- (AFP) -- The House of Representatives has passed a supplementary
budget amendment excluding France, Germany, Russia and Syria from taking
part in US-funded reconstruction bids in Iraq, because they opposed the
US-led war in Iraq.
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- Proposed by Minnesota congressman Mark Kennedy, a Republican
unrelated to the famous Kennedy clan, and passed by show of hands late
on Thursday, the measure would even bar access by the four countries to
information on reconstruction bids in Iraq.
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- The Kennedy amendment stipulated "that none of the
funds made available in the bill for reconstruction efforts in Iraq may
be used to procure goods or services from any entity that includes information
on a response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) that indicates that such
entity is organised under the laws of France, Germany, the Russian Federation,
or Syria."
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- A similar amendment from Washington state congressman
George Nethercutt, also Republican, that included China, was voted down.
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- "This amendment sends a signal to our allies that
we appreciate those who support us in our time of need and remember those
that have sought to thwart coalition efforts to defeat Saddam Hussein's
regime," Nethercutt said of his measure.
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- "The coalition of the unwilling should not participate
in reconstruction with US tax dollars," he added.
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- The Kennedy amendment was included in a supplemental
budget amendment authorising $77.9 billion in funding to cover the costs
of war in Iraq and the start of reconstruction in Iraq passed by the House
by a 414-12 vote.
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