U.S. to Open Iraq Contracts to Germany, Handelsblatt Reports

Bloomberg ^ | 01/22/04 | Bloomberg

[Pikamax]

U.S. to Open Iraq Contracts to Germany, Handelsblatt Reports Jan. 22 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. will allow German participation in $5 billion worth of contracts to rebuild Iraq, the Handelsblatt business newspaper reported, citing unidentified U.S. government officials.

German companies will be permitted to bid for orders to rebuild Iraq's electricity network, water supply and transport systems, the paper said in an advance release of a story in tomorrow's edition. Along with those of other countries that didn't join the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, German companies were excluded from an initial batch of contracts worth 18.6 billion euros ($23.6 billion), Handelsblatt said.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

Looks like an ABF deal. Anyone But France. Rightly so.

[luvbach1]

Will American troops be required to guard German and French nationals whose nations would not risk their own troops?

[Bonaparte]

The Germans get these contracts after what they did to us? It wouldn't surprise me if Bush order our troops to shine the Germans' shoes. What an insult.

[COEXERJ145]

First of all this is the classic "unnamed source" article so take it with a grain of salt. Secondly, I wouldn't be surprised if the deal was Germany had to forgive a certain amount of Iraqi debt before they could bid on any contracts.

Besides, just because they can bid doesn't mean they'll get them.

[Bonaparte]

Thanks for restoring my perspective. Still, I would have preferred that Germany be told to go see Saddam about their money since he's the one who ran up the tab.

[Michael81Dus]

American troops are required to guard any civilian who is not engaged with terrorist activities. That not only includes nationals from pro-war countries but also the average Iraqi and, yes, even French and German (uuhhh ugly evil people) citizens.

[RJL]

The Germans get these contracts after what they did to us? It wouldn't surprise me if Bush order our troops to shine the Germans' shoes. What an insult.

There was a similar Reuters story regarding France last week. I wonder if these are some trial balloons being sent up.

Let them know how you feel, the White House comment line is 202-456-1111.

[Bonaparte]

Great idea, RJL. Thanks!