Rift Deepens Over Iraq Contracts

Reuters ^ | 12/12/2003 | Timothy Heritage

[a_Turk]

I don't get it.. Whose money is it anyway?

Someone 'splain this one to me..

[a_Turk]

ping..

[ChemistCat]

I can't explain it.

But I have to say, it's going to be nice and constructive for OUR economy. Is it coincidence that this little bit of American "selfishness" corresponds with the healthiest stock market since 9/11?

[clintonh8r]

Brief memo to Eurotrash (you too, Kofi): Get over it.

[Shermy]

It's ours. It's obvious, and that should be the end of the story.

But the "dispute" has been inflamed because several democrats are prominently campaiging on a Pro-French policy, making that position noteworthy and viable to the media.

Plus there's the standard media "If they don't love us we're doing something wrong" predispostion.

Anyway, it's a bargaining chip over the debt. One can only hope, really hope, that some Iraqi politician or Shiite Cleric next week publicize a fatwa that all Saddam-era debts should be declared null.

That will get Chirac's attention...

[My2Cents]

le pound sand

[Williams]

Option number one should be to use only AMERICAN companies. But I suppose it's good to share with those who HELPED. These Euroasses are only appealling to the U.S. liberal democrats because common sense tells you their complaining is only going to get them in worse trouble with GWB.

[Broadside Joe]

Hey Kofi! Keep your nose in your own business.

[Beck_isright]

"Whose money is it anyway?"

Ours. The contracts in question are US taxpayer funded.

[facedown]

"International law must apply here and it does not help things to look backward and is more directed at the past."

I'll have to call my lawyer.

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

[Dog Gone]

European leaders said the move threatened efforts to rebuild trust damaged by the Iraq war.

European leaders are the ones who need to show some efforts.

Forgive some debt. Send some troops. Get with the program, you losers.

Then perhaps you'll stand to profit from the tax money I'm paying. Until then, bite me.

[the Real fifi]

Define "key allies" for me.

[polemikos]

Anti-Bush/pro-Saddam governments have a conflict of interest.
They should NOT be allowed to participate in Iraqi contracts.

[Go Gordon]

Karsten Voigt, coordinator of U.S.-German relations at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin, said the U.S. move was astonishing and made it hard to explain to parliament why Germany wanted to do more to help rebuild Iraq and possibly train Iraqi policemen.

How about because its the right thing to do, and since Germany was a Saddam enabler, it might help to repent.

[a_Turk]

>> It's ours. It's obvious, and that should be the end of the story.

I know but the shamelessness of it all is mind boggling to me.. They're acting like the classical fag stereotype..

[America's Resolve]

This is so easy to fix!

Let France, Germany, Russia and Canada each pony up $18.6 BILLION and award it to whoever they want to.

Problem solved!

[a_Turk]

>> Ours.

I know but I just can't comprehend the behavior.

[MJY1288]

Who woulda thunk it!, The "9 RATS a running" (12 days of Christmas) side with the Euroweenies. All 9 of the ankle biting democrats say we should open the U.S. Treasury to France and Germany. They are so predictable.

Being that the Dems criticize everything GWB says or does, Maybe it's time GWB starts having some fun with the "9 RATS a running" by announcing more things like he did when he said those who sat out the war, will sit out the awarding of contracts, knowing how they will side with our enemies :-)

[xzins]

Bush knows that Iraq owes approx. 7 billion a year for decades on net income of 22 billion to those three countries for.

You cannot rebuild Iraq when the nation is impoverished by past debt NOT incurred by themselves. These nations are already getting 7 billion a year under current debt structuring. Why should they get more?

[a_Turk]

>> Send some troops.

You sure that's a good idea at this point?

I think it'd be enough if they just shut up for a change..