The news I heard as of about 5pm today was two contracts. One to the Seattle-based company (two names "blank & blank"... can't think of it) for $1.6 billion, and one to Halliburton for $900 million.
I'll see if I can find it online. Probably in (less-than-reliable) blogs.
"The conventional wisdom is that Halliburton, the oil-services and heavy construction company that Vice President Richard Cheney led, stands to be one of the big winners in the postwar reconstruction bonanza. The Houston-based company is believed to have won a contract to modernize Iraq's oil production facilities, even though neither the company nor the federal government will confirm it."
Originally posted by ohio The news I heard as of about 5pm today was two contracts. One to the Seattle-based company (two names "blank & blank"... can't think of it) for $1.6 billion, and one to Halliburton for $900 million.
I'll see if I can find it online. Probably in (less-than-reliable) blogs.
Since the news only hit today, the numbers are all approximate, but Halliburton is publicly traded so it will (should?) all come out eventually...
Oh and the Seattle company was Stevedoring (edit: according to SRiMedia for around $4+ billion)... I got it confused with Kellogg Brown and Root, the Halliburton Subsidiary.
Yes, we realize there's only about 5 contractors in the US that could fulfill our postwar needs. I posted this because several monkeys have questioned the claim that those in power will benefit directly from this war... not to promote conspiracy theory. It's a "see how simple it is?", not an "I told you so."
Originally posted by ohio Yes, we realize there's only about 5 contractors in the US that could fulfill our postwar needs. I posted this because several monkeys have questioned the claim that those in power will benefit directly from this war... not to promote conspiracy theory. It's a "see how simple it is?", not an "I told you so."
And of course he no longer has any friends there, or any possibility of benefititng in the future so there is no point in pointing out any connection whatsoever.
Clearly the current power holders cannot benefit in any way from US companies who get post-war reconstruction ..
Halliburton is very well-qualified to do this work as are numerous other U.S. and international firms. They have a unique position as the Vice-President of the United States was a high level executive with the firm before leaving to gallantly heed the call of public office. Some of us recall the big stink that Vice-President Cheney got into when he fought congress to keep names and affiliations of participants in his energy planning group secret.
While they are very well qualified to do some of this reconstruction, the links to the vice-president and his disregard for open government give this deal a certain lingering aroma that all the free market spinning and flag waving will not clear.
This deal with Halliburton looks bad from the outside and is just another example of the administration being tone-deaf to political sensitivities that will only undermine them and future administrations in the world view.
I am all for the UN and Iraq to fund the rebuilding of their country...
Of course that ain't gonna happen!
The US gov can only award US gov contracts to US companies though... however, the prime contractors can use local companies if they choose to (which the most likely will).
So rebuilding Iraq will be a US government contract?
Sounds a bit dodgy to me.
I'm sure there are many imaginative ways to fund reconstruction of such a potentially rich country.
I wonder if there are any Iraqi's clued-up and intelligent enough to work them out? Hey, mabye there are one or two who could even be smart enough to run their own country on their own?
Ive worked on many projects where the US EPA, Department of Energy and Defense Department had contracted with foreign companies including the Brits, Swedes, and Canadians for engineering and construction services.
AMEC
BNFL
Sverdrup
AGRA
British Petroleum to name a few.
I dont have a problem eventually awarding contracts to Halliburton, but a large contract to them 8-days into the war doesnt pass the straight-face test.
Sticking the UN for the bill is a novel idea, especially considering how they dragged us kicking and screaming into Iraq.
:devil:
edit see below, I do have a problem with Halliburton getting their fingers in the pie.
Aside from the $1 million salary... oops, I mean "pension" he is paid by them every year?
You're not running on all cylinders if you think he is no longer tied to that company. That alone is not a terrible thing... I would expect any politician to be influenced by their previous colleagues. However, when those ties call into question the very motivations of our nation in the eyes of the world, creating enemies and making those he was elected to serve less safe... well, yes, I have a problem.
In light of Ohios information on Cheneys compensation (I checked and it is confirmed from several news and investment sites) I am a little pissed off The vice president is pulling in $1million a year from Halliburton and we give those guys a contract for $900 million for reconstruction.
Weve been busting our asses off in the engineering and construction fields for years trying to get Qualification Based Selection to be the preferred selection process insuring the best value for the taxpayer and a level field for companies. The vice-president, free market industry titan, is still a fan of back room deals at taxpayer expense.
Fvck Halliburton, they may be qualified, but don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. :angry: :angry: :angry:
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