NO OIL FOR BLOOD

New York Post ^ | 4/22/03 | DICK MORRIS

[kattracks]

April 22, 2003 -- WHY do you think France, Russia and China sided with Saddam Hussein in the United Nations Security Council against the invasion of Iraq? Because their support was bought and paid for by the Iraqi dictator. Now, in the ruins of his empire, the question is whether the world will honor his promised bribes.

[doosee]

On the other hand, President Bush must take great care not to be seen passing out spoils to his Texas oil cronies as souvenirs of his Baghdad invasion

No matter which American oil company gets chosen for Iraqi oil contracts, the left will be screaming that it is an inside job. I say screw them all and award the contracts to the low bidders amongst ALL coalition countries.

[nopardons]

Just as long as we keep France, Germany, and Russian out of the " spoils " game, I don't care which company makes money from this.

[Mr. Thorne]

Right. I know Halliburton has a contract already. They were showing this on Cavuto the other day.

Some wimpy 'can't we all get along' type was saying this looks like cronyism. Then they showed the companies who could handle the rebuilding (which, I guess, Halliburton already has the plans and equipment for, since they bought up the smaller company years ago).

The companies in question: French, German and Canadian.

Now, are we still wondering why Halliburton got the contract?

[Fresh Wind]

I've heard that Halliburton built much of the oil infrastructure in Iraq originally, they know what's there, they have all the plans, and they represent the most expedient way to get Iraq's oil industry up and running.

Learning curve = money and time wasted.

[GailA]

UN deal leaves Iraq Kurds at Baghdad's mercy

Oil, Food and a Whole Lot of Questions

The Oil-for-U.N.-Jobs Program

Kofi Annandersen: Enron-style accounting at the U.N. Oil-for-Food Program

[Mr. Thorne]

That's what Cavuto said. Didn't make much of an impression on the other guy. Said (paraphrase) "we must avoid the APPEARANCE of favoritism."

Well, geez, three out of four companies who can do the job, were against our making the job possible. I mean, HELLO?!

Maybe if the French/German/Canadian company selected would bow toward Washington five times a day and chant "America Rocks; Marines Roll; Bush Rules," well, maybe then they could be considered...

[My2Cents]

Same with Bechtel (which I learned is a subsidary of Halliburton). It may look like cronyism, but the fact is, Bechtel has a history of building infrastructure in Iraq, and they're the best company for the job.

Also, your point about the alternatives -- German, French, and Canadian companies. People say they're concerned about the US economy and US jobs. Let the spoils go to American firms and workers. (Or British.)