EU to Study Legality of Iraq Contract Row

Yahoo News ^ | 12/10/03 | Robert H. Reid - AP

[samtheman]

Canada has pledged about $225 million for Iraq

Stuff it. We don't need it. Anyway, it's just a pledge. A Canadian pledge and 35 cents (American) will buy you a phone call.

[CzarNicky]

They're going to go crying to the WTO again aren't they?

[Mr. Lucky]

Actually, $225 Million (Canadian) is worth about 35 cents (American).

[samtheman]

Good point.

[Kenton]

Hey EU. Always gotta see the glass as half empty, don't you?

Just think of it like this - Iraqui companies will be given first hiring priority, in order to help with the recovery of the Iraqui economy. For this gem of common sense, you can thank the coalition for being such generous victors.

Second priority will be to reward those who did take part in the liberation, as a way of saying "thank you" for their sacrifices, and for having the courage to respond to the call when they were needed.

Third priority... well, there is no third priority. Theoretically, you could get some minor subcontracts....maybe. Having said that, the people who reap any benefits of the "spoils of war" in Iraq should justifiably be the citizens of the countries who helped the liberation to occur. Period.

And alas, that doesn't include the EU countries. Let's face it, you took sides with the Butcher of Baghdad. You chose to perpetuate a monstrous tyranny in the name of "diplomacy". You vacillated when Saddam was operating torture chambers and "children's jails", and killing hundreds of thousands of his countrymen.

I frankly don't know how a French or German tourist could feel safe walking the streets of Baghdad under the circumstances, because you are collectively the enablers of the very real monsters the Iraqui people have endured for 30 years. Face it France and Friends - you were a big part of the problem. No cake and ice cream for you...

[D-fendr]

If you treat non-allies the same as allies, what happens to the value of being an ally?

And what happens next time we need allies?

[Jumper]

Maybe President Bush will break relations with France and declare a cooling off period, short of hostile action:) The rest of the Axis of Weseals should be considered fair game as well. This is more of the anti-Bush crowd making headlines and soundbites of dissent; a forceful parring back of trade based on the dollar-euro exchange rate should swing them back to reality as US compaines play a similar game by complaining Europe is not buying enough cheap US products:)

[Broadside Joe]

LOL when did Iraq sign on to the WTO? Is the WTO the occupying power under 'international law'? I hear the Iraqis just love the french, I'm sure they like the Russians and Germans too lol.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

So now the powerful world governments are going off to "examine". I think previously they were going to "study". Wonder if they'll ever do anything.

[jordan8]

Including Russia in this ban is a mistake. They should be trying to split Russia from the other two.

[John Lenin]

I trust the Russians as far as I can throw them. Most of the weapons in Iraq came from Russia. What do we owe them ?

[txhurl]

Yes, the feeee-nix decision is delightful.

I heard - hey, maybe even from you! - that Germany has been quietly supplying critical intel and intel infrastructure the whole time. So this could all be a sham - just to get thru to the people of the shunned countries the reasons why not to be anti-American. I mean, the sub-contractor clause - it essentially means NO ONE is excluded.

[singsong]

France, Germany and other U.S. allies were angered and surprised by the Pentagon (news - web sites) decision — which forbids bids by countries with no troops in Iraq — seen as a slap after efforts to patch up the trans-Atlantic divisions, over the Iraq war.

If they want to patch it up, they have to provide security for Iraq. Riding on the back of the US soldiers, while raking the contracts is no patching, its more like flesh tearing.

[Prime Choice]

As I stated on a another (duplicate) thread:

If the EU wants the World Trade Organization to decide this matter, then let this meeting be held at the World Trade Center in New York.

That ought to get the message across in glaring terms.

[rs79bm]

The U.S. baked to cake, so they should be the ones responsible for cutting and serving it. The EU and Canada are just whining little babies. Just looking for the $$$ after the hard work is over. Typical liberal elistists countries.

[Skywalk]

Um, since much or all of this is American tax-payer money, we have EVERY right to limit the ability to bid on contracts.

To say otherwise would be a violation of OUR sovereignty.

[boxerblues]

Canada has pledged about $225 million for Iraq

They may have a good point if they gave a pledge for money they should at least be able to bid on (not necessarily get) contracts worth what they pledged

[Prodigal Son]

Hey EU. Always gotta see the glass as half empty, don't you? ...And alas, that doesn't include the EU countries.

I think it's always important to note that France and Germany do not constitute "The EU". The UK and Spain are obviously EU members and Poland will be soon. It is not really proper to talk of the EU in this sense yet because depending how you look at it, the EU is our coalition partner given that the UK provided many troops for OIF. I don't prefer to look at it that way though. The UK is an EU member as is Spain, as is Italy, as will be Poland and all these countries have contributed to Iraq. So we're still dealing with sovereign nations here, not the EU.

It's an important distinction.