Iraqi Contracts

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Registered: 04-16-2003
Iraqi Contracts
Fri, 12-12-2003 - 11:34am
When bids for the reconstruction of Iraq out only those in the coalition will get them. Yet another example of support your friends and punish your enemies philosophy practiced by this administration, and supported by the American people. Bush is not noted for his diplomatic skills, could this be another case of diplomatic ignorance?

Boomerang Diplomacy

Friday, December 12, 2003; Page A36


YES, OF COURSE, President Bush's latest initiative on Iraq is arrogant and self-defeating. But that's not the most remarkable aspect of his decision to exclude companies from a number of countries that are important U.S. allies from bidding on reconstruction contracts. After all, a spiteful unilateralism has characterized the administration's handling of postwar Iraq all along, and it's an important reason why the United States must now face daunting military and political challenges nearly on its own. What's really strange about the administration's latest slap at Germany, France, Canada and other countries it seems intent on treating as adversaries is that it reverses at a stroke months of patient efforts by that same administration to overcome the divisions its Iraq policy created.





Mr. Bush recently delivered a carefully prepared speech in London extolling the value of international institutions and alliances. In New York, he held a meticulously orchestrated meeting with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at which the two men agreed to put their disputes behind them. Last week Secretary of State Colin L. Powell appealed to the NATO alliance to involve itself more deeply in Iraq, and was pleased to hear no immediate dissent from Berlin or Paris. Yet now the president has consented to a policy that goes out of its way to reopen the wounds of the prewar debate. When told yesterday that Mr. Schroeder believed Mr. Bush's contract decision might violate international law, the president responded with a sarcastic gibe: "International law? I better call my lawyer." Like other puerile taunts delivered by administration officials, the president's words will merely serve to further erode support for his policies in countries that historically have stood with the United States.

The incoherence of Mr. Bush's action was matched by the hamhanded manner of its announcement. The news of what amounts to a significant diplomatic rebuff was disclosed not by the White House or State Department but by the deputy secretary of defense -- and it took by surprise not just the governments concerned but senior officials of Congress and the White House itself. Mr. Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac learned of their slaps on the same day Mr. Bush called them to ask for their help in forgiving Iraq's foreign debt -- a large part of which is held by the very governments now excluded from reconstruction work. Once again the president has allowed his Pentagon to conduct his foreign policy -- and to do so with a brusqueness seemingly calculated to offend.

Mr. Bush and his Pentagon hawks may believe they are meting out just punishment to countries that have opposed the mission in Iraq. But there will be little cost to Germany, France, Canada or Russia. Instead, the real price will be paid by Iraqis and the American soldiers and civilians trying to help them. They will have to continue an uphill struggle to stabilize and rebuild Iraq without substantial support from many of the world's richest and most powerful nations. Efforts to repair U.S. relations with Europe and sinking American prestige around the world will be set back once again. And what will Mr. Bush have gained? Better ask his lawyer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58200-2003Dec11.html