Bush Rejects Europeans on Iraq Contract Flap

Yahoo News | December 11, 2003

[bush8years]

   
The President Rebuffs Europe on Iraq Reconstrcution 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) on Thursday rejected European criticism of his decision to bar Iraq (news - web sites) war opponents from $18.6 billion in U.S. reconstruction money for Iraq and said contracts would be reserved for those countries that risked lives in Iraq.

 "It's very simple. Our people risked their lives. Friendly coalition folks risked their lives, and therefore the contracting is going to reflect that, and that's what the U.S. taxpayers expect," Bush said.

The decision to bar war opponents like France, Russia and Germany from the contracts generated outrage in Europe and triggered new transatlantic tensions.

The timing of the announcement created a new challenge for Bush, coming as he prepared to send former Secretary of State James Baker to France, Germany and Russia as well as Italy and Britain to seek debt restructuring for Iraq.

"If these countries want to participate in helping the world become more secure, by enabling Iraq to emerge as a free and peaceful country, one way to contribute is through debt restructuring," Bush said.

But helping reduce Iraq's estimated $120 billion foreign debt will not mean those nations can compete for the $18.6 billion, he said.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Baker, a Bush family friend, will leave on Monday for Europe and will report back to Bush.

"We all share the same goal of helping the Iraqi people build a better and brighter future and they should not be saddled with the debt of a brutal regime," McClellan said.

Bush telephoned French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) on Wednesday to ask them to receive Baker.

Bush scoffed at a question seeking his reaction to Schroeder's statement on Thursday that international law must apply to the awarding of the contracts. "International law? I better call my lawyer," he said.

The European Union (news - web sites)'s governing commission had said it would investigate whether the decision violated world trade rules. The United States insists that its decision conforms to world trade rules.

Companies likely to benefit most come from Britain, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea (news - web sites) and Poland.

Other supporters of the war include Albania, Bulgaria, Denmark, Honduras, Hungary, Kazakhstan and the Philippines.

U.S. officials said the decision applied only to the $18.6 billion in reconstruction funds approved by the U.S. Congress last month.

They said $13 billion in international aid pledged at a recent donors conference in Madrid was eligible for broader international participation.

Companies from countries not directly involved in Iraq's postwar reconstruction can also act as subcontractors if selected by those eligible to seek contracts under the U.S. fund.

[bush8years]

I am so happy with President Bush's decision!
This puts the world on notice that there's going to be a very heavy price to pay if you ever dare cross the United States of America again.

This president's got b*lls!

[eureka!]

You're not alone. BTW, welcome to FreeRepublic. May your handle come true....

[billorites]

What a delightful diss!

[Dr. Frank fan]

Bush Rejects Europeans on Iraq Contract Flap

As has now been common for the past year or so, here "Europeans" is used as a synonym for "France and Germany".

Apparently France and Germany are the most important countries in Europe. And, as far as I can tell, the world. If France and Germany aren't happy, well then, we should all feel bad.

[pushforbush]

I agree with Bush about 80% of the time, and I'm convinced the other 20% is due to the fact he has to do things to "win" politically with the current make-up and ideas of the U.S. electorate. It's worth swallowing a lot of stuff I don't like from Bush just to savor these moments when he stands up for what is right, and sticks it the the weasels, in a plainspoken way that Dole, Bush I, McCain, and even Reagan could never equal. No equivocating, no "soft words" to make people feel he is a "moderate"---just the truth! When will all the conservative critics of Bush on other issues understand he does what he does to have the platform and power to do the supremely important things like this?

[ScaniaBoy]

Congratulations! You have the only world leader with b*lls!!

...and then there is Rummy!

ScaniaBoy

[vanmorrison]

I thought Bush's retort "International Law...I better call my lawyer" was priceless.

As Patton once said, "A man that eloquent has to be saved."

[geopyg]

"Now, who will help me EAT the pie?" said Henny Penny.

[1Old Pro]

Bush scoffed at a question seeking his reaction to Schroeder's statement on Thursday that international law must apply to the awarding of the contracts. "International law?

International Law? We don't need no stinkin international law.

[Destructor]

"The decision to bar war opponents like France, Russia and Germany from the contracts generated outrage in Europe and triggered new transatlantic tensions."

Oh goodness! No more exports of bad movies, goofy fashions, strange & disgusting foods, or ComBloc military surplus! How will we survive?

[SkyPilot]

Local German and French news are all a flitter with shock and awe. "How DARE he do this?!"

GW Bush's action hurts them for one reason, and one reason only (and its not economic):

GW Bush reminds them again that they were cowards against terrorism, they acted shamefully, and the US can show them up. They don't like being reminded of what they are.

[lilylangtree]

That means Total Fina Elf (France's largest Iraqi oil producer and Canada's Chretien relative) won't get their Iraqi interest. YYYiiipppeee Kai Yay!

[Broadside Joe]

Now France, Germany, Canada and Russia read this very very carefully. Sound it out if you have to.

---->$18.6 billion in ***U.S.*** reconstruction money<----

Now again.

---->$18.6 billion in ***U.S.*** reconstruction money<----

Get it?

[.cnI redruM]

>>>>>>>>> "It's very simple. Our people risked their lives. Friendly coalition folks risked their lives, and therefore the contracting is going to reflect that, and that's what the U.S. taxpayers expect," Bush said.


Perfect. No Democrat would have the clarity to understand this concept.

[bush8years]

LOL! I love it. Thanks. :-)

[Cobra64]

This president's got b*lls!

Well,,, as Rush would say, "He's got testicles."

[eureka!]

"I agree with Bush about 80% of the time, and I'm convinced the other 20% is due to the fact he has to do things to "win" politically with the current make-up and ideas of the U.S. electorate. "

I'm with you. All presidents have to play politics, Reagan did too. (Half a loaf is better than none). The best part: the destruction of the Rat party...

[Billthedrill]

"It's very simple. Our people risked their lives. Friendly coalition folks risked their lives, and therefore the contracting is going to reflect that, and that's what the U.S. taxpayers expect," Bush said.

Well, yes. Whose money is it, anyway? If the Germans or the French want to see that their own companies get reconstruction contracts their governments can pony up the money for it. Nobody will complain. Win-win situation.

[cake_crumb]

"It's very simple. Our people risked their lives. Friendly coalition folks risked their lives, and therefore the contracting is going to reflect that, and that's what the U.S. taxpayers expect."

He is absolutely right. They royally screwed the US in the Security Council. Then French missiles, Russian military advisors and illegal German, dual use technology were all found in Iraq. They deserve nothing.

I LOVE President Bush. He does NOT back down.

[RottiBiz]

I am so happy with President Bush's decision!

This puts the world on notice that there's going to be a very heavy price to pay if you ever dare cross the United States of America again.

Same here!

It really made the dems crazy. Did you hear Kerry?

Welcome to FR! Love your home page.