Quote:
Originally posted by bilmore
We've already let Canada back in, so it's obvious this isn't a non-negotiable item. Look at the ruling itself- it only affects prime contracting. The main French and German companies who could bid on this stuff most all have subsids in Coalition countries. They can bid, and then bid back down to their parent companies in the homelands - no prohibition on that. No, this is for effect - screw with us, and see consequences - but the consequences are more for show, and possibly specifically for the big political contributors in France and Germany who have an interest in contracting in Iraq. Think this kind of shot across a bow will put any pressure on the internal politics of those countries? I do.
|
Just for clarity, according to the White House Canada has not been "let back in," so what is obvious to you may not be so obvious to others. In fact, the conversation with Chretien has caused the admin to reemphasize its position re: prime contractors:
Quote:
But U.S. officials said Bush was referring to sub-contracts when he told Chrétien that there would be business opportunities for Canada in Iraq.
When asked about Chrétien's comments, White House spokesperson Scott McClellan reiterated the administration's position that the 63 countries involved in the U.S.-led coalition into Iraq will participate in the contracts. He said Canada was not on that list.
|
http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/12/11/chretien031211
The remainder of your post above does point out that there are these subcontracting avenues available, but I think the face-slap is still being delivered to our snowy neighbor to the north. Perhaps for effect, perhaps for a bargaining chip, but a country that sent troops to Afghanistan and who unlike many nations has offered cash to the Iraq reconstruction effort is being lumped in with those lousy frenchies. At least at this point.
As I said yesterday, I am really hoping to see the headline that says we dropped these contracting provisions in exchange for debt relief. I'm just not optimistic.
