Iraq Minister Backs U.S. Move on Contracts [We "remember those who stood by us"]

Reuters ^ | Dec. 12, 2003

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Iraq Minister Backs U.S. Move on Contracts

Fri Dec 12, 6:14 AM

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iraq's interim foreign minister backed a U.S. move to bar war opponents from reconstruction contracts, saying some of them had supported Saddam Hussein's "bloody regime."

"Not only did these countries not help the Iraqi people, some of them opposed the war and others supported the dictatorship of this bloody regime in oppressing the Iraqi people through the years," said Hoshiyar Zebari during a visit to Qatar Thursday.

"We Iraqis remember these things, and remember those who stood by us and those who stood against us," he said in remarks aired Friday by Arabic-language television network Al Jazeera.

The United States unveiled plans Tuesday to limit competition for reconstruction contracts in Iraq worth up to $18.6 billion, shutting out countries such as Germany, France and Russia which opposed the war.

The decision has prompted a storm of protest from the excluded countries and shaken efforts to rebuild ties damaged by the war.

Zebari said the decision could still be revised.

"There is room regarding these countries and this issue could be revised if these countries changed their negative attitude and their disregard of the Iraqi cause," Zebari said.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Iraq's interim foreign minister backed a U.S. move to bar war opponents from reconstruction contracts, saying some of them had supported Saddam Hussein's "bloody regime."

"Not only did these countries not help the Iraqi people, some of them opposed the war and others supported the dictatorship of this bloody regime in oppressing the Iraqi people through the years," said Hoshiyar Zebari during a visit to Qatar Thursday.

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"Will of the Iraqi people," ping!
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[smith288]

"Not only did these countries not help the Iraqi people, some of them opposed the war and others supported the dictatorship of this bloody regime in oppressing the Iraqi people through the years," said Hoshiyar Zebari during a visit to Qatar Thursday.

Ouch... That has to be a nice little punch in the gut...

[BCrago66]

What happens if the contactors subcontract to French and German firms?

[smith288]

What happens if the contactors subcontract to French and German firms?

I would imagine nothing...But it wont be a hefty chunck of change like France and Germany wants.

[RottiBiz]

Heh, heh, heh!

Now when the dems bash President Bush's "worst foreign policy decision in history," they'll be bashing the Iraq's foreign minister as well.

Don't think it'll help their cause.

[Coop]

What happens if the contactors subcontract to French and German firms?

They are permitted to be subcontractors, and I believe both FR and GE already are in Iraq in that capacity.

The decision has prompted a storm of protest from the excluded countries and shaken efforts to rebuild ties damaged by the war. those same countries

There. That's better.

[Broadside Joe]

(((SNAP))) What's that noise? It's the elastic the weasel's undies as they have just received a wedgie. :)

[No Blue States]

""Not only did these countries not help the Iraqi people, some of them opposed the war and others supported the dictatorship of this bloody regime in oppressing the Iraqi people through the years," said Hoshiyar Zebari during a visit to Qatar Thursday."

Right on, and thanks for saying it.

This is 2004 Republican Ad material, contrasted with opposite quotes from the dwarves.

[prairiebreeze]

and shaken efforts to rebuild ties damaged by the war.

France, Germany and the UN are the ones who need to start going the extra mile to "rebuild" ties. Not the coalition. Until the weasles acknowlege and show they are willing to do that they can kiss my..............foot.

Prairie

[blackie]

"Will of the Iraqi people" ~ Bump!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[BagCamAddict]

As far as I'm concerned, these countries who didn't help during the war but now want to benefit from post-war contracts are analogous to a building contractor watching his neighbor's house burn down without helping put out the fire, and then insisting the neighbor give him the contract to rebuild the house.

"Hello? You just stood there while my house burned to the ground, but now you want me to PAY YOU to rebuild it??"

[Broadside Joe]

Bump for the night shift.

[speekinout]

The limitations are on AMERICAN money. If these countries want to spend their own money rebuilding Iraq, they are free to do so.

But American taxpayer's money should not profit the countries that opposed us.

[tet68]

this issue could be revised if these countries changed their negative attitude....

So Jacque, stop with the negative vibes MAN!

[CommandoFrank]

I would think that the french and germans would be wise to wear flak vests while in-country...

[PhilDragoo]

Iraq's interim foreign minister backed a U.S. move to bar war opponents from reconstruction contracts, saying some of them had supported Saddam Hussein's "bloody regime."

Like these two schmucks.

[MeekOneGOP]

Yep ! Need the Schmucks-B-Gone ! hehe! ...
just kidding, folks ...