An example of Bush diplomacy:
Martin slams U.S. ban on bids for Iraqi contracts; Manley suggests aid halt
MARTIN O?HANLON
Canadian Press
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Incoming prime minister Paul Martin speaks during a news conference in Toronto on Tuesday. (CP/Tobin Grimshaw)
OTTAWA (CP) - Paul Martin says he can't "fathom" an American decision to bar Canadian firms from bidding on reconstruction contracts in Iraq and he will take up the matter with the U.S. ambassador.
Martin, who becomes prime minister Friday, said the decision to exclude countries that opposed the American-led invasion of Iraq is flawed.
"I understand the importance of these kinds of contracts, but this shouldn't be just about who gets contracts, who gets business," he said Wednesday. "It ought to be what is the best thing for the people of Iraq."
Martin said Canada has committed nearly $300 million for reconstruction in Iraq and that Canadian troops in Afghanistan "are carrying a very, very heavy load" in the war on terrorism.
"I will certainly be discussing this with the ambassador and then we will see."
Deputy Prime Minister John Manley went a step further, suggesting Canada may cut its aid to Iraq.
"It would be difficult for us to give further money," Manley said from Paris where he was attending a state banquet in honour of retiring Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
"To exclude Canadians just because they are Canadians would be unacceptable if they accept funds from Canadian taxpayers for the reconstruction of Iraq."
Other countries also slammed the snub.
Germany called it "unacceptable," France questioned its legality, and Russia issued an implicit threat that it might take a harder line on restructuring Iraqi debt as Washington has been seeking.
The directive from U.S. deputy defence secretary Paul Wolfowitz limits bidders for 26 lucrative contracts worth $18.6 billion US to firms from the United States, Iraq, their coalition partners and other countries that have sent troops to Iraq.
Countries that did not sent troops would be eligible for subcontracting work in Iraq.
The order says restricting contract bids "is necessary for the protection of the essential security interests of the United States."
White House spokesman Scott McClellan dismissed criticism, saying the policy is "appropriate and reasonable."
"Prime contracts for reconstruction funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars should go to the Iraqi people and those countries who are working with the United States on the difficult task of helping to build a free, democratic and prosperous Iraq."
He said countries that want to be eligible for a slice of the $18.6 billion can do so by participating militarily. They can also vie for contracts being financed by a separate international fund that the White House estimates will be worth $13 billion US, he said.
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said the U.S. decision contradicts promises by U.S. President George W. Bush.
"I believe that this is in the common interest, and all who are prepared to participate in it should be given every possibility to do so," he said. |
