Bush, Blocked by France, Gains No Ground on Iraq Debt (Update3)

[seemslikeadream]

June 10 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. President George W. Bush's personal appeals failed to win agreement from Group of Eight nations to reduce Iraq's $120 billion of debt and to send more G- 8 troops to stabilize the country.

French President Jacques Chirac disagreed about how much debt to cut and sought to limit relief to 50 percent because of Iraq's revenue from oil reserves, the world's second-largest. The stalemate leaves the Paris Club of creditor nations, whose members include both the U.S. and France, to find a compromise.

Divisions between the U.S. and France, which opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, also surfaced when Chirac rejected Bush's suggestion that NATO expand its role in Iraq. France and Germany have refused to send troops to Iraq to support the 150,000 that Britain, the U.S. and Italy have there.

``You can't write one big check in the enthusiasm of the moment without considering all the interconnected issues -- oil prices, your country's credit rating, what troops on the ground actually do,'' said John Kirton, a University of Toronto professor who has attended G-8 meetings since 1987. ``These are issues that can get worked out over the next few weeks.''

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http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aUxEA4Uejifw&refer=us

[samhonk]

1. When did the U.S. become a creditor nation?

I guess a lot of people owe us some money, but isn't the balance in the red overall?

[struggle4progress]

2. kick

:kick:

[markses]

3. Le Bitch Slap

There's a great scene in And the Band Played On when the Luc Montagnier finds out that William Gallo is trying to steal credit for isolation of the HIV virus. He says "OK, Monsieur Gallo" in the most exquisite French accent; he's about the take it to the slimey American. Well, OK, Monsieur Bush...;-)

[Piperay]

6. Hahaha, yeah ... paybacks

a bitch, isn't it Mr chimp! :bounce:

[cosmicone]

4. Go Chirac ..... Yay! n/t

[usg353d]

5. That's Funny

[saskatoon]

7. Blocked by France

Viva La France! Makes you feel like making some good ol' French fries for supper.

[cliss]

8. I saw a photo of Chirac and Bush over the weekend

as they shook hands. Chirac loomed over Bush, who had a cringing, less-than=confident look on his little face.

Chirac, on the other hand, looked supremely confident. The next photo showed him hovering over little Bush. His index finger was pointed directly at Bush's face. I'm sure it did nothing to make the guy feel better.

I think Chirac knows Bush's chance of re-election are slim. There could be a rigged election, to be sure, so he's going to wait to see what happens in November.

So for now he's going to stall. He'll probably want to do business with Kerry anyway.

[seemslikeadream]

9. and he's always kissing Laura's hand

[steely]

11. I wonder if she's picking his pocket?

Ya gotta wonder if * gets jealous - look at her just beam.

[steely]

10. The chimpster gets taught a lesson by "...old Europe."

Arrogant dork is too stupid to realize he's got a big No-Confidence vote coming around every corner, no matter where on earth he ventures.

better stop, I feel an urge to rant.

[tabasco]

12. Dangit Uncle Dickie, you told me I could rule the world.

The funny talkers didn't send soldiers to my war and you said I could make them sorry and do what I want. Now they still won't liisten to me, Uncle Dickie!! Take away their oil Uncle Dickie! That's what you said you'd do if the funny talkers didn't listen to me! C'mon Uncle Dickie! Let's call them some bad names and then they'll liisten!

[steely]

13. Karl?!! KARL?! Hep me find Unkle Dickie - tarnation!

Damn - all this work makes me hungry. Where's the closest TAKO bell?

[dansolo]

14. Why doesn't Bush ask the middle eastern countries first?

Isn't something like 2/3 of the Iraqi debt owed to countries in the Middle East? Why does the media make it seem like it is only the European countries that are owed debts?