Germany's Siemens awarded Iraq contract

[Kellanved]

BERLIN -- Siemens AG said Thursday it will develop a cellular phone network in Iraq - the first reconstruction contract publicly announced by a firm in Germany, which vehemently opposed the U.S.-led war.

Siemens also is in talks to supply parts for two power stations in Iraq, company spokesman Peter Gottal said.

Washington last month excluded firms from countries that opposed the war from bidding on reconstruction projects, but they are not barred from subcontractor work.

This week, the Bush administration said it was reconsidering and might allow companies from anti-war countries to bid as primary contractors.

...

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/apbiz_story.asp?category=1310&slug=Germany%20Iraq%20Contracts

[cheezus]

1. but... but... but...

They didn't risk lives like Haliburton did...

oh, wait.

[NervousRex]

2. Not surprising considering...

this company has blood on it's hands from WW2.

http://csf.colorado.edu/mail/peace/nov03/msg00023.html

excerpt:


"By 1944 and 1945, leaders of major German companies such as automaker Daimler Benz, electrical manufacturers AEG and Siemans(sic), and most of Germany’s large mining, steelmaking, chemical, and construction companies found themselves deeply compromised by their exploitation of concentration camp labor, theft, and in some cases complicity in mass murder. They committed those crimes not so much out of ideological conviction, but more often as a means of preserving their influence within Germany’s economy and society. For much of the German economic elite, their cooperation in atrocities was offered to Hitler’s government in exchange for its aid in maintaining their status."

nothing new here...

[radwriter0555]

3. Subsidiary of the Carlyle Group. I know I was shocked

by that.

***NOT***

[Grins]

4. It sounds better than it is.

The real money in a government contract goes to the Prime contractor. Siemens is only a subcontractor. Anyone that knows government contracting is fully aware of what a Prime can do to subs. Subcontracts are where the most vicious cost cutting takes place. The Prime plays one vendor off another all the time to maximize the Prime's profits, all at the subs expense!! Siemens will be watching it's back for a long time. Europe is being treated like trash, yet the repukes will hold this up as Bush's compassion and honesty in opening their arms to Europe and open competition. Bull!

[Kellanved]

5. exactly

That is the schocker: Bechtel is making enough money to subcontract to an European firm. Considering the Dollar/Euro exchange rate that seems rather strange.