Sixteen nations sign on to rebuild Iraq; France holds back

AP ^ | 12/06/03 | Associated Press

[Pikamax]

Sixteen nations sign on to rebuild Iraq; France holds back 12/6/2003 1:29 PM By: Associated Press

ROME (AP) -- The United States has recruited 15 countries to help it rebuild Iraq, but the French are still refusing to take part in the effort.

Paris and Washington differed vehemently over the U.S.-led war in Iraq, and the French are still refusing to have any official part in the Iraq reconstruction.

Iraq's interim trade minister says the $2.4-billion deal would do for Iraq what the Marshall Plan did for Europe after World War II.

The deal was signed in Rome Saturday by Iraq's Coalition Provisional Authority, government export banks from the 16 participating countries and the Trade Bank of Iraq.

Participants include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Britain, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

[EggsAckley]

Why is this no surprise?!

[thoughtomator]

We should start thinking about an economic embargo of France. As long as they continue to refuse to assist us in any way, they should not receive any benefits from trade with the US.

[speedy]

Geez, even putz countries like Belgium and Luxembourg are on board, and still no France. Guess they're too busy helping the Islamists in Ivory Coast.

[Broadside Joe]

"and the French are still refusing to have any official part in the Iraq reconstruction."


And so the problem is.... Who would actually want them there anyway?

[Diogenesis]

The French are too busy letting their old die in sunlight
and letting their Moslems murder their Jews.

What a shitty country France has become.

[RoseofTexas]

YOU DON'T SAY!! WOW, what a shocker!

[reformedliberal]

It looks to me like France is now isolated.

[RJL]

France and Germany are mercenaries.

While America has given generously in blood, aid and money to Iraq, France and Germany refuse to help or contribute to the innocent Iraqi civilians that they helped to oppress through their support of the brutal murderous dictator Saddam Hussein, unless they are paid in reconstruction contracts or political power over Iraq, directly or through the UN.

[schaketo]

but the French are still refusing to take part in the effort

Could this be a media misconstruction? Could it be the frogs weren't invited to the party and hence couldn't participate? Let them eat cake.

[happydogdesign]

[elhombrelibre]

France and Germany are two countries that are always there when they need us.

[Capt. Tom]

Where is Kanada? Are they participating? -tom