I agree with you that those countries were owed money by Iraq, and that may have been a part of the reason or strength of conviction behind objecting to the invasion. But if there was a genuine threat to the U.S. I find it hard to believe that Russia was willing to oppose the U.S. defending itself because it was owed some cash. Also if we allow the objections of these nations to be totally discounted because of monitary reasons, then wouldn't the inverse be true, and we have to give at least some credence to the fact that the U.S. could gain monitarily by the invasion. Also if it was purely monitary wouldn't those nations be better served by joining the inevitible invasion anyway and selling their support for promise of contracts in the rebuilding process?
I can see the point but a few factors are in play here. 1. Russia is not doing well economically. They really needed and wanted the cash. Also why would they want to US to be the big saviors in their neck of the woods. Russia has been playing Iraq and Iran off of each other for a long time ( most superpowers are gulity of this so no big deal really) and did not want the US to jepordize that monopoly. 2. the German leadership used anti-americanism and being against the war to get elected and would look rather silly to all of a sudden flip-flop to being for the war 3. France has been dealing with Saddam for a long time and was benefiting mightly from Oil revenue and Govt contracts involoving construction and military equipment. They did not want the cash cow to suddenly disppear. Also there were some under-the-table stuff going on that France did want to be made publc. One more thing to add is that Germany and France want to be big players in the new EU and did not want to seen as a weakling compared to the US. Also I can see you point about the US benifiting monitarly from the invasion but they opened bidding to other countries for rebuilding and such so I do not see how the US benefits specifically.
Do you happen to think Putin is reliable and has the US' best interests at heart? http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2004/01/10/evidence_cited_of_russian_arms_in_iraq?mode=PF
Why does Putin hate America. Oh wait, he really does. Thanks for posting that real evidence Sam. I was trying to remember what Putin sold to Saddam but couldn't remember. I don't know why anyone would put any stock into what these guy has to say. Bush is an idiot for ever trusting him.
Someone else posted this very same article earlier in another thread. So, what's your opinion on wasted bandwidth?
Which contracts were open to other countries for rebuilding? It has been my understanding that all of the biggest and initial contracts were no bidding/ or closed bidding.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3305501.stm The article above states that the bidding is open to all who supported the war effort but would exclude the countries who opposed the war. I won't lie, the bulk is to US and Britian companies but it is still open to all who participated.
Bush's approval hasnt fallen because we havnt gotten support from Putin ( i thought the *wacko right didnt care what world leaders thought anyways? flip floppers) His numbers have dropped because Americans believe we are bogged down in Iraq, and feel misled about... After we hand over authority JUne 30th, again American are going to believe that means we are leaving, but we are not, and the violence ,unfortunately, will continue. Maybe if George Bush admitted he's made mistakes he wouldnt be doing so badly, but that's not in his nature. Are we better off today then we were 4 years ago ? Thats the election cry... and thats what scares the wacko right. *Not all conservatives are insane, just the crazies who never find fault in GWB, and act as if bravado equals courage. It takes more than a smirk and strut to impress me.
That link talks about how limited the bidding was, and haliburton has won billions in no-bid contracts. Because it was open to a miniscule few, I don't really call that open bidding. The article specifically mentions how it was closed to opponents of the war. This is yet another way that countries such as France, and Russia could have offset monitary losses by the impending ouster of Saddam.
Did anyone actually believe that Iraq was involved in 9-11? I know I didn't. I supported the war to remove a very nasty dictator, and to try to put a stable democracy in an unstable region. DD
March 2003 In his prime-time press conference last week, which focused almost solely on Iraq, President Bush mentioned Sept. 11 eight times. He referred to Saddam Hussein many more times than that, often in the same breath with Sept. 11. A New York Times/CBS poll this week shows that 70 percent of Americans believe Mr. Hussein was "personally involved" in Sept. 11. Now why would that number be so high?
Halliburton has since be limited in the bidding. The countries were told that if they did not support the war effort that there may be a price to pay for their opposition. IN the article, it states that the countries in question that before the invasion but still choose to oppse it.
I agree, the war was more about Saddam then 9/11. The side benefit is that it is one less place for the terrorist to hide and train.
