# France looking for "big role" in rebuilding Iraq **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 25, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146 "2003-03-25T22:36:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/1 "2003-03-25T22:36:47Z")
[http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=540&e=1&u=/ap/20030325/ap\_on\_re\_mi\_ea/war\_france\_rebuilding\_iraq\_2](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=540&e=1&u=/ap/20030325/ap_on_re_mi_ea/war_france_rebuilding_iraq_2) > [@](#): > > Chirac has warned that France would vote against any U.N. Security Council resolution that would give “the American and British belligerents the right to administer Iraq.” There is a big suprise. Why would the US and Britain even let the “gravy” of the war go through the UN? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/2 "2003-03-25T22:58:23Z")
Because we’re there to “liberate the Iraqi people” not for the swag and booty … remember? ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/3 "2003-03-25T23:36:53Z")
This is merely the tip of the ‘Fuck You, France’ iceberg. Since the French did nothing to help liberate Iraq, why should they have _any_ role in its administration and rebuilding afterwards? ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/4 "2003-03-25T23:46:46Z")
I would be very, very nervous of NOT having the UN involved significantly in rebuilding Iraq. The French, though? They can lick my balls. No special administration for them. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/5 "2003-03-26T00:02:35Z")
They ain’t gonna get shit. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/6 "2003-03-26T00:11:39Z")
Oh yeah, I forgot. Fuck the French. I’m an American, i’m supposed to hate them. What was I thinking? A large order of Freedom Fries and Liberty Toast please. What the hell are we doing over there? Saving the Iraqi people (the “noble cause” I have thrown at me left and right) or getting more shit for ourselves? If you want me on the pro-war side of the argument, lets not set ourselves up as 21 century pirates out to pillage Iraq and fuck the French. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/7 "2003-03-26T00:15:40Z")
You exclude the possibility that we are out to _help_ Iraq and fuck the French. All of the fallout that France is to experience can be squarely placed on Chirac’s shoulders. Don’t try to blame this on America somehow. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/8 "2003-03-26T00:17:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*They ain’t gonna get shit. \*\* ‘get’??? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/9 "2003-03-26T00:28:12Z")
Blame what on America? I was against invasion in the first place, but if we are in there to liberate the country, than why should we hold a grudge against an ally who disagreed with us? Again I ask, what is the purpose of our presence there? Liberation or swag? We said, “we want to liberate the Iraqi’s.” They said, “we don’t want you to do it that way.” We said, “well, we know what’s best so we’re doing it that way anyway.” So if we are successful in liberating the the Iraqi people, should we be as noble as we claim to be and say, “we told you we were right, now come on over an lend a hand, buddy,” or should we be thugs we appear to be and say, “neener … told you so, now fuck off, Frenchie!” I know where I would rather stand. Or should we just finish the job and occupy Paris while we’re over there kicking ass anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/10 "2003-03-26T00:34:51Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Jack Batty_ > 21st Century Pirates Band name!!! [sub]_Ducking and running!_[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/11 "2003-03-26T00:36:25Z")
(thanks for sort of retro-actively fixing my typo) ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/12 "2003-03-26T00:37:36Z")
The neo-Vichy regime in Paris is punishment enough for the French. All the same, I see no reason why the French should reap any benifit from an action that they so obviously oppossed. Fuck 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Payne\_N.Diaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Payne\_N.Diaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payne_N.Diaz)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/13 "2003-03-26T00:46:43Z")
The Frogs were totally opposed to running any risks, or spending any money, on the liberation of Iraq. And now they want their share of the profits from the newly-opened market in Iraq. To them I give a hearty EAT ME. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/14 "2003-03-26T00:54:11Z")
Nice. Frogs. Great argument. Dip shit. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/15 "2003-03-26T01:09:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Payne N. Diaz \* > \*\*The Frogs were totally opposed to running any risks, or spending any money, on the liberation of Iraq. And now they want their share of the profits from the newly-opened market in Iraq. To them I give a hearty EAT ME. \*\* 1. You would be better served directing your ire at Chirac instead of the French. They should do the same towards Bush. 2. You would be better served not calling them frogs. 3. I would have slightly agreed with the spirit of your post, but not with the inflammatory remarks. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/16 "2003-03-26T01:13:12Z")
I still don’t understand why the French are supposed to be frogs. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/17 "2003-03-26T02:03:53Z")
France won’t get anything out of this. I expect the UN to be 100% circumvented, or at least have a very, VERY minimal effect on the “rebuilding of Iraq”. To go a touch further, I really think this is the end of the UN, at least with the US being involved with them. But I’m no political expert, it’s just something Is ee going on and a conclusion I’ve drawn from it. Sam ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/18 "2003-03-26T02:06:12Z")
> [@](#): > > And now they want their share of the profits from the newly-opened market in Iraq. To them I give a hearty EAT ME. War is not supposed to be a fucking _investment, **especially** _ for a government that has sworn up and down that it’s all about liberating the Iraqis/stopping terrorism/forcing Saddam to comply with the UN/whatever damn rationalization they’re claiming it has today. To treat the reconstruction of Iraq like the proceeds of some sort of grotesque piñata, to which only the people who smashed it are entitled, is absolutely disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![BondJamesBond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f8ce5/32.png) [@BondJamesBond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BondJamesBond)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/19 "2003-03-26T02:23:55Z")
You mean post-war Iraq will not have French cheese and wines? Oh, those poor Iraqis - having to drink Chilean, Californian, Australian, South African wines. The new Iraqi government may only drive Hummers, Land Rovers, Ford F-150s through the deserts; no Pugeots or Citroens. They will also have do without “French dubs” whatever those may be. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146/20 "2003-03-26T02:33:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by matt\_mcl \* > \*\*War is not supposed to be a fucking _investment, **especially** _ for a government that has sworn up and down that it’s all about liberating the Iraqis/stopping terrorism/forcing Saddam to comply with the UN/whatever damn rationalization they’re claiming it has today. To treat the reconstruction of Iraq like the proceeds of some sort of grotesque piñata, to which only the people who smashed it are entitled, is absolutely disgusting. \*\* War may not be, but rebuilding certainly is. Iraq is not going to be able to recover from this war, whatever the motives for it were, without massive rebuilding. The Iraqis need that as much as they needed freedom from Saddam. _Somebody_ is going to get those contracts, who do you propose? The Russians? They’re selling weapons to SH as we speak. The French, the Germans? They opposed the whole thing, why should they reap the benefits? The Brits and Yanks? Damn straight. Our companies get the work and the Iraqis get a rebuilt country. It can be ( might not be, but it’s too early to tell ) win/win for both sides. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-looking-for-big-role-in-rebuilding-iraq/164146.md?page=2)