TOPICS
TOPICS
Debt forgiveness key to participation in Iraq reconstruction
While giving no indication that the overall policy will change, the White House on Thursday suggested countries that did not support the war against Iraq may be able to remove themselves from the list of nations barred from bidding on major contracts for rebuilding the country.
"If other countries want to participate in the coalition efforts and the efforts of the Iraqi people going on right now in Iraq, then circumstances can change," said White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan.
Speaking to reporters Thursday after a meeting with the president's Cabinet, President Bush noted that debt forgiveness would allow countries to "participate" in the Iraqi effort.
"If these countries want to participate in helping the world become more secure by enabling Iraq to emerge as a free and peaceful country, one way to contribute is through debt restructuring," Bush said.
Former Secretary of State Baker leaves Monday on what McClellan described as an "initial fact finding" overseas mission to begin drumming up support for forgiveness of Iraq's prewar debt. Baker will visit France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and Italy. Bush indicated the initial decision to bar certain countries from access to the contracts was based on the principle that taxpayer money should go to nations that put the lives of their citizens on the line in Iraq.
COMMENTS
- King George is making a mockery of the rest of the world. I hope they sit back and do nothing. Do not let this man get away with a foreign policy that makes fools of everyone who has the gall to stand up and do the right thing for the right reason. King George would not recognize a moral position. GovExec.com reader Posted December 15, 2003 7:33 AM
- Pretty straight forward story of the little red hen applied globally. Perhaps some would be able to see the fairness easier if we simply handicapped the bidding to reflect the taxes already paid by the Americans. Don't we have to wonder about the motivation to succeed of anyone who questions the basic premise? If you aren't with us, then get the heck out of the way. Another tax payer Posted December 13, 2003 3:22 PM
- I didn't know countries bid, I thought companies bid? Is an American subsidiary of a French company allowed to bid? This is a ridiculous statement that those that didn't support the unjust war are not allowed to help rebuild what was destroyed. Tax Payer Posted December 12, 2003 6:51 AM
