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France, Germany, Russia, Syria banned from rebuilding Iraq
Apr 04 12:19 PM ET ,2003
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The House of Representatives passed a supplementary budget amendment excluding France, Germany, Russia and Syria from taking part in US-funded reconstruction bids in Iraq (news - web sites), because they opposed the US-led war in Iraq.
Proposed by Minnesota congressman Mark Kennedy, a Republican unrelated to the famous Kennedy clan, 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, also Republican, 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 (news - web sites)'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 amendmend 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 own version of the supplemental budget amendment totaling 78.7 billion dollars.
The two versions will then have to be reconciled and approved again by each body before being sent to the White House to be signed by US President George W. Bush (news - web sites).
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