US Congress: Russia will be barred from Iraq restoration

TOP.RBC.RU ^ | 4 April, 2003

[Happy2BMe]

US Congress: Russia will be barred from Iraq restoration

The US House of Representatives passed an amendment to the law on financing the war in Iraq, which bars France, Germany, Russia and Syria from participating in contracts on Iraq’s postwar restoration, financed by Washington.

Under the amendment, French, German, Russian and Syrian companies will be barred from taking part in such contracts, as well as from getting access to information about them. According to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, the passage of this amendment is a retaliation against the opposition of these countries to the US-led military campaign in Iraq.

The US Congress also approved the allocation of $80bn to finance the war in Iraq, reward key allies, bolster anti-terrorism efforts and help struggling airlines. The bulk of these funds - $60bn – will go to the Pentagon.

Earlier, some analysts predicted that Russia would be refused participation in oil contracts in the post-war Iraq because of its tough position on the Iraqi crisis. Only if the distribution of oil contracts is controlled by the United Nations will Russia have a slim chance to participate.

On Thursday, UN and NATO countries demanded that the United States give the UN a key role in the post-war Iraq. However, Washington does not agree. US Secretary of State Colin Powell did not give a clear opinion on the role of the UN in the post-war settlement in Iraq.

[Happy2BMe]

The closer we come to exposing the sources of WMD, hi-tech weaponry, muntions, etc., the more static we hear coming out of Moscow.

The Ruskies are getting nervous, ya think?

[Maeve]

Russia deserves an economic and technological disaster of biblical proportions.

[anobjectivist]

Is this a reliable source? if so... YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Destro]

Shouldn't such business decisions be for the newly "liberated" Iraqi's to call??

[yooper]

"Russia deserves an economic and technological disaster of biblical proportions."

No thanks, they already had one in 1917;)

[UncleSamUSA]

Excellent move by the House of Representatives.

Excellent.

Now don't forget about the Mexicans either. If you are going to bar the Syrians, you might as well bar the Mexicans too, since they were decidedly unhelpful on the Security Council.

[Bogey78O]

Odds are we'll partition Iraq into governmental zones like we did with Europe after WW2.

We'll be the guardian while we get something together. And while we're doing such we'll need to rebuild.

[Cicero]

Why are they leaving out Belgium?

[Destro]

Will we charge for profit or do the work for cost? The Iraqis need no guardians--they are in the oil business and can make their own decisions on huge works projects.

How long will we remain "guardians" over Iraq's wealth?

[Destro]

because Belgium is a huge investor in America-and let us not forget who owns Chrysler now? I won't bring up Saudi Arabia...

[Stavka2]

Of course they are...they just can't be trusted to run their own affairs until the "mature"...you know, white man's burden and all that.

[Stavka2]

I some how highly doubt that the Kurds are going to allow US beaurocrats to come into their autonomous zone and tell them how to run things.

[Stavka2]

And then there is the whole China thing. If China is cut out, then US firms who invest in China aren't happy and then when reelection time comes....

[oceanview]

A bad move against the Russians. If there is one country that can supply a suitcase nuke to AQ for use inside the USA, its Russia, and they would do it if provoked. France can go to hell, but we cannot afford to push this too far with Russia.

[Destro]

Yea--I see what the White man did to my 401K and I understand the burden the Iraqis will now bear.

[PuNcH]

On Thursday, UN and NATO countries demanded that the United States give the UN a key role in the post-war Iraq.

I hope our soldiers arent giving up their lives to give the UN a key role in anything.

[Happy2BMe]

"I hope our soldiers arent giving up their lives to give the UN a key role in anything."

I fear this eventuality is quickly coming upon us . .

Kofi . . (tap-tap) Kofi . . Kofi Is That You!? - Kofi . .

[Trailerpark Badass]

And then there is the whole China thing. If China is cut out, then US firms who invest in China aren't happy and then when reelection time comes....

God, you're a whiner!

It's unseemly, man! Such bitterness from a "friend and ally."

[EaglesUpForever]

France next.

France was included!

"Under the amendment, French, German, Russian and Syrian companies will be barred from taking part in such contracts, as well as from getting access to information about them. According to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, the passage of this amendment is a retaliation against the opposition of these countries to the US-led military campaign in Iraq."

This is great news!