Should Fance, Germany, and Russia be allowed to assist in reconstruction of Iraq.

[Epidemic]

Personally I think they should be frozen out obviously and in an obvious way.

[Epidemic]

Wow still holding at 100 percent hell no.

[nomaxim]

I say Hell yes, let's get back some of that money they owe us for rebuilding their countries after WWII, and in Russia's case, after the fall of the Soviet Union.

[Epidemic]

nomaxim,

Post war construction will be a for profit business. Iraq is not a poor country with out resources. Those resources will be payed as cash money or oil. I say hell no russia france and germany did not put up so they should not be able to reap any windfall.

[nomaxim]

You are correct to a point, Iraq's current oil production is only at about 50%, not including any battle damage, or the fact that much of their equipment/technology is outdated. Not to mention any exisiting/furture damage to their economic/social systems. So your looking at 3, maybe 5, years before any profit could be applied to Iraq's GNP much less any profit to foriegn contracts.
And I would also point out that many countries (not just France, Germany, and Russia) have trade agreements and such with Iraq that will be disrupted by our actions. I doubt we'll just declare all this null and void!
Jordon is a good example, the Jordanians will be losing 100's of millions every year until Iraq's economy get's back on track. Kinda like if the US just up and dropped off the face of the Earth, think of the impact on Canada and Mexico's economy.

Besides we might need our money to go after North Korea!!

Its best to let the free Iraqi peeple decide. You don't want to be seen as an occupying power do you?

After all, after their liberation, if the Iraqi peeple decide they want to get the best possible deels thats there choice.

The moment the Us starts dictating who to allow and who gets contracts, it will appear that getting contracts was what started the war in the first place.

You want to free them and leeve them alone. If they ask for help, give it. If not, then come back and start mending the economic mess here.

[muno]

Sounds a lot like distributing the loot.

I thought everyone said 'the war is not about money'.
Why talk about 'reaping the windfall'.

That's quite genious, bombard a country and then take their money as cost of rebuilding it.
Actually not, it's pretty lame.
-M

[RADAR1797]

Shahani has a good point. It is important that the new government establishes a reputation for equatable business practices and honors its contracts. I look at like when the US declared its independence we did not default on our debts while we were a colony, we paid them off (as soon as we could). Will we advise the new government what would be preferable to us, yes. I think we will give them the reigns to rule their own country in a matter of months.

-RADAR

[Epidemic]

Actually the country is causing the bombarding in a manner of speaking this is reparations.

Are you completely with out understanding or reality of course there will be money to be had. The cost of the war may be recouped. Reconstruction will cost money that the American taxpayers should not pay. Money will play a roll but it is not causal.

Although I think that a free Iraq should be able to choose from any country that was instrumental in their freedom or at least not directly opposed to their freedom. I think France, Germany, and Russia put their business interests above Iraqi freedom and above world safety. They should be frozen out IMO. They bore no cost of the new free nation they should reap no benefit.

Thanx, Radar. At least once we see eye to eye, unlike epidemic who never agrees with me.

Epidemic, the US will recover cost of war thru oil contracts. They should ensure that a free and competent Iraq gets the best possible deel in rebuilding. There will be plenty to go around. And, if you want my personal opinion, because the US freed the peeple, they will on their own favor US companies.

If not, then so be it. We accomplished what we set out to do. Get rid of the bad guys and WOMD and created a safer world and gain the goodwill of lots of people all over.

GWB will be remembered in history as a President who did this.

Let us not tarnish all this for a few $$.

However diffikult it may be for Cheney/halliburton and others.