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December 12, 2003
Carrot & Stick Diplomacy
Following Tuesday's news that non-contributing countries would not be allowed to bid on Iraq contracts, President Bush has offered an alternative.
President Bush yesterday said forgiving Iraqi debt would be "a significant contribution" to postwar reconstruction efforts and suggested that such a move by France, Germany and Russia might be enough to permit those countries' companies to compete for prime contracts to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure.
Well done. Anyone who knows anything knows the best way to deal with recalcitrant braying jackasses is to whack them firmly between the ears with a big stick to get their attention....then dangle a carrot to get them to do what you want.
Sen. John Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat and presidential aspirant, said awarding prime contracts to war supporters "is an enormous mistake" that "borders on the stupid."
"It is counterproductive and is the exact opposite of what we should be doing in order to bring other countries to the table," Mr. Kerry said.
Sorry Mr. Kerry, but the only thing ass-kissing gets you in these situations is a big kick in the teeth.
Didn't learn much in 'Nam, did you?
Posted by Rita at December 12, 2003 06:40 AM
Comments
I spent yesterday trying to send a comment to EU Commissioner of External Relations, Chris Patten, regarding his statements about the U.S. excluding China, Russia, Germany and France from bidding on Iraq contracts - but he apparently isn't accepting emails at any of his posted addresses. Today I no longer care what he thinks about American actions. How fortunate that people like him are just figureheads for pointless cults.
Posted by: kenneth at December 12, 2003 03:03 PM
I just wanted to touch base and see if I understand this correctly....the people in Iraq that survived Hussiens rule now owe money to the countries that supplied the deposed dictator with the necessary arms and political influence to keep them subdued and subjugated? Am I the only person to observe a hint of irony? May I be the first to say they should direct a flying phallic symbol at perambulating pastry............
Posted by: Bill at December 12, 2003 10:20 PM
Not all EU citizens are clueless. Via Commonsenseandwonder, a Deutsche-Welle opinion -
http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,7549_A_1058336_1_A,00.html
*Opinion: U.S. Has Right To Choose Iraq Contractors*
"But actually Wolfowitz didn’t do anything the now indignant and angry Europeans, who even threatened to invoke international trade law, would not do if put in the same position."
Posted by: John Anderson at December 13, 2003 06:17 PM