Much of Europe can’t get over the decision by the Bush administration to award lucrative Iraqi contracts only to coalition members. But under worldwide pressure from Germany, France and the UN, even the administration seems to be wavering.
European leaders urged the United States on Thursday to reconsider a decision to bar Iraq war opponents from reconstruction contracts which has opened a new transatlantic rift and threatens efforts to rebuild trust.
In an apparent effort to calm tempers raised by Washington’s decision, U.S. President George W. Bush telephoned the leaders of France, Russia and Germany on Wednesday to tell them he was sending special envoy James Baker to Europe for talks.
Let me get this straight. We do all the work, liberate a nation, watch as our troops die, yet are supposed to feel bad when American companies, and also companies from other nations assisting in the international effort, benefit? How’s that for outright idiocy? Too bad the only people that see it in such clarity are on the right side of this one.