War Opponents Denounce U.S. Rules on Contracts in Iraq

Citing security concerns, US officials have announced that only those countries that supported the invasion of Iraq will be allowed to bid on $18.6 billion in reconstruction contracts. The decision enraged Russia, Germany, France, and Canada, who under the decision will be excluded from much of the biggest nation rebuilding effort since the Second World War. Igor Ivanov, the Russian foreign minister, said the decision contradicts President Bush's claims that Iraqis themselves should make decisions about their resources. France is appealing to the EU to determine if the ban violates international trading rules, and Canada has threatened to withhold further funding for Iraq's reconstruction. In spite of the international furor, US officials say they have every right to reserve contracts funded by US taxpayers for nations which "contributed blood and treasure to liberate Iraq". - YaleGlobal