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Is the US acting as a sole superpower by snubbing UN? Post your views

Washington: US President George W Bush has strongly defended the exclusion of companies from France, Germany, Russia and Canada among others, which did not sent troops to Iraq, from competing for prime contracts of American-funded Iraq reconstruction projects.

"What I am saying is, in the expenditure of taxpayer's money... the US people, the taxpayers, understand why it makes sense for countries that risk lives to participate in the contracts in Iraq," Bush said after a Cabinet meeting.

"It is very simple. Our people risk their lives. Friendly coalition folks risk their lives. And, therefore, the contracting is going to reflect that. And that is what the US taxpayers expect," he said.

"Let me make sure everybody understands that men and women from our country, who proudly wear our uniform, risked their lives to free Iraq. Men and women from other countries, in a broad coalition, risked their lives to free Iraq. And the expenditure of US Dollars will reflect the fact that US troops and other troops risked their life," Bush said.

If these (excluded) countries want to participate in helping the world become more secure by enabling Iraq to emerge as a free and peaceful country, said Bush, one way to contribute is through debt restructuring.

PTI