Analysis: The Law on Rebuilding Iraq (The Axis of Weasels SOL)

BBC News ^ | December 10, 2003 | James Arnold

[quidnunc]

Washington's decision to allow only its allies a slice of Iraqi reconstruction contracts has not exactly pleased those left out.

The German and Russian Governments warn that exclusion from the roughly $19bn-worth of rebuilding work threatens an international rift.

Canada points out that it has contributed some $190m to reconstruction funds, and so is due a few favours.

France, backed by Brussels, is looking at ways to challenge the decision under international law.

Unfortunately for them, however, it seems that their legal prospects are pitifully thin.

Competitive disadvantage

The French Government seems to feel that international competition law may be the best avenue for attacking US reconstruction policy.

Deliberately excluding certain nationalities from international tenders could, some hope, be seen as nakedly protectionist.

However, points out James Atwood, a competition specialist at Washington law firm Covington & Burling, "there is really no such thing as international competition law".

The World Trade Organisation, the only venue for international trade disputes, does not deal with antitrust cases.

That leaves competition law operating only at a national — or at its broadest, EU-wide — basis.

Aid and trade

Furthermore, excluding companies from this kind of tender is pretty well established practice.

Ralph Wilde, a barrister and law lecturer at University College London, points out that the contracts are being funded entirely with American taxpayers' money, and not with the funds donated by governments such as Canada's.

"Those countries that are complaining about their money being misused are missing the point," he says.

"You can do what you like with your own money."

It may seem vaguely anti-competitive, but almost all rich countries offer so-called "tied" aid — Britain being a rare exception.

-snip-

[Shermy]

Time to empower the Iraqi Council to declare the Saddam era debts to France and Germany null and void.

And demand a full public accounting and tracing of all Food for Oil funds.

I recall there's billions in European banks from this fund. French, etc. probably threatening to seize them. Bush appointing Baker to twist the arms on the creditor nations probably is in respect to this European stranglehold.

[.cnI redruM]

>>>>>>>And demand a full public accounting and tracing of all Food for Oil funds.

STFU juice. Straight. Without chaser.

[tbpiper]

France, backed by Brussels, is looking at ways to challenge the decision under international law.

Scuze me, Msr. Phrogg, but that's our $19 Billion and we'll spend it how we damn well please. Besides, you, Ivan and the Kraut got a chance to make your money in Iraq before the war.

[RaginRak]

"The German and Russian Governments warn that exclusion from the roughly $19bn-worth of rebuilding work threatens an international rift"
a rift that they already created. gutless moneygrubbing backstabbers!

[RightWhale]

$19 billion. Whose money is it? Iraqi oil money? American taxpayer money? German Kruppwerke money?

[txhurl]

If Russia stopped getting payments for their investment in Iraq, they'd completely collapse. I think France would be not too far behind.

[thoughtomator]

The euros continue to not get it

[white trash redneck]

If the weasels are unhappy now, wait till the new Iraqi government repudiates the old Iraqi government's debt.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Hope all you good folks have taken note of how the Godless, traitor/treason Democrat Party is bitching about the awarding of Iraqi rebuild contracts to only countries that are in the coalition. The Democrats would award all contract to France, Germany, Russia, China, etc who would then promptly screw the USA in Iraq and make the terroists job of killing Americans much easier. How any American can ever vote for this Democrat traitor/treason vermin is beyond me!