more on Iraq bid restrictions...

I can understand Old Europe getting their knickers in a twist with the proposed restrictions on bidding for work in Iraq but now Russia is chiming in... from Xinhua News: bq. MOSCOW, Dec. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Russia criticized the US government Wednesday for its decision to bar countries that opposed the US-led Iraq war from bidding for reconstruction contracts in Iraq. bq. "This decision is clearly politically motivated," Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying. Durn stright it's politically motivated - we asked for support and we got about 30 nations to help us. Those nations that didn't help us for whatever reason have no business being there in free Iraq for the time being. bq. "It is unlikely to promote broad mobilization of the international community to rebuild war-stricken Iraq," he noted. And just how much was the "international community" helping the people of Iraq two years ago??? One year ago??? Why all the interest now. bq. Fedotov was commenting on a directive from US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, which bans firms from Germany, France and Russia to bid 26 reconstruction contracts in Iraq. They are not being cast out of all work there, only the current construction contracts. They are welcome to come over and work on stuff themselves. bq. The directive said that the decision against Germany, France and Russia, which opposed the US-led war against Iraq in March, was based on "security interests." Perfectly understandible - the UN showed such planning and intelligence when it hired ex-Baath party members for their security in Bagdhad. Sure, these were people that they knew but these were also Baath party minders who have zero interest in rebuilding Iraq as a democratic nation. Cluebat time! bq. Fedotov reiterated Russia's call for a broader involvement of the international community in Iraqi settlement "under the aegis and with the leading role of the UN." Leading role of the UN - since when has it ever led anything good... The smaller committies actually do good work but the Security Council and General Assembly are useless jokes... A collection of dead-end dictators and ineffective management suckups. They sit around and posture and don't do jack. bq. "This is the only way to ensure true settlement and to enable the Iraqi people to start a new life," he said. Not the only way - I think the US has a couple of ideas that are working out just fine. Be honest, you think that Russia should be able to go in there and make money. That is what it boils down to... bq. "If the coalition participants intend to act independently, they can hardly hope for support and understanding from other countries," he warned. What support? When... Sheesh! It will be interesting to see what the French and the UN comes up with.