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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Done, gone. who wrote (507867)	12/11/2003 2:43:50 PM
From: Kenneth E. Phillipps	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 769667

The national debt is expanding at the rate of $800 Billion per year in the current fiscal year.

To: Done, gone. who wrote (507867)	12/11/2003 2:46:53 PM
From: PROLIFE	Respond to of 769667

Iraq contracts 'won by Bush donors' damn right!!!!

To: Done, gone. who wrote (507867)	12/11/2003 3:07:48 PM
From: Rick McDougall	Respond to of 769667

The Methodist church has to be embarrassed!!!!! Never witnessed so many lies.:o) U.S. defends ban on Canadian firms bidding for Iraq contracts Only countries that backed U.S.-led invasion allowed to submit bids Sheldon Alberts CanWest News Service ADVERTISEMENT WASHINGTON -- The White House on Wednesday vigorously defended its decision to ban companies from Canada from bidding on $18.6 billion US in primary reconstruction contracts in Iraq -- and said it was not worried the decision would hurt relations with incoming prime minister Paul Martin. "We look forward to working with Mr. Martin as he becomes the new prime minister in Canada. Second of all, we appreciate the contributions that Canada has been making in the war on terrorism," Scott McClellan, the White House press secretary, said. "We will look forward to visiting with Canadian officials about concerns that they have." But McClellan said the Bush administration stands firm in its decision to exclude Canada and other countries who opposed the war in Iraq from receiving U.S.-funded contracts in the country. "The decision is made," McClellan said when asked whether international protests might prompt the U.S. to reconsider. In Ottawa, Martin said Wednesday that he's disappointed Canadian companies have been barred from bidding on the contracts and plans to raise concerns with the U.S. ambassador Paul Cellucci after he becomes prime minister Friday. This latest Iraq controversy thwarts one of Martin's top priorities: to make a positive overture to the Bush administration to strengthen strained Canada-U.S. relations. Martin said he would raise Canada's exclusion with Cellucci before deciding whether to take his concerns directly to Bush. Martin said he found "really difficult to fathom" the Pentagon's decision to bar companies from Canada, France, Russia and Germany that opposed the invasion of Iraq from bidding on large reconstruction contracts. "Canada is putting $300 million in terms of the reconstruction of Iraq. We have troops in Afghanistan and are carrying a very, very heavy load in that country," Martin said. "I understand the importance of these kinds of contracts," he added, "but this shouldn't be just about who gets contracts, who gets business. It ought to be what is the best thing for the people of Iraq." The contracts will be available to companies from 63 nations that officially support the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq. They range from major allies like Great Britain, Australia and Poland -- which all supplied ground troops in Iraq -- to minor supporters like Rwanda, El Salvador and Mongolia. Canada opposed the invasion, but the Canadian navy led a multinational task force in the Persian Gulf region during the Iraq fighting as part of the broader war on terror. Dozens of Canadian officers have also served alongside Americans in Iraq through military exchange programs. But the bottom line, said McClellan, is that Canada was not officially part of the U.S.-led coalition and the administration's top priority is to reward countries that were onside from the start of the war. "British forces and Polish forces have been on the ground from the beginning. They have been making sacrifices to help make the world a better and safer place," McClellan said. "And I think that the American people certainly understand the importance of U.S. taxpayer dollars being used in this way." The U.S. has been under fire from governments in Canada, France, Germany and Russia for the decision. Martin said he did not understand the move, especially given Canada's $300-million commitment for reconstruction in Iraq. McClellan said the United States has every right to decide who can bid on reconstruction contracts because the bills are being paid from the U.S. treasury. "We are talking about U.S. taxpayer dollars here," McClellan said during a White House briefing where he was peppered with questions about Canada's exclusion from the bidding process. "I think it's perfectly appropriate and reasonable to expect that the prime contracts for reconstruction funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars would go to the Iraqi people and those countries who are working with the United States on this difficult task of building a free, prosperous and sovereign Iraq for the Iraqi people." Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean called the U.S. decision "exceptionally foolish" and said it would alienate allies America needs to restore order in Iraq. Dean accused President George W. Bush of making the decision based on which world leaders he likes and does not like. Bush and outgoing Prime Minister Jean Chretien clashed repeatedly over the Iraq war, and on issues like economic policy. "The president bases his foreign policy often on personal dislike for other leaders. He mistakes policy disagreements for personal disagreements and then he acts accordingly," Dean said. "It's not a surprise that while we used to be the respected moral leader of the world, we're not. We're now the most feared country on the face of the earth, but no longer the most respected."

To: Done, gone. who wrote (507867)	12/11/2003 4:43:49 PM
From: Rick McDougall	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769667

Canada not excluded from Iraq business Thursday, December 11, 2003 President Bush comments on the Iraq contracts issue at cabinet Thursday morning. CREDIT: Associated Press, Ron Edmonds OTTAWA -- U.S. President George W. Bush is grateful for help in the war on terrorism and is ''working'' to include Canada in hefty contracts to help rebuild Iraq, he said in a farewell phone call to retiring Prime Minister Jean Chretien. ''He thanked me for what we're doing in Afghanistan and for the offer of money in the reconstruction of Iraq,'' Chretien told a news conference Thursday. ''As for the news in the newspapers stating that Canada would be excluded from economic activities in Iraq, the president assured me that this was not the case, and that he would be taking action,'' Chretien said. ''And so I thanked him. ''We are still good friends.'' The United States announced this week that countries which did not support the U.S.-led war in Iraq last spring, including Canada, would not be allowed to bid on reconstruction contracts worth $18 billion. But Chretien said Bush called Thursday and, ''he was telling me basically not to worry.'' The prime minister, who retires Friday, received the call before 8 a.m. at 24 Sussex Dr. The president's exact words on the issue were: ''We are working to rectify the situation,'' said Chretien spokesman Stephen Hogue. Bush's comments to Chretien seemed to fly in the face of what he was saying at home. He told reporters in Washington on Thursday that countries which sent troops to Iraq should share in the American-financed reconstruction projects while other nations are shut out. ''What I'm saying is, in the expenditure of the taxpayers' money . . . the U.S. people, the taxpayers, understand why it makes sense for countries that risked lives to participate in the contracts in Iraq. It's very simple. Our people risked their lives, friendly coalition folks risked their lives and therefore the contracting is going to reflect that.'' Presidential spokesman Scott McLellan later said: ''We'll be glad to discuss the issue with you,'' when asked about Canada's status. Incoming prime minister Paul Martin said Wednesday that he couldn't fathom the U.S. move to shun its northern neighbour, especially after Canada has pledged nearly $300 million for Iraq reconstruction. Canadian troops in Afghanistan are also ''carrying a very, very heavy load'' in the war on terrorism in Afghanistan, Martin said. He said he would raise the matter with the U.S. ambassador. Deputy Prime Minister John Manley suggested Canada may cut aid to Iraq in response to the U.S. snub. Chretien and Bush talked for about 10 minutes Thursday, said Chretien spokeswoman Thoren Hudyma. Bush congratulated Chretien ''on your very, very distinguished and honourable career,'' Hudyma said, quoting the president. Chretien was ''very moved,'' she said. ''The prime minister said to Bush: 'You know we've had a few disagreements in the past, but relations between our two countries have never been better.'' Hudyma described the chat as very warm and cordial. The two leaders have never formed the kind of bond Chretien enjoyed with former U.S. president Bill Clinton. There was an infamous incident just over a year ago when former Chretien press aide Francoise Ducros called Bush ''a moron.'' She lost her job after Chretien's attempts to defend her were widely mocked in the U.S. media.