Exclusions for Iraq contracts unacceptable-Germany

Reuters ^ | 10 Dec 2003 13:05:19 GMT

[11th_VA]

BERLIN, Dec 10 (Reuters) - The German government said on Wednesday it would be unacceptable for the United States to bar firms from countries which opposed the war in Iraq from competing for prime contracts to rebuild the country.

In a policy document released on Tuesday, U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said he was limiting competition for 26 reconstruction contracts worth up to $18.6 billion that will be advertised in coming days.

He cited national security reasons for the exclusion of firms from countries that opposed the war including France and Germany. They may bid for sub-contracts.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's chief spokesman Bela Anda said that if the reports of such an exclusion were true:

"That would not be acceptable for the German government. And it wouldn't be in line with the spirit of looking to the future together and not into the past." He declined at a news conference to comment on what action the government would take.

Germany has sought in recent months to patch up relations with Washington that were badly hurt by its criticism of the Iraq war, offering to help train Iraqi police and support reconstruction and humanitarian aid projects in the country.

France, which together with Germany was the most vocal opponent of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, said earlier it was studying with its European partners whether the decision was in line with international competition law.

[11th_VA]

At times like this, I love George Bush !!!

[OpusatFR]

Then send the troops you were asked to contribute.

You can't have it both ways, boy-o.

[Diogenesis]

Germany and France are as evil as the sun is bright.

They DESERVE what THEY have wrought.

[SpinyNorman]

So what will Germany do? Annex the Sudetenland? Invade Austria? Maybe they should try shutting up and swallowing a big dose of "you made your bed, now lie in it."

France isn't even worth insulting. They can coast off of their sales of WMDs to Iraq in the meantime.....

[katana]

Hey, Gerhard! (Slap!)

Yeah you! (Slap!)

Don't like this, huh? (Slap!)

Well, you're gonna take it and you're gonna like it! (Slap!)

[jc_ct]

Let me see if I understand this. The Germans want to dictate how WE should spend OUR money to help someone that they REFUSED to help in the first place? Talk about arrogance!

[Arkie2]

Let me see, what do I feel? Deep satisfaction, yep that's it. I think Germany and France must be totally divorced from reality.

[Alberta's Child]

I disagree with the Bush Administration on this one. Countries like Germany and France should be given first priority for a couple of lucrative security contracts, to cover the cost of sending about 200,000 soldiers peacekeepers to Iraq.

[mewzilla]

And France is squealing just as loudly. Heh heh heh.

[OldFriend]

Ohhh, boo hoo. Join LIEberman in your whine festival.

[Michael81Dus]

LOL!!!

[dighton]

[prairiebreeze]

You can't have it both ways, boy-o.

Libs and socialists never understand that. That would mean they had to acknowlege a responsibility.

Remember the nursery story about the Little Red Hen? No one wanted to help bake the bread but EVERYONE want to help eat it.

Prairie

[Michael81Dus]

Schröder - a great politician!!!

[prairiebreeze]

ROFL!!

Prairie

[meenie]

Cutting off the nose to spite the face is not the way to go. Eliminating competitive bidding just means more costs in a terribly expensive operation.

[MissAmericanPie]

Like jackals barking at the lion, they want a share. Only in America do the laws against nature demand the lion walk away from his meal still hungry.

On second thought, I'm sure they can find some international law, or United Nations clap trap to demand the USofA turn over the fruits of victory to the jackals.

[wayoverontheright]

He cited national security reasons for the exclusion of firms from countries that opposed the war including France and Germany.

A large segment of the Iraqi population would no doubt direct a great deal of anger and resentment at any French or German firm in Iraq. They don't want them there. Why isn't this a stated reason?

We have legitimate reasons to not want them in Iraq, they have proven they may want to become spies for our opposition there.

[Feckless]

You want multi-lateralism? Here's some multi-lateralism for you:
France, Germany, assorted weasels.... you've been multi-screwed. F you very much!

[Normal4me]

Lets make a game out of this: First country to find the WMDs gets a contract.