redman Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 Worried, are we Jacques? France Seeks Big Role in Post-War Iraq 1 hour, 8 minutes ago By KIM HOUSEGO, Associated Press Writer PARIS - Worried it could be shut out of business deals in postwar Iraq (news - web sites), France is drawing up plans to win French companies access to lucrative oil and reconstruction contracts, officials said Tuesday. The government is determined that French companies will be part of rebuilding Iraq, despite President Jacques Chirac's vigorous opposition to the war, a Finance Ministry official said. Gilles Munier, an executive board member of the French-Iraq Association for Economic Cooperation, said business leaders and government representatives were studying how to gain a foothold in postwar Iraq. He said a meeting between France's most powerful business federation, government leaders and the French-Iraq Association for Economic Cooperation was scheduled for April 3. The Finance Ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed discussions were underway with business leaders about Iraq. Some French are concerned that a U.S.-led administration in Iraq will favor companies from the United States and other pro-war countries while penalizing companies from France and other war opponents. The Bush administration awarded a $4.8 million contract Monday to a Seattle-based company to rebuild Iraq's only deep-water port. Washington is expected to announce similar deals soon. Officials in Paris say French firms' experience in working in Iraq would be an advantage. French companies — many with ties to Baghdad stretching back decades — have established themselves as the largest suppliers of goods to Iraq since a U.N. trade embargo was partially lifted in 1996. In 2001, France exported $705 million worth of goods to Iraq within the framework of the United Nations (news - web sites)' now-frozen oil-for-food program. Communications equipment maker Alcatel clinched a $75 million contract to upgrade Baghdad's phone network, and Renault sold $75 million worth of tractors and farming vehicles to Iraq. French oil giant TotalFinaElf probably has the biggest stake. It spent six years in the 1990s doing preparatory work on two giant oil fields and has signed two tentative agreements with Saddam to develop them. Munier said he believes American companies will have difficulties in Iraq because of widespread anger against the U.S.-led bombing campaign. "I don't see how American executives can work when their lives will be at risk," he said. "There will be such hatred toward Americans." Munier criticized French companies for negotiating with American companies for a piece of their businesses in Iraq, saying that such "collaboration" would damage the image of French business among Iraqis. Differences over how to run Iraq after the war have put added strain on already tense relations between the United States and several European countries. France opposes any U.S. reconstruction plan that would sideline United Nations development agencies, multilateral organizations and non-governmental aid groups. Chirac has warned that France would vote against any U.N. Security Council resolution that would give "the American and British belligerents the right to administer Iraq." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Mike Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 FVCK THEM ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 Boy that's a really ugly reading article for the French. Very mercenary. Heck, if they truly opposed the war wouldn't they be planning financial aid versus making money off the Iraqis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelms Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 It's time to withdraw from the U.N. and kick the "Star Wars cantina" out of New York. They can vote on their little security council resolutions from Paris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taryl69 Posted March 26, 2003 Share Posted March 26, 2003 Originally posted by Mad Mike FVCK THEM ! Could'nt of said it better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fansince62 Posted March 26, 2003 Share Posted March 26, 2003 the French ewconomy is in bad shape presently......high inflation, very slow gdp growth.....let's squeeze them just enough....long enough.......to push the the current government out of office....this is very doable..........anyone see thatt he state of Montana elected to sell all securitiries of French compnanies from its pension funds, etc.? not much....maybe $17 mil.....but nice symbolism...... let's make it hurt!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan44 Posted March 26, 2003 Share Posted March 26, 2003 FVCK the French. They think that they should get a slice of the post-Iraq pie? I don't think so. Who do these people think they are? Arrogent a$$holes. They can kiss my red, white, and blue A$$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Punani2 Posted March 26, 2003 Share Posted March 26, 2003 I think it's pretty funny that eveyone is talking about getting a slice of the post Iraqi "pie" and the war is NO WHERE near being won yet. In fact, if that was one of our bombs that hit a civilian area today we are losing the PR battle big time. :doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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