France Seeks Big Role in Post-War Iraq

Yahoo ^ | March 25, 2003 | KIM HOUSEGO

[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."

[Mr. Mulliner]

Stop laughing! Remember, they're our staunch allies. </sarcasm>

[Duckdog]

Like I said in another post: HELL NO!!!!!

[AM2000]

;-)

[may18]

sheesh chirac stuns me, has this worm got no limits ?

[shadeaud]

France is looking for something big eh. Send em Anna Nicole Smith.

[Mr. Mulliner]

LOL!

[Blackyce]

Anything that they pay for, they can award to their own companies. But if its coming out of our pockets, or Iraqi Oil supplies, then France is **** out of luck.

[truth_seeker]

"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."

Some French are correct. What goes around, comes around.

[AgThorn]

Now I know why this word sounds so French .... The absolute GAUL of them!!!

I am sure the French-Iraq Association, or whatever it's name is, will have great ties to use to help France in this rediculous blind pursuit.

What the "Association" should be doing is to demand a recall of their Prime Minister so then they may have a better chance at such contracts! ;-)

[da_toolman]

Mr. Chirac,

Please kiss my fuzzy white American ass.

Signed,
W

[Rockitz]

NOT!

[gbunch]

Screw Chiraq and the rest of the Saddam-supporting surrender monkeys!

Like we need their F-ing approval or that of their fellow scum (the UN) anyway!

[paguch]

We need to hokd the countries who violated UN mandates responsible. France should have a significant involvement in that they should be held responsible for much of the cost. We should assure that France, Russia, germany and China do not profit from their support of Saddam.

[proud American in Canada]

Jacques...

please, go eat some cheese, drink some wine...

don't worry about those unpaid bills....

they'll NEVER be paid... :) go drown your sorrows.

sorry... the Americans are championing liberty once again! :)

[Rocky]

Let them eat cake.

[Mr. Mulliner]

Let the French build a factory in Iraq. Then let the Iraqis burn it to the ground. What makes the French think the Iraqis even would allow them back in the country after all their efforts to keep Saddam in power?

[visagoth]

[Tall_Texan]

I have a job for the French...somebody needs to sweep all that dust out of the desert.

[AgThorn]

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."

What a screaming turd! This guy just doesn't get it, does he? The more he opens his mouth, the bigger the foot he inserts!"

[annyokie]

You mean you could hear me laughing? hahahahhaha!!!!!!