Nick Sarkozy visits Iraq

**Farnan** · February 11, 2009, 10:21 AM

Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday made his first trip to Iraq, to carve out a role for France in the reconstruction process and end any lingering US-French animosity over the 2003 invasion.

The first visit by a non-coalition leader since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein was tailored to send three messages: Paris wants a key role for French diplomacy in the region, French firms are keen for contracts in rebuilding Iraq, and France is prepared to co-operate with Barack Obama.

Sarkozy has sought to rebuild relations with the White House, soured by Jacques Chirac's refusal to back the US-led invasion.

In Baghdad, Sarkozy said France's willingness to take part in the economic development of Iraq knew "no limits".

"We seek co-operation in the economic field, energy, reconstruction, and to help the police, security and Iraqi military forces, as well as restoring Iraq's international position," he said, adding: "My coming here is to tell French companies: the time has come. Come and invest."

Defence, oil and water are key sectors for French involvement in Iraq and a business delegation from Paris is due to visit.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009...it-iraq-france

French help in the economic rebuilding of Iraq can only be good.

**Mithie** · February 11, 2009, 10:36 AM

Doesn't France have its own crumbling economy to worry about?

**aarons got funky fresh** · February 11, 2009, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by Mithie

Doesn't France have its own crumbling economy to worry about?

France is actually one of the few countries not in a recession, so no.

**Heinz Guderian** · February 11, 2009, 10:38 AM

Who pays these heart of gold French companies after fulfillling some tasty contracts? The Iraqis or the Mericans?

**Farnan** · February 11, 2009, 10:39 AM

They are talking about the French investing in Iraq, aka buying stuff there and setting up business there.

**Mithie** · February 11, 2009, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Farnan

They are talking about the French investing in Iraq, aka buying stuff there and setting up business there.

I'll believe it when I see it.

**Heinz Guderian** · February 11, 2009, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Farnan

They are talking about the French investing in Iraq, aka buying stuff there and setting up business there.

Big Oil and getting rebuilding contracts. Why do they need the French to invest, is Halliburton, KBR and the Big Oil Four got too much on at the moment?

**Da Skinna** · February 11, 2009, 11:03 AM

France doesn't really need as much oil as the US though, but the French can invest in other things... cheese maybe.

**Nikos** · February 11, 2009, 11:09 AM

Interesting, It looks like France is going to be helping in Iraq more. Perhaps this will make Franco-American relations better.

**mrmouth** · February 11, 2009, 11:38 AM

I like Sarkozy, but I get a little pissed with France because they didn't want to come to the party, but now they want some left over cake in the form of lucrative contracts.

Its kind of a scumbag move to open your arms to the people you didn't feel were enough to fight for . Regardless of the reason for the invasion and France's issues with that, when the going got real, real tough, they didn't step in with assistance to prevent the deaths of the people from which in the future will be lining their pockets. All of these countries simply watched Iraq spiral out of control with an "I told you so" attitude...

And its not really an issue of relieving the burden the US shoulders in terms of reconstruction. Were talking only around 10 major population centers that needed some type of reconstruction after decades of abuse under Saddam. Of those, the US has already completed 3, and Mosul is in good shape overall.

We rebuilt the infrastructure of Fallujah in around 7-9 months once it became secure. Now only small civic reconstruction takes place, by the Iraqis themselves. It now looks like any other medium sized modern city in the region, and has some infrastructure improvements not seen in the wealthist of countries.

If France wants in, fine, but lets not mistake this for anyhting more than what it is.

**Heinz Guderian** · February 11, 2009, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by BarnabyJones

I like Sarkozy, but I get a little pissed with France because they didn't want to come to the party, but now they want some left over cake in the form of lucrative contracts.

Its kind of a scumbag move to open your arms to the people you didn't feel were enough to fight for . Regardless of the reason for the invasion and France's issues with that, when the going got real, real tough, they didn't step in with assistance to prevent the deaths of the people from which in the future will be lining their pockets. All of these countries simply watched Iraq spiral out of control with an "I told you so" attitude...

yup. blame France.

They certainly didnt want to "come to the party". Neither did we Brits (biggest demo march in the history of Britain). And what a great party.

**saglam2000** · February 11, 2009, 06:25 PM

France can go help, it will be good for Iraq, just make sure they dont help militarily, Iran will steam roll them after that.

**John McCain 2008** · February 11, 2009, 08:12 PM

I applaud France's President Sarkozy for visiting this new beacon of the light of democracy in the Middle East, in a region filled with totalitarian/pseudo-totalitarian regimes.