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US Congress bans France, Germany, Russia, Syria from rebuilding Iraq
* Senate approves $80 billion for Iraq war
WASHINGTON: The House of Representatives late on Thursday passed a supplementary budget amendment excluding France, Germany, Russia and Syria from taking part in US-funded reconstruction bids in Iraq, because they opposed the US-led war in Iraq.
Proposed by Minnesota congressman Mark Kennedy and passed by show of hands, the measure would even bar access by the four countries to information on reconstruction bids in Iraq.
The Kennedy amendment stipulated “that none of the funds made available in the bill for reconstruction efforts in Iraq may be used to procure goods or services from any entity that includes information on a response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) that indicates that such entity is organized under the laws of France, Germany, the Russian Federation, or Syria.”
A similar amendment from Washington state congressman George Nethercutt that included China was voted down.
“This amendment sends a signal to our allies that we appreciate those who support us in our time of need and remember those that have sought to thwart coalition efforts to defeat Saddam Hussein’s regime,” Nethercutt said of his measure. “The coalition of the unwilling should not participate in reconstruction with US tax dollars,” he added. The Kennedy amendment was included in a supplemental budget amendment authorizing 77.9 billion dollars in funding to cover the costs of war in Iraq and the start of reconstruction in Iraq passed by the House by a 414-12 vote.
The Senate late Thursday also passed its version of the supplemental budget amendment totaling 78.7 billion dollars. The two versions will have to be reconciled and approved again by each body before being sent to the White House to be signed by US President George Bush.
The matter could become a mute point during the conference discussions later since the Senate rejected the same measure so it is unlikely to be included in the compromise version.
Republican Senator John Ensign (Nevada), however, had failed to withdraw his amendment — despite objections from the White House — arguing that it would worsen relations with Germany and France, both of whom opposed the US-led war on Iraq in the United Nations.
Several opposition Democratic senators also opposed the Ensign measure.
“This amendment is enormously destructive,” said Senator Diane Feinstein of California. “If America is going to become an arrogant nation, this is a good way to begin,” she added.
US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage on Thursday sent a letter to House Majority Leader, Republican Dennis Hastert, warning him the Ensign amendment would place the bulk of the cost of providing humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Iraq on US shoulders, creating great economic and political hardships for the country. —AFP
Oddly enough the only sources that seem to be reporting this development are irakwar.ru, a couple Pakistani newspapers, and some minor US newspapers.
Are these people just plain stupid, or do they have secret dreams of making Iraq a US colony?
* Senate approves $80 billion for Iraq war
WASHINGTON: The House of Representatives late on Thursday passed a supplementary budget amendment excluding France, Germany, Russia and Syria from taking part in US-funded reconstruction bids in Iraq, because they opposed the US-led war in Iraq.
Proposed by Minnesota congressman Mark Kennedy and passed by show of hands, the measure would even bar access by the four countries to information on reconstruction bids in Iraq.
The Kennedy amendment stipulated “that none of the funds made available in the bill for reconstruction efforts in Iraq may be used to procure goods or services from any entity that includes information on a response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) that indicates that such entity is organized under the laws of France, Germany, the Russian Federation, or Syria.”
A similar amendment from Washington state congressman George Nethercutt that included China was voted down.
“This amendment sends a signal to our allies that we appreciate those who support us in our time of need and remember those that have sought to thwart coalition efforts to defeat Saddam Hussein’s regime,” Nethercutt said of his measure. “The coalition of the unwilling should not participate in reconstruction with US tax dollars,” he added. The Kennedy amendment was included in a supplemental budget amendment authorizing 77.9 billion dollars in funding to cover the costs of war in Iraq and the start of reconstruction in Iraq passed by the House by a 414-12 vote.
The Senate late Thursday also passed its version of the supplemental budget amendment totaling 78.7 billion dollars. The two versions will have to be reconciled and approved again by each body before being sent to the White House to be signed by US President George Bush.
The matter could become a mute point during the conference discussions later since the Senate rejected the same measure so it is unlikely to be included in the compromise version.
Republican Senator John Ensign (Nevada), however, had failed to withdraw his amendment — despite objections from the White House — arguing that it would worsen relations with Germany and France, both of whom opposed the US-led war on Iraq in the United Nations.
Several opposition Democratic senators also opposed the Ensign measure.
“This amendment is enormously destructive,” said Senator Diane Feinstein of California. “If America is going to become an arrogant nation, this is a good way to begin,” she added.
US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage on Thursday sent a letter to House Majority Leader, Republican Dennis Hastert, warning him the Ensign amendment would place the bulk of the cost of providing humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Iraq on US shoulders, creating great economic and political hardships for the country. —AFP
Oddly enough the only sources that seem to be reporting this development are irakwar.ru, a couple Pakistani newspapers, and some minor US newspapers.
Are these people just plain stupid, or do they have secret dreams of making Iraq a US colony?
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