We need friends, not contractors

Thursday, December 11, 2003

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

The United States has always valued its friends. It's a smart idea, even if the Bush administration doesn't understand the concept well enough to apply it to the war on terrorism, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The plan to limit reconstruction contracts in Iraq slaps nations that have done everything they could in good conscience to support the United States in the wake of 9/11.

At least, the decision does not forbid subcontracting by companies from any country. But other countries already see this as a slight.

Canada and the European Union said they will explore whether the action violates international trading rules. Legal or not, we have acted unwisely.

A George Washington University expert on government procurement told The Wall Street Journal that he couldn't remember the United States limiting contracts because of a single policy disagreement.

In turning the litmus-mentality of U.S. domestic policies to international affairs, we have insulted France, Russia and Germany. France is America's oldest ally. Germany has provided leadership -- recognized by President Bush -- in Afghanistan. Russia holds Iraqi debt that a Bush envoy will ask them to renegotiate. Russia is already saying no.

Then there's Canada and Mexico. According to the finding of the Defense Department's Paul Wolfowitz (popularizer of fantasies about an easy reconstruction and Iraqi liberation celebrations), our next-door neighbors don't rate as interested enough in U.S. national security to receive reconstruction contracts.

For heaven's sake. How can a U.S. government official seriously propagate such nonsense?

Bush's willingness or need to rely on a mean-minded circle of advisers is showing. Too often, he does what Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz tell him.

More than ever, the United States is going it almost alone. It is a dangerous and sharp contrast to the measured international conduct of previous presidents.

Wolfowitz asserts that "essential security interests" require limiting the contracts. There's little explanation, other than suggesting that the contracts will be an incentive to line up support.

In rewarding supporters of our Iraq policy, we treat them as if their support, including their troops' lives, could be bought. What an insult to Britain, Spain and other supporters. Their critics will say Britain's Tony Blair and Japan's Junichiro Koizumi have sold out.

Americans can only hope that our allies will choose to forgive such poorly considered behavior. We need them as friends.

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