Chirac will not allow the United States and Britain to administer post-war Iraq

[Lancer]

Spiffor, did you miss my question?

The US/UK do the bleeding and pay for the rebuilding and France gets the $ oil contracts?

Do you actually expect this to happen?

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Joseph
Last week the editor in chief of US New and World report stated that when we find all of the paper on what France has been doing in Iraq, there is going to be a scandal in the French government.

1. Never trust US News and worlds report. I have yet to see a more biased information source, and believe me, I have already read Soviet magazines

2. This doesn't mean Chirac and other politians have clean hands in raq, that's sure. But Chirac has been exposed to so many scandals, at the knowing of everybody in France. Massive corruption trials have eventually een all rebutted : the Constitutional Court decided the President cannot be sued except for high treason. Like spying, or giving weapons to a deliberate enemy of France.
Sure, we'll say "Gosh Chirac has been a crook again ! Down with his impunity !", and we'll be back to our daily business. That's the French way

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Lancer
Spiffor, did you miss my question?

The US/UK do the bleeding and pay for the rebuilding and France gets the $ oil contracts?

Do you actually expect this to happen?

I don't expect this to happen at all. The only way France gets the "loot" (i.e the deals previously contracted with Saddam) is to have the UN being responsible for the reconstruction.
If the UN is responsible for the recconstruction, it would mean the US and UK would only pay a part of the reconstruction's price, according to their share in the UN's income. France will pay a part of the reconstruction as well. Other countries too.
If the UN takes over the reconstruction, it will save huge amounts of money to the US and the UK, who'd have already paid enough for the war. That's why a transfer to the UN is possible. Not very likely because of oil ambitions, but possible.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Spiffor

I don't expect this to happen at all. The only way France gets the "loot" (i.e the deals previously contracted with Saddam) is to have the UN being responsible for the reconstruction.

I think the chances of that got blown. Something about a veto no matter what.

Chirac shouldn't get too uptight when he realises that more than one country on the SC has a veto and might be prepared to use it.

I wouldn't be surprised either way, but I highly doubt Bush is the kind of guy to bury the hatchet so soon.

[Lancer]

Spiffor, and political. Bush could forget reelection if he caves to French ambitions.

Bush can count on my vote, unless he goes kissing French ass at the UN.

[Willem]

Originally posted by HolyWarrior


Just like the fable of the little red hen. The UN doesn't do jack, but they want to run Iraq after US and UK do the dirty work?

Ain't gonna happen!

They're going to have to. If the people in the Middle East feel that Iraq is being run by a military occupation force, there will be riots and uprisings for years to come. If they see that the UN has a strong presence there, they might settle down and accept the results. The US administration itself is already saying that the UN will be involved.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Lancer
Spiffor, and political. Bush could forget reelection if he caves to French ambitions.

Bush can count on my vote, unless he goes kissing French ass at the UN.

It would be a remarkable step towards reconciliation though. He doesn't have to cave. He just has to say that the past is the past, the job is done, and it is time to look towards the best interests of everyone.

The best thing would be if Arab nations could get involved. Jordan and Egypt come to mind. How can they without someone other than the Yanks and Brits being involved?

[Willem]

Originally posted by Odin
I can't belive Chirac cares more about oil than the Iraqi people, he is looking more and more like Bush.

Of course, he's a politician. They all tend to look alike!

[Willem]

Originally posted by faded glory


So? Who said puppets are a bad thing? (Post World War II ex.)

Because the people of the Middle East will never accept it. And that will play right into the hands of Al Qaeda.

[Willem]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Japan and SK are already signed on to help with reconstruction. I really doubt more help is needed, especially if a large part of the oil infrastructure is left intact.

Canada has also committed itself to helping out afterwards.

[Odin]

Originally posted by Willem


Of course, he's a politician. They all tend to look alike!

So true.