 2003, 08:24

Why is south Korea on that list?

"Iraq"

Gangerolf · December 10, 2003, 08:26

and "Afghanistan"

Hueij · December 10, 2003, 08:29

I'm sorry to see my country on that list...

Harovan · December 10, 2003, 08:31

18.6 billion worth of contracts, to be shared among over 60 countries? That's a whopping 300 million per country.

Certainly worth to join the axis of vassals.

TheStinger · December 10, 2003, 08:31

Micronesia- where is it and will they be running the hospitals?

Q Classic · December 10, 2003, 08:33

Quote:

Why is south Korea on that list?

because it's contributed over 700 troops thus far, with promises of more on the way.

Nubclear · December 10, 2003, 08:36

But aren't they having even more fun poking holes in huge American flags and then getting nicer south Korean flags to hold over their heads?

"****ing USA!"

PLATO · December 10, 2003, 08:38

Quote:

The order from Wolfowitz covers contracts to manage the entire rebuilding effort, train and equip the Iraqi National Army and rebuild infrastructure including roads, sewers, power plants and oil fields.

Quote:

A Pentagon spokesman, Maj. Joe Yoswa, said the order does not prohibit companies from the excluded countries from getting subcontracts in Iraq.

Countries that did not participate are excluded from management roles but not from getting work in Iraq. Why would anyone want France training and equiping the Iraqi Army anyway? It seems obvious that they already know how to turn tail and run.

Gangerolf · December 10, 2003, 08:41

It's kind of interesting that only 5 out of 15 EU members are on the list. But at the same time, 7 out of the 10 soon-to-be members are on the list.

Nubclear · December 10, 2003, 08:44

They do it to spite Russia. If Russia said "DO NOT completly surrender to us. We do not want you.", I'd bet that they would all suddenly lower their flags and surrender to Russia.

BeBro · December 10, 2003, 08:46

Quote:

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
18.6 billion worth of contracts, to be shared among over 60 countries? That's a whopping 300 million per country.

Yeah, that will teach us!

PLATO · December 10, 2003, 08:48

Quote:

Originally posted by BeBro

Yeah, that will teach us!

If it's that insignificant then why are you griping?

Bereta_Eder · December 10, 2003, 08:49

I'm sure Albania will make some great investments...

And I'm sure countries which will want to invest will do so, just not with american money, for the time being.

Nubclear · December 10, 2003, 08:50

I'm griping because the US is commiting suicide. If it continues like this, it's enemies will be Russia-Germany-France-China-Korea-Japan-Spain-Britain-Australia-etc while it's allies will be the superpowerful axis of Poland-Lithuania-etc.

I don't understand why Americans don't even consider foreign policy when they vote. I mean as a superpower, foreign policy should be a VERY high priority. Foreign policy plants seeds that later mature...But will it be in your favor or not?

Bereta_Eder · December 10, 2003, 08:50

For example Germany already has been -re-energizing old contracts with Iraq that under international law are still active. Same will go for other countries.

Winston · December 10, 2003, 08:50

Quote:

Originally posted by Gangerolf
It's kind of interesting that only 5 out of 15 EU members are on the list. But at the same time, 7 out of the 10 soon-to-be members are on the list.

There are 6 countries currently in the EU on the list. But other than that, I agree it's an interesting difference. Apparently, we're headed toward a more politically responsible EU.

Bereta_Eder · December 10, 2003, 08:52

When the new EU countries will actually join, certaintly

BeBro · December 10, 2003, 08:55

Quote:

Originally posted by PLATO

If it's that insignificant then why are you griping?

Harovan · December 10, 2003, 08:55

Quote:

Originally posted by PLATO
If it's that insignificant then why are you griping?

Who says we're griping? We're laughing.