Canada shut out of postwar contracts in Iraq

[John Bryce]

Canada shut out of postwar contracts in Iraq (http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/04/14/iraq_contracts030414)

WASHINGTON - Canadian companies have been shut out of the bidding for lucrative rebuilding contracts in Iraq, with the biggest going to companies with ties to the Bush administration.

The multimillion-dollar contract to clean up the Iraqi oil fires went to Kellogg, Brown and Root, a subsidiary of Halliburton. That's the company U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney ran as chief executive for five years until 2000.

Coalition allies also shut out

Whatever the U.S. government's criteria are, it isn't just Canada being left out of the race for contracts.

Britain and Australia, two staunch coalition allies that contributed combat troops, have seen their companies left out of the main contracts as well.

France, Germany and Russia – three nations at dramatic odds with the U.S.-led war – held a hastily-convened summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Saturday.

They were concerned in part about being shut out of the rebuilding of Iraq and having their existing oil contracts honored.

[FFed]

Something else to add to Chretiens legacy.

[Bearguin]

Not according to the article. Even the UK and Australia are being shut out of contracts.

This seems to have nothing to do with Canada or Chretian so, as much as I would like to, we can't blame him for this.

Okay, we can, but only if it feels good.

[John Bryce]

More embarrassing news for Canada:

Chrétien mum on White House invite to Australian leader (http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/04/14/chretien_030414)

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - One day after the U.S. cancelled a state visit by President George Bush, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien isn't commenting on how the Australian prime minister received an invitation to the White House.

Bush cancelled his May 5 visit to Canada but invited Australian Prime Minister John Howard to his Texas ranch on May 2-3.

[corplinx]

Funny, the contracts they got "shut out" from were the ones that needed an immediate response (like oil fires) so formal bidding wasnt done.

I think the "shut out" part is conspiratorial spin.

[KelvinG]

Originally posted by John Bryce
More embarrassing news for Canada:

Chrétien mum on White House invite to Australian leader (http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/04/14/chretien_030414)



If George doesn't want to invite Jean over to his house to play I'm sure the PM can find other friends to hang out with.

Personally, I'm getting sick and tired of all this analyzation about Canada's decison not to support the invasion of Iraq. Now everybody's been obsessing over whether the USA still likes us or not. If we can't make a decision and stand by it in good conscience then what the hell kind of country are we?

[John Bryce]

Originally posted by corplinx
Funny, the contracts they got "shut out" from were the ones that needed an immediate response (like oil fires) so formal bidding wasnt done.

I think the "shut out" part is conspiratorial spin.

I'm pretty sure some Canadian companies helped put out the oil fires 12 years ago.

[EvilYeti]

I guess the Iraqi's will have to buy their waffles and Toque's from somewhere else. :(

[John Bryce]

Originally posted by KelvinG
Personally, I'm getting sick and tired of all this analyzation about Canada's decison not to support the invasion of Iraq. Now everybody's been obsessing over whether the USA still likes us or not. If we can't make a decision and stand by it in good conscience then what the hell kind of country are we?

Prime Minister Chrétien made a decision?! :D

[John Bryce]

Originally posted by EvilYeti
I guess the Iraqi's will have to buy their waffles and Toque's from somewhere else. :(

Waffles? :confused: Aren't those Beligum? :D

I should add, Canada will always be willing to sell Americas maps. :D

[reprise]

I hope that when Australian companies tender for their share of the reconstruction pie they will be obligated to use Iraqi labour wherever possible.

[Troll]

Originally posted by John Bryce


I'm pretty sure some Canadian companies helped put out the oil fires 12 years ago.

well be very sure and show proof.

[Segnosaur]

Originally posted by John Bryce


I'm pretty sure some Canadian companies helped put out the oil fires 12 years ago.

We did. I refer you to the Imax movie "Fires of Kuwait". (It dealt mostly with American and Kuwaiti efforts, but they did show Canadians, Hungarians and a few other countires.)

Of course, the difference is, they didn't rush fire crews in to take care of the oil well fires right away in Kuwait. (Probably because it was such a new situation... hundreds of burning wells, and they had to do a lot of front work, such as building roads to the wells, obtaining water, etc.)

In Iraq, they knew what could happen, so they wanted to arrange for the problem to be handled as soon as possible.

[reprise]

Is this National Geographic article (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/100best/storyD_story.html) sufficient confirmation of Canada's involvement in fighting the oil field fires during the Gulf War?

[hgc]

I'm almost certain that a consortium of Canadian companies will get the coveted giant pancake concession for rebuilding Iraq.

[tedly]

I think we should stop whining about the costs we may be forced to pay for doing the right thing.

Invading a country to depose its government is illegal, according to the Nuremberg judgements, and the UN charter. Most Canadians support the UN and are not prepared to act against it. (Particularly those who feel that the assault on Iraq was mostly motivated by a desire to keep the US administration's popularity numbers above the shockingly aweful values they had in August 01).

The costs may not be all that dear, as Michael Moore points out on his website. SWM is back at #1, BFC is doing land-office business, and the Dixie Chicks are selling lots of records. Many, many Americans agree with M Chretien.

Besides, Canadians weren't going to get any of the government contracts, because Canadian companies cannot make contributions to the administration's re-election expenses. The American election system is not corrupt, but as Molly Ivins points out, doing bidness has little connection with business.