US to Allow UK Firms to Bid for Iraq Work -Report

[Judi Lynn]

US to Allow UK Firms to Bid for Iraq Work -Report
Fri November 14, 2003 10:38 PM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - President Bush is to give British companies the right to bid for lucrative reconstruction contracts in Iraq as a reward to his wartime ally Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Times newspaper said on Saturday.
The newspaper quoted a leading Bush administration official as saying Bush would make the announcement, as a "goodwill gesture" when he visits Britain next week.

"British firms are excellent firms and I'm sure they will be able to bid competitively," the official said. "I can't prejudge the process. But let's just say it's likely."

Bush has signed an $87.5 billion spending package for Iraq, and nearly $20 billion of that will go on reconstruction work, most of which will be done by private contractors.

The contracting process in Iraq has been severely criticized, both outside the United States for giving much of the prime business to U.S. firms and in Congress, where allegations have been flying about cronyism and favoritism in handing out work. (snip/...)

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=3827083

[Don_G]

1. Let Me Guess

All it cost Blair was 4 Million Pounds and possible riots in the streets of London next week.

[xray s]

2. There is a catch, right?

They have to be subsidiaries of Halliburton, or be part of the BFEE corporate portfolio.

[lefty_mcduff]

3. Awwh. That's touching.

That's nice of the Boy King to 'give' bits of Iraq away. I thought it was about spreading democracy not dividing up the spoils of war. And don't the halfwits at the WH realize if they give plum bits to the Poodle, it's still "cronyism and favoritism?

[shamrock]

4. All should go to the people of Iraq

'All' of the contract work should go to the people of Iraq. It's their country and they could certainly use the jobs to help rebuild what Bush destroyed. Who does Bush* think he is, king of the world? Unbelievable!

[caledesi]

5. Yeah, what about the 40% unemployed Iraqis? No work for them?

This is disgusting.

[Minstrel Boy]

7. Iraq rebuilt itself after two major wars. Why not now?

Thousands of unemployed and highly qualified engineers. The country is not a bloody blank slate, however much the neocons wish it so.

[cliss]

6. Is this what you would call a poison gift?

Tony Blair wishes he could shut people for just a couple of minutes to tell them,

"Listen, folks. THIS is what it's all about. Don't you get it? I did this for you and your companies, to thrive and prosper. Your children will do well financially. Our country will once again be flying high, like it was in the 1700's. Remember? The Old Union Jack, waving gallantly on the merchant ships which covered the 4 corners of the globe."

But Tony can't tell them that. He has to tell them, for the 2,555th time, that it was for the Iraqis. They needed freedom. The US needed allies. The British stepped up to the plate. They were there when their brother needed help.

Too bad he can't tell them the real reason.