'Old Europe' feels business impact of opposing war

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | May 09, 2003 | Andreas Tzortzis

[Welsh Rabbit]

Now, Mr. Vietz is stuck with almost $600,000 worth of expensive equipment that was the first part of a $5 million order placed by Iraq's now-defunct South Oil Company. "What can I do?" Mr. Vietz wonders. "I can't send them anywhere!"

There's always e-bay....

[Catspaw]

Aw...my eyes are welling up with tears....NOT.

[McGavin999]

Why on earth would these people expect contracts in the future from the Iraqi people? Do they think the people won't remember that they helped to keep them under the boot of Saddam and when given the opportunity to help the people they refused?

I think the Iraqi people are going to have very long memories. They will remember the years that these countries skimmed extra profits off the top, how that money was in actually stolen from the Iraqi people, and how Saddam and his sons befriended them.

[vannrox]

.


"...I might be underestimating the Bush administration's anger with France," says Pierre Noel, at the French Institute for International Relations. "But it's a different thing once you are on the ground with engineers, with lower-level officers in charge. They will get backed to their well-entrenched relationships..."


.Underestimating...certainly...

[wgeorge2001]

"I might be underestimating the Bush administration's anger with France," says Pierre Noel, at the French Institute for International Relations. "But it's a different thing once you are on the ground with engineers, with lower-level officers in charge. They will get backed to their well-entrenched relationships."


The arrogance of socialists worldwide never fails to amaze me. All contracts should be awarded to the coalition of the willing. U.N., be destroyed.

[McGavin999]

Oh wait! I have a great idea. Poland should approach this guy and offer to buy the machine at a little less than cost. Then Poland could sell the machines to Bechtel at the normal price and make enough profit to equip one of their businesses to make the remaining machines :o)

[vannrox]

.


"...French trade experts say it is only a matter of time before French companies are back in the mix. ..."


.

[Catspaw]

I like the way you think :-))

[JasonC]

"...Keynes notes that in the long run we are all dead."

[vbmoneyspender]

Vietz reminisces fondly about the work ethic and drive of the Iraqis he met during the six trips he's taken to the country since 1999. "They are like Germans," he says.

For once I agree with the Germans on something. Hussein and his Baathist thugs are exactly like the Germans that ran Europe for a fairly brief period about 60 years ago.

[agarrett]

The arrogance of socialists worldwide never fails to amaze me. All contracts should be awarded to the coalition of the willing.

  I've got to admit, this reply is downright funny. First, damn socialists. Then, damn the free market, let's keep it for ourselves.

Drew Garrett

[Salman]

Is this violin small enough?

[winner3000]

Lost in all of this is where the money is coming from: US taxpayers.

[winner3000]

...So why should we give contracts to "old Europe"?

[pointsal]

Dear Herr Veitz....T/S

[Dubya]

The world’s smallest violin playing the world’s saddest tune.

[workerbee]

Still, after initial doom-and-gloom predictions, French and German industrial organizations are beginning to exercise patient optimism. The two countries are hoping that historic ties to Iraq and their good reputation in the region will help their chances in the future, when the US has less of a presence and an international organization like the United Nations might have more say.

How far in the dark is the average Iraqi? Because we can only hope they understand what recent "history" these s.o.b.'s did, in fact, enjoy with their former tyrant, at their expense.

[Dubya]

I hope they do understand what all these Jerks have been doing to them.

[blanknoone]

Herr Vietz, you will be carefully considered for all the reconstruction aid contracts...that your government pays for.