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France Seeks Big Role in Post-War Iraq
Yahoo ^ | March 25, 2003 | KIM HOUSEGO

Posted on 03/25/2003 5:35:42 PM PST by Mr. Mulliner

France Seeks Big Role in Post-War Iraq

Tue Mar 25, 4:11 PM ET

By KIM HOUSEGO, Associated Press Writer

PARIS - Worried it could be shut out of business deals in postwar Iraq (news - web sites), France is drawing up plans to win French companies access to lucrative oil and reconstruction contracts, officials said Tuesday.

The government is determined that French companies will be part of rebuilding Iraq, despite President Jacques Chirac's vigorous opposition to the war, a Finance Ministry official said.

Gilles Munier, an executive board member of the French-Iraq Association for Economic Cooperation, said business leaders and government representatives were studying how to gain a foothold in postwar Iraq.

He said a meeting between France's most powerful business federation, government leaders and the French-Iraq Association for Economic Cooperation was scheduled for April 3.

The Finance Ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed discussions were underway with business leaders about Iraq.

Some French are concerned that a U.S.-led administration in Iraq will favor companies from the United States and other pro-war countries while penalizing companies from France and other war opponents.

The Bush administration awarded a $4.8 million contract Monday to a Seattle-based company to rebuild Iraq's only deep-water port. Washington is expected to announce similar deals soon.

Officials in Paris say French firms' experience in working in Iraq would be an advantage.

French companies — many with ties to Baghdad stretching back decades — have established themselves as the largest suppliers of goods to Iraq since a U.N. trade embargo was partially lifted in 1996.

In 2001, France exported $705 million worth of goods to Iraq within the framework of the United Nations (news - web sites)' now-frozen oil-for-food program. Communications equipment maker Alcatel clinched a $75 million contract to upgrade Baghdad's phone network, and Renault sold $75 million worth of tractors and farming vehicles to Iraq.

French oil giant TotalFinaElf probably has the biggest stake. It spent six years in the 1990s doing preparatory work on two giant oil fields and has signed two tentative agreements with Saddam to develop them.

Munier said he believes American companies will have difficulties in Iraq because of widespread anger against the U.S.-led bombing campaign.

"I don't see how American executives can work when their lives will be at risk," he said. "There will be such hatred toward Americans."

Munier criticized French companies for negotiating with American companies for a piece of their businesses in Iraq, saying that such "collaboration" would damage the image of French business among Iraqis.

Differences over how to run Iraq after the war have put added strain on already tense relations between the United States and several European countries.

France opposes any U.S. reconstruction plan that would sideline United Nations development agencies, multilateral organizations and non-governmental aid groups.

Chirac has warned that France would vote against any U.N. Security Council resolution that would give "the American and British belligerents the right to administer Iraq."



TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: france; postwariraq
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To: Mr. Mulliner
France Seeks Big Role

I don't know about you, but the first thing I thought of was


21 posted on 03/25/2003 5:43:09 PM PST by paul in cape
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To: Mr. Mulliner
Yeah, their proper "role" is to clean up after the horses
following the victory parade. Damn parasites.
22 posted on 03/25/2003 5:44:56 PM PST by MarineDad
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To: Mr. Mulliner
"Some French are concerned that a U.S.-led administration in Iraq will favor companies from the United States and other pro-war countries while penalizing companies from France and other war opponents. "

As it should be. I will be disappointed if I discover otherwise.

23 posted on 03/25/2003 5:49:28 PM PST by blam
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To: Mr. Mulliner
Let the french eat cake, sand cake I mean.
24 posted on 03/25/2003 5:49:34 PM PST by desertcry
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To: Mr. Mulliner
Two words for the French: Mange Merde.

I'm sure they'll understand.


25 posted on 03/25/2003 5:49:49 PM PST by Joe Brower (http://www.joebrower.com/)
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To: Duckdog
I agree with you, France gets nothing!!!
26 posted on 03/25/2003 5:50:54 PM PST by MarthaNOStewart
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To: Mr. Mulliner
I thoroughly agree that France should have a "big" role in post-war Iraq. There are serious problems with the sanitation systems there. Latrine is a French word, right? Let 'em clean the latrines. Yeah. that's the ticket, clean 'em 'til they shine and smell sweeter than your average Frenchman.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, not yet up on UPI, and FR, "The A-MAA-zing War Wizard"

Latest book(let), "to Restore Trust in America."

27 posted on 03/25/2003 5:51:12 PM PST by Congressman Billybob ("Saddam has left the building. Heck, the building left the building.")
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To: da_toolman
ROFL. I was going to go visit the Louve,,,,so now I go to Italy and see the Sistine Chapel instead...all americans should forget France!
28 posted on 03/25/2003 5:52:22 PM PST by MarthaNOStewart
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To: paul in cape
France is our ENEMY. We are fools if we ever allow them to be part of the post-war Iraq plans. Break up the U.N., and cut all political and economic ties with France now!

29 posted on 03/25/2003 5:53:34 PM PST by diamond6 ("Everyone who is for abortion HAS been born." Ronald Reagan)
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To: Mr. Mulliner
Tell the French to bend over.

I'll give them something big.

30 posted on 03/25/2003 5:54:03 PM PST by PokeyJoe (BBQ Iraqi Pork Ribs for Dinner.)
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To: Congressman Billybob
Let 'em clean the latrines.

Excellent!

31 posted on 03/25/2003 5:56:18 PM PST by Mr. Mulliner (I am deeply saddened that Tom Daschle is an anti-American turd.)
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To: Mr. Mulliner
The bodies of American dead are still warm as the French begin to insinuate themselves into post-war Iraq. TotalFinaElf spent 6 years bribing the Sand Nazis and months in the UN defending their investment.

French assets in Iraq should be sold and the proceeds deposited in a trust fund for the widows and survivors of Allied Servicemen, the Poles included. The French excluded.
32 posted on 03/25/2003 5:57:35 PM PST by wretchard
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To: Mr. Mulliner

33 posted on 03/25/2003 5:57:41 PM PST by BunnySlippers
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To: Mr. Mulliner
Let's face it. The French's sole role in this matter has been to give aid and comfort to the enemy.

We would be well within our rights to cut off diplomatic relations, to create astronomical tariffs on all of their goods, and to demand reparations from them for their fair share of the cost of this war if they wish us to resume normal relations.

If they wish to act as our enemy then they should be treated as our enemy.
34 posted on 03/25/2003 5:57:47 PM PST by cgbg (We will never forget, Tommy and Chirac. You chose sides--the wrong one.)
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To: Mr. Mulliner
have to go now. i'm getting a real stiff neck. this anger that i have with ignorance is killing me. go to he!! france.
35 posted on 03/25/2003 6:01:23 PM PST by aged
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To: wretchard
The French will have some problems when they find out all the Baathist scum they dealt with are executed as war criminals.

36 posted on 03/25/2003 6:01:31 PM PST by lavrenti
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To: Mr. Mulliner
Damn you. I just spit more beer on my keyboard. They should have the largest role in post-war Iraq if you ask me. Thousands of french experts should be sent in to keep the porta-potties clean while our construction crews rebuild that nation.

V


37 posted on 03/25/2003 6:07:13 PM PST by Beck_isright (V is for VICTORY....Accept nothing less and give no quarter to cowards.)
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To: Mr. Mulliner
What gall! Pi$$ on 'em.
38 posted on 03/25/2003 6:16:07 PM PST by BnBlFlag
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To: Mr. Mulliner
The only French role will be a tiny one:


39 posted on 03/25/2003 6:20:26 PM PST by P.O.E. (God Bless and keep safe our troops.)
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To: All

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40 posted on 03/25/2003 6:21:27 PM PST by Bob J
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