WP: U.S. Companies Put Little Capital Into Iraq

[kskiska]

Many Firms Interested, but Are Held Back by Security Concerns, Lack of Political Stability

BAGHDAD -- Commerce is thriving on Saddoun Street again, and its storefronts have the feel of a global bazaar. Glossy billboards show off electronics from South Korea. Vendors hawk cell phone service from Egypt. Corner groceries stock ice cream from the United Arab Emirates.

Conspicuously absent: U.S. brands.

Postwar Iraq was supposed to be a bonanza for American companies. The Commerce Department hosted a series of conferences attended by thousands who dreamed of investment opportunities promised by a free Iraq. The administration characterized the more than $21 billion Congress allocated to the reconstruction as a down payment, an initial investment that would spark the economy and bring riches to the Iraqi people as well as American entrepreneurs.

The reality a year after President Bush declared the end of major combat is far different.

Though many dozens of U.S. corporations have government contracts to help rebuild the country, relatively few American companies have invested their own capital. The volatile security situation has kept many potential investors away, and even as the U.S.-led coalition government has called on businesses to come to Iraq, the State Department has warned Americans to stay out of the country.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28157-2004May14.html

[LittleApple81]

1. ???? It was never about investing; it was about stealing. n/t

[PartyPooper]

2. But, that's all wrong. Last year they reported Burger King and Pizza Hut

went in and made a killing selling junk food to the U.S. troops.

Doesn't that count for something?

:eyes:

[enough]

3. The idea was not to put capital IN

It was to get capital OUT -- out of US taxpayers endless stream of largesse and out of Iraq's endless stream of oil.

[liarliartieonfire]

4. Now that their boy wonder, george, has dealt them a bogus deal,

and with zero corporate bonuses from the Promised Land, will they renig on those million$$ campaign pledges?

[TahitiNut]

5. Collateral! Collateral!

They want more collateral! Sign over all your national resources! Sign over your first-born! The Borg own you. ("Risk? We don' need no steenking risk!") </sarcasm but not much>

[DEMVET-USMC]

6. One family making lots of money,The Bushes Re: Carlyle Group

The Bush Family is no doubt making out very well. Daddy Warbucks is member of Carlyle Group along with such cronies as Carlucci, James Baker and on and on. Of course the Bushes have a long history of WAR PROFITEERING and they will sell weapons to anyone such as the Nazis during WWII. Check that out at < www.tarpley.net >. Click the Bush BIO , then chapter 2 THE HITLER PROJECT. This book details much other treachery by this family and is important for all to read. It`s free and no sign in or spyware. ...Oscar

[cliss]

7. One of the best threads this week.

Now this is what I call Poetic Justice. The very people who would carve up Iraq like a turkey on Thanksgiving. They were going to divvu up the pieces among their friends. "If you weren't a part of the coalition, you can't expect to participate in the spoils", said someone in the State Department.

HA ha. I'm laughing, as the written contracts shrivel up like prunes in the sun.

Now I'm convinced that Rummy & Cheney thought this would be a catered party, but the American companies went along with this? What fools. Because they bid on those contracts, and it cost them some money.

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. I guess Walmart isn't building a Super Center

in downtown Baghdad anytime soon. So tell me, where did the Iraqis get those white plastic lawn chairs?