Plan Would Block French Iraq Contracts
By MATTHEW DALY, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Undeterred by a defeat in committee, a Republican congressman is pushing ahead with a plan intended to prevent French and German companies from getting U.S. contracts to rebuild Iraq (news - web sites).
The proposal failed in a 35-27 vote in the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, but Rep. George Nethercutt, R-Wash., said he believes support is growing and that he may prevail in the full House.
Nethercutt planned to offer an amendment, to an emergency war-spending bill, that would bar any rebuilding funds from going to businesses based in a country that "publicly expressed" opposition to the war.
To give the president some flexibility, the measure says contracts should be awarded "where possible" to companies from nations that have aided the United States in Iraq. The president could waive the ban if it hurts American jobs.
"The coalition of the unwilling should not participate in reconstruction with U.S. tax dollars," Nethercutt said.
Nethercutt's original amendment did not name countries, but a new proposal lists France, Germany, Russia, Syria and China.
Nethercutt's amendment is one of several efforts from Republicans to punish France for its refusal to support the U.S. war effort.
For example, the House has ordered its restaurants to rename french fries as "freedom fries" and Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Colo., is pushing a bill to stop using French-made headstones to bury U.S. servicemen at Arlington National Cemetery.
Nethercutt's amendment has generated strong opposition from Republicans and Democrats.
"It makes good rhetoric for a speech, but it is poor foreign policy," said John Scofield, GOP spokesman for the House Appropriations Committee. During debate in the committee, lawmakers from both parties said the plan would damage President Bush (news - web sites)'s ability to re-establish strong diplomatic relations with Germany and France after the war.
"I tried to urge my colleagues not to be swayed by the passions of the moment," said Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz. |
