Archives for December 2003

I am fine with this:

The Pentagon has barred French, German and Russian companies from competing for $18.6 billion in contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq, saying the step “is necessary for the protection of the essential security interests of the United States…”

Under the guidelines, which were issued on Friday but became public knowledge today, only companies from the United States, Iraq and 61 other countries designated as “coalition partners” will be allowed to bid on the contracts, which are financed by American taxpayers.

Among the eligible countries are Britain, the closest American ally in Iraq, as well Poland and Italy, which have contributed troops to the American-led security effort. But the list also includes other nations whose support has been less evident, including Turkey, which allowed American aircraft to fly over its territory but barred American forces at the last minute from using its soil as a staging point to invade Iraq from the north in March.

I am sure this will be spun by the Democrats as more reckless disregard for Old Europe, but as far as I am concerned, until they begin to be useful allies, we might as well just treat them as they deserve- hindrances to progress in Iraq. I see absolutely no reason that our tax dollars should go to french coffers, when the entire reason they were opposed to deposing Hussein were their oil interests to begin with.

When the French and others decide they want to become partners in the region, I say allow them to bid. For now, let them sit and simmer. After all, what are they going to do? Dislike Americans? Dislike George Bush? Impede any meaningful action in the UN and the Security Council? Blame Israel? Provide diplomatic cover for more tyrants? Attempt to manipulate Turkey with threats of repercussions? Sell arms to our enemies in violation of UN sanctions? What could the French possibly do that they have not already done?

In other news, the Japanese have decided they will send troops to aid in the reconstruction:

Japan decided today to deploy ground troops to join the American-led war in Iraq, in what will be its most ambitious military operation since its surrender to the United States at the end of World War II.

After months of agonizing, punctuated by the weekend state funeral of two diplomats gunned down in northern Iraq, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s cabinet approved a plan to send up to 600 ground forces to southeastern Iraq, in a mission to last from six months to one year.

Thanks, fellas.

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Screw Sully and his pledge drive! Check out my updated Amazon Wish list. That tv sure looks nice…

I remember my old drill Sergeant telling me to “Wish in one hand and spit* in the other and see which one fills up first.”

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